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Book part
Publication date: 20 November 2023

Malakeh Itani

The chapter argues that implementing a professional writing program in universities can help students build expertise, confidence, and a strong professional portfolio that can…

Abstract

The chapter argues that implementing a professional writing program in universities can help students build expertise, confidence, and a strong professional portfolio that can advance their future careers to greater heights. This is achieved through a curriculum directly connected to the industry of the students' disciplines, expert instructors providing extensive feedback, and tips to transform ideas and knowledge into professional writing pieces. Additionally, the chapter highlights the importance of students gaining a comprehensive understanding of communication, being aware of the benefits of professional writing, and having hands-on experience through active engagement in the learning process to improve their craft. The chapter emphasizes that transformative learning implemented through strong writing and communication skills are highly valued by all industries seeking job candidates.

Finally, the chapter provides a strategy for improving students' employability by implementing a professional writing program in universities, which is based on the understanding of the changing career demands and the importance of communication and writing skills in all industries seeking job candidates.

Details

Active and Transformative Learning in STEAM Disciplines
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-619-1

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 October 2023

Tapas Bantha, Umakanta Nayak and Subhendu Kumar Mishra

This study aims to examine the association between workplace spirituality (WPS) and individual’s work engagement (WE) and also the mediating effect of individual’s psychological…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the association between workplace spirituality (WPS) and individual’s work engagement (WE) and also the mediating effect of individual’s psychological conditions [psychological meaningfulness (PSYM), psychological safety (PSYS) and psychological availability (PSYA)] on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Grounded on Kahn’s personal engagement theory, a model has been developed with WPS as an independent variable, individual’s psychological conditions (PSYM, PSYS and PSYA) as the mediators and individual’s WE as the dependent variable. Based on the online responses from 510 millennial employees working in Fortune 500 manufacturing and service industries operating in India, analysis has been undertaken using confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlation and PROCESS macro of Hayes (2017).

Findings

WPS has been noted to influence individual’s WE positively and there is a partial mediation of PSYM, PSYS and PSYA on this relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The present study is able to extend the scope of Kahn’s personal engagement theory.

Practical implications

Leaders and HR administrators can use the framework to ensure positive engagement levels for the millennial workforce. It will also help to reduce job dissatisfaction and burnouts at the workplace.

Originality/value

The present study contributes to understanding WE through the lens of WPS. It adds to the existing knowledge by explaining the mediation of the psychological conditions between spirituality and WE among millennials working in India. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study can be considered one of the first studies that has attempted to understand the role of WPS and psychological conditions on WE levels of millennials.

Details

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

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Article
Publication date: 20 March 2024

Ayesha Khatun, Vishal Singh and Akashdeep Joshi

Studies have so far focused on learning in organizations, factors affecting learning, learning effectiveness and so on but the concept of learning in a hybrid work arrangement is…

Abstract

Purpose

Studies have so far focused on learning in organizations, factors affecting learning, learning effectiveness and so on but the concept of learning in a hybrid work arrangement is yet unexplored. The purpose of this study is to measure the perception of faculty members in higher education institutions towards learning in a hybrid work arrangement and also to measure the differences of perception towards hybrid work arrangement based on employees’ gender and organization type.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was collected from a sample of 390 faculty members composing of Assistant Professors, Associate Professors and Professors, purposely chosen from two of the premier higher education institutions (one private and one public) located in Punjab, India. A self-structured questionnaire was administered to the faculty members who are working on a regular basis and have minimum of two years of work experience with the chosen university. For analysing the collected data exploratory factor analysis and other descriptive statistics have been applied.

Findings

The findings of the survey show that in terms of gender differences, it is the female employees who are more satisfied with different aspects of hybrid/remote work arrangement as compared to male employees. In regard to organizational differences in the perception towards learning in a hybrid work arrangement it is found that public university employees have a more positive attitude so far as individual factors are concerned, but in terms of organizational factors, it is the private university that is scoring better than the public university.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to only two higher education institutions, and its findings to be applicable in all higher education institutions, further studies may be required on a larger canvas. Future studies may be undertaken using advanced statistical tools like structural equation modelling to explore various variables associated with learning in a hybrid work arrangement.

Originality/value

Applicability of hybrid work arrangement is very high in higher education institutions and to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study which adds to the literature on perception of employees towards organizational learning in a hybrid work arrangement.

Details

The Learning Organization, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-6474

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Article
Publication date: 11 December 2023

Abhishek Gupta and Lalatendu Kesari Jena

This paper aims to introduce two draft concepts, spiritual self-managed teams and holacracy, as solutions for reducing the friction within neo-enterprises and the issues of…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce two draft concepts, spiritual self-managed teams and holacracy, as solutions for reducing the friction within neo-enterprises and the issues of hierarchical leadership dynamics and mindset present within orthodox organizations’ structures and communications and they help businesses to grow further, achieve their goals, and become self-sustainable.

Design/methodology/approach

To counter the popular maxim, “management and leadership are what cause many problems for organizations and its people,” the authors argue for six novel propositions constructed around the two draft concepts following a critical review and meta-analysis of notable business/leadership cases, presented in a narrative-based descriptive style.

Findings

This article presents a list of novel propositions for entrepreneurs, managers and researchers who may investigate further and possibly test it in organizations. The findings merit opening new frontiers for perceiving leadership, group dynamics and decision-making in organizations using spiritual ideas.

Originality/value

Adopting the paper’s content can benefit organizations’ management, efficiency and sustainability. Implementation of the two novel concepts – spiritual self-managed teams and holacracy – and their combination can significantly reduce friction within organizations’ structures and communications.

Article
Publication date: 6 October 2022

M. Azhar Hussain and Narjes Haj-Salem

This study aims to investigate whether perceptions about female workplace participation in a number of Arab countries has changed during or after the Arab Spring.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether perceptions about female workplace participation in a number of Arab countries has changed during or after the Arab Spring.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are from the representative harmonized cross-sectional World Values Survey. Descriptive measures and regression approaches are applied. Different dimensions of perceptions about female emancipation are presented, while also a composite index derived from these dimensions is analysed.

Findings

There was some change for the better (job and education gender equality), but not uniformly across countries, e.g. generally good development in Egypt and Iraq, but a standstill in Jordan, and backsliding was seen in Morocco. Applying the composite index of female emancipation using regressions confirm these results – even when male and female respondents are analysed separately.

Research limitations/implications

More Arab nations in the study would have been good such that the extent and consequences for an even larger part of the Arab world could be presented. Unfortunately, these data are not available. This implies that the representativeness of the results for the whole of the Arab world is perhaps reduced.

Practical implications

The results can inform policymakers and non-governmental organizations, etc., regarding areas where more focus is needed such that women’s rights will not merely be statements on paper but also mean that females are also emancipated in practice.

Originality/value

New evidence is presented based on comparable data for Arab nations analysing the possible effects of the Arab Spring on perceptions about female emancipation.

Details

Gender in Management: An International Journal , vol. 38 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2413

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Article
Publication date: 12 June 2023

John Muzam, Jacek Bendkowski, Pascal Muam Mah and Polycap Mudoh

The study discusses the importance of workplace learning in the current era of work and how organisations are shifting their focus toward employee learning and development. It…

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Abstract

Purpose

The study discusses the importance of workplace learning in the current era of work and how organisations are shifting their focus toward employee learning and development. It highlights the need for employees to continuously up-skill themselves to keep up with the demand for skills. The purpose of this study is to introduce a modern approach to evaluating workplace learning to promote and enhance better performance within the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

It introduces a deep modern learning approach called “behavior-oriented drive and influential functions of formal and informal learning”. The study also develops the concept of the “Study, Plan, Do, Check, and Act” framework to simulate practise and theory within and outside of work to allow continuous improvement, learning new workplace tools, and bridging digital transformation challenges. The study highlights that workplace learning occurs in a variety of contexts and uses various tools, which poses challenges for the design and development of technology that supports and analyses workplace learning.

Findings

Based on behaviour-orientated drive and influential functions for formal and informal learning, a grade of 6.54% days was registered for formal learning tools and 4.89% days for informal learning tools. From the statistics in this study, This study concluded that informal learning tools contribute more to the development of the workplace than formal learning. In informal learning, employees act autonomously at their own will and pace to obtain the required knowledge. The time to acquire knowledge through informal learning tools is shorter than in formal learning. Future relevant research should review more learning tools for formal and informal learning.

Practical implications

Modern workplace learning is a key tool for organisations to gain a competitive advantage. Learning based on formal training and development programs, informal learning and knowledge sharing influence the development of human capital resources.

Originality/value

The study combines social science and engineering approaches to enable non-engineers to pioneer execution of tasks and examine their performance based on the approach detailed in the results, methodology and discussion sections. It contributes to the field of learning organisations and organisational learning by exploring the learning processes of modern professionals. By investigating the learning practices and experiences of knowledge workers, this study seeks to identify the factors that promote or learn and the impact of learning on the workplace.

Details

The Learning Organization, vol. 30 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-6474

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Article
Publication date: 22 August 2022

Rabindra Kumar Pradhan, Kailash Jandu, Jayalaxmi Samal and Janaki Ballav Patnaik

Drawing on the positive activity model, this study aims to investigate the impact of workplace spirituality on the level of engagement shown by the teachers at higher education…

Abstract

Purpose

Drawing on the positive activity model, this study aims to investigate the impact of workplace spirituality on the level of engagement shown by the teachers at higher education institutions. This study also tries to explore if emotional intelligence acts as a mediator in the relationship between workplace spirituality and employee engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the purposive sampling technique, data were collected from the teachers (N = 287) teaching at various Indian educational institutions imparting tertiary education. The variables under study were measured using standardized instruments. The data were analyzed by means of Statistical Package for Social Sciences 20.0 and Analysis of Moment Structures software tools.

Findings

The findings generated from structural equation modeling analysis revealed that the teachers who practiced spirituality at their workplace were more engaged. Furthermore, emotional intelligence partially mediated this relationship.

Practical implications

This study underscores the importance of providing a spiritually conducive work milieu and nurturing emotional intelligence among the higher education teachers for better job outcomes.

Originality/value

This study offers insights into the mechanism linking spirituality at the workplace (a positive activity) and employee engagement (an indicator of well-being) in the context of higher education sector.

Details

International Journal of Ethics and Systems, vol. 39 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9369

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Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Megumi Ikeda

In recent years, scholars have questioned the linear relationship between challenge stressors and positive outcomes. Nevertheless, few studies have examined whether challenge…

Abstract

Purpose

In recent years, scholars have questioned the linear relationship between challenge stressors and positive outcomes. Nevertheless, few studies have examined whether challenge stressors and workplace learning outcomes have an inverse U-shaped relationship. Therefore, this study aims to determine whether challenge stressors have an inverse U-shaped relationship with workplace learning outcomes among young Japanese employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 1,257 individuals in two time periods through an internet survey and analyzed using regression analysis.

Findings

The findings suggest that challenge stressors have an inverse U-shaped relationship with workplace learning outcomes.

Practical implications

The relationship between challenge stressors and workplace learning outcomes is positive until a certain point and becomes negative after a certain point. Hence, when promoting learning outcomes among young employees, supervisors should be careful to avoid subjecting employees to very little or excessive amount of challenge stressors.

Originality/value

This study provides evidence supporting the assumption that the relationship between challenge stressors and positive outcomes has an inverted U-shape.

Details

Journal of Workplace Learning, vol. 35 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-5626

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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 27 September 2023

Tamara Vanessa Leiß and Andreas Rausch

This paper aims to examine the impact of problem-solving activities, emotional experiences and contextual and personal factors on learning from dealing with software-related…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of problem-solving activities, emotional experiences and contextual and personal factors on learning from dealing with software-related problems in everyday office work.

Design/methodology/approach

To measure the use of problem-solving activities, emotional experiences and the contextual factors of problem characteristics and learning in situ, a research diary was used. To measure team psychological safety (contextual factor) and personal factors, including the Big Five personality traits, occupational self-efficacy and technology self-efficacy, the authors administered a self-report questionnaire. In sum, 48 students from a software company in Germany recorded 240 diary entries during five working days. The data was analysed using multilevel analysis.

Findings

Results revealed that asking others and using information from the internet are positive predictors of self-perceived learning from a software-related problem, while experimenting, which was the most common activity, had a negative effect on learning. Guilt about the problem was positively related to learning while working in the office (as opposed to remote work), and feeling irritated/annoyed/angry showed a negative effect. Surprisingly, psychological safety had a negative effect on perceived learning.

Research limitations/implications

Major limitations of the study concern the convenience sample and the disregard for the sequence of the activities.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the limited empirical evidence on employees’ problem-solving activities and informal workplace learning in the software context. To overcome the shortcomings of previous studies using retrospective assessments and in-lab observations, this study uses the diary method to investigate in situ.

Details

Journal of Workplace Learning, vol. 35 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-5626

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2023

Tabea Augner, Carsten C. Schermuly and Franziska Jungmann

Today’s unpredictable and fast-changing work environment challenges researchers and organizations to rethink learning. In contrast to traditional learning designs, new learning…

Abstract

Purpose

Today’s unpredictable and fast-changing work environment challenges researchers and organizations to rethink learning. In contrast to traditional learning designs, new learning frameworks such as agile learning are more learner centered, integrated into the workplace and socially shaped. The purpose of this study is to examine Working Out Loud (WOL) as an agile learning method.

Design/methodology/approach

This intervention study used a pre–post and six-month follow-up design (N = 507) to evaluate the effects of WOL on learners’ vigor (affective outcome), WOL behavior (behavioral outcome) and psychological empowerment (cognitive outcome) at work.

Findings

The authors compared the three longitudinal measurements using multilevel modeling. Results revealed that WOL could significantly increase learners’ WOL behavior and psychological empowerment at work in the post and six-month follow-up measurements. No effect was found on learners’ vigor at work.

Originality/value

This study highlights the need for research on new, more agile learning frameworks and discusses their relevance to the literature. Agile learning frameworks enable learners to be more autonomous and flexible, allowing them to better adapt to changing environmental demands.

Details

Journal of Workplace Learning, vol. 36 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-5626

Keywords

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