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Purpose: The article explores the evolving nature of the workplace, emphasising the importance of soft skills alongside technological proficiency for organisational success and employee retention. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative approach to examine the role of soft skills in the contemporary workplace, drawing insights from the ADP People at Work 2023 report and expert opinion to highlight the significance of interpersonal competencies in driving collaboration, innovation and employee loyalty. Findings: The findings underscore the pivotal role of soft skills in fostering cohesive work environments, enhancing employee engagement and mitigating turnover rates. It emphasises the need for organisations to prioritise the development of soft skills through recruitment, training and performance management initiatives to achieve sustained success in a dynamic business landscape. Originality/value: The article contributes to the existing literature by synthesising insights from various sources to advocate for the integration of soft skills into organisational practices. It highlights the strategic imperative for HR leaders to embed soft skills into recruitment processes, training initiatives and performance management practices to nurture a culture of resilience, innovation and collective success in the modern workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to find an answer to the questions: To what extent is the implementation of responsible management education (RME) perceived to be adequate for developing responsible leadership skills among business school students? How should it be used effectively to guarantee such an outcome? Design/methodology/approach: The authors conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 management educators working at three public business schools. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the collected data. Findings: The findings show that the implementation of RME alone is not adequate to ensure the development of responsible leadership skills among students in business schools. However, management educators do perceive it as a considerable step towards that outcome if accompanied with internship and training opportunities to exercise and observe how social roles and activities are practiced in business, not-for-profit and civil society organisations. Originality/value: This study is a pioneering attempt to address the relationship between RME and developing responsible leadership skills among students in non-Western business schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Business growth is one of the most studied areas over the years. However, with the current uncertainty and entrepreneurial dynamism it becomes relevant to consider new variables such as entrepreneurial skills and competencies that influence its development. Accordingly, this research refers to the impact that the individual's skills have on the entrepreneurial environment. For this purpose, a survey has been developed of employees of different organizations considering the variables of high degree of proactivity in the employees' attitude, entrepreneurial training, innovation, previous experience or risk aversion. Design/methodology/approach: The research has been conducted through fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and the result shows the differences between the combination of variables for business growth through the consideration of sales growth and profit. Findings: The results of this research provide new insights that allow the development and boosting of business growth. Originality/value: The main contribution of this work is to pay attention to the human team of startups and show the role that this has in their growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and test the impact of a social media-based intervention for improving the business skills and income of young smallholder farmers. Design/methodology/approach: First, the researchers used an exploratory approach to develop a social media-based intervention for acquiring business skills and improving income. Second, the researchers tested the effectiveness of the developed programme on a sample of 506 young smallholder farmers. Finally, the intervention and data collection took place over five years (2017–2021). Findings: The result showed steady improvements in business skills and income from 2017 to 2021 for the treatment group, unlike the control group. Also, improvements in business skills led to a reduction in expenses and an increase in profit from 2017 to 2021. A further evaluation of the result showed that an addition of 5.1 mean scores in business skills led to the addition of $91 income between 2017 and 2018; for 2018–2019, 2.6 improvements in business skills increased income by $123. For 2019–2020, a 2.7 improvement increased income by $209, whilst for 2020–2021, a 1.6 improvement increased income by $320. Originality/value: The results of this study could help explore ways of using social media to change behaviour aimed at improving income amongst young smallholder farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In today's highly competitive global business environment, there is a growing demand for professionals who possess well-developed soft skills. Such abilities include flexibility, effective communication and other skills. Soft skills are personal attributes and qualities that are more closely related to the emotional side of human beings. Individuals must cultivate and hone soft skills during their undergraduate studies. These skills, also known as interpersonal or non-technical skills, are essential to complement hard skills and pave the way for a thriving career trajectory. Soft skills are developed over the course of one's career and are indispensable in establishing a strong, professional presence in the corporate or academic realm. The field of engineering is no exception in this regard, and the business approach during the engineering course is of significant relevance. By acquiring soft skills, engineering graduates will become competitive and adaptable professionals capable of handling the current and future challenges of the job market. The purpose of this study is to investigate the soft skills that students perceive as being better developed during their business classrooms in the engineering course and identify areas for improvement in the business education process. Design/methodology/approach: The research method consisted in four different phases from variables identification to statistical analyses. Then, as part of this approach a structured questionnaire was administered at the end of the engineering course, where students rated their perception of the degree of development of each of the soft skills covered in the course on a scale of zero to ten. The collected data were analysed using multivariate analysis techniques, including factorial analysis. Findings: The results of the study demonstrate that the set of skills acquired by individuals in business classrooms pursuing a degree in industrial engineering is in high demand by potential employers. Such skills are deemed essential for the successful operation of businesses in modern-day industries. The findings of this research validate the significant role that industrial engineering students play in fulfilling the requirements of the job market and pave the way to meaningful insights on how to approach this topic during the business education process in engineering courses. Practical implications: The findings bring about significant insights for national educational councils and ministries, universities and educational stakeholders in the process of updating, rethinking and implementing new curricula criteria in higher education, particularly in the Latin American context. Originality/value: This paper enriches the literature by assessing the development of soft skills of engineering students in the Latin American context. The research reinforces the importance of developing soft skills aligned with those required for the context of current and future labour markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a guest editorial from the Journal of Financial Reporting & Accounting, focusing on sustainability accounting in the energy industry. The editorial highlights the need for more research on sustainability accounting and accountability practices in the energy industry, given its substantial environmental impacts. The document provides a summary of several articles included in a special issue on sustainability accounting in the energy industry. These articles cover topics such as the impact of board characteristics on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure, the relationship between big data features and financial accounting outcomes, the influence of internal control and CEO education on earnings management, the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and earnings management during the COVID-19 pandemic, the relationship between pollution control bonds and overinvestment in utility firms, the relationship between carbon emissions reduction and tax evasion behavior, and a framework for harmonizing accounting practices in extractive industries. The document concludes by emphasizing the importance of these research contributions in advancing our understanding of sustainability accounting in the energy industry and guiding stakeholders towards a more sustainable and transparent future. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: A key finding in the extant literature on adopting information systems has been the importance of management support and a champion. Further research has indicated that business managers need to have appropriate IT knowledge and skills to lead adoption adequately. In the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), this role is usually assumed by the owner/manager. This research aims to synthesise these two tenets by identifying and understanding the type of business intelligence and analytics (BI&A) leadership skills that owners/managers need to develop during the adoption of BI&A. Design/methodology/approach: Five BI&A knowledge areas are identified and connected to different types of BI&A leadership skills through qualitative in-depth case studies of fourteen Australian SMEs. Findings: The case studies reveal that several BI&A leadership skills need to be developed to bring SMEs to higher stages of BI&A adoption. Practical implications: This study proposes a BI&A leadership skills development framework that allows practitioners to develop progressive BI&A skills concerning managing data, analytical skills, business processes, social and cultural change, and investment decisions to achieve sustainable operational, management and strategic goals. Originality/value: The paper takes a unique approach that links five knowledge areas to BI&A leadership skills that owners/managers need to ensure for effective adoption and orchestration of BI&A in their organisations. The BI&A leadership framework includes a developmental approach that relates to the iterative and complex nature of BI&A adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the drivers and impact of balanced scorecard (BSC) usage on organizational effectiveness in manufacturing companies. The objectives of the paper were to assess the organizational factors affecting the usage intensity of the BSC; the relative benefits of BSC determining its adoption speed; and the extent to which BSC usage enhances organizational effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted a survey research design. Data collection was through a structured questionnaire administered on senior accounting/ finance personnel of 300 manufacturing companies that are members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria. Binary logistic regression analysis, discriminant analysis and structural equation modeling (maximum likelihood estimation method) were used to analyze survey data obtained from 104 BSC adopters. Findings: Result shows that the three organizational factors affecting BSC usage intensity are affiliation to a foreign entity, availability of specialist skills and business strategy (strategic pattern). The strongest predictor is, however, the availability of specialist skills. The strongest determinants of the BSC adoption speed are the need for financial stability and the importance of customer feedbacks. The impact of BSC usage on organizational effectiveness is positive, statistically significant but weak. The inability of BSC usage to contribute appreciably to organizational effectiveness is attributable to the lack of integration among the performance measures in the BSC framework and the shallow usage rate of BSC. Practical implications: Although it is commendable that financial stability and customer satisfaction strongly drive BSC adoption speed, the low rating recorded by other factors related to product development, employee development and process improvement suggests that the performance measures in the BSC framework are not used in an integrative manner. This also confirms that the BSC, like other innovative management accounting techniques, is applied at a rudimentary level by organizations in Nigeria. Originality/value: The current study contributes to knowledge by exposing the organizational factors and relative benefits driving BSC adoption. It provides empirical evidence on why the BSC may not deliver the optimal benefit of improving organizational effectiveness despite its popularity and potential as an integrated performance measurement (IPM) apparatus that can add value to organizations. The paper adds to the scarce literature on IPM in developing countries. Drawing from the result that availability of specialist skills is the strongest predictor of BSC usage intensity, the practice of enmeshing the management accounting function with general accounting/finance should be discouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of a successful model on how to prepare business students to be successful in a new, post-pandemic world that faces enormous social challenges. Design/methodology/approach: The article discusses the current business and social movements that suggest the relevance of social entrepreneurship and explain the pedagogical model developed at the Center for Nonprofits at Sacred Heart University. Findings: The article suggests how this pedagogical model may provide students with the skills, attitudes and values required for successful social entrepreneurship processes. Research limitations/implications: The article presents the current picture which will undoubtedly change over time. Thus the context is time constrained. The article presents one model to develop leaders' skills. There are many other models and experiences that should be considered and evaluated. Practical implications: The case explains a key initiative that can help universities improve pedagogical tools on building students' social entrepreneurship skills and extend this impact to their success in the post-pandemic environment and impact on surrounding communities. Social implications: There is a growing need for business leaders to have sophisticated business skills and purpose beyond financial profit. The article looks at the dual roles of social entrepreneurs as a model for the leaders and the Nonprofit Center at Sacred Heart University to develop the skills of the future leaders. Originality/value: The article presents a new vision of the skills necessary for a leader in today's environment. It draws from the literature on social entrepreneurship. It also presents one model that has been successful for 15 years and the pedagogical underpinnings of that model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Business accelerators facilitate new venture creation, and most research on the subject focuses on the performance of accelerated ventures. This paper aims to understand what entrepreneurs value in business accelerators and how this differs for women- and men-led ventures. The authors suggest that venture growth stage may play a mediating role in these relationships. Design/methodology/approach: The authors use the resource-based view perspective to develop models of women- and men-led ventures' valuation for business accelerator services. They also draw upon a database of 2,000 US entrepreneurs. Findings: The authors found that, compared to men, women entrepreneurs place greater value on knowledge transfer benefits (i.e. business skills education) but lower value on networking benefits offered by accelerators. However, there are no significant differences in the valuations for these services between genders for high-growth ventures. Additionally, compared to men, women leading high-growth ventures place greater value on access to potential investors or funders. Practical implications: This research serves as a practical guide for accelerator administrators and marketers who seek to adjust their business support offerings based on the value placed for the services by different populations of entrepreneurs. Originality/value: The authors provide a business accelerator user's perspective and highlight differences in valuation of accelerator services by women- and men-led ventures at different stages of venture growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative study of the impact on employment explained country variation in terms of relative labour market flexibility: greater flexibility was associated with more opportunities for re-employment, but the financial and economic crises exacerbated labour market polarisation ([31]), as has the COVID-19 pandemic. Less attention has been paid to those entering or re-entering the labour market at different stages of their careers, yet questions of employability and work readiness are just as relevant to labour market re-entrants. This Special Issue is devoted to labour market integration, including those who have not recently graduated from educational programmes but who are seeking to enter or re-enter the labour market. Dealing with these issues in labour market integration is less about improving skills supply than facilitating labour market skill demand through sustainable employment opportunities ([19]; [68]). [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: The benefits of data analytics in the internal audit function (IAF) are clear; less is known about IAF adoption of analytics. The purpose of this study is to examine the factors driving IAF adoption of analytics. Design/methodology/approach: The Common Body of Knowledge of Internal Auditing Database (IIA, 2015) provides auditor responses on key variables of analysis. Findings: The results of this study indicate the most critical adoption factor is data-specific IT knowledge in the IAF. Critical thinking skills and business knowledge of chief audit executive (CAEs) also contribute to adoption. IAFs with fraud risk detection responsibly are more likely to adopt. IAFs in technologically advanced cultures are more likely to adopt analytics. Originality/value: The results of this study document the critical factors driving adoption of audit analytics, benefitting both industry and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Entrepreneurship requires the attitudes and capabilities needed to begin new and innovative projects able to create positive impacts in the economy of a society. Given that it forms the basis from which new companies, products and innovations emerge, it is a very relevant term in business. With the aim of strengthening these capabilities, many universities are incorporating new educational strategies into their curricula to boost entrepreneurial intention and business skills among their students. This study aims to determine the factors that intervene in the entrepreneurial spirit of students in Spanish universities by examining areas of study, different personal and contextual characteristics, and the type of training students receive in entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach: Data collected from 33,182 students in 77 Spanish universities in the 2018 edition of the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students' Survey (GUESSS) is examined in an exhaustive univariate and bivariate descriptive and inferential analysis. Furthermore, the relationship between the entrepreneurial index and the different explicative variables is modelled, and a basic random effect for the area of study is introduced to detect differences at this level. Findings: Economics, engineering and health sciences presented higher than average entrepreneurial indices. Regarding the type of training, only voluntary education in entrepreneurship influenced entrepreneurial spirit, albeit not equally in all areas of study. Originality/value: This study's results can help universities to incorporate new educational strategies into their curricula to boost entrepreneurial intention and business skills among students by focusing resources where they are most efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper investigates the linking between employees' working life (EWL) and job performance of ethnic minority Bangladeshi restaurants in Greater London. Design/methodology/approach: The authors use in depth face-to-face interviews of 40 participants working in 20 Bangladeshi restaurants (BRs) following a convenience sampling method. A thematic analysis technique, with the help of QSR N10, developed two key themes related to EWL and performance. Findings: These themes highlight several aspects of the relationship between EWL and performance. First, EWL is "beyond" the UK tradition; employers show a domineering attitude; however, employees continue to work due to lack of skills and competence. Second, employees perceive and present themselves as satisfied; however, this satisfaction is not reflected in the business performance of BRs. Third, the analysis shows that business owners "trap strategy" constrains employees to develop their skills for mobility to other industries. Hence, employees express satisfaction with their existing situation on the basis that it is the best they can hope for, given their specific skills and competence, and need for some security in the UK. Fourth, non-financial performance, for example, job autonomy, sense of fulfilment is related to EWL. Practical implications: The paper provides a framework to promote a better understanding of the linking between employees' working life and performance of UK ethnic minority restaurants. Also, the paper makes recommendations for further research, including an examination of the applicability of the findings to SMEs operated by other ethnic groups in the UK. Originality/value: This paper adds to the scarce literature on the working life of people in Bangladeshi restaurant businesses in the UK and the relationship between EWL and business performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of microfinance programs on the income and food expenditure of farm and nonfarm households in Thailand. Design/methodology/approach: The study employs secondary data from the Thai Socioeconomic Survey (cross-sectional data from 2017 and panel data from 2012 to 2017). The cross-sectional data (2017) include 43,210 households. Panel data from the 2012 and 2017 Socioeconomic surveys (SES surveys) include 4,406 households. The estimation methods include propensity score matching (PSM) and a fixed effect (FE) model. Findings: The result shows that village funds (VFs) have a significant negative impact on income and food expenditure for both farm and nonfarm households. The empirical results reveal that the saving groups for production (SGPs) effects are positively significant in terms of income and food expenditure, but only for farm households. The FE model result also shows that while VFs have a negative impact on income they have a positive impact on food expenditure for farm households. In contrast, SPGs have no impact on both farm and nonfarm households' income and food expenditure. Practical implications: Farm and nonfarm households require both welfare and microfinance programs. Microfinance programs can only help these households once they have the necessary education. The government should provide social programs and business skills for these households; completion of these courses should be a pre-requisite for accessing microfinance programs. Originality/value: This study is unique because it reveals the microfinance impact between VFs and SGPs programs so that most low-income and poor people in Thailand can access basic financial services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Changes in structure and conceptual underpinnings of ISO 9001 mean that quality management system (QMS) auditors require a wide knowledge base and skill set to effectively evaluate contemporary QMS and add value to the process. Hence, this study presents an open curriculum framework of the knowledge, skills and attributes for quality auditor education. Design/methodology/approach: This study describes the first two phases of a three-phase study examining the educational requirements for external quality auditors (EQAs). Phase 1 involved a review of relevant international literature on auditor competence and education; Phase 2 involved the collection of qualitative data from a panel of experts, combined with the initial round of a Delphi study. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the findings from the questionnaire. Findings: The findings of this study suggests there is a need to improve EQAs education, as most experts reported the quality of audit to be variable, inconsistent, poor and diminishing in value. The most important improvements to auditor education are to update and improve the auditors' knowledge on the requirements of the ISO 9001 standard and technology in business and skills such as report writing, communication, IT understanding and analytical ability. Some of the attributes reported as being desirable to instill in EQAs include the following: objectivity, integrity, ethics and professionalism; being observant, perceptive, articulate and confident; having good judgment; flexibility, adaptivity and diplomacy, fairness and open-mindedness. Originality/value: This study highlights the need for wider EQA education based on the gap identified in its performance. The resulting framework can be adopted by accreditation and certification bodies to evaluate and improve their auditors' audit performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This editorial aims to discuss 11 trends that are driving changes in business education, especially for Master of Business Administration (MBA) curriculum programming. Design/methodology/approach: The editorial provides introspection, personal reflections and conceptualization using current literature. Findings: The authors discuss 11 drivers that are influencing graduate business education. These drivers include the demographic cliff, the K-shaped recovery, MBA degrees losing their allure, emergence of two pricing structures, the rise of online universities, certificates and micro-credentials, the massive open online course (MOOC) MBA programs, MOOCs and certification, Grow with Google, Outsourcing MBA instruction and business education relevancy. Research limitations/implications: Traditional university and college graduate business education providers must realize that the educational industry is experiencing a revolutionary disruption and that many universities will fail to meet learners' expectations for relevant skills and organizational demands for employees who have specific skills for employability. Practical implications: Learners will no longer rely on traditional four-year universities to obtain business skills. Originality/value: This work synthesizes a disparate set of drivers that are affecting all graduate business educational providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Criteria of skills and their schemata have evolved out of historical social practices. Interpretation of social events is guided and constrained by the prevailing rationality which itself reflects the dominant constellation of power. Hence, some argued that informal provision of skills delivery is the base of business growth. Upon the success of informal provision, institutional counterpart unethically grabs the market, kicking off the earlier. Evidences arguably confirmed that the institutional provision of skills delivery contributes to rapid business growth. Business growth is indeed important but not at the cost of exploitation of ethics which is the central focus of this study. Design/methodology/approach: Given the differentiated nature of research questions, multiple techniques are used to collect the data. However, this research adopts the norms of qualitative methods. Both secondary and primary data are used. While secondary data are collected through document reviews, primary data are collected via interviews. In total, 12 industries are sampled and equally distributed into two sectors (manufacturing and services). Findings: Findings show that the professional positions in the manufacturing industries at their inception phase were occupied by non-university graduates who received neither informal trainings nor on-the-job trainings. Over the time, university graduates started capturing the market. This has forced the non-university graduates to accrue a diploma from the universities in order to retain. Those who failed to obtain a university diploma are compelled to leave the sector. In fact, professional positions in service industries at the inception phase were mainly occupied by the university graduates who did not study the relevant subjects from the universities but received training from the informal provision. Later, universities started offering these programmes. Originality/value: A few studies have been published in the area of manufacturing industries especially on garments sector. None covers the paradigm transformation of skills (human capital theory) in garments. The authors also failed to locate a comparative study that maps the contribution of different provisions of skills providers and their paradigm transformations occurred within manufacturing and service industries. Therefore, this project explores the contribution of informal and institutional provisions of skills delivery for the inception and growth of industries by comparing between manufacturing and service industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: An old saying –"Jack of all trades, master of none"– deliberately asserts that the purpose of a master's degree program is to generate high level job skills in order to improve a nation's economy, while a bachelor degree produces economically productive graduates. Employment of such graduates is fundamentally important for personal and economic development. There is a link between a bachelor's and master's degree and how these qualifications are linked to the job market. Both horizontal and vertical mismatches are developed which is the central focus of this research. Design/methodology/approach: Given the differentiated nature of research questions, multiple techniques are used to collect the data. However, this research bears the norms of the qualitative method. Both secondary and primary data are used, and meanwhile secondary data are collected by the banks, Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS), University Grants Commission (UGC) and by the institutions sampled. Primary data are gathered from interviews with key people. Data were collected from three institutions of higher education and from six commercial banks and from the Central Bank. The academic results of 21,325 MBA graduates and education backgrounds of 750 executives working in banks served as the basis for establishing our arguments. Findings: This study discovers that MBA graduates who have studied science subjects achieved much better grades in the MBA compared to their counterparts who studied business from secondary provision to first degree. The market-driven MBA programme has become a "business product". The major revenue of higher education institutions comes from enrolment in MBA courses. For this reason, a science-friendly MBA program is developed to generate more business. If this continues, the philosophy of the master's program would either be lost or will have to be redefined in the 21st century. Originality/value: While a few studies have investigated the area of HE in Bangladesh, none covers the impact of MBA degrees on the job market and its contribution to enhancing job skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate challenges faced by and opportunities open to women entrepreneurs in Botswana and how entrepreneurship education can boost their knowledge and skills of doing business profitably and contribute to women empowerment. Design/methodology/approach: In total, 400 women entrepreneurs of different ages, educational levels and from trades and different geographical locations were selected using a stratified random sampling procedure to participate in the study from ten towns and cities in the country. A structured questionnaire that used a five-point Likert scale was used for data collection. One-way ANOVA, regression analysis and descriptive statistics were used as tools for data analysis. Findings: Findings showed that women entrepreneurs faced a complex web of challenges among which were access to finance, lack of training leading to lack of technical skills, lack of knowledge of sources of financing and technical support, high competition in the market, marginalisation of women and lack of knowledge of marketing strategies. The key findings were that while women entrepreneurs faced a number of challenges, the legal and regulatory environment in Botswana was highly conducive and supportive of women entrepreneurship and also that customised entrepreneurship education and training offered opportunities for women entrepreneurs to enhance their knowledge and technical skills. Research limitations/implications: The study only used a quantitative approach to collect data. It could have perhaps been more enriching if a mixed-methods approach were used to help probe the participants more. The study also only used women entrepreneurs in cities and towns. Perhaps, it could have also got some women entrepreneurs from rural areas to hear what they say. These limitations will be addressed in future studies. Practical implications: Practical implications of the study are that women entrepreneurs need more training in business entrepreneurship for them to gain more knowledge and skills; finance houses become more accommodating to women entrepreneurship they could help in the empowerment of these people as they show potential in their businesses; and if more pro-women entrepreneurship policies are developed, they could enhance the activities of women entrepreneurs. Social implications: Women can perform as much as men in business if given the necessary support. Originality/value: This study contributes to the body of knowledge on women entrepreneurship as it helped expose challenges women entrepreneurs face as well as opportunities for them to take advantage of and improve their business operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between skills and employability of business graduates. The study also examines the moderating effect of 'social mobility factors' in the 'skills–employability' relationship. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative positivist approach was undertaken to test the hypotheses. Business graduates from two universities in a developing country responded to a questionnaire about their perceptions of different sets of employability factors. Partial least squares (PLS)-based structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine the relationships between skills and employability of business graduates. Findings: The findings show that both soft skills and technical skills are positively related to employability, which is consistent with prior studies. The findings also indicate that social mobility factors play a significant role in employability. Research limitations/implications: The study is based on data from two public universities, and its findings need to be interpreted with care as universities differ in their size, area of concentration and ownership structure. Practical implications: The findings advance the evidence of graduate employability of business students. Based on these results, university authorities, policymakers, teachers and business graduates will benefit from the findings related to students preparedness for the competitive global job market. Originality/value: The study's findings contribute to business graduates' skill set development in the developing countries that share a similar education system, culture and values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Many undergraduates major in business in hopes of being well-prepared for a career. However, Arum and Roksa (2010) find business students perform poorly relative to peers on measures of academic gains and employers report that few college graduates are well-prepared for business careers (Lumina Foundation, 2013). Experiential courses have the potential to engage students deeply and encourage critical thinking while developing important business skills. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach: This paper proposes several attributes of successful experiential courses and uses a student-managed portfolio as an example of a successful model. Findings: Student-managed portfolios can improve educational and career outcomes for students. Practical implications: Student-managed investment funds can provide a vehicle for teaching students research, critical thinking and writing skills while encouraging them to integrate knowledge from a broad range of business disciplines to understand a firm's business model. Originality/value: While experiential programs are touted as addressing these shortcomings, many academics remain skeptical of experiential programs which too often focus on showy trips, passively listening to important people or performing shallow analyses at the expense of developing a deep understanding of how to identify and solve complex problems. This paper offers some insight into important features of a successful experiential program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to involve the differences in the entrepreneurial intentions of student at higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Portuguese regions (mainland and insular). Design/methodology/approach: Applying a sample of 594 valid responses, the authors analyzed the data according to linear regression models. Findings: The results convey how HEI students generally do not intend to become entrepreneurs in both the mainland and the insular regions. Although HEI students broadly do not aim to launch their own businesses, the results show that students in mainland regions feel they have the skills to start a business and drive it to success. In insular regions, students feel encouraged by their friends and family to set up their own business. When comparing insular and mainland regions, the results demonstrate how in insular regions, there is a greater probability that HEI students become entrepreneurs than in the mainland regions. Furthermore, entrepreneurial intentions in the mainland regions develop in terms of "opportunities" while driven by necessity in the insular regions. Practical implications: This furthermore makes recommendations to regional governments and to HEIs in order to enable better encouragement of entrepreneurship in academia. Originality/value: This study is original and innovative due to its comparison of the entrepreneurial intentions prevailing in mainland and insular regions and may propose new highlights to the academic scientific literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to explain the student-led environmental management system (EMS) based on ISO14001 which Chiba University has continued for 15 years. It describes its structure "Chiba University Method", the students' activities and their collaboration with companies. It also analyzes the advantages and the issues. Readers can reconsider these mechanisms and results to examine whether they could introduce the student-led EMS in their own university. Design/methodology/approach: Four critical points are explained concerning the "Chiba University Method". The advantages are analyzed by the data and the questionnaire survey. Findings: It has been found that student-led EMS has an effect of practical education on the students and an improvement of social evaluation on the university, as well as a reduction of environmental burdens. For students, in addition to the direct merit of obtaining credits, they receive a sense of accomplishment through gaining practical experience, thereby realizing improvements in business skills and making friends through activities. These are good incentives to participating in various activities. However, there are also problems that occur due to student-led EMS, and it is necessary for faculties to be aware and correspond with them. Research limitations/implications: This paper is based on the experience of one Japanese University. Social implications: As this case falls under the practical case of active learning, it is expected that other universities could also introduce this system. Originality/value: It is rare that the students manage the EMS based on ISO14001 with educational effects included in the results. At Chiba University, moreover, students are making environmental contributions to local communities through collaboration with companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a simulation designed to help students learn about the challenges and necessary skills for conducting business in cross-cultural settings. The exercise involves assigning participants to two fictitious cultural groups, each with its own norms and expectations. Participants interact with members of the other culture in accordance with the instructions provided in order to negotiate successfully. This experiential learning activity allows students to reflect on their cross-cultural skills in a simulated business setting. An assessment of the exercise conducted in classroom setting indicated evidence of its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the skill mapping process in a manufacturing organization and to examine its relationship with the select performance indicators, such as quality and defects. This paper also explores the role of the supervisor in the whole process of skill mapping of the blue-collar employees. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses a case-based approach and the company selected is Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, Swaraj Division, located in Phase 4, Industrial Area, Mohali (Punjab). The qualitative aspect of the paper is based on ten semi-structured interviews of the senior-level managers. These interviews are conducted in order to understand the role of the supervisor in skill mapping process and its relationship with the organizational performance. The quantitative aspect is based on the regression analysis to find out the impact of skill index on select performance indicators. Findings: The results of the study indicate that the role of the supervisor in performance appraisal is very important in the whole process of skill mapping. Swaraj is an example where a robust skill mapping process for blue-collar employees have supported the business in improving the skill of employees and consequently supporting the business to perform well on key deliverables, such as better quality and less defects. The select variables are inter-correlated and variations in the select organizational performance indicators (production and defects) are due to variations in the skill index of the blue-collar employees in the manufacturing organization. The performance indicators of the manufacturing organization in terms of manufacturing defects have declined and also the production has increased, which is a good indicator for the organization. Practical implications: The present study is of interest to researchers who are trying to understand the system for skill mapping and utilization of appraisal inputs in improving organizational performance. Originality/value: To the authors' best knowledge, this paper is one of the first to address the skill mapping process in a manufacturing organization especially for the blue-collar employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on managing skilled employee within an organization. It mentions about impact of excess resources on organizational effectiveness and efficiency; impact of dynamics of external and internal business environment on business growth; and downsizing of organization for meeting organizational goals.

Purpose This paper aims to examine the business communication skills that accounting students see as having the highest importance for career success. It also explores the current levels of development of these skills and analyzes them through a comparative study between three Tunisian business schools.Design/methodology/approach The authors used a questionnaire sent to180 students from three business schools to provide insights into the development of communication skills perceived important for a successful accounting career.Findings The results indicate that all students are conscious of the importance held by communication skills for career success in the accounting profession. However, they feel that their aptitudes are sometimes poorly developed, especially when it comes to proficiency in French (as a language of business in Tunisia) and written skills.Practical implications The paper’s findings offer important guidance concerning the communication skills that accounting students consider most needed by the Tunisian labor market. The findings of this study may be useful for curriculum development in local and international contexts.Originality/value This study is conducted in a developing country where the graduate unemployment rate is about 30 per cent. This high unemployment often affects service professions like accounting. Moreover, in Tunisia, accounting education focuses particularly on technical aspects. So far, no studies have been conducted to show whether students nowadays are aware of the increasing importance of generic skills in accounting practice. As a result, the conclusions of this study could provide Tunisian stakeholders with insights into ways of potentially improving accounting graduates’ employability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the strategic role of HR in actualizing socio-technical practices to achieve service excellence. It notes that technology has been the major enabler for today's digital business models such as makemytrip.com. It notes that the focus area of most of these techniques is engineering and statistical methods to collect, analyse data and introduce improvement on the basis of factual data.

Purpose This paper aims to examine the level of information and communication technology (ICT) outsourcing and its determinants in the Malaysian locally owned manufacturing firms. Drawing on the transaction cost theory and the resource-based theory, four determinants – asset specificity, uncertainty, business skills and technical skills – were hypothesized to influence ICT outsourcing.Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using a questionnaire survey from 104 manufacturing firms listed on the Directory of Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers. Data were then analyzed using R package partial least squares path modeling.Findings The study reveals that slightly over two-thirds (68 per cent) of the surveyed manufacturers either fully or partially outsourced their ICT services. Asset specificity and uncertainty are found to be positively related to the level of ICT outsourcing, which contradict the prediction of the transaction cost theory. On the other hand, business skills and technical skills are not significantly related to the level of ICT outsourcing, which also conflict the resource-based arguments.Research limitations/implications The small sample size would not be able to make meaningful conclusion for the population; the small R2 value indicates that other important determinants of ICT outsourcing were not tested in this study, and the transaction cost theory and the resource-based theory do not adequately predict the level of ICT outsourcing in the Malaysian locally owned manufacturers.Originality/value The study serves as one of the first studies that tested the determinants of ICT outsourcing using the transaction cost theory and the resource-based theory in locally owned manufacturing firms of a developing country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Regardless of whether we are a successful business leader, a middle ranking manager or an apprentice learning the ropes, we all want to make good decisions and deliver good results at work. To achieve that we need the right knowledge, skills and attitude. And we do not just need those things once, we need them throughout the course of our lives and careers. We all need continual development if we are to grow and perform at our best. But when our existing options for improving our performance run dry, who can we turn to? Looking more deeply into how someone else improved their performance, and achieved their goals, can be a source of inspiration and practical ideas. Outliers are the obvious first choice. Their extreme level of success is likely by design, not by accident. Take the world’s most successful poker players as an example. Believe it or not, their skills and attitude are worth serious consideration. Just like any successful person there is a reason they got to where they are: they have something the rest of us do not, or if we do have it then it is less well developed. There is much more to their success than meets the eye! The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The author reviewed Greg Dinkin’s work and summarised the principles and results in the form of a useful article describing the skills shared between the most successful poker players and entrepreneurs. Findings – The best poker players and entrepreneurs share 13 skills, although this is not to imply these are the only common skills between these two groups. There could be more and the ones identified could also evolve over time. Originality/value – The value of Greg’s work is that it not only reveals the connections and common skill set shared between these two groups, but also that these skills are not difficult to understand or exclusive to those two groups: they could be learned by anyone with the determination and desire to. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to establish under which conditions researchers should use the constructs cultural intelligence (CQ) and global mindset (GM). The authors further seek to understand the process through which these constructs emerge to a higher level and link unit-level knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) capital to pertinent firm-level outcomes.Design/methodology/approach This paper is a conceptual study with a multilevel model.Findings This paper differentiates two similar lines of research occurring concordantly on the CQ and GM constructs. Next, the authors develop a multilevel model to better understand the process through which CQ and GM emerge at higher levels and their underlying mechanisms. Finally, this paper adds meaning to the firm-level KSAs by linking firm-level KSAs capital to pertinent firm-level outcomes.Research limitations/implications The conclusion implies that researchers should use CQ when the context is focused on interpersonal outcomes and GM when focused on strategic outcomes. The multilevel model is a useful tool for scholars to select which rubric to use in future studies that have international managers as the subjects. The authors argue that if the scholar is interested in an individual’s ability to craft policy and implement strategy, then GM may be more parsimonious than CQ. On the other hand, if the focus is on leadership, human resources or any other relationship dependent outcome, then CQ will provide a more robust measure.Practical implications For practitioners, this study provides a useful tool for managers to improve individual-level commitment by selecting and training individuals high in CQ. On the other hand, if the desired outcome is firm-level sales or performance, the focus should be on targeting individuals high in GM.Originality/value This is the first theoretical paper to examine how CQ and GM emerge to the firm level and describe when to use each measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the nature of leadership development in Syria, by answering specific research questions: what are the types of leadership behaviours and capabilities adopted by companies operating in Syria? And why are they adopted? Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative research method has been adopted to achieve the aim of this study. Findings – The findings revealed that the leadership behaviours and capabilities required for business environment in Syria include strategic thinking, business skills, communication, understanding the whole, ability to change, teamwork, self-awareness, decision making/problem solving, and adaptability. Research limitations/implications – Research data has been collected in an unstable environment because of what was called the Arab Spring, so this affected not only the participants, but also how they respond to each question. Additionally, only the for-profit sector was involved in the study because of its flexibility, lack of bureaucracy, and application of leadership development. Practical implications – The paper explores the major leadership behaviours and capabilities utilised and their purposes, as well as more broadly for designers who are attempting to develop leadership in the Syrian context. Originality/value – The study offers data and interpretation of a specific non-Western context on which foundation further studies in the Middle Eastern context can be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on research carried out with employers to determine demand for business and management skills in the Scottish workforce. Design/methodology/approach – The research used a questionnaire in which employers were interviewed (either telephone or face to face), completed themselves and returned by e-mail, or completed an online survey. In total, 71 employers took part in the study. Findings – The research found that the factors which are most important to employers when recruiting graduates were; personal attitude, employability skills, relevant work experience and degree result. The most important transferable skills to employers when recruiting graduates were; trustworthiness, reliability, motivation, communication skills and a willingness to learn. Social implications – The paper shows the importance of graduates developing excellent job searching skills, high-quality work experience and developing business courses to enhance students’ employability and better meet employers’ wants. Originality/value – The paper is timely given the introduction of Key Information Sets. The provision of such information will drive HEI to further develop students’ employability to obtain graduate-level jobs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Failure in engaging shop floor employees (including supervisory staff) in lean, lacking of supervisory skills in leading workers and lacking of lean technical knowhow among the shop floor employees are some of the major obstacles in lean transformation. One of the reasons of inefficient lean transformation is the shortages in frameworks or plans in implementing lean. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the shortfalls in the current lean implementation frameworks. Design/methodology/approach – The frameworks were analysed according to the following criteria: first, “What” is the approach of lean implementation, i.e. top-down or bottom-up; second, “How” to implement lean (description of steps or sequences of lean implementation along the lean journey); third, “Why” – the reason of adoption of the proposed lean tools, techniques or practices (thereafter TTPs) in each phase of lean implementation; and fourth, “Who” are the targeted internal stakeholders to use or apply the lean TTPs that were proposed in the frameworks. Findings – Most of the current available lean frameworks were prone to top-down approach but not bottom-up. Improvement initiatives from the shop floor employees were often overlooked by researchers. In proposing their frameworks, most of the researchers have neglected the importance of “Why” aspect in the adoption of TTPs or the framework itself without giving the “reason” for each of the elements in lean implementation. Besides the aspects of “What” and “How”, the mentioned “Why” aspect is important in contributing to capability building among the shop floor employees in carrying out improvement, problem-solving or waste elimination activities. The aspect of “Who should carry out which lean TTP” was somewhat not emphasised by most of the lean researchers. In addition, the current frameworks were prone to “one-best-way” approach with lacking of contingency sense, which is one of the common criticisms against Lean Production System. Originality/value – This paper provides a critical view on the shortfalls of current lean implementation frameworks, and proposes an insight of new criteria for future research in analysing and proposing new lean implementation framework towards lean transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this Thesis Research Note (TRN) paper is to provide a summary of key aspects of a recently completed and passed PhD thesis. It enables readers who may be interested in the thesis topic to gain an overview of that work and a link to the entire thesis through a URL link http://researchbank.rmit.edu.au/eserv/rmit:160896/Taylor.pdf. The second main purpose of this TRN is to explain the thesis author's doctoral journey. Design/methodology/approach -- The research approach discussed in relation to the reported upon PhD was soft systems methodology and sensemaking. The approach for the paper is to provide a reflective narrative to explain the lived experience of the authors throughout the candidate's doctoral journey. Findings -- Findings from the PhD are summarised. The contribution to theory about practice, for practice and theory in practice is identified and the use of coding interview transcripts as an additional tool to be used in developing rich pictures is also discussed. Research limitations/implications -- The research reported upon is limited to a specific context and while conclusions cannot be generalised they can be used to better frame further context-specific studies. Originality/value -- The TRN provides a highly individualised account of a doctoral journey but it is intended to contribute to the growing body of TRNs published in this journal that in turn may inform decisions relating to candidates embarking on a doctoral journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employers expect today's undergraduates to possess a certain level of math and computer skills to do their jobs well. Are we, as business programs, providing them with the information and experiences that they need to meet those expectations? Our motivation for this research study is twofold: (a) to prepare our students to be competitive in the workplace and (b) to make the highest and best use of their time while in the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – In recent years the pace of technological innovation in construction operations has escalated with resulting intensification of the inputs necessary for contemporary multi-disciplinary construction projects, and thereby has exacerbated their potential complexity. In its widest form the topic of complexity in construction continues to attract considerable research and re-evaluation; however the resulting published work remains largely unapplied by construction professionals due to either to its intricacy or difficulty of application. This study concludes that recent advances in information management can facilitate data sharing and thereby resolve many of the early life and project production complexity issues. The aim of this paper is to suggest a new direction for research studies. Design/methodology/approach – This desktop study uses a key word protocol to identify the relationship between published research papers both past and present to first determine the development of complexity research and then looks forward to an interaction between research and industry. Findings – Questions if complexity in multi-disciplinary projects may well be diminished by information modelling, this practical solution evolved in parallel with computer based design. Originality/value – This descriptive study suggests a new direction for research studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose |!|#8211; This paper seeks to examine the basic employability skills needed for job performance, the reception of these skills in college, and the need for additional training in these skills after graduation. Design/methodology/approach |!|#8211; The research was based on a triangular design approach, in which the attitudes of three distinct groups |!|#8211; recent graduates, the faculty who taught them, and human resource managers who recruit them |!|#8211; were studied. The participants responded to a survey that included 47 items measuring eight dimensions of basic employability skills. Findings |!|#8211; The study revealed considerable differences in opinion among the three groups with regard to the skills needed for job performance, the skills received by college graduates, and the additional training needed. Research limitations/implications |!|#8211; The research study was limited to graduates, faculty, and recruiters at a business school in southern California. It is suggested that further studies be conducted to determine whether differences in attitudes from those found in this study might exist. Practical implications |!|#8211; Although the respondents identified the importance of leadership skills, these skills were noted to be below expectations for industry. Moreover, the need for additional training of recent graduates appears to be a major concern according to the results. Social implications |!|#8211; In a highly competitive economy, there is little chance that unprepared graduates will be successful in obtaining employment and then performing their jobs. Originality/value |!|#8211; The triangular approach taken in this study validates the importance of the interconnectedness among graduates, faculty, and industry. It is therefore imperative to strengthen the communication across these groups to ensure adequate preparation of graduates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to illustrate how employees in self-managing teams handle the fact that each self-managing team includes traditional as well as non-traditional team members. Design/methodology/approach - This paper, based on two case studies from Post Danmark A/S, the Danish national postal service company, examines the work organization of self-managing teams as well as the mobility of self-managing teams' traditional and non-traditional employees in the teams. Findings - In terms of its contribution to research, this paper illustrates the paradox of an organization using self-managing teams consisting of traditional and non-traditional employees. This article argues that two characteristics contribute to this situation. First, self-managing teams are unique in the sense that they are open to the participation of employees with different qualifications and with varying levels of contribution and, second, the position of "traditional" and "non-traditional" employees means that non-static mobility is allowed in both directions, contributing to cohesiveness and conflict reduction, as the empirical study shows. Research limitations/implications - One of the limitations of the research presented is its focus on only one organization, Post Danmark A/S. Identification of this limitation is based on available indicators in the absence of quantitative evaluations of the team's performance. Practical implications - This paper provides an example for researchers and practitioners (e.g. managers and HR personnel) on how production teams can handle the challenge of dealing with teams that consist of traditional and non-traditional employees. Originality/value - Based on empirical data, this paper describes the positions, internal mobility and relationships between traditional and non-traditional employees in self-managing teams comprising skilled and unskilled workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to expand on the existing theory of ambidexterity by analysing its implications for organisations that employ total quality management. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis of relevant theoretical and empirical studies on ambidexterity and total quality management enables us to reflect on the common elements, facilitating factors and synergy that exists between both fields. Findings – Thanks to the synergy between its principles and practices, total quality management can act as a platform in creating an ambidextrous context, in addition to generating ambidextrous management capabilities and ambidextrous organisational skills. However, no relationship has been found between the application of TQM and structural ambidexterity. Research limitations/implications – An analysis of existing studies has enabled the extraction of some proposals which could be used in future research. Practical implications – The synergy between TQM principles and practices, their disparate influence on ambidexterity, the range and depth of applying TQM principles and practices – above all those that are included in a human context and the opening of new markets – means that these factors are key elements to bear in mind for those organisations that wish to maximise the potential of TQM in order to foster ambidexterity. Social implications – Given the extent to which this type of management has been applied over the last 20 years the social impact of this study is relevant. Originality/value – This study opens up a new line of research into ambidexterity and, despite the subject having been analysed extensively in conceptual and empirical terms, until now its relationship with total quality management has yet remained unexplored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to address the impact of three issues: degree of skills, favorable working environment and R&D on manufacturing productivity of labor-intensive industries. Design/methodology/approach - Convenience sampling method has been used to conduct this study. Three categories of labor-intensive manufacturing industries (A, B and C) have been chosen to perform this research. Industrial category A represents the manufacturing operations which are based on skill of labor. Category B is a group of industries which provides a favorable working environment to utilize the potential of skill in manufacturing process. Category C is a specialized group of industries and its manufacturing process is dependent on R&D. Input–output data for manufacturing operations of the sample industries have been analyzed by using standard statistical techniques to establish the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Findings - The degree of skill and productivity is positively correlated, but not strongly (r<0.5). The study found that productivity is positively (r>0.5) associated with favorable working environment. However, a significantly positive correlation (r>0.7) is found between R&D expenditure and productivity. The study concludes that a higher degree of skills, favorable working environment and R&D are important inputs to a labor-intensive manufacturing process, which is positively associated with productivity. Research limitations/implications - Manufacturing productivity is an important parameter of industrial growth, and this paper addresses this issue. The current work addresses the garments sector, i.e. a part of the labor-intensive industries. Though this work is focused on only one part of this sector; the findings of this study have significant policy implications. The results would be useful for manufacturing business executives and policy makers. Originality/value - This study addresses the important issue of productivity of labor-intensive manufacturing industries, and generates quantitative evidence of the impact of degree of skills, favorable working environment and R&D on productivity. The generated information enriches the present knowledge stock of manufacturing systems. The findings could be the basis for further academic research on manufacturing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to understand why high-skilled immigrants from a developing country (Colombia) are returning to their home country to create businesses instead of starting up in their host country (Spain). Design/methodology/approach - A case study methodology was used to present the experiences of three high-skilled immigrants. All subjects presented had migrated from Colombia to Spain, held degrees from a Colombian university, had a university background in entrepreneurship and intended to run a business in Colombia instead of in Spain. Findings - This study shows how the expectations of highly-skilled immigrants can influence their decision to return to their home country to set up in business. Because of their skills and international experience, these individuals have good professional prospects in their home countries and a lower tolerance of the barriers and difficulties encountered in the host country than immigrants with other profiles. Research limitations/implications - In exploring the high-skilled immigrants' reasons for returning home, future research should pay more attention to personal motivations and cultural differences. Practical implications - The findings will enable policy makers in developing and developed countries to improve policies for attracting or retaining highly-skilled immigrants or emigrants, especially those with entrepreneurial intentions. Originality/value - In a group of immigrants whose skills and talents could offer considerable added value either to their host country or to their home country, this paper examines some of the key processes that influence their decision of where to locate their entrepreneurial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the effective use of technology in personal knowledge management (PKM) practices. It presents a theoretical framework integrating PKM skills, skills-tools fit, user context and technology tools. It mentions that the success of technology use resides if the usage really improves effectiveness and not just in whether individuals use technology. It offers suggestions on the need to assess and consider the technology tools in the context of how they will be adjusted with particular PKM skills.

The article discusses a research paper, which focuses on achieving graduate employability through consensus in the South Pacific island nation, based on surveys of senior-level undergraduate business students and employers of Papua New Guinea. It attempts to recognize the important technical and business skills and personal attributes necessary to support the employability of undergraduate business students. It addresses a foundation to support the job-readiness and employability of business graduates as well as the development of industry-relevant courses to improve the employability of business graduates. Results are discussed which indicate that significant differences exist between students and employers in their perceptions of each of the three employability support fields.