Environmental Experiences Research Articles

Exploring Customer Experience Drivers in Night Markets: Examining the Roles of Product Preference, Service Quality, and Facility Accessibility

This study investigates the critical factors shaping customer experiences in night markets, emphasizing product preferences, quality of services provided, and accessibility of facilities. As integral hubs of cultural exchange, community engagement, and tourism, night markets contribute significantly to local economies and cultural heritage preservation. However, research on customer experience in these dynamic environments remains limited. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from 201 night market visitors through a purposive sampling. The study utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess the interconnections between the primary variables. The findings reveal that product preference has a substantial positive impact on customer experience (β = 0.465, p < 0.001) along with service quality (β = 0.209, p < 0.01) and facility accessibility (β = 0.585, p < 0.001). Both service quality and facilities play pivotal roles in shaping customer satisfaction and experiences, either directly or indirectly. The results underscore the importance of tailored product offerings, consistent service quality, and well-maintained facilities for fostering satisfaction and loyalty. This study provides practical insights for vendors by emphasizing the value of understanding customer preferences, ensuring operational efficiency, and enhancing facility provisions. These findings contribute to theoretical frameworks on customer experience, enrich the knowledge base for night market operations, and offer actionable strategies for sustainable market development and customer engagement.

Conceptualising the Learning of General Upper Secondary Students at Work

The share of general upper secondary students working or having acquired work experience in an authentic work environment in parallel with learning in formal educational settings is expanding. It is therefore important to understand how learning in an authentic work environment and the interrelationships between work and school learning support the development of students. The main aim of this study is to understand and conceptualise the early work experience of students studying at general upper secondary schools. This study applies a phenomenological approach by conducting semi-structured interviews with students who have had work experience in authentic work environments. The main results of this study show that the variety of meaningful skills and competences developed in the work environment is rather great. Mostly, generic competences are learned at work. The incorporation of elements from one practice into the other (work to school or school to work) also occurs. Knowledge learned at school in traditional subjects and in elective courses is applied at work in a few cases. The positive impact of work experience on school studies, however, was reported—better time planning, increased motivation to learn, and increased career awareness.

Creating affordances for families with young children: Experiences of music education in social work

The current research examines the possibilities of music education in supporting the well-being of families living in demanding life situations. The context for the study is Family Sound Hammock, a 3-year research and development project that took place in the metropolitan area of Finland from 2020 to 2023. The project aimed at systematically supporting the well-being of families especially by strengthening their capacities for interaction in and through music education activities. This phenomenological-hermeneutic research focusses on the affordances emerging in family music activities, asking the following: What kinds of affordances can be recognised in and through music activities as part of family social work? The findings are presented in three categories: (1) Experiential environment of music education practice, (2) Social interaction and (3) Experiences of consistency that each highlight the potential of music education for redirecting agency, participation and inclusion of parents and children. The findings emphasise the professional facilitation of an inviting and safe musico-pedagogical environment applying pedagogical sensitivity.

Being An Wholistic and Developmental Healthcare Leader: Insights from a grounded theory research study

Background: Healthcare is becoming increasingly complex, requiring leaders to cope with a significant degree of uncertainty, change and ambiguity. In this environment, the healthcare leader’s ability to make sense of their experiences and thrive as a leader, is crucial to the efficient functioning of the healthcare system. Objective: To explore how the healthcare leader understands and makes sense of their leadership experiences and to develop a theoretical model which reflects contemporary leadership in a complex healthcare environment. Methods: A constructivist grounded theory methodology provided a comprehensive and rigorous model for the flexible exploration and analysis of the personal experiences and perspectives of the participant healthcare leaders. The rich and varied data was co-created through researcher interviews with participants, where participants engaged in two, one-hour interviews. Memo writing throughout the data collection and analysis process afforded additional valuable data. Results: Coding of data using constant comparative analysis rendered six key categories: Broadening perspectives and abilities as a leader, Creating the best possible healthcare environment, Experiencing and making sense of the bad times, Leading in alignment with personal values, Communicating and building relationships, Experiencing and making sense of the rewarding times. An overarching core category emerged of Being an wholistic and developmental leader, which connected all the categories. Conclusion: This research provides an understanding of how healthcare leaders make meaning from their leadership experiences. A comprehensive model has been constructed to describe how contemporary healthcare leaders make sense of their leadership experiences in complex environments both wholistically and developmentally. This is useful for both informing and supporting the developmental growth of healthcare leaders .

Paternal depressive symptoms and infant respiratory sinus arrhythmia predict empathy-related behaviors.

Children with specific psychophysiological profiles may be more strongly affected by adverse environmental experiences. Guided by a biopsychosocial perspective, we examined whether infant respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), an index of parasympathetic functioning, moderates the associations between paternal postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms and infants' observed empathy-related responses. Participants were 142 families with infants (51% female) assessed at two time points. At T1 (3 months of age), fathers reported their depressive symptoms. Infants' cardiac activity was recorded during rest and estimates of RSA were calculated. In addition, infants' empathy-related responses during a maternal distress simulation were observed and rated at T2 (12 months of age). Higher paternal PPD at T1 predicted higher infant affective (i.e., affective concern) and cognitive (i.e., inquiring behaviors) responses to maternal distress at T2. Infant RSA moderated this relationship for cognitive responses, with a significant positive association only for children with high or average RSA. These findings contribute to the understanding of the psychophysiological mechanisms that support empathy development.

Peer socialization processes in the development of callous-unemotional traits.

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits represent a risk factor for persistent, severe levels of externalizing problems. Irritability may predict the development of CU traits for some individuals, who are thought to acquire them in reaction to negative environmental experiences. Models on the development of CU traits have emphasized the socializing role of harsh parenting to the neglect of negative peer experiences. The present study 1) tested primary and alternative models of physical and relational peer victimization as socialization agents in relations between irritability and CU traits; and 2) considered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis functioning as a moderator of these associations. Gender moderation was also considered. Aims were tested from middle childhood to adolescence using data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, which includes a large national sample (N = 1,077) and multiple methods and informants for the constructs of interest. Positive associations between irritability, peer victimization, and CU traits were supported, with indirect effects on CU traits supported specifically from peer victimization through increases in irritability. Associations between relational victimization, irritability, and CU traits may be particularly salient for females, whose experiences have been neglected to date. However, effects were small, and replication efforts are needed.

Advancing Multi-Robot Path Planning through Nature Inspired Algorithms

In multi-robot systems, robots need to move efficiently without colliding with each other, which is called path planning. The challenge is to find the best way for multiple robots to reach their destinations while avoiding obstacles and each other. Traditional methods can struggle with complex environments, so researchers are turning to nature-inspired computing and machine learning algorithms to solve this problem. Nature-inspired algorithms, like those based on the behaviour of ants, bees, or birds, Firefly Algorithm (FA)[1], Bat Algorithm [2]help robots make decisions similar to how animals navigate in the natural world. These techniques can optimize robot paths by mimicking processes found in nature, such as how ants find the shortest route to food or how birds flock together without crashing [3]. Machine learning algorithms, on the other hand, enable robots to learn from their environment and past experiences [4]. By continuously learning, robots can adapt and improve their path planning over time [5]. Combining these two approaches – nature-inspired computing and machine learning – offers a powerful way to tackle the complex problem of multi-robot path planning. This study explores how these advanced techniques can work together to make robot teams more efficient, reducing travel time, avoiding collisions, and navigating through dynamic environments.

Exploring Multimodal Feedback Mechanisms for Improving User Interaction in Virtual Reality Environments

As Virtual Reality (VR) technology progresses, the need for intuitive and immersive interaction mechanisms becomes increasingly important. However, current VR systems primarily rely on visual and auditory feedback, often overlooking other sensory modalities, which limits the depth of user immersion. While visual and auditory inputs allow users to perceive virtual objects and sounds, the experience remains somewhat one-dimensional compared to real-world, multi-sensory interactions. To address this limitation, this paper explores the impact of multimodal feedback mechanisms, particularly through the incorporation of haptic (touch) and olfactory (smell) cues, on user experience in VR environments. By enriching the sensory inputs, these additional feedback mechanisms can significantly enhance the realism and intuitiveness of virtual interactions, making the experience more engaging and immersive.

Enhancing user experience in online learning environments: Design, evaluation, and usability techniques

This study aims to enhance user experience on online learning platforms by investigating design principles, usability evaluation techniques, and rede-sign processes. A total of 150 participants, divided equally among students, educators, and professionals, were stratified by age, gender, education level, and familiarity with online learning. Various evaluation methods, including heuristic evaluation, guideline reviews, and cognitive walkthroughs, were employed. Metrics such as task success rate, time-on-task, and Net Promoter Score (NPS) were used to quantify user satisfaction and effectiveness. Addi-tionally, five qualitative interviews were conducted for deeper insights. The results revealed specific usability issues and demonstrated the effectiveness of the applied evaluation techniques. Post-redesign metrics indicated signif-icant improvements in user satisfaction and engagement. The study under-scores the importance of a multi-faceted approach to design and evaluation in online learning platforms and suggests avenues for future research.

The Impact of Changes in Teacher Attitudes and Learning Methods on Student Performance

The effectiveness of learning in shaping student performance has been a primary concern in educational research. This study examines the influence of changes in teacher attitudes and teaching methods on student performance in secondary education. This issue is driven by the evolution of the education landscape, where traditional teaching methods meet the need for more dynamic and student-centered methodologies. The research problem focuses on understanding how teacher attitudes toward learning change with innovative teaching methods, affecting learning outcomes. This reflects the increasing concern among educators about the gap between traditional teaching practices and the diverse needs of today's students. Using a quantitative approach by distributing surveys to students and teachers in different schools, this research explores the relationship between teachers and teaching methods and student activities. The results show a significant relationship between positive changes in teacher attitudes, the introduction of interactive and adaptive teaching methods, and improvements in student performance metrics. The conclusion drawn from the study emphasizes the importance of teacher attitudes and teaching methods in shaping student success. It underscores the importance of creating a positive, student-centered classroom environment where teachers can adapt and respond to individual learning needs. Additionally, the findings emphasize the need for continuous professional development initiatives to enhance teacher competencies in innovative pedagogical practices. The novelty of this scholarly work lies in comprehensively examining the correlation between teacher attitudes, teaching methods, and student performance. By providing a clear picture of this dynamic relationship, the study offers valuable insights for education policymakers, school leaders, and teachers striving to improve the quality of teaching and learning experiences in post-secondary education environments.

Components of Workplace Spirituality for the Nursing Profession: A Comprehensive Analysis Beyond Managerial Control and Consent

This study aims to reveal the components of workplace spirituality for the nursing profession, which has an inherent spiritual orientation, especially in extraordinary conditions such as pandemics. In this study, the Web of Science (WoS) database was examined with the help of bibliometric analysis techniques. In order to reveal the components of workplace spirituality in the nursing profession, six main components were identified by thematic content analysis method. These are nursing education, organizational context, recruitment-orientation, work environment experience, training programs and developing harmonious working relationships. The main contribution of the research is a comprehensive model proposal for the components of workplace spirituality for the nursing profession.

A qualitative study of young workers’ experience of the psychosocial work environment and how this affects their mental health

BackgroundThe evidence base for the relationship between psychosocial work factors and mental health focuses primarily on the general working population but little is known about young workers. The aim of this qualitative study is to identify psychosocial work factors that affect the mental health of young workers, with a focus on (1) novel factors of the psychosocial work environment that are relevant for young workers but have not been described in the literature and (2) experiences of psychosocial work factors associated with mental health that are specific to and typical for young workers.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were held with 36 workers aged up to 30. Participants were asked to describe work situations that affected their mental health. Factors were identified using a combination of inductive and deductive coding and open-coded factors were mapped onto the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ), which is widely used as a framework for psychosocial work factors.ResultsMost of the psychosocial factors mentioned by the young workers could be mapped onto the COPSOQ framework and were therefore similar to the general working population. Novel factors identified by this study were “Procedural support” and “Responsibility for others”. We also identified young-worker-specific experiences of psychosocial work factors associated with mental health (i.e. Quantitative Demands, Influence at Work, Commitment to the Workplace, Job Insecurity, Quality of work, Job satisfaction, and Vertical Trust). Lastly, young workers did not report the COPSOQ factor Insecurity over working conditions and Work-life conflict was reported as an indicator of mental health status rather than being perceived as a factor of the psychosocial work environment.ConclusionsPsychosocial work factors and their influence on mental health reported by young workers in this qualitative study are comparable to what is reported for the general working population. There are however some young-worker-specific experiences of psychosocial work factors and two novel factors. The novel factors, “Procedural support” and “Responsibility for others” are not found in common psychosocial work factor frameworks and might be studied specifically in relation to young workers. Our results provide organisations with levers that can be used to create a psychosocial work environment that benefits the mental health of young workers.

Cervical lymph node tuberculosis in the Moroccan Saharan environment (experience of the Guelmim oued Noune region): diagnostic and therapeutic approach

Tuberculosis is a contagious infectious disease caused by a mycobacterium of the tuberculosis complex, mainly mycobacterium tuberculosis or Koch's bacillus. It remains a public health problem in the world responsible for a high mortality and morbidity. Lymph node tuberculosis is the most common extranodal form; p is a real diagnostic, therapeutic and aesthetic problem despite the current effectiveness of anti-bacillary chemotherapy. The objective of our study was to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of cervical lymph node tuberculosis in the Guelmim Oued Noun region in order to improve its management; to a retrospective study on a series of 30 patients collected over a period of 2 years.

Experiencing hybrid spaces a scoping literature review of empirical studies on human experiences in cyber-physical environments

Whether we are taking a leisurely stroll through the city or rushing about our daily business, our everyday lives are today informed, mediated, and entertained by digital technology. As a consequence, new spatial arrangements are constituted that have been conceptualised as hybrid spaces. They evolve in connection with mobile devices and ubiquitous Internet access and are characterized by an imbrication of the physical environment and digital technology. Although hybrid spaces permeate our everyday life, there is little empirical research on experiences in hybrid spaces. This paper presents a scoping literature review on experiences in hybrid spaces. Based on a synthesising reading of research evidence from 28 empirical studies, three overarching thematic strands were identified: place, mobility, and social interaction. However, the empirical research field appears nascent still and lacks convergent and consolidating approaches, particularly across disciplines. Nevertheless, while digital technologies have so far been associated with processes of domestication and a diminishing importance of places, mobile devices and especially AR applications can draw people outside and foster spatial meaning-making. Hybrid practices change spatial uses and produce new patterns of urban functions at multiple levels. Moreover, hybridisation challenges fundamental notions of ‘place’, as digital augmentation allows for the coexistence of an infinite number of modifications of a place and can encompass past, present and future representations. While what we gain and lose through this development remains an open question, we provide concrete guidance for future research on what and whom to investigate, as well as how to do so.

Exploring the validity of using immersive virtual reality technology on perceived danger in environmental experiences

Exploring the validity of using immersive virtual reality technology on perceived danger in environmental experiences

Eating Together but Often Feeling Lonely: Residents' Mealtime Experiences in a Nursing Home.

To explore residents' experiences of the mealtime environment in nursing home. An exploratory qualitative design was employed to gain in-depth insights. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with residents at a nursing home. Data were analysed using thematic analysis as outlined by Braun and Clarke. The consolidated criteria for Reporting Qualitative research checklist were used to support the research process. Four main themes emerged from the analysis: (1) The significance of food, emphasising the centrality of food quality and variety in residents' mealtime experiences. (2) Security through routines, illustrating how established mealtime routines provide comfort and predictability. (3) Variability in staff influence, reflecting residents' perceptions of staff competence and their impact on the dining experience. (4) Limited social interactions, highlighting the varied social dynamics and their effects on residents' sense of community and isolation. The study underscores the critical importance of food quality, staff compliance and consistent routines in enhancing mealtime experiences in nursing homes. Additionally, it reveals that the ability to choose social interactions plays a significant role in residents' satisfaction and social well-being. This study provides valuable insights for improving mealtime experiences in nursing homes, suggesting that person-centred care and resident involvement in meal planning can enhance satisfaction and nutritional intake. The findings offer practical guidance for healthcare management, emphasising the need to prioritise and personalise mealtime environments to better meet residents' needs and preferences.

Space of resilience: architecture, communication, and immersive experience in “St Sebastian: Plague Memory”

This paper examines St Sebastian: Plague Memory, a multi-channel audiovisual installation that redefines architecture through sensory and immersive media. Developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project unfolds in two phases: first, transforming the interior of the Museo dell’Arte Classica in Rome into an experiential environment that fosters resilience and communal healing, and later evolving into a façade projection for La Notte dei Musei. 1 Drawing on Mallgrave’s (2013) concept of the body as a neurological experience, the installation transcends traditional physical boundaries, establishing a dynamic spatial framework shaped by embodied interactions. By positioning installations as a form of architecture, this paper argues that ephemeral, sensory encounters can effectively address societal challenges through non-material engagement, offering a contemplative framework during crises. Employing an interdisciplinary approach that integrates embodied cognition (Mallgrave, 2013) and affect theory (Brennan, 2014), this study illustrates how architecture emerges as a co-created perceptual field, formed and sustained through the dynamic interplay between architectural environments, bodily experience, mediated stimuli, and spatial consciousness.

Which Accessibility for Mountain Natural Environments? The Ski-Ability Project.

The growing desire to live experiences in naturalistic environments that are also opportunities for psycho-physical well-being has meant that the issue of accessibility is now involving environmental contexts that by their nature are often almost inaccessible due to both the morphology of the places and the meteorological-geographical conditions. It is evident that in such contexts the degree of accessibility cannot be fully satised by acting on the environment, it is, therefore, necessary to refer to notions such as reasonable accommodation or equivalent accessibility. In this sense, the degree of accessibility achievable involves more organizational aspects and the provision of special aids, reducing the number and scope of interventions in the physical environment. From this point of view, the sense of limitation inherent in the denition of Universal Design (which considers the greatest number of people possible) emerges avowedly, emphasizing even more specifically the difference between accessibility and usability. This paper aims to analyze how accessibility can be declined for places that by their nature are poorly accessible, what scope this has for the local population, and to propose an initial focus on the ongoing Ski-Ability Project research.

Mitigating Cybersickness in Virtual Reality: Impact of Eye–Hand Coordination Tasks, Immersion, and Gaming Skills

Cybersickness remains a significant challenge for virtual reality (VR) applications, particularly in highly immersive environments. This study examined the effects of immersion, task performance, and individual differences on cybersickness symptoms across multiple stages of VR exposure. Forty-seven participants aged 18–45 completed a within-subjects design that involved the Cybersickness in Virtual Reality Questionnaire (CSQ-VR) and the Deary–Liewald Reaction Time (DLRT) task. Cybersickness symptoms were assessed across four stages: before and after VR immersion, and before and after a 12 min rollercoaster ride designed to induce cybersickness. The results showed significant increases in symptoms following the rollercoaster ride, with partial recovery during the post-ride tasks. Eye–hand coordination tasks, performed after the ride and VR immersion, mitigated nausea, as well as vestibular, and oculomotor symptoms, suggesting that task engagement plays a key role in alleviating cybersickness. The key predictors of symptom severity included a susceptibility to motion sickness and gaming experience, particularly proficiency in first-person shooter (FPS) games, which was associated with a reduced cybersickness intensity. While task engagement reduced symptoms in the later stages, particularly nausea and vestibular discomfort, overall cybersickness levels remained elevated post-immersion. These findings underscore the importance of task timing, individual differences, and immersive experience design in developing strategies to mitigate cybersickness and enhance user experiences in VR environments.

‘Journeys in the Dark’ - Towards Game Master AI in Complex Board Games

The Game Master is a player role synonymous with many tabletop games. The asymmetric gameplay of the role provides different opportunities compared to other players, and can be both cooperative and competitive with the other players in the same game. Though complex environments for exploring human and Artificial Intelligence collaboration exist, few focus on the Game Master role's semi-cooperative play. Here, we propose a new complex environment based on the board game `Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)', as part of the Tabletop Games Framework, showcasing one-versus-many play, tactical combat, and large, dynamic action and state spaces. We include baseline AI player performance of Monte Carlo Tree Search agents in this game, finding them to be well-adept at considering multiple possible end-game conditions compared to the greedy One Step Look Ahead agents. In-depth analysis reveals interesting behaviours and Hero synergies, with the aim of informing the design of games and AI models to enhance human experience in semi-cooperative environments.