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1 – 10 of 374A reluctance of social studies teachers to address religious matters prevents students from understanding the intersection of two important American institutions: slavery and…
Abstract
Purpose
A reluctance of social studies teachers to address religious matters prevents students from understanding the intersection of two important American institutions: slavery and Christianity. The continuing importance of religion in American life and the tension centered around race relations in this country make instruction in the connections between these two institutions invaluable. Evidence for the rich spiritual experience of enslaved African Americans is both ample and easily accessed; conversely, the misuse of Christianity by the oppressors and the biblical support for abolition commonly referenced during that period can be easily explored. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
In addition to these historical matters, modern results of the intersection of slavery and religion prove beneficial for study. While slavery itself is an irredeemable wound on American history, one that has repercussions even to this day, the encouraging impact of Christianity in the lives of enslaved African American and their progeny is worth noting.
Findings
Finally, this topic lends itself to progressive and engaging learning activities that are cooperative, project-based and authentic.
Originality/value
The teaching of history, which wrongly has a reputation for being lifeless and dull, can be improved and energized with this content of two topics still vital in America today: race and religion.
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Daniel R. Clark and Jeffrey G. Covin
The literature on international entrepreneurship offers two competing views on why new ventures internationalize: (a) the nature of the opportunity pulls them international or (b…
Abstract
The literature on international entrepreneurship offers two competing views on why new ventures internationalize: (a) the nature of the opportunity pulls them international or (b) the founder pushes the firm international. While these two internationalization drivers are not independent, they do represent unique causal mechanisms. Previously, the tools available to understand the entrepreneur’s disposition toward internationalization were limited. The present study uses the theoretical foundation of the international entrepreneurial orientation construct and from it develops and tests an attitudinally-based individual-level measure of disposition toward internationalization. To ensure the validity and reliability of the new measure, termed International Entrepreneurial Orientation Disposition, studies were conducted to: develop new scale items, examine their psychometric properties and construct validity, and demonstrate criterion validity. A strong measurement model is developed using structural equation modeling (CFI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.07), and the measure is shown to be useful as a predictor of perceived international venture attractiveness.
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IT may prove, on due experience, that the main result of the Edinburgh Conference was the beginning of an Imperial Library Association. It has often occurred to thoughtful…
Abstract
IT may prove, on due experience, that the main result of the Edinburgh Conference was the beginning of an Imperial Library Association. It has often occurred to thoughtful librarians that while we have been feeling about for contacts with libraries of other countries—and how desirable this has been everyone is aware—we have been in danger of forgetting our own household. Of course, we know that a public speaker declared recently that there was no such thing as the British Empire; but we are also aware that there is a linked series of nations speaking one tongue and, as far as libraries are concerned, having common interests. Can we bring these closer together? We hope and believe so. Our imperial colleagues might not even exist, if we judged by our library journals. This is probably because they themselves rarely send us any news of their doings. We hope that they may now be persuaded to take part in the family library counsels as well as in the political ones. Our pages, at any rate, are open to them.
Michel M. Haigh and Michael Pfau
The purpose of this study is to examine whether organizational identity, commitment, and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) can be bolstered through the use of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine whether organizational identity, commitment, and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) can be bolstered through the use of inoculation treatments.
Design/methodology/approach
A four‐phase experiment with 317 subjects was conducted in a laboratory setting to determine if inoculation messages could bolster organizational attitudes manifested in organizational identity and commitment, as well as citizenship behaviors.
Findings
Results show that organizational identity, organizational commitment, and certain OCBs can be strengthened through internal communication.
Research limitations/implications
Small effect sizes are a limitation, but they are very common in persuasion research.
Originality/value
This article adds to the literature on organizational identity, commitment, and OCBs. It demonstrates that inoculation can be used to bolster these employee attitudes, which had not been examined before.
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Provides a personal view of the development of the theories and applications of fuzzy systems which were first introduced in the 1960s. Details the interrelationships between the…
Abstract
Provides a personal view of the development of the theories and applications of fuzzy systems which were first introduced in the 1960s. Details the interrelationships between the pioneering proponents of fuzzy theory. Concentrates in part I on the historical beginnings of the field and in part II continues to provide personal insights into contemporary studies.
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C. David Shepherd, Geoffrey L. Gordon, Rick E. Ridnour, Dan C. Weilbaker and Brian Lambert
The purpose of this paper is to examine practices of and differences between small and large organizations as they relate to the training of sales managers.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine practices of and differences between small and large organizations as they relate to the training of sales managers.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing a survey approach, data were collected from a sample of sales managers and trainers employed by firms across the USA. Analysis was conducted between “small” and “large” organizations based on sales force size.
Findings
While many similarities do exist between small and large firms' sales manager training practices, some significant differences also exist in terms of teaching approaches, types of instructors, training locations, methods, and content utilized. Results of the current study exhibit both similarities and differences as compared to results of sales manager training practices found in earlier studies.
Research limitations/implications
The study was based on a sample of sales managers and trainers employed by firms within the USA. Sales manager training practices could differ due to cultural differences, the industry the firm competes in, and other factors.
Practical implications
First, sales manager training activities show more similarities than differences between small and large firms. Second, internet‐based training methods are becoming prevalent in large firms while still struggling for acceptance in smaller ones. Third, no one type of instructor is viewed as being highly effective in either small or large firms. Fourth, senior management must support and encourage positive behavioral changes associated with sales manager training or else efforts will fail.
Originality/value
The current study answers the call for research to identify contemporary sales manager training practices, building upon results of previous studies.
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Jerome A. Katz and Dean A. Shepherd
Cognition has always been central to the popular way of thinking about entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs imagine a different future. They envision or discover new products or…
Abstract
Cognition has always been central to the popular way of thinking about entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs imagine a different future. They envision or discover new products or services. They perceive or recognize opportunities. They assess risk, and figure out how to profit from it. They identify possible new combinations of resources. Common to all of these is the individual’s use of their perceptual and reasoning skills, what we call cognition, a term borrowed from the psychologists’ lexicon.
Geoffrey L. Gordon, C. David Shepherd, Brian Lambert, Rick E. Ridnour and Dan C. Weilbaker
The purpose of this paper is to examine sales manager training approaches, methods, and instructors (as well as their perceived effectiveness, frequency, and assessment).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine sales manager training approaches, methods, and instructors (as well as their perceived effectiveness, frequency, and assessment).
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing a survey approach, data were collected (and analyzed) from 355 members of two associations: the United Professional Sales Association and the American Society for Training and Development.
Findings
First, internal training approaches and instructors are most commonly used and perceived as most effective. Second, sales managers are exposed to a wide variety of training content as part of their training activities. Third, the frequency, duration, and assessment of training vary widely among respondent organizations.
Research limitations/implications
The utilized sample of sales managers and trainers are employed by firms within the USA. Cultural differences could exist in training practices, training content, and perceptions of effectiveness among respondents from other countries.
Practical implications
First, sales manager training activities lie on a continuum that complicates effectiveness measurement. Second, sales manager training should be provided in the field by those who are either senior to or more knowledgeable on the training topic(s) than the sales manager. Third, internet‐based training methods are still in their infancy. Fourth, the complexities associated with the sales manager position lead to a need for varied training being delivered by diverse instructors.
Originality/value
Almost a decade has passed since the last empirical studies of the “nuts and bolts” of sales manager training practices were published. The current study builds on previous work by utilizing a larger sample and incorporating technology advances and new content areas (e.g. financial analysis, networking, partnering, cross‐functional activities).
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Daniel Briggs, Sébastien Tutenges, Rebecca Armitage and Dimitar Panchev
This article aims to offer an ethnographic account of substances and sex and how they are interrelated in the context of one holiday destination popular among British youth…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to offer an ethnographic account of substances and sex and how they are interrelated in the context of one holiday destination popular among British youth. Current research on British youth abroad and their use of substances is based almost exclusively on survey methods. Similarly, the same research works do not explore, in sufficient detail, sexual relations outside of those purely between British tourists.
Design/methodology/approach
The article is based on 38 focus groups, observations, and informal conversations undertaken in San Antonio, Ibiza during the summers of 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Findings
The paper complements current knowledge on sex and substances abroad by discussing the role of promotion representatives, strippers and prostitutes, and the use of drugs and alcohol, emphasising how substances feature in the promotion of sex. Bakhtin's concept of the “carnivalesque” is adopted to understand these behaviours.
Originality/value
Current research is almost exclusively based on sex between tourists; therefore, sexual encounters with other social players in holiday resorts have been largely neglected.
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