Matteo Cristofaro, Mario Hayek, Wallace A. Williams, Jr, Christopher Michael Hartt and Joyce T. Heames
Cathal Ryan, Darragh Faherty, John P. Spillane, Jim G. Bradley, Mohamed Issa and Elma McMahon
To examine the perspective of third-level university students in the context of the value proposition of construction apprenticeships in Ireland.
Abstract
Purpose
To examine the perspective of third-level university students in the context of the value proposition of construction apprenticeships in Ireland.
Design/methodology/approach
The research uses a qualitative method, conducting semi-structured interviews with 20 third-level university students enrolled on a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree program in Construction Management in Ireland.
Findings
The results highlight six themes. These include that society appears to be directly and/or indirectly steering students towards university. This is driven by what appears to be a prevailing stigma in that apprenticeships are not seen as an achievement by society. Also, apprenticeships are seen as a limited career choice, while also being one which appears to repel female entrants.
Practical implications
If the shortage of new skilled workers entering the construction industry continues, construction organisations will not have the necessary resources to tender for, and subsequently, complete new work.
Social implications
The perception of what could have been seen as potential new apprenticeship entrants, but ultimately chose university, is worth examining further with a view to industry addressing the shortcomings identified. This therefore can provide an opportunity to stem the tide of reducing apprenticeship numbers, while also providing a viable alternative to university for those who wish to pursue alternative routes of entering the sector.
Originality/value
The paper uniquely focuses on the third-level university student's perspectives and what influenced their decision to pursue third-level university education over that of an apprenticeship within the built environment; an area which has yet to be investigated.
Details
Keywords
Kjeld Harald Aij and Maurits Teunissen
Emphasis on quality and reducing costs has led many health-care organizations to reconfigure their management, process, and quality control infrastructures. Many are lean, a…
Abstract
Purpose
Emphasis on quality and reducing costs has led many health-care organizations to reconfigure their management, process, and quality control infrastructures. Many are lean, a management philosophy with roots in manufacturing industries that emphasizes elimination of waste. Successful lean implementation requires systemic change and strong leadership. Despite the importance of leadership to successful lean implementation, few researchers have probed the question of ideal leadership attributes to achieve lean thinking in health care. The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into applicable attributes for lean leaders in health care.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors systematically reviewed the literature on principles of leadership and, using Dombrowski and Mielke’s (2013) conceptual model of lean leadership, developed a parallel theoretical model for lean leadership in health care.
Findings
This work contributes to the development of a new framework for describing leadership attributes within lean management of health care.
Originality/value
The summary of attributes can provide a model for health-care leaders to apply lean in their organizations.