International Project Research Articles

Fuzzy synthetic evaluation of intervention measures to enhance the psychological health and well-being of expatriate construction professionals

PurposeWith the rise in international construction projects, addressing the psychological health concerns of expatriate construction professionals (EXCPs) has become of paramount importance. Therefore, this study aims to identify and evaluate effective intervention measures to promote optimal psychological health and well-being in overseas working environments.Design/methodology/approachIntervention measures were identified through a comprehensive literature review. Subsequently, using a case study of Chinese international contractors, data were collected via a quantitative survey administered to EXCPs holding managerial positions in international construction projects. Fuzzy synthetic evaluation was employed to analyze the data.FindingsThe findings identified 23 intervention measures and 4 constructs, among them, measures focused on enhancing organizational justice and training practices offer the greatest potential for enhancing the psychological health and well-being during international assignments. Furthermore, the analysis showed that the overall criticality of the intervention measures to the international contractors is significant, suggesting that if put into practice, the psychological health and well-being of EXCPs can be significantly enhanced.Originality/valueWhile prior research has explored intervention measures suitable for construction professionals working on domestic projects, little attention has been paid to EXCPs in the context of international construction projects. This study offers an initial exploration of the most crucial intervention measures and provides a valuable resource for policymakers and practitioners seeking to establish a psychologically healthy working environment for international construction projects.

Gerincferdülés szűrése mesterséges intelligenciával

Early detection of scoliosis and other locomotor disorders is critical for effective treatment and improving the quality of life of those affected. The technology enables school nurses to make a more accurate diagnosis and make timely recommendations for the necessary interventions. In this study, we present the role of nurses in school health screening and the Tartás Pajtás tool, which was created to support school nurse screening. With the involvement of several nurses, we tested this device in a real environment and analyzed its possibilities and limitations. The results presented in the study were realized in the framework of the international project IML4E.

Organizing student research work at a pedagogical university within the framework of an international project on creation of a digital educational platform

Organizing student research work at a pedagogical university within the framework of an international project on creation of a digital educational platform

Does financing for private maternity services improve birth experiences in Poland? A mixed-methods study of the Babies Born Better Survey.

Women in Poland, despite having access to publicly-funded medical care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, frequently use private care. Women's experience and satisfaction with childbirth have been considered one of the key indicators of the quality of care. In this study we explore whether and how paying for private childbirth services affects women's experiences and satisfaction with care. The qualitative portion seeks to understand how individual women construct meaning around their childbirth experiences, including their relationships with healthcare personnel, medical interventions, birth environment, and professionalism. This mixed-methods study is based on data from 951 online questionnaires completed by women who gave birth between June 2017 and June 2022, in Poland. This study is part of the international Babies Born Better Survey project. The project used simultaneous quantitative and qualitative data collection, it was exploratory with equivalent status of qualitative and quantitative data. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively and chi-squared tests were conducted to compare women who used private and public care. Qualitative data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The quantitative and qualitative results were integrated, in accordance with the chosen mixed-methods design. There were no major differences in sociodemographic characteristics (except living standards), health status and satisfaction with labor between women who paid for private services during childbirth and those who used only publicly-funded care. For both groups of women, healthcare personnel and their behavior were the most frequently mentioned aspect shaping childbirth experiences. Other important aspects were: medical interventions, birth environment, and staff professionalism. Although accessing private perinatal services care did not provide women with care consistent with their expectations, women put a lot of trust into private services as a means to receive more attentive care. Further research investigating the interplay between private and public services is needed to explore the question how private services may impact the care women receive and why women put so much trust in these services.

Making Human Learning Visible in a World of Invisible Generative AI

The growth of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in Higher Education (HE) challenges us to think differently and creatively about learning and assessment in order to prepare graduates for their futures (Dawson, 2023) This presentation will argue that the very strength of GenAI is also its Achilles’ heel. Anyone can access, garner and generate data rapidly, but human beings have never had a greater need for scrutiny and evaluation of this output. Our graduates will need to have a transparent understanding of how they are learning in terms of the critical choices they make, the information or knowledge they engage with, and where machine learning ends and theirs begins (Okolie et al, 2022). The future of assessment in HE must go beyond simply measuring knowledge acquisition and instead focus on capturing and evidencing students’ capacity for critical thinking. We will highlight some preliminary findings and early impacts of work underway at the University of Bath (UK) and University of Stellenbosch (South Africa), who are working collaboratively to ensure students develop holistically, excel in critical thinking, and gain the confidence and skills to use GenAI effectively to advance their ideas and learning (Osborne, 2024). This will be structured in three parts: Part one (Reviewing): We will outline work during academic year 23/24 by academic staff to review all their assessments against a three-fold categorisation model of permitted GenAI usage. From September 2024, all assessments clearly signal to students the extent to which GenAI is permitted in each assignment. Part two (Guidance): We will showcase resources that support staff to rethink assessment design that embeds GenAI in ways that are authentic, valid and robust (Upsher et al, 2024). We will also present resources that support students to consider how they might use GenAI ethically, and to develop their AI literacy skills and critical thinking. Part three (Examples): We will present initial findings from an internal project that is engaging with national and international employers, in-house world-leading AI researchers and our own students that highlight creative approaches to harnessing GenAI as a tool to reinforce and support (rather than replace) human learning. We conclude by suggesting that HE has always promoted critical thinking and the rigorous investigation and examination of the production of knowledge. We need graduates who can critically engage with their learning, and assessments that capture and evidence this. The only way to do this effectively is to put people at the start, middle and end of our assessment journey.

Knowledge sharing through scenario development: Experiences of an interdisciplinary and international research project

This paper discusses knowledge sharing through scenario development as applied in the interdisciplinary and international research project uVITAL. It focused on user-oriented upgrading of the social housing stock. The aim was to gain deeper insights into the specificities and commonalities of the four country case studies involved. Two online workshops, which included various steps for scenario development, were particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic when face-to-face exchanges were not possible. A Miro whiteboard was very useful as a technical communication and collaboration tool. This paper outlines the benefits and challenges of scenario development to facilitate communication and collaboration between researchers from different disciplines and national and cultural backgrounds, particularly in online and hybrid settings. The well-structured process of scenario development was an important step in the project, moving from passive to active knowledge sharing. This included issues of content, geographical and cultural diversity and methodological openness.

Localized Internationalization Framework in Higher Education for Undergraduate Institutions in the Context of Emerging Engineering Disciplines

This study explores the integration of global perspectives within engineering literacy education through localized internationalization efforts at Guilin University of Electronic Science and Technology (GUET). Focusing on the experiences of faculty members and administrative staff, the research investigates how GUET applies its localized internationalization model to emerging engineering disciplines. Utilizing a qualitative research design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with participants directly involved in curriculum development and international collaboration projects. The Concept-Construct-Theme (CCT) method was employed for data analysis, allowing for the identification of key themes related to the implementation, challenges, and effectiveness of the internationalization initiatives at GUET. The findings highlight the critical role of tailored educational strategies in enhancing global competencies while maintaining regional relevance. The study also underscores the importance of addressing resource limitations, institutional support, and faculty development to strengthen internationalization efforts. The insights gained from this research offer valuable recommendations for improving practices and policies in higher education institutions aiming to balance global engagement with local context.

Supply Chain Management for the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) Model: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis

China’s “Going Out” strategy and the “Belt and Road” initiative have significantly propelled the expansion of overseas contractual engagements, with a pronounced impact in the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) sector. EPC contracting is increasingly recognized for its superior resource allocation and integration efficiency. Within the EPC framework, procurement is pivotal, exerting a direct influence on project cost, schedule, and quality parameters. The biblio-metric analysis of this paper reveals the research trend of EPC projects in the past decade, especially in supply chain integration, procurement management, and stakeholder management. This indicates an increasing interest in efficient project management and supply chain optimization in international engineering EPC projects. Although the application of supply chain integration in the manufacturing industry has been a successful experience, its practical application in construction and EPC projects is still insufficient. Integration strategies mentioned in the literature, such as achieving supply chain transparency through digital platforms, reducing operating costs, and optimizing delivery time, are directions that need to be further explored in this field. Effective supply chain integration and increased maturity of procurement management in EPC projects are still less involved areas. In addition, there is also a lack of research on how to manage high-risk and unpredictable risks in large international engineering projects. This article suggests that future research should focus on developing flexible supply chain management tools and practices to adapt to a project-oriented supply chain environment.

Empathetic Leadership and Cultural Consciousness in Leading: Lessons from Iceland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland

During our cooperation in different international projects with partners from other Scandinavian and Nordic-Baltic countries, I have tested various leading styles with the goal of ensuring the personal balance and work enthusiasm in the group. The paper analyses in practical terms and at the meta-level, the cooperation and leadership model we developed working with university teachers from six different Nordic and Baltic countries (Estonia, Iceland, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland). I review the cooperation format, its pluses and minuses. This is done through the prism of Collectivism and Individualism. Building on the data analysis described above, suggest as a new approach, Emphatic Leadership and Culture- competent Leading. Empathetic Leadership and Culture-competent Leading is the notion I introduce to describe the model where cultural awareness, personality-related aspects, and principles of democracy and inclusion are entailed relating to the empathetic understanding of the co-workers, including their cultural preference styles. This is a qualitative piece of work that builds on experience analysis. The methodology is ethnographic research using description and theoretical analysis. the methods of participant observation and action research. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to the participants as semi-structured individual and group interviews at the end of the first round of project periods (three different projects completed). The work period analyzed includes our five different group-leading periods (2017–2024), one of which partly coincided with the Pandemic period (2020–2022). The ongoing project period (three projects) was analyzed through interviews.

The International and Local Politics of the Rural Environmental Registry: Brazil's Green Currency

ABSTRACTSince the 2000s, rural elites have engaged in ‘greening’ the Amazon extractive frontier. Private and state‐led initiatives have consolidated the agro‐industrial system by incentivizing compliance and effectively legalizing deforestation. Brazil's Rural Environmental Registry (Cadastro Ambiental Rural — CAR) is fundamental to ‘sustainable producer’ initiatives and international and local carbon markets. Since its emergence at the end of the 1990s, it has been funded and promoted by European countries and the World Bank through the G7 Pilot Programme for the Conservation of Brazilian Rainforests and the Amazon Fund. This analysis draws on a critical political economy approach and several years of multi‐site interviews, participant observation and archival research to illuminate how donor and recipient agencies have sustained territorial and georeferencing technologies as an international state project to enable the green economy, despite political shifts and the inherent contradictions of this instrument. The article shows how ecological modernization technologies enable the ‘greening’ of agro‐industry expansion while exacerbating land conflicts and marginalizing Indigenous and traditional peoples’ collective land rights.

António Lopes Ribeiro e António Ferro: cumplicidades cinematográficas e os projectos de internacionalização do cinema português

António Lopes Ribeiro was a major figure in Portuguese cinema for over three decades. In this paper, I intend to present and analyse the projects in which he was involved with the aim to create a national cinema with international projection, during the 1940s, and in particular during the Second World War. In order to guarantee the economic sustainability of the Portuguese film industry and continuous production, Lopes Ribeiro believed that distribution needed to be expanded beyond the traditional markets, namely, the colonies and the Portuguese emigration communities in Brazil. I will demonstrate how these internationalisation plans were only able to be materialised with the direct support of political power, examining his connection to António Ferro, the director of the organisation that oversaw cinema, the National Propaganda Secretariat/ National Secretariat of Information. Finally, I will look at the reasons why his projects for Portuguese cinema failed. Methodologically, this research draws on documents from the National Secretariat of Information and the Salazar archives, as well as other primary sources, mainly newspapers and magazines specialising in cinema, as well as a set of letters written by Lopes Ribeiro to António Ferro, from the Quadros Foundation.

Integrating real-world entrepreneurship with international learning: insights from a blended intensive programme

Purpose This study aims to illustrate how a university can leverage a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) to act as a boundary spanner in international collaborations and multi-stakeholder value co-creation. This research explores the potential of a reimagined study abroad program to connect disparate entrepreneurial ecosystems and enhance the university’s role in fostering international collaborative projects. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a case study methodology to investigate an Erasmus+ BIP aimed at integrating real-world entrepreneurship with international learning. Data were collected through surveys, interviews and participant observation, providing a robust analysis of how such programs can bridge entrepreneurial ecosystems internationally. Findings The study shows how a blended study-abroad program not only enhances students’ learning outcomes but also can bridge local and international entrepreneurial ecosystems. By facilitating rich exchanges and value co-creation among students, faculty, industry and government stakeholders, the blended format of the program—integrating virtual and in-person elements—proved crucial in maintaining continuity and engagement amid global disruptions. The study highlights the university’s pivotal role both as a facilitator of global business education and international collaboration. Research limitations/implications The study’s findings are based on a single BIP, so they may not apply to all similar programs worldwide. To understand the broader applicability and impact across different contexts, future research should include diverse BIPs from various regions and sectors. Practical implications This research highlights the multifaceted benefits of blended intensive study-abroad programs. The collaborative model serves as a template for enhancing the practical value of higher education globally. Originality/value The study provides insights into the potential of blended intensive programs for universities to extend their role as boundary-spanners through a unique model for international collaboration and multi-stakeholder engagement. This approach addresses the challenges of global disruptions and sets a precedent for future educational practices in international business.

Ukrainian Popular Music in Times of War: National Identity, Transnational Projections and the Musician as Grassroots Ambassador

This article investigates the ways in which Ukrainian independent popular music after February 2022 has contributed to domestic nation-building and international nation-branding. Taking as case studies six artists who have extensively toured abroad with their musical projects, the article traces the evolution of the internal imaginings and external projections of Ukrainian identity enabled via musical activity. The article shows that the war has generated a reconfiguration of the relationship between the artist and their social responsibility, in which music has become a fundamental weapon to raise transnational awareness of the Ukrainian struggle and to materially influence Ukraine’s defence. This reconfiguration has prompted the performers to take the role of grassroots cultural ambassadors and create DIY networks of solidarity, largely outside of state initiatives. In this process, ideas about Ukraine did not adhere to a standardized framework for the purpose of articulating unity, but rather reflected Ukraine’s unity in cultural diversity.

The future of tourism: interview with Nicole Ferdinand about Notting Hill Carnival Futures

PurposeAs the Journal of Tourism Futures celebrates its 10th anniversary, Dr. Albert Postma interviews Dr. Nicole Ferdinand (Oxford Brookes University Business School).Design/methodology/approachA personal interview.FindingsThe interview provides insights about the application of scenario planning for a mega event such as Notting Hill Carnival, how the process of scenario planning was experienced by the participants and the effect the study had on the Carnival, and how it was perceived in subsequent years.Originality/valueFerdinand shares her experiences with and learnings of the Notting Hill Carnival Futures project, conducted in 2013–2014 as first international project by the European Tourism Futures Institute.

FORMATION OF FOREIGN-LANGUAGE COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCIES OF STUDENTS OF PROFESSIONAL PRE-HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

In the article, the author analyzed the pedagogical conditions for the formation of foreign language communicative competences in institutions of professional pre-higher education in the process of teaching students of 121 program subject area – Software Engineering. During the study, a comprehensive approach was used, including a deep analysis of psychological and pedagogical literature: the study of scientific papers, articles and other sources of information on the topic under study. Analytical work with information sources: synthesis and systematization of acquired knowledge, clear formulation of key concepts and aspects of the topic. It has been established that modern employers expect software engineering professionals to have not only deep technical knowledge but also a high level of English language proficiency. This includes the ability to work with English-language technical documentation, communicate effectively in international projects, and write professional documentation in English. This is especially true for professionals studying at institutions of professional pre-higher education. Foreign language training should be aimed at developing the communication competencies necessary to work effectively in an international environment. The author identifies the main pedagogical conditions, in particular, the formation of motivation in future IT specialists to learn foreign languages; systematic use of digital interactive technologies as a means of forming foreign language communicative competences; creation of professionally oriented teaching and methodological support (in particular, workbooks in in English for professional purposes for each semester); readiness of foreign language teachers to use professionally oriented teaching and methodological support.

Design, validation and psychometric properties of a questionnaire to assess intrapreneurial behaviours in sports organisations

Intrapreneurs in sports organisations can detect early signs of new opportunities and threats and introduce early changes to adapt to the constant changes in the sports sector. In addition, intrapreneurs are considered a fundamental pillar in the growth and development of innovation in sports organisations. Thus, the objective of this work is to design and validate an instrument to detect employees with intrapreneurial behaviours in sports organisations. Based on the dimensions of intrapreneurship identified in the scientific literature and related questionnaires, a tool—the COINDE—composed of 46 items distributed in five dimensions was constructed and subjected to expert judgment and a pilot study and subsequently reduced to 26 items and five statistically validated dimensions. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) yielded two valid and reliable models to detect employees with intrapreneurial behaviours in sports organisations, with 5 and 6 dimensions and 25 and 26 items, respectively. The 5-factor model is proposed and justified. The dimensions are: creativity/innovation, risk-taking, proactivity, recognition of opportunities and priority of the internal project. The COINDE is a valid and reliable instrument representing an important advance over the existing instruments by providing specificity of the measure in the sports context, the work profile of the employees of these organisations, and allowing direct evaluation of intrapreneurial behaviour.

Waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio: Exploring the associations for high blood pressure risk in school-age adolescents

BackgroundChildhood and adolescent obesity present a global health concern, notably due to its association with adverse outcomes such as high blood pressure (HBP). Waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) are promising indicators for assessing HBP risk in school-age adolescents. However, their association with Stavnsbo-recommended WC cutoff points and high BP prevalence necessitates further investigation, holding potential implications for early intervention and prevention strategies. ObjectiveInvestigate the association between high blood pressure (HBP) and WC cutoff points advised by Stavnsbo, along with WHtR, in adolescents from privileged socioeconomic backgrounds in Brazil. MethodsThis cross-sectional study in 2022 involved 216 students aged 9 to 16 from a private school in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. Data, collected through an internal project monitoring anthropometric and social indicators, included validated blood pressure assessments. Statistical analyses, employing t-tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression, explored relationships between WC, WHtR, and blood pressure, adjusting for covariates. ResultsFemale participants had a lower prevalence of obesity (2.9% vs 5.3%) but a higher prevalence of overweight (27.5% vs 17.5%) compared to males. The overall excess weight prevalence was 26.4%, with females showing lower absolute risk scores for WC (25.5% vs 34.2%), WHtR (19.6% vs 23.7%), and HBP (21.5% vs. 40.3%). Significant associations were observed between HBP and WC (X2 = 9.759, P = 0.002) as well as WHtR (X2 = 6.335, P = 0.012) among males, with those in the “Risk” category exhibiting higher HBP prevalence. Overall, both WC and WHtR demonstrated significant associations with HBP (X2 = 12.428, P < 0.001, and X2 = 9.550, P = 0.002, respectively). Logistic regression indicated higher odds for HBP in males with risk values for WC (OR 3.876 [1.714–8.765 CI], P = 0.001) or WHtR (OR 3.684 [1.457–9.315 CI], P = 0.006). In the overall analysis, participants with risk values for WC had 3.2 (1.688–6.080 CI, P < 0.001) times higher odds, and for WHtR, 3.4 (1.679–6.934 CI, P = 0.001) times higher odds of HBP. ConclusionThis study highlights the associations between WC, WHtR, and HBP in adolescent schoolchildren. The results underscore the significance of gender-specific assessments and emphasize the potential of these anthropometric measures as valuable tools for identifying and managing HBP risk in adolescents. Further research and clinical applications are imperative to deepen understanding and address the health needs of this vulnerable population.

Shaping civic values of modern youth: Evaluating the influence of the international plein air as a specially organized artistic practice

Introduction. The article investigates the problem of patriotic education of modern youth. The purpose of the research is to identify and clarify the peculiarities of the influence of an international plein air as a specially organized artistic practice on the formation of modern youth civic values. Materials and Methods. The research is based on axiological and personality-centered approaches. The main research method is theoretical (reviewing regulatory documents and scholarly literature, analysis and synthesis, comparison, generalization and data interpretation). In addition, a practical method was used (students performing search and short-term training exercises, as well as long-term artistic compositions). The project of the International Art Competition called ‘Without Borders’ that is analyzed in the article is a new format of an online professional Internet competition for students majoring in Arts for partner pedagogical universities. Results. The article analyzes the results of the international project on patriotic education and formation of civic values in modern students, implemented within the framework of cooperation between pedagogical universities of Belarus and Russia. The study convincingly proves that it is the plein air that provides an effective environment for developing students’ artistic and creative skills, implementing patriotic education of students, as well as contributes to shaping their readiness to organize patriotic educational activities in the future. Conclusions. The article concludes about the specifics of the influence of the international plein air as a specially organized artistic practice on the formation of modern students’ civic values.

Techno-optimism versus techno-reality: an analysis of internationally funded technological solutions against illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Ghana and Guinea-Bissau

ABSTRACT Maritime governance has been immersed in growing techno-optimism. Technological developments have largely increased the capacity of states to render legible activities at sea and thus more effectively govern them. One area in which such techno-optimism has gained force but is yet to prove itself is the fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. While technology-aided international cooperation has been crucial in curbing piracy, it has been slower to tame IUU fishing. In this article, we study international projects introducing technology-based solutions against IUU fishing in West Africa. Triangulating project documentation, donor evaluations, interviews, and other secondary sources, we assess how the techno-optimism driving those initiatives meets the techno-reality of their contexts of implementation. We find that, while grounds for optimism are far from unwarranted, realizing the potential of technological solutions against IUU fishing requires securing parallel cooperation that allows states to transform technology-based awareness into action.

Exploring the key drivers of inter-organizational knowledge transfer in projects: evidence from international construction projects

PurposeDespite the knowledge transfer in project contexts which has been extensively studied by scholars, the study on inter-organizational knowledge transfer in international construction projects is still scattered and unsystematic. This research aims to explore the key factors influencing inter-organizational knowledge transfer of international construction projects and analyze how these factors interact to create a synthetic framework that enhances the effectiveness of knowledge transfer (EKT).Design/methodology/approachAt first, eight factors influencing inter-organizational knowledge transfer within international construction projects were identified, which were from the four dimensions of subject, relationship, channel and context, namely cultural distance, connection strength, organizational climate, intercultural competence, information technology capability, transmit willingness, receive willingness and richness of transfer channels. Then, a conceptual model was developed and 13 hypotheses were formulated, which were derived from a literature review and in-depth survey. After that, data from 353 respondents were collected and analyzed, and the hypotheses were tested by structural equation modeling analysis and bootstrapping test.FindingsThe results suggest that cultural distance hinders transfer willingness, which further affects EKT. Connection strength affects EKT by positively influencing transfer willingness and channel. Besides, organizational climate and intercultural competence positively influence transfer willingness and further affect EKT, while information technology capability affects the richness of transfer channels.Originality/valueThis research gives a thorough examination of the determinants influencing inter-organizational knowledge transfer of international construction projects, thus formulating available approaches that project managers and personnel can employ to effectively facilitate EKT.