ABSTRACT Unlike the hinterlands, border regions between Ethiopia and Kenya have their own political, social, and economic dynamics. The border and borderland study between Ethiopia and Kenya is increasingly concerned with geopolitical and transnational migration. The main focus of this paper, however, is to highlight the effects of boundary-making on the social and political dynamics of the borderland zone between Ethiopia and Kenya. The paper illustrates the historical dynamics of boundary-making between Ethiopia and Kenya as well as the rationale behind peaceful boundary diplomacy at odds with cross-border raids. The paper elucidates the complex interactions of borderland communities, such as the Gabra, Boran, Garri, and Dassanetch, among others, before and after the making of the international borderline. In this vein, conceptualizing aspects of border making, boundary diplomacy, and cross-border tribal conflicts along the Ethiopia and Kenya borderlands would aid in understanding why the peaceful making of boundaries between Ethiopia and Kenya is at odds with cross-border tribal conflict. We extensively employ untapped archival sources from the Ethiopian National Archive and Library Agency (ENALA) in the examination process.

Strontium isotope analysis is now a key method for investigating ancient human mobility, leading to a rapid expansion of available ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr datasets. Owing to the relatively homogeneous surface geological conditions across present-day Denmark (excluding Bornholm) and the growing number of regional datasets, it is now possible to construct statistically defined ranges of bioavailable strontium directly from archaeological human data. In this study, we compile 513 published strontium isotope values from tooth enamel and pars petrosa of individuals recovered from archaeological sites across present-day Denmark and add 115 new values. Using the Median Absolute Deviation (MAD) method to identify outliers in this comprehensive and diachronic database of 628 human ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, we define the first statistically constrained, human-based range of bioavailable strontium isotope values for Denmark to ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7089-0.7117. We interpret this range as representing typical bioavailable strontium signatures in prehistoric Denmark. We then apply it, for the first time, as one of the reference frameworks for investigating the mobility of non-elite individuals from the Nordic Bronze Age in present-day Denmark. In total, we conducted 34 strontium isotope analyses on individuals from two sites: fourteen analyses from six inhumations at Kalvehavegård on Funen, and twenty analyses from cremated individuals at Sølager on Zealand. We compare the individuals' strontium isotope values both to established baselines relevant for past mobility studies and to the new human-based range defined in this study. The results indicate that mobility during the Nordic Bronze Age was not restricted to elite social groups but also encompassed some non-elite individuals, offering new insights into social dynamics during this formative period of European prehistory. Moreover, the new strontium dataset presented here represents the first accessible, country-wide compilation of human-derived Sr data for Denmark, providing a robust platform for future comparative studies and mobility research in the region.

The expansion of Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in Indonesia, particularly in the nickel downstream sector, has reshaped local political and social dynamics in resource-rich regions. This article critically examines the relationship between Chinese companies and local actors through a case study of Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) in Central Sulawesi. Employing Alvin Camba’s concept of social embeddedness, the study analyzes how Chinese investment is sustained through interactions among firms, state elites, local governments, and civil society. Based on qualitative analysis of policy documents, media reports, and interviews, the findings reveal that IMIP’s operations are strongly embedded within Indonesia’s central government coalition elites, whose political support facilitates regulatory flexibility and minimizes local resistance. This elite alignment enables investment continuity but simultaneously weakens environmental governance and limits meaningful community participation. While IMIP contributes to local economic growth, it also generates social tensions related to labor practices, environmental degradation, and limited technology transfer. Corporate social responsibility and strategic communication are used to manage, rather than resolve, these structural issues. The article argues that Chinese investment in Indonesia is less driven by market efficiency alone than by political embeddedness within a strong regime. This dynamic highlights the asymmetric power relations between investors, the state, and local communities, raising critical questions about the long-term sustainability and social justice of resource-based development under the Belt and Road Initiative.

ABSTRACT Young people’s deaths from drugs, violence, or suicide comprise a sensitive topic that is challenging to study. This paper presents observations and experiences when aiming to reach a comprehensive and profound knowledge of the life trajectories of deceased youths by conducting and analyzing interviews. While collecting qualitative data regarding social phenomena is always contextual and situated, this kind of extreme topic gives rise to many extra nuances that affect the data. The skewness of the study informants, the emotionally charged interview accounts, and the secondary nature of other people’s interpretations of the deceased’s life require a considered approach. Different perspectives on death can never be set along the same line, as the social dynamics and personal histories with the deceased are diverse. Acquiring homogeneous data is an impossible task. These are aspects that researchers should carefully reflect upon during the research process.

Spider monkeys (Ateles spp.) have traditionally been described as strictly diurnal primates, with only low levels of activity during the night. Consequently, little attention has been given to the possibility of nocturnal movements and social dynamics occurring at sleeping sites. Recent advances in technologies, such as drone-based thermal infrared imaging (TIR), provide new opportunities to explore behavioral patterns that were previously undetectable through ground-based observations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether Geoffroy’s spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) change their subgroup size once they are at their sleeping sites by comparing the numbers of monkeys detected after sunset with those detected before sunrise using TIR drone surveys. We conducted TIR drone flights over four sleeping sites of well-habituated Geoffroy’s spider monkey groups in Los Árboles Tulum in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. We carried out 18 flight pairs—18 flights at sunset when the majority of individual spider monkeys were expected to have arrived at the sleeping sites, and 18 flights the next following morning at sunrise—before the monkeys began their daily movements. Our results revealed that in 12 out of the 18 flight pairs (67%), the number of monkeys counted at sunset differed from the number counted at sunrise. In 58% of these 12 flight pairs, more monkeys were counted at sunrise than at sunset. Furthermore, when changes in subgroup size occurred, they were more frequent (67%) when the subgroups at sleeping sites were larger (>10 monkeys). These changes in subgroup size are consistent with the occurrence of fissions and fusions continuing after dark. This study provides preliminary evidence that Geoffroy’s spider monkeys are more active during the night than generally assumed. Furthermore, our results highlight the value of TIR drones as an effective tool for studying primate social dynamics under low-light conditions. Unlike traditional ground-based observations, which depend on natural light, TIR drones allow for accurate and reliable monitoring throughout the night. By providing access to behavioral information that would otherwise remain hidden, this technology opens new possibilities for understanding the full temporal range of activity of diurnal species.

This study aimed to determine nursing students' perceived opinion leadership toward social media influencers and their attitudes toward the nursing profession, examine the relationship between these variables, and assess the effect of perceived opinion leadership on professional attitude. Using a descriptive, cross-sectional design, data were collected through the Demographic Characteristics Form, the Opinion Leadership Scale of Social Media Influencers Among Followers, and the Attitude Scale Toward the Nursing Profession. The study was conducted between October 2024 and May 2025 with 674 nursing students from a university in western Turkey. Reporting followed the STROBE checklist. The mean score for opinion leadership was 52.25±16.43, while the mean score for professional attitude was 155.94±20.43. Structural equation modeling showed that the Proximity dimension had a significant positive effect, and the Imitation dimension had a significant negative effect on all subdimensions of professional attitude (P<.01). The Entertainment dimension positively influenced only the General Status subdimension (P=.035). Students perceived social media influencers as low-level opinion leaders but held positive attitudes toward nursing. Although overall opinion leadership showed no direct effect on attitudes, its subdimensions had significant associations. These findings highlight the impact of social media dynamics and the need for media literacy strategies in nursing education.

ABSTRACT This study underscores the importance of integrating the enhancement of existing buildings and urban fabrics with broader urban sustainability goals. This research introduces the Context-Based Integrated Regeneration Model (CBIRM), a holistic, multi-scalar, and scenario-driven framework that develops enhancement strategies by linking spatial relationships between building and urban scales in spatial and social contexts. It is tailored to the city’s unique structural, social, and cultural dynamics, ensuring alignment with higher-level strategic sustainability goals. The analytical framework focuses on settlement patterns, street layouts, block structures, building typologies, land use, accessibility, and place identity. Enhancement scenarios tailored to distinct character areas are developed, and their alignment with criteria derived from seven urban sustainability indices is evaluated through expert interviews and a structured survey. The findings indicate that strategies prioritizing spatial quality, social engagement, and structural adaptability are more effective than those focused only on technical solutions, suggesting that meaningful sustainability outcomes emerge from efforts grounded in the local urban context. This study develops a conceptual and empirical framework that demonstrates the potential of context-based approaches in linking building-city scale interventions with urban sustainability goals. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions on heritage conservation, the transformation of urban centers, and sustainable urban development.

Purpose This study aims to examine how hotels adopt technology, focusing on differences between urban hotels and thermal resorts in Denizli, Türkiye, through the lens of the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a qualitative exploratory approach. Semistructured questions and scenario technique were used. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with managers and department heads of four- and five-star hotels in the region. Findings Technology adoption remains limited in this smaller, locally focused destination, with managers primarily leveraging technology for operational convenience and digital marketing. Notable disparities emerged between hotel types: urban hotels adopt more innovations, while thermal resorts predominantly adhere to a conventional service approach. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to managerial perspectives from one region and excludes direct input from guests and employees, which may affect generalizability. Future research should integrate diverse stakeholder views and measure the financial outcomes of technology adoption. Practical implications The TOE framework reveals that adoption hinges on internal readiness, leadership and external market forces. Staff training and infrastructure support are essential for successful implementation. Strategic use of tools such as smart TVs and QR menus enhances service quality, while staff adaptation – especially among older employees – requires targeted support and training. Social implications This study highlights that technology adoption in hotels is not purely technical but is closely linked to social dynamics, including guest expectations, cultural preferences and interpersonal interaction. In thermal resorts, the preference for human contact among elderly or tech-averse guests underscores the need for socially inclusive service models. Originality/value This study offers insights from an underresearched region, emphasizing how the TOE framework shapes technology adoption in small-scale hotel contexts.

Abstract Effective coastal adaptation to sea-level rise (SLR) is a complex and urgent challenge, especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), where responses are shaped by social, ecological, and governance dynamics. Here, we investigate how stakeholders in Seychelles perceive the effectiveness of various coastal adaptation options, including hard and soft protection, and nature-based solutions (NbS). Based on 19 semi-structured interviews, we examine five evaluative dimensions—risk reduction, cost-effectiveness, long-term sustainability, maladaptive consequences, and accountability—derived from existing adaptation literature. Stakeholders expressed strong support for hard protection due to its perceived immediate effectiveness, despite some criticisms; NbS were favoured for their long-term benefits and participatory appeal, whereas soft measures received limited endorsement due to concerns about durability and technical feasibility. Perceptions of effectiveness were highly context-dependent and grounded in local observations. Our findings emphasise the need for planning processes that take into consideration the priorities of stakeholders. By advancing context-sensitive, perception-based evaluation, this study supports more inclusive and grounded coastal adaptation in Seychelles and SIDS.

This study examined the influence of khuruj practices on family harmony within the Jamaah Tabligh community in Central Lombok Regency. Khuruj, as a form of da'wah involving leaving home for a certain period of time, creates unique dynamics within family relationships, particularly regarding economic responsibilities, child and spouse nurturing, and the maintenance of domestic harmony. This study employs a qualitative approach with field research as its research method. Data collection techniques include observation, in-depth interviews with twelve informants, and documentation with informants comprising members of the Tabligh Jamaah family, community leaders, and religious figures in Central Lombok. The research findings reveal that harmony within the households of Jamaah Tabligh families in East Lombok Regency is achieved through three key strategies: (1) establishing open communication between spouses as the foundation of the relationship, (2) agreeing on the time and duration of khuruj in a proportional manner, and (3) optimizing the role of the wife as the guardian of household balance. This study provides insights into the importance of communication and collaboration within Tabligh Jamaah families to achieve harmony in economic responsibilities and child upbringing. The wife's role as a supporter of family stability and agreements regarding khuruj time are key to reducing tension within the household. Thus, this study can serve as a reference for families in managing social and economic dynamics and strengthening family resilience.

ABSTRACT This article examines the everyday experiences of Ethiopian Jews in Israeli urban neighbourhoods marked by social and economic marginalisation. Drawing on qualitative interviews and ethnographic observations in these neighbourhoods, the study explores how Ethiopian Jews negotiate spatial and social dynamics in Israeli cities and the strategies they use to build a sense of belonging and identity. Daily microaggressions from non-Ethiopian residents and institution stakeholders trigger defensive responses, with Ethiopian Jews adopting intentional differentiation as a protective mechanism. This strategy, functioning as a “weapon of the weak”, ultimately reinforces their outsider status, creating a self-pereptuating cycle that strains community relations and deepens social distance. The analysis of this research addresses the perceptions and lived of experiences of exclusion, boundary-making in multi-ethnic urban contexts, and strategies of integration. The findings contribute to broader discussions on race, ethnicity, identity, and minority relations in complex urban settings.

Purpose This paper enhances the use of digital educational escape rooms (DEER) in social entrepreneurship (SE) education by identifying key design elements that effectively impart essential skills. It offers educators a comprehensive framework for designing and implementing DEER to improve educational practices in this field. Design/methodology/approach This literature review, conducted following PRISMA guidelines, analyzed 38 papers on DEER. The methodology ensured an examination of theoretical underpinnings, design elements and learning objectives through structured identification, screening, eligibility assessment and inclusion processes. The research question formulated was: Which narrative and social context, game mechanics and dynamics and aesthetic and immersion elements are essential for teaching SE skills through DEER? Findings While not all papers addressed both learning and game design theories, many outlined DEER components guiding the creation process. Successful collaboration in online groups emerged as a common theme, and while specific puzzle types were less impactful, the gamified context significantly influenced learning outcomes. Research limitations/implications The targeted analysis of selected papers offers nuanced insights into DEER design elements and suggests future research opportunities to expand understanding across diverse educational contexts. Practical implications As a practical implication, this study considers that by integrating DEER into educational curricula, educators can create engaging and impactful learning environments that prepare students to tackle real-world social challenges. Social implications Integrating DEER into higher education has significant social implications, equipping students with durable skills and fostering community engagement for making a social impact. Originality/value This study fills a gap in the literature regarding DEER applications beyond STEM fields, contributing to the understanding of how DEER can align with SE-specific learning objectives.

Purpose This study investigates the relationship between co-worker support (CWS) and communities of practice (CoPs), drawing upon the conservation of resources theory and social exchange theory. The study aims to explore whether individuals’ preference for teamwork mediates this relationship and whether personal interaction moderates the effect of CWS on CoPs. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 249 employees working in Indian public and private sector organisations. Statistical analyses included confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modelling and Hayes’ PROCESS macro to examine mediation and moderation effects. Findings Results indicate that CWS positively influences CoPs, with this relationship mediated by individuals’ preference for teamwork. Employees who feel supported by co-workers tend to prefer collaborative efforts, thereby increasing participation in CoPs. In addition, personal interaction was found to moderate the CWS–CoPs relationship, such that greater interaction enhances the positive impact of CWS on CoPs engagement. Originality/value This study adds to the knowledge-sharing literature by revealing how social workplace dynamics – CWS, teamwork preference and personal interaction – jointly influence engagement in communities of practice.

Womens' and girls' safety in public places is undermined by sexual harassment, yet the environmental correlates of risk remain poorly understood. Using the environmental criminology framework, this mixed-method research aims to map and analyze reported incidents of sexual harassment in Delhi, India. Spatial and descriptive analyses revealed high concentrations and patterns of significant situational factors associated with both physical and nonphysical sexual harassment incidents. Field observations of these hotspot locations provided valuable insights into the social environment and dynamics that contribute to sexual harassment. The findings have implications for place-based situational prevention strategies to address sexual harassment incidents worldwide.

This article introduces the Binary Social Game (BSG) framework, designed to promote desired behaviors through asynchronous social interactions. In a 2-week preliminary study, we validated GrowFlower, a BSG-based system aimed at motivating group exercise, which informed the design of GENGO. This gamified system leverages social influence and a bingo-style board to encourage consistent exercise within groups. In a 2-month real-world experiment, 387 participants completed 3,827 workouts, including both solo and group exercises. The results demonstrated that participants who engaged in both personal and group modes (Mixed Cohort) exhibited the highest overall engagement. Additionally, we analyzed the characteristics of successful groups, identifying key factors such as social ties and communication that contributed to sustained participation. These findings demonstrate the potential of BSG-driven designs to foster behavior change through socially motivated, asynchronous group dynamics.

Transmission, turbines, and trust: The social dynamics and narratives of opposition to renewable energy infrastructure in regional Australia

Identifying and evaluating factors influencing technology adoption: A multi-pilot study within the Pharaon project.

Success in competitive environments hinges on complex psychological and social dynamics. In these contexts, performance can be disrupted when there is a mismatch between societal expectations and individual feedback competitors receive. This study examined how expectations tied to social identity influence physiological stress in competitive settings by manipulating aspects of a math competition task. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either negative or positive individual-level feedback, creating personal expectations of high/low performance on the upcoming task. To manipulate social expectations (i.e., based on social identity), competitions occurred in a same-sex, interracial dyad where one person belonged to a member of a racial group positively stereotyped in the mathematics domain (i.e., Asians) and the other was not (i.e., Whites). Asian participants exhibited greater sympathetic arousal, as evidenced by larger decreases in pre-ejection period (PEP), during both preparation and competition phases compared to White participants, suggesting heightened engagement in the competition task. Regardless of ethnic-racial identity, participants receiving negative personal feedback exhibited stronger physiological threat reactivity while anticipating the competition, compared to those who received positive feedback. Exploratory analyses examined moderation of effects by stress appraisals, group identification, and achievement goals. This study highlights the complex interplay between expectations, identity, and stress in competitive environments, providing insights into how psychological factors influence physiological outcomes.

Selection of timescales to study social network temporal dynamics in vultures

Obligatory brood parasitism requires specific reproductive adaptations in brood parasites to successfully exploit host reproduction. A key challenge is to precisely synchronize parasite egg laying with egg laying of the host. The Lake Tanganyika cuckoo catfish (Synodontis multipunctatus) exploits the mouthbrooding behavior of cichlids by rapidly intruding during host spawning and adding its own eggs to host clutches. Because host reproduction is highly unpredictable, cuckoo catfish must respond quickly when host spawning occurs. Such a reproductive strategy suggests the presence of adaptations in their reproductive biology that allow them to be able to participate in upcoming host spawning opportunities. Using a series of linked laboratory experiments, we investigated the reproductive physiology and social modulation of gamete maturation in cuckoo catfish, as well as reproductive skew during parasitic spawning events. We found that males consistently produced sperm with little inter-individual variation, indicating almost continuous readiness to reproduce. In contrast, females exhibited substantial variation in ovulation frequency and ovulated, on average, once a week. Social interactions significantly increased gamete maturation rates in both sexes, highlighting the role of group dynamics in facilitating reproductive readiness. Despite high gamete maturation rates in socially housed females, parasitism success during host spawning events was not predicted by prior gamete production frequency. Smaller and slimmer males achieved higher reproductive success, suggesting a possibility that agility and reduced anticipation of potential threat by the hosts may confer advantages under competitive conditions. Reproductive skew was low across the experiment, and most individuals participated in reproduction over the duration of the experiment. However, single spawning events were typically monopolized by a single pair. These findings demonstrate that cuckoo catfish reproduction is shaped by a combination of frequent gamete maturation, social facilitation of their reproductive physiology, and scramble competition over mating opportunities.