International Journal of Management in Education (24 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Scaffolding career skills with entrepreneurial skills for youths' employment in Nigeria: attitude, social influence as moderators  
  by Isidore Ekpe, Norsiah Mat, Simeon Anifowose, Mary Olufunmilayo Adelaiye, Godwin Omogbai Ofeimun 
  Abstract: As a major objective, this study sought to examine the relationship between career skills and entrepreneurial skills, and entrepreneurial opportunities among undergraduate youths in Nigerian Universities. The moderating effects of attitude and social influence were also examined. The purpose was to enable the government develop appropriate educational curriculum that would meet the employment needs of the Nigerian youths upon graduation. Proportionate stratified random sampling was used to select sample members from 629 third year undergraduate students from three universities in the north, east and west regions of Nigeria. Using probability sampling, sample members were selected from the list of registered 300 level students in the faculties. They were identified during Entrepreneurial Development Program class which is compulsory for all such students in all Nigerian Universities. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression were used to analyze data. One of the results indicated that combining career training with entrepreneurial education could lead to self-employment among Nigerian youths after graduation. Therefore, the government should make entrepreneurship studies a compulsory 8-semester course in all undergraduate degree programs in Nigeria. The study was limited to Universities. Further studies could be extended to include youths in Secondary Schools in Nigeria.
  Keywords: Keywords: career skills; entrepreneurial skills; entrepreneurial opportunities; attitude; social influence; Nigerian youths.
  
  
• Parentteacher online communication: Empirical evidence in the Kuwaiti context  
  by Ahmad Alanezi 
  Abstract: The communication system between teachers and parents in Kuwait is conventional in most respects. The system should be updated and developed to bring it in line with the online age. However, before introducing parentteacher online communication (PTOC) on a large scale in Kuwait, It is important to shed light on the current status of the PTOC system and the most prominent obstacles. Therefore, this quantitative descriptive study investigated online communication between parents and teachers and its obstacles from the perspectives of teachers in two main school districts. A stratified random sample of 270 teachers filled out an electronic questionnaire regarding parentteacher online communication and its obstacles. Results showed that both parentteacher online communication use and its obstacles were considered moderate in both school districts. No differences were found in parentteacher online communication practices associated with gender, school district, and educational level. On the other hand, while there were no differences in the obstacles attributed to gender or educational level, significant differences were detected between school districts. This study recommends, among other things, preparing seminars and programs for teachers that illustrate how to use this kind of online system effectively and raise awareness regarding its importance. Additionally, using online applications, such as Classroom, Join Our Class, and ClassDojo can be highly beneficial for both parties.
  Keywords: parent–teacher communication; online communication; education; Kuwait.
  
  
• Indicators of personal mastery in the life narratives of principals of high-performing schools: an organisational perspective  
  by Siphokazi Kwatubana 
  Abstract: Internationally, personal mastery has been found to have an influence on organisational performance in the field of business. Although personal mastery has been found to have a positive influence on principals and their ability to demonstrate effective school management, in South African schools it has had less focus and integration. This study investigated indicators of personal mastery in the life narratives of two principals of high-performing high schools. Specifically, this study was guided by the following questions: what indicators of personal mastery did high school principals possess? Were those indicators perceived as responsible for improving organisational performance? Six life narrative interviews were conducted with each participant to elicit data. The topics of each interview session were wide enough to allow the participants to develop a long history, from initial situations including incidences while growing up, going through past events, leading to the events of their current situation which were analysed through the lens of organisational theory. The life narrative interviews, yielded biographical stories of two principals: one in a rural high school, and another in a township high school. The findings of this research conceded five indicators of personal mastery in the life stories of the two principals. Four of these indicators were regarded as being embedded in the personal values of the participants. The analysis implies that personal mastery can have a positive impact on schools as organisations.
  Keywords: Personal Mastery; School Principals; Life Narratives; Personal Vision; High Self-belief; Personal Learning; Organisational Theory.
  
  
• A DEA model to assess the educational system in Brazil  
  by Ingrid Gois Cardoso, Daniel Pacheco Lacerda, Fabio Sartori Piran 
  Abstract: This paper aims to measure and analyze the technical efficiency of municipal educational systems in cities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The study used data envelopment analysis (DEA) and output-oriented VRS (variable returns of scale). The evaluation comprises variables that measure education quality, student flows, teacher training, school infrastructure and municipality expenses. The results evidenced that 50% of the sample is technically efficient, but that is possible to improve how the resources are applied even in this group of cities. Considering the inefficient cities, the model proved that the major part of cities has the potential to improve their results in all outputs: age-grade distortion rate, number of enrolled students, and results in exams of Portuguese and Math in the Prova Brasil. This study also demonstrated that efficiency in educational management cannot be associated only with expenditure and that, in some cases, there is the opportunity for reducing costs. Finally, the paper also presented the benchmarking for each inefficient city based in the number of enrolled students, which allow each city to identify the best practices between cities with similarities.
  Keywords: Data envelopment analysis; DEA; efficiency; school; educational system; elementary education.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2021.10032658
   
  
• Knowledge management and organizational innovation in higher education  
  by NGUYEN NGOC THANG, Hoang Dinh Phi, Cao Xuan Trang, Ngo Vi Dung 
  Abstract: This paper aims to examine the relationship between knowledge management processes on organizational innovation in a higher educational institution. This research was quantitative and used an electronic survey at Vietnam National University, Hanoi. The results from a survey (N=120) in a research-focused university in Vietnam show that knowledge creation and knowledge access had a positive and significant association with administrative innovation, while knowledge access and knowledge dissemination related to technical innovation. The findings suggested that universities, at different stages of the development, adopt particular knowledge strategies that require certain KM processes that will differ from those required by universities with different knowledge strategies. Our findings also provide useful insights to educational managers who wish to understand, apply and enhance knowledge management in their universities. Our paper concludes with limitations of the research and recommendations for future research.
  Keywords: Knowledge management; innovation; higher education; research-focused university; Vietnam.
  
  
• Mixed Method Research on Lifelong Learning: Capturing its dynamics in a Multi-generational Workforce in the wake of COVID 19  
  by Jaya Gupta, Pooja Misra 
  Abstract: The coronavirus outbreak has disrupted the landscape of industries and workplaces. This pandemic has ignited significant disruptions across industries along with the unprecedented health crisis across the globe. An agile mind-set to assimilate learning into life is mandatory to be able to perform in the redesigned workplace, defined by the COVID-19. The pandemic is going to disrupt the workforce, and members of all the generations would be affected by it. The degree and extent of the impact, the response and preparedness to deal with it would vary across generations. The present mixed method study seeks to examine the differences in lifelong learning attribute of the prominent generations in the Indian workforce through qualitative, in-depth interviews followed by a more generalizable, quantitative survey. The qualitative interview data of the Phase 1 was analysed using text mining and topic modeling. Based on the topics identified, the quantitative data related to lifelong learning and self-efficacy was gathered in the Phase 2 from the respondents of different generations by questionnaire. The lifelong learning trait differences and drivers of self-efficacy across generational cohorts were analysed by MANOVA followed by a regression analysis. The results suggest that there are major differences across generations. The Generation Z members, the digital natives though likely to be profoundly impacted by the pandemic, are the most equipped to deal with this.
  Keywords: Lifelong learning; Generation Z; Self-efficacy; COVID 19; Mixed method; Topic Modeling.
  
  
• Identifying Factors Contributing to the Development and Sustainability of Professional Learning Communities in Malaysian Secondary Schools  
  by Mei Kin Tai, Abdull Kareem Omar 
  Abstract: The aim of this research was to develop a Professional Learning Communities Model in Malaysian secondary schools. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted to identify the underlying factors whereas Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to examine the measurement models. A total of 532 and 1,062 respondents completed the survey with usable data for EFA and CFA respectively. With normed x2=3.223, TLI=.950, CFI=.953 and RMSEA=.046, the results suggested that the model can be explained by two factors: Organizational Factor and Non-Organization Factor. The Organizational Factor consists of four indicators: Shared Norms and Vision, Principal Commitment and Support, Structural Support, and Collegial Understanding and Trust whereas Non-Organizational Factor encompasses four indicators: Collaborative Learning, Reflective Dialogue, Collective Inquiry and External Support System.
  Keywords: professional learning communities; collegial understanding and trust,rncollaborative learning; reflective dialogue; collective inquiry; external support systemrn.
  
  
• The role of language adequacy in effective educational leadership  
  by Vasiliki Brinia, Eleni Michopoulou, Alexandros Dimos 
  Abstract: The main purpose of this research was to investigate the verbal characteristics of the philologists as school leaders in secondary educational institutions and to evaluate their effectiveness in verbal communication with teachers. The investigation of the verbal behavior of philologist principals is considered particularly important as, according to a recent demographic study , scholars rank first in the number of serving principals in secondary educational institutions in Greece. A qualitative methodology with semi-structured interviews and a combination of mixed purposeful sampling strategies were used to achieve the research goal. A total of 45 participants were selected from educational institutions of Athens Secondary Education: 15 principals who are philologists, 15 vice-principals and 15 teachers who are mathematicians. Parallel to that, the strategy of data triangulation from three perspectives: the philologist leaders, the vice-principals and one mathematicians from the same school institution has been applied. A key factor in effective verbal communication was the principals personality with their ethical-spiritual characteristics, not their scientific expertise. This research seeks to identify the most efficient way of communication between teachers and principals for the optimisation of the schools means and processes, taking into consideration the difficulties deriving from the teachers different scientific backgrounds.
  Keywords: Philologist principal; verbal communication; communication skills; language proficiency; effective administration.
  
  
• Relationship between Perceived Organisational Politics and Workplace Ostracism at Higher Education Institutions  
  by Dewan Niamul Karim 
  Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the relationship of the three dimensions of perceived organisational politics: general political behaviour, go along to go ahead, and pay and promotion policies with workplace ostracism at higher education institutions. A total of 127 complete responses from full-time faculty members serving in 6 Bangladeshi public universities were used for the data analysis. The study employed partial least squares path modelling to test the research hypotheses. Drawing on the social exchange theory, the findings of this cross-sectional study revealed a significant positive relationship between the three dimensions of perceived organisational politics and workplace ostracism. The findings provided initial evidence that perceived organisational politics is associated with greater employees feeling of being ostracised in the workplace. Based on the findings, the study suggested theoretical and practical implications, and directions for future research.
  Keywords: Perceived organisational politics; general political behaviour; go along to go ahead; pay and promotion policies; workplace ostracism; higher education institutions.
  
  
• THE EFFICIENCY OF EXPENDITURES FOR GENERAL EDUCATION: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM VIETNAM'S TRANSITIONAL ECONOMY  
  by Canh Le Quang 
  Abstract: This paper analyzes the efficiency of expenditures for general education across Vietnams provinces and estimates the impacts of provincial institutions on the efficiency of such expenditures. Using the DEA (data envelopment analysis) approach, the paper finds that, as a whole, the general-education system is not performing efficiently, but that upper-level education in the system is more efficient than lower-level education; that the state budget allocated for primary education is managed efficiently, whereas the budget allocated for secondary education is not; and that household expenditures on education are inefficiently used. Empirical evidence from Tobit models for panel data with bootstrap procedures suggests that more prosperous provinces are negatively associated with lower efficiency in education expenditures, while more transparent and densely populated provinces are strongly associated with higher efficiency in education expenditures. These empirical results shed light on issues of educational management and have policy implications for a more efficient allocation of public resources to the education sector.
  Keywords: Efficiency; General education; DEA; Provincial governance; Transitional economy.
  
  
• Empirical Evidence of Faculty and Institutional Factors that Affect Student Performance  
  by Donna Whitten, Tantatape Brahmasrene, Carmen Macharaschwili 
  Abstract: This paper investigates trends in higher education for their impact on student performance. Studies focusing on these areas have received much attention in the literature. As homework management systems have become popular, they have been scrutinized, with mixed results. Active learning strategies have consistently reported positive outcomes. Concurrently, institutions have been utilizing contingent instructors more often, primarily for budgetary reasons. This shift in staffing has influenced the level of education and years of teaching experience of instructors, which has altered the tenure status of professors. This study explores these topics for their impact on student performance using assessment data. The findings indicate that the use of homework management systems had a statistically significant negative relationship, while active learning strategies revealed a statistically positive impact. Also, instructor level of education was insignificant, while the years of teaching experience was significant, but negative. Finally, tenure status was positively significant on student performance.
  Keywords: Assessment; student performance; homework management systems; active learning strategies; contingent instructors; years of teaching experience; education; tenure; teaching experience; institutional factors.
  
  
• How to Create An Effective School? Exploration Strategies of An Effective School in Managing Teachers  
  by Rizka Wulandari, Sugiyono  
  Abstract: This research aimed to find out an effective school strategy in managing teachers, specifically to explore information about how the teacher management practices were conducted. A school was chosen with consideration of the excellent student achievements in various fields, such as science, language, sports, and academic achievement, measured in national examinations held by the government. This research methodology used a qualitative approach with a semi-structured interview method. This study found that teacher management conducted by the school considered internal and external organizational factors. Among the school's strategies in teacher management practices were: 1) in teacher selection, the school was very selective, involving administrative selection and several tests, such as microteaching, interviews, English tests, and computers. Moreover, the school preferred applicants with a high cumulative achievement index and committing to teaching. 2) In teacher assignment, the school assigned the best teachers to teach first and sixth graders. 3) In professional development, the school focused on the teachers professional development in the internal school environment through the KKG (Teacher Working Group) forum, a professional learning community for teachers. Besides, the school also facilitated and supported advanced education for teachers. 4) In empowerment, the school actively empowered teachers with individual potential by assigning specific responsibilities and tasks.
  Keywords: effective school; human resource management; teacher management.
  
  
• Higher education teachers and students attitudes towards e-learning and distance education: a comparative study in light of the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia  
  by Fahad Alanezi 
  Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes and technology usage skills of higher education teachers and student towards e-learning and distance education in Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire was used to collect the data, and it was distributed to 1787 participants. The mean (M) and the standard deviation (SD) of the scores of students (M=3.85, SD=1.25) and teachers (M=3.88, SD=1.44) reflected that the participants had good technological skills. Also, the scores of the students (M=3.7, SD=1.38) and teachers (M=3.94, SD=1.43) indicated that the respondents had positive attitudes towards e-learning. Likewise, the scores of the students (M=3.8, SD=1.29) and teachers (M=4, SD=1.36) revealed that the participants had positive attitudes towards distance education. Furthermore, significant differences in technology skills and attitudes were observed among male and female students and teachers; and among young and old students and teachers. Consequently, a positive change can be made in the attitudes of student and teachers towards e-learning and distance education, and the universities must develop these strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  Keywords: COVID-19; higher education; teachers; students; attitudes; e-learning; distance education; m-learning.
  
  
• Design the Pattern of Increasing Satisfaction for International Students: A Qualitative Study with the Grounded Theory Approach  
  by Mehdi Tajpour, Kursat Demiryurek, Nur Ilkay Abaci 
  Abstract: Today, the benefits and positive effects of higher education are more apparent than ever, as a result of which, the popularity of higher education has increased so that admission to universities in many countries is done in a very competitive environment. So far, a comprehensive model of increasing the satisfaction of international students has not been presented yet. The issue of internationalization of universities on the one hand, requires strategic policy-making in order to take appropriate measures to improve research, educational and service activities, and on the other hand requires internationalizing the activities of universities and creating a dynamic platform for coordination between different departments of a university. Also the international students admission is a key element of internationalization of any university. The present study is a qualitative research and was conducted based on grounded theory. Data collection was done through purposive sampling with 17 international students at Ondokuz May?s University (OMU, henceforth). We used structured interviews, as well as using primary and secondary coding by Maxqda2020, for data analysis, which eventually led to the identification of 8 categories with 49 selected codes. That components such as educational, research, cultural, international, administrative, Social, financial and supportive were selected. The results of this study also showed that by increasing the satisfaction of international students, the university ranking and the relationship between cultures improves.
  Keywords: Internationalization of Universities; Higher Education; Teaching and Service; Students’ Satisfaction.
  
  
• IMPACT OF SOCIO DEMOGRAPHICS ON DECISION MAKING FOR PARTICIPATION IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING  
  by Garimidi Siva Sree, RAMLAL PORIKA 
  Abstract: The burgeoning industrialization has been the cornerstone of the increasing relevance of vocational education and training (VET) systems. VET has many societal and economic implications by boosting the employability and self - reliance among young individuals. Despite its salience, VET is plagued by increasing dropouts and shrinking enrollments. Guided by a conceptual framework, the current study investigates the role of demographics, socioeconomic status and their interactions in the motivational orientations involved in VET decision making. Data was collected from 408 first-year students enrolled in VET. The hypotheses are tested using hierarchical multiple regression analysis. The vital findings of the study focus on a novel model on decision making for VET, which offers empirical support for the relationships between demographic variables, socioeconomic status, and motivation orientations. Implications for skill development and vocational education-based literature are provided. Future research can consider parents autonomy-supportive behavior as a mediator to socio-demographics and study choice motivation for a more comprehensive understanding.
  Keywords: Vocational education and training; socio-demographics; autonomous motivation; controlled motivation; skill development; interactions; socioeconomic status; late adolescents; emerging adults.
  
  
• School principals perceived knowledge towards information and communication technology in teaching and learning in Zimbabwean secondary schools  
  by Rosemary Guvhu, Thuthukile Jita, Moruf Abiola Olaide Akintunde 
  Abstract: This study investigated school principals perceptions regarding successful implementation of information and communication technology (ICT) policy in Zimbabwean schools. The research employed a quantitative research design, using questionnaires to collect data from a sample of 260 principals. The paper drew upon the pedagogical leadership (PL) framework in examining principals knowledge in the integration of ICTs across the public secondary school curriculum in Zimbabwe. The findings show a significant relationship between principals ICT knowledge and their ability to support integration of ICTs. Findings also revealed a significant and positive relationship between principals ICT knowledge and their ability to integrate ICTs. The more the school principals ICT knowledge, the higher their ability to integrate ICTs into pedagogical practices. The paper recommends that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education provides clear policy guidelines on the roles and responsibilities of principals in the implementation of ICT policy in schools. More continuous professional development training programmes should be organised to equip principals with requisite ICT knowledge and expertise to be utilised in support of ICT infusion into pedagogical practices.
  Keywords: information and communication technology (ICT); knowledge; perception; school-principal leadership; teaching and learning; Zimbabwean secondary schools.
  
  
• A Study of Organizational Determinants Influencing the Employees' Behavior in Educational Sector: A scoping review  
  by Imran Ahmed Shah, Rashid Ali Khuhro, Haroon Bakari 
  Abstract: The current study aims to study key organizational determinants that would eventually enhance the behavior of employees in the educational sector, particularly in terms of increased job satisfaction and reduced turnover. The study reviews existing literature systematically to present insights into the organizational determinants that best shape employee behaviour. Only credible databases are used while extracting relevant studies. The study yields the conclusion that educational institutions must ensure fair treatment of employees at all levels, along with practicing distributed leadership throughout the organization. Moreover, the servant leadership style is affirmed to be the best for upper management in order to enhance employee behavior and garner their commitment towards the organizational objectives. The contribution of the study lies within its implications of generalizability since the context of diverse nations has been reviewed. On the other hand, it also directs opportunities for future researchers employing increasing the number of studies to be reviewed.
  Keywords: Job satisfaction; educational sector; employee behaviour; organizational determinants.
  
  
• Why lecturers do not produce adequate scientific publications: an empirical study in private universities in Indonesia  
  by Meirani Harsasi, Manuntun Parulian Hutagaol, Lukman Mohammad Baga, Illah Sailah 
  Abstract: This research aims to analyse why lecturers of private universities in Indonesia are still lagging behind in the number of publications, although there are more lecturers in private universities than lecturers in public universities in Indonesia. Its designed using a mixed method research of quantitative and qualitative research methods. The quantitative research is done by collecting data through a questionnaire, while the qualitative research is carried out through interviews to reinforce the results of quantitative research. Using simple random sampling method, there were 208 respondents of lecturers were obtained for the quantitative research. For qualitative research, interviews were conducted with 8 informants. Using conjoint analysis, the results indicate that motivation and teaching workload are the most important attributes. The finding contribute to the field of higher education management, how private universities can encourage lecturers to produce more scientific publications.
  Keywords: lecturers; motivation; research; scientific publication; teaching workload;.
  
  
• Inhibitors of e-learning in engineering education: an interpretive structural modeling approach  
  by Pramod V.R., S.R. Devadasan, Murugesh R. 
  Abstract: Modern engineering educationalists face the challenges of training and educating, engineering graduates on the state of the art fast developing technological infrastructure and processes. In order to face this challenge, the adoption of e-learning process in engineering education has been widely recommended. This is due to the reason that e-learning process has the benefit of teaching and training the engineering graduates who are situated in different parts of the world by posting state of art information in internet portals. Despite this unique benefit, e-learning has not been effectively adopted in engineering education. This situation indicates the need to identify the inhibitors of adopting e-learning in engineering education and their relationships. In order to meet this requirement, the research reported in this paper was carried out. While beginning this research, ten inhibitors of e-learning adoption in engineering education were identified. Subsequently, the views of engineering educationalists about the importance of inhibitors were gathered. By making use of these data, an interpretive structural model was developed. This model indicated the relationship between these inhibitors. Further, driving power-dependence diagram was drawn by referring the final reachability matrix of interpretive structural modeling (ISM) technique developed during this research. The diagram indicated that out of the ten inhibitors, seven inhibitors play powerful role in preventing the adoption of e-learning process in engineering education. Among all, financial constraint was found to be playing a powerful role in inhibiting the adoption e-learning process in engineering education. The identification of these powerful inhibitors and their relationships through the application of ISM will facilitate the modern engineering educationalists to successfully incorporate e-learning process in engineering education for educating and training the engineering graduates in large number on the state of art technologies and processes.
  Keywords: Engineering Education; E-learning; Interpretive Structural Model; Inhibitors; Interrelationship; Digraph; Driving power-dependence diagram.
  
  
• Interaction between institutional and professional dimensions of schools experiencing an administrative reform process  
  by Kamil Yıldırım 
  Abstract: This study investigated the interaction between institutional and personal professional dimensions in schools in a centralised education system that experienced a major reform initiative. Assuming the influence of both dimensions on teachers' behaviours, we tested an integrated causal model. By conducting a predictive-correlational-survey design, the study collected and analysed the data belonged to 346 teachers from primary, lower secondary and upper-secondary schools. The model confirmed the significant prediction of personal professional dimension. The key variable was being cooperative-orientation. The study concluded that succeeding any reform initiative on schools depends on improving teachers' personal professional characteristics.
  Keywords: interaction; institution; individual; professional; school; reform.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2021.10035019
   
  
• Block mode delivery in an andragogic environment: challenges and strategies  
  by Shalini Ajayan, Sreejith Balasubramanian 
  Abstract: Block mode of delivery, a distinct form of accelerated/intensive course offering, has witnessed significant growth in recent years in higher education. However, despite the increase in popularity, academic enquiry into block mode delivery has been scarce. This formed the motivation of this study where a comprehensive understanding on the challenges and strategies for improving block mode teaching is developed based on multiple interviews with academics involved in block mode delivery in the UAE. The study found ten key challenges impacting block mode delivery and nine strategies to minimise/eliminate these challenges. The findings are expected to provide academics, policymakers and institutions in the UAE higher education sector, and in general, key insights into the effective design, delivery, and management of courses in block mode. An investigation on block-mode teaching in the UAE higher education has not been previously attempted and constitutes the novelty of this work.
  Keywords: block mode learning; accelerated learning; higher education; adult education; United Arab Emirates.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2021.10035020
   
  
• Experiencing work-integrated learning and training program: critical success factors for vocational education's management  
  by Kongkiti Phusavat, Thanapan Kongtong, Jukka Majava, Achmad Nizar Hidayanto, Zbigniew Pastuszak 
  Abstract: Vocational education has direct impacts on preparing and developing qualified workforce. During the past decade, vocational education has undergone many fundamental changes, especially the so-called work-integrated learning and training program. The study focuses on identifying the critical success factors to overcome the program's weakness. Nominal Group Technique is applied during this investigation with the students who have completed their first year at one vocational college. Altogether five factors are identified; i.e., instructor skills, student evaluation, responsiveness to student needs, communication, and student psychology, which have to be part of improved vocational education's management. These factors are generally consistent with the previous findings as more sharing of information and collaboration among a vocational school, a private firm, and a student is needed. Interestingly, the unexpected consequence from this study is increased motivation and more positive attitude towards the study's program. This can be explained by the open-loop learning concept.
  Keywords: vocational education management; nominal group technique; work-integrated learning and training; single-loop learning.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2021.10035021
   
  
• Understanding students' perceptions on factors involved in higher education curriculum development: an analytical hierarchy process approach  
  by Shikha N. Khera, Himanshu Pawar 
  Abstract: Curriculum in higher education should be developed with keeping students at its centre where all surrounding stakeholders play an instrumental role in its developmental process. Consequently, it gets imperative for the curriculum development team to deduce the perception of their prime stakeholder (students) about the structure, design and utility, etc. of their curriculum. Thus, for the study conducted at the B-school of a public sector university offering MBA programme, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used as a decision-making tool for ranking the perceived relative importance of factors involved in the curriculum development process. The results provide for deeper insights in apprehending the students' perception of factors crucial in developing an effective more student centred and outcome based-curriculum.
  Keywords: higher education; curriculum development; student perception; AHP; analytical hierarchy process; policy making; multi-criteria decision making; MCDM; curriculum evaluation; curriculum design.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2021.10035022
   
  
• Technological disruptions reshaping management education: a qualitative study of stakeholder perspectives  
  by Jaya Gupta, Baishali Mitra, Kapil Garg 
  Abstract: The technological revolution has disrupted the business ecosystem. This calls for a paradigm shift in the essential skill-set of managers. Management education, therefore needs to transform itself to remain pertinent to the changing context. It is important to identify the management skills required of future managers and systematic reforms needed to imbibe them. In the present phenomenological qualitative study, management students, faculty, recruiters and practicing managers, the key stakeholder's, recommend the most desirable skills of business management graduates, five years into the future and also propose changes in pedagogy, course content and assessment in line with these. The data is gathered using semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions designed to answer the research questions. The results suggest that the pedagogical practices and curricula of Business Schools needs to be redesigned. The conceptual model proposed portrays the contemporary management education system comprising of a set of re-imagined curricula, pedagogy and evaluation method, which are relevant for the futuristic industry.
  Keywords: fourth industrial revolution; management education; managerial skills; pedagogy; qualitative study.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2021.10035023