Theoretical Constructs Research Articles

Reliability and validity assessment of instrument to measure sustainability practices at shipping ports in India

Sustainability has emerged as one of the most critical factors influencing the competitiveness of maritime shipping ports. This emergence has led to a surge in research publications on port sustainability-related topics. However, despite the increasing awareness and adoption of sustainability practices, documented literature on empirical studies with survey and interview data is very limited. Moreover, the existence of validated instruments to objectively assess sustainability through sustainability practices for shipping ports in India needs to be traced. This study contributes by validating an instrument to evaluate objectively sustainability practices in shipping ports by adopting a four-stage process, starting with item identification based on an extensive literature review, instrument evaluation by subject matter experts, assessing of the instrument with suitable content validation indices, and finally evaluating the validity and reliability of the hypothesized theoretical model. For content validation, Content Validity Index, Cohens Kappa coefficient, and Lawshe’s Content Validity Ratio were computed with the assessment by a subject matter expert panel comprising six members from the port industry as well as academicians cum researchers in the field of shipping ports. The content-validated instrument was administered to 200 samples comprising officer category port employees. The measurement model was evaluated and validated using the Confirmatory Factor Analysis to assess the extent to which the measured variables represent the theoretical construct of the study and ascertain the factor structure. The empirically validated instrument met the required guidelines of model fit, reliability, and construct validity measures and was found to be a confirmed model for measuring sustainability practices in shipping ports. Structural Equation Modeling methodology was adopted to explain the variance and the path relationship between the higher-order and lower-order constructs of sustainability. The results indicate that the economic dimensions are the major contributors to the overall sustainability of the port as they drive investments in environmental and social dimensions, leading to overall sustainable development. The study’s findings will be helpful for researchers, academicians, policymakers, and industry practitioners working towards sustainability practices that contribute to sustainable growth and development in the shipping industry.

Navigating the landscape of fear: Fruit flies exhibit distinct antipredator and antiparasite defensive behaviors.

Most organisms are at risk of being consumed by a predator or getting infected by a parasite at some point in their life. Theoretical constructs such as the landscape of fear (perception of risk) and nonconsumptive effects (NCEs, costly responses sans predation or infection) have been proposed to describe and quantify antipredator and antiparasite responses. How prey/host species identify and respond to these risks determines their survival, reproductive success and, ultimately, fitness. Most studies to date have focused on either predator-prey or parasite-host interactions, yet habitats and ecosystems contain both parasitic and/or predatory species that represent a complex and heterogenous mosaic of risk factors. Here, we experimentally investigated the behavioral responses of a cactophilic fruit fly, Drosophila nigrospiracula, exposed to a range of species that include parasites (ectoparasitic mite), predators (jumping spiders), as well as harmless heterospecifics (nonparasitic mites, ants, and weevils). We demonstrate that D. nigrospiracula can differentiate between threat and non-threat species, increase erratic movements and decrease velocity in the presence of parasites, but decrease erratic movements and time spent grooming in the presence of predators. Of particular importance, flies could distinguish between parasitic female mites and nonparasitic male mites of the same species, and respond accordingly. We also show that the direction of these NCEs differs when exposed to parasitic mites (i.e., risk of infection) versus spiders (i.e., risk of predation). Given the opposing effects of predation versus infection risk on fly behavior, we discuss potential trade-offs between parasite and predator avoidance behaviors. Our findings illustrate the complexity of risk assessment in a landscape of fear and the fine-tuned NCEs that arise in response. Moreover, this study is the first to examine these behavioral NCEs in a terrestrial system.

Emotional intelligence and organizational commitment: An affective association in the context of Lebanese universities

This paper aims to assess the influence of emotional intelligence on organizational commitment. A quantitative survey was conducted among the academic staff of Lebanese universities to reach this objective. This research paper is an explanatory, descriptive, and confirmatory study. This cross-sectional study is based on a quantitative method to examine the validity of the theory or model. This research favors the deductive approach. This approach enables the deduction of a general conclusion from hypotheses. The structured questionnaire is constructed on the theoretical constructs of the mixed approach of the Goleman model, evaluating the following six components: self-awareness, self-control, internal motivation, empathy, leadership skills, and interpersonal relationship management. Empirical testing incorporates the plurality of causes and effects of interaction in this explanatory, descriptive research. Universities confront a lack of employee commitment. Emotional appreciation drives commitment to the organization. E.I. denotes the aptitude to detect, categorize, and use feelings to smooth rational decisions. The study verified that E.I. components significantly and positively influence organizational commitment, with internal motivation having the highest influence in Lebanese universities. Soft skills are essential abilities. Decision-makers and managers of Lebanese universities, conscious and attentive to the influence of employees' emotions, should integrate emotional intelligence into their managerial practices. To build and maintain organizational commitment, displaying appropriate emotions, interpersonal relationships, and communication are compulsory.

Comparative study of multiple statistical damage mechanics models for rock behaviors under high temperature

Under the influence of external factors such as high temperature, chemical corrosion, and loading-unloading cycles, micro-cracks and pores may develop within rock structures. Continuum damage mechanics (CDM) characterizes these micro-defects arising within rocks, investigating the physico-mechanical behaviors of rocks in damaged states. This study, grounded in the theoretical framework of CDM and utilizing the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, integrates different probability distributions and damage coupling methods to develop three statistical damage models. The investigation primarily explores the effects of strength criteria, probability functions, and damage coupling mechanisms on the statistical damage models. In addressing the complex interplay between rock micro-defects and external stressors such as high temperatures and chemical corrosion, this study leverages the principles of CDM within the Mohr-Coulomb criterion framework. It advances the field by developing three innovative statistical damage models, enriched by diverse probability distributions and damage coupling methods. The research delineates the substantial impact of strength criteria, probability functions, and damage coupling mechanisms on the behavior of these models. Notably, it achieves a synthesis of theoretical constructs and experimental validation, demonstrating the models' capacity to reflect the nuanced behaviors of damaged rock accurately. Furthermore, this investigation contributes a methodological blueprint for statistical damage model construction, underscoring the critical selection of strength criteria and probability distributions. These efforts fortify the theoretical underpinnings necessary for the enhanced engineering application of statistics-driven damage analysis.

Optimizing sequential decision-making under risk: Strategic allocation with switching penalties

This paper considers the multiarmed bandit (MAB) problem augmented with a critical real-world consideration: the cost implications of switching decisions. Our work distinguishes itself by addressing the largely unexplored domain of risk-averse MAB problems compounded by switching penalties. Such scenarios are not just theoretical constructs but are reflective of numerous practical applications. Our contribution is threefold: firstly, we explore how switching costs and risk aversion influence decision-making in MAB problems. Secondly, we present novel theoretical results, including the development of the Risk-Averse Switching Index (RASI), which addresses the dual challenges of risk aversion and switching costs, demonstrating its near-optimal efficacy. This heuristic solution method is grounded in dynamic coherent risk measures, enabling a time-consistent evaluation of risk and reward. Lastly, through rigorous numerical experiments, we validate our algorithm’s effectiveness and practical applicability, providing decision-makers with valuable insights and tools for navigating the multifaceted landscape of risk-averse environments with inherent switching costs.

Концептуальная инженерия: идея и проблемное поле

The article analyzes the ideas and methods of conceptual engineering, its goals, problem field and opportunities. Conceptual engineering as a philosophical di­rection arises at the intersection of descriptive and normative approaches, repre­senting a revisionist strategy. Emphasizing the correlation between science and social life, the developers of the idea draw attention to the need for a conscious attitude to conceptual representation and terminological choice. Particular atten­tion is paid to the analysis of the name of the direction: the engineering perspec­tive is associated with the idea of ​​managing the scientific process. Theoretical and methodological origins of conceptual engineering are considered: the ideas of J. Dewey on the development of “conscious thinking”, R. Carnap on explica­tion, S. Haslanger on the importance of a critical attitude towards significant so­cial theoretical constructs. It is shown that conceptual engineering as a revi­sionist epistemological project is aimed at changing specific forms of social interaction through the revision of current ideas about the world and about one­self. Given the paramount importance of language in organizing everyday intel­lectual practices, conceptual engineering focuses on concepts and their meaning. In essence, it represents another attempt to eliminate linguistic ambiguity, but no longer with the help of a special symbolic language, but by manipulating mean­ing and sense. The problems of semantic modifications of concepts associated with semantic drift, linguistic intuition and communication, knowledge transfer are analyzed

Time Perspective and Perceived Social Isolation: The Role of Social Interaction Anxiety.

Time perspective is a theoretical construct that describes how humans perceive time, which can influence decision-making and subsequent behavior. Research has shown that an individual's dominant time perspective can be linked to increased risk of poor health. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between time perspective and perceived social isolation. Specifically, we examined the role of social interaction anxiety in the relationship between time perspective and perceived social isolation in a normative sample of college-aged individuals. Undergraduates (n = 1780) at a large midwestern university completed an online survey. Results revealed that future-oriented, past-positive, and present-hedonistic time perspectives were significantly negatively associated with perceived social isolation. In contrast, past-negative was positively associated with perceived social isolation, and these relationships were partially explained by social interaction anxiety. Understanding dominant time perspectives can help us to better assess health risk factors and may help to develop interventions to promote healthy behaviors.

Development and psychometric testing of the nurses' core competencies for public health emergencies scale: A multicenter cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe significance of addressing public health emergencies (PHEs) emphasizes the pivotal role of a skilled nursing workforce in effective preparedness and response. However, there's a lack of comprehensive assessments tailored to nurses' core competencies, serving as a standard for ongoing education in preparedness. ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop a psychometrically sound scale for identifying and measuring essential core competencies crucial for nurses during public health emergencies. DesignA multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. SettingsTwelve tertiary hospitals in Shanghai. ParticipantsAffiliated nurses with prior experience and significant exposure to public health emergencies were recruited. MethodsThe study underwent development and validation in two stages, utilizing qualitative data analysis, a Delphi expert panel, and an empirical quantitative cross-sectional survey. The Nurses' Core Competencies for Public Health Emergencies (NCC-PHEs) scale and a demographic questionnaire were distributed between January 2023 and March 2023. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlations, and Cronbach's alpha analyses were employed to identify theoretical constructs, assess scale reliability, and establish validity. ResultsAnalysis was conducted on valid data collected from 1481 nurses. Factor analysis identified 47 professional nursing competencies arranged within a four-factor high-order model: prevention competencies (9 items), preparation competencies (7 items), response competencies (comprising basic and advanced levels) (26 items), and recovery competencies (5 items). Structural equation modelling confirmed satisfactory factor loadings and a good model fit, validating construct integrity. The reliability of the total scale was confirmed. ConclusionThis study presents a valid scale that empirically measures nurses' core competencies crucial for preparedness and response during public health emergencies. The findings offer instrumental support for guiding the development of future courses and training programs in nursing research and practice.

Tracking of blood pressure levels from childhood.

The overall goal of this review is to summarize what is currently known regarding the tracking of blood pressure levels from early childhood into later adulthood and to describe the factors contributing to increased hypertension prevalence across the lifespan. This review describes 4 theoretical constructs of blood pressure trajectory across the lifespan: forward development, forward tracking, forward reversal, and maintenance of normal blood pressure levels.

PECULIARITIES OF BODY IMAGE INFLUENCE ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH HIGH AND LOW LEVELS OF PHYSICAL

The article discusses the peculiarities of the influence of body image on the quality of life in individuals with high and low levels of physical perfectionism. The analysis of scientific literature shows that today, satisfaction with one’s appearance and a healthy body image are among the key aspects of the psychological and physical health of a modern person. In our study, we define the concept of “body image” as a person’s perception of his or her body, not only in terms of appearance and the degree of its attractiveness. It is also a set of ideas about one’s physical abilities, health, body endurance, etc. By the term “physical perfectionism” we mean a system of personal beliefs and attitudes related to a person’s appearance: increased concern and dissatisfaction with one’s appearance, the desire to meet high body standards, to achieve the best results in the struggle for an ideal figure, as well as a painful attitude to any critical remarks about one’s appearance. To test the theoretical construct of those psychological features that determine the specifics of the impact of body image on the quality of life in individuals with high and low levels of physical perfectionism, we used diagnostic tools, namely: Physical perfectionism scale (A. B. Kholmogorova, A. O. Dadeko, adaptation on the Ukrainian sample by M. I. Babchuk); The Situational Body Image Dissatisfaction Inventory (SIBID) (T. Cash); Body Image Influence on Quality of Life (BIQLI) (T. Cash). The next step was a differential psychological analysis of the results obtained, which consisted of: first, grouping the subjects by qualitative and quantitative combination of indicators of physical perfectionism, and second, studying the personality traits inherent in the representatives of the selected groups. Subsequently, on the basis of the constructed profiles, the psychological characteristics of individuals from the selected groups with high and low levels of physical perfectionism were compiled and described.

Exploring Symptom Management Experiences Among College Students With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Using a Theoretical Framework: A Qualitative Study.

The purpose of this study was to explore symptom management experiences among college students with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Limited qualitative data using a theoretical framework exist that explore the self-care behavior processes for symptom management. A qualitative approach was used for this study. The middle-range theory of self care of chronic illness served as a framework for data collection and analysis procedures. Data collection included distributing a survey to collect participants' demographic and sociodemographic data and utilizing a semi-structured interview guide to conduct one-on-one interviews with 31 participants. Interviews occurred via Zoom (n = 28) and in person (n = 3). Interview transcripts were uploaded in NVivo for data management. The research team created a codebook using theoretical constructs to assist with thematic analysis. Data are representative of a sample whose characteristics include undergraduate students ages 18 to 23 living with T1DM for 2 years or more who attended large, public, 4-year universities located in the southeastern United States. Three main themes were created using theoretical constructs: symptom detection experiences, symptom interpretation experiences, and symptom response experiences. Two subthemes were identified for each theme. Participants engaged in symptom management for blood glucose regulation through detecting changes in their blood glucose physiologically and via technology. Additionally, symptom interpretation involved analyzing blood glucose trends and determining common causes of blood glucose changes. Symptom response included immediately addressing hypoglycemia but delayed responses addressing hyperglycemia. Challenges were present responding to hypoglycemia; therefore, additional research is warranted to improve symptom response skills.

Phonological assessment and analysis tools for Polish: Construction and use

ABSTRACT This contribution presents tools for the assessment of phonological development of Polish-learning children and an initial qualitative evaluation thereof. The tools are consistent with those developed for 16 other languages in a cross-linguistic study of phonological development that is embedded in the framework of constraint-based nonlinear phonology. This theoretical foundation underlies the composition of a Polish word list for elicitation plus a supplementary analysis and intervention planning form (where intervention is warranted). A qualitative pilot study evaluated the tools in terms of adherence to underlying theoretical constructs, coverage of Polish phonology in the developmental context and utility for testing two children, one of whom was characterised by protracted phonological development. Further steps are required to develop the test into a norm-referenced instrument for clinical and research purposes, including quantitative evaluations of the tools’ psychometric properties.

Factors influencing environmental sustainability performance: A study applied to coffee crops in Colombia

The Environmental Sustainability Performance (ESP) in Agricultural Activity (AA) is a topic of great interest due to its essential role in the future of society. Efficient resource management and capacity building among people engaged in AA are essential for reducing environmental impact and achieving long-term sustainability. In this regard, a model was developed based on AA and its relationship with ESP by reviewing the relevant scientific literature. The model was then empirically validated by surveying coffee crops in the Valle del Cauca region of Colombia. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the causal relationships between the theoretical constructs, measured using a 28-item survey instrument grouped into five blocks. The survey was administered to 692 administrators, managers, and owners of coffee Agricultural Producing Units (APUs), and the data were validated and analyzed using the partial least squares technique (PLS-SEM) and SmartPLS Version 4.0 software. The results indicate that Business Associativity (BA), Agricultural Management (AM), Citizen Participation (CP), and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have a direct and positive relationship with ESP. Moreover, this study found that the relationships between AM and BA, ICT and AM, and ICT and CP generate significant indirect effects associated with ESP. Finally, the study discusses the impact of agricultural management on ESP and its effects on other variables.

Where will my future Be? Adaptive sensemaking of refugee camp entrepreneurs in perpetual liminality

ABSTRACT Refugees in camps are in precarious and perpetual liminal situations that require them to continually make sense of entrepreneurial activities. This study seeks to answer the following research questions: How do refugee camp entrepreneurs make sense of entrepreneurial activities in perpetual liminality? How do their individual stories interact with the collective narrative of entrepreneurship within the camp community? We employed adaptive sensemaking as a theoretical construct to conduct an explorative qualitative study of Somali refugees in the Umkulu camp in Eritrea. Our study found that entrepreneurs perceive a disparity between an imaginary future and the perceived reality of perpetual liminality in making sense of entrepreneurial activities. When the disparity is small, entrepreneurs are committed to collective accounts for refugee camp entrepreneurship. When the disparity is large, however, it harms the plausibility and cohesiveness of existing narratives, which leads to sensebreaking and eventually prompts the refugees to look for an alternative liminal place. Based on the findings, we theorize refugee camp entrepreneurs’ adaptive sensemaking in perpetual liminality. This study advances scholarly discussions on refugee camp entrepreneurship by revealing the dynamic interplay between individual sensemaking and collective accounts within the camp and conceptualizing the refugee camp as a perpetual liminal place.

Evolving through multiple, co-existing pressures to change: a case study of self-organization in primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

BackgroundPrimary care is often described as slow to change. But conceptualized through complexity theory, primary care is continually changing in unpredictable, non-linear ways through self-organization processes. Self-organization has proven hard to study directly. We aimed to develop a methodology to study self-organization and describe how a primary care clinic self-organizes over time.MethodologyWe completed a virtual case study of an urban primary care clinic from May-Nov 2021, applying methodological insights from actor-network theory to examine the complexity theory concept of self-organization. We chose to focus our attention on self-organization activities that alter organizational routines. Data included fieldnotes of observed team meetings, document collection, interviews with clinic members, and notes from brief weekly discussions to detect actions to change clinical and administrative routines. Adapting schema analysis, we described changes to different organizational routines chronologically, then explored intersecting changes. We sought feedback on results from the participating clinic.FindingsRe-establishing equilibrium remained challenging well into the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary care clinic continued to self-organize in response to changing health policies, unintended consequences of earlier adaptations, staff changes, and clinical care initiatives. Physical space, technologies, external and internal policies, guidelines, and clinic members all influenced self-organization. Changing one created ripple effects, sometimes generating new, unanticipated problems. Member checking confirmed we captured most of the changes to organizational routines during the case study period.ConclusionsThrough insights from actor-network theory, applied to studying actions taken that alter organizational routines, it is possible to operationalize the theoretical construct of self-organization. Our methodology illuminates the primary care clinic as a continually changing entity with co-existing and intersecting processes of self-organization in response to varied change pressures.

Theoretical Domains Framework: A Bibliometric and Visualization Analysis from 2005-2023.

The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) is among the most extensively utilised foundational frameworks in implementation science. It was developed from 33 psychological theories, with the latest version identifying 14 domains encompassing 84 theoretical constructs. These domains and constructs capture the complexity of factors that affect behaviours, making the framework a valuable tool for designing and implementing interventions within health and social care settings. To summarise the development, hot topics, and future trends in TDF-related research and provide implementation practitioners with more information on the application of TDF. We used TDF as the topic and searched the ISI Web of Science Core Collection, identifying 1382 relevant publications. We used analytical tools such as Excel, Tableau, VOSviewer, and Citespace to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the relevant publication. We identified the United Kingdom as the primary contributor, with University College London as the key institution. Susan Michie ranked highest in total citations. The analysis highlighted cancer and stroke as primary clinic medicine-related topics using TDF. Emerging themes encompass abuse, violence, maternal health, antenatal care, patient involvement, and trauma-informed care et al. "Nurse" and "qualitative research" emerged as recent and enduring hotspots, possibly indicating future research trends. This article represents the first attempt to summarise the TDF using bibliometric analysis. We suggest this method can be used to analyse other theoretical frameworks in scientific implementation of its objectivity and quantifiability. Overall, the application scope of TDF is shifting from public health towards more specialised clinical directions, although its application in the field of public health is continuously expanding. In the future, the number of users of TDF is also expected to expand from implementation scientists to professional technical personnel.

An Extended Pre-testing Protocol in the Lead-up to Field Studies

To establish whether interventions ultimately change behavior, they are best tested in the field. However, there is no clear consensus on how to pre-select such interventions. To address this, we propose an extended pre-testing protocol in the lead-up to field studies. This extended protocol combines different approaches by (1) distinguishing between (a) an intervention triggering the corresponding theoretical construct, (b) the construct being linked to behavioral intentions, (c) the intervention affecting behavioral intentions; and (2) accounting for emotional reactions to intervention materials. We illustrate the protocol in an online experiment ( N = 636) focusing on the example behavior of opting out of daily hotel room cleans—a behavior which can help reduce the environmental footprint of tourism. The results illustrate the value of the extended pre-testing protocol in tourism and hospitality research and beyond. It increases understanding of underlying intervention mechanisms and ensures interventions are suitable for the field.

Factors Influencing Novice and Beginner Nurses' Intention to Report Medication Errors and Near Misses.

Novice and beginner nurses make more medical errors than senior nurses. However, there is significant underreporting of medication errors and near misses among novice and beginner nurses. To identify the factors that influence the intention of novice and beginner nurses to report medication errors and near misses. A cross-sectional exploratory study was carried out among third-year nursing students in a Quebec university (n = 143). Data was collected through a self-reported questionnaire based on the adapted Theory of Planned Behavior. Simple descriptive analyses and a series of contingency analyses were performed using Chi-2 or Fisher exact tests. Correction of multiple tests was done using Bonferroni test. All theoretical constructs were significantly associated with intention. Sociodemographic factors (age, sex, experience and education program) were also associated with intention. Further studies are needed to identify the determinants of intention to report medication errors and near misses among novice and beginner nurses. More attention is required in nursing practice and education to act on these factors, thus encouraging novice and beginner nurses to report medication errors and near misses.

Developing an MLA-test for young learners – insights from measurement theory and language testing

This article presents the process of constructing and validating a test of metalinguistic awareness (MLA) for young school children (age 8–10). The test was developed between 2021 and 2023 as part of the MetaLearn research project, financed by The Research Council of Norway. The research team defines MLA as using metalinguistic knowledge at a point in real time. To develop the test, the research team relied heavily on general measurement theory (psychometrics) and insights from the field of language testing and assessment. This aids in the process of developing a practical and user-friendly MLA-test which yields valid scores and reliably measures the state and the development of MLA. This innovative approach to MLA testing offers explicitness about the theoretical construct of the test and at the same time contributes to controlling the difficulty and discriminatory power of each test item. We argue that the test development process presented here is useful when developing tests of MLA and similar concepts, as it facilitates comparison of results as well as replicability. This development process and its detailed description also make it possible to adapt the MetaLearn MLA-test to other contexts.

Correlations of Socioeconomic and Clinical Determinants with United States County-Level Stroke Prevalence.

Socioeconomic status (SES) is a multi-faceted theoretical construct associated with stroke risk and outcomes. Knowing which SES measures best correlate with population stroke metrics would improve its accounting in observational research and inform interventions. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Population Level Analysis and Community Estimates (PLACES) and other publicly available databases, we conducted an ecological study comparing correlations of different United States county-level SES, health care access and clinical risk factor measures with age-adjusted stroke prevalence. The prevalence of adults living below 150% of the federal poverty level most strongly correlated with stroke prevalence compared to other SES and non-SES measures (correlation coefficient = 0.908, R2 = 0.825; adjusted partial correlation coefficient: 0.589, R2 = 0.347). ANN NEUROL 2024.