Influence Of Ties Research Articles

Game of frames: a content analysis of politicians’ framing of public service media on Facebook and Instagram in the Czech Republic

ABSTRACT Despite the distinctive role of public service media in fostering democratic discourse and maintaining the integrity of democratic processes across European democracies, recent politicization, polarization, and increasing attacks on public media pose significant challenges to its traditional functions. This study investigates the framing of public service media by the parliamentary political parties and their leaders in digital communication, focusing on the Czech Republic as a case study within the broader European context. The study draws upon framing theory to examine frames’ content and temporal dynamics, their use across social networking sites, and the influence of political affiliations on discourse around public service media. A quantitative content analysis of Facebook and Instagram posts about public service media (n = 1,859) spanning four government terms between 2013 and 2022 revealed patterns of construction of evaluative, functional, and justifying frames by populist and government actors. These findings contribute to an understanding of the role of political discourse in shaping functions and perceptions of media environments and offer insights for safeguarding the integrity of public media in democratic societies amidst contemporary challenges.

The Influence of Affiliation to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Perceived Stress and Length of Sobriety on Recurrence of Alcohol Craving and Obsession and Relapse During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Romania

ABSTRACT While alcohol addiction is a significant social problem in Romania, there has been no research into mutual-help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of affiliation to AA, perceived stress, and length of sobriety on the recurrence of alcohol craving and obsession, and relapse during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to determine whether there are any differences between the level of AA affiliation and AA attendance before and after the pandemic began. A convenience sample of individuals suffering from alcohol addiction from Romania who attend AA meetings (n = 107, 69 men and 38 women) completed an online questionnaire in October 2020 to analyze the intricate relationship between affiliation to AA, perceived stress, and length of sobriety, and recurrence of alcohol craving and obsession and relapse, as well as to compare between the level of affiliation to AA and AA attendance before and after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate whether affiliation to AA, perceived stress, and length of sobriety had influenced the recurrence of craving and alcohol obsession and relapse during the COVID-19 pandemic. A paired samples t-test was performed to evaluate whether there were any differences between the level of AA affiliation and AA attendance before and after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Results indicated that affiliation to AA 12 months before the COVID-19 pandemic started (AAA), perceived stress in the last 9 months since the COVID-19 pandemic started (PSS) and length of sobriety are predictors of both relapse (together the three predictors accounted for 89.7% of the variance in relapse) and recurrence of alcohol craving and obsession during the COVID-19 pandemic (together the three predictors accounted for 81.3% of the variance in recurrence of alcohol craving and obsession). Surprisingly, the length of sobriety was found to be a significant predictor over and above AAA in the past 12 months before the COVID-19 pandemic started in both regression models. In addition, the level of AA affiliation and AA attendance after the COVID-19 pandemic started decreased compared to the level of AA affiliation and AA attendance before the COVID-19 pandemic began, with a very small effect size, respectively with a small effect size. The findings suggest that those working in the area of substance abuse should pay more attention to the influence of affiliation to AA and perceived stress in attaining and maintaining sobriety, as well as to the length of sobriety in maintaining abstinence, as these appear to play an important role in avoiding both recurrence of craving and alcohol obsession, and relapse during times of distress.

Industry affiliation influence on randomized controlled trials for platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis: a systematic review

BackgroundExplicit funding and industry affiliation is believed to potentially impact medical research. There’ve been an increasing number of studies that have evaluated this relationship. The purpose of this study is to determine whether industry affiliation influences the outcomes of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigate the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. Study DesignSystematic Review. Economic/Decision Analysis. MethodsA search of PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and SCOPUS was performed using the search terms “lateral epicondylitis” and “platelet-rich plasma” as well as “tennis elbow” and “platelet-rich plasma.” Only studies from 2010-present were considered. Final texts were then analyzed for industry affiliation and treatment efficacy. When determining whether a study was industry affiliated, explicit financial supporters of the study, stated conflict of interests, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) disclosures, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) open payments database were assessed. Study outcomes were categorized as favorable, analogous, or unfavorable based on achieving a statically significant (p < 0.05) comparing PRP vs control. ResultsA total of 26 studies were used. Of these, 20 were industry nonaffiliated and 6 were industry affiliated. There were 15 studies (2 affiliated and 13 nonaffiliated) that reported PRP as favorable compared to the comparison (corticosteroid, analogous whole blood, or normal saline). The endpoints were 6 and 12 months after usage of PRP or the comparison. Quantitative data analysis yielded results that weren’t statistically significant between industry nonaffiliated and affiliated groups. The p-values for 6-month VAS, 12-month VAS, 6-month DASH, 12-month DASH, 6-month PRTEE, and 12-month PRTEE were 0.577, 0.635, 0.554, 0.465, 0.273, and 0.157, respectively. ConclusionDespite our results indicating that industry affiliation doesn’t have an impact on outcomes of RCT’s examining the treatment of lateral epicondylitis with PRP, it’s important for future studies to evaluate affiliations when making treatment recommendations.

Factors Influencing Voting Decisions: Comprehensive Study in Badhan, Eyl, and Qardho Districts of Puntland State of Somalia

This study assessed the factors influencing voting decisions in the Puntland state of Somalia. A quantitative research approach was used in this study. The study was guided by three objectives, which included, a) To find out factors influencing voting decisions in Puntland democratic elections, b) To assess the role of clan elders in the voting decisions in Puntland democratic elections, and c) To assess if there are significant relationships between money and voting decisions in Puntland democratic elections. A detailed literature review and a standardized questionnaire were used in data collection. The study contacted 382 respondents who consisted of registered voters in the Qardho, Badhan, and Eyl districts, the data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The study assesses different variables to determine the factors affecting voting decisions including personality traits, political ideology, tribe, media, political parties, and candidate characteristics. A significant majority of respondents (88.48%), acknowledged that a candidate’s personality traits played a role in influencing their voting decision. Similarly, when queried about the role of political ideology in their voting decisions, most respondents (88.40%) agreed. Regarding the influence of tribal affiliations on voting decisions, a considerable proportion of respondents (72.51%) admitted that tribe played a significant role. Respondents were also asked about the involvement of clan elders in directing their voting choices, with a noteworthy 88.74% stating that their clan elders did not instruct them to support a specific political party. Furthermore, all respondents (100%) affirmed that they had not accepted money in exchange for their votes. This suggests that financial factors did not directly influence the voting decisions of respondents. However, a majority (60.99%) reported that they had either witnessed or heard of instances where money was exchanged for votes during elections in Puntland. This indicates that while respondents themselves were not personally affected by vote buying, they were aware of its prevalence in the electoral process. The study recommends that transparency in political funding, strengthening independency media, enhancing civil engagement, combating vote buying, and promoting inclusivity and diversity are necessary for shaping the democratic process in Puntland as well as improving voting decisions

Doxing, political affiliation, and type of information: Effects on suspicion, perceived similarity, and hiring-related judgments.

Researchers have begun to focus on the influence of political affiliation in organizations. In this context, we investigated how doxing (i.e., using social media to post information online with malintent) influences hiring-related decisions. Based on the integration of a political affiliation and state suspicion model, we investigated how a dox containing different types of information (affirming a political party affiliation vs. providing derogatory/negative information about an opposing party) and political party affiliation similarity influenced hiring-related perceptions of job applicants. Given doxing's characteristics, we expanded the "decision space" to include effects about expected organizational image and expected retaliation. In Study 1, we found that the type of information and party similarity influenced suspicion of the applicant and perceived similarity with the applicant, whereas doxing only influenced suspicion. In turn, suspicion and perceived similarity predicted expected task performance and organizational image, and exploratory analyses suggested an interactive effect of these variables. Suspicion also predicted expected retaliation from individuals outside the organization. In Study 2, we confirmed that doxing was related to suspicion as well as the interactive effect of information type and party similarity. We explain that interaction using the notion of symbolic threat. In both studies, the effects of type of information and party similarity were pervasive. Our results support the similarity-attraction paradigm and a model of political affiliation. Expanding relevant theories to include suspicion helps better understand politically related judgments and the additional outcomes of expected organizational image and retaliation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Unveiling the veil: A critical analysis of news coverage in Sri Lankan print media

Media plays a fundamental role in shaping public opinion and discourse, with print media serving as a primary source of news and information worldwide. This research critically analyzes news coverage within the print media landscape of Sri Lanka, a country marked by diverse socio-political complexities. Through in-depth interviews with journalists, editors, media analysts, and academics, the study examines media bias, agenda setting, framing of conflict and ethnic issues, representation of minorities, and the influence of political affiliations and ownership structures. Thematic analysis reveals pervasive biases, selective reporting, and challenges in equitable representation. The findings underscore the pivotal role of the media in shaping public perception and discourse, while highlighting the imperative of upholding journalistic ethics and professionalism. Addressing these challenges necessitates fostering media pluralism, promoting diversity in ownership, and ensuring adherence to ethical standards. Ultimately, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of media dynamics in complex socio-political contexts and underscores the importance of a free, impartial, and responsible media in fostering informed public discourse and democratic values.

EXPLORING THE GROUP IDENTITY OF NATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN PERSONAL BRANDING: A CASE STUDY OF IRAN'S CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL-POLITICAL SPHERE

This study delves into Iran's political landscape, analysing personal branding dynamics and the influence of minority affiliations. Utilising scholarly perspectives, government policies, ethnographic materials, and surveys from Iranians in-country and abroad, it explores how individuals strategically communicate minority connections in their political and social personal brands.

The Influence of Religious Affiliation on the Political Views of LGBT Americans

AbstractWith a nationally representative, repeated cross‐sectional sample of over 250,000 Americans from 2016 to 2019, we investigate the role that religious and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) identities play in influencing Americans’ political attitudes, centering the narratives of religious LGBT Americans. We find that nearly half of LGBT Americans affiliate religiously. Logistic regressions show that identifying as religious is related to more conservative views on LGBT rights and abortion while identifying as LGBT is related to more liberal views on both of these issues. We failed to observe interaction effects, suggesting that religious affiliation influences LGBT individuals’ political views in a manner similar to the way it influences cisgender, heterosexual individuals’ views. Comparisons of the variation accounted for by religious or LGBT identities show that religious affiliation more frequently accounted for more variation in political views.

The Crises of Political System in Iraq Since 2005

The political system in Iraq post 2005 is unstable due to several reasons; first, the influence of ethno-sectarian, religion, and tribal affiliations on the Iraqi politics. Second, violating the constitution by branches of government in general and executive power in particular. The researcher has utilized the most relevant literature for collecting all the data which are belong to this study in order to investigate the causes and effects behind the crises of political system since-2005. This study has applied instability theory for analyzing data. After analyzing the existing data with results the researcher indicated that there is a strong relation between established literature and findings in this study project. The researcher finds out the importance of this topic to evaluate the political system in Iraq since 2005 and to investigate the causes and effects behind the crises of the political system in Iraq post-2005. The findings of this study will confirms whether the lack of political culture and the dominance of tribal society leads to political instability in Iraq and, how the ongoing interference from foreign states becomes the main challenge towards state-building in Iraq.

Promoting the Use of Electric Vehicles on Social Media: The Effects of Message Framing, Point of Reference, and Political Affiliation on Perceived Information Value for Others and Purchase Intentions

This study examined how message framing, reference points, and political affiliation influence audiences’ perceived information value for others and purchase intentions regarding an organization’s promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) on social media. The results from an experiment showed that participants (n = 506) evaluated posts emphasizing benefits for the self of purchasing an EV to have greater information value for the recipients in their network than posts highlighting benefits for the environment. When political affiliation was considered, the effects of framing and reference points were only observed among Democrats. Democrats found self/gain and environment/loss posts to have greater information value for others. No significant effects were found regarding message framing, reference points, or their interactions on purchase intentions.

Re‐thinking tourist wellbeing: An integrative model of affiliation with nature and social connections

AbstractResearch on positive psychological outcomes of tourism has experienced exponential growth. However, a critical dimension of tourist wellbeing, affiliation, remains underexplored and conceptually underdeveloped. This study draws on 26 in‐depth interviews with international tourists to Fiji to explore the influence of affiliation with nature and social connectedness on tourist wellbeing. Findings demonstrate the integral role of travel companionship, tourist affiliation with nature and connection with local people as critical determinants of positive psychological outcomes. An integrative model across the domains of gaze, practice and reflection is developed to demonstrate how affiliation with nature and social connectedness influence tourist wellbeing. Future research should explore the multi‐sensual character and the therapeutic potential of tourist social encounters and interactions with nature and subsequent implications for tourist wellbeing.

Parameters of plasticity and stability of laying hens under the interaction “genotype × environment”

The article presents the research results on the evaluation of the polygenically determined quantitative trait “laying” under the influence of the interaction “genotype × environment” on the comprehensive genetic material of chickens. Meat and egg hens of the original maternal form of domestic breeding, descendants of the first and second generations of different genesis, and improved synthetic populations performed it. The laying hens of the experimental groups were determined during seven months of egg laying. By using a two-factor variance analysis, a probable influence of genotypic affiliation (P &lt; 0.05) and the month of egg laying (P &lt; 0.001) on the level of manifestation of laying hens of the studied groups was established. The probable difference in the gradation of “condition” factors made it possible to evaluate the parameters of plasticity and stability in the studied groups of birds. The regression coefficient (bi) characterizes the average reaction of a group of individuals to a change in environmental conditions, that is, their plasticity, which makes it possible to predict the variability of the trait under the studied conditions. High bi-indicators indicate a more significant response of a group of chickens to a change in environmental conditions, influenced by active factors. That is, the larger the value of bi, the steeper the regression line, and the more sensitive the group is to changes in detention conditions. A zero or close to zero value of bi indicates that the group reacts poorly to changes in environmental conditions (in our case, the months of egg-laying). Plasticity analysis makes it possible to identify genotypes of birds with significant adaptability to changes in environmental conditions. The laying hens of the created synthetic population, the offspring of the first generation of different genetic origins, and the F2 hens of the “K-51” group were more plastic in laying. This indicates the slightest response of this bird to changes in environmental conditions. The “Ross” birds of the “K-22” and “K-32” groups of different generations and the original maternal form F10 were less plastic according to this feature; that is, they were more sensitive to the influence of active factors. The variant of stability (S2i) of the feature shows how reliably the selection feature of the studied group of birds corresponds to the plasticity estimated by the regression coefficient. The closer the S2i indicators are to zero, the less the empirical values of the characteristic differ from the theoretical values located on the regression line. The “Ross” hens of the second generation of the “K-22” and “K-32” groups were distinguished by their high laying stability (S2i=2.42–2.65). The least stable in terms of this polygenic trait was the “Kobb” chickens of the “K-51” and “K-5” groups (S2i=6.01–9.53). Hybrids of the first generation were characterized by more excellent laying stability than mothers.

Motivational and semantic relations of a person in professional activity

The object of this research is the motivational and semantic relations of the individual. The subject of the research is the motivational and semantic relations of employees with different professional affiliations and specifics of performing functional duties. The purpose of the research is to study the structure of motivational and semantic relations of a person and to identify patterns of influence of professional affiliation and functional duties. The methodological basis for writing the article is the research of domestic and foreign scientists. Theoretical (comparative analysis) and empirical (interview, questionnaire) research methods were used in the study. The orientation of motivational and semantic relations of a person does not depend on the professional affiliation and the specifics of the performance of functional duties. Since the motivational and semantic relations of a person in professional activity are characterized by the presence of motivation based on the personal meaning, which motivates a person to activity and depend on the psychological state of a person who is in certain life circumstances. Motivational and semantic relations of a person are based on motivational and semantic processes that accompany and support a person throughout his or her working life. The aim of the work is to establish the regularities of the influence of professional affiliation and the specifics of functional duties on the motivational and semantic relations of employees to professional activities. In order to increase the efficiency of professional activities and improve the motivation of employees to the heads of organizations, the authors give practical recommendations for improving psychological support in organizations.

Expert opinion and public support of genetically modified food policy: Does deficit model work in China?

AbstractTo what extent do expert opinions affect public opinion in policy making? While most existing studies were conducted in democracies, experts' influence under authoritarian settings is still understudied. This paper examines how expert opinion and vocational affiliation influence public attitudes toward genetically modified (GM) food in China. Through a survey experiment with over 1600 respondents, we find that experts' endorsement can increase policy support for GM food but that their opposition exerts no influence. Different vocational affiliations do not generate significantly different effects, although endorsement from foreign experts has larger effects than endorsement from domestic counterparts, who have closer connections with the Chinese government. We finally discuss the policy implications of expert involvement in policy making and promoting GM food in China based on the above findings.

Religious Affiliation's Influence on How Veterinary Students and Scientist’s View Bioethical Concerns

Animal welfare advocates and veterinarians are concerned with bioethical issues. The need for high animal production efficiency has been satisfied with the aid of biotechnological production systems. But it's believed that these are jeopardizing welfare and posing moral and ethical dilemmas, especially for vets. In light of the paucity of information on this topic, a survey was conducted to ascertain scientists' and students' opinions regarding animal ethics at the Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Hisar, Haryana. Random selection was used to select the scientists and students in the sample. The perception—which was defined as a positive or negative tendency toward acceptance of cloning, xenotransplantation, animal rights, stem cell research, and factory farming—was measured using a questionnaire. It was clear from the average response score that respondents' opinions on scientific advancements were unbiased. Researchers found that respondents' average response score indicated a neutral opinion regarding scientific advancements, with scientists being much more accepting than students. Religion does not seem to have a significant influence on perception about bioethical matters. It is further supported by the fact that there is little variation in the respondents' opinions that cultural and traditional values, as well as veterinary education, play a role. It is stated that further research into the factors related to perception is necessary.

Mandatory CSR regulations and social disclosure: the mediating role of the CSR committee

PurposeThis study aims to examine the association between mandatory corporate social responsibility (CSR) regulations (CSR mandate) and social disclosures (SOCDS) in India. It also investigates whether CSR committees mediate the relationship between CSR mandate and SOCDS. Furthermore, this paper explores how business group (BG) affiliation moderates CSR committee quality and SOCDS.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a data set of 5,345 observations from the Bombay stock exchange (BSE)-listed firms over 10 years (2011–2020) to examine the research questions. Baron and Kenny’s (1986) three-step model is estimated to examine the mediating role of CSR committees on the relationship between CSR mandate and SOCDS.FindingsThe study reveals that the CSR mandate positively impacts SOCDS in India due to coercive pressures. CSR committees mediate this relationship, with higher CSR committee quality leading to increased SOCDS. Furthermore, the authors report that SOCDS in India is positively related to CSR committee quality, and this relationship is stronger for BG firms. Finally, the supplementary analysis reveals that promoting CSR committee quality enhances firms’ likelihood of meeting CSR mandatory spending and actual CSR spending in India.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the academic literature by shedding light on the intricate dynamics of CSR mandates, CSR committees and SOCDS in emerging economies. Notably, the authors identify the previously unexplored mediation role of CSR committees in the link between CSR mandates and SOCDS. The creation of a composite index that measures complementary CSR committee attributes allows us to undertake a novel assessment of CSR committee quality. An examination of the moderating influence of BG affiliation documents the importance of CSR committee quality, particularly in governance, for enhancing SOCDS transparency within BG firms.

The war on flags: The opposition to state-sponsored LGBTQ+ symbols

Negativity against LGBTQ+ and gender equality symbols is escalating across Western European countries, including those at the forefront of sexual modernism. Drawing on data from Spain, this paper theorizes and finds that state-sponsored LGBTQ+ symbols receive significantly more negativity than other aspects of LGBTQ+ issues related to general and specific attitudes toward formal rights. The negativity is primarily explained by support for Vox, a radical right-wing party, and age. The study provides insights into the complexities of public opinion surrounding LGBTQ+ symbols, offering a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in terms of acceptance and visibility. Furthermore, it highlights the influence of political affiliations and generational factors in shaping these attitudes.

A Decolonial Perspective on Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) stands as a pervasive global trend. Scholarly observations indicate a proactive CSR stance predominantly among Western firms compared to their Asian counterparts. Existing studies explore this regional disparity, but scant attention has been devoted to unraveling the historical origins of CSR in the Western tradition, where private or nonprofit institutions such as churches historically shaped social responsibility (SR). This historical context of SR may pose intriguing questions regarding regions where the Western corporate structure and CSR were transplanted, suggesting CSR practices may differ. This study employs a decolonial perspective to explore the influence of religious affiliations on the social contributions of Korean family business groups (chaebols). Findings reveal that chaebols whose families practice Christianity contribute more to society than those following Buddhism. This study also uncovers the enduring impact of chaebols’ previous colonial experience on the current relationship between their religious affiliations and social contributions.

A Misinformation Insurrection: Examining the Influence of Political Affiliation on Media Hostility and News Credibility

ABSTRACT On 6 January 2021, American citizens stormed the US Capitol in an effort to reverse the results of the presidential election. The incident and the baseless claims that ignited the insurrection highlight the shortcomings of media platforms at curbing misinformation. To better understand factors that influence media credibility, the researchers conducted a survey across a nationwide sample of US adults (N = 413). Study participants evaluated the credibility of a political news article about the congressional response to the insurrection and assessed the likelihood they would share the article on social media. Additionally, a survey of hostile media perceptions was conducted to determine potential correlations between online behaviors and offline political ideologies. Study findings offer evidence of political affiliation as a strong predictor for specific cognitive heuristic processes related to political incidents and online news. The correlations between media hostility, perceived credibility, and online share likelihood highlight differences in cognitive engagement across political lines.

The Influence of Religious Affiliation and Church Attendance on Climate Change Awareness, Perception, and Action: The Role of Churches through Environmental Education in Nigeria

Churches can serve as platforms for environmental education, fostering a sense of responsibility towards the environment among their congregations.This study examined the influence of religious affiliation and attendance on climate change awareness, perception, action and perceived role of the church through environmental education in Nigeria. Churchgoers from Catholic, Anglican, and Pentecostal churches from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria completed the Climate Change Awareness Questionnaire (CCAQ); Climate Change Perception Questionnaire (CCPQ); Churches’ Role Perception Scale (CRPS); and Climate Change Action Assessment Scale (CCAAS) and also provided relevant demographic information. Results of statistical analysis indicated that there was a significant difference between the religious denominations in climate change awareness, perception, action and perceived role of the church. The results also showed that more frequency of attendance to church activities was associated with increased climate change awareness, perception of climate change, climate change action, and perceived role of the church in addressing climate change. Churches must continue incorporating environmental teachings into their religious practices and advocating for environmentally-friendly behaviors among members as ways of contributing to the campaign against climate change.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;