Towards a Transformative Approach: Rethinking Debt Architecture through TWAIL Lens

Research background: Recent decades may undoubtedly be deemed as a period of exceptional transformation on a global scale. One element of this transformation is the reorganisation of traditional ways of business management (on all ontological levels). As a result, agile approach is increasingly often considered one of the key aspects of building the competitive advantage of a company. In this paper, agile approach is understood as the businesses' capability of responding promptly to market needs.
 Purpose of the article: The aim of this paper is to present the research results on the use of agile approach in chosen organizations. More specifically, the main purpose of this article is to describe how organizations are transformed with use of the agile approach.
 Methods: In accordance with the goal of the article, the organizations selected for empirical research are characterized by revenue increase levels of over 100% (such organizations undergo a dynamic transformation caused by growth), and employment ranging from 10 to 50 employees. The studied companies operate mainly in the IT industry and use technologies to organize the processes of identification and tracking of customer behaviour to a large extent. Several research methods were used in this paper: literature studies, expert interview, participant observation, and Spearman?s rank correlation coefficient.
 Findings & Value added: The article describes the usage level of the agile (and linear) approach in the organizational transformation (through the dynamic growth of revenues), and presents the agile approach model, which can be used as an accelerator of the business? development. In addition, the authors undertook the first (limited and unrepresentative) attempt to evaluate the use of agile approach in the context of such indicators as: communication with customers, profit increase, and minimization of the risk related to introducing a new product on the market.

The core questions addressed by Noland (2019) are how, and whether, engagement could foster market-orientation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and reduce direct state control over the country's economy. Noland presumes that the DPRK regime's objective is to obtain revenue with minimum changes to its internal practices and associated risks to political stability, and argues that the nature of engagement is important in inducing desired changes in the country. Noland highlights the modality of economic exchange in the Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC), and analyzes whether the KCI model could serve as a means of transformative engagement. Through his analysis, Noland demonstrates that the labor practices in the KIC appear to be both exploitative and limit the extent the DPRK workers are exposed to new ways of organizing work, and concludes that it is unlikely to generate the desired changes. In order to encourage real institutional change, Noland concludes that the DPRK's partners must emphasize “more transformative approaches,” especially by means of introducing international norms and voluntary codes into the country. Otherwise, Noland assesses that the economic growth would merely enable the DPRK to achieve its status of “a de facto nuclear state.” In order to promote “effective transformative engagement,” Noland focuses on the means to expose DPRK workers to “new ways of organizing work.” To advance this argument further, it is also necessary to address the broad question of how the empowerment of workers could lead to real institutional changes in the country. As Babson (2019) notes, for the DPRK's economic growth, the regime would need to reform the economic system by embracing the role of markets, stimulating private initiative, and transforming international relations. The reformative measures include (but are not limited to) building institutions for legal and financial systems, trade and macroeconomic management; state-owned enterprise (SOE) reform; and shaping the economic leadership and core agencies as well as the role of the international financial institutions. Additionally, it should be noted that “animal spirits” among the empowered workers and entrepreneurs are an essential ingredient for any market growth. What options are available for external partners to affect such a reformative process? How can these countries help the empowered DPRK workers challenge state control over the economy and promote a desired realignment of the incumbent domestic coalition? These broader questions may deserve scrutiny as well. In this regard, experts are debating the extent to which the SOE reform since 2014 and the increasing level of private business activities could affect the DPRK's future economic development and relations with its external partners. Sakai (2018) argues that the DPRK regime does not intend to pursue a Chinese-style of economic reform and continues to oblige all DPRK citizens and entities to obey absolutely the “leadership,” while emphasizing the importance of “self-development spirit,” as opposed to international cooperation. Sakai offers a cautious view with regard to the opportunities for external partners to affect the DPRK's reformative process. To the contrary, Mimura (2017) highlights a possible window of opportunity to affect the DPRK's thinking about foreign partnership by focusing on the internal debate surrounding the new economic strategy since January 2018. Mimura observes that SOE autonomy is a key subject in the debate and focuses on the increasing autonomy for SOE managers, as opposed to the state planners, in making decisions on issues related to human resource management and production and sales of excess commodities. Babson (2019) also points to an increasingly blurred boundary between SOE and private business activities, referring to the emergence of successful entrepreneurs in both SOEs and private ventures. Babson recommends to explore options for enterprise organization models that would best support the DPRK's future economic development and relations with its partners. Such endeavor would complement Noland's proposal on the empowerment of DPRK workers. The DPRK's new line of economic policy is surely intended to secure the survival of the regime which would reject any external pressure if it felt threatened. The transformative engagement approach could succeed so long as the DPRK leadership became confident of its merits, which would likely require a prolonged period of adjustment, at a minimum. The DPRK's future decision to abandon its nuclear weapons, if it ever happens, would be affected by the regime's confidence in the security environment in which the economy is a crucial, but not necessarily the sole, factor. Political rapprochement is also another essential element in undertaking effective transformative engagement.

Transformative Islamic education has an important role in responding to environmental and humanitarian challenges in the digital era. In this dynamic and rapidly changing era, a transformative approach in the management of Islamic education is very necessary to ensure that students are able to face the changes that occur wisely and sustainably. Transformative Islamic education teaches Islamic values that prioritize support for the environment and humanity. Through this approach, it is hoped that students can become agents of change who are responsible for protecting the environment and solving various humanitarian problems that exist in the world today. One of the environmental problems that is the main focus in transformative Islamic education is plastic waste. Plastic waste is a serious environmental problem with significant negative impacts on human life and other living things on earth. This research is library research, analyzed qualitatively using inductive thinking methods. The findings of this research are that, with a transformative approach, students are taught to care about the surrounding environment and understand the importance of preserving nature. Apart from that, transformative Islamic education also teaches the importance of empathy and concern for fellow humans. In this fast-paced and individualistic digital era, the values of caring for others are often neglected. Through a transformative approach, students are taught to be sensitive to the suffering of fellow humans and try to help others.

In this chapter, the importance of equipping educators with transformative learning approach to implement sustainability education in higher education settings has been discussed. The chapter talks about sustainability education as a way to achieve sustainable development and transformative learning approach to implement sustainability education effectively in higher education settings. The entry discusses the literature introducing the prominent concepts and ideas for transformative learning approach and establishes the importance of providing educators with the right pedagogy for effective implementation of sustainability education, in higher education settings, using transformative learning approach. In the final section, the authors conceptualized a framework, based on literature review, highlighting the learning experiences and the pedagogies required to bring transformative learning approach to practice in the context of sustainability education in higher education settings.

This study was designed to examine the impact of leadership approaches on teachers’ discipline in secondary schools in Fako Division, South West Region of Cameroon. The study was guided by two objectives which examined how principals’ transformational leadership approach and principals’ democratic leadership approach impact teachers’ discipline in secondary schools in Fako Division. The Contingency Leadership Theory by Fiedler F. E. (1964) was used for the study. The mixed method approach was used most specifically the explanatory sequential design. A questionnaire and interview guide were the instruments used for the study. The questionnaire consisted of closed ended questions for teachers while the interview guide for principals. consisted structured questions. The sample population for the study was made up of 50 teachers and 3 principals in secondary schools in the Fako Division. The purposive and simple random sampling techniques were adopted for the study. Data from the closed ended questions were analysed using SPSS 23.0 with the aid of descriptive and inferential statistical tools while interview was analysed thematically. The Spearman’s rho tool was used to test the research hypotheses formulated in the study. Findings show that a significant majority (70%) feel motivated under transformational leadership, while only 30% disagree. The hypothetical statistics showed that there is a significant, positive and moderate influence on transformational leadership approach on teachers’ discipline in secondary schools in the Fako Division. (R- value 0.207**, p-value < 0.001 < 0.05). The positive sign of the correlation value implies that Principals transformational leadership approach will encourage teachers’ discipline on school matters and this is supported with an explanatory power of 32.9% (Nagelkerke statistics= 0.329). Thus, the null hypothesis was rejected while the alternative which states that, there is a significant influence transformational leadership approach on teachers’ discipline in secondary schools in Fak Division. Therefore, it was generally recommended that, for the effective school functioning, principals should endeavor to implement discipline and relate with the teachers for an active school performance.

Verification of object-oriented programs: A transformational approach

The modern education system is in a state of transformation, driven by the rapid development of technology and the changing needs of society. One of the key tasks is to find effective tools that would enhance the practical component of the educational process, preparing students for real life and the requirements of the modern labor market. One such way is to use immersive technologies in the learning process. An analysis of recent research and publications on the use of immersive technologies in education has made it possible to identify the following general approaches to organizing the learning process based on them: systemic, activity-based, personality-oriented, cognitive, and differentiated. However, these approaches do not fully reveal the potential of immersive technologies in the learning process. This article is devoted to the study of an innovative and transformative approach to the organization of the learning process based on immersive technologies in academic lyceums. The purpose of the article is to define the characteristics and tasks of the innovative and transformative approach to organizing the learning process based on immersive technologies. This classification of approaches to organizing immersive learning makes it possible to create an effective learning environment that can be controlled by artificial intelligence. It is determined that the innovative and transformative approach is aimed at transforming traditional education by integrating modern information and communication technologies and ensuring the research nature of education. The key characteristics of this approach are: individualization of learning; use of modern technologies to increase learning motivation and the ability to visualize abstract concepts; organization of active and research learning that promotes flexibility and adaptability of learning; and development of critical thinking, communication skills, teamwork, and digital literacy. The article considers the possibilities of using immersive technologies to form an interactive learning environment controlled by artificial intelligence, which contributes to the organization of students' independent work, increasing their motivation and engagement. The tasks of the innovative and transformative approach are defined, such as the implementation of learning through embodied cognition, increasing motivation and interest, forming practical skills, developing critical thinking, and individualizing learning.

Pilot is the main factor affecting civil aviation safety, which makes it necessary to monitor pilot actions. However, due to regulations, most sensors are unapplicable in civil cockpit. This research introduced Fiber Bragg grating sensors into pilot gesture recognition problem. We established typical gesture datasets containing 147009 clips of Fiber Bragg grating sensor recording of 12 classes of typical gestures. Based on the collected samples, this research proposed GRAY approach, a novel strain signal processing approach that transforms time-series Fiber Bragg grating sensor data sequences into visualized grayscale images. We also implemented the Mutual Information method and the Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance method as two sensor placement optimization methods. We further validated multiple traditional methods and our proposed GRAY method based on 108726 samples of 12 gesture classes collected from multiple subjects. The validation results show that for personalized data and mixed data, our GRAY method can achieve 98.01% and 96.8% accuracy, respectively. Results indicate model generalization ability can be greatly enhanced by all tested time-series-to-image transformation approach. Our GRAY method can improve the generalization ability of the 1D model by 89.10% and outperform traditional time-series-to-image transformation approaches by 9.08%. We also discussed the effectiveness and application fields of different sensor placement optimization methods. The proposed method has potential to be adopted by the aviation industry, subject to further validation of its effectiveness in real cockpit environment.

This article demonstrates the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach to peace by involving diverse thinkers’ creativity, knowledge, and the arts co-production process in the practice of science itself. It is an attempt to blend theory and practice together for a better understanding and addressing the under studied gap between macro level planning, decision making and the micro ground level work done and impact within the field of peace, sustainability and architecture. The article introduces a new transformative approach, New Peace architecture and Peace building, through three case studies that brings concepts of sustainability and peace together which no longer bifurcates between human, non-human, living and non-living organisms in the practice of everyday building. In this transformative approach towards an open society aims to address intercultural and interreligious dialogue on the axis of a sustainable and just future, to strengthen women, to change consumption behaviours accordingly, to organise unusual collaborations between diverse actors, to implement nonviolent sustainable and just ideas in the city.

A method for transforming continuous monitoring (CM) fine particulate matter (aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm; PM2.5) data (i.e., by tapered element oscillating microbalance [TEOM]) obtained from the Canadian National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program to meet the data quality objective (DQO) of R2 > 0.8 against the co-located federal reference method (i.e., dichotomous air sampler) is described. By using a two-step linear regression to account for the effect of the ambient temperature, 16 out of the 23 examined sites met the common model adequacy threshold of R2 > 0.8. After the transformation, 20 out of the 23 examined sites met the DQO of R2 > 0.7, as recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A combined two-step statistical approach was also examined and revealed similar results. The methods described herein show that the CM data can be successfully transformed to meet DQOs for representative sites across Canada using year-round (both summer and winter) data.Implications:This study provides a transformation approach to correct ambient TEOM data against the federal reference method without dividing the ambient data according to warm and cold seasons. This transformation approach will significantly improve the correlation coefficient between TEOM and dichotomous air sampler data. It is possible that TEOM data at many Canadian locations can be transformed to meet the EPA data quality objective, thus making this transformation approach useful for comparisons of ambient PM data across jurisdictions.

Almost all scientists benefit from using questionnaire forms in performing statistical analysis. In most cases, these forms consist of mixed-type scales. To analyze such scales is inconvenient because of the measurement differences, and this problem remains unsolved. In many studies, analysis of mixed-type scales is limited based on the score points of the factors. This study proposes an alternative approach to combine mixed-type scale data using linear transformation functions. Using this approach, it is possible to transform mixed data to the same scale, with the main benefit of allowing the analysis of the mixed data. It also makes it possible to interpret among different types of scales. We show that this transformation approach minimizes the loss of information between the original scale structure and the transformed data. To show the usefulness of our approach, we consider Bayesian structural equation modeling (SEM) within the threshold value approach. Application studies demonstrate that our transformation performs well, especially in the presence of non normality. The transformation approach also gains an advantage with respect to timing costs and the simplicity of the models.

A cobalt hydroxide coated metal-organic framework for enhanced water oxidation electrocatalysis

Achieving sustainable socio-economic development requires approaches that enhance resource use efficiencies and can address current cross-sectoral challenges in an integrated manner. Existing evidence suggests an urgent need for polycentric and transformative approaches, as global and local systems have come under strain. This study conducted a systematic literature review at the global level to assess the progress made towards achieving a circular economy between 2010 and 2020, a period covering the formulation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the initial five years of their implementation. The focus was on the potential of improved water and energy use efficiency, linking them to food production within the context of a circular economy. Identifying successes, opportunities, challenges, and pathways towards a circular economy from the literature review facilitated developing a conceptual framework to guide strategic policy formulations towards a more sustainable economy. A combination of transformative approaches is analysed in an integrated way in response to the 2030 global agenda on sustainable development. Thus, the study is informed by the initiatives to attain SDGs and mitigating negative environmental impacts due to waste and pollution. The premise is to enhance transformational change as a catalyst for employment creation and the attainment of a green economy while reducing waste. Transformative approaches have been identified to provide pathways towards global climate targets and protection of the environment from further degradation. They are a catalyst to achieve SDG 12 on ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.

시계열자료 분석에 있어 주요 목적 중에 하나는 미래에 대한 예측 값을 추정하는 것이다. 이 논문에서는 정상자기회귀이동평균 모형에서 변환-역변환 방법을 이용하여 예측값을 구하는 과정에서 발생하는 문제에 대해 알아보고 회귀분석에서 제안되었던 smearing 추정방법을 시계열분석에서 사용할 수 있도록 붓스트랩을 이용하여 수정한 추정법을 소개한다. Yeo-Johnson 변환 (2000)을 이용한 KOSDAQ지수의 수익률 실증분석을 통해 기존에 사용되고 있는 방법의 문제점과 제안된 방법의 적절성에 대해 고찰해 보았다. One of main goals of time series analysis is to estimate prediction of future values. In this paper, we investigate the bias problem when the transformation and back- transformation approach is applied in ARMA models and introduce a modified smearing estimation to reduce the bias. An empirical study on the returns of KOSDAQ index via Yeo-Johnson transformation was executed to compare the performance of existing methods and proposed methods and showed that proposed approaches provide a bias-reduced estimation of the prediction value.

The understanding of leadership which gives importance to green, that is, to the environment, today emerges as a green transformational leadership approach in the field of management and organization. The green transformational leadership approach is defined as a leadership model trying to protect the environment and providing the necessary behaviors along with the features which are covered by the transformational leadership approach. Green transformational leaders highlight the environmental values of the business, explain terms related to green business and aim to focus upon high-level environmental values. In the present study, it is probed to explain the meaning of green transformational leadership and how green behaviors of businesses make contribution to the environment and their performance and to contribute to the literature. Green transformational leadership is a leadership model which provides businesses an opportunity to solve problems related to their relationship and interaction with the environment and their impact upon economic performance. Namely, a transformational leader with green values motivates the followers and aims to provide organizational development by focusing on the issues which are beneficial to the organizational environment. Through the present study, it has been tried to draw a conceptual framework about green leadership and in this way make a contribution to the present literature. Although further studies on green transformational leadership which contributes to the emergence of green values are needed in the literature, it is thought that the present study, which aims to make a contribution to the literature theoretically, can shed light on related empirical studies.