Finding Order in a Chaotic World

Abstract

The World Wide Web (WWW) has a decentralized information environment and a non-linear (hypertext) information structure. This non-linear structure allows users to retrieve information at many different levels but also increases the difficulty of information retrieval. Unlike a well-developed CD-ROM database, the WWW does not have a controlled searching environment and information can be indexed in many different ways. It takes a well planned search strategy to perform an effective search in the labyrinth of the WWW. The SIRO (Systematic Information Retrieval/Organization) model offers a research planning process designed specifically for information seekers in the agricultural disciplines. The intention is to enhance search results and organize retrieved information. This process starts with the identification of the information structure on the WWW, then proceeds by organizing and analyzing information in a visual diagram or a “thinking map.” This process leads searchers to logical sources on the WWW and a systematic analysis of the result.     

Dynamics of safety performance and culture: A group model building approach

The management of occupational health and safety (OHS) including safety culture interventions is comprised of complex problems that are often hard to scope and define. Due to the dynamic nature and complexity of OHS management, the concept of system dynamics (SD) is used to analyze accident prevention. In this paper, a system dynamics group model building (GMB) approach is used to create a causal loop diagram of the underlying factors influencing the OHS performance of a major drilling and mining contractor in Australia. While the organization has invested considerable resources into OHS their disabling injury frequency rate (DIFR) has not been decreasing. With this in mind, rich individualistic knowledge about the dynamics influencing the DIFR was acquired from experienced employees with operations, health and safety and training background using a GMB workshop. Findings derived from the workshop were used to develop a series of causal loop diagrams that includes a wide range of dynamics that can assist in better understanding the causal influences OHS performance. The causal loop diagram provides a tool for organizations to hypothesize the dynamics influencing effectiveness of OHS management, particularly the impact on DIFR. In addition the paper demonstrates that the SD GMB approach has significant potential in understanding and improving OHS management.     

Level of environmental intelligence among university students from selected countries of Central and Eastern Europe

The aim of this article was to characterise and compare the level of environmental intelligence among university students from selected countries of Central and Eastern Europe. This was done using empirical data collected by the author in 2015. In the introduction and theoretical part of this text, the term ‘environmental intelligence’ is defined, and issues raised by modern sociologists such as M. Maffesoli and M. Archer are presented. Two hypotheses stating that respondents from Poland, Slovakia and Czech Republic have higher levels of environmental intelligence than university students from the Ukraine, and those studying natural sciences have higher levels of environmental intelligence than students of the humanities or social sciences were verified. The statistical analysis conducted in the second part of the text revealed a higher level of environmental intelligence among students from the European Union countries compared to respondents from the Ukraine. However, there were no significant differences between the level of environmental intelligence and respondents’ faculty of studies. This indicates that studying natural sciences did not contribute to a more dynamic development of environmental intelligence in students. This revelation may be disturbing, as the state of the environment cannot improve if young people cannot use and care for it responsibly.     

论加强消防战训参谋思维训练的必要性

消防战训参谋是整个公安消防部队指挥中的大脑，其能力高低直接影响着消防工作完成的好坏，而对消防战训参谋的思维训练更是战训工作中的重点和难点。下面本人结合工作实际，对消防战训工作中战训参谋思维的训练谈几点粗浅的认识。     

“远瞻”与“近交”——江苏盐城环保科技城规划设计的链接式思考

针对环保科技城规划中普遍存在的规划战略理念与实施操作脱节的情况,研究首先论述了规划中战略理念的"远瞻"和实施操作的"近交"两大层面对江苏盐城环保科技城规划的影响,以及二者在产业体系、空间布局和分期扩展等方面的呼应及链接,从而提出只有通过对"远瞻"定位与"近交"策略进行链接式思考,才能保证规划得以有效的贯彻与实施,才能更好地推动环保科技城的发展。     

中美新型大国关系的提出与构建

奥巴马执政后,中美关系一度出现利好局势,但始终处于起伏不定的状态,紧张态势更是频频出现,严重影响了两国关系的正常发展。为了改善并发展中美关系,共建新时期的国际秩序,中国领导人高瞻远瞩,提出了建立中美新型大国关系的宏大构想。当前,中美新型大国关系的构建之路面临着巨大的挑战,如何从战略角度出发推动和发展两国新型大国关系,成为至关重要的问题。     

强化环境监测管制工作的思考

现今社会正处在环境监测管制的改革创新阶段，所以强化环境监测管制工作势在必行。着重分析了环境监测管制工作的特点，提出了现实环境所面临的一些问题，并对此问题提供了一些对策。     

标志设计课程教学创新实践

标志设计的发展状况对各艺术设计院校标志设计课程教学提出了创新要求,湖南工业大学在该课程教学中通过把握整体教学内容、重视灌输传统文化及品牌设计思维、组织多样的教学形式调动学生学习积极性、创新教学手段以培养学生的动态思维意识等创新实践,旨在培养能够利用数字技术,在不断自我学习的过程中追求自主创新、突破藩篱的设计师。