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Innovative Approaches to Managing Zakat within the Context of Sustainable Development and Societal Well-Being in Indonesia
Get PDFThe objective of this research is to investigate and assess innovative approaches to managing Zakat within the context of sustainable development and societal well-being in Indonesia. Given the multifaceted challenges confronting Indonesian society, Zakat holds tremendous potential as a tool for fostering sustainable development and enhancing social welfare. This research employs a literature review to examine pioneering practices in Zakat management within Indonesia. Information gathered from diverse sources, including research papers, scholarly publications, and case studies, will be utilized to analyze various successful models of Zakat management implemented in the country. The findings of this study aim to shed light on effective innovations in Zakat management that contribute to achieving sustainable development and augmenting social welfare in Indonesia. Moreover, the research will identify critical factors that facilitate the successful implementation of innovative Zakat management strategies, while also evaluating the resulting social and economic ramifications. It is anticipated that the outcomes of this study will furnish pertinent policy recommendations for the government, Zakat management institutions, and the general populace, aimed at enhancing the efficacy of Zakat management for sustainable development and the advancement of social welfare in Indonesia. Furthermore, this research endeavor seeks to foster a deeper comprehension of Zakat’s potential as a substantial funding source to fortify key sectors in propelling inclusive economic growth and fostering social equity within Indonesia
Supporting Cooperation between Supply Chain Members Through a Combination of Soft and Hard Coordination Tools
Get PDFOne of the most important tasks of supply chain management is to ensure that members cooperate properly. It is necessary to integrate value-adding processes, as this is the only way to maintain a high level of customer service. This is the way to create the value that the final customer will pay for and have his needs fully met. However, the question arises: do all companies really want to cooperate with each other at a high level? Alternatively, the question can be looked at from another angle: do all the links in the chain need to cooperate at a high level? The aim of this study is to examine to what extent corporate attitudes influence the form and extent of cooperation. To this end, the paper examines the use of contracting, one of the most popular instruments in the supply chain management literature. Using a case study, the result of the study is a composition matrix that shows the relationship between the preferred form of collaboration of companies and the contracts that best support this. To do this, it is first necessary to identify the possible forms of cooperation and their characteristics, after which the contracts and their conditions and characteristics of application must be understood. By putting the two pieces of information together, a matrix can be created, which can be used to recommend the most appropriate contract for the relationship that best matches the company's attitudes to improve cooperation and coordination between the members. 
The Impact of Emerging Technologies on Digital Transformation in Small and Medium Enterprises
Get PDFIn the rapidly developing digital transformation landscape, small and medium companies in North Macedonia face the challenges and opportunities created by new technologies. This study explores the multifaceted impact of these technologies on the digital transformation journey of SMEs in RNM. Using a qualitative research approach, data were collected through surveys from a diverse range of small and medium companies across different sectors. The results of the research show that companies in North Macedonia have considered the benefits of digital marketing and digital communication, and a modest statistical increase is observed in the relevant tools such as web communication, digital sales of products/services (e-commerce), sponsored advertising and other forms of digital marketing. However, in addition to the positive trend of digital transformation of companies, we are still at the beginning of adaptation. More and more small companies are expected to progress in the digitalization process. This study underscores the importance of continued support and investment in digital infrastructure and education to facilitate the ongoing digital transformation of SMEs in North Macedonia. By addressing the current challenges and harnessing the opportunities presented by emerging technologies, these companies can achieve sustainable growth and contribute to the broader digital economy in the region
Genealogy of Novice Teachers’ Beliefs about Pronunciation Instruction: A Complex Systems Approach
Get PDFThere is a substantial body of studies investigating teachers’ beliefs about pronunciation. However, this line of research has rarely examined teachers’ beliefs as a complex system. To fill this gap, the present study aims to shed light on the genealogy of teachers’ beliefs about pronunciation instruction from the perspective of complexity theory. To this end, two EFL teachers who taught English at a private institute were asked to participate in this study. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and narratives. The findings indicated that the teachers recognized the importance of pronunciation instruction for improving students’ listening skills and knowledge of vocabulary and manifested aspiration for native-like pronunciation. However, their lack of self-confidence and insufficient pronunciation pedagogical knowledge base were reported to be major challenges of pronunciation instruction, which they attributed to teacher training courses among other factors. In addition, teachers’ beliefs about pronunciation, learners, learning pronunciation, teaching pronunciation, teachers, and curriculum were shown to co-exist and interact in a nonlinear manner, suggesting the complex, dynamic, co-adapted, and contextual-driven nature of teachers’ belief systems. In light of these findings, teacher education programs are advised to help teachers reappraise their preference for native speakerism and give pronunciation more prominence by introducing a wide range of strategies for teaching it
Implementing the CLIL Approach through Online Games in EFL Education
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to implement the Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach employing online games for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching and learning. The participants were 53 EFL Ecuadorian university students, 17 males and 36 females, who were enrolled in an English Major and a TEFL Master program. Their proficiency level corresponded to B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference. The study followed a mixed-method approach, which involved the administration of a diagnostic survey, an online perceptions questionnaire, an interview, and an observation checklist. Games designed in Quizizz, Kahoot, Genially, and Socrative were implemented for 8 weeks so that the participants could access them to practice the content of each lesson. The findings revealed that the CLIL approach through games improves language learning and communication. Moreover, they foster students' confidence, knowledge retention, and comprehension of the subject matter, enhancing reasoning, problem-solving, critical thinking, and cultural awareness
Improving EFL Learners’ English Public Speaking Performance through Project-based Learning Strategy at Tertiary Level
Get PDFTraditional English education in China, with its emphasis on grammatical proficiency and written accuracy, often neglects public speaking, resulting in a notable deficiency in practical language application. This study investigated the potential of project-based learning to address this problem by promoting more interactive, student-centered learning experiences that foster authentic language use, specifically aiming to improve public speaking performance among university students in China, who are learning English as a foreign language (EFL). An explanatory sequential mixed method study, involving the pretest and post-test for quantitative data and semi-structured interviews for qualitative data, was conducted with 60 students purposely selected as the research participants. By the triangulation of the quantitative and qualitative findings, it was found that students in the experimental group who underwent the project-based learning intervention showed a significant improvement in English public speaking performance compared with the control group. In addition, students who participated in the interview held a positive attitude toward integrating project-based learning strategy into the process of learning English public speaking. These results contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the adoption of project-based learning approach in EFL teaching, particularly in contexts where enhancing oral communication skills is a priority
A Structural Correlation Model of EFL Teachers’ Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge and their Teaching Effectiveness
Get PDFThis current study is designed to examine the structural correlation between EFL teachers’ TPACK and their teaching effectiveness. A quantitative method was employed in this study, which involved 216 EFL teachers of primary schools with more than two-year teaching experiences in Gresik, East Java-Indonesia. A validated questionnaire was utilized to collect the data. It was then analyzed by using Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) with SmartPLS 3.2.9 program to test the proposed hypotheses. The findings revealed that only three domains of teachers’ TPACK support their teaching effectiveness, i.e.; pedagogical content knowledge, technological pedagogical knowledge, and technological pedagogical content knowledge. It implies that teacher technological knowledge, content knowledge pedagogical knowledge and technological content knowledge could not work alone for performing an effective teaching. Teacher knowledge of technology, pedagogy, and subject matter should be comprehensively integrated. Significantly, this study provides empirical evidence on the TPACK constructs that support teacher effectiveness
Multilingualism and Cultural Awareness: A Correlational Analysis in Language Education in Indonesian Higher Education
Get PDFBalancing teaching national, regional, and foreign languages presents a challenge for higher education, illustrated by the use of hypertext for multilingual communication. This study investigates the correlation between proficiency in multilingualism and cultural awareness among higher education students. Embedded mixed methods design explores the relationship between multilingualism and cultural awareness quantitatively and qualitatively in higher education in Indonesia. Participants are from various universities in Indonesia, including the State University of Makassar, the State University of Jakarta, the State University of Surabaya, Palangka Raya State Islamic Institute, Timor University, and the University of Northern Sumatra, and they have diverse ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. The questionnaire distributed via Google Form passed validity and reliability tests. The quantitative research used Pearson's r analysis of the relationship between multilingualism learning and cultural awareness. In the qualitative strand, thematic analysis investigates cultural awareness-based multilingualism learning strategies. The research findings reinforce the positive and significant relationship between multilingual learning and cultural awareness, suggesting multilingual competence not only enhances cultural knowledge and participation in cultural practices but deepens understanding of the socio-cultural context and strengthens capacity and positive attitudes towards cultural learning. The study aids practitioners in developing inclusive learning strategies and provides policymakers with empirical evidence for crafting policies to empower multicultural communities
Examining Gender and Major Differences in College Students’ Metacognitive Awareness of ESP Writing Skills
Get PDFThe aim of this research was to determine the levels of metacognitive awareness among college students in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on both academic majors and gender. There were 113 participants (58 females and 55 males) from the Information Technology (n = 68) and Human Resources (n = 45) majors. Using the Metacognitive Awareness of Writing Questionnaire (MAWQ), the study found moderate levels of metacognition awareness in writing skills, suggesting room to improve. The study found no significant differences between the academic majors, indicating the need for further research on the relationship between cognitive factors and writing skills. Similarly, the study found no significant gender differences in metacognitive awareness among applied college students. Differences in the Regulation of Cognition (RCOG) domain, however, may affect writing. Male students showed lower metacognitive awareness than female students. Instructors and policymakers can use these findings to improve students' metacognitive skills and writing strategies. In the future, researchers should explore other variables and identify effective strategies to improve college students' metacognitive awareness and writing skills
Four Decades of Open Language Science: The CHILDES Project
Get PDFThe Child Language Data Exchange System (CHILDES), created by Brain MacWhinney and Catherine Snow in 1984, is one of the earliest Open Science and data sharing initiatives in child language development research, and probably in developmental psychology and the behavioral sciences more generally. It is the cornerstone of TalkBank––a repository of transcripts, audio, and video files of natural language samples. Here we highlight how the CHILDES Project served as a trailblazer for the language development research community by being the first initiative to introduce a Big Data approach, encouraging and facilitating crosslinguistic data collection and championing science collaboration through open access to data and analysis tools. We conclude with an outlook on the future of CHILDES and suggestions for where child language development researchers might turn their attention when collecting and donating observational data. Understanding the many paths to language will require expanding CHILDES to increase representation of culturally and neurally diverse populations, finding solutions to the challenge of promoting Open Science practices while safeguarding participant agency and privacy, and leveraging AI tools for automated transcription and data analysis