Lynda K. Vázquez, Francisco R. Mesa and Daniel A. López
Although student mobility worldwide is increasing dramatically, systematic analysis of the effects and variables associated with its results is still recent, especially in new…
Abstract
Purpose
Although student mobility worldwide is increasing dramatically, systematic analysis of the effects and variables associated with its results is still recent, especially in new destinations. The purpose of this paper is to examine student mobility in southern Chile from a case study perspective. An exploratory study is presented to analyze the experiences of students in an exchange program over a five-year period and the academic performance of local students abroad.
Design/methodology/approach
A single-case design with two embedded units of analysis is presented. Data were drawn from semi-structured surveys and students’ grade records. Content analysis was applied to the students’ reports and statistical methods were used to verify the influence of certain variables.
Findings
The experience of Chilean students abroad centered on building up personal competences, while visiting international students concentrated on intercultural interaction, influenced mainly by the quality of accommodation and language factors, the latter determining their relations with professors and local students. Academic performance of local students abroad was determined by the type of academic activity undertaken, course validation, and the selected destination.
Practical implications
Some patterns recorded in international literature are similar to the results of this particular case. However, this study reveals some unique findings that can be associated to the operation of study abroad programs in emerging countries, especially in young regional universities unprecedented in aspects related to student mobility.
Originality/value
The lack of scientific studies on student mobility in Chile, a country which international student population is rapidly growing, concedes great value to this exploratory study.
Details
Keywords
Basak Yanar, Lynda S. Robson, Sabrina K. Tonima and Benjamin C. Amick III
The purpose of this paper is to use a comparative qualitative case study design to better understand how the observed characteristics of an organization correspond to their score…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to use a comparative qualitative case study design to better understand how the observed characteristics of an organization correspond to their score on the organizational performance metric (IWH-OPM), a leading indicator tool designed to measure an organization’s occupational health and safety (OHS) performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Five organizations were recruited based on their diverse IWH-OPM scores obtained in a previous study. Qualitative data were collected from these cases and analyzed with consideration of OHS leadership; OHS culture and climate; employee participation in OHS; OHS policies, procedures and practices; and OHS risk control. Similarities and differences among organizations were examined in relation to these themes.
Findings
Three distinct groups of firms emerged from the cross-case analysis in terms of their overall OHS performance: high, medium and low. Higher firm IWH-OPM scores generally corresponded to better OHS performance in the workplace as observed through qualitative methods.
Originality/value
The findings are a step toward OHS leaders or practitioners eventually being able, based on an organization’s IWH-OPM score, to have a quick understanding of a workplace’s OHS status and of how best to support further improvement.
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Keywords
Colin C Williams, Ioana Alexandra Horodnic and Lynda Burkinshaw
Conventionally, participation in the informal economy has been explained by viewing citizens as rational economic actors participating when the pay-off is greater than the…
Abstract
Purpose
Conventionally, participation in the informal economy has been explained by viewing citizens as rational economic actors participating when the pay-off is greater than the expected cost of being caught and punished, and thus tackled by raising the sanctions and risks of detection. Given that many citizens do not engage even when the benefits outweigh the costs, a new social actor approach has begun to emerge which explains the informal economy as arising when tax morality is low and seeks to foster commitment to compliance. The purpose of this paper is to provide an evidence-based evaluation of these competing policy approaches.
Design/methodology/approach
To do so, the results are reported of 1,306 face-to-face interviews undertaken during 2013 in the UK.
Findings
The finding is that raising the sanctions and risks of detection has no significant impact on the likelihood of participation in the informal sector. However, participation in the informal economy is significantly associated with tax morality. Indeed, the only time that increasing the sanctions and risks of detection reduces the level of participation in the informal economy is amongst citizens with very low tax morality.
Practical implications
Rather than continue with the current rational economic actor approach of increasing the penalties and risks of detection, this case study of the UK reveals that a new policy approach is required that seeks to improve tax morality by introducing measures to reduce the acceptability of participating in the informal economy. Whether this is more widely applicable now needs to be tested, given the dominance throughout the world of this punitive rational economic actor approach.
Originality/value
This paper provides evidence supporting a new social actor approach towards explaining and tackling participation in the informal economy.
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Neema Florence Mosha and Patrick Ngulube
The study investigated teaching research data management (RDM) courses in higher learning institutions (HLIs) in Tanzania to enable postgraduate students to work with their…
Abstract
Purpose
The study investigated teaching research data management (RDM) courses in higher learning institutions (HLIs) in Tanzania to enable postgraduate students to work with their research data.
Design/methodology/approach
The study triangulated research methods. Postgraduate students were investigated using survey questionnaires to learn about their needs and perceptions of the teaching RDM courses in HLIs. Key informants (academicians, information and communication technologists and library staff) were also investigated using in-depth interviews to explore their experiences and knowledge of teaching RDM courses. SPSS statistical software was used for analysing quantitative data; qualitative data were analysed thematically.
Findings
A total of 70 questionnaires were distributed to postgraduate students with a returning rate of 44 (69%). On the other hand, 12 key informants were interviewed. A low level of RDM literacy was revealed among 38 (86%) respondents. Most respondents 40 (91%) reported the need for HLIs to start teaching RDM courses. A lack of skills and knowledge in teaching RDM courses was revealed among key informants. The competency-based, adaptive and constructive teaching techniques were selected for teaching RDM courses, whereas intensive training and online tutorials were revealed as teaching formats.
Research limitations/implications
This study focused on teaching RDM courses in HLIs. The survey questionnaires were distributed to all 2nd year postgraduate students, however, the findings cannot be generalised to all postgraduate students due to the response rate obtained. The findings obtained from key informants can also not be used as a basis for generalization across HLIs.
Practical implications
This study concluded that postgraduate students need to be well equipped with skills and knowledge on RDM and its related concepts; teaching RDM courses should be regarded as a continuous programme for benefit of students, researchers and the community at large.
Social implications
Appropriate teaching of RDM courses among students not only ensures that students meet the funders’ and publishers’ requirements, but also encourages students to store and share their research among researchers worldwide; thus increasing collaboration and visibility of the datasets and data owners through data citations and acknowledgements.
Originality/value
This is a comprehensive study that provides findings for HLIs to teach RDM courses in HLIs, especially for postgraduate students. The findings revealed the need for teaching RDM courses in HLIs. The study provides the basis for further RDM research in HLIs and research institutions.