University teaching in prison in the university penitentiary system of Sassari: practices, research and developments during the pandemic

This paper derives from the activities of the University Penitentiary Center of the University of Sassari and aims to explore the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on university teaching in prison. The subject of penitentiary university teaching is innovative and relevant for educational research and brings into play different skills, professionals, services and institutions. The theoretical framework describes how the right to study in prison is declined on a methodological level. The field research carried out in Sardinia has tried to give the student's voice in prison and the point of view of educators on the educational and organizational impact on university study paths during the pandemic; it is a voice that returns the complexity of a difficult moment, but which also offers useful ideas and stimuli for a more aware restart of the limits and challenges to be faced, as well as good practices to be developed, particularly at the interface between different public institutions as the University and the Penitentiary Administration are. La didattica universitaria in carcere nell’ambito del Polo Universitario Penitenziario di Sassari: pratiche, ricerca e sviluppi ai tempi della pandemia. Il presente contributo nasce nell’ambito dell’attività del Polo Universitario Penitenziario dell’Università di Sassari e si propone di esplorare l’impatto della pandemia da Covid 19 sulla didattica universitaria in carcere. Il tema della didattica universitaria penitenziaria è innovativo e rilevante per la ricerca educativa e chiama in gioco diverse competenze, professionalità, servizi e istituzioni. Il quadro teorico e normativo di riferimento traccia le coordinate in cui si inserisce il diritto allo studio in carcere e ne declina i significati e le implicazioni sul piano metodologico. La ricerca sul campo realizzata in Sardegna ha cercato di dar voce agli studenti detenuti e agli educatori in merito alle ricadute a livello educativo ed organizzativo sui percorsi di studio durante la pandemia; una voce che restituisce la complessità di un momento difficile, ma che offre anche spunti e stimoli utili per una ripartenza più consapevole dei limiti e delle sfide da affrontare, così come delle buone prassi da sviluppare soprattutto all’interfaccia tra istituzioni pubbliche, quali sono l’Università e l’Amministrazione Penitenziaria.

Isomorphism and organizational performance: evidence from quality management in higher education

Purpose Quality management has become an integral part of management reforms in public sector organizations. Drawing on a new institutionalist perspective, this study aims to investigate the relation of management reforms and organizational performance in the context of higher education. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyse the interaction between isomorphic conformity in quality management adoption, organizational learning and quality improvement and, in so doing, address the central theoretical question of what effects isomorphic conformity has on organizational performance. Empirically, the study draws on survey data from quality managers at public higher education institutions in Germany. Methodically, it applies confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. Findings The results suggest that mimetic isomorphism is surprisingly compatible with processes of organizational learning, and thus, does not inevitably compromise organizational development. Originality/value By presenting these findings, the authors contribute to the controversial theoretical debate concerning the effects of isomorphism and to the ongoing discussion regarding the organizational impact of quality management in higher education.

Socio-Organizational Impact of Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy in Neurosurgery and Neuropathology: Results from a Process Analysis and Expert Survey

During brain tumor resection surgery, it is essential to determine the tumor borders as the extent of resection is important for post-operative patient survival. The current process of removing a tissue sample for frozen section analysis has several shortcomings that might be overcome by confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE). CLE is a promising new technology enabling the digital in vivo visualization of tissue structures in near real-time. Research on the socio-organizational impact of introducing this new methodology to routine care in neurosurgery and neuropathology is scarce. We analyzed a potential clinical workflow employing CLE by comparing it to the current process. Additionally, a small expert survey was conducted to collect data on the opinion of clinical staff working with CLE. While CLE can contribute to a workload reduction for neuropathologists and enable a shorter process and a more efficient use of resources, the effort for neurosurgeons and surgery assistants might increase. Experts agree that CLE offers huge potential for better diagnosis and therapy but also see challenges, especially due to the current state of experimental use, including a risk for misinterpretations and the need for special training. Future studies will show whether CLE can become part of routine care.

Construction Industry Training Assessment Framework

The construction industry suffers from a lack of structured assessment methods to consistently gauge the efficacy of workforce training programs. To address this issue, this study presents a framework for construction industry training assessment that identifies established practices rooted in evaluation science and developed from a review of archival construction industry training literature. Inclusion criteria for the evaluated studies are: archival training studies focused on the construction industry workforce and integration of educational theory in training creation or implementation. Literature meeting these criteria are summarized and a case review is presented detailing assessment practices and results. The assessment practices are then synthesized with the Kirkpatrick Model to analyze how closely industry assessment corresponds with established training evaluation standards. The study culminates in a training assessment framework created by integrating practices described in the identified studies, established survey writing practices, and the Kirkpatrick Model. This study found that two-thirds of reviewed literature used surveys, questionnaires, or interviews to assess training efficacy, two studies that used questionnaires to assess training efficacy provided question text, three studies measured learning by administering tests to training participants, one study measured changed behavior as a result of training, and one study measured organizational impact as a result of training.

External wine education and certification for restaurant service staff: a mixed-methods evaluation of training effectiveness

PurposeThe purpose of this mixed-methods explanatory sequential study was to assess the effects of an external wine education and certification program on trainee reactions, learning, transfer and financial results.Design/methodology/approachThe quantitative phase was a mixed experimental design in which the training intervention was between-subjects and time was within-subjects. The sample comprises 91 employees (NTraining = 43; NControl = 48) from 12 units of a fine dining restaurant group. The qualitative phase, comprised of semi-structured interviews with training group participants (N = 12), was implemented after the experiment.FindingsTraining group participants reported high scores for attitude toward training content, instructional satisfaction and transfer motivation. Financial metrics, tracked up to 60 days post-training, demonstrated the wine education program was effective in increasing wine knowledge but not wine sales. Four themes emerged from the qualitative data: sense of accomplishment, enhanced guest interaction, tips and gratuities and defeat. Integrated findings revealed increased wine knowledge led to personal financial impact (increased tips) rather than organizational impact.Originality/valueThis research builds on existing training literature and human capital theory by examining external training programs. Further, the use of a mixed-methods design and integration of the quantitative and qualitative findings offers a previously unidentified explanation for why wine training, although effective in facilitating positive reactions and learning, fails to result in transfer behaviors which generate increased wine sales.

User Satisfaction Assessment of a Developed Temperature Monitoring System Based on A-Priori Information System Impact Model

Network downtimes are typically addressed by deploying a temperature monitoring system (TMS) designed to detect variations in temperature and signal users of an impending increase of temperature. The development of a TMS has been found to essentially monitor temperature states across various case applications, but a concurrent analysis of such system was not carried out despite the need to recognize user satisfaction for improvement of future TMS information system components. Thus, this paper seeks to design, implement, and analyze a TMS under the a-priori information system (IS) impact model, which incorporates the constructs on individual impact, organizational impact, information quality, and system quality, in an academic institution as case environment. It is found that all four constructs have a positive influence on the proposed TMS IS impact except for organizational impact. Under such a case, decision-makers are prompted to develop a product that anchors primarily on individual impact, information quality, and system quality to attain desired system outputs.

Evaluation of Environmental Naturalness: A Case Study in the Tietê-Jacaré Hydrographic Basin, São Paulo, Brazil

The connection between humanity and nature has an organizational impact on land use/land, often changing landscapes’ patterns. In this context, our study aims to analyze the changes in the landscape structure of the Tietê-Jacaré watershed, São Paulo state, Brazil, in 2007 and 2017, through the urbanity index. The landscape analysis described the temporal landscape patterns resulting from the influence of anthropogenic processes. This approach assumes that the environmental impacts are associated with the vulnerability of land use components. The urbanity index was utilized to analyze the landscape sustainability conditions in response to anthropogenic influence. We observed a reduction in vegetation areas (2.72%), representing 32,149 ha, followed by an expansion of crops (2.05%, 24,507.53 ha) and, as a result, a reduction of the landscape environmental quality with a growth of the areas with anthropic intervention. The development of anthropic activities, land use, and land cover changes could compromise the region’s ecosystems negatively, e.g., through effects on soils that provide sustenance vegetation and afford energy for terrestrial life. The urbanity index expressed the conservation and natural state of the landscape studied. It is presented as an essential tool for diagnosing the environment and for the conservation of the ecosystem, allowing precise analysis of landscape elements and enabling accurate analysis of each fragment of the landscape.