Critical Analysis Research Articles

A Review of the AGE Barometer 2023: EU Good Practices and Barriers in the Empowerment of Elderly in the Labour Market - The Case of Hungary

The 2023 edition of the AGE Barometer was released by the Age Platform Europe, aimed at consolidating data from European statistics and national-level sources and enriched by feedback from 19 European countries, including Hungary. The publication aimed at empowering older people in the labour market and promoting sustainable and high-quality working lives for them. The Barometer revealed that the European Union (EU) is far from reaching its 78% employment target for adults aged 20 to 64 with its current state of just 62.3%. This could be due to various barriers to the integration of older people in the labour market, which include inadequate supportive policies, ageism, and unfavourable workplace conditions. Conversely, these are broadly stated in the context of the EU; hence, a deeper analysis of these results, with a special focus on the case of a single country, such as Hungary, is relevant to establish a clearer understanding of the national and local framework of these findings and in determining facilitating policies and programmes as well as gaps in promoting elderly inclusion in the labour sector. Using various methods such as critical analysis, desk and literature review, and thematic analysis, this article examined the Barometer report and other relevant publications. The Barometer 2023 effectively provided general issues and actionable areas in supporting older people in the labour market, combating ageism, and ensuring an age-friendly work environment in the EU landscape. Moreover, it revealed that Hungary performed better in employing older persons compared to the EU average, likely associated with a favourable environment for older workers through its legal protection systems, financial incentives, equal treatment policy, and initiatives such as pensioner cooperatives and information technology education. However, this still falls below the target, and based on the analysis and review of existing relevant publications, this could be associated with some unfavourable policies, gender disparities, a continuous rise in the ageing population, an increased number of migrant workers, technology challenges, ageism, political mayhems, cultural and traditional constraints, and other challenges that continue to threaten the marketability of older people, thereby resulting in consequences for their financial, physical, social, psychological, and environmental wellbeing. Moreover, the report also stated few good practices in promoting elderly employment in the county, contrary to numerous efforts implemented by both the Hungarian government, non-government organisations, and other institutions, which remained unrecognised, perhaps due to limited data availability and gaps in the reporting schemes. Finally, the Barometer 2023 report was realized to be included and used as a part of the technical working papers of the European Economic and Social Committee, being the EU advisory body that deals on the issues and opinions regarding this matter. The latest edition of the Barometer has the potential to spark positive changes among policymakers and decision-makers in acknowledging the economic potential of the elderly and in eliminating barriers that hinder elderly integration in the labour market. In the case of Hungary, substantial policies, programmes, and welfare services exist that facilitate elderly employment; however, challenges were also identified, hence the precise recommendations provided in the Barometer report must transform into reality, taking into consideration the unique national, local, and cultural peculiarities of Hungary and its local communities. It is also suggested that systematic data collection and good practice documentation must be facilitated in Hungary, and feedback from the other 18 countries in the Barometer report must be thoroughly reviewed or benchmarked for possible inspiration and replication. Lastly, the potentials of the Barometer 2023 to be used at all levels of decision-making must be maximized.

Metaphors to describe sanctions against Iran in American and Iranian newspapers

Abstract Since Iran’s 1979 revolution, Sanctions Against Iran (SAI) has been one of the most crucial issues concerning Iran and the US’ relationships, and both parties employ different metaphors to depict the situation in line with their own ideologies. This study explored the conceptual metaphors (CM) concerning the sanctions against Iran in two corpora of the editorials and news extracted from an international American newspaper (New York Times) and a local Iranian English press (Iran Daily). Following Charteris-Black’s (2004) framework for Critical Metaphor Analysis, sixty editorial news texts (thirty for each), since 2013 until 2021, were scrutinized for the CMs in the two corpora. The findings revealed that although both newspapers took advantage of the metaphors in description of the sanctions against Iran, there were significant differences between them in the employment of the CMs. The American newspaper enjoyed more frequent and diverse metaphors to represent the sanctions compared to the Iranian newspaper, and “SAI is a pain/illness” (22.7%) was the most frequent conceptual metaphor in the New York Times whereas “SAI is a human” (32.4%) and “SAI is a journey” (18.9%) were the common metaphors in Iran Daily. The results suggest how language could be manipulated to serve different purposes.

From Bureau to Micro-Industry

This paper aims to provide a critical and contextual analysis of research conducted together with Martin Smith at the Royal College of Art in the field of ceramic printmaking during 2015–2018, and the subsequent reflections upon the four years since as we have continued to implement the research as a commercial print studio. Over these seven years, I was a senior research associate on the two AHRC-funded research projects: Extending the Potential for the Digitally Printed Ceramic Surface and Improved Laser Printing Equipment for Ceramics, and design director for the spin-out ceramic design project, the print company Smith&Brown. Digital design, combined with electrophotographic laser printing technology, has the potential to open up new market models and extend the visual language of ceramic tableware design but it has hit several barriers causing it to be dismissed by the ceramic industry, weak deposits and poor colour saturation being the most significant of these. Our research has contributed to resolving these issues by developing several technical innovations. These improvements have convinced key players within the industry; however, other barriers to the acceptance/implementation of the technology remain. This has led us to question this context and revise our original aims for industrial uptake, and identify new models more appropriate to the exploration of the market for the uptake of our research findings.

Critical and prospective analysis of landscaping teaching in Brazil

Critical and prospective analysis of landscaping teaching in Brazil

Fire, police cars and barricade tape: exploring visual securitisation in Sweden Democrats’ Instagram posts

ABSTRACT With the growing popularity of visual-centred social media, authoritarian populist parties are provided with more platforms and devices to position themselves as key securitising actors by engaging in the visual securitisation of issues related to immigration, law and order. This paper uses the 2022 Swedish electoral campaign as a case study to explore the securitisation in the visual discourse of authoritarian populist actors by comparing the Sweden Democrats to the mainstream right. Through a combination of thematic and multimodal critical discourse analyses, this study examined a total of 639 Instagram posts. It shows how the Sweden Democrats use semiotic strategies to represent social actors in a way that conveys the message of securitisation. The findings reveal that the authoritarian populist party adopts a visual securitising style that not only includes apparent populist aspects and relies on the linguistic elements to counterbalance the ambiguity of the image, but it is also distinct from the discursive style of the mainstream right.

Playing to learn: developing self-directed learning skills through serious games

Purpose Higher education is undergoing a significant transformation, demanding a rethinking of instructional methods, the establishment of novel assessment frameworks and the incorporation of state-of-the-art technologies to advance the development of learning competencies. The use of simulations is an alternative that offers satisfactory results and favors learning in new generations. This study aims to present a methodology for assessing the advancement of self-directed learning (SDL) in participants through simulation techniques and show that the incorporation of simulations can improve participants’ SDL skills. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a quantitative approach to evaluate the evolution of various competencies related to SDL among participants. Includes the application of scales specifically designed to measure readiness for SDL, the use of factor analysis to identify and validate essential factors and conducting hypothesis testing to verify shifts in students’ perceptions regarding the significance of SDL-related skills. Findings The findings of this study reveal a positive impact of simulations on the SDL readiness. Factor analysis identified five key factors: self-management skills, openness to learning opportunities, initiative and independence in learning, self-concept as an effective learner and desire for Learning. The use of simulations significantly improved critical thinking, logical reasoning, analysis and decision-making capabilities. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique as a valuable tool for developing SDL skills and highlight the potential of such interventions in complex and uncertain learning environments. Research limitations/implications The study provided valuable insights into the impact of simulations in the logistics field, particularly in the development of SDL-related skills. There is a need for studies in other areas of knowledge that would allow for the generalization of these results. Likewise, it is advisable to use scales that measure the development of other types of skills. Additionally, the study’s focus on short-term effects may not fully capture the long-term development of SDL-related skills. Future research should address these limitations, expand the sample size, conduct longitudinal studies and explore possible contextual and external factors that may influence SDL outcomes in various educational settings, leading to broader and more robust conclusions. Practical implications The practical implications of this study are significant for both higher education institutions and educators in the logistics domain. The positive impact of the serious game on participants’ SDL skills highlights the potential of incorporating interactive and engaging learning tools in the curriculum. Educators can leverage serious games to foster critical thinking, logical reasoning and decision-making abilities in their students. Moreover, the identified key factors influencing SDL development provide valuable guidance for designing targeted interventions to enhance students’ self-management, initiative and love for learning. Social implications The social implications of this study underscore the importance of equipping individuals with SDL skills in a rapidly changing world. By integrating serious games and fostering SDL competencies, higher education institutions can contribute to a more adaptable and resilient workforce. Empowering students with critical thinking, innovative thinking and independent learning, they can enhance their ability to navigate the challenges of the labor market. This, in turn, may lead to a more informed and proactive society capable of addressing complex issues and making well-informed decisions. Originality/value This article arises from empirical exploration with students from two countries in Latin America (Mexico and Colombia), examining the importance of games in developing SDL skills. Furthermore, it promotes the use of a methodology with a low level of complexity, and that can be replicated with different games. This perspective adds valuable insights to the existing literature, offering practical implications for educators and institutions seeking effective strategies to promote SDL skills among students.

Is a Good Story Enough? A Critical Analysis of Storyteller Roles in Tourism

Is a Good Story Enough? A Critical Analysis of Storyteller Roles in Tourism

Integrated Strategic Analytical Framework for Analysing and Improving A Bank’s Market Performance during Periods of Disruptive Competition

As the Caribbean financial market becomes increasingly competitive as a result of the increasingly more innovative fintech companies and other revolutionary traditional banks’ activities, a critical analysis of the internal and external variables and changes that can undermine a bank’s effective market performance is essential for discerning the improvement strategies that must be adopted. However, the challenge has often arisen from lack of the accurate approach for accomplishing such internal and external analysis. To fill such a gap, this study uses integrative review as one of the techniques of qualitative-content analysis to evaluate different banking performance improvement strategies and strategic management theories. Through such analysis, the study aimed to discern the integrated strategic analytical framework that can be extracted and suggested to the banking executives for analysing and improving a bank’s market performance during periods of disruptive competition. To improve a bank’s effective market performance during periods of enormous disruptions, social construction and re-construction of the merging findings imply that the accurate analysis and response to the unfolding changes in the external trends will require the banking executives to use the three frameworks’ strategic analysis to inform the competitive course of directions that the bank can undertake. The Three-Frameworks’ Strategic Analysis will require the banking executives to evaluate the stage of its industry growth stages in conjunction with the use of Porter’s “Five Forces of Industry Analysis” and Porter’s “Four Corners of Competitors’ Analysis”. Following the accurate understanding of the industry and market dynamics, findings suggest the bank executives can then craft and apply the strategies for leveraging their competitiveness whilst also countering disrupters. Such strategies would require increasing the investment in R&D to introduce novel digital banking technologies as well as the introduction of novel digital financial products/services that respond or even exceed the unfolding customer expectations. Other critical strategies would require the assimilation or nurturing and integrating the most disruptive fintech companies as part of the essential business partners. Once these strategies are being executed, it is essential the banking executives must also analyse the impacts of such strategies on the improvement of a bank’s liquidity and profitability. Basing on such insights, the study enriches the existing theories by offering the Integrated Strategic Analytical Framework that the contemporary banking executives can adopt for analysing and improving a bank’s market performance during periods of disruptive competition. However, future research can still explore how improving employees’ creativity bolsters a bank’s innovativeness to catalyse its effective market performance during periods of disruptive competition.

The Importance of Analysis of Judicial Circumstances in the Sentence Dosimetry Process

The Constitution plays an important role as a point of reference for the critical analysis of the criminal system, not only because it derives from the legal assets susceptible to punitive protection, but also and among other reasons, because the principles enshrined as a government norm in the Penal Code governing The imposition of sanctions is a clear development of the constitutional text and doctrine that the Constitutional Court has been building with its pronouncements, in the form that criminal law must acquire. The dosimetry of punishment in Brazil takes a three-step approach, pushing the system of fixed sanctions implemented by the legislature or the full discretion of the judge, promoting, on the other hand, a distribution of functions between the two, as he chooses the minimum and maximum sentence levels and dosage parameters, and this determines the sanction in the specific case from the legal criteria. In this sense, the present research aims to analyze the importance of analyzing judicial circumstances in the process of penalty dosimetry. The specific objectives are: to present a brief history of criminal legislation in Brazil, to review the most recent literature on the application of the penalty and its principles, to analyze the relationship between the dosimetry of the penalty and judicial circumstances and to point out cases in the jurisprudence that materialize the revised theory. Thus, given the relevance of the theme in the current legal scenario, the research is justified by discussing a contemporary theme. Through research on the principles of exceptionality, state of innocence, motivation of decisions and proportionality and the dosimetry of the penalty, possible judgments of the judge that relate the dosimetry of the penalty with the principles of human rights will be discussed. The judge should take charge of the evidence produced in relation to the facts that, in his opinion, influence the minor or major measure of the exact penalty to be imposed. The lack of motivation currently constitutes a violation of the constitutional guarantee of due process and absolute grounds for invalidity under the Criminal Procedure Code.

Medial Stabilised Total Knee Arthroplasty: Definition and Performance

Background Medial-stabilised total knee arthroplasty (MS-TKA) usage has increased significantly over the past decade with encouraging results. MS-TKA mimics the natural knee kinematics, providing superior antero-posterior stability as compared to cruciate-retaining or posterior-stabilised designs. Its proponents suggest that MS-TKA may provide the solution to the residual dissatisfaction seen in many patients following knee replacement surgery. Methods The literature was reviewed for critical analysis of the evidence for the biomechanics of the native knee and the clinical outcomes for MS-TKA. The history of the development of the medial-stabilised knee was also reviewed. Results MS-TKA were found generally to have similar revision rates to non-MS-TKA. Studies of knee function found either similar or improved function, which may be due to increased AP stability and a lack of paradoxical movement of femur over tibia which is seen in CR and PS designs. Conclusion This review highlights the key design features needed for a total knee arthroplasty to be termed as a medial-stabilised design, summarises current clinical and kinematic evidence including an overview of its development over the past three decades and sets out the next steps needed for meaningful evaluation of long-term real-world data of individual MS-TKA implants. With longer and more detailed follow-up data emerging as MS-TKA becomes more popular, a more thorough analysis of their performance will soon be possible.

Unveiling Masculinity: A Critical Analysis of Gender Representation in Men's Fragrance Advertisements

The aim of this study is to examine how male sexuality is visually portrayed in advertisements for men's perfume and to investigate the notions of masculinity, gender, and sexuality depicted therein. Through a visual text analysis approach rooted in social semiotic theory with literature study, the study examines 27 advertisements predominantly from Western countries (Specifically France and Italy), analyzing elements such as visual composition, gendered representations, and societal implications. The analysis of the sampled images reveals stereotypical representations of male and female sexuality, conveyed through the use of sexuality and gender concepts. For male consumers, exposure to these representations may lead to the internalization of these ideals, influencing their self-image and behavior. These representations not only maintain existing power differentials but also hinder progress towards gender equality and challenging societal norms.

Mental healthcare act, 2017: a critical analysis on the protection of rights of the people with mental illness

Mental healthcare act, 2017: a critical analysis on the protection of rights of the people with mental illness

Revision of pharmaceutical legislation in the context of antimicrobial resistance and challenges facing the introduction of innovative antimicrobial medical products in Europe

The presented article provides a systematic review of the pharmaceutical legislation (EU Pharmaceutical Package) – the current proposal of the European Commission for a new Directive, repealing and replacing Directives and modifying Regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council, incorporating the relevant parts of the Regulation concerning medicinal products for pediatrics, Regulation for orphan drugs and others, aiming at revision of the pharmaceutical legislation in the context of antimicrobial resistance and challenges facing the introduction of innovative antimicrobial medicines in Europe. It outlines a critical analysis on the impact of the changes in the context of introduction of innovative antimicrobial medicinal products with an emphasis on unsatisfied medical demands of the European population. The revision of the pharmaceutical legislation provides an argument to consider that the proposed Pharmaceutical Package could resolve some of the issues associated with the access to novel antibiotic medicines. It is necessary to find a consensus and a balance between, on the one hand, meeting the need for antibiotics for the citizens of the European Union and, on the other hand, providing timely access to generic medicines to meet the needs of the population.

Point-of-care testing: a critical analysis of the market and future trends

Point-of-care testing (POCT) involves conducting diagnostic tests outside the laboratory. These tests are utilized for their quick and reliable results in detecting chronic diseases and acute infections. We examined the historical market value trends of the POCT industry and projected its future growth. POCT devices offer several advantages, such as portability, no specific storage requirements, and simplicity of use. However, issues such as inaccurate results can reduce demand for POCT compared to traditional laboratory testing alternatives. While the benefits of POCT are clear, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges. The accuracy of POCT devices can be compromised due to factors such as user error, environmental conditions, and limitations in technology. Furthermore, the cost-effectiveness of these devices is often a concern, particularly in resource-limited settings. The regulatory landscape for POCT is also complex and varies by region, which can pose challenges for manufacturers and end-users. Improvements in POCT devices’ sensitivity, specificity, cost, and turnaround time for test results could enhance their utility. Enhancements to a POCT device should be considered if they are economically viable and lead to a significant increase in demand. Our financial analysis of the POCT market revealed a positive growth trend. We identified potential areas for growth that could help the industry progress and expand in line with its projected growth in the coming years. The industry could focus on integrating intelligent technologies into POCT devices and collaborating with the innovative technology sector to increase revenue. It could also develop more sensitive and accurate POCT devices for non-communicable diseases. Another potential area of growth is in diseases that require continuous patient monitoring but where conventional clinical testing is time-consuming. Enhancing the POCT devices used in these areas could revolutionize medical diagnosis and potentially save many lives, provided they meet clinical standards.

Olympism and Chinese humanism: a critical analysis of the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to examine China’s discourse on uniting all ethnic groups internally and conveying the human community to the world in the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics (BWO), reflecting the different Olympism of the East and the West and the intersection of Chinese humanism discourse to form the core concept of this study. In terms of research methods, this study took the opening ceremony of the BWO as the research object, collected the content of the opening ceremony of the 2022 BWO, media reports, and related academic research, and analyzed the discussion of the 2022 BWO at the opening ceremony. The results have shown that the BWO opening ceremony continues the Chinese humanism concept of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, showing the connotation of people-oriented patriotism and emphasizing the ideal of a community with a shared future for humanity in the world. This study concludes that the BWO opening ceremony emphasizes Chinese tradition, culture, and patriotism. At the same time, the opening ceremony’s theme is set as the concept of “One World, One Family.” This discourse has formed a contrast between cosmopolitanism and patriotism, which not only shows the contradiction in the internal discourse of Chinese humanism but also shows the dialogue’s dilemma between the Asian value thinking advocated by Chinese humanism and the universal values of individualism and human rights emphasized by Western concepts.

Data governance for the ecological transition: An infrastructure perspective

Data governance for the ecological transition: An infrastructure perspective

Culturalism and Religious fundamentalism: Lexicalisation of counter-ideologies on same-sex sexualities in selected Nigerian newspapers

Against the backdrop of cultural conservatism and legal restrictions on same-sex relationships, this study examines how language use foregrounds cultural and religious ideologies surrounding same-sex sexualities as depicted in selected Nigerian newspapers. Drawing on Fairclough’s approach to critical discourse analysis (CDA), the study explores how language is used to construct, represent, and perpetuate specific ideologies regarding same-sex sexualities within the Nigerian context. A total of 50 opinion articles on same-sex sexualities were randomly sampled from five purposively selected Nigerian newspapers (Vanguard, The Punch, The Guardian, Nigerian Tribune and The Sun). The newspapers were selected based on their preponderant coverage of the discourses on same-sex sexualities between 2013 and 2015. Data were subjected to critical discourse analysis. Findings reveal that different lexical strategies, such as lexical relations, repetition, negative evaluative adjectives foreground pro- and anti-culturalist ideologies as well as religious fundamentalism and secularism. The study reveals the conflicting ideologies surrounding same-sex sexualities in the Nigerian context.

Performance evaluation and validation of OpenMC code for criticality analysis of an MTR-type research reactor

This paper assesses the performance of OpenMC, an open-source Monte Carlo code for particle transport, through criticality analysis of an MTR-type research reactor. The evaluation involves validation against experimental data from the NUR research reactor's first fresh fuel core and a code-to-code comparison with MCNP5, using a consistent methodology ensuring identical input conditions. Key parameters, including excess reactivity, control rod worths, shutdown margin, critical configurations, kinetics parameters, neutron flux, power distributions, and peaking factors, were examined. Results indicate good agreement between OpenMC simulations, experimental data, and MCNP5 results, with marginal differences well within acceptable ranges. Discrepancies with experimental data are below 5 %, considering measurement accuracy, while code-to-code comparisons reveal relative differences below 1 % in most cases. This study supports OpenMC's reliability for MTR reactor criticality analysis, affirming the validity of the developed NUR reactor model for future applications and highlighting the code's credibility and applicability in the nuclear reactor simulations.

Fostering empathy through critical literacy in early childhood education in Colombia

ABSTRACT In Colombia, some educational settings, particularly territories with high levels of educational inequality, uphold conventional teaching strategies where emotional education and critical thinking receive little attention. This study is rooted in our intention to contribute to peace education in early childhood educational environments by fostering critical thinking and empathy, a predictor of prosocial behavior in children. The aim of this study is, first, that young children develop empathy by recognizing situations of oppression and injustice in children’s literature using critical literacy practices; and second, to contribute to young children’s development of critical thinking. Utilizing Critical Discourse Analysis, we suggest that critical literacy practices enhance empathy and critical thinking in young children through three strategies: reading selected children’s literature aloud, responding through multimodal texts, and having an open dialogue about critical issues that affect children in local communities. This article contributes to the literature about literacy, empathy development, and peace education with young children.

Beyond victim and hero representations? A comparative analysis of UNHCR’s Instagram communication strategies for the Syrian and Ukrainian crises

Abstract The Ukrainian crisis has received substantial Global Northern policy support and favourable news coverage, contrasting sharply with Global Southern crises. Nevertheless, refugee organizations can influence public perceptions through social media. This study comparatively analyses UNHCR’s Instagram communication strategies for the Ukrainian and Syrian crises (2022–2023). Applying a multimodal critical discourse analysis on UNHCR’s Instagram posts (N = 90), we discern interacting humanitarian and post-humanitarian appeals, involving inter- and intra-group hierarchies of deservingness, expanding research on humanitarian communication. While UNHCR mainly represents forcibly displaced Ukrainians as victims and focuses on ‘ideal victims’, it mostly portrays forcibly displaced Syrians as empowered individuals, likely due to context-specific differences and partially countering news and policy narratives. Both humanitarian representations often intersect with post-humanitarian strategies, facilitated by Instagram affordances. This study thus contributes to the literature on humanitarian communication with comparative crisis-specific and platform-specific insights and causes. Moreover, it nuances the often-assumed importance of post-humanitarian imageries on social media.