Applications of quality management in language education

2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Heyworth
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Research Quality ◽  
Quality Inspection ◽  
Young Learners ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Key Aspects

This review examines applications of quality management (QM) in language education. QM approaches have been adapted from methodologies developed in industrial and commercial settings, and these are briefly described. Key aspects of QM in language education are the definition of purpose, descriptions of principles and practice, including various descriptive frameworks, and the place of reflective practice and action research. Quality descriptions for different aspects of language teaching – examinations and assessment, education for migrants, for young learners, in mainstream education – are summarised. There is an account of accreditation and recognition of language teaching institutions and a critical review of some of the contradictions and conflicts in the QM approach, such as those between accountability and trust, and between creativity and standardisation. The strengths and weaknesses of auditing and quality inspection methods are examined.

Workplace health in wellness – a study of Swedish spa-hotels

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-408
Author(s):  
Yvonne Lagrosen ◽  
Stefan Olof Lagrosen
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Research Quality ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Employee Survey ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Leadership ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Definition Of

PurposeIn previous research, quality management practices have been found to be related to better health for employees. Dimensions of health-promoting quality leadership have been defined. The purpose of this study was to identify dimensions of workplace health in the wellness industry and relate them to the dimensions of health-promoting quality leadership.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical study involving seven leading spa-hotels in Sweden has been carried out. The first part of the study consisted of quality cafés carried out at each of the hotels. The quality café is a novel method, which has the World Café-method as its basis, combined with quality management techniques. Based on the findings from the quality cafés, an employee survey was developed.FindingsThe findings from the study include a definition of five major health dimensions for the employees, namely, happiness, kinship, respect, physical health conditions and control. The dimensions were found to be statistically consistent and correlated with the self-reported health of the respondents.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are related to health promotion theory and the dimensions of health-promoting quality leadership. A framework for health leadership in the wellness industry is proposed. The study was only carried out in one country.Practical implicationsThe framework and the findings should be useful for managers, particularly in the wellness sector, when designing their operations and health promotion activities.Originality/valueWorkplace health in the wellness sector, which is growing worldwide, is very scarcely researched.

TBLT through the lens of applied linguistics

2016 ◽  
Vol 167 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Bygate
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Real World ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Applied Linguistics ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Research To Practice ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Real World Problems

Ever since the establishment in the 1940’s of the distinguished journal Language Learning, a significant proportion of research in applied linguistics has defined itself as aiming to address practical problems of language teaching. Given the definition of applied linguistics as ‘the theoretical and empirical study of real world problems in which language has a central role’ (after Brumfit, 2001), an ambition to relate its work to practical language teaching problems is appropriate. Task-based language teaching is a subarea of applied linguistics which deliberately aims to link research to practice. With this in mind, this paper will seek to evaluate the extent to which TBLT research has to date engaged with — and helped address — the real world problems of language education. It then attempts to derive some implications for future directions of TBLT research as a part of an empirical applied linguistics.

A Comparative Exploration of the Spiritual Authority of the Awliyā’ in the Shi‘i and Sufi Traditions

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-74
Author(s):  
Rebecca Masterton
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Critical Comparison ◽  
Spiritual Authority ◽  
Central Tenet ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Islamic Belief

This paper aims to engage in a critical comparison of the spiritual authority of the awliyā’ in the Shi‘i and Sufi traditions in order to examine an area of Islamic belief that remains unclearly defined. Similarities between Shi‘i and Sufi doctrine have long been noted, but little research has been conducted on how and why they developed. Taking a central tenet of both, walāyah, the paper discusses several of its key aspects as they appear recorded in Shi‘i ḥadīth collections and as they appear later in one of the earliest Sunni Sufi treatises. By extention, it seeks to explore the identity of the awliyā’ and their role in relation to the Twelve Imams. It also traces the reabsorption into Shi‘i culture of the Sufi definition of walāyah via two examples: the works of one branch of the Dhahabi order and those of Allamah Tabataba’i, a popular twentieth-century Iranian mystic and scholar.

scholarly journals A Critical Review of Computational Creativity in Built Environment Design

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Ning Gu ◽  
Peiman Amini Behbahani
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Contemporary Literature ◽  
Research Interest ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Computational Creativity ◽  
Environment Design ◽  
Supporting Tool ◽  
Definition Of

Computational creativity in built environment (BE) design has been a subject of research interest in the discipline. This paper presents a critical review of various ways computational creativity has been and can be defined and approached in BE design. The paper examines a comprehensive body of contemporary literature on the topics of creativity, computational creativity, and their assessment to identify levels of computational creativity. The paper then proceeds to a further review of the implications of these levels specifically in BE design. The paper identifies four areas in BE design where computational creativity is relevant. In two areas—synthesis (generation) and analysis—there is considerable literature on lower levels of computational creativity. However, in two other areas—interfacing and communication—even the definition of computational creativity is not as defined and clear for the discipline, and most works only consider the role of computers as a supporting tool or medium. These open up future research opportunities for the discipline.

scholarly journals Using Systems Thinking to Improve Tourism and Hospitality Research Quality and Relevance: A Critical Review and Conceptual Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-172
Author(s):  
Gianna Moscardo
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Problem Area ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Research Quality ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Tourism And Hospitality ◽  
Published Research

This paper argues that that much published tourism and hospitality research has had little influence on tourism or hospitality practice especially with regard to the problems of sustainability because of a failure to use systems thinking to guide research questions and approaches. This critical review and conceptual paper demonstrates how a systems thinking approach could be used to improve both the relevance of, and theoretical development in, tourism and hospitality research in the area of sustainability. This paper reviewed recent published research into tourism’s social impacts to demonstrate the power of taking a systems approach to map out the research problem area. It then critically reviewed the use of concepts from psychology in published research into guest engagement in sustainability programs in hospitality businesses to demonstrate the value of systems thinking for organising theoretical concepts. In both of the reviewed areas the overwhelming conclusion was that the majority of the research lacked both practical relevance and was based on inappropriate or deficient theoretical understanding.

scholarly journals Constraints on innovation in English language teaching in hinterland regions of China

2020 ◽  
pp. 136216882097985
Author(s):  
Neil Murray ◽  
Antony J. Liddicoat ◽  
Gavin Zhen ◽  
Penny Mosavian
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
English Language ◽  
Time Pressure ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Political Influence ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Chinese Government

Since the start of the twenty-first century, English has come to be seen by the Chinese government as a linchpin of its continued economic and political influence. Its resultant efforts to promote innovation in English language teaching align with the aspirations of a population, many of whom regard competency in English as a determiner of opportunity and success in their careers, and thus a vehicle through which to provide a good quality of life for themselves and their families. However, despite government-driven initiatives to improve English language education, change has been slow to materialize, especially outside of the main urban areas of Eastern China. Here, we report on a study that sought to explore the constraints governing attempts by teachers of English to innovate in universities located in some of the so-called ‘hinterland’ regions of Southwestern China. Key determinants that emerged, and which we discuss, included time pressure and competing priorities; scepticism towards new ideas; lack of investment in resources; the primacy of the textbook; students’ language proficiency; and opportunities for professional development. Together, these findings indicate the need for a change of culture if innovation is to be welcomed, both in principle and in practice, as a driver of positive change in the teaching of English in these universities. Teachers, their line managers, and university senior managers need to feel willing and able to engage freely in constructive and informed discourse, and in doing so consider recalibrating institutional priorities, thereby helping reconcile the pressures and tensions currently experienced by English language teachers and which impede progress.

Performance measurement for supply chain management and quality management integration

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 2130-2147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcio C. Machado ◽  
Renato Telles ◽  
Paulo Sampaio ◽  
Maciel M. Queiroz ◽  
Ana Cristina Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Key Aspects

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework for performance measurement (PM) for the integration of supply chain management (SCM) and quality management (QM). Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review on SCM and QM was conducted to develop key performance measures related to six areas of integration between QM and SCM: leadership; continuous improvement and innovation; sustainability performance; stakeholders; information system; and management and strategic planning. Findings Supported by the literature concerning to supply chain quality management (SCQM) integration, a set of nine propositions about performance measures, that contribute to the integration of SCQM, were developed. Originality/value This study contributes to QM practices within a supply chain environment from an integrated perspective. Additionally, the propositions have significant implications from both managerial and theoretical perspectives. This study also extends the concept of supply chain quality integration by focusing on key aspects of PM that may help to improve the overall performance of the supply chain.

INTERPRETATION IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES EDUCATION: PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-129
Author(s):  
Vera B. Tsarcova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Real World ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Foreign Language Education ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Personal Meanings ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Educational Potential

The article is devoted to one of the problems of foreign language education – the definition of the role of interpretation in preparing students of special (language) directions to participate in the dialogue of cultures. Interpretation is considered as a phenomenon and as a way of comprehending reality, which allows the subjects of the dialogue of cultures to reach mutual understanding. The main characteristic of interpretation, which is necessary for the purposes of foreign language education, is its psychological character. It is determined by the psychology of the author, the psychology of the work, as well as the psychology of the reader-interpreter. It is proved that the interpretation of a work of art, which has universal, historical and personal plans, has huge epistemological and axiological possibilities. They activate the entire educational potential of interperetation (educational, developmental, cognitive, and educational). Russian Russian poet A. A. Fet (1820–1892) uses the poem “Wir saßen am Fischerhaus” by the famous German poet and publicist Heinrich Hein (1797–1856) and the translation of this poem into Russian to illustrate the interpretation technology. The poem is considered as a space of personal meanings of the author. They are the ones that are subject to interpretation and bring the reader-interpreter back from the poet's world to the modern real world. And the real world is full of unexpected cultural facts, closely related to the content of the work of G. Heine, with distant Lapland and the life of modern lapps. Thus, interpretation is presented as an educational strategy. Together with the strategies of contextualization, philologization and argumentation, it ensures the achievement of the main goal of foreign language education – the creation of an individual who can act as a genuine subject of the dialogue of cultures. The article also emphasizes the importance of the teacher as the organizer of the educational process and the subject of the dialogue of cultures.

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