scholarly journals The Development of Funding Schemes at Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences

2021 ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Anne Eskola ◽  
◽  
Shab Hundal
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
The State ◽  
Causal Connections ◽  
Performance Based Funding ◽  
Universities Of Applied Sciences ◽  
Funding Scheme ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Study Offer ◽  
A Performance

This article examines the development of funding schemes at Finnish universities of applied sciences (UASs) between 2012 and 2018. During that period, the rudiments of the financing of Finnish UASs changed from cost-based to performance-based funding schemes. In a performance-based funding scheme, the state allocates funding based on the achievement of predefined objectives. The reform was intended to improve the processes and structures of UASs and to increase their effectiveness. This study explores the development of funding schemes from simple cost-based funding schemes towards more complex performance-based funding schemes with many indicators of performance. The results of the study offer empirical evidence on the impact of funding schemes on the measures of the performance of UASs, interpretations of the research object in context and causal connections between the above-mentioned elements.

Kaizen, a continuous improvement practice in organizations

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla María Alvarado-Ramírez ◽  
Víctor Hipólito Pumisacho-Álvaro ◽  
José Ángel Miguel-Davila ◽  
Manuel F. Suárez Barraza
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Latin American ◽  
The State ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Managerial Behavior ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Companies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Latin American Countries

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare the practices of continuous improvement that are applied in medium and large manufacturing and service companies in two Latin American countries. At the same time, benefits and barriers experienced by these companies with regard to sustainability of continuous improvement are explored.Design/methodology/approachIn order to generate a comparative study between two Latin American countries, interviews were conducted with managers linked to continuous improvement in medium and large companies in the State of Puebla and the Metropolitan District of Quito, which are important areas in Mexico and Ecuador, respectively. Data were collected by means of document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and direct observation.FindingsCompanies in both countries identify the use of various techniques and/or tools for continuous improvement. The results of the empirical evidence show how the impact of the application of the techniques has been beneficial in economic and human terms. Thus, the exploratory study has permitted the identification of the drivers and inhibitors in the maintenance of continuous improvement.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is based on only two areas of the Latin American countries: Mexico and Ecuador. Their results can therefore not be generalized. The approach is applied in a specific environment, namely, the State of Puebla and the Metropolitan District of Quito. This study incorporates the perception of managers, directors, and/or supervisors involved in continuous improvement processes.Practical implicationsThis paper seeks to provide analytical input. The study is of great interest to researchers, managers, consultants, and professionals linked to projects of continuous improvement who wish to incorporate continuous improvement practices which are sustainable over time. A new managerial behavior is the basis of continuous improvement, where the training and development of the human resource increases the commitment to achieve organizational changes.Originality/valueThis research makes an empirical contribution to the literature through the understanding of practices of continuous improvement in a Latin American context, highlighting the factors that improve or impede the process of continuous improvement. Particularly in Mexico and Ecuador, the empirical evidence on this subject is still scarce despite the existence of theoretical academic literature.

Internal communication education in universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bram Hendrawan ◽  
Marjon Elshof ◽  
Lisanne Verkuil
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Public Relations ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Internal Communication ◽  
The State ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Knowledge ◽  
Universities Of Applied Sciences

PurposeA growing body of scholarly research focuses on internal communication (IC), which, over the past decade, has become an important specialisation within the field of communication. However, little scholarly attention has been paid to IC education, resulting in a lack of academic knowledge about the state of IC education. This paper focuses on investigating IC education in communication studies curricula at Dutch universities of applied sciences.Design/methodology/approachUsing a combination of content analysis of IC modules in Bachelor of Communication programmes (n = 19) and qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with IC educators (n = 8), this article sheds lights on the contours of IC education and its relationship with practice.FindingsEducation has become an integral part of the IC profession in the Netherlands. The analysis shows that while the modules address some important topics found in the literature on IC, there are some gaps. In regard to knowledge topics, the modules reflect broader trends in IC by addressing important topics like change management, internal branding and digitalisation. However, there is a gap in the competencies in the modules and what is considered important in the literature.Practical implicationsThe findings can help educators improve the quality of their curriculum. For IC practitioners, professional associations in particular, this paper provides insight into the state of education of future IC professionalsOriginality/valueStudies that look at the education of communication professionals have focused mainly on the field of public relations. This paper reports on the first empirical study to investigate the state of IC education in the context of higher education.

Bürgermeisterinnen und Bürgermeister in Baden-Württemberg

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinzenz Huzel
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Political Science ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Public Management ◽  
The State ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Universities Of Applied Sciences ◽  
The Media ◽  
The University ◽  
High Degree

Experts from politics, the media and science have stated for years that the number of suitable candidates for the position of mayor in the state of Baden-Württemberg has been declining steadily. This volume examines whether this is really the case and what the reasons for the seemingly dwindling attractiveness of this position are. Based on empirical data, an up-to-date stocktaking survey is conducted among mayors and possible mayoral candidates. The study provides a comprehensive overview of the job, revealing mechanisms of selective recruitment and its conditional factors. Its concentration on the aspects mentioned gives this investigation a high degree of relevance for public and academic discussions beyond the debates on the office of mayor in Baden-Württemberg. Vinzenz Huzel studied political science at the University of Augsburg, public management at the HVF in Ludwigsburg and did his doctorate at the TU in Darmstadt. He works for the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation and is a lecturer at the Universities of Applied Sciences for Administration in Ludwigsburg and Kehl.

scholarly journals Business as usual? Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to research, development and innovation (RDI) activities of universities of applied sciences

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Salomaa ◽  
Andrea Caputo
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Binary Data ◽  
Academic Entrepreneurship ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Research Development ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Positive Balance ◽  
Universities Of Applied Sciences ◽  
The Impact

AbstractUniversities of applied sciences (UAS) have a strong mandate to carry out research, development and innovation (RDI) activities in collaboration with local stakeholders. Geographical proximity is one of the key factors for the creation and success of RDI activities because of the positive balance between costs and benefits of local knowledge transfer, but they also depend on the networks of individual staff members. This paper aims to explore how maintaining and developing purpose-built and individual RDI partnerships during the COVID-19 pandemic has been managed. An enhanced conceptual framework for assessing contextual dimensions of the RDI activities beyond academic entrepreneurship as business ventures has been developed. The paper focuses on a single case study drawing on semi-structured research interviews investigating how the swap to remote working have affected RDI activities at Tampere University of Applied Sciences, one of the biggest UAS in Finland with intense regional linkages. The contribution of the study is twofold; firstly, the paper introduces an expanded theoretical approach for assessing the external and internal factors having an impact on the RDI activities beyond academic entrepreneurship. Secondly, by testing the proposed framework, it shares insights and good practices derived from empirical evidence, namely binary data and semi-structured interviews revealing experiences of RDI personnel and project managers involved with different phases of RDI process, for optimising high-quality innovation support, knowledge transfer activities and co-creation of new knowledge in exceptional circumstances.

scholarly journals Financial Literacy Among German Students at Secondary Schools: Some Empirical Evidence from the State of Hesse

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 299-326
Author(s):  
Volker Brühl
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Financial Education ◽  
The State ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
German School ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Since the financial crisis financial literacy has attracted growing interest among researchers and policy makers, as there is international empirical evidence that financial literacy is poor among both adults and students. In Germany we have almost no empirical evidence on financial literacy, especially in the case of students attending secondary schools, as financial education has not featured on German school curricula to date. Besides, Germany has not yet participated in the optional financial literacy module of PISA, which was offered for the first time in 2012. However, a lack of private pension provisioning, in spite of demographic change, and low stock ownership among German households indicate a deficit in financial knowledge and skills in this country as well. In this paper we investigate financial literacy among students aged 14 to 16 attending a secondary school in the state of Hesse. The foundation is a test designed according to international standards. The statistical analysis of the test reveals substantial deficits in key areas of financial literacy. Particular deficits could be identified in the fields of basic knowledge of financial matters and, to an even greater degree, in more advanced concepts such as risk diversification. Applying interest calculations to financial matters turned out to be problematic for many students. Furthermore, the paper analyses the impact of gender and type of school on the overall test score as well as test performance in specific tasks. The findings suggest that financial matters should be covered in some form at secondary schools. In light of the potentially far-reaching consequences of financial illiteracy for financial wellbeing, German participation in future PISA financial literacy tests seems highly advisable to gain a deeper understanding of the preliminary findings presented in this paper.

scholarly journals Towards Evaluating the Research Impact made by Universities of Applied Sciences

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah K Coombs ◽  
Ingeborg Meijer
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Impact Evaluation ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Research Impact ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Universities Of Applied Sciences ◽  
Practice Based Research ◽  
The Impact ◽  
New Framework

Abstract Given the mandate of Universities of Applied Sciences (UASs) to create an impact on society, the evaluation of their research impact is of great importance. And yet, the methodology for evaluating this impact appear less explicitly in research literature then other forms of research. The purpose of this article is to present a literature-based analysis to discover from the complex world of existing theories and frameworks what criteria, assumptions and requirements are relevant for evaluating the impact of applied research. This article will also discuss the relevancy of frameworks currently used for research impact evaluation and the potential they have for operationalising, enriching and supporting the current national evaluation framework used by Dutch UASs. Finally, this article will conclude that the recommendations necessitate the creation of a new framework where the context and process of practice-based research and their stakeholders are included.

scholarly journals Relation through co-creation: Research on co-creation in the transnational CoTalent project based on network theory

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Etienne Koot
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Professional Career ◽  
Universities Of Applied Sciences ◽  
Student Participant ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Talented Students ◽  
The Impact

The CoTalent project is a unique collaboration between eight universities (of applied sciences) throughout Europe funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Commission. The objective of the CoTalent project was to use co-creation with teachers and students in order to create tools that would support higher education to foster and recognize talented students. Three toolsets were made with a total of around 920 students and teachers via workshop weeks and so-called multiplier event. This current research projects the impact of the student participants through a social network theory perspective to look at what the co-creation of the CoTalent project can do for them in their professional career (including their education). By conducting eight interviews with the student participants, it became clear the CoTalent network was a unique network that shares the characteristics of both strong- and weak ties. The members involved were of many cultures and origins but simultaneously of a similar mindset which made for a fertile network in terms of productivity to complete the tasks at hand and in terms of the student participant their experience. The participating students mainly experienced growth in soft skills and gained new perspectives through the diverse set of actors involved.

Russia - European Union: The continuation ofthe sanctions standoff

2017 ◽  
pp. 114-127
Author(s):  
M. Klinova ◽  
E. Sidorova
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Economic Sanctions ◽  
Current Data ◽  
The State ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu ◽  
Year 2013

The article deals with economic sanctions and their impact on the state and prospects of the neighboring partner economies - the European Union (EU) and Russia. It provides comparisons of current data with that of the year 2013 (before sanctions) to demonstrate the impact of sanctions on both sides. Despite the fact that Russia remains the EU’s key partner, it came out of the first three partners of the EU. The current economic recession is caused by different reasons, not only by sanctions. Both the EU and Russia have internal problems, which the sanctions confrontation only exacerbates. The article emphasizes the need for a speedy restoration of cooperation.

Minimizing Missed Opportunities: Modeling Relationships between the State and Business in Russia

2009 ◽  
pp. 42-61
Author(s):  
A. Oleynik
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Common Good ◽  
The State ◽  
Power Relationships ◽  
Individual Decision ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Power Domination ◽  
Individual Decision Making ◽  
Optimal Outcomes

Power involves a number of models of choice: maximizing, satisficing, coercion, and minimizing missed opportunities. The latter is explored in detail and linked to a particular type of power, domination by virtue of a constellation of interests. It is shown that domination by virtue of a constellation of interests calls for justification through references to a common good, i.e. a rent to be shared between Principal and Agent. Two sources of sub-optimal outcomes are compared: individual decision-making and interactions. Interactions organized in the form of power relationships lead to sub-optimal outcomes for at least one side, Agent. Some empirical evidence from Russia is provided for illustrative purposes.

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