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Book review : The soft power of non-Western small states : the cases of Bhutan and Qatar
No full textSoft power has become a widely studied, highly debated, and consistently contested concept in international relations, yet much of the scholarship has traditionally focused on major powers. Sarina Theys’ latest book challenges this dominant perspective by offering a compelling analysis of how Bhutan and Qatar – two small actors with contrasting political and economic profiles – exercise influence on the international stage. [excerpt]peer-reviewe
Volatility spillovers among major U.S. companies
Get PDFPURPOSE: Volatility spillovers among leading U.S. companies have important implications
for portfolio diversification, systemic stability, and risk management. The presented study
investigated whether technology-driven shocks transmit beyond their own sector to influence
consumer and financial firms. Eleven large U.S. companies (AAPL, AMZN, PEP, TSLA,
MSFT, META, AVGO, NVDA, ADBE, NDAQ, and GOOGL) were examined in order to
identify the size, direction, and significance of firm-to-firm volatility linkages.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Daily data covering the period 2015-2024 were used.
Returns and thirty-day rolling standard deviations were calculated. Pairwise Granger
causality tests were applied to the volatility series. Significant relations were collated into
spillover matrices to visualize the propagation of shocks across firms.FINDINGS: Analysis revealed that volatility spillovers are concentrated within the technology
sector, with META, MSFT, and NVDA identified as key transmitters. Cross-sector effects
were also observed, most notably spillovers from technology into consumer and financial
firms such as PEP and NDAQ. These results indicate that sector-based diversification
strategies may underestimate true exposure to volatility.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results may be of interest to investors, risk managers, and
policymakers concerned with portfolio construction, stress testing, and systemic risk
oversight. The evidence suggests that firm-level spillovers should be explicitly incorporated
into investment and regulatory frameworks.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The study contributes to the literature by shifting the spillover analysis
from markets and sectors to a firm-level perspective within the U.S. mega-cap universe. The
results fill an empirical gap regarding the identification of specific companies that act as
volatility transmitters across sectors. The findings provide recommendations for enhancing
portfolio risk controls and monitoring systemic vulnerabilities in equity markets.peer-reviewe
Research biography of Jan Boman : mathematician and explorer
Get PDFThis article provides an overview of Jan Boman’s illustrious seventy year career as an approximation
theorist, microlocal analyst, and integral geometer. We will include his main mathematical themes and some
personal observations.peer-reviewe
Suffering in silence : mental health in the Maltese Football Premier League
Get PDFMental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and burnout are prevalent among footballers and can significantly impact their performance and wellbeing. However, psychological support within football clubs is still scarce, and few footballers are willing to speak up due to the stigma and discrimination they may experience. This study sought to explore to what extent mental health challenges affect the wellbeing and performance of footballers and mental health awareness/education initiatives in Maltese football. Eight male players playing in the Maltese Premier League in the 2023/2024 season were interviewed. Reflexive thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the data. The participants highlighted the challenges of the sport, transitions, critical moments, the detrimental impact of high-performance expectations, and injury concerns on their mental wellbeing. This, in turn, affected concentration and decision-making abilities on the pitch. The study revealed a strong desire among players for better mental health education and support within football institutions and the community. National associations and clubs are recommended to provide mental health education initiatives and support within their organisation.peer-reviewe
Evolution of project management dissertation topics in Poland : a comparative analysis of Project Master competition data (2015-2024)
Get PDFPURPOSE: The aim of this article is to analyse the evolution of project management thesis
topics submitted to the Project Master competition in Poland between 2015 and 2024. The
study aims to identify the main trends in terms of topics taken up by students in their theses
and areas of increasing importance in the context of academic project education.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study used a descriptive-analytical qualitative
approach, enriched with elements of quantitative analysis. A triangulation of methods was
used: desk research, document analysis, open coding inspired by Grounded Theory and trend
analysis. The metadata of 319 thesis titles submitted to the competition were analysed.FINDINGS: The survey results indicate a growing interest in modern project management
topics such as agile approach in project management (Agile) and artificial intelligence (AI),
while maintaining the presence of classic topics such as project feasibility studies. Changes
were also observed in the structure of the types of theses submitted, particularly the increase
in the number of undergraduate and doctoral theses in recent years.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The conclusions of the survey can support universities in adapting
educational programmes to current market trends and developing competences in line with
labour market needs, as indicated by the themes of the theses submitted to the Project Master
competition.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The article brings a unique longitudinal perspective to the analysis of
academic interest in the area of project management in Poland. It also reveals the role of
academic competitions as tools for identifying subject trends and activating students in
applied project knowledge.This research was co-financed by the Minister of Science under the
“Regional Excellence Initiative”.peer-reviewe
Insertional Achilles tendinopathy : a novel link to shorter free tendons
Get PDFBackground:
Achilles tendinopathy is a common overuse injury among athletes, classified into mid-portion and insertional types. While existing literature primarily emphasizes mid-portion tendinopathy as the more prevalent form, emerging evidence highlights the significance of insertional tendinopathy. Variations in clinical presentation warrant further investigation, particularly regarding anatomical differences that could inform treatment strategies and rehabilitation protocols.Purpose:
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Achilles tendon pathologies and explore anatomical differences in the length of the free tendon between insertional and mid-portion tendinopathy.Study design:
This study represents a cross-sectional analysis conducted as part of a larger longitudinal study on the mechanical properties of patients with Achilles tendinopathy.Methods:
A total of 103 patients (38.8 % males, 61.2 % females, age: 53 ± 12.8 years, body Mass Index (BMI): 30 ± 7.4 kg/m2, 60 % sedentary while 40 % active) diagnosed with Achilles tendon pathologies from across the Maltese islands were recruited for ultrasound assessments to measure tendon length and evaluate associated anatomical characteristics. Participants were categorised based on the type of tendinopathy.Results:
A higher prevalence of insertional tendinopathy (67.9 %) was identified compared to mid-portion tendinopathy (20.3 %). Notably, participants with insertional tendinopathy presented with short tendons (3.8 ± 1.4 cm, p = <0.001) compared to those with longer free tendon length in mid-portion tendinopathy (5.9 ± 1.3 cm, p = <0.001). This anatomical distinction, along with the lower attachment of the soleus muscle, may contribute to differing biomechanical properties, influencing the risk of specific tendon pathologies.Conclusions:
This study is the first to report a higher prevalence of insertional tendinopathy and to highlight the link between short free tendon length and insertional tendinopathy. This emphasizes the importance of monitoring short free tendons, as they are likely pivotal in the development of insertional tendinopathy.peer-reviewe
Gauge invariant perturbations in teleparallel Horndeski gravity
No full textWe present in the form of a catalogue the cosmological perturbations within the Bahamonde–Dialektopoulos–Levi Said (BDLS) theory, which serves as the teleparallel counterpart of Horndeski gravity. To understand structure formation in cosmological models, it is essential to study both the background and perturbative aspects of their cosmology. While extensive analysis of both Horndeski gravity and its teleparallel analog exists in the literature, a quantitative understanding requires a detailed examination of their cosmological perturbations. We review here all the different gauges for the scalar, vector and tensor perturbations of a cosmological background up to second order and we hope this will help people who work with observations, to incorporate it in existing codes.peer-reviewe
Going after sights, sounds and smells
Get PDFThis reflective essay explores the often-overlooked roles of sounds and smells in everyday environments, contrasting them with the more studied visual and linguistic landscapes. Through a personal anecdote about being drawn into a coffee shop by its aroma during a rainstorm in Italy, the author illustrates the powerful, transient influence of olfactory and acoustic stimuli on human behaviour and perception. The piece introduces key concepts such as “soundscape” (categorised into geophony, biophony, and anthropophony) and “smellscape,” highlighting their subjective nature and ecological significance. It calls for greater scholarly attention to these sensory dimensions within linguistic and environmental discourse, posing reflective questions to readers about their own sensory experiences and ending with a note on contemporary artificial scenting of public spaces, such as a scented Christmas tree in Malta’s capital.peer-reviewe
Guidelines on sustainable mobility
Get PDFAs our urban areas face increasing pressure from
population growth and environmental challenges,
the need for sustainable and efficient transportation
solutions has never been greater. This consolidated
document is the result of four years of studies
commissioned by the Local Councils’ Association
Malta, as the first of four pillars of its Resident First
vision launched in 2020, and undertaken by local
architectural and urban design office, STUDJURBAN.The document provides key insights into critical aspects of mobility in Malta, focusing
on strategic measures to address pressing issues such as the transition to electric
vehicles (EVs), parking management, walkability, shared transport, and last-mile
connectivity. By identifying current challenges and outlining actionable steps, these
insights aim to guide Local Councils, policymakers, key stakeholders, and residents
toward a more accessible, eco-friendly, and efficient transportation system. It is to
be noted that each of the five sustainable mobility documents collated within this
publication are correct as of the time when they have been formulated, and are being
presented in the order that they were issued, between the period 2021 and 2025. This
summary serves as a foundational guide for policymakers, local councils, and urban
planners to adopt a holistic approach to sustainable mobility.peer-reviewe
Customer service quality as a strategic dimension of marketing management in Poland’s travel industry
Get PDFPURPOSE: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the quality of services provided by
travel agencies in Poland. Particular attention is given to identifying gaps between customer
expectations and perceptions, which are crucial for enhancing competitiveness in the
dynamic tourism sector.APPROACH/METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: The research was conducted in 2024 using the SERVQUAL
method, a well-established tool for measuring service quality across five dimensions:
tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. The study applied a modified
version of the SERVQUAL model to better capture the specific context of travel agencies and
the evolving needs of customers in a digitalized service environment.FINDINGS: The results reveal that the overall condition of service quality remains
conditional, as perceived performance (P) scores were consistently lower than customer
expectations (O). This indicates that the services offered do not fully meet client demands.
Among the dimensions assessed, Reliability received the lowest rating after weighting,
highlighting serious concerns regarding the consistency and dependability of service
delivery. These findings point to critical areas where managerial intervention and strategic
improvements are necessary.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results underscore the importance for travel agencies to focus
on strengthening their reliability, as this is the dimension most strongly influencing customer
satisfaction and trust. Addressing weaknesses in this area could significantly enhance
customer loyalty and competitive advantage. Furthermore, the SERVQUAL-based evaluation
provides actionable insights for entrepreneurs, enabling them to design targeted strategies to
close service quality gaps.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating the practical
applicability of a modified SERVQUAL approach in the tourism and travel sector,
specifically within the context of Polish travel agencies. The findings emphasize its value as a
diagnostic tool for optimizing marketing management processes, particularly in an era of
rapid digital transformation and shifting customer expectations. The study advocates for the
broader application of SERVQUAL in service quality assessment to foster sustainable
growth and improved customer experiences in the tourism industry.peer-reviewe