A Ranking Framework for Higher Education Institutions

The use of league tables and rankings (LTRs) as a tool to rank or measure the performance of higher education institutions (HEIs) has grown in popularity. Research indicates that these ranking criteria are often discussed from the standpoint of governments, the HEI management, and the ranking institutions producing these LTR publications. The opinions of the students on the suitable ranking criteria used by ranking institutions are generally omitted. This chapter investigates the applicable criteria for ranking HEIs in South Africa, from the perspective of students. A survey was conducted to determine the most relevant university ranking criteria considered by university students. The results indicate that the students perceive resources and infrastructure, accreditation, international orientation, research output, faculty quality, and teaching and learning as the most relevant criteria for ranking HEIs. Managerial recommendations are provided for HEIs to address the ranking criteria rated important by students.

Competing Modernisms

Through Carlos Mérida’s advocacy of the Graham technique, the Secretaría de Educación Pública invited U.S. choreographer Anna Sokolow to perform and teach in Mexico City. The SEP also invited Waldeen Falkenstein to perform, setting up a competition between their opposing styles of socially engaged choreography. Sokolow’s approach was closely aligned to Graham’s ideas; Waldeen claimed to have found her inspiration in specifically Mexican ways of moving. Their antagonistic approach mirrored ongoing divisions in the visual arts community over local inspiration versus an international orientation, though the disciples of both dancers vehemently rejected suggestions of any foreign elements in their work. Sokolow would come to be known as the originator of modern dance in Mexico, but it was Waldeen who created its watershed work, La Coronela (The Woman Coronel), with a distinctly female-centric evocation of Mexico’s revolution.

International Orientation of early-stage Entrepreneurs in the Balkan region – The age perspective

The main objective of our study is to analyse the relation between early-stage entrepreneurs' age and their international orientation in the Balkan region economies, which are facing increasing globalisation and an ageing population. Based on the existing theory, we link the international orientation with some additional influencing determinants, such as the entrepreneurs' innovativeness, their growth aspirations and the financial resources required. Our results underline the importance of institutional frameworks and the moderating effects of age and these influencing determinants, on international orientation. Accordingly, we emphasise the significance of associating explanatory variables with the early-stage entrepreneurs' age. Data from six countries in the Balkan region were obtained from the year 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Adult Population Survey. The study contributes to a better understanding of the international orientation of senior (in terms of age) early-stage entrepreneurs in the Balkan region. Given the changes that have occurred with increasing globalisation and an ageing population, the concept of this particular group of entrepreneurs is important for national and regional policy makers.