Miguel Wilson, Sayoni Ghosh and Kendra Jason
Studies and programming on belonging in higher education tend to focus on college students’ sense of belonging, but the experiences of faculty and staff are equally important…
Abstract
Purpose
Studies and programming on belonging in higher education tend to focus on college students’ sense of belonging, but the experiences of faculty and staff are equally important. Minoritized faculty and staff disproportionately report lower levels of sense of belonging and experience greater turnover outcomes. A sense of belonging among faculty and staff lessens their intention to quit, facilitates research collaboration and increases organizational commitment.
Design/methodology/approach
In this scoping review, we analyzed 24 articles yielded from three databases (Academic Search Complete, JSTOR and Web of Science) that synthesize extant literature on faculty and staff’s sense of belonging.
Findings
We found that a sense of belonging for faculty and staff (1) is often examined without being consistently defined; (2) can be hindered by the stigmatization of minoritized identities (e.g. race, gender and class), exclusive organizational policies and the academy’s socio-political structure remain barriers to a sense of belonging and (3) can be fostered through social support, celebrating professional legitimacy and valuing diversity.
Originality/value
This study details the educational landscape of sense of belonging for faculty, and call for more attention to sense of belonging for staff, so that higher education institutions can utilize organizational policies and interventions to help foster a sense of belonging, which can lead to an increase in productivity, retention and job satisfaction.
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Charlotte Meierdirk and Stephanie Fleischer
This study investigates management challenges, communication plans and crisis decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic, plus highlights management excellence for future…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates management challenges, communication plans and crisis decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic, plus highlights management excellence for future operations. Using Deloitte Consultancy’s (2015) time frames of organisational crisis management strategies: response, recovery and readiness, this article explores management approaches of the UK’s public sector organisations (PSO) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-method approach consisting of a quantitative survey followed by semi-structured interviews was used. About 33 part-time master’s degree students on a business administration (MBA) course, who were also full-time managers in the UK’s healthcare, education and other PSOs, completed the survey. The survey responses were subsequently used to select nine participants for follow-up semi-structured online interviews.
Findings
Qualitative data showed the importance of speedy decisions and clarity of communication during the pandemic. Teamwork was seen as paramount to successful decision-making despite many changing job roles. On reflection, managers gained confidence in future crisis decision-making with the importance of sharing ideas between departments, but further reflection was needed to prepare for future challenges.
Research limitations/implications
One of the limitations to this research is that the participants are all part-time MBA students, and although they were all full-time managers in PSOs, they may be more critical of the status quo.
Practical implications
Practically, organisations would benefit from reflecting on their reaction to the pandemic and what can be learnt. It is clear the majority of the managers interviewed felt that after the pandemic the organisations just moved on and there was no in-depth reflection on what had happened; the last stage of Deloitte’s (2015) model was never fully realised. The post-pandemic phase is an area that would benefit from further research, as it has now been over four years since the beginning of the pandemic, and some of the positives, such as teamwork and a sense of belonging, seem to have been lost. The pandemic has left organisations with staff absences and long-term illnesses; last year alone workplace absences cost the UK economy £32.7bn (Nolsoe, 2014). To survive, organisations have to be resilient, responsive and flexible. The next challenge will emerge from navigating times of austerity and the need for PSOs to restructure post-pandemic, an area that would benefit from further research.
Originality/value
The COVID-19 pandemic was a crisis that impacted all organisations, including their goals, operations and employees. It was clear that the amount of planning was vast, but as soon as the pandemic was over, quite a few of the organisations went back to the status quo and the “readiness stage” did not happen. The smaller organisations were more likely to reflect and improve than the larger ones.
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Anette Kaagaard Kristensen, Martin Lund Kristensen and Eva Gemzøe Mikkelsen
This paper aims to explore the impact of social segregation and exclusionary workplace hazing during lunch breaks on newcomers’ relational quality during the early socialisation…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the impact of social segregation and exclusionary workplace hazing during lunch breaks on newcomers’ relational quality during the early socialisation phase.
Design/methodology/approach
This study draws on data from a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with recently employed nurses (n = 19) and nursing students (n = 42) about their workplace hazing experiences. The data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Findings
The analysis revealed two main themes: “feeling isolated” and “justifying self-exclusion.” Newcomers reported feeling humiliated when subjected to exclusionary hazing by experienced colleagues, leading to feelings of alienation and impacting their relationships with their new colleagues. Newcomers tended to distance themselves in various ways and justified this behaviour as a means of self-care.
Originality/value
This paper adds to the limited knowledge about the effects of newcomers’ exposure to workplace hazing during their early socialisation. It provides a relational perspective on the consequences of workplace hazing and explains how the social context influences the normative expectations of newcomers.
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The National Association for School-University Partnerships ([NASUP], formerly known as the National Association for Professional Development Schools [NAPDS]), annually awards the…
Abstract
Purpose
The National Association for School-University Partnerships ([NASUP], formerly known as the National Association for Professional Development Schools [NAPDS]), annually awards the Exemplary PDS Partnership Award to partnerships who exemplify many or all of the NAPDS Nine Essentials (NAPDS, 2021). This article provides an overview of the Exemplary PDS Award and provides a review of peer-reviewed journal articles published by recipients of the NASUP/NAPDS Exemplary PDS Partnership Award between 2014 and 2024.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a basic review of literature.
Findings
Findings indicate that most Exemplary PDS Awards between 2014 and 2024 cite the NAPDS Essentials 1 and 4. Essential 1 focuses on PDS partnerships have a comprehensive mission and mutually beneficial partnership that advances teaching, learning, and equity. Essential 4 focuses on innovative practice and reflecting on PDS partnership activities.
Originality/value
This article provides a review of peer-reviewed journal articles published by recipients of the Exemplary PDS Award.
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New public management reforms have allocated a central place within public organisations to performance measurement. The balanced scorecard (BSC) is one of the models adapted and…
Abstract
Purpose
New public management reforms have allocated a central place within public organisations to performance measurement. The balanced scorecard (BSC) is one of the models adapted and promoted for use in that setting. After more than 30 years of practice, this study reviews the leading literature published on the BSC for government entities and considers how it has been developed, the main insights gained and what could be investigated further.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review procedure inspired by a structured literature review process was conducted using the Scopus and Web of Science databases.
Findings
Our research approach allowed us to obtain 39 articles published in 26 journals, showing a steady interest over the period from 1999 to 2022. These studies mainly adopt a case study approach with a practical orientation. With diverse situations reported, ranging from more beneficial situations to ones involving greater difficulties, this study calls for future researchers to investigate not only the implementation and use issues of the BSC but also its continuing use over time and the course that its application may take. Additionally, future researchers should not ignore the political and social issues concerning its implementation and use. We also observe that qualitative approaches are likely to remain valuable research designs for pursuing our research suggestions.
Originality/value
This study offers a comprehensive review of the use of the BSC for government entities, connecting the results and considerations to further research with reflections on NPM.
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Anja Tekic and Ekaterina Kurnosova
The purpose of this study is to delineate the differences in how contextual factors (i.e. funding, market reach and talent) influence performance of entrepreneurial ecosystems in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to delineate the differences in how contextual factors (i.e. funding, market reach and talent) influence performance of entrepreneurial ecosystems in advanced and emerging economies.
Design/methodology/approach
Building upon the biological perspective on entrepreneurial ecosystems, in this study we conduct the fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) on the sample of 100 entrepreneurial ecosystems across 25 advanced economies and 21 emerging economies. The fsQCA allows us to embrace the causal complexity that characterizes the relationship between multiple contextual factors and ecosystem performance in countries with different levels of economic development.
Findings
The results elucidate how the level of a country’s economic development influences the interplay of contextual factors and their collective impact on the performance of entrepreneurial ecosystems across advanced and emerging economies.
Practical implications
Our findings provide useful guidance for practitioners and policymakers aiming to cultivate conducive environments for nurturing new ventures within local ecosystems, which will stimulate the economic growth of the regions and narrow the gap between advanced and emerging economies.
Originality/value
This study delineates the complex interactions of key contextual factors and their joint impact on ecosystem performance in emerging economies, in comparison to ecosystems in advanced economies. By looking into differences of antecedents of high and low performance of ecosystems embedded in countries with distinctive level of economic development, this study goes beyond prior research that primarily focused on singular countries or regions.
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Joseph Kwaku Kidido, Tahiru Alhassan and Charlotte Pokua Frimpong Nyarko
Users are key stakeholders in event facilities, and therefore facilities management (FM) services must meet their needs and expectations. The paper aims to assess users’…
Abstract
Purpose
Users are key stakeholders in event facilities, and therefore facilities management (FM) services must meet their needs and expectations. The paper aims to assess users’ perceptions of FM practices and sustainability in event facilities in higher education institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a descriptive design approach to explore the perceptions of end-users of event facilities. Using Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology as a case study, 384 users of the event facilities were contacted through the email directory of the event facilities. Questionnaires were used to collect data and analysed in descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v22.0).
Findings
The study categorised users’ perceptions into customer care, security and safety and service quality dimensions. The results revealed that constituent key important indices of these three dimensions were not significant at both the composite and individual levels. Thus, the users generally perceived FM practices in the event facilities to be below standard. None of the three sustainability constituents was significant, suggesting that users perceived event FM sustainability practices as below standard.
Practical implications
The study presents users’ perceptions of FM practices in event facilities. It has also suggested effective ways of managing event facilities to improve user comfort, safety and satisfaction.
Originality/value
The study provides relevant information on users’ perceptions of FM practices. It specifically has sustainable FM as a key component, which is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals.
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Tugce Ertem-Eray and Eyun-Jung Ki
This study aims to identify potential relational antecedents, the initial stage of the three-stage model of OPRs, in the public diplomacy context by focusing on a government…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify potential relational antecedents, the initial stage of the three-stage model of OPRs, in the public diplomacy context by focusing on a government organization and foreign public relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
This study conducted in-depth interviews with Fulbright scholars and students from various countries to gain insights into the motivations underlying the initiation of relationships with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) within the Fulbright program.
Findings
This study identified common expectations among foreign publics regarding their relationships with ECA within the Fulbright program. Moreover, this study reveals that the foreign publics are primarily motivated by their educational needs, laying the foundation for their emotional and financial requirements. These needs propel foreign publics to build relationships with government organizations. The fulfillment of these antecedents contributes to stronger government organizations and foreign public relationships, underscoring the importance of relational antecedents in theorizing about OPRs.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first empirical investigations to investigate the relational antecedents in the public diplomacy context.
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Early childhood education (ECE) workers (educators and caregivers) play an important role in fostering an effective learning environment for children. However, the alarming…
Abstract
Purpose
Early childhood education (ECE) workers (educators and caregivers) play an important role in fostering an effective learning environment for children. However, the alarming turnover in this profession has made it incredibly difficult for ECE programs and employers to retain and support this segment of the workforce. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative inquiry is to answer how early childhood workers experience workplace thriving.
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees of a community-funded childhood education and care program. A stratified random sampling technique was used to interview the employees who (i) had successfully completed the probationary period; (ii) qualified as ECE workers based on their job description or the human resources coordinator’s assessment. Interviews were conducted till the point of data saturation. Thematic analysis revealed how ECE workers professionally thrive at multiple levels.
Findings
The findings were clustered into five broader spheres in alignment with the social-ecological framework. The personal sphere showcased workers’ passion, work meaningfulness, value system and skill transferability. The microsystems included children, parents, workplace friends and managers as influencing actors. In the mesosystems, leadership processes and managerial support emerged as salient factors. The exosystems captured organizational objectives, job characteristics and work environment. Finally, in the macrosystems, industrial norms, labor market dynamics, and community-building informed workplace thriving of this population.
Originality/value
The current research applies the social-ecological lens to analyze the factors that help ECE workers professionally thrive. The social-ecological framework not only identifies multi-level recommendations but also the human resource management (HRM) interventions at the levels that need the most attention. The current research is among the first to analyze ECE workers’ professional thriving from an HRM viewpoint.
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Muhammad Shakeel Aslam and Ayesha Akram
This study aims investigate the effects of electronic human resource management (e-HRM) on communication pace and processing time reduction through the mediation of organizational…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims investigate the effects of electronic human resource management (e-HRM) on communication pace and processing time reduction through the mediation of organizational agility. The study also investigates the moderating role of technological attitude (TA) on the relationship between e-HRM and organizational agility.
Design/methodology/approach
The data was collected from 331 information and communication technology (ICT) companies – one respondent from each company working in the Human Resource Management (HRM) department. The data was analyzed through the partial least square structural equational model (PLS-SEM) using WarpPLS7.0 software to test the study’s hypotheses.
Findings
We found that e-HRM has positive significant effects on communication pace and processing time reduction through the mediation of organizational agility. Furthermore, TA is found to be positively moderating the relationship between e-HRM and organizational agility.
Research limitations/implications
The study adds significant value to the existing knowledge base on e-HRM by providing empirical insights about the role of e-HRM in optimizing the communication pace and processing time of today’s businesses.
Practical implications
The study also provides invaluable insights to practitioners to replace conventional HR systems with e-HRM to better perform HR functions by optimizing communication pace and processing time in the current fast-paced era.
Originality/value
E-HRM has become an issue of great significance in the contemporary corporate landscape to improve operational efficiency. Despite its widespread adoption in the corporate world, empirical evidence on e-HRM, particularly on its consequences, is still inconclusive.