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Article
Publication date: 21 August 2024

Zelda S. Bisschoff and Liezel Massyn

The paper aims to close a literature gap by proposing a comprehensive conceptual soft skills competency framework for enhancing graduate intern employability through the…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to close a literature gap by proposing a comprehensive conceptual soft skills competency framework for enhancing graduate intern employability through the cultivation of employability capital.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a theoretical inquiry and delved into the existing literature on employability, soft skills competencies and employability capital to establish a comprehensive foundation to formulate the conceptual framework. A content analysis of existing empirical studies was conducted to derive a generic list of employers’ required soft skills. A Delphi technique was employed to harness expert consensus and insights into the derived framework.

Findings

Employability capital can be cultivated in the setting of work-integrated learning programmes and synergised through emotional and social intelligence interventions to enhance soft skills competency and graduate employability.

Research limitations/implications

The soft skills identified may overlook other important skills required by employers. Increasing participation in the Delphi study could yield additional valuable insights. Validation of the framework is needed in practical settings to understand its effectiveness and applicability to real-world organisational needs.

Practical implications

This study significantly enhances understanding of the role of employability capital in soft skills competency development and graduate employability through work-integrated learning programs and self-development. In addition, the framework has the potential to positively impact the employer-employee relationship.

Originality/value

The key theoretical contribution is a soft skill development framework that offers employers and graduates a means to identify and address deficiencies through WIL and self-development.

Details

Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-3896

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 June 2024

Naman Sharma

This paper aims to investigate the extent of transgender (TG) inclusivity in workplaces, particularly comparing developed and developing economies. It seeks to address the social…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the extent of transgender (TG) inclusivity in workplaces, particularly comparing developed and developing economies. It seeks to address the social stigma faced by TG individuals in Asian economies, notably focusing on India. Through qualitative studies, the research identifies barriers hindering TG employment and proposes a theoretical framework to guide organizations in creating TG-inclusive work environments. The research intends to provide insights that enhance the experiences of TG employees while promoting diversity and inclusion in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This research comprises two qualitative studies aimed at first identifying barriers to TG employment through the lens of human resources (HR) professionals and then suggesting a theoretical framework to organizations for overcoming these barriers to achieve a TG-inclusive workplace. Thematic analysis, using Atlas.Ti software, and the interpretive structural modelling technique were used to synthesize a conceptual framework.

Findings

This study's outcomes highlight a substantial gap in achieving truly TG-inclusive workplaces, particularly in economies with prevalent social stigma like India. The findings show that traditional means may not be enough for building a TG-inclusive workplace, and organizations need to go the extra mile by promoting positive deviance and TG-centric corporate social responsibility initiatives to achieve results.

Originality/value

The results of this study provide insights for organizations seeking to improve the experiences of their TG employees and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The incorporation of HR professionals' insights offers a practical perspective, and the conceptual framework proposed for organizations to overcome TG employment barriers is a novel contribution.

Details

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1934-8835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 May 2024

Ling Luo, Hong Ji, Shu-Ning Chen and Xin Chen

The purpose of this study is to determine the competency characteristics required for the employment of master’s degree students in educational technology.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the competency characteristics required for the employment of master’s degree students in educational technology.

Design/methodology/approach

A combined qualitative and quantitative method was used to consult multiple experts through a modified Delphi method. Competency characteristics were extracted from Chinese recruitment apps, national recruitment websites and university training programs. Ten senior teacher experts who teach educational technology master’s students were consulted through a questionnaire consultation to validate the proposed competency model. The weights of competency characteristics were determined through a combination of the analytic hierarchy process and entropy method.

Findings

The results show that when recruiting educational technology master’s students, more emphasis is placed on operational skills. The majority of companies tend to assess practical abilities rather than theoretical knowledge. Relevant knowledge of educational technology, psychology, computer science and education is considered to be the basic knowledge components of educational technology master’s students, while professional skills are the core skills required for their positions. Therefore, universities need to focus on training, educational technology graduate students in these areas of competence. The study also found that professional qualities (such as physical and mental fitness) and personality traits (interpersonal communication and interaction) receive more attention from companies and are essential competencies for educational technology master’s students.

Originality/value

A competence model for educational technology master’s students is proposed, which includes aspects such as knowledge, personal skills/abilities, professional qualities and personality traits. The competence elements included in this model can serve as reference indicators for universities to cultivate the competence of educational technology master’s students, as well as reference points for recruiting units to help them select talents. This represents a new dimension in research related to the employment of educational technology master’s students. The study enriches the research objects and competence dictionary in the field of competence research.

Details

Education + Training, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0040-0912

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 March 2024

Sophie Louise Johnson

This systematic literature review presents the state of the field of fashion and crisis communication. The quantitative coding offers insight into dominant and emergent themes in…

Abstract

Purpose

This systematic literature review presents the state of the field of fashion and crisis communication. The quantitative coding offers insight into dominant and emergent themes in one of the most crisis-prone industries. This review also offers a framework for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a systematic literature review approach. 205 academic articles were gathered in total using the search term “fashion industry crisis”. Subsequently, they were quantitatively coded using the Diers-Lawson (2016) Crisis Communication Code Book.

Findings

Findings show an increase in the fashion industry crisis with clear emergent themes such as sustainability, emphasising the truly global and multidisciplinary nature of the industry. Findings also reveal a genuine lack of theoretical grounding, with over 80% of the articles coded using no crisis communication theory. The findings also suggest value co-creation ought to be a priority for this agenda moving forward, as it overlaps with emerging themes and is a practical tool and concept to support crisis prevention and management through an extension of the Stakeholder Relationship Model (SRM) Model.

Research limitations/implications

As a largely under-researched area in crisis communication, the findings present a new opportunity to explore fashion within its context and contribute. At this point, the research field is lacking, and there is room for theory testing and hypothesis building. The findings and themes from the research present a development of the original SRM model, SRM Val-Co.

Practical implications

As well as research implications, the proposed framework provides practical solutions for the future of the fashion industry.

Originality/value

As a largely under-researched area in crisis communication, the findings demonstrate a new opportunity to explore fashion within its context and contribute because there is a dearth of research and a lack of theoretical development. Therefore, the proposed framework provides practical solutions for the fashion industry’s future. The findings and themes from the research present a development of the original SRM model, SRM Val-Co.

Details

Corporate Communications: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-3289

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 February 2023

Mykola Riabchykov, Liudmyla Nazarchuk, Oksana Tkachuk and Victoria Stytsyuk

This paper aims to prove the expediency and effectiveness of magnetic textiles use obtained by adding nanopowder synthesized on the basis of oxides of divalent and trivalent iron…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to prove the expediency and effectiveness of magnetic textiles use obtained by adding nanopowder synthesized on the basis of oxides of divalent and trivalent iron oxides, taking into account bacteriostatic, magnetotherapeutic and compressive properties.

Design/methodology/approach

The research includes methods of synthesis of nanoelements of bivalent and trivalent iron, methods of the theory of elasticity for determining the pressure between compression clothing and a limb, methods of creating an annular magnetic field with determination of its voltage, methods of determining the growth dynamics of mold bacteria and methods of approximation of experimental data.

Findings

On the base of the determination of the forces arising from the interaction of magnetic nanotextiles with a magnetic field, the expediency of using these materials in the creation of compression clothing has been proven. An additional medical value of magnetic textiles is the bacteriostatic effect. The content of magnetic nanoelements in the textile composition of 0.2% almost completely suppresses mold infections

Research limitations/implications

Cotton samples with the addition of nanocomponents based on ferric and ferric oxides were studied.

Practical implications

Magnetotextile materials can be used in magnetotherapy, compression clothing, in textile products that provide bacteriostatic properties.

Originality/value

The use of magnetic textile materials is a perspective direction for the creation of medical textile products with complex properties.

Details

Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1560-6074

Keywords

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