Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2009 Edition
Is Loneliness the Same as Being Alone?
Daniel W. RUSSELL, Carolyn E. Cutrona, Cynthia McRae, Mary Gomez
Abstract
The cognitive discrepancy model predicts that loneliness occurs when individuals perceive a difference between their desired and actual levels of social involvement. Using data from a sample of high school sophomore students, the present investigation was designed to go beyond previous research that has tested this model by examining the predicted nonlinear relationships between desired and actual social contact and feelings of loneliness. Analyses indicated that support for the cognitive discrepancy model of loneliness was found only for measures of close friendships. Specifically, the discrepancy between the students’ ideal number and actual number of close friends was found to be related in a nonlinear fashion to feelings of satisfactionwith close friendships and loneliness after control for the number of close friends. Implications of these findings for theoretical models of loneliness are discussed.
Key words: loneliness, social activity, cognitive discrepancy, comparison level
Duality in Urban Development: Marginalisation of City Tribes
Purobi Sharma
Abstract
The Paper, Duality in Urban Development: Marginalization of city tribes is an analytical assessment of the contextual specific in an urban situation. In the context of a rapidly growing city in the North East India there is a constant unfolding of a society towards urban way of life due to ever expanding migration process in a backward economy. In this process though there is steady growth of economy and high literacy rate in the city, the original inhabitants lag behind the process of urban development .Traditionally they were the land lords and possessed vast amount of land in and around the present city. The expansion of the city meant shedding off their land rights to the migrated people being deprived of substantial monetary benefit. Their status has been studied as a marginal group despite being the land lords .Land has gradually become a major issue of their survival in the city. The study finds that their original traits remain strong. It is an investigation of lack of belongingness in the emerging urban situation and is a modest attempt to focus attention on the intricate problems and facets of development process of cities.
Key words: apathy, deprivation, isolation, land status, new vitality, urban tribes
Catching Leaders’ Mood: Contagion Effects in Teams
Judith Volmer
Abstract
Much of the behavior at work takes place within teams. Leaders of teams experience different feelings that, in turn, can have an impact on how team members feel and perform. This study examined the effects of leaders’ mood on individual team members’ mood, group affective tone, and team outcomes (actual team performance, potency, and goal commitment) in a laboratory study, with a sample of 63 students working in three-person teams. Furthermore, the study investigated the mediating role of group affective tone in the leaders’ mood–team outcomes relationship. Results demonstrated that leaders influence team members’ individual mood, group affective tone, actual team performance, and potency. Moreover, group affective tone mediated the relationship between team leaders’ mood and potency. Taken together, the findings suggest that in order to enhance subordinates’ work experience and to attain desired outcomes, leaders should be aware of their mood and its potential effects.
Key words: leadership; mood contagion; group affective tone; potency; goal commitment; actual team performance; auditory mood induction
Reflective Practice as a Fuel for Organizational Learning
Sanna Hilden and Kati Tikkamäki
Abstract
Learning theories and their interpretations in management research recognize the role of reflection as a central element in the learning process. There also exists a broad consensus that organizational learning (OL) happens at three intertwined levels of the individual, the group and the organization. This tri-level analysis has been most influentially presented by Crossan, Lane and White (1999), as a premise for their 4I framework of OL. Though the 4I framework builds strongly on existing literature on OL, it does not address the role of reflection as a factor operating between the inputs and outcomes in 4I sub-processes. Though a large body of research exists regarding the notion of reflection and its importance in terms of OL, this has not been discussed in the specific context of the 4I framework. This article contributes to the development of the 4I model by discussing how reflective practice—on three levels and within 4I sub-processes—fuels the OL process. The argumentation is based on an extensive literature review in three dimensions of learning, illustrated with an empirical inquiry into three business organizations and their reflective practice. In addition, the aim is to increase the understanding of reflection as not only an individual or group process, but as an organized practice, enabled by the tools of management control.
Key words: organizational learning; reflective practice; 4I framework; management control
The Role of Environmentally Conscious Architecture and Planning As Components of Future National Development Plans in Egypt
Karim M. Ayyad and Mostafa Gabr
Abstract
Egypt has been experiencing challenging economic, social and political disturbance during the end of the twentieth century and towards the beginning of the twenty-first. With its fast expanding population, high consumption rate and economic deficit, the Egyptian community continues to experience a low quality of living. These issues contributed greatly to the uprising, following the Tunisian model, the political change that followed did not help a lot, as development strategies are still far from being sustainable. In the beginning of the millennium, Egypt experienced an 8.6% energy deficit, followed by a growing energy crisis [1]. Knowing that almost 50% of the energy produced in Egypt is consumed inside buildings [2], environmentally conscious architecture can be a very powerful tool in development plans, as it can reasonably reduce the consumption of energy and other resources and enhance the quality of living for people. This work analyzes the supposed role of environmentally conscious architecture and, hence, evaluates its importance as a major component of national development plans in the near future. The analysis encompasses a review of the status quo in terms of consumption patterns and required services and, then, compares it with the case in which environmentally conscious architecture is adopted.
Key words: environment; consumption; energy; resources; Egypt; development
Reluctant Hosts and Disapointed Guests? Examining Expectations and Enhanching Experiences of Cross Cultural Group Work on Business Graduate Programmes
Abby Cathcart, John Dixon-Dawson, and Robert Hall
Abstract
The paper examines some of the findings of a Business Education Support Team-funded project which enabled the authors to carry out a detailed investigation into the experiences of students participating in cross cultural group work on postgraduate business programmes. The research coincided with a surge of interest in the internationali- sation of higher education and the challenges of teaching large numbers of overseas students. There is evidence of a clear difference in attitude towards group work between students with different ethnic back- grounds and these differences can lead to conflict and frustration. Significant numbers of British students have neg- ative experiences of group work as undergraduate students, particularly when placed in groups with international students with low levels of English language ability. These experiences have led to cynical attitudes to cross-cultur- al group work at postgraduate level. International students have clear expectations of the role that British students should take in group activities and express disappointment and disillusionment when this role fails to be fulfilled. The authors argue that more needs to be done to understand the experiences and expectations of both home and international students engaging in cross-cultural group work. In practical terms, this knowledge should help aca- demics design activities and assessments which will promote cross-cultural learning and benefits to all parties.
Key words: Group work, Culture, International Students, Peer Learning
Data Management and Deployment of Cloud Applications in Financial Institutions and its Adoption Challenges
Archana Sharma
Abstract
The Cloud has become a new vehicle for delivering resources such as computing and storage to customers on demand. Rather than being a new technology in itself, the cloud is a new business model wrapped around new technologies such as server Virtualization that take advantage of economies of scale and multi-tenancy to reduce the cost of using information technology resources. From one perspective, cloud computing is nothing new because it uses approaches, concepts, and best practices that have already been established. From another perspective, everything is new because cloud computing changes how we invent, develop, deploy, scale, update, maintains, and pay for applications and the infrastructure on which they run. Nonetheless, there exist an increasing number of large companies that are offering cloud computing infrastructure products and services that do not entirely resemble the visions of these individual component topics. The challenge of building consistent, available, and scalable data management systems capable of serving petabytes of data for millions of users has confronted the data management research community as well as large internet enterprises. Financial institutions are not strangers to cloud computing adoption. One of the earlier cloud uses in banks and financial institutions were for SaaS deployments, which allowed for more social media banking. However, now FI’s face the issue of security due to the increased number of data leaks. As a result, cloud within IT strategies and architecture for FIs will increase the risk of a security breach among servers and networks unless there is an adoption of a multiyear cloud strategy to keep data protected. This paper highlights the data management in cloud applications and deployments of various services of cloud computing in Financial Institutions with the study of risk factors in the deployment of transaction data of Financial Institutions on clouds.
Key words: ACID, AMAZON’s EBS, cloud computing, Green IT, replication, SaaS, VPC
Relationship of Farmers Profile with Utilization of Extension Services
B. Neethi1 And A. Sailaja
Abstract
Ex-post facto research design was followed for carrying out the study in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Sample comprised of 120 farmers selected randomly from four randomly selected mandals of Mahaboobnagar district which was a purposive selection. Age, education, farm size, farming experience, annual income, occupation, innovativeness, economic orientation, market orientation, change proneness, achievement motivation, information seeking behavior, social participation and participation in activities of extension centre (District Agricultural Advisory Transfer of Technology Centre) were the profile characteristics of farmers studied under independent variables in the study. Utilisation of services was the dependent variable selected for the study. The findings revealed that majority of farmers were illiterate, middle aged, possessed small farm size, had medium farming experience, annual income, labour and agriculture was their main and subsidiary occupation, medium innovativeness, medium economic orientation, medium market orientation, medium change proneness, medium achievement motivation, medium information seeking behavior, with no membership in any social organization and medium participation in DAATTC activities respectively. The profile characteristics like age, education, farm size, farming experience, annual income, innovativeness, market orientation, change proneness, information seeking behaviour, social participation and participation in DAATTC activities were positively and significantly correlated with the utilisation of DAATTC services by farmers. Hence, above variables should be taken into consideration for selection of master trainers and innovative farmers so that these farmers can effectively communicate to fellow farmers resulting in effective service utilisation.
Key words: farmer, profile, utilization, extension service
Daniel W. RUSSELL, Carolyn E. Cutrona, Cynthia McRae, Mary Gomez
Abstract
The cognitive discrepancy model predicts that loneliness occurs when individuals perceive a difference between their desired and actual levels of social involvement. Using data from a sample of high school sophomore students, the present investigation was designed to go beyond previous research that has tested this model by examining the predicted nonlinear relationships between desired and actual social contact and feelings of loneliness. Analyses indicated that support for the cognitive discrepancy model of loneliness was found only for measures of close friendships. Specifically, the discrepancy between the students’ ideal number and actual number of close friends was found to be related in a nonlinear fashion to feelings of satisfactionwith close friendships and loneliness after control for the number of close friends. Implications of these findings for theoretical models of loneliness are discussed.
Key words: loneliness, social activity, cognitive discrepancy, comparison level
 [Abstract-PDF]
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[References]
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2.1.1.2009.1
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Duality in Urban Development: Marginalisation of City Tribes
Purobi Sharma
Abstract
The Paper, Duality in Urban Development: Marginalization of city tribes is an analytical assessment of the contextual specific in an urban situation. In the context of a rapidly growing city in the North East India there is a constant unfolding of a society towards urban way of life due to ever expanding migration process in a backward economy. In this process though there is steady growth of economy and high literacy rate in the city, the original inhabitants lag behind the process of urban development .Traditionally they were the land lords and possessed vast amount of land in and around the present city. The expansion of the city meant shedding off their land rights to the migrated people being deprived of substantial monetary benefit. Their status has been studied as a marginal group despite being the land lords .Land has gradually become a major issue of their survival in the city. The study finds that their original traits remain strong. It is an investigation of lack of belongingness in the emerging urban situation and is a modest attempt to focus attention on the intricate problems and facets of development process of cities.
Key words: apathy, deprivation, isolation, land status, new vitality, urban tribes
| [Abstract-PDF]
|
[References]
|
2.1.1.2009.2
|
Catching Leaders’ Mood: Contagion Effects in Teams
Judith Volmer
Abstract
Much of the behavior at work takes place within teams. Leaders of teams experience different feelings that, in turn, can have an impact on how team members feel and perform. This study examined the effects of leaders’ mood on individual team members’ mood, group affective tone, and team outcomes (actual team performance, potency, and goal commitment) in a laboratory study, with a sample of 63 students working in three-person teams. Furthermore, the study investigated the mediating role of group affective tone in the leaders’ mood–team outcomes relationship. Results demonstrated that leaders influence team members’ individual mood, group affective tone, actual team performance, and potency. Moreover, group affective tone mediated the relationship between team leaders’ mood and potency. Taken together, the findings suggest that in order to enhance subordinates’ work experience and to attain desired outcomes, leaders should be aware of their mood and its potential effects.
Key words: leadership; mood contagion; group affective tone; potency; goal commitment; actual team performance; auditory mood induction
| [Abstract-PDF]
|
[References]
|
2.1.1.2009.3
|
Reflective Practice as a Fuel for Organizational Learning
Sanna Hilden and Kati Tikkamäki
Abstract
Learning theories and their interpretations in management research recognize the role of reflection as a central element in the learning process. There also exists a broad consensus that organizational learning (OL) happens at three intertwined levels of the individual, the group and the organization. This tri-level analysis has been most influentially presented by Crossan, Lane and White (1999), as a premise for their 4I framework of OL. Though the 4I framework builds strongly on existing literature on OL, it does not address the role of reflection as a factor operating between the inputs and outcomes in 4I sub-processes. Though a large body of research exists regarding the notion of reflection and its importance in terms of OL, this has not been discussed in the specific context of the 4I framework. This article contributes to the development of the 4I model by discussing how reflective practice—on three levels and within 4I sub-processes—fuels the OL process. The argumentation is based on an extensive literature review in three dimensions of learning, illustrated with an empirical inquiry into three business organizations and their reflective practice. In addition, the aim is to increase the understanding of reflection as not only an individual or group process, but as an organized practice, enabled by the tools of management control.
Key words: organizational learning; reflective practice; 4I framework; management control
| [Abstract-PDF]
|
[References]
|
2.1.1.2009.4
|
The Role of Environmentally Conscious Architecture and Planning As Components of Future National Development Plans in Egypt
Karim M. Ayyad and Mostafa Gabr
Abstract
Egypt has been experiencing challenging economic, social and political disturbance during the end of the twentieth century and towards the beginning of the twenty-first. With its fast expanding population, high consumption rate and economic deficit, the Egyptian community continues to experience a low quality of living. These issues contributed greatly to the uprising, following the Tunisian model, the political change that followed did not help a lot, as development strategies are still far from being sustainable. In the beginning of the millennium, Egypt experienced an 8.6% energy deficit, followed by a growing energy crisis [1]. Knowing that almost 50% of the energy produced in Egypt is consumed inside buildings [2], environmentally conscious architecture can be a very powerful tool in development plans, as it can reasonably reduce the consumption of energy and other resources and enhance the quality of living for people. This work analyzes the supposed role of environmentally conscious architecture and, hence, evaluates its importance as a major component of national development plans in the near future. The analysis encompasses a review of the status quo in terms of consumption patterns and required services and, then, compares it with the case in which environmentally conscious architecture is adopted.
Key words: environment; consumption; energy; resources; Egypt; development
| [Abstract-PDF]
|
[References]
|
2.1.1.2009.5
|
Reluctant Hosts and Disapointed Guests? Examining Expectations and Enhanching Experiences of Cross Cultural Group Work on Business Graduate Programmes
Abby Cathcart, John Dixon-Dawson, and Robert Hall
Abstract
The paper examines some of the findings of a Business Education Support Team-funded project which enabled the authors to carry out a detailed investigation into the experiences of students participating in cross cultural group work on postgraduate business programmes. The research coincided with a surge of interest in the internationali- sation of higher education and the challenges of teaching large numbers of overseas students. There is evidence of a clear difference in attitude towards group work between students with different ethnic back- grounds and these differences can lead to conflict and frustration. Significant numbers of British students have neg- ative experiences of group work as undergraduate students, particularly when placed in groups with international students with low levels of English language ability. These experiences have led to cynical attitudes to cross-cultur- al group work at postgraduate level. International students have clear expectations of the role that British students should take in group activities and express disappointment and disillusionment when this role fails to be fulfilled. The authors argue that more needs to be done to understand the experiences and expectations of both home and international students engaging in cross-cultural group work. In practical terms, this knowledge should help aca- demics design activities and assessments which will promote cross-cultural learning and benefits to all parties.
Key words: Group work, Culture, International Students, Peer Learning
| [Abstract-PDF]
|
[References]
|
2.1.1.2009.6
|
Data Management and Deployment of Cloud Applications in Financial Institutions and its Adoption Challenges
Archana Sharma
Abstract
The Cloud has become a new vehicle for delivering resources such as computing and storage to customers on demand. Rather than being a new technology in itself, the cloud is a new business model wrapped around new technologies such as server Virtualization that take advantage of economies of scale and multi-tenancy to reduce the cost of using information technology resources. From one perspective, cloud computing is nothing new because it uses approaches, concepts, and best practices that have already been established. From another perspective, everything is new because cloud computing changes how we invent, develop, deploy, scale, update, maintains, and pay for applications and the infrastructure on which they run. Nonetheless, there exist an increasing number of large companies that are offering cloud computing infrastructure products and services that do not entirely resemble the visions of these individual component topics. The challenge of building consistent, available, and scalable data management systems capable of serving petabytes of data for millions of users has confronted the data management research community as well as large internet enterprises. Financial institutions are not strangers to cloud computing adoption. One of the earlier cloud uses in banks and financial institutions were for SaaS deployments, which allowed for more social media banking. However, now FI’s face the issue of security due to the increased number of data leaks. As a result, cloud within IT strategies and architecture for FIs will increase the risk of a security breach among servers and networks unless there is an adoption of a multiyear cloud strategy to keep data protected. This paper highlights the data management in cloud applications and deployments of various services of cloud computing in Financial Institutions with the study of risk factors in the deployment of transaction data of Financial Institutions on clouds.
Key words: ACID, AMAZON’s EBS, cloud computing, Green IT, replication, SaaS, VPC
| [Abstract-PDF]
|
[References]
|
2.1.1.2009.7
|
Relationship of Farmers Profile with Utilization of Extension Services
B. Neethi1 And A. Sailaja
Abstract
Ex-post facto research design was followed for carrying out the study in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Sample comprised of 120 farmers selected randomly from four randomly selected mandals of Mahaboobnagar district which was a purposive selection. Age, education, farm size, farming experience, annual income, occupation, innovativeness, economic orientation, market orientation, change proneness, achievement motivation, information seeking behavior, social participation and participation in activities of extension centre (District Agricultural Advisory Transfer of Technology Centre) were the profile characteristics of farmers studied under independent variables in the study. Utilisation of services was the dependent variable selected for the study. The findings revealed that majority of farmers were illiterate, middle aged, possessed small farm size, had medium farming experience, annual income, labour and agriculture was their main and subsidiary occupation, medium innovativeness, medium economic orientation, medium market orientation, medium change proneness, medium achievement motivation, medium information seeking behavior, with no membership in any social organization and medium participation in DAATTC activities respectively. The profile characteristics like age, education, farm size, farming experience, annual income, innovativeness, market orientation, change proneness, information seeking behaviour, social participation and participation in DAATTC activities were positively and significantly correlated with the utilisation of DAATTC services by farmers. Hence, above variables should be taken into consideration for selection of master trainers and innovative farmers so that these farmers can effectively communicate to fellow farmers resulting in effective service utilisation.
Key words: farmer, profile, utilization, extension service
| [Abstract-PDF]
|
[References]
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2.1.1.2009.8
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