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Article
Publication date: 11 January 2024

Mohd Syahidan Zainal Abidin, Mahani Mokhtar and Mahyuddin Arsat

Education for sustainable development (ESD) has gained significant attention, but integrating ESD into existing education systems is challenging. The study aims to explore the…

Abstract

Purpose

Education for sustainable development (ESD) has gained significant attention, but integrating ESD into existing education systems is challenging. The study aims to explore the challenges of ESD experienced by school leaders, focusing on the context of Malaysian schools.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a qualitative approach with a single-case study design. Eight school leaders involved in the Johor sustainable education action plan (JSEAP) were interviewed and analyzed. The study uses thematic analysis to identify the challenges and other causes associated with the implementation of ESD.

Findings

This study revealed that the school leaders perceived the ESD challenges at three levels. First, restriction to the standardized curriculum (systemic); second, resistance to change (organization) and third, awareness and readiness (individual). These themes stemmed from seven primary codes that school leaders encountered throughout the JSEAP program.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited to a case study of the chosen schools and cannot be extrapolated to a larger population.

Practical implications

The study benefits school leaders and educators concerned about ESD and its role in their schools and other academics interested in ESD.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to investigate ESD challenges in Malaysia. The novel discovery of the three levels of ESD challenges helps readers better understand the recent phenomenon of ESD implementation and compare it to other settings.

Details

Qualitative Research Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1443-9883

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 October 2023

Zuliana Mohd Zabidi, Zuraidah Abdullah and Bambang Sumintono

The purpose of this study is to explore mathematics teachers' collaboration within their professional learning communities (PLCs), and to gain insight into how the teachers…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore mathematics teachers' collaboration within their professional learning communities (PLCs), and to gain insight into how the teachers developed their collective efficacy through it to focus on improving student learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative approach, data were collected from three high-performing secondary schools, mainly through semi-structured in-depth interviews with the Heads of Mathematics Unit. For explication and triangulation purposes, focus group interviews with the mathematics teachers and students and document analysis were also conducted.

Findings

The findings indicate that PLCs were the vessel through which a culture of disciplined teacher collaboration was fostered. More importantly, this culture encouraged teachers to participate in reflective dialogues that became a driver for their learning, and eventually led to their changed professional practice for improved student learning. The collaborative setting within the PLCs allowed teachers to pool their resources, knowledge and individual expertise to identify their student learning focus, and administer and measure their student intervention strategies. This collaborative professional learning reduced professional isolation, and as a result, improved teachers' collective pursuit of professional growth to impact student outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The aim of this qualitative study was to provide a detailed description of the teachers' collaboration within their PLCs based on the researchers' interpretation of how the participants make sense of their PLC practices and experiences. Hence, findings are indicative, and not definitive. In addition, the Heads of the Mathematics Unit, and the mathematics teacher participants in this study illustrated salient aspects of subject subcultures, where their beliefs, norms and practices were non-generic, or specific only to their subject context. Therefore, the implications to practice were built from commonalities shared only among the mathematics units.

Originality/value

This is a study in a Malaysian context that provides empirical evidences that are concerned primarily with the process of teachers developing their collective efficacy through disciplined collaboration within their PLCs.

Details

Journal of Professional Capital and Community, vol. 8 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-9548

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 July 2023

Mohd Syahidan Zainal Abidin, Mahani Mokhtar and Mahyuddin Arsat

The issue of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has been on the rise in recent years, with concerns being raised by various stakeholders about its potential effects on…

Abstract

Purpose

The issue of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has been on the rise in recent years, with concerns being raised by various stakeholders about its potential effects on education and the environment. However, little research has been done into school leaders' fundamental challenges in addressing ESD.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, single-case study was embarked on to examine the experiences of Malaysian school leaders who actively engaged ESD in their schools. The data were collected by using semi-structured interviews among four school leaders in schools involved in Johor Sustainable Education Action Plan (JSEAP). A thematic analysis was used to understand the challenges and later drive the strategy used to overcome those challenges.

Findings

This preliminary study revealed that the principals perceived the ESD's four main challenges: encouraging positive thinking and passion, acquiring ESD knowledge, developing system thinking, and curriculum adaptation. Based on this study's findings, school leaders need to make concerted efforts to overcome these challenges, such as finding best practices, encompassing support systems, and exploring innovative partnerships to address ESD effectively in their schools.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited to a case analysis of the selected schools and cannot be generalized to a larger population.

Practical implications

The results of the study may be of interest to other school leaders and educators who are concerned about ESD and its role in their schools, as well as to other academics who are interested in the topic of ESD and the challenges faced by school leaders in implementing sustainable practices.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study investigating ESD challenges in the Malaysian context. The novel finding helps the readers understand the recent phenomena of ESD implementation better and, at the same time, compare it to other settings.

Details

Asian Education and Development Studies, vol. 12 no. 2/3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-3162

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 September 2023

Chee Hua Chin, Siew Chen Sim, Jun Zhou Thong and Ying Sin Chin

This study aims to address existing gaps in the literature and theories by investigating the influence of responsible leadership traits on employees’ sustainable performance…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to address existing gaps in the literature and theories by investigating the influence of responsible leadership traits on employees’ sustainable performance (E-SuPer) in the Malaysian service sector. Specifically, the authors focus on three key responsible leadership traits: relationship building, relational governance and sharing orientation. Additionally, the authors explore how these traits interact with leader-member exchange (LMX) and whether gender plays a role in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 235 usable responses were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Multi-group analysis (MGA) was employed to examine the moderating impact of gender.

Findings

The results showed that both relationship building and relational governance significantly affect E-SuPer among organisations in the service industry. LMX was found to be a significant moderating condition influencing the association between responsible leaders’ sharing orientation and E-SuPer. Interestingly, the MGA results suggest that the effect on male employees was greater than on female employees across the relationships examined. The findings suggest that responsible leadership traits are essential for sustainable employee performance, but there is room for improvement in how these traits are perceived by female employees.

Social implications

The present study contributes to gender equality agenda, supports the sustainable development goals, adds to the growing body of knowledge on the relationship between responsible leadership traits and E-SuPer within one of the most important economic sectors in Malaysia and sheds lights on the moderating effect of LMX.

Originality/value

This study investigates how responsible leadership traits affect E-SuPer in the service industry, particularly among male and female employees. Moreover, this study is one of the early investigations into the significance of responsible leadership within Malaysian service sector and offers valuable information for industry actors to improve their management approaches.

Details

Journal of Global Responsibility, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2041-2568

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 11 December 2023

Rose Cardarelli

Educating students during emergencies is no longer an occasional occurrence; it has become a common scenario due to mass migration, conflict, poverty, health crises, and climate…

Abstract

Educating students during emergencies is no longer an occasional occurrence; it has become a common scenario due to mass migration, conflict, poverty, health crises, and climate changes. Educating all students worldwide, migrants and refugees included, improves global security and economic viability, and should be the goal for all stakeholders. Using three illustrative case studies, this chapter provides an overview of the fundamental considerations for implementing learning support structures in uncertain and emergency circumstances. It outlines improvements needed to help educators meet today’s requirements for effective quality education during crisis, including overcoming issues with language, culture, curriculum, teacher training, and national and international policies. It also includes implications for higher education, calling for better approaches to address learning deficiencies, particularly given today’s protracted migrant circumstances.

Details

Higher Education in Emergencies: Best Practices and Benchmarking
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80117-379-7

Keywords

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 30 November 2023

Cameron Hauseman

Abstract

Details

The Emotional Life of School-Level Leaders
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-137-0

Article
Publication date: 8 August 2023

Aikaterini Balasi, George Iordanidis and Eleni Tsakiridou

To improve school organisational performance and innovativeness, and meet diverse student needs, school leaders should be innovative, risk-takers and proactive, thus applying…

Abstract

Purpose

To improve school organisational performance and innovativeness, and meet diverse student needs, school leaders should be innovative, risk-takers and proactive, thus applying entrepreneurial practices/strategies and market mechanisms. This study aims to investigate, from a schoolteacher's perspective, the degree of entrepreneurial leadership behaviour (ELB) applied by school principals in European primary schools. Given that school autonomy is perceived as an important predictor of leaders' entrepreneurship, this study investigates the impact of educational macro (autonomy and accountability) and micro (demographics) contexts on ELB by comparing centralised and decentralised European school systems with the highly centralised Greek school system.

Design/methodology/approach

This comparative study was conducted in Greece (630 participants) and in 14 European countries (972 participants). Thornberry's Entrepreneurial Leadership Questionnaire was used, comprising general entrepreneurial leader (GEL), miner (MIN), accelerator (ACC), explorer (EXP) and integrator (INT) behaviours.

Findings

The results revealed that ELB is a multi-dimensional concept, and that all participating teachers perceived ELB application moderately, with more focus on the internal (than external) school environment. Furthermore, the dual-directional macro-contextual influence found in applying ELB indicates that high school autonomy and accountability activate ELB owing to the school's freedom to engage in entrepreneurial ventures, while low autonomy/accountability still activates ELB, but only for organisational survival within hierarchical-bureaucratic school environments. This feature differentiates “intrapreneur/intrepreneur” from “entrepreneur” school principals.

Originality/value

The theoretical basis of entrepreneurial leadership (EL) in education should include entrepreneurial multi-dimensional leadership aspects (competencies, behaviours, skills) and educational context (macro and micro). Implications for school leadership research and practice are also discussed.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 37 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 February 2024

Chan Hum, Tae-Hee Choi, Sing-Kai Lo, Say Sok and Wai Mui Christina Yu

This study examines the management practices and alignment features needed to develop academic staff’s careers, mainly focusing on teaching competencies in the evolving landscape…

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines the management practices and alignment features needed to develop academic staff’s careers, mainly focusing on teaching competencies in the evolving landscape of Cambodian public universities.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple-case research design was adopted to collect data from interviews with 11 academic leaders and focus-group discussions (FGDs) with 13 academic teachers at two public universities in provincial Cambodia. A thematic approach was performed to code and analyse data to address the research questions.

Findings

This study found that the management of academic careers in the selected universities was hybrid, deregulating state control to relative institutional autonomy for contracted employees but rather centralised management for civil servants. However, weak institutional leadership and negligence in formulating comprehensive institutional guidelines for strategic human resource management (HRM) have caused misalignments of management practices to develop academic careers in the studied contexts.

Research limitations/implications

This case study limits its findings to two universities in provincial Cambodia. Nevertheless, this study adds to the scarce literature on the research topic in Cambodian public universities and opens a path for cross-institutional and national comparative studies on similar foci.

Originality/value

This is a ground-breaking study set in the evolving space of Cambodian public higher education, where attention to the research area remains limited.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 January 2023

Hafizah Abd-Mutalib, Che Zuriana Muhammad Jamil, Rapiah Mohamed and Siti Norfatin Afiqah Ismail

This study aims to explore the determinants of environmental knowledge sharing behaviour among accounting educators through the lens of an extended theory of planned behaviour…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the determinants of environmental knowledge sharing behaviour among accounting educators through the lens of an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB).

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 95 accounting educators responded to a questionnaire survey. The data comprising information on attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, possession of environmental knowledge and locus of control, as exogenous latent variables and intention to share and environmental knowledge sharing behaviour as endogenous latent variables, were analysed using the SmartPLS modelling technique. Besides the survey, interviews were conducted for triangulation purpose.

Findings

Except for subjective norm, all hypotheses are supported. The findings from the interviews reveal that environmental knowledge sharing activities have put educators in a peculiar position in terms of sharing environmental knowledge, as carrying out environmental activities has not been taken seriously and also seen as not the norm among the faculty members.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on accounting educators from five Malaysian public universities and deepens the understanding of their behaviour in sharing their environmental knowledge.

Practical implications

This study provides findings that can be useful for higher education institutions to strategize themselves in delivering environmental sustainability awareness in campus, which may enhance their efforts towards achieving sustainable development.

Social implications

This study provides findings that there is a need to inculcate environmental knowledge sharing among educators. Such knowledge sharing may generate good environmental norms, which may result in better environmental awareness.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by exploring the main determinants of accounting educators’ environmental knowledge sharing behaviour and extending the TPB by considering two additional variables.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 24 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 June 2022

Mohamad Ghozali Hassan, Muslim Diekola Akanmu, Pirabarkaran Ponniah, Kamal Imran Mohd Sharif, H.M. Belal and Adilah Othman

The aim of this study is to develop a framework for the implementation of a Supplier Kanban System.

694

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to develop a framework for the implementation of a Supplier Kanban System.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted within a factory focusing on the warehousing and supplier-related operations using an action research methodology.

Findings

The study period spanning over six years was aimed to reduce the inventory and the manpower required to manage this inventory. This initiative led to a substantial average savings of more than 500,000 Malaysian ringgit annually.

Research limitations/implications

The focus of the study is on a framework for implementing a Supplier Kanban System in a small or medium-sized company within the automotive industry.

Practical implications

This framework is designed to be self-sufficient such that the members of the organisation can use it without the help of external experts or consultants.

Social implications

Reduction in inventory stored in the warehouse, the amount of redundant work carried out by the employees and other non-monetary improvements which are difficult to monetise resulted in a much better work environment and happier employees.

Originality/value

The change in the paradigm of the manufacturing value chain affects the Tier 1 and 2 suppliers in Malaysia. The lines and value chains posing challenges to the suppliers have brought the idea of the Supplier Kanban System. The Supplier Kanban System adopted the action research cycles and continuous learning cycles, and this process was documented and developed as the Framework for the Implementation of a Supplier Kanban System.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 30 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

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