Institutional Repository of Academic Research University of Macedonia
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Gendered personality traits and entrepreneurial intentions: insights from information technology education
No full textPurposeEntrepreneurial intention of students is frequently used in entrepreneurship research as an indicator of creativity, innovativeness and entrepreneurial mindset. The entrepreneurship courses offered by engineering disciplines do not always have the expected outcomes, while differences are observed on students' entrepreneurial intention. These differences sometimes stem from the stereotypical beliefs about entrepreneurship, in favor of masculinity. Although these anachronistic perceptions gradually fade in the society, personality traits attributed to "traditional" gender schemas still have an impact on students' career choices, especially in academic fields considered "masculine," such as information technology. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of gender-typed personality (GTP) on students' entrepreneurial intentions (EI) and identify differences between genders.Design/methodology/approachThe impact of GTP traits on students' entrepreneurial intention is examined using gender schema theory and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) based on a sample of 321 university students of information technology. Structural equation models are used for the investigation of causal effects and group differences.FindingsThe results indicate significant interaction of GTP traits on the EI for both male and female students. However, no significant differences were found in the perception of gender schemas between males and females, which clearly suggests that the attribution of these traits to a specific gender nowadays is false.Originality/valueThe results offer convincing explanation of the differences observed in EI between the two genders and have both theoretical and practical implications for entrepreneurship education.6471018103
Human-Robot Co-Teaching in Online University Course during Covid-19
No full textOnline lectures are extensively used in the academic area. Especially due to the Covid-19 lockdown restriction measures, the educational institutions were forced to conduct online classes. Consequently, it is important to determine how these classes can become more enjoyable while at the same time delivering the academic objectives to the students and how academic tutors can optimally interact with students. This paper specifically looks at the performance of social robots in place of university co-tutors, in the field of engineering, measuring the students’ enjoyment and understanding of the basic principles of the lecture’s content. Inspired by previous educational studies which have evidenced beneficial effects for both students and tutors after taught/conducting lectures with two collaborative tutors, the goal of this research is a) to test the students’ evaluation of two collaborative human tutors in comparison with one individual human when teaching academic lectures during online lectures, and b) to investigate the effect of a social robot co-tutor after comparing students understanding and level of enjoyment after attending a lecture given by human-human or human-robot co-tutors. The lectures took place via an online educational platform during an actual university course. Results indicated that students evaluated higher the co-tutor lectures in comparison with the individual tutor lectures, while they equally enjoyed and gained knowledge from both human-human and human-robot cotutored lectures.163th International Conference on Information, Intelligence, Systems & Applications (IISA), Corfu, Greece, 202
Human-robot interaction methodology: Robot teaching activity
No full textResearch on the use of social robots in education is constantly increasing in the growing field of human-robot interaction (HRI). Consequently, it is essential to determine an appropriate methodology to test how these robots can optimally interact with students. This study specifically looks at how we can use existing knowledge from psychology, neuroscience and educational research and apply them with validity and credibility in HRI studies. We are interested in incorporating research methodologies to evaluate the performance of social robots acting as university professors in a real classroom environment. Moreover, we aim to measure three effects, a) students’ knowledge acquisition (quiz after lecture and final exam grades), b) level of enjoyment (Likert scale questionnaire), and c) level of surprize (analysis of facial expressions filmed by cameras). To identify the relationship between students’ knowledge acquisition, enjoyment, and level of surprize, we designed a series of three experiments, testing three variables: 1. one human-tutor lesson, 2. one robot-tutor lesson, 3. two robot-tutor lessons. In this paper we thoroughly explain the methods used to measuring and testing these variables based on modern and reliable sources.910186
In-depth Examination of Attitudes towards Distance Education in Students Attending a Special Education Preparation Program
No full textStudents’ attitudes towards Distance Education (DE) could easily affect a relative program’s success, as well as participants’ satisfaction. This is why a DE provider should examine future or current participants’ attitudes. The aim of the present study was to examine the attitudes towards DE in the context of an online program on the field of special education. Six hundred and ninety-one participants answered a questionnaire of 22 items and 3 subscales concerning attitudes. The results revealed slightly positive attitudes (as a whole) towards DE, slightly positive attitudes as far as the affective component was concerned, definitely positive attitudes regarding their beliefs about DE and their intention to participate in a DE program, and negative attitudes towards DE when it was compared to the traditional model. Moreover, the analysis revealed no possible impact of age and gender on participants’ attitudes. Findings of the present study could be very useful in planning DE programs for special education teachers/ trainees.1531099111
InFeMo: Flexible Big Data management through a federated Cloud system
No full textThis paper introduces and describes a novel architecture scenario based on Cloud Computing and count on the innovative model of Federated Learning. The proposed model named Integrated Federated Model, with acronym InFeMo. InFeMo incorporates all the existing Cloud models with a federated learning scenario, as well as other related technologies that may have integrated use with each other, offering a novel integrated scenario. In addition to this, proposed model is motivated to deliver a more energy efficient system architecture and environment for the users, which aims to the scope of data management. Also, by applying the InFeMo the user would have less waiting time in every procedure queue. Proposed system was built on the resources made available by Cloud Service Providers (CSPs), by using the PaaS (Platform as a Service) model, in order to be able to handle user requests better and faster. This research tries to fill a scientific gap in the field of federated Cloud systems. Thus, taking advantage of the existing scenarios of FedAvg and CO-OP, we keen to ended up to a new federated scenario that merges these two algorithms, and aiming to has a more efficient model, that it is able to select, depending on the occasion, if it "train" the model locally in client of globally in server.2224
Modelling the Development and Deployment of Decentralized Applications in Ethereum Blockchain: A BPMN-Based Approach
No full textDecentralized Applications (DApps) have emerged as a new model for building massively scalable and profitable applications. A DApp is a software application that runs on a peer-to-peer blockchain network offering censorship resistance, resilience, and transparency that overcome the challenges of typical centralized architectures. Developing and deploying a DApp in a blockchain network is highly challenging. Developers need to initially decide if developing a DApp is justified, before considering different aspects of blockchain technology (e.g., cryptography, transactions, addresses, etc.). This adversity along with the plethora of previously published works highlight the need for new tools and methods for the development of blockchain-based applications. Throughout literature there is a lack of procedures that can guide practitioners on how to develop and deploy their own applications. This paper aims to address this research gap, by standardizing and modelling such processes, through the employment of the BPMN modelling technique. Initially, a DMN decision model is presented that can facilitate developers to determine whether developing a DApp is justified. Consequently, two BPMN models are introduced, namely the DApp development and the DApp deployment process models. The models can orchestrate new DApp initiatives and facilitate the developers’ communication and implementation transparency. We expect that they can serve as a roadmap for enhancing the decision-making in the act of developing a DApp and reducing the implementation time and cost. Finally, we further discuss how the models implement a DApp for the registration and verification of academic qualifications and how BPMN can constitute a powerful tool for the development of DApps.4475567Decision Support Systems XII: Decision Support Addressing Modern Industry, Business, and Societal Need
Muslims in Greece
No full textGreece is one of the European countries where Islam is present under two forms: A) A minority group, according to the traditional legal content of the term, placed within the framework of the post-Ottoman legacy, and B) An immigrant population of late settlement. Greek law regulates these phenomena from a rather different point of view. The basic idea of the law governing Muslims in Greece is founded on two criteria: citizenship and territory. The Muslims of Greek citizenship are granted special rights when they are residents of Thrace. Muslims who live outside Thrace and foreign Muslims are not subject to any special regime. At all events, the legal regulations pertaining to a certain religious affiliation serve a dual purpose: to grant as few rights as possible or to grant minority rights tantamount to segregation. Non-territorial autonomy and territorial autonomy are thus intermingled. In fact, this approach has brought about long-lasting social, legal and political implications.235250Islam and Human Rights in the European Uno
PHOTOGRAMMETRY WITH LIDAR IPAD PRO
No full textDigital documentation of cultural heritage is a field that has grown rapidly in the last few years. The technological advancements in computing and the increased collaboration between fields keep offering researchers new tools with which they can capture objects, monuments or even entire archaeological sites, thus permitting non-destructive visual and geometric research and reproduction. Due to this rapid pace at which technology is advancing, such tools are now also available to a much wider audience, through everyday handheld devices. Smartphone and tablet cameras have improved significantly, to the point where they can work very effectively in place of a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera, in a photogrammetry setup. Accurate 3D reconstruction of cultural heritage objects with a smartphone and a computer is now possible and accessible to a multitude of people. Students and educators can capture objects in digital format, which they can then use for research or presentations purposes, non-destructive experimentation or even working 3D models. Publishing houses and content creators that design educational content or serious games, can also take advantage of a fast and easy way to create accurate 3D models of real-world objects and incorporate them in their work. Some of the newer handheld devices, mainly Apple’s iPhones and iPads, have incorporated Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors, for use with Augmented and Virtual Reality applications. These sensors can also offer a great degree of accuracy when used for photogrammetry. In this study we compare the photogrammetric process as performed by the 2021 iPad Pro with the M1 processor, in situ, to a DSLR camera and PC setup. We test the speed of capturing and processing in each case, and we also directly compare the 3D models’ points and faces, as a way to measure the detail present in the final output. We use the iPadOS Polycam application, which exploits the device’s built-in LiDAR sensor, to perform in situ photogrammetry. At the same time, when capturing is complete on the iPad, and to avoid lighting variations between processes, we use a DSLR camera for photography, that is similar to the iPad’s camera in Megapixel. We then have a recent PC with Agisoft’s Metashape perform the off-site photogrammetric process. The results indicate that the M1 iPad can be very fast in processing and with a very high degree of accuracy, thus making it a viable replacement for a camera and PC setup, and a valuable tool that offers accurate mobile photogrammetry, while also providing a solution for budgetary constraints.195559563EDULEARN22 Proceeding
Promoting professional development of secondary school teachers in Greece: in-school training in managing student behaviour
No full textThe study aimed to train teachers in managing student behaviour and to investigate the impact on teachers and their students. The training was based on adult-learning and group-leading strategies (development/application) as well as Social-Emotional-Learning and School-Wide-Positive-Behaviour-Supports approaches (content). It consisted of training meetings, coaching and distance learning and was implemented at Thessaloniki middle school, using a neighbouring middle school as the control school. The stability of impacts was checked by follow-up tests after four and twelve months accordingly. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used for data analysis. After completion of training and four months later, an effective behaviour-management methodology and corresponding strategies were developed in the intervention school. Teachers reported increased professional self-efficacy, teachers and students evaluated their school climate more positively and students’ office discipline referrals decreased, compared with the control school. Benefits had decreased a year later, however, they remained increased compared with the control school. Ways to maintain beneficial results and a sustainable in-service teacher professional development policy are discussed.26449251
The effect of talent management and leadership styles on firms’ sustainable performance
No full textPurpose – This study aims to develop a framework that examines how different leadership styles influencetalent management (TM) and how these leadership styles and TM influence firms’ sustainable performanceconsidering the moderating role of environmental dynamism.Design/methodology/approach – To achieve these objectives, an empirical survey was conductedamong 480 participant firms in Greece. Hierarchical regression was performed to test the hypotheses.Findings – This study reveals the significance of authoritative and transformational leadership on TM. Theresults also show the positive effect of talent development on sustainability. Moreover, entrepreneurialleadership is found to be the most influential style for economic sustainability, whereas transformational andtransactional leaderships are the most influential leadership styles for social and environmental sustainabilityperformance.Research limitations/implications – The data was collected at only one point in time, whilesustainability is a continuous process. Moreover, only four leadership styles were addressed.Practical implications – Proper leadership style should be selected to facilitate different sustainabilitydimensions. Talent development is a valuable investment toward sustainable performance of firms.Originality/value – This study contributes to the upper echelon theory, identifying whether and howdifferent leadership styles affect TM and sustainability. The study also advances the human recoursedevelopment literature by critically reviewing and identifying the influence of TM on firms’ sustainableperformance. Moreover, the role of environmental dynamism is revealed on all the above relationships.34683785