Professional Reputation Research Articles

“Breaking a vicious cycle”: the reproduction of ableism in higher education and its impact on students with disabilities

IntroductionDespite the widespread promotion of inclusive learning environments, students with disabilities have to exert time and effort in gaining accommodations and proving themselves as competent individuals. In following up a factorial survey experiment that found that students with disabilities are considered less likely to achieve their educational goals compared to students without, this study explored how understandings of inclusive education and disability are constructed within Norwegian higher education institutions.MethodNineteen employees across 10 universities participated in focus group interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsThree themes were generated: (1) determining the role of the educator, (2) knowing how, when, and why to grant accommodations, (3) calling for action from the university.DiscussionOverall, the findings suggest that understandings of inclusion are ambiguous and characterized by juxtaposing ideals. The participants’ accounts illustrate how they are tasked with promoting inclusion while simultaneously protecting their respective professions. Thus, despite being considered a resource based on their diversity, students with disabilities are still expected to fit into an environment designed for mainstream learners. In discussing these findings in light of ableist theory, we argue that more action is needed on a systemic level to restructure how inclusive education is understood and practiced.

Free Speech and the Case for Regulating Online Reviews of Professional Services in the United States

The relevance of online reviews to businesses is increasing exponentially. Firms have been forced to recognise that online reviews have become a necessary method of attracting new consumers. In contrast to traditional advertising, however, businesses do not control online reviews; instead, individual consumers control them. The involuntary relinquishment of this control is especially problematic to providers of professional services simply because the assessment of professional services is complicated. The primary issues stem from the inherent characteristics of services – intangibility, variability, perishability and inseparability – combined with the asymmetry in the review process. These factors contribute to a significant imbalance, where negative reviews disproportionately impact businesses, often with minimal accountability for the reviewer. This disparity is exacerbated by the permanence and widespread dissemination of online reviews, which can continue to affect a business long after the initial issue has been resolved. Notwithstanding their defective nature and their very significant negative impact on individuals and markets, online reviews are afforded the status of protected free speech. This article argues that the traits of reviews of professional service specifically resemble those of the non-rebuttable type of speech included in the categories of unprotected speech. As such, this article argues that online reviews of professional services should be regulated to safeguard the reputation and livelihood of professionals from unscrupulous, undiscerning reviewers.

Dittos: Personalized, Embodied Agents That Participate in Meetings When You Are Unavailable

Imagine being able to send a personalized embodied agent to meetings you are unable to attend. This paper explores the idea of a Ditto an agent that visually resembles a person, sounds like them, possesses knowledge about them, and can represent them in meetings. This paper reports on results from two empirical investigations: 1) focus group sessions with six groups (n=24) and 2) a Wizard of Oz (WOz) study with 10 groups (n=39) recruited from within a large technology company. Results from the focus group sessions provide insights on what contexts are appropriate for Dittos, and issues around social acceptability and representation risk. The focus group results also provide feedback on visual design characteristics for Dittos. In the WOz study, teams participated in meetings with two different embodied agents: a Ditto and a Delegate (an agent which did not resemble the absent person). Insights from this research demonstrate the impact these embodied agents can have in meetings and highlight that Dittos in particular show promise in evoking feelings of presence and trust, as well as informing decision making. These results also highlight issues related to relationship dynamics such as maintaining social etiquette, managing one's professional reputation, and upholding accountability. Overall, our investigation provides early evidence that Dittos could be beneficial to represent users when they are unable to be present but also outlines many factors that need to be carefully considered to successfully realize this vision.

Searching for an Optimal Model for the Renewal of the Constitutional Court to Avoid a Constitutional Crisis: Dream or Reality?*

The failed renewal of the Constitutional Court in Lithuania was not the first in Europe, and will not be the last. The appointment of constitutional judges, usually undertaken with the involvement of the political institutions, became a very sensitive issue closely linked to their independence. After a sequence of unsuccessful attempts to renew the composition of constitutional courts, some states fall into a deep democratic backsliding, while some take the initiative to reform the existing appointment procedure, seeking to prevent the politicisation of constitutional control institutions. A universal and standardised one-size-fits-all model does not exist, as each particular national context must be considered. However, certain lessons are to be learned and certain pitfalls to be avoided. Constitutional courts must correspond to the criteria of the tribunal established by law, as disclosed in international jurisprudence. For this purpose, the proper law is needed. This article analyses the advantages and shortcomings of some elements of the proposed and partly realised Slovak reform on the appointment of constitutional judges that Lithuania and other states could benefit from. This allows for the conclusion that the explicit criterion of professional reputation might prevent arbitrary nominations and ensure that the best judge for the court and the society would be appointed. Contrary to most convictions, a larger majority in the Parliament is not necessary to keep this procedure in line with the principle of the rule of law. The only requirement is that the law must be clear, unambiguous and provide for the steps to be taken if the rotation fails.

Are we committed to commitment?

IntroductionStudents face difficult decisions when considering multiple opportunities for employment or continued training. When this happens, students may consider breaking a previous commitment to accept a more appealing offer. Societal trends toward decommitment may also influence students' perceptions of the importance of commitment. PerspectiveStudents must consider potentially serious professional repercussions that may result from dishonoring commitment before making such a decision. ImplicationsWe challenge pharmacy faculty to reinforce the professional obligation of honoring commitment when guiding students in career decision-making. We emphasize the importance of helping students develop a specific plan to work toward career goals, entertain only those opportunities that help achieve these goals, and carefully weigh the potential impact of dishonoring commitment on their professional reputation.

Australian Dentists' Knowledge of the Consequences of Interpretive Errors in Dental Radiographs and Potential Mitigation Measures.

Dental radiographs, typically taken and interpreted by dentists, are essential for diagnosis and effective treatment planning. Interpretive errors in dental radiographs, stemming from failures of visual and cognitive processes, can affect both patients and clinicians. This survey aimed to assess the dental practitioners' perceptions of the consequences of these errors and potential measures to minimize them. This online anonymized survey assessed Australian dental practitioners' perceptions of the consequences of these errors and potential mitigation measures using ranking, Likert scale, and open-ended questions. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis. Participants identified undertreatment (72%) and legal implications (82%) as the most significant consequences of interpretive errors, whereas severe harm to patients was deemed the least likely. Dental practitioners placed a greater emphasis on maintaining a high level of competence and the well-being of their patients. Utilizing high-quality images (63.9%) and appropriate radiographs (59.7%) were identified as the most effective measures to minimize interpretive errors. Participants showed hesitancy regarding the reliance on machine learning as a clinical decision-making tool. The survey provides valuable practical insights into the consequences and targeted measures to minimize the occurrence of interpretive errors. Efforts to minimize interpretive errors should address patient safety and practitioners' concerns about professional reputation and business viability. The study also suggests further research into the role of machine learning algorithms in reducing interpretive errors in dentistry.

Nurses' perceptions regarding their own professionalism attributes to quality neonatal, infant and under-5 childcare.

Professional nurses are trained to provide quality care. Despite the professional nurses' acquired skill and professionalism attributes, the neonate, infant, and under-5-child mortality rates are high in sub-Saharan Africa. This health care report indicates that sub-Saharan Africa countries face a challenge in reaching the Sustainable Development Goal number 3 by the year 2030 (that is, ensuring healthy lives and reducing the mortality rates of children under 5). It has been reported that professionalism in nursing can improve the quality of care and positively change the health outcomes. This study employed a qualitative exploratory, descriptive design to explore and describe professional nurses' own professionalism attributes to provide quality care to neonates, infants, and under-5 children in the North West province in South Africa. Eight naïve sketches of an all-inclusive sample of invited professional nurses (N = 25; n = 8) were received. The naïve sketch questions were based on the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario's professionalism attributes. Tesch's eight steps of data-analysis were used, with an independent coder's assistance. The categories included (1) knowledge, (2) spirit of inquiry, (3) accountability, (4) autonomy, (5) advocacy, (6) collegiality and collaboration, (7) ethics and values, and (8) professional reputation, and each category generated sub-themes. Professional nurses are aware of their own professionalism attributes in quality of care of neonates, infants and under-5 children; the 'innovation and visionary' attribute did not emerge, which should receive more attention to strengthen quality care. However, a new attribute, 'professional reputation', reflecting a South African culture-orientated attribute, emerged from the data collected.

TEACHING ENGLISH AS A PROFESSIONAL LANGUAGE: STRATEGIES AND METHODOLOGIES IN ESP EDUCATION

The rise of globalization has amplified the necessity for professionals across diverse fields to acquire proficiency in English, not only as a general communicative language but also as a specialized tool within their respective professions. English for Specific Purposes (ESP) has emerged as a crucial subset of English Language Teaching (ELT), focusing on the tailored needs of learners in specific fields, such as business, engineering, healthcare, and law. This paper explores effective strategies and methodologies in ESP education, highlighting best practices for teaching English as a professional language. The article discusses key theoretical approaches, pedagogical techniques, and the role of technology in enhancing ESP instruction.

What Makes Peer Fundraisers Successful? Examining Peer‐to‐Peer Fundraising Success in the Context of Peer‐to‐Peer Nonprofit–Business Collaboration

ABSTRACTTo advance the conceptual understanding of what drives peer‐to‐peer fundraising success, this study takes a first step toward conceptualizing antecedents of peer fundraiser success based on a real‐world nonprofit–business collaboration. Drawing on social network and signaling theories, combined with knowledge from peer‐to‐peer fundraising literature, the authors developed and tested a mid‐range theory‐driven framework of peer fundraising success. The study collected observable data from a peer‐to‐peer collaboration between UNICEF and Les Mills, labeled “Workout for Water” campaign, and analyzed a unique dataset of 1899 fitness instructors who were engaged in the campaign as peer fundraisers. By contrasting characteristics and actions of successful and unsuccessful peer fundraisers, the empirical evidence from the two‐part model affirms several antecedents distinguishing between those peer fundraisers who achieve fundraising success and those who do not. The personal efforts to initiate additional actions and peer fundraiser's professional reputation within the peer community are particularly important. Furthermore, personalizing the individual's online fundraising page is important for overcoming the barrier of receiving no donations. As a key implication for practice, we present how to better realize peer‐to‐peer fundraising campaigns within a nonprofit–business collaboration setting.

Review of Influencing Factors of Patients' Medical Choice Behavior in Online Health Community

The development of information technology has made online medical communities a new avenue for addressing medical resource shortages. However, the complexity of information and the asymmetry between physicians and patients makes patients confused when they consult in online health community (OHC). This study systematically analyzed and summarized relevant theories and factors influencing patients' medical choice behavior through literature review. The objective is to offer guidance for patients' decisions in selecting physicians and to support the sustainable development of online medical community platforms, as well as to provide practical insights for further exploration in this field. Objective: This review examines recent theories and factors influencing patients' medical choice behavior in online health community (OHC), aiming to offer insights for patient choice regarding physician selection and the sustainable development of online medical platforms. Methods: A literature analysis was conducted to summarize studies on patients' medical choice behavior in OHC, identifying relevant theories and influencing factors. Results: The analysis identified seven key theories in the study of patients' medical choice behavior: signal theory, trust theory, social capital theory, social exchange theory, the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model, the elaboration likelihood model (ELM), and the opportunity-motivation-ability (OMA) framework. Factors such as physicians' professional capital, online effort, service quality, online reputation, patient preferences and disease heterogeneity significantly influence patients' medical choice behavior. Conclusion: There is a trend toward integrating multiple theories in understanding patients' medical choice behavior in OHC; however, interdisciplinary research remains limited. Most studies focus on patients’ medical choice behavior from the physicians' perspective, while research from the patients' viewpoint is lacking. This study suggests two future research directions: enhancing the integration of multidisciplinary theories and expanding the scope of research subjects.

The relationship between moral reasoning and nurses’ professional values in undergraduate nursing students: a descriptive-correlational study

BackgroundMoral reasoning in nursing is crucial in delivering high-quality patient care and fostering increased job satisfaction among nurses. Adhering to professional values is vital to this profession, and nurses must modify their actions to align with these values.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the correlation between moral reasoning and professional values among undergraduate nursing students.Research designA descriptive correlational design was recruited.Participants and research contextThe research was conducted at three nursing schools located in Tehran, Iran. The sample was recruited through random stratified sampling, specifically targeting undergraduate nursing students. The data collection tool comprised a three-part questionnaire, including a demographic information form, the Nursing Dilemma Test, and the Nurses Professional Values Scale Revised Questionnaire. The distribution of questionnaires encompassed both face-to-face and electronic methods. The analysis of data was conducted using SPSS 16 software. The data was analyzed using the independent samples t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and linear regression analysis. The P value of 0.05 was considered significant.Ethical considerationsThe Ethics Research Center of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences approved the study.FindingsData analysis showed that moral reasoning was directly correlated to professional values (r = 0.528, p < 0.001). The mean scores of Principled Thinking (P.T.), Practical Consideration (P.C.), and Familiarity with similar moral dilemmas of the NDT scale were 42.55 (SD = 12.95), 15.72 (SD = 6.85), 16.08 (SD = 6.67), respectively. Also, the total score of professional values of students was 90.63 (SD = 28.80).ConclusionThe findings indicated that moral reasoning and interest in nursing predict students’ professional identity. Thus, any effort to enhance interest in the profession can contribute to developing students’ professional identity. This can involve incentivizing, enhancing the professional reputation at the community and university levels, and valuing student preferences and necessities.

Game-theoretic analysis of governance and corruption in China's pharmaceutical industry.

With the rapid development of China's pharmaceutical industry, issues of corruption and regulatory effectiveness have become increasingly prominent, posing critical challenges to public health safety and the industry's sustainable development. This paper adopts a bounded rationality perspective and employs a game-theoretic evolutionary approach to establish a tripartite evolutionary game model involving pharmaceutical companies, third-party auditing organizations, and health insurance regulatory agencies. It analyzes the stable strategies of the parties involved and the sensitivity of key parameters within this tripartite game system. The study reveals that adherence to health insurance regulations by pharmaceutical companies, refusal of bribes by third-party auditing organizations, and the implementation of lenient regulations by health insurance agencies can form an effective governance equilibrium. This equilibrium state contributes to reducing corruption in the pharmaceutical industry, balancing the interests of all parties, and promoting healthy industry development. Pharmaceutical companies must balance compliance costs against the risks of non-compliance benefits while maximizing profits; third-party auditing organizations need to choose between fulfilling their duties and accepting bribes, considering their economic benefits and professional reputation; health insurance regulatory agencies adjust their strategies between strict and lenient regulation to maximize social welfare. The paper suggests enhancing policy support, strengthening compliance supervision, improving audit independence, and adjusting regulatory strategies to optimize governance in the pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, the research highlights the role of collaborative efforts among the three parties in achieving sustainable governance. Furthermore, the study conducts a numerical simulation analysis to demonstrate the impact of various parameters on the evolutionary stability of the system, providing practical insights into the implementation of regulatory policies. This research offers new insights for policy formulation and governance in China's pharmaceutical sector, providing significant reference value for guiding the industry's sustainable development.

Community organizing in social work and progressive urban planning – interdisciplinary challenges and opportunities

ABSTRACT This article examines aspects of community organizing within social work and progressive or transformative planning within urban planning, with an implicit question as to whether these two practices within their respective professions can work together to achieve progressive goals. For each profession, I first review the professional histories and the ethical codes of each discipline, next discuss how these more activist trends emerged, and then compare the two practices to suggest possibilities for joint efforts toward the social justice goals embedded in each defining statement. I discuss the context for both types of work, as well as the means by which individuals in each discipline work toward progressive goals. Questions I consider include how similar the social justice orientations within their disciplines are, and how community organizers and progressive planners can work together for social justice goals.

Exploring Digital Learning Opportunities and Challenges in Higher Education Institutes: Stakeholder Analysis on the Use of Social Media for Effective Sustainability of Learning–Teaching–Assessment in a University Setting in Qatar

The use of social media (SM) platforms in higher education has seen significant growth since the global pandemic disrupted traditional learning methods and forced stakeholders to explore alternatives. This trend is expected to continue with the rise of newer digital learning platforms, tools, programs and pedagogies, particularly within the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the evolution towards Education 4.0 and Education 5.0. Despite a significant level of research into SM’s role in informal learning, there has been limited exploration of its integration into pedagogical practices, particularly regarding assessment challenges and innovations in university settings. Additionally, there is scarce research on mobile applications in academics, hindering the effective integration of SM platforms into curricula. This study addresses these gaps by examining stakeholder perceptions of using SM for educational purposes in a university setting in Qatar. Following a comprehensive and comparative literature review and analysis, a thematic analysis of interviews with 20 stakeholders revealed that SM platforms go beyond communication, serving as tools to enhance professional identity, reputation, research profiles, knowledge dissemination, and social practices, but they lack methodologies to integrate effective learning, either independently or in formal learning/teaching/assessment settings. This study proposes a framework to optimize the use of SM platforms, with a particular focus on sustainability, for lifelong learning and knowledge-based societies leading to more sustainable and prosperous economies. The findings encourage the reconsideration of digital assessment and the expansion pedagogical practices in alignment with modern social learning through an expansive array of SM tools and platforms.

Healthcare professionals’ well-being at work: a professional and organizational identity perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to test a model of healthcare professionals’ well-being seen as a consequence of a process of motivated professional identity construction, a variable that mediates the influence of the organizational identity (utilitarian or normative) and the perceived reputation of the profession on well-being.Design/methodology/approachCross-sectional design, based on a survey of 384 healthcare professionals. Structural equation modeling with latent variables was used to test the model.FindingsThe data provide empirical evidence supporting the proposed model. We find that organizational identity (utilitarian and normative) and perceived professional reputation positively relate to professional identity, a variable that positively relates to well-being. Professional identity mediates the relationship between organizational identity (normative and utilitarian) and perceived professional reputation and well-being. Utilitarian organizational identity and perceived professional reputation are also directly related to well-being.Originality/valueThis research significantly departs from the current focus of explaining the well-being of healthcare professionals by resorting mainly to individual factors and introduces organizational and institutional determinants.

The Effect of Adverse Events on Orthopaedic Surgeons: A Review.

The purpose of this review was to evaluate the effect of adverse events (AEs) on orthopaedic surgeons, illustrate common ways orthopaedic surgeons deal with AEs, and describe solutions to reduce the negative effect of AEs and prevent them from recurring. AEs are common in orthopaedic surgery and increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Orthopaedic surgeons may experience negative effects after AEs even when they are not at fault. AEs are linked to moral injury, second victim syndrome, burnout, and disruptive physician behaviors. Many surgeons deal with AEs in isolation out of fear of a negative effect on their professional reputation, potentially leading to increased psychological distress and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Healthy ways to address AEs and improve the well-being of surgeons include destigmatizing psychological stress after AEs and creating a culture of receptivity and peer support.

Treiber, Hubert (2021). Die „rückwärtsgewandte Expertenreform“ – Eine verwaltungswissenschaftliche Studie zur Großen Strafrechtsreform der 1950er Jahre. Halle an der Saale: Universitätsverlag Halle-Wittenberg. 169 Seiten. ISBN: 978-3-86977-244-8.

The empirical study applies cluster analyses to records of the commission on criminal justice reform. By analysing discrepancies in the individual voting behaviour of the commission members, the study identifies distinct clusters which coincide with the commission members’ professional background: While the commission members with a scientific background hardly ever form a homogenous group, commission members who practice law e. g. as judges or who are public servants show a more consistent behaviour. This is attributed to the distinct role perceptions within the respective profession. Overall, the commission members represented mostly conservative values, leading to a criminal justice reform with strong reference to previous drafts. With this in mind, the book furthermore analyses rhetorical strategies used within the legal profession to obscure a person’s involvement in the Nazi-Regime.

The Power of Influencers: How Does Influencer Marketing Shape Consumers’ Purchase Intentions?

In the current digital wave, social media is not only a hub for information exchange but also a shaper of new business marketing models, as is especially evident in the trend towards light and healthy eating. The influence of the influencer economy on consumer purchasing decisions is increasingly pronounced. This paper systematically investigates the impact of influencer marketing on consumer purchase intentions in social media utilizing the Consumer Attitude Theory. Through a sample survey of 654 consumers and empirical analysis using the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model, the results show that the influencers’ credibility and professionalism and consumers’ satisfaction with live-streaming sales by influencers have a significant positive impact on enhancing consumers’ purchase intentions. To enhance consumers’ purchase intentions, this study suggests that influencers should transparently disclose their collaborations with brands, showcase the positive experiences of other users, and use relevant research and data to support their product recommendations in order to enhance their credibility. Simultaneously, influencers need to strengthen product knowledge, improve professional image and reputation, and meet consumer needs through personalized recommendations and carefully designed live-streaming content to promote brand-value enhancement.

Instrumental Femininity: The Tokyo Women's Higher Normal School and the Shaping of Social and Gender Hierarchies in Modern Japan

Abstract: How can we assess the impact of the ideology of female domesticity on women's higher education and professional opportunities? This article examines this question through the lens of Tokyo Women's Higher Normal School, Japan's first tertiary educational institution for women. Graduates of this school established for the propagation of gender ideology joined a respectable profession, that of teaching. They used this ideology to justify the upgrade of their alma mater to the rank of university. However, this ideology supported women who chose to specialize in teaching but not in other specialties such as engineering, posing an additional challenge for female aspirants in those fields who sought to enter and excel in traditionally male institutions. By looking at these challenges implied in the institutional evolution of this school, I examine the ways in which this gender ideology allowed the rise of female professionals while limiting women's life choices and professional opportunities.

Opting for cooperative self-management: The ethical and job quality motives of service-sector professionals and technicians in Barcelona

Moving beyond the idea of crises as a prime determinant of cooperative participation, this article provides a nuanced account of why and under what circumstances service-sector professionals in Barcelona have opted for cooperative self-management. Taken collectively, their experiences contribute to how job quality and meaningful work, and a receptiveness to cooperativism and solidaristic diverse economies, might be conceptualised and realised in knowledge-based occupations including architects, legal, finance, and organisation professionals, social scientists, economists, and journalists and communications professionals. For these individuals, neoliberal capitalist market logics have been viewed as fostering conditions that compromise ethical integrity and job quality in their respective professions. They have instead opted for jointly-owned and democratically-managed cooperative enterprises and are advancing economic democracy and the solidarity economy as a means to reassert the normative potential of paid work in society such that workers might realise not only their own well-being and flourishing but also the ‘common well-being’ and general interest.