The Role of Virtual Experiences in Increasing Knowledge, Motivation, Independence and Cultural Capital from Disadvantaged Pupils in England

Objective: To investigate the impact of virtual learning experiences (VLEs) in school amongst disadvantaged 9 to 11-year-olds: specifically, do virtual experiences increase their knowledge, motivation and independence in learning about a topic, and does this increase their cultural capital. Methodology: Participants explored virtual experiences on countries around the world, with the number of facts learnt before and after recorded. Questionnaires were also completed to record views of virtual experiences. Findings: Findings suggest virtual experiences were successful in teaching participants new information, and increased their independence and motivation to engage with learning, and thus could be successful in increasing cultural capital. Significance difference testing revealed that disadvantaged pupils recorded fewer facts than non-disadvantaged pupils, and therefore virtual experiences were not sufficient to close this disadvantage gap. Value Added: The value of virtual experiences being woven into curriculums is discussed as a platform for teaching cultural knowledge. Recommendations: Virtual learning experiences should be considered a core resource for teachers when planning and should be embedded into the curriculum to enhance learning experiences for disadvantaged pupils. Further research should continue to explore the use of VLEs in Primary schools, and the impact of VLEs on cultural capital.

The Influence of Culture on Collaborative Learning Practices in Higher Education

Objective: This study systematically identifies the various pertinent cultural dimensions and the group processes involved in collaborative peer learning before empirically exploring their associations among a sample of university students. Methodology: Twenty statements encompassing various cultural dimensions that could possibly influence students’ preferences towards collaborative peer learning practices were incorporated into a survey. The data were collected from 147 multicultural students studying applied sciences in Finland. Chi-squared test of independence was used to test the association between the cultural dimension scores for students and their stated preferences for collaborative learning practices. Findings: A major finding of this study is that learners from diverse cultural backgrounds have differing modes of engaging in the eight separate collaborative learning processes. The findings clearly reveal that students from cultures that are hierarchical, collectivist, less bound by rules, and traditional are less likely to have any prior familiarity with peer-learning methods. It seems relatively clear that the power distance and collectivism dimensions have the greatest impact on shaping the preferences of students for collaborative peer-learning methods. Value Added: Very few studies have looked at how the cultural backgrounds of students can influence their use of, and preferences towards, collaborative peerlearning methods. This study identifies key processes in collaborative learning practices, which are shaped by culture as communication, decision-making, leadership, evaluation, trust building, the expression of disagreement, scheduling, and persuasion within a peer group. Recommendations: This study found that Hofstede’s framework might be too constraining when understanding how culture shapes a student’s preferences towards collaborative peer learning in the educational context. It would be even more fruitful to develop an altogether endogenous framework that is more suitable for exploring the influence of culture on learning and education. Such a model should identify the various dimensions of culture beyond those of national identity and consider how they jointly influence attitudes towards collaborative learning rather than considering them in isolation. This model should also take a more dynamic approach towards both culture and learning.

Does Polish Post-Communist Cultural Burden Influence the Perception of Creative Identities?

Objective: Post-communist countries, affected by decades of one of the most repressive political systems, are perceived as a particular area of gaps in social capital. These gaps influence the whole spectrum of behaviors of individuals, groups, and society. Countries that changed their political system start a journey of external (economic, social) and internal (personal, interpersonal, group) changes. The post-communist burden determines human behavior, so leaders and managers should pay attention to these consequences. The research deals with the differences in perception of creative identities (a creator, artist, manager, entrepreneur, and leader) by Polish society compared to other countries without communist history. Methodology: Quantitative research (n = 160) in the form of a survey among people from Poland and other countries. Verification of hypotheses by chisquare test of independence used (SPSS, MS Excel). Next, a qualitative analysis of discrepancies was undertaken (NVivo). Findings: There are no statistical differences in the perception of creative identities of a creator, artist, manager, entrepreneur, and leader between citizens of Poland and citizens of other countries. The additional qualitative analysis exposed that differences in perception of the creative identities between investigated societies might have necessary consequences while managing or leading groups (and organizations) dominated by creative individuals. These differences are shown in detail, and links between our research results and the literature are built. Value Added: It looks like a post-communist burden in current Poland has a minimal impact on the perception of creative individuals. Thus, it can be said that communism disappears from the social capital during one generation (ca. 30 years). Recommendations: Further research exploring the perception of creative identities by different analogical groups of compared societies would be valuable.

Generational Diversity among Teachers in the Workplace: Implications for Teacher Relationships, Identity and Development

Objective: This contribution aims to introduce a conceptual framework on generational diversity of teachers in order to analyze and understand its influence on the processes and results of professional interaction in schools. Methodology: In this conceptual piece, first, the relevance of generational diversity among teachers in their workplace is examined and justified, emphasizing the increasing aging of teaching staff. Next, generational diversity is explored by analyzing the concept of generation and the attributes used to distinguishing generations (particularly, age). Furthermore, evidence is considered regarding the impact on the construction of teacher relationships, paying particular attention to the context of collaborative relationships between teachers belonging to different generations and its effects on teacher learning and identity. Findings: Conclusions are drawn as to the potentialities of intergenerational learning. Value added: Despite representing a clear challenge for the educational organizations, generational diversity and intergenerational collaboration among teachers and school leaders have been scarcely studied so far. Recommendations: Conclusions are drawn as to the potentialities of intergenerational learning and implications for professional induction and collegial professional development are presented as well.

Lean Management Implementation in Small and Medium Sized Companies – A Success Case Study in a Manufacturing Process

Objective: The aim of this paper is to understand a production system of a forging and presses structure of a centenary factory in terms of a cultural change on the management approach. Methodology: The study was focused on many aspects such as the pieces production lead time, a time study of the setups, the Overall Equipment Effectiveness determination for the Computer Numeric Control machinery and an analysis of the production cells operational flow. Findings: For the aspects that were analysed during the study, the problems are identified, and the root causes determined. At the end of the assessment stage Lean tools and concepts for fixing the problems were proposed, like new rules for production planning, setups procedures, 5S toll usage and a Lean implementation plan that is adapted to the company. Value Added: The high industrial competitivity has dictated the development for this sector that – allied with the inconstant and unstable economic environment – makes the companies very vulnerable and highly dependent of the global market. This is a concern of special relevance for the Small and Medium Size companies that are increasingly adopting Lean solutions to continuously improve their operational value chain and the management approach, for a more systemic way of thinking. Recommendations: For some of the solutions an impact study with their implementation was made. An analysis of the success factors proposed in the literature that were verified during the assessment stage of the case study was performed as well.

Identifying and Prioritizing Ways to Improve Oman’s Tourism Sector in the Corona Period

Objectives: To identify the economic, social, and geopolitical impacts of the Corona pandemic on the country’s tourism industry; to identify ways to enhance domestic tourism so as to increase income in the Oman’s tourism industry which has since been declining; to identify specific travel destinations and associated recovery plans; and to suggest recommendations on the best approaches to improving the Oman tourism sector. Methodology: The research involved collection of primary data using interviews where opinions and perceptions of Omani tourism industry experts were collected regarding economic, social, and geopolitical impacts of the Corona pandemic on the country’s tourism industry; the rationale of lifting travel restrictions and the ways of increasing traveller confidence amidst the uncertainties and fears associated with Covid-19 in Oman; ways to enhance domestic tourism so as to increase income in the Oman’s tourism industry which has since been declining; and recommendations on the best approaches to improving the Oman tourism sector. Findings: The main impacts of coronavirus on Omani tourism industry include loss of revenue and reduction in hotel and occupancy rate. These effects resulted into massive job losses, unpaid leave and pay cuts amongst employees in the country’s tourism industry. The measures to be taken to enhance recovery of the tourism industry were categorized into two: government measures and business measures. Value added: With the multiple adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the tourism sector, this study will help in establishing the potential measures of fostering the positive outcomes in the sector. Recommendations: Setting aside COVID-19 recovery financial kitty; Increasing the frequency of marketing the country as the preferred and the best tourist destination in the world in both local and international media; Public-private partnerships; and encouraging domestic tourism by offering discounts and incentives for the locals enjoying the country’s tourism facilities. Offering discounted rates and fees; adopting a flexible booking policy; cancelling or waiving all the fees and fines that were charged on customers who cancelled or amended their bookings as result of COVID-19 pandemic; offering attractive discounts to clients who want to re-book their previous cancelled bookings without conditions; and diversification of operations.

Increasing Project Effectiveness by Combining the FMEA Method Results and the Costs of Quality (Based on the Example of an Employee Relationship Management Project)

Objective: This article presents a project focused on the stabilization of employment in a multi-generational organization in the scope of human resources –specifically, employee relationship management. Methodology: The type of project was evaluated by taking into account different typological criteria. The employee generations were defined by providing time ranges based on dates of birth. All important project stages were presented according to the newest PMI 2017 methodology, with particular attention to the selection of the model of the project team and the division of tasks within the team. The critical path method was used in the description of the course of project activities. Findings: The method of determination of project success factors was specified. Value Added: In accordance with the title of the article, it was, however, shown how one can combine the identification of the level of project risk (using failure mode and effects analysis – FMEA) and the costs of quality to increase the project effectiveness. Recommendations: Projects of this type are important in these organizations where the risk of loyalty is high, which leads to negative economic implications. The advantages from such projects can, however, affect more than the employer.

Tourist Accommodation Establishments during the Pandemic – Consequences and Aid Report on a Survey among Polish Micro-enterprises Offering Accommodation Services

Objective: The key objective of the article was to seek the answer to the question how the limitations of the first COVID-19-related lockdown affected small businesses offering accommodation services and how the businesses fared during the unlocking period. The side objective of the paper was to identify the actions undertaken in said businesses aimed at providing safety for the guests as well as to show the expectations such businesses had when it came to government aid. Methodology: In order to meet the objectives and to verify the working hypothesis, empirical research using the diagnostic survey method was conducted at the end of 2020. The article provides the results of the pilot survey carried out on a selected group of microbusinesses providing accommodation services. The link to the questionnaire was sent to 1000 entities, of which 47 completed it correctly. Findings: The tourist industry is among those affected most by the COVID-10 pandemic. The research revealed that during the first lockdown, the closure of accommodation businesses had a relatively strong impact on the subjects of the research. The situation remained similar during the first months of lifting of the restrictions. The summer brought a slight recovery albeit not as big as was expected. Nevertheless, strong premises were found which supported the hypothesis saying that such subjects – due to their size-dependent nature – fared relatively well in all three sub-periods. For the most part, such entities re-started their operations in spring. In many of them, the level of employment remained unchanged despite the significant drop in their incomes – mainly resulting from a lower number of foreign visitors and - to a lesser extent – from lower prices. The struggle for customers forced the subjects to introduce various solutions aimed at providing safety, which proved a considerable financial and organisational burden. Value added: The research is one of the first attempts in Poland to measure the impact of lockdown on the functioning of accommodation businesses and one of the few focusing on microbusinesses. The findings show to what extent the lockdown affected the operations of the entities in question, how the lifting of restrictions changed the situation in the summer, and what actions were taken to minimize the risk of infection. Recommendations: The findings show that the analysed entities are able to function in sanitary regime and that they support solutions which will allow them to offer their services in as safe a way as possible. On the other hand, they expect strong support from the state including subsidies or exemptions. It is to be expected that the need for this form of aid will grow even stronger after further lockdowns.

Leading Intercultural Virtual Teams During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Research Results

Objective: The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been officially classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), meaning the infection is progressing faster and faster in many countries simultaneously. The United States of America has announced a travel ban on 28 European countries, many countries have closed universities, schools and kindergartens, and large gatherings of people have been forbidden. Many companies including Google, Apple and Microsoft encourage or mandate employees to adopt a work-from-home policy. For companies in the modern technology industry, the infrastructure and policy necessary for remote working are undoubtedly already implemented. However, for many smaller companies and organizations the situation was very different. Remote working and virtual team management did not occur or were limited to only a few people. The aim of the article is to present the problems of leading virtual intercultural teams, with particular emphasis on the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: Contemporary texts in the domain of cross-cultural leadership have been reviewed. Relevant existing research has been reviewed and primary research conducted. The latter consisted of 24 IDIs (Individual In-depth Interviews) with employees from various Polish organizations. Findings: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced thousands of enterprises to let their employees work remotely, but many of these companies were not as technologically prepared for the situation as they thought. We are faced with increasing international cooperation and coordination. The outbreak of COVID-19 has accelerated the need for clear standards in remote and virtual teamwork. The article analyzed the positive and negative aspects of the impact of COVID-19 on organizations and ways of virtual leadership. Value Added: This article answers the questions about the main problems faced by managers who had to lead teams in a virtual way. Recommendations: The author is aware of the fact that this is only an exploratory study. It is recommended that in order to gain a fuller picture of the issues underlying the findings, quantitative research with large number of respondents should be undertaken.

The Study of Students’ Talents and Skills as the Starting Point in Narrowing the Skills Gap of Human Resources in the Tourism Sector

Objective: The article refers to the measurement of natural talents and skills of students in an internationalised environment and possible use of empirical research to modify university curricula. The article aims to determine how to design and implement skills models to increase education efficiency and to adapt the curriculum to the labour market expectations. Methodology: The evaluation was based on three empirical surveys conducted among students of a highly internationalised university: the Gallup test measuring natural talents, the Filipowicz test (measuring skills) and a poll among students, diagnosing their expectations as to student apprenticeships and traineeships. Findings: Using the aforementioned tools allowed to identify strengths of university students in tourism programmes and to indicate areas for improvement during education. Value Added: The conclusions drawn from the survey allowed to confront students’ skills with employers’ expectations and to develop student support methods, e.g. through appropriate modifications of curricula and traineeship programmes. University courses were extended to include modules reinforcing students’ enterprise, the management of individual potential, cross-cultural communication and negotiating skills. Recommendations: Such survey enables the creation of a talent bank among students where their talents – reinforced with the knowledge and skills acquired at university – will help develop their strengths and can be particularly useful in selected posts.