Set Of Significant Predictors Research Articles

An international study of the factors explaining high-growth expectation in new ventures: a gender perspective

Purpose – Given the importance of high-impact entrepreneurship to economic growth, and the remarkable potential that women entrepreneurs have yet to contribute to the economic activity, in this study we propose a model to explain an entrepreneur’s high-growth expectation based on relevant strategic variables, additionally addressing the identification of possible gender differences in the predictors of an entrepreneur’s expectation for high-growth. Design/methodology/approach – We use data from the 2009 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), working on a sample of 8,641 early-stage entrepreneurs referred to 49 countries. We perform hierarchical binomial logistic regressions, including a segmented analysis to compare the model between women and men entrepreneurs. Findings – Based on our results, we confirm gender as a strong explanatory variable for growth aspirations, with women having lower levels of expectation for the high-growth of their ventures. Moreover, in comparing the determinants of high-growth expectation by gender, we can conclude that the set of significant predictors is not the same for male and female entrepreneurs. These results suggest a moderating effect of gender in shaping the configuration of the factors determining an entrepreneur’s propensity for high-growth. Originality/value – This research contributes to a better understanding of the factors driving high-growth expectation, thus helping to advance knowledge in the area of strategic entrepreneurship, as well as in women’s entrepreneurship literature. As for practical implications, our results point out to the necessity of designing specific policies for men and women, in order to promote high-growth entrepreneurship.

Native language influences on word recognition in a second language: A megastudy.

Many studies have reported that word recognition in a second language (L2) is affected by the native language (L1). However, little is known about the role of the specific language combination of the bilinguals. To investigate this issue, the authors administered a word identification task (progressive demasking) on 1,025 monosyllabic English (L2) words to native speakers of French, German, and Dutch. A regression approach was adopted, including a large number of within- and between-language variables as predictors. A substantial overlap of reaction time patterns was found across the groups of bilinguals, showing that word recognition results obtained for one group of bilinguals generalize to bilinguals with different mother tongues. Moreover, among the set of significant predictors, only one between-language variable was present (cognate status); all others reflected characteristics of the target language. Thus, although influences across languages exist, word recognition in L2 by proficient bilinguals is primarily determined by within-language factors, whereas cross-language effects appear to be limited. An additional comparison of the bilingual data with a native control group showed that there are subtle but significant differences between L1 and L2 processing.

The field determination of body size and condition in passerines: a report to the British Ringing Committee

This paper assesses the best measure of body size for a range of passerine species, from data provided by British bird observatories. For each species we determine the proportion of variance in body mass explained by wing length, tarsus length, tail length and head length (head + bill) by multiple regression, while also accounting for variance due to two condition components of mass, measured as fat and muscle scores. Across 26 species ranging in mean mass from 5.3 g (Goldcrest) to 100.3 g (Blackbird), fat score was consistently either the best predictor of mass (14 species) or in the set of significant predictors (21 species); muscle score was the best predictor of mass in only one species and a significant predictor in nine. Amongst linear measures, wing length was consistently the best size predictor. The first principal component of size (PC1) based on the four linear measurements frequently explained more variance in mass than wing length alone but the improvement was generally small. Reproducibility of measurements was generally better for wing length than for other linear measures, and in some cases very much better. On the basis of these findings, we recommend the following: wing length is used to give the best general measure of body size within species of passerines; fat and muscle scores, together with total body mass, are recorded to assess individual condition.

Potential Predictors of Child Progress as Measured by the Early Intervention Developmental Profile

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which various factors (demographics, intervention, and test score derivatives) were associated with observed developmental gains in a sample of 83 developmentally delayed children. The Early Intervention Developmental Profile (Rogers et al.,1981) was used to measure child progress. The differences between the pre- and posttest ratio scores (developmental age divided by chronological age) on each scale were the dependent variables in six regression analyses, one for each developmental domain (perceptual/fine motor, cognition, language, social, feeding, and gross motor). Each developmental domain generated a unique set of significant predictors. Potential predictors of overall child progress Included the two test score derivatives, the number of assessments and home visits, the mother's age, and the child's age at initial testing and medical risk status.

Sociopsychological predictors of affiliation with alcoholics anonymous a longitudinal study of “treatment success”

Alcoholics Anonymous represent one of the fewclearly successful treatment approaches for alcoholism. In an attempt to delineate the dynamics of this approach, six propositions were derived from previous research on A. A. and tested in a longitudinal study of post-discharge A. A. affiliation among 378 white males treated for alcoholism in a state hospital. Unlike previous studies, the present effort employed full-fledged affiliation with A. A. as the criterion for “success” in this post-discharge maintenance regimen. Through stepwise multiple regression, 24 variables emerged from a battery of 81 possible social and psychological predictors as the set of significant predictors. Propostions were tested by comparison with this set, indicating (1) affiliative needs, (2) experience of intensive labeling as an alcoholic, (3) physical stability previous to treatment, and (4) proneness to guilt to be significant predictors of successful affiliation. Propositions not supported by the data were (1) ego strength and self reliance, (2) social stability previous to treatment, and (3) middle class background and experience. Results indicate the predictive prominence of psychological predispositions to be greater than social attributes, implying the importance of relatively fixed psychological traits in accounting for success in a sociotherapeutic regimen.