scholarly journals Personal Networks’ Influence on Student Entrepreneurs: A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (05) ◽  
pp. 2050037
Author(s):  
Sancheeta Pugalia ◽  
L. Prakash Sai ◽  
Dilek Kozanoglu Cetindamar
Keyword(s):  
Higher Learning ◽  
Personal Networks ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Motivational Support ◽  
Student Entrepreneurs ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Business Networking ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Founding Team

This study focuses on students who have conceptualized the business idea during their academic studies and created the business venture during or within two years after graduation. The extant literature identifies social networks as a key factor not only for opportunity recognition but also for start-up survival. This study expands the knowledge about the roles of personal networks within the context of student entrepreneurs. By conducting focus group, interviews, and a survey at a top-ranked technological institute of higher learning in India, this study analyzed the role played by the personal networks in facilitating and enabling the creation of a venture by student entrepreneurs. Our study findings indicate that (1) student entrepreneurs expect ten potential roles from their personal networks, (2) the hierarchy of these roles indicates the triggering impact of business networking with a final outcome of motivational support, and (3) business networking, venture financing and the founding team formation are the most important roles in the actual start-up phase.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Finishing School Programmes from the Perspectives of Graduates and Employers

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamal M. Ali ◽  
Lim Hock Eam ◽  
Russayani Ismail ◽  
Fauziah Abdul Rahim ◽  
Filzah Md Isa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Design ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Multinomial Logit Model ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Outcome Study ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Group Interviews

Purpose – This study examined the effectiveness of Finishing School programmes in enhancing the employability of graduates from institutions of higher learning. The perceptions of the graduates and employers towards the effectiveness of the programmes were analyzed. The effectiveness of Finishing School programmes evaluated through a graduate marketability outcome study and the expectations of employers with regard to the type of soft skills of graduates most needed by industries were also examined.   Methodology – Data for this study were obtained through a survey questionnaire administered to graduates and focus group interviews with selected employers. The primary data involved a large sample (n = 1092) of graduates from public universities and also 31 selected employers from various industries. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and a multinomial logit model. Due to the unavailability of a population frame, the data were collected using a convenient sampling design.   Findings – Graduates had a positive perception of the effectiveness of Finishing School programmes. However, in terms of the marketability outcome, Finishing school programmes currently

scholarly journals The Digital Competences and Agency of Older People Living in Rural Villages in Finnish Lapland

Seminar.net ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Päivi Rasi ◽  
Arja Kilpeläinen
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Contemporary Society ◽  
Informal Networks ◽  
Digital Competence ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Rural Villages ◽  
Finnish Lapland ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Digital Competencies ◽  
Group Interviews

Older people’s digital competencies are a means to minimise their possible risks for being excluded from society. Therefore, the research in this field needs to be strengthened. This paper examines the digital competences and agency of older people who live in remote rural villages in Finnish Lapland. We argue that older people’s agency is the key factor that keeps them included in contemporary society. Hence, our theoretical viewpoint rests on the theory of the modalities of agency. Our data consist of three focus group interviews that were conducted in small, remote villages during the spring of 2015. We analysed our data deductively, and the results showed that elderly villagers interpret their digital competencies through their personal needs and desires. History, the present and the future are intertwined in the villagers’ conceptions. Our respondents’ digital competencies are diverse; older people living in villages are not a homogenous group. Based on our results, we argue that digital competence is very much a distributed competence of elderly dyads, families with three generations and informal networks of villagers and that it should not, therefore, be assessed solely as an individual characteristic.

scholarly journals Students’ Perceptions of Involvement in the Assessment of Oral Competence in English as a Second Language

Languages ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 203
Author(s):  
Lise Vikan Sandvik ◽  
Oda Aasmundstad Sommervold
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Student Involvement ◽  
Assessment Practice ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Upper Secondary ◽  
Language Classes ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Upper Secondary Schools

This mixed-method study examined students’ perceptions of involvement in the assessment practice of oral competence in English in Norwegian upper secondary schools. Student involvement in assessment can be seen as a key factor when it comes to enhancing students’ learning outcome and motivation. Previous research has, however, shown that student involvement and the assessment of oral competence in English as a second language classes have been challenging. Surveys (N = 116) and two focus group interviews (N = 8) were used. The findings revealed that the students wanted to be more involved in the assessment practice. Moreover, the students saw this increased involvement as a way to enhance their oral competence in English. The students expressed uncertainty as to what they were assessed by. The implications of this study suggest that increased involvement in developing goals and criteria and more dialogue-based feedback are beneficial measures for strengthening students’ learning outcomes.

Management Strategy for Distributing Questionnaires and Interview Guidelines in the Research Data Collection Process

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-111
Author(s):  
Po. Abas Sunarya ◽  
George Iwan Marantika ◽  
Adam Faturahman
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Good Management ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Data Collection Process ◽  
Group Interviews

Writing can mean lowering or describing graphic symbols that describe a languageunderstood by someone. For a researcher, management of research preparation is a veryimportant step because this step greatly determines the success or failure of all researchactivities. Before a person starts with research activities, he must make a written plan commonlyreferred to as the management of research data collection. In the process of collecting researchdata, of course we can do the management of questionnaires as well as the preparation ofinterview guidelines to disseminate and obtain accurate information. With the arrangement ofplanning and conducting interviews: the ethics of conducting interviews, the advantages anddisadvantages of interviews, the formulation of interview questions, the schedule of interviews,group and focus group interviews, interviews using recording devices, and interview bias.making a questionnaire must be designed with very good management by giving to theinformation needed, in accordance with the problem and all that does not cause problems at thestage of analysis and interpretation.

THE TROUBLED JOURNEYS OF SCHOOL DROP-OUTS: WASTAGE, REDEMPTION AND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Andile Dube ◽  
Mokubung Nkomo
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Young People ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Second Chance Education ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Drop Outs ◽  
Second Chance

The study traces the pathways of young people who dropped out of school between grades 1 to 11 as they seek re-entrance to the education, training and development (ETD) system, or entrance into the labour market. Particular attention is given to the factors that determine the choices that drop-outs make in either re-entering the ETD system or entering the labour market. An analysis of the experiences of the interviewed sample of drop-outs is presented. The study employs a qualitative research methodology, using interviews to elicit the experiences of drop-outs and school managers. Through snowballing, 14 youths and three principals were selected from a township south of Durban. Individual and focus group interviews were conducted. The findings provide insights into the drop-outs’ perceptions regarding the value of investing in education. They are discussed further in relation to the respective theories used in the study. The concluding section suggests the need for investments in second chance education by government and the private sector, and proposes an integrated model to assist young people who re-enter psychologically and emotionally.

Experiences with Diversity in the Curriculum: Implications for Graduate Programs and Student Affairs Practice

NASPA Journal ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy Gaston Gayles ◽  
Bridget T Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Student Affairs ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Diversity Courses ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Student Affairs Practitioners ◽  
Graduate Preparation ◽  
Theory To Practice ◽  
Diversity Issues ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Graduate Preparation Programs

The purpose of this study was to assess individuals’ perceptions of and experiences with diversity in the curriculum of graduate preparation programs in student affairs. We were particularly interested in how diversity is incorporated into the curriculum and how individuals have been able to apply what they learned about diversity issues to student affairs practice. Using focus group interviews, data were collected from graduate students and student affairs practitioners. Three major themes that focus on requiring diversity in the curriculum, what should be included in diversity courses, and effective ways of linking theory to practice are discussed.

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