External Perceptions Research Articles

Identity Through Two Lenses: The Slovak Minority’s Self and External Views in Poland

This study examines the ethnic identity of the Slovak minority in Poland, focusing on their self-identification and external perceptions. It explores the fluid and dynamic nature of ethnic identity, drawing on theoretical perspectives from scholars such as Babiński and Isajiw. The historical context is analysed, tracing the Slovak minority’s presence in Poland to economic migrations before 1918. Employing a diagnostic survey method, the research investigates the perceptions of both Slovaks and Poles, offering a comparative analysis. The findings suggest that the core elements of the Slovak minority’s identity are rooted in language, traditions, culture, and religion. Despite successful integration and generally positive recognition in Polish society, certain stereotypes and biases persist. The study highlights the dual nature of this identity, where acceptance is accompanied by lingering cultural misconceptions. The research emphasizes the critical role of media and educational institutions in promoting tolerance and understanding of ethnic minorities. It advocates for more active involvement of these institutions in fostering inclusivity and shaping public attitudes, thereby contributing to developing a more culturally diverse and cohesive society in Poland.

Being a woman or being a mathematician: Self and external perceptions of female early career researchers in a mathematical cluster of excellence

In Germany, equality between men and women in mathematics, particularly in scientific leadership positions, is far from being achieved. This is despite to different equality measures implemented over the last few decades. Grounded in sociology of knowledge, interaction theory, and field theory, this article analyzes possible causes and mechanisms that maintain gender differences in a mathematical cluster of excellence in which gender equality is formulated as a goal and implemented in various measures. Based on 65 semi-structured interviews, the focus is on the self-perceptions of female early career researchers as mathematicians, as well as the (gendered) attributions they have to deal with by (male and female) scientists in leadership positions against the background of the specific culture in a mathematical cluster of excellence. We highlight the tensions that female early career researchers identify in being regarded as women when they want to be perceived and recognized first as mathematicians. We shed light on how this tension is connected to the discipline and (re)produced by scientists in leadership positions in their patterns of interpretation about equality (measures).

Not Indian, Not African: Classifying the East African Asian Population in Aotearoa New Zealand

This paper explores the challenges of measuring and classifying the East African Asian population in Aotearoa New Zealand. As a particularly diverse country, New Zealand has a significant and varied population of immigrants from South Asia, including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, along with immigrants of South Asian origin, from Fiji, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and East Africa. New Zealand’s system of ethnic classification relies on self-identification, with a broad definition of ethnicity encompassing heritage, ancestry, culture, language and feelings of belonging. However, the collection of this information at a granularity that enables detailed analysis is constrained for the South Asian population, regardless of origin or identification. People are typically presented with the choice of selecting “Indian” ethnicity as a tick box, or providing ethnicities under “Other” as write-in descriptors, which in turn are coded to a limited set of categories within the classification being used. This practice potentially conceals a diversity of ethnicities, which can only partially be hinted at by responses to questions relating to religions, languages and birthplaces, especially for second or third-generation descendants of migrants. Ethnic classification at the highest level, moreover, includes East African Indians as Asian, rather than African, reflecting diasporic heritage as a shorthand for ancestry and overlooking the relevance of layers of identity associated with the double diaspora. Drawing on Peter J. Aspinall’s work on collective terminology in ethnic data collection and categorizing the “Asian” ethnic group in the UK, this paper looks at the overlaps and disconnects between heritage, ethnicity and national belonging in classifying less clearcut identities. We explore the strengths and limitations of New Zealand’s self-identification approach to ethnic identity, and query what exactly is being asked of groups on the margins: when self-identification does not match external perception, are we looking for geographic, cultural, or genetic origins? A focus on the East African Asian population in Aotearoa highlights the complexity of identity for diasporic groups with distant ancestral links with India, as lived experience of cultural connection extends far beyond the bounds of ethnicity, language and even ancestry.

Androgyny and atypical sensory sensitivity associated with savant ability: a comparison between Klinefelter syndrome and sexual minorities assigned male at birth

IntroductionThe extreme male brain (EMB) theory, a major causal hypothesis of autism (ASD: autism spectrum disorder), attributes excess androgens during early development as one of the causes. While studies have generally followed the EMB theory in females at birth, the co-occurrence of ASD in males at birth has been observed in conditions that are assumed to be associated with reduced androgen action during early development, including Klinefelter syndrome (KS) and sexual minorities. ASD is also associated with atypical sensory sensitivity, synesthesia, and savant syndrome.MethodsIn the present study, we examined adult KS individuals (n = 22), sexual minorities assigned male at birth (n = 66), and control males matched for age and educational background to those with KS [Exploratory analysis (control 1st): n = 36; Reanalysis (control 2nd): n = 583]. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire assessing sensory hypersensitivity/hyposensitivity, savant tendency (developed for the present study), synesthesia, and sexual aspects, including gender identity and sexual orientation.ResultsThe results of the exploratory analysis suggested that individuals with KS exhibited a higher tendency toward sensory hypersensitivity/hyposensitivity than the tendency exhibited by the controls. In the Reanalysis, sexual minorities were more likely to be synesthetes, and in both analyses sexual minorities exhibited a higher savant tendency and sensory hypersensitivity/hyposensitivity than the controls. Moreover, the gender dysphoric state was associated with phenotypes observed in individuals with ASD, such as synesthesia, savant tendency, and sensory hypersensitivity/hyposensitivity.DiscussionThese results suggest a common physiological background among gender dysphoria, synesthesia, savant tendency, and atypical sensory sensitivity. Thus, androgynous features (reduced effects of sex steroids during early development) in males at birth may be partially related to the phenotype commonly observed in individuals with ASD. Based on the present results, we propose that the reduction of sex steroids during early development may lead to atypical neurodevelopment and be involved in the atypicality of external and internal sensory perception, and thus in the atypicality of self-concept integration, through the disruption of oxytocin and the gamma-aminobutyric acid system modulating the neural excitation/inhibition balance.

The role of employees' perceptions of corporate social responsibility in the relationship between organizational reputation and organizational attractiveness. Evidence from Italy

AbstractRecruitment success or failure hinges on organizational reputation (OR), encompassing both internal and external perceptions, as well as corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. While existing literature underscores the direct positive impact of formalized CSR on OR and organizational attractiveness (OA), it remains unclear whether personal perceptions of CSR consistency with organizational behavior influence the OR–OA relationship. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining the interplay of CSR in the relationship between OR and OA. Employing a self‐administered survey, data is collected from a diverse sample comprising postgraduate students and working professionals. The findings from this empirical investigation aim to shed light on the nuanced dynamics between CSR, OR, and OA, thereby contributing to the scholarly discourse and informing HR practitioners' decision‐making processes.

Retinotopic coding organizes the interaction between internally and externally oriented brain networks.

The human brain seamlessly integrates internally generated thoughts with incoming sensory information, yet the networks supporting internal (default network, DN) and external (dorsal attention network, dATN) processing are traditionally viewed as antagonistic. This raises a crucial question: how does the brain integrate information between these seemingly opposed systems? Here, using precision neuroimaging methods, we show that these internal/external networks are not as dissociated as traditionally thought. Using densely-sampled 7T fMRI data, we defined individualized whole-brain networks from participants at rest and calculated the retinotopic preferences of individual voxels within these networks during an visual mapping task. We show that while the overall network activity between the DN and dATN is independent at rest, considering a latent retinotopic code reveals a complex, voxel-scale interaction stratified by visual responsiveness. Specifically, the interaction between the DN and dATN at rest is structured at the voxel-level by each voxel's retinotopic preferences, such that the spontaneous activity of voxels preferring similar visual field locations is more anti-correlated than that of voxels preferring different visual field locations. Further, this retinotopic scaffold integrates with the domain-specific preferences of subregions within these networks, enabling efficient, parallel processing of retinotopic and domain-specific information. Thus, DN and dATN are not independent at rest: voxel-scale interaction between these networks preserves and encodes information in both positive and negative BOLD responses, even in the absence of visual input or task demands. These findings suggest that retinotopic coding may serve as a fundamental organizing principle for brain-wide communication, providing a new framework for understanding how the brain balances and integrates internal cognition with external perception.

Analysis of trust and efficient take-over strategy with multi-sensor information fusion in conditionally automated driving

Abstract. In the recent development of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), human-machine trust and take-over strategy are important research contents, which is related to whether the driving system can make the most of its performance and ensure driving safety. At the same time, the unique advantages of Multi-Sensor Information Fusion (MSIF) also make it more and more applied to the auxiliary driving system. At present, research on MSIF applications in automated driving mainly focuses on external environment perception and map construction. However, there is little research on the application of MSIF in vehicle Human-Machine Interaction (HMI). Therefore, this paper analyzes the application of MSIF in trust detection and take-over HMI, proposes the advantages of applying MSIF to the HMI of AVs, and points out that the HMI design of intelligent vehicles in the future can enhance the application of MSIF. Dynamic monitoring of human-machine trust and dynamic adjustment of HMI strategy of the intelligent driving system are realized to achieve a better effect and further guarantee driving safety.

Organizational well-being in a healthcare facility in Tuscany

Abstract Introduction Organizational climate assessment provides crucial insights into work life across sectors. While corporate culture evolves gradually, the organizational climate promptly reflects employees’ mood, motivation, enthusiasm, and perception of the work environment. This study aims to analyze the organizational well-being in a healthcare facility in southeast Tuscany to reveal both successful areas and critical issues within the organization. Methods Data on gender, age, tenure, qualification, and contract type were collected anonymously. Organizational climate was assessed using a Likert scale (1-10), covering workplace safety, stress, fairness, discrimination, career development, relationships, belonging, and other perceptions. STATA was used to conduct this analysis. Results Twenty-nine participants included 55.3% male, averaging 45.3 years. Thirty-one percent had less than 5 years of tenure, with only 14% in managerial roles. Workplace safety perception varied: 58% moderately safe, 20% unsafe, and 20% highly insecure. Bullying was reported by 14.3%, while 17.6% found compensation fully appropriate. Merit and career opportunities were unrelated for 65.5%, and 48.2% found their role aligned with their profile. Fifty-five percent felt part of a team, and 27.5% perceived good integration. Company rules were clear for 93%, but 34.5% considered changing companies, while 55.1% were satisfied. External user perception was positive at 58.5%. Conclusions The analysis identified positive aspects and areas for improvement in workplace well-being. Safety and fairness in job allocation were well-received, with room for improvement, mostly in promotion transparency. Colleague relationships were positive, emphasizing the importance of transparent communication and employee engagement in building trust and participation. These findings can guide the development of targeted interventions to enhance organizational well-being, fostering employee satisfaction and efficiency. Key messages • The evaluation of organizational climate in this healthcare facility revealed a variety of employee perceptions, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement in workplace well-being. • Enhancing transparency and communication regarding merit-based promotions within the organization is necessary to foster employee trust and engagement.

Influence of External Stakeholder Involvement and Risk Perception on Affordable Housing: A Survey on the Implementation of Affordable Housing Project in Anderson-Ofafa Estate, Kisumu City (Kenya)

The significance of stakeholder involvement and risk forecasting in project management has been documented in literature and in studies all over the World. One such study was carried out in Anderson-Ofafa estate, Kisumu City. The main goal of the study was to assess the influence of external stakeholder involvement and risk perception on the implementation of the project. The stakeholders showed resistance to the housing project.The study aimed to establish the risks the project is exposed to based on stakeholder attitude and their influence on project performance, and whether the stakeholders were involved so as to provide solutions to problems bedeviling the project and to generate new knowledge. A survey of general respondents/ intelligent laypersons of age 18 years and above totaling 384 and key informants numbering 16 proportionately sampled from a population of 174,145 people found out that there was a significant correlation between stakeholder involvement, risk perception and project performance. In addition, the study established the occurrence of socio-political,regulatory and financial risk factors which had a perceived high influence of 50% and above, moderate influence of 39% and a very high influence of above 50% respectively.Updated risk register had a perceived high influence of 50% and above. Socio-political risk factors significantly influenced the project performance as was hypothesized by the alternative hypothesis of this study.Financial risk factors had the greatest impact.The stakeholders were involved in the project but were still not satisfied with its implementation.The results are expected to assist the project stakeholders align their goals with that of the project to foster sustainability.The practical or managerial implications is explained as follows- there are documented potential consequences and outcomes of stakeholder actions that have contributed to risk factors that will have extended effect on all stakeholders; including project beneficiaries, project providers, project influencers, and the project governance team. Interventions recommended include; Project sponsors to focus on strategies that manages risk perception and returns expectations, Project manager to reduce project scope, public sector to put measures that guarantee stability in laws and regulations and, the project should be infused into the new affordable housing program by the Kenya Kwanza government to benefit from the new government initiated housing levy fund.

Not all that glitters is green: empirical evidence from the Eurostoxx600 on stakeholders’ perception of greenwashing

AbstractGreenwashing refers to the deceptive practice where a company exaggerates or misrepresents the sustainability of its actions or projects. Given the ambiguity surrounding the methodologies behind conventional ratings, we enquire their robustness through the implementation of an alternative comprehensive measure entailing both internally disclosed and externally generated data. We address a notorious critique in greenwashing research—that the entire voluntary CSR approach inadvertently facilitates the diffusion of greenwashing. We make a unique contribution to the statistical methodology by breaking down the difference between internal and external perception of sustainability through regression analysis. We claim that only when the presence of CSR Committees is coupled with tangible initiatives boosting sustainability, both external and internal stakeholders are found to positively evaluate the sustainable commitment of a company.

Research on the regulation of emotions in elderly people through bedroom audio-visual environments

The indoor environment of buildings has a long-term impact on the psychological and physiological state of people, and a good indoor environment can help the physical and mental health of the elderly. As the mobility of the elderly weakens, the indoor visual and auditory environments are important channels for them to acquire external perceptions. In order to investigate the effects of visual and auditory environments on the psychological (positive and negative emotions) and physiological (heart rate) states of older adults in their bedrooms, the study designed an audio-visual interaction experiment, selecting three common sounds preferred by older adults and six visual scenes that included two types of visual factors , to measure the emotions and heart rate changes under different sound and visual interaction conditions. The study revealed that natural sounds were more effective in positively modulating mood in warm-toned rooms, while artificial sounds were more appropriate for cool-toned rooms. Regardless of the type of therapeutic sound environment, the addition of greenery significantly contributes to mood regulation in older adults. Combining sound environments with visual factors can be an effective design strategy to promote the physical and mental health of occupants.

Motion Planning for a Legged Robot with Dynamic Characteristics.

Legged soccer robots present a significant challenge in robotics owing to the need for seamless integration of perception, manipulation, and dynamic movement. While existing models often depend on external perception or static techniques, our study aims to develop a robot with dynamic and untethered capabilities. We have introduced a motion planner that allows the robot to excel in dynamic shooting and dribbling. Initially, it identifies and predicts the position of the ball using a rolling model. The robot then pursues the ball, using a novel optimization-based cycle planner, continuously adjusting its gait cycle. This enables the robot to kick without stopping its forward motion near the ball. Each leg is assigned a specific role (stance, swing, pre-kick, or kick), as determined by a gait scheduler. Different leg controllers were used for tailored tiptoe trajectory planning and control. We validated our approach using real-world penalty shot experiments (5 out of 12 successful), cycle adjustment tests (11 out of 12 successful), and dynamic dribbling assessments. The results demonstrate that legged robots can overcome onboard capability limitations and achieve dynamic mobility and manipulation.

The effect of ESG scores on bank stability: Islamic vs. conventional banks

ABSTRACT This paper examines the impact of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors on the stability of banks across different continents, focusing on both conventional and Islamic banking institutions. The empirical analysis indicates a positive influence of ESG activities on the stability of these financial institutions. Notably, the study finds that ESG scores significantly enhance the stability of both conventional and Islamic banks. The environmental pillar score, especially within the conventional banking sector, shows highly positive and statistically significant results, highlighting the benefits of environmentally responsible practices. In contrast, the social pillar is positively correlated with stability in the Islamic banking sector, suggesting that active involvement in community service and social responsibility initiatives leads to improved stability. Overall, the study emphasizes the transformative potential of ESG activities in enhancing the stability and valuation of banks by positively influencing both their external perception and internal operations.

How do corporate social responsibility perceptions facilitate advocacy behavior? The roles of organizational pride and responsible leadership

As a voluntary behavior, employees’ advocacy can enhance organizations’ competitive advantage and reputation. Drawing on social identity theory, this study explores the mechanism of by which corporate social responsibility (CSR) perceptions influence employee advocacy behavior using a sample of 333 two-stage data. The results show that internal and external CSR perceptions have positive effects on employee advocacy behavior, organizational pride mediating the relationships between internal and external CSR perceptions and employee advocacy behavior. Responsible leadership strengthens the effects of internal and external CSR perceptions on organizational pride, as well as the indirect effects of organizational pride on the relationships between internal and external CSR perceptions and advocacy behavior. This study investigates how micro CSR affects advocacy behavior by introducing organizational pride and responsible leadership, thus advancing the micro CSR literature and providing directions for micro-level CSR research. The findings of this research provide guidance to managers by focusing on employee perceptions of CSR activities and organizational pride and by cultivating responsible leadership.

Is EU democracy promotion aligned with local media perception in Central Asia? Findings from content analysis

ABSTRACT In the 2019 European Union (EU) renewed Strategy for Central Asia, the promotion of democracy in the post-soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan is singled out as one of the key priorities. This article aims to examine whether there is an alignment between the EU self-perception on democracy promotion and its external perception in local media. The question is addressed through quantitative and qualitative content analysis of the EU key documents for Central Asia and local media outlets from 2019 to 2022, using the Nvivo software. The research findings indicate that both self- and external perceptions align in the context of the EU human rights promotion for Central Asia. Drawing upon these findings, this article argues that the EU democracy promotion endeavours are predominantly grasped in Central Asia within the sphere of human rights, while comprehension of other facets of the EU democracy promotion agenda remains intricate. Consequently, as the EU normative agenda faces ongoing scrutiny within Central Asia, it is advocated that the EU undertake a thorough reassessment of its approach in the region, aiming to foster deeper understanding and alignment with local perceptions.

Relationship among residential satisfaction, social ties, place attachment and perceived disaster risk in the off-site reconstruction area—Evidence from an earthquake-stricken county in southwestern China

After a large-scale hazard, residents in the off-site reconstruction area need to reestablish their place attachments after facing devastating damage to both physical and psychological environments. Therefore, investigating the satisfaction of residents who migrate to a new environment is essential. An explorative research in new Beichuan was conducted with 416 responses in 2022, which was the only off-site reconstruction county in 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. This study aims to investigate residential satisfaction and social ties and explore the pathway of external environmental perception, place attachment, and perceived geological disaster risk by the structural equation model. Results revealed that residents in new Beichuan were generally satisfied with their residential environment, which was positively related to place attachment. Social ties positively predicted place attachment and negatively predicted perceived disaster risk. Place attachment mediated the relationship between residential satisfaction and perceived geological disaster risk, and the relationship between social ties and perceived disaster geological risk. Policymakers should carefully consider residents’ requirements and lifestyles during the reconstruction after geological disasters and create a livable environment and social space to help post-disaster migrants rebuild their place attachments.

Impact of liminality and rituals on professional identity formation in physician training.

The transition from medical student to practicing physician affects the complex processes of professional identity formation and professionalism, which have a lasting effect on the physician's career development. This study explored two different transitional processes of medical students in Taiwan, the associated rituals during this transitional period (the 'liminal phase') and their effect on the formation of professional identity. Using snowball sampling, we recruited 13 medical students from two training systems: six from the traditional postgraduate year programme and seven from the accelerated postgraduate year (A-PGY) programme. Semi-structured interviews were thematically analysed to identify significant themes that encapsulated trainees' experiences. A consistent and mutually confirmed discussion ensured the identification of robust recurring themes. A comparative analysis of the two training modalities provided critical insights into the relative impact of the training dynamics. The A-PGY cohort, subjected to an altered 'incorporation' ritual, encountered an influx of unexpected symbolic social power, complicating their transformation within the liminal phase. Without a defined internship like in the PGY system, A-PGY trainees exhibited confusion and inconsistencies in professional identity formation marked by conflicting internal and external perceptions. This ambiguity affected their clinical training, social integration and overall development of professionalism. The absence of a structured, sequential liminal phase increased conflict and diminished motivation, culminating in an incomplete self-crafting journey for A-PGY trainees. This study highlights the impact of the well-sequenced implementation of rituals in liminality on professional identity formation. A good transition training programme for medical students should compass sequential rituals in the liminal phase, including clear starting and ending points, supervision by seniors, guided reflection and plenty of opportunities for observation and imitation in context. Optimal training and pivotal elements in a medical training system warrant delicate design and further research when developing and changing the structure of the training programme.

Effective Communication and Group Cohesiveness in the Outdoor Recreation Program Curriculum

This research endeavor seeks to explore the correlation between effective communication and group cohesiveness within the framework of outdoor recreational programs' curriculum. The study delves into the two fundamental components of effective communication: external perception encompassing clarity and information dissemination, and internal dissemination focusing on conflict resolution. In addition, the analysis of group cohesiveness entails an examination of four dimensions: individual attractions towards the group in social contexts (ATG-S), individual attractions towards the group in task-oriented settings (ATG-T), group integration-social (GI-S) and group integration-task (GI-T). A set of questionnaires based on Interpersonal Communication Skills (ICS) and Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) was completed by 100 students who took an outdoor recreation program. The respondent in this study consists of male (n=58) and female (n=42) respondents. The result revealed that external perception is positively associated with group integration social (GI-S) but negatively associated with individual attraction to the group task (ATG-T). Internal disseverance is not associated with individual attraction to the group social (ATG-S) and group integration task (GI-T). Conversely, negatively associated with group integration social (GI-S) and individual attraction to the group task (ATG-T). The findings underscore the complex interplay between external factors (such as perception) and internal group dynamics (such as conflict management) in shaping overall group cohesiveness and member engagement. These findings could help students and academicians understand the elements of group cohesiveness which can lead to more effective group work and improved learning experience for better educational achievement.

External Perceptions and Indonesia's Leadership Role in Indo-Pacific Maritime Affairs

Bahasa Indonesia:Visi Indonesia untuk menjadi pemimpin kawasan dalam hal kemaritiman telah menjadi isu yang diperdebatkan oleh akademisi maupun politis. Beberapa akademisi berargumen bahwa Indonesia tidak dapat menjalankan peran sebagai pemimpin kawasan dalam hal kemaritiman karena lemahnya kehendak politik, kurangnya sumber daya, serta lemahnya persepsi diri sebagai pemimpin. Dengan menggunakan kerangka analisis teori peran, tulisan ini menghadirkan jawaban alternatif terhadap isu kepimpinan regional Indonesia dalam hal kemaritiman. Tulisan ini berargumen bahwa Indonesia memang memandang diri sebagai pemimpin kawasan dalam hal kemaritiman, namun masalah dalam menjalankan kepemimpinan tersebut terletak pada lemahnya persepsi eksternal atas kepemimpinan Indonesia.English:Indonesia’s aspirations of becoming a leader in regional maritime affair has become a point of contention among scholars and politicians alike. Many scholars argue that Indonesia is unable to effectively take on the role of a regional leader in maritime affairs due to weak political will, lack of resource, or lack of self-perception as both a maritime state and regional leader. Building upon the analytical framework of role theory, this paper brings forth a different answer to the question of Indonesia’s leadership in regional maritime affairs. This paper argues that Indonesia does view itself as a maritime state and regional leader, and that the issue of Indonesia’s leadership is rooted in the lack of external perception towards Indonesia’s leadership in regional maritime affairs.

Persepsi Auditor Eksternal Atas Pengaruh Kemudahan dan Kegunaan Artificial Intelligence Terhadap Kualitas Audit

This study aims to investigate external auditors' perception of the impact of artificial intelligence's ease of use and usefulness on audit quality, while also examining the potential scepticism among external auditors towards the integration of artificial intelligence in the audit process. A quantitative approach is utilized to analyze the relationship between the variables. The research was conducted through questionnaires distributed via telegram and WhatsApp groups, email, and collaboration with IAPI. One hundred and eight valid responses were gathered from external auditors of Big Four KAP, internationally affiliated KAP - non big four, and national KAP. Findings reveal that external auditors do not exhibit a sceptical attitude towards the usage of artificial intelligence in the audit process. The test results demonstrate that external auditors' perceptions of the ease of using artificial intelligence aids in enhancing audit quality. Similarly, gauging external auditors' perceived usefulness or benefits of artificial intelligence can also lead to improved audit quality. This study's sample is limited to external auditors of financial statements at public accounting firms, and therefore the findings should not be extended to other types of auditors such as government or internal auditors. This study offers external auditors a thorough comprehension of how artificial intelligence contributes to the audit process to improve audit quality. The necessity for external auditors to improve their technical skills arises due to the increased utilization of big data by businesses. Hence, universities must provide graduates with competence in not only accounting and auditing but also the latest technology.