Search results
1 – 10 of 25Shireen J. Fahey, John R. Labadie and Noel Meyers
The aim of this paper is to present the challenges external drivers and internal inertia faced by curriculum designers and implementers at institutions of higher education. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to present the challenges external drivers and internal inertia faced by curriculum designers and implementers at institutions of higher education. The challenges to academics from competing factors are presented: internal resistance to changing existing curricula vs the necessity to continuously evolve programmes to reflect a dynamic, uncertain future. The necessity to prepare future leaders to face global issues such as climate change, dictates changing curricula to reflect changing personal, environmental and societal needs.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses the case study method to examine two models of climate change curriculum design and renewal. One model, from an Australian university, is based upon national education standards and the second is a non-standards-based curriculum design, developed and delivered by a partnership of four North American universities.
Findings
The key findings from this study are that the highest level of participation by internal-to-the-programme academics and administrators is required. Programme quality, delivery and content alignment may be compromised with either stand-alone course delivery and learning outcomes, or if courses are developed independently of others in the programme. National educational standards can be effective tools to guide course and programme management, monitoring, review and updating.
Practical implications
The paper includes implications for postgraduate level curricula design, implementation and programme evaluation.
Originality/value
The paper is the first to compare, contrast and critique a national standards-based, higher education curriculum and a non-standards-based curriculum.
Details
Keywords
This paper seeks to explore the application of auditing and quality assurance principles and practices to the planning and implementation of post‐disaster recovery and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to explore the application of auditing and quality assurance principles and practices to the planning and implementation of post‐disaster recovery and reconstruction.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper notes the risk to a disaster recovery organization's credibility if fraud and poor performance are apparent in its efforts to support disaster recovery and reconstruction, and it provides examples of relief organizations' efforts to ensure that their actions are both credible and effective. The paper examines the complex and multi‐faceted processes of post‐disaster recovery and reconstruction, and it describes the growing emphasis around the world on social justice/equity issues and the importance of proper governance. It explores the advantages and pitfalls of incorporating auditing practices into the effective implementation of recovery and reconstruction activities. The paper concludes with a discussion of the importance to the affected communities of knowing that expenditures – both financial and emotional – will achieve something better.
Findings
Recovery and reconstruction efforts can help to mitigate possible future disaster effects by making the community more sustainable and more survivable. Mechanisms for assessing whether recovery funds were well spent are often weak or missing. A potential solution is to adapt and apply the processes and protocols of performance auditing and performance measurement to recovery and reconstruction – identifying risks and controls, setting measurable targets, assessing whether sustainability and survivability goals are met.
Originality/value
Recovery and reconstruction efforts would gain greater credibility with aid donors, stakeholders, and the affected public by having formal programs in place for assessing recovery performance
Details
Keywords
This paper examines the implications of standard barter models of market equilibrium for financial security returns in New Zealand. The key question addressed is: does the ‘equity…
Abstract
This paper examines the implications of standard barter models of market equilibrium for financial security returns in New Zealand. The key question addressed is: does the ‘equity premium puzzle’ of Mehra and Prescott (1985) found in the U.S. also hold in ?ew Zealand? To examine the existence of the equity premium puzzle, quarterly financial security returns and consumption data are examined from 1965 to 1997 to calibrate parameters in the Consumption Based Asset Pricing Model. Unlike much of the existing international evidence, this paper corrects for durable goods consumption following the assumptions of the model that all consumption be consumed in a given period. Numerical analyses indicate that the class of models examined are unable to generate equity premia consistent with historical estimates of the equity premium in New Zealand. Due to small sample variability however, while this discrepancy is material in size, the result is not statistically significant.
John Connaughton and William Collinge
This paper aims to report on a new form of project insurance in the UK construction designed to improve collaborative working among project participants. It aims to examine the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report on a new form of project insurance in the UK construction designed to improve collaborative working among project participants. It aims to examine the interprofessional collaborative endeavour under the new insurance arrangements, drawing on a structuration model of interdisciplinary collaboration developed in the field of healthcare studies.
Design/Methodology/Approach
The research employed a longitudinal, action research approach with participant observation. A novel element included a project facilitator as part of the action research team. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews with close scrutiny of the documented project record.
Findings
Project structure emerges as a more important element in the collaboration process than is typically recognised in practice-based studies; the analysis revealing the interplay of structure, the socialising processes of participants and how facilitation helps develop interdependence among project participants. The analysis provides a basis for understanding collaboration on the trial project.
Research Limitations/Implications
The project provides a unique context for the examination of collaboration under the new project insurance arrangements. The results have implications for the study of collaboration in highlighting the important relationship between project structure, collaboration and facilitation.
Practical Implications
Understanding how interdependency is developed through structure, the socialising processes of collaborators and facilitation has important implications for those concerned with designing project arrangements and managing collaborative processes.
Originality/Value
The paper reports on the first full trial of new project insurance arrangements in the UK. It highlights the significance of project structure, and the interplay between collaborators’ emerging practices and facilitation.
Details
Keywords
Kim C. Long, William S Duff, John W Labadie, Mitchell J Stansloski, Walajabad S Sampath and Edwin K.P. Chong
The purpose of this paper is to present a real world application of an innovative hybrid system reliability optimization algorithm combining Tabu search with an evolutionary…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a real world application of an innovative hybrid system reliability optimization algorithm combining Tabu search with an evolutionary algorithm (TSEA). This algorithm combines Tabu search and Genetic algorithm to provide a more efficient search method.
Design/methodology/approach
The new algorithm is applied to an aircraft structure to optimize its reliability and maintain its structural integrity. For retrofitting the horizontal stabilizer under severe stall buffet conditions, a decision support system (DSS) is developed using the TSEA algorithm. This system solves a reliability optimization problem under cost and configuration constraints. The DSS contains three components: a graphical user interface, a database and several modules to provide the optimized retrofitting solutions.
Findings
The authors found that the proposed algorithm performs much better than state-of-the-art methods such as Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithms on bench mark problems. In addition, the proposed TSEA method can be easily applied to complex real world optimization problem with superior performance. When the full combination of all input variables increases exponentially, the DSS become very efficient.
Practical implications
This paper presents an application of the TSEA algorithm for solving nonlinear multi-objective reliability optimization problems embedded in a DSS. The solutions include where to install doublers and stiffeners. Compromise programming is used to rank all non-dominant solutions.
Originality/value
The proposed hybrid algorithm (TSEA) assigns fitness based upon global dominance which ensures its convergence to the non-dominant front. The high efficiency of this algorithm came from using Tabu list to guidance the search to the Pareto-optimal solutions.
Details
Keywords
Nicholas P. Salter and Leslie Migliaccio
This chapter reviews previous research on allyship: non-minority individuals who choose to support minorities while working to end discrimination and prejudice. In particular, the…
Abstract
Purpose
This chapter reviews previous research on allyship: non-minority individuals who choose to support minorities while working to end discrimination and prejudice. In particular, the focus of this chapter is on how allyship applies to the workplace. We argue that allyship can be a diversity management tool to help reduce workplace discrimination.
Methodology
To explore this topic, we conducted a literature review on allyship in the workplace and synthesized previous research together. We examined research from both organizational and non-organizational settings.
Findings
Our review of previous literature is divided into three sections. First, we discuss what all entails allyship, including knowledge, communication, and, in particular, action. Next, we discuss the many outcomes previous research suggests comes from allyship (including benefits to other individuals, benefits to the overall culture, and benefits to the ally him or herself). Finally, we conclude with a discussion of who is likely to become an ally as well as the journey a person goes through to become a true ally.
Value
This chapter can be useful for practitioners who wish to promote allyship within his or her workplace. Organizations that want to strengthen their diversity and inclusion climate can consider developing ally training programs and promoting ally culture. Additionally, this chapter can be useful for researchers who wish to study the topic. Currently, there is a dearth of research on allyship specifically within the workplace; this chapter can help future researchers identify areas for empirical exploration.
Details
Keywords
Bicycling enthusiasts have been organizing community events in US cities to demonstrate how bicycles may be of use in the aftermath of a disaster event. The purpose of this paper…
Abstract
Purpose
Bicycling enthusiasts have been organizing community events in US cities to demonstrate how bicycles may be of use in the aftermath of a disaster event. The purpose of this paper is to examine the perceived value of these events and levels of engagement in the same amongst emergency managers, community organizers and bicycling advocates.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through 21 in-depth, telephone interviews with emergency management officials and bicycling advocates in bicycle-friendly jurisdictions in the USA and analyzed using initial and focused coding, analytic memos and theoretical sorting.
Findings
The study found that event organizers and other bicycle advocates widely embraced the concept as a means to change societal perceptions of bicycles as viable modes of transportation, indicating at least some level of interest in taking an active role in its pursuit. Emergency managers were generally receptive to the idea, but they largely saw the value as restricted to raising public awareness about hazards and individual preparedness measures; and they mostly envisioned for themselves a minimal role in event planning and execution.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that when operating in a resource-poor environment with limited public and political support, there are innovative partnerships and ideas that can be successfully leveraged to advance multiple purposes.
Originality/value
Almost no empirical research has looked at the disaster relief trial concept, given the relative newness and novelty of the idea. An examination of perceived value of disaster-oriented community bicycling events seems warranted as such events continue to grow in existing locations and emerge in new locales each year.
Details
Keywords
The initial purpose of this study was to examine the educational needs and perceptions of students and clinicians in Canadian legal clinics.
Abstract
Purpose
The initial purpose of this study was to examine the educational needs and perceptions of students and clinicians in Canadian legal clinics.
Methodology/approach
The author conducted a literature review of leading educational materials in Canada and the United States focusing on required or preferred competencies for law students. The author then interviewed law students, clinicians, social workers, and community legal workers from across Ontario, Canada, all of whom were working or studying at law school-affiliated legal clinics. Interview subjects were asked a series of questions about their learning experiences in hopes of informing the creation of clinical teaching and learning materials.
Findings
The data revealed an under-reliance of the affective elements of teaching, learning, and practice in both existing literature and current teaching practices. The data also revealed deep structural divides between doctrinal and clinical teaching and learning approaches.
Originality/value
Without further integration between these two approaches, students and, ultimately, communities and clients will not reap the benefits possible from an integrated curriculum.
Details