Voluntad nacional y narrativa de guerra: una lectura desde la geopolítica crítica

Jeffrey Kubiak (2014) War Narratives and the American National Will in War. Nueva York: Palgrave Macmillan. 221 pp. ISBN 978-1-137-42620-8.

Theory development in humanitarian logistics : A framework and three cases

Purpose: There is a need for theory development within the field of humanitarian logistics to understand logistics needs in different stages of a crisis and how to meet these. This paper aims to discuss three dimensions identified in logistics and organization theories and how they relate to three different cases of humanitarian logistics operations - the regional concept of the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies, the development and working of the United Nations Joint Logistics Centre and coordination challenges of military logistics in UN mandated peacekeeping operations. The purpose is to build a framework to be used in further studies. Design/methodology/approach: A framework for the study of humanitarian logistics along three dimensions is developed, followed by a discussion of the chosen cases in relation to these dimensions. The framework will be used as basis for the case studies to be undertaken for the purpose of understanding and identification of new questions and needs for other or revised concepts from theory. Findings: The paper shows the relevance of a wide literature to the issues pertinent to humanitarian logistics. There is considerable promise in extant literature on logistics, SCM and coordination, but this needs to be confronted with the particular issues seen in the humanitarian logistics setting to achieve further theory development. Originality/value: The major contribution of the paper lies in its breadth of theoretical perspectives presented and combined in a preliminary theoretical framework. This is applied more specifically in the three case studies described in the paper.

Test Anxiety, Coping, Gender and Academic Performance in English Exams: A Study of Finnish Upper Secondary School Students

In this MA thesis, test anxiety related to English exams among Finnish upper secondary school students was studied. In addition, the ways students try to cope with test anxiety were investigated. The purpose of the study was to investigate gender differences in test anxiety, the effects of test anxiety on academic performance and relationships between test anxiety, academic performance and coping strategies. Test anxiety and coping strategies were analysed as scores of questionnaire responses. Coping strategies comprised of three categories – task-orientation and preparation, seeking social support and avoidance. Academic performance was analysed as teacher ratings of general performance in English exams. In total 67 subjects were studied. The subjects were Finnish general upper secondary school students. The data were collected by using online questionnaires. This data were mainly quantitative, but also qualitative elements were included. The quantitative data were analysed by using statistical methods. The results showed that females experienced statistically significantly more test anxiety than males. In addition, a statistically significant correlation was found between test anxiety levels and academic performance ratings of the subjects: the higher the test anxiety score, the lower the academic performance rating. A meaningful correlation was found between test anxiety and seeking social support as a coping strategy: a higher test anxiety score was related to using social support as a coping strategy. However, no relationships were found between academic performance and the three coping strategies when quantitative and qualitative data were analysed. Therefore, different coping strategies per se did not seem to be related to academic performance, but instead it was assumed that the effectiveness of coping strategies is dependent on individual differences. In order to obtain more generalisable results and to gain more understanding of test anxiety and coping with it, a larger number of subjects form different areas of Finland and of different ages could be examined in future studies. Moreover, cross-national and cross-cultural studies could provide valuable information. As a practical recommendation for educational purposes, the results of this study indicated that a more individualised approach is needed.

It's not just the television: survey analysis of sedentary behaviour in New Zealand young people

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behaviour has been linked with adverse health outcomes in young people; however, the nature and context of being sedentary is poorly understood. Accurate quantification and description of sedentary behaviour using population-level data is required. The aim of this research was to describe sedentary behaviour among New Zealand (NZ) youth and examine whether sedentary behaviour differs by Body Mass Index (BMI) status in this population.

METHODS: A national representative cross-sectional survey of young people aged 5-24 years (n = 2,503) was conducted in 2008-2009. Data from this survey, which included subjectively (recall diary; n = 1,309) and objectively (accelerometry; n = 960) measured sedentary behaviour for participants aged 10-18 years were analysed using survey weighted methods.

RESULTS: Participants self-reported spending on average 521 minutes per day (standard error [SE] 5.29) in total sedentary behaviour, 181 minutes per day (SE 3.91) in screen-based sedentary activities (e.g., television and video games), and 340 minutes per day (SE 5.22) in other non-screen sedentary behaviours (e.g., school, passive transport and self-care). Accelerometer-measured total sedentary behaviour was on average 420 minutes per day (SE 4.26), or 53% (SE 0.42%) of monitored time. There were no statistically significant differences in time spent in sedentary behaviour among overweight, obese and healthy/underweight young people.

CONCLUSIONS: Both subjective and objective methods indicate that NZ youth spend much of their waking time being sedentary. No relationships were found between sedentary behaviour and BMI status. These findings extend previous research by describing engagement in specific sedentary activities, as well as quantifying the behaviour using an objective method. Differences in what aspects of sedentary behaviour the two methods are capturing are discussed. This research highlights the potential for future interventions to target specific sedentary behaviours or demographic groups.

A study to determine whether the needs of the physically handicapped are being met by the hotels in the city of Miami Beach, Florida

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the needs of the physically handicapped traveler are being met by the hotels in the City of Miami Beach, Florida. A sample was drawn from the hotel population. Mail questionnaires and personal interviews were used as the methods for collecting the data from the sample. The data was compiled and a hotel mean was computed. A mean was also calculated from the standards recommended by the American National Standards Institute to the American Hotel and Motel Association. The statistical test, The Significance of Difference Between Two Means, was used to test the hypothesis. A significance of difference was found and the hypothesis: The hotels in the City of Miami Beach, Florida, are not meeting the needs of the physically handicapped traveler, was accepted.

Contenido y alcance del acto preparatorio punible de ordenar en el artículo (8) (2) (e) (viii) del Estatuto de Roma

“La Unidad de Víctimas de la Fiscalía de la CPI envió en agosto de 2015 a la Clínica Jurídica Internacional de la Universidad del Rosario la siguiente pregunta: “En cuanto al rechazo de la cámara de la solicitud de autorización para apelar presentada por la Defensa en el caso Ntaganda contra la “Solicitud de Defensa de autorización para apelar la decisión sobre la confirmación de los cargos de fecha 09 de junio 2014” de la Sala de cuestiones preliminares I, No ICC-01/04-02/06-322, 7 de Julio de 2014), el artículo 8(2)(e)(viii) del Estatuto de Roma requiere que la Fiscalía demuestre que una orden específica fue dada por el autor para ejecutar el desplazamiento ilegal de la población civil? ¿Y cuál es la relación (semejanzas y diferencias) entre el delito de desplazamiento ilegal en virtud del artículo 8 (2) (e) (viii) del Estatuto de Roma, y el crimen de persecución en virtud del artículo 7 (1) (h)? En términos más generales, ¿cuál es el ámbito de aplicación del crimen de guerra de desplazar a la población civil en virtud del artículo 8 (2) (e) (viii) del Estatuto de Roma? Por favor, incluya en su respuesta un análisis de la historia de la redacción de la disposición pertinente (s) del Estatuto de Roma y los Elementos de los crímenes, así como de la jurisprudencia pertinente de otros tribunales penales internacionales sobre el crimen de guerra de desplazar a la población civil…”

Estado de necesidad: la Cruz Roja Española en Marruecos (1886-1927)

Este trabajo estudia la función central que los Estados-nación continuaron teniendo en la Cruz Roja durante el periodo de entreguerras. A finales del siglo XIX, España lideró la creación de instituciones humanitarias de estilo europeo en Marruecos. Sin embargo, su secular inestabilidad como Estado, agravada por el desastre colonial de 1898, terminó con el proyecto regeneracionista de una Cruz Roja marroquí. Cuando en 1912 se estableció el protectorado español, la Cruz Roja Española quedó marginada por la competencia francesa, la internacionalización de Tánger y el rechazo local. Éste último culminó en la llamada Guerra del Rif de 1921-1927, mezcla de revuelta anticolonial y guerra internacional, que expuso de forma cruda las prolongadas necesidades del Estado español y su Cruz Roja. This article studies the central role of nationstates in the Red Cross during the interwar period. In the late nineteenth century, Spain pioneered the creation of European-style humanitarian institutions in Morocco. However, its perennial instability as a state, aggravated by the colonial disaster of 1898, put an end to the regenerationist project of a Moroccan Red Cross. When the Spanish protectorate was established in 1912, the Spanish Red Cross was overshadowed by competition from its French counterpart, the internationalization of Tangiers and resistance from the local inhabitants. This culminated in the so-called Rif War of 1921- 1927, a mixture of anticolonial revolt and international war that vividly exposed the ingrained deficiencies of the Spanish State and its Red Cross.

Migrantes centroamericanos en su paso por México: sufrimiento y dolor

Hoy se empiezan a sentir con mucho más fuerza las consecuencias de la globalización, entre ellas encontramos la migración. Es esencial debido a que está ocurriendo en los cinco continentes, cada vez con mayor frecuencia, e irónicamente conlleva un problema que “supuestamente“en el siglo XXI no debería estar ocurriendo: la violación a los derechos humanos de los migrantes. Se habla de que las personas migrantes sufren mucho con la finalidad de poder obtener una mejor calidad de vida para sus familias, ya que en sus países de origen no tienen esta oportunidad. Esta no es la excepción de los migrantes centroamericanos quienes tienen que cruzar México para poder llegar al país de los “sueños¨: Estados Unidos. El 100% de los transmigrantes centroamericanos sufre graves vulneraciones a sus derechos lo cual es sumamente preocupante, porque detrás  de estas violaciones se encuentran plasmados la corrupción, el crimen organizado, la impunidad  y, sobre todo, la falta de tolerancia. Estos fenómenos están gobernando actualmente al mundo.Nowadays, the repercussions of globalization greatly affect many sectors of society and among these, migration is one of them. It is of great importance and value to wake interest in this topic due to the fact that it is happening with more and more frequency in all five continents. Furthermore, it is truly unfortunate that the violation of the human rights of these migrants is still a reality we must face in this 21st century. It is said that those who migrate from a country to another, do it so to guarantee a superior quality of life for themselves and their respective families. Nonetheless, many individuals must suffer significantly before reaching this. Central-American migrants, who must cross Mexican territory in order to attain the “American Dream”, are not the exception in this case. Moreover, up to 100% of Central American migrants, who cross Mexican territory, face a cruel reality marked by transgressions to their human rights. Finally, this issue is of great concern for the region due to the fact that behind this curtain of transgressions, many other tribulations such as corruption, organized crime, impunity and intolerance are involved. Indeed, these evils affect the region and the entire globe.

A cross-national comparison of cultural value orientations of Indian, Polish, Russian and American employees

This study examines the cultural value orientations (VOs) of employees (managerial and non-managerial) working in three categories of organizations (professional, technical and local services) in India, Poland, Russia and the USA. The analysis is conducted at both the national and organizational levels. The paper hypothesizes cultural differences at the country level and cultural similarities among employees working for professional and technical oriented organizations and divergence in the VOs of employees working for local services organizations. It also hypothesizes differences in the VOs of managerial and non-managerial employees in the four countries. The investigation has been conducted with the help of a questionnaire survey of 1,852 respondents. The outcomes of the analysis show that there are both cross-country cultural differences and similarities among the VOs of employees of the four nations. Further, significant cultural convergence emerges in the VOs of employees working for both professional and technical organizations, however, no significant cultural similarities or differences are observed for employees of service-based organizations in the four countries. There are some similarities emerging between managerial employees in the research countries. The research contributes to the fields of cross-cultural management, international management and international human resource management.

Changing American Congregations: Findings from the Third Wave of the National Congregations Study

The third wave of the National Congregations Study (NCS-III) was conducted in 2012. The 2012 General Social Survey asked respondents who attend religious services to name their religious congregation, producing a nationally representative cross-section of congregations from across the religious spectrum. Data about these congregations was collected via a 50-minute interview with one key informant from 1,331 congregations. Information was gathered about multiple aspects of congregations’ social composition, structure, activities, and programming. Approximately two-thirds of the NCS-III questionnaire replicates items from 1998 or 2006-07 NCS waves. Each congregation was geocoded, and selected data from the 2010 United States census or American Community Survey have been appended. We describe NCS-III methodology and use the cumulative NCS dataset (containing 4,071 cases) to describe five trends: more ethnic diversity, greater acceptance of gays and lesbians, increasingly informal worship styles, declining size (but not from the perspective of the average attendee), and declining denominational affiliation.

Welfare Effort and Poverty from the Monetary and Capabilities Approach: A Cross-Country Analysis in Latin American and the Caribbean (1990-2010)

There is abundant empirical evidence on the negative relationship between welfare effort and poverty. However, poverty indicators traditionally used have been representative of the monetary approach, excluding its multidimensional reality from the analysis. Using three regression techniques for the period 1990-2010 and controlling for demographic and cyclical factors, this paper examines the relationship between social spending per capita —as the indicator of welfare effort— and poverty in up to 21 countries of the region. The proportion of the population with an income below its national basic basket of goods and services (PM1) and the proportion of population with an income below 50% of the median income per capita (PM2) were the two poverty indicators considered from the monetarist approach to measure poverty. From the capability approach the proportion of the population with food inadequacy (PC1) and the proportion of the population without access to improved water sources or sanitation facilities (PC2) were used. The fi ndings confi rm that social spending is actually useful to explain changes in poverty (PM1, PC1 and PC2), as there is a high negative and signifi cant correlation between the variables before and after controlling for demographic and cyclical factors. In two regression techniques, social spending per capita did not show a negative relationship with the PM2. Countries with greater welfare effort for the period 1990-2010 were not necessarily those with the lowest level of poverty. Ultimately social spending per capita was more useful to explain changes in poverty from the capability approach.

Liberalization of Labor Relations in Germany and the United States: A firm-centered comparison of cross-national labor organizing at Amazon and Volkswagen

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2015

A cross-national comparison of school drug policies in Washington State, United States, and Victoria, Australia

Using mail survey data collected from primary and secondary school administrators in Washington State, United States, and in Victoria, Australia, this study compared aspects of the school drug policy environment in the 2 states. Documented substance-use policies were prevalent in Washington and Victoria but less prevalent in primary schools, especially in Victoria. Victorian school policy-setting processes were significantly more likely to involve teachers, parents, and students than processes in Washington schools. Consistent with expectations based on their respective national drug policy frameworks, school drug policies in Washington schools were more oriented toward total abstinence and more frequently enforced with harsh punishment (such as expulsion or calling law enforcement), whereas policies in Victorian schools were more reflective of harm-minimization principles. Within both states, however, schools more regularly used harsh punishment and remediation consequences for alcohol and illicit-drug violations compared to tobacco policy violations, which were treated more leniently. (J Sch Health. 2005;75(4):134-140)