Subtle convergence?

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olli Suominen ◽  
Johanna Kallo ◽  
Risto Rinne ◽  
Yihong Fan
Keyword(s):  
Education System ◽  
Global Education ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Policy Instruments ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
Global Quality ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Basic Features

Purpose Different aspects of the globalisation of Chinese basic education have been examined in recent studies. This paper aims to contribute to this research base by examining the relationship between global quality assurance and evaluation (QAEVAL) trends and reforms in the Chinese basic education system. Design/methodology/approach Relevant research literature in English and Chinese was reviewed to assesses whether a movement of increasing convergence with global QAEVAL policy contents and policy instruments has taken place in China following the introduction of the so-called “equality education”. A guiding theory regarding the basic features of QAEVAL was used to conceptually structure the findings of the authors. Findings The findings indicate that several subtle convergences are evident in China with global trends in QAEVAL, but a few notable exceptions are also evident. Research limitations/implications Albeit the research indicates certain convergence, the authors acknowledge that further research is still needed to examine causal mechanisms of QAEVAL policy convergences and the processes and logic through which global trends are localised. Originality/value Both the importance of QAEVAL in global education governance as well as China’s importance to world affairs are increasing. However, so far, the effects of QAEVAL policies on China’s education system have not been thoroughly examined. This paper can serve as a concise starting point for examining the topic more deeply.

Understanding, action, and the use of the cane in Sri Lankan schools

Kybernetes ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 1346-1353
Author(s):  
Chathurika Sewwandi Kannangara ◽  
David Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Corporal Punishment ◽  
Education System ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Social Forces ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider the use of corporal punishment in schools in Sri Lanka, and to offer reflections on how cybernetics could shed light on its persistence despite initiatives to ban it. Design/methodology/approach – The ASC 2013 Heinz von Foerster Award for the most significant contribution to the conference was awarded following discussion of the use of the cane in Sri Lankan schools. This paper provides a personal account of difficulties in overcoming the use of corporal punishment in a school in Sri Lanka. Findings – The Sri Lankan education system is introduced. The response of the ASC 2013 is discussed. The feedback between social forces and the education system is seen as being too complex for analysis, and Bateson's conception of ethos is proposed as an appropriate starting point for making progress on this issue. Social implications – The use of corporal punishment has been forbidden by the Ministry of Education, but the practice evidently continues and there is evidence that this has negative impact on young people. The paper offers an approach to understanding the reasons for the prevalence and persistence of corporal punishment, as a first step towards designing measures to eliminate it. Originality/value – The paper takes a new approach to understanding the persistence of corporal punishment in Sri Lanka by applying Bateson's concepts of ethos and schismogenesis.

Developing an integrated model of TQM and HRM on KM activities

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 477-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keng‐Boon Ooi ◽  
Pei‐Lee Teh ◽  
Alain Yee‐Loong Chong
Keyword(s):  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Business Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hrm Practices ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated model of total quality management (TQM) and human resource management (HRM) to elucidate the influence of TQM and HRM practices on knowledge management (KM) activities.Design/methodology/approachThe theory of KM serves as a starting‐point to develop the integrated conceptual model linking TQM and HRM aspects. Based on an extensive review of the current literature, three practices of TQM and three practices of HRM are integrated in an organized manner to examine the influence of TQM and HRM practices on KM activities.FindingsThese findings provide a basis for developing a model to advance the HRM, TQM and KM research literature.Practical implicationsThe practical implication of this study could be useful for business managers, who want to enhance organizational KM activities through implementing HRM and TQM practices that support their organization's KM efforts.Originality/valueThis paper makes a significant contribution by developing an integrated HRM and TQM model as a methodological example which can be useful for tracking the degree of HRM and TQM effects on KM activities. Organizations could use this framework to do a pre‐test baseline measurement, and then periodically re‐assess the effects of any HRM and TQM change.

Symbiotic care between residents in service-integrated housing

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-152
Author(s):  
Desneige Meyer ◽  
Wanda Martin ◽  
Laura M. Funk
Keyword(s):  
Research Policy ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Care Recipients ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Antecedents And Consequences

Purpose Sustainable solutions for meeting the physical, emotional and social health care needs of individuals may be realized by shifting the care landscape; for instance, through innovative models of service-integrated housing (SIH). By diversifying populations in these settings, care recipients can choose to engage their skills and abilities toward assisting co-residents, and vice versa as a form of symbiosis. The purpose of this paper is to define attributes of the concept and practice of symbiotic care. Design/methodology/approach The authors drew on firsthand field experience and secondary data from a literature review to conduct a conceptual derivation and analysis, using Walker and Avant’s methodology. The term symbiotic mutualism was derived from the field of biology as an analogy for care exchanged between non-peer co-residents. Attributes, antecedents and consequences of symbiotic care were identified and illustrated using model, borderline and contrary case descriptions. Findings Four defining attributes of symbiotic care were identified: first, cohabitation: care recipients live closely together in SIH settings. Second, non-peer: co-residents have distinct, complementary needs and abilities. Third, mutualism: co-residents experience mutually significant benefits as a result of the activities of their co-residents. Fourth, agency-sponsored: the professional SIH agency or organization attends to unmet resident needs. Research limitations/implications Symbiotic care is a relatively rare phenomenon for which little research exists. This analysis provides a starting point for empirical research, policy and program development and critical evaluation. Originality/value This paper fills a wide gap in the research literature and offers important terminology. It is the first to define the attributes of symbiotic care.

Digital dissemination skills in public libraries

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Skøtt
Keyword(s):  
Continuing Education ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Explanatory Models ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Analytical Work ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
The Individual

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate what con`sequences the digitisation of public libraries’ knowledge dissemination and the transition to online services has, for library staff members’ perception of their skills. This discussion is interesting because library staff members, by politicians, stakeholders, and other opinion makers, have been appointed as key facilitators of citizens’ continued attachment to civil society and the labour market. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on interviews with library staff members at Danish public libraries. Empirical data were collected through semi-structured e-mail interviews, based on an interview formula, and via follow-up telephone conversations. Library professional rapports and research literature were identified and applied as a theoretical framework in the creation of the analytical apparatus. Findings There were several different explanatory models available when respondents had to articulate their current challenges. The first model regarded the library staff members’ lack of skills as a political-organisational issue, occurring because of a lack of invest in their continuing education. Continuing education had therefore become a personal matter. The second model highlighted the library staff members’ lack of skills as an individual, library professional problem, where the responsibility for solving the problem lay with the individual employee. Originality/value Several studies have been conducted on library staff members’ skills and how they change, due to the transition to digital forms of dissemination. The present study strives to give employees a voice, which is why the respondents’ experiences are the starting point for the analytical work. Such studies are essential to understanding the extent and nature of the problem.

Understanding business networks from a mixed network and system ontology position

IMP Journal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frans Prenkert
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Mixed System ◽  
Business Networks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mixed Network ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Art Research ◽  
Generative Mechanisms

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the ontological implications of combining network and system ontology to conceptualize industrial networks as the empirical manifestations of complex adaptive economic systems. Design/methodology/approach This paper contributes with a systematic discussion on how network and system ontology can be combined to produce better understandings of business networks. It also provides a review of the state-of-the art research literature on the topic as a starting point for the discussion. Findings Findings indicate that networks may be enclosed in each other constituting sub- and supra-networks comprising increasing complexity. In these cases, sub-networks that are black-boxed can be seen as entities in themselves producing inputs and outputs to the supra-network. Networks, once they become black-boxed, can assume the functions of generative mechanisms within a wider supra-network. Research limitations/implications This research is conceptual in nature and needs to be complemented with empirical research. In addition, the literature review used one database complemented with papers from the IMP journal. A wider search could reveal additional research that can be of relevance for the development of the field. Originality/value This paper addresses the ontological and methodological issues arising from a mixed system and network ontology. These issues are commonly ignored or dealt with indirectly in extant literature. For any accumulation of knowledge in the field to be possible, the explication of a mixed ontology is important as it have conceptual and methodological consequences. Adopting such a mixed ontological position provides an ontology in line with empirical research of business practice.

The Scope and Content of Section 75(1)(a) of the Zimbabwean Constitution: An International Law Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiedza Simbo
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Education System ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
The State ◽  
Education Act ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Right ◽  
Basic Education System

Despite the recent enactment of the Zimbabwean Constitution which provides for the right to basic education, complaints, reminiscent of a failed basic education system, have marred the education system in Zimbabwe. Notwithstanding glaring violations of the right to basic education by the government, no person has taken the government to court for failure to comply with its section 75(1)(a) constitutional obligations, and neither has the government conceded any failures or wrongdoings. Two ultimate questions arise: Does the state know what compliance with section 75(1)(a) entails? And do the citizens know the scope and content of their rights as provided for by section 75(1)(a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe? Whilst it is progressive that the Education Act of Zimbabwe as amended in 2020 has addressed some aspects relating to section 75(1)(a) of the Constitution, it has still not provided an international law compliant scope and content of the right to basic education neither have any clarifications been provided by the courts. Using an international law approach, this article suggests what the scope and content of section 75(1)(a) might be.

scholarly journals Vulnerable adults in police custody

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-8
Author(s):  
Ian Cummins
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Police Custody ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Vulnerable Adults

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the recent National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) report on the role of the appropriate adult. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on the NAAN report and a review of relevant policy and research literature. Findings There to Help 2 highlights that there are still significant gaps in the provision of appropriate adult schemes across England and Wales. These gaps potentially place vulnerable adults at increased risk. Originality/value This paper is a review of recent research.

Experience and expression of social isolation by inner-city high-rise residents

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Love M. Chile ◽  
Xavier M. Black ◽  
Carol Neill
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Inner City ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Health And Social Care

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the significance of social isolation and the factors that create social isolation for residents of inner-city high-rise apartment communities. We critically examine how the physical environment and perceptions of safety in apartment buildings and the inner-city implicate the quality of interactions between residents and with their neighbourhood community. Design/methodology/approach – The authors used mixed-methods consisting of survey questionnaires supplemented by semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions using stratified random sampling to access predetermined key strata of inner-city high-rise resident population. Using coefficient of correlation we examine the significance of the association between social isolation, age and ethnicity amongst Auckland's inner-city high-rise residents. Findings – The authors found the experience and expression of social isolation consistent across all age groups, with highest correlation between functional social isolation and “being student”, and older adults (60+ years), length of tenure in current apartment and length of time residents have lived in the inner-city. Research limitations/implications – As a case study, we did not seek in this research to compare the experience and expressions of social isolation in different inner-city contexts, nor of inner-city high-rise residents in New Zealand and other countries, although these will be useful areas to explore in future studies. Practical implications – This study is a useful starting point to build evidence base for professionals working in health and social care services to develop interventions that will help reduce functional social isolation amongst young adults and older adults in inner-city high-rise apartments. This is particularly important as the inner-city population of older adults grow due to international migration, and sub-national shifts from suburbs to the inner-cities in response to governmental policies of urban consolidation. Originality/value – By identifying two forms of social isolation, namely functional and structural social isolation, we have extended previous analysis of social isolation and found that “living alone” or structural social isolation did not necessarily lead to functional social isolation. It also touched on the links between functional social isolation and self-efficacy of older adults, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds.

Role of social networking services for scientists in promoting scientific output on example of Polish representatives of social communication and media sciences

2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 717-736
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Kowalska-Chrzanowska ◽  
Przemysław Krysiński
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Scientific Communication ◽  
Scientific Output ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Social Networking Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Media ◽  
Usage Level

Purpose This paper aims to answer the question of how the Polish representatives of social communication and media sciences communicate the most recent scientific findings in the media space, i.e. what types of publications are shared, what activities do they exemplify (sharing information about their own publications, leading discussions, formulating opinions), what is the form of the scientific communication created by them (publication of reference lists' descriptions, full papers, preprints and post prints) and what is the audience reception (number of downloads, displays, comments). Design/methodology/approach The authors present the results of analysis conducted on the presence of the most recent (2017–2019) publications by the Polish representatives of the widely understood social communication and media sciences in three selected social networking services for scientists: ResearchGate, Google Scholar and Academia.edu. The analyses covered 100 selected representatives of the scientific environment (selected in interval sampling), assigned, according to the OECD classification “Field of Science”, in the “Ludzie nauki” (Men of Science) database to the “media and communication” discipline. Findings The conducted analyses prove a low usage level of the potential of three analysed services for scientists by the Polish representatives of social communication and media sciences. Although 60% of them feature profiles in at least one of the services, the rest are not present there at all. From the total of 113 identified scientists' profiles, as little as 65 feature publications from 2017 to 2019. Small number of alternative metrics established in them, implies, in turn, that if these metrics were to play an important role in evaluation of the value and influence of scientific publications, then this evaluation for the researched Polish representatives of social communication and media sciences would be unfavourable. Originality/value The small presence of the Polish representatives of the communication and media sciences in three analysed services shows that these services may be – for the time being – only support the processes of managing own scientific output. Maybe this quite a pessimistic image of scientists' activities in the analysed services is conditioned by a simple lack of the need to be present in electronic channels of scientific communication or the lack of trust to the analysed services, which, in turn, should be linked to their shortcomings and flaws. However, unequivocal confirmation of these hypotheses might be brought by explorations covering a larger group of scientists, and complemented with survey studies. Thus, this research may constitute merely a starting point for further explorations, including elaboration of good practices with respect to usage of social media by scientists.

scholarly journals Metabolic Engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum for Methanol Metabolism

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. 2215-2225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Witthoff ◽  
Katja Schmitz ◽  
Sebastian Niedenführ ◽  
Katharina Nöh ◽  
Stephan Noack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Corynebacterium Glutamicum ◽  
Biotechnological Production ◽  
Methanol Metabolism ◽  
Initial Oxidation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Oxidation Of Methanol ◽  
Bacillus Methanolicus ◽  
Production Processes ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Limited Application

ABSTRACTMethanol is already an important carbon feedstock in the chemical industry, but it has found only limited application in biotechnological production processes. This can be mostly attributed to the inability of most microbial platform organisms to utilize methanol as a carbon and energy source. With the aim to turn methanol into a suitable feedstock for microbial production processes, we engineered the industrially important but nonmethylotrophic bacteriumCorynebacterium glutamicumtoward the utilization of methanol as an auxiliary carbon source in a sugar-based medium. Initial oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde was achieved by heterologous expression of a methanol dehydrogenase fromBacillus methanolicus, whereas assimilation of formaldehyde was realized by implementing the two key enzymes of the ribulose monophosphate pathway ofBacillus subtilis: 3-hexulose-6-phosphate synthase and 6-phospho-3-hexuloisomerase. The recombinantC. glutamicumstrain showed an average methanol consumption rate of 1.7 ± 0.3 mM/h (mean ± standard deviation) in a glucose-methanol medium, and the culture grew to a higher cell density than in medium without methanol. In addition, [13C]methanol-labeling experiments revealed labeling fractions of 3 to 10% in the m + 1 mass isotopomers of various intracellular metabolites. In the background of aC. glutamicumΔaldΔadhEmutant being strongly impaired in its ability to oxidize formaldehyde to CO2, the m + 1 labeling of these intermediates was increased (8 to 25%), pointing toward higher formaldehyde assimilation capabilities of this strain. The engineeredC. glutamicumstrains represent a promising starting point for the development of sugar-based biotechnological production processes using methanol as an auxiliary substrate.

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