Showing papers in "Open Journal of Social Sciences in 2016"

Study on Determining Factors of Employee Retention

Abstract: Employees are the most valuable assets of an organization. Their significance to organizations calls for not only the need to attract the best talents but also the necessity to retain them for a long term. This paper focuses on reviewing the findings of previous studies conducted by various researchers with the aim to identify determinants factors of employee retention. This research closely looked at the following broad factors: development opportunities, compensation, work-life balance, management/leadership, work environment, social support, autonomy, training and development. The study reached the conclusion that further investigations need to be conducted regarding employee retention to better comprehend this complex field of human resource management.

Perceived Organizational Support and Employee Engagement: Based on the Research of Organizational Identification and Organizational Justice

Abstract: On the basis of theoretical research, this paper constructs the relationship model of perceived organizational support, organizational identification, employee engagement and organizational justice. With questionnaires from 350 employees in 28 provinces, we empirically tested that the organizational identification plays a mediating role and organizational justice has a moderating effect by using the correlation analysis and structural equation model and regression analysis. The results show that: firstly, perceived organizational support and employee engagement have significantly positive correlation, perceived organizational support applies directly positive influence on employee engagement; secondly, perceived organizational support can also play a role in employee engagement through organizational identification, in other words, organizational identification has partial mediating effect between perceived organizational support and employee engagement; thirdly, this paper verified that organizational justice plays a moderating role on the relationship between perceived organizational support and organizational identification.

The Impact of E-Commerce Development on Urban Logistics Sustainability

Abstract: The purpose of the present paper is to present some sustainable solutions for urban logistics. The approach is to identify the present challenges for urban logistics caused by the increase of freight volumes due to the development of e-commerce. To meet them, companies’ sustainable practices were analyzed and the utilization of new electric power train technologies seem to offer interesting results for reducing carbon emission impacts. Using methods of literature review and experiences from ongoing electric mobile research projects, this paper argues that electric vehicles in urban distribution are a yet underestimated element towards more efficient transport processes—hence economic advantages for companies, towards the reduction of a company’s footprint and even towards an increased service level for the customers.

Implementing Total Quality Management in Education: Compatibility and Challenges

Abstract: Quality education is a great concern in many societies across the world. In a highly competitive education sector, the success of academic institutions depends on the quality of education. Educationalists, policy makers, scholars, and researchers are showing their sincere interest towards the total quality management (TQM) as it is recognized as an effective management philosophy for continuous improvement, customer satisfaction, and organizational excellence. Since this concept was initially developed in the manufacturing sector, therefore, there is a great deal of suspicion whether this philosophy is applicable in education. In this connection, the main objective of this study is to investigate the compatibility of TQM with education. At the same time, this study would try to identify key challenges in implementing TQM in education. It is assumed that this study would be able to draw a meaningful conclusion regarding the applicability of TQM in education as well as to create an awareness regarding those challenges which may create obstacles in implementing TQM in education.

Family Home Caregivers for Old Persons in the Arab Region: Perceived Challenges and Policy Implications

Abstract: The profound demographic changes that the Arab region has experienced during the past few decades have led to slow, albeit noteworthy increase in the proportion of older people, which will inevitably place heavy burdens on families who are assumed the responsibility in providing care for its older members. Although there has been much research about elderly caregiving issues in other regions around the world, less is known about aging family member caregiving, the challenges that family member caregivers face in the Arab region, and the facilities provided for family support to the elderly and to the caregivers themselves. Thus, the purposes of this study are to gain an overview of the current situation of ageing and elderly family member caregiving in the Arab region; to address the challenges family caregivers face, such as necessary skills and know- ledge, communication, cultural issues, health, financial burdens and enhancement of quality of life in association with their care-giving role. These challenges can negatively impact the quality of life for the caregiver and the care receiver. The importance of implementing research and policy intervention to meet these challenges for all concerned will be discussed.

Exploration of Verbal Aggressiveness and Interpersonal Attraction through Social Network Analysis: Using University Physical Education Class as an Illustration

Abstract: Analyzing a network sample of 67 students and professors at university physical education class, the authors aim to detect informal structures (hierarchies of targeting of verbal aggressiveness and interpersonal attractiveness), to point out determinants of these structural properties, and to formulate a typology of verbal aggression targets and attractive persons. Complete network analysis was applied on the sample. Four network analysis centrality indicators were used: in-degree, Katz status, pagerank and authority. Non-network and network determinants of being target of verbal aggressiveness or attractive were discussed. Basic results of the study were that, at least in particular university milieu the verbal aggressiveness does not seem to depend on the education level of the parents. Male nodes seem to be quite susceptible to become a target of verbal aggressiveness and also to be physically attracted (especially, of course, by female nodes). The professor that the students appreciate proves to be a determinant of targeting students for verbal aggressiveness. The appreciation proved to be related with social and physical attractiveness while the task attractiveness seems to be significantly correlated with the friends number. As for the attractiveness, the following types were proposed: a) the “perfect image”: the one who is socially and physically attractive tends also to be task attractive and b) the “handsome” is the socially attractive. Regarding verbal aggressiveness in combination with attractiveness, two types of target emerged: a) the “immune star”, namely a person who exerts social, physical and task attractiveness, without being a target, and b) the “targeted star”, who attracts being a target.

Writing Problems of Non-English Major Undergraduate Students in Bangladesh: An Observation

Abstract: Writing is considered a productive skill and useful tool for learning process. It is the most used skill in evaluating students’ performance in almost all levels of education. In Bangladesh, tertiary level students still face enormous writing problems in English. The present study aims to explore writing problems of non-English major undergraduate students at a private university in Bangladesh. The study was conducted on 89 non-English major undergraduate students from different departments studying at Stamford University Bangladesh. The data were taken through document collection and questionnaire. Moreover, a semi-structured interview on twelve teachers has been conducted to reflect their attitudes and opinion on students’ English writing problems. In addition, a few recommendations are provided on the basis of the result. This study could help the teachers to resolve the problems and find some strategies to improve students’ writing in English.

Consideration of Evaluation of Teaching at Colleges

Abstract: There are some disadvantages in the simple, unscientific and unreasonable teaching evaluation. Resulting in the evaluation of the teaching data is not reliable, objective, cannot be true, fair and impartial reflection of the teacher’s teaching level. If the results of this assessment are linked to the teacher’s all kinds of interests, It is easy to cause serious negative effects to the teacher’s enthusiasm and to disturb the teaching atmosphere and influence the teaching quality. How to make the evaluation of science, objective, fair and impartial reflection of the teacher’s teaching level, to make it more effective to improve the quality of teaching is very important. Some suggestions are put forward in this paper.

Obstacles in Learning English as a Second Language among Intermediate Students of Districts Mianwali and Bhakkar, Pakistan

Abstract: No one can dispute the assertive position of English as a communicative language. It is enjoying status of medium of instruction as well as compulsory subject in Pakistan. But it is facing numerous problems in learning. The failure rate of the students is increasing which is deplorable. The failure in this subject means the failure in the public examinations. The concerns about the situation can be observed by all the stakeholders. The recent study is an attempt to probe into the alarming situation that has been conducted in the male colleges of public sector of Districts Mi-anwali and Bhakkar, the remotest Districts of Pakistan. This study deeply looks into the obstacles faced by the intermediate collegiate students in learning it. Four out of seven public sector colleges of both districts have been selected; taking from urban and rural areas to get genuine and reasonable data in this connection. The study has examined the position of English in the presence of Urdu and Saraiki, the mother tongues of students with the background of the brief survey of the position of English and the learners of it. Many factors have been indicated that are responsible for creating obstacles in learning English. Results point out that students of the context desire to learn English but numerous factors stand on their way of progress that need to be eradicated for the better future of this language. The ambiguous educational policies, the bias attitude towards English, the behavior of parents and teachers, the adverse policies of the government, the unavailability of modern teaching technology to the public sector, the shortage of English teachers especially in the remotest located colleges, the flawed syllabi and examination system, the lack of teaching training and the deprived position of teachers are the major factors that are arising obstacles in learning English. The study emphasizes upon the state support by adopting positive approach to the issue to strengthen the position of English.

Suggesting Indicators of Superficiality and Purity in Verbal Aggressiveness: An Application in Adult Education Class Networks of Prison Inmates

Abstract: Aim of this research is to suggest indicators, based on social network analysis, that distinguish superficial, idiosyncratic and strategic verbal aggressiveness. Two classes of an adult education school (at secondary level) in a prison have been selected as network samples (A class = 23 and B class = 12 prisoners). Complete network analysis has been applied, using standardized questionnaires. The network variables have further processed through Pearson correlation. Indicators of superficial and pure roles, particularly incremental and proportional behavior, have been applied in two forms of verbal aggressiveness (criticism and threatening). The superficial behavior (SB: outdegree of verbal aggressiveness) seems to be a quite sensitive indicator, as it presents correlations with various other relational forms of familiarity, aggressiveness and appreciation/socialization. The incremental behavior (IB: difference of received from outgoing actions) is also a sensitive indicator, revealing, however, different results. Pure aggressiveness (in terms of difference) seems to be related with quite different causes and/or occasions than the superficial aggressiveness. Incremental behavior is likely to be at first place driven by the idiosyncrasy rather than by exogenous factors and seems to constitute a completely different notion than the SB. The proportional behavior (PB: ration of outgoing to the received actions) of aggression is a quite insensitive indicator, as it depends only on a few behavioral variables. It seems to reveal a rational strategy of adaptability. Thus, it characteristically differs from the indicators of superficiality (expressing reciprocity patterns) and of the incremental aggressiveness (expressing individualism).

Infertility in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Woman’s Issue for How Long? A Qualitative Review of Literature

Abstract: Infertility or childlessness is a major reproductive health issue for females as well as males respectively. Many couples suffer from infertility worldwide and in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has a cultural preference for high fertility; women shoulder the highest infertility consequences. The objective of this review was therefore to explore socially acceptable and culturally effective reproductive health strategies for the social management of infertility in sub-Sahara Africa. Different databases were searched to source articles on infertility in Sub-Saharan Africa. The databases included Medline, Pubmed and Fudan University library. Google scholar was also utilized to get additional relevant articles. Titles and abstracts of the articles searched were critically evaluated for relevance based on the inclusion criteria. Final extraction of the articles was done by getting only those studies that met the inclusion criteria. Twenty articles were identified and five were included in this review. The findings reveal three main themes: perception, health seeking behavior and the social impact of infertility. In many Sub-Saharan Africa societies, there is negative perception of infertility problem as such those affected do not seek medical attention early. There is also a disproportionate social impact of infertility on women in the region. In Sub-Saharan Africa, high value is placed on children and those who are infertile are greatly stigmatized. In such a setting, the concept of reproductive health should include policies which could make it possible for couples and the whole society aware of the reality of infertility as a reproductive health problem and seek medical attention early.

Exploring Teachers’ Verbal Aggressiveness through Interpersonal Attraction and Students’ Intrinsic Motivation

Abstract: This study is aiming at: 1) exploring the relationship between perceived teachers verbal aggressiveness, interpersonal attraction and student intrinsic motivation; 2) investigating the influence of teachers verbal aggressiveness on their interpersonal attraction and student intrinsic motivation in physical education context and 3) proposing a students’ and teachers’ typology. The sample consisted of 223 Greek students (125 males, 98 females) aged 10 - 12 years old (M = 11.2, SD = 0.49) from primary schools. The results supported the internal consistency of the instruments. Statistically significant differences were observed in instructors’ verbal aggressiveness, physical attraction, enjoyment/importance, competence and pressure/tension between the genders of the students. ANOVA’s findings supported that there was a significant dependence between schools regions on the factors of effort/interest and pressure/tension. Perceived instructors’ verbal aggressiveness was negatively related to social attraction, task attraction, physical attraction, enjoyment/importance, effort/interest and competence, while there was a positive significant relationship between verbal aggressiveness and pressure/tension. The results of regression analysis revealed that perceived instructors’ verbal aggressiveness could significantly predict the variables of social, physical attraction and students’ effort/interest, competence and pressure/tension. Distinct types of relations between students and instructors may be distinguished: The “motivation by attraction” and “student autonomy”.

The Analyses of Purchasing Decisions and Brand Loyalty for Smartphone Consumers

Abstract: With the advent of smartphone, customers purchasing smartphones are sharply increasing over years. Since the Smartphone market extend, the major brands are getting more competitive. Each brand manufacturers are dedicating in developing a strong operating system, software applications, fashionable appearance, service quality, and so on. The purpose of this study is to explore consumers’ purchasing behavior, determinants of purchasing decision, and factors of brand loyalty of smartphones. The findings stated that some external factors markedly influenced customers on choosing smartphones. For example, a customer bought a smartphone because of the demand for using it. On the contrary, few customers would buy a smartphone due to the pursuit of vogue or modern trend and the influences by other people. Furthermore, some internal elements of decision processes have sharply influence on choosing a smartphone. The majority of respondents agreed that the price, internal functions of a smartphone all played an important role on making a purchasing decision. In the opposite side of our original thinking, ninety-three respondents (37%) disagreed that they would choose the one with lower price between two smartphones. In the third part related to the brand relationship quality for purchasing a smartphone, most respondents could hurriedly recall the symbolic logo of the brand and the after-sale service would affect their willingness of rebuying the same brand. In contrast, even though the evaluation of this brand is not good, they still intend to continue to buy this brand. Finally, brand loyalty led consumers to happily tell others the advantages of this brand and recommend the purchase, and to rebuy the brand when it launches a new product. In conclusion, Customers’ perceived value, brand experience, trust, satisfaction, service quality and commitment are found to be the key influencing factors of brand loyalty.

The Financial and Economic Crisis, Its Impacts on the Shipping Industry, Lessons to Learn: The Container-Ships Market Analysis

Abstract: The container shipping, the important beneficiary and the major element of globalization, has remained a way of moving goods all over the world at an ever-increasing pace since not long ago. With China becoming the world’s factory, the industry has known a sustained and rapid growth from year to year. Many among ship owners, bankers, and investors during this period of boom in the shipping industry, become very rich. The availability of cash, with the construction of more technologically advanced ships, with the expansion of ports and the introduction of new shipping services, the cargo capacity in terms of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) of the world container fleet, had more than tripled between the years 2000-2009, reaching 12.5 million. But now, the well-known global financial and economic crisis of 2009 had almost overnight suppressed the growth of the container-ships market. In fact, for the first time in the history of the maritime industry, growth has stopped and there is even a steady decline in the rate of containers shipped around the world. In the first six months of the year of the crisis alone, the shipping industry declined by close to 16% causing huge losses.

Social Impacts of Protected Areas on Gender in West Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Abstract: In most cases, the establishment of protected areas (PAs) goes hand-in-hand with an increase in conservation costs to communities living adjacent to these PAs. This paper draws insights from gender theories in particular feminist political ecology approach to unravel the impact of PAs on men and women around the Kilimanjaro National Park (NP) and the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Tanzania. Specifically, it investigates how the creation and expansion of two PAs in Tanzania have impacted men and women in different ways. A combination of in-depth interviews, focus-group discussions, and key informant interviews was used to collect data from local people who live adjacent to these PAs. The findings reveal that the PAs impact both men and women, but the most significant impact is felt by women due to inequality in the gendered division of labour and resources at the household level. Poor men and women together with most women in female-headed households, suffer more from strong restrictions on access to PA-based resources than other people as they have limited alternatives. The benefits of PAs in compensating for resource restrictions were found to be modest and do not meet the needs of predominantly poor men and women. The majority of local people collect resources from PAs illegally to meet their livelihood needs, despite restrictions on resource access. This study concludes that, instead of PAs paying attention to people’s relevant livelihood needs and improving their wellbeing, they have unfortunately worsened their situation.

A Theoretic Review of Emotion Regulation

Abstract: Emotion regulation has become a hot research topic in psychological research in recent years; this study reviewed the research on emotion regulation strategies in the last ten years, and the previous research focused on introducing a new concept of regulation strategy-reception strategy, and to explore the similarities and differences between the emotional response and the neural mechanism of cognitive assessment and the expression of inhibitory strategies. It was found that cognitive assessment could reduce the emotional experience, reduce the activation of the physiological response and sympathetic nervous system, and decrease the level of activation of the amygdala; while the inhibition of expression was able to reduce emotional behavior, but the physiological response and sympathetic nervous system activation was enhanced, and the level of activation of the amygdala did not decrease; at the same time, it was a kind of emotion regulation strategy between cognitive reappraisal and expression inhibition, the regulation effect of the emotion was better than that of the expression inhibition, but less than the cognitive reappraisal, in the neural mechanism, the three common brain areas.

A Literature Review on the Definition of Corruption and Factors Affecting the Risk of Corruption

Abstract: To choose a set of definitions on corruption and summarize the quantitative measures of corruption, this article gives some comments on a wealth of global indicators of corruption. Based on the academic research, the factors of corruption could be mapped in three levels: macro, meso and micro. In the past, most literatures pay attention to the macro factors to study the relationship between corruption, development, culture and politics. In the meso-level, internal system construction is the most important factors on corruption. More and more scholars tend to use the real raw data rather than the perception of data to study the corruption of a certain country or region. Micro factors research on corruption will become increasingly popular in the future.

Underrepresentation of Women at Academic Excellence and Position of Power: Role of Harassment and Glass Ceiling

Abstract: The study intends to comprehend the underrepresentation of women on positions of power and academic excellence in academia. The study explained the role of exploitation and harassment, which might hinder, when women were trying to climb to top hierarchical position. The majority of women supervised by male heads, sexual harassment could be used as a glass ceiling to hamper women to reach top hierarchal level. The majority participants were working on lower academic and administrative hierarchy; they were experiencing harassment throughout the hierarchical level. Similarly, they considered that harassment could contribute to the underrepresentation of women at academic excellence and a position of power.

The Birth of a New Party: Podemos, a Hurricane in the Spanish Crisis of Trust

Abstract: A significant number of European electors are turning their backs on traditional main-stream parties. European party systems are being challenged by an increasing number of (new) radical parties, which defied the Christian-social democrat alternation that has dominated Western European countries for decades. In Spain, a political earthquake started after the 2014 European Parliament election. In the context of the worst global economic crisis in the last 80 years (which in Spain is also a social, political and institutional crisis), a party called Podemos won 7.9% of votes and five MEPs, significantly altering the traditional balance of the Spanish party system. This paper studies the causes of the support received by Podemos on 2014 EP elections, dissects its political strategy and analyses the characteristics of the electorate that made possible the birth of this new party. The analysis, which is illustrated using micro-data of twelve surveys, discloses Podemos political agenda.

Exploration of Instrumental and Integrative Motivation for Reading English as a Second Language among Second Year Pre-University Students of Government MAO College, Lahore (Pakistan)

Abstract: Since the 1970s work of Gardner and Lambert, studies on language learning motivation have received much consideration in second language research. More recently, studies on reading motivation have also gained much interest. This study was conducted among 40 male second year pre-university students of Government MAO College, Lahore (Pakistan) to investigate the levels of instrumental and integrative motivation for reading English as a Second Language (ESL). Data were collected through an adapted version of Dornyei’s language learning motivation questionnaire, and analyzed by means of descriptive statistics. The findings indicate that the students were more strongly instrumentally motivated for reading English in their context. It was also found that the students have relatively lower levels of integrative motivation for reading English. Based on the findings and implications, recommendations are made for the enhancement of motivation for reading English in the Pakistani context.

Review and Prospect on Interactional Justice

Abstract: Different from distributive and procedural justice, interactional justice refers to the perception of equity in the relationship between supervisors and employees, which is the most recent advance in the justice literature. This paper first gave a brief introduction to the development and formation of the definition of interactional justice as well as its measurement. Then it examined the antecedent variables of interactional justice from leaders and subordinates’ perspectives and the outcome variables of interactional justice from the individual and organizational levels. Finally, it pointed out the limitations of current studies based on the overview and accordingly indicated that future research should integrate interactional justice to the study of leadership behavior, explore the integration mechanism of antecedent variables and outcome variables and strengthen the local research of interactional justice.

The Relationship between Self-Concept and Mental Health among Chinese College Students: The Mediating Effect of Social Adjusting

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the mediating effect of social adaptation between the Chinese college’s mental health and self-concept. Methods: Five hundred and eight college students were surveyed with China College Student Adjustment Scale (CCSAS), College Student Self-Concept Questionnaire (CSSQ), and Development of Chinese College Student Mental Health Scale (DCCSMH). Using SPSS and the tools of the Bootstrap to explore the mediating effect of social adaptation between the Chinese college’s mental health and self-concept. Results: Self-concept, mental health and social adaptation were significant correlated with each other (except for that self-concept, anxious, depending and impulse, social adjusting and forcing). The mediating effects made up 8% to 20% of the total effects. Conclusion: Self-concept can directly affect mental health of college students, social adaptation acts as a mediating role between self-concept and mental health among Chinese college students.

E-Government Analysis: Sultanate of Oman Case

Abstract: In the current century, e-government transformation is considered as one of the biggest challenges among and within the IT-related sector from the scale and complexity perspective. Having the main objective as of adapting an existing e-government system and methodology in order to obtain new computing requirements based on the concept of citizens’ new service. Thus, increase the features of service level, quality and maintaining a high policies and rules consistency. Moreover, mission criticality and time of services, information sharing and interoperability, efficiency and productivity along with the reduction of operation expenses are all considered as priorities in this transformation project (Raymond, 2007) [1]. Such a transformation is considered crucial for the service concept as it is changing rapidly; the roadmap coherence in e-government transformation is critical (Raymond, 2007) [1]. However, there is a big aspect regarding the e-Government progress by citizens due to many aspects like: Citizens-Centricity, Facilitating Condition, Effort expectancy and Performance Expectancy. Hence, there is a need to further study in order to be able to obtain better understanding of the complete picture and to have a balanced view and concepts all under one e-Government umbrella. This paper will review and analyze through a quantitative approach in Sultanate of Oman case study. This study targeted citizens in the country to check their intention to use e-Government in Oman (e-Oman). After reviewing and discussing questionnaire outputs using SPSS program, the writer listed some recommendations and conclusion of the study and the nature of them they will be categorized upon to their point of view.

Evaluation of Rugby Players’ Psychological-Competitive Ability by Utilizing the Analytic Hierarchy Process

Abstract: The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a decision-making support method for selecting a solution from alternatives based on a number of evaluation criteria. This method has also been utilized in recent years to evaluate athletes’ competitive ability regarding their physical, technical, and mental aspects. Therefore, this study has sought to develop an evaluation index of rugby players’ psychological-competitive ability as their mental aspects. Initially, a survey on sixty-seven male university rugby players was conducted using the Diagnostic Inventory of Psychological-Competitive Ability (DIPCA.3) for Athletes. Next, a rugby coach was asked in an interview coach’s to rank five factors of DIPCA.3. After that, total evaluation values of each rugby player were calculated using the DIPCA.3 scores, the coach’s ranking, and AHP. The rugby players were divided into two groups, those with high or low DIPCA3 scores. Then, members in each of these two groups were divided again into two groups, for high or low total evaluation values of AHP. Comparing the high and low groups from the total evaluation values, the proportion of rugby players in the high level group, who were regular players and had much experience participating in national competitions, was significantly larger among the high group than the low group. The results of this study suggested that the total evaluation value calculated with AHP was more effective than the total scores of DIPCA.3 for evaluation of rugby players’ mental aspects.

High Performance Work System, Psychological Efficacy, Job Satisfaction and Task Performance in the Hotel Workplace

Abstract: Extending from the perspective and literature of strategic human resource management, this study investigated the possible relationships among high performance work system, psychological efficacy, and employee outcomes. This study aimed to understand how high performance work system affected employees’ psychological efficacy, and their employee outcomes, including job satisfaction and task performance. We found that high performance work system can help employees develop higher degree of psychological efficacy, and thus leading higher job satisfaction and task performance. Implication for managers and practical suggestions were proposed.

The Social and Economic Impacts of Ruaha National Park Expansion

Abstract: Displacement of people to allow expansion of protected areas involves removing people from their ancestral land or excluding people from undertaking livelihood activities in their usual areas. The approach perpetuates the human-nature dichotomy, where protected areas are regarded as pristine lands that need to be separated from human activities. Beyond material loss, displaced communities suffer loss of symbolic representation and identity that is attached to the place. The aim of this paper was to assess impacts of Ruaha National Park expansions to the adjoining communities. Five villages were surveyed: Ikoga Mpya, Igomelo, Nyeregete, Mahango and Luhango. All participants were victims of the eviction to expand the park borders. Based on the conceptual analysis, major themes generated were: loss of access to livelihood resources, change in resource ownership, conservation costs, resource use conflict, place identity, and the role of power. Similar to previous studies, results show that local communities suffered both symbolic and material loss as a result of park expansion. Furthermore, it has shown that conflicts related to land use changes have roots within (pastoralist vs. farmers; Sangu vs. Sukuma) as well as from the outside. Hence, to better understand resource access and ownership, a deeper understanding of community characteristics/composition and their local interaction is important. Further, park expansion needs to take into consideration human livelihood need.

Community Participation and Sustainability Issue: An Evaluation of a Donor-Driven Water Sector in Ikaram Millennium Village Project, Nigeria

Abstract: This study examines the extent to which community participation influences community ownership of water project and its sustainability in Ikaram Millennium Village (MV). Structured close-ended questionnaire and semi-structure open-ended interview checklist were used to elicit information from respondents including households, key informants, MV officials, Water and Sanitation (WASH) Committee members and staff of Ondo State Multilateral Agency that oversaw the project. From the projected population of 22,863, the household size in the cluster was estimated to be 3266 households using national average family size of 7. Thereafter, 5% of the total number of households in Ikaram MV was chosen, amounting to 163. The household survey was administered using simple random sampling technique. Key Informant Interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were also conducted. The study established that due to low economic base of the MV, low financial and local materials were contributed towards the water project development. It was found that 84.2% of the population in the MV was willing to contribute less than 1000 for the maintenance of the various water facilities. It was further observed during the FGD, that the different types of existing community institutions were not fully consulted. The findings estabilished that two persons in each community were trained to handle construction of water and sanitary facilities while the other two received training on the repair and maintenance of these facilities. The result also indicated that repair works were usually handled by the Water Committee while fund for the payment of the repair services was obtained from the pool of money contributed by the community members. By implication, financial incapability of the community members will to a large extent affect the maintenance of the water source points and by extension inhibits the sustainability of the water and sanitation projects.

Creativity in Teams: The Impact of Team Members’ Affective Well-Being and Diversity

Abstract: The purpose of the research reported in this article was to examine how team mem-bers’ affective well-being influences creativity in teams. Furthermore, the impact of diversity in gender, age and education on affective well-being and team creativity was investigated. Twenty-nine project teams with 173 team members, involved in projects for 20 weeks as a part of a project management course, participated in the study. In terms of diversity dimensions, age and education were found to have no significant in-fluence either on affective well-being or team creativity. Diversity in gender had a sig-nificant positive impact on contentment. Team member enthusiasm was found to have a strong direct impact on team creativity, while contentment had an indirect effect. The results support the integration of affects into creativity theory. In addition, the result suggests managers to focus more on the feelings of the team members and the interaction in the team in order to facilitate well-being and creativity.

Bioeconomy: The Challenge in the Management of Natural Resources in the 21st Century

Abstract: Countries and regions around the world face a number of economic, environmental and social challenges. Increased demand for energy, primary resources (agricultural, forestry and fishing), industrial products and services (healthcare in particular) put significant pressure on the sustainability of the ecosystems that support our society. One option to provide a more sustainable base for the economy would be the transition towards bioeconomy in which the importance of biotechnology and biomass- based production to generate economic output is significantly greater than today. Bioeconomy is considered to encompass all economic activity connected with the utilization of renewable biological resources. The aim of this paper is to draw attention to the importance of bioeconomy in the management of natural resources in the 21st century, providing many answers to resolve the previous challenges together with environmental preservation. The concept has gained scientific and political attention during the recent years, especially in Europe but also globally. From the review and analysis of the literature, this paper addresses the emerging bioeconomy, definitions and conceptual bases, and its great potential in different sectors of economic activity and development of new products. Special emphasis is placed on the case of the European Union. We present the concerns of European authorities at this level and best practices already in force in two Nordic countries that can be regarded as the beginning of a general transition to bioeconomy.

A Neighborhood Expansion Tabu Search Algorithm Based On Genetic Factors

Abstract: We provide an improved algorithm called “a neighborhood expansion tabu search algorithm based on genetic factors” (NETS) to solve traveling salesman problem. The algorithm keeps the traditional tabu algorithm’s neighborhood, ensure the algorithm’s strong climbing ability and go to the local optimization. At the same time, introduce the genetic algorithm’s genetic factor (crossover factor and variation factor) to develop new search space for bounded domain. It can avoid the defects of the alternate search. The results show that this optimization algorithm has improved a lot in the target of “target value”, “convergence” and compared with traditional tabu algorithm and genetic algorithm.