Creative Combination Research Articles

Creativity, innovation and employment growth in sub-Saharan Africa

PurposeAlthough employees' creativity is vital for firm innovation and overall performance, little is done to examine the potential association between creativity and employment. This paper investigates the contribution of employees' creativity, process and product innovations to firm-level employment growth.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use data from World Bank Enterprise Survey and Innovation Follow-up Survey on 9503 firms covering the period 2012–2015 in 11 countries from sub-Saharan Africa and Heckman's two-stage estimation model.FindingsThis study's results indicate a positive role of creativity on firm-level employment growth. In addition, the authors find evidence for a complementary effect arising from the combination of creativity with managerial experience, staff level of education and their associated skills, in contrast, combining creativity with internal or external R&D results in a substitution effect. Interestingly, these synergy effects are pronounced for SMEs but absent for large firms.Practical implicationsPolicy makers in developing economies of sub-Saharan Africa should stimulate company management to use free time offered to employees to be creative in the workplace as one of their key strategies to stimulate employment growth. This strategy is expected to be particularly fruitful among SMEs having some managerial experience and skilled stuff.Originality/valueIn contribution to innovative work practices and workforce creativity, the authors demonstrate that providing employees with free time could be an alternative way to enhance the focal firms' performance.

Combining hermeneutic phenomenology and critical discourse analysis: a bricolage approach to research

This paper describes the methodological design of a qualitative research strategy that followed the bricolage approach. The research, a qualitative case study, followed the empowerment journey of 12 adult learners in a second chance educational programme, aiming at recording the mechanisms through which the learners were empowered or disempowered. The initial plan to use a single methodology was modified to address the challenges that raised from the study itself. This modification led to the implementation of the bricolage approach. Following the bricolage principles opened a space of a creative combination of different methodologies, theories, and tools and the implementation of all the five types of bricolage, namely the theoretical, the methodological, the interpretive, the narrative, and the political. The paper presents a detailed account on how bricolage was developed as a “custom-fit” construct to serve the goals of the study. Hermeneutic Phenomenology and Critical Discourse Analysis were the two main methodologies combined.

The future of work: AI, automation, and the changing dynamics of developed economies

Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies are rapidly evolving, which will have far-reaching implications for the future of work and the dynamics of developed economies. This research aims to explore the potential impact of AI and automation on the labor market, employment patterns, and the overall socioeconomic landscape. The study uses a literature review and analysis of existing research, policy documents, and expert opinions to understand AI and automation's current state and future trajectory in developed economies. Key areas of investigation include the potential displacement of human labor, the emergence of new job opportunities, changes in skill requirements, and the implications for income inequality. The findings reveal that AI and automation have already disrupted various sectors of the economy, with routine and repetitive tasks being particularly susceptible to automation. The research highlights the potential for new types of jobs to emerge, requiring a combination of technical skills, creativity, and social intelligence. The study emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and reskilling programs to prepare the workforce for the changing demands of the future job market. It also emphasizes the need for proactive policies and regulatory frameworks to address potential societal challenges arising from AI and automation. Additionally, it highlights the importance of collaboration between government, academia, and industry stakeholders to navigate the evolving work landscape.

The influence of the Tiflis entourage on the formation of Mykhailo Hrushevsky's personality

The proposed study analyzes issues related to the formation of M. Hrushevsky's personality in Tiflis (Tbilisi) - the cultural center of the South Caucasus, where he spent his youth, studying in a gymnasium. The peculiarities of this region were considered and it was clarified how the entourage of Tiflis influenced the personality of young Mykhaylo. This, in the opinion of the article’s author, is important for a full understanding on the historical significance of the figure of Hrushevsky. In particular, the author draws attention to the influence of the Tiflis entourage in the matter of establishing the personality markers of young Mykhailo – the beginning of his intellectual biography formation, the way of establishing his Ukrainian patriotism, interests in Ukrainian studies, history of Ukraine, literature, folklore. Analysis of M. Hrushevsky's life gymnasium period permits to reveal the combination of creativity, innovation, unusual efficiency, ambition, and perseverance in his activities. Theoretical studies of authoritative foreign and Ukrainian scientists F. Brodel, L. Kjell, D. Ziegler, Ya. Vermenych, P. R. Magochy, S. Maksymenko and others are included in the analysis of the chosen subject. According to the interdisciplinary approach, the article combines elements of regional history, social psychology, and sociology.

DIFFICULTIES FOR CASE MANAGERS WORKING WITH FAMILIES FACING SOCIAL RISK

Social work has its roots in life itself. The profession of social worker is a creative combination of knowledge, values and skills. In recent years, social work with families facing social risk has received more and more attention in the country, and it can be said that social work with these families has become one of the priority areas. The article discusses the difficulties experienced by case managers when working with families facing social risk. The analysis of the problems faced by the case managers will help to improve the quality of social work, and, accordingly, to develop and expand social services for families facing social risk. Four case managers participated in the study. The results of the study revealed that a common phenomenon in families facing social risk by not having a job and not looking for one is low self-esteem. Many families facing social risk live in poverty, and this determines their further life, development and improvement. The study revealed that case managers working with families facing social risk had the following difficulties: alcoholism, a lack of social skills, violence against children, neglect of children, and lack of motivation. A close, trusting relationship between case managers and families improves the quality of the services provided, and helps to address the problems faced by the family more effectively. Case managers empower the family to be proactive in dealing with difficulties. Cooperation enables families to meet their needs for security, self-esteem and social support.

In Memoriam: Mats Morell

In Memoriam: Mats Morell

Pedagogical Culture of Teachers at Technical Universities for Safe Educational Process During the War in Ukraine.

The entire education system is currently undergoing structural changes, which are reflected in the increased use of digital and distance learning technologies. Pedagogical culture as a personal characteristic of a teacher acts as a means of implementing professional activities in the unity of goals, objectives, as well as means and results. Simultaneously, different types of pedagogical activity form the functional structure of culture. The main features of pedagogical activity should be its complexity and integrity, creative nature, a combination of collective activity and individual creativity of teachers, because the process of solving pedagogical goals and objectives is a technology of pedagogical activity that characterizes the mode of existence and functioning of the teacher’s pedagogical culture.
 Teaching in the context of the war in Ukraine involves the use of various forms of education with the introduction of digital technologies and tools to ensure the safety of all participants in the educational process and flexibility in time and space. This approach allows you to adapt educational content to the needs of students and the requirements of the curriculum. At the same time, it becomes important to choose an individual educational trajectory in which students can change and adapt their educational process.
 The purpose of this article is to analyze the content of the concept of pedagogical culture of teachers of technical universities in modern conditions, to determine the most convenient format of university education to ensure the safety of all participants in the educational process in a war in Ukraine.
 The methodology on which this article relies includes empirical methods (observation, conversation, dialogue), which are used in full-time and distance learning, and theoretical methods (analysis, synthesis, generalization, explanation, classification). Based on them, we will formulate practical recommendations for the introduction of digital technologies and tools to ensure high-quality education for students of technical universities in the modern conditions of Ukrainian society.
 The following results are achieved within the framework of our research: the analysis of the essence of the concept of "pedagogical culture" was carried out, the main features and criteria for its formation were identified, the conditions for the formation of the pedagogical culture of teachers of technical universities in war conditions were outlined and analyzed, a study was conducted to identify the most convenient form of university education using digital technologies and tools to ensure the safety of all participants in the learning process in modern conditions.
 The conclusions make it possible to state that, despite the difficult situation in the country, it is necessary to prepare students of technical universities for their further professional and personal careers, accompanied by lifelong learning. The combination of digital tools is often a successful response to rapidly changing environments and results in a flexible teaching and learning system. This requires mandatory interaction between students and teachers who act as mentors.

FORMATION OF AN INCLUSIVE MODEL OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WHO ARE WAR VETERANS IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

The relevance of the study is determined by the urgent need of the educational community to provide a full opportunity to receive higher education for participants in hostilities, and above all for war veterans, among whom there are many students with disabilities. The purpose of the work is to identify the key foundations of the formation of an inclusive physical education model for war veteran students in higher education institutions. Research methods: theoretical analysis, systematization, comparison of different views on the investigated problem, generalization of data from scientific and methodological, and special literature. It was investigated that the challenges related to the implementation of inclusive education, which faced the education system of Ukraine, are identical to European systems. The implementation of foreign experience in the domestic educational process is a creative combination of key components of corrective development and the interaction of participants in the educational process (teachers and students with disabilities, war veterans) in the course of inclusive physical education aimed at overcoming the effects of the war to eliminate violations in their health. It was found that efforts should be directed to the justification and creation of effective models of inclusive physical education, organized based on modern innovative general scientific and special technologies, theory, methods and practice of physical culture, which would ensure a high level of physical activity of students with disabilities who are war veterans in the process of their their adaptation in the environment of the educational institution would contribute to their health and achievement of the predicted results in the course of their higher education. The directions of implantation of progressive ideas in the process of formation of an inclusive model of physical education for students with disabilities who are war veterans in higher education institutions are singled out. These include training physical education specialists who fully possess inclusive competence; updating the content of methods in the field of inclusive physical education; targeted educational and informational work to develop the need for physical self-improvement and health care among students with disabilities who are war veterans; development of motivation to engage in physical education of students with disabilities who are war veterans; support of the organization of students with disabilities who are war veterans in their physical education on an equal basis with all participants in the educational process; creation of centers of physical culture and sports orientation for students with disabilities who are war veterans in institutions of higher education.

Exploring the role of organizational creativity and open innovation in enhancing SMEs performance

Although the importance of fostering organizational creativity and open innovation is becoming more widely acknowledged, there are still few empirical evidence on the impact of creativity and innovation on enhancing SMEs performance. Moreover, previous study argued that the effect of creativity and innovation is still inconclusive, especially in SMEs. SMEs sometimes perceive that research and development is a costly activity and it doesn’t view as the activity that can directly improve performance. This study aims to examine the effect of organizational creativity and open innovation on SMEs performance. Data used in this study was collected from 206 SMEs located in several regions of Indonesia. The collected data then being analysed using PLS-SEM and this study found that all the hypotheses constructed were accepted. The findings indicate that organizational creativity and open innovation are significantly and positively influence SMEs performance. On the other hand, this study also treats organizational creativity as a second order variable that is formed from a combination of individual creativity, group creativity, internal environment, and knowledge creation where most study only consider individual and group creativity as aspect that formed organizational creativity. The result of this study provide evidence that organizational creativity that is formed by those four aspects has the ability to directly improve SME performance. Theoretically, this study contribute to the debate on how organizational creativity and open innovation can directly improve SMEs performance. Practically, this study provides insight to SMEs manager regarding how organizational creativity and open innovation can contribute to SMEs performance.

OPTIMALISASI POTENSI WISATA (GUA SUMUR, GUA KELELAWAR DAN GUA PRABU) DI DESA PRABU, KECAMATAN PUJUT, LOMBOK TENGAH

Tourism is a recreational activity carried out with the intention of breaking away from the daily routine for a while. The tourist village is a combination of natural attractions, culture and creativity of the local community, supported by facilities that can attract tourists to visit the place. Prabu Village is one of the tourist destinations in Pujut District, Central Lombok. Even though it has advantages in natural beauty, unfortunately Prabu Village is still lacking in management and public awareness of the importance of existing tourism potential. Therefore, Unram Thematic KKN participants carried out community service in Prabu village with the theme 'Tourism and the Environment'. The purpose of this service is to introduce the tourism potentials in Prabu Village to the wider community. One of the programs carried out was by making a promotional video for Prabu Village which explained all the potential that the village had. Videos that have been made are then published on various social media (Youtube, Instagram, etc.), websites, and video platforms. With an effective promotional video, Prabu Tourism Village is expected to become an attractive tourist destination for both local and international tourists.

Optimalisasi Potensi Wisata (Gua Sumur, Gua Kelelawar dan Gua Prabu) di Desa Prabu Kecamatan Pujut Kabupaten Lombok Tengah

Tourism is a recreational activity carried out with the intention of breaking away from the daily routine for a while. The tourist village is a combination of natural attractions, culture and creativity of the local community, supported by facilities that can attract tourists to visit the place. Prabu Village is one of the tourist destinations in Pujut District, Central Lombok. Even though it has advantages in natural beauty, unfortunately Prabu Village is still lacking in management and public awareness of the importance of existing tourism potential. Therefore, Unram Thematic KKN participants carried out community service in Prabu village with the theme 'Tourism and the Environment'. The purpose of this service is to introduce the tourism potentials in Prabu Village to the wider community. One of the programs carried out was by making a promotional video for Prabu Village which explained all the potential that the village had. Videos that have been made are then published on various social media (Youtube, Instagram, etc.), websites, and video platforms. With an effective promotional video, Prabu Tourism Village is expected to become an attractive tourist destination for both local and international tourists.

Legal support for digitalization of art

The relevance of digital art and digitalization of art, as a more general category, reflecting the modern technological approach to this sphere of human activity, is manifested in mainstreaming of legal regulation of various aspects of digital technologies impact on the sphere of creativity and their inclusion in the legislative agenda. The article reveals the legal features of digitalization of art at the present stage. It examines the main areas of digitalization of art and legal means to ensure their support. The broad and narrow approaches to the concept of “digital art” have been outlined. The issues of defining intellectual property rights for the results of creativity (works) produced with artificial intelligence and increasing access to works of art and cultural objects in the digital age have been analyzed. The paper applies interdisciplinary approach, methods of analysis and synthesis, abstraction as well as formal-legal and comparative-legal methods. Based on the analysis the author forms the concept of three determinative directions which enable complex processes of combination of creativity and technologies in an integrated way of “development”, “circulation” and “distributed security” of art.

Dialogicity and Textuality as Features of the Cultural Space of V. Kandinsky and D. Burliuk

The appeal to the cultural space of the Silver Age and the Russian avant-garde allows us to judge the diversity of manifestations of the cultural text, the uniqueness of the dialogue between the cultural worlds of Russia and Europe, East and West. The cultural space of prominent representatives of the Russian avant-garde, including V. Kandinsky and D. Burliuk, was distinguished by a combination of artistic creativity and theoretical views, that is, a variety of synthesis of visual, verbal, auditory and other texts. Accordingly, the object of the study is the creative and theoretical heritage of V. Kandinsky and D. Burliuk, consisting of many texts, the subject is the identification of characteristic features of their cultural worlds, such as dialogicity and textuality. The scientific novelty and purpose of our research consists in the culturol analysis and method of comparing the artistic and theoretical views of the artists-thinkers V. Kandinsky and D. Burliuk, in identifying the inseparable connection of their various texts: artistic, visual, verbal, auditory and others. It is established that the originality of the national culture is due to the history of Russia and its location between Europe and Asia. The simultaneous coexistence of cultural phenomena of the past, present and future, their continuity and competition among themselves is a non-linear process, which happens in the era of the Silver Age. This "transitional" period at the junction of the XIX-XX centuries is characterized as an "explosion" situation. The embodiment of the unity of the traditions of Russian and European arts, the interweaving of their artistic achievements and theoretical attitudes in V. Kandinsky's worldview, as well as theoretical views on art problems and the originality of D. Burliuk's artistic text with his passion for Oriental art – all this confirms the similarity of the creative attitudes of artists-thinkers. A comparison of their verbal and artistic texts leads to the conclusion that the features of the cultural worlds of V. Kandinsky and D. Burliuk are dialogic, textual and synthetic.

A hydrophobic high-crystalline g-C3N4/epoxy resin composite coating with excellent durability and stability for long-term corrosion resistance

Through a creative combination of solar-driven photo-generated electron cathodic polarization effects and the barrier nature of two-dimensional (2D) materials, highly crystalline g-C3N4 (HCCN) nanosheets were developed and applied in the anti-corrosion performance test in this work. Coupling HCCN with epoxy resin (EP) effectively forms a hydrophobic HCCN/EP composite coating with a water contact angle of 103°. Experimental results reveal that the electrochemical impedance of the HCCN/EP coating (3.68 ×109 Ω·cm2) rose by three orders of magnitude in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution compared to the EP coating (3.69 ×106 Ω·cm2). In addition, the electric polarization curves demonstrated that the corrosion current of HCCN/EP coating (3.72 ×10−9A·cm−2) was lowered by roughly two orders of magnitude compared to the EP coating (2.75 ×10−7 A·cm−2). Moreover, the long-term anti-corrosion tests demonstrated after 30 days of immersion test, and no prominent corrosion areas were found on the surface of HCCN/EP, indicating excellent corrosion resistance durability. Furthermore, adding g-C3N4 nanosheets strengthened the adhesion grade of the EP coating from 3B to 5B, attributing to the formation of hydrogen bonds between g-C3N4 nanosheets and EP as well as on the carbon steel surface.

Optimal resource allocation and adaptive robust control of technology innovation ecosystems based on cooperative game theory

This paper addresses a problem of optimal resource allocation for technology innovation ecosystem. Two layers goal are realized. First, an uncertain dynamical system is constructed with the Lotka–Volterra model for the description of the dynamics of the concerned innovation ecosystem, in which the growth rate and the symbiosis coefficient are specially treated as possibly (fast) time-varying uncertain parameters. Second, an adaptive robust resource allocation strategy is designed to drive the errors between the populations and the desired populations to be uniformly bounded and uniformly ultimately bounded, such that the first layer (basic) goal of resource allocation is achieved. Third, a two-player cooperative game is formulated for the seeking of the optimal control parameters, in which two (static) cost functions and a comprehensive performance index are constructed by performance analysis, and then the optimal control parameters (i.e., the Pareto-optimality) are obtained by minimizing the comprehensive performance index, such that the second layer (further) goal of optimal balance between the control inputs and the system performance is achieved. This work should be the first effort that addresses the optimal resource allocation and control for technology innovation ecosystem through a creative combination of dynamic modeling, control theory and game theory.

КАДРОВА ПОЛІТИКА НА СВІТОГЛЯДНО-ЦІННІСНІЙ ОСНОВІ

The article substantiates the necessity of using a worldview-value approach to the formation of personnel policy as a modern conceptual basis for the development of the intellectual potential of society. It is emphasized that in the personnel management system personnel policy has a special role as it covers key aspects of personnel activities aimed at ensuring the effective operation of the organization. Personnel policy organically combines ideology with mechanisms that determine the priority areas of development of each organization depending on strategic goals and conditions. The main milestones of the perception of the human factor in the activities of organizations are characterized in accordance with the historical stage of development of society and the economy. Emphasis is placed on modern challenges that highlight the human resource as a special value. It is noted that the ideological personnel policy under the influence of today's trends unfolds in the direction of worldview and value orientations aimed at personnel development, talent management, effective communication, preservation of mental health of personnel, harmonious team cooperation. The modern principles of formation of personnel policy on a worldview and value basis are defined and characterized, among which the principle of human-centrism, which becomes dominant in the conditions of war and permeates all areas of personnel policy, is highlighted. The main functions of personnel policy aimed at the implementation of tactical and strategic tasks of the organization and strengthening of personnel potential are highlighted. The important priorities of personnel policy at the state and local levels caused by the war were determined. The conditions that ensure an effective personnel policy are specified, in particular: a combination of professionalism, creativity and spirituality, acquisition of new competencies in accordance with industry 5.0, search for motivational mechanisms and technologies for the return of highly qualified personnel, reduction of the deficit in the labor market, ensuring personnel safety. Among the wide range of components of personnel policy, the features of formation, preservation, restoration and development of personnel potential in accordance with the worldview and value concept are emphasized. The expediency of further research in the direction of concretizing the content of personnel policy with new elements in accordance with the influences of the external environment is substantiated.

Preduzetnički potencijali u BiH u kontekstu aktuelnih socio-ekonomskih kretanja

This paper explores the pivotal role of entrepreneurship in economic development and the maintenance of a stable social structure. Entrepreneurship, as a combination of labor, creativity, capital, and technology, generates innovative products, services, and socioeconomic activities, becoming increasingly significant in post-industrial societies. Its efficiency, particularly in the development of small businesses, is becoming crucial in mitigating the influence of the corporate world. In the specific context of Bosnia and Herzegovina, entrepreneurial spirit and the potential of citizens emerge as key factors for economic development and social stability. The paper utilizes a theoretical framework encompassing the characteristics of entrepreneurship, along with social, economic, cultural, and educational assumptions for its development, aligning them with the current socioeconomic conditions in the country. Empirical research analyzes the motives, ambitions, and readiness of citizens to initiate their own entrepreneurship in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a specific focus on unemployed youth and their social integration as drivers of socioeconomic development.

Analyzing experimental music performance in "AquaSonic" by Between Music

This essay analyzes the performance of experimental music in Between Music’s Aquasonic Project using a qualitative approach. We investigate the creative combination of music and underwater performance art by analyzing various sources such as literature and audio-visual information found on platforms like YouTube. The essay explores the distinctive difficulties and artistic opportunities that arise from performing music underwater, focusing specifically on Between Music’s Aquasonic Project. The project explores the ways in which it challenges the conventional norms of music performance by combining avant-garde music, visual arts, and scientific investigation. The study reveals the complex and diverse aspects of the Aquasonic Project, emphasizing its dependence on specialized instruments, the acoustic characteristics of water, and the physical interactions between the performers and their underwater surroundings. The essay offers a detailed analysis of the experimental music performance landscape in the Aquasonic Project by combining insights from study literature and analysis video on YouTube. It highlights need to work together across several disciplines, using advanced technology and exploring new artistic ideas to expand the limits of musical expression. Moreover, the study proposes possible areas for future investigation and artistic development in the field of underwater music performance, highlighting its capacity to evoke wonder, stimulate contemplation, and alter traditional concepts of musical engagement.

A Combination of Art, Creativity and Neuroscience

A Combination of Art, Creativity and Neuroscience

(Invited) Biomolecular Engineering for Electrochemical Applications in Fuel Cells/Electrolyzers and Beyond

Control of ionomer thin film structures on metal surfaces is pivotal for efficient performance in electrochemical devices such as fuel cells and electrolyzers. Unfortunately, the assembly of these thin film structures is difficult to control using conventional methods and ideal arrangements remain unknown. Engineered polypeptides have emerged as powerful biomolecular tools in electrode assembly because binding sites and polypeptide structures can be easily modulated by changing the amino acid sequence. However, no studies have been conducted showing polypeptides can be engineered to interact with ionomers, attach them to metal surfaces, and control their arrangement. Our lab has recently developed this technology, using an elastin-like polypeptide to bind to metals, and bind to acidic and basic ionomer via ionic interactions. We use a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation to provide detailed information about the loading, thickness, and binding behavior of the polypeptide and ionomer layers. We also use atomic force microscopy and grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering to understand the impact of the biomolecules on ionomer phase separation. Finally, we have analyzed the performance (ionic conductivity) of the assembled films using interdigitated electrodes and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Through these techniques, we show that 1) our biomolecular system is highly flexible, easily adapting to different materials, 2) the polypeptide sequence can dictate ionomer phase separated structures, and 3) this system can be used to improve the performance of ionomer thin films and gain structure-function understanding. Generally, our results demonstrate that engineered polypeptides are promising tools for ionomer control in electrode engineering for fuel cells/electrolyzers and beyond. Furthermore, this work demonstrates that the creative combination of applied electrochemistry and biomolecular engineering supported and encouraged by leaders in each field can lead to unique research pathways that benefit heath, energy and the environment.