Reflections on practice-centred curricula in teaching entrepreneurship in Malaysia

This paper discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship education in a regional Malaysian context and provides the design details of entrepreneurship modules providing a practical experience. It is argued that an active, experience-centred module delivery helps to revitalise student curiosity in entrepreneurial activities. The paper utilises the phenomenological approach to explore the contemporary challenges of entrepreneurship education and to gain a deeper insight into its contemporary complexity. The material for the phenomenological analysis is obtained by means of focus groups which are contrasted with the students’ written reflections and staff observations on teaching and learning activities in entrepreneurship modules. The findings indicate that two months timescale for studying entrepreneurship is too short because of competing priorities within the programme of study and an eclectic essence of entrepreneurship. It was also found that students believe that being supported by tutors having practical experience is motivating and reassures them about further learning. The concerns about the applicability of Western concepts of entrepreneurship education to the Malaysian context were not corroborated. It has been argued that practice-centred learning opportunities are often associated with off-campus education and take place in the ‘real world’. The suggested design for standalone entrepreneurship modules evidently ensures a rich experience for students and provides an effective springboard for developing entrepreneurial aspirations

A comparative analysis of graduate employment prospects in European labour markets:a study of graduate recruitment in four countries

The aim of this paper is to provide a comparative analysis of higher education and the graduate labour markets in selected European countries (France, Germany, Spain and United Kingdom) in the context of the expectations of graduates and prospective employers, and respective recruitment and selection practices. Expectations of graduating students from a number of European collaborating universities are sought and analysed in order to find out about a match between the knowledge and skills of graduates and the needs of European employers. The study examines the process of graduate recruitment, employee and employer expectations, and the role of higher education institutions in meeting such expectations. Primary data was gathered from 252 employers and 485 final year (graduating) students through the use of questionnaires. The analysis of the data collected has revealed different approaches to but similar methods of graduate recruitment between the four countries. Despite the current differences in higher education systems and labour market trends, the expectations of employers and graduating students are more similar than different. It is concluded that EU graduates will have good employment prospects in an integrated labour market

Internet innovations:exploring new horizons

The aim of this paper is to provide a standpoint on an emerging trend in sharing digital video content over the Internet. The paper is based on participative evaluative analysis of business model employed by digital video content sharing providers. The authors have found that because of wide diffusion of broadband and cheap video recording equipment, enabling digital video content to be shared online, and emerging business internet video sharing practice its users increasingly find themselves infringing the intellectual property rights of others. This has implications for anyone using online video resources. The paper offers an insight into the increasing popularity of online video and the resulting dilemmas encountered by internet researchers; it also offers a functional way for researchers, businesses and online users to understand the mechanism of infringement of the intellectual property rights relating to online video content. The paper further contributes to expanding the understanding of internet users behaviour in relation to digital video content creation and distribution in the context of challenges faced by cyberlaw

Au fait law placements:an emerged reality or a popular trend in contemporary education?

PurposeEnhancing student employability and bridging the gap between theory and practice in law education requires a more multifaceted approach than the traditional mix of lectures, tutorials and simulations. Law placements also provide an opportunity to reinforce the importance of the professional practice standards and requirements laid down by the Law Society of Scotland. The design and implementation of law placements is analysed from the point of initiation to becoming a regular practice. The emphasis is on placements embedded in the programme of study offered to Stage 3 students to facilitate their career choices prior to specialisation in the final year.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilises a longitudinal multi-method approach, allowing the analysis of various aspects the development and practical implementation of law related placements. The views of students, academic staff and representatives of local employers are gathered by in-depth interviews. A reflective workbook method is also used to analyse the ‘integration’ of learning and to support the ‘demonstration’ and assessment of personal and professional capabilities which are difficult to assess by other means.FindingsThe paper presents the challenge faced by a higher education institution in organising meaningful placements and looks at the other avenues explored, particularly in the Third Sector. There are differences in the expectations of law placement providers (law firms and Third Sector organisations) in respect of students’ skill and knowledge base. The students were explicit about the need to demystify the profession and are appreciative of experience with atypical law placement providers which expands their perceptions of the choices within a law career. Students have also indicated a positive alteration in their attitude to the role of reflective practice, which stimulated changes in their behaviour with respect to professional development.Practical implicationsThe outcomes of the initial stage of this study have implications for law departments in higher education in the context of organising law placements, evaluating their effectiveness and their impact on student employability.Originality/valueTeaching law has its specifics and already employs a number of methods: simulations, negotiation exercises, moots and debates. This paper explores ways of providing a more meaningful practical experience for undergraduate students by placing an emphasis on such elements of professional practice as drafting legal documents and preparing professional opinions, while introducing the complexity of the law profession. Solutions to the challenges faced by the institution in organising those placements are analysed. The study provides an analytical view on the effectiveness of law placements in relation to other widely used approaches to bridging the gap between the theory and practice of law

Examining the foundation of Islamic Organisational Citizenship Behaviour in Jordanian organisations

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that religion plays in the working lives of Muslim employees, by exploring the influences of Islamic values on employees Organisational Citizenship Behaviour. This is a largely quantitative study conducted in Jordanian organisations. The study introduces a theoretical model drawing parallels between Organisational Citizenship Behaviour and Islamic Work Ethics. The participants, comprising of employees of Jordanian public and private sectors, have been randomly invited to express their views on the possible penetration of Islamic values in the workplace. A Partial Least Squares approach alongside a bootstrapping technique was used to analyse the data. The validity of the measurement model was tested using the Fornell and Larcker criterion. Findings indicate that Islamic values do influence the citizenship behaviour, organisational commitment and loyalty to the organisation of employees. Motivated by religion employees are more likely to adopt discretionary citizenship-alike behaviours in the workplace and be loyal to their organisation. The scope of this study is limited by its primary focus of developing an Islamic perspective within the domain of Organisational Citizenship Behaviour, which utilises the Islamic Work Ethics framework rather than being grounded in Islamic holy texts. This paper not only provides a useful insight into the link between religious motivation, citizenship behaviour, and organisational commitment and loyalty, but also notes the influence of religion in the workplace

Exploring student’s perceptions on psychological empowerment by using a business simulation

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. open access journalThis paper introduces a study exploring the impact of computerised business simulations on student’s perceptions about their psychological empowerment. The research is focused on undergraduate business students in a Higher Education institution in the UK. Psychological empowerment is an acknowledged determinant of student engagement in the learning process. A survey-based instrument was designed and administered to students studying different business modules. The survey data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Subsequently, semi-structured interviews were conducted to verify the empirical findings. The results indicate a significant and positive impact of simulation-based pedagogy on intrapersonal, interactional and behavioural dimensions of student’s psychological empowerment. Furthermore, our findings also suggest that these sub-constructs are interconnected. We have also found a positive trend in student academic attainment assisted by the use of computer-based business simulations. These results encourage business and enterprise tutors in Higher Education to embed simulation-backed pedagogies in the teaching and learning process as a means of advancing student learning and experience

7. Exploring the Use of Social Media in the Higher Education Classroom

#Beginner #Facebook #Instagram #LinkedIn #Pinterest Introduction Social media has been actively penetrating all aspects of modern life, including learning, and its influence over HE classroom activities is no exception. Today’s learners in the United Kingdom are well armed with a range of the latest gadgets: smartphones, tablets, smart watches, health bracelets — to name but a few. HE students carry these gadgets around with them, bring them into the classroom, and use them regularly througho..