Stage Of Theory Development Research Articles

A Review of Modeling Approaches for Understanding and Monitoring the Environmental Effects of Marine Renewable Energy

Understanding the environmental effects of marine energy (ME) devices is fundamental for their sustainable development and efficient regulation. However, measuring effects is difficult given the limited number of operational devices currently deployed. Numerical modeling is a powerful tool for estimating environmental effects and quantifying risks. It is most effective when informed by empirical data and coordinated with the development and implementation of monitoring protocols. We reviewed modeling techniques and information needs for six environmental stressor–receptor interactions related to ME: changes in oceanographic systems, underwater noise, electromagnetic fields (EMFs), changes in habitat, collision risk, and displacement of marine animals. This review considers the effects of tidal, wave, and ocean current energy converters. We summarized the availability and maturity of models for each stressor–receptor interaction and provide examples involving ME devices when available and analogous examples otherwise. Models for oceanographic systems and underwater noise were widely available and sometimes applied to ME, but need validation in real-world settings. Many methods are available for modeling habitat change and displacement of marine animals, but few examples related to ME exist. Models of collision risk and species response to EMFs are still in stages of theory development and need more observational data, particularly about species behavior near devices, to be effective. We conclude by synthesizing model status, commonalities between models, and overlapping monitoring needs that can be exploited to develop a coordinated and efficient set of protocols for predicting and monitoring the environmental effects of ME.

МОДЕРНІЗАЦІЯ СИСТЕМИ ЕКОЛОГІЧНОЇ БЕЗПЕКИ ЕКОЛОГО-ЕКОНОМІЧНОГО РОЗВИТКУ

The article describes in detail the essence of the ecological modernization concept, modernization conceptual provisions of the ecological safety system of sustainable development and system structure of the ecological modernization. The basic stages of theory development of the ecological modernization are considered. It has been established that eco-modernization determines the transition from a pre-green society through complex, long-lasting reforms to a green one. It envisages improvement of economic, political and social mechanisms of social development, assimilation of advanced industrial and information technologies for a certain historical period, economic forms, accompanying social and political institutions. Environmental modernization should become a nationwide strategy, making it possible to mobilize and concentrate the country’s existing resources to meet the challenges. The transition to a sustainable development model requires a harmonious combination of socio-economic growth and environmental security. An important role in this process is played by the application harmonization of technical, technological and organizational-economic innovations in the resource and environmental sphere. The introduction of innovative scientific and technological solutions, the development of high-tech industries will help increase the economy competitiveness and align its interests with the environmental and social spheres. In order to develop a mechanism for managing the ecological modernization of socio-economic development, it is necessary to establish its key tasks: the modernization type formation of environmentally-oriented activity of society; the ecological safety guarantee of innovative updating of enterprise production; the management actions coordination in the regional development system on the basis of updating the interests balance between business, government and society; enhanced reproduction of natural resources and factors based on updated technologies. Today, environmental modernization in Ukraine cannot be achieved on a large scale because of its focus on economic growth policy rather than sustainable development. The priority tasks of modernization of socio-economic development with the management purpose of ecological modernization are defined. The technological platforms of ecological development, their purpose, tasks and main directions of realization are analyzed. Keywords: environmental modernization, theory of environmental modernization, sustainable development, environmental technologies.

Knowledge visualization: Critique of the St. Gallen School and an analysis of contemporary trends

Tatiana A. Gavrilova - Professor, Head of Department of Information Technologies in Management, Saint-Petersburg UniversityAddress: 3, Volkhovsky Pereulok, St. Petersburg, 199004, Russian FederationE-mail: gavrilova@gsom.pu.ruArtem I. Alsufyev - Assistant Professor, Department of Organizational Behavior and Personnel Management, Saint-Petersburg UniversityAddress: 3, Volkhovsky Pereulok, St. Petersburg, 199004, Russian FederationE-mail: alsufyev@gsom.pu.ruElvira Y. Grinberg - Doctoral Student, Department of Information Technologies in Management, Saint-Petersburg UniversityAddress: 3, Volkhovsky Pereulok, St. Petersburg, 199004, Russian FederationE-mail: st057454@student.spbu.ru The purpose of this article is the analysis of leading European research in the field of knowledge visualization from the point of view of the accumulated theoretical base, practice of application, problems, and trends. The need for digital business transformation for survival in the era of high-speed, mobile intelligent applications and big data has become apparent. However, understanding and interpretation of information can be performed only by humans. Modern managers cope with information “explosion” through visualization. Visualization helps them to understand, to compress and to demonstrate the ocean of numbers, words, and ideas. The number of works devoted to the theme of visualization is growing every year. There are numerous studies on the visualization of networks and relationships, and visualization of communication with a consumer. Fewer articles have been devoted to the visualization of knowledge in the implementation of business practices. At the same time, scientists are examining one specific area of application of visualization and only a few contribute to the theory of the subject and study it in a versatile manner. The latter include the works of researchers from the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland), which we call in this article the St. Gallen School. We propose systematization of the following basic stages of research formation of the aforementioned School: 1) the preliminary stage, 2) the stage of empirical data accumulation, and 3) the stage of theory development. The School’s contribution to the theory and practice of management was analyzed. Its contribution to theory includes the classification of visualization techniques, a description of visualization use in business, the development of the boundary objects theory, as well as a detailed description of experimental studies. Contribution to business practices means implementation of educational projects and the development of new visual models. The fragmented nature of research is identified: theoretical work is focused on how several visual models influence the implementation of certain business practices; empirical work often describes consulting projects, but do not provide an understanding of how to apply visualization techniques when there is no researcher-consultant. Based on our analysis of the literature, we demonstrate that the major trend in information processing is focus on knowledge representation based on data, not data as such. The challenging areas related to applied research methods are highlighted as follows: lack of consistency, and lack of distinction between the concepts of “data visualization” and “knowledge visualization”. Thus, there is a need to distinguish visualization of knowledge in a separate area of study.This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (grant No. 15-18-30048)

Towards a Cohesive Theory of Cohesion

Conventional wisdom suggests that group cohesion is strongly related to performance. This may be based on the notion that better cohesion leads to the sharing of group goals. However, empirical and meta-analytic studies have been unable to consistently demonstrate a relationship between cohesion and performance. Partially, this problem could be attributed to the disagreement on the precise definition of cohesion and its components. Further, when the cohesion construct is evaluated under Cohen’s Cumulative Research Program (CRP), it is surprisingly found to belong to the category of early-to-intermediate stage of theory development. Therefore, a thorough re-examination of the cohesion construct is essential to advance our understanding of the cohesion-productivity relationship. We propose a qualitative approach because it will help establish the definitions, enable us to better test our theories about cohesion and its moderators, and provide insights into how best to enlist cohesion to improve team performance.

Conceptual Framework and Statistical Procedures for Delineating and Testing Multilevel Theories of Homology

Scholars have been interested in the extent to which organizational phenomena generalize across levels of analysis for quite some time. However, theoretical frameworks for developing homologous multilevel theories (i.e., theories involving parallel relationships between parallel constructs at different levels of analysis) have yet to be developed, and current analytical tools for testing such theories and models are limited and inflexible. In this article, the authors first propose a typology of multilevel theories of homology that considers different stages of theory development and different levels of similarity in relationships across levels. Building on cross-validation principles, the authors then delineate and demonstrate a comprehensive and flexible statistical procedure for testing different multilevel theories of homology. Finally, the authors discuss implications for theory, research, and practice, as well as potential caveats of the new statistical tests.

Implications of behavioral momentum and academic achievement for students with behavior disorders: Theory, application, and practice

AbstractIn this article, we explore the disconnect between applied behavioral research and classroom‐managed applied behavioral research. Much has been written about the gap between experimental (basic) and applied research, but for the practitioner in the field the true gap lies between tightly controlled, externally supported applied research and teacher‐managed, in‐house supported applied research. To this end, the purpose of this paper is twofold. First, a model continuum is presented to guide researchers through the stages of theory development, basic research, applied research, and applied action research. Second, the theory and application of behavioral momentum is used to illustrate how this continuum can function within an applied behavioral framework. The results of this study suggest that an intervention developed from the theory of behavioral momentum can be implemented within the context of a classroom and affect positive change in academic compliance among children identified for learning/behavioral support. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Total quality management and theory: An exploratory study of contribution

This paper explores the position of total quality management (TQM) with respect to theory. Amongst the findings of this exploratory examination is that: TQM is still in the early stage of theory development; TQM tends to be viewed as part of operations management rather than an academic subject in its own right, but this is changing and TQM is becoming established as an independent discipline; and that the works of international quality management experts such as Crosby, Deming, Feigenbaum and Juran have provided the baseline for the advancement of TQM theory through areas such as management by fact, customer focus, process orientation and teamwork. It is also pointed out that to extend the scope of TQM theory it is necessary to incorporate appropriate management theories into its development and that much remains to be done for TQM to reach the stage of 'refine/extend' in the theory building process. The paper also argues that TQM has made a contribution to management theory and some of the developments in this area are pointed out.

Hidden Dimensions Revealed: Progressive Grounded Theory Study of Quality Care in the Hospital

The delivery of quality care, although acknowledged as being vital to health care systems, is a complex, poorly understood phenomenon. This article describes an attempt to respond to the challenge of studying the meaning of quality nursing care in an acute-care hospital setting. Grounded theory method was used to progressively develop theory incorporating both patients' and nurses' perspectives. Separate studies were undertaken concurrently in the same setting, and the ongoing development of theory is continuing. The patient's perspective is presented as the central focus, with findings and data from the nurse study being used for further comparative analysis. The different levels of analysis and progressive stages of theory development are highlighted.

Nursing research: on what basis?

In the past 150 years nursing science has developed into a discipline of its own which has integrated features of various stages of theory development. So far most nursing theories, originally borrowed from other disciplines, have been adapted and moulded to suit the nursing context. The theories developed after Nightingale, such as developmental, need-oriented, interaction, system-oriented and simultaneity theories have come about this way. They have depicted the areas of interest in nursing which has thus been defined as the domain of main concepts and their interconnections. The methodological characteristics of research in science are derived on the basis of ontological and epistemological principles. The domain of nursing science is assumed to be an integral whole which is not divided into parts even for the purpose of research. Scientific data are obtained from this undivided world by means of man's human signification. In research, this undivided world is approached from the phenomenological tradition of science: particular topics are thematized as something, while the other aspects of the phenomenon are excluded. The accumulating scientific data are integrated to form a holistic body of knowledge which helps in understanding the phenomena in greater depth and from different perspectives. The historical development of nursing science reveals problems and conflicts which are derived from the tradition of empirical science of the last few decades. Research solutions following the empiricist tradition offer only limited opportunities to focus on the central research objects of nursing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)