University of Westminster

About: University of Westminster is a education organization based out in London, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 2944 authors who have published 8426 publications receiving 200236 citations. The organization is also known as: Westminster University & Royal Polytechnic Institution.

Assessing students' entrepreneurial skills development in live projects

Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this paper is to present an exploratory study that examined the development of students' entrepreneurial skills over time within live projects. Design/methodology/approach – In this study, students worked alongside real-life entrepreneurs and financiers. Students' perceptions of their skills were assessed using both quantitative and qualitative data, which were gathered during weeks 1, 6 and 12 of the programme. Findings – The results showed significant changes in students' perceptions of their skills over time. At the outset students were confident about their abilities across the 17 categories of entrepreneurial skills developed by Lichtenstein and Lyons and Lyons and Lyons. Later on in the projects, their confidence in certain skills declined significantly; what these were varied according to the time of data collection. The qualitative data provided more detailed accounts of students' perceptions of their skills and why they had changed over time. Originality/value – This study makes a contribution in providing insights into the nature and practice of an experiential learning approach. The results indicate that the development of entrepreneurial skills can be improved by providing a learning environment in which students interact with real business people in live projects. They also indicate that entrepreneurship education programmes may be improved by scheduling skills training in a more structured and timely manner than typically occurs now. Students' perceptions of their skills declined substantially over the course of the projects, with some variations, suggesting that educators need to provide different and more timely learning interventions to cater for the specific needs of students working in live projects.

Developing communities of innovation by identifying innovation champions

Abstract: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to propose that a form of communities of practice (CoP), a community of innovation (CoInv), is the best support for sustainable innovation. It aims to outline a method for identifying champions of innovation in organisation. Design/methodology/approach - The paper draws on extant research to argue that innovation is facilitated and supported by innovation champions, who have most influence outside traditional organisational structures when they are members of a close-knit community - a CoInv. A potential method for identification of champions of innovation is highlighted. Findings - Innovation champions are special people, with particular personality types and psychological profiles. In order to succeed in championing innovations in organisations they need both procedural and resource support, and social and cognitive support. The influence of innovation champions comes through social contacts, multiplied through the communities in which they participate, through the genuine esteem in which they are held. Developing CoInv around such champions makes practical sense for organisations. Originality/value - Identifying champions of innovation will permit a CoInv to form that links social networks and transcends organisational internal boundaries and forming such a community will potentially trigger more successfully supported innovations.

Small firms and internationalisation: learning to manage and managing to learn

Abstract: Small firms contribute significantly to the UK economy, but most research into learning and work features the experience of large organisations. This article focuses on learning and work in small organisations. An interpretive framework relating to organisational learning is derived from the literature. Data on learning in small firms that internationalise are analysed to assess the extent to which models of organisational learning are applicable to the context and challenges they face. The article suggests that the large firm model of learning is inappropriate; the distinctive culture and communication systems of small organisations require different approaches to the acquisition, transmission and interpretation of knowledge. Tacit knowledge, developed through informal learning, is a priority and learning through local business networks is more important than participation in formal programmes. Advocacy of human resource development (HRD) practices based on conventional theories of organisational learning, therefore, may hinder rather than encourage performance in small organisations.

How do cell walls regulate plant growth

Abstract: The cell wall of growing plant tissues has frequently been interpreted in terms of inextensible cellulose microfibrils 'tethered' by hemicellulose polymers attached to the microfibril surface by hydrogen bonds, with growth occurring when tethers are broken or 'peeled' off the microfibril surface by expansins. This has sometimes been described as the 'sticky network' model. In this paper, a number of theoretical difficulties with this model, and discrepancies between predicted behaviour and observations by a number of researchers, are noted. (i) Predictions of cell wall moduli, based upon the sticky network model, suggest that the cell wall should be much weaker than is observed. (ii) The maximum hydrogen bond energy between tethers and microfibrils is less than the work done in expansion and therefore breakage of such hydrogen bonds is unlikely to limit growth. (iii) Composites of bacterial cellulose with xyloglucan are weaker than pellicles of pure cellulose so that it seems unlikely that hemicelluloses bind the microfibrils together. (iv) Calcium chelators promote creep of plant material in a similar way to expansins. (v) Reduced relative 'permittivities' inhibit the contraction of cell wall material when an applied stress is decreased. Revisions of the sticky network model that might address these issues are considered, as are alternatives including a model of cell wall biophysics in which cell wall polymers act as 'scaffolds' to regulate the space available for microfibril movement. Experiments that support the latter hypothesis, by demonstrating that reducing cell wall free volume decreases extensibility, are briefly described.