Development Of Higher Institutions Research Articles

The effect of the carbon emission trading scheme on a firm’s total factor productivity: An analysis of corporate green innovation and resource allocation efficiency

This study investigates the effect of the carbon emission trading scheme on a firm’s total factor productivity in China. With a sample from 2008 to 2019, applying the time-varying DID method, our empirical results reveal that the carbon emission trading scheme significantly improves a firm’s total factor productivity, which provides evidence for Porter’s hypothesis. Moreover, there are two channels through which the total factor productivity is impacted: the corporate green innovation channel and the resource allocation efficiency channel. Furthermore, the impact of the carbon emission trading scheme is more pronounced for private firms, and firms in the provinces with higher institutional development, lower environmental quality, and greater law enforcement of environmental protection tend to have larger total factor productivity. Our models survive numerous robustness checks.

Infrastructure development in higher institutions: the role of private organisations via unexplored expanded corporate social responsibility (ECSR)

PurposeFunding infrastructural facilities of higher institutions, especially in some developing nations such as Nigeria, that is under-funded, is a challenge in the current era. Private organisations participation in infrastructure development via a proposed expanded corporate social responsibility (ECSR) may enhance infrastructural facilities provision. There is a paucity of literature regarding ECSR, a form of infrastructure tax relief providing infrastructural facilities for higher institutions. Therefore, the study investigated the role of private organisations via a proposed ECSR in the provision of infrastructure and proffer ways to enhance higher institutions' infrastructure development delivery in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe study data were collated via face-to-face interviews and observation of existing buildings. From the six geo-political zones, two higher institutions each were selected for a good representation across Nigeria. Saturation was achieved with 26 participants interviewed. The emerged three main themes were analysed via thematic analysis.FindingsFindings show inadequate infrastructure development in Nigerian higher institutions. Lack of policy and institutional framework, lax governance, level of transparency, and corruption, emerged as the key issues that may hinder private organisations from participating in public higher institutions infrastructure development delivery in Nigeria via ECSR. Others are lack of autonomy, inadequate planning, high level of impunity, political affiliation, poor management, and access to funding. The study proffers some recommendations based on these findings.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is restricted to the role of private organisations via ECSR in infrastructure development (buildings) in Nigeria's public higher institutions. Future study is needed to validate the proposed ECSR framework in developing countries for the provision of buildings for higher institutions in their host communities.Practical implicationsThe paper will advance the philosophy of corporate social responsibility to the provision of building facilities in host communities' higher institutions by private companies through tax relief and supported by a proposed Presidential Executive Order.Originality/valueThe proposed ECSR framework can be used to improve building facilities in Nigeria's higher institutions. This may assist and stir up policymakers to explore the proposed model and back up with an established policy such as infrastructure tax relief (ITR) for implementation.

Generic skills of future built environment practitioners in South Africa: unexplored mechanism via students’ perception

PurposeResearchers and policymakers have given attention to generic skills development in higher institutions. One of the intentions is to broaden graduate employability with generic skills. In South Africa, there is a paucity of research concerning future built environment practitioners’ (FBEP) generic skills development from the students’ perspective. Thus, this paper aims to investigate South Africa’s FBEP generic skills and suggest feasible solutions to improve FBEP generic skills from the students’ perception.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers collated the views of FBEP via a phenomenology type of qualitative research design. It covered selected South African public universities and investigated the discourses that underpin “perceived hindrance” in developing generic skills for FBEP. Selected 30 FBEP were engaged in the virtual interviews across three public universities. Data saturation was achieved. Three themes emerged and were analysed through a thematic analysis.FindingsFindings show that FBEP generic skills development will enhance integrated productivity and higher value for money in construction project delivery. But developing these skills demands a holistic approach. Findings have raised concern with the perceived hindrances facing FBEP in developing generic skills. Findings suggest the need to revisit and revamp the curricula to develop these skills and strengthen policies that will “nip” possible hindrances.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was limited to South Africa’s FBEP generic skills from students’ perception. In line with the limited resources, three public universities were covered from the selected provinces in South Africa. Future research with a more diverse sample is needed to ensure a better representative and generalisation of findings.Practical implicationsFindings show that apart from academic knowledge system thinking skills, civic responsibility skills and critical thinking skills are germane for intending construction industry professionals. Others are integrated teamwork skills, good attitude and communication skills, entrepreneurship skills and resources management skills. Findings from this paper may stir up the education sector’s stakeholders to revamp the curricula in enhancing these skills among students from the basic to higher institutions. The outcome will improve productivity in the construction industry.Originality/valueAlthough few scholars have discussed generic skills in the built environment, there are limited studies from the students’ context in developing countries, a South Africa case study, a gap this research aims to fill. Also, it proffers ways to mitigate perceived hindrances facing FBEP in developing generic skills.

INFLUENCE OF E-LEARNING POLICY PEDAGOGY ON STUDENT-CENTERED COLLABORATIVE LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS

Background: this research on E-learning was geared towards determining how E-learning policy pedagogy influences student-centred collaborative learning and development in higher institutions. Objectives: the objectives were to determine: the effect of E-learning on students' achievement; the extent of the relationship between learner-centered pedagogy and students' performance; the extent to which students-centered collaborative learning affect development. Design: 246 was realised as sample size using Topmans formula at 5% level of tolerance and 95% level of confidence from infinite population. Questionnaire was used to collect data, 246 copies of the questionnaire were distributed and 230 copies were returned. Method: Descriptive research method was adopted for the study. Three hypotheses were tested; the first and the third were tested using linear regression while the second was tested using Pearson product moment correlation coefficient statistics. Findings: The findings show that E-learning had a significant positive effect on students' achievement; secondly, there is a significant relationship between learner-centered pedagogy and students' performance; thirdly, Student-centered collaborative learning had a significant positive effect on development. Result: Teachers, students and other administrative staff should be involved in the full utilisation of the educational system of teaching, learning and the use of modern information and communication technologies (ICT). Recommendation: The study recommends that for e-learning to be effective, E-learning facilities should be appropriately maintained. Stable internet should be provided to support easy and fast learning and teaching; the staff and students should learn the basic knowledge on how to operate the computer and its peripheral devices; electricity is a basic requirement needed for the computer and its peripheral devices to function, so government should ensure that all institutions are connected to a stable electric grid.

Pattern of Students’ Enrolment and Graduation Rates in Al-Hikmah University, Nigeria: Implications for Management

Enrolment and graduation rates are regarded as important indices that can be used to measure the growth and development of higher institutions, be it private or public. It is on this premise that this study assessed the students’ enrolment and graduation rates in Al-Hikmah University and its implication for the management. Two research questions were raised to guide the study. In order to provide answers to the research questions, secondary data were collected that consists of number of students’ enrolment from 2006–2019. Also, number of students that graduated were obtained from 2009–2019. Data collected were analysed using descriptive method. Findings of the study revealed high students’ enrolment from 2006 to 2020. Specifically, the highest enrolment in the university was in 2019 where it had 2793 at undergraduate level while 288 students were admitted in the year 2020 at postgraduate level. On graduation rate, findings showed that in the 2015/2016, 874 students graduated from the university, been the highest number of graduands ever recorded at undergraduate level while 64 postgraduate students were graduated in the year 2017/2018 session, been the highest number since the inception of the university. Based on the foregoing, the study concludes that enrolment and graduation rates are key determinants of school success. The study recommends that there is need for recruitment of agents to assist the university in sourcing for students that are yearning for admission. The agents to be recruited must be remunerated based on number of students they bring to the university; this will increase their recruitment drive. Lastly, there is need for downward review of the school fees so as to increase the enrolment of students.

SPIRIT PENGEMBANGAN KEWIRAUSAHAAN DI PERGURUAN TINGGI

The selection of this title was based on the anxiety towards entrepreneurship education phenomenon in hinger institutions which has only been introduced in 1900s. The number of universities and higher institutions in big cities offering at least on class of entreprenenurship is increasing every year; however, hinger institutions are still limited to merely creating graduates as job seekers instead of graduates as job creators. Further, the lack of integration between entrepreneurship education and the structure of curriculum causes problems related to entrepreneurship mental; separated itself from the industry sector, and causes lack of orientation to business development and business opportunities. The issue raised in this research is related to the strategy and development of entrepreneurship program focusing on Philosophical Problematic; entrepreneurship meaning-building, Process Problematic: entrepreneurship development policy, Result Problematic: the impact of entrepreneurship development, Strategy Problematic: the search for model and strategy of entrepreneurship development in higher institutions. The research employed qualitative approach; the data collection was conducted through interview techniques and observation. The results of the research show that in terms of philosophical aspect: (1) the understanding towards entrepreneurship meaning is still in the area of practical approach; (2) the benefit of the entrepreneurship program could increase students confidence to be independent; (3) the entrepreneurship program is the media to provide the values of Independency and Confidence, Creative and Innovative Skill; from the Aspect of Process; (4) the entrepreneurship program can be studied from the aspect of Curriculum; (5) a special policy on entrepreneurship program has not been established; in terms of Result Aspect; (6) entrepreneurship development gives meaningful impact on changing ways of thinking and work governance; in terms of Aspect of Strategy; (7) entrepreneurship strategy and development in higher institutions have not yet been established. The conclusions are: (1) there is a narrow meaning-building towards entrepreneurship, a view saying that entrepreneurship is identical with what an entrepreneur or a businessman with a corporate has; (2) entrepreneurship development program is conducted through, one of them, the implementation of entrepreneurship course subject into the curriculum structure which strenghthens the “soul” of entrepreneurship; (3) the implementation and administration of entrepreneurship program still face challenges, in part because of people’s incorrect view on university entrepreneurship; (4) entrepreneurship strategy and development requires Business Incubator Model (INBIS), functioning on incubating business potency, which in turn could create Technopreneurship (modern knowledge and technology based entrepreneurship.

How does entrepreneurs’ socialist imprinting shape their opportunity selection in transition economies? Evidence from China’s privately owned enterprises

Drawing on imprinting theory and the attention-based view of strategy, this study extends previous literature on the implications of imprinting for opportunity selection by examining how Chinese entrepreneurs’ socialist imprinting from their formative experiences in the Danwei system guides them to pursue lucrative policy-induced opportunities arising from government deregulation, reform, and incentives in certain industries. Using data from 3803 privately owned enterprises in China, we find that (1) privately owned enterprises with entrepreneurs bearing the socialist imprint are more likely to act on policy-induced opportunities to make a quick profit; (2) the relationship between socialist imprinting and the selection of these opportunities is mediated by the entrepreneurs’ attention to government policies; (3) the positive association between socialist imprinting and the selection of these opportunities is less salient for privately owned enterprises located in regions with higher institutional development.

ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES E-LEARNING EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

The paper deals with ESP e-learning experimental research conducted in the lessons of Business English in winter term of academic year 2012/13. Students were provided with the online study material developed within the grant of the Higher Institution Development Fund of the Czech Republic 2011, no. F5-1836. Online study support for Business English is a 14 module course in the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) which is used for study purposes on the B1 level of the Common European Framework of References for Languages.

Keeping the forest for the climate's sake: avoiding deforestation in developing countries under the UNFCCC

A process for reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countries has been initiated under the UNFCCC. Efforts to agree on a legally binding instrument to halt deforestation have previously failed in other international fora. The magnitude of the social, economic, technical and political complexities underlying deforestation have led to negotiations being challenging. What policy instruments could provide incentives to reduce deforestation, and how could these instruments be framed, under the UNFCCC? This article analyses the advantages and disadvantages of the available alternatives within and outside of the Kyoto Protocol. Staying within the Kyoto framework means low institutional development costs, established but limited incentives for action, and low flexibility. Alternatives outside the Protocol provide higher institutional development costs, uncertainties with regard to the incentives, but greater flexibility. We argue that a separate protocol may be the most viable option, as it could offer the necessary flexibility and avoid some technical and political pitfalls that would be likely to beset new efforts under the Kyoto Protocol. The article also presents the concept of ‘committed forests’ as a means of defining geographically where the reduction of emissions from deforestation can take place.