21st Century Research Articles

Managing and Controlling Innovation in the 21st Century Using Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing companies and how they organize innovation management. In line with the rapid development of technology and the replacement of human organizations, AI may actually force management to rethink the entire innovation process of a company. In response, we explore the implications for future innovation management. Using ideas from the Carnegie School and the behavioral theory of the firm, we examine the implications for innovation management of AI technologies and AI systems based on machine learning. We outline a framework that shows to what extent AI can replace humans and explain what needs to be considered in transforming the digital innovation organization. We conclude our study by exploring future research directions.

Representation of Social Inequality in Russia in the Movie Холоп (Son of a Rich) by Klim Shipenko

Social inequality has been a persistent issue in Russia across the 19th and 21st centuries, manifesting in different forms depending on historical, cultural, and political contexts. This study examines the representation of social inequality in Klim Shipenko’s 2019 film Холоп (Son of a Rich), focusing on how visual and linguistic elements encode and communicate this theme. Employing Stuart Hall’s qualitative representation analysis, the research explores the encoding and decoding of signs that highlight social disparity. The findings classify representations of inequality into three key dimensions: social class, social status, and power dynamics, drawing upon Max Weber’s theoretical framework. The study reveals how the film portrays systemic social hierarchies, emphasizing disparities between nobility and serfs in the 19th century and between urban elites and the rural lower class in the 21st century. Additionally, it examines how power structures perpetuate oppression through autocratic rule in the past and oligarchic influence in the present. By critically analyzing the film’s depiction of social conflicts, discrimination, and authority imbalances, this study underscores its role in delivering social commentary. The film functions as a medium of critique, shaping viewers’ perceptions of Russia’s socio-political realities. Ultimately, this research contributes to broader discussions on social inequality and media’s role in reflecting and challenging entrenched power structures.

Uncovering future directions in virtual reference service: a bibliometric and topic modeling analysis

Purpose This study aims to examine the evolution of virtual reference service (VRS) research in the 21st century, aiming to identify emerging trends, research hotspots, prolific scholars and knowledge structures. It seeks to provide insights into global research patterns and collaborations within the field. Design/methodology/approach A four-step approach was used to analyze VRS research. Data were collected from the Scopus database, and tools such as Biblioshiny, Word Cloud, LDAShiny, BERTopic (for topic modeling) and VOSviewer were applied. The study focused on social network analysis and conceptual structure evaluations of 1,633 documents, collected via a specific search string. The analysis covers the period from 2000 to 2023, highlighting trends and collaboration patterns in VRS research. Findings The bibliometric analysis of 1,632 publications by 3,108 scholars reveals significant growth in VRS research, with a notable surge during COVID-19 (2020–2022). Technological advancements and global research expansion have driven this rise. A small group of top-tier journals accounts for 33.3% of publications. Collaboration networks among authors and institutions remain limited, while keyword analysis identifies seven key research clusters that highlight various VRS aspects and trends. Practical implications The findings suggest that VRS research is experiencing a technological transformation, driven by innovations such as chatbots, AI assistance and augmented reality, which are expected to shape the future of the field. Originality/value This study uniquely integrates VRS practices with modern technological advancements, offering valuable insights for future research and potential breakthroughs in VRS.

Teacher support for basic needs is associated with socio-emotional skills: a self-determination theory perspective

Socio-emotional skills have been identified as critical for individuals to achieve success in the twenty-first century. These skills are especially crucial for undergraduate and postgraduate students to navigate the challenges associated with academic learning, well-being, and future job performance. However, little attention has been given to exploring how socio-emotional skills can be facilitated in higher education. Across different educational systems and especially in the Chinese context, there seems to be more focus on academic performance and less on socio-emotional learning. Using self-determination theory as the theoretical framework, two studies were designed to investigate the extent to which teachers’ support for autonomy, competence, and relatedness was associated with university students’ socio-emotional skills. Data were collected from 1539 undergraduate students (Study 1) and 499 postgraduate students (Study 2). The results from the two studies indicated that students whose teachers supported their basic needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness had higher levels of socio-emotional skills, including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. This study helps advance our understanding of the role of teachers in students’ socio-emotional skills in both undergraduate and postgraduate contexts.

Evolving Role of Libraries in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Libraries, historically revered as custodians of knowledge, are undergoing a paradigm shift in the 21st century, driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). This paper provides a comprehensive examination of how AI technologies such as machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and predictive analytics are redefining library operations, user engagement, and ethical frameworks. Through a systematic review of secondary data from 2015–2023, including global surveys, institutional reports, and peer-reviewed studies, the study identifies transformative trends: 40% adoption of AI chatbots in academic libraries (ALA, 2022), a 50% surge in digital resource usage via personalized recommendations, and persistent challenges like algorithmic bias and data privacy concerns. The analysis underscores the necessity for libraries to harmonize technological innovation with ethical stewardship to maintain their societal relevance.

Editorial: Communication and glocalization: media, culture, and society in the 21st century

Editorial: Communication and glocalization: media, culture, and society in the 21st century

Evidence of eden: unstable continuum and manifest history in M. NourbeSe Philip’s Zong!

ABSTRACT This article considers M. NourbeSe Philip’s 2008 Zong!. I read Philip’s poetry as rearranging the 1783 text of Gregson v. Gilbert – a legal manuscript relating the Zong massacre of 1781 – in a way that necessarily causes one to think a continuum between the late eighteenth century and the present. At the same time, I argue that the poetry makes this continuum appear as historically contingent and therefore mutable. I argue that Zong! achieves this effect by enabling antagonistic and contradictory readings, and that by holding the resolution of these contradictions in abeyance the poems present the reader with a sense of the subaltern agency that Philip understands to be encrypted within the language of Gregson v. Gilbert. I call the poetic effect of this agency ‘manifest history’ and suggest several methods through which Philip’s poems communicate it to the reader. In the final section, I argue that the manifest history present in earlier sequences of Zong! is brought in later sequences into relation with a structure of mourning and ritual that enables one to glimpse a process of collective self-constitution. I end by suggesting that one can think this element of Philip’s text alongside examples of so-called ‘mournful militancy’ observed within twentieth and twenty-first century social movements.

Optimizing Urban Greenspace Landscapes to Mitigate Population Exposure to Extreme Heat in 21st Century Chinese Cities.

Urban greenspace (UGS) is a crucial nature-based solution for mitigating increasing human exposure to extreme heat, but its long-term potential has been poorly quantified. We used high spatial-temporal resolution data sets of urban land cover and population grid in combination with an urban climate model, machine learning, and land use simulation model to assess the impact of UGS on population exposure to extreme (high-heat exposure, HHE) and its potential spatial optimization strategies. Results showed that the UGS and HHE have a strong spatiotemporal dynamic coupling in 21st century Chinese cities. Moreover, UGS shrinkage increased the HHE by 0.58-1.15 °C, while UGS expansion mitigated it by 0.72-1.26 °C, both stronger in the SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. Different from common impressions, spatial relationships, rather than quantities of UGS, are more influential (1.3-1.8 times) on HHE. Our solutions suggest that simply enhancing the spatial dynamic connectivity between patches can mitigate HHE by 9.1-21.1%, especially for the eastern and central cities. Our results provide an example of how to improve climate adaptation in urban ecological space designs and strongly promote research on optimal spatial patterns for future robust urban heat mitigation.

Modern principles and local deviations in secured transactions laws of Asia: an introductory remark

Abstract One of the significant challenges for a uniform law instrument to be successful is keeping ‘deviations’ that undermine the very purpose of unification or harmonization at a minimum. For model laws, as opposed to uniform law conventions, the challenge arises more (or first) in the implementation phase rather than in the phase of interpreting and applying the instrument. The unification or harmonization of laws on secured transactions or security interests in the 21st century started with the adoption of Unidroit’s Cape Town Convention and the United Nations Convention on Assignment of Receivables in International Trade in 2001, but the more pervasive unification or harmonization took the shape of the adoption of UNCITRAL’s Model Law on Secured Transactions in 2016. Thus, the question is: what essential elements or legal principles shape the coherency of the Model Law; how and to what extent does domestic law reform in various jurisdictions deviate from or accept those principles; and, if there are deviations, why do they occur? This short note introduces the articles in this special issue, which are centred on these questions concerning the use of the Model Law on Secured Transactions in Asian jurisdictions.

Lexical Creativity in Online Music Reviews

The language of the 21st century encompasses a wide array of texts, many of which can be found on the Internet. While the language of Internet blogs, posts and memes has received considerable attention from scholars, the language of online music reviews remains one of the most underresearched Internet genres. One of the music reviewing websites offering lexically creative content is Pitchfork. Authors of the reviews are prolific with regard to the creation of hyphenated neologistic compounds such as all-proceeds-to-charity wine, the last-real-gangsta-standing attitude and smartphone-sucking lives. The aim of this study is to analyse hyphenated compound occasionalisms and neologisms in Pitchfork music reviews in terms of their meaning, structure and function. The analysis features compounds obtained from the corpus of music reviews created for the purpose of the study. Quantitative analysis involves all compounds in the reviews, while qualitative analysis is employed for neologistic compounds. The findings indicate that two-element compounds are the most common in the corpus as far as compound structure is concerned. In terms of the syntactic criterion, compound adjectives are the most frequently used, followed by compound nouns, with few instances of compound verbs and adverbs. Neologistic compounds are employed for the purposes of ludic wordplay as well as achieving humour and irony. The most salient features of neologistic compounds are high context-dependence, unpredictability and allusions to pop-culture.

Antiliberalism and Counter-Enlightenment for the 21st Century: Viktor Orbán's Illiberal Political Ideology

Abstract This article analyses the political speeches of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán between 2014 and 2023 by applying the ‘ideational approach’. Questioning the description of Orbán as a politician whose career represents nothing but opportunism and kleptocracy, the article argues that his politics are driven and underpinned by an illiberal political ideology. Examining how Orbán conceptualizes illiberalism in the realms of (1) Hungarian domestic politics; (2) foreign and global politics; and (3) cultural politics (understood in the Gramscian sense as a battle for fundamental values), this article offers a systematic analysis of Hungarian illiberalism and of the interrelations of its main ideological components. The article also examines how and why Orbán portrays himself not only as the authentic voice of the Hungarian people, but also simultaneously as the genuine representative of original Europeanness.

ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ РАЗВИТИЯ САНАТОРНО-КУРОРТНОГО ЛЕЧЕНИЯ ДЛЯ ПАЦИЕНТОВ С НАРУШЕНИЕМ ОБМЕНА ВЕЩЕСТВ НА ДАЛЬНЕМ ВОСТОКЕ

Introduction. In the Primorsky Territory, there is an opportunity to combine cultural, medical and health resources into a single tourist system, which will help develop medical and health tourism and attract tourists not only from the Primorsky Territory and the Far East, but also attract tourists from other regions of the country, as well as from neighboring countries of the Asia-Pacific region. Objectives. To show the prospects for the development of sanatorium-resort treatment on the example of the effective use of complex treatment of patients with metabolic disorders. Material and methods. The randomized study was carried out in the period 2009-2012 at the Vladivostok branch of the FSBI "DNC FPD" SB RAMS – NII MKVL (state registration No. 01200706095). On the basis of voluntary written informed consent, 212 patients with overweight (BMI) and alimentary-constitutional obesity of I-II degree aged 21 to 60 years, as well as 25 conditionally healthy persons participated. Results. According to the results of the study, overweight patients showed characteristic changes in carbohydrate, lipid, purine metabolism, which became more pronounced with an increase in the degree of obesity, the levels of adipokines are closely related to clinical and laboratory parameters, the detected adipokin imbalance was accompanied by an increase in the levels of leptin and TNF-α. For the first time, the effect of complex treatment, including applications and ultraphonophoresis of sulfide sludge mud, on the hormonal activity of adipose tissue in obese patients showed that the inclusion of ultraphonophoresis of sulfide sludge mud contributed to a significant change in the content of adipokines than in patients treated with mud applications. The effect of the after-effect of the treatment complex, including peloidotherapy, according to anthropometric and biochemical indicators, lasts for 3 months after treatment. Complex treatment, including mud applications, is more effective in people with BMI than in obese patients. In combination with ultrasound therapy, the effects of the treatment are observed equally in individuals with BMI and in obese patients. Conclusion. It should be noted that the future of health tourism in the 21st century lies in programs aimed at maintaining a healthy body and a healthy mind, preventing diseases and peloidotherapy.

Patterns of Evolution of the Conceptual Apparatus of Histology and Cytology (17th – 21st Centuries)

ABSTRACT The development of the conceptual apparatus of morphological sciences began to be carried out on a scientific basis starting from the 18th century. To designate many histological structures, they began to use terms already used to designate other (non-histological) structures (tissue, cell, fiber, membrane, plexus, node, membrane, nucleus, colloid, etc.), as well as terms based on a combination of known terms with clarifying additions. At the same time, many new terms were created (centrosome, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, etc.). Many histological and cytological eponyms arose. For many terms, the authorship is unknown or debatable. The modern conceptual apparatus of histology was mainly formed by the middle of the 20th century and was officially formed in the second half of the 20th century. The result of the evolution of the system of histological terminology was the creation of the International Histological Nomenclature (later renamed the International Histological Terminology), in which eponyms were practically absent. Following the creation of this terminology, national histological terminologies were created in a number of countries on its basis, which are periodically revised and supplemented. At present, histology is one of the most systematically organized scientific and educational disciplines.

Implementation of an e-learning prototype for studying 21st-century learning models for prospective biology teachers

The need to master 21st century skills demand preservice teachers to have pedagogical competencies that are adaptive to change, especially in terms of implementing 21st century learning models and integrating technology into learning. One solution to meet the demands of preservice teachers is e-learning, a flexible, adaptive and interactive learning that allows users to access content anywhere, following structured stages. The success of e-learning depends on the effectiveness of implementing an approach such as DARP (Discuss, Archive, Reflect, and Prepare). This approach ensures that the e-learning platform is interactive, reflective and evaluative. The aim of this research is to examine the response of users of e-learning prototypes of 21st century learning models designed with a reflective and interactive approach. This initial prototype was developed to meet user needs and align with the intended goals, using a usability questionnaire for evaluation. The method used in this research is SDLC (System Development Life Cycle) which consists of five stages, namely planning, analysis, design, implementation and testing. This research involved 30 students and 2 lecturers, and the usability of the e-learning platform was assessed using the USE Questionnaire. The development of this prototype received positive feedback from both students and lecturers, this shows that DARP-based e-learning can be further developed as a learning platform to support improving the pedagogical competence of 21st century preservice teacher.

Urban Open Space Systems and Green Cities: History, Heritage, and All That

More than half the world’s population live in cities1. According to UN Habitat, we are rapidly approaching the time when five billion people will live in cities, and by 2050 this could be 7.5 billion, with much of the growth concentrated in the global south. The context for this paper is how urban growth is linked to notions of community values which cross-link to concepts of heritage. Urban places are where the majority of the world’s population lives and will increasingly do so. Inextricably linked to this proposition is that urban places are where community memories, identity and sense of place are inherent, and here is the link with heritage. What do these paces mean to us? Are there regional, national and international differences? Parallel with these ideas of urban heritage is the sense of place and attachment people have for green spaces in cities and the incremental loss of green spaces. This prompts the question of how this phenomenon has stimulated scholarly and professional attention on the concept of greening cities. Underpinning the inquiry is an understanding of how urban green growth has become regarded as critical to the well-being of people in urban areas. Central to such concerns is the role of people and their social and cultural values which shape how they see their cities. Notable also is how there has been growing concern for urban conservation since the 1990s and the need to understand cities as people spaces, not just collections of buildings. Discourse on cities as spaces for people has its roots in, and builds on, a paradigm shift in innovative thinking and concepts in the twentieth century which has continued into the twenty-first century. Mindful of this background, the paper opens with a review of the historical background to these concerns on the premise that the past is not always a foreign country2. It then moves into consideration of heritage values and the role of landscape and what we mean by values. This consideration is central to the paper and moves into an overview of the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach as new approaches and tools for urban conservation came into play.

Validity of e-modules integrated with game-based problem-based learning to improve 21st century skills in Biology learning

Given how quickly technology is developing, 21st-century learning must connect with it and focus on giving students the skills they need to succeed in the twenty-first century. This research aims to design e-modules integrated with game-based problem-based learning to improve 21st-century skills. The research method uses the ADDIE development model, which is limited to the development stage. The validation test was conducted on four expert validators consisting of 2 researchers and two practitioners. The findings indicated that the e-module received an 83% score for its content/material component, an 84% score for its systematic component, an 83% score for its language component, and an 84% score for its visual component. With an average percentage of 84%, the e-module design met extremely valid requirements when taken as a whole. These results indicate that the e-modules that have been designed have a relatively high level of validity so that the e-module is ready to be tested without revision.

Evaluation of Ankara Train Station Area in the Old and New Context

The machines introduced by the Industrial Revolution brought radical transformations, including the invention of trains, which led to the emergence of station buildings and campuses. These campuses became focal points of their surroundings, evolving into urban spaces that contributed to local development. The changing environments shaped by railway heritage form an integral part of industrial heritage, influencing the memory and history of cities. Advancements in technology have led to the adaptation of trains, rendering some station buildings insufficient and necessitating new structures. The Ankara Station Campus, a significant example of industrial heritage, has expanded with additions over time. With the introduction of the high-speed train in the 21st century, the first major addition, the Ankara High-Speed Train Station, was inaugurated in 2016. In 2019, part of the campus ownership transferred to Medipol University, which subsequently constructed the Dentistry Faculty Building in 2020 to meet its needs. This study evaluates the architectural and cultural values of the campus buildings. It examines the Ankara High-Speed Train Station and Medipol University Dentistry Building in the context of imitation, emulation, respectful approach, and contrast design criteria, emphasizing their impact on the integrity of the campus as an industrial heritage site.

An investigation into the errors in email writing of first-year undergraduates

Email communication has gained vital importance in daily communication in the 21st century, regardless of the field in which it is used. In the context of tertiary-level education, email communication also plays a significant role. Likewise, Error Analysis (EA) is also important in writing skills. Most of the EA research in Sri Lanka has focused more on broader areas like essay writing, grammar, or speaking skills, rather than on genre-specific writing like email. The current study addresses the gap in EA research by investigating the errors in email writing by first-year undergraduates at a Sri Lankan university. Thus, a mixed methods approach was employed, combining pre-and post-tests and questionnaires. Fifty first-year undergraduates of the Department of Commerce and Financial Management, University of Kelaniya, were taken as the sample. The required data were collected through administration, pretest, posttest, and questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the error analytical framework of Corder and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The findings indicated that though the learners claimed they were aware of the formal email writing conventions, their emails showed that they were unaware of those conventions. Most students committed spelling errors, verb-related errors and punctuation errors, while, lack of knowledge of the target language elements was the primary reason beyond those errors. Hence, the study indicates that teachers and learners should be aware of the norms and errors in email writing. Providing one-to-one or constructive feedback is crucial for enhancing email writing skills and including the lessons related to the proper email communication required to be included in their syllabus.

Developing an ssi-based module on biotechnology to improve students' problem-solving and creative thinking skills

In the 21st century, education demands students to master essential skills like problem-solving and creative thinking. However, some studies show that Indonesian students, especially in biotechnology, still struggle with these skills. This highlights the need for effective teaching materials, such as SSI-based modules to help students improve their skills. This study aimed to develop a feasible module-based SSI on biotechnology, improve problem-solving and creative thinking skills, and evaluate students' responses to the module-based SSI on biotechnology. The module was developed using the 4D model (Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate). The sample for this study was 60 students in 11th Grade Science Class from MAN Pematangsiantar. The research findings were as follows: 1) The module feasibility categorized as “excellent” in both media design and language, while model content categorized as “good” 2) The result of N-gain for problem-solving was 0.61 (medium) and creative thinking was 0.73 (high). 3) Students' responses to the module categorized as “excellent”. Based on these results, the module based-SSI on biotechnology is considered highly feasible and can be used as a learning material that enhances problem-solving and creative thinking skills.

The Status of Women in War: A Bibliometric Analysis

Objectives: This study aims to provide a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research on the status of women in the context of war. Despite the richness of literature on armed conflicts, there has been less systematic evaluation of the research output concerning this important gendered dimension of war. Methods: The study draws on 187 articles retrieved from the Scopus database, using the phrase "The status of women in war" in the search query to identify relevant publications. A bibliometric analysis was conducted to examine the patterns in publication productivity across countries, citation impact, key sources, affiliations, authorship trends, and thematic keywords. Results: The findings reveal a gradual increase in research outputs related to women and war over the past three decades, with notable spikes following major conflicts in the 21st century. However, the citation impact of this work has decreased over time. The analysis also highlights the dominance of scholarship from Western countries, indicating the need to incorporate diverse global perspectives. Conclusions: The paper concludes that while scholarship on women's gendered experiences of conflict is expanding, critical gaps remain in equitably representing diverse voices and contexts. Prioritizing interdisciplinary, intersectional analyses through collaborative global networks is needed to elevate overlooked perspectives for a comprehensive understanding of the urgency of women's realities in war.