'The Art of Being Home': Home and Travel in Shirley Geok-lin Lim’s Poetry

"'The Art of Being Home': Home and Travel in Shirley Geok-lin Lim's Poetry" is an exploration of Shirley Geok-lin Lim’s poetics of travel and home anchored in a narrative tracking a day spent with the poet. It is a sequel to “Walking between Land and Water,” an essay published in Asiatic, in which I combine a personal encounter with the poet with an examination of the tropes of walking and liminality in her work. Here the focus is more on the motif and theme of home in the poet’s work, as the essay excavates the complexities and ambiguities of the meaning of home, from her first collection to recently published poems. This essay identifies the shifts in the poet’s idea of where and what home is, and examines how it forms a counterpoint to the poetics of travel and transnational mobility that informs her work. So far, critical attention has been more on her relationship with Malacca, her place of origin, than on her self-mappings in her adopted hometown of Santa Barbara. The essay gives a portrait of the poet at home, and highlights the increasing importance of Santa Barbara in her poetry.

The relationship between organization culture and knowledge sharing in a born global firm

Knowledge sharing and its stickiness have been studied extensively over the last decade in the context of traditional MNCs. However, minimal research focuses on the organizational culture of Born Global firms and its relationship with knowledge sharing. Knowledge sharing is very much influenced by organizational culture because it is through organizational culture that shapes employees to achieve desired organizational goals, such as increased internal knowledge sharing. The AMO framework (Ability, Motivation & Opportunity) is used to draw the link between knowledge sharing and organizational culture. In addition, the role of the CEO was studied to better understand the influence of the CEO in motivating (or inhibiting) subordinates to share knowledge. The research had two main research questions; the first research question looks at the extent to which organizational culture represents a barrier or enhancer to effective knowledge sharing within the born global firm. Secondly, research question 2 aims to investigate the role of the CEO in knowledge sharing. To complete this research, a qualitative in-depth case study was conducted on one Finnish Born Global firm. Interviewees were from its two headquarters located in two Finnish cities. Seven semi-structured interviews were carried out to complete this embedded case study. Organizational culture of the born global firm was in fact an enabler of knowledge sharing, contrary to findings of previous studies done on traditional MNCs. One key component of organizational culture emerged in this research – the flat organizational structure of the Born Gobal firm was shown to be most influential in enhancing knowledge sharing within headquarters and its foreign subsidiaries. In addition to having a flat organizational structure, the born global firm was relatively small and agile which allowed them to work fast and have direct communication with others within the firm. With shared work goals and a common understanding of the company’s visions, knowledge was shared effectively in this born global firm. The CEO of the born global firm works professionally and his openness eases knowledge sharing amongst his subordinates.fi=Opinnäytetyö kokotekstinä PDF-muodossa.|en=Thesis fulltext in PDF format.|sv=Lärdomsprov tillgängligt som fulltext i PDF-format

The Analysis of Social Neuroscience Challenges Matrix Measurement for Sign Language Interpreter (JBIM) in Malaysia

The critical shortage of sign language interpreter (JBIM) in Malaysia has immensely affected more than 55,000 registered Deaf who live in the silence world. It is the result of the non-recognised status of JBIM as a profession and low public awareness on the accessibility of sign language interpreter (JBIM) services and the non-existent of accredited sign interpreter training program in Malaysia. Hence, the low new entry with high attrition rate in long term has damaged and post social challenges to sign interpreters industry. The objective of the study is to focus on the social neuroscience challenges identification by creating an exactness of measurement matrix to the situation. The methodology is qualitatively analyse the social neuroscience dimension of JBIM’s challenges in their practise by examining each phrases of interpreting in social context from message flow matrix and spatial struggle matrix. The major finding is that there are three phrases of social neuroscience challenges. Pre-entry industry challenges; during-interpreting 3 dimensional challenges with 4 competencies dimension, 5 quadrants social neuroscience challenges and 3 interpreting process challenges; post-graduate inspiration maintenance challenges. The contribution of the study after synthesize the major findings and the research literature is that a model of social neuroscience challenges analysis for sign interpreters (JBIM) has helped to identify the actual challenges with measurement matrix which could minimise the further damage to the industry at the same time to maximise the performance standard for sign interpreters in the industry. The interpreters engagement flow has gave a clear career path landscape of social neuroscience challenges for the pursuing of interpreting career. Many private institution step in to stabilize this critical situation by introducing intensive training program to include any interested party without taking into account the suitability of the candidate as part of the educational components has created the further drop of the quality of the sign interpreter. With the newly introduced challenges analysis model will help the private institute to identify the problems by achieving an effective interventions to the problem.   The recommendation after this study is to present a policy review to the government concerning a systematic ways of sign interpreter training program by providing a new spectrum on the identification of the challenges of the sign interpreter that lead to the improvement of the current situation

The Formulation of Social Neuroscience Midlife Crisis Predictability Apparatus for Midlife Progression

The purpose of this paper is studying the social brain in the context of neuroscience to unveil their intricate relationship between social environment and neuroscience responses by formulating an effective social neuroscience midlife crisis apparatus to help creating predictability of this phenomenal by preventing it from the earlier stage. The research design was taking a three fundamental levels. The foundational level to collect data from 32 middle aged homogeneous sampling of midlife crisis sufferers through qualitative content analysis design for social and neuroscience thematic by conducting an in depth interview.  The verification level to guarantee the validity of the data collected through the selected tests for reaching the re-tested reliability data. The confirmatory level to administer the data through the quantitative survey methods by using self-portrayed midlife crisis experience and self-reported midlife crisis definition to investigate the causal relationship of social and neuroscience to reach an outcome, thereafter the outcome is compared with verified qualitative social neuroscience midlife crisis. Data were analysed by SPSS/Version 25 for principal components analysis. Results from N=32 focus group shows 3 social construct components with 10 neuro-response delineating to 45 unit of meaning of social neuroscience factors. The literature and focus study of total 79 combined factors under Tucker's congruence coefficient interpretation shows the desirable 44 social neuroscience factors in 3 components emerged as independent identity factors. Six midlife crisis expert of different field respondents’ validation by content validity index (CVI=0,906 value) has confirmed that the content is suitable to be used as the measurement for social-neuroscience midlife crisis. Pilot study N=34 analysis by content validity ratio (CVR=0.529 to 1) where 38 social neuroscience factors is retained and tested for internal consistency by communalities=0.5 results that all 38 items are relevant. Data comparison confirmatory by triangle test analysis in which Pearson correlation coefficient (r= > 0.75) shows a positive strong relationship between two sets of variables. The results conclude that there are 3 components, namely biological life faded moment, interior misery intensity and personal hibernating symptom with 38 social neuroscience factors in the predictability apparatus that influence midlife crisis and should be used as predicting and developing therapeutic intervention facility to conquer the midlife crisis. Contribution of Social neuroscience midlife crisis apparatus is an effective scaled system for early prediction and prevention to diminish midlife crisis rate of occurrence, ultimately the details unit of meaning crisis predictability factors scale to assure the accurate intervention devising instrument to social support services

Nation Branding Online. Multimodal Analysis of the BRIC Official Business Websites

This study explores and identifies the strategies for ‘nation branding’ used by website producers of the BRIC countries’ official trade and business websites. ‘National Branding’ is defined in this thesis as the promotion of a particular country to foreigners. Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) are grouped into the same category of fast economic growth countries. The main research question for this thesis is ‘How are these BRIC’s official business websites created and how does this represent them individually?’ The goal of this research is to better understand the representation of each of the BRIC countries online and how this ‘image’ is achieved by the websites’ multimodal approach. The multimodality method of analysis in this research took into account the combination of website dynamic design (images, text, colors, structure, and functions) to shed light and knowledge upon the websites’ usability, and individual represented ‘metaphor’. Alongside multimodality, social semiotics theory was used as a framework of analysis to draw upon the conclusions of the research. After conducting the research and drawing upon conclusions, the researcher sees that national culture has a very small role to play, if any, in its image online. Brazil’s online image in this research was well-dressed but only half-functioning. Russia took on a minimalistic and serious style. India had a lack of individuality as it adopted a textbook style and was too general in the materials presented on its website. China adopted a color scheme and website structure that can be compared to a military uniform, one that is organized and mostly functioning.fi=Opinnäytetyö kokotekstinä PDF-muodossa.|en=Thesis fulltext in PDF format.|sv=Lärdomsprov tillgängligt som fulltext i PDF-format

Reposition Malaysian’s Social Neuroscience Life Cycle Paradigm to Resolve the Midlife Mystic

This investigation examines, via phenomenological qualitative analysis, on the agony of midlife progression shocked many underwent, when march in to the beclouded forty unprepared due to society knowledge deficiency on the existent of midlife phase. Thus, the key research objective is to reposition the subject of life cycle paradigm by setting a new psychosocial parameter for each life phase by defining it from the social neuroscience perspective, so that to devise a new model of social neuroscience life cycle paradigm for Malaysian. A qualitative inquiry on the individual’s lived phenomenological experiences within the social structure is done by face to face interview, then snow ball to people around them by survey form. A total of N=221 Malaysian participated voluntarily by answering three fundamental questions to elicit their personal life experience on the social neuroscience dimensions. The answer is scripted for thematic analysis and tested by SPSS. 68% of data collected from people originated from other states, thus the statistic could then be considered as Malaysia’s. Three major finding resulted. Firstly, there are four episodes life cycle of life span on one’s whole life, yet only 15.4% of Malaysian acknowledge the existent of midlife episode as a process and majority (76%) define life process as a simple three episode process. Secondly, the accretion of 11 social neuroscience dimensions in one’s life course, and reveals a mystical existent of social assumed illusion on midlife as steady stage outwardly with specialised skills, which has wrapped up their inward neuroscience struggle of vulnerability that need emotional regulation of this latent effect. Thirdly, when the two finding are mixed, a new look of Malaysian social neuroscience life cycle paradigm named as “The 28,000 days of four episodes social neuroscience life cycle” is born and presenting a new era for whole life transition analysis. The two immediate contribution of this study produces a new era concept that has walked Malaysian from knowledge darkness of life episodes by elevating life cycle paradigm into a new level on social neuroscience aspects, and, invented a crisis predictability to curb the hidden explosive crisis dynamic, though not able to eliminate it during midlife. Process from here, next research should be on a bigger quantitative scale research dynamic of psychosocial factors which trigger specifically hidden midlife crisis knowledge deficiency

Teaching intermediate -level technical and musical skills through the study and performance of selected piano duets

Piano duet playing is a unique type of performing because it is the only musical experience where two people play music written for a single instrument. Duet playing offers not only joy and fun in music making with a partner, but also provides substantial instructional benefits at all levels. Duet playing is especially valuable for young pianists because it helps them develop basic musicianship and ensemble skills at an earlier level. Teachers should recognize the importance of teaching piano duets to elementary and intermediate piano students.;The present study investigates ways to help late-elementary and intermediate students master intermediate-level technical and musical skills through the study and performance of piano duets. This study provides a pedagogical guide that presents suggestions for teaching specific intermediate-level technical and musical skills through the study of selected late-elementary and intermediate duet pieces and passages. Specific technical and musical skills such as rhythm, ensemble, articulation, dynamics, style, balance, pedaling, signaling, hand and body positions, and sight-reading are discussed from a pedagogical point of view. Specific duet pieces and passages are chosen and discussed in order to exemplify how to teach these skills. In addition, suggestions for proper pairing of students are discussed

The psychological well-being of elderly persons living in old urban areas of Hong Kong: A social perspective

Using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) and the short form of the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), this study found that the Chinese elderly who live in old urban areas of Hong Kong are at risk of suffering from poor mental health because of their relatively deprived social conditions. It was also found that the respondent's scores in the GDS-15 correlated with their social conditions, including type of housing, availability of helpers, financial status and family support. However, Chinese elderly people often avoid seeking help because of the fear of being stigmatised. There is a need for more research in the future to study their needs and problems so that social work practitioners can be well informed and culturally competent to help this disadvantaged group.postprin

Determinants Of Tourism Network Success

The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of the succesful collaborative networking in Penang tourism industry, and the effect of these factors on the network performance in the form of business and organizational performance. The factors selected under this study are trust, commitment, communication, information sharing and perceived conflict