Obtaining competitive advantage has become a recurrent necessity, in successful organisational management. Nowadays, intangibles represent an excellent opportunity to attain these advantages. Given its social impact, the organisational image is one of the most important intangibles to work with. In this research, a model based on the determination…

This article proposes an applied theoretical framework that could assist education reformers in Confucian heritage culture (CHC) countries to adopt Western-developed learning practices successfully. This framework is needed because the literature has recently documented a large number of failures in educational reforms at CHC colleges. The main…

Continuing education is facing greater opportunities and challenges than at any other time in history. In this article, the author focuses on the unique and identifiable circumstances that are presenting distance educators with unprecedented opportunities to assume greater leadership roles in their parent institutions. These opportunities are…

The success of the US economy has always been its ability to innovate, create, invent, and commercialize groundbreaking discoveries. Today, Americans seem to be losing their edge and have begun to suffer an "innovation deficit." The authors say re-engineering the entire US educational system in order to foster and enhance necessary creativity and…

As pressure grows on continuing education (CE) operations to maintain or even increase their contributions to the parent institution, the imperative to consider partnerships with outside organizations for some aspects of institutional operations should be a key consideration. But under what circumstances does partnering make sense? How can a CE…

An economically healthy continuing education institution thrives or declines on its ability to offer courses that sufficient numbers of students want to enroll in and do in timely fashion. A key metric associated with this is the percentage of courses offered in any given quarter that are cancelled. Low cancellation rates contribute to…

In an age of knowledge, the capacities of professional and continuing education to open up new networks, overcome organizational hurdles, and foster an environment for innovation have assumed great relevance. This article makes the case as to why. It discusses key forces driving change--the knowledge economy, demographics, technology, and…

This article describes two models for enhancing the social integration of nontraditional students in academic programs. The first explains ways to develop onsite communities for both graduate and undergraduate degree-seeking students at New York University. The second model is used with undergraduate students at Washington State University seeking…

Established in 1827, the University of Toronto is regarded as one of Canada's leading academic and research institutions. It has the highest number of students (both undergraduate and graduate), the most faculty members, and the widest range of courses among Canadian universities. It has often been referred to as the "Harvard of the North" because…

The June 1999 Bett report was a major review of academic staff pay in United Kingdom higher education. This article examines problems with the system of pay determination currently in operation, the background and main proposals of the Bett committee concerning collective bargaining reform, employers' responses to Bett and unions' positions, and…

Examines the assumptions and recommendations of a British government background paper on teaching and the teaching profession, particularly as it relates to college teaching. The paper's methods are found flawed and the proposals actively damaging, encouraging the government to pursue policies that provide superficial and unstable remedies. (MSE)

Examines the organization of contract research in the United Kingdom and the current system's benefits and problems for employers, employees, and sponsors, as well as policy initiatives. Concludes that the current system is deeply flawed and policy has failed to address the real issues. Fundamental changes are recommended. (Author/MSE)

One way of supporting college instructors who wish to improve student assessment practices is to offer a framework for change that raises the public profile of assessment policy, acknowledges that there is room for improvement, and provides methodological and collegial support to help instructors formulate and address practical problems. A…

Examines complexities and offers generic criticisms of three current approaches to innovation (total quality management, restructuring, reengineering). Notes difficulties and discusses specific problems related to: interrelatedness of planning, doing and evaluating; excessive time demands and paperwork; lack of balance between process and product;…

In response to a United Kingdom government study of higher education, three questions are posed: "What is higher education and how does it differ from other forms of adult education that necessitates the separate, privileged treatment of its institutions, employees, and students?"; "What is the significance of the traditional three-year degree…