Pub Date : 2023-05-31DOI: 10.1108/heswbl-12-2022-0275
Rojalin Patri, Dhanya Manayath, Sanju Kaladharan
Purpose The future of management studies is invariably steering towards online and hybrid modes of course delivery. Therefore, assessing the effectiveness of online course delivery is exceptionally crucial. This study attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of online course delivery in management education involving the instructor, participant and technological component. This study contributes to the body of knowledge in three ways. First, the study proposes an approach to assess the effectiveness of online courses in management education. The study demonstrates this by taking a case study of a business school (B-school) in southern India. Second, the study identifies the shortcomings and areas that need improvement to enhance the overall effectiveness further. Third, the study outlines suggestive measures to improve the effectiveness of online course delivery by addressing technical, infrastructural, instructor and student behavioral components. Design/methodology/approach To accomplish the objectives, a case study approach has been adopted and fuzzy logic has been used as a methodology to assess the effectiveness of online course delivery in management education. Findings The findings suggest that instructors' use of cases and animation during online sessions, use of whiteboards, digital pens and other tools, attempts to draw participant's interest and the users' sense of belongingness in the online cohort, self-discipline and motivation from students' side, easy to use Learning Management System (LMS), audio-visual platforms, active electronic communication and training on the technical aspect of the online platform need to be improved to enhance the effectiveness of online course delivery further. The current effectiveness of online course delivery in the case of B-school was found to be “Fair,” which is average in relation to the effectiveness labels. Research limitations/implications This study doesn't investigate the factors that moderate the effectiveness of online course delivery and how the factors influence each other. Future research endeavors can be extended in this direction to enrich the body of knowledge with new insights. Apart from this, the results outlined in this study are about the status quo of the case B-school and can't be generalized. However, the methodology and approach can be adopted by other B-schools or higher educational institutes to measure the schools' and institutes' current level of effectiveness in online teaching. Originality/value So far, only a few studies have paid attention to the empirical assessment of the effectiveness of online course delivery consisting of engagement from the technical, instructor and participants' dimensions. This study proposes a novel approach to measure the level of effectiveness and identifies the shortfalls that impede good effectiveness in online course delivery.
{"title":"Fuzzy logic approach to assess the effectiveness of online course delivery in management education: a case of B-school from India","authors":"Rojalin Patri, Dhanya Manayath, Sanju Kaladharan","doi":"10.1108/heswbl-12-2022-0275","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-12-2022-0275","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose The future of management studies is invariably steering towards online and hybrid modes of course delivery. Therefore, assessing the effectiveness of online course delivery is exceptionally crucial. This study attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of online course delivery in management education involving the instructor, participant and technological component. This study contributes to the body of knowledge in three ways. First, the study proposes an approach to assess the effectiveness of online courses in management education. The study demonstrates this by taking a case study of a business school (B-school) in southern India. Second, the study identifies the shortcomings and areas that need improvement to enhance the overall effectiveness further. Third, the study outlines suggestive measures to improve the effectiveness of online course delivery by addressing technical, infrastructural, instructor and student behavioral components. Design/methodology/approach To accomplish the objectives, a case study approach has been adopted and fuzzy logic has been used as a methodology to assess the effectiveness of online course delivery in management education. Findings The findings suggest that instructors' use of cases and animation during online sessions, use of whiteboards, digital pens and other tools, attempts to draw participant's interest and the users' sense of belongingness in the online cohort, self-discipline and motivation from students' side, easy to use Learning Management System (LMS), audio-visual platforms, active electronic communication and training on the technical aspect of the online platform need to be improved to enhance the effectiveness of online course delivery further. The current effectiveness of online course delivery in the case of B-school was found to be “Fair,” which is average in relation to the effectiveness labels. Research limitations/implications This study doesn't investigate the factors that moderate the effectiveness of online course delivery and how the factors influence each other. Future research endeavors can be extended in this direction to enrich the body of knowledge with new insights. Apart from this, the results outlined in this study are about the status quo of the case B-school and can't be generalized. However, the methodology and approach can be adopted by other B-schools or higher educational institutes to measure the schools' and institutes' current level of effectiveness in online teaching. Originality/value So far, only a few studies have paid attention to the empirical assessment of the effectiveness of online course delivery consisting of engagement from the technical, instructor and participants' dimensions. This study proposes a novel approach to measure the level of effectiveness and identifies the shortfalls that impede good effectiveness in online course delivery.","PeriodicalId":45549,"journal":{"name":"Higher Education Skills and Work-based Learning","volume":"84 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135394941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-31DOI: 10.1108/heswbl-02-2023-0044
Helen Philippa Narelle Hughes, Maria Mouratidou, William E. Donald
Purpose Drawing on human capital theory and sustainable career theory, this paper aims to explore the impact of undertaking an industrial placement on the “Great Eight” competencies as perceived by university students and line managers. Design/methodology/approach 618 students and their line managers across three cohorts (pre-COVID-19) took part in a longitudinal quantitative study. Students completed a three-wave questionnaire at the placement's start, middle, and end. Line managers completed the questionnaire during waves two and three to offer 360-degree feedback. Descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA were applied to the dataset. Findings The impacts of undertaking a placement were highly variable for different competencies at the sub-scale level, although at the eight-scale level, the nuance was less pronounced. However, students self-perceived that all eight competencies increased between the start and end of the placement. Surprisingly, line managers perceived students' competencies to be higher than perceived by the students. Originality/value The value of undertaking a placement is often poorly measured (e.g. satisfaction) rather than competency-based outcomes, which can lead to conclusions that are overly simplistic and difficult to use in practice. Theoretically, this study advances understanding of human capital theory and sustainable career theory by understanding the role placements can play in developing human capital and preparing university students for sustainable careers. Practically, the findings of this study can help to close the university–industry skills gap by informing curriculum and placement scheme design and supporting students to acquire personal resources and signal these to prospective employers as an antecedent to career sustainability.
{"title":"Exploring the impact of an industrial placement year on students' competency development: a three-cohort, longitudinal study","authors":"Helen Philippa Narelle Hughes, Maria Mouratidou, William E. Donald","doi":"10.1108/heswbl-02-2023-0044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-02-2023-0044","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose Drawing on human capital theory and sustainable career theory, this paper aims to explore the impact of undertaking an industrial placement on the “Great Eight” competencies as perceived by university students and line managers. Design/methodology/approach 618 students and their line managers across three cohorts (pre-COVID-19) took part in a longitudinal quantitative study. Students completed a three-wave questionnaire at the placement's start, middle, and end. Line managers completed the questionnaire during waves two and three to offer 360-degree feedback. Descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA were applied to the dataset. Findings The impacts of undertaking a placement were highly variable for different competencies at the sub-scale level, although at the eight-scale level, the nuance was less pronounced. However, students self-perceived that all eight competencies increased between the start and end of the placement. Surprisingly, line managers perceived students' competencies to be higher than perceived by the students. Originality/value The value of undertaking a placement is often poorly measured (e.g. satisfaction) rather than competency-based outcomes, which can lead to conclusions that are overly simplistic and difficult to use in practice. Theoretically, this study advances understanding of human capital theory and sustainable career theory by understanding the role placements can play in developing human capital and preparing university students for sustainable careers. Practically, the findings of this study can help to close the university–industry skills gap by informing curriculum and placement scheme design and supporting students to acquire personal resources and signal these to prospective employers as an antecedent to career sustainability.","PeriodicalId":45549,"journal":{"name":"Higher Education Skills and Work-based Learning","volume":"30 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135394957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-30DOI: 10.1108/heswbl-12-2022-0286
Minghui Hou
PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine Chinese international students' narrative stories, experiences and racial dynamics while studying in the United States to argue that Chinese international students navigate multi-dimensional transitions and experiences in different stages. This study uses an AsianCrit lens to address the gap in existing research focusing on Chinese international students' narratives and experiences.Design/methodology/approachNarrative inquiry with a social constructivist paradigm was used to provide an in-depth exploration of Chinese international students' navigation and negotiation in multi-dimensional experiences. Three phases of semi-structured interviews and journal entries were utilized to examine participants' experiences and struggles while studying in the United States. Descriptive coding, deductive coding and restorying were used to analyze and feather narrators' voices and stories for interpretation.FindingsThe findings in this qualitative study demonstrate that Chinese international students have unique backgrounds, and their backgrounds shape their multi-dimensional transitions and experiences in the present and the future. The findings address students' nuanced experiences in academic transitions and non-academic transitions with an AsianCrit lens.Practical implicationsThe study calls for higher education institutions to promote intercultural and international training for faculty and staff to better understand and support the unique needs of international students.Originality/valueUsing Multiple and Multi-dimensional Transitions theory with an AsianCrit lens helps make sense of the intersection of international student status, geopolitical tensions, racial dynamics and international student experiences.
{"title":"AsianCrit lens on Chinese international student multi-dimensional transitions and experiences in the US","authors":"Minghui Hou","doi":"10.1108/heswbl-12-2022-0286","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-12-2022-0286","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine Chinese international students' narrative stories, experiences and racial dynamics while studying in the United States to argue that Chinese international students navigate multi-dimensional transitions and experiences in different stages. This study uses an AsianCrit lens to address the gap in existing research focusing on Chinese international students' narratives and experiences.Design/methodology/approachNarrative inquiry with a social constructivist paradigm was used to provide an in-depth exploration of Chinese international students' navigation and negotiation in multi-dimensional experiences. Three phases of semi-structured interviews and journal entries were utilized to examine participants' experiences and struggles while studying in the United States. Descriptive coding, deductive coding and restorying were used to analyze and feather narrators' voices and stories for interpretation.FindingsThe findings in this qualitative study demonstrate that Chinese international students have unique backgrounds, and their backgrounds shape their multi-dimensional transitions and experiences in the present and the future. The findings address students' nuanced experiences in academic transitions and non-academic transitions with an AsianCrit lens.Practical implicationsThe study calls for higher education institutions to promote intercultural and international training for faculty and staff to better understand and support the unique needs of international students.Originality/valueUsing Multiple and Multi-dimensional Transitions theory with an AsianCrit lens helps make sense of the intersection of international student status, geopolitical tensions, racial dynamics and international student experiences.","PeriodicalId":45549,"journal":{"name":"Higher Education Skills and Work-based Learning","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44858206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-26DOI: 10.1108/heswbl-11-2022-0251
L. Brammar
PurposeThis paper aims to explore a transdisciplinary approach to the careers and employability education of transnational education (TNE) students of higher education. It proposes that an approach which adopts three lenses of academic study, lived experience and career stage can provide maximum benefits to the TNE students' careers education, particularly in response to the modern workplace. The study aims illustrate the potential benefits of such an approach to multiple stakeholders within higher education.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a viewpoint approach drawing on higher education career service practitioner-based experience of using a specific approach to employability with TNE students studying with a large university based in the UK. Student evaluation data from this practice are referred to in the paper.FindingsThis paper provides insights into how this approach to employability was received by higher education TNE students who participated in a pilot project led by a higher education careers service, which adopted the three lenses approach.Originality/valueThis paper illustrates how a transdisciplinary approach to the careers and employability education of TNE students can be of significant value to the higher education students themselves, the institutions within which they study and the graduate recruiters looking to attract future employees for the workplaces of the future. It is hoped that by sharing this approach more stakeholders within the TNE and careers and employability communities within higher education will adopt a similar approach.
{"title":"A three lenses approach to employability: transdisciplinary approaches to TNE students' careers education","authors":"L. Brammar","doi":"10.1108/heswbl-11-2022-0251","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-11-2022-0251","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThis paper aims to explore a transdisciplinary approach to the careers and employability education of transnational education (TNE) students of higher education. It proposes that an approach which adopts three lenses of academic study, lived experience and career stage can provide maximum benefits to the TNE students' careers education, particularly in response to the modern workplace. The study aims illustrate the potential benefits of such an approach to multiple stakeholders within higher education.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a viewpoint approach drawing on higher education career service practitioner-based experience of using a specific approach to employability with TNE students studying with a large university based in the UK. Student evaluation data from this practice are referred to in the paper.FindingsThis paper provides insights into how this approach to employability was received by higher education TNE students who participated in a pilot project led by a higher education careers service, which adopted the three lenses approach.Originality/valueThis paper illustrates how a transdisciplinary approach to the careers and employability education of TNE students can be of significant value to the higher education students themselves, the institutions within which they study and the graduate recruiters looking to attract future employees for the workplaces of the future. It is hoped that by sharing this approach more stakeholders within the TNE and careers and employability communities within higher education will adopt a similar approach.","PeriodicalId":45549,"journal":{"name":"Higher Education Skills and Work-based Learning","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44521135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-22DOI: 10.1108/heswbl-03-2023-0076
Kriti Khanna, Jagwinder Singh Pandher, S. S. Bedi
PurposeThe present study has been carried out to study whether and how different aspects of brand management (brand identity, brand image and brand meaning) are instrumental in maintaining and enhancing attachment strength of students with higher education institutes (HEIs). Further, to understand what brand management aspect channels the impact of what branding driver on attachment strength in most effective manner.Design/methodology/approachThe study analysed combined mediating effects as well as specific mediating effects to test the mediating role of brand management aspects.FindingsThe study reveals that brand image plays highest mediating role among all aspects of brand management. HEIs need to enhance service quality because brand image carries the highest influence of service quality on attachment strength. Similarly, brand identity carries the highest influence of heritage on attachment strength. Brand meaning carries the highest influence of competence and reputation on attachment strength.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study, based on empirical research, has built the framework and mechanism for creating attachment strength utilising the intangible resources of HEIs through brand management. The present study examines how specific intangible resources exhibit varying influences on attachment strength via distinct brand management mediation effects.Practical implicationsThe present study provides framework for designing branding strategies to build and channelise necessary intangible resources of branding for nourishing and nurturing attachment strength.Originality/valueThe present study contributes to scarce branding literature in context of HEIs. The study proposes role of HEI branding in developing students' attachment strength with their HEIs.
{"title":"Building students' attachment strength with higher education institutes using intangible resources: role of institutional branding","authors":"Kriti Khanna, Jagwinder Singh Pandher, S. S. Bedi","doi":"10.1108/heswbl-03-2023-0076","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-03-2023-0076","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe present study has been carried out to study whether and how different aspects of brand management (brand identity, brand image and brand meaning) are instrumental in maintaining and enhancing attachment strength of students with higher education institutes (HEIs). Further, to understand what brand management aspect channels the impact of what branding driver on attachment strength in most effective manner.Design/methodology/approachThe study analysed combined mediating effects as well as specific mediating effects to test the mediating role of brand management aspects.FindingsThe study reveals that brand image plays highest mediating role among all aspects of brand management. HEIs need to enhance service quality because brand image carries the highest influence of service quality on attachment strength. Similarly, brand identity carries the highest influence of heritage on attachment strength. Brand meaning carries the highest influence of competence and reputation on attachment strength.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study, based on empirical research, has built the framework and mechanism for creating attachment strength utilising the intangible resources of HEIs through brand management. The present study examines how specific intangible resources exhibit varying influences on attachment strength via distinct brand management mediation effects.Practical implicationsThe present study provides framework for designing branding strategies to build and channelise necessary intangible resources of branding for nourishing and nurturing attachment strength.Originality/valueThe present study contributes to scarce branding literature in context of HEIs. The study proposes role of HEI branding in developing students' attachment strength with their HEIs.","PeriodicalId":45549,"journal":{"name":"Higher Education Skills and Work-based Learning","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41704690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-16DOI: 10.1108/heswbl-12-2022-0276
Chetan Prabhu, Mita Mehta
PurposeHigher education institutions aim for the holistic development of students to cope with the changing global context. The present study aims to devise a model of leadership development among higher education students by validating the model conceptually and testing it empirically. Attributes of Spiritual Intelligence (SI) are empirically evaluated for leadership development post its conceptual validation.Design/methodology/approachThis article examined current theoretical frameworks and gaps in the literature. A total of 810 students were approached from Indian Higher education institutions for study. Data has been examined using the exploratory and then confirmatory factor analysis techniques to check the validity and reliability of the measuring instrument.FindingsThe empirical findings confirm that the eight new spiritual intelligence attributes defined and validated through this study can have a significant impact on the leadership development of higher education students.Practical implicationsEducational researchers have often found the construct of spiritual intelligence challenging to comprehend and implement in higher education institutions. The present study findings can be of great value to higher education institutions that will recognize the importance of spiritual values in holistic development including leadership development.Originality/valueThis paper initiates and validate a universal set of attributes of spiritual intelligence in the higher education domain that can be useful for leadership development. The uniqueness of this paper lies in the fact that the eight new attributes of SI defined are easy to comprehend and practical to use in daily academic life, and can be used by HEIs students irrespective of their spiritual beliefs. A validated model at one university could be replicated at other universities in India and around the world, not only for students but also for educators and administrators as well.
{"title":"A new validated model of leadership development in higher education; empirical assessment using universal attributes of spiritual intelligence","authors":"Chetan Prabhu, Mita Mehta","doi":"10.1108/heswbl-12-2022-0276","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-12-2022-0276","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeHigher education institutions aim for the holistic development of students to cope with the changing global context. The present study aims to devise a model of leadership development among higher education students by validating the model conceptually and testing it empirically. Attributes of Spiritual Intelligence (SI) are empirically evaluated for leadership development post its conceptual validation.Design/methodology/approachThis article examined current theoretical frameworks and gaps in the literature. A total of 810 students were approached from Indian Higher education institutions for study. Data has been examined using the exploratory and then confirmatory factor analysis techniques to check the validity and reliability of the measuring instrument.FindingsThe empirical findings confirm that the eight new spiritual intelligence attributes defined and validated through this study can have a significant impact on the leadership development of higher education students.Practical implicationsEducational researchers have often found the construct of spiritual intelligence challenging to comprehend and implement in higher education institutions. The present study findings can be of great value to higher education institutions that will recognize the importance of spiritual values in holistic development including leadership development.Originality/valueThis paper initiates and validate a universal set of attributes of spiritual intelligence in the higher education domain that can be useful for leadership development. The uniqueness of this paper lies in the fact that the eight new attributes of SI defined are easy to comprehend and practical to use in daily academic life, and can be used by HEIs students irrespective of their spiritual beliefs. A validated model at one university could be replicated at other universities in India and around the world, not only for students but also for educators and administrators as well.","PeriodicalId":45549,"journal":{"name":"Higher Education Skills and Work-based Learning","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48659289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-16DOI: 10.1108/heswbl-04-2023-0085
H. Baber, V. Deepa, Hamzah Elrehail, M. Poulin, F. Mir
PurposeAs learning at the workplace is predominantly self-motivated, this study is aimed to identify and categorize the motivational drivers for working professionals to pursue self-directed learning (SDL) at the workplace.Design/methodology/approachA total of 23 variables were identified as drivers for working professionals to initiate, pursue and sustain self-directed learning at the workplace through literature review, interviews and focused group discussions with senior leaders from the industry. The participants were a mix of senior professionals responsible for leading large teams in their organizations and those appointed as people development leaders in their respective organizations. A questionnaire was developed based on the identified drivers and administered online. Around 315 working professionals were surveyed. Structural equation modelling and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) methods were used to verify the scale and assess its validity and reliability.FindingsThe results suggested that SDL motivational drivers for working professionals can be categorized into two broad categories, namely extrinsic (14 drivers) and intrinsic (9 drivers). Further, extrinsic drivers were subdivided into three categories: job expectations (6 drivers), negative consequence (2 drivers) and positive reinforcement (6 drivers) based on the initial exploratory and subsequent confirmatory analysis. The results suggest that job expectations and positive reinforcement positively influence the intrinsic motivation of an individual to pursue SDL and negative consequences negatively impact the intrinsic motivation.Practical implicationsThe findings from the study will be useful for human resource practitioners, managers and e-Learning companies to draw strategies for building an SDL culture. It also supports the advancement of research in adult education and learning in the workplace.Originality/valueA new scale to measure motivation for SDL by employees at the workplace is proposed. There are no scales available to measure employee motivation for pursuing SDL at the workplace to the best of our knowledge.
{"title":"Self-directed learning motivational drivers of working professionals: confirmatory factor models","authors":"H. Baber, V. Deepa, Hamzah Elrehail, M. Poulin, F. Mir","doi":"10.1108/heswbl-04-2023-0085","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-04-2023-0085","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeAs learning at the workplace is predominantly self-motivated, this study is aimed to identify and categorize the motivational drivers for working professionals to pursue self-directed learning (SDL) at the workplace.Design/methodology/approachA total of 23 variables were identified as drivers for working professionals to initiate, pursue and sustain self-directed learning at the workplace through literature review, interviews and focused group discussions with senior leaders from the industry. The participants were a mix of senior professionals responsible for leading large teams in their organizations and those appointed as people development leaders in their respective organizations. A questionnaire was developed based on the identified drivers and administered online. Around 315 working professionals were surveyed. Structural equation modelling and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) methods were used to verify the scale and assess its validity and reliability.FindingsThe results suggested that SDL motivational drivers for working professionals can be categorized into two broad categories, namely extrinsic (14 drivers) and intrinsic (9 drivers). Further, extrinsic drivers were subdivided into three categories: job expectations (6 drivers), negative consequence (2 drivers) and positive reinforcement (6 drivers) based on the initial exploratory and subsequent confirmatory analysis. The results suggest that job expectations and positive reinforcement positively influence the intrinsic motivation of an individual to pursue SDL and negative consequences negatively impact the intrinsic motivation.Practical implicationsThe findings from the study will be useful for human resource practitioners, managers and e-Learning companies to draw strategies for building an SDL culture. It also supports the advancement of research in adult education and learning in the workplace.Originality/valueA new scale to measure motivation for SDL by employees at the workplace is proposed. There are no scales available to measure employee motivation for pursuing SDL at the workplace to the best of our knowledge.","PeriodicalId":45549,"journal":{"name":"Higher Education Skills and Work-based Learning","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48837044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-11DOI: 10.1108/heswbl-01-2023-0017
Haijun Kang
PurposeThis research aimed to examine the current status of artificial intelligence's (AI's) integration into Chinese adult education, by analyzing the influences that AI has had on current adult education practices in China and by discussing the opportunities and challenges that adult education in China is faced with under the rapid AI development in the past 12 years.Design/methodology/approachThis research employed systematic literature analysis. CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) Chinese Journals Full-text Database was used to collect scholarly publications on the use of AI in adult education in China that was published in the past decade. Data analysis included the following steps: identifying key words and phrases, detecting underlying meanings, searching for logical connections and relationships, collecting and connecting evidence to the research questions, and drawing logical and credible conclusions.FindingsThe findings indicated that AI has been gradually integrated into Chinese adult education through innovations and explorations and AI's influence is broad and profound. More specifically, the following five main themes were identified. The field's understanding of AI technology and AI's influence on adult education has evolved and become more comprehensive; AI challenges traditional Chinese adult education practices by helping to actualize personalized learning and precision education; AI transforms adult learning resource development; AI helps to turn learning environment into an open intelligent learning system; and lastly, AI urges the shift of adult educator's role in adult learning.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is not without limitations. Contextualized in China, this study shares the limitations with other single country studies. One such limitation is “cumulation” issue. This study should be replicated in other country contexts to further validate the generalizability of the five main themes identified in this research.Practical implicationsThe five themes identified in this study can help understand the promises and challenges that AI brings to the field of adult education in China. These five themes can also serve as an integrated lens through which one can make sense of AI's integration into other countries' adult education practices.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills an identified need of understanding the current status of AI's integration into and influence on the field of adult education in China.
{"title":"Artificial intelligence and its influence in adult learning in China","authors":"Haijun Kang","doi":"10.1108/heswbl-01-2023-0017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-01-2023-0017","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThis research aimed to examine the current status of artificial intelligence's (AI's) integration into Chinese adult education, by analyzing the influences that AI has had on current adult education practices in China and by discussing the opportunities and challenges that adult education in China is faced with under the rapid AI development in the past 12 years.Design/methodology/approachThis research employed systematic literature analysis. CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) Chinese Journals Full-text Database was used to collect scholarly publications on the use of AI in adult education in China that was published in the past decade. Data analysis included the following steps: identifying key words and phrases, detecting underlying meanings, searching for logical connections and relationships, collecting and connecting evidence to the research questions, and drawing logical and credible conclusions.FindingsThe findings indicated that AI has been gradually integrated into Chinese adult education through innovations and explorations and AI's influence is broad and profound. More specifically, the following five main themes were identified. The field's understanding of AI technology and AI's influence on adult education has evolved and become more comprehensive; AI challenges traditional Chinese adult education practices by helping to actualize personalized learning and precision education; AI transforms adult learning resource development; AI helps to turn learning environment into an open intelligent learning system; and lastly, AI urges the shift of adult educator's role in adult learning.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is not without limitations. Contextualized in China, this study shares the limitations with other single country studies. One such limitation is “cumulation” issue. This study should be replicated in other country contexts to further validate the generalizability of the five main themes identified in this research.Practical implicationsThe five themes identified in this study can help understand the promises and challenges that AI brings to the field of adult education in China. These five themes can also serve as an integrated lens through which one can make sense of AI's integration into other countries' adult education practices.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills an identified need of understanding the current status of AI's integration into and influence on the field of adult education in China.","PeriodicalId":45549,"journal":{"name":"Higher Education Skills and Work-based Learning","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47884388","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-10DOI: 10.1108/heswbl-12-2022-0288
Joshua Sarpong
PurposeIn recent times, universities have been faced with the challenge of implementing neoliberal ideas as a survival tactic. For instance, there is increasing pressure on academics globally to publish because of performance funding and other metrics like global rankings, which consider where and how much academics publish. This study explores how neoliberalism in higher education has influenced the academic profession.Design/methodology/approachThe study used two New Zealand universities as case studies to understand how the universities' academics respond to government formula for allocating public funding to universities and also how the universities respond to the changing higher education system in New Zealand. In total, 21 academics were interviewed and documents such as the strategic plans of the universities; policies, guidelines and procedures; Tertiary Education Union reports and media reports were analysed.FindingsThe study finds that neoliberal practices could lead to occupational stress that comes with the pressure to publish, increased teaching workload and casualisation of the academic job, especially amongst emerging academics.Originality/valueWhilst the topic is not entirely original, this study is pertinent and offers the following advice to stakeholders. A university's success is a function of its academics, and academics perform at an exceptional level because academics want to, not because academics are being made to. Unless governments and universities address the intense competition that results from funding allocation procedures, the less well-off academics will fail and some will be forced to compromise the duties that academics have. A collaborative and collegial higher education system that focuses on serving the public good can be an alternative.
{"title":"Performance funding and the academic profession: a New Zealand case study","authors":"Joshua Sarpong","doi":"10.1108/heswbl-12-2022-0288","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-12-2022-0288","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeIn recent times, universities have been faced with the challenge of implementing neoliberal ideas as a survival tactic. For instance, there is increasing pressure on academics globally to publish because of performance funding and other metrics like global rankings, which consider where and how much academics publish. This study explores how neoliberalism in higher education has influenced the academic profession.Design/methodology/approachThe study used two New Zealand universities as case studies to understand how the universities' academics respond to government formula for allocating public funding to universities and also how the universities respond to the changing higher education system in New Zealand. In total, 21 academics were interviewed and documents such as the strategic plans of the universities; policies, guidelines and procedures; Tertiary Education Union reports and media reports were analysed.FindingsThe study finds that neoliberal practices could lead to occupational stress that comes with the pressure to publish, increased teaching workload and casualisation of the academic job, especially amongst emerging academics.Originality/valueWhilst the topic is not entirely original, this study is pertinent and offers the following advice to stakeholders. A university's success is a function of its academics, and academics perform at an exceptional level because academics want to, not because academics are being made to. Unless governments and universities address the intense competition that results from funding allocation procedures, the less well-off academics will fail and some will be forced to compromise the duties that academics have. A collaborative and collegial higher education system that focuses on serving the public good can be an alternative.","PeriodicalId":45549,"journal":{"name":"Higher Education Skills and Work-based Learning","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46195291","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-09DOI: 10.1108/heswbl-12-2022-0274
Saiful Ahmad Masrani, Mohd Rushidi Mohd Amin, Vinesh Maran Sivakumaran, S. Piaralal
PurposeThe aim of this study is to explore and establish the relationships between justice dimensions, expectation-confirmation model (ECM) and continuance intention and also to examine the mediating effect of learners’ satisfaction and perceived usefulness toward continuance intentions of the university learning management system (LMS) within open and distance learning (ODL) context.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional research design was used, and the data were collected from a sample of 366 respondents utilizing the online survey questionnaire approach. Hypotheses were tested using the partial least square (PLS) SEM technique.FindingsThe findings reveal that justice dimensions (distributive, procedural, interpersonal and informational justice) have a significant relationship with learners’ satisfaction. Performance confirmation have significant relationship with learners’ satisfaction and perceived usefulness. Perceived usefulness has a direct significant relationship toward learners’ satisfaction, and learners’ satisfaction has a direct significant relationship toward continuance intention. For mediation analysis, learners’ satisfaction was found to have a mediation effect in the relationship between the justice dimensions and continuance intention. Learners’ satisfaction was also found to have a mediation effect on the relationship between performance conformation and continuance intention. However, learners’ satisfaction was found not to have a mediation effect on the relationship between perceived usefulness and continuance intention, and perceived usefulness does not have a mediation effect in the relationship of performance confirmation and learners’ satisfaction.Originality/valueThis study advances knowledge and provides valuable insights to practitioners and academic scholars to have a better understanding of the effective attributes of the university LMS, and also to maximize the revenues and the sustainability of the institutions in long term, especially in the 21st century.
{"title":"Important factors in measuring learners' satisfaction and continuance intention in open and distance learning (ODL) institutions","authors":"Saiful Ahmad Masrani, Mohd Rushidi Mohd Amin, Vinesh Maran Sivakumaran, S. Piaralal","doi":"10.1108/heswbl-12-2022-0274","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-12-2022-0274","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe aim of this study is to explore and establish the relationships between justice dimensions, expectation-confirmation model (ECM) and continuance intention and also to examine the mediating effect of learners’ satisfaction and perceived usefulness toward continuance intentions of the university learning management system (LMS) within open and distance learning (ODL) context.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional research design was used, and the data were collected from a sample of 366 respondents utilizing the online survey questionnaire approach. Hypotheses were tested using the partial least square (PLS) SEM technique.FindingsThe findings reveal that justice dimensions (distributive, procedural, interpersonal and informational justice) have a significant relationship with learners’ satisfaction. Performance confirmation have significant relationship with learners’ satisfaction and perceived usefulness. Perceived usefulness has a direct significant relationship toward learners’ satisfaction, and learners’ satisfaction has a direct significant relationship toward continuance intention. For mediation analysis, learners’ satisfaction was found to have a mediation effect in the relationship between the justice dimensions and continuance intention. Learners’ satisfaction was also found to have a mediation effect on the relationship between performance conformation and continuance intention. However, learners’ satisfaction was found not to have a mediation effect on the relationship between perceived usefulness and continuance intention, and perceived usefulness does not have a mediation effect in the relationship of performance confirmation and learners’ satisfaction.Originality/valueThis study advances knowledge and provides valuable insights to practitioners and academic scholars to have a better understanding of the effective attributes of the university LMS, and also to maximize the revenues and the sustainability of the institutions in long term, especially in the 21st century.","PeriodicalId":45549,"journal":{"name":"Higher Education Skills and Work-based Learning","volume":"21 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41278571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}