scholarly journals Interpreting Graffiti in the Saqqara New Kingdom Necropolis as Expressions of Popular Customs and Beliefs

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem Paul van Pelt ◽  
Nico Staring
Keyword(s):  
Academic Research ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
New Kingdom ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ancient Egyptian ◽  
Social Scale ◽  
The Social ◽  
Communicative Power ◽  
Current Emphasis

Previous examinations of ancient Egyptian graffiti have focused on textual graffiti and developed interpretations specific to this class of evidence. In contrast, relatively few studies have considered the communicative power and meaning of figural graffiti, presumably because of the inherent challenges that this data set presents to academic research. To counterbalance the current emphasis on textual graffiti, this contribution examines graffiti making in the New Kingdom necropolis at Saqqara using an integrated approach taking in both textual and figural material. In accordance with the imagistic principle of Egyptian magic, the authors propose that certain types of figural graffiti may be regarded as pictorial prayers in their own right, intended to ensure the permanent presence of the graffitist in the tomb, or to protect and beatify the deceased in the afterlife. Since literacy is not a prerequisite for drawing a picture, the important question is raised of whether the production of figural graffiti expanded throughout the social scale or, like textual graffiti, was restricted to the elite and sub-elite. ملخص البحث الدراسات السابقة التي تم إجراؤها على الكتابة و النقوش الجدارية المصرية القديمة ركّزت إهتمامها على تفسيرات معينة لهذا النوع من الأدلة. في المقابل تناولت بعض الدراسات القوة التعبيرية والمعنى من وراء النقوش التصويرية، على الأرجح بسبب التحديات التي توفرها مجموعة البيانات هذه إلى البحث الأكاديمي. لإمكانية موازنة الجهود الحالية المبذولة في الكتابات و الرسومات الجدارية، تدرس هذه المقالة صناعة الرسومات الجدارية في مقبرة تعود إلى الدولة الحديثة في سقارة بإستخدام نهج متكامل يتناول كل من المواد النصية والتصويرية. وفقاً للمبدأ التصويري للسحر المصري، يقترح المؤلفون وجود بعض أنواع من النقوش الجدارية يمكن إعتبارها على أنها صلوات مصوّرة في حد ذاتها وهي تهدف إلى ضمان التواجد الدائم للنقوش في المقبرة، أو لحماية المتوفى أو منحه السعادة الأبدية في الحياة الآخرة. بما أن معرفة القراءة والكتابة ليست شرطاً أساسياً لرسم صورة ما، فإن السؤال المهم الذي يطرح نفسه الآن هو ما إذا كان إنتاج الرسومات الجدارية يمتد عبر النطاق الإجتماعي أم أنه يقتصر على النبلاء ومن يحيط بهم فقط على غرار النقوش النصية.

Students' perceptions of education for sustainable development

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Zeegers ◽  
Ian Francis Clark
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Pedagogical Approach ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tertiary Institutions ◽  
Reflective Journal ◽  
Reflective Journals ◽  
The Social ◽  
Perceptions Of Education ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This study investigated whether a course which focused on raising students' awareness of sustainability, from a balanced perspective, that is, one which gives equal consideration to the social and economic aspects as well as the environmental would produce graduates with the knowledge and commitment required to drive the sustainability agenda forward. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – An analysis of students' final entries in their reflective journal was used to explore whether their views on sustainability reflected a balanced view. Findings – The findings of this research confirmed previous studies showed that initially students do have an enviro-centric bias. It also showed that despite experiencing a pedagogical approach which challenged views by encouraging discussion, debate, and reflection and which provided what was considered to be a balanced view of sustainability, many of the students still leaned towards an environmentally focused perspective of sustainability. Research limitations/implications – The conclusions are based on one data set but are supported by other data described in the paper. Practical implications – The finding led the authors to conclude that a concerted holistic effort within and across courses is needed within tertiary institutions if students' views about sustainability are to be challenged. Originality/value – The outcomes demonstrate that students' reflective journals can be used to gather information about the change in students' perceptions about sustainability.

Social and environmental disclosure index: perspectives from Indian corporate sector

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Singhania ◽  
Gagan Gandhi
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Corporate Sector ◽  
Environmental Disclosure ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social And Environmental Disclosure ◽  
A Company

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to construct the social and environmental disclosure index for Indian companies in order to examine the relationship between social and environmental disclosure and select corporate attributes. Design/methodology/approach – The sample covers annual reports of companies for financial year 2011-2012. The sample represents both financial and non-financial companies that constitute Nifty 50 Index companies as on March 31, 2012. The actual size of the sample analyzed represented 41 companies. The unweighted disclosure index approach has been used to measure the extent of disclosure of social and environmental information where an item scores 1 if disclosed and 0 if not disclosed. The authors built a model using regression which indicates the variables that are significant in determining the social and environmental disclosure of a company. The regression model can be used to predict the degree of disclosure of a company given the values of explanatory variables. Content analysis from annual reports of the companies has been used in constructing the dependent variable. Findings – Regression results indicate that location (place where the registered office of company is located), number of operations of company, turnover, sales and administration expenses, age of company, employee cost and interest paid by company are significant in determining the disclosure index of the company. Research limitations/implications – Sample size can be increased by considering more companies. In addition, a longitudinal study would enable in drawing comparison over a period of time with respect to disclosure index. The increased sample size would help in validating the disclosure score by dividing the data set into two: one as observation window and the other as validation window.The model explains 23 percent variation in disclosure index. More variation may be explained by incorporating more explanatory variables in the model. Practical implications – The authors indicate the level of disclosure in case of Indian companies which may prove to be an indicator for prospective investors especially in the present era of global financial and economic downturn. The paper may assist the regulators in framing policies regarding corporate governance. This will enable the regulators of corporate sector to frame laws in order to predict the degree of disclosure of a company based on certain explanatory variables. Originality/value – The authors focus especially on Indian companies for constructing the disclosure index which to the best of knowledge has not been attempted till date.

Understanding the expression of grievances in the Arabic Twitter-sphere using machine learning

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-119
Author(s):  
Yeslam Al-Saggaf ◽  
Amanda Davies
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Data Mining ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Learning Algorithm ◽  
Machine Learning Algorithm ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Twitter Users

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the design, application and findings of a case study in which the application of a machine learning algorithm is utilised to identify the grievances in Twitter in an Arabian context. Design/methodology/approach To understand the characteristics of the Twitter users who expressed the identified grievances, data mining techniques and social network analysis were utilised. The study extracted a total of 23,363 tweets and these were stored as a data set. The machine learning algorithm applied to this data set was followed by utilising a data mining process to explore the characteristics of the Twitter feed users. The network of the users was mapped and the individual level of interactivity and network density were calculated. Findings The machine learning algorithm revealed 12 themes all of which were underpinned by the coalition of Arab countries blockade of Qatar. The data mining analysis revealed that the tweets could be clustered in three clusters, the main cluster included users with a large number of followers and friends but who did not mention other users in their tweets. The social network analysis revealed that whilst a large proportion of users engaged in direct messages with others, the network ties between them were not registered as strong. Practical implications Borum (2011) notes that invoking grievances is the first step in the radicalisation process. It is hoped that by understanding these grievances, the study will shed light on what radical groups could invoke to win the sympathy of aggrieved people. Originality/value In combination, the machine learning algorithm offered insights into the grievances expressed within the tweets in an Arabian context. The data mining and the social network analyses revealed the characteristics of the Twitter users highlighting identifying and managing early intervention of radicalisation.

Social inequality and access to social capital in microfinance interventions

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 575-588
Author(s):  
Mudit Kumar Singh ◽  
Jaemin Lee
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Group Formation ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Social Categories ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Credit Access ◽  
The Social ◽  
Unequal Access

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the inequality perpetuated through social categories in accessing the social capital generated through the microfinance interventions in India as the country has pronounced economic inequality by social categories like many developing stratified societies.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses survey data collected from 75 villages in rural India and tests whether the formation and maximization of social capital through self-help groups (SHGs) is dominated by social categories, e.g. high-caste groups, males and superior occupation classes. Using logistic regression framework, the study assesses the formation and maximization of social capital through multiple SHG membership.FindingsThe paper finds that the microfinance approach of empowering weaker sections is considerably limited in its success, in the sense that it provides them with the opportunity to the credit access and support through SHGs. But, the empirical model further indicates that social capital in form of these SHGs may fall prey to the dominant social categories, and thus, these institutions may potentially enhance inequality.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is derived from the secondary data set, so it is unable to comment field reality qualitatively.Practical implicationsMicrofinance policy makers will have an improved understanding of inherent social inequalities while implementing group-based programs in socially stratified societies.Originality/valueSocial capital, if treated as an outcome accumulated in form of groups, provides with an important framework to assess the unequal access through the microfinance interventions. Overlooking the inherent unequal access will deceive the purpose of social justice in the group-based interventions. The microfinance and other welfare policies engaged in group formation and generating the social capital need to be more sensitive to the disadvantageous sections while focusing on multiple group access by disadvantaged social groups.

Well-being and the worshipper: a scientific perspective of selected contemplative practices in Islam

Humanomics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Safiullah Munsoor ◽  
Hannah Safiullah Munsoor
Keyword(s):  
Health Benefits ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Body ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Contemplative Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Mind

Purpose Modern life is characterized by its hectic life-style, which invariably leads to high levels of stress having negative consequences for the mind-body. Thus, people are seeking for natural ways to achieve a sense of equilibrium and peace. Neuroscience has identified beneficial findings from contemplative practices like meditation, prayers and fasting. Within the Islamic framework, these practices were found to be beneficial for both the body and the mind. However, comparatively little research has been carried out on Islamic contemplative practices. Thus, there is a dire need to carry out further research, where the focus needs to be more on the inward aspects of Islam especially the contemplative practices. Design/methodology/approach The study took an integrated approach, whereby, objective experimental data from various sources were combined with the religious narratives from the Qur’an and the Hadiths or the practice of the Prophet in Islam. This was augmented by the subjective experiences of the participants of the study and all of these woven to present a case for Islamic contemplative practices. Findings Worship, be it Yogic, Buddhist and Islamic, seems to have positive mental and physical benefits for individuals. Much has been documented within the field of Yoga and Buddhist practices, and it is only recently that Islamic practices are beginning to be studied and are yielding similar results. It has been found that Islamic ritual prayers, fasting and meditation (dhikr) have an impact on the well-being of the worshipper. The communities of practice commonly known as “tariqas” and other religio-spiritual orders can serve as a vehicle to further these practices. This opens the door for more extensive research in this direction. Research limitations/implications This study clearly indicates that Islamic practices have positive benefits; however, the number of studies are limited. Moreover, there are a whole system of practices as the contemplative tree in this paper points out, which needs more robust as well as longitudinal studies to outline more conclusive evidence to this effect. Practical implications Muslims have been looking at other traditions like Yoga and Buddhist meditation to find ways of improving their physical and mental health. This meta-study indicates that Islamic contemplative practices have positive benefits, and thus, there are a variety of practices like ritual prayers, fasting and meditation, which is found to demonstrate positive health benefits. Thus, it has direct practical reasons to pursue these practices and derive the innate benefits from them. Social implications The data from the various neuroscience studies have demonstrated the neurological and physiological impact on individuals directly relating to worship. However, the studies on the Islamic ritual prayer (salat) cited in this study points out to its social implications, where congregational prayers was found to be more beneficial than the individual prayers. Thus, this indicates the social implications that collective worship can have. Further research is needed in terms of understanding the social impact on the various collective contemplative practices. Originality/value The originality of this literature review and analysis is bringing together the various strands of neuroscience and health data to demonstrate the positive impact of worship emanating from others faiths, while building a case for Islamic contemplative practices. This is further augmented by its integrated approach of weaving hard and soft data and synthesizing it to present health benefits of worship.

scholarly journals Parental interpretations of “childhood innocence”

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 580-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura McGinn ◽  
Nicole Stone ◽  
Roger Ingham ◽  
Andrew Bengry-Howell
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
General Recognition ◽  
Open Relationship ◽  
Thematic Network Analysis

Purpose Despite general recognition of the benefits of talking openly about sexuality with children, parents encounter and/or create barriers to such communication. One of the key barriers is a desire to protect childhood innocence. The purpose of this paper is to explore parental interpretations of childhood innocence and the influence this has on their reported practices relating to sexuality-relevant communication with young children. Design/methodology/approach In all, 110 UK parents and carers of children aged between four and seven years were involved in focus group discussions. The discussions were transcribed and thematic network analysis was subsequently applied to the data. Following the reading and re-reading of the transcripts for meaning, context and content, individual comments and statements were identified within the data set and grouped to generate themes. Findings Childhood innocence was commonly equated with non-sexuality in children and sexual ignorance. Parents displayed ambiguity around the conceptualisation of non-innocence in children. Parents desire to prolong the state of childhood innocence led them to withhold certain sexual knowledge from their children; however, the majority also desired an open relationship whereby their child could approach them for information. Originality/value UK parents have a strong desire to maintain the social construction of their children as inherently innocent. This discourse is affecting the way in which they communicate about sexually relevant information with their children.

scholarly journals Informal employment in the poor European periphery

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 387-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgit Pfau-Effinger
Keyword(s):  
Labour Market ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Informal Employment ◽  
Social Characteristics ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Social Differences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
European Periphery

Purpose During the transition from socialist to post-socialist regimes, many Central and Eastern Europe societies have developed a broad sector of informal work. This development has caused substantial economic and social problems. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This paper aims to answer two questions regarding European countries with a relatively weak economy and welfare state: what are the differences in the social characteristics between workers in formal and informal employment? And how might they be explained? According to the main assumption, a key reason why people work in undeclared employment in such countries is that they are in particularly vulnerable positions in the labour market. This paper uses the example of Moldova. The empirical study is based on a unique survey data set from the National Statistical Office of Moldova covering formal and informal employment. Findings The findings show that, in informal employment, workers in rural areas, workers with a low level of education, young workers and older workers – in the final years of their careers and after the age of retirement – are over-represented. It seems that a significant reason why these workers are often engaged in informal employment is the lack of alternatives in the labour market, particularly in rural areas, compounded by limited social benefits from unemployment benefits and pensions. Originality/value Research about social differences between workers in formal and informal employment in the countries of the European periphery is rare. This paper makes a new contribution to the theoretical debate and research regarding work in informal employment.

A fresh approach to indigenous business education

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (7) ◽  
pp. 613-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Bajada ◽  
Rowan Trayler
Keyword(s):  
Business Education ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Indigenous Students ◽  
Short Supply ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social

Purpose – The social and economic disadvantages confronted by many Indigenous Australians are well known. A close look at Indigenous employment highlights that Indigenous Australians are substantially under-represented in the technical and professional areas of business and management. Closing the gap and improving the social and economic outcomes requires a greater focus in these areas. The purpose of this paper is to outline the design of an innovative undergraduate business degree for Indigenous students that: meets the targets set by government, produces the “T-shaped” graduate expected by business (disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge and soft skills), addresses the employment needs of the Indigenous community and provides the building blocks for Indigenous students to enrol in post-graduate business courses. Australians is well known. A close look at Indigenous employment highlights that Indigenous Australians are substantially under-represented in the technical and professional areas of business and management. Closing the gap and improving the social and economic outcomes requires a greater focus in these areas. This paper outlines the design of an innovative undergraduate business degree for Indigenous students that: (i) meets the targets set by government; (ii) produces the “T-shaped” graduate expected by business (disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge and soft skills); (iii) addresses the employment needs of the Indigenous community; and (iv) provides the building blocks for Indigenous students to enrol in post-graduate business courses. Design/methodology/approach – The development of the Bachelor of Business Administration (Indigenous) provided an opportunity to address the needs of Indigenous Australians in a curriculum that is not only interdisciplinary but also taught by indigenous and non-Indigenous academics. The paper outlines how the review was shaped, the innovative mode of delivery and the interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum. Administration (Indigenous) provided an opportunity to address the needs of Indigenous Australians in a curriculum that is not only interdisciplinary but also taught by indigenous and non-Indigenous academics. Findings – This course provides an integrated approach to business education focusing on the professional, technical and managerial roles in business that is in such short supply in Indigenous communities. The course contextualises the study of business within an Indigenous perspective to demonstrate how Indigenous studies not only contributes to empowering the individual but also how business education plays a critical role in repositioning Indigenous people in their local communities and society more broadly empowering the individual but also how business education plays a critical role in repositioning Indigenous people in their local communities and society more broadly. Originality/value – This paper demonstrates an integrated approach to business education focusing on the professional, technical and managerial roles in business that are in short supply in Indigenous communities.

How impact measurement devices act: the performativity of theory of change, SROI and dashboards

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Ruff
Keyword(s):  
Social Impact ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Impact Measurement ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Measurement Devices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to examine the role of devices in assessing the social impact of an organization. The study examines the effects of device and analyst expertise on the contents and conclusions of the report. Design/methodology/approach Six impact reports based on the same data from the same organization were compared to each other, to the charity data and to the devices used. Specific attention is paid to the role of the device’s sociomaterial form and discursive entanglements. Findings The six reports assessed the impact differently from each other and in ways that were consistent with the devices used. The devices performatively reconfigured the charity in impact reports through a series of omissions and misrepresentations which could be traced to the discourses hardwired into the devices themselves. The devices did not simply present the same impact assessment to different audiences or for different purposes, but (mis)represented the charity in specific ways aligned with the discursive entanglements. Research limitations/implications The performativity of sociomaterial impact devices has implications for how researchers approach the study of impact measurement. Practical implications In this study, faithful adherence to an impact device led to greater omissions and misrepresentations than less expert impact assessments. Analysts should be supported to identify biases in their devices and be aware of sorts of omissions and misrepresentations that may result. Faithful adherence may not be the mark of rigorous analysis. Originality/value Performativity of impact measurement devices is explored with a unique data set.

After pain comes joy: identity gaps in employees ' minds

2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Suk Park
Keyword(s):  
Process Model ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Theoretical Implication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hr Management ◽  
Organisational Identity ◽  
The Social ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Identity Gaps

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to bridge the theory of organisational identity and the practice of HR management. Design/methodology/approach – This conceptual paper starts from the fundamental questions about employees ' defining-self in workplaces. Specifically, this paper examines the organisational identity by adopting a process model of sensemaking which assumes a dynamic cycle between the sensebreaking and sensegiving activities. Based on this, this paper develops and provides a practical framework for HR practitioners and a theoretical implication for academic researchers. Findings – The author introduces the concept of identity gaps, a relatively under researched area in the social identity literature and HR management. Then, three types of identity gaps are identified: individual-individual gaps, organisational-organisational gaps, and individual-organisational gaps. Based on this categorization, this paper shows the matching HR practices for each type one by one. Originality/value – Today ' s practices of HR seem to underestimate the importance of employees ' activities of defining self-identities even though academic research on employees ' identity is flourishing. By providing clear and structured framework for managing employee ' s identity, this paper can bridge the theory of identity and the practice in HR management.

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