Using signals to evaluate the teaching quality of MBA faculty members

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Dinh Tho

Purpose Realizing the role of signals in the evaluation of teaching quality as well as the advantage of a set-theoretic approach to education research, the purpose of this paper is to employ a signaling framework and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to configure the roles of signal quality, including signal consistency, signal clarity, signal credibility and teaching investment in the teaching quality of Master of Business Administration (MBA) faculty members. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 342 MBA students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam was surveyed to collect the data. fsQCA was employed to configure the conditions – signal consistency, signal clarity, signal credibility and teaching investment – for the occurrence of teaching quality, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the net effects of these conditions on teaching quality. Findings fsQCA findings reveal that teaching investment combines with signal clarity, signal consistency and signal credibility to form sufficient conditions for the occurrence of teaching quality. SEM results confirm the net effects of these conditions on teaching quality. Practical implications This study suggests that MBA faculty members should invest in their teaching and send clear, consistent and credible signals to their students in order to enhance their teaching quality perceived by their students. Originality/value The application of signaling theory to evaluate teaching quality, which has largely been ignored in prior research, and the use of fsQCA to better understand the complexity of necessary and sufficient conditions for teaching quality are two contributions of this study to the literature.

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 609-632
Author(s):  
Debarun Chakraborty ◽  
Wendrila Biswas

Purpose Research and development pursuits have always been an integral part of a teacher’s professional development. Today, the higher educational institutes (HEIs) are chiefly prioritizing and providing a sustained support toward research-based and research-oriented learning. But as revealed by the broad outlines of the entire scenario, a fall in research productivity and developmental attempts is witnessed among the faculties of higher educational establishments. To put it succinctly, the motivating aspects that reinforce such activities are not adequately taken care of and have thwarted their progression. The purpose of this paper is to delve deep and explore the factors that inspire teachers toward an enriched research and learning, which equally gets reflected in their teaching practices. Design/methodology/approach This is a descriptive research with a cross-sectional survey on faculties from different HEIs of West Bengal. A questionnaire has been designed with a five-point Likert scale to draw the primary data. Convenience sampling technique has been utilized. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis have been performed with structural equation modeling on the hypothesized research model through AMOS. Findings The major findings of the research have revealed that improved research and development activities of faculties had an immense impact on their teaching quality. The level and accessibility of infrastructure posits a strong influence in augmenting a teacher’s research and developmental endeavors. Working climate influences teachers’ research activities as well their teaching adroitness. Research limitations/implications Results may vary when an extensive study is conducted on teachers of HEIs of two or more states or of the country as a whole. Suppression of the real underlying facts by few respondents may affect the result to a small extent. Practical implications When faculties orient themselves toward research intensive learning and teaching, the students actively get involved in a platform of greater interaction. It elevates their persistence level, intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and cognitive skills. Research-based teaching is also instrumental in honing their analytical skills, promoting creativity. Originality/value The study identified a vital role of the higher education institutes in motivating the faculties toward research-based teaching. There is a dearth of empirical research in identifying the factors that enrich the learning patterns and research activities of the teachers. Thus, it can prove to be a constructive study if implemented.


2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 219-246
Author(s):  
Ruwan Bandara ◽  
Mario Fernando ◽  
Shahriar Akter

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine privacy issues in the e-commerce context from a power-responsibility equilibrium theory (PRE) perspective. Design/methodology/approach The data was collected using an online survey (n = 335) from online shopping consumers. This study used partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) techniques to empirically examine the proposed relationships. Findings A lack of corporate privacy responsibility and regulatory protection can deprive consumers of privacy empowerment and damage consumer trust to trigger privacy concerns and subsequent defensive responses. Also, the fsQCA revealed five causal configurations to explain high consumer defensive behaviours. Research limitations/implications This study identifies the importance of PRE theory in the privacy context. Consumer privacy concerns, privacy empowerment and trust are established as strong mediators between corporate/regulatory privacy protection efforts and consumer backlash. The application of fsQCA verified that consumer privacy behaviour can be better explained by different configurations of the same causal antecedents. Practical implications The findings highlight the importance of increasing trust and privacy empowerment as mechanisms to manage privacy concerns and consumer backlash through responsible organisational and regulatory privacy protections. The importance of balancing power and responsibility dynamics for maintaining a healthy information exchange environment is identified. Originality/value This study extends the PRE framework of privacy to include corporate privacy responsibility, privacy empowerment and trust. This is one of the first studies to explore both antecedents and outcomes of privacy empowerment. Also, the application of complexity theory and fsQCA to explain consumers’ defensive responses is novel to the literature.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoleixa Asadi ◽  
Mohammadhiwa Abdekhoda ◽  
Haidar Nadrian

Purpose Applying cloud computing (CC) in education is a great opportunity to globalize knowledge with the minimum costs and maximum accessibility. This study aims to understand and predict teacher intention to use cloud commuting as infrastructure in Smart education. Design/methodology/approach This was a cross-sectional study in which faculty members’ perception concerning CC services adoption in education were assessed based on the extended model of theory of planned behavior, by researcher-developed questionnaire (a = 0.9). Collected data were analyzed by regression analysis and the final model was tested by structural equation modeling. Findings Attitude towards the behavior, perceived behavior control and privacy; had direct and significant associations with faculty members’ intention to use CC. However, subjective norms (p = 0.311) and security (p = 0.505 ) were not significant predictors of intention to use CC. Originality/value The results of this study elucidate the critical factors associated with teacher’s behavioral intentions toward CC services and also serve as a valuable reference for education sector to plan for the better use of these services. The presented model can be considered as best practice framework for adapting cloud commuting as infrastructure in education. Applying CC services in education is great opportunity and should be subsequently the major concern of educational organizations. This study clearly identified significant and non-significant factors that should be considered when successful implementation on could computing services is in progress.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 1907-1926
Author(s):  
Riadh Djafri ◽  
Mariana Mohamed Osman ◽  
Noor Suzilawati Rabe ◽  
Syafiee Shuid

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify, confirm and validate a model appropriate to capture the interrelationships between different variables to develop and improve social housing quality, adequacy, provision and residents’ quality of life (RQOL). Design/methodology/approach This research adopted a quantitative approach to examine the research objectives of this study. The proposed conceptual framework was tested using primary data collected from a survey of 418 residents of the new urban center of Hamla. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and exploratory factor analysis through SPSS. In addition, confirmatory factor analysis was performed using AMOS before validating the measurement model and testing the hypotheses through structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings The results of SEM indicated acceptable high goodness-of-fit indices. The results revealed that three out of six hypotheses were supported. Consequently, residential quality and housing adequacy appeared to have a vital role in the conceptual framework, as it influenced social housing provision and RQOL and was influenced by socio-economic characteristics. Practical implications The present study illustrates the interrelationships between the proposed variables using SEM analysis. In addition, by understanding the direct relationships between the selected variables, the findings would be useful for the concerned authorities to ameliorate and upgrade the social housing quality and adequacy along with surpassing the current shortage, which would enhance and contribute to the amelioration of the RQOL and throughout Algeria. Originality/value This paper aims to establish, examine, validate the relationships and develop a conceptual framework in the context of Algerian social housing that contributes to the assessment and amelioration of social housing.


2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Bassam Mahmoud ◽  
Bayan Khalifa

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to confirm the factorial structure of SERVPERF based on an exploration of its dimensionality among Syrian universities’ students. It also aimed at assessing the perceived service quality offered at these universities. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional survey was conducted targeting students at Syrian universities. Using a pilot sample of 40 students, the authors developed their hypotheses. Thereafter, based on a sample of 259 students, the hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling and one-sample t-test. Findings – The findings revealed that SERVPERF in the Syrian universities’ context was a three-factor instrument consisting of the three dimensions: faculty-individualized attention, support staff helpfulness, and support staff empathy. Moreover, the findings showed that students at Syrian universities hold negative perceptions toward all of the three service quality dimensions provided by their universities. Practical implications – Given the imperative need for universities to monitor and improve the quality of their services, this study can help Syrian universities’ administrations understand the perceptions of their students toward services offered, which can help them formulate effective marketing strategies. Originality/value – This paper came to be one of the first studies that attempted to assess the perceived quality of services offered through the Syrian higher education system. Additionally, this study pioneered through drawing a factorial picture for SERVPERF at the Syrian Arab context.


2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 384-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee-Joy Cheng ◽  
Chin-Chia Yeh ◽  
Seng-Lee Wong

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore consumer decision-making factors related to purchases of licensed merchandise, while focussing on how consumers’ identification with the 2009 World Games (WG), perceptions of quality and attitudes toward collecting, affect the decision-making model with regards to purchasing intention. Design/methodology/approach – The research model is based on the study of Kwak and Kang (2009), but also includes an assessment of consumers’ collecting attitudes. A purposive sampling method was adopted and data were collected from 1,985 valid samples via questionnaire surveys during the 2009 WG in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Structural equation modeling was used to test the decision-making model presented in this study. Findings – The results reveal that consumers’ intentions with respect to purchasing licensed merchandise are influenced most by their attitudes toward collecting, followed by the perceived quality of the merchandise. The findings also suggest that the greater the perceived quality of licensed merchandise, the more positive the consumer attitude toward collecting. Lastly, the study finds no direct effect between respondent WG identification and intention to purchase licensed merchandise. Research limitations/implications – An exploratory concept proposed in this study, WG identification, is quite different from either event or place identification. In this study, due to its influence on at least two other relationships, the effects of one's attitude toward collecting prove to be much more complicated than the previous literature suggests. Since all data were collected in Taiwan, the research findings may have been influenced by particular local cultural and political factors, and therefore might not be well informed by inferences drawn from western populations. Practical implications – It was found that emphasizing the collectability of licensed merchandise is the most effective strategy for increasing consumer purchasing intention and promoting sales of merchandise at similar international events and competitions. This finding should encourage those interested in increasing consumers’ purchasing intention to pay more attention to the importance of licensed commemorative merchandise. Originality/value – Due to a lack of first-hand data on the consumption of licensed merchandise at major international events and competitions, little direct empirical research has been done in Taiwan. This study is the first attempt to explore this issue.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Annette Smith ◽  
Andrea White-McNeil ◽  
Faizan Ali

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the students’ perceptions of an on-campus foodservice operation at an identified historically black college and university (HBCU) and its effect on their satisfaction and dining frequency. Design/methodology/approach A survey of 685 students was conducted to collect data. Partial least squares based structural equation modeling is used to test the proposed structural model with SmartPLS 3.0. Findings Results confirm that quality of food, ambience, value for money, food and beverage options and service quality have a positively significant impact on students’ overall satisfaction with the on-campus foodservice operation and dining frequency. As such, all the hypotheses are supported. Research limitations/implications These findings indicate that on-campus foodservice operators should focus on quality of food, ambience, value for money, food and beverage options and service quality to achieve student satisfaction. This in turn could positively impact the institution’s reputation, student retention and the marketability of the institution to future students. Originality/value This study would help on-campus foodservice operators to better understand the impact of the various elements of foodservice experience which will lead to students’ overall satisfaction and dining frequency, particularly in a HBCU setting.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Oliveira Jordao do Amaral ◽  
Minhyung Kang

PurposeThis research investigates the detailed mechanisms of how gamification affordances influence intrinsic and internalized extrinsic motivation and ultimately improve the quality and quantity of knowledge contribution.Design/methodology/approachSurvey responses from 154 users of Stack Overflow in Portuguese were analyzed by the partial least squares–structural equation modeling approach to validate the research model.FindingsChallenge and goal setting influence individuals to reach the flow state, which increases the quantity of knowledge contribution. Rewards enhance the quality of knowledge contribution through perceived self-worth. Social comparison increases perceived reputation, but its impact does not ultimately lead to knowledge contribution.Originality/valueThe current study differentiated types of motivation and dimensions of knowledge contribution when exploring the effects of gamification affordances. This perspective was proven helpful to understand the various gamification affordances' influence on knowledge contribution.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sri Astuti ◽  
Diki Rukmana

Purpose The covid-19 pandemic that hit the world has caused several changes in the higher education service sector, including the implementation of the undergraduate thesis examination, where direct interaction between students and examiners is avoided and replacing it with an online bachelor thesis exam. This study aims to develop a conceptual model regarding the variables that can affect student satisfaction with the quality of the implementation of online undergraduate thesis examinations in higher education. Design/methodology/approach The research instrument consisted of 22 survey questions distributed to 583 students taking the thesis trial examination in the even semester of 2019/2020 who came from 12 different study programs. Factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were conducted to analyze the validity of the instrument and test the hypothesis. The results of the analysis show that the 22 instrument items used have been determined by sufficient variables to check the structure of each. Findings SEM analysis results show that the three hypothesized variables (study program service, examiner performance and quality of video conference applications) positively and significantly affect the level of student satisfaction with the online undergraduate thesis examination 0.187, 0.177 and 0.177, respectively. The total effect of these three factors is 0.737. Research limitations/implications This finding is a reference for those who want to improve the quality of the online undergraduate thesis examination in higher education. Originality/value As the online thesis examination was implemented in higher education in Indonesia as a result of the implementation of the study and work at home policy by the Indonesian Ministry of Education, it is important to conduct research on the implementation of online thesis exams in Indonesia, especially to study the conceptual model of variables affect student satisfaction with the implementation of the online thesis exam. Because even though the implementation of online thesis exams on a large scale is new to some higher education in Indonesia.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Maria Correia Loureiro ◽  
Arnold Japutra ◽  
Sebastian Molinillo ◽  
Ricardo Godinho Bilro

Purpose This paper aims to explore tourist perceived value and attachment to intelligent voice assistants (IVAs) as antecedents of the quality of the human–IVA relationship in the hospitality domain. This research also examines the moderating role of psychological factors (self-esteem) and knowledge factors (past experience and technology expertise) in the relationships between antecedents and relationship quality. Design/methodology/approach The researchers conducted two quantitative studies, collecting data via online surveys in Mechanical Turk (n1 = 124 and n2 = 281). The proposed model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings The first study uncovers that tourist perceived value is the main influence on the quality of the relationship between tourists and IVAs. The second study confirms the direct relationships of the first and shows that self-esteem and technology expertise act as moderators. Practical implications This study advances the understanding of the tourism and hospitality stakeholders in using modern technologies (e.g. IVAs). Through comprehending the relationship building between individuals and IVAs, the stakeholders will be able to craft better strategies. Originality/value The study extends the attachment and social exchange theories to the tourist–IVA relationship context. Specifically, this research demonstrates the impact of tourist perceived value on the quality of the relationship with the IVA. It also points out that tourists’ self-esteem and technology expertise can weaken the tourist–IVA relationship.


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