Long short-term memory networks enhance rainfall-runoff modelling at the national scale of Denmark

This study explores the application of long short-term memory (LSTM) networks to simulate runoff at the national scale of Denmark using data from 301 catchments. This is the first LSTM application on Danish data. The results were benchmarked against the Danish national water resources model (DK-model), a physically based hydrological model. The median Kling-Gupta Efficiency (KGE), a common metric to assess performance of runoff predictions (optimum of 1), increased from 0.7 (DK-model) to 0.8 (LSTM) when trained against all catchments. Overall, the LSTM outperformed the DK-model in 80% of catchments. Despite the compelling KGE evaluation, the water balance closure was modelled less accurately by the LSTM. The applicability of LSTM networks for modelling ungauged catchments was assessed via a spatial split-sample experiment. A 20% spatial hold-out showed poorer performance of the LSTM with respect to the DK model. However, after pre-training, that is, weight initialisation obtained from training against simulated data from the DK-model, the performance of the LSTM was effectively improved. This formed a convincing argument supporting the knowledge-guided machine learning (ML) paradigm to integrate physically based models and ML to train robust models that generalise well.

The sustainability reporting-firm performance nexus: evidence from a threshold model

Purpose This study aims to provide a convincing argument behind the mixed findings on the association between sustainability reporting and firm performance by investigating the possibility of a non-linear relationship through a threshold model. Design/methodology/approach This study used (Hansen’s 1999) threshold framework to investigate the relationship between firm performance and sustainability reporting using a sample of 210 Bombay Stock Exchange-listed firms spanning over 10 years from March 2010 to March 2019. This framework helps to test the threshold effect’s presence, estimate the threshold value and check the authenticity of the estimated threshold value. Findings Sustainability reporting has a differential threshold impact on the different indicators of firm performance. On the one hand, the authors’ results illustrate that the firms’ operating performance is positively impacted if and only if the sustainability reporting crosses a certain threshold. On the other hand, sustainability reporting positively impacts firms’ market performance only up to a cut-off point. Practical implications Managers should strive to balance sustainability reporting to reap its desired benefits on firm performance. Originality/value This study explores the possible non-linearity in the association between firm performance and sustainability reporting and explains the relationship’s inconclusive results. Further, this study explores the field in the novel emerging economy with unique institutional settings that mandate spending on sustainability activities.

The Role of University on the Civic Preparation of the Youth

University plays an important role in equipping students with knowledge and academic expressions. The institution helps the students in development of society understanding and civil engagement. The aim of this study is to observe the role of university through the curricula in civil preparation of the students and their awareness for active civic participation. The study used a mix quantitative and qualitative scientific method. The instrument included online closed and open questions, which were completed from 50 second year students, of Education Faculty, Professional Master “Elementary Education Teacher” and Professional Master of “Didactics”. The study resulted that students are very interested in being prepared in Democratic Civil Education. Practical activity is very important, but the pandemic was an obstacle in performing practical activities. Students state that using convincing argument, preparation job and researching the information from various sources helps them develop high-level thinking, and reach high results. Family civil education also helps them in continuing further education. Students gain knowledge, skills, attitudes and values from the university as prerequisites to be active future citizens. Realizing the teaching quality indicators in university is necessary for youth healthy democratic formation. It is important to increase students’ awareness and motivation for change. This is to make them aware in fulfilling their mission on creating a democratic civil society, with responsible citizens for their roles and engagement taken. Universities should know their responsibilities by including in the Education Faculty programs the curricula of Civil Education to increase students’ academic and create practical expressions.

Forging New Futures for the Study of Religion in Canada: A Review of Hughes’s From Seminary to University

Aaron W. Hughes’s monograph, From Seminary to University: An Institutional History of the Study of Religion in Canada, argues that, unlike other disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, the study of religion in Canada is imbricated with nation-state politics. The creation of Canada’s initial seminaries post-Confederation served to establish Christianity as normative. By the 1960s, these seminaries were largely replaced with departments that aimed to promote national values of multiculturalism and diversity. In her critique, Selby commends the book’s convincing argument and impressive historical archival work, and critiques the book’s limited engagement with the politics of settler colonialism and scholarly contributions in the province of Québec.

Current value as relational becoming: the case of goodwill impairment testing

Purpose The purpose of this study is to shed light on the tools, processes and negotiations involved in the formation of acceptable current values in the context of goodwill impairment testing. The study raises the questions of how a current value for goodwill becomes a faithful representation and how one expectation about the future becomes more convincing than other expectations. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the study of associations, the analysis presents a case study of a large, internationally active organisation. By combining field notes, interview transcripts and a variety of documents, the qualitative analysis focusses on strategies and mechanisms of persuasion. Findings The findings reveal how epistemological objectivity of current values forms in three moments of relational becoming that codify, depersonalise and proceduralise the valuation task. Further, the study suggests that a convincing argument forms with the help of four enablers: a bricolage of inscriptions, methodological mystification, transformed professional identities and a practical need for closure. Originality/value The study contributes with an analysis and illustration of financial accounting as practice, elaborating on the meaning and construction of faithful representation in cases of measurement uncertainty.

Is Mobile Email Functional or Dysfunctional? Two Perspectives on Mobile Email Usage

This paper offers a study of contradiction in the usage of mobile email. Using qualitative data, the paper identifies mobile email usage patterns that are dangerous, distracting, anti-social and that infringe on work-life boundaries. Mobile email users were forthcoming in describing these dysfunctional usage patterns, but they made a convincing argument that their mobile devices are highly functional and allow them to be efficient, to multitask without disruption to others, and to respond immediately to messages, as well as offering them the freedom to work from anywhere. These dual perspectives on mobile email (dys)functionality are explored through a metaphorical lens, showing how organisational cultures can reinforce the functional perspective while simultaneously suppressing the dysfunctional view. It is argued that it is important to understand and explore the dysfunctional perspective of mobile email adoption. The paper concludes with a series of questions that challenge organisations to reflect critically on their assumptions about mobile email usage.

Is Mobile Email Functional or Dysfunctional? Two Perspectives on Mobile Email Usage

This paper offers a study of contradiction in the usage of mobile email. Using qualitative data, the paper identifies mobile email usage patterns that are dangerous, distracting, anti-social and that infringe on work-life boundaries. Mobile email users were forthcoming in describing these dysfunctional usage patterns, but they made a convincing argument that their mobile devices are highly functional and allow them to be efficient, to multitask without disruption to others, and to respond immediately to messages, as well as offering them the freedom to work from anywhere. These dual perspectives on mobile email (dys)functionality are explored through a metaphorical lens, showing how organisational cultures can reinforce the functional perspective while simultaneously suppressing the dysfunctional view. It is argued that it is important to understand and explore the dysfunctional perspective of mobile email adoption. The paper concludes with a series of questions that challenge organisations to reflect critically on their assumptions about mobile email usage.

Communicating Through Statistical Graphs

This chapter addresses how to create statistical graphs that are effective in communicating findings. This includes how to select an appropriate type of plot to reveal underlying structure in the data, facilitate important comparisons, and create a context for interpreting the distributions and relationships observed. The chapter also covers how to read common univariate and bivariate plots, pay attention to the details in making and interpreting plots, and create plots that help make a convincing argument.

‘Linguist’ or ‘Global Graduate’? A matter of identity for the global graduate with language skills

In this chapter, I examine the problematic issue of identifying as a ‘linguist’ for graduates who have studied languages, in an employability context. I challenge them to reframe their identity as ‘global graduates’, with reference to the competencies outlined in the Global Graduates into Global Leaders report (NCUB, 2011). In the process, I also demonstrate why a truly global graduate needs also to be a linguist, in spite of the hegemony of English as a global lingua franca, and in the context of Brexit. I provide a framework for use by students, with support from educators, to translate their skill sets and experiences into the language of employers. I hope that this will provide a clear guide to the importance not just of developing, but also articulating cogently a range of competencies which are transferable to the global economy and global society, and a convincing argument for the importance of language and intercultural skills within that portfolio.

Multi-Perspectives of Cloud Computing Service Adoption Quality and Risks in Higher Education

Universities worldwide are starting to turn to cloud computing. The quality characteristics, which include access to a wider network of computing resources, pay-as-you-go services, self-services, agile services, and resource centralisation provide a convincing argument for HEIs to adopt cloud services. However, the risks leading to non-adoption range from security issues to a lack of cloud vendor support. The findings suggest that security, privacy, and trust are the key determinants to non-adoption as stakeholders felt that the cloud cannot fully guarantee the safeguarding of sensitive information. Key determinants to cloud adoption include improving relationships between students and teachers via collaborative tools and proposing cloud apps for mobile devices for accessing virtual learning materials and email securely off-campus. In conclusion, university stakeholders are still unconvinced about adopting cloud services, but future advances of the cloud may help to steer their decision to adopt this innovative technology given its overwhelming potential.