Joanna Paliszkiewicz

Knowledge Construction in e-Learning: An Empirical Validation of an Active Learning Model

Factor analysis was used to empirically validate an active learning model that asserts knowledge construction in e-learning is achieved through active learning in three stages (underpinning, ownership, and engaging). Each stage is referred to as a component that is comprised of a number of elements or factors essential to the design of active learning in e-learning, leading to successful construction of knowledge. The findings of this study implied that the components in the model were empirically validated to be reliable and interpretable among their associated factors. Conclusions are drawn from the findings. Recommendations are made for further study.

Scholarly interest in gamification: a citation network analysis

Purpose – Gamification has been studied in many areas, i.e. marketing, education, training, and psychology. There has been an increased interest in the topic of gamification among scholars in the past several years. The purpose of this paper is therefore to use citation network analysis and explore changes in scholarly interest in the topic of gamification. As a result, four study hypotheses were developed: H1a: the “other” category publications (books, proceedings, etc.) will have a significantly larger frequency when compared with “journal” publications; H1b: the trend line of the frequency of publications will most closely fit the S-curve of Adoption in the adoption of innovations or the spread of new ideas as postulated by Rogers (2003); H2a: there will be a negative correlation between graph density and the number of vertices (publications); and H2b: there will be a positive correlation between average geodesic distance (AVGD) and the number of vertices (publications). Design/methodology/approach – D...

A Case Study of Strategic Group Map Application Used as a Tool for Knowledge Management

The primary objective of this paper is to demonstrate the use of the strategic group map as a tool for knowledge management. If knowledge is understood as the ability to process information into decisions and actions, the strategic group map can be seen as a tool for knowledge management at a strategic level. It enables sector information to be processed into knowledge and, as a consequence, into decisions and actions regarding competitive and growth strategy. This article is based on the industry of the most popular pigment in the world - titanium dioxide. This sector is characterized by a large number of unpredictable changes, which makes it a valuable example in the presentation of the tool that facilitates the strategic knowledge management. The materials used in this article are secondary data and come from a variety of sources, which were the basis for the creation of a strategic group map that made it possible to identify marginal groups, mobility barriers, and, as a result, anticipated strategic changes in the sector.

The knowledge management processes in medium enterprises in example of Polish enterprises

On a global basis, organisations are recognising the importance of knowledge as a means to gain or sustain competitive advantage. Researchers have concluded that the only thing that is sustainable, for successful businesses, in the new millennium – is what it knows, how it uses what it knows, and how fast it can know something new. Many organisations are primarily knowledge-focused. They obtain data and information and produce either a product or service. In this production process they use their own, and others, knowledge and information. Much of the knowledge in an enterprise is grounded in the minds of employees. Past experience and internal learning create processes, insights, methodologies, know-how and understanding that represent what the business is and how it adds value. Since knowledge is the most basic of all competencies, its localisation, acquisition and development, transfer, codification and application should be a critical success factor for attainment of a competitive advantage. The research was done in 143 medium enterprises in Silesian Province in Poland.

Social and Economic Development through Information and Communications Technologies: Italy

ABSTRACT Information and communications technologies (ICTs) provide global connections, communication, and empowerment. Empowerment drives social and economic development. This study, part of an ongoing global study, investigated the use of social technologies including the purposes used and benefits realized in Italy as a means of empowerment for women. Women throughout the world are faced with technological and economic challenges. Italian women are no exception. Women in the workplace were surveyed to determine how technologies are used for business purposes. The results are applicable to entrepreneurs and others in developed and developing countries. Through awareness, education, and the use of social technologies, gender income equality may be achieved as a result of social and economic development.

The impact of leadership on trust, knowledge management, and organizational performance: A research model

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to build a research model that examines the impact of leadership on trust, knowledge management and organizational performance. Design/methodology/approach An instrument containing six constructs (leadership: leading organization; leadership: leading people; leadership: leading self, trust, knowledge management and organizational performance) was designed and administered to subjects from all levels of management in various organizations in nine regions of the USA. Collected data were analyzed using partial least squares path modeling to test the hypotheses. Findings The study’s findings revealed positive and significant linear connection among leadership (leading organization, leading people and leading self), trust, knowledge management and organizational performance. Practical implications The findings imply that effective leadership (leading organization, leading people and leading self) contributes to elevated trust among people, promotes the successful implementation of knowledge management processes, and in turn enhances organizational performance. Therefore, leadership training and development must be a top strategic priority for any organization. Originality/value This study enriches the literature by demonstrating that effective leadership stands as the bedrock of the elevated trust, the successful knowledge management processes and the enhanced organizational performance.

E-Learning Courseware Usability: Building a Theoretical Model

Based on a stream of research, this study identified four components of the e-learning courseware usability: fundamental, appearance, information presentation, and communication. The communication component was considered an expanded component of the e-learning courseware usability. A theoretical model was built and three hypotheses were developed to examine whether the communication component as an expanded component of the e-learning courseware usability significantly and positively contributed to the three components of the e-learning courseware usability (fundamental, appearance, and information presentation). An instrument was developed and administered to subjects taking various e-learning courses. The collected data were analyzed using a variance-based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) package that uses Partial Least Square (PLS). Analyses of the results indicated a strong validated model supporting all stated hypotheses.

Dimensions Of Institutionalized Organizational Trust And Firm’s Innovativeness

ABSTRACT The primary goal of this article was to empirically assess how institutionalized organizational trust dimensions are linked with firm’s innovativeness. An approach to conceptualize and measure multidimensional institutionalized organizational trust as a profile model was proposed. The factor analysis, based on a survey study, was used to examine the dimensionality of the institutionalized organizational trust measure. Next, the regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between institutionalized organizational trust dimensions, such as organizational ability, integrity, benevolence, and willingness to be vulnerable, and the dependent variable of firm’s innovativeness. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between the dimensions of institutionalized organizational trust and innovativeness. In other words, the higher the dimensions of institutionalized organizational trust, the higher the firm’s innovativeness. In addition, our results reveal that organizational willingness to be vulnerable and benevolence is of primary importance for establishing innovativeness. The practical implications for enhancing firm’s innovativeness based on findings are discussed.

Examining the impact of social technologies on empowerment and economic development

Empowerment opportunities for women are greater than ever before with social technologies expanding an organizations and individuals reach worldwide in both developing and developed countries.Social technologies have changed the way individuals network and build relationships, opening communication channels that were never before available.The use of social technologies can provide empowerment and economic development by giving women a platform for communications/collaboration, customer service, gaining exposure and creating awareness, gaining new customers, and increasing revenue/profits.Knowledge of the benefits realized from using social technologies for business purposes will provide empowerment for women around the globe leading to economic development. Globally, many women continue to face economic and technological challenges. To complicate matters, more than half of the population has no access to the internet. These issues have drawn international attention leading to global efforts by U.S. tech giants to provide world-wide access to the internet. Do social technologies play into the equation of economic development and empowerment for women? This paper reports results from studies conducted in Taiwan and Turkey regarding the use of five different social technologies platforms. Facebookthe largest social network worldwidealso is the most widely used platform in Taiwan and Turkey according to this research. Differences appeared between the two countries among the usage of other social platforms studied including Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Google+. Implications of this dataand data from other countries under study by the authorswill provide answers to womens empowerment and economic development in both developing and developed countries.

Knowledge codification and organisational performance in small and medium enterprises

Academics and business professionals are currently showing a significant interest in understanding the management of knowledge and the roles to be played by information and communication technology. This article explores the concept of knowledge codification in the context of knowledge management. Codification gives permanence to knowledge that may otherwise exist only inside an individuals mind. It represents knowledge in the forms that can be shared, stored, combined and manipulated in a variety of ways. The article provides data related to one of the key researched topics in knowledge management – knowledge codification. The research was done in 511 small and medium enterprises in Poland. Questionnaires were administered to managers. According to presented research, the small and medium enterprises do not put enough attention to knowledge codification.