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[Book review] Frendo, Anthony J. - How to read ancient texts : with a focus on select Phoenician inscriptions from Malta
Get PDFHow does one read ancient texts responsibly? Anthony J. Frendo’s book
is a welcome interdisciplinary work for scholars of Northwest Semitic
epigraphy (especially Phoenician) and the Hebrew Bible, classical scholars, and
archaeologists specialising in the ancient Mediterranean and the Levant (pp.xxi).
The book explores two main areas: “the principles of interpretation involved
in reading and understanding texts from the ancient Mediterranean world”; and,
“[the application of ] the results gained in discussing such principles to three
Phoenician inscriptions retrieved from the Maltese archipelago”, namely,
the ‘twin’ stelae CIS I, 123 and 123bis, and the Tal-Virtù Papyrus. All three
artefacts were discovered in Rabat, Malta.peer-reviewe
Western Pomerania as a touristically attractive region of Poland in the opinions of generations X, Y, and Z : organizational, legal, and economic aspects
Get PDFPURPOSE: The main objective of this study is to present the tourist attractiveness of West
Pomerania through an analysis of the perceptions and expectations of three generations- X,
Y, and Z. Additionally, three specific goals were established: to identify the most important
tourist attractions of West Pomerania relevant to each generation; to compare differences
and similarities in the perception of the region among representatives of generations X, Y,
and Z; and to indicate directions for tourism development in the region to better attract
different age groups.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study was conducted in three stages, during which
various scientific research methods were applied (method triangulation). In the literature
review stage, the inductive method was predominant. Document analysis and a critical
review of the literature were performed. In the empirical research phase, a diagnostic survey
method (questionnaire) was applied using the snowball sampling technique (research
conducted in Poland), along with statistical and econometric analysis.FINDINGS: The results of the empirical research confirmed that West Pomerania is perceived
as a touristically attractive region by all three generations- X, Y, and Z. The research also
proved that West Pomerania has the potential to meet the needs of all three generations
simultaneously, provided that appropriate promotion and segmentation of the tourist offer
are implemented in the future.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Identifying the most significant tourist attractions in West
Pomerania for each generation is crucial. Comparing the differences and similarities in the
perception of the region among representatives of generations X, Y, and Z, as well as
indicating directions for tourism development, can help attract diverse age groups more
effectively.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The approach presented in this study for assessing the tourist
attractiveness of West Pomerania by generations X, Y, and Z may serve as a starting point
for formulating recommendations in the field of regional tourism policy.Co-financed by the Minister of Science under the “Regional Excellence
Initiative”peer-reviewe
Empirical analysis of working capital behavior : the case of the Polish food manufacturing industry
No full textPURPOSE: The purpose of this paper was to present and compare the duration of the cash
conversion cycle and its components in food manufacturing sector industries. In turn, the
utilitarian objective was defined as specifying the intervals for average working capital
cycles in these industries.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The proposition of how to determine the average time
intervals of the cash conversion cycle and its components in food manufacturing sector
industries was focused on identifying the time intervals needed for each working capital
component to move from the expenditure stage to cash inflow. For every industry, the
average values were determined based on their variation which, in turn, was calculated
using their medians and quartile deviations recorded over the 15-year study period.FINDINGS: Irrespective of the situation they find themselves in, enterprise managers usually
focus on managing their working capital. Adequate management of its components ensures
financial stability for the enterprise because they have a direct impact on liquidity,
profitability and solvability. This study confirmed that the duration of the cash conversion
cycle, including its sub-cycles, differs significantly between enterprise groups covered by the
analysis. It depends on the type of activity and is inherent to each industry. Knowing the days
sales of inventory (DSI), days sales outstanding (DSO) and days payable outstanding (DPO)
in enterprises with a similar business profile contributes to efficient management in these
areas. Therefore, the average DSI, DSO and DPO values determined in this paper may serve
as benchmarks in financial assessments.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Calculating the average values of indexes that account for industry
differences provides a new, streamlined tool for assessing and managing each component of
working capital. Monitoring the cash conversion cycle and its components and comparing
them to average values will help control the business and quickly identify potential problems.
In undesirable situations, this approach also provides a more efficient way to develop
emergency plans and recovery measures.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The calculated intervals of the average cash conversion cycle and
conversion cycles for each component of working capital (inventory, accounts receivable,
and accounts payable) take into account the particularities of different branches in the food
industry. Consequently, companies can use these intervals to benchmark their financial
situation or when preparing plans for ongoing actions or corrective measures.peer-reviewe
Authentic behavior of nurses : antecedents, mediators, and outcomes
Get PDFAbstract
Background: Nurses consistently earn the highest trust among professionals in the United States, but the profession experiences high turnover rates, amplified by the increasing demands of an aging population. This study explores factors such as psychological safety, neuroticism, person-group fit, authentic behavior, work engagement, job satisfaction, and turnover intention among nurses. Additionally, it examines the concept of self-verification perception as a mediator of the effects of authentic behavior.
Methods: Data were collected from 956 nurses across the United States using an online questionnaire. Path analysis was employed to analyze the data to identify direct and mediated effects. Psychological safety was measured using Edmondson’s (1999) scale, neuroticism was measured using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, and person-group fit was measured with newly developed items.
Results: The results indicate that creating a psychologically safe environment and recognizing individual differences in neuroticism are significantly associated with authentic behavior within the workplace. This authentic behavior, in turn, is positively linked to how individuals perceive their identity in the workplace and their level of engagement. The study also revealed that individuals' self-verification perception influences the relationship between authentic behavior and job satisfaction. The research indicates that nurturing authentic behavior can enhance nurses’ job satisfaction and work engagement while reducing their intentions to leave their positions. This has significant implications for policy and practice, providing a roadmap for enhancing the workplace experiences of nurses and improving retention rates.
Discussion: This study explores how authentic behavior influences nursing outcomes. By creating psychologically safe environments and promoting alignment, authentic behavior can result in heightened job satisfaction and engagement among nurses while increasing job satisfaction. Fostering authenticity can play a crucial role in addressing high turnover rates in nursing, leading to improvements in patient care and organizational stability.
Conclusion: Promoting authentic behavior among nurses is essential for improving their work experiences and ensuring retention. Implementing interventions to enhance psychological safety and encourage genuine self-expression can profoundly impact nurses' and healthcare organizations' general effectiveness.peer-reviewe
Insights into language integration programs : perspectives from adult learners in a bilingual context
Get PDFThis contribution examines the multifaceted challenges and opportunities associated with adult language integration programs, critical tools for fostering social cohesion and inclusion amid unprecedented global migration. Such programs equip migrants with essential linguistic skills to navigate new sociocultural landscapes, yet their design and implementation often face barriers, including resource limitations and mismatched learner needs. Using Malta, the smallest EU member state, as a compelling case study, this article explores language integration dynamics in a bilingual society where Maltese and English serve distinct roles. Against the backdrop of Malta's Migrant Integration Strategy & Action Plan (Vision 2020), this study centers on the national Maltese language integration program, required for non-EU nationals seeking long-term residence status. Drawing on data from 359 adult learners who completed the program, it explores their experiences, the challenges encountered, and the program's efficacy in fostering meaningful language acquisition. By providing empirical insights into learner perspectives on program effectiveness, this study contributes to the broader academic discourse on instructed second language acquisition and offers actionable recommendations for improving integration initiatives. The findings underscore the importance of tailoring language courses to adult learners' needs and highlight strategies for enhancing access, resources, and opportunities for real-world language practice.peer-reviewe
Agricultural landscape as a public environmental good and its protection in the new common agricultural policy
Get PDFPURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify, review and assess the nature of public
goods, the services they provide and functions they fulfil, as well as the instruments and
support measures aimed at agriculture and farmers. These include instruments that directly
or indirectly implement or strengthen landscape protection, especially in agricultural
production areas.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The analyses and assessments were based on the cause-andeffect analysis method and methodological elements belonging to institutional analysis. The
research problem that serves as the starting point for the study is formulated as follows:
assessing the spectrum of public goods generated by agriculture with reference to landscape
protection and indicating the major threats regarding changes in the cultural landscape of
rural areas, presented in relation to the instruments of the Common Agricultural Policy,
which are designed to shape and protect the cultural landscape.FINDINGS: The study reveals that spectrum of public goods generated by agriculture with
reference to landscape protection is wide and covers both environmental and social goods.
They are provided to the rural areas, but also to society as a whole, and require public
support. Moreover, the results indicate the main threats regarding changes in the cultural
landscape, as well as a types of pressure on the environment.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings highlight the need for a more in-depth and critical
examination of instruments proposed in the Strategic Programme for the Common
Agricultural Policy for 2023-2027, which are responsible for the landscape protection by
agriculture and individual farmers as well as present some offer of environmental services,
tasks and benefits which farmers perform voluntarily and free of charge by participating in
the CAP, and those which they can and should perform to receive additional budget
transfers.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The research findings highlight the significant contribution of public
environmental goods to cultural landscape.peer-reviewe
Imaging cultural heritage at different scales : part II, the meso-scale (sites)
No full textNon-invasive sensing techniques have become a cornerstone in the study and preservation of Cultural Heritage. These techniques offer a means to investigate the internal structure and surface properties of precious and delicate objects without causing damage. This article is the second of three review articles exploring contact and non-contact imaging methods applied to Cultural Heritage at various scales encompassing micro- (i.e., manufacts), meso- (sites), and macro-scales (landscapes). The unifying factor of these techniques is their ability to infer variations in geometrical and physical properties across inspected surfaces or volumes. This allows researchers to discover new historical sites, map their spatial extent, and characterize their material features at different scales, from landscapes to artifacts. This second part focuses on the meso-scale, encompassing the inspection, documentation, study, and characterization of historical and archeological sites, monuments, and submerged sites, using both contact and remote sensing techniques.peer-reviewe
[Book review] Culture, power and education : representation, interpretation, contestation
No full textOne could argue that another sociological study that asserts that education
and the arts are inherently political is unnecessary. Pierre Bourdieu and
Jean-Claude Passeron’s classic Reproduction in Education, Society and Culture
(1977), originally published in French in 1970, convincingly demonstrated
how social hierarchies and dominant cultural values are perpetuated by
‘pedagogic actions’ through a process of symbolic violence that reinforces
existing power structures. Bourdieu and Passeron also showed how children
from specific social origins lagged behind at school due to various perceived
‘deficiencies’, including linguistic capital, which serves as a tool for
communication yet also determines the students’ ability to make sense of
logical and aesthetic structures throughout compulsory schooling and
beyond.peer-reviewe
Strategies for building trust in an automated work environment
No full textPURPOSE: This article analyses the impact of a culture of trust on the effectiveness of
implementing new technologies and automation in organisations across various industries.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The article is based on a review of literature and research,
as well as case studies of organisations that have implemented effective strategies for
building trust in an automated work environment. The research problem was formulated as
follows: How do organisations build confidence in a computerised work environment (using
what tools and strategies)? The research hypothesis assumes that organisational culture has
a positive impact on the implementation of new technologies and automation in a company
with widespread employee acceptance, thanks to the high level of trust that prevails within it.FINDINGS: People are the greatest asset of modern organisations. Technology should support
and improve their work, not replace them. Organisations have a wide range of tools at their
disposal that they can use to build and strengthen employee understanding and trust in the
efficient functioning of an automated work environment. Organisations that have a culture of
trust should “nurture” it, systematically monitor, improve, and develop it.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Organisational culture has a positive impact on the implementation
of new technologies and automation within a company, thanks to the high level of trust that
prevails among its employees. Examples of companies that have been successful in this field,
based on a culture that is open to innovation, cooperation, and trust, where automation is
viewed as a strategic tool for development, can be found in various industries. This article
presents examples of such good practices.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Key strategies for building trust in an automated work environment
should be based on a transparent communication system (clear communication of goals and
processes, active listening, reliance on facts), defining roles and expectations (clear division
of tasks, duties, responsibilities, competencies), promoting a culture of openness and
feedback, building a sense of security, keeping promises (credibility), demonstrating consistency in actions, as well as supporting employee development (training, workshops,
technological education), recognizing and appreciating their achievements. In an automated
work environment, it is also essential to promote the idea that technology should support
employees, not replace them (people are the actual value of an organisation; they determine
the effective use of all resources, while technology remains a tool in their hands).peer-reviewe
Quam lingua melitea hic subicio. Studies in Maltese linguistics dedicated to Thomas Stolz on the occasion of his 68th birthday
No full textThis study investigates the semantic and contextual variation among three Maltese nouns
denoting ‘holiday’ or ‘time off’: btala (Semitic), vaganza (Romance), and holiday (English).
Using corpus data and computational analysis based on distributional semantics, we show
that while the three terms are near-synonyms, they differ in register, contextual scope, and
degree of integration into Maltese. The findings illustrate how language contact shapes subtle
variation in meaning and usage.peer-reviewe