There is a lack of tools available to support cross-cultural communication and collaboration. Current research is comprised of assessments of the need for better cross-cultural communication tools and discussions of simple guidelines for developing such a tool. Existing programs such as chat or video-conferencing have been altered to be used in a cross-cultural setting, but little data has been gathered on their effectiveness. There is a need, according to the literature in the field of Computer Supported Collaborative Work (CSCW), that cross-cultural tools be developed, researched, and comprehensively studied. The purpose of this research was to show that a simple cross-cultural communication tool can be developed to support electronic cross-cultural collaborations. BlissChat was developed in Virginia Tech's Macroergonomics and Group Decision Systems Laboratory for this purpose. The dependent measures for the study consisted of the time of completion and errors committed. The experimental design was a 2 x 2 between factor design. The factors were divided into a concordant (same language culture) group versus a discordant (different language culture) group. The other independent variable was the environment, whether they used the communication tool BlissChat, or in the ideal setting of face-to- face (FtF). The two culture groups used were Chinese first language speakers and English first language speakers. Participants who used BlissChat were able to perform their tasks as accurately as those who met FtF by not committing significantly more errors (p<0.05), but they did not perform as efficiently. The participants using BlissChat did not perform as efficiently as those meeting FtF (p<0.05). It took participants using BlissChat much longer to perform their task than participants in FtF conditions (p<0.05). The consequence of these outcomes will effect both the current use as well as the future outcomes of CCSCW. / Master of Science

Using a structural equation modeling approach, the current study examined the latent structure of psychopathy in South America and tested whether evidence for strong (scalar) invariance could be demonstrated with the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) using male offender samples from North America (N = 591) and South America (N = 409). Notably, there were more persons meeting PCL-R criteria for psychopathy in the North (22%) versus South (15%) American sample (p < .001). Still, the latent four-factor structure of psychopathy as measured by the PCL-R (Interpersonal, Affective, Lifestyle, Antisocial) demonstrated acceptable model fit in the combined North/South American sample, (CFI/TLI= .90, RMSEA= .07) as well as when the individual samples were accounted for in a configural model (CFI = .94, TLI = .93, RMSEA = .06). Full metric invariance (∆CFI = .01) and partial scalar invariance (∆CFI = .01) of the PCL-R was established between North American and South American offenders, indicating that the majority of PCL-R items were able to equally discriminate between individuals with varying levels of psychopathic characteristics and at similar levels of the underlying latent trait. At the same time, the level of latent psychopathic propensity required to meet PCL-R threshold criteria varied between North American and South American offenders—i.e., greater severity of Lifestyle and Antisocial features appeared to be necessary to differentiate between South American offenders with and without elevations in psychopathic features. Implications of these findings and future directions for research are further discussed.

PVC are extensively applied in many fields, such as cables, pipes, vehicles, shoes, toys and infusion bags. Generally, plasticizers are blended with PVC to improve the ability of process in industrial production; however, the toxic plasticizers will gradually migrate to the surface of products and such a leakage results in brittleness of plasticized PVC and environmental pollution. In other words, humans are frequently exposed to the potential risks. According to previous researches, cross-linked PVC was proved that it was able to hinder the migration of plasticizer. Thus, in this research, we selected some commercially used cross-linking agents and employed six different tests based on mechanical, tribological and microscopy analysis in order to seek the best solution against plasticizer migration. Thus, we expected to develop a cross-linked flexible PVC which performed improved long-term performance and extended lifetime.

by Chiu Chi Ming, Jimmy. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 68-77). / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.ii / APPENDICES --- p.iii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.iv / ABSTRACT --- p.v / Chapter / Chapter I. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter II. --- Transformational and transactional leadership --- p.6 / Contingent rewards --- p.9 / Management-by-exception --- p.11 / Intellectual stimulation --- p.12 / Individualized consideration --- p.14 / Charismatic leadership --- p.15 / Summary --- p.19 / Individualism and collectivism --- p.21 / Ingroup versus outgroup --- p.23 / Relating transformational and transactional leadership to the collectivistic context --- p.27 / Contingent rewards --- p.27 / Management-by-exception --- p.29 / Intellectual stimulation --- p.30 / Individualized consideration --- p.32 / Charismatic leadership --- p.34 / Chapter III. --- Method --- p.36 / Research design --- p.36 / Participants --- p.37 / Instrument --- p.40 / Analysis strategy --- p.42 / Chapter IV. --- Results --- p.48 / Confirmatory factor analysis --- p.48 / Tests of factorial invariance --- p.51 / Mean differences of latent variables --- p.53 / Hypothesis results --- p.54 / Chapter V. --- Discussions --- p.57 / Limitations and future research --- p.63 / Conclusion --- p.66 / References --- p.67 / Appendices / Chapter Appendix A --- The 40-item MLQ-1 --- p.78 / Chapter Appendix B --- Sample LISREL program --- p.80 / Chapter Appendix C --- Descriptive statistics and correlations of the 40-item MLQ-1 --- p.82 / Chapter Appendix D --- Correlations of the 5 latent variables-HK data --- p.87 / Chapter Appendix E --- Means and standard deviations of all 40 items of MLQ-1 for US and Hong Kong data --- p.88 / Chapter Appendix F --- Means and standard deviations of all 40 items of MLQ-1 for Hong Kong-ingroup and Hong Kong-outgroup data --- p.90 / Chapter Appendix G --- "Means and standard deviations of the 5 latent variables for US, Hong Kong, HK-ingroup, and HK-outgroup data" --- p.92

published_or_final_version / Psychology / Master / Master of Philosophy

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Organizacijų darbuotojai, atlikdami pavestas tarptautines užduotis, dažnai susiduria su įvairiomis problemomis, kurios gali turėti lemiamos reikšmės užduoties įvykdymo sėkmei. Nebuvo aptikta duomenų, kad Lietuvoje buvo atliktas tyrimas, kuris nagrinėtų į užsienio šalis išsiųstų organizacijos darbuotojų problemas ir siūlytų problemų sprendimo būdus. Darbo problema. Kokiomis tarpkultūrinės vadybos priemonėmis būtų galima sumažinti ekspatriantų kultūrinę atskirtį? Darbo tikslas. Remiantis tarpkultūrinės vadybos teorijomis, sukurti modelį, kuris padėtų ekspatriantams lengviau adaptuotis tarpkultūrinėje darbo aplinkoje. Uždaviniai: 1. Atlikti kultūros, vadybos bei tarpkultūrinės vadybos teorijų analizę. 2. Išanalizuoti tarpkultūrinės vadybos modelius. 3. Ištirti tarpkultūrinių ciklų stadijas bei jų svarbą organizacijoms. 4. Išanalizuoti ekspatriantų pasirinkimo ir apmokymų modelius. 5. Pasiūlyti naują tarpkultūrinį modelį, mažinantį ekspatriantų kultūrinę atskirtį. Tyrimo objektas – Lietuvos piliečiai, dirbantys tarptautinių ryšių turinčiose organizacijose bei vykdantys, besiruošiantys vykdyti ar jau vykdę organizacijos paskirtas tarptautines užduotis. Keliamos hipotezės: Hipotezė Nr. 1.: Ekspatriantų kultūrinę atskirtį mažina intensyvūs tarpkultūriniai apmokymai. Hipotezė Nr. 2.: Organizacijos pagalba tarptautinės užduoties vykdymo metu padeda sumažinti ekspatriantų kultūrinę atskirtį. Tyrimo metodai. Siekiant išsiaiškinti tarpkultūrinės vadybos įtaką ekspatriantų kultūrinei... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Business globalization trends raise the new priorities for management theory and practice. Furthermore, being the member of European Union provides new opportunities for Lithuanian companies to reach foreign markets. This situation increases the need of expatriates doing international assignments and working in foreign cultural settings. The goal of this work is – to create an international assignment model based on cross-cultural management theories and practices, which could help expatriates to adopt better to foreign organization cultures. The objectives are: 1) to make the analysis of culture, management and cross cultural management theories; 2) to analyze cross cultural models; 3) to examine the international assignment models; 4) to analyze expatriate training models; 5) suggest new cross cultural model, which minimizes cross cultural gap of expatriates. The object of the research is expatriates working in International organizations who are going to make, making or made International assignments. For research the author used such methods: 1) the analysis of scientific literature; 2) the empirical research; 3) data analysis. The first part of the work, discloses major theoretical issues of cross cultural management and organizational culture. In the second part it is made the review of expatriates International assignment models. In the third part it is given the analysis of available services of consultancy companies working in cross-cultural training business and... [to full text]

M.Ed. / Lack of community involvement in the provision of social-environmental education programmes has become a serious problem, even though some communities are aware that they should be involved. In this study an attempt is made to find out how the community is, or could be, involved in the provision of social-environmental education programmes in primary schools, that is, the issue of community involvement in a school's delivery of Environmental Education, focusing especially on social issues. Part of transforming the education system is making it democratic. The democratisation of education includes the idea that stakeholders such as parents, teachers, learners, and members of the community should be able to participate in the activities of schools. Put simply, the right to education and the duty to transform education, means that all stakeholders have new rights and responsibilities. They have rights and responsibilities concerning the way schools are run, and the way in which education takes place. It is the responsibility of the state, the parents, learners, educators, and others to provide the best possible social-environmental education for all learners. The state cannot provide everything and do everything for the school. It cannot afford to do this. Parents and members of school communities are often in the best position to know what their schools really need, and are aware of what problems exist in their schools. This is a meaningful role within the school. Therefore, there must be a partnership between all stakeholders who have an interest in education. The partners are the state, the parents, learners educators, and members of school communities.

Africa is seen as the last investment frontier and according to literature will have a GDP of $1.5 trillion by the year 2016 and a population that is double the size of Europe. The rapid expansion of infrastructure and construction in African countries, such as Mozambique and Zambia has increased the demand for commercial vehicles. This has sparked unparalleled marketing opportunities for automotive manufacturers and the continent is fast attracting major players in this sector. The international marketing literature still lacks detailed studies and research into the marketing deliberations and trades in Africa. Therefore, according literature a greater representation of African culture within the international marketing literature would provide relevance and richness in the global market place and offer greater insight to organisations who are seeking to invest and expand their businesses in Africa. The management issue here is to comprehend the diversity and vastness of this region and putting together all spheres to ensure growth and creating brand loyalty. The key challenge here is for management to be able to grasp and understand not only the various cultures but also the way of doing business in such a vastly different region. It is therefore imperative for Ford Motor Company to fully understand these factors so as to take full advantage associated with entering a market early which is commonly referred as first-mover-advantage. A case in point is when General Motors entered the Chinese automotive industry in 1997 when the Chinese market was relatively small. General Motors’ enthusiasm and commitment back in 1997 was driven by a belief that China would ultimately become an economic powerhouse and emerge as one of the world’s largest automotive markets. By the year 2010 China was one of the world’s biggest automotive markets and General Motors was a dominant force in this market. Africa has all the key elements for the growth and development of a robust automotive market. By studying past experiences and outcomes from empirical studies on international marketing with emphasis on the automotive industry, it will be possible to draw lessons and experience about the potential growth of the automotive sector on the African continent. This study will also be of great significance to other automotive manufacturers and suppliers looking to expand their business and market share across Africa due to the increase of the middle class. Therefore creative strategies and thinking of how to circumvent challenges in the African cultural environment, creativity in managing bureaucracy and due diligence about business and investment opportunities will uncover unprecedented volumes of profitable business that lies untapped on the African continent. Data from the quantitative study suggest that culture, political environment, country-of-origin, competition and country infrastructure in Nigeria, are essential factors to the development of a successful international marketing strategy for Ford South Africa. This study therefore concludes that Ford Motor Company of South Africa can utilize this framework in order to gain greater market share and ultimately success in Nigeria. Recommendations were also made for future research studies that can contribute to the international marketing literature with emphasis on the African market.