be Trust in Google - A Textual Analysis of News Articles About Cyberbullying By Published On :: 2022-02-06 Aim/Purpose: Cyberbullying (CB) is an ongoing phenomenon that affects youth in negative ways. Using online news articles to provide information to schools can help with the development of comprehensive cyberbullying prevention campaigns, and in restoring faith in news reporting. The inclusion of online news also allows for increased awareness of cybersafety issues for youth. Background: CB is an inherent problem of information delivery and security. Textual analysis provides input into prevention and training efforts to combat the issue. Methodology: Text extraction and text analysis methods of term and concept extraction; text link analysis and sentiment analysis are performed on a body of news articles. Contribution: News articles are determined to be a major source of information for comprehensive cyberbullying prevention campaigns. Findings: Online news articles are relatively neutral in their sentiment; terms and topic extraction provide fertile ground for information presentation and context. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers should seek support for research projects that extract timely information from online news articles. Future Research: Refinement of the terms and topics analytic model, as well as a system development approach for information extraction of online CB news. Full Article
be Informing Consumers: A Bibliometric and Thematic Analysis of Pack Nutrition Labelling By Published On :: 2023-11-18 Aim/Purpose: The focus on human well-being has attracted the attention of consumers, organizations, and marketers to understand the various facets of Front of Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL). This study examines the overall research trends in the FPONL domain and identifies the new research areas. Background: FOPNL is becoming increasingly popular and its influence has been widely examined. Different label schemes have been introduced across different regions in the world. Nevertheless, such interventions are limited in developing economies. Methodology: This study uses bibliometric analysis methods to explore Front of Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL) trends using 602 articles published in selected business journals. Contribution: The paper identifies the new FOPNL research avenues. The study indicates that FOPNL has become a crucial research area, and more research is needed at the organization, managerial, and policy levels. Findings: The study identifies four themes. The first theme identified is the effect of harmful nutrients on health and the role of FOPNL nutrition in changing eating habits. The second theme focused on the government's policy and implementation of FOPNL nutrition labeling regulations. The third theme is dedicated to the work on attention, perception, understanding, and influence of multiple traffic light schemes. The fourth theme relates to the Health Star Rating, Nutri Score, and Healthier Choice FOPNL nutrition labeling schemes. Overall, the paper informs consumers, manufacturers, and regulators about the recent trends in the FOPNL research. Recommendation for Researchers: Though FOPNL has been widely examined in the health and nutrition domain, however, limited research has been done in the marketing domain. Research using neuroscientific methods (e.g. eye tracking) should provide more robust findings. Future Research: There is limited research on FOPNL from emerging economies. Future research can examine how FOPNL may influence people, policy, and private entities. Full Article
be Ownership and Support: Boosting Performance and Well-Being in Safety By Published On :: 2023-11-13 Aim/Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the role of psychological ownership for safety in boosting employee performance and the impact of Perceived Organizational Support for Safety (POSS) on workers’ well-being, considering the psychological aspects associated with workplace safety and exploring the mediating effect of employees’ commitment. Background: It is widely recognized that promoting workplace safety goes beyond purely physical measures and must also consider the psychological aspects associated with safety management. However, while some studies have shown the direct effect of POSS and Safety Ownership on safety outcomes, very few studies have explored the underlying mediating mechanism, as well as their impact on distal outcomes, such as well-being and performance. Methodology: The cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of a metal mechanic enterprise’s employees through an online self-assessment questionnaire. Contribution: This study contributes to understanding the mechanisms through which psychological ownership for safety, organizational support for safety, and psychological factors related to safety collectively influence organizational outcomes. Findings: Two indirect significant effects are described. The first is between POSS and well-being, and the second significant relation is between psychological ownership for safety and job performance. When employees perceive that their organization cares about safety, they will experience a stronger sense of commitment and, in turn, they will be more satisfied in the work context, and they will improve their job performance. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers should take a transdisciplinary approach to enable the integration of knowledge and perspectives from different fields that are essential to understanding the full range of implications and applications of safety management. Future Research: It could be interesting to investigate a different point of view on safety (e.g., top management or health and safety officers) and explore concerns about how to successfully communicate and transfer safety climate during remote working activities. Full Article
be Rationalizing Fiction Cues: Psychological Effects of Disclosing Ads and the Inaccuracy of the Human Mind When Being in Parasocial Relationships By Published On :: 2023-05-04 Aim/Purpose: Parasocial relationships are today established on social media between influencers and their followers. While marketing effects are well-researched, little is known about the meaning of such relationships and the psychological mechanisms behind them. This study, therefore, explores the questions: “How do followers on Instagram interpret explicit fiction cues from influencers?” and “What does this reveal about the meaning of parasocial attachment?” Background: With a billion-dollar advertising industry and leading in influencing opinion, Instagram is a significant societal and economic player. One factor for the effective influence of consumers is the relationship between influencer and follower. Research shows that disclosing advertisements surprisingly does not harm credibility, and sometimes even leads to greater trustworthiness and, in turn, willingness to purchase. While such reverse dynamics are measurable, the mechanisms behind them remain largely unexplored. Methodology: The study follows an explorative approach with in-depth interviews, which are analyzed with Mayring’s content analysis under a reconstructive paradigm. The findings are discussed through the lens of critical psychology. Contribution: Firstly, this study contributes to the understanding of the communicative dynamics of influencer-follower communication alongside the reality-fiction-gap model, and, secondly, it contributes empirical insights through the analysis of 22 explorative interviews. Findings: The findings show (a) how followers rationalize fiction cues and justify compulsive decision-making, (b) how followers are vulnerable to influences, and (c) how parasocial attachment formation overshadows rational logic and agency. The findings are discussed with regard to mechanisms, vulnerabilities, rationalizations and cognitive bias, and the social self, as well as the ethics of influencer marketing and politics. Recommendation for Researchers: The contribution is relevant to relationship research, group dynamics and societal organizing, well-being, identity, and health perspectives, within psychology, sociology, media studies, and pedagogy to management. Future Research: Future research might seek to understand more about (a) quantifiable vulnerabilities, such as attachment styles, dispositions, and demographics, (b) usage patterns and possible factors of prevention, (c) cognitive and emotional mechanisms involved with larger samples, (d) the impact on relationships and well-being, and (e) possible conditions for the potential of parasocial attachment. Full Article
be The Relationship between Perceived Organizational Support (POS) and Turnover Intention: The Mediating Role of Job Motivation, Affective and Normative Commitment By Published On :: 2023-02-22 Aim/Purpose: The study aims to examine the mediating role of job motivation and affective and normative commitment on the relationship between perceived organizational support (POS) and job turnover intention. Background: POS refers to employees’ beliefs and perceptions concerning the extent to which the organization values their contributions, cares about their well-being, and fulfils their socio-emotional needs. To date, research has shown that employee turnover is a complex construct resulting from the interplay of both individual and organizational variables, such as motivation and climate. Methodology: Cross-sectional data were collected from 143 employees of an Italian industrial company. Paper-and-pencil questionnaires were used to assess respondents’ POS, job motivation, affective and normative organizational commitment, and turnover intentions. Contribution: Specifically, in this research, we aim at examining (i) the indirect effect of POS on turnover intention via (ii) job motivation and (iii) normative and affective commitment. Findings: Results show that high POS is associated with high levels of job motivation and affective and normative commitment, which in turn are negatively linked to turnover intentions. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers should not lose sight of the importance of studying and delving into the concept of turnover intention given that, from an organizational point of view, losing personnel means losing competencies, which need to be replaced through assessment, selection, training, and development, processes that are often challenging and expensive. Future Research: Future research should further investigate the role of motivation and commitment, other than additional variables, for POS and turnover intention. Longitudinal studies and further testing are required to verify the causal processes stemming from our model. Future research could consider linking employees’ self-reported measures with objective data concerning turnover rates. Full Article
be Informing Academia Through Understanding of the Technology Use, Information Gathering Behaviors, and Social Concerns of Gen Z By Published On :: 2024-11-11 Aim/Purpose: The aim of this paper is to examine Gen Z students located in a representative region of the United States when it comes to technology use, news and information gathering behaviors, civic engagement, and social concerns and whether differences exist based on institutional type. The purpose is to report this information so that academics can better understand the behaviors, priorities, and interests of current American students. Background: This paper investigates the mindset of Generation Z students living in the United States during a period of heightened civic unrest. Through the lens of the Theory of Generations, Uses and Gratifications Theory, and Intersectional Theory, this study aims to examine the Gen Z group and compare findings across populations. Methodology: An electronic survey was administered to students from 2019 through 2022. The survey included a combination of multiple responses, Likert scaled, dichotomous, open-ended, and ordinal questions. It was developed in the Survey Monkey system and reviewed by content and methodological experts to examine bias, vagueness, or potential semantic problems. The survey was pilot-tested in 2018 before implementation in order to explore the efficacy of the research methodology. It was then modified accordingly before widespread distribution to potential participants. The surveys were administered to students enrolled in classes taught by the authors, all of whom are educators. Participation was voluntary, optional, and anonymous. Contribution: This paper provides insight into the mindset of Generation Z students living in the United States, which is helpful to members of academia who should be informed about the current generation of students in higher education. Studying Generation Z helps us understand the future and can provide insight into the shifting needs and expectations of society. Findings: According to the findings, Gen Z are heavy users of digital technologies who use social media as their primary source for gathering news about current events as well as information for schoolwork. The majority of respondents considered themselves to be social activists. When institutional type was considered, there were notable differences with the students at the Historically Black College or University (HBCU), noting the greatest concern with a number of pressing issues, including racial justice/Black Lives Matter, women’s rights, gun violence, immigration reform, and human trafficking. Less significance across groups was found when LGBTQIA+ rights and climate change were considered. Recommendation for Researchers: As social media continues to proliferate in daily life and become a vital means of news and information gathering, additional studies such as the one presented here are needed. In other countries facing similarly turbulent times, measuring student interest, awareness, and engagement is highly informative. Future Research: Future research will explore the role that influencers have in opinion formation and the information-gathering habits of Gen Z. Full Article
be Berkeley Technology Law Journal Podcast: Will ChatGPT Tell Me How to Vote? Democracy & AI with Professor Bertrall Ross By btlj.org Published On :: Tue, 05 Nov 2024 18:43:07 +0000 [Meg O’Neill] 00:08 Hello and welcome to the Berkeley Technology Law Journal podcast. My name is Meg O’Neill and I am one of the editors of the podcast. Today we are excited to share with you a conversation between Berkeley Law LLM student Franco Dellafiori, and Professor Bertrall Ross. Professor ... The post Berkeley Technology Law Journal Podcast: Will ChatGPT Tell Me How to Vote? Democracy & AI with Professor Bertrall Ross appeared first on Berkeley Technology Law Journal. Full Article Student Podcast
be SH-YOLO: Small Target High Performance YOLO for Abnormal Behavior Detection in Escalator Scene By search.ieice.org Published On :: Shuoyan LIU,Chao LI,Yuxin LIU,Yanqiu WANG, Vol.E107-D, No.11, pp.1468-1471Escalators are an indispensable facility in public places. While they can provide convenience to people, abnormal accidents can lead to serious consequences. Yolo is a function that detects human behavior in real time. However, the model exhibits low accuracy and a high miss rate for small targets. To this end, this paper proposes the Small Target High Performance YOLO (SH-YOLO) model to detect abnormal behavior in escalators. The SH-YOLO model first enhances the backbone network through attention mechanisms. Subsequently, a small target detection layer is incorporated in order to enhance detection of key points for small objects. Finally, the conv and the SPPF are replaced with a Region Dynamic Perception Depth Separable Conv (DR-DP-Conv) and Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling (ASPP), respectively. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model is capable of accurately and robustly detecting anomalies in the real-world escalator scene. Publication Date: 2024/11/01 Full Article
be Dimensions of anti-citizenship behaviours incidence in organisations: a meta-analysis By www.inderscience.com Published On :: 2024-07-29T23:20:50-05:00 Research growth in organisational behaviour research, has increased the importance of paying attention to anti-citizenship behaviours. The current research with the aim of quantitative combination, has examined the results of research in effect of underlying factors of organisational anti-citizenship behaviours using meta-analysis method and CMA2 software and 55 articles during the time period of 2000-2020. The results showed a positive significant link between underlying factors of organisational anti-citizenship behaviours and occurrence of these behaviours and this influence was 0.389, 0.338, 0514 and 0.498 (structural, organisational, managerial, employment and professional and socio-economic and cultural factors). The level of connection found relating to each four occurrences is '68 links, 49 links, 93 links and 71 links'. Findings indicate that minute attention has been paid to organisational anti-citizenship behaviours, especially to job and professional factors in research works. Research should be conducted to control and manage these behaviours more purposefully in organisations. Full Article
be Defense: Taneeya Satyapanich, Modeling and Extracting Information about Cybersecurity Events from Text By ebiquity.umbc.edu Published On :: Fri, 15 Nov 2019 01:55:45 +0000 Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Modeling and Extracting Information about Cybersecurity Events from Text Taneeya Satyapanich 9:30-11:30 Monday, 18 November, 2019, ITE346? People now rely on the Internet to carry out much of their daily activities such as banking, ordering food, and socializing with their family and friends. The technology facilitates our lives, but also comes with […] The post Defense: Taneeya Satyapanich, Modeling and Extracting Information about Cybersecurity Events from Text appeared first on UMBC ebiquity. Full Article cybersecurity defense events NLP research
be paper: Temporal Understanding of Cybersecurity Threats By ebiquity.umbc.edu Published On :: Thu, 28 May 2020 22:02:00 +0000 This paper how to apply dynamic topic models to a set of cybersecurity documents to understand how the concepts found in them are changing over time. The post paper: Temporal Understanding of Cybersecurity Threats appeared first on UMBC ebiquity. Full Article AI cybersecurity Knowledge Graph KR Machine Learning NLP Paper research
be Best Programmatic Advertising Strategies By www.gourmetads.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Sep 2024 14:33:44 +0000 Best Programmatic Advertising Strategies Looking to craft a successful programmatic advertising strategy? This guide will outline key steps like setting goals, identifying your audience, and leveraging technology to boost your campaigns. Key Takeaways Programmatic advertising automates the ad buying process using machine learning and data analytics, significantly increasing efficiency and enabling precise targeting. [...] Full Article Programmatic Advertising digital marketing programmatic advertising
be Best Connected TV Advertising Companies By www.gourmetads.com Published On :: Mon, 28 Oct 2024 10:51:35 +0000 Best Connected TV Advertising Companies Curious about connected TV advertising companies? This article covers the top companies, their key features, and tips for choosing the best fit for your ad campaigns. Key Takeaways Connected TV (CTV) advertising allows personalized, data-driven ad delivery via internet-connected devices, significantly improving audience targeting compared to traditional TV. [...] Full Article Digital Advertising connected tv connected tv advertising
be ISOLATING TRUST OUTCOMES FROM EXCHANGE RELATIONSHIPS: SOCIAL EXCHANGE AND LEARNING BENEFITS OF PRIOR TIES IN ALLIANCES By amj.aom.org Published On :: Mon, 16 Mar 2015 15:28:46 +0000 Social exchange theory is a broad theory that has been used to explain trust as an outcome of various exchange relationships, and research commonly presumes trust exists between exchange partners that have prior relationships. In this paper, we contribute to social exchange theory by isolating the trust outcomes of interorganizational exchanges from other outcomes emphasized by learning and knowledge-based perspectives, and by specifying important boundary conditions for the emergence of trust in interorganizational exchanges. We make such a theoretical contribution within the domain of strategic alliances by investigating the effects of previous alliance agreements, or prior ties, between the partnering firms. We find that prior ties generally lead to learning about a partner's anticipated behavioral patterns, which helps a firm predict when self-interested behavior may occur and know how to interact with the partner during the coordination and execution of the alliance tasks. By contrast, it is evident that the kind of trust emphasized in social exchange theory is not generally rooted in prior ties and only emerges from prior relationships under certain conditions. We discuss the implications of these findings for research on social exchange theory and for delineating the theory's domain of applicability. Full Article
be Micro-Foundations of Firm-Specific Human Capital: When Do Employees Perceive Their Skills to be Firm-Specific? By amj.aom.org Published On :: Fri, 27 Mar 2015 15:55:37 +0000 Drawing on human capital theory, strategy scholars have emphasized firm-specific human capital as a source of sustained competitive advantage. In this study, we begin to unpack the micro-foundations of firm-specific human capital by theoretically and empirically exploring when employees perceive their skills to be firm-specific. We first develop theoretical arguments and hypotheses based on the extant strategy literature, which implicitly assumes information efficiency and unbiased perceptions of firm-specificity. We then relax these assumptions and develop alternative hypotheses rooted in the cognitive psychology literature, which highlights biases in human judgment. We test our hypotheses using two data sources from Korea and the United States. Surprisingly, our results support the hypotheses based on cognitive bias - a stark contrast to the expectations embedded within the strategy literature. Specifically, we find organizational commitment and, to some extent, tenure are negatively related to employee perceptions of the firm-specificity. We also find that employer provided on-the-job training was unrelated to perceived firm-specificity. These findings suggest that firm-specific human capital, as perceived by employees, may drive behavior in ways not anticipated by existing theory - for example, with respect to investments in skills or turnover decisions. This, in turn, may challenge the assumed relationship between firm-specific human capital and sustained competitive advantage. More broadly, our findings may suggest a need to reconsider other theories, such as transaction cost economics, that draw heavily on the notion of firm-specificity and implicitly assume widely shared and unbiased perceptions. Full Article
be What's going on? Developing reflexivity in the management classroom: From surface to deep learning and everything else in between. By amle.aom.org Published On :: Thu, 02 Apr 2015 14:22:46 +0000 'What's going on?' Within the context of our critically-informed teaching practice, we see moments of deep learning and reflexivity in classroom discussions and assessments. Yet, these moments of criticality are interspersed with surface learning and reflection. We draw on dichotomous, linear developmental, and messy explanations of learning processes to empirically explore the learning journeys of 20 international Chinese and 42 domestic New Zealand students. We find contradictions within our own data, and between our findings and the extant literature. We conclude that expressions of surface learning and reflection are considerably more complex than they first appear. Moreover, developing critical reflexivity is a far more subtle, messy, and emotional experience than previously understood. We present the theoretical and pedagogical significance of these findings when we consider the implications for the learning process and the practice of management education. Full Article
be STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS AND SOCIAL WELFARE: A BEHAVIORAL THEORY OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO JOINT VALUE CREATION By amr.aom.org Published On :: Mon, 01 Jun 2015 15:38:05 +0000 Firms play a crucial role in furthering social welfare through their ability to foster stakeholders' contributions to joint value creation, i.e., value creation that involves a public-good dilemma due to high task and outcome interdependence - leading to what economists have labeled the 'team production problem'. We build on relational models theory to examine how individual stakeholders' contributions to joint value creation are shaped by stakeholders' mental representations of their relationships with the other participants in value creation, and how these mental representations are affected by the perceived behavior of the firm. Stakeholder theory typically contrasts a broadly-defined 'relational' approach to stakeholder management with a 'transactional' approach based on the price mechanism - and has argued that the former is more likely to contribute to social welfare than the latter. Our theory supports this prediction for joint value creation, but also implies that the dichotomy on which it is based is too coarse-grained: there are three distinct ways to trigger higher contributions to joint value creation than through a 'transactional' approach. Our theory also helps explain the tendency for firms and their stakeholders to converge on 'transactional' relationships, despite their relative inefficiency in the context of joint value creation. Full Article
be Spilling Outside the Box: The Effects of Individuals' Creative Behaviors at Work on Time Spent with their Spouses at Home By amj.aom.org Published On :: Thu, 04 Jun 2015 14:48:41 +0000 Most research on creativity describes it as a net positive: producing new products for the organization and satisfaction and positive affect for creative workers. However, a host of anecdotal and historical evidence suggests that creative work can have deleterious consequences for relationships. This raises the question: how does creativity at work impact relationships at home? Relying on work-family conflict and resource allocation theory as conceptual frameworks, we test a model of creative behaviors during the day at work and the extent to which employees spend time with their spouses at home in the evening, using 685 daily matched responses from 108 worker-spouse pairings. Our results reveal that variance-focused creative behaviors (problem identification, information searching, idea generation) lead to a decline in time spent with spouse at home. In contrast, selection-focused creative behaviors (idea validation) lead to an increase in time spent with spouse. Further, openness to experience moderates these relationships. Overall, the results raise questions about the possible relational costs of creative behaviors at work on life at home. Full Article
be Better Together? Signaling Interactions in New Venture Pursuit of Initial External Capital By amj.aom.org Published On :: Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:36:21 +0000 After new ventures have exhausted the limited financial resources of founders, family, and friends, they often pursue initial external capital. To secure investment, entrepreneurs can signal about their venture's latent potential by aligning themselves with reliable third parties. Such affiliations affirm the new venture's legitimacy and provide substantive benefits in the form of mentoring, access to resources, and ongoing monitoring. However, early stage financing is an especially "noisy" signaling environment owing to the large number of startups seeking funding, many of which will not survive. The real value of third party affiliations in this context resides in their ability to unlock the potential of other more pedestrian signals, such as the entrepreneur's characteristics and actions that might otherwise go unnoticed. We borrow from the sensemaking literature to explain how third party affiliation signals disambiguate signals with multiple possible interpretations so that potential investors interpret them positively. Findings support our theory that a startup's characteristics and actions are signals that remain relatively unnoticed unless a startup combines them with a third party affiliation that enhances the signal's value, thus increasing the likelihood of receiving external capital. Full Article
be When Experts Become Liabilities: Domain Experts on Boards and Organizational Failure By amj.aom.org Published On :: Wed, 01 Jul 2015 17:12:16 +0000 How does the presence of domain experts on a corporate board—directors whose primary professional experience is within the focal firm's industry—affect organizational outcomes? We argue that under conditions of significant decision uncertainty, a higher proportion of domain experts on a board may detract from effective decision making and thus increase the probability of organizational failure. Building on exploratory interviews with board members and CEOs, we derive hypotheses from this argument in the context of local banks in the United States. We predict that the greater the level of decision uncertainty—due to rapid asset growth or operation in less predictable markets—the stronger the relationship between the proportion of banking expert directors and the probability of bank failure. Longitudinal analyses of 1,307 banks between 1996 and 2012 support this prediction, even after accounting for both the overall level of professional diversity among directors and banks' different propensities to have an expert-heavy board. We discuss implications for the key dimensions of board composition, the conditions under which the professional background of directors is more or less consequential, and the mechanisms whereby board composition affects organizational outcomes. Full Article
be WHEN IN ROME, LOOK LIKE CAESAR? INVESTIGATING THE LINK BETWEEN DEMAND-SIDE CULTURAL POWER DISTANCE AND CEO POWER By amj.aom.org Published On :: Mon, 06 Jul 2015 19:21:20 +0000 Agency theory-grounded research on boards of directors and firm legitimacy has historically viewed CEO power as de-legitimating, often taking this fact for granted in theorizing about external assessors' evaluations of a firm. With few exceptions, this literature has focused exclusively on capital market participants (e.g., investors, securities analysts) as the arbiters of a firm's legitimacy and has accordingly assumed that legitimate governance arrangements are those derived from the shareholder-oriented prescriptions of agency theory. We extend this line of research in new ways by arguing that customers also externally assess firm legitimacy, and that firms potentially adjust their governance characteristics to meet customers' norms and expectations. We argue that the cultural-cognitive institutions prevalent in customers' home countries influence their judgments regarding a firm's legitimacy, such that firms competing heavily in high-power distance cultures are more likely to have powerful CEOs, with CEO power a source of legitimacy—rather than illegitimacy—among customers. We also argue that the more dependent a firm is on its customers and the more salient cultural power distance is as a demand-side institutional norm, the greater this relationship will be. Data from 151 U.S. semiconductor and pharmaceutical firms over a 10-year period generally support our predictions. Full Article
be FLOURISHING VIA WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIPS: MOVING BEYOND INSTRUMENTAL SUPPORT By amj.aom.org Published On :: Mon, 13 Jul 2015 21:15:23 +0000 In a series of qualitative and quantitative studies, we developed a model of the functions of positive work relationships, with an explicit focus on the role that these relationships play in employee flourishing. Stories that employees told about positive relationships at work revealed that relationships serve a broad range of functions, including the traditionally-studied functions of task assistance, career advancement, and emotional support, as well as less studied functions of personal growth, friendship, and the opportunity to give to others. Building on this taxonomy, we validated a scale - the Relationship Functions Inventory - and developed theory suggesting differential linkages between the relationship functions and outcomes indicative of employee flourishing. Results revealed unique associations between functions and outcomes, such that task assistance was most strongly associated with job satisfaction, giving to others was most strongly associated with meaningful work, friendship was most strongly associated with positive emotions at work, and personal growth was most strongly associated with life satisfaction. Our results suggest that work relationships play a key role in promoting employee flourishing, and that examining the differential effects of a taxonomy of relationship functions brings precision to our understand of how relationships impact individual flourishing. Full Article
be Third Party Employment Branding: Human Capital Inflows and Outflows Following 'Best Places to Work' Certifications By amj.aom.org Published On :: Tue, 14 Jul 2015 14:57:15 +0000 "Best Places to Work" (BPTW) and similar competitions are a proliferating form of third party employment branding. Little is known, however, about how single or repeated third party employment branding occurrences relate to key human capital outcomes. Extending signaling theory by considering signal credibility and comparability, we use archival and survey data from 624 BPTW participants in sixteen competitions across a three-year period to develop and test hypotheses linking BPTW certifications to collective turnover rates and key informant perceptions of applicant pool quality. We find that certifications are associated with lower turnover rates, and in addition, propose competing crystallization and celebrity hypotheses that model turnover trajectories with repeated certifications, finding diminishing marginal turnover reductions across multiple certifications. We also examine company size and industry job opening moderators, finding that as certifications increase, applicant pool quality is (1) higher in smaller companies and (2) higher when job openings are scarcer. Finally, beyond being certified or not, we find supplemental evidence for effects of the specific certification level achieved (e.g., 2nd versus 15th). This investigation advances theory related to collective turnover, applicant pool quality, and employment branding, and is relevant to company decisions about seeking or re-seeking third party certifications. Full Article
be REPUTATION AS A BENEFIT AND A BURDEN? HOW STAKEHOLDERS' ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTIFICATION AFFECTS THE ROLE OF REPUTATION FOLLOWING A NEGATIVE EVENT By amj.aom.org Published On :: Fri, 24 Jul 2015 15:30:26 +0000 Research about the effects of an organization's general reputation following a negative event remains equivocal: Some studies have found that a high reputation is a benefit because of the stock of social capital and goodwill it generates; others have found it to be a burden because of the greater stakeholder attention and violation of expectations associated with a negative event. We theorize that stakeholders' level of organizational identification helps explain which mechanisms are more dominant. We test our hypotheses on a sample of legislative references associated with NCAA major infractions from 1999-2009. Our results indicate that a high reputation is a burden for an organization when considering low-identification stakeholder support: As the number of legislative references increases, a high-reputation university will receive fewer donations from non-alumni donors than universities without this asset. In contrast, a high reputation is a benefit when considering high-identification stakeholder support: As the number of legislative references increases, a high-reputation university will receive more donations from alumni donors than universities without this asset. However, an exploratory investigation reveals that alumni donations to high-reputation universities decline as the number of legislative references increases, suggesting that the benefit of a high reputation has a limit. Full Article
be Taking historical embeddedness seriously: Three historical approaches to advance strategy process and practice research By amr.aom.org Published On :: Tue, 04 Aug 2015 12:03:27 +0000 Despite the proliferation of strategy process and practice research, we lack understanding of the historical embeddedness of strategic processes and practices. In this paper, we present three historical approaches with the potential to remedy this deficiency. First, realist history can contribute to a better understanding of the historical embeddedness of strategic processes; in particular, comparative historical analysis can explicate the historical conditions, mechanisms, and causality in strategic processes. Second, interpretative history can add to our knowledge of the historical embeddedness of strategic practices, and microhistory can specifically help to understand the construction and enactment of these practices in historical contexts. Third, poststructuralist history can elucidate the historical embeddedness of strategic discourses, and genealogy can in particular increase our understanding of the evolution and transformation of strategic discourses and their power effects. Thus, this paper demonstrates how in their specific ways historical approaches and methods can add to our understanding of different forms and variations of strategic processes and practices, the historical construction of organizational strategies, and historically constituted strategic agency. Full Article
be Beginning's end: How founders psychologically disengage from their organizations By amj.aom.org Published On :: Tue, 18 Aug 2015 20:27:16 +0000 Exit is a critical part of the entrepreneurial process. At the same time, research indicates that founders are likely to form strong identity connections to the organizations they start. In turn, when founders exit their organizations, the process of psychological disengagement might destabilize their identities. Yet, limited research addresses how founders experience exit or how they manage their identities during this process. Through a qualitative, inductive study of founders of technology-based companies, I developed a theoretical model of founder psychological disengagement that delineates how founder work orientations relate to the disengagement paths that founders follow when leaving one organization and starting another. In elaborating theory on psychological disengagement, this study has implications for understanding the psychology of founders, how founders exit and begin again, and psychological disengagement, more broadly. Full Article
be THE OPERATIONAL AND SIGNALING BENEFITS OF VOLUNTARY LABOR CODE ADOPTION: RECONCEPTUALIZING THE SCOPE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN EMERGING ECONOMIES By amj.aom.org Published On :: Mon, 24 Aug 2015 20:57:37 +0000 Labor codes have been voluntarily adopted and used by manufacturers in emerging economies for the past two decades, as a means of ensuring minimally acceptable or core labor standards for workers. However, far too little is known of the potential benefits from the voluntary adoption of labor codes to the manufacturer, and prior human resource management research has been virtually silent on the business implications of their use for emerging economy manufacturers participating in global supply chains. Drawing on previous work across multiple disciplines and proposing a framework that extends human resource management theory more explicitly and rigorously to the context of emerging economy manufacturing, I theorize and demonstrate that the voluntary adoption of a labor code may constitute an effective human resource investment in emerging economies in improving establishment-level employee outcomes and operational and financial performance. The hypotheses are tested using longitudinal data on a sample of apparel manufacturing plants in Sri Lanka. Implications of this study include providing insight into how to expand the scope and relevance of human resource management theory to better understand research and practice in emerging economies. Full Article
be Questioning Neoliberal Capitalism and Economic Inequality in Business Schools By amle.aom.org Published On :: Thu, 17 Sep 2015 15:24:18 +0000 The burgeoning economic inequality between the richest and the poorest is a cause of concern for social, political, and ethical reasons. While businesses are both implicated and affected by growing inequality, business schools have largely neglected to subject the phenomenon to sufficient critique. This is, in part, because far too many management educators rely on orthodox economic perspectives—often represented by neoliberal capitalism—which have dominated the curricula and the teaching philosophy of business schools. To address this issue, this article underscores the need for business schools to critically examine the relationship between neoliberal capitalism and economic inequalities, and to overtly engage with this nexus in pedagogical practice. The article concludes by revisiting the concepts of relationality and answerability as paths by which to address the current predicament. Relationality and answerability collectively offer: i) conceptual and reflexive tools by which to re-imagine business school education, and, ii) space for business schools to debate important questions about the taken-for-granted, but problematic, assumptions underlying the ideology of neoliberal capitalism Full Article
be Beyond Nonmarket Strategy: Market Actions as Corporate Political Activity By amr.aom.org Published On :: Fri, 18 Sep 2015 19:22:57 +0000 Many firms seek to manage their legal and regulatory environments by influencing policymakers. Typically, researchers have focused on how firms use nonmarket actions, including lobbying, campaign contributions, and related activities, to gain policy influence. We argue that firms may also seek to change the effects of policies through market actions. Market actions may lead to both formal policy change (i.e., transformations of codified rules) and interpretive policy change (i.e., transformations of the effects of rules without changes in their codified form). We identify two pathways by which firms' market actions may produce interpretive policy change: implementation and innovation. Implementation-driven change occurs when firms' interpretations of incomplete laws alter and clarify the meaning of those laws. Innovation-driven change occurs when firms engage in novel activities that are difficult to interpret within existing regulatory frameworks, and thus alter the effects of those regulations. We then theorize how firms' market actions may complement traditional, nonmarket political mobilization in an analysis of sequences of formal and interpretive policy change. Full Article
be Magnification and Correction of the Acolyte Effect: Initial Benefits and Ex Post Settling up in NFL Coaching Careers By amj.aom.org Published On :: Mon, 28 Sep 2015 14:36:41 +0000 What are the long-term consequences of initially beneficial high-reputation workplace ties? Under uncertainty, acolytes (i.e., subordinates with work connections to high-reputation industry leaders) are likely to benefit in terms of signaling fitness for promotion in the external job market. Analysis of promotion outcomes of coaches in the NFL over 31 years showed that the acolyte effect was reduced for individuals for whom uncertainty was the least (acolytes with considerable industry experience or high centrality in the co-worker industry network). There was no support for either a knowledge-transfer or an intrinsic quality explanation for why acolytes initially gained advantage. Rather, the evidence supported the idea that ties to high-reputation leaders were somewhat randomly distributed so that acolytes faced ex post settling up consequences after their promotions: fewer further promotions or lateral moves, more demotions. Thus, acolytes initially benefited from a loose-linkage between their unobservable quality and signals offered by their industry-leader ties, but they also suffered as the unreliability of social network signals became evident. The results suggest that a competitive job market may exhibit self-correction over time. We offer countervailing theory and evidence to the prevailing view that high-reputation third-party endorsements perpetuate a rich-get-richer social structure resistant to performance outcomes. Full Article
be Potplayer 32-bit 1.7.19315.0 Beta for PC Windows By filehippo.com Published On :: Fri, 28 Jun 2019 09:34:06 GMT Potplayer is a smooth media player with a great looking, minimalist user interface. It has an extensive range of configurable options to choose from and lots of functionality. The application supports Blu-ray, DVD, Audio CD, and countless othe... Full Article
be NI teachers unions ballot members on strike By www.bbc.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 13:35:59 GMT The pay dispute could also spread to include the Northern Ireland Civil Service. Full Article
be Why is Elon Musk becoming Donald Trump's efficiency tsar? By www.bbc.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 12:30:52 GMT The tech billionaire joins the incoming administration to "dismantle government bureaucracy" - but what's in it for both of them? Full Article
be Bear Creek Arsenal BC-10 6.5 Creedmoor Right Side Charging Upper $295.95 By www.ammoland.com Published On :: Fri, 08 Nov 2024 14:16:30 +0000 Here is the Bear Creek Arsenal BC-10 6.5 Creedmoor Right Side Charging Upper …just $295.95. You save $140.00+ off the MSRP. Full Article Gun Deals Bear Creek Arsenal Daily Gun Deals
be Bear Creek Arsenal BC-10 Side-Charging AR-10 Upper Review in 6.5 Creedmoor By www.ammoland.com Published On :: Fri, 08 Nov 2024 15:10:39 +0000 'Affordable' & 'precision rifle' are two terms rarely found together, which is why the Bear Creek Arsenal BC-10 Side-Charging AR-10 Upper is so interesting. Full Article Featured Articles Gun Reviews AR10 Bear Creek Arsenal Jim Grant
be Trump’s Victory Begins the Long Road to Restoring the Republic By www.ammoland.com Published On :: Fri, 08 Nov 2024 18:45:54 +0000 A new Trump administration will be far better prepared to restore Constitutional order than the first Trump administration. Full Article Gun Rights News 2024 Election Donald Trump
be Oath Keepers Have Never Been What Government & Media Have Accused Them Of By www.ammoland.com Published On :: Sat, 09 Nov 2024 13:54:21 +0000 So, any thought of disobeying them must be destroyed – along with anyone daring to spread the idea that the oath is to the Constitution, not to a regime and its unlawful orders. Full Article Gun Rights News David Codrea
be Rush to Name Senate Majority Leader Betrays Gun Owners and MAGA Voters By www.ammoland.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:10:26 +0000 Can we at least have some time for public input on something that can profoundly affect us all before sneaking this through? Full Article Gun Rights News David Codrea Donald Trump Gun Owners Gun Rights Republicans U.S. Senate
be Sellier & Bellot 9mm 115gr 1000 Rnds $248.99 FREE S&H $0.25ea By www.ammoland.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:14:14 +0000 A thousand (1000) rounds of Sellier & Bellot 9mm ammo in 115gr for $248.99 shipped FREE for Club Members. That price is $0.25 a round. Full Article Gun Deals 9mm Daily Gun Deals Sellier & Bellot Sportsman's Guide
be Immunotherapy - Is it the better treatment option? By www.pss.org.sg Published On :: Tue, 09 Nov 2021 09:15:08 +0000 Full Article
be Carlsberg pays tribute to fans By thesun.my Published On :: Wed, 09 Jun 2021 03:29:38 GMT CARLSBERG MALAYSIA unveils limited-edition CHEERS TO FOOTBALL packaging in its third CELEBRATE theme series, tribute to football fans who bring the sport to life with passion and soul! For a limited time only, Carlsberg Danish Pilsner and Carlsberg Smooth Draught cans and bottles comes in collectible football-themed packaging coined “By Appointment To The Football Fans of Malaysia”. The campaign pays homage to Carlsberg’s longstanding support of football and appreciation towards football fans as they put their club allegiances aside, uniting to be the biggest football family in the world! In addition to its CHEERS TO FOOTBALL packaging to laud passionate football fans of Malaysia, Carlsberg will be rewarding consumers with limited-edition Carlsberg football jerseys, football tees, RM200 Touch ‘n Go eWallet credit; including a chance to take home the Grand Prize of RM10,000 cash to 30 lucky winners! Enjoy football matches at home over a cold beer and check out Carlsberg’s ongoing promotion running from June onwards at participating retailers.Caroline Moreau, Marketing Director of Carlsberg Malaysia said: “The football sport brings families, friends, colleagues and communities together as they cheer for their teams. Carlsberg focuses in bringing unique experiences to beer lovers and fans alike while watching the game with their mates together or apart. Carlsberg has been supporting football fans across the globe to celebrate the unity and passion that brings us together, the same over the love for great beers.”“In our pursuit of better to lift their spirits during these challenging times, Carlsberg launches its CHEERS TO FOOTBALL packaging series to celebrate dedicated football fans for their unwavering passion for the sport while apart. Our limited-edition Carlsberg tees were curated with the thought of keeping the excitement and frenzy for football where they can continue to cheer for their favourite teams. We want to encourage their celebratory football moments at home whilst sombre, yet imbue excitement with our limited-edition series and exclusive merchandise,” she added. Full Article
be The rivalry will be fierce By thesun.my Published On :: Thu, 10 Jun 2021 03:15:14 GMT THE long wait is nearly over for football fans, as UEFA Euro 2020 finally hits our screens this month! In conjunction, Heineken, the proud official beer partner of UEFA Euro 2020, is encouraging Malaysian fans to join in the fun with its new campaign ‘Enjoy the Rivalry’ and stand to win amazing prizes.After more than a year of waiting, UEFA Euro 2020, a global event set to have 5 billion viewers, will finally take place from June 12 to July 12, 2021. Twenty-four of Europe’s best teams will compete for the title, reigniting old football rivalries and instigating new ones. Heineken believes the fun of rivalry doesn’t stop on the field, though – much of what makes football great is the friendly rivalry between fans. After all, unity isn’t what makes football exciting: rivalry does!Accompanying the campaign is a range of Limited Edition Heineken UEFA Euro 2020 bottles and cans, featuring the flags of participating teams. Available in special combo packs at participating supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores and on Drinkies – Heineken Malaysia Berhad’s home delivery service – the Limited Edition designs are the perfect way to show your support and let the rivalry commence!Bring the rivalry fun to the next level from June 10 to July 4 with the Heineken Rivalry Stadium (www.heinekenrivalrystadium.com.my), and stand to win a once-in-a-lifetime final viewing experience in the comfort and safety of your own home. Pick a celebrity opponent, challenge them, and try to outsmart their predictions on a series of matches to be in the running to win an exclusive Heineken Home Stadium, with everything you need to watch the UEFA Euro 2020 final in style! With opponents like football legend Datuk Soh Chin Aun, futsal player Steffi Sidhu, TV football pundits Michelle Lee and Mark O’Dea, and content creator duo MusangKing to challenge, the rivalry will be fierce! “UEFA EURO 2020 is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate than with Heineken and your best rivals by your side. At Heineken, we believe that rivalry is at the core of football – there’s fun in being rivals because it makes the games that much more exciting for us as fans. As the official beer partner of Europe’s most prestigious international football tournament, Heineken and Heineken 0.0 are the perfect choices when it’s time to reach for a beer during a match,” said Pablo Chabot, Marketing Director of Heineken Malaysia Berhad. Full Article
be Better access By thesun.my Published On :: Thu, 10 Jun 2021 03:20:06 GMT YAYASAN PETRONAS is distributing devices with data connectivity to 12,000 students nationwide which will enable them to have better access to online learning as the education landscape in Malaysia shifts to one of hybrid teaching and learning.The RM30 million worth of digital devices are being supplied to 81 schools in 69 districts, from May 17 until mid-June as part of Yayasan Petronas’ commitment to Cerdik.Announced in Malaysia’s Budget 2021, Cerdik is a pioneering corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative by government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs), which is aimed at supporting lower-income families to better adjust to the new normal of online lessons, e-learning and other forms of remote teaching. Working in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE), the Ministry of Finance (MoF), and Yayasan Hasanah (the Secretariat), as well as other GLC and GLIC partners, Yayasan Petronas prioritised schools with a majority of students from B40 households. The devices provided through CERDIK are designed to support the students’ learning requirements for three academic years, and are fitted with data services, maintenance, warranty and technical support. “Through CERDIK, we want to provide equitable access to quality education for students as it is the first step to close the digital gap towards enriching their educational experiences and lives,” said Yayasan Petronas Chief Executive Officer Nelly Francis Shariah. “With these devices and Internet service, we hope more students – especially those from underprivileged and rural communities – can better participate in online lessons.” According to a survey of 900,000 students conducted by MoE last year, 37% indicated that they did not have appropriate devices at home to participate in online lessons last year. “During these difficult times, we must help ensure that no one gets left behind in the pursuit of education,” Nelly added, recognising that many families are facing financial pressures from the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.“We thank Yayasan Petronas for their support to Cerdik, one of the most comprehensive pilot initiatives on digital learning in public schools nationwide. Despite logistics issues due to the movement restrictions around the world, we are still on track to deliver the devices based on the stipulated timelines,“ said Shahira Ahmed Bazari, Managing Director of Yayasan Hasanah.The contribution to Cerdik complements Yayasan Petronas’ various education outreach initiatives benefitting students and teachers. These include the recent Back To School programme in March 2021, where school supplies and personal hygiene kits were distributed to 21,000 students from underprivileged families nationwide. The foundation also rolled out its signature Program Duta Guru, a collaboration between Yayasan Petronas and MoE. Earlier this year, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics teachers were provided with online teaching kits and guidance in delivering lessons for improved learning outcomes. Full Article
be 1 million youths claim eBelia credit via ShopeePay By thesun.my Published On :: Tue, 15 Jun 2021 02:40:02 GMT CLOSE to one million youths have successfully claimed their eBelia credit via ShopeePay. As of June 7, the programme has succeeded in generating sales amounting to 120% of the total amount disbursed by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) through ShopeePay. Additionally, some 140,000 sellers and traders that accept ShopeePay have already benefited from the eBelia programme.Head of ShopeePay Malaysia Alain Yee said: ”As one of the newest mobile wallets to enter a crowded space, it is indeed humbling to receive the resounding support from eligible eBelia participants. When compared against MOF’s announcement, the bulk of the 1.7 million successful applicants have chosen ShopeePay. This is possibly because our e-wallet can be used both online and offline nationwide, with a reach as far and wide as Semporna, Sabah; Miri, Sarawak; Kemaman and Gong Badak in Terengganu and Bachok, Kelantan.”Yee added that based on the preliminary data from June 1 till 7, user behaviour amongst eBelia recipients suggest that the programme has driven adoption of e-wallets and is likely going to lead to long term usage. “Of the total successful eBelia applicants via our mobile wallet, about 40% are new ShopeePay users that activated their e-wallet just for eBelia. Additionally, we are positive that customer retention rate amongst these new users will be high as over 20% have already topped up their e-wallet at least once within the first week of using ShopeePay,” he explained.On what the recipients have been spending on, Yee shared that many were seen to be using the eBelia credit on very practical purchases: daily necessities, food and beverages, books, as well as home and living items, among others. A closer look into the spending pattern of these eBelia youths for the past week reveals the following (Observations are made based on top 100 merchants by transactions recorded offline, online (merchants’ webstores and Apps), and on Shopee. Full Article
be UM students to benefit from MR DIY cash aid By thesun.my Published On :: Thu, 30 Sep 2021 03:28:32 GMT THERE is good news for close to 15,000 University Malaya [UM] undergraduates returning to campus this October – homegrown retailer MR DIY will be distributing RM300 to each student to help them purchase essential supplies to facilitate their return to campus. Dubbed #DIY4UM, the RM4.5 million cash aid distribution programme is being implemented in partnership with Touch ‘n Go via its eWallet platform. The cash aid will be made to students on their Touch ‘n Go eWallets in three equal payments of RM100 each on Nov 1 and 30, and Dec 30.Announcing the #DIY4UM aid programme, MR DIY CEO Adrian Ong said the programme was aimed at helping students make the back-to-campus transition as smooth and worry-free as possible. He said: “The reopening of campuses is a major milestone for university students. After many months of lockdown, they will finally be able to reconvene on campus to fully benefit from the in-person learning experience and enjoy the academic social interaction with lecturers and fellow students alike. “We believe it’s important that they are well equipped with protective and learning essentials to keep themselves safe while staying focused on their studies, which is why we are distributing this cash aid to undergraduates at University Malaya.”He said students will be able to easily equip themselves with everyday student essentials, Covid-19 protective equipment and a wide range of stationery items at MR DIY retail stores as well as its online platform using the cash credit given. In addition, the first 11,000 students who utilise the funds will be entitled to RM10 cashback when they spend a minimum of RM20 using the Touch ‘n Go Wallet. The promotion applies at MR DIY Group stores, MR DIY Online, as well as the MR DIY mini programme available on Touch ‘n Go eWallet.The programme is part of a strategic collaboration between MR DIY and Touch ‘n Go which was inked in July this year. Commenting on the aid programme, Touch ‘n Go group chief executive officer Effendy Shahul Hamid said: “We are extremely pleased that the partnership between our companies has been extended into a benefit for society, in this case, students of University Malaya. “We stand ready to support this initiative and we commend MR DIY for stepping up during these challenging times.”All active Malaysian undergraduates at University Malaya are eligible for the aid. They are required to register online via Portal Maya UM by Oct 3, and ensure they have a valid Touch ‘n Go eWallet.The initiative was lauded by Universiti Malaya’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr Mohd Hamdi Abd Syukor who said: “We are confident this initiative will be of great help to students as they return to campus.”The #DIY4UM initiative is the latest in a series of collaborations between MR DIY and University Malaysia. MR DIY has for the past four years joined hands with UM and the Ministry of Education to organise the “DIY Made Simple” competition for schools with UM’s Community and Sustainability Center (UMCares). The competition is a CSR initiative to cultivate awareness of sustainability among schoolchildren. Visit MR DIY’s website at www.mrdiy.com, e-commerce platform at www.mrdiy.com.my, and social media channels on Facebook and Instagram. Full Article
be Reading between the flags By thesun.my Published On :: Tue, 05 Nov 2024 23:41:20 GMT THE recent debate over Chinese flags being waved at the Guan Gong Cultural Festival in Teluk Intan, Perak, has reignited the age-old question of how symbols can be easily twisted into points of division. Flags, gestures and other symbols carry deep meaning, but they are also open to interpretation. While this flag-waving may have seemed harmless for some, for others it quickly became a “threat” to Malaysian identity. The real question is: How should we respond rationally as a community?Symbols are powerful tools. They help us express complex emotions, shared histories and cultural pride in one glance. A flag represents much more than just colours or designs; it is about pride, history and unity. Interestingly, symbols do not mean the same thing to everyone. A gesture with deep meaning for one group may seem completely neutral to another.At the festival, participants from China were simply celebrating their cultural pride by waving their own flags. There was no explicit intent to disrespect Malaysia. However, for some, this act took on a different meaning as if it was a direct challenge to Malaysian values. This shows how easily symbols can be misunderstood and used to support narratives that may not match their true intent.Symbols are meant to bring us together, but they can just as easily be used to pull us apart. This “lightning rod” effect – a simple act like waving a flag – can quickly become a point of conflict. People start to view it not as a celebration but as a challenge or a threat, especially when it aligns with pre-existing fears or biases.Responding rationallyIn a world where symbols can be so easily twisted, how do we keep a level head? Obviously ignoring them is not the solution, but neither is reacting without thinking. Instead, we should aim for a balanced, proactive response. First, knowledge is our best defence against manipulation. When we know the origins and intentions behind symbols, we can better interpret them. In this case, knowing that the Guan Gong festival is about cultural pride, not politics, may have eased some of the outrage.Equally important is pausing to consider intent before jumping to conclusions. Asking ourselves why certain people are pushing a negative view is a vital step – are they genuinely worried or is someone stirring the pot for personal gain? Taking a moment to think about these motivations helps us respond thoughtfully rather than react emotionally.There is the importance of open conversation. Talking openly, whether online or in person, helps clear misunderstandings and in turn keeps divisive ideas from taking root. Discussing rather than accusing allows people to see different sides of an issue, helping to break down conflict. Even when we do not agree with a particular symbol or action, choosing respect over anger shows strength. By setting a tone of respect, we establish that rash reactions will not weaken our unity but instead solidify it.Finally, in a time when headlines are crafted to stir us up, we need to promote media savviness. Supporting media literacy helps us all recognise exaggeration and bias, making it harder for negative views to spread. This allows us to stay focused on what truly matters, safeguarding our unity against the noise of sensationalism. “Tak pasti, jangan kongsi.”Strengthening unityMalaysia’s richness lies in its diversity, and tackling issues rationally is not just crucial but fundamental in keeping that strength alive. Symbols will always be part of our identity but they should not be used to drive us apart. In this case, rushing to react may only deepen divides, moving us further from the values of tolerance and unity that our country was built on. As a society, we need to keep our guard up against attempts to use symbols for division, and focus instead on promoting understanding and connection.By adopting a balanced, calm and thoughtful approach, we can make it clear that Malaysia’s strength is not in uniformity but in the unity that comes from respect, open dialogue and shared empathy. Now is the time to remember that our strength as a nation lies in standing together, with each of us working to build a Malaysia where diversity is celebrated, not feared. In The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho writes: “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” Much like Santiago’s journey to discover his own truth, we also have a choice in how we respond to events around us. In times of tension, it is easy to let initial reactions drive our actions. However, the real strength lies in taking a step back, viewing each situation as it is, and choosing not to let outside forces manipulate us.What if in moments of tension we choose patience over impulsiveness, looking beyond the surface to seek a deeper meaning? Perhaps, only then we can strengthen our so-called unity. Ir Dr Nahrizul Adib Kadri is an associate professor of biomedical engineering and the former director of Corporate Communications Centre, Universiti Malaya. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com Full Article Assoc Prof Dr Nahrizul Adib Kadri
be Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut suburbs By thesun.my Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 10:55:17 GMT BEIRUT: The Israeli military carried out at least five airstrikes on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday, after Israel’s defence minister ruled out any ceasefire in Lebanon until Israel’s goals had been met.Smoke rose over Beirut as blasts shook the capital around mid-morning. The explosions followed an Israeli military warning posted on social media identifying 12 sites in the southern suburbs and saying it would take action against them soon. It warned residents they were located near Hezbollah facilities.There were no immediate reports of casualties from the latest strikes. Residents have largely fled the southern suburbs since Israel began bombing the area in September.In Israel, air raid sirens sounded in parts of the north, sending residents running for shelter, and the military said a number of “suspicious aerial targets” were launched from Lebanon. There were no reports of injuries.Ignited by the Gaza war, the conflict at the Lebanese-Israeli border had been rumbling on for a year before Israel went on the offensive in September, pounding wide areas of Lebanon with airstrikes and sending troops into the south.Israel has dealt heavy blows to Hezbollah over the last seven weeks, killing many of its top leaders including Hassan Nasrallah, flattening parts of Beirut’s southern suburbs, and causing vast destruction in border villages in south Lebanon.Meeting with Israel’s general staff for the first time, Israel’s newly appointed Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Monday there would be no ceasefire in Lebanon until Israel achieves its goals.“Israel will not agree to any arrangement that does not guarantee Israel’s right to enforce and prevent terrorism on its own, and meet the goals of the war in Lebanon - disarming Hezbollah and its withdrawal beyond the Litani River and returning the residents of the north safely to their homes.”Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar had said earlier on Monday there had been “a certain progress” in ceasefire talks, whilst adding the war against Hezbollah was not yet over.The main challenge facing any ceasefire deal would be enforcement, he said.Hezbollah has said it is ready for a long war against Israel and has kept up rocket fire.SOUTH OF THE LITANIThe Lebanese government, which includes Hezbollah, has repeatedly called for a ceasefire based on the full implementation of a U.N. Resolution that ended a war between the group and Israel in 2006.The resolution calls for the area south of the Litani to be free of all weapons other than those of the Lebanese state. Lebanon and Israel have accused each other of violating the resolution.Israel’s offensive has driven more than 1 million people from their homes in Lebanon in the last seven weeks. Since hostilities erupted a year ago, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed 3,243 people and injured 14,134, the Lebanese health ministry said. Its figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.Hezbollah attacks have killed roughly 100 civilians and soldiers in northern Israel, the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, and southern Lebanon over the last year. Full Article Reuters
be IGP confirms probe into death threat against informant in Sabah scandal case By thesun.my Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 09:56:05 GMT KOTA BHARU: Police have confirmed that the whistleblower who sent an open letter to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong regarding allegations of corruption in Sabah has received death threats.Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the case is being investigated by the Bukit Aman Classified Crime Investigation Unit under Section 507 of the Penal Code, which addresses criminal intimidation through anonymous communication.The 36-year-old male informant received a threatening call via WhatsApp from an unknown number.“During the call, the suspect, believed to be a local man, threatened the informant in Mandarin, claiming to be from a hitman group and demanding the informant stay silent.“The suspect warned that if the informant did not comply, he would be killed within 24 hours and called it a final warning,” Razarudin told Bernama today.Razarudin said the suspect also sent two images, one of a pistol with ammunition and another showing a person shot in the street.The informant expressed deep fear for his own safety and that of his family, he said. “After receiving the WhatsApp message, the informant reported the incident and blocked the number. Since then, no further threats have been made,” Razarudin said, adding that the informant initially suspected that the phone number might belong to a scammer or was dialed incorrectly.He said further checks revealed that the phone number was no longer in service and had no registered owner.Razarudin added no other reports had been filed regarding this number, and the investigation returned no relevant records. Full Article BERNAMA
be MMEA officer fined RM25,000 for accepting bribes two years ago By thesun.my Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 13:05:58 GMT ALOR SETAR: An officer of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) was fined RM25,000 after pleading guilty at the Sessions Court here today to five charges of accepting bribes amounting to RM2,300 two years ago.Judge N. Priscilla Hemamalini imposed a fine of RM5,000 for each charge faced by Muhamad Abdul Hadi Abdullah, 35 and the court ordered the accused to be jailed for five months for each charge if he failed to pay the fine.According to all the charges, the accused, who holds the rank of Senior Maritime Officer at the MMEA Kedah and Perlis Headquarters, received money amounting to RM2,300 with no reply from the owner of LGH Maju Trading Company, Lim Kian Chong, who knew that he had an official working relationship with the individual.The money was received by the accused through five money transfers from the Maybank account of a middleman, a woman, which was then deposited into the accused’s RHB Bank account and all the offences were committed at RHB Bank Bhd Langkawi Island Branch on Jan 2, April 10, May 11, July 7 and Oct 8, 2022.The charge was filed under Section 165 of the Penal Code (Act 574) which carries a jail term of up to two years or a fine or both.The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers Abd Muntaqim Abdul Aziz and Mohd Syahzada Azad Sanusi led the prosecution while the accused was not represented. Full Article BERNAMA
be TM Global to expand data centres in Cyberjaya and Johor to meet growing demand By thesun.my Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 11:35:00 GMT PETALING JAYA: TM Global, the wholesale business arm of Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM), will expand its Klang Valley Data Centre (KVDC) in Cyberjaya and Iskandar Puteri Data Centre (IPDC) in Johor, addressing the growing demand for domestic and international data hosting services.This is the next phase in TM’s strategic roadmap to grow its infrastructure ecosystem and position Malaysia as a preferred digital hub in Southeast Asia, aligning with its aspiration to become a digital powerhouse by 2030. These expansions and TM’s partnership with Nxera to develop a hyperconnected, artificial intelligence-ready data centre, lays the foundation for digital services such as cloud, advanced analytics, AI and the Internet of Things.Scheduled to begin commercial operations in 2025, the second phase of both KVDC and IPDC will deliver a combined IT load of about 20MW. The expansion will meet Uptime Institute’s Tier-III standards, and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver Rating for long-term sustainability, a globally recognised green building certification.TM Global executive vice-president Khairul Liza Ibrahim said, “KVDC and IPDC are integral infrastructures in Malaysia’s digital ecosystem, serving as international gateways and interconnected points to support 5G networks. This second phase of our data centre expansion will feature sustainable designs, boosting our capacity to support hyperscalers,OTT players, cloud and next generation AI providers, as well as enterprises.”TM Global’s data centres are complemented by seven regional Edge Facilities located throughout the country. These support high-performance computing and co-location services to bring content closer to end-users with minimal latency.“We have enhanced our data hosting services with a recent acquisition of the Facilities-Based Operator licence in Singapore, allowing us to provide seamless, secure data centre-to-data centre connectivity through our extensive domestic fibre optics network and international submarine cable systems. This enables us to meet the growing connectivity demands across the region, linking data centres from Thailand to Malaysia, Singapore, and Batam in Indonesia,” Khairul Liza said.TM Global offers a comprehensive suite of platform-based services, including multi-edge computing and content delivery, to elevate data hosting solutions. These services are tailored to optimise performance and efficiency, ensuring a robust and reliable data-driven network for customers. Leveraging its extensive network infrastructure, TM Global equips carriers, enterprises, hyperscalers, over-the-top services, and next-generation AI application providers with the tools necessary to drive innovation and seamless digital integration. Full Article SunBiz