Independent Constructs Research Articles

Acceptance of UTAUT2 Model for Professional Training via Mobile among Enforcement Officers at Malaysia

M - Learning is a new innovation in professional training for enforcement officers in Malaysia to achieve their key performance indicators in training attended. According to UTAUT2, there are seven components of acceptance that must be known in order to determine the level of acceptability among Enforcement Officers. This is a case study that includes a questionnaire with seven constructs and 35 questions was analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The construct for UTAUT2 model is (i) performance expectancy, (ii) effort expectancy, (iii) social influence, (iv) facilitating conditions, (v) hedonic motivation, (vi) price value, and (vii) habit are the independent construct while the behavioral intention is the dependent construct. In Malaysia, 30 respondents were chosen randomly selected from among Enforcement Officers. The reliability value of the questionnaire through the pilot study was 0.962 Cronbach’s Alpha. The results obtained from this study found that five of the seven constructs had a high level of acceptability. While two constructs based on the UTAUT2 element show a moderate level of acceptance. It is related to the fact that enforcement officers do not have experience with mobile learning before and must be enhanced to reflect the seven UTAUT2 constructs in this M-Learning. The findings show that by integrating the constructs of facilitating condition and price value, the level of acceptance of mobile training Enforcement Officers can be strengthened. Because enforcement officers are willing to go through M-Learning to improve their job performance. The implications of this study, to improved acceptance of these two UTAUT2 model constructs along with existing constructs must be enhanced in order to produce mobile materials to contributed for professional training as a new medium to follow professional training continuously for government employees.

Exploring continuance intention to use electric motorcycles among students in Hanoi using expectation confirmation theory

To sustain the development of urban transportation, electrifying private motorized vehicles is a top goal besides the development of public transport. This study aims at investigating the influential factors of continuance intention to use electric motorcycles based on an extension of Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT). To empirically test the proposed conceptual framework, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and the data of 394 students in Hanoi collected in August 2022 are used. The results show that perceived usefulness and satisfaction directly facilitate the continuance intention while perceived ease of use and expectation confirmation have indirect positive effects. Female students tend to have less intention to continue using electric motorcycles while those living in non-urban districts seem to have a higher continuance intention. The prediction capacity of the model is high with over 65% of the variance of continuance intention being explained by (independent) constructs. Based on the findings of influential factors, the authors propose practical implications for triggering the use of electric motorcycles among students

What we are pushed to do versus what we want to do: Comparing the unique effects of citizenship pressure and actual citizenship behavior on fatigue and family behaviors

Past research has distinguished between organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs), which refer to willful extra-role behaviors, and citizenship pressure – the perceived pressure to engage in these behaviors. Although citizenship pressure can be seen as a precursor to OCBs, it is also considered a stressing demand (and evidence for the association between these two citizenship constructs is mixed); thus, in the current research we examine citizenship pressure and OCB as independent constructs and compare their effects on relevant outcomes. Drawing on the Model of Human Energy (Quinn, Spreitzer, & Lam, 2012) as our overarching framework for this research, we hypothesize that both daily citizenship pressure and OCB lead to greater fatigue – an indicator of perceptions of resource threat or depletion – and that these relationships will be moderated by sleep quality that the employees had the night before. We further predict that fatigue will have negative effects on spouses' reports regarding employees' engagement in social activities with them in the evening, and that this relationship will be moderated by spousal recovery support provision. We test our hypotheses in a sample of professionals using Experience Sampling Methodology. Findings and implications, as well as directions for future research, are discussed.

Effects of Intellectual and Social Alignment on Organizational Agility: A Configurational Theory Approach

Literature has shown that business-information technology (IT) alignment can exert both positive and negative influences on organizational agility, giving rise to the IT alignment-agility paradox. To better understand this paradox at a more granular level, we conceptualize the sensing and responding dimensions of organizational agility as two independent constructs and suggest a nonlinear analytical approach. Based on configurational and contextual perspectives, this study investigates how intellectual and social alignment and organizational and environmental elements combine into multiple configurations to affect sensing and responding capabilities. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) is used to analyze the survey data from 135 dyads of business and IT executives from the Chinese shipbuilding industry. Results show that different equifinal pathways can be used to achieve high sensing and responding capabilities, in which intellectual and social alignment play heterogeneous roles depending on the specific contexts. This study extends the ITenabled agility literature by deepening our understanding of the effects of multidimensional IT alignment on multidimensional organizational agility and providing new insights into the IT alignment-agility paradox.

Influence of Self-Efficacy and Emotional Intelligence on The Performance of Sales Managers: A Case of a FMCG in Nairobi, Kenya

The relationship between Sales Performance and Emotional intelligence has been a thoroughly researched construct. This study was undertaken to examine the influence of emotional intelligence and self-efficacy on the performance of sales leaders of a FMCG in Nairobi, Kenya. The independent constructs were Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Self-efficacy, and the dependent construct was Sales Performance. The research was a qualitative survey with data collected from sales managers of a bottling company in the non-alcoholic-ready-to-drink (NARTD) industry. Purposive sampling was used to select five Area Sales Managers from the five regional markets which formed the company’s total universe. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews with the five selected managers. The study found that emotional intelligence and self-efficacy indeed influenced the level of sales performance among the sales leaders of the company. It concluded that sales leaders with a higher EI and self-efficacy demonstrated good leadership traits and consequently exhibited high sales performance. The study, therefore, advocates for the development of emotional intelligence and self-efficacy in sales leaders as key enablers to sales excellence.

INFLUENCE OF SELECTED DETERMINANTS ON THE PERCEPTION OF BEACHES AS A TOURISM PRODUCT

INFLUENCE OF SELECTED DETERMINANTS ON THE PERCEPTION OF BEACHES AS A TOURISM PRODUCT

Perceived consumer issues associated with online vehicle purchase decisions

Being an informed buyer has assumed new meaning and companies, especially among especially among empowered supply chain professionals. In examining automobile online purchasing, there were ten significant clusters in creating the independent variable constructs, which were tested against a factor-based dependent variable construct, named new vehicle purchase incentives. These were statistically tested to determine the most important factors that impact a consumer's decision. The exploratory factor analysis and specific hypothesis testing illustrate that the major factors for online vehicle purchases are convenience, purchase agreements, and low-cost bargain searching are key factors for this segment of car buyers. It was found that there were no significant relationships among the various payment plans (i.e., credit or debit cards, direct funds transfer services), type of vehicles interested in (i.e., SUV, crossover, family sedan, mid-size, and compact/economy), and vehicle condition (i.e., new or used); the same was true for most demographics, except for price.

Nomogram for Predicting Portal Vein Thrombosis in Cirrhotic Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a common complication in cirrhotic patients and will aggravate portal hypertension, thus leading to a series of severe complications. The aim of this study was to develop a nomogram based on a simple and effective model to predict PVT in cirrhotic patients. Clinical data of 656 cirrhotic patients with or without PVT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from January 2017 to March 2022 were retrospectively collected, and all patients were divided into training, internal and external validation cohorts. SPSS and R software were used to identify the independent risk factors and construct a predictive model. We evaluated the predictive value of the model by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analyses. The feasibility of the model was further validated in the internal and external cohorts. All enrolled patients were followed up to construct the survival curves and calculate the incidence of complications. The predictors of PVT included serum albumin, D-dimer, portal vein diameter, splenectomy, and esophageal and gastric varices. Based on the clinical and imaging findings, the final model served as a potential tool for predicting PVT in cirrhotic patients, with an AUC of 0.806 (0.766 in the internal validation cohort and 0.845 in the external validation cohort). The decision curve analysis revealed that the model had a high level of concordance between different medical centers. There was a significant difference between the PVT and non-PVT groups in survival analyses, with p values of 0.0477 and 0.0319 in the training and internal validation groups, respectively, along with p value of 0.0002 in the external validation group according to log-rank test; meanwhile, the median survival times of the PVT group were 54, 43, and 40 months, respectively. The incidence of recurrent esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding (EGVB) during the follow-up showed significant differences among the three cohorts (p = 0.009, 0.048, and 0.001 in the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts, respectively). The nomogram based on our model provides a simple and convenient method for predicting PVT in cirrhotic patients. Cirrhotic patients with PVT had a shorter survival time and were prone to recurrent EGVB compared with those in the non-PVT group.

Laboratories for Organizing People: Selected Essays on Art and Byt

Laboratories for Organizing People: Selected Essays on Art and <i>Byt</i>

Особливості навчання цифрового покоління учнів і студентів

The article presents general characteristics of nowadays’ pupils and students’ youth as a digital generation. Pedagogical means of leveling the negative features of the digital generation in the educational process of secondary and higher education institutions have been revealed («method of paradoxes», discussions and the search for an alternative point of view, digital detox, etc.). It has been determined that reading is a «universal» means of preventing the youth’s «dumbing down». The need to involve children and young people in reading classical fiction as the most important means of teaching the independent construction of an image system has been proved. The importance of the formation of a reading culture in terms of total manipulation of the consciousness of the average individual with the help of the appropriate mass media has been noted. The technology of presenting educational textual information in the form of so-called creolized text has been characterized. It allows to visualize the educational material in order to bring it as close as possible to the corresponding requirements of «clip» information perception. The technologies and methods of effective teaching of the digital generation in conditions of blended learning has been characterized.

Image Construction of China's Rural Sports Tourism Destination from the Perspective of Rural Revitalization

In order to better realize the rural revitalization strategy, promote national fitness and the development of China's rural sports tourism destination, this paper analyzes the development predicament and construction path of China's rural sports tourism destination image from the perspective of rural revitalization, and proposes to shape the perceived image of rural sports tourism destination through official independent construction and voluntary construction by the public. By giving full play to the government's dominant position and guiding role, providing technical support for marketing, giving full play to local sports culture characteristics, focusing on the people's needs to improve the precision of sports public service supply to promote the construction of the physical image of rural sports tourism destinations.

4 K GM-type pulse tube cryocooler with large cooling capacity

Owing to the advantages of large cooling capacity, low vibration and high reliability, GM-type pulse tube cryocoolers at liquid helium temperature have important applications in frontier fields of condensed matter physics research, quantum computing, etc. The phase shifter has an important influence on the cooling performance of pulse tube cryocooler. Previous researches on the phase shifter of GM-type pulse tube cryocooler mainly focused on the effect of a single phase shifter on the performance of the cryocooler at liquid helium temperature. In this paper, based on Sage software, a simulation model of a 4 K two-stage gas-coupled GM-type pulse tube cryocooler is first designed and constructed. The influence of the phase shifters of the two stages on the first-stage and the second-stage temperatures are calculated. The adjustment and optimization process of the cryocooler to obtain the liquid helium temperature is studied. Numerical simulations are given below. 1) The lowest temperature of the model is only about 100 K when the phase shifters of the two stages are closed. The lowest temperature of the model can be reduced to 2.7 K by optimizing the first-stage orifice valve, the second-stage orifice valve, the first-stage double-inlet valve and the second-stage double-inlet valve in sequence. 2) The first-stage orifice valve, the second-stage orifice valve, and the second-stage double-inlet valve have a significant effect on reducing the cooling temperature of the second stage, while the first-stage double-inlet valve has little effect on reducing the temperature of the second stage. 3) The first-stage orifice valve and the second-stage double-inlet valve have a significant effect on reducing the cooling temperature of the first stage, and the first-stage double-inlet valve has little effect on reducing the temperature of the first stage. The second-stage orifice valve will worsen the first stage performance. Finally, an experimental system is constructed. The lowest temperature of the experimental prototype can reach 3.1 K, and the cooling capacity of 0.8 W can be produced at 4.2 K, which is presently the best result obtained by the domestic two-stage gas-coupled valve-separated GM type pulse tube cryocooler. This research can not only promote the independent construction of domestic 4 K refrigeration platform, but also support the relevant frontier basic scientific research and the development of important scientific instruments and equipment. In the future, the structure of the first-stage cold-end heat exchanger and the impedance matching between the compressor and the cryocooler will be improved, and the gas coupling characteristics inside the cryocooler will be studied theoretically and experimentally in depth.

Understanding Personal Stances on Religion: The Relevance of Organizational Behavior Variables

This paper develops a framework for analyzing two personal stances on religion—Adherence to Religion and Autonomy from Religion. We propose that the two stances are independent constructs rather than opposite poles of the same continuum. Each stance is conceptualized as a higher-order construct, with different first-order measures of motivations, beliefs and perceptions. With these conceptualizations, we explore the relevance of Organizational Behavior research for informing Religious Studies. We test a nomological network of personal stances on religion with structural equations modelling and a sample of 3072 Catholic participants. The results provide support for the use of higher-order constructs. The first-order measures that possess the highest influence are Relatedness Motivation for Adherence, and Perception of Church Politics for Autonomy. The model explains 23% of Religious Commitment, and thus identifies relevant predictors for participation in rituals, a crucial issue for the maintenance and development of the relationship with the Catholic Church.

Развитие формально-логического и диалектического мышления у детей 5-8 лет

&lt;p&gt;This article presents the longitudinal study results dedicated to evaluation of formal-logical and dialectical thinking development in senior preschool children (5&amp;mdash;6 and then 6&amp;mdash;7 years old) as well as in elementary school children (7&amp;mdash;8 years old). The formal&amp;mdash;logical thinking study included 58 children. We used Piaget tests: &amp;ldquo;Probability&amp;rdquo;, &amp;ldquo;Scales&amp;rdquo; and &amp;ldquo;Cylinder&amp;rdquo;. The dialectical thinking study included 92 children. We evaluated three techniques: &amp;ldquo;Drawing an unusual tree&amp;rdquo;, &amp;ldquo;What can be both at the same time?&amp;rdquo; and &amp;ldquo;Cycles&amp;rdquo;. Data of 52 children who participated in the study at the age of 5&amp;mdash;6 years old and 7&amp;mdash;8 years old were used for the correlation analysis. The research results showed that the preschool age is sensitive for the development of formal operations as well as dialectical thought activities. A positive correlation was identified between the ability of 5&amp;mdash;6 and 7&amp;mdash;8 years old children to coordinate two differently directed movements to create a holistic image and overcome contradictions. It was also found that during the transition to learning at school, indicators for solving a creative problem (which involved the independent construction of opposite objects) decreased&lt;/p&gt;

Old English V-initial andþa-VS main clauses

AbstractThis study is a corpus-based constructionist analysis of Old English (OE) constituent order, focusing on verb-initial declaratives andþa-VS main clauses. The main objective of the investigation is to determine the degree of the formal and functional similarity of both patterns in order to establish whether they functioned as two independent constructions (in Construction Grammar terms), with their relation based on functional contrast. The other possibility taken into consideration in the analysis is that the two patterns should rather be treated as variants of the same construction, as suggested in some previous, non-constructionist studies of the topic, which would make it possible to analyse them as allostructions. The study shows that on the general level of the language network, the two clause types are surprisingly different in many respects: their form is less similar than previously assumed, they have drastically different corpus distributions, they show different collocational preferences and perform different discourse functions. Nevertheless, on the lower level of the network, the two constructions show some overlaps in the presentational, narrative and reporting function. At the same time, however, there is a deep functional difference between texts authored by Ælfric and other OE prose records.

Options of modelling refurbishment in LCA: continuous improvement strategy and next life cycle approach

Compared to other goods, buildings have a long lifespan. It is therefore the norm and not the exception that adaptation will be needed at some point in their life cycle to changing environmental conditions, technical progress and new/additional user requirements. The adaptation of existing buildings to future challenges in the form of refurbishment contributes to sustainable development. The proportion of refurbishments is increasing in both absolute and relative terms in the building sector in Europe. It is therefore surprising that the modelling particularities of refurbishment in the context of a life cycle-based environmental performance assessment are still neglected in the EN-standards. The paper deals with these particularities. Specifically, it presents a typology of approaches starting with a distinction between planned refurbishment as B5 and unforeseen refurbishment as an independent design and construction task / next life cycle, as well as the status of the discussion in selected countries. Recommendations for action for the life cycle assessment are given for specific decision-making situations.

Exploration versus exploitation: how interorganizational power dependence influences SME product innovation? An empirical study in China

PurposeInterorganizational power dependence has become an increasingly important factor for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to improve product innovation. This paper examines the role of power dependence in SMEs' product innovation trade-offs between exploration and exploitation. The article further studies the mediating effect of supply chain adaptability and the moderating effect of knowledge acquisition on the relationship between power dependence and product innovation.Design/methodology/approachThe study proposes a model to verify the impact of power dependence on SMEs' product innovation trade-offs based on social network theory. Two conceptually independent constructs, “availability of alternatives (ALTRN)” and “restraint in the use of power (RSPTW),” are used to evaluate the power dependence. The model also analyzed how these effects are mediated by supply chain adaptability and moderated by knowledge acquisition. The authors test these relationships using data collected from 224 SMEs in China.FindingsThe empirical analysis shows that ALTRN has a more substantial effect on exploration for product innovation, while RSTPW has a more significant impact on exploitation for product innovation. Moreover, empirical data indicate a partial mediating effect by supply chain adaptability between power dependence and product innovation of SMEs. The results also show that knowledge acquisition positively moderates the relationship between ALTRN/RSTPW, supply chain adaptability and product innovation.Originality/valueOverall, the findings of the study advance the understanding of the roles of power dependence in product innovation for SMEs. In addition, the research also uncovers the impact mechanisms of existing theoretical frameworks and extends the boundaries of the theory.

Extended access to fentanyl vapor self-administration leads to addiction-like behaviors in mice: Blood chemokine/cytokine levels as potential biomarkers

Rodent models are useful for understanding the mechanisms that underlie opioid addiction, but most preclinical studies have focused on rewarding and consummatory aspects of opioids without components of dependence-induced escalation of drug taking or seeking. We characterized several opioid-related behaviors in mice using a model of vaporized fentanyl self-administration. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were assigned to short-access (ShA; 1 h, nondependent) or long-access (LgA; 6 h, dependent) fentanyl vapor self-administration and subsequently tested in a battery of behavioral tests, followed by blood collection during withdrawal. Compared with mice in the ShA group, mice in the LgA group escalated their fentanyl intake, were more motivated to work to obtain the drug, exhibited greater hyperalgesia, and exhibited greater signs of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. Principal component analysis indicated the emergence of two independent behavioral constructs: “intake/motivation” and “hyperalgesia/punished seeking.” In mice in the LgA condition only, “hyperalgesia/punished seeking” was associated with plasma levels of proinflammatory interleukin-17 (IL-17), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 4 (CCL-4), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Overall, the results suggest that extended access to opioids leads to addiction-like behavior, and some constructs that are associated with addiction-like behavior may be associated with levels of the proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines IL-17, TNF-α, and CCL-4 in blood.

"Sensitivity to the disinhibiting effect of alcohol: The role of trait impulsivity and sex differences": Clarification.

Higher trait impulsivity is associated with more impulsive responding on certain behavioral measures of disinhibition. Additionally, behavioral disinhibition is acutely elevated following alcohol consumption. The present study examined the possibility that trait impulsivity may predict individual differences in sensitivity to the disinhibiting effect of alcohol. Specifically, the present study tested the hypothesis that those with elevated trait impulsivity also experience heightened sensitivity to the disinhibiting effect of alcohol, which might further compound their tendency toward impulsive action. To test this hypothesis, data from six studies were aggregated to comprise a sample of 190 young adults. Participants completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), and behavioral disinhibition was assessed using a cued go/no-go task following consumption of 0.65 g/kg alcohol and a placebo. Alcohol increased disinhibition overall, but higher impulsivity did not predict increased sensitivity to alcohol-induced disinhibition. In men, higher levels of trait impulsivity predicted heightened disinhibition in the unintoxicated state following placebo, but this relationship was not present in women. These findings suggest significant sex differences in the relationship between trait impulsivity and disinhibition. This sex difference may explain inconsistent research findings in studies assessing links between trait and behavioral measures of impulsivity. The data also point to trait impulsivity and sensitivity to alcohol-induced disinhibition as independent constructs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Sensitivity to the disinhibiting effect of alcohol: The role of trait impulsivity and sex differences.

To test this hypothesis, data from six studies were aggregated to comprise a sample of 190 young adults. Participants completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), and behavioral disinhibition was assessed using a cued go/no-go task following consumption of 0.65 g/kg alcohol and a placebo. Alcohol increased disinhibition overall, but higher impulsivity did not predict increased sensitivity to alcohol-induced disinhibition. In men, higher levels of trait impulsivity predicted heightened disinhibition in the unintoxicated state following placebo, but this relationship was not present in women. These findings suggest significant sex differences in the relationship between trait impulsivity and disinhibition. This sex difference may explain inconsistent research findings in studies assessing links between trait and behavioral measures of impulsivity. The data also point to trait impulsivity and sensitivity to alcohol-induced disinhibition as independent constructs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).