School boards and superintendents doing local curriculum work

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 842-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pia Skott

Purpose – The paper is about a specific part of the Swedish governing system: the municipality, which has the responsibility of implementing national school goals. The starting point is an identified local governing chain including the chairman of the politically elected school board, the superintendent, principals and head teachers. It is the first link in this chain which is in focus, between chairmen and superintendents. The purpose of this paper is to investigate their role understanding and enactment: what roles do they have, formally and enacted? Is it a clear or blurred line between them? What can be seen as causing conflict or success? Design/methodology/approach – The paper is part of a larger research project focussing on what happens when national policy meets local governing structures. The project as a whole has a mixed method design and includes surveys with superintendents, politicians and principals. It also includes interviews with chairmen of local school boards, superintendents and principals. In this paper the focus is on interviews made with politicians and superintendents in six (of 290) municipalities followed over time (including a political election between the authors visits). The municipalities are spread over the country, with shifting political majorities. Findings – The authors identify that there seem to be a shared formal role understanding in that politicians are responsible for the what-side and superintendents for the how-side of the local work. The roles are, however, enacted in a blurred zone with role intrusion as an active component. What causes a conflict or not is if the two have a shared understanding of how to play the game. This makes the local work sensitive to changes on the positions. Success comes from a relationship built on trust and where there is a mutual understanding of how to work. Research limitations/implications – The study is built on a small selection of municipalities and must be complemented by further ones to be able to generalize the results. What it can say something about is, however, how actors in six different local settings enact the same kinds of assignments and if there are similarities and differences between their role enactment. Originality/value – Although the study is built on a small selection of municipalities it is unique in that it follows interlinked actors over time, making it possible not only to discuss municipality stereotypes but study human relationships over time. This also makes it possible to discuss new aspects of governing chains.

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 504-510
Author(s):  
Gunjan M. Sanjeev ◽  
Richard Teare

Purpose The paper aims to profile the theme issue of Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes titled “How is the need for innovation being addressed by the Indian hospitality industry?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editor, contributors from the industry and academia and the theme issue outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editor to reflect on the rationale for their theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process. Findings It highlights recent innovations that have taken place in the Indian hospitality industry especially in the areas of customer service, cost competitiveness, culinary management, revenue management and technology. Practical implications As hotel sector investment in India intensifies, this theme issue will be of interest to hoteliers, policy makers, analysts and others interested in the role that innovation can play in helping to facilitate differentiation between competing hotel products and services. Originality/value There is limited literature available on industry innovations in the Indian context. All the papers in this theme issue were written after several cycles of interaction between academics and practitioners and so they incorporate real–time, relevant and contemporary data.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-139
Author(s):  
Dylan Rees ◽  
Qiru Wang ◽  
Robert S. Laramee

PurposeThis paper is a response to a frequently asked question from prospective industry partners searching for opportunities to collaborate with the Computer Science Department of Swansea University, UK. This paper seeks to provide structured guidance in the form of what is titled the Industry Engagement Ladder.Design/methodology/approachThe Industry Engagement Ladder presents a selection of collaboration opportunities, outlining the possible cooperation mechanisms between an industry partner and the academic institution.FindingsOpportunities are described and ranked according to the amount of investment required by the industrial partner, and therefore risk, from low to high.Originality/valueThis concise paper provides a quick reference for perspective industry academia collaboration opportunities, the risks involved with each, the possible funding available to help foster these partnerships and the benefits to industry. These collaborative activities (and variations thereof) can be incorporated by any university department. The manuscript offers an ideal starting point for industry–university collaboration.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 274-280
Author(s):  
Raphaël Dornier ◽  
Chiara Mauri ◽  
Richard Teare

Purpose The aim of this paper is to profile the World Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) theme issue “Tourism sustainability in the Alpine region: What are the major trends and challenges?” with reference to the experience of the theme editors and writing team. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process. Findings It draws on a multidisciplinary approach to identify some key components of sustainable tourism for the French and Italian Alps. It reflects on research and stakeholder interaction that helped to shape the current and future thinking about how Alpine mountain resorts can enhance sustainability in relation to the destination offer, accommodation, transport and mobility and institutional, legal and socio-economic aspects. Practical implications The theme issue outcomes provide lines of enquiry for others to explore, and they reinforce the value of WHATT’s approach to collaborative working and writing. Originality/value The work reported in this theme issue provides research-based evidence of the need for rapid adaptation to sustainable tourism development for resorts in the French and Italian Alps. Traditionally designed to facilitate skiing and snow sports, the impact of climate change is forcing a rethink to safeguard Alpine tourism – a vital economic activity to these and most mountain tourism destinations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Kane ◽  
Joanne Zaida Taylor ◽  
Richard Teare

Purpose This paper aims to profile the WHATT theme issue “Can the culture of safety and quality in organizations be measured and changed?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editors and writing team. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process. Findings This paper draws on a specialist team of researchers and practitioners to examine the extent to which the culture of safety and quality in organizations (with particular reference to food management) can be measured and changed. It reflects on research and stakeholder interaction that is helping to shape current and future thinking about food safety culture in hospitality organizations and provides practical ways of reviewing and improving it. Practical implications The theme issue outcomes provide lines of enquiry for others to explore and they reinforce the value of WHATT’s approach to collaborative working and writing. Originality/value This theme issue builds on prior work (reported in earlier theme issues) and profiles a well-researched and practical approach to reviewing, measuring and improving the culture of safety and quality in hotel and catering operations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 346-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay Nadkarni ◽  
Richard Teare

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to profile the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) theme issue “Expo 2020: What will be the impact on Dubai?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editor and writing team. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editor to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process. Findings This paper provides a framework to facilitate discussion between academics and practitioners engaged with Dubai’s Expo 2020, identifies ways of improving competitiveness as an events destination and contributes to thinking about sustainable development before and after the event. The outcomes of a broad-ranging collaboration yield fresh insights, a deeper understanding of the issues and an array of possible responses to the theme issue question. Practical implications The theme issue outcomes provide lines of enquiry for others to explore and they reinforce the value of WHATT’s approach to collaborative working and writing. Originality/value The collaborative work reported in this theme issue offers a unified but contrarian response to the theme’s strategic question. Taken together, the collection of articles provides a detailed picture of the on-going preparation for Expo 2020 and plans to ensure continued growth in the post-Expo phase.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-128
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Ajagunna ◽  
Fritz Pinnock ◽  
Tom M. Amonde ◽  
Richard Teare

Purpose This paper aims to profile the WHATT theme issue “Tourism business development and logistics in the Caribbean: Will there be a symbiotic relationship?” by drawing on reflections from the theme editors and theme issue outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Structured questions are used to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process. Findings The paper draws on academic and practitioner perspectives to examine the interrelatedness between tourism development and logistics in the Caribbean and concludes that there is much common ground. Practical implications This paper outlines challenges and new approaches to the management of tourism business development and logistics in the Caribbean. Originality/value The present paper profiles the main developments that need to occur to maximize benefits for the people and economies of the Caribbean region.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 186-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfonso Siano ◽  
Maria Palazzo ◽  
Pantea Foroudi ◽  
Agostino Vollero

Purpose The aim of this conceptual paper is to review Bernstein’s communication wheel to make it a tool that can be used in the selection of a corporate communication mix. Design/methodology/approach A critical analysis of Bernstein’s communication wheel shows it to be a checklist, a starting point in the examination of corporate communication mix, but it is not as such of great help to the decision maker. Findings The findings of reviewing literature highlight that the principle of a clear distinction between strategic decisions and operational decisions is applicable also in the field of corporate communication. For each stakeholder relationship, the authors’ framework suggests typical combinations of activities and means to be used. These combinations are useful to experiment with expert systems which are functional to the choices of corporate communication mix. Practical implications The analysis of communication gaps gives directions for formulating strategic decisions. In this framework, tactical decisions concern the components of the communication mix architecture (or communication chain): activities, means and vehicles of communication. On the contrary, Bernstein’s communication wheel includes only generic channels (or media) and gives no indications as to the architecture of the communication mix. Originality/value This study illustrates the hierarchy of decisions relating to corporate communication mix, the communication wheel could also be useful in communication planning. If this assumption is held to be true it then becomes possible to lay out a framework for a progressive decision-making path that means making sequential choices (first strategic, then tactical). In the stakeholder approach, the aim of strategic decisions is to choose the stakeholder groups on which a firm has to focus its corporate communication activities.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Scalia

PurposeThis paper looks at police brutalities in Italy. In particular, the discussion focusses on the case of the death of Riccardo Magherini, who was stopped by the Corpo dei Carabinieri (CC), a branch of the Italian Army operating as a police force, on the 3rd of March 2014. The paper focusses on the way the police agents involved in the Magherini trial, both witnesses and defendants, made sense of the case. Their answers to the questions put to them by case lawyers or judges during the first trial in February 2016 will be closely examined.Design/methodology/approachDiscussion of the case will rely on material drawn from court files. The Carabinieris internal reports on the incident and the court transcription of the agents questioning will form the basis for an ethnographic analysis of the case. The author will then use the case analysis as the starting point for a broader discussion on police culture. While ethnography generally consists of direct on-the-ground participant observation Geertz 1992, the author’s methodology of using legal transcripts and reports can nevertheless be considered ethnographical. .FindingsDiscussion will consider the importance of an ethical element to the internal culture of the Italian police forces which influences their street practice. Italian police have an ethical approach in that they believe their role is to be able separate good from bad and protect society from the bad. Moreover they have operated within a context of impunity which has produced over time a critical threshold according to which specific individuals and groups deemed as dangerous classes are considered outside the realm of normal civilised society and as such can be treated differently in contemporary Italy.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper relates to two distinct elements. The first one concerns the context analysed, as the peculiarities of the Italian police are hardly known to the larger international public. The second aspect relates to the specificity of a case. Magherini was not a marginal person, he was an Italian citizen, but he suffered from a brutality that caused his death. The dynamics of this outcome will be closely analysed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-528
Author(s):  
Marina Y. Sheresheva ◽  
Richard Teare

Purpose This paper aims to profile the WHATT theme issue “Why is the Russian tourism and hospitality market becoming more diverse with new destinations?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editor and writing team. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editor to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process. Findings This paper provides a framework to facilitate discussion between all stakeholders in Russia’s tourism and hospitality industry, identifies ways of improving competitiveness as a tourist destination and contributes to thinking about sustainable development. The outcomes of a broad-ranging collaboration yield fresh insights, a deeper understanding of the issues and an array of possible responses to the theme issue question. Practical implications The theme issue outcomes provide lines of enquiry for others to explore and reinforce the value of WHATT’s approach to collaborative working and writing. Originality/value The collaborative work reported in this theme issue offers a unified but contrarian response to the theme’s strategic question. Taken together, the collection of articles provides a detailed picture of the changes occurring in the Russian tourism and hospitality market.


2006 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Franceschini ◽  
M. Galetto ◽  
P. Cecconi

PurposeTo provide a cross‐section of International Standardization Organization (ISO) 9000 quality certification diffusion over time and its impact on industrial systems.Design/methodology/approachThe starting point of the analysis is “The ISO survey of ISO 9000 and ISO 14001 certificates” document. Available data concur to trace a synthesis of what has happened and what is in process all over the world. Five main aspects are discussed: the correspondence between ISO 9000 standards and total quality management strategy; the effects of ISO 9000 certification on business performance; the ISO 9000 certificates diffusion in the world; the comparison between economical and entrepreneurial structure of different countries and certificates diffusion; the proposal of a prediction model for the diffusion of ISO 9000 certificates.FindingsThe evolution curve of the number of certificates over time in each country presents a “saturation effect.” This behavior has been analyzed by a diffusion forecasting model. The analysis of regional share certificates evolution evidences a sensible increase of Far East countries. The analysis of ISO 9000 certificates' share by industrial sector highlights a growth for the most sectors; only a few of them show a negative trend in last two years. A relationship between ISO 9000 certificates and socio‐economic indicators of a country (human development index, gross national product) has been individuated.Practical implicationsThe stunning growth of ISO 9000 certifications all over the world confirms a strong polarization of enterprises' interest in this practice. Looking at the empirical data, some questions come out about the future. Will the certification market go on? Will certified enterprises continue to be interested to the certification process?Originality/valueThis paper analyzes the worldwide evolution of ISO 9000 certification and suggests a new prediction model for the diffusion of ISO 9000 certificates.


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