The Scientific Journal of Rezeknes Augstskola
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COMPETITIVENESS FACTORS IN THE PERSONNEL POLICY OF THE LATGALE DISTRICT COURT
Full text linkPurpose and aim of the study: to assess factors in the competitiveness of the personnel policy implemented by the Latgale District Court and provide solutions to the enhancement.Design / Methodology / Approach: The research employed the monographic and descriptive methods, document content analysis and conducted an unstructured interview with an assistant to the chairperson of the Latgale District Court. The research also conducted a survey of employees to identify competitiveness factors relating to the internal strengths of and strategic potential for the Latgale District Court and the degree of significance of the competitiveness factors; the expert method and Kendall\u27s W were applied to determine the consistency of expert opinions. Main Findings: The results of the Latgale District Court personnel survey revealed that the remuneration and motivation system, the culture and wellbeing at the organization, and leadership aspects were important factors for the employees. The system of social guarantees provided by the Latgale District Court had been developed in detail, including additional leave, holiday allowances, health insurance, optical vision aids, employer-paid compulsory health check-ups, as well as various benefits. The most important factors in the competitiveness of human resource (HR) policy identified by the expert survey were as follows: stability and sustainability of the job, availability of modern technological equipment, the motivation system, including social guarantees, and the remuneration system, personnel selection and recruitment, the working environment and the organizational culture.Originality: a competitiveness analysis of the personnel policy implemented by the Latgale District Court was conducted for the first time, thereby revealing strengths, neutrals and weaknesses in the personnel policy. Implications: The present research revealed that the personnel policy implemented by the Latgale District Court was competitive; however, there are also aspects that need to be improved to ensure the efficient performance and long-term development of the court
IMPROVING CYPRUS FIRE SERVICE PERFORMANCE THROUGH MODERN HR MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND JOB SATISFACTION
Full text linkPurpose and aim of the study: This study investigates the relationship between staff job satisfaction and the transformation of the Cyprus Fire Service into a modern and flexible National Security Force. The primary aim is to analyse organizational and human resource management theories and their application to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of fire operations.Design / Methodology / Approach: The research employs a quantitative approach, utilizing a survey conducted with 110 members of the Cyprus Fire Service. The survey assesses job satisfaction and its impact on service quality. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using statistical methods, including descriptive, frequency, and correlation analyses.Main Findings: The findings reveal a strong positive correlation between employee satisfaction and service quality. Satisfaction influences service quality both directly and indirectly. The study highlights that job satisfaction encompasses various factors, including salary, promotions, and management practices.Originality: This research is original in its focus on transforming the Cyprus Fire Service by applying modern management principles. It provides insights into how job satisfaction can be leveraged to improve organizational performance in public safety services.Implications: The study suggests that enhancing job satisfaction can lead to improved service quality, which is crucial for the Fire Service\u27s role in ensuring public safety. It proposes alternative strategies for personnel management by comparing successful systems from other EU Member Countries.
DYNAMICS OF STUDENTS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING
Full text linkThis scientific article reflects the results of research on the psychological well-being of students of Rēzekne Academy of Technologies in 2019 and 2023. The need for such studies is justified by recent studies in various countries, which show that the prevalence and severity of mental problems among young people is increasing. Taken together, these studies show that students are increasingly experiencing symptoms of increased anxiety and stress, as well as depression. Thus, the deterioration of students\u27 psychological well-being is a major challenge in modern universities. The aim of the empirical study: to reflect the dynamics of the level and content of the psychological well-being of young students. The analysis of scientific literature and empirical results is used as a basic method in the development of the article.
UNLOCKING THE ESSENCE OF LONELINESS IN THE OLDER ADULTS: AN EXPLORATION THROUGH PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH
Full text linkIn Lithuania\u27s aging culture, aspects of older individuals\u27 "loneliness" and social isolation are becoming increasingly relevant. Despite this, older adults frequently refuse to acknowledge these life\u27s intricacies. Numerous studies indicate that older individuals link social isolation and loneliness to a life of failure and personal worthlessness. As a result, rather than finding solutions, people frequently choose to isolate themselves even more and refrain from discussing these issues with friends or family. The loneliness experienced by older people should be acknowledged, and steps to increase social inclusion will not only extend but also greatly enhance their quality of life. Participatory research was employed to conduct the study. It is a systematic study in direct cooperation with persons for whom the research question is relevant, with the aim of acting or changing something. Participatory research favours collaborative research, where researchers and interested groups actively collaborate with sharing information and expertise. The study was conducted in a care institution providing social services. Every participant in the participatory research gave their consent to participate in the study, and they were informed about its goals, methods, and use of data. They were also given the choice to leave the study at any time if they felt it was inappropriate. The study revealed that loneliness is discerned through the emotions and behaviours of older adults; an individual\u27s loneliness is reflected in both mental and physical health. Emotions like indifference, rage, despair, boredom, needing attention, longing, and the want to speak are signs that someone is lonely. Older people sometimes openly express loneliness but loneliness can also be associated with depression. Concerning employee motivation for change, it was observed that employees displayed a keen interest in training, comprehending its necessity and benefits. Simultaneously, it was noted that some employees may exhibit passivity and a lack of motivation to embrace change and accept innovations. Therefore, the myth that older workers are less likely to change and innovate as well as to increase their knowledge and abilities has been partially validated by participatory studies.
SOCIAL EXCLUSION AMONG PEERS AS A FORM OF EXPRESSION OF BULLYING IN A PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION GROUP
Full text linkBullying in preschool age often manifests itself as an indirect form of bullying – i.e. by social exclusion. Experiences of social exclusion in early childhood can have a negative impact on social development, future relationships and emotional well-being of a child. In order to reveal social exclusion among peers as an expression of bullying in the preschool education group, an approach of qualitative research was used. Analysis of a semi-structured interview and pedagogical observation data revealed the following forms of expression of social exclusion among peers as bullying: exclusion from a game/refusal to play together, showing physical distance or verbal resistance to friendship. It was revealed that the initiators of social exclusion among peers are usually 4-5 years old children with excessive mobility and dominance. The results of the study research made it possible to highlight the following factors of social exclusion: special educational needs and certain personality characteristics (aggressiveness, high self-confidence, closedness, sensitivity).
ALGORITHM FOR ENSURING AND IMPLEMENTING SOCIAL PROJECTS IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBALISATION (COMPARATIVE ASPECT)
Full text linkIn the practice of Ukrainian public institutions today, there is a significant presence of financial support from international funds to ensure the implementation of social projects. This topic in the education sector also has its roots and peculiarities of use at different levels of educational services. And one of the most pressing issues in our practice of implementing socially significant projects on the basis of higher education institutions and within the framework of NGOs was the issue of a phased algorithm for implementing such projects. Therefore, in this scientific review, we have considered the importance and significance of social projects in the public and public sector on the example of Ukraine and EU countries; compared the main directions of international and Ukrainian social projects analysed the issues of financial support for relevant project activities. This analysis allowed us to present the main algorithms of interaction between public funds, business and the community at the national and international level, as well as to develop an algorithm for ensuring social projects for their further implementation in the context of global access to information and grant support at all levels.
CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES IN TRAINING TEACHERS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NON-FORMAL EDUCATION IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA
Full text linkChina has seen significant changes in its educational landscape recently, with a growing focus on holistic education for primary school students. Alongside formal schooling, non-formal education has become increasingly important, seen as a vital supplement to traditional classroom learning. However, the Chinese government perceives the widespread enthusiasm among parents for non-formal education as a negative trend, hindering positive qualitative changes in formal education. There are concerns about the lack of control, particularly regarding ideological influence, educator training, and service quality within the non-formal education sector, which also involves substantial financial investment. This article, drawing from publicly available sources, assesses the current state of China\u27s non-formal education sector and examines the measures undertaken by the government in the past five years to enhance the quality of educational services. Additionally, it explores the future prospects of non-formal education in China within the context of policies aimed at reducing student burdens and improving educational service quality. The focus of the study is on primary and elementary school students, as this age group constitutes the primary target audience for non-formal educational opportunities in modern China.
EFFECTS OF FACE MASKS ON CARDIORESPIRATORY PARAMETERS DURING EXERCISE VELOERGOMETRY TEST
Full text linkThe COVID-19 pandemic has sparked ongoing scientific discussions about the adverse effects of wearing face masks on cardiorespiratory indicators, and the subjective response to exertion. Many researchers have investigated the impact of wearing face masks on different physiological factors through various exercise routines, such as a progressive cycling test, the 6-minute walk test, and treadmill walking at a constant pace, yielding inconsistent findings. This study aimed to examine the physiological and perceptual responses of wearing surgical face masks during and after the veloegometry test. Fifteen healthy young adults (mean age, 26.8±4.4 years, 5 males and 10 females) conducted the Astrand-Rhyming veloegometry protocol twice (with and without masks). Physiological outcomes (heart rate, maximal oxygen uptake, and oxygen saturation level), perceived exertion, and discomfort feeling by modified Borg scale were assessed. No significant differences were observed in physiological outcomes with or without masks during increasing load intensities (p > 0.05) except for the last minute of testing and the minute after testing (p ≤ 0.005). Participants wearing masks reported the tendency of higher exertion level (3.8±1.08 vs 4.4±0.9) but statistical analysis can\u27t definitively confirm it. While exercising with a face mask may not adversely affect cardiorespiratory factors, it can elevate perceived exertion levels and discomfort, particularly when exercise intensity exceeds a certain threshold.
REPRESENTATION OF MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS AND STUDENTS’ PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN TERMS OF TEACHING PRACTICE
Full text linkThis article presents an analysis of the research aimed at students\u27 attitude towards representation of mentoring relationships and an opportunity for their professional development in terms of teaching practice. The study is based on the assumption that the diversity of mentoring relationships and differences in their representation during teaching practice relate directly to the opportunities for students’ professional development. Mentoring is widely considered to be one of the models of support used in many different areas of society to meet the growing needs for personal and professional development. It is acknowledged that mentoring is a relationship between a more experienced, professional individual (a mentor) and a less experienced mentee. However, the following practical problem is identified: mentors themselves do not always recognise the variety of mentoring relationships or their impact on students’ professional development, i.e., opinions diverge when it comes to clarifying: What do mentoring relationships mean in terms of students\u27 professional development? What explains the divergence of opinions or even the disagreement on the concept of mentoring relationships? How do different mentoring relationships affect students\u27 professional development in terms of teaching practice? Searching for answers to the above problem questions provides new insights and possible practical solutions for analysing students\u27 professional development during teaching practice. Thus, the goal of the study is to represent mentoring relationships and the professional development of students in terms of teaching practice. Research methods: analysis of scientific literature and questionnaire survey. Research results: the research shows that the multi-meaning of mentoring relationships depends on a context of an individual’s activity or a social field in which mentoring relationships take place. Research participants pointed out that mentoring relationships are understood by practice supervisors-mentors quite categorically, which restricts the professional development of students. During the research, it was found that mentoring relationships during students’ practical training should be expressed in different forms and practices to provide more opportunities for their professional development
EXPLORING THE CONSISTENCY BETWEEN TEACHERS\u27 AND PARENTS\u27 RATINGS OF CHILDREN\u27S LANGUAGE SKILLS
No full textAim: The study investigated the correspondence between parent and teacher assessments of 3 to 6-year-old children\u27s language skills using the Expressive and Receptive Language Scales from the Early Childhood Developmental Screening Toolkit – BAASIK (an acronym in Latvian). Material and methods: Ninety-five preschool teachers and 424 parents participated in an online survey assessing the expressive and receptive language skills of children aged 3 to 6 years. Results: Spearman\u27s correlation analysis revealed statistically significant (p < .001) moderate to strong correlations between the ratings of children’s language skills by parents and teachers. For the Receptive Language Scales, correlations ranged from rS = .43 to rS = .6, and for the Expressive Language Scales, from rS = .54 to rS = .64. Conclusions: The study confirmed that parents’ and teachers’ assessments of children’s expressive and receptive language skills are significantly correlated. The BAASIK Expressive and Receptive Language Scales used by both parents and teachers could be effective for early screening, potentially aiding in the prompt identification of language development issues and the subsequent referral to speech and language therapy services.