Eric H. Shaw: reflections on an improbable academic career

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric H. Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Career ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Primary Sources ◽  
Field Of Study ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Mission ◽  
Teaching Research

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the author’s serendipitous career and provide some lessons that might be of value to those pursuing the academic mission: teaching, research and service. Design/methodology/approach The method involves primary sources; mainly the author’s CV to jog recall of events and dates, some of his articles and the teachings and writings of many others that influenced or inspired various aspects of the author’s career. Findings The author’s experiences affirm that to achieve any degree of success in the professoriate, in addition to having some talent it is also helpful to be lucky. There is a lot to navigate at a university. Opportunities exist at every turn, some noticed some missed. When recognized, be prepared. Being a professor is not what you do, it is who you are. Preparation for an academic career involves becoming a self-improvement project (essentially, a life-long student learning lessons). It requires developing expertise (preferably excellence) in some field of study, as well as resourcefulness, resilience and perseverance. Originality/value Each individual’s story is unique. The author’s path seems to have included more twists and turns than most. Consequently, he tried to highlight the experiences with lessons learned in most sections, some obvious some less so, which he expects (at least hopes) will prove valuable to future educators.

Barriers to Arab female academics’ career development

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 1058-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waed Ensour ◽  
Hadeel Al Maaitah ◽  
Radwan Kharabsheh
Keyword(s):  
Career Development ◽  
National Culture ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Academic Career ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
Labour Law ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hrm Practices

Purpose Arab female academics struggle to advance within their universities in both academic and managerial ranks. Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the factors hindering Arab women’s academic career development through studying the case of Jordanian academic women. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered through document analysis (Jordan constitution, Jordanian Labour Law and its amendments, higher education and scientific research law, Jordanian universities’ law and universities’ HR policies and regulations), interviews with 20 female academics and a focus group with 13 female academics (members of the Association of Jordanian Female Academics). Findings The results indicate female academics as tokens facing many interconnected and interrelated barriers embodied in cultural, social, economic and legal factors. The findings support the general argument proposed in human resource management (HRM) literature regarding the influence of culture on HRM practices and also propose that the influence of culture extends to having an impact on HR policies’ formulation as well as the formal legal system. Originality/value The influence of culture on women’s career development and various HR practices is well established in HR literature. But the findings of this study present a further pressure of culture. HR policies and other regulations were found to be formulated in the crucible of national culture. Legalizing discriminatory issues deepens the stereotypical pictures of women, emphasizing the domestic role of women and making it harder to break the glass ceiling and old-boy network.

scholarly journals Lessons learned: intentional implementation of second makerspaces

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Moorefield-Lang
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Design Thinking ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Research Participant ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
The Body ◽  
Planning Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Scholarly Publications ◽  
Study Results

Purpose What happens when a librarian outgrows their maker learning location or transfers to a new library? The purpose of this study is to explore the planning process for second and/or new library makerspaces. Is the planning more intentional? Is there more focus on how the makerspace should be put together for the community served? Is the community further involved? This study will explore those questions and more. Design/methodology/approach Using content analysis, the perspectives of practicing librarians in the achievement of subsequent makerspaces are examined. Data include librarian interviews, an analysis using NVivo 11 through the lens of design thinking, and a final review using member checking by each research participant. Findings Makerspaces continue to grow in popularity in school and public/community libraries. What is unexplored is the moving from a first makerspace to the implementation of a second and/or new maker learning location. More intentional planning is involved. The community served by the library is further engaged in the planning. Study results illustrate the value that community insight and intentional planning play in the design and implementation of makerspaces. Originality/value Makerspaces in libraries continue to grow in popularity; in turn, the body of peer-reviewed, scholarly publications also continues to grow. Librarians in the field are beginning to move from their first to second makerspaces. This study investigates those perspectives. Much can be gained from the experiences of those who have implemented their second or third makerspace.

Lessons learned in establishing a quality improvement project to reduce hospital acquired infections in the neonatology ward at a referral hospital in Rwanda

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naasson Gafirimbi ◽  
Rex Wong ◽  
Eva Adomako ◽  
Jeanne Kagwiza
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Referral Hospital ◽  
Quality Improvement Project ◽  
Injection Technique ◽  
Improve Quality ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Purpose Improving healthcare quality has become a worldwide effort. Strategic problem solving (SPS) is one approach to improve quality in healthcare settings. This case study aims to illustrate the process of applying the SPS approach in implementing a quality improvement project in a referral hospital. Design/methodology/approach A project team was formed to reduce the hospital-acquired infection (HAI) rate in the neonatology unit. A new injection policy was implemented according to the root cause identified. Findings The HAI rate decreased from 6.4 per cent pre-intervention to 4.2 per cent post-intervention. The compliance of performing the aseptic injection technique significantly improved by 60 per cent. Practical implications This case study illustrated the detailed application of the SPS approach in establishing a quality improvement project to address HAI and injection technique compliance, cost-effectively. Other departments or hospitals can apply the same approach to improve quality of care. Originality/value This study helps inform other hospitals in similar settings, the steps to create a quality improvement project using the SPS approach.

Unlocking the value of HR to drive a change-ready culture

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 171-176
Author(s):  
Campbell Macpherson
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Culture Change ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
World Culture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Large Organization ◽  
The Real ◽  
Personal Experiences

Purpose This paper aims to present a case study focused on developing a change-ready culture within a large organization. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on personal experiences gleaned while driving an organization-wide culture change program throughout a major financial advisory firm. Findings This paper details over a dozen key lessons learned while transforming the HR department from a fragmented, ineffective, reclusive and disrespected department into one that was competent, knowledgeable, enabling and a leader of change. Originality/value Drawing on the real-world culture change intervention detailed here, including results and lessons learned, other organizations can apply similar approaches in their own organizations – hopefully to similar effect.

Innovation in infrastructure projects: an Australian perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soroush Maghsoudi ◽  
Colin Duffield ◽  
David Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
New Products ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Risk Averse ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Design Project ◽  
Effective Implementation

Purpose Unlike manufacturing and research and developments, major infrastructure projects rarely emphasize or drive their objectives on the basis of innovation. This is in part because of a risk-averse culture, yet conceivably great benefits and opportunities are being lost because of this behavior. Design/methodology/approach The case for focusing on innovation in infrastructure projects is that the reasons driving innovation are not fully understood, and this impedes the effective implementation of lessons learned for the numerous innovative projects into practice more generally. The purpose of this study was to discover how innovation is produced and captured in major infrastructure projects in Australia and to understand how innovation may be replicated for future projects through refinement of design, project management, finance and procurement. Findings Engineering and project managers may find this paper helpful to better understand how innovation might happen in infrastructure projects and what different forms it can take. Originality/value The findings of this study demonstrate that people and culture drive consistent successful infrastructure outcomes more than simply the development of new products or processes.

The wrong side of the spreadsheets: a life in the digital humanities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Digital Humanities ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Career ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
The Other ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
Wrong Side ◽  
Entire Career ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this viewpoint paper is to reflect on both the technological and the humanities aspects of working in the digital humanities. Design/methodology/approach The author completed her academic career as Professor of Digital Humanities (DH) at the University of Brighton, UK. In terms of approach, she looks back over 25 years of working in this domain, which she entered as a scientist in contrast to most of the other academics at that time who came from the humanities. She delineates her academic journey that passed through various disciplines/fields. Findings The author reflects upon her entire career, starting with decisions made at school, to see how they have affected her contribution to DH. She concludes that a deep understanding of technological issues is fundamental to making sense of such complex fields as Big Data and its effect on humanities research in particular and society in general. She also draws attention to the loss of several highly technical, specialised and practical DH teams, which were replaced with ones whose focus is on DH discourse. Originality/value The author is writing as one of the very few scientists who belonged to the new area of history and computing in the mid-1990s.

Physiological cost of concrete construction activities

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wonil Lee ◽  
Giovanni Ciro Migliaccio
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Time Effect ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Concrete Construction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Physiological Cost ◽  
Level Of Activity ◽  
Construction Trades

Purpose The purpose of this paper was to investigate the physiological cost of concrete construction activities. Design/methodology/approach Five concrete construction workers were recruited. The workers’ three-week heart rate (HR) data were collected in summer and autumn. In this paper, several HR indexes were used to investigate the physiological cost of work in concrete construction trades, including average working HR, relative HR and ratio of working HR to resting HR. Findings This paper measures how absolute and relative HRs vary throughout a workday and how working HR compares to resting HR for individual workers. Research limitations/implications Field observations are usually extremely difficult as researchers need to overcome a number of barriers, including employers’ resistance to perceived additional liabilities, employees’ fear that their level of activity will be reported to managers and many other practical and technical difficulties. As these challenges increase exponentially with the number of employers, subjects and sites, this study was limited to a small number of subjects all working for the same employer on the same jobsite. Still, challenges are often unpredictable and lessons learned from this study are expected to guide both our and other researchers’ continuation of this work. Originality/value The time effect on the physiological cost of work has not been considered in previous studies. Thus, this study is noteworthy owing to the depth of the data collected rather than the breadth of the data.

scholarly journals Transformation to self-managing teams: lessons learned

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarten Renkema ◽  
Tanya Bondarouk ◽  
Anna Bos-Nehles
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Transformation Process ◽  
Healthcare Organization ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Board ◽  
Stakeholder Groups

Purpose Although self-management is not a new phenomenon, there is a lack of understanding about how to transform organizations towards self-managing teams (SMTs). The purpose of this paper is to propose a guiding framework for how the empowerment process can be managed. Design/methodology/approach The paper sets out 12 guidelines on how to address the transition towards SMTs based on a case study at a large Dutch healthcare organization. The lessons are drawn from observations, documents and more than 55 interviews with key informants. Findings This paper provides a holistic overview of lessons learned from the transformation process towards SMTs. The 12 recommendations are targeted at four stakeholder groups, namely, the management/board, HRM department, coach-managers and members of the SMTs. Originality/value The originality lies in the systematic approach including lessons learned for all levels of the organization.

Barriers to BIM implementation strategies in China

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 554-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yijun Zhou ◽  
Yu Yang ◽  
Jyh-Bin Yang
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Resistance To Change ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Organizational Issues

Purpose Effective BIM application hinges on the development of appropriate strategies for its implementation. Though some strategies have been deployed to facilitate BIM implementation in China, their outcomes are not clear. The purpose of this paper is to provide recommendations regarding appropriate strategies for promoting the development and implementation of BIM in China based on lessons learned from advanced implementation experiences in other countries. Design/methodology/approach First, existing strategies are investigated and barriers to BIM implementation mentioned in previous studies are summarized. Then, the identified barriers are mapped to the strategy contents. Finally, a comparative analysis on different areas is conducted to propose suggestions for identified items of BIM implementation strategies that need to be improved. Findings Six unaddressed barriers to BIM implementation strategies in China were identified from the mapping results: insufficient government lead/direction, organizational issues, legal issues, high cost of application, resistance to change of thinking mode and insufficient external motivation. Originality/value The findings of this study can be used to facilitate the development of appropriate strategies within the public and private sectors for promoting BIM implementation in China and elsewhere.

The influence of Senge’s book The Fifth Discipline on an academic career: a research journey into the learning organization and some personal reflections

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 513-520
Author(s):  
Swee Chua Goh
Keyword(s):  
Learning Organization ◽  
Collaborative Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Career ◽  
Personal Reflection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Peter Senge ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Personal Reflections

Purpose In this paper, the author explores his research journey into the learning organization and its impact on his academic career. This paper describes how Peter Senge’s book The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of The Learning Organization (1990) was the spark that led to the author’s focus on empirical research in the field. Design/methodology/approach This paper provides author’s personal reflections on how this decision put him on a path to a variety of serendipitous experiences, exciting research areas and also enabled him to engage in productive collaborative research with many of his colleagues. Findings The findings conclude with a discussion on what the author see as new challenges and perspectives for advancing research into the learning organization. Originality/value This paper provides a unique perspective on how The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge has influenced an academic career. It presents a personal reflection of a research journey into the learning organization that spans over 30 years.

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