Effects of Learning Style and Learning Source Preferences on Organizational Learning Capability

Purpose The purpose of this research is the modeling of the relationship of Learning Style and Learning Source Preferences to Organizational Learning Capability (OLC). Design/methodology/approach A survey questionnaire gave us data from 274 employees in the hotel industry in Cyprus, which was chosen because it is a labor-intensive industry with big economic impact on the National Domestic Product (as per Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency this is more than 20%). SPSS and AMOS were used to analyse the proposed model. Findings The findings provided evidence to support the position that the proposed model demonstrates that OLC is affected by the Individual Learning Preferences (ILP) which are the learning style preference and the learning source preference of individual workers. Research limitations/implications The study did not consider the effect of learning style and learning source preferences on the different departments of a hotel. Further, a longitudinal study with more organizations within the hotel sector, or other economic sectors, was outside the scope of this study. Practical implications The proposed model can be used by organizations to reflect on how learning source and learning style preferences can affect the OLC. Originality/value What relevant research did not explore enough, is the learning preferences of individuals in their work environment and not as often seen, the learning styles or learning (dis)abilities of students in a school environment. Therefore, this research fulfills the need to study learning preferences in the business context and examines their effects on OLC.

Information source preferences of small-scale fishers in the Aegean Sea coast of Turkey

Information source preferences of small-scale fishers can play a role in decision-making processes and affect the sustainability of small-scale fisheries. In this respect, determining useful communication tools to eliminate the information gaps and lack of information of fishers is important for sustainable and effective fisheries management. The purpose of this study was the determination of the preferred source of information and priorities of the small-scale fishers who operate along the Aegean Sea coast of Turkey. Data were collected from a random sample of 278 small-scale Turkish fishers located along the Aegean coastline via face-to-face interviews. Information source preferences of fishers were determined by Repertory Grid Technique. In the analysis, obtaining information about fisheries focused on three criteria such as marine ecology, fisheries technology, and fisheries policies. The level of importance given by fishers for each criterion was determined. Fishers prefer to get information from other fishers, followed by fishery cooperatives, and their own experiences (χ2 (11, n = 278) = 1305.920, P < 0.001). Fishery cooperatives are the closest organizations to fishers. The use of cooperatives as a source of information can be interpreted as an element that can facilitate access to information when evaluated through the “availability” of behavioral economics. Fishery cooperatives, which stand out in fishers’ information source preferences, have the potential to be a valuable source of information in all aspects. The results of the research are thought to benefit researchers from non-governmental organizations, research institutes, and universities that carry out national and international projects with fishers.

Metabolic Potential, Ecology and Presence of Associated Bacteria Is Reflected in Genomic Diversity of Mucoromycotina

Mucoromycotina are often considered mainly in pathogenic context but their biology remains understudied. We describe the genomes of six Mucoromycotina fungi representing distant saprotrophic lineages within the subphylum (i.e., Umbelopsidales and Mucorales). We selected two Umbelopsis isolates from soil (i.e., U. isabellina, U. vinacea), two soil-derived Mucor isolates (i.e., M. circinatus, M. plumbeus), and two Mucorales representatives with extended proteolytic activity (i.e., Thamnidium elegans and Mucor saturninus). We complement computational genome annotation with experimental characteristics of their digestive capabilities, cell wall carbohydrate composition, and extensive total lipid profiles. These traits inferred from genome composition, e.g., in terms of identified encoded enzymes, are in accordance with experimental results. Finally, we link the presence of associated bacteria with observed characteristics. Thamnidium elegans genome harbors an additional, complete genome of an associated bacterium classified to Paenibacillus sp. This fungus displays multiple altered traits compared to the remaining isolates, regardless of their evolutionary distance. For instance, it has expanded carbon assimilation capabilities, e.g., efficiently degrades carboxylic acids, and has a higher diacylglycerol:triacylglycerol ratio and skewed phospholipid composition which suggests a more rigid cellular membrane. The bacterium can complement the host enzymatic capabilities, alter the fungal metabolism, cell membrane composition but does not change the composition of the cell wall of the fungus. Comparison of early-diverging Umbelopsidales with evolutionary younger Mucorales points at several subtle differences particularly in their carbon source preferences and encoded carbohydrate repertoire. Nevertheless, all tested Mucoromycotina share features including the ability to produce 18:3 gamma-linoleic acid, use TAG as the storage lipid and have fucose as a cell wall component.

Gender and Presence of Children: Examining Media Uses, Informational Needs, and Source Preferences during the Flint, Michigan Water Crisis

In 2014, a water crisis emerged in Flint, Michigan. Using uses and gratifications theory as the guiding framework, this study examines if crisis-related media uses, informational needs, and source preferences are related to respondents’ gender and/or whether or not respondents had children. A random sample of 208 Flint residents yielded results that are largely consistent with extant research, although minor nuances were found. Media uses, preferred informational sources, and desire to receive future crisis-related health information varied between women and men. Women reported significantly higher use of Facebook and Instagram. However, there were not significant differences between genders or respondents with/without children regarding their future informational needs about crisis-related health topics. Results are discussed in relation to extant research, theory, and praxis. Limitations and future research are also discussed.

Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Bilgi Kaynakları / Knowledge Sources of University Students

<p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p>The aim of the study is to examine university students' preferred sources of knowledge. A survey design was employed. A measurement instrument consisting of 18 items and 6 dimensions, named "authority", "social media", "religion", "science", "tradition" and "experience" was applied to 2253 university students from 12 public universities at different regions, Turkey. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and variance tests. It is found out that the most preferred sources of knowledge for university students are "experience" and "authority, and the least preferred sources of knowledge are "religion" and "social media". In addition, it is determined that the knowledge source preferences of university students differ significantly in some sub-dimensions according to gender, grade average, socio-economic level and political views.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Öz</strong></p><p>Üniversite öğrencilerinin tercih ettikleri bilgi kaynaklarını incelemeyi amaçlayan bu çalışmada, nicel betimsel tarama deseni kullanılmıştır. Bilgi kaynaklarını tespit etmek amacıyla geliştirilen 18 maddelik, “otorite”, “sosyal medya”, “din”, “bilim”, “gelenek” ve “tecrübe” olmak üzere 6 boyuttan oluşan ölçme aracı Türkiye’nin farklı bölgelerinden 12 devlet üniversitesinde öğrenim gören 2253 üniversite öğrencisine uygulanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler betimsel istatistikler ve varyans testleri kullanılarak çözümlenmiştir. Üniversite öğrencilerinin en çok tercih ettikleri bilgi kaynaklarının “tecrübe” ve “otorite” olduğu, en az tercih edilen bilgi kaynaklarının ise “din” ve “sosyal medya” olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca, üniversite öğrencilerinin bilgi kaynağı tercihlerinin bazı alt boyutlarda cinsiyet, not ortalaması, sosyo-ekonomik seviye ve siyasi görüşlerine göre anlamlı bir şekilde farklılaştığı tespit edilmiştir. </p>