Jihadist waves: Syria, the Islamic State, and the changing nature of foreign fighters

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Güneş Murat Tezcür ◽  
Clayton Besaw
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Theory Building ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Original Sample ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Grounded Theory Building ◽  
Foreign Fighters ◽  
Practical Implications

This article offers the first systematic analysis of cross-generational and cross-organizational aspects of jihadist foreign fighter (JFF) mobilization. How are individuals fighting in Syria different from foreign fighters who fought in the previous jihadist wars? What factors distinguish the Islamic State (IS) fighters from individuals joining other jihadist groups in Syria? The article builds an original sample of 477 JFFs from Turkey spanning three decades and employs the Random Forest technique, a method with several distinct advantages over regression analysis in the study of small N conflict data. The results have substantial and practical implications and show that fighters in Syria and IS fighters have different demographic characteristics and life experiences than fighters in pre-Syria wars and non-IS fighters in Syria, respectively. They inform more empirically grounded theory building about the recruitment motives and methods of JFFs.

Müller-Weiss Disease: The Descriptive Factors of Failure Conservative Treatment

2021 ◽  
pp. 107110072110028
Author(s):  
Thos Harnroongroj ◽  
Theerawoot Tharmviboonsri ◽  
Bavornrit Chuckpaiwong
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Conservative Treatment ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Classification Systems ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
P Value ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Radiographic Parameters ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Conservative treatment is the first-line approach for Müller-Weiss disease (MWD). However, factors associated with the failure of conservative treatment have never been reported. Our objectives were to compare the differences in demographic and radiographic parameters between “successful” and “failure” conservative treatment in patients with MWD and identify descriptive factors associated with failure conservative treatment. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 68 patients with MWD divided into 29 “failure” and 39 “successful” conservative treatment groups. Demographic characteristics, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain and walking disability, and radiographic parameters such as calcaneal pitch, lateral Meary, anteroposterior (AP) Meary angle, and talonavicular-naviculocuneiform arthritis were compared. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify descriptive factors of failure conservative treatment. A P value <.05 was considered a statistically significant difference. Results: We found more severe VAS pain and walking disability scores and FAOS for the pain, activities of daily living, and quality of life subscales in the failure group ( P < .05). Regression analysis demonstrated 2 significant descriptive factors associated with failure conservative treatment: abducted AP Meary angle >13.0 degrees and radiographic talonavicular arthritis. No demographic characteristics were found to be associated with failure conservative treatment. Conclusion: Midfoot abduction (AP Meary angle, >13 degrees) and radiographic talonavicular arthritis were factors associated with failure conservative treatment in MWD and should be determined concurrently with the clinical severity. Classification systems for MWD should include these factors. Level of evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Intellectual capital and bank productivity in emerging markets: evidence from Ghana

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Latif Alhassan ◽  
Nicholas Asare
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Emerging Markets ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Productivity Growth ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Malmquist Productivity Index ◽  
Productivity Index ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper examines the effect of intellectual capital on bank productivity in an emerging market in Africa. Design/methodology/approach The Malmquist Productivity Index is employed to estimate productivity growth of 18 banks in Ghana from 2003 to 2011 while the Value Added Intellectual Coefficient is used to measure bank intellectual capital performance. The panel-corrected standard errors estimation technique is used to estimate a panel regression model with Malmquist Productivity Index as the dependent variable. Bank market concentration and bank size are controlled for in the regression analysis. Findings We find productivity growth to be largely driven by efficiency changes compared to technological changes. The results from the regression analysis indicate that Value Added Intellectual Coefficient has a positive effect on the productivity of banks in Ghana. We also find human capital efficiency and capital employed efficiency as the components of Value Added Intellectual Coefficient that drive productivity growth in the banking industry. Bank size and industry concentration are also identified as significant drivers of productivity in the market. Practical implications The study’s findings support investments in intellectual capital as a means of improving the performance of banks in emerging markets Originality/value To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to empirically examine the relationship between intellectual capital and productivity in an emerging banking market in Africa.

DERADICALIZATION OF RETURNING FOREIGN FIGHTERS AND HOMEGROWN TERORRISTS

2021 ◽  
pp. 87-100
Author(s):  
DANILO VUJOVIĆ ◽  
NEDELJKO CVETKOVIĆ
Keyword(s):  
Focal Point ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Security Risk ◽  
European Security ◽  
Preventive Work ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Foreign Fighters

In the last couple of years, with the prolification of the Migrant Crisis and the defeat of the Islamic State, the return of the foreign fighters, who went form Europe to the Caliphate and joined the local conflict, as well as the problem of the homegrown terrorism have become the focal point of almost all national security strategies of European countries. The situation that followed drove the authors to set the possible approaches to solving this challenge to European security as a goal for their research. The subject of this article encompasses the process of deradicalization, as the only humane way to deal with the problem at hand, as well as the process of radicalization, as necessary for understanding the formation of the individuals that pose a threat to the security of Europe. The article also tackles the preventive work directed at those social groups that are deemed susceptible to radicalization, as well as the use of individualized and holistic approach to the radicalized individuals. Special consideration is given to the programs of deradicalization as a form of institutionalized way of dealing with this type of a security risk. In the conclusion the authors give their own view of what is the most adeqaute approach when working with radicalized individuals and the role of certain elements of society in it.

The socio-demographic determinants of workplace loneliness in India

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mantasha Firoz ◽  
Richa Chaudhary ◽  
Madhu Lata
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Average Level ◽  
Hypotheses Testing ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Organizational Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Sectors

PurposeThis study was conducted with two main objectives: (1) to examine the prevalence of workplace loneliness in the Indian manufacturing and service sectors (2) to examine the influence of socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, nature of the organization, tenure, number of friends at the workplace, and position in the organizational hierarchy) on the feeling of loneliness in the workplace.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 934 employees working in manufacturing and service sectors across India. Regression analysis was used for hypotheses testing.FindingsFindings indicated below average level of loneliness in Indian workplace. Significant differences were found in workplace loneliness with respect to age, marital status and number of friends at the workplace. In contrast, gender, nature of organization, position and tenure had no effect on the feeling of workplace loneliness.Originality/valueThis study advances the limited literature on workplace loneliness by identifying its prevalence and socio-demographic determinants in Indian business organizations. It would help HR practitioners in comprehending and dealing with the emerging challenges associated with workplace loneliness.

Variables Affecting the Reintegration Rate of Students with Serious Emotional Disturbance

1994 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elana Esterson Rock ◽  
Michael S. Rosenberg ◽  
Deborah T. Carran
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Emotional Disturbance ◽  
Teacher Attitudes ◽  
Special Education Teachers ◽  
Educational Program ◽  
Special Educators ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Serious Emotional Disturbance ◽  
K 12

This study examined educational program and teacher variables to identify factors that predict the reintegration of students with serious emotional disturbance (SED) into less restrictive placements. Data on program demographics, reintegration orientation, teacher reintegration training, and teacher attitudes toward reintegration were collected from 162 special education teachers and 31 administrators in restrictive placements for K-12 students with SED. This information was compared to the reintegration rates of students in those schools through the use of a hierarchical set regression analysis. Results indicated that reintegration orientation, demographic characteristics of restrictive SED programs, and particular experiences/training of special educators predict the reintegration of students with SED into less restrictive programs.

Understanding the Islamic State—A Review Essay

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 127-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Byman
Keyword(s):  
Review Essay ◽  
Military Force ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
The West ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Terrorist Threat ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Raison D’État ◽  
Foreign Fighters

This article reviews several recent books on the Islamic State in order to understand its goals, motivations, strategy, and vulnerabilities. It argues that the Islamic State's ideology is powerful but also highly instrumental, offering the group legitimacy and recruiting appeal. Raison d'etat often dominates its decisionmaking. The Islamic State's strength is largely a consequence of the policies and weaknesses of its state adversaries. In addition, the group has many weaknesses of its own, notably its brutality, reliance on foreign fighters, and investment in a state as well as its tendency to seek out new enemies. The threat the Islamic State poses is most severe at the local and regional levels. The danger of terrorism to the West is real but mitigated by the Islamic State's continued prioritization of the Muslim world and the heightened focus of Western security forces on the terrorist threat. A high-quality military force could easily defeat Islamic State fighters, but there is no desire to deploy large numbers of Western ground troops, and local forces have repeatedly shown many weaknesses. In the end, containing the Islamic State and making modest rollback efforts may be the best local outcomes.

HC and financial performance with two HRM strategies

2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 459-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nopadol Rompho
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Lead Time ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Strategy Choice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between levels of human capital and financial performance of firms that use two distinct human resource management (HRM) strategies. Design/methodology/approach A survey of 128 HRM managers was conducted to assess differences in human capital between firms using different HRM strategies. A multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between firms’ human capital and financial performance. Findings The results show that companies employing a make-organic strategy have a higher level of human capital than companies employing a buy-bureaucratic strategy. There was no relationship between the level of human capital and long term financial performance of firms with both make-organic and buy-bureaucratic strategies. Research limitations/implications This research contributes toward understanding the effect of HRM strategy and facilitates an optimal strategy choice depending on the organization. However, this study did not consider the lead time between changes in human capital and the effect on financial performance. Practical implications The research encourages firm managers to understand the value of human capital, preparing them for changes in the future. Originality/value This study is among the first to investigate the relationship between human capital and financial performance considering different HRM strategies.

scholarly journals Jihadist war or a challenge of disintegration?

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 233-250
Author(s):  
Péter Balogh
Keyword(s):  
Developed Countries ◽  
Actual State ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Global Context ◽  
Terrorist Organization ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
The Developed Countries ◽  
The One ◽  
Foreign Fighters

In this paper we introduce some relevant research results about the role of social embeddedness and social resources in the sphere of social conflicts and violence. In accordance with the actual state of the investigation process the outcomes presented in this analysis are focusing on the activities of the so called ‘Islamic State’or ISIS – considered to be a rather effective terrorism exporter recently. After briefly outlining the broader – global – context of terrorist organizations, the particular characteristics of the activities of ISIS and some elements of the conceptual frame, the study highlights empirically two potential explaining factors of the success of the terrorist organization. On the one hand the influencing network – primarily linked to the cyber sphere – of the Islamic State is explored, demonstrating a notable focus on the developed countries of Europe. On the other hand the paper summarizes the main conclusions from a case study on the recruitment base of the militants in Brussels of the terrorist organization investigating the relationship between the territorial distribution of the ISIS foreign fighters in city and the extent of segregation of the Islamic population in the different districts, including also certain socio-demographic factors to shed light on the significance of the broader – unfavourable – social context.

scholarly journals FIGHTING FOR ISIS – THE CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Cieslar
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Online Chat ◽  
Religious Motivation ◽  
Recruitment Methods ◽  
The Us ◽  
Common Purpose ◽  
Foreign Fighters ◽  
Short Time

Abstract: The purpose of this research paper is to examine the online recruitment processes and socio-economic factors that allow for the radicalisation of people in Great Britain. The paper will address the following questions: 1) what are ISIS recruitment methods? 2) what makes the recruitment successful? 3) is religious motivation the main factor why people decide to fight for the Islamic State? According to the US National Counterterrorism Centre, in the recent years Islamic State (ISIS) recruited an estimate of 3,400 Westerners ready to fight its cause around the globe. Islamic State has a far more successful rate in luring members from the West than Al-Qaeda. In a relatively short time ISIS went from being an unknown terror cell to threatening worldwide security. Great Britain experienced a number of terrorist attacks in the recent years and the responsibility for them had been claimed by ISIS. However, with the arrival of easy access to the internet the radicalisation of young Britons has been on the rise in the recent years. The studies suggest that there are different motivations for joining Islamic State. Foreign fighters are made to believe that the terrorist group offers values that western democracies seem to lack, namely a common purpose, good morals and sense of belonging. These values are attractive for Muslims and for the new converts alike. Additionally, ISIS recruiters run an online propaganda machine. The process of radicalisation moved from the mosques into more effective online chat-rooms and social media forums.

Causality in Islamic marketing research

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Djavlonbek Kadirov ◽  
Ibraheem Bahiss ◽  
Ahmet Bardakcı
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Marketing Research ◽  
Modern Science ◽  
Theory Building ◽  
Complex Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Perspective ◽  
The Past ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Highlighting the need for a profound move towards desecularisation of Islamic scholarship, this conceptual paper aims to clarify the concept of causality from the Islamic marketing research perspective and extends a number of suggestions for improving theory building and hypothesis development in the field. Design/methodology/approach The approach taken is largely conceptual. In addition, this study collates the stated hypotheses in the articles published in this journal in the past five years and analyses the structure of causal statements to uncover key tendencies. Findings The review of historical and current views on causality indicates that most commentators agree that assuming the existence of the necessary connection between cause and effect is misleading. The Islamic traditions based on occasionalism and modern science agree that causal statements reflect, at best, probabilistic assumptions. Research limitations/implications This paper offers a number of insights and recommendations for theory building and hypothesis development in Islamic marketing. By following the occasionalism perspective and the notion of Sunnah of Allah, researchers will be able to build methodologically coherent and genuine Islamic marketing knowledge. Practical implications Correctly stated and tested hypotheses can be used by public policymakers to enforce effective consumer and market policies. Originality/value This paper tackles a complex issue of causality in Islamic marketing research which has not hitherto been discussed well in the literature. This research is also a unique step towards developing pioneering avenues within the domain of Islamic marketing research methodology.

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