Competence For Transformation Research Articles

BRIEF VERSION OF THE REPORT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Digital transformations are continuously changing how people live, work and function in their societies. These applications of technology can be noticed in education, transportation, data storage, communications and healthcare, among other fields. The development and use of digital technologies is also impacting how governments operate and function. Digital transformation, including artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, has become one of the highest priorities for public organisations. For instance, governments are increasingly trying to digitize their services through technology because of growing public expectations. But today, some governments are asked to do more: to create an enabling environment in which green, inclusive, equitable digital transformation strengthens democratic societies and economies. Several studies have indeed revealed critical digital competencies gaps in the public sector, including in the Global South. It is therefore extremely important to identify and address those digital transformation gaps and to succeed in the public sector, as a catalyst of change for societies and economies in digital age. While there is a growing literature on the types of digital competencies that public sector officials need, there is an unmet need to develop comprehensive digital competency frameworks that can: clearly identify the internal challenges a government faces in its digital transformation journey; propose specific competencies that can address those challenges, and: take into account some specificities of the Global South. The AI and Digital Transformation Competency Framework unpacks the major AI and digital transformation competencies needed in the public sector. The framework aims to provide guidance not just for civil servants, but for international organisations and regional and national actors to support capacity development. Each Competency Domain is structured around three Proficiency Levels: Basic, Medium and Advanced, and includes an ‘AI-specific level’ that aims to identify and unpack the major AI elements.

High School Teachers’ Performance in Term of Transformational Leadership and Principle Supervision Competencies

<p class="abstrak">This research is <em>ex post facto</em>, rather than experimental. It tries to reveal the phenomenon without controlling the research variables. The type of research conducted is survey research with a quantitative approach, where data is collected from a sample of the population to represent the entire population, using a questionnaire as the main data collection tool. To determine the relationship between variables we used a correlational research plan. The level of relationship between variables is expressed in the form of a correlation coefficient. The types of data in this study are quantitative in the form of numbers or qualitative data that is numbered. The result of this research is that R Square = 0.086, which means that the transformational leadership variable and the supervision of the principal influence teacher performance in public high schools throughout the East Agam Regency of 8.6%. The t value for the transformational leadership variable is 0.371 with a significant level of 0.711 > 0.05. This shows that the t count is smaller than t table (0.100 < 1.181), meaning that there is negligible effect of the transformational leadership variable on teacher performance. The t value for the principal supervision variable is 3.003 with a significant level of 0.003 < 0 ,05. This shows that t count is greater than t table (3.003 > 1.181)</p><p class="abstrak"><em>Banyak kepala sekolah belum mampu mentransformasikan visi dan misi lembagnya kepada guru, belum maksimal dalam melakukan supervisi kepada guru sehingga kinerja guru terlihat biasa-biasa saja dan tidak menunjukkan pretasi. Kepemimpinan tranformatif sangat dibutuhkan oleh lembaga pendidikan dimasa datang. Penelitian ini bertujuan membuktikan apakah kepemimpinan transformatif dan kompetensi supervisi memiliki pengaruh terhadap kinerja guru di lapangan. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian survey dengan pendekatan kuantitatif, dimana data dikumpulkan dengan menggunakan kuesioner sebagai alat pengumpulan data. Tingkat hubungan antar variabel dinyatakan dalam bentuk koefisien korelasi. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah bahwa R Square = 0,086 yang berarti variabel kepemimpinan transformasional dan supervisi kepala sekolah memberikan pengaruh terhadap kinerja guru di SMA Negeri se-Kabupaten Agam Wilayah Timur sebesar 8,6%. Nilai t hitung untuk variabel kepemimpinan transformasional adalah sebesar 0,371 dengan taraf signifikan sebesar 0,711 > 0,05. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa t hitung lebih kecil dari t tabel (0,100 < 1,181), artinya terdapat pengaruh yang tidak terlalu signifikan dari variabel kepemimpinan transformasional terhadap kinerja guru, Nilai t hitung untuk variabel supervisi kepala sekolah adalah sebesar 3,003 dengan taraf signifikan sebesar 0,003 < 0,05. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa t hitung lebih besar dari t tabel (3,003 > 1,181), sehingga dapat dikatakan variabel indivenden yang dikaji memberikan pengaruh terhadap variabel dependen penelitian ini. </em></p>

Tax literacy: what does it mean?

Purpose This paper aims to identify the competency domains to be included in a conceptual framework for tax literacy. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative approach, this study expands on the current understanding of the competency areas of tax literacy. A dual-purpose literature review was, therefore, conducted. The literature review first provided the body of knowledge that underpinned the study and second, the key data concepts for the draft competency structure to determine whether there is consensus on an international (supra) level. The literature review was supported by an interactive qualitative analysis to further present the concept of tax literacy from the perspectives of various national stakeholders in an emerging economy. Accounting and public finance educators from a higher education institution, as well as financial advisers as representatives of a profession with a direct interest in tax-related matters, were considered. Findings Although a discipline lens seems to strongly influence the previous authors’ view of what tax literacy means, it was possible to identify certain tax literacy competency domains that should be included in a taxpayer education curriculum. These content domains consist first of a knowledge domain which includes disciplinary, interdisciplinary, epistemic and procedural knowledge components. Second, the skills domain should include components of cognitive and meta-cognitive, social and emotional, as well as physical and practice skills. Third, personal and societal attitudes and values represent the third domain. Fourth, transformative competencies such as value creation, taking responsibility and reconciliation attributes are important. Finally, core foundational competencies, such as numeracy and literacy should be in place. Practical implications The draft conceptual framework for tax literacy could serve as the foundation for the further development of a tax literacy measurement instrument, as well as tax education courses. Originality/value A more holistic conceptual framework for tax literacy, portraying the multidimensional nature of taxation, is presented in contrast to the limited one-dimensional position presented up to now.

Isotachophoresis for rapid transformation of Escherichia coli.

A frequent limitation of electroporation (EP) and chemical transformation (CT) are the need of tedious and time-consuming procedures for inducing transformation competence, the substantial number of cells required, and the low transformation yields typically achieved. Here, we show a new and rapid electrokinetic method for transformation of small number of noncompetent Escherichia coli TOP10 cells (2-3 × 105 ) at room temperature. Escherichia coli TOP10 cells and plasmid DNA are sequentially injected into a 50μm ID capillary and focused into 11.5 nL by isotachophoresis (ITP) induced by application of high DC voltage (-16kV). Through ITP, a large excess of plasmid DNA is brought in contact with the cell surface, with the contact time adjusted by application of a counter-pressure (1.3psi) opposing the ITP movement. The transformation rate was more than 1000-fold higher compared to EP and CT at survival rates greater than 60%.

TRAINING OF SOCIAL WORK SPECIALISTS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY ON SOCIAL SERVICES PROVISION

The problem of training of social work specialists for the professional activity on social services provision has been actualized in the article. The purpose of training social workers in Ukraine is to form a highly educated, highly humane, comprehensively developed personality, who have a high culture and generally meets the qualification characteristic of the profession. The purpose of the article is to characterize the content of professional activity of social work specialists in social services provision. Research methods applied: analysis of scientific literature, normative-legal documents in order to clarify the essence of key concepts of the research; synthesis, comparison and generalization – for determination of the areas of work of a social work specialist in the local community; system-generalizing method – for formulation of competencies and conclusions based on research results; prognostic – for determination of the prospects of improving the system of training social work specialists to provide the social services in the community. The professional activity of a social worker is based on international ethical standards, taking into account the uniqueness of each client, their capabilities and rights, awareness of responsibility for their behavior in a particular situation, the purpose of such activity should be restoring the ability of clients (citizens of the community) to overcome difficult life circumstances on their own. The training of future social work specialists in the higher educational institution is to be aimed at forming their readiness to realization of the functions of professional activity. This readiness is manifested in the formation of relevant competencies, which we will identify and analyze through the prism of the functions of the professional activity of social work specialist in the process of providing social services. It is determined that diagnostic, prognostic, transformative, designing, communicative, organizational, human rights, preventive, psychotherapeutic, promotional, social and pedagogical and social competencies should be formed for performing the functions of professional activity of social work specialists in providing social services. The list of presented functions with the relevant competencies of a social work specialist can be supplemented depending on the purpose, tasks, forms, methods of social work in the process of providing social services in the local community.

A digital maturity model for the education enterprise

ABSTRACT Digital transformation in higher education, especially after COVID-19, is seen as inevitable. This research explores digital transformation’s maturity and challenges within the education enterprise. The significance of this study stems from the critical role digital transformation and higher education play in today’s digital economy, and digital learning, especially with the impact of COVID-19. This study proposes a new model to measure digital transformation maturity assessment in the education enterprise, based on Deloitte’s 2019 digital transformation assessment model, and Petkovic et al.'s [2014. Cloud Computing Support to University Business Processes in External Collaboration.” Acta Polytechnica Hungarica 11 (3): 181–200] mega and major higher education process mapping. The study triangulates the findings of multiple research instruments, including survey, interviews, case study, and direct observation. The research findings show a gap between digital transformation’s maturity perception, and core requirements. A stronger focus on enabling processes, and a lack of wholistic vision, digital transformation competency, and data structure were among the leading challenges in digital transformation.

Why the Optimism Misses? An Analysis on the Gaps and Lags of Teachers’ Perceptions of 21st Century Skills

The present century demands transformative competencies in all spheres of human life and this necessitated the evolution of a new civil right in the modern era. Inevitably, this demands for new sets of skills and competencies in the learners to meet the challenges and competitions of the knowledge economy, labor market and information settings. To build the 21st century skills and competencies in the learners, teachers need to have awareness and knowledge about these skills and apply them in their daily classroom activities. In order to execute the strategies for promoting 21st century skills among learners, a clear perception on the same is highly essential. It is interesting to analyze the perception of the teachers and the missing gaps. This study was conducted to examine the gap between the actual and ideal perception of 21st century skills among secondary school teachers of Kerala. It also examined to what extent their age, teaching experience and subjects have been related to perception level. Data has been collected from secondary school teachers (N=350) through survey method. The result of the study showed that there was gap between actual and ideal perceptions of 21st century skills among the secondary school teachers and also positive correlation between age, teaching experience and the actual perception of 21st century skills.

Development of questionnaire instrument to assess students’ transformative competencies in science learning

According to the OECD Education 2030 project, students in every country need to be ready as agents of change in the future. Three transformative competencies (Creating New Value, Reconciling Tensions and Dilemmas, Taking Responsibility) which are expected to develop students’ awareness, responsibility and innovation are used as focus of this study. A descriptive research for developing a valid and reliable questionnaire to assess the transformative competencies was conducted to investigate these competencies of junior high school students in Indonesia. It consists of 39 statements with a 5 Likert scale representing each transformative competency. A total of 445 students from 10 schools representing five provinces participated which consisted of students from 7th grade (222), 8th grade (91), and 9th grade (132) with the proportion of male (174) and female (271) students. The questionnaire was distributed on-line in sequence. The analysis results in that the questionnaire has a high reliability index of 0.96 for Cronbach’s Alpha (IBM SPSS Statistics 25), 0.94 for Person Reliability and 0.97 for Item Reliability (Winsteps Rasch Model) and good validity index for all items in the questionnaire, because the calculated r value is greater than the r table value. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed). In general, students’ responses are on a “fairly typical of me” scale, except for TC4 statement “I can offer new solutions when there are problems while studying science”, which is “not very typical of me”. These results provide opportunities for further study to increase student creativity in science learning.

Coevolution of the bacterial pheromone ComS and sensor ComR fine-tunes natural transformation in streptococci

Competence for natural transformation extensively contributes to genome evolution and the rapid adaptability of bacteria dwelling in challenging environments. In most streptococci, this process is tightly controlled by the ComRS signaling system, which is activated through the direct interaction between the (R)RNPP-type ComR sensor and XIP pheromone (mature ComS). The overall mechanism of activation and the basis of pheromone selectivity have been previously reported in Gram-positive salivarius streptococci; however, detailed 3D-remodeling of ComR leading up to its activation remains only partially understood. Here, we identified using a semirational mutagenesis approach two residues in the pheromone XIP that bolster ComR sensor activation by interacting with two aromatic residues of its XIP-binding pocket. Random and targeted mutagenesis of ComR revealed that the interplay between these four residues remodels a network of aromatic–aromatic interactions involved in relaxing the sequestration of the DNA-binding domain. Based on these data, we propose a comprehensive model for ComR activation based on two major conformational changes of the XIP-binding domain. Notably, the stimulation of this newly identified trigger point by a single XIP substitution resulted in higher competence and enhanced transformability, suggesting that pheromone-sensor coevolution counter-selects for hyperactive systems in order to maintain a trade-off between competence and bacterial fitness. Overall, this study sheds new light on the ComRS activation mechanism and how it could be exploited for biotechnological and biomedical purposes.

Natural Competence for Transformation in Lactobacili

Natural Competence for Transformation in Lactobacili

Assessing the importance of transformational leadership competencies and supply chain learning to green innovation: construction practitioners’ perspectives

PurposeThis study aims to assess the importance of transformational leadership competencies, as well as supply chain learning, to green innovation in construction at the supply chain level.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey is conducted to collect data from construction firms in Vietnam. Many statistical analysis methods – including the Shapiro-Wilk test, one-sample Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Kruskal-Wallis test – are performed to achieve the research objectives.FindingsThe results indicate that the importance of most transformational leadership competencies is similarly perceived among different role groups (i.e. directors/deputy directors, project managers, consultants, quantity surveyors and designers).Research limitations/implicationsThis study enriches the understanding of leadership research in construction at the supply chain level and also develops a theoretical framework for theory testing research, where the relationships of transformational leadership competencies and supply chain learning with green innovation are highlighted.Originality/valueResearch on leadership in the green supply chain context is still limited, especially in the construction industry. Thus, this study is conducted to fill this gap of research.

Cross-cultural competence and social capital dynamic process in cross-border M&A, a theoretical framework based on a multi-case study

PurposeIn the process of cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A), the social capital of enterprises is dynamic. In this context, cross-cultural competence plays an important role and can affect the transformation process of social capital and further influence the realisation of M&A performance. However, there is still not enough research on the process of social capital transformation and corporate cross-cultural competence. This study aims to explore the influence mechanism of social capital and the cross-cultural competence of enterprises.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, four typical manufacturing M&A case studies were analysed and a grounded theoretical analysis process was used to explore the structure of cross-cultural competence and its impact on the dynamic process of social capital.FindingsThe results of this study imply that social capital experiences three stages of transformation in the process of M&A. There are also four dimensions of corporate cross-cultural competence, which are composed of various factors. These all affect the dynamic process of social capital through different influence mechanisms.Originality/valueAccording to the results, a mechanism model was composed to determine how corporate cross-cultural ability affects the social capital process. This is of practical significance as it can enhance the performance of M&A integration in a cross-cultural context.

The Effect Of Transformational Leadership Style, Organizational Culture, And Competence On Job Satisfaction With Compensation As An Intervening Variable

This study aims to examine the effect of transformational leadership style, organizational culture, and competence on job satisfaction with compensation as an intervening variable. This research is a descriptive study using quantitative methods. The sample used in this study amounted to 95 respondents using a saturated sampling method. The data collection technique used a questionnaire with a Likert scale. This study uses SEM analysis.
 Based on the results of research with a hypothesis testing variables transformational leadership style, organizational culture, and competence on job satisfaction with compensation as an intervening variable. From the PLS test results, it is known that transformational leadership style has a direct effect on job satisfaction, Organizational Culture has a direct effect on job satisfaction, Competence has a direct effect on job satisfaction, Transformational leadership style has a direct effect on Compensation, Organizational Culture has a direct effect on Compensation, Competence has a direct effect on Compensation and Transformational leadership style, organizational culture and competence have an effect on job satisfaction through compensation.

Job Satisfaction as a Mediator between Leadership Styles and Organisational Commitment of Teachers in Malaysia

Abstract: To better understand the organisational commitment of teachers, the current study examined job satisfaction as a mediator between organisational commitment and the three dimensions of leadership, namely transformational, transactional and passive-avoidant. The study involved 381 school teachers in Malaysia, and the multiple-model analysis used showed partial mediation on the negative association of passive-avoidant leadership style with teachers’ commitment to their organisation. The study found a relationship between transformational leadership and organisational commitment through job satisfaction. As expected, job satisfaction also fully mediated between transactional leadership and organisational commitment among teachers, and that teachers who are highly satisfied with their jobs attributed their commitment towards their school to transactional leadership. This study extends the knowledge on the effects of teachers’ leadership styles on their organisational commitments through a mediating factor. Higher education can play an important role in changing pre-service teachers' and future school principals’ mindsets to exhibit transformational and transactional leadership competencies. Therefore, leadership development and training of future school administrators during their tertiary education are important in order to enhance teachers' job satisfaction and commitment.
 Keywords: Teachers, Job satisfaction, Leadership styles, Organizational commitment, Malaysia

COVID-19 - Digital Transformation and Digital Competency

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused serious and long-term disturbances in people's lives all over the world, in both developing and developed countries. This has led to financial crisis and great depression in the GDPs of many countries. It has not only impacted the Multi-National Businesses (MNCs) but also disturbed the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and life’s of man vulnerable people. As the crisis continues, the pandemic's pervasive impacts, which have affected every part of our communities, continue to unfold, leaving profound marks on people's livelihoods and countries' economies that are likely to persist for several years after the pandemic has ended. As part of the global response to COVID-19, the digital technology industry especially Fintech (Financial Technology) has been instrumental in creating and delivering services and technologies that have mitigated, at least in part, the pandemic's effect on multiple aspects of people's lives in every part of the world. The Fintech companies and Start-ups have played a tremendous role in mitigating the inconvenience for the common people by implementing the next generation solutions for everyone and the people were quick to adopt to such a change. The interest and surge of usage of Fintech applications (Digital applications related to Finance/Payments/Banking/Ecommerce) carries in preserving people’s livelihoods and businesses that have been, and continue to be, threatened by the pandemic COVID-19. This working paper will discuss about the impact of digital payments in the developing country like India during COVID-19, Pre-COVID-19, evolution of digital transformation in India from the past few years, People adoption to digital technologies, digital literacy intensification in emerging markets and also discusses the future trends of Fintech and its impact on consumers and businesses even after the pandemic ends.

An integrative review on interventions for strengthening professional governance in nursing.

To identify the interventions for strengthening professional nursing governance and describe their outcomes. The ever-changing health care environment requires empowering governance structures and shared decision-making. The costly nature of reshaping governance makes the identification of effective interventions vital. An integrative review was carried out between January 2007 and May 2020 in the CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Business source, Cochrane and Medic databases. The quality of the 12 included studies was evaluated with the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Eight studies reported that the implemented interventions had positively influenced organisation regarding creating positive work environments, building new leadership competencies and increasing personnel's ability to take part in decision-making. The overall quality of the evidence was judged to be moderate. Comprehensive decision-making structures, efficient teamwork and transformational leadership competencies among nurse leaders enable personnel to participate in decision-making. Further research is needed to identify the most effective interventions for improving professional governance. Nurse leaders have to ensure that personnel have adequate opportunities to congregate and decide over matters concerning their work. Positive organisational climate and relational leadership style, along with highly functioning teams, are important prerequisites to nursing councils producing the desired outcomes.

Education Between GovTech and Civic Tech

In the recent movement towards smart societies, smart governments supported by GovTech and smart cities developed through Civic Tech have become known as dominant structures enabled by information and communications technology. Since GovTech and Civic Tech share the goal of giving citizens better and safer lives through their engagement with government and technology, the development of online public services is characterized by the use of collaborative production methods involving various stakeholders and players. Open data, collaboration, and systematic teamwork are key to understanding this production of heterarchical structures. This study reviews previous cases of collaboration between GovTech and Civic Tech, identifies the dominant mechanisms of the smart society, and summarizes existing pedagogical and industrial theoretical systems, mindsets, and skillsets with the aim of developing content for a university course. Double loop learning, design thinking, the Agile methodology, and the lean principle are identified as theoretical systems. Our findings are arranged so that they can be applied in the content of a university-level educational technology course, which we designed to develop students’ transformative competencies to enable them to become active citizens. In addition, we compared the processes involved in observed theoretical systems and conventional pedagogical theories to clarify the differences in their mechanisms. We conclude with a discussion of the need to recognize frameworks of different paradigms to prepare students for transformative social activities.

Entrepreneurship Education Challenges for Green Transformation

Associated with global climate agreements and the European Union’s focus on climate-neutral goals by 2050, the development of Green Transformation competencies in society has become topical. This viewpoint paper proposes a conceptual model for applying Entrepreneurship Education (EE) to designing an integrated transdisciplinary, Green Transformation Competence framework. In line with this, EE is seen as a tool for developing an active, informed, responsible, yet sustainable, living ecosystem-oriented and green orientation of citizens in the education system. Nevertheless, this viewpoint recognises several challenges for further research.

Strategies to Attenuate the Competence Regulon in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an opportunistic respiratory human pathogen that poses a continuing threat to human health. Natural competence for genetic transformation in S. pneumoniae plays an important role in aiding pathogenicity and it is the best-characterized feature to acquire antimicrobial resistance genes by a frequent process of recombination. In S. pneumoniae, competence, along with virulence factor production, is controlled by a cell-density communication mechanism termed the competence regulon. In this review, we present the recent advances in the development of alternative methods to attenuate the pathogenicity of S. pneumoniae by targeting the various stages of the non-essential competence regulon communication system. We mainly focus on new developments related to competitively intercepting the competence regulon signaling through the introduction of promising dominant-negative Competence Stimulating Peptide (dnCSP) scaffolds. We also discuss recent reports on antibiotics that can block CSP export by disturbing the proton motive force (PMF) across the membrane and various ways to control the pneumococcal pathogenicity by activating the counter signaling circuit and targeting the pneumococcal proteome.

Active Human and Porcine Serum Induce Competence for Genetic Transformation in the Emerging Zoonotic Pathogen Streptococcus suis.

The acquisition of novel genetic traits through natural competence is a strategy used by bacteria in microbe-rich environments where microbial competition, antibiotics, and host immune defenses threaten their survival. Here, we show that virulent strains of Streptococcus suis, an important zoonotic agent and porcine pathogen, become competent for genetic transformation with plasmid or linear DNA when cultured in active porcine and human serum. Competence was not induced in active fetal bovine serum, which contains less complement factors and immunoglobulins than adult serum and was strongly reduced in heat-treated or low-molecular weight fractions of active porcine serum. Late competence genes, encoding the uptake machinery for environmental DNA, were upregulated in the active serum. Competence development was independent of the early competence regulatory switch involving XIP and ComR, as well as sigma factor ComX, suggesting the presence of an alternative stress-induced pathway for regulation of the late competence genes required for DNA uptake.