Values Evolution in Transitional China: An Institutional Perspective

The values are greatly affected by the social and economic environment of a country. Thus, social transformation can lead to the values evolution. China has been experiencing a huge social, political, and economic transition in the past four decades. The previous studies that explore the value changes in China mainly compare the values across the regions or generation cohorts. This research investigates the issue from an institutional perspective. Specifically, we propose that the diversification of ownership types—the essence of the economic and institutional reform since 1978 may result in value change. By surveying 327 participants from the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and 220 respondents from the privately owned enterprises (POEs), the comparisons between SOEs and POEs on four value dimensions—individualism, power distance, risk aversion, and money orientation—were performed. The results basically support cross-vergence theory in the values evolution. The implications and limitations are presented as well.

SHOPPING ORIENTATION, STATUS CONSUMPTION AND IMPULSE BUYING OF GENERATION X AND Y IN PURCHASING FAST FASHION PRODUCTS

Generation cohorts have different tendencies in purchase behaviors, especially the Generation X and the Generation Y. Although the age gap between these two generation cohorts is not wide, the Generation X has distinctive purchase behaviors that are different from the Generation Y. In the fashion business, the Generation X consumers do not consider the brands in purchasing their clothes, but they calculate the benefits in buying a clothing product. However, the Generation Y consumers consider it as a part of their social status, therefore, they position themselves in the middle class or the upper class by what they wear. The aim of this research is to investigate the different purchase behaviors of the Generation X and Y in buying fast fashion products in Surabaya. The purchase behaviors are reflected through such variables as shopping orientation, status consumption, and impulse buying. As this is a quantitative research, the data are collected using questionnaires that are distributed to 100 respondents. The respondents are chosen using the purposive sampling technique. Then, the data are tested for the validity, reliability, normality, and homogeneity. To test the hypothesis, the independent samples t-test is used. The results show that the differences between the Generation X and the Generation Y are significant in their shopping orientation and impulse buying. However, there are no significant differences in the status consump-tions.

Beauty and Wellness in the Semantic Memory of the Beholder

Beauty and wellness are terms used often in common parlance, however their meaning and relation to each other is unclear. To probe their meaning, we applied network science methods to estimate and compare the semantic networks associated with beauty and wellness in different age generation cohorts (Generation Z, Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers) and in women and men. These mappings were achieved by estimating group-based semantic networks from free association responses to a list of 47 words, either related to Beauty, Wellness, or Beauty + Wellness. Beauty was consistently related to Elegance, Feminine, Gorgeous, Lovely, Sexy, and Stylish. Wellness was consistently related Aerobics, Fitness, Health, Holistic, Lifestyle, Medical, Nutrition, and Thrive. In addition, older cohorts had semantic networks that were less connected and more segregated from each other. Finally, we found that women compared to men had more segregated and organized concepts of Beauty and Wellness. In contemporary societies that are pre-occupied by the pursuit of beauty and a healthy lifestyle, our findings shed novel light on how people think about beauty and wellness and how they are related across different age generations and by sex.

Block Mode Study: Opportunities and Challenges for a New Generation of Learners in an Australian University

This article is an update on a university-wide overhaul of its pedagogy, curriculum and delivery to support the expanding non-traditional, new generation learners while enhancing opportunity and success for traditional learners. The Block Model developed by Victoria University (VU), Australia for its undergraduate cohort, was a bold response to support all students including its high proportion of First-in-family (FiF), low socio-economic status (LSES), and non-English-speaking background (NESB) students. In this radical new hybrid Block model, students study one unit/subject at a time over four weeks. The article reports on preliminary results after two years of implementing the VU Block Model. While both traditional and new-generation cohorts significantly improved their performance, there was a higher improvement in the pass rates of LSES, NESB and FiF students, compared to the improvements in the traditional cohorts of students. These initial results confirm the value of the institution-wide strategy to expand opportunity and enhance success for all.

Predictors of professional commitment for Chinese new generation cohorts in a sample of seafaring officers

This study aims to examine the predictors of professional commitment of the Chinese new generation, divided into post-80s and post-90s cohorts. A questionnaire survey was employed to collect data from Chinese seafaring officers of these cohorts. The results through hierarchical regression analysis present the two cohorts as having both similar and different predictors. The main difference is that company management and policies positively drive the post-80s cohort to work at sea but not the post-90s. The main similarity is that the work itself is the most important predictor for both cohorts. This study contributes to helping maritime companies to estimate the possibility of Chinese new generation officers quitting sea jobs and can be of value to both managers and authorities as they seek to comprehend the generational dynamic features to better cope with the problem of shortage of younger qualified officers.

Intrinsic Frequencies of Carotid Pressure Waveforms Predict Heart Failure Events

Intrinsic frequencies (IFs) derived from arterial waveforms are associated with cardiovascular performance, aging, and prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, prognostic value of these novel measures is unknown. We hypothesized that IFs are associated with incident CVD risk. Our sample was drawn from the Framingham Heart Study Original, Offspring, and Third Generation Cohorts and included participants free of CVD at baseline (N=4700; mean age 52 years, 55% women). We extracted 2 dominant frequencies directly from a series of carotid pressure waves: the IF of the coupled heart and vascular system during systole (ω 1 ) and the IF of the decoupled vasculature during diastole (ω 2 ). Total frequency variation (Δω) was defined as the difference between ω 1 and ω 2 . We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to relate IFs to incident CVD events during a mean follow-up of 10.6 years. In multivariable models adjusted for CVD risk factors, higher ω 1 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.14 [95% CI], 1.03–1.26]; P =0.01) and Δω (HR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.03–1.30]; P =0.02) but lower ω 2 (HR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.77–0.99]; P =0.03) were associated with higher risk for incident composite CVD events. In similarly adjusted models, higher ω 1 (HR, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.07–1.42]; P =0.004) and Δω (HR, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.05–1.50]; P =0.01) but lower ω 2 (HR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.66–0.99]; P =0.04) were associated with higher risk for incident heart failure. IFs were not significantly associated with incident myocardial infarction or stroke. Novel IFs may represent valuable markers of heart failure risk in the community.

Generational differences and implicit leadership schemas in the Philippine workforce

PurposeThis study examined generational differences in traits and desired schemas of leaders among Filipino workers using the lens of the generational cohort theory.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilized a sequential exploratory mixed-method approach. Phase One of the study utilized a qualitative approach in eliciting perceived characteristics and leadership schemas. Phase Two utilized a quantitative approach utilizing a survey to test generational differences.FindingsCluster analysis of survey responses of 341 Filipino workers showed two generation cohorts – the political and technological generation. Respondents from the political generation characterized themselves as being work-centered, family-oriented, traditional, seasoned, decisive and multi-tasking. The political generation also believes that an ideal leader is someone who cares about people's welfare, delegates, and is able to control others. On the other hand, the technology generation described themselves as being tech-savvy, carefree, laid-back, proud, individualistic, self-centered, arrogant, energetic and adventurous. The technological generation views an ideal leader as someone who is responsible, provides clear instructions, listens, and recognizes people.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focuses on Filipino workers and more studies in other countries are needed to establish generational differences in schemas.Practical implicationsThe results have implications on the way that leaders are selected and developed especially in an increasingly diverse workforce.Social implicationsThe results highlight the role of political, sociocultural events and technological trends that shape the traits and schemas of workers.Originality/valueThe study contributes to both generational studies as well as implicit leadership literature. The study highlights the value of examining the intersection of both culture and generation in the context of leadership.

Changing regional inequalities in ageing across Europe

This thesis explores the role of demographic change in the evolution of inequalities in population age structures across regions of Europe. It strives to increase our understanding of the demographic processes that shape regional population age structures, and how these processes are interrelated with regional economic development. The analysis is focused on changing relative differences over time, i.e. convergence or divergence. The focus on convergence or divergence in population age structures is a relevant subject interesting not just to the demographers, who are anyways obsessed with population dynamics. The study period, which spans from the beginning of 2003 to end of 2012, happens to be uniquely interesting because it includes major shifts both in economies and population age structures. First, in 2004 happened the biggest enlargement of European Union that largely affected economic prospects of the newly admitted countries of Central and Eastern Europe and radically reshaped the intra-European migration landscape. Second, Europe was heavily and unevenly stricken by the economic crisis of 2008-2009, which affected all domains of people's lives including behaviours directly related to demographic events. Finally, the second part of the study period was marked with the accelerated graying of relatively large baby-boom generation cohorts that started to leave the working age in 2010s changing the population age compositions faster than ever before.