Evidence Based Management for Bologna Process Support

In the paper, author explains the evidence based management approach application for university education process audit and accreditation. The Bologna Process encourages universities to implement the National Qualification Framework, and student learning outcomes development. Author shares her own experiences and argues that learning outcomes provide the evidence of quality of educational processes. The paper aims to present that evidence based approach results in university education ontology development. The paper supports the methodology for evidence gathering at universities

In the aftermath of the Bologna process: exploring the master students’ perceptions on accounting in two portuguese higher education institutions

This paper explores how accounting is perceived [supported on Geiger and Ogilby (2000) paper] and which factors may influence these perceptions by students of seven master’s programmes taught in two different Portuguese higher education institutions. These aims are important in the context of the impact of the Bologna process in the Portuguese Higher Education System. The study also explores whether those perceptions are associated with the students’ performance in the accounting course. This is the first study (as far as the authors know) on students’ perceptions on accounting in Portugal, but also one of the few in a context of master’s programmes (advanced graduation) in the accounting education literature. A survey was conducted at two different moments in time to explore how master’s students’ perceptions evolve through the semester. The results of this study show a change in perceptions over the semester. At first, accounting course was perceived as very important in the master programme, as helping the professional career and rewarding, and therefore students were very motivated. At the end, all the perceptions values decreased in general. However, student’s perception on lecturer’s role in making them understand the subject and its utility increased significantly as well they enjoyed learning accounting. The results also show controversial evidence of student’s characteristics as influencing students’ perceptions on accounting. The students’ perceptions have a marginal effect on the final grade, in which male and female students perform significantly different.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) - Portuga

Costing study of two-year accelerated honours degrees

Report to HEFCE by Liz Hart Associates. "[This] study had two key objectives: to provide evidence of the impact of two-year accelerated honours degrees on course costs; to make comparisons with the costs of comparable degrees delivered through the traditional three-year route; and, in addition, the study was to consider any barriers to the possibility of expansion of two-year accelerated honours degrees... The indicative cost comparisons and institutional modelling in this study clearly show the potential for cost savings represented by two-year accelerated honours degrees. However, the realisation of these savings presents further challenges for institutions and the study makes recommendations to HEFCE as to how some of these might be addressed." - pp 3-4

An Analysis of Chinese acquisitions of Made in Italy firms in the luxury sector

Outward Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI) from emerging economies has begun to increase significantly and has been growing at a faster pace than Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the developed world. This research seeks to assess the impact of Chinese acquisitions and their implications for the “Made in Italy” luxury sector and its firms. This paper presents a cross-case analysis of two Chinese acquisitions in order to provide some in-depth insights into the influences and the motives driving Chinese firms to invest in the luxury Made in Italy sector, the patterns and modes of the Chinese acquisitions as well as the competitive strategies and the distinctive challenges that both investors and acquired firms have to face. From the findings, it emerges that both the investor and the acquired firm need to overcome several key challenges to be mutual benefits from the acquisition

Learning Accountability From Bologna: A Higher Education Policy Primer

Outlines issues from the European Higher Education Area's Bologna Process, a framework for standardizing degree qualifications, credits and curriculum reform, and supplementary documentation. Suggests changes to raise accountability in U.S. institutions

Graduate employment: issues for debate and enquiry

Recent European studies have shown most graduates to be in quite reasonable employment situations a few years after graduating. While concerns continue to be expressed by some employers that many graduates do not possess the right skills and competencies, there is also considerable industry in many universities to improve the employability of their graduates. Does the evidence justify optimism