No abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate if the use of “serious games” with students can improve their knowledge acquisition and their academic performance. Design/methodology/approach – The research is an exploratory investigation resorting to the use of a serious game to evaluate the evolution of the students’ competencies in project management, through questionnaires processed using a structural “learning model.” Findings – This research shows indeed that the use of “serious games” improves the knowledge acquisition and management competencies of the students with the evidencing of significant factors contributing to this improvement. Practical implications – The findings of this research show that serious games can be an effective tool to be used in teaching students particularly as traditional methods are less and less accepted by today's students. Originality/value – Although the use of games is not something new in education, it is still limited in teaching practices in higher education. This experiment can help lecturers and trainers to resort to them in their pedagogy and to conceive them according to variables that can enhance their effectiveness.

No abstract

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractPurpose -This paper aims to find ways to improve the performance of social and medical establishments through a new organizational structure and the use of quality management methods. Design/methodology/approach -The research is based on an empirical study of a number of French establishments providing primary and secondary data, collected through interviews and records, on their management styles and results. Findings -The research shows that the present management of such establishments lacks effectiveness and efficiency and that their networking and the implementation of quality principles and tools could improve their global performance.Research limitations/implications -The process of internal and external evaluation of establishments still being in progress, it is not possible yet to draw definitive conclusions on the effectiveness of the solutions proposed. The study will have to be completed when all the evaluations have taken place. Practical implications -The findings of the study imply that a real new perspective is needed, and can be a reflection basis for establishments to reconsider their management in order to meet stakeholders' expectations. Originality/value -The paper casts a new look on the management of homes for the elderly, in particular and organizations providing social services, in general. It can offer food for thought to all actors in this sector.