/library/oar/handle/123456789/62496 2025-12-29T14:03:14Z 2025-12-29T14:03:14Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/81346 2021-09-22T09:23:44Z 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Investigating the gender pay gap in the Maltese financial and insurance services sector : a macro and micro approach Abstract: Although women have made significant advances in the economic sphere, the gender pay gap remains persistent. Building on Acker’s Theory of Gendered Organisations, the purpose of this study was to explore from a holistic macro-level and micro-level approach focusing on the Financial and Insurance services sector, how family-friendly policies and work incentives for women accompanied by traditional gendered roles and gendered assumptions affect the Maltese gender pay gap. Through a qualitative approach, document analysis and structured interviews were carried out. Through a purposive sampling technique, legislation and official policy documents were chosen for document analysis. The interview sample consisted of twelve participants who held an HR managerial position within the Financial sector. The findings concluded that at a macro-level, underlying gendered assumptions feed into family-friendly policies and work incentives creating an imbalance which hinder women from career advancement or else limit them to low-paying jobs thereby contributing to the pay gap. From an HR perspective, the research identified how traditional gendered roles and biases affect mothers’ career prospects, resulting in vertical segregation which affects the pay gap. The findings show that gender roles affect the uptake of family-friendly policies within this sector, with mostly women availing from such measures. The biases and misconceptions associated with the uptake of family-friendly measures together with the expectance of long working hours negatively affects mothers’ progression to higher managerial roles, enhancing the glass ceiling effect within the Financial and Insurance industry. This study concluded that further policy action needs to be taken to ensure that current and future government policies ensure that national family-friendly policies and the Financial and Insurance sector become more gender inclusive. Description: M.SC.PUBLIC POLICY&STRATEGIC MANGT.

2020-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/66278 2020-12-23T13:46:00Z 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Social sustainability within tourism policy : the integration of social dimensions within Malta’s tourism policy Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify existing policy responses that may address the negative social impacts of tourism. The study then looked at the Maltese context by analysing three Tourism Policy documents to highlight differences in policy responses and approaches towards a socially sustainable Tourism Policy. Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative methodology was selected with two distinct methods, each answering a research question. The state-of-the-art systematic literature review focused on a review of current literature on the existing policy responses to negative social impacts. Document analysis of three Tourism Policies reviewed the Maltese policy responses. Data was analysed by thematic analysis to reveal relationships and patterns that policy makers must consider. Findings: A thematic map for policy responses is designed based on the state-of-the art systematic review. Results showed that policy responses do address social impacts and are primarily regulatory, distributive, redistributive and institutional strengthening in nature. Social impacts are complex and inter-link with other impacts. Policy response must adapt to these, and address these complexities by integration and coordinated policies, backed by political will. Research limitations/implications: The research provided a sound overview of policy responses that were categorised according to the nature of the policy responses. This shows what policy responses may be effective in addressing the negative social impacts of tourism. Practical implications: The study contributes to formulating policy responses that better address the negative social impacts of tourism. Originality/value: The study highlights the need for a tourism policy that balances social sustainability with economic and environmental sustainability to foster sustainable tourism development. This research is original in that it presents a conceptual framework for policy responses for negative social impacts of tourism, identifies and examines whether such policy responses are integrated within Malta’s tourism policy. The research may be relevant to other small island states, or urban settings where tourism is of economic importance. Description: M.SC.PUBLIC POLICY&STRATEGIC MANGT.

2020-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/66275 2020-12-23T13:45:05Z 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The influence of regulation on competitiveness Abstract: This paper seeks to investigate the relationship between Competitiveness and Regulation. It focuses on the Maltese Tourist Accommodation Market as a sample of the Study. This study applies a Document Analysis of the Travel and Tourism Report, Statistical Appraisal of Data that focuses on real life situations and also elite interviews with the main stakeholders in the field. The idea behind was to shed light whether or not regulation can be competitive or not. The study was inspired following the researcher’s passion for travel and hopes that it will be of a contribution in the Maltese Tourism Industry. Description: M.SC.PUBLIC POLICY&STRATEGIC MANGT.

2020-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/66272 2020-12-23T13:41:58Z 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Fostering creativity as a 21st century skill through stem : a policy perspective Abstract: Creativity is the generation of novel and useful ideas (Amabile et al., 1996) that are communicated (Rhodes, 1961) and are contextually relevant (El Murad and West, 2004). This dissertation argues that creativity can be fostered through STEM. This is a non-traditional view which contradicts several empirical studies arguing either that creativity is dominant in the arts or that there is no difference in creativity between arts and science students. The association between STEM and creativity can provide a significant contribution to policy, as creativity can be fostered through existing curricula and adjustments in pedagogies and practice. Embedded within Rhodes’ 4 Ps theoretical framework, a regression analysis was performed with a sample of 400 secondary school students, followed by a thematic analysis which adds depth to the results by identifying the main themes tackled in STEM education policy and education for the 21st century. The study identified a significant positive relationship between study of STEM (either as Option or Favourite) and creativity as measured through the Divergent Thinking tests. This supports the argument that creativity can be nurtured through the study of STEM, this relationship can be exploited further through deeper and wider engagement. This can be achieved through a holistic policy building on ecosystem and network models. Description: M.SC.PUBLIC POLICY&STRATEGIC MANGT.

2020-01-01T00:00:00Z