Motive Power Research Articles

W.E.B. Du Bois on empires and colonies, 1896–1963

This article explores the scholarly and journalistic contributions made by W.E.B. Du Bois to the history and theory of modern colonialism. Because Du Bois’s understanding of colonialism evolved radically over his lifetime, this article examines all of his relevant writing on the topic--nearly 300 separate texts, written between the 1880s and the twilight of his life. The article also traces the connections between Du Bois’s ideas about colonialism to changing intellectual, political, and personal contexts. While showing that there is no singular “Du Boisian” theory of colonialism, the article concludes that Du Bois made a number of important suggestions that can contribute to further colonial studies. Du Bois urged researchers to track historical transformations in the forms of colonial rule, to compare national styles of colonialism, to trace the connections between colonialism and class formation and racial oppression in the metropoles, and to focus on the ways colonialism stems from economic and political power motives as well as ideological discourses and other practices including racism. He argued that slavery ended in the New World when it became more profitable for European capital to exploit African labor in Africa. He supported the political program of amalgamating colonial-era political units into larger African states. He pointed to the relations between science and colonialism. The survey of Du Bois’s colonial studies is preceded by a brief discussion of postcolonial and decolonial approaches to canon revision and intellectual decolonization. Some of Du Bois’s statements could be read as violating sociology’s present-day norms, such as his support for certain forms of colonialism and his description of certain colonized populations as “semicivilized.” The article argues for a more tolerant, multiplex approach to historic thinkers that pays attention to the ways in which they may both conform to and move beyond the intellectual constraints of their time and place. Like Marx, Weber, and Durkheim, Du Bois should be retained in sociology’s canon.

Carnot and the Archetype of Waterfalls

Carnot treats Heat as a Force of Nature, with its typical fundamental characteristics of intensity and thermal tension (temperature and temperature difference), extension (amount of heat, i.e., caloric), and power. To suggest how the three aspects are related, he applies the imagery of waterfalls to causative thermal processes: heat powers motion in a heat engine just as falling water does when activating rotation in a water wheel. We understand Carnot’s waterfall imagery as an archetype of human reasoning—as an embodiment of how we experience and understand causative (agentive) phenomena. We project it onto the macroscopic phenomena identified in physical science and so unlock the power of analogical structure mapping between theories of fluids, electricity and magnetism, heat, substances, gravity, and linear and rotational motion. In particular, the notion of (motive) power of a waterfall lets us create imaginative explanations of the interactions of Forces of Nature and helps us construct a generalized energy principle. Two-hundred years after Carnot made us aware of it, his Waterfall Analogy is a powerful example of theory construction with roots deep in how we experience phenomena as caused by natural agents.

Production and current expenditures: A study of CO2 emissions in Ecuador's manufacturing industry

The activities developed in industrialization processes contribute to the deterioration of the environment. In this context, global organizations generate mitigation alternatives through sustainable strategies. Thus, the main aim is to analyze the impact of manufacturing industry production in Ecuador on the environment caused by the total emissions present in the atmosphere. This research has a quantitative approach and empirical level, and the source of information was a structural survey of companies in 2020 issued by the National Institute of Statistics and Census. The methodological process was developed through the description, correlation of variables, and a multiple regression econometric model to explain the relationship between industrial production, current expenditure, and CO2 emissions. The results show that the manufacturing industry generates two million tons of polluting gases annually because of economic activity and the use of fossil fuels. The activities in which fuels are used are first boilers, then motive power, and finally transportation. This study shows a directly proportional relationship between production, current expenditure, and CO2 emissions, where an increase in production implies a greater generation of emissions and, therefore, more current expenditure. This behavior is driven by the dependence on fossil fuels and industrial use. However, it is important to note that air pollution does not depend solely on these factors.

Sodium alginate based piezoelectric hydrogel for promoting healing of infected wounds at movable parts

The frequent movement is an obstacle to the healing of wounds at movable parts. It would be highly beneficial if this characteristic could be utilized to accelerate wound healing process. Herein, we developed a sodium niobate (NNO) hydrogel (NNO-Gel) for promoting healing process of wounds at movable parts based on its photodynamic and piezoelectric properties. NNO-Gel is formed through incorporating NNO into polyvinyl alcohol‑sodium alginate hydrogel using calcium chloride as a cross-linking agent. NNO-Gel could not only produce reactive oxygen species for bacteria inactivation with simulated sunlight irradiation, but also generate electric field for promoting cell migration and proliferation through the frequent movement of necks. With simulated sunlight irradiation, NNO-Gel could kill 95.6 % ± 1.4 % of bacteria, 9.3 % higher than NNO nanomaterials. The cell proliferation rate reaches 148.41 ± 6.37 % by NNO nanomaterials with ultrasound irradiation through activating and phosphorylating phosphoinositide 3-kinase and protein kinase B. For infected neck wounds, NNO NMs and NNO-Gel show 23.6 ± 5.1 % and 25.3 ± 6.1 % higher healing rate than PBS treated ones. The development of NNO-Gel provides an opportunity for transforming the negative frequent movement which prevents wound healing into motive power for promoting healing of wound at movable parts, as well as the possibility of clinic applications for piezoelectric nanomaterials.

Does green credit policy matter for corporate sustainable innovation? Evidence from China

Green finance is a powerful motivator for promoting sustainable innovation and achieving green development. Under the dual background of building a green finance system and a market-oriented green technology innovation system, this study examines the impact of the Green Credit Guidelines on the sustainable innovation of enterprises both before and after implementation. By analyzing the propensity score matching difference-in-difference (PSM-DiD) analysis of Chinese listed enterprises, we have found that the support of relevant policies actually inhibits sustainable innovation and reduces the number of sustainability-related patents. This effect is more pronounced in green credit-restricted industries, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and eastern regions. Ultimately, we have discovered that green utility model patents, in contrast to green invention patents, are the primary indicator of the detrimental impact of green credit policy on the performance of sustainable innovation. Overall, our study broadens the understanding of the external impacts of sustainable innovation within enterprises and provides valuable insights for corporate policy makers and management professionals.

The Doctrine of Eternal Security: A Reflection on Perseverance of the Saints

One of the basic tenets in Christian doctrine is the doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints, also known as Eternal Security. It provides a guarantee of eternal security for their salvation. According to this doctrine, once a person has been genuinely saved through faith in Jesus Christ, it is not possible to lose it. Rooted in the biblical characterization of God—His faithfulness and the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work—eternal security brings comfort and hope to believers. This paper considers some of the key scriptural texts supporting the doctrine, such as John 10:28-29 and Ephesians 1:13-14, which affirm that believers are firmly held in Christ's hands and sealed by the Holy Spirit. It also goes into the nuances of salvation as a process of transformation whereby the believer is continuously in the process of sanctification. The paper also argues against the common objections surrounding eternal security and brings a balanced account of the responsibility of a believer in salvation but without sacrificing divine sovereignty for human agency. The doctrine is then set forth not only as an assurance of salvation but as a stimulus for good living and persistence in faith, improving the person's relationship with God and a life lived with spiritual growth. This reflection would attempt to reaffirm that the assurance of eternal security is both a protective force against despair and a motivating power for holy living.

Comprehending, envisioning and practicing: The mediating effects of EFL university students’ future L2 writing selves on the relationship between academic writing beliefs and task engagement

Academic writing beliefs are conceptualised as writers’ task perceptions that may shape their aspired future competence and influence their engagement patterns. However, there is a dearth of research validating this comprehending, envisioning and practicing process especially among novice learners of academic writing. Through structural equation modelling (SEM), the present study explored the relationship between academic writing beliefs and task engagement mediated by future L2 writing selves. A survey was administered to 508 Chinese non-English-major undergraduates enrolled in academic English courses from four universities in mainland China. The results showed that beliefs of academic writing as autonomous idea transaction best predicted behavioural, cognitive and emotional engagement, and beliefs of authoritative source transmission in writing fostered social and agentic engagement the most. While ought-to L2 writing self had no mediating effect, ideal L2 writing self significantly mediated the positive influence of transactional beliefs on all aspects of task engagement, which implied that the motivational power of learners’ desired future self-image as academic writers originated from their sense of writing autonomy and authorial idea development. Pedagogical implications of university academic English writing instruction were proposed.

Within-Team Individual Power and Creativity: Moderating Effects of Democratic Team Leadership and Collectivistic Value

ABSTRACT Though prior research suggests that high individual power can increase individual creativity, relatively few studies have examined conditions when this positive relationship is more likely to hold. Drawing from a cognitive resource perspective and a perspective of socialized power motivation, in this study we theorize and test democratic team leadership and an individual’s collectivistic value as two moderating conditions on the relationship between an individual’s within-team individual power and his or her creativity. Using multi-source data from team members and team leaders from thirty-nine work teams, we predicted and found that within-team individual power is more positively related to individual creativity when democratic team leadership is higher. Moreover, the hypothesized positive moderating effect of democratic team leadership is stronger and more significant for individual team members with high collectivistic values. Our findings provide implications for managing employee creativity and for the responsible use of individual power in teams.

Harmony in Progress: Exploring Motivation’s Role in My Piano Learning and Practice Journey

This autoethnography explores the role of motivation in the piano learning and practice journey of the first author. The study is underpinned by understandings of how motivation evolves from extrinsic influences, such as parental support, teachers’ guidance, and peer influence, to intrinsic motivation that drives personal growth. Using a reflective and collaborative approach incorporating narratives, we examine key moments and emotional landscapes as the first author reveals the transformative power of motivation in shaping her piano learning experience. Our findings highlight the critical role of self-determination in fostering sustained engagement and success on the path of piano learning and practice. More broadly, this exploration enhances comprehension of the intricate connection between motivation and personal growth in the field of music instruction, informing both learner and educator.

Strategies to increase physical activity in elementary school children in the digital age to support a healthy lifestyle

This study used the systematic literature review to review strategies to increase physical activity in elementary school children in the digital era to support a healthy lifestyle. Data were obtained from articles searched through Google Scholar. The search was conducted in September 2024 using the keywords: "Physical Activity Promotion" AND "Elementary School" AND "Healthy Lifestyle". During the search, inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. For example, the search focused on articles published in Scopus-indexed journals between 2019 and 2024. From this initial search, 551 articles were found. Furthermore, they were screened again in several stages, and 16 articles that fit the theme and met the inclusion requirements were yielded. During the article selection, this study followed the PRISMA guidelines. The findings of this study confirmed the importance of appropriate strategies to increase the physical activity of elementary school students in the digital era to support a healthy lifestyle. The use of technology in the form of fitness apps, exergames, and wearable devices was proven effective in motivating children to be physically active. These technologies not only serve as support tools but also as powerful motivators that offer tracking and feedback that can encourage children to engage in physical activity more actively. In addition, more interactive approaches in schools, such as the Sport Education Model (SEM) and Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR), have shown significant increases in student participation, resulting in a sustainable impact on daily physical activity habits. This study also reported that family support was very important in increasing children's physical activity. By engaging the whole family in physical activities, whether through shared outdoor activities or fitness apps, an environment that supports a healthy lifestyle is created. In addition, training teachers to utilize technology in physical learning can strengthen the implementation of strategies in schools, creating a more supportive and enjoyable environment for students.

Chartism’s Critical Carbon Theology: What Fossil Power’s Nineteenth-Century Demonizers Contribute to the Ethics of Energy Justice Today

Recent scholarship on religion and energy highlights the religious attachments some groups of people form with fossil fuels that have served to facilitate their extraction and use in building socially and economically stratified worlds. This scholarship foregrounds the business owners, managers, scientists, inventors, industrial spokespersons, and other panegyrists of the beneficent, civilizing power of coal and oil. However, little research to date has examined the religious attachments formed with fossil fuels by those who mined them, labored with machines powered by them, and lived in places that were diminished to extract, burn, and waste them. This article builds on the work of Andreas Malm and Terra Schwerin Rowe to examine these “critical carbon theologies”. It focuses in particular on the theological themes in popular literature produced by the nineteenth-century British Chartist movement—the first great social movement led by those who experienced in their bodies, communities, and environments the traumas that accompanied the introduction of fossil fuels as a motive power. These Chartist activist-theologians condemned coal power as a demonic force in history and envisioned a way to exorcize an industrializing society of its demons. This article uncovers and evaluates the largely overlooked theological dimensions of this movement and applies them toward a consideration of the ethics of energy transition today.

The Influence of Achievement Motivation, Affiliation Motivation and Power Motivation through Work Spirit on Employee Performance at Pt. Bpr Penebel

This research was conducted based on field phenomena which indicated that employee performance was not optimal, allegedly caused by weak achievement motivation, affiliation motivation, power motivation and work enthusiasm. The research aims to analyze the influence of achievement motivation, affiliation motivation, power motivation on employee morale and performance. Associative causal research method with a sample of 34 PT employees. BPR Penebel. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire. The data analysis technique used is SmartPLS. The research results show that achievement motivation has a positive and significant effect on employee performance, affiliated motivation has a positive and significant effect on employee performance, power motivation has a positive and significant effect on employee performance, achievement motivation has a positive and significant effect on work morale, affiliated motivation has a positive and significant effect on work enthusiasm, power motivation has a positive and significant effect on work morale. For the mediating effect, it was found that work enthusiasm was able to mediate the influence of achievement motivation on employee performance, work enthusiasm was able to mediate the influence of affiliated motivation on employee performance, work enthusiasm was able to mediate the influence of power motivation on employee performance.

The relationship between implicit motives and physical activity: a scoping review

BackgroundInterventions that leverage implicit motives — affect-based, non-conscious motivational dispositions — may increase physical activity by making physical activity more pleasurable. However, there is no evidence synthesis of the empirical data linking the major implicit motives (achievement, affiliation, and power motives) and physical activity. We aimed to close this research gap.MethodsFollowing a systematic literature search in the PsycInfo, PubMed, and Web of Science databases until August 2024, we performed a scoping review. We included German- or English-language publications in peer-reviewed journals or books that followed an observational or intervention study design. Studies had to link ≥ 1 major implicit motive measured via a well-established method to physical activity behavior. We critically appraised the methodological quality of the included studies using an adaptation of the JBI critical appraisal checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies and synthesized the evidence qualitatively.ResultsOut of 1047 potentially relevant records, five publications (seven studies, N = 550) were included. All eligible studies were observational (six cross-sectional, one prospective longitudinal). The achievement motive was researched the most. The data indicated a relatively consistent positive association between physical activity and the achievement motive, particularly in athletes and in sports-specific settings. The associations with the affiliation and power motives were more mixed. Most studies were conducted in sports-specific settings. All studies elicited methodological concerns, to varying degrees.ConclusionsThe available data indicate a positive association between achievement motive strength and physical activity. However, important limitations, especially the lack of intervention studies and the use of non-gold standard assessment methods, limit the confidence in the findings. More, methodologically sound research is needed to better understand the link between implicit motives and physical activity, especially in the general population.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42023392198.

Pick your battles: Elite ski-jumpers’ motives affect world cup performance depending on competition type

According to motive disposition theory, athletes high in affiliation motivation should find team contexts more rewarding than individual contexts, and hence perform better in team than in individual competitions. The opposite is predicted for athletes high in power motivation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to test these hypotheses in an elite sample (here: ski jumping athletes) based on archived worldcup competition data from both individual and team competitions on the one hand, and self-reported and projectively assessed motives on the other hand. Results confirmed that even at the highest levels of professional sports, individual differences in motives show systematic relationships to competition performance. First, the negative impact of athletes' projectively assessed affiliation motive in individual competitions was significantly attenuated in team competitions, indicating that these represent more favorable conditions for athletes high in affiliation. Second, the projectively assessed power motive exhibited an overall negative relationship to performance. In contrast, self-reported achievement and affiliation motives showed a positive relationship to performance. These findings attest to the role of personality differences in predicting motor performance variability in elite sports.

TND1128, a 5-deazaflavin derivative with auto-redox ability, facilitates polarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and on-demand ATP synthesis in mice brain slices

TND1128, a 5-deazaflavin derivative, is a drug with self-redox ability. We examined the effect of TND1128 on the level of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), which is the most critical motive power for the biosynthesis of ATP. We prepared brain slices from mice pretreated with TND1128 (0.1–10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and detected ΔΨm level with JC-1, a fluorescence ΔΨm indicator. We further examined the depolarization of ΔΨm under 5-min exposure to 25 mM KCl-ACSF (25K-ACSF), which activated neuronal voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. We evaluated the effect of TND1128 by using the inverse number of the ΔΨm value as the ATP synthesis index (ASI). The level of ΔΨm increased significantly by 24-h pretreatment with TND1128 (10 mg/kg), and significantly higher depolarization of the ΔΨm was observed with 25K-ACSF exposure than in non-treated control. We found a significant decrease in 25K-ACSF induced [Ca2+]c and [Ca2+]m levels in the TND1128-pretreated preparations. We confirmed the dose and time-dependent facilitatory effects of TND1128 on the ASI. This study suggested that TND1128 could be incorporated into the TCA cycle and electron transfer chains to facilitate the polarization of ΔΨm and activate on-demand ATP synthesis. TND1128 might rescue neurons in various brain diseases caused by energy defects. (198)

The Expert, The Novice, and The Skeptic: Game Literacy and Pedagogical Practice

This qualitative case study explores how teachers' video game literacy impacts their pedagogical use of the digital game The Walking Dead in an ethics education course at a Norwegian high school. The research question addressed is: how is teachers' pedagogical use of a digital game impacted by their levels of video game literacy? The study followed seven teachers, varying in teaching and gaming experience, over two semesters. Observations and semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data on the teachers' experience and pedagogical practice using The Walking Dead in their classes. Three teachers were selected for deeper analysis based them showing differences in attitudes and practices, while having similar teaching experience. These teachers were labeled "the expert," "the novice," and "the skeptic" based on their gaming literacy and attitudes. The analysis was based on a two-dimensional approach to video game literacy, emphasizing operational and cultural literacy. The results show that operational literacy impacted how teachers perceived and used various game elements, especially how they identified and framed the game’s dilemmas. The expert and novice saw the game's narrative as an important contextual resource for engaging with the dilemmas, while the skeptic saw it as merely a backdrop. The skeptic also had difficulties distinguishing between relevant and less relevant aspects of the game relative to the learning goal. Cultural literacy mainly impacted the teachers' ability to differentiate between students' perceptions and experiences of the game and different modes of playing. The expert had a more nuanced approach to how students perceived the game's motivational power, emphasizing the story's importance. The novice and expert explicitly instructed students to distinguish between playing for fun and playing to learn, while the skeptic made less of a distinction and saw playing the game more as a standalone learning activity. The findings suggest that teachers' video game literacy can significantly influence pedagogical use of digital games. Higher levels of operational and cultural literacy enable teachers to better navigate the game's elements, guide students' engagement, and facilitate connections between gameplay and learning objectives.

Exploring the cessation process from adolescence to young adulthood in individuals with lived experience of nonsuicidal self-injury: a qualitative study.

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a common and concerning behavior in adolescents. However, most adolescents cease NSSI as they transition into adulthood. Increased knowledge of the cessation process is needed. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the factors contributing to NSSI cessation in individuals with lived experience of NSSI, providing valuable insights for treatment strategies. Twenty-six individuals assigned female sex at birth, between ages 20-22 years, from Sweden were interviewed between 2021 and 2023 in Linköping, Sweden. Of these, 21 individuals perceived themselves as having ceased NSSI and were included in the analysis. Thematic analysis and Hooley and Franklins' Benefits and Barriers Model of NSSI were used to analyze the transcripts. Three overarching themes were generated: "Something inside me changed", "Something in my close relationships changed", and "Something in my life context changed". The cessation of NSSI was associated with several key factors. Improved well-being and envisioning a different future were pivotal in initiating the cessation process. Additionally, interpersonal relationships and support from others were interpreted as powerful motivators for change. Transitioning to a new social context and leaving behind a destructive environment provided opportunities for personal growth and enhanced well-being, interpreted as initiators in the participants' broader life context. This study underscores the complexity of the NSSI cessation process and highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of the underlying factors. Access to emotion regulation skills was perceived as a significant barrier to NSSI engagement. Clinical implications and different interventions to support NSSI cessation are discussed.

A global assemblage of tax haven clusters: profit shifting, tax dodging and money laundering

In this paper we explore a selection of tax haven clusters in the US and Europe as diverse but recognisable species of some fifty of the phenomena worldwide that have been seldom studied from an economic geography or spatial planning viewpoint. We treat the objects of study as being almost perfect expressions of the classical, canonical cluster configuration. They are: spatial agglomeration, untraded as well as market dependencies, small and medium-sized enterprise status, associative or agentic relationships, interaction with large firms inside or outside the cluster and knowledge acquisition, advisory, consultancy and knowledge translation services from research and innovation intermediaries - public and/or private. However, we think their characteristics demand further recognition of the interactive and often innovative communication networks by means of which these cluster incumbents interact globally. This is because they are set within a worldwide system that can be conceptualised as an exemplar of the well-known construct known as an ‘assemblage’ (Deleuze and Guattari, 2004a). Unlike more recent treatments from De Landa (2019) and others, we try to concentrate on the motive power of the ‘agentic’ impulses of ‘desire’ that motivate human action (e.g. regarding ‘God, Gold or Glory’ as commonly-rehearsed motivators for colonialism of various kinds). It has been more common to use ‘assemblage theory’ to analyse the interlocking ‘machinic’ elements of complex systems like power networks or laboratory interactions. To unlock the mysteries of system interlocking in our selected tax havens, which comprise Wilmington, Delaware (US), Ireland (EU) and Gibraltar (former EU, now British Overseas Territory) – post-Brexit - occupying a ‘quantum’ space ‘in which both the colonial and post-colonial find expression’ (Perera, 2021). Methodologically, we seek ‘pattern recognition’ to identify the lineaments that explain these clusters and the ‘agentic’ actors that motivate them.

Implicit motivations of entrepreneurial philanthropists: a historical organization studies analysis of Andrew Carnegie

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the implicit motivations of entrepreneurial philanthropists during different stages of their lives. Design/methodology/approach The authors follow a Historical Organization Studies approach by performing a psychobiographical analysis using McClelland’s Thematic Apperception Test on the autobiography of Andrew Carnegie across different stages of his life while considering the historical context. Findings The configuration of the implicit motivations of entrepreneurial philanthropists change with achievement motivation decreasing and power motivation increasing over time explaining the shift of focus from self to others. Originality/value While researchers have been theorizing and using interviews to uncover shifts in entrepreneurial motivations, this is the first paper to longitudinally uncover implicit motivations to explain why successful entrepreneurs give back later in life.

Why does family motivation occur and matter? Evidence from hotel and cruise ship employees

Supporting one’s family can be a powerful motivator for employees to work hard. However, very few research has been done and has explored the reasons why family motivation matters and how it occurs. Drawing on prosocial motivation theory and action identification theory, we propose that family motivation positively influences employee resilience, particularly when intrinsic motivation and challenge stressors are low. Additionally, perceived organizational support for families enhances family motivation, which in turn bolsters employee resilience. We have collected data from hotel and cruise ship employees to test these hypotheses. Our findings suggest that family motivation significantly strengthens employee resilience, especially in the absence of intrinsic motivation and challenge stressors. Furthermore, perceived organizational family support plays a crucial role in fostering family motivation, which mediates its positive impact on employee resilience. Based on these insights, we recommend that hotel and cruise ship companies cultivate resilient employees by reinforcing family motivation and implementing family-friendly practices.