ABSTRACT This study examines how ethnic Somali identity and the geographic realities of the northern Kenya–Somalia border shape local perceptions of the border. Using a poststructuralist framework and qualitative methods, it draws on five focus group discussions, key informant and individual interviews conducted in Garissa County and Mandera County, alongside scholarly sources, triangulated with observations, field notes, and documentaries to enhance validity. Findings show that the notion of “body borders” among ethnic Somalis produces an elastic, spatial understanding of the border, rooted in pastoral-nomadic practices, often misinterpreted by the state as disregard for territorial boundaries. The contrast between community perceptions and the state’s rigid, securitized approach generates friction. The paper argues that the Kenya–Somalia border is a fixed geopolitical line imposed by colonial treaties, continuously reproduced and contested through individuals’ physical markers such as facial features, hair texture, historical memory, discourse and pastoral-nomadic mobility. Integrating cognitive psychology, constructivism and discourse analysis, the study shows how everyday language and behavior encode collective fears and adaptive strategies that shape local norms and influence border governance, concluding that addressing shared historical and contemporary fears is essential to reducing mutual suspicion rather than framing border communities and the state as opposing forces.

Solo responding unit (SRU) paramedics at Oslo University Hospital (OUH) can administer either morphine or fentanyl for prehospital pain management. Although both opioids are available, the choice between them is made by individual clinicians in time-critical situations, often with limited information, variable transport conditions, and minimal organisational feedback. Existing research has primarily focused on comparative efficacy and safety, while less attention has been paid to how paramedics reason in practice. This study explores the clinical, logistical, and organisational factors that influence SRU paramedics' opioid selection, how advantages and disadvantages of morphine and fentanyl are perceived, and how local norms and decision-making support shape practice. This qualitative descriptive study employed three face-to-face focus groups with a total of 11 participants. The sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically. The first author's dual role as an SRU paramedic was acknowledged and used reflexively to enhance the interpretation of the findings. The participants (1 female, 10 male, mean age 42years, mean 19.6years of ambulance experience from urban and rural regions within OUH) emphasised the role of personal experience and intuitive judgement in selecting between morphine and fentanyl. Fentanyl was favoured for rapid onset in acute traumatic pain or short transports, while morphine was selected for its longer duration in frail patients or lengthy transports. "Ambulance truths", informal, station-specific beliefs, filled gaps where formal guidance was lacking. Safety concerns existed for both drugs, although severe adverse events were rarely experienced by participants. SRU paramedics' opioid selection is shaped by an interplay of pharmacological reasoning, familiarity, organisational protocols, and cultural norms. The findings suggest that formalised training, streamlined documentation, and structured feedback mechanisms may support more consistent decision-making in prehospital analgesia.

This study questions Moroccan women’s ability to use TikTok as a means to challenge Western-centric feminism and confront both colonial narratives and local patriarchal norms. Drawing on decolonial feminist theory, this study analyzes fifteen videos across three pages to examine how music, visual aesthetics and written text reshape feminist agency. Through historical reclamation, humor and educational advocacy, these creators promote localized feminist expression and resist dominant power structures. The findings show that Moroccan women are not passive consumers but active producers of decolonial feminist discourse, positioning TikTok as a crucial site for reimagining gender, identity and knowledge production.

Migration processes have the potential to impact the economic, social, and political sys­tems in the countries of emigration and immig­ration. Local norms and cultural diffe­rences are the factors leading to significant transfor­mations. Europe has been a historical center of migration and has attracted migrants with various cultural, social, and economic backg­rounds. The intensification of migration proces­ses after World War II was due to demographic changes and economic integration processes. It required the development of basic infrastructure responsible for the effective adaptation of migrants to the new conditions for them. However, the wars started by Russia in Ukraine and Syria created unforeseen challenges for European countries, when millions of asylum seekers and migrants became a part of communities. The labour markets and social systems of these countries were not fully prepared for such stress. The research hypothe­sizes that the increased flows of migrants and refugees to the European Union have a long-term impact on blockʼs economic development, social prospects, and demographic structure. This study combined qualitative and exploratory research methods, specifically a systematic literature review and case study research. The research highlights that, on the one hand, the dynamics of migration to the European Union reflected the trends of expansion in historical perspective. On the other hand, migration processes were affected by external factors, among them the forced migration of millions of people from Syria and Ukraine because of russiaʼs military aggression.

Fostering economic development through local and national employment generation has been gaining currency in much of the recent scholarship in entrepreneurship studies. However, prevailing academic discourses tend to often focus on corporate entrepreneurship in the framework of rational choice, innovation and risk-taking, overlooking the nuanced dynamics of small-scale enterprises and their locally embedded character. The present article explores entrepreneurship among appliqué artisans of Pipili in Odisha. It primarily focuses on how these socially embedded craft makers define and enact business success within their distinct cultural milieu. Drawing on in-depth interviews with local artisans, the study reveals unique entrepreneurial practices that are deeply intertwined with local cultural resources and are context specific. These include hereditary skills, social networks, language proficiency and community identities—rather than formal corporate models of growth. Success is thus measured not merely by economic metrics but through culturally mediated notions of a ‘good life’ and sustainable livelihood practices that are related to a deeper sense of identity. The findings highlight how artisans navigate the complexities of globalization by appropriating language skills, educational capital and technology to access national and international markets, while their motivations and goals remain grounded in caste, religion and local social norms. This research contributes to a richer understanding of entrepreneurship as a socially and culturally embedded practice, expanding beyond the dominant frameworks centred on corporate innovation.

This study aims to analyze the harmonization between state law and customary law in traditional health service practices in Indonesia, identify the forms of incompatibility that occur, and formulate efforts to create harmony between the two legal systems through normative juridical research methods that focus on the study of legal norms, laws and regulations, and doctrines. The data collection technique is carried out through a literature study of primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials which are then analyzed qualitatively to produce logical and structured legal arguments. The current arrangement of traditional health services has been transformed from Law Number 36 of 2009 to Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health which places the practice as an integral part of the national health system. Customary law acts as a living law that provides social legitimacy, regulates practitioner ethics through communal values, and maintains the authenticity of traditional knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation. Efforts to harmonize are carried out through constitutional recognition of customary law communities and the integration of local norms into formal regulations to ensure security and service standards for communities without erasing cultural identity. This synergy creates dual protection for Indonesia's ethnobotanical wealth from exploitation by outsiders while ensuring that every health practice can be legally and empirically accounted for. Such alignment requires ongoing dialogue between governments, indigenous leaders, and health practitioners to address the challenges of the differences between modern medical methodologies and traditional healing techniques.

This study aims to investigate the practice of establishing dowry within the Bugis-Makassar community and to assess its alignment with the tenets of Islamic law and dominant local cultural norms. This study utilizes a qualitative methodology grounded in a normative-sociological framework. Data were gathered by literature review, analysis of Islamic legal sources, and scrutiny of customary behaviors within Bugis-Makassar marital traditions. The results show that setting the dowry is not only seen as a religious duty in the marriage contract, but also as a sign of respect, family honor, and cultural identity. In reality, the amount of dowry is frequently determined by social standing, education, ancestry, and familial consensus. From the standpoint of Islamic law, the establishment of dowry is permitted, provided it does not cause difficulty to the groom, does not include compulsion, and is consistent with the ideal of ease in marriage. Thus, it can be inferred that the practice of dowry determination within the Bugis-Makassar community exemplifies a reconciliation between Islamic legal principles and the maintenance of local cultural values, provided it does not contravene Islamic teachings.

ABSTRACT Authorship practices in collaborative research teams are often complex and influence perceptions surrounding fairness, responsibility, and accountability in scholarly work. This study investigates prevailing authorship norms, the frequency of authorship disagreements, and differences in authorship perceptions across faculty and student roles, genders, and disciplinary contexts. Survey results reveal systematic differences, particularly between faculty and students, in how authorship distribution is perceived and how different types of researcher contributions are valued toward authorship credit. We further assess changes in authorship norms and ethical perceptions through a follow-up survey after a three-year effort to improve authorship ethics on our campus, which included training on ethical authorship practices and adoption of a formal institutional authorship policy. The results show notable shifts in researchers’ awareness, expectations, and attitudes toward authorship ethics and responsibilities. This suggests proactive education and policymaking can promote integrity in collaborative scholarly work and recalibrate local norms. Based on these insights, we offer recommendations for supporting transparent authorship communication and fostering more ethical research environments.

Genetics research has transformed our understanding of human diversity, providing insights into human evolution, migration, and health. Despite its contributions, many ethical challenges remain unresolved, particularly in studies involving Indigenous or non-Western populations. Existing ethical frameworks rooted in Principlism-autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice-often fail to address issues like data ownership, informed consent, and community engagement. Furthermore, frameworks designed to address some of these limitations, such as the FAIR and CARE principles, can emphasize autonomy and universal principles over local norms that are specific to a group's cultural and communal values and diversity. We propose integrating cultural-specific common moralities alongside existing frameworks for genetics research with Indigenous peoples. As an example, we highlight the Ọmọlúàbí ideology of the Yoruba people, which offers a group-centered approach rooted in respect, humility, integrity, and communal responsibility. Ọmọlúàbí emphasizes co-creation and collaboration between researchers and communities, ensuring research aligns with local moral landscapes and community priorities. By recognizing Indigenous cultural and moral perspectives, researchers can use Ọmọlúàbí to foster trust, inclusivity, and ethical rigor, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all model. This approach can guide all stages of genetics research-from project development and data collection to interpretation and dissemination-embedding local cultural values alongside global guidelines. It also underscores building relationships through participant observation and respecting community-specific traditions and authority structures. Adopting a culturally sensitive framework like Ọmọlúàbí offers a path toward genetics research that is both respectful and equitable, bridging the divide between scientific progress and the preservation of Indigenous identities.

Where state, market, and community meet: Village doctors and the governance of rural health in China.

Universal screening for developmental language disorder (DLD) is a promising preventative approach for decreasing negative educational outcomes associated with DLD. Unfortunately, schools with multilingual student populations often face barriers in following best-practice guidelines for language testing and screening students in all their languages. We explored the outcome of a school district administering a single-language DLD screener to a multilingual student body, as well as alternative approaches for using single-language screening data to identify DLD risk in multilingual students. A school district engaged in a research-practice partnership administered an English-only DLD screener to 703 kindergartners with English language learner (ELL) status. We analyzed screener outcomes and the relationship of identified DLD risk status and English proficiency level for the ELLs. We explored alternative data analysis approaches of local norms, adjusted cut-points, change in screener score from fall to spring, and a hybrid of adjusted cut-points and change to determine which approaches identified DLD risk status for ELLs at a rate more aligned with DLD prevalence rates and the intended rates of a screener. The English-only language screener overidentified multilingual students as at risk for DLD. There was a significant negative correlation between risk identification and student English proficiency level. All alternative methods for data analysis lowered the rate of identification of ELLs as at risk for DLD. Single-language testing overidentifies multilingual students as at risk for DLD. We caution school districts against a monolingual screening approach to screen multilingual students and encourage them to consider alternative approaches to using English-only screening data for multilingual students.

Purpose This study examines the role of French spouses in shaping family-relatedness of work decision (FRWD) processes among Japanese female self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) in France, with a focus on how conjugal dynamics, agency and intersectional positioning affect work-related decisions and professional integration. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative methodology using biographical narrative interviews was employed with 19 Japanese women who self-initiated their expatriation to France and are currently partnered with French spouses. Analysis was guided by FRWD framework coupled with the intersectionality theory. Findings Spouses act as both facilitators and gatekeepers for career transitions, influencing role entry, participation and exit. They provide emotional, informational, and practical support that can open access to the French labour market, yet unequal domestic labour, income and stability gaps, and asymmetrical access to local norms are often rationalized through comparison to Japanese norms. Agency emerges through negotiation, with satisfaction constructed relationally within the couple. Research limitations/implications Focusing on current long-term residents may introduce selection bias, excluding women who left France or their relationships. Comparative, intersectional research across professions and contexts is needed for a deeper understanding. Notably, this study highlights the spouse’s role as a boundary spanner, facilitating network and cultural integration. Future research should systematically address these relational and processual aspects in expatriate career development. Originality/value The study contributes new insights by integrating FRWD and intersectionality in SIE research, highlighting spousal participation as an evolving process rather than a static resource. It challenges individualistic and resource-centric models by foregrounding the relational, contextual and processual nature of global career mobility decisions.

Small-scale fisheries support millions in low-income countries, yet conflict heightens their vulnerability. Despite recognition of its multiple dimensions, little is known about how fisherfolk experience conflict-induced vulnerabilities and how institutions mediate these experiences. This study conceptualizes vulnerability through exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, and, drawing on Critical Institutionalism, asks: (1) how do small-scale fisherfolk experience and respond to vulnerability under conflict; and (2) how do formal and informal institutions mediate these responses? Using Lake Tanganyika as a case study, qualitative data were collected from six shoreline villages in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Findings demonstrate that institutional dynamics can reduce, sustain, or intensify vulnerability depending on context. Fisherfolk actively engage with institutions, adopting adaptive strategies shaped by local socio-economic realities. This research moves beyond narrow representations of vulnerability, emphasizing fisherfolk’s agency and calling for inclusive co-management policies that integrate local norms with formal governance to strengthen adaptive capacity.

Ethical governance of public-professional commentary in global psychiatry: A cross-national analysis of Member Societies of the World Psychiatric Association.

Abstract Countries where public opinion tends to favour gender equality tend to invest in policies supporting the dual-earner family model or the earner–carer family model, while countries where public opinion is more inclined to support conservative gender norms tend to have policies supporting the male breadwinner family model. However, even though gender equality norms may be endorsed by the majority of the population, conservative norms could still be largely supported at the subnational level, potentially leading to lower responses to policy reforms intending to boost gender-equal practices. This study examines shifting norms in fathers’ parental leave uptake in Finnish municipalities in the 2010s, around a reform that gave fathers an independent right to a 6-week quota of “solo” parental leave. We applied a Bayesian spatio-temporal model on administrative data from Finnish municipalities and approximated local norms based on voting data. We also used the proportion of Swedish-speaking residents as a proxy for cross-border policy influences from the neighbouring country Sweden, where paternal leave-taking has been practised longer. Local support to de-familialising policies was found to predict higher leave-taking, but only under a less supportive policy configuration. The proportion of Swedish-speaking residents was found to be increasingly important for predicting paternal leave-taking. We interpret this as a sign of cross-border influences from Sweden. Interestingly, uptake increased the fastest in a more conservative region, probably owing to its strong linguistic and cultural links to Sweden. Furthermore, we observed spatial dependencies between neighbouring municipalities, which supports our spillover hypothesis that interactions among families nearby lead them to adopt new practices.

Background International students frequently look for programmes that are not offered in their home countries in order to pursue high-quality education, cultural exposure, professional prospects and personal development while studying abroad. Understanding attachment styles enables people to better comprehend local norms and values, facilitating easier social interactions and minimising misunderstandings, even though adjusting to the host country might be difficult. Purpose The present study aimed to explore the relationship between attachment styles and sociocultural adaptation among international students in the host country. The study’s specific goal was to comprehend how different attachment styles affect international students’ adjustment to new cultural customs, social norms and values. Methods The study included 240 international students (male = 120 and female = 120) enrolled in various universities and educational institutions in Varanasi City, Uttar Pradesh, through purposive sampling. Participants were selected between the ages of 19 and 35 years. The Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ) and Revised Sociocultural Adaptation Scale (SCAS-R) were used in data collection. Results The findings show that secure attachment style increased sociocultural adaptation, whereas insecure attachment styles decreased it among international students in the host country. A secure attachment style offers consolation, confidence and strong social bonds, all of which significantly enhance international students’ sociocultural adaptation in India. Conclusion Social integration of international students may be greatly aided by planning inclusive cultural activities that promote engagement, lower social barriers and create a friendly atmosphere. Educational institutions may foster cross-cultural understanding and improve the overall campus experience for both domestic and international students by giving priority to such efforts.

Culture matters? Family norms, living arrangements, and loneliness in China

Growth of children and adolescents follows a universal pattern with three distinct growth spurts. Common medical practice refers to normal child growth as a health and biological advantage, and considers "pathology in growth" as a deviation from the universal pattern. Growth can differ in amplitude and tempo with considerable variation both within and between populations over time, and depending on geographic region. Local growth charts are necessary to adapt the universal pattern of growth to characteristics of a specific historic or modern population. Local charts can visualize the distinct ethnic and historic diversity of human growth and allow pathology to reference the local conditions. Local charts are most appropriate for both "normality" as a statistical dimension and pathology as disease. We illustrate the significance of local growth charts for an example pathology Turner syndrome (TS). TS-patients are "short". However, short stature is relative, as it refers to local norms. For example, Swedish TS-women reach an average height of more than 3 SD below Swedish norms, a height of which would be considered "short normal" compared to healthy Indian women. We consider body height as a signal within the social group. Competitive growth and strategic growth adjustments in height reflect hope for a better life following political liberation, but also illusions of equity, freedom, justice, and the expectation of social advancement. Height is relative and only has value as a relative measure among family members, neighbors, and peers. Screening for pathology requires a concept of health that includes the local context.

ABSTRACT Chhipa (printer caste) women who marry into Bagru families, and by extension, the town’s textile craft cottage industry, fashion themselves in adorned, colourful saris for everyday domestic and printing tasks. Wives often lament, however, that local dress norms, particularly around veiling, constrain their movements and voices at home and elsewhere. Veiling with the sari symbolises tradition and respect among Hindus regionally and affirms heritage spheres of craft, caste, and place in Bagru’s printing community. Wifely dress is also emblematic amongst Chhipas of contested spheres of socio-economic mobility and of the caste’s categorisation as ‘backward’. I examine Chhipa women’s attire through analysis of aesthetic and material qualities of dress, gendered kinship hierarchies, and wives’ embodied experiences in marital homes. The article proposes ways in which women’s dress practices extend and overlap with other forms of cloth materiality in fashion cottage industry sites, manifesting limitations and aspirations in India’s craft castes.

ABSTRACT This study examines the impact of CEO characteristics on the development of a whistleblowing culture within organizations, utilizing agency theory and upper echelons theory (UET) to inform the interpretation of the findings. Using a sample of 1687 publicly listed firms across 10 European countries from 2015 to 2022, the analysis examines how CEO traits, including education, ownership, age, nationality, and duality, shape organizational transparency and governance. The results reveal that CEO education and CEO ownership are positively associated with the adoption of robust whistleblowing mechanisms. This suggests that educated and financially committed CEOs reduce information asymmetry, align with shareholder interests, and actively promote ethical reporting. Conversely, older CEOs and those holding dual roles as CEO and chairman tend to centralize power, creating barriers to transparent governance and weakening oversight. The nationality of the CEO also matters; domestic leaders, familiar with local norms and regulations, are more effective in fostering whistleblowing practices than their foreign counterparts. Theoretically, the results extend agency theory by showing how education and ownership mitigate classic principal–agent conflicts through stronger ethical governance. At the same time, UET demonstrates that CEO demographic traits and lived experiences shape their cognitive frames, influencing organizational transparency. Together, these perspectives explain why whistleblowing culture is not merely a structural mechanism but also a reflection of top executives' personal orientations.