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

Assessment of Fishers' Knowledge and Willingness to Adopt Seaweed Cultivation in Ghana in Relation to Gender, Age, Education, and Distance

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 47-65
Author(s):  
Lawrence Atsu Akpalu ◽  
Victor Rex Barnes ◽  
Alexander Yao Segbefia
Keyword(s):  
Global Positioning System ◽  
Seaweed Cultivation ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Willingness To Adopt ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Offshore Activities

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and willingness of fishers in four selected fishing communities (Ayitepa/Kponor, Ngyiresia, Adjoa, and Miemia) in Ghana for seaweed cultivation in terms of gender, age, education, and distance. The study used both qualitative and quantitative approaches to collect data and household spatial position recorded by the global positioning system (GPS). The findings show that an average of 95.8% of fishers knew seaweed and 86.5% were willing cultivate it. A chi-square test shows no significant association between gender, age, education, distance, and the willingness of fishers to participate in the seaweed cultivation. In a regression model, only age group between the ages of 18 and 64 have a strong effect on the willingness of fishers to grow seaweed (P<0.05). However, focus group interviews with fishers indicate that women are not allowed to engage in any offshore activities at Ayitepa/Kponor, Ngyiresia, and Adjoa. This study shows that gender and age are main factors in deciding human capital for the cultivation of seaweed in Ghana.

Interrelationship between Self-efficacy, Gender and the Entrepreneurial Career Choice

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hem Chandra Kothari ◽  
Sidheswar Patra
Keyword(s):  
Career Choice ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Interpersonal Relationship ◽  
Item Analysis ◽  
Item Pool ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
And Gender

This research paper examines the interpersonal relationship between gender, self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial career choice. The present study has been conducted in Uttarakhand, a province of India. An item pool was developed on the basis of focus group interviews and literature survey. A scale was developed on the basis of item pool after an item analysis for checking its consistency and reliability and was included in the questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered on 880 graduation final year students studying in different colleges. An interpersonal relationship between gender, self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial career choice was examined using Pearsons chi-square test and Students t-test. Results show significant relationship between gender and self-efficacy, self-efficacy and entrepreneurial career choice, and gender and entrepreneurial career choice. Male respondents were found to have higher level of self-efficacy than female respondents. This paper also explores that male respondents are more likely to opt for an entrepreneurial career than females.

Towards Advancing Human-Centered Intellectual Scholarship Through University-Community Partnership

2019 ◽  
pp. 101-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ndwakhulu Stephen Tshishonga
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Mutual Understanding ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
University Community

This chapter explores the potential benefits and opportunities for institutions of higher learning (HEIs) to advance human-centered intellectual scholarship through institutionalizing university-community partnerships. The chapter argues that the success of these partnerships are not only depended on respect and mutual understanding but also on collective envisioning by all partners in forging both the strategic and plan of action. Paying lip-service to community-civil engagement or service-learning-deprived students, universities' and respective learning communities generate transformative knowledge and use knowledge as a strategy to deal with their problems. The chapter uses service learning or community engagement-related programs and projects from different universities as case studies in South Africa. Informed opinions from experts from academic institutions and students will be engaged to extract primary data.

Awareness of Breastfeeding Laws and Provisions of Students and Employees of Institutions of Higher Learning in Georgia

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Kojo Anderson ◽  
Evan Johnson ◽  
Nicole Motoyasu ◽  
Whitney E. Bignell
Keyword(s):  
Race And Ethnicity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
The United States ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
University System Of Georgia ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Initiative Program

Background: Over the past 2 decades, southern states in the United States have recorded the lowest breastfeeding rates. It is not known whether awareness of breastfeeding laws and provision of resources play any role in their breastfeeding practices. Research aims: The aims were (a) to describe awareness of breastfeeding laws and provisions by students and employees of institutions of higher learning in the state of Georgia, (b) to describe awareness by race and ethnicity, and (c) to determine factors associated with awareness of breastfeeding laws and provisions among students and employees within Georgia institutions of higher learning. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of students ( n = 1,923) and employees ( n = 1,311) associated with five institutions within the University System of Georgia ( N = 3,271) was completed. Convenience sampling was used. Data were collected through Qualtrics. Chi-square test was used to examine differences between groups, while logistic regression was used to examine associations. Results: Participants included 33.3% undergraduate, 26.2% graduate students, 24.6% staff, 14.2% faculty, and 1.7% administrators. Over two thirds were female and white. Almost one third reported having a child or children. Awareness of breastfeeding laws and provisions was very low among respondents, with 26.6 and 9.6% aware of federal and state provisions, respectively. While less than 10% were familiar with the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative program, 52.6% reported their institution provides a supportive environment for breastfeeding. Being a student and being a minority were negatively associated with awareness of laws and provisions that support breastfeeding. Conclusion: The need for focused efforts on increasing awareness of legislative and institutional provisions and support for breastfeeding exists.

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 Organizational Culture and Managerial Effectiveness: A Study in Selected Institutions of Higher Learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Navneesh Tyagi ◽  
D. Baby Moses
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Managerial Effectiveness ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning

Purpose- In the area of knowledge, India was the pioneer of this world but now this sector is striving hard to rank itself even in the top 300 educational institutions of the world. An immediate solution to this very problem is through the effectiveness of leaders at managerial positions in these institutions, who have to interact with and motivate their staff and colleagues, communicate with top management and clients and try to achieve their individual as well as organizational goals. Leaders do so with and through people working in their institutions therefore different influential factors contributing to employee's behaviour and attitude need to be explored for obtaining overall leadership and managerial effectiveness. Organizational culture is one such factor established in the literature that is used to explain staff member's behaviours like job satisfaction, employee turnover intentions, organizational commitment, etc. This study is an earnest the effort to measure the influence of organizational culture on managerial effectiveness of leaders in institutions of higher learning. Design/methodology/approach- This study uses an exploratory research design. Data collected via a structured questionnaire was analysed and interpreted through Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. Findings- Organizational culture has a significantly positive influence on managerial effectiveness. Limitations/implications- To obtain more generalised and strong the validity of results, other parts of the country should also be included with an increased sample size. Practical implications: Through organizational culture, institutions and its leaders may be able to create a healthier and more productive workplace to enhance overall managerial effectiveness in the institutions. Originality/value- This research is an original work based on primary data to examine the influence of organizational culture on managerial effectiveness

scholarly journals PALESTINE: RECONCILIATION AND PEACEBUILDING. PERSPECTIVES FROM THE CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 89-109
Author(s):  
Ayman YOUSEF ◽  
Sezai ÖZÇELIK
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Sovereign State ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Reconciliation Process

This research paper aims to shed light on the theoretical perspectives and operational approaches adopted by the Palestinian civil society organization in connection with the peacebuilding and reconciliation process in the Palestinian context. The research question is what are the different moves, debates, and initiatives taken by the Palestinian civil society organizations to put an end to the conflict? Why could not they succeed or produce tangible results in fulfilling this goal? The first part of the paper considers debates, contexts, and developments of civil society organizations, in general, and Palestine, in particular, as well as their roles on political, national, cultural, and developmental levels. Civil society deepens its peaceful intervention in many developed and developing countries to build domestic peace and achieve reconciliation, along with other tasks and duties. Palestine’s case is not an exception but a unique case since the independent sovereign state of Palestine does not exist on the ground. The second part aims to deeply analyze the roles of civil society in the reconciliation process and to assess why this process failed to produce fruitful results until now. To use narrative methodologies, the paper collects primary data through structured interviews and the focus group. Interviews were conducted with the cadres and activists in the Palestinian civil society and other professionals and experts in this field. The last part concludes that civil society, especially among the youth, is necessary for reconciliation not only between Israeli and Palestinians but also within the Palestinians as well. Keywords: Civil Society, Peacebuilding, Israel, Palestine, conflict.

Factors that Influence Students' Decision to Choose a Particular University: A Conjoint Analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 147-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Ghansah ◽  
Ben Bright Benuwa ◽  
Ernest Kwame Ansah ◽  
Nathaniel Ekow Ghansah ◽  
Cwebile Magama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marketing Mix ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Perceived Effectiveness ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Preference Measure ◽  
Cross Tabulation

Ghanaian universities have employed various marketing mix to stimulate demand for their services; particularly in recruitment and engagement of home and international students. This paper examines the relative influence of factors affecting the college choice decisions of students. It is based on a survey of 2,534 admitted students at a major university in Ghana, to which 39 percent of the sample responded. We used Factor analysis to rate 26 University borne attributes upon which student decisions are based. The outcome was used to build a five-scale preference measure, which were evaluated with a qualitative approach in analyzing gathered data using descriptive statistics, cross tabulation and chi square. The results revealed some marketing strategies that can be used in institutions of higher learning to boost students’ enrolment in their order of perceived effectiveness. The following were found to influence decisions: word of mouth (family and friends), proximity/nearness, accreditation/affiliation, affordability and lecturing Style.

scholarly journals Reasons initiation and continue smoking of female university students: A triangulation studyÜniversitedeki kız öğrencilerinin sigara içme davranışını başlatma ve sürdürme nedenleri: Bir triangülasyon çalışması

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 1637
Author(s):  
Ayşe Koyun ◽  
Tuba Demirel
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
University Students ◽  
Nicotine Dependence ◽  
Quantitative Study ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Continue Smoking

<p>Objective: The aim of this study is to identify the reasons initiate and continue to smoke of female university students’.</p><p>Method and material: This study is triangulation study. The study conducted in AfyonKocatepe University between May2, 2014 and June 1, 2014. The quantitative study was carried out with 148 female students who smoke selected with cluster-sampling methods. Data were collected using the questionnaire form and Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence. The quantitative study was carried out two semi structured focus group interviews with 11 female students who smoke. The quantitative data were analysed with descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. The qualitative data were analysed with the Miles and Huberman method.</p><p>Results: In quantitative study, the average period for students to continue smoking is 3,8±2,4 years. 37,2% of students start smoking cigarettes before they are 18 years old and 12,2% of them smoke more than half a pack. In 36,5% of the students, the reason for initiate to smoke was wannabe and curiosity. In 42,6% of the students, the reason for continue to smoke was addiction/dependency. Students who started smoking before 18 years old, more than 10 cigarettes smoked per day, and living at home have higher nicotine dependence (p&lt;0,05). It is determined that the students who participated in the focus group interviews initiate and continue smoking to cope with stress.</p><p>Conclusions: The results of the study show that female students initiated smoking with the influence of individuals in the environment and continued smoking due to addiction.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Özet</strong></p><p><em>Amaç:</em> Bu çalışmanın amacı üniversitedeki kız öğrencilerin sigara içme davranışını başlatma ve sürdürme nedenlerini belirlemektir.</p><p><em>Yöntem:</em> Bu çalışmada bir triangülasyon çalışmasıdır. Çalışma 2 Mayıs - 1 Haziran 2014 tarihleri arasında, Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi'nde yürütülmüştür. Nicel çalışma küme örnekleme yöntemi ile seçilen, sigara içen 148 kız öğrenci ile yapılmıştır. Veriler anket formu ve Fagerström Nikotin Bağımlılık Testi kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Nitel çalışmada 11 sigara içen kız öğrenci ile iki yarı yapılandırılmış grup görüşmesi yapılmıştır. Nicel verilerin tanımlayıcı istatistikler ve ki-kare testi ile; nitel veriler Miles ve Huberman’ın yöntemi ile analiz edilmiştir.</p><p><em>Bulgular:</em> Niceliksel çalışmada, öğrencilerin ortalama sigara kullanma süresi 3,8±2,4 yıldır. Öğrencilerin %37,2’nin 18 yaşın altında sigaraya başladıkları ve %12,2’sinin günlük yarım paketten fazla sigara içtikleri belirlenmiştir. Öğrencilerin %36,5’inin sigaraya başlama nedeni özenti ve meraktır. Öğrencilerin %42,6’sının sigara içmeyi sürdürme nedeni bağımlılık /alışkanlıktır. 18 yaşından önce sigaraya başlayan, günde 10’dan fazla sigara içen ve evde yaşayan öğrencilerin nikotin bağımlılık düzeyleri daha yüksektir (p&lt;0.05). Odak grup görüşmelerine katılan öğrencilerin stresle başa çıkmak için sigaraya başladıkları ve sigara içmeyi sürdürdükleri tespit edilmiştir.</p><p><em>Sonuç:</em> Araştırma sonuçları kız öğrencilerin çevrelerindeki insanların etkisi ile sigaraya başladıklarını ve sigara içmeyi sürdürdüklerini göstermektedir.</p>

scholarly journals Factors Affecting the Decision to Choose the Farmland Model in Le Tri Commune, Tri Ton District, An Giang Province, Vietnam

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
Y Thi Le ◽  
Hieu Van Tran
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Group ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Poor Households ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Depth Interviews

The study evaluated factors affecting the selection of agricultural farming models and advantages, difficulties, and opportunities in the implementation process to propose solutions to develop appropriate agricultural sustainable farming models. The study uses secondary and primary data through KIP interviews, focus group interviews, in-depth interviews, and farmer interviews. As a result, this study found education is an important factor affecting farmers in choosing their farming models and increasing agricultural production in their farmland. For most of the considered factors, the majority of Kinh people choose to evaluate the influence of the decision in choosing a farming model higher than another ethnic group (Khmer). Besides, the Khmer ethnic group accounts for a higher proportion of poor households (18.2%) than the Kinh group. Because of low economic conditions, decisions on agricultural production of Khmer ethnic groups are less assertive than that of the Kinh people. On the other hand, there is a serious shortage of water in the dry season in the highlands, cultivated mainly by rainwater, ethnic minority accounts for 53.36% of the whole commune population, educational level makes it difficult to apply modern techniques in production. Therefore, strengthening and mobilizing people, investing in building upland irrigation systems, and using effective land conversion are essential activities to be carried out to improve the efficiency of farming models to make sustainable agricultural production that can increase income and enhance the economic life of local people.

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