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1 – 10 of 572The purpose of this paper is to identify e‐skills shortages, gaps and mismatches in Europe, and the reasons behind these. In this light, the paper explores some key issues/aspects…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify e‐skills shortages, gaps and mismatches in Europe, and the reasons behind these. In this light, the paper explores some key issues/aspects related to development of e‐Skills, while attempting to provide some benchmarking tools by which European countries may be able to access their current and future challenges regarding e‐Skills.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper begins with an overview of the problem highlighted in the literature and then moves on to what has already been done to solve the problem in European countries. Several policy options are proposed which could be implemented to deal with the problems of shortages, gaps and mismatches of e‐Skills.
Findings
The paper presents recent developments in the field of e‐Skills and highlights the various dimensions/aspects and issues of e‐Skills in the European perspective and prescribes innovative policy options to solve the problems of e‐Skills shortage/gap/mismatch in Europe.
Practical implications
The paper presents a discussion and provides some policy options to solve the problems of e‐Skills shortage/gap/mismatch in Europe, which will be helpful for policy‐related discussions and in suitable policy formulations.
Originality/value
The paper provides a detailed analysis of the issues related to e‐Skill by a comprehensive survey of literature and the existing framework. It also prescribes some alternative ways to resolve the problems of e‐Skills shortage/gap/mismatch in Europe.
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Martijn Poel, Linda Kool and Annelieke van der Giessen
ICT is everywhere, but information society policy cannot address all the sectors and policy issues in which ICT plays a role. This paper's aim is to develop an analytical…
Abstract
Purpose
ICT is everywhere, but information society policy cannot address all the sectors and policy issues in which ICT plays a role. This paper's aim is to develop an analytical framework to assist policy makers in deciding on the priorities and coordination of information society policy.
Design/methodology/approach
The analytical framework is based on public management literature and innovation literature. The framework can be applied to individual ICT issues – when to lead, advise, explore or refrain from policy intervention. The framework consists of seven questions, including the rationale for intervention, stakeholders, the mandate of fellow policy makers (e.g. other ministries) and the costs, benefits and risks of intervention. The framework was applied in three cases.
Findings
A leading role for information society policy is most clear for e‐skills. For services innovation, several market failures and system failures appear to be relevant. This calls for a mix of policy instruments, with roles for several ministries. Policy coordination is crucial. For ICT in health sectors – and other public sectors – the conclusion is that information society policy can take the lead on cross‐cutting ICT issues such as privacy, standardisation and interoperability.
Originality/value
The article addresses one of the main challenges of information society policy: how to increase its scope, yet maintain effectiveness and coherence.
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Monica Raileanu Szeles and Mihaela Simionescu
The paper aims to provide comparative empirical evidence on young people neither in employment nor in education and training (NEET-youth) under the influence of the digital…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to provide comparative empirical evidence on young people neither in employment nor in education and training (NEET-youth) under the influence of the digital divide, education and sectoral growth across the EU regions, with a focus on the transition patterns followed over time by EU regions in bridging the digital divide and their specific implications on school-to-work transition (STWT).
Design/methodology/approach
Firstly, five variables on Internet usage activities are aggregated into an index of E-skills. Secondly, linear dynamic panel data regression models are used to explain the influence of various factors on regional rates of NEET-youth, with or without grouping regions upon the digital divide in relative terms.
Findings
Advanced digital literary skills are found to have a stronger effect on the STWT than the basic ones. The growth of employment in specific economic activities like “Information and Communication” enhances STWT, but only when considering regional differences in the digital divide and E-skills as well. However, the negative effect of deprivation and low educational attainments on STWT is offset by a low level of the regional digital divide. In addition, more R&D expenditure in higher education is necessary to compensate for the effect of the digital divide on the STWT.
Practical implications
On brief, the policy implications are twofold. Firstly, regions will need to focus more on reducing the digital divide, because it will not only generate positive effects for STWT but will also enhance the positive impact of education and sectoral growth on STWT and even compensate for their low progress. Secondly, in the context of the EU single market, to better address the situation of young people, regions should monitor the relative progress in bridging the digital divide and improving E-skills, with respect to the other EU regions. Improving the relative position on the EU map of E-skills increases the effectiveness of regional policies targeting the STWT.
Originality/value
The originality of the paper lies in the regional approach to the relationship between STWT and the digital divide, which allows us to derive new policy measures for the EU regions. Other innovative contributions rely on the identification of (1) transition patterns that region follow over time in improving STWT while bridging the digital divide and (2) policy measures addressing the NEETs in the context of the regional digital divide.
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This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.
Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.
Findings
The European Commission is looking towards an innovative, inclusive and dynamic Europe based on a knowledge‐based economy and society. European businesses need to be placed at the forefront of innovation to enhance business competitiveness; the employability and professional prospects of students, workers and the unemployed; and to support the social integration of those at the margins of civil society.
Practical implications
The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.
Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to digest format.
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Prinka Dogra and Aubid Hussain Parrey
Based on self-determination theory, the paper examines the employee’s innovative behaviour in a remote-working context. It explores the relationship between e-skill self-efficacy…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on self-determination theory, the paper examines the employee’s innovative behaviour in a remote-working context. It explores the relationship between e-skill self-efficacy (ESSE) in developing innovative behaviour (IB) to stay up with the rising rate of change through the mediating mechanism of employee resilience (ER) and considering organisational support (OS) as a potential moderator in these relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted empirical research tested on 298 remote workers from the Indian IT and Education industry. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) via Partial Least Squares (PLS) is the statistical methodology used.
Findings
The results identified that ER partially mediates the relationship between ESSE and IB. Further, for the direct effects, it was found that ESSE directly impacts ER and IB. Intriguingly, the moderating role adds depth to our understanding of predicting nuanced conditions under which ESSE and ER influence IB.
Originality/value
Due to organisational significance, IB is gaining increasing attention from scholars. There is a dearth of knowledge on how innovative behaviour can be stimulated at the individual level, despite the rising interest of academicians. Hence, this study bridges the gap and intends to analyse the theoretical model linking ESSE and IB mediated by ER and moderated by OS conducive to the future of remote work. Further, the findings add knowledge to the literature on contemporary remote working. It aids in designing, adopting and implementing policies and practices for the organisations that have (or will move) to remote and hybrid work settings.
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This article focuses on the Spanish labour market, and its primary objectives are to analyse the factors determining the ICTs usage at workplace, and examine how the workers'…
Abstract
Purpose
This article focuses on the Spanish labour market, and its primary objectives are to analyse the factors determining the ICTs usage at workplace, and examine how the workers' e-skills match with the job tasks requiring ICTs. Furthermore, it will explore whether doing ICTs training activities has a positive effect on the probability of carrying out appropriately the ICTs at work.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology applied is an ordered response model analysing how the workers' e-skills match with the knowledge required to the ICTs usage at the job. This econometric specification will control by the selection bias generated because not all employees use ICTs to perform the job tasks. Data are obtained from the Survey on Equipment and Use of ICTs in Households (ICTS-H Survey).
Findings
Educational attainment and the type of ICTs training are the most relevant variables to explain the ICTs usage and the quality of the job match.
Research limitations/implications
Data used are cross-sectional, and it excludes the possibility of observing how the workers' careers evolve depending on their ICTs training.
Practical implications
The methodology applied allows the authors to obtain the marginal effects to the variables explaining the probability of using ICTs at job, and how the workers' knowledge match with the e-skill required by the employers.
Social implications
The results are a source of information to policymakers about how workers face the introduction of ICTs in the labour market.
Originality/value
To the best of author's knowledge, the article's topic and its methodology are unprecedented in the economic literature and, specially, in the Spanish case.
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Juan-Francisco Martínez-Cerdá, Joan Torrent-Sellens and Inés González-González
The purpose of this paper is to prove that e-learning, in union with another variable, builds a statistically significant relationship for estimating improvements in employment…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to prove that e-learning, in union with another variable, builds a statistically significant relationship for estimating improvements in employment security, i.e., transition to employment of the same or higher job security as the previous year.
Design/methodology/approach
Using data from Eurostat 2007-2013 in 28 European countries, and after carrying out analysis of 261 regression models between the e-learning variable, along with another variable related to working conditions, education, or e-skills levels of citizens.
Findings
This study provides evidence about: there is a statistically significant relationship (p-value<0.05) between employment security (dependent variable), e-learning and another variable (independent variables) in 60.7 percent of 28 European countries analyzed (p-value<0.05 for at least one of these two independent variables); and there is a statistically significant relationship (p-value<0.05) in 75 percent of 28 countries (p-value<0.1 for at least one of these two independent variables). Consequently, a set with the minimum number of useful indicators for calculating the employment security is proposed: e-learning, labor transition, tertiary education, temporary employees, e-job search and e-skills.
Practical implications
Moreover, several similarities between studied countries are found, helping to formulate various recommendations based on complementarities between being an employee and using lifelong e-learning systems as a way for improving employment security.
Originality/value
This is one of the first studies to provide evidence of the relationship between e-learning and job security in Europe, in view of this, it should be considered as a key element and essential to any European policy related to work.
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Prinka Dogra, Aubid Hussain Parrey, Bhawna and Umair Akram
This study aims to integrate the social cognitive theory and flow theory to examine how e-skills self-efficacy (ESSE) and trust-building self-efficacy (TBSE) impact work-related…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to integrate the social cognitive theory and flow theory to examine how e-skills self-efficacy (ESSE) and trust-building self-efficacy (TBSE) impact work-related flow in remote work. It also explores how work-related flow (WOLF) mediates the connection between these factors and employee resilience (ER) in the context of the growing shift toward remote work.
Design/methodology/approach
The study tested an empirical mediation model with 535 remote workers from Indian organizations that adopted remote work either before or during the pandemic. Hypotheses were tested using Hayes’ PROCESS macro.
Findings
The study confirmed the direct influence of ESSE and TBSE on WOLF. Moreover, a mediation analysis demonstrated that WOLF significantly mediates the association linking ESSE, TBSE and ER.
Practical implications
This study, evaluating experienced remote employees in the quaternary sector, offers data-driven insights for informed organizational decisions. These findings aims to guide HR and training departments in formulating recruitment and training strategies, emphasizing digital skill development to enhance knowledge and skills effectively.
Originality/value
This study highlights the need for remote workers and organizations to be aware of the challenges of remote work. It is among the first to explore the link between ESSE, TBSE and ER, addressing psychological factor, i.e. WOLF, often overlooked in organizational contexts.
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There is an ongoing debate on the economic viability of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the emerging e‐economy. The centrality of ICTs in the current development…
Abstract
There is an ongoing debate on the economic viability of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the emerging e‐economy. The centrality of ICTs in the current development discourse, suggests that countries have little choice but to embrace ICTs as a pivotal element in their development strategy. As St. Lucia seeks to diversify its economy away from agriculture to a service‐based economy, it has become necessary to equip the next generation with the requisite e‐skills to help propel that country into the e‐age. The paper interrogates the socio‐economic implications of the relatively slow uptake of ICTs in secondary schools on the island.
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