scholarly journals Business as usual? Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to research, development and innovation (RDI) activities of universities of applied sciences

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Salomaa ◽  
Andrea Caputo
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Binary Data ◽  
Academic Entrepreneurship ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Research Development ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Positive Balance ◽  
Universities Of Applied Sciences ◽  
The Impact

AbstractUniversities of applied sciences (UAS) have a strong mandate to carry out research, development and innovation (RDI) activities in collaboration with local stakeholders. Geographical proximity is one of the key factors for the creation and success of RDI activities because of the positive balance between costs and benefits of local knowledge transfer, but they also depend on the networks of individual staff members. This paper aims to explore how maintaining and developing purpose-built and individual RDI partnerships during the COVID-19 pandemic has been managed. An enhanced conceptual framework for assessing contextual dimensions of the RDI activities beyond academic entrepreneurship as business ventures has been developed. The paper focuses on a single case study drawing on semi-structured research interviews investigating how the swap to remote working have affected RDI activities at Tampere University of Applied Sciences, one of the biggest UAS in Finland with intense regional linkages. The contribution of the study is twofold; firstly, the paper introduces an expanded theoretical approach for assessing the external and internal factors having an impact on the RDI activities beyond academic entrepreneurship. Secondly, by testing the proposed framework, it shares insights and good practices derived from empirical evidence, namely binary data and semi-structured interviews revealing experiences of RDI personnel and project managers involved with different phases of RDI process, for optimising high-quality innovation support, knowledge transfer activities and co-creation of new knowledge in exceptional circumstances.

Three stages of entrepreneurial orientation: the founder’s role

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torbjörn Ljungkvist ◽  
Börje Boers ◽  
Joachim Samuelsson
Keyword(s):  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the development of the five dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) over time by taking a founder’s perspective. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on an in-depth single-case study. It combines semi-structured interviews in the company with archival data, such as annual reports, press clips and interviews in business magazines. Findings The results indicate that the EO dimensions change from being personalized and directly solution-oriented to being intangible value-creation-oriented. Originality/value By suggesting ownership-based EO configurations, this study contributes insights into how different ownership forms propel EO. These configurations – that is, personal, administrative based and intangible focused – show the impact of the EO dimensions and provide a systematic and theoretical understanding of EO change over time.

scholarly journals Implementing and measuring person-centredness using an APP for knowledge transfer: the iMPAKT app

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 251-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya McCance ◽  
Brighide M Lynch ◽  
Christine Boomer ◽  
Donna Brown ◽  
Christopher Nugent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Patient Experience ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Key Performance Indicators ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Evaluation Approach ◽  
Experience Of Care ◽  
Measurement Framework ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate a technological solution in the form of an App to implement and measure person-centredness in nursing. The focus was to enhance the knowledge transfer of a set of person-centred key performance indicators and the corresponding measurement framework used to inform improvements in the experience of care. Design The study used an evaluation approach derived from the work of the Medical Research Council to assess the feasibility of the App and establish the degree to which the App was meeting the aims set out in the development phase. Evaluation data were collected using focus groups (n = 7) and semi-structured interviews (n = 7) to capture the impact of processes experienced by participating sites. Setting The study was conducted in the UK and Australia in two organizations, across 11 participating sites. Participants 22 nurses from 11 sites in two large health care organizations were recruited on a voluntary basis. Intervention Implementing the KPIs and measurement framework via the APP through two cycles of data collection. Main Outcome Measures The main outcome was to establish feasibility in the use of the App. Results The majority of nurse/midwife participants found the App easy to use. There was broad consensus that the App was an effective method to measure the patient experience and generated clear, concise reports in real time. Conclusions The implementation of the person-centred key performance indicators using the App enhanced the generation of meaningful data to evidence patient experience across a range of different clinical settings.

Internal communication education in universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bram Hendrawan ◽  
Marjon Elshof ◽  
Lisanne Verkuil
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Public Relations ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Internal Communication ◽  
The State ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Knowledge ◽  
Universities Of Applied Sciences

PurposeA growing body of scholarly research focuses on internal communication (IC), which, over the past decade, has become an important specialisation within the field of communication. However, little scholarly attention has been paid to IC education, resulting in a lack of academic knowledge about the state of IC education. This paper focuses on investigating IC education in communication studies curricula at Dutch universities of applied sciences.Design/methodology/approachUsing a combination of content analysis of IC modules in Bachelor of Communication programmes (n = 19) and qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with IC educators (n = 8), this article sheds lights on the contours of IC education and its relationship with practice.FindingsEducation has become an integral part of the IC profession in the Netherlands. The analysis shows that while the modules address some important topics found in the literature on IC, there are some gaps. In regard to knowledge topics, the modules reflect broader trends in IC by addressing important topics like change management, internal branding and digitalisation. However, there is a gap in the competencies in the modules and what is considered important in the literature.Practical implicationsThe findings can help educators improve the quality of their curriculum. For IC practitioners, professional associations in particular, this paper provides insight into the state of education of future IC professionalsOriginality/valueStudies that look at the education of communication professionals have focused mainly on the field of public relations. This paper reports on the first empirical study to investigate the state of IC education in the context of higher education.

scholarly journals Information literacy outreach between universities and schools

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Sharon Wagg ◽  
Pam McKinney
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Situational Analysis ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The North ◽  
Outreach Programme ◽  
The Impact

Research shows that students starting higher education (HE) often lack an essential level of information literacy (IL). To address this issue, a growing number of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) engage with schools through Information Literacy Outreach Programmes (ILOPs). This paper explores the forces and motivations behind how and why HEIs engage with schools through ILOPs, and discusses their impact on beneficiaries. Using a UK research-led university in the North of England as a single case study (hitherto XXXX), this research project adopted a qualitative case study approach and used Situational Analysis to explore and analyse the data collected. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with key staff that participated in the IL outreach programme, and a model was developed to illustrate diagrammatically the key outcomes and phases of the IL Outreach Programme. Key findings revealed that the IL Outreach Programme at XXXX is an effective mechanism for bridging the social worlds of schools and HE; for creating partnerships and knowledge sharing between institutions; for breaking down social barriers and inequalities; and for developing critically aware, independent learners. The significance of this paper is that it helps us understand the impact of IL outreach programmes, and how such programmes provide schools and HEIs with an opportunity to work collaboratively and share knowledge and best practice. It also provides a valuable addition to IL literature.

scholarly journals Sustainability Issues in the Traditional Cashmere Supply Chain: Empirical Evidence from Kashmir, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10359
Author(s):  
Sheikh I. Ishrat ◽  
Nigel P. Grigg ◽  
Carel N. Bezuidenhout ◽  
Nihal P. Jayamaha
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Industry Standards ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Manual Skills ◽  
Craft Industry ◽  
The Impact

Considering the emerging global markets for the consumption of cashmere products, current sustainability issues prevailing in the traditional cashmere industry are explored in this study. To get a deeper understanding of the sustainability concerns in the cashmere industry, it is important to understand the cashmere supply chain operations to uncover the key sustainability issues prevalent in the present-day traditional cashmere industry. For this, a single case study was conducted in Kashmir, India using qualitative approaches. Data collection was carried out using semi-structured interviews, observations, cashmere retailer websites and documentary evidence. Due to the impact of mechanization and lack of industry standards, the research findings indicate deteriorating socio-economic conditions of the artisans; especially, women spinners and weavers. Mechanization promotes economic sustainability for the manufacturers and retailers which helps them strengthen their market base. However, with this, artisan communities are rendered jobless who are dependent on their manual skills for sustenance as they have limited alternate revenue generation options. Moreover, the lack of motivation among the artisans to use institutional support further escalates sustainability concerns in the traditional craft industry.

scholarly journals The Development of Funding Schemes at Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences

2021 ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Anne Eskola ◽  
◽  
Shab Hundal
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
The State ◽  
Causal Connections ◽  
Performance Based Funding ◽  
Universities Of Applied Sciences ◽  
Funding Scheme ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Study Offer ◽  
A Performance

This article examines the development of funding schemes at Finnish universities of applied sciences (UASs) between 2012 and 2018. During that period, the rudiments of the financing of Finnish UASs changed from cost-based to performance-based funding schemes. In a performance-based funding scheme, the state allocates funding based on the achievement of predefined objectives. The reform was intended to improve the processes and structures of UASs and to increase their effectiveness. This study explores the development of funding schemes from simple cost-based funding schemes towards more complex performance-based funding schemes with many indicators of performance. The results of the study offer empirical evidence on the impact of funding schemes on the measures of the performance of UASs, interpretations of the research object in context and causal connections between the above-mentioned elements.

Institutional determinants of e-HRM diffusion success

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 354-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf Burbach ◽  
Tony Royle
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Technology Implementation ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Institutional Factors ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hrm Practices ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – Drawing on institutional theory and existing international business practice transfer and e-HRM models this paper develops an e-HRM diffusion model to ascertain the institutional factors that determine the successful diffusion of e-HRM practices in multinational corporations (MNC). The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on the analysis of 25 semi-structured interviews with 15 key stakeholders in the German and Irish subsidiaries of a single US-based MNC as well as two interviews with a senior manager in one of its main competitors. Findings – The findings suggest that the successful transfer of e-HRM is mediated by an interchange of various institutional-level factors (external, relational, organizational and individual) within the corporation and its subsidiaries. Successful implementation of e-HRM is synonymous with the successful integration and institutionalization of e-HRM practices in the subsidiaries. Research limitations/implications – As this analysis is founded upon a single case study, it is difficult to make assumptions concerning the broad population of all MNC and their subsidiaries. Further research may be required to test the model and the findings presented in this paper. Practical implications – The findings and the model presented in this paper demonstrate the impact of the institutional context and of key success factors of technology implementation on e-HRM diffusion success. These findings may be of particular relevance to organizations and practitioners who are embarking on an e-HRM installation in an international context. Originality/value – This paper enriches the e-HRM and international management debate by identifying the key institutional factors impacting the diffusion of e-HRM practices in the subsidiaries of an MNC. In addition, the model put forward in the paper shows how these factors interact and how successful e-HRM diffusion can be characterized.

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