Comparing cultural diversity perspectives among public service employees in the Netherlands in 2008 and 2018

PurposeThe Netherlands' national government (Rijksoverheid) is an example of a large public organization that strives to recruit and retain employees from different cultural groups, and aims to reap the benefits of workplace diversity. Research has shown that a major predictor of the effectiveness of diversity policy and interventions is the diversity perspective of employees, i.e. which outcomes they associate with cultural diversity in their work environment.Design/methodology/approachThe present study compares public servants' diversity perspectives in two similar independent samples, from 2008 (n = 1,617) and 2018 (n = 2,024), using the Benefits and Threats of Diversity Scale (BTDS; Hofhuis et al., 2015).FindingsResults show that in 2018, employees of the Netherlands' national government perceived more benefits of diversity for gaining insight about and access to different groups within society. Additionally, contributions of cultural diversity to creativity and innovation within teams are reported significantly more often in 2018 than in 2008.Originality/valueThe findings may be of interest to diversity scholars, since data on changes in cultural diversity perspectives across time are rare, and the paper provides a unique comparison of measurements at two time points, one decade apart, within the same organization.

“Back to Sender”: Re-Visiting the Belief in Witchcraft in Post-Colonial Zimbabwean Pentecostalism

This paper is a critical analysis of the witchcraft beliefs in Pentecostalism in post-colonial Zimbabwe. While Pentecostals claim “a complete break from the past”, there have emerged new dimensions that show that the belief in witches and witchcraft is deeply entrenched among Pentecostals. It also brings to the fore the underlying aspects of the creativity and innovation that are informed by African spiritual or metaphysical realities. Research since 1980 (when Zimbabwe got her independence from the British) indeed confirmed the existence of witchcraft beliefs and practices, although it was heavily suppressed in the churches. This paper re-visits the belief in witchcraft activities in Pentecostalism through examining new avenues of expression in both older and newer Pentecostal churches. The newer Pentecostal churches, in particular, those founded after 2010, have demonstrated unique innovation in theology. Thus, the belief in witchcraft and witches warrants a fresh examination in light of these new developments. We, therefore argue that the emergence of diverse newer Pentecostal churches in the midst of strong older Pentecostal churches has opened new ways of negotiating the Bible and Shona culture.

Stimulating Creativity and Innovation Through Apt Educational Policy

The gap between expected and actual skillsets to drive workforce creativity and developing innovative products and services in recent times suggests the need for a thorough review of educational policy. The required level of creativity and innovation could be stimulated through educational policy review and effective implementation of action plans to meet expectations in the fourth industrial revolution. A literature review approach was adopted to examine the issues in current education system, as well as the emerging trends within the system to promote creative learning. The findings show that discipline-specific instructional strategies propelled by technological innovations (educational virtual reality games) are essential in stimulating creativity and innovation. Gamification in learning pedagogies not only promotes important academic learning but also builds the skills required for success in the 21st century.

Finding and motivating talent

Finding the best talent, and keeping them motivated and productive, are essential elements in establishing and maintaining a competitive advantage. The capacity of an event enterprise to consistently stage successful events, and consistently provide attendees with positive and memorable experiences, is generally a reflection of the quality of their employees and volunteers. Over the longer term, concerted efforts to acquire and motivate the best talent available can lead to greater levels of organisational creativity and innovation, as well as long term survival in a dynamic, turbulent, and uncertain industry environment. Furthermore, a talented and productive workforce is generally one in which individual employees and volunteers can thrive and grow, promoting empowerment and well-being.

Leadership and Sustainability

This chapter on leadership and sustainability from the first to the second generations of SME Ownership addresses both the leadership and sustainability from the perspective of different generations in family SMEs. Because, sustainable leadership is seen as a key factor of the competitiveness in a family enterprise. Without effective and efficient human capital, the SMEs cannot gain the goals such as growth, internationalization and increasing performance. Generational differences in SMEs may improve the creativity and innovation, providing that the established appropriate management system and strategy. From this viewpoint, this chapter provides an overview of generations, leadership, sustainability and competitiveness about SMEs

Development Electronic Student Worksheet based on Relating, Experiencing, Applying, Cooperating, and Transferring (REACT) in Introduction to Chemistry and Laboratory

This research aims to development a REACT-based e-worksheet that is feasible to use to stimulate the critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication (4C) skills and determine student response. The challenges of a dynamic era require students to have a 4C skills set critical thinking and problem-solving skills; creativity and innovation; communication; and collaboration. One of the tools that can be used in online learning to achieve this goal is to use the electronic Student Worksheet (E-Worksheet) which includes the student's 4C skill values with REACT strategies: Relating, Experiencing, Applying, Cooperating, and Transferring. The research chooses one of the topics in chemistry, which is introduction to chemistry and laboratories. This REACT-based e-worksheet was developed using the ADDIE development model which consists of five stages those are analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. In addition, the study used a sample of 10 students of mathematic and natural science 12th grade MAN 4 Tangerang. Based on the results of validation and student response questionnaires, REACT-based e-worksheet to stimulate students' 4C skills was declared valid and obtained an average percentage of 91.8% with very good criteria.

RECONSTRUCTION OF BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRESSIVE ISLAM IN STUDENT ACTIVITIES

This paper is not only aimed at disagreements with the views of Dina Rafidiyah and Fasho Tio Anugrah and their efforts to develop their thoughts, but also presents a basic concept formula for the application of progressive Islam that is simple and easy to apply in student activities at Muhammadiyah Higher Education. Researchers used a media approach through a globalization perspective introduced by Gill Branston and Roy Stafford in analyzing student activity at Muhammadiyah Higher Education as the object of this study. The conclusion of this study is the provision of material for students' understanding of the concept of progressive Islam and the application of its values that emphasize creativity and innovation through the basis of the Quran in the behavior and cultural life of the campus. This paper also produces derivative findings that come from these conclusions. The first finding is the need for material for students' understanding of the concept of progressive Islam that emphasizes creativity and innovation through the Quranic basis in behavior such as aspect of academic maturity in social media; and aspect of social action in everyday life. The second finding is the application of Progressive Islamic values in the cultural life of the campus through the aspect of guarding and ending learning by studying thematic Quranic verses; and aspect of career assurance and business experience-skills provision.

PENGARUH KREATIVITAS DAN INOVASI TERHADAP KEBERLANGSUNGAN USAHA MELALUI PELAKU USAHA INDUSTRI PENGOLAHAN MAKANAN DAN MINUMAN DI KABUPATEN MAROS

Untuk menjaga keberlangsungan usaha seyogiaya dilakukan melalui pengembangan ekonomi kreatif. Pe-ngelolaan Usaha industri pengolahan makanan dan minuman melalui penerapan ekonomi kreatif sebagai wujud dari upaya untuk menjaga keberlangsungan usaha melalui kreativitas dan inovasi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis pengaruh kreativitas dan inovasi terhadap pelaku usaha, pengaruh kreativitas, inovasi dan pelaku usaha terhadap keberlangsungan usaha, serta untuk menganalisis pengaruh kreativitas dan inovasi terhadap keberlangsungan usaha melalui pelaku usaha. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif dengan metode explanatory. Adapun yang menjadi populasi adalah Industri pengolahan makanan dan minuman di Kabupaten Maros sebanyak 476, dengan menggunakan sloving sehingga diperoleh jumlah sampel sebanyak 217. Teknik pengumpulan data melalui penyebaran kuesioner dengan teknik analisis data menggunakan analisis SEM. Hasil penelitian bahwa kreatifitas memberikan pengaruh secara nyata dalam meningkatkan pelaku usaha. Inovasi memberikan pengaruh secara nyata terhadap pelaku usaha. Kreatifitas memberikan pengaruh secara nyata dalam meningkatkan kebelangsungan usaha. Inovasi yang dimiliki maka akan dapat memberikan pengaruh yang nyata dalam meningkatkan keberlangsungan usaha. Pelaku usaha memberikan pengaruh yang nyata dalam meningkatkan keberlangsungan usaha. Pelaku usaha dapat memediasi pengaruh kreatifitas terhadap keberlangsungan usaha dan pelaku usaha dapat memediasi pengaruh inovasi terhadap keberlangsungan usaha pengolahan makanan dan minuman di Kabupaten Maros.. To maintain business continuity, it should be done through the development of the creative economy. Business management of the food and beverage processing industry through the application of the creative economy as a manifestation of efforts to maintain business continuity through creativity and innovation. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of creativity and innovation on business actors, the effect of creativity, innovation and business actors on business continuity, and to analyze the effect of creativity and innovation on business sustainability through business actors. This research is quantitative research with an explanatory method. The population of the food and beverage processing industry in Maros Regency is as many as 476, by using slovin so that a total sample of 217 is obtained. Data collection techniques are through questionnaires with data analysis techniques using SEM analysis. The results of the study show that creativity has a real influence on increasing business actors. Innovation has a real impact on business actors. Creativity has a real influence on increasing business continuity. The innovations that are owned will be able to have a real influence on improving business continuity. Business actors have a real influence on improving business continuity. Business actors can mediate the influence of creativity on business continuity and business actors can mediate the influence of innovation on the sustainability of food and beverage processing businesses in Maros Regency