This research, with a qualitative approach, is based on a literature review and a press analysis related to mergers, acquisitions and dissolutions of Higher Education Institutions in South America. Our findings evidence a gap in the academic literature for analyzing and understanding these processes. The literature on the subject is scarce; however, the press has recorded them in a constant way. While in the past this phenomenon was mainly among public universities, currently it is a fundamentally private trend. The main reasons to carry out this process by Higher Education Institutions are those related to geographic expansion or positioning (for merger processes), absorption and concentration of institutions by groups of interest (for merger processes, acquisition) and, the crisis resulting from the financial-administrative management of the institutions, as well as the non-compliance with national and international quality standards designed by accreditation agencies and institutions (for dissolution processes). On the contrary of some literature results, in any of the processes the search for prestige or reputation by the institutions was detected as a reason.
The high unemployment rate among university graduates is prompting universities to enhance the business skills of their students. This research aims to holistically explain the role of university support and entrepreneurial resilience in increasing students’ business innovation capabilities. To analyze phenomena and relationships between variables, a quantitative approach using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used. This research sample involved 165 student entrepreneurs who are members of the student entrepreneur community in Indonesia. Knowledge management does not significantly impact increasing business innovation capabilities. However, perceived university support and entrepreneurial resilience have been shown to significantly impact business innovation capabilities and strengthen the influence of knowledge management activities on increasing business innovation capabilities. Universities must create policies supporting extracurricular entrepreneurship programs, focusing on building entrepreneurial resilience. This can be achieved through workshops and business incubator initiatives involving partnerships with industry and the entrepreneurial community. This research provides a new perspective in analyzing higher education entrepreneurship education through a more in-depth explanation of the extracurricular activities of the student business community to build business innovation capabilities based on knowledge, institutional, and trait theory perspectives.
This study investigates university students’ understanding of the mole concept and its implications for chemistry education, highlighting the critical role of mathematical education. A questionnaire was administered to 303 students from universities in Panama, Mexico, Cuba, Chile, and Spain. The results reveal that only 29.7% of participants recognize the mole as a fundamental unit, while 20.8% confuse the amount of substance with a non-existent “Chemical System.” Only 18.5% correctly identified the substance quantity symbol as “n” and 32.7% were aware that Wilhelm Ostwald introduced the term mole, indicating deficiencies in historical knowledge. The significance of these findings highlights major misconceptions and gaps in both conceptual understanding and historical knowledge, underscoring the urgent need for revised teaching strategies. Addressing these issues is crucial for bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, thereby enhancing instructional methods and optimizing chemistry education to improve students’ comprehension of fundamental concepts.
A fresh interest has been accorded to metal iodides due to their fascinating physicochemical properties such as high ionic conductivity, variable optical properties, and high thermal stabilities in making micro and macro devices. Breakthroughs in cathodic preparation and metallization of metal iodides revealed new opportunities for using these compounds in various fields, especially in energy conversion and materials with luminescent and sensory properties. In energy storage metal iodides are being looked at due to their potential to enhance battery performance, in optoelectronics the property of the metal iodides is available to create efficient LEDs and solar cells. Further, their application in sensing devices, especially in environmental and medical monitoring has been quite mentioned due to their response towards environmental changes such as heat or light. Nevertheless, some challenges are still in question, including material stability, scale-up opportunities, and compatibility with other technologies. This work highlights the groundbreaking potential of metal iodide-based nanomaterials, emphasizing their transformative role in innovation and their promise for future advancements.
This study investigates the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enhance practical content development within the media specialization program at Palestine Technical University, Kadoorie. The primary objective is to examine the extent to which media specialty lecturers employ AI technology in developing practical content. A mixed-methods approach is employed, qualitative data are gathered through in-depth interviews with faculty members to elucidate their perceptions and experiences regarding the integration of AI technology in practical content development. The study aims to provide valuable insights into the benefits and challenges of AI integration in practical content development for media specialization programs The study reveals diverse views on AI integration in media education at Palestine Technical University, Kadoorie. Faculty recognize AI’s benefits like personalized learning and productivity but also express concerns about over-reliance and ethics. Consensus exists on cautious AI implementation to maximize benefits and address drawbacks. Obstacles to AI adoption include cost, skills gaps, and ethical considerations, highlighting the complexity of integration. The study emphasizes a balanced approach, offering insights for enhancing practical content development in media specialization programs at Palestine Technical University, Kadoorie.
This paper provides insight into innovation energy, its five working mechanisms, and innovative work behaviour (IWB). Although human energy is often mentioned as an important factor in theories about motivation, it is still an unexplored theme in literature. The management of organisations often focuses on the innovation content and neglects the process aspects. Strategic and operational HRM involvement is needed to realising the essential conditions for the innovation energy of innovative employees. An abductive case study on innovation energy took place in five educational departments of one academy at Saxion University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. We interviewed 21 innovating lecturers and their five team leaders individually and organised five focus groups with a total of 17 team members. Innovation energy converts individual innovation properties (creativity, psychological empowerment, and optimism) into IWB. Organisations must pay attention to these properties and four other working mechanisms (autonomy, teamwork, leadership, and external contacts) that influence this conversion process. HRM professionals should be involved with innovation processes to realise the right conditions for innovation energy, together with line management. The construct of innovation energy with five working mechanisms gives more insight into the IWB process from the perspective of the engaged employee with IWB. This research contributes to the body of knowledge on IWB, (human) innovation energy, and engagement in relation to HRM.
Copyright © by EnPress Publisher. All rights reserved.