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When quality assurance meets innovation in Higher Education: alumni-informed programme development and education for innovation
No full textThis case study shares an innovation that commenced in the School of Visual Communication and Design, University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Alumni feedback became integral to the design and delivery of programs suited to dynamic work environments
Supporting Autistic Employees in Learning in the Workplace: A Qualitative Phenomenological Investigation in the Israeli High-tech Context
Get PDFThis research project investigates which factors support autistic employees in their learning in the workplace, with particular focus on the Israeli high-tech industry, through a qualitative, interview-based approach. Notably, in a neurotypically-dominant environment, autistic individuals are challenged in areas such as social intelligence, emotional intelligence, collaboration, and communication skills (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). These skills are important to success and retention, as well as the creation of effective work environments, in a global environment that has undergone major transformation in the last few decades with the advancement of technology (World Economic Forum, 2023). However, autistic individuals offer unique strengths relevant in workplace settings; amongst them are a good memory, meticulous accuracy, exceptional detail orientation, love of learning, and the ability to focus for long periods of time (Wong, Donelly, Neck, & Boyd, 2018). To fully utilize the strengths of these individuals, it is important that learning and development activities are made as accessible as possible, taking their neurological differences into account for effective inclusion.
This dissertation encompasses a thorough review of the literature to consider various facets of this issue, along with rich qualitative data of individuals’ experiences related to the phenomenon of learning in the workplace. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with fifteen individuals: ten autistic employees in the high-tech industry, and five specialists who support autistic individuals in the employment context. Thematic analysis yielded five primary themes that inform effective learning outcomes: a training syllabus, the delivery method, the environment (physical and social), the learning materials themselves, and unique aspects of the autistic learner.
A key outcome of this research is a model of practical and actionable strategies for autistic employees, managers of autistic employees, and trainers in technological contexts. This tool will enable valuable inclusion and effective learning experiences for autistic employees in their learning activities in the workplace
Evaluation of the Usability and Fit Between Individual, Task, Technology and Environment of an Electronic Prescribing and Administration System (ePMA)
Get PDFThe ‘Must Have’ Imperative of Social Value. Causal effects of Globalisation and Reflections on the Future of Ethics in Business.
Get PDFEnvironmental deterioration and social and economic inequality are just two of the many problems to have emerged as a result of economic globalisation, the movement which has significantly altered the global economic landscape. The need to reconsider the existing economic model and investigate substitutes to put a higher priority on social and environmental standards is becoming more and more pressing (Geissdoerfer, 2018).
Though it may seem unattainable, it may be feasible to map out a path towards a time when a more sustainable and democratic society places equal importance on these ideals as it does on profit (Pickering, 2022).
This body of research discusses the ways we might narrow down options to achieve a standardised framework for the inclusion of Social Value in business within the global economic model (OECD, 2018)
A Study of the Relationships between Listed Companies' Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Reporting, Company Value and Investment Risk in Hong Kong
Get PDFDriven by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues across the globe over the years, ESG reporting continues to grow as a top priority for listed companies on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (listed companies). Nowadays, listed companies in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (Hong Kong) are expected to look beyond profit maximisation and demonstrate their accountability to various stakeholders including but not limited to shareholders, employees, creditors, suppliers, customers, community and government. In addition to changing business environment particularly during and post COVID-19 pandemic, ESG regulatory requirements have also been evolving and changing quickly. With effect from 1 July 2020, listed companies in Hong Kong are subject to the stringent disclosure requirements as stipulated in the ESG Reporting Guide under Appendix 27 to the Main Board Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. In respect of ESG, the expectations of stakeholders are increasing together with more stringent ESG regulatory reporting requirements have been imposed for listed companies in Hong Kong from time to time.
This primary focus of this study is to examine ESG reporting and its quality in terms of ESG performance and the relationships with the company value and investment risk of listed companies in Hong Kong. The research aims of this study are to investigate how the board effectiveness affects ESG reporting and the value of ESG reporting. The research objectives of this study are to investigate the effects of board attributes on ESG performance, the relationship between ESG performance and the company value as well as the relationship between ESG performance and the investment risk.
Firstly, this study investigates the reasons for increasing the attention and efforts of the management in addressing ESG reporting in particular on a voluntary basis in addition to the legal regulatory requirements based on the mandatory basis and “comply or explain” basis together with the costs, benefits, contemporary challenges and issues in ESG reporting of listed companies in Hong Kong. Then, this study investigates how the board attributes affects ESG performance, the relationship between ESG performance and the company value as well as the relationship between ESG performance and the investment risk.
The research is guided by three research questions and has used quantitative research methods in order to answer the research questions.
The first research question addresses whether the board attributes affect ESG performance of listed companies in Hong Kong. This has been examined quantitatively using the fixed effects panel regression model. Based on the statistical results, there is evidence to infer that the separation of the roles of chairman and chief executive officer is statistically significant and positively related to the S&P Global ESG Score. This infers that a listed company with the board independence in terms of the separation of chairman and chief executive officer would have a better ESG performance. However, there is no evidence to infer that the board size or proportion of independent non-executive directors is statistically significant and related to the S&P Global ESG Score. The results do not support that the board size or proportion of independent non-executive directors affects ESG performance.
The second research question addresses whether ESG performance affects the company value of listed companies in Hong Kong. This has been examined quantitatively using the fixed effects panel regression model. Based on the statistical results, there is no evidence to infer that the S&P Global ESG Score is statistically significant and related to the price-book value ratio. As such, the results suggest that ESG performance does not affect the company value.
The third research question addresses whether ESG performance affects the investment risk of listed companies in Hong Kong. This has been examined quantitatively using the random effects panel regression model. Based on the statistical results, there is evidence to infer that the S&P Global ESG Score is statistically significant and negatively related to the annual share price volatility. As such, the results suggest that the ESG performance affects the investment risk negatively. This infers that a listed company with a better ESG performance would have a lower investment risk.
Overall, this thesis enhances the existing body of knowledge and understanding of ESG reporting and its quality in terms of ESG performance and the relationships with the company value and investment risk. In particular, it fills the research gap in the study of ESG in the context of listed companies in Hong Kong. Such investigations are expected to provide constructive information for policy makers and regulatory bodies of Hong Kong to make improvements and changes to the existing ESG regulatory and reporting regime as well as practical insights for management of listed companies in Hong Kong
Negotiating additional learning needs reform in Wales: The voice of the ALNCo
Get PDFThrough a focus on the work of the additional learning needs co‐ordinator (ALNCo) and their collaboration with others, this article examines the policy–practice intersection, specifically focusing on inclusive education and practices to support additional learning needs in primary schools in Wales in response to recent educational reform. Our study gathered data from three focus groups of ALNCos across south Wales, with three participants in each group. Our findings explore ALNCos' sense of connectedness within the system and the conditions that supported the development of certain educational practices, some of which align with the new policy agenda and others which have their roots in the previous system of supporting children with special educational needs. Four key themes are presented: compliance with mandated practice, non‐compliance and resistance to reform, the importance of accountability within local systems, and challenges of the ALNCo role
Assessing awareness and innovation challenges in SMEs: a case study in the Geoscience Sector
Get PDFInnovation has become a topic of strong focus for different companies and institutions around the globe as the innovation capacity, or the lack of, can substantially influence the firm’s position against its competitors and ultimately the survival of the business. In this context, a SME in the geoscience sector has embarked in the plan for increasing its innovation capacity. Nonetheless, different challenges are always present, including internal and external barriers. Therefore, the current study conducted a survey on 6 targeted groups (Directors, Managers, Business Support, Laboratories, Analysts, New Ventures & Business Development) to identify different trends in how innovation is perceived internally and what are the main concerns when it comes to implementing innovation. The survey was conducted focusing on 3 different segments: awareness of innovation, challenges and risks, and support and engagement. The data obtained revealed that the main limitations are related to financial and budgetary restrictions but also highlights challenges such as time allocation and company culture. The obtained information reflects what is typically reported in the literature as the main challenges SMEs face when implementing innovation. The results suggest that the company is heading in the right direction and could strengthen its position with the implementation additional processes and recommendations. Amongst those, this study provides different recommendations to help strengthen the innovation capacity within the company, including crowdsourcing campaigns, open innovation, informative digital boards for announcement and the implementation of the ISO 56000 series for innovation management
Exploring the Impact of Review Authenticity on Consumer Trust in the Online E-Commerce Industry in the UK
Get PDFPurpose: The aim of the research is to critically evaluate the impact of review authenticity on consumer trust in the online E-commerce industry in the UK. Shift to ecommerce shopping has increased since past few years and Covid-19 triggered the pace. In this context, online shopping increasingly makes consumers inclined to check reviews and purchase products. However, fake reviews or questions about review authenticity creates confusion among consumers and this triggers the question of consumer remain loyal to the brand. This aspect is important and reflects the research significance.
Methods: The study considered positivism for its objective assumption and based on deductive approach the specific observation of the research context has been ensured. The study has conducted a survey with 100 sample size and has used SPSS for interpreting the research findings. The study has followed descriptive statistics, correlation test, ANOVA and regression methods to interpret the results.
Findings: The analysis provides an understanding of the influence of providing authentic reviews. It explains the market condition of the UK where the consumers look after the online reviews and base their decisions around this understanding. Positive skewness, huge data variation and positive correlation has shown that review authenticity has a significant impact on consumer trust in the UK ecommerce industry. Consumer trust is a vital factor in the ecommerce industry and in this dimension, authentic reviews and ratings can help the ecommerce brands to achieve. The study findings could help the academicians and research scholars to delve more into this topic with primary observations who are willing to conduct research with a closer topic.
Implications: The need for authentic reviews and ratings highlighted in the results comes as a roadmap for market practitioners or decision makers in ecommerce industry which could make them understand that how authentic reviews can influence consumer trust. The study has been able to enrich existing theoretical base by emphasis that how much authentic reviews and ratings are influential for achieving consumer trust
Bridge Pier Surface Defect Detection Based on Improved YOLOV9
Get PDFThis research introduces an innovative surface defect detection methodology specifically designed for bridge piers, which integrates state-of-the-art image enhancement algorithms with sophisticated target detection frameworks. This hybrid approach effectively addresses some of the inherent limitations observed in existing deep learning-based defect detection methodologies, particularly under conditions of suboptimal image quality and challenges related to the detection of minute targets. Comparative results demonstrate that this novel technique achieves a 3.9% increase in the mean Average Precision (mAP50) over the baseline model. Furthermore, this is accomplished with a reduction in model complexity, as evidenced by a 9.8% decrease in the number of parameters and a substantial reduction in computational demand, quantified as a 7.5 GFLOPS decrease. This study not only advances the field of structural health monitoring but also enhances the operational efficiency of automated defect detection systems
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