Riffing on a Theme: Faculty Experiences With Service-Learning in a Food Security Research Network in Ontario

While service-learning is often said to be beneficial for all those involved—students, community members, higher education institutions, and faculty members—there are relatively few studies of the attraction to, and effect of, service-learning on faculty members. Existing studies have tended to use a survey design, and to be based in the United States. There is a lack of information on faculty experiences with service-learning in Ontario or Canada. This qualitative case study of faculty experiences with service-learning was framed through an Appreciative Inquiry social constructionist approach. The data were drawn from interviews with 18 faculty members who belong to a Food Security Research Network (FSRN) at a university in northern Ontario, reports submitted by the network, and personal observation of a selection of network-related events. This dissertation study revealed how involvement with service-learning created opportunities for faculty learning and growth. The focus on food security and a commitment to the sustainability of local food production was found to be an ongoing attraction to service-learning and a means to engage in and integrate research and teaching on matters of personal and professional importance to these faculty members. The dissertation concludes with a discussion of the FSRN’s model and the perceived value of a themed, transdisciplinary approach to service-learning. This study highlights promising practices for involving faculty in service-learning and, in keeping with an Appreciative Inquiry approach, depicts a view of faculty work at its best.

Key drivers of frontline employee generation of ideas for customer service improvement

Anchored in the service-dominant logic and service innovation literature, this study investigates the drivers of employee generation of ideas for service improvement (GISI). Employee GISI focuses on customer needs and providing the exact service wanted by customers. GISI should enhance competitive advantage and organizational success (cf. Berry et al. 2006; Wang and Netemeyer 2004). Despite its importance, there is little research on the idea generation stage of the service development process (Chai, Zhang, and Tan 2005). This study contributes to the service field by providing the first empirical evaluation of the drivers of GISI. It also investigates a new explanatory determinant of reading of customer needs, namely, perceived organizational support (POS), and an outcome of POS, in the form of emotional exhaustion. Results show that the major driver of GISI is reading of customer needs by employees followed by affective organizational commitment and job satisfaction. This research provides several new and important insights for service management practice by suggesting that special care should be put into selecting and recruiting employees who have the ability to read customer needs. Additionally, organizations should invest in creating work environments that encourage and reward the flow of ideas for service improvement

Incentive and performance awards program : hearing before the Subcommittee on Compensation and Employee Benefits of the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, House of Representatives, Ninety-sixth Congress, second session, August 28, 1980.

"Serial no. 96-108."

Adverse effect created by early retirement because of RIF and reorganization [microform] : hearing before the Subcommittee on Compensation and Employee Benefits of the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, House of Representatives, Ninety-sixth Congress, first session, March 6, 1979.

Reuse of record except for individual research requires license from Congressional Information Service, Inc.

Converting Federal blue-collar employees to general schedule [microform] : hearing before the Subcommittee on Compensation and Employee Benefits of the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, House of Representatives, Ninety-sixth Congress, first session, February 12, 1979.

Reuse of record except for individual research requires license from Congressional Information Service, Inc.

Retirement provisions for certain employees of Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service [microform] : hearing before the Subcommittee on Compensation and Employee benefits of the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, House of Representatives, Ninety-sixth Congress, first session, on H.R. 1885 ... May 15, 1979.

Reuse of record except for individual research requires license from Congressional Information Service, Inc.

Minimum benefit provision of the disability retirement program [microform] : hearing before the Subcommittee on Compensation and Employee Benefits of the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, House of Representatives, Ninety-sixth Congress, second session, February 26, 1980.

Reuse of record except for individual research requires license from Congressional Information Service, Inc.

Voluntary withholding of State income tax for civil service annuitants [microform] : hearing before the Subcommittee on Compensation and Employee Benefits of the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, House of Representatives, Ninety-sixth Congress, second session, on H.R. 6372 ... June 5, 1980.

Reuse of record except for individual research requires license from Congressional Information Service, Inc.

Voluntary retirements under the civil service retirement system [microform] : hearing before the Subcommittee on Compensation and Employee Benefits of the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, House of Representatives, Ninety-sixth Congress, second session, June 19, 1980.

Reuse of record except for individual research requires license from Congressional Information Service, Inc.