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Book part
Publication date: 23 November 2022

Ai Tam Le

Academic values” is one of the most popular terms used in the higher education literature. But how do we study academic values? Besides autonomy, freedom, and collegiality, the …

Abstract

Academic values” is one of the most popular terms used in the higher education literature. But how do we study academic values? Besides autonomy, freedom, and collegiality, the “values” in “academic values” often remains implicit, leaving a conceptual gap in the literature. Moreover, autonomy, freedom, and collegiality may reflect the shared normative expectations as part of the value system of a profession, rather than the value orientation at the individual level. To examine the latter, this chapter proposes a conceptual framework adapted from the studies of work values in applied psychology. As a heuristic device, the academic work value framework consists of six ideal-typical value orientations belonging to three dimensions: work autonomy, social orientation, and value of knowledge. The framework's relevance and usefulness are evaluated by revisiting relevant literature on academic orientations. The result shows a spectrum of value positions in academic work, from the “old school” values to the “entrepreneurial” ones to the hybrid orientations. Overall, this framework provides a potential approach to operationalize the concept of academic values for empirical research. At the same time, as a heuristic device, it is open for reflection, critique, and further development.

Details

Theory and Method in Higher Education Research
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80455-385-5

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 March 2024

Richard Jaffu

The study determined the role of personal values in doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) students’ academic success in Tanzania. Specifically, it looked into the influence of openness to…

Abstract

Purpose

The study determined the role of personal values in doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) students’ academic success in Tanzania. Specifically, it looked into the influence of openness to change values, self-enhancement values and conservation values on Ph.D. students’ academic success.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a cross-sectional survey design, in which 200 Ph.D. students from Tanzanian universities were involved by responding to a questionnaire. The relationship between the variables was determined by using structural equation modeling, and testing of the measurement model was done by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Findings

The results indicate that personal values influence Ph.D. students’ academic success. Particularly, openness to change values have an ß value of 0.209 and p value of < 0.001, self-enhancement values have an ß of 0.173 and p-value of < 0.001 and conservation values have ß of 0.339 and p-value of < 0.001.

Practical implications

In the quest to improve Ph.D. students’ academic success, universities and Ph.D. students should foster openness to change values, self-enhancement values and conservation values in Ph.D. students.

Originality/value

The results of this study extend the use of the Schwartz theory of basic human values in explaining the academic success of Ph.D. students in Tanzanian universities. Past studies that applied this theory were based on secondary school and college students. Moreover, based on the author’s knowledge, this study is one of the early studies to systematically look into the role of personal values on Ph.D. students’ academic success. Thus, the study contributes to the existing literature on personal values and academic success because previous studies on this subject could not examine Ph.D. students’ success in isolation.

Details

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-7003

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 20 March 2024

Rosie MacLachlan

For researchers and sector agencies around the world, poor academic integrity is seen as a significant risk to universities (Bretag & Harper, 2017; QAA, 2020; TEQSA, 2019). Given…

Abstract

For researchers and sector agencies around the world, poor academic integrity is seen as a significant risk to universities (Bretag & Harper, 2017; QAA, 2020; TEQSA, 2019). Given the existential threat that acts of academic misconduct are deemed to pose to higher education, interest in ways of developing academic integrity is correspondingly high and often invokes the concept of values (Macfarlane et al., 2014; Morris, 2018). However, to ascribe to academic integrity, the status of a self-evident, perhaps universal, value of contemporary higher education is contentious on many levels. This chapter takes in turn three of the most common ways in which students and scholars infringe on the principles of academic integrity – plagiarism, collusion, and contract cheating – and explores what the prohibiting of each of these acts reveals about the values of contemporary higher education. It argues that, far from neutral or universal, the values of academic integrity appear both normative and culturally specific, promoting a particular conception of higher education which risks excluding large sections of the global population. To counter this, the notion of threshold values – borrowing from Meyer and Land's (2005) notion of the “threshold concept” – is proposed, identifying the development of shared values as crucial to ensuring that contemporary, globalized universities are inclusive and accessible spaces.

Details

Worldviews and Values in Higher Education
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80262-898-2

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Article
Publication date: 14 March 2016

Lok Boon Thian, Gazi Mahabubul Alam and Abdul Rahman Idris

Representing both “central university administration” and academics, deans are increasingly being confronted with the competing managerial and academic values. Being able to…

Abstract

Purpose

Representing both “central university administration” and academics, deans are increasingly being confronted with the competing managerial and academic values. Being able to manage the competing values is pivotal to the success of a dean. However, there is dearth of research studying this. Considering the for-profit private sector may face greater challenge in dealing with the competing values, the purpose of this paper is to understand how deans in the private sector have managed this.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study was conducted using two exemplar faculties of a private university in Malaysia as sample. The main sources of data are one-year field work which is supplemented by eight years’ archival data.

Findings

The findings show that sustainable deans have found a common ground between the competing values. The common ground aligns the central university administration, the deans and the academics, and contributes to the sustainability of the faculties and university.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to addressing the ever-increasing tension between managerial and academic values experienced by the mid-level academic management especially at the for-profit private higher education institutions. The insights of this study enrich the existing knowledge in the area of mid-level academic leadership.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

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Article
Publication date: 13 August 2008

Susan McKnight

This paper endeavours to provide answers to the following questions: Is there a correlation between what library customers value and the questions asked in benchmarking…

2414

Abstract

Purpose

This paper endeavours to provide answers to the following questions: Is there a correlation between what library customers value and the questions asked in benchmarking satisfaction surveys? Is there a core set of academic library customer values? Are there differences between what academic library customers value in Australia when compared to their counterparts in England? Do library customer values change over time?

Design/methodology/approach

The results of two similar university libraries' customer value discovery research are compared with each other, and also with the question set in the LibQUAL+™ survey. As the customer value discovery research was undertaken six years apart, the results are compared to see if there has been change over time.

Findings

Academic library customers identified a core set of values, and these values mapped reasonably well to the LibQUAL+™ instrument. However, there were unique value factors identified by the various customer segments that did not map. Some questions in LibQUAL+™ were more detailed in their exploration of library staff attributes than customers identified in their value proposition. Customers identify their values +without reference to library jargon.

Originality/value

The paper shows that customer value discovery and LibQUAL+™ are both valuable management tools that identify services and resources of importance to library customers.

Details

Library Management, vol. 29 no. 6/7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 9 August 2023

Sinyati Ndiango, Richard Jaffu and Neema P. Kumburu

The study aims to investigate how personal values (PVS) influence research self-efficacy (RSE) among academics in public universities in Tanzania.

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to investigate how personal values (PVS) influence research self-efficacy (RSE) among academics in public universities in Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional design was utilized by the study to gather data once through structured questionnaires administered to 247 academic staff from four public universities in Tanzania.

Findings

Generally, the results show that PVS positively and significantly influence RSE in universities. Specifically, OPC has β value of 0.284 and p < 0.001, SEFN has β = 0.352 and p < 0.001 and CONS has a β = 0.198 and p = 0.003.

Practical implications

University management should include PVS as among the criteria for recruitment of academic staff, as it determines their confidence in engaging in research.

Originality/value

The findings of this study broaden the applicability of Schwartz human values theory in Tanzania’s universities. Moreover, by carrying out empirical research on the influence of PVS on RSE in developing context such as Tanzania, the study contributes to the body of literature on PVS and RSE.

Details

LBS Journal of Management & Research, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0972-8031

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 18 July 2017

Rebecca Bloch, Gary Kleinman and Amanda Peterson

The purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive theory as to why academic research in accounting is said not to help practice.The authors (1) present a comprehensive…

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive theory as to why academic research in accounting is said not to help practice.

The authors (1) present a comprehensive literature review in the academic/practitioner gap arena, and (2) develop a theoretical background for it. Further, they identify (3) the different information needs of these groups using value group theory and (4) the inherent factors and personality traits that influence career choice. Next, they (5) evaluate the values of each subgroup. They then (6) theorize what types of accounting research would interest each. They argue that (7) individuals who enter the academy differ from those who enter practice, and (8) the socialization processes and the impact of the professional setting (practice or academe) on behaviors further the separation of academic research from practitioner needs.

This paper is theoretical. It suggests that bridging the gap will be difficult. The study is theoretical. The limitation is that it does not empirically test the relationships hypothesized. By providing a comprehensive model of factors underlying the gap, however, it can be a fruitful source of research ideas for years to come. The implications are that it will be difficult to bridge the gap between accounting practitioners and academics. Having a greater understanding of the causes of the gap, however, may be very useful in fostering thought as to how to overcome it.

Prior literature on the topic is largely atheoretical. This paper is the first to develop a broad theory of the gap.

Details

Parables, Myths and Risks
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78714-534-4

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2006

Philip Brey

This paper addresses social and ethical issues in computer‐mediated education, with a focus on higher education. It will be argued if computer‐mediated education is to be…

Abstract

This paper addresses social and ethical issues in computer‐mediated education, with a focus on higher education. It will be argued if computer‐mediated education is to be implemented in a socially and ethically sound way, four major social and ethical issues much be confronted. These are: (1) the issue of value transfer in higher education: can social, cultural and academic values be successfully transmitted in computer‐mediated education? (2) the issue of academic freedom: are computer‐mediated educational settings conducive for academic freedom or do they threaten to undermine it? (3) the issue of equality and diversity: does a reliance on computer networks in higher education foster equality and equity for students and does it promote diversity, or does it disadvantage certain social classes and force conformity? (4) the issue of ethical student and staff behaviour: What kinds of unethical behaviour by students and staff are made possible in computer‐mediated education, and what can be done against it? Existing studies relating to these four issues are examined and some tentative policy conclusions are drawn.

Details

Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, vol. 4 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-996X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 February 2024

Burhanuddin Burhanuddin, Francisco Ben, Achmad Supriyanto, Asep Sunandar, Sunarni Sunarni and Raden Bambang Sumarsono

The purpose of this study is to investigate (1) how organizational culture influence student academic behavior at universities in Indonesia; (2) if there is any difference between…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate (1) how organizational culture influence student academic behavior at universities in Indonesia; (2) if there is any difference between male and female students in perceiving elements of organizational culture and its effects on student academic behavior; and (3) if there is any difference among students from different university origin in perceiving elements of organizational culture and its effects on student academic behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a part of quantitative research with a prediction design involving survey questionnaire. Participants consist of 800 students as survey respondents that were selected purposively from six government universities of the specified cities in Indonesia. Measures are developed and validated through a confirmatory factor analysis. Data were analyzed using multivariate techniques and path analysis to examine effects of organizational culture types on student academic behavior.

Findings

Findings of this study indicate that in general organizational culture significantly influenced the growth of student academic behavior.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to public or government universities in Indonesia, that is why and the findings are not intended to generalize all universities in the world.

Practical implications

Leaders of the university organizations or units are suggested to improve their capacities in exploring the trend of organizational cultures, develop and adopt the cultures that contribute to the growth of student academic behavior.

Social implications

The study provides high valued insights for university organizations especially people involved in the process of university leadership and management on how they deal effectively with organizational situations including types organizational culture, and develop the cultures that contribute to the growth of student academic behavior.

Originality/value

The study adds to the theories of organizational culture and the growth of student academic behavior on campus. It provides broad insights on types of organizational culture used in universities and its effects on academic behaviors performed by students in campus environment.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 38 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 30 May 2023

Sinyati Ndiango, Neema P. Kumburu and Richard Jaffu

The major purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of openness to change on research publication in higher education institutions (HEI) in Tanzania.

Abstract

Purpose

The major purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of openness to change on research publication in higher education institutions (HEI) in Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

With a sample of 247 academics, a cross-sectional survey design was used and questionnaires were the primary data collection tool. The collected data were tested using mean and standard deviations, and the causal–effect relationship between the independent and dependent variables was tested using simple linear regression.

Findings

The findings of this study revealed that openness to change positively and significantly influence research publication in higher education (β = 0.598 and p < 0.001).

Practical implications

The study recommends that HEI should consider openness to change value as one among criteria for hiring academics as well as developing good programs that will help academics develop the academics' self-awareness with regard to what takes for one to be a productive researcher.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine the influence of openness to change as a personal value on academics’ research publication in Tanzanian HEI. In this instance, the study contributes to the existing literature on the influence of academics' personal values in terms of openness to change on research publication.

Details

LBS Journal of Management & Research, vol. 21 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0972-8031

Keywords

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