Empirical Research Research Articles

Citizens’ conscious engagement in digital platforms: advancing public service delivery within the public service logic framework

ABSTRACT Public service logic (PSL) acknowledges the pivotal role of citizen participation in value creation, yet the effect of citizens’ conscious engagement on public service delivery and co-creation of value with public service organizations (PSOs) remains underexplored. This study addresses this issue through empirical research on the interactional text data between users and PSOs on an online responsive service platform in Beijing, China. The study contributes by unveiling evidence of users’ conscious engagement and input and examines its influence on PSOs’ responsiveness and service outcomes. Furthermore, it extends the research on value co-creation within digital platforms.

The Nature of Visual Disinformation Online: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Alternative and Social Media in the Netherlands

ABSTRACT Online political disinformation often relies on decontextualized or manipulated images. Visual content can make disinformation more attention-grabbing and credible as it offers a direct index of reality. Yet, most research to date has mapped the salience and nature of disinformation by exclusively focusing on textual content. Responding to urgent calls in the literature, this paper relies on an inductive qualitative analysis of visual disinformation disseminated by alternative media platforms. Based on the analysis, we propose a typology of different applications of visuals in disinformation: (1) Signaling legitimacy and adherence to conventional news values through seemingly unrelated images; (2) illustrating authoritative expert consensus through the visualization of disinformation by alternative experts; (3) emphasizing widespread social support for unconventional truth claims through the inclusion of visuals depicting the vox populi; (4) offering decontextualized proof for conspiracy theories and counter-factual claims. This typology intends to inform future empirical research that aims to detect disinformation narratives across different (digital) contexts.

Autoethnography study: how I learned to do 3D printing as a rehabilitation practitioner.

Additive manufacturing (3D printing) is increasingly utilized in healthcare. Some rehabilitation professionals employ 3D printing for orthoses, prostheses, and assistive technologies (AT). However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many practitioners have reservations about adopting 3D printing into their practices, and empirical research in this area is limited. The aim of the study was to document my experience while learning 3D printing. In this autoethnographic study, journal entries and photos of the artifacts were collected during the process of learning 3D printing. These data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: Being motivated to learn 3D printing, Experiencing challenges and implementing possible solutions, and Achieving developmental milestones in learning 3D printing. These milestones offered practical insights and solutions for new learners by providing a roadmap for navigating the journey of learning 3D printing. This personal experience offered opportunities and posed challenges in the context of learning to use 3D printing in the rehabilitation field. It is hoped that this study will inspire others to explore 3D printing and potentially contribute to the development of 3D printing training programs for students and rehabilitation professionals.

Revolutionizing getaways: automation and artificial intelligence’s transformative journey in tourism and hospitality

PurposeThis theme issue aims to explore the depth and breadth of automation and artificial intelligence’s (AI’s) impact on the hospitality and tourism industry.Design/methodology/approachThe thematic examination of the articles presented in this theme issue highlights the central results concerning the strategic inquiry, especially regarding their addition to knowledge, which is vital for fostering idea creation and theoretical research beneficial to various stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality sector. Given the swift evolution of these technologies, grasping their utilization, advantages and obstacles is essential for industry experts, decision-makers and scholars.FindingsThis theme issue encapsulates the transformative impact of automation and AI in the tourism and hospitality industry, highlighting the juxtaposition of enhanced operational efficiency against employment security concerns. It emphasizes the need for ethical governance to address AI’s ethical dilemmas and security vulnerabilities. The exploration of consumer attitudes towards AI, particularly in service robots and facial emotion recognition technologies, is deemed crucial for leveraging AI’s full potential in service delivery. Furthermore, AI’s entry into gastronomy prompts a reevaluation of traditional culinary practices, advocating for a balance between technological innovation and the preservation of cultural heritage.Originality/valueThis theme issue stands out for its focused exploration of the transformative effects of automation and AI within the hospitality and tourism industry. Unlike broader discussions on technology in business, it delves into specific AI-driven innovations, operational changes and the resultant shifts in consumer behavior and industry standards. By curating a collection of empirical research, theoretical analyses and content analyses, this issue is providing important insights into how automation and AI are reshaping service delivery, management practices and strategic decision-making in an industry characterized by its intense customer focus and reliance on human-to-human interaction.

Measuring psychotherapeutic processes in the context of psychedelic experiences: Validation of the General Change Mechanisms Questionnaire (GCMQ).

Therapeutic and salutogenic effects of psychedelic drugs have been attributed to psychotherapeutic or psychotherapy-like processes that can unfold during the acute psychedelic experience and beyond. Currently, there are no psychometric instruments available to comprehensively assess psychotherapeutic processes (as conceptualized by empirical psychotherapy research) in the context of psychedelic experiences. We report the initial validation of the General Change Mechanisms Questionnaire (GCMQ), a self-report instrument designed to measure five empirically established general change mechanisms (GCMs) of psychotherapy-(1) resource activation, (2) therapeutic relationship, (3) problem actuation, (4) clarification, and (5) mastery-in the context of psychedelic experiences. An online survey in a sample of 1153 English-speaking and 714 German-speaking psychedelic users was conducted to evaluate simultaneously developed English- and German-language versions of the GCMQ. The theory-based factor structure was confirmed. The five GCMQ scales showed good internal consistency. Evidence for convergent validity with external measures was obtained. Significant associations with different settings and with therapeutic, hedonic, and escapist use motives confirmed the hypothesized context dependence of GCM-related psychedelic experiences. Indicating potential therapeutic effects, the association between cumulative stressful life events and well-being was significantly moderated by resource activation, clarification, and mastery. Factor mixture modeling revealed five distinct profiles of GCM-related psychedelic experiences. Initial testing indicates that the GCMQ is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used in future clinical and nonclinical psychedelic research. The five identified profiles of GCM-related experiences may be relevant to clinical uses of psychedelics and psychedelic harm reduction.

The impact of GHRM and EGB on organization’s financial and operational performance – an empirical analysis on Indian ICT sector

PurposeThe study aims to conduct an empirical research to examine how green human resource management (GHRM) can influence sustainable organizational performance (SOP) in terms of financial performance (FP) and operational performance (OpP), both directly and through employee green behavior (EGB), in the backdrop of the Indian information and communication technology (ICT) sector.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on primary data collected through a questionnaire survey from 387 employees engaged in the ICT sector. Confirmatory factor analysis validates the measurement model, while structural equation modeling (SEM) using the partial least squares (PLS) method examines the hypothesized relations.FindingsResults confirm that GHRM significantly contributes to EGB, FP and OpP, with a theoretical underpinning concerning resource-based view (RBV) and ability-motivation-opportunity (AMO) concepts. The study also confirms that connections of GHRM with both FP and OpP are significantly and positively mediated by EGB.Practical implicationsThe study provides evidence-based implications of different GHRM practices toward EGB, FP and OpP, which are highly pertinent to strategists, policymakers, managers and supervisors in implementing GHRM for adding value to both operational and financial statements while protecting nature and natural resources through the green efforts of employees.Originality/valueThe study bridges a significant theoretical and practitioner gap by providing a deeper understanding of GHRM as a sustainable human resource management (HRM) model in the context of the Indian ICT sector. It empirically explores the connections between GHRM and OpP, which is a crucial dimension of SOP, and highlights noteworthy implications for promoting EGB, an individual micro-sustainability dimension directed toward the achievement of broader organizational goals, which are essentially oriented to macro-sustainability.

International container intermodal competitiveness: An empirical study from Chinese hub ports

The global energy crisis and environmental degradation have prompted ports to strive for green transformation. Intermodal transport, as a green and efficient form of organization in the transport sector, currently has a lot of room for development. How can the competitiveness of intermodal transport be enhanced while realizing the green sustainability of ports? This study objectively evaluates the competitiveness of international container intermodal competitiveness of hub ports and analyzes the characteristics of 16 Chinese ports from 2011 to 2020. The obstacle degree model (ODM) and the panel Tobit model considering random effects are utilized to explore the complex multidimensional elements affecting the competitiveness of intermodal transport in ports. In addressing the imbalanced characteristics of intermodal transport in ports, a variety of augmentation pathways are devised using the dynamic multi-time period fuzzy-sets qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method. The results found that: (1) The competitiveness of intermodal transport in ports shows a “three echelons” structure, requiring the implementation of appropriate augmentation strategies. (2) Elements affecting the competitiveness of intermodal transport in ports are multidimensional, underscoring the significance of holistically considering internal and external elements. (3) The key to enhancing the competitiveness of intermodal transport in ports lies in striking a balance between economic development and prudent attention to multiple dimensions to ensure sustainability. This study enriches the empirical research on intermodal transport in ports. It provides valuable references for ports seeking new avenues of growth and for governments with effective management practices.

Testing the validity of feminization U-shape hypothesis for female labor force participation and economic development in Pakistan: a reexamination

Purpose The participation of females in economic activity remains a challenge, and received a lot of attention for a better labor policy discourse. The empirical research focused widely on the relationship between female labor force participation (FLFP) and economic development, called the feminization U-shape hypothesis. However, the linear/nonlinear relationship has been questioned due to empirical and methodological anomalies. Hence, this study aims to extend the previous work by reexamining this relationship in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach The annual data from 1980 to 2021, the unit root tests augmented Dickey–Fuller and Phillips and Perron, the conventional autoregressive distributed lag bound test approach by including the quadratic-term of GDP per capita and the novel Sasabuchi–Lind–Mehlum (SLM) U test (2010) used for empirical estimation. Findings The findings revealed the prospects of a long-run nonlinear association between FLFP and economic development in Pakistan. However, an inverse U-shape exists between the female labor force participation rate (FLFPR) and GDP per capita, predicting that FLFP may decline in the future. Research limitations/implications The traditional feminization U-shape hypothesis has little empirical support in the case of Pakistan. Therefore, the Government of Pakistan should enhance the enabling environment for females through the provision of better job opportunities, technical skills, on-the-job training and social security benefits during all phases of economic development. Originality/value The conventional approach of testing U-shape is insufficient. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, therefore, this study incorporated a wider data set in a time series that is less evident, an advanced methodology SLM U test (2010), to validate the feminization U-shape hypothesis in Pakistan for the first time.

Differential Effectiveness of Open Versus Closed Psychotherapy Groups: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review aimed to provide an overview of the state of research on the effectiveness of open versus closed psychotherapy groups, from the beginning of empirical research on these groups to the present. A literature search in seven databases and a supplementary search of the reference lists of 23 relevant articles were conducted between August 2022 and October 2023. Seventy-two articles were identified and screened for eligibility. Twenty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Outcomes are reported by study design (randomized controlled trial, quasi-experimental, descriptive). Information on each study's sample, setting, types of groups, process versus outcome measures, and outcome evaluation is provided. Findings suggest that open and closed psychotherapy groups have the same effect on reducing symptoms of mental disorders. Perception of group cohesion was phase dependent in closed group therapies, whereas cohesion was perceived as more constant in open group therapies. The question of how group therapy format may affect therapeutic outcomes and processes has been posed over the past 50 years, but trials are heterogeneous and robust conclusions cannot be made. Systematic research on the differential effectiveness of open versus closed psychotherapy groups is scarce. On the basis of empirical findings to date, no global superiority of either open or closed group therapy exists. Open and closed group therapies are equally effective, presumably because of different effect factors. An indication for open or closed group therapy must be made according to clinical requirements on a case-by-case basis.

Dimensions of living with emetophobia

Purpose This paper aims to present an examination of selected literature about the lived experiences of those with emetophobia. Its intention is to inform further empirical enquiry and subsequent approaches to treatment and care aimed at inclusive support for sufferers. To that end, it is important to bring the sufferers’ narrative into public and professional domains. Design/methodology/approach A systematic search of multiple databases using the search engine Discover@bolton and grey literature was undertaken to obtain evidence about the lived experiences of people with emetophobia. The search terms used were “emetophobia” and combinations of associated topic phrases using Boolean operators (AND / OR): “Emetophobia” OR “fear of vomiting” OR “fear of being sick”, Emetophobia AND “lived experiences” and finally Emetophobia OR “fear of vomiting” OR “fear of being sick” AND “lived experiences”. Eight papers were included in the review and five items of grey literature. Findings Several themes were identified in this literature including fear, escape and avoidance, other influences, consequences and medicalisation. The findings reveal that the experiences of those with emetophobia are subsumed beneath a focus on diagnosis and treatment. When it comes to understanding the actual lived experience of a person with emetophobia, the evidence presents the reader with what treatment may work and how they might respond to it, but largely omits the voice of the individual with emetophobia. This signals a need to undertake enquiry to bring this to the fore and so inform ways of greater inclusive practice for the public and professionals alike. Research limitations/implications The evidence reviewed in this paper can be noted for the limited discussion about the individual’s lived experience of emetophobia. Gaining insight into this would contribute to raising awareness in a wider public arena and inform carers and healthcare professionals’ understanding. It would also display the importance of an individual context and health journey. Practical implications Knowing this can inform approaches to helping an individual either to live with the phobia and manage its impact on daily living (positive rather than maladaptive coping mechanisms) or to overcome it with or without adjunct medical treatment (if this is possible). Social implications Knowing based on contemporary empirical enquiry will inform policy and guideline development. Whatever course is taken, it must contribute to steps being taken towards achieving a better quality of life for individual sufferers. The findings of this paper likewise inform the need for further study into the individual lived experience of emetophobia. Originality/value This paper is original in having identified a need to bring empirical evidence of the lived experience of sufferers with emetophobia into the public and professional domain.

Opportunities and Challenges of Integrating Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education

This paper thoroughly examines both the opportunities and obstacles associated with integrating Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) into educational settings. It explores how Generative AI has the potential to enrich learning experiences, customize education for individuals, and foster creativity. However, it also confronts several challenges including ethical dilemmas, safeguarding data privacy, mitigating algorithmic biases, and reshaping the role of educators. Through a synthesis of theoretical frameworks and empirical research, the paper offers valuable insights into effective strategies for navigating these challenges. It emphasizes the importance of establishing ethical guidelines, ensuring transparency in algorithms, and adopting inclusive design principles during AI integration. Furthermore, the paper underscores the importance of providing educators with adequate training and professional development opportunities to effectively utilize AI tools. Additionally, it advocates for ongoing dialogue among stakeholders—such as educators, policymakers, technologists, and students—to steer responsible AI integration in education. Ultimately, the paper advocates for a collaborative approach that prioritizes human-centric values, equity, and diversity. While Generative AI holds promise for revolutionizing educational practices, its integration requires thoughtful consideration of ethical, social, and pedagogical implications. Through proactive collaboration and partnership, educators can leverage AI's potential to create more immersive, tailored, and equitable learning environments.

Trust to test translation practices

Abstract Trust is important in public health communication to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities during pandemics. This empirical research, using quantitative data from 107 foreign nationals at a university in Shanghai, probes into how trust varied in official translation services (OTS) and non-official translation services (NOTS) during COVID-19. Statistical analysis was carried out by IBM SPSS Statistics 26 and it was found that (1) NOTS which are more frequently used are more trusted compared with OTS; (2) NOTS are uncorrelated with demographics while OTS are correlated with demographics, among which education and trust in OTS suggest a linear positive relationship (Sig. = 0.003, β = 0.467), whereas age and trust in OTS suggest a linear negative relationship (Sig. = 0.027, β = −0.348); (3) there is a positive relationship between the frequency of using services and trust, i.e., higher frequency implies higher trust. The findings of this case study can have implications for policy makers and the representatives of CALD communities.

Vulnerability, resilience and empowerment: the tripartite typology for addressing modern slavery in global value chains

Purpose Modern slavery in global value chains is an emerging topic of interest across various fields, including in international business, but is often fragmented in its approach. This study aims to provide a practical framework for studying relationships between participants in global value chains by exploring the nexus of three concepts – vulnerability, resilience and empowerment (VRE) – in the context of modern slavery. Design/methodology/approach This article offers a deductive thematic analysis of 51 empirical and conceptual business research studies on modern slavery in global value chains published until mid-2021 according to the three categories of interest at the micro (within individuals and organisations), meso (between individuals and organisations) and macro (structural) levels. Findings The findings have informed the development of three themes, each of which is an opportunity for future research with clear policy implications: a reductionist approach to vulnerability obscures its complexity; externalising the empowerment process and locating it outside of the agency of workers serves to further disempower them; and focusing exclusively on organisational resilience conceals the essentiality of resilience within individuals, communities and societies. Originality/value This article is among the first to extend the focus of business literature on modern slavery in global value chains beyond its current largely facile engagement with VRE, offering an original descriptive VRE typology to engage with the nexus between these three concepts.

Introducing the European Journal of Empirical Legal Studies: A Beacon of Empirical Inquiry in Law

Introducing the European Journal of Empirical Legal Studies: A Beacon of Empirical Inquiry in Law

Linking self-regulated learning to community of inquiry in online undergraduate courses: A person-centered approach

AbstractThe Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework has gained widespread recognition as a theoretical model for understanding student learning in online environments. Despite its prevalence, CoI has been critiqued for its limited emphasis on learners’ proactive roles in self-regulating their own learning. To address this, researchers have suggested integrating self-regulated learning (SRL) into the CoI framework. This integration calls for empirical research to explore the relationship between SRL and the three established CoI presences: teaching, social, and cognitive. Using a person-centered approach, this study examines how varying SRL skills among 750 undergraduate students in an online introductory mathematics course are related to the three CoI components. Latent profile analyses identified five distinct SRL profiles: minimal regulators, low regulators with limited social skills, low regulators, moderate regulators, and competent regulators. We found that students in higher SRL profiles demonstrated higher perception of CoI, whereas those in relatively lower SRL profiles showed lower levels of perceived CoI. Our findings underscore the importance of incorporating self-regulation in the CoI framework for a more comprehensive understanding of online learning.

Domestic Tourism Growth in India, Post COVID-19

Domestic tourism in India recorded impressive growth and supported the local economy significantly in the last phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The extant research on this topic covers the impact of the pandemic and resilience strategies. Still, it leaves a gap in the discussion relating to the service providers' experience in the context of domestic tourism. The present study stems from the absence of empirical research on the trends associated with domestic tourism growth in India post-COVID. It examines the trends in domestic tourist behaviour from the tour operators’ perspective. It employs a qualitative research design to explore the experiences of tour operators in India. Phone interviews were conducted with 26 tour operators to collect data. A thematic-content analysis is performed to generate themes with the help of Atlas ti software. The findings present the trends, preferences, motivations, and patterns of domestic growth tourism in India.

Apologies, Remorse, and Amends: Empirical Legal Studies Across Domains and Disciplines

The role of apologies in law is offered as an example of a topic that cuts across legal fields, and one that is quintessentially interdisciplinary. Because apologies are an often-desired response in the wake of a wrongful act, they can be significant in many legal settings. Apologies or the lack thereof affect attributions of responsibility and blame, provide information, and alter relationships. Apologies play a role in motivating or forestalling legal action, shape settlement in civilcases, influence punishment in criminal cases, provide alternate or complementary means of accountability, and impact relations among parties to conflict from the interpersonal to the geopolitical. An understanding of apologies is enriched by research conducted by legal scholars, sociologists and psychologists, economists and political scientists, historians and linguists, and criminologists, using methods drawn from each of these fields. This range of empirical research is necessary to successfully develop a better understanding of the desire for, effects of, and limits of apologies across varied legal contexts and the implications for client counseling and legal strategy, for legal reform and systems design, for political decision making, and for procedural, restorative, and transitional justice.

A grasp of police research: characteristics of empirical research on police careers based on multiple scoping reviews

PurposeThis article provides an overview of the literature characteristics of empirical research on topics related to police careers from 2000 to 2021. Methodology, distribution in time and space and types of publication are presented. Recommendations for new research avenues are given.Design/methodology/approachEight scoping reviews on specific topics were carried out by criminology students under the close guidance and supervision of the first author, an academic researcher. The reviews followed the same procedure, enabling an overarching reflection.FindingsThe scoping reviews resulted in 179 unique publications for analysis. It appears that the topic of police professional competencies is studied more often in the field of police careers (n = 55), in contrast to informal learning in police training (n = 4) which was studied the least frequently. Since 2012, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of publications. Publications in scientific journals are by far the most common (n = 153), as is a quantitative research design (n = 123). All topics have been studied in Europe and North America.Research limitations/implicationsMore qualitative research and international dissemination of empirical results are recommended to gain a deeper understanding of police careers. As for the limitations, specific topics were selected, which limits the scope of the findings. Working with students for data collection has its benefits in terms of workload, but comes with potential limitations in terms of quality. It is recommended to conduct a screening using the four-eyed principle, as was done here by the first and second authors. Additionally, the review protocol (e.g. keywords and databases) has an influence on the outcome. Different choices may lead to different results.Originality/valueA comprehensive analysis of police career literature is made based on eight scoping reviews that followed the same procedure. It allows to study the literature in a broad sense rather than studying one topic in depth.

Triggering Violence? The Impact of Firearms on the Nature and Lethality of Violent Encounters: A European Perspective

Firearms are used in around 25% of homicides in Europe. More so than other weapons commonly used in violent encounters, firearms have the ability to inflict lethal injuries. Yet, theoretical approaches to understanding the impact of firearms on the prevalence, lethality, and nature of violent encounters are scarce and have been developed almost exclusively within and for the context of the United States, where the levels of firearm violence and firearm availability are much higher than in Europe, limiting their applicability to the European context. To address this issue, European empirical data are reviewed in this paper to critically assess the few existing theoretical approaches focusing on the use of firearms in lethal and non-lethal violence. Based on the obtained findings, future directions for empirical research, as well as suggestions for new conceptualizations of firearm violence in Europe are presented.

Bridging the divide: Exploring inequities between sworn and civilian leaders in a Canadian police service.

Policing in the 21st century has rapidly become more complex, accountable, and changeable. Concern has emerged across the globe over the sustainability of public policing. Empirical research has supported that effective leadership at all levels of an organization is necessary to achieve success. Much has been said about the importance of effective leadership in policing. This paper explores an unexpected key finding from a mixed-methods, explanatory sequential design doctoral study that examined the self-efficacy beliefs and the factors that have influenced the leader effectiveness of sworn and civilian police leaders in a major Canadian police organization.