Enric Serradell-López

Comparing student competences in a face-to-face and online business game

In todays globalized environment, universities and business schools need to incorporate elements and tools to obtain high-performance capabilities. Curricular schooling can benefit from the usage of educational business games. We analyzed the evolution and performance of two group of students who have followed a business simulation during some academic semesters. Data from a questionnaire answered by 146 students were analysed and compared with the European Tuning Project competence ranking. The results showed that the level of generic and specific competences obtained using business games is quite high. Moreover, the study have found that the assessment of competences acquired by students with a business game is not the same in the case of on-campus students than in the case of online students, in most cases the online group values specific competences higher than the face-to-face group. Our results suggest that the use of business games and can be considered a useful tool to improve students achievements and to foster a good level of competences.

Developing Professional Knowledge and Confidence in Higher Education

The purpose of this paper is to determine the effectiveness of using multiple choice tests in subjects related to the administration and business management. To this end the authors used a multiple-choice test with specific questions to verify the extent of knowledge gained and the confidence and trust in the answers. The analysis made, conducted by tests given out to a group of 200 students, has been implemented in one subject related with investment analysis and has measured the level of knowledge gained and the degree of trust and security in the responses at two different times of the business administration and management course. Measurements were taken into account at different levels of difficulty in the questions asked and the time spent by students to complete the test. Results confirm that students are generally able to obtain more knowledge along the way and get increases in the degree of trust and confidence. It is estimated that improvement in skills learned is viewed favourably by businesses and are important for job placement. Finally, the authors proceed to analyze a multi-choice test using a combination of knowledge and confidence levels.

Which Are the Determinants of Online Students’ Efficiency in Higher Education?

International literature shows that the positive effect on students performance from the adoption of innovations in the technology of teaching and learning do not affect all teaching methods and learning styles equally, as it depends on university strategy and policy towards Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) adoption, students abilities, technology uses in the educational process by teachers and students, or the selection of a methodology that matches with digital uses. This paper provides empirical answers to these questions with data from online students at the Open University of Catalonia (UOC). An empirical model based on structural equations has been defined to explain complex relationships between variables. Our results show that motivation is the main variable affecting online students’ performance. It appears as a latent variable influenced by students’ perception of efficiency, a driver for indirect positive and significant effect on students’ performance from students’ ability in ICT uses.

Success Factors in IT-Innovative Product Companies: A Conceptual Framework

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role that Information Technologies (ITs) play in product innovation processes, both as an element that strengthens marketing processes making possible consumer integration within the innovation framework, as well as the development of the organizational learning process. There are two main uses of ITs in marketing processes. First, they increase the likelihood and efficiency of communication and cooperative relationships between different agents, both inside and outside the organization. Second, they manage market data correctly, prioritizing its acquisition, storage and dissemination throughout the company, thereby developing market intelligence that can be used in the decision-making process.

National culture and the secrecy of innovations

The main objective of this paper is to provide greater understanding of the nature of secrecy in firms. It presents an effort to develop some links between management of the secrecy and its relationship with culture. Using measures from Hofstedes (2001) work, we have linked some dimensions of national culture with CIS 3 EU survey database. The results show that some attributes of the culture in organisations as masculinity and uncertainty avoidance have impact on the tendency of the firms for not to patent and maintain secrecy of their innovations.

Cultural Aspects of Secrecy in Global Economy

The main objective of this paper is to provide greater understanding of the nature of secrecy in firms. It presents an effort to develop some links between management of the secrecy and its relationship with culture. Using measures from Hofstede’s work, we have linked some dimensions of national culture with CIS 3 UE survey database. The results show that some attributes of the culture as Masculinity and Uncertainty Avoidance have impact on the tendency of the firms for not to patent and maintain secrecy of their innovations.

Applying learning analytics to students’ interaction in business simulation games. The usefulness of learning analytics to know what students really learn

Abstract Nowadays, different ways of communication and interaction among multiple actors are dominating learning processes. However, there are critical opinions that question the contribution of student interaction to real learning. This study applies learning analytics and data mining techniques to explore the online discussion forums of 362 business students at the bachelor and master levels, who participated in business simulation games between 2011 and 2016. The findings revealed that the most frequent contents in the students’ online discussion forums were related, firstly, to the parameters and features of the business simulation game, and, secondly, to elements that fostered the students’ learning process, while small talk or regular conversation did not appear to be relevant. In addition, the contents with predictive power over learning results were related to uncertainty, time, interaction, communication and collaboration, although none of these elements influenced teacher assessment of student learning. This study reveals the usefulness of learning analytics tools to gain a more wide and holistic view of the learning process of students, discovering new aspects that affect students’ learning results.

Personal development in the virtuality; online activities for individual and group growth

This paper has been developed from the experience in the KA2 Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership project “education on the way: Introducing technology-enhanced informal learning” with reference 2015-1-ES01-KA204-016354 www.ed-way.eu

Higher Education Scenario from a Cross-Cultural Perspective: eLearning Implications

Higher education institutions are crucial in the present. Universities play a role that varies with time and evolves with society. Globalization is changing the world and affecting higher education institutions in all their intrinsic characteristics: personnel, programs, infrastructures and students. Analyzed is the relevant research on cultural dimensions and applies it to higher education institutions focusing the analysis of the impact on eLearning setups. To do so, variables related to organizational strategy, design of curricula and teaching tools are proposed and analyzed from a set of cultural dimensions. Results show that higher education institutions are facing big challenges in their adaptation to multi-cultural arrangements.

Location Guided System of Training Solutions and Learning Itineraries Based on Competences Adapted to Users’ Needs: The UOC eLearning GPS

Competency design stands out among the methodological and educational model changes introduced by the EHEA (European Higher Education Area). This concept is a key factor when developing programs based on academic and professional profiles that respond to social and labour market needs. The UOC eLearning GPS is based on competences and is meant to reduce the gap between formal training and the reality of the labour market and social needs that traditionally has characterized the university. These aspects are the basis of this application. Using a language of competences, the application helps the students identify their main skills and capacities, as well as areas of improvement. Following the model of competency design, this tool helps the user detect and reduce the gap between a starting position of competence and his or her learning and training expectations. UOC eLearning GPS application offers solutions and learning itineraries closer to the user’s real learning needs.