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This article problematizes the concept of freedom rooted in liberalism, examining the detention of historian Ilan Pappe by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at Detroit Airport in the United States as an emblematic case study.

The research adopts a methodological triangulation approach, based on an analysis that combines data about the event and theories about the concept of freedom, problematizing authors who focused on the relationship between the individual and society in a liberal context, where individualism serves as the basis for specific conceptions of social relations.

Through the use of authors such as John Stuart Mill and John Locke, as well as the contributions of authors like Norbert Elias, it is argued that true freedom is relational, rooted in social interdependencies and the social construction of an individuality that is not individualistic but intrinsically linked to collective aspects.

Pappe’s case illustrates the tensions between individual freedom and collective interests, highlighting the need to reassess freedom of expression in complex political and social contexts.

This article proposes a more inclusive and interconnected view of human freedom, where individual and collective interests are negotiated within a dynamic web of social relations.

Religion could drive development. Although Ghana is touted as the most religious country in the world, notably, some Charismatic/Pentecostal churches operate at the expense of community development and members’ welfare. This study sought to achieve three objectives: to determine whether there is an opportunity for organizing the various churches for interfaith cooperative collective action; to assess the association between people’s religiosity and the propensity to join interfaith cooperative collective action and to assess people’s perceptions of the institutional framework that could facilitate the organization of the religious community in Ghana for interfaith collective action.

Descriptive statistics and an ordered probit model (OPM) were used to analyze cross-sectional data from a representative sample of households in the Greater Accra Region. Thematic analysis was also used to analyze the qualitative data.

The study found that generally, there is a positive response to a proposal to mobilize churches in an interfaith cooperative collective action, but distrust poses a great threat to interfaith cooperative collective action. The study also found that affiliation with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and Pentecostal/Charismatic is negatively (positively) associated with the propensity to join a collective action, respectively. Finally, the results of the study found that accountability, proper management and fair distribution of the proceeds from a collective action will help in mobilizing churches in Ghana in an interfaith collective action.

This is the first major study to explore the possibility of interfaith collective action among religious denominations aimed at accelerating poverty reduction and wealth creation in any developing country.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-08-2023-0670

This study aims to explore the interplay between regulatory, normative and cultural-cognitive factors in the context of sustainability-driven organisational change in Mexican small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Using qualitative research methods, data were collected through interviews with key stakeholders from eight SMEs in Mexico. Thematic analysis was conducted to explore how regulatory, normative and cultural-cognitive forces influence sustainability initiatives within these organisations.

The findings reveal a dynamic relationship between regulatory frameworks and broader societal norms, with SMEs strategically aligning with evolving expectations to drive sustainability. Influenced by consumer preferences, normative forces play a pivotal role in shaping internal and external organisational norms. Cultural-cognitive forces, including organisational values and leadership practices, further reinforce this interplay, highlighting the importance of organisational culture in driving sustainable practices.

This study contributes to understanding institutional dynamics driving sustainability initiatives among SMEs, particularly in the Mexican context. Explaining the complex interactions among regulatory, normative and cultural-cognitive forces offers a holistic framework for comprehending the complexities of sustainability-driven organisational change.

The findings provide practical insights for SMEs seeking to navigate sustainability initiatives. Emphasising the proactive role of regulatory compliance, fostering a culture of sustainability and leveraging collaborative opportunities within industries are recommended strategies for driving meaningful organisational change towards sustainability.

This study’s value lies in its development of a conceptual framework illustrating the complex interactions among regulatory, normative and cultural-cognitive forces driving sustainability-driven organisational change in Mexican SMEs. Elucidating these dynamics provides a nuanced understanding of how these forces intertwine, offering valuable insights for navigating sustainability initiatives for SMEs in Mexico.

Este estudio explora la interacción entre factores regulatorios, normativos y cultural-cognitivos en el contexto del cambio organizacional impulsado por la sostenibilidad en las pequeñas y medianas empresas mexicanas.

Utilizando métodos de investigación cualitativa, se recopilaron datos a través de entrevistas con partes interesadas clave de ocho PYMES en México. Se llevó a cabo un análisis temático para explorar cómo las fuerzas regulatorias, normativas y cultural-cognitivas influyen en las iniciativas de sostenibilidad dentro de estas organizaciones.

Los resultados revelan una relación dinámica entre los marcos regulatorios y las normas sociales más amplias, con las PYMES alineándose estratégicamente con las expectativas cambiantes para impulsar la sostenibilidad. Influenciadas por las preferencias de los consumidores, las fuerzas normativas desempeñan un papel fundamental en la formación de normas organizacionales internas y externas. Las fuerzas cultural-cognitivas, incluidas los valores organizacionales y las prácticas de liderazgo, refuerzan aún más esta interacción, destacando la importancia de la cultura organizacional en el impulso de prácticas sostenibles.

Este estudio contribuye a la comprensión de las dinámicas institucionales que impulsan las iniciativas de sostenibilidad entre las PYMES, particularmente en el contexto mexicano. Explicar las complejas interacciones entre fuerzas regulatorias, normativas y cultural-cognitivas ofrece un marco holístico para comprender las complejidades del cambio organizacional impulsado por la sostenibilidad.

El valor de este estudio radica en el desarrollo de un marco conceptual que ilustra las complejas interacciones entre fuerzas regulatorias, normativas y cultural-cognitivas que impulsan el cambio organizacional impulsado por la sostenibilidad en las PYMES mexicanas. Elucidar estas dinámicas proporciona una comprensión matizada de cómo estas fuerzas se entrelazan, ofreciendo valiosas ideas para navegar iniciativas de sostenibilidad para las PYMES en México.

Los hallazgos proporcionan ideas prácticas para las PYMES que buscan navegar las iniciativas de sostenibilidad. Se recomiendan estrategias como enfatizar el papel proactivo del cumplimiento regulatorio, fomentar una cultura de sostenibilidad y aprovechar las oportunidades de colaboración dentro de las industrias para impulsar un cambio organizacional significativo hacia la sostenibilidad.

Este estudo explora a interação entre fatores regulatórios, normativos e cultural-cognitivos no contexto da mudança organizacional impulsionada pela sustentabilidade em pequenas e médias empresas mexicanas.

Utilizando métodos de pesquisa qualitativa, os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas com partes interessadas de oito PMEs no México. Foi realizada uma análise temática para explorar como as forças regulatórias, normativas e cultural-cognitivas influenciam as iniciativas de sustentabilidade dentro dessas organizações.

Os resultados revelam uma relação dinâmica entre as estruturas regulatórias e as normas sociais mais amplas, com as PMEs alinhando-se estrategicamente às expectativas em evolução para impulsionar a sustentabilidade. Influenciadas pelas preferências dos consumidores, as forças normativas desempenham um papel crucial na formação de normas organizacionais internas e externas. As forças cultural-cognitivas, incluindo valores organizacionais e práticas de liderança, reforçam ainda mais essa interação, destacando a importância da cultura organizacional na promoção de práticas sustentáveis.

Este estudo contribui para a compreensão das dinâmicas institucionais que impulsionam iniciativas de sustentabilidade entre as PMEs, particularmente no contexto mexicano. Explicar as complexas interações entre forças regulatórias, normativas e cultural-cognitivas oferece uma estrutura holística para compreender as complexidades da mudança organizacional impulsionada pela sustentabilidade.

Os resultados fornecem insights práticos para PMEs que buscam navegar em iniciativas de sustentabilidade. Recomenda-se enfatizar o papel proativo do cumprimento regulatório, fomentar uma cultura de sustentabilidade e aproveitar as oportunidades de colaboração dentro das indústrias como estratégias para impulsionar uma mudança organizacional significativa em direção à sustentabilidade.

O valor deste estudo reside no desenvolvimento de um quadro conceitual que ilustra as complexas interações entre forças regulatórias, normativas e cultural-cognitivas que impulsionam a mudança organizacional impulsionada pela sustentabilidade nas PMEs mexicanas. Elucidar essas dinâmicas fornece uma compreensão diferenciada de como essas forças se entrelaçam, oferecendo insights valiosos para PMEs no México.

Fairy tale narratives have placed significant emphasis on depicting female and male protagonists through a binary understanding of gender roles. Major male characters are portrayed with traits associated with hegemonic masculinity, reinforcing concepts that uplift masculine superiority, such as independence, exercise of power, authority, and strength. Conversely, female protagonists are often represented in ways that emphasise hegemonic femininity, aiming to disempower and marginalise them by highlighting traditional feminine traits like passivity, dependence, and helplessness. Any female characters deviating from these norms and depicted as powerful and dominant are positioned as villains in relation to the main female protagonist, embodying non-hegemonic feminine characteristics.

The representation of women in these ways primarily serves one purpose: to uphold masculine superiority. Hegemonic femininity portrays women as damsels in distress, awaiting rescue. On the other hand, non-hegemonic femininity manifests through villainous women performing antagonistic acts towards conforming female protagonists, thus forcing them into a helpless position. This is the critical juncture where the main male protagonists' step in – rescuing the helpless female protagonists and defeating the female villains – reinforcing masculine values in both scenarios.

However, the 21st century fairy tale narratives have challenged this ideology. I argue that recent fairy tale narratives have adopted the technique of ‘Feminist Quest Heroine’ to challenge and deconstruct male characters' heroism through the re-portrayal of female and male characters. The selected fairy tale narratives include Frozen (2013) and a comparative analysis of Sleeping Beauty (1959) and its cinematic adaptation Maleficent (2014). The findings suggest that these fairy tales rework the representation of male characters in three ways: the application of post-feminist masculinity, the modification of heteronormative temporality, and the prominence of sisterhood upon the critique of patriarchy.

This study offers practical insights into how generative artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance responsible manufacturing within the context of Industry 5.0. It explores how manufacturers can strategically maximize the potential benefits of generative AI through a synergistic approach.

The study developed a strategic roadmap by employing a mixed qualitative-quantitative research method involving case studies, interviews and interpretive structural modeling (ISM). This roadmap visualizes and elucidates the mechanisms through which generative AI can contribute to advancing the sustainability goals of Industry 5.0.

Generative AI has demonstrated the capability to promote various sustainability objectives within Industry 5.0 through ten distinct functions. These multifaceted functions address multiple facets of manufacturing, ranging from providing data-driven production insights to enhancing the resilience of manufacturing operations.

While each identified generative AI function independently contributes to responsible manufacturing under Industry 5.0, leveraging them individually is a viable strategy. However, they synergistically enhance each other when systematically employed in a specific order. Manufacturers are advised to strategically leverage these functions, drawing on their complementarities to maximize their benefits.

This study pioneers by providing early practical insights into how generative AI enhances the sustainability performance of manufacturers within the Industry 5.0 framework. The proposed strategic roadmap suggests prioritization orders, guiding manufacturers in decision-making processes regarding where and for what purpose to integrate generative AI.

The purpose of this study is to analyse the gender wage gap (GWG) in Spain adopting a labour market segmentation approach. Once we obtain the different labour segments (or idiosyncratic labour markets), we are able to decompose the GWG into its observed and unobserved heterogeneity components.

We use the data from the Continuous Sample of Working Lives for the year 2021 (matched employer–employee [EE] data). Contingency tables and clustering techniques are applied to employment data to identify idiosyncratic labour markets where men and/or women of different ages tend to match/associate with different sectors of activity and occupation groups. Once this “heatmap” of labour associations is known, we can analyse its hottest areas (the idiosyncratic labour markets) from the perspective of wage discrimination by gender (Oaxaca-Blinder model).

In Spain, in general, men are paid more than women, and this is not always justified by their respective attributes. Among our results, the fact stands out that women tend to move to those idiosyncratic markets (biclusters) where the GWG (in favour of men) is smaller.

It has not been possible to obtain remuneration data by job-placement, but an annual EE relationship is used. Future research should attempt to analyse the GWG across the wage distribution in the different idiosyncratic markets.

Our combination of methodologies can be adapted to other economies and variables and provides detailed information on the labour-matching process and gender wage discrimination in segmented labour markets.

Our contribution is very important for labour market policies, trying to reduce unfair inequalities.

The study of the GWG from a novel labour segmentation perspective can be interesting for other researchers, institutions and policy makers.

This case was developed via primary data collected from personal (one to one) interview with the CEO and founder of Dialogue in the Dark Malaysia (Dialogue Malaysia), Stevens Chan. With Stevens’ contact, the authors also conducted personal interviews with Kaye Chan (co-founder and wife of Stevens Chan), Lynn Foo (project manager since inception until early 2022) and Dr Foo Yin Fah (academic researcher in social entrepreneurship and advisor for Dialogue Malaysia). Secondary data included reports on visually impaired context in Malaysia, Dialogue Malaysia’s annual reports and online articles. Prior to the primary data collection, the authors obtained ethics approval from the University Human Ethics Committee (Project ID: 35461).

This case narrative focuses on Stevens Chan, a blind social entrepreneur who champions the empowerment of the disabled and marginalised community. Through a social franchising model, Stevens founded Dialogue in the Dark Malaysia in 2012. As a social start-up, Stevens showcases the strengths of blind and visually impaired individuals through transformative experiential encounters and reimagining future possibilities. Although there are constant challenges in securing financial and human capital, Stevens never lacks psychological capital, characterised by hope, self-efficacy, optimism and resilience. His vision is to educate society on the power of empathy (and not sympathy) and to create a holistic experience of celebrating diversity and inclusion through an innovative discovery centre, where the elderly and the disabled community (including the deaf, mute and those with mobility issues) share their lives with the public through fun activities. However, the future of this social enterprise is uncertain, and this case invites participants to embark on this journey with Stevens to uncover future pathways for growth and social impact.

The case is tailored for higher level undergraduates and entry-level and mid-level managers of executive education programs.

This study aims to explore academic women’s silence from the perspective of social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986), by examining the triadic influences of the individual, environment and behaviour, which impacts their silence. The study examines how women use personal, proxy and collective agency (Bandura, 2018) to reduce silence.

Interviewing 22 academics (20 women, 2 men) at a leading Polish university, this study used the Gioia et al. (2013) method to analyse the interviews, creating first- and second-order codes and final aggregated concepts.

This study finds, from an environmental perspective, that societal-level gendering, which is underpinned by critical social factors and institutional logics that are part of Poland’s culture promoting gender stereotypes and family values influences women’s silence. There is clear evidence for the regression of women’s rights, which compounds women’s silence. These societal-level factors influence a hierarchical, bureaucratic organizational structure, alongside gender segregation. From an individual perspective, reasons for silence include socialization, fear, women’s lack of power, inequality and self-silencing to mitigate harassment or discrimination. Collective agency was a strongly mentioned theme to help reduce silence, which includes implementing training and development initiatives, creating a safe platform to voice concerns, structural transformation and cultural change.

This study contributes to literature regarding women’s silence by exploring reasons for silence through the lens of Bandura’s social cognitive theory and agentic perspective, which demonstrates how silence could be reduced through collective action, in the understudied context of Poland, which highlights how country context intersects with organizational context and individual experience, influencing women’s silence.