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1 – 10 of 101Monica Gallant and Pranab Kumar Pani
The aim of this paper is to explore the behavior pattern, perceptions, and motivations of students towards academic misconduct in a Business School with a view to mitigating its…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to explore the behavior pattern, perceptions, and motivations of students towards academic misconduct in a Business School with a view to mitigating its occurrence.
Design/methodology/approach
The survey was conducted among a batch of undergraduate students who responded to various dimensions of plagiarism through a structured questionnaire. Responses were measured on a Likert scale. Some non-parametric tests were done for statistical analysis.
Findings
From the perception of the prevalence of plagiarism committed by others, the authors found that the majority tend to believe that it happens in spite of the existence of preventive policies. Based on the findings, the authors conclude that the students who are more prone to cheating/plagiarism are male, with low grade point average, and are not on scholarship. Parental disapproval is found to be one of the dominant deterrent factors that have the potential to restrain unethical behavior.
Practical implications
The findings demonstrate that the managers of graduate programs should include parental roles in the deterrent mechanism to improve the quality of education.
Originality/value
Very little evidence exists about the perception of academic dishonesty among the students of a multicultural academic institution located in a middle-east country. There are not many studies that analyze the effectiveness of deterrents from a student’s perspective. In this paper, the authors have attempted to assess the value of various deterrents and their effectiveness as perceived by the students.
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Achutha Jois and Somnath Chakrabarti
The education services sector faces ever-changing global market dynamics with creative disruptions. Building knowledge brands can push the higher education sector beyond its…
Abstract
Purpose
The education services sector faces ever-changing global market dynamics with creative disruptions. Building knowledge brands can push the higher education sector beyond its geographical boundaries into the global arena. This study aims to identify key constructs, their theoretical background and dimensions that aid in building a global knowledge brand. The authors' research focuses on adapting and validating scales for global knowledge and education services brands from well-established academic literature.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors have adopted a mixed methodology approach and a systematic literature review. Authors interviewed 18 subject matter experts as part of content and face validity to arrive at select constructs, dimensions and items. Quantitative methods with random sampling were adopted as the primary methodology. Initially, the survey was administered to 390 students to test preliminary results. The survey was also administered to 5,112 students at a later part of this study. Valid responses stood at 3,244 with a 63% response rate. Further, the authors conducted confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to test the reliability and validity of scales. This study analyzed composite reliability, convergent validity and discriminant validity to finalize items for scales. The authors also validated the hypotheses based on the discriminant validity assessment scores.
Findings
Authors' key research findings are that academic stimulus, campus infrastructure and student intent play a significant role in campus culture and events design and experience at campus. Authors were able to bring out 16 key constructs and 55 critical dimensions vital to global education services brand building. This study also adapted and validated 99 items that meet construct validity and composite reliability criteria. This study also highlights that constructs such as student intent, academic stimulus, campus infrastructure scalability, selection mechanism, pedagogical content knowledge, brand identity, events experience and campus culture play a vital role in global brand recognition.
Research limitations/implications
The authors' work is fairly generalizable to education services and the higher education sector. However, this study must be extrapolated and empirically validated in other industry sectors. The research implications of this study are that it aided the authors in building theoretical background for student brand loyalty theory, student expectation theory and study loyalty theory. This study adds to the body of knowledge by contributing to theoretical concepts on students, knowledge culture, events, infrastructure and branding. Researchers can adopt the scales proposed in this study to build research models in higher education branding. This study acts as a catalyst for building theories in education services areas. Researchers can delve deep into proposed research aspects of campus infrastructure, knowledge infrastructure, campus knowledge culture, events design and events experience.
Practical implications
This study aids educators and brand managers to develop global education services and optimize their effort and budget. Administrators in the education services sector must focus on practical aspects of student perception, campus infrastructure, culture and events experience. Practically administrators can reorient their efforts based on this study to achieve global brand recognition.
Social implications
This study highlights that students are not customers but are co-creators of value in the education sector. This study provides scales and dimensions needed to build co-creation frameworks and models.
Originality/value
Most research in higher education branding has not covered wider aspects of global brand building. Existing theories proposed in higher education and education services articles cover only narrower aspects of campus infrastructure, culture, events design and branding. This study presents a comprehensive list of critical factors that play a vital role in global knowledge brand building. This study highlights the constructs and scales integral to building a global education services brand.
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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.
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Ayaz Ahmad Khan, Rongrong Yu, Tingting Liu, Ning Gu, James Walsh and Saeed Reza Mohandes
To incentivize innovation, support competitiveness, lower skill scarcities, and alleviate the housing affordability difficulty, proponents underscore the pertinence of embracing…
Abstract
Purpose
To incentivize innovation, support competitiveness, lower skill scarcities, and alleviate the housing affordability difficulty, proponents underscore the pertinence of embracing contemporary construction methodologies, with particular emphasis on volumetric modular construction (VMC) as a sustainable paradigm for production and consumption. However, construction industry stakeholders in Australia have encountered profound challenges in adopting VMC, as its adoption remains significantly low. Therefore, this study investigated the constraints that hinder VMC in the Australian construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews as a core approach to glean professional experts' perspectives and insights, along with Pareto and mean index score analyses.
Findings
The study identified 77 reported and validated VMC constraints by professionals, categorizing them into eight categories: cultural, economic, knowledge, market, regulatory, stakeholder, supply chain, and technological. The mean index score analysis reveals stakeholder (µ = 9.67) constraints are the most significant, followed by cultural (µ = 9.62) and regulatory (µ = 9.11) constraints. Pareto analysis revealed 25 of the 77 constraints as ‘vital few” among different categories. This study presented causal relationships and mitigation strategies for VMC constraints, followed by an argument on whether VMC adoption in Australia requires a nudge or mandate.
Practical implications
This study offers guidance for efficient resource allocation, aiding management and government policy formulation. It's also valuable for global audiences, especially countries transitioning to modular construction.
Originality/value
This is one of the first studies to identify VMC constraints and delineate them into different categories in Australia, identify their causal interrelationships, and deliver countermeasures to overcome them.
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Fahim Uz Zaman and Md Sajjad Hosain
The aim of this empirical study is to identify the relationship between student accommodation characteristics (SACs) and academic performance (AP). SACs, considered as the single…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this empirical study is to identify the relationship between student accommodation characteristics (SACs) and academic performance (AP). SACs, considered as the single independent variable, were divided into three further constructs: perceived location advantage (PLA), perceived facilities (PFs) and perceived safety and security (PSS). This study also intends to uncover the mediating role of perceived overall satisfaction (POS) over the direct relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a cross-sectional quantitative survey methodology to investigate the hypothesized relationships based on 384 sample responses (n) selected using purposive sampling techniques from six Scottish universities. The study used IBM SPSS version 29 and partial least squares-structural equation modeling version 4 for descriptive statistics and for testing the hypotheses, respectively.
Findings
Based on survey responses and the application of proper statistical measures, this study found that all three independent constructs (PLA, PFs and PSS) have a significant positive association with the dependent variable, AP. The mediator (POS) was also found to be positively correlated with AP. Furthermore, this study identified that POS can partially mediate all three direct relationships.
Originality/value
By extending and validating current theories such as satisfaction frameworks, student engagement models and servicescape psychology, this study can significantly advance the current state of the literature. It highlights how crucial holistic satisfaction can mediate the association between academic achievement and the features of student housing. The results provide theoretical justification for incorporating accommodations into planning and policy for education. Additionally, by emphasizing on the crucial elements that enhance students’ well-being and academic achievement, such as location, safety, aesthetics and extensive support services, the study offers significant management insights.
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Paul Cropper and Christopher Cowton
The accuracy of budgeting is important to fulfilling its various roles. The aim of this study is to examine perceptions of budgeting accuracy in UK universities and to identify…
Abstract
Purpose
The accuracy of budgeting is important to fulfilling its various roles. The aim of this study is to examine perceptions of budgeting accuracy in UK universities and to identify and understand the factors that influence them.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed methods research design comprising a questionnaire survey (84 responses, = 51.5%) and 42 semi-structured, qualitative interviews is employed.
Findings
The findings reveal that universities tend to be conservative in their budgeting, although previous financial difficulties, the attitude of the governing body and the need to convince lenders that finances are being managed competently might lead to a greater emphasis on a “realistic” rather than cautious budget. Stepwise multiple regression identified four significantly negative influences on perceived budgeting accuracy: the difficulty of forecasting student numbers; difficulties associated with allowing unspent balances to be carried forward; taking a relatively long time to prepare the budget; and the institution’s level of financial surplus. The interviews are drawn upon to both explain and elaborate on the statistical findings. Forecasting student numbers and associated fee income emerges as a particularly challenging and complex issue.
Research limitations/implications
Our regression analysis is cross-sectional and therefore based on correlations. Furthermore, the research could be developed by investigating the views of other parties as well as repeating the study in both the UK and overseas.
Practical implications
Implications for university management follow from the four factors identified as significant influences upon budget accuracy. These include involving the finance department in estimating student numbers, removing or controlling the carry forward of unspent funds, and reducing the length of the budget cycle.
Originality/value
The first study to examine the factors that influence the perceived accuracy of universities’ budgeting, this paper also advances understanding of budgeting accuracy more generally.
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Andrew Bradly, Marina Iskhakova and Dana L. Ott
The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the key risks and challenges of Short-Term Study Abroad (STSA), so higher education practitioners and global…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the key risks and challenges of Short-Term Study Abroad (STSA), so higher education practitioners and global mobility providers can design effective and safe STSA programmes. The Institute of International Education defines STSA as programmes of up to eight weeks in length, with this standard now widely accepted by both practitioners and scholars (Iskhakova and Bradly, 2022).
Design/methodology/approach
This study draws from a comprehensive review of STSA risks literature, cases of published “incidents”, “safety practices”, “risk lists” and examples by global mobility professionals. The paper also draws upon the extensive practical experiences that the authors have acquired through their management of risks while delivering numerous STSA international business programmes for undergraduate students across seven different global destinations (India, USA, UAE, Russia, Croatia, Slovenia and Vietnam).
Findings
Through the analysis, the authors identify 42 types of risks and challenges that may be encountered in the delivery of STSA programmes that we group into 12 categories.
Practical implications
The results serve as an effective guide for planning, designing and delivering effective and safe STSA programmes for global mobility practitioners worldwide. The authors also provide an agenda and specific directions for future research on the topic to global mobility scholars.
Originality/value
For those designing STSA programmes, an in-depth understanding of the nature and range of risks during study tours is needed, including how to ensure in-country experiences are safe for all participants while achieving the intended learning outcomes.
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Nitin Simha Vihari, Jesu Santiago, Mohit Yadav and Anugamini Priya Srivastava
An expatriate is a person living outside their native country and is physically mobile across international borders for professional or personal reasons, whether for a short or…
Abstract
Purpose
An expatriate is a person living outside their native country and is physically mobile across international borders for professional or personal reasons, whether for a short or long time, whether organizationally sponsored or not. In the competitive and globalized world, expatriation helps organizations to sustain international competition. Based on the social capital theory, performance theory and organizational support theory, this study aims to explore the impact of intraorganizational social capital (IOSC) and perceived organizational support (POS) on expatriate job performance (EJP) along with the intervening role of Islamic work ethics (IWE).
Design/methodology/approach
Data are collected from Expatriate employees working in UAE for at least three years among various knowledge-based industries. A total of 268 filled responses were received using the convenience sampling technique. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
The results indicate that POS and IOSC positively influence most EJP dimensions except demonstrating effect dimension and IWE acts as a partial mediator. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design, and the respondents are white color expatriates working in the knowledge-based industries across the United Arab Emirates. Various other business sectors, such as tourism, hospitality, manufacturing, oil and energy can be considered in the study context and longitudinal research designs can be adapted to generalize the findings.
Research limitations/implications
The study adopted a cross-sectional research design, and the respondents are white color expatriates working in the knowledge-based industries across the United Arab Emirates. Various other business sectors, such as tourism, hospitality, manufacturing, oil and energy, can be considered the study context and longitudinal research designs can be adopted to generalize the findings.
Practical implications
Human resource managers need to formulate their company policies so that a recruit is given orientation and training the existing workforce on the benefits of IWE, as it can be seen as developing employee morale and ethical behavior. Onboarding an expat from different regions is an expensive initiative for the organization. The organization should consider both tangible and intangible costs that go into the recruitment, selection and onboarding of an expat.
Originality/value
Very few studies have explored the role of IWE with a second-order EJP construct with the respondents from the knowledge-based industries of the UAE.
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Tomo Kawane, Bismark Adu-Gyamfi and Rajib Shaw
The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled higher educational institutions to implement alternative educational strategies that rely heavily on internet accessibility and utilisation to…
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled higher educational institutions to implement alternative educational strategies that rely heavily on internet accessibility and utilisation to monitor and evaluate students. This study aims to find certain indicators for planning and designing future courses of inclusive online education in the domain of disaster risk reduction (DRR).
Design/methodology/approach
The study reviews and analyses online teaching and learning experiences of DRR courses. It uses online surveys and interviews to derive the perspectives of selected students and educators in universities in Asia and the Pacific region.
Findings
Active engagement is considered to be achieved when students are active in chat boxes, through presentations, through assignments and when the video cameras of students are turned on. On the contrary, students perceive active engagement differently because they face emotional disturbances and health issues due to prolonged screen/digital device use, have inadequate information and communications technology infrastructure or have digital literacy deficiencies among others. The study finds that online courses have many sets of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, when they are balanced, they can improve DRR courses in the future.
Research limitations/implications
The study is based on the outcome of interviews with 10 experienced educators in DRR courses as well as students from different schools taking courses in DRR education. However, the students are not necessarily taking the courses of the educators interviewed due to the inability of some educators to avail themselves and the challenge of contacting the students. This notwithstanding, the results of this study give a general overview of the situation to be considered in the planning and design of online and distance education.
Social implications
The results do not reflect the reaction of students and tutors of the same course. Future studies of collecting and analyzing the responses from the students and the educators with the same course could provide tailored solutions.
Originality/value
This study attempts to find solutions to bridging two different perspectives on teaching and learning. The results would be important to strengthening and designing future online courses.
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Robin Jung-Cheng Chen, Sophia Shi-Huei Ho, Futao Huang and Ying-Yan Lu
The internationalization of higher education institutions (HEIs) is the top stage of international relations among universities, and it is no longer regarded as a goal but as a…
Abstract
Purpose
The internationalization of higher education institutions (HEIs) is the top stage of international relations among universities, and it is no longer regarded as a goal but as a means to improve the education of sustainability. As institutional commitments to internationalize higher education continue to grow, so does the need to critically consider the intended purposes and actual outcomes of the resulting programs and policies. This study aims to explore how institutional international policies influence outcomes of HEIs internationalization in the East Asian region, specifically in Taiwan and Japan.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used quantitative design. 3,158 participants, including 1,192 participants from Taiwan and 1,966 participants from Japan, were randomly recruited to complete the Academic Profession in the Knowledge Society (APIKS), an international survey examining the change in academic work in HEIs. The study adopted quantitative data and used two variables (institutional international policies and outcomes of internationalization) with descriptive, correlational, and moderated multiple hierarchical regression analysis with SPSS computer software to answer the research questions.
Findings
The study showed that both Taiwanese and Japanese academics have high agreements on the outcomes of internationalization for enhancing academic quality and increasing mobility of students. In both countries, two institutional international policies of HEIs internalization-- clear internationalization strategies and funding for faculty members to undertake research abroad-- can significantly influence the process of internationalization in the teaching-oriented and research-oriented HEIs respectively.
Originality/value
This study provides insight into the relationship between institutional international policies and the outcomes of HEIs internationalization in Taiwan and Japan. It provides university leaders with empirical evidence for implementing managerial strategies of internationalization that promote education for sustainability in HEIs.
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