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Reimagining social relations through care and collective joy: The formation of collectivity among volunteers along the lines of in/formality
No full textThe neoliberal model of social organisation frames individualism as the dominant perspective to perceive the world and competition as its core practice. Interdependencies become marginalised, and ideas of social welfare and community are pushed aside. Mutual aid efforts not only aim to provide relief for resulting social inequalities but further seek to build new social relations. Adopting a feminist institutionalist approach, this paper aims to contribute to a move away from neoliberal structuring of social relations by analysing how collectivity among volunteers is formed. Based upon ethnographic fieldwork and eight interviews with volunteers in the context of Lesvos, Greece, this paper contextualises the role of collectivity among volunteers working in mutual aid organisations along the lines of in/formalities. It provides a deeper understanding of the role of affect by exploring practical tools through which affective collectivity is formed: care and collective joy. The paper argues that in/formalities are not distinct spheres but, much like the private-public domains, constantly flow into and influence each other. While extending previous psychological research, the present paper shows that practices of care and collective joy, intertangled with in/formalities, offer possibilities to form affective mutual relationships between volunteers and are an integral part of collectivity formation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Beamforming optimization and system level assessment in RIS-aided MIMO systems comprising hybrid precoding architectures
No full textThe terahertz (THz) band is a candidate technology for future sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks that could support increasingly demanding requirements, such as high wireless traffic volumes and transmission rates. However, the limited range and high propagation losses at these frequencies present several challenges that must be overcome. One emerging solution is the use of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), which optimize communication network performance in combination with ultra-massive multiple-input multiple-output (UM-MIMO) antennas. UM-MIMO’s large number of antennas provides highly directional beams, enabling reliable data propagation from the transmitter to the receiver at THz frequencies. However, it can substantially increase implementation complexity. This paper proposes a joint hybrid precoder and RIS optimization algorithm to overcome these challenges. The algorithm is designed to maximize the achievable rate of THz UM-MIMO communications, by segregating digital and analog precoder computations and adopting hybrid architectures: fully connected (FC), array-of-subarrays (AoSA), and dynamic array-of-subarrays (DAoSA). The proposed algorithm supports multicarrier transmission and the use of multiple, parallel RIS panels deployed throughout the propagation path. Numerical simulations demonstrate the efficiency and versatility of the algorithm, particularly in contexts where THz systems operate under severe constraints. System-level simulations in a 300 GHz office environment reveal that distributing multiple parallel RIS panels throughout the environment yields the maximum achievable throughput. RIS deployment offers the greatest coverage and throughput gains in low-density scenarios but provides diminishing returns as density increases.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
The geopolitical significance of the CPEC in strengthening the BRI toward the west
No full textThis paper examines the strategic importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) within the larger framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). While much research has focused on the bilateral aspects of CPEC, there is a significant gap in understanding its emerging extensions into Afghanistan and Iran, and how these extensions collectively strengthen the BRI's westward expansion. To address this gap, the paper poses the research question: “What is the role of the emerging extensions to Iran and Afghanistan in strengthening the BRI's westward expansion?” To answer this question, a qualitative research methodology is employed, guided by a theoretical framework that views geopolitics and geoeconomics as interconnected. This is complemented by a systematic analysis of official documents, policy statements, and expert commentaries from 2016 to 2024. The findings indicate that CPEC serves as the central artery of the BRI, transforming Pakistan into a crucial hub and extending its influence across South, Central, and West Asia. The Afghan sub-corridor offers a vital southern route for the Central Asian Republics (CARs) to access a warm-water port. Meanwhile, the connection to Iran creates an essential link to West Asia and Europe. These extensions allow China to diversify its trade and energy routes, mitigate vulnerabilities such as the “Malacca Dilemma,” and contribute to a more multipolar world order.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Perceptions of cultural ecosystem services provided by urban rivers: The case of the Chili River in Arequipa, Peru
No full textUrban rivers, as components of the blue-green infrastructure, offer diverse Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES). However, their intangible nature often limits public perception and valuation. This research assessed CES perception along the Chili River in Arequipa, Peru, using surveys and participatory mapping with experts and the general population. Results indicated high valuation of scenic beauty (population: 43%; experts: 63%) and potential for research development (population: 47%; experts: 63%). Experts also emphasized cultural heritage and physical/mental health (50%). The public's primary activities were hiking (57%) and photography (30%), but a gap existed between perceived value and active participation in recreation and education. Experts highlighted tourism potential (78% strongly agree) and intangible heritage (67% strongly agree), while noting a lack of integration in environmental education (64% disagree). Mapping revealed distinct perceptions: the public identified the Intraurban section with the highest CES concentration (scenic beauty, education, heritage, knowledge, research), whereas experts emphasized the North for ecotourism (53%) and spirituality (36%), the Center for culture/landscape, and the South for research (39%) and education (28%). Water pollution (62%) and land use regulation (33%) were identified as key challenges. This study underscores the need to integrate CES into urban planning, promote community engagement, and conduct further research for the Chili River's sustainable management.publicad
Energy transition strategies in Portugal: Wind and solar externalities on municipalities housing prices
No full textPurpose
This paper aims to investigate the impact of wind and solar farms on housing prices in Portugal to better understand their role in shaping social acceptance.
Design/methodology/approach
Fixed-effects models with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors are estimated using municipal-level panel data for 177 municipalities from 2011 to 2022. Renewable energy deployment is captured through three measures: presence, number of farms and installed capacity (MW) of wind and solar power.
Findings
Results indicate that wind farms generally do not affect housing prices. However, for each additional MW of installed wind capacity, the median housing price decreases, on average, by €1.11/m2. By contrast, solar farms are linked to higher housing values, with municipalities hosting solar farms exhibiting average housing prices €28.51/m2 above those without.
Practical implications
Findings highlight the importance of accounting for housing market externalities in renewable energy planning to foster social acceptance and improve policy design.
Originality/value
This study examines how wind and solar energy projects may affect housing markets in Portugal, a country simultaneously leading the energy transition and experiencing sharp increases in housing prices. It also contributes methodologically by using municipal-level aggregated data, providing a broader perspective than studies focused on micro-level or property-specific data.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Luces que reúnen: Motivaciones para y emociones en la asistencia a “festivales de luces” como prácticas nocturnas
No full textThis article explores the motivations for attending the Lumina light festival in Cascais, Portugal, drawing on a mixed-methods approach that combines 440 questionnaire-based surveys in 2017 and 457 in 2018 with ethnographic observation conducted during both editions. It examines how participation in the festival is shaped by affective, social, and everyday dynamics, moving beyond functionalist accounts of cultural leisure. The findings reveal that the event’s nocturnal setting plays a central role in reconfiguring the appropriation of urban space, modes of social interaction, and aesthetic engagement. As a temporally situated intervention, the festival introduces a momentary rupture in the rhythms of urban life, fostering alternative uses of time and space. This study contributes empirical evidence on how ephemeral cultural events shape collective experiences of the city at night, offering insights into the interplay between leisure, emotion, and urban temporality.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Drinkable Cities: A regenerative approach for cities and their rivers
No full textThe regenerative approach encourages human communities to re-connect with the essence of place and advocates becoming indigenous to place, again. Nothing new, but values forgotten in contemporary life. This paper explores how to implement the regenerative development goal of drinkable cities. Recent legal breakthroughs by Indigenous communities are advancing “Rights of Nature”. What if their river basin guardianship model expanded globally to maintain the “health and well-being” of all rivers? To understand how sacred connections were lost in Europe, a post-colonial lens explores Ireland’s connections with place, people and language. Adventures to keep “old ways” alive, involving Dublin’s River Dodder kingfisher, are remembered through autoethnography. Bioregionalism requires cities work with all communities of their river basin, through a nested approach. Following natures patterns, work from Curitiba, Brazil, demonstrates how cities can organize fractally; communities within communities. Municipalism envisages a citizen-led fractal network of ecological neighbourhoods communicating through local assemblies. Inspiring multilevel governance examples exist in Rojava and Spain. Swiss, Danish and Dutch water regeneration projects show clean, safe, loved nature spaces are possible within cities. A Dutch woman’s impactful work helps urban citizens imagine drinking the river water that their cities located themselves on and around, again. Let life flow
Mediating Bolsonarism on Facebook: Religion, technopolitics and activism in grassroots digital networks
No full textThis study examines the intersections of religion and technopolitics in Bolsonarism through an in-depth case study of a prominent digital moderator, Actor 1, who mediated between Jair Bolsonaro’s leadership and grassroots supporters during Brazil’s 2022 electoral period. By employing ethnographic observations, semi-structured interviews, Critical Discourse Analysis, and Framing Theory, this research explores a multilayered model of mediation that merges the strategic coordination of programmed campaigns with the emotional authenticity of grassroots spontaneity. Through the strategic exploitation of Facebook’s algorithmic architecture, emotionally resonant content was widely disseminated, creating echo chambers that reinforced ingroup loyalty while excluding dissent. Religious framing was central to these efforts, positioning Bolsonaro as a divinely ordained leader whose political struggles integrated a larger spiritual mission. Actor 1 emerges as a paradigmatic intermediary, whose communicative practices integrate opinion leadership, moral-political curation, religious framing, and strategic activism. Religion plays an important role, positioning Bolsonaro as a divinely ordained leader whose political struggles were embedded in a broader spiritual mission. The study demonstrates how technopolitical strategies, intertwined with religious discourse, were used to adapt to regulatory pressures by casting institutional supervision as censorship. These practices shaped collective identities, sustained ideological cohesion, and rallied supporters within a polarized sociopolitical context.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Driving success: Factors in public sector BPM projects
No full textDespite the growing adoption of Business Process Management (BPM) in public administration, little is known about which factors drive BPM project success in countries like Brazil, where bureaucratic processes, heterogeneous legacy systems, and political instability create unique implementation challenges. Existing studies identify generic BPM and Information Technology (IT) success factors, yet no research has systematically examined success factors within public-sector BPM projects, leaving a critical contextual gap. This study addresses it through an action research project conducted at a large Brazilian national public institution. Across a ten-month Government-to-Government initiative, 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed at each project cycle, allowing success factors to be identified, followed, updated, and validated by both the project team and the client. Results confirm several factors known in the literature while revealing new factors, including analysis of information systems and legacy mappings, project manager authority and influence, client systemic understanding, and an open-minded environment for change. A comparative analysis shows divergence in how stakeholders value these factors: the implementation team identifies more technical and managerial elements, while the client emphasizes prioritization and internal constraints. The study advances theory by contextualizing BPM success factors for the public sector. It offers practical guidance to strengthen governance, stakeholder engagement, and continuity of BPM initiatives in politically dynamic public organizations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Wherefore art thou competitors? How situational affordances help differentiate among prosociality, individualism, and competition
Full text linkThe Triple Dominance Measure (choosing between prosocial, individualistic, and competitive options) and the Slider Measure ("sliding" between various orientations, for example, from individualistic to prosocial) are two widely used techniques to measure social value orientation, that is, the weight individuals assign to own and others' outcomes in interdependent situations. Surprisingly, there is only moderate correspondence between these measures, but it is unclear why and what the implications are for identifying individual differences in social value orientation. Using a dataset of 8021 participants from 31 countries and regions, this study revealed that the Slider Measure identified fewer competitors than the Triple Dominance Measure, accounting for approximately one-third of the non-correspondence between the two measures. This is (partially) because many of the Slider items do not afford a competitive option. In items where competition is combined with individualism, competitors tended to make the same choices as individualists. Futhermore, we demonstrated the uniqueness of competitors. Compared to prosocials and individualists, competitors exhibited lower levels of both social mindfulness and trust. Overall, the present work highlights the importance of situational affordances in measuring personality, the benefits of distinguishing between individualists and competitors, and the importance of utilizing a measure that distinguishes between these two proself orientations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio