Introduce Self-Paced Learning in Military Technical Trades Training

Using a case study, this article identifies the factors that are important in the effective implementation of mixing self-paced and lock-step learning (a specific type of blended learning (BL)) in the context of training military technicians. Due to budget and time constraints, the training authorities in most worldwide organisations, and in military organisations in particular, face a challenge in the increase of training demand to deliver and sustain a qualified workforce. This study explored the advantages of this type of BL to address the challenge. The data was collected by group interviewing stakeholders, i.e. the course managers and instructors. The interview workshops identified the features of the designed course structure and trainee flow process that would impact on the effective operation of BL learning. The trainees' data in training hours was analyzed to examine the BL impact on the training throughput. The management science concepts from, e.g. Lean thinking and Queuing theory, are used to recognize enabling factors that make this implementation work. This article concludes that the BL discussed here can help to address the training challenge for organisations to build workforce capability by catering to diverse learning needs, especially for motivated trainees in their career education. It is hoped that the lessons learned from this study will contribute to the knowledge in the field of adult education and workplace learning in the designing and implementation of more flexible training programs.

IMPLEMENTATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN INDONESIA

Purpose of the study: The aim of this study is to implement the Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) to help the Regional Cleaning Company (in this case in Bandung City, Indonesia) in managing waste and maintain the cleanliness of urban cities in Indonesia like Bandung City. Methodology: Methodology used in this study is a qualitative method and Focus Group Interviewing to collect the data for the qualitative method. Main Findings: This study finds that from three types of waste management such as centralization, decentralization, and decentralization-centralization, the most appropriate waste management in Bandung is decentralization-centralization because most people in Bandung do not have a place for processing waste. Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) implemented in Bandung still has not optimal yet because the infrastructure and human resources are limited. Another factor is that public awareness of waste is still low among the society. Applications of this study: This study is the application of environmental studies on which results can form the basis of public policy. Novelty/Originality of this study: Bandung as one of the big and modern cities in Indonesia can become a benchmark, if even big cities are not optimal in managing sprouts, what about smaller cities in Indonesia. Therefore, the Indonesian government needs to be aware and optimize MSWM to improve the lives of its people in terms of cleanliness, beauty, and health.

Adapting research methodology during COVID-19: lessons for transformative service research

PurposeCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created a challenging, yet opportunistic, environment in which to conduct transformative service research (TSR) and assess research methodology. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and gain important new insights of a group interviewing method with vulnerable people and their support group, adapted and transferred online during COVID-19.Design/methodology/approachThis research examines the experiences of 35 participants (nine family groups composed of parents and young people), involved in a research project that explores a sensitive topic, youth alcohol consumption and family communication, that was moved online during lockdown. Researcher reflections on running group interviews face-to-face prior to COVID- 19 and online during lockdown are included in the data.FindingsThematic analysis of participant interviews and researcher reflections reveals four key benefits and three limitations of online group interviews with vulnerable people and their support group. The benefits include being comfortable, non-intrusive and safe; engaging and convenient; online communication ease and easy set-up. The limitations relate to lack of non-verbal communication, poor set-up, and privacy and access issues.Practical implicationsThe global environment is uncertain and being able to implement effective qualitative research online is essential for TSR and service research in the future. This paper provides a step by step procedure for an innovative online group interviewing technique that can be used by TSR and qualitative service researchers.Originality/valueConducting research during a pandemic has provided unprecedented insights into qualitative research approaches and methodology. This paper contributes to literature on service and TSR methodology by providing a framework for researchers to investigate vulnerable groups online in an effective, safe and non-intrusive way. The framework also has the potential to be applied to other service contexts.

Creative decision making in leaders: A case of beer game simulation

The leaders play a vital role in the decision scenarios in any organization. A qualitative study was conducted using "Beer distribution game" simulation to create an environment of novel and uncertain conditions. Additionally, the study followed the group interviewing technique to explore the underlying patterns in the creative decision-making phenomenon taken by the leaders in complex situations. The findings of the study revealed three categories of factors that contribute to the creative decision making of the leaders. These categories consist of factors related to individuals personal characteristics, team-level factors, and process related factors. The study revealed during the group discussion that creative decision making occurs through a unique interplay of people, process and technology in the Pakistani context. Keywords: Creative decision making, beer game, simulation, group interview technique

A taxonomy of the expected roles of librarians towards knowledge management

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the connection between the various layers of roles and tasks of librarians with the various knowledge types and methods. Although there are multiple benefits anticipated with knowledge management (KM) schemes in libraries, the practical side of it among Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals is not yet notable or evident. Design/methodology/approach Taxonomy building and Delphi method were two means of research deployed to achieve the declared purpose. Findings It was possible to achieve several steps into structuring a taxonomy but yet further work has to be accomplished in order to consummate the taxonomy. For this, means of group interviewing method along with perhaps sponsorship of association relevant to librarianship might be an appropriate approach. Research limitations/implications Delphi process was not possible to be fully exercised and completed due to limitations of limited number of participants as well the overwhelming feeling of participants had toward the unfamiliar content. It would have been more rewarding to have physical meeting in groups to overcome such limitations. Originality/value This paper lays the foundation stone of a multi-layer taxonomy for roles of librarians toward KM. The taxonomy also unveils a dimension that librarians often miss when discussing KM. It also models the categories of knowledge types for LIS. Thus, the LIS community is urged to contribute in the development of this taxonomy which could become the handbook of reference in KM for librarianship.

Introduce Self-Paced Learning in Military Technical Trades Training

Using a case study, this article identifies the factors that are important in the effective implementation of mixing self-paced and lock-step learning (a specific type of blended learning (BL)) in the context of training military technicians. Due to budget and time constraints, the training authorities in most worldwide organisations, and in military organisations in particular, face a challenge in the increase of training demand to deliver and sustain a qualified workforce. This study explored the advantages of this type of BL to address the challenge. The data was collected by group interviewing stakeholders, i.e. the course managers and instructors. The interview workshops identified the features of the designed course structure and trainee flow process that would impact on the effective operation of BL learning. The trainees' data in training hours was analyzed to examine the BL impact on the training throughput. The management science concepts from, e.g. Lean thinking and Queuing theory, are used to recognize enabling factors that make this implementation work. This article concludes that the BL discussed here can help to address the training challenge for organisations to build workforce capability by catering to diverse learning needs, especially for motivated trainees in their career education. It is hoped that the lessons learned from this study will contribute to the knowledge in the field of adult education and workplace learning in the designing and implementation of more flexible training programs.