Cultural Aspects Research Articles

Faculty-Led Program: Food and Beverage Supply Chain – from the first mile to the last mile

Purpose This study aims to present a Faculty-Led Program applied in two contrasting countries, the USA and Peru, focused on the supply chain management of food and beverages to demonstrate its benefits in human capital development. This Faculty-Led Program provides valuable opportunities to acquire skills and knowledge in foreign environments. Design/methodology/approach Students from Universidad del Pacífico and Rochester Institute of Technology were exposed to the food and beverages industry in Lima and New York. The theory will be presented to justify the program’s positive impact on the human development of the participating countries and empirical evidence of training capabilities that it allowed, according to the theoretical framework proposed by (Braskamp et al., 2009), to identify dimensions of learning. The study was based on primary data collected from 20 students from Universidad del Pacífico through a participant observation approach, retrieving a final essay project and the students’ testimonies at the end of the program implemented in other similar studies in Peru (Simone, 2021). The data were categorized into three domains and then summarized to provide key insights. In this case, the methodology is qualitative, but the data were also subjected to statistical analysis. Findings The results suggest that knowledge of the value chain of food and beverages obtained in this program was successfully consolidated. The learning outcomes from this method were obtained through students’ projects aimed to share the learned global practices with the industry and were materialized in three domains: the cognitive domain, with students recognizing and valuing cultural aspects; the interpersonal domain, students learned from social interactions with stakeholders; and the intrapersonal domain, students showed high acceptance of US culture within the course context, though their affect toward it was more potent than toward their own culture. These domains allowed students to assess how such international experience impacted their learning in more than just the academic outcome. Research limitations/implications The study relies on self-reported subjective methods in the short term since it summarizes students’ perspectives, expressed in a final written essay, regarding three main dimensions of learning. Besides, the process assesses the improvement of those dimensions through a participant observation approach and collecting testimonies. More objective, comparable outcomes could be achieved in the medium term by evaluating the participants’ performance in the business world. Originality/value This paper presents a conclusive application of the Faculty-Led Program, which exposed students to the diverse food and beverage industry in Lima and New York, providing valuable insights through field studies and allowing them to experience both cultures and different realities. They recognized technological advancements and delays applicable to both countries, benefiting future managers and planners in workforce development. The firsthand experience taught students practical skills and perspectives for effective industry management. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first research in Peru focused on a short-term study abroad program based on the food and beverage supply chain industry to identify its value and contribution to a more holistic human capital development.

Gca-pvt-net: group convolutional attention and PVT dual-branch network for oracle bone drill chisel segmentation

Oracle bones (Obs) are a significant carrier of the shang dynasty civilization, primarily consisting of tortoise shells and animal bones, through the study of which we can gain a deeper understanding of the political, economic, religious, and cultural aspects of the shang dynasty. The oracle bone drill chisel (Obdc) is considered an essential non-textual material. The segmentation of Obdc assists archaeologists determine the approximate age of the Obs, which possesses considerable research value. However, the breakage of thousands of years of underground buried Obs, the blurring of the edges of the area burned by the Obdc, the different shapes, and the inconsistent number have brought challenges to the accurate segmentation of the Obdc. In this article, we propose a group convolutional attention and pvt dual-branch network (GCA-PVT-Net) for Obdc segmentation. To our knowledge, this paper is the first to research the automatic segmentation of Obdc. It is a hybrid Convolutional neural network (CNN) and Transformer framework. The work offers the following contributions: (1) The Obdc images are labeled based on the delineation criteria of different drill chisel (DC) shapes to create the Obdc dataset. (2) A convolutional attention module (CAM) is proposed as both an encoder and decoder. The feature extraction process, which effectively integrates global and local information, ensures better modeling of long-term correlations in images while preserving details. (3) A channel feature aggregation module (CFAM) is designed to enhance the effective integration of channel features, enabling feature fusion across various branches and at different levels. (4) The edge deep supervision strategy is applied to smooth the jagged edge of the predicted images at the decoder’s end. Extensive experiments on the Obdc dataset show that GCA-PVT-Net outperforms other state-of-the-art (SOTA) methods. The comparative experimental results show that the edge accuracy and segmentation accuracy of the model reach the top 1.

Marwari Community and Their Contribution in Socio-Religious and Cultural Aspects of North-Eastern Bihar

Marwari Community and Their Contribution in Socio-Religious and Cultural Aspects of North-Eastern Bihar

A Socioeconomic Approach to Studying Musical Instruments

ABSTRACT Considering musical instrument makers as socio-economic actors can inform narratives concerning not only the music business but also wider commercial activities. Makers use available materials, work alongside craftspeople in related trades, and operate in the same markets as suppliers of other cultural goods. Here we consider examples of organ builders (Ohrman & Nutt; Flight & Robson) and English guittar makers (Pinto; Clauss) to explore the musical, cultural, social and economic aspects of their commercial activities. These can be informatively positioned within the complex networks of British musical life in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

State-Civilization: Cultural Aspects of Political Theory

The paper examines the current state of the theory of the state‑civilization, a new concept of the form of the state for both domestic and foreign historical and political science that is based not only and not so much on the legal recognition of its constitutional and legal status, but rather on the cultural identity of its founding community. The author analyzes the current ideas of Russian scholars and researchers regarding the main features of the state‑civilization, and compares them with the traditional concept of «national state.» Using the methodology of historical and cultural analysis, the author considers the stages of the Russian statehood formation. It is postulated that the State as a system of political institutions and management practices is one of the elements of civilization. The specifics of the system of state power and administration practices are the result of conscious human activity at a certain stage of the development of society on a par with other achievements of social and spiritual cultures. The conclusion is made about the variability of the form and content of the state in its political and legal meaning, which prevents the concept of the state‑civilization from being opposed to the concept of a national state, despite the existing views of a number of researchers on this subject. However, the author notes the immutability of such phenomena of civilization as space, people and culture, customs and traditions, ways and values, which suggests that the concept of «state‑civilization» should be considered in relation to the study of law and politics in its cultural significance.

The Interplay of Public/Private and Agent/Victim Dualism in Sustainable Living Practice: Indonesia’s Case

An examination of sustainable living practices through the lens of ecofeminism is the subject of this article. In this article, sustainable living practices refers to the actual implementation of environmentalism ideas in everyday situation. The selection of this subject is deemed significant due to the prevailing trend in environmental literature to associate it as pro-environmental behaviour that, unlike environmental activism, exclusively with the uppermiddle class, thereby rendering it feeble, apolitical, and inconsequential. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between pro-environmental behaviour and environmental action and activism by examining sustainable living practices through the lens of gender. Departing from Ecofeminism, it attempts to incorporate insights from relevant literature to enhance the discussion. Availing from exploratory field observations, this study uses Indonesia as a case studies. The study found that, in addition to the availability of social media and spiritualfactors, there are educational orientation that, related to cultural and religious aspects, bridges private/public elements as well as agents/victims division in Ecofeminism discourse. The transformation of the movement’s character from individualist to collectivist is influenced by global political dynamics, as well as showing the moral and spiritual orientation of this movement. Keywords: sustainable living practice, ecofeminism, environmental care, pro-environmental behaviour, environmental activism

Empowering Women, Building Safety: Strategies for Addressing Gender-Based Violence in South Africa

Dismantling Gender-Based Violence in South AfricaThis study examines gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa with a particular emphasis on women's experiences. It highlights the societal norms and underlying power disparities that support this violence when viewed through a gendered lens. Principal Subjects: GBV against women's prevalence and types in South Africa. the effects of GBV on survivors' emotional, mental, and physical health. The cultural, societal, and economic aspects that lead to GBV. The benefits and drawbacks of the current survivor support programs and interventions. In order to effectively prevent and respond, policy changes, social initiatives, and support services are required. Methodological approach, a variety of techniques will be used in this study, such as: review of the body of research on GBV in South Africa with an emphasis on the experiences of women. analysis of pertinent data on the incidence, manifestations, and effects of GBV. To further understand women's lived experiences, qualitative research techniques like focus groups and interviews may be included (subject to further research design). Principal Arguments Understanding and combating GBV in South Africa require a gendered analysis. GBV is largely caused by power disparities and patriarchal attitudes. Interventions that are effective must empower women and deal with the underlying causes of GBV. For long-lasting change to occur, legislators, NGOs, communities, and individuals must work together. Conclusions, GBV is a complicated problem that calls for a multifaceted strategy that addresses its underlying causes and gives women more control. South Africa may advance toward a future free from gender-based violence by putting into place efficient legislative measures, social programs, and enhanced support services.

Four Dimensions of Brand Storytelling: Framework for Managing and Analyzing Online Brand Stories

Corporate brand storytelling is gaining significance as social media and company websites become crucial avenues for consumer engagement. As part of an effort to create engagement with the brand story across all platforms, the current article suggests combining myths’ elements. Adopting the literary approach to myths, this paper defines myth as a narrative that holds significance among its followers. Based on previous research, this paper proposes a corporate brand storytelling model encompassing story, meaning, ritual, and transmedia dimensions. To assess how leading corporate brands use storytelling elements across their online platforms a quantitative content analysis was performed. Four key insights were derived from the study. First, storytelling should be systematically managed and studied according to our model. Second, rituals and transmedia are underutilized in integrating and disseminating brand storytelling. Third, storytelling should extend beyond paid advertising to achieve desired outcomes. Lastly, the incorporation of mythmaking and storytelling highlights the significance of cultural aspects, urging multinational brands to integrate local cultural elements.

The push and pull between culture and integrity in the workplace: an ethical decision-making context

Purpose Multinational corporations encounter numerous challenges in making ethical decisions as they navigate diverse factors in every country where they conduct business. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no research has been committed to investigating the effects of one’s cultural perspectives and moral virtue. Building on a theoretical foundation recently laid out in the literature (i.e. the culture-influenced value-specific model), this study aims to investigate the relationship between components of national culture (i.e. power distance, individualism, uncertainty avoidance and masculinity) and the moral virtue of integrity. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a quantitative analysis methodology conducted among 160 US-based workers to test a direct effect model of the relationship between national culture and integrity. The hypothesized relationships are examined using linear regression. Additional analysis includes reliability and representativeness analyses. Findings Direct effects support the hypotheses that a worker’s cultural perspectives affect integrity. Specifically, this study found that a worker’s cultural aspects of power distance, individualism and masculinity are negatively and significantly related to an individual’s level of integrity. Additionally, an individual’s level of uncertainty avoidance is positively related to integrity. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature and practice by demonstrating how the culture in which one resides has an impact on the level of integrity one holds and potentially exhibits in the workplace. These findings are significant in that they are among the first to consider culture and moral virtue in an ethical decision-making model. Furthermore, these findings open an additional pathway for research concerning ethical behavior in the workplace.

STEM department chairs’ perspectives on navigating teaching culture to influence instructional change: a four-frames model analysis

Academic departments have been highlighted as key targets to sustainably transform the learning environments of postsecondary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses in the United States. Despite STEM department chairs playing a critical role in shaping their unit, few studies have characterized how chairs view the teaching culture within their department and how cultural features influence instructional change. This study addressed this gap by applying the four-frames model for organizational change to analyze interviews conducted with 14 STEM department chairs at one research-intensive institution in the United States. The department chairs identified several challenges to supporting and advancing teaching culture. These challenges were mostly related to the structures and symbols frames and included an institutional emphasis on research over teaching, inadequate methods to evaluate effective teaching, and weak teaching feedback mechanisms available to faculty. The chairs also described how they leverage their power to affect people and thereby influence the teaching culture. For example, they strategically position teaching as an important aspect of the departmental culture during hiring processes and elevate certain groups of faculty who have demonstrated interest and efficacy in teaching. This study contributes to the literature by providing a rich description of the teaching culture in STEM departments at a research-intensive institution from the perspective of department chairs. This unique focus on department chairs helps identify opportunities for instructional reforms that are grounded in the reality of the departmental environment and provides a framework for considering how change might occur in STEM departments at research-intensive institutions. The opportunities identified emphasize the importance for department chairs to consider and leverage all four frames to enact instructional change.

Ableism and adaptive preferences in digital uses and skills: Social and cultural conditioning factors

This theoretical paper aims to highlight interactions between ableism and adaptive preferences that involve persons with disability with the purpose of identifying social and ideological conditioning factors in using digital media and developing digital skills. These factors encompass the availability of resources for accessing and using digital media as enabling tools capable of generating positive outcomes at an economic, social, political/civic, cultural and personal levels. Giving that digitalization processes encompass concepts of citizenship, autonomy, individual capabilities and social capital, then digital media and skills become crucial tools for equalizing opportunities and reducing inequalities. The pandemic emergency and the shift to distance learning revealed forms of digital education poverty that had a specific impact for persons with disability. Analysing the digital disability divide and inequality requires considering technological and economic variables, Universal Design principles, as well as social stratification, cultural influences, and material and symbolic resources. Digital inequalities and adaptive preferences are thus examined in their relations with social, cultural and ideological aspects that may affect expressed and perceived needs, attribution of meanings, motivation and aims which, in turn, affect access and usage of digital media as well as the development of digital skills. Taking into account these factors and their interconnections, the contribution aims to provide some guidelines for further future research aimed at deepening the socio-technical, cultural, and ideological matrices of digital inequalities affecting persons with disabilities.

‘Your experience is gonna be similar’: white habitus and college students’ discursive strategies

ABSTRACT Though more people of colour are entering higher education, significant barriers remain, with higher education remaining a culturally white institution. This paper adopts a framework consistent with Critical Whiteness Studies to understand the ways that the power of whiteness is reproduced on a diverse college campus. This research uses qualitative interviews to identify rhetorical strategies used by white students that reflect and reinforce a white habitus. Three main themes emerged: an understanding that diversity is ‘anything’, that commonalities in the student body are more important than differences, and that learning about diversity equates to learning about only the most visible aspects of culture. These themes are contrasted with counterthemes from students of colour, revealing the ways white students remain ignorant of their peers’ of colour experiences on campus.

Analyzing transformational role of black women entrepreneurs in Brazilian beauty sector

Purpose This study aims to explore the concept of transformational entrepreneurship (TE), which is relevant in emerging economies such as Brazil with its elevated level of unemployment, taxes and interest rates along with elevated levels of institutional voids, and how firms are including purpose as part of their goals and strategies. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a multiple case study of six Afro-entrepreneurs, participants of a consulting project from Sebrae, the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service, a private entity that promotes the competitiveness and sustainable development of micro and small business enterprises (Sebrae, 2022). Findings This work studied the transformational power of entrepreneurship and how six beauty salons led by black women have the ability to not only generate income but also contribute to social and cultural aspects. Practical implications This work demonstrates how TE has the potential to improve the lives of a population that has historically been marginalized and faces the lived consequences of socioeconomic discrimination. Originality/value This paper provides valuable contributions through a case study of transformational, ethnic and women’s entrepreneurship, not very explored in the literature.

EVALUATING THE SUCCESS FACTORS FOR KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR: AN AHP- DEMATEL APPROACH

The objective of this article is to identify and understand the success factors of knowledge management within the financial sector. In the ever-evolving business environment, effective knowledge management (KM) is imperative to maintain a competitive advantage. Effective KM within financial institutions can build standardized processes, ensure speedy delivery, and foster better customer relationship management. An integrated approach of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methods was used to rank these critical success factors and understand their interrelationships. The findings identify organizational factors (cultural aspects, organizational structure, top management support), technological factors (technological adoption, infrastructure support, collaborative systems), and human resources factors (training & learning, agile workforce, knowledge sharing) as the critical success factors. Technological factors were identified as the most important factors. The article further complements the findings of the AHP by exploring the interrelationships between the identified factors to understand and prioritize possible intervention areas. This research has significant theoretical and practical implications. The findings can help financial institutions implement and manage knowledge management initiatives within the organization. This study also adds to the extant literature and addresses gaps in the research in the context of KM within the financial sector.

Exploring Disparities in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Outcomes Among Asian and Pacific Islander Subgroups.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a challenging malignancy with known disparities in outcomes across ethnicities. Studies specifically investigating PDAC in Asian populations are sparse, overlooking the rich diversity within this group. This research seeks to fill that gap by examining survival differences across the broad spectrum of Asian ethnicities, acknowledging the complexity and varied experiences within these communities. Utilizing the National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2019, we categorized patients into East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, and Pacific Islander groups. Non-Asian or Pacific Islanders were excluded. Overall Survival was analyzed using a Cox hazards model. The study consisted of 13,254 patients. Most patients were East Asian (59.4%, n=7,866). Southeast Asians exhibited the poorest survival in unadjusted analysis (HR: 1.32, 95%CI: 1.23-1.42, p<0.001) compared to South Asians who had the best. Multivariable analysis revealed significantly worse survival for East Asians and Pacific Islanders relative to South Asians, while Southeast Asians' results were not significantly different. Asian subgroup differences notably affect PDAC outcomes. Research on genetic and cultural aspects, especially in Southeast Asians, and tackling health disparities, is crucial for enhancing survival in this diverse disease.

Multi-Language Translated Drama Scripts as Reference Information for Actors

Background: Drama texts translated into various languages ​​are a form of communication across linguistic boundaries and a window that reveals the richness of diverse cultures. For actors, engaging in the performance of a multilingual script provides an incredible opportunity to explore the nuanced complexities of different cultures. Actors learn new words and soak up the soul of a culture that may be very different. Purpose: The main aim of this research is to (1) find out the extent to which language variations are used in translated drama scripts and (2) the extent to which language variations influence the way actors understand and portray characters. Design and methods: This research uses a content analysis method on intralingually translated drama texts sourced from the Matara Production archives. Results: The results of this research reveal (1) that three languages ​​are used (English, Indonesian and Sundanese) and (2) that multiple languages ​​are used to show narrative diversity, subtlety of relationships in roles and cultural context. The importance of using regional languages ​​in specific cultural contexts becomes clear, as in the depiction of the local ghost, Kuntilanak, which adds another layer of cultural richness. It can be concluded; this research highlights the significance of the use of multiple languages ​​in the expression and communication of actors. Multilingualism allows actors to convey characters with greater depth, creating an immediate bond with multilingual audiences. Language is not only a means of communication but also a key holder of cultural identity, bringing to life cultural aspects that are difficult to explain in words.

Analysis of the socio-environmental impacts of an environmental disaster caused by a minining company in the city of Maceió, Brazil

In mid-2018, several neighbourhoods in Maceió, Brazil, were affected by soil subsidence in the region. Since then, unprecedented developments and consequences have been observed in the affected areas. Against this backdrop, the study aims to analyses the socio-environmental impacts suffered by the five neighbourhoods affected by subsidence from rock salt extraction in the municipality of Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil. We collected secondary data from documents (Geological Survey studies, information made available by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, Compensation Plan, Terms of Agreement, Socio-urban Action Plan, Environmental Impact Study, Study of the Economic Impact of the Disaster) to assess the socio-environmental impacts caused by the socio-environmental disaster. These data were analysed using Checklist, Interaction Matrix, and Delphi. The results highlight the complexity of the effects since they were observed from a multidisciplinary approach. In addition, it is clear that these impacts were relevant and important from the specialists' point of view and, when analysed quantitatively and qualitatively,such as impacts on identity and cultural aspects, change in standard of living, and overload in the provision of public facilities, which had a high degree of impact when evaluated in this study. The study also concluded that it is pertinent to take measures to mitigate the impacts indicated as possible through integration between public authorities and the mining company. Upon its completion, a technical product in the form of a document containing the identified mitigation measures was submitted to the competent authorities. These results can be relevant for practitioners and policymakers involved in decisions related to mining operations.

ЭКОНОМИКО-ПРАВОВОЙ АНАЛИЗ ПРОТИВОДЕЙСТВИЯ НАЛОГОВОЙ ПРЕСТУПНОСТИ: ОПЫТ ОРГАНИЗАЦИИ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОГО СОТРУДНИЧЕСТВА И РАЗВИТИЯ И ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ ЕГО ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ В РОССИИ

The fight against tax crimes requires the use of complex strategies based on principles such as the development and implementation of unified standards and mechanisms for countering tax crimes and economic incentives for voluntary compliance with legislation. The purpose of the article is to consider the economic and legal specifics of the global and national nature of countering tax crimes using the example of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to find new effective mechanisms based on closer international cooperation and unification of national legislation. The results showed a direct correlation between differences in national legislation countering illegal actions by taxpayers, and empirical data obtained mainly through field and laboratory experiments demonstrate the importance of taking into account social, cultural and psychological aspects that have a direct impact on the perception of tax crime in countries.

The Genetic Characterization of the Canarian Endemic Palm (Phoenix canariensis) by Simple Sequence Repeats and Chloroplast Markers: A Tool for the Molecular Traceability of Phoenix Hybridization

The endemic palm from the Canary Islands, Phoenix canariensis, is one of the most distinctive elements of the Canarian vegetation landscape, contributing to cultural, economic and environmental aspects. One of the main conservation problems facing this iconic palm is anthropogenic hybridization with other Phoenix species, particularly Phoenix dactylifera, which has been introduced extensively throughout its geographical range. Therefore, it is important to obtain a genetic tool that addresses different issues that may have an impact on the protection of P. canariensis, including ornamental applications and wild population conservation purposes. Our main goals were to detect a molecular tracer that could reliably distinguish between Phoenix canariensis and P. dactylifera in the Canary archipelago and to characterize the presence and extent of genetic hybridization events between the two species. We used 19 nuclear microsatellites and 1 chloroplast minisatellite set and analysed a large sample size (N = 433) of plants using both Bayesian methods and ordination techniques. Our data showed that a set of 13 nuclear markers revealed diagnostic alleles for P. canariensis, which were defined as the Canarian nuclear genotype (CNG). Moreover, P. canariensis exhibited an exclusive chlorotype of 266 bp that together with the GNC serve as an indicator of genetic purity in the Canarian palm. These markers are sufficient to detect any hybrid, even if it is not related to morphological differences. The occurrence of a considerable number of specimens with different degrees of hybridization is discussed in terms of the existence of different generations of hybrids and different types of crosses. Thus, the genetic tracers represent an invaluable tool to address any proposal for the genetic conservation of Phoenix canariensis.

Disinformation against Crimean Tatars in Russian Social Media

This article examines the persistence of Tatarophobia against Crimean Tatars in the Russian segment of social media during the first year of the full-scale invasion (24 February 2022–24 February 2023). A total of 4,435 posts from various social media platforms, including Facebook, Odnoklassniki, Telegram, Twitter, and Vkontakte, were analysed. The discourse predominantly echoes Russia’s imperial and Soviet-era narratives, along with xenophobic and oppressive rhetoric exacerbated by the full-fledged invasion. The propaganda seeks to cultivate a negative perception of Crimean Tatars as an ethnic community, manipulating cultural and historical aspects related to them. Additionally, it endeavours to construct an adversarial image of relations between Ukraine and the Crimean Tatars, as well as of Ukraine’s current policies. Russian special services perceive the capacity of Crimean Tatars to self-organize, establish volunteer units, or organize blockades as a threat. The propaganda effort not only fosters harassment and hate speech but also encourages peninsula residents to view them as “unreliable elements” deserving of suppression.