Research at the University of Texas at Austin for financial support. Prabhudev Konana

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This study examined the direction and time-frame of relationships between perceived self-efficacy in classroom management and the three dimensions of burnout among 243 secondary school teachers. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses indicated that perceived self-efficacy had a longitudinal effect on depersonalization and a synchronous effect on personal accomplishment. However, the direction was reversed for the relationship between perceived self-efficacy and emotional exhaustion; the time frame was synchronous. It was concluded that perceived self-efficacy in classroom management must be taken into consideration when devising interventions both to prevent and to treat burnout among secondary school teachers.

ity with 6 negatively worded items and conflict with 8 positively worded items, respectively. This methodological confound between item wording and content precludes unambiguous interpreta-tion. In the present study, confirmatory factor analysis of these 2 scales and Beehr, Walsh, and Taber's 0976) Role Overload Scale (which has positively and negatively worded items) was used to disentangle this confound. Across 2 independent samples (N = 767 and N = 363), a 3-factor model consistent with conceptual definitions of role ambiguity, conflict, and overload fit the data better than models with (a) one general role-stress factor, (b) a general role-stress and a method (item wording) factor, or (c) two method (positive and negative wording) factors. These results support the construct validity of Rizzo et al.'s (1970) scales; the consistency of the results across 2 independent samples suggests their generalizability. Rizzo, House, and Lirtzman's (1970) Role Ambiguity Scale and Role Conflict Scale have been widely used in organiza-tional psychology research. A vast amount of psychometric in-formation is available for these scales (for a review, see Cook, Hepworth, Wall, & Warr, 198 l), and at least two meta-analytic

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Genetic and environmental influences on behaviour and development can be examined by studying more than one individual within a family, using quantitative genetic theory and behavioural genetic (BG) methodology. Specific environmental and genetic influences can be measured and effect sizes estimated, and many assumptions of the methodology can be explicitly tested. BG designs can identify specific aspects of the environment that have the greatest influence on behavioural variation, and they can pinpoint critical periods in which environmental influences are most malleable, both of which are useful when designing interventions. Traits that are shown to be the most heritable through traditional family resemblance methods can now be explored further and actual genes may be identified, using new molecular methods. By identifying specific genetic and environmental influences on behaviour, and modelling the structure of these influences over time, we can rapidly advance our understanding of human development.

Banks and financial institutions in Hong Kong are increasingly finding themselves facing rapid increases in turbulence and complexity, leading to greater uncertainty and increased competition. Customers are also becoming more demanding. Apart from the traditional type of banking services, customers today require more personalized products and services, and access to such services at any time, and at any place. Although there is no panacea for banks to stay competitive, Internet Banking is one of the advanced information technologies they can employ to achieve a high level of customer services. Internet Banking is an emerging technology that permits conduct of banking transactions through the Internet. From the banks ’ point of view, it requires the lowest transaction cost among various channels, just one percent of branch-based banking. It also can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of corporate business processes through elimination of paper work. One of the many benefits of Internet Banking is that customers can use bank services 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world.

In this paper we report on the development and validation of a model that assesses the tradeoffs in the delicate balance between the perceived personal benefits and privacy costs associated with Internet use in conducting e-commerce transactions. The model assessment uses Structural Equations Modeling (SEM) with LISREL. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to develop and validate the instrument involving two pilot studies and a final survey consisting of 301 individuals. The results indicate that trust influences decisions to engage in e-commerce transactions. Also, when personal interest and perceived ability to control surrendered personal information outweigh privacy concerns and perceptions of vulnerability, individuals are encouraged to use the Internet for e-commerce purposes. The findings are important for a number of reasons including their general support for the arguments made by researchers who have advocated the need to creating “procedural fairness ” with respect to information disclosure.