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Salem State University: Faculty Publications 2021

Fernando Colina

Colina, F.E., & Blanco-Ramirez, G.L. (2021). Accountability compliance, and student learning as competing rationales for assessment: A case study of US tuning in practice. Tertiary Education and Management, 27(2), 129.

Abstract

Despite the long presence of assessment and quality assurance in US higher education, questions and concerns about higher education quality in this higher education system have been salient for the last several decades. Compliance and student learning are two frequently competing rationales for the implementation of assessment practices. This article explores assessment processes in three public universities in the United States to illustrate common challenges harmonizing these two rationales. The analysis compared institutions along four dimensions: (a) accountability, (b) educational mission, (c) assessment framework, and (d) student learning outcomes. Based on the present analysis, we argue that assessment for accreditation compliance and assessment for student learning are in fact different processes, based on the way they are implemented in US institutions. As a result, we claim that assessment for accreditation compliance is insufficient for improving higher education quality when student learning is taken into consideration. By studying the application of "tuning" in the United States, this paper also contributes to cross-national analyses and the comparative literature in higher education.

Xu Hartling

Hartling, X. (2021). The contribution Of farm stand, farmers market, and community supported agriculture to the community and environment. Economy & Business, 14, 316-328. https://www.scientific-publications.net/en/article/1002133/

Abstract

Local food system links scattered issues including food safety and quality, carbon footprint, community development, and socially responsible purchasing and is considered as the key to solve these issues. In this paper, farm stands, farmers markets, and CSA are comprehensively studied as the most important entities in local food system. This paper provides an in depth review of CSA including its definition and history, types, mechanism, operations, benefits, as well as obstacles and challenges. The paper also reviews food system and food miles, then links local food system to the contribution to the community and environment. A deep understanding of individual social responsibility as the ultimate motivation of the movement of promotion and adoption of local food is presented. The consumption of local food and the operation of local food system reduce food miles. As a result, they reduce the carbon emissions associated with the production, distribution, and consumption of local food. This paper closely examines the reasons contributing to the success of local food system and lessons learned from various studies. Not only focusing on the United States, this paper shares experience from different counties including Japan, France, Hungary, Italy, Argentina, and Canada. It is undoubtable that local food system has so many benefits. However, it also experiences some issues with community development. It is also important to admit the fact that local transportation system associated with local food system may not always be as efficient as conventional systems. Other important issues include the production method, packaging considerations, and personal dietary choices. It is important to understand that local food system benefits the environment might be limited or under certain condition.

Yu Hu

Comeau, D., Tang, Z., Manago, S.M., & Hu, Y. (2021). "All your files have been encrypted!" ̶ Ransomware attack at Keystone Insurance. Journal of Applied Business and Economics, 23(2).

Abstract

This case describes a ransomware attack and the response and recovery effort at a small insurance company in Boston in 2019. Through the incident of a security breach, the case examines the rising trend in ransomware attacks and the dilemma faced by ransomware attack victims. It explains the importance of an information security framework, such as the Written Information Security Program (WISP) mandated by Massachusetts Law. Besides the general security management concepts, the case also presents a fair number of technical details in small business computer networks and digital forensics for responding to and recovering from security breaches.

Zaiyong Tang

Comeau, D., Tang, Z., Manago, S. M., Hu, Y. (2021). "All your files have been encrypted!" ̶ Ransomware attack at Keystone Insurance. Journal of Applied Business and Economics, 23(2).