scholarly journals Competing in the graduate labour market: Student perspectives on (not) participating in extra-curricular activities

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Greenbank
Keyword(s):  
Labour Market ◽  
Possible Selves ◽  
Time Orientation ◽  
Risk Averse ◽  
Student Life ◽  
Personal Capital ◽  
Extra Curricular Activities ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Career Options ◽  
Depth Interviews

In order to be able to compete in an increasingly competitive graduate labour market students need to develop their 'personal capital'. Participation in a range of relevant extra-curricular activities (ECAs) is a key element to the development of personal capital. This paper carried out in-depth interviews with undergraduates in the first and final years of their studies in order to understand the factors influencing their level of participation in ECAs. The research found that participation in ECAs was generally limited (with little change occurring during the three years of their degree), particularly in relation year-long work placements, volunteering and sporting and cultural activities. Students often engaged in part-time working, but this was for financial reasons, with few students regarding part-time working as a way of developing their employability. The students underlying values, especially their present-time orientation, and the desire to enjoy a particular student life-style, were acting as barriers to engaging in the type of ECAs that would help them to develop their personal capital. This paper suggests that we may be able to motivate students to participate in ECAs by encouraging them to be future-orientated, less risk averse and willing to adopt a more strategic (i.e. 'player') approach to developing their personal capital. The paper proposes that this can be achieved by encouraging students to write about their future possible selves and asking them to undertake research into the different career options open to them.

Beekeeping as a family artisan entrepreneurship business

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 717-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veland Ramadani ◽  
Robert D. Hisrich ◽  
Leo-Paul Dana ◽  
Ramo Palalic ◽  
Laxman Panthi
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Transition Economy ◽  
Rural Families ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose Throughout Macedonia, beekeeping is becoming popular regardless of ethnicity. Studying ethnicity, the purpose of this paper is to determine what beekeepers in Macedonia thought in their own words about their beekeeping entrepreneurship. The objective is to identify whether motivations of ethnic Albanian beekeepers in Macedonia were the same or different compared to those of ethnic Macedonians in the same country, and if different, how. Design/methodology/approach To accomplish this objective, in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 beekeepers in Macedonia. A total of 29 interviews were conducted face-to-face and the other 11 by phone. The first set of interviews took place between December 2016 and February 2017, followed by more interviews in June 2017. In total, 27 respondents said they were ethnic Albanians, and 13 identified themselves as ethnic Macedonians. Also, ten respondents were women. While eight were full-time beekeepers, 32 were part-time beekeepers. Findings The results indicated that beekeeping businesses play a significant role in the transition economy of Macedonia. Beekeeping provides additional earnings that support rural families and keeps them financially stable. The majority of both Albanians and Macedonians understood that beekeeping on a part-time job basis provided a needed supplement to their income. Some part-time beekeepers are also working as auto-mechanics, locksmiths, medical doctors, restaurant/cafeteria owners, and tailors. A few in the sample were retired from their jobs or full-time beekeepers. An important difference between ethnic Albanian beekeepers and ethnic Macedonians in Macedonia is that the majority of ethnic Albanian participants see beekeeping as following in “my father’s footsteps”, while most Macedonians were motivated by the perceived opportunity of having a good business. Research limitations/implications Limitations of the research are twofold. First, financial data of family beekeeping are not available, which would be useful in determining the contribution made to economic development. It is common, especially in transition economies such as the western Balkans, that financial results are very sensitive to their owners. Second, unavailable databases for beekeepers make any quantitative approach difficult, if not impossible, resulting in most research using the qualitative research approach. Originality/value This paper is one of the first to treat beekeeping as a form of artisan entrepreneurship, which also contributes to the understanding of family business. As in other countries, the important and operation of the family business among family members in Macedonia is passed from generation to generation. The results of this research revealed the value of networking, which was found to be very important to income. For beekeepers to develop, grow, and be branded in the community, networking is an important ingredient.

Still focusing on the “essential 2:1”: exploring student attitudes to extra-curricular activities

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Greenbank
Keyword(s):  
Labour Market ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Student Participation ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Peer Norms ◽  
Market Outcomes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Extra Curricular Activities ◽  
Degree Classification

Purpose – In order to compete for positional advantage in the graduate labour market students need more than a good degree classification. The evidence suggests that participation in extra-curricular activities (ECAs) can have a significant influence on labour market outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which undergraduates engage in ECAs during their studies and analyses the factors influencing their participation in such activities. Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on a sample of 21 undergraduates in the Business School at a “new” university. These students completed two questionnaires in their first year of study. These were followed-up by in-depth interviews which were carried out in their first and final year of study. Findings – The study found that many of these students were not participating in ECAs because they lacked an appreciation of the value of ECAs to graduate employers. The students were also influenced by social and peer norms, especially the fact that their peers were not engaging in ECAs. Finally, the students often exhibited an extrinsic locus of control and dependency which was not conducive to engagement in ECAs. Research limitations/implications – The generalisability of the findings may be seen as limited by the fact that the study is based on a relatively small sample of students from one university. This research, however, provides detailed insights into the factors influencing student participation in ECAs and adds new perspectives to this under-researched area. Practical implications – The paper concludes by suggesting a range of inter-related approaches that higher education institutions could adopt in order to improve student participation in ECAs. These include careers education at all stages of the students’ studies; the use of unfreezing techniques in conjunction with case studies; a more substantial role for personal tutors; and the development of an institutional habitus that encourages autonomy and agency. Originality/value – Despite the importance of ECAs to graduate employers there have been relatively few studies into the factors influencing undergraduate participation in such activities.

scholarly journals The engagement and retention of non-profit employees in Belgium and South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Renard ◽  
Robin J. Snelgar
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Time Basis ◽  
Depth Interviews

Orientation: A lack of qualitative research exists that investigates work engagement and retention within Belgium and South Africa, particularly within the non-profit sector.Research purpose: The study aimed to gather in-depth qualitative data pertaining to the factors that promote work engagement and retention amongst non-profit employees working within these two countries.Motivation for the study: Because of scarce funding and resources, non-profit organisations are pressured to retain their talented employees, with high levels of turnover being a standard for low-paid, human-service positions. However, when individuals are engaged in their work, they display lower turnover intentions, suggesting the importance of work engagement in relation to retention.Research design, approach and method: Non-probability purposive and convenience sampling was used to organise in-depth interviews with 25 paid non-profit employees working on either a full-time or a part-time basis within Belgium and South Africa. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data produced.Main findings: Participants were found to be absorbed in, dedicated to and energised by their work, and revealed numerous aspects promoting their retention including working towards a purpose, finding fulfilment in their tasks and working in a caring environment.Practical/managerial implications: Non-profit organisations should develop positive work environments for their employees to sustain their levels of work engagement, as well as place significance on intrinsic rewards in order to retain employees.Contribution: This study provides insights into the means by which non-profit employees across two nations demonstrate their enthusiasm, pride and involvement in the work that they perform. It moreover sheds light on the factors contributing to such employees intending to leave or stay within the employment of their organisations.

scholarly journals Looking beyond Average Earnings: Why Are Male and Female Part-Time Employees in the UK More Likely to Be Low Paid Than Their Full-Time Counterparts?

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeline Nightingale
Keyword(s):  
Labour Market ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Pay Gap ◽  
Unequal Distribution ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Part ◽  
Part Time ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Low Pay

This article uses Labour Force Survey data to examine why male and female part-time employees in the UK are more likely to be low paid than their full-time counterparts. This ‘low pay penalty’ is found to be just as large, if not larger, for men compared to women. For both men and women, differences in worker characteristics account for a relatively small proportion of the part-time low pay gap. Of greater importance is the unequal distribution of part-time jobs across the labour market, in particular the close relationship between part-time employment and social class. Using a selection model to adjust for the individual’s estimated propensity to be in (full-time) employment adds a modest amount of explanatory power. Particularly for men, a large ‘unexplained’ component is identified, indicating that even with a similar human capital and labour market profile part-time workers are more likely than full-time workers to be low paid.

Directing Equal Pay in the UK ICT Labour Market

2008 ◽  
pp. 3150-3157
Author(s):  
Claire Keogh ◽  
Angela Tattersall ◽  
Helen Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Labour Market ◽  
National Level ◽  
Equal Pay ◽  
Skills Shortage ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Underrepresentation Of Women ◽  
Equal Pay Act ◽  
Ict Industry ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

The UK labour market is dramatically changing, with rapid technological innovations alongside globalisation where organisations are required to place a premium on human and intellectual capital. The demand for labour is outstripping supply, and businesses are increasingly dependent on their ability to attract, invest in and develop their workforce (Kingsmill, 2003). However, a recent comparative report of the information technology (IT) workforce in Holland, Germany and the UK indicates that women are haemorrhaging out of the IT sector (Platman & Taylor, 2004). Given that presently there is an IT specialist’s skills shortage of 18.4% (IER/IFF, 2003), and female IT managers represent a mere 15% of ICT managers, 30% of IT operations technicians and 11% of IT strategy planning professionals (EOC, 2004a), this suggests that the ICT industry is not equipped for equality and diversity at work. Despite many years of egalitarian rhetoric and 3 decades after the UK Equal Pay Act (1970) was introduced, women still receive on average 18% less than that of their male counterparts working full-time and 41% less than men when working part-time hours. The ESF-funded DEPICT project seeks to identify pay discrimination experienced by women in ICT at a national level throughout England. An important aim is to highlight the impact of pay and reward discrimination has on the underrepresentation of women in the ICT labour market. From this study, we hope to more clearly understand the reasons for the gender pay gap, particularly in the ICT sector; and the impact this has on women’s entry and retention to occupations where they are already severely underrepresented. Equal pay is an issue for all; it’s unjust, unlawful and impacts on social justice, equality and economic performance (EOC, 2001b). Pay is a major factor affecting relationships at work; distribution and levels of pay and benefits affect efficiency of organisations, workforce morale and productivity. It is vital for organisations to develop pay systems that reward workers fairly for the work they perform (ACAS, 2005).

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