Complex Issues Research Articles

Administrative Legal Status of a Subject to Provide Administrative Services in Maritime Transportation in Ukraine

In Ukraine, the provision of administrative services in sea and river transportation is continuously evolving and actively seeking new effective mechanisms to streamline and enhance accessibility. The focus is on improving the quality of these services by integrating them with other public services through web portals. This integration has gained significant importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it allows for remote communication with the entities involved in providing administrative services. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the leading regulations on the activities of entities responsible for providing administrative services in maritime transportation, as well as to identify the features of their administrative legal status to further identify issues in the area under study and determine the most effective solutions for them. The research methodology employed a range of principles, with a primary emphasis on the integration of theory and practice. Within the scope of this study, an integrated approach was adopted as the methodological foundation, facilitating a comprehensive examination of the subject matter. Drawing from the findings, the authors examined the characteristics of the administrative legal status of entities involved in providing administrative services in maritime transportation. The study concluded that the responsibility for advancing Ukraine’s development as a maritime power lies with the state management bodies overseeing maritime activities and ensuring the delivery of high-quality administrative services. The analysis of the polyvariance of the positions identified in the discussion suggests that in the current conditions, Ukraine is only starting to introduce new information technologies of “e-Government”, respectively, providers of administrative services in maritime transportation face numerous complex issues. It was stated that the combined results of all International Maritime Organisation (IMO) audits can really help identify positive foreign practices, which are appropriate and necessary to introduce and ensure compliance with them on the territory of Ukraine based on international standards in maritime transportation.

What Differentiates Rural and Urban Patients with Type 1 Diabetes-A Pilot Study.

The effective management of diabetes is a complex issue and may be determined according to numerous patient-dependent and patient-independent factors. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the place of residence and selected sociodemographic, psychological and diabetes-related parameters in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study was conducted on 419 adults with T1D using nonprobability sampling. The following questionnaires were used: the Diabetes Dietary Guidelines Adherence Index, the Acceptance of Illness Scale, the Sense of Responsibility for Health Scale, the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised scale, the Eating Attitudes Test and questions on sociodemographic and diabetes-related parameters. People living in rural areas were characterized by a significantly lower age and level of education, a higher incidence of being overweight, a higher glycated hemoglobin concentration, a lower number of glucose measurements during the day and a higher level of acceptance of the disease compared to urban residents. The degree of adherence to dietary recommendations and the sense of responsibility for one's own health were significantly higher among urban residents. It is necessary to assess barriers to a proper diet and to increase the effectiveness in managing the disease in rural communities. Targeted actions promoting the health of type 1 diabetics need to be developed with particular emphasis on patients from rural areas.

Blurred lines: Ethical challenges related to autonomy in home-based care.

Home-based care workers mainly work alone in the patient's home. They encounter a diverse patient population with complex health issues. This inevitably leads to several ethical challenges. The aim is to gain insight into ethical challenges related to patient autonomy in home-based care and how home-based care staff handle such challenges. The study is based on a 9-month fieldwork, including participant observation and interviews in home-based care. Data were analysed with a thematic analysis approach. The study took place within home-based care in three municipalities in Eastern Norway, with six staff members as key informants. The Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research evaluated the study. All participants were competent to consent and signed an informed consent form. A main challenge was that staff found it difficult to respect the patient's autonomy while at the same time practicing appropriate care. We found two main themes: Autonomy and risk in tension; and strategies to balance autonomy and risk. These were explicated in four sub-themes: Refusing and resisting care; when choosing to live at home becomes risky; sweet-talking and coaxing; and building trust over time. Staff's threshold for considering the use of coercion appeared to be high. Arguably, home-based care staff need improved knowledge of coercion and the legislation regulating it. There is also a need for arenas for ethics reflection and building of competence in balancing ethical values in recurrent ethical problems.

COVID-19 and the decline of active social media engagement

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic triggered an increase in online traffic, with many assuming that this technology would facilitate coping through active social connections. This study aims to interrogate the nature of this traffic-engagement relationship by distinguishing between passive (e.g. browsing) and active (e.g. reacting, commenting and sharing) engagement, and examining behavioral shifts across platforms.Design/methodology/approachThree field studies assessed changes in social media engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. These studies included social media engagement with the most followed accounts (Twitter), discussion board commenting (Reddit) and news content sharing (Facebook).FindingsEven though people spent more time online during the pandemic, the current research finds people were actively engaging less. Users were reacting less to popular social media accounts, commenting less on discussion boards and even sharing less news content.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the current work provides a systematic observation of engagement during a global crisis, it does not claim causality based on its correlational nature. Future research should test potential mechanisms (e.g. anxiety, threat and privacy) to draw causal inference and identify possible interventions.Practical implicationsThe pandemic shed light on a complex systemic issue: the misunderstanding and oversimplification of how online platforms facilitate social cohesion. It encourages thoughtful consideration of online social dynamics, emphasizing that not all engagement is equal and that the benefits of connection may not always be realized as expected.Originality/valueThis research provides a postmortem on the traffic-engagement relationship, highlighting that increased online presence does not necessarily translate to active social connection, which might help explain the rise in mental health issues that emerged from the pandemic.

Deep Learning for Integrated Speckle Reduction and Super-Resolution in Multi-Temporal SAR

In the domain of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image processing, a prevalent issue persists wherein research predominantly focuses on single-task learning, often neglecting the concurrent impact of speckle noise and low resolution on SAR images. Currently, there are two main processing strategies. The first strategy involves conducting speckle reduction and super-resolution processing step by step. The second strategy involves performing speckle reduction as an auxiliary step, with a focus on enhancing the primary task of super-resolution processing. However, both of these strategies exhibit clear deficiencies. Nevertheless, both tasks jointly focus on two key aspects, enhancing SAR quality and restoring details. The fusion of these tasks can effectively leverage their task correlation, leading to a significant improvement in processing effectiveness. Additionally, multi-temporal SAR images covering imaging information from different time periods exhibit high correlation, providing deep learning models with a more diverse feature expression space, greatly enhancing the model’s ability to address complex issues. Therefore, this study proposes a deep learning network for integrated speckle reduction and super-resolution in multi-temporal SAR (ISSMSAR). The network aims to reduce speckle in multi-temporal SAR while significantly improving the image resolution. Specifically, it consists of two subnetworks, each taking the SAR image at time 1 and the SAR image at time 2 as inputs. Each subnetwork includes a primary feature extraction block (PFE), a high-level feature extraction block (HFE), a multi-temporal feature fusion block (FFB), and an image reconstruction block (REC). Following experiments on diverse data sources, the results demonstrate that ISSMSAR surpasses speckle reduction and super-resolution methods based on a single task in terms of both subjective perception and objective evaluation metrics regarding the quality of image restoration.

Factors determining the readiness of a patient with coronary artery disease to use telemedicine technologies for rehabilitation: prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Despite its relevance and established efficiency, the third stage of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) lacks a universal solution. The longest rehabilitation period requires many resources and effort on the part of the healthcare system. Digital technologies rapidly developing and being introduced into medicine can significantly assist in organizing the CR process. The healthcare system is already mastered and actively adopting telemedicine technologies into daily practice.
 OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the patients’ preparedness for the upcoming surgical treatment of the chronic types of coronary artery disease to engage in remote cardiac rehabilitation programs using telemedicine technologies.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study of 213 patients treated for artery disease and preparing for planned coronary bypass surgery was conducted. Gender, age, socioeconomic factors, and digital literacy were analyzed. The patients were offered one of two options for completing the third stage of CR: a standard option in which CR is performed under the supervision of a medical worker in a medical organization at the place of residence according to the recommendations received upon hospital discharge or an alternative in which CR is performed at home using remote monitoring under the supervision of specialists from the CR laboratory of the Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases. Patients were divided into two groups based on their choice: those who agreed to participate in the outpatient stage of CR using telemedicine technologies (loyal patients) and those who refused to use telemedicine technologies (nonloyal patients). The factors indicating more loyalty were identified using survey data and correlation analysis, and a portrait of a patient eager to use remote rehabilitation programs was formed.
 RESULTS: Social factors, such as living in big cities (p 0.001) and having a spouse (p=0,030), were associated with increased loyalty to participating in CR via telemedicine technologies. Male gender (p 0.001), obesity (p 0.001), and smoking (p 0.001) were associated with the reluctance to participate in the alternative CR program. The education level (p=0.060) did not show a significant impact on the loyalty to use telemedicine technologies.
 CONCLUSION: 46% of patients were interested in using remotely controlled CR programs. The social factors determine the loyalty to telemedicine technologies in patients.

Regulation of the bioeconomy: Barriers, drivers and potential for innovation in the case of Ireland

The bioeconomy is generally understood as an economy in which sustainably-sourced renewable bio-based resources are used for the production of food, energy and other products and services. Expectations are high for its potential to support the transition away from a fossil fuel-based economy and help to address complex issues such as climate change and biodiversity depletion. However, given its cross-sectoral nature and key focus on innovation, tensions can emerge between bioeconomy goals and the need for regulation of bioeconomy activities. In particular, there is a recognition of the need for regulation to (a) support sustainability and resource efficiency, (b) manage competing interests and (c) provide coherence and innovation support. To identify how regulation may be acting as a barrier and / or driver of the bioeconomy in Ireland, interviews were conducted with a range of key stakeholder organisations. Analysis revealed four key barriers, relating to the need for financial support tools such as feedin tariffs, more flexible approaches to regulating the use of waste materials, closing the gap between regulation and innovation activity and addressing planning issues. The two drivers identified highlight a positive role for regulation in supporting and enabling bioeconomy development, especially in terms of using more flexible and innovative approaches. Associated challenges include the need to support genuine public participation and the provision of resources to support policy-makers in the design and implementation of an effective bioeconomy regulatory framework.

Conversation in the News: Comparing News Coverage of Fukushima Water Dispute in AP and CGTN

This research paper examines and compares the coverage of the Fukushima water dispute by the Associated Press (AP) and China Global Television Network (CGTN). The study utilizes framing theory analysis to identify differences arising from biases and priorities in news reporting. The paper analyzes the framing used by both outlets and discusses variations in perspectives on Japan's plan and responsibility. It examines the attributions of different narratives and their impact on the audience in each country. Possible causes for these differences are explored, including geopolitical factors, political polarization, and cultural influences. The findings highlight the significant role of media in shaping public opinion and the importance of understanding the diverse influences that contribute to news coverage. The paper concludes that recognizing these influences and seeking diverse viewpoints is crucial for developing a comprehensive understanding of complex issues. However, it acknowledges the limitations of the analysis and highlights the need to consider editorial biases and commercial interests in news reporting.

Experimental and simulated studies on the distribution law of rotational–perforated fluid in tridimensional rotational flow sieve tray

The distribution law of the rotational and perforated fluid in tridimensional rotational flow sieve trays (TRST) is the key point for revealing its working mechanism and engineering application. Due to complex issues such as overlapping blades, rotational fluid accumulation, and centrifugal force within TRST, it is very difficult to accurately calculate the flow ratio. In this paper, the flowable interior mesh faces were constructed at all sieve holes on a blade, and the velocity distribution on the interior faces was simulated as the fluid perforated through the different sieves, thus calculating the volume flow rate and ratio of the flow through perforations. And the three-blade unit experiment was designed to calculate the perforated ratio of the entire blade. Compared with the simulated values, the relative differences of the gas and liquid phases were within 25% and 10%, respectively, which were in good agreement.

FEATURES OF USING ORTHOPEDIC IMPLANTS ON AN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL OF SENSITIZATION TO NICKEL (NI)

Introduction. The theme of metal hypersensitivity (MHS) reactions is among the most controversial and complex issues in orthopedic and trauma practice. MHS diagnoses are diagnostically challenging because they are exclusionary diagnoses. It is currently uncertain which biomarkers can reliably predict a potential pathological response to implants.
 The aim of this research is to investigate hypersensitivity reactions to orthopedic implants containing nickel (Ni).
 Materials and methods. This research was conducted on female Wistar rats in accordance with the standards of bioethical principles. To obtain conclusive results, the animals were divided into two experimental groups: with prior sensitization to Freund's adjuvant containing Ni and without it. Nickel plates with a total surface area of 24 mm2 were implanted in the rats under general anesthesia. Five months after the intervention, the animals were removed from the experiment, and histological examination of the obtained samples was conducted. Extracted implants were examined using electron microscopy to assess the implant surface. The local elemental composition of the implants was analyzed using an energy-dispersive spectrometer.
 Results. Under the experimental conditions, it was demonstrated that after 5 months following the operation, a dense connective tissue capsule with an inflammatory infiltrate in the capsule lumen had formed around the implants in the rats. This suggests a possible manifestation of hypersensitivity reactions to implants containing Ni. Electron microscopy of the surface of the extracted implants revealed corrosion phenomena in all the samples. The degree of corrosion was more pronounced in the group of animals with prior sensitization to Ni, and distant particles of Ni were detected, which can be characterized as the beginning of implant degradation.
 Conclusions. A connective tissue capsule forms around the implants, and it was found to be 34.8% denser in animals sensitized to Ni prior to implantation, which may indicate tissue reactions with signs of hypersensitivity. Further research will provide a deeper understanding of the fundamental inflammatory and immunological reactions to metals present in implants. This, in turn, will facilitate the identification of clinically useful applications necessary for the development of diagnostic or prognostic tests for patients with metal implants.

Challenges of Multiculturalism: Integration of Religion in State Policy

This abstract explores the intricate challenges posed by the integration of religion in state policy within multicultural societies. Multiculturalism, as a philosophy, advocates for the coexistence of diverse cultural and religious groups within a single nation, emphasizing tolerance and inclusivity. However, the incorporation of religion into the framework of state governance often presents complex and contentious issues. This paper examines the tensions that arise when religious beliefs intersect with the principles of secular governance, highlighting the dilemmas faced by governments in striking a balance between respecting religious freedom and upholding the separation of religions and state. It delves into case studies from various countries, shedding light on the diverse approaches taken to address these challenges and the potential implications for social cohesion, individual rights, and democratic governance. Additionally, the abstract explores the role of dialogue, education, and policy-making in mitigating these challenges and fostering a harmonious multicultural society that respects both religious diversity and the fundamental values of the state. Ultimately, this abstract aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted issues surrounding the integration of religion in state policy and invites further research and discussion on this critical aspect of multiculturalism.

Conservation and health policy implications linked to the human consumption of sea turtles in northwestern Mexico

AbstractHuman consumption of sea turtles remains prevalent throughout Mexico even though laws restricting trade and take of threatened and endangered species have been in place for several decades. The illegal consumption of sea turtles represents a risk to animal conservation, and the pathogens in the meat can adversely affect human health. In 2017, we surveyed 201 adult residents of 22 coastal communities about their diets, health, and attitudes about the environment, and we collected hair samples that were tested for heavy metals. A large percentage of the samples had high levels of mercury (87%), arsenic (81%), lead (65%), aluminum (57%), and cadmium (31%). Odds ratios suggested that the 28% of participants who reported recent sea turtle consumption had an increased likelihood of high metal levels even after adjusting for sex, age, and consumption of fish that bioaccumulate heavy metals. Conservation efforts may be more successful when they appeal to people's self‐interest rather than merely focusing on ecological benefits. Concerns about toxins in sharks, tuna, and other types of deep‐sea fish have reduced human consumption of some species. Both sea turtle conservation and human health may benefit from awareness campaigns that emphasize the adverse outcomes associated with eating sea turtles while continuing to affirm the economic benefits of healthy ecosystems. Transdisciplinary research that draws on ecology, epidemiology, toxicology, law, and public policy provides a valuable foundation for solving complex health issues. Creative reframing of biodiversity concerns will be necessary for promoting planetary health in a time of accelerating environmental change.

Costs and benefits of synthetic nitrogen for global cereal production in 2015 and in 2050 under contrasting scenarios

Cereals are the most important global staple crop and use more than half of global cropland and synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizer. While this synthetic N may feed half of the current global population, it has led to a massive increase in reactive N loss to the environment, causing a suite of impacts, offsetting the benefits of N fertilizers for food security and agricultural economy. To address these complex issues, the NBCalCer model was developed to quantify the global effects of N input on crop yields, N budgets and environmental impacts and to assess the associated social benefits and costs. Three Shared Socioeconomic Pathway scenarios (SSPs) were considered with decreasing N agri-environmental ambitions, through contrasting climate and N policy ambitions: sustainability (SSP1H), middle-of-the-road (SSP2M) and fossil-fueled development (SSP5L). In the base year the contribution of synthetic N fertilizer to global cereal production was 44 %. Global modelled grain yield was projected to increase under all scenarios while the use of synthetic N fertilizer decreases under all scenarios except SSP5L. The total N surplus was projected to be reduced up to 20 % under SSP1H but to increase under SSP5L. The Benefit-Cost-Ratio (BCR) was calculated as the ratio between the market benefit of increased grain production by synthetic N and the summed cost of fertilizer purchase and the external cost of the N losses. In base year the BCR was well above one in all regions, but in 2050 under SSP1H and SSP5L decreased to below one in most regions. Given the concerns about food security, environmental quality and its interaction with biodiversity loss, human health and climate change, the new paradigm for global cereal production is producing sufficient food with minimum N pollution. Our results indicate that achieving this goal would require a massive change in global volume and distribution of synthetic N.

Heritage and waste in the Anthropocene: A museum perspective on environmental and social complexities

AbstractThe relationship between heritage and waste in the context of the Anthropocene has always been intricate. Historically, heritage and waste were viewed as opposing concepts, but in the Anthropocene, they are inextricably linked and interwoven, resulting in the creation of in situ and ex situ productions that leave deep imprints on their territories. How we deal with these landscapes of waste, or wastescapes, as a form of modern heritage is increasingly a concern for museums, which have a potentially pivotal role in addressing the phenomenon of global waste and educating the public about responsible consumption. The review of diverse exhibitions and artworks explores the cultural and social dimensions of waste, considering it as a form of modern heritage derived from and shaped by human activities that have become a planetary phenomenon in the twenty‐first century. It also unveils the connections between economic power, waste management, and environmental impact. In conclusion, current museum practice responds to a reevaluation of what is considered material culture, understanding it as testimonies of the present, with the aim of highlighting the role of museums as platforms for critically examining complex issues related to waste, enabling diverse ways of addressing the environmental and social injustices associated with waste management.

Challenges And Risks In Ghana's Microfinance Sector: Is The Islamic Alternative Any Better?

Ghana fares well on some indicators of financial inclusion compared to other Sub-Saharan African countries, and is comparable to lower middle-income countries. However, it lacks a clear strategy for financial inclusion and development of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and other methodologies of making financial services more widely available. This paper summarizes the situation and development of microfinance institutions in Ghana, reviews progress and problems in implementing the BoG regulations for MFIs, highlights current risks and challenges, and proposes strategies for mitigating risks. The analysis includes three different levels: BoG and Government of Ghana (GoG); MFIs and their associations; and the public. It is aimed at providing information on the complex issues in the microfinance sector as a basis for dialogue on concrete reforms.

Association between perceived stress and history of intimate partner violence throughout life and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a significant public health issue, characterized by being a highly stressful experience for its victims. The relationship between IPV and stress creates a harmful cycle with broad health implications, affecting individuals and society at large. Despite its significance, there's a noticeable lack of research on this topic, especially regarding IPV throughout one's life and during the pandemic. To verify the association between perceived stress and the history of intimate partner violence throughout life and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analytical cross-sectional epidemiological study with a sample of 1,086 women. Sociodemographic information and violence history, assessed using the World Health Organization Violence Against Women (WHO VAW STUDY), along with perceived stress measured by the short version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), were collected. The sampling process unfolded through multiple stages. For bivariate analyses, the t-test and ANOVA were performed, whereas for multivariate analyses simple and multiple linear regression were performed. The software Stata® version 15.1 and R® were used. Women who reported having suffered intimate partner violence throughout their lives had higher means of stress (18.49), with an average increase of 4 points without adjustments and 3.5 points after adjustments for sociodemographic variables. Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic (19.01), stress increased by an average of 3.3 points, which was reduced to 2.8 points after adjustments. The results indicate an association between intimate partner violence and an increase in women's perceived stress, both throughout life and during the pandemic. The importance of preventive approaches, promoting gender equality and preventing IPV from the early stages of life is highlighted. In addition, they underscore the urgency of evidence-based interventions of a comprehensive nature to deal with this complex issue in a careful and effective manner. The cross-sectional nature of this study limits the inference of causality, and an additional limitation is acknowledged concerning information bias. This bias relates to the multifaceted issues surrounding the concept of violence, potentially influencing the accuracy of participants' information and complicating the measurement of violence.

The Protection of Human Rights in the Case of Non-Criminal Narcotics Users

Introduction: Narcotics use as a complex global issue has an impact on human rights, especially in the context of criminal law. Although some countries, including Indonesia, are beginning to recognize human rights protections in non-criminal narcotics use, the main challenge is striking a balance between strict regulation and appropriate protection for individuals who need narcotics for treatment or non-criminal purposes. Purposes of the Research: The aim of this research is to analyze relevant laws and regulations and related practices in protecting human rights in the case of non-criminal narcotics users. Methods of the Research: This research uses normative legal research methods to analyze laws and regulations related to non-criminal narcotics use. Data sources include statutory documents, court decisions, and legal literature. Data analysis will look for patterns and evaluate regulatory compliance with human rights principles.Results of the Research: To protect human rights in cases of non-criminal narcotics use in Indonesia, legislation plays an important role, although challenges such as abuse of power and social stigma remain. Cooperation between government, NGOs and civil society is needed to implement existing regulations and increase public understanding of human rights. Indonesia needs to find a balance between strict narcotics regulations and protecting individual rights. This involves clear definitions for “non-criminal” narcotics, fair law enforcement, as well as safeguarding individual privacy. The challenges involve racial and social injustice in drug law enforcement and require an evidence-based approach that engages diverse stakeholders. Continuous research and analysis is needed to support better policies to address the narcotics problem.

Where is the life we have lost in living (beyond means)? An exploratory inquiry into the deceptive world of corruption and consumerism

Purpose The primary purpose of this exploratory paper is to propose a novel analytical framework for examining corruption from a behavioral perspective by highlighting multiple issues associated with consumerism. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines the relationship between excessive consumption activities and corrupt acts, drawing upon existing literature on corruption, consumerism and consumption, as well as multiple reports and cases of corruption and money laundering in Indonesia. With regard to corruption networks, this paper analyses the associated behavioral patterns and social dynamics by using the Fraud Triangle and the Fraud Elements Triangle frameworks to examine the phenomenon of living beyond one’s means. This paper also addresses the notion of sacredness in the context of consumer activities and how such sacredness plays a role in causing otherwise honest individuals to engage in corrupt acts. Findings The author established that corruption represents a complex societal issue that extends across several dimensions of society, encompassing both horizontal and vertical aspects. Consequently, addressing this problem poses significant challenges. Excessive consumption has been identified as one of the various behavioral concerns that are implicated in the widespread occurrence of corruption in many nations. Individuals who partake in excessive consumption play a role in shaping ethical norms that serve to legitimize and rationalize immoral behavior, therefore fostering a society marked by corruption. The act of engaging in excessive consumption is also associated with cases of money laundering offenses that are connected to corruption and several other illicit activities. The lifestyle of corrupt individuals is one of the primary behavioral concerns associated with corruption, as “living beyond means” is the most common behavioral red flag among occupational fraud offenders worldwide. The phenomenon of consumerism may also shape the minds of individuals as if it were an “implicit religion” due to the fact that it may generate human experiences that elicit highly positive emotions and satisfy certain sacredness-associated characteristics. The pursuit of transcendental experiences through the acquisition and consumption of sacred consumption objects may heighten the incentive to commit fraudulent acts such as corruption. Research limitations/implications This self-funded exploratory study uses document analysis to examine the corruption phenomenon in Indonesia. Future studies will benefit from in-depth interviews with former offenders and investigators of corruption. Practical implications This exploratory study contributes to advancing corruption prevention strategies. It does this by introducing a novel analytical framework that allows for the examination of several behavioral issues associated with consumerism, which have the potential to foster the proliferation of corruption. Originality/value This exploratory study highlights the importance of comprehending the intricacies of consumerism, namely, its adverse effects on the proliferation of corruption.

Structural Equation Modelling in accounting research: A review of prior studies and further research opportunities

Purpose: The main aim of this paper is to present and discuss the application of Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) in accounting research. Following an overview of the terminology, statistical concepts, and software used in SEM, the results of a systematic review of the accounting literature are presented, with a focus on the benefits and challenges identified in prior studies. Methodology/approach: This paper is based on a traditional literature review, which helps to demonstrate SEM as a research technique. It is also based on a systematic literature review, which is used to present previous applications of SEM in accounting studies. Findings: SEM offers the possibility to model statistically complex theoretical issues using specialised software. It is a flexible and universal approach used by quantitative accounting scholars to test and develop theories. SEM research is heterogeneous and encompasses different research strategies, theories tested, branches of accounting, data collection methods, and types of statistical analyses. Research limitations/implications: The main limitation of this study is that the complexity of SEM statistical analyses cannot be discussed in detail within the scope of this paper. Originality/value: SEM is gaining popularity among accounting scholars; however, it is not widely used by Polish researchers. Therefore, this paper is a kind of invitation to quantitative scholars to examine SEM and its potential. It is also a contribution to the current discussions on the automation of research processes.

Pozycja dzieła i instytucji sztuki w dobie mediów społecznościowych: Zachęta oraz Cosmos Muzeum

This work focuses on considering the position that an artwork and an institution of art hold in the age of social media. Two popular places in Warsaw: Zachęta and Cosmos Muzeum were used as examples for undertaking a comparative analysis. The work has been divided into two parts – the first is of a theoretical and methodological nature. It introduces the complex issues of contemporary art, visuality in social media, as well as the art of narration and self-creation. The second part of the work is a comparative analysis of two examples – each of them contains subsections on the identity of a place and its history, presence in social media and activities outside art. The direct inspiration for taking up the considerations was the fate of a series of installations created by the Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama, which once broke popularity records on Instagram, and Kusama was called “the most instagrammed artist in the world”. The collection of materials for analysis took place at a specific time, during the coronavirus pandemic, which left a clear mark on the activities of cultural institutions. It was a time when social media benefited and through which cultural institutions could continue their activities and reach recipients. For many cultural institutions and museums, the pandemic has become an opportunity to find new forms of communication and present art and Zachęta can be used as an example. This is important especially for contemporary art, which is often perceived as difficult to accept and incomprehensible. The article also presents the main problems and issues of contemporary art against the background of the specificity of contemporary culture immersed in the virtual world, with social media at the forefront. The article also focuses on the issue of visuality and aesthetics.