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Sensitivity to Punishment and Reward, Tolerance for Ambiguity and Peer Influences on Positive Risk-Taking
No full textBackground: Taking risks is a decision we make as a part of everyday life. Most of the research perceives risks as negative but it’s important to acknowledge that risks can be positive too.
Aim: The purpose of this research is to investigate the extent to which positive risk-taking is predicted by sensitivity to reward and punishment, tolerance for ambiguity and peer influences, while also exploring associations of gender and age on positive risk-taking.
Methodology: A cross-sectional convenient sample design was utilised via survey to measure the Positive Risk-Taking Scale (PRT), Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ), Tolerance for Ambiguity Scale (TAS) and the Positive Peer Questionnaire (PPQ) among 153 adult participants across countries.
Results: The standard multiple regression analyses revealed that tolerance to ambiguity was the most significant predictor of positive risk taking. The independent t-test analysis found non-significant findings between men and women. The Spearman’s rank-order correlation analysis found non-significant findings between age and positive risk taking.
Conclusion: Broader implications include providing structured opportunities for positive risk taking in academic environments as it would allow growth of soft skills that can be applied in both academic and real-world settings
Exploring Self-Esteem, Well-Being, Cannabis and Cocaine Involvement Among Adults in Ireland
No full textAims: This study aims to explore the interplay between self-esteem (SE), well-being (WB), cannabis and cocaine involvement amongst adults in Ireland in the context of the normalisation of drug use, self-medication and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB).
Method: A survey was administered to participants (n=185) through Microsoft Forms assessing psychological factors (SE and WB), cannabis and cocaine use patterns. Variables were assessed using the cross-sectional survey of 185 participants using standardised measures (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, WHO-5 Well-Being Index, and WHO Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test).
Results: Age was positively correlated with both cannabis and cocaine involvement. No significant relationships were found between substance use (SU) and socioeconomic factors (education, occupation). Gender differences were found in males having higher cannabis use than females, where cocaine involvement had not significant differences. SE showed a negative correlation with cannabis and cocaine use; notably once age was controlled, neither SE nor WB predicted SU.
Conclusion: These finding fits with the normalisation thesis that suggests shifts in cultural acceptance regarding what is referred to as softer, less dangerous substances, such as cannabis. In contrast to traditional stereotypes, gender differences only exist for cannabis involvement in this group. The finding supports the SE and WB enhancement over abstinence-based policies in the context of a youth-oriented intervention. This study encourages more holistic strategies to tackle SU in Ireland’s changing cultural milieu, by taking on board psychological vulnerabilities and the way society operates
The Influence of Financial Threat, Psychological Distress, and Coping on Irelands’ Single Mothers Life Satisfaction
No full textSingle mothers in Ireland are one of the most vulnerable groups at risk of poverty, deprivation and multiple stress exposure. Much research has explored the impact of financial circumstances on life satisfaction. However, financial threat has not been explored to date. This study aimed to examine the influence of financial threat, psychological distress, adaptive and maladaptive coping on Ireland’s single mothers’ life satisfaction, whilst also considering individual demographic influences (age, living situation, employment status, custody status and number of children). The sample consisted of 154 single mothers, which were recruited through non-probability sampling methods. This study employed a cross-sectional, quantitative design. Participants’ data was gathered through an online survey, which included demographic questions alongside the Financial Threat Scale, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, Brief-COPE Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Results found high financial threat and psychological distress associated with lower life satisfaction, whilst high financial threat was associated with high psychological distress. Results from hierarchical regression found financial threat was the strongest predicter of life satisfaction, followed by adaptive and maladaptive coping. Psychological distress was insignificant once coping was considered. Coping strategies may buffer psychological distress associated with financial threat although may be less impactful in relieving financial threat associated with broad structural barriers. Findings have important practical implications for policy reform to address the financial insecurity of single mothers, and for mental health support to build adaptive coping skills and resilience
A Qualitative Research Study into The Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment & Selection, From The Perspective of Recruitment Specialists in Ireland
No full textThe adoption of Artificial Intelligence to aid with functions such as Recruitment and Selection has grown rapidly in recent years. This research study will explore the effectiveness of utilizing AI tools and systems from the perspective of recruitment specialists working in Ireland. Previous research in the field has focused on organizational benefits such as cost reduction, and competitive advantage, this has left a significant gap in the research, to get a better understanding of the viewpoints, opinions and experiences from the professionals using AI daily. This research uses a qualitative semi-structured interview approach to address the gap in literature.
The research adopts an interpretivist research philosophy and qualitative methodology. The study was conducted by semi-structured interviews with six participants working as recruitment specialists in Ireland, participants worked as both in-house recruiters and for recruitment agencies. The interview questions were designed to gather deep insight and firsthand information, avoiding closed ended questions. To analyse the data from the transcripts, this research utilised Braun and Clarke (2006) thematic analysis framework, identifying four main themes: Recruitment & Selection, Organisational Advantages, Strategic Management, and Ethical & Legal Obstacles.
The findings in this research highlight a complex relationship between the recruiters and artificial intelligence. Participants noted the AI tools and systems ability to handle repetitive tasks such as screening applications and CVs, drafting emails, and keeping communication channels open with candidates, for example sending deadline reminders for unfinished applications. Participants mentioned using tools such as LinkedIn recruiter, Loxo, Gamma and Chat GPT, which in return has saved them time to focus on strategic objectives.
Human oversight and supervision were a recurring theme across the research study, participants voiced their concerns about over-reliance on AI and the ethical issues that may follow. Participants pointed out limitations such as AI developing an algorithm bias, potentially overlooking highly skilled candidates. It was a general consensus amongst participants that AI was not going to replace their role but rather assist and enhance their performance, using the AI tools as a personal assistant to perform administrative tasks, allowing more time for the recruiter to engage with clients and candidates on a personal level. The research suggest that AI lacks the ability to identify nonverbal cues and body language, unable to identify an individual’s suitability for the organisation. This reflects the findings of many previous research papers, that AI should be used to enhance the recruiter’s role rather than replace it. Participants strongly suggested the training and development of individuals using Artificial Intelligence, noting the importance of identifying a bias in the system, conducting regular audits to mitigate this factor and have a strong policy in place regarding the fair use of AI, noting that noncompliance may result in legal issues surrounding bias discrimination, breaches of GDPR and European legislation.
In conclusion, this research study suggests that Artificial Intelligence tools are most effective in recruitment and selection when they are aligned closely with human intervention and supervision. AI tools are most effective at administrative task, but their success depends heavily on the training and experience of the user, and maintaining the human element of recruitment and selections. The limitation of this study is the small sample size and geographical restrictions provide clear avenue for future research, for example getting the candidates perspective and expanding the research on an international level
Sustainability as Strategy: Investigating How Corporations Balance Profit and Responsibility in Practice
No full textAmid increasing social expectations, hardening ESG regulations and changing investors' priorities, corporate sustainability has become a strategic imperative instead of peripheral concern. This research explores how companies virtually integrate sustainability in strategic decision making, investigating whether initiatives are predominantly driven for profit reasons, ethical commitments or a hybrid of both. Based on the theory of interested parties, resource-based vision and institutional theory, this study critically examines the motivations, compensation and results experienced by business leaders who integrate sustainability in central commercial functions.
Using a mixed method approach, the study combines qualitative ideas of semi-structured interviews with ESG and medium to senior strategy executives (n = 10) and quantitative data of a survey of more than 100 commercial professionals in all industries. In addition, in-depth case studies of sustainability-led companies provide comparative information on how different governance structures and market pressures shape sustainability integration. Based on ESG reference points (for example, MSCI, Refinitiv) and corporate dissemination, the study validates self -informed statements with measurable performance indicators.
The results reveal a nuanced panorama where companies that adopt sustainability as a strategy often face tensions between short -term financial costs and long -term legitimacy, brand resistance and equity. While some companies implement sustainability substantially, which analyses it for innovation, the alignment of interested parties and competitive advantage, others resort to symbolic gestures under regulatory or reputational pressure. Research contributes a refined framework that distinguishes symbolic sustainability strategies from sustainability and describes critical enablers, including executive leadership, ESG capabilities and the alignment of interested parties.
This thesis provides theoretical and practical contributions for academics and professionals by identifying conditions under which sustainability serves both a strategic asset and a moral imperative, marking a change towards capitalism aligned with purpose in the corporate landscape after 2020
A critical analysis of project management methodologies used in the Pharmaceutical Industry
No full textPurpose: To understand if there is a relationship between various types of project management execution methodologies commonly used within the pharmaceutical industry for engineering and construction capital projects and project cost-overruns.
Approach: Literature review on project failings, project management tools and techniques used in the pharmaceutical industry in combination with semi-structured interviews with pharmaceutical industry professionals with significant capital project execution experience.
Findings: Research indicates that PMBOK or waterfall type project management methodology is the most preferred and reliable project management system for pharma construction projects. PMBOK in conjunction with PMO and specific elements of agile & lean methods, would make for a more fit for purpose methodology for the pharmaceutical industry.
Research Limitations: Semi-Structured interview approach & lack of published information regarding pharmaceutical project failures
Originality/Value: No historical data or literature to suggest this subject matter has been previously researched or documented. The value of this paper is in the data that has been collated on the perceived most appropriate types of PM methodologies for higher levels of cost control on pharmaceutical capital engineering projects
The Influence of Leadership Styles on Employee Motivation in the Indian IT Sector: A Case Study of a Mid-Sized Company
No full textThe research study focused on evaluating how the different types of leadership influence employee motivation by focusing on medium size Indian IT organisations by providing the focus on cultural and organisational factors. The researcher has used the mixed method which included a structured survey of 100 management and executive level employees and in-depth interviews with 10 professionals in the industry. It helps to collect both qualitative and quantitative information. The data analysis identified that the cultural factors and the organisation factors have the highest influence on the employee motivation. Values from the culture, such respect for authority, collaboration, and following the rules of the company, had a big impact on how motivated people were. Organizational practices including open communication, chances for professional growth, and mechanisms for recognizing employees also had a big role in raising motivation levels.
Also the research study found that the hybrid leadership approach including the elements of transformation and leadership and the transactional leadership needs to be more flexible since it has a positive and significant influence on the employee motivation in the IT industry of India. This was better than employing just one style on its own. The study found that in the Indian IT setting, leadership performance depended less on sticking to a certain style and more on the leader's ability to adjust to cultural norms and the reality of the firm. These findings give mid-sized Indian IT companies useful ways to boost employee engagement by using leadership styles that are culturally appropriate, adaptable, and responsive to the situation. This adds to the body of research on leadership and motivation in developing countries
The effects of transformational and transactional leadership styles on employee motivation and job satisfaction during crisis periods in Turkey
No full textThis study examined the effects of transformational and transactional leadership styles on employee motivation and job satisfaction during the economic crisis in Turkey. The research method employed was quantitative, and survey results were obtained with the participation of 178 participants. Analyses conducted in accordance with the survey results revealed that transformational leadership has a significant and positive impact on employee motivation and job satisfaction. Transactional leadership also has its effects. However, during times of crisis, transformational leadership stands out over transactional leadership. This is because the analysis revealed that transactional leadership has complex and neutral effects on employee motivation and job satisfaction. The majority of the 178 participants in the quantitative study were young employees, suggesting that young people embrace transformational leadership. The motivating and supportive aspects of transformational leadership were perceived as a leadership style that employees psychologically and socially preferred and were considered a factor influencing the results. The research results indicated that transformational leadership is crucial during times of crisis and contributes to increased employee engagement. It would be beneficial for organizations and leaders to adopt this approach, especially during times of crisis. This study makes a significant contribution to the literature by examining the impact of transformational and transactional leadership approaches on employee motivation and job satisfaction during economic crises
An exploratory study of the work structure and job satisfaction after the compulsory full return-to-office for IT workers in Dublin
No full textIn the wake of a global pandemic that redefined how and where we work, many IT professionals found unexpected value in the flexibility of remote work: more time with family, fewer hours lost to commuting, and the comfort of working from their own space. But as the world began to stabilise, tech giants like Amazon and X reversed course, mandating a full return to the office. This research aims to investigate the impacts of mandatory return-to-office policies on work structure and job satisfaction among IT workers in Dublin. Grounded in the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model and using a qualitative case study approach, the research draws on the lived experiences of employees who navigated the journey from office to remote work and back again, investigating how the compulsory return to office has affected work structure, job demands, available resources, and overall job satisfaction. The findings revealed that while workers appreciated the structure and social interactions of in-office work, they also struggled with commuting stress, diminished flexibility, and a disconnect between workplace expectations and personal needs. Many felt their well-being had taken a back seat in the push to reoccupy physical spaces, which directly impacted their job satisfaction. By shedding light on how IT workers perceive and adapt to enforced workplace shifts, this study offers timely insights for organisations aiming to balance operational goals with employee well-being in a post-pandemic world
Work in Progress: Participatory research on parental attitudes towards STEM in Ireland
No full textEarly learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is a predictor of future academic and career success in these subjects. However, while parents play a critical role in motivating children to learn these subjects and building self-efficacy, many parents in disadvantaged communities have low levels of knowledge and self-efficacy themselves. Programmes targeting these competencies are effective, but more evidence-based knowledge is needed to better understand how parents think and feel about these subjects during a time of rapid change due to advances in artificial intelligence. This Work in Progress paper presents ongoing participatory research on parental attitudes and awareness of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, using a survey distributed to 157 parents (of 200), and semi-structured interviews with three parents (of 13). Initial results suggest parents are intimidated by these subjects but recognise their importance. This research will help us design new programmes to improve access to learning STEM subjects