Nexus Of Culture Research Articles

Beyond magic: Prompting for style as affordance actualization in visual generative media

As a sociotechnical practice at the nexus of humans, machines, and visual culture, text-to-image generation relies on verbal prompts as the primary technique to guide generative models. To align desired aesthetic outcomes with computer vision, human prompters engage in extensive experimentation, leveraging the model’s affordances through prompting for style. Focusing on the interplay between machine originality and repetition, this study addresses the dynamics of human-model interaction on Midjourney, a popular generative model (version 6) hosted on Discord. It examines style modifiers that users of visual generative media add to their prompts and addresses the aesthetic quality of AI images as a multilayered construct resulting from affordance actualization. I argue that while visual generative media holds promise for expanding the boundaries of creative expression, prompting for style is implicated in the practice of generating a visual aesthetic that mimics paradigms of existing cultural phenomena, which are never fully reduced to the optimized target output.

Exploring the nexus of organisational culture and sustainability for green innovation

ABSTRACT Organisations have embraced green innovation, but the desired environmental impacts remain unrealised. We approach this problem by focusing on how a driver of green innovation, sustainability, relates to organisational culture. Prior research suggests that understanding culture is fundamental to managing sustainability, but empirical research relating the two concepts is lacking. Global Reporting Initiative documents and annual reports to shareholders from 197 organisations were examined via content analysis to measure their sustainability strength with the Stages of Sustainability model and to quantify their organisational culture profiles on the Competing Value Framework. Expectedly, organisations oriented towards Hierarchy, and Market typologies were purveyors of weak sustainability. Unexpectedly, Clan organisations were found to reduce weak sustainability while Adhocracy types had no significant effect on sustainability strength. These findings result in implications for shifting organisational culture for strong sustainability. This knowledge can be leveraged in future research to cultivate impactful green innovation.

Integration of Gentry and Merchants in Singapore’s Chinese Community and Their Realist Policies (1877–1941)

In colonial times Chinese merchants in Singapore aspired to the status of gentry, played the role of gentry in society, and performed social functions of gentry. At the same time, some gentry became involved in trade to gain, maintain and expand their power and prestige. We call the phenomenon the integration of gentry and merchants. In the traditional research paradigm scholars have analyzed the phenomenon in terms of national, political, and cultural identity. It is true that Chinese merchant leaders in Singapore of that time considered themselves patriots of China and were devoted to China at heart. But this article reinterprets some aspects of the Chinese diaspora in Singapore. The authors outline three major sources of power: personal business networks, the Chinese government and consulate, the colonial government. To gain power, merchants used five main strategies: expanding cultural nexus of power, interlocking officership, leading political or cultural movement, political loyalty, family legacy and marriage alliances. There were four main organizational models: dialect group association, chamber of Commerce across dialect groups, British-Chinese association, and modern political organizations. Their activities are divided into four types: philanthropic business, political movements, social reform, comprehensive activities. The integration of gentry and merchants and their realist policies reflected social needs, traditional Chinese values and psychological needs. It was the essence of their economic, social and cultural activities to acquire, maintain and expand their wealth, power and prestige.

The rise of urbanism and exchange network: reconstruction of a 4000-year local history of Xinjiang, northwestern China

Urbanization is one of the milestones in the development of human society. Many regions in the southern parts of ‘the old world’ demonstrating an early emergence of agriculture also witnessed the flourishing of some of the earliest cities. Recent, yet still sparse, archaeological evidence appears to indicate a relatively later time for early urbanism in central Eurasia. However, given its vital geographic location and cultural nexus between East and West, more attention should be paid to the sedentary communities and their cities in oases amid the vast droughty desert, particularly in light of the rapidly increasing number of publications on early pastoralism and related communication routes along mountain chains and rivers. This study reveals the trajectory of urbanization and its role in the establishment of an exchange network in Xinjiang’s oasis region via reconstruction of the chronological sequence of the local societal history of the Baiyang River Basin along the southern piedmont of the Eastern Tianshan Mountains. A thorough archaeological investigation and refined radiocarbon dating programme was carried out and coupled with information from historical documentation within a Bayesian statistical framework. The results indicate three pulses of local urbanization during: the Early Iron Age, Tang–Yuan period, and Qing Dynasty, respectively. Combining this with evidence from other parts of Xinjiang, we re-evaluate the role of oasis urbanism in the promotion of trans-regional exchange.

Threads of Influence: Exploring the Nexus of History, Religion, and Culture in Shaping Chinese Women's Political Engagement in Peninsula Malaysia

The multi-ethnic factor has influenced gender-based political parties and culture. Thus, we shed light on how political socialization through indicators of religion, history, and culture influences Chinese women's behavior and political involvement in Peninsular Malaysia. The political participation of Chinese women in Malaysia remains low, as evidenced by the representation of Chinese women in decision-making sectors such as the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) and Parliament. We adopt a qualitative approach through intensive interview techniques with ten purposively selected participants. The primary informants interviewed include female Chinese political representatives, male politicians, academics, and NGO activists. Ultimately, we illustrate how political socialization through cultural, religious, and historical agents influences the political involvement of Chinese women in Peninsular Malaysia. The political culture of Chinese women is not static and has evolved based on contemporary changes before and after independence. The political culture of Chinese women has shifted from referencing Mainland China to survival in Malaya.

Filling the void: arts and culture institutions as socio-political actors in East Jerusalem

ABSTRACT Scholars have explored arts and culture institutions from various perspectives, including gentrification, activism, and economic development. Studies have also demonstrated how arts and culture initiatives are often at the center of conflicts concerning a city’s identity. In an ethno-nationally divided city, the already conflictual role of arts and culture is further exacerbated by national-level politics. However, so far academic literature has neglected this aspect. Our research investigates the nexus of arts, culture, and political engagement in East Jerusalem, exploring how stakeholders in the field of arts and culture perceive their approaches and strategies as political actors in a highly contested urban space. We employ a qualitative research design that builds on a case study methodology and includes in-depth interviews and ethnographic observations, complemented by a print and social media review. Our findings suggest that in contested urban environments such as East Jerusalem, arts and culture institutions cannot uphold a purely aesthetic approach or escape political questions. Nevertheless, urban and civic engagement is understood differently by various stakeholders, on a spectrum from “artistic” to “political.” Findings from this research could facilitate an examination of the role played by arts and culture institutions in other politically charged, ethnically and religiously diverse cities.

Enhancing Workplace Productivity: The Nexus of Organizational Culture and Policies in Public Institutions

Aim – This study aims to explore the intricate interplay between organizational culture, policies, and productivity within a major public institution in Ghana. The primary purpose is to investigate the relationships between organizational policies, characteristics of organizational culture, and non-financial indicators of organizational productivity. Design/methodology/approach – This study utilizes a descriptive survey design, using a sample of 119 respondents randomly selected from a population of 1489 employees. Advanced statistical techniques, including Pearson Correlation and Multiple Linear Regression, are employed to identify relationships and test hypotheses. Findings – The results indicate positive and statistically significant relation-ships between organizational policies, cultural characteristics, and productivi-ty. Multiple linear regression analysis supported the hypothesis, demonstrat-ing a substantial influence of these factors on productivity. Notably, a moder-ate to strong positive correlation was found, highlighting the critical role of organizational culture in fostering improved performance. Limitations – Reliance on self-reported data raises concerns about social de-sirability bias. Additionally, the descriptive survey design allows for the identification of correlations, but causal relationships between variables can-not be established. Practical implications – This research highlights the importance of strategic policies and a supportive culture for public sector productivity. Clear policy implementation, leadership fostering a positive work environment, and en-gagement in policymaking likely enhance performance, particularly within diverse workforces. However, future research should explore causal relation-ships between these factors and productivity for deeper understanding and continuous optimization. Originality/value – This study investigates the combined effects of organiza-tional culture, policy clarity, and employee participation on productivity in a Ghanaian public institution. It contributes to the literature by confirming the positive influence of a supportive culture and well-defined policies, while emphasizing the importance of employee involvement in policy develop-ment. These findings offer practical insights for leaders seeking to enhance productivity in similar contexts.

Editorial

This Special Issue delves into the nexus of pop politics and popular culture, focusing on the employment of cultural symbols and strategies in communication. The articles included discuss the evolution of politainment in the digital age, where social media platforms amplify political messages by blending entertainment with political discourse. The authors highlight concerns regarding the devaluation of political information and its impact on democratic quality. Furthermore, the issue examines how pop politics encourages civic engagement and political awareness, utilizing various mediums for collective action, while cautioning against the potential adverse effects on public discourse. Ultimately, this Special Issue provides multidisciplinary perspectives on the intersection of politics and entertainment, its implications for democracy, and the evolving landscape of political communication.

Exploring the Nexus of Organizational Culture, Digital Capabilities, and Organizational Readiness for Change in Primary School in Digital Transformation: A Quantitative Analysis

<p style="text-align:justify">In the context of Vietnam's primary schools undergoing a digital transformation, this research investigates the relationship between organizational culture (OC), digital capabilities (DC), and organizational readiness (OR) for change. This survey, which employs a quantitative methodology, includes 892 teachers and school managers from different elementary schools. Analyses were conducted using SPSS Statistics 26.0. The study shows a favorable relationship between digital skills and organizational readiness, suggesting that more digitally capable institutions are better equipped to handle change. Furthermore, a significant correlation exists between corporate culture, digital skills, and organizational readiness, indicating that schools with a creative and supportive culture are more prone to embrace digital change. These results advance knowledge of the variables affecting organizational change-readiness in Vietnam's primary school digital transformation. These results also have significant implications for educational policymakers, school administrators, and other stakeholders facilitating digital transformation in primary schools. By recognizing the benefits of digital capabilities and organizational culture for organizational change readiness, decision-makers can implement strategies to foster a supportive culture and enhance digital capabilities within educational institutions, ultimately leading to more successful and effective digital transformation initiatives.</p>

Neglected Agents and the Cultural Nexus of Power within Protestant Churches and Associated Institutions in the Latter Half of the Twentieth Century in Hong Kong

In the latter half of the twentieth century, Protestant churches in Hong Kong and institutions associated with them played a significant role in the daily lives of the people of Hong Kong. However, the role of ordinary people in the social functions of Protestant churches in Hong Kong during this period has rarely been explored in the previous literature. Interpreting several cases from written archives and oral history archives, this study aims to demonstrate how Protestant churches in Hong Kong held special significance as a public place for the ordinary people of the local community, who played an active role in these churches to serve the local community and derived self-satisfaction from doing so. This study also reveals how these local Protestant churches and the associated institutions emerged as a cultural nexus of power along with individuals who contributed to them to provide different types of welfare and social services to the community, which the colonial government in Hong Kong failed to provide.

Exploring Ho Chi Minh City's Coffee Value Chain through the Unique Intersection of Specialty Coffee and Tourism

The study dives into the thriving coffee culture of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and investigates its significant impact on tourism and economic growth. As the world's largest producer of Robusta coffee, Vietnam, notably Da Lat, has emerged as a global coffee production powerhouse, with an increasing emphasis on specialty coffee. The integration of coffee into tourism activities, as well as initiatives to improve quality and sustainability throughout the coffee value chain, demonstrate Vietnam's innovative approach to coffee industry development. The study illuminates the lessons and insights that Vietnam's coffee sector can provide to the global coffee community by investigating the nexus of coffee culture, tourism, and economic empowerment. Vietnam's coffee sector, which combines tradition and innovation, is a fascinating illustration of how coffee can drive economic progress, promote sustainability, and enrich cultural experiences. Vietnam's success has far-reaching ramifications for other coffee-producing countries, providing significant lessons on how to use coffee tourism, improve sustainability standards, and promote economic empowerment for local populations.

The promises of studying cultural archeoastronomy across the Pacific Basin as a new scholarly science education research agenda

Cultural archeoastronomy provides a unique intersection of scholarly study for science education scholars interested in the nexus of science, society, and culture. The study of archeoastronomy as a discipline combines astronomy, anthropology, archeology, celestial navigation, storytelling, navigational hula, and education. As such, it holds great potential as a naturally captivating hook for improving science education teaching efforts, particularly for place-based students who live in regions where sky stories have had tremendously strong influence on the local culture. This perspective calls for discipline-based astronomy education researchers to better understand the interplay between cultural astronomy and effective Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) teaching of diverse students as an important tool for culturally responsive pedagogical approaches.

Diasporic Identity in Contemporary Sinophone Literature: The Role of Language and Cultural Elements.

Amidst the contemporary diasporic landscape in Sinophone literature, this research critically examines the nexus of language, culture, and identity. The study aims to analyze literary pieces composed in Sinophone languages across diverse diasporic communities and uncover the impact of language and cultural elements on the articulation and comprehension of diasporic identity. This paper used the following. comparative and typological research, an in-depth analysis of three Sinophonic texts, and contextual analysis. The subject of the study was three texts: The Joy Luck Club (Amy Tan), Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (Dai Sijie), and The Woman Warrior (Maxine Hong Kingston). The results showed that In The Joy Luck Club, language and cultural facets unveil the characters' dual identity struggles due to living abroad, exemplified through code-switching's psychological tension. Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress utilizes language and cultural details to underscore the significance of preserving heritage within the diaspora, with literary allusions amplifying this endeavor. In The Woman Warrior, language and cultural elements reflect the heroine's inner conflict as she navigates her dual cultural allegiance. This scholarly revelation deepens comprehension of how these aspects influence identity formation in the diaspora. These findings broaden the understanding of Sinophone diasporic literature, spotlighting shared trends in identity portrayal through language and culture. The research has theoretical value for literary, cultural, and anthropological studies and practical significance, potentially informing educational initiatives on diasporic literature and cultural diversity. This study's outcomes hold relevance for students, researchers, and cultural scholars exploring the role of language and culture in diasporic identity expression.

Көне түркілердің отырықшылық тұрмысындағы манихей және несториан діндерінің әсері

The Turkic peoples of Central Asia have long resided at the nexus of Eastern and Western cultures, fusing urban and steppe civilizations with dexterity. Their spiritual life was also strongly influenced by Indian and Persian culture. Indian and Persian cultures first spread to settlements in the Maurennahr and Tarim Basin, and then to small towns and settlements in the foothills of the Semirechye and Erenkabyrga (Tien Shan) mountains. Therefore, Central Asia has become a zone of interweaving of all cultures of the world, including all religions. Different religions spread not only to settled regions, but also to steppes, which led a nomadic lifestyle. In the regions where nomadic Turks lived, small settlements and places of worship were built. Back then, nomads showed respect to anyone who held a religious role. At the same time, for a long time in Central Asia and East Turkestan and neighbouring regions, various cultures and spiritual values of mankind competed closely. This suggests that Central Asia, East Turkestan, and Central Mongolia have evolved geographically as essential components of human civilization since the first century AD. The article discusses how the Manichaean and Nestorian religions, which were prevalent in this area prior to Islam, were viewed by the Turkic people living there and how they fit in with the natural surroundings, social structure, governmental power, etc. The “Yangzhou” and “Monument of the Nine Uighur Khagans” are examples of the widespread adoption of Manichaean and Nestorian religions among the Turks. A linguistic and source examination of these monuments was done.

Mapping the Socioeconomic Nexus of Urbanization, Tea Culture, and Sustainable Tea-based Tourism in Yibin City, Sichuan, China

Mapping the Socioeconomic Nexus of Urbanization, Tea Culture, and Sustainable Tea-based Tourism in Yibin City, Sichuan, China

Social Structures and Family Systems: An Analysis of Cultural Influences

Objective: This narrative review aims to dissect the complex interplay between cultural influences, social structures, and family systems, highlighting how cultural contexts shape and are shaped by social dynamics and family relationships. Methods and Materials: Utilizing a descriptive narrative review methodology, this article synthesizes a wide range of peer-reviewed literature from 2000 to 2023. It employs a comprehensive search strategy across multiple databases, focusing on works that explore the nexus of culture, social structures, and family systems. Findings: The review uncovers significant evidence of the profound impact of cultural norms and values on the formation and functioning of family systems within various social structures. It identifies key patterns of cultural influence across different societal contexts, emphasizing the diversity of family dynamics and social interactions shaped by cultural backgrounds. Conclusion: Recognizing and understanding the cultural underpinnings of social structures and family systems is crucial for developing culturally sensitive theoretical frameworks, effective practices, and inclusive policies. This review underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and cultural competence in addressing the complexities of social and family dynamics in a globalized world.

Exploring the Diplomatic, Social, and Cultural Nexus between Pakistan and Russia in Global Geopolitics

The idea of enduring animosity in international diplomacy is a misconception. Instead, global relations frequently shape new partnerships and diminish old rivalries, altering regional geopolitical dynamics. Pakistan and Russia exemplified this shift during the Cold War accordingly, evolving from separation to extensive cooperation across various sectors. The socio-cultural bonds and diplomatic ties between Russia and Pakistan have significantly influenced the global landscape. However, these connections have evolved due to geopolitical shifts, historical milestones, and regional conflicts, influencing their fluctuating nature. Currently, both countries are engaged in collaborative efforts to bolster their relationship, particularly in critical areas like military cooperation, energy, and regional trade. This research utilized historical methods based on secondary data from assorted research journals. Furthermore, it offers significant findings reshaping foreign policy of ties, regional nuisance, military exchanges, and socio-political and diplomatic touches in international geopolitics. This collaboration marks a significant point in reshaping the geopolitical landscape as Russo-Pakistan navigates this evolving relationship, reflecting the ongoing dynamics of globalism. The present study investigates the relations between Russo-Pakistan and yields substantive suggestions and implications for future diplomatic goals. This research would be supportive to delve into further facets of Russo-Pakistan dimensions and dynamics corresponding to geopolitical nuances. Ultimately, the conclusions of the exploration would play a crucial role in illuminating issues concerning peace, friendliness, and harmony within the global realm. Consequently, the results would also pave the way for future investigations. It facilitates the opportunity to input new paths for upcoming erudite scholars, research proficients, and foreign policy experts.

Advanced Digital Tools for Data-Informed and Performance-Driven Design: A Review of Building Energy Consumption Forecasting Models Based on Machine Learning

Cities and buildings represent the core of human life, the nexus of economic activity, culture, and growth. Although cities cover less than 10% of the global land area, they are notorious for their substantial energy consumption and consequential carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. These emissions significantly contribute to reducing the carbon budget available to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change. In this context, the designers’ role is crucial to the technical and social response to climate change, and providing a new generation of tools and instruments is paramount to guide their decisions towards sustainable buildings and cities. In this regard, data-informed digital tools are a viable solution. These tools efficiently utilise available resources to estimate the energy consumption in buildings, thereby facilitating the formulation of effective urban policies and design optimisation. Furthermore, these data-driven digital tools enhance the application of algorithms across the building industry, empowering designers to make informed decisions, particularly in the early stages of design. This paper presents a comprehensive literature review on artificial intelligence-based tools that support performance-driven design. An exhaustive keyword-driven exploration across diverse bibliographic databases yielded a consolidated dataset used for automated analysis for discerning the prevalent themes, correlations, and structural nuances within the body of literature. The primary findings indicate an increasing emphasis on master plans and neighbourhood-scale simulations. However, it is observed that there is a lack of a streamlined framework integrating these data-driven tools into the design process.

Ethnographic Analysis of Nexus about Migration and Culture in Global Perspective

Labour migration from India to Gulf countries is the result of the consequence of globalization by process, determinants and consequences in the first century. Therefore, the present study is based on the study of the nexus of migration and culture in the context of labour migration from Uttar Pradesh to Gulf countries under an ethnographic approach through conducting field works in Uttar Pradesh as root, Mumbai as transit destination and United Arab Emirates as the international destination from November 2017 to December 2019. The findings of the study show that there is an interconnection between internal and international migration by penetration of globalization of culture of migration from Uttar Pradesh to the Gulf via Mumbai. These consequences developed as a safe zone concept of migration due to the depth penetration of cultural migration from Uttar Pradesh. The consequences of the safe zone concept may be defined as the depth penetration of the culture of migration from India to Gulf countries as the consequence of globalization.

Unveiling the behavioral nexus of innovative organizational culture: Identification and affective commitment of teachers in primary schools

ABSTRACT A rigorous revision of the current body of literature is required to obtain an accurate assessment of the impact of innovative organizational culture on teachers’ identification and affective commitment in primary school environments. The current literature requires more investigation into the mediating function of teachers’ identification in the relationship between innovative culture and teachers’ affective commitment. This underscores the necessity for a more comprehensive comprehension of this mediating mechanism. Therefore, through combining two theoretical frameworks, Behavioral Commitment Theory (BCT) and Social Identity Theory (SIT), this study delves into the intricate psychological interplay between innovative organizational culture and its influence on teachers’ sense of identification and affective commitment in primary schools, which could provide insight into more understanding of this phenomenon. By surveying 432 teachers, this study sought to discern the direct impacts of an innovation-driven culture on teachers’ organizational identification and affective commitment and the potential mediating role of this identification. The findings of this study, which were inferred from the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), illuminate that an innovative atmosphere significantly resonates with teachers’ identification and affective commitment. Additionally, this identification emerges as a bridge that further intensifies teachers’ emotional bond (affective commitment) with their institution in the context of innovation culture. This research contributes valuable insights for educational institutions and provides practical implications for students, teachers, and schools, while highlighting certain constraints and avenues for future exploration.