Nurture

Enhancing learner autonomy in teamwork skills: Strategies of Vietnamese tertiary EFL teachers in a changing educational landscape

2024-04-01T01:10:37-05:00

Purpose: This study explores the strategies used by Vietnamese tertiary English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers to promote learner autonomy in teamwork skills, crucial in the evolving context of language education in Vietnam.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Employing semi-structured interviews, the research involved nine EFL teachers from two Vietnamese educational institutions, representing various career stages: novice, mid-career, and near-end career.

Findings: Analysis through thematic frameworks revealed that teachers utilize diverse methods like collaborative learning projects, reflective practices, technology-enhanced learning, and real-world tasks. These strategies, adaptable to the Vietnamese cultural and educational context, proved effective across different teaching stages.

Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of contextually adapted teaching strategies, the increasing role of technology in EFL education, and the value of experiential learning. It demonstrates how Vietnamese EFL teachers’ approaches can significantly impact learner autonomy in teamwork skills. This research contributes to the literature by providing insights into effective EFL teaching strategies within non-native English-speaking environments, offering valuable perspectives for educators, curriculum designers, and policymakers.

Research Limitations: The study identifies limitations, including a small sample size and reliance on qualitative data, suggesting the need for broader research with diverse methodologies.

Practical Implications: This research emphasizes the necessity for culturally adapted teaching strategies and technological integration in EFL education to enhance learner engagement.

Contribution to Literature: The study emphasizes the efficacy of context-specific tactics in enhancing learners' abilities, providing significant perspectives for educators and policymakers on enhancing EFL teaching practices through experiential learning and digital resources.

The roles of teachers in enhancing effective classroom management strategies in Gauteng high schools, South Africa

2024-04-04T00:19:14-05:00

Purpose: This study explores the challenges teachers face in their classroom management roles which are essential for fostering a supportive learning environment. It investigates teachers' roles in implementing management strategies and the obstacles hindering their effectiveness in high schools.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The present study used semi-structured interviews to collect data from twelve Grade 10 teachers in three selected secondary schools located in the Ekurhuleni North District of Gauteng Province, South Africa. The data were interpreted using a phenomenological research design and interpretive paradigm. The study was based on ecological systems theory. Thematic analysis was used to make sense of the data.

Findings: The study revealed that key roles of teachers in effective classroom management include appropriate classroom language, acting as managers and self-criticism and evaluation of performance. However, challenges such as insufficient teaching and learning resources and the low academic ability of learners impede the fulfilment of these roles.

Conclusion: The study finds that continuous self-criticism and evaluation are critical for improving teaching and learning processes, although teachers play a critical role in monitoring classrooms and resolving difficulties imposed by low academic competence.

Recommendations: Recommendations include comprehensive training and support for teachers, the implementation of diverse teaching strategies and a holistic consideration of the ecological system encompassing both learners and teachers.

Is GRDP a mediating factor in enhancing local tax revenues due to ICT development in Indonesia?

2024-05-13T06:03:57-05:00

Purpose: This study aims to investigate whether the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of the information and communication sector mediates the relationship between Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development and local tax revenue enhancement across districts and municipalities in Indonesia.

Design/Methodology/Approach: This study uses a quantitative approach to examine how ICT growth, access, infrastructure and utilization affect local taxes and regional levies using panel data from 2017 to 2021.The GRDP of the information and communication sector is incorporated as a crucial moderating variable.

Findings: The findings reveal that the GRDP of the information and communication sector plays a vital moderating role in the relationships between ICT factors and local taxes and levies. ICT development benefits local tax systems through increased efficiency, transparency, reduced disparities and enhanced accessibility. Effective ICT infrastructure enables digital fiscal transactions, increasing revenues while improving collection efficiency and reducing income disparities among provinces. High ICT utilization supported by technological proficiency enables local governments to enhance local taxes and levies.

Practical Implications: An increase in the GRDP of the information and communication sector leads to higher tax revenues for local governments, funding public services and infrastructure development. Additionally, it attracts investments from other sectors, boosting regional levies and promoting overall regional economic development. The study highlights leveraging the GRDP of this sector as a strategic factor to enhance local tax revenue and regional levies across Indonesian provinces contributing to fiscal decentralization efforts.

A study on the mechanism of the impact of entrepreneurship opportunity collaboration on opportunity innovation: The mediating effect of resource patchwork

2024-05-20T02:03:19-05:00

Purpose: This article explores the impact of opportunity collaboration on opportunity innovation based on the identification, acquisition, sharing and exchange of resources and elements among entrepreneurial entities through collaborative and interactive behaviors to explore the influence mechanism of entrepreneurial opportunity collaboration on the formation of innovativeness of opportunities and the mediating role of resource patchwork.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The research conducted an empirical analysis on the impact of opportunity collaboration on opportunity innovation based on the data of 207 entrepreneurial enterprises from Beijing, Guangdong and Henan with a high entrepreneurial vitality index and vital data availability. Resource patchwork's mediation effect is discussed and empirically tested from the patchwork theory perspective.

Findings: Entrepreneurial opportunity collaboration significantly positively affects opportunity innovation and resource patchwork plays an intermediary role between them.

Conclusion: Innovation is an important attribute to distinguish the heterogeneity of entrepreneurial opportunities and is also the key to entrepreneurial success. Interaction among various entrepreneurial elements should be strengthened to achieve efficient and high-quality resource patchwork to obtain a significant "synergistic effect" and ultimately improve innovation in entrepreneurial opportunities.

Practical Implications: This study not only helps to theoretically understand the impact of entrepreneurial opportunity collaboration on opportunity innovation differentiation but also has outstanding practical reference significance for the government's targeted policy measures to support innovative entrepreneurial activities and for entrepreneurs to identify or create innovative opportunities.

The impact of ease of doing business and technological infrastructure on economic growth in the Arab world

2024-05-27T23:44:05-05:00

Purpose: This paper examines the effects of technological infrastructure and a business-friendly environment on economic growth in the Arab world from 2004 to 2021 using a detailed panel data analysis approach.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study chooses the fixed effect model based on the Hausman test with additional diagnostic tests confirming the absence of serial correlation and heteroscedasticity employing fixed and random effect models on data from thirteen Arab countries.

Findings: Findings reveal a negative relationship between ease of doing business and GDP growth (Gross Domestic Product) suggesting that improvements in the business environment paradoxically decrease economic growth. Conversely, a positive relationship exists between the human development index and economic growth underscoring the significance of human capital. Notably, no significant relationship is detected between technological infrastructure and economic growth.

Conclusion: The study concludes that regulatory reforms and human capital investment are pivotal for economic growth in the Arab world challenging the assumed positive impact of ease of doing business on economic expansion. It underscores the need for a strategic focus on developing human resources and technological infrastructure to foster sustainable economic growth.

Contribution to the Literature: This research contributes to the economic literature by highlighting the nuanced effects of the ease of doing business and the essential role of human capital in driving economic growth within the Arab region offering new insights for policymakers.

Corporate social responsibility and firm performance in the financial industry in Vietnam: The mediating role of digital transformation

2024-05-28T00:05:49-05:00

Purpose: This study evaluated the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives undertaken by banks in Vietnam on their overall performance. Additionally, it sought to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility and digital transformation efforts within the framework of the ongoing Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The research uses a survey sample from Southeast Vietnam, specifically Binh Duong Province, Dong Nai Province, Tay Ninh Province, Ba RIA Vung Tau Province and Ho Chi Minh City. A total of 245 valid questionnaires were gathered from mid- and senior-level executives, senior employees and department heads who have implemented digital transformation strategies in banks.

Findings: This study explores the relationship between corporate social responsibility and firm performance in Vietnam's financial industry focusing on the banking sector. The study discovered a favourable relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and enterprise digital transformation as well as a good relationship between CSR and digital transformation and Vietnamese banks' business success.

Conclusion: The digital economy has increasingly contributed to global economic development. Today’s digital landscape is undergoing a widespread phenomenon known as digital transformation. Hence, it is crucial to examine the impact of digital transformation on business processes.

Practical Implications: The data also supports the idea that digital transformation serves as a mediator between corporate CSR and financial performance contributing to filling the gap when there is limited research in Vietnam on this relationship.

Contribution to the Literature: This research aims to help banks in Vietnam enhance operational efficiency when banks actively engage in CSR and digital transformation.

Financial inclusion strategy to increase the income of micro, small and medium enterprises through business credit in Indonesia

2024-06-12T06:35:15-05:00

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the financial inclusion strategy carried out by the government to help MSMEs improve their competitiveness. Financial inclusion as a dependent variable uses three dimensions, namely the usage dimension, the access dimension and the quality dimension.

Design/Methodology/Approach: This study uses MSMEs credit as a mediation variable. The sample studied was 61 MSMEs in the special region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The data analysis tool uses a path analysis model processed with Smart-PLS.

Findings: The results showed that the usage dimension has a significant positive effect on business credit while the access and quality dimensions do not affect business credit. Business credit has a significant and positive effect on increasing the income of MSMEs and mediate the usage dimensions to increase the income of MSMEs. Business credit is unable to mediate the access dimension and the quality dimension to increase the income of MSMEs.

Conclusion: The lack of optimization of the use of banking products by MSMEs is a factor that needs to be considered so that MSMEs can develop with the support of financial inclusion.

Research Limitation: There is no integrated MSME data, so we cannot see the condition of MSMEs in Yogyakarta Indonesia as a whole.

Practical Implications: The government must play an active role in addressing financial inclusion and financial literacy in MSMEs before facilitating the credit application process. MSMEs need to be taught about business productivity and how to manage finances.

Contribution to the Literature: This research can be used as a reference for future researchers.

The effect of organizational ethics on increasing the performance of workers in small and medium-sized enterprises

2024-06-12T07:50:21-05:00

Purpose: This study investigates the relationship between organizational ethics and job performance in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), aiming to uncover how organizational ethics impacts employee performance.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Employing various statistical analyses, the study explores the correlation between organizational ethics and job performance, utilizing a robust methodology to ascertain the influence of ethical practices on employee productivity.

Findings: The study reveals a distinct negative correlation between organizational ethics and job performance in SMEs, indicating that higher organizational ethics levels are associated with lower employee job performance. Linear regression analysis confirms this negative influence, highlighting the significance of ethical considerations in shaping job performance outcomes.

Conclusion: Despite the significant impact of organizational ethics on job performance, no significant gender differences in organizational ethics or job performance levels were identified in SMEs.

Research Limitations/Implications: Acknowledging limitations such as sample size variations and industry-specific factors, the study proposes avenues for future research to delve deeper into these aspects and enhance the applicability of the findings.

Practical Implications: The findings emphasize the importance of promoting ethical behavior in SMEs to enhance overall job performance and productivity, highlighting the need for heightened awareness of organizational ethics in managerial practices.

Contribution to Literature: This study contributes a new perspective to the understanding of organizational ethics and job performance in SMEs, offering insights for management practices and contributing to the literature on organizational ethics in small business contexts.

Impact of choice attributes perceived by Korean airline passengers on relationship quality during the COVID-19 pandemic

2024-06-12T08:06:35-05:00

Purpose: This study investigates the relationship between the choice attributes of the passengers of a Korean airline and relationship quality during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.

Design/Methodology/Approach: This study used a quantitative approach and conducted an online survey using Google Forms through the convenience sampling method on users with experience in domestic and international airlines within the past month. It received 300 valid responses. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21.

Findings: This study hypothesized that a significant relationship exists between airline selection attributes and the quality of relationships. The results demonstrate that satisfaction significantly influences trust.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that choice attributes as perceived by passengers exert a significant influence on determining the quality of relationships between airlines and customers.

Research Limitations and Implications: The data were collected using an online questionnaire due to the COVID-19 situation. This aspect is a limitation of the study because it is highly dependent on the honesty and willingness of the respondents.

Practical Implications: This study found that airlines can improve the quality of relationships with customers by overcoming crises if they can increase satisfaction by grasping the selection attributes pursued by customers. This study suggests appropriate marketing strategies for airline managers in Korea.

Development of a creative collaborative with critical experience learning model to improve technological pedagogical and content knowledge of preservice chemistry teachers

2024-06-12T08:17:22-05:00

Purpose: This research aims to produce a valid, practical and effective 3CEL learning model which is an abbreviation of creative collaborative with critical experience learning to improve the Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) of preservice chemistry teachers.

Design/Methodology/Approach: This is development research that was carried out in four main stages: 1) preliminary stage (literature and field study), 2) development stage (hypothetical model or prototype), 3) validation stage and 4) model implementation stage (final 3CEL model). The data collection techniques used in this research are validation, observation, test and questionnaires.

Findings: The final 3CEL learning model along with supporting learning tools and validated TPACK measurement instruments. The results of validation showed that the 3CEL learning model along with its supporting learning tools and TPACK measurement instruments were very valid and reliable. The results of the 3CEL learning model implementation in the experimental class and the control class proved that the 3CEL learning model was very effective in improving the TPACK abilities of preservice chemistry teachers.

Conclusion: This research produced a new learning model (3CEL) that is valid, practical and effective in improving the TPACK of preservice chemistry teachers. The syntax of the resulting 3CEL learning model consists of five phases: 1) orientation, 2) collaborative planning, 3) presenting, 4) simulation and 5) reflection based on critical experience.

The relationship between value preference and gender in future teachers in Chilean higher education

2024-06-14T01:27:10-05:00

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the values associated with pedagogical training and the differences in value preferences among students based on gender in institutions in the central-southern area of Chile. The objective of the research was to analyse the values associated with pedagogical training and the differences in value preferences according to the gender of students in universities in the central-southern area of Chile.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The methodology used in the study is quantitative and descriptive. The study sample consisted of 437 students from Chilean universities. The information was collected using a standardized instrument called the adapted values test.

Findings: The results indicated a clear preponderance in the categories of moral, ecological, individual, affective and bodily values. Political and moral values were not particularly taken into consideration. Significant differences were found concerning gender. Females achieve higher mean scores than males except in instrumental values.

Conclusions: The results show the educational needs of future teachers in terms of axiological training from a gender perspective.

Practical Implications: Identifying and analyzing the axiological structure of students and teachers in private and public universities in Chile will allow proposing value education in the curricular plans of future teachers. On the other hand, the values transmitted by teachers are different which implies the development of pedagogical training programs that strengthen gender differences as an instance of cultural equity.

Contribution to the Literature: This research underscores the importance of value education in teacher training programs and explains how university students perceive them.