An assessment of education and continuing professional development (CPD) of academic libraries workforce in Botswana

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olugbade Oladokun ◽  
Neo P. Mooko ◽  
Babakisi T. Fidzani
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Colleges Of Education ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Beneficial Impact ◽  
Academic Workforce ◽  
Training Programmes

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the current level of education qualifications of the workforce working in academic libraries in Botswana. The study also aims to determine the current and required level of continuing professional development (CPD) of librarians working in academic libraries in Botswana. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted positivist research paradigm and quantitative research design using a structured questionnaire to collect data, where survey questions were developed based on existing, tested and verified NeXus1 and NeXus2 instruments developed in Australia. Findings Findings revealed that majority (41 or 35.3%) of the academic workforce in Botswana had first degree professional qualification, while those with diploma qualification were 28 or 24.1%; about a quarter of respondents had obtained master’s degree qualification. Most of the CPD activities undertaken were workshops and other workplace training programmes. While about half of the total respondents had attended conferences, less than half of them had published or presented a paper, and mentoring, that should have been given a pride of place in the libraries, largely suffers near neglect. Some knowledge and skills have been acquired on the job and have beneficial impact in the service rendered. Originality/value The study seems to be the first of its type in Botswana as a thorough search of literature did not yield any result in the field. What is more, it combines the librarians in public and private universities, colleges of education and institutes of health sciences. Recommendations generated from the findings are likely to improve the services rendered and interest of the librarians in the profession.

Recruitment and retention of information professionals: library leaders’ perspectives in Pakistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 568-580
Author(s):  
Nosheen Fatima Warraich ◽  
Kanwal Ameen ◽  
Amara Malik
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Dynamic Environment ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Settings ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Public And Private Sector

Purpose This study aims to highlight the issues and concerns specific to information professionals (IPs) in academic libraries of Pakistan. It identifies the problems that academic libraries face in attracting and hiring competent IPs along with the strategies to be used to recruit and retain them in the dynamic environment of academia. Moreover, it provides a list of required skills that employers would look for while hiring IPs in academic settings. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews of 20 library leaders involved in hiring process were conducted from 16 public and private sector universities. Findings Findings identified interpersonal skills as the most desired followed by the subject knowledge and IT orientation while hiring IPs for the present and foreseeable future. Good salary package, conducive work environment with opportunities for learning and continuing professional development and speedy promotion were significant perceived factors to attract and retain the talented professionals in university library settings. Practical implications The study would be helpful for policymakers and administrators to hire and retain the IPs capable of developing user-centered services in academic libraries. Originality/value Practical suggestions made for hiring, retaining and developing IPs in academic libraries would be beneficial for other developing countries with similar context. It addressed an unexplored area in the context of a developing country and reported original research that will assist policy and decision-makers to hire and retain competent human resources.

Improving continuing professional development compliance among construction professionals through integrated strategies in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 637-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Titus Ebenezer Kwofie ◽  
Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa ◽  
Johannes Siabatho Mpambela
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Learning Platforms ◽  
High Level

Purpose A high level of low compliance with continuing professional development (CPD) among construction professionals in developing countries is well acknowledged in existing literature. In spite of several interventions in CPD implementation, reforms and approaches in recent times, there does not seem to be an immediate improvement. This development calls for a re-think among stakeholders to adopt strategies that can yield the best results in uptake. Though several strategies have been proposed to potentially result in CPD uptake and compliance among construction professionals, these possible strategies have not been considered in an integrated manner. This study aims at identifying CPD delivery and implementation strategies that can significantly contribute to compliance and uptake among construction professionals in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach Using a quantitative research design and a questionnaire survey, this study sought to identify effective CPD implementation strategies for construction professionals from a plethora of suggested ones that can engender increased uptake and compliance. Findings By using multiple regression analysis, the results revealed “flexible e-learning platforms”, “standardisation of CPD model and formats by professional institutions”, “inclusion of CPD in tertiary curriculum to easily understand its importance” and “encouraging practices to have frequent in-house training sessions sharing experiences” as the most significant strategies that are likely to improve CPD uptake and compliance. Originality/value Against the backdrop of the need to increase CPD uptake and compliance among professionals through flexible integrated approach comes to the fore the understanding and knowledge of the strategies that can engender CPD uptake and compliance among construction professionals in the construction industry in South Africa.

The human factor: assessing individuals’ perceptions related to cybersecurity

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Ramlo ◽  
John B. Nicholas
Keyword(s):  
Computer Security ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Q Methodology ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
College Majors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Security Breaches ◽  
Study Participants

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to reveal and describe the divergent viewpoints about cybersecurity within a purposefully selected group of people with a range of expertise in relation to computer security. Design/methodology/approach Q methodology [Q] uses empirical evidence to differentiate subjective views and, therefore, behaviors in relation to any topic. Q uses the strengths of qualitative and quantitative research methods to reveal and describe the multiple, divergent viewpoints that exist within a group where individuals sort statements into a grid to represent their views. Analyses group similar views (sorts). In this study, participants were selected from a range of types related to cybersecurity (experts, authorities and uninformed). Findings Four unique viewpoints emerged such that one represents cybersecurity best practices and the remaining three viewpoints represent poor cybersecurity behaviors (Naïve Cybersecurity Practitioners, Worried but not Vigilant and How is Cybersecurity a Big Problem) that indicate a need for educational interventions within both the public and private sectors. Practical implications Understanding the divergent views about cybersecurity is important within smaller groups including classrooms, technology-based college majors, a company, a set of IT professionals or other targeted groups where understanding cybersecurity viewpoints can reveal the need for training, changes in behavior and/or the potential for security breaches which reflect the human factors of cybersecurity. Originality/value A review of the literature revealed that only large, nation-wide surveys have been used to investigate views of cybersecurity. Yet, surveys are not useful in small groups, whereas Q is designed to investigate behavior through revealing subjectivity within smaller groups.

Reporting human resources in annual reports

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 256-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Kansal ◽  
Mahesh Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Training Programmes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent of corporate disclosure on human resources (HR) in the annual reports of top performing Indian companies. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explores the extent to which top 82 companies from India present information about HR in their annual reports. This study examines the annual reports of each of the top Indian firms listed on the Bombay stock exchange, using the “content analysis” method. Statistical tests have been performed to analyse the difference between the HR disclosure score across public and private sectors and disclosure variations among various industrial sectors. Findings – In-house training programmes has been noticed to be the favourite item of disclosure followed by safety awards/certifications and statements regarding cordial relations with the employees/unions. A majority of the Indian firms have ignored significant HR issues such as employee welfare fund, maternity/paternity leaves, holiday benefits, employee loans and adopting old age homes, etc. Overall, the study reflects low HR related disclosures. No statistically significant difference has been found between the mean HR disclosure from one industry to another and disclosure practices of the private and the public sector companies. Practical implications – The disclosure pattern of the Indian companies suggests that they only a few companies are concerned about employees’ welfare than the rest. This may motivate a change of the disclosure policy of the rest of the firms who may follow the reporting pattern of the most disclosing ones. Originality/value – This is first study on the disclosure of HR by the Indian corporate sector in the CSR domain with a disclosure analysis for a period of nine years . This research provides new directions for the literature in this area and may promote comparative studies on HR-based studies from different perspectives.

Exploratory Practice in Continuing Professional Development

2017 ◽  
pp. 61-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ines K. Miller ◽  
Maria Isabel A. Cunha
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Teacher Development ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Educational Practice ◽  
Language Teacher ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
Recent Trends

This chapter is constructed as a reflective professional narrative coming from the context of public and private continuing professional development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The authors start the text by making explicit their involvement and alignment with the rationale of Exploratory Practice, within the broader horizon of language Teacher Development (Allwright, 2001). The text establishes a theoretical dialogue with Reflective Practice, Action Research and Exploratory Action Research, considering them as recent trends in teacher education and other possible modes of Practitioner Research (Allwright & Hanks, 2009). The authors expand on Exploratory Practice as a paradigm that foregrounds inclusivity, ethics and criticality. Examples of Potentially Exploitable Pedagogic/Professional Activities (PEPAs) and Potentially Exploitable Reflexive Activities (PERAs) will be shared by showing that they result from integrating the ‘work for understanding' with regular pedagogic activities or broader educational practice.

Continuing professional development and special librarians in Jamaica

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marsha-Gay Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Information Network ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
The Government ◽  
Areas Of Interest ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the continuing professional development (CPD) activities undertaken by special librarians in Jamaica, their motivation, the challenges faced and the areas of interest for professional development. Design/methodology/approach Special librarians working in Jamaica were surveyed using an online questionnaire which was disseminated via e-mail. Findings The study indicates that special librarians in Jamaica were engaged in both formal and informal CPD activities. They were motivated by factors such as keeping up to date with changes in librarianship and personal satisfaction. Challenges to participating in CPD include, lack of funding, time constraints and lack of worthwhile options. Areas of interest for CPD were mainly information technology-based. Research limitations/implications The study was limited to the contact lists of the special libraries section of the Library and Information Association of Jamaica (LIAJA) and the Government Library and Information Network of the Jamaica Library and Information Network (JAMLIN). Practical implications The results have implications for the planning and implementation of continuing professional activities for Jamaica’s special librarians. It also fills a gap in library literature regarding the continuing professional activities of special librarians. Originality/value The paper is one of few studies focusing on the CPD activities of special librarians undertaken in a developing country.

scholarly journals Learning portfolios in psychiatric training

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 310-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kitty Seed ◽  
Lisa Davies ◽  
Ronan J. McIvor
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Psychiatric Training ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Learning Plan ◽  
Life Long Learning ◽  
Medical Careers ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
Personal Learning Plan

Major changes are taking place in the way doctors are trained and assessed. A new curriculum, devised by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges on behalf of Modernising Medical Careers, will be implemented for current junior doctors as part of the foundation and specialist training programmes. Every junior doctor will be expected to have a ‘personal learning plan’ to guide professional development and assist appraisal, and to build a portfolio to document their experiences. This marks a shift from traditional summative (i.e. examinations-based) evaluation to the use of more formative methods based on experience and workplace assessment. It reflects greater emphasis on continuing professional development and life-long learning (Wilkinson et al, 2002).

scholarly journals An investigation of EFL Teachers’ Professional Development in Algeria: Practices and Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (11) ◽  
pp. 94-101
Author(s):  
Ziani Melouka ◽  
Lahma Saadia
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
English Language ◽  
Secondary School Teachers ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Teacher Professional ◽  
Teachers Professional Development ◽  
Training Programmes

In English Language Teaching, the complexity of competencies and skills required for maximum achievement calls for a highly structured training programme which caters for a Continuing Professional Development(CPD)  of EFL teachers. Hence, it has become more important than ever to involve teachers in the decision making and designing of their CPD programmes. The present paper, then investigates how effective is continuing teacher training to teacher professional development in Algeria. In an attempt to answer this question, an investigation was carried out on a sample of 56 secondary school teachers of English in RELIZANE, Algeria. Using observation and interviews, teachers and teacher trainers were examined on their different standpoints to CPD. The research findings revealed that the participants expressed the same need for a continuing professional development regardless their expertise. But, their perceptions regarding their role in their CPD reflected their dependence on the institutional training programmes. Indeed, it was found that teachers rarely reflected on their education or kept track of their development as teachers.

scholarly journals Teacher’s Need in the Continuing Professional Development Program for Teachers of Vocational High School throughout Surakarta Residency

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-95
Author(s):  
Tri Murwaningsih ◽  
Hery Sawiji ◽  
Wiedy Murtini ◽  
Nur Rahmi Akbarini
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
High School ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Scientific Publication ◽  
Professional Development Program ◽  
Vocational High School ◽  
The One

This research aimed to identify the activities needed by teachers in holding the Continuing Professional Development Program. This research employed survey type of non-experimental quantitative research method. This type of research was used when the author wants to find out the population’s opinion by conducting a study on the sample of population. The population of research consisted of all teachers of Vocational High School in Business and Management field in Surakarta City Residency. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. Techniques of collecting data were observation, interview, documentation, and questionnaire. Quantitative data obtained was the one processed using Microsoft Excel with the scale specified by the author, while qualitative data was analyzed using triangulation technique. The result of research showed that Program Continuing Professional Development had been conducted despite different proportion for self-development, scientific publication, and innovative work. Thus, the appropriate strategy was required to solve some problems encountered by teachers

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