Tutor and international student perspectives on an action research project: use of a business strategy simulation with mixed nationality cohorts

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive R. Kerridge ◽  
Colin Simpson
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Research Approach

Purpose This study aims to present the results of a curriculum design intervention, which was undertaken to address the inhibitors and enablers facing international (mainly Chinese) students on a capstone undergraduate strategic management module at a UK university business school. Design/methodology/approach Using an action research approach, the pre-intervention phase identified two main concerns: low levels of student engagement and avoidance of generic academic and language support. The module was subsequently redesigned around a group-based strategic business simulation (requiring collaborative participation of all students), with embedded language and academic support, plus the involvement of bilingual teaching staff. Findings Post-intervention results from the four-year study indicated enhanced academic engagement of international students and a narrowing of the performance (grade) gap between domestic and international students. Practical implications Overall findings should provide strong support for the inclusion of active learning pedagogies in undergraduate business course deliveries, also complementing educational literature that advocates the effectiveness of constructivist pedagogies in mixed-nationality classrooms. Originality/value This study exemplifies a form of participatory action research. The juxtaposition of comments from support and specialist tutors, along with those of students, highlights the validity of views from each stakeholder group.

Between mission and revenue: measuring performance in a hybrid organization

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Ponte ◽  
Caterina Pesci ◽  
Pier Franco Camussone
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Goals ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Organizational Mission ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hybrid Organization ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Measurement Tools

Purpose This paper aims to contribute to the literature concerning performance measurement tools which allow a balanced control of both social goals and financial performances in a hybrid organization. Design/methodology/approach This paper shows the result of an action research project performed within a hybrid organization in Northern Italy. The tool and the main indicators it should reflect were selected cooperating with the management and stakeholders, and the project was brought on by following Lewin’s (1947) three-stage approach (freezing, moving and, unfreezing). Findings The paper shows how a useful tool for measuring social and financial performances has to be driven by the stakeholders’ needs and has to take into consideration the organizational mission. Originality/value The paper contributes to the performance evaluation literature, as it focuses on a hybrid organization with an action research approach which contributes to bridging the gap between research and practice.

A collaborative action research project towards embedding ESD within the higher education curriculum

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 857-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisela Cebrián
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Collaborative Action Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collaborative Action ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to present a collaborative action research project conducted at the University of Southampton with the aim to promote curriculum and professional development in education for sustainable development (ESD) and learn from everyday practices of academics. Design/methodology/approach An action research approach guided by participatory and emancipatory approaches was used. An interdisciplinary group of five academic staff members from different subject areas (education; archaeology; electronics and computer sciences; biology; and health sciences) was created with the aim to support the group’s critical reflection and action towards embedding ESD in their teaching practice. Findings The main outcomes of delivery of sustainability teaching achieved through the project and evidences of the impact of the facilitator role are outlined. The facilitator role has enabled reflection and action, together with the identification of specific needs of academics and the factors influencing their engagement and action. Originality/value This research demonstrates the potential of using action research to rethink current practice in embedding ESD and to lead to new practices and actions of communities of practice. The facilitator role and second-order action research can contribute to better decision-making of sustainability as it questions practice, current assumptions and worldviews.

scholarly journals “First meetings”: constructive first encounters between pre-service teachers and their mentors

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-426
Author(s):  
Steve Connolly ◽  
Gareth Bates ◽  
James Shea
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Original Contribution ◽  
Minority Ethnic

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report the findings from an action research project in which the researchers sought to develop a set of questions for use by mentors (experienced teachers) and mentees (pre-service teachers) on a course of initial teacher education (ITE) when they first met – the “initial encounter”.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers used an action research approach in order to address the lower retention rate of pre-service teachers from different backgrounds, such as Black and Minority ethnic (BAME) and the issues around mentoring which may exacerbate this problem. Discussions between the course team and participating mentors and mentees suggested that the initial encounter between mentor and mentee was significant, and an action research methodology would allow for developing questions that might structure such encounters.FindingsThe researchers found that a useful and effective set of questions could be developed and used by mentors and mentees. Additionally, this process gave researchers insights into the nature of the first encounters between mentors and mentees on an ITE course and how both groups see their roles. In several cycles of action research, the participants produced a number of iterations of such questions, which were refined across a two-year period.Research limitations/implicationsWhile it is too early to tell if the issues leading to the lower retention rate of pre-service teachers that prompted the project have been reduced in any significant way, the researchers suggest that thinking about these initial encounters can have an impact on the way mentors and mentees go on to build a relationship.Originality/valueThe authors found that there is very little research in the field of teacher education which looks at initial encounters between mentors and mentees, and thus make an original contribution to the mentoring literature.

Evaluation of an action research project in workforce development and organisational change: Healthy Ageing—Nutrition

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwyneth M Jolley
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Organisational Change ◽  
Healthy Ageing ◽  
Evaluation Methodology ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Action Research Approach

This article reports on the evaluation of an action research project designed to support workforce development in the promotion of healthy nutrition for older people. The evaluation methodology was grounded by the action research approach of the project and focused on case studies of the 10 partner organisations. Findings indicate that the Healthy Ageing—Nutrition Project has resulted in a large increase in awareness and knowledge about healthy ageing and nutrition in the case study organisations, and to a lesser extent, in the broader health and aged care sectors. For the case study organisations it seems likely that transformational change has been made through the project's work of building capacity, mediating and facilitating change and providing resources. Support at board and management level, as well as thoughtful development of the workforce, were critical success factors in bringing about organisational change. The main challenge was identified as time and resources needed. Follow-up evaluation of the health outcomes from nutritional assessment, screening and intervention should also be implemented in order to provide further evidence of the value of this effort.

scholarly journals Intergenerational communication barriers and pitfalls of business families in transition—a qualitative action research approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 515-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Zehrer ◽  
Gabriela Leiß
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Change Process ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Communication Barriers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intergenerational Communication ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Action Research Approach

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the pertinent issues, barriers and pitfalls of intergenerational communication in business families during their leadership succession period.Design/methodology/approachBuilding on relational leadership theory, the paper makes use of an action research approach using a qualitative single case study to investigate communication barriers and pitfalls in business transition.FindingsThrough action research, interventions were taken in the underlying case, which increased the consciousness, as well as the personal and social competencies of the business family. Thus, business families stuck in ambivalent entanglement understand their underlying motives and needs within the change process, get into closer contact with their emotional barriers and communication hindrances, which is a prerequisite for any change, and break the succession iceberg phenomenon.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should undertake multiple case studies to validate and/or modify the qualitative methods used in this action research to increase the validity and generalizability of the findings.Practical implicationsGiven the large number of business families in transition, our study shows the beneficial effects action research might have on business families’ communication behavior along a change process. The findings might help other business families to understand the value of action research for such underlying challenges and decrease communication barriers.Originality/valueThis is one of the few studies to have addressed intergenerational communication of business families using an action research approach.

scholarly journals Visualization and establishment of product design regulations as interactive modules

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-34
Author(s):  
Mikael Blomé
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Production Process ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the preferable manner for visualizing different product regulations to be used in the training of and communication between people working at different levels in the production process. Many organizations struggle to communicate important and compulsory regulations, but the intended users are often reluctant to use them. Design/methodology/approach – The study has an action research approach, and the visualized regulations were the result of a human-centered design process that considered aspects for successful organizational change. Findings – The action research approach proved to be a successful framework to design the transformation of well-constructed illustrations in interactive guides, communicate and convince managers and users of the potential of the concept, develop a number of different well-functioning guides and establish regulations with illustrative elements and interactivity in a long-term perspective of an organization. Research limitations/implications – Further research is needed to follow-up the usage of visualized regulations to clarify how communication and quality are supported in design and production processes. Practical implications – The study shows how different product regulations should be visualized and established in an organization, with a potential for further dissemination. It is likely that the approach to design and visualize regulations in this study can function in other branches. Originality/value – The study finds a preferable manner for visualizing different product regulations to be used in the training of and communication between people working at different levels in the production process.

scholarly journals Meningkatkan Keterampilan Mengajar Guru Bidang Studi Agama Melalui Pembimbingan Dan Praktek Mengajar

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Alhafif Syahputra
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Religious Studies ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Teaching Skills ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Traditional Lecture ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Poor Teaching

Teachers in the field of Religious Studies have poor teaching skills. Teachers are always given instruction in the traditional lecture format, which is not accompanied by any teaching techniques. Through mentoring and teaching methods, this project intends to strengthen the teaching skills of Religious Studies teachers at MTsN Pematangsiantar. This research uses a school action research approach, research was undertaken at MTsN Pematangsiantar with a total of 15 teachers involved, and it is a school action research project. The findings revealed that 1) the mean value of teacher teaching skills increased significantly, 2) the mean value of teacher teaching skills in Pre-cycle was 112,00, and the mean value of teacher teaching skills in Cycle I increased to 220,47, and 3) the mean value of teacher teaching skills in Cycle II increased to 253,40.

Radicalising Community Development within Social Work through Popular Education—A Participatory Action Research Project

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 2207-2225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Westoby ◽  
Athena Lathouras ◽  
Lynda Shevellar
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Community Development ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Action Learning ◽  
Popular Education ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Action Research Approach

AbstractThis article reports upon the efforts of three social work/social science academics in partnership with social and community practitioners, at radicalising community development (CD) within social work. The project was motivated by painful political events and processes unfolding around the world in 2017 and led to the design of a participatory action research approach with thirty-three practitioners. Engaging in several cycles of research (pre- and post questionnaires, observation, focus groups and interviews) and action learning (a popular education knowledge exchange day, a community of practice day and prototyping new projects) several new initiatives were implemented, including the formation of a new Popular Education Network. Reflections and discussion consider the implications of radicalising CD within social worker practice through combining education, organising and linking to progressive social movements. The article overall makes the case that popular education could be a crucial element in enabling the radicalisation of CD within social work.

Stuck in the GeM Jam

2021 ◽  
pp. 118-134
Author(s):  
Jia Ying Chia ◽  
Shenn Ni Chow ◽  
Fang Li ◽  
Patricia Kar Wai Ng ◽  
Christian Kahl
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Work Experiences ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Industrial Training ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Klang Valley

In this chapter, the researchers present the results of the action research project. The GeM (Future General Manager) Program is a specifically-designed training program for outstanding students in the hospitality school to gain specific deep-grounded work experiences in several hotels in Klang Valley, Malaysia. This study used the action research approach to understand the quality of today's industrial training programs. Four final-year undergraduate students from the hospitality school reflected on their training experiences and provided feedback on how the GeM Program can be further developed to enhance the learning outcomes for future training participants. This chapter helps to understand how to develop, design, implement, and monitor a successfully structured training program for the future of the hospitality industry. With this, hotels can acquire the best student trainees who will further their career as employees with them.

Exploring social innovation through co-creation in rural India using action research

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Souresh Cornet ◽  
Saswat Barpanda
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Public Policies ◽  
Rural India ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Research Approach

Purpose Social innovation (SI) has been promoted by policymakers for addressing all kinds of social issues in the context of diminishing government resources. It is, however, difficult to assess the efficiency of SI-based public policies, as the process of SI itself remains largely nebulous. The purpose of this paper is to better understand this process with a focus on its early stage, until the point of identifying a socially innovative idea and in the context of disadvantaged rural communities in India. Design/methodology/approach Co-creation workshops were facilitated to generate socially innovative solutions in villages, using co-design technique. Following an action research approach, qualitative data was collected to produce case studies. Findings This study found that SI was appropriate for addressing development challenges in rural India. Facilitated co-creation was successful in involving all citizens and effective in generating SI. The authors developed a framework of generating SI through co-creation that gives a more precise understanding of the SI process. Practical implications The authors propose a method for co-creating SI that can be of significant use for practitioners. Findings can help design better and more socially impactful public policies. Originality/value This paper focusses on understanding the process of generating SI, using a participatory approach. It is the first work that has been conducted of this sort in the context of Indian rural villages.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document