Department Level Research Articles

Scholarship of teaching and learning at AACSB accredited business school: who’s doing it, and how’s it captured?

PurposeThis paper explores who among the AACSB categorization of academics conducts the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) research within business schools and how AACSB-accredited business schools capture SoTL research as part of their portfolio of intellectual contributions.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a qualitative-method research design by collecting primary data through surveys, semi-structured interviews and secondary data in policy documents focused on AACSB-accredited business schools in Canada and the United States.FindingsThe findings establish that scholarly and practice academics who possess rigorously acquired research skills due to their terminal degrees are most likely to conduct SoTL research. The results also reveal an even split among respondents regarding whether their AACSB-accredited business school captures SoTL with their journal ranking frameworks.Practical implicationsBased on the findings, two recommendations are offered to foster more SoTL research at AACSB-accredited schools. First, higher education leaders (e.g. business school deans) can further inculcate a culture of SoTL research at the department and institutional levels by creating communities of practice (CoPs). Second, AACSB-accredited business schools could adopt more inclusive journal ranking frameworks to capture better and incentivize SoTL research.Originality/valueThis is the first known study to explore how AACSB Standards 3 and 8 are implemented and operationalized regarding SoTL research. Understanding how these standards are adopted and implemented could help institutional leaders, standard setters and administrators better facilitate SoTL research.

Management interventions of pearl millet systems for attaining cereal self-sufficiency in Senegal

Critical management interventions to target the yield potential for each environment are key to food security, increasing the resilience of current agricultural systems in Senegal. Cereal production is highly dependent on pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) rainfed systems as one of the major field crops for smallholders. This study aims to (i) quantify the production of pearl millet at the department level for the last quinquennial (until 2020), (ii) assess the impact of weather (temperature and precipitation) on the millet-based supply of cereal demand, and (iii) investigate, through crop modeling, the impact of millet-based supply of cereal demand by comparing recommended management interventions with smallholder-based strategies at the department level. Millet-based cereal supply–demand was estimated considering the observed population and the supply via the simulated pearl millet production (obtained using the APSIM-Millet model) at the department level from 1990 to 2021. High temperature and low precipitation occurrence presented a frequency of 35% across departments, leading to a reduction in millet production by roughly 6% relative to the normal average for 32 years. Adoption of recommended management showed the potential to increase the millet supply, more than doubling the current cereal supply, closing the current supply–demand gap (89 kg inhabitant−1). Achieving future cereal self-sufficiency will also require an intensification of other cereal production.

ACİL SERVİS PERSONELLERİNİN KİMYASAL, BİYOLOJİK, RADYASYON VE NÜKLEER ACİLLERE HAZIRLIK DÜZEYLERİNİN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the chemical, biological, radiation, and nuclear (CBRN) emergency preparedness levels of emergency department (ED) personnel. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive survey study was conducted with 49 emergency department personnel (emergency medicine specialists, emergency medicine research assistants, nurses, and nursing staffs) working in the ED of a university hospital through face-to-face. The questionnaire was created by the researchers and consisted of 5 demographic and 30 CBRN preparation information, 12 questions questioning the previous practice and educational status of CBRN subjects. The preparedness level of the participants was determined by evaluating the CBRN preparedness level responses. Results: The Cronbach's Alpha reliability index obtained for the CBRN scale was obtained as α=0,856 for the whole scale and this value shows that the reliability of the whole scale is at a good level. The mean preparedness level score of the ED personnel is 59,7 (min-max:24-81). The mean CBRN preparedness level score of emergency medicine specialists (38) was found to be lower than the other groups. The number of those who received training on CBRN situations and medical management of cases during their professional training (bachelor-master- doctorate education) is 18 (36,7%). Most of the participants didn’t participate in any CBRN exercise during their professional life (n=43, 87,8%). Conclusion: ED personnel's preparations for CBRN emergencies are insufficient. Their participation in training and exercises for the medical management of CBRN cases is low. Our study can be used as a tool to determine the CBRN preparations of ED personnel.

Dismissal of an employee based on the results of certification

The essence of the employment relationship involves the expectations of the employer to receive labor of a certain quality and in a certain quantity from an employee. In addition, social and technological progress gives the employer the right to expect from the employee the appropriate development of skills, abilities and business abilities. As one of the means of stimulating employees to improve their work, the certification mechanism (periodic, etc.) is used. The legislator has established certain features of the legal regulation of relations between the employee and the employer in the event of a discrepancy between the employee and the position held by him or the work performed by him due to insufficient qualifications, confirmed by the results of certification. The article deals with the problems associated with the occurrence of a situation when the certification commission, created by the employer to assess the business qualities of an employee, comes to the conclusion that he is inconsistent with the position held by him or the work assigned by him due to various circumstances of an objective or subjective nature. The Labor Code of the Russian Federation assumes that the certification of employees should be largely regulated by local regulations, taking into account the requirements formulated at the industry and departmental levels. At the same time, there are problems in legal regulation that do not depend on the actions of the employer or the industry management state body. One of these is the problem of exercising the right of the employer to dismiss the employee in connection with the negative results of the certification. The author of the article draws attention to the provision of the Labor Code that dismissal on the grounds provided for in paragraph 3 of part 1 of Article 81 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation is allowed if it is impossible to transfer the employee with his written consent to another job available to the employer (as a vacant position or a job corresponding to the qualifications an employee, as well as a vacant lower position or a lower paid job) that an employee can perform taking into account his state of health.

Women's participation in university management in Spain: The case of Andalusian universities.

This study addresses the presence of women in the management of Andalusian public universities, Spain. The aim of this study is to determine the representation of women in the administration and management of the administrative units of Andalusian public universities at faculty and department level, as well as to identify the distribution of university administration in terms of gender of managers in university centres according to the different macro-areas of the division of scientific knowledge. The method used was a descriptive study with quantitative and ex post facto values. A sample was selected from all public universities in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, which represent 20% of all public universities in Spain. Information was collected from all academic units and the gender of each responsible administrator was determined. The data were deposited in a virtual repository. The results revealed that, in general, there is a disproportion in the predominance of male managers and administrators compared to the number of women involved in university management tasks in Andalusia. Imbalances in gender representation at different levels of management were observed, reflecting the inequalities reported in the literature. This study confirmed the existence of gender biases in university management, aligning with existing literature, which highlights the importance of addressing gender inequalities from a holistic perspective. The findings underline the importance of continuing to work on promoting gender equality in university management through multi-factorial approaches and concrete actions.

Blood transfusion knowledge levels of nurses in İzmir Atatürk training and research Hospital, turkey

Despite their use in life-saving treatment, blood and blood products can cause life-threatening complications. To administer blood transfusion safely, national guidelines and protocols should be consulted in healthcare organizations. In Türkiye, there are guides and regulations published by the Ministry of Health. With the definition of hemovigilance in the regulations; training in clinical use of blood and transfusion practice fields is now mandatory. This study presents data from a survey designed to assess transfusion knowledge levels of clinical departments for the purpose of planning our training programs.A two-part survey was conducted on 110 nurses from various departments. Questions included sociodemographic attributes, department they worked in, employment duration, knowledge level on transfusion practices. Statistical analysis was performed.Of the nurses that participated; 52.7% were above 40 years old, 15.5% were 31–40 years old and 31.8% were below 30 years old. For education; 84.5% of the nurses were graduates or postgraduates. For work experience; 64.5% were working in internal medicine departments, 58.2% had been working as a nurse for 10 or more years while 85.5% worked in the same department for less than 5 years. It was determined that the nurses should know more about transfusion.Beginner nurses in the intense care unit were found to have lower levels of transfusion practice knowledge, from this it was deduced additional training should be scheduled for beginner nurses with low transfusion knowledge. In addition to theoretical instructions, one-on-one training on operation controls and “observation and guidance” style practical training should be implemented. Theoretical and practical topics with inadequate knowledge should be instructed in finer detail to increase the knowledge level in these subjects.

ІНФОРМАЦІЙНА СТРАТЕГІЯ ЯК ОСНОВА УПРАВЛІННЯ ІНФОРМАЦІЙНИМ СЕРЕДОВИЩЕМ ПІДПРИЄМСТВА

The article investigates and improves key aspects of developing a strategy for managing the information environment of an enterprise. The analysis of the current state of the information environment consists in assessing the existing information resources and processes at an enterprise, identifying their strengths and weaknesses. It includes assessing the state of the IT infrastructure, checking the availability and functionality of hardware and software, and determining the level of automation of business processes. Determining information needs at all levels of the enterprise helps to establish what information different levels of management and departments need to function and exchange effectively. This involves identifying the main groups of information users, as well as finding out their information needs and tolerances. Formulation of goals and objectives of the information strategy includes, firstly, determination of key performance indicators (KPIs), which will be used to monitor the achievement of goals and objectives, and secondly, creation of a detailed strategy implementation plan with identification of responsible persons, resources and deadlines. Identifying the resources required to implement the strategy provides a basis for assessing the need for resources and specifying areas for their effective use. In particular, a budget is created for spending financial resources. The qualitative need for human resources is based on an assessment of the required competencies and skills of the organization’s employees. Determination of the need for material and technical resources includes an assessment of the need to attract both new hardware and/or software and the possibility of modernizing the existing IT infrastructure. Regular updating and adaptation of the information strategy to changes in the business environment ensures flexibility and adaptability of the information strategy; it includes constant monitoring of the strategy implementation, regular collection and analysis of data on KPIs, identification of deviations from the plan and their causes.

An Investigation of The Relationship Between Preservice Teachers’ Attitudes Towards Graduate Education and Academic Motivations

The aim of this research is to examine the relationship between preservice teachers’ attitudes towards graduate education and their academic motivations. The correlational survey model, which is one of the quantitative research methods, has been used in the research. The sample of the research consists of 864 preservice teachers studying at Atatürk University Kazım Karabekir Faculty of Education in Erzurum, Türkiye. “Scale for Attitude Towards Graduate Studies” and “Academic Motivation Scale” have been used as data collection tools in the research. In the analysis of the data, descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis test have been used. It is understood that the participating preservice teachers generally express positive views on the items of the attitude scale towards graduate education and their academic motivations are high. Among the variables, significant differences are found according to gender, department and grade level. Significant differences are also found out in the attitudes towards graduate education and academic motivations of preservice teachers’ education in favour of female preservice teachers. As a result, a positive and significant relationship between preservice teachers’ attitudes towards graduate education and their academic motivations is detected. Thanks to the research results, the reasons for lack of motivation of students in higher education institutions can be investigated and it can be a guide for the prospective studies that can make a difference in the attitudes of students who have negative attitudes towards graduate school.

ICT Team Dual-Innovations in the Microlevel of Circular Supply Chain Management: Explicit-Tacit Knowledge, Exchange Ideology, and Leadership Support

An emerging information communication technology (ICT) triggers circular supply chain management (CSCM), there is still much to be addressed effectively, especially at the microlevel of CSCM. The purpose of this article is to build an integrated model for ICT team exploratory and exploitative innovation in the lens of CSCM and circular economy context. Our analysis was supported by 124 industries-ICT teams (368 participants) in Indonesia. We used structural equational model SmartPLS to validate the development model and Sobel approach to confirm the mediation hypothesis. Supply chain manager, ICT department, and industries executive level are suggested to encourage knowledge sharing practices both explicit and tacit knowledge. Firm's supply chain may follow path-goal leaders to promote effectively circular supply chain management. It is also highlighted that exchange ideology as a moderator help leader to understand their team orientation and contribution to knowledge sharing activities and leader's characteristics. We contribute to a microlevel of CSCM context and new understanding of how explicit-tacit knowledge sharing (mediator), exchange ideology (moderator), and leaders support in ICT team exploratory-exploitative innovation, and as new foundation for future studies on cross-CSCM ICT team including encourage more detailed analysis of exchange ideology orientation.

Study Protocol on “A study to assess the effectiveness of an Evidence-Based Practice educational program on clinical nurses’ EBP & Critical Thinking Skill competencies” at HMC, Qatar-Pre-post Design.

Introduction: The relationship between EBP and Critical Thinking skills is desired in almost every discipline and plays a major role in decision-making and daily judgments. Promoting critical thinking through an evidence-based skills fair intervention (Gonzalez, H. C., et al,2020). The study aims to determine the effectiveness of an Evidence-Based Practice educational program that targets clinical nurses by assessing clinical nurses’ competencies in EBP & Critical Thinking. Research Methodology: A one-group pre-posttest design will be adopted to evaluate the effectiveness of the Evidence-Based Practice educational program. subjects will be selected by simple random sampling. A baseline pretest will be conducted using a demographic tool, the EBP Competencies Scale Gallagher-Ford & Melnyk- 2022, and the Nursing Critical Thinking in Practice Questionnaire. Educational intervention Results: Data analysis will be done using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The anticipated outcome is to promote EBP & CT knowledge and practice among clinical nurses. Also, this study supports the development of educational programs and implements Evidence-based practice and critical thinking competencies at the Corporate Nursing and Midwifery Research Department level. Discussion: The primary outcome will be to enhance the increase of 10% (EBP) Evidence-Based Practice competencies among clinical nurses from pretest and post-test scores as assessed by the EBP Competencies Scale Gallagher-Ford & Melnyk (2022). The secondary outcome will be enhancing the increase by 10% (CT) Critical Thinking competencies among clinical nurses from the pretest and posttest mean scores as assessed by the Nursing Critical Thinking in Practice Questionnaire (2000).

Governance and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia

Protecting Indonesian migrant workers (IMWs) in Malaysia is a matter of great significance due to Indonesia's status as one of the primary source countries for migrant workers to Malaysia. Consequently, it necessitates the implementation of comprehensive governance measures by both nations. This paper aims to analyze the joint endeavors and collaborative frameworks established between governments of Indonesia and Malaysia. Additionally, it seeks to identify the network of policies and innovations enacted in both countries related to the protection and regulation of migrant workers. This research was enhanced through the utilization of NVivo qualitative analysis software. This article shows that efforts to protect IMWs in Malaysia involve many government institutions in both countries, especially at ministerial and departmental levels. The policies established between the two countries are also able to support the success of migrant protection, especially with the agreement between the two countries in the form of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU gave birth to innovation in digital-based migrant worker protection services, namely a "one channel system" as the only official mechanism for recruiting workers. However, at the implementation stage, this innovation has not gone well and necessitated a sincere effort from both countries in implementing it, especially Malaysia as the destination country.
 
 Keywords: Indonesian Migrant Workers, Policy Network, Innovation, Governance

Investigation of the Use of Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques in Maritime Studies With Prisma Method

Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques make it possible to reach the optimal solution among different criteria and priorities with their dynamic processes. The ability to analyse big data, use integrated techniques, respond to complex problems in terms of quantitative and qualitative criteria, and structure the result as a repeatable process for different decision makers makes these techniques an increasingly attractive source of reference. MCDM techniques are used in many different fields of science today. One of them is maritime studies. In the current maritime curriculum, the fact that decision-making is among the minimum requirements at both operational and management levels in deck and engine departments draws attention to the importance of the subject in maritime terms. At this point, investigating the use of multi-criteria decision-making techniques in the maritime field on a global scale will contribute to the literature. In this study, the use of MCDM techniques in maritime has been investigated with the PRISMA method. The findings contribute to the scientific literature by revealing the use of multi-criteria decision-making techniques in maritime, their change over time and their main fields of study. With the results obtained, it is aimed to reveal the profile of a methodological concept used globally in maritime studies and to serve as a reference for future studies. Given the evolving landscape of maritime publications utilizing the MCDM technique, the study results will be an incentive to explore potential avenues for future methodological advances.

Level of safety performance achievement / safety maturity level in nickel mining: Study at PT. Putra Perkasa Abadi Jobsite MLP Southeast Sulawesi

Background: Occupational Safety and Health in Mining are all activities to guarantee and protect workers to be safe and healthy through efforts to manage work safety, work health, work environment, and work safety and health management systems. The work process in mining has high potential for danger and risk, for this reason, safety, occupational health and environmental aspects are requirements that must be met in every work activity. This study aims to measure the level of Safety Maturity Level Assessment on workers in each department and employee level at PT. Putra Perkasa Abadi (PPA) site Makmur Lestari Primatama (MLP). Method: This type of research is quantitative descriptive. In this research, there are 4 indicators in the safety maturity level, namely: Mining Worker Participation; Responsibilities of Work Unit Leaders; Accident Statistics, Dangerous Events, Occupations Due to Workforce Diseases, Occupational Diseases; and Control Efforts. The data collection method for Mining Safety Level Assessment consists of several methods, namely document review, distribution of questionnaires, data analysis, interviews, observations, focus group discussions, and simulations. Respondents were 301 people consisting of Operational Responsible Persons, Vendors/Work Partners, Section Heads/Coordinators, Group Leaders, Operators, Mechanics, Labor Helpers, and Non-Staff and Laborers. Results: The mine worker participation indicator is at a proactive level with an achievement value of 0.13. Indicators of Responsibility of Work Unit Leaders; Accident statistics are at a proactive level with an achievement value of 0.32. The statistical indicators for accidents, dangerous events, incidents resulting from occupational diseases and occupational diseases are at the planned level with an achievement value of 0.17. The Control Efforts indicator is at a proactive level with an achievement value of 0.26. Based on the recapitulation results of all the Company's Safety Maturity Level indicators, it is at the Proactive level with a value of 0.88. Conclusion: Mining OSH management system at PT. PPA began to involve workers in the improvisation stage of OSH management. Awareness and involvement of workers in OSH management is starting to change the pure top-bottom management approach into two-way communication in the sense that all levels of positions actively participate in efforts to create a safe, comfortable, healthy and safe work environment.

The current state and ways of optimizing the legal regulation of the activities of the National Police of Ukraine regarding the investigation of criminal offenses permitted by minors

The current provisions of the legal regulation of the activities of the units of the National Police of Ukraine regarding the investigation of criminal offenses have been updated. It is noted that significant changes have taken place in Ukraine, which have established the procedure for criminal proceedings against minors, which is determined by both the general rules and the specifics provided for by Chapter 38 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine (hereinafter the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine). Taking into account European practice, these norms of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine in the process of pre-trial investigation grant more rights to minors and their representatives. Peculiarities arising in the process of criminal proceedings against minors, which are determined by the norms of criminal procedural legislation, are determined. Legal problems in the activities of the National Police of Ukraine units regarding the organizational and tactical features of conducting covert investigative (search) actions, which need to be resolved at the legislative and departmental levels, are highlighted. It has been proven that the lack of interdepartmental legal regulation of certain issues of interaction between authorized units has a negative impact on the detection, promptness of response and effective investigation of criminal offenses committed by minors. Proposals have been developed to improve the criminal procedural and investigative legislation regarding the investigation of criminal offenses committed by minors, by: a) coordinating the efforts of all interested central and local executive bodies, public organizations and, of course, families within the framework of a single partnership program, which can be reflected in the updated Concept of the development of criminal justice for minors in Ukraine, in particular in terms of increasing the level of protection of their rights; b) normalization between the provisions of Article 5 of the Law of Ukraine “On Bodies and Services for Children’s Affairs and Special Institutions for Children” with the provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On Operational Investigative Activities”, the Instruction on the organization of covert investigative (search) actions and the use of their results in criminal proceedings, and the norms provided for by Chapters 21 and 38 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine in terms of organizational and tactical features of conducting covert investigative (search) actions against minors. During the writing of the article, the following methods were used: dialectics, comparative law, system analysis, and formal logic.

Awareness and Utilization of E-Learning Technologies Among Vocational and Technical Education Students

The study investigated the awareness and utilization of e-learning technologies among vocational and technical education (VTE) students. A descriptive survey research design was used for this study, and the population consisted of 551 VTE students. A simple random sample of 62 VTE students was selected. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha analysis, and the reliability index was found to be within the acceptable limit of 0.70. An online survey using Google Forms was used to collect the data. The study tested two null hypotheses using binary logistic regression models based on age, department level of study, and devices owned. The data was analyzed using frequency, percentages, and mean. The major findings from the data analysis indicated that VTE students had an awareness and utilization rate of 84.8% for the e-learning website, 75.6% for Google Classroom, and 60.6% for smart boards and video conferencing. However, 24.4% of the students were still unaware of the Moodle Learning Management System and the Canvas e-learning platform at the University of Nigeria Nsukka. Based on these findings, it is recommended that VTE students receive proper training to effectively utilize the e-learning technologies available to them, which would aid in fostering creativity and innovation.

Research on the Logic of Local Government Policy Implementation-Case Analysis Based on the Performance of the New Coronavirus Pneumonia Policy

Realizing public policy objectives requires cooperation between the higher and lower levels of government or different departments of the same level of government. However, in the process of public policy implementation, it often occurs that some implementing entities adopt the method of " policy on the top, countermeasure on the bottom " to selectively implement or flexibly implement the policy, which eventually leads to " collective action difficulties " and the implementation effect deviates from the original intention of the policy. This paper takes the implementation effect of epidemic prevention policies in various places since the outbreak of COVID-19 as a case to study and analyze the logic of policy implementation of some implementing entities. Research has found that the behaviour of various entities in policy implementation is influenced by multiple logic, which ultimately points to the maintenance of departmental interests. In the implementation of public policy to prevent the implementation of public policy from falling into the departmental interest, relevant means such as coordination, trust, cooperation, integration, etc., can be used to solve the problem of policy implementation deviation.

The sustainability of two departmental health insurance units in Senegal: A qualitative study

Despite decades of implementation, community-based health insurance (CBHI) in Africa has not effectively achieved Universal Health Coverage (UHC). As a response, from 2014 to 2017, a Belgian-Senegalese project organized an alternative solution: Departmental Health Insurance Units (UDAM). Professionals managed UDAMs at a departmental level, and healthcare providers charged a flat-rate fee. While research on sustainability is scarce in Africa, this study aims to understand the factors that explain why, four years after the end of the project, UDAMs are sustained. This qualitative research used Schell et al. (2013) conceptual framework on factors influencing sustainability. The data came from 13 months of field observations, a documentation review, 120 interviews at the local level and nine at the regional and national level, and a focus group. We carried out a thematic analysis according to the conceptual framework. The results show that central political support has strengthened over time. UDAMs have managed to stabilize their funding through State subsidies and social marketing strategies to improve membership. UDAMs kept their management fees at 13%, below the 25% standard proposed by the West African Economic and Monetary Union. Multiple partnerships have been established at international, national, and local levels. Building on the professionalization of its staff, UDAMs have strengthened their organizational capacity. Internal controls and a complaints system have been organized to improve UDAMs’ accountability. Many communication activities were carried out before the end of the project to prepare the exit strategy. With their extensive coverage (penetration rate over 60%), UDAMs impact the health system (between 2014 and 2021, they paid 2.5 million EUR to healthcare providers). Innovations have been implemented, such as organizing a group contribution based on collective work in fields of culture supported by the communities and local stakeholders. As part of its UHC strategy, Senegal decided at the end of 2022 to transition its 676 communal CBHI into 46 departmental units. The sustainability of two UDAMs has demonstrated the relevance of this model. However, sustainability can only be assured if the State prioritizes the health sector and donors place greater emphasis on alignment and sustainability. We need to study how it is organized to scale up nationally.

Evaluating the impact of cross-institutional teaching enhancement collaborations using a professional capital framework

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of four cross-institutional teaching enhancement projects (TEPs), a relatively new form of professional collaboration. The focus is on the impact at departmental, institutional and cross-institutional levels because such impact is the main reason for establishing cross-institutional TEPs.Design/methodology/approachA professional capital framework guided the examination of decisional and social capitals at departmental, institutional and cross-institutional levels. A theory-of-change method was adopted to collect data from 35 sets of documents, 22 project members and 65 stakeholders.FindingsThe authors found five forms of impact, showing the development of decisional and social capitals mostly at institutional and cross-institutional levels, whilst signaling the relatively weak impact at departmental levels. Therefore, the values of cross-institutional TEPs have not been fully realized and future endeavors need to better utilize the capitals in programs.Originality/valueFew studies evaluated the impact of large-scale, cross-institutional TEPs. The authors offered new contributions by gauging the impact of these under-explored forms of complex professional collaborations.

External review letters in academic promotion and tenure decisions are reflective of reviewer characteristics

We examine validity and bias in external review letters (ERLs) in academic settings. ERLs play a critical role in promotion and tenure (P&T) decisions across the globe, ending careers in some cases while allowing other scientists' careers to flourish. We coded and analyzed 995 ERLs submitted by letter writers at various institutions as part of the P&T portfolios of 195 candidates at an R1 university. We examined their relationship with P&T committees' percent of positive votes by department, college, and university committees. We investigated how ERL linguistic features, letter writer characteristics, and candidate characteristics (productivity and gender) relate to P&T decision-making. Results show writer characteristics are more strongly related than candidate characteristics to ERL linguistic features associated with P&T decisions at the department and university levels. We develop recommendations for policymakers, including changes in the use of ERLs for the P&T process.

Competitive insertion of the citrus-lemon chain in global value chains in Colombia

This research delves into the identification of opportunities for the consolidation of the lemon value chain in the department of Tolima, Colombia, through the associativity model called: Special Administrative Planning Region. This model is a land-use planning system, officially recognized in Article 325 of the Political Constitution of Colombia and in Law 114 of 2011, which functions as a planning tool at the regional level. Its main objective is to integrate a given region with other territorial entities at the departmental level. The study is framed within exploratory research that employs qualitative and quantitative methodologies for its development, in addition to using data collection instruments, in order to identify the main elements that define the possibilities of establishing a profitable and sustainable value chain in the citrus-lime sector in Tolima. The results show that the potential for competitive insertion of lemon in global value chains reaches potential international markets such as Russia, Germany, France, Poland, Canada and Saudi Arabia, and the support of different government institutions. However, it is necessary to overcome major threats and weaknesses that currently hinder this insertion.