Social Change in Education: Technology and Transformation
Friday, 9:00 - 10:30 am
Jones, Monica and Lockett, Al
"Using Instructive Media to Intrinsically Motivate Students at Risk of Failure"
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship of instructive technology to intrinsic motivation as a factor in "time on task" in a learning activity and development of self-confidence in elementary school students classified as at-risk of failure. While research demonstrates the positive effects of educational technology on basic skill acquisition and enhanced cognitive functioning, intrinsic motivation is often neglected as a significant factor in student success (Astleitner, 2004; Howse & Lange, 2003).
This paper reviews literature which embraces the disciplines of motivation theory, cognitive development, instructive technology, and data obtained from the results of a reading intervention study at an elementary school in El Dorado, Arkansas (Lockett, 2004). The findings prompted further exploration of the relationship between motivation, time on task, and student achievement. Educators acknowledge that when motivated students spend more time engaged in learning activities, time on task yields increased learning. Draper (2002).
View the complete paper (pdf)
Liebler, Roberta
“Educating the Midlife Change Agent”
A phenomenological analysis of the reflective journals of midlife college administrators revealed limited success in implementing change. Continuing professional educational programs can support midlife change agents by integrating systemic change theories with critical reflective practice exercises. Peer reality checkers, analysis of relevant case studies, structured collaborative problem-solving opportunities, and group analytical debriefing can shift the change agents from viewing themselves as subject to seeing their actions as one object of the complex dynamics.
View the complete paper (pdf)
Quinn, Sean
“The Organization-Based Self-Esteem, Institutional Belongingness, and Career Development Opportunities of Adjunct Faculty”
The purpose of this research was to investigate and describe the organization-based self-esteem, institutional belongingness, and career development opportunities of adjunct faculty members. Three major findings were revealed. First, adjunct faculty members do not have much difficulty developing and maintaining organization-based self-esteem. Second, adjunct faculty do not experience institutional belongingness. Third, adjunct faculty are not encouraged to engage in career development activities and are not eligible for annual funding. These findings suggest that institutions should study adjunct employment relationships to improve organization-based self-esteem, institutional belongingness, and career development.
View the complete paper (pdf)
Social Transformation in Business and Industry
Friday, 10:45 - noon
Fausel, Don
“Globalization: Opportunities for Positive Social Change”
This paper viewed globalization through the lenses of the economic theory of comparative advantage and the philosophy of neoliberalism and its alternatives. It examined and assessed the role that the World Bank, International Money Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) play in the controversy surrounding globalization, with special attention to free trade agreements and fair trade. It focused on the primary goal of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), “to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, by the year 2015." It reviewed indicators of the progress towards that goal and presented strategies from both the pro-globalization and anti-globalization advocates for its success. In addition to economic globalization, it briefly addresses the issue of cultural globalization. It concludes with an agenda for positive social change action as a counterbalance to potential negative effects of globalization.
View the complete paper (pdf)
Gordon, Mark
“Taking the Lead: A Case Study of Corporate Social Responsibility”
Shrinking government resources, the growth of cross-sector collaborations, and an increased awareness has led to global advance of corporate social responsibility. A corporate social responsibility framework is being developed, international standards are being set, and best practices are being shared. This qualitative case study investigates the development of Merck Thailand’s socially responsible business practices through Zadek’s 2004 five-stage model of social maturity. Merck’s strategic orientation and willingness to share their experiences, including potential pitfalls and the benefits of being a good corporate citizen, demonstrates their intention to be an innovator and catalyst of positive social change in Thailand. Merck is transitioning from the strategic to the civil stage of maturity. This study gives rich context to the contention that leaders of international business can also be responsible citizens. It means corporate leaders will have to educate themselves and their employees about the benefits and potential liabilities of engaged citizenship. It means that profit is not the only motive for measuring success. Companies will do well to recognize their transition through various stages of social responsibility in order to leverage their commitment to their stakeholders including customers, employees, stockholders, and the communities where they do business. Companies, which have a track record of social responsibility in developing countries, can contribute to building a sustainable framework for global corporate social responsibility. This study determined that Merck in Thailand is successfully organizing around corporate social responsibility for the financial bottom line while simultaneously helping shape civil society.
View the complete paper (pdf)
Herrera, Alfredo and Rivers, Elizabeth
"Process Tracing Study of Integrated Product Teams: Integrate Training and Education in the Product-Development Process for Improved Performance"
"What strategies and tools can be used to facilitate successful organizational infrastructure creation and management and knowledge sharing?” Applying process tracing to "Integrated Product Teams" (IPT), this empirical exploratory case study describes theory application, workplace social changes, and recommends operational enhancements additional theory application offers. An overall theoretical framework combines: (a) communities of practice theory, (b) lean systems thinking, and (c) virtual team theory, with implications that creating and sustaining an effective e-learning infrastructure will integrate training and education in the product-development process for improved performance.
Cultural Transformation and Social Welfare
Friday, 1:15 - 2:45 pm
Endicott, Leilani
"Modeling Protective Factor Growth Curves to Predict Intervention Outcomes and Test Developmental Theories of Antisocial Behavior"
Risk and resilience theories specify a range of relevant personal, environmental, and developmental factors that can work to either increase or buffer risk of antisocial behavior. This study uses a developmental psychopathology framework and hierarchical linear modeling to evaluate risk reduction and processes of change in the context of a preventive antisocial behavior intervention. The Early Risers intervention is designed to prevent antisocial behavior (e.g., violence, substance abuse, etc.) among high-risk families by building three particular protective factors: social competence, academic competence, and parental investment. In addition to reporting intervention/control comparisons on reduction of risk, this paper demonstrates how hierarchical linear modeling can be used to model the growth curves of the protective factors and to examine how change in protective factors is related to intervention outcomes. The protective factor growth curves are also discussed in relation to intervention response predictors such as gender, SES, IQ, and baseline protective factor scores. Implications for finetuning resilience theories and planning future preventive interventions are also discussed.
View the complete paper (pdf)
Onyekwere, Emmanuel
"Socioeconomic Reforms and Cultural Transformations"
Recent democratization processes in civil governance, institutional reforms, and market liberalization including the privatization of state owned assets sweeping through sub-Saharan Africa parallel infrastructure reforms conducted in Latin America from 1990 to 1999 (Estache, Foster and Wodon).
The conceptual theory is that competition in the provision of basic infrastructure services would have the effect of reducing corruption and ineffective management inherent in state owned enterprises operating in sub-Saharan Africa.
This paper builds on the work of Walden doctoral thesis submitted by Okobi (2002) in which he attempted to establish a link between low wages and corruption in Nigeria’s civil service, especially the police. Although low wages is part of the problem, there is lot more to the problem of corruption in Nigeria than just low wages. There is broad agreement among scholar practitioners that corrupt practices are partly responsible for the slow growth in GDP recorded in sub-Saharan Africa over the past 30 years.
The inability of sub-Saharan Africa to attract foreign direct investment to areas other than primary extractive areas (oil and gas, other solid minerals) is a direct consequence of corruption and the high transaction cost of doing business in the region. Corrupt practices in the form of contract inflation, over-invoicing on payments and kick-backs at the highest level of civilian interaction on government contracts result in waste and has cost government billions of dollars, money that otherwise would be invested in rural development, education and health sectors of the economy. An institutional and procedural reform such as the budget monitoring and price intelligence unit (BMPIU) reviewing government procurement contracts is receiving good reviews. Procedural reforms in the form of due diligence on contract awards so far have saved the Nigerian government $1.5 billion in 2005. Private sector development and introduction of competition in provision of basic services: water, sanitation, energy, and telecom is expected to have a positive impact on corruption by eliminating bottlenecks created by inefficiencies in distribution of products where such distributions are based on nepotism, tribal affiliations, and graft. Other measures such as on going reform of the civil service supported and financed by the World Bank's Economic Reform and Governance Program. The International Development Association (IDA) credit facility of $140 million is expected to strengthen public resource management and specific anti-corruption initiatives, implement pension reform, and strengthen statistical systems capacities (The World Bank, 2005). Can a reduction in corruption in sub-Saharan Africa mark a turning point in the socioeconomic fortunes by improving the flow of foreign direct nvestment to the region, transform it culturally, and lead to social change? Private sector merit-based hiring practices; job promotion-based work performance, if supported by civil service reform at the state and federal levels could permeate the psyche of the common man on the street. This paper will review current reform measures in place with a view of determining if there is adequate planning and reach in the design framework and implementation capacity necessary to actualize a successful reform experience.
View the complete paper (pdf)
Thomason, Sally
"Holistic Aging: A Rediscovery of Life"
Medicine, social services, education, and business have cast aging as a medical and social problem to be solved by professional expertise. Based on the belief that old age is a natural part of life, not a pathology, this paper draws from qualitative and heuristic research conducted by the author (begun at the age of 65). This presentation will combine theoretical findings, and ‘word portraits’ wherein the informants speak on their embodied experience of aging.
View the complete paper (pdf)
Van Gelder, Leslie
"Gifting Life: Reconceiving Approaches to Death"
Anthropological research into cultures that value relationship with place yields insights into different modes of comprehending death and life. Place-cultures emphasize a world in continuous creation. Community relationships include non-humans. Social structures focus on two elements: continuation of life in ever-evolving forms, and strengthening of society through gifting. The author offers suggestions for social change by outlining ways in which the gifting worldview promotes relationships, conservation, and a viable social framework for the future.