Developing a youth training program

This project involves the establishment an after school program in the West Englewood neighborhood near Chicago, Il. A main component of the program is to provide job skills to youth in the area. (Library-derived description)Kitwana, J. (1993). Developing a youth training program. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.eduMaster of Science (M.S.)School of Community Economic Developmen

A Community That Dances Never Dies: An Ethnographic Study on People of the African Diaspora Within the African Dance and Drum Community in Chicago

This ethnographic study explored the possible innate healing properties and therapeutic aspects of West African dance within a public community setting for people of the African diaspora, specifically the African dance and drum community of Chicago. The study was conducted to identify a possible means for preventative work, explore the unique mental health needs of African Americans and expand the understanding of dance/movement therapy concepts outside of the clinical setting. The study revealed the usefulness of West African dance as a means to connect African Americans to their heritage of physical, mental, and spiritual healing. A narrative analysis of informal interviews, in-depth interviews, and participant observations established seven major categories in which West African dance was influential. The categories were condensed into three unique healing and therapeutic properties: emotional regulation, maintaining presence, and addressing diasporic stressors. The results suggest for the integration of West African dance, dance/movement therapy, and preventative programming for African Americans, as well as implications for future studies. 82 pages

Marketing Orientation and Export Performance in the New Zealand Manufacturing Industry

Much has been said and written about the marketing concept. In brief, the marketing concept stresses customer satisfaction as a means of attaining high performance. Past studies have shown that there has been a considerable interest in the marketing concept both in academic circles and in the business world. In spite of its popularity, little effort has been devoted to examining the validity of the marketing concept, i.e., to testing the proposition that the adoption and implementation of the marketing concept will lead to high performance, be it in domestic or export operations. Previous studies of the marketing concept were mainly focused on whether or not firms have adopted and implemented it. A handful of studies has examined the more fundamental question of the link between the marketing concept and corporate performance. However, for different reasons, the findings of these studies are limited. Given this background, the objective of this study was twofold: to develop and empirically test a model of marketing orientation and export performance that can be applied in many settings, and then to identify which aspects of marketing orientation correlate with export performance. The New Zealand manufacturing industry was selected as the empirical setting. A single industry was chosen so as to have a control over industrial differences. Specifically, the manufacturing industry was chosen because of its increased importance to the New Zealand economy as evidenced by the industry's contribution in areas such as export earnings, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment. A model of marketing orientation and export performance was developed. It contained three major components: the measures of marketing orientation, of export performance, and the control variables. It was hypothesized that marketing orientation would be positively related to export performance. The data were collected through a mail survey of 356 manufacturing firms throughout New Zealand. The survey produced a net response rate of 47.6 percent. Scales were developed to measure each of the three components of the model. Cronbach alpha and factor analysis were used to test the internal consistency of the measures. The measures were also subjected to convergent, discriminant, nomological and predictive validity tests. The results showed that the measures employed in this research are both reliable and valid. Furthermore, a test for normality was administered on the dependent variable (export performance) and the results showed that the dependent variable is normally distributed. It is therefore suitable for parametric statistical analyses. Multiple regression techniques were employed to analyse the data The analysis was done at two main levels. At the first level the relationship between marketing orientation and export performance was explored without controlling the exogenous variables. At the second level, the same process was repeated but the exogenous variables were controlled. At both levels of analysis the results gave support to the hypothesis that there is a positive relationship between marketing orientation and export performance

Aboriginal youth, hip hop and the politics of identification

This paper explores the identity work taking place around contemporary subcultural hip hop amongst Australian indigenous youth in two disadvantaged urban locations. Previous work on Aboriginal hip hop has been attentive to the interface between tradition and modernity. However, existing scholarship has lacked a deeper ethnographic understanding of the dynamics between youth and parent cultures, and the tensions between the two generations. This article is based on research with young hip hop enthusiasts, community activists and educators. It deals with the cultural politics of identification and sees hip hop practice as associated with a process in which Aboriginality is crystallized as a principal affiliation and as offering an account for experiences of social marginalization. Far from being an outlet for expressing a prior or essential Aboriginality, hip hop as cultural practice is associated with the production of particular identifications

Marketing Orientation and Export Performance in the New Zealand Manufacturing Industry

Much has been said and written about the marketing concept. In brief, the marketing concept stresses customer satisfaction as a means of attaining high performance. Past studies have shown that there has been a considerable interest in the marketing concept both in academic circles and in the business world. In spite of its popularity, little effort has been devoted to examining the validity of the marketing concept, i.e., to testing the proposition that the adoption and implementation of the marketing concept will lead to high performance, be it in domestic or export operations. Previous studies of the marketing concept were mainly focused on whether or not firms have adopted and implemented it. A handful of studies has examined the more fundamental question of the link between the marketing concept and corporate performance. However, for different reasons, the findings of these studies are limited. Given this background, the objective of this study was twofold: to develop and empirically test a model of marketing orientation and export performance that can be applied in many settings, and then to identify which aspects of marketing orientation correlate with export performance. The New Zealand manufacturing industry was selected as the empirical setting. A single industry was chosen so as to have a control over industrial differences. Specifically, the manufacturing industry was chosen because of its increased importance to the New Zealand economy as evidenced by the industry's contribution in areas such as export earnings, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment. A model of marketing orientation and export performance was developed. It contained three major components: the measures of marketing orientation, of export performance, and the control variables. It was hypothesized that marketing orientation would be positively related to export performance. The data were collected through a mail survey of 356 manufacturing firms throughout New Zealand. The survey produced a net response rate of 47.6 percent. Scales were developed to measure each of the three components of the model. Cronbach alpha and factor analysis were used to test the internal consistency of the measures. The measures were also subjected to convergent, discriminant, nomological and predictive validity tests. The results showed that the measures employed in this research are both reliable and valid. Furthermore, a test for normality was administered on the dependent variable (export performance) and the results showed that the dependent variable is normally distributed. It is therefore suitable for parametric statistical analyses. Multiple regression techniques were employed to analyse the data The analysis was done at two main levels. At the first level the relationship between marketing orientation and export performance was explored without controlling the exogenous variables. At the second level, the same process was repeated but the exogenous variables were controlled. At both levels of analysis the results gave support to the hypothesis that there is a positive relationship between marketing orientation and export performance

Sustainable tourism and benefit-sharing in Zanzibar: the case of Kiwengwa-Pongwe Forest

ABSTRACT Sustainable tourism (ST) development in Zanzibar is considered as one of the vital activities that could generate income for day-to-day management of protected areas through benefit-sharing. This paper examines the potential of benefit-sharing from sustainable tourism in the Kiwengwa-Pongwe tourism zone (KPTZ) in Zanzibar from two major routes: water services and tourist attractions from Kiwengwa-Pongwe forest reserve (KPFR). Nine (9) out of thirtee

Effects of Innovation on Business Performance: Empirical Evidence from Manufacturing Firms in Tanzania

Regardless of its relevance for business performance, the influence of innovation on the performance of manufacturing firms in Tanzania is not well  documented. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effects of innovation on business performance of manufacturing firms in Tanzania. The study used  cross-sectional design and quantitative approach. Copies of a structured questionnaire were administered to 420 participants from 28 manufacturing  companies in Dar es Salaam and Coast Regions. An impressive response rate of 93.1% was achieved. Data were tested for reliability using Cronbach’s  alpha coefficient. Tests for normality, multicollinearity and autocorrelation were conducted, and the results showed the data were reliable, normally  distributed, free of multicollinearity and autocorrelation problems. Descriptive and multiple regression statistical techniques were employed. The results  suggested that a significant positive effect existed between performance of manufacturing firms and product innovation (B=0.705, p=0.001), process  innovation (B=0.640, p=0.000) and marketing innovation (B=.818, p=0.000). The obvious implication to industry is that innovation is important to business  success of the manufacturing companies, thus the governments should motivate firms to innovate continuously by giving incentives to invest in R&D.  Past studies linking innovation and performance have focused on financial measures of performance. The major contribution of the current study is to  use non-financial measures of performance such as business growth and responsiveness to change.&nbsp

Testing MKTOR in Tanzania Universities [Pengujian MKTOR di Universitas Tanzania]

The objective of the study was to determine the extent to which market orientation (MO) is related to university performance. The study was based on 212 respondents from private and public universities across Tanzania. Market orientation was measured by MKTOR. Structural Equation Model (AMOS 22) and SPSS were deployed for data analysis. Tests for reliability and validity showed that the measures have sound psychometric properties. Two hypotheses were tested and both were supported. This is the first study in Tanzania which is pan territorial drawing its sample from both public as well as private universities, notwithstanding the relatively low representation by private universities. This study is cross sectional. A longitudinal study would have provided a more appropriate explanation on underlying relationships over a period of time. Furthermore, in view of complexity of high education industry, mediating variables would have shaded more light on the relationship between the two constructs under different set of circumstances. Obvious practical implication is that universities should design programs that address wider customer needs which will make them a “go to” universities and in the process increase their reputation. High reputation will attract funding from different sources thereby giving the universities ability to offer scholarships to students. This will lead to increased access to university education and hence help the Government to solve some of social problems.Abstrak dalam Bahasa Indonesia. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui sejauh mana orientasi pasar (MO) terkait dengan kinerja universitas. Studi ini didasarkan pada 212 responden dari universitas swasta dan negeri di seluruh Tanzania. Orientasi pasar diukur dengan MKTOR. Model Persamaan Struktural (AMOS 22) dan SPSS digunakan untuk analisis data. Uji reliabilitas dan validitas menunjukkan bahwa langkah-langkah tersebut memiliki sifat psikometrik yang baik. Dua hipotesis diuji dan keduanya didukung. Ini adalah studi pertama di Tanzania yang merupakan pan teritorial yang mengambil sampelnya dari universitas negeri maupun swasta, meskipun perwakilan universitas swasta relatif rendah. Penelitian ini bersifat cross sectional. Studi longitudinal akan memberikan penjelasan yang lebih tepat tentang hubungan yang mendasari selama periode waktu tertentu. Selain itu, mengingat kompleksitas industri pendidikan tinggi, variabel mediasi akan lebih memperjelas hubungan antara dua konstruksi dalam keadaan yang berbeda. Implikasi praktis yang jelas adalah bahwa universitas harus merancang program yang menjawab kebutuhan pelanggan yang lebih luas yang akan membuat mereka menjadi universitas “go to” dan dalam proses meningkatkan reputasi mereka. Reputasi tinggi akan menarik pendanaan dari berbagai sumber sehingga memberikan kemampuan universitas untuk menawarkan beasiswa kepada mahasiswa. Hal ini akan mengarah pada peningkatan akses ke pendidikan universitas dan karenanya membantu Pemerintah untuk memecahkan beberapa masalah sosial