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Higher education institutions are investing more and investigating digital credentials as proof of learning upon completion of learning offerings, such as micro-credentials. Understanding what value these digital credentials hold for learners and what enables the learners to use digital credentials will help higher education institutions focus their efforts. Although there is research available on value of micro-credentials, there is a huge research gap in understanding the value of digital credentials and the metadata that can be included, especially from learner perspective. To address this gap, we conducted a qualitative analysis study with interviews of learners and administrators in higher education institutions. This study contributes to (1) what value do learners perceive of digital credentials, (2) what value digital credentials have compared to other forms of recognition, such as paper certificates, and (3) what factors enable greater adoption of digital credentials by learners. In terms of practice, our findings help higher education institutions in evaluating the use of digital credentials not only for micro-credentials but also extend them to other learning offerings.

Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) are collectively referred to as extended reality (XR). In recent years, the hardware and software of said technologies have developed to the point where multiuser experiences have been enabled; thus, the conversation surrounding social extended reality (SXR) has begun. SXR––or collaborative extended reality—has many possible use cases in a property’s life cycle, and the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry can be its forefront user. The AEC industry’s work assignments include visuality and multiple stakeholders; thus, the SXR’s level of applicability is high throughout the industry. Despite these possibilities, we need a more structured understanding of SXR use cases to aid in its deployment. The current research article examines and identifies the five key entities from those use cases: involving stakeholders in decision making, effective teamwork, remote assistance, training and simulation and sales and marketing; it also recognises the greatest potential entities for utilisation from a value-creation standpoint and considers the transferability of these entities to other business sectors. Qualitative empirical data were collected in twenty-one semi-structured interviews and three focus groups with professionals from the AEC industry. The focus groups and semi-structured interviews surveyed SXR’s use cases in the property life cycle, examined the situation of companies’ invocation of the technology and contemplated the benefits and obstacles of using SXR.

Background: Micro-credentials are increasingly considered a key mechanism through which to empower learners by enabling flexible upskilling and reskilling. Despite their apparent importance for higher education institutions (HEIs) and learners, empirical research is limited. More needs to be understood, particularly about the ways in which micro-credentials can shape institutional practice and provide benefits to learners. Purpose: Using a foresight approach, this study sets out to explore the potential for micro-credential adoption in relation to national and international policy initiatives and rapidly developing technologies. Its intention is to offer findings of interest internationally, particularly to those involved in strategic activities around micro-credentials. Methods: A four-step Delphi study approach was used to explore how micro-credentials may shape higher education (HE) in the next 5–10 years. Educational experts undertook a consensus-building activity utilising workshops and surveys: (1) initial identification of enabling factors (i.e. drivers) and beneficial outcomes (i.e. impacts) of micro-credentials; (2) prioritisation based on importance; (3) identification of enabling factors considered essential for each beneficial outcome and (4) analysis of the extent to which micro-credentials might be accepted in HE, with participants reflecting on the importance of the previously identified enablers and outcomes for alternative scenarios. Findings: The analysis sheds light on three alternative possible futures for micro-credentials. Expert consensus indicated that the potential of micro-credentials lies especially among educational institutions and the networks of institutions innovating beyond, and within, traditional study offerings and programmes. Future wide-scale adoption of micro-credentials was considered unpredictable, due to external factors at the ecosystem level, and beyond institutions’ own strategies and control. Conclusion: The findings suggest that, for the successful uptake of micro-credentials, the same benefits do not need to accrue for institutions and learners: a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is not necessary or optimal. In order for the wider-scale influence of micro-credentials to be felt, there is a need for considerable international and national strategy development and implementation to overcome a variety of policy- and technology-related barriers that HEIs cannot influence or tackle on their own. publishedVersion

Early adolescents are accustomed to using information technology (IT) for different purposes as a part of their everyday life. While IT use can provide many benefits, it can also include negative experiences, such as feelings of stress (i.e. technostress). Considering that young IT users’ technostress perspectives have remained limited in the literature, this paper attempts to contrast their experiences with aspects from earlier research. A qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interviews with 31 primary and secondary school students reveals that early adolescents have encountered stressful IT use experiences that vary based on the degree of stress. The experiences relate to different dimensions of IT use, namely 1) online social (media) behaviour, 2) notification-driven behaviour, 3) social distancing and online education behaviour, and 4) gameplay and other aspects of IT use behaviour. Common denominators for these experiences include the attention or time required by IT use and coming across unwanted content or communications. In addition to reporting negative feelings and emotions, the participants mentioned physical strains, including headache and exhaustion. Although early adolescents can face experiences that can be contrasted with similar stressors and strains as adults, the distinct characteristics of their IT use should be considered in future research. publishedVersion

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to examine how media synchronicity facilitates the emergence of social exchange (i.e. trust and reciprocity) in organizations’ information and communication technology (ICT)-mediated interactions. A model of media synchronicity in organizational social exchange (MSiOSE) is proposed.Design/methodology/approachThe paper has a design and review approach. The theoretical analysis is based on social exchange theory (SET) and media synchronicity theory (MST).FindingsThe authors propose that, in general, social exchange benefits from both asynchronous and synchronous communication processes. However, media synchronicity has different boundary conditions (i.e. pros and cons) in relation to the emergence of social exchange, determined in accordance with the mutually interacting patterns of trust and reciprocity predicted by SET. The authors provide testable theoretical propositions to support the analysis.Originality/valueSocial exchange is a critical business factor for organizations due to its well-known positive outcomes, such as the strengthening of social ties. The need for successful social exchange in remote work conditions is particularly emphasized. However, with regard to the communication and behavioral patterns that lead to social exchange via ICT, the theoretical understanding is limited. The study reveals previously unmapped heuristics between social exchange and physical media capabilities. Thus, the study's propositions can be used to study and analyze social exchange in the ever-changing media landscape. As a practical contribution, the study helps organizations to improve their communication strategies and use of ICT.

Contemporary digital technologies have facilitated practices related to games whereby users often produce and consume content for free. To date, research into consumer interactions has largely focused on in-game factors, however, the intention to both play the game and to make in-game purchases are influenced by outside factors, including game streams and game-centred communities. In particular, the growth of competitive gaming, known as esports, offers a new channel for consumer engagement. This research explores the potential for esports to be a significant factor in understanding both intentions to play and spend money on games. Our study draws from Motivations Scale of Sports Consumption to empirically investigate the relationship between esports spectating motivations and game consumption: Watching Intention, Gaming Intention, and Purchasing Intention. This survey uses structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyse data collected from a sample of video game players (n = 194). This research contributes empirical evidence of the relationship between esports spectating and game consumption, with the relationship between Watching Intention and Gaming Intention found to be particularly strong. Finally, while the MSSC is an adequate measure for esports spectating, additional aspects specific to esports require further investigation, consequently, there may be more optimal measures which can be developed. publishedVersion

Terveydenhuollon ammattilaisten kokema teknostressi voi pahimmillaan heikentää työmotivaatiota ja lisätä työstä irtisanoutumisen riskiä publishedVersion

PurposeExcessive use of work-related information technology (IT) devices can lead to major performance and well-being concerns for organizations. Extant research has provided evidence of the incidence of such problematic IT use in organizations. We extend the understanding of problematic IT use by examining its individual (proximal) and organizational (distal) antecedents.Design/methodology/approachDrawing from the self-worth theory and the concept of fear of being left behind, we address proximal antecedents that lead to problematic IT use. Drawing from the concept of autonomy paradox, we address distal antecedents of problematic IT use through a positive association with the two proximal antecedents. We report the results of a field study involving 846 individuals who use IT for work. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data.FindingsThe results indicate that the proximal antecedents (IT insecurity and fear of missing out) are positively associated with problematic IT use. The distal antecedents (IT use autonomy and involvement facilitation) are positively associated with the proximal antecedents except for the relationship between IT use autonomy and IT insecurity, which was found statistically non-significant. Furthermore, fear of missing out fully mediates the effect of IT use autonomy on problematic IT use, whereas IT insecurity and fear of missing out fully mediate the effects of involvement facilitation on problematic IT use.Originality/valueThe paper theoretically extends the understanding of problematic IT use and identifies novel its proximal and distal antecedents.