The Impact of Embodiment on Training Effectiveness

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and compulsory social distancing, researchers in educational fields started to investigate alternatives to face-To-face (F2F) training methods with greater focus, such as video conferencing (VC) and virtual reality (VR) applications. This study investigated the differences between VC, VR and F2F training conditions by evaluating the level of body ownership and agency perceived by trainees. An electrical circuit repair task and multiple surveys were used to gather data from 106 participants in the form of four dependent variables: A circuit knowledge test, task completion rate, number of the subtasks completed by failing participants, and test phase duration. The study included two visits by each participant to measure knowledge retention while there were no training and surveys in Visit 2. Results showed significantly higher circuit learning and knowledge retention scores in F2F and VR conditions than in VC. Also, regarding the retention of knowledge, participants had significantly better knowledge retention in Visit 1 than Visit 2. The authors hope the results of this study enable training developers to enhance the learning process in computer mediated communications. © 2023 IEEE.

Achieving positive outcomes from online training: Goal setting and achievement goal orientation

PurposeThis paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsThe positive impact of training can be enhanced if learners set appropriate goals at the outset. By opting to pursue a mastery goal, learners are likely to engage more with the deep learning strategies that are associated with a broader range of desirable outcomes for both learners and their organization.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Soft skill competency and employees' capacity as the intervening factors between training effectiveness and health workers' performance

This study aimed to determine the role of soft skill competency (SSC) and employees' capacity (EC) in mediating the effect of training effectiveness (TE) on health workers' performance (HWP). A quantitative approach was conducted by using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)-Amos version 23 analysis, with data obtained through accidental sampling from 222 health workers who filled out online questionnaires and were declared complete. The results showed that TE improved SSC and HWP, although it did not have a direct effect on increasing EC. This indicated that SSC was needed to mediate the relationship between these two variables. SSC and EC also mediated the effect of TE on HWP. These results were expected to enrich the limited references in explaining the relationship between human resources (HR) planning and HWP, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2023 The Author(s). This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license.

Who Is Treating the Children? Training Child and Family Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists in China

This article traces the development and evolution of The Psychodynamic Couple and Family Therapy Continuous Training Program in Beijing, China since its founding in 2009 as a two-year series of four immersion experiences in couple therapy training. The program's learning components include a live clinical demonstration, didactic lectures, and small process learning groups. In the past 10 years, program faculty opted to include a child and family focus to address the relative absence of child psychodynamic psychotherapy training in China and the increasing mental health needs of Chinese children. Research on the training's effectiveness is presented, highlighting the importance of the live clinical demonstration to the group's learning, and supporting the importance of showing clinical theory and technique in action. Required adaptations from an in-person to an online training format owing to COVID are discussed. Examples drawn from the clinical demonstration, small process learning groups, and later emerging consultation groups are offered to show applications of the training model, challenges in learning, and cultural differences. The author contends that this training program and its extensions rely on the strong working alliance of its founders and illustrate the value of cross-cultural collaboration in training and treatment efforts.

An evolution of virtual training: implications for talent development in the post-pandemic period

PurposeThis study examines the effectiveness of virtual training programs in times of crisis at a public institution in South Africa for an enhancement of talent development via virtual training in the post-pandemic period.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a survey research design following a quantitative approach for data collection and analysis procedure. The respondents (employees receiving virtual training and the facilitators providing the training in times of crisis) were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was designed and administered to 119 respondents in the participating public institution in South Africa. The data were analyzed using a variance-based structural equation modeling via SmartPLS, version 3.3.3.FindingsThe results showcased the impact of information technology and virtual training platform on the effectiveness of virtual training programs during the pandemic in South Africa.OriginalityThere is a dearth of literature on the evolution and effectiveness of virtual training in times of crisis in South Africa. The outcomes of this study contribute to the extant literature on talent development, virtual training, and HR effectiveness in the digital age.

Creating resource passageways in cross-cultural virtual work teams: a longitudinal field study

Purpose: Lens of conservation of resources (COR) theory has been used to study how organizations can create resource passageways for their employees via managers. This has been examined in cross-cultural virtual work teams distributed across time and space within the high-resource loss context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: Longitudinal field design was used in a transnational organization involving data collection at three times over eight months. At Time 1, qualitative methodology was used to propose a conceptual model. At Time 2 and Time 3, an online survey was used to collect data for 205 virtual work teams across 10 countries in the Asia–Pacific region pre and post "manager as coach” training respectively. Findings: Using COR theory, the study highlights that "manager as coach” training is an effective resource for managers in the high resource depletion context of the pandemic. Access to timely support increases saliency for the resource-gain spiral and has a cross-over impact on virtual work team outcomes suggesting transferability of resources from managers to subordinates. Also, managers across all nationalities view coaching training as an equally valuable resource. Practical implications: The study provides evidence for investment in timely and relevant support for managers to positively and swiftly impact virtual work teams during high-resource loss contexts. Originality/value: The study expands COR crossover theory across space and time dimensions using a longitudinal field research design. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Effectiveness of the talent cultivation training program for industry transformation in Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic

In response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Taiwanese tourism and hospitality industry, the Taiwanese government launched an industry revival and revitalization project. Subsidies were given for cultivating talent and industry transformation. The industry implemented talent cultivation courses to improve the skills and knowledge of workers and facilitate financial subsidization. This study reviewed the talent cultivation subsidy and training results for employees participating in training programs within Taiwan’s lodging industry. The results showed that the government promoted large-scale industry transformation and talent cultivation, and industry employees who received the training responded to it positively.

Who Is Treating the Children? Training Child and Family Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists in China

This article traces the development and evolution of The Psychodynamic Couple and Family Therapy Continuous Training Program in Beijing, China since its founding in 2009 as a two-year series of four immersion experiences in couple therapy training. The program's learning components include a live clinical demonstration, didactic lectures, and small process learning groups. In the past 10 years, program faculty opted to include a child and family focus to address the relative absence of child psychodynamic psychotherapy training in China and the increasing mental health needs of Chinese children. Research on the training's effectiveness is presented, highlighting the importance of the live clinical demonstration to the group's learning, and supporting the importance of showing clinical theory and technique in action. Required adaptations from an in-person to an online training format owing to COVID are discussed. Examples drawn from the clinical demonstration, small process learning groups, and later emerging consultation groups are offered to show applications of the training model, challenges in learning, and cultural differences. The author contends that this training program and its extensions rely on the strong working alliance of its founders and illustrate the value of cross-cultural collaboration in training and treatment efforts.

Leveraging gains from African Center for Integrated Laboratory Training to combat HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND: In sub-Saharan Africa, there is dearth of trained laboratorians and strengthened laboratory systems to provide adequate and quality laboratory services for enhanced HIV control. In response to this challenge, in 2007, the African Centre for Integrated Laboratory Training (ACILT) was established in South Africa with a mission to train staffs from countries with high burdens of diseases in skills needed to strengthen sustainable laboratory systems. This study was undertaken to assess the transference of newly gained knowledge and skills to other laboratory staff, and to identify enabling and obstructive factors to their implementation. METHODS: We used Kirkpatrick model to determine training effectiveness by assessing the transference of newly gained knowledge and skills to participant's work environment, along with measuring enabling and obstructive factors. In addition to regular course evaluations at ACILT (pre and post training), in 2015 we sent e-questionnaires to 867 participants in 43 countries for course participation between 2008 and 2014. Diagnostics courses included Viral Load, and systems strengthening included strategic planning and Biosafety and Biosecurity. SAS v9.44 and Excel were used to analyze retrospective de-identified data collected at six months pre and post-training. RESULTS: Of the 867 participants, 203 (23.4%) responded and reported average improvements in accuracy and timeliness in Viral Load programs and to systems strengthening. For Viral Load testing, frequency of corrective action for unsatisfactory proficiency scores improved from 57 to 91%, testing error rates reduced from 12.9% to 4.9%; 88% responders contributed to the first national strategic plan development and 91% developed strategies to mitigate biosafety risks in their institutions. Key enabling factors were team and management support, and key obstructive factors included insufficient resources and staff's resistance to change. CONCLUSIONS: Training at ACILT had a documented positive impact on strengthening the laboratory capacity and laboratory workforce and substantial cost savings. ACILT's investment produced a multiplier effect whereby national laboratory systems, personnel and leadership reaped training benefits. This laboratory training centre with a global clientele contributed to improve existing laboratory services, systems and networks for the HIV epidemic and is now being leveraged for COVID-19 testing that has infected 41,332,899 people globally.