Upgraded Masculinity: A Gendered Analysis of the Debriefing in the Israeli Air Force

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varda Wasserman ◽  
Ilan Dayan ◽  
Eyal Ben-Ari
Keyword(s):  
Air Force ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Dominant Group ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Gender Ideals ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
The Military

This article examines the importation of new gender ideals into a highly masculine organization through top-down and bottom-up processes. We analyze how a dominant group of men undo and redo gender to reproduce their supremacy and create a new, “improved” form of masculinity. Based on qualitative research on the practice of debriefing in the Israel Air Force, we explore how new practices of masculinity are incorporated into a hegemonic masculinity by introducing so-called “soft” organizational practices and thus constructing a new form of “upgraded” masculinity. We show that pilots are involved in two continual and dialectical processes of performing masculinity. The first includes top-down practices neutralizing opportunities to execute exaggerated masculine performances, including new technologies allowing recording and documenting of all flights, a safety discourse emphasizing the protection of human life, and organizational learning based on self- and group critiques aimed at improved performance. The second, a bottom-up process enacted by pilots, is aimed at restoring and mobilizing masculinity and includes rationalized professionalism, competitiveness, and patronizing. Taken together, these constitute a hybrid, “upgraded” masculinity where “soft” characteristics are appropriated by men to reinforce a privileged status and reproduce their dominance within and outside the military. Our case study focuses on the debriefing, a process in which air teams formally reflect on their performance after a particular task/event to improve it.

Translation policy

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-369
Author(s):  
Alireza Jazini
Keyword(s):  
End Users ◽  
Reception Theory ◽  
Audience Reception ◽  
Policy Network ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Policy Model ◽  
Subsequent Research ◽  
Made In

Abstract The translation policy model by González Núñez (2013, 475) comprises three elements, namely “translation management”, “translation practices”, and “translation beliefs”. While the first two elements of this model are straightforward and easy to study in top-down approaches, translation beliefs can relate both to policymakers and policy receivers. However, the distinction has not been clearly made in this model and the element of translation beliefs has been chiefly treated in the literature as though it comes from the top levels of policymaking, hence overlooking the bottom-up aspects of it (see González Núñez 2014, 2016; Li et al. 2017). In order to improve this model, the present paper draws on the audience reception theory (Hall 1973), and shows that the current translation policy model requires a fourth element that I would call ‘translation reception’. The paper draws on the findings of a reception-oriented case study on translation policies in provincial broadcasting in Iran. This study argues that a more inclusive model of translation policy should not only include the authority-level elements of translation management, translation practices, and translation beliefs, but also the element of translation reception on the part of policy receivers. This way, I hope, the end users’ involvement in and contribution to the translation policy network will not be overlooked in subsequent research.

scholarly journals Making a House a Home: Motivations for Earthquake Strengthening   Domestic Homes in Dunedin, an Argument Towards Domestic Heritage

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Imogen Stockwell
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Conservation Practice ◽  
Heritage Studies ◽  
Heritage Buildings ◽  
Southern City ◽  
The Relationship

<p>Following the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, earthquake strengthening is one of the biggest issues facing heritage buildings in New Zealand. This process is mainly affecting commercial and public buildings; residential buildings are generally exempt from earthquake-prone building policies. However, some homeowners are choosing to do what is often perceived to be an expensive and time-consuming process. This research explores whether there is a heritage relationship between the homeowner and their house that motivates conservation work, such as earthquake strengthening. The central question for this research is: “What makes a heritage house a home? Is “home” a motivation for owners to earthquake strengthen their building? a case study of Dunedin”.  The relationship between homeowners and the heritage of their homes and domestic conservations practices has been underexamined in heritage studies in New Zealand. The current dissertation addresses this problem and contributes to the literature of Museum and Heritage Studies. The theoretical framework employed in this research draws on the field of Critical Heritage Studies in order to explore the relationship between ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up heritage’, the notion of ‘peoples-based’ heritage, the value of intangible heritage and a cycle of care. This research utilised qualitative research methods, involving the interviewing three heritage homeowners and two heritage professionals. These provided detailed findings about homeowners’ perceptions of their houses and the interaction between heritage practitioners and homeowners. The southern city of Dunedin was the case study which framed this research, because it has a rich collection of heritage buildings and a council which has been proactive in encouraging earthquake strengthening.  It was found that the heritage homeowner’s relationship with their home played a role in conservation how decisions are undertaken and that there is a lack of outreach from heritage authorities to heritage homeowners. This research provides information about the nature of the interaction between top-down and bottom-up heritage, and how this relationship can lead to positive heritage outcomes. Recommendations include developing open channels of communication between officials and homeowners, increased acknowledgement of the homeowner’s role in the conservation practice, and the establishment of a concept of Domestic Heritage to assist within the development of a cycle of care by heritage homeowners.</p>

Managing records and archives in a Hong Kong school: a case study

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric C.K. Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Record Management ◽  
Records Management ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This study aims to explore the principles and practices for managing records with the lens of functional analysis and knowledge management by using a case study that focuses on the experience of implementing records management at a public high school in Hong Kong. Design/methodology/approach A single case study is chosen as the research method for this paper. A series of qualitative interviews and documentary analysis were used to collect and triangulate the qualitative data. Findings The results show that the case school adopted a hybrid top-down and bottom-up approach to record management, facilitate decision-making and manage knowledge. The school adopted the taxonomy provided by the quality assurance framework as the functional classification in a digital archive in the records management system. Practical implications This study provides a set of taxonomy and a hybrid top-down and bottom-up approach to schools for ensuring that accurate information of all school activities is kept and can facilitate an effective and evidence-based, decision-making process. Social implications Identifying taxonomy and management practices for effective documentation in public schools can support planning, assist with organising the continuity of improvement plans and increase reporting and accountability to society. Originality/value This study offers a taxonomy and management approach to the literature of records management and the practices for promoting and improving records management in school.

Can top-down and bottom-up forces explain phytoplankton structure in a subtropical and shallow groundwater-connected lake?

2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (12) ◽  
pp. 1106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Frau ◽  
Melina Devercelli ◽  
Susana José de Paggi ◽  
Pablo Scarabotti ◽  
Gisela Mayora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shallow Groundwater ◽  
Resource Limitation ◽  
River System ◽  
High Water ◽  
Taxonomic Resolution ◽  
Dominant Group ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Phytoplankton Structure

Bottom-up and top-down control of phytoplankton is one of the most important hypothesis that explains and predicts the structure of aquatic community. Our aim was to elucidate whether predation and resource limitation can control phytoplankton composition and abundance in a subtropical shallow lake with groundwater connection to the river system. During 12 months, the lake was sampled at three points. Physico-chemical parameters, phytoplankton and zooplankton were sampled fortnightly, whereas fish were sampled every 3 months. The results showed that Euglenophyta dominated the total biovolume, followed by Dinophyta and Cryptophyta. As for the species composition, Chlorophyta was the dominant group (80 species recorded), followed by phylum Cyanobacteria (26 species recorded). Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that temperature and nitrate + nitrite concentration mainly explained biovolume changes, with zooplankton predation not having any measurable effect on phytoplankton during the high-water (HW) period. During low-water (LW) period top-down by fish was more important. At higher taxonomic resolution (species biovolume), phosphorus was another controlling factor. We concluded that phytoplankton in this lake is mainly regulated by hydrological changes as a macrofactor that affects nutrient availability and other environmental conditions. Even though bottom-up top-down forces do not have a central effect, we found evidence of positive nutrient influences at the HW period and fish effect at the LW period.

Methodology of Schema Integration for New Database Applications

2002 ◽  
pp. 194-218
Author(s):  
Joseph Fong ◽  
Kamalakar Karlapalem ◽  
Qing Li ◽  
Irene Kwan
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Functional Data Analysis ◽  
Functional Data ◽  
Schema Integration ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Database Applications ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Integration Techniques ◽  
New Applications

A practitioner’s approach to integrate databases and evolve them so as to support new database applications is presented. The approach consists of a joint bottom-up and top-down methodology; the bottom-up approach is taken to integrate existing database using standard schema integration techniques (B-Schema), the top-down approach is used to develop a database schema for the new applications (T-Schema). The T-Schema uses a joint functional-data analysis. The B-schema is evolved by comparing it with the generated T-schema. This facilitates an evolutionary approach to integrate existing databases to support new applications as and when needed. The mutual completeness check of the T-Schema against B-Schema derive the schema modification steps to be performed on B-Schema to meet the requirements of the new database applications. A case study is presented to illustrate the methodology.

Top Down or Bottom Up? Public Control of the Armed Forces in Post–Soviet Russia

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 746-768
Author(s):  
Nadja Douglas
Keyword(s):  
State Power ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Power Structures ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Underlying Assumption ◽  
Military Organization ◽  
Public Control ◽  
Soviet Russia ◽  
The Military

This article engages in an analysis of contemporary relations between civic actors and state power structures, notably the military organization, in the Russian Federation. The main focus is on the complex tension and interaction between state-sanctioned forms of control of the armed forces and public control, exercised by grassroots actors. The underlying assumption is that an institutionalization of control of state power structures is taking place in Russia. The article seeks to understand whether these processes are prevalently a top-down or a bottom-up phenomenon, how public control as a “civic duty” can be effectively characterized, and what implications this has for Russian civic activism more generally.

Conditionality and Homelessness Services; ‘Practice Realities’ in a Drop-in Centre

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael Dobson
Keyword(s):  
Study Analysis ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Support Practices ◽  
And Control ◽  
Policies And Practices

This article provides insights into the client−practitioner interaction, as understood through the eyes of those working at the front-line in a Drop-in Centre for homeless clients. Through a case-study analysis of ‘official’ techniques and informal approaches, it is argued that conditional practices are present in contemporary support practices. However, the picture is fragmented, with practitioners arguing for, but also deviating from, conditional strategies that aspire to shape client behaviour. Choices about appropriate responses are occasionally permeated by ‘top−down’ policy messages that aim to responsibilise and generate change in clients. However there is evidence of ‘bottom−up’ drivers informed by experiences of working with clients at the grassroots. These ‘practice realities’ shift an analysis of conditional tactics from just a moralising and disciplining approach, and suggest a more complex set of events at the front-line. Insights add to ongoing commentary about an apparent policy emphasis on rectifying the behaviour of citizens at the sharp end. Conclusions highlight the role of complexity for understanding therapeutic and disciplining elements in policies and practices. Such debates are especially relevant where they connect to the care and control of individuals understood by practitioners as both transgressive and vulnerable.

scholarly journals Elementary Principal/Superintendent Relationship as Perceived by Teachers

2001 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Catherine H. Glascock ◽  
Diane Taylor
Keyword(s):  
School Climate ◽  
School District ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
School Change ◽  
Elementary Principal ◽  
Individual Case ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Bottom Up

Despite more than a decade of research on bottom-up school change, the principal/ superintendent relationship continues to be studied primarily as a traditional flow of power from the top down. There is little research that considers the proposition that power vested in principals can be exercised upwardly within the school district hierarchy in the form of independence from and influence on the superintendent. Given the lack of research on these phenomena, it is not surprising that we could find no studies that explore the effects of hierarchical independence and influence on school climate. The present study investigates both. Two schools form the basis of this comparative case study. The schools were chosen based on scores obtained through the OCDQ and TAI instruments. The first school is selected for its high scores on both instruments and the second school is selected based on average scores on the OCDQ and the TAI. Both schools are in the same school district and a brief description of that district begins the discussion. Individual case study findings as well as a comparison of the two case studies follow.

Conceptual Design of A Human-Computer Interface: A Case Study in Design Methodology

1984 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 510-510
Author(s):  
Virginia A. Rappold ◽  
John L. Sibert
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Computer System ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Network Control ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Planning And Scheduling ◽  
State Diagrams

The purpose of this case study was to document and evaluate the application of a top-down design methodology (Foley & van Dam, 1982) to a pre-existing computer system to test the methodology's usefulness as well as to gain insights into the design process itself. System experts advocate design of a system “top-down” instead of “bottom-up” as a way to sequentially examine the complex task of interface design while allowing re-examination of previous steps in that design (Foley, 1981). The study involved a menu-based, mini-computer system designed at Goddard Space Flight Center called the Mission Planning Terminal (MPT). The MPT will be used at Goddard for planning and scheduling of satellite activities through the NASA Network Control Center (NCC). The scheduler/analyst's task includes submitting a schedule of activities for his mission, transmitting it to NCC, and then modifying the returned schedule, if necessary, using the MPT. The top-down design process is distinctly divided into four phases: conceptual, semantic, syntactic, and lexical (Foley, 1981). The first phase, conceptual, consists of defining key application concepts needed by the user. The semantic phases involve defining meanings such as information needed in order to use an object. The syntactic design defines sequences of inputs (similar to English grammar rules) and outputs (the two and three dimensional organization of the display). The last step, lexical design, describes how words in the input/output sequence are formed from the existing hardware input (Foley & van Dam, 1982). The top-down methodology was applied using MPT documentation and interviews with the designers. During this process, it became clear that although a conceptual model of the MPT existed somewhere, it was never recorded. This led to numerous attempts to extract the main conceptual components of the system from the software operations documents which were constantly changed and were often incomplete. Finally, based on preliminary screen designs, state diagrams were constructed to map out components of the system. By characterization of the MPT in this way (using state diagrams), a clearer picture emerged that finally led to understanding the conceptual model. Once the conceptual model was extracted, redesign of the system, using the top-down method, quickly followed. This case study clearly emphasizes the need for a complete and accurate conceptual model if a top-down approach is to be applied. When redesigning an existing system, it frequently becomes necessary to “extract” this model in a bottom-up manner as was the case here.

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