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Article
Publication date: 16 April 2024

Mandy Hommel

In Germany, various approaches have been taken to tackle the current teacher shortage in technical and vocational education and training (TVET). One attempt to remedy the shortage…

Abstract

Purpose

In Germany, various approaches have been taken to tackle the current teacher shortage in technical and vocational education and training (TVET). One attempt to remedy the shortage in Bavaria has been the introduction of an engineering education study programme at universities of applied sciences. Ideal candidates for this programme should have an interest in both engineering and social interaction. For effective recruitment, therefore, it is necessary to know applicants’ characteristics such as their vocational interests. In this study, the vocational interest profiles of students in TVET teacher training programmes were identified and their interest profiles and further characteristics were compared with those of other VET students at universities and universities of applied sciences.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire based on Holland’s interest theory and adapted from the Allgemeiner-Interessen-Struktur-Test-3 (interest structure test) was administered to 85 students in TVET teacher training programmes at universities and universities of applied sciences in Bavaria. Items regarding reasons for choosing a particular study programme, university location and other personal details were added.

Findings

The vocational interest profiles of students at universities and universities of applied sciences can be described as similar but weakly differentiated. Insights are provided by the characteristics of students such as the majority being first-time academics in the family. The reasons for choosing the degree programme and university location highlight the fact that a large proportion of students in engineering education would not have chosen a teaching-related degree programme if it had not been offered at the respective university of applied sciences.

Research limitations/implications

Although the sample in this study was small and, therefore, limiting, it represented a high proportion of TVET teacher training students in Bavaria and a substantial proportion of first-year students in TVET teacher training programmes at universities and universities of applied sciences in Bavaria (section 2.2 and 3.1). Thus, the findings provide valuable insights into commonalities in interest profiles between engineering education students at universities of applied sciences and other TVET students at universities. With respect to the domain of the chosen vocational specialisation, differentiated profiles emerged that, for example, showed a stronger artistic orientation among students in construction technology/wood. For further analysis, the previous variable-centred orientation of the analysis can be supplemented by person-centred analyses (e.g. cluster analysis and latent variable mixture modelling, LVMM) (cf. Leon et al., 2021).

Practical implications

The findings in this study reveal the potential for attracting candidates to universities of applied sciences if they prefer to study in rather rural areas close to their hometowns. With the aim to educate prospective teachers for future work not only in metropolitan regions but in rural areas too, offering bachelor degree programmes in rural areas would seem promising. A regional option can boost the recruitment of new students and attract candidates that otherwise would be unable to pursue studies or a career as a teacher in vocational education. The results of this study and those of previous studies suggest that universities of applied sciences can cooperate with universities to help solve the teacher shortage problem.

Social implications

Overall, it is apparent that the students' interests reached comparatively high values in all interest orientations and thus are only weakly differentiated. If undifferentiated profiles indicate low levels of career readiness, this significantly affects the recruitment of young people for the teaching profession. Assessing career orientation and promoting vocational interests should be prioritised during secondary school education. Vocational orientation measures are essential and should provide insight into typical activities of daily work life in different professions and thus pique and foster interests.

Originality/value

This study provides insight into how to respond to the teacher shortage in VET by identifying important characteristics of engineering education students using vocational interest profiling.

Details

Education + Training, vol. 66 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0040-0912

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 February 2024

Jennifer M. Blaney, David F. Feldon and Kaylee Litson

Supporting community college transfer students represents a critical strategy for broadening participation in STEM. In addition to being a racially diverse group, students who…

Abstract

Purpose

Supporting community college transfer students represents a critical strategy for broadening participation in STEM. In addition to being a racially diverse group, students who pursue STEM degrees by way of community college report frequent interests in graduate study and academic careers. Thus, supporting and expanding transfer students’ PhD interests can help to diversify the STEM professoriate. This study aims to identify the experiences that predict PhD interests among students who transferred into the computer science major from a community college.

Design/methodology/approach

Relying on longitudinal survey data from over 150 community college transfer students throughout their first year at their receiving four-year university, we used regression analysis to identify the post-transfer college experiences that predict early interest in PhDs.

Findings

We found that receiving information about PhDs from a professor strongly predicted PhD interest among transfer students. Relationships with other variables indicate that the provision of information about graduate school was more likely to occur for students who participated in undergraduate research experiences than for those participating in internships. Descriptive data document inequities in who has access to these types of experiences.

Originality/value

This paper provides new insight into how STEM departments can develop targeted efforts to ensure that information about PhD training is equitably available to all transfer students. Working to ensure that faculty equitably communicate with students about PhD opportunities may go a long way in countering potential deterrents among transfer students who may be interested in such pathways.

Details

Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4686

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 May 2024

Imran Mehboob Shaikh

Using the consumption values theory (CVT) as a baseline model, this study aims to evaluate the factors that influence farmers' decision-making behavior regarding interest-free…

Abstract

Purpose

Using the consumption values theory (CVT) as a baseline model, this study aims to evaluate the factors that influence farmers' decision-making behavior regarding interest-free agricultural financing products.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from 321 banking customers using questionnaires who are engaged with the agriculture sector and wish to obtain finance related to Islamic agriculture products.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that the decision behavior for Islamic agriculture financing products is highly influenced by epistemic, emotional and functional values. On the contrary, conditional and social values do not influence farmers’ choice behavior for Islamic agriculture financing products.

Research limitations/implications

There are a few limitations in this study. Initially, the study's geographic scope is limited to bank customers within the agriculture sector who live, in particular, in Southern Sindh province, Pakistan. Next, researchers extended the CVT to a specific focus on agricultural financing products by Islamic banks. Future researchers should take these concerns into consideration for better applicability, and it is anticipated that the research approach will be refined to best expand the results. Lastly, future researchers are expected to broaden the theory's relevance by considering the socio-cultural environmental conditions (culture, religious values and approaches) and social conditions in a wider range of Islamic agricultural financial instruments.

Practical implications

The findings are beneficial for practitioners intending to advance innovative Islamic agriculture financing products to cater to Pakistani farmers’ needs.

Originality/value

This research extends the CVT that offers valuable information for the development of consumers’ behavior in the setting of interest-free agricultural financing.

Details

Journal of Islamic Marketing, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-0833

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 December 2021

Nathaniel Ayinde Olatunde

Advocates of structured stakeholder management (SM) processes have emphasized the use of the appropriate strategies as the most important process in SM. Yet, research effort in…

Abstract

Purpose

Advocates of structured stakeholder management (SM) processes have emphasized the use of the appropriate strategies as the most important process in SM. Yet, research effort in this regard in developing countries has been inadequate. The purpose of the study was to examine the SM strategies used on building projects procured by private corporate organisations in south-western Nigeria to enhance project performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a census survey to select 30 projects managers who indicated (from 106 who responded to a first stage questionnaire) that they have participated in structured SM in the study area between 2008 and 2017. A second-stage questionnaire was designed to elicit information from the respondents. Data analysis was done with the use of frequency, percentile and mean score (MS) and analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Findings

Stakeholders with high power and high interest were managed with the use of “collaborate/partner” strategy (MS = 3.86), stakeholders with high power and low interest were “kept satisfied” (MS = 4.09), stakeholders with low power and high interest were managed by using “keep them informed regularly” strategy (MS = 4.10) and stakeholders with low power and low interest were managed using “monitor and respond when necessary” strategy (M = 3.94). Further results show that static stakeholders with high power were managed by using the “monitor constantly” strategy (MS = 4.11), stakeholders with high power, high legitimacy and high urgency were managed by adopting the “keep satisfied” strategy (MS = 4.26), to manage non-supportive stakeholders, project managers adopted the “keep satisfied” strategy (MS = 4.18) and supportive stakeholders were managed by using “involved” strategy (MS = 4.02). More results showed that there is no significant difference in the opinion of project managers on SM strategies employed irrespective of procurement method.

Practical implications

The study provided a guide to project managers on the appropriate SM strategies to use for future projects.

Originality/value

The study was an attempt to appraise the SM strategies in relation to the procurement methods and their relationship with project performance.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 42 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 September 2023

Manali Chatterjee, Titas Bhattacharjee and Bijitaswa Chakraborty

This paper aims to review, discuss and synthesize the literature focusing on the Indian initial public offering (IPO) market. Understanding the Indian IPO market can help answer…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to review, discuss and synthesize the literature focusing on the Indian initial public offering (IPO) market. Understanding the Indian IPO market can help answer broader corporate finance questions. The growing number of IPOs in the Indian context, coupled with the increasing importance of the Indian economy in the global market, makes this review an essential topic.

Design/methodology/approach

The systematic literature review methodology was adopted to review 111 papers published between 2002 and 2021. The authors used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach during the review process. Additionally, the authors use a bibliometric review methodology to examine the pattern and trend of research in this area of interest. Furthermore, the authors conduct a critical review and synthesis of the top 20 papers based on citations. The authors also use a co-citation network and manual content analysis method to identify key research themes.

Findings

This review helps in identifying major themes of research in this area of interest. The authors find that majority of the research has focused on IPO performance whereas post-IPO performance needs critical attention as well. The authors develop a comprehensive framework and future research agenda based on their discussion.

Research limitations/implications

Meta-analysis of the literature can be conducted to gain better insights into the findings of prior studies.

Practical implications

This review paper develops a comprehensive overview on Indian IPO market which can be of interest not only to Indian scholarship. India as an economy is increasingly gaining attention at the global level. Hence, the future research objectives as illustrated in the study can be of interest for the global scholarship also.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review paper that examines, synthesizes and outlines the future research agenda on Indian IPO studies. This review can be useful for researchers, business policymakers, finance professionals and anyone else interested in the Indian IPO market.

Details

Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, vol. 16 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4179

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 August 2024

Woei-Chyi Chai, Kuen-Wei Tham, Chin Tiong Cheng, Kim Wing Chong and Kai Yun Yeoh

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the global economy, disrupting supply chains, causing job losses and altering consumer demand. In Malaysia, the real estate sector…

Abstract

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the global economy, disrupting supply chains, causing job losses and altering consumer demand. In Malaysia, the real estate sector has been notably affected, with increased property impairments and overhang due to unprecedented uncertainty. Understanding these effects is crucial for policymakers and investors to prevent real estate and banking crises. This study aims to analyse the relationships between macroeconomic factors during the pandemic on property impairments and overhang, providing insights for maintaining macroeconomic stability. The findings will inform strategies for mitigating economic shocks, identifying opportunities, and guiding real estate policies in Malaysia and potentially globally.

Design/methodology/approach

This research article uses a time series ARDL regression analysis to examine pivotal macroeconomic factors including income, housing process, interest rates and unemployment on property loan impairments and property supply overhang in Malaysia. ARDL is effective to measure and analyse time series data, especially to understand the lagged impacts of macroeconomic factors. This can be seen by various economists in analysing macroeconomic factors affecting non-performing loans or the real estate finance using regression analyses both in Malaysia and other regions. The observations are gathered before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, spanning a five-year period with monthly frequency from 2018 to 2022.

Findings

The study emphasizes the critical importance of effectively managing unemployment and implementing policy interventions, such as moratoriums, to stabilize the economy and reduce the risk of loan impairments during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this study highlights a significant inverse relationship between income per capita and loan impairments, underscoring the necessity for policies that promote economic growth and income equality. Initiatives targeting job creation, education and skills development can elevate income levels, thereby decreasing loan impairments. Lower lending interest rates during the pandemic also help mitigate the risk of loan impairments by facilitating borrowing, stimulating economic activity and enhancing financial well-being. Furthermore, the study suggests that while lower interest rates incentivize property developers and investors, understanding the intricate interaction between housing prices and supply is crucial for policymakers and stakeholders to effectively manage the housing market and ensure adequate housing supply, especially during crises.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides insight for policymakers, regulators, investors and property consultants into the dynamic effects of key macroeconomic factors amidst a global recession in how they impact the real estate market with regards specifically to all types of property loan impairments and property supply overhang. The observations are limited to the COVID-19 period, spanning five years with monthly data from 2018 to 2022. This understanding can facilitate the development of targeted strategic monetary policies and investment decisions in case of future recessions.

Practical implications

Policymakers should prioritize initiatives such as moratoriums and job creation programs to mitigate economic downturns. Additionally, financial institutions need to adjust lending practices in response to lower interest rates, while stakeholders in the housing market must understand the complex dynamics between housing prices and supply to ensure a balanced market. Overall, addressing underlying economic factors and implementing targeted policies are essential for building resilience and promoting sustainable economic growth amidst challenging circumstances.

Social implications

Initiatives aimed at fostering income equality, creating employment opportunities and ensuring housing accessibility contribute to greater social cohesion and well-being. By promoting financial inclusion and building resilience to crises, societies can mitigate the adverse social impacts of economic challenges such as unemployment and housing affordability. Overall, addressing socioeconomic disparities and promoting inclusive growth are essential for fostering a more equitable and resilient society.

Originality/value

The originality and uniqueness of this study lie in its comprehensive analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on loan impairments and housing supply. While previous studies have focused on the pandemic’s effects on specific segments of the real estate market or property prices, this study provides a broad overview of its impact on property loan impairments and housing supply overhang. Finally, this study highlights the social and practical implications. Overall, this study offers a distinctive analysis of COVID-19’s impact on the real estate market and its implications for policymakers, real estate professionals and investors.

Details

International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 September 2023

Bambang Tjahjadi, Noorlailie Soewarno, Tsanya El Karima and Annisa Ayu Putri Sutarsa

This study aims to determine whether socially friendly business strategy impacts social sustainability performance and, if so, whether social management process and spiritual…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to determine whether socially friendly business strategy impacts social sustainability performance and, if so, whether social management process and spiritual capital act as mediators and moderators of the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a comprehensive research framework consisting of the mediation and moderation relationship among four constructs, namely, socially friendly business strategy, social management process, spiritual capital and social sustainability performance. A total of 433 owners/managers of micro, small and medium-sized firms (MSMEs) in the Indonesian province of East Java took part in this study, and the data were gathered using a survey method. The resource-based view, stakeholder theory and partial least squares structural equation modelling are all used in this study to evaluate and explain the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that both socially friendly business strategy and social management process positively affect social sustainability performance. Further analysis reveals that spiritual capital moderates the effect of socially friendly business strategy on social sustainability performance. Second, social management process mediates the influence of socially friendly business strategy on social sustainability performance in part.

Research limitations/implications

The current study has limitations. First, it restricts the scope of its sample to MSMEs in Indonesia’s East Java Province. As a result, it also restricts its generalizability, and care must be used if the findings are applied to other types of organizations and geographic areas. Second, some survey participants needed help to complete the online questionnaire. As a result, collecting the data were less successful than anticipated. This study has significant implications for the development of the stakeholder theory, particularly in elucidating the mechanisms by which socially responsible corporate strategies, social management practices and performance in terms of social sustainability are affected.

Practical implications

The findings provide a comprehensive guidance for owners/managers in reorienting their business strategy, managing the social management process and building their spiritual capital to achieve social sustainability performance. It provides materials for researchers and students who are interested in studying the subject matter.

Social implications

MSMEs have a significant role in society. The welfare of society will therefore increase if social sustainability performance is successful. The overall model of social sustainability performance improvements and its antecedents are presented in this study.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first attempts to explore the general model of improving social sustainability performance using four constructs that are rarely used in previous studies. It also uses a new data set and research setting in Indonesia as one of the emerging countries.

Article
Publication date: 14 August 2023

Christiana Osei Bonsu, Chelsea Liu and Alfred Yawson

The role of chief executive officer (CEO) personal characteristics in shaping corporate policies has attracted increasing academic attention in the past two decades. In this…

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Abstract

Purpose

The role of chief executive officer (CEO) personal characteristics in shaping corporate policies has attracted increasing academic attention in the past two decades. In this review, the authors synthesize extant research on CEO attributes by reviewing 232 articles published in 29 journals from the accounting, finance and management literature. This review provides an overview of existing findings, highlights current trends and interdisciplinary differences in research approaches and identifies potential avenues for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

To review the literature on CEO attributes, the authors manually collected peer-reviewed articles in accounting, finance and management journals from 2000 to 2021. The authors conducted in-depth analysis of each paper and manually recorded the theories, data sources, country of study, study period, measures of CEO attributes and dependent variables. This procedure helped the authors group the selected articles into themes and sub-themes. The authors compared the findings in various disciplines and provided direction for future research.

Findings

The authors highlight the role of CEO personal attributes in influencing corporate decision-making and firm outcomes. The authors categorize studies of CEO traits into three main research themes: (1) demographic attributes and experience (including age, gender, culture, experience, education); (2) CEO interactions with others (social and political networks) and (3) underlying attributes (including personality, values and ideology). The evidence shows that CEO characteristics significantly affect a wide range of specific corporate policies that serve as mechanisms through which individual CEOs determine firm success and performance.

Practical implications

CEO selection is one of the most crucial decisions made by corporations. The study findings provide valuable insights to corporate executives, boards, investors and practitioners into how CEOs’ personal characteristics can impact future firm decisions and outcomes that can, in turn, inform the high-stake process of CEO recruitment and selection. The study findings have significant practical implications for corporations, such as contributing to executive training programs, to assist executives and directors attain a greater level of self-awareness.

Originality/value

Building on the theoretical foundation of upper echelons theory, the authors offer an integrated theoretical framework to consolidate existing empirical research on the impacts of CEO personal attributes on firm outcomes across accounting and finance (A&F) and management literature. The study findings provide a roadmap for scholars to bridge the interdisciplinary divide between A&F and management research. The authors advocate a more holistic and multifaceted approach to examining CEOs, each of whom embodies a myriad of personal characteristics that comprise their unique identity. The study findings encourage future researchers to expand the investigation of the boundary conditions that magnify or moderate the impacts of CEO idiosyncrasies.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 2 September 2024

Anderson Filipe Rosa, Otávio Bandeira de Lamônica Freire and Murilo Lima Araújo Costa

The purpose of this study is to compare measurement scales of sports fans’ motivations applied to women’s football.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare measurement scales of sports fans’ motivations applied to women’s football.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey research approach was used to collect 574 valid responses from participants in Brazil and the USA. Three prominent scales – Sport Interest Inventory (SII), Sport Fan Motivation Scale (SFMS) and Motivation Scale for Sport Consumption (MSSC) are were compared using the structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

The results indicate that the SII scale demonstrates superior predictive power for variables such as “purchase intention,” “electronic word of mouth,” “identification as a fan” and “interest in women’s football” compared to the SFMS and MSSC scales. The primary motivation among followers and spectators of women’s football in the study was “supporting women’s opportunities” in sport.

Research limitations/implications

While the study is grounded in the most relevant scales pertinent to the theme, the limited academic production on the subject hinders direct comparisons with prior research.

Practical implications

Leveraging the insights from the SII scale, football team managers can refine their marketing strategies by understanding the primary motivations driving women’s football consumption. This knowledge can inform targeted efforts to enhance women’s football consumption, subsequently expanding opportunities for women in the sport.

Social implications

This study provides valuable information that can inform initiatives aimed at boosting women’s soccer consumption, thereby contributing to increased opportunities for women in the sport.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study represents the first attempt to compare scales in the specific context of women’s soccer, contributing with a unique perspective to the development of women’s sports.

Details

RAUSP Management Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2531-0488

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 August 2024

Harit Satt and George Iatridis

This research aims to examine the relations between Shariah compliance and earnings quality.

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to examine the relations between Shariah compliance and earnings quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors study three Shariah features: Shariah compliance status, level of Shariah compliance (H-Score) and Shariah compliance persistence. The sample consists of 463 firms from the Middle East and North Africa from 2011 to 2018. A variable determining the level of Shariah compliance was created in accordance with the methodology of S&P 500 Shariah and its underlying index, S&P 500. Then, a probate relapse study was created to identify the link between Shariah compliance and earnings quality.

Findings

Results show that Shariah-compliant firms engage in lower earnings management compared to their Shariah-non-compliant counterparts. This paper reveals that Shariah compliance status and high level of Shariah compliance have significant positive association with earnings quality. The authors also find novel evidence that persistence of the Shariah-compliant status has a significant negative association with earnings quality.

Practical implications

This study only examines firms listed on MENA stock markets. It is recommended to further study different markets in addition to the emerging Arab markets in order to compare and contrast the results. Further, larger sample observations from a greater date range can be used.

Originality/value

Few studies have examined the earnings management behavior of Shariah-compliant firms vs Shariah-non-compliant ones in emerging markets; however, no study has focused on Shariah-compliant firms and their level of Shariah compliance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which uses all four proxies for earnings quality in association with Shariah compliance and used new Shariah variables such as Level of Shariah Compliance and Persistent Shariah Compliance status.

Details

Review of Behavioral Finance, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1940-5979

Keywords

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