19916 research outputs found
Sort by
Early STEM Impressions, Student Engagement, and Readiness for Digitalization
No full textThis study examines how early impressions of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) shape business students’ learning behaviors and, ultimately, their readiness for organizational digitalization. Focusing on gender differences, subgroup identities, and perceived obstacles, the analysis uses survey data processed through correlation matrices, regression models, and subgroup heatmaps to trace the relationship between initial attitudes toward STEM and subsequent engagement patterns. The findings reveal consistent links between positive early impressions and active participation in structured STEM activities, along with gender-based distinctions in action preferences. Subgroup analyses further uncover nuanced patterns where stereotypes or perceived barriers correspond with reduced engagement. Collectively, these results underscore the importance of early interventions, mentorship, and institutional support systems in fostering equitable STEM participation and cultivating the digital competencies essential for organizational transformation
Reorienting Library Technology Through Slowness and Care
No full textNearly all operations and services in contemporary libraries are mediated by technology. This makes systems and technology work an important place in the organization from which to address issues of time, power and culture.
In this essay, published as a chapter in a collection of essays about Slow Librarianship, I describe the origins of the associations between time, speed and technology in Western society. I articulate an alternative understanding of technology as relational, grounded in the needs and lived experience of those who work in and use libraries. I draw from several emerging concepts, including Slow Librarianship, feminist ethics of care, and repair studies. I suggest that a relational orientation to technology work in libraries supports emphasis on long-term collaborations, user research and people-centered approaches to management and organizational change involving technology
HUMAN TRAFFICKING OF CHILDREN EFFICACY OF COUNTER TRAFFICKING PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH
No full textHuman trafficking is a global problem, and it is a significant problem within the United States. Children are a vulnerable group that become victims of human trafficking operations. Human trafficking prevention programs are available to address this issue, but there is much needed research to test the effectiveness of the countertrafficking programs for high-risk children. This study is a systematic review of studies on countertrafficking programs. This study will use a mixed methods approach to analyze quantitative and qualitative data from selected studies. This study hopes to find if current counter-trafficking programs are effective in preventing at-risk youth from becoming victims of human trafficking. The systematic review will reveal which counter-trafficking programs are most effective and where improvement is needed. The results will provide data to develop effective countertrafficking programs and help current programs to strengthen their models
Determinants of Digital Piracy: An Integrated Model
No full textDigital piracy is a form of copyright infringement, and challenges persist in addressing it effectively. Accordingly, understanding why people engage in digital piracy is crucial. Although prior studies have examined digital piracy from multiple perspectives, existing studies on the explanatory factors of digital piracy remain fragmented. To address this research gap, this study develops an integrated model that incorporates key theoretical perspectives, neutralization theory, social learning theory, and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), along with key determinants including gender, age, and the technology factor. Rather than conducting a meta-analysis of previous studies, this study adopts a survey-based approach to examine the effects of these factors on digital piracy. We collected our data through a survey and used t-tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression to analyze it. The results indicate that gender, age, the neutralization factor, and the social learning factor have significant effects on digital piracy. Specifically, gender, the neutralization factor, and the social learning factor play a crucial role in the use of BitTorrent for engaging in digital piracy. In contrast to prior research, this study shows that the technology factor does not have a statistically significant influence on digital piracy. This study advances digital piracy literature by offering an integrated model and a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing digital piracy, thereby addressing the limitations of prior fragmented research that focused on a narrow set of factors and theoretical perspectives. Practically, by integrating these findings, administrators and policymakers can develop more precise interventions to discourage digital piracy, ultimately reducing digital piracy behaviors
Wings of Perception: Investigating Customer Sentiments in Indian Aviation Sector
No full textIndia\u27s aviation sector, a key contributor to the nation\u27s economy, has experienced rapid growth, supporting nearly 7.5 million jobs and contributing approximately $30 billion annually to the GDP (Gross Domestic Product). The growth, driven by increased demand for air travel and government incentives, has resulted in more competition among carriers. In the competitive market, it is necessary to understand customer preferences to enhance the quality of service and maintain a competitive edge. The dissemination of customer opinions on social media and review platforms offers airlines the opportunity to access passenger views. However, extracting useful information from this unstructured data is challenging. Previous studies had not accounted for variables such as seasonal fluctuation in opinion and the impact of specific service features on customer satisfaction. This study fills the gaps by employing sentiment analysis tools, including TextBlob and VADER (Valence Aware Dictionary for Sentiment Reasoning), to analyse customer opinions from platforms like X, Skytrax, and TripAdvisor. The study process involves data collection through automated web scraping tools, followed by data cleaning and text analysis to tag sentiments and identify variables influencing customer emotions. Key findings indicate that carriers like IndiGo and Vistara are highly rated by customers for punctuality, service quality, and operational consistency. Conversely, Air India and SpiceJet are faulted for delays and inefficiency. Seasonal patterns further indicate that negative sentiments are greater during peak travel seasons. The study highlights the importance of customer-centric initiatives, operational efficiency, and advanced analytics to boost brand loyalty in a highly competitive market
AN EXPLORATION OF PERSONAL GRIEVANCES AND SUSCEPTIBILITY TO TERRORIST RECRUITMENT AMONG AGGRIEVED U.S. MILITARY MEMBERS: A SCENARIO-BASED QUALITATIVE STUDY
No full textThis qualitative study examined how personal, relational, and institutional experiences influenced susceptibility to terrorist recruitment among aggrieved U.S. military members. Using a scenario-based interview design grounded in the Terrorist Radicalization Assessment Protocol-18 (TRAP-18), twenty current and former service members participated in standardized, one-on-one interviews. The study aimed to identify patterns of vulnerability and resilience that emerge from experiences of marginalization, isolation, emotional distress, and moral conflict within military contexts. A deductive analytic approach combined TRAP-18 indicators with Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis to interpret how participants conceptualized grievance, belonging, and institutional trust.
Findings revealed that radicalization susceptibility does not emerge from ideology alone but from the convergence of emotional, relational, and structural stressors. Across all participants, moral outrage and perceived injustice were the most prevalent TRAP-18 indicators, appearing in 100 percent and 90 percent of cases, respectively. Failures in intimate or familial bonding appeared in 85 percent of participants, underscoring the impact of prolonged deployment and weakened social ties. Additional risk indicators, such as dependence on virtual communities and identification conflicts, illustrated the compounding effect of digital exposure and moral injury. Thematic analysis produced five dominant themes: injustice, institutional neglect, isolation, military-induced hardship, and recruitment openness. Participant narratives frequently described feelings of exclusion, moral conflict with leadership, and emotional exhaustion that left them more receptive to alternative narratives of belonging or justice.
Comparative analysis with prior research showed consistent overlap with studies of grievance-driven radicalization among the Turkish Hezbollah, the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), and the Dutch Hofstadgroup. These parallels demonstrate that institutional neglect and emotional disconnection, rather than ideological indoctrination, often initiate the radicalization pathway. The results affirm TRAP-18’s cross-contextual reliability and highlight the unique pressures of military service that can magnify vulnerability when left unaddressed.
The study concludes that prevention efforts must target early indicators of alienation and moral outrage through peer-based and rehabilitative programs rather than punitive measures. Recommendations include integrating TRAP-18-informed assessments into wellness screenings, expanding veteran mentorship initiatives, and promoting policies that emphasize rehabilitation over incarceration for service members whose deviant behaviors stem from trauma or moral injury. Ultimately, the findings suggest that empathy, institutional accountability, and social reintegration are essential for transforming grievance into resilience. By acknowledging the psychological and structural roots of vulnerability, the U.S. military can reduce extremist recruitment risks while reaffirming its moral responsibility to those who serve
BUSINESS PROCESS REDESIGN FOR REDUCING UNDELIVERED PRODUCT RETURN LOSSES IN E-COMMERCE – AN EXPLAINABLE AI APPROACH
No full textProduct returns in e-commerce affect the profitability of the e-tailer. We adopt a two-stage approach to reduce undelivered product returns in an e-commerce firm. First, we develop and compare machine learning techniques—logistic regression, decision trees, Naïve Bayes, random forest, adaptive boosting, gradient boosting, stochastic gradient boosting, and deep neural networks—on their ability to predict undelivered returns. Next, we use explainable methods, such as relative importance and Shapley values, to develop insights from the best-performing machine learning model. Finally, we use these insights and the predictive model to redesign the firm’s order fulfillment and return processes. A Post-implementation evaluation of the system confirms the impact of XAI in reducing the undelivered product returns from 22.5% to 6.34%. The study illustrates how combining XAI with predictive modeling can drive the reengineering of business processes, ultimately reducing product returns
Online Community Dynamics: An Analysis using Louvain during Major Sporting Events
No full textWith the power of social media transforming the way people connect and interact with each other, the dynamics of community formation on platforms such as X during major events are of crucial importance. While social media is an increasingly key driver in determining interactions, little is known about the online influence forming and developing fan communities in high-stakes events. This study looks into the development of user communities for datasets drawn from Kaggle on two of the world’s largest sporting events: the FIFA World Cup 2022, or football, and the T20 World Cup 2022, or cricket, with the aim of tracing the formation and transformation of X fan communities during these sporting events by analyzing the influence of retweets, hashtags, and mentions. Using the Louvain algorithm, it provides a modularity-based approach in capturing and analyzing community structures and their interactions in real time. In total, community nodes such as 61561 and 10415 were identified during the FIFA World Cup and T20 World Cup, respectively. These findings have very actionable implications for sports marketers and professionals, providing them with a framework to leverage social connections in a strategic manner. This work goes beyond the insights of sport and will be useful in areas of social circles and management to help improve understanding of community dynamics toward strategic impact in a digital world
SLEEP DISTURBANCES IN PARKINSON’S PATIENTS WITH A HISTORY OF HEAD INJURY
No full textSleep disturbances are among the most prevalent and burdensome non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), yet the contribution of prior traumatic brain injury (TBI) to these problems remains poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the number and severity of lifetime head injuries predicted sleep disturbances in individuals with PD. Data from 3,055 PD patients enrolled in the Fox Insight study were analyzed, including 1,593 with a history of head injury. Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing head injury history, motor and cognitive symptoms, and sleep disturbances. Generalized linear mixed models tested whether head injury history and severity indicators (loss of consciousness, hospitalization, and cognitive complaints) predicted five sleep outcomes: insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), restless legs syndrome (RLS), vivid dreams, and dream enactment. Results showed that a greater number of head injuries significantly predicted higher rates of insomnia, while loss of consciousness predicted greater dream enactment. Hospitalization showed no effect, and unexpectedly, fewer cognitive complaints were associated with more frequent sleep disturbances, potentially reflecting anosognosia or symptom underreporting. These findings suggest that TBI contributes selectively to insomnia and dream enactment in PD, underscoring the need for routine screening and targeted interventions to improve quality of life and reduce fall risk in this population
ABLEISM IN HIGHER EDUCATION: PLATICAS FRAMING FACULTY PERCEPTION OF STUDENT ACCOMMODATIONS AND A CALL TO ACTION
No full textAcademic ableism and traditional educational practices hinder the success of disabled students (Dolmage, 2017). As a student with disabilities, I have witnessed gradual improvements in the perception of disabilities in education. However, academic ableism persists in today’s higher education institutions, which can be disheartening for students like me, an unapologetically disabled person. This study employs framing theory, a communication theory that explains how people interpret and organize information (Goffman, 1947). These frames influence how accommodations are perceived, shaping attributes and connections between behaviors and potential causes (Tewksbury & Scheufele, 2019). Using platicas, a kind of cultural method of open conversational dialogue (Fierros & Bernal, 2016), this study aims to illuminate the complexities and variations of faculty perspectives in higher education. This research not only contributes to academic discourse on equality and equity but also fosters meaningful change in higher education practices for well-being. Utilizing communication theories and application of those theories to serve disabled people, the implications for future research are significant, providing a robust foundation for ongoing exploration and discussions on enhancing student accommodations in higher education