Integrating community engagement with management education

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 579-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwang-Sing Ngui ◽  
Mung-Ling Voon ◽  
Miin-Huui Lee
Keyword(s):  
Service Learning ◽  
Transformative Learning ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Reflective Learning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Service Learning ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of an academic service learning course in a foreign university branch campus in Malaysia, and its outcomes in terms of student learning. Drawing on the transformative learning theory and case study research, it discusses three forms of learning that characterise the students’ experience, namely, instrumental, dialogic and self-reflective. Design/methodology/approach A case study of the Social Innovation Internship course at the Sarawak campus of Swinburne University of Technology was conducted. The case study draws on self-reported data gathered from the logbook entries of 60 students who enrolled in the course in 2015. Findings Thematic analysis of the data indicates that instrumental, dialogic and self-reflective learning are reflected in the students’ descriptions of learning about the community partners, the challenges in running a social enterprise, managing diversity and discovering the values and beliefs that shape one’s perceptions and identity. Originality/value The findings from the study add to the growing body of research on the impact of academic service learning on various stakeholders as well as on managing course activities in order to fulfil learning objectives. The case study confirms that service learning is an appropriate model for university-community engagement that generates mutually beneficial outcomes for the partners. In particular, it demonstrates how the service learning experience provides students with the opportunities to engage in instrumental, dialogic and self-reflective learning.

scholarly journals An unlikely hero? Challenging stigma through community engagement

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Best
Keyword(s):  
Social Identity ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Community ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Meaningful Activity ◽  
Identity Model ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a high-profile social enterprise in Blackpool, England, called Jobs, Friends and Houses (JFH) that has created a visible social identity of recovery and meaningful activity, to assess how stigma is challenged through active and visible community engagement. Design/methodology/approach – Case study based on in-depth individual interview and focus group, supplemented by participant in-depth interviews. Findings – The paper describes one particular incident in which a worker at JFH intervened in a violent attack, possibly saving a woman’s life. The paper describes the experiences of internalised stigma and external exclusion being challenged by the development of a positive social identity and a pro-social community role that has high visibility. Data are presented showing the strong social identity experienced by participants and recognised by external stakeholders. Research limitations/implications – This is a pilot study which uses an opportunistic design and much stronger longitudinal designs will be needed to address the issues raised in the paper. Social implications – The paper argues that the visibility of the pro-social identity has been central to challenging stereotypes and discriminating attitudes and suggests that a social identity approach may be central to generating and sustaining a recovery community and to confronting and reversing long-held stigmatised attitudes. Originality/value – The paper is important as it discusses the impact of recovery through engagement in meaningful activities that challenge stigma and exclusion through work. The paper is framed in terms of a social identity model of recovery.

Digital manufacturing applicability of a laser sintered component for automotive industry: a case study

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1203-1211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iñigo Flores Ituarte ◽  
Sergei Chekurov ◽  
Jukka Tuomi ◽  
Julien Etienne Mascolo ◽  
Alessandro Zanella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Life ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Polymer Materials ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mass Customisation ◽  
Study Research ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Additive manufacturing requires a systemic approach to help industry on technology applicability research. Towards this end, the purpose of this research is to help manufacturing business leaders decide whether digitalised manufacturing based on additive manufacturing are suitable for engineering applications and help them plan technology transfer decisions. Design/methodology/approach The methodology is based on case study research and action research, involving a mix of quantitative and qualitative research methods. The empirical part involved the study of the fatigue life of industrial component manufactured by laser sintering as well as a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to define a strategic decision-making. Findings Laser-sintered plastic materials are suitable in end use automotive applications, especially when there are multiple product variations. Fatigue life of the tested coupling meets the design requirements. Additionally, production of mechanical parts can be substituted by additive methods while digitalising the manufacturing process to gain productivity, especially when there is a need for mass-customisation. Research limitations/implications This research relies on a single case study research. The application used is unique and its technical empirical data cannot be transferred directly to other applications. Practical implications Industry practitioners can use this research to shed light on technology transferability challenges considering technical feasibility of additive polymer materials, economic aspects as well as strategic implications for implementing digitalised manufacturing methods based on additive manufacturing. Originality/value This research presents a combined study of technical and strategic factors for additive manufacturing transferability using an industrial mass-customisation case as an example. In addition, a new cost comparison model is presented including the impact of geometry variations.

scholarly journals The impact of private label foods on supply chain governance

2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (7) ◽  
pp. 1106-1127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilias P. Vlachos
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Consumer Satisfaction ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Private Label ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Governance ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the introduction of private label (PL) foods upon the governance of the food supply chains. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a multi-case study research examining the launch and development of PL cheeses in four large national-wide retail chains. The paper focused on the category of Products of Designated Origin (PDO) cheeses, including the popular feta cheese. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews and secondary sources of information. Data analysis involved single-case and within-case analyses. Findings – There is a strong motive to launch and develop PL cheeses due to increasing consumer demand. Retailers choose suppliers based on criteria such as: compliance to quality assurance standards, modernisation of processing facilities, implementation of legislation, credibility, experience, and reputation. Retailers use contracts and prefer small suppliers than medium-sized companies. Supply chain governance turns from market to hierarchy status, which performs better in terms of supply chain cost, food quality, and consumer satisfaction. The structure of food industry is also affected by pressure put on medium-sized food companies. Research limitations/implications – The paper is based on a multiple case study design that does not provide static generalisations, yet it offers a stepping stone to building new theory about supply chain governance, how it evolves and its effects on supply chain performance. Practical implications – The introduction of PL cheeses favours small and dynamic cheese processing units willing to adopt retailer standards and prices over larger units, which poses a real threat to the survival of regional-wide food companies. Originality/value – Few studies have examined how supply chain governance evolves and what triggers a change in governance structures.

Managers’ psychic distance and its impact on Chinese FDI to Germany in the environmental industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katiuscia Vaccarini ◽  
Christoph Lattemann ◽  
Francesca Spigarelli ◽  
Ernesto Tavoletti
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Psychic Distance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Environmental Industry ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, to analyze the impact of Chinese managers’ psychic distance (PD) with Germany on their businesses; and second, to investigate whether managers’ previous experiences affect their PD. Design/methodology/approach A multiple case study research design is adopted. It is based on six Chinese companies that have recently entered Germany through FDI. Findings PD influences the decision making of Chinese FDI to Germany, it has an impact on Chinese businesses in Germany on 4 out of 12 dimensions, namely, legal, political, cultural aspects as well as language. Managers with no international experience (study, work, foreign investment practice) perceive a higher impact of PD dimensions on business with the host country, whereas the opposite is true for experienced ones. Originality/value While extensive research has been conducted on the PD construct under the point of view of the differences between the home and host country’s characteristics, this paper sheds lights on the impact of pre- and post- periods of investment, as well as over international experiences of managers investing abroad. It examines the environmental industry for Chinese FDI to Germany.

Role of leadership and participation

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-256
Author(s):  
Rita M. Gallardo
Keyword(s):  
Social Innovation ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Leadership Qualities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovation Leadership ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer pointers to local government executives on the qualities of leadership that drive social innovation (SI) as well as locate the roles of leadership and participation in the output and outcome of SI. Further, the findings of the study can hopefully contribute to the discourse on leadership for a sustainable future. Design/methodology/approach The purpose of the study was to highlight the forms of participation among the actors in the different stages of SI, the qualities of the leaders that drove SI and the roles of leadership and participation in the output and outcome of SI. To answer the research questions, the researcher applied the case study research design and employed the grounded theory approach for data analysis and interpretation. Findings The cases showed leadership that encourages, as leadership qualities of the governors. These were manifested in terms of being empowering, giving the freehand, being goal-oriented, resource mobilizer, consultative and practicing both bottom-up and top-bottom approaches to make sure that the outputs are achieved, as well as having the qualities of a supportive leader. The cases showed all three employed forms of participation, as categorized by Lowndes et al. (2001). Government can indeed foster innovation when there is close involvement and participation of the workforce in innovation. Leadership and participation play a big role in achieving output and outcome of SI. Originality/value The study is a review of the unpublished dissertation by Gallardo (2014) at the National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines.

The impact of investment projects on the traditional architectural identity of Basra city

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaldoon Shehab Al-Tameemi ◽  
Hamed H. Samir
Keyword(s):  
Case Study Research ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Investment Projects ◽  
Governmental Agencies ◽  
Technical Evaluation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City ◽  
Effective Design

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the reason(s) behind the ongoing fadedness of the traditional architectural identity of Basra city. This is because, Basra has long been known for its traditional architectural identity over the last centuries. However, this traditional identity has significantly faded given the modernisation process that happened and is continuing to happen, especially, after the 2003 war which prompted an increase in investment projects in the city. This observation has led the researchers to hypothesise that one of the main reasons behind the continuing fadedness of this traditional identity is the lack of effective design approval process (DAP) that evaluates submitted investment projects design for its inclusion for the heritage of the city. Thus, the aim of this paper is to test this hypothesis.Design/methodology/approachThe case study research methodology is used to solicit the relevant data necessary for effectively testing this hypothesis. Four key organisations are studied and semi-structured interview, observations and documentation analysis are used as main data collection methods.FindingsThe result has revealed a clear lack in the current DAP. It has been evident that the technical evaluation guidelines lack the necessary criteria that can be used to check if Basra's traditional architectural identity is reflected in the submitted design for proposed investment projects in the city.Originality/valueThis finding can help relevant governmental agencies understand the reason behind the disappearance of Basra architectural identity and build on efforts to improve their technical evaluation guideline to address this issue.

The impact of organisational structure on enterprise architecture deployment

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiko Iyamu ◽  
Leshoto Mphahlele
Keyword(s):  
Enterprise Architecture ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Structuration Theory ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Organisational Structure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Units ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – In many organisations, the alignment between information technology (IT) and business is viewed as an important catalyst for the organisation's effectiveness and efficiency towards achieving a competitive advantage. Yet, a shared understanding between business and IT (the EA included) remains an issue in many organisations. The organisational structure affects the alignment between business and IT units. Conversely, a lack of alignment of both components (IT and business units) impedes organisations' capacity to increase and improve their productivity. Many studies have been conducted in the area of IT, EA and the organisational structure. There is, however, little evidence of work conducted in exploring the interface between organisational structure and EA prior to this study. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – A case-study research approach was employed to investigate the impact of organisational structure in the deployment of EA in organisations. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structure technique. The analysis was carried out, using structuration theory. Findings – The magnified data revealed some of unforeseen factors impeding the success of the EA deployment in the organisation. Originality/value – The work is original, and it has not been submitted or published anywhere else.

scholarly journals Integrating equity, diversity, and inclusion into social innovation education: a case study of critical service-learning

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Otten ◽  
Máille Faughnan ◽  
Megan Flattley ◽  
Samantha Fleurinor
Keyword(s):  
Service Learning ◽  
Transformative Learning ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
Significant Factors

Purpose Social innovation education aims to equip students with the skills and mindsets to pursue sustainable and just solutions to complex challenges, yet many programs fail to address the power dynamics underlying unjust social structures. This paper aims to examine a social innovation course that integrates equity, diversity and inclusion principles through critical service-learning. Design/methodology/approach Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews of 25 students and 5 key informants in a qualitative, single case design to understand multiple perspectives on significant factors in transformative learning. Document review and auto-ethnographic insights provide additional case background. Findings Students identified the service experience as unique and high impact. Significant factors included the atypical service structure, the EDI framework, and the partner organization as an exemplar in the field. Students displayed a spectrum of learning, from recall and comprehension to critical evaluation, new worldviews, and behavior change. Research limitations/implications The findings of this qualitative study pertain to one partnership but are generalizable to theories. These findings are plausibly transferable to other experiential social innovation courses embedded in elite, private, predominately white research universities. Originality/value This empirical case examines a unique pedagogical and curricular innovation. By seeking to understand factors and outcomes of experiential learning, this study contributes to the literature on social innovation education and critical service-learning. The analysis produced novel insights for faculty and institutions aiming to integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion goals into social innovation programs.

Successful leadership in a rural, high-poverty school: the case of County Line Middle School

2014 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 422-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans W. Klar ◽  
Curtis A. Brewer
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Leadership Practices ◽  
Leadership Strategies ◽  
High Poverty ◽  
Content Type ◽  
School Principalship ◽  
Successful School

Purpose – In this paper, the authors present a case study of successful school leadership at County Line Middle School. The purpose of the paper is to identify how particular leadership practices and beliefs were adapted to increase student achievement in this rural, high-poverty school in the southeastern USA. Design/methodology/approach – After purposefully selecting this school, the authors adapted interview protocols, questionnaires, and analysis frameworks from the International Successful School Principalship Project to develop a multi-perspective case study of principal leadership practices at the school. Findings – The findings illustrate the practices which led to students at this school, previously the lowest-performing in the district, achieving significantly higher on state standardized tests, getting along “like a family,” and regularly participating in service learning activities and charity events. A particularly interesting finding was how the principal confronted the school's negative self-image and adapted common leadership practices to implement a school-wide reform that suited its unique context. Research limitations/implications – While the findings of the study explicate the specific ways the principal adapted leadership strategies to enhance student learning, this study also highlights the need to understand how principals become familiar with their community's needs, cultures, norms, and values, and exercise leadership in accordance with them. Practical implications – The case offers an example of the need for context-responsive leadership in schools. In particular, it illustrates how this principal enacted leadership strategies that successfully negotiated what Woods (2006) referred to as the changing politics of the rural. To realize this success, the principal utilized his understanding of this low income, rural community to guide his leadership practices. Critically, part of this understanding included the ways the community was connected to and isolated from dominant sub-urban and urban societies, and how to build enthusiasm and capacity through appeals to local values. Originality/value – While it is widely acknowledged that school leaders need to consider their school and community contexts when making leadership decisions, less research has focussed on understanding how this can be achieved. This case provides rich examples of how this was accomplished in a rural, high-poverty middle school.

How do social skills enable nascent entrepreneurs to enact perseverance strategies in the face of challenges? A comparative case study of success and failure

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 517-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wadid Lamine ◽  
Sarfraz Mian ◽  
Alain Fayolle
Keyword(s):  
Social Skills ◽  
New Technology ◽  
New Ventures ◽  
Nascent Entrepreneurs ◽  
Entrepreneurial Process ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Start Up ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This paper seeks to advance ongoing research in entrepreneurial perseverance. While the concept of perseverance is not new, few researchers paid attention to behavioural persistence in the entrepreneurial context. The purpose of this paper is to explore the emergence of new technology based firms (NTBF) by focusing on the role of nascent entrepreneurs’ social skills in the meeting the changes of entrepreneurial perseverance. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper the authors study the start-up phase of entrepreneurial process. The authors opted for a longitudinal case study approach in order to enhance the knowledge on entrepreneurs’ social skills and perseverance. For triangulation purpose the data were gathered using four different information sources. The use of Nvivo8 as the data analysis tool helped to impose a discipline and structure which facilitated the extraction of core insights. Findings – This paper contributes to the understanding of the entrepreneurial perseverance in the context of new venture creation. Particularly, reading the entrepreneurial process through the lens of the perseverance strategies model (Van Gelderen, 2012) provided a way to identify and then to assess the impact of the social skills on the overall entrepreneurial perseverance and their combined impact on the performance of NTBF creation process. In doing so, the authors identify the impact of entrepreneurs’ social skills to deal with a series of entrepreneurial problems such as scarcity of resources, uncertainty and ambiguity and consequently their impact on the likelihood of survival for new ventures. The issues that arose mostly reflected the inherent complexity of technology transfer processes, the university and entrepreneurs’ diverging cultures, and the very characteristics of the start-up phase of NTBFs. The findings reveal how social skills impact the entrepreneurial paths and probable outcomes. Research limitations/implications – This paper contributes to the understanding of the entrepreneurial perseverance in the context of NTBF creation. The findings reveal how social skills and perseverance impact the entrepreneurial paths and probable outcomes. Practical implications – The paper has implications for entrepreneurial support mechanisms such as technology business incubators in helping them to improve the efficacy and efficiency of their assistance to entrepreneurs through the development of their skill-sets and perseverance and providing enabling networking. In addition, the research has implications for entrepreneurship education and training. Indeed, there is an urgent need to design and implement courses and programs aiming at developing soft skills in entrepreneurship. Originality/value – In exploring networking and issues of perseverance for nascent entrepreneurs operating in new technology-based sectors, which the authors consider as an under searched area in entrepreneurial literature.

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