Social context,interpersonal network,and identity dynamics: A social psychological case study of terrorist recidivism

The existing literature on jihadist terrorism has extensively documented the importance of networks, yet the interpersonal element of the networks and how this links to the social identity dynamics of a mujahid have been scarcely explored. It also is still unclear how specific social contexts such as prison, neighbourhood, and home may play a role in the link between interpersonal networks and social identity dynamics. Drawing insights from the social identity perspective, this article examines the relationships between social context, interpersonal networks, and identity dynamics of a mujahid based on a single case of terrorist recidivism in Indonesia. Our analyses showed how transitions across social contexts were related to the subject's opportunities and constraints for the participation in different interpersonal networks that influenced the process of identity negotiation as a mujahid versus alternative identities of family member and belonging to a neighbourhood. It is argued that analysis of the dynamics of a mujahid's identity in local social contexts are an important part of assessing risks of their recidivism.     

Attitudes of Malaysian Teachers Toward a Performance-Appraisal System

This study investigated the attitudes of teachers of different ethnic origins in Malaysia toward an outcome-oriented performance appraisal, the New Performance Appraisal System (NPAS). It also investigated the relationship between teachers' attitudes toward the system and their job satisfaction and professional commitment. Teachers of the major ethnic origins in Malaysia—Malays, Chinese, and Indians—were selected randomly from 6 public high schools in the state of Kedah. The study found that teachers of all ethnic origins reported less favorable attitudes toward the NPAS, and that their cultural dimension had no bearing on attitudes toward the NPAS. Teachers who received appropriate explanation and supervision of their performance, despite low performance-appraisal results, reported high levels of job satisfaction and professional commitment.     

Conceptualizing and Measuring Youth–Adult Partnership in Community Programs: A Cross National Study

Youth participation in program and community decision making is framed by scholars as an issue of social justice, a platform for positive youth development and effective citizenry, and a strategy for nation building. Recent literature reviews have consistently identified youth–adult partnership (Y–AP) as an effective type of youth participation across highly diverse contexts. These same reviews, however, note that indicators of Y–AP have not been conceptualized and validated for measurement purposes. The present study addresses this limitation by developing a brief measure of Y–AP that is explicitly grounded in current theory, research, and community practice. The measure was administered to youth in the United States, Malaysia, and Portugal (N = 610). Validation was assessed through factor analysis and tests of factorial, discriminant, and concurrent validity. Results confirmed the two predicted dimensions of the Y–AP measure: youth voice in decision making and supportive adult relationships. These two dimensions were also found to be distinct from other measures of program quality: safety and engagement. As predicted, they also significantly correlated with measures of agency and empowerment. It is concluded that the measure has the potential to support community efforts to maximize the quality of youth programs.     

The Economic Ideas of Muslim Scholars and Christian Scholastics: Linkages and Parallels

This article discusses linkages and parallels between economic ideas of Muslim scholars and Christian scholastics with the objective of finding common ground in the history of the subject that may increase understanding of our traditions, boost cooperation and strengthen the bonds between our associations. It also aims to provide material that may counteract the divisive elements in the West-centric thesis that propagates the clash of civilizations. By way of introduction, it begins with an account of the contexts in which Muslim dialecticians and European scholastics emerged and the foundations on which they based their work. It then traces the links that brought them close to each other and presents a number of cases on which the two traditions have similar views. The article concludes with a note that ethics and human values were the overriding considerations of both scholastics and Islamic scholars, and that, in spite of enormous changes in economic principles and practices, this concern for humanity has not changed. If economics is enriched with these values, they will surely increase efficiency, justice and stability, leading to harmony and peaceful co-existence.     

Couple Types, Ethnicity and Marital Satisfaction in Malaysia

The objective of this paper is to identify couple types and investigate the effects of couples types and ethnicity on marital satisfaction in Malaysia. A nation-wide survey involving one thousand married respondents was conducted. Using Fitzpatrick’s (1988) typology, four types of marriages were identified through cluster analysis, which included Traditional, Independent, Separate and Mixed couples. The main effect of couple types, ethnicity and effects of their interaction were found to have contributed significantly towards marital satisfaction. Malay respondents were most satisfied as Traditionals, while Chinese and Indian respondents were most satisfied as Independents. Results are discussed with reference to the current socio-cultural context of Malaysia.     

Inclusive Leadership and Innovative Work Behavior: Examination of LMX Perspective in Small Capitalized Textile Firms

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between inclusive leadership, Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) and innovative work behavior (IWB) in employees of small capitalized textile firms of Pakistan. We hypothesized that LMX mediates the relationship between inclusive leadership and IWB. We collected data from 150 supervisors–subordinate dyads to test our hypotheses. We selected small capitalized firms because they are more innovative and change-oriented in order to enhance their innovativeness. Moreover, these firms enjoy the benefits of lack of bureaucracy and low resistance to change. Therefore, employees are better able to experience a close relationship with entrepreneurial leaders who tend to be inclusive, in order to facilitate the process of innovation. In line with these facts, our results also suggest that inclusive leadership is positively related with IWB and LMX partially mediates this relationship. The theoretical and practical implications of our findings are also discussed.