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1 – 10 of 23Clementine Hill O’Connor and Rachel Baker
This paper considers the specific opportunities and challenges of engaging in ethnographic research with organisations in which the researcher participates as a volunteer…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper considers the specific opportunities and challenges of engaging in ethnographic research with organisations in which the researcher participates as a volunteer ethnographer.
Design/methodology/approach
The findings in this paper are based on four years of ethnographic research within a social enterprise.
Findings
This paper finds that there are significant benefits of the role of the volunteer ethnographer and suggests ways to address some of the challenges.
Research limitations/implications
As the field of social enterprise and ethnography grows and researchers engage with methodological discussions about participant observation, the authors suggest that attention should also be paid to the specifics of the role of the volunteer ethnographer.
Originality/value
There is growing interest in the use of ethnography in social enterprises. This paper offers unique insight into how this methodology has been applied in the context of self-reliant groups and the importance of the engaging with discussion about the specific role of the volunteer ethnographer.
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Scott Solomon, Hang Nguyen, Jay Liebowitz and William Agresti
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the use of data mining (DM) analysis can be used to evaluate how well cameras that monitor red‐light‐signal controlled…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the use of data mining (DM) analysis can be used to evaluate how well cameras that monitor red‐light‐signal controlled intersections improve traffic safety by reducing fatalities.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper demonstrates several different data modeling techniques – decision trees, neural networks, market‐basket analysis and K‐means models. Decision trees build rule sets that can abet future decision making. Neural networks try to predict future outcomes by looking at the effects of historical inputs. Market‐basket analysis shows the strength of the relationships between variables. K‐means models weigh the impact of homogenous clusters on target variables. All of these models are demonstrated using real data gathered by the Department of Transportation from fatal accidents at red‐light‐signal controlled intersections in Maryland and Washington, DC from the year 2000 through 2003.
Findings
The results of the DM analysis will show predictable relationships between the demographic data of drivers and fatal accidents; the type of collision and fatal accidents and between the time of day and fatal accidents.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of missing or incomplete data sets are addressed in this paper.
Practical implications
This paper can act as a guide to follow for red light camera program managers or local municipalities to conduct their own analysis.
Originality/value
This paper builds upon prior research in DM and also extends the body of research that examines the effectiveness of red camera programs as they mature.
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THE new library building has been open for six months now. It is pleasantly situated in an area of new buildings, and occupies a prominent island site just on the edge of the…
Abstract
THE new library building has been open for six months now. It is pleasantly situated in an area of new buildings, and occupies a prominent island site just on the edge of the shopping centre. The old library was in the middle of a shopping area, and it has been interesting to note that our removal from that site has had a more considerable effect on the traffic pattern than one would have thought.
Written partially in response to a previous paper published in this Journal suggesting that leadership and leaders are categorised as ‘transformational’ or ‘transactional’, the…
Abstract
Written partially in response to a previous paper published in this Journal suggesting that leadership and leaders are categorised as ‘transformational’ or ‘transactional’, the author suggests that these definitions are too narrow to be reflective of reality. It is instead argued that true and effective leaders operate in a multidimensional framework that combines styles, skills, attributes and abilities that fall within what we commonly refer to as management and leadership. It is suggested that there is a need to move on and to accept that there is not an all‐encompassing model, definition or style of leadership.
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WE look before and after at the beginning of 1951. The three cardinal dates in the history of the public library movement—which is only the larger part of the national library…
Abstract
WE look before and after at the beginning of 1951. The three cardinal dates in the history of the public library movement—which is only the larger part of the national library service—were 1850 which saw the legal origin of the movement; 1919 when it was set free from the enforced poverty of sixty‐nine years, and 1950 when it reached what until today was its veritable apotheosis. General recognition, such as authority from the Crown to the humblest journal gave to public libraries, was something undreamed of not more than thirty years ago. Perhaps, now that some of the splendour of the commemoration has taken more sober colours, it is well to consider what was gained by it. First, the recognition is there and can scarcely be belittled by anyone hereafter; we stand on a somewhat different platform now. We have the extremely valued recognition of our colleagues from libraries overseas. From these advantages all libraries and not only public libraries will in their own way profit.
THE first surprise when travelling by air from Fiji to Western Samoa is that one leaves Fiji on Saturday and arrives in Western Samoa on Friday. This is because of crossing the…
Abstract
THE first surprise when travelling by air from Fiji to Western Samoa is that one leaves Fiji on Saturday and arrives in Western Samoa on Friday. This is because of crossing the International Date Line en route and a story is told in Fiji of a man who owned a shop through which the date line ran. Sunday trading is frowned on in Fiji but our friend got round this by opening only half of his shop on Sunday—the half on the Saturday or Monday side of the date line. It is therefore not surprising that the Fiji Times describes itself as “the first newspaper in the world every day”.
Cebrail Çiflikli and Esra Kahya‐Özyirmidokuz
Data mining (DM) is used to improve the performance of manufacturing quality control activity, and reduces productivity loss. The purpose of this paper is to discover useful…
Abstract
Purpose
Data mining (DM) is used to improve the performance of manufacturing quality control activity, and reduces productivity loss. The purpose of this paper is to discover useful hidden patterns from fabric data to reduce the amount of defective goods and increase overall quality.
Design/methodology/approach
This research examines the improvement of manufacturing process via DM techniques. The paper explores the use of different preprocessing and DM techniques (rough sets theory, attribute relevance analysis, anomaly detection analysis, decision trees and rule induction) in carpet manufacturing as the real world application problem. SPSS Clementine Programme, Rosetta Toolkit, ASP (Active Server Pages) and VBScript programming language are used.
Findings
The most important variables of attributes that are effective in product quality are determined. A decision tree (DT) and decision rules are generated. Therefore, the faults in the process are detected. An on‐line programme is generated and the model's results are used to ensure the prevention of faulty products.
Research limitations/implications
In time, this model will lose its validity. Therefore, it must be redeveloped periodically.
Practical implications
This study's productivity can be increased especially with the help of artificial intelligence technology. This research can also be applied to different industries.
Originality/value
The size and complexity of data make extraction difficult. Attribute relevance analysis is proposed for the selection of the attribute variables. The knowledge discovery in databases process is used. In addition, the system can be followed on‐line with this interactive ability.
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Eugine Tafadzwa Maziriri, Brighton Nyagadza and Tafadzwa Clementine Maramura
This study aims to investigate how social entrepreneurial role models influence social entrepreneurial self-efficacy, social entrepreneurial intent and social entrepreneurial…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate how social entrepreneurial role models influence social entrepreneurial self-efficacy, social entrepreneurial intent and social entrepreneurial action, with moral obligation as a moderator.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey of 261 pupils in the South African province of the Eastern Cape was used in the research study. Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses.
Findings
The research revealed that having social entrepreneurial role models has a positive impact on both social entrepreneurial self-efficacy and social entrepreneurial intent. In addition, a connection was found between social entrepreneurial intent and entrepreneurial action. The influence of moral obligation was found to be a positive and a significant moderator. Moreover, the association between social entrepreneurial role models and social entrepreneurial intent was mediated by social entrepreneurial self-efficacy.
Research limitations/implications
The findings are not generalizable to nonstudent samples because students constituted the sample for gathering data. Future study therefore requires considering nonstudents to generalize the outcomes. This research should be replicated in other South African provinces and other developing countries for comparative outcomes.
Practical implications
Since social entrepreneurial role models have been practically linked to social entrepreneurship intent and entrepreneurial efficacy, understanding the factors that influence student’s decision to start a social enterprise is critical in South Africa to develop targeted interventions aimed at encouraging young people to start new businesses. Policymakers, society and entrepreneurial education will all benefit from the findings.
Originality/value
This study contributes to bridging the knowledge gap as it investigates how social entrepreneurial role models influence social entrepreneurial self-efficacy, social entrepreneurial intent and social entrepreneurial action, with moral obligation as a moderator. Encouraging social entrepreneurship among South African youth would also help address societal issues. This is a pioneering study in the context of an emerging economy such as South Africa, where social entrepreneurship is so integral.
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Purpose – The purpose of this chapter is to develop a framework for understanding deviant genres of music. Although it seems destructive, deviant music has…
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this chapter is to develop a framework for understanding deviant genres of music. Although it seems destructive, deviant music has positive effects, and can encourage greater socialization into the larger society.
Design/methodology/approach – By looking at deviant music of the past, it is possible to see more clearly why such music was created, and what functions it has in society. Three main functions were identified: social criticism, spreading the news, and public catharsis of outstanding events.
Findings – These three functions are found in deviant music today. But there are differences. Heavy metal, a counter culture, uses offensive language and images to repel unwanted outsiders and thus avoids commercialization. Grunge, music of a drop out culture, became popular and lost some of its alternative identity. Rap started as a legitimate African American youth art form but was hijacked by the music industry and has expanded beyond a meaningful art world. This has left both artists and listeners vulnerable to a distorted image.
Originality – The real value of deviant music is its historical record of the inner world of subcultures.
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