Academic Discourse Research Articles

Pyramid economies of academic publishing, cultural capital, and discourses of predation

Pyramid economies of academic publishing, cultural capital, and discourses of predation

Exploring the impact of environmental dimension in corporate social responsibility on restaurants’ customer retention

PurposeThis study aims to integrate the four-dimensional corporate social responsibility (economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibility) with environmental responsibility. It also aims to measure how service quality and corporate image mediate the effects of the five CSR dimensions on customer retention.Design/methodology/approachThis research employs structural equation modelling to test the proposed conceptual model. About 217 valid questionnaires were collected online from customers of restaurants in Tehran.FindingsThe results show that legal, ethical, philanthropic and environmental dimensions positively and significantly impact corporate image and service quality. Moreover, corporate image and service quality mediate the effects of the five CSR dimensions on customer retention.Practical implicationsManagers may learn that by enhancing their environmental responsibility, they are also working on increasing service quality and corporate image and, in turn, customer retention. Restaurants can differentiate themselves from competitors and attract and retain environmentally conscious customers, ultimately contributing to their competitive advantage.Originality/valueThis research extends Carroll’s dimensions by incorporating environmental responsibility, demonstrating its potential to boost service quality and corporate image for customer retention. A noteworthy contribution is introducing environmental responsibility as a novel dimension of CSR within the restaurant and food industry. Recognising the increasing importance of environmental sustainability in academic and societal discourse, it was crucial to consider the environment as a distinct aspect of this research.

Optimizing Bitcoin Price Prediction with LSTM: A Comprehensive Study on Feature Engineering and the April 2024 Halving Impact

This research aims to develop a Bitcoin price prediction model using machine learning techniques, with a specific focus on Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks. The Bitcoin market is characterized by unique features such as high volatility and the influence of various external factors, which differ significantly from traditional financial markets. As such, precise feature engineering is crucial for accurately modelling Bitcoin prices. Utilizing historical Bitcoin price data from 2014 to 2023, this study extensively evaluates LSTM models. The results indicate that LSTM models provide highly accurate predictions, with a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 0.0001798 and a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.0101322. These results demonstrate that LSTM effectively captures the complex and dynamic patterns of Bitcoin prices, outperforming other methods. The findings have significant implications for financial market analysis, especially within the rapidly evolving domain of crypto assets. By leveraging machine learning methodologies, this research enhances understanding of the complexities of the crypto market and offers potential strategies for smarter investment decisions. The success of the LSTM model in improving Bitcoin price prediction accuracy underscores its importance in navigating the volatile and dynamic nature of the crypto market. Overall, this study highlights the substantial potential of machine learning approaches, particularly LSTM models, in analyzing and predicting crypto market behavior. It contributes to the growing academic discourse on the application of advanced technologies in finance and can stimulate further discussions on how machine learning can address challenges and opportunities in the crypto market.

Unveiling Weak Signals of Emergence in Underwater Sensing Research Trends

Detecting emerging research trends is crucial as it allows for the proactive identification and monitoring of novel and influential topics in the scientific community. Monitoring research trends aids researchers, institutions, and policymakers in allocating resources, fostering innovation, and staying competitive in rapidly changing scientific landscapes. The growing significance of underwater sensing technologies in various domains has propelled research endeavours aimed at understanding the characteristics of academic discourse in this field. In this work, we comprehensively analyzed the academic research topics related to underwater sensing technologies using advanced computational methodologies. Leveraging natural language processing, topic modelling, and weak signal detection techniques, and focusing on underwater sensing as the case technology, we dissect a large corpus of scholarly articles published between 2007 and 2021 to unveil underlying thematic patterns and emergent trends within this domain while shedding light on signals of emerging technologies. Among the eighty extracted topics, six research topics were identified and recognized as emerging weak signals, and validated by experts. Notably, deep learning for underwater imaging was the only topic that transitioned from being weak to a strong signal in the final period.

Impact of Domestic Task Involvement toward Parental Stress on Dual Earner Couples

Purpose: The prevalence of dual-earner couples in Indonesia, particularly in urban areas, has led to an increase in their roles both at work and in the family. This situation often results in inappropriate domestic task involvement, which in turn affects the stress levels of these couples. Understanding the impact of domestic task involvement on parental stress is crucial for the fields of family studies, psychology, and sociology. Method: The research included 237 respondents obtained using purposive sampling techniques, and the results were analyzed with quantitative methods with criteria for early adulthood, working married couples, having children aged at least six years, and being domiciled in Jabodetabek. Data was collected through a survey using the instruments Subject’s Involvement in Household Chores and Partner’s Involvement in Household Chores for the independent variable and Parental Stress Scale for the dependent variable. Data was analyzed using quantitative methods through multiple regression analysis to test the impact of domestic task involvement on parental stress. Result: The results show that domestic task involvement has a significantly negative impact of 3.4% on low levels of parental stress. The multiple regression test shows the calculated significance level of 0.017 < 0.05. Subject Involvement and Partner Involvement simultaneously have a negative influence on parental stress. Conclusion: The study underscores the pivotal role of collaboration between husband and wife in managing domestic tasks, which can significantly reduce parental stress. These findings not only contribute to the academic discourse but also suggest practical strategies for supporting dual-earner couples in Indonesia.

Conceptualizations of ‘race’: surveys of Polish academics on the race concept

AbstractRecent studies suggest that race is no longer viewed as a biological category by most anthropologists in the United States, but less empirical work has been carried out in other countries. In this study, we engaged the Polish academic community in anthropology (biological and cultural) and biology by conducting surveys to assess how its members approach and conceptualize race in these disciplines. We surveyed participants (a total of 270 respondents) on their views on the existence of races (i.e. whether humans may be subdivided into biological races), whether race is a concept that is needed in science, what the term ‘race’ should symbolize, and whether the respondents were familiar with the term ‘social race’. The results demonstrate that although the view on the reality of races is still generally shared by the majority of the studied academic community, an awareness of the non‐existence of races in our species has emerged among a group of biological anthropologists. Both biologists and cultural anthropologists in Poland associated race mostly with a category of biological classification, while for biological anthropologists, race primarily symbolized a relic of the past. The article emphasizes the importance of becoming acquainted with the debate over race in academic discourse as well as the role of education in shaping attitudes towards race.

Tianxia Under the Sea: China’s Quest for Maritime History

This article examines how the Chinese political and academic discourses have constructed a narrative of China as a peaceful maritime power and the role that underwater archaeology has played in narrating China's rise. The ancient Chinese concept of tianxia (天下) is a central part of the Chinese elites’ discourse on maritime policy. This concept, translated as “all under heaven,” forms part of China's effort to produce historical statecraft using textual sources and underwater archaeological artefacts. In this narrative, the historical figure of Zheng He became a prominent representative of China's peacefulness, refuting concerns regarding the purposes of a more assertive Chinese foreign policy. Studying tianxia under the sea thus contributes to forming a better understanding of the production of narratives respecting China's rise. In particular, underwater archaeology is highlighted as an authoritative source of evidence underpinning and reinforcing narratives of China as an ancient and peaceful maritime nation.

Enhancing Communication Skills for Engineering Students

English is a crucial language in India, particularly in engineering, as it serves as both a lingua franca and a library language. It is essential for academic excellence in engineering, as it provides access to a vast repository of knowledge, advanced technical content, and enables students to understand complex concepts, participate in discussions, and perform well in exams. English also serves as a platform for interaction and collaboration, allowing students to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and engage in academic discussions. This exchange of knowledge enhances academic standards and fosters a collaborative learning environment. Effective communication in English prepares students for professional settings where they need to articulate their ideas clearly and work with peers from diverse linguistic backgrounds. The global nature of engineering careers also makes English indispensable; as Indian graduates often work in international environments or with multinational teams. Proficiency in English enables them to interact effectively with colleagues, present their work, and contribute to global projects, enhancing their career prospects and professional growth.

Changing language, changing heritage: the future behind us

ABSTRACT This article critically examines the future of Critical Heritage Studies (CHS) through the lens of language and non-Western ontologies. I argue that the Western-centric and future-oriented approach to heritage limits its ability to engage with diverse conceptualizations of heritage and time. Here, I explore the dominance of English in academic discourse and how this constrains the understanding of heritage. Drawing on examples from Igbo, Quechua, and Aymara cultures, the paper demonstrates how different linguistic and cultural perspectives can reframe heritage concepts, particularly notions of time and conservation. The article advocates for a more inclusive approach to CHS that acknowledges complicity in colonial practices, embraces vulnerability, and opens up to multilingual and multicultural understandings of heritage. It concludes by suggesting that reimagining the future of CHS lies in changing the language and the way we speak about heritage.

Entrepreneurial Skills and Performance of Women’s Small Enterprises in Turkana County, Kenya

Performance enterprise is important determinant for survival and meeting stakeholders’ interests. However, a performance enterprise has been a concern as many small enterprises report dismal performances. Entrepreneurial dimensions are reported to leverage competitiveness, survival and growth of enterprises. Thus, study attempted to examine influence of entrepreneurial skills on performance of women owned small enterprises in Turkana County, Kenya. The study was guided by three specific objectives: evaluate the influence networking skills on performance of women’s small enterprises, to determine influence of communication skills on performance of women’s small enterprises and to investigate the influence of innovation skills on performance of women’s small enterprises in Turkana County, Kenya. The study was anchored on the Opportunity Based Entrepreneurship Theory, stakeholders’ theory and resource based firm theory. The study employed descriptive research design consisting of both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The target population was 1235 respondents, comprising of the management/owners of the women enterprises in Turkana County, Kenya. The sample size was 302 respondents obtained using the simple random techniques. The study utilized questionnaires to collect data. A pilot test was conducted to ensure data validity and reliability of the research instrument. The study employed both descriptive and inferential statistics with aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29 software. Descriptive statistics such as mean, frequencies and standard deviations assisted in summarizing sample characteristics, while inferential statistics regression, correlations and ANOVA to establish relationships. The findings of the study created insights among the operators influence of entrepreneurial skills on performance of women’s small enterprises in Turkana County, Kenya. Secondly, contribute to policy makers’ influence of contributing entrepreneurial skills on performance of women’s small enterprises. Lastly, to results contributed to academic discourse on entrepreneurial skills on performance of firms. Networking skills explained 43.2% of performance of women’s small enterprises in Turkana County, Kenya, communication skills 61.0%, and innovation skills 38.2% of performance of women’s small enterprises in Turkana County, Kenya. The study recommended for further research work to be conducted to review the influence of other variables on performance of women’s small enterprises in other counties in Kenya. Keywords: Strategy implementation, Strategy Evaluation, Accessibility of NGO’s to Donor Funding

From resentment to hatred: the Islamist complex and Iran’s anger-charged foreign policy

ABSTRACT The expanding literature on status in International Relations argues that Eastern nations with grandiose history, who have faced decline after the West’s ascent, are susceptible to resentment from the established Western powers. This often results in recurrent tensions in their relations with the West, stemming from feelings of misrecognition and disrespect. While this framework seems apt for cases like Russia and Turkey, this paper cautions about its applicability to elucidate the bellicosity of all rising Eastern nations towards the West, highlighting Iran as a case where animosity goes beyond status anxiety and resulting resentment. It contributes to the academic discourse on status by differentiating responses of Russian, Turkish and Iranian leaders towards the West, utilizing literature on hate and anger. It delves into Iran’s Islamist complex, which fuels hate-driven anger towards the West, discerning between this type of anger and the more straightforward resentment-induced anger exhibited by nationalist leaders of Russia and Turkey. The central premise posits that the anger of the latter two states functions as a bargaining instrument for improved treatment, dissipating upon status reclamation, whereas Iranian Islamists’ anger remains steadfast, as the Iranian leadership perceives the entirety of the West, not just its behaviours, as detrimental.

Governing poverty and migration in European nation-states – keywords revisited

This article introduces a collaborative publication exploring the intricate interplay between poverty governance, migration control, and welfare provision. Adopting a ‘keywords’ approach, we investigate the terminology and concepts around which academic discussions revolve when addressing poverty and migration. Central to this examination is the figure of the ‘poor migrant’, whose experiences of inclusion and exclusion intersect along lines of race, gender, and legal status. Using an intersectional lens, the publication dissects key terms and concepts : Welfare State, Welfare Governance, Citizenship, Solidarity and Deservingness, Suspicion and Surveillance, Discipline, and Banishment. We thus aim to conceptualise and critically discuss the constant renegotiation of state power and the nation-state induced in ex/inclusionary aspects of welfare and migration policies and law. The contribution reveals how notions of belonging shape access to rights and services, particularly along racialized and classist lines. Moreover, it explores how migration policies exacerbate scrutiny and exclusion faced by non-citizen populations within contemporary welfare systems.

The critical cognitive analysis of “hyper-securitization” strategy: A case study of China’s official discourse on the “Japan nuclear contaminated water discharge incident”

On August 24, 2023, Japan began discharging nuclear contaminated water into the ocean, drawing global attention. Environmental security, closely tied to human well-being, has become a critical issue in both academic and public discourse, particularly amid recurring challenges like climate change, water scarcity, and pollution. This study employs the proximization theory and its derivative theory of distanciation to conduct a critical cognitive analysis of “hyper-securitization” in environmental security discourse, using China’s official discourse surrounding the “Japan Nuclear Contaminated Water Discharge Incident” as the corpus. The analysis focuses on the discursive strategies employed by China before and after Japan’s discharge, revealing how these strategies aim to achieve the objectives of “hyper-securitization.” The discourse features identified in this study provide new perspectives for research on “hyper-securitization” in the fields of environmental security and international politics.

Balancing Bytes and Ethics: Stakeholder Implications of Private LLMs

This research explores the ethical implications of private large language models (PLLMs) through the lens of stakeholder theory. Private LLMs, tailored for specific organizational needs, present unique privacy and data protection challenges. We examine the historical development of LLMs and their impact on stakeholders, including shareholders, employees, customers, and society. Our proposed framework balances stakeholder interests with ethical considerations, offering a comprehensive approach to the ethical development and deployment of PLLMs. This framework emphasizes transparency, accountability, and sustainable practices to ensure long-term value creation. Future research directions include developing regulatory frameworks, conducting detailed social impact assessments, and exploring strategies for effective human-AI collaboration. This study contributes to academic discourse by providing a multi-faceted approach to managing the ethical challenges posed by PLLMs, fostering best practices, and mitigating potential conflicts among stakeholders.

Open Access Publishing Metrics, Cost, and Impact in Health Professions Education Journals

Publishing in health professions education (HPE) journals is an integral component of academic discourse and career progression. Research in this field is shifting to an open access (OA) publishing model. To identify the characteristics and publishing models of HPE journals and explore potential associations between publication costs and journal metrics. This cross-sectional study was conducted between September 20, 2023, and February 14, 2024, using the World Bank purchasing power parity (PPP) index to analyze relative costs of article processing charges (APCs). Data on journal characteristics, impact metrics, APCs, and waiver or discount were extracted from the National Library of Medicine, Scimago, Scopus, journal websites, and email correspondence with editorial staff of journals. All HPE journals indexed in PubMed, written in or translated into English, and with HPE as a core component of their mission were included in the analysis. Two-year impact factor, H-index, cite score, Scientific Journal Ranking, and APC. Among the 51 journals included, 27 (53%) adopted OA-only and 24 (47%) adopted hybrid publishing models. The median (IQR) APC for all journals was $2820.00 ($928.00-$3300.00). Associations were observed between impact factor and APC (β coefficient, $386.84; 95% CI, $226.84-$546.84; P < .001) and between cite score and APC (β coefficient, $282.40; 95% CI, $148.12-$416.61; P < .001). Of 20 journal websites with information regarding fee waivers or discounts, 7 journals (35%) confirmed fee waiver or discount. The PPP index analysis of the top 39 countries publishing HPE research showed that the financial burden of meeting the median APC for publication was 1.94 to 10.26 times higher for authors from lower-income countries than for authors from the US. Results of this cross-sectional study suggest that adoption by HPE journals of an OA publishing model was high but access to APC waivers or discounts was limited. These factors create barriers to equitable OA practices, necessitating concerted efforts, such as increasing transparency of publishing costs, implementing economic impact analysis, expanding waivers to eligible authors, and applying holistic impact factor scoring.

A students’ behaviors in information security: Extension of Protection Motivation Theory (PMT)

ABSTRACT This study investigates information security behaviors among university students, focusing on the interplay of psychological and social factors influencing their behavioral intentions and actions. By integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior, Protection Motivation Theory, and General Deterrence Theory, the research offers a comprehensive understanding of factors such as self-efficacy, perceived risk vulnerability, response cost, and response efficacy. Utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA), the study assesses the impact of these factors on students’ information security practices. Measurement items were developed based on recent empirical studies, ensuring relevance to the contemporary digital environment. The findings reveal significant associations between these factors and students’ security behaviors, providing insights into effective strategies for promoting information security awareness and practices. This research contributes to the academic discourse on digital security behaviors and offers practical implications for enhancing information security measures within university settings.

“And They Joined Him in Elphegor”: on the Relationship Between the Romanian Translation of the Palaea Historica and Its Slavonic Model

The Palaea Historica, a Byzantine apocryphal text from the 9th century, was translated into Romanian between the late 16th century and the early 17th century via a Slavonic intermediary. Although the Romanian text was edited and published in full in 2001, recent developments in the academic discussion around the Slavonic version of the Palaea Historica have led to the publication of an edition of the second Slavonic translation in the year 2016, thereby raising the question of whether the Romanian text was solely influenced by the first redaction or not. This study is a continuation of the author’s previous research on the Romanian version’s relationship with the two Slavonic redactions, with more focus being given to grammatical peculiarities and loci obscuri that were highlighted by the editors of the Romanian manuscripts as having been stemmed from the Slavonic text’s influence. These passages are analyzed in comparison with the two Slavonic translations and the Greek original, allowing for a better perspective on how dependent the Romanian grammatical constructions were on their Slavonic model. Finally, this study refers to an onomastic confusion between Abraham’s brother and Abraham’s father, which is avoided or possibly Romanian version.

Research On Marketing Strategy of Social Media Platform: A Case Study Based on Tiktok

In the context of the digital age, the frequency of using social media platforms in people's lives is increasing. This paper discusses the market overview, marketing strategies, success reasons and future prospects of Tik Tok as a new social media platform. The research methods include literature review and empirical analysis. The literature review section provides theoretical support for subsequent case analysis based on previous research results; Through specific cases and data, the empirical analysis shows the marketing strategies of TikTok as a representative of social media platform in different market environments. This study aspires to deliver valuable insights and strategic lessons for businesses and digital platforms by meticulously examining TikTok's digital marketing strategies. By delving into a profound analysis and offering a holistic assessment, this research endeavors to furnish substantial empirical evidence and theoretical frameworks. These contributions aim to deepen the comprehension and academic discourse surrounding TikTok's influence and competitive edge within the dynamic global social media landscape. Furthermore, the findings are anticipated to inspire innovative approaches to digital marketing, emphasizing the significance of adaptive and data-driven strategies in today's interconnected digital ecosystem.

The End of Quantitative Research in Social Work? The Threat Posed by Postmodern/Critical Theory's Increasing Colonization of Academia

Quantitative research plays an instrumental role in facilitating health and wellness. Effective interventions are developed, assessed, and refined through the application of logic and empirical evidence in a scientific milieu characterized by diverse views. However, the increasing colonization of academic discourse by postmodern/critical theory (PCT) may undermine foundational concepts upon which quantitative research rests. The postpositivist tradition in which quantitative methods are embedded emphasizes probabilistic truth, logic, empirical evidence, and the interplay of diverse, frequently conflicting perspectives. Conversely, some currents of thought within PCT emphasize multiple realities, intuition, personal stories of lived experience, and the exclusion of views that challenge PCT tenets. The increasing adoption of these concepts in academia may limit or even delegitimize quantitative research as currently practiced in social work. We conclude by arguing that social work clients are best served by a scientific discourse that values multiple theoretical frameworks, research methodologies, and scientists operating from different social locations.

Letters of Love: Engaging Memory Work in Qualitative Research

This article examines the role of memory and remembering in qualitative research, proposing a reflective practice where memories serve not only as a backdrop but as active participants in shaping inquiry. By revisiting and engaging in remembering, we, as qualitative inquirers, forge deeper connections with subjects, encompassing the human, the natural world, and the more-than-human. Drawing inspiration from Bridges-Rhoads et al.’s invitation to explore “readings that rock our world,” we extend this metaphor to memories that challenge and invigorate our academic and personal perspectives. We interrogate the types of memories that compel us to rethink our approaches to qualitative inquiry and recognize the often-excluded voices and narratives that emerge from personal and communal histories. Through a heartfelt compilation of love letters addressing people, objects, travels, and moments, this article champions the inclusion of marginal and overlooked memories within academic discourse. These narratives serve as points of departure for inquiry, challenging the boundaries of what is deemed academically valuable, legitimate, and legible. We extend this invitation to our readers to engage in a collective re-imagining and remembering of research practices, emphasizing the significance of memory work in shaping our way of being qualitative researchers and doing qualitative research.