Online persuasion for e-commerce websites

The persuasive design of e-commerce websites has been shown to support people with online purchases. Therefore, it is important to understand how persuasive applications are used and assimilated into e-commerce website designs. This paper demonstrates how the PSD model’s persuasive features could be used to build a bridge supporting the extraction and evaluation of persuasive features in such e-commerce websites; thus practically explaining how feature implementation can enhance website persuasiveness. To support a deeper understanding of persuasive e-commerce website design, this research, using the Persuasive Systems Design (PSD) model, identifies the distinct persuasive features currently assimilated in ten successful e-commerce websites. The results revealed extensive use of persuasive features; particularly features related to dialogue support, credibility support, and primary task support; thus highlighting weaknesses in the implementation of social support features. In conclusion we suggest possible ways for enhancing persuasive feature implementation via appropriate contextual examples and explanation.

Talent management and expatriation: bridging two streams of research and practice

This paper argues that talent management and expatriation are two significantly overlapping but separate areas of research and that bringing the two together has significant and useful implications for both research and practice. We offer indications of how this bringing together might work, in particular developing the different results that will come from narrower and broader concepts of talent management. Our framework defines global talent management as a combination of high-potential development and global careers development. The goal of the paper is to lay the foundations for future research while encouraging organizations to manage expatriation strategically in a talent-management perspective.

La mefiance de son propre gouvernement dans le cinema du « monde libre »

The tradition of criticizing one's own government which in the Western (mainly English-speaking) Liberal Democracies goes back at least to the 14th century founds its expression also in American and British Cold War films. Several reflect the suspicion that the Cold War was in some way aggravated by the USA and the UK in order to serve particular interests of the government or arms industries. Such films, often based on novels, include "1984", "Fahrenheit 451", "The Three Days of the Condor", "The Quiet American", and most recently, "V for Vendetta", as well as many anti-war films. Paradoxically, it is a sign of Western liberalism that these films have been made and mostly received a wide distribution.

CAP reform, 2005-14, and the muted role of the dis-United Kingdom

In 2003 the CAP underwent a significant reform. Despite a seemingly endless turmoil of CAP reform, in 2005 the British government pressed for a new reform debate, and in the European Council meeting of December 2005 secured a commitment for the Commission “to undertake a full, wide ranging review covering all aspects of EU spending, including the CAP, ...” But but the initiative petered out, and the CAP ‘reform’ package proposed by the Commission, and then adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers in 2013, fell well short of the UK’s initial ambition. The chapter attempts to explore the reasons leading to the UK’s failed policy initiative.

Innovation diffusion across firms

This chapter seeks to add to the study of innovation diffusion as enacted within the UK construction sector. Whereas using relevant theoretical frames as touch points, the chapter maps out challenges associated with understanding innovation diffusion within the UK construction sector. Central to the argument developed here is just how diverse the UK construction sector is, resulting in the need to focus upon a specific constituent perspective within the sector. It is argued that constituents of the UK construction sector experience the reality of innovation diffusion differently. The chosen focus here is medium-size and typically regionally based construction firms rather than the big guns, because statistics continually demonstrate that this group of smaller firms undertake more than 80% of the sector’s output. As is pointed out in other chapters in the present volume, and as argued theoretically in the industrial network perspective of chapter 7, firms do not innovate in a vacuum. Innovation and diffusion occur within networks of firms typically around a project. A framework drawing upon empirical data is provided to additional insight on the process and the interconnections. It is argued here that the unit of analysis or level of understanding termed the firm can actually be fairly unhelpful for understanding innovation and its manifestation and diffusion within the broader UK construction sector, because this occurs across networks of firms.

An endogenous regulator of inflammation, resolvin E1, modulates osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption

Background and purpose: The inflammation-resolving lipid mediator resolvin E1 (RvE1) effectively stops inflammation-induced bone loss in vivo in experimental periodontitis. It was of interest to determine whether RvE1 has direct actions on osteoclast (OC) development and bone resorption. Experimental approach: Primary OC cultures derived from mouse bone marrow were treated with RvE1 and analysed for OC differentiation, cell survival and bone substrate resorption. Receptor binding was measured using radiolabelled RvE1. Nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B activation and Akt phosphorylation were determined with western blotting. Lipid mediator production was assessed with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Key results: OC growth and resorption pit formation were markedly decreased in the presence of RvE1. OC differentiation was inhibited by RvE1 as demonstrated by decreased number of multinuclear OC, a delay in the time course of OC development and attenuation of receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand-induced nuclear translocation of the p50 subunit of NF-kappa B. OC survival and apoptosis were not altered by RvE1. Messenger RNA for both receptors of RvE1, ChemR23 and BLT(1) is expressed in OC cultures. Leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) competed with [(3)H] RvE1 binding on OC cell membrane preparations, and the LTB(4) antagonist U75302 prevented RvE1 inhibition of OC growth, indicating that BLT(1) mediates RvE1 actions on OC. Primary OC synthesized the RvE1 precursor 18R-hydroxy-eicosapentaenoic acid and LTB(4). Co-incubation of OC with peripheral blood neutrophils resulted in transcellular RvE1 biosynthesis. Conclusions and implications: These results indicate that RvE1 inhibits OC growth and bone resorption by interfering with OC differentiation. The bone-sparing actions of RvE1 are in addition to inflammation resolution, a direct action in bone remodelling.

Trade effects of exchange rate fluctuations: Evidence from Sweden

An overview of the theoretical literature for the last two decades suggests that there is no clear-cut relationship one can pin down between exchange rate volatility and trade flows. Analytical results are based on specific assumptions and only hold in certain cases. Especially, the impact of exchange rate volatility on export and import activity investigated separately leads also to dissimilar conclusions among countries studied. The general presumption is that an increase in exchange rate volatility will have an adverse effect on trade flows and consequently, the overall heath of the world economy. However, neither theoretical models nor empirical studies provide us with a definitive answer, leaving obtained results highly ambiguous and inconsistent (Baum and Caglayan, 2006). We purposed to empirically investigate trade effects of exchange rate fluctuations in Sweden from the perspective of export and import in this research. The data comprises period from January 1993 to December 2006, where export and import volumes are considered from the point of their determinants, including exchange rate volatility, which has been measured through EGARCH model. The results for the case of Sweden show that short run dynamics of volatility negatively associated with both export and import, whereas considered from the case of previous period volatility it exhibits positive relationship. These results are consistent with the most findings of prior studies, where the relationship remained ambiguous.

Formgivning av magasin i ett redaktionellt utvecklingsarbete

Tidningskompaniet, a publishing agency in Göteborg, has during the spring of 2003 developed a customermagazine for Göteborgsvarvet, a Half Marathon Race in Göteborg. If realized the magazine shallbe distributed to former participants of the race twice a year and will be financed by adverts.As part of the editorial concept, development of a graphic profile will be made for the magazine. Thisdegree project will result in the production of a »dummy« magazine to be presented to the client and tobe used by the advertisement sales people in their work.The magazine, named »Varvet«, will convey the message that anyone can run Göteborgsvarvet. Theintention is to give the magazine a »youthful and sporty« image.The work in this degree project has comprised designing the magazine in co-operation with an editorialconcept developer and a project leader at Tidningskompaniet, and also the production of 18 magazinepages including prepress work. The magazine has been made into a strictly sectionized product,with a mix of short and long articles with lighter material and strict how-to-do-it guides. The designhas been made to complement the editorial concept, with typography and colours that feel modern and»active«.The dummy magazine has been digitally printed using a Xeikon digital press and has been distributedto the client and the advertisement sales bureau.

Muntlig framställning : att tolka och förstå kunskapskraven i nationellt prov SVA 1

Den här studien har haft som syfte att studera om kvalitetskraven i betygsskalan stämmer överens mellan nationellt prov i SVA1 och motsvarande kursplan svenska som andraspråk 1 (SVA1) samt på vilket sätt det nationella provet underlättar tolkningen av kunskapskraven i kursplanen för SVA1. Undersökningen begränsar sig till att omfatta enbart den muntliga delen, delprov A muntlig framställning. För att beskriva och analysera vilka kunskaper som anses vara eftersträvansvärda i muntlig framställning har en kvalitativ innehållsanalys genomförts som ger en grundmodell till den efterföljande kunskapsanalysen. Resultaten från studiens innehållsanalys visar fram en hur processen kring den muntliga framställningen utgår från den retoriska arbetsmodellen med ett gediget förberedande arbete som följs upp med anförande och avslutas med elevresponser. Resultatet från kunskapsanalysen visar hur eleverna behöver behärska en kombination av kunskapsformerna episteme, techné och fronesis för att uppfylla betygskraven på de högre nivåerna. Studiens slutsatser är att kvalitetskraven stämmer överens mellan det nationella provets bedömningsmatris och kursplanen i svenska som andraspråk 1 (SVA 1) vad gäller bedömningen av elevens språkliga kvaliteter. Dessutom går det att dra slutsatsen att de krav på anpassning till det retoriska sammanhanget också är krav som återfinns i kursplanen men beskrivs mer allmänt i ett språkutvecklande perspektiv vilket underlättar tolkningen av kunskapskraven i kursplanen. Studien visar hur eleven för att få det lägsta betyget (E) behöver kunskaper om en retorisk framställning och att eleven kan presentera ett förberett innehåll inför en publik.

Making Learning Possible : Nätbaserad utbildning vid Högskolan Dalarna

Högskolan Dalarna (HDa) har gjort ett strategiskt/medvetet val genom att betona den pedagogiska utvecklingen för nästa generations lärande (NGL) och har under flera år utvecklat nätbaserade kurser. NGL centrum är ett nav i den pedagogiska utvecklingen på HDa. Vår roll är att möjliggöra studenters lärande. (Ramsden 2003). Vid vår högskola fokuserar vi på olika datorsystem som stödjer lärandet och möjliggör synkron interaktion och kommunikation, både vid seminarier och under föreläsningar. Vi har valt och utvecklat system som stödjer lärandet och kontakten mellan studenter och lärare på ett bra sätt, fokus ligger inte nödvändigtvis på den nyaste teknologin. Vi anser att det är viktigt att skapa förutsättningar för sociokulturella miljöer vid nätbaserade utbildingar och därför är seminarier och samtal mycket viktiga i våra utbildningar. (Säljö 2000). Vi har definierat tre huvudbehov för lärandeprocessen och vi har valt system för informationsutbyte (Fronter), Adobe Connect för seminarier och Videochat - vårt egenutvecklade system för föreläsningar. Vi vet sedan många år att föreläsningar hjälper studenterna att förstå litteraturen bättre. Ett LMS (Fronter) är ett sätt att samla information såsom scheman och uppgifter. Där sker diskussioner om innehåll och kursupplägg, inlämningar, nyheter och meddelanden. När det gäller föreläsningar har vi valt att använda ”live-streaming” med möjlighet att spela in föreläsningen. Vi betraktar varken Adobe Connect eller vår Videochat som virtuella verktyg. De möten som genomförs med dessa verktyg är på riktigt. Studenter och lärare vittnar ofta om att de interagerar mer i ett seminarium via Connect än vad som sker i en fysisk föreläsningssal och bekräftar den pedagogiska närheten. HDa har system som är säkra men vi tror samtidigt på öppenhet och lättillgänglighet. Vi välkomnar gäster in i systemen för att skapa transparens. Läraren har möjlighet att låsa mappar i vårt LMS och göra dem både säkra och privata. Vi vill berätta och visa för intresserade konferensdeltagare hur vi på Högskolan Dalarna jobbar generellt med nätbaserade verktyg men också visa på mer specifika lösningar som har uppskattats av våra studenter och lärare.   References Ramsden, Paul (2003). Learning to teach in higher education. 2. ed. London: RoutledgeFalmer Säljö, Roger (2000). Lärande i praktiken: ett sociokulturellt perspektiv. [Learning in practice - A sociocultural perspective]. Stockholm: Prisma

Making learning possible - Nätbaserad utbildning för funktionsnedsatta studenter

Making learning possible - Nätbaserad utbildning för funktionsnedsatta studenter Högskolan Dalarna har gjort ett strategiskt/medvetet val genom att betona den pedagogiska utvecklingen för nästa generations lärande (NGL) och har under flera år utvecklat nätbaserade kurser.  Detta innebär även att ibland måste anpassa våra system för t.ex. hörselskadade studenter. Högskolan har en lång tradition av teckentolka föreläsningar i sal. Vi har även under en längre tid teckentolkat inspelade föreläsningar. Efter att ha provat olika sätt att spela in dessa har vi nu landat i ett system där originalföreläsningen är till vänster och tar upp c:a 80% av skärmen. Teckentolken syns i de resterande 20% till höger. Eftersom vi använder samma system för teckentolkningen som våra lärare har i studion blir det ”strömlinjeformat” då vi bara behöver hantera ett system och får den automatisering som är inbyggd. När det gäller seminarier använder vi oss av Adobe Connect. Lärarna, teckentolken och studenterna (även de hörselskadade) är i ett rum där läraren visar sina dokument, samtalar med studenterna o.s.v.. Teckentolken och den hörselskadade studenten har ett extra rum i Connect där tolken syns. När studenten ska prata så tecknar studenten och det taltolkas av tolken i Connect-rummet med läraren. För detta har teckentolkarna ett separat rum/studio med två skärmar för att kunna se och höra båda Connect-rummen. Vi rekommenderar studenten att också ha två skärmar. Teoretiskt borde detta även kunna användas för en hörselskadad lärare men det har inte gjorts några försök hos oss. Vi vill visa med ljud och bild för intresserade åhörare hur vi har byggt detta arbete och hur hinder kan överbryggas. References Ramsden, Paul (2003). Learning to teach in higher education. 2. ed. London: RoutledgeFalmer Säljö, Roger (2000). Lärande i praktiken: ett sociokulturellt perspektiv. [Learning in practice - A sociocultural perspective]. Stockholm: Prisma

”När man kollar på bilden tänker man så här” : en receptionsstudie av gymnasieelevers uppfattning om bilder som kunskapskällor i historieundervisningen

Images are used in history education for a variety of reasons, not least to generate interest through a better understanding of historical events and people. The aim of this study was to investigate how historical pictures, either illustrated or documentary/photographic, can be used as a resource for activating and improving pupils' historical empathy, in the way described by Stéphane Lévasque. I conducted a reception study on five different focus groups consisting of pupils from different upper secondary schools in Sweden. The pupils varied with regard to number of credits for admission to upper secondary school. A sixth group of pupils was interviewed as a contrasting control group in order to add perspective to the results. The discussions were based on the pupils' interpretations of 34 selected pictures, all of which were taken from the most common history textbooks. Each pupil was asked to choose the picture he/she felt was the most representative historical image. On the basis of the strategies used by the pupils when interpreting the pictures and discussing them, the material was analysed in accordance with Lévesque's categories: imagination, historical contextualisation and morals. The last category, morals, was further divided into three sub-categories: sense of justice, sympathy and progression. The reflections of the pupils and the degree of contextualisation varied. It appeared that the pupils were less inclined to discuss assumptions about the persons in the pictures; instead they chose to discuss the historical context in question. The pictures in this study did not seem to trigger the pupils to fabricate anachronistic reasoning about history; when they did produce lengthy reasoning, it was contextual, structural and metahistorical. In this context, the pupils who belonged to the group with the highest average of credits showed some signs of reflection on the basis of historical context and some criticism about the historical sources. On no occasion did any of the pupils choose a picture as a concrete expression of injustice. One of the questions this study aimed to explore was whether a lack of historical context affects how pictures trigger emotions and reasoning on the basis of moral aspects. Some of the pupils displayed moral standpoints, primarily the degree of morals concerning injustice. One possible interpretation could be that the feeling of being unfairly treated and subjected to insulting behaviour and social injustice was something the pupils could relate to. The group of pupils who had not yet studied history at upper secondary school, the control group, generally made reflections using this sort of reasoning when they discussed the historical aspects of the pictures.

Um estudo da utilização do custeio baseado em atividades (ABC) na apuração dos custos ambientais

Ao longo dos anos o desenvolvimento foi tratado apenas sob o aspecto econômico. Sob essa visão não havia limites para o crescimento. Porém, o esgotamento de alguns recursos e as crises que os sucederam, o aumento de acidentes ecológicos e conseqüente agravamento dos problemas ambientais, impulsionou a sociedade e os organismos que a representam a cobrar maior responsabilidade ambiental das organizações. Essa nova postura mundial impôs às empresas a incorporação em suas estratégias, além do fator econômico, também o fator ambiental como uma necessidade para garantir sua sobrevivência. Apesar da constatação da importância dos Sistemas de Gestão Ambiental e de sua incorporação por um grande número de empresas, são muito incipientes os efeitos alcançados pelos instrumentos utilizados para sua promoção, em especial os instrumentos de controle. Isso se deve especialmente pela não percepção do quanto a questão ambiental influencia na questão econômica das empresas. A gestão ambiental como qualquer prática administrativa requer instrumentos que possibilitem informações confiáveis. Este trabalho objetiva testar a utilização do custeio baseado em atividades como ferramenta para geração de elementos necessários à gestão ambiental. Para tal, foi desenvolvido um modelo para aplicação em uma área-piloto de um curtume. A escolha da empresa deu-se em função do alto nível de rejeitos gerados e por fazer uso de produtos químicos e de água limpa em seu processo produtivo. As conclusões deste estudo demonstram que o custeio ABC é um instrumento capaz de gerar informações úteis à Gestão Ambiental.

O controle do endividamento público no Brasil: uma perspectiva comparada com os Estados Unidos

Estudando o controle do endividamento público no Brasil e Estados Unidos, este trabalho examina a eficácia das restrições constitucionais e legais existentes nestes países, os fatores políticos e de mercado que afetam o deficit público e o nível do endividamento. Enfase especial é atribuída ao papel do Senado no caso brasileiro e aos mecanismos de controle através do mercado no caso americano.

O gerente de vendas no Brasil e a intenção de comportamento antiético - 1ª Parte

O objetivo geral desta pesquisa é analisar a Intenção de Comportamento Antiético do executivo de vendas e alguns de seus possíveis determinantes, fruto de lacunas relevantes de conhecimento na realidade brasileira. Trata-se de uma replicação de estudo realizado nos Estados Unidos por SCHWEPKER Jr. (1999). Nesta linha, dois são os objetivos específicos. O primeiro, já cumprido na primeira parte do projeto, é descrever o perfil dos construtos Intenção de Comportamento Antiético, Julgamento Moral, Desenvolvimento Moral Cognitivo e Intensidade Concorrencial. O segundo objetivo específico será investigar os efeitos potenciais de Julgamento Moral, Desenvolvimento Moral Cognitivo e Intensidade Concorrencial sobre a Intenção de Comportamento Antiético (a ser cumprido numa segunda parte deste projeto). Para tanto, dados foram obtidos do principal executivo de vendas de 138 das maiores empresas brasileiras.