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1 – 10 of 55Shamima Yesmin and Ayesha Akhter
A shared set of moral standards, ethical principles and behavioral norms of social structure can be referred to as culture. Many health problems are strongly influenced by one’s…
Abstract
Purpose
A shared set of moral standards, ethical principles and behavioral norms of social structure can be referred to as culture. Many health problems are strongly influenced by one’s cultural background. The purpose of the paper is to examine the scientific explanation of indigenous norms and practice of health healing.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative study considered in-person interviews to know the Tribals’ indigenous healing practice in Bangladesh. A focus group discussion with five tribal students was conducted to form a baseline on Tribals’ norms, rituals and information-sharing behavior. Around 35 tribal students were interviewed to find out their healing practices, norms and rituals on health issues. All these practicing indigenous knowledge were documented instantly. Peer-reviewed scientific papers from renowned databases were searched to have scientific evidence on each case. All the studies having negative or positive evidence were mentioned with each case.
Findings
The findings showed more indigenous knowledge with scientific disagreements on health aspects among the Tribals’ health practice in Bangladesh. However, the positive impact of such knowledge is not negligible. Therefore, showcasing the scientific tribals’ indigenous knowledge to a global audience is a strong recommendation.
Originality/value
Health and health care-seeking behavior among the tribal population in Bangladesh is not a new area of research, few studies have focused on the context, reasons and choices in patterns of health care-seeking behavior; obstacles and challenges faced in accessing health-care provision in the tribal areas in the country. However, research attempts to show the relationship between ecological knowledge and scientific indication is new in nature.
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Katrina E. Forbes-McKay and Sarah Henderson
This study investigates the relationship between mental well-being (MWB) and social support (SS) whilst addressing the paucity of research on students' support for emergency…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the relationship between mental well-being (MWB) and social support (SS) whilst addressing the paucity of research on students' support for emergency contact schemes (ECSs) and their views on how and when such schemes should be implemented.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 113 students recruited via opportunistic sampling completed an online survey including the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List - shortened version (Cohen et al. 1985), Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (Tennant et al. 2007) and questions about ECS. A correlational design used the Pearson product-moment correlation to explore the relationship between MWB and SS. A between-subjects design using independent measures t-test investigated differences in SS and MWB between those with and without a “trusted person” (TP).
Findings
The preferred name was “Named Trusted Person Scheme” (NTPS), the preferred TP was parent/guardian or partner, and the preferred means of contact was Personal Tutor to mobile phone. Most students (96%) supported the use of an NTPS when serious concerns were raised about mental or physical health, personal safety or student engagement. Those opposed were concerned about a loss of agency, identifying a TP or the TP worsening the situation. MWB was positively correlated with SS, and those with a TP had higher levels of MWB and SS than those without.
Originality/value
This study addresses the under-explored area of students' support for ECS, whilst enhancing our understanding of the relationship between MWB and SS especially amongst those without a person they can trust. This research provides valuable insights for universities looking to implement or refine such schemes, with the potential to improve students' MWB, academic achievement and retention by enhancing support.
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Connie Zheng, Shazia Nauman and Nida Usman Jahangir
This study explores the under-researched phenomenon of workplace bullying against women in male-dominated Pakistani society, highlighting its severe impacts and bridging the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the under-researched phenomenon of workplace bullying against women in male-dominated Pakistani society, highlighting its severe impacts and bridging the research gap on intersectional effects of gender and cultural dynamics in developing countries.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a mixed-method research approach, we conducted two-wave surveys with 308 female workers in Pakistan's educational and health sectors. Data analysis examined relationships between workplace bullying and job outcomes like productivity and satisfaction, complemented by insights from in-depth interviews with 18 female workers.
Findings
The study reveals that workplace bullying significantly undermines job productivity, increases emotional exhaustion mediated by job anxiety and decreases job satisfaction among female workers. Bullying persists due to weak institutions and inadequate law enforcement, with perceived social support found to be an insignificant moderator.
Practical implications
The study findings underscore the economic implications of workplace bullying, as it drives female workforce attrition, hindering economic development. The study recommends conflict resolution strategies, effective HR policies, national law enforcement and supportive social networks to combat bullying and create a conducive work environment.
Social implications
This study aligns with the UN's SDG goals #5 (gender equality) and #8 (decent work and economic growth), addressing pertinent issues related to workplace bullying in pursuit of these global objectives.
Originality/value
This study represents a unique attempt to address the intersectional dynamics of gender and culture concerning workplace bullying in Pakistan.
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Evelyn Kuupole, Daniel Akuoko Adjei, Edem Kwami Buami and Martin Harold Awinzeligo
This paper aims to investigate consumer sustainability awareness. In addition, it examined consumer purchasing behaviour as well as the use and disposal of used clothes.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate consumer sustainability awareness. In addition, it examined consumer purchasing behaviour as well as the use and disposal of used clothes.
Design/methodology/approach
To investigate consumers’ understanding of sustainability, clothing consumption, use and disposal of cloth. Primary data was gathered through the use of open-ended questionnaires. The study used a total of 56 consumers.
Findings
It was shown that consumers are aware of sustainability as a worldwide concern. It was also established that customers occasionally buy garments based on their hobbies and end up not using all of the clothes before the season ends. They also revealed that destroying or discarding used clothing can be bad for the economy, the environment and society.
Research limitations/implications
Consumers in Bolgatanga were the primary subject of this investigation. Different outcomes might be produced if the study was conducted in different regions of Ghana.
Practical implications
Outlining the behaviour of consumers is important to advance awareness on sustainability to avoid congesting the environment/society with used clothes.
Social implications
To reduce the potential impact that clothing may have on the many agents of sustainability, fashion designers ought to provide instructions to consumers on how to use and dispose of clothing.
Originality/value
This study contributes to policy development strategies of disposing off used clothes and consumers purchasing behaviour of clothes.
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Given the heated academic and policy debate regarding the fate of garment manufacturing in a high-wage developed economy in the 21st century, this study aims to explore the…
Abstract
Purpose
Given the heated academic and policy debate regarding the fate of garment manufacturing in a high-wage developed economy in the 21st century, this study aims to explore the production and export strategies of apparel “Made in Ireland.”
Design/methodology/approach
A logistic regression analysis of 4,000 apparel items at the stock keeping unit (SKU) level sold in the market from January 2018 to December 2021 was conducted to evaluate the production and export strategy of apparel “Made in Ireland” versus foreign-made imported items sold in Ireland.
Findings
The statistical results showed that Ireland’s apparel manufacturing sector survived the market competition by leveraging non-price competing factors, such as distinct product assortment, cultural heritage, history and traditional craftsmanship.
Originality/value
The findings challenged the conclusions of the classic trade and economic development theories regarding the trajectory of the garment manufacturing sector and called for a rethink about the strategies for expanding garment manufacturing in a high-wage developed country in today’s global economy.
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Priyadharshini Vasudevan and L. Suganthi
The new ways of working (NWW), a contemporary work environment with temporal and spatial flexibilities, has become an enforced reality after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted…
Abstract
Purpose
The new ways of working (NWW), a contemporary work environment with temporal and spatial flexibilities, has become an enforced reality after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted workplaces. However, the understanding of how it impacts employee well-being perceptions is limited. Hence, the current study aims to examine how the NWW facets, namely, time- and location-independent work, management of output, access to organizational knowledge and flexibility in working relations relate to employees' life satisfaction, mediated by psychological capital.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey was designed to collect data from 459 Indian knowledge workers. Model fit and the hypothesized relationships were tested using IBM SPSS 25, AMOS and PROCESS Macro.
Findings
All four NWW facets positively relate to psychological capital, which in turn associates with life satisfaction. Except for the facet “management of output”, the other three facets associate positively with life satisfaction before accounting for the mediator. Indirect effects of all four facets on life satisfaction via psychological capital were established. Overall, the findings establish the important mediating role of psychological capital in relating the NWW facets with life satisfaction.
Originality/value
By examining the previously unexplored relationships between NWW, psychological capital and life satisfaction, this study provides novel insights into the role of personal resources in maximizing the beneficial effects of the NWW practices and is highly relevant in the current context where organizations are trying to identify coping mechanisms that help employees adapt to workplace transformations.
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Aliaa M. Kamal and Hisham S. Gabr
The purpose of this study is to explore the design of outdoor play spaces in Cairo that provide an enjoyable play experience, along with opportunities for enhancing child social…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the design of outdoor play spaces in Cairo that provide an enjoyable play experience, along with opportunities for enhancing child social and cognitive developmental skills through play features incorporated in their play spaces to achieve this goal.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a qualitative methodology to examine the effectiveness of natural, customized and elevated features on social and cognitive play behaviors of 6–8 year-olds. Data were gathered in three different play settings; a play space inside a social club, a park and a schoolyard. Data gathering relied on observations, written descriptions of play patterns and recordings of children's conversations. Additionally, the researcher utilized sketching diagrams to illustrate children's preferences for play with each feature.
Findings
The results of the study indicate that incorporating natural, elevated and customized play features into children's play spaces can enhance their environment and provide opportunities for fostering their social and cognitive skills.
Research limitations/implications
This study reports the occurrence of indicative behaviors and not the exact measurement of skill development. Research involving children can have limitations in terms of reliability of results due to slight variations affected by unmeasurable circumstances.
Originality/value
The study makes a valuable contribution towards enhancing the quality of children's play spaces in Cairo by emphasizing the significance of providing opportunities for social and cognitive in addition to physical play.
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Meera Peethambaran and Mohammad Faraz Naim
The primary purpose of the study is to explore the evolving landscape of the contemporary workplace, specifically focusing on the role of high-performance work system (HPWS) and…
Abstract
Purpose
The primary purpose of the study is to explore the evolving landscape of the contemporary workplace, specifically focusing on the role of high-performance work system (HPWS) and its positive relationship with job performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on an extensive literature review method. The research adopts a positive psychological approach to unravel the underlying mechanism by which HPWS influences job performance. The study employs an integrative framework that is firmly rooted in the conservation of resources theory, broaden-and-build theory, and social exchange theory.
Findings
The findings of the study reveal that HPWS functions as a resource acquisition platform, fostering employees' psychological capital (PsyCap). This, in turn, leads to a state of complete well-being (FAW) characterized by positive emotions and optimal functioning. Importantly, this state of well-being broadens personal resources, ultimately sustaining high job performance.
Practical implications
The study highlights the significance of aligning HPWS practices with PsyCap and positive work experiences such as flourishing. Understanding the optimized job performance that results from a positive work environment and the cultivation of PsyCap can guide organizations in enhancing their human resource strategies.
Originality/value
The study adds value by providing a positive psychological mechanism connecting HPWS and Job performance. So far none of the studies have explored a positive psychological mechanism connecting these variables.
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Ian Phau, Olamide Akintimehin and Sean Lee
The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of terminal and instrumental values on the attitude and brand desirability for upcycled luxury designer facemasks, in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of terminal and instrumental values on the attitude and brand desirability for upcycled luxury designer facemasks, in relation with generic luxury designer facemasks.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative approach was adopted in this study, and data were collected via an online consumer panel from 390 existing Australian luxury consumers, aged 18 and above. Stimuli that represented the two upcycling conditions (remnants and past collections) and a control condition (generic product) from an actual Burberry-branded facemask were designed for the study. The collected data were analysed using the least partial square and multi-group analysis of the structural equation model
Findings
The findings indicate that consumers do not perceive Burberry facemasks made from upcycled remnant materials and previous collections have superior aesthetic or self-expressive benefits to them when compared to the generic Burberry masks. In the same vein, both upcycled categories do not provide superior instrumental values through economic benefits or safety when compared to the generic Burberry masks. Hence, terminal and instrumental values had no influence on the attitude and brand desirability for upcycled luxury designer facemasks, in relation with generic luxury designer facemasks.
Practical implications
The results indicate that strategies will have to be better designed to have a balance between safety features (as opposed to fashion) and luxury desirability of the brand to better capture the market for difference consumer values for the facemasks. As this is a relatively low involvement product, the pricing strategies must be re-evaluated.
Originality/value
This study offers empirical support for the proposition that different upcycling methods in the name of sustainable practices may have different functions for different consumer values in luxury marketing implementations. For the choice of facemasks during the COVID-19 pandemic, it provides empirical evidence for consumer choice for the different types and how it can be used to elevate luxury brand desirability.
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Andrew Miceli, Grant Bevil and Jutima Simsiriwong
Struck-by accidents (i.e. being hit by a falling object) are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in the construction industry. Despite the critical role of hard hats in…
Abstract
Purpose
Struck-by accidents (i.e. being hit by a falling object) are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in the construction industry. Despite the critical role of hard hats in minimizing such injuries, their overall design has not appreciably changed in decades. Therefore, this study aims to explore the potential benefits of modifying commercially available hard hat designs by incorporating a compliant cantilever and a sacrificial, energy-absorbing structure to enhance their protective capabilities against impacts.
Design/methodology/approach
This study involved conducting experimental impact tests to obtain the head acceleration attenuation using hard hats with a variety of compliant cantilever lattice insert designs. These lattice inserts were additively manufactured using three polymeric materials, including polylactide (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, high-impact polystyrene and three porosity levels. A Hybrid III head/neck assembly was fitted with each hard hat design, and experimental drop tests were conducted using a 1.8-kg steel impactor dropped from 1.83 m. The maximum acceleration and head injury criterion (HIC) values were obtained for each test.
Findings
Analysis of variance revealed that HIC was significantly reduced for all lattices with 56% porosity (p < 0.023) compared to the control (unmodified) hard hat. The most effective insert was found to be a PLA insert with 56% porosity, which reduced the HIC value by 38% compared to the control (unmodified) hard hat, with a statistically significant p-value of 0.018.
Originality/value
The data present in this study reveals that simple and inexpensive modifications can be made to existing hard hat designs to reduce injury risk from overhead impacts.
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