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1 – 10 of 11This contribution to the special issue integrates findings addressed by the other papers. In order to structure the insights delivered by the studies and to address the…
Abstract
Purpose
This contribution to the special issue integrates findings addressed by the other papers. In order to structure the insights delivered by the studies and to address the perspectives with the objectives of the special issue, the purpose of this paper is to identify two major components: system characteristics and culture.
Design/methodology/approach
These are discussed and subsequently the studies are positioned according to this framework.
Findings
The authors further discuss elements involved in increasing the power of clients of the educational system, needs for capacity building, and the need for horizontal and vertical accountability.
Originality/value
Discussion paper to a special issue on data-based decision making.
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Keywords
Elisha Omoso, Kim Schildkamp and Jules Pieters
The purpose of this paper is to explore the data available and their use by Kenyan secondary school teachers and head teachers.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the data available and their use by Kenyan secondary school teachers and head teachers.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a qualitative case study design, this study utilised interviews and documentary evidence to explore the data available and their use within Kenyan schools.
Findings
The data available in Kenyan schools were similar except for context data which had slight variations between schools. Head teachers mainly used school-level data to monitor school functioning, plan and develop school-level policies which mainly focused on school and curriculum improvement but little on teacher improvement. Teacher improvement attempts were mostly via benchmarking. The results also show that Kenyan head teachers hide inspection reports from teachers and that some head teachers used data creatively than others. For example, one head teacher used data to start a feeding programme to support economically disadvantaged students. Teachers, however, mostly used classroom-level data to plan lessons and monitor students’ progress.
Research limitations/implications
The study results may be used for data use comparative studies between developing and developed countries.
Practical implications
Based on the findings, data use training is needed to help Kenyan schools use data to improve teachers and teaching.
Originality/value
Accountability and data use are at the centre of many school improvement efforts the world over. The last two decades, for example, show pressure on schools to account for the resources invested and for the education they provide to children mainly in the form of data. Regrettably, studies pay little attention to data use in schools within developing countries such as Kenya.
Mireille D. Hubers, Cindy L. Poortman, Kim Schildkamp, Jules M. Pieters and Adam Handelzalts
In this study, Nonaka and Takeuchi’s socialization, externalization, combination and internalization (SECI) model of knowledge creation is used to gain insight into the process of…
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, Nonaka and Takeuchi’s socialization, externalization, combination and internalization (SECI) model of knowledge creation is used to gain insight into the process of knowledge creation in data teams. These teams are composed of school leaders and teachers, who work together to improve the quality of education. They collaboratively create knowledge related to data use and to an educational problem they are studying. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative micro-process case study was conducted for two data teams. The modes, transitions and content of the knowledge creation process were analyzed for all data team meetings over a two-year period. In addition, all team members were interviewed twice to triangulate the findings.
Findings
Results show that the knowledge creation process was cyclical across meetings, but more iterative within meetings. Furthermore, engagement in the socialization and internalization mode provided added value in this process. Finally, the SECI model clearly differentiated between team members’ processes. Team members who engaged more often in the socialization and internalization modes and displayed more personal engagement in those modes gained greater and deeper knowledge.
Research limitations/implications
The SECI model is valuable for understanding how teams gain new knowledge and why they differ in those gains.
Practical implications
Stimulation of active personal engagement in the socialization and internalization mode is needed.
Originality/value
This is one of the first attempts to concretely observe the process of knowledge creation. It provides essential insights into what educators do in professional development contexts, and how support can best be provided.
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Pieter A. Gautier, Gerard J. van den Berg, Jan C. van Ours and Geert Ridder
Stephen G. Bronars, Melissa Famulari, Paul Bingley and Niels Westergard-Nielsen
Through a survey of 200 employees working in five of the thirty establishments analysed in previous research about the microeconomic effects of reducing the working time (Cahier…
Abstract
Through a survey of 200 employees working in five of the thirty establishments analysed in previous research about the microeconomic effects of reducing the working time (Cahier 25), the consequences on employees of such a reduction can be assessed; and relevant attitudes and aspirations better known.
Suniti Vadalkar, Gitesh Chavan, Ranjan Chaudhuri and Demetris Vrontis
Amidst the plethora of mass communication methods that technology bestowed business with, print advertisements still remain an effective and widely utilized advertising tool, and…
Abstract
Purpose
Amidst the plethora of mass communication methods that technology bestowed business with, print advertisements still remain an effective and widely utilized advertising tool, and retain a diachronically venerable position in international marketing practice. Bar and transcending mere academic fascination or curiosity, this research provides insights into the past, an understanding of the present and an outlook into the future. In this vein, through a methodical and comprehensive critical review of extant literature on print advertisements since 1965, this research aims to identify gaps in extant knowledge, to map its trends and divergences, to trace its paradigm shifts and to ultimately develop agendas for truly significant future research.
Design/methodology/approach
This spatial-temporal study reviews 256 methodically selected articles, using VantagePoint software, and adopts a novel methodology through natural language processing (NLP), text mining, auto-correlation maps, and bubble maps to conduct and present a robust analysis and explicit findings.
Findings
Using also the VOSviewer for density and network visualization, the results identify the predominant literature themes and, conversely, the relatively under-researched areas, and provide a more insightful collective interpretation of extant works, while laying the foundation for future research of greater value and significance to academia and industry.
Originality/value
This study transcends the partial and/or limited analyses and perspectives of extant literature to present scholars with the first comprehensive and long term meta-analysis or systematic study of print advertising, with explicit findings of both scholarly and executive worth.
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Sarah Dodds, Sandy L. Bulmer and Andrew J. Murphy
This paper aims to explore consumer experiences of spiritual value and investigates whether it is distinct from ethical value within a large and growing private sector health-care…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore consumer experiences of spiritual value and investigates whether it is distinct from ethical value within a large and growing private sector health-care setting. Understanding consumers’ experiences of spiritual value versus ethical value has important implications for corporate social responsibility as increasingly, consumers want their spiritual needs met.
Design/methodology/approach
The research adopts an exploratory case study approach using in-depth interviews with 16 consumers who use complementary and alternative medicine health-care services. Drawing on consumer value frameworks, a thematic analysis identified dimensions of spiritual and ethical values co-created during their consumption experiences.
Findings
From a consumer’s perspective, spiritual value is distinct from ethical value. The key finding is that participants talked about spiritual value predominantly in reactive terms (apprehending, appreciating, admiring or responding), whereas ethical value was referred to as active (taking action).
Research limitations/implications
This paper enhances the understanding of spiritual value and provides evidence that people want their spiritual needs met in a private health-care context. Furthermore, this study provides insights into the consumption experience of spiritual value that can be considered, with further research, in other health-care and service contexts.
Originality/value
This paper offers a new view on corporate social responsibility by taking a consumer’s perspective, and identifying that consumer experiences of spiritual value are important and distinct from ethical value.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore the routine, everyday experiences and attitudes people bring to cooking and eating and aims to compare the significance of such culinary…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the routine, everyday experiences and attitudes people bring to cooking and eating and aims to compare the significance of such culinary cultures to diets in France and Britain.
Design/methodology/approach
The initial phase of this qualitative, comparative research involved in-depth interviews with 13 French and 14 British citizens who were each asked to reflect upon foods eaten in the home, preparation methods and issues surrounding dietary practices and culinary cultures. The next phase of the research asked “experts” working within the field to reflect and elaborate upon the initial findings and in total ten French and nine British “experts” were interviewed.
Findings
The results reveal how to a greater extent French respondents relied upon raw ingredients from which they more regularly prepared “traditional”, structured and commensal meal occasions. Such a food model remains a significant part of everyday life and culinary cultures in France support the consumption of a relatively healthy diet unlike in Britain.
Research limitations/implications
This is a small exploratory study based on a limited number of respondents. Further research would benefit from observing what people actually do rather than relying on what people say they do.
Practical implications
Those responsible for promoting healthier diets need to further prioritise the significance of culinary cultures to cooking practices and diet.
Originality/value
While the influence of domestic cooking practices on food intake has received some scholarly attention, this paper presents a more holistic insight into how culinary cultures can play a significant mediating role on diets more generally.
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