Academic Profession Research Articles

Measuring palatability of pet food products: Sensory components, evaluations, challenges, and opportunities.

The pet food industry is a growing business launching a variety of new products in the market. The acceptability or preference of pet food samples has traditionally been measured using either one-bowl or two-bowl tests. Academic researchers and professionals in the pet food industry have explored other methods, including the cognitive palatability assessment protocols and the ranking test, to evaluate more than two samples. A variety of approaches and perspectives were also utilized to predict palatability and key sensory attributes of pet foods, including descriptive sensory analysis by human-trained panelists and pet food caregivers' perceptions of pet food. This review article examined a range of testing methods for evaluating the palatability of pet foods, specifically targeting products for dogs and/or cats. It outlined the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Additionally, the review provided in-depth insights into the key sensory attributes of pet foods and the methodologies for assessing palatability. It also explored pets' behavioral responses and facial expressions in relation to different pet foods. Furthermore, this review discussed current challenges and future opportunities in pet food development, including the use of instrumental analyses and artificial intelligence-based approaches.

How much digital public health is taught in German public health programs? A qualitative analysis

Abstract Background Digital public health (DiPH) professionals are crucial for a successful digital transformation in social and health care. However, the extent to which academic professionals are taught DiPH-related content in their public health studies in Germany remains unclear. Methods We used a systematic module handbook analysis to assess accredited full-time public health-oriented degree programs at German Universities for DiPH-related modules. Programs were identified through the Hochschulkompass platform and among the German Public Health Association member programs. We used MAXQDA for the content analysis of the included module handbooks. Results We identified 79 public health programs. Of these, 10 Bachelor’s and 6 Master’s offered at least one DiPH module, all being highly heterogeneous in their overall addressed public health subfields. Regarding DiPH, 6 programs lectured on the ethics of digitalizing health and data protection, 5 programs each offered modules on DiPH in health policy, on data science in healthcare and software used for eHealth, or on the digital determinants of health. 4 programs each included modules on digital health promotion and alternative evaluation methods. 3 programs each addressed digital science communication and health technology assessment. Finally, 2 programs had modules on digital epidemiology. We found differences between the common understanding of DiPH in academia and the content in the module handbooks. The content identified in the analysis focused mainly on technical areas. Social and health science content was only marginally present. Conclusions The diverse DiPH study programs allow academic public health specialists in Germany to develop specific profiles. There is a need for further development of modules with relevance to the respective degree program to achieve comprehensive competencies in DiPH. We encourage the uptake of our analysis to develop a core curriculum in DiPH among European public health programs. Key messages • Digitalization affects all areas of life, including healthcare systems and public health. Preparing the future workforce already during their training is crucial to enable them to lead the change. • German public health programs are not fit to prepare students for their professions. Developing DiPH curricula with pre-defined and updated competencies will strengthen programs in Germany and beyond.

Cooling and Lubricating Strategies for INCONEL® Alloys Machining: A Comprehensive Review on Recent Advances

Abstract INCONEL® alloys are Ni-based superalloys with superior mechanical properties for extremely high temperature (T) applications. These alloys present significant challenges: they are difficult-to-cut materials due to the low thermal conductivity (k), severe work hardening and elevated surface hardness. They are widely used in applications that require good dimensional stability; however, built-up edge (BUE) followed by premature Tool Wear (TW) are the most common problems when applying conventional machining (CM) and hybrid machining processes, i.e. Additive Manufacturing (AM) followed by milling, resulting in a meagre final product finishing. Regarding cooling/lubricating environments, a miscellanea of methods can effectively be applied to INCONEL® alloys, depending on their advantages and disadvantages. It is imperative to refine the machining parameters to enhance the performance outcomes of the process, particularly concerning the quality and cost-effectiveness of the product. This current review intends to offer a systematic summary and analysis of the progress taken within the field of INCONEL® CM and the various cooling/lubricating methods over the past decade, filling a gap found in the literature in this field of knowledge. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach was employed in this study, aiming to identify pertinent papers within the cooling and lubricating strategies for INCONEL® alloys machining. The most recent solutions found in the industry and the prospects from researchers will be presented, providing significant insights for academic researchers and industry professionals. It was found that selecting cooling methods for INCONEL® machining requires careful consideration of various factors. Each lubrication environment utilized in traditional INCONEL® machining methods offer unique advantages and challenges regarding the different outcomes: TW, Tool-Life (TL) and/or surface quality assessment; nevertheless, cryogenic cooling by CO2(l) and N2(l) highlights as the better cooling environment to improve the machined surface quality.

Retraining professionals as STEM teachers: the potential and the challenges

ABSTRACT Israel suffers from a severe STEM teacher shortage. To mitigate it, two retraining projects were developed: one recruiting academic high-tech professionals and the other – practical engineers. This study evaluated both projects by exploring stakeholders’ perspectives and examining graduates’ retention. Applying a mixed-methods case study design, interviews were conducted with 35 graduates, 21 programme leaders and 6 school principals. Short demographic surveys were answered by 584 academic professionals and 356 practical engineers, and another 57 practical engineers answered a longer evaluation survey. The study found retention rates of 78% for academic professionals and 62% for practical engineers. To improve retention, both cohorts need better preparation in pedagogy, stronger support at school, higher wages and efficient administrative care. To realise their potential contribution, professional autonomy and principal’s support are necessary.

Exploring patient perspective: using narrative DIPEx interviews and the ICF model for interprofessional learning.

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) has been widely adopted in academic health profession education and is part of bachelor curricula since its introduction by the WHO in 2001. In this context, interprofessional exchange among health professionals from a biopsychosocial perspective has become increasingly important and is now a key part of bachelor's program curricula to learn with, about, and from each other regarding students' curiosity about interprofessional collaboration (IPC). This pilot study describes initial teaching experiences within an interprofessional elective module for health professions focused on patient-centeredness. It uses the ICF model to exemplify interprofessional exchange based on real patient experiences from the "DIPEx" database, which stands for "Database of Individual Patients' Experiences." Bachelor students from four healthcare professions learned in small interprofessional groups and selected case-related content from excerpts of real patient narratives from qualitative interviews in the DIPEx database. In a peer-to-peer process, students structured, analyzed, and reflected on selected patient experiences and presented their findings using the ICF model. Develop a shared understanding of the case from a biopsychosocial perspective using the ICF model to communicate and reflect on patient-centeredness in interprofessional groups for a common care strategy rooted in patient-centeredness. This study illustrates how the shared analysis of a patient's experience of illness can lead to different perspectives on professional concepts for practice. The ICF model serves as a guiding structure and analysis tool. The core of the IPC, patient-centeredness, becomes the focus of the collaborative actions of the health professions.

Key Factors for Student Startup Success: Insights from Higher Education Professors

The study aims to identify and analyse the key factors of student start-ups from the perspective of higher academic institution professors. Entrepreneurial students in higher education face challenges such as limited funding, scarce resources, lack of business experience and struggling to balance academic commitments with their start-up ventures. Additionally, they struggle with navigating complex business regulations and often lack access to proper networks or mentorship. This research contributes to a better understanding of how the entrepreneurial ecosystem in higher education institutions can support student start-up initiatives to succeed. For the research, a survey was conducted targeting ten experts from higher education institutions engaged with business or entrepreneurial study programmes. The research used the content validation method and descriptive statistical analysis to evaluate the responses, focusing on measures of central tendency and variability to determine the degree of consensus among respondents regarding the 36 statements provided. The study results revealed that while respondents agreed on the importance of student attitudes towards failure and self-confidence, there was strong disagreement among them regarding the belief that non-business students have a lesser chance of creating a successful startup. Also, experts suggested that entrepreneurship education should place more emphasis on the development of students' entrepreneurial mindset, which is considered to be an essential quality for the uncertain journey of entrepreneurship. Finally, the survey results indicated that networking and experiential learning are crucial for startup development. This underscores the importance of scientific debate not only on innovative funding models but also on non-financial support systems that surpass traditional educational methods in higher education environments.

The routes to intellectual authority in a prior colonial empire: continued racialised, geopolitical inequalities in the academic staff composition and employment conditions of UK universities

ABSTRACT Two problematics are exposed and explored within this paper which currently undermine the United Kingdom’s international commitments to address racial inequality and injustice: (1) the routes to national, regional, and international intellectual authority via the academic profession, particularly the assigned leadership position of full professor or ‘chair’; and (2) the effects of dysconscious data literacy, which is out of step with international mechanisms and agendas to combat racism and xenophobia. This is undertaken through a critical quantitative analysis of administrative data about the socio-demographic composition and employment conditions of academic staff in the devolved nations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Iniquitous employment conditions revealed how the social determinants of ‘race’, ‘sex’, ‘nationality’, and ‘religious belief impact academics’ access to employment and participation once employed; particularly in the discipline of Education. Shortcomings in categorisation and reporting of official data serve to obfuscate transparency and accountability about inequality.

Involution life in the ivory tower: a Chinese university’s teacher perceptions on academic profession and well-being under the Double First-class Initiative

Involution life in the ivory tower: a Chinese university’s teacher perceptions on academic profession and well-being under the Double First-class Initiative

“Geological Wonders of Italy”: The Coveted Privilege of Disseminating Geology and Geomorphology through Science Documentaries in the Marche Region

This paper proposes an unusual method for the dissemination of geological sciences and the promotion of geotourism: a scientific documentary, where a representative itinerary of geological and geomorphological evolution of the Umbria and Marche regions was presented. The considerations that led to the identification of the geological route proposed to the editorial staff of FOCUS TV are presented in detail. At each stop, there was an explanation by academic professors and researchers, mainly from the Geology Division of the University of Camerino (MC), who explained the outcrops in detail. During the episode, insights were also given into the anthropogenic frequentation of the epigean caves in Frasassi (AN), ancient places of frequentation and worship thanks to their suggestiveness and the sense of magnificence that they can elicit. In addition to the illustration of the individual stops, the article offers further insights into the geomorphology of the most important geosites depicted, all of which are in natural parks or protected areas and characterized by a high landscape value. The result was the production of an episode of the television program ‘Geological Wonders of Italy: the Marche and Umbria Regions’, which was broadcast in October 2022 by the Italian national Mediaset group.

What competencies should early childhood educators possess for the future? An expert judgement approach

IntroductionThe objective of this research was to identify and discuss the professional competencies essential for early childhood educators to effectively navigate current challenges and anticipate future ones. The study aims to contribute to the development of a competency framework tailored specifically for early childhood education.MethodsA proposed set of general teaching competencies was subjected to validation by a panel of experts, including early childhood teachers and academic professionals specializing in this field. The process involved adapting and refining these competencies to suit the early childhood education stage.ResultsExpert consultation confirmed the relevance and appropriateness of the proposed competency dimensions for early childhood educators. The experts emphasized several critical aspects, including the importance of building relationships, providing emotional support, employing nonverbal communication, and fostering family involvement. They also highlighted the significance of observation and educational documentation in the early years.DiscussionThe findings underscore the need for reflection on the specific professional competencies required for early childhood educators, which is crucial for enhancing both initial and ongoing teacher training programs. This research contributes to the ongoing dialogue about the competencies necessary for educators, emphasizing the development of teaching practices that address the unique demands of early childhood education.

Designing a model for developing local business for rural women Iran with a sustainable development approach

This study endeavors to formulate a sustainable development-oriented model for home-based businesses catering to rural women in Guilan province. Employing a qualitative-quantitative research approach, the study is practical in its objectives and relies on survey methods for data collection. The research population encompasses two main groups: the first group involves academic professionals, scholars, and managers or experts from provincial organizations dedicated to employment and women’s issues, while the second group comprises 274 purposefully sampled individuals, including owners, managers, and women affiliated with micro-credit funds in Guilan province, selected through the snowball technique. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data, and the Smart-PLS software package utilized the partial least squares (PLS) technique for advanced multivariate analysis in structural equation modeling. Evaluation of the home-based business development model for rural women, based on the coefficients of the direct path, reveals that educational (β = 0.112), social (β = 0.232), economic (β = 0.274), and policymaking (β = 0.381) variables significantly influence the sustainable development of home-based businesses (P < 0.05). Notably, the policymaking variable exerts the most substantial impact. Furthermore, the model designed for sustainable development can account for 71 percent of the variance in the dependent variable. It is recommended that the government should allocate financial resources specifically for rural women house-based businesses and policies should prioritize and actively support home-based businesses, recognizing their significant impact on rural women's economic development.

Sexual dissidence and women’s citizenship: the cases of early twentieth-century Spain and Greece

ABSTRACT This essay examines depictions of modernity in two novels from the peripheral European nations of Spain and Greece through the lens of lesbian sociability. I am interested in the social anxieties that stem from positioning the figure of the homosexual woman in the frame of historical and ideological unrest. I showcase the novels Zezé (Ángeles Vicente, 1909) and Η ϵρωμένη της (The Two Lovers, Dora Rosetti, 1929). In the context of major debacles (Spain,1898; Greece, 1922), the protagonists of the novels make apparent the changes dissident sexuality triggers in the social realm, from culture to economy and the constitution of the labor force, from family to political participation. Using sapphic desire as her vantage point, Vicente examines women's presence in entertainment and traveling, while Rosetti accounts for the academic advancement and professionalization of lesbians in the sciences and the industrial sector. The texts challenge common assumptions of belonging, for their protagonists physically separate from the national body to test and taste the full extension of their freedom. Both Vicente and Rosetti defy social institutions such as marriage and reproduction, and obliquely reveal the deep connections between intimacy among lesbians and the history of modernization in leisure, traveling, and immigration.

Comparing Sino-Nordic systems of higher education: ideology, institutional logics, subaltern governance, and emergent identities

ABSTRACT China is a key player in global science. Collaboration between Chinese and Western universities is critical for enhancing global networks of research and innovation. However, the potential for cooperative outcomes is currently limited by obstacles to collaboration. At the core of these challenges is the continued misunderstanding of ideology and governance between Chinese and Western higher education. Contributing to increased sub-regional understanding of higher education systems, this research provides an important Sino-Nordic comparative understanding of institutional autonomy, academic freedom, professional academic identity and organizational change. Through an empirical case-study and document analysis of macro-social ideopolitical steering logics, institutional logics, and organizational-level complexity, this research finds that within both China and the Nordics, incongruent macrosocial ideo-political steering logics deprofessionalize/politicize the academic profession through a state-driven procedural strengthening, yet substantive narrowing/weakening of institutional autonomy/academic freedom. The implications of this research should be understood within a contemporary context of limited trust and cooperation between China and the Nordics. Through a bridging view of convergent/divergent ideopolitical steering logics within respective systemic higher education contexts, and their effects on professional academic identity and agentic change, increased understanding of respective HE systems may provide avenue for increased sub-regional academic/scientific engagement and cooperation.

Enhancing productiveness in E-commerce through machine learning: Challenges, Future Perspectives, and a MATLAB-Based Approach

The rapid growth of e-commerce has created an urgent need for more productive and efficient systems to handle the increasing complexity of online transactions and consumer behaviour. Machine Learning (ML) offers a transformative approach to enhancing productiveness in e-commerce by optimizing processes such as personalized recommendations, dynamic pricing, customer segmentation, and supply chain management. This article explores the integration of ML-driven initiatives in e-commerce, addressing key challenges such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the computational demands of large-scale ML applications. A MATLAB-based approach is proposed for developing and implementing these ML models, leveraging MATLAB’s robust toolboxes for data analysis, model training, and system simulation. Through an extensive literature review, this study highlights the current state of ML in e-commerce, identifies existing challenges, and discusses future perspectives. The introduction of ML-driven strategies not only improves operational efficiency but also enhances customer satisfaction, ultimately driving productivity in the highly competitive e-commerce landscape. The findings of this article are expected to provide valuable insights for both academic researchers and industry professionals aiming to harness the full potential of ML in e-commerce.

Conventional and digital technologies for measuring and monitoring food waste in the healthcare foodservice

ABSTRACT Monitoring and measurement are crucial activities in managing and reducing the impact of food waste. In Europe, the average food waste per person was estimated at 131 kg, with approximately 10% originating from restaurants and foodservice. Unfortunately, there is a lack of detailed information regarding food waste in hospital settings. Despite this, effective hospital food management plays a significant role in the environmental, social, and economic well-being of patients, and is closely linked to their nutrition and recovery prospects. This research examines key studies on hospital food waste management, focusing on practical implications and identifying strategies for improving sustainability in hospital foodservice through artificial intelligence technologies. It explores emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges in measuring and monitoring food waste while considering patient satisfaction and nutrition as critical factors for sustainable healthcare systems, through a semi-integrative literature review. Precisely, the amount of food waste per patient per day varies depending on the meal, with breakfast waste at about 0.08 kg, lunch waste ranging from 0.15 to 0.47 kg, and dinner waste between 0.11 and 0.48 kg, with the highest values recorded for lunch. Furthermore, considering the imperative to improve data precision, this study introduces current solutions that integrate artificial intelligence, 3D scanners, and digital scales to classify food categories, measure waste quantities, and assess the corresponding economic and environmental impacts. This research is intended for both academic and industry professionals in the foodservice sector, providing valuable insights into developing environmentally friendly strategies and achieving sustainability goals.

Children's social preference for peers engaged in brilliance-required activities: The impact of gender and race.

Women's underrepresentation in academic fields and professions emphasizing high intellectual talents persists as a prominent societal issue. To explore early antecedents of this gender imbalance, the present study investigated the developmental changes in children's social preference of boys and girls who pursue brilliance-required (vs. effort-required) activities. Importantly, we took an intersectional perspective to explore whether children consider target race in their social preference. Five- to 9-year-old U.S. children (N = 207; Mage = 7.53; 104 girls and 103 boys; 48% White) were presented with pairs of Asian, Black, and White characters matched in gender. One character was depicted as enjoying a game requiring high intellectual talents and the other enjoyed a game requiring effort. Participants were then asked to choose the character that they liked more, as an indicator of their social preference. With age, children became increasingly likely to prefer White boys and girls of color (i.e., Black and Asian girls) pursuing activities requiring brilliance (vs. activities requiring effort). In contrast, children did not develop increasing social preference for White girls or boys of color who opt in for brilliance-required activities. Our data suggest that, as early as elementary school years, children's social preference in contexts valuing sheer brilliance becomes both gendered and racialized. These findings highlight the importance of using an intersectional approach to identify the specific developmental processes that contribute to social disparities in brilliance-required contexts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Exploring the tenure track system and basic pay scale system of academic professionals working in public universities: a qualitative approach

Exploring the tenure track system and basic pay scale system of academic professionals working in public universities: a qualitative approach

Mediating effects of occupational self-efficacy on the relationship of authentic leadership and job engagement

Purpose(1) This research aims to identify the relationship between authentic leadership (AL) and job engagement (JE) perceived by university teachers and (2) to investigate the relationship between AL and JE by the mediation of occupational self-efficacy (OSE).Design/methodology/approachThis research is descriptive in nature, and thus, a quantitative research method is used to find the impact of AL on employee work engagement and the mediating role of employee trust and OSE. In this research, convenience sampling technique was used, a type of non-probability sampling method where the sample is taken from a group of people who are easily accessible. The sample chosen for this research comprised of 95 employees working at different universities in Bangladesh. Primary and secondary data collection methods are being used in this research. The data are collected from primary sources through questionnaires with close-ended questions.FindingsThe findings of this study support the previous studies Hassan and Ahmed (2011) indicate that the authentic behavior of leaders promotes healthy work environment that fosters the trust level of employees. When leaders are authentic, genuine and honest toward their employees and maintain transparency in an organization, it influences and motivates employees' work engagement. Furthermore, the results are supported by Hsieh and Wang’s (2015) research, which found that the relational transparency behavior exhibited by authentic leaders influences employees' self-efficacy (SE). When a leader openly shares ideas, opinions and clearly states what is expected from them, it will increase employees’ OSE and makes them more willing to get themselves engaged.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of this study were the shortage of time constraints, due to which a quantitative method was adopted to gather the data. The sample size was comprised of 95 respondents and does not represent the entire population of Bangladesh. To analyze the data, we have used the convenience sampling technique, which does not cover every sector of Bangladesh. Moreover, employees were reluctant to provide accurate data. This study is based on the perspective of university teachers only and does not explore AL from supervisors’ perspectives. Further research is required to explore this relationship from the perspective of both supervisor and employee. The sample size should be increased to cover the other regions of Bangladesh in order to represent the population. Cultural variables may also be included for future research purposes to examine the relationship between AL and work engagement because the culture of an organization determines the leadership style of a leader.Practical implicationsDespite the recent attention from government universities to develop the performance of public sector teaching staff, scientific public management research is developing unfortunately restricted (Osborne, 2016). Moreover, the findings of this study depict the importance to understand the constructions like leaders' authenticity that lead to the promotion of confidence in their employees and, as such, an increase in their JE and performance. In managerial implication, this study has provided useful information to the management of the private and public sectors. With this information, the management will be able to know how to increase the engagement and commitment of employees. This research will help academic professionals in public and private sector universities to know how AL style positively influences employees’ engagement.Originality/valueThis is an original work with practical value.

A comprehensive perspective on local drivers in community-based health tourism industry development: a qualitative study of Mazandaran Province, Iran

BackgroundHealth tourism is an important component that may influence the direction of development in a region. Mazandarn, Iran, is recognized as a highly sustainable market in the region because of its abundant natural resources, temperate temperature, and strategic geographical location. Therefore, considering the importance of health tourism and its existing potential in Mazandaran, Iran, this study was conducted with the aim of exploring a comprehensive perspective on local drivers in community-based health tourism industry development and factors affecting the attraction of health tourism.MethodsWe conducted this study in Mazandarn, Iran, using a qualitative approach. Participants included a sample of Iranian people, aged 34–54 years, with previous history of health tourism or expert in it. Participants were selected from three different categories of the community: academic professionals in health tourism, managers in health tourism, and health tourists. Data were obtained via semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Inductive qualitative content analysis was used to converge and compare themes through participant data. The interviews kept going until data saturation was achieved.ResultsBased on our findings, we distilled local drivers in community-based health tourism industry development into five main categories and 30 subcategories: (Sharifabadi AM, Ardakani FA. A model for health tourism development using fuzzy TOPSIS and interpretive structural modeling in Yazd province. J Health Adm (JHA). 2014;17:55.) infrastructure and resources; (Hemmati F, Dabbaghi F, Mahmoudi G. Investigating the impact of Information Technology on the status of Health Tourism in Mashhad, Iran. Revista Publicando. 2018;5(15):54–65.) tourist attractions; (Sarabi Asiabar A, Rezapour A, Raei B, Tahernezhad A, Alipour V, Behzadifar M. Economic, Cultural, and Political Requirements for Medical Tourism Development in Iran: Insights from a Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process Method. Med J Islamic Repub Iran. 2022;35:199.) socio-cultural contexts; (Mosadeghrad AM, Sadeghi M. Medical tourism: Reasons for choosing Iran. Payesh (Health Monitor). 2021;20(2):145–66.) economic-financial factors; and (Manna R, Cavallone M, Ciasullo MV, Palumbo R. Beyond the rhetoric of health tourism: shedding light on the reality of health tourism in Italy. Curr Issues Tourism. 2020;23(14):1805–19.) political-communicative factors. The findings of the study showed that, from the participants’ point of view, although there are several strategies, such as the development of public service and tourism infrastructure, increasing tourist attractions, and formulating appropriate policies and procedures for the development of health tourism, they are also faced with many challenges, especially political, economic, and cultural challenges.ConclusionThis study showed that improving infrastructure and resources, promoting tourist attractions, informing socio-cultural contexts, improving economic and financial capacity, and developing political and communicative contexts might increase the attraction of health tourists. The suggested components are not contextually driven, although empirical outcomes may differ based on the level of service offerings in health tourism locations.

ESG Rates Divergence on the Emerging Markets in the European Union

Abstract The growing emphasis on sustainability has led to a rise of ESG rating providers, but this expansion has brought challenges. ESG ratings are complex and can vary significantly between agencies, due to different scoring methods and non-standardized disclosures, making accurate assessments difficult. Moreover, investors and companies express limited confidence in the accuracy of these ratings. Regulatory developments aim to improve ESG disclosure and comparability, however, discrepancies in assessment criteria and rating methodologies persist. These aspects have led to the increasing concern of researchers from the academic field and professionals from the financial markets to identify how divergent are the ESG rates provided by various suppliers, what are the causes of this divergence, how do these influence the performance of companies and above all, how the negative effects of divergent ESG rates mitigated. Most researchers focused their attention on the aforementioned aspects on the developed financial markets from the USA or Europe, on the top companies or on the companies listed on the BRIC emerging markets. This article analyzes the divergence of ESG rates provided by three well-known rate-providers, for companies listed on emerging markets in Europe, contributing to increasing knowledge in this field.