Perception of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Testing the Actor–Observer Bias

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 316-342
Author(s):  
Mathew J. Manimala ◽  
Princy Thomas ◽  
P. K. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Economic Environment ◽  
Point Scale ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem ◽  
Observer Bias ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Start Up ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Entrepreneurial Action

Entrepreneurial ecosystem is the interacting socio-economic environment that facilitates entrepreneurs to start and develop their enterprises. A vibrant and supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem is necessary for the start-up and growth of an enterprise. The entrepreneurial action would largely depend on the perception of entrepreneurs about the ecosystem. In this context, a study was designed to understand the perceptions of actors (entrepreneurs) and observers (non-entrepreneurs) on various components of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Data for this study were collected from 296 entrepreneurs and 315 non-entrepreneurs from India, who responded to a 77-item questionnaire by giving their ratings of various aspects of the ecosystem on a 5-point scale. Findings of the study showed that perceptions of the entrepreneurial ecosystem were significantly different for most of the subgroups. Most notable among these differences was those between entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs, where the mean scores on all dimensions were found to be significantly higher for non-entrepreneurs than for entrepreneurs except for entrepreneurial capability which was found to be higher for entrepreneurs. Hence, the hypothesis of actor–observer bias in the perceptions of entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs is supported.

scholarly journals Dry preservation of Toxocara vitulorum by plastination technique

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1428-1433
Author(s):  
Niranjan Kumar ◽  
Jayesh B. Solanki ◽  
Prabhakar Shil ◽  
Dharmesh C. Patel ◽  
Ramasamy Meneka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Structure ◽  
Polymer Mixtures ◽  
Point Scale ◽  
Natural Form ◽  
Microbial Decomposition ◽  
Toxocara Vitulorum ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Formalin Preservation ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Preservation Technique

Background and Aim: The most widely adopted technique to preserve the gross specimen of the parasite is immersions and storage in liquid preservatives. The present study aimed to describe the dry method of the preservation of Toxocara vitulorum using plastination technique. Materials and Methods: Acetone dehydrated parasites were incubated at –20°C for 1 month in five different plastination solutions, prepared by mixing melamine and turpentine oil with clove oil (MTCl)/chloroform (MTC)/isopropanol (MTI)/benzene (MTB)/xylene (MTX) in 1:1:1 ratio to infiltrate the polymer. Technical personnel was asked to assign weekly score for dryness, stickiness, shrinkage, glossiness, flexibility, and odor of the prepared model on a 5-point scale. Results: Overall, the plastinated parasites were dry, non-sticky, glossy, odorless, chemical-free, harmless, to some extent flexible, with detectable morphological structure including natural form but lost their natural color, and cuticle became translucent. A varying level of shrinkage was noted in all types of plastinated model, but it was least in MTCl model. One month post-plastination, the mean evaluation score for glossiness was maximum in the parasite plastinated in MTCl solution (4.50±0.17), followed by MTC (3.72±0.32), MTX (3.56±0.38), MTB (2.83±0.37), and MTI (2.31±0.33). Likewise, for flexibility, the score was maximum in the parasite plastinated in MTCl solution (4.36±0.16), followed by MTB (3.11±0.14), MTC (2.94±0.41), MTX (2.75±0.41), and MTI (1.97±0.28). The degree of dryness, stickiness, and odor of the prepared model varies non-significantly (p>0.05) with the polymer mixtures. Maximum shrinkage percentage in terms of length and width was 4.24% and 50%, respectively, in the parasites plastinated in MTB solution. Shrinkage percentage was minimal (1.81% in length and 25% in width) in the MTCl plastinated parasites. Shrinkage percentage in terms of dimension was statistically non-significant among the different polymer solutions. Plastinated models withstand the process of microbial decomposition. There were 5 and 11 odd points in favor of plastination and formalin preservation technique, respectively. Conclusion: The prepared T. vitulorum model in MTCl can be used as an adjunct to the parasite preserve in 10% formalin solution. The plastination technique can be used as an alternative method of liquid preservation.

scholarly journals An Analysis of the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem of Malawi: The Global Entrepreneurship Index (GEI) Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 224-238
Author(s):  
Frederick Pobee ◽  
Thuso Mphela
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Gdp Per Capita ◽  
Risk Capital ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Global Entrepreneurship ◽  
The Relationship

The research paper provides an in-depth analysis of the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Malawi. Employing the Global Entrepreneurship Index (GEI) methodology, the findings reveal a weak entrepreneurial ecosystem with a GEI score of 12.2 out of a possible 100. The relationship between the GDP per capita and the three entrepreneurship sub-indices, thus, attitude, ability, and aspiration are very weak and fall well below global average trends. Unfortunately, despite the high total entrepreneurship activities (TEA) in Malawi, this leads to little contribution to the country's GDP per-capita – a common phenomenon in many developing countries. At the pillar level, Malawi’s performance is a mixed bag, however, with most pillars performing not only poorly but below world averages. Despite the general positive perception of entrepreneurship by citizens, the country’s weak entrepreneurial ecosystem has failed to harness the propensity to develop new products and adopt new technologies for innovation and high growth entrepreneurship. From a policy intervention perspective, Malawi needs to focus most of its efforts and investments in five areas that include start-up skills, risk acceptance, high growth, risk capital, and human capital to improve the country's GEI score by 0.02.

Women Entrepreneurial Innovative Behavior: The Role of Lean start-up and Business Coaching

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rimsha Khalid ◽  
Mohsin Raza ◽  
Anusara Sawangchai ◽  
Wendy July Allauca-Castillo ◽  
Rosario Mercedes Huerta-Soto
Keyword(s):  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Work Behavior ◽  
Innovative Behavior ◽  
Business Coaching ◽  
Innovative Work Behavior ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Innovative Work ◽  
Entrepreneurial Action

The main objective of a startup is to discover a suitable plan of action that can create value for growth in the economy. This research provides evidence and allied vision engrossed on three perspectives: business coaching, lean start-up approach, and innovative work behavior of women's context in solar energy entrepreneurial action. Moreover, the study is based on a quantitative method, and results indicated that it has a significant impact on the lean start-up approach on innovative work behavior and has a significant mediating effect on business coaching. This study helps researchers and practitioners cope with the entrepreneurial incubation programs for women entrepreneurs in the lean start-up approach. Moreover, this also contributes to the deep understanding of women's exploring, building, and implementing business ideas. Additionally, the study argues that guidance and directions are important for innovative entrepreneurial actions.

scholarly journals 0894 A Two Item Questionnaire Reflecting Parental Concern As An Indicator Of The Severity Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea In Children

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A340-A341
Author(s):  
R Tauman ◽  
M Lavi ◽  
M Greenfeld ◽  
G Fishman ◽  
O Wasserzug ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Apnea Hypopnea Index ◽  
Prospective Analysis ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Parental Concern ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sleep Related Breathing Disorder ◽  
Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire

Abstract Introduction The currently available questionnaires based on parental reporting of OSA symptoms include large number of items and are not sufficient to the diagnosis and assessment of OSA severity. We aimed to evaluate a simple 2-item questionnaire regarding parental concern as a predictor of the severity of OSA in children as measured by polysomnography. Methods Prospective analysis of parental concern regarding their children referred for PSG due to suspected OSA. Parents of all study children completed the brief Parental Concern Scale (PCS) questionnaire and the validated Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire-Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder questionnaire (PSQ-SRBD). The PCS consisted of 1 question on the need for surgery and 1 question on concerns about the child’s breathing. Results Ninety-five children (mean age 4.2 ± 2.5 years, 52% males, mean body mass index z score 0.45 ± 1.8) were recruited. Twenty-three children (24%) had moderate-severe OSA and were referred for adenotonsillectomy. Significant correlations were found between the need for surgery score and the apnea-hypopnea index (r=0.22, P = .029), as well as the mean SpO2 levels (r=-0.24, P = .02). The likelihood for the diagnosis of moderate-severe OSA by PSG increased as parental ranking for the need for surgery increased (P = .003). The need for surgery score and the child’s age were the only predictors for moderate-severe OSA (P = .01 and P = .043, respectively). Conclusion Querying parents on their perception of their child’s need for surgery is a sensitive, practical, and easy-to-use tool that can help the clinician in prioritizing referral to PSG. Support  

scholarly journals Evaluation of the 13-item Hypomania Checklist and a brief 3-item manic features questionnaire in primary care

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sukhmeet Singh ◽  
Paul Scouller ◽  
Daniel J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Mean Delay ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Primary Care Patients ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Recorded Diagnosis

Aims and methodThe mean delay for bipolar disorder diagnosis is 10 years. Identification of patients with previous hypomania is challenging, sometimes resulting in misdiagnosis. The aims of this study were: (a) to estimate the proportion of primary care patients with depression currently taking antidepressants who have undiagnosed bipolar disorder and (b) to compare a brief 3-item manic features questionnaire with the Hypomania Checklist (HCL-13). The sample comprised patients with a recorded diagnosis of depression, either on long-term antidepressant therapy or with previous multiple courses of antidepressants.ResultsOf 149 participants assessed, 24 (16.1%) satisfied criteria for bipolar disorder. Areas under the curve (AUC) for the 3-item questionnaire and the HCL-13 were similar (0.79 and 0.72, respectively) but positive predictive values (PPV) were low.Clinical implicationsBipolar disorder may be underdiagnosed in primary care. A 3-item questionnaire could be used by general practitioners to screen for bipolar disorder in their patients with depression.

Adolescent Males' Ratings of Being Understood by Fathers, Best Friends and Significant others

1977 ◽  
Vol 40 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1079-1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leverett Millen ◽  
Samuel Roll
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Significant Others ◽  
Adolescent Males ◽  
Point Scale ◽  
Complete Understanding ◽  
Best Friends ◽  
Male College ◽  
Male Friend ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Favorite Teacher

An adolescent male's relationship with his father and his best friend is investigated. 413 male college students filled out a rating scale in which each reported how much he felt understood by his father, mother, by best male friend, best female friend, by favorite teacher, and by any additional person he wished to designate. The ratings were on a 7-point scale, ranging from “virtually a total stranger” to “complete understanding.” The mean ratings for a son's feeling of being understood by significant others was analyzed by a procedure for the multiple comparison of means described by Games (1971). The sons felt relatively more understood by their best friends than they did by their fathers. Implications of the findings for a theory of friendship and for psychotherapy with adolescent males are discussed.

A Method for Reduction in the Start-Up Time of a Bubbling Bed Boiler Combustor

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijay Jain ◽  
Prabir Basu ◽  
Dominic Groulx
Keyword(s):  
Fluidized Bed ◽  
Internal Heat ◽  
Peak Temperature ◽  
Fuel Oil ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Bubbling Fluidized Bed ◽  
Bed Materials ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Rate Of Heating ◽  
Good Agreement

A study on the heating of inert bed solids in a bubbling fluidized bed by means of an over-bed start-up oil burner is presented in this paper. Experiments carried out in a 160 mm diameter bed shows that the bed heats up nonlinearly with time. The rate of heating and the peak temperature reached by the bed solids depend on the bed depth, the mean particle size, and the superficial velocity through the bed. It was further noted that premixing a certain amount of biomass with the inert bed solids accelerates the rate of heating, as well as increase the peak temperature attained. The internal heat generation in the biomass is found to start at temperatures as low as 200°C. Thus, premixing some biomass with inert bed materials could reduce the combustion start-up time of a fluidized bed boiler, reducing at the same time the start-up cost by saving on consumption of expensive fuel oil in the burner. Experimental data in the present laboratory-scale unit shows good agreement with those obtained earlier in an industrial fluidized bed tested with waste-coal.

scholarly journals A New Method to Estimate the Systematical Biases of Expendable Bathythermograph

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lijing Cheng ◽  
Jiang Zhu ◽  
Franco Reseghetti ◽  
Qingping Liu
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Integral Method ◽  
Differential Method ◽  
Rate Coefficients ◽  
Temperature Error ◽  
Temperature Profiles ◽  
Fall Rate ◽  
Start Up ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Individual

Abstract A new technique to estimate three major biases of XBT probes (improper fall rate, start-up transient, and pure temperature error) has been developed. Different from the well-known and standard “temperature error free” differential method, the new method analyses temperature profiles instead of vertical gradient temperature profiles. Consequently, it seems to be more noise resistant because it uses the integral property over the entire vertical profile instead of gradients. Its validity and robustness have been checked in two ways. In the first case, the new integral technique and the standard differential method have been applied to a set of simulated XBT profiles having a known fall-rate equation to which various combinations of pure temperature errors, random errors, and spikes have been added for the sake of this simulation. Results indicated that the single pure temperature error has little impact on the fall-rate coefficients for both methods, whereas with the added random error and spikes the simulation leads to better results with the new integral technique than with the standard differential method. In the second case, two sets of profiles from actual XBT versus CTD comparisons, collected near Barbados in 1990 and in the western Mediterranean (2003–04 and 2008–09), have been used. The individual fall-rate coefficients and start-up transient for each XBT profile, along with the overall pure temperature correction, have been calculated for the XBT profiles. To standardize procedures and to improve the terms of comparison, the individual start-up transient estimated by the integral method was also assigned and included in calculations with the differential method. The new integral method significantly reduces both the temperature difference between XBT and CTD profiles and the standard deviation. Finally, the validity of the mean fall-rate coefficients and the mean start-up transient, respectively, for DB and T7 probes as precalculated equations was verified. In this case, the temperature difference is reduced to less than 0.1°C for both datasets, and it randomly distributes around the null value. In addition, the standard deviation on depth values is largely reduced, and the maximum depth error computed with the datasets near Barbados is within 1.1% of its real value. Results also indicate that the integral method has a good performance mainly when applied to profiles in regions with either a very large temperature gradient, at the thermocline or a very small one, toward the bottom.

Solved upscaling problems for implementing deammonification of rejection water

2006 ◽  
Vol 53 (12) ◽  
pp. 121-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Wett
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Compressed Air ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Design Capacity ◽  
Autotrophic Metabolism ◽  
Start Up ◽  
The Mean

So far, extremely efficient metabolic pathways for nitrogen removal exclusively by autotrophic organisms are well established in scientific literature but not in practice. This paper presents results from the successful implementation of rejection water deammonification in a full-scale single sludge system at the WWTP Strass, Austria. Anaerobic ammonia oxidising biomass has been accumulated during a 2.5 year start-up period when the reactor size was gradually scaled up in the steps. The pH-controlled deammonification system (DEMON) has reached a design capacity of eliminating approximately 300 kg of nitrogen per day. Energy savings outperform expectations, decreasing the mean specific demand for compressed air from 109 m3(kg N)−1 to 29 m3(kg N)−1. Dominance of autotrophic metabolism is confirmed by organic effluent loads topping influent loads.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document