This dissertation consists of two chapters on topics in Industrial Organization. In Chapter 1, I discuss a central question of the policy debate on public education: how to get more for less. Charter schools have been a tool in this arena to pressure traditional public schools to improve or lose students to them. Moreover, charter schools…

Purpose: The built environment is responsible for approximately 40% of the world's energy consumption, 30% of raw material use, 25% of solid waste, 25% of water use, 12% of land use and 33% of greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, environmental improvement and decarbonization are becoming increasingly critical objectives for the construction industry.…

This brief examines employer demand for and the potential return on investment (ROI) of educational credentials in tech in order to support the design of equitable pathways that lead to quality jobs. Tech degrees consistently have a high ROI, especially in comparison with similar credentials in other industries. But education and workforce leaders…

The integration of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence (AI) has led to innovative ideas in academic writing. This shift has improved the efficiency and quality of academic content, yet it also raises ethical concerns regarding authorship, originality, and maintaining academic rigor. This study aims to explore the interplay between AI and academic…

Manufacturers have expressed concerns about talent shortages, citing the perceptions held by students/parents of the industry as a major contributing factor. At the same time, policymakers/educational leaders continue to call for STEM education programming to maintain competitiveness in such industries. Accordingly, manufacturers have launched…

Purpose: The construction industry, characterised by its dynamic nature, demands graduates equipped with diverse skills beyond academic proficiency. Recognizing the significance of employability skills, this study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the employability skills to meet the evolving demands of the construction industry.…

Careers in information systems and technology are top-rated and growing, yet universities are challenged to recruit students into information technology (IT) majors and organizations struggle to find talent with IT and digital skills. Experiential mentorship programs offer an opportunity for both academia and industry to attract students into…

Purpose: The study aims to refine the local university's supply chain management curriculum to meet regional industry demands, thus boosting the local economy. Design/methodology/approach: Mixed-methods action research combined with neural network modeling was employed to align educational offerings with the needs of the local supply chain…

An increase in scholarly publishing has been accompanied by a proliferation of potentially illegitimate publishers (PIPs), commonly known as "predatory publishers." These PIPs often engage in fraudulent practices and publish articles that are not subject to the same scrutiny as those published in journals from legitimate publishers…

Purpose: Studies have shown that research is a global innovation's "engine room." Therefore, young adult-built environment researchers (YABER), especially in developing countries, need research upskilling and reskilling training for better-integrated outcomes. Evidence shows that research training can improve YABER competencies and…

The acceptance of Fourth Industrial Revolution technology for teaching and learning during the pandemic lockdown suggests that a significant portion of educational interactions will shift online shortly. However, the suitability of this technology for inquiry-based learning requires further investigation. This study aimed to assess the…

The COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand forced tertiary education providers to rapidly transition to online teaching with minimal preparation time. Synchronous online classes were delivered using platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Moodle. This study explores the post-COVID-19 online learning experience of construction students, focusing on both…

The vocational education and training (VET) sector plays a vital role in shaping Australia's workforce by providing individuals with the knowledge, skills and qualifications needed to enter and succeed in the labour market. Including the voices and contributions of a range of stakeholders will ensure the VET sector meets the needs of a diverse…

Purpose: This study examined academic motives to enter university-industry collaboration (UIC) and how they affect collaboration performance. Given that UIC performance is context-dependent, we also explored the moderating role of relationship governance. Design/methodology/approach: The study population was academics working at a public research…

This paper describes a grassroots outreach program at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), organized by women chemists and chemical engineers, for women studying chemistry and chemical engineering. This effort supports the company's belief that excellence in creativity and innovation is enhanced when its scientists and engineers bring diverse experiences…