Authors:Daria Rovan; Goran Trupčević, Dubravka Glasnović Gracin Abstract: The aim of the study was to explore pre-service primary school teachers' motivational beliefs about mathematics in the light of the expectancy-value theory. We wanted to find out to what extent the motivational beliefs of pre-service teachers are related to their previous experiences in mathematics and to their engagement in learning mathematics and mathematics anxiety. The participants were 237 pre-service primary school teachers in their first year of study. They completed a mathematics exam and a questionnaire on their motivational beliefs (self-efficacy and subjective value), previous experiences in mathematics (level of high school math program, mathematics competencies, epistemic beliefs and achievement goals during high school), engagement and mathematics anxiety. The results of hierarchical regression analyses show that previous experiences with mathematics are important predictors of self-efficacy and subjective value. Furthermore, motivational beliefs are significant predictors of the pre-service teachers' engagement in learning mathematics and mathematics anxiety, along with their previous experiences with mathematics. The results are in line with the expectancy- -value theory and indicate that it is important to foster the development of adaptive beliefs about mathematics during the initial education of pre-service teachers. PubDate: Fri, 08 Apr 2022 19:10:59 +000
Authors:Zrinka Greblo Jurakić; Višnja Ljubičić, Lidija Bojić-Ćaćić Abstract: The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of sexual harassment perpetrated by coaches in youth sports activities and to examine the association of those experiences with depression, anxiety, and stress in later life. Study participants were young men and women (n = 501; Mage = 20,86, SD = 1,81) who participated in sports before they turned 18 years old. The results showed that 25 % of participants experienced some form of sexual harassment by coaches while they were minors. Participants who had this kind of experience obtained higher results on depression, anxiety, and stress scales. The results indicate the need to undertake measures aimed at preventing and stopping sexual harassment in youth sport. PubDate: Fri, 08 Apr 2022 19:10:59 +000
Authors:Nataša Vlah; Tena Velki, Smiljana Zrilić Abstract: The aim of the research is to examine the characteristics of students and teachers in predicting positive and assertive disciplinary procedures in inclusive elementary school classes in Croatia. The study was conducted with teachers from 125 elementary schools in Croatia (N = 539), who assessed themselves and their students, with at least 7 out of 9 symptoms of inattention. Teachers assessed their relationship with each student and gave assessments on the Vanderbilt ADHD Teacher Rating Scale (hyperactivity-impulsivity, antisocial and emotional problems), and the Scale of Misbehavior Management Strategy (positive and assertive disciplinary procedures). Rewards, praise, and positive reinforcement are more often applied by teachers to students with more pronounced symptoms of antisociality and poorer academic performance when they assess that they have a positive interpersonal relationship with these students. For sanctions and negative consequences to be applied to students, it was only important that the students showed more symptoms of antisociality. Quality inclusive work through the application of positive disciplinary measures requires knowledge of the developmental characteristics of students and investment in a positive interpersonal relationship with them. PubDate: Fri, 08 Apr 2022 19:10:59 +000
Authors:Tatiana Pethö Abstract: The aim of the study was the comparison of intellectually gifted secondary grammar school students with students from the average population of secondary grammar school students, in the level of overexcitability and prediction of intellectual giftedness through the various types of overexcitability. The research sample consisted of 88 secondary grammar school students aged 16-17 years. The target group, who were identified as intellectually gifted students, consisted of 44 students, whereas the control group consisted of 44 students from an average population of secondary grammar school students. We used tests of intellectual ability, Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices Test, Intelligence Structure Analysis, and Urban's Figural Test of Creative Thinking to identify intellectually gifted secondary grammar school students. Types of overexcitability were assessed by means of the Overexcitability Questionnaire. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in the level of overexcitabilities between intellectually gifted secondary grammar school students and students from the average population of secondary grammar school students. Significant predictive power of intellectual and emotional overexcitability was found in relation to intellectual giftedness. PubDate: Fri, 08 Apr 2022 19:10:58 +000
Authors:Boris Drilo; Nebojša Stojčić, Maruška Vizek Abstract: We explore how improvements in digital infrastructure contribute to digital transformation of the Croatian economy. More specifically, we investigate under what conditions improvements in broadband speed are conductive for firm entry in digitally intensive sectors at the local level (cities and municipalities; LGUs) during the period 2014–2017. The results of the benchmark random effects panel data model suggest that a 10 percent increase in broadband speed increases the number of new digitally intensive firms by 0.68. Two-way interactions between explanatory variables indicate that improvements in broadband infrastructure yield the greatest number of new firm entries in densely populated LGUs, and in LGUs with a higher quality of human capital and greater public investment in physical infrastructure. Using the spatial Durbin panel method, we find improvements in broadband infrastructure exhibit positive firm entry effects both within and between cities and municipalities. PubDate: Fri, 08 Apr 2022 19:10:58 +000
Authors:Daria Maravić; Tjaša Redek, Tomaž Čater Abstract: The aim of this study was to develop a model that links the motives, obstacles and expected outcomes of Industry 4.0 implementation. First, it aimed to determine the extent of use of Industry 4.0 technologies and then to investigate the motives, expected outcomes (short and long-term), and the relationship between them. Obstacles to the implementation of new technologies in Croatian companies were identified. The sample comprised 91 companies that had implemented new technologies by 2020. Data were collected using on-line surveying tools. The results show that the surveyed companies are considering new technologies for several proactive reasons, and primarily stress the expected long-term strategic benefits over short-term efficiency. The lack of human resources is the most critical obstacle in the implementation of new technologies. The paper provides several managerial implications. PubDate: Fri, 08 Apr 2022 19:10:58 +000
Authors:Ines Kersan-Škabić Abstract: Global value chains (GVCs) consist of many production processes and phases/tasks that take place in different countries. The studies of the global value chains are mainly focused on manufactured products, often neglecting the role of services. In this paper, the emphasis is on the service sector, trade in services and the measurement of their participation in GVCs in the EU member states. There are four different ways, "modes of supply", to deliver services from a producer to the final customer. Official statistics include some of these modes, whereas some are hidden within the manufacturing process. According to the descriptive statistics analysis and presented data employed, it is clear that services trade is undervalued; services represent the majority of value added in the EU's GDP, but less than half of foreign trade; domestic value added in the service sector is higher than in manufacturing, which indicates the importance of domestic resources in the creation and export of services. EU industries are highly serviced and, interestingly, services contribute to more than 30 per cent of manufacturing production, with a higher share of foreign services. PubDate: Fri, 08 Apr 2022 19:10:58 +000
Authors:Vanja Putarek; Nina Pavlin-Bernardić, Barbara Bunoza Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between motivational beliefs (achievement goals, self-efficacy, self-efficacy in self-regulated learning), as well as contextual factors, and academic cheating in midterm and final exams at technical faculties of the University of Zagreb. The participants were 398 students enrolled in all five years of the study. Data were collected by the Achievement Goals Scale, the Self-Efficacy Scale, the Self-Efficacy for Self- -Regulated Learning Scale, the Contextual Reasons for Cheating on Exams Scale, and the Academic Cheating Scale. The results demonstrated that, compared to lower- -year students, higher-year students had higher self-efficacy and self-efficacy in self-regulated learning, but lower performance-avoidance and work-avoidance goals. There were no differences in other motivational beliefs, frequency of academic cheating and reliance on contextual factors. Frequency of academic cheating was positively related to work-avoidance goals and contextual factors, and it was negatively related to average grade in previous academic year, self-efficacy in self-regulated learning, and mastery- -approach goals. The analysis of incremental validity of contextual factors revealed that they explained 28.6% of the variance of academic cheating above and beyond motivational beliefs. Moreover, the results showed a greater independent contribution of contextual factors in explaining academic cheating compared to the contribution of motivational beliefs. PubDate: Fri, 08 Apr 2022 19:10:58 +000
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