Exploring the possibilities fro promoting staffs' participation in international activities : Case: Vocational College Lappia
Tyystälä, Marja-Liisa (2014)
Tyystälä, Marja-Liisa
Lapin ammattikorkeakoulu
2014
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2014060311464
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2014060311464
Tiivistelmä
The objective of this study was to explore the possibilities for promoting the staffs’ participation in international activities in Vocational College Lappia. The research questions of the thesis seek to reveal the barriers to participation in international activities and further, find the potential and prospective methods to promote the participation. Moreover, the current stage and further development of internationalization in Lappia were disclosed. The commissioner of the thesis research is Vocational College Lappia.
The theoretical framework was built upon the literature and previous research of the internationalization of VET in Europe, in Finland and in Lappia. The theory consists of the European strategic framework for VET and the implementation of it in Finland. Furthermore, the current stage and future prospects of internationalization are elements of the theoretical framework of the study.
An empirical study was accomplished by a questionnaire survey and participant observation. The results were analyzed accordingly by drawing from the theoretical framework of this research and the empirical data.
The research indicates that the stage of internationalization in Lappia was mostly recognized by student and staff mobility. Functional collaboration with foreign partners and active project work were disclosed. Challenges and obstacles for participation in international activities were adduced. The main findings revealing obstacles of the participation in internationalization were stated as the lack of resources and the shortage of motivation and possibilities among the respondents. In addition, inadequate language skills among the staff were enounced. Furthermore, the lack of support from management and the shortage of financing were stated as a barrier for participation. The main findings for promoting the staffs’ participation in international activities were stated as increasing the dissemination of the possibilities for participation. Moreover, improving the guidance for participation was emphasized. Furthermore, adequate resources for participation and more positive attitude towards internationalization were pointed out. For further development in internationalization, Lappia’s internationalization strategy should include the accurate future prospects and objectives.
The theoretical framework was built upon the literature and previous research of the internationalization of VET in Europe, in Finland and in Lappia. The theory consists of the European strategic framework for VET and the implementation of it in Finland. Furthermore, the current stage and future prospects of internationalization are elements of the theoretical framework of the study.
An empirical study was accomplished by a questionnaire survey and participant observation. The results were analyzed accordingly by drawing from the theoretical framework of this research and the empirical data.
The research indicates that the stage of internationalization in Lappia was mostly recognized by student and staff mobility. Functional collaboration with foreign partners and active project work were disclosed. Challenges and obstacles for participation in international activities were adduced. The main findings revealing obstacles of the participation in internationalization were stated as the lack of resources and the shortage of motivation and possibilities among the respondents. In addition, inadequate language skills among the staff were enounced. Furthermore, the lack of support from management and the shortage of financing were stated as a barrier for participation. The main findings for promoting the staffs’ participation in international activities were stated as increasing the dissemination of the possibilities for participation. Moreover, improving the guidance for participation was emphasized. Furthermore, adequate resources for participation and more positive attitude towards internationalization were pointed out. For further development in internationalization, Lappia’s internationalization strategy should include the accurate future prospects and objectives.