Ambivalent occupational identities under modern workplace demands: the case of Swiss retail apprentices

This article investigates how Swiss retail apprentices construct their occupational identities under modern workplace affordances. The Swiss retail sector has become more competitive in recent decades; as a consequence, retail businesses look for skilled and responsible employees who are flexible in regard to work tasks and schedules. The article focuses on apprentices’ experiences and sense-making, and specifically examines how retail work conditions not only generate pressure and insecurity, but also offer possibilities for personal identification. Results are based on a qualitative study with retail apprentices involving interviews, focus groups, and observations in vocational education and training schools. Retail apprentices strongly identify with the skilled nature of retail work and even the demand for continuous skill development to ensure that they remain employable. However, they are more critical of the flexible way in which their work is organised and develop divided sense-makings around the demands for responsible autonomy. In short, retail work is perceived in ambivalent ways, oscillating between valorising some of the realities of retail work and suffering from others. The discussion points to the kinds of working and learning conditions within companies that hinder apprentices’ ability to cope with the demands of the modern retail workplace.     

Acute effects of vibration-assisted stretching are more evident in the non-dominant limb

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of a vibration-assisted static stretching intervention on enhancing split range of motion in gymnasts matched on initial range of motion. Twenty-two female artistic gymnasts (mean age 13.8 years, s=2.3) matched for age (±6 months) and competitive level were randomly assigned to a static stretching intervention with or without simultaneous vibration. The test consisted of adopting a forward split position with the rear leg bent to 90° and held vertically against a matted block while the pelvis remained perpendicular to the lines of the two legs. The gymnast was instructed to descend into the lowest split position of her comfortable pain tolerance. Positions were videotaped and digitized creating an angle between the split legs. The stretching intervention consisted of a forward split position with emphasis on the front leg hamstring muscle group, followed by a forward lunge position with emphasis on the rear leg quadriceps muscle group. In each position, four sets of stretches were completed each of 10 s duration with 5 s of rest between sets. The experimental group performed stretches with the vibration device turned on while the control group performed the same stretches with the vibration device turned off. A pre-test was performed to obtain baseline scores with the post-test following immediately after the vibration or control stretching intervention. Difference scores were calculated between the pre-test and post-test for each gymnast, and compared between groups using independent t-tests. Results showed significant post-test differences between the vibration and non-vibration groups (mean difference 12.2±5.2° vibration vs. 7.8±3.5° non-vibration, P=0.030) in the non-dominant limb, but no significant differences in the dominant limb (mean difference 10.2±4.3° vibration vs. 7.9±6.1° non-vibration, P=0.32). Vibration-assisted static stretching may provide a greater stimulus for range of motion improvements in limbs that have a lower initial level of flexibility.     

Accuracy and Feasibility of Video Analysis for Assessing Hamstring Flexibility and Validity of the Sit-and-Reach Test

The accuracy of video analysis of the passive straight-leg raise test (PSLR) and the validity of the sit-and-reach test (SR) were tested in 60 men and women. Computer software measured static hip-joint flexion accurately. High within-session reliability of the PSLR was demonstrated (R > .97). Test-retest (separate days) reliability for SR was high in men (R = .97) and women R = .98) moderate for PSLR in men (R = .79) and women (R = .89). SR validity (PSLR as criterion) was higher in women (Day 1, r = .69; Day 2, r = .81) than men (Day 1, r = .64; Day 2, r = .66). In conclusion, video analysis is accurate and feasible for assessing static joint angles, PSLR and SR tests are very reliable methods for assessing flexibility, and the SR validity for hamstring flexibility was found to be moderate in women and low in men.     

Resting Electromyographic Triceps Surae Activity and Tonic Vibration Reflexes in Subjects with High and Average-Low Maximum Oxygen Uptake Capacities

This study was grounded in the belief systems and physical activity literature and investigated preservice teachers' belief systems toward curricular outcomes for physical education programs. Preservice teachers (N = 486; men = 62%, women = 38%) from 18 U.S. colleges/universities shared their beliefs about curricular outcomes. Preservice teachers completed a previously validated belief systems instrument designed to measure the relative importance of four outcome goals for programs (physical activity/fitness, self-actualization, motor skill development, and social development). Internal consistency reliability for the instrument was .98. A confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a good fit of the current sample to the hypothesized outcomes model. Multivariate analysis of variance results revealed a significant interaction in outcome preservice teachers' priorities for year in school by region. The teachers' views also differed on the important outcome goals for physical education. Two critical “tensions” are discussed: (a) the need to examine more fully the consistency of preservice teacher/teacher belief systems, and (b) implications for teacher education and professional development programming. It is important to heed prospective teachers' voices and address their belief systems in teacher education programs.     

战略性新兴产业是可“选择”的吗？

针对我国在战略性新兴产业发展过程中“过度趋同”的现象,通过回顾其理论产生的两个来源--发展主义和创新系统理论,认为,制度和技术的决定论思想只会默许趋同的发生。而选择之所以会成功,依赖于制度和技术所提供的愿景、系统各要素间互动所形成的内聚力,以及人工物和物质材料等所构成的约束等必要条件的达成。我国在满足可选择性条件方面虽有诸多先天劣势,但沿袭政策试验的良好传统让行政指导重新模糊化,从而释放出地方政府等行动者创新的潜能并恢复必要的解释的灵活性,不失为一个突破的起点。     

Teachers in international schools: a global educational ‘precariat’?

An over-looked global educational development has been the exponential growth of ‘international schools’. The field in 2014 involved almost 350,000 educators in over 7000 English-medium schools in non-English-speaking countries. This is expected to rise to half a million educators, mainly American and British, in 10,000 schools by 2022. The field has never constituted a ‘system’, and it remains largely uninspected, unmonitored and unregulated. There was substantial evidence from both social media comment and real-life reports in the popular press during 2013 and 2014 that the field is becoming an increasingly precarious one for teachers.     

培养中学生物理思维的深刻性、灵活性和批判性

物理教育就是教学生物理思维。“发展学生的思维”是中学物理教学的第一要务，培养物理思维能力的有效途径是训练物理思维品质。本主要结合初中物理教与学的实践，就培养学生物理思维的深刻性、灵活性和批判性方面谈了些体验。     

深红红螺菌固氮酶调控机理验证实验设计及实践

从科学研究中汲取教学素材,根据实际情况优化条件,设计出一项适合微生物生理学教学的新实验,验证了光照和铵对深红红螺菌固氮酶合成和活性的调控。实验让学生认识了红螺菌代谢灵活性、营养及环境条件对其生长的影响,加深了解固氮酶的底物多样性、固氮酶的氧敏感性和固氮酶的调控机理;实验不仅有效激发了学生学习的兴趣,培养了严谨、认真的科研作风,还提高了分析问题、解决问题的能力。实践证明,科研成果转化为教学实验是提高教学水平、培养创新型人才的重要举措。     

动态环境中的人力资源柔性与企业绩效——基于战略人力资源管理框架的实证研究

环境动态性的加剧使柔性的作用日趋凸显,传统的以"匹配性"为中心的战略人力资源(SHRM)框架让位于以"柔性"为中心的新框架,但是关于人力资源柔性的作用已有文献却未达成共识。基于战略人力资源管理框架的实证研究结果表明,在我国现阶段,人力资源柔性的两个构面(人力资本柔性和人力资源系统柔性)对组织绩效都具有正向积极作用。持续变化的内外部环境和竞争压力使企业不得不加强柔性能力的培育,当企业具备适应内外部环境与竞争变化的人力资源柔性能力时,将有效地改善绩效水平。同时,环境变量在其中的调节作用并不明显:人力资源柔性在高动态环境中对企业绩效的作用并不会高于在低动态环境中对企业绩效的作用。可能的原因是,人力资源柔性具有动态适应能力,能始终保持与环境变化相匹配,因而不论是在低动态环境中还是在高动态环境中都能有效发挥其作用。     

室内短道滑冰运动员思维灵活性的分析

用卡特尔 16项个性测试 ,对训练不同年限的短道滑冰运动员进行个性测试 ,对所得结果进行分析 ,为今后加强运动员的心理训练提供依据