This study examined dynamic decision-making processes at three different levels in the field of instructional design (ID): (a) for managers of instructional designers (IDers) at the institutional level, (b) for Senior IDers at the program level, and (c) for IDers at the course level. This qualitative study utilized collaborative autoethnography…

This article presents the Renger System Test (RST) as a method for assessing whether a system evaluation approach is suitable for evaluating complex interventions. The RST has three criteria: (1) the intervention includes multiple components, (2) these components operate interdependently, and (3) their interdependence produces an outcome that no…

A wide body of literature has found that a strong sense of belonging and connection to school is imperative for students' academic success, in addition to their social and emotional well-being. School belonging is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, and researchers have identified a multitude of factors that influence the development of…

Research has paid less attention to the formalization of education from a systems theory and control perspective, rather than a mere algorithmic one. In this work, the underpinnings of system theory and control are provided, along with a review of their application in education. The review of studies in databases found only seven articles that…

The 2023 AAAE Values document identifies nine broad areas to focus research and practice to address complex agricultural, food, and natural resources challenges. To do this good work, we need paradigms, frameworks, and methodologies to guide our thinking, scholarship, and practice. Systems-oriented paradigms enable us to solve problems…

The extensive scholarly inquiry into work as calling in recent years has developed theoretical frameworks and conceptual understandings of calling with particular populations. However, questions remain about how career development practitioners can use calling in their work. This article reports on an empirical, qualitative doctoral study that…

Purpose: This paper traces the conceptual bases of the recently introduced microAKIS concept with the aim of understanding its grounding within and critically discussing its added value for the broader AKIS concept. Design/methodology/approach: The article is designed as a discussion paper, it builds upon all openly accessible articles in January…

The use of complexity-based evaluation methods remains relatively underexplored in the field of evaluation. While increasingly employed to assess complex interventions, Contribution Analysis (CA) continues to suffer from a lack of operationalization. In this article, we propose enhancing the implementation of CA by leveraging Participatory Systems…

Appreciative inquiry has become increasingly popular as a method for facilitating organisational or systemic change through focusing on the positive aspects and 'life giving properties of a system' as opposed to traditional 'deficit-based' approaches. However, there has been criticism that this process could invalidate negative experiences of…

There is increasing attention on evidencing research impact and applying a systems thinking perspective in public health. However, there is limited understanding of the extent to which and how public health research that applies a systems thinking perspective contributes to changes in system behaviour and improved population health outcomes. This…

Deploying systems-theoretical conceptuality, this paper improves understanding of the organisational consequences of the intensified societal engagement of a research university. Aligning its work with Luhmannian organisational analysis, it addresses the dynamic interplay between two modes of administrative decision-making communication, namely,…

Entrepreneurial education plays a vital role in equipping students with the skills and mind-set necessary for success in the dynamic business landscape. While existing literature acknowledges the importance of entrepreneurial education, there is a lack of specific guidance on how courses can be designed to effectively cultivate entrepreneurial…

This paper first establishes the need for comprehensive internationalization of institutions of higher education, using frameworks provided by organizations, such as the American Council of Education (ACE) and the International Association of Universities (IAU), as well as by internationalization experts, such as Knight and De Wit. It proceeds…

In contemporary methodological thinking, replication holds a central place. However, relatively little attention has been paid to replication in the context of complex dynamic systems theory (CDST), perhaps due to uncertainty regarding the epistemology-methodology match between these domains. In this paper, we explore the place of replication in…

The complexity of modern societies necessitates that children learn highly abstract material, such as mathematics, which often conflicts with behavioral goals that are innately motivating. For instance, children's educational success is generally evaluated based on their individual achievements, while humans are motivated to learn by engaging in…