Matthew Fulton and Bernard Hon
The purpose of this paper is to describe a new methodology for implementing leading edge technology into “design and manufacture” companies, for them to gain a competitive…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe a new methodology for implementing leading edge technology into “design and manufacture” companies, for them to gain a competitive advantage, integrate the supply chain and improve company performance and intangible assets.
Design/methodology/approach
A seven‐stage process is applied to 73 SMEs, which involves identifying suitable companies, capability mapping, designing bespoke solutions, sourcing, funding, implementing new technology and training, followed by formal capability reviews. Informal guidance is offered throughout the process to increase confidence in new systems and reduce transitional performance gaps.
Findings
The success rate was very high; companies often experienced a positive step change in performance and income, with notable increases in confidence and customer perceptions. The methodology was embraced by the companies, resulting in very few dropouts.
Research limitations/implications
A long‐term study is needed to review company performance over an extended period.
Practical implications
Providing free independent expert advice on the benefits of technological adaptation, specifically the advantages/disadvantages of candidate advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) systems, assists SMEs in gaining sufficient confidence to implement new technology, especially when the requirements of all stakeholders are taken into consideration. Training at an appropriate level coupled with mentoring is necessary to gain the maximum benefits from new systems.
Social implications
Funding initiatives can benefit from increased participating company performance by supplying leading edge technology and mentoring in addition to training and supplier agnostic advice.
Originality/value
The paper was able to assess the effects on business processes and income from technological adaptation using real time feedback from participating companies.
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Sam M. Mwando, Amin Issa and Verinjaerako Kangotue
The purpose of this paper is to examine the perception of university staff and students in implementing flexible working arrangements (FWA) to increase space efficiency, lower…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the perception of university staff and students in implementing flexible working arrangements (FWA) to increase space efficiency, lower overheads and improve productivity at the Namibia University of Science and Technology.
Design/methodology/approach
Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews and document searches. A total of 253 university staff (academic and support) and students were surveyed to solicit their perceptions on the extent to which FWA could be implemented to ensure space optimisation, minimise property related costs and improve employee productivity.
Findings
The study confirms that the successful implementation of FWA needs coordinated institutional policy to effectively support and cater to university staff’s different needs while meeting those of the university. Implementing FWA may reduce demand on utilities resulting in lower overheads for the institution. Based on the findings, the study is inconclusive on whether FWA improves or reduces staff productivity.
Practical implications
In the era of austerity measures in institutions of higher education (IHE), with rapid advances in communication information technologies, FWA are not only a possibility but inevitable to ensure optimal use of space, lower operating costs and improved work productivity. This study provides a cursory understanding of the possibility to implementing FWA in higher education.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the FWA body of knowledge from the perspective of both academic, non-academic staff and students in IHE.
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This study seeks to understand the factors and orientations that are relevant to preservice teachers' (PSTs) beliefs about their ability to design lessons for inquiry-based K-6…
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to understand the factors and orientations that are relevant to preservice teachers' (PSTs) beliefs about their ability to design lessons for inquiry-based K-6 social studies instruction.
Design/methodology/approach
Seventy elementary PSTs participated in a series of inquiry-based learning activities in a social studies methods course. The study uses exploratory factor analysis, a quantitative method to explore teacher self-reported efficacy for designing inquiry lessons.
Findings
The findings revealed that three capabilities related to design are relevant to elementary social studies PSTs' self-efficacy for designing inquiries: lesson design competence, lesson design disposition and lesson design practices. Most PSTs expressed low self-efficacy in all three capabilities. PSTs with a higher disposition for designing inquiry lessons may show a strong sense of self-efficacy for inquiry-based curricula design and practice in elementary social studies education.
Originality/value
The article discusses the importance of understanding PSTs sense of efficacy and categories of such self-efficacy beliefs at the level of lesson design within the context of teacher education. It discusses the need for teacher educators to facilitate educationally sound critical reflection on lesson design skills, disposition and practices that foster PSTs' sense of ability to teach via inquiry in elementary classrooms.
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Intellectual humility and religious conviction are often posed as antagonistic binaries; the former associated with science, reason, inclusive universality, and liberal…
Abstract
Intellectual humility and religious conviction are often posed as antagonistic binaries; the former associated with science, reason, inclusive universality, and liberal secularism, the latter with superstition, dogma, exclusive particularity, and rigid traditionalism. Despite popular images of white American evangelicals as the embodied antithesis of intellectual humility, responsiveness to facts, and openness to the other, this article demonstrates how evangelicals can and do practice intellectual humility in public life while simultaneously holding fast to particularistic religious convictions. Drawing on textual analysis and multi-site ethnographic data, it demonstrates how observed evangelical practices of transposable and segmented reflexivity map onto pluralist, domain-specific conceptualizations of intellectual humility in the philosophical and psychological literature. It further argues that the effective practice of intellectual humility in the interests of ethical democracy does not require religious actors to abandon particularistic religious reasons for universal secular ones. Rather, particularistic religious convictions can motivate effective practices of intellectual humility and thereby support democratic pluralism, inclusivity, and solidarity across difference. More broadly, it aims to challenge, or at least complicate, the widespread notion that increasing strength of religious conviction always moves in lockstep with increasing dogmatism, tribalism, and intellectual unreasonableness.
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Suzanne Findlay and Michael Moran
As an emerging field of financing, impact investing is under-institutionalised and is in a legitimacy building phase. In an attempt to unpack how impact investing is deployed in…
Abstract
Purpose
As an emerging field of financing, impact investing is under-institutionalised and is in a legitimacy building phase. In an attempt to unpack how impact investing is deployed in global markets, the key elements of its definition (intentionality, returns and measurement) are examined through a review of academic and practitioner literature. A refined definition is developed which emphasises the key elements of intentionality and measurement as separating impact investment from the established field of socially responsible investment (SRI).
Design/methodology/approach
Funds and products from a publicly available database are systematically analysed against the refined definition to determine the rigour with which intentionality and measurement are applied by self-identified market participants. These elements are used as a proxy to determine “purpose-washing” – a process where funds are presented as impact investments but do not satisfy a tightly applied definition. Purpose-washing enables the possibility of “retrofitting”, where funds originally defined as other products (e.g. SRI) retrospectively claim to be impact investments.
Findings
Having found evidence of purpose-washing but not retrofitting, actions are identified to enhance impact investment’s integrity, focussing on intentionality, measurement and transparency. Clarity of definition and purpose are important for a field in the market-building phase, as a lack of clarity could have negative implications for integrity and growth. The authors postulate that purpose-washing may be attributed to twin but distinctive motivations by market participants: interest in fee-generation among fund managers and attempts to bolster field legitimacy by demonstrating sector growth among impact investing proponents.
Originality value
This paper represents a unique analysis of impact investments against a robust and refined definition. By doing so, it offers a systematic appraisal of impact investments and an overall assessment of market integrity in its field-building phase.
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Tim Kindseth and Michael Romanos
This annotated list represents a selection of outstanding poetry titles published in the USA in 2003 and the early part of 2004.
Abstract
Purpose
This annotated list represents a selection of outstanding poetry titles published in the USA in 2003 and the early part of 2004.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors selected the titles in this list from the 2,100 titles received for the 2004 Poetry Publications Showcase at Poets House in New York City, held in April 2004.
Findings
The authors selected titles for this list that would be both accessible and challenging to library users.
Originality/value
This list can be used as a guide to collection development for contemporary poetry.
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Morgan R. Clevenger and Cynthia J. MacGregor
Considering a macro view of business and higher education interactions, this chapter explores key facets for business interest in other organizations (e.g., other businesses and…
Abstract
Considering a macro view of business and higher education interactions, this chapter explores key facets for business interest in other organizations (e.g., other businesses and their social agendas, nonprofits, and higher education) and a trend toward the creation of signature programs, which allow most companies to focus efforts by highlighting Carroll's (1991) Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility and Jacoby's (1973) Three Models of Behavior of the Business Enterprise. This chapter also addresses ethical opportunities and problems.