The Phenomenon of Flow as Experienced by Classroom Teachers: Implications for Leadership Practice

The purposes of this qualitative study were to investigate the phenomenon of flow as experienced by classroom teachers and to determine the implications of the understanding of flow for leadership practice. The phenomenon of flow, as described by Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi, is reported to be experienced when individuals are engaged in activities that have (a) a balance of challenge and skills that can be varied and controlled, (b) a structure with clear goals, and (c) a structure that provides immediate and relevant feedback. The questions addressed within the study involved determining the specific experiences of classroom teachers of the phenomenon of flow, how those experiences compared to the framework created from studies of flow conducted by Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi, and the implications of the understanding of flow among classroom teachers for leadership practice. The methodology involved a series of semi-structured interviews during which the participants were asked to describe their flow experiences. Key themes within the data were identified and then analyzed. An inductive strategy was introduced by the researcher and utilized by participants to assist the participants to analyze and make meaning of their own stories and experiences. The researcher analyzed the same data to search for recurring themes and for characteristics common to the dimensions of the phenomenon of flow. The study has provided an understanding of the kinds of experiences held by classroom teachers of the phenomenon of flow. The participants\u27 descriptions, although portraying vividly different scenarios of optimal experiences while teaching, described common conditions critical to all their experiences of flow in consciousness. This understanding is important for other teachers and leaders in education as it enhances the possibility of increased control by teachers of the quality of their work experiences. It also makes available to leaders practical information relating to circumstances of teachers\u27 flow experiences in the classroom. This information can assist leaders to modify and enhance their leadership practice resulting in teaching conditions and environments that heighten the quality of teachers\u27 experiences in the classroom

WARNING: Physics Envy May Be Hazardous To Your Wealth!

The quantitative aspirations of economists and financial analysts have for many years been based on the belief that it should be possible to build models of economic systems - and financial markets in particular - that are as predictive as those in physics. While this perspective has led to a number of important breakthroughs in economics, "physics envy" has also created a false sense of mathematical precision in some cases. We speculate on the origins of physics envy, and then describe an alternate perspective of economic behavior based on a new taxonomy of uncertainty. We illustrate the relevance of this taxonomy with two concrete examples: the classical harmonic oscillator with some new twists that make physics look more like economics, and a quantitative equity market-neutral strategy. We conclude by offering a new interpretation of tail events, proposing an "uncertainty checklist" with which our taxonomy can be implemented, and considering the role that quants played in the current financial crisis.Comment: v3 adds 2 reference

Implementing natural capital credit risk assessment in agricultural lending

Agriculture has critical impacts and dependencies on natural capital, and agriculturallenders are therefore exposed to natural capital credit risk through their loans tofarmers. Currently, however, lenders lack any detailed guidance for assessing naturalcapital credit risk in agriculture and are challenged by the fact that the relevant material risks vary considerably by agricultural sector and geography. This paper developsa natural capital credit risk assessment framework based on a bottom‐up review ofthe material risks associated with natural capital impacts and dependencies forAustralian beef production. It demonstrates that implementing natural capital creditrisk assessment is feasible in agricultural lending, using a combination of quantitativeand qualitative inputs. Implementation challenges include the complexity and interconnectedness of natural capital processes, data availability and cost, spatial data analytical capacity, and the need for transformational change, both within lendingorganisations and across the banking sector

Considerações sobre a influência da análise das demonstrações no ciclo do pedido logístico: análise do caso Atofina Brasil

O principal objetivo deste estudo consistiu em identificar a influência da análise das demonstrações contábeis utilizadas no processo de estabelecimento do limite de crédito a um cliente, no ciclo do pedido logístico. Para a consecução deste trabalho, foi realizado um estudo de caso, de caráter descritivo, na Atofina Brasil, empresa do setor químico. Verificou-se, pelo estudo de caso, que o analista de crédito utiliza diversas fontes de informações como meio de subsidiar o processo decisório de estabelecimento do limite de crédito, sendo uma delas as demonstrações contábeis. Com relação às demonstrações contábeis no ciclo do pedido da Atofina Brasil, foi verificado que o período de tempo necessário para a análise de crédito não está relacionado à qualidade das informações contábeis. Isso porque o analista de crédito considera que as demonstrações contábeis apresentam adequadamente a situação econômico-financeira da empresa.This study aimed to identify the influence of financial statement analysis, used in the process of establishing customer credit limits, as a part of the logistic order cycle. Thus, a descriptive case study was carried out at Atofina Brazil, a company in the chemical industry. On the basis of this case study, we observed that the credit analyst uses various information sources as a support in process of deciding about credit limit establishment, one of which are financial statements. With respect to the impact of financial statements on the order cycle of Atofina Brazil, it was verified that the time period needed for the credit analysis process is not related to accounting information quality, because the credit analyst considers that financial statements offer an adequate representation of the company's economic and financial situation

Track D Social Science, Human Rights and Political Science

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138414/1/jia218442.pd