scholarly journals Carving a Career Identity as PhD Supervisor: A South African Autoethnographic Case Study

10.28945/4159 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 539-557
Author(s):  
Maximus Monaheng Sefotho

Aim/Purpose: This article demonstrates how experiences of a supervisee can become foundational in carving a career identity of PhD supervisors. The purpose of the article is to analyze how South African emerging supervisors could carve a career identity as PhD supervisors. Background: This article uses an autoethnographic case study to address the problem of experiences of poverty, marginalization and scarcity towards resilience in academia. Methodology: The article followed a qualitative methodology anchored on the constructivist-interpretive paradigm. The design of the study was a single ethnographic case study. This was an autoethnographic non-traditional inquiry of the author’s PhD journey. For a period of six years, the author used autoethnography to inquire about personal experience of PhD supervision. Central to the methods used were reflexive critical and narrative analysis, and observation as action research of the culture of PhD supervision. Contribution: This article contributes insight into PhD supervision and carving a career by using real time experiences of a PhD Supervision journey as a student, as a supervisor and trainee in a formalized supervision program. Findings: The article’s major actual findings were: Need for training in philosophy and educational research and in-service PhD supervision training. Recommendations for Practitioners: The study indicates that universities could examine whether they should intensify their efforts to train PhD supervisors towards developing supervision as a career. Emerging supervisors could be encouraged to consider engaging in training and carving careers out of PhD supervision. Recommendation for Researchers: Autoethnographic research could be intensified as it is positioned to provide first-hand information and provide dialogic spaces for silenced voices in less transformed universities. Impact on Society: PhD supervision is recommended to be geared towards developing home-grown models and theories for resolving teaching and learning problems as well as making in-roads into socio-economic development. Future Research: This study demonstrates the usefulness of individual experiences in selecting benchmarks for context appropriate models. The study suggests that future research could rely more on qualitative methods in addition to the widely used quantitative ones. A mixed methods approach seems to be a promising direction.

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 38-47
Author(s):  
Karel Stanz ◽  
G. J. Schwart ◽  
W. J. Schurink

The social construction of frontline employees’ client service plays a major role in organisational success. This study illuminated why frontline personnel are reluctant to accept organisational change which is in line with new policing philosophies. Applying modernist qualitative methodology, and particularly grounded theory within a case study design a ‘process satisfaction model’ was developed with the aim to improve employee satisfaction with internal processes and ultimately service delivery. This model may be used for change in the South African Police Service SAPS) and other government departments.


Literator ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M. Letsie

This article explores the unwritten textbook of the folktale in the case of “Morongwa le Morongwanyana” [The Messenger and the Small messenger], a South African folktale recorded and published by A.T. Malepe. Against the background of current problems with the folktale tradition, it is argued that the unwritten textbook can help improve three educational practices, namely the practice of educating children at home, the practice of teaching and learning at school, and the practice of educational mass media. The nature and content of the unwritten textbook of the Batswana culture as defined by Ong (1982) and other scholars on orality are examined in a case study of the selected folktale. Lastly, the implications of the case study and of the unwritten textbook for the three practices are spelled out.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Erika Lourdes González Rosas ◽  
Martha Leticia Guevara Sanginés ◽  
Martin P. Pantoja Aguilar ◽  
Luz Adriana Sancén

The purpose of this study is to compare female and male leadership competences of Mexican expatriates in the USA, using a qualitative approach. A case study was conducted through a narrative analysis of the information. The study also revised the factors that contributed to the leadership competences of expatriates. The responses of a single female and a single male Mexican expatriates were collected through open responses using an electronic questionnaire. The research questions were: What are the leadership competences of Mexican expatriates? Which are the main differences between women’s and men’s leadership competences in Mexican expatriates? The comparison was made using Pablo Cardona´s model of competences. Since leadership competences are observable behaviors, a narrative analysis was conducted and some key differences were found between male and female leadership competences. For example, it appears that Mexican male expatriates tend to focus on leadership, receptiveness and informal features; while women focus on values, information and formal position. Common features were found between both interviewees concerning work and personal life related to time management competence. As future research, a quantitative analysis is required to corroborate these findings.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Jett

In this article, the author shares an intervention of using children’s literature as a pedagogical frame for an undergraduate mathematics content course with early childhood education majors to influence their thinking about mathematics teaching and learning. With this case study of 29 preservice teachers, the author found that literature increased preservice elementary teachers’ excitement about mathematics, heightened their self-efficacy in mathematics, and motivated them to design innovative mathematics lessons. By elaborating on these findings, the author makes a case for the continued need for mathematically competent teachers in elementary classroom spaces, and the author advocates for the incorporation of literature as a means to do this work. Finally, the author provides implications for future research and practice with other SoTL-related projects involving children’s literature.


Author(s):  
M. Skhephe

ABSTRACT This study sought to explore teaching and learning of accounting: in-service educators’ experiences in the context of a South African University. The study employs a qualitative research approach using a case study design. Ten accounting teachers were purposively selected. The findings revealed that accounting resources used for teaching and learning of accounting were not related to an accountancy education. Also, some accounting lecturers at university were found to be unprofessional and not committed to their work, with many using local languages when teaching. The authors recommend that new accounting lecturers at the South African university be mentored by their senior counterparts. Until the situation improves, students should be encouraged to voice their dissatisfaction with what happens in the lecture halls.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Lee

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the contribution of brokers to business non-profit collaborations, in the context of employee volunteering. It investigates the roles brokers play and ways they contribute to value creation within social alliances. Design/methodology/approach – This research focusses on a case study of a UK employee volunteering broker programme run by a local volunteer centre. A combined qualitative methodology involved document analysis and interviews, with brokers and business, community and government partners involved in employee volunteering collaborations. Findings – Brokers play three key roles in business non-profit collaboration as connectors, facilitators/co-designers and learning catalysts. These roles help stimulate manifestations of associational value, transferred resource value, interaction value and synergistic value. Research limitations/implications – Results indicate brokers play an important part in nurturing conditions underpinning innovation and value co-creation, key characteristics of transformational forms of business non-profit collaboration. This study was based on a single case study. Future research could explore broker contributions within a variety of business non-profit settings. Practical implications – For managers implementing business non-profit collaborations, this paper provides a framework depicting key broker roles and ways brokers enable collaborative value that may be useful when assessing whether to use the services of a broker. Originality/value – This paper enriches the understanding of business non-profit collaboration and the role of individual actors in affecting value creation, an under-researched area in the social alliance literature. It provides a framework for assessing broker contributions in business non-profit collaborations.


10.28945/4284 ◽  
2019 ◽  

[This Proceedings paper was revised and published in the 2019 issue of the journal Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology, Volume 16] Aim/Purpose: Bring your own device (BYOD) provides opportunities for both the organization and employees, but the adoption of BYOD also introduces risks. This case study of an organization’s BYOD program identifies key positive and negative influences on the adoption decision. Background: The consumerization of IT introduced the BYOD phenomenon into the enterprise environment. As mobile and Internet technologies improve employees are opting to use their personal devices to access organizational systems to perform their work tasks. Such devices include smartphones, tablets and laptop computers. Methodology: This research uses a case study approach to investigate how business priorities drive the adoption of BYOD and how resulting benefits and risks are realized and managed by the organization. Primary empirical data was collected using semi-structured interviews with 15 senior employees from a large South African financial services organization. Policy documents from the organization were analyzed as secondary data. Contribution: Thematic analysis of the data revealed six major themes: improving employee mobility; improving client service and experience; creating a competitive industry advantage; improving business processes; information security risks; and management best practices. Findings: The themes were analyzed using the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, showing the key positive and negative influences on the adoption decision. Recommendations for Practitioners: Organizations need to clearly understand the reasons they want to introduce BYOD in their organizations. The conceptual framework can be applied by practitioners in their organizations to achieve their BYOD business objectives. Recommendations for Researchers: BYOD remains an important innovation for organizations with several aspects worthy of further study. The TOE framework presents a suitable lens for analysis, but other models should also be considered. Impact on Society: The findings show that organizations can use BYOD to improve client service, gain competitive advantage, and improve their processes using their digital devices and backend systems. The BYOD trend is thus not likely to go away anytime soon. Future Research: The applicability of findings should be validated across additional contexts. Additional models should also be used.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 23-27
Author(s):  
Arif Jauhari ◽  
Priyono Priyono ◽  
Cueva Syunyata R. Jauhari

It has been more than a year of the Covid-19 pandemic, after WHO officially announced it on March 11, 2020. This pandemic has had a tremendous impact on all aspects of life, including education, where education must be carried out online. This drastic change will certainly encounter many obstacles. This study aims to determine the problems of online learning due to the Covid-19 pandemic faced by students of SMA Muhammadiyah Al Kautsar Kartasura Program Khusus and the strategies implemented by the school. This research method is a qualitative case study. Data collection techniques are observation, analysis and unstructured interviews. Observations to find the keywords of student learning problems in grade 10 science and 11 science students. Analysis to trace student conversations on social media based on the observed key words. Interviews were conducted to extract information, while the sampling technique was purposive sampling. The results showed that there were three student learning problems, namely boredom, lack of understanding of the material, and the need for internet quota. The school strategy includes, firstly relating to administration and secondly relating to the implementation of learning. The administrative strategy is carried out with flexibility in paying tuition fees and contributing to institutional development. The learning strategy is a home-school collaboration as an important component in evaluating and monitoring the teaching and learning process by online.


Uniciencia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Elena Castro-Rodríguez ◽  
Luis Rico

In this paper, we studied the knowledge on didactic contents reflected by future elementary teachers when answering questions related to teaching and learning fractions. Following a qualitative methodology, specifically a case study, 9 senior pre-service elementary teachers were interviewed using a structured approach. The topic was presented to the subjects using a narrative they had previously written on how to initiate the concept of fractions with school children. After reading it, they were asked questions regarding task design, learning objectives, and mistakes and difficulties. Results identified two trends in the participants’ knowledge: a procedural or technical trend in which the stated knowledge emphasizes procedures, processes, or action modes, and a conceptual or cognitive trend in which the stated knowledge emphasizes the functional understanding of fractions and their relationships. As a conclusion, it is essential that initial teacher training emphasizes mathematical as well as didactic contents.


10.28945/4303 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 165-196
Author(s):  
Jacques Ophoff ◽  
Steve Miller

Aim/Purpose: Bring your own device (BYOD) provides opportunities for both the organization and employees, but the adoption of BYOD also introduces risks. This case study of an organization’s BYOD program identifies key positive and negative influences on the adoption decision. Background: The consumerization of IT introduced the BYOD phenomenon into the enterprise environment. As mobile and Internet technologies improve employees are opting to use their personal devices to access organizational systems to perform their work tasks. Such devices include smartphones, tablets and laptop computers. Methodology: This research uses a case study approach to investigate how business priorities drive the adoption of BYOD and how resulting benefits and risks are realized and managed by the organization. Primary empirical data was collected using semi-structured interviews with 15 senior employees from a large South African financial services organization. Policy documents from the organization were analyzed as secondary data. Contribution: Thematic analysis of the data revealed six major themes: improving employee mobility; improving client service and experience; creating a competitive industry advantage; improving business processes; information security risks; and management best practices. Findings: The themes were analyzed using the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, showing the key positive and negative influences on the adoption decision. Recommendations for Practitioners: Organizations need to clearly understand the reasons they want to introduce BYOD in their organizations. The conceptual framework can be applied by practitioners in their organizations to achieve their BYOD business objectives. Recommendations for Researchers: BYOD remains an important innovation for organizations with several aspects worthy of further study. The TOE framework presents a suitable lens for analysis, but other models should also be considered. Impact on Society: The findings show that organizations can use BYOD to improve client service, gain competitive advantage, and improve their processes using their digital devices and backend systems. The BYOD trend is thus not likely to go away anytime soon. Future Research: The applicability of findings should be validated across additional contexts. Additional models should also be used.


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