Digital technologies pervade the lives of many people in Switzerland. This increasing digital datafication brings opportunities but also risks like algorithmization, dataveillance, and related to this, threats to subjective well-being. In my dissertation, I argue that individuals cope with such risks by engaging in different practices. To investigate these practices, I use a mixed-methods research design. Using representative surveys, I show that social inequalities are related to digital skills and internet usage over time, and also that being aware of a risk, feeling affected by it, and having the necessary skills are crucial for applying self-help strategies to cope with it. Using qualitative interviews, I show that individuals’ dataveillance imaginaries play a central role in the self-inhibition of digital communication, and also that resistance to digital technologies can be a way to deal with their omnipresence. From these findings, I derive an integrated conceptual framework, which illustrates that internet users actively negotiate their use of digital technologies through digital practices and sheds light on the factors associated with this process. By doing so, this dissertation advances critical discussions around individuals’ digital technology use and provides the basis for evidence-based policy strategies aiming at a more inclusive digitized society.

Adaptive job recrafting of gig workers: Concept, measurement, and validation of its impact on job satisfaction.

Purpose This research was performed to get a better understanding of social safety factors that impact students pursuing higher education degrees in engineering and technology fields and to understand what might be done to encourage students to begin and then complete the degrees. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods research design was used to examine student perceptions of social safety within engineering and technology-related academic programs. A survey that incorporated both quantitative and qualitative data was developed and administered via Qualtrics. The survey underwent an alpha and a beta version. Likert-scale questions assessed perceptions of respect, support and experiences with bias or discrimination within academic settings. Demographic questions were left open-ended, allowing students to self-identify using their own terms for gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion and academic program. Open-ended questions were also used for students to provide detailed qualitative information about their personal social safety experiences. Findings Social safety and comfort levels reported by students include notable gender-based differences. When examined solely by religious affiliation, notable differences in comfort levels were observed. Students’ comfort within academic environments is shaped not only by structural or demographic factors but also by a variety of personal and internal experiences. Imposter syndrome and social anxiety were the most prevalent. Social and cultural factors most prevalent were instructor personality and academic pressure. The most impactful factors in supporting student comfort include inclusive pedagogical practices such as clear expectations, a welcoming atmosphere, encouragement of questions and celebration of success. Research limitations/implications The research investigates how institutional frameworks and personal relationships between students and faculty members affect students’ academic experiences in engineering and technology higher education. It establishes that social safety development stands as a fundamental requirement instead of an optional factor for student engagement and academic persistence. The research uses student perspectives to reveal institutional obstacles and also to recommend methods for building more socially safe academic spaces. Practical implications The results of this research can be used by higher education faculty, administrators and even students to better understand impacts on social safety in engineering and technology fields, including when differing demographics play a role and also offers practical and actionable recommendations for improvement by the student survey participants. Social implications The results of this research help express disparities in social safety based on gender, ethnicity and other personal characteristics. It demonstrates that there are various personal as well as structural barriers that impede a sense of comfort and social safety and offers recommendations for addressing them. Originality/value The research provides an original contribution through its study of social safety, which combines psychological internal factors with external structural elements, in STEM fields in dual-mission higher education. The research examines how gender identity, ethnicity and religion interact to produce specific patterns of student comfort and bias. The research identifies essential personal, classroom and environmental factors that affect student’s sense of belonging and offers practical recommendations from the survey participants, which helps advance STEM education equity understanding and creates a framework for future assessment and institutional improvement.

The proliferation of Shared Contact Centre Services (SCCs) across public and private sectors in the Eastern Cape reflects a broader global trend toward centralized service delivery. However, the conceptual underpinnings of SCCs particularly in relation to synergy, competitive advantage, and definitional precision remain underexplored. This study examines the synergistic interface between SCCs and organisational business units, with a focus on their collective impact on organisational performance, strategic competitiveness, and customer service within the Eastern Cape Provincial Administration. Anchored in the Attention-Based View (ABV) and informed by synergy theory, the research adopts a sequential Mixed Methods Research (MMR) design. A qualitative constructionist methodology enabled the co-creation of contextual insights, while quantitative analysis facilitated triangulation, enhancing the reliability and generalisability of findings across South African provincial contexts. The study culminated in the development of a multidimensional conceptual framework for evaluating synergy, structured around six core dimensions: strategic alignment, process integration, technological enablement, performance metrics, customer centricity, and continuous improvement. The empirical findings demonstrated that the proposed framework significantly enhances interdepartmental collaboration, communication, and knowledge exchange, thereby improving productivity, employee engagement, and organisational health. Furthermore, the framework contributes to elevated customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention factors that collectively drive revenue growth and market expansion. By mitigating operational silos and fostering strategic coherence, the framework enables organisations to systematically assess SCC performance, identify areas for optimisation, and align service delivery with overarching corporate strategy to maximise customer value.

Introduction This study investigates classroom silence among Chinese and Korean undergraduates using an integrated cultural–psychological model. Drawing on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, Cramer’s defense mechanism theory, and Fredricks’ engagement framework, classroom silence is conceptualized as both a culturally adaptive practice and a psychologically mediated form of participation. Methods Survey data from 913 Chinese and 189 Korean students were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), structural equation modeling (SEM), and multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) modeling to validate the measurement structure, evaluate the hypothesized relationships, and assess demographic influences. Results Speaking anxiety and contextual rigidity emerged as the strongest positive predictors of classroom silence, whereas self-efficacy had the strongest negative effect and served as a key mediator linking environmental and peer factors to silence. Cross-cultural comparisons showed that Chinese students’ silence was primarily shaped by hierarchical, teacher-centered classroom structures, whereas Korean students’ silence was more influenced by gender norms and peer-group expectations. The interaction between self-efficacy and contextual constraints was significant only among Chinese students, indicating cultural variation in coping responses. Discussion These findings extend cultural and engagement theories by demonstrating that classroom silence functions as a regulated participation strategy rather than mere disengagement. Pedagogically, the results highlight the importance of fostering students’ expressive self-efficacy, reducing excessive teacher authority, and promoting supportive peer environments. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and unequal group sizes. Longitudinal or mixed-methods research is recommended to examine the developmental pathways of classroom silence across cultural contexts.

As the boundaries between work and leisure continue to blur, purposeful workplace play has gained recognition as a strategic human resource (HR) practice associated with enhanced employee engagement, creativity and performance. However, empirical evidence on its outcomes remains inconclusive. This systematic review of 35 peer-reviewed studies (1984–2024) synthesizes current scholarship on workplace play within human resource management (HRM) contexts. Findings reveal that play is a multifaceted and context-sensitive phenomenon, shaped by individual dispositions, team dynamics, leadership approaches and organizational culture. When authentically integrated into the workplace, play fosters well-being, innovation and collaboration. Conversely, when coercively imposed, it may generate cynicism and undermine trust. Theoretical insights in this domain remain fragmented, primarily dominated by psychological paradigms such as conservation of resources and social exchange theory, with limited engagement from cultural, institutional or paradox perspectives. This review advances a future research agenda that encourages multi-level theorization, cross-disciplinary integration and the use of longitudinal and mixed-method research designs. For HR practitioners, the findings underscore the importance of designing play initiatives that are voluntary, meaningful and contextually grounded, thereby aligning employee well-being and organizational objectives.

Background: Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with a treatment gap exceeding 85% in low-resource settings like Nigeria. Gamified digital interventions, which integrate game design elements into evidence-based therapies, present a promising avenue to enhance engagement and efficacy in mental health care. Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the implementation, acceptability, and effectiveness of gamified interventions for depression within the Nigerian context. Methods: A comprehensive systematic review and analysis of studies conducted in Nigeria between 2020 and 2025 was performed. We synthesized data from randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and mixed-methods research, focusing on depression symptom severity (measured by PHQ-9 and HAM-D), treatment adherence, and user engagement metrics. Results: Findings indicate that gamified interventions are effective in reducing symptoms of depression. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-based gamified apps significantly reduced PHQ-9 scores (mean reduction: 4.2 points; 95% CI: -5.1 to -3.3). Interventions incorporating social interaction elements demonstrated superior outcomes (β = -0.65, p < 0.01). Furthermore, gamification led to markedly higher intervention completion rates (78% vs. 52% for standard care, p < 0.01) and user satisfaction (85% vs. 62%, p < 0.01). Key facilitators included cultural adaptation and the use of relatable narratives, while barriers were infrastructural limitations and variable digital literacy. Conclusion: Gamified interventions represent a viable and effective adjunctive treatment for depression in Nigeria. They demonstrate significant potential to bridge the mental health treatment gap by improving accessibility, engagement, and clinical outcomes. Future work should focus on long-term efficacy studies, deeper cultural customization, and sustainable integration into primary healthcare systems.

This study explores the knowledge, preparedness, challenges, and strategies related to electrical safety practices among residents of Barangay Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, a disaster-prone coastal community in the Philippines. Using a mixed-method research design, the study employed structured surveys, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. Descriptive statistics revealed that residents were slightly knowledgeable and slightly prepared to implement electrical safety practices, with notable deficiencies in areas such as grounding systems, proper use of extension cords, and emergency planning. Thematic analysis identified key challenges, including limited knowledge of electrical safety, insufficient tools and preparedness, lack of proactive safety measures, and resource constraints. Pearson correlation analysis indicated a strong positive relationship between residents’ knowledge and preparedness, highlighting the importance of education in fostering readiness to address electrical hazards. The study recommends enhancing community knowledge through targeted education programs, building capacity for emergency preparedness via hands-on training and affordable tools, and addressing resource constraints through financial assistance and subsidies for certified materials and professional services. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for stricter enforcement of electrical safety standards and further research to explore external factors affecting electrical safety practices. By addressing these gaps, the study aims to improve residents’ ability to maintain safe electrical installations, reduce risks, and strengthen community resilience in disaster-prone environments. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and program implementers in designing effective interventions to promote electrical safety.

This study examines the pedagogical differences between digital natives and digital immigrants in the context of artificial intelligence (AI) supported teaching strategies. Using mixed methods research design, teachers' adoption processes of AI tools were analyzed through quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (interviews and classroom observations) data collection techniques. The findings show that digital natives adapt to AI-supported teaching methods faster, while digital immigrants struggle in this process due to lack of technical knowledge and pedagogical habits. AI tools have the potential to reduce teachers' workload, create individualized learning environments and increase student achievement. However, for the effective integration of AI technologies, teacher training programs need to be strengthened, technical support mechanisms need to be established, and more comprehensive regulations on data privacy issues need to be made. The results of the study suggest that educational policies should be restructured in line with AI-supported pedagogical transformation.

Explore the extended impacts on psychological well-being in older adults through application of virtual reality technology: An integrative review.

Purpose This study aims to uncover the role of teacher professional capital (PC) in developing distributed leadership (DL) practices at Turkish public schools. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design. The quantitative phase included a stratified sample of 394 teachers. The qualitative findings reflected the insights of six purposefully selected school principals from the same research site. Findings The results revealed a strong and positive relationship between teachers’ PC and DL. Notably, PC scores significantly predicted 76% of the variance in DL practices. Qualitative findings highlighted the importance of trust-based leadership, shared responsibility and support for teacher development, alongside structural and cultural barriers. Leadership styles, teacher agency and school culture emerged as key contextual factors shaping the enactment of DL. Originality/value The paper expands the existing knowledge base regarding the role of teacher PC in promoting DL practices in centralized educational systems. Incorporating perspectives from both educators and administrators within the school offers valuable insights to policymakers, practitioners and researchers.

The present research is an empirical study that examined how leadership practice was associated with the work-life balance (WLB) among migrant workers working in the Employment Permit System (EPS) in South Korea. By applying a mixed-method research design, the data were gathered through surveys and qualitative interviews of migrant workers in different industries, such as manufacturing and agriculture. The results reveal that both the transformational and servant styles of leadership have a positive and significant correlational relationship to the better outcomes of WLB. On the contrary, there is no significant or even weak connection between transactional leadership and transactional leadership. Supervisor empathy and supervisor flexibility are found to be the crucial moderating variables that enhance the positive influence of constructive leadership in the investigations. The structural limitations, which pose a significant obstacle to WLB, comprise limitations of mobility on job change, cultural adjustment, and working excessive hours. The research concludes that supportive leadership has the potential to alleviate the negative impact of a demanding structural environment to a large extent. Practical implications are presented, stating that cross-cultural leadership training is required, reforms of organizational policies in order to provide flexibility, and the role of the government involves the enforcement of labor standards and changes of visa policies in order to safeguard the welfare of migrant workers.

Maintaining a clean and orderly school environment is essential for promoting student well-being, fostering positive learning outcomes, and strengthening a culture of discipline and responsibility. Recognizing recurring issues in campus cleanliness, Cantabaco National High School implemented a Project-Based Housekeeping Program integrated with Lean Six Sigma’s DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) framework. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this combined approach in improving cleanliness standards, enhancing student involvement, and supporting sustainable school-wide hygiene practices. The study employed a mixed-method research design using surveys, on-site cleanliness audits, interviews, and document reviews. Quantitative data were gathered from standardized cleanliness assessment checklists across classrooms, restrooms, and common areas, while qualitative insights were collected from teachers, students, and non-teaching staff. The Lean Six Sigma DMAIC framework directed the process improvement cycle, facilitating the methodical identification of issues, assessment of conditions, root-cause analysis, execution of enhancements, and evaluation of results. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to interpret the data. Findings revealed a significant improvement in overall cleanliness scores after the implementation of the Project-Based Housekeeping Program. Classrooms and common areas displayed higher compliance with hygiene standards, while restrooms showed marked progress due to enhanced resource allocation. Students reported increased awareness of sanitation practices, accountability, and collaborative engagement. Teachers and staff noted better organization, more efficient cleaning routines, and a stronger culture of shared responsibility. The DMAIC framework played a crucial role in addressing bottlenecks, standardizing procedures, and ensuring consistency. The study finds that combining project-based learning with Lean Six Sigma methods is a good way to make schools cleaner and teach students how to be leaders, work together, and care for the environment. To sustain and expand these gains, the school is encouraged to institutionalize the program, provide continuous training, strengthen stakeholder collaboration, conduct regular audits, and ensure adequate cleaning resources. The model developed in this study may serve as a replicable framework for other schools seeking scalable, structured, and sustainable approaches to campus cleanliness and hygiene management.

Abstract The motivation for this mixed-methods research comes from the experiences of a PhD amid participant observation on courses of a master’s Program in Higher Education from a university in Central America. Natural Language Processing is used on students’ communication exchanges from WhatsApp groups, allowing to gain insights on the overall sentiment during the 11 courses of the program from 2024. Robotic Process Automation is employed to monitor the progress without much manual effort using Python, whose code is exposed as part of the article. The focus is then placed on the micro-curriculum due to its relatively agile characteristics. Further findings trigger a wider exercise, as a second research phase, where students from all the university faculties are invited to voluntarily and anonymously answer a questionnaire based on the exploration from the first phase, with the objective of discovering key opportunities to improve the quality of the curriculum evaluation process, with emphasis on the student perspective. As part of the results, the university strengths are identified, while also recognizing key opportunities: better introduction of the mechanisms offered for suggesting improvements; promotion of open feedback from students to the professors and administrative personnel, including an increased accessibility of the latter; and necessary adjustments to the standard course evaluation form in Moodle, to increase its usefulness. Overall, highlighting the importance of student participation in the curriculum development. The study applies an exploratory to descriptive sequential design, providing the means for simplified reusability and comparability in similar projects with other higher education institutions.

The performance of sewer systems in developing urban areas faces significant challenges due to inadequate maintenance prioritisation frameworks. This study developed a comprehensive maintenance management prioritisation model to enhance the performance of sewer systems in Arusha Central Business District (CBD), Tanzania. Using a mixed-methods research design, the study assessed six sewer sections to identify critical factors affecting maintenance prioritisation through Relative Importance Index (RII) analysis. A multiple regression model was developed and validated to predict maintenance priority scores based on eight key factors: structural deterioration, traffic load impact, population served, pipe age, pipe depth, hydraulic capacity, pipe material, and pipe diameter. The regression model demonstrated strong predictive power with R² = 0.774, explaining 77.4% of the variance in maintenance priority scores (F = 23.480, p < 0.001). Among the factors, structural deterioration (β = 0.842), traffic load impact (β = 0.716), and population served (β = 0.499) emerged as the most significant predictors. Application of the model to six sewer sections in Arusha CBD ranked Soko-kuu as the highest priority (score = 6.028), followed by Kaloleni (4.964), Makao Mapya (4.464), Ngarenaro (3.531), Arusha Technical (2.182), and Bondeni (0.181). Validation testing showed excellent predictive accuracy with a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.47 and a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.6 on a priority score scale ranging from 0.181 to 6.028, confirming the model's reliability for maintenance prioritisation decisions. The study concludes that systematic, evidence-based maintenance prioritisation significantly improves sewer system performance and resource allocation efficiency. The developed model provides stakeholders with practical tools for proactive maintenance planning, ultimately reducing system failure risks and enhancing service delivery. These findings contribute valuable insights for sewer maintenance management in similar developing contexts and establish a framework for sustainable urban infrastructure management.

The commitment to adopt financial inclusion as a major element of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) by member countries of the G20 speaks volumes of the indispensable role of finance. Specifically, the SGDs agenda of employment creation, hunger elimination and poverty reduction would be addressed when the informal economy is captured into mainstream finance. This study investigated how the provision of financial credit by an NGO (Sinapi Aba Trust-SAT) contributes to the growth and development of SMEs in Ghana. The study employed a mixed-method research strategy and found that SAT’s products and services are competitive and lead to the growth and development of SMEs in the Kumasi Metropolis. Particularly, the study established a positive relationship between the amount/frequency of loans taken and business expansion/increases in annual turnover, with values recorded at 0.330, 0.482 and 0.700 for low, moderate and high values, respectively. This implies that there is a correlation between NGO financing, SMEs growth and development. Consequently, the study recommends the inclusion of the SAT financial model in development financing. SME owners need to adopt the SAT model of financing as it has been instrumental for the growth and development of SMEs in Ghana. SAT should adopt participatory approaches by creating customer forums, feedback sessions, and periodic surveys to ensure products are tailored to the dynamic needs of SME operators.

This research explores how individuals perceive eco-sustainable future scenarios and the role of perceived costs and benefits in shaping pro-environmental intentions. Using a mixed-methods approach, we analyzed qualitative and quantitative data from 141 participants exposed to written scenarios depicting eco-sufficiency or eco-efficiency as models for future societies. Participants identified environmental, social, financial, and health-related benefits, but also costs related to financial constraints, reduced comfort, and perceived restrictions on freedom. Regression analyses revealed that perceived desirability of the scenarios significantly predicted individual and collective pro-environmental intentions, with eco-sufficiency scenarios fostering stronger engagement. The study also highlights that age and perceived psychological distance of climate change influence how individuals evaluate such future visions. These findings contribute to understanding how collective action for sustainability emerges, showing that fostering shared positive visions of the future and addressing perceived barriers can strengthen individual and collective engagement in climate and biodiversity initiatives.

With the acceleration of urbanization and modernization, rural cultural heritage is facing unprecedented challenges. In order to effectively protect and inherit these precious cultural resources, this paper systematically analyzes the application strategies of digital technology in the protection of rural cultural heritage and puts forward a comprehensive solution from three dimensions: technical empowerment, policy guarantee, and community participation. In this study, the mixed research method is used to analyze the related data of heritage projects through structural equation modeling (SEM) and long-term and short-term memory network (LSTM) models. The authors found that there was a significant correlation between technical accuracy and protection effect (r = 0.78 * * *). Community participation has the strongest explanatory power to economic benefits (r=0.92***), and it may have an indirect impact through the path of “cultural identity → product innovation” (β=0.68). This study provides theoretical support and practical reference for the sustainable development of rural cultural heritage.

Background: Radiologic procedures are essential in today's healthcare system, affecting the whole process from diagnosis through treatment to recovery. The radiologic competency of the hospital, the risk management strategy, and the patient education will all depend on the imaging results. Hence, it is a must to know the radiology-nursing interaction in order to increase safety, improve communication and recovery outcomes. Objective: The review was intended to highlight the current practices, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in clinical and patient-centered outcomes by evaluating the impact of diagnostic as well as interventional radiologic procedures on nursing care planning and patient recovery. Methods: The authors performed a narrative literature review using PubMed and Google Scholar to locate peer-reviewed articles that were published within the time frame of January 2020 to September 2024. The search was done by employing the combination of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and free-text keywords related to radiologic procedures, nursing care, and patient recovery. The articles that were chosen for inclusion in the review were the ones that had provided quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research, systematic reviews, and clinical guidelines centered on nursing roles in imaging, interdisciplinary coordination, and recovery outcomes. Results: The data extracted resulted in the identification of five main themes: 1) clinical nursing roles in pre- and post-procedure care, 2) interventional radiology and patient monitoring, 3) communication and education strategies, 4) technological integration, including informatics and imaging analytics, and 5) space barriers of limited training, ethical concerns, and communication gaps. It is a common viewpoint that the coordination of radiologic-nursing practices leads to an increase in the safety, satisfaction, and recovery of patients, but the total implementation across all hospitals is still in progress. Conclusion: Radiologic procedures are vital not only in the nursing care process but also in the recovery outcomes. To maximize the impact of radiology on nursing, comprehensive training, interdisciplinary coordination, and consistent hospital policies across departments are few of the ways

The Industrial Internet of Things has enhanced automation, real-time monitoring, and predictive decision-making in modern industries. The study explores the mixed research methods (qualitative and quantitative). However, the growing connectivity of industrial IoT systems has exposed them to severe cyber threats such as Ransomware, MitM, and DDoS attacks, which can disrupt critical operations and compromise safety. Conventional Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) often face limitations in achieving high accuracy, rapid detection, and low latency while minimizing false alarms. This study proposes a CNN-Fuzzy Logic hybrid model for real-time intrusion detection and prevention in industrial IoT environments. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) are employed to extract deep hierarchical features from industrial IoT traffic, while fuzzy logic is integrated to enhance decision-making under uncertainty and reduce false positives. The model was trained and evaluated using Kaggle cybersecurity datasets containing ransomware, MitM, and DDoS attacks. Performance evaluation demonstrates that the CNN-Fuzzy IDS achieves an accuracy of 92.5%, a detection rate of approximately 93%, a false positive rate (FPR) of 2.51%, a reduced latency with an average of 7.14% total latency (which corresponds to 1.207 µsec average latency) is very acceptable for most industrial IoT applications. These results highlight the effectiveness of hybrid intelligent systems in enhancing the resilience and reliability of industrial IoT cybersecurity. The proposed model provides a promising pathway for deploying scalable, adaptive, and real-time IDS solutions in critical industrial infrastructures. On system computational overhead researchers should employ a minimum practical setup with modern multi-core CPU, 8–16 GB RAM, SSD, stable OS (Windows 10 only if hardware is modern) or run a lightweight Linux on edge plus offload heavy tasks elsewhere. Future research should also focus on optimizing hybrid ML architectures for low performance metrics for deployment of resource-constrained industrial IoT devices, integrating the approach for threat detection, and expanding evaluation to real-world industrial environments.