scholarly journals The challenge of young Romanian designers: creativity in business

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (03) ◽  
pp. 245-251
Author(s):  
DENISA BOGDANA ABRUDAN ◽  
MĂDĂLINA DUMITRIȚA MATICIUC ◽  
MARIAN NĂSTASE ◽  
MARGARETA STELA FLORESCU ◽  
DANA CODRUȚA DĂIANU
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Creative Industry ◽  
Fashion Industry ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Analytical Skills ◽  
Economic Climate ◽  
Strategic Role ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Fashion Designers

The present paper focuses on the subject of creativity in business starting from a set of interviews with young designers (fashion designers mostly, but not exclusively). In order to provide an updated overview of the “ecosystem” of creativity, we intend to add to the field literature, thus offering a more comprehensive understanding of creativity by focusing on the role of designers in facilitating or inhibiting creativity in business in the fashion industry. The work was limited contextually to the fashion sector in the western region of Romania, with the data being collected through semi-structured interviews with entrepreneur fashion designers (producers of clothing, footwear and accessories). The analysis aims to identify and highlight the attributes of entrepreneur designers in the creative industry, as well as the ways in which they are inclined to develop their creativity in order to combine various materials or textures into something original. The results of our research are in fact empirical evidence regarding the strategic role of entrepreneur designers when it comes to creativity in business, a role that can allow them to achieve durable competitive advantage for their own businesses by developing both the analytical skills necessary for interpreting economic data to validate an idea, and the intuitive skills regarding the economic climate. Although the specific context may be considered a limitation of the study, it may become a real advantage for potential future research that will extend the boundaries of the present one.

scholarly journals Local rooting and creativity within the fashion industry in Beirut

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-109
Author(s):  
Tarek Ben Hassen ◽  
Diane-Gabrielle Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
Policy Implications ◽  
Fashion Design ◽  
Fashion Industry ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current State ◽  
Governmental Intervention ◽  
Fashion Designers ◽  
International Success

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the factors that make Beirut a fashion hub by studying the characteristics of creativity and the role of the different stakeholders in setting an environment that encourages creativity in Beirut. Design/methodology/approach The methodology of this research is based on a literature review and information collected through semi-structured interviews with the different stakeholders of the sector. Findings The research reveals three results. First, this dynamic fashion design in Beirut is explained by the international success of some Lebanese fashion designers. Second, as there is an absence of any form of governmental intervention, the development of the sector is totally based on private business initiatives. Third, the research demonstrates the importance of the local culture, knowledge exchanges and lifestyle in shaping creativity and designers’ careers in Beirut. Originality/value These findings contribute to the clarification and critical analysis of the current state of fashion design in Beirut, which would have several policy implications.

Alignment

2016 ◽  
pp. 33-50
Author(s):  
Pier Giuseppe Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Enactive Approach ◽  
The World ◽  
Strategic Role ◽  
Education Today ◽  
Current Context ◽  
The Subject

The subject of alignment is not new to the world of education. Today however, it has come to mean different things and to have a heuristic value in education according to research in different areas, not least for neuroscience, and to attention to skills and to the alternation framework.This paper, after looking at the classic references that already attributed an important role to alignment in education processes, looks at the strategic role of alignment in the current context, outlining the shared construction processes and focusing on some of the ways in which this is put into effect.Alignment is part of a participatory, enactive approach that gives a central role to the interaction between teaching and learning, avoiding the limits of behaviourism, which has a greater bias towards teaching, and cognitivism/constructivism, which focus their attention on learning and in any case, on that which separates a teacher preparing the environment and a student working in it.

scholarly journals Tocopherols and Tocotrienols—Bioactive Dietary Compounds; What Is Certain, What Is Doubt?

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6222
Author(s):  
Kacper Szewczyk ◽  
Aleksandra Chojnacka ◽  
Magdalena Górnicka
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Metabolic Disorders ◽  
Tissue Concentration ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Biological Role ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Relationship

Tocopherols and tocotrienols are natural compounds of plant origin, available in the nature. They are supplied in various amounts in a diet, mainly from vegetable oils, some oilseeds, and nuts. The main forms in the diet are α- and γ-tocopherol, due to the highest content in food products. Nevertheless, α-tocopherol is the main form of vitamin E with the highest tissue concentration. The α- forms of both tocopherols and tocotrienols are considered as the most metabolically active. Currently, research results indicate also a greater antioxidant potential of tocotrienols than tocopherols. Moreover, the biological role of vitamin E metabolites have received increasing interest. The aim of this review is to update the knowledge of tocopherol and tocotrienol bioactivity, with a particular focus on their bioavailability, distribution, and metabolism determinants in humans. Almost one hundred years after the start of research on α-tocopherol, its biological properties are still under investigation. For several decades, researchers’ interest in the biological importance of other forms of vitamin E has also been growing. Some of the functions, for instance the antioxidant functions of α- and γ-tocopherols, have been confirmed in humans, while others, such as the relationship with metabolic disorders, are still under investigation. Some studies, which analyzed the biological role and mechanisms of tocopherols and tocotrienols over the past few years described new and even unexpected cellular and molecular properties that will be the subject of future research.

Social capital in the theory and research of LIS professionals in the light of the literature on the subject. Review of current knowledge

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Dorota Wojciechowska
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Social Capital ◽  
Rural Libraries ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Moment ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to present the latest scholarly trends in the field of social capital in libraries, to review research concepts published by LIS professionals and to suggest further research possibilities in this area. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a review and critical analysis of literature associated with research on social capital in libraries to highlight its importance for the development of LIS and its impact on the functioning of environments linked with various types of libraries. The goal of literature analysis was to determine the current condition of research on social capital in libraries. The main trends were identified and the need for further qualitative analyses, which are missing at the moment, was confirmed. Findings It was determined that, so far, LIS professionals have focussed mainly on the role of municipal libraries in developing social capital, the problem of building trust, especially in immigrant circles and the impact of libraries on promoting a civil society. Academic libraries, rural libraries, organisational capital in libraries and individual social capital of librarians were a much less frequent subject of research. The role of libraries in developing social capital in educational (primary and secondary education) and professional (non-university professionals) circles is practically non-existent in research, and it will require in-depth studies and analyses in the coming years. Originality/value This paper constitutes a synthetic review of the latest research concepts concerning social capital in libraries. It identifies the most important research trends and areas that so far have not been explored and suggests research methods to help LIS professionals design future research in this area more effectively.

Internal projects as strategic tools: an organisation-level perspective and a research agenda

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Torbjørn Bjorvatn
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Linear Relationships ◽  
Strategic Role ◽  
And Performance

PurposeThe purpose of this conceptual paper is to describe and explain how organisations use internal projects to implement organisation-level strategy objectives.Design/methodology/approachTheory development with an emphasis on explaining key constructs and their mutual relationships. The theoretical contribution is represented in a diagram along with a detailed verbal account.FindingsThe paper develops a dynamic, cross-level framework to illustrate the organisational processes and outcomes that determine project-based strategy implementation within a single organisation. The interplay between the base organisation and the project, and benefits realisation were singled out as key future research areas. The proposed framework engages with central discourses in the fields of project management, strategic management, innovation studies, knowledge management and organisation studies.Research limitations/implicationsOnly the contours of an organisation-level theory of strategically motivated internal projects are outlined. Future research must elaborate on the complexities, the non-linear relationships and the boundary conditions that follow from the proposed framework.Practical implicationsManagers are alerted to the strategic role of internal projects, how these projects help connect strategy and performance and what the accompanying organisational processes and outcomes look like.Originality/valueThe paper constitutes an early conceptual treatment of strategy-driven internal projects as a distinct project category, thus addressing a major knowledge gap in project studies. Organisational project-management theory is extended with suggestions for future research.

Neformalni obrazovni kontekst i nastava prirode i društva u izmenjenom društvenom kontekstu – metodički pristup i značaj

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milana Pivaš
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Phenomena ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Traditional Paradigm ◽  
Informal Context

Equally effective and demanding for all students, the traditional paradigm prevents independent acquisition of knowledge in a changed social context. Students should be able to independently research and analyze natural and social phenomena and processes. The role of the teacher is to create a complete picture, and not to interpret the content knowledge as biological, geographical, or historical. To avoid the passivity of students in the teaching process, it is necessary to choose an informal context and adapt it to the content being learned. In this paper, we have tried to point out the importance of an integrative approach in the non-formal educational context within the content of the subject Science and Social studies. We have presented the practical implication regarding natural and social contents. Lack of resources, time and interest of teachers are cited as obstacles to this way of working. In addition to pointing out the effective application of the informal context in a changed social context, we also provided suggestions for future research to improve teaching practice.

Smart technologies challenges and issues in social inclusion – case of disabled youth in a developing country

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bissane Harb ◽  
Dina Sidani
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Millennium Development Goals ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Disabled People ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Smart Technologies

Purpose In light of the emphasis on “inclusion” in the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the notion of social inclusion encompasses the goal of granting opportunities for disabled people, integrate them and make them participate in the new environment. Referring to the capability theory, the purpose of this study is to examine the role of information and communication technology (ICT) in the social inclusion of disabled young people in Lebanon. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a qualitative approach based on a series of focused semi-structured interviews with 11 participants occupying key positions in aid associations for disabled people. Findings The findings suggest that smart technologies can enhance social inclusion through three key factors: the nature of impairment and other personal characteristics of disabled people, the resources available to them and the environmental aspects provided by government policies and society’s cultural practices. In the contemporary society characterized by an increasing role of ICTs, the findings of this research could contribute to lead the developing countries to a sustainable and inclusive world through social inclusion of their youth. Research limitations/implications This study has some limitations that should be mentioned. First, it was conducted only on a small sample size (with 11 interviewees). Further empirical research must be conducted on larger sample to build and elaborate on the findings. Second, the results are mainly based on the points of view of people working in aid associations for disabled people. In future research, semi-structured interviews can be carried out with the disabled people themselves or with members of their family to ask them about their personal experience with smart technologies and the impact of this on their social inclusion. It was also suggested that the future research should explore the challenges of inclusion for different categories of disabled people separately because they are not all facing the same issues and the same challenges. Furthermore, as this paper focuses on the role of smart technologies in the development of social inclusion of disabled people, future research could take place with other groups, for example, Palestinian and Syrian refugees, to identify whether these groups are experiencing similar challenges and barriers when trying to use smart technologies as a way to enhance their social inclusion. Practical implications Related to a larger and broader approach, social inclusion of disabled or marginalized people or refugees in developing countries could be a way to commit to a sustainable and inclusive world, in alignment with the eight goals of the Millennium Development Goals. Originality/value Related to a larger and broader approach, social inclusion of disabled or marginalized people or refugees in developing countries could be a way to commit to a sustainable and inclusive world, in alignment with the eight goals of the Millennium Development Goals.

The Role of Islamic Financial Product Innovation in Reduction of Financial Exclusion in Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
pp. 426-446
Author(s):  
Suadiq Mehammed Hailu ◽  
Ayhan Kapusuzoglu ◽  
Nildag Basak Ceylan
Keyword(s):  
Product Innovation ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Banking System ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Islamic Finance ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Financial Systems ◽  
Financial Exclusion ◽  
Strategic Role

The aim of the chapter is to explain the strategic role of Islamic finance, which can be considered as financial product innovation, in combating financial exclusion in Ethiopia. It intends to assess the extent and the nature of religious-driven financial exclusion of Ethiopian Muslims and the level of their participation in the existing interest free window banking system introduced to the sector recently. In order to collect data for the research, mixed approaches such as questionnaires and semi-structured interviews are used. The questionnaire was distributed to 321 respondents in Addis Ababa in 2017 while the semi-structured interview was conducted with selected high-ranking bank officers. At the end of the analyses there are findings which show the extent of financial exclusion of Ethiopian Muslims due to the absence of alternative financial systems.

scholarly journals The Impact of Mobile Phone Uses in the Developing World

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 20-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvain K. Cibangu ◽  
Mark Hepworth ◽  
Donna Champion
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Impact

In recent years, the rise of information and communication technologies (ICTs) contrasted with the dire living conditions of the world's poorest has been the subject of debate among industry and academia. However, despite the amount of writings produced on mobile phones, Western bias is surprisingly unbridledly prevailing alongside the fêted dissemination of mobile phones. Expansive literature tends to present the rapid adoption of mobile phones among rural individuals, with little to no indication of how local values and voices are respected or promoted. We undertook semi-structured interviews with 16 rural chiefs to inquire into ways in which mobile phones enabled socio-economic development in the rural Congo. Rather than using quantitative, large-scale, or top-down data, we sought to give voice to chiefs themselves about the role of mobile phones. We found that Western bias dominates the literature and deployment of mobile phones more than usually acknowledged. We suggested some paths forward, while bringing the African communal Utu or Ubuntu culture to the center stage.

The Formation of Postsecondary Expectations Among Parents of Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne V. Kirby ◽  
Nancy Bagatell ◽  
Grace T. Baranek
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Parent Expectations ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Family ◽  
Postsecondary Expectations

Research suggests higher parent expectations can predict more independent outcomes of youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet little is known about how parents’ expectations are formed. To gain an understanding of their formation, we conducted semi-structured interviews with seven parents of adolescents with ASD. Three main types of influences on parent expectations were identified: factors related to the youth, to the parent, and to social and societal forces external to the family. Although not directly probed, all of the participants also discussed their approaches to planning for the future, suggesting a connection with their expectations. These findings contribute to a growing body of literature on the role of parent expectations during the transition to adulthood. Future research and clinical practice implications include designing interventions aimed at expanding parent expectations in addition to approaches directly preparing youth with ASD for adulthood as a means to improve outcomes.

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