Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Cultivating Sustainable Coffee: Persistent Paradoxes, Christopher M. Bacon, V. Ernesto Méndez, Jonathan A. Fox

Environmental Studies and Sciences

This chapter discusses the relationship and interconnections among changing the livelihoods of farmers, initiatives for sustainable coffee, and the production of shade-grown coffee. It examines the advantages and opportunities for farmers and producers engaged in coffee certification and diversification programs. The role of Fair Trade and organic networks in creating awareness of biodiversity conservation, the social and environment costs of coffee systems, and the need for supporting small farmers are also discussed. The methods to increase accountability and improve the efficiency of coffee cooperatives are presented in this chapter, as are the importance of understanding the sustainability initiatives and their …

From Differentiated Coffee Markets Towards Alternative Trade And Knowledge Networks, Roberta Jaffe, Christopher M. Bacon

Environmental Studies and Sciences

This chapter presents a case study focusing on the Community Agroecology Network (CAN), an organization started by the United States and Mesoamerica’s activists, whose effort is to create an alternative trade and knowledge network. The basic aim behind CAN is to benefit conservation and social development efforts by linking producers, consumers, and producer organizations. CAN is a response to the problems arising out of the dominance of certification processes in Fair Trade and organic coffee networks, and the chapter discusses the organization’s main goals of intercommunity relationship development, direct coffee marketing, and ecological sustainability. It moots a comparison between alternative …

Liberalization Of The Capital Market In Russia, Nejc Smole

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper analyzes the empirical events of capital market liberalization in Russia and refers to the procedure of capital market liberalization described in theory as a benchmark to assess the magnitude of events shaping the capital market liberalization in Russia.

The reformers of Russian regime change did not take a gradual approach of adjustments toward a successful socioeconomic transition. The state failed to create market-supporting institutions and instead rather proceeded with an ambitious program of synchronized application of policy changes and the economic liberalization. Lack of market-supporting institutions and an underdeveloped legal system in Russia have been the key tools …

The Development Drive Of North-South Versus South-South Ptas, Jose Luis Ramirez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The importance of PTAs in today's global economic order is unmistakable, especially during the last fifteen years when their proliferation has dramatically accelerated and their scope and structure have radically changed. However, the available theoretical framework (international trade theories) from which their developmental impact is assessed seems to be largely lagging behind. Hence, there is a crucial need for more realistic assessments of their embedded developmental features because an increasing number of developing countries are perceiving these agreements as one of the key instruments to propel their long delayed economic development. In this thesis, I strive to construct an alternative …

Continuing The Great Debate: The Intrinsic Value Of The Leading Index, Seth A. Morgan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The following work is a look into the history and value of the composite index of leading indicators. Current and past business cycle theory is explored to demonstrate the relevance of a tool like the composite index of leading indicators. An argument that business cycle theory has not proven sufficient in explaining changes in the direction of the economy is made. The notion that the composite leading index has a proven track record of successfully predicting movements in the economy is reviewed. The conclusion becomes the idea that since theory and its forecasting counterparts have not proven a reliable method …

Organizational Conflict Within The Department Of Homeland Security, M. Katherine Manderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis seeks to explain why the Department of Homeland Security had difficulty fulfilling its roles when it was formed, specifically its role as grant administrator. Role theory surmises that conflict arises from unclear expectations, conflicting expectations, and too many roles. This study utilized various public testimonies, legislation, and other government documents to examine how the missions of the twenty-two agencies that were merged together to make up DHS changed. Even though DHS has changed continually over the five years since its existence most employees seem to be clear on the mission of the organization in which they work. However, …

Japanese Worldviews, Ideologies, And Foreign Aid Policy, Richard Warren Shannon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project studies the ideational factors influencing Japanese foreign aid policy. It builds on previous research in political science on perception and foreign policy decision-making, Japanese political economy, economic and technological development, foreign aid, and in anthropology on perception, worldview, and international development.

The main goal of the research is to answer the question of how Japan's historical experiences with technology, development, and foreign relations (and key leaders' views of those areas) from 1850 to 1945 have influenced current aid policies. Second, the project aims to answer whether the Japanese development concepts of "modernization," internationalization and translative adaptation accurately reflect …

Effects Of Contextual And Individual Difference Factors On Perceptions Of Victims, Melody Dawn Combs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Victim blame can have detrimental effects on victims' coping with traumatic events. The current study examined contextual (i.e., victim-observer ingroup membership and safety of the environment) and individual difference (i.e., world beliefs, trauma exposure, and cognitive semantic associations) factors in relation to victim blame. Ingroup membership predicted greater character praise in females, while outgroup membership predicted greater praise in males. Victim praise was also greater when the environment was safe versus dangerous. Stronger beliefs about the manageability of the world marginally predicted greater victim blame, while stronger benevolent world beliefs predicted less victim blame and less character derogation. Further, the …

Japan's Missile Defense, Norifumi Namatame

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For some years, Japan has pursued its own missile defense system in cooperation with the United States. The Japanese government claims that the missile defense (JMD) program is purely defensive and will not pose a threat to other countries. JMD may seem justified by North Korea's development of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons. However, neighboring states regarded it as a sign of military ambition and revival of Japan's prewar militarism. The development and deployment of JMD could have grave implications for regional and global security. This dissertation focuses on these implications, domestic and international political considerations and the future direction …

Web Templates: Unifying The Web Presence Of California State University San Bernardino, Angela Marie Gillespie

Theses Digitization Project

The internet is a major communication channel for universities. It makes sense to insure that a Web presence of a university is representative of the university's brand and is consistent throughout all Web sites within the university. This project researches and develops Web design tools that can provice standarized resources to Web designers, specifically for California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB).

Exploring The Spiritual Base Of Gay Men In Substance Abuse Treatment, Charles Arthur Selner

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was a qualitative exploration of how gay men experienced the spiritual base of a substance abuse treatment program. The specific clientele are gay men who completed at least sixty days participation in an intensive LGBT outpatient treatment program and were living in a sober residence known as The Studios of Palm Springs, CA. The research question asked whether this program worked to develop spirituality for gay men.

Late Diagnosis Of Autism Among African American Children, Lysette Nana Etti, Kathleen Patrice Holsey

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to raise awareness and to analyze the process of diagnosing African American children with autism and identify variables that correlate with late diagnosis.

Teaching Reading To Adults Where English Is Their Second Language, Judith Ann Powell

Theses Digitization Project

This project sought to identify methods that will work best for Second Language (ESL) adults and identify ways in which ESL can be taught to help facilitate learning for the older adult over 40 years of age. This project identified some of the problems caused by the nature of the English language and the grammatical issues older ESL students face when attempting to learn to speak and read English.

The Impact Of Children's Literature On The Environmental Awareness Of A Population Of Second Grade Students, Iris Jackeline Russo

Theses Digitization Project

This project aimed at helping second grade children gain environmental sensitivity and awareness by infusing the existing English Language Arts curriculum with environmental activities. The purpose is to demonstrate how one can infuse the California state's mandated curriculum, Houghton Mifflin, with children's literature in order to promote environmental sensitivity and awareness.

Gang Membership, Drug Sales, Violence, And Guns, Jose Fabian Gonzalez Dominquez

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to examine three factors relating to drug arrests using secondary data analysis. First, ethnic characteristics of a dealer were analyzed according to the location from where they sold their product. Next, possible factors associated with a police officer using force at the time of a drug arrest were also analyzed. Finally, factors associated with a gun being present at the time of a drug arrest were also analyzed.

The Effect Of Explanatory Style On The Coping Strategies Of Women In Recovery, Alice Joy Kirk

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of explanatory style on the coping strategies of women in recovery from addiction to alcohol and other substances.

The Relationship Between Caseworker Education And Client Outcomes, Theresa Rebecca Brannon

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to measure whether or not a child welfare worker's education has an effect on their client's outcomes. It compares master's degree in social work caseworkers' rates of family reunification and the length of time children on their caseload spend in foster care to those of child welfare workers who do not have an MSW. This study sought to address this gap in the current literature by analyzing available case data from a public child welfare agency in a Southern California county.

How An After School Environmental Science Club Can Increase Environmental Knowledge: Awareness And Sensitivity Towards The Environment For Third And Fourth Grade Students, Sandra Joyce Jones

Theses Digitization Project

Children today are disconnected from the natural environment around them, sometimes finding it annoying, lacking in excitement, and little use to them. Their attention and focus are spent inside watching TV, playing games on computers or a variety of other electronic devices. The purpose of this project was to see if after-school exposure to an Enirovnmental Science Club on the school grounds can impact student attitudes toward our local environment and to increase these third and fourth grade students' knowledge and awareness of their environment.

The Impact Of The Parent-Adolescent Relationship On Risky Internet Behavior, Jefferey Lewis Sanders

Theses Digitization Project

This study suggests that adolescents with a poor self-esteem and poor social development are more at risk for online predators. Adolescents from insecure parent-child relationships could be at greater risk for engaging in risky online internet behavior. The primary purpose of this study is to examine this link.

The Influence Of Cultural Perspectives And Conflict Resolution On Employee Perceptions Of Leadership Effectiveness, Cynthia Lorraine Owens

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine how cultural values and conflict resolution influence the perceptions employees form about their managers. The sample for this study included 118 participants representing various organizations from the United States.

Do San Bernardino County, Department Of Children's Services, Licensed Foster Parents Receive Adequate Trainings And Services To Care For Foster Children?, Ryan Deray Berryman

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine the training and support services that were available to foster parents licensed with San Bernardino County, Department of Children's Services. San Bernardino county is responsible for approximately 510 licensed foster homes.

Environmental Education Resource For Fifth Grade Science Instruction, Gaelen Kathleen Richer

Theses Digitization Project

The goal of this project was to develop an environmental education resource for fifth grade teachers using the California Science textbook. The goal is for teachers to be able to use this guide as a convenient resource to incorporate environmental education and environmental literature into science instruction.

Acculturation And Mental Health Among Mexican Immigrant Women, Monique Diana Castaneda

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between the independent variable of acculturation and the dependent variable of mental health. The sample was drawn from a group of Mexican immigrant women residing in San Bernardino, California.

Perceptions Of Pregnancy Prevention Programs Among Teen Mothers, Cynthia Pineda-Gonzalez

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which pregnancy prevention programs have an effect on teenage pregnancy according to the teen mothers. The study took the perspectives of adolescent mothers and asked what they thought about the preventative programs that are currently implemented in schools.

Do Teachers' Perceptions Of Students Success Differ Between Students In Foster Care And Students Who Are Not In Foster Care, Nira Ortega Mejias

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to assess teacher's perceptions of academic and life success among high school students in foster care in comparison to high school students who are not in foster care. The intent of the study is to examine whether teachers view students who are in foster care placement differently than students who are not in foster care. 36 teachers from two local high schools in Riverside and San Bernardino County were selected to participate in the study.

Emancipated Youths' Perspective On Transitioning Into Adulthood, Deann Petersen Russon

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions of transitional aged youths' received services, such as, daily living skills, money management, self care, and social development, and look at whether these services have helped them transition into productive adults. Of the research that exists, emancipated foster youth are shown to be at a higher risk for negative outcomes than youth the same age that were not in foster care. The study collected data from youth involved in two Independent Living Programs in Riverside County.

The Harm In Being A Man: Gender Self-Stereotyping Moderates The Relation Between The Motivation To Achieve And Performance, John Joseph Haller

Theses Digitization Project

In this thesis, it is proposed that when indivduals apply cultural stereotypes about their social group to their self-concept, a phenomenon known as self-stereotyping happens. It can moderate the relation between achievement motivation and performance outcomes particularly in situations that have implications for gender.

Perceptions Of Mental Health Services For Operation Iraqi Freedom And Operation Enduring Freedom Military Personnel: A Needs Assessment, Chrystal Anne Long, Jeffrey Lee. Soriano

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to assess the perceptions of mental health services for OIF/OEF military personnel among military spouses and mental health practitioners. The professional and personal knowledge of the mental health practitioners and the military spouses provided valuable information about the effectiveness, availability, strengths, and weaknesses of the military's mental health services.

Sibling Relationships Across Cultures: A Comparison Of United States And Egyptian Sibling Relations, Sarah Janet Sabet

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to gain a more complete understanding of sibling relations (and therefore family dynamics) in individualistic and collectivist cultures. Sibling relationships among U.S. and Egyptian cultures are examined.

Being Accountable: Overrepresentation Of Children Of Color In The Child Welfare System, Victoria Lee Scheele, Juliana Francesca Simixhi

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine the ethnic composition of families enrolled in Voluntary Family Services (VFS) as well as service delivery and service completion rates among the various ethnic groups utilizing these services.