Personal development on youth expeditions: a literature review and thematic analysis

Youth expeditions are associated with a range of benefits for participants. More young people are participating in overseas expeditions than ever before as vacation and gap year choices are diversified by a rising number of expedition providers. To date, there has been no systematic research effort to draw together and evaluate the evidence that underpins the benefits or, otherwise, for youths participating in overseas expeditions. This paper reviews empirical and philosophical literature which has been published in a range of journals and themes emerging are placed into a personal growth model. This review (or mapping exercise) focused on post-1990 literature and found 35 key publications which met the criteria: youth expedition; duration exceeding 14 days, self-propelled, and based overseas or out-of-state. The 35 publications (UK 26; USA 4; Australia 3; Japan 1; South Africa 1) were subjected to a thematic analysis using Greenaway’s ‘Four Arrows’ model of personal growth. Outcomes associated with overseas youth expedition participation included (1) upward personal growth (realising potential) including increased confidence; physical and social resilience; self-reliance and ability to overcome challenges, (2) outward personal growth (learning about & relating to others), (3) inward personal growth (learning about self) and (4) downward personal growth (learning about environment). The processes that were valued in overseas expeditions and which, with some caution, may be linked with some of the aforementioned outcomes include: genuine independence; group isolation and self-sufficiency; person-centred leadership; positive responses to stress and physically demanding activity. Suggestions for areas for further meaningful research are offered.     

Temporal Dynamics of Crossvergence: Institutionalizing MNC Integration Strategies in Post-Crisis ASEAN

This study utilizes the temporal lens afforded by the unprecedented pace of the Asian financial crisis to re-conceptualize the convergence-divergence-crossvergence (CDC) framework. Grounded at the Western-headquartered ASEAN subsidiary, CDC is hypothesized as a dialectical progression comprising Western corporate culture (convergence) ASEAN societal culture (divergence) and ending with the institutionalization of these forces (crossvergence) as a transient re-equilibrium. Against a backdrop of increasing macro-level turbulence, the CDC dialectic is then fed through a dyadic cycle of environmental shocks and organizational responses. Managerial implications are discussed along with suggestions for future research.     

Unions, progressive taxes, and education subsidies

Progressive income taxes moderate distortionary wage demands by trade unions and thereby reduce unemployment, and at the same time underlie disincentives to acquire skills and decrease labour productivity. Governments can respond by combining progressive taxes with subsidies to investment in human capital. A system of generous education subsidies and steep progressive tax rates is more likely to emerge, the greater the market power of trade unions and the better the ability of governments to influence private education decisions. Empirical analysis for several OECD countries provides results consistent with these propositions. A policy mix of high education subsidies and relatively progressive income taxes is found in countries where union membership is significant.     

突变评判法在生态效率评价中的应用研究

对于生态效率评价这类多指标集成的问题,无论采用何种技术方法,只有减少权重赋值的主观性才能体现评价结论的客观性和科学性。本文以无锡新区生态工业示范园区、苏州工业园区生态工业园和苏州高新区三个园区为例,提出了生态效率评价的突变级数法,该法不使用权重,只需按指标间的内在逻辑关系对指标的重要程度进行排序,很大限度地避免了人为制定权重的主观性。同时,对三个园区的循环经济发展水平进行定量对比。     

Thematic Modules in an Asynchronous Learning Network: A Scandinavian Perspective on the Design of Introductory Courses

This paper discusses an educational philosophy and proposes a framework for structuring introductory courses in higher education. The philosophy is rooted in a Scandinavian tradition of social settings. Two elements are central in the philosophy: First, the notion of a thematic module (TM) which is a unit for studying a limited subject matter or topic. Second, asynchronous learning networks (ALN), which is the use of computer mediated communication for time and place independent collaborative learning. To evaluate the philosophy, a course, "Introduction to Informatics," was designed and offered to forty-three business administration majors. Three central assumptions of the philosophy guided the design and evaluation of the course. First, thematic modules are appropriate for structuring an introductory course, second, asynchronous learning network is a viable environment to enhance thematic modules, and third, TM in ALN is a suitable approach for educators who wish to engage students and fellow educators in constructive and collaborative learning activities. To investigate the assumptions, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analyzed. The quantitative data gathered are very limited, but give indication for further research. The paper ends with a tentative framework for design of introductory courses using TM and ALN.     

评《人类之树》第十九章的文体和主题特征

《人类之树》是澳大利亚作家帕特里克.怀特的最为脍炙人口的作品,其中第十九章写的是塞玛尔夫妇短暂的归家探视。怀特通过人物塑造、打破传统的语言规则、利用象征意象等手法,深切表达了对人类命运的关注。     

基于利益相关者／平衡记分卡的集团公司绩效评价研究

本文基于利益相关者理论,并借鉴平衡计分卡的原理,设计了集团公司对子公司的绩效评价体系。并以S集团公司为案例,按照所设计的绩效评价体系,运用突变级数评价法对该集团公司18个子公司的绩效进行了计算和评价。运用平衡记分卡设计的评价体系更加全面,且考虑了诸多利益相关者的诉求,选择的突变级数评价法计算简单,不存在确定权重的问题,减少了主观性。     

主位推进模式与英语写作的连贯性

合理的主位推进模式能够提高语篇的衔接性和连贯性。本文基于主位结构理论,以一篇学生作文为例,具体分析学生在作文中易犯哪些有关主位结构方面的错误,以及课堂教学中如何引导学生去纠正这些常见错误,从而达到语篇的衔接和连贯的目的。     

经典传说解构中重塑女性形象——以李碧华《青蛇》为例

作为中国民间集体智慧产物的＂白蛇传＂传说,往往带有不可规避的男性中心视角,而李碧华的中篇小说《青蛇》对民间传说＂白蛇传＂的重写,从主题上,解构了男权话语;从人物形象上,颠覆传统阐释,发掘了被掩盖的小青形象和被理想化的白素贞形象;从女性意识上,灌注了现代都市女性意识。李碧华的这种女性抒写试图打破男权中心文化中的＂想象女性＂的女性异化形象,还原女性真实的生活面貌,在解构中重塑女性形象,探讨女性命运。