Observing variation and change in Ontario French through internal, external and identity factors

ABSTRACT In this article, we present the results of an analysis of variation, whose main objectives are to ascertain the ethnocultural identities speakers declare and to measure the impact of internal, external and identity factors on the use of the connectors of consequence (ça) fait que vs donc vs alors vs so. Our research emphasizes that while there is no consensus as to the terminology chosen to express these identities, it is important to consider ethnocultural identities as a complementary factor conditioning linguistic variation. It also demonstrates that for communities whose linguistic practices and norms straddle those of minority- and majority-French language communities, the minority/majority dichotomy needs to be nuanced, according to the social and ethnocultural identity dynamics that may characterize specific communities.

Approaches to Integration of Knowledge: A Study of Al-Ghazali And Alwani’s Views (Pendekatan ke Arah Mengintegrasikan Ilmu Pengetahuan: Satu Kajian terhadap Pandangan Al-Ghazali dan Alwani )

This research aims to study the approaches to integrating scientific and Islamic knowledge based on the views of two selected Muslim scholar, namely Al-Ghazali and Alwani. A considerable amount of research has been produced on knowledge integration, yet there is still a lack of study in exploring the ‘processes’ of integration. Hence, this research highlights this particular aspect from both traditional and contemporary perspectives. Qualitative in nature, the data for this work was collected from the writings of the selected scholars and analyzed in order to find out how the integration is achieved. As a result, this study finds out two distinctive approaches to integration: Firstly, in al-Ghazali’s view, integration is an external and complementary factor where Islamic knowledge and science maintain their own entity but the later complements the former as a supportive tool; secondly, Alwani sees the integration as an internal and essential matter where a knowledge evolves as a result of a mix of scientific reading of the Quranic texts as well as reading of the nature based on Quranic worldview. Keywords: Generic skills, Integration of Knowledge, Islamization of knowledge, Al-Ghazali, Alwani, Islamic Worldview. Abstrak Kajian ini bertujuan mengkaji pendekatan untuk mengintegrasikan ilmu Sains dan Islam berdasarkan pandangan dua cendiakawan Islam iaitu Al-Ghazali dan Alwani. Sejumlah besar kajian telah pun dilakukan namun masih terdapat kekurangan kajian dari aspek proses integrasi ilmu pengetahuan. Oleh itu kajian ini secara khususnya akan memaparkan proses tersebut berdasarkan perspektif tradisional dan kontemporari. Disebabkan bersifat kualitatif, data-data kajian ini diperolehi daripada penulisan-penulisan para cendiakawan yang terpilih yang kemudiannya akan dianalisa untuk mengetahui proses bagaimana integrasi dapat dicapai. Hasil kajian mendapati dua pendekatan untuk tujuan integrasi, yang pertama menurut pandangan al-Ghazali, integrasi merupakan faktor luaran dan pelengkap dimana ilmu pengetahuan Islam dan Sains mengekalkan entiti tersendiri, namun Sains merupakan penyokong kepada ilmu pengetahuan tersebut. Kedua, Alwani melihat integrasi sebagai faktor dalaman yang penting untuk perkembangan ilmu hasil daripada pembacaan saintifik teks-teks al-Quran dan alam menurut perspektif al-Quran. Kata Kunci: Kemahiran Generic, Pengintegrasian ilmu, Pengislaman ilmu, Al-Ghazali, Alwani, Pandang dunia menurut Islam.

FAKTOR MACROECONOMIC DAN BANK SPESIFIC DETERMINAN DARI PROFITABILITAS BANK DI INDONESIA DENGAN PENERAPAN INTERNET BANKING

The purpose of this research is to use a linier regression model and analyze the effect of macroeconomic and bank spesific factors to profitability of banks in Indonesia considering the implementation of internet banking. Spesifically we analyze the performance different between banks with internet banking and non internet banking. We use data of 30 banks in Indonesia periode of 2008 until 2010.The result shows that macroeconomic and some of bank spesific factors also internet banking has a significant influence to banks profitability. The research also showed bank with internet banking has a better performance than non internet banking, mostly because the overall condition of the banks and that internet banking has been a complementary factor in bank service to their customer.Keywords: Internet banking, data panel, bank spesific, macroeconomic

Present Status of E-Business and E-Banking in Bangladesh: A Study on Some Selected Commercial Banks of Chittagong City

Now a day e-business has created wonderful prospect all over the world. E-banking can perform as a complementary factor of e-business. The central bank (BB) of Bangladesh has recently introduced automated clearing house (ACH) system. This pushed upward transition from the manual banking system to the e-banking system. This study has been undertaken to observe present status of e-business and as its complementary factor of e-banking system in Bangladesh. The study analyzes the data collected from local banks of Bangladesh and also used snowball sampling techniques to gather answer from about three hundred respondents who have already been using e-banking system on the basis of a questionnaire. The study found that dealing officials of the banks are not well conversant about their desk work. It has been observed that the country can benefit from successful utilization of e-business and e-banking as this will help to enhance productivity. Also, monetary gain of both producer and customer may have a feasible and positive impact on raising gross domestic product in Bangladesh. E-business, especially with the help of e-banking, can develop the economy of Bangladesh in a better way of customers’ satisfaction.

Nation Branding as an Economic Challenge for the Countries of the Middle and Eeast Europe on the Example of Estonia

This paper presents the topic of nation branding, which is considered as a complementary factor of the traditional economic policy implemented in a given country. The concept of branding aims at creating a strong national brand for improving the brands of national products, as well as the image of the country which influences the attraction of foreign direct investments and increase the export. The example of Estonia attempts to prove that the actions for national brand changed positively the image in this country, as well as the competitiveness of the economy. For this purpose the author used the ranking of national brand and international competitiveness. The author also set as a goal to recognize if the concept of nation branding can be useful for the other countries of Central and Eastern Europe, especially Poland. The conclusion of this paper is that nation branding is an economic challenge for these countries and should be implemented as soon as possible in their strategies of country’s development.