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  Software piracy : graduate student attitudes and intentions

  (Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, 2007-04) Kisumano, Georges M.

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  The purpose guiding this study was to determine the attitudes and intentions of students toward software piracy in a graduate school located in the province of Cavite in the Philippines, and certain factors that may compel students to pirate software. One hundred thirty-two students participated in the online survey. They rated their perceptions on a 65-item questionnaire on items associated with software piracy and religiosity and a 17-item questionnaire measuring computer knowledge. The data collection was done using web survey software, from November 7, 2006 to January 15, 2007. The major findings of this study were as follows: (a) Almost 75% of students admitted having pirated software. Malls/stores and friends emerged as the main sources of pirated software, (b) Students were neutral on their attitude and intention toward software piracy. They were unsure on the presence and/or severity of punishment for pirating software, on their abilities and opportunities to pirate software, and on the level of shame they felt for using illegal commercial software. However, they agreed that software is expensive, that they try to live according to their religious beliefs, and that the school use licensed software, (c) Younger, single, male, self-sponsored, business and theology students, Asians and Africans had a more positive attitude toward software piracy compared to other groups. Higher intention toward software piracy was also found in Africans, Asians, males, business, and theology students, (d) Religious commitment and computer knowledge were not statistically related to piracy attitude and intention. (e) Statistically significant predictors of piracy intention include piracy attitude, perceived behavioral control, personal shame and gender, and these accounted for a high amount of variance (0.683). Major recommendations include (a) that regular sessions at the beginning of each semester on the right use of software be conducted in the graduate school; (b) that the institution should maintain its support for the right use of software; and (c) that a large study that increase the number and variety of institutions should be done to assess whether personal shame, perceived behavioral control, software cost, harsh punishment, low punishment, computer knowledge, institution position affect the intention and attitude of students to pirate software in developing countries.

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  "Holy place in Matthew 24:15"

  (Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, 2007-10) Kim, Sun-hwan

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  This paper explores what the holy place refers to in the context of Matt 24:15, and why Matthew uses this unique phrase which is not seen in the Synoptic parallel passages. It employs the method of the grammatico-historical method of exegesis. Since the abomination of desolation, which is described as standing in the holy place in Matt 24:15, is quoted from Daniel, OT background of the main words— abomination, desolation, holy, and place—is important, thus examined in chapter 2. Abomination in the OT, especially in the Prophets, is used in relation to the idolatry, which profanes the holiness of God. Desolation is used many times as a result of God's judgment for abominations. The phrase "holy place" (tinp o1pn) in the OT is used to intend some designated spot within the sanctuary, not the entire sanctuary itself. On the other hand, Jerusalem is the most frequently modified place by holy in the form of holy mountain and holy city. In Dan 9, Jerusalem is explicitly emphasized as a holy place. An exegesis of Matt 24:15 follows. A larger narrative unit, Matt 21-25, is treated first, and the examination of Matthew's view of Jerusalem follows. After the structure of Matt 24 is explored, the meaning and significance of the holy place in the context of Matt 24:15 is probed. Additionally, the larger NT perspective on the holy place is examined at the end. This research concludes that the holy place in Matt 24:15 most probably refers to the holy city, Jerusalem, rather than to the temple only. Matthew's idea of Jerusalem being holy, the literal supporting evidence of Dan 9 for Jerusalem as a holy place, and the need for the open place where the sign for the immediate flight publicly stands seem to support the assertion that the holy place in Matt 24:15 is Jerusalem. However, Matthew seems to emphasize, by adopting the holy place, that Jerusalem contains the temple. which is God's dwelling place.

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