Cultural Transition Research Articles

高麗時代 중원지역 寺院 출토 茶器와 茶 文化

The Jungwon region currently centers around Chungcheongbuk-do, and includes parts of Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do around the Namhan River. At the heart of the Jungwon region is the Namhan River, which unites the area. Particularly during the Goryeo Dynasty, the Namhan River served as a major transportation and shipping route. Many temples were situated along the river and in its vicinity, which played various roles including religious, political, public, and recreational functions. As these temples performed these diverse roles, the tea culture in the Jungwon region naturally flourished alongside. However, the tea culture in the Jungwon region evolved more rapidly compared to other areas, due to its connection with the Namhan River as a transportation route and its close relationship with the Goryeo royal court. Initially, the Tang Dynasty’s “zha” tea preparation method was used, but from the mid-Goryeo period, the Song Dynasty’s “dian” tea preparation method was adopted, marking a significant shift in tea culture. This transition in tea culture can be confirmed through ceramics excavated from temples in the Jungwon region. The tea utensils founded in this region include celadon cups, celadon teapots, and celadon tea dishes, as well as numerous Chinese-made ceramics. Notably, the discovery of black-glazed bowls from the Jian kilns provides important evidence of the prevalence of the “dian” tea preparation method in the Jungwon region. The development and transformation of tea culture in the Jungwon region can be interpreted as a result of the swift influx of Chinese culture through the Namhan River and its close relationship with the Goryeo royal court.

Lamenting the Idyllic--Thomas Hardy’s Nostalgia in Far from the Madding Crowd

The useful conceptions of nostalgia are instrumental for a close look at Thomas Hardy’s pastoral sentiment towards the vanishing rustic life, which is disturbed by the abrupt intrusion of industrialization in the country. Hardy’s pastoral nostalgia finds its refuge in the partly real, partly dreamlike Wessex, in which a self-contained atmosphere of idyllic contentment remains. Through a nostalgic interpretation of Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd, the essay explores Hardy’s nostalgic construction of a fraternal Weatherbury community, including the incarnation of his idealized peasant type Shepherd Oak and the desirably pastoral romance. Through a collection of Hardy’s imaginations, the research aims to probe into the individual’s ambiguous psychology and complicated perception when confronting with the social and cultural transitions in the late nineteenth century England.

Economic Shifts and Cultural Transitions: Unraveling the Complexities of Gentrification in Urban Landscapes with the Case of SoHo in New York City

With the continuously changing urban landscape since the early 20th century, influenced by various economic and social factors, this paper investigates the impact of urban gentrification on diverse community groups, especially in metropolises. Examining housing, economic, and cultural dimensions, the study explores the challenges and opportunities within dynamic urban landscapes. Focused on SoHo, New York City (NYC), once an artistic haven, the research employs the lens of gentrification to analyze disparities in housing accessibility and cultural preservation. Additionally, it assesses the economic implications of sustainability initiatives on various socioeconomic strata, unraveling their influence on urban community fabric. Through a concise exploration, the study contributes nuanced insights into the complexities of gentrification and sustainable urban development, given the impact on the original artistic community, long-time residents, and small businesses that have faced challenges or displacement in the wake of rising property values, using SoHo as a case study to deepen our understanding of economic shifts and cultural transitions in urban landscapes.

African Culture & the Girl-Child Education

This research article underscores the cultural factors that influence girl-child education among the Ilchamus community. Various literatures were reviewed and gaps were successfully identified. It embraces descriptive research design. It utilises purposive and snowballing techniques since the initial research that culminated into an article was basically a mixed research. The sample size of the study was 350 respondents. It establishes that; the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), often linked with traditional rites of passage, is typically followed by early marriage, which disrupts girls’ education. Additionally, early marriage typically curtails educational opportunities for girls, as they are often expected to take on domestic responsibilities and childbearing, leaving little room for schooling. In this regard, it concludes that; cultural practices like FGM and early marriages are deeply rooted barriers to girl-child education in the Ilchamus community, while the role of parents’ education and cultural transitions reflect more nuanced influences on educational outcomes.

Is Bangladesh’s people aware of “diabetes mellitus: the disease of prosperity” health care management?

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is an increasing threat to the world, which is also considered a “disease of prosperity”. The manifest of demographic changes, cultural transition, modernization, and population aging, etc. make it a “developing countries problem”. The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing so rapidly and it is estimated by 2030 this number will almost double. Around 387 million people have diabetes which is equal to 8.3% people. It is projected that there will be a 42% increase in the number of individuals with diabetes, from 51 to 72 million in the developed countries and a 170% increase, from 84 to 228 million, in the developing countries. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease once thought to be uncommon in Bangladesh, but now it has emerged as an important public health problem. About 3.6 million people are affected throughout the country. In Bangladesh around 4% of adults aged 25 years or more have type 2 diabetes mellitus, and 80 lakh people in Bangladesh suffer from diabetes. It causes 6.4 percent of total deaths in the country. Awareness of diabetes is not up to the mark due to health education about diabetes, announcement, and an overall lack of awareness of the disease and its effectiveness makes it more complicated to manage. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness status on health care management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Bangladesh. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study followed by descriptive methods and mixed methods in design among Dhaka and Manikgonj districts. Results: Findings reveal that a very significant relationship exists between compliances and complications. Compliances are influenced by various factors like sex, education, occupation, treatment facilities, etc. But who follow the proper compliances face fewer complications? Also, in addition to anti-diabetic medication and another method of compliance to an herbal method which was familiar to diabetic patients. Most compliance the respondents preferred are diet, exercise, weight control over the medication. Conclusion: Overall, a positive outcome was that the patients of type 2 diabetics who maintained proper compliance faced fewer complications than those who didn’t follow them properly.

Comparing Refugee Resettlement Services: A New Global Dataset and Typology

Abstract The number of countries participating in resettlement has increased substantially in recent years: since 2010, one-third of resettlement countries officially began offering permanent homes to refugees. The services provided to refugees upon resettlement are surprisingly distinct, even among countries with similar political and economic contexts. Despite the importance of these services, existing scholarship offers surprisingly little comparison of resettlement policies globally. To address this gap, this multi-method project analyses refugee resettlement services in 26 countries that are responsible for 99.9 per cent of all resettled refugees, from 1951 to present. The study introduces an original Global Resettlement Services dataset with 42 indicators that provide a current, reliable, and easily accessible overview of resettlement services in each country. Cluster analysis of these data helped to construct a typology that captures four distinct “types” of refugee resettlement: Limited Provision, Cultural Transition, Core Services, and Flexible Support. The typology provides a framework to help policy-makers, academics, and practitioners increase collaboration, design innovative programmes, and improve existing resettlement services. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the different approaches to resettling refugees worldwide, with significant implications for advancing theory and improving global refugee resettlement policies.

Navigating transitions: a qualitative study of nursing teams' experiences of educational and cultural transitions in Germany.

The global migration of health professionals in general and nurses in particular, has led to nursing shortages and socioeconomic impacts on health systems in both source and destination countries. Adding to the complexity of the situation is the fact that the nursing profession itself is evolving from a vocational to an academic one. Although nursing migration and academization have been studied from either an institutional or an individual perspective, there is a gap in the literature regarding how nursing teams experience these transitions. This study aims to explore how nursing teams navigate through the transitions of academization and internationalization of the current dynamic nursing landscape in Germany. Based on social constructivism epistemology this qualitative study involved face-to-face focus group discussions conducted at several hospital sites in Germany from September 2021 to May 2023. The focus group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using content analysis; the four dimensions of transition theory according to Schlossberg's Four S (4S) framework (self, situation, support, and strategy) were used as a priori items to construct the coding framework. Nine focus group discussions were conducted with a total of 40 nurses from different educational and migrant backgrounds. The analysis showed that the transition experiences of the nursing teams were heterogeneous, with educational and national backgrounds playing an important role in how realistic their expectations of their professional roles and identities were. The dynamic situation characterized by a shortage of qualified nursing staff, increases the pressure on nursing teams and underscores the importance of employer-provided and peer support. Onboarding and communication are key strategies used depending on the duration of the employee turnover. This study provides insights into the challenges and coping strategies of nursing teams in the current dynamic scene of migration, academicization and professional socialisation in Germany. Extending the Schlossberg 4S framework from the individual to the team perspective provides a comprehensive view of the transitional experiences of nursing teams. Within each domain of the framework, the experiences of nursing teams are remarkably diverse. Educational background (vocational or academic) and origin (German or foreign trained) play an important role in shaping the transitional experiences of nursing teams.

Impact of COVID-19 led transition of work culture and travel to work patterns on society and environment in Delhi

Globally, COVID-19 has led to changes in daily lifestyle and travel behavior. There was a shift from in-person physical jobs to work-from-home culture, even for those jobs that required in-person presence at the job location. However, this was not true for everyone, and a majority continued to travel to work. The limited capacity of public transport services and the fear of exposure to the virus restrained people from practicing their conventional mobility choices. We explore the impact of COVID-19 on the nature of jobs and related changes in work travel patterns by population groups for Delhi using in-person surveys conducted during 2021 in six localities of Delhi. We also estimated the short- and long-term impacts of altered behavior on expenditures and equivalent CO2 emissions.As per the analysis, lower income groups, having no vehicles, with lesser qualifications, and employed as daily wagers, had limited capacity to change to work-from-home during COVID-19. We observed an increased dependency on personal motorized vehicles, leading to increased expenditures and reduced affordability. Adopting work-from-home during COVID-19 helped reduce equivalent CO2 emissions per working member by 39%. However, as the work at the site resumes, the emissions are expected to increase. The study shows that COVID-19 led to short-term benefits, but in the long term, the externalities will likely increase. Working from home during the pandemic provides short-term benefits; the social benefits are not equally distributed, and the transport emissions shall increase in the long term.

Impact of cultural, nutrition, and lifestyle transition on human milk composition between the Orang Asli communities in Peninsular Malaysia: A study protocol.

Background: Human milk provided by healthy, well-nourished mothers represents the best food available for infants. Human milk is species-specific and recommended as the sole source of nutrition for the first 6 months of life and is an important food source until the infants reach 2 years of life. Unlike infant formula, which has a standardized composition, human milk composition varies among and within women. Aim: While many studies of human milk composition have been conducted, none have been done among the Orang Asli people in Malaysia. Hence, this study protocol is designed to determine the human milk composition of the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia and how the transition of culture, nutrition, and different lifestyle experiences will affect the nutrient content of their milk. Methods: Quantitative (interviewer-administered questionnaire) and qualitative (focus group discussion) approaches will be employed in this study and in addition, laboratory works will also be carried out to analyze the nutrient composition of the milk samples collected from various Orang Asli subethnic groups in Peninsular Malaysia. Conclusion: Standardized, multipopulation studies of human milk composition are sorely needed to create a rigorous, comprehensive reference inclusive of nutrients and other factors. The establishment of any dietary parameters positively affecting the nutrient content of human milk may help design healthcare strategies in Malaysia to improve the quality of human milk and therefore the infants' health status.

Epidermal growth factor induces the initiation of epithelial mesenchymal transition in high-density colorectal cancer cell culture.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a step in the process through which colorectal cancer cells metastasize by gaining the cellular mobility associated with mesenchymal cells. However, whether the EMT occurs in cells tightly bound to each other remains largely unknown. In this study, we examined the dual influence of intercellular contact and epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling on the induction of EMT in SW480 human colon carcinoma cells. Stimulation of densely cultured SW480 cells with EGF initiated partial EMT, following which E-cadherin levels were reduced. In these cells, the transcriptional repression of E-cadherin was caused by ZEB1 binding to its promoter region. EGF signaling did not directly induce ZEB1 mRNA upregulation but contributed to ZEB1 protein stability by regulating proteasomal degradation. Our findings indicate that EGF can induce EMT in colorectal cancer cells in the presence of cell-cell contact and may be a potential therapeutic target for metastasis.

Milk Culture in Insular Southeast Asia Recognized as a Non-milk Cultural Sphere

The issues of milk processing techniques and milk use in areas considered outside the milk cultural sphere is an extremely significant case study for analyzing the transmission and transition of culture. The purpose of this paper is to (1) identify the areas where milk culture is practiced in Insular Southeast Asia, (2) analyze the characteristics of milk processing techniques and milk uses, and (3) examine the origins and transitions of milk culture based on the results of the authors’ fieldwork and literature surveys. Nakao’s model was used to categorize the milk processing techniques and to analyze those characteristics. The characteristics of milk products in the Philippines and Indonesia are that milk products are produced mainly as a source of cash income from sales and consumed as nutritional supplements and luxury foods, not as essential subsistence foods. When milk culture was transferred to both countries from the milk cultural sphere where milk products are essential for a dairy diet, the abundant availability of plant and marine foods may have caused the lack of most milk processing techniques and the transition of milk products from essential subsistence foods to supplementary luxury foods. The Philippines adopts additive coagulation processes, while Indonesia adopts fermentation, heat condensation, and additive coagulation processes. This localized mosaic of milk processing techniques is a characteristic of milk culture in Insular Southeast Asia. This paper discovered that milk culture has spread to Insular Southeast Asia, but identical milk processing techniques were not widely shared in areas where milk culture was not an essential cultural element in local livelihoods. It is concluded that milk culture in the Philippines started with the influence of Spain and was subsequently modified under the influence of India and China, while milk culture in Indonesia originated under the influence of India.

“Intercultural Encounters”: Mentorship Relations as Spaces for Critical Intercultural Learning in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

There are growing numbers of African international students studying at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in North America and the United Kingdom. Intercultural mentoring is one response to supporting students in navigating the complex cultural, social, and academic transitions from home to host countries. This article examines the experiences of 18 participants who had recently mentored African international students attending higher education institutions in Canada or in the UK. Semi-structured interviews with participating mentors were transcribed and analysed from a critical intercultural perspective. Results highlight four themes that provide insight into mentors’ approaches to intercultural mentoring: navigating fields of action and intervention, engaging in reflective practice, intercultural mentoring as a relational practice, and mentoring as a decolonising practice. Study findings provide insight into how intercultural mentoring relationships develop and evolve and how mentors approach mentoring relationships as sites that hold transformative learning potential for both mentors and students.

Unlocking Workplace Dynamo: The Impact of Internal Trust and Communication on Igniting Work Engagement

Research Question: This study delves into the intricate relationships among internal communication, internal trust, and work engagement within the context of a developing business environment undergoing cultural and economic transition. Motivation: The fundamental research inquiries seek to ascertain the interconnections between the studied phenomena and elucidate the nature of these relationships. Work engagement, identified through previous research and contemporary business practices, emerges as a pivotal force with profound implications for motivation, management, and personal development within organizations. Idea: The introduction sets the stage by emphasizing the study's focus on relationships in a transitioning business environment. Subsequent sections meticulously articulate research objectives, explore the existing literature, pose research questions, and delineate the chosen methodology, elucidating the importance of standardized instruments and the rationale behind the selection of the Serbian organizational context. Results are presented with a focus on the identified correlations, leading to the formulation of two models. The subsequent discussion critically compares these models, offering insights into the implications of trust-determined communication on work engagement. Limitations are candidly acknowledged, underscoring the need for interpretative caution. Data: The research methodology predominantly employs a quantitative approach to unravel the complexities inherent in internal communication, internal trust, and work engagement. The study encompasses a substantial sample size, consisting of 708 respondents representing 16 working organizations in Serbia. Tools: To gauge these phenomena, standardized instruments such as Internal Trust, a shortened version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, and the Internal Communication Scale were employed. The anticipated results unveil robust correlations among the elements under scrutiny. Findings: The findings culminate in the proposition of two models, with structural equation modelling revealing a model where trust determines communication, subsequently influencing work engagement as the more fitting representation. This model presents a nuanced understanding of the intricate dynamics within organizational frameworks. Contribution: Despite acknowledging certain limitations in the study, the research underscores its importance in the quest for the most influential factors contributing to work engagement in organizations. The research serves as a valuable contribution to the broader discourse on organizational behaviuor, shedding light on crucial factors that influence employee engagement in evolving business landscapes.

Spatial Characteristics of Mithila Architecture

Mithila, a region steeped in history and culture, nestled within the Indian subcontinent, emerges as a captivating tapestry of geographical and architectural heritage. Bounded by significant natural landmarks, Mithila's rich history dates back to 6000 BCE, enduring diverse epochs under various rulers. In the face of relentless urbanization, the study of Mithila's architecture becomes a crucial endeavor to conserve the essence of this community. This research explores the intricate layers of Mithila's architectural legacy, delving into the living history of its people and providing a roadmap for integrating tradition into contemporary developments. Through a comprehensive literature review, the study navigates cultural and historical transitions, architectural intricacies, and traditional residential structures in Mithila. The research methodology employs qualitative methods, including participant observation and semi-structured interviews, focusing on Janakpur as a research site. Analyzing spatial characteristics reveals intentional orientations, meticulous planning, and the ingenious use of bamboo, mud plaster, and vibrant paintings in building materials and technology. The elevation treatment of Mithila houses emerges as a dynamic manifestation of cultural identity seamlessly blended with architectural innovation. This research contributes to the discourse on cultural and heritage conservation, emphasizing the urgency of empowering local communities to preserve and celebrate Mithila's unique architectural legacy.

Cross-cultural experiences: Voices of the Chinese doctoral students at a Spanish university

The aim of the study was to investigate the experiences of Chinese doctoral students at a Spanish university, aiming to enhance understanding of transcultural experiences. Challenges perceived during their cultural transition throughout their doctoral studies were explored, along with the strategies they employed to overcome these obstacles. Following a qualitative approach, eight participants were interviewed in depth on critical incidents experienced in academic and sociocultural settings. Effective communication emerged as the main challenge. Most critical incidents in the relationship with supervisors were associated with mismatched expectations and misunderstandings regarding learning objectives and activities. Limitations in writing in English and unfamiliarity with the sociocultural environment of the host university were perceived as hindering the achievement of academic goals and the adaptation to the local culture. Interaction with other doctoral students, self-determination, critical reflexivity, and autonomy were coping strategies that facilitated cross-cultural adaptation. The results confirm the legitimate socio-educational needs of Chinese students and their broad cultural and pedagogical agency. Results are useful for institutional support programs and to help doctoral students and supervisors establish adaptive cross-cultural relationships. Moreover, the study shows the resourcefulness of Chinese students in dealing with the challenges of cross-cultural transition and emphasizes the role that higher education institutions must play in serving international students.

The Role of Leadership in Transforming Retail Technology Infrastructure with DevOps

In the fast changing retail technology market, DevOps principles are transforming how firms manage and improve their technological infrastructure. This study examines how leadership may use DevOps to improve retail technology and operations. As retail embraces digital transformation, technological strategies must fit with business goals. This change requires leaders to guide their firms through complicated infrastructure upgrade and operational efficiency. DevOps, which emphasizes communication between development and operations teams, continuous integration and delivery, and automation, has become essential for technological infrastructure agility and efficiency. DevOps benefits retail companies in a competitive world with quick customer behavior and market fluctuations. These include increased deployment frequency, time-to-market, dependability, and scalability. DevOps demands a fundamental change in corporate culture and leadership, not simply new technologies and procedures. This article discusses how successful leadership can promote collaboration, transformation, and DevOps alignment with strategic corporate objectives to achieve this cultural transition. Leadership helps overcome change resistance, foster cross-functional cooperation, and incorporate DevOps into the organization's technology and business operations. Leaders must also address talent shortages, resource limits, and outdated systems that might hinder DevOps rollout.

Dynamics of Integration Processes into the Netherlands of Migrant and Intercultural Couples Who Have Been Married in the Catholic Church

ABSTRACT Migration is often a far-reaching event in the personal lives of migrants to Western Europe, especially when there is a background of war or persecution. This article aims at investigating patterns of cultural transition (CT), intercultural transition (IT), and cultural defence (CD), and values distilled from 12 semi-structured in-depth interviews with migrant and intercultural couples who have been married in the Catholic Church between 1995 and 2022. All couples live in the Netherlands. Results show that patterns of CT (n = 86) are more common than patterns of CD (n = 51) or IT (n = 22). From the three categories of values, faith values have been mentioned most often (n = 242), followed by family values (n = 132) and societal values (n = 87). Implications for intercultural pastoral care, faith education, and community building are mentioned. Welcoming and listening to migrants fits in the recent worldwide synodal process of the Catholic Church.

Temperature changes of the Mid-Late Holocene transition in North China and their implications for regional cultural succession

Evaluating the influence of temperature on cultural successions in North China during the Mid-Late Holocene transition (MLHT) is a significant research problem. We used a lacustrine sedimentary profile (BG-2019) from Lake Baiyangdian, in the hinterland of the North China Plain, to quantitatively reconstruct temperature changes during the MLHT, using branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (brGDGTs). We then integrated this record with selected quantitative paleotemperature records from North China to explore the effects of temperature change on the evolution of Neolithic cultures in this region. The results show that the mean annual temperature (MAT) in the hinterland of the North China Plain during the MLHT averaged ∼15.7 °C (∼3.6 °C higher than today); and that three significant cooling events occurred (the 5.3 ka event, 4.8 ka event, and 4.2 ka event), at ∼5300-5100 cal yr BP, 4800 cal yr BP, and ∼4500-4300 cal yr BP, respectively, with cooling between −2.1 °C and −3.4 °C. Integration of our results with other regional quantitative paleotemperature records shows that these three cooling events are well documented in North China, with spatial consistency in their magnitude and onset of cooling. These cooling events are temporally correlated to two cultural transitions in North China: the cooling event at ∼5300-4800 cal yr BP corresponds to the decline of the Yangshao culture in the Central Plains region, and the decline of the Hongshan culture in the Yanliao region, which evolved into the Xiaoheyan culture. Additionally, we suggest that the cooling event at ∼5300-4800 cal yr BP, combined with the weakening of the summer monsoon, contributed to the end of the Yangshao culture and the rise of the Longshan culture in the Central Plains region, and that it accelerated the end of the Xiaoheyan culture and the rise of the Xiajiadian Lower Culture in the Yanliao region.

Dynamic cultures, dynamic responses: The impact on corporate cash holdings amid uncertainty

This study investigates the changes in national culture, economic uncertainty, and their joint effects on corporate cash holdings across 58 countries over the period 2004 to 2020. The study also delves into the importance of national culture in amplifying the impact of economic uncertainty in influencing corporate cash holdings. Drawing on three national cultural dimensions, trust-distrust, collectivism-individualism, and duty-joy orientation-based on the European Value Survey (EVS) and World Value Survey (WVS), we employ a panel data model with a fixed effect approach and incorporate the lag of the independent variable to mitigate potential endogeneity issues. Our findings show that transitions in national culture from collectivism to individualism do not significantly decrease corporate cash holdings. Moreover, a cultural shift from distrust to trust does not result in a decrease in corporate cash holdings. Conversely, a move towards a short-term orientation motivates firms to reduce their cash holdings. The interaction between economic uncertainty and collectivism and individualism tends to increase corporate cash holdings. However, there is no difference in the impacts of the three cultural dimensions for financially constrained and unconstrained firms on corporate cash holdings. This study offers significant practical implications, particularly for policymakers in countries where they have strong collectivistic national culture, which may amplify the effects of economic uncertainty.

From the Inertia of Tradition to Organizational Absorption of Strategy Practices: A Grounded Theory Study in Indian Higher Educational Institutions

The study examines how higher educational institutions navigate from the inertia of tradition to organizational absorption of strategy practices. The grounded theory approach was adopted for data collection and data analysis. The thematic analysis method was adopted to condense the raw data into a few meaningful themes. There were four reasons for the continuity of inertia of tradition: groupthink inertia, fear-inducing inertia, skepticism, and the endowment effect. The study found seven orientations of organizational absorption: cognitive-oriented absorption, intractability-oriented absorption, exigency and adaption-oriented absorption, endurance-oriented absorption, “tradition-hazard”-oriented absorption, transposition-oriented absorption, and employee agility-oriented absorption. There were three dimensions of organizational absorption: Structural, processual, and procedural. The study found four themes for leadership manipulations as stimuli for cultural transitions for absorption: leadership decisiveness, embracing change-seeking culture, openness and benchmarking, and dynamic decision-making.