Angolan youth frustrations could grow

Significance Both reflecting and channelling recent localised protests about various issues, this movement of non-party youth has become a focal point for growing frustration with President Joao Lourenco’s government. With wide appeal, the movement has also taken both the ruling and opposition parties by surprise. Impacts The demonstrations will make it more challenging for the MPLA to win local elections if, and when, they are held. UNITA will struggle to maintain its current balancing act of backing the protests but not wanting to appear to foment unrest. Parliamentary consensus on the remaining bills for local elections may prove elusive: the MPLA will likely insist on contentious provisions.

Subject Prospects for South Africa in 2020. Significance Fiscal woes and muted growth prospects are weighing heavily on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government as it attempts to stabilise ailing state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and rein in public debt amid the prospect of further rating agency downgrades. Anti-corruption reforms are gaining momentum, while opposition parties undertake leadership changes and strategic manoeuvring ahead of the 2021 local elections.


Significance The opposition has rejected the results and is preparing legal challenges to Museveni’s victory. Impacts NRM internal cohesion will fray as Museveni becomes a more polarising figure in national politics. The NRM will increasingly try to co-opt opponents to neutralise the growing momentum and collaboration among opposition parties. The government will likely launch developmental efforts to tackle youth unemployment and thus avert unrest.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Zhang ◽  
Xuhui Wang ◽  
Yingying Shen

PurposeAs the focal point of both academic studies and business practices, the theme strategy of corporate social responsibility (CSR) arouses wide attention. However, extant studies concentrate more on the selection of the theme of CSR activities, such as the fitness between CSR activities and the core business, thus largely neglecting the consistency of the theme. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the enterprise should adopt a consistent theme strategy or should participate in different social programs, and how do customers response to the lack of studies in different theme-consistent strategies.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, two progressive experiments are performed. The purpose of study 1 is to examine the influence of theme consistency on consumers’ CSR association and how consumers’ attribution to corporation motivation mediates such impacts. The purpose for study 2 is to examine whether information dissemination channels and cooperation with public organization could affect the influence of theme consistency strategy.FindingsThe significant influences of theme consistency on consumer CSR association was demonstrated, and consumer’s perceived motivation of CSR was found to play the mediation role. Moreover, the moderation effect of the communication channel of CSR information was found to be important to strengthen the influence of the theme-consistent strategy.Originality/valueThis paper not only demonstrates the influence of theme consistency, but also explains how theme consistency influences consumers’ attitude and behavior. It enriches the study on the antecedent variables of consumers’ attribution to corporate motivation.


Significance Each of these states except Punjab has a government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Punjab is one of just three states with a chief minister that belongs to India’s main opposition Congress party. Impacts A poor showing by Congress would further reduce its leverage with other opposition parties in talks over forming a broad anti-Modi alliance. Victory in UP would enhance Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s national profile. Election campaigning will likely lead to a spike in COVID-19 cases.


2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Soud Alelaimat

Purpose This study aims to identify the factors affecting the political participation of Jordanian university students, especially their voting in national and local elections. The study examines the impact of gender, age, family income and regional affiliation that represent important social and economic factors affecting political participation on the voting of Jordanian university students. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative research method was used in this study. The study population contained three Jordanian universities representing the various segments of the Jordanian society: Al-Al Bayt University (Northern Region), Jordanian University (Central Region) and Mu'tah University (Southern Region). The study relied on a purposive sample of 900 students, 300 students per university (150 males and 150 females). The survey was conducted in the academic year 2018-2019. A questionnaire reviewed by two jurors (peer reviewers) was used to collect the data. Findings The study concluded that the gender, age, family income and regional affiliation factors affect the voting of Jordanian university students in national and local elections. The more the gender varies, the more the voting shifts in favor of males students. The more the age varies, the more the voting shifts in favor of older students. The more the family income varies, the more the voting shifts in favor of high-income students. The more the regional affiliation varies, the more the voting shifts in favor of Jordanians students. Originality/value This study is an approach to interpret the factors affecting voting of Jordanian university students, such as gender, age, family income and regional affiliation, which led to different voting in the national and local elections.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-22
Author(s):  
Claudine Kearney ◽  
Padraic Dunne ◽  
William J. Wales

PurposeAmong healthcare professionals, burnout is one of the key challenges affecting organizational outcomes, employee productivity and quality of care. The knowledge of burnout and its root causes and primary contributors continues to grow yet remains limited. In many environments, an entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has been shown to dramatically improve organizational outcomes and performance. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate critical research areas at the intersection of organizational EO and employee burnout within the healthcare sector.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual model which considers how EO has the potential to provide an operational context that may negate, lessen or delay the negative effects of burnout among healthcare professionals, is advanced as a useful focal point to foster research exploring connections between organizational orientation and employee well-being.FindingsInsights into how an opportunity-embracing EO characteristic of high-tech firms may shape how stress is experienced and address burnout when applied to healthcare organizations. A decrease in burnout stands to improve quality of care as well as the satisfaction of staff and patients alike, including a greater sense of autonomy, engagement, motivation and passion.Originality/valueThis research agenda proposes new insights and the need for additional research into how the manifestation of organizational EO may contribute to the field of medicine, influence burnout and enhance the well-being among healthcare professionals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 943-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lila Rajabion ◽  
Karzan Wakil ◽  
Arshad Badfar ◽  
Shahrzad Mojtabavi Naeini ◽  
Batool Zareie

PurposeThis study aimed to examine the impact of ICT and digital knowledge on students’ thoughts and beliefs. Using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in learning and teaching processes can improve the interpretation of knowledge, not only in the learning process but also for thoughts and beliefs. Beliefs and thoughts as propositional content are understood to be a subjective manner of knowing and becoming a focal point of education process. In addition, ICT plays a vital role in enhancing the efficiency of the teaching process which can change the thoughts of learners. So, in this paper, the usage of ICT in education was considered as a key factor for improving students’ thoughts and beliefs. In addition, a conceptual model was proposed to evaluate this impact.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 384 students from secondary schools in Iran. For assessing the elements of the model, a complete questionnaire was designed. For statistical analysis of questionnaires, SPSS 22 and SMART-PLS 3.2 software package was used.FindingsThe obtained results showed the high strength of the proposed model. The outcomes indicated that digital technology acceptance positively affects students’ thoughts and beliefs. In addition, the findings showed that the role of digital knowledge, digital training facilities and digital education content on students’ thoughts and beliefs was significant.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors deal with one experiment and so the results cannot be generalized. The trail should be repeated with many groups and in diverse contexts.Originality/valueDespite the importance of the investigating the impact of ICT and digital knowledge on the students’ thoughts and beliefs, the relationship among these factors was not examined well in previous research. Thus, the investigation of the impact of ICT and digital knowledge on the students’ thoughts and beliefs is the main originality of this research. For this goal, a new conceptual model is proposed, which has 11 sub-indicators within four variables: digital technology acceptance, digital knowledge, digital training facilities and digital education content.


Author(s):  
Hüsamettin Erdemci ◽  
Hasan Karal

PurposeLearning analytics enable learning to be reorganized through collecting, analyzing and reporting the stored data in online learning environment. One of the important agents of education process is the instructors. How the use of learning analytics within education process is evaluated by the instructors is important. The purpose of this study is to determine the experiences of instructors in relation to the use of learning analytics.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, data were collected from instructors through interviews to determine the reflections of learning analytics on the education process. While qualitative study method was adopted, phenomenological design was used.FindingsAs a result of analysis of findings, it was concluded that the use of learning analytics in the education process was beneficial. It was established that learning analytics were helpful in the self-assessment of instructors' performances, making early intervention to risky students and creating a lesson plan.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was carried out in a foreign language course and with five academicians during one semester.Practical implicationsThis study aims to reveal the experiences of the instructors on the use of learning analytics and present scientific findings on a subject on which a limited number of studies have been conducted. With the start of learning analytics' use in the educational process, some concerns have been raised. This study tries to respond to the various concerns of instructors who intend to use learning analytics in the process.Originality/valueThe use of learning analytics is gradually increasing. In the studies conducted, it is seen that the studies have focused on the effect of learning analytics on the learning outputs of students. It is important to determine how instructors, who are the other important elements of the process, make use of learning analytics and how their experiences regarding the use of learning analytics are. The focal point of this study is to reveal the impact of learning analytics on the education process from the perspective of instructors.


Author(s):  
Sangram Kishor Patel ◽  
Gopal Agrawal ◽  
Bincy Mathew ◽  
Sunita Patel ◽  
Biswajit Mohanty ◽  
...  

Purpose South Asian region is a focal point owing to its vulnerabilities to climate-sensitive diseases, dependence on climate-sensitive livelihoods, projected levels of crop decline in the region, and high rates of poverty and malnutrition. Women are particularly vulnerable to climate change and this affects women disproportionately during different extreme events. The purpose of this paper is to understand the issue of climate change and its impact, and climate resilience among women in South Asia. Further, it also identifies the gaps and suggests future policy implications. Design/methodology/approach Climate change is increasingly being recognised as an alarming issue and the present review is important when South Asian countries are facing the brunt of climate change impacts. This paper tries to understand the issue by review of the literature and conceptual framework methodology. To understand women’s vulnerability due to climate change and its aftermath, the authors conducted both offline and online desk reviews for this study. Findings The findings of this study show a clear linkage between climate change and women’s vulnerabilities in South Asia. Climate change has significant socio-economic impacts on women, and it affects them disproportionately in various domains of agriculture, livelihood, food security, both physical and mental health, water and sanitation in the South Asia region. Practical implications The paper also highlights that the programmes that aim at combating the effects of climate change require a gender-sensitive approach so that climate change does not obstruct the development and reduction of poverty in the region. Social implications The findings of this paper will add value in helping families to come out of poverty by undertaking adaptive measures with proactive assistance from the government and grassroots level organisations. Originality/value The present study also advocates for more gender- and climate-sensitive measures from governments, and implementation of intervention- and evidence-based research in the South Asian countries.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-193
Author(s):  
Vipula Wanigasekera

Purpose Cross-cultural differences must be taken into consideration for tourism development. The purpose of this study is to shed light on the importance of cross-cultural differences in a location which is emerging from a dark period after a prolonged war caused by ethnic differences. Design/methodology/approach While the existing tourism models deal with the impact of cross-cultural differences, it is difficult to apply them in certain situations, such as postwar Sri Lanka. The study therefore adopted an inductive, qualitative approach where information has been obtained from all stakeholders. Findings The conflict in Sri Lanka in the North and East has been interpreted differently by many individual stakeholder groups. This study reveals how economic development can bring communities together. The project elaborated in this study represents an investment of over US$6m. Given that the location of Jaffna was a focal point of the 26-year long civil war from 1983 to 2009, the risk of failure would have been extremely high. Originality/value The study ascertained qualitative perceptions from a cross-section of perspectives: the investor, local residents and employees. The project is shown to be a viable example of how to address socio cultural differences in the creation of a profitable venture.


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