Social Hub Research Articles

The role of emotion regulation in decreasing alcohol harm for veterans

Using the socio-ecological model, this study aims to understand factors associated with alcohol misuse in veterans of the New Zealand Defence Forces, and identify approaches for reducing harm. Using interviews, veterans were asked to recount their relationship to alcohol, and provide a narrative of its use before, during and after military service. Seven themes were identified including bars and drinking as 1) social hubs; and 2) social lubrication; providing others with 3) duty of care; the military 4) consequences of harmful drinking; and use of alcohol as 5) emotion regulation strategies; with the impact of that on 6) Civvy street, and 7) family impacts. Duty of care in military drinking environments is a new theme to the literature. Introducing emotion regulation training throughout the personnels’ career, from transition to becoming civilians and beyond, was identified as key to effective health marketing interventions.

The Role of Mosque Istiqlal Osaka, Japan: Preliminary Observations on Islamic Religious Practices for the Indonesian Migrant Worker Society

This research paper presents preliminary observations on the role of Mosque Istiqlal in Osaka, Japan, in facilitating Islamic religious practices for the Indonesian migrant worker society. As globalization has led to increased migration flows, many Indonesian workers have moved to Japan in search of better economic opportunities. However, living in a non-Muslim majority country presents challenges for practicing their faith. The study aims to investigate how Mosque Istiqlal serves as a religious and social hub for the Indonesian migrant worker community in Osaka. Through qualitative research methods including interviews, participant observations, and document analysis, this research explores the various functions of the mosque in supporting the religious needs and social integration of Indonesian migrants.The findings reveal that Mosque Istiqlal plays a crucial role in providing a space for collective worship, religious education, cultural events, and social support for the Indonesian migrant worker society. The mosque serves as a center for fostering a sense of community, preserving cultural identity, and offering a familiar environment for religious practices in a foreign land.Through this preliminary study, we highlight the significance of religious institutions like Mosque Istiqlal in supporting the well-being and integration of migrant communities in host countries. The research underscores the importance of further exploration into the role of religious institutions in facilitating the religious and social needs of migrant populations, contributing to a better understanding of the intersection between religion, migration, and community building.

Urban shift and dwelling practices impact on the identity of Amman’s public stairs: Jordan’s Cinema Steps as a case study

ABSTRACT Historically, Amman’s seven hills made stairways vital for navigation. As the city grew, stairways, especially Jordan’s Cinema Steps, became social hubs rather than just functional paths. This research examines the transformation of these steps, drawing from Ingold’s “Dwelling” and Heidegger’s “Dasein.” It also explores “place attachment” and its link to the stairway’s users. The core question is: how do interactions shape the place’s authenticity and identity? Findings suggest dwelling practices reinforce the Steps’ role as an urban landmark, informing urban planners about potential revitalization of other stairways in Amman.

Digital Communities as Online 'Gardens' for Memes: Metamorphic Narratives of Two Filipino 'Memeifiers' as Cultural Pollinators

The increasingly ubiquitous digital communities have become dynamic online social hubs for netizens to proliferate internet memes. While there have been an abundance of studies of memes, a dearth of investigations have examined how an internet user becomes an active producer of memes. Hence, we explored the narratives of two Filipino netizens, whom we call “memeifiers,” as we identified them as constant generators of memes. Based on the semi-structured interview data and analysis of their memes, we metaphorically posit that digital communities can be likened to online gardens where butterflies (memeifiers) dynamically engage in producing and pollinating memes. Using narrative configuration, we labelled their experiences into metamorphic narratives with three stages: (1) the cocoon stage, in which meme literacy is formed through active memes consumption; (2) the metamorphosis stage, in which meme-literate netizens vigorously generate memes then metamorphose into memeifiers; and finally, (3) the pollination stage, when memeifiers, akin to butterflies, continuously become cultural pollinators as they spread cultural artifacts through memes in various online communities. With these findings, we lay down some recommendations for future meme studies, such as that the metamorphic narrative of memeifiers be investigated in other geographical contexts since a memeifier’s story may vary due to cultural differences. Moreover, we recommend that the scope of participants be broadened, employing similar or other qualitative research designs and even quantitative perspectives to further scrutinize the metamorphosis of memeifiers and their roles as cultural pollinators. Keywords: digital communities, memes, narrative study, online communities

Toward social sustainability: evidence from the Chaharbagh Abbasi Pedestrian Street in a historical Middle Eastern city, Iran

Pedestrianization is a prevalent strategy, especially in urban centers, aimed at creating safer and more vibrant environments. However, there remains a conspicuous absence of studies exploring the social consequences of pedestrianization in the Middle East (ME). This research aims to bridge this gap by assessing the social impacts of pedestrianization on Chaharbagh Abbasi Pedestrian Street (ChAPS), a historical social hub of Isfahan, a city in the heart of Iran, which was revitalized from a car-oriented to a car-free street between 2017 and 2020. We focused on five independent factors: social interaction (SI), sense of belongingness (SB), sense of responsibility (SR), security (SEC), and safety (SAF). Data from 984 in-person questionnaires and online surveys were analyzed via SPSS and ArcGIS, and pre- and post-project outcomes were compared. The findings indicate an improvement in SAF, SB, and SI, a negligible change in SEC, and an unexpected decrease in SR post-pedestrianization. Specifically, SI improved for 60% of visitors and 72% of urban residents reliant on public transportation. SAF increased by 97% and 80% for city inhabitants and visitors, respectively, while SEC witnessed minimal progress of under 10% for both groups. Despite SB achieving a remarkable improvement of 93%, SR surprisingly decreased by 21.5% for those living far from ChAPS. The study aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), indicating the pedestrianization project’s contribution to social sustainability to a large extent. However, further efforts are needed to fully meet SDG sub-indicators. This study provides practical guidelines for urban planners intending to enhance social sustainability through built environmental planning at the city level in the ME.

Collective Creativity and Complexity in Urban Laboratories: El Campo de Cebada

Cities are complex systems requiring urban design models that balance order and disorder. Collective creativity initiatives engage citizens in these processes, empowering bottom-up approaches that prioritize people and social well-being within urban development. This paper investigates an ‘Urban Laboratory’ as a case study, examining the potential of collective creativity to address urban complexity. The successful and ongoing project ‘El Campo de Cebada’ in Madrid, Spain, demonstrates how a community transformed a vacant lot into a vibrant social hub. The phases of this study include case selection, data collection, data analysis, and presentation of the results. This study identifies key enabling factors, including agents, management, social dynamics, infrastructure, and actions. These insights offer a methodological framework for designing future collaborative, resilient, and inclusive urban spaces, addressing the complex needs of communities within our cities.

The Role of the Audit Room in Auditor Development: Remote Work Experiences of Junior Auditors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

SUMMARY This study examines the work experiences of junior auditors during the COVID-19 pandemic (“the pandemic”). In response to the pandemic, audit firms closed offices and conducted audits in remote work environments. I used semistructured interviews to gather qualitative data about the experiences of junior auditors during the pandemic. The evidence collected suggests that the loss of the audit room (i.e., a physical space for audit teams to collaborate) during the pandemic increased challenges for junior auditors in developing technical knowledge, socializing within the firm, and separating personal and professional lives. These challenges increased the difficulty of forming a professional identity as an auditor. My data suggest that the audit room serves as a classroom, social hub, and a physical barrier between work and life. My study extends research on auditor development and provides insights into how the pandemic and remote work arrangements impacted junior auditors and professionals in general.

Is ‘hybrid work’ the new high-flying policy? insights from the aviation industry

AbstractThe return to working at the office after two years of remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic entails challenges for employees and organizations alike. Organizations strive to create a pull towards working at the office—first and foremost to strengthen organizational culture, cohesiveness, and related outcomes. Employees do not want to give up on working from home (WFH) to maintain the newly gained autonomy and flexibility. The answer to unite organizational and individual needs seems to be a hybrid work policy, i.e., a fixed weekly or monthly ratio of working at the office and WFH. However, we know little about two things so far: the effects of a hybrid work model and how it should be designed to achieve its goals. This study takes a qualitative approach to investigate individual and organizational outcomes of a 50/50 hybrid work policy in an aviation industry IT company. Results indicate that while employees generally appreciate the policy, individual WFH desires also depend on the task structure of employees. The fixed 50% ratio also raised resistance among employees not being considered flexible enough to meet the needs of individual teams and team members. Primary recommendations for the design of hybrid work policies are given that underline the persisting importance of employee autonomy and flexibility concerns and the rising role of creating the office as a ‘social hub’.

Supporting Older Adults' Social Inclusion and Well‐Being in Neighbourhoods: The Social Hub Model

In recent years, many Finnish cities and municipalities have aspired to develop services that support older adults’ well‐being and social inclusion. This study focuses on the Social Hub model, a local social innovation developed in the city of Tampere. Social hubs operate on a neighbourhood level, providing free‐of‐charge service coordination and counselling, group activities, and meeting places for social gatherings. This study aims to look at whether this kind of local innovation can support older adults’ well‐being and social inclusion. The sociomaterial perspective and multidimensional model of well‐being (the having–doing–loving–being approach) provided theoretical and analytical guidelines to examine older adults’ experiences and perceptions of social hubs. The qualitative interview data was collected among people living in service housing, senior housing, or ordinary housing in the proximity of the social hubs studied. Face‐to‐face and “go‐along” interviews with 19 older adults aged between 57 and 96 were analysed with theory‐driven content analysis. The results showed that the hubs are a valuable local resource for older adults, providing free services, accessible and appealing shared spaces, and activities that promote social well‐being, physical activity, creativity, and autonomy. The hubs serve as important gathering points for older adults in the neighbourhood, fostering community‐building among citizens residing in different types of housing. The results highlight the importance of acknowledging well‐being as a multidimensional phenomenon. The Social Hub model provides one practical tool to support older adults’ well‐being and social inclusion by offering various kinds of resources and social and cultural activities.

Designing profitable seeding Programs: The effects of social network properties and consumer homophily

This study explores the main and interaction effects of consumer social network properties and homophily on the profit impact of seeding programs. Social network properties capture the topology of the connections between consumers, while homophily captures the degree to which consumers share similar attributes with their social connections.We conduct extensive agent-based simulation experiments on eight empirical social networks mapped from Facebook, Twitter, and Emails, among others. The results reveal that seeding programs generate higher profits in clustered social networks, and are less profitable when the network diameter and average distance between consumers increase. The effects of social network diameter and average distance are only observed when homophily is high and are negligible when homophily is low. For random seeding and targeting social hubs, the effect of social network clustering on profits is stronger when homophily is high. For early adopters and experts, the effect depends on the attribute on which homophily exists in the market.We explain the findings by distinguishing between the effects of seeding programs on local diffusions—effects on direct acquaintances—and global diffusion processes—the impact across the social network. The findings offer critical implications for marketers aiming to maximize the return-on-investment in seeding programs.

Barriers and enablers to engagement with a type 2 diabetes remission project in the North East of England: qualitative perspectives of patients

Abstract This qualitative research sought to identify factors influencing patient choice of, and patient-related internal and external enablers and barriers to engagement with, type 2 diabetes (T2D) remission strategies offered by the Remission in diabetes (REMI.D) project. Patients had a choice of three diets: Total Diet Replacement (TDR)-Formula Food Products, TDR-Food, and Healthy lifestyle approach; and three activity pathways: Everyday life, General Practitioner referral, and Social hub. Semi-structured interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis used the Framework Method and NVivo 12 to assist with generation and organisation of codes, inductive and deductive (Theoretical Domains Framework). The REMI.D project was a place-based approach (place in this case being defined as two local authorities with significant rates of deprivation) situated in the North East of England. Twenty patients out of a possible 65 patients took part. Areas of interest included: patient choice, patient intention, patient adherence, patient non-adherence, and patient stigma. Addition of a more moderate dietary strategy (not dissimilar to the diet in the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme) to the existing NHS England T2D Path to Remission programme may enable more patients to achieve remission or delayed progression with deprescribing of diabetes medications. Embedding a tailored physical activity path within or as a bolt-on to the NHS programme requires consideration. Limited resources should be targeted towards patients who identify with more barriers or fewer opportunities for health behaviour modification. Further research on use of virtual programmes in deprived areas is warranted.

Sport Social Hub: Using the power of collaboration to develop hands-on social media competencies

This paper introduces Sport Social Hub, a collaborative, multi-institutional social media exchange inspired by the Commission on Public Relations Education's (CPRE) emphasis on key knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) in public relations education. Sport Social Hub engaged students from four universities in topical, sports-themed assignments. These assignments involved creating memes, analyzing historical and contemporary sports photographs, profiling industry professionals with infographics, and developing engagement contests. The paper outlines how Sport Social Hub addresses CPRE's recommended KSAs within social media, collaboration, and creative thinking. Utilizing social media platforms as pedagogical tools, Sport Social Hub aimed to enhance students' social media competencies, promote collaboration across institutions, and develop relationships in a virtual environment. The paper provides an overview of the assignments, each assignment’s objectives, and the connection to CPRE's Fast Forward report. Assessment and feedback mechanisms are explored, highlighting the positive impact on students' social media competencies, networking with industry professionals, and the sense of community fostered through online engagement. While acknowledging the limitations and challenges, the authors propose Sport Social Hub as a model for educators seeking to integrate collaborative, hands-on, and crowdsourced approaches in their pedagogy to prepare students for the evolving landscape of communication careers.

ENHANCING THE PERCEPTION OF AN URBAN AREA - A CASE STUDY OF BATALA CITY

The city image defines how people see and recall aspects in urban environments. The most distinguishing components of urban landscape, classified as pathways, nodes, boundaries, districts, and landmarks, form people's mental representations of the city. Because to urbanisation, India's historic cities are in grave danger. The heritage zones are essential components of the city's fabric, contributing to the city's image. Apart from possessing magnificent examples of traditional architecture, these heritage neighbourhoods serve as cultural and social hubs for the city, providing citizens with a sense of worth. The development process over the last few decades has had such an impact on historic towns that evidence of their historic worth is being destroyed forever. This historical zone is plagued by numerous concerns and problems. People come to Batala to enjoy the city's Punjabi culture and traditions. Maximum tourist visit to the city during "BABE DA VIVAH". This cultural zone is a one-of-a-kind place where the ambiance blends both old and modern architecture, and it is a multifunctional area offering a mix of history, educational, entertainment, residential, culinary, and so on. This area has a rich history, as evidenced by the presence of four major ancient monuments: Shamsher Khan Tomb, Jal Mahal, Baring Chaple, and Maharaj Sher Singh Palace. During the British Raj, this region was also frequented by British people. This cultural district has a number of issues, including a lack of a pedestrian area, criminal activity, a change in space use, changes in scale and land use, and so on. Furthermore, Batala city has no space for social interaction or recreation; there is only 0.81% of recreational area in the city, which is almost negligible; thus, there is an urgent need to create one cultural district in the city, which will not only help the city's residents socialise but will also attract tourists, resulting in the preservation of heritage monuments and increased revenue for the city.

Exploring WhatsApp as Teaching and Learning Activities during Covid-19/New Normal era: A Semiotic Technology Analysis

In the landscape of modern education, the integration of technology, particularly within language learning, has gained substantial scholarly attention. Among digital platforms, WhatsApp has undergone a notable transformation, evolving from a basic messaging application to a versatile social hub. Its role expanded significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic, becoming a pivotal tool for online teaching and learning activities, prevalent not only in higher education but also across secondary levels. While existing studies have predominantly focused on user interaction within WhatsApp, limited attention has been directed toward the technical aspects or the application’s usage in the teaching and learning process. This research aims to comprehensively explore WhatsApp’s potential as a facilitator for English language studies, employing a semiotic multimodal analysis approach guided by Poulsen’s seminal work on semiotic technology. The study delves into WhatsApp’s intricate network of semiotic resources, semiotic regimes, and interactions, unveiling the complex interplay between language elements, multimodal features, and cultural aspects within this digital realm. Through the lens of semiotics, multimodal studies, and social semiotics, this investigation endeavors to offer a holistic understanding of WhatsApp’s use as an educational tool, shedding light on its multifaceted role in contemporary educational contexts.

Customer Behavioral Intention On Trust And Satisfaction Of Coffee Lover In Malaysia

Coffee shops have become more than just places to grab a caffeine fix. They have evolved into cultural landmarks, social hubs, and even sources of inspiration for countless individuals. They are not merely purveyors of coffee, but they are dynamic spaces where people connect, work, and relax. The modern coffee shop reflects the diverse tastes and preferences of its patrons, offering an array of coffee beverages, teas, and artisanal treats. Furthermore, coffee shops have embraced technology, enabling customers to order remotely and enjoy seamless digital experiences. Customer satisfaction is a critical aspect of running a successful coffee shop. Happy customers not only return for more coffee but also recommend the establishment to others. Research on customer satisfaction towards coffee shop is essential for coffee shop owners and managers to understand customer preferences, improve their offerings, and maintain a loyal customer base. This study aims to define customer satisfaction, trust, and behavioral intentions in Selangor's Klang Valley coffee shops. The convenience sampling will be used and a total of 384 online questionnaires were received for data analysis. The finding of the study indicates that customer satisfaction and trust influence the customer's behavioral intention when visiting a coffee shop. Finally, guidelines and future study paths are investigated.

Mapping European Digital Heritage Politics: An Empirical Study of Europeana as a Web-based Network

ABSTRACT Europeana is a cultural heritage initiative financed by the European Union (EU) with the primary scope of curating a platform aggregating digital collections of European cultural heritage. Among other tasks, Europeana designs best practices and digital tools aligned with the EU’s digital cultural policy to support the digitization of cultural heritage institutions in the member states. Therefore, it can be considered a socio-political actor building an international network. Nevertheless, it has mainly been studied as a digital service. To investigate Europeana’s impact on the European cultural sector, this work proposes a three-level methodology combining web mapping, close reading of websites, and statistical analysis. This methodology offers a comprehensive picture of the Europeana platform’s role on the web, providing evidence of its action as a social hub gathering a network of national and local actors in the European cultural environment.

Influence of Digital Marketing and Service Quality on Consumer Preferences for Coffee Shops in Malang City

The coffee shop industry has experienced heightened competitiveness, propelled by the consistent growth in coffee consumption and production. Evolving beyond mere purveyors of coffee, these establishments have become significant social hubs, especially among student communities. This study aims to explore the impact of digital marketing and service quality on consumer preferences within the coffee shop landscape in Kota Malang, Indonesia.. The evaluation of service quality employs the "SERVQUAL" theory, encompassing five dimensions, while digital marketing, utilizing technology and social media for product promotion, is grounded in the 4P theory. Employing nonprobability sampling, the study gathered responses from 162 participants aged 12-27 residing in Malang City, frequenting various coffee shops. Utilizing the Smart PLS 3.0 program, the data underwent rigorous analysis, passing validity, reliability, normalcy, linearity, and multicollinearity tests. The study investigates the influence of digital marketing (X1) and service quality (X2) on customer preferences through path analysis (Y). The findings indicate that both digital marketing and service quality exhibit partial yet significant effects on customer preferences. Simultaneously, when considered together, these variables exert a noteworthy positive influence on customer preferences, with service quality emerging as the most impactful determinant.

Noise dynamics in city nightlife: Assessing impact and potential solutions for residential proximity to pubs and bars

The vibrancy of city nightlife, particularly within pubs and bars, brings with it a nuanced soundscape, with sounds ranging from operational activities to animated conversations. While these spaces serve as pivotal social hubs, the accompanying noise can become a concern for proximate residential areas. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the noise dynamics inherent to urban nightlife spots, accentuating the implications for those living nearby. It further outlines strategic guidelines designed to alleviate noise disturbances in alcohol-serving venues, promoting a serene urban atmosphere alongside bustling nightlife.

SHOPPING MALL AS NEW URBAN CORE? A MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF CONTEMPORARY URBAN FABRIC INFLUENCED BY SHOPPING MALLS

A major transformation in contemporary cities is the evolution of the urban core. This paper investigated the issues associated with the surge of shopping malls as an alternative public space and how they may be classified as an “urban core” of contemporary cities. This paper aimed to interpret a new form of urban core and its set of spatial indicators relative to its socio-spatial network with its surroundings. This paper also aimed to introduce spatial indicators of urban core for the practical use of institutional units on how to create equally attractive public place alternatives to shopping malls. The paper argued that shopping malls with significant floor areas, accumulated over the years, substantially influence their surrounding area by increasing lot density and linkages. While these shopping mall complexes do not meet the threshold population to be considered “urban core”, the case studies have demonstrated that shopping malls can establish social hubs that centralize urban activities, and construct a “place” or “destination” with congregated urban services such as public plazas and public transport network.

The Emergence of Local Coffee Brands: A Paradigm Shift in Jakarta Coffee Culture

This article delves into the burgeoning coffee market in Jakarta, Indonesia, to explore the factors that have propelled local coffee brands to success. It examines the cultural significance of coffee in Indonesian society, the increasing demand for specialty coffee, and the strategies employed by local brands to gain a competitive edge. Coffee has evolved beyond a mere beverage in Jakarta, becoming a symbol of cultural importance and a cherished tradition that unites people from diverse backgrounds. The article highlights the vibrant coffee culture in Jakarta, where coffee shops serve as social hubs, fostering connections and providing spaces for relaxation, intellectual discussions, and community engagement. It explores the coexistence of commercial and specialty coffee, with local brands catering to the diverse preferences of consumers. The article also delves into the strategies employed by local brands to cater to the demand for specialty coffee, including affordability, quality sourcing, and customization options. By understanding and adapting to the unique preferences of Jakarta's coffee culture, local coffee brands have emerged as significant players, shaping the future of the city's coffee industry. The research methodology involves interviews with industry professionals and the author's observations as a coffee professional and SCA trainer, providing valuable insights into Jakarta's specialty and commercial coffee landscape.