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Article
Publication date: 6 May 2024

Sebastian Smith, Karine Dupre and Julie Crough

This study explores practitioners’ perspectives on the perceived gap between university and practice beyond the hard and soft skill paradigm. Utilising Tomlinson’s graduate…

Abstract

Purpose

This study explores practitioners’ perspectives on the perceived gap between university and practice beyond the hard and soft skill paradigm. Utilising Tomlinson’s graduate capital model of employability (2017), we explored human, social, cultural, and psychological capitals to enrich the understanding of this issue and employability. It provided a new perspective, useful for implementing curriculum renewal.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilised a two-stage mixed methods design. Using Tomlinson’s (2017) Graduate capital model as a framework, the first stage involved distributing an online survey to qualified architects in hiring positions practising in Australia. This served as the foundation for generating qualitative and quantitative data. The second stage involved a two-hour practitioner workshop where the survey results were discussed and expanded upon.

Findings

Our results found that the practitioner’s perspective on the perceived skills gap is more complex than the hard/soft skill paradigm commonly discussed. Practitioners expressed a need for students/graduates to possess identity and cultural capital to contextualise industry norms and expectations. This knowledge lets students know where and how hard/soft skills are used. Our results also suggest practitioners are concerned with the prevailing individualistic approach to the higher education system and traditional architectural teaching methods, instead suggesting a more industry-aligned collaborative disposition.

Originality/value

By expanding the employability discourse beyond hard/soft skills, the results of this research provide an opportunity for architectural curriculum renewal in line with industry expectations.

Details

Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-3896

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 May 2024

Jose Leao and Marcele Fontana

This study aims to develop a talent selection model for learning organizations capable of connecting two groups, candidates in a talent hiring process and managers of the hiring…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to develop a talent selection model for learning organizations capable of connecting two groups, candidates in a talent hiring process and managers of the hiring company, in a reliable process, promoting organizational learning and increasing employee satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper integrates egalitarian principles, an artificial intelligence mechanism founded on stable matching algorithms, and evaluating critical soft skills to enhance recruitment practices within learning organizations. The authors conduct a numerical real-world application in Python to showcase the model’s effectiveness. Five candidates were evaluated for five job positions. Moreover, 26 soft skills were analyzed by the five company leaders, relating them to the requirements of each job position and by all candidates, as a self-assessment process.

Findings

The model promoted egalitarian talent management because it motivates the candidates to choose the preferred position in a company, and the employers hire the best candidate. It is satisfactory for all participants in a company’s hiring process if the parties intend to be fair and egalitarian. The benefits of the process can be considered isolated (parties’ satisfaction) or a part of a company’s effort to stimulate an egalitarian culture in organizational values.

Practical implications

The information generated by the model is used to refine its selection process and improve its understanding of the job requirements and candidate profiles of the company. The model supports this idea, using the concepts of indifference, stability, egalitarianism and the soft skills required and identified to be more effective and learn about themselves.

Social implications

This paper discusses an egalitarian point of view in the recruitment process. It is satisfactory for all participants in a company’s hiring process if the parties intend to be fair and egalitarian. The process’s benefits can be considered part of a company’s effort to stimulate an egalitarian culture in organizational values.

Originality/value

This paper brings an excellent future perspective and points to the company’s development of talent retention. The model simultaneously solves the evolution of talent management processes through new technologies and soft skills emerging in the postpandemic scenario.

Details

The Learning Organization, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-6474

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 May 2024

Ching Ching Fang and James Liou

Workforce insufficiencies can impair firms' competitiveness in the hospitality industry. The problem of finding suitably trained employees has been aggravated by changes in…

Abstract

Purpose

Workforce insufficiencies can impair firms' competitiveness in the hospitality industry. The problem of finding suitably trained employees has been aggravated by changes in consumer preferences, and the development of advanced technologies has led to the ‘smartization’ of upscale hotels. The consequent updating of business models means that decisive indicators of worker competence and employability are different from those applied previously. Thus, the aim of this study is to develop an indicator framework for assessing workforce employability with consideration of competence with artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The initial indicators for the framework are obtained based on an intensive review of the relevant literature and roundtable meetings with academics and practitioners. The Delphi method is used to collect the data, and a hybrid fuzzy approach, which combines the modified Z-number and modified trapezoidal fuzzy number set techniques, is applied to quantify the information originating from the experts’ judgments. The interquartile range approach is applied to optimize the validity of the indicators.

Findings

The assessment framework is applied to evaluate workforce employability at an upscale hotel from the perspective of hotel executives. The capability of the workforce for the adoption of advanced technologies, including familiarity with AI, are considered.

Originality/value

The contributions of this research involve the identification of an updated list of determinants for the evaluation of workforce employability for hotels in today’s world, highlighting the value of AI applications to help ameliorate labor shortage problems. The results should benefit practitioners, allowing them to improve the efficiency of their operations, services and management practices, leading to sustainability and competitiveness in the upscale hotel industry.

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 May 2024

Ahmed Asfahani

This study aims to analyze the evolution and current state of talent management in learning organizations and the design of managerial curricula, highlighting the challenges and…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the evolution and current state of talent management in learning organizations and the design of managerial curricula, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the context of a rapidly changing global business environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative literature review was conducted, tracing the conceptual evolution of learning organizations. Seminal works emphasizing continuous learning and transformation were highlighted, and the progression of managerial education was analyzed, from its early focus on ethics and soft skills to its current emphasis on sustainability, digital literacy and experiential learning.

Findings

The research reveals challenges in balancing foundational knowledge with emerging competencies in curriculum design. Tensions are evident in maintaining relevance in rapidly changing, globally interconnected environments. Notable limitations include the trade-offs in innovation and the need to cater to diverse student demographics.

Originality/value

This review uniquely synthesizes developments at the intersection of curriculum innovation, organizational learning and curriculum design, offering valuable insights for institutions aiming to nurture talent for modern learning organizations.

Details

The Learning Organization, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-6474

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 May 2024

Kwabena Agyarko Gyekye and Ophelia Amo

This paper aims to examine the skills expected by employers and the skills demonstrated by accounting graduates with data from 160 employers of accounting graduates in Ghana. From…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the skills expected by employers and the skills demonstrated by accounting graduates with data from 160 employers of accounting graduates in Ghana. From the perspective of employers, the authors compare the expected skills to the skills demonstrated by accounting graduates and identify any significant gaps.

Design/methodology/approach

One-way analysis of variance, T-tests and factor analysis are used to test significant gaps that exist between expected and demonstrated skills by employers and accounting graduates using survey questionnaires and purposive sampling.

Findings

The results reveal that there are significant gaps between the expected skills of employers and the demonstrated skills of accounting graduates. The authors find generic skills to be more expected by employers, while technical skills are demonstrated most by accounting graduates. The top five skills expected by employers are: business ethics and integrity; problem solving and decision analysis; written communication skills; learning skills; and application of accounting principles.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses only on organizations that use fresh accounting graduates in Ghana. Further studies may consider other business-related fields like finance, human resource management and marketing.

Practical implications

The study provides insights on standards that serve as benchmarks for the conduct of accounting graduates as well as the development of accounting curriculum in Ghana. Accounting education should incorporate work-integrated learning as part of their curriculum to enable accounting graduates to solve problems and make decisions through a practical application of accounting principles, standards and concepts, especially in conducting audit and writing reports.

Originality/value

This study fills the gap in the literature on accounting education from employers’ perspectives in a developing country. It conducts a comparative analysis between the most important skills required by employers and the ones demonstrated by accounting graduates to provide insights on standards that should serve as benchmarks for the development of the accounting curriculum from an emerging economy perspective.

Details

Journal of International Education in Business, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-469X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 May 2024

Elena Sinitsyna

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role and features of internal online events (IOE) in organizations and measure their impact on employee outcomes (communication…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role and features of internal online events (IOE) in organizations and measure their impact on employee outcomes (communication satisfaction and loyalty in active and passive forms).

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducted a mixed-method process – first, which involved three semistructured interviews in India, Russia and France, and the data were analyzed through a qualitative coding procedure. Subsequently, a survey was conducted among employees regarding their perceptions of IOE. One hundred eighty-four fully completed questionnaires were collected, and the results were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The analysis of qualitative data revealed common patterns in IOEs in the organizations across India, Russia and France. The quantitative analysis showed the significant impact of IOEs on perceived communication satisfaction. Which in turn primarily stimulates the development of active employee loyalty rather than passive loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

This study acknowledges that the samples were limited to only a few geographical regions of India, Russia and France. Also, the research is subject to sampling limitations due to snowball approach.

Practical implications

Internal communication (IC) managers can use this research findings to develop more effective IOEs to address organizational goals and create synergy-based positive outcomes (such as loyalty) within the employees of the organization.

Originality/value

Research contributes to exploring the role and characteristics of IOEs by applying engagement theory, emphasizing their capacity as a strategic IC channel to enhance employee involvement. Moreover, the study investigated the impact of IOEs on communication satisfaction and employee loyalty by applying affective events theory to communication.

Details

Management Research Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8269

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 25 April 2024

Tahani Ali Hakami

This study aims to examine the relationship between internal and external factors and job satisfaction, and between job satisfaction and auditors’ performance.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between internal and external factors and job satisfaction, and between job satisfaction and auditors’ performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used deductive approach. Data was gathered from 83 auditors in the Saudi Organisation for Certified Public Accountants (SOCPA) database. By implementing the partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique, the suggested hypotheses were examined.

Findings

The results show that internal factors, i.e., achievement, advancement, recognition and growth, significantly impact job satisfaction. Subsequently, the external factors, i.e., company policies, relationship with a peer and relationship with supervisor, significantly impact job satisfaction. In contrast, work security has no relationship with job satisfaction. Furthermore, job satisfaction is a significant driver for auditors' performance.

Research limitations/implications

This research sheds light on the relationships between internal and external factors, job satisfaction and auditors' performance in the Saudi context. It would be interesting to investigate these relationships in a different setting, such as a different country, time or industry. Future studies should broaden the sample frame to include different types of employees to obtain more generalisable results.

Practical implications

This study may help managers of auditing departments formulate appropriate strategies and design effective programs to increase the level of job satisfaction between auditors by enhancing such factors, which will lead to improving the auditors' performance.

Originality/value

This research provide an empirical evidence to support the theoretical assumptions of Herzberg's which is much needed.

Details

Journal of Money and Business, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2634-2596

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 May 2024

Anna Le Gerstrøm Rode, Anne Jensby and Per Svejvig

Project management as a field of practice and research is characterized by impressive amounts of normative literature and extensive collections of best practices promising to…

Abstract

Purpose

Project management as a field of practice and research is characterized by impressive amounts of normative literature and extensive collections of best practices promising to improve project performance. On the other hand, research proving the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed tools is limited. Project management methodology (PMM) evaluation is important but complicated and scarce. This paper evaluates a specific PMM designed to improve project performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a multiple, embedded and comparative case study the paper evaluates 71 projects within and across 17 organizations.

Findings

The paper identifies conflicting indicators of PMM failure and success in terms of project speed and impact, and the results indicate the complexity, contextuality and challenge inherent in PMM evaluation.

Originality/value

Contributions include empirical evidence and contextual knowledge on the effectiveness and efficiency of a specific PMM, as well as a new conceptual model and a novel methodological design for PMM evaluation.

Details

International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8378

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 May 2024

Esther Julia Korkor Attiogbe, Hannah Acquah, Rejoice Esi Asante and Emelia Sarpong

This paper investigates the influence of employees’ extra-role and in-role behaviours on customer service alongside the moderating role of gender.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper investigates the influence of employees’ extra-role and in-role behaviours on customer service alongside the moderating role of gender.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs the theory of behavioural intentions, cross-sectional survey design and quantitative approach to collect the data from 426 purposively sampled workers and customers of oil marketing companies. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation and the hierarchical regression model in SPSS.

Findings

The results indicate that employees’ extra-role behaviour has a significant positive effect on customer service while employees’ in-role behaviour has no significant effect on customer service. It is also established that gender of staff can significantly moderate the relationship between extra-role behaviour and customer service such that the behaviour of female staff has greater effect on customer service than their male counterparts. However, the gender of staff has no moderating effect on the relationship between in-role behaviour and customer service.

Practical implications

The findings imply that female staff should be allowed to directly engage customers more often than male staff to promote superior customer service. Managers should continuously improve upon the behaviour of employees through orientations, workshops and mentoring. Behaviour stimuli such as awards, appreciations and recognition for best workers would have to be encouraged to induce employees to act beyond their prescribed-roles.

Originality/value

This study is the first to investigate how staff behaviours (in-role and extra-role) impact customer service, with gender of the employees as a moderator. This paper contributes to literature by empirically confirming the differential influence of employees’ extra role and in-role behaviours on customer service and the effectiveness of gender as a moderator on the relationship between extra-role behaviour and customer service from a developing country perspective and an industry where there is dearth of research.

Details

Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1026-4116

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 May 2024

Maria Cleofe Giorgino and Federico Barnabè

Drawing motivation from the greater exposure to uncertainty and condition changes that affect large projects due to their long lifecycle, this paper aims to investigate how the…

Abstract

Purpose

Drawing motivation from the greater exposure to uncertainty and condition changes that affect large projects due to their long lifecycle, this paper aims to investigate how the time factor affects the use of governance mechanisms to pursue the success of these projects.

Design/methodology/approach

To pursue its aim, the article applies the dichotomization between the hard and soft mechanisms of project governance to the analysis of a historical case study, whose findings are organized over the short, medium and long periods. The case selected is referred to the peculiar water system, made up of tunnels named “bottini,” that was in use in Siena (Italy) as the old aqueduct. Specifically, the study focuses on the project of expansion of this water system that was realized during the 14th century for the construction of the “Bottino maestro di Fontegaia.”

Findings

This article highlights the different relevance that, during the lifecycle of large projects, is assumed by hard and soft governance mechanisms, with the former having main relevance in a short and medium period, and the latter usually emerging in the medium period and, subsequently, playing a growing role for the project success in the long period.

Originality/value

The article contributes to the literature on large projects by providing novel insights about how the time factor impacts the governance of these projects. Furthermore, the case study, with its unique history, highlights the relevance of combining effectively the hard and the soft dimensions of project governance to pursue success.

Details

Journal of Management History, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1751-1348

Keywords

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