This paper aims to document a novel course titled Harm Reduction Design Studio. The course introduced the harm reduction problem space to design students for designing objects…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to document a novel course titled Harm Reduction Design Studio. The course introduced the harm reduction problem space to design students for designing objects, social worlds, infrastructures and ecologies that shape human and nonhuman social interactions within them.
Design/methodology/approach
Extending tenets drawn from social movements for harm reduction from the focus on drugs and habits begins the reparative work of undoing past harms, living well in the present and reducing future harms. This course introduces history, theory and practice of harm reduction in relation to health, well-being, social connection and safety.
Findings
The course was piloted from August to December 2024 in the Department of Science and Technology Studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, USA.
Social implications
Society-wide implications for mainstreaming harm reduction are far-reaching. For instance, the U.S. National Science Foundation has recently called for ways to “incorporate ethical, social, safety, and security considerations” into research design to mitigate potential harms of scientific research and amplify societal benefits. This course prepares students to think upfront about incorporating harm reduction into the design of technological artifacts.
Originality/value
This course presents a replicable model for bringing harm reduction and design pedagogy together in the shared spirit of encouraging the readership of Drugs, Habits and Social Policy to widen participation in design practice.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ending of fee-free higher education in Australia for overseas students in the 1980s, and the ways in which the government managed…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ending of fee-free higher education in Australia for overseas students in the 1980s, and the ways in which the government managed the diplomatic relationships that were affected by this policy shift. The introduction of fee-free higher education in Australia in 1974 was incredibly popular, and the end of the program in the late 1980s created difficulties for individuals, families and diplomatic relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a mix of secondary sources and archival documents, this paper has a historiographical element, and an element of analysis.
Findings
This research finds that the ending of fee-free education created significant diplomatic issues with a number of Australia’s regional neighbours. It also created issues for individual students and families. The solution to these problems was, in large part, a scholarship scheme called the Equity and Merit Scholarship Scheme (EMSS). The EMSS was designed, in part, to address the issues created by the end of the fee-free program. However, the design of the scholarship scheme also created its own diplomatic issues with a different cohort of nation states.
Originality/value
There is limited scholarly research into the history of international education policy in Australia. This research draws on the work of some scholars of international scholarships, as well as historians of universities and education more broadly. This research adds to a growing body of work in the field of Australian international education history.
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Robin Alison Mueller, Harrison Campbell and Tatiana Losev
The purpose of our research is to better understand inquiry-based pedagogy in the context of leadership education. Specifically, we sought to learn about how leadership learning…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of our research is to better understand inquiry-based pedagogy in the context of leadership education. Specifically, we sought to learn about how leadership learning is characterized in an immersive inquiry course, and how inquiry-based pedagogy is experienced by students engaged in interdisciplinary leadership learning.
Design/methodology/approach
We used a case study approach as an overarching methodology. The research methods employed to collect data were World Cafe and episodic narrative interview. Further, we used collocation analysis and systematic text condensation as analytical strategies to interpret data.
Findings
Our findings led us to four primary conclusions: (1) inquiry-based learning helps to foster an inquiry mindset amongst leadership education students; (2) the challenges and tensions associated with inquiry-based learning are worth the learning gains for leadership students; (3) the opportunity to learn in relationship is beneficial for leadership development outcomes and (4) students’ experiences of inquiry-based learning in leadership education often included instances of transformation.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations of the research were: (1) it is a case study situated within a unique, particular social and educational context; (2) demographic data were not collected from participants, so results cannot be disaggregated based on particular demographic markers and (3) the small sample size involved in the study makes it impossible to generalize across a broad population.
Practical implications
This research has enabled a deep understanding of structural and relational supports that can enable effective inquiry-based learning in leadership education. It also offers evidence to support institutional shifts to inquiry-based pedagogy in leadership education.
Social implications
Our research demonstrates that use of inquiry-based pedagogy in leadership education has long-lasting positive effects on students' capacity for applied leadership practice. Consequently, participants in this type of leadership learning are better positioned to effectively lead social change that is pressing in our current global context.
Originality/value
There is scant (if any) published research that has focused on using inquiry-based pedagogies in leadership education. This research makes a significant contribution to the scholarship of leadership education.
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Swati Dwivedi and Ashulekha Gupta
Purpose: Significant structural changes are currently occurring in the Indian labour sector. Artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies are redefining the…
Abstract
Purpose: Significant structural changes are currently occurring in the Indian labour sector. Artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies are redefining the activities and skill requirements for various jobs in the healthcare sector. These adjustments have been accelerated by the economic crisis brought on by COVID-19, along with other considerations.
Need for the Study: Skills shortages, job transitions, and the deployment of AI at the company level are the three main challenges confronting the Indian labour market. This chapter aims to discuss policy alternatives to address a rising need for health workers and provide an overview of changes to the healthcare sector’s labour market.
Methodology: A review of the available literature was conducted to determine the causes of the widening skill gap despite a vibrant and prodigious young population. The background of the sustainable labour market is examined in this chapter, with a focus on workforce migration and mobility.
Findings: This chapter gives a comparative review of recent policy papers and evidence, as well as estimates of the health workforce and present Indian datasets. Furthermore, it highlights how important it is for all people concerned to invest in today’s workforce to close the skill gap and create better future opportunities.
Practical Implications: This chapter’s findings imply a severe shortage of human intellectual capital in India and a need to bridge this gap in the Indian labour market.
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John F. Akwetey, Lisa Ricci, Katherine (Kate) Ruff and Farnaz Zaredorahi
The benefits and challenges of impact measurement for social purpose organizations are well known. Measuring impact can equip managers with information to further their…
Abstract
Purpose
The benefits and challenges of impact measurement for social purpose organizations are well known. Measuring impact can equip managers with information to further their organizations’ purposes. Measurement can also be costly and time-consuming. The many tools and techniques give managers a choice; however, the techniques are not appropriately scaled to the financial and human resources available. This study aims to identify and validate a minimum set of essential impact measurement practices associated with useful, non-burdensome impact measurement among social purpose organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use data from a sample of social purpose organizations that answered questions about impact measurement practices based on the common approach to impact measurement’s common foundations model and three questions about impact measurement’s perceived benefits and value. The authors use factor analysis (first confirmatory factor analysis and then exploratory factor analysis) to identify the minimum set of impact measurement practices associated with the useful, non-burdensome impact measurement.
Findings
The authors found that the Common Foundations 21 practices are correlated and consistent with the perception that measurement is useful and not burdensome. However, the model that underpins the Common Foundations had a poor fit when tested with confirmatory factor analysis. The authors present and validate a revised model with a high goodness of fit. The revised model identifies ten impact measurement practices that, when implemented, are highly correlated with useful, non-burdensome measurement.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to empirically examine a minimum set of impact measurement practices associated with the benefits of measurement while reducing the burden. These findings are of practical value to social purpose organizations looking to benefit from impact measurement whose financial and human resources are limited. The authors offer them ten essential impact measurement practices. The findings offer a validated instrument for assessing if an organization’s impact measurement practices will likely lead to useful, non-burdensome impact measurement.
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Xiao-Hua Jin, Sepani Senaratne, Ye Fu and Bashir Tijani
The problem of stress is increasingly gaining attention in the construction industry in recent years. This study is aimed at examining the causes, effects and possible alleviation…
Abstract
Purpose
The problem of stress is increasingly gaining attention in the construction industry in recent years. This study is aimed at examining the causes, effects and possible alleviation of stress of project management (PM) practitioners so that their stress could be appropriately managed and reduced, which would contribute to improved mental health.
Design/methodology/approach
Primary data were collected in an online questionnaire survey via Qualtrics. Questions ranged from PM practitioners’ stressors, stress and performance under stress to stress alleviation tools and techniques. One hundred and five PM practitioners completed the questionnaire. Their responses were compiled and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression.
Findings
The results confirmed that the identified stressors tended to increase stress of PM practitioners. All stressors tested in this study were found to have negative impact on the performance of PM practitioners. In particular, the burnout stressors were seen as the key stressors that influence the performance of PM practitioners and have a strong correlation with all the other stressors. It was also found that a number of tools and techniques can reduce the impact of stressors on PM practitioners.
Originality/value
This study has taken a specific focus on stress-related issues of PM practitioners in the construction industry due to their critical role in this project-dominated industry. Using the Job Demand-Resource theory, a holistic examination was not only conducted on stress and stressors but also on alleviation tools and techniques. This study has thus made significant contribution to the ongoing research aimed at finding solutions to mental health-related problems in the project-dominated construction industry, thereby achieving the United Nations’ social sustainability development goals.
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Christopher Bamber and Enis Elezi
The global higher education (HE) sector is facing difficult challenges worldwide. Thus, we investigate risk management (RM) practices within HE with three purposes in mind: (1…
Abstract
Purpose
The global higher education (HE) sector is facing difficult challenges worldwide. Thus, we investigate risk management (RM) practices within HE with three purposes in mind: (1) embedding knowledge management (KM) concepts into the drivers of enterprise-wide risk management (EWRM); (2) providing a road map for embedding RM elements utilising a risk-focused preparation, planning, doing, checking and action (P,PDCA) approach to the management of risks in HE; and (3) rendering KM more readily applicable to EWRM thus enhancing the management of risk.
Design/methodology/approach
In this qualitative research, we examined the intersection of theories of EWRM in HE and KM concepts while considering our existing knowledge and previously formed ideas about the complex phenomena of successfully implementing risk management. Additionally, we took into account our researchers’ and practitioners' epistemological dispositions with regard to the value of KM. We applied a methodical analytic approach to gain a greater understanding of EWRM in HE. Following a focused literature review of EWRM in HE and KM, we integrated RM implementation models with KM concepts to answer three research questions: (1) How can higher education institutions (HEIs) effectively manage EWRM by pinpointing specific risks within selected categories? (2) To what extent could adopting RM enablers enhance RM practices in HEIs? and (3) Are HEIs mitigating unforeseen outcomes by implementing risk management strategies?
Findings
We have analysed six drivers of EWRM from a KM perspective, demonstrating that KM concepts can support the successful implementation of risk enterprise-wide. A multifaceted yet practical model has emerged by linking the interconnecting concepts of RM and KM, which provides a holistic approach to implementing EWRM in HE. The emergent model was critically reviewed and discussed by eight senior sector practitioners, and their viewpoints and suggestions have been taken into consideration.
Originality/value
Our research has pinpointed, analysed and verified deficiencies in the present understanding of the factors that impact the effective execution of RM. Consequently, this investigation contributes to the comprehension of the potential of KM in fostering a nurturing environment that enables successful EWRM in HE. In view of these discoveries, we suggest adopting an all-encompassing approach to RM that incorporates top-down, bottom-up and combined approaches, which can enrich risk awareness and ultimately minimise unanticipated outcomes.
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Shubhangi Gautam and Pardeep Kumar
Purpose – This study aims to investigate how behavioural biases affect cryptocurrency investment choices. The study also evaluates how risk tolerance mediates the relationship…
Abstract
Purpose – This study aims to investigate how behavioural biases affect cryptocurrency investment choices. The study also evaluates how risk tolerance mediates the relationship between behavioural biases and investment decision-making.
Need for the Study – The study is required to refine research methods and to ensure the reliability and validity of findings on behavioural biases in cryptocurrency investment decision-making.
Methodology – This pilot study involved responses from individuals in India’s western and northern regions who either invested in cryptocurrencies or had adequate knowledge of such investments. To assess the normality, validity, and reliability of the questionnaire data, a sample of 51 individuals was analysed using SPSS software.
Findings – The results of this study validate the reliability of the questionnaire in conducting pilot research by attaining high reliability with high coefficients of measures and reasonable normality.
Originality/value – The study confirmed the tool’s efficiency to analyse various specific antecedents influencing investing choices.