Piety Runhaar, Judith Gulikers and Harm Biemans
The goal of the current paper is to explore how induction of STs in VET schools can be improved by embedding induction in the broader human resources management (HRM) system. To…
Abstract
Purpose
The goal of the current paper is to explore how induction of STs in VET schools can be improved by embedding induction in the broader human resources management (HRM) system. To this end, we will present and discuss the theoretical underpinning and the quantitative and qualitative outcomes of an online reflection instrument “Startwijzer,” developed in the Netherlands and which is based on literature on induction on one hand and on HRM literature on the other. In doing so the paper aims to contribute to induction theory and to formulate suggestions as to how provide STs with a smooth landing.
Design/methodology/approach
In the period 2018–2023, the Startwijzer was filled out by starting teachers (STs), their coaches, HRM officers, team leaders and managers working in various VET schools. Descriptive analyses were done on respondents” (n = 629) scores on 13 indicators, with a three-point-Likert-scale (where 1 = “in order”, 2 = “doubt” and 3 = “in order”) in SPSS. Also differences among stakeholders were examined. Respondents’ explanations of their scores were analyzed thematically, within and across indicators, to reach a deeper understanding of how STs can be provided a smooth landing.
Findings
With AMO-theory of performance (Appelbaum et al., 2001) – stating that performance is a function of: abilities (A); motivation (M) and opportunities offered to exert expertise (O) – as conceptual model, 13 indicators relevant for effective induction were distinguished. (A): Timely Recruitment; Lesson Observations; Individual Coaching; Personal Development Plan; Reflection on Teaching Practice; Development of Professional Identity; (M): Exchange of Mutual Expectancies; Distinction among Performance Assessment and Guidance; Differentiation among STs; (O) Provision of Practical Information; Enculturation; Appointment of Coaches; Workload reduction. Respondents were generally very positive about the help and care provided informally by colleagues but less satisfied with the formal procedures.
Originality/value
The paper bridges the literature on induction and that of human resources management (HRM). While the positive impact of HRM on employee outcomes such as performance, commitment and well-being has been attested by numerous studies (e.g. Combs et al., 2006), it is only recently that the potential benefits of HRM for teachers have been acknowledged (e.g. Runhaar, 2017). The theoretical elaboration as well as the empirical evidence discussed in the current paper suggest that unless induction activities are embedded in school HRM policy, STs already start their careers 1–0 down and it might be difficult for them to catch up.
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Martin Mulder, Judith Gulikers, Harm Biemans and Renate Wesselink
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate whether the new (comprehensive) concept of competence and the competence‐based education approach are being used in, and perceived as…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate whether the new (comprehensive) concept of competence and the competence‐based education approach are being used in, and perceived as being fruitful for, academic education.
Design/methodology/approach
In this explorative and qualitative study individual interviews with representatives of study programs from eight universities in the Netherlands were held, and a participative case‐study in one university was conducted, in which practices and perceptions from various stakeholder groups were triangulated.
Findings
The opinions of the respondents on the usefulness of the competence‐based education approach were quite positive. There is wide agreement on the necessity to align university curricula to the needs of society and of the labour market. University education can make effective use of the competence concept. Universities differ as to the extent to which they employ a competence‐based education approach. Many hurdles exist for actually implementing this in university curricula.
Research limitations/implications
Interpretations largely depend on the perceptions of the respondents in the study. For most university programs only one representative was included as respondent in the study.
Practical implications
With some exceptions, the competence‐based education approach is currently not much used in academic education. Possibilities and limitations of competence‐based academic education should be identified in further case studies and strategies for actually implementing it should be developed. Further research should show differential relationships between the level of integration of the competence concept in higher education and the societal effects of the respective programs.
Originality/value
The competence concept has been underexposed in university education practices and in research.
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Martin Mulder, Thomas Lans, Jos Verstegen, Harm Biemans and Ypie Meijer
The purpose of this paper is to study the learning of entrepreneurs in authentic learning environments. The research questions are: How do entrepreneurs assess their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the learning of entrepreneurs in authentic learning environments. The research questions are: How do entrepreneurs assess their compentencies, and how do employees and external consultants assess the compentencies of these entrepreneurs? What are the competence strengths and weaknesses of entrepreneurs? What are the learning activities that entrepreneurs perform?
Design/methodology/approach
Ten small business owners participated in a self‐assessment and an assessment by employees and external consultants. Follow‐up interviews elicited work‐related learning activities. The interviews were transcribed. Descriptive statistics, t‐tests and correlation tests, and a qualitative analysis of interview transcriptions were performed.
Findings
Competencies are being rated differently. Competence assessment is a potentially powerful learning source. The top competence strength is having a learning orientation. A total of 99 learning activities were found embedded in the innovative work processes of the entrepreneurs. The top three learning activities were reflection, observation and experimentation.
Research limitations/implications
The study is based on only ten entrepreneurs. Research is planned with a larger numbers of subjects.
Practical implications
Competence assessment needs to be provided for entrepreneurs in the sector as a tool for deeper self‐reflection, and further performance improvement.
Originality/value
Much research on skills development and workplace learning is about employees in large organisations. However, employers in small and medium‐sized companies are also an interesting professional group to study, since they create working and learning places for employees. Not much is know about their competence development. This study addresses that target group.
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Saeid Karimi, Harm J.A. Biemans, Thomas Lans, Mohammad Chizari and Martin Mulder
This paper aims to, drawing on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), explore the effects of entrepreneurial role models on entrepreneurial intention (EI) and its antecedents and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to, drawing on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), explore the effects of entrepreneurial role models on entrepreneurial intention (EI) and its antecedents and examines the question of whether the effects vary by gender.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from a sample of 331 students at seven universities in Iran. Structural equation modelling and bootstrap procedure were used to analyse the data.
Findings
Consistent with the TPB, our results show entrepreneurial role models to indirectly influence EIs via the antecedents of intention. No gender differences in the relationship between perceived behaviour control and EIs were found, but gender did moderate the other relationships within the TPB. Attitude towards entrepreneurship was a weaker predictor and subjective norms a stronger predictor of EIs for female students than for their male counterparts. Furthermore, perceived behaviour control and attitudes towards entrepreneurship were more strongly influenced by role models for females as opposed to male students.
Research limitations/implications
Future studies should go beyond examining the mere fact of knowing entrepreneurial role models to examine the mechanisms underlying the relationship between role models and EIs.
Practical implications
The results of this study have clear implications for both educators and policymakers.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by incorporating entrepreneurial role models and gender into the TPB and investigating their mediating and moderating effects within the model.
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Olivier Boiron, Carole Deumié, Léna Raviol and Margalith Benech-Kopelianskis
This chapter aims to present the context, the approach and the pedagogical tools deployed at École Centrale Marseille (ECM) to promote gender equality in engineering education…
Abstract
This chapter aims to present the context, the approach and the pedagogical tools deployed at École Centrale Marseille (ECM) to promote gender equality in engineering education. The ECM has put several mechanisms in place such as challenging traditional gender stereotypes, social representation of the engineering profession and facing the realities of a professional world that is overwhelmingly masculine, including awareness of the glass ceiling effect on access to positions of responsibility and prevention of sexual harassment. The ECM model combines multidisciplinary studies with a professional grounding with the aim of educating students to be able to transform society. In 1997, the ECM founded the Mediterranean Network of Engineering Schools with the main goal of fostering sustainable development in the Mediterranean basin. The ECM has been part of the community of practice on gender equality initiated by Mediterranean Network of Engineering Schools through its participation in the H2020 TARGET project on gender equality in research and higher education.
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Marcus Rodrigues Peixoto, Fabio de Oliveira Paula and Jorge Ferreira da Silva
Service innovation (SI) is crucial for social and economic development. However, most of the studies about innovation relate to product/manufacturing. Aimed at enhancing the…
Abstract
Purpose
Service innovation (SI) is crucial for social and economic development. However, most of the studies about innovation relate to product/manufacturing. Aimed at enhancing the academic debate about SI, this paper intends to (1) assess the factors applied in empirical studies about SI from 2006 to 2020, (2) evaluate if researchers differentiate innovation in services from innovation in manufacturing, (3) evaluate if researchers differentiate innovation among distinct service segments within the heterogeneous service industry and (4) propose a categorization model for the factors that influence SI.
Design/methodology/approach
Our study employs a five-step approach for a systematic literature review of 99 relevant empirical papers from 2006 to 2020.
Findings
Our findings demonstrate a persistent lack of conceptual consolidation in the area, adding value to the ongoing dispute between opposite views on current SI's maturity level. Our results also evidence the non-observance of differentiation of innovation factors between service and manufacturing empirical papers. In addition, our paper shows an even higher lack of differentiation in the use of innovation factors among different service segments.
Originality/value
This paper provides the first more systematic verification of the lack of service differentiation within the empirical innovation study field. In addition, despite the abundance of factors that influence SI, the proposed categorization model offers the possibility to promote an area's conceptual consolidation. Our findings and categorization also support the debate about pathways for the field's development and help researchers in their future study designs and analyses.
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Discusses several propositions on the causes and realized strategies that are likely to be found in different industrial marketing‐purchasing situations involving rejecting versus…
Abstract
Discusses several propositions on the causes and realized strategies that are likely to be found in different industrial marketing‐purchasing situations involving rejecting versus accepting superior technological innovations ‐ innovations independently verified to provide superior operating characteristics and lower total costs compared to currently used products and manufacturing processes. Develops a theory of customer rejection of superior manufacturing technologies and product‐service innovations as a vehicle for summarizing a set of related propositions explaining such behavior. Reviews suggestions for empirical research to test the theory.
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The aim of this exploratory study was to examine and compare a range of business values held by farmers and food processors.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this exploratory study was to examine and compare a range of business values held by farmers and food processors.
Design/methodology/approach
Questionnaires with a section on business values were posted to 200 farmers and 200 food processing businesses in Victoria, Australia, with response rates of 44 per cent (n=69) and 31 per cent (n=48), respectively, achieved.
Findings
The most important of the 28 value items for farmers were high quality produce, honesty, and caring for employees. For processors, the most important values were quality products, customer value, and caring for employees. Between group differences reached statistical significance for one‐third of the items. In particular, processor businesses valued innovation and convenience products more highly and had a stronger process orientation than did farming businesses. Environmental sustainability, caring for the community, and providing healthy products were more integral to farming than processing businesses.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation was the small sample sizes, although it is likely that response bias was not high. Future research could survey a larger sample of food industry representatives and examine the values held by other food industry sectors.
Practical implications
This information could increase the effectiveness of communications with industry groups on a range of issues and in the formulation of appropriate health and environmental policies.
Originality/value
To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to compare the values of farmers and food processors. This information is particularly important for those in the food industry and health and environmental policy makers.