scholarly journals Online examination: a feasible alternative during COVID-19 lockdown

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Choon Yong Alex Tan ◽  
Kye Mon Min Swe ◽  
Veronica Poulsaeman
Keyword(s):  
Academic Dishonesty ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Movement Control ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Evaluation Tool ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Examination

Purpose The purpose of this case study is to share the authors’ involvement and observation in adopting online exam as an evaluation tool, in the hope that others may too be able to adapt and circumvent this lockdown period while bringing a more reliable methodological approach in an online exam. Design/methodology/approach This is a case study that reports the application of an online examination for a year 3 MBBS Professional Exam during the period of lockdown (movement control). This case highlights the conduct of online theory in the form of single best answer multiple choice questions and online practical via objective structured clinical examination, without jeopardizing the integrity of the system, and the measures adapted to mitigate potential academic dishonesty. Findings The authors’ observation shows that online exam can be conducted in scenario where conventional exam is not possible. Research limitations/implications This is an observation in a real-life scenario that discusses the purpose and the process. A single study may not be sufficient to relate the reliability and generalizability of the analysis. Practical implications The practice of social distancing is a hindrance towards traditional classroom teaching. Online exam has promising potential to be the solution to this problem. The authors have demonstrated that an MBBS theory and practical exam can be conducted remotely without any physical contact, without any compromise in achieving the learning objectives within the curriculum. Medical education can proceed with a new drive while ensuring the learning process continues a stable momentum. Originality/value Online examination is almost unheard of, especially for undergraduates in the medical programme. This study highlights a plausible approach in the design of the online examination and identifies the barriers and favourable edges of this platform.

Design workshops in the age of climate change

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeroen De Waegemaeker ◽  
Eva Kerselaers ◽  
Maarten Van Acker ◽  
Elke Rogge
Keyword(s):  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Water System ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regional Project ◽  
Design Workshop ◽  
Specific Barriers

Purpose As policy makers address the issue of climate adaptation, they are confronted with climate-specific barriers: a long-term horizon and a high degree of uncertainty. These barriers also hamper the development of spatial planning for climate adaptation. So how can spatial planners encompass these barriers and steer the general debate on climate adaptation? The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This research analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of an international design workshop on climate adaptation, and drought issues in particular. Design workshops are originally an educational setting but they are increasingly employed as a tool to explore alternative futures on a complex, real-life design problem. The case study illustrates how climate-specific barriers emerged throughout the design workshop and clarifies how they were encompassed by the participating design students. Findings The research clarifies the added value of a design workshop on climate adaptation. The paper highlights specific promising characteristics of the design workshop: the visualization of future adaptation challenges and the current water system, the focus on a regional project instead of sectoral adjustments and the integration of the adaptation challenge with other socio-economic goals. In the case study Flanders, however, the necessary participation of climate experts and policy makers of other domains proved challenging. Originality/value The paper argues that a design workshop has the potential to enrich the debate and policy work on climate adaptation. In many countries with low-planning tradition, however, additional tools are needed to help set the “adaptation agenda.”

Learning about translators from library catalog records: implications for readers’ advisory

2015 ◽  
Vol 116 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 264-276
Author(s):  
Keren Dali ◽  
Lana Alsabbagh
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Library Catalog ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bibliographic Records ◽  
Bibliographic Data ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Public Librarians

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to make public librarians aware of the wealth of information about translators that is contained in bibliographic records of their own library catalogs so they could use this information for the benefit of readers’ advisory (RA) work involving translated titles. Design/methodology/approach – The article uses the method of bibliographic data analysis based on 350 selected translated fiction titles (and 2,100 corresponding catalog records) from six large Canadian public libraries. Findings – As the results demonstrate, enhanced bibliographic catalog records deliver a wide spectrum of information about translators, which can be used by public libraries to provide more informed and insightful reading advice and to make more sensible purchasing decisions with regard to translated fiction. Practical implications – The study shows how the most readily available tool – a library catalog with its enhanced bibliographic records – can be utilized by public librarians for improving RA practices. It focuses on the rarely discussed translated fiction, demonstrates a sample methodological approach and makes suggestions for implementing this approach by busy public librarians in real-life situations. Originality/value – No recent studies that have investigated enhanced catalog records have dealt with translated fiction. Moreover, while authors/writers are often in the focus of RA studies, translators are often left behind the scenes, despite their crucial role in bringing international fiction to English-speaking readers.

A proposed framework for implementing risk-based Shari’ah audit

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suleiman Dalhatu Sani ◽  
Mustapha Abubakar
Keyword(s):  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Financial System ◽  
Practical Work ◽  
System Stability ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Finance Industry ◽  
Islamic Financial Institutions

Purpose This paper aims to recommend a framework that serves as a practical work tool for conducting risk-based Shari’ah audit (RBSA) in Islamic financial institutions (IFIs). Design/methodology/approach Qualitative research method was used through critical in-depth content analysis of documented literature to generate deep insights, further supported with a hypothetical illustrative case study application of the framework on an Islamic bank, aimed at bringing the framework to a practical, near real-life scenario. Findings A robust RBSA framework has been developed which focuses on Shari’ah non-compliance risks to systematically and practically arrive at a rated opinion on the level of an IFI’s adherence with Shari’ah rules and principles as recommended by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions, aimed to safeguard the IFI and promote financial system stability at large. Research limitations/implications Practical realities limited the study to the use of a hypothetical case study bank. Future researchers can apply the framework to a real case study of diverse IFIs for effective contextual recalibration in diverse jurisdictions. Practical implications This paper aids the development of both internal and external Shari’ah audit practice using the risk-based approach. Social implications The RBSA framework contributes to promoting public trust and confidence in the Islamic finance industry. Originality/value This paper has proposed this RBSA framework as a practical work tool for Shari’ah auditors in their engagements and regulators in promoting sound governance and financial system stability. It provides foundation for future researchers in the field.

Interval type-2 fuzzy inference-based failure mode and effect analysis model in a group decision-making setting

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
İlker Gölcük
Keyword(s):  
Failure Modes ◽  
Fuzzy Inference ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Effect Analysis ◽  
Inference System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Interval Type

PurposeThis paper proposes an integrated IT2F-FMEA model under a group decision-making setting. In risk assessment models, experts' evaluations are often aggregated beforehand, and necessary computations are performed, which in turn, may cause a loss of information and valuable individual opinions. The proposed integrated IT2F-FMEA model aims to calculate risk priority numbers from the experts' evaluations and then fuse experts' judgments using a novel integrated model.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents a novel failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) model by integrating the fuzzy inference system, best-worst method (BWM) and weighted aggregated sum-product assessment (WASPAS) methods under interval type-2 fuzzy (IT2F) environment. The proposed FMEA approach utilizes the Mamdani-type IT2F inference system to calculate risk priority numbers. The individual FMEA results are combined by using integrated IT2F-BWM and IT2F-WASPAS methods.FindingsThe proposed model is implemented in a real-life case study in the furniture industry. According to the case study, fifteen failure modes are considered, and the proposed integrated method is used to prioritize the failure modes.Originality/valueMamdani-type singleton IT2F inference model is employed in the FMEA. Additionally, the proposed model allows experts to construct their membership functions and fuzzy rules to capitalize on the experience and knowledge of the experts. The proposed group FMEA model aggregates experts' judgments by using IT2F-BWM and IT2F-WASPAS methods. The proposed model is implemented in a real-life case study in the furniture company.

Entrepreneurial-oriented strategic renewal in a Brazilian SME: a case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-236
Author(s):  
Débora Monteiro Moretti ◽  
Flávia Chaves Alves ◽  
José Vitor Bomtempo
Keyword(s):  
Business Performance ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Renewal ◽  
Real Life Situation ◽  
Resource Environment ◽  
New Framework

PurposeFirms around the world seek new paths to maintain competitiveness and renew their businesses. Although entrepreneurial-orientation (EO) is extensively researched, there is some ambiguity regarding different variables that mediate the effects of such strategy on business performance. Hence, current literature lacks in-depth studies that provide useful tools for companies to implement effective change, in contrast to the quantitative methods normally applied.Design/methodology/approachThrough an in-depth case study, the authors explored whether the implementation of an entrepreneurial-oriented strategy by an incumbent firm in Brazil would renew its business and potentially increase its performance.FindingsThe study showed that performance is achieved when the pervasiveness of EO activities spurs the company's boundaries, promoting not only intraorganizational changes but also multiple-stakeholder engagement.Research limitations/implicationsThis study reinforces the idea that EO alone may not be sufficient to increase firm performance and must be considered more comprehensively. Although case studies always suffer from the problem of generalization, the authors provide a good illustration of a strategy being implemented in a constrained-resource environment.Practical implicationsThis paper contributes to practice by discussing a real-life situation of a small company from an emerging economy.Originality/valueThe authors provide a holistic view of the firm, presenting the managerial changes in a new framework, which combines EO and inward- and outward-looking perspectives.

Implementation and adoption of CRM and co-creation leveraging collaborative technologies

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-132
Author(s):  
Neeraj Kumar Dubey ◽  
Preeti Sharma ◽  
Purnima Sangle
Keyword(s):  
Customer Orientation ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Customer Relationship ◽  
Case Study Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collaborative Technologies ◽  
Customer Centricity ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This paper aims to study the role of the emerging technology landscape and collaborative platforms in customer relationship management (CRM) unravelling novel opportunities for mutual co-creation in Indian banking context. Design/methodology/approach This study used the case-study method for collecting various sources for “triangulation”. Findings The advancement of technology has drastically increased avenues of dialogue and access and brought transparency in the relationship, offering opportunities for co-creation and increased dependence on technology in CRM. A longitudinal approach explained how bank leveraged technology in multiple aspects of CRM for enhancing relationship quality and outcome. Research limitations/implications The study is exploratory in nature in Indian banking context, and thus it should be viewed as a preliminary step in contributing to the understanding of CRM in a new collaborative technology landscape. Practical implications This study explains the changing shape of CRM and provides relevance of customer orientation and offers insight about co-creation which has taken centre stage because of the emergence of collaborative technologies. Originality/value This study is possibly one of the first to conduct a case study to understand the way collaborative technological advancements are being exploited by organisations to develop superior CRM capability and achieve co-creation. This study analysed and comprehended the design and implementation of CRM in an Indian bank in real-life settings to gain a better understanding of the adoption of new collaborative technological advancements by a bank for customer centricity and facilitating co-creation.

INSPIRE sustainability internships

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 452-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Susan Hayles
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Life Context ◽  
The University

Purpose This paper aims to explore the outputs of an internship programme, one of a number of campus-based sustainability activities that have been introduced at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, to encourage student-led campus-based greening initiatives. Design/methodology/approach A case study approach was undertaken, allowing the researcher to investigate the programme in its real-life context. The researcher used multiple sources of evidence to gain as holistic a picture as possible. Findings Interns report positive changes in their behaviours towards sustainability, s well as encouraging feedback on their experiential learning, the development of their soft skills and the creation of new knowledge. Moreover, students communicated perceived benefits for their future careers. The reported outcomes reflect mutually beneficial relationships for student and institution, for example, raising the profile of campus greening activities and supporting the University’s aim to embed sustainability throughout its campus, community and culture. Research limitations/implications The researcher recognises the limitations of the research, in particular, the small sample size, which has resulted primarily in qualitative results being presented. Practical implications Feedback from previous interns will be used to shape future internships. In particular, Institute of Sustainable Practice, Innovation and Resource Effectiveness (INSPIRE) will look for opportunities to work more closely with University operations, departments, faculties and alongside University staff, both academic and support staff. Social implications Following student feedback, INSPIRE will give students opportunities for wider involvement, including an opportunity to propose their own projects to shape future internships that meet the needs of student body on campus. Originality/value Despite being one case study from one institution, the research highlights the value of such programmes for other institutions.

scholarly journals The online examinations at Universitas Terbuka: an innovation diffusion viewpoint

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sugilar Sugilar
Keyword(s):  
Marital Status ◽  
Regional Office ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adoption Rate ◽  
Program Of Study ◽  
Online Examination ◽  
New Students ◽  
Adopter Category

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the students’ adoption rate of the online examinations at Universitas Terbuka (UT), which is a hotbed of technological innovation in higher education, by analyzing the students’ adoption rate of the online examinations related to their academic factors (program of study, GPA, credit earned), socioeconomic status (age, sex, marital status, employment status), and residential factor. Design/methodology/approach This is an in-depth case study of 1,540 first-year students for the period ranging from the start of the second semester of 2013 to the first semester of 2016 at Bengkulu Regional Office of UT. During the term, quantitative data were set up with ordinal regression to measure the extent to which the adoption rate categories were influenced by such demographic characteristics as academic attainment, personal background, and current residence. Findings The results showed that while the program of study, grade point average, credits earned, sex, and residence had systematic effects on adopter categories, employment and marital status did not. The highlights of the results were that students with GPA less than or equal to 2.9 were 2.02 times likely to fall into a higher adopter category as compared to those with GPA above 2.9, and students residing in city were 2.50 times more likely to hit the higher levels of adopter category, compared to those residing outside city. Research limitations/implications As this is a case study of the students enrolled in the second semester of 2013 and because there has been a rapid change in the way people access information technology, further work should be done, in particular on the sample of students who have enrolled lately. Practical implications The institution of open and distance learning (ODL) should accelerate the introduction of new learning resources based on diffusion of innovation modeling. Social implications It is also recommended to especially encourage the new students of ODL to have a feeling of easiness and self-confidence regarding online examinations, and understand their importance. To achieve this objective, regional office staffs can guide the students to try out the online examination in the orientation study activities for new students. Originality/value Despite the extensive research on diffusion model for the past decades, this field of study has much more to offer in terms of describing and incorporating such current innovation as an online examination in ODL platforms with which to associate students’ academic and demographic profiles.

Estimation of procurement costs incurred by public customers: a case study of a Russian region

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-87
Author(s):  
Andrei Yakovlev ◽  
Olga Balaeva ◽  
Andrey Tkachenko
Keyword(s):  
Public Procurement ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Cost Evaluation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Russian Region ◽  
Procurement Cost ◽  
Procurement System ◽  
The Cost

Purpose This paper aims to measure the cost of procurement because public procurement procedures prescribed by legislation not only enhance transparency and competition but also entail certain transaction costs for both customers and suppliers. Design/methodology/approach These costs are important to the efficiency of the procurement system. However, very few previous studies have focused on estimating procurement costs. This paper proposes a methodology for public procurement cost evaluation. Findings This paper shows how procurement costs can be calculated using a formalized survey of public customers. This methodology was tested with a representative group of public customers operating in one region of the Russian Federation. Originality/value The authors formulate the policy implications of this paper, as they relate to the improvement of public procurement regulations and argue that this methodological approach can be applied in other developing and transitioning economies.

scholarly journals Semiotic dimensions of human attitudes towards other animals: A case of zoological gardens

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 209-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelly Mäekivi ◽  
Timo Maran
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Communicative Interactions ◽  
The People ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Symbolic Meanings ◽  
Cultural Connotations

This paper analyses the cultural and biosemiotic bases of human attitudes towards other species. A critical stance is taken towards species neutrality and it is shown that human attitudes towards different animal species differ depending on the psychological dispositions of the people, biosemiotic conditions (e.g. umwelt stuctures), cultural connotations and symbolic meanings. In real-life environments, such as zoological gardens, both biosemiotic and cultural aspects influence which animals are chosen for display, as well as the various ways in which they are displayed and interpreted. These semiotic dispositions are further used as motifs in staging, personifying or de-personifying animals in order to modify visitors’ perceptions and attitudes. As a case study, the contrasting interpretations of culling a giraffe at the Copenhagen zoo are discussed. The communicative encounters and shifting per ceptions are mapped on the scales of welfaristic, conservational, dominionistic, and utilitarian approaches. The methodological approach described in this article integrates static and dynamical views by proposing to analyse the semiotic potential of animals and the dynamics of communicative interactions in combination.

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