Providing project management knowledge and skills through scaffolding and project-based learning strategy

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaligram Pokharel
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Management Knowledge ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Project management skills are important for today’s engineers, as they get involved in various project-based employment roles. The purpose of this paper is to discuss a learning model to provide project management knowledge through scaffolding and project-based learning (PjBL) methods in the project engineering course. Design/methodology/approach This paper discusses a generic learning model that includes how scaffolding and project-based methods are integrated to provide project management skills to the students. The paper uses the survey method to collect and analyze data on the applicability of the model. Findings Statistical analysis of the collected data shows that the respondents positively perceive the value of the learning model to gain project management knowledge and skills. The response shows that the model is useful not only to the current students but also the graduates who use project management skills in their employment. Practical implications The learning model can be used by the instructors to provide project management skills to undergraduate and graduate students from all education disciplines. Originality/value This paper focuses on the development of a unique learning model, and artifacts used by the students and the instructors for interactive learning and gaining skills on project management.

scholarly journals Project-Based Learning Strategy for Teaching Molecular Biology: A Study of Students’ Perceptions

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 43-53
Author(s):  
Ayman Z. Elsamanoudy ◽  
Fayza Al Fayez ◽  
Aliaa Alamoudi ◽  
Zuhier Awan ◽  
Abdulhadi I. Bima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Molecular Biology ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
King Abdulaziz University ◽  
Survey Instruments ◽  
Student Centred Learning

This current study aims to analyse students’ perceptions regarding implementing project-based learning (PjBL) in teaching a molecular biology course to second-year pharmacy students at King Abdulaziz University as a sort of active student-centred learning method. Sixty-five male and 90 female students were enrolled in this study. This research used survey instruments to assess learners’ perceptions. The survey was divided into four sections that consisted of closedended questions to evaluate students’ overall perceptions of PjBL, communication skills, project management and teamwork activity during their project management process. A 5-point Likert scale was used. Regarding overall learning and students’ satisfaction with the PjBL experience, the percentage was 72.73%, with a score of 21.82 over 30. The percentage of students’ perceptions towards the improvement of their communication skills was 60.98%, with a score of 15.25 over 25. The percentage of students’ perceptions of project management skills was 64.97%, with a score of 12.99 over 20. Finally, regarding teamwork, the survey revealed a percentage of 71.81%, with a score of 43.08 over 60. There was a positive correlation between students’ perceptions of the questionnaire’s four parts and their grade point average (GPA) in the molecular biology course. It can be concluded that PjBL is an effective tool in the active-learning process. PjBL can improve students’ communication and management skills. Also, it encourages teamwork activities between students.

The contribution of project management offices to addressing complexities in principal construction contracting

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Ershadi ◽  
Marcus Jefferies ◽  
Peter Rex Davis ◽  
Mohammad Mojtahedi
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Survey ◽  
Functional Areas ◽  
Larger Sample ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Major Project ◽  
Construction Contracting

PurposeThe purpose of this study is twofold: first, to identify major project management (PM) complexities in principal construction contracting; and second, to study the contribution of project management offices (PMOs) to addressing such complexities.Design/methodology/approachA two-stage research design was adopted through a structured literature review (SLR) and a qualitative survey study.FindingsThe two-stage study resulted in mapping out the contribution of 10 functional areas to 15 complexity factors that were retrieved from the literature and categorized using the TOE (technical, organizational and environmental) framework. Six outcomes including (1) facilitated processes, (2) improved decisions, (3) improved coordination, (4) enhanced alignment, (5) addressed uncertainties and (6) integrated oversight were identified that describe how PMOs can contribute to tackling complexities.Research limitations/implicationsSimilar to other qualitative studies, this study has some limitations in terms of the replicability of results. Regarding the exploratory nature of this study to explain the contribution of PMO to complexity, further quantitative surveys can be conducted using a larger sample to statistically examine the significance of proposed relations between capabilities and complexity factors.Practical implicationsThis study provides an understanding of the contribution of PMOs to tackling ever-increasing complexities embedded in construction contracting. The authors suggest requirements to be considered by professionals toward overcoming such complexities.Originality/valueAlthough prior studies have separately investigated PMO functions and PM complexities, this study explores the link between these two spheres to discuss one important application of PMO in this context.

Enabling construction project managers through a management game

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arash Fahmi Hassan ◽  
Farzad Haghighi-Rad ◽  
Amir-Reza Abtahi
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Simulation Game ◽  
Quality Level ◽  
Construction Project Management ◽  
Management Game ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Knowledge

Purpose This paper aims to design and develop a management game in the field of construction project management so that by playing the game, the required level of knowledge, skills, capabilities and overall project management competencies in individuals will be promoted. Also, player’s competencies can be measured. Design/methodology/approach This study, in terms of application, is applied research. The construction project management simulation game (CPMSG) was played by 18 university students. To evaluate the level of the players’ project management knowledge and quality of the game, questionnaires were used. Findings The game improves the players’ project management knowledge by 158%, and the educational program that was formulated in the game has also achieved the first three levels of bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives. In the field of game quality, analysis of players’ results of responses and scores show that the game has a good quality level. Originality/value The CPMS game provides a useful tool for project management training, especially in the field of construction projects. It helps in addition to improving the quality of teaching theoretical topics, making students acquainted with the risks and uncertainties of such projects, and provides a simulated experience. In the field of common behavior analysis and player’s selection, the results indicated that the majority of groups used high-quality materials during the games to perform activities related to the appearance of the building (such as finishing and building facade activities) and used medium quality materials in implementing infrastructural activities such as brickwork and floor construction that are not visible in the appearance of work.

Flexibility decision pathways in the management of uncertainty in property development: experience from an emerging market

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Oluwafemi Ayodele ◽  
Abel Olaleye
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Market ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Property Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Development Experience ◽  
High Level ◽  
Stratified Analysis ◽  
Management Of Uncertainty ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the flexible decision pathways adopted by development advisors in the management of uncertainty in property development. Specifically, the study examines the quantitative techniques adopted by development advisors, the level of adoption of real options analysis (ROA) vis-à-vis the level of adoption of heuristics. Finally, the types of options exercised in property development were analysed. This was with a view to providing information that could mitigate the challenges of risk and uncertainty and increasing investment failure associated with property development in Nigeria, an emerging market. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a survey method and was conducted on development advisors in property development companies/estate surveying and valuation firms in Nigeria. A total of 195 development advisors participated in the survey. The respondents were required to rate, on a five-point Likert scale, the level of adoption of the quantitative models, heuristics and the types of flexibility exercised during development. The data were analysed using mean rating, one-sample t-test and analysis of variance. Findings The results revealed that there was a preference for the use of traditional techniques, while probabilistic appraisal models and other contemporary methods such as ROA are seldom adopted by development advisors. While there was a significantly high level of adoption of heuristics, the stratified analysis examining the profile of the respondents and the level of adoption of ROA and heuristics suggests that years of experience influenced the level of adoption of both the ROA and heuristics by the development advisors. The analysis of the types of flexibility showed that staging/phasing and changing the initial use/design were the most prevalent flexibility pathways adopted during the development. However, the study found that there was no significant difference concerning the choice of flexibility being adopted by development advisors who used ROA and those who did not. Practical implications The study provides an understanding of the decision pathways adopted by development advisors in an emerging market like Nigeria. Originality/value The paper contributes to studies on decision-making pathways in the management of uncertainty under dynamic conditions by development advisors in emerging markets.

m-servicescape: effects of the hotel mobile app servicescape preferences on customer response

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seonjeong Ally Lee
Keyword(s):  
Brand Loyalty ◽  
Hotel Industry ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Mobile Marketing ◽  
Customer Engagement ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Mobile Service ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to explore how customer engagement behaviors and brand loyalty are enhanced through customers’ preferences of m-servicescape, based on the S-O-R model as a theoretical background. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional, online, self-administered survey method was conducted to examine proposed relationships by recruiting previous users of hotel mobile apps in the USA. Findings Results identified aesthetics, functionality and symbolism preferences of the m-servicescape fulfilled customers’ evaluations on autonomy and relatedness needs fulfillment, which positively influenced their engagement behaviors and brand loyalty. Research/limitations/implications This study contributed to mobile marketing research by investigating customers’ preferences of m-servicescapes that enhanced customers’ positive responses in the hotel industry. Practical implications Practical implications are as follows: using a holistic approach to explore mobile service environments in fulfilling customers’ needs, enhanced customers’ engagement behaviors and brand loyalty. Originality/value This study proposed and empirically investigated the role of m-servicescapes in customers’ evaluations on needs fulfillment and their positive responses in the hotel industry.

Knowledge transfer in IS offshoring: a Delphi study of the offshore coordinator role

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Artur Strasser ◽  
Markus Westner ◽  
Susanne Strahringer
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hard Skills ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Strong Consensus ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Is Offshoring

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the main tasks, necessary skills, and the implementation of the offshore coordinator’s role to facilitate knowledge transfer in information systems (IS) offshoring. Design/methodology/approach This empirical exploratory study uses the classical Delphi method that includes one qualitative and two quantitative rounds to collect data on IS experts’ perceptions to seek a consensus among them. Findings The participants agreed, with strong consensus, for a set of 16 tasks and 15 skills. The tasks focused primarily on relationship management and facilitating knowledge transfer on different levels. The set of skills consists of approximately 25 per cent “hard” skills, e.g. professional language skills and project management skills, and approximately 75 per cent “soft” skills, e.g. interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to deal with conflict. Two factors mainly influence implementing the offshore coordinator role: project size and the number of projects to be supported simultaneously. Practical implications The findings provide indications of how to define and fulfill this crucial role in practice to facilitate the knowledge transfer process in a positive way. Originality/value Similarities in previous research findings are aggregated to examine the intermediate role in detail from a consolidated perspective. This results in the first comprehensive set of critical tasks and skills assigned to the competency dimensions of the universal competency framework, demonstrating which and how many competency dimensions are critical.

Moving past sporadic eruptions, discursive killing, and running amok: recognizing the convergence of the serial and spree killer

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enzo Yaksic
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Gun Control ◽  
The Other ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Limited Mobility ◽  
Rapid Sequence ◽  
Clear Delineation ◽  
Serial Murderers ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Rapid sequence homicide offenders (RSHOs), formerly spree killers, are an understudied population due to the confusion surrounding their classification in relation to serial murderers. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory, comparative analysis of 56 RSHOs and 60 serial murderers was conducted on US-based data from 2014 to 2018 derived from the Consolidated Serial Homicide Offender Database to determine similarities and differences between the cohorts. Findings RSHOs and serial murderers are similar in that they often kill their victims using a singular method, have limited mobility, kill a similar number of victims both known and unknown to them and are both supremely motivated by domestic anger. There is an inverse relationship between serial murderers and RSHOs: as one group increases in prevalence the other decreases. Practical implications In order to divert men into more pro-social activities, attention must be dedicated to increasing mental health services that provide them with the tools to diffuse their hatred and couple that with effective gun control strategies and ways to enhance the compromised anger management skills of a generation of volatile men. Originality/value Academicians have been hesitant to juxtapose these offenders but based this conclusion on surface-level differences. A reimagining of these categorical structures is needed. The once clear delineation between these cohorts may continue to shrink and synchronize until one subsumes the other.

Effect of paternalistic leadership style on subordinate’s trust: an Indian study

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 264-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Preeti S. Rawat ◽  
Shiji Lyndon
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Style ◽  
Moral Leadership ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Paternalistic Leadership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Authoritarian Leadership ◽  
Team Efficacy ◽  
Indian Context ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Item Scale

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of paternalistic leadership of the boss on the trust of the subordinate. Design/methodology/approach The present study adopted survey method to test the hypotheses. Paternalistic leadership style was measured by a 24-item scale developed by Cheng et al. (2004). Trust was measured by a four-item scale by Schoorman and Ballinger (2006). Data were collected from a sample of 253 respondents. Findings The results show that in India, paternalistic leadership style leads to subordinate trust. The result further found that though benevolent and moral leadership leads to trust, authoritarian leadership does not lead to formation of trust. Practical implications The study has important implications in areas like managing leader–member relations, leadership training and team efficacy. Originality/value Leadership researchers in Indian context have largely adopted etic approach which attempts to generalize Western leadership theory to Indian context. However, uncritical adaptation of techniques developed in Western context may not be effective in the Indian cultural environment. The concept of paternalistic leadership was developed in Chinese context, but as India scores high on paternalism, the present study uses the paternalistic leadership style to study its effect on subordinate’s trust on leader.

Employers' perspectives on work readiness in construction: are project management graduates hitting the ground running?

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1363-1379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Borg ◽  
Christina M. Scott-Young
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Work Readiness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Empathic Communication ◽  
Construction Knowledge ◽  
Technical Construction ◽  
Industry Needs ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThere is a need for graduates who can quickly adjust and thrive within the current increasingly dynamic project-based workplaces. The purpose of this paper is to present the employers' perspectives on the work readiness of project management graduates entering the Australian construction industry.Design/methodology/approachTo gain the industry's perspective, qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants from 18 different construction companies that employ project management graduates.FindingsThematic analysis revealed that from the employers' perspective, work readiness constitutes (1) empathic communication, (2) passion and (3) technical construction knowledge. Graduates' areas of strength (e.g. application of technology) and weakness (e.g. responding to confrontational situations) were identified.Practical implicationsThe findings provide valuable insights into employers' perspectives of the work readiness of project management graduates which can serve as feedback to universities to assist in aligning their educational programmes with industry needs.Social implicationsWhile employers recognize that the responsibility for fostering work readiness should be shared between themselves and universities, this research highlights that currently adequate collaboration does not occur. This paper advocates for both universities and employers to be open to engaging in the conversation to enhance graduate work readiness.Originality/valueNo research to date has investigated the work readiness of project management graduates, nor whether their work readiness levels meet employers' requirements. This paper addresses this gap.

scholarly journals Sustainable Development Planning: Master’s Based on a Project-Based Learning Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 6384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cazorla-Montero ◽  
de los Ríos-Carmenado ◽  
Pasten
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Development Planning ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Staff Perceptions ◽  
Sustainable Rural Development ◽  
Learning Platforms

The educational subject of Sustainable Development Planning in Europe is evolving due to the implementation of the Bologna Agreement across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). This paper analyses a project-based learning strategy for training Sustainable Development Planning in postgraduate programs, in Spain (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, UPM). This project-based learning strategy is applied to an International Postgraduate Program for Sustainable Rural Development—Erasmus Mundus, Master’s of Science—with the participation of five European Union universities that formed the Agris Mundus Alliance for Sustainable Development. Using a mixed methods approach, the research examined the program’s implementation through student and staff perceptions, from the technical, behavioral and contextual project management skills. The paper argues that the “Practical Learning platforms” used in the Master’s demonstrate the correct approach of the learning strategy based on teaching–research linked to the professional sphere. The findings that were identified can be categorized as follows: (1) Perspective: holistic thinking and intellectual coherence, defining the contextual skills that must be navigated within and across the broader environment, (2) Practice: experiential learning by reconnecting to real-life situations, and (3) People: Personal and interpersonal skills required to succeed in sustainable projects, programs and portfolios. Reflections on the experience and main success factors in the learning strategy are discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document