https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/110556 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 06:04:44 GMT 2026-04-09T06:04:44Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/110624 Title: An impact assessment for implementing a compressed working week for office-based workers in the Maltese public service Authors: Azzopardi, Myrna Abstract: The rationale behind this research project was rooted in exploring the implementation of a compressed working week (CWW) in the Public Service by examining measures of productivity and stakeholders involved to derive an impact assessment (IA) on the most feasible policy options. The concept of a CWW adopted was of working the requisite number of hours for less than the traditional 5-day week. This research focused on office-based workers as they are more consistently linked to the typical 5-day week work pattern. Within the Public Service, officers typically work 43.75 hours during the winter schedule to benefit from a shorter 30-hour working week during summer (Public Service Management Code, Office of the Principal Permanent Secretary, 2020). This is a long-held tradition dating back to when Malta was still under British rule (Office of the Prime Minister, 1974) but reflects an established openness to the idea of a compressed working schedule. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/110624 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/110622 Title: The impact of IPS‑funded scholarships on beneficiaries, the public service, and Maltese society Authors: Axisa, Margherita Abstract: The public service offers financial sponsorships to public officers with the aim of helping them continue their formal education, in order to acquire higher qualifications and develop their human capital. These sponsorships, which vary from short training courses to PhD programmes, are administered by the Institute for the Public Services (IPS), which provides courses specifically for the public service through a collaborative venture with two higher education institutions: the University of Malta (UOM), and the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST). Additionally, IPS is also responsible for the administration of scholarships funded by national funds and the European Social Fund (ESF), which is obtained through the EU to support employment and social inclusion. The public service has grown substantially in recent years, and it is only through trained, qualified, and dedicated employees that it can offer an efficient and effective service to the general public. Now more than ever, public service employees need to engage in policy and research, embrace new technology systems, and adapt to growing and shifting demands. To strengthen such a workforce, employers needs to ensure that the skills of their employees are nurtured, and that they are in line with the respective objectives and needs. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/110622 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/110599 Title: Leadership for parental involvement Authors: Attard, Christabel Abstract: Parents are important stakeholders in education who not only provide their children with support but are also an invaluable asset for school improvement (Desforges & Abouchaar, 2003). If parents and schools recognise this, they can work in a collaborative partnership, with schools trusting parents, who as a result feel empowered and participate more (Torre & Murphy, 2016). The benefits of such a collaborative partnership go beyond successful students in terms of academic achievement, with research pointing to benefits for all stakeholders and the school (Gascoigne, 1996). Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/110599 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/110598 Title: The challenging role of female decision makers in Maltese trade unionism Authors: Aquilina, Ayfer R. Abstract: Trade Unions are considered as important key‑players within the social dialogue framework. The Challenging Role of Female Decision Makers in Maltese Trade Unionism Ayfer R Aquilina Female Decision-Makers Trade Unionism Organisational Culture Societal Perceptions Over the years, it has become more evident that within this important element of the industrial relations scenario, women have often been left in the shadows and were rarely, if ever, present in the high echelons of the union or organisation. On an international level, Trade Unions have since their inception been a hive of masculinity, and are most regarded and looked upon as male-domain organisations with an embedded litigious nature (Amini et al, 2018; Kirton et al, 1999) On the local front, various literature and research studies bring to the fore that the top seats of the decision-making positions within these organisations are filled by men, even though female membership at the bottom level shows a high presence of female active members. (Debono, 2018; Department of Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER), 2019). Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/110598 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z