This paper presents research undertaken in three Institutes of Higher Education (HE) delivering degrees in business, hospitality and tourism management. The aim was to take a critical look at technology-enhanced learning as a vector for pedagogical innovation. Qualitative research was undertaken in order to have in-depth feedback from educators (n=16) identified as champions relative to the use of technology in their own courses. The interviews were coded and subsequently analysed in line with four dominant themes: use of digital tools and technology; changes in course delivery; success stories of adding value; and finally lessons learned. The findings were surprising in that even the champions were relatively traditional in their practice. Of importance is the confirmation that educators require additional support in terms of the use of technology in instructional design as well as in pedagogical innovation and it is at the institutional level that this change must operate.
Our study examines the antecedents of organization citizenship behavior for the environment (OCBE). In particular, we examined the relation between the five factor model personality traits and the tri-dimensional model of OCBE (eco-initiatives, eco-civic engagement and eco-helping). In a sample of undergraduates in Switzerland, openness to experience predicted eco-helping, conscientiousness predicted eco-initiatives and, extraversion predicted eco-civic engagement. Contrary to our expectations, agreeableness is not associated with OCBE dimensions.
The proliferation of smartphone ownership and mobile travel bookings has persuaded hoteliers to develop mobile strategies and develop applications (apps). To investigate the customer perception of these apps, a two-stage methodology was applied that identifies the available features and functions on 20 hotel chain apps. Next, the importance and performance of these 51 identified features and functions are then rated and analysed using the Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) framework. Most of the features and functions under “Reservation Information” and “Hotel Information” are commonly available, and are rated high in importance and performance, which is located in Quadrant two, “Keep up the good work”.“At Hotel Functions” are not commonly available, but rated important by customers, thus placed in Quadrant one, “Concentrate here”. Thus, IPA highlights specific, exclusive opportunities for hotels to engage via apps with customers during their stay.
We explore the benefits of operator splitting algorithms in the context of computational fluid dynamics. In particular, we exploit their capacity in handling free surface flows and a large variety of physical phenomena in a flexible way. A mathematical and computational framework is presented for the numerical simulation of free surface flows, where the operator splitting strategy allows to separate inertial effects from the other effects. The characteristics method on a fine structured grid is put forward to accurately approximate the inertial effects while continuous piecewise polynomial finite element subordinated to a coarser subdivision made of simplices is advocated for the other effects. In addition, the splitting strategy also allows to be modular and change the rheological model for the fluid in a straightforward manner.We will emphasize this flexibility by treating Newtonian flows, viscoelastic flows and multi-phase immiscible incompressible Newtonian flows based on multiple densities. The numerical framework is thoroughly presented; the test case of the filling of a cylindrical tube, with potential die swell in an extrusion process is taken as the main illustration of the advantages of operator splitting.
Un quartier durable est défini comme une zone urbaine incluant des concepts modernes et écologiques. L’impact de tels concepts sur les habitants de ces quartiers n’est cependant pas toujours clair. Dans l’étude de cas présentée dans cet article, l’équipe de la HES-SO Valais Wallis s’est concentrée sur l’influence de la perception des services énergétiques sur la satisfaction générale d’habiter dans un tel quartier.
English Language Learner enrollment and technology use continue to increase at postsecondary institutions. In addition to navigating increased academic demands, these students must negotiate identity in an unfamiliar culture. Reliance on technology may provide support or limit acculturation. Our discussion seeks to engage around the results of a survey given to students in the United States and Switzerland to answer the question: How could technology help to facilitate transformation for international students?
This qualitative study examines the experiences of faculty members who are required to document their teaching practice in a portfolio, first as a tool for professional development, and two years later as a tool for performance evaluation for the emergence of evidence of transformative learning, which is demonstrated in evidence of teaching practice and documented through the portfolio process. The data collection for the research was completed in various stages. The first stage involved the document review of teaching portfolios prepared for the first time in 2013. Next, the researcher reviewed the portfolios of the same faculty members who were required to submit an updated portfolio in 2015 to be used for performance evaluation. After the two-stage document analysis, 10 faculty members were interviewed to further explore the learning that occurred from the start of the process over the two-year period to confirm and expand on the data from the document reviews, in addition to examining the impact of the interview and feedback stages of the process. The findings reveal that many of the faculty found this process of documenting and reflecting on their teaching a disorienting dilemma. For some this triggered the opportunity for transformative learning as evidenced in the differences between the two portfolios over two years, and as discussed in the interviews. This work aligns with the conference theme in the area of intersections between development and evaluation in an institution that does not have the traditional tenure system in place for faculty.
This study attempts to enhance our understanding of the inconsistencies reported in the literature concerning the relationship between work overload and work outcomes. We tested the proposition that work overload should be divided into two constructs based on its source: self-initiated overload (SIO), and organization-imposed overload (OIO). Based on the work stress and job crafting literatures, we expected that SIO and OIO would tend to relate differentially to the work outcomes of job satisfaction, emotional exhaustion, work–family conflict, job performance, and helping organizational citizenship behaviours. A study was conducted using three samples, the first consisting of full-time employed students in three countries (N = 116), the second consisting of the nursing staffs of six private hospitals in Switzerland, and the third consisting of 161 middle manager–supervisor dyads in Switzerland. Two different measures of SIO and OIO were used. SIO was found to have a more beneficial relationship with the work outcomes than OIO, general supporting our hypothesis. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
This study examines the topline performance of a cross-section of hotels in the United States from 2009 to 2013 to test whether eco-labeled (LEED or Energy Star, in particular) properties generated revenue performance premiums over noncertified hotels. In other words, does it pay to acquire these labels? Regressions included regional, class, chain scale, size, and location controls. Custom comparable clusters were also separately tested. Results show that LEED-labeled hotels experience higher average daily rate but lower occupancy rates, resulting in a statistically insignificant difference in RevPAR. Energy Star-labeled buildings consistently showed higher occupancy.
