Conceptual Research Model Research Articles

Shifting the Focus From Variables to Substantive Domains When Modeling Homicide Case Outcomes

To advance our understanding of the factors that predict homicide investigation outcomes, this study systematizes measures into five substantive domains of inquiry (involved subjects, incident circumstances, case dynamics, ecological characteristics, and investigator factors), drawing attention to the significance of each block as a possible conceptual model for subsequent clearance research. The domain-focused approach was tested using 2009 to 2011 homicide cases ( N = 252). Findings suggest such comprehensive models may provide practical flexibility to researchers when confronted with data access restrictions while preserving a sense of conceptual sophistication.

Using the Lens of ‘Possible Selves’ to Explore Access to Higher Education: A New Conceptual Model for Practice, Policy, and Research

The concept of ‘aspiration-raising’ has been ubiquitous in the discussion of differential rates of participation in higher education in England for many years. Potential students from disadvantaged backgrounds are constructed as setting their sights too low and therefore not considering higher education or ignoring elite universities that they could access. However, it is increasingly understood that aspiration-raising is unable to explain patterns of participation and that it risks ‘blaming the victim’ by failing to appreciate the structural constraints forged through their sociocultural context. The purpose of this paper is to present an alternative lens in the form of ‘possible selves’. This is drawn from the discipline of psychology and aims to explain how we all conceive and develop visions of ourselves in future states. These images create a motivational impetus for actions in the present in order to achieve a like-to-be self—or evade a like-to-avoid self. Notably, the theory takes specific account of the individual’s expectations and the importance of having a clear pathway towards a long-term destination. This paper provides an overview of the foundational theory and empirical evidence for a general readership, before presenting a new conceptual model focused on access to higher education. This is then used to explore the principles that might underpin interventions to support participation from disadvantaged groups within highly stratified systems, as well as suggesting a new policy agenda and priorities for future research.

An Empirical Analysis of Significant Factors influencing Entrepreneurial Behavior in the Information Technology Industry

The purpose of the current empirical research paper is to study and comprehend the significant factors that influence the entrepreneurial behavior through a detailed survey among the key employees of the information technology (IT) industry. The data thus collected from the survey was examined through the method of Partial Least Squares (PLS) for evaluating the relationship among the constructs of the conceptual research model. The results of the current empirical research study reveal that entrepreneurship-institutional linkage has the strongest effect on entrepreneurial behavior, followed by role of outsourcing and nature of the industry. The hypothesized path relationships between significant factors and entrepreneurial behavior have been found to be statistically significant. The top management of the companies in the IT industry have to focus and provide more importance to the entrepreneurship-institutional linkages which plays a key role in developing entrepreneurial behavior among the employees and in due course lead to innovative products and services and the over-all development of the organization.

The relationship between work-life balance and women leadership performance: The mediation effect of organizational culture

The objective of this study is examining the relationship among work-life balance, organizational culture and women leadership performance in China, and testing the conceptual research model connecting those three variables. The model was designed and tested by Partial Least Square (PLS) based on data collected from a survey of 290 available questionnaires. The results confirmed that organizational culture has significant and positive mediating effect on the relationship between work-life balance and women leadership performance in China. The findings indicated that the good relationship between work-life balance and organizational culture would lead to a high women leadership. Therefore, organizational culture and work-life balance play crucial function within women leaders in China

Engaging Coalitions in Community-Based Childhood Obesity Prevention Interventions: A Mixed Methods Assessment.

Childhood obesity prevention interventions have engaged coalitions in study design, implementation, and/or evaluation to improve research outcomes; yet, no systematic reviews have been conducted on this topic. This mixed methods review aims to characterize the processes and dynamics of coalition engagement in community-based childhood obesity prevention interventions. Data Sources: Studies extracted from Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science; complementary original survey and interview data among researchers of included studies. Eligible Studies: Multisetting community-based obesity prevention interventions in high-income countries targeting children 0-12 years with anthropometric, behavioral, or environmental/policy outcomes. The Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Conceptual Model was used as an overarching framework. Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria. Elements of CBPR were evident across all studies with community engagement in problem identification (n = 7), design/planning (n = 11), implementation (n = 12), evaluation (n = 4), dissemination (n = 2), and sustainability (n = 10) phases. Five studies reported favorable intervention effects on anthropometric (n = 4), behavioral (n = 1), and/or policy (n = 1) outcomes; descriptive associations suggested that these studies tended to engage community members in a greater number of research phases. Researchers involved in 7 of 13 included studies completed a survey and interview. Respondents recalled the importance of group facilitation, leadership, and shared understanding to multisector coalition work. Perceived coalition impacts included community capacity building and intervention sustainability. This review contributes to a deeper understanding of intervention processes and dynamics within communities engaged in childhood obesity prevention. Future research should more rigorously assess and report on coalition involvement to assess the influence of coalitions on multiple outcomes, including child weight status.

METHODOLOGY OF ASSESSING INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS OF UKRAINIAN GAS PRODUCERS

The development of a methodology for assessing investment attractiveness of businesses of Ukrainian gas production industry that is presented in the form of a generalized algorithm reflects the conceptual model of research. The scope of research is methodological approaches to assessing investment attractiveness of businesses. The purpose of this study is to recommend methodology for assessing the investment attractiveness of Ukrainian gas producers. The methodology for assessing investment attractiveness of gas producers can be used to determine the investment attractiveness of an individual business, evaluate financial position in the course of privatization and development of measures for rehabilitation or liquidation of a business, as well as to carry out a financial analysis at the initiative of both the business itself and investors who consider investment in production. The paper assesses performance of the leading gas producers in accordance with the individual life cycle stages of the business. The authors propose management measures to ramp up natural gas production in Ukraine. The amount of investment in the gas production industry required to achieve the estimated gas production figures has been assessed and the overriding priorities for the development of Ukrainian gas production industry have been established.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Joint Position Stand on the Sport-Specific Classification of Athletes with Vision Impairment

Classification is a defining characteristic of para-sports whereby eligible athletes are allocated a sport class to compete against others with similar activity limitations. To account for the unique characteristics of each sport, para-sports should develop their own classification system using evidence that demonstrates the impact of impairment on performance in that sport. Although the move towards sport-specific classification has progressed in sports for athletes with physical and intellectual impairments, sports for athletes with vision impairment (VI) continue to use the same three classes irrespective of the sport, with classes delineated by legal definitions of low vision and blindness. The aim of this joint International Paralympic Committee/International Blind Sports Federation (IPC/IBSA) Position Stand is to provide guidance for how evidence-based sport-specific classification should be achieved in VI sports. It does so by outlining three conceptual research models (correlation, simulation, and component analysis) that can be used to establish both the minimum impairment required to compete plus the appropriate number of sport classes and their inclusion criteria. The present evaluation of vision relies on measures of visual acuity and field, but new criteria may require a sport-specific combination of additional measures of visual function (e.g. contrast, motion, and light sensitivity) to better account for the impact of VI on sport performance. Moreover, the test procedures used during athlete evaluation (e.g. whether to evaluate both eyes individually or together) should be chosen to better represent the habitual viewing situation experienced in that sport. The development of sport-specific criteria should enhance the legitimacy of competition and encourage increased grassroots participation in VI sports.

Analysis of the Implementation of the Management Control by the Moroccan Public Hospital

In the hospital sector, the importance of management control in the pursuit of organizational performance is at the forefront of current debates and especially after the opening of the health space. It ensures the declination of the strategy and the management of the overall performance. Currently no one can deny its importance. Its adoption by companies is justified by the positive correlation between its implementation and the increase of the organizational performance of the company. In Morocco, a single research focused on the contribution of the determinants of management control to organizational performance at the public hospital, so we had the idea to develop a conceptual model of research adapted to Moroccans public hospitals. Therefore, our problem is: What is the impact of the introduction of management control on the organizational performance of the Moroccan public hospital? This article presents a review of the literature and the formulation of the research hypotheses, then the research methodology and finally the results of the descriptive analysis of our research.

Perceived potential for value creation from cloud computing: a study of the Australian regional government sector

ABSTRACTCloud computing is gaining increasing interest as an enabling technology for improved productivity, efficiency and cost reduction. It also has the potential to add value to reliability and scalability of organisation’s systems, which would allow organisations to better focus on their core business and strategies. This research paper aimed at exploring the perceived potential for value creation from cloud computing in Australian Regional Governments. Using the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory and Desires Framework (DF), a conceptual research model is devised. The key identified factors that are likely to influence adoption of cloud computing are identified along with the implications to current policies, anticipated benefits and challenges of adoption of cloud computing. The research employed a qualitative approach involving 21 in-depth interviews with Australian local councils’ IT managers. The findings of this research are mapped to the research model factors, thereby presenting and validating a number of value-adding concepts that are expected to contribute to investment decisions on cloud computing adoption.

A formative study to understand perspectives of families eligible for a pediatric obesity program: a qualitative study

BackgroundRaising Well® (RW) was initiated in 2015 by Envolve PeopleCare™ at the request of health plans seeking a solution to work with families on Medicaid that have a child with overweight or obesity. RW uses expert clinical coaches via phone contact to deliver an educational intervention promoting lifestyle change to families with at least one overweight or obese child in an eligible Medicaid health plan. This gives RW significant potential for reach and population impact. This project aimed to understand how to maximize this impact by exploring perspectives of RW, using a conceptual framework informed by the Conceptual Model of Implementation Research, including assessment of the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of RW; determining satisfaction among those experiencing coaching; identifying reasons individuals do not participate; and developing recommendations to enhance interest and participation.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 70 RW-eligible families across four states, who were described as: active participants, respondents who dropped or stopped RW, and RW non-participants. Following the interviews, the transcripts were coded inductively and deductively using a grounded theory approach, considering themes from the conceptual framework; themes also emerged from the data.ResultsFrom this sample, 19 families reported to be active coaching participants, 24 had dropped coaching, and 27 were RW non-participants. A number of themes were identified. Feasibility themes included coaches’ flexibility and willingness to work with the family’s schedule. Acceptability themes suggest providing actionable strategies tailored to the family’s context and needs, beyond just nutrition information and tips, early in the coaching relationship so the family perceives a benefit for continued participation. With regard to appropriateness, families were also interested in other methods of communication including email, texting, and in person visits. Access to resources for activity and healthy eating in their local community was also recommended.ConclusionsRW has the potential to improve health and promote wellness. To enhance the impact of this program, RW could incorporate these findings to promote feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness and improve program implementation. Strategies may include modifying the information provided or the mode of delivering the information.

A Conceptual Model to Explain Ethical Marketing in Consumers’ Willingness to Buy through the Internet according to the Trust Icon

The present study aims at investigating the impact of ethical marketing in consumers’ willingness to buy through the Internet according to the trust icon. The study is conducted by using a descriptive survey, and its population consists of the users of social networks in 2016 selected randomly. As many as 350 questionnaires were distributed, returned and analyzed to gather the required data. The data were analyzed by using SPSS, Amos software packages, statistical methods such as regression analysis, and structural equations. The results supported the research conceptual model and showed that ethical marketing has a significant effect on the consumer’s willingness to buy through the Internet (P < 0.05). This result was based on the impact factor of 90/0. The results of the structural equation modeling showed that the factors of honesty and commitment have the strongest impact on the willingness to buy. The results also suggest that online stores verification by a third-party institution is important because it has a strong influence on winning the trust of clients.

A nursing theory-guided framework for genetic and epigenetic research.

The notion that genetics, through natural selection, determines innate traits has led to much debate and divergence of thought on the impact of innate traits on the human phenotype. The purpose of this synthesis was to examine how innate theory informs genetic research and how understanding innate theory through the lens of Martha Rogers' theory of unitary human beings can offer a contemporary view of how innate traits can inform epigenetic and genetic research. We also propose a new conceptual model for genetic and epigenetic research. The philosophical, theoretical, and research literatures were examined for this synthesis. We have merged philosophical and conceptual phenomena from innate theory with the theory of unitary beings into the University of Illinois at Chicago model for genetic and epigenetic research. Innate traits are the cornerstone of the framework but may be modified epigenetically by biological, physiological, psychological, and social determinants as they are transcribed. These modifiers serve as important links between the concept of innate traits and epigenetic modifications, and, like the theory of unitary human beings, the process is understood in the context of individual and environmental interaction that has the potential to evolve as the determinants change.

Investigating the Impact of Commitment, Satisfaction, and Loyalty of Employees on Providing High-Quality Service to Customer

Abstract The aim of the research was to examine the effects of satisfaction and commitment of employees on the employees’ loyalty and to investigate the effect of employees’ loyalty on quality of services provided for customers. This research is applied in terms of objective and correlational type of descriptive-survey in terms of data collection. Population of the research includes two groups. The first group included employees providing service to customers of Ports and Maritime Organization of Bushehr (Iran) and the second group included customers receiving the services of the organization. From both groups, 250 people were selected using available sampling method to respond to questions of the research. To test the research conceptual model and research hypotheses, structural equation modeling was used. The results showed that job satisfaction of employees have significant positive effect on organizational commitment of employees. Also, job satisfaction and organizational commitment of employees have significant positive effect on their loyalty to organization. In addition, organizational loyalty of employees has positive and significant impact on improving the quality of customer service. Therefore, organizations should make their effort to recruit employees who are suitable for their activities.

The Impact of Urban US Policing Practices on Black Men Who Have Sex with Men's HIV Vulnerability: Ethnographic Findings and a Conceptual Model for Future Research.

This paper advances research on racism and health by presenting a conceptual model that delineates pathways linking policing practices to HIV vulnerability among Black men who have sex with men in the urban USA. Pathways include perceived discrimination based on race, sexuality and gender performance, mental health, and condom-carrying behaviors. The model, intended to stimulate future empirical work, is based on a review of the literature and on ethnographic data collected in 2014 in New York City. This paper contributes to a growing body of work that examines policing practices as drivers of racial health disparities extending far beyond violence-related deaths.

Škola pro všechny – vyhledávání žáků v riziku poruch chování ve školním prostředí

The article introduces the pedagogical tool used to identify the students in a risk of behavioural disorder; it is in the first period of verification. The article shows the research structure and the processes of checking validity and reliability of the scales that has been proved on the school population of 2069 students. Proposals for further research are involved as well. The first part of the article is focused on the consequences of students in risk of behavioural disorder education and the need for inclusive education. The second part of the article introduces the conceptual research model, terminology and some selected researches. In the last part of the article the conception of our research, its methodology and verification of the tool to identify risk students in the school environment is introduced.

An Empirical Analysis of the Effects of the E-trade Characteristics on Performance Based on Global Communication

This paper proposes to empirically analyze effects of the characteristics of the Korea’s E-trade based on global communications on performance of E-trade of export firms. To this end, this study reviewed a various theories concerning characteristics of E-trade, the level of information technology, and performance of E-trade, and developed conceptual research models based on these theories. Results of analysis utilizing the structural equation model show that organization traits, export traits, and technological traits from corporate factors had positive(+) effects on the level of information technology while support of outside professional group and external business relations from environmental factors had no effects. Also, especially for combined export product manufacturing and export firms, general English communication from global communication factors had positive(+) effects on the level of information technology. Additionally, operational Informationization and operational supportability from the level of information technology had positive(+) effects on performance of E-trade. From these empirical results, this study suggests the need for global communication and the link between the characteristics and performance of E-trade based on global communication.

Designing the customer (insurers) satisfaction model of the Iranian insurance industry emphasizing Iranian-Islamic characteristics

The present study aim was to designing a model to create satisfaction for insurers in the insurance industry of Iran (according to Iranian-Islamic characteristics). It should be noted that according to the methodology presented for this research, the approach of this research has been qualitative. The qualitative modeling process of this research, which was carried out in the grounded theory method, formed the conceptual model of research. The statistical population consisted of a group of experts. Also, in this research, a deep and unstructured interviewing tool was used to data collection. Finally, the results of the research led to the presentation of a model of satisfaction process for insurers in the insurance industry of Iran (according to Iranian- Islamic characteristics). In terms of purpose, this research is applied, in terms of method is qualitative and in terms of approach is survey-exploration.Keywords: Customer Satisfaction, Insurance Industry, Grounded Theory (GT)

Developing a strategic research and technology management model based on strategic entrepreneurship approach

Effective management of research and technology organisations (RTOs) in the turbulent environment is challenging and required using innovative strategic approach to facing with it. One of these approaches is the strategic entrepreneurship, which this study uses to strategic view to the management of RTOs. In this study, with the review of previous studies in the field of strategic entrepreneurship by an emphasis on empirical evidence from those, in the innovative framework using configuration methodology, a conceptual model for strategic research and technology management based on strategic entrepreneurship approach is presented. The existence of hyper competitive conditions which lead the RTOs to adopt entrepreneurial strategies is the reason of choosing strategic entrepreneurship approach for this study. Developed model consists of seven building blocks, including the resources and capabilities, networks and strategic alliances, resources orchestration, exploration process, exploitation process, technological achievements which have competitive advantage and lead to technological competitiveness of the industry. Results of analysis using the strategic entrepreneurship approach increases the strategic understanding of RTOs and specifically enhancing the understanding of how opportunity-seeking and advantage-seeking are value drivers in a RTOs.

Assessing the Determinants of Adopting Component-Based Development in a Global Context: A Client-Vendor Analysis

Component-based software (CBS) development is an attractive proposition to globally distributed software development organizations because of its potential to integrate reusable components in new products. Several organizations have adopted CBS development practices to support their global development processes, a phenomenon referred to as globally distributed CBS development. Many factors influence an organization’s decision to adopt globally distributed CBS development practices. The objective of this paper is to systematically assess the determinants that influence the adoption of CBS development practices in global software development organizations. We develop a conceptual research model based on the diffusion of innovation theory and the technology-organization-environment framework. Data collected from 115 participants are used to test the conceptual model. The findings from our study indicate that relative advantage, complexity, technology competence, and top management support are the key determinants for organizations to adopt globally distributed CBS development practices. The assessment of both the direct and total effects of the determinants offers insight into the organization’s decision to adopt globally distributed CBS development practices.

Impact of Participatory Health Research: A Test of the Community-Based Participatory Research Conceptual Model

Objectives A key challenge in evaluating the impact of community-based participatory research (CBPR) is identifying what mechanisms and pathways are critical for health equity outcomes. Our purpose is to provide an empirical test of the CBPR conceptual model to address this challenge. Methods A three-stage quantitative survey was completed: (1) 294 US CBPR projects with US federal funding were identified; (2) 200 principal investigators completed a questionnaire about project-level details; and (3) 450 community or academic partners and principal investigators completed a questionnaire about perceived contextual, process, and outcome variables. Seven in-depth qualitative case studies were conducted to explore elements of the model not captured in the survey; one is presented due to space limitations. Results We demonstrated support for multiple mechanisms illustrated by the conceptual model using a latent structural equation model. Significant pathways were identified, showing the positive association of context with partnership structures and dynamics. Partnership structures and dynamics showed similar associations with partnership synergy and community involvement in research; both of these had positive associations with intermediate community changes and distal health outcomes. The case study complemented and extended understandings of the mechanisms of how partnerships can improve community conditions. Conclusions The CBPR conceptual model is well suited to explain key relational and structural pathways for impact on health equity outcomes.