scholarly journals Requirements for multicultural competencies defined by a focus group

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 44-56
Author(s):  
Tímea Lázár ◽  
Ágnes Bene
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Multicultural Competencies ◽  
Cultural Empathy ◽  
Multicultural Personality ◽  
Intercultural Competencies ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Work Abroad

Globalization, the spread of multinational companies and the enormous development of information technology can lead to a new trend in employers’ requirements. However, being employed by an international company is a real possibility for any employee in any part of the world. Even if they do not have to work abroad, employees may have to function in a multinational environment in their home countries. A favourable combination of intercultural competencies is a key factor in the selection and development of employees. A possible way of measuring these competencies can be the Multicultural Personality Questionnaire (MPQ). First of all,on the employers’ part, it is important to clarify the exact requirements and competencies (dimensions) to be able to draw up an ‘ideal profile’. We prepared two versions of the MPQ (91-item; 5-dimensional) and used them to test employers’ requirements in the selection process regarding the dimensions of cultural empathy, open-mindedness, social initiative, emotional stability and flexibility. This study describes the results of a focus group interview, which took place in 2017, revealing the importance of multicultural competencies from the employers’ point of view and examining the conditions of the adaptability of the two questionnaires. We used the focus group method to find out in what conditions the questionnaires canbe used in a selection process. What possibilities and limits are therefor using the direct five-dimensional questionnaire? What aspects do we need to take into consideration in expressing and interpreting the requirements in the results of the test?

Project-Based Learning Application in Higher Education

2022 ◽  
pp. 146-164
Author(s):  
João Eduardo Teixeira Marinho ◽  
Inês Rafaela Martins Freitas ◽  
Isabelle Batista dos Santos Leão ◽  
Leonor Oliveira Carvalho Sousa Pacheco ◽  
Margarida Pires Gonçalves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Teaching Approach ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Teaching Process ◽  
Focus Group Method

Learning methodologies that are active and centred on the student are concepts that accentuate the learning process instead of the teaching process. In this way, the following chapter aims to present the application of project-based learning in higher education and the different impact it might have on the students, as well as the experience and perspective from the students' point of view on this kind of teaching approach. To be able to collect data, the authors used initially a qualitative approach to comprehend and understand the research subjects' perspectives and points of view, followed by the focus group method as a method for collecting qualitative data. Throughout the students' experience, the development of transversal competences is mentioned several times as a great aspect related to this kind of methodology. However, the need for effective management of conflicts between members and the mandatory integration of some subjects' contents are also mentioned as some less-positive aspects.

scholarly journals Adjustment to amputation and interest in upper limb transplantation

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205031211985824
Author(s):  
Simon G Talbot ◽  
Matthew J Carty ◽  
Sally E Jensen ◽  
Gregory A Dumanian
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Patient Selection ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Transplantation Outcomes

Objective: Upper limb transplantation provides a new restorative option for individuals with amputations. As true for most operations, patient selection is critical to optimizing transplantation outcomes. To improve on the patient selection process, we used qualitative methods to better understand the issues regarding upper extremity loss as well as upper limb transplantation from the amputee point of view. Methods: Individuals with upper limb amputations (age range = 24–73 years) discussed their adjustment following amputation and their interest toward transplantation in either a focus group (n = 5) or semi-structured interview (n = 17). Transcripts were coded by theme and summarized. Results: Participants described a year-long process typified by adjustment to a new role as an amputee, both psychosocially and functionally. We found that the extent of adjustment was inversely related to an interest in transplantation. Conclusions: These findings could explain the difficulty in identifying “ideal” candidates for upper extremity transplantation and may have implications for patient selection and counseling. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Study, Level V

Austrian Veto against European Union Membership Negotiations with Turkey

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-122
Author(s):  
Ewa Kaczan-Winiarska
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Security Policy ◽  
Negotiation Process ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Strategic Partner ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
European Standards ◽  
The Eu

The Austrian government is extremely sceptical about the accession negotiations which are conducted by the European Commission on behalf of the European Union with Turkey and calls for the negotiation process to end. Serious reservations of Vienna have been raised by the current political situation in Turkey under the rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as by the standards of democracy in Turkey, which differ greatly from European standards. Serious deficiencies in rule of law, freedom of speech and independence of the judiciary, confirmed in the latest European Commission report on Turkey, do not justify, from Vienna’s point of view, the continuation of talks with Ankara on EU membership. In fact, Austria’s scepticism about the European perspective for Turkey has a longer tradition. This was marked previously in 2005 when the accession negotiations began. Until now, Austria’s position has not had enough clout within the European arena. Pragmatic cooperation with Turkey as a strategic partner of the EU, both in the context of the migration crisis and security policy, proved to be a key factor. The question is whether Austria, which took over the EU presidency from 1.7.2018, will be able to more strongly accentuate its reservations about Turkey and even build an alliance of Member States strong enough to block Turkey’s accession process.

scholarly journals Determinants of Corporate Anti-Corruption Disclosure: The Case of the Emerging Economics

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3462
Author(s):  
Maider Aldaz Odriozola ◽  
Igor Álvarez Etxeberria
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Control Variable ◽  
Emerging Countries ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Press Freedom ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Positive Effect

Corruption is a key factor that affects countries’ development, with emerging countries being a geographical area in which it tends to generate greater negative effects. However, few empirical studies analyze corruption from the point of view of disclosure by companies in this relevant geographical area. Based on a regression analysis using data from the 96 large companies from 15 emerging countries included in the 2016 International Transparency Report, this paper seeks to understand what determinants affect such disclosure. In that context, this paper provides empirical evidence to understand the factors that influence reporting on anti-corruption mechanisms in an area of high economic importance that has been little studied to date, pointing to the positive effect of press freedom in a country where the company is located and with the industry being the unique control variable that strengthens this relationship.

Determination of a Rubber-Like Material Model as an Inverse Problem

2011 ◽  
Vol 70 ◽  
pp. 225-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Derewonko ◽  
Andrzej Kiczko
Keyword(s):  
Selection Process ◽  
Axial Stress ◽  
Constitutive Models ◽  
Material Model ◽  
Polyester Fabric ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Air Cushion ◽  
Ill Conditioning ◽  
Stress States

The purpose of this paper is to describe the selection process of a rubber-like material model useful for simulation behaviour of an inflatable air cushion under multi-axial stress states. The air cushion is a part of a single segment of a pontoon bridge. The air cushion is constructed of a polyester fabric reinforced membrane such as Hypalon®. From a numerical point of view such a composite type poses a challenge since numerical ill-conditioning can occur due to stiffness differences between rubber and fabric. Due to the analysis of the large deformation dynamic response of the structure, the LS-Dyna code is used. Since LS-Dyna contains more than two-hundred constitutive models the inverse method is used to determine parameters characterizing the material on the base of results of the experimental test.

scholarly journals Intercultural Competencies for Fostering Technology-Mediated Collaboration in Developing Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7790
Author(s):  
Albert Kampermann ◽  
Raymond Opdenakker ◽  
Beatrice Van der Heijden ◽  
Joost Bücker
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Ict Skills ◽  
Intercultural Competencies ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Key Competencies ◽  
Different Cultures ◽  
And Diffusion ◽  
Successful Technology

With the rapid global spread and application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the question is whether every culture makes similar use of the ideology that often underlies its creators’ design. ICT applications are designed with underlying beliefs or principles about e.g., work, communication, and individuality. These beliefs or principles are invisible and hidden in software and, as such, in many instances not recognized by users in other cultures. These hidden principles might even frustrate the understanding, use, knowledge-sharing, and e-collaboration between people from different cultures. In this article, we aim to explore, from a historical point of view, the early years of adaptation of ICT in developing countries, and we will highlight the importance of the use of intercultural (ICT-)skills to learn to recognize cultural differences from a relationship-based definition in technology-mediated collaboration. A semi-systematic or narrative review approach is used that is particularly suitable for topics that have been conceptualized differently. Our review firstly summarizes and categorizes the cultural factors impacting the adaptation and diffusion of ICT, especially in developing countries, and investigates which factors could hinder and/or facilitate the collaboration with other countries. Secondly, the findings of a thorough comparison between different intercultural competencies’ frameworks indicate that intercultural competencies show a combination of motivation, knowledge (-management), and skills, which are key competencies in the light of successful technology-mediated collaboration.

scholarly journals Use And Comparison of Topis And Electre Methods In Personnel Selection

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 01021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bilgin Şenel ◽  
Mine Şenel ◽  
Gizem Aydemir
Keyword(s):  
Personnel Selection ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Minimum Cost ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Blue Collar Worker ◽  
Automotive Company ◽  
Worker Selection ◽  
Electre Method ◽  
The Right ◽  
Short Time

One of the most important function of human resources is personnel selection process. This process should be done professionally, in a short time and with minimum cost. After personnel selection process, performance of the hired person is very important for the permanence and success of the company. From this point of view, the aim of this study is to select a personnel among the candidates efficiently, with minimum cost and within a short time in one of the leading companies of Turkey in automotive sector. In order to select the right personnel all criterias which has great impact on blue collar worker selection was decided and these criterias are weighted. From the candidate pool of automotive company, appropriate candidates were selected by using TOPSIS AND ELECTRE method which are multi-criteria decision making methods

scholarly journals Using Symbols and Shapes for Analysis in Small Focus Group Research

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oladokun Omojola
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Prima Facie ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Focus Group Research ◽  
Group Research ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Small Focus ◽  
Focus Group Method

Substantial literature exists to support the growing importance of focus group research, having been around for decades. Its ubiquity under the scholarship radar is not in doubt while the analyses of findings commonly seen are scholarly and significantly sophisticated. However, these analyses have been found to be limited in scope for fresh adopters of the focus group method, non-literate beneficiaries of research findings and business people who are critically averse to lengthy textual statements about outcomes. This article introduces the use of symbols as a means of analyzing responses from small focus group discussions. It attempts to demonstrate that using symbols can substantially assist in the prima facie determination of perceptions from a focus group membership, its patterns of agreement and disagreement, as well as the sequence of its discussions.

scholarly journals Precincts and Prospects in the Use of Focus Groups in Social and Behavioral Science Research

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic Sagoe
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Behavioral Science ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Behavioural Science ◽  
Behavioral Science Research ◽  
Social And Behavioral Science ◽  
Focus Group Method ◽  
Practical Recommendations

Over the past few years, the focus group method has assumed a very important role as a method for collecting qualitative data in social and behavioural science research. This article elucidates theoretical and practical problems and prospects associated with the use of focus groups as a qualitative research method in social and behavioural science research. The core uses of focus groups in social and behavioural science research are discussed. In addition, the strengths and limitations of employing focus groups in social and behavioural science research are elucidated. Furthermore, the article discusses practical recommendations for strengthening the focus group method in social and behavioural science research.

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