Rittmann’s heritage: A philosophical approach for current research

ABSTRACT We present an interdisciplinary study between philosophy and science that uses a historical case to show some aspects of scientific research. The case in question is that of Alfred F. Rittmann (1893–1980), known as one of the central figures of twentieth-century volcanology. After outlining Rittmann’s scientific background and hypotheses, we briefly examine the set of his theories using Thomas Kuhn’s model of the development of science. We highlight the methodology of multiple working hypotheses and how they contributed to defining his geoscientific paradigm, namely, magmatological tectonics. Rittmann worked on his paradigm throughout his life, even making little-known criticisms on plate tectonics. We present some of them, contextualizing them in twentieth-century as well as current research. His use of multiple working hypotheses, along with his drive to search for synthetic visions between different models, could be a stimulating and pluralistic approach to unsolved geoscientific questions.

Interplay of coordination, co-creation and community building: examining interprofessional collaboration in workplace development efforts in health care

Purpose Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is increasingly important in work and workplace learning. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the characteristics of IPC that are relevant for learning and developing at work. Design/methodology/approach We examine IPC in the discussion data of health care professionals when designing, implementing and evaluating developmental tasks. Qualitative content analysis is carried out on temporally sequential task trajectories, considering IPC from the perspective of the objects and goals of IPC task activity in developmental efforts. Findings The developmentally relevant characteristics of IPC are crystallized in the concepts of coordination, co-creation and community building, which play different, interdependent roles in development efforts. We show their interplay and how they complement each other in practice. Research limitations/implications Our findings regarding IPC characteristics are to be interpreted as working hypotheses and resources for further research. Practical implications Understanding the dynamics of IPC is useful for renewing work practices. Attention to the interplay and complementarity of IPC characteristics may help in the design and implementation of effective and sustained development efforts. Originality/value The dynamics of IPC in developmental settings have not been sufficiently studied. This paper proposes three developmentally relevant and intertwined characteristics of IPC for scholars of workplace learning.

High dissociatives, nature versus nurture?

Non-pathological dissociative experiences are common among the general population, and anyone may experience them to some degree. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the degree of dissociative experiences such as fantasy proneness, imagination, and absorption in fine arts undergraduates prior to beginning their artistic studies, and at the end of their studies at the faculty of fine arts. Moreover, education undergraduates were used as a comparison group. The sample consisted of 440 undergraduates (204 fine arts, and 236 education undergraduates; 224 first-year undergraduates, and 216 fourth-year undergraduates), who were administered three dissociative experiences tests: Dissociative Ability Scale, Dissociative Experiences Scale, and Questionnaire of Experiences of Dissociation. The working hypotheses were substantiated with dissociative experiences being a distinctive personality trait of fine arts undergraduates. We have found a grade level difference between first-year and fourth-year fine arts undergraduates, although the study does not examine the nature of the change itself. The results are discussed in the light of previous studies, and new lines of research proposed.

Green human resource management policies and practices in Ukraine

The main purpose of the study is to assess the development and implementation of GHRM policies and identify prospects for the dissemination of GHRM practices in Ukraine. The results of the survey confirmed the working hypotheses: the practice of developing GHRM policies in Ukraine has not become widespread and there are no effective mechanisms for implementing GHRM policies. The research showed the average level of respondents’ assessment of their awareness of GHRM practices. The study confirmed a lack of effective mechanisms and tools for their implementation: units and employees responsible for implementing the GHRM policy; regulation of tasks, duties and responsibilities of employees; practices of planning the number of employees required for the implementation of environmental initiatives and activities; development of green competencies; informing employees about the GHRM policies implementation; involvement of employees in the formation of green policies and solving ecological problems; survey of employees’ opinion on corporate green practices. The paper focuses on the necessity of disseminating the practices of developing and implementing GHRM policies, it is crucial to raise the awareness of managers and HR specialists.

Does COVID-19 Affect Safety and Security Perception in the Hospitality Industry? A Romanian Case Study

The objective of the article is to analyze, based on social exchange theory, the different risk and safety perceptions of employees and customers in the hospitality industry regarding the protections against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in an emerging market, namely in Romania. To this end, a questionnaire was administered simultaneously to both categories in Romanian hospitality units obtaining a sample of 561 employees and customers in the sector. While the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 virus has generated a lot of diverse research, studies focused on this particular topic, also regarding both customers and employees, were much less exploited. Therefore, eleven working hypotheses were formulated. It was highlighted that there is a positive perception of safety at work for employees, and jobs are protected from disappearance due to the pandemic through active measures taken by the organization. Employees do not show a significant desire to change jobs due to the new working conditions. The magnitude of safety measures taken had a positive impact on the customers, and customers do not pose a significant threat in hospitality industry units regarding the possibility of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The paper enlarges the understanding of behavioral effects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, while from a managerial perspective the results are particularly useful for hospitality industry owners in order to attract and retain employees and to communicate and develop better relations with customers.

Does Entrepreneurship Make You Happier? A Comparative Analysis Between Entrepreneurs and Wage Earners.

Currently, age is characterized, on the one hand, by the existence of governance systems that are gradually eroding the Welfare State and, on the other hand, by the implementation of business management models based on precarious work and a massive reduction in jobs. This work aims to analyze the degree of happiness perceived in the group of Spanish entrepreneurs (either with or without employees), compared to that perceived by employees (whether permanent or temporary); and if that happiness is associated with certain socio-demographic variables gender, level of studies and income level).For this reason, there is a need to consider these working hypotheses proposed. Starting with the general null variable (H0), its opposite is established: H1. There is a relationship between the type of professional situation (employee, businessperson, self-employed, cooperative, etc.) and happiness; that is, there is an association between the different employment categories (represented by the variable professional situation) and the value given to the variable that measures the degree of perceived happiness. The averages of the distributions for each category are not similar. Keywords: Happiness, Entrepreneur, Wage Earners, Well-being, Professional Situation.

MODELING OF THE MUNICIPAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM ON THE BASIS OF PASSENGER FLOWS FORMED ON A CONDITIONAL NETWORK

The calculation of the matrix of correspondences and the formation of passenger flows on a conditional network are described. This approach expands the range of tasks solved by modeling, allows one to solve the problem of synthesis of a municipal transport network, and provides working hypotheses for the development of the structure of a municipal passenger transport, in the framework of which different variants of geometry of the passenger transport network can be formed.

Análisis de la Actitud Emprendedora de los Estudiantes Varones del Tecnológico Nacional de México Campus Tepeaca

El espíritu juvenil de los estudiantes de convertirse en emprendedores es notorio a simple vista. Sin embargo, el objetivo general de esta investigación fue analizar la actitud emprendedora de los estudiantes varones del Tecnológico Nacional de México campus Tepeaca. Se encuestó a ciento setenta y dos estudiantes varones. El cuestionario fue diseñado y validado por expertos en el área. La validación se llevó a cabo por un método nuevo; éste consiste en aplicar un análisis factorial de Pearson para las correlaciones lineales y chi cuadrado para las asociaciones no lineales. Se le aplican cinco postulados para depurar y validar cada ítem. Los ítems se toman como factores o variables independientes para contrastar las hipótesis de trabajo. El muestreo fue aleatorio. La matriz de resultados obtenida después de aplicar la correlación de Pearson arrojó tres correlaciones por encima de 0.7. Con estas correlaciones se validaron seis hipótesis lineales. Solo se seleccionaron ocho hipótesis no lineales validadas por chi cuadrado debido al espacio limitado de un artículo científico. En general, se diseñaron 400 hipótesis de trabajo en el orden de 20 ítems tomados en orden de dos a dos. Se concluye que los estudiantes encuestados poseen amplio conocimiento del emprendimiento. Éstos están preparados para la innovación, creación y éxito en las empresas tanto de su propiedad como las empresas donde presten sus servicios. The youthful spirit of students to become entrepreneurs is apparent to the naked eye. However, the general objective of this research was to analyze the entrepreneurial attitude of male students from the Tecnológico Nacional de México campus, Tepeaca. One hundred and seventy-two male students were surveyed. The questionnaire was designed and validated by experts in the area. The validation was carried out by a new method; This consists of applying a Pearson factorial analysis for linear correlations and chi-square for nonlinear associations. Five postulates are applied to debug and validate each item. The items are taken as factors or independent variables to contrast the working hypotheses. The sampling was random. The results matrix obtained after applying Pearson's correlation yielded three correlations above 0.7. With these correlations, six linear hypotheses were validated. Only eight chi-squarevalidated nonlinear hypotheses were selected due to the limited space of a scientific article. In general, 400 working hypotheses were designed in the order of 20 items taken in two to two. It is concluded that the surveyed students have extensive knowledge of entrepreneurship. They are prepared for innovation, creation, and success in the companies they own and the companies where they provide their services.

The Influence of Ownership Concentration on Firm Financial Decisions and Value: Evidence from Nairobi Securities Exchange

This study paper examines the influence of ownership concentration and firm financial decisions on firm value for firms listed on the Nairobi securities exchange. This study is supported by theoretical literature under the signaling hypothesis, institutional monitoring hypothesis, and agency theory. The study used longitudinal data for listed firms during the ten years (2008- 2017) and regression analysis was used to study the nature and extent of the relationship. The target population was sixty-eight firms that traded equity securities during the period. Empirical results reveal that ownership concentration has no significant positive effect on firm value, but dividend payment significantly influences firm value, and the capital structure only compliments other corporate governance processes in a firm. Firms listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange have a high level of ownership concentration and this suggests, contrary to the shareholder monitoring hypothesis, large shareholders could be entrenched and, unless other complementary corporate mechanisms are present, large shareholders may not act in the best interest of minority shareholders.The youthful spirit of students to become entrepreneurs is apparent to the naked eye. However, the general objective of this research was to analyze the entrepreneurial attitude of male students from the Tecnológico Nacional de México campus, Tepeaca. One hundred and seventy-two male students were surveyed. The questionnaire was designed and validated by experts in the area. The validation was carried out by a new method; This consists of applying a Pearson factorial analysis for linear correlations and chi-square for nonlinear associations. Five postulates are applied to debug and validate each item. The items are taken as factors or independent variables to contrast the working hypotheses. The sampling was random. The results matrix obtained after applying Pearson's correlation yielded three correlations above 0.7. With these correlations, six linear hypotheses were validated. Only eight chi-squarevalidated nonlinear hypotheses were selected due to the limited space of a scientific article. In general, 400 working hypotheses were designed in the order of 20 items taken in two to two. It is concluded that the surveyed students have extensive knowledge of entrepreneurship. They are prepared for innovation, creation, and success in the companies they own and the companies where they provide their services.

Structural Biology-Based Exploration of Subtype-Selective Agonists for Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors

Progress in understanding peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) subtypes as nuclear receptors that have pleiotropic effects on biological responses has enabled the exploration of new subtype-selective PPAR ligands. Such ligands are useful chemical biology/pharmacological tools to investigate the functions of PPARs and are also candidate drugs for the treatment of PPAR-mediated diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, inflammation and cancer. This review summarizes our medicinal chemistry research of more than 20 years on the design, synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation of subtype-selective PPAR agonists, which has been based on two working hypotheses, the ligand superfamily concept and the helix 12 (H12) holding induction concept. X-ray crystallographic analyses of our agonists complexed with each PPAR subtype validate our working hypotheses.