Knowledge, Volume 3, Issue 2 (June 2023) – 10 articles

Self-regulated learning (SRL) requires learners’ active participation, i.e., they need to activate cognitive and metacognitive learning strategies. These strategies can be activated and supported by using cognitive and metacognitive prompts. Extensive research concerning the effects of prompts on SRL is necessary to determine connections between these two concepts. Our study investigates the effects of cognitive and metacognitive activities—i.e., prompts—on learning performance during SRL. Therefore, we developed three types of learning environments that use different types of prompts—cognitive or metacognitive prompts—or no prompts. Moreover, we also used a questionnaire to examine prior knowledge and post-knowledge. Pre- and post-tests show that self-confidence in prior knowledge has a significant effect on self-confidence in post-knowledge, cognitive prompts reduce extrinsic motivation, and knowing how to use cognitive learning strategies enables using cognitive prompts more effectively. These results are partially in line with existing research findings on the effects of prompts in SRL. Full article

Our purpose is to advance a reasoned perspective on the scientific validity of computer simulation, using an example—integrated assessment modeling of climate change and its projected impacts—that is itself of great and urgent interest to policy in the real world. The spirited and continuing debate on the scientific status of integrated assessment models (IAMs) of global climate change has been conducted mostly among climate change modelers and users seeking guidance for climate policy. However, it raises a number and variety of issues that have been addressed, with various degrees of success, in other literature. The literature on methodology of simulation was mostly skeptical at the outset but has become more nuanced, casting light on some key issues relating to the validity and evidentiary standing of climate change IAMs (CC-IAMs). We argue that the goal of validation is credence, i.e., confidence or justified belief in model projections, and that validation is a matter of degree: (perfect) validity is best viewed as aspirational and, other things equal, it makes sense to seek more rather than less validation. We offer several conclusions. The literature on computer simulation has become less skeptical and more inclined to recognize that simulations are capable of providing evidence, albeit a different kind of evidence than, say, observation and experiments. CC-IAMs model an enormously complex system of systems and must respond to several challenges that include building more transparent models and addressing deep uncertainty credibly. Drawing on the contributions of philosophers of science and introspective practitioners, we offer guidance for enhancing the credibility of CC-IAMs and computer simulation more generally. Full article

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the social position of functional managers, as defined by their stocks of intellectual and social capital, influences their attitude towards cooperation for the integration of distributed knowledge in the conceptualization of bottom-up (autonomous) strategic initiatives. Bourdieu’s social practice theory was employed for integrating the organizational conditions in the initiative conceptualization-as-knowledge-creation process. By developing and analyzing two case studies on strategic operations, it was found that the degree of engagement in productive cooperation, and hence the potential and effectiveness of functional managers as knowledge-creating agents promoting their particular interests, are influenced by their social position which in turn depends on the path of accumulation of their intellectual and social capital resources. Full article

The phenomenon of school coexistence has gained special relevance in recent years, mainly due to the increase in conflict situations among students. The main objective of this work has been to carry out a systematic review of the scientific literature on the impact of the application of technologies as a didactic resource for the improvement of school coexistence, as well as to find out the current and future lines of research in this field of investigation. For this purpose, a total of 14 scientific articles indexed in the Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases were selected following the principles of the PRISMA Declaration. The results show that, although the scientific literature on the implementation of technologies for school coexistence is limited, didactic strategies measured with technologies reduce cases of school conflict. Among the conclusions are that technologies are tools to be taken into account for the improvement of school coexistence; however, their misuse due to a lack of digital skills can lead to violent behaviour on the part of students. Full article

In recent literature, alternative models for handling missing item responses in large-scale assessments have been proposed. Based on simulations and arguments based on psychometric test theory, it is argued in this literature that missing item responses should never be scored as incorrect in scaling models but rather treated as ignorable or handled based on a model. The present article shows that these arguments have limited validity and illustrates the consequences in a country comparison using the PIRLS 2011 study. It is argued that students omit (constructed response) items because they do not know the correct item answer. A different treatment of missing item responses than scoring them as incorrect leads to significant changes in country rankings, which induces nonignorable consequences regarding the validity of the results. Additionally, two alternative item response models are proposed based on different assumptions for missing item responses. In the first pseudo-likelihood approach, missing item responses for a particular student are replaced by a score that ranges between zero and a model-implied probability computed based on the non-missing items. In the second approach, the probability of a missing item response is predicted by a latent response propensity variable and the item response itself. The models were applied to the PIRLS 2011 study, demonstrating that country comparisons change under different modeling assumptions for missing item responses. Full article

Although there is a long history of searching for the road from knowledge to wisdom, there is no final and clear result. In fact, there are multiple ways of starting from knowledge and reaching wisdom due to the complexity of the semantic domains of both concepts. In addition, there are different perspectives on interpreting these conceptual maps, ranging from philosophy to psychology or management. We are interested in understanding the connecting ideas between knowledge and wisdom from the management perspective, where decision making is the key driving force for transforming knowledge into efficient actions for creating value for customers through products and services. The well-known knowledge pyramid or wisdom pyramid is a good metaphor to start with in understanding the basic concepts of data, information, knowledge, and wisdom (DIKW) and their transformations. We analyze different interpretations of these four basic concepts and focus on the transition from knowledge to wisdom, looking beyond the DIKW pyramid. Additionally, to get a larger view of the multiple connections between knowledge and wisdom, we perform a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer as a specialized software tool. The contribution of the present paper comes from this enlarged framework of searching for links between knowledge and wisdom and analyzing their relevance to business management. The results are relevant to anyone who would like to understand how to manage efficiently knowledge in their organizations. We explain the semantic differences in interpreting the concepts of “information” and “knowledge” in philosophy, information science, and knowledge management, which can be useful both in theory and in practice. Full article

The combined effects of decarbonization and digitalization have had a significant impact on the German automotive industry, with different business models emerging that often involve new business alliances with other automotive companies and technology companies. This rapid and dramatic change momentum has resulted in a “knowledge deficit” in the industry, as regards the skills and know-how required to operate successfully in the digital economy. Using an inductive, qualitative research methodology, based on in-depth interviews with industry experts and practitioners, this article identifies the main areas in which skills, knowledge and competencies are lacking, and assesses the main ways in which the industry is trying to address the problem. A number of emergent issues are also discussed. The article finds that many years of technology outsourcing have left the industry deficient in core technology skills for software development, data management and architecture design, and that new competencies in cybersecurity, platforms and ecosystems, and sourcing management are also urgently needed. The industry is addressing this challenge through a combination of strategies, including major partnership arrangements with the big tech companies. The article concludes that entrepreneurial innovation and radical digital leadership will be required to adequately address the knowledge deficit in the digital era. Full article

Electronic waste generation is increasing dramatically throughout the world. Consequently, this increase in E-waste harms the environment, health, and other aspects of human life. Moreover, hazardous substances and the informal disposal of E-waste severely threaten human health and the environment. Saudi Arabia is the largest Arab country in terms of electronic waste generation and is the Arab country that generates the most E-waste. Over the past few decades, several initiatives and policy implementations have been undertaken in the country. However, the management of E-waste is still a source of distress and an unresolved issue. Sustainable development requires much more effort, primarily efficient E-waste management, which can only be achieved by establishing a formal collection system, early forecasting, and accurate estimations. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of the fundamental and emerging trends in E-waste production worldwide and in Saudi Arabia. This paper aims to summarize the hazardous elements present in E-waste, their dangerous effects, and the economic potential for recycling E-waste as a means of developing sustainable communities. This study explores the practices regarding efficient E-waste management and E-waste estimation and prediction globally, specifically in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. This study suggests that more than the use of a single management probe will be needed to achieve significant results. Instead, a complementary approach can be used to achieve the most effective results. Additionally, people should be aware of the importance of handling and recycling E-waste. This study emphasizes the importance of formal collection and documentation to ensure effective monitoring and sustainable development in any developed country. Full article

An outline of a research program on knowledge progress and strategies for knowledge breakthroughs through time, in two parts: A. An outline of five steps/stages in such processes and studies via a set of cases: 1. the inception of a new finding/discovery; 2. cognitive resistance to the new finding; 3. cognitive acceptance of the new finding but continuing resistance to its practical implementation or behavioural adjustment to it; 4. practical as well as cognitive acceptance; 5. openness (or not) to related further findings. B. Defense of my approach in view of criticism from representatives of new lines of research in what has been called knowledge history. Full article

Predicting the post-blast re-entry time precisely can improve productivity and reduce accidents significantly. The empirical formulas for the time prediction are practical to implement, but lack accuracy. In this study, a novel method based on the back-propagation neural network (BPNN) was proposed to tackle the drawbacks. A numerical model was constructed and 300 points of sample data were recorded, with consideration to fresh air volume, occupational exposure limit, toxic gas volume per kg of explosives and roadway length. The BPNN model with six neurons in a hidden layer was then developed and prediction performance was discussed in terms of four indicators, namely, the root mean square error (RMSE), the coefficient of determination (R²), the mean absolute error (MAE) and the sum of squares error (SSE). Furthermore, one representative empirical formula was introduced and calibrated for the comparison. The obtained results showed that the BPNN model had a more remarkable performance, with RMSE of 21.45 (R²: 0.99, MAE: 10.78 and SSE: 40934), compared to the empirical formula, with RMSE of 76.89 (R²: 0.90, MAE: 42.06 and SSE: 526147). Hence, the BPNN model is a superior method for predicting the post-blast re-entry time. For better practical application, it was then embedded into the software. Full article