Scientific Publishing Institute (SPI): E-Journals
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Examining the impacts of conventional exports on GVC participation: Evidence from developing economies
Full text linkInternational trade is under dramatic changes, and production processes gradually involve a sequential, vertical trading chain extending across the borders of various countries. Each country specializes in a certain stage of production. The study aims to examine the impacts of conventional exports to China on participation in global value chains during 1992-2019 for developing countries. This study used an instrument variable method to analyze developing countries’ GVC participation and export responses to China’s massive demand shocks. The export flow of other developing countries to China is used as an instrument variable for analyzing the changes in GVC participation of sample countries’ exports. The findings of the study reveal that the rise of China in the global economy caused significant gains in developing countries, both in participation in GVCs and exports. In the aggregate, the sample developing countries have caused some averaged 0.33% increase in the GVCs participation from 1992-2019, while their exports to China had an average annual growth of 3% over the same period, which indicates the importance of the relationship between GVCs and conventional exports. The growth rate of exports also suggests that China is an attractive export destination for developing countries, and these countries need to develop strong ties with China, as well as a large economy and consumer market
Empirically tested indigenous supply chain resilient framework for future businesses
Full text linkThe issues of resilience contribute significantly to a sustainable supply chain of goods and services coming through the main ports of entry and this is crucial for the survival of many industries, organizations and customers in the World, the African continent and the Sub-Sharan region. Thus, sustainable supply chains rely heavily on information communications technologies (ICT) to perform their operations. The resilience of these ICT processes ensure that these goods and services are delivered to satisfy customers without compromising quality. The ICT that enables the sustainable supply chain performance has to be responsive, reliable and efficient. This quantitative study of two hundred and fifty (250) respondents investigates the influence of ICT (agility, reliability and efficiency - ICTARE) on economic sustainable supply chain performance (ESSCP) and the mediated effect of robust competence of IT staff between ICTARE and ESSCP. Lisrel 8.0 was used to analyze the data obtained from the respondents. The study results suggest a positive relationship between ICTARE and ESSCP. The results also confirm a full mediation between ICT reliability and sustainable supply chain performance through ICT staff competence within the context of shipment of goods and services within Ghana’s ports and harbours. The implication of this research is enormous: ICT used in a suitable way will enhance the resilience of supply chain networks in supporting the distribution of goods and ‘services in a timely manner’ in order to improve customer satisfaction
Time series regression modeling and prediction of book borrowing volume with time-space-interest psychological factors
Full text linkThis study analyzes the borrowing volume of 5,272 male and 15,935 female readers from Nanjing Normal University during 2022-2024. Conducting a classification statistic across 12 months, 22 library locations, and 23 major book categories, it extracts common factors in time, space, and interest dimensions via factor analysis. Using the standardized scores of these factors as independent variables and the logarithmically transformed borrowing volume as the dependent variable, regression analysis is performed to assess the influence of each dimension, emphasizing the significance of time. A time series model is applied to explore the monthly average change patterns of borrowing volume from 2022 to 2024 and predict the per capita borrowing volume for each month in 2025. Results indicate distinct gender differences. Female temporal factors show significant seasonal clustering, while male temporal factors remain consistent throughout the year. Females' spatial patterns are more regionally fixed, whereas males exhibit multi-dimensional and specialized spatial selections. Female reading interests center on humanities, while males' interests are distributed across theory, history, and application. The predicted per capita borrowing volumes in 2025 for males range from 2.84 (August) to 4.13 (March), and for females, from 2.49 (August) to 3.48 (July), with upper and lower control limits provided for each month, offering insights into future borrowing trends
An educational researcher's guide to ChatGPT: How it works and how to use it
Full text linkIn an era of rapid technological advancements, ChatGPT has emerged as a revolutionary tool in educational research, offering opportunities to enhance research efficiency and foster innovative thinking. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and utilizing ChatGPT effectively in educational research. The operational mechanisms of ChatGPT are explained, along with a discussion of practical applications such as content creation, literature summarization, statistical analysis, and idea generation. A critical discussion of prompt engineering highlights strategies for crafting inputs that optimize AI responses. Examples include paying explicit attention to both the content of the prompt as well as how the prompt is phrased. Advanced features, such as web integration, customized GPTs, and Python-based data analysis, are explored to showcase the expanding possibilities of generative AI in educational contexts. The potential for ChatGPT to streamline workflows is contrasted with ethical considerations, including risks of misinformation, inherent biases, and privacy concerns. Researchers are urged to validate outputs and disclose AI usage transparently to maintain research integrity. While recognizing the challenges, the article underscores ChatGPT’s potential to improve educational research by enabling more accessible, efficient, and collaborative practices. Researchers are encouraged to adapt to these evolving tools, embracing their potential while remaining vigilant to ethical considerations and limitations
Green leadership for a sustainable future: The path from innovation to enhanced project performance
Full text linkThe effectiveness of green initiatives has emerged as a crucial goal for entities seeking to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility. This study examines how green horizontal leadership impacts the performance of green projects, emphasizing the mediating roles of green proactive innovation and green reactive innovation. This study investigates the role of leadership in fostering innovation and enhancing sustainability outcomes through the application of stewardship theory, organizational learning theory, and the resource-based view (RBV). A quantitative survey was conducted among enterprises in Jiangsu Province, China, a region noted for its industrial and economic development alongside its increasing environmental initiatives. Leadership, innovation, and project performance were examined using structural equation modeling. Green horizontal leadership promotes green project performance by mediating proactive and reactive innovation. Participatory and decentralized leadership styles improve environmental outcomes through strategic and compliance-focused sustainability programs. Merging multiple views, the study provides theoretical insights into leadership and environmental sustainability success. Organizations seeking sustainability through leadership development, investment in green innovations, and flexible laws have demonstrable results. Future research will expand the study's geographic coverage and examine other mediating factors that affect leadership, innovation, and performance
From competence 1.0 to competence 4.0: An open, unifying and global education framework
Full text linkThis paper, in dealing with the Competence of Learning (CoL), has the purpose of substantiating that: first, the main elements of CoL—knowledge, skills, and psychosocial factors—are based on literacies, which nowadays rely on technology in the form of digital literacy; second, there have been paradigm shifts based on changes in all the major factors related to CoL; and third, these shifts have resulted in the development of four major CoL paradigms, forming a continuum from Competence 1.0 to 4.0. In addition, based on two proposed mechanisms of CoL development—the operation of triggers, fluctuations, and feedbacks, and the integration of revised taxonomies of learning objectives and outcomes—combined with the constant evolution of all the factors influencing CoL, an open, unifying, global, innovative, and comprehensive CoL framework has resulted in the form of a 3D model. The three axes of this framework are: the Domain/Content axis, which expresses individuals’ needs and enhancement in targeted subject areas and diverse academic contexts; the Competence axis, which expresses the ability to do something by learning or developing, based on knowledge, skills, and psychosocial factors; and the Integrated Scaffolding axis, which focuses on supporting learners and enabling them to progress to enhanced levels within their Zone of Proximal Development. The practical implication of this framework is that it can be utilized by/for anyone, at anytime, anywhere, for anything, satisfying the 5W1H questions of learning
Manual and Statistical analysis software packages techniques of quantitative data analysis in educational research: A comparative study
Full text linkThis study aimed to compare manual and software-based techniques for analyzing quantitative data in educational research. Specifically, it investigated whether using Chi-Square, paired sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation would yield different results when analyzed manually versus using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. A comparative research design was employed, and datasets generated by the researcher were analyzed through both methods. Findings showed that both manual and SPSS analyses produced identical statistical results. However, the statistical analysis software method proved to be significantly faster than manual data analysis. Manual analysis offers greater flexibility and potentially deeper understanding; it is more time-consuming and susceptible to human error. In contrast, statistical software provides quicker and more accurate results and could handle complex computations, though it requires technical knowledge and may involve time to understand the syntax’s when using and also may involve installation costs. The study concluded that both manual and statistical software-based techniques are accurate, but statistical methods offer greater efficiency. Researchers are encouraged to use either method for key statistical tests such as the t-test, Chi-Square, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation, depending on context and resources. Additionally, learning manual techniques may strengthen a researcher's understanding of statistical concepts and improve interpretation skills
Effects of top female leaders on R&D activities under different executive pay gaps
Full text link Innovation is regarded as a crucial driver in achieving the vision of manufacturing power, and top female leaders play an increasingly important role in driving innovation. Based on a sample of 14,716 observations from Chinese manufacturing enterprises listed between 2010 and 2020, this study empirically examines the impact of top female leaders in different positions on (Research and Development) R&D intensity and investigates the moderating role of executive pay gap on this relationship. The results indicate that (1) female executive directors and female non-executive directors have a negative impact on R&D intensity, while female (Chief Finance Officer) CFO and female independent directors have a positive impact on R&D intensity, and there are no significant relationships between female supervisors, female (Chief Executive Officer) CEO, and female non-director executives and R&D intensity; (2) executive pay gap strengthens the negative effects of female executive directors and female non-executive directors on R&D intensity, weakens the negative effects of female CEO and female non-director executives on R&D intensity, and has no significant moderating role on the effects of female independent directors, female supervisors, and female CFO on R&D intensity
Introducing pre-service teachers to game-based learning
Full text linkGame-based learning has increased research and interest in teacher education and teacher pedagogy. However, there is still much to learn about how teachers understand and feel about game-based learning pedagogy in the classroom. This study utilized a quantitative research methodology to better understand the changes in beliefs and attitudes toward game-based learning of teachers before and after experiencing game-based learning opportunities first-hand. The participants in this study were ninety-six pre-service teachers enrolled in a Child Growth and Development course at a public Hispanic Serving Intitution in South Central Texas University. Findings from this study indicate that pre-service teachers are comfortable using game-based learning pedagogy prior to any game-based learning interventions. Specifically, game knowledge, game content knowledge, and game pedagogical content knowledge, had a strong positive relationship with learning opportunities, attitudes towards game-based learning and overall acceptance of digital game-based learning score. Access to game-based learning experiences significantly increased teachers’ game pedagogical knowledge, game content knowledge, and experience with games knowledge. Overall, pre-service teachers’ personal experiences with gaming and attitude towards gaming is one of the key factors that contributes to their positive attitudes towards game-based learning and their ability to see the learning opportunities games have in their future classrooms
The use of digital storytelling in the teaching of reading at a rural primary school
Full text linkThe myriad challenges confronting schools have stimulated proposals to adopt digital storytelling as both an innovative teaching strategy and learning resource. Due to inadequacy in reading skills of our school learners, language teachers have acceded to a proposal to use digital storytelling as a vehicle for curriculum delivery. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions of the rural primary school teachers regarding the use of digital storytelling in the teaching of reading. To do so, the researcher employed a three-cyclical process of qualitative action research which involved pre-implementation, implementation and post-implementation stages. To gather data from five language teachers, interviews were used during pre-implementation phase, observations were conducted during the implementation phase, and document analysis and interviews were employed during the post-implementation phase. Results show that the teachers’ readiness levels in terms of technological skills, beliefs and attitude improved after attending the Digital Storytelling Workshop. The notable end-product of the Digital Storytelling Workshop was three digital stories that teachers developed by teachers. In sum, teachers demonstrated an adequate degree of readiness to adopt digital storytelling after the post-implementation phase. The positive outcomes of this action research study suggest that digital storytelling should be used as an innovative strategy to teach reading