Factors Affecting the Income of Palm Sugar SMEs in Kaidipang District, North Bolaang Mongondow Regency

This study aims to determine the factors that influence the income of palm sugar SMEs in Kaidipang District, North Bolaang Mongondow Regency. This type of research is survey research. Survey research is research that takes a sample from one population and uses a questionnaire as the main data collection tool. The types of data used in this research are primary data and secondary data. primary data is data obtained directly from the first source of the field in the form of data obtained through interviews. The results of the study show that capital has a positive but not significant effect on the income of SMEs. Capital has a positive effect on the income of SMEs. The number of workers has a positive and significant effect on the income of SMEs in North Bolaang Mongondow district. Raw materials have a positive but not significant effect on MSME income. The level of education has a negative effect on the income of palm sugar SMEs. Technology has a positive but not significant effect on the income of palm sugar SMEs. MSME Income = 4.739 + 0.065 Capital + 0.298 Total Labor + 0.132 Raw Materials - 0.079 Education Level + 0.162 Technology + e

University Institutional Repositories: an analytical study of the ten best university Repositories

The research aimed to study and analyze the best global University institutional repositories, which were selected by the search engines and the Spanish website Metrix. A descriptive approach has been used to carry out the research (survey) and a deliberate sample has been taken (ten university repositories) from a community of 500 repositories mentioned in the directory of free access repositories (open Dora), in terms of content, types of digital content management systems, number of recordings, language used and methods of storage and retrieval. The study found that 70% of university institutional repositories used the open source Dspace system. Press articles have been ranked first with a percentage of 100%, while theses came in second rank with regard to the substantive content of the repositories. Moreover, it is found that the position of the repository does not depend on the number of existing recordings as much as it depends on the quality, usage and the links of these recordings.

Consumers’ lodging intentions during a pandemic: empirical insights for crisis management practices based on protection motivation theory and expectancy theory

Purpose Drawing on protection motivation theory (PMT) and expectancy theory, this study aims to investigate consumers’ lodging consumption intentions during a pandemic crisis. Design/methodology/approach The research survey was conducted during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (August, 2020) in the USA to investigate consumers’ lodging intentions amidst the pandemic crisis. PLS-SEM and multiple regression were conducted to explore answers to proposed research questions. Findings The research finds that, during the pandemic crisis, consumers’ lodging consumption intentions are subject to both their internal protection motivation evaluations and the external prevention practices implemented by the lodging facilities regardless of property types and travel purposes. Notably, the research finds that consumers are willing to make efforts and pay extra for a safe stay at lodging facilities. Research limitations/implications This research contributes to the literature regarding the applications of PMT and expectancy theory from a crisis management perspective, and it provides implications and guidelines to the crisis management practices in the lodging industry. Originality/value The current research examines the specific protection motivation appraisal factors and prevention practices significantly impacting consumers’ decisions in terms of willingness to stay at various lodging facilities (hotels and non-hotel homestay/short-term rental properties) for different purposes (business and leisure) and to pay premiums for a safe stay.

PERCEPTION OF ONLINE LEARNING BY STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY PEDAGOGICAL STUDY PROGRAMS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The text focuses on the issue of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the authors focus on capturing, describing and interpreting the perception of online learning through the online tools MS Teams and LMS Moodle. The paper is based on data obtained from a research survey based on a quantitative approach. A self-designed questionnaire was chosen as the data collection tool. The questionnaire survey was conducted electronically among university students in pedagogical fields in the period from November 2020 to March 2021. In total, the authors analysed data from 462 questionnaires received. Not only the basic descriptive results but also the statistical significance of the relationships between the selected variables were evaluated, using adequate parametric and non-parametric tests.

How do lecturers upgrade themselves from university - industry linkages? Evidences from Vietnam

The collaboration between universities and industry is trending these days thanks to the myriad of benefits that it brings to both parties involved. The impact of this cooperation allows both companies and universities to rely on each other in terms of creating mutual value over time. This paper will discuss the actual reality of this interdependent relationship based on the statistics collected from a research survey, as well as its standing in the role of supporting lifelong learning towards university lecturers. The popularity of university-industry collaboration has provided undeniable advantages to both the academics and companies. However, to aim for a more sustainable development, a clear mechanism and expansion to support society and lecturers’ lifelong learning is much needed. Incorporating lifelong learning of lecturers is a challenge and necessity for lecturers, in order to enhance their professionalism, update and deepen their knowledge through professional development. Within the scope of this article, based on an overview of the content of the cooperation between enterprises and universities related to lifelong learning of lecturers, the authors draw a number of lessons to promote university- industry relationships, while improving lifelong learning for lecturers.

Cognitive defusion

This chapter reviews the conceptualization and empirical evidence of the midlevel process called cognitivedefusion. Firstly, we present examples of cognitive fusion and cognitive defusion definitions offered inacceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) manuals, discuss their relationships with other ACT midlevelprocesses, and offer a relational frame theory (RFT) conceptualization of these processes. Secondly, wedescribe the type of cognitive defusion exercises and discuss the basic processes involved in them. Thirdly,we review the measurement of cognitive (de)fusion in the form of self-report instruments, behavioralmeasures, and the assessment in the clinical session. Fourthly, we present a review of the research oncognitive (de)fusion separated in laboratory research, survey research, and the analysis of processes ofchange in clinical trials. Lastly, we discuss some challenges and future directions in conceptualizing andresearching cognitive (de)fusion.

‘Music in Film’ for Gifted Students: The Effect of Differentiated Learning on Students’ Motivation

Music is not only an important subject in general education, but it particularly serves gifted students who face various psychological issues not encountered by their ‘normal’ peers. Nonetheless, it is found that not all schools are implementing proper music lessons due to the focus on STEM subjects. This paper provides an overview of developing music enrichment activities as an approach to meet gifted students’ needs. Differentiated instruction was used as the main approach to developing a comprehensive music enrichment activity, namely ‘Music in Film’, in which gifted students integrated music and computer skills in completing a given task. Furthermore, a research survey was conducted involving 36 gifted students. The MUSIC Inventory was used to measure their motivation and engagement towards the activity to measure the methods. Five domains—empowerment, usefulness, success, interest and caring—were measured on a 6-point Likert scale. Results revealed that all five domains were rated from moderate to high by the gifted students with a minimum 4.5 mean. Although it can be concluded that this enrichment activity is apt and effective for implementation in gifted education, future studies could look at participants with different backgrounds and demographics. It is hoped that this paper will contribute to designing more enrichment activities with a differentiated instruction approach as gifted students possess high potential in various talents that need to be nurtured.

Effects of Covid-19: Redefining Work from home & Employee Engagement

Started in China’s Wuhan district late last year, the coronavirus outbreak has thrown several unprecedented challenges. As per the estimates of International Labour Organisation (ILO), due to COVID 19, over 25 million people are likely to lose job. As per the report published by Gallup Foundation, (Harter, 2020) remote workers percentage jumped from 31% to 62% which is likely to impact employee engagement. Employee working remotely can become “next new normal”. Gallup research survey found a strong association between remote mode of working and employee engagement. Employees having option of work from home are more likely to be engaged in comparison to the one who do not have such options available. (Webcast, 2020). An engaged employee is considered to be the best brand ambassador of any organisation. Such an employee is always willing and interested to go “an extra mile” and gives his best at work. For the purpose of the study, data from secondary sources such as e-newspaper, articles, blogs, journal articles and research papers, reports from government organisations, company reports, review articles etc. are gathered and compiled there after a critical analysis of the same is done with respective to objective of the study. During lockdown as per the detailed review undertaken, seven parameters abbreviated as “EFFECTS” were found to be the most important and relevant for employees working from home and making them engaged with the high level of motivation and dedication.

Physical Activity and BMI before and after the Situation Caused by COVID-19 in Upper Primary School Pupils in Czech Republic

Regular physical activity is a very important factor in the healthy development of an individual and an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. However, today's population still suffers from insufficient amount of exercise caused mainly by technical progress and often inappropriate conditions for practicing sports. In relation to this, we are grappling with a steady increase in obesity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, conditions for regular physical activity became even more unfavourable, with the declaration of a state of emergency and anti-pandemic measures leading to the closure of sports grounds and sporting competitions. In our research survey, we attempted to determine whether there would be changes in physical activity and BMI before and after the situation caused by the COVID-19 disease in upper primary school pupils in the Czech Republic. Using a questionnaire survey of a sample of children (n =1456), we found that already before the pandemic, 69% of the observed sample had not met the recommended amount of physical activity and only 67% of the sample was of normal weight. After the end of the anti-pandemic measures, the observed values deteriorated even more. There was a significant decrease in children with normal weight (by 7.5%) and an increase in children with Class 1 obesity. At the same time, we saw a significant decrease in children doing sports.

Employee Motivation and Job Performance: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria

This study aims to establish whether there exists a link between employee motivation experiences and job performance. A descriptive research survey was adopted as 206 senior cadre employees of First Bank of Nigeria were sampled using cross-sectional data from a semi-structured questionnaire. The result revealed that both monetary (competitive salary, salary raise, allowances, bonuses, and percentage profit sharing) and non-monetary (job security, job training, career advancement opportunities, flexible working hours, and retirement benefits) motivational incentives have a significant positive correlation with employee job performance in study organization. Specifically, it was revealed that competitive salary (R= 0.809) is the leading monetary motivational factor as job security (R=0.835) tops the ranking for non-monetary motivational factors. It was recommended that study organization will have to employ a mix of both monetary and non-monetary incentives in driving higher performance. Findings also showed that female employees are more motivated by non-monetary incentives (58%) while male employees are more motivated by monetary incentives (61%). Therefore, management should be more strategic in implementing its yearly financial reward contest and public recognition as this will induce the employees to engage in work behaviour that drives higher-level performance.