Methodological Perspective Research Articles

Playback interviews as a method for research on language ideologies: Citationality, reflexivity, and rapport in interdiscursive encounters

Abstract This contribution deals with the use of playback interviews in interactional sociolinguistics, a method wherein participants review audio or video recordings of their conversations and provide retrospective commentary. I first outline a brief history of the development of the playback method and how it was incorporated into the interactional sociolinguistic research agenda. As theoretical frameworks for playback interviews and their application to research on language ideologies remain underexplored, this article introduces three concepts from linguistic anthropology—citationality, reflexivity, and interdiscursivity—to theorize playback interviews from a semiotic perspective. Departing from these theories, playback interviews are contextualized within broader social dynamics, including participation frames, power, and rapport that are inherent in the interviewing process. Drawing on source recordings from interactions between L1 and European L2 users of Japanese in Tokyo, and playback sessions with the L2 users, I illustrate how playback interviews contribute to language-ideological inquiries, for example, perceptions of style and code-switching. The analysis showcases the method’s potential to unveil participants’ metapragmatic awareness and explore the intersection of linguistic structure, practice, and ideology. Playback interviews are positioned as a valuable tool for investigating language ideologies, offering new methodological perspectives through retrospection and reflection on communication.

The Case for Multidisciplinary Frameworks for Developing Effective Solutions to Complex Human Problems: An Illustration Based on Development Education, Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Marketing

Education, especially development education (DE), and a number of socially focused disciplines, including corporate social responsibility (CSR) and social marketing (SM), have long been targeted by policy makers for deriving advice on the ‘wisdom’ of levelling up differences and addressing sources of disadvantages at individual, group and/or regional levels. Additionally, the combined wisdom of such disciplines can also be a great source of advice to effectively address perennial universal problems. This paper is conceptual in nature with a multidisciplinary outlook. It contrasts DE, CSR and SM, with the view to deriving common grounds as well as strengths and areas for further development that can produce more comprehensive explanations and solutions to social problems. Such inclusive, more comprehensive explanations would help advise social-cause-focused workers, including researchers, learners and policy makers, about how each discipline can contribute to the resolution of multifaceted problems, the so-called ‘wicked problems’, that each discipline may not be fully equipped to address. The method of analysis used is an adjusted version of critical discourse analysis. It is used to explore the disciplines at four levels, namely definitional, philosophical, methodological and performance levels, thus giving a comprehensive view of each discipline’s nature, philosophical outlook, methodology and perceived efficacy in achieving its aims. The derived arguments also benefitted from comments provided by seven experienced representatives from the three disciplines. Overall, the outcomes suggest a relative maturity of critical ability in DE but also more effective and efficient methodological and evaluative perspectives in CSR and SM. Although the outcome of the analysis is open for debate, it nevertheless suggests several opportunities for mutual learning at all four levels. The paper suggests a novel integrated ‘supra-level’ framework that may help workers, in these three areas of knowledge, gain valuable insights from each of the three disciplines and highlight valuable opportunities for capitalising on their respective strengths.

Social Entrepreneurship: Toward Understanding an Emerging Force for the Common Good

Social entrepreneurship combines business innovation with an explicit purpose of positive social and environmental impact, becoming increasingly relevant for analysis from various perspectives. This article presents a systematic review of the literature on social entrepreneurship, aiming to consolidate existing knowledge, identify emerging trends and gaps, and provide an updated guide for researchers and policymakers. The results reveal diverse methodological perspectives, ranging from quantitative research on economic impact and poverty reduction to ethnographies that explore the experiences and strategies of social entrepreneurs. The unique potential of social entrepreneurship to address global challenges is highlighted, necessitating comprehensive strategies to promote it sustainably. Furthermore, education is identified as a fundamental pillar of positive social change due to its role in developing professionals with an entrepreneurial mindset oriented toward social transformation. Finally, the paper emphasizes the need to diversify research lines and initiatives that encourage social impact entrepreneurship in a proactive and innovative manner.     Received: 3 January 2024 / Accepted: 25 April 2024 / Published: 5 May 2024

Oil price, energy consumption and CO2 emissions as growth determinants: a PVAR system GMM approach

Purpose This study aims to revisit the empirical debate about the asymmetric relationship between oil prices, energy consumption, CO2 emissions and economic growth in a panel of 184 countries from 1981 to 2020. Design/methodology/approach A relatively new research method, the PVAR system GMM, is applied. Findings The outcome of the PVAR system GMM model at the group level in the study suggests that oil prices exert a positive but statistically insignificant effect on economic growth. Energy consumption is inversely related to economic growth but statistically significant, and the correlation between CO2 emissions and economic growth is negative but statistically insignificant. The Granger causality test indicates that oil prices, CO2 emissions, oil rents, energy consumption and savings jointly Granger-cause economic growth. A unidirectional causality runs from energy consumption, savings and economic growth to oil prices. At countries’ income grouping levels, oil prices, oil rent, CO2 emissions, energy consumption and savings jointly Granger-cause economic growth for the high-income and upper-middle-income countries groups only, while those variables did not jointly Granger-cause economic growth for the low-income and lower-middle-income countries groups. The modulus emanating from the eigenvalue stability condition with the roots of the companion matrix indicates that the model is stable. The results support the asymmetric impacts of oil prices on economic growth and aid policy formulation, particularly the cross-country disparities regarding the nexus between oil prices and growth. Originality/value From a methodological perspective, to the best of the author’s knowledge, the study is the first attempt to use the PVAR system GMM and such a large sample group of 184 economies in the post-COVID-19 era to examine the impacts of oil prices on countries’ growth while controlling for other crucial variables, which is noteworthy. Two, using the World Bank categorisation of countries according to income groups, the study adds another layer of contribution to the literature by decomposing the 184 sample economies into four income groups: high-income, low-income, upper-middle-income and lower-middle-income groups to investigate the potential for asymmetric effects of oil prices on growth, the first of its kind in the post-COVID-19 period.

Text Analysis in Tourism and Hospitality: A Comprehensive Review

Despite numerous studies that adopt text analysis in tourism and hospitality published in the past decade, a comprehensive review of this topic is still lacking. This study endeavors to bridge this gap by conducting a systematic review of text analysis research published in the top five journals in tourism and hospitality between 2013 and 2023. From a thematic analysis perspective, this paper provides an elaborate description of how text data can be utilized for prediction and understanding purposes. Specifically, the prediction scenarios encompass hotels, destinations, and restaurants, while the understanding aspect focuses on tourists, firms, destinations, and academic researches within this domain. From a methodological perspective, this paper offers an in-depth exploration of data sources, tools or methodologies, processing procedures, and commonly utilized metrics in text analysis. The paper concludes by proposing a summary framework for text analysis research while highlighting future research trends, opportunities, and challenges in this domain.

Paths of financial decentralization through collegiate management in state public schools in the state of Maranhão - Brazil

It includes aspects of collegiate management in the financial decentralization of programs that transfer resources to public schools - especially the Direct Money at School Program - PDDE, correlating this management model to the process of strengthening democratic management. The research sought to understand the conditioning factors involved in the democratic management processes of public schools in the state of Maranhão in terms of community participation in the management of financial resources from the PDDE Program between 2018 and 2020. The methodological perspective is based on field research in schools that have a regulated school cashier in the state public education network in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. The questions that guided the research were aimed at answering how the manager deals with the power of decision over the school's resources, how he manages community participation in the application of resources and how he conceives the dimension of autonomy in the management of resources.

Consumer responses toward smart technology: A systematic review, synthesis, and future research agenda

AbstractThis article is a comprehensive review of the literature on smart technology in consumer studies from 1996 to 2023. While the paper provides information about the development of the field by identifying important publications and authors, it employs topic modeling to pinpoint key topics in papers published in marketing and business journals. These topics are then grouped into three research streams and evaluated concerning theoretical, contextual, and methodological perspectives. While doing so, specific gaps were identified. By revealing gaps in the literature, the study suggests promising avenues for further research. Finally, this article advances our comprehension of the smart technology literature in marketing and business journals and informs future inquiry in this rapidly evolving domain.

Genre studies as an effective tool for increasing the communicative competence of an education manager

The article is devoted to the topical issue of optimizing programs related to the training of an education manager in order to increase his communicative competence, as well as a “plot” explanation of the importance of the genre studies course in this process. Having analyzed the textbooks and educational management course programs existing in modern pedagogical science with a view to developing the communicative competence of managers, the authors noted that the analysis of their speech behavior remains unexamined. Thus, there is a certain imbalance between the increasing needs for qualified personnel and the lack of innovative approaches in training managers capable of managing tasks, resources, people, information, quality, projects and organizational changes in this area. In terms of speech development of a manager, at best, such disciplines as «speech culture», «pedagogical rhetoric», or training in certain types of speech genres in pedagogical discourse are offered. It is concluded that from a methodology perspective, the mandatory inclusion in management education programs of a genre studies course related to improving the manager’s speech activity and increasing the status of his linguistic personality as the main tool of his information, analytical and practical activities should help correct the current situation.

Design thinking for sustainable development: A bibliometric analysis and case study research

This paper describes the role of Design Thinking (DT) in the context of sustainable development (SD), based on a perceived research need to identify the features which may characterise its deployment, and identify ways via which it may be optimised, especially in the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The main goal of this study is to examine the connection between DT and SD and showcase examples of what has been done to deploy it, using real-case situations. From a methodological perspective, the paper deploys a set of two methods: bibliometric analysis and case studies. Among other findings, the paper shows that DT can be used to help implement the UN SDGs by providing an approach that emphasizes human-centered design. This includes identifying problems, creating user-friendly solutions, and testing them in order to ensure that they are effective. Also, by using DT, companies, organisations, and governments can create low-cost, high-impact, and sustainable solutions to help achieve SDGs such as SDG8, SDG9, SDG12, and SDG13, among others. Overall, DT provides a framework for combining creative and analytical reasoning, specific mindsets, and diverse hands-on tools and techniques to improve critical thinking abilities towards sustainability challenges. The novelty of the paper relies on the fact that the combined use of the two methods allowed the identification of some useful features of DT, which may facilitate its deployment in sustainability contexts. This may assist future studies since it provides a theoretical basis for the field.

Functional gradients reveal cortical hierarchy changes in multiple sclerosis

Functional gradients reveal cortical hierarchy changes in multiple sclerosis

Social Quality Management in the Lens of Philosophy and Methodology of Science

Relevance. Quality problems have been relevant for many centuries. At the same time, quality is viewed from the perspective of various sciences and industries indirectly: as a category identified with any sphere. Quality management is also of interest to many scientists and specialists, but most often in the technical or economic sphere. At the same time, its social aspect is obvious. Moreover, in the context of social management (social) quality management is an effective tool aimed at ensuring and improving the quality of life. However, despite the widespread application and adaptation of (social) quality management in various fields of science and practice, philosophical understanding is presented quite selectively. In this regard, in this study, it is advisable to present social quality management from the perspective of philosophy and methodology of science.Purpose. In the work, the author sets himself the purpose of conducting a comprehensive analysis of social quality management from a philosophical and methodological perspective.Objectives. To achieve this goal, it is relevant to solve the following tasks: analysis of social quality management as a post-non-classical concept of the philosophy of complexity; assessment and interpretation of social quality management in a broad plane of humanitarianism; attempt to define the philosophical understanding of social quality management.Methodology. To achieve this goal, the author uses in his work such methods and methodologies as the theory of complexity (complexity), the semiotic-digital dimension, and the methodology for constructing sociotechnical landscapes of digital reality. Results. The paper presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of social quality management from a philosophical and methodological perspective.Conclusions. Based on the results of the study, the author's understanding of social quality management in a philosophical and methodological context is substantiated; social quality management is presented as a concept of the complexity paradigm; the interrelationships of social quality management and the sociotechnical landscape of digital reality in a single field of modern humanities are established.

Electronic shopping cart abandonment: What do we know and where should we be heading?

This paper aims to systematically review the literature on electronic shopping cart abandonment (ESCA). It analyzes the development of ESCA literature in terms of publication trends, publication outlets, number of citations, methodologies, and theoretical underpinnings. Furthermore, based on the literature synthesis, this review proposes a conceptual framework integrating the widely used antecedents, mediators, and moderators that influence ESCA. The antecedents include customer attributes and website-related factors while research and comparison mediate the relationship between these antecedents and ESCA. Using lexicometric analysis, this SLR identified key themes studied in ESCA literature over time, including customer decision-making criteria, motives and characteristics, online shopping environment, and website attributes. Further, this SLR suggests future research directions to advance ESCA literature from theoretical, contextual, and methodological perspectives. This SLR also suggests strategies for e-retailers and marketers to overcome ESCA. Overall, this review is a silver line in ESCA literature.

Learning from medieval Italy: urban sustainability concepts from the heritage of hydraulic infrastructures. The cases of Venice, Siena and Bologna

PurposeFaced with the growing need to find new viable water supply models for urban areas, this article studies and maps the strategies and identifies the key criteria of sustainable development present in pioneering water supply systems in the medieval period. The main aim is to determine which of its innovative principles could be applied in present-day cities.Design/methodology/approachFrom a methodological perspective, two types of cases were established, such as water supply models for human consumption and pre-industrial hydraulic systems, all of which are located in Italy. For the first group, the cases of Venice and Siena were analysed, while for the second, in the context of the cities along the Aemilian Way, the case of Bologna was selected.FindingsFive key criteria resulted from the analysis of the cases: exploitation, self-sufficiency, maintenance, rationalisation and reuse. The said concepts were defined and contextualised within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals.Originality/valueThe Middle Ages were a historic moment in technological reinvention, before the development of modern systems of sanitation. With very limited resources, these traditional systems focused on rational use and deep cultural and geographical knowledge. This is why its recognition is of great importance today, in a time full of instabilities, with a view to the work that needs to be done for the development of more sustainable communities.

EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE: A METHODOLOGICAL OVERVIEW

This article explores effective strategies for teaching English as a second language (ESL) from a methodological perspective. It discusses various approaches, techniques, and tools that ESL teachers can utilize to enhance language learning outcomes. The paper emphasizes the importance of incorporating diverse methodologies to cater to the varied learning styles and needs of ESL students. It highlights the role of communicative language teaching (CLT) in promoting language proficiency and communicative competence. Additionally, the article discusses the integration of technology in ESL instruction, emphasizing its potential to enhance engagement and facilitate language acquisition. Furthermore, it addresses the significance of cultural sensitivity and awareness in ESL teaching, emphasizing the need for teachers to create inclusive and culturally responsive learning environments. Overall, this article provides valuable insights and practical recommendations for ESL teachers seeking to enhance their teaching methodologies and improve the effectiveness of their language instruction.

Exploring intertemporal decision-making dynamics through functional data analysis: investigating variations in different discount function's dimensions

AbstractIntertemporal preferences are closely related to essential aspects of an individual’s emotional and cognitive domains. Discount functions are used to quantify these preferences, which can help us understand conditions such as addiction, depression, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, traditional parametric models are limited when dealing with intertemporal preferences, mainly when behavioural biases are involved. This study exploits Functional Data Analysis (FDA) to investigate the properties of discount functions in intertemporal choices comparing people suffering from the Hikikomori pathology (a condition that involves social withdrawal) and normal people. Notably, the goal of this research is to look for statistically significant differences in the dynamics of intertemporal decision-making according to different gravity of the Hikikomori condition through the magnified FDA lens on different functional dimensions; the distinctive curves of discount functions categorised by Hikikomori scores prompted a more profound investigation via the so-called augmented functional analysis of variance. The original curves and their derivatives, and the discount rates and their first derivatives provide the different functional dimensions explored. This original approach of analyzing differences between subgroups according to decision-making behaviours is exciting from a methodological and practical perspective.

The Sabbatean syndrome, the messianic idea and Zionism

My research, still in its early stages, proposes a basic methodological and historiographic perspective that transcends particularistic analysis. This perspective challenges the crisis orientation that has dominated Zionist historiography and examines the roots of Zionism that are integral to the Sephardic diaspora. The purpose, conscious or otherwise, of Zionist historiography that detaches the sixteenth from the nineteenth century is to ensure that the mighty process of return to the Jewish homeland is attributed exclusively to Zionism of the modern era. This ignores all the momentous accomplishments of the sixteenth century that heralded a new age in the settlement of Eretz Israel. Most Zionist historiographers attempt to ‘normalize’ history so that anything hinting at redemption is summarily excised. This is the meaning of the historiographic dispute taking place over the past few decades concerning messianism and the history of Jewish settlement of Eretz Israel in the modern era.

Unlocking Circular Solutions: Exploring Multilayer Packaging in Sustainable Waste Management Through Material Flow Analysis and Stakeholder Perspectives ‐ Insights From Denmark

Multilayer packaging (MLP) in post-consumer waste is challenging to sort and process for recycling. It is often composed of a complex mixture of different materials that become contaminated which calls for a solution. Rules on extended producer responsibility for packaging will be enforced by 2025 across the EU. Considering the present situation, the questions arisen are the concerns how solutions to MLP may be built by adopting a more holistic, collaborative approach to creating circular interventions. This study aims to develop a solutions-building methodology for MLP from a value chain perspective and to devise an intervention plan for involved actors. To understand the packaging materials (and packaging waste) imported to, produced on, consumed, and exported from the Danish Island of Bornholm, a material flow analysis (MFA) was performed. This data-driven method uncovered hotspots and where interventions would have the highest impact. Additionally, it was used as a visualization tool at a multi-stakeholder workshop involving value chain actors to discuss future interventions. Results from the workshop showed the widely held perception that MLP separation and recycling is an appropriate 'near future' solution, as keeping the current operations and paying a third party to take care of the waste was the easier option for the producers. A radical innovation would have involved pushing boundaries, challenging conventional thinking, and pursuing ground-breaking ideas that could lead to substantial leaps from a circular perspective. From a methodological perspective, the MFA proved a vital tool for communicating the scale of packaging waste and facilitating discussions on potential interventions. MFA integrating with the results of multistakeholder workshop can lead to knowledge sharing and capacity sharing for stakeholders but cannot, in and of itself, lead to substantial leaps, i.e. radical innovation.

질적 종단 연구 실행 과정 분석을 통한 방법론적 특징과 실천 전략 탐색

This study was conducted to explore the methodological characteristics and practical strategies that emerged during the implementation of qualitative longitudinal research in Korea and, based on this, to discuss the meaning of qualitative longitudinal research from a methodological perspective. We conducted interviews by recruiting 9 researchers(Research participants) who conducted qualitative longitudinal studies in Korea. As a result of the study, methodological characteristics and practical strategies were derived for each implementation process of the qualitative longitudinal study (research planning, composition of the research team, sampling of research participants, data collection, data analysis, and research results). Based on the research results, first, most qualitative longitudinal studies in Korea were planned as substitutes or supplements to quantitative longitudinal studies; second, flexibility and contextual reconstruction are achieved in the research process; and third, it is a systematic and high-stakes research method. The need to form a research team was discussed, and fourthly, the researcher’s experience was utilized during the data analysis process. In addition, by discussing methodological identity, qualitative longitudinal research is defined as “a study in which researchers accompany research participants for a long period of research, meet repeatedly, and cyclically perform the process of collecting, analyzing, and accumulating qualitative data, and aims to understand the change in the subject and the context of the change”.

Systematic Approach to the Construction of a Law-Making Strategy (Using the Example of Strategic Planning of Spatial Development in Russia)

Currently in Russia, lawmaking is carried out according to the model of tactical (ad hoc) response to changing situations, i.e. by introducing many local changes to legislation (for example,  in  2023,  685  federal  and  9  federal  constitutional  laws  were  adopted).  At  the same time, the speed and depth of transformations taking place in the world, as well as the increasing complexity of social relationships, require a transition to a strategic approach, i.e. to the purposeful construction of the future by legal means. The law-making strategy allows us to reduce the variability in the development of legal regulation, so its study is a matter of current interest. The article attempts to study the law-making strategy from the perspective of systemic methodology. This approach allows us to consider the strategy comprehensively, characterize its properties, functions, composition and structure, as well as relationships with the external environment. The theoretical conclusions are illustrated using the example of the formation of a spatial development strategy for Russia. This area of strategic planning is now especially relevant, since it is necessary to respond to new external (sanctions, reorientation of economic relations) and internal (increasing the number of subjects of the Federation, redistribution of logistics flows, the need to ensure technological sovereignty) challenges.  In conclusion, the author draws conclusions about the need to institutionalize the law-making strategy and to ensure a systematic approach in its formation.

Spatio-Temporal Changes and Driving Forces Analysis of Urban Open Spaces in Shanghai between 1980 and 2020: An Integrated Geospatial Approach

Although there is extensive research demonstrating the significant loss and fragmentation of urban spaces caused by rapid urbanization, to date, no empirical research in Shanghai has investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of urban open spaces using a comprehensive set of integrated geospatial techniques based on long-sequence time series. Based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and using the Random Forest (RF) classifier, multiple techniques, namely landscape metrics, trend analysis, open space ratio, transition matrix, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and fractal dimension analysis, were applied to analyze the Landsat satellite data. Next, Geographic Detector (GeoDetector) methods were used to investigate the driving forces of such spatial variations. The results showed that (1) the RF classification algorithm, supported by the GEE, can accurately and quickly obtain a research object dataset, and that calculating the optimal spatial grain size for open space pattern was 70 m; (2) open spaces exhibited declining and contracting trends; and open spaces in the city experienced a decline from 91.83% in 1980 to 69.63% in 2020. Meanwhile, the degree of open spaces in each district increased to different extents, whilst connectivity markedly decreased. Furthermore, the open space of city center districts showed the lowest rate of decrease, with open space patterns fragmenting due to encroaching urbanization; (3) the contribution of socioeconomic factors to the spatial–temporal changes in open space continually has increased over the past 40 years, and were also higher than natural geographic factors to some extent. Apart from offering policy insights guiding the future spatial planning and development of the city, this paper has contributions from both methodological and empirical perspectives. Based on integrated remote sensing and geographic information science (GIS) techniques, this paper provides updated evidence and a clearer understanding of the spatiotemporal variations in urban spaces and their influencing mechanisms in Shanghai.