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1 – 10 of over 2000Muhammad Sabbir Rahman, Aahad M Osmangani, Nuraihan Mat Daud and Fadi Abdel Muniem AbdelFattah
This paper aims to develop and combined an understanding of the antecedents of knowledge sharing behavior among the non-academic staff of different higher learning institutions in…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop and combined an understanding of the antecedents of knowledge sharing behavior among the non-academic staff of different higher learning institutions in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
The researchers tested the hypotheses from the survey data from the non-academic staff of different private and public higher learning institutions in Malaysia. This research also applied confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to examine the proposed hypothesis of this inquiry.
Findings
The results indicate that attitude and subjective norms both influence the staff knowledge sharing behavior significantly and positively. Additionally, this research also revealed that intention of knowledge sharing variable plays a substantial role as a mediating variable in those relationships.
Research limitations/implications
This research is a cross-sectional survey. As a result, the limited sample size in this study may affect the power of generalizability. Further research may prove the model across different times to respect the nature of the knowledge sharing behavior among the non-academic staff of higher learning institutions.
Practical implications
The results of this research clearly explain how academic institutions may proceed for knowledge sharing culture in their respective department by considering the variables used in this inquiry. If the office of any academic institution feels that the knowledge sharing among the non-academic staff is still low, they can utilize the factors as a tool to facilitate the advancement of the knowledge sharing environment in their respective sections.
Originality/value
Previous research primarily focuses on the knowledge sharing behavior of students and lectures ' perspective. This research minimizes the gap by including the non-academic staff of higher learning institutions. In summation, this research also examined the mediating role of knowledge sharing intention in the relationship between attitude, subjective norms and knowledge sharing behavior.
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Chrysanthi Bellou, Vassiliki Petreniti and Constantina Skanavis
This study aims to focus on the University of Aegean’s non-academic staff’s environmental sustainability attitudes and behavior both at work and at home, their perceptions for…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to focus on the University of Aegean’s non-academic staff’s environmental sustainability attitudes and behavior both at work and at home, their perceptions for sustainability enforcement and their active participation skills.
Design/methodology/approach
The research participants were the 101 non-academic staff working at the Xenia Hill campus in Lesvos island. The instrument used in this study was a questionnaire consisting of 45 questions, which was sent via e-mail during the summer of 2014.
Findings
The analysis of the results brings light on the environmental profile of the University’s non-academic staff on their intentions for greening their campus and the barriers that obstruct their attempts to promote sustainability at the University.
Originality/value
The paper provides useful insights which allow a better understanding of the role of non-academic staff’s environmental sustainability attitudes and behavior both at work and at home, their perceptions for sustainability enforcement and their active participation skills.
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Muhammad Sabbir Rahman, Aahad M Osmangani, Nuraihan Mat Daud, Abdul Hannan Chowdhury and Hasliza Hassan
This empirical research aims to, to add value in the existing research on knowledge sharing, investigate the antecedents of knowledge-sharing behaviour by embedding trust and…
Abstract
Purpose
This empirical research aims to, to add value in the existing research on knowledge sharing, investigate the antecedents of knowledge-sharing behaviour by embedding trust and workplace spirituality variable on non-academic staff from higher learning institution in Malaysia. The role of trust, perceived risk and workplace spirituality towards knowledge-sharing behaviour has attracted significant attention from researchers and practitioners to facilitate the culture of knowledge sharing in organization settings.
Design/methodology/approach
The units of analysis include non-academic staffs who are currently working in different higher learning institutions in Malaysia. Apart from descriptive study, this research applied confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling.
Findings
The result revealed that there is a strong relationship between workplace spirituality and knowledge-sharing behaviour. On the other hand, the perceived risk variables partially mediate the association between trust and knowledge-sharing behaviour.
Research limitations/implications
This research is a cross-sectional study. As a result, the limited sample size in this study may have an effect on the power of generalizability. Further research may be necessary to confirm the model across different industry to reveal the nature of the knowledge-sharing behaviour among the staff.
Practical implications
The findings from this research could help the policymakers and the respective authorities of higher learning institutions to create a knowledge-sharing culture that is needed to support knowledge sharing and knowledge management within the higher learning institutions.
Originality/value
This research not only adds value to knowledge-sharing literature but also used the variable like workplace spirituality under the context of Malaysian higher learning institution.
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Daniel Emojorho and Awhefe Adomi
This study is aimed at looking at the extent to which staff of Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria, are acquainted with and use information technology facilities for academic…
Abstract
Purpose
This study is aimed at looking at the extent to which staff of Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria, are acquainted with and use information technology facilities for academic pursuit.
Design/methodology/approach
The main instruments used for collecting data were questionnaires and interviews. Simple percentage was the statistical method employed.
Findings
Data gathered through the use of the questionnaire and interviews reveal that most of the staff are not only aware of the existence of information technology (IT) facilities, but also employ them to satisfy their academic desires. From the study, epileptic power supply was adjudged the worst problem encountered in the use of IT facilities, while other problems include high internet service charges, unreliable telecommunication infrastructure, internet traffic congestion due to limited bandwidth and unsatisfactory performance of internet service provider.
Originality/value
The study acts as an eye‐opener to the staff and management of Delta State University, those of institutions of higher learning in Nigeria as a whole, as well as the government of the day, as to the true state of affairs relative to how far and well we have advanced in the application of IT for developmental purposes in a world that has gone so far in it, and try as much as possible to bridge the gap.
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Nor Shahriza Abdul Karim, Ishaq Oyefolahan Oyebisi and Murni Mahmud
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the adoption and appropriation of mobile phone (MP) technologies by building on the technology appropriation theories. The paper also…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the adoption and appropriation of mobile phone (MP) technologies by building on the technology appropriation theories. The paper also looks into the choice of MP use through various attractors, the purposes of MP use and the extent of use of various MP applications and features by the targeted users. This paper also explores the influences of age, gender, and occupation type on MP appropriation.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper used a survey method in order to achieve the intended objectives. The staff (academic and non‐academic) and students of three academic faculties of a university in Malaysia were used as the study's population. A sample of 201 was selected and used for the purpose of this paper.
Findings
The result of the paper allows us to describe important elements of MP appropriation and explore the influence of individual characteristics such as gender, age and occupation on different patterns of MP use through our conceptualization of appropriation. It is found that all of the individual characteristics investigated were significantly related with the MP appropriation and use.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations in this paper are related to the ability of the result to be generalized to other user groups as well as other user groups at other institution of higher learning. More research needs to be conducted to ensure the robustness of the findings by comparing with other users.
Practical implications
The results of the paper are expected to assist in understanding the use of MPs across different ages and occupation and serve as a mechanism in guiding the development of MP applications and design by service providers and manufacturers, respectively; as well as in aiding policy formulation on MP use at the work place.
Originality/value
The paper has taken a different approach from the commonly applied IT adoption and acceptance model in understanding MP use. The rationale for the use of appropriation theory from the study can contribute to similar areas with similar types of technology applications.
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Idoya Ferrero-Ferrero, María Ángeles Fernández-Izquierdo, María Jesús Muñoz-Torres and Lucía Bellés-Colomer
The purpose of this study is to improve the understanding of stakeholder engagement in the context of sustainability reporting (SR) for higher education institutions (HEIs)…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to improve the understanding of stakeholder engagement in the context of sustainability reporting (SR) for higher education institutions (HEIs), together with the materiality principle and stakeholder expectations.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses an exploratory approach based on content analysis, a case study and descriptive and inferential statistics.
Findings
Three key findings come out of this research. First, the results indicate that HEIs use diverse criteria for grouping stakeholders and that stakeholder engagement is a heterogeneous process. Second, the expectations of internal stakeholders align with the material aspects of SR. Finally, among internal stakeholders, students and academics disagree on the prioritisation of some sustainability aspects, with non-academic staff adopting an intermediate position.
Practical implications
This analysis improves our knowledge of stakeholder engagement in HEIs. It helps to identify the relevant impacts of stakeholder engagement, enhances the quality of reporting and encourages a real dialogue with stakeholders.
Originality/value
The study examines stakeholder engagement and how the materiality principle is adopted by HEIs through SR. Furthermore, it compares these results with stakeholder expectations, considering the discrepancies between stakeholders. The results open the way to future research to explore the potential conflicts and collaborations between and within stakeholders to advance towards more sustainable institutions in the higher education sector.
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Based on a review of professional staff (PS), which includes research managers and administrators, in 54 academic publications, I propose a novel definition for this category of…
Abstract
Based on a review of professional staff (PS), which includes research managers and administrators, in 54 academic publications, I propose a novel definition for this category of staff: ‘degree holding university employees who are primarily responsible for developing, maintaining and changing the social, digital and physical infrastructures that enable education, research and knowledge exchange’. The proposed definition facilitates the development of new research questions that target the level of the organisational fields of higher education and science, to complement research on the university and individual levels. This view supports the study of the contributions of PS to higher education and science. I anticipate that such a broader focus will help to counter and nuance accounts of ‘administrative bloat’ by focusing on how PS as a group shape and are shaped by the organisational fields of higher education and science, rather than dismissing them as superfluous or parasitic.
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W.M.T.H. Wijesundara and R.A. Ranga Prabodanie
This study aimed to evaluate the relative efficiencies of the state universities in Sri Lanka from 2017 to 2019 and their capacity to enroll more students.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the relative efficiencies of the state universities in Sri Lanka from 2017 to 2019 and their capacity to enroll more students.
Design/methodology/approach
Data envelopment analysis (DEA) method was used to measure the relative efficiencies. Annual data on expenditure, academic staff, non-academic staff, student enrollments, graduate output and publications in indexed journals were used.
Findings
Results from both input oriented DEA and output oriented DEA showed that seven out of 15 (47%) state universities were constantly performing efficiently from 2017 to 2019. Well-established universities are apparently more efficient than emerging universities. Six universities were constantly inefficient. Excess staff and the deficiencies in enrollments, graduate output and publications were the main causes of the inefficiencies. In particular, the total enrollments can be increased by 23%.
Research limitations/implications
The outcomes are thoroughly based on DEA with a selected set of variables and data. Owing to the limitations in the DEA method, variables and data, the results may not reflect the actual efficiencies of the universities. However, this study indicates that the universities can improve their relative efficiencies by accommodating more students and increasing research output.
Originality/value
This study is the first proper investigation of the relative efficiencies of the state universities in Sri Lanka using DEA. This is also the first quantitative assessment of the capacity of Sri Lankan Universities to increase student enrollments.
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Case study research undertaken in Spring 2019 uncovered that only a small percentage of a university workforce were able to engage with a large, influential teaching regulation…
Abstract
Case study research undertaken in Spring 2019 uncovered that only a small percentage of a university workforce were able to engage with a large, influential teaching regulation. This “exclusivity” impacted on the relationships in the academic schools studied and by extension, the capacity that the regulation had to enhance teaching. Key findings included the regulatory agenda elevating the status of some workers while increasing the precariousness of others, an inability to agree on a local definition of excellence and general confusion, ambivalence and disdain surrounding structural and cultural changes.
This chapter uses the example of the English Teaching Excellence Framework, a relatively new centrally imposed quality framework, to explore “frontline” professional services staff as policy actors. This chapter will use the study’s findings to explore the complex identities, tensions, and workplace dynamics of staff working to implement regulation locally and provide a reflection of the case study methodology used to expose these findings. In its exploration of the complex reality of policy enactment, I hope to encourage institutions to consider local engagement with regulation by repositioning them within institutional discourse as opportunities rather than threats. This study should speak to those that are navigating HE governance and management to meet commanding central regulation.
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Although universities have been decentralized for academic freedom and autonomy, resources are being increasingly centralized, and the role of central administration is growing…
Abstract
Although universities have been decentralized for academic freedom and autonomy, resources are being increasingly centralized, and the role of central administration is growing for efficiency and excellence reasons. At the same time, a division of labor is progressing by assigning specific tasks to professionals. The professionals are also centrally managed. Educational development was introduced by central administration to cope with the massification and quality assurance of higher education. Although it played a great part in promoting educational reform, it also suffered from the rejection of academics and the lack of methodology. Unlike ITC service and student service, educational development touches the autonomy of academics and is always torn between the central administration and academics. This chapter analyzes the structural and cultural difficulty of educational development in Japan by tracing its historical development and by comparing to other countries.
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