Study | Sample | Main findings |
---|---|---|
Content analysis of training regulations and curricula | Training regulations for industrial clerks (IC), merchants in wholesale and foreign trade (MWFT) and IT-systems management assistants (ITMA) Curricula from the federal states of Germany for the above training occupations | High significance of controlling throughout the curriculum of industrial clerks The curricula of MWFT and ITMA also include controlling contents but to a lesser extent |
Content analysis of textbooks | Three standard textbooks for commercial training occupations in VET | Curricular significance of controlling contents is also represented in textbooks. However, strong emphasis on content knowledge rather than competence-orientation Majority of exercises offers only low complexity, instead clear action sequences and guidance is provided |
Diary study on everyday problem solving in office work | n = 8 VET students n = 5 skilled employees in operative controlling | The majority of participants is confronted with problems during office work several times a week The occurrence of complex problems is mostly going along with time pressure and certain risks for the enterprise The emotional response to problems is particularly negative when individual is pressed for time The problems to be solved by apprentices are less complex High significance of problem solving for workplace learning and individual growth |
Interview study on typical tasks and requirements in the field of operative controlling | n = 16 skilled employees in operative controlling n = 14 VET students (industrial clerks) n = 7 teachers in vocational schools | VET students are entrusted with operative rather than strategic controlling tasks Problem-solving competence is considered an important skill in the field of controlling High quality of solutions to problems includes correctness and plausibility of calculations as well as successfully dealing with time pressure and a well-targeted and clear communication of results High significance of spreadsheet processing and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software |