Your search found 5496 results.

Descriptors:
Cost Effectiveness; Outcomes of Education; Workplace Learning; Foreign Countries; Industry; Human Capital; Productivity; Technological Advancement; Models; Regression (Statistics)

Abstract:
One of the central problems in managing technological change and maintaining a competitive advantage in business is improving the skills of the workforce through investment in human capital and a variety of training practices. This paper explores the evidence on the impact of training investment on productivity in 14 Canadian industries from 1999 to 2005. Our productivity analysis demonstrates that in 12 out of 14 industries, training had a positive effect on productivity. However, when the analysis is put within a financial context, the return on investment was positive in only four industries. Faced with negative rates of return, why should managers in most of the industries in the study promote investment in training? Probably the best explanation is that new technology requires an investment in training. The investment in training is necessary just for the firm to maintain its current labour productivity. Employee turnover necessarily impedes the efficacy of training, because trained workers leave, and untrained workers arrive. Thus, training in this instance again is necessary just to maintain current labour productivity. (Contains 4 tables and 1 footnote.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

Related Items: Show Related Items

Full-Text Availability Options:

More Info:
Help | Tutorial Help Finding Full Text |  More Info:
Help Find in a Library |  Publisher's website

Descriptors:
Teaching Methods; Industry; Instructional Innovation; Technology Education; Standards; Vignettes; Problem Solving; High Schools; High School Students; Secondary School Teachers

Abstract:
Innovation is central to modern industry. It can and should be taught in schools. Not only does providing students a background in innovation benefit them later in life and industry, but it also promotes and further develops their critical thinking and collaboration skills. Despite the need for innovation, many have struggled with how to teach it. Typically, this is a result of thinking about innovation too linearly. In innovation, there typically is no single right answer, and there isn't a defined path leading towards a perfect solution. Rather, innovation is a nonlinear development of ideas where the ingredients of finding, shaping, playing, refining, and sharing are used interchangeably to develop innovative products, systems, or services. This article provides a brief fictional vignette, drawn from the authors' experiences teaching innovation to students, of specific methods a teacher could use to incorporate innovation into his or her classroom. (Contains 1 table, 3 images and 1 graphic.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

Related Items: Show Related Items

Full-Text Availability Options:

More Info:
Help | Tutorial Help Finding Full Text |  More Info:
Help Find in a Library |  Publisher's website

Descriptors:
Adult Education; English (Second Language); Foreign Countries; Manufacturing; Industry; Semi Structured Interviews; Needs Assessment; Case Studies; Online Surveys; Second Language Learning; English for Special Purposes; Engineering; Questionnaires; Oral Language; Second Language Instruction

Abstract:
The global high-tech industry is characterized by extreme competitiveness, innovation, and widespread use of English. Consequently, Taiwanese high-tech companies require engineers that are talented in both their engineering and English abilities. In response to the lack of knowledge regarding the English skills needed by engineers in Taiwan's high-tech sector, this paper presents an English needs analysis of process integration engineers (PIEs) at a leading semiconductor manufacturing company. Based on English skills for engineers and professionals in Asia-Pacific countries, online survey-questionnaires and semi-structured interview questions were developed and administered to PIEs. Results show that engineers face numerous English communicative events similar to other Asia-Pacific nations, including highly frequent writing and reading events such as email, reports, and memos, while common oral events include meetings, teleconferences, and presentations. Findings also indicate that the need for English increases in tandem with the engineer's career, with oral skills being in particular demand for customer visits and relationship building. Moreover, considering the scope of the communicative events PIEs face, Taiwanese learning institutions, ESP instructors and course designers should endeavor to include authentic training in specific areas such as genre-specific writing (i.e., email vs. reports vs. memos), CMC communication (i.e., telephony and teleconference), and delivering presentations. (Contains 8 tables and 1 figure.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

Related Items: Show Related Items

Full-Text Availability Options:

More Info:
Help | Tutorial Help Finding Full Text |  More Info:
Help Find in a Library |  Publisher's website

Descriptors:
Experiential Learning; Foreign Countries; Industry; Educational Change; Creative Development; School Business Relationship; Partnerships in Education; Creative Activities; Agency Cooperation; Cooperative Planning; Cooperative Programs; Group Dynamics; Peer Groups; Peer Relationship; Professional Development; Skill Analysis; Skill Development; Network Analysis; Institutional Role; Organizational Climate; Organizational Culture; Organizational Theories

Abstract:
In the UK, the creative sector has been identified as a key strand in the economic recovery strategy. Composed of mostly micro and small enterprises often grouping together for particular commissions and projects, there is a tendency to operate primarily through a series of networks made up of peers. This paper presents the outcomes of a "peer-to-peer business programme", or action learning set, involving 10 participants from the creative sector over a period of 6 months. The programme was based on a "Six-Squared" model where participants would address their own needs alongside participating in, and developing further understanding of, action learning sets in order to establish sets with others. Assessment of outcomes indicated that the programme allowed participants to develop new skills with peers, network and strengthen relationships and collaborate in a university programme. The paper concludes by suggesting that, within the context of a growing and vibrant creative industries sector and increasing pressures on universities to engage with the business community, it is essential to develop flexible, peer-led and innovative models of collaboration. (Contains 1 figure and 1 note.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

Related Items: Show Related Items

Full-Text Availability Options:

More Info:
Help | Tutorial Help Finding Full Text |  More Info:
Help Find in a Library |  Publisher's website

Descriptors:
Community Colleges; School Community Relationship; Partnerships in Education; Industry; Labor Force; STEM Education; Labor Force Development; College Role; Barriers

Abstract:
As concerns grow over labor shortages in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, the colleges ready students for jobs or more education. Educators are also looking to community colleges to fill the gap. With their high enrollments of minority and low-income students, community colleges are obvious places to recruit a diverse work force. One of the first steps is to alert students to the STEM jobs going unfilled for lack of qualified applicants. Because community-college students are more likely than others to be financially strained, however, they may shy away from time-intensive STEM programs. Those juggling classes, jobs, and family demands can be daunted by the academic requirements. And deficiencies in math often land students in remedial-course quicksand. There is also an image issue. Many students view science and math as fields for nerds, according to a report last year by the National Academies. Key to recruiting, it said, is "creating a culture where it's cool to be smart." Community colleges are working to break through those barriers, often in partnerships with industry or neighboring four-year colleges. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

Related Items: Show Related Items

Full-Text Availability Options:

More Info:
Help | Tutorial Help Finding Full Text |  More Info:
Help Find in a Library |  Publisher's website

Descriptors:
College Credits; Summer Programs; Foreign Countries; Industry; Cultural Influences; Universities; Summer Schools; Foreign Students; Asians; College Faculty; Social Networks; Student Recruitment; Educational Trends; Trend Analysis; College Students

Abstract:
American-style summer programs in China, catering to Chinese-born students, have taken American universities by surprise. They are yet one more player in the complex and often opaque Chinese education industry, an industry in which American colleges are finding themselves increasingly entwined. These programs have become a booming enterprise, hiring professors from high-profile institutions, Harvard and Berkeley among them, to teach for a few weeks in the summer. They recruit Chinese students through friends and social media to check off a few college credits while visiting home, and they have persuaded American universities to accept their credits. At Indiana University at Bloomington alone, more than 175 students enrolled in 10 different programs this past summer. The private programs have allowed Chinese students to transfer credit back to the American colleges where they're enrolled, but American officials are taking a closer look. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

Related Items: Show Related Items

Full-Text Availability Options:

More Info:
Help | Tutorial Help Finding Full Text |  More Info:
Help Find in a Library |  Publisher's website

Descriptors:
Foreign Countries; Education Work Relationship; Employers; Expectation; College Graduates; Employment Potential; Career Readiness; Work Environment; Virtual Classrooms; Work Experience; Foods Instruction; Science Programs; Student Attitudes; Industry; Technology Uses in Education

Abstract:
The expectation that universities will produce graduates with high levels of work readiness is now a commonplace in government policies and statements from industry representatives. Meeting the demand requires that students gain industry related experience before graduation. Traditionally students have done so by undertaking extended work placements. With increasing numbers of students competing for a limited number of placements, virtual and simulated work environments are becoming popular alternative strategies. This paper describes the simulation of workplace practices through the introduction of integrated contextual learning (ICL) into the Food Science Program at Curtin Univ. as a way of enhancing employability and increasing students' confidence that they are work ready. (Contains 3 figures.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

Related Items: Show Related Items

Full-Text Availability Options:

More Info:
Help | Tutorial Help Finding Full Text |  More Info:
Help Find in a Library |  Publisher's website

Descriptors:
Foreign Countries; Industry; Rural Population; Reliability; Pollution; Quality of Life; Environmental Education; Questionnaires; Rural Areas; Social Indicators; Sociometric Techniques; Physical Environment; Surveys; Statistical Analysis; Environmental Influences

Abstract:
To compare QOL among rural people living in three different industrial areas and one non-industrial area in southern Thailand. A questionnaire based on the WHOQOL-BREF with environmental assessment was initially developed. After consultation with experts and pilot study, it was tested to check internal reliability and further modified as necessary. The final version was then used to survey residents of three rural areas close to organic industries, a gas refinery, and an electricity power plant and residents from a non-industrial area. The developed scale has acceptable reliability coefficient (0.76). The overall QOL scores among those living in all study areas were high (mean greater than 3.75 out of 5). Only environmental QOL domain was slightly low (mean = 3.7) among these living close to the gas refinery area where people were distinctively disturbed by various types of pollution. Unpleasant odours were reported by residents living close to the power plant and areas of organic industries. After adjustment for age, education, income level and marital status, the residents of industrial areas were more than two times likely to have an unfavorable QOL. The level of pollution in the study industrial area should be reduced. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

Related Items: Show Related Items

Full-Text Availability Options:

More Info:
Help | Tutorial Help Finding Full Text |  More Info:
Help Find in a Library |  Publisher's website

Descriptors:
Labor Legislation; Employment Patterns; Labor; Labor Market; Minimum Wage; Equal Opportunities (Jobs); Economic Change; Employees; Surveys; Sampling; Role; Correlation; Industry; Salaries; Guidelines; Compliance (Legal); Competition; Costs

Abstract:
Despite three decades of scholarship on economic restructuring in the United States, employers' violations of minimum wage, overtime and other workplace laws remain understudied. This article begins to fill the gap by presenting evidence from a large-scale, original worker survey that draws on recent advances in sampling methodology to reach vulnerable workers. Our findings suggest that in America's three largest cities, violations of employment and labor laws are pervasive across low-wage industries and occupations, affecting a wide range of workers. But while worker characteristics are correlated with violations, job and employer characteristics play the stronger role, including industry, occupation and measures of informality and nonstandard work. We therefore propose a framework in which employers' noncompliance with labor regulations is one axis of a competitive strategy based on labor cost reduction, contributing to the reorganization of work and production in the 21st century labor market. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

Related Items: Show Related Items

Full-Text Availability Options:

More Info:
Help | Tutorial Help Finding Full Text |  More Info:
Help Find in a Library |  Publisher's website

Descriptors:
Immigrants; Asian Americans; Industry; Employment Patterns; Labor; Labor Market; Salary Wage Differentials; Skilled Workers; Technological Advancement; Correlation; Ethnicity; Employment Level; Comparative Analysis; Gender Differences

Abstract:
The increase in high-skilled immigrants to the United States coincided with the expansion of the high-technology sector, and now a large share of Asian immigrants concentrate in high-tech industries. Despite much research on the relationship between ethnic concentration and labor market outcomes, the association between ethnic niche employment and earnings within the high-technology sector of the labor market has yet to be examined. This study compares the relationship between employment in ethnic niches and earnings within high- and low-tech industries among Asian immigrants. In low-technology industries, ethnic niches are generally associated with lower earnings compared with non-niches, but in high-technology industries, employment in an ethnic niche is associated with higher earnings. These patterns vary by gender and ethnic group. This association is partly explained by the industries that comprise ethnic niches, as non-Hispanic white immigrants also experience some of the same advantages and disadvantages. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

Related Items: Show Related Items

Full-Text Availability Options:

More Info:
Help | Tutorial Help Finding Full Text |  More Info:
Help Find in a Library |  Publisher's website