Research Productivity in a System of Universities

This paper considers research performance of U.S. universities for eight science fields. At the aggregate level we find that research output follows a constant returns to scale process. However, for individual universities we find evidence of diminishing returns. We offer two explanations for these differing results. First, data errors are more important at the individual level. Second, research spillovers exist between universities and fields that are captured only at the aggregate level.

Teachers Left Behind

Nowadays, the use of computers in education is increasing worldwide. Information technology is deemed essential for the digital generation s classrooms. However, the adoption of technology in teaching and learning largely depends on the culture and social context. The aim of this research study is to evaluate the acceptance and use of technology of 12th grade teachers in public high schools in Lebanon. The theoretical framework is drawn from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to investigate teachers intentions regarding the use and acceptance of technology in their daily teaching tasks. The participants were 161 teachers in Lebanese public high schools who completed a questionnaire that reflects the UTAUT. Social influence, experience and voluntariness of use appeared to have the strongest effect on teachers attitudes regarding the use of technology, while effort expectancy and facilitating conditions had the lowest effect. These findings suggest that public schools should implement training in technology for teachers to support their teaching tasks in the context of this current digital generation of students. The study offers a discussion of the results and recommendations for policy and practice. Copyright © 2014, IGI Global

Sustainable urban development: an integrated framework for urban planning and development

Sustainable development has long been promoted as the best answer to the world’s environmental problems. This term has generated mass appeal as it implies that both the development of the built environment and its associated resource consumption can be achieved without jeopardising the natural environment. In the urban context, sustainability issues have been reflected in the promotion of sustainable urban development, which emphasises the sensible exploitation of scarce natural resources for urbanisation in a manner that allows future generations to repeat the process. This chapter highlights attempts to promote sustainable urban development through an integration of three important considerations: planning, development and the ecosystem. It highlights the fact that spatial planning processes were traditionally driven by economic and social objectives, and rarely involved promoting the sustainability agenda to achieve a sustainable urban future. As a result, rapid urbanisation has created a variety of pressures on the ecosystem upon which we rely. It is believed that the integration of the urban planning and development processes within the limitations of the ecosystem, monitored by a sustainability assessment mechanism, would offer a better approach to maintaining sustainable resource use without compromising urban development