scholarly journals Rural seed sector development through participatory varietal selection

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Lynn Wilkus ◽  
Gian Nicola Francesconi ◽  
Matthias Jäger
Keyword(s):  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Market Participation ◽  
Participatory Varietal Selection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Interventions ◽  
New Varieties ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Rural Producers ◽  
Development Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This impact assessment provides empirical evidence from household producer surveys to test the assumptions surrounding the contribution of participatory varietal selection (PVS) activities on seed sector development. The purpose of this paper is to focus on household access and adoption of common bean varieties from seed provision services and local markets to determine if, and under what social conditions, PVS activities stimulated seed uptake and market participation. Design/methodology/approach The propensity score matching technique and simple regression analysis were used to estimate the impact and compare household performance across three farmer groups located in Hoima, Uganda. Findings PVS increased access to and adoption of improved varieties and supported additional intermediate development outcomes when farmer group characteristics were aligned with PVS efforts. Specifically, PVS was more likely to stimulate market purchases of newly introduced varieties in the farmer group located closest to markets. The project did not however, improve all the development objectives that were evaluated. PVS most critically, did not increase the probability that households received the specific varieties they desired. Research limitations/implications This study found that PVS can support the key pillars of seed sector development. In addition to increasing household access to new varieties, free seed dissemination promoted market participation and stimulated local seed market development. Originality/value This study addressed the need to consider intermediate development outcomes in impact assessments of development interventions. The findings clarified the contribution of PVS in the context of broader development goals and identified farmer group dynamics associated with enhanced impacts among rural producers in Uganda.

Impact of training and professional development on health management and leadership competence

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 354-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reuben Olugbenga Ayeleke ◽  
Nicola Henri North ◽  
Annette Dunham ◽  
Katharine Ann Wallis
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Mixed Methods Design ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Interventions ◽  
Leadership Competence ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Management And Leadership

Purpose Training to improve health management and leadership competence is recommended. However, there is limited evidence showing the impact of training on competence. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the evidence for the impact of training and professional development on health management and leadership competence. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review was conducted using a mixed-methods design. Studies using qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods design were included. The following electronic databases were searched to October 2018: CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE, ERIC, NEDLINE and PsycINFO. Study eligibility and methodological quality were assessed independently by two review authors. Data from qualitative studies were synthesised using thematic analysis. For quantitative studies, odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for each intervention. Where appropriate, qualitative and quantitative data were integrated into a single synthesis using Bayesian methods. Findings In total, 19 studies were identified for inclusion in the review. Training and professional development interventions using flexible, multiple training techniques tailored to organisational contexts can improve individual competence and performance. Such training is typified by a leadership development programme. There was insufficient evidence to determine the effects of interventions on organisational performance. Originality/value This is the first systematic review evaluating the impact of training and professional development interventions on health management and leadership competence.

The contribution of tourism towards a more sustainable and inclusive society: key guiding principles in times of crisis

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 679-689
Author(s):  
Carla Cardoso
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
International Organisations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Guiding Principles ◽  
Inclusive Society ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose At a time when tourism is embarking on the path to recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, this paper aims to put forward a set of principles guiding the development of tourism to enable global society to become more inclusive and sustainable. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopted a descriptive design using views and data mainly published by 11 international organisations and specialised agencies between March and mid-June 2020. Content analysis was carried out to enable the research to identify features and the presence of challenges for tourism within international organisations’ documents and leaders’ speeches to compare them. Findings The results revealed that there are five key principles that may have a significant impact on tourism development, suggesting that these could be adopted for building a more inclusive and sustainable economy, while mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Practical implications Adopting the five key principles recommended in this paper can help tourism to emerge stronger and in a more sustainable way from COVID-19 or other future crises. Equally, this can incite changes in policies, business practices and consumers’ and locals’ behaviours with a view to building a truly sustainable sector. Originality/value This study helps to reconfirm existing knowledge in the COVID-19 context by highlighting five guiding principles that can help tourism players to respond to this crisis disruption and future ones via transformative innovation. In doing so, these will also be contributing to the achievement of the ideals and aims of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Promoting entrepreneurial intention through a higher education program integrated in an entrepreneurship ecosystem

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Ferrandiz ◽  
Pilar Fidel ◽  
Andrea Conchado
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intention ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to improve the current knowledge of the effects of a higher education program for entrepreneurs, integrated in an entrepreneurial ecosystem, in the entrepreneurial intention of the students. Design/methodology/approach For this, group dynamics have been carried out with the students to know the process of entrepreneurial learning, the acquisition of competences, the mentoring received and the influence of the program in its entrepreneurial intention in the short and medium term. Findings The results suggest that the program positively influences students’ entrepreneurial intention, especially in the medium term. In particular, they point out that working personal skills in the program contribute to the development of their entrepreneurial project. On the other hand, mentoring requires a more methodical accompaniment and a greater degree of specialization of the mentors. Research limitations/implications This research represents an excellent first step toward a better understanding of the factors that influence entrepreneurial intention. In addition, they lead to improve existing knowledge about the impact of entrepreneurial higher education. The only limitation of the paper is given by its nature as a case study. Practical implications The case study aims to provide the results of the practical experience of a higher education program in entrepreneurship and serve as a basis for future lines of research that address the research gap based on the need of identification of best practices in entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial behavior. Social implications This work brings practical experience that inspires diverse social actors as managers of higher education programs, managers of ecosystems entrepreneurs and public institutions. Originality/value Our findings respond to previous concerns on the results of programs aimed at training future entrepreneurs. Besides, this work describes an interesting case study based on a postgraduate program, while most of the previous studies have been limited to undergraduate programs.

Stepping up to market participation of smallholder agriculture in rural areas of Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joko Mariyono
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Market Participation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Access To Credit ◽  
Seed Technology ◽  
Vegetable Farming ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse factors that determine farmers’ intention to commercialise vegetable-based agribusiness ventures in rural areas and assess the effect of commercialisation on farmers’ income.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a regression approach. Market participation and farmers’ income were hypothesised to be dependent on other external factors. This study employed data compiled from a quantitative survey of 357 farm households located in four major vegetable producing regions of rural East Java and Bali, Indonesia.FindingsResults indicate that household attributes, business environment, supporting facilities and farm characteristics determined farmers to commercialise vegetable farming. Access to credit, seed technology and farm site played high contribution to the market participation. Ultimately, commercial vegetable farming provides an economic advantage regarding increased income. Land fragmentation and status of landholding were identified to influence the net revenue of vegetable farming.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has a limitation concerning the number of samples and the availability of data and information. The number of samples is 357 which is about 4 per cent of the total population.Practical implicationsEstablishment of vegetable agribusiness terminals with all market infrastructures, adequate access to market information, credit and human capital investment through training and extension services are also required, will boost market participation. Re-structuring land ownership might be the best step to augment farmers’ income, through consolidation of fragmented fertile lands devoted to intensive vegetable farming.Originality/valueThis study was purposely conducted in rural areas where there were subsistence farmers, as this is to improve farmers’ income by commercialising vegetable crops. A novel feature of this finding is the role of access to credit in the commercialisation of vegetable farming and the impact of landholding status on the profitability of intensive farming of high-valued vegetables.

Online learning and teaching for the SDGs – exploring emerging university strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayden Holmes ◽  
Oli Rafael Moraes ◽  
Lauren Rickards ◽  
Wendy Steele ◽  
Mette Hotker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Institutional Leadership ◽  
Global University ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore emerging synergies and tensions between the twin moves to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and online learning and teaching (L&T) in higher education institutions (HEIs). Design/methodology/approach A preliminary global exploration of universities’ SDG-based L&T initiatives was undertaken, using publicly available grey and academic literature. Across a total sample of 179 HEIs – identified through global university rankings and analysis of all 42 Australian universities – 150 SDG-based L&T initiatives were identified. These were analysed to identify common approaches to embedding the SDGs. Findings Five key approaches to embedding the SDGs into online (and offline) HEI L&T were identified: designing curricula and pedagogy to address the SDGs; orienting the student experience towards the SDGs; aligning graduate outcomes with the SDGs; institutional leadership and capability building; and participating in cross-institutional networks and initiatives. Four preliminary conclusions were drawn from subsequent analysis of these themes and their relevance to online education. Firstly, approaches to SDG L&T varied in degree of alignment between theory and practice. Secondly, many initiatives observed already involve some component of online L&T. Thirdly, questions of equity need to be carefully built into the design of online SDG education. And fourthly, more work needs to be done to ensure that both online and offline L&T are delivering the transformational changes required for and by the SDGs. Research limitations/implications The research was limited by the availability of information on university websites accessible through a desk-top review in 2019; limited HEI representation; and the scope of the 2019 THE Impact Rankings. Originality/value To date, there are no other published reviews, of this scale, of SDG L&T initiatives in universities nor analysis of the intersection between these initiatives and the move to online L&T.

Towards digital sustainability: the long journey to the sustainable development goals 2030

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Sparviero ◽  
Massimo Ragnedda
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Theoretical Point ◽  
Sustainable Society ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to suggest that, to build a digital sustainable society, core terminal and instrumental values of sustainability and sustainable development should be followed across different worldviews, and in the formulation of policies or other initiatives form private and public stakeholders. These values are normative, they support the coordination of efforts of different stakeholders and can serve as guidelines for driving the development trajectory of technologies contributing to a sustainable society. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper defines digital sustainability from the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. From the Rio Process (1992), through the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), this paper analyzes and theoretically discusses the intersection between digital aspects of human life and wider sustainability concerns for humanity and the planet. Technologies and digital processes are functional catalysts to the achievement of the UN 2030 SDGs and crucial for individuals’ everyday life, but their adoptions is also conditional to a variety of conflicting worldviews. Findings This paper focused on the role of digital technologies in innovation and transformation and their impact on the environment, individuals, society and economy, from a theoretical point of view. Digital technologies have changed the way in which people communicate, study, work, interact and even look for friends, relationships and love. It is, therefore, important to reflect upon the impact that this revolution would have on the individuals and on the wider socio-economic, political and environment context. In this vein, this paper attempted to reflect on the sustainability of this revolution, by sketching the concept of digital sustainability drawing upon the concept of sustainability. Originality/value Digital sustainability – like sustainability – relies on three universal values: equality, harmony, self-determination. In fact, to be sustainable, the use of digital technologies should be led by the equality value, namely, the need to not compromise the future generations, both in terms of exploitation of natural resources to produce them and in terms of to create and nor reduce job opportunities for future generations. Second, digital technologies might help tackling both the ecological and social crises through a universal collaboration according to the harmony’s value. Finally, the third value for digital sustainability is self-determination. It applies to individuals and social formations and it refers to the capability of being in control of your destiny.

ICT services to students in the greater Accra region of Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 118 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 393-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patience Emefa Dzandza
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Ict Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Method Of Instruction ◽  
Ict Training ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to describe an information and communication technology (ICT) training programme in the central library in Ghana, to discuss the benefits of the programme and the challenges faced by those delivering it and to relate this work to the broader development goals of the UN and the Africa Union (AU), offering some recommendations on how the programme can be made more effective. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a qualitative approach to help determine the modality of the programme to two junior high schools (JHSs) in the area that benefit weekly from the training programmes offered at the ICT corner. Interviews were conducted with two staff of the ICT corner to help gather information on the services that the ICT corner offers and the challenges with the programme; ICT teachers and a library coordinator of the two JHSs were also interviewed to find out about their opinion on the programme and the impact they think the programme can make to help achieve the agenda of equipping the youth with ICT skills. Focus group discussions were held with two classes from the JHSs for them to indicate the ICT skills they have acquired from the training and what they can use the skills to achieve. The researcher also witnessed two training sessions and observed daily activities of the ICT corner and the method of instruction. Findings The study brought to fore the contribution GhLA is making to help Ghana achieve Agenda 2063 and 2030 by helping students acquire basic ICT skills that are motivating them to use computers in their daily activities. Originality/value The study highlighted the importance of libraries in the twenty-first century and recommendations were made, among others, that, the facility should be replicated in all public libraries to be used by schools that do not have their own ICT lab in Ghana and the library should employ more staff to help with the training.

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH IN RICE BREEDING ON WOMEN FARMERS: A CASE STUDY IN EASTERN UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

2008 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
THELMA R. PARIS ◽  
ABHA SINGH ◽  
AMELIA D. CUENO ◽  
V. N. SINGH
Keyword(s):  
Participatory Research ◽  
Uttar Pradesh ◽  
Women Farmers ◽  
Rice Varieties ◽  
Participatory Varietal Selection ◽  
Farmer Adoption ◽  
New Varieties ◽  
Eastern Uttar Pradesh ◽  
On Farm ◽  
The Impact

SUMMARYThis paper assesses farmer adoption of rice varieties and new genotypes introduced through participatory varietal selection (PVS) in villages which represent submergence- and drought/submergence-prone villages in eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. It focuses on the involvement of women farmers in participatory research for screening improved varieties for areas which suffer from abiotic stresses. It further assesses the impact on the decision-making authority (or women's empowerment) on rice varietal choice, seed acquisition and disposal, and crop management after participating in PVS trials. It suggests strategies to empower women farmers in making sound and timely decisions on farm-related matters and to enhance their roles in accelerating the adoption of new varieties.

Self-help groups in India: challenges and a roadmap for sustainability

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1013-1033
Author(s):  
Akhaya Kumar Nayak ◽  
Prabin Kumar Panigrahi ◽  
Biswanath Swain
Keyword(s):  
Capacity Building ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Inclusive Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Government Organizations ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Inhibiting Factors ◽  
Self Help Groups ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Self-help groups (SHGs) have widely been accepted by developing nations for their contribution to inclusive development. Despite its importance and the recognition of the same, SHGs and their members face several challenges. The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively investigate the inhibiting factors affecting the effectiveness of women SHGs. The paper also proposes a roadmap for all the self-help promoting institutions, such as banks, state and central government, and non-government organizations to address the challenges. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts an exploratory research design to undertake this applied research. It uses phenomenographic and interpretative approaches. Qualitative data have been collected from 24 members belonging to eight SHGs from the eastern Indian state of Odisha with the help of a semi-structured interview schedule. The result has been analyzed by using content analysis. Findings The study finds that SHG members in Odisha face several challenges in the form of financial bottlenecks, entrepreneurial obstacles, capacity-building impediments, mentor-ship challenges, socio-structural challenges and group dynamics. Research limitations/implications The study finds many unique and contextual inhibiting factors, which are valuable additions to the existing literature. At the same time, the result may not be applicable to other kinds of SHGs, such as Alcoholic Anonymous, as their nature, composition and deliverables are quite different from the SHG that the current study has taken into consideration. Practical implications The proposed roadmap would be useful to policymakers, non-government organizations and other agencies involved in the promotion and capacity building of SHGs operating in Odisha in particular and India in general. Originality/value The literature is mainly concerned with the impact evaluation of SHG programs. This study investigates the challenges faced by SHGs in a systematic way and provides a roadmap to address the same in a comprehensive way.

Psychological ownership in team-based entrepreneurship education activities

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 600-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Wing Yan Man ◽  
Maris Farquharson
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Entrepreneurship Education ◽  
Psychological Ownership ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Education Activity ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore psychological ownership (PO) during team-based projects as part of entrepreneurship education. Design/methodology/approach – The critical incident technique using semi-structured interviews was adopted on a sample of 20 participants involved in team-based entrepreneurship education activities. From reported critical incidents interpretation of the participants’ perceived ownership behaviour centred on: “what” participants perceived they owned; “when” PO occurred; and “how” they perceived that ownership. Findings – Different forms of collective and individual levels PO exist as an important element in the context of team-based entrepreneurship education activities. The form of PO changes at junctures during different stages of team-based entrepreneurship education activity. Moreover, PO is heavily influenced by a range of individual and group-based factors, specifically the social interaction at the start of such projects and self-reflection towards the end. Research limitations/implications – Further investigations might be made on the measures of PO, and on the relationship between PO and learning outcomes in entrepreneurship education. The impact of group dynamics and culture on the formation of PO should be addressed. Practical implications – As an important element for effective entrepreneurship education, PO should be promoted through team oriented, authentic and experiential activities allowing nurturing and encouraging contacts with various stakeholders. Such activities should also be reflective, allowing rotation of team roles, and extending over a longer time horizon. Originality/value – This study is an attempt to empirically examine the role of PO in entrepreneurship project teams. It also contributes to our understanding of the dynamic nature of PO through social interaction and reflection.

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