International Journal of Knowledge and Learning (21 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Learning Paradigm, Derived Analogically from Japanese Economic Policy "Abenomics"  
  by Toyohide Watanabe 
  Abstract: The current learning environment or learning means is far from the traditional classroom-based learning style: in anytime and anywhere any one can learn individually, referring to desirable/preferred learning contents through mobile devises. The evolutional information technologies have been contributed such learning environments and means drastically. The word ubiquity is adjust consistent to the borderless learning activity without any exceptions. However, it is not always assured or verified how to apply or use various kinds of systems, functions, tools or devises, developed by IT (Information Technology) with a view to making the learning activity more effectual.rn In this paper, we address the advanced learning paradigm in IT society. As one of approach viewpoints, we focus on the framework on the basis of Abenomics, promoted as one of to break free from deflation means in Japanese economic policy. It seems that the viewpoint to be discussed cognitively in Abenomics is straightly applied to our current learning environment with various kinds of pedagogic problems. The most important concept transition from deflation to inflation in Abenomics is analogically corresponded to the trend extension from centralized classroom to distributed personal learning space. Under the understanding of such situation, we investigate our advanced learning paradigm on the basis of Abenomics.rn
  Keywords: Abenomics; Worth of money and article price; monetary policy; fiscal policy; growth strategy; learning paradigm; IT-based functionality; knowledge composition; knowledge acquisition; knowledge understanding; knowledge resources and learning curriculum.
  
  
• An experiential study on the role and inclusion of Indian languages for generating employment opportunity  
  by Anju Khandelwal, Ankita Tandon, Avanish Kumar 
  Abstract: India is a multilingual country where the spoken language diverges approximately every 100 kilometres. About 2,000 dialects are spoken in India by different communities and there are 22 official languages. English and Hindi are used for official language by most of the states of India. All official documents and reports of the Central Government are published in bilingual, English and Hindi. Among the International community as well as business language, English is becoming more important in both native and non-native English-speaking countries. Speaking has been considered the most important skill at workplace therefore this paper aims to find out the importance of Hindi/other Indian Language in workplace by conducting a survey among career opportunities and deep learning in India. This result shows that the necessity of Hindi language skill in workplace hasn’t changed, and the participants have reiterated the role of Hindi as the influencing factor during interviews/workplace.
  Keywords: language barrier; employment opportunity; language skills; NEP 2020.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10048424
   
  
• Knowledge sharing practices in non-profit sector: a case of an intergovernmental organization  
  by Quang Ngoc Le, Kulthida Tuamsuk 
  Abstract: This paper aims to present findings of knowledge sharing practices from professional employees in a case study of non-profit sector. The study includes both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Firstly, a survey was conducted in an intergovernmental organisation operating in Thailand. Secondly, an in-depth interview identified the understanding of knowledge management and knowledge sharing and what factors should be considered to promoting share the knowledge among others. Quantitative data analysis revealed that lack of time is the most significant barrier for knowledge sharing practices. Regarding knowledge sharing behaviours, the finding also confirmed that professional staff in the organisation only considered sharing their colleagues voluntarily. Qualitative data analysis reported highly positive perceptions regarding knowledge management and knowledge sharing and revealed some additional factors affecting knowledge sharing practices in non-profit contexts.
  Keywords: knowledge management; knowledge sharing; non-profit organisation; NPO; intergovernmental organisation; sharing barrier; sharing behaviour; organisational culture.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10048589
   
  
• Truth and justification problem in educational administration: opinions of the academics in Turkey  
  by Fatih Sahin 
  Abstract: This research deals with the problem of truth and justification of belief expressions put forward in educational administration. To clarify this problem, the researcher interviewed nine academics from educational administration. Content analysis was conducted over these transcribed interviews. According to the results, beliefs put forward in educational administration must correspond to reality and produce pragmatic results for a belief to be knowledge. Still, there are also some negative criticisms on this issue. As part of the justification, it was observed that justification with fundamental beliefs and corresponding beliefs were considered essential for justification. Still, similarly, negative assessments were also made on that issue. It is expected that this study will mainly contribute to knowledge production processes in educational administration.
  Keywords: truth problem; justification problem; educational administration; academics; Turkey.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10048592
   
  
• Organisational learning: COVID-19 strategy for human resource skill adjustment  
  by Friday Ogbu Edeh, Joy N. Ugwu, Linus Adama, Nicholas Ihentuge Achilike, Chimeziem C.G. Udeze, Ngozi Franca Iroegbu, Stephen F. Aleke, Collins Okechukwu Irem, Peter Ifeanyi Okwu, Ikechukwu Ogbu 
  Abstract: The survival of the home country and multinationals such as manufacturing companies depend solely on their readiness to learn the new normal by adjusting the behaviour, attitudes, and culture of their human resources through upskilling and reskilling approaches. It is based on this premise that this study investigates organisational learning as a strategy for human resource skill adjustment in manufacturing companies in South-Eastern Nigeria. The overall results revealed that dimensions of organisational learnings have positive significant effects on determinants of human resource skill adjustment which implies that an improvement on organisational learning leads to human resource skill adjustment with regards to new work culture engendered by COVID-19 pandemic. This study implies that for HR managers to effectively adjust the behaviour, attitude, skill, and knowledge of their subordinates; upskilling and reskilling, exploration learning, and exploitation learning should be deployed.
  Keywords: human resource skill adjustment; HRSA; organisational learning; OL; upskilling; reskilling; COVID-19 pandemic.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10048780
   
  
• Knowledge toward employee's behaviour during job insecurity: evidence from four different sectors of developing country context  
  by Naveed Saif, Muhammad Tahir Khan, Imrab Shaheen, Haji Rahman 
  Abstract: Job insecurity is termed a major stressor among various departments across the globe. Job insecurity construct is validated across the western world, but to date, this field is neglected in a Pakistani work context. The current study not only tries to analyse the psychometric characteristics of the job insecurity scale across different organisation setups namely (higher education institutions, private primary and secondary education), sector. For this purpose, data were obtained from the sample of (N = 950) of the organisation mentioned above through the survey. CFA and EFA result evident that JIS consists of two factors (affective and cognitive dimensions) in the Pakistan work context. The result through hierarchal regression shows that JIS is negatively predicted to emotional exhaustion, normative and affective commitment, while positively related to physical and mental health complaints. Recommendations for further research are expressed at the end of the research work.
  Keywords: job insecurity; commitment; mental health complaint; MHC; physical health complaint; PHC; emotional exhaustion.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10049158
   
  
• Impact of inclusive leadership on project success through climate for innovation: the moderating role of knowledge sharing  
  by Muhammad Qaiser Shafi, Abdul Qayyum, Safina Naz, Sajeela Rabbani, Nida Kamal 
  Abstract: This research study aims to examine the impact of inclusive leadership on project success while keeping the climate for innovation as a mediator and knowledge sharing within the organisation as a moderator. Using the convenience sampling technique, data were collected from 201 participants working in project-based organisations across major cities of Pakistan. The data has been analysed using Smart PLS and SPSS. As a result of the regression analysis, it was found that inclusive leadership significantly and positively impacts project success. The findings show that inclusive leadership has a positive effect on the climate for innovation. The results revealed that the climate for innovation mediates the relationship between inclusive leadership and project success. The results showed that knowledge sharing does not moderate the relationship between inclusive leadership and project success. Limitations, future suggestions, and managerial implications have also been discussed. The study aims to address the gap on how inclusive leadership leads towards project success in the presence of climate for innovation as a mediator and knowledge sharing as a moderator in project-based organisations of Pakistan.
  Keywords: inclusive leadership; climate for innovation; knowledge sharing; project success; project-based organisations.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10049171
   
  
• Surveillance of ramification of alternate therapy and yoga on the health of employees' suffering with high BP and sugar: empirical study on the physical and mental fitness  
  by Sheelu Sagar, Vikas Garg, Rohit Rastogi 
  Abstract: This manuscript provides information associated with the physiological health benefits of yoga, pranayama and aerobic exercise. The yoga practice helps to control blood sugar levels, improve cardiovascular functioning, maintain the systolic and diastolic blood pressure at a normal level, help with digestion, gain muscular strength and get rid of muscular stiffness, resulting in a state of happy mind with a flexible body. The investigation aims to examine the physiological health of young employees with the benefits of yoga, pranayama, meditation and light aerobic exercise. The study was done on employees of PPS International who were engaged in the manufacture of high-tech equipment for the Indian Railways, and metro trains, situated at Greater Noida (UP) India. The founder and promoter of PPS International gave his permission for practical investigation of the employees of his company for this research study. The researcher randomly selected 120 subjects within the age range of 4050 years. On the recorded data computational analysis was done to establish the result.
  Keywords: yoga; health; meditation; blood sugar; blood pressure; employees.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10049896
   
  
• Blackboard Collaborate: COVID-19 impacts on EFL classroom learning and knowledge on first year university students  
  by Iftikhar Alam, Asifa Qasim, Akhter Habib Shah, Tribhuwan Kumar 
  Abstract: This study examined whether COVID-19 affected EFL/ESL teaching, learning, and formative evaluation among Umm Al Qura University’s CFY medical students. Due to the COVID-19 lockout and social isolation, classroom instruction and learning were moved online and/or to Blackboard Collaborate. This study examined CFY medical students’ perceptions of online classes and Blackboard Collaborate’s effects on teaching, learning, and course assessment. The research was quantitative. After 15 weeks of real-time online Blackboard classes, 30 CFY medical students were randomly sampled and given a questionnaire. Data was collected using a five-point Likert scale and analysed with SPSS. Online teaching and learning positively affected students’ learning environment perceptions. COVID-19 participants said Blackboard online classes improved English teaching, learning, and formative assessment. The results show that Blackboard Collaborate has been as beneficial as face-to-face classes during lockdown or social distancing. The study promotes blended learning for CFY students at the university.
  Keywords: Blackboard Collaborate; COVID-19; impact; EFL/ESP classroom; knowledge and learning; first year university students.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10049997
   
  
• Critical factors of service quality in higher education services and their impact on overall service quality, student satisfaction and student loyalty  
  by Tohid Kachwala, Dinesh Panchal, Pradeep Pai 
  Abstract: Globalisation of knowledge compels Indian Higher Education Institutes to improve their quality. Quality at an affordable price will be the critical determinant for students’ selection of the university. Understanding students’ expectations in higher education services becomes vital as an operations strategy to retain existing students and entice potential students. An extensive literature survey proposes a scientific model using structural equation modelling (in IBM AMOS) to develop a path model for the antecedents of service quality, overall service quality, student satisfaction and student loyalty. Using the sample data from the higher education services for the postgraduate program, the analysis was done to evaluate the influence of antecedents on the overall service quality and further on the student’s satisfaction and student loyalty. The result indicated that four antecedents (tangibles, academic competence, reputation and delivery) positively influence the overall service quality. Further, the study also found that overall service quality directly influences student satisfaction and indirectly influences student loyalty through student satisfaction in higher education services.
  Keywords: tangibles; academic competence; reputation; delivery; services quality; student satisfaction; student loyalty; higher education services and structural equation modelling.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10050093
   
  
• An exploratory study to investigate the interpersonal listening behaviour in personal sales context, its impact on the customer’s perception and outcomes  
  by Archana Shrivastava, Ruchi Tandon, Sanjeev Tandon 
  Abstract: Authors argue that the perception of salespersons about their interpersonal listening ability is important but the perspective of the listened-to is equally important for an assessment of the competence. As the traditional studies on listening in sales refer to either self or buyer’s evaluation, we propose to investigate their validity. We also argue that the traditional scales to measure listening behaviour proposed by Castleberry and Ramsey and Sohi in 1997 may produce diverse results when used in a different setting and on a different population. The findings suggest a gap in the self-perceived listening abilities of the salesperson with that of the buyers’ evaluation. Further, the results display a positive link between the salesperson’s listening and the trust and satisfaction developed throughout sales interactions but contrary to past studies, it does not necessarily lead to the possibility of future interaction. The discussion focuses on directions for future research using this scale and the need to develop additional measures that tap components of listening in sales.
  Keywords: listening; salesperson; retail; interpersonal communication; sales.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10050251
   
  
• An impact of demographic profile of undergraduate students on the entrepreneurial knowledge and intention in Tamil Nadu, India  
  by A. Vasumathi, T. Sagaya Mary, Rajesh Mamilla, I.S. Stephan Thangaiah 
  Abstract: An intention has a great impact on the actual behaviour of a person. Intention is a state of mind that directs the attitude, potential, learning, experience and action of a person towards a specific goal. The intention to become an entrepreneur is the sole best prognosticator of entrepreneurial behaviour. Entrepreneurship is all about to one’s own business that involves one’s self-reliance, work attitude, innovation, initiative, creativity and risk-taking. Entrepreneurial knowledge and intention therefore envisages entrepreneurial behaviours. Demographic factors have a great influence on a person’s intentions and goal setting. Based upon this the present study aims to analyse the impact of demographic factors on the entrepreneurial intention among the undergraduate students in Tamil Nadu, India. Weighted average analysis, analysis of variance and regression analysis will be employed to find out the relationship between demographic factors and their impact on entrepreneurial intentions. Further this study also aims at finding out the important demographic factors that contribute towards the entrepreneurial intentions of the students. The result of the study can be used in framing course content for the students with the objective of enhancing their entrepreneurial intention and skills.
  Keywords: entrepreneurship; demography; profile; intention and entrepreneurial intention; India.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10050496
   
  
• A cloud-based systematic cyber security teaching and learning framework for high school students  
  by Berioska Contreras Vargas, Seppo Virtanen 
  Abstract: We present a systematic framework to construct cybersecurity knowledge for high school students on cloud computing. The learning outcomes were analysed based on time and completion rates to evaluate a ranking, learning curves, and clusters. The presented cyber security education module consists of a series of adaptive assignments anchored on constructivist and scaffolding learning theories. The probability of success for active guided tasks was 0.80. In the case of constructive adaptive assignments it was 0.75, and interactive adaptive assignments it was 0.25. The completion rate dropped in the last adaptive assignment, implying the need to reinforce interactions earlier. Students demonstrated that motivation is as much determinant as the background experience, showing noticeable variations in the time needed to complete our adaptive assignments.
  Keywords: security; privacy; cybersecurity; penetration testing; teaching and learning; constructivist learning theory; scaffolding learning; active learning; high school; cloud computing.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10050497
   
  
• Digital transformation of knowledge and learning content in educating English language to primary school children  
  by Gulim S. Karimova, Pirmagambet Z. Ishanov, Galiya B. Sarzhanova, Svetlana A. Odintsova, Saltanat K. Abildina 
  Abstract: Authors researched the digital transformation of the education system and the creation of high-quality digital content for educating foreign languages to primary school children. In the context of digital transformation of education and forced transition to online form of education due to COVID-19, digital educational content becomes the effective teaching method for school children. However, our analysis points out the quantitative and qualitative insufficiency of educational and digital content that considers age-related, psychological, spiritual and moral features and cultural values of Kazakh school children. That was the reason of creating digital educating complex aimed to teach English to Kazakhstani school children. The main advantage of the complex developed by the authors is that it is adapted to both online and offline learning formats. The aim of the research is to justify the necessity of using and creating digital educational content in the conditions of digital transformation of education in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as identifying the efficiency of digital educating complex developed by the authors of the article.
  Keywords: digitalisation of education; transformation; digital educational content; primary school; foreign languages; knowledge; learning.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10051359
   
  
• Influence of writing tasks and self-awareness reflective writing exercises on emergent Researchers’ academic writing  
  by Chin-Wen Chien 
  Abstract: Authentic academic writing tasks should be integrated to assist emergent researchers to acquire academic literacy in the university. This case study explored the influence of writing tasks and self-awareness reflective writing exercises on six English as a foreign language (EFL) emergent researchers’ academic writing and their attitudes in a northwest university in Taiwan. The analysis of interviews, writing tasks, and documents concluded that the clear and step-by step procedure on writing tasks and reflective writing exercises led these emergent researchers to examine the important elements of academic writing. Participants held a positive attitude toward the writing tasks and reflective writing exercises. The proposed conceptual framework can provide the guidelines for practitioners in designing instructional practices on writing tasks and reflective writing exercises for EFL emergent researchers.
  Keywords: academic writing; emergent researchers; instructional practice; reflective writing exercises; writing tasks; English as a foreign language; EFL.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10051377
   
  
• Quality education in students perspective: a qualitative study on two HEIs of Karachi  
  by Syed Ghazanfer Inam, Shariq Ahmed, Zafar Iqbal 
  Abstract: The purpose of this research is to identify quality assurance aspects of quality education and the learning process through an effective and efficient evaluation model in higher education institutes (HEIs). A conceptual model is being developed with the help of a literature review and focus group discussion performed by the group of students of two HEIs in Karachi, Pakistan. It can help to overcome the laps of quality assurance in higher education learning that can improve the educational quality in HEIs. This quality assurance model offers quality awareness for higher education institutes and assists in the execution of an improved quality education system. The outcome asks to improve the learning practice in higher educational institutes and facilitates the institutional management to be aware of how to enhance their quality education and the quality assurance methods by providing a congenial and collaborative environment to faculty members.
  Keywords: quality education; student experience; quality management; learning management; higher education institutes; HEIs.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10051613
   
  
• Factors influencing employee engagement in the Lebanese educational sector  
  by Abir R. Murad, Rania B. Mostafa 
  Abstract: The workforce in any organisation is considered an essential element that cannot be copied or imitated by the competitors and is seen as the most valuable resource if managed and guided properly. In this case, establishing employee engagement is an important concept within nowadays organisations especially because an engaged employee who is cognitively and emotionally bound with the organisation, feels self-driven to meet the organisation’s objectives and is committed to the organisation’s values. The research on this phenomenon is still limited and unsubstantial. Although several studies and researches have focused on employee engagement in organisations, few have focused on the person-environment (PE) fit to explain its direct impact on employee engagement. We analyse the three dimensions of PE fit, namely: person-job (PJ) fit, person-organisational (PO) fit, and person-technology (PT) fit to understand the relationship between the three dimensions of PE fit and employee engagement. We hereby determine the significance of each dimension on employees’ physical, cognitive and emotional engagement. The results show that PJ fit and PT fit have a significant impact on employee engagement; whereas, PO fit has shown an insignificant impact on employee engagement.
  Keywords: employee engagement; person-environment fit; person-job fit; person-organisational fit; person-technology fit; educational sector; Lebanon.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10051735
   
  
• Understanding students’ perceptions of online discussion boards for homework in an online graduate-level accounting course  
  by Lei Wen 
  Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine students’ perceptions of online discussion boards for homework in an accelerated online graduate-level accounting course. Compared to students without the use of online discussion boards, students with the use of online discussion boards for homework rate significantly higher about the instructor and course. The results also reveal that students prefer the ungraded and voluntary online discussion boards rather than the required and graded discussion boards. Due to the impact of various factors, the paper shows the variation between favourable overall ratings of the instructor and course versus neutral rating about online discussion boards for homework. The research has some practical implications for accounting educators and practitioners in accelerated online learning environments.
  Keywords: accounting education; online education; online discussion boards; course development.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10051893
   
  
• Determining involvement HRM practices and benevolent HRM attributions role in improving employees engagement and reducing stress in sales-centric organisations  
  by Muddasar Ghani Khwaja, Athar Hameed, Umer Zaman 
  Abstract: Workplace stress has been characterised as a global occupational phenomenon that causes adverse organisational outcomes; including serious employee’s illnesses and phenomenal productivity loss per annum. Human resource management (HRM) has always thrived to induce predefined work practices that support employee well-being in the organisations. The present study provides a framework on how HRM practices can augment employee wellbeing by reducing their stress levels. Involvement HRM practices and benevolent HRM attributions are portrayed to enhance employee gratitude, which in return results in alleviating employee stress and improving employee engagement levels. The data was collected from 298 respondents using survey questionnaire. Proportionate stratified random sampling was deployed and structural equation modelling (SEM) was executed for the determination of causal relationship among constructs. Results affirmed established theoretical foundations as strong causality existed among the constructs. The study provides HR practitioners a pathway of optimising organisational productivity and employee wellbeing.
  Keywords: involvement HRM practices; gratitude; employee stress; human resource management; HRM attributions; engagement; structural equation modelling; SEM.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10052434
   
  
• Psychological well-being, resilience, stress and demographic factors: a study among undergraduate students during online mode of education in India  
  by Asha Binu Raj, Pallawi Ambreesh Kumar, Nityanand Tripathi 
  Abstract: The present study aims to analyse the interaction between resilience, psychological well-being and stress among the undergraduate management students in India during the online mode of education. Study indicates that resilience is positively correlated with psychological well-being but negatively correlated with stress. Findings show that students of different educational institutions, gender and age groups experience similar levels of stress, but the resilience and psychological well-being experienced by them differ based on various demographic variables such as type of educational institution, gender and age group. Scholars can further analyse other dimensions of well-being; as well as conduct comparative studies in pandemic and non-pandemic contexts. The paper will facilitate educational institutions to implement well-being and resilience strategies to help students to manage stress and be more resilient. The paper also provides social implications to parents and other stakeholders so as to facilitate support and guidance needed to manage well-being among the students.
  Keywords: stress; resilience; psychological well-being; demographic factors; age; gender; educational institution; online education; COVID-19; students; India.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10052510
   
  
• A bibliometric analysis of knowledge management research during COVID-19  
  by Sanjay Fuloria, Ankur Srivastava, Umang Anand 
  Abstract: This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of the knowledge management (KM) literature during COVID-19. It covers the research output in both Scopus and Web of Science databases during the period 2020 to 2022. 404 research articles, conference papers, and conference proceedings’ output were extracted from both Scopus and Web of Science databases. Biblioshiny tool from the R stable is used for this bibliometric analysis. The results show that there were 3.61 citations per document with an average of 1.66 citations per year. Almost 1,600 authors published on KM during this pandemic. 97.7% of the published output had multiple authors. 90% of the authors contributed one article. COVID-19 pandemic is a good time to take stock of the KM literature. The KM literature more than doubled from 2020 to 2021.This study is comprehensive as far as the literature on KM is concerned during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  Keywords: bibliometric analysis; COVID-19; knowledge management; Biblioshiny; thematic mapping; co-citations; science mapping analysis; collaboration network.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2022.10052599