Purpose This study aims to examine what are the different configurations of organisational and individual factors that are associated with high job performance within small and medium-sized organisations (SMOs). In doing so, this study highlights what are the optimal combinations for achieving such performance. Design/methodology/approach A confirmatory factor analysis was first conducted to validate measurement models and assess convergent and discriminant validity using average variance extracted criteria. A configurational approach was then applied using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) with the QCA package in R 4.3.0. This method, based on equifinality and Boolean algebra, identifies multiple causal pathways leading to high job performance. Findings High job performance in SMOs typically emerges from combined effects of key resources. Self-esteem and decision authority are key, supporting high job performance even when other key factors are limited. Psychological well-being also plays an important role. Skill utilisation and job promotion contribute to performance, but it can also be achieved in their absence. Teleworking shows a context-dependent effect, with most high-performance configurations occurring without it. Research limitations/implications The study is limited by its cross-sectional, self-reported and a restricted set of variables, indicating the need for future research. Practical implications The findings are especially relevant for SMOs navigating uncertain and changing environments, offering concrete insights into fostering high job performance through flexible and context-sensitive resource combinations. Originality/value Theoretically, this study advances a multilevel, integrative framework for understanding high job performance in SMOs, highlighting how distinct configurations of organisational and individual resources jointly influence high job performance.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of knowledge stock in the national-level emergence of tech scaleups from a configurational perspective. While prior research has recognized the importance of knowledge stock in the emergence of high-growth firms and examined elements of entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs), its predominant reliance on econometric models has yielded a fragmented understanding, leaving unclear how knowledge stock combines with EE resource endowments to support such emergence. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship and ecosystem thinking, this study integrates aggregate data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor and Startup Genome. The authors construct a cross-national data set covering 31 countries and apply fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis. Findings The results of this study reveal that knowledge stock plays a systemically important and consistently prominent role across high-emergence pathways; its influence is contingent upon the broader resource endowments of EE; and compared with resource endowments of EE, knowledge stock exhibits lower causal asymmetry, suggesting a relatively more stable role. Originality/value This study advances the literature on the geography of high-growth entrepreneurship by moving beyond single-factor econometric approaches to examine how knowledge stock interacts with other EE resources in national contexts. Using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis, the authors identify multiple resource configurations that enable tech scaleup emergence, reveal the context-dependent nature of knowledge stock’s impact and demonstrate its lower causal asymmetry relative to other resources. These insights refine theoretical understanding of how different resource combinations jointly foster high-growth entrepreneurship.

Purpose When women's most common biological experience meets institutional silence, it reveals how menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) is treated even within female-dominated professions such as teaching. Despite growing attention to workplace MHH research, qualitative evidence into how menstruation is institutionally managed in educational settings remains limited. This study addresses this gap by examining how menstruation is positioned within schools, focusing on millennial female teachers of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Design/methodology/approach The study employs a qualitative design using semi-structured interviews with 32 millennial female higher-secondary school teachers (both government and private). Thematic analysis followed Braun and Clarke's (2006) six-phase framework, guided by an integrated analytical approach to capture behavioural, institutional and socio-cultural influences on MHH. Findings The findings reveal that menstrual experiences in schools are shaped by the convergence of professional expectations, perceived health considerations, organizational routines and gendered norms, rather than by individual or infrastructural constraints alone. Expectations of uninterrupted performance and bodily self-regulation render menstruation institutionally peripheral, despite its routine physiological nature, reinforcing silence and coping practices within schools. Research limitations/implications The study advances theoretically by advancing workplace MHH scholarship in two key ways. First, it responds directly to a persistent gap identified in the existing literature, the limited sector-specific theorization of menstruation within work environments and the absence of frameworks that account for behavioural, institutional and gendered mechanisms simultaneously. Second, the study advances workplace MHH and gender-inclusive organizational literature by showing that these mechanisms reinforce within the everyday functioning of a female-majority profession. Practical implications The findings offer practical insights for school management and policymakers to develop gender-responsive institutional practices and carry broader social relevance by challenging the normalization of menstrual silence within educational environments. Social implications Socially, the findings underscore the role of schools in either reproducing or challenging menstrual stigma beyond the workplace. Originality/value This is among the first to examine MHH in the education sector, offering a sector-specific and institutionally grounded contribution to workplace MHH research, positioning menstruation as a relevant organizational and equity issue in schools rather than a private matter of individual management.

ABSTRACT Teacher turnover remains a persistent challenge in education, yet research often overlooks the complex and configural nature of its antecedents. Addressing this gap, this study examines how principal emotional support and key teacher psychological factors interact in configurations associated with teacher turnover intention. Data were collected from 426 primary school teachers in northern Malaysia and fuzzy set–qualitative comparative analysis was applied. The findings identified three categories comprising seven distinct configurations of conditions linked to higher teacher turnover intention: (1) motivational deficit paths; (2) aspiration-driven paths; and (3) burnout paths. Counterintuitive findings emerged. When principal emotional support and teacher affective commitment are high, teacher turnover intention remains elevated. The results support the notion that no single factor alone is sufficient to explain teacher turnover intention. This study challenges linear assumptions and underscores the value of viewing teacher turnover through a configural lens. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

ABSTRACT Adversity explicitation is the verbalization of the covert adversity textual meaning in translation. This paper reports a case study of the Chinese stereotypical adversative 但 “but” as the translation explicitation from the source language of English. The study is carried out on corpora of three different genres: international legislation, financial editorial, and public speech. The quantitative results show adversity explicitation as genre-general as well as genre-specific. The qualitative analysis then attributes genre-specific adversity explicitations to the “imported” intersubjectivity argumentation in international legislation and to the hybridization of this discourse meaning with lexico-grammatical and pragmatic features of the target language. Genre-general adversity explicitations are attributed to English–Chinese contrasts in information structuring. Chinese adversity explicitations can be the choices by the translator to recreate the topic continuity and asymmetric information structure in discourse. The findings of this study suggest how discourse context decides the language pair-specific type of explicitation. It is argued that a motivated and adequate explanation for translation explicitation should be in the framework of cross-linguistic contrasts in genre norms and information structure.

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of a digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based intervention to improve well-being in medical students. The authors conducted a 16-week randomized (1:1) controlled trial of a digital CBT-based intervention (OptimalWork) compared to a podcast listening control in medical students. Both interventions were fully remote, self-paced, and designed to take 10-15min per day, 5days per week for 4weeks. Primary outcomes were feasibility and acceptability; measures of impact included flourishing (Flourish Index) and burnout (Professional Fulfillment Index) at 8weeks. Qualitative analysis of open-ended feedback and exit interviews was performed to understand participants' experience with the intervention, as well as barriers and facilitators of implementation. Thirty-five medical students were enrolled and randomized. The OptimalWork group showed improvements in work engagement, burnout, anxiety, and stress, and an increase in overall flourishing. Dropout rates were high in both arms (46% by 4weeks, 56% by 16weeks), with lower baseline work engagement and higher stress predicting attrition. Qualitative analysis revealed that students who completed OptimalWork found it feasible, relevant, and helpful, while participants who dropped out cited time constraints and difficulty with daily habit formation. This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of delivering a CBT-based digital intervention designed to improve well-being at work for medical students and offers insights into barriers and facilitators that can guide implementation efforts. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06914843 (July 24, 2024, retrospectively registered).

ABSTRACT This study explores how non-hijabi Muslim women in Jordan construct and negotiate their identities within a culturally conservative context where veiling is often equated with religiosity and moral virtue. Drawing on a Discursive Psychology framework, this qualitative research analyses a group interview with four participants, highlighting their rhetorical and discursive strategies: Stake Inoculation, Script Formulation, and Extreme Case Formulations. These strategies reveal how participants manage societal expectations, resist stereotypes, and assert agency while redefining religiosity as an internal and behavioural quality rather than an external marker. Findings highlight the participants’ emphasis on spiritual sincerity and readiness in approaching the hijab, reframing it as a personal journey rather than a societal obligation. By situating their experiences within familial and cultural contexts, participants navigate the tensions between autonomy, faith, and societal norms. This study contributes to broader discussions on the intersection of language, culture, and identity, challenging monolithic representations of Muslim women and offering nuanced insights into the discursive construction of non-hijabi Muslim identities. The findings have implications for understanding the complexities of identity negotiation in conservative and patriarchal settings.

As a pluricultural country, Mexico must promote breastfeeding through intercultural approaches. Although existing research remains limited, the exclusion and precarious living conditions experienced by many Indigenous communities render such efforts both challenging and essential for reducing inequalities in breastfeeding support. Moreover, while low breastfeeding rates at both global and local levels have been extensively documented through quantitative studies, the lived experiences of Indigenous mothers remain highly variable and underexplored. To date, qualitative research centered on Indigenous breastfeeding mothers' perspectives is scarce. This paper presents a case study of breastfeeding practices within a Tzeltal Indigenous community, examining the embodied, co-participatory, and situated dimensions of maternal care. Using qualitative methods and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis within the 'Operational Research Group and Participatory Inquiry´ framework. A total of 19 Tzeltal-speaking mothers who were breastfeeding their children participated in the study, conducted on November 12, 2024, in the Tzeltal community of San Juan Cancuc, Chiapas. Data were collected through group sessions documented with field notes and audio recordings. The material was analyzed using conventional content analysis with emergent coding, grounding interpretations in participants' lived, embodied, affective, communal, and contextual breastfeeding experiences, allowing categories to be inductively generated from participants' narratives. The findings highlight that breastfeeding practices within a Tzeltal Indigenous community are not merely an individual act but a deeply relational, embodied and communitarian experience shaped by sociocultural, cosmogonic and spatial-contextual factors. This qualitative study, grounded in an intercultural perspective and centered on Indigenous mothers' breastfeeding experiences, advocates for a more nuanced, interculturally oriented approach to breastfeeding promotion, protection, and support -one that recognizes the affective, embodied, and collective dimensions of maternal care. By attending to local beliefs, cosmogonies, and shared practices surrounding traditional breastfeeding, the study offers crucial insights that contribute to advancing reproductive justice for women, infants, and their communities, while underscoring the importance of intercultural strategies in the design and implementation of breastfeeding policies in a pluricultural country such as Mexico.

ABSTRACT This study explores how reflective essays based on the Analects of Confucius contribute to the development of vocational identity among 68 Chilean health sciences students enrolled in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses—40 in physical therapy and 28 in pharmaceutical chemistry. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the intervention included pre- and post-questionnaires on vocational identity, qualitative analysis of students’ essays, and structured interviews. Quantitative findings revealed significant gains in vocational clarity and commitment. Qualitative analysis further showed that reflective engagement with Confucian principles encouraged greater ethical awareness and reinforced students’ sense of professional purpose. The study concludes that structured reflective essays can support the formation of ethically grounded and purpose-driven professional identities in ESP contexts.

This qualitative exploratory study aimed to learn clinicians' perspectives on Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) initiation, the HIV risk assessment process, perceived barriers to PrEP implementation, and how a potential electronic health record (EHR)-based PrEP clinical decision support tool can help improve their practices. Using purposive sampling, we recruited 15 clinicians with experience in PrEP practices for the three remote focus groups held between October 2021 and November 2021 using a semi-structured discussion guide. The focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed in NVivo using thematic analysis. Five themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: (1) PrEP initiation is a joint effort between patients and clinicians; (2) Patient-clinician conversations are key for identifying PrEP candidates; (3) EHRs are helpful but insufficient for identifying PrEP candidates; (4) Patient, clinician, and system-level barriers deter PrEP implementation; and (5) Adopting technological innovations in health care can improve PrEP prescribing. Our analysis suggests that implementing effective communication strategies and behavioral interventions can improve PrEP awareness and reduce barriers in patient-clinician discussions of sexual history and substance use.

Adulteration of olive oil significantly compromises the interests of both producers and consumers, making its authentication a crucial challenge in the food industry. This study explored the potential of combining Raman spectroscopy with machine learning for discriminating various blended samples and quantifying olive oil content in mixtures. Raman features, such as peak intensities at specific shifts, were extracted from the spectra and analyzed using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and correlation analysis (CA) to identify significant variations corresponding to altered proportions of olive oil. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed to classify 10 oil types and predict compositional ratios in binary and ternary blends, comparing different chemometric techniques and input features. Among these, the random forest (RF) model yielded a high classification accuracy (98.9%) and strong predictive performance, with coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.985 and 0.926 on the binary and ternary samples, respectively. The Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) algorithm was subsequently employed to assess the contribution of key Raman features to the prediction accuracy of superior models. Overall, this novel analytical framework highlights Raman features and offers a promising solution for real-time quality monitoring of olive oil products.

Since 2020, psychotherapists and physicians have been allowed to prescribe digital health applications for mental disorders (DHA-MD). The aim of the study was to examine the actual relevance of DHA-MD for mental health care by asking psychotherapists and physicians for their opinion on the need for DHA-MD and how often they actually prescribe them. Moreover, we wanted to identify reasons for (not) prescribing DHA-MD.In spring 2024, 1000 psychological psychotherapists and physicians registered by the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Germany were selected stratified by region and community size. They received a self-developed questionnaire by post, which was additionally published online by, for instance, expert associations. Additionally, we conducted semi-structured interviews with selected participants. Questionnaires were analysed both descriptively and via Spearman's Rank Correlation Test. A qualitative content analysis according to Mayring was done for the interviews.In total, 321 participants filled out the questionnaires, and 16 were interviewed. The need for DHA-MD on a scale of 0-10 was rated≤2 (median 2) by 61% (n=198) of the participants. The median of DHA-MD prescriptions in a regular calender quarter was 0 with a range up to 20. The share of participants prescribing at least one PsyDiGA was slightly higher (n=23, 29%) among physicians compared to psychological psychotherapists (n=60, 25%). There was no difference in the assessment of need for DHA-MD between the two professions. According to the interviews, requirements for confidence in and prescription of DHA-MD comprised guaranteed data protection, sufficient proof of concept, and knowledge about the contents of DHA-MD.Reasons for the low number of prescriptions and perceived need for DHA-MD may be less experience with DHA-MD or a lack of perceived necessity in participants' practice routine. The demand for transparency concerning data protection, proof of concept, and content of DHA-MD show mental health professionals' expectations of high quality concerning DHA-MD.

This study investigates the discourse of hisab and rukyat within masāʾil fiqhiyyah education by comparatively examining the perspectives of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah figures in East Java regarding the determination of the beginning of the Qamariyah month, particularly Shawwal. The research aims to analyze the ontological foundations, interpretative paradigms, and practical implications of both approaches in responding to contemporary developments in astronomy. This study employs a descriptive-comparative method with an astronomical-fiqh–fiqh approach. Primary data were obtained through in-depth interviews with NU and Muhammadiyah scholars in East Java. In contrast, secondary data were collected from organizational decrees, classical and contemporary fiqh texts, astronomical calculations, and relevant literature. The research was conducted in several regions of East Java. Data were collected through interviews, documentation, and literature review, and analyzed using qualitative comparative analysis supported by astronomical interpretation. The findings reveal that NU scholars predominantly prioritize ru’yah al-hilal supported by hisab. In contrast, Muhammadiyah scholars determine the Qamariyah month based on hisab with the wujud al-hilal criterion. The differences arise mainly from divergent interpretations of syar’i texts and outdated visibility criteria that are no longer consistent with modern astronomical science. Despite these differences, the study identifies the potential for reconciliation through the harmonization of criteria rather than the dichotomy of methods. The study concludes that integrating astronomical accuracy with fiqh interpretation is essential to resolving recurring polemics and strengthening rational Islamic legal discourse.

In a context of increasing wildfire risk and highly fragmented forest ownership, this work investigates two relatively recent monetary policy instruments in Catalonia that require grouped applications: a subsidy for fuel reduction, which prioritises collective applications in wildfire-strategic areas, and a climate credit system that promotes territorially coordinated, multifunctional forest management that, i.a., decreases wildfire risk through fuel management. Through in-depth interviews with beneficiaries and consultations with key informants, we analysed whether these measures have triggered adjacent forest management, and how they have interacted with joint action rules to facilitate concerted interventions. The qualitative content analysis indicates that these measures represent a significant step towards landscape-level management and that pre-existing forest owners’ associations play a crucial role in capturing the available funds. The eligibility of coordination costs is also appreciated for covering the transaction costs of catalysing landowners. Yet, areas with weaker social capital may become disadvantaged if there is no external support for their organisation. These findings contribute to the emerging field of policy tools for effective landscape-level interventions.

This study examines lexical convergence and semantic variation between Cebuano and Hiligaynon in the Philippines, focusing on shared terminologies in scripted spoken discourse. Despite their close geographical and cultural proximity, few studies have systematically explored how these languages converge and diverge in vocabulary and meaning in context. The corpus consisted of recorded radio dramas from DYHB RMN Bacolod and DYHP RMN Cebu, specifically Handumanan sa Isa ka Ambalahon and Handumanan sa Usa ka Awit. Terminologies were collected through manual qualitative coding using a researcher-developed tally sheet and validated by expert native speakers to ensure analytical trustworthiness. Guided by descriptive, qualitative content analysis and structural analysis within an established qualitative discourse-analytic and translation studies framework, the study examined semantic nuances and grammatical function, stress patterns, and contextual use of shared lexical items. Findings indicate significant yet non-uniform lexical convergence, with some terms exhibiting parallel meanings across both languages while others show semantic variation influenced by grammatical function, stress patterns, and discourse context. These results suggest that, although Cebuano and Hiligaynon share a linguistic heritage, shared lexical forms do not always yield equivalent meanings. By foregrounding meaning-in-use in scripted spoken discourse, the study extends prior qualitative and discourse-based analyses of Philippine languages, contributing to a deeper understanding of lexical convergence and semantic variation, and offering theory-informed implications for multilingual education, instructional material development, and effective communication in linguistically diverse contexts.

ABSTRACT Qualitative longitudinal research (QLR) has grown in popularity in recent years. In this article, we consider how qualitative longitudinal researchers work with data in the context of team-based studies, drawing on our own experience working together as part of a larger team on a QLR project. We focus particularly on the concept of reflexivity, arguing that while it has been central to much methodological writing on QLR, it has seemingly less influence on empirical studies and has rarely been considered in relation to team-based research contexts. To do so, we survey methodological literature, review the uptake of methods of analysis in empirical QLR studies, and provide a short reflection drawing on our experiences of working on the long-running longitudinal Life Patterns research programme. We ultimately advocate for an expansion of what is considered ‘data’ in the context of QLR and for increased attention to researcher positionality within a team.

ABSTRACT In this paper, we explore the wishes, ideals, and experiences expressed by parents of Finnish Muslim students regarding Islamic Religious Education (IRE). Over the past decade, research on IRE and the integration of Muslims into public schooling has been growing. However, this research could further contribute to approaches and studies in intercultural and culturally responsive education. These fields typically prioritise equity and respect for diversity but often overlook specific issues related to religious diversity. In Finland, IRE has been seen as a place for supporting the formation of the Muslim identity of young Muslims. However, the different perceptions of religious education at home and school have caused tensions in IRE. The research data consists of the parents’ letters (n = 87) collected via a multilingual survey, analysed with qualitative content analysis. The findings highlight that IRE is highly sensitive to the role of teachers, who are viewed as agents of Islamic tradition. We discuss the implications of the findings in the intersection of intercultural and religious education.

Introduction Medically tailored meals (MTMs) are home-delivered, nutritionally tailored meals designed for patients with complex or advanced diet-sensitive medical conditions and social stressors. Although MTM use can improve food security, diet quality, and health outcomes, and reduce overall healthcare use and cost, little is known about why patients enroll in, stay in, or withdraw from such programs. Methods Between June 2023 and May 2024, we explored factors related to MTM program completion or withdrawal using semi-structured qualitative interviews among 28 patient participants in a program run by the non-profit Community Servings. Half had completed the 6-month program (“completers”), and half had requested early discontinuance (“non-completers”). The interviews covered patient factors (health status, health goals, motivation to participate) and program characteristics (perceptions of the program overall, logistics, meal characteristics). Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and then coded using NVivo software. We used directed qualitative content analyses and included matrix coding queries to compare themes overall and between the groups. Results Both completers and non-completers described enrolling to alleviate symptoms, regain physical function, and engage in desired activities. Many non-completers also focused on weight loss. Before joining, non-completers had been more enthusiastic about changing their diets, while completers were more interested in alleviating financial strain and the time and physical challenges associated with meal preparation. Both groups had very positive perceptions of the program. Both groups initially found the meals bland and portion sizes small, but completers more readily adapted to both taste and portion size. In contrast, among non-completers, taste was a reason for discontinuation for some. Other non-completers withdrew for “good reasons”: they felt better or their circumstances otherwise changed, making the meals seem unnecessary. Both groups found the experience of eating the meals to be educational, which supported sustained dietary changes. Discussion These novel findings explore patients’ reasons for starting, completing, and stopping MTMs. Findings suggest strategies to improve program completion, such as addressing expectations about weight outcomes, taste, and portion size. Our study demonstrates the value of patient feedback for learning how to improve program effectiveness.

This study investigates why companies sponsor individual athletes in sports with low media coverage and how such athletes secure sponsorship agreements. While sport sponsorship research has predominantly focused on mainstream sports and event-based contexts, limited attention has been given to individual athletes in niche sports. Using a qualitative research design, semi-structured expert interviews were conducted with Norwegian sponsors and elite athletes in long-distance running, trail running, and orienteering. The data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis, informed by the Sponsorship Motive Matrix and the Model of Athlete Brand Image. The findings indicate that sponsorship decisions are primarily driven by market-related motives, complemented by bond and society motives, with cost-effectiveness, authenticity, and value alignment playing important roles. Sponsors prioritize athlete performance, personality, and social media presence, while athletes emphasize financial support and performance optimization. Sponsorship activation is generally limited, and agreements are predominantly in-kind or hybrid. The study concludes that sponsorships in low-media-coverage sports are relational and selective, relying heavily on athlete-driven outreach and social media visibility. These findings extend existing sponsorship frameworks to an underexplored context and offer practical insights for sponsors and athletes in niche sports.

ABSTRACT Virtual Exchange (VE) is an emerging approach to internationalizing college courses by using technology to connect geographically separated learners. A VE project linked introductory communication course in the United States and Bosnia and Herzgovina (BiH). Following the project, students from both countries submitted reflective papers. A qualitative thematic analysis of these reflections examined the intercultural competencies and digital skills developed through participation. Finds showed that students gained awareness of cultural similarities and differences and reported increased interest in global engagement and intercultural communication as a result of the VE experience.