Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper discusses the global structural property of a large-scale industrial district where a variety of manufacturing industries were embedded in the complex web of regional supplier networks. Applying the concept of a so-called power law from the study of complex systems, the node connectivity subjected to the scale-free node connectivity distribution. Against the claims by the previous qualitative fieldwork studies regarding a “hollowing-out,” or disappearing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) at marginal positions from the industrial district under the global competition, the present network analysis on the supplier relationships among 8,347 firms found that the complex systems were very robust equipped with embedded hedging mechanisms. First, as a scale-free network, the complex system had a very resilient structure against random elimination of nodes, or the exit of SME suppliers, owing to the inhomogeneous node connectivity distribution. Second, the network had multiple peaks of very popular hubs as prime buyers, or a fat tail at the very top of the hierarchies. Third, it had a diversified industry composition of those hubs. The presence of the multiple peaks and their industry composition in combination can protect the network from possible targeted attacks on the hubs, or known vulnerability of scale-free networks.

Publication Type: Symposium Paper
Abstract: Gudjonsson (1997) developed the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scales to help assess interrogative suggestibility and psychological factors related to an individual's response when formally questioned by law enforcement. Unfortunately, this test only used norms derived from populations within the United Kingdom and Iceland. Recently, norms have been developed using 429 individuals who have undergone evaluations related to competency to waive Miranda rights and/or false and coerced confessions. Grisso scores and GSS scores have been calculated for 428 juvenile and adults defendants of all IQ ranges. These new norms are compared to the original samples in terms of relationships with age and IQ. In addition, relationships with ethnicity, working memory, and select personality variables are also examined.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The large-scale networks of suppliers and prime buyers in industrial districts have rarely if ever been studied as social networks, due to analytical complexity and rarity of such datasets. With a large relational dataset on buyer/supplier relationships among over 8,300 firms in a Tokyo industrial district, we analyzed the complex regional production system quantitatively so as to find its integration mechanisms. Tests of the small-world model―of local clustering, low average distance, lack of central hubs, and sparsity of connectivity―failed due to tendencies toward a power-law degree distribution, shorter-than-random average distances, and lack of local clustering. The scale-free network model was rejected because hubs in the network do not attract ties by supplier firms but actively organize their suppliers. We then explored an alternative explanation: Does the supplier-buyer network have layers as represented by a directed acyclic graph (DAG) or depth hierarchy where each link in a chain of suppliers and buyers is always directed up the hierarchy, never forming a directed transaction cycle? Controlling some data constraints, we found that acyclic depth partition can explain the structural properties of the network. Finally, we offer statistical evidence that the DAG should be a general property for the complex webs of supplier-prime buyer relationships in industrial production networks, as modeled by Harrison White, in lieu of small-world or scale-free network models.

Publication Type: Paper (prepared oral presentation)
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: The present study presents findings of a newly developed scale called “Militarist Attitudes Scale” (MAS). A social psychological analysis of militarism is believed to be of crucial importance; and this scale is among few studies in Turkey within the area. It is believed that militarist attitudes will help discover the social psychological dynamics of the idea of military-nation (Altınay, 2004) and nationalism. 305 participants (154 females and 151 males with a mean age of 27, 32 (SD = 8, 91)) that were drawn online completed the questionnaire. While % 33 of the participants was students, % 45, 2 were university graduates and % 35, 7 were high school graduates. % 80 of the participants indicated they have voted in the previous elections. Items were written considering the militarist ideology and militarist institutions and practices in Turkey; 52 items were included that were selected from a pool of 123. Results of exploratory factor analysis revealed a 3 factor structure parallel with the literature. Cronbach’s alpha was for the scale was found to be .94 and the subscales’ reliability scores were .94 (institutional militarism), .82 (ideological militarism) and .85 (militarisation). This factors structure explained % 58, 46 of the total variance. Lower scores of militarist attitudes were observed with the increasing level of education. Further studies are needed to improve the psychometric qualities of the scale and to see its relationship with related constructs.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Valid and reliable measures are fundamental to advancing social science. Phrase completion scales were designed to provide enhanced psychometrics compared to Likert scales by more closely conforming to foundational measurement and statistical assumptions. This paper reports the first direct comparison of the two types of scales. Responses to Likert formatted items and comparable phrase completions items were elicited from 134 graduate students. An examination of written comments, Cronbach’s alphas, inter-item correlations, factor scores, and SEM coefficients indicate that items constructed in the phrase completion format yield higher levels of validity and reliability relative to Likert constructed items. The advantages of phrase completion scales may be particularly pronounced when measuring attitudes that fall at all points along the underlying continuum.