Indexes of employability assets: a comprehensive tool for analyzing students' attitudes in Indigenous contexts

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amzad Hossain ◽  
Harvey Briggs ◽  
Ying Kong
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Cultural Knowledge ◽  
Employability Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The North ◽  
Research Survey ◽  
Teaching Learning

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyze the indexes of employability assets that affect students' employability in Indigenous contexts.Design/methodology/approachThe study restructures the indicators developed from the survey the authors did for the Vital Outcome Indicators for Community Engagement (VOICE) research project into six employability indexes. The six indexes are reading and comprehension, numeracy, technological mastery, contribution to organizational performance, job searching skills and cultural awareness. The study has applied mixed research method, which is the combination of survey and secondary data analyses.FindingsAll six indexes have impacts on students' employability in various degrees with a high level of internal consistency among the indicators. The regression analysis reveals that the technological mastery, reading and comprehension and numeracy indexes significantly influence students' contribution to the organizational performance. The results also show that cultural awareness has impacts on employability but students do not connect it to the required employability skills. Such disconnection of cultural awareness with employability skills justifies the necessity to integrate Indigenous cultural contents into programs and curriculums in today's post-secondary education, particularly in the University College of the North (UCN), improving students' cultural knowledge, which, in return, enhances their employability in Indigenous contexts. The result is also applicable globally to countries which have large populations of Indigenous people such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Colombia, Mexico and other regions where workplaces are set in Indigenous contexts.Research limitations/implicationsThe research survey was only conducted within students of UCN Thompson campus.Practical implicationsThe results of this paper can be used as a guideline to adjust teaching/learning strategies with a focus on integrating Indigenous cultural components into UCN courses and programs, including other institutions with similar attributes to enhance Indigenous students' employability. UCN tri-council, faculty, community leaders, researchers, government and NGOs can also use the outcome of this paper to articulate polices that enhance students' employability. The outcome and strategic implication of the study can also be applicable to any institutions in a global Indigenous context.Originality/valueThe authors of the paper provide empirical evidence from the indexes of the employability assets including their indicators affecting students' employability. It is attested that cultural awareness index have impacts on students' employability in Indigenous context.

A turnaround fuelled by transformational leadership

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayuree Sengupta
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Management Style ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Work Experiences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Rich

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand how Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the National Research Development Corporation, India, Hanumanthu Purushotham had facilitated a turnaround of the organization and ensured profitability during his tenure there. This is one of the series of interview-based studies that focuses on a South Asian CEO, with the goal of ascertaining his leadership and management style in a volatile situation. This brief paper expounds how leader traits and transformational leadership can positively impact an organizational turnaround and fuel growth.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses primary interviews and complements the findings with secondary data sources such as annual reports and management literature on leadership trait, transformational leadership and organizational turnaround.FindingsThe study found that socioeconomic factors have a bearing on leadership attributes. In this instance, the CMD's early years, diverse work experiences, bright traits and transformational leadership positively impacted organizational performance. Therefore, not only the qualifications but also the qualities of a leader are pivotal in shaping success of an organization.Originality/valueThe narrative provides an instance of how decision-making driven by strategic leadership can change firm performance. The rich experiences of the India-educated CMD, a government job holder all-through, provides a veteran's view to decision-making in a state-controlled firm and helps us understand how an organization can be transformed in a limited time and with scarce resources.

Maritime culture: A sociological perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 302-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Carol-Dekker
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Cultural Knowledge ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Maritime Culture ◽  
Qualitative Methodologies ◽  
Different Cultures

The aim of this paper is to analyse and discuss the multifaceted cultures within the merchant navy. It is within this multicultural context that the construction of different cultures occur. If maritime managers are to work successfully with their designated ships, and the seafarers working and living aboard these ships, they need to understand that different cultures exist within the industry. The argument put forward is that maritime management needs the necessary soft skills to develop cultural awareness and become culturally sensitive. The primary source of data was drawn from netography and qualitative methodologies. Secondary data was obtained through maritime dissertations, face-to-face interviews, maritime newspaper articles, maritime journal articles and social media. Two main conclusions emerged: firstly, in maritime scholarship there is a lack of research of the existing maritime cultures; and secondly, few maritime companies are aware of how different cultures are integrated. It is significant that healthy cultures within the merchant marine rely on management’s cultural knowledge and their soft skills.

scholarly journals Establishing a knowledge-based organisation

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-249
Author(s):  
Norzanah Mat Nor ◽  
Siti Murni Mat Khairi ◽  
Herwina Rosnan ◽  
Roozita Maskun ◽  
Elaina Rose Johar
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cultural Issues ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Survey ◽  
Employees Satisfaction ◽  
Case Study Report ◽  
Implementation Effect

Purpose Studies on knowledge management (KM) and its effect on organisational innovation and firm performance have been carried out and subsequently proven. However, the consequence is that KM programmes did not achieve the expected results that they were designed for. Considering the issue mentioned above, a KM shortfall and its underlying challenges seem to exist. The purpose of this study is to assess the current practices of KM, lesson learnt and KM challenges in Malaysian organisations from various types of industries. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted with information gathered through a focus group of managers with different hierarchical levels, different types of companies, from multinational corporations to state organisations. This inductive approach was adopted to gain a grounded, rich, local and lived understanding of the process based on the case studies of eight Malaysian organisations that represent the major industries in the Malaysian economic sectors. Additionally, the information gathered was further supported with secondary data that consisted of a case study report of the eight organisations on their KM programmes’ implementation. Findings The overall results showed that the practice of KM in Malaysian organisations typically displays the following two challenges: (1) process and infrastructure issues and (2) cultural issues. Organisational culture remains the main obstacles faced by most of the organisations in adopting KM. As a lesson learnt, managers should also focus on the after-effect of KM programmes on soft human issues such as employees’ satisfaction and well-being. Research limitations/implications The authors believe that further research is required considering KM challenges and employee satisfaction or well-being to improve KM performance among different groups of employees through such methods as research survey. Practical implications The findings can act as a guideline for any organisations to address when adopting KM. Identification of the KM challenges provides the basis for organisations to attach considerable importance to employees’ satisfaction and well-being to enhance the chances of successful KM programmes. Managers should take a proactive approach in creating an appropriate atmosphere to cultivate KM culture among employees. Originality/value This study offers not only challenges in implementing and sustaining an effective KM system within organisations but also promotes moving the KM literature to the next stage where there is a lack of concern on KM implementation effect on “soft” human issues from the perspectives of employees. This is due to organisations tend to eradicate people’s performance in terms of employee well-being and satisfaction and to the author’s knowledge, this has been largely unexplored in previous research.

scholarly journals Developing business students’ employability skills through working in partnership with a local business to deliver an undergraduate mentoring programme

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Spence ◽  
Denis Hyams-Ssekasi
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Employability Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Local Business ◽  
The Uk

Purpose – Working collaboratively with local business is vitally important in the delivery of higher education (HE) in further education (FE). The purpose of this paper is to explore an effective way of engaging local employers to enhance the employability skills of students through a closely monitored and supported mentoring relationship. The project was developed in order to address the employability needs of final year business students at a HE facility offered by a college situated in the North West of England. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative data were collected through the use of reflective journals and a series of focus groups with mentors and mentees. Findings – Overall both mentors and mentees reported positive responses to the mentoring scheme. From the mentees point of view self-confidence, employability skills and networks were enhanced. Mentors reported satisfaction in contributing to the local community. Challenges were found in matching mentors with appropriate mentees. A perceived poor match negatively affected the relationship. Mentors reported that mentees lacked career direction and seemed to have limited understanding of what was expected in the mentoring process. Research limitations/implications – The scope of this study is one mentoring scheme in one institution and therefore has limited generalisability. However, there are implications for the development of further mentoring schemes in other institutions in the UK and beyond. Originality/value – This mentoring scheme was carried out in FE that offers HE courses in a northern town with above average levels of unemployment and with a diverse ethnic population. The scheme involves senior managers volunteering to support business undergraduates.

scholarly journals The role of talent management in strategic renewal

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kati Järvi ◽  
Violetta Khoreva
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Talent Management ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Renewal ◽  
Business Opportunities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the role of talent management (TM) in strategic renewal. Furthermore, the authors extend the existing knowledge on the process of TM implementation by underlining particular activities, which are involved in this process during strategic renewal. Design/methodology/approach The authors report a qualitative study of a TM program in a Finnish–Swedish Multinational corporation undergoing major strategic renewal. The data consist of 46 semi-structured interviews and secondary data. Findings The role of TM in the context of strategic renewal is to provide the conditions for the self-initiation and identification of potential change agents and for the development of the talented employees to perform in their roles of change agent. In the context of strategic renewal, TM process consists of identification of key projects to address critical business opportunities and challenges, the identification of talented employees to execute them, and the identification and creation of key positions. Research limitations/implications The authors encourage scholars to explore the empirical settings characterized by change and unpredictability in more detail, and thus examine the role of talented employees and TM in other specific contexts. Future studies are also encouraged to study other cultural settings and examine to what degree the process of TM implementation may positively influence attitudes and behaviors of talented employees and, consequently, the overall organizational performance. Practical implications This study offers practical advice for top management and HR managers. First, the process of TM implementation during strategic renewal should start with the identification of “must-win-battles” that can have a more profound impact on change. Furthermore, top management should allow and enable motivated potential talented employees to volunteer for the job of aiding company-wide changes. Next, top management should provide the talented employees with the space to come up with novel ideas and conceive new business opportunities. Finally, the importance of transparent and spot-on evaluation criteria should be emphasized. Originality/value The study contributes to advancing our understanding of TM and strategic management in practice.

Criminal state: understanding narcotics trafficking networks in North Korea

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1014-1026
Author(s):  
Zhongmin Liu
Keyword(s):  
North Korea ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Survival Strategies ◽  
Sovereign State ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The North ◽  
Production And Distribution ◽  
Narcotics Trafficking ◽  
Korean State

Purpose In North Korea, illicit activities directly or implicitly supported by the North Korean Government are an integral part of the nation’s survival strategies. This study aims to discuss how North Korea directs its national power and resources to facilitate narcotics trafficking activities and how the role of North Korean State in the narcotics trafficking network has changed over time since the 1970s. Design/methodology/approach Analysis of narcotics trafficking in North Korea has primarily involved a review of secondary data, including previous academic research in this field, news articles, circumstantial and forensic evidence, seizure data and defector testimony. Findings This paper argues that prior to 2000, North Korea was systematically and directly engaged in narcotics production and distribution. The nation state could be regarded as a form of “criminal sovereignty”, because the sovereign state is itself criminal. However, in the post-2000s, North Korea’s Government began to gradually withdraw from narcotics trafficking, creating space for various non-state actors – such as criminal syndicates, private traders and local officials – to enter the once-monopolistic network. De-centralisation of narcotics trafficking network in North Korea suggests that the state’s criminal sovereignty may be gradually eroding and the pattern of state criminalisation in North Korea may be transforming. Originality/value This paper draws on theories concerning state criminalisation to understand the changing dynamics of narcotics trafficking network in North Korea.

scholarly journals Cognitive micro-foundations at work: how organizations resist change in work practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malin Malmstrom
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Military Academy ◽  
Organizational Responses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cognitive Framework ◽  
Resistance Forces ◽  
Micro Foundations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the essence that is, the nature of organizational responses to efficiently resist enforced change in institutionalized work practice destined to address poor organizational performance. The micro-foundations of the cognitive logic that are activated when organizations face change are hereby conceptualized. Design/methodology/approach Using a case study design, the study focusses on narratives of a failure to implement a regulatory enforced change in work practice at a military academy established in the 1600s. The interviews are complemented by secondary data. Findings The analysis reveals a cognitive framework by which the members of the organization shaped their responses. By building on micro-foundations for mobilizing resistance (i.e. the essential substance at a micro level), this study shows how the cognitive logic is activated to respond to change. To show how the cognitive logic is used to mitigate and compensate for incongruences with the regulatory logic, this study outlines a set of strategic resistance maneuvers and cognitive resistance forces that restrict regulatory influence on change in work practice. This study thus provides insights into maneuvers and resistance forces that members may activate to resist change efficiently. Originality/value To the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to attempt to conceptualize the essence of the cognitive logic activated to resist organizational change.

Entrepreneurship and service innovation

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 449-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson Oly Ndubisi
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Service Innovation ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
New Venture ◽  
Venture Creation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Driver ◽  
Innovation And Entrepreneurship ◽  
New Entry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce a special issue on entrepreneurship and service innovation, and to conceptualize the link between entrepreneurial orientation, innovation and entrepreneurship or new entry. Design/methodology/approach – Analysis of secondary data. Findings – Entrepreneurial orientation (EO), innovation (IN) and entrepreneurship are in a vital “triadic connect”, where EO supports innovation in organizations and innovation promotes new entry or new venture creation – a vehicle for commercialization of innovations. Research limitations/implications – There is a need for empirical validation of the linkages proposed in this conceptual paper. Practical implications – This “triadic connect” between EO, IN and entrepreneurship or new entry is a source of or key driver of organizational performance (OP) and competitive advantage (CA). Originality/value – The theorization and schematization of the “triadic connect” (i.e. EO–IN–NE link) and outcomes (namely, OP and CA) is presented.

scholarly journals Diffusion of process improvement methods in European SMEs

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 607-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom McGovern ◽  
Adrian Small ◽  
Christian Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Process Improvement ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Institutional Pressures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The North ◽  
Intervention Context ◽  
Improvement Interventions ◽  
Field Notes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the European Regions for Innovative Productivity project that established Innovative Productivity Centres (IPCs) to assist SMEs in the North Sea Region of Europe to develop a process improvement capability. A conceptual framework explains how a process improvement methodology developed for large firms was adapted and shaped to meet the needs of SMEs. Design/methodology/approach A comparative case study of 23 SMEs within six European countries. A protocol was developed to collect financial and operational data. This was supplemented by observations, secondary data and field notes. An established research model was used to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the process improvement interventions. Findings The intervention context and structure of the IPCs varied by country which shaped process improvement interventions at two levels: the country and the firm. During diffusion three process improvement variants emerged that were tailored to fit the local context. Developing a process improvement capability depended upon the availability of company resources, establishing KPIs and change agent support. Originality/value The research contributes to knowledge and theory on diffusion and institutionalization by examining how SMEs responded to institutional pressures by implementing process improvement practices in different ways. Heterogeneity of both the IPCs and the external change agents were the drivers in shaping the improvement practices.

Cultural intelligence and mindfulness in two French banks operating in the US environment

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 930-951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Revillard Kaufman ◽  
Alvin Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Intelligence ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Cultural Knowledge ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Organizational Setting ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cross Cultural Differences ◽  
The Usa

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop the mindfulness construct in Thomas’ (2006) cultural intelligence (CQ) model and identify three mindfulness facets based on the mindfulness literature: empathy, open-mindedness and using all senses. Relationships among mindfulness, cross-cultural knowledge and cross-cultural behavioral ability are explored. Design/methodology/approach – A case study of two French banking institutions operating in the USA is used incorporating multiple sources of data: participant observations, primary public and private documentation sources, archival records, secondary data and open-ended interviews with a key informant. Findings – The two organizations showed similar emphasis on cross-cultural knowledge but differences in cross-cultural behavioral ability. These differences were traced to the posited mindfulness components of empathy, open-mindedness and using all senses. Research limitations/implications – The two-sample case only provides emerging evidence of the role of mindfulness in linking cross-cultural knowledge to behavioral ability and will require validation through empirical studies to test for significance of relationships among these CQ facets. Practical implications – Thomas’ (2006) CQ model and the authors’ understanding of its underlying mindfulness components provide insight in predicting cross-cultural potential of employees and designing customized employee training to help organizations meet the needs of a globally diverse workplace. Social implications – The development of mindfulness qualities should improve interactions among individuals in any organizational setting, with added benefit of bridging cross-cultural differences. Originality/value – This paper helps extend research on CQ facets using a qualitative method incorporating multiple sources of evidence to explore the mindfulness CQ construct.

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