International Journal of Management Thinking

Assessing and Enhancing Core Competencies in Vocational Education: A Case Study of Senior Students at Guangxi Police College, China

Huina Mo — 2024-08-26

This study evaluates the core competencies of senior students at Guangxi Police College within the framework of higher vocational education and provides guidelines for enhancing these skills. A Likert 5-Point Scale questionnaire based on Lin Chongde’s 2017 framework assessed these competencies among 155 students. A statistical study of the data, concentrating on mean values and standard deviations, indicated variable levels of competence across six dimensions: moral awareness, social responsibility, cultural comprehension, critical thinking, language competency, and aesthetic appreciation. They demonstrated high levels of ethical awareness, social responsibility, cultural understanding, critical thinking, and aesthetic appreciation, while language abilities were graded as medium, indicating a need for targeted improvement. Recommendations include incorporating interactive language activities and industry-specific training, targeting critical thinking through case studies and debate clubs, broadening cultural understanding through international exposure, cultivating aesthetic appreciation through art classes, and increasing social responsibility through community service and internships. Integrating ethics education across all disciplines and practical ethical dilemma workshops were suggested to promote moral awareness. This study presents a complete examination of basic abilities in a vocational environment and offers actionable suggestions for educational improvement. This paper addresses the critical gap in creating vocational training programs for police officers. It focuses on police students' vocational education and provides a detailed assessment of fundamental abilities adapted for law enforcement training. The study findings give an insightful overview of the viable future revisions in vocational programs that match the educational requirements and practical demands of the police profession.

Exploring the Relationship between Student Engagement and Role of Career Adaptability to Enhance Employability of University Graduates

Zhiqiang Jiang — 2024-09-02

This study investigates the relationship between student engagement, career adaptability, and the employability of university graduates. Utilizing a quantitative research design, data were collected from 450 undergraduate and postgraduate students at two universities in Guangzhou, China. Regression analysis was conducted, and statistical package of social science (SPSS) software was employed to examine the impact of key variables, including career adaptability, transferable skills, social support networks, and student engagement, on employability outcomes. The results indicate a significant positive relationship between career adaptability and successful workforce transition, suggesting that graduates with higher adaptability are better prepared for the job market. Transferable skills gained through higher education were also found to have a substantial impact on employability across various industries. Furthermore, social support networks, both within and outside the university, were shown to positively influence graduates' career development and job acquisition. The findings underscore the importance of integrating career adaptability training in universities by emphasizing the development of transferable skills and strengthening social support networks. Additionally, fostering student engagement through academic and extracurricular activities is crucial. The study concludes that a comprehensive approach that incorporates these elements can significantly enhance the employability of university graduates, enabling them to meet the demands of the modern workforce.

Socioeconomic and Environmental Determinants of Household Willingness to Pay for Improved Electricity Services: A Case Study of Nowshera, Pakistan

Farah Naz — 2024-09-18

Electricity is critical to our daily lives, and frequent interruptions in the electricity supply impact not only industrial productivity and economic growth but also disrupt household activities and daily routines. This study aims to determine the factors influencing a household's willingness to pay additional charges for improved electricity service. The study collected primary data through the contingent valuation method from 285 households from Nowshera, Pakistan, and applied binary logistic regression estimation. The findings show that a household's education level, household size, monthly income, monthly electricity bill, and service reliability significantly influence consumers' willingness to pay additional charges to get satisfactory electricity service. Furthermore, as various household activities rely on electricity, households are typically willing to pay an extra amount for better electricity service. The study also highlights that environmental awareness and attitudes towards renewable energy resources influence consumer preferences. Furthermore, those who are more conscious of sustainability exhibit a greater willingness. This study is unique in that it comprehensively assesses the socioeconomic and behavioural aspects affecting the willingness to pay for reliable power in a developing country, specifically Nowshera, Pakistan. Unlike earlier studies, it investigates the impact of household activities on willingness to pay, shedding light on how cultural, religious, and social interactions influence energy preferences. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the adoption of renewable energy as an electricity service for the consumer, providing a dual benefit of improved service reliability and a sustainable energy source.

Mobility Assistive Technology (AT) for Children with Cerebral Palsy (CP): A Literature Review

Guanzhou Ren — 2024-10-13

This paper comprehensively reviews the use of mobility Assistive Technology (MAT) in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Currently, 9 million people are severely affected by CP, the most serious form of movement disability, characterized by deficits in movement, posture, and more, alongside cognitive and sensory deficits. These impairments restrict the child’s functionality in self-care, performing tasks associated with daily living, and socialization. The main purpose of this paper is to establish the role of MAT in supporting children with CP and assess its impact on their lives. This review describes a range of devices that enhance mobility in motor-disabled patients such as powered wheelchairs, robotic exoskeletons, ankle-foot orthoses (AFO), and gait trainers, and examines their effects on the psychosocial well-being and physical growth of children with CP. A methodical search performed within the PRISMA framework enabled us to analyze papers from 2010 to 2024, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of assistive technology (AT). It was noted that although ATs can improve independence, social involvement, and mobility, challenges remain such as high costs, poor design, and unavailability of these resources in underprivileged regions. New information technologies, including intelligent systems and virtual reality (VR) training tools, are effective in addressing health-related issues; however, the optimization of these techniques over a long period needs further study. This paper underscores the importance of a more child-centred design of AT devices and additional policy adjustments to enhance accessibility across different socio-economic strata. Through this review, we seek to advance the emerging understanding of the role of mobility AT in enhancing the lives of children with CP, focusing on identifying weaknesses in the existing research and suggesting possible advancements.