Multicultural e-Education

Author(s):  
Kenneth David Strang

Academic performance of international university students was predicted using an interdisciplinary model, built by integrating theories from educational psychology and cultural anthropology. Approximately 2,500 online undergraduate business degree students from 21 countries were sampled from an Australian university. An a priori learning style instrument was used to assess their study strategies, which was integrated to a global culture taxonomy using ethnic demographic data. Multi-method statistical techniques for multivariate data were triangulated (confirmatory ordinal factor analysis, multiple regression and structural equation modeling) to analyze empirical evidence. The instrument was validated (eigenvalues> 1; cumulative factor variance captured >60%; GF, LR, factor loadings acceptable; p

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824402110223
Author(s):  
Nabia Luqman Siddiquei ◽  
Ruhi Khalid

The present study aimed to develop an indigenous measure of learning styles for e-learners in Pakistan and to establish its psychometric properties. The objectives of the study were attained via three studies. First, the items for the development of the Learning Style Scale for e-Learners (e-LSS) were generated empirically based on a 5-point Likert-type scale. In Study I, the internal consistency and dimensionality of the measure were determined by sampling 360 e-learners aged from 20 to 40 years through a convenient sampling technique, whereas other demographic characteristics were kept in close consideration. For this purpose, exploratory factor analysis was utilized. In Study II of scale development, the factor structure that emerged in Study I was confirmed via confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modeling. In Study III, the convergent and divergent validities of the newly constructed scale were established by correlating scores with preestablished scale scores that assess the similar construct (i.e., LSS) and with scores on the discriminant construct (i.e., Solving Problems Survey). The sample for this study consisted of 80 e-learners aged from 20 to 40 years. A total of 29 items were confirmed in the final scale with 8 distinctive factors (namely, visual, auditory, kinesthetic, global, analytical, individual, collaborative, and technological type) with sound psychometric properties. To conclude, the newly constructed scale was a significant addition to assess learning styles particularly of e-learners in the context of Pakistan.


2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 334-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viren Swami ◽  
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic ◽  
Khairul Mastor ◽  
Fatin Hazwani Siran ◽  
Mohammad Mohsein Mohammad Said ◽  
...  

The present study examined conceptual issues surrounding celebrity worship in a Malay-speaking population. In total, 512 Malay and 269 Chinese participants from Malaysia indicated who their favorite celebrity was and completed the Celebrity Attitude Scale (CAS) as well as a range of demographic items. Results showed that the majority of Malay and Chinese participants selected pop stars and movie stars as their favourite celebrities, mirroring findings in Western settings. In addition, exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor solution of the CAS that was consistent with previous studies conducted in the West. Structural equation modeling further revealed that participant’s age was negatively associated with celebrity worship and that self-rated attractiveness was positively associated with celebrity worship. Overall, the present results suggest that celebrity worship in Malaysia may be driven by market and media forces, and future research may well be guided by use of the CAS.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessia Spada ◽  
Francesco Antonio Tucci ◽  
Aldo Ummarino ◽  
Paolo Pio Ciavarella ◽  
Nicholas Calà ◽  
...  

AbstractClimate seems to influence the spread of SARS-CoV-2, but the findings of the studies performed so far are conflicting. To overcome these issues, we performed a global scale study considering 134,871 virologic-climatic-demographic data (209 countries, first 16 weeks of the pandemic). To analyze the relation among COVID-19, population density, and climate, a theoretical path diagram was hypothesized and tested using structural equation modeling (SEM), a powerful statistical technique for the evaluation of causal assumptions. The results of the analysis showed that both climate and population density significantly influence the spread of COVID-19 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). Overall, climate outweighs population density (path coefficients: climate vs. incidence = 0.18, climate vs. prevalence = 0.11, population density vs. incidence = 0.04, population density vs. prevalence = 0.05). Among the climatic factors, irradiation plays the most relevant role, with a factor-loading of − 0.77, followed by temperature (− 0.56), humidity (0.52), precipitation (0.44), and pressure (0.073); for all p < 0.001. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that climatic factors significantly influence the spread of SARS-CoV-2. However, demographic factors, together with other determinants, can affect the transmission, and their influence may overcome the protective effect of climate, where favourable.


2021 ◽  
pp. 001316442110089
Author(s):  
Yuanshu Fu ◽  
Zhonglin Wen ◽  
Yang Wang

Composite reliability, or coefficient omega, can be estimated using structural equation modeling. Composite reliability is usually estimated under the basic independent clusters model of confirmatory factor analysis (ICM-CFA). However, due to the existence of cross-loadings, the model fit of the exploratory structural equation model (ESEM) is often found to be substantially better than that of ICM-CFA. The present study first illustrated the method used to estimate composite reliability under ESEM and then compared the difference between ESEM and ICM-CFA in terms of composite reliability estimation under various indicators per factor, target factor loadings, cross-loadings, and sample sizes. The results showed no apparent difference in using ESEM or ICM-CFA for estimating composite reliability, and the rotation type did not affect the composite reliability estimates generated by ESEM. An empirical example was given as further proof of the results of the simulation studies. Based on the present study, we suggest that if the model fit of ESEM (regardless of the utilized rotation criteria) is acceptable but that of ICM-CFA is not, the composite reliability estimates based on the above two models should be similar. If the target factor loadings are relatively small, researchers should increase the number of indicators per factor or increase the sample size.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 438-459
Author(s):  
Matti J. Haverila ◽  
Kai Christian Haverila

Purpose Customer-centric measures such as customer satisfaction and repurchase intent are important indicators of performance. The purpose of this paper is to examine what is the strength and significance of the path coefficients in a customer satisfaction model consisting of various customer-centric measures for different types of ski resort customer (i.e. day, weekend and ski holiday visitors as well as season pass holders) in a ski resort in Canada. Design/methodology/approach The results were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling approach for the four different types ski resort visitors. Findings There appeared to differences in the strength and significance in the customer satisfaction model relationships for the four types of ski resort visitors indicating that the a priori managerial classification of the ski resort visitors is warranted. Originality/value The research pinpoints differences in the strength and significance in the relationships between customer-centric measures for four different types ski resort visitors, i.e. day, weekend and ski holiday visitors as well as season pass holders, which have significant managerial implications for the marketing practice of the ski resort.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Παναγιώτης Ιωακειμίδης

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή αποσκοπεί στο να καταγράψει την ικανοποίηση των επισκεπτών από τις παρεχόμενες υπηρεσίες στα θεματικά μουσεία της Ελλάδας, την πρόθεση συμπεριφοράς των επισκεπτών και κατά πόσο τεχνικές του τουριστικού μάρκετινγκ λαμβάνουν χώρα στα θεματικά μουσεία. Έγινε μία προσπάθεια να καταγραφούν οι απόψεις των ανθρώπων των θεματικών μουσείων και η αντίληψή τους σχετικά με το τουριστικό μάρκετινγκ, οι αντιλήψεις των επισκεπτών σχετικά με την εμπειρία που βιώνουν σε ένα θεματικό μουσείο, ο βαθμός ικανοποίησης τους, η υφιστάμενη κατάσταση που επικρατεί στα θεματικά μουσεία της χώρας και οι ενδεχόμενες αλλαγές που μπορούν να προκύψουν με απώτερο σκοπό την αύξηση της επισκεψιμότητας. Ένα αξιοσημείωτο της παρούσας έρευνας, είναι ένας σημαντικός αριθμός προσωπικών συνεντεύξεων με κατοίκους περιμετρικά των μουσείων που ερευνήθηκαν και η προσπάθεια καταγραφής των απόψεων και αντιλήψεων τους για τα μουσεία αυτά.Διενεργήθηκε επίσης μία ποσοτική έρευνα σε επισκέπτες θεματικών μουσείων της χώρας μας αλλά και στο ανθρώπινο δυναμικό που εργάζεται σε πολιτιστικούς οργανισμούς, καθώς και εκπαιδευτικούς. Διακρίνοντας τα μουσεία σε δημόσια και ιδιωτικά, σημαντική ήταν η καταγραφή απόψεων ότι στα περισσότερα δημόσια θεματικά μουσεία τα οποία λειτουργούν κάτω από την επίβλεψη του δημόσιου φορέα, δεν υπάρχουν συχνά δυνατότητες για καινοτομία και πρωτοτυπία. Τα πορίσματα της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι αρκετά σημαντικά λόγω της έλλειψης προηγούμενης έρευνας επάνω στα θεματικά μουσεία της Ελλάδας, από την οπτική του μάρκετινγκ και την αναγκαιότητα αυτού. Η πλειονότητα των ανθρώπων των θεματικών μουσείων με τους οποίους ήρθα σε επαφή, εντοπίζουν την ανάγκη για τεχνικές τουριστικού μάρκετινγκ στα μουσεία καθώς όλοι αντιλαμβάνονται ότι οι επισκέπτες αναζητούν ποιοτικότερες ψυχαγωγικές επιλογές, έχουν περισσότερες απαιτήσεις επισκεπτόμενοι ένα θεματικό μουσείο και ευελπιστούν σε μία βιωματική και διαδραστική εμπειρία που θα τους μείνει αξέχαστη. Σε αυτό το εγχείρημα, συνεργός είναι τα ποικίλα οπτικοακουστικά μέσα των νέων τεχνολογιών που ενισχύουν το βιωματικό χαρακτήρα της επίσκεψης και ερευνώνται στη διατριβή. Η παρούσα διατριβή αποτελεί μία πρώτη προσπάθεια χαρτογράφησης των τεχνικών τουριστικού μάρκετινγκ που χρησιμοποιούν τα θεματικά μουσεία της χώρας , τις σημαντικές ιδιαιτερότητες του τουρισμού που έχουν άμεση επίδραση στην επισκεψιμότητα των θεματικών μουσείων και τέλος προτάσσει ενέργειες και τεχνικές μάρκετινγκ για να δημιουργηθεί ένας ενάρετος κύκλος πολιτισμού - ψυχαγωγίας - οικονομίας. Για την επεξεργασία των δεδομένων της ποσοτικής έρευνας χρησιμοποιήθηκε το στατιστικό εργαλείο SPSS, αναλύθηκαν τα ευρήματα της Διερευνητικής Ανάλυσης Παραγόντων (Exploratory Factor Analysis) και των τεστ αξιοπιστίας με τον δείκτη Cronbach’s Alpha, εφαρμόζοντας και την μέθοδο Μοντελοποίησης Δομικών Εξισώσεων (Structural Equation Modeling, SEM) για τον έλεγχο των ερευνητικών υποθέσεων. Οι ερευνητικές υποθέσεις δημιουργήθηκαν έπειτα από ενδελεχή έρευνα μοντέλων που εφαρμόστηκαν σε προηγμένες μουσειολογικά χώρες, όπως η Ισπανία, η Ιταλία, η Ολλανδία κ.α. και μπορούν να ληφθούν σοβαρά υπόψιν στο κοινωνικό-οικονομικό περιβάλλον της Ελλάδας. Απώτερος στόχος του ερευνητικού μοντέλου είναι εάν ο επισκέπτης θα οδηγηθεί σε μελλοντική επίσκεψη (revisit ) ή θα αποτελέσει ο ίδιος κινητή διαφήμιση word-of-mouth του μουσείου που επισκέφθηκε.Η έρευνα αποτελεί οδηγό για μελλοντικές έρευνες που θα πλαισιώσουν ή θα συμπεριλάβουν τα θεματικά μουσεία για νέες μελέτες, όπως για παράδειγμα πολιτιστικές διαδρομές και είναι ένα χρήσιμο εργαλείο που έρχεται να καλύψει το ερευνητικό κενό που υπάρχει γύρω από το είδος των μουσείων αυτών.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 378-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Lithopoulos ◽  
Peter A. Dacin ◽  
Tanya R. Berry ◽  
Guy Faulkner ◽  
Norm O’Reilly ◽  
...  

Purpose The brand equity pyramid is a theory that explains how people develop loyalty and an attachment to a brand. The purpose of this study is to test whether the predictions made by the theory hold when applied to the brand of ParticipACTION, a Canadian non-profit organization that promotes active living. A secondary objective was to test whether this theory predicted intentions to be more physically active. Design/methodology/approach A research agency conducted a cross-sectional, online brand health survey on behalf of ParticipACTION. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis established the factor structure. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model. Findings A nationally representative sample of Canadian adults (N = 1,191) completed the survey. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis supported a hypothesized five-factor brand equity framework (i.e. brand identity, brand meaning, brand responses, brand resonance and intentions). A series of structural equation models also provided support for the hypothesized relationships between the variables. Practical implications Though preliminary, the results provide a guide for understanding the branding process in the activity-promotion context. The constructs identified as being influential in this process can be targeted by activity-promotion organizations to improve brand strength. A strong organizational brand could augment activity-promotion interventions. A strong brand may also help the organization better compete against other brands promoting messages that are antithetical to their own. Originality/value This is the first study to test the brand equity pyramid using an activity-promotion brand. Results demonstrate that the brand equity pyramid may be useful in this context.


2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-213
Author(s):  
Canan Saricam ◽  
Nazan Erdumlu

Abstract In this study, fast fashion concept is investigated in order to understand the motivations of the consumers that make them adopt these products because of their willingness for the innovativeness. The relationship between the motivational factors which were named as “Social or status image” and “Uniqueness” as expressions of individuality, “Conformity” and the willingness for “Innovativeness” is analyzed using a conceptual model. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to analyze and validate the model. The data used for the study was obtained from 244 people living in Turkey. The findings showed that the motivational factors “Social or status image” and “Uniqueness” as expressions of individuality are influential on the consumers’ willingness for “Innovativeness”.


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