scholarly journals Student perceptions and trust of sustainability information

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 726-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Hay ◽  
Lynne Eagle ◽  
Muhammad Abid Saleem ◽  
Lisa Vandommele ◽  
Siqiwen Li
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
News Media ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Content Type ◽  
First Semester

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report student attitudes and beliefs towards climate change adaptation and sustainability-related behaviours. Design/methodology/approach A paper-based questionnaire was completed by 247 first-year (students in their first semester of study) and third-year (students in their final semester of study) students in the same year (2012) of the study (Table I). A factor analysis shows that common themes previously identified failed to reflect the diverse range of influences on young people, including family, friends and news media. Findings Contrary to the literature, few significant differences were found in sustainability-related behaviours between first- and third-semester students, with an increase in scepticism regarding the reality of climate change among the latter. Research limitations/implications The study focused on Australian undergraduate university business students. As a single-institution case study, the results may not be generalised to all university students. As such the authors recommended that the study be completed in other universities from around the world. The study was undertaken over one year, but the participants may not have necessarily been the same students in third semester as they were in first semester. Therefore, it is recommended that the study be repeated in future years so that the same cohort can be measured over time, providing a more accurate account of the development of student knowledge and perceptions of sustainability during their time at university. Practical implications Achieving significant long-term changes in behaviours will be a substantial challenge for tertiary curricula. The findings of this study can inform instructors in higher education of student attitudes towards sustainability and climate change adaption and in turn inform changes to tertiary curriculum in sustainability and climate change adaption. Originality/value This paper reports on the second phase of a longitudinal research project examining the effects of an undergraduate business studies curriculum on student views of sustainability. The authors confirm that the research is original and that all of the data provided in the study are real and authentic. Neither the entire work nor any of its parts have been previously published.

scholarly journals Impact of integrated sustainability content into undergraduate business education

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Hay ◽  
Lynne Eagle
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Business Students ◽  
First Year ◽  
Content Type ◽  
First Semester ◽  
The Third ◽  
Third Phase ◽  
Regional University

Purpose This paper aims to compare the findings from a survey of a cohort of students at an Australian regional university across two time points: immediately on commencing their first semester of study and at the end of their final semester of study to determine whether, and in what ways, these students’ views concerning sustainability appear to have changed. This paper reports on a longitudinal study of the attitudes, beliefs and perceptions of undergraduate business students regarding a range of sustainability issues. Design/methodology/approach A paper-based questionnaire was delivered to approximately 250 first year and 150 third year students. Findings A factor analysis shows small but statistically different positive differences, which indicate that the revised curriculum has been successful in raising student awareness and achieving behaviour change. Research limitations/implications The study focussed on Australian undergraduate university business students, which reduced generalizability of the findings. Practical implications The findings of this study can inform instructors in higher education of student attitudes towards sustainability and climate change adaption and in turn inform changes to tertiary curriculum in sustainability and climate change adaption. Originality/value The authors confirm that the research is original and that all of the data provided in this paper is real and authentic. As the paper reports on the third phase of the longitudinal study, some parts of the methodology have been previously published but differ as they reflect the third phase of the study. The results of this study have not been previously published.

Student Perceptions of Sales Careers: Implications for Educators and Recruiters

2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Z. Sojka ◽  
Ashok K. Gupta ◽  
Timothy P. Hartman
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Job Turnover ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Reduced Costs

While sales careers offer tremendous job potential, they are frequently overlooked by graduating college students. Previous research suggests that negative sales stereotypes have influenced students’ desire for sales careers. In this paper we revisit student attitudes toward sales careers to identify student segments most likely to have positive and realistic views of sales careers. We found that marketing majors or students who have taken two or more sales classes view sales careers more positively than other business students. Non‐marketing majors or students exposed to sales careers either through internships/work experience or having family members in sales did not exhibit positive attitudes toward sales. We also observed some interesting gender differences on attitudes toward sales. We suggest that corporate recruiters may want to focus their recruiting efforts on marketing majors or students who have taken sales classes to identify students with positive and realistic views of sales careers: resulting in better employee task fit, lower job turnover, and reduced costs of recruitment.

Undergraduate perceptions of social media proficiency and graduate employability

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Sutherland ◽  
Susie Ho
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Media Pedagogy ◽  
Graduate Employability ◽  
Higher Education Pedagogy

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore undergraduate student attitudes towards the inclusion of social media training within higher education pedagogy, student perceptions of social media proficiency as professional expertise and its impact on graduate employability. Design/methodology/approach In all, 81 undergraduate students studying medicine, law, science and arts volunteered to complete an online survey. Questions examined student attitudes towards the delivery of social media pedagogy at university and the perceived benefits of social media proficiency. Findings Participants stated that social media skills should be taught in optional classes (85 per cent) covering generic competencies (56 per cent). The majority (91 per cent) of respondents reported that social media skills and training were valuable for employability. Research limitations/implications This was a pilot study and was therefore limited by the self-selection of participants, sample size and geographic location. Practical implications This study identifies that undergraduates across a range of disciplines are receptive to developing professionally relevant social media skills within higher education pedagogy and identify a link between social media proficiency and graduate employability. Originality/value Despite the increasing necessity for social media skills in professional environments, few studies have examined the teaching of social media skills as a core competency in higher education. Instead, social media is largely examined in relation to curriculum delivery and student engagement. This study explores attitudes towards the delivery of social media pedagogy at university and the perceived benefits of social media proficiency exclusively from the viewpoint of undergraduate students, to provide an alternative insight rarely explored in the literature.

Beyond human capital: student preparation for graduate life

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-163
Author(s):  
Kelly Benati ◽  
Juan Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Psychological Capital ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Preparation ◽  
As Stress ◽  
Capital Development ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis research moves beyond a focus on employability skills and explores student perceptions of preparedness for graduate life in a more holistic manner.Design/methodology/approachFinal-year business students were asked to outline their concerns regarding graduate life and the personal and professional challenges anticipated in their careers. The results are presented in the context of graduate capitals, which is a broader view than the more traditional skills-based approach.FindingsThe results indicate students do not feel underprepared for the workplace in terms of human capital, social capital, cultural capital and identity capital. However, many students feel inadequately prepared in terms of psychological capital and their ability to deal with the expected challenges of the workplace such as stress, long hours and the demands of a professional environment.Research limitations/implicationsThis study extends our knowledge of student preparation for the workplace and suggests research opportunities to better understand psychological capital development in graduates.Practical implicationsGreater confidence and a perception of preparedness may be increased for graduates if opportunities for psychological capital development and increased promotion of its importance are enhanced.Social implicationsThe results encourage a more holistic approach to employability in graduates and have relevance for all stakeholders concerned with graduate outcomes and workplace transition.Originality/valueThe paper presents work-readiness in the context of graduate capitals, which is broader than the traditional skills-based approach. It also focuses on student perceptions of their level of preparation for the workplace. This has enabled results which highlight psychological capital development as a key area in which students feel underprepared.

scholarly journals Business students’ reflection on reflective writing assessments

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-260
Author(s):  
Aya Ono ◽  
Reina Ichii
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Reflective Writing ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Writing Assessments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
First Semester ◽  
Business Context ◽  
Research And Teaching ◽  
The University

Purpose This paper provides an analysis of the experiences of undergraduate business students undertaking reflective writing as a series of incremental assessments. Using Moon’s map of learning (1999) as an analytical framework, it explores the value of reflective writing to students studying Asian culture in the business context during the first semester of 2017. Design/methodology/approach With 200 enrolments, the authors taught a core business course, Asian culture in the business context, in the first semester in 2017. The value of the assessments is analysed based on two data sources: written course feedback via a course survey and a combination of semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The written course feedback was collected by the university during the semester. Approximately, one-third of the students (n = 63) participated in the survey. The other data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus groups for nine students. Ethical approval for the collection of data was obtained from the university ethics committee. Findings The study confirms that reflective writing enables students to make meaning of their learning and transfer it to the cultural context of business practice. In addition, the assessments help the students develop logical thinking and academic writing skills. To increase the use of reflective assignments in business programmes, further research and teaching practice is required. Research limitations/implications A limitation of this research was the relatively small sample size. Even though written survey feedback (n = 63) was used to complement the number of interviewees (n = 9), the findings of the data analysis may not represent the experiences of all students in the course. However, the data are valuable to bridge a gap between the existing research and teaching practice on the use of reflective writing in other disciplines and business education. Practical implications Although the transfer of academic knowledge to business practice is a core capability of the business programmes, business students may not obtain this during their study in the programme. Several students mentioned a lack of opportunity to apply reflective writing skills to other courses in their business degree, except one core course using a reflective essay as an assessment. This implies that the majority of the students in the degree are not exposed to situations that require them to critically evaluate, consolidate and consider what has been taught in relation to future practice. Social implications Further research and practice will increase the popularity of reflective writing assessments in business programmes. As Hedberg suggests, reflective practice should be integrated into all classrooms in business education. Together with analysis and action, reflection should be a core capability for managers (Hedberg 2009). In addition, the business faculty needs to work in a reflective manner that encourages students to be familiar with the reflective practice. Originality/value This paper analyses the pedagogical aspects of reflection based on the experience of undergraduate business students undertaking reflective writing assessments.

An investigation of Indian student attitudes towards entrepreneurs and managers

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-398
Author(s):  
Dennis Barber III ◽  
Suhail Mohammad Ghouse ◽  
John Batchelor ◽  
Francesca Chaher ◽  
Michael L. Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hypothesis Testing ◽  
Ethical Behavior ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Business Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethical Behaviors ◽  
Indian Student ◽  
Indian Students

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of business students in India toward business managers (not self-employed) and entrepreneurs. Design/methodology/approach Students’ perceptions of the ethical behaviors of business managers and entrepreneurs were measured using the Bucar and Hisrich (2001) model. The scale comprises 20 behavioral descriptors, and the students were asked to indicate the degree to which they believed entrepreneurs and business managers would consider these actions as ethical. Findings Responses to general items of ethical behavior demonstrated a difference in the perception of Indian students between business managers and entrepreneurs. Originality/value This study contributes to the field of entrepreneurship in two ways. One involves the results of the hypothesis testing presented herein to evaluate the perceptions of business students in India toward entrepreneurs and business managers. The second contribution is comparing these results to that of a similar study using a US sample (Batchelor et al., 2011) to compare the differences in perceptions toward entrepreneurs and business managers across these two nations.

Eén bril, vele visies?

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-50
Author(s):  
Willem Buyens ◽  
Peter Van Aelst
Keyword(s):  
News Media ◽  
News Coverage ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Economic Issue ◽  
Cultural Issue ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Content Type ◽  
News Reporting ◽  
Content Diversity

Abstract One outlook, many perspectives? Diversity in Flemish news media and the perception of the audience A diverse range of actors and viewpoints can safeguard the quality of news reporting and the distribution of attention to different sides to a story. In this study, we look at the differences in content diversity between the news coverage on two (one socio-economic and one socio-cultural) cases in the Flemish news environment and how these differences translate into perceptions of diversity and bias with the audience. Despite limited differences in content diversity, we find that news items on the sociocultural and socio-economic case highlight different actors. Moreover, news items on the socio-cultural case are more neutral, while the coverage on the socio-economic issue contains more (balanced) viewpoints. These differences in content are largely translated into differences in perception. However, we find that a slight bias in perception of tone in the coverage on the socio-cultural issue is due to personal characteristics and issue-relevant attitudes.

scholarly journals Synergies between adaptation and mitigation in climate change finance

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Locatelli ◽  
Giacomo Fedele ◽  
Virginie Fayolle ◽  
Alastair Baglee
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fund Allocation ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Project Complexity ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Adaptation And Mitigation

Purpose – As adaptation and mitigation are separated in international and national policies, there is also a division in the financial resources mobilized by the international community to help developing countries deal with climate change. Given that mitigation activities can benefit or hinder adaptation, and vice versa, promoting activities that contribute to both objectives can increase the efficiency of fund allocation and minimize trade-offs, particularly in land-related activities such as agriculture and forestry. The purpose of this study is to analyze how climate funding organizations consider the integration of adaptation and mitigation. Design/methodology/approach – The authors interviewed representatives of climate funds directed toward forestry and agriculture to gain a better understanding of how they perceive the benefits, risks and barriers of an integrated approach; whether they have concrete activities for promoting this approach; and how they foresee the future of adaptation–mitigation integration. Findings – Interviews revealed a diverse range of perceived benefits, risks and barriers at local, national and global scales. Most interviewees focused on the local benefits of this integration (e.g. increasing the resilience of forest carbon projects), whereas others emphasized global risks (e.g. decreasing global funding efficiency because of project complexity). Despite the general interest in projects and policies integrating adaptation and mitigation, few relevant actions have been implemented by organizations engaged in climate change finance. Originality/value – This paper provides new insight into how the representatives of climate funds perceive and act on the integration of adaptation and mitigation in forestry and agriculture. The findings by the authors can inform the development of procedures for climate change finance, such as the Green Climate Fund. While managers of climate funds face barriers in promoting an integrated approach to adaptation and mitigation, they also have the capacity and the ambition to overcome them.

Gender differences in the climate change communication on Twitter

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 811-828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Holmberg ◽  
Iina Hellsten
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
News Media ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Climate Change Communication ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Change Communication ◽  
Local Campaigns ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a study about gender differences in the climate change communication on Twitter and in the use of affordances on Twitter. Design/methodology/approach – The data set consists of about 250,000 tweets and retweets for which the authors’ gender was identified. While content of tweets and hashtags used were analysed for common topics and specific contexts, the usernames that were proportionately more frequently mentioned by either male or female tweeters were coded according to the usernames’ stance in the climate change debate into convinced (that climate change is caused by humans), sceptics, neutrals and unclear groups, and according to the type or role of the user account (e.g. campaign, organization, private person). Findings – The results indicate that overall male and female tweeters use very similar language in their tweets, but clear differences were observed in the use of hashtags and usernames, with female tweeters mentioning significantly more campaigns and organizations with a convinced attitude towards anthropogenic impact on climate change, while male tweeters mention significantly more private persons and usernames with a sceptical stance. The differences were even greater when retweets and duplicate tweets by the same author were removed from the data, indicating how retweeting can significantly influence the results. Practical implications – On a theoretical level the results increase the understanding for how women and men view and engage with climate change. This has practical implications for organizations interested in developing communication strategies for reaching and engaging female and male audiences on Twitter. While female tweeters can be targeted via local campaigns and news media, male tweeters seem to follow more political and scientific information. The results from the present research also showed that more research about the meaning of retweeting is needed, as the authors have shown how retweets can have a significant impact on the results. Originality/value – The findings contribute towards increased understanding of both gender differences in the climate change debate and in social media use in general. Beyond that this research showed how retweeting may have a significant impact on research where tweets are used as a data source.

Experiential learning model: improving entrepreneurial values through internship program at start-ups

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald Crestofel Lantu ◽  
Yulianto Suharto ◽  
Ira Fachira ◽  
Anggraeni Permatasari ◽  
Grisna Anggadwita
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Work Culture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Start Ups

PurposeThe development of teaching methods in the field of entrepreneurship education is a challenge for academics to achieve “real active learning.” This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of learning experience through internship program at start-ups. This paper examines the benefits and challenges from stakeholders' experiences and perspectives (business students, start-ups and universities). The authors focus on the entrepreneurial values obtained by exploring start-up processes, culture and work environments.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses qualitative research with a case study approach by applying experiential learning. The objects of this research are students of the School of Business and Management and start-ups in Indonesia. This study divides the pilot program of internship at start-ups into three stages, designing process, execution and evaluation. The analysis technique uses an interpretive approach from interviews and observations of internships based on experiential learning.FindingsThe results showed that the internship program at start-ups in this study has benefits for all major stakeholders, especially students. The results of student learning experiences show that start-ups' characteristics such as a creative work environment, egalitarian work culture and dynamic workflow flexibility can increase their professional and moral values.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has several limitations, including the internship program designed in this study, which is still raw and has several shortcomings. Time series in testing experiential learning is another limitation. For further study, it is necessary to conduct longitudinal research to measure the effectiveness of the start-ups' internship program.Originality/valueThis study provides new insights on experiential learning in developing an internship program at a start-up as an effort to increase entrepreneurial value for business students. This study highlights the possibility that an internship program at a start-up will have an impact on students' entrepreneurial values and competencies.

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