Empirical Research Research Articles

Involving Nurses in Participatory Action Research: Facilitators and Barriers

Involving nurses in research and quality improvement is desirable because nurses are often aware of weaknesses in care or organizational processes. In participatory action research (PAR), practitioners are encouraged to identify problems they encounter and, together with the researcher, develop strategies to solve these problems. This study aimed to evaluate the process of involving nurses in PAR, as well as learn what hampers and facilitates collaboration between the nursing team and the researcher and facilitator. Data collected during a 2.5-year PAR process with a nursing team (15–18 participants) on a geriatric rehabilitation ward was deductively analyzed using seven quality criteria (collaboration, prudent handling of assumptions, accountability, participation, reflection, knowledge sources, and transparency). This study describes how reflection and collective learning as core processes of PAR were facilitated using complementary knowledge sources (theoretical models, knowledge based on practical experiences, and results of empirical research collected during the PAR). The study uncovered that providing the time and setting for reflection and collective learning enables a nursing team to be actively involved in PAR: it helps them diagnose their current practice, plan ahead, and critically experiment with actions. Additionally, a positive learning climate is a prerequisite for this process. However, without a strong link between quality policy and consequent facilitation of participation through earmarked time, these efforts might not lead to sustainable changes. A more permanent link between PAR initiatives and organizational ambitions regarding quality of care is recommended.

Empirical research on green finance boosting the development of low-carbon economy in the Yangtze River Delta region

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:宋体"><font face="Times New Roman">In order to address the increasingly prominent issues of sustainable development in resources, environment, and ecology, the support of green finance and the transformation of a low-carbon economy are two complementary and pivotal strategies and paths on the journey towards achieving the grand goal of "carbon neutrality"</font></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:宋体"><font face="Times New Roman">.</font></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:宋体"> <font face="Times New Roman">To facilitate the smooth implementation of China's carbon emission reduction efforts, a thorough analysis of the coordinated development between green finance and the low-carbon economy is crucial. This paper utilizes </font><font face="Times New Roman">panel data from central cities in t</font></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:宋体"><font face="Times New Roman">he Yangtze </font></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:宋体"><font face="Times New Roman">River Delta region</font> <font face="Times New Roman">to conduct an analysis, exploring the impact of green finance levels on carbon emissions through the application of bidirectional fixed-effects and mediation effect models.The research results indicate that the level of green finance can suppress carbon emissions to a certain extent</font></span></span> <span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:宋体"><font face="Times New Roman">and promote low-carbon development in the region. These findings are confirmed through robustness tests. In analyzing the mediation mechanism, it is discovered that government investment in environmental protection plays a mediating role in the process of green finance influencing carbon emissions. Additionally, a regional heterogeneity analysis reveals that regions with higher levels of green finance development exert a more significant impact on carbon emissions.</font></span></span></span></span></p>

How Cultural Involvement in Different Brand Types Influences Willingness to Pay Premium: The Mediating Role of Brand Happiness

This study examines the impact of cultural involvement on brand enriching benefits and consumers’ willingness to pay a premium (WPP). Additionally, it explores the underlying mechanisms behind this impact. A partial least squares structural equation model was used to analyze the data collected from a pretest (N = 70) and an online survey (N = 1053) conducted in China. The moderating effect of brand type was examined using a multi-group analysis. The results indicate that cultural involvement has a significant and positive impact on brand enriching benefits, consequently enhancing consumers’ WPP. Additionally, brand happiness mediates the relationship between brand enriching benefits and WPP. Through a multi-group analysis, the impact of brand culture on brand equity is found to be more pronounced in functional brands compared with symbolic brands. Additionally, high perceived quality facilitates the transformation of brand enriching benefits into WPP. Managers value the ability of a brand culture to create brand equity and implement differentiation strategies based on different brand types. It is critical for managers to use a culture and its rich benefits wisely and to consider consumer happiness in the brand experience. Although brand culture and its impact on brands are crucial, previous studies have only focused on qualitative analyses, while empirical research on the direct link between brand culture and equity has been lacking. This study empirically tests a conceptual model that elucidates the relationship between brand cultural involvement, brand enriching benefits, brand happiness, WPP, brand type, and perceived quality. It extends previous research and offers suggestions for academics and brand managers interested in effectively leveraging brand culture for brand building.

Stebėjimo metodo ypatumai muziejų auditorijos elgsenos tyrimuose

Audience behaviour research is one of the most relevant topics in the field of museology, as visitor-oriented modern-museology-based museums inevitably need to understand how visitors learn, explore and understand museum information and communication. The article discusses the specifics of the application of observation as one of the oldest scientific research methods in the study of museum audiences. Even though observation is identified as an essential way of studying audience behaviour in real-time, the application of the method still raises questions about the way it is applied, issues of objectivity and the reliability of data. This paper aims to highlight relevant methodological issues in the application of observation and other qualitative methods of museum visitor research in assessing the relationship between the essential research question and the data needed to answer it. A literature review and the results and experiences of the empirical research conducted for the doctoral thesis are used to answer the questions. The empirical study of visitors’ free choice behaviour in the Lithuanian Museum is used to illustrate the relevant features of the monitoring method, while the detailed results of the visitor behaviour monitoring study are presented in a dedicated paper.

Contesting “VIP urbanism”

We live in an age of extreme and worsening urban inequality. One result is the increased prevalence of “VIP urbanism”—the idea that cities govern land use through two sets of rules, one of them reserved for “very important people”. The first set of rules applies to most urbanites, through de jure laws and standardized bureaucratic policies. However, in many places a second set of practices operates quietly alongside the official rules, as a de facto system of loopholes, easements, exemptions, lobbying, and veto power that enable some actors to shape cities in ways that violate the spirit—and sometimes even the letter—of the law. This special issue presents empirical research and theoretical commentary on the VIP urbanism phenomenon, with cases including Bengaluru, Hong Kong, Milan, New York City, Paris, Valparaiso, and Venice. The authors identify how preferential treatment for elites has impacted urban governance in a diverse geography of cities, and evaluate how these practices have been contested by social movements and other urban stakeholders.

Universal Design Element Utilization and Mathematics Performance: Implications for Diverse Student Populations

This empirical research study investigates the relationship between the utilization of Universal Design (UD) elements and math performance among eighth graders. We analyzed 2017 National Assessment of Educational Progress process data using Poisson Generalized Linear Mixed-Effects Models to examine how the frequency of UD element usage varies across diverse student demographics. Our findings reveal a great divide: lower achievers, students with disabilities, those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, English Language Learners, and African American students predominantly use text-to-speech, whereas high achievers more frequently employ digital pencils (which allow for manual writing or drawing on the screen) and elimination capacity (which enables students to dismiss incorrect multiple-choice answers). Linear Mixed-Effects Models show that higher levels of utilization of digital pencils and elimination capacity are correlated with improved math performance across various student subgroups. However, frequent changes in color themes, intended to enhance visual differentiation, were associated with lower performance, suggesting that these might serve as distractions rather than aids for some students. We discuss the implications of the findings in terms of the design of UD elements, as well as for equity, accessibility, and math education more broadly.

Revisiting the role of behavioral control and entrepreneurial identity in empirical entrepreneurial intention research: A theory of planned behavior approach

ABSTRACT The presented article aims at providing novel evidence on entrepreneurial intention as an evaluation instrument for university entrepreneurship programs. The study is based on a sample of 300 respondents obtained at a German university of applied sciences and consisting of students and scientific and nonscientific staff and alumni. The data were analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Smart PLS to test four hypotheses related to entrepreneurial intention and its antecedents. Based on the study results, it is hypothesized that entrepreneurial intention is best explained through a combination of entrepreneurial attitudes, social norms, and entrepreneurial identity, while excluding behavioral control. This has implications for university administrators and entrepreneurship policy makers in terms of focusing more on culture and identity and less on increasing self-efficacy.

Collectivism-Based Travel Culture as the Antecedents of Travel FOMO And Intention to Travel Responsibly

As collectivists, Indonesians tend to travel with friends and family. The destination is usually inspired by social media content which then will increase fear-of-missing-out anxiety (FOMO) for traveling because it generates travel intention. A previous study claimed that collectivist culture has a strong correlation with FOMO behavior. This research analyzes the role of collectivism-based travel culture as the antecedent of travel FOMO on Indonesian domestic tourists. High travel intention may lead to high profits for tourism businesses, but the sustainability of the natural habitat of the natural tourism destinations is no less important. Tourists must also increase their intention to travel responsibly when visiting natural destinations to protect nature. This study employed an empirical quantitative research method with 340 sample data of Indonesian domestic tourists. The analysis of statistical data analysis is provided from PLS-SEM. This research is limited to collectivist behavioral observation of Indonesian domestic tourists to natural tourism destinations. Future studies can be conducted on different cultural dimensions and tourism market segmentation. The analysis showed that the collectivism-based travel culture of Indonesian tourists had positive influences on both travel FOMO and intention to travel responsibly individually, but will bring damage if combined.

Right to health in Brazil and Portugal: a critical analysis of Asensi’s work

Whereas the laws that regulate the Right to Health in Brazil and Portugal could be considered similar, the modus in which this relevant part of Social Security is exercised and claimed differs significantly in practice in the two countries. Discussing the Right to Health in Brazil and Portugal, Asensi (2013) analyzes both legislation and the ways of social claims comparatively, carrying out empirical and theoretical research that facilitates understanding the legal phenomenon. This article uses a descriptive methodology to analyze the work Right to Health. Claiming Social Practices and their Effectiveness. Despite an equivalent positive right, the problem of the judicialization of health, evident in Brazil, is almost non-existent in Portugal.

Of boredom and havoc: Correctional officers and meaning making

Despite early calls to pay attention to the role of emotions in crime and criminal justice, including in prison studies, empirical research focusing on emotions in the administration of criminal justice has been sporadic. With notable exceptions, little attention has been paid to the role of boredom, meaning, and the labour processes of criminal justice personnel more broadly, and correctional officers specifically. We fill the lacuna in knowledge by examining the relationship between boredom, temporality, the labour process of correctional officers, meaning making, and officer wellness. We first offer an overview of boredom as an emotion and its contribution to meaning making. We then outline the labour process of correctional officers, reviewing literature on the structure of their carceral work environments and their experiences of boredom. We draw on 651 interviews with correctional officer recruits (n = 375) and follow-up interviews with correctional officers (n = 276) within federal prisons across Canada to understand the emotional experiences of correctional work, specifically focusing on boredom as a dominant emotion and its effect on officer wellness. Our study uses a phenomenological approach to consider how boredom plays a role in the daily lives of those providing security within prison spaces, how prison officers make sense of their work in relation to temporality and boredom, and how boredom and havoc contributes to poor officer wellness.

Clinical and imaging correlates of hyperorality in syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration.

Empirical research investigating hyperorality in syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is limited. The present study aims to assess and describe hyperorality and its clinical and imaging correlates in patients with FTLD-associated syndromes. This retrospective longitudinal study included consecutive patients with FTLD who underwent a clinical, cognitive, and behavioral assessment. The presence and severity of hyperorality was assessed using the Frontal Behavior Inventory. A total of 712 patients with FTLD were included in the study. Hyperorality was reported by 29% (204 of 712 [95% CI: 25-32%]) of patients; was more frequent in those with severe dementia than in those with prodromal or mild to moderate dementia (P < 0.05); was associated with younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.96 [95% CI: 0.94-0.99]), (P = 0.003) and positive family history for dementia (OR = 2.03 [95% CI: 1.18-3.49], P = 0.010); was overall more probable in the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and frontotemporal dementia with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis phenotypes, and less probable in other language or motor phenotypes; and was associated with higher severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms (OR = 1.08 [95% CI: 1.06-1.10], P < 0.001) and with the presence of several behavioral symptoms (P < 0.05). Moreover, hyperorality severity increased over time only in patients with bvFTD (β = +0.15, P = 0.011) or semantic variant of primary progressive aphasia (β = +0.34, P = 0.010). Finally, the presence of hyperorality was significantly associated with greater atrophy in the right anterior insula and right orbitofrontal region (false discovery rate-corrected P < 0.05). Hyperorality is common in certain FTLD-associated syndromes. Understanding its correlates can help clinicians define pharmacological and educational interventions and clarify related anatomical circuits.

Developing Graduate Attributes Through Competitive Gameplay and Learning Theories

The term competitive gameplay or gaming is predominantly associated with esports. Esports, a synonym, or abbreviation for electronic sports is an industry that has a global outreach with a lucrative market. This is accentuated by the event driven, business model focus and organised competitive events, often involving sponsorship. These additional characteristics associated with esports is what distinguishes it from traditional or casual gaming. Though esports games can be played individually, they are predominantly viewed as a team activity. Beyond the debate as to whether esports can be classified as a sport, it is an area that has attracted a significant amount of academic research. Research areas have often included esports psychology, esports player health and nutrition and esports management. Some research studies have also reviewed how esports have the potential to e.0quip esports players with relevant 21st century skills such as critical and lateral thinking. One area where esports appears to be under researched is in the relationship between competitive gameplay and learning theories. It can be argued that this is an important consideration when delivering esports from an educational perspective. The aim of this paper is to provide a scoping review of the esports literature identifying empirical research associated with competitive gaming and graduate attributes. Esports game genres will be explored from a gameplay perspective demonstrating via learning theory examples how these games can facilitate graduate attributes in players. Exploring the domain of esports game genres, learning theories and meta-skills, the paper presents a conceptual model illustrating the interrelationship between these areas. The paper also has practical value to educators, who may be as yet unfamiliar with esports, informing them of the subject’s educational benefits from a graduate attribute and employability perspective.

Transformation of the Rural Nonfarm Economy During Rapid Urbanization and Structural Transformation in Developing Regions

This article reviews the past 25 years of empirical research on the rural nonfarm economy (RNFE) in developing countries; that literature has evolved in ways that track and mirror the rural transformation itself. Since 2000, rapid urbanization, structural transformation, and a sharp series of economic, climate, and disease shocks have influenced trajectories in the RNFE. It has grown to become, on average, the predominant source of income for rural households in developing countries. Both segments of the RNFE—activities linked to agricultural value chains as well as those unrelated to the agricultural sector—have grown. Understanding how each component of the RNFE influences rural incomes, employment, resilience, women, youth, and farming and natural resource management practices is, therefore, more important than ever.

Cold Coastal City Neighborhood Morphology Design Method Based on Multi-Objective Optimization Simulation Analysis

In the context of global warming and the frequent occurrence of extreme weather, coastal cities are more susceptible to the heat island effect and localized microclimate problems due to the significant influence of the oceanic climate. This study proposes a computer-driven simulation optimization method based on a multi-objective optimization algorithm, combined with tools such as Grasshopper, Ladybug, Honeybee and Wallacei, to provide scientific optimization decision intervals for morphology control and evaluation factors at the initial stage of coastal city block design. The effectiveness of this optimization strategy is verified through empirical research on typical coastal neighborhoods in Dalian. The results show that the strategy derived from the multi-objective optimization-based evaluation significantly improves the wind environment and thermal comfort of Dalian neighborhoods in winter and summer: the optimization reduced the average wind speed inside the block by 0.47 m/s and increased the UTCI by 0.48 °C in winter, and it increased the wind speed to 1.5 m/s and decreased the UTCI by 0.59 °C in summer. This study shows that the use of simulation assessment and multi-objective optimization technology to adjust the block form of coastal cities can effectively improve the seasonal wind and heat environment and provide a scientific basis for the design and renewal of coastal cities.

Food loss analysis in Nigeria: A systematic literature review

The issue of food loss and waste is a complex one that must be addressed if sustainable food systems are to be achieved. In the Global South, as evidenced by Nigeria, two paradoxical trends can be observed. Firstly, substantial losses of arable crops occur during the production and distribution stages. Secondly, Nigeria is affected by food scarcity, which is in part a consequence of losses occurring at these stages. In terms of food availability, Nigeria ranks 26th among African countries. In light of this context and the government's expressed interest in identifying sustainable solutions to this problem, a systematic review was conducted with the objective of consolidating the fragmented studies on food loss in the region. This review provides a foundation for understanding the causes of food loss, the preventive and reduction strategies required, and for identifying promising areas for future research. The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Checklist 2020. Following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 studies were selected for review. A thematic synthesis was employed to integrate and examine the findings of the studies. The findings indicated that maize, rice, and cassava continued to be the most prevalent food crops in Nigeria, with cultivation occurring across the entire country. We differentiate the critical loss points for different crops, which arise between the production and distribution stages. In conclusion, this review reveals that food loss in Nigeria is a multifaceted issue requiring integrated solutions that address the natural, social, and material dimensions. Further empirical research, especially qualitative studies that focus on the perspectives and practices of food system actors, is essential for developing effective interventions and policies. This approach will help achieve sustainable development of food systems and advance global food security goals.

Streaming platform imaginaries: audiences and Southeast Asian streaming

ABSTRACT This article argues for a deeper understanding of the forms of streaming platform infrastructures as imagined and experienced by audiences. The empirical research is based on a qualitative audience study in Southeast Asia. Through the use of drawings of streaming platform maps, combining visual and interview methods, the article analyses visual forms depicting the infrastructures for global streaming platforms, e.g. Netflix, alongside transnational platforms and national cable channels, e.g. Astro. Out of this original research, a core finding is that audiences from the global south have multi-layered experiences of streaming platform infrastructures, technologies and lifestyles. A new concept of streaming platform imaginaries is developed in relation to the layering of platform infrastructures, thus contributing to a nuanced understanding of both real and imagined forms of streaming platforms.

Lean Manufacturing Implementation in Developing Countries:Evidence from Jordanian Industrial Companies

In today's fiercely competitive landscape, industries are increasingly embracing lean manufacturing strategies for survival. However, the adoption of lean principles in Jordanian manufacturing sectors remains relatively new. This study aims to evaluate the current state of lean adoption in Jordanian industries, focusing on its techniques, motivations, and challenges. Employing a quantitative methodology, surveys targeted Production, Operation, and Quality Managers in Jordanian organizations. Out of 300 distributed questionnaires, 176 valid responses were received, representing a response rate of 58.7%. The findings indicate a relatively low adoption of lean practices in Jordanian industries, though firms that have implemented lean report significant benefits, particularly in quality enhancement and cost reduction. Key challenges include inadequate training, a scarcity of experts, and complexities in small batch production. While the study's sample size is limited, caution is warranted in interpreting the results. Further empirical research is needed to quantify the performance benefits of lean adoption. This study sheds light on lean adoption in Jordanian manufacturing, informing knowledge development and guiding future efforts to promote lean practices in the industrial landscape.

Legal Protection for Workers on Job Loss Guarantee in the Tourism Sector

In Indonesia, labo u r social security is a right of workers, as exemplified by the provision of job loss insurance . In essence, social security is designed to ensure that workers retain a decent standard of living in the event of job loss. One of the most frequently demanded rights of workers is the right to social security. The Indonesian Social Security Administration Body (BPJS) programme comprises two distinct categories: social security for health and social security for employment . The following ques tion is posed: How is the job loss insurance programme in the tourism sector implemented at BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Cabang Bali Gianyar ? Furthermore, what form of legal protection is afforded to workers who lose their jobs in accordance with Indonesian Govern ment Regulation No. 37/2021 on the implementation of the Job Loss Insurance Program? Methodology: empirical research employing a soc iological approach. The findings indicate that the implementation of the job loss guarantee programme at BPJS Ketenagakerjaa n Gianyar is conducted in accordance with the submission of job loss insurance claims from workers who have been laid off. At PT CH B Villa, 26 workers who experienced layoffs were eligible to receive the benefits of job loss insurance , including 24 worker s (92%) who were entitled to receive them and two workers (8%) who were not. In conclusion, the implementation of the job loss insur ance programme at the Villa of PT CHB Gianyar has been effective in providing legal protection and benefits for laid off wo rkers. In the event that an employer violates the rights of a dismissed worker, the employer may be subject to administrative sancti ons in accordance with the provisions of Article 46 of Indonesi an Government Regulation No. 37/ 2021 concerning the implement ation of the job loss insurance . These sanctions may include written warnings to the employer and the cessation of certain public se rvices.

Prevalent Workplace Sexual Abuse of Ready-Made Garments Female Workers in Bangladesh: Understanding the Pseudo Dynamics of This Offence from Socio-Criminological Perspective

Safe workplace for women is a matter of great concern, even with the increasing rate of their participation in the economic sphere of Bangladesh. In spite of extensive empirical research focusing on infectious crime as sexual harassment across various spheres of human existence, even in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, sexual harassment remains a painstaking global thorn in the flesh. Though the prevalence of sexual harassment is at its peak, a significant proportion of society normalizes this as a custom and manifests it by keeping silent about sexual harassment against RMG female workers. The primary objective of this study is to understand the victims' experiences and the major factors behind the sexual harassment at ready-made garment factories in Bangladesh. This study utilizes qualitative research methodology employing purposive snowball sampling of 20 working women and 5 KII in-depth interviews, aiming to delve into the underlying factors of this behavior from a socio-criminological perspectives.

Stay safe, stay home? Majority world children, the COVID-19 pandemic, and (everyday) security politics

This article explores children in the majority world’s experiences of the stringent health security practices implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on original empirical research in five majority world countries, it examines children’s own accounts of their experiences of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders. Our analysis of the children’s narratives draws out the spatial, temporal, and affective dimensions of home-making under stay-at-home orders. In turn, we highlight complex and ambivalent connections between the notable and the mundane, between security and the everyday, and between home-making and world-building, and offer conclusions informed by majority world children on the ‘(important) banality of security and security politics’.