Traffic Incident Management Performance Measures: Ranking Agencies on Roadway Clearance Time

This study develops a procedure to rank agencies based on their incident responses using roadway clearance times for crashes. This analysis is not intended to grade agencies but to assist in identifying agencies requiring more training or resources for incident management. Previous NCHRP reports discussed usage of different factors including incident severity, roadway characteristics, number of lanes involved and time of incident separately for estimating the performance. However, it does not tell us how to incorporate all the factors at the same time. Thus, this study aims to account for multiple factors to ensure fair comparisons. This study used 149,174 crashes from Iowa that occurred from 2018 to 2021. A Tobit regression model was used to find the effect of different variables on roadway clearance time. Variables that cannot be controlled directly by agencies such as crash severity, roadway type, weather conditions, lighting conditions, etc., were included in the analysis as it helps to reduce bias in the ranking procedure. Then clearance time of each crash is normalized into a base condition using the regression coefficients. The normalization makes the process more efficient as the effect of uncontrollable factors has already been mitigated. Finally, the agencies were ranked by their average normalized roadway clearance time. This ranking process allows agencies to track their performance of previous crashes, can be used in identifying low performing agencies that could use additional resources and training, and can be used to identify high performing agencies to recognize for their efforts and performance.

The Service Model of International Advertising Agencies

This theme takes Euro RSCG Worldwide as example to find out the possible uniform model for all advertising agencies.

The Effect of Customer Verbal Aggression on Burnout in Frontline Employees in Hotels and Travel Agencies: The Moderating Role of Perceived Supervisor Support

This study aimed to assess the effect of customer verbal aggression(CVA)on job burnout(JB)in frontline employee in both hotels and travel agencies,trying to reveal if there is a difference between both sectors in this context.The study additionally tested the moderation role of perceived supervisor support(PSS)in the relation between customer verbal aggression and burnout in hotels and travel agencies.Two versions of the questionnaire were distributed online.The first among hotels employees and the second was addressed to travel agencies employees;613 were retrieved and analyzed using the version of Spss 23.0.The results showed a significant difference among the level of customer verbal aggression,job burnout,and perceived supervisor support in hotels and travel agencies.Although there was a significant relation between customer verbal aggression and job burnout among frontline employees in both settings,this relationship was moderated by PSS in hotels but not in travel agencies.Eventually,the study concludes with recommendations and practical managerial implications in this regard and it can be considered as a first step for helping practitioners to efficiently manage such a phenomenon.

Communicating Agencies＇ Humanitarianism in Natural Disaster and Armed Conflicts＂ Differences, Challenges, and Dilemmas

The literature on disasters mainly focuses on natural disasters and looks at their coverage by the media. The paper argues that armed conflicts are also disasters and that Western relief agencies intervening in natural disasters and conflict are also proactive communicators. Taking a different approach from much of the available research, it explores agencies＇ communication work in these two types of crises and analyses the differences, challenges and dilemmas that they face in communicating their humanitarianism. It outlines the distinguished inherent characteristics of natural disasters and conflicts, and examines their impact on the understanding of the crises, the perception of affected populations, and the implementation of agencies＇ actions. It also investigates how, in turn, all these features influence agencies＇ communication practices that in natural disasters emergencies and conflict-related crises perform a different role and show different parameters. In this sense, the paper distinguishes between ＂humanitarian communication＂ to refer to the former, and ＂humanitarian advocacy＂ to refer to the latter. The paper briefly explores the operational challenges engendered by the contested interpretations of humanitarian advocacy, shows that the use of the parameters of humanitarian communication in conflict-related crises to overcome these problems caused additional concern, and presents two forms of humanitarian advocacy engendering less challenges and dilemmas.

Relevant State Agencies Will Conduct a Joint Annual Inspection on Foreign Invested Enterprises

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Coop-eration (MOFTEC),the State Administration forIndustry and Commerce (SAIC),the State Economicand Trade Commission (SETC),the Ministry of Finance(MOF),the State Administration for Exchange Control(SAEC),the State Taxation Bureau (STB) and the GeneralCustoms Administration (GCA) (hereinafter referred to asCompetent Joint Annual Inspection Agencies) have jointlyissued a circular a few days before which stipulates that,from the year 1997 onwards,a joint annual inspection willbe conducted on FIEs in order to further improve and stan-dardize China’s investment environment,lessen the burdenson the shoulders of enterprises and enhance the level of ad-ministration over FIEs.

What Can and Cannot Be Done about Rating Agencies

Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs) are prominent participants in the assessment of credit risk by financial markets. They determine and publish credit ratings, which represent the CRA’s opinions on issuers’ relative probability of default. The market for credit ratings is currently dominated in most western countries by three players:

From Credit Fraud to Meaningful Recovery： The Role of Credit Rating Agencies and How Auditors Might Be Affected by the Dodd-Frank Act

The way investors, banks and constituents rely on rating agencies will drastically change with the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act. The historical background of rating agencies including potential changes in the process of issuing their reports after the Dodd-Frank act is explored by the authors. CPAs （Certified Public Accountant） audit the financial statements of Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] regulated issuers and are subject to the provisions of the Dodd-Frank act. Accountants may have new potential liabilities with clients that rely on credit agencies representations in financial statements. Analysis is made and conclusions are drawn on the effects of new credit rating agency responsibilities and that of auditors.

Fuzzy VIKOR Approach to Evaluate the Information Security Policies and Analyze the Content of Press Agencies in Gulf Countries

A news agency is an organization that gathers news reports and sells them to subscribing news organization, such as newspapers, magazines, radio and television broadcasters. A news agency may also be referred to as a wire service, newswire, or news service. The main purpose of this paper is to evaluate the security policies and analyze the content of five press agencies in gulf countries which are (Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Emirates News Agency (WAM), Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Bahrain News Agency (BNA), and Oman News Agency (OMA)) by using a fuzzy VIKOR approach where linguistic variables are applied to solve the uncertainties and subjectivities in expert decision making. Fuzzy VIKOR approach is one of the best Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques working in fuzzy environment. This study benefits security and content analysis experts know which press agency has the mandate and the competence to educate the public on news agencies. Besides, this paper contributes to Gulf agencies in helping them in their resolve to ensure the quality of content information and information security policies over the internet.

Ministries and Agencies of Concurrent Commissioner-ship to the State Family Planning Commission

State Economic and Trade Commission;State Education Commission:Stite Science and Technologv Commission;State Nationalities Affairs Commission

Chinese Advertising Agencies Compete with Foreign Rivalsfor China's Market

The Rongshida Group, a leading electrical-applianceproducer in China, planned to choose its advertising agent fromfour candidates, the China Advertising Inc., Shanghai Ogilvy &Mather, Shanghai Leo Burnett and RSCG, by balancing one oftheir advertisement proposals against another. Lasting five daysand nights, the customer finally selected RSCG as its agent. Bossof the China Advertising Inc. said they bed lost the competitionto the three 4A companies not in terms of proposal but becauseof comprehensive power.

Types and Models of Product-Service System in Design Agencies

Product-service system design(PSSD)plays a significant role in both design theory and practice with increasing importance.Although scholars have made significant efforts to delineate its definition,methods,and applications,misunderstandings about PSSD persist widely across design agencies and academia.This study aims to outline the various types and models of product-service systems(PSSs)based on inputs from product design agencies.To achieve this purpose,this study applies a two-step research method,comprising a Q-sorting procedure followed by hypothesis testing.This allows us to study the business scope and design model of each design agency from a field research perspective.We propose a design framework with four basic types of PSSs,11 extended types of PSSs,and 4P-8D PSSD models.The current study has theoretical and practical implications.For academics,our models are clearly classified and validated.For practitioners,our models of PSSs can support design agencies in clearly recognizing their position within the design industry,allowing them to select the appropriate types and models to facilitate their future development.Our study also provides helpful guidances for college graduates,cutting-edge designers,and new design studios.

Are Electric Buses a Good Option for Smaller Transit Agencies?

Antelope Valley Transit Authority(AVTA)wants to find out if electric buses might be a good fit for its agency and oth-ers like them.This year AVTA is embarking on an exciting demonstration project with two BYD electric buses expected to be placed in service by April—all thanks to a supportive board and a generous donation of funding for zero emission bus technology.

The Crisis and the Countermeasures in the Growth of China’s Travel Agencies under the Influences of COVID-19

After more than 40 years of development,China's travel agency industry has grown rapidly,but the situation of scattered,small,weak and poor has not fundamentally changed.The unexpected the public health event crisis of COVID-19 in 2020 has brought great influence on China's travel agency industry,which makes China's travel agency industry face double challenges at home and abroad,but also breeds opportunities for development.In the face of the crisis,China's travel agency industry has responded to it,trying to restore confidence and revive the economy.This paper puts forward some idea from the aspects of crisis management,marketing and product development,including the establishment and implementation of the normalized tourism public crisis response mechanism;the reconstruction of the tourism image of the travel agency industry;the strengthening of marketing,with special attention to new media marketing;the emphasis on natural education,and the enhancement of the upgrading of tourism products.

Search Engine Optimization,Competitive Advantage and Market Performance of Registered Tours and Travel Agencies in Nairobi City County,Kenya

COVID-19 is a devastating pandemic with widespread negative health,social,and economic consequences.Due to drastic changes in the business environment of tour and travel agencies,firms and marketing managers can now use search engine optimization to effectively position themselves.The study’s main goal is to evaluate the effect of search engine optimization on the market performance of registered tours and travel agencies in Nairobi County,Kenya.Kenya’s tourism ministry and state government work hard to improve the business climate for tour and travel companies.Despite the overall positive image,international tourist market growth rates in Kenya have been 3.5 percent slower from 2017 to 2019 compared to previous years.This was further aggregated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the year 2020,when the growth rate of tours and travel agencies fell by 65%.The study’s main goal is to evaluate the effect of search engine optimization on the market performance of registered tours and travel agencies in Nairobi County,Kenya.This study adopted a positivist philosophy.Both descriptive and explanatory research designs were used.A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 324 registered tours and travels agencies picked from and a sample of 179 were used.Data analysis included the development and interpretation of both descriptive and inferential statistics,such as frequencies,mean,percentages,and standard deviation,and was presented using tables and numerical values.The results of regression analysis established that search engine optimization had a positive and significant effect on market performance of the registered tours and travel agencies picked from a sample of 179.The study recommends that agency management ensure that the firm’s website is easily accessible in order to improve agency performance.Using the internet to gain a large market share can assist tours and travel agencies in improving the performance and income of their websites.

DER SPATIAL TURN IN DEN KLASSISCHEN ALTERTUMSWISSENSCHAFTEN(UND SPEZIELL IN DER EPIGRAPHIK)

Since the 1990s the so-called spatial turn has brought back space and topography into the discussion within historical studies,particular ancient studies.This survey reviews current trends and developments within the field and offers some perspectives on possible future developments related to space,material,objects,their agency,and frames.

A Lonely Journey:An Autoethnography of the Fifteen-Year Identity Construction of a Female ESP Teacher in China

This autoethnographic study explores from a sociocultural perspective the author’s identity construction journey as a female English-for-specific-purposes(ESP)teacher at a university in China for more than 15 years.It delves into the author’s evolving exercise between teacher agency and language policy within both institutional and national contexts.The author aims to voice for marginalized ESP teachers and create a space for them to better negotiate with English-for-general-purposes(EGP)colleagues,academic staff,and policy makers.This study highlights the significance of autoethnography in teacher identity research,particularly for niche ESP teachers who direct novel enterprises through bottom-up implementation.Furthermore,the author emphasizes humanism behind ESP instruction,which significantly expands the view that the ESP features instrumental value.She also advocates for comprehensive support to sustain ESP teaching innovation,ESP teachers’identity construction,and their professional development.These insights have implications for all accountable parties in the context of educational reform to enable constructive negotiation,for ESP teachers to develop their sense of empowerment,and for inclusive education to become more accessible.

Female Warriors in the MCU and Wuxia Films:A Comparative Study

This essay offers a comprehensive comparative analysis of female warriors in the Marvel Cinematic Universe(MCU)and Wuxia films.Both genres portray powerful and empowered female characters who defy societal expectations and embody resilience,effectively challenging gender norms and promoting female empowerment.However,despite their strength,many of these women warriors face certain narrative factors,such as the male gaze and a predetermined fate,which can restrict their agency and curtail their full potential.And it is within the realm of Wuxia films that the captivating element of cross-dressing among female warriors emerges,providing a nuanced exploration of identity and the constraints imposed by society.

Curriculum Development and Teachers for Cultivating OECD Student Agency in Japan:From an Examination of Educational Thought,Educational System,History,and Contemporary Science and Mathematics Education Practices

The purpose of this paper is to examine the development of a curriculum in Japan to foster the agency(OECD Student Agency)necessary for children living in the future,as outlined in the OECD Education2030 Project,and the role of teachers who implement this curriculum.Therefore,I aim to achieve this goal by taking an overview of educational thought,educational systems and history,and examining several initiatives in the OECD Project and the situation of a Japanese high school that practices science and mathematics education.As a result of analyzing previous research and the narratives obtained from interviews with Teacher A(pseudonym)of a certain F High School(pseudonym),it was found that school education should not simply teach subjects,but should aim to enable student to help student exercise agency in the future.It was suggested that it is not necessary to add content to the curriculum,but rather to prepare to provide students with competencies that will enable them to use the content in various contexts,situations,and circumstances,suggesting that in order to discover such important competencies,teachers and other related parties are required to implement curricula that allow students to slowly and carefully explore the competencies surrounding the content,and to conceive and build curricula that include both hidden and intended curriculum that allows student to reflect on the curriculum they have achieved.

Impact of Trade Promotion Agencies on China's Export Binary Marginal Growth

On the basis of the new-new trade theory, this paper makes use of the micro-level export data of China's international trade with sixteen major trading partners from CEPII BACI international trade database of1996-2011 and decomposes the total export growth into the intensive margin and expansion margin, so as to conduct an empirical analysis of the impact of trade promotion agency on China's export binary marginal growth with the GMM dynamic panel data model estimation method. The results show that trade promotion agency has a significant positive impact on the intensive margin and expansion margin of export growth,the promoting effect on the export growth expansion margin is greater than that on the intensive margin.The trade promotion committees can play more significant role in promoting export than embassies and consulates stationed abroad. The promoting effect of trade promotion agencies on export growth binary margin of medium and high-tech industry products is larger than that on the medium and lower technology industry products. Therefore, China should increase the number of trade promotion agencies, in particular,have more Trade Promotion Committees.

Vocational Identity and Agency of Chinese College Students: Effects of Filial Piety and Implications in Career Education

Balancing family obligations and personal aspirations is crucial for college students in making life decisions.This critical review examined empirical studies on the effects of filial piety on college students’vocational identity and agency.According to identity capital theory,college students need a sense of agency to construct identity consciously and adapt to adulthood.Filial piety may profoundly influence this process as the core value and internalized social structure for the role of being an adult child in a Chinese family.However,no studies have been conducted from the identity capital perspective.This review found that filial piety had direct effects on college students'vocational identity and also indirect effects by shaping specific agency competencies.The impact of filial piety on the agency was more likely to occur through providing normative guidance about adult roles,influencing how college students view family as a supportive resource,and perpetuating parenting experiences.Based on these findings,this article suggested further examining the mediating role of agency between filial piety and identity development,as well as the effects of filial piety on the psychological foundation of agency development.This review suggested enhancing the agency of college students and encouraging reflections on filial piety in career education.