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Article
Publication date: 12 January 2024

Eloho Ifinedo and Diane Burt

Service-learning (SL) is a widely accepted pedagogy that can enrich the learning experience for students in higher education while they apply their skills in a meaningful…

Abstract

Purpose

Service-learning (SL) is a widely accepted pedagogy that can enrich the learning experience for students in higher education while they apply their skills in a meaningful community service. This research is part of a larger project that aimed to motivate educational achievement among youths living in a priority neighborhood through SL. Toward this goal, this study investigated the impact of SL on the college students from a college information technology programmer-analyst (ITPA) program, who were deployed as role models to youths in a priority neighborhood on the east coast of Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

The overall project used the design-based methodology. Seven college students were deployed in two phases to a community center as role models for the delivery of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (or STEAM) programs to youths living in a priority neighborhood. Data were collected using open-ended survey, journal entries and focus groups and was qualitatively analyzed by drawing on two frameworks: the experiential-learning framework by Kolb (1984) and the conceptual SL framework by Ash and Clayton (2009).

Findings

The findings describe the outcome of the college students' experiences in SL with respect to the development of skills and capacities needed by employers. Specifically, their experiences mirrored all aspects of the two frameworks applied. Therefore, the study validates the use of SL pedagogy in higher education. In addition, the study identified the role of SL as an integration strategy for international students. While the research contributes to the wider SL conversation for policymakers, faculty and administrators of higher education, it also promotes development opportunities for college students.

Originality/value

The integration of SL pedagogy is widespread among programs in higher education. However, there are no common SL frameworks used in literature. The study is novel in that it combines two theoretical frameworks – Kolb (1984) and Ash and Clayton (2009) in explaining the outcomes. In addition, it uses two high-impact educational practices – SL and role modeling to improve educational attainment for college students.

Details

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-7003

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 July 2024

Denise Rodríguez-Zurita, Maria Jaya-Montalvo, Jerry Moreira-Arboleda, Esther Raya-Diez and Paul Carrión-Mero

This study aims to delve into the evolution, trends and implications of scientific production related to service learning (SL) and community engagement for sustainability in…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to delve into the evolution, trends and implications of scientific production related to service learning (SL) and community engagement for sustainability in higher education institutions (HEIs). Because HEIs play a crucial role in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs), experiential learning approaches are needed to actively involve students in sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 869 publications from Web of Science and Scopus databases were analysed using a bibliometric approach that included performance analysis and science mapping. Subsequently, a systematic literature review was conducted on 118 publications, focusing on their contribution to SDGs and alignment with United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s fields of expertise.

Findings

The findings reveal two significant trends: a substantial shift from curriculum development (2000–2010) to education for sustainable development (2011–2022), and the effectiveness of experiential learning teaching approaches, such as the integration of SL with community engagement and the use of innovative research methods in promoting the acquisition of sustainable development competencies. Additionally, community-based research, participatory action research and capacity development emerged as the primary topics.

Research limitations/implications

While this research is based on publications from two prominent databases, it may not include significant studies published in other databases.

Practical implications

These findings suggest that stakeholders should incorporate experiential learning activities and innovative research approaches to enhance education in, for and from sustainability.

Originality/value

This study offers a fresh perspective on the intellectual framework of experiential learning teaching approaches concerning sustainability in HEIs.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 September 2023

Antigoni Papadimitriou and Sarah Maria Schiffecker

This study aimed to find possible answers to whether U.S. universities are merely looking good or doing good regarding their third mission using elements of the triple bottom line…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to find possible answers to whether U.S. universities are merely looking good or doing good regarding their third mission using elements of the triple bottom line (people, planet, prosperity) and the 2030 Agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative exploratory empirical study based on an in-depth analysis of publicly available documents (i.e. mission statements and strategic planning) and information from the Impact Rankings 2020 edition (webpages). The study uses a multilevel analysis to capture the parameters “looking good” and “doing good.” The sample consists of 15 U.S. universities.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that universities are looking good in terms of their effort to support their third mission. Data show that all universities covered themes related to people and prosperity in their mission statements and strategic planning. However, when the authors dived into the managerial metrics, KPIs, benchmarks and other evidence to characterize them as doing good, the authors encountered some challenges in identifying evidence. The data suggest that universities most likely participated in the Impact Ranking act as “cherry pickers” and might participate in unproblematic goals for their organization.

Originality/value

The 3Ps and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals used in this study to examine the university public mission never used in other studies. The goal in this study was not to evaluate those universities in terms of looking good and doing good but rather to contribute to the gap in the literature and provide suggestions to university C-suite.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 July 2024

Lyndsey McGrath, Mario Chong and Michelle Rodríguez-Serra

This study aims to present a Faculty-Led Program applied in two contrasting countries, the USA and Peru, focused on the supply chain management of food and beverages to…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to present a Faculty-Led Program applied in two contrasting countries, the USA and Peru, focused on the supply chain management of food and beverages to demonstrate its benefits in human capital development. This Faculty-Led Program provides valuable opportunities to acquire skills and knowledge in foreign environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Students from Universidad del Pacífico and Rochester Institute of Technology were exposed to the food and beverages industry in Lima and New York. The theory will be presented to justify the program’s positive impact on the human development of the participating countries and empirical evidence of training capabilities that it allowed, according to the theoretical framework proposed by (Braskamp et al., 2009), to identify dimensions of learning. The study was based on primary data collected from 20 students from Universidad del Pacífico through a participant observation approach, retrieving a final essay project and the students’ testimonies at the end of the program implemented in other similar studies in Peru (Simone, 2021). The data were categorized into three domains and then summarized to provide key insights. In this case, the methodology is qualitative, but the data were also subjected to statistical analysis.

Findings

The results suggest that knowledge of the value chain of food and beverages obtained in this program was successfully consolidated. The learning outcomes from this method were obtained through students’ projects aimed to share the learned global practices with the industry and were materialized in three domains: the cognitive domain, with students recognizing and valuing cultural aspects; the interpersonal domain, students learned from social interactions with stakeholders; and the intrapersonal domain, students showed high acceptance of US culture within the course context, though their affect toward it was more potent than toward their own culture. These domains allowed students to assess how such international experience impacted their learning in more than just the academic outcome.

Research limitations/implications

The study relies on self-reported subjective methods in the short term since it summarizes students’ perspectives, expressed in a final written essay, regarding three main dimensions of learning. Besides, the process assesses the improvement of those dimensions through a participant observation approach and collecting testimonies. More objective, comparable outcomes could be achieved in the medium term by evaluating the participants’ performance in the business world.

Originality/value

This paper presents a conclusive application of the Faculty-Led Program, which exposed students to the diverse food and beverage industry in Lima and New York, providing valuable insights through field studies and allowing them to experience both cultures and different realities. They recognized technological advancements and delays applicable to both countries, benefiting future managers and planners in workforce development. The firsthand experience taught students practical skills and perspectives for effective industry management. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first research in Peru focused on a short-term study abroad program based on the food and beverage supply chain industry to identify its value and contribution to a more holistic human capital development.

Details

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

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 20 June 2024

Guglielmo Giuggioli, Massimiliano Matteo Pellegrini and Giorgio Giannone

While different attempts have been made to use artificial intelligence (AI) to codify communicative behaviors and analyze startups’ video presentations in relation to crowdfunding…

Abstract

Purpose

While different attempts have been made to use artificial intelligence (AI) to codify communicative behaviors and analyze startups’ video presentations in relation to crowdfunding projects, less is known about other forms of access to entrepreneurial finance, such as video pitches for candidacies into startup accelerators and incubators. This research seeks to demonstrate how AI can enable the startup selection process for both entrepreneurs and investors in terms of video pitch evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

An AI startup (Speechannel) was used to predict the outcomes of startup video presentations by analyzing text, audio, and video data from 294 video pitches sent to a leading European startup accelerator (LUISS EnLabs). 7 investors were also interviewed in Silicon Valley to establish the differences between humans and machines.

Findings

This research proves that AI has profound implications with regards to the decision-making process related to fundraising and, in particular, the video pitches of startup accelerators and incubators. Successful entrepreneurs are confident (but not overconfident), engaging in terms of speaking quickly (but also clearly), and emotional (but not overemotional).

Practical implications

This study not only fills the existing research gap but also provides a practical guide on AI-driven video pitch evaluation for entrepreneurs and investors, reshaping the landscape of entrepreneurial finance thanks to AI. On the one hand, entrepreneurs could use this knowledge to modify their behaviors, enabling them to increase their likelihood of being financially backed. On the other hand, investors could use these insights to better rationalize their funding decisions, enabling them to select the most promising startups.

Originality/value

This paper makes a significant contribution by bridging the gap between theoretical research and the practical application of AI in entrepreneurial finance, marking a notable advancement in this field. At a theoretical level, it contributes to research on managerial decision-making processes – particularly those related to the analysis of video presentations in a fundraising context. At a practical level, it offers a model that we called the “AI-enabled video pitch evaluation”, which is used to extract features from the video pitches of startup accelerators and incubators and predict an entrepreneurial project’s success.

Details

Management Decision, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 July 2024

Solomon Asamoah, Eric Kwame Simpeh, Henry Mensah, Bernard Bonney and Divine Kwaku Ahadzie

The study aims to examine the potential benefits of integrating nature-based solutions (NbS) in the housing sector.

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to examine the potential benefits of integrating nature-based solutions (NbS) in the housing sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach adopted was a systematic literature review aided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews criteria and the VOSviewer software. Abductive reasoning was used to analyze the collected data, which was then subjected to content analysis through an iterative read-and-review procedure.

Findings

The study identified green walls, indoor greenery, porous pavement and landscaping, rainwater harvesting and water purification and green roofs as elements of buildings where NbS should be incorporated. Although nature-based research on integrated greenery facades and roof applications was noted, rainwater harvesting and water purification-oriented research remained dominant. These findings demonstrate the advantages of implementing NbS in the housing sector, including energy efficiency, environmental development, flood prevention and sustainable water management. Integrating NbS into housing designs can considerably contribute to the creation of more resilient, eco-friendly and comfortable living environments. However, the adoption of NbS faces hurdles, including a lack of awareness, limited policy support and economic constraints.

Practical implications

This study recommends that NbS be mainstreamed into housing development and knowledge exchange opportunities between sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, as well as other regions, to promote the adoption of NbS through research and collaborations. Also, it contributes to the discourse of sustainable affordable housing in the Global South while addressing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 11, 12, 13 and 15. This study offers valuable guidance to stakeholders, thereby fostering the development of more sustainable and resilient housing practices and policies.

Originality/value

The study used VOSviewer software visualization to identify structural patterns and track prominent research frontiers, allowing for a more thorough yet concise mapping and capture of a scientific knowledge domain.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 October 2023

Eric Dahlin and Rachel Sumsion

Narratives underscoring the necessity of innovation for success are pervasive. Yet, many new products fail or fail to produce their intended impacts. Conventional views typically…

Abstract

Purpose

Narratives underscoring the necessity of innovation for success are pervasive. Yet, many new products fail or fail to produce their intended impacts. Conventional views typically promote the functional view of innovation, which focuses on identifying and meeting customer needs. The authors argue, however, that culture is an overlooked explanation of innovation success.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a conceptual approach, grounded in cultural sociology, to illustrate the ways in which innovation success is influenced by cultural beliefs. Accordingly, this study develops a cultural view of innovation and compare it with the functional view.

Findings

This study shows that novel products are successful to the extent their meanings and value resonate with relevant stakeholders. Not only does culture matter, but customers’ needs are often shaped by cultural values in the first place.

Research limitations/implications

More systematic qualitative and quantitative research is needed to better understand the best processes for incorporating cultural beliefs into product features.

Practical implications

In addition to customer needs, innovators should include cultural beliefs as design requirements to ensure the product resonates with the values and everyday practices of users. One way to do this is by implementing the productive method, which provides the resources for the relevant potential users to design the product themselves.

Originality/value

It is not always enough to learn and solicit feedback from potential users. To fully understand the obstacles that may inhibit innovation, this study advocates for providing potential users, local engineers and other relevant stakeholders the autonomy to design, manufacture, market and distribute the product.

Details

Journal of Business Strategy, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0275-6668

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 July 2024

Chong Xiao and Xiaoxin Du

This study examines education for sustainability (EfS) within the Chinese context, to specifically enrich the understanding on how EfS is structured and implemented to nurture…

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines education for sustainability (EfS) within the Chinese context, to specifically enrich the understanding on how EfS is structured and implemented to nurture citizenship in the policy practices of universities in Mainland China and Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-case analysis is recruited to examine the commonalities and differences between two universities and identify patterns in cultivating sustainability citizenship within higher education institutions (HEIs) in China. Data were collected through reviewing documents, including two universities’ strategic plans, action plans, department meeting memos, program introductions, course outlines and publicity coverage. Observation was also adopted to enrich the data for analysis, covering meetings, speeches by senior management, university events and informal conversations about university operations.

Findings

Citizenship and sustainability in university strategic planning, curriculum and instruction, carriers of EfS institutionalization, and resources and impacts of EfS beyond the institutes were analyzed in a comparative manner, offering valuable insights into how EfS can be institutionalized in different universities based on their unique appeals, existing curriculum and management systems.

Originality/value

By exploring these intra-national distinctions in EfS, the study sheds light on the variation within China's citizenship education, which is traditionally seen as highly unified with limited room for differences. The detailed exploration of university strategies and program/course content enriches the literature of sustainability as an educational phenomenon on an international scale and modernized citizenship education in China.

Details

International Journal of Comparative Education and Development, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2396-7404

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 September 2024

Erica R. Hamilton and Kelly C. Margot

School–university partnerships are important in teacher education to ensure PK-12 preservice teachers gain teaching experience prior to becoming teachers of record. Drawing on…

Abstract

Purpose

School–university partnerships are important in teacher education to ensure PK-12 preservice teachers gain teaching experience prior to becoming teachers of record. Drawing on Ball and Cohen’s (1999) concept of “practice-based teacher education,” this three-year qualitative study examines the results of an intentionally reciprocal school–university partnership centered on a practice-based learning, field-based course. The following question guided this research: Having designed and facilitated a school–university partnership centered on reciprocity, what factors contributed to and/or took away from this commitment?

Design/methodology/approach

The current study examined three data sources, namely: (1) seven semi-structured focus group interviews with a teacher educator, sixth-grade teachers (n = 4) and a principal; (2) eight question/answer sessions between preservice teachers and partnering secondary teachers and (3)one focus group between the two authors. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Findings

This study’s findings highlight the reciprocal nature of the school–university partnership, showcasing the positive outcomes and challenges faced by stakeholders. Clear communication and ongoing dialogue were identified as key elements to establishing and maintaining a reciprocal relationship. Additionally, emphasis on shared learning experiences between partners were found valuable and important to maintaining benefit to all partners. Relationship development also remained an important and positive outcome of this partnership. Additionally, there were challenges related to time, and schedule constraints were evident in the partnership. Moreover, ongoing reflection and a willingness to adjust and change based on experiences and lessons learned ensured participants recognized the importance of ongoing iteration and calibration to address challenges and enhance the partnership.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability.

Originality/value

The paper includes implications for the development of other school–university partnerships that prioritize reciprocity, highlighting an often assumed, but not always examined, component necessary to the success of school–university partnerships.

Details

School-University Partnerships, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1935-7125

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 July 2024

Chamila Subasinghe

Beyond symptomatic communication barriers between designers and communities, glocal resiliency building (GRB) by intercultural groups often challenges traditional service-learning…

Abstract

Purpose

Beyond symptomatic communication barriers between designers and communities, glocal resiliency building (GRB) by intercultural groups often challenges traditional service-learning trajectories. Without ambitious performance hurdles, two higher education institutions from Australia and Thailand built rapport via their shared love for Bamboo to level hierarchies between groups: architects, both social and professional.

Design/methodology/approach

The author used Basho’s “self” – object nexus, as depicted in “Learn Bamboo from Bamboo” Haiku, as a methodology to structure our observations of stakeholders (Haas, 1994). This reflective account, narrated through a tabulated account of iterative engagements among various stakeholders, narrates the metacognitive process of GRB.

Findings

Amidst intercultural communication tensions that could have alienated efforts, Bamboo’s resourcefulness prompted positive stakeholder interactions. Interculturally relatable Bamboo culture could become an effective mode of communication via a synthesis of craft and construction to cultivate culturally intelligent behaviours.

Research limitations/implications

Bamboo was a technology of community that overcame cultural tensions by completing an architectural product.

Originality/value

Despite different languages, work ethics and uneasiness, this activism project sensitised differentiating perspectives to transform traditional knowledge hierarchies to negotiate local know-how. Hence, it highlights activism as a methodology for figuring out the unknown layered in spatial and aspatial attributes of material cultures.

Details

Journal for Multicultural Education, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-535X

Keywords

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