Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Inputs solicited

What follow are my potential research topics in Fall 2007-Spring 2008 and so on. Any constructive inputs or references are solicited and deeply appreciated. Whoever wishes to coach me or collaborate with me is welcome to drop me a note.

Exactly How Much Economics do We Need for Studying Cultural and Creative Industries?
(研究文化創意產業需要多少經濟學知識?)

Globalization on Campus: a Public Good or a Signal for Better Quality?
(校園國際化 -- 是公共財?還是彰顯高品質的訊號?)

Can Wenzao College Be Operated as An International Business?

Are there Evidences of Self-selection among College Professors in Taiwan?

Are Taiwanese Students Acting as Voters in Completing the Teaching Evaluation Questionnaires?

Why do All Universities in Taiwan Have abnormal Teaching Evaluation Statistics (over 4.0 on the five-point scale) -- A Game-theoretic Preliminary Interpretation

Carrots in Daylight and Sticks in the Dark -- An Economic Analysis

Identifying the Principal-Agent Scenarios on Campus in Taiwan

產官學的資訊透明化落實程度比較

策略性模糊與官僚運作

Monday, May 28, 2007

Self-posed on a sunny Sunday afternoon in May




傻瓜對話小系列

兩位傻瓜小人物的對話:建校精神、停車位、唐吉訶德
Written by A to public:
      ◇◇的精神是什麼?如何在逆境中傳承◇◇的精神?
身為◇◇人的第三代,從助學貸款,篳路藍縷走回母校任教的畢業生,對◇◇的第一印象是它是私校中收費最低,但卻提供一個具有高度宗教慈愛、關懷的環境,和重視人格陶養,對「人」基本價值信任與尊重的教育組織。
成為◇◇人20年後,◇◇的精神是什麼?且容我從韋伯的《新教倫理與資本主義的精神》來分享我的想法和感受。在文藝復興後期商業開始發達生活逐漸富裕,新教提倡的倫理包括:勤勞、儉樸、基督徒「天職」概念 → 為了榮耀上帝 → 每個人都應發揮個人的恩賜與才能 → 藉此,新教倫理給予商人、銀行家、律師、工程師和科技官僚賺錢、累積資產、追求個人卓越的道德正當性 → 也造就出專業化分工(專家領導)、理性化的經濟官僚組織 → 和日後的資本主義。
這看似成功的過程並非全部:專家們的「理性」開始一步步地罔顧、甚至吞噬新教改革的原始精神、宗教倫理式微 → 專家與群眾開始無止盡、無情的追求個人卓越、事業與財富 → 資本主義的興起同時也造就出一批沒有心肝、沒有愛心與關懷的專業官僚 (Specialists without spirit and experts [sensualists] without hearts)。韋伯在結論中感慨地說,這樣的結果不是新教改革的本意:而是一個Unintended consequence: an unforeseen, unexpected, and even unwanted, undesired results。這不是小說故事書,是歷史。
讓我們回頭再來看看◇◇的精神:◇◇◇會宗教精神在於對天、對人的愛、尊重與關懷,批判的精神和對真理的服從,and I quote from our official website「奉獻教育事業,不尚奢華,但求實在;不重虛飾,但求精良… 校舍建築以及教學上,一仍勤儉、踏實的原則,營造濃郁的人文氣息,溫馨的校園氣氛。」
◇◇確實面臨著逆境:財務、生源、現代化科技教育的競爭、專業化的提升、理性化、自動化的組織、不得不跟著教育部的結構追求卓越等等都是。But in what order? And at what expenses? 身為行政團隊的一員,◇◇的行政主管、職員(包括我),是不是都正自詡為理性化的組織專家與技術官僚,在行政程序中開始談論專業、理性、數據、證據與法則,財務的、科技卓越的、競爭力的,而越來越少談◇◇的「行政價值理念、關懷」如何落實在瑣碎的日常事務中?在資源、預算的分配中?我們是不是在追求卓越的過程中,開始踩著◇◇人的肩膀,成就組織與事業?是不是開始在繁忙的行政事務中喪失了對學生、對同僚的愛、尊重、耐心、包容與相互信任,而給予他們專家和官僚般的臉色、表情與答覆?是不是在決策過程上,開始輕描淡寫◇◇宗教奉獻教育事業的精神,對儉樸和學術踏實的堅持,重重投入對浮華名氣的追求?我們是不是也開始步入、同時相對造就出一批未來「沒有心、沒有價值、理念、精神」的專家?
在順境中襯得出◇◇的精神並不稀奇。能在財務緊縮、生源減少、專業化、理性化組織再造的逆境中,還能守住那一絲◇◇人教育、學術的傲骨與堅持,才真正顯示出◇◇精神的值得傳承不是嗎?就算這意味著傳承的方式需要妥協追求卓越的步調,承受「較不卓越」的名聲,而重新靜下來尋回那份踏實、樸質的堅持、濃郁的人的氣息,和彼此信任、尊重的校園氣氛。對我而言,◇◇精神面臨的最大逆境,會不會是幾年後在校史館中回顧紀錄說:這不是◇◇追求卓越的本意,it is an unwanted, undesired consequence…. But is this an unforeseen consequence?

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From B to A:
我通常都寫英文、不唸稿。您今天是寫中文、狂唸稿。我寫推論、您寫預言。我老邁、您年輕。我光棍、您已婚。我整天想策略互動、您每天寫文化研究。我會胯下上籃、您是網球代表隊員。...嗯 …看起來,我們大不同耶。[for the sake of record, do not stick the same label or mark on us! Does anyone hear me?] 一起快樂地搶一般停車位。這點,是我的榮幸!哈利路亞。
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From A to B:Your signing up has already decided that you are doomed to be classified as the genre I belong to. Historians don't normally predict, but as a cultural study people I was trained to not write things that are counter factual. Anyway, at least we will both know where we cannot find our cars. Nice to have you join the family of God.
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From B to A:
To the young and restless A:I had a brief chat with your big brother yesterday. Well, I was teasing. I won't mind to receive another label or have another membership as you folks put it, the black five category. Ha! But I usually don't pay the membership dues. As one gets older and older, inevitably there are labels keeping coming to us, in bright daylight or in the dark nights, or even in bad dreams. Luckily He is watching from above. And even if He is taking a nap or what, I had a sword hanging outside my caves. By the way your fans were probably right -- your statement was not really broadcast worldwide. As a matter of fact, let us assume that there are 100 hits at best on May 24. Hey, did it ever occur to you that maybe your bodies like me were responsible for 80 percent of it? WOW! What does it lead to? Chances are that all the King's Horsemen probably are unaware of it. So, you are safe, at least for now. This is a good news, isn't it? Have a good weekend!
B (black inside and out 從裡到外、黑透了)
P.S. Do tell me in private communication, of course, where I can usually find the parking space. That is what a friend is for, right?
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From A to B:
The counter screens out the same IP address when doing the entry count.
So unless you keep disconnecting and reconnecting your PC to the net, and have a different IP, you will be counted only once that day.
Well, the 80 people should stand for at least 50 I would say.
Anyway, the main thing is I had recited the script in front of …… , and other alumni.
The ...... is shed, and the ...... will come. (消音)
Now in order to protect you all from being labelled as the black 5 category, I am locking the article and respondeces up for now, remaining only the title been seen.
If someone is so eager to know what I have said, he will need a password for that.

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From B to A:
Good Lord! ...... will come! Hm ... I am waiting in style.