{"title":"Improving the operational (transformation) management process of postgraduate mentoring","authors":"Claudia M. Bordogna","doi":"10.1108/ijmce-10-2023-0098","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<h3>Purpose</h3>\n<p>Universities in the United Kingdom, like their counterparts globally, are confronting difficulties associated with the well-being of students. The origins of these challenges are complex, exacerbated by various global events. In response, universities are trying to address these growing concerns and the escalating need for student support. Faculty members are often recruited to assist students in navigating academic and personal challenges. The aim of this study was to investigate how the process of student mentoring, by faculty members, could be made more operationally robust to better support student demand, thus yielding greater value for both students and staff.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Design/methodology/approach</h3>\n<p>A qualitative approach was adopted with 19 academic faculty working as mentors within a UK business school who participated in 90-minute semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analysed using an operational (transformation) management framework, with findings categorised under three key headings – inputs, transformations and outputs – to discover how the operational process of mentoring students could be enhanced.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Findings</h3>\n<p>Participants discussed the inputs required to deliver mentoring, the process of transformation and their desired outputs. Findings suggest coordinated and relevant inputs that is, information, environments and technology, coupled with good mentor selection and recruitment improves operational robustness, adding greater value to the student experience by creating more purposeful outputs, thereby benefiting themselves and their students.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Originality/value</h3>\n<p>The application of an operational (transformation) process framework to analyse faculty mentoring of students is unique, thereby offering new insights into the construction and management of these types of academic support initiatives.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->","PeriodicalId":45297,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5000,"publicationDate":"2024-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ijmce-10-2023-0098","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"EDUCATION & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose
Universities in the United Kingdom, like their counterparts globally, are confronting difficulties associated with the well-being of students. The origins of these challenges are complex, exacerbated by various global events. In response, universities are trying to address these growing concerns and the escalating need for student support. Faculty members are often recruited to assist students in navigating academic and personal challenges. The aim of this study was to investigate how the process of student mentoring, by faculty members, could be made more operationally robust to better support student demand, thus yielding greater value for both students and staff.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach was adopted with 19 academic faculty working as mentors within a UK business school who participated in 90-minute semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analysed using an operational (transformation) management framework, with findings categorised under three key headings – inputs, transformations and outputs – to discover how the operational process of mentoring students could be enhanced.
Findings
Participants discussed the inputs required to deliver mentoring, the process of transformation and their desired outputs. Findings suggest coordinated and relevant inputs that is, information, environments and technology, coupled with good mentor selection and recruitment improves operational robustness, adding greater value to the student experience by creating more purposeful outputs, thereby benefiting themselves and their students.
Originality/value
The application of an operational (transformation) process framework to analyse faculty mentoring of students is unique, thereby offering new insights into the construction and management of these types of academic support initiatives.
期刊介绍:
The International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education (IJMCE) publishes cutting edge research, theoretical accounts and emerging issues of mentoring and coaching in educational contexts, including schools, colleges and universities. IJMCE provides global insights and critical accounts of how mentoring and coaching are evolving on a global platform evidencing their situated nature and generic characteristics. This unique journal highlights what is recognised as effective and less effective practice in specific contexts, as well as demonstrating why this is so and discussing possible transferability to other contexts. Coverage includes, but is not limited to: Pre-service teacher education, New teacher induction and early professional learning, Teachers’ CPD provision, Educational technology provision, Educational leadership, Pre-school education and care, School/FE and HE education, Undergraduate student tuition, Postgraduate student tuition, Educational consultancy services, Children’s support services, Adult learning services.