Cultural Change Research Articles

The impact of geopolitical processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina on urban development and cultural identity

The historical-geographical development of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) in the area of the fusion of Western and Eastern Christian civilizations and the Orient resulted in ethnic and religious heterogeneity, occasional political crises and ethnic conflicts that shaped the cultural identity and character of the entire development. BH was separated from the Yugoslav community in the conditions of the civil war. After the war in 1995, a complex administrative-territorial organization of the new state was established, based on the ethnic and religious affiliation of the population. At the same time, the transition of the socialist social system took place, as well as other geopolitical processes and social changes in the Western Balkans initiated by globalization. The paper focuses on cultural disintegration and changes in urban identity and development of cities through the analysis of the six largest urban centers as indicators of social changes in BH. The results of the analysis suggest that there has been a cultural differentiation of society, which is reflected in changes in the ethnic and religious structure of the population and their spatial distribution. Economic stagnation and depopulation of urban centers, as a consequence of the civil war and social reforms, were confirmed by a comparative analysis of statistical indicators of economic and demographic development. Cultural changes were determined by relevant scientific methods and approaches: historical-geographical method, comparative analysis of statistics of demographic indicators and changes in spatial distribution, ethnic and religious structure of the population, and economic changes by analysis of employment in sectors of the economy. The scientific results of previously published papers devoted to some of the mentioned problems, primarily economic development and population dynamics in BH and its large cities, were also taken into account. In this paper, social changes are observed through the cause-and-effect relationships of geopolitical and cultural processes (political, economic and cultural disintegration), social and economic reforms (ownership transition and deindustrialization) and their manifestations on cultural identity and the development of urban centers.

Prevalence of bacteriuria and treatment outcomes in patients with symptomatic Benign prostatic hyperplasia: a prospective observational study

Introduction: The global incidence of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is rising, with bacterial causes of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) being a common factor contributing to complications in these patients. Aim: To identify the prevalence of bacteriuria and treatment response in patients with symptomatic BPH. Materials and methods: This one-year prospective study included all patients presenting with LUTS due to BPH who met the inclusion criteria. Urine samples were collected and analyzed for microscopy, culture, and sensitivity following standard protocols. Bacterial growth in urine specimens and IPSS of LUTS were recorded before and after antibiotic therapy. Results: A total of 131 patients with symptomatic BPH were studied. Escherichia coli (47.6%) was the most commonly isolated bacteria, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas species. E. coli and Klebsiella showed the highest sensitivity to nitrofurantoin. After one week of antibiotic therapy, 69% of patients had sterile urine cultures, while 31% remained E. coli positive. Significant improvement in IPSS scores was observed after one week of therapy (P<0.05) and there wasno significant change in urine culture (P=0.854). Conclusion: Bacteriuria is a common finding in patients with symptomatic BPH in our setting. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most frequently isolated organisms, with sensitivity to nitrofurantoin and cefixime. A week of antibiotic therapy significantly reduced IPSS scores but did not reduce bacteriuria.

The Hotel Industry in China: Overview, Observations, and Future Prospects of 5-Star properties within the Chinese hotel industry

This paper examines the evolution of 5-star hotels in China, focusing on the shifting trends in design, services, and customer preferences. The study explores the impact of cultural and generational changes on luxury hotel standards, alongside the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on hotel operations and recovery. Using industry data, personal observations, and an analysis of market trends, this research critically discusses the challenges faced by 5-star properties in maintaining uniqueness and high-quality service. The purpose of this study is to assess the status quo of luxury hotels and propose strategies for sustaining innovation and excellence in a rapidly changing hospitality landscape.

Enhancing Pracademia in Business Schools: Designing Systems That Enable Impact

This commentary builds on ongoing dialogs examining the impact agenda. Its purpose is to (a) demonstrate how pracademia can enhance the impact agenda of Business Schools and (b) apply principles from socio-technical theory, to show how achieving this requires widespread culture change in Business Schools, which must be considered within the wider socio-technical system in which pracademia and impact are embedded. We consider inherent problems, and ways forward.

Understanding and addressing sexual- and gender-based harassment and discrimination among Royal Canadian Mounted Police

ABSTRACT The current study sought to examine experiences of gender- and sexual-based harassment and discrimination within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and what changes, if any, RCMP think are needed to address these issues within the organization. A representative sample of serving RCMP (n = 870; 72.6% men; 83.6% White) answered an open-ended survey question examining participants’ perspectives of how the RCMP can work to eliminate harassment and discrimination in RCMP workplaces. Responses were analyzed inductively, using an open-coding approach. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes and frequency analysis was performed to assess for recurrent concrete recommendations. Three themes were identified: Walking the Talk: Broad Accountability; Out with the Old, in with the New: Largescale Cultural Change; and Alternative Perspective: An Exaggerated or Non-Existent Problem. The most common concrete recommendations were to enforce actual consequences (n = 172), to have more effective leadership (n = 138), and to change the promotion process (n = 116). The current results indicate that many RCMP conceptualize gender- and sexual-based harassment and discrimination within the RCMP as a two-tiered problem, involving the actions of individual perpetrators and insufficient organizational responses to those actions. Results further evidence individual and structural hegemonically masculine elements within the RCMP organizational culture. Participant suggestions provide possible actionable solutions.

O AVANÇO DAS INOVAÇÕES DIGITAIS NA EDUCAÇÃO CORPORATIVA

This study aims to present the advancement of digital innovations in corporate education, observing how new technologies and business models influence teaching and learning at work. Digitalization has generated new opportunities for professional development, allowing a more effective integration between educational practices and the work environment, and promoting continuous learning in a competitive market. Corporate education must be a fundamental pillar for change in future organizations, transforming into digital learning ecosystems. These ecosystems will face challenges to improve usability and the educational experience, promoting technological, social and cultural changes within companies. The proposal is to conduct exploratory research with a qualitative approach and inductive logic, which focuses on the quality and depth of the information collected, rather than being based on pre-existing theoretical concepts. Inductive logic, which is based on observation of facts, allows the validation or refutation of existing concepts. The chosen method is a qualitative literature review, ideal for exploring the complexity of innovative corporate education and its role in organizational transformation. This method is suitable for investigating ideas and models about educational practices and technologies in a context of digital transformation, as it allows a practical analysis of the phenomenon in its real environment.

From Bylines to Headlines: Exploring Gender Bias in the News

The comparative lack of women in newsrooms and in news coverage is a global problem, typically rooted in countries’ masculinized norms that permeate society writ large, from kitchen tables to newsrooms to halls of power. Journalistic coverage often reinforces this gendered hierarchy. The nine articles in this themed collection examine this power dynamic across seven nations, chronicling the low representation of women in newsrooms and news coverage, and identifying the persistent challenges women journalists face. Many of the articles call for action at the root level of the problem: a change in society and culture.

Depressive Signs and Daily Life of Residents When Relocating from a Regular to an Innovative Nursing Home

ObjectivesIn this study, we examine how residents are affected by moving from a regular nursing home into an innovative living arrangement. In the past decade, a culture change has taken place, leading to rapid developments of innovative living arrangements that aim to change the physical, social, and organizational environment to better suit the needs of older adults needing 24-hour care. This has inevitably led to more group relocations in long-term care. Insight into the change in residents when relocating is lacking. DesignAn observational longitudinal study. Setting and ParticipantsFour Dutch care organizations in which 5 relocations took place from a regular to an innovative living arrangement. Residents (N = 97) requiring 24-hour care who were relocated from a regular nursing home to an innovative living arrangement were included. MethodsData were collected 1 month before, 2 weeks after, and 6 months after relocating. Depressive signs and symptoms, cognitive functioning, and dependence in activities of daily living were measured using questionnaires. Furthermore, the daily lives of the residents were assessed using ecological momentary assessments. ResultsOverall, no long-term change in depressive signs and symptoms, cognitive functioning, and dependence in activities of daily living was found when relocating. Furthermore, the daily life of residents was not different 6 months after moving. Relocating was accompanied by a significant short-term increase in depressive signs and symptoms in 2 out of 4 locations (P < .001). Conclusions and ImplicationsThis study shows that relocating to an innovative living arrangement does not lead to long-term changes in residents. There are indications that there might be a short-term change in depressive signs and symptoms that could be prevented by considering the approach and context. More research is needed into the changes in the physical, social, and organizational environment that are necessary for a positive impact on the daily lives of residents.

Socio-economic evaluation of human-dog coexistence: A 40,000 years history.

The human-animal relationship and its benefits have been a popular issue in recent decades. This study focuses on the dog as a paradigmatic example of this complex bond. The relationship between human and dog evolved over thousands of years through the domestication process. During this period, climatic, cultural, geographical and social changes have had a direct impact on this bond. Dogs have a remarkable capacity to play a variety of roles that mirror the evolution of human societies. Subsequently, questions arise regarding the important and symbolic roles that canines played in ancient cultures, religions and mythological traditions. Specifically, how have these roles changed through history? This research aimed to explore the socio-economic aspects of the human-dog relationship, spanning from ancient civilizations to modern societies. Through a systematic search methodology, this investigation seeks to provide insights into the dynamics of the complex human-dog relationship, including historical backgrounds, socio-cultural dynamics, economic implications and associated challenges. Additionally, the present study addresses the environmental concerns that emerge alongside rising stray dog populations. This research emphasizes the importance of strategies to balance the benefits of this coexistence that promote human and animal welfare.

Facilitating conversations about race: staff views on the importance of accountability and trust in a student-led project

ABSTRACT Significant conversations provide a private and safe space for teachers to develop their thinking about teaching and learning. These conversations are important to academic development but may be limited by their privacy, although Roxå & Mårtensson noted that it was possible to create a culture which led to extended networks. This study explores how the concept of such conversations can be developed further to contribute to institutional change and the development of inclusive learning communities. Led by students of colour, a project, ‘The Big Change’, was designed to provide an empowering space for open and non-judgemental conversations between students and staff about the experiences of student of colour in a modern university. The paper explores the experiences of the staff (N = 15) who participated in online focus groups in which they explored their experiences of the project and the complexities of vulnerability and public discourses. Within these focus groups we provided a space for conversations in which trust and accountability were identified as key factors for meaningful change, particularly in a sensitive area of work such as anti-racism. This approach, based on student-led interventions plus safe conversations, provides a model for facilitating cultural change within higher education.

Period poverty behind the numbers: gender, race, and class in the menstrual experiences of girls from an urban periphery in Brazil

ABSTRACT This article analyzes period poverty based on interviews with six girls living in a region on the outskirts of the city of Porto Alegre (Brazil). The results of the qualitative study reveal some realities that are behind the numbers. The lack of information about menstrual health, menstrual cycles, and the limited self-awareness about the body became evident. All the interviewed adolescents who sought health services due to any menstrual or body-related issues during puberty received a racist, sexist, or ageist treatment or a combination of these prejudices. Their accounts regarding access to menstrual hygiene products and sanitation infrastructure do not fully correspond to the data on period poverty: the girls have access to disposable sanitary pads during menstruation, clean water, and bathrooms in usable conditions. The stories told by the teenagers expand the discussion about period poverty as they highlight cultural factors related to their menstrual experiences. Their accounts also show that initiatives and public policies to combat menstrual precariousness cannot be limited to the material field and point to the need for systemic cultural changes to combat racism, sexism, and ageism.

Budaya Leles Orang Manggarai Sebagai Suatu Fenomena Sosial Dalam Terang Filsafat Metafisika Heidegger

This research focuses on the (social) cultural phenomenon of Leles Orang Manggarai in the context of social change driven by the influence of modern technology. Current conditions indicate a decline in unity and cooperation within this culture. The study employs a qualitative approach with literature review, interviews, and Heideggerian philosophical analysis to elucidate the changes in this cooperative culture. Literature review and interviews reveal the dynamics of Leles culture that has undergone transformation due to interactions with modern technology, resulting in a decline in the previously strong values of unity and cooperation in Manggarai society. In the philosophical context of Heidegger, the research examines the metaphysical implications for the changed Leles culture. The qualitative findings provide insights into how modern technology has influenced culture and social values, and how Heideggerian thought can be applied to contemplate societal changes. This research contributes significantly to understanding the impact of technology on culture and cooperation in Manggarai society. It is essential to underline that this study does not aim to examine the entire Manggarai society or address social phenomena universally, like sociological theories. Instead, it emphasizes the social benefits of Leles culture, presenting social phenomena as a reflective framework in this context.

Partners’ Age Difference and Marital Dissolution in Italy. A Cohort Comparison

Among the factors related to marital disruption, age assortative mating (who marries whom in terms of age) has received less attention than others. In this study, we study the association between partners’ age difference and marital disruption in Italy, a late-comer country in divorce legislation and highly conservative in its culture and institutions. We also show how this association varies across marriage cohorts. We employ data from “Families, social subjects and life cycle” (FSS), collected in 2016 by the Italian National Institute of Statistics (Istat). We analyse micro-level retrospective information on first-marriage histories between the 1970s and the 1990s through an event-history approach. Results show that age hypogamous couples (where the woman is older than the man) have a higher likelihood of marital disruption compared to couples where the wife is the same age or younger than her husband. However, this higher risk reduces among the youngest cohorts. We discuss the possible drivers of this change in light of cultural changes that occurred in recent decades. * This article belongs to a special issue on “Changes in Educational Homogamy and Its Consequences”.

"I want to succeed for her, so I can assure a better future for her": Parenting in Bedouin society in Israel.

Bedouin society in Israel is characterized as a marginalized minority (Muslim) society struggling to maintain its uniqueness in a Western (Jewish) dominant society. In this unique qualitative study, we aimed to shed light on the distinctive characteristics of Bedouin parenting practices in the context of social change by exploring Bedouin parents' accounts of factors contributing to or hampering their parenthood. Ninety-nine parents (Mage = 33.25, SD = 4.89) were interviewed about their parenting and their perceptions of Bedouin society. Interviews were analyzed using a phenomenological approach. Parents' accounts indicated a tension between preserving traditions, social norms, and religious rules that offer cohesion, comfort, and security and embracing individualistic values and cultural changes to promote social mobility for future generations. Bedouin mothers were conflicted between seeking self-fulfillment and meeting societal expectations. Whereas some emphasized investing time and effort in parenting as a form of ensuring their children's success, others saw investing in themselves as a means to improve family mobility. The findings suggest the need to be mindful of cultural values that are important to parents (e.g., maintaining traditions) and of barriers to help-seeking (e.g., viewing secular ideas as threats to religiously based social structures) when working with parents from minority indigenous societies such as the Bedouin. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Rights Quest: A Game for Child Rights Awareness

The interactive video game "A Way Home!" is a serious game for promoting pro-social change by raising awareness of children's rights, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child treaty. All countries except the United States have ratified this treaty. Through a collaborative effort, faculty and students developed this game using an open-source platform to create an immersive first-person video game experience to disseminate crucial knowledge about children's rights and the need for ratification. Game design guides players through real-world comparative scenarios depicting environments that support or do not support those fundamental rights. Through engaging gameplay and storytelling, iterative development processes facilitated the game's effectiveness in conveying complex concepts, such as the distinction between rights and responsibilities. The significance of children's fundamental rights, such as access to food, a safe, clean home, the right to speech, and freedom of expression, as enshrined in the CRC, are emphasized by juxtaposing different environments and depicting the consequences of choices. Grounded upon the Diffusion of Innovations theory (Rogers 2010), the first step to adopting cultural change is education. Using gameplay elements, including rewards for positive choices and learner guidance instructions, "A Way Home!" rights quest motivates players to explore and understand the principles of children's rights. The player wins the game when they achieve the goal of being heard in a court of law. By combining education with entertainment, the game aims to inspire empathy and foster understanding, with the ultimate goal of teaching about the need for ratification of the CRC Treaty in the U.S. and empowering players to take action and advocate for children's rights. This paper depicts the methodology involving participants (n=17) from one southeastern university in the States to capture qualitative and quantitative feedback through a perception survey to evaluate the first demo model. Results support advancing data collection for the next version developed using virtual reality (V.R.) headsets to further immerse the learners in the experience.

Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Quality Management in SMEs: Benefits and Challenges

The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMBs) has emerged as a key strategy for improving quality management. This article discusses the main benefits and challenges of implementing AI in this context. A systematic review of the academic literature and relevant business reports was carried out, in order to collect and analyze empirical evidence on the application of AI in the quality management of SMEs, obtaining as results that the main benefits of the implementation of AI in the quality management of SMEs include: Improved data-driven decision-making, process automation and error reduction, early detection of quality issues, customization of products and services, and resource optimization and cost reduction. On the other hand, the main challenges were: Lack of knowledge and skills in AI, high implementation costs, concerns about data security and privacy, resistance to cultural change, and integration of AI with existing systems and processes, concluding that the implementation of AI in SMB quality management offers significant benefits, but it also entails challenges that must be addressed strategically. SMEs that manage to overcome these challenges will be able to take advantage of the competitive advantages offered by AI, improving their efficiency, quality and adaptability in an increasingly dynamic business environment.

The Impact of Digitalization and Financial Technologies on the Transformation of Human Capital in the Banking Ecosystem

This article examines the changes in the banking ecosystem under the influence of digitalization and financial technologies (FinTech), with a particular focus on the transformation of human capital. Key technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain, which are reshaping workflows and require new competencies from employees, are discussed. The article analyzes strategic partnerships with FinTech companies, changes in the organizational culture of banks, and the need to develop IT skills and innovation management to enhance competitiveness. Special attention is given to Uzbekistan’s experience in integrating digital technologies and formulating a strategy for human capital development in the context of digital transformation.

Quieter and calmer than before: sound level measurement and experience in the intensive care unit at Erasmus Medical Center

Intensive care units (ICUs) are the ultimate socio-technological environments known for their loud sound levels. Alarms, noise produced by patient support devices, loud conversations, physical interactions with tools and the environment in general contribute collectively to a sound quality generally perceived as low. This paper reports the results from a study conducted inside the old and new ICUs at Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Sound level measurements have been collected continuously for three weeks in several matching rooms inside the old and new ICUs at full operational level at a one-year distance from one another. The results support the idea that changes in architectural layout, procedures, and culture have contributed to a significant decrease of the measured sound levels across all daily shifts, both inside patient rooms and in the nurse stations. We further discuss the results in light of a series of contextual considerations that emerged from interviews with healthcare providers (i.e., nurses and intensivists) who actively worked in both the old and the new ICU.

Team dynamics after implementation of guidelines for anaesthesia for children with CHD.

Guidelines were created at our single centrer institution for which anesthesiology team should care for pediatric cardiac patients for noncardiac surgery. The goal of the survey was to assess inter-team dynamics after the implementation of guidelines and revealed that practice behaviour can quickly change but a sustained change in team dynamics and workplace culture takes time.

Development and testing of a resuscitation-specific measure of organizational culture for resuscitation teams

BackgroundThe organizational culture (shared beliefs, perceptions, and values) of teams informs their behaviours and practices. Little is known about organizational culture for resuscitation teams. Our objective was to develop a reliable and valid resuscitation-specific organizational culture instrument (ROCI) with the goal of improving team performance. MethodsUsing Neonatal Resuscitation Program principles, literature review, and discussion of existing culture measures with experts, we identified organizational culture components for resuscitation and adapted existing measures to resuscitation. We developed a ROCI with five subscales (role clarity, shared-mental models, closed-loop communication, team adaptability, and psychological safety) and administered it to neonatal resuscitation team members across a hospital network. Survey psychometric assessment included reliability analyses (Cronbach’s α, Pearson correlation coefficients) and validity testing (confirmatory factor analysis [CFA] and regression models examining the association of culture with implementation outcomes: climate and perceived success). ResultsAcross 11 hospitals there were 318 complete responses (41 % response rate). Of the 22-items tested, 18 were retained after iterative psychometric assessment. The ROCI had excellent overall reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.994) and very good subscale reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.789–0.867). The CFA goodness-of-fit statistics confirmed five constructs (subscales). At the individual-level, the ROCI and all subscales were associated with both implementation outcomes. At the hospital-level, the ROCI overall and three subscales were associated with perceived success. ConclusionThe ROCI is a reliable and valid measure of the organizational culture of resuscitation teams. Future ROCI assessments may provide a foundation to inform culture change initiatives to improve resuscitation quality and outcomes across populations and contexts.