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Purpose: This paper aims to explore the experiences, attitudes and expectations of higher education managers in relation to the increased use of metrics. Specifically, the authors examine a system of metrics which was introduced as part of the process for establishing Technological Universities in Ireland. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 12 managers were interviewed. The authors present data from the interviews in which the authors explore: the previous use of metrics; the impacts of the introduction of metrics; and the future use of metrics. A mix of narrative structuring and thematic analysis is used. Findings: The introduction of metrics evokes a mixed reaction from the managers. The metrics allow performance in a range of activities to be measured, assessed and benchmarked. However, there are both direct and indirect impacts of the transition to a metric-based system, which the authors explore using six themes. Originality/value: The authors apply the Academics Responding to Change model proposed by Trowler (1998) as the theoretical lens. This helps to capture the complex mix of direct and indirect effects that metrics can have on activities both at an individual and institutional level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper explores the implications for higher education of the rapid development in technology used by the manufacturing sector. Higher education programmes change or new courses are introduced in attempts to match labour market demands. However, the pace of change in the manufacturing industry challenges the authors to reconceive how programmes and modules can and should be designed and delivered. Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on interviews with 26 senior management representatives from manufacturing companies in Ireland. The 26 senior managers and their companies represent the wide diversity of Ireland's manufacturing sector. All the interviews were face to face, complimented by a short questionnaire. Follow-up interviews focussed on the emergent findings were carried out to aid the writing of recommendations for the best practice in programme design and delivery. Findings: What emerges from this study is that the manufacturing industry needs skills at three distinct levels. The authors define and classify the skill requirements at entry, competent and expert level. The authors place an emphasis on upskilling as an aid to movement between the three levels. In addition, and significantly, the desired time frame for delivery of these skills and/or upskilling is very short. Originality/value: Accelerated reskilling programmes with faster, shorter bursts of work-based learning (WBL) and experiential training are required. With a growing demand for those at competent and expert level, it is necessary to promote WBL to facilitate the upskilling of those employed in manufacturing roles, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This study presents institutional research and aims to explore the underlying factors that contribute to hospitality management students' satisfaction and perceptions of service quality at a higher education college in Ireland. Research focusing on hospitality and leisure management education argues for greater cognisance of the relevance of students' experience with third level education. Therefore, the current paper seeks to address the issue of student feedback and satisfaction measurement in light of recent proposals. Design/methodology/approach – The responses to a "course satisfaction questionnaire" taken from a database of first year students (n=263) were factor-analysed using the principal component technique, the purpose of which was to identify latent explanatory variables of the student satisfaction concept as applied in a hospitality management context. Descriptive analysis was used to examine the level of satisfaction within the data. Tests for gender and nationality differences were conducted. Correlational analysis along with multiple regression techniques were applied to the data set to explore the salient relationships between satisfaction variables. Findings – Analysis reveals a multidimensional structure of student satisfaction. Six underlying factors accounted for a high percentage of variance in explaining student satisfaction. Academic support, welfare support and course communication structures are identified as being significant determinants while differences based on nationality are observed, particularly in relation to pre-placement support. Practical implications – Issues such as quality of student life and other non-institutional factors need to be accounted for in offering a more comprehensive explanation of student satisfaction. The role of pre-work placement preparation is emphasised. The potential to chart the level and structure of student satisfaction throughout the whole institution is suggested. Furthermore, the prospect of conducting longitudinal research serves as a unique opportunity. The use of quantitative techniques, bolstered by qualitative methods, is recommended as a future direction for data collection, analysis and synthesis. Originality/value – This paper attempts to fill a gap in student satisfaction research from a hospitality and tourism management perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to report and analyse the lessons learned from a case study on the implementation of a quality management system within an IT Division in a higher education (HE) organisation. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a review of the relevant literatures and the use of primary sources such as document analysis, participant observation and interviews to develop a case study that describes and evaluates the implementation process. Findings – The case study identifies four factors central to the effective implementation of the quality management system within a Division of a HE institution: senior leadership and sponsorship; stakeholder engagement; the management of culture change; and implementing quality processes. Practical implications – The case study reveals that the implementation of quality management systems requires sustained effort, continuous leadership, and the long term commitment of resources and systematic auditing of performance and is best done on an incremental basis. Originality/value – The paper is based on a single organisation case study, and utilises a variety of data collection methods to generate findings. The study findings illustrate that HE institutions may achieve greater success in implementing quality management systems if they focus on a particular division rather than an organisation-wide approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a national survey of information skills training (IST) practices in Irish higher education institutions, which was carried out during 2006-2007 with the aim of documenting current practice and identifying areas in which change or innovation may be warranted. Despite an emerging picture of information literacy (IL) practice worldwide, a lack of published research has made it difficult to gain an accurate overview of IL activity in the Republic of Ireland. This paper aims to partly fill this gap. Design/methodology/approach - An invitation to complete a 26-item questionnaire was sent out to librarians in all publicly-funded higher education institutions in the Irish Republic in November 2006. Out of 154 librarians, 77 responded, giving a response rate of 50 per cent. Findings - Results showed that, while librarians spend a significant portion of their time engaged in IST activities and are enthusiastic about developing and promoting their programmes, IST continues to be delivered in primarily standalone format, using non-integrated methods. Formal assessment of IS outcomes is not commonly carried out in Irish higher education institutions. Originality/value - This paper represents the first national survey of IST practices in higher education in the Irish Republic, and serves as a baseline for international comparison and future longitudinal studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]