Toward understanding principals’ hiring practices

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mimi Engel ◽  
F. Chris Curran
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Teacher Recruitment ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Chicago Public Schools ◽  
Hiring Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Starting Point

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore variation across principals in terms of the number and types of strategies they engage in to find teachers to fill the vacancies in their schools. The practices that the authors consider to be strategic are aligned with the district’s goals and objectives for teacher recruitment. Design/methodology/approach – The authors selected 31 schools from the Chicago Public Schools system through a combination of stratified random sampling and purposive sampling. Through analysis of qualitative interviews with the 31 principals of these schools, the authors explore a range of principals’ hiring strategies and provide brief case examples to illuminate differences in hiring practices across principals. Findings – The authors find that the majority of principals in the sample engage in relatively few of the practices considered strategic. Interestingly, sample principals who engaged in seven or more strategic practices were more likely to work in high schools than in elementary schools. Research limitations/implications – While the range of strategic hiring practices the authors explore provides a starting point for analyzing principals’ hiring practices, it is important to recognize that the list of strategies the authors consider is not exhaustive. For instance, the context of the study did not allow the authors to analyze practices such as the consideration of teacher value-added scores. Practical implications – This study should be replicated in other contexts in order to see whether and how principals’ hiring practices vary by country, geographic location, urbanicity, and other factors. Originality/value – This study is the first, to the authors’ knowledge, to detail principals’ hiring practices in relation to their district’s teacher recruitment plan with the aim of adding to the knowledge base on teacher hiring.

What Explains the Race Gap in Teacher Performance Ratings? Evidence From Chicago Public Schools

2020 ◽  
pp. 016237372097020
Author(s):  
Matthew P. Steinberg ◽  
Lauren Sartain
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Teacher Performance ◽  
School Context ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Chicago Public Schools ◽  
Performance Ratings ◽  
Evaluation Systems ◽  
Teacher Diversity ◽  
Educator Evaluation ◽  
School Differences

Racial gaps in teacher performance ratings have emerged nationwide across newly implemented educator evaluation systems. Using Chicago Public Schools data, we quantify the magnitude of the race gap in teachers’ classroom observation scores, examine its determinants, and describe the potential implications for teacher diversity. Between-school differences explain most of the race gap and within-school classroom-level differences—poverty, incoming achievement, and prior-year misconduct of a teacher’s students—explain the remainder of the race gap. Teachers’ value-added scores explain none of the race gap. Leveraging within-teacher variation in the teacher–evaluator race match, we find that racial mismatch does not influence observation scores. Adjusting observation scores for classroom and school context will generate more equitable ratings of teacher performance and mitigate potential adverse consequences for teacher diversity.

Teaching for international mindedness in Chicago Public Schools International Baccalaureate humanities classes

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Tocci ◽  
Ann Marie Ryan ◽  
David C. Ensminger ◽  
Catur Rismiati ◽  
Ahlam Bazzi Moughania
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Phase I ◽  
Classroom Practice ◽  
International Baccalaureate ◽  
Chicago Public Schools ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods ◽  
Learner Profile

PurposeThe International Baccalaureate (IB) programme centers on developing students' international mindedness. Central to this effort is the programme's “Learner Profile,” which details ten attributes that teachers seek to cultivate through classroom instruction. This article reports on the ways that middle grades and high school social studies and English teachers in Chicago Public Schools' (CPS) IB programmes are attempting to implement the Learner Profile as part of their classroom practice to support students' international mindedness.Design/methodology/approachThe project was carried out as a two phase, sequential mixed-methods design. Phase I entailed a survey of IB teachers and programme coordinators across CPS to assess the incorporation of the Learner Profile into instruction. Phase II consisted of mixed-methods case studies of CPS IB programmes selected partially on Phase I data analysis.FindingsWe find that while teachers express high levels of familiarity with the Learner Profile attributes and confidence in incorporating them into practice, we find wide variation in the actual implementation. Taken as a whole, we find CPS programmes take divergent approaches to incorporating the Learner Profile based on differences in understanding of the attributes and its purposes as well as key organizational facets related to implementation.Originality/valueUltimately, we argue that the wide variation and lack of explicit incorporation of the Learner Profile into classrooms is related in large part to the broad, indistinct nature of “international mindedness” as a concept. The programme would benefit from creating more space for teacher and students to critique the concept, especially those working from non-Western traditions.

The relevance of teacher factors in understanding tertiary students’ performances

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 476-488
Author(s):  
Maame Afua Nkrumah
Keyword(s):  
Student Performance ◽  
Computer Literacy ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
First Semester ◽  
Teacher Survey ◽  
Starting Point

PurposeThis study aims to find out the relevance of observable teacher characteristics – age, gender, teaching experience and qualification in understanding the performance of tertiary students.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach was taken. The input-process–output-context framework by Schereens (2004) was used in selecting appropriate variables for the study. Students’ examination results and other administrative records as well as data collected via teacher survey were analyzed using multilevel statistical techniques. Overall, 40 teachers and over 1,800 students were involved in the study.FindingsThe effect of the selected teacher variables was mixed. For example, while female teachers impacted negatively on first semester Communication Skills (CS1), their effect on the same course during the second semester was positive. Also, teachers with teaching experiences between five and eight years impacted negatively on CS1 but positively on first semester Computer Literacy (CL1).Research limitations/implicationsEven at the tertiary level, the teacher factor is an important variable influencing student performance. However, a contextualized interpretation of the findings is emphasized considering the fact that only one Ghanaian Polytechnic was studied.Practical implicationsThe study provides a starting point for building a body of evidence that would inform policymakers, quality assurance practitioners and Polytechnic staff alike of possible approaches, methodologies and variables to focus on in ensuring internal quality.Social implicationsThe study would help the studied Polytechnic to direct its resources to areas that can practically improve educational quality and society in general.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the debate about quality in African higher education given that studies that use the value-added approach in examining institutional effectiveness in the African context are almost non-existent.

scholarly journals Referrals for new client acquisition in professional services

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart Grierson ◽  
Ross Brennan
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Professional Services ◽  
Professional Service ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Client Referral ◽  
Referral Behavior

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address the following research question: What are the perceptions of professionals and consumers regarding the antecedents of client referrals in the financial advice sector? Design/methodology/approach A total of 61 qualitative interviews were conducted, with the following three key groups: independent financial advisers (IFAs; 20 interviews), clients of IFAs (26 interviews) and consumers who manage their own financial affairs and do not use the services of an IFA (15 interviews). Findings The financial advisers interviewed believe that client referrals are important to their business success, that they can influence clients to become ambassadors who will consciously seek out new clients and that excellent service will motivate clients to provide referrals. However, the interviews with the clients painted a different picture. While advisers believe that they can influence client referral behavior, the clients did not believe that they were influenced by the adviser to make referrals. Research limitations/implications The sampling method was non-random and relied on the professional contacts of the principal researcher as a starting point, from which a network of contacts was established to identify interviewees. The study casts doubt on the ability of professional service providers to influence client referral behavior. This novel finding deserves further research investigation. Practical implications There is clearly scope for greater measurement in connection with referrals in professional service businesses. The propensity for clients to refer should be included as a metric in the performance measurement of professional service providers, in addition to standard financial measures. This would encourage the service provider to consider referrals during client interactions. Originality/value The study reports on a substantial qualitative study involving both professional service providers and their clients. While the providers believe that client referrals are critical to their business success, the evidence collected provides little or no support for this belief. Clients report they are not motivated to refer. Advisers do not explicitly measure referrals. The reality of referrals seems not to match the mythology.

Winemaking performance: whether the crisis is over

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (5) ◽  
pp. 1064-1077
Author(s):  
Anatoliy G. Goncharuk
Keyword(s):  
Government Regulation ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Recent Decade ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Positive Contribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Endogenous Factors ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Main Determinants ◽  
The Government

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find how much the efficiency of winemaking has changed since the crisis of 2008 and what are the main determinants of winemaking performance in the recent decade. Design/methodology/approach This study applied a three-stage approach to explore productivity, efficiency and profitability changes. At the first stage of the empirical study, the Malmquist Total Factor Productivity indexes based on the data envelopment analysis are used to reveal tendencies of wineries’ productivity and the reasons for its changes. At the second stage, productivity indexes were used to find out the main exogenous and endogenous factors. At the final stage, the profitability change after the crisis in the context of the wine types and a size of wineries is explored. Findings The main trends and factors of winemaking performance after 2008 were defined. It was found that a crisis in winemaking in Ukraine has been going on for almost decade with the greatest failure in 2014 that led to the falling overall efficiency. This failure was caused mainly by the military and political factors regarding the annexation of Crimea by Russia, the changes in consumer behaviour with a tendency to reduce overall alcohol consumption, and the government regulation increased excise duties on wines. Despite the efficiency crisis in Ukrainian winemaking, the positive contribution of technological progress provides its productivity growth. The small- and medium-sized enterprises in winemaking have a high resistance to the crisis and fiscal pressure. Despite it losing a half of value-added and being unprofitable, the small wine business has managed to increase the labour and capital productivities and overtake big wine business on these indicators. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to one country and the relatively small sample of the wineries. However, it can be a starting point for a series of research on the development of anti-crisis winemaking strategy. Practical implications The findings of the study can be helpful for the Ukrainian Government to prevent crisis continuation in the winemaking sector. This case may be instructive for other countries, faced with a protracted crisis of efficiency in winemaking. Originality/value This is the first study that examines the winemaking performance and its factors after the world financial crisis, based on the case of Ukraine.

scholarly journals Multinational enterprises, risk management, and the business and economics of peace

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 270-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Oetzel ◽  
Jason Miklian
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Investment Risk ◽  
Local Society ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Local Environments ◽  
Complex Settings

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to reconceptualize how managers of multinational enterprises (MNEs) manage risk, particularly in fragile and/or conflict-affected areas of operation. The authors suggest that MNEs consider reducing risk at its source rather than trying to avoid or react to risks as they occur. By incorporating peacebuilding strategies, managers may not only reduce investment risk but also contribute to stability and prosperity in the communities where they operate, and gain a competitive advantage in doing so. Design/methodology/approach The authors show how firms can take a more holistic approach to working in conflict-affected areas. They do so by overlaying conceptualizations of risk with those of peacebuilding and then use case examples to illustrate how such actions work in practice. Findings Using a series of examples, the authors find that MNEs that incorporate peacebuilding frameworks in their risk calculations in complex settings tend to have a better understanding of local environments and how they affect firm operations and profitability. These same MNEs may hold a long-term advantage over international competitors that do not share the same understanding. Originality/value The authors argue that the study of relationships between international businesses and society in conflict-affected or fragile areas of operation is under-developed and tends to focus on negative (risk-aversion) aspects as opposed to positive (value-added) opportunities. This paper offers new ways in which these relationships can be reconceptualized. The authors’ main takeaway is that a peacebuilding approach does not require corporations to be arbitrators of peace at the expense of profit. Rather, it is instead a broader way to conceptualize and weigh risk when working in the world’s most challenging regions. This approach is more likely to be in the long-term interest of both the firm and the local society where the firm operates.

What is “strategic asset seeking FDI”?

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus E. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Direct Investment ◽  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Distinct Type ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Capability Building ◽  
Definition Of

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to shed more light on the concept of “strategic asset-seeking FDI”, which is frequently used in discussion of emerging economy multinational enterprises (MNEs), but it is challenged by some scholars. The author argues that he needs this category because an important type of foreign direct investment (FDI) is not captured by the other motives identified by John Dunning, namely, market-, efficiency- and natural-resource-seeking FDI. Design/methodology/approach – The author illustrates the phenomenon of strategic asset-seeking FDI with case examples that form the starting point for his theoretical arguments. Findings – Some FDI is undertaken explicitly with the aim to use assets acquired abroad to enhance the operations of the investor in other markets, including, notably, the investors’ home market. This contribution to capability-building processes of the MNE, indeed, constitutes an important and distinct type of investment motive. Originality/value – The author concluded that Dunning’s typology remains a powerful tool to analyze contemporary business strategies, but it suggests refining the definition of the categories.

A model for determining the value of patient satisfaction in healthcare

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 798-815
Author(s):  
Jan M. Myszewski ◽  
Madhav Sinha
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Process Management ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Quality Level ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Cost

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find determinants of the effectiveness of the business improvement processes that create value for services offered to patients in healthcare industries. The words patients and customers are used interchangeably throughout without any distinction. The features that distinguish medical services of different types and their inter-related factors are examined. The aim is to come up with a model of value vs cost that can help healthcare managers examine and use this exercise as an example of improvement micro-projects to help reduce cost and eliminate the patient’s dissatisfaction gaps. Design/methodology/approach The list of factors or attributes influencing the creation of value of a given medical process or a single procedure is described. The factors in the value creation are examined that will help in the categories for the risk analysis to determine the value-added benefits for the patient outcome. The cost analysis is approached from two angles to include: the cost of the service, and the costs of poor quality of service. Findings The model describes the value for the patient satisfaction depending on the quality level or grade of the treatment or procedures used and the cost factor. The analysis is done at several levels with special reference to case examples. A search for various analogous models in similar service providing situation used in business process management of other process types is highlighted and discussed. Originality/value The model is an interesting generic illustration for considering value vs cost in all patient care strategies. It enables the position of various medical procedures that can be applied to the same disease in order to keep the variations as minimum as possible within the quality control specification limits. The importance in different aspects of check-points or hold points for inspection is also discussed.

Female business owners hiding in plain sight

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison D. Weidhaas
Keyword(s):  
Public Relations ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
Female Business Owners

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore what female business owners hide to better understand social norms and discourses that influence the decisions women make about how they structure their home and work lives. Design/methodology/approach The author used qualitative interviews to access the narratives of female business owners in public relations within the USA. This industry segment attracts primarily women and, unlike a retail store, offers women a variety of ways to structure their business hours and locations. Findings Women use hiding as a way to manage others’ impressions and as a way to gain legitimacy for themselves and their organizations. Specifically, the findings fall into three categories: hiding childcare obligations, obscuring their work locations and “fake it until you make it”. Hiding is used a strategy to deal with tensions that arise based on women’s interpretations of social norms and discourses. Research limitations/implications Based on the finite nature of any study, it is difficult to assess the long-term impact of hiding. Further, as with many studies, the geographic location, gender and industry segment provide a context for this research, which means the reader must determine the transferability. Originality/value Few studies explore hiding as a means to gain access to gendered discourses that can undermine identity construction and business growth. By uncovering what female business owners hide, it provides opportunities for self-awareness and agency.

Teachers’ readiness to adopt online teaching amid COVID-19 lockdown and perceived stress: pain or panacea?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Prashant Mehta
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Readiness To Change ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Readiness To Adopt

Purpose Prolonged closure of educational institutions prompted authorities to adopt online teaching as an alternative method to impart education. The purpose of this study is to investigate the readiness on the part of teachers to switch/adopt online teaching as a part of their pedagogy. Also, this study analyses relationship between perceived stress (PS) and readiness to change (RTC)/adopt. Design/methodology/approach All the constructs were adapted from established scales, exploratory factor analysis confirmed item loadings on the appropriate constructs. Convenience sampling was used for data collection; owing to COVID-19 this appeared to be the only viable method. Partial least square structural equation modelling was used for analysis of data. Findings Results from this study indicate that 32.2% variance in RTC is accounted for by exogenous constructs perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and autonomy (AUT). Although f2 effect size pointed towards non-significance of AUT in predicting RTC (path coefficients were found to be significant for all the exogenous constructs). Also, RTC accounted for 32.6% variance in PS. To assess the predictive relevance of the model, blindfolding procedure was used to obtain Q2 values (Q2PS = 0.231; Q2RTC = 0.243). Positive Q2 values provide support for the model’s predictive relevance. Research limitations/implications Data were collected from teachers employed in urban public schools. A complete picture can be obtained by involving teachers from rural public and state-run schools. Practical implications Teachers’ readiness to adopt online teaching as a part of their pedagogy may act as a starting point for the policymakers to design properly structured training programs for teachers that minimise stress levels. Social implications If not handled properly, the society may end with either loss of learning to one generation or a major chunk of stressed-out teaching populations or both. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is probably the first one focusing on sudden shift to online teaching and PS.

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