Determinants of the Use of Advanced Technologies

There is an extensive literature about the influences on the adoption of new technologies. However, while we often assert the role of qualifications and skills in the innovation and diffusion processes, there has been little formal econometric work in this area. One of the key reasons for this is the lack of information about human capital in firm accounts, at all levels of the organisation, including the top executive and board of directors. This paper draws on a large, firm level data set to explore the linkages between the adoption and use of 13 advanced technologies and the qualification and skill structure of the enterprise. In addition, it provides a number of further insights about the effects of ownership, firm size and industry structure.     

总裁助理——现代公司中的重要角色

每个大公司的总裁都必须有一个得力的人来辅助自己处理日常工作，这一必不可少的人就是总裁助理，根据其多年的任职经验，对总裁助理这一特殊职业进行了审视，从理论角度进行了全面的分析，并就如何成为总裁得力助手进行了阐述，相信对整日埋头于日常事物中的公司总裁助理们从理论角度会有所提高，实际工作中会有所帮助。     

Linking Mission to Learning Activities for Assurance of Learning

Can accreditation-related requirements and mission statements measure learning outcomes? This study focuses on triangulating accreditation-related requirements with mission statements and learning activities to learning outcomes. This topic has not been comprehensively explored in the past. After looking into the requirements of AACSB, ISO, and the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (QF), “mission/objective/goal/outcome, improvement, learning, activities, review, and consistent” were identified as the key elements which can be applied to designing learning activities with a teaching log. From teachers' observations and studying the reflections of learners, it was found that “Ability, Affection, All-round Development and Appreciation” improved to align with the elements of the mission statement “Capable and Caring.” It was found that guest lectures by academics and industry practitioners can also help nurture learners' overall development. These findings are of great value as a mission statement is intended to lead to action and continuous improvement; and accreditation exercises involve mission verification and validation. Longitudinal studies of a similar nature are suggested to further test the findings of the present study.     

THE CHANGING FACE OF PUBLIC FINANCING OF HIGHER EDUCATION,WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SOUTH AFRICA1

Higher education displays characteristics of both private and public goods and there is a trend worldwide to expect individuals to pay more of the costs of their higher education. In South Africa public funding of higher education decreased from 0.86% of GDP in 1986 to only 0.66% in 2006; so that student tuition fees had to be increased to compensate for this loss of income. In the process staff numbers were kept relatively constant while student numbers increased appreciably. Two future scenarios, based on public higher education expenditure as a percentage of GDP and on real state allocation per WFTES, are spelt out. Although the qualifications awarded per FTE academic staff member increased over time, the graduation rates of the higher education institutions in South Africa are worsening. High‐level research, measured in publication units per FTE academic staff member, shows a disturbing decreasing trend since 1997.     

The appointment qualifications of Muslim accountants in the Middle Ages

Historically, accountants and accounting have played a very important role in Muslim societies. Accountants, who were known as Al-Kateb (accountants/bookkeepers/accounts clerks), held very prestigious positions in government, business and society. They were the advisors and decision-makers for the rulers, business peoples and society at large. The primary objective of accounting was the ascertainment of the adequacy of the transactions from the religious view point and the appropriate calculation of Zakat (religious levy). The role and responsibilities of Al-Kateb were much broader than those that exist in many instances today. The expanded role and status of Al-Kateb resulted in the establishment of comprehensive and demanding appointment criteria. Some of these criteria were of a compulsory nature while others were optional and were known as recommended appointment requirements. This paper examines the mandatory appointment requirements that were, at large, based on Shari'ah Islami'iah (Islamic teachings) that reflects the role of Islam as a comprehensive code of life for Muslims. Technical competence was also a mandatory requirement that had to serve the religious requirements in the process of recording and interpreting business transactions. Some of the mandatory appointment requirements of Al-Kateb are, in essence, similar to current Western practices. The similarity could have been prompted by historical business relationships between Muslim and Europeans (especially Italians) since the twelfth century.     

高职国际贸易学生职业资格证与就业初探

高职国际贸易专业学生取得社会认可度较高的职业资格证书是一种增加就业机会,提高就业质量的有效途径。文章探讨了高职国际贸易专业学生参加职业资格考试的必要性,以及高职的教育工作者应当如何引导国际贸易专业学生树立正确的"考证观",处理好"职业资格证书"与"职业能力"的关系。     

网页交互与发起人资历对农业众筹项目融资绩效的影响

众筹作为互联网金融的典型模式,与农业相结合形成了农业众筹,而农业众筹作为互联网+农业的重要组成部分对中国农业发展意义重大。为了提高农业众筹项目融资绩效、增加农民收入,利用众筹网的农业众筹项目数据,研究网页交互和发起人资历对众筹项目融资绩效的影响。结果表明：网页交互因素中的项目关注分享数、评论数和最小投资额,以及发起人资历对项目融资绩效提高有显著正向影响;但因发起人所属地域不同,各因素对项目融资绩效的影响程度表现出一定的差异性。最后,根据研究结论,提出促进农业众筹项目融资效率的相关政策建议。