scholarly journals VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE – GPS FOR MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT: DOES IT WORK IN LITHUANIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-72
Author(s):  
Daiva Andriušaitienė
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Vocational Guidance ◽  
Career Counselling ◽  
Expert Assessment ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Information Platform ◽  
Data Grouping ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Systematic Collection ◽  
Guidance Development

The purpose – of this article is to assess the vocational guidance situation and development opportunities in Lithuania. Research methodology – Systematic analysis of the peculiarities of vocational guidance; identification of the main problems and possibilities for vocational guidance through the development of a qualifications system based on the results of statistical analysis, expert assessment, data grouping and interpretation. Findings – Vocational guidance as an important subsystem of the educational system is being underemphasised and underfinanced, career counselling is pursued in a fragmentary manner, mainly through project-based initiatives which are not be based on systematic information. A way to improve vocational guidance is to organise it as an integrated information platform linked to the qualifications system. Research limitations – The main limitation is the lack of official statistics in vocational guidance. The systematic collection and publication of statistics would make it possible to quantify and analyse the factors of the current vocational guidance situation and their impact on the development of human resources. Practical implications – The obtained results are useful for social and economic and educational policy-making. Originality/Value – The article contributes to the scientific literature by presenting a model of vocational guidance development related to the development of the qualifications system, which would allow providing the necessary access to information.

A Critical Overview of the United Nations Architecture on Children and Armed Conflict: What Role for Sanctions?

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-130
Author(s):  
Francesca Capone
Keyword(s):  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Comprehensive Strategy ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Information Platform ◽  
International Criminal Tribunals ◽  
Un General Assembly ◽  
Enforcement Mechanisms ◽  
Reporting Mechanism ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Critical Overview

The first comprehensive and systematic analysis of the impact of armed conflict on children has been submitted to the UN General Assembly in 1996. The UN has since adopted and implemented a large number of initiatives and resolutions, making up the basis for the enhancement of monitoring and accountability of all parties responsible for violations perpetrated against children. The efforts to quantify and monitor violations against children committed not only by States, but also by Armed Non-State Actors, are an important milestone in the attempt to improve the protection of children. Nonetheless, the current UN architecture on children and armed conflict presents a number of shortcomings, in particular the lack of effective enforcement mechanisms, which hinder its capability to increase the achievement of more concrete results. After presenting an overview of the UN architecture on children and armed conflict, lingering on its constitutive elements as well as on its current weaknesses, this article will question if and to what extent the imposition of sanctions against individuals and entities can enhance the comprehensive strategy to thwart the harmful impact of armed conflict on children and the long lasting consequences it has on durable peace, security, and development. Furthermore, the present article will identify possible ways forward to improve the current framework, by discussing, inter alia, how the wealth of information gathered through the UN Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism could be used to feed into a more integrated information platform within the UN and also to strengthen accountability in international criminal tribunals.

Human resource development in Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-44
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Resource Development ◽  
Developing Nations ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Developed Nations ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Globalization has inspired and created numerous questions, including many within the realms of human resource development (HRD). However, the focus of these questions tends to be from the point of view of developed nations and the effect on either their own HRD issues, and rarely consider what the effects are on developing nations and their HRD activities and policies. Yet, these questions should not be pushed to the back of the queue, as the extent to which HRD can progress effectively is dependent on both sides of the equation. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Soul mates or odd couples? Alignment theory and HRD

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 286-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Gibb ◽  
Mhairi Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Test Validity ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Guiding Principle ◽  
Partial Alignment ◽  
Alternative Perspective ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to test and explore alignment theory as a guiding principle for human resource development (HRD) by performing an empirical study. HRD scholars, professionals and others have adopted or assumed alignment theory to help explain HRD effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach – Constructs to measure an organisation’s strategic priorities and its HRD practices. A measure of HRD effectiveness was developed. A survey gathered data from 270 employees, managers and HRD staff in a sample of 76 organisations. Findings – The results show that HRD effectiveness does not vary with alignment as predicted. Forms of partial alignment, or the relations of an “odd couple”, are more strongly associated with HRD effectiveness than high alignment. Research limitations/implications – The use and integration of both normative measures (Likert scale) and ipsative measures (ranking) is necessary to capture alignment, but this limits the inferential statistics available to test validity and reliability. Qualitative data on case studies would be useful to explore alignment issues in context and depth. Practical implications – Stakeholders in organisations can use the “odd couple” interpretation of alignment as a fresh way to review and explore the opportunities and challenges of managing HRD effectiveness in an era where a narrowing and retrenchment of provisions is occurring and increasing. Originality/value – This study provides evidence which raises questions about alignment theory and policies intended to increase alignment. It suggests in the case of HRD, an alternative perspective that validates partial alignment can support effective HRD provisions.

The role of OD practitioners in developing corporations’ capacity to practice corporate citizenship

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 436-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingo Stolz
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Corporate Citizenship ◽  
Organizational Capacity ◽  
Research Area ◽  
First Century ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Niche Area ◽  
Citizenship Development ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This study aims to analyze how organization development (OD) practitioners develop corporate citizenship for the purpose of increasing their organization’s capacity to practice corporate citizenship. Research shows that very few corporations have the organizational capacity to practice corporate citizenship. Evidence exists that ever more corporations adopt programs of corporate citizenship development to increase this capacity. However, there still is a general lack of a strategic understanding of how corporate citizenship development occurs. The potential of OD frameworks and tools for developing corporate citizenship have been highlighted. Nevertheless, how OD practitioners develop corporate citizenship has not been studied empirically so far. Design/methodology/approach – A sociomaterial case study design was used. The work of six OD practitioners when developing corporate citizenship in one of the largest pharmaceutical corporations was studied over several months, based on interviews, observations and document analyses. Findings – The findings presented offer model practices of corporate citizenship development, in the form of five core strategies and five core behaviors that increase an organization’s capacity to practice corporate citizenship. Research limitations/implications – With this study, the notion of corporate citizenship development has become established as a distinct research area. The study might encourage further research in this important niche area. Practical implications – The findings have direct practical implications for at least seven different stakeholder groups. Originality/value – The findings shed new light on both the epistemological and practical foundations of the concept of corporate citizenship, and hint to a new role of the fields of OD and human resource development in the twenty-first century.

Is HRD weaker after financial crisis?

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-38
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Personal Control ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Participants reported diminishing personal control over changes within the workplace and a cultural shift toward a harsher working climate in the UK following the global financial crisis. Human resource development was considered as silenced or absent and associated solely with low cost-based e-learning rather than acting in a strategic role to support sustainable business objectives. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

scholarly journals Trust initiation and development in SME-university collaborations: implications for enabling engaged scholarship

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fariba Darabi ◽  
Mark N.K. Saunders ◽  
Murray Clark
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Engaged Scholarship ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Knowledge Application ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Maximum Variation Sample ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore trust initiation and development in collaborations between universities and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the implications for enabling engaged scholarship (ES). Design/methodology/approach Adopting a qualitative inductive approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive maximum variation sample comprising 14 SMEs and 12 university stakeholders. Findings The authors highlight the role of calculus-based trust in the initiation of collaborations emphasising the key roles of networking and referrals. As collaborations develop, reciprocal insights regarding stakeholders’ competencies and integrity and the development of knowledge-based trust can support engagement, in particular, knowledge application. Although relationships have a common sense of purpose, a fully engaged campus remains absent. Research limitations/implications This study is based on a collaborative research between eight SMEs and one university business school and does not reflect ES fully as conceptualised. It provides few insights into the role of trust (or distrust) in such collaborations where things go wrong. Practical implications Universities looking to enable ES collaborations with SMEs need to develop and enact strategies which support ongoing engagement and enable identification-based trust (IBT). Recommendations for universities and human resource development regarding interventions to support trust initiation and development to enable knowledge application ES are outlined and suggestions are offered for future research. Social implications University strategies to support the development of trust and, in particular, IBT are likely to benefit longer-term relationships and the development of ES between SMEs and universities. Originality/value Little research has been undertaken on trust initiation and development between academic and SME stakeholders or the associated implications for ES.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Smart System for the Optimization of Logistics Performance of a Pruning Biomass Value Chain

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Techane Bosona ◽  
Girma Gebresenbet ◽  
Sven-Olof Olsson ◽  
Daniel Garcia ◽  
Sonja Germer
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Data Recording ◽  
Quality Model ◽  
Logistics System ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Information Platform

The paper presents a report on the performance evaluation of a newly developed smart logistics system (SLS). Field tests were conducted in Spain, Germany, and Sweden. The evaluation focused on the performance of a smart box tool (used to capture information during biomass transport) and a web-based information platform (used to monitor the flow of agricultural pruning from farms to end users and associated information flow). The tests were performed following a product usability testing approach, considering both qualitative and quantitative parameters. The detailed performance evaluation included the following: systematic analysis of 41 recordable parameters (stored in a spreadsheet database), analysis of feedback and problems encountered during the tests, and overall quality analysis applying the product quality model adapted from ISO/IEC FDIS 9126-1 standard. The data recording and storage and the capability to support product traceability and supply chain management were found to be very satisfactory, while assembly of smart box components (mainly the associated cables), data transferring intervals, and manageability could be improved. From the data retrieved during test activities, in more than 95% of the parameters within 41 columns, the expected values were displayed correctly. Some errors were observed, which might have been caused mainly by barriers that could hinder proper data recording and transfer from the smart box to the central database. These problems can be counteracted and the performance of the SLS can be improved so that it can be upgraded to be a marketable tool that can promote sustainable biomass-to-energy value chains.

Articulations in Berlin’s independent art scene: on new collective actors in the art field

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 596-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Friederike Landau
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Policy ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Critique ◽  
Collective Actors ◽  
And Shifts ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the formation of two artist-led collective actors, Koalition der Freien Szene (KFS) and Haben and Brauchen (H&B), and their differing strategies of political critique towards Berlin’s cultural policy-making complex. The paper seeks to contribute to the lack of empirical case studies on Berlin’s cultural governance and cultural policy stakeholders by creating a self-designed framework for analysis of artist-led organizations’ formulation of political claims and how their articulations find entrance into policy-making. Design/methodology/approach The paper’s theoretical framework is situated at the intersection between new social movement studies, post-positivist policy analysis and discursive institutionalism. Methodologically, the paper is based on qualitative interviews with members of KFS, H&B and relevant cultural stakeholders from Berlin’s contemporary arts scene. Findings The paper identifies five differentiating axes of political critique through a self-designed framework. These include: political or constitution-like program, personnel infrastructures determining decision-making, approach to cultural administration, strategic agenda and activity in a collective action framing scheme. Furthermore, the paper illustrates the (trans)formative potentialities for Berlin’s future cultural policy due to complementarity of discursivity and operative action, of pragmatism and utopian thinking. Practical implications The practical implications of the paper provide guidance for cultural policymakers to better systematize modes of participatory policy-making. Originality/value This paper gives an overview of current developments and shifts in Berlin’s cultural field through the emergence of new collective actors by providing unique stakeholder-centered perspective(s). Furthermore, through an empirically grounded, self-designed analytical framework, a systematic analysis of articulatory and communicative strategies and the practices of new cultural policy stakeholders is provided.

Jihadist waves: Syria, the Islamic State, and the changing nature of foreign fighters

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Güneş Murat Tezcür ◽  
Clayton Besaw
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Theory Building ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Original Sample ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Grounded Theory Building ◽  
Foreign Fighters ◽  
Practical Implications

This article offers the first systematic analysis of cross-generational and cross-organizational aspects of jihadist foreign fighter (JFF) mobilization. How are individuals fighting in Syria different from foreign fighters who fought in the previous jihadist wars? What factors distinguish the Islamic State (IS) fighters from individuals joining other jihadist groups in Syria? The article builds an original sample of 477 JFFs from Turkey spanning three decades and employs the Random Forest technique, a method with several distinct advantages over regression analysis in the study of small N conflict data. The results have substantial and practical implications and show that fighters in Syria and IS fighters have different demographic characteristics and life experiences than fighters in pre-Syria wars and non-IS fighters in Syria, respectively. They inform more empirically grounded theory building about the recruitment motives and methods of JFFs.

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