Research indicates a strong correlation between sociodemographic factors and success in learning to read. This study examines the sociodemographic characteristics of 1131 preschool and 1st-grade children in Portuguese public schools and explores the relationship between these characteristics and key competencies for reading acquisition. The collection included a sociodemographic questionnaire and pre-reading skills, such as letter-sound knowledge. To assess the relationship between the sociodemographic variables and the letter-sound knowledge, inter-subjects (parametric and non-parametric) difference tests were conducted, as well as correlation analyses. To understand whether letter-sound knowledge is predicted by sociodemographic variables, a multiple linear regression analysis was performed using the Enter method. The results suggest that the mother’s education is the variable that most strongly contributes to success in reading acquisition. Socioeconomic status and the type of school also play a role in reading achievement. Identifying the sociodemographic factors that most strongly correlate with reading acquisition success is crucial for a more accurate identification of at-risk children and to provide targeted support/inclusion in reading skills promotion projects.

The study documents the model of the knowledge transfer process between the University, the Vocational Training Center and the industrial actors. The research seeks to answer to the following questions. Where is new knowledge generated? Where does knowledge originate from? Is there a central actor? If so, which organization? Hypotheses tested by the research: H1: Knowledge starts from the higher education institution. H2: Most “new knowledge” is generated in universities and large multinational companies. H3: The university is a central actor in the knowledge flow, transmitting both hard and soft skills, as well as subject (‘know-what’), organizational (‘know-why’), use (‘know-how’), relational (‘know-who’), and creative (‘care-why’) knowledge. The aim of the research is to model the way of knowledge flow between the collaborating institutions. The novelty of this research is that it extends the analysis of the knowledge flow process not only to the actors of previous researches (higher education institutions, business organizations, and government) but also to secondary vocational education and training institutions. The methodology used in the research is the analysis of the documents of the actors investigated and the questionnaire survey among the participants. Knowledge transfer is the responsibility of the university and its partner training and business organizations. In vocational education and training, knowledge flows based on the knowledge economy, innovation and technological development are planned, managed and operational. The research has shown that knowledge is a specific good that it is indivisible in its production and consumption, that it is easy and cheap to transfer and learn.

Leisure education has an impact not only on individuals but also on the environment and society. The present study aimed to explore and describe experts’ knowledge and experience about leisure education to develop leadership among youth with physical disabilities. The present study used a qualitative research approach through an exploratory design to answer the research question. Five participants were purposefully recruited and selected based on their expertise in the topic of interest. Participants’ expertise ranged from leisure, recreation, youth and leadership. The participants had experience working in higher education institutions, and community projects, held doctorate qualifications, and have over ten years in this field. Data was collected online using Google Meet software using semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions. Data was analyzed using a thematic analysis framework and guidelines. The findings of this study suggest that youth with physical disabilities can develop personal capacity through leisure education programmes. Leisure education programmes can be meaningful to youth with physical disabilities and have a developmental impact, including leadership. Youth with physical disabilities’ capacities and abilities should be nurtured and protected to allow growth and independence. The implications are that leisure education programmes for leadership development must be intentional to achieve the intended outcome.

This study investigates pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) among teachers teaching mathematics at the preschool level in Colombia, highlighting the importance of integrating mathematical knowledge with innovative and effective pedagogical strategies. Using a mixed exploratory and transactional methodology, the perceptions and practices of 82 teachers were examined, focusing on their understanding of mathematical content, pedagogical skills, and knowledge of children’s cognitive development. The findings reveal a significant gap in teachers’ understanding of these concepts, indicating a critical need to strengthen PCK among teachers. To this end, training should be provided to enable teachers to foster meaningful and contextualized mathematical learning in preschool students. The study suggests reviewing teacher training curricula and fostering the development of pedagogical strategies that prioritize conceptual understanding and mathematical reasoning. Additionally, it identifies critical areas for improvement and offers concrete recommendations for transforming mathematics teaching in preschool education. To enhance the quality of mathematics education, several measures are proposed: ensuring continued availability of training programs for teachers, encouraging collaboration between educators, adopting constructivist approaches, and helping teachers understand the value of mathematics learning outside the school.

This paper explores the role of the agile approach in managing interorganizational relationships in innovation networks. Design/methodology/approach. Relevant literature related to agile team management, network theory, innovation theory and knowledge management was studied. Based on collaboration between different approaches, a conceptual model for agile management of an innovation network was generated. Conceptual modeling was supplemented with graphical notation (diagram) of the main elements of the model. At the stage of testing the conceptual model, the action research method was applied, which provides an opportunity for organizational innovations to be carried out with the participation of researchers. The object of the pilot implementation of the conceptual model is the Bulgarian division of a global non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to community service. The organizational innovation applied in the testing of the model is related to improving the communication environment between individual teams (clubs), which are autonomous, but in the conditions of a network can generate projects for common, large-scale initiatives for community service. Findings. The pilot testing of the model shows its applicability, insofar as a traditionally managed structure switches to an agile communication model, in which horizontal connections become more frequent and knowledge between individual participants is transferred more efficiently. The possibility of decentralized decision-making creates the potential for generating numerous new and larger-scale initiatives for the benefit of the final beneficiaries. The participants in the network have also outlined some shortcomings, such as the need for better preliminary preparation when introducing organizational innovations in order to adequately explain and accept them.