Conceptual Clarity Research Articles

Meaning in elite sport – A narrative review of scholarship in sport psychology

Introduction Athletes’ heart-felt stories about their experiences in elite sport almost naturally evoke the notion of meaning. However, although various scholars and practitioners have suggested the concept of meaning to the sport psychology audience in the past two decades (e.g., Beckmann, 2023; Ravizza, 2002; Ronkainen & Nesti, 2020), its study in this discipline is still in the early stages compared to established psychological scholarship on the topic. To promote meaning as a complementary lens for research and applied work in sport psychology, the presentation aims to introduce the concept informed by psychological inquiry, and to synthesize and critically comment on the extant scholarship. For this, the wider meaning in life literature will be drawn on to give an overview of components, sources, pathways, and qualities of meaning and set it apart from the related concept of purpose. Methods A narrative review of 15 studies on meaning (n = 10) and purpose (n = 5) from elite sport contexts was conducted. Results The scholarship on meaning and purpose in elite sport revealed itself diverse in terms of employed study designs (quantitative, qualitative), methodologies and theoretical frameworks (e.g., narrative inquiry, phenomenology), conceptualizations of meaning and purpose (e.g., existential meaning, purpose in coaching), interpretations of meaning (intrapsychic or relational), and topics researched in relation to it (e.g., forced migration, injury experiences). To date the literature base on meaning and purpose in elite sport is characterized by fragmentation and largely imprecise use of the concept. Discussion/Conclusion To assist future empirical research and increase conceptual clarity of meaning in elite sport, sport psychology should integrate knowledge from its parent discipline psychology. Additionally, to make the somewhat abstract notion of meaning tangible for sport practitioners, more applied questions must be addressed. Through this, meaning could offer a truly holistic approach to well-being and mental health research and practice in sport. Importantly, “working” with meaning requires personal positioning, since conceiving of meaning as performance enhancement tool or as existential concern has major implications for how it is investigated and for how or whether it should be increased.

Quiet quitting: a comprehensive exploration of hidden problems

PurposeThis study's objective is to give a thorough overview of the literature in the field of “quiet quitting.” This paper presents literature review on quiet quitting, analyzing its conceptual framework, antecedents, outcomes, and potential strategies for addressing this pervasive issue.Design/methodology/approachUsing the keywords “quiet quitting” and “silent quitting” from the Scopus database, a systematic review of the literature was conducted, applying the Antecedents-Behaviour-Consequences (ABC) approach, popularized by B.F Skinner, to get a conceptual clarity of this topic. There were just twenty articles discovered in the search until October 15, 2023. This review was undertaken after full-text screening of relevant studies, which are duly cited. The literature review also revealed some themes that are discussed in the study.FindingsThe study identifies relevant “quiet quitting” definitions as well as potential individual and organizational-level causes using a descriptive and thematic review of the literature. Additionally, critical insights and research gaps that could be used for empirical studies are identified.Practical implicationsThis study provides as a roadmap for organizations to proactively recognize and address concerns, resulting in enhanced workforce well-being and productivity.Originality/valueThe study could spur further research and serve as a resource for scholars interested in the concept of “quiet quitting,” as well as benefiting human resource managers who prefer evidence-based management.

Gender and diversity competence in sport studies programs in higher education

Introduction Inclusion and diversity have become increasingly important in the context of sport in recent years. Numerous sports organizations and sports policymakers are committed to enable more inclusive sport. Led by the idea of a sport for all, everyone should be able to participate in sport regardless of gender, sexuality, dis_ability, race, or class. Inclusive sport does not only require specific structural conditions. It also demands social actors who have the skills to deal with the challenges of social diversity in an open, appreciative, and innovative way. Coaches, officials, teachers, journalists, and economists working in the field of sport need to be familiar with the topics of gender equity, diversity, and inclusion. This is where the project “Understanding and Experiencing Diversity” (funded by the Swiss Federal Office for Sport) comes in. It aims to develop and test a concept for promoting gender and diversity competence in sport-related higher education, thus enabling social actors to shape sport in a diversity-conscious and inclusive way. Methods The project is being carried out over a period of three years and consists of four project phases. After a phase of conceptual clarification regarding the theoretical framework and terminology, current approaches to gender and diversity competence (in the sport studies context) are being critically analysed. Against this background, phases three and four of the project will focus on the development of a sport-related teaching concept for gender and diversity competence and its testing at three different universities. Results/Discussion The understanding of gender and diversity competence developed in this project is theoretically based on the “trilemma of Inclusion” by Boger (2019). It thus refers to inclusion and non-discrimination as a complex structure of normalization, deconstruction, and empowerment. This is also linked to an intersectional perspective on social differentiation and discrimination (Degele & Winker, 2011). Regarding the promotion of gender and diversity competence in higher education, the attitude of social actors towards diversity and inclusion proves to be particularly important. This aspect has not yet been systematically considered in the context of sport-related higher education in German-speaking countries. The teaching concept developed in this project therefore emphasizes the aspect of attitude (Rischke et al., 2017).

Maqasid al-Shari`ah, Maslahah, and Corporate Social Responsibility (2007)*

The doctrine of corporate social responsibility (CSR), which hasemerged and developed rapidly as a field of study, is a frameworkfor the role of business in society. It sets standards of behavior towhich a company must subscribe in order to impact society ina positive and productive manner while abiding by values thatexclude seeking profit at any cost. Despite the many attempts toconstrue CSR initiatives, it remains open to wide criticism for itsinherent problems via-à-vis justification, conceptual clarity, andpossible inconsistency. These problems are more acute when itcomes to implementing and operationalizing CSR on the ground,especially in a situation that involves trade-offs.This paper offers an instructive understanding of CSR froman Islamic perspective. In particular, the implication of maqasidal-Shari`ah (the Shari`ah’s objectives) and the applicationof maslahah (the public good) to CSR are discussed in detail toshed light on how Islam’s holistic and dynamic perception of CSRtake into consideration reality and ever-changing circumstances.These principles also provide a better framework that managerscan use when faced with potential conflicts arising from thediverse expectations and interests of a corporation’s stakeholders. *This article was first published in the American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences 24, no. 1 (2007):25-43

Exploring and Evaluating the Two-Factor Model of Perfectionism in Sport

Perfectionism is a multidimensional personality trait with two higher-order dimensions; perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns. The purpose of the present study was to explore and evaluate the two-factor model for the first time using three instruments developed to measure perfectionism in sport. In doing so, we (i) assessed the fit of two-factor models when including and excluding various contentious subscales (other-oriented perfectionism, parental pressure, coach pressure, organisation, and negative reactions to imperfection) and (ii) compared two-factor models to alternative one-factor (or unidimensional) models. Participants were recruited from community and university sports clubs in the UK ( N = 527; M age = 18.07 years, SD = 0.49) and completed the Sport-Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-2, the Multidimensional Inventory of Perfectionism in Sport, and the Performance Perfectionism Scale-Sport. Support was found for the two-factor model, with superior fit displayed each time the aforementioned subscales were excluded and, in all cases, when compared to a unidimensional model. The findings suggest that the two-factor model is an adequate representation of the underlying structure of instruments designed to measure perfectionism in sport with better fit and conceptual clarity offered by more parsimonious models.

Health Information as “Fodder for Fears”: A Qualitative Analysis of Types and Determinants of the Nonuse of Health Information

ABSTRACT As not all individuals are willing to pay attention to health information it is crucial to understand and distinguish the underlying motives and the scope of various nonuse behaviors. To increase conceptual clarity and specify theoretical assumptions about the types of nonuse of health information and their determinants, we used a qualitative research approach. Semi-structured interviews with 11 female, 10 male, and 10 non-binary participants aged between 18 and 67 (M = 39.7) showed that information ignoring and avoidance are two distinct behaviors characterized by their motivational patterns. Information ignoring is a preference for other content, serving as a strategy to manage limited time resources and receptivity. Information avoidance is understood as a decision to avoid threatening health information serving emotion regulation. Our data further indicate that information ignoring and avoidance are not unidimensional constructs. Instead, the selectivity and consistency of both behaviors build various types of information ignoring and avoidance, which need to be explained differently considering individual differences, cognitive, affective, socio-normative, and structural factors. Further, theory specification should build on the revealed findings and test which factors relate to which kind of nonuse behaviors.

Theoretical dilemmas regarding the relationship between attachment styles and risk-taking behaviour

Attachment theory provides a powerful framework for understanding individual differences that affect interpersonal relationships, as well as a range of outcomes related to risky behaviors in various life domains. Existing research on the relationship between attachment styles and risk-taking is contradictory and confusing. On the one hand, there is research and the common belief that individuals with secure attachments view the world as a safe place, hence we expect these individuals to be more able to explore the world and take risks, and on the other hand, there is a body of research that highlights that individuals with insecure attachments are more likely to take on risky behaviours. The present article aims to bring more conceptual clarity in understanding and interpreting the conflicting findings about individuals’ ability to take risks based on attachment style.

Types of Platform Transparency: An Analysis of Discourse Around Transparency and Global Digital Platforms

Over the last decade, the companies behind major digital platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, etc., have risen to unprecedented power. Society, in the meanwhile, is still grappling with how to regulate them. One of the main challenges to effectively regulate digital platforms is the lack of available information about how they operate and what impact they have on society. Transparency measures have been hailed by many as a possible remedy to address this information asymmetry, but proponents of transparency often fall short of specifying what transparency means in the practice of digital platforms and how it can be implemented. This paper aims to bring conceptual clarity to the conversation around platform transparency. It contextualizes the debate in the existing literature, identifies key features of the discourse, and locates these features on a typology matrix. The goal is to delineate the core dimensions of the debate to encourage more nuanced and effective transparency policies. The paper argues that transparency is necessary to enhance public understanding of platforms, make platforms more accountable, and inform better regulation.

The creation of collective enterprises for social impact: An agency perspective

There is growing recognition of the important role that collective enterprises for social impact can play in resolving grand challenges. New forms of collective organisation are appearing on a global basis, yet we still know little about the process by which they are created. Paradoxically, the literature tends to rely on the concept of individual agency to explain the emergence of collective organisations. Based on inductive research of two French cases, our analysis unpacks the key role of collective agency in collective enterprises created for social impact. By revealing three dynamics – collective entrepreneurship, collective animatorship and collective organising – and their interrelations, this study provides conceptual clarification of the understudied notion of collective agency in entrepreneurship. The study also takes a fresh look at the creation of collective enterprises for social impact beyond the vision of a ‘heroic’ entrepreneur.

Evidence Base Update on the Assessment of Irritability, Anger, and Aggression in Youth

ABSTRACT Objective Irritability, anger, and aggression have garnered significant attention from youth mental health researchers and clinicians; however, fundamental challenges of conceptualization and measurement persist. This article reviews the evidence base for assessing these transdiagnostic constructs in children and adolescents. Method We conducted a preregistered systematic review of the evidence behind instruments used to measure irritability, anger, aggression, and related problems in youth. Searches were conducted in PsycINFO and PubMed, identifying 4,664 unique articles. Eligibility criteria focused on self- and proxy-report measures with peer-reviewed psychometric evidence from studies in English with youths ages 3–18. Additional measures were found through ancillary search strategies (e.g. book chapters, review articles, test publishers). Measures were screened and coded by multiple raters with acceptable reliability. Results Overall, 68 instruments met criteria for inclusion, with scales covering irritability (n = 15), anger (n = 19), aggression (n = 45), and/or general overt externalizing problems (n = 27). Regarding overall psychometric support, 6 measures (8.8%) were classified as Excellent, 46 (67.6%) were Good, and 16 (23.5%) were Adequate. Descriptive information (e.g. informants, scales, availability, translations) and psychometric properties (e.g. reliability, validity, norms) are summarized. Conclusions Numerous instruments for youth irritability, anger, and aggression exist with varying degrees of empirical support for specific applications. Although some measures were especially strong, none had uniformly excellent properties across all dimensions, signaling the need for further research in particular areas. Findings promote conceptual clarity while also producing a well-characterized toolkit for researchers and clinicians addressing transdiagnostic problems affecting youth.

Agile human resource management: A systematic mapping study

Agile HR is well-established in practice and has emerged as an exciting research area in the last 4 years. However, no comprehensive review of the literature on this subject has been conducted. The aim of this paper is to map the current state of agile HR research. We conducted a systematic mapping study and found 86 relevant primary studies. Our findings are organised into seven research topics that fall into two major themes: Agile for HR; how the HR function adopts agile practices, and HR for Agile; how the HR function supports an agile organisation. The HR for Agile theme is more mature, with more research papers, proposed models, and frameworks. We also review the types of publications, venues, and research methods. The body of publications is fragmented and diverse, with most articles published after 2019, primarily in multidisciplinary journals, incorporating a mix of theoretical and empirical approaches. The paper contributes a thematic analysis of research topics, a comparison of traditional with agile HR practices, a list of theories and models used, a new definition of agile HR, research gaps in the literature, and an agenda for future research. Contributions to practice include findings that agile HR practices benefit organisations, that agile talent acquisition facilitates organisational agility, and that HR can transition to agility by making small changes to their practices rather than undergoing radical change. More academic work needs to be done on agile HR to improve conceptual clarity, theory building and development, understanding benefits and value for the business, identifying challenges, understanding contextual factors, and critically exploring outcomes.

‘A commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’: a conceptual framework for equality of opportunity in Patient and Public Involvement in research

Many research institutions and funders have recently stated their commitment to actively support and promote ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ (EDI) in various aspects of health research including Patient and Public Involvement (PPI). However, translating this commitment into specific research projects presents significant challenges that existing approaches, practical guidelines and initiatives have not adequately addressed. In this paper, we explore how the lack of clear justifications for the EDI commitment in existing guidelines inadvertently complicates the work of those involved with PPI and we stress the need for conceptual clarity for any EDI effort to yield meaningful results. Our focus centres on the first principle of the EDI discourse, ‘equality’, particularly in the form of ‘equality of opportunity’ as outlined in current guidance provided by the National Institute of Health Research in the United Kingdom. We examine challenges related to justifying and implementing a general, unspecified commitment to equality of opportunity and explain that this reflects a lack of consensus regarding the moral value of PPI in research – a profound problem that remains unaddressed. We then discuss how the presence of several opposing moral perspectives on PPI, makes determining the most appropriate way of addressing barriers to involvement complex and controversial, raising ethical implications for the work of health researchers, PPI specialists and coordinators. Finally we make suggestions on how future research can enrich the concept of ‘equality of opportunity’ in PPI and improve practice. While our primary focus is on the NIHR, a strong advocate of PPI in research, this analysis will point to normative and ethical considerations that may be relevant to other research institutions and funding organisations aiming to promote equality of opportunity in their public and patient involvement strategies.

In Search of Conceptual Clarity About the Structure of Psychopathic Traits in Children: A Network-Based Proposal.

Psychopathic traits in childhood have been revealed as potential identifiers of risk, being predictive of later forms of behavioral maladjustment. Yet, it is still under debate how psychopathic traits in children should be best conceptualized and which are the core dimensions for construct definition and prediction. The present study aims to examine the structure of psychopathic traits in childhood, and its predictive value, by using a combination of traditional factor analysis and more recent network-based methods. Data on psychopathic traits, as measured by the Child Problematic Traits Inventory (CPTI), were collected in a large sample of children (n = 2454; 48.2% girls), aged 3 to 6 at the onset of the study (Mage = 4.26; SD = 0.91), who were followed-up one and two years later using parent- and teacher-reports. Results showed that psychopathic traits measured via CPTI are best conceptualized as five latent factors encompassing grandiosity, deceitfulness, callousness, impulsivity and need of stimulation, a result that converged across informants and time. Callousness and grandiosity emerged as central traits using network analysis of parent-reports, while deceitfulness was most central using teacher-reports. Finally, callousness, impulsivity and deceitfulness emerged as the best predictors of concurrent, prospective and stable conduct problems. These results provide a refined structure of psychopathic traits in children that better accounts for the core elements of the construct. Additional theoretical and practical implications will be discussed in terms of assessment, diagnostic classification and tailored prevention/intervention.

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Ghanaian Health Worker Training: Opportunities, Challenges, and Ethical Considerations

Artificial intelligence (AI) integration within Ghana’s health workforce training programs shows immense potential to enhance quality, consistency and personalization if thoughtfully implemented. This mixed methods SWOT analysis evaluates major strengths like expanded accessibility, weaknesses around connectivity barriers and literacy, opportunities in simulation training, and threats of job automation requiring ethical change management. Ghanaian case studies and policy documents inform targeted opportunities to employ context-appropriate design, creative financing partnerships and participatory principles upholding equity. Risks of algorithmic bias and data exploitation spotlight needs for transparent auditing, consent safeguards and democratized oversight. Recommended actions integrate precedents in change leadership, human-centered AI adoption and African innovation prioritization to pragmatically advance both cutting edge advancement and human dignity. With Ghana pioneering amongst first nations globally to release a national AI strategy, demonstration of such balanced governance can model pathways for technological innovation upholding empowerment across sectors and regions. This multidimensional analytical evaluation contributes uniquely inclusive, grounded perspectives to advance conceptual clarity and practical guidance around AI assimilation - directing focus toward preparatory investments, policy formulation, partnership building and design choices required to ensure gains outpacing grievances along ongoing modernization trajectories.

Care as tyranny: Miscellaneous observations

AbstractThis article focuses on undesired care transgressions that violate the intimacy, autonomy, and humanity of patients, pregnant women, and older people. Undesired care that hurts patients is referred to as “violence,” “abuse,” and “dehumanization.” This can take different forms: physical, verbal, and emotional, as well as deliberate negligence. We have dubbed this type of transgressive care “tyranny.” The data for this article are derived from a wide variety of sources: research articles, personal documents sharing care experiences, ethnographic observations, novels, a celebrated movie, and a TV series. Five conceptual clarifications of the occurrence of tyrannical care are proposed in the concluding discussion.

Adaptive STCPF for UCA pose estimation with improved GA-BPNN and multiple fading factors

In response to the challenge of pose estimation accuracy for unmanned carrier-based aircraft in complex maritime landing environments, we propose an adaptive strong tracking cubature particle filtering method based on an improved Genetic Algorithm-Based Backpropagation Neural Network (GA-BPNN) and multiple fading factors. Despite the effectiveness of strong tracking cubature Kalman filtering (STCKF) in adjusting the covariance of prediction estimation errors using fading factors, it still has limitations in terms of model correction and parameter estimation. Addressing this issue, our research delves deeper into the role of fading factors in adjusting process noise covariance and introduces two methods to maintain covariance matrix symmetry: direct matrix solving and trace matrix solving. This novel approach directly implements real-time dynamic feedback correction of system model parameters within the filtering framework, effectively resolving filtering divergence issues while maintaining a high level of conceptual clarity and interpretability. To further enhance the algorithm’s performance, we introduce an improved neural network algorithm to compensate for linear approximation errors in fading factor calculations, thereby improving filtering accuracy. Moreover, considering the limitations of cubature Kalman filtering when dealing with non-Gaussian systems, we integrate the adaptive STCKF based on the improved GA-BPNN into particle filtering as an importance function, aiming to enhance non-Gaussian processing performance and alleviate particle degeneracy issues. In conclusion, both simulation and real-world data tests confirm the superiority of our research approach.

Financial Crime Scripting: an Analytical Method to Generate, Organise and Systematise Knowledge on the Financial Aspects of Profit-Driven Crime

AbstractThis article presents a further development of the existing crime scripting framework to enhance insight in the financial aspects of profit-driven crime: financial crime scripting. By drawing on the foundations of crime script analysis, financial crime scripting allows to generate, organise and systematise knowledge about the financial aspects of the crime commission processes of a variety of crime types, and accounts for linking the dots with financial crimes, such as bribery, bankruptcy fraud and money laundering. Viewing these financial crimes as supporting or succeeding offences in light of profit-driven crimes, and at the same time providing guidance to analyse these offences as profit-driven crimes in itself, opens the door for detailed analyses without losing sight of the bigger picture, i.e., the interconnectedness with other crimes. This analytical method helps crime researchers to take into account the financial aspects of crime-commission processes in crime script analyses and could help law enforcement agencies and other crime prevention partners to go beyond a proceeds-of-crime approach and put a follow-the-money approach in practice. Financial crime scripting takes full account of the financial aspects of profit-driven crime and puts relevant concepts in broader perspective, enhancing understanding with conceptual clarity. In addition to outlining the framework, the relevance for policy and practice is unravelled and avenues for future research are discussed.

Psychological Safety: A Qualitative Study on Coach and Athlete Perceptions

Aims: The concept of psychological safety has received growing interest within a sport context in recent years. Despite a small but growing body of literature, there is still a lack of conceptual clarity, and thus research is needed to gain a better understanding of how psychological safety manifests in sport. Existing literature suggests psychological safety may allow for positive outcomes in various sport settings. As this may be of interest to many coaches and sporting organisations, a deeper evidence base will prove beneficial for further support to this claim. The aim of the current study was to garner conceptual clarity by gathering coach and athlete perceptions of psychological safety in high-performance pathway sport environments. Methods: Qualitative findings of six focus groups with coaches (two focus groups) and athletes (four focus groups) were comprised of four sports (association football, boxing, field hockey, and swimming). A total of 25 participants included 18 athletes (Mage = 19.6 years; Mexperience = 10.6 years) and seven coaches (Mage = 45 years; Mexperience = 19.6 years) who discussed psychological safety within their high-performance pathway sport environment. Focus groups lasted from 36 to 78 minutes (Mlength = 56 min). Qualitative content analysis was utilised to categorise themes identified from the focus groups. Findings: Findings offer a conceptualisation of the defining attributes (e.g., freedom to speak freely and raise issues), antecedents (e.g., positional competition, selection, and deselection), and outcomes (e.g., positive climate and enjoyment of sport) of psychological safety in sport settings. One of the key takeaways within the findings suggests that psychological safety in a sport context may manifest in a dual process, namely on-field (e.g., the freedom to take risks) and off-field (e.g., the freedom to speak freely and raise issues).

Conceptual clarifications on some terms related to the modernization of the villages of Wallachia in 1831-1858: systematization, regularization, alignment

The research undertaken here focuses on the urban modernization of the villages of Wallachia from the period of the Organic Regulation (1831-1858). It intends to specify the semantic sense of the terms by which this modernization is expressed: systematization, regularization, alignment. For this, I do the analysis of archival documents and works related to the systematization of villages. The study identifies specific limitations and definitions by the authors' field of activity and specifies the semantic evolution of the term systematization with reference to the regulatory period. The research and its conclusions allow a better understanding of the process of modernization and Europeanization through which the Romanian space and by extension, the South-Eastern European space went through in the first half of the 19th century. With clear concepts we have a right definition of the entire historical process.

Understanding Things by Knowing How to Use Them

In this paper, I argue that Hegel’s account of causality as developed in the Science of Logic can be described as a ‘manipulationist’ account of causality. First, some conceptual clarifications will help set our sights on the goal of the paper. What is a theory of causality comprised of? And what is a manipulationist account of causality? Next, I sketch the development of those concepts in the SL that are relevant to the present topic (e.g., causality, objectivity, and the idea). Here, Hegel moves from developing the concept of causality to unfolding a set of objective causal relations. The latter is then understood as a theory and hence as a product of the self-conscious mind that filters for relevancy and usability. I argue that Hegel’s account of causality does meet the criteria for being understood as an example of a MAC.