Chinese higher education has moved into a popularized and internationalization stage, which makes the traditional learning, teaching and assessment (LTA) management challenging and sometimes... Show More

Chinese higher education has moved into a popularized and internationalization stage, which makes the traditional learning, teaching and assessment (LTA) management challenging and sometimes problematical. This paper introduces how to approach complex problematical situations in LTA management by using Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) at the Business College of the Beijing Union University (BCBUU) in China. Through this case study of seven years, the author made sense of and improved the problematical situations. It is found that SSM provides LTA managers with an innovative and fundamental methodology to appreciate otherwise seemingly unapproachable and unmanageable complex and ill-structured problem situations that they face. It is also proven that the case study of SSM in the context of LTA management in a Chinese college is practically effective.

The aim of this article is to discuss whether it is possible to derive a coherent ontological proposal from the premises of systemic thinking. The author claims that systemic thinking is committed... Show More

The aim of this article is to discuss whether it is possible to derive a coherent ontological proposal from the premises of systemic thinking. The author claims that systemic thinking is committed to pluralism both in epistemology and in ontology, because pluralism is a natural consequence of the systemic distinction of objects in different and irreducible levels of observation. Different levels of observation must be adopted when describing different systemic levels (the well-known sub-systems, systems, systems of systems). It is implied that different epistemologies are accepted, each having its own criteria and validation methods suitable for each level, and that there are irreducible ontological differences among entities. The study results are thus committed to ontological and epistemological pluralism. An interesting moral and social consequence of pluralism is a tolerant attitude towards different perspectives and cultures, that can easily be transformed into a general charity principle inspiring the regulation of multicultural societies.

In Ethiopia, the goal is to position tourism as a key economic sector, since recently it has been identified as one of the major strategies of using tourism to alleviate poverty. Motivated by this... Show More

In Ethiopia, the goal is to position tourism as a key economic sector, since recently it has been identified as one of the major strategies of using tourism to alleviate poverty. Motivated by this need, the study sought to investigate the determinants of international tourism demand. Specifically, the effect of economic factors, tourist socio-demographic characteristics, political factors, and destination characteristics on international tourism demand in Ethiopia. The study used both longitudinal and cross-sectional research designs and panel data for economic variables from eleven countries for the period of only one month time as of (December 10th, 2018 to January 10th, 2019). Data was collected from the World Bank database, the United Nations Database, the International Monetary Fund Database and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Statistics. Survey data was collected from individual tourists leaving the country by using questionnaires. The study used a dynamic panel regression model to determine the effect of economic factors on international tourism demand and a count data regression model to determine the effect of socio-demographic characteristics, political factors and destination characteristics on international tourism demand. The study results indicated that tourism price, travelling cost, trade openness and word of mouth effect were the main economic factors influencing international tourism demand in Ethiopia. The tourist's socio-demographic characteristics such as annual household income, age, and occupational status were found to significantly influence international tourism demand. The political factors composite index and destination characteristics composite index were also important determinants of international tourism demand. Taking into consideration of all these factors affecting tourism demand, the government and all the tourism stakeholders should work towards making Ethiopia's tourism product competitive, maintain reasonable prices, further develop the tourism infrastructure and offer quality services, along with the diversification of tourism products.

The twin problems of affordability and accessibility that hamper the progress of housing in our country need to be addressed on a sustainable basis and the state needs to take on the role as a... Show More

The twin problems of affordability and accessibility that hamper the progress of housing in our country need to be addressed on a sustainable basis and the state needs to take on the role as a facilitator to create the enabling environment to encourage greater private sector participation. As a consequence, it is quite opportune to establish the Human Settlements Development Bank (HSDB). The mortgage finance affordability challenge is also attributable to key essential drivers, namely; house price index, disposable income, and the mortgage interest rates.

This treatise centers on media management and entrepreneurship as the healthcare industry transforms legacy systems into lean strategies that leverage RFID-related technologies with solutions to... Show More

This treatise centers on media management and entrepreneurship as the healthcare industry transforms legacy systems into lean strategies that leverage RFID-related technologies with solutions to lower cost for supply chain partners and simultaneously enhance patient value. These solutions include using barcodes as a backup to more advanced media management technologies, standardization in medical processes and automation, overcoming implementation and resistance considerations, and eliminating waste in hospital inventory management systems. Successful case studies are outlined to illustrate these principles in practice.

Software startups have a major role in the market challenging existing models and enabling the emergence of new technologies with high economic and social impact. This study aimed to explore this... Show More

Software startups have a major role in the market challenging existing models and enabling the emergence of new technologies with high economic and social impact. This study aimed to explore this phenomenon by characterizing the processes and challenges that are placed in the software startups related to the workgroup in the entrepreneurial teams and in the context of their business activities. The study uses a qualitative approach through the realization of three case studies with Portuguese startups software. The study uses a qualitative approach through the realization of three case studies with startups software. The main results have demonstrated the high importance of human capital in these organizations that is leveraged through teamwork in teams formally established for this purpose, but above all, it is important to highlight the role that informal communication assumes in the growth process of these startups.

Even though it's commonly presumed that the philosophies of religion and technology couldn't be more different from one another and therefore have little, if anything, to say to the other, this... Show More

Even though it's commonly presumed that the philosophies of religion and technology couldn't be more different from one another and therefore have little, if anything, to say to the other, this couldn't be further from the truth. In actuality, the philosophy of religion has a crucial role to play in uncovering some of our most important, taken-for-granted presumptions about technology. Indeed, there are important and interesting parallels between the three classic arguments for the existence of God and the justifications given for technology.