The Role-Based Performance Scale: Validity Analysis of a Theory-Based Measure

This study introduces a theory-based measure of employee performance (Role Based Performance Scale, RBPS) that is supported with results from a validation study using 10 data sets from six companies. In contrast to traditional, job-related measures of employee performance, we propose an alternative measure of performance based on role theory and identity theory. Because our results support the validity of the scale, we think that the instrument can be used for future research that requires a generalizable measure of performance. The scale demonstrates diagnostic properties that make it useful for practitioners as well as researchers

Factors Affecting U.S. Trade and Shipments of Information Technology Products: Computer Equipment, Telecommunications Equipment, and Semiconductors

Despite a recent downturn, the information technology (IT) products sector experienced a tremendous expansion in trade and shipments during the last decade and became an increasingly important component of the U.S. economy. This expansion was driven by a variety of factors such as the globalization of IT production, constant technological innovation, rapid growth in worldwide consumption, and global trade liberalization. This working paper will examine these factors, providing particular attention to the computer equipment, telecommunications equipment, and semiconductor industries.International Development,

Expulsion of Nigerian Immigrant Community from Ghana in 1969: Causes and Impact

This paper examines the remote and immediate factors that propelled the expulsion of Nigerian migrants from Ghana in November 1969. While the paper observes that jealousy and xenophobia played important roles in instigating the expulsion order, it notes that the key consideration that informed the Ghanaian action was the economic depression experienced in the country notable in the high rate of youth unemployment within the country. The study further notes that the action brought positive and negative impacts on the Nigerian nation but spelled doom for the cocoa and retail business sectors of the Ghanaian economy in the immediate post-expulsion period. The paper concludes that though Ghana had an inalienable right to expel aliens from her territory, the haste involved in the order and the in-human disposition of Ghanaian law enforcement agents to the deportees left much to be desired. Nigerian migrant stocks are also enjoined to seek necessary clarifications regarding entry and stay permits in their various countries of domicile to avoid similar losses and embarrassment in foreign countries in the future

Browsers Beware: Avoiding Legal Entanglements on the Internet

When Chicago resident David Loundy ordered a compact disk on the Internet from a British Web site, he received an e-mail confirming his order. Loundy expected to pay the advertised price of £8.99, or about $14. When he was subsequently charged £12.99, Loundy was incensed. He argued that he had accepted the set price of £8.99 and insisted that he pay no more for the disk. But when Loundy filed suit in England under the Consumer Protection Act of 1987, he was told that the Act did not apply to him because, under English common law, the place of the offense is not where the ad originates, but where it is read

Impact of Global Financial Crisis on Nigerian Stock Market

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the global financial crisis on the Nigerian stock market. To achieve this purpose, research questions were raised, hypotheses were formulated and a review of extant literature was made. The survey method of research design was adopted in an effort to generate the required data for the study. The data generated were analyzed using the regression model and our result shows that the global financial crisis measured by currency crisis, credit crisis, liquidity crisis, and foreign investment crisis has a negative significant impact on the Nigerian stock market. Based on our findings, we recommended that mergers and acquisition should be encouraged so as to increase the capital base of stock market participants. With this arrangement, stock market participants will be able to absolve shocks from economic meltdown; the government should implement discriminatory income tax policy for companies quoted in the Nigerian stock market. This is to motivate them participate in the stock exchange market; and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other relevant regulatory authorities should use the financial stress index (FSI) as proposed by IIIing and Liu (2006) to indicate early signals of financial crisis and guiding against such early enough.Key words: Global financial crisis, Nigerian stock market, currency crisis, credit crisis,liquidity crisis, and foreign investment crisis

Effects of Calf Birth Weight, Sex, and Number of Calvings on Assigned Maternal Disposition Scores

Little work has been conducted to compare maternal disposition scores assigned to a heifer/cow after calving, and if these scores remain stable over consecutive calvings. The objective of this trial was to determine if calf birth weight, sex, and the number of calvings affects the cows maternal disposition scores. The fall data set included observations from 406 calvings, which were pure Angus (n = 316), pure Simmental (n = 75), or crosses of the two breeds (n = 43). The spring data set included observations from 550 calvings, which were Angus (n = 253) or Simmental (n = 338). All calvings occurred on pasture. The data set included date and time of birth, birth weight (kg), sex of the calf, and a maternal disposition score. The maternal disposition score was based on the cow’s reaction to both the calf and human interaction. The scale used to score cows ranged from one through five and was created at the ISU beef farm. Data was analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX. There were no observed differences for disposition score in either season when cows birthed heavier calves (P \u3e 0.86), if the cow had a bull versus a heifer (P \u3e 0.50) or the number of calvings that they experienced (P \u3e 0.76). In conclusion, using this particular maternal disposition scoring, no observed changes in disposition score occurred with calf birth weight, calf sex or the number of calvings

“We’re Playing a Telephone Game”: Understanding How Teenagers Engage with News Through a Simulation

With misinformation at an all-time high, this study explores how high school students cope with inaccurate information and perceive journalists through observation of their skills in a breaking news simulation and post-study interviews. Results reveal that young people desire accurate information but lack the tools to correct it and that immersive learning experiences, like the one used in this study, can teach about the role of quality journalism in stopping the spread of false information

Community reintegration among stroke survivors in Osun, southwestern Nigeria.

Background Stroke is a major neurological problem and a leading cause of disability in the elderly in Nigeria. The incidence is increasing due to increasing risk factors, but many stroke victims now survive because of improved medical care. These survivors become community-dwellers after inpatient rehabilitation.Aims To assess community reintegration among stroke survivors and factors associated with it.Methods Cross-sectional survey study of patients who had survived six months or more after a stroke. Participants consisted of stroke patients attending the outpatient physiotherapy clinics of four selected government owned hospitals in Osun state, south-west Nigeria. Community reintegration was assessed using the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI) and walking ability was assessed using the Functional Ambulatory Categories (FAC).Results A total of 64 patients (43 men and 21 women, mean age 58.80¡À 10.31 years) participated in this study. The mean RNLI was 63.8¡À14.3 for all the participants. Forty eight participants (75%) had slight disability (Score=2) and 16 participants (25%) had moderate disability (Score =3) using Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Age, sex, physiotherapy duration, number of stroke occurrence and walking ability, were not associated with community reintegration. Post-stroke duration however had a significant association with community reintegration.Conclusion A significant proportion of chronic stroke survivors attending the selected outpatient clinics have mild to moderate level of reintegration and the longer the post stroke duration, the better the satisfaction with community reintegration