Looking for an emergency door

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 102-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Social Assistance ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Alternative View ◽  
Dynamic Factor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Professional Discretion ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
High Level

Purpose – The paper investigates the role of information asymmetries and sensegiving processes of citizens claiming for social services. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the relevance of applicants’ agency, since it has been generally neglected in the analysis of social services provision. On the contrary, the paper proposes an alternative view, considering applicants as actors who are able to develop dialectic strategies for claiming specific forms of social assistance. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a qualitative research, conducted following an inductive approach. The data have been collected in three different Italian municipalities, where the researcher has been the opportunity to perform a period of observation of the interviews between the social workers of the local social services department and the citizens applying for social assistance. Findings – The findings of the research point out that informational asymmetries play an ambivalent role in the definition of applicant’s strategies, since they represent an ambivalent and dynamic factor, rather than a mere source of disadvantage for the user. From this viewpoint, the citizens’ possibilities to access to social assistance are shaped by both institutional and dialectic factors: on the one hand, access to social assistance relies on specific criteria of eligibility (institutionally defined), but on the other hand the access is the outcome of situated sensegiving processes, performed by both the applicants and the gatekeepers of social services during their encounters. Research limitations/implications – The research is based on the analysis of a small number of cases, within a context that is characterized by a high level of organizational and professional discretion in the regulation of the provision of social assistance. Practical implications – The findings of the research urge policy maker to re-consider applicants as strategic actors and opens the space for the development of new options of regulation of the delivery of social services. Social implications – The paper suggests to consider the applicants for social services as people who, although in a condition of need, are capable to identify specific forms of assistance. From this point of view, informational asymmetries are not be considered as a stigmatic issue, but as a space which calls for further and less superficial investigation. Originality/value – The paper challenges some of the most taken-for-granted theoretical assumptions in the analysis of the regulation of the access to social assistance. First, it proposes a dynamic interpretation of the notion of informational asymmetries, considering them as a space for action, rather than a binding factor; second, it emphasizes the relevance of user’s agency in the access to welfare services, that is generally neglected since most analyses focus on professional discretion disregarding the hypothesis of the user as a strategic actor.

Measuring level of market orientation for an Islamic microfinance institution case study of Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM)

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soheil Kazemian ◽  
Rashidah Abdul Rahman ◽  
Zuraeda Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Market Orientation ◽  
Customer Orientation ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Middle Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Medium Level ◽  
Competitor Orientation ◽  
Microfinance Institution ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
High Level

Design/methodology/approach – This study aims to evaluate the current practices conducted based on in-depth interviews with 16 Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) medium-level managers who were selected randomly, including branch managers and operational officers. All of the interviewees have two characteristics; they face customers directly and influence their decision-making. Findings – Based on the findings of this study, AIM has a high level of customer orientation and inter-function coordination and a middle level in competitor orientation. Originality/value – This paper initially presents the definition of a unique concept, namely, Islamic market orientation, which is defined based on the incorporation of Islamic concepts and market orientation by discussing the characteristics of Islamic market-oriented organisations. Then, an empirical discussion for evaluating market orientation in a microfinance provider is presented. The paper uses the synthesis of different real positions for developing discussions on whether AIM is following market orientation strategies, and, if so, at which level it is located from each dimension’s point of view.

Understanding functional illiteracy from a policy, adult education, and cognition point of view: Towards a joint referent framework

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-122
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Bulajić ◽  
Miomir Despotović ◽  
Thomas Lachmann
Keyword(s):  
Adult Education ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Functional Illiteracy ◽  
Scale Levels ◽  
Components Of Reading ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract. The article discusses the emergence of a functional literacy construct and the rediscovery of illiteracy in industrialized countries during the second half of the 20th century. It offers a short explanation of how the construct evolved over time. In addition, it explores how functional (il)literacy is conceived differently by research discourses of cognitive and neural studies, on the one hand, and by prescriptive and normative international policy documents and adult education, on the other hand. Furthermore, it analyses how literacy skills surveys such as the Level One Study (leo.) or the PIAAC may help to bridge the gap between cognitive and more practical and educational approaches to literacy, the goal being to place the functional illiteracy (FI) construct within its existing scale levels. It also sheds more light on the way in which FI can be perceived in terms of different cognitive processes and underlying components of reading. By building on the previous work of other authors and previous definitions, the article brings together different views of FI and offers a perspective for a needed operational definition of the concept, which would be an appropriate reference point for future educational, political, and scientific utilization.

ANALISIS TERHADAP SOAL PENILAIAN AKHIR SEMESTER TINGKAT SD/MI DALAM PERSPEKTIF HIGH ORDER THINK SKILLS

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (33) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yudha Andana Prawira ◽  
Titim Kurnia
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
High Order ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Other ◽  
National Education ◽  
The One ◽  
High Level ◽  
High Level Thinking

The National Education World is currently trying to improve the ability of its students to think critically and creatively. One of these efforts has been pursued through evaluations that also lead to critical reflection. This research is a descriptive analysis of the final semester evaluation questions that are examined from the point of view of high-level thinking [HOTS]. The reference to the HOTS criteria is that the researcher refers to the opinions of King and his friends. From the manuscript data, the issues examined are samples from the Bandung area. The results of the analysis show that 10 out of 15 HOTS ranges proposed by King are already included in the scripts made by the teachers. On the one hand, it shows the teacher's creativity in compiling questions. On the other hand, all these questions do not refer to the HOTS criteria as planned. Therefore, there is a need to increase teachers' skills in compiling scripts as HOTS. This increase can be done through teacher training.Keywords: Evaluation, HOTS, critical thinking and creativity thingking

scholarly journals Developing cybersecurity education and awareness programmes for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Bada ◽  
Jason R.C. Nurse
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Security Education ◽  
Education And Awareness ◽  
The One ◽  
High Level ◽  
And Training ◽  
Insight Into

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to focus on organisation’s cybersecurity strategy and propose a high-level programme for cybersecurity education and awareness to be used when targeting small- and medium-sized enterprises/businesses (SMEs/SMBs) at a city-level. An essential component of an organisation’s cybersecurity strategy is building awareness and education of online threats and how to protect corporate data and services. This programme is based on existing research and provides a unique insight into an ongoing city-based project with similar aims.Design/methodology/approachTo structure this work, a scoping review was conducted of the literature in cybersecurity education and awareness, particularly for SMEs/SMBs. This theoretical analysis was complemented using a case study and reflecting on an ongoing, innovative programme that seeks to work with these businesses to significantly enhance their security posture. From these analyses, best practices and important lessons/recommendations to produce a high-level programme for cybersecurity education and awareness were recommended.FindingsWhile the literature can be informative at guiding education and awareness programmes, it may not always reach real-world programmes. However, existing programmes, such as the one explored in this study, have great potential, but there can be room for improvement. Knowledge from each of these areas can, and should, be combined to the benefit of the academic and practitioner communities.Originality/valueThe study contributes to current research through the outline of a high-level programme for cybersecurity education and awareness targeting SMEs/SMBs. Through this research, literature in this space was examined and insights into the advances and challenges faced by an on-going programme were presented. These analyses allow us to craft a proposal for a core programme that can assist in improving the security education, awareness and training that targets SMEs/SMBs.

scholarly journals Legal aspect of social entrepreneurship

2019 ◽  
Vol 91 ◽  
pp. 08071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uliana Filatova ◽  
Nina Semeryanova ◽  
Svetlana Suslova ◽  
Alena Gabudina ◽  
Anna Kopytova
Keyword(s):  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
Legal Aspect ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
The State ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Other ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Economic Relations ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of

The article discusses the main issues of definition of social entrepreneurship, both from economic and legal point of view. Since Russian legislature is only at the beginning of the way to create legal framework for activities, legislation on social entrepreneurship seems fragmentary and inconsistent. All of that adversely affects development of social entrepreneurship. Official city statistics (Nizhnevartovsk) show that less than a third of all entrepreneurs are interested in this type of activity; entrepreneurs who already have business in the field of social entrepreneurship mostly do not plan to expand current activities in this area. Analysis can contribute to creation of developed socio-economic relations in Russia. It can be achieved by building effective relations between social entrepreneurs and beneficiaries on the one hand, and also between social entrepreneurs and the state on the other.

International leadership re-/constructed?

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michał Krzyżanowski
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
European Union Policy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Eu Policy ◽  
Political Discourses ◽  
Discourse Studies ◽  
The One ◽  
The Eu ◽  
Policy Discourses

This article analyses European Union policy discourses on climate change from the point of view of constructions of identity. Articulated in a variety of policy-related genres, the EU rhetoric on climate change is approached as example of the Union’s international discourse, which, contrary to other areas of EU policy-making, relies strongly on discursive frameworks of international and global politics of climate change. As the article shows, the EU’s peculiar international – or even global – leadership in tackling the climate change is constructed in an ambivalent and highly heterogeneous discourse that runs along several vectors. While it on the one hand follows the more recent, inward-looking constructions of Europe known from the EU policy and political discourses of the 1990s and 2000s, it also revives some of the older discursive logics of international competition known from the earlier stages of the European integration. In the analysis, the article draws on the methodological apparatus of the Discourse-Historical Approach (DHA) in Critical Discourse Studies. Furthering the DHA studies of EU policy and political discourses, the article emphasises the viability of the discourse-historical methodology applied in the combined analysis of EU identity and policy discourses.

Geopolitics

Geography ◽  
2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonhardt van Efferink
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Alternative View ◽  
Dynamic Factor ◽  
Military Strategy ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
Working Definition ◽  
Political Outcomes ◽  
Bounded Area ◽  
Definition Of

Since the term geopolitics was coined in 1899 it has had many different meanings. They all evolve around its two parts, “geo” and “politics.” Dealing with the possible meanings requires a thorough understanding of what distinguishes them from one another. First, “geo” can denote various geographic aspects, such as space, soil, or territory. More specifically, it can denote geographic conditions, such as the presence of natural resources in a bounded area. Whether geography should be considered a static or a dynamic factor has also been subject to debate. Furthermore, “politics” generally concerns factors that are related to power, such as foreign policy, international relations, and military strategy. Here the discussion has been fueled by different views on the relative importance of states vis-à-vis nonstate actors. Causality and its intensity is another cause of disagreement, with some arguing that geography is decisive for political outcomes (geographic determinism). An alternative view is that geographic and political processes mutually influence each other. Finally, intellectual discord has originated in the descriptive, prescriptive, and predictive possibilities of geopolitical research. Are experts in the field capable of analyzing the interaction between geography and politics objectively? Is it desirable that these experts are involved in formulating policy advice? And is a geopolitical specialist able to produce reliable forecasts? These perspectives explain why one widely accepted definition of “geopolitics” does not exist. As a working definition for this contribution, the study of the ways space and power are linked would be appropriate. Please note that this bibliography concerns publications in English, French, German, and Dutch.

From spatial value to panopticon: study of organizational changes in riverside areas in Poznań

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 1297-1312
Author(s):  
Przemysław Wechta
Keyword(s):  
Urban Space ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Organizational Changes ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Resistance ◽  
The One

PurposeThe aim of the article is to analyze the process of creating spatial value. The object of the analysis concerns the riverside areas of the city of Poznan. The study focuses on spontaneous practices that are outside the legal regulations, thanks to less-visited places which have gained popularity among residents and disciplinary techniques introduced by government officials in response to such activities.Design/methodology/approachAt the theoretical level, the study is primarily based on Florian Znaniecki's spatial value concept and Michel Foucault's concept of power. The empirical research study includes quantitative (questionnaire-based interviews) and qualitative methods (expert interviews and content analysis).FindingsIdentification of the method of creating spatial value which does not require direct financial outlays; determination of disciplinary techniques used by government officials ultimately led to a reduction in the spatial value.Originality/valueThe article reveals the hidden mechanisms of functioning of the authority that defends itself against the reduction of its powers. It is an alternate way of analyzing and interpreting organizational changes in urban space to the one promoted by the Poznan authorities. The results can be used in various ways. Researchers representing the critical trend of urban research can interpret the process of creating spatial value by residents in terms of community, resistance and alternates to the actions of the authorities. From this point of view, the research study is interventional and exposing in nature. On the other hand, for city decision makers allowing the possibility to consume alcohol in a given area can be an effective, low-cost way of revitalizing it. Research can also be useful in assessing the effectiveness of particular disciplinary techniques by public officers.

Toward a frame-semantic definition of sound-symbolic words: A collocational analysis of Japanese mimetics

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimi Akita,
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Quantitative Method ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Restricted Range ◽  
Challenging Problem ◽  
General Frame ◽  
Semantic Point ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Semantic Definition

AbstractThis article presents empirical evidence of the high referential specificity of sound-symbolic words, based on a FrameNet-aided analysis of collocational data of Japanese mimetics. The definition of mimetics, particularly their semantic definition, has been crosslinguistically the most challenging problem in the literature, and different researchers have used different adjectives (most notably, “vivid,” since Doke 1935) to describe their semantic peculiarity. The present study approaches this longstanding issue from a frame-semantic point of view combined with a quantitative method. It was found that mimetic manner adverbials generally form a frame-semantically restricted range of verbal/nominal collocations than non-mimetic ones. Each mimetic can thus be considered to evoke a highly specific frame, which elaborates the general frame evoked by its typical host predicate and contains a highly limited set of frame elements, which correlate and constrain one another. This conclusion serves as a unified account of previously reported phenomena concerning mimetics, including the lack of hyponymy, the one-mimetic-per-clause restriction, and unparaphrasability. This study can be also viewed as a methodological proposal for the measurement of frame specificity, which supplements bottom-up linguistic tests.

Expectations and realities in welfare technologies

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bendik Bygstad ◽  
Gjermund Lanestedt
Keyword(s):  
Work Force ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Infrastructure ◽  
The Status ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Welfare Technology ◽  
Generative Mechanisms ◽  
High Level

Purpose The paper aims to add knowledge on the status of the welfare technology field. Politicians in mature economies expect welfare technologies – especially digital technologies – to contribute to bridging the gap between an increasing number of elderly and a shrinking work force. Theoretically, the paper deals with welfare technologies in a digital infrastructure perspective. Design/methodology/approach A multilevel and comparative study was conducted to understand the interplay of high-level policies and implementation projects and highlight key issues through comparative analysis of different national approaches. Japan and Norway were the chosen countries because they are both in the forefront in the use of welfare technologies. Findings Findings reveal similarities between the two countries, which are echoed in many other countries: although government expectations are high, the field of welfare technology is still in its infancy and only rather simple solutions (such as safety alarms) are widely used. Key differences in innovation strategies for welfare technology in the two countries are highlighted, where Japan seem to be aiming for a vertical integration through large corporations’ solutions, whereas Norway aims for a more open innovation arena through standardization. Originality/value From a practical point of view, the two countries have something to learn from each other, but, in particular, both countries are recommended – together with other similar countries – a more platform-oriented approach. Theoretically, it is shown that a successful implementation of welfare technologies should adopt a digital infrastructure approach and exploit the generative mechanisms of this approach.

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