Suchergebnisse

The central aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of New Zealand small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have recently experienced internationalisation into the United States (US). The reason for this is to understand if changes to the political environment have been perceived to have an influence on these firms and their approach. Above all, the primary objective focuses on the importance of the changing political environment on New Zealand SMEs, specifically a notable rise in protectionism (Enderwick, 2011). Notwithstanding important research that exists within international business on the relevance of SMEs, and entry strategies that these firms adopt, a lack of understanding exists on current perceptions of political change and how firms are responding to this change. Therefore, this research topic explores: The perceived importance of the changing political environment on SME market entry: New Zealand SMEs entering the United States. Sub questions include: 1) How do New Zealand SMEs perceive changes in the US political environment? 2) How do New Zealand SMEs change their approach to the US market, in light of the changing political environment? Theoretical frameworks included to give shape to the research are: the Resource-Based View (RBV), Dynamic Capabilities, Networking Theory, Adaption-Innovation Theory and Institutional Theory. An interpretivist paradigm is adopted for this study, supported by a relativist ontology and a constructivist epistemology. This exploratory research follows a multiple case study methodology involving three cases. Primary data was collected through conducting semi-structured interviews, with one participant from each firm who was responsible for international business decisions. Moreover, secondary data was obtained for this research through a variety of documentation such as government websites and company reports. The analytical strategy adopts thematic analysis, in order to present the finding of this research. The findings from both within and across cases identified central themes related to use of intangible resources including market opportunities, high profile networking and relationships, institutional influences, and knowledge and experience related to adaptive capacity in social, political and regulatory aspects. They also identified perceptions of potential future reactions to political changes. The study concludes with the identification and interpretation of the emerging themes to present insights into the approach of SMEs within the changing US political environment. This research provides a valuable contribution to scholarship or academic literature and the New Zealand and international business communities, as well as including suggestions for future research.

Introduction : history, race & building the American welfare state -- The political & social context of Mothers' Pensions : an era of racial & ethnic discrimination -- The Mothers' Pension movement : establishing boundaries of exclusion & inclusion -- Mothers' Pension legislation : exclusion by statute -- Administration of Mothers' Pension programs : de facto exclusion -- Mothers' Pensions, the New Deal & ADC : a racialized legacy -- Conclusion : building a white welfare state

The increasing recognition of a global interdependence among our
economies and societies places a significant amount of pressure on
educational institutions to prepare future citizens for successful
participation in this "new world order." While there might be
general agreement that globalization or internationalization is a
"major trend in education" or a "worldwide
phenomenon," there are barriers to internationalization, some of
which can be individual—resulting from faculty and student
attitudes; some institutional—caused by long-standing policies,
practices, and traditions; and some reflecting the attitudes and culture
of the wider American society (Green 2003, 11).
There are different ways that institutions of higher learning can respond
to this phenomenon most effectively, including, for example, changes at
the curricular level, broad institutional policies that involve
recruitment of foreign students, experiential partnerships with foreign
institutions of higher learning, and the creation of campuses in other
countries (see Altbach 2002).

This paper argues that since the 1960s, African Americans have substantially increased their political participation in the U.S. political system. It claims that Blacks in the U.S. have built a strong political foundation and that their influence in the country's political system has grown within the past four decades. The paper highlights, however, that more Black women tend to be active participants in the electoral process than Black men and that there is the potential for Black women to equal or surpass Black men in the number of elected officials within their race in the years and decades to come.

This track served not only to continue the discussion of the
importance of internationalizing the curriculum, but also as an
impetus for laying out a framework to do so. The papers and
subsequent discussions in this track highlighted both the challenges
and the opportunities for internationalization in the classroom and
the discipline.

The excellent papers in this symposium warrant our close attention for
the cardinal reason that they teach citizenship in the global world. They
arm us with ideas, concrete techniques, and specialized skill sets to
reach this goal. The simple importance of learning to function well in a
global society belies the complexity of achieving it. These papers give us
tools as well as provide motivation to confront this challenge.

ImportanceIndividually designed single-patient multi-crossover (n-of-1) trials can facilitate tailoring of treatments directed at various conditions, including chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSP) but are potentially burdensome, which may limit uptake in research and practice.ObjectivesTo determine whether patients randomized to participate in an n-of-1 trial supported by a mobile health (mHealth) app would experience less pain and improved global health, adherence, satisfaction, and shared decision making compared with patients assigned to usual care.Design, setting, and participantsThis randomized clinical trial compared participation in an individualized, mHealth-supported n-of-1 trial vs usual care. The participating 215 patients had CMSP for at least 6 weeks, had a smartphone or tablet with a data plan, were enrolled in northern California from July 2014 through July 2016, and were followed for up to 1 year by 48 clinicians in academic, community, Veterans Affairs, and military settings.InterventionsIntervention patients met with their clinicians and used a desktop interface to select treatments and trial parameters for an n-of-1 trial comparing 2 pain-management regimens. The mHealth app provided reminders to take designated treatments on assigned days and to upload responses to daily questions on pain and treatment-associated adverse effects. Control patients received care as usual.Main outcomes and measuresThe primary outcome was change in the PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) pain-related interference 8-item short-form scale (full scale range, 41-78) from baseline to 6 months. Secondary outcomes included patient-reported pain intensity, overall health, analgesic adherence, trust in clinician, satisfaction with care, medication-related shared decision making, and, for the n-of-1 group only, participant engagement and experience.ResultsAmong 215 patients (108 randomized to the n-of-1 intervention and 107 to control), 102 (47%) were women, and the mean (SD) age was 55.5 (11.1) years. At the 6-month follow-up, pain interference was reduced in both groups, though there was no difference between the intervention and control groups (-1.36 points; 95% CI, -2.91 to 0.19 points; P = .09). There were no advantages in secondary outcomes for intervention patients vs control patients except for higher medication-related shared decision making at 6 months (between-group difference, 11.9 points; 95% CI, 2.6-21.2 points; P = .01). Among patients assigned to the n-of-1 group, 88% (n = 86) affirmed that the mHealth app could help people like them manage their pain.Conclusions and relevanceIn this population of patients with CMSP, mHealth-supported n-of-1 trials were feasible and associated with a satisfactory user experience, but n-of-1 trial participation did not significantly improve pain interference at 6 months vs usual care.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02116621.