Vocational students' perspective on professional skills workplace learning

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sari Metso ◽  
Aino Kianto
Keyword(s):  
Workplace Learning ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vocational Students ◽  
Professional Skills ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to identify factors that influence vocational students' development of professional skills during workplace learning and to examine the effects and relationships of these factors. Design/methodology/approach – The results were based on the responses of 285 graduating Finnish vocational students. The confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations were conducted using Lisrel. Findings – Motivational factors, including performance orientation and self-efficacy, and organizational factors, including guidance, psychological climate and knowledge acquisition, had a direct and positive impact on the students' development of professional skills. The attitudinal factor measured through work alienation had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between the organizational factors and the development of professional skills. The cognitive factor consisting of prior work experience in the studied field, however, had no effect on skill development Research limitations/implications – The study was based on students' self-appraisal of the studied factors. Future research should consider workplace instructors' and vocational teachers' viewpoints regarding students' development of professional skills. Practical implications – Managers are encouraged to plan a structured orientation period for students and to help workplace instructors design their work in order to facilitate a successful workplace learning period. Originality/value – This study highlights the importance of organizational factors and workplace instructors to students' development of professional skills through work. Furthermore, it provides empirical evidence on the special characteristics of these factors.

Vocational students’ perspective on organizational factors enhancing workplace learning

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 381-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sari Metso
Keyword(s):  
Workplace Learning ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vocational Students ◽  
Professional Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Climate ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Practical Tool

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify organizational factors that enhance the vocational students’ development of professional skills during workplace learning and, furthermore, to examine the effects of the factors identified on the development. Design/methodology/approach – The results were based on 285 Finnish graduating vocational students’ responses. The confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations were conducted by using Lisrel. Findings – The students’ development of professional skills was enhanced by three organizational factors: an innovative climate, guidance, and interactions with seniors. Furthermore, the results emphasized that other employees have a central role in enhancing the students’ professional skills development. Research limitations/implications – The study used the students’ self-appraisal of the examined factors because it seems to be a common approach. However, future research should consider managers’ and seniors’ viewpoints. Practical implications – Managers should map present and future skills requirements set by the organization and create a detailed plan for the students’ workplace learning. A practical tool to engage and support employees to enhance the students’ professional skills is to make a process with explicit descriptions of each organizational factor and the actors’ responsibilities. Originality/value – The study provides empirical evidence supporting the substantial influence of organizations on the students’ development of professional skills.

Emotional capability: the missing link between information technology capabilities and innovation performanceCapacidad emocional: el vínculo perdido entre capacidades de tecnologías de la información y desempeño innovadorCapacidade emocional: O elo perdido entre as capacidades das tecnologias da informação e o desempenho inovador

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
José Arias-Pérez ◽  
Joaquin Alegre ◽  
Cristina Villar
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
It Services ◽  
It Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Market

Purpose There has been a great interest in the literature in understanding the incidence of information technology capabilities (ITC) on innovation performance (IP). Recently, it has been proven that this relationship is mediated by organizational factors requiring an additional effort in terms of information processing in a rational and analytical manner, including strategic market orientation and absorptive capacity; however, the role of emotions in this discussion has not been widely addressed. A scenario in which emotions are inhibited, in particular, emotional capability (EC), prevents the activation of other forms of cognition relating to intuition, experience and empathy. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the mediating effect of EC on the relationship between ITC and IP. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyzed the statistical significance of the indirect effects through structural equations. Findings The results show the existence of partial mediation of EC. Therefore, it is evidenced that less rational constructs, such as EC, serve as a bridge between ITC and IP, on account of the improvement in information processing, the level of information technology (IT) use and virtual communication. Originality/value This finding is quite significant because it forces innovation researchers and practitioners to reconsider the prevailing study perspective that explores only analytical mediators, which implies an additional effort in terms of rational processing of information. All this because there is a risk of accentuating the cognitive overload and increasing the levels of stress that lead employees to stop receiving and using information provided by IT services, which compromises the possibility of obtaining better results in innovation.

Factors affecting electronic invoice adoption and tax compliance process efficiency

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yulan Qi ◽  
Anna Che Azmi
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Tax Compliance ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Process Efficiency ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that affect the adoption of electronic invoices and in turn the impact of these factors on the tax compliance process efficiency of companies. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was distributed to 276 users who adopted electronic invoicing. Partial least squares regression was used to analyze the collected data. Findings This study found that perceived benefits and trust in e-government had a positive influence on the adoption of electronic invoices. At the same time, the adoption of electronic invoice was found to have a positive impact on the overall efficiency of the tax compliance process. Moreover, the factors affecting adoption of electronic invoices can have a mediating effect on that adoption and tax compliance process efficiency. Research limitations/implications This study only explored these influencing factors on companies that have adopted electronic invoicing. Future research should distinguish between adopters and non-adopters. Practical implications The results of this study can guide tax authorities and other electronic invoice suppliers when promoting the adoption of electronic invoicing. Social implications This research can provide guidance to tax authorities to improve their own electronic invoice system by creating a workforce that have the skills to strengthen citizen’s trust in the electronic invoice system. Originality/value This study contributes to the electronic adoption literature by examining those factors that impact tax compliance processes efficiency.

Reducing the intention-to-behaviour gap for locally produced foods purchasing

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 508-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Campbell ◽  
Ann E. Fairhurst
Keyword(s):  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Grocery Store ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Grocery Shopping ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Retail Grocery ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The study regarding retail grocery considers the mediating effect of store atmospheric responsiveness (SAR) on the relationship of purchase intentions (PI) and extent of purchase (EP) for locally produced foods as well as potential moderators of trust and price consciousness (PC). The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The study used survey methodology of 755 grocery store shoppers for locally produced foods and structural equations modelling to test proposed relationships. Findings – A significant positive relationship between PI and EP for locally produced foods exists and that SAR mediated the relationship. Trust was found to moderate the relationship of PI and EP, while PC moderated the SAR to EP. Research limitations/implications – The use of a survey methodology which may lack generalizability. Customers may report desired vs actual intentions or behaviours, and the sample included a large majority of female and Caucasian shoppers. The framework can serve as a guide for future research on store atmospherics in retail grocery. Practical implications – In-store atmospheric factors are important to customer PI and their EP behaviours for locally produced foods. Trust of store and PC are also important. Results may aid managers in determining appropriate in-store “atmospheric” variables to help support customer decision making as they grocery shop. Originality/value – This paper adds value to the literature by considering the role of the store environment on behavioural outcomes like EP of locally produced foods and adds a unique perspective by creating a combined assessment of store atmospherics and individual consumer traits in the grocery shopping domain.

Do age, work experience and gender affect individuals’ propensity to trust others? An exploratory study in the United Arab Emirates

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 210-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachid Zeffane
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trust Formation ◽  
Propensity To Trust ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of age, work experience and gender on individuals’ propensity (inclination or readiness) to trust others. Design/methodology/approach The authors gathered literature arguments and developed a basic theoretical model explored through an empirical study. The study uses a sample of 324 retail business owners/operators in the United Arab Emirates. The authors developed and tested three main hypotheses. Findings Age has a significant positive impact on the propensity to trust. Work experience has a similar effect, but to a lesser degree. Females are generally less predisposed to trust. However, the impact of age on trust was significant for both males and females. Research limitations/implications This study focuses on a small sample of individuals in a single country. A larger multi-context study would be beneficial in verifying the above findings. Also, the concept of trust used in this study is general and focuses mainly on general likelihood/aspirations to trust others. Future research could examine the relationship of age to different aspects of trust and in different circumstances. Practical implications The findings of this study have several practical benefits. They draw the attention of human resource management practitioners and policy makers to the importance of age, work experience and gender in shaping trust relationships in both societal and business contexts. Originality/value The impact of age (and aging) work and society in general is a growing concern. Despite the number of studies examining trust and the process of trust formation, the relationships between age, gender and trust have been largely overlooked in previous research. This study attempts to address this gap and provides useful evidence likely to inspire further/future research on this issue.

Relational flexibility norms and relationship-building capabilities as a mediating mechanism in export performance: insights from exporting SMEs in an emerging economy, Peru

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Malca ◽  
Jean Pierre Bolaños ◽  
Francisco J. Acedo ◽  
Jorge Luis Rubio Donet ◽  
Jesus Peña-Vinces
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Export Performance ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Relationship Building ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Coordination Costs ◽  
Relational Flexibility ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyse the mediating and moderating effects of relational flexibility norms on relationship building capacities and export performance.Design/methodology/approachThe study followed a quantitative and cross-sectional approach. The analysis was applied to 95 Peruvian Exporting SMEs which were examined through structural equation modelling (SEM) using AMOS 24.0 statistical package. The responses were gathered through telephone and personal interviews which were tested using the Mann–Whitney U test, finding no statistically significant differences.FindingsThe main finding of the study is to demonstrate the indirect effect of relational flexibility norms on the export performance of SMEs through relationship-building capabilities. In this way, these capabilities become very important variables in the export management of SMEs, since they directly affect the relationship of the Exporter–Importer dyad.Research limitations/implicationsOne of the limitations is the cross-sectional type study that applies to the short-term effects of relational norms. Organizational characteristics and other factors that may affect export performance should also be considered in future research, as well as longitudinal studies should be developed.Practical implicationsThe study allows SMEs to focus management efforts on strengthening the relationship – building capabilities, which are very important given SMEs' resource constraints. Therefore, an adequate management of relations with importers can contribute to the reduction of control and coordination costs; and have a positive impact on export performance. Similarly, the study contributes to the management of export promotion by suggesting that one area to be prioritized is the strengthening of the relationship capacities of exporting SMEs.Originality/valueThe study provides the analysis of the mediating effect of the relationship-building capability between relational flexibility and export performance. In this way, it enriches the theoretical analysis and contributes with the empirical evidence of an emerging country like the case of Peru.

How transformational leadership supports knowledge sharing

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phong Ba Le ◽  
Hui Lei
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Distributive Justice ◽  
Procedural Justice ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Service Firms ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to clarify the influences of transformational leadership (TL), aspects of justice and trust on knowledge sharing (KS) process after assessing the controlling role of individuals’ education and gender. Design/methodology/approach Structural equations modeling (SEM) has been applied to evaluate the degree of influence that each variable has on the others through using data collected from 353 respondents of 56 large manufacturing and service firms. Findings The results show that distributive justice, procedural justice and trust in leadership play mediating roles in the relationship between TL and KS behavior. TL and procedural justice have more significant effects on knowledge collecting, while trust in the leader and distributive justice have more significant effects on knowledge donating. Research limitations/implications Future research can investigate how personal characteristics (e.g. educational level and work experience) may play moderating roles in the relationships between TL and KS processes. Practical implications From a practical perspective, the study brings a deeper understanding for directors and managers about the necessary factors to encourage and promote KS behavior in the organization. Originality/value The study findings provide a theoretical basis that can be used to analyze the relationships between TL, aspects of justice, trust and the KS process.

scholarly journals The influence of business ethics and community outreach on faculty engagement: the mediating effect of legitimacy in higher education

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Blanco-González ◽  
Cristina Del-Castillo-Feito ◽  
Giorgia Miotto
Keyword(s):  
Business Ethics ◽  
Common Good ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Management Style ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Faculty Engagement ◽  
Ethical Management ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to measure the effects of universities' ethical management and positive impact on society affect the faculty engagement through the mediating effect of organizational legitimacy.Design/methodology/approachEngaged employees are characterized by better performance, increased productivity and by generating higher customer loyalty as well greater economic profit. The commitment to the organization they work for is affected by internal and external inputs. Among these, business ethics and corporate community outreach are key factors for improving employee engagement. The authors developed a survey that was distributed to professors of Spanish universities. To treat the data and test the proposed hypotheses, the authors applied structural equations through PLS-SEM.FindingsThis research contributes to the organizational management field literature and advises university administrators to adopt an ethical management style based on information transparency, accountability and faculty member involvement in the decision-making process in order to improve their engagement and, therefore, increasing student satisfaction, academic results and positive impact on the common good.Originality/valueThe novelty of the authors’ research stands in the inclusion of legitimacy as a mediation effect between business ethics and community outreach that affect employees' engagement and, specifically, faculty engagement.

Firm size and workplace learning processes: a study of the restaurant sector

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 305-320
Author(s):  
Daniel Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Informal Learning ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Workplace Learning ◽  
Firm Size ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Learning ◽  
Individual Choice ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper asks how workplace learning environments change as firm size increases, and how employees respond to this. In doing so, it looks beyond an exclusive focus on formal training and incorporates more informal, work-based learning processes. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a comparative, qualitative research design, using semi-structured interviews with an under-researched group of workers – waiting for staff in restaurants. The data were collected from six restaurants of different sizes. Findings As formally instituted human resource development (HRD) structures expand as firm size increases are more extensive in larger firms, this leaves less room for individual choice and agency in shaping the learning process. This does not inevitably constrain or enhance workplace learning, and can be experienced either negatively or positively by employees, depending on their previous working and learning experiences. Research limitations/implications Future research on HRD and workplace learning should acknowledge both formal and informal learning processes and the interaction between them – particularly in small and growing firms. Insights are drawn from the sociomaterial perspective help the authors to conceptualise this formality and informality. Research is needed in a wider range of sectors. Practical implications There are implications for managers in small, growing firms, in terms of how they maintain space for informal learning as formal HRD structures expand, and how they support learners who may struggle in less structured learning environments. Originality/value The paper extends current understanding of how the workplace learning environment – beyond a narrow focus on “training” – changes as firm size increases.

Cognitive and affective predictors of occupational stress and job performance: the role of perceived organizational support and work engagement

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Junça Silva ◽  
Cannanda Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Job Performance ◽  
Occupational Stress ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Perceived Organizational Support ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThis study aimed to (1) analyze whether the perceived organizational support (POS) was a significant predictor of performance and stress and (2) explore the mediating role of engagement in these relations.Design/methodology/approachTo test the hypotheses, the authors collected data with 200 working adults in a mandatory quarantine due to COVID-19 pandemic crisis.FindingsThe results showed that the POS contributed to increase engagement, and consequently, job performance. These relations also proved to be significant for stress, because when the POS increased, the work engagement also increased, and as a result decreased occupational stress.Research limitations/implicationsThis study relied on a cross-sectional design. Therefore, future research should consider a daily design to replicate this study and analyze daily fluctuations. Overall, the authors can conclude that work engagement is an affective process through which POS decreases stress and increases performance.Originality/valueThis study tests the mediating effect of work engagement on the link between POS, stress and performance, and its theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document