Research productivity and social capital in Australian higher education

This study investigates the role of social capital in raising research productivity in academic institutions. Social capital as a strategic resource embedded in social relationships can be utilised towards decreasing pressures from external environmental conditions, such as the global financial crisis. A survey was sent to academic staff in five universities in Victoria, to collect data regarding their frequency of communications and research productivity. The findings indicated that there is a significant and positive correlation between social interactions and research productivity. Regression analysis demonstrated that social interactions as an independent variable predict research productivity of academics

Developing a mathematical model of entrepreneurship orientation in academic context

Abstract not available

The role of social ties in fostering innovation

The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of social ties in encouraging innovative behaviour. There is limited empirical evidence of the interrelation between these two constructs in current academic literature. This research hypothesizes such relationship in higher academic institutions. To enhance innovativeness of academic staff within universities or R & D institutions, we examined the role of social ties in fostering innovativeness as a main factor in entrepreneurial activities. A survey was sent via a hyperlink to the target sample, facilitated by empirical analysis using correlation and regression analysis. It can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between spending time with social contacts and innovativeness. Limitations and further research are cited to enhance the understanding of the interrelation of the constructs

Social capital, intrapreneurship and productivity in academic institutions

The importance of social interaction and networking in fostering entrepreneurial activities has been widely researched over the last decade. There is however limited evidence of the association between these two constructs in a knowledge based environment. As universities are under constant pressure to improve the productivity of academic staff within universities, we examine the role of social interaction in fostering entrepreneurial activities. A web-based survey is implemented, facilitated by empirical analysis using correlation and multiple regression to probe the relationship between these constructs. Whilst in can be concluded that the constructs are all multidimensional, varying relationships were identified when statistically examining the interrelations. Overall, there is a significant relationship between social interaction and productivity. lntrapreneurship also portrays such significance, albeit varying between dimensions of autonomy, innovativeness, risk taking, proactiveness and competitive aggressiveness

The role of social capital in fostering entrepreneurship in established organizations

This study investigates social behavior of employees and its effect on entrepreneurial activities. Social capital is a strategic resource available through the network of relationships may be exploited in the direction of organizational and individual objectives. The study posited that this powerful asset may be leveraged in fostering entrepreneurial orientation of employees, which is an antecedent for improving the performance. A developed survey was sent to a selected sample of academic staff in five public universities in Victoria. The collected data were subject to statistical analysis and the result was derived. The findings indicated that there is a positive and significant relationship between social behavior and entrepreneurial orientation of academics. The predictability of entrepreneurial activities by social relationships was tested

Networking, entrepreneurship and productivity in universities

The importance of networking in fostering entrepreneurial activities has been widely researched over the last decade. There is however limited evidence of the association between these two constructs in a knowledge based environment. As universities are under constant pressure to improve the productivity of academic staff, we examine the role of social interaction in fostering entrepreneurial activities. A web-based survey is implemented, facilitated by empirical analysis using correlation and multiple regression to probe the relationship between these constructs. Whilst in can be concluded that the constructs are all multidimensional, varying relationships were identified when statistically examining the interrelations. Overall, there is a significant relationship between networking and productivity. Entrepreneurship also portrays such significance, albeit varying between dimensions of autonomy, innovativeness, risk taking, proactiveness and competitive aggressiveness

Comparison the effectiveness of aripiprazole and risperidone for the treatment of acute bipolar mania

Background: Second-generation antipsychotics, approved for the treatment of mania, are associated with adverse effects such as weight gain and metabolic disorders. Aripiprazole, a recently introduced second-generation antipsychotic, are thought to account for its low propensity for weight gain, metabolic disturbances and sedation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of risperidone versus aripiprazole in the treatment of acute mania. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients with acute episodes of mania were enrolled in this study, and they were randomly assigned into a risperidone group of 24 cases and an aripiprazole group of 26 cases. In group A, aripiprazole with a dose of 5-30 mg/day and in group B, risperidone with a dose of 2-8 mg/day was given to patients. The average dose of aripiprazole was 27 mg/day, and the average dose of risperidone was 6 mg/day. The effects of each drug for the treatment of acute mania were assessed on the 1 st day of admission and on days 2, 4, 6, 8 and at weeks 2, 4 and 6 after therapy using the young mania rating scale (YMRS) and at the baseline and on weeks 3 and 6 after admission using the clinical global impression (CGI) scale. Results: The mean age of the group of risperidone was 34 ± 8.6 years and in a group of aripiprazole it was 34 ± 9.1 years (P = 0.83). Comparison of YMRS scores over the period of 6 weeks revealed a statistically significant difference in both groups (P < 0.0001).There was also a statistically significant difference in YMRS scores between risperidone and aripiprazole at day 8 (P = 0.026) and weeks 2 (P = 0.035) and 4 (P = 0.042). There was also a statistically significant difference in CGI-Severity scale score at weeks 3 (P = 0.003) and 6 (P = 0.000) and in CGI-Improvement scale score at weeks 3 (P = 0.005) and 6 (P = 0.002). The most common side-effect observed in both groups was headache (0%15/4 in aripiprazole vs. %16/7 in risperidone) Conclusion: Aripiprazole that is readily available in our market, could be considered more effective than risperidone in the treatment of acute mania