scholarly journals Employers’ Perspectives on the Performance of Higher Education Institutions in Preparing Graduates for the Workplace: A Review of the Literature

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew R Hodgman

Educational credentials play an important role in the job attainment process. To employers, academic credentials signal that a prospective employee has acquired certain competencies that certify readiness for the workplace. As grantors of educational credentials, higher education institutions (HEIs) are entrusted with the important duty of preparing graduates to enter the workforce. In order to better understand what employers need from HEIs in terms of preparing recent graduates for the workforce and the degree to which employers currently view the performance of HEIs in terms of preparing graduates to meet these needs, a review of the literature concerning employers’ perceptions of HEI performance was conducted for the current study. Sources were reviewed and analyzed for reoccurring ideas or themes in the literature. Three themes emerged from the review: (a) the need for work-related skills, (b) the need for internships, and (c) skepticism toward for-profit higher education (FPHE) graduates. Suggestions for future research are offered based on the emergent themes. This study is beneficial to prospective college students, college administrators, employers, and higher education professionals and scholars. 

2017 ◽  
pp. 644-666
Author(s):  
Vera Silva Carlos ◽  
Ricardo Gouveia Rodrigues

According to the literature, social relationships have a positive influence on work-related attitudes and behaviours. Taking into account that Online Social Networks (OSNs), brought about by Web 2.0, have become an international phenomena and have a considerable impact on the way people communicate and interact with each other, the chapter's purpose is to evaluate the effect that the use of OSNs has on the worker's attitudes and behaviours. In this way, the authors use a questionnaire to evaluate the attitudes of 157 faculty members in Higher Education Institutions (HEI). To assess the use of OSNs by faculty members, they use a binary variable. After analysing and discussing the results, the authors conclude that the use of OSNs influences the workers' performance traits. The relations they propose in what concerns the workers' attitudes are all empirically proven. At last, the authors describe the study limitations and suggest some perspectives for future research.


Author(s):  
Vera Silva Carlos ◽  
Ricardo Gouveia Rodrigues

According to the literature, social relationships have a positive influence on work-related attitudes and behaviours. Taking into account that Online Social Networks (OSNs), brought about by Web 2.0, have become an international phenomena and have a considerable impact on the way people communicate and interact with each other, the chapter’s purpose is to evaluate the effect that the use of OSNs has on the worker’s attitudes and behaviours. In this way, the authors use a questionnaire to evaluate the attitudes of 157 faculty members in Higher Education Institutions (HEI). To assess the use of OSNs by faculty members, they use a binary variable. After analysing and discussing the results, the authors conclude that the use of OSNs influences the workers’ performance traits. The relations they propose in what concerns the workers’ attitudes are all empirically proven. At last, the authors describe the study limitations and suggest some perspectives for future research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Daly ◽  
Denelle Mohammed ◽  
Cheryl Boglarsky ◽  
Patrick Blessinger ◽  
Rana Zeine

Purpose Facilitation and Task Facilitation are important components of healthy supervisory/managerial relationships among higher education professionals. Juniors are guided by superiors who play a supervisory/managerial role in professional development. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of Interaction Facilitation and Task Facilitation on supervisory/managerial relationships among higher education professionals. Design/methodology/approach The Human Synergistics International Organizational Effectiveness Inventory® was used to survey faculty and administrators at public and private higher education institutions. The authors analyze Interaction Facilitation and Task Facilitation, which focuses on people-oriented and task-oriented skills, respectively. Findings The authors demonstrated the negativity of current organizational cultures on organizational effectiveness measures in higher education institutions. The authors analyze Interaction Facilitation and Task Facilitation, which focuses on people-oriented and task-oriented skills, respectively. Results revealed average scores for both measures fell undesirably below the Historical Averages and Constructive Benchmarks in private and public not-for-profits, private for-profits, faculty, administrators, males and females. Practical implications To increase follower satisfaction and improve task and contextual performance in higher education institutions, the authors recommend defining the leader’s influence within supervisory/managerial relationships, increasing flexibility in contextual/situational factors, clarifying the role of supervisors, aligning individual and organizational goals in millennials, and maintaining collegiality. Social implications The findings suggest that organizational effectiveness in higher education institutions may benefit from thoughtful revision of leadership strategies, better alignment of individual with organizational goals, and continuous cultivation of constructive organizational cultures. Originality/value This study has identified the need to ameliorate the practice of Interactive Facilitation and Task Facilitation styles in higher education institutions. Ineffective supervisory/management styles in higher education have a negative impact on the organization cultures reducing the practice of constructive work behaviors.


10.28945/4167 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 117-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin R McClure

Aim/Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to provide an appreciative re-telling of public regional universities (PRUs) to advance the study of postsecondary education. Background: Journalists, scholars, and policymakers frequently describe PRUs from a deficit perspective. The dominant narrative about PRUs influences how we prepare new higher education professionals, where faculty and staff members opt to apply (and stay), where students choose to study, how policymakers craft legislation, and where donors decide to give money. Methodology: Guided by principles of appreciative inquiry, the study features organizational narratives through interviews with 19 active presidents of PRUs. Contribution: This study underscores what is working well at PRUs—what appreciative inquiry calls the “positive core” of organizations. This positive core can be mined to advance these organizations and improve how we study postsecondary education, prepare new higher education professionals, and craft legislation. Findings: Presidents’ narratives revealed the positive core of public regional universities, which consisted of (1) serving marginalized student populations, (2) transforming lives through student success, (3) employing mission-driven teacher-scholars, (4) prioritizing low tuition and lean management, and (5) promoting the economic and cultural welfare of the region. Recommendations for Practitioners: This study sheds light on the need to study PRUs in higher education administration graduate programs. Additionally, re-telling the story of PRUs can influence the ways in which higher education faculty members and staff think and communicate about their institutions by identifying possible strengths they can showcase and on which they can build. Recommendation for Researchers: This study calls on researchers to critically evaluate the language they use to describe PRUs and the extent to which they perpetuate the dominant narrative about these institutions. It also recommends the use of appreciative inquiry as a way to understand and enhance postsecondary education institutions. Lastly, this study recommends additional scholarly attention on PRUs. Impact on Society: This study can elevate societal awareness of PRUs and increase public support for them. Additionally, this study can help to identify strengths at PRUs that can be leveraged to enhance these institutions and benefit the communities they serve. Future Research: This study reveals several fruitful avenues for future research, including how PRUs serve Minoritized, veteran, adult, low-income, and first-generation students, the ways in which these institutions contain costs and keep tuition low, and the role of PRUs in the geography of college opportunity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (32) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Tatiana A. Vekovtceva ◽  
Vera D. Mishina ◽  
Anna B. Cherednyakova

The issues addressed in the article are of particular relevance due to the growing role of teachers of higher education institutions in the modern society. The article is dedicated to the current issues of self-development of teachers and is aimed to identify the main reasons for their poor social and personal self-development. The most important research method used by the authors was the pedagogic experiment, including such particular empirical methods as monitoring, tests, surveys, questionnaires, interviews, self-assessment and psychological diagnostics. As a result of the study, it was found out that teachers' leisure time is not properly organised, therefore they have no opportunities for rehabilitation and recreation in their free time, which considerably reduces effectiveness of their personal self-development. The article describes a set of measures aimed to enhance the effectiveness of teachers' self-development through the organization of cultural and creative associations in higher education institutions, including four stages and six spheres of activity that can be implemented in such cultural and creative associations. Materials of this article may be useful for the management of higher education institutions and department heads, advanced training centres for higher education professionals and for all academic staff members.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Urbanski Forrest

Librarians’ ethical directives point toward a collaborative effort in providing support for students outside the classroom. Academic librarians often focus on collaborative relationships with teaching faculty at institutions of higher education, but they should also form partnerships with other higher education professionals. Currently, few such partnerships have been reported in the literature. Staff who work in student affairs, including academic advising, career counseling, and other academic support offices would benefit greatly from librarians’ expertise. Specific suggestions for building such collaborations are given, and proposals about future research and possible collaborations are offered. 


REVISTA FIMCA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Pâmela Gomes Artioli ◽  
Natiely Souza Lima ◽  
Camila Silva

Introdução: Com o passar dos anos, além de doenças laborais físicas, surge um novo cenário de doenças emocionais que vem afetando gradativamente profissionais da área da docência a pesquisa em questão visou identificar os transtornos mentais que mais provocam afastamento de docentes em instituições de ensino superior, (com ênfase no transtorno bipolar), onde contribuiu para se aprofundar a análise de fatores relacionados a esse tipo de transtorno. Objetivos: os objetivos deste estudo, são de realizar análise crática e reflexiva quanto ao número elevado de professores de ensino superior com o Transtorno Afetivo Bipolar, e a relação dos fatores associados a este impedimento dos profissionais, destacar também questões relativas à saúde mental, e identificar quais são as consequências que implicam na rotina de trabalho desses professores e o aumento de docentes com diagno?stico de Transtorno Bipolar. Materiais e Métodos: Quanto à fundamentação teórica, trata-se de um referencial bibliográfico ao passo que utiliza de literaturas científicas disponibilizadas por meio eletrônico. Utilizando-se como técnica de análise de dados a análise de conteúdo interpretativa. Os critérios de inclusão que foram usados são: publicações em português, entre os anos de 2000 a 2018 disponíveis na íntegra. Conclusão: Por fim chegou-se ao entendimento de que além da sobrecarga os docentes remanescentes, o adoecimento crescente dos profissionais da educação compromete a qualidade de vida desses profissionais. Introduction: Over the years, in addition to physical work-related illnesses, a new scenario of emotional diseases emerges that has gradually affected professionals in the teaching area. The research in question aimed at identifying the mental disorders that cause the most withdrawal of teachers in higher education institutions, (with emphasis on bipolar disorder), where it contributed to deepen the analysis of factors related to this type of disorder. Objectives: The objectives of this study are to perform a critical and reflexive analysis regarding the high number of teachers of higher education with Bipolar Affective Disorder, and the relation of the factors associated with this impediment of the professionals, also highlight issues related to mental health, and identify what are the consequences that imply in the work routine of these teachers and the increase of teachers diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Materials and Methods: Regarding the theoretical basis, it is a bibliographical reference while using scientific literatures made available electronically. The analysis of interpretive content was used as data analysis technique. The inclusion criteria that were used are: publications in Portuguese, between the years 2000 to 2018 available in full. Conclusion: Finally, it was understood that in addition to overloading the remaining teachers, the growing sickness of education professionals compromises the quality of life of these professionals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
David Santandreu Calonge ◽  
Pablo Medina Aguerrebere ◽  
Patrik Hultberg ◽  
Melissa Connor

The immediacy of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the sheer importance of internal and external communication with stakeholders. Universities had to rapidly grasp an unfolding and fast-changing crisis, gauge their level of preparedness, review decision and implementation processes, devise strategies, and adapt communication approaches. This exploratory study conducts a literature review in order to identify relevant studies that address how higher education institutions communicated to their stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The review of the literature revealed that although many higher education institutions had disaster recovery plans in place, few were well-equipped for a disruption of global proportions. Using a grounded theory approach, five important themes emerged from the relevant studies.


Author(s):  
Marcelo de Jesus Rodrigues da Nóbrega ◽  
Patrícia Guedes Pimentel ◽  
Flavio Maldonado Bentes

The focus that will be given in this article, is the relevance of collaborative teaching in the academic environment, with emphasis on higher education in engineering, considering the professional relationship between educating agents and students. To assist in the higher education process, the main challenges encountered will also be addressed, as well as to point out possible increasingly necessary solutions. Raising such important educational issues is necessary since the reference of an institution of higher education is based, among other aspects, on the qualifications of the teacher and his professional training, as well as on his ability to deal with everyday problems. Thus, seeking to achieve the proposed objectives, a bibliographic review was carried out on the theme presented and its consequences in relation to higher education, focusing on engineering courses. In addition to defining concepts related to collaborative teaching, this study links the relationships between higher education professionals, to the institution's growth and improvement. Finally, it was possible to verify that some of the problems listed in the present study are related to the way in which education professionals deal with everyday matters.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-18
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Higgins ◽  
Susan M. Campbell

Virginia Gordon was a teacher, scholar, practitioner, and leader who also served as a role model and mentor to others. Her insight and research informed the many innovative initiatives she pursued on behalf of the student advising experience. Gordon's scholarly and evidence-based approach set the stage for academic advising as a field of scholarly inquiry and helped shape the growth and direction of the profession. Virginia Gordon's work was other-directed. Her goal was always to support the growth and development of others. This qualitative study tried to capture Gordon as understood by the higher education professionals who knew her, worked with her, and/or studied with her. That she was other-directed supports our view regarding Virginia Gordon as a servant leader.


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