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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 14 May 2024

Laura Guerrero Puerta and Rocío Lorente García

This article explores the perceptions of professionals on the implementation and impact of Dual Vocational Training (Dual VET) in the Spanish education system.

Abstract

Purpose

This article explores the perceptions of professionals on the implementation and impact of Dual Vocational Training (Dual VET) in the Spanish education system.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involves interviews with various professionals in the education and employment sectors and two discussion groups.

Findings

Results reveal positive views on Dual VET’s ability to enhance employability and reduce the education-to-employment gap. However, challenges like the involvement of small and medium enterprises and the need for continuous curriculum evaluation and adaptation are recognized. Additionally, the study highlights a lack of acknowledgment of antecedent programs to Dual VET, despite their recognition by experts as highly influential in facilitating the school-to-work transition for young individuals.

Originality/value

The study emphasizes the importance of promoting awareness among stakeholders and emphasizes the role of collaboration between educational institutions and the business sector to ensure Dual VET’s success in Spain.

Article
Publication date: 17 May 2024

Yulian Zheng, Haiyan Qian, Shuangye Chen and Allan David Walker

This study examines principal rotation in China to gain empirical insights from the policy analysis and succession strategies that principals employ to gain internal and external…

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines principal rotation in China to gain empirical insights from the policy analysis and succession strategies that principals employ to gain internal and external support in their new schools.

Design/methodology/approach

We employed document analysis and a case study approach. Interviews were conducted with officials in 5 local educational agencies and 40 principals from 5 different regions who were undergoing rotation. Thematic analysis was used to identify common patterns and themes in the interview responses.

Findings

We explored how the principal-rotation policy was implemented, including the goals, standards, targeted principals, tools and other aspects of the policy in China. The study revealed the challenges faced by the rotated principals and their succession strategies.

Originality/value

Our study contributes to the field of educational leadership by shedding light on the implementation and impact of principal rotation in mainland China.

Details

Journal of Educational Administration, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-8234

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 May 2024

Gozde Aydin, Claire Margerison, Anthony Worsley and Alison Booth

Schools have long been perceived as an ideal setting to support the healthy eating behaviours of children. The aim of the study was to examine the views of Australian primary…

Abstract

Purpose

Schools have long been perceived as an ideal setting to support the healthy eating behaviours of children. The aim of the study was to examine the views of Australian primary school parents regarding school food and nutrition, including education, practices and policy.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted among 787 parents in March 2021, which included closed and open-ended questions.

Findings

The results indicated the inconsistent implementation of policies and/or varying practices among different schools. Parents’ views were slightly associated with some demographic and personal measures including their SES levels, education, age, the main language spoken at home and universalism values. Parents viewed healthy food provision through canteens, policies and informing parents, fruit and vegetable breaks and kitchen and garden programs as the main contributors to the promotion of healthy eating. They believed unhealthy options in canteens, school fairs, events and birthdays are the major contributors to the formation of unhealthy eating habits among children at schools. Results revealed the efforts to establish health promoting school food environments in Australian primary schools; however, inconsistencies and discrepancies among schools should be addressed to ensure equity among all children.

Practical implications

The findings may provide directions for policymakers and school managers and can inform future reforms and initiatives in Australian primary schools and elsewhere.

Originality/value

This is the first study that has examined Australian parents’ views of school food policy, practices and environments using a mixed-methods design.

Details

Health Education, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-4283

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 May 2024

Ching-Tzu Chang and Sheng-Fen Cheng

Taiwan promotes social enterprises with the Social Enterprise Action Plan and Social Innovation Action Plan, focusing on solving social problems and achieving sustainable…

Abstract

Purpose

Taiwan promotes social enterprises with the Social Enterprise Action Plan and Social Innovation Action Plan, focusing on solving social problems and achieving sustainable development goals. This study aims to clarify the impetus for the above policies and determines whether the relevant policy tools can achieve the established policy goals.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts the in-depth interview method and uses the “social impact investment framework” constructed by OEDC and Dunn’s definition of public policy stakeholders to select 22 respondents, who were divided into three groups.

Findings

Taiwan’s decision-making in social enterprise policy is mainly driven by the pressure of youth unemployment and the 318-student movement. Intrinsic motivation strategies popularized the concept of social enterprise. Various strategies are used to break the limitations and diversify the organization, trigger more diverse social investments, broaden the goals of investment and complete the social enterprise ecosystem through these. Taiwan’s social enterprise policies are consistent with the global trend of “replacing subsidies with investment.”

Originality/value

This study shows that social enterprises generate mutual benefits between investors and social enterprises, that is, achieve free matching through external mechanisms. This study fills the gaps in Oliver’s “behavioral cube” framework of policy instruments. A “behavioral four-dimensional matrix” composed of nudge, shove, budge and reciprocity is proposed to complete the framework for social enterprise policy analysis tools.

Details

Social Enterprise Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-8614

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 May 2024

Haoxu Zhang, Elena Millan, Kevin Money and Pei Guo

This research examines the impact of the National Rural E-commerce Comprehensive Demonstration Project (NRECDP) on poverty reduction and income growth in rural China.

Abstract

Purpose

This research examines the impact of the National Rural E-commerce Comprehensive Demonstration Project (NRECDP) on poverty reduction and income growth in rural China.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops a theoretical framework, which considers the role of geographical, technological, institutional and cultural factors for the e-commerce poverty alleviation (e-CPA) model. Empirically, this study applies the difference-in-differences (DID) model and the event study approach to evaluate the effectiveness of NRECDP on the basis of large-scale county-level and household-level panel data spanning 2010 to 2020.

Findings

The study found that the NRECDP, as a government-led, information and communication technology (ICT)-enabled, market-based program, has led to a significant increase in per capita output of primary industry employees, as well as in the disposable income of rural residents, especially those in national-level poverty-stricken (NP) counties. The interventions of the NRECDP achieved these positive outcomes through transportation and Internet infrastructure improvement, ICT adoption and human capital accumulation in impoverished towns and villages in remote rural areas. These effects are larger in the eastern region of China, followed by the central region, whereas the weakest effects were found in the western region. However, we found little evidence of the NRECDP increasing household developmental expenditure.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings have important practical and policy implications for rural e-commerce development and self-sustained poverty alleviation solutions. The research revealed the significance of government NRECDP interventions for increasing rural income, reducing living costs, and empowering the rural population in its multiple social roles, namely, as consumers, producers, employees and microentrepreneurs. The local cultural context may also play a role in ICT adoption and entrepreneurship cultivation with a downstream effect on the effectiveness of e-CPA practices. Policymakers would need to ensure a supportive entrepreneur-friendly environment for rural e-commerce development and continue implementing progressive policies for poverty alleviation.

Originality/value

This study explores poverty alleviation issues in China by developing for the first time a multi-faceted framework that is subsequently tested by both county-level and household-level large-scale observations. Also, it is the first study to provide nationwide empirical evidence on the effectiveness of e-CPA in narrowing down the spatial and digital divides in China. In addition to the impact of geography, technology and governmental support, this study also sheds light on the role of culture in the adoption and diffusion of digital technologies and as a source of local entrepreneurial opportunities.

Details

Journal of Strategy and Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-425X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 May 2024

Shatakshi Bourai, Rahul Arora and Neetu Yadav

The dynamic and evolving nature of the market calls for attention to digital platform firms' survival strategies, building agility for persistence in a continuously changing…

Abstract

Purpose

The dynamic and evolving nature of the market calls for attention to digital platform firms' survival strategies, building agility for persistence in a continuously changing business environment. In India, the government’s adoption of the Digital Policy is one such change in the business environment for the firms that impact almost all sectors. Such policies cause a disruption wherein digital platform firms must be agile and create a strategic response that will endure any changes. The present study attempts to gain insight into the competitive strategies adopted by the digital platform firms of the consumer durables industry in India, which are implemented to facilitate their growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The entire study is conducted in two phases. Phase one includes identifying strategies sampled digital platform firms adopted in response to the digitalization policy, and the second phase evaluates the significance of the adopted plans to persist.

Findings

While clubbing the 42 strategic responses to a few aggregate dimensions, the study found four types of responses adopted by the digital platform firms in the consumer durable industry to persist in the market. Using a two-step system, the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) approach, the study found that all four dimensions are statistically significant, positively impacting these firms' profitability.

Practical implications

The study contributes to the knowledge base of strategic responses to persist for the incumbent platform firms in a dynamic business environment.

Originality/value

The study answers the pertinent research question of how such strategic decisions may be informed in favor of profitability.

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: 15 May 2024

Taraneh Meshkani

This study aims to analyze the policies and strategies used by governmental organizations to address the impacts of climate change in informal neighborhoods, kampungs, such as…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the policies and strategies used by governmental organizations to address the impacts of climate change in informal neighborhoods, kampungs, such as Bukit Duri and Melayu in Jakarta, Indonesia, focusing on canal and river flooding mitigation and infrastructure development. The research examines the displacement of residents due to the demolition of informal settlements along riverbanks, the role of different governmental organizations and the implications of these policies on affected communities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the theoretical framework of environmental injustice to evaluate the strategies used by the Indonesian Government to address climate change adaptation in Jakarta, with a specific focus on the problem of flooding and its impact on displacement. By analyzing the history and outcomes of flood mitigation policies, this paper assesses the government’s strategies related to infrastructure, evacuation and socialization. In doing so, the study examines the social impact of these policies on affected communities. Furthermore, social listening and media analysis of Twitter data and various news outlets are conducted to gain insights into the living conditions and experiences of displaced residents in two public housing projects.

Findings

The study revealed the challenges faced by the government in implementing policies for climate change adaptation and flood mitigation in Jakarta, including a lack of community engagement with residents of the Kampungs in the decision-making process for relocation. Despite government efforts and providing low-cost apartments (rusuwana), the analysis sheds light on the various forms of injustice that result from the government’s approach to climate change adaptation in Jakarta.

Originality/value

This study examines social justice issues in Jakarta’s informal neighborhoods and explores locally driven efforts vs government-mandated policies for managing natural hazards and adapting to climate change.

Details

International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-5908

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 May 2024

Robert Kurniawan, Arya Candra Kusuma, Bagus Sumargo, Prana Ugiana Gio, Sri Kuswantono Wongsonadi and Karta Sasmita

This study aims to analyze the convergence of environmental degradation clubs in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In addition, this study also analyzes the…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the convergence of environmental degradation clubs in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In addition, this study also analyzes the influence of renewable energy and foreign direct investment (FDI) on each club as an intervention to change the convergence pattern in each club.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes the club convergence of environmental degradation in an effort to find out the distribution of environmental degradation reduction policies. This study uses club convergence with the Phillips and Sul (PS) convergence methodology because it considers multiple steady-states and is robust. This study uses annual panel data from 1998 to 2020 and ASEAN country units with ecological footprints as proxies for environmental degradation. After obtaining the club results, the analysis continued by analyzing the impact of renewable energy and FDI on each club using panel data regression and the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology model specification.

Findings

Based on club convergence, ASEAN countries can be grouped into three clubs with two divergent countries. Club 1 has an increasing pattern of environmental degradation, while Club 2 and Club 3 show no increase. Club 1 can primarily apply renewable energy to reduce environmental degradation, while Club 2 requires more FDI. The authors expect policymakers to take into account the clubs established to formulate collaborative policies among countries. The result that FDI reduces environmental degradation in this study is in line with the pollution halo hypothesis. This study also found that population has a significant effect on environmental degradation, so policies to regulate population need to be considered. On the other hand, increasing income has no effect on reducing environmental degradation. Therefore, the use of renewable energy and FDI toward green investment is expected to intensify within ASEAN countries to reduce environmental degradation.

Originality/value

This research is by far the first to apply PS Club convergence to environmental degradation in ASEAN. In addition, this study is also the first to analyze the influence of renewable energy and FDI on each club formed, considering the need for renewable energy use that has not been maximized in ASEAN.

Details

International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6220

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 10 May 2024

Joseph Antwi Baafi

This study aims to investigate the impact of seaport efficiency on economic growth in Ghana over the period 2006–2020.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of seaport efficiency on economic growth in Ghana over the period 2006–2020.

Design/methodology/approach

Comprehensive methodology, diverse data analysis techniques, including Augmented Dickey–Fuller tests, autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) modeling and Granger Causality, were applied to explore the intricate relationship between Seaport Efficiency and Economic Growth.

Findings

The findings reveal a statistically significant and positive association between seaport efficiency and GDP, underscoring the crucial role of efficient seaport operations in actively stimulating economic growth. Beyond seaport efficiency, influential factors such as capital, human capital, knowledge spillover and productive capacities were identified, contributing to the dynamics of economic growth.

Research limitations/implications

The Granger Causality Test solidifies seaport efficiency as a robust predictor of GDP fluctuations, emphasizing its significance in economic forecasting. Notably, this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge with its nuanced exploration of the intricate relationship between seaport efficiency and economic growth in the specific context of Ghana.

Practical implications

This study’s implications extend beyond academia, offering invaluable guidance for policymakers and planners. It serves as a comprehensive roadmap for informed decision-making, emphasizing the pivotal role of efficient seaports in charting a trajectory for enduring and resilient economic progress in the nation.

Originality/value

While the broader theme has been explored in existing literature, the uniqueness of this study lies in its specific application to the Ghanaian context. The choice of Ghana, a nation where maritime transport handles over 90% of trade, underscores the significance of understanding seaport efficiency in this regional and economic setting. The study’s originality is reinforced by incorporating diverse economic variables, aligning with recommendations for a comprehensive analysis of factors influencing port performance.

Details

Marine Economics and Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2516-158X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 May 2024

Hanen Khanchel-Lakhoua and Meissene Kadri

This study aims to investigate the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the well-being of Tunisian social workers.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the well-being of Tunisian social workers.

Design/methodology/approach

Resources (JD-R) theory. A questionnaire was administered to 162 Tunisian social workers, and statistical analysis and hypothesis testing were conducted using SPSS and SmartPLS software.

Findings

The study found that ICT has a substantial positive influence on social workers' well-being. Specifically, ICT was found to increase social workers' job resources, which in turn led to decreased job demands, increased burnout and increased work engagement.

Originality/value

This study addresses prior research gaps by exploring ICT's interplay with well-being within the Tunisian context. Its outcomes offer valuable insights for policymakers, guiding the development of strategies to address challenges and harness ICT's potential in social work.

Details

Journal of Management Development, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0262-1711

Keywords

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