Bridging the Gap between Western and Chinese Evidence in the International Education Market

Using a sample of 1674 international students in China, the present study explores sociocultural adaptation and its determinants. The results indicate that sociocultural adaptation among international students＂ in China is largely shaped by the nature of the interaction with host nationals. In particular, among international students, those who experienced higher levels of social interaction with host nationals and received more social support were better poised for sociocultural adaptation. Rather contrary to similar research in the Western context, the study finds that international students from East Asia actually experienced more sociocultural difficulties in China than their counterparts from Western countries. These findings suggest the possibility of China and other oriental countries with sound higher education systems playing more active roles in the global higher education market.     

Workplace isolation and job performance： A study on carpet weaving women

Workplace isolation has been recognized as a critical issue in organizational theory. Studies have found that employees who felt isolated might also show low performance in their organizations. However, there is very little empirical research about the relationship between perceived isolation and job performance, and most of the studies were conducted on salespeople working in the virtual offices. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the relationship between workplace isolation and job performance in terms of productivity and emotional outcomes of carpet weaver women. In order to do this, job performance of a sample of 238 employees who were exposed to a radical workplace change was analyzed. The means of the performance variables before and after five years of the workplace change were statistically compared via paired sample t-tests and the results indicated significant differences between pre and post means of the performance variables. A qualitative research was also carried out through a number of in-depth interviews with the carpet weavers to enrich the breadth and depth of the findings. Findings of the qualitative study replicated the results of the quantitative study that monotonous and unsocial working conditions lowered the job performance of the employees.     

Avatar-based learning in Second Life

Over the years, Second Life has provided ways for the world of academia to put creativity lending to immersive education, distance learning, knowledge sharing, faculty networking and many other ways to enhance the collective educational community＇s efforts in the real world. The success of such projects within Second Life can be credited to many innovative educators, academics and students who have chosen to utilize Second Life in education. Second Life was honored at the 59th Annual Technology ＆ Engineering Emmy Awards for advancing the development of online sites with user-generated content in 2008. Second Life is an open platform where information is generally freely available to all residents. This freedom is a mixed blessing. While on the one hand, free and open content promote creativity through what is known as ＂derivative works＂, which means work based on something someone has done previously, on the other hand it has a tendency of not crediting people properly for original innovative work. This research aims to investigate perceptions of using and continuance decisions of using Second Life Virtual Classroom as learning tools in the existing life. The research will use web based questionnaire to gather respondents. Particularly, the questionnaire surveys participants＇ perceptions of the usefulness, ease of use, perceived value, perceived quality, satisfaction, and expectation of Second Life Virtual Classroom as learning tools and their intention to re-use Second Life Virtual Classroom in education. It also questions the factors that influence participants＇ perceptions.     

Thailand＇s 2011 Flood： Household Damages,Compensation and Natural Catastrophe Insurance

This study looks into how households＇ experience with the July-December 2011 flooding in Thailand influences their desire to have flood insurance coverage. It also evaluates coverage and flood depth as the two salient features of the National Catastrophe Insurance Fund （NCIF）, which was established in March 2012 in response to the 2011 Thailand flooding. Altogether 600 households were interviewed in this study to represent the middle and poor households from three areas in Thailand： Nonthaburi, Bangkok, and Pathum Thani. The households＇ flood experience was represented by three variables： （1） damages incurred; （2） compensation received; and （3） level of the flood depth inside their houses. The household survey revealed that damages averaged USD 2,393 for poor households and USD 8,087 for middle households with average flood depth being 127 cm and 83 cm, respectively. Computed damage cost includes both direct costs （damages to property and expenses to repair or replace, cleanup costs） and indirect costs （time spent of family members and volunteer workers as well as loss of earnings）. Middle and poor households affected by the floods received compensation from the government averaging at USD 683 to USD 734. The NCIF offers a maximum coverage of THB 100,000 （USD3,100） for a maximum flood depth of 1 m inside the house. This is clearly higher than compensations received, particularly since low-income households experienced an average flood depth of 127 cm. Unfortunately, these households had no insurance coverage. The same is true for the middle-income households. At 83 cm, had they secured a disaster insurance, the coverage received would have been higher than the compensation they received from the government. Unfortunately only 7% of those interviewed had disaster insurance coverage. What prevents people from getting insurance？ This study found out that despite the bad experience from Bangkok flooding and that over half believed that there is more than 70% chance that a flood a     

Large Family Card as an Instrument of Supporting Families With Many Children

The aim of the article is to assess the efficacy of the large family card and its relevance to the real needs of families with many children, using the example of Poland. The large family card is a general term standing for locally implemented programmes that are aimed at families with many children. The idea behind the programme is to create a positive image of a large family. The very name of the programme serves the purpose of combating negative stereotypes and presenting large families as active and resourceful. The paper presents the results of empirical research conducted with cardholders and implementers of programs in selected Polish cities （questionnaire survey and focus group interviews with participants and interviews with program coordinators from 15 programs）. Empirical research was conducted in the period from December 2013 to April 2014, and was funded by the National Science Centre. The study included all programs started by the end of2011. The conclusions enable a number of anomalies and weaknesses of the programs to be seen and indicate directions for further development of this promising initiative. The program is perceived very positively by large families, although it has little influence on family situation. Apart from its positive impact on the diversification of sports and recreation activities, it does not basically play any role in supporting the condition of the family. Neither healthcare nor the educational aspect is attractive enough to interest the family. The basic reason for the low quality of programs is primarily the lack of proper communication and knowledge about the real problems affecting large families.     

An Empirical Study on Teaching Non-English Major Adult Students Reading with Allusions and Their Stories

Effective English reading requires readers not only possess good English grammar, flexible reading skills and plentiful vocabulary but also master rich cultural background knowledge.However, for the adult students educated in the Continuing Education College, it is rather obvious that they have troubles learning English The author of this thesis pro-posed a new idea of English reading teaching-teaching with allusions and their stories in English reading class.The author tries to apply the relationship between schema theory and reading in the process of teaching adult students so that they can get a deeper understanding of English allusions and their stories.The author of this thesis did an empirical research and made a quantitative analysis for pretest and posttest.The result of this research indicates that to improve English reading proficiency, either teachers or students should attach equal importance both to language structures and to cultural background knowledge.     

Effects of Turkish top managers＇ emotional and spiritual intelligences on their organizations＇ financial performance

This study proposed and tested a model that included the possible effects of Turkish top managers＇ spiritual and emotional intelligences on their organizations＇ financial performance. Two instruments, the short versions of ＂emotional quotient inventory （EQ-i：S）＂ and ＂integrated spiritual intelligence scale （ISIS）＂ were preferred to measure the two intelligences of top managers, who were selected from the organizations in the organized industrial zones of Istanbul. It was difficult to retrieve the financial data directly, and thus, the top managers were required to rate their organizations＇ financial performance relative to the competitors. The results were that some relationships were present among the factors of emotional and spiritual intelligences, but there wasn＇t a mixture （a combination） of these factors, and each of spiritual intelligence factors affected financial performance very weakly, whereas most factors of emotional intelligence didn＇t. The model showed that the two intelligences failed to affect financial performance positively altogether.     

Roots of Tomorrow＇s Digital Divide： Documenting Computer Use and Internet Access in China＇s Elementary Schools Today

This paper explores China＇s digital divide, with a focus on differences in access to computers, learning software, and the Internet at school and at home among different groups of elementary school children in China. The digital divide is examined in four different dimensions： （i） between students in urban public schools and students in rural public schools; （ii） between students in rural public schools and students in private migrant schools; （iii） between migrant students in urban public schools and migrant students in private migrant schools; and （iv） between students in Han-dominated rural areas and students in areas inhabited by ethnic minorities. Using data from a set of large-scale surveys in schools in different parts of the country, we find a wide gap between computer and Internet access of students in rural areas and those in urban public schools. The gap widens further when comparing urban students to students from minority areas. The divide is also large between urban and rural schools when examining the quality of computer instruction and access to learning software. Migration does not appear to eliminate the digital divide, unless migrant families are able to enroll their children in urban public schools. The digital divide in elementary schools may have implications for future employment, education and income inequality in China.     

Qualities needed in the workplace： Views of college of business undergraduate students

The problem of this study was to determine the views of undergraduate college of business students concerning skill and competencies needed for employment. A questionnaire was developed and administered to junior and senior level students enrolled in the college of business. 360 students completed the questionnaire. Students ranked ＂Integrity/Honesty＂ and ＂Good Work Ethic＂ as the two most important qualities needed for employment. Students believed that ＂Knowledge of a Second Language＂ was the least important quality needed for employment.     

Strategic Drift and Strategic Crisis Management of Organization

The research reports how the choice of the organization behavior--strategic drift can lead to strategic crisis as a form of manifestation of a deepening organizational crisis. The research questions whose solution is sought are connected with the relation of strategic drift--strategic crisis--strategic crisis management, in terms of whether the errors in the process of strategic management lead to organizational crises. The results of the historical analysis of the theoretical research and practice in this field show the interdependence among these processes and the reasons for strategic crisis in support of the concept of strategic crisis management and its implementation in business. The study outlines the evolution of the theory of strategic drift, as well as opinions of various scientists on the types of crises, which are perceived as a uniform classification and universal interpretation of the term ＂strategic crisis＂. The organization＇s ＂strategic drift＂ leads to serious organizational crisis which first form that strategic crisis. Practice shows that the management of market leaders often leads to complacency, choosing strategy stability. Soon, as a result of aggressive strategies or implemented innovations of their competitors, they lose their competitive position.     

Marketing and Territorial Factors： An Integrated Study of the Accommodation Choice in the Island of La Palma

The literature has highlighted the relevance of segmenting the tourism market as a start point for developing the right tourism policy recommendations. The present study examines the rural tourism market on the island of La Palma （Canary Islands） and its relationship with territorial factors. Specifically, it attempts to establish the role played in tourists＇ accommodation location choice by territorial and related factors （for instance, the area of the island, proximity to the beach, hours of sunshine, etc.） compared to other factors. A sample of 316 tourists who holidayed in rural tourism accommodation in La Palma during the period from July to September in 2007 was selected for this purpose. The methodology consisted of a preliminary analysis of the associations between the variables and their modalities, followed by a multiple correspondence analysis （MCA）. The results of the study allow to conclude that the weight of territorial variables in the choice of destination and accommodation location can vary substantially depending on the market segment considered.     

Socialization of Values Through “Strategic Poles”

Two groups of second grade from a senior high school that is part of The Autonomous University of Sinaloa in Mexico （N1 = 47 and N2 = 46） were selected. Each group was divided by gender. The “average score” was measured as an indicator of academic achievement, before and after the intervention. In one of the groups, an intervention called “Socialization of Values Through Strategic Poles” was performed, while in the other group there was not intervention. The six students with highest academic achievement were trained about the importance of practicing life values such as respect, honesty, responsibility, self-discipline, solidarity and tolerance, as important aspects of being a good person and developing their human potential. These values were chosen according to the Association for Living Values Education International （ALIVE）; the values were discussed within the classroom where the students ranked them. Groups called “Strategic Poles to Socialize Values” were formed with the expectation that students with higher academic achievement influenced the students with lower achievement, so the latter could improve their academic performance. From the comparative study, the results showed that the group which received the intervention had higher achievement than the group that received no intervention. Women in the group that received intervention performed better than men of the same group. The performance of the research through intervention allowed us to observe its usefulness and to propose it as a viable option to promote values in today＇s society, both in business and school.     

英文文摘

Budweiser-water and wine, circle for ever
As one of the global leaders in the beer production field, Budweiser China always makes all their best to reduce its effect on environment in their producing process to make a better world. The long term committment of seeking for a sustainable development in China,     

Effects of Demographic Characteristics of Logistics Firms on Their Performance and Job Satisfaction of Their Employees

This study investigates the effects of demographic factors of the logistics firms＇ employees （gender, age, education level, experience level, and department） on their job satisfaction and the effects of demographic factors of the logistics firms （company type, capital nature, and company experience level） on their performance of logistics activities about information technologies, interior relationship, and transportation based on the scale developed by the same authors and the sample of 39 logistics firms selected randomly in the city of Mersin and Adana in Turkey. According to findings, none of the demographic factors of the employees does aft~ct their job satisfaction. In terms of the demographic factors of the logistics firms, their experience level in the field is found to be significant in their logistics activities about information technology. In general, as the firm＇s experience increases, they perform better on information technology.     

University Company Government Interaction： FAPEMIG as Propeller Agent of the Scientific-Technological Development in Minas Gerais, Brazil

This article aims to present the main indicators for Science, Technology, and Innovation （ST＆l） generated by the Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais （FAPEMIG） in four years （2008-2011）. The methodology used was a case study, with documentary research, held in the annual reports of activities of the foundation. The results showed that all indicators analyzed in aggregate form, evolved gradually. It is concluded that the FAPEMIG comes complying with their mission to induce and encourage research and scientific and technological innovation for the development of the State of Minas Gerais in the southeast region, maintaining the recognition as one of the main agents of development inductors ST＆I in Brazil.     

China as a Global Manufacturing Powerhouse： Strategic Considerations and Structural Adjustment

This study examines the nature and consequences of China＇s rise to the center of world economic affairs through manufacturing-led development. Our historical analysis shows that China is still well short of the point in its developmental process where its growth might be reasonably expected to slow, or the energy, resource and carbon intensity of growth to recede. The study argues that the current trajectory of industrialization will have to be altered when China becomes more actively engaged in dealing with structural issues at home and abroad against the background of the unwinding of global imbalances. One profitable strategy that China might employ wouM be to approximate the incredibly fruitful mass-market integration efforts of the USA that eventually elevated it to its position of global primacy. The cyclical re-emergence of excess capacity in Chinese heavy industry, serious questions about the medium term ability of other major regions to accommodate further large gains in Chinese market share, and the stark conflict between the contemporary style of industrial development and the health of the biosphere indicate strongly that now is the time to catalyze the required adjustment and reform processes that will underpin sustainable long-run prosperity.     

Study on Real Estate Investment Trusts and application in China

The Real Estate Investment Trusts （REITs） is a mature investment and financing tool in the real estate market abroad. RE1Ts is able to deploy resource, circulate necessary funds and disperse risk effectively. It is the feasible effective way and necessary choice during the real estate finance innovation. But there is a big gap between RE1Ts in China and the mature RE1Ts abroad. Because RE1Ts in China puts more attention on the financing function of the real estate. Besides, because the relevance law and the market environment are not perfect, REITs couldn＇t exploit its advantages very well in China. It needs to be developed in the practice. This paper starts with introducing the concept of REITs. Then the paper goes on to tell the types and characteristics of REITs aboard. It continues to study the experience of mature RE1Ts in the market and finds out disadvantages which China＇s RE1Ts have. Based on above research, the paper considers about the situation in China and states the mode of RE1Ts we should choose in China. At the same time, the paper points out the important problems we should deal with when we develop REITs in China.     

Enhancing the Awareness of Teachers' Personalities and the Effects upon Their Teaching Practice

It has become far clearer that ifa teacher has anything really valuable to contribute to his or her students＇ development, it will come through the expression of his or her own personality. As regards to research into teachers＇ personality, a teacher＇s function, therefore, is not to create students in his or her own image, but to develop students to create their own image, through, to an extent, the presentation of his or her personality. In this regard, studying teachers＇ personality is of significance in teaching practice, for, in due course, there are teachers＇ personal cultural interpretation and social recognition involved. In this research hereby, I would like to broaden such awareness by reviewing and reflecting some important relevant studies; and approving their suggesting applicability in teaching practice.