A través de esta investigación se pretenden conocer los factores y competencias asociados al éxito en el desarrollo de un proyecto emprendedor tomando como referencia la experiencia de emprendedores consolidados que han llevado a cabo un proyecto empresarial. Para ello, se ha hecho uso de la metodología Delphi formada por cuatro fases en las que han participado 15 emprendedores consolidados procedentes de diferentes sectores laborales. Para la recogida de información se ha diseñado un cuestionario que ha derivado del proceso reiterativo y de las respuestas de los participantes, tal y como caracteriza a la metodología. Con este instrumento se ha recogido información sobre tres aspectos: factores que propician el éxito en el proyecto inicial de los emprendedores, competencias relacionadas con el mismo y estrategias a seguir por potenciales emprendedores. Los resultados muestran que los factores, competencias y recomendaciones que están relacionados con características y rasgos personales aparecen más vinculados al éxito del proyecto que aquellos relativos a los conocimientos o habilidades profesionales. La motivación para emprender, dedicación, ilusión, tiempo y esfuerzo son los factores percibidos como más relevantes para el éxito del proyecto emprendedor. This research aims to identify the factors and skills associated with success in the development of an entrepeneurial project based on the opinions of entrepreneurs with experience in carrying out a business project. Delphi method has been implemented throught four phases with 15 participants from different labor sectors. For data collection, in line with Delphi method, a questionnaire has been designed taking into account participants’ answers along the reiterative process. Information has been collected on three basic aspects: factors that promote success in the initial project, skills related to it and strategies to be followed bypotential entrepeneurs. The results show that the factors, competences and recommendations related to personal characteristics are more linked to the success of the project than those related to knowledge about the topic or professional skills. The motivation to start a project, dedication, enthusiasm, time and effort are perceived as the most relevant factors to the success of the entrepreneur project.

The primary aim of this study was to conduct a cross‐cultural comparison of the level of critical thinking of Danish and Spanish psychology students (N = 788) attending innately different bachelor‐level courses; personality psychology and introductory statistics/research methods. Several instruments are available for the assessment of critical thinking (CTh), but most are, however, unsuitable for use in large surveys with many constructs, due to length or single‐person administration formats. One brief and much‐used scale is the CTh scale in the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ), used in this study. To ensure unbiased comparisons across countries and courses, our secondary aim was to investigate the content validity, as well as the psychometric properties, of the CTh scale to ensure the most accurate and unbiased comparison. For this purpose, Rasch and graphical loglinear Rasch models were used. After reducing the number of items due to content validity issues, the CTh scale fitted Rasch models within each national sample, and was measurement invariant relative to age group, gender, course and university. In the cross‐cultural item analysis, two items functioned differentially relative to nationality, and the scale fitted a graphical loglinear Rasch model. CTh scores related to introductory statistics/research methods courses differed significantly from scores related to personality psychology, for Danish students only.

ResumenLa dirección escolar y el ejercicio del liderazgo pedagógico son vinculantes en la mejora de la calidad de los centros educativos y en su funcionamiento. Es vital que las personas al frente del cargo estén satisfechas con la función de dirección que llevan a cabo, hecho que deriva en una mayor motivación y compromiso con su desempeño profesional. En este trabajo estudiamos la satisfacción laboral de los directores de centros de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, dada la relevancia del cargo para el buen funcionamiento de las instituciones escolares. Para ello, llevamos a cabo un análisis secundario a partir de datos obtenidos en la última edición del estudio Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) promovido por la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económicos (OCDE en adelante) (OECD, 2014) con el objetivo de explicar la satisfacción en la dirección escolar a partir de variables que hacen referencia al ejercicio de la función directiva. Los resultados muestran mayor satisfacción de la dirección cuando esta hace partícipe a la comunidad educativa de la toma de decisiones, ejerciendo su labor de liderazgo pedagógico y fomentando una cultura de colaboración. Entre las tareas relacionadas con la insatisfacción laboral se encuentran aquellas vinculadas al modelo de gestión burocrático tradicional todavía vigente. Finalmente se ofrecen propuestas orientadas a la mejora de la satisfacción de la dirección basadas en la formación continua a través de itinerarios profesionales de dirección y la formación en competencias relacionadas con el liderazgo distribuido, la creación de espacios de colaboración entre los agentes educativos y la potenciación de las comunidades de aprendizaje. AbstractSchool management and pedagogical leadership are key in the improvement of the quality of schools. It is vital to people in charge to be satisfied with their performance of the position, a fact that leads to a greater motivation and commitment. In this paper we study job satisfaction of principals in secondary schools, given the importance of educational agents for the proper running of schools. To this end, a secondary data analysis is carried out based on data obtained in the latest edition of the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) study promoted by the OECD (OECD, 2014) with the aim of explaining satisfaction in the school management related to variables associated to the performance of the role. The results show a greater satisfaction of principals when they allow the community to participate in the decision making process, when they perform a distributed leadership and promote a collaborative culture. Among the tasks related to job dissatisfaction are those linked to the traditional bureaucratic management model still prevailing. Based on the results, there have been made some proposals based on the development of professional management paths and training in skills related to distributed leadership, the promotion of collaboration spaces between educational agents and learning communit...

Purpose The higher education system must move closer to society and its requirements, and therefore, the process of transformation in the university context brings new challenges. The purpose of this paper is to present research on a case study that examines the perception of the middle managers’ role from their own perspective: how they describe it, the associated tasks, the skills perceived as necessary and what they think about the need to become academic leaders. Design/methodology/approach The authors have adopted a mixed-method approach. Data were collected through an in-depth interview and an adapted version of the Personal Construct Grid (Kelly, 1955). Two types of analyses have been carried out: statistical analysis and content analysis following a category system. The participants were academics performing a management position selected in accordance with certain criteria relevant for the study. Findings The research shows how their perception collides with the traditional characteristics of the university, which focus on the managerial and bureaucratic tasks of the middle managers. The study also reveals evidence of the poor visibility of these managers with no place for action due to their lack of power and decision-making opportunities. Originality/value The participants claim that it is necessary for people who hold the position to become agents of change by creating a shared identity through teamwork and collaboration. To this end, this paper presents a proposal for the development of a framework for action.

More and more the university institutions welcome a heterogeneous student population. In this article we analyse the main characteristics and needs of the so-called 'Non-Traditional Students' in order to contribute to the development of more equitable conditions and improve their participation and holistic development. To this end, a qualitative study has been carried out at a Spanish university, which explored the experience of a diverse group of this type of student body. The results pointed out to a high level of motivation, determination and greater effort on the part of the group, in comparison with their mates. However, the traditional pedagogy was not suited to their characteristics and created difficulties for them. Few teachers were truly flexible with these students, since an egalitarian (rather than equitable) conception of pedagogical action prevailed. Among other things, we conclude by claiming a comprehensive and personalised education, adapted to their needs.