Self-regulation Approach Research Articles

Foreign funding, accountability and contention: exploring self-regulatory practices in Georgian civil society

ABSTRACT The impact of Western development aid on civil society organisations’ (CSOs’) behaviours in developing countries has gained a growing amount of scholarly attention, however, less is known about individual forms of self-regulatory practices in civil society. This article explores how external resources shape accountability, internal democracy and agency of CSOs by inquiring into the case of Georgia through in-depth interviews and review of relevant CSO documents. The case of Georgian civil society is illustrative due to aid dependence, push for NGOization, contrasting persistent informality, failure of collective self-regulation and contentious state-NGO relations. Resource dependency theory (RDT) is often used to highlight organisations’ adjustment of behaviours in accordance with their need for critical resources, mainly in the form of funding – but this article builds on the organisational self-regulation approach to untangle CSO’s resource strategies and agency to complement and juxtapose the assumptions of the RDT.

Understanding negative technological use from a self-regulation perspective

ABSTRACT Effective ways of prevention of addictive behaviours such as IT addiction remain absent. This study fills this gap by developing a model that builds on the self-regulation theory. This model seeks to understand how addictive symptoms are affected by two-stage of self-regulation approaches and IT mindfulness. We conceptualise addictive symptoms as both urge and addiction. Self-regulation approaches entail self-regulation strategies and responses. This study theorises strategies as both personal self-regulation (PSR) and social self-regulation (SSR), and responses as both cognitive emotion preoccupation (CEP) and cognitive behavioural control (CBC). The proposed model is largely supported by the empirical data, showing that IT mindfulness exerts a significant impact on self-regulation strategies, which in turn affect self-regulation responses and subsequent addictive symptoms. Besides, the mediation test illustrates that CEP has a mediation effect on the relationship between CBC and addictive symptoms. This study contributes to the literature by theorising a nomological network of self-regulation for understanding the relationship between IT mindfulness, two-stage self-regulation approaches, and negative IT use. We provide implications for both theory and practice.

Randomised trial of Mentored ‘Planning to be Active+Family’ [MPBA+F] for Appalachian youth at risk for diabetes: virtual delivery protocol

IntroductionObesity (OB) in children remains a national epidemic. This trial targets children suffering from overweight (OW) and OB living in rural Appalachia. Rural Appalachia is fraught with unhealthy behaviours, high rates of OB, pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes among children. Diabetes prevalence in Appalachia is nearly double that of other regions. The prevalence of Appalachian children suffering from OB and extreme obesity (EO) increases the severity of diabetes.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a stratified randomised-controlled trial to evaluateMentored Planning to be Active+Family (MPBA+F) among seventh grade children with OW/OB/EO from rural Appalachian counties. Based on the Social Cognitive Theory,MPBA+Fcurriculum is a self-regulation approach to physical activity (PA) developed at The Ohio State University and successfully tested for feasibility in rural Appalachian middle schools.MPBA+F(a) incorporates active skill-building activities; (b) reinforces self-regulating activities; (c) engages in individual and group PA; (d) builds the link between PA, hydration and physical health and (e) actively supports weekly PA goals. Weekly skills are incorporated into reinforcement assignments verified at the beginning the following week. The primary outcome is the average daily minutes of moderate-vigorous PA. We will stratify by sex assigned at birth and conduct intent-to-treat analysis. We use descriptive statistics to summarise cohort and group (MPBA+F or comparison) baseline characteristics and examine variable distributions. Bivariate tests examine the balance of baseline characteristics by intervention groups. Mixed-effects linear modelling will be our more primary regression strategy. A potential problem is loss of curricular integrity. Our process assessment, structured mentor training and Instructor’s Guide reduce this concern. Another concern may be the lack of reliable broadband access. Participating counties exceed 75% broadband access. Those who lose internet access may have materials mailed to their home or accessed on the study website.Ethics and disseminationThis study was reviewed and approved by the American Diabetes Association Grants Review Committee (Grant number 11-22-ICTSN-30), the host institution’s Social and Behavioral Human Subjects Review Committee (Protocol 2022B0149) and is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (ProtocolNCT05758441). All data that can be shared without compromising human subject protections will be shared to an approved open data repository within six months of publication or 18 months of the conclusion of the funding period (November 2025) if the study remains unpublished. Dissemination to families and stakeholders is by project newsletters. Public presentation of findings will be shared at the Annual Appalachian Translational Research Network and local health department meetings.Trial registration numberNCT05758441.

Mechanisms of brain self-regulation: psychological factors, mechanistic models and neural substrates.

While neurofeedback represents a promising tool for neuroscience and a brain self-regulation approach to psychological rehabilitation, the field faces several problems and challenges. Current research has shown great variability and even failure among human participants in learning to self-regulate target features of brain activity with neurofeedback. A better understanding of cognitive mechanisms, psychological factors and neural substrates underlying self-regulation might help improve neurofeedback's scientific and clinical practices. This article reviews the current understanding of the neural mechanisms of brain self-regulation by drawing on findings from human and animal studies in neurofeedback, brain-computer/machine interfaces and neuroprosthetics. In this article, we look closer at the following topics: cognitive processes and psychophysiological factors affecting self-regulation, theoretical models and neural substrates underlying self-regulation, and finally, we provide an outlook on the outstanding gaps in knowledge and technical challenges. This article is part of the theme issue 'Neurofeedback: new territories and neurocognitive mechanisms of endogenous neuromodulation'.

Role of Psychosocial Factors and Mental Well-Being for Baby WASH- and Nutrition-Related Behaviors in Lao PDR.

In Lao PDR, 30% of children under age 5 years are affected by stunting. Stunting in childhood is associated with poorer outcomes for both physical and cognitive development. Baby WASH is a focused approach to water supply, sanitation, and hygiene for infants and children that targets numerous contextual and psychosocial factors including child handwashing, food hygiene, clean play spaces, and management of animal feces in the household environment. Using the risks, attitudes, norms, abilities, and self-regulation approach to behavior change (BC), the objective of this study was to investigate psychosocial factors of Baby WASH and nutrition related-behaviors, considering caregivers mental well-being, to design evidence-based BC interventions. A cross-sectional survey of 616 caregivers of a child under 2 years was conducted in Lao PDR. Caregivers well-being was significantly associated with handwashing before feeding a baby, controlling "mouthing," and the intention to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months. All psychosocial factors of the three behaviors were correlated with mental well-being. Results suggest that attitudinal and ability factors underlying handwashing with soap before feeding a child should be the primary focus of BC interventions. For controlling mouthing factors, interventions should target attitude and norm factors. To increase the intention of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months attitude, ability, and self-regulation factors should be targeted through BC interventions. The findings of this study can be used to support the inclusion of vulnerable caregivers with poor mental well-being with BC interventions designed to improve child health and prevent stunting.

Doctors' understanding of their learning and learning needs in Kwazulu-Natal district hospitals.

Medicine is a self-regulating profession. Doctors must learn how to self-regulate to keep up-to-date with evolving health care needs. This is challenging for those working at District Hospitals (DHs) in rural settings, where limited resources and understaffing may compound a poor approach and understanding of how to become a self-directed learner. To explore perspectives of doctors working in rural DHs, regarding their understanding of learning and learning needs. This study was conducted in Bethesda and Mseleni DHs, in rural KwaZulu-Natal. This was a qualitative study. Data was collected through 16 semi-structured interviews and non-participatory observations. Four major themes emerged: "Why I learn," "What I need to learn," "How I learn," and our learning environment." This paper focussed on the first three themes. Doctors' learning is influenced by various factors, including their engagement with clinical practice, personal motivation, and their learning process. Deliberate practice and engagement in reflective practice as key principles for workplace learning became evident. In rural DHs, doctors need to take a proactive self-regulated approach to their learning due to difficulties they encounter. They must build competence, autonomy, a sense of connection in their learning process, thus recognizing the need for continuous learning, motivating themselves, and understanding where they lack knowledge, all essential for achieving success.Contribution:This article contributes towards strengthening medical education in African rural context, by empowering medical educators and facility managers to meet the learning needs of doctors, thus contributing to the provision of quality health care.

Influence of medical didactic training on the self-efficacy and motivation of clinical teachers.

Due to increasing workload and rising expectations for both undergraduate and speciality training in medicine, teaching in a clinical environment can be challenging. The "Train the Trainer" course, developed by CAL (Chirurgische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Lehre, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chirurgie (DGCH)), aims to assist clinical teachers in their task. This study investigates the effect the course has on participants' self-efficacy and teaching motivation. Prior to attending the course, participants anonymously completed a 50-question pre-course questionnaire using standardised questions to gather information on biographical data teaching experience, and validated tools measuring teaching motivation and self-efficacy (PRE). Directly after completing the course, participants evaluated it using a 25-question post-course questionnaire (POST1). At least 12months after the course, participants received a follow-up questionnaire (POST2) by mail. This 44-question form aimed to gather biographical data, review the teaching methods participants had used since their training, and reassess their teaching motivation and self-efficacy. Between June 2016 and October 2019, 20 TTT courses were held across six German medical faculties. Data were gathered from 241 participants. After the course, 182 POST2 questionnaires were mailed, 61 of which were returned (equals a 39 % return rate). The findings revealed significant increases in teacher self-efficacy (p=0.0025), identified regulation (p=0.0000), and career motivation (p=0.0044). In contrast, there was a significant decrease in introjected regulation (p=0.0048). When comparing the participants to a reference sample selected from literature, significant differences emerged in intrinsic motivation (p=0.0000) and amotivation (p=0.0025). Course participants already showed strong intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy before taking the course. After completing it, their confidence to meet specific teaching demands based on their abilities had increased. Notably, changes in motivational dimensions identified and introjected regulation point towards a shift in motivational sources, indicating a more self-regulated approach towards participants' teaching activities. Further research is needed to determine how much of this change was due to course participation.

EFL Students Develop Cognitive and Metacognitive Self-Regulated Writing Strategies Using Automated Feedback: A Case Study

This study investigated the impacts of automated feedback on EFL students’ development of cognitive and metacognitive self-regulated writing strategies, using ProWritingAid online tool. Data were collected from students enrolled in level one writing course at the College of Languages and Translation, Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The results indicated significant impacts of automated feedback on students' self-regulated writing strategies, reflected in an overall mean score of (3.75 ± 0.69).Findings after using automated feedback showed participants’ development of cognitive strategies, including language usage (e.g., grammar, spelling, punctuation), which reached 73%. The cognitive strategies of writing revision, encompassing revise cohesiveness and connection among sentences, reached 70%. Participants’ development of metacognitive strategies, including idea planning and goal-oriented monitoring and evaluation, reached 75% and 77%, respectively. The results also indicated significant impacts of automated feedback on motivational and social strategies, with scores of 87% and 80%, respectively. Comparing participants’ written assignment scores before and after using automated feedback, the results showed a 62% improvement in performance among low-proficient students. One implication of the study is that, with the aid of automated feedback, EFL students have the abilities to autonomously improve their writing skills. The adoption of a self-regulated approach, within the utilization of automated feedback, significantly influences students' performance. These findings suggest that integrating automated feedback into the EFL curriculum and instruction can foster students' self-reliance and proficiency in writing.

Unlocking Team Dynamics: Exploring the Influence of Group Regulation on Technical Development in Small-Sided Soccer Games

AbstractPurposeDiscussions held by players during the halftime of a soccer match are widely recognized as influential factors in boosting their involvement and physical activity of soccer players. This study aimed to investigate the impact of learning small-sided games (SSG) through player discussions on decision-making, as well as the technical and tactical skills of young soccer players.MethodsForty-two U-15 male amateur soccer players were randomly assigned to 6 groups and participated in a study comprising 4 sessions of small-sided games (SSG). Each session consisted of two sets of 15 min each. The SSG sessions were conducted with and without the inclusion of self-regulation of learning. Technical actions (i.e., balls won, balls received, balls lost, shots, and goals) were measured during each set of sessions using a digital camera recorder.ResultsThe results showed no significant differences in the main effects of the time, group, session, and group × session × time interactions for most technical actions. However, there was a significant main effect of group observed for shoot action (P = 0.021;ηp2 = 0.102), with a higher number of shoot actions in the co-regulation of learning group than in the self-regulation of learning group.ConclusionThe self-regulation approach employed by players alone did not lead to significant improvements in technical performance during SSG. Further research is needed to explore additional factors and/or interventions that could potentially enhance the effectiveness of learning through discussions in SSG.

A study of playing video games, paying attention, and learning: how can we mold attentional development and impact learning?

The impact of gaming on cognitive development and attentional abilities are the primary foci of this study, which also examines the relationship between gaming and learning outcomes. The potential of video games to improve attentional control, cognitive flexibility, and learning—all of which could lead to novel approaches to treating developmental disorders—is discussed here. It would appear that video games, which were originally created for entertainment purposes, improve behaviour in areas as diverse as perception, attention, mental rotation, and task switching. A better signal-to-noise ratio and, by extension, better decisions, may be made possible by this unexpectedly extensive transfer, which is facilitated by improved attentional regulation. Computerised training or self-regulation approaches are two examples of targeted interventions that have the potential to improve attentional control. The incredible amount of time that people all over the globe spend with this medium makes the idea of incorporating such training into video game play all the more enticing. It has the potential to improve the utilisation of positive effect games, which in turn could increase patient compliance and student motivation. This work can be further developed and its impact on developmental diseases can be addressed by utilising computational models from developmental robotics or machine learning, which offer a rich theoretical foundation.

The Effect of Gamification with Self-Regulated Approach to Promoting Nursing Students’ Leopold’s Maneuvers Performance

Fetal appearance and proper position evaluation are crucial for determining the best labor treatments. Healthcare or midwifery nurses, require knowledge about the fetus's position and health to make decisions on whether to induce labor. In addition, attending to the patient's needs throughout labor is essential. The fetal positioning and monitoring process may be uncovered with the use of Leopold's techniques. Students find it challenging to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world challenges since standard training lacks chances for clinical experience and application. This study aims to investigate the impact of integrating online game-based environments with gamification and a self-regulated learning (SRL) strategy on nursing students' Leopold's maneuvers skills. The use of games as a learning tool in education has gained popularity due to its ability to provide a playful and motivating experience for students, as well as fostering cooperation among them. However, the application of game-based learning and gamification in nursing skill instruction remains understudied. The researchers propose integrating an online game-based environment called Gather with gamification features and a self-regulated learning strategy for nursing students. The self-regulated learning approach in this study includes goal setting, performing tasks with gamification elements such as points, badge, leaderboards, and self-evaluation. An experiment will be conducted at a nursing school in a Taiwan university using a quasi-experimental design to investigate the learning performance, motivation, self-efficacy and perceptions.

Improving Hand Hygiene Adherence in Small Animal Hospitals: A Social Marketing Approach

Background Good hand hygiene adherence is a key factor in the prevention of hospital-acquired infections. The guidelines offered by the World Health Organization for interventions to improve hand hygiene adherence in human health care can only in part be applied to veterinary medicine, and current observations of hygiene adherence in veterinary environments stress a need for decisive action. There is great potential for improvement, especially in situations in which people act habitually. Focus of the Article The focus of this article is to identify the barriers and benefits that influence hand hygiene habits in veterinary care facilities and to derive intervention strategies to promote hand hygiene habits informed by theory and formative research. Research Question This article examines two research questions. What contextual, social, and personal factors promote (benefits) and hinder (barriers) hand hygiene habits in veterinary care facilities? Which intervention strategies can be derived from the identified barriers and benefits to foster hand hygiene habits? Approach The identification of the target behavior and group was based on the literature, talks within the author team, and daily observations. Barriers and benefits were identified by means of qualitative focus groups. The focus group interview schedule was informed by the risks, attitudes, norms, abilities, and self-regulation (RANAS) approach. The intervention strategy was based on the elicited barriers and benefits and guided by the framework of habit formation. Importance to the Social Marketing Field For the first time, barriers and benefits regarding hand hygiene habits were systematically elicited in a small animal clinic in Switzerland. The article focuses on hand hygiene as a habit and offers evidence-based and behavior-oriented intervention strategies. Our findings can thus be used as a basis for developing a theoretically sound intervention to promote hand hygiene habits in veterinary clinics and practices and serve as a springboard for future social marketing research, especially with a focus on habit formation. Methods Primary data were gathered using eight structured in-depth focus group interviews ( N = 32 participants) in a small animal clinic in Switzerland. Two focus groups each were conducted with the following professional groups: veterinary assistants, students, residents and interns, and senior clinicians. Results The overarching theme across the participants’ talk was that building habits is promising but challenging to implement. In examining the key barriers and benefits, five themes were discussed: (1) animal welfare as a reason to act, (2) not about the why but about the how, (3) clash of generations, (4) lack of feedback mechanisms, and (5) the invisible enemy. Strategies were derived based on these findings and the theoretical framework of a habit formation intervention. Recommendations for Practice and Research The themes that emerged in the focus groups are connected to the theoretical framework of habit formation to derive possible intervention strategies. The supplemental material delves into these strategies and provides implementation steps for practitioners facing a similar challenge. Further research is needed to experimentally test the effect of the intervention strategies and to validate the results for other clinics.

WHAT ABOUT THIS?: Hope for Menstrual Cramps (Dysmenorrhea) with Breathing

Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common conditions experienced by women during menstruation. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis accounting for more than 20,000 women across 37 studies suggested that the prevalence of pain symptoms associated menstrual cramps is as high as 70%, accounting for economic, cultural, national, and educational factors. Although most treatment commonly focuses on pain relief with medication, self-medication strategies for menstrual cramps vary widely, commonly with unintended effects from misuse of self-medications. Whereas traditional herbal preparations, nutritional supplements, and other home remedies are used to address pain and discomfort symptoms, self-regulation strategies are nonmedication, nonsubstance use interventions to prevent and reduce discomfort. This article reports observations of self-regulation strategies used as part of a university class. In self-reported homework practice, 32 college women tried a set of self-regulation techniques that included holistic health techniques of (a) raising awareness of stress, (b) dynamic relaxation, and (c) slow diaphragmatic breathing with warming imagery. Students were asked to report anonymously on a variety of symptoms, which included menstrual cramps. In addition to any treatment as usual (TAU) strategies already being used (e.g., medications or other treatments), 91% (20 of 22 women) who reported menstrual cramps along with any other symptoms also reported a decrease in dysmenorrhea symptoms when they practiced the self-regulation and diaphragmatic breathing techniques. Discussed are possible mechanisms why a self-regulation approach could reduce discomfort in addition to TAU. In conclusion, an education approach that includes holistic health techniques should be taught to students, including women who may be relying on pain-reducing medications to reduce or prevent discomfort from menstrual cramps.

Tensioning as intertwining, competition and superseding: a self-regulation approach to managing hybridity tensions in social enterprises

PurposeAs hybrid organisations operating at the intersection of opposing institutional logics, social enterprises (SEs) pursue the creation of social value w hile functioning as businesses, which generates tensions between social and business concerns. Limited knowledge exists, however, of how hybridity is managed at the intra-individual level. Drawing on regulatory focus theory (RFT), this paper investigates the role of self-regulation in managing hybridity tensions in SEs.Design/methodology/approachA multiple-case design is useful in investigating the situated cognitive mechanisms underlying individual self-regulation in the context of managing tensions in SEs. The authors interviewed 22 managers from Belgian SEs that had been active in the home-care sector for at least five years before the COVID-19 pandemic to understand how managers handle the tensions between social and business concerns through self-regulation.FindingsThe authors show that managers in SEs experience three forms of tensioning: tensioning as intertwining, tensioning as competition and tensioning as superseding. Managers respond differently to tensions depending on their self-regulatory focus (promotion versus prevention) on social and business goals, and this is reflected in their hybridity practices (entrepreneurship, commercialisation, corporatisation and managerialisation). Informed by both social and business logics, hybridity practices serve as tactics used as part of managers' self-regulation, enabling them to handle tensions.Originality/valueBy studying the interactions between individual cognition and institutional logics, this study contributes to the micro-foundations of institutional logics by revealing the role of self-regulation mechanisms in managing tensions in hybrid organisations.

The late payment epidemic in UK construction

Purpose The UK government has elaborated the effect of late payment on the economy, with its impact on the construction sector being particularly pronounced. This paper aims to evaluate the late payment epidemic that persists within the construction industry, specifically analysing the effectiveness of government-led voluntary payment initiatives. Design/methodology/approach A mixed philosophical lens is adopted that incorporates both pragmatism and post-positivism to examine the late payment phenomena. Couched within deductive reasoning and a case study strategy, a questionnaire survey was conducted to elicit responses from one-hundred construction professionals. Elucidating upon respondents’ perceptions of the UK’s late payment epidemic, a comparative analysis was undertaken of upstream (main contractor) and downstream (subcontractors/suppliers) contractors through Cronbach’s alpha, descriptive statistics, independence chi-square test, Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U test. Findings Emergent findings reveal that in practice, the monitoring and enforcement of government-led voluntary payment initiatives has been unprosperous with numerous contractors being forced to adopt indefensibly poor and punitive payment practices. Survey responses and extant literature substantiate and underscore the industry’s need to strengthen voluntary government-led payment initiatives. To create a responsible payment culture, any future code created should be mandatory and enforceable as a self-regulating approach has failed dismally. The work concludes with practical additional measures that could be introduced to create a responsible payment culture and promote ethical trading within the UK construction industry. Originality/value This paper constitutes a novel vignette of, and reflection upon, contemporary practice in this area of construction finance and serves to emphasise that very little has changes in the sector despite numerous UK government led reports and interventions.

A Self-Regulating Virtual Synchronous Generator Control of Doubly Fed Induction Generator-Wind Farms

The inverter-driven renewable energy sources (RESs), such as wind energy conversion systems (WECS), pose major threats toward system stability due to lack of inertia. Hence, virtual inertia concepts have gained popularity, for control and improvisation of the dynamic behavior of RESs, by simulating the kinetic inertia of the synchronous generator. This article focuses on developing an improved self-regulating virtual synchronous generator (VSG) control for grid-tied doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-wind farms (WFs). The proposed scheme provides frequency support to the system while ensuring the low-voltage ride through (LVRT) capability at transient conditions, as per grid code requirements (GCRs). This has been achieved by introducing an additional control at grid side converter (GSC). This auxiliary control consists of a combined approach of VSG control and a current limiting approach. The VSG loop that alters the inertia of the system improves the frequency of the system and the current limiting loop provides the required inductance to limit fault current. This overall loop uses a self-regulating approach, and the developed concept helps to suppress the transients in stator current. The study obtained on a multimachine system and also for a weak grid system confirms the effectiveness and viability of the modified converter control structure.

Individual innovativeness and leadership self-efficacy among the teacher candidates

A limited number of studies have assessed the relation between individual innovativeness and leadership self-efficacy among the teacher candidates. This research investigated the mediating effects of Self-Regulation Approach, to determine the direct and indirect relationships between teacher candidates' individual innovativeness and leadership self-efficacy. Participants (between 17 and 24 years old) at a university (N=350) participated in this study, 68.9% (241) of the participants were female, 31.1% (109) were male. The correlational survey model was used. Instrument of the study was comprised of four sections: (i) Personal Information Form containing demographic variables, (ii) Individual Innovativeness Scale (IIS), (iii) Leadership Self-Efficacy Scale (LSES) and (iv) Self-Assessment Approach Scale (SAAS). The results show that regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses, and leadership self-efficacy scale was defined as dependent, individual innovativeness as independent, self-assessment approach as mediator, and gender and grade level as control variables.

Rethinking Corporate Social Responsibility in the Arena of Climate Change: A Study in Socio-Legal Aspect

Climate change is an environmental challenge confronting all countries across the globe in varying degrees of intensity. It, directly and indirectly, interferes with the enjoyment of all human beings including – the right to life, housing, water and sanitation, food, health, development, security of persons and an adequate standard of living. Industry and business play a crucial role with regard to climate change, accounting for approximately one-third of the world’s energy consumption and 36 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, industry and the global business community have a responsibility to join national and international efforts to lower their greenhouse gas emissions. Across Asia, Europe, Africa, and North and South America, the adverse effects of climate change have manifested over the years as ozone layer depletion, continental global warming, a shower of acid rain, extended fires, melting ice, rise in sea level and other extreme events which call for urgent action at national and international levels. A self-regulating approach that makes manufacturing organisations socially responsible and responsive to environmental issues in their operating countries can be pragmatic in climate-change mitigation, and strengthen existing governmental policies on climate change. A number of affirmative actions and recommendations has been formulated at national and international levels to regulate climate change including eco-vigilance, adoption of green, conservation of the flora and fauna, zero-tolerance of gas flaring, socially responsible investment, carbon emission reporting and disclosures and adoption of environment-friendly manufacturing techniques. Therefore, the present study not only focusses on the theoretical aspect but also on the socio-legal aspect filling the gap in both theory and practice related to the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on society.

Digital Democracy and Disinformation: The European Approach to Disinformation on Social Media in the Case of 2019 European Parliament Elections

This policy paper offers a brief overview of the hazards for digital democracy stemming from AI and digital tools and how the EU tackled online disinformation social media ahead of the 2019 European Parliament elections. The advent and introduction of social media into the political sphere has had a profound and substantial effect on Europe’s electoral processes affecting both voting behavior and the underlying factors that influence it. Whereas malicious actors often participating in disinformation have led to growing calls for reforms, this phenomenon has been most pronounced in the 2019 European parliament elections which saw an unprecedented reliance on digital media within the political process. Specifically, the European actors faced negative stemming from the scale of the vote and the algorithms and the attention-based business models used by the social media platforms. To meet these challenges, the EU not only employed legal and social means (e.g., the 2019 Action Plan Against Disinformation) but also created new initiatives focused on tackling disinformation (e.g., the Rapid Alert System). Notably, in an unprecedented manner, the EU also included the private sector in the process. As the paper argues, although its limitations, AI is an important tool for aiding the democratic process and tackling disinformation; however, a self-regulating approach favors the success of these endeavors.

The effect of couple therapy with self-regulation approach on marital satisfaction: a quasi-experimental study

The effect of couple therapy with self-regulation approach on marital satisfaction: a quasi-experimental study