Bøger udgivet af AV Akademikerverlag

Revision with unchanged content. Securing campus budget resources is one of the most critical functions for an academic department chair. Department chairs may sink or swim, succeed or fail, depending on their ability to secure resources to support academic priorities. Given the importance of securing budget resources, little empirically-grounded evidence exists in the literature on strategies depart­ment chairs may develop and employ to influence allocation decisions. The context and findings from research on reputedly exemplary department chairs and their influence efforts shed light on chairs¿ strategies and bridge empirical gaps in the literature between technical perspectives on budgeting and strategies for securing campus funding. A political orientation of higher education settings and the budgeting process is used to explore targets of influence, purposes of influence efforts, power resources, strategies, and lines of evidence that assess chairs¿ influence. The research and findings also provide new chairs with clear strategies as they take on the challenging role and offer to both new and veteran chairs empirically-based insights into the politics asssociated with securing campus funding.

Revision with unchanged content. Dealing with classroom diversity while trying to engage students in meaningful and rewarding instructional activities has proven to be a real challenge for both researchers and practitioners in the field of education. The overall purpose of this longitudinal study was to investigate the interaction between the learning, and the Design-Based Research (DBR) processes using a cognitive flexibility hypertext (CFH) as the object of research. The first major focus was on the impact of the CFH on students¿ learning. A second major focus was the structure of the DBR process, especially the interplay between research and design when supporting an improved learning process. While the research and design findings reported for the two consecutive years represent in and of themselves significant contributions to the field of DBR, the researcher¿s reflective analysis found a theoretical link between the DBR process and the model Expansive Developmental Research proposed by Activity Theory. The book is addressed to educational researchers, graduate students, and educational practitioners interested in successfully implementing innovative technology-driven designs in complex classroom contexts.

Revision with unchanged content. Millennium Development Goals, set the global agenda for human develop­ment in order to improve the well-being of populations, and in doing so, assigned priority to children. When stakes in global economic competition are too high, and when resources are limited, expanding opportunities of future generations becomes all the more crucial for the developing countries. Children¿s work, as much as it may carry an economic value, is also a social relation, and this book attempts to show that cross-cultural diversity in children¿s lives need not prevent identifying and studying the common factors that affect children. The main argument of the book is that focusing attention only on the child¿s labor market participation provides only a partial understanding of the variety of work children perform and of the conditions under which the right to education continues to be only a dream for many children. This book targets the students interested in development economics, professionals who work with child laborers, and activists who promote schooling in developing countries.

Revision with unchanged content. In this work I combine the social network analysis approach with the tradi­tional experimental approach to study the phenomena of jury decision-making. I examine whether with each trial a social network is formed. The jurors, the two teams of lawyers, as well as the accused and the judge, all form a social network with cliques and leaders. This division of individuals into specific cliques, along with the lawyers¿ performance in court, is hypothesized to have a significant impact on the jury¿s verdict. Thus, by specifically studying the lawyers¿ engagement and disengagement on the jurors during a trial and the impact this has on the verdict, as well as understanding the structure of the social network that the individual jurors create, I hope to shed light on some of the influences that are key in delivering the verdict. In addition, this pioneering study may lead to signi­ficant policy changes in the future as well as explain the power of the society on verdicts.

Revision with unchanged content. Brake squeal has been studied since 1930¿s by many researchers through ex­perimental, analytical and numerical methods in an attempt to understand, predict and prevent squeal occurrence. In recent years, the finite element (FE) method has become the preferred method in studying brake squeal. The popularity of finite element analysis (FEA) is due to the inadequacy of experimental methods in predicting squeal at early stage in the design process. However, the crux now lies in how the FE method can be a predictive tool rather than a diagnosis tool. This work proposes a new methodology of predicting squeal using the finite element method in order to produce a reliable predicted result. The advancement made in this work is consideration of a realistic brake surface topography. Comparison between complex eigenvalue analysis and dynamic transient analysis using a reduced FE model is also made for different contact schemes. Wear effects on instability of the disc brake assembly are also simulated. This book is suitable for those who are interested in brake noise and vibration issues like brake engineers, vehicle manufacturers, brake researchers, and undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Revision with unchanged content. The traditional definition of retirement and retirement migration is changing in the United States. This change in retirement is being fueled by the baby boomer generation. Historically, retirement migration has led retirees to move to warmer destinations to live out their remaining years. However, this trend, spurred on baby boomers¿ desire to do things differently from previous generations, is changing as new, local retirement migration destinations become available. Active adult age-restricted retirement communities have grown in the state of Connecticut as a non-traditional retirement destination. Connecticut¿s population has a higher percentage of baby boomers than the national figure. These figures suggest the potential for a rise in the development of a new retirement alternative. Towns around the state must consider if the development of these new communities is a positive economic development option. Rocky Hill, Connecticut has seen eight such communities built in recent years and has illustrated conclusions through revisions to the Planning and Zoning Regulations that their community may be saturated with this type of development. Other towns around the state and in the region can look to the example of Rocky Hill to determine if they wish to promote the development of active adult age-restricted retirement communities.

Revision with unchanged content. In a society where individuals and corporations have become increasingly reliant upon data and information technology (IT), many have experienced/witnessed the devastation that occurs when disaster strikes. Being well prepared is more than conforming, it is becoming necessary. How does a corporation plan ahead to anticipate such occurrences? Business continuity and disaster recovery (BC/DR) are strategies implemented to increase the likelihood of effective recovery from major disaster. This book aims to examine whether the ranking of critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing a BC/DR program has changed from previous research, specifically subsequent to the events of September 11th, 2001. Second, this publication will attempt to further increase contribution to the academic and practitioner communities by outlining several CSFs not referenced before. Targeting academics and professionals alike with an interest in the fields of contingency planning and risk management, qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted. Using this multi-method approach, four sets of CSFs were proposed and propositions were partially or fully confirmed. Have CSFs changed since the days of mainframe dominance and the importance of data and IT? Have ¿people and processes¿ taken over from ¿hardware and information¿? Such questions, and many more, are answered in this book.

Revision with unchanged content. Formalism became the dominant theory in western visual arts in the middle of the twentieth century but has been seriously challenged by postmodern artists, critics and theorists. For this study, two series of abstract paintings have been produced, each demonstrating a distinctive and different working process. The analysis of these methods forms the catalyst and the main focus in the argument for a reappraisal of formalist theory within contemporary art practice. Additionally, many artists have identified the retention of integrity as an essential quality within a painting. The philosopher Jacques Maritain presented an analysis of how truth and honesty is embedded in painting, but most writers and scholars have largely ignored him. By utilising his thoughts, it is argued here that the integrity of the method of production is a vital characteristic in the evaluation of a painting and this study explores how it can be ¿corrupted¿ as well as retained. This study is addressed to professional artists, art theorists, academics and art students.

Revision with unchanged content. It has been noted that there is comparably little if any, structured and practical support structures in place to deal with the broader spectrum of emotional and psychological needs/well-being of high performance or elite athletes. The physical support base of elite athletes is based on the relationship between athlete and coach ¿ the very essence of sport. The coach fulfills a powerful role in being primarily responsible for creating the proper environment and for transmitting the technical, social, moral and physical elements of the sport experience to the athlete. The coach alone is not capable of providing all the advice, expertise and support required. Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) form the basis of additional support, sometimes extended to family members, in many organisations. The support provided covers many areas and is based on the principle that employees with extended personal problems are more likely to underperform than those who are able to cope with their problems. Sport, today is unashamedly, even exuberantly big business. Money has become every sport¿s life blood. Athletes are under immense pressure to perform. This potentially leads to a situation where the needs of the athlete as an ordinary human, being facing the same problems as everyone else are lost.

Revision with unchanged content. Research studies suggest that young people from immigrant families inherit at least two different cultural traits in the process of identity formation, and the factors affecting the identity of young people play an important role in the development of their spirituality. Thus for the Chinese second generation in a multicultural society, what are the main factors for their identity forma­tion that may lead to a distinctive spirituality? Do they inherit the Chinese culture from their parents and the culture in the society in an equal way? What are the characteristics of these young people¿s spirituality? While the churches seek to nurture the spirituality of these young people, it is important to understand their characteristics and find the effective ways in their culture to meet their needs. This book describes the young participants¿ spirituality from their own perspectives, discusses their construction of identity that led to their distinctive spirituality, and studies their parents¿ worldviews and the role of their church that have affected their spirituality. Finally, it concludes with development of theories of spirituality related to Chinese young people in a multicultural society, and proposes ways in which churches and families may encourage the development of spirituality for Chinese young people in a multicultural society.

Revision with unchanged content. The profound human devastation generated by ethnic conflict has led many scholars to seek both the source and solution to this violence. This book considers Michael Ignatieff¿s theory regarding ethnic conflict and applies Afghanistan as a case study. Ignatieff correlates the outbreak of ethnic vio­lence to the breakdown of state government which creates societal anarchy and war. Ignatieff argues that ethnic relations can improve through the creation of democratic institutions. Afghanistan represents a model case study to explore the central tenets of his thesis. Ignatieff¿s argument is critically analyzed by assessing the viability of transplanting democratic institutions into Afghanistan. Political theory states a successful democracy requires a strong economy, a vibrant civil society, an advantageous institutional history and a positive security and geopolitical environment. Based on these five key variables, it is reasonable to conclude that Afghanistan is not predisposed to pluralistic governance. Such analysis highlights the limitations of Ignatieff¿s thesis as his theory is only relevant to those post-conflict societies that possess the requisite preconditions for democracy. This book is addressed to academics, students, policy-makers and the interested public who seek to explore the complexities of fostering demo­cratic governance in a post-conflict society.

Revision with unchanged content. There is much research in the field of disaster studies, specifically in the areas of disaster response planning, disaster awareness and preparedness and emergency management. However, there are relatively few studies that have examined the employee disaster effects in the workplace from the organization¿s perspective and that have also addressed how organizations respond to those affects. If the Hurricanes of 2005 did nothing else, they educated the public about the huge dependence on agencies such as FEMA and The Red Cross in regards to aid and rebuilding after disaster. But, what about the reliance of individuals on their individual workplaces and the effects disasters and disaster related employee behavior can have on the workplace? The workplace can surely play a significant role in returning lives to some sense of normalcy and employers must recognize the importance of identifying and dealing with the effects of such disasters on their employees and ultimately on their bottom line. In this research the effects of disasters on employee behavior in the workplace from the organization¿s perspective and the related post disaster adjustments, allowances and accommodations organizations make as a result of disaster in order to facilitate the work organization and it¿s employees return to normal functioning and productivity are examined.

Revision with unchanged content. Teachers¿ technology background (skills) and their acceptability (attitudes) to­wards Internet usage within the schools are an important and often over­looked component of successful curriculum integration of technology. If tea­chers do not have the appropriate attitude and skills with integrating tech­no­lo­gical resource tools to support their curriculum, they will not be adequately equipped with diverse supplementary curricula to address the learning needs of students. This places students at risk for not being able to achieve their maxi­mum potential because they have not been given instructions to match their learning styles. Five hypotheses were developed to determine any sig­ni­fi­cant differences in how teachers utilize the Internet as a curriculum resource tool. The book is addressed to professionals in instructional technology like tea­chers, administrators, and curriculum coordinators in elementary and middle grade levels. It is also directed to rural and sub-rural school districts seeking to implement technology goals in their school improvement plans.

Revision with unchanged content. In parallel with the apparent ineffectiveness of the police agencies against rising crime rates, community policing emerged as an alternative to tradi­tional policing starting in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Community policing has not only attracted the police departments but also has drawn the at­tention of scholars and main body of existing literature has generally focused on the effect of community policing on its dependents such as police officers, police departments, and communities. This approach is one-sided and fails to reflect the other side of the coin. Can community policing be dependent upon other factors? Is there any variation across police agencies nationwide in their implementation of community policing? If any, what are the deter­minants of this variance? This study uses contingency theory in order to explain the effects of internal and external dynamics on police departments¿ organizational styles. The book addressed specifically to profes­sionals in policing and the justice system in general. It is also directed towards researchers and policy makers in Justice and Public Policy field.

Revision with unchanged content. This book is based on case studies that were conducted at two U.S. public masters universities: Kean University and East Stroudsburg University. Each of the universities began as a teachers college more than 100 years ago, and then later became a comprehensive university. Both of their foundations were established in the 1980¿s and had endowments that were less than $10 million in 2005. This book provides insights into the various approaches that may be taken to improve foundation board performance particularly as it relates to their fundraising responsibilities. Twenty-five interviews were conducted with foundation board members, the university presidents and others associated with the foundation at these two institutions. This book reveals what those involved with foundation boards have to say about the critical factors they believe would increase their performance.

Revision with unchanged content. The corporate world has been rocked of late by scandals involving boards cheating shareholders, managers cheating boards and shareholders and auditors colluding with firms they are supposed to monitor. This book explores the microeconomics of this phenomenon. It uses the tools of the theory of games and of asymmetric information to establish the conditions under which boards, managers and auditors will be constrained to honesty. A recommendation: mandatory disclosure of audit fees. We also examine the costs and consequences of ensuring credibility ¿ a limit on firm size, which, together with a minimum size requirement on firms, sets a floor to the personal wealth needed by an entrepreneur for entry. This has implications for the income distribution needed for industrialization and the nature of development policy. A final problem is that of cheating between a final producer and his supplier: we discuss the form of the optimal contract that could avert this. People with some background in economics or those with an interest in corporate governance or economic development will enjoy this book.

Although information technology provides us many ways to better ourselves, it has also significantly increased the complexity of our lives. Everywhere we turn, there is more data. Data about our friends and families. Data from applications we use to conduct business. And data about the hundreds of thousands of events happening around the world every second. This explosion of data, along with empowering us to make better decisions and stay closer connected to each other, has also created problems with (1.) data consumption and information gathering, (2.) effective collaboration, (3.) measurement of the effectiveness and processes, (4.) social integration and engagement. In many aspects of our lives (e.g. Healthcare, Music industry, Design of machinery etc.), additional technologies such as semantic and social media, have helped provide structure to the information. Whether it¿s through collaborative tools like Sharepoint for our business lives or powerful social networks like Facebook in our personal lives, these technologies give us a way to make sense of all the data. But in some areas, such as public relations and journalism, these tools have been unable to keep pace with the amount of information.

The reasons for using foreign languages as medium of instruction vary across countries and educational settings. They stretch from pedagogical (e.g. language teaching), through practical (e.g. common language for education in multilingual societies) to ideological (e.g. integration). In the case of English, the reasons for its increased use as medium of instruction are closely related to the process of globalization and the establishment of English as an International Language. The present paper seeks to investigate the different rationales behind using English as medium of instruction (EMI) at tertiary level. In particular it focuses on the language-teaching dimension, which in the context of higher education is not always explicitly addressed. This lack of explicit language teaching objectives in English­¿medium courses is a barrier to unlocking the potential of EMI.

Lithuania: A small but promising country with a strong personality that knows how to surprise with openness and great opportunities for international trade. This book highlights the cultural and economic aspects while entering the Lithuanian market. The aim is to communicate Lithuaniäs market potential, to increase the attractiveness of the country as business partner and to emphasize the versatility of this beautiful nation. In addition, it should strengthen the interest of Austrian companies to enter the Lithuanian market and to use the benefits it has to offer. All official data as well as the information received through the author¿s empirical study has the purpose to increase the country¿s awareness and to expose Lithuaniäs great business opportunities. This book is not only a general guideline for Austrian companies to enable a successful market entry it additionally emphasizes the cultural differences between Lithuania and Austria and offers a great insight into two exciting countries. It is recommended for everyone who is interested in international business, foreign market entry, the Baltic States and Austria.