Search results

1 – 10 of 610
Article
Publication date: 9 January 2024

Niloofar Solhjoo, Maja Krtalić and Anne Goulding

While exploring the information experience within multispecies families, the subjective nature of humans and non-human entities, living beings and non-living objects becomes…

Abstract

Purpose

While exploring the information experience within multispecies families, the subjective nature of humans and non-human entities, living beings and non-living objects becomes evident. This paper aims to reveal the underlying significance of information within socio-physical living environments shared among humans, cats and dogs as companions.

Design/methodology/approach

Gaining inspiration from the information experience approach and posthumanism, this is a phenomenological paper. Empirical material related to lived experiences of participating families were gathered through multispecies ethnography methods, followed by phenomenological reflections. The paper has been written based on excerpt-commentary-units and the inclusion of videos and images as an approach to convey the richness of the lived experiences and multiple perspectives.

Findings

Findings are organised into three main sections, each capturing lived experiences of information and its utilization from various frames. The paper shows how living beings, both human and animal, use their physical, sensual and moving bodies to acquire and convey information to and from each other. Moving beyond the living beings, the study discusses how non-living objects in the physical environment of a multispecies family also shape information. Material objects, spatial locations and even plants became sources of information for the family members. Lastly, the paper delves into the social environment of the family, where all members, human and animal, are actively shaped by information within their social interactions and companionship.

Originality/value

Considering information distributed across species and material objects in a shared, more-than-human environment, the article suggests implications for an information experience approach. It emphasizes how information shapes the in-between humans, animals and their environment, highlighting their reliance on each other for understanding and living a good shared life. There is a need for future research to explore the information experience within the internal subjective minds of members of multispecies families, bridging the gap in the understanding of these external information and their internal information processes.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 November 2023

Elif Tanrikulu and Ibrahim Taylan Dortyol

Social exclusion is a complicated psychological phenomenon with behavioral ramifications that influences consumers' lifestyles and behaviors. In contrast, anthropomorphism is a…

Abstract

Purpose

Social exclusion is a complicated psychological phenomenon with behavioral ramifications that influences consumers' lifestyles and behaviors. In contrast, anthropomorphism is a phenomenon that marketing strategists employ and that occurs in customers' lives as a result of social isolation. The literature discusses these two complicated structures as ones that require investigation based on consumer judgments. The purpose of the current study is to understand the fundamental motivations that underlie the propensity for anthropomorphizing in people who suffer social isolation through their pets.

Design/methodology/approach

To look into the motivations driving these themes, a study technique with three distinct components was created. Cyberball was employed as a technique to manipulate social exclusion in the initial stage of this research methodology. Two scenarios, one of which had an anthropomorphizing tendency and the other of which did not, were presented to participants who had suffered social exclusion and advanced to the second phase in order to determine the anthropomorphizing tendency. The Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS), which Johnson et al. (1992) created based on the social support provided by pets, was utilized while creating the scenarios. The Zaltman method was applied as an interviewing technique in the third stage of the research design, with the interviewees being guided by visuals that reflected their emotions and thoughts.

Findings

The results of the data analysis were evaluated in light of social psychology. A more thorough expression of the complex relationship between anthropomorphism and those who experience social exclusion has been made. The findings showed that when people anthropomorphize their pets in response to feelings of social exclusion, the motivations that emerge include pure love, loyalty, animals' need for a human, living creature and embracing. The study emphasizes that these ideas will be helpful in customers' interactions with anthropomorphic objects.

Practical implications

As a contribution to the literature, the study findings offer the five major motivations underpinning these beliefs. These findings may help marketing scientists comprehend social exclusion and anthropomorphism, thereby benefiting the individual and society.

Originality/value

The majority of research in the literature (Chen et al., 2017; Epley et al., 2008; Eyssel and Reich, 2013; Waytz et al., 2019) verified that people who were socially excluded would use anthropomorphism, but no studies were discovered about the motivations outlined in the current study. The results of this investigation should add to the body of knowledge in this area. The pet was employed as an anthropomorphism tool in the current study because it is the object that a person chooses to anthropomorphize deliberately and independently. It adds to the study's originality by explaining in the individual's own terminology how he will feel as a result of his social isolation, how he will make up for it and potential responses he may have. In addition to all of these contributions, the study's primary goal of analyzing the motivations behind anthropomorphism yields significant findings that are relevant to both industry and academic research.

Details

Qualitative Research Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1443-9883

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 January 2024

Liliana Sousa, Jéssica Fernandes, Pedro Sá-Couto and João Tavares

Companion animals and social media are two important factors of social interaction and well-being among the older population. This study aims to compare social media use and/or…

Abstract

Purpose

Companion animals and social media are two important factors of social interaction and well-being among the older population. This study aims to compare social media use and/or having companion animals with respect to sociodemographic variables in conjunction with loneliness, social isolation, depression, satisfaction with life and satisfaction with social support.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional study involves a sample of 250 older community-dwelling adults. The questionnaire comprised sociodemographic, companion animals and social media questions and scales to assess social isolation, loneliness, satisfaction with life and social support and depression. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings

Four groups emerged: “companion animal/s, no social media” (37.6%); “none” (33.6%); “social media and companion animal/s” (14.4%); and “social media, no companion animal/s” (14.4%). Social media users (with or without companion animals) are the youngest and with higher levels of education; caregivers of companion animals (no social media use) are in-between in terms of age and level of education; and those without companion animals and no social media users are the oldest and with less formal education.

Originality/value

This research examines and compares two key influencers of older adults’ well-being and social interaction (social media and companion animals), that have been researched mostly separately. Findings underlined the cohort effect in the use of social media, suggesting that future older adult cohorts will use more social media whether they have or do not have companion animals.

Details

Working with Older People, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-3666

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 November 2023

Sanjna Sebastian Thoppil and Sanjay Pandy

This study explores the relevance of film texts in Indian social studies classrooms for students at the upper primary level. It examines how different types of visual texts can…

Abstract

Purpose

This study explores the relevance of film texts in Indian social studies classrooms for students at the upper primary level. It examines how different types of visual texts can facilitate awareness, critical thinking, discussion and action.

Design/methodology/approach

Using multimodal discourse analysis (MDA), this paper critically evaluates five selective films from regional cinemas in India and explores their teaching implications for social studies. The study argues that films are vital multimodal resources that can challenge the prevailing narratives in social studies pedagogy. It conveys how the suggestive revised taxonomy could benefit the students. It proposes a classification system for film analysis with discussion and states how films can bring out interrelated themes and encourage deeper, critical inquiry within the curriculum. The study finds discourse around the films and qualitatively stresses dialogue exchange with sentiment analysis using MAXQDA software. Developed by VERBI software, MAXQDA is a product whose name is inspired by the German Sociologist Max Weber, while the ‘QDA' stands for Qualitative Data Analysis.

Findings

The films act as multimodal texts, navigators, metaphors, communicative circuits and catalysts. The paper concludes that films can improve and expand multimodal learning of social studies in three ways: films help learners connect emotionally with the concepts, films make the learning process more appealing and extend it beyond classroom boundaries and films offer a unique insight into the socio-cultural subtleties that are often limited in textbooks.

Originality/value

This research pioneers an intersectionality-driven framework for film analysis in the curriculum for Indian upper primary social studies, offering innovative pedagogical tools to enrich Indian curriculum insights and bridge existing knowledge gaps.

Details

Social Studies Research and Practice, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1933-5415

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 April 2024

Julie Napoli and Robyn Ouschan

This study aims to examine how veganism is “seen” by young adult non-vegan consumers and how prevailing attitudes reinforce or challenge stigmas around veganism.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine how veganism is “seen” by young adult non-vegan consumers and how prevailing attitudes reinforce or challenge stigmas around veganism.

Design/methodology/approach

Photovoice methodology was used to explore young non-vegan consumers’ attitudes and beliefs towards veganism. Data was collected from students studying advertising at a major university in Australia, who produced images and narratives reflective of their own attitudes towards veganism. Polytextual thematic analysis of the resulting visual data was then undertaken to reveal the dominant themes underpinning participants’ attitudes. Participant narratives were then reviewed to confirm whether the ascribed meaning aligned with participants’ intended meaning.

Findings

Participant images were reflective of first, how they saw their world and their place within it, which showed the interplay and interconnectedness between humans, animals and nature, and second, how they saw vegans within this world, with both positive and negative attitudes expressed. Interestingly, vegans were simultaneously admired and condemned. By situating these attitudes along a spectrum of moral evaluation, bounded by stigmatisation and moral legitimacy, participants saw vegans as being either Radicals, Pretenders, Virtuous or Pragmatists. For veganism to become more widely accepted by non-vegans, there is an important role to be played by each vegan type.

Originality/value

This study offers a more nuanced understanding of how and why dissociative groups, such as vegans, become stigmatised, which has implications for messaging and marketing practices around veganism and associated products/services. Future research could use a similar methodology to understand why other minority groups in society are stereotyped and stigmatised, which has broader social implications.

Details

Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-2752

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 December 2022

Ana Junça Silva

Human–animal interactions (HAIs) have been found to have an extensive and significant influence on individuals' well-being and health-related outcomes. However, there are few…

Abstract

Purpose

Human–animal interactions (HAIs) have been found to have an extensive and significant influence on individuals' well-being and health-related outcomes. However, there are few studies that examine this influence on work-related contexts, such as teleworking. In this study, the author relied on the affective events theory to examine the effect of daily HAI on employees’ daily work engagement and the underlying mechanisms (daily affect ratio and state mindfulness), by resorting to a daily diary study.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypotheses, the author collected daily data during five consecutive working days with pet owners (N = 400 × 5 = 2,000).

Findings

Multilevel results showed that interacting with pets during the working day was positively associated with daily work engagement, but this positive relationship was stronger for individuals with lower levels of mindfulness. Further analyses showed that the daily affect ratio mediated the moderating effect of mindfulness on the relationship between daily interactions with pets and daily work engagement.

Practical implications

These findings provide strong support for the proposed mediated moderation model; indeed, positive affect and mindfulness help to explain the positive effect of HAIs on work engagement. Hence, managers may consider the adoption of teleworking, even in a hybrid format for those workers who own pets, because interacting with pets may be a strategy to make them feel more positive and, in turn, more enthusiastic, dedicated and absorbed in their work.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first studies to demonstrate the importance of adopting pet-friendly practices, such as allowing pet owners to telework, as a way to promote daily work engagement.

Details

Personnel Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0048-3486

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 January 2024

Lisa Powell and Nicholas McGuigan

This paper aims to explore the role of individual inner dimensions in fostering sustainable mindsets in accounting students and graduates. Individual inner dimensions such as…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role of individual inner dimensions in fostering sustainable mindsets in accounting students and graduates. Individual inner dimensions such as compassion shape our behaviour and responses to sustainability challenges. Consideration of inner dimensions, in conjunction with sustainability knowledge and skill development, is needed for reshaping the accounting profession towards achieving sustainable futures.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors explore the role of individual inner dimensions in accounting and how approaches to cultivating compassion in other disciplinary educational settings could be applied to cultivate and facilitate compassion within accounting education. Approaches to cultivating compassion for human and non-human species within accounting education are presented, highlighting their relevance to accounting decisions and organisational accountability.

Findings

Cultivating compassion for human and non-human species within accounting education aligns with the broader role of accounting in social and environmental issues. Embedding compassionate approaches with a problem-solving focus within accounting pedagogies and curricula design could contribute to shaping behaviour and reorienting the mindsets of future accounting professionals.

Social implications

Cultivating compassion within accounting students enhances connections across species, encourages students to recognise the role of compassion in sustainable decision-making and promotes a sustainable mindset. Enhanced compassion in accounting graduates could provide the motivational force for action-oriented responses from the accounting profession to the unprecedented ecological crisis.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper presents a first step in exploring potential approaches to cultivating and facilitating compassion within accounting pedagogies and curricula design. This paper extends sustainability accounting education literature by considering individual inner dimensions in shifting mindsets of accounting students, graduates and educators towards sustainability.

Details

Meditari Accountancy Research, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-372X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 January 2024

Mariel Alem Fonseca, Naoum Tsolakis and Pichawadee Kittipanya-Ngam

Amidst compounding crises and increasing global population’s nutritional needs, food supply chains are called to address the “diet–environment–health” trilemma in a sustainable…

Abstract

Purpose

Amidst compounding crises and increasing global population’s nutritional needs, food supply chains are called to address the “diet–environment–health” trilemma in a sustainable and resilient manner. However, food system stakeholders are reluctant to act upon established protein sources such as meat to avoid potential public and industry-driven repercussions. To this effect, this study aims to understand the meat supply chain (SC) through systems thinking and propose innovative interventions to break this “cycle of inertia”.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses an interdisciplinary approach to investigate the meat supply network system. Data was gathered through a critical literature synthesis, domain-expert interviews and a focus group engagement to understand the system’s underlying structure and inspire innovative interventions for sustainability.

Findings

The analysis revealed that six main sub-systems dictate the “cycle of inertia” in the meat food SC system, namely: (i) cultural, (ii) social, (iii) institutional, (iv) economic, (v) value chain and (vi) environmental. The Internet of Things and innovative strategies help promote sustainability and resilience across all the sub-systems.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings demystify the structure of the meat food SC system and unveil the root causes of the “cycle of inertia” to suggest pertinent, innovative intervention strategies.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the SC management field by capitalising on interdisciplinary scientific evidence to address a food system challenge with significant socioeconomic and environmental implications.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 December 2023

Andriani Kusumawati, Cahya Nova Kurniawan and Mohammad Iqbal

This study aims to highlight the influence of co-creation experience (CCE) on tourists’ citizenship behavior (TCB), emphasizing the Indonesian ecotourism sector during the…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to highlight the influence of co-creation experience (CCE) on tourists’ citizenship behavior (TCB), emphasizing the Indonesian ecotourism sector during the post-COVID pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

By using a judgmental sampling, data were collected from 150 visitors who visits Indonesian ecotourism resort and acquired the wildlife experience through co-creation process. To evaluate the relationship model, partial least squares-structural equation modeling by SmartPLS 3rd version was used in this study.

Findings

The result indicated that CCE in terms of Indonesian ecotourism had an effect on involvement (INV) and satisfaction (SAT). Result ascertain INV and SAT direct effect on TCB. Multigroup analysis indicated that perceived risk of COVID-19 could moderate insignificantly the relationship among INV, SAT on TCB.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on CCE, INV, SAT and TCB in Indonesian ecotourism with wildlife attraction and contributes an insight for tourism research; thus, the results cannot be generalized for other ecotourism worldwide.

Practical implications

The proposed model of this study suggests the need to review the current condition of citizenship behavior at destination level, especially regarding to cleanliness and crowd controlling on post-COVID pandemic to maintain tourists’ health and safety while traveling.

Social implications

Achieving TCB in different types of destination (ecotourism) requires specific development models concerning environmental conditions.

Originality/value

Though CCE, INV, SAT and TCB have identified as main topics for tourism research especially in ecotourism sector, the related factors of TCB in post-COVID-19 era are remain limited.

目的

本研究旨在强调共创体验(CCE)对游客公民行为(TCB)的影响, 重点是后疫情期间印尼生态旅游中的游客公民行为(TCB)。

设计/方法论/方法

通过判断抽样, 从访问印尼生态旅游胜地的 150 名游客收集了数据, 并通过共创过程获得了其野生动物体验。 为了评估关系模型, 本研究使用了 SmartPLS 第三版的偏最小二乘结构方程建模 (PLS-SEM)。

发现

结果表明, 印尼生态旅游的 CCE 对参与度(INV)和满意度(SAT)有影响。 结果确定了INV和SAT对TCB的直接影响。 多组分析表明, covid-19 的感知风险对 INV 和 SAT 与 TCB 的关系影响不大。 本研究还描述了中介作用。

研究局限性/影响

该研究重点关注印尼生态旅游中野生动物吸引力的CCE、INV、SAT, TCB, 为旅游研究提供见解; 因此, 研究结果不能推广到全世界其他生态旅游。

实际影响

该研究提出的模型表明, 有必要审查目的地层面公民行为的现状, 特别是在新冠大流行后的卫生和人群控制方面, 以维护游客在旅行时的健康和安全。

社会影响

不同类型的目的地(生态旅游)中实现游客的公民行为需要针对不同的环境条件而选择开发模式。

原创性/价值

尽管 CCE、INV、SAT 和 TCB 是旅游研究中, 特别是在生态旅游领域的重点研究对象, 但在后疫情旅游过程中, 其与目的地公民行为相关的因素研究仍然有限。

Objetivo

Este estudio pretende poner de relieve la influencia de la experiencia de cocreación (CCE) en el comportamiento ciudadano de los turistas (TCB) haciendo hincapié en el sector del ecoturismo indonesio durante el periodo post-pandémico de la COVID-19.

Diseño/enfoque

Mediante el uso de un muestreo de juicio, se recopilaron datos de 150 visitantes que visitaron un centro de ecoturismo en Indonesia y adquirieron la experiencia de la vida silvestre a través del proceso de co-creación. Para evaluar el modelo de relación, en este estudio se utilizó el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales de mínimos cuadrados parciales (PLS-SEM) de SmartPLS 3.a versión.

Resultados

El resultado indicó que la CCE en términos de ecoturismo indonesio tuvo un efecto sobre la implicación (INV) y la satisfacción (SAT). El resultado determinó que INV y SAT tienen un efecto directo sobre el TCB. El análisis multigrupo indicó que el riesgo percibido del covid-19 modera de forma insignificante la relación INV y SAT con el TCB. Papel mediador también descrito en este estudio.

Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigación

el estudio se centra en CCE, INV, SAT, TCB en el ecoturismo indonesio con atracción de vida silvestre y aporta información para la investigación turística; por lo tanto, los resultados no pueden generalizarse para otros ecoturismos en todo el mundo.

Implicaciones prácticas

el modelo propuesto en el estudio sugiere la necesidad de revisar la condición actual del comportamiento ciudadano a nivel de destino, especialmente en lo relativo a la limpieza y el control de multitudes en la etapa poscovid para mantener la salud y la seguridad de los turistas durante el viaje

Implicaciones sociales

lograr un comportamiento ciudadano de los turistas en diferentes tipos de destino (ecoturismo) requiere modelos de desarrollo específicos en relación con las condiciones ambientales.

Originalidad/valor

aunque CCE, INV, SAT y TCB se identifican como una prioridad para la investigación turística, especialmente en el sector del ecoturismo, los factores relacionados en el curso del turismo post-covid-19 que se relacionan con la ciudadanía a nivel de destino siguen siendo limitados.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 17 July 2023

Kanza Abid, Zafar Iqbal Shams, Muhammad Suleman Tahir and Arif Zubair

The presence of heavy metals in milk causes many acute and chronic physiological dysfunctions in human organs. The present study aims to investigate the heavy metals in cow's and…

1038

Abstract

Purpose

The presence of heavy metals in milk causes many acute and chronic physiological dysfunctions in human organs. The present study aims to investigate the heavy metals in cow's and buffalo's milk of two major cities, Karachi and Gujranwala, Pakistan to estimate metal intake by humans from this source.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 48 milk samples from 2 cities were drawn from animals' udder to avoid contamination. Each sample was digested with nitric acid at 105 oC (degree Celsius) on a pre-heated electric hot plate to investigate the metals by atomic absorption spectroscopy (flame type). Air-acetylene technique analyzed chromium, cadmium and lead, and the hydride method analyzed arsenic in the milk samples.

Findings

The results revealed the highest mean lead concentration (19.65 ± 43.86 ppb) in the milk samples, followed by chromium (2.10 ± 2.33 ppb) and arsenic (0.48 ± 0.73 ppb). Cadmium was not detected in any sample, assuming cadmium's occurrence was below the detection level. The concentrations of all the metals in the samples of the two cities do not differ statistically. Lead concentrations in the buffalo's milk were higher than in cow's milk (p < 0.05). However, the concentrations of arsenic and chromium between buffalo's and cow's milk do not differ statistically. The present study reveals a lower level of metals in the milk than those conducted elsewhere. The mean concentrations of all the metals met the World Health Organization's (WHO) safety guidelines (1993).

Research limitations/implications

Although cadmium causes toxicity in the human body, cadmium could not be measured because cadmium's concentration was below the detection level, which is 1 ppb.

Practical implications

This study will help reduce the toxic metals in our environment, and the sources of heavy metals, particularly from the industrial sector could be identified. The feed and water consumed by the milking animals could be carefully used for feeding them.

Social implications

This study will help reduce the diseases and malfunction of human organs and organ systems since these heavy metals cause toxicity and carcinogenicity in humans. Arsenic and chromium cause cancer while lead causes encephalopathy (a brain disease).

Originality/value

The study reports heavy metal concentrations in the two attributes of four independent variables of raw milk samples that were scarcely reported from Pakistan.

Details

Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1985-9899

Keywords

1 – 10 of 610