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In this paper, we analyze recently collected data that conducts a unique assessment of high school student performance for over two thousand students from five Chinese provinces. Across three domains of scientific intelligence tested, we document heterogeneous gender gaps in academic performance. These differences generally arise due to differential productivity of inputs to the education production process and not differential levels of inputs. At many quantiles of the achievement distribution, girls perform better than boys when identifying scientific issues, whereas the converse holds on the portion of the assessment that measures whether one can apply scientific evidence. These differences may partially explain the subsequent gap in decision to major in specific STEM disciplines in college. Further, our results imply caution from using a single summative gender achievement gap measure when gender gaps in subject knowledge are not constant across each domain of intelligence examined within the test.

This paper explores how mainstream teachers, in mainland China with experience of inclusive education, perceive individual differences (ID) among students in general education classrooms. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and employed purposeful sampling and semi-structured interviews. It was found that the mainstream teachers tended to conceptualise ID among students in accordance with five categories: perceived student ability; perceived student behaviour and motivation; perceived students' personal attributes; perceived family factors and observed learning outcomes. The mainstream teachers' particular concerns in relation to catering for ID were also revealed and discussed.

Since the start of the Reform Era in 1978, vocational education and training (VET) in China has been seen as inferior to academic routes and positioned at the bottom of the educational hierarchy. VET students are stereotyped as being 'stupid and lazy' and suffer considerable prejudice in Chinese society. Drawing on Foucault's disciplinary power and Ball's idea of performativity, this paper analyses how academically focused, exam-driven societal attitudes, as a form of meritocratic discourse, impact on these students and on how they perceive their stereotyped position within the Reform Era educational system. The findings reveal that these students have internalised the ideology of meritocracy, coming to see themselves as inferior and inadequate compared to their academic counterparts. Turning 'the gaze' upon themselves, they examine whether they 'add up' and assume responsibility for their own 'failures'. VET students are trained to be the new kind of youthful subject required to sustain the Reform Era China's engagement with neoliberal governance.

Literacy education is the most important part in school education and its efficiency determines the students' achievements in their future education and career. In 2010, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were released, which aimed to provide common standards for K-12 public school students in the whole country to improve the educational quality in the U. S. The goals of language literacy in CCSS were illustrated from four dimensions: standards for reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language, which was from the micro-perspective of language learning. In CCSS, English Language Arts Reading is emphasized and the teaching aims, teaching contents, language skills, and the function of new technology was proposed to guarantee the quality of the literacy education. In 2011, Chinese National Curriculum Standards (NCS) was released. The goal of NCS for language learning was designed based on three dimensions: knowledge and ability, process and methods, and emotion, attitude, and values, which was from the macro-perspective of language learning. This paper introduced the background of the implementation of the two curriculums, compared the components and goals between the American CCSS and Chinese NCS, as well as the characteristics of each curriculum to try to find out the implications for each other.

Background/Aims: Extensive research focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of various positions throughout active second stage labour, but there is limited focus on midwives' practice. This study aimed to explore midwives' practice of maternal positions throughout the active phase of second stage labour. Methods: An integrative review of three databases was carried out for research papers published between 2015 and 2022. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis and synthesis. Results: Five eligible research papers were included. There were four key findings: maternal positions practised by midwives, midwives as the prime decision maker, midwives' personal convenience and comfort, and barriers to practising maternal positions. Conclusions: Midwives were seen as prime decision makers, who hindered informed decision making on maternal positions during active second stage labour. Inadequate knowledge, skills and confidence were barriers to practice and attributed to midwives adopting positions that were convenient and comfortable for themselves. Strategies are needed to enhance practice through review and evaluation of current clinical settings, regular updates to evidence-based practice and refreshing essential midwifery skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of a clinical nurse specialists training program in Zhejiang Province, China, from participants' perspectives. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 209 PICU nurse specialists who participated in the training program from 2016 to 2021. All participants completed an online questionnaire two years after graduation. We collected their demographic characteristics and their development status after the training (e.g., continuous improvement of core competence, research skills, and promotion). Chi-squared test was applied to assess the differences in effectiveness across subgroups. Results: In total, 209 (87.8%) out of 238 nurses responded to the survey among whom 73.7% launched new projects in their hospital after training and 75% published research articles in peer-reviewed journals. Also, 32.4% received promotions, and 67% participated in ICU-related continuing education programs. Based on multivariate regression analysis, the execution of new projects was closely related to the nurse's position and the level of their working hospitals. The job title and position were associated with publication, research performance, promotion, and continuing education. Conclusions: The nurse specialists of the PICU carried out a set of new projects implanting new skills that they had learned from the training program. Their core competence was improved, including theoretical knowledge and operation skills, teaching capacities, and scientific research abilities. Many trainees published papers, applied for research grants, got promotions, and had further opportunities for continuing education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attractions of overseas high-level returned talents have become a widely practiced talent policy, and the spatial structures of city-related interactions are drawing the attention of researchers from various fields. China is particularly an interesting case in point, as it has moved toward an innovation-oriented economy. Based on the movement trajectories of 2,846 returnees in a program entitled "Young Thousand Talents Plan" during 2011–2016, this paper identifies three city types in China: national core city, regional excellent city, and regional special city. Subsequently, this paper employs spatial visualization and qualitative interviews. This paper also goes on to show that the national core cities that possess dense research resources that coincide with premium life conditions and have objectively more favorable conditions, wider opportunities for attracting highly qualified specialists. Moreover, the backflow pattern can be divided into circle route and linear route, which is driven by social proximity and innovation context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transformations in Business & Economics is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Transformations in Business & Economics is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: With a rapidly aging population in mainland China, dysphagia has become one of the common geriatric disorders which creates a huge demand on speech and language therapists (SLTs). The major challenge is the shortage of SLTs in China. In addition, frontline practitioners in mainland China may not be well equipped with the knowledge and practical skills in dysphagia management due to lack of systematic training and the work nature. Aims: This study evaluates the self‐perceived effectiveness and feasibility of an online training program that aims to enhance the self‐assessed knowledge and skills of SLTs providing dysphagia care in residential aged care homes. Methods and Procedures: Sixteen SLTs working in a residential aged care homes in mainland China attended a three‐hour pilot online training program which consists of didactic lecture and practical skills activity components. A total of 10 participants completed an online questionnaire one month after the training to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of this online training program. Outcomes and Results: The preliminary results demonstrated participants' self‐perception of high training effectiveness in theoretical knowledge and practical skills. A majority of the participants perceived that the training enhanced their theoretical knowledge and all of them perceived that they acquired practical skills. All respondents were satisfied with the online training approach. They also highlighted the advantage and challenges of the online training approach. Conclusions and Implications: Online training is an effective and feasible approach for theoretical knowledge and practical skills transfer in SLT training and could ultimately benefit the delivery of services for individuals with dysphagia in mainland China. What this paper adds: What is already known on the subject: Previous studies have shown that online training approach is as effective as face‐to‐face training in increasing professional knowledge. Online training programs may be more cost efficient and time efficient when compared with face‐to‐face training. What this study adds: The present study provided preliminary evidence to support the feasibility and effectiveness of using online training on dysphagia for speech and language therapists working in residential aged care homes in mainland China. What are the clinical implications of this work?: From the participants' perception, online training approach is effective and feasible in delivering theoretical knowledge and practical skills. It may be a better training approach for mainland China considering the lack of expertise and accessibility to training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decade, the call to foster computational thinking (CT) in every child has received considerable attention. However, there is little understanding of whether children are developmentally ready to think computationally and what specific CT concepts and skills can be developed at various ages. This study explored the developmental and gender differences in CT skills of 197 Grade 4–6 students (aged 9–13) before being exposed to instruction and investigated the age–gender interaction effects on their CT acquisition in an intervention combining both programming and non‐programming (unplugged) activities. Results show that students' CT skills followed a developmental progression before instruction. Gender difference across ages was insignificant in conditionals, logical operators, pattern recognition and generalization skills. Additionally, students of different ages developed CT differently during the intervention, and their CT acquisition was unaffected by gender. Implications for practice and research in CT education were discussed. Lay Description: What is currently known about the topic: Learning progressions for computational thinking have been defined in K‐12 curricula globally.Engaging in programming and non‐programming (unplugged) activities can increase students' CT skills.Controversial results have been reported on the age–gender interaction effects on CT development.Lack of understanding on children's actual progressive development of CT. What this paper adds: A developmental progression was found in CT skills of students aged 9–13. Students aged 12 and above had some a priori understanding of CT.No gender difference across ages existed in conditionals, logical operators, pattern recognition and generalization skills before instruction.Students aged 9–11 benefitted the most from an intervention combining both programming and unplugged activities compared to older students. Students' CT acquisition in the intervention was unaffected by gender.Given the intervention, students aged 9 and above developed conditionals, logical operators and pattern recognition skills. However, generalization skill was developed only for students aged 12 and above. Implications for practice and policy: The findings lay the foundation for designing evidence‐based age‐appropriate CT learning progression and pedagogies.Age‐appropriate learning content: Given appropriate learning experiences, students aged 9 and above may be ready to learn certain CT concepts and skills, including conditionals, logical operators and pattern recognition.CT pedagogies: Using programming and unplugged activities to develop CT requires careful consideration of students' cognitive development and gender needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the story continuation writing task (SCWT) has attracted much research attention, few studies have investigated the construct of the task, particularly with respect to which language competence it focuses on. In addition, although some studies have demonstrated that China's Standards of English Language Ability (CSE) provides comprehensive insights into the development of Chinese learners' English language proficiency, little research has investigated the relationship between CSE and SCWT. This study drew upon the CSE to develop an SCWT language use inventory to address the above research gaps. A total of 358 high school students were asked to complete the questionnaire, of which 277 valid responses were analyzed. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on the CSE-based questionnaire revealed the presence of six factors, namely language correctness, language variety, task planning, connecting-and-generating, selecting-and-mining, and organizing. The strategy of connecting-and-generating was the only significant predictor of the learners' SCWT scores. The paper also discusses the findings relating to the SCWT rating and other integrated writing tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Delayed child skill development is a common phenomenon in low- and middle-income countries. Effective and low-cost strategies suitable for application to less-developed countries are needed. We summarize empirical findings from recent papers that study a replication of the Jamaica Reach Up and Learn home visiting program in China, China REACH, and compare child skill growth profiles in the China Reach Up and Jamaica interventions. METHODS: Different interventions often use different measures for assessing early childhood skill development. To estimate the growth of underlying skills across programs, we address the challenge that different programs use different assessments. We use a modified version of the Rasch model to anchor scores on common items to estimate skill development. RESULTS: Language skill growth curves are comparable for both interventions. This pattern is consistent for the treatment and control groups across the interventions. Skill growth curves are not statistically significantly different between China REACH and Jamaican interventions. We find evidence of the importance of early investment. CONCLUSIONS: The China REACH intervention significantly improves the development of multiple skills. At the same ages, treatment effect sizes and skill growth curves are comparable across the Jamaica and China REACH interventions, despite differences in scale and cultural settings. The scale of the program is much greater in China than in Jamaica, showing that the Jamaican curriculum can be effectively expanded to larger populations. Annual costs per child are roughly $500 (2015 US dollars). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on urban household survey data, the authors find that skill premia increased significantly across all regions of China between 1995 and 2002, but only in coastal regions between 2002 and 2007. By then, these regions also displayed much wider wage inequality and thus contributed more to overall urban wage inequality than non-coastal regions. While privatization was the main driver of skill premia in 1995-2002, China's (regionally uneven) integration into the global economy became the dominant influence in 2002-07. Reducing skill premia and inequality, the authors argue, calls for reform of the Hukou registration system which impedes skilled labour mobility and possibly also growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While much has been written about skill shortages and gaps in Australia and China, less attention has been paid to skills in New Zealand and Vietnam, countries which also experience skill challenges. This special issue of the Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources includes papers that focus on the four countries in order to examine skills and the role of human resource management (HRM). The intention is to advance theoretical and empirical research, helping to explain how HRM can provide responses to manage the challenges associated with skill development and talent management. We conclude that, at a broader level, effective alliances between education providers, industry and other stakeholders are needed to reduce skill shortages and improve skill development. At an organisational level, it is advocated that HR strategies focus on the creation of talent pipelines and talent management to reduce skill gaps and improve the quality of human capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is evident that, being a member of the organization, the team has to cue the influx of the green management concepts. This study focuses on the aspect of team management in green enterprises. Applying leadership theory to sample green enterprises, this paper proposes that political skills of team leadership have moderating effects on the relationship between team conflict (relationship conflict and task conflict) and performance at both the individual and team levels. Empirical data were collected from 85 dyads of leaders and team members in 36 green enterprises in China. It was found that the leaders' political skills weakened the negative effects of relationship conflict on individual performance and team performance. Further, leaders' political skills strengthened the positive effects of task conflict on individual and team performance. The results of this study deepen the cognition of two types of team conflict in theory and provide theoretical guidance for green enterprises in carrying out effective team conflict management and practical political skills training for leaders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of the green talent dividend on China's economic growth and regional differences using a theoretical derivation of the Cobb–Douglas production function. Design/methodology/approach: This study develops a measurement model with human capital based on Chinese inter-provincial panel data for 2001–2017, and analyzes the influences on economic growth of employees' education level, per capita material capital, green labor participation rate and green jobs. The study explores the impact of the green talent dividend on regional economic growth for different regions. Findings: Employees' education level, per capita material capital, green labor participation rate and green jobs promote China's economic growth. The dependency ratio hinders economic growth. The green labor participation rate impacts economic growth more than green jobs do. Furthermore, the scale of green talent in China and its dividend effect are regionally unbalanced. Therefore, to fully release the dividend of green talent, the green labor participation rate should be improved to promote the rational flow of talent among regions. Practical implications: These findings shed light on the talent dividend, provide a theoretical basis for the formulation of relevant talent policies, and show that the demographic dividend can be transformed into the green talent dividend, which has practical significance for the sustainable development of China's economy given its aging population. Originality/value: This study provides a macro perspective on the green talent dividend's impact on economic growth. The Cobb–Douglas production function in this study differs from the traditional micro perspective on green labor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compared the effectiveness and efficiency of using computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and teacher-implemented instruction (TII) to teach visual matching skills to students with autism spectrum disorder and/or other developmental disabilities. Four school-aged students participated in this study with an alternating treatment design. The CAI incorporated discrete trial instruction with the gesture-tracking application, while the TII involved traditional one-to-one instruction using flashcards. The results indicated that all students acquired the target matching skills with generalization to similar untaught skills and maintained acquired skills at a high level for up to 5 weeks under both CAI and TII. Both CAI and TII were effective. However, CAI was more efficient than TII in regards to the prompts provided and the duration of instructional sessions. CAI also resulted in more student engagement in independent learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: ChatGPT is a generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology that can solve multiple complex tasks. ChatGPT-4 can facilitate educational empowerment in China through technology to understand and generate Chinese text. Although ChatGPT's benefits have been widely discussed, its educational capabilities have not been systematically assessed. This study provides evidence of and insights into the educational applications of AI tools in China. Design/Approach/Methods: This study uses various tests to systematically assess the latest iteration of the AI chatbot ChatGPT-4, including the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA), Five Core Competencies Questionnaire, and written test of China's 2022 National Teacher Certificate Examination (NTCE). Findings: The WGCTA results suggest that ChatGPT requires strong critical thinking. Compared with the other four competencies, the tool showed a lower aptitude for creativity. Regarding its educational applications, ChatGPT performed well on the 2022 NTCE written test. As technology enhances, ChatGPT and similar AI tools have potential applications in China for lesson planning, student self-learning, classroom interaction, and checking assignments. Originality/Value: This study systematically tested ChatGPT at a logical level and assessed its core competencies and educational applications. The study innovatively used 2022 NTCE data to test ChatGPT, with results providing support for the application of generative AI in future curricula and instruction in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional international trade theory predicts that bilateral offshoring flows will be highest when two countries have very different relative factor endowments. In contrast, the new trade theory contends that offshoring is more likely to exist when countries' relative factor endowments are similar. This paper empirically tests the relationship between offshoring and relative factor endowments, measured by the skill overlap index between two countries and finds evidence that there is an inverted U‐shape relationship. Our empirical results predict that the rise in educational attainment in China will motivate U.S. multinationals to send their tasks to China in the short run; over the long run, however, U.S. multinationals will have fewer incentives to send their tasks to China. This finding sheds new light on the current trade tensions between the United States and China and has implications for trade policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teamwork, one of the core competencies for the twenty-first century learner, is a critical skill for work and learning. However, assessing teamwork is complex, in particular, developing a measure of teamwork that is domain-generic and applicable across a wide range of learners. This paper documents one such study that leverages technology to help provide a formative assessment of teamwork. It focuses on the self and peer ratings of a teamwork measure and a pedagogical method, which was trialled as a teamwork awareness programme in a mainstream Secondary School in Singapore. This teamwork awareness programme was incorporated into the school’s Interdisciplinary Project Work curriculum. Findings of students’ experiences of the programme are described. The teamwork competency dimension of “team emotional support” was rated highest amongst students. Also, students’ report gains in teamwork awareness, mixed engagement in reflective practices, and on the real-world relevancy of the programme. Discussions and implications of the findings follow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the prevalence of idiosyncratic deals (i-deals) as an adaptive strategy for the effective management of an increasingly diverse workforce, the drivers of these customized work arrangements and why they enhance mutuality in the employment relationship are not well understood. Drawing on an integration of social cognitive theory and resource-based perspective, we address these interrelated questions by proposing and examining a moderated mediation model of antecedents and outcomes of task and career i-deals. Multi-source and multi-wave data obtained from supervisors and employees in service and manufacturing organizations were used to test our hypothesized relationships. Results of multilevel path analysis reveal that both employee approach motive and supervisor political skill relate to i-deals. Furthermore, high-commitment HR system moderates the relationship between supervisor political skill (but not employee approach motive) and i-deals such that this relationship is stronger when high-commitment HR system is high but not low. Additionally, i-deals relate to service creativity but indirectly through personal skill development suggesting a potential human capital (relative to the predominantly motivational) explanation of the performance implications of i-deals. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding and enhancing the effectiveness of negotiating and implementing i-deals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honors education has ascended as an integral element within the sphere of global higher education, concentrating on fostering individuals who exhibit creativity and a history of innovative achievements. Despite its widespread adoption, there remains a scarcity of exhaustive longitudinal studies investigating its effects and associated variables. To address this shortcoming, this study deploys rigorous structural equation modeling (SEM) and linear regression analyses to meticulously examine a dataset comprising 319 students, who enrolled over a decade (2011-2021) in a prestigious honors college at a preeminent university in China. The primary objective is to discern the predictive efficacy of Chinese honors education selection criteria on students' creative and academic accomplishments. This endeavor strives to clarify the complex interplay among students' creative personalities, academic performance, creative achievements, and standardized college entrance exam scores. The findings emphasize that individuals who exhibit enhanced creative personality traits are predisposed to elevated levels of both innovation and academic attainment (β = 0.170, p = 0.017). Additionally, a significant inverse relationship is observed between general learning aptitude and subsequent academic performance (β = -0.008, p = 0.023), while students pursuing science disciplines demonstrate superior innovation outcomes compared to their liberal arts counterparts (β = 0.125, p = 0.048). Interestingly, neither gender nor general academic prowess exerts significant predictive power over collegiate innovation (β = -0.002, p = 0.134). These empirical insights equip policymakers and scholars with nuanced perspectives on the determinants shaping students' refined educational experiences, thereby inciting critical discourse concerning the refinement of selection criteria and the imperative of nurturing students' creative proclivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research on the factors that influence a business's participation in third-party e-markets identified a set of motivational and ability related factors. This paper explores further the question of the determinants of third-party e-market participation using a multiple case study research design. Data were collected from three companies in China. Our findings suggest that motivation and ability related factors might play both an enabling and inhibiting role in e-market adoption. However, we also found that these factors are limited to offer a complete understanding of participation in third-party operated e-markets. In particular, in the context of emerging economies and emerging e-markets where both contextual factors and the offerings of market-makers are crucial to an enterprise's decision to join and stay in e-market, the explanatory power of motivation and ability factors tend to be limited. The paper proposes an extended motivation-ability model to understand the drivers and inhibitors of participating in third-party operated e-markets. It further discusses the implications of the results of the study for both market and business decision makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — This paper has three purposes. First, it aims to explore important factors in the Chinese employment market. Second, it aims to find whether recruiters and applicants understand each other's expectations. Third, it aims to find whether applicants with different Hukou (locals vs non-locals) have different expectations on position/organization characteristics and whether recruiters from organizations of different ownerships (foreign vs state-owned) have different expectations on applicant qualifications. Design/methodology/approach — A list of 15 applicant qualifications items and 15 position/organization characteristics items that are relevant in the Chinese context were generated by interviewing ten applicants and recruiters. Then 141 college graduates and 44 recruiters were surveyed in four job fairs in Beijing, and asked them to rank the importance of position/organization characteristics and applicant qualifications. Findings — The study found that recruiters overestimated applicants' expectations on extrinsic rewards (e.g. salary) but underestimated their needs on intrinsic rewards (e.g. job security). Applicants overestimated recruiters' expectations on exogenous qualifications (e.g. local Hukou) but underestimated their expectations on endogenous qualifications (e.g. analysis skills). Local applicants have higher expectations on job locations and voice opportunities while non-local applicants have higher expectations on local Hukou quota. Recruiters from foreign organizations have higher expectations on endogenous qualifications than recruiters from state-owned organizations. Research limitations/implications — The applicant samples were college graduates in Beijing, and the findings may not be generalized to the whole job applicant population in China. Originality/value — This paper represents an early attempt to investigate both recruiters' and job applicants' expectations at the pre-employment stage in the contemporary Chinese context, and it provides practical suggestions to recruiters, students, and policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with strategic development of HEIs in Tianjin, China, mainly using the SWOT method of competitive intelligence. It analyses information concerning the HEIs from different aspects, and constructs a SWOT matrix in order to develop the recommended strategies for the HEIs. The paper puts forward some specific recommendations for the HEIs in Tianjin to adopt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The competition between countries is essentially the competition of innovative talents. However, China now faces multiple problems in the cultivation of innovative talents: the talents are weak in innovation ability; the high-level innovative talents are not sufficient; neither the quality or level of talents fully meet the demand of social and economic development. As a result, it is urgent for colleges to renovate the cultivation mode of innovative talents. Focusing on the cultivation of innovative talents majoring in architectural design, this paper thoroughly analyzed the extensible teaching mode for cultivating college students into innovative talents. Firstly, a questionnaire survey on relevant issues was carried out among employers and college graduates. The survey results revealed several problems with the innovative talent training in Chinese colleges, namely, the irrational curriculum design, the narrow scope of training objectives, and the lack of diverse teaching methods. Results verified, the employers are not highly satisfied with the innovative talents, especially the newly graduated ones. These problems are attributable to the weak professional development ability, poor teamwork ability, and insufficient innovation ability. To solve these problems, the authors analyzed and expounded the extensible teaching mode for the cultivation of innovative talents from four aspects: teaching content scope, teaching methods, teaching space, and appraisal. The research findings enrich the evidence of innovative talent training in Chinese colleges, providing a reference for improving the training quality of innovative talents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the background of “Internet plus,” more and more traditional industries have been integrated into the Internet through information technology. The international trade (foreign trade) industry has constantly been networked, informalized and electrolyzed. Based on the statistical analysis of the current development trend and market demand for cross-border e-commerce talents, this paper attempts to find out the causes of the current multidisciplinary “competition” for cross-border e-commerce talent training, analyze the advantages and disadvantages of this "competition," and put forward the development strategies of multidisciplinary cross-border e-commerce talent training. This study will be of essential reference and significance for applied universities, colleges and higher vocational colleges to adjust the cross-border ecommerce talent training positioning, orientation and professional layout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental regulation could affect skill premium by affecting the relative supply and demand for skilled labor and non-skilled labor; meanwhile, it could also exert influences on skill premium indirectly by optimizing industrial structure. This essay conducts empirical tests based on the panel data of Chinese cities at prefecture level or above from 2005 to 2016 by analyzing the influence mechanism of environmental regulations on skill premium as well as the intermediate effect of industrial structure. The results show that generally environmental regulation has remarkable promoting effect on skill premium and the industrial structure shows significant positive mediating effect; however, the mediating effect of industrial structure shows regional heterogeneity, which is negative in the eastern and western regions and positive in the central region. The results of the research could provide a theoretical basis and decision-making references for China in reasonable control of skill premium and guaranteeing skilled labors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The shortage of nurses has been a global human resources problem. A good professional growth environment is essential to developing potential nursing students and attracting nurses to join, and it has great significance in reducing nurse turnover. However, nurses' comprehensive perceptions of professional growth have not yet been examined. Methods: A cluster sampling method was used to conduct a professional growth questionnaire survey on young nursing talents from a large Chinese public tertiary A hospital in March 2022. Results: The score of professional growth among 243 young nursing talents was 57.92 ± 9.607, with a scoring rate of 77.23%. The scores for dimensions of professional growth, from lowest to highest, were rehabilitation growth, promotion speed, professional goal progress, and professional ability development. Attitudes towards participating in training, service as the quality manager or clinical teacher, self-efficacy, professional title, work-family support, education, and organizational commitment of young nursing talents were significantly associated with professional growth. Conclusion: The professional growth of young nursing talents was at a moderate level and needed to be strengthened. Nursing leaders and managers are expected to develop management practices to enhance young nursing talents' professional growth in combination with the related factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feilaifeng is listed as a cultural heritage site because of its abundant Buddhist statues possibly dating back to the Five Dynasties period (907 AD–960 AD). However, microorganism growth on the surface of stone results in esthetic and structural damage. Biocide treatment is commonly used to eradicate the microorganisms, and we assessed the effectiveness of four chemicals (benzalkonium chloride, octhilinone, tebuconazole, and thiabendazole) and two commercial biocides (ACTICIDE® 50 X (A) and AW-600) in inhibiting microbial colonization. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of various biocides were determined, and their efficacies were compared using the inhibition zone method. The most effective biocides were applied in situ to Feilaifeng Limestone, and the overall effects were monitored by photographic recordings and microbial cultures for a month. The factors affecting the efficacy of each biocide, such as thermal stability and loss-resistance, were also evaluated. The biocides varied markedly in their ability to inhibit the proliferation of different microorganisms. The three species of fungi tested herein demonstrated the highest susceptibility to octhilinone, but benzalkonium chloride showed the best antibacterial activity to the bacteria, Pseudomonas sp. Based on the results of in vitro assays, octhilinone, as well as its respective commercial product AW-600, were the best biocides for treating microorganisms, and 0.5% was the optimal concentration. Although the biocides on disc papers could be easily diluted by water, they were resistant to degradation by high temperatures. These findings suggest that frequent rainfall might have been the reason for the recolonization of microorganisms in a short time after octhilinone and AW-600 treatment in situ. Our results provide new insights on how to protect Feilaifeng Limestone, which is prone to damage caused by various microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the job demands of healthcare workers (HCWs) working in mobile cabin hospitals in Shanghai and identify the influencing factors. Design: The study had a cross‐sectional design. Methods: Using the convenience sampling method, we selected 1223 HCWs (medical team members) working in these mobile cabin hospitals during April–May 2022. The findings of the general information questionnaire and the hierarchy scale of job demands of HCWs working in mobile cabin hospitals were used for the investigation. Results: The total score of job demands of the included HCWs was 132.26 ± 9.53; the average score of the items was 4.73 ± 0.34. Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that the following HCWs had significantly higher job demands: female HCWs and HCWs who received psychological training or intervention during the COVID‐19 pandemic, were satisfied with the doctor/nurse–patient relationship, received support from family members/friends/colleagues, believed that the risk of working in mobile cabin hospitals was high, had adapted to the working environment of mobile cabin hospitals and had college/undergraduate level of education. They would benefit from increased social support and better training in terms of psychological coping mechanisms(both theoretical knowledge and applicable skills) and COVID‐19 prevention,control and treatment abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Play Practice (PP) instruction on badminton performance in college students. Method: A total of 66 students from the United States and China participated in units following either the principles of PP or skill-focused instruction. A nonequivalent control/comparison group experimental design with premeasure and postmeasure was used in this study. Separate analyses of variance with repeated measures (Time × Group) were conducted to examine the effects of PP and skill-focused instruction for each of the four dependent variables: (a) forehand clear, (b) wall volley, (c) game performance, and (d) tactical understanding. Results: Both PP and skill-focused instruction conditions were effective in improving participants' skills from pretest to posttest. However, PP was also effective in improving participants' game performance. Conclusion: PP effectively developed both fundamental skills and tactical aspects of badminton without diminishing the transfer effect from practice to games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a mixed-methods case study of a national reform of College English teaching in China which called for the integration of ICT (information and communication technology) into English classroom teaching and self-access learning. The study examined ICT implementation of the national reform in a specific tertiary institution from the perspectives of ICT use in language education and ICT-related policies and practices for EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers. The findings indicated that the reform had represented a challenge for teachers, who were expected to adapt to technologically-enhanced teaching materials, embrace student-centred classroom teaching and guide students' autonomous learning in ICT settings. Constraints included insufficient ICT facilities, teachers' limited ICT skills and pedagogic expertise; and lack of effective communication networks and inadequate technical support and ICT-related training also hindered the smooth ICT implementation of the reform. Implications for national and institutional policy-making are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School-based assessment of science students' practical skills has two important roles—as a complement to written papers in public examinations and as a catalyst for enriching the science curriculum in schools. This article describes a quantitative study of the concerns chemistry and biology teachers experience as they engage in the process of implementation of a school-based assessment scheme for practical work. A 23-item questionnaire was developed to measure five categories of teacher concern: evaluation, information, management, consequence and refocusing. The nature of each category of teacher concern is discussed in relation to innovation adoption and implementation. Data were collected from 400 chemistry and 412 biology teachers in Hong Kong. Teachers' information and management concerns lessened in intensity when they became experienced users of a school-based assessment scheme. However, teaching experience alone could not motivate teachers to think more about the impact of school-based assessment on student learning, their professional development in student assessment and the possible refinements in their school-based assessment scheme. Concerns-based interventions are suggested to help teachers grow professionally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We argue that Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences is surprisingly analogous to the theory of intelligence implied in the ancient Chinese educational program of the 'Six Arts', even though there are also important differences between them. Although we regard components of intellectual structure as multiple, our theory of intelligence is also different from Gardner's. In this paper we (1) compare Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences and the theory of intelligence implied in the Six Arts education of ancient China, and (2) analyze Lin Chongde's theory of intelligence and his perspective that the components of intellectual structure are diverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The perinatal period is a crucial time for women, as they experience various biological, psychological, and social stressors. Due to the complexity of this vulnerable time, there is a high prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders among pregnant women. In 2019, the Health Commission of Shenzhen initiated perinatal mental health screening programme in China. However, attitudes and perceptions of medical staff towards implementing mental health screening programme during pregnancy remain unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and attitudes of obstetric staff and midwives towards screening for perinatal mental disorders in pregnant women, and identify their perceived needs and motivations for undertaking this task. Methods: This is a qualitative exploratory study. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. The dataset was analysed using inductive content analysis. Purposive sampling method was used to recruit 13 participants at a tertiary maternal hospital in Shenzhen from September to November, 2019. Results: A total of 13 obstetric staff was interviewed, including two obstetricians, three midwives, and eight nurses. Four themes were identified from this study: views on perinatal mental health disorders screening, competency in identifying and supporting high-risk groups, barriers to dealing with psychological problems during pregnancy, and the support needs of medical staff in undertaking the tasks of mental health disorders screening. Conclusion: Medical staff lacked sufficient knowledge and skills in perinatal psychological health and were not well prepared for the task of screening pregnant women for mental health disorders. To address this issue, medical organisations and relevant government sectors should provide training to medical staff on perinatal mental health disorders, enhance public awareness of perinatal mental health disorders, establish a model of multidisciplinary collaboration for the screening of women's perinatal mental disorders, and provide continuous and holistic care for pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has long suffered from a critical shortage of qualified social workers. To compensate for the inadequacy of formally educated social workers, a number of workers employed in the community neighbourhood committee were granted a social work licence and became registered social workers when they passed licence examinations regardless of whether they had a social work degree. Nevertheless, they are often criticised for a lack of professional competence—they are just registered social workers rather than professional social workers. This study identifies whether licenced community workers have a higher level of professional competence than non-licenced community workers in urban China. Based on a sample of 4,013 participants and the extended regression model, the findings show that the licence promotes the professional competence of community workers, but such promotion is achieved through professional knowledge acquisition rather than professional skills acquisition. Licenced community workers probably perceive stronger professional competence through professional knowledge acquisition, but their professional skills might be inadequate. The findings suggest several implications for the social work licence system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate health literacy is a risk factor for poorer outcomes across various conditions. The present study examined the level of health literacy, as measured by the Single Item Literacy Screener (SILS), and its association with a range of physical and mental outcomes [e.g. health-related quality of life, depression, anxiety, well-being, body mass index (BMI)] among individuals with depression in Hong Kong. A total of 112 individuals with depression were recruited from the community and invited to complete a survey. Among the participants, 42.9% of them were classified as having inadequate health literacy as screened by the SILS. After adjusting for significant sociodemographic and background variables, participants with inadequate health literacy had significantly poorer health-related quality of life and well-being, and had higher scores in depression, anxiety and BMI compared with those with adequate health literacy. Inadequate health literacy was associated with a range of negative physical and mental outcomes among individuals with depression. Interventions promoting the health literacy level of individuals with depression are highly warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since its publication in 2001, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages has exerted tremendous influence on language learning, teaching, and assessment in China. However, problems were also identified during its application process, thus calling for the localization of the framework. In 2014, the China Standards of English (CSE) project was launched, within which reading scales played a vital part. Methods: Following the practice of CEFR, the CSE reading scales employed a similar methodology with revisions. In the initial phase, the theoretical framework was developed and operationalized. Then, a database of reading descriptors was built from both literature and empirical investigations. Finally, qualitative and quantitative measures were implemented to investigate and validate the classification of the descriptors into different categories at distinct levels. Results: The paper reports the results of the first two research questions. Based on the synthesis of literature, reading proficiency was defined and four parameters were elicited to describe reading abilities of Chinese EFL learners. A total of 14,467 descriptors were collected, among which 13,893 were deleted after empirical investigations and iterative revisions, thus leaving 574 descriptors in the database. Conclusions: Taking 3 years in construction and validation, the reading scales, together with other scales on ability and knowledge within the CSE, will exert tremendous influence on English learning, teaching, and assessment in the nation. However, problems are also expected, which require follow-up research and further revisions based on the feedback of the current version. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is limited research into positive organizational scholarship in social work in China. This study aimed to address this research gap by investigating what social workers perceive as positive management practices that facilitate work performance, strengthen work motivation or increase job satisfaction, and discover the relationship between self-care and organizational support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 participants in various agencies in southern China that resulted in the development of a two-dimensional model with seven conditions of positive organizational measures in social work. Suggestions are made for social work managers to create an effective organizational management system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soccer participation among children and adolescents is low in China. To achieve a coordinated development of soccer in all regions and to promote the physical health of children and adolescents, this study aims to identify the influencing factors regarding the participation of children and adolescents in soccer programs through a cross-sectional analysis of the "soccer population" of children and adolescents. A total of 38,258 children and adolescents aged 7–18 years were included in this study. In addition, the analysis was conducted by dividing the regions where the children and adolescents live into three parts according to socioeconomic status, and by incorporating five dimensions, including environment, family, school, community, and individual levels to find the influencing factors of children and adolescents' participation in soccer. Chi-square test, Pearson's correlation, and one-way logistic regression analyses were used. The results showed that the area (r = 0.487) and the average annual precipitation (r = −0.367) were associated with the participation of children and adolescents in soccer programs. Moreover, the percentage of children and adolescents who participated in soccer programs (24.5%) was higher than those who liked soccer or were proficient in it (14.4%). Meanwhile, parental encouragement and support (OR = 0.627; 95% CI, 1.102–3.179), as well as the accessibility (OR = 0.558; 95% CI, 1.418–2.155), availability (OR = 1.419; 95% CI, 1.179–1.707), and safety of sports facilities (OR = 0.316; 95% CI, 0.614–0.865), influence children and adolescents' participation in soccer programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the early stages of China's economic development, the ecological and environmental problems left over from the extensive approach were gradually exposed. Urban environmental problems such as haze attack and water pollution not only related to residents' happiness, but also challenged urban economic structural transformation and sustainable development. Based on the panel data of 211 cities in China from 2007 to 2016, this paper uses the entropy weight method to construct the evaluation index of urban living environment, and empirically analyzes the impact of improving living environment on urban innovation. The results show that for each 1% improvement in the urban living environment, the urban innovation raises by 34.5835; there is an inverted-U relationship between the two. In the analysis of the transmission mechanism, each 1% increase in the concentration of high-quality innovative talents will raise the urban innovation by 4.6548; and each 1% increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) spillover effect will reduce the urban innovation by 0.6498. The results of the geographic weighted regression (GWR) model show that the urban living environment, high-quality innovative talents gathering, and FDI spillover effect have obvious spatial differences in urban innovation. In short, this paper provides innovative inspiration for governments and enterprises to balance ecological environmental protection and sustainable urban development. Image 1 • The improvement of urban living environment can significantly promote urban innovation. There is an inverted "U" relationship between the two. • The high-quality innovative talents gathering promotes urban innovation;FDI spillover effect cannot. • Spatial differences in the impact of the three on urban innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper examines the influencing factors of farmers' behavior in land reallocation in China. • The opportunity and ability of farmers to participate has significant influences on farmers' participation level. • Self-organization of farmers is a more effective way to implement land reallocation. • The government should take measures including legislation, social marketing and education to promote land reallocation. This paper empirically examines the factors which influence the behavior of farmers who participate in land consolidation, specifically in land reallocation. Based on the integrative Motivation–Opportunity–Ability (MOA) model, we assume that farmers' participation levels in land reallocation are not only determined by motivation, but also significantly influenced by their opportunity and ability to participate. We test our hypotheses with the method of structural equation modelling (SEM), and collect data through questionnaires from a random sample of households in 6 villages (4 different projects) in China. This is complemented by interviews with local cadres and some of the farmers in those villages in order to validate the consistency of questionnaire responses. The key finding is that the opportunity and the ability to participate have significant positive influences on the degree to which farmers participate, of which ability is the more influential construct. The scrutiny of the model results combined with the interviews also leads to the conclusion that allowing self-organization of farmers leads to more effective land reallocation. Based on the results, we suggest that governments should take measures including legislation, social marketing and education to clarify the legality of land reallocation and facilitate the self-organization of farmers and eventually promoting land reallocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How have organisations sought to manage tensions between the needs for flexible labour in neoliberal market economies and the benefits of a committed and motivated workforce? Through an in-depth, qualitative study of a Chinese company, we identify and theorise a novel variation of paternalism that was developed by the organisation to manage the tensions under neoliberal capitalism. We label this management regime 'centrifugal paternalism' since it organises employment relations along the lines of 'adult-like' employers and 'child-like' employees but involves the diminution of employee dependency over time with an ultimate impulse away from the employing organisation. We find that the emergence of centrifugal paternalism is closely related both to the socio-demographic identity of the company's employees as China's second-generation migrant workers and to the economic context of the organisation. Through a 'tough love' approach, this regime allows the firm to secure flexible labour while responding to migrant workers' needs for personal skills development and a fruitful rural-to-urban transition. Our research responds to recent calls for reconnecting organisation studies with society and situating workplace practices within their contexts. It also underlines the enduring importance of paternalism for understanding the dynamic and evolving nature of capitalist employment relations and management regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cooperation with a special needs school in China, we conducted an international consultation by videoconference to improve the support system for developing the choice-making that young students with intellectual disabilities exhibit in school settings. Based on an assessment of these young students' choice-making, we examined the (1) methods to support the development of choice-making (as a behaviour chain in which a child chooses and then engages in an activity, (2) significance of such support, and (3) usefulness of videophone teleconsultation. This helped us develop and improve the students' choice-making and refine the teachers' techniques for developing choice-making in students with intellectual disabilities. This suggests that videophone teleconsultation is an effective means of supporting the development of the choice-making of students with intellectual disabilities in school situations. Furthermore, there is a need to examine the use of videophone teleconsultation in school activities in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]