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This study explores the perceptions of Australian employers regarding the benefits and challenges of micro-credentials within higher education and enablers of their effectiveness.

A qualitative approach that included 11 semi-structured interviews with employers affiliated with an Australian university was used. A deductive thematic approach was employed to analyse the data.

Micro-credentials were generally seen to be beneficial for an array of people, including employees, employers, customers and communities – stakeholders in all environmental layers of micro-credentials’ ecological system. Findings also indicated that both challenges of micro-credentials and enablers of their effectiveness depended heavily on attributes of learners, employers and higher education providers. The conclusion is that, based on the evidence of this study, micro-credentials within higher education are worth trialling.

Although research interest in micro-credentials is growing, few empirical studies have investigated micro-credentials’ benefits, challenges and enablers of effectiveness, especially from the perspective of employers. The study carries practical and policy implications for those involved with micro-credential research and development.

This design case serves to identify barriers to implementing a micro-credential initiative and describes how the institution in the case addresses them to provide strategies and lessons learned to practitioners at other institutions of higher education who may be designing a micro-credential initiative.

This design case traces a systems approach to designing a centralized and sustainable university micro-credential initiative. Sources include historical documents from the original working group, email-documented community feedback, current initiative communications, participant report, and frequency counts of micro-credentials awarded. This data is used to recount the design process and key decisions that led to revisions, or iterations, of the initiative's design.

The institution has seen rapid growth in the awarding of micro-credentials. Lessons learned included the need for thoughtful inclusion of stakeholders, selective terminology, a well-communicated attitude of iteration, repurposing of established tools and processes, and on-going support of academic faculty.

Like any design case, this study is not generalizable.

This paper provides a unique empirical account of the design, development, and implementation of a micro-credential initiative that functioned in tandem with, rather than in conflict with, shared governance and academic traditions at a higher education institution.

In view of the rapid growth of micro vacation trend in post-pandemic era, this study aims to identify the underlying motivational factors for micro vacation by developing and validating a measurement scale, while explore the influence of micro vacation motivation on travel intention.

This research adopts mixed methods. Nine dimensions with 38 items are initially yielded through extensive literature review and in-depth interview (n = 22). Expert panel review filters the scale into eight dimensions with 35 items. Principal component analysis (n = 376) purifies the measures into a 35-item and seven-dimension scale, further confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis (n = 616). Nomological validity test (n = 694) proved the positive effect of micro vacation motivation on travel intention.

The results present a measurement scale of micro vacation motivation and reveals its seven dimensions: self-presentation, spiritual satisfaction, bonding, convenience, sense of rituals, place attachment and perceived risk. All the motivational factors positively influence travel intention for a micro vacation.

Through profound comprehension of micro vacationers’ travel motivation, destination marketers and tourism providers can better design their products based on vacationers’ needs while stimulate potential market’s visiting intention by diverse marketing activities.

This study enriches the literature of micro vacation tourism and deepens the knowledge of travel motivation, filling the research gap of tourists’ motivation in micro vacation market.

鉴于疫情后时代微度假趋势的快速增长, 本研究旨在通过开发和验证测量量表来探索微度假的潜在动机因素, 同时探讨微度假动机对旅游意向的影响。

本研究采用混合方法。通过广泛的文献回顾和深度访谈（n = 22）, 初步得出九个维度 38 个题项。专家小组评审将量表筛选为八个维度, 共 35 个题项。主成分分析（n = 376）将其提纯为 35 个题项、七个维度的量表, 并通过确认性因子分析（n = 616）进一步确认。法则效度测试（n = 694）证明了微观度假动机对旅游意向的积极影响。

研究结果提出了微度假动机的测量量表, 并揭示了其七个维度：自我展示、精神满足、联系、便利、仪式感、地方依恋和感知风险。所有动机因素都会对微型度假的旅行意向产生积极影响。

本研究丰富了微度假旅游的文献, 加深了对旅游动机的认识, 填补了微度假市场中游客旅游动机的研究空白。

通过对微型度假者旅游动机的深刻理解, 旅游目的地营销者和旅游服务提供者可以更好地根据度假者的需求设计产品, 同时通过多样化的营销活动激发潜在市场的旅游意向。

Frente al rápido crecimiento de la tendencia a las microvacaciones en la era post pandemia, esta investigación pretende identificar los factores motivacionales subyacentes de las microvacaciones mediante el desarrollo y la validación de una escala de medición, así como analizar la influencia de la motivación de las microvacaciones en la intención de viajar.

Esta investigación adopta un método mixto. En primer lugar, se obtienen nueve dimensiones con 38 ítems a través de una amplia revisión bibliográfica y una entrevista en profundidad (n = 22). Un panel de expertos filtró la escala en ocho dimensiones con 35 ítems. El análisis de componentes principales (n = 376) depuró las medidas en una escala de 35 ítems y siete dimensiones, confirmada además por el análisis factorial confirmatorio (n = 616). La prueba de validez nomológica (n = 694) demostró el efecto positivo de la motivación microvacacional en la intención de viajar.

Los resultados presentan una escala de medición de la motivación para las microvacaciones y muestran sus siete dimensiones: autopresentación, satisfacción espiritual, vinculación, conveniencia, sentido de los rituales, apego al lugar y riesgo percibido. Todos los factores motivacionales influyen positivamente en la intención de viajar en microvacaciones.

Este estudio enriquece la literatura del turismo de microvacaciones y profundiza en el conocimiento de la motivación para viajar, llenando la laguna existente en la investigación de la motivación de los turistas en el mercado de las microvacaciones.

Mediante una comprensión profunda de la motivación de viaje de los microvacacionistas, los comercializadores de destinos y los proveedores turísticos pueden diseñar mejor sus productos basándose en las necesidades de los turistas, así como estimular la intención de visita del mercado potencial mediante diversas actividades de marketing.

Although climate change-related risks affect all stakeholders along the supply chain, the potential impact on small and micro-sized suppliers is incredibly excessive. The corresponding toll of these climate risk threats on the mental health and well-being of owners of small and micro-sized suppliers can adversely affect their participation in sustainability efforts, ultimately impacting the firm's performance. This often-overlooked dynamic forms the core of our research. We probe into two pivotal aspects: how industry dynamism and climate risk affect the mental health and well-being of owners of small and micro-sized suppliers and how, in turn, dictate involvement and, consequently, supply chain sustainability performance. This is further nuanced by the moderating role of the abusive behavior of buyers.

Our study is built on resource dependency theory and the supporting empirical evidence is fortified by a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design. This study comprises three phases. In the first phase, our experiment examines the effect of industry dynamism and climate risk exposure on sustainable supply chain management performance. Hypotheses H1a and H1b are tested in the first phase. The second phase involves using a survey and structural equation modeling to test the comprehensiveness of the model. Here, the relationship between industry dynamism, climate risk exposure, mental health and well-being of owners of small and micro-sized supplier firms, supplier involvement and sustainable supply chain management (H2–H7) is tested in the second phase. In the third phase, we adopt a qualitative approach to verify and provide descriptive explanations of phase two findings.

Our findings underscore the significance of small and micro-sized suppliers in sustainability, offering invaluable insights for both theoretical understanding and practical implementation. Our study highlights that buyers must allocate sufficient resources to support small and micro-sized supplier firms and collaborate closely to address climate change and its impacts.

The key takeaway from this study is that buyer firms should consider SDG 3, which focuses on the good health and well-being of their employees and the mental health and well-being of owners of small and micro-sized suppliers in their upstream supply chain. This approach enhances sustainability performance in supply chains.

This is one of the first studies that shows that industry dynamism and climate risk exposure can negatively impact small and micro-sized suppliers in the presence of a contextual element, i.e. abusive behavior of buyers, and ultimately, it negatively impacts sustainable supply chain performance dimensions.

This study examines the perceptions of human resource (HR) professionals regarding the use of micro-credentials in the job market. The research explores the role of micro-credentials as emerging credentials in job requirements, continuing education, soft skills acquisition, job application evaluation (JAE) processes, qualification preferences in recruitment, salary/pay scale determination and promotional opportunities.

A quantitative research methodology was used to collect data through questionnaires distributed to 124 HR professionals.

The study finds that HR professionals recognize the value of micro-credentials in enhancing a candidate’s resume and aligning with their career objectives, as they offer personalized skill-building opportunities. However, some recruiters question the legitimacy of micro-credentials, perceiving them as informal and questioning their practical transferability.

This study highlights the importance for HR professionals to remain updated on emerging trends, adapt to the changing dynamics of the professional workforce and incorporate this into their recruitment and promotion policies. It also emphasizes the need for further investigation into the legitimacy of micro-credentials and their impact on the job market and presents the potential benefits of their integration into HR practices.

This study aims to examine the impact of coworking spaces (CWS) on the wellbeing and entrepreneurial satisfaction of remotely working micro-entrepreneurs, highlighting the role of these spaces beyond conventional work locations. It specifically investigates how CWS foster a supportive ecosystem for micro-entrepreneurs, supporting their professional journey.

Employing a mixed-methodological approach, this study uses nearest-neighbor matching and multiple regressions based on quantitative surveys from a representative sample of micro-entrepreneurs, including those working from CWS, and a qualitative focus group with frequent CWS users. This comprehensive approach allows for a nuanced exploration of the impacts of CWS on micro-entrepreneurs' wellbeing and satisfaction.

The study finds that micro-entrepreneurs experience significant benefits from utilizing CWS, most notably in terms of wellbeing and work–life balance. These spaces provide valuable support through community building, networking opportunities and structured work environments. The benefits of CWS are particularly pronounced for women and micro-entrepreneurs with young children, aiding in boundary management and mitigating the challenges of social isolation.

We provide clear implications for remotely working micro-entrepreneurs, especially women with young children at home, on why to use CWS as their primary locations. The findings also offer insights for policymakers and CWS providers, underlining the importance of designing CWS environments that meet micro-entrepreneurs' diverse needs.

This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a detailed examination of the utilization of CWS among micro-entrepreneurs and the impact of CWS on their wellbeing and entrepreneurial satisfaction.

Of critical concern to the world is the need to reduce consumption and waste of natural resources. This study provides a multi-level exploration of the ways situational and transformational links between levels and challenges are related to the adoption and utilization of material flow cost accounting in Vietnam, to encourage green productivity.

Based on triangulation of public documents at different institutional levels and a set of semi-structured interviews, situational and transformational links and challenges for material flow cost accounting in Vietnam are examined using purposive and snowball sampling of key actors.

Using a multi-level framework the research identifies six situational and transformational barriers to implementation of material flow cost accounting and suggests opportunities to overcome these. The weakest links identified involve macro-to meso-situational and micro-to macro-transformational links. The paper highlights the dominance of meso-level institutions and lack of focus on micro transformation to cut waste and enable improvements in green productivity.

The paper identifies ways for companies in Vietnam to reduce unsustainability and enable transformation towards sustainable management and waste reduction.

The paper is the first to develop and use a multi-level/multi-time period framework to examine the take-up of material flow cost accounting to encourage transformation towards green productivity. Consideration of the Vietnamese case builds understanding of the challenges for achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 12, to help enable sustainable production and consumption patterns.

The focus of this chapter is on micro-credentials in higher education. In the current complex and fluid context, there is a demand for higher education providers to be able to respond with flexible and targeted provision of learning opportunities. Crafting micro-credentials, or disaggregating credentials, can be effective in reaching target audiences. For students, the availability of micro-credentials allows them to satisfy immediate learning needs. For industry, micro-credentials can provide elements of vocational training. On the other hand, it is a challenge to design micro-credentials that provide the cognitive perspective associated with higher education to ensure an appreciation of an associated body of knowledge or field of study. Further, education offered by universities and other higher education providers needs to have the potential to support the ongoing academic life of the institution, which is dependent on teaching being informed by research and current understandings in the field, and the research area being refreshed with talent with an appreciation of their field of study and associated bodies of knowledge. This, therefore, can be seen as something of an eco-system, which is dependent for its sustenance on learners acquiring more than fragments of knowledge or information. There are consequences for devising policies and procedures for the design, recognition, and provision of micro-credentials in higher education. Policies and procedures need to explicitly relate micro-credentials to the current and emerging understandings in an academic discipline or field of study. Academic standards that apply to offering credentials need to be maintained. Associated staff support and development is a requirement.

At the centre of Chapter 2 is higher education that places greater emphasis on lifelong learning journeys and equitable access to quality education at all stages of an individual's life and career. This chapter articulates the relevance of learning outcomes for both the world of work and for citizenship in a global and interconnected world. One way to operationalize this dual emphasis is through micro-credentials, which offer a flexible and modular way to learn new skills and knowledge. The chapter notes current challenges with implementing micro-credentials in a robust and quality assured manner, and suggests ways to overcome these.

Mentoring is a valuable support system for academics wishing to implement micro-credentials and contribute to the achievement of all sustainable development goals. Mentors can help nurture initial ideas, guide the design and delivery of micro-credentials and ensure that they are aligned with the needs of students and university external stakeholders. The dialogue included in this chapter illustrates a specific scenario at undergraduate level. There is, however, recognition that a broader range of contexts for micro-credentials exists, where mentoring can provide equally valuable support towards achieving desired goals.

With specific reference to mentoring, the chapter discusses ways in which mentoring relationships can develop and be maintained over time. It considers the impact that the setting in which mentoring meetings take place can have on the quality of the learning experience. Equally importantly, discussion touches on digital dimensions of mentoring – the metaverse as a setting and artificial intelligence complementing a real mentor or coach.

Proponents of micro-credentials envision them as vehicles for upskilling or re-skilling individuals. The study examines how integrating micro-credentials in the higher education ecosystem enhances employability. It aims to offer insights from the perspective of stakeholders who may benefit from these credentials at an institutional or individual level.

Online in-depth interviews are conducted with 65 participants from India, Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom to explore how micro-credentials can be a valuable addition to the higher education ecosystem. A multi-stakeholder approach is adopted to collect data.

The analysis highlights two possible methods of integrating micro-credentials into the higher education ecosystem. First, micro-credentials-driven courses can be offered using a blended approach that provides a flexible learning path. Second, there is also the possibility of wide-scale integration of micro-credentials as an outcome of standalone online programs. However, the effectiveness of such programs is driven by enablers like student profiles, standardization and the dynamics of the labor market. Finally, the study stipulates that micro-credentials can enhance employability.

The study's findings suggest that, for successful integration of micro-credentials, an operational understanding of micro-credentials, their enablers and strategic deliberation are critical in higher education. Institutions must identify the determinants, address technological limitations and select a suitable delivery mode to accelerate integration. However, micro-credentials can augment employability, considering the increasing emphasis on lifelong learning. An overview of the findings is presented through a comprehensive framework.