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An Investigation into the Effects of CyberSpace on the Users' Proficiency in Academic Writing: A Case of the Social Networking Site of Beetalk |
141-156 |
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Najmeh Shaaeri, Sara Kashefian-Naeeini and Abbas Motamedi |
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Abstract:
Recently there have been great advances in technology, namely social media technology with virtual environments as blogging, social Networkings, YouTube and Facebook. These are known as computer mediated tools that depend on Internet based applications and basically interactive and collaborative platforms to trigger EFL context and to enhance EFL development as language proficiency especially the writing skill. Writing skill is a required skill for educated students who intend to publish scientific papers in prestigious journals indexed in ISI /ISC and enables them to increase their background knowledge, gain access to higher education and establish their possible membership in the National Academy Elite. The technology and Internet softwares as Social Networking Sites (SNSs), blogging, YouTube and so on can pave the way for achieving this goal. Therefore, this qualitative study envisages to consider the value and impact of certain Social Networking sites / Applications (e.g. Bee talk) in pedagogical and educational systems to see whether or not the learners/peers promote their writing skill via cyber and upgrade the proficiency of language learning in Iranian EFL learners; it further explores if cyberspace has an impact on the users’ motivation and tendency to increase their writing skill, especially for those involved in the social Networking Site of Bee talk. This study is based on a multi-method approach in which 32 Iranian Non-TEFL P.H. candidates participate in a virtual environment as Beetalk to consider academic writing genre in L2. The results indicated that Beetalk had a low impact on task performance and a great effect on candidates’ motivation in L2 writing.
Keywords: Social Networking Sites (Bee-Talk), Academic Writing Strategies (AWS), CyberSpace, Blending technology, Collaborative Learning, Peer Response Groups.
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The Relationship between the Big Five-Factor Model, Job Stress, and Job Burnout among a Sample of Managers Working In Government Sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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157-166 |
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Firas George Tannous and Mossa M. Alkordi |
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Abstract:
This study was conducted to investigate the influence of the Big Five Dimensions of personality of the Saudi government employees on their level of job stress and job burnout. Total sample of 269 employee was used in this study. The results of this study revealed that the Saudi government employees tend to enjoy personalities that are conscientiousness and open to experience. The results of the study showed that extroversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness personality traits were negatively related with job stress and job burnout. Both Openness to Experience and neuroticism were significantly and positively correlated with job burnout and job stress. In conclusion, this study showed a positively significant correlation between personality of employees, their stress level and their burnout level.
Keyword: Personality traits, Job stress, Job Burnout.
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Applying Active Listening Strategies in EFL: An Integrated Skill Approach
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167-170 |
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Sureepong Phothongsunan |
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Abstract:
This paper addresses some active listening strategies which EFL learners can employ to facilitate, monitor and evaluate their own English listening skills. Listening today is classified as an interpretive process. The role of the listener as an active partaker in the listening process is thus emphasized. The paper sheds light on the impact that active listening may have on students’ overall language output, academic success, and enhanced performance on listening assessments with relevant, practical examples.
Keywords: Active Listening, EFL, Integrated Skill.
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The Construction of Law Institutional The Management Of Zakat through Functions of Islamic Banking in Perspective Maqasid Al-Sharia
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171-182 |
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Ahmad Dakhoir |
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Abstract:
The construction of law Institutional the management of zakat through the function of Islamic banking in Indonesia has not realized the justice of economy for those who deserve to receive zakat and for social welfare. It is affected by the forms of law of Islamic banking as a company that has been prioritizing profit and business orientation alone.
In order to realize the concept of zakat management institutions justly, it is time for Zakat management to ensure the maintenance of religious alms-either muzakki (the one who is obliged to pay the alms (zakat) and mustahiq (the one who is deserved to receive it)-, to ensure the safety of the lives of the mustahiq and to ensure the safety of the property of muzakki to mustahiq. Zakat management institutions that can guarantee the implementation of the principles of maqasid al-sharia are through the paradigm shift and the change in the concept of the function of Islamic banking radically.
The transformation of Islamic banking paradigm as intermediary institution in collecting, distributing and utilizing social religious funds such as zakat is based on the two concepts, namely the concept of fundamental change in the orientation of the business of the profit-based enterprise into social enterprise or called social enterprise theory, and the concept of the change of intermediary business profits funds into a social fund intermediary religious alms called ta’awun theory. The theory of social enterprise is a legal form of organization or company that only running intermediation principle and function of social funds that is oriented toward social benefits, not profit oriented business. The theory of ta’awun is the principal function of social enterprise in running the collection, distribution and utilization of social fund religious (zakat etc.) of muzakki to mustahiq based on compansation (donation) of aqad not based on loan.
Keywords: Institutional management of zakat, Islamic banking function, Maqasid al-Shariah
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Conceptualising Social Work and Human Rights from an Islamic Perspective |
183-192 |
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Fakir M. Al Gharaibeh and Robert Villa |
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Abstract:
This article provides a theoretical overview of conceptual and spiritual issues in human rights. It also debates Muslim and Islamic values and principles, as well as the conceptualisation of human rights from an Islamic/Western-based approach. Human rights and an Islamic perspective of the practice of social work and ethics for social workers in the Arab Muslim world are also discussed in this paper
Keywords: Social work, Islam, Muslims, Human rights, Cultural Competence
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The Nexus between Government Investment Expenditure and Private Investment in Ghana
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193-205 |
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Robert Becker Pickson and Grace Ofori-Abebrese |
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Abstract:
This study employs both ARDL model and Granger causality test to examine and test the direction of causality between government investment expenditure and private investment in Ghana for the period 1970 to 2013. The study reveals that, in both long run and short run, government investment expenditure has an insignificant negative impact on private investment. It is also established that there is a bi-causal relationship between government investment expenditure and private sector investment in Ghana. Based on the bi-causal relationship, the study advocates the need for government to invest more in physical infrastructure and human capital in order to reverse the negative and insignificant effect of government investment expenditure on private investment.
Keywords: Government investment expenditure, private investment, ARDL, Granger causality
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A Review of Inclusion in Today’s Classrooms |
206-211 |
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Dr. Amal Ibrahim |
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Abstract:
This paper reviews the background of inclusive teaching practices, defines inclusion from the perspective of education, and discusses the potential benefits and drawbacks of using classroom inclusion as an intervention approach to accessing the general curriculum. Additionally, an overview of strategies and activities are cited which may help students with disabilities to develop socially, culturally, and academically. Moreover, this paper provides some guidance and recommendations to support educators as they seek to follow the process of providing inclusion in today’s classrooms.
Keyword: : inclusion, disabled, behavior, environment, achievement
JEL Classification Code: M1; M10; M14
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Internal Control Mechanism and Financial Accountability in the Nigerian Local Government System |
212-225 |
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Abah, Emma and Ibeogu, Aloysius. S |
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Abstract:
Internal control system plays crucial role in the quest for financial accountability. Internal control and financial accountability are one of the values required in public sector organization, with the local government administration as one. This study attempts to investigate reasons behind poor internal control mechanism and lack of financial accountability in the running of the local governments in Ebonyi State. The theoretical framework for this study is institutional theory. The study established that greed, the party structure run between state governments and local governments in the country and non commitment on the part of our leaders gave rise to poor financial control system and accountability at the third tier level of administration. The implication of the study is, if adequate internal control measure and financial accountability is not instituted in the local government, it may turn to conduct pipe for carting away public fund. The paper therefore recommended at the state level should not be imposed on the people at the grassroots level rather democratic system, electorate should elect persons of their choice as the local government councilors, to ensure efficient control mechanism. Mechanism is guaranteed, it will accountability in the system to curb.
Keywords: Internal Control, Financial Accountability, Public Fund, Local government, Transparency, Ebony State.
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System Ideas: Policy Process Networks as a Framework for Analyzing and Understanding Formation of Public Universities Admission Policy in Jordan |
226-243 |
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Dr. Mohammed Orsan Al-Zoubi |
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Abstract:
Nowadays, most local policy studies are trapped in dichotomy: what is more appropriate; policy cycle or networks approach for policy analysis. These studies are also accumulated without comprehensive theoretical framework which provides better understanding to policy analysis. It is worth noting here that each of policy cycle or, policy networks could be used alone. However, doing so may lead to misunderstanding of the bigger picture of policy process and its outcomes.
To give sufficient answers to the broad questions in terms of what, Who, Why, and how policy were produced?, Policy Process Networks is introduced as a new theoretical framework for policy analysis derived from combining advantages of policy cycle and policy networks, which are located within broader frame of system idea of dynamic and interdependencies.
We argued that actors' networks participated in policy process communicated with each other and influenced the policy stages and its outcomes. The Policy Process Networks introduced as a comprehensive framework explained why policy formation may fail to produce effective performance or predictable outcomes. In relation to this, we assessed the strengths and weaknesses of public universities admission policy process and its outcomes and then suggested some alternative solutions to improve the policy process and its outcomes.
In particular, the framework of policy process networks' analysis focused on the five functional stages: agenda setting, problem definition, formulation, implementation, and evaluation, as well as activities and strategies of actors' networks involved in these stages.
Although we analyzed every policy stage and its outcomes separately, we have always linked them in systematic structure which is characterized by dynamic and interdependencies. Finally we applied Policy Process Networks as theoretical framework for analyzing local policy in practices by presenting public universities admission policy in Jordan as a case study.
Keyword:
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A 'Hybrid' Family Structure: Foreign Domestic Workers and the Economic Participation of Jordanian Women |
244-255 |
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Musa Shteiwi
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Abstract:
This study examined the impact of foreign domestic workers on the Jordanian family structure, with emphasis on traditional gender roles and the economic participation of women. Based on the premises that 1) familial insistence on the preservation of traditional gender roles hinders Jordanian women's economic participation, and 2) foreign domestic workers facilitate greater women's economic participation by easing familial burdens that result from the gender role dilemma, it identified a) the socioeconomic characteristics of family employers, b) reasons for hiring foreign domestic workers, c) dynamics involving childcare and foreign domestic workers, and d) the effects of foreign domestic workers on the gender role dilemma; moreover, it did so within the framework of working women's attitudes towards foreign domestic workers and proposed alternatives to the latter's employment. Rather than women's economic participation catalyzing a reassignment of tasks within the family, results illustrated an ironic structural arrangement that indicated foreign domestic workers' facilitation of greater women's economic participation, on the one hand, and a perpetuation of traditional gender roles, on the other.
Keywords: foreign domestic workers, economic participation, gender roles
JEL Classification No: A130, B54, Z130
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Effects of Consumer Attitude and Self-Efficacy on Purchase Intention toward Personal Service Robots in Korea |
256-266 |
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Hyung Seok Lee
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Abstract:
Many Korea’s IT companies focus their competitive priority on future growth engines such as 5G mobile communication technology and driverless car-related software and hardware. The ubiquitous robot companion development as part of these growth engines will allow consumers to use an intelligent personal robot and to control home networking systems anywhere. Therefore, this study focuses on Korean consumers’ attitudes and purchase intentions toward personal service robots. Based on the previous literature, this study examines the causal relationship between self-efficacy, attitude and purchase intention toward personal service robots. The study results reveal that both attitude toward personal service robots and attitude toward using them have positive impacts on purchase intention. In addition, self-efficacy has a positive significant influence on attitude toward personal service robots and attitude toward using them. Hence, consumers with higher levels of self-efficacy have more positive attitudes toward personal service robots and toward using them. Consumers with positive attitudes toward personal service robots have strong intentions to purchase them. The relationship between attitude toward personal service robots and attitude toward using them reveals a significant causal link.
Keywords: Robot, Personal Service Robot, Attitude, Self-Efficacy, Purchase Intention
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