Book Review: L2 Selves and Motivations in Asian Contexts (Matthew T. Apple, Dexter Da Silva, and Terry Fellner, Eds., 2016)

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Motivational Dynamics in Language Learning: Zoltán Dörnyei, Peter D. MacIntyre, and Alastair Henry (Eds.). Bristol: Multilingual Matters, 2015. 456 pp. ISBN: 978-1-78309-256-7

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An Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling with an Application to the Blogosphere

Structural Equation Modeling or SEM is a family of statistical models that seek to explain relationships amongst constructs and between constructs and indicator variables as represented in a measurement model and in a structural model

Modification and Investment Intention in the Consumer-Possession Relationship: A Love Story

The present-day automobile is at once a source of physical transportation, of course,but also an extension of self, a potential platform for self-expression and imageenhancement, a source of social approval as well as psychological and physiologicalstimulation, and, perhaps, an object of beauty. This study examines motivationsand antecedents of various vehicle-directed consumer behaviors, includingmodification and the intention of consumers to invest in their relationship withtheir vehicle. In this study, vehicle modification refers to the voluntary actionstaken by a user or owner of a vehicle to differentiate the functional or aestheticcharacteristics or performance of a vehicle from other vehicles of the same make,model, year, option package, usage level, and mechanical and cosmetic condition.Investment intention, predicted in this research to derive from the perceived statusof the consumer-possession relationship (i.e., how the consumer perceives thereliability and aesthetic appeal of the vehicle and the extent to which the vehiclereceives the approval of important others), refers to the willingness of consumers totreat their vehicle as a special possession and invest in the longevity of thepossession and consumption relationship

Value-creating mechanisms within the market orientation-performance relationship A meta-analysis

The authors use meta-analysis to identify organizational mechanisms within the market orientation-performance relationship and to assess the implications of correlations between market orientation and complementary organizational orientations for that relationship. The meta-analysis is based on an integration of extant research of the relationships between market orientation and value-creating marketing capabilities as well as between organizational performance and market orientation, complementary organizational orientations, and value-creating marketing capabilities. The metaanalysis identi?es the unique contribution of market orientation to organizational performance. Relationships between market orientation and speci?c organizational orientations detract from the necessity of market orientation as a precursor to organizational performance. Consistent with expectations, market orientation was found to relate differentially but still more strongly to speci?c types of ?rm-level valuecreating marketing capabilities than to organizational performance. Results indicate that market orientation may affect performance primarily through its relationships with value-creating marketing capabilities

Implications of Erroneous Product Reviews by Product-Enthusiast Communicators

It is revealed through a between-subjects experiment that “blogger error” produces blameworthiness cognitions as well as specific affective states that together facilitate intentions in offended blog readers to engage in revenge-seeking behaviors directed at the offending blogger. Blogger error represents a negative occurrence to offended blog readers who, depending on the blame they assign and feelings of anger and dissatisfaction they experience, may seek to inflict harm on the offending blogger in the forms of negative word-of-mouth communication and online public complaining behaviors. Word-of-mouth marketing, a growing managerial practice that involves material relationships between consumers and organizations which must be disclosed to audience members, can be harmful to bloggers who, whether intentionally or not, publish erroneous content on their blogs

AN UNFULFILLED DREAM OF AN URBAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS: A FAILED EXPERIMENT IN EDUCATIONAL REFORM

This research presents the qualitative case study of an urban community school initiative that began as an educational reform effort and that ultimately failed. The process of emergence for this school and factors leading to its collapse are described through participant interviews and document analysis. Nationally, policy reformers, practitioners, and the public have been seeking solutions to urban education challenges. With this attention and the appropriation of government funding, a multitude of unique UCS initiatives run under a broad variety of auspices, are emerging. Currently, there is a lack comprehensive regulation and data examining the overall success of community schools. This study explores challenges associated with this type of educational reform. The research findings provide lessons-learned and key components to build upon for successful future initiatives and cautions regarding the actions that led to failure for this UCS. It exemplifies the need for a critical analysis of a community’s social and cultural capital before an initiative emerges. These findings suggest the importance of emphasizing 1) focus on a substantial planning period which embraces members of the community in equitable roles, 2) proper funding and financial sustainability in place, and 3) a cultivation of understanding that addresses cultural and class disconnections. Community schools appear to play a role in the ability to positively change urban students’ holistic outcomes

Dance piece

The composition entitled Dance Piece was designed for four dancers. It is a non-literal dance that emphasizes movement and motion. The main concern of the choreographer was the use of abstract spatial designs. The five movements of the dance correspond with five movements of musical accompaniment, "Symphony in D Major" by Carl Philip Emanuel Bach. The first three movements of the dance correspond with the three movements of music, Allegro di Molto, Largo and Presto. Movement IV of the dance utilizes the music of Movement I, Allegro di Molto, and Movement V of the dance utilizes the music from Movement II, the Largo. Bach of the movements deals with various choreographic elements with a strong emphasis placed on horizontal lines, diagonal lines and curved shapes. Movements I, III, and IV utilize four dancers and are primarily concerned with a variety of floor patterns composed of horizontal lines, diagonal lines, box patterns and circular designs. Movements II and V emphasize shapes and spatial lines that are created by groups and by individual dancers. All four dancers are female. Bach dancer wears a long-sleeved black leotard with a V-neck and camel colored tights. Bach dancer wears her hair in a bun on top of her head

A production of Alejandro Casona's La dama del Alba

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the script, to produce the play, and to evaluate the production of Alejandro Casona's La dama del alba. The first chapter includes the following: (l) Research of the playwright's background, (2) research of the play's background, (3) character description and analysis, and (4) a discussion of the setting. The second chapter consists of the prompt book for the production, performed in the Cultural and Educational Center, Chatham, Virginia, on May 2 and 3, 1973. Types of notations included are: (1) movement, composition and picturization, (2) tempo, (3) stage business, and (4) sound and lights. Four production photographs are included. The third and concluding chapter is the director's critical evaluation of the production- Discussed in this chapter are: (1) achievement of interpretation for the production, (2) actor-director relationships during the rehearsal period, and (3) audience reaction to the production. A program, the letter of permission from the Sociedad General de Autores de Espãna, and the review comprise the Appendix