1993 research outputs found
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The Spirit in the Book of Revelation and 1 John: a Theological Comparison and Reflections of the Gospel of John’s Pneumatology
Get PDFThis study is an investigation into the theologies of the Spirit contained in the Revelation to John and the first letter of John, two of the five ‘Johannine’ New Testament writings. It seeks to determine whether there is a direct relationship between them by comparing their theological motifs and insights into the identity of the Spirit. Thereafter, using the Gospel of John as an interpretive interlocutor, the study investigates the extent to which the Gospel’s theology of the Spirit may have influenced the pneumatologies of Revelation and 1 John, and whether the Gospel provides a relationship between them. The appellation ‘Johannine’ implies a relationship could exist between the pneumatologies. A theological analysis of the Spirit in each of Revelation and 1 John, followed by comparative theological analyses with each other and then with the Gospel of John, should be able to determine the nature and extent of any relationship and draw conclusions therefrom. Commentaries and academic literature on the Spirit in Revelation or 1 John typically make reference to the Gospel of John’s pneumatology. Books on Johannine theology may discuss aspects of one or more of the pneumatologies. This study seeks to address a lacuna in the academic literature by providing a direct and detailed theological comparison of the pneumatologies in Revelation and 1 John
Entrepreneurial Networking Framework for Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Get PDFMalaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) often fail to fully leverage the strategic value of a business networking, hindered by the lack of a comprehensive framework tailored to their needs. This study addresses this gap by proposing enrichment to entrepreneurial networking practices, building on the McKinsey 7S model. This qualitative approach’s research adopting Yin’s multiple case study method, semi-structured interviews with 15 entrepreneurs revealed key insights into strategies, structures, and leadership styles that strengthen successful networking. While every element of the 7S Framework is crucial, the findings highlight the importance of structural flexibility, systematic approaches, leadership and value creation through business networking were the most significant. The study adds an eighth element “Shift” which describes changes as a necessity in fast-paced dynamic and competitive business environments. This research enhances theoretical understanding of value creating networks by showing their interconnected economic, social, and strategic benefits as well as offering implications for practice and policy. Suggestions for further research include the analysis of different networking methods, the creation of structural models for sustainable platform, and the effects of leadership styles and systematic approaches using the McKinsey 7S plus 1 model on networks over time. Addressing these issues will enable competitiveness and sustainability among SMEs. The theoretical contributions of this study include integrating multiple models to advance entrepreneurial networking understanding, while practical implications provide a roadmap for Malaysian SMEs to refine their networking strategies. Addressing current limitations, such as geographical scope and sample size, in future research will further strengthen these insights. As this research demonstrates, strategic networking is crucial for success in entrepreneurship and provides small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with the tools and a networking framework to overcome problems, encourage partnerships, and achieve sustainable development
The Tradition of Imitative Copying in Chinese Calligraphy
Get PDFIn many cultures, calligraphy is regarded as a decorative art, but in China calligraphy is one of the highest forms of art, in many ways comparable to painting and classical music in the West.
No matter the material representation of Chinese calligraphy—paper, silk, wood or bamboo slips, animal bones etc.—, its artistic object is the two-dimensional visual representation of the written characters of the Chinese language. Moreover, in the development of the Chinese scripts, calligraphy has been enriched with a wide range of technical and aesthetic features that are specific to its artistic nature and do not pertain to its linguistic nature. In order to fully appreciate the visual quality of Chinese calligraphy, the present thesis aims to explore the key aesthetic features of authoritative calligraphic models through the analysis of the copies that generations of practitioners have produced and still continue to produce. In particular, the essential qualities of being improvisational, rhythmical and written at one stretch without stopping the fluid movement of the brush until the last brushstroke is fulfilled can be acknowledged in clear terms by comparing originals with their copies.
Chinese historical sources are clear in stating that the renowned calligraphers from all dynasties began their training in calligraphic art by studying and copying the calligraphic specimens of previous masters, either through originals or through ink rubbings of stone inscriptions. There are no examples of calligraphers who became proficient in this art without modeling their work, for a certain period of their lives at least, on the calligraphic works of others.
The tradition of imitative copying in Chinese calligraphy has always existed together with the practice of creating calligraphic works. This thesis aims to present the educational background and different patterns of imitative copying as a way of learning and perfecting calligraphy.
Furthermore, the present study provides macro-level analysis of the copying process by iconographic comparisons between one of the masterpieces of Chinese calligraphy, the famous stele inscription in the standard script Inscription of the Auspicious Spring of the Palace of Perfect Accomplishments (Jiuchenggong liquan ming 九成宮醴泉銘, hereafter Jiuchenggong),
calligraphed in 632 by the literatus and calligrapher Ouyang Xun 歐陽詢(557–641), and a
complete precise copy of it produced by the calligraphy teacher Yao Mengqi姚孟起(b. 1838–died before 1901) in 1883, more than one thousand years after the original work. This thesis aims to show that, provided basic knowledge of the brushwork and structural configurational principles that govern Chinese calligraphic creation, anyone is able to perceive the nuances and subtleties of classic calligraphic models. As a matter of fact, despite its undeniable specificity, Chinese calligraphy manifests the common physiological structure and the same rules of visual perception shared by all humans, the most evident of which are balance, rhythm, movement, etc..
The present research focuses on deepening our insight into both the educational background and the artistic value of Chinese calligraphy by investigating the tradition of imitative copying, leading to an original contribution to knowledge. In conclusion, the present thesis summarizes diverse and special phenomena in the imitative tradition of Chinese calligraphy and points out that the ultimate goal of imitative copying is to achieve a state of harmony without the constraints of rules. The exploration and practice in imitative copying of classic calligraphic models will accompany calligraphy practitioners throughout their lives
Traditional Chinese children's primers: a sourcebook
No full textTraditional Chinese Children’s Primers: A Sourcebook is the first anthology of traditional Chinese children’s textbooks in a European language. This selection of eleven primers, spanning over two thousand years of Chinese education history, remains well-known in East Asia and the global diaspora of Confucian-heritage cultures. These texts represent an important genre of children’s literature and education materials that were employed to teach basic vocabulary, develop cultural literacy, and start students on their journey toward greater fortunes in the imperial examinations.
The sourcebook covers texts from the second-century BCE to the late twentieth-century, and a range of subject areas, including etiquette instruction, literacy training, character education, and Confucian and Daoist thought. The Classic of Family Reverence (Xiaojing), for example, opens a window onto early Confucian thought in ancient China, while the Extended Wise Sayings (Zengguang xian wen) represents the eclectic worldviews and beliefs of the seventeenth century, and Lord Wenchang’s Essay on Quiet Merits (Wenchang dijun yinzhi wen) introduces readers to the tradition of popular morality books.
This first-of-a-kind sourcebook in English addresses a long-standing gap in the translation of primers and provides impetus for research in the development of character and virtues, comparative literature, and cross-cultural education studies
The Impact of ESG Disclosure and Performance on the Financial Performance of Listed Companies in Hong Kong
Get PDFThe study investigates the impact of ESG disclosure and performance on the firm performance of listed companies in Hong Kong from 2017 to 2019. The research focuses on 178 companies across four sectors (property development, transport, public utilities and catering). Data were obtained from the Bloomberg database, annual reports, and published financial statements of these firms. The analysis employed panel data regression, considering five independent variables: ESG disclosure, overall ESG performance, and individual ESG performance along with two control variables: market capitalization and proportion of independent directors. Firm performance was measured by Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), and Earnings per share (EPS).
The findings of this study suggest that there was no significant relationship between ESG variables and firm performance. However, a negative association was observed between overall ESG performance and EPS. These results indicate that, for most measures, ESG practices have a limited direct impact on financial performance. While the findings are consistent with some prior studies reporting a neutral relationship, they contradict the majority of the literature, which has identified significant positive relationships. This highlights the need for further research to investigate the underlying reasons for these insignificant relationships and to gain a deeper understanding of how ESG factors influence firm performance.
This study also revealed that the utilities sector outperformed others in environmental, social, and overall performance, while the public transport sector excelled specifically in the governance dimension. In contrast, the property and catering sectors lagged behind across all ESG dimensions. Future research could investigate the specific factors that influence or challenge ESG performance within different industries
Cau pen y mwdwl: paratoi cyfrol gyntaf Thomas Pennant, A tour in Wales (1778), ar gyfer y wasg.
Get PDFHow Applicable is Attachment Theory Globally and Culturally and What Are the Implications for Social Services and Psychotherapy
Get PDFIt has been more than 50 years since John Bowlby’s theory of attachment was first introduced into the framework of social and behaviour science. Originally used to explain the child’s emotional connection to caregivers, it was quickly expanded to encompass topics such as developmental continuity and change, public policy, developmental psychopathology, romantic relationships and childcare protection. Bowlby also described the attachment system that is active over the entire lifetime of the individual. His theory has offered significant insight into the early years of human experience, yet many of the assumptions that underpin attachment are now considered contestable. At the heart of attachment theory is the claim that it is universally applicable, and it has a major influence on the perceived norms of how children should be raised. One of the most long-standing debates on attachment theory is its application to non-Western communities. There is some support for the universality of attachment theory, however, there is a limited amount of research into cross-culture studies, and it has been suggested that Bowlby’s Attachment Theory represents the Western middle-class perspective, and completely ignores the parental values and practises of the majority of the world. This research looked at the dangers of applying Western theoretical perspectives to non-industrial cultures and families. It found that the misuse and misconception of Attachment Theory has been used by Western social care services to the detriment of indigenous families and communities, whose parenting practices are more likely to involve wider family and community care models. From a therapeutic standpoint this is important, as the therapist needs to be mindful of applying the Theory of Attachment, which is seen as appropriate for the Western world, but may not work for people from other cultures
A comparative analysis of startups applying AI in clinical oncology
Get PDFThe rise and exploitation of artificial intelligence (AI) in general and in particular the medical field is fuelled by breakthroughs in deep learning (DL), advances in computing hardware devices, as well as the exponential growth of clinical data used for decision-making. Modern oncological research is intensively adopting AI-based technologies, with most of the related elements such as machine learning (ML) and DL models being utilised to improve the accuracy and efficiency of cancer diagnosis, prevention and treatment, with studies showing that AI could have many additional applications in cancer care.
In most countries, numerous AI technologies have received governmental approvals for use in oncology, most notably in radiology. In response to the growing interest in the use of AI technologies in clinical oncology, the number of AI start-ups that concentrate their efforts on combating cancer has surged. The present research study adopts a mixed methodological approach to perform a comparative analysis of the top five AI start-ups that are focused on the application of AI technologies in clinical oncology. The five chosen AI start-ups include: CancerIQ (USA); Panakeia (UK); MultiplAI Health (UK); MNM Bioscience (USA) and X-Zell in Singapore. The selection of the AI start-ups was based on the availability of statistical metrics of interest to the study and the impact of their projects and applications on clinical oncology. The study performs a quantitative and qualitative analysis of selected metrics associated with the use of AI in clinical oncology and the related financial performance metrics
Abusive Supervision and Its Consequences for Employees in the Hong Kong Hotel Industry
No full textThis research examines abusive supervision in the Hong Kong hotel industry. Abusive supervision is defined as sustained hostile verbal and non-verbal behaviours and actions perceived by subordinates, excluding physical contact (Tepper 2000, p178). By focusing on employee experiences, this study addresses a significant gap in leadership research, which often highlights positive leadership qualities while overlooking the negative impacts of destructive leadership behaviours. Although some argue that abusive leadership can paradoxically enhance performance, a comprehensive understanding of leadership requires examining its darker aspects. This study aims to investigate abusive leadership in Hong Kong’s hospitality industry due to its unique cultural setting and hierarchy structures. Multi-layers of management, seniority of service and high turnovers are common in this business and contributors to abusive supervision in the workplace, providing a pertinent
context for this investigation.
This study employs a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design to investigate the prevalence of abusive supervision in Hong Kong hotels against the independent variables of job satisfaction and trust. Quantitative data was gathered from 120 hotel employees using established scales and a binary trust measure. Followed by qualitative interviews with
20 respondents to gain deeper insights and explore factors influencing employee tolerance of abusive behaviours and potential positive outcomes. Thematic analysis and a barriers model were used to recognise the harmful effects of abusive supervision. The research
also highlights the unexpected potential for these experiences to foster positive individual growth, resilience, resourcefulness, and organisational policies in certain circumstances among hotel employees
Retaining Talent during Organisational Change: A Case Study on the perceptions of the effectiveness of Leadership and Talent Management in Tata Steel UK
Get PDFThis dissertation investigates how employees at Tata Steel UK (TSUK) perceive the effectiveness of leadership and talent management (TM) initiatives during a significant organisational restructure. The study aims to identify key factors influencing talent retention, assess the importance of leadership styles and TM on employee retention, and formulate recommendations for improvement. Using a qualitative approach, including semi-structured interviews and qualitative questionnaires, the research highlights mixed emotions among employees, with many feeling demotivated and undervalued. The findings reveal inconsistencies in leadership communication and a perceived lack of transparency, as well as ineffective TM practices. Recommendations include implementing a cultural change programme and relaunching the talent boards (TB) to enhance career progression and development opportunities. The study underscores the importance of effective leadership, authentic communication, and strategic TM in retaining top talent during periods of organisational change.
Certain content has been redacted from the report to preserve the anonymity of participants and to protect commercially sensitive information
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