Academic Investigators Research Articles

Prediction of Monthly Wind Velocity Using Machine Learning

The utilization of non-renewable energy resources necessitates the power sector's adoption of alternative energy sources, including photovoltaic and wind power generation systems. This academic investigation utilizes two machine learning methodologies, in particular, the study utilizes the random forest and support vector machine algorithms. to conduct its analyses. predict the velocity of the wind in the Diyala governorate of Iraq for the subsequent time interval. This is achieved solely by utilizing historical monthly time series data as input predictors. The three performance metrics employed encompass the coefficient of assurance (R2), root cruel square mistake (RMSE), and cruel outright blunder (MAE). The findings demonstrate that utilizing a lag of 12 months in the time series data (the maximum lag duration tested) as input predictors leads to the most accurate predictions in terms of performance. However, the prediction performance of the two algorithms used was almost similar (RF's RMSE, MAE, and R2 were 0.237, 0.180, and 0.836, while for SVM were 0.223, 0.171, and 0.856). The capacity to anticipate wind speed constitutes a paramount advantage to Iraq, given its current predicament in the electric power industry, and this has the potential to enable stakeholders to forecast oversupply or undersupply and implement pre-emptive measures.

Assessing the Influence of Service and Government Performance on Public Satisfaction

This study aims to analyze the influence of government and service performance on customer satisfaction. This study is crucial because it presents a new and previously neglected viewpoint in academic circles by highlighting the importance of efficient service delivery and effective government performance in improving consumer satisfaction using a random sampling technique. These findings have significant relevance for the Abu Dhabi Police Department, as they emphasize the imperative of ongoing progress in police services to not just meet, but beyond, public expectations. The findings of this study are based on the assumption that enhancing police service performance is essential for attaining long-term organizational objectives and cultivating a more robust rapport with the public. This is consistent with the overarching goal of the Abu Dhabi Police Department to uphold public safety while maintaining the provision of top-notch services; the findings present substantial practical and theoretical consequences. Essentially, it offers a structure for the Abu Dhabi Police Department to increase its approaches to providing services, consequently enhancing the way the public perceives and feels about their services. In theory, this enhances the current literature by presenting a novel model that can serve as a standard for future research in this domain. Although this research has made valuable contributions, it also recognizes specific limitations, which provide opportunities for further academic investigation. These restrictions encourage scholars to delve deeper into and broaden the literature, perhaps resulting in more extensive and nuanced insights into the connections between government performance, service quality, and consumer happiness within police agencies.

STATE REGULATION OF ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTIVITIES IN UKRAINE DURING MARTIAL LAW

Since the 1950s, corruption has been an important topic of academic investigation and continues to be relevant nowadays. Scholars, international organizations, ordinary citizens and other beneficiaries continue to pay attention to this issue, as well as to the social projects, political economics, and social implications of corruption’s expansion, economic resource allocation, the national regulator, and others. This analysis is particularly important in light of the current Russian-Ukrainian war, which has far-reaching implications, undermining national development, reducing public confidence and posing new threats to national security. Consequently, in developing effective strategies to repel the aggression of the Russian Federation, tackling corruption appears as an essential part of the multifaceted challenges. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to elucidate the complexities of the country’s legal frameworks related to anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine in the post-war context and to provide recommendations on effective anti-corruption policies. For this purpose, the following methods were used: social statistical analysis, survey analysis, system-structure analysis, classification and categorizing operations, deductive reasoning, abstraction, dialectical inquiry, modelling, synthesis and analysis of relevant data.

A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF HUMAN HORMONES IN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR RESEARCH: TRENDS AND INSIGHTS WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR MARKETING

The fields of consumer neuroscience, neuromarketing, human behaviour, and human hormones (such as dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins) have been widely studied. However, it is noteworthy that despite the considerable attention directed towards these domains, the phenomenon of happiness hormones in the field of marketing and consumer behaviour remains largely unexplored within academic investigations. To fill this gap, this study conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of scientific articles published on this combination (neuro*marketing OR marketing OR consumer*neuroscience OR human AND behavi*) AND (dopamine OR serotonin OR oxytocin OR endorphins OR happy AND hormo*). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) system and VOSviewer software were used to select and analyse articles published in the Scopus database between January 2012 and December 2022. The analysis included 218 articles from various subject areas, including neuroscience, psychology, multidisciplinary studies, art and humanities, and social sciences. The results show an increasing number of publications over the years, with the United States being the leading country in terms of publication output, with 116 articles and 5920 citations. Influential authors, such as Jacob S., were identified, along with highly cited articles and keywords related to human behaviour and hormones, including "dopamine", "serotonin", "testosterone", "oxytocin", "depression", "stress", "motivation", "behaviour" and "anxiety". PLoS One was identified as the most productive journal (20 articles and 372 citations). This is the first study to provide a bibliometric analysis of the current state of research in consumer neuroscience, neuromarketing, human behaviour and human hormones, and to suggest directions for future research in the field.

HISTORY, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE: A REVIEW ARTICLE

This literature review of a number of most cited Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) articles and a number other works delves into the interconnection between history and the discipline of International Relations (IR), with a focus on the Ottoman Empire. The connection between history and IR has been the subject of extensive academic investigation and discussion, as past events and processes have considerably impacted the theoretical and conceptual basis of IR. The study of IR has undergone significant transformations over time, with an increasing acknowledgement of the role of history in shaping the discipline's advancement. Consequently, many scholars have investigated how historical events have impacted IR theory and practice. This review article aims to explore the interaction between history and IR, using the Ottoman Empire as a case study. The Ottoman Empire is a valuable case for examining the relationship between history and IR since it was one of the most influential empires in world history, significantly shaping international politics during its time. Its legacy continues to impact contemporary debates on issues such as nationalism, sovereignty, and state-building. Overall, this review article aims to contribute to a better understanding of the intricate relationship between history and IR and points at the potential for further dialogue between the two fields.

Exploring the Tourism, Neuro-tourism, and Hospitality Nexus: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis

Despite the considerable attention toward tourism and hospitality, neuro-tourism remains largely unexplored within academic investigations. This study is designed to provide bibliometric analysis in tourism, neuro-tourism, and hospitality research using VOSviewer to fill the gap. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework to select relevant papers on the Scopus database between January 2009 and July 2023. Analyzing 971 papers revealed that the UK is the top country in publication (289 papers and 11,391 citations), while Italy was the lowest country on the list (42 papers and 4651 citations). Buhalis, D., was identified as the most influential author, with 18 papers and the highest-cited papers (1833 citations). Furthermore, the strongest pair authors correlation was between Okumus, F. and Rahimi, R., with 468 links, highlighting a significant degree of connection between their respective references. Keywords related to tourism, neuro-tourism, and hospitality include "halal tourism," "urban tourism," "rural tourism," "food tourism," "Islamic hospitality," "hospitality ecosystem," and "neuroscience." “International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management” was the most productive journal (96 papers and 4,312 citations). Furthermore, this journal published the most-cited paper, "An assessment of the use of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) in hospitality research,” with 687 citations. This is the first study to conduct the bibliometric analysis of tourism, neuro-tourism, and hospitality research; therefore, it will lead to more publications on related subjects by directing the researchers to less studied fields such as neuro-tourism. Additionally, scholarly collaborations may improve the depth of this research.

Guest Editors’ Introduction

The intention of this special issue of Sports Innovation Journal is to support academic discourse regarding engaged learning practices in sport, tourism, and live entertainment education. As a result, this work encourages thought and dialogue related to innovative practices, academic investigation, and conversations around both theory and practice to better serve all students and move these fields forward.

The Formation of National Pride in The People of Central Asia: An Academic Perspective

Objectives: The primary objective of this article is to comprehensively explore the formation of national pride in Central Asian people. The focus is on academic investigation, aiming to uncover the historical, cultural, and socio-political contexts that have played pivotal roles in shaping the development of national identity and pride within this region. The article aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted factors influencing Central Asians' sense of pride.
 
 Methods: To achieve the stated objectives, the study employs a methodological approach that involves delving into various dimensions of Central Asian history and culture. Methodologies include examining language dynamics, religious influences, the impact of colonial legacies, the significance of cultural heritage, and the role of political movements. By employing a multidimensional analysis, the article aims to capture the complex interplay of factors contributing to the formation of national pride.
 
 Results: The results of this study present a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the characteristics that have contributed to the formation of national pride in Central Asian people. The examination of historical, cultural, and socio-political factors provides valuable insights into the intricate dynamics shaping the region's sense of identity. The results highlight the multifaceted nature of Central Asian national pride, acknowledging the diverse influences that have played roles in its development.
 
 Conclusion: In conclusion, the article synthesizes the findings by underlining the significance of understanding the complexities surrounding the formation of national pride in Central Asian people. The multifaceted factors explored, including language, religion, colonial legacy, cultural heritage, and political movements, collectively contribute to the intricate tapestry of Central Asian identity. The conclusion emphasizes the need for a holistic and context-aware perspective when analyzing national pride, recognizing its dynamic nature and the interplay of diverse influences within Central Asia. Overall, the article contributes to the academic discourse on identity formation and national pride in the region.

Tourist prosocial behavior: scale development and its role between tourist destination social exclusion and wellbeing

Prosocial behavior plays an important role in promoting a sustainable and inclusive society. However, the academic investigations regarding tourist prosocial behavior have been limited and ambiguous. This research aimed to develop the measurement instruments to measure tourist prosocial behavior. Through a mixed methods approach across four different studies, this research established a 27-item, six-dimensional measurement scale of tourist prosocial behavior. Using the proposed scale, this study examined the relationship between social exclusion, tourist prosocial behavior, and tourist well-being to assess the nomological validity. This research extends the current knowledge of prosocial behaviors by defining tourist prosocial behavior and examining its dimensionality. It also provides practical insights related to destination marketing and interventions to promote tourist prosocial behavior.

Progress on Electro-Enhancement of Cell Manufacturing.

With the long persistence of complex, chronic diseases in society, there is increasing motivation to develop cells as living medicine to treat diseases ranging from cancer to wounds. While cell therapies can significantly impact healthcare, the shortage of starter cells meant that considerable raw materials must be channeled solely for cell expansion, leading to expensive products with long manufacturing time which can prevent accessibility by patients who either cannot afford the treatment or have highly aggressive diseases and cannot wait that long. Over the last three decades, there has been increasing knowledge on the effects of electrical modulation on proliferation, but to the best of the knowledge, none of these studies went beyond how electro-control of cell proliferation may be extended to enhance industrial scale cell manufacturing. Here, this review is started by discussing the importance of maximizing cell yield during manufacturing before comparing strategies spanning biomolecular/chemical/physical to modulate cell proliferation. Next, the authors describe how factors governing invasive and non-invasive electrical stimulation (ES) including capacitive coupling electric field may be modified to boost cell manufacturing. This review concludes by describing what needs to be urgently performed to bridge the gap between academic investigation of ES to industrial applications.

“So That No Citizen Is Punished Unreasonably”: The KGB Concept of Profilaktika as a Tool for Suppressing Soviet Society, 1954–1991

Since the mid-1950s, the Soviet Committee for State Security (KGB) developed the concept of profilaktika, aimed to ideologically discipline the masses and prevent them from aligning with the “malicious West” through “gentle,” supposedly nonantagonizing modes of coercion. Based on newly discovered Soviet primary sources, this article describes the intellectual and organizational efforts of the KGB Moscow headquarters to breathe life into this society-designing tool, as well as the actual inability to implement it successfully, demonstrated by the organization’s field structures. It is argued that, faced with growing popular unrest triggered by the deepening crisis of the entire Soviet system, these structures imitated the fruitful use of profilaktika’s “soft” methods, in fact widely practicing, without reporting, classic brutal suppression. The article discusses the possible relevance of this phenomenon in Putin’s Russia and other nondemocratic countries and suggests its further academic investigation.

The role of nurses in recruiting Filipino, Korean, and Hispanic/Latino participants to preclinical Alzheimer’s disease trials.

AbstractBackgroundThe factors that influence clinical trial participation in the Filipino, Korean and Hispanic/Latino communities remain poorly understood. Nurses are well positioned to play a dynamic role in the recruitment of underrepresented communities to preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) trials. This study used a community‐based nursing partnership model to gain insights into whether and how nurses serve as key gatekeepers within these communities.MethodSixty in‐depth stakeholder interviews were conducted with 20 Hispanic/Latino, 20 Filipino, and 20 Korean American nurses via Zoom. Nurses were recruited through a unique collaboration between community‐based Filipino, Korean and Hispanic/Latino professional nursing organizations and academic investigators. A semi‐structured interview guide was used to collect sociodemographic information and to assess nurses’ research attitudes and perspectives regarding the recruitment of underrepresented community members to AD preclinical trials.ResultOverall, 63% of nurses had >20 years of clinical practice experience, 93% had a bachelors or graduate degree, 75% were fully employed, 14% were part‐time employed, 12% were retired, and 72% knew someone with a diagnosis of AD. Most Filipino (90%) and Korean (90%) nurses were not born in the US, as compared to Hispanic/Latino nurses (25%). Emergent themes were identified including the role of nurses as a (1) trusted source of health information, (2) patient advocate and community educator, and (3) liaison connecting key community stakeholders to AD trials. Commonalities in perspectives among the nursing groups about community members’ participation in trials included the role of familism in decision‐making, the need for strong family support, and reliance on family members, such as adult children, to communicate important health information. A notable difference between the nursing groups was that Hispanic/Latino nurses more often communicated in a non‐English (Spanish) language with patients as compared to Filipino and Korean nurses. All nursing groups, on average, exhibited positive attitudes towards research.ConclusionOur findings suggest that nurses can serve as a valuable vehicle for improving recruitment to preclinical AD clinical trials. Nurses are well positioned to engage with the community and provide culturally tailored patient, family, and community education.

Preface

The 2023 3rd International Conference on Mechatronics Technology and Aerospace Engineering (ICMTAE 2023) took place in Nanchang, China from September 15th to 17th, 2023, with the attendance of about 120 people. The main goal was to bring together scientists, researchers and developers engaged in mechatronics technology and aerospace engineering to bridge the gap between research needs and advanced technological solutions.ICMTAE 2023 focused on research areas such as Aerospace Structures, Aircraft Flight Dynamics, Precision Plastic Forming and Equipment Technology, Spacecraft Thermal Control Technology, Satellite Remote Sensing Technology, etc. The Conference provided an opportunity for researchers and related personnel to present their recent theoretical developments as well as practical applications, discuss unsolved problems, and find solutions to them. And it fostered research and development in mechatronics technology and aerospace engineering.The Program of the Conference was divided into three parts. First day of the Conference was devoted to registration for all the participants. The second day was mainly focused on keynote speeches, oral and poster presentations, as well as free discussion, etc. Academic investigation took place during the third day of the Conference.We would like to highlight the main developments presented at the Conference and introduce the prominent speakers. The keynote speakers of the Conference are Prof. David Doermann (University at Buffalo, US), Prof. Shaojiang Dong (Chongqing Jiaotong University, China), Prof. Baochang Zhang (Beihang University, China), Assoc. Prof. Liping Tang (Southwest Petroleum University, China), Prof. Shaojian Zhang (Nanchang University, China), Prof. Alam Md Mahbub (Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), China), respectively. They shared remarkable academic achievements in fields related to mechatronics technology and aerospace engineering, and discussed critical challenges and research directions within these domains, triggering heated discussion during the Conference and even in the break.In the final foreword, we would like to thank the members of Technical Program Committee and those of Organizing Committee for giving such a great opportunity for all of us to share scientific ideas and new developments at the Conference. Last but not the least, our special acknowledgement also goes to the editors and staff of Journal of physics: Conference Series, for their kindness and assistance in publishing this Conference Proceedings.The Committee of ICMTAE 2023List of Committee Member are available in this pdf.

A Study On Job Satisfaction Of Nurses In Private Hospitals Chennai.

Employee job satisfaction has been under academic and scholarly investigation by the researchers for more than a century now. The existence of such studies takes us back to 1911, when Taylor began to study employees and their job duties to develop better ways to train workers. Seven years later, the interest in job satisfaction had clearly arrived when Edward Thorndike examined the link between work and satisfaction in the Journal of Applied Psychology in 1918. The actual curiosity in exploring job satisfaction began with 'Hawthorne studies' by Elton Mayo (1933) and works by Hoppock (1935). Although, these two studies were carried out at the same time yet the Hawthorne studies (1927-33) had the most long lasting influence on job satisfaction research

Factors Impacting Art Major Postgraduate Students’ Academic Engagement in Online Learning at the University of Chengndu China

Background and Aim: Amidst China's swift embrace of e-learning, this study delves into the interplay between quality management, e-learning, and academic investigation in higher education. It aims to identify strategies blending academic research, institutional growth, and practical enhancement for optimal educational quality. By addressing the myriad elements affecting e-learning quality, this research offers insights for educational stakeholders, promoting enlightened quality management in modern digital education. Research Method: A survey targeting students, educators, and administrators will quantitatively gauge e-learning quality perceptions and the influence of academic research. Additionally, detailed interviews with a subset of respondents will shed light on their e-learning quality governance experiences. The 425 participants are from Chengdu University and Chengdu Normal University, engaged in online learning in 2021-2022. Results: Students' online engagement inefficiencies arise from distractions like mobile phones, subpar materials, and familial disruptions. Online learning presents challenges for college students, such as tracking progress and teacher-student interaction. The shift from traditional teaching due to the epidemic has introduced hurdles like diminished focus, limited instant communication, and eye strain. Conclusion: The University of Chengdu's study on factors impacting art major postgraduate students' online learning engagement offers valuable insights for enhancing online education during the pandemic, underlining crucial areas requiring attention and development to ensure a successful transition while upholding instructional standards.

Integrating Artificial Intelligence Into Legal Education In Nigeria: Navigating The New Frontier For The Judicial System

The advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution made it essential to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into a number of areas, including the domain of legal education. This chapter offers a thorough analysis of the potential and difficulties linked to the incorporation of artificial intelligence into Nigeria's legal education system. Using qualitative techniques, the study explores how artificial intelligence (AI) might improve the teaching methods and professional skills of law students in order to prepare them for a future where technology plays a significant role. The paper highlights the disparity between existing curricular frameworks and the changing requirements of legal practice in a global context affected by artificial intelligence. Based on the combination of legal teaching methods and technological progress, the paper recommends a systematic approach to improving the curriculum, developing faculty, and enhancing infrastructure in order to promote AI literacy in legal education. The scope of the study, although centred on Nigeria, provides insights that can be applied globally. However, it recognises the constraints imposed by limited infrastructure and resource availability. The study's assertions are backed by a thorough examination of existing research, which highlights the importance of reform. The paper concludes by providing policy recommendations that serve as the basis for future academic investigations. It identifies specific topics for further research in order to match legal education with the advancing role of artificial intelligence (AI).

Preventing Disruptive Behavior in Elementary School Students: An Academic Investigation from a Multicultural Islamic Education Lens

The objective of this study is to identify strategies for enhancing the social development of children within inclusive educational settings. The present study employs a qualitative research design and adopts a phenomenological framework. The study was conducted in SD Muhammadiyah 3, Ikrom Wage Sidoarjo, with a sample size of five individuals who were chosen as participants. The data collection process involved the utilisation of in-depth interviews and observation techniques, which were subsequently followed by data reduction and data display procedures. Subsequently, the data underwent analysis by the method of triangulation. The present study yielded the subsequent findings: The term "character" refers to the attributes, traits, and qualities that define an individual's personality and behaviour. It encompasses a The social attributes of pupils at SD Muhammadiyah 3 Ikrom were enhanced, encompassing virtues such as honesty, civility, social responsibility, tolerance, democracy, and justice. The process of enhancing character development is implemented for all students, especially those who possess exceptional requirements. The implementation of multicultural education is accomplished through two primary methods: firstly, by incorporating it into the curriculum across many disciplines taught in the classroom, and secondly, by fostering a school environment that embraces and upholds the principles and values of multicultural education. The process of integrating subjects is facilitated with the active participation of educators who have received specialised training. Educators receive periodic training sessions focused on strategies and approaches for instructing students with exceptionalities. In the context of educational institutions, the process of school acculturation is often implemented during the initial orientation phase for incoming students. During student orientation, it is crucial to prioritise the instruction of habits and fostering a sense of acceptance towards individuals with diverse backgrounds.

Priorities for Advancements in Neuroimaging in the Diagnostic Workup of Acute Stroke.

STAIR XII (12th Stroke Treatment Academy Industry Roundtable) included a workshop to discuss the priorities for advancements in neuroimaging in the diagnostic workup of acute ischemic stroke. The workshop brought together representatives from academia, industry, and government. The participants identified 10 critical areas of priority for the advancement of acute stroke imaging. These include enhancing imaging capabilities at primary and comprehensive stroke centers, refining the analysis and characterization of clots, establishing imaging criteria that can predict the response to reperfusion, optimizing the Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scale, predicting first-pass reperfusion outcomes, improving imaging techniques post-reperfusion therapy, detecting early ischemia on noncontrast computed tomography, enhancing cone beam computed tomography, advancing mobile stroke units, and leveraging high-resolution vessel wall imaging to gain deeper insights into pathology. Imaging in acute ischemic stroke treatment has advanced significantly, but important challenges remain that need to be addressed. A combined effort from academic investigators, industry, and regulators is needed to improve imaging technologies and, ultimately, patient outcomes.

Preface

This Proceedings presents the written contributions of the participants of 2023 3rd International Conference on Computer, Remote Sensing and Aerospace (CRSA 2023) which took place in the form of virtual conference on ZOOM during July 14th to 16th, 2023 in Osaka, Japan. This was the third version of the annual meetings that began in 2021.The three-day scientific program of the CRSA 2023 consisted of keynote speeches, oral presentations, poster presentations and academic investigation with the participation of delegates from China, Japan, UK, USA, India, Algeria, Morocco, Malaysia, among others. Moreover, the objective of CRSA 2023 was to bring together national and international researchers in order to establish a network of scientific cooperation with a global impact in the areas of computer, remote sensing and aerospace; to promote the exchange of creative ideas and the effective transfer of scientific knowledge, from fundamental research to innovation applied to Internet and aerospace solutions and to advance in the development of new research by means of efficient transference of the knowledge between sectors academia and industry.At the keynote speech part of the Conference, one of our keynote speakers Danilo Vasconcellos Vargas (Kyushu University, Japan) made an address on Adversarial Machine Learning: Is Deep Learning Intelligent? He is currently an Associate Professor at Kyushu University, Visiting Researcher at the University of Tokyo and CEO & Founder of MiraiX. His research interests cover Artificial Intelligence (AI), evolutionary computation, complex adaptive systems, interdisciplinary studies involving or using an AI’s perspective and AI applications. Many of his works were published in prestigious journals such as Evolutionary Computation (MIT Press), IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation and IEEE Transactions of Neural Networks and Learning Systems with press coverage in news magazines such as BBC news. The speakers’ brilliant speeches made the attendees feel like bathing in a feast of knowledge.The Proceedings consists of about 30 contributions that were presented as speeches or presentations at the Conference or as publications in the paper volume. All papers published in this volume of Journal of Physics: Conference Series have been peer reviewed through processes administered by the Proceedings Editors. Reviews were conducted by expert referees to the professional and scientific standards expected of the proceedings journal.The topics of papers collected in this volume cover but are not limited to: High Performance Computing, Neural Networks, Geographic Information System, Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics, Manned / Unmanned Aviation, etc.We would like to thank the members of reviewers for their kind assistance in reviewing the papers. We would also extend our best gratitude to the keynote speakers for their invaluable contribution and worthwhile ideas shared in the Conference. Special acknowledgements go to the editors and staff of the Journal of Physics: Conference Series for their hard work in making this volume published.We hope that the series conference of CRSA will be even greater than ever before in the future!The Committee of CRSA 2023List of Committee Member is available in this pdf.

Motherhood Gap and Employer Discrimination. A Qualitative Investigation in the German Context

Abstract Background Motherhood penalty has often been considered the base for the wage gap and the glass ceiling phenomena. It represents a delicate topic in gender equality since its effects tend to persist over medium to long time periods and its validity holds in most countries. The study has been designed to investigate the specific contribution of employer discrimination to the overall motherhood penalty in socioeconomic contexts characterized by the archetype of the “male breadwinner model”, which has been further exacerbated by the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Methods The employer discrimination phenomenon has often been treated as a black box, since longitudinal data and panel regression modelling were unsuitable to assess the magnitude of the effect of this variable on the overall motherhood penalty. For this study, we addressed this gap by focusing on employer discrimination in the specific context of Germany. The work is based on data generated from a survey conducted among 2,130 working mothers and it is presented as a qualitative content analysis. Results Our qualitative angle on the employer discrimination phenomenon confirmed previous quantitative investigations. Firstly, the employer attitude toward working mothers conformed to the “second shift” hypothesis, with highly skilled mothers in managerial roles in particular experiencing the largest motherhood gap in our sample. Secondly, we found confirmation for the theory of human capital, with working mothers seeing their career progression come to a halt or temporary slowdown, and pending salary increases not implemented as originally planned. Finally, we found employer discrimination taking various forms, the most frequent being a mismatch between skills level of the working mothers and the suggested new role post parental leave. Conclusion Our study confirms the previous academic investigations on the topic discussing the antecedents of the motherhood gap, namely the “second shift” hypothesis and the work-effort hypothesis. Ultimately, employers seem to trigger, voluntarily or not, certain career choices for working mothers (e.g., “mother-friendly” arrangements) which cause the motherhood gap to increase, and thus further reinforce the traditional male breadwinner model.