1,720,975 research outputs found
From passion to profession: an employability framework in sport development
Full text linkEmployers seek graduates with a broad skill set who can acquire and implement new skills to quickly adapt to changes in the workplace. To ensure graduates are well-equipped for the workforce, universities should prioritise not just delivery of discipline-specific coursework, but also provision of opportunities for students to cultivate their employability skills. Tailored employability initiatives across the lifecycle of a degree are presented in this paper. By examining a case study in Sport Development, the article showcases how structured employability curriculum can be effectively integrated into core subjects to provide students with the essential abilities and understanding required for graduate employment. This paper demonstrates that universities have the potential to further strengthen students’ employability skills by incorporating customised employability initiatives throughout the student lifecycle, encompassing both curricular and co-curricular activities. Universities are encouraged to work closely with alumni, industry, and other stakeholders to develop a degree-wide approach to employability activities that are tailored to the needs of students and their future profession
Understanding brand consumer and brand producer perspectives on the impacts and influences of industry challenges on esports brands
No full textEsports, or competitive video gaming, has grown into a global media entertainment product, attracting millions of viewers and generating revenue for brands through tournaments and sponsorships. However, as the esports industry has matured, industry challenges have emerged that potentially threaten the financial sustainability of esports organisations. The current research identified gender inclusivity and match-fixing as two relevant industry challenges that could impact an esports brand's ability to attract new fans and retain existing consumers. As industry challenges, gender inclusivity and match-fixing are expected to impact how esports brands are perceived and influence consumer motivations to watch these brands. The purpose of the current research was to examine how Australian esports brand consumers and brand producers perceive the effects of gender inclusivity and match-fixing on esports brands. It also investigated how these industry challenges influence consumer motivations to watch these brands.
Eight research questions were advanced across two studies to explore how industry challenges impact esports brands and influence consumer motivations to watch these brands. An exploratory qualitative research design was adopted to address the research questions, with the two studies conducted sequentially and each consisting of four research questions. Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT) informed each study. UGT assumes that the audience members are active and consciously seek out media to gratify their needs. Thus, UGT has been employed throughout the esports and Sport Management literature to understand the motivations of consumer's choice and use of media.
Study 1 consisted of an online qualitative survey distributed on Australian esports forums. Data were collected from Australian esports brand consumers (N = 22). This study explored how brand consumers perceived the impact of gender inclusivity and match-fixing on esports brands. Additionally, Study 1 investigated how brand consumers perceived the influence of the industry challenges on their motivations to watch these esports brands. The process of thematic analysis generated 11 themes across the four research questions. Gender inclusivity was perceived to impact an esports brand through Representation Matters, Expecting Inclusivity, and Navigating Gender Inclusivity. Match-fixing impacts perceptions of esports brands by Punishing Athletes, the Adverse Effects of Monetary Incentives, and Detrimental Brand Outcomes. Regarding consumer motivations to watch esports brands, consumers relayed the influence of Deprived Social Escape, Virtuous Engagement and Athlete-focused Indifference. The influences of match-fixing on consumer motivations to watch esports brands include Reduced Motivation and Mitigating Disengagement. Overall, gender inclusivity was perceived more positively, with match-fixing perceived more negatively from the perspective of brand consumers. However, the nuance within the findings illustrates that esports brands must be managed effectively and strategically.
Study 2 employed semi-structured interviews with Australian esports brand producers (N=30). Study 2 explored how brand producers perceive gender inclusivity and match-fixing to impact esports brands. Additionally, Study 2 investigated how brand producers perceived the industry challenges to influence consumer motivations to watch these esports brands. Thematic analysis was employed in Study 2, and 17 themes were generated. The perceived impacts of gender inclusivity on an esports brand include, Advantageous Inclusivity, Provides Belonging, Representation and Women's Labour, Creating Complexities, and Authentically Crafting Inclusivity. Match-fixing was perceived to affect esports brands by the Perceived Transference of Negative Perceptions, Negative Perceptions, Punishment, and Action Mitigates Impacts. Responses indicated that brand producers perceived gender inclusivity to influence consumer motivation to watch an esports brand through Progressive Perceptions, Engaging Representation, Individual Choice, and Inclusivity Barriers. Match-fixing was perceived to influence consumer motivation to watch an esports brand through Diminished Integrity, Decreased Engagement, Reduced Drama, and Limited Individual Impact. Ultimately, the findings from Study 2 broadly support those from Study 1, where gender inclusivity is perceived more positively, and match-fixing is perceived more negatively. Similar to Study 1, the nuance provided by the qualitative investigation highlights how esports brands must be managed strategically.
Collectively, the findings from the two studies contribute to UGT. The findings from Study 2 detail that brand producers, broadly, hold similar perceptions to those of brand consumers and provide valuable insight into how consumers are assumed to receive brand communication and their resulting motivation to watch the esports brand. For example, brand consumers detailed that Representation Matters and brand producers expanded upon this response through Engaging Representation. As such, Study 2 contributes to the UGT literature by demonstrating that brand producers hold valuable insight regarding consumer motivations to watch esports brands. Additionally, the findings inform a number of managerial implications. For example, for gender inclusivity initiatives to be broadly perceived as positive, esports brand managers must find an authentic and genuine approach. One option is for these initiatives to be provided long-term support.Thesis (PhD Doctorate)Doctor of PhilosophyDept Tourism, Sport & Hot MgmtGriffith Business SchoolFull Tex
From uncertainty to clarity: A career plan task empowering first-year university students
Full text linkThis study explored the development and implementation of a Career Plan assessment task within an undergraduate degree. The task was designed to support first-year university students in exploring and positively developing their professional identity and confidence in achieving their career goals. Embedded within the curriculum, the assessment required students to complete five structured steps: Source, Analyse, Identify, Develop and Reflect. Through these steps, students identified, explored and demonstrated their self- and career-opportunity awareness, recognised and developed their employability skills and career aspirations, and clarified their sense of purpose for their future career direction. Evaluation of this task highlighted its positive impact on students, revealing growth in their confidence and professional identity. The structured nature of the task provided a clear framework for career planning, equipping students with practical skills and fostering a deeper understanding of their career aspirations. Overall, the findings demonstrate that this career planning intervention was both effective and highly valued by students, supporting their vocational development and career readiness during their transition into university life.Full Tex
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Work-integrated learning opportunities and first-year university students’ perceptions of employability
No full textUniversities are attempting to respond to recent changes in the employment sector in order to ensure graduates are job ready. One approach for preparing students for the evolving employment sector is to expose them to work integrated learning (WIL) experiences during their undergraduate degree. Traditionally, WIL experiences have been offered towards the end of students’ degrees, but there might be value in offering such opportunities as students’ transition into university. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of brief WIL experiences on first year university students’ perceptions of employability and academic performance. Students (N = 28, Mage = 19.47 years) reported enhanced perceptions of employability and performed better on academic assessments following exposure to 10-hours of job shadowing. The findings from the study support the implementation of WIL experiences in the foundation year of university and offer applied implications for educators, universities, and the employment sector.Full Tex
Behaviour Management Strategies of Beginning AFL Coaches
No full textThis thesis investigates the behaviour management practices used by beginning AFL coaches. It examines beginning coaches’ perceptions of their role, and whether they believe it is their responsibility to manage athlete behaviour. The nature of coaching is multifaceted requiring them to take on many responsibilities. Consequently, coaches can have both a positive and negative effect on the athletes they train. Negative effects range from athlete drop out, injuries, and loss of confidence. On the other hand, positive effects include engaged and motivated athletes, increased self esteem and low attrition rates. It is for this reason that coaches need to ensure they create positive environments for athletes. A postmodern ethnographic approach was used to explore the experiences of AFL beginning coaching candidates. Data was collected via questionnaires, interviews and observations. Data analysis techniques were employed to identify themes and issues around beginning coach’s perceptions, strategies and practices in managing athlete behaviour. Analysis also included the use of a methodological tool that was developed, pilot tested and implemented as a mechanism for evaluating the effectiveness of behaviour management practices.Thesis (PhD Doctorate)Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Griffith Business SchoolGriffith Business SchoolFull Tex
Managing Participation within a Novice Coaching Context
No full textGriffith Health, School of Rehabilitation SciencesFull Tex
Coaching Strategies to Manage Youth Athlete Behaviour in Football
No full textOne of the most important objectives of sport coaching is the creation of a positive learning environment in which athletes can develop the technical skills required for success as individuals and as a team. Problems relating to athlete misbehaviour during practice sessions can impact upon the quality of the learning environment. The purpose of this study was to observe sport coaches to determine the effectiveness of strategies used to manage athlete behaviour. Twenty-eight youth football coaches were observed in a coaching setting to identify the behaviour management strategies used to manage their athlete’s behaviour. The findings demonstrated that coaches incorporated a limited number of behaviour management strategies. Results from observations indicated that coaches used consequent strategies to control athlete behaviour with an over-reliance on verbal, as opposed to nonverbal strategies. Furthermore, the data demonstrated that coaches utilized more intrinsic rather than extrinsic behaviour management strategies. The study suggests that coaches need to utilize a wider range of strategies to manage athlete behaviour to allow athletes opportunities to optimize their sporting potential.Full Tex
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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