European Journal of Social Sciences

Volume 42 No 3
March, 2014
Practice and Level of Reflectivity amongst Student Teachers of Universiti Sains Malaysia
291-301
Azizi Yahaya, Gooh Mo Lee Halimah Maalip, Zahari Hamidon, Baharudin Arus and Gan Lui Nam
 
Abstract:
This article is about student teachers’ reflectivity and to examine how reflective practice influences their professional and personal growth. The participants consisted of nineteen student teachers from the School of Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, who were undergoing twelve weeks of practicum. Data on student teachers’ reflectivity was sourced from their journal writings and structured interviews. The level of reflectivity of each participant was assessed through the use of a revised scale adapted from the literature. Results of the analysis indicate that student teachers were hardly reflective and mostly exhibiting descriptive reflection (level 2) based on Hatton and Smith’s level of reflectivity. Through interviews and analysis of their writings, reflective practice does benefit them in their professional growth. Student teachers stated that journal writing assisted them in evaluating their teaching methods, strengths and weakness and made room for them to grow in mentioned areas. An implication of the study is to provide explicit training of the use of reflective journals in teacher training.
Keywords: Reflective, teaching method, interviews and strengths.
 
 
Elicitation Sequence Organizations in an EFL Classroom Interaction
302-311
M. L. Jirapa Abhakorn
 
Abstract:
The structure of the interrelated action sequences in a successive style has been noted by Schegloff (2007) as an example of what normally occurs in general conversation.This structure of sequences tend to be the significant feature of how teachers construct their elicitation sequences in language classrooms to achieve pedagogical goals. Through a Conversation Analysis of the corpus of teaching English as a foreign language in a Thai classroom, this research provides analyses of successive sequence organizations of teacher elicitations in order to explore how the sequences are constructed pedagogically. The results show three different patterns of successive sequences which are: successive sequences of elicitation and response, successive sequences of reformative elicitation, and successive sequences of elicitation and students' self-correction. Extracts which contain examples of these sequence organization will be examined in micro-detail to demonstrate the interactional practices of the teacher and the students to negotiate for mutual understanding of the elicitations.
Keywords:
 
 
Active Learning in High School Students’ Leisure Time
312-320
Amarin Tawata, Pitipong Yodmongkol, Nopasit Chakpitak and Pradon Sureephong
 
Abstract:
Adolescents’ leisure time may involve risky behaviors and entertainment activities that interrupt learning. At the present, learning environments are surrounding adolescents. Adolescents have opportunities to act as active learners in their leisure time. A way that supports adolescents to be active learners is active learning. However, studies of active learning has mainly focused on learning activities in class and assessed students from study outcomes. This study as the Thai Red Cross Society’s pilot project adopted a concept of active learning in high school students’ leisure time and investigated how active learning affected it. The study compared students’ leisure time activities as pretest, ongoing test and posttest. The result pointed out students’ activities can be divided into conventional and ICT activities. All ICT activities were affected by active learning. The number of the students who used the Internet for learning steadily increased with statistical significant. Additionally, the number of students who used social networking sites for interaction with peers and teachers for learning increased with statistical significant.
Keywords: Active Learning, Adolescents’ Leisure Time, High School Students, Learning activity, Learning in leisure time.
 
 
How Risky is Social Networking Site Addiction? It’s Impacts on Psychological Well-being of University Students in Malaysia
321-327
Guek Nee Ke, Siew Fan Wong, Mi Shel Kang and Siew Mun Ng
 
Abstract:
Proper use of SNS is important to maintain good psychological well-being. Previous research found that problematic use of various online applications such as instant messengers and online games is linked to loss of relationship, shyness, and alienation. Since SNS is a highly popular application nowadays, the objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between SNS addiction and psychological well-being among universities students. A total of 725 students in eight public universities in Malaysia participated in the survey. SNS addiction questions were adapted from Young’s Internet addiction scale while psychological well-being was measured using Ryff’s instrument. The results show that SNS addiction negatively influenced adolescents’ psychological well-being. All sub-dimensions of psychology well-being also correlated significantly and negatively with SNS addiction.
Keywords: Social Networking Sites, Psychological Well-being, Addiction, Self-acceptance, Excessive SNS use.
 
The Impact of Excessive SNS Usage on Social Ties among University Students
328-333
Siew Fan Wong, Guek Nee Ke, Siew Mun Ng and Mi Shel Kang
 
Abstract:
Social Networking Site (SNS) has become a popular communication medium among adolescents. Unlike traditional face-to-face interaction, SNS, being a computer-mediated communication method, exerts constraints on human interaction. It cut out non-verbal cues and often runs in asynchronous format. These constraints raise the question of how would SNS usage affects one’s social ties. This study examined the relationship between SNS usage and adolescents’ social ties. A total of 725 undergraduate students from eight public universities in Malaysia answered the survey that consisted of SNS Addiction items and Social Provisions Scale. The findings revealed that social ties were significantly and negatively correlated with excessive SNS usage. High usage level of SNS poses poor level of social ties. All seven sub-dimensions of social ties also correlated significantly and negatively with excessive SNS usage.
Keywords: Social Networking Sites, Excessive SNS Usage, Social Ties, Internet Addiction, Social Provision Scale
 
Commoditization of the Process of Textile Culture in Luang Prabang under Lao PDR’s New Economic Mechanism
334-342
Jarun Chaipratoom
 
Abstract:
This qualitative study investigates the textile culture and the commoditization of textile culture in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. The sample groups and population were in Luang Prabang area. The tools used include survey, observation, and interview and focused group discussion. The data collected then was analyzed by using Theory of Consumption, Commoditization of Culture Concept in modern consumerism, and New Economic Mechanism Concept, and presented in a descriptive analysis. The study reveals that the history of cultural heritage of textile started long before Lan Xang Kingdom period, and Luang Prabang was the capital abundantly with textile culture. In this city, numbers of tribes lived in and in every village they produced their own textile and homespun as their way of life and to follow their religious belief and traditional cultures of Lao Lum, Lao Theung, and Lao Soong. Besides, textile was also connected with the empire, thus Luang Prabang textile then was quite unique than others. This reflected that values of various types of textiles that were considered as a key cost to develop and promote additional income for Lao people under the New Economic Mechanism of Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Since the country was open and tourism was promoted, Luang Prabang was appointed as the cultural heritage city. Textile thus was reproduced as gifts and souvenirs for tourists. Textile market was created to support tourism as well. Therefore, Luang Prabang has become and known as the source of commoditization of textile that generates income to their people and nation.
Keywords: Textiles, Textile Culture, Commoditization of Textiles.
 
 
Identifying Predictor Characteristics of Visionary Leadership: An Empirical Study
343-359
Ferit Ölçer
 
Abstract:
This study attempted to extend the understanding of predictor characteristics of visionary leaders and to determine the important barriers to Visionary Leadership (VL). This study also aimed to explore whether there were any significant differences in the VL characteristics and behaviors of managers based on demographics. In this study, VL was described by ten dimensions derived from Sashkin’s VL theory and these ten leadership dimensions were utilized in the quantitative prediction of the classification of VL. Data were obtained using survey questionnaire administered to the Human Resource (HR) managers of Turkey’s large manufacturing organizations. The results of this study revealed that surveyed managers had the majority of the characteristics attributed to VL at a high degree. The results of study also suggested that communications leadership, caring leadership, visionary leadership, credible leadership, creative leadership, reward equity, and principled leadership were predictor characteristics of VL in distinguishing more visionary leaders from less visionary leaders. The shortage of time, the clinging to tradition, and the micro-management were determined as the most important barriers to VL in this study. The results also confirmed that there were significant differences in some VL characteristics and behaviors of managers based on demographics.
Keywords: Visionary Leadership, Visionary Leader, Sashkin’s Visionary Leadership Theory, Discriminant Analysis.
JEL Classification Codes: M10
 
 
A Review on the Effect of Electronic Human Resource Management Activities on Employee Satisfaction
360-367
Manizheh Adli, Seyed Amin Mousavi and Mahdis Hakami
 
Abstract:
Recently, the field of human resource management has gone through numerous technological advancements. Electronic human resource management (e-HRM) is another face of human resource (HR) by over the past few years. This new face of human resource has been occurring based on internet and intranet technology. The purpose of this study is to review the studies on relationship between electronic human resource management activities which include e-recruiting, e-training, e-communication, e-compensation and e-performance appraisal with employee satisfaction. This study only aims to review the former researches in examining the relationship among study variables. Moreover methods and methodologies which are the most useful to examine relationships between variables in this study have been recommended for future works.
Keywords: Electronic Human Resource Management, E-Recruiting, E-Training, E-Communication, E-Compensation, E-Performance Appraisal, Employee Satisfaction.
 
 
Cyber Law Enforcement in Indonesia
368-375
Adensi Timomor
 
Abstract:
Technology and law are two elements which influence each other and both also influence the society. Basically, technology was created to meet certain human needs. On the other hand, law is limitations of the behaviors of the society and its violation will cause enforced sanctions by the state. Law is required to create order in the society and give justice. The aim of this research is to investigave the cyber law in Indonesia. Internet activities are free and private activities so that they are very vulnerable to criminal activities and vulnerable to crimes which cross country borders. Law enforcement on cyber law can be done by improving legal substance, improving human resources especially law personnel, community’s support as well as cooperation between countries so that negative impacts of cyber impacts can be avoided considering the harm which can be cause which of course will impact the economics of the society in both national and international levels.
Keywords: Cyber Law, Enforcement, Indonesia.
 
 
A Novel Approach for Efficient Resources Management in Grid Computing System
376-388
Seyed Nasirodin Mirmohammadi, Majid Shishehgar and Ahmad Reza Ghapanchi
 
Abstract:
Grid is a distributed system and its main goal is to share the heterogeneous resources and media in a high volume. The heterogeneous resources may be scattered through the world. Also, Grid is a dynamic environment in which every moment several users share their resources or leave sharing. Therefore, the major problem in Grid is resource management. In this paper, we have introduced and applied a conscious search and hierarchical based model for efficient resource management in Grid distributed system. The main purpose of the proposed method is to decrease the number of messages as a result of resources searching, and to increase the resources detection and accessibility speed. The proposed method declines the amount of traffic resulted from search of resources and the management’s processing volume in comparison with previous methods. Consequently, this leads to efficiency and better performance of system.
Keywords: Distributed system, Grid computations, Resource detection, Resources searching tree, Hierarchical model, Centralized model, TTL, Conscious search, Bitmap based method, Network traffic.
 
 
 
The Prioritization of the Efficient Factors of Advertisement Strategies in Media using F. TOPSIS and F.D.AHP Technique: A Case Study of Saman Insurance Company
389-396
Ahmad MehdiPour Chayjani, Mahmoud Modiri and Saeid Emamgholizadeh
 
Abstract:
In recent years, Iran's surge of industrial development has coincided with the exponential growth of media advertisement. This atmosphere necessitates the proper choose of advertising media and prioritizing them for every company. Therefore, the present research was carried out to measure the impact of such media on industry. In this study, we attempted to prioritize the factors influencing the insurance industry via the use of media advertisements. The technique used to make the prioritization was hierarchal and TOPSIS. After identifying 31 factors influencing insurance companies, the study started to analyze the factors among 30 participants selected from industry and academic experts. In this research, we used cluster sampling to obtain our limited sample population. The main instrument for gathering data was questionnaire. The reliability of the instrument was found to be 0.87, and its face validity was also taken into account. The results finally showed that from the main factors influencing advertising strategies in insurance companies, internet, interior brochure and newsletter take the top priority respectively.
Keywords: Advertisement, advertising media, TOPSIS insurance, hierarchy.
 
 
A Relationship between the Success of Development Politics in some Arab Countries and Social Movements in the Arab World (Egypt as a Model)
397-409
Fatema AlZubaidi
 
 
 
Internal Audit Performances of Subdistrict Administrative Organizations in Ubon Ratchathani Province
410-419
Pranorm Kumpha
 
Abstract:
The objectives of this research were to study the state of internal audit performances of the internal auditors of Subdistrict Administrative Organizations (SAO) in Ubon Ratchathani province, and compare these performances among auditors with different characteristics, who came from organization with different implementation of audit operations. The research samples were 132 internal auditors of the Subdistrict Administrative Organizations in Ubon Ratchathani. The data was collected during June 2013, using stratified random sampling. The research tool used was a questionnaire with a 5-score rating scale according to Linkert’s method. The results were analyzed using SPSS. Statistics used were percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, and F-test. The results indicated that most internal auditors were of the ages between 31 to 35 years old, and held a bachelor’s degree, with accounting as the most prevalent discipline. Most were employed for finance and accounting academic positions, had 4-5 years of audit experiences, and had never attained to any audit-related meetings, conferences, or lectures. Most organizations they belonged to were medium-sized, and did not have a dedicated auditor position, but instead assigned the audit responsibility to staffs in other positions. Most organizations issued internal audit charter, developed annual audit plans, and assigned their auditors to report directly to the Chief Executive of SAO. In the last year, the most audited department was finance. The major limitation of audit activities was the uncooperativeness of the auditees. Evaluation of internal audit performance has revealed a “moderate” level of performance in all aspects of audit, with the aspects of reporting and follow-up as the best performer, followed by the aspects of planning, and actual implementation, respectively. The relationship analysis has revealed a statistically significant difference in performance between auditors with different academic disciplines, audit experiences, attendance to audit-related events, and whose organization had different dedicated positioning of auditor, issuance of audit charter, and development of annual audit plan.
Keywords: Internal audit, Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Ubon Ratchathani province.
 
 
Sources and Consequences of Boredom in Arab Education
420-426
Yazid Isa Alshoraty
 
Abstract:
This study aimed at examining the sources and consequences of boredom in Arab education. It specified teachers, curricula and students as the main sources of boredom in Arab educational institutions. Also it focused on the major consequences of boredom on Arab education.
Keywords: Boredom - Arab Education - Sources – Consequences.
 
 
Environmental Efficiency Analysis in OECD Countries
427-439
M. Sükrü Mollavelioglu, Celal Tasdogan and Hakan Mihci
 
Abstract:
One of the most impressing fields of study in modern development economics is to investigate how to reach the highest welfare level of the society through preserving environmental resources. In this context, OECD countries which currently realize the highest share of world’s goods and services production merits special attention. Therefore, analyzing environmental effects of OECD countries’ commodity production would be meaningful with respect to sustainable growth and development issues. Since achieving environmental efficiency could be considered as one of the significant indicators of maintaining development dynamics for future generations, the impact of economic expansion for the OECD countries in the first decade of the twenty first century on the environmental resources is evaluated via using non-parametric efficiency analysis. In the present paper, data envelopment technique is used together with the Window analysis. The ultimate aim of the paper is to evaluate the environmental efficiency of the OECD countries in the last decade.
Keywords: Environmental Efficiency, Data Envelopment Analysis, Window Analysis, OECD Countries, Sustainable Development.
JEL Classification Codes: O1, Q56