Search Results (2,121)

In recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a noticeable rise in demand for luxury urban hospitality services. Luxury hospitality is not solely about costly offerings; it emphasises creating authentic, personalised, and wellness-focused experiences. Successful luxury hotel operations depend on emotional intelligence, supportive leadership, and HR empowerment. This research aims to identify the variables positively associated with these factors in metropolitan hotels and to propose HRM policies to enhance them. Conducted from March to May 2025 in Athens, Greece, with a sample of 220 luxury five-star hotel employees, the research utilised Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses. The Exploratory Factor Analysis was performed using the method of Principal Components Extraction, while the Confirmatory Factor Analysis employed Structural Equation Modelling. The analysis of the research findings highlighted specific variables that are positively correlated with the development of the emotional intelligence, supportive leadership, and HR empowerment needed to deliver luxury services in metropolitan destination hotels. This paper provides validated Likert-type scales and practical insights for developing these essential workplace factors in luxury hotels, ultimately improving customer service and employee support. Full article

Sandstone quarrying in Lekokoaneng contributes to both local and national economic development, yet it raises concerns about environmental degradation and community livelihoods. Using a mixed-methods design framed by the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) and the Sustainable Development Theory (SDT), 203 households were surveyed across five buffer zones (0–1000 m) around the formal quarry site in Lekokoaneng, Berea District, Lesotho. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis and were transformed into quantifiable categories. Quarrying generated employment and small-business opportunities concentrated within 0–600 m of the site, alongside elevated reports of dust, soil degradation and water contamination that undermined agriculture and health. Households nearest the quarry reported the highest income benefits (e.g., 35% via employment) but also the greatest environmental burdens. Households furthest away reported fewer risks but also limited economic gain. Thematic analysis yielded four domains: Socio-Economic Empowerment, Livelihood Vulnerability, Health and Safety Risks, and Environmental Degradation and Control. Integrating SLF and SDT shows quarrying as a double-edged livelihood system with short-term financial gains that coincide with erosion of natural, human and social capitals. Targeted environmental safeguards, labour formalisation and community-inclusive governance are essential to realign quarrying with resilience and sustainability goals. Full article

Vocational training can lead to higher employment rates and improved incomes, particularly for young women in low-resource settings like Kampala’s slums. Despite these benefits, further research is needed to understand the full impact and mechanisms of vocational training on youth in low-resource environments. In 2022, a focus group project, part of a larger study, involved 60 women aged 18 to 24, recruited from three Youth Support Centers operated by the Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL) in Kampala. Six focus groups (about 10 women in each group) were held to explore urban stress and how vocational training might mitigate social and environmental stressors and improve mental health. Data analysis conducted using NVivo software identified five key themes: economic benefits, skill development, building confidence and self-esteem, improved social and behavioral well-being, and enhanced lifestyle and quality of life. This formative research underscores that vocational training benefits young women, highlighting outcomes such as job acquisition, financial empowerment, and skill development. Additionally, self-esteem and confidence development emphasize the training’s role in fostering mental health and agency and addressing gender inequality. These findings underscore the value of vocational training in enhancing the mental health and overall well-being of young women and suggest areas for future research for how to best optimize and scale these programs in low-resource settings. Full article

Financial literacy, defined as the set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable individuals to make informed economic decisions and manage resources efficiently, is fundamental for social inclusion and the reduction of inequalities. This study, through a systematic review of the scientific literature using the PRISMA methodology, selected 120 primary studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and presented a low risk of bias. These studies examined aspects related to financial literacy programs, the populations benefited, their effects, the challenges encountered, and the lessons that can guide the replication of these initiatives. The results show that the most frequent programs include training in basic financial concepts—savings, budgeting, access to banking services and microfinance—as well as workshops, seminars, and group training sessions. The populations most benefited were rural communities and women, although informal workers, migrants, and refugees could also significantly improve their financial inclusion and economic resilience. Among the positive effects, improvements were observed in income and expense management, increased savings, investment planning, preparation for emergencies and retirement, and the strengthening of economic empowerment and the sustainability of microenterprises and small enterprises. These findings highlight the importance of implementing financial literacy programs adapted to specific contexts to promote inclusion and economic well-being. Full article

In an increasingly centralized digital society, the widespread reliance on third-party cloud services has heightened user concerns about data privacy and control, driving a significant movement toward self-hosted solutions. This study investigates factors influencing continued use of self-hosting, proposing an extended research model that combines classic TAM constructs with domain-specific factors like perceived autonomy, privacy concerns, perceived trust, personal innovativeness and perceived enjoyment. A quantitative survey was conducted with $n=2158$ active self-hosting users, and the data was analyzed using PLS-SEM. The findings reveal that perceived enjoyment, perceived autonomy and perceived usefulness are the most significant positive drivers of continuance intention, confirming that intrinsic satisfaction and the desire for control are powerful motivators for sustained engagement. The study also found that the relationship between intention and usage is significantly moderated by perceived competence, highlighting that a user’s technical skill strengthens the link between their intent and actual use. The research offers key insights for developers and policymakers and contributes to academic discourse on sustained technology use by providing a validated measurement scale for self-hosted software usage and underscoring the importance of user empowerment and an enjoyable experience to foster the sustained engagement of decentralized digital solutions essential for the socio-technical sustainability of the digital society. Full article

As an advanced form of community development, Future Communities (Weilai Shequ) is a policy-led urban initiative launched in Zhejiang, China, that prioritizes human-centered development. However, it is currently confronted with an inherent contradiction: the expansion of technological rationality is encroaching upon humanistic values. Centering on the core “technology–human” relationship, this study is dedicated to exploring development measures for Future Community that synergistically integrate technological empowerment and humanistic care. Using natural language processing techniques (LDA topic modeling), we conducted an exploration and analysis of the thematic characteristics and evolution of 40 policy documents related to future communities issued by the central and local governments of China from 2014 to 2024. The study identifies six core topics: Quality Enhancement, Technical Foundation, Intelligent Operations and Maintenance, Green and Low-Carbon, All-Age Friendliness, and Community Services. Analysis revealed that each theme embodies a dual connotation of both technological and humanistic dimensions. Furthermore, the study revealed that the evolution of policy semantics follows a three-stage developmental pattern: technology dominance and nascent human-centered values; human-centered rise and technology empowerment; and human-centered deepening and technological embeddedness. Based on the above findings, and grounded in a phenomenological perspective, this study integrates Alexander’s human-centered architectural philosophy with Ihde’s theory of technological mediation to propose a future community construction pathway jointly driven by “technological mediation” and “human presence.” Theoretically, this research transcends the binary narrative of technology versus humanism. In practice, it provides policymakers with tools to avoid technological pitfalls. It establishes fundamental principles for planners and designers to implement humanistic values, ultimately aiming to realize, at the community level, the vision of technology serving humanity’s aspiration for a better life. Full article

Destinations such as Bali face intensifying overtourism, which undermines ecological integrity, cultural authenticity, and local livelihoods. Traditional sustainable tourism approaches have proven insufficient, leading to calls for regenerative tourism that restores ecosystems and strengthens communities. This study examines how Penta-Helix collaboration can drive regenerative tourism, mitigate overtourism, and deliver sustainability outcomes. A mixed-methods design was employed. Survey data from 220 domestic and international visitors were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM–PLS) to test relationships among Penta-Helix collaboration, regenerative tourism, overtourism mitigation, and sustainability outcomes. To complement these findings, an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was conducted with 30–40 key stakeholders drawn from 100 informants (government, businesses, communities, academia, and media) to prioritize mitigation strategies. SEM–PLS results indicate that Penta-Helix collaboration significantly enhances regenerative tourism practices (β = 0.62), which strongly reduce overtourism impacts (β = 0.58). Mediation tests reveal that overtourism mitigation is a key mechanism linking regenerative tourism to triple bottom line outcomes (economic, socio-cultural, environmental). AHP results show that carrying capacity enforcement and participatory governance emerge as the top-priority strategies, underscoring the dual importance of institutional policy and community empowerment. The findings advance theoretical debates by positioning regenerative tourism as a systemic innovation enabled by networked governance and operationalized through overtourism mitigation strategies. Practically, the study highlights the need for policy enforcement, participatory governance, and adaptive destination management to embed regenerative principles in overtourism hotspots. Full article

Background: In China, a paradox has emerged: while the digital access gap narrows, a pronounced digital gradient—a sequential decline in outcomes from urban to county to township students—persists in innovation and entrepreneurship. This study investigates the hidden, cognitive mechanisms behind this enduring gradient inequality. Methods: Analyzing a national survey of 31,779 students, we employed statistical models designed to trace sequential pathways and account for institutional influences. Results: We found a clear urban > county > township gradient in students’ digital literacy, information perception, and innovation capabilities. The disparity is primarily driven by a cognitive mediation chain: rural students’ lower digital literacy inhibits their ability to perceive and evaluate information effectively, which in turn suppresses their innovation and entrepreneurial potential. This “digital literacy → information perception” pathway explains over 80% of the gap in entrepreneurial intention and one-third of the gap in innovation capacity. Crucially, elite “Double First-Class” universities mitigate this gradient; their robust offline support systems compensate for deficits in students’ digital literacy, reducing its necessity for entrepreneurial success. Conclusions: The contemporary digital divide is fundamentally a cognitive gradient. Moving forward, policy must look beyond infrastructure to foster a cognitive capacity to transform digital access into innovation capability, rather than merely expanding digital access. Our findings affirm that universities can act as powerful institutional compensators. A dual strategy that combines cognitive empowerment with targeted institutional support is essential to bridge the digital gradient and close the innovation gap across urban, county, and township student populations. Full article

In the process of establishing a protected area system centered on national parks, China’s policies inevitably impact the traditional livelihoods of original community residents, often leading to a diminished sense of social justice. Tourism, serving as a critical bridge between realizing the value of national parks’ ecological products and transitioning community livelihoods, is pivotal for fostering coordination between conservation efforts and community support for tourism. This coordination is essential for enhancing the community’s perception of social justice and achieving the sustainable development goals of national parks. This study aims to investigate the antecedents influencing community willingness to support tourism in national parks. Data were collected from 326 original residents of Wuyishan National Park in China and analyzed using a dual-stage approach that combines Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). The findings indicate that all three dimensions of perceived justice—distributive, procedural, and interactional—significantly and positively influence the community’s willingness to support tourism. Community tourism empowerment mediates the relationship between these three dimensions of perceived justice and the support for tourism development. The contrasting results between PLS-SEM and ANN in Model A reveal the complex nature of how perceptions of fairness facilitate community empowerment. Full article

Bullying and cyberbullying constitute urgent public health challenges, contributing to significant psychological, social, and developmental harms among youth worldwide. While schools have traditionally served as the primary context for prevention, these efforts are often limited in scope, duration, and systemic integration. Healthcare and public health professionals are uniquely positioned to contribute to early identification, prevention, and resilience-building, but their roles are not consistently integrated into bullying prevention frameworks. This systematic review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, synthesized 12 empirical studies published between 2013 and 2023 that examined healthcare- and public health–led interventions addressing bullying and cyberbullying among children and adolescents. Using a narrative synthesis mapped onto the SHIELD framework (Strengths, Healing, Interventions, Empowerment, Learning, Development), six themes emerged: (1) screening and early identification protocols, (2) family and community involvement, (3) variable focus on mental health and well-being, (4) multi-component, school-based interventions, (5) cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused interventions, and (6) online and digital interventions. Findings highlight the potential of health professionals to deliver trauma-informed, empowerment-based, and culturally responsive approaches that extend beyond traditional educational settings. Recommendations emphasize cross-sector collaboration, integration of digital tools, and equity-centered practices to strengthen prevention, intervention, and resilience-building. This review underscores the critical role of healthcare and public health professionals in creating safer, more supportive environments for youth. Full article

This conceptual article introduces Perceived Cognitive Assistance (PCA)—a novel psychological construct capturing how interactive support from Large Language Models (LLMs) alters investors’ perception of their cognitive capacity to execute complex trading strategies. PCA formalizes a behavioral shift: LLM-empowered retail investors may transition from intuitive heuristics to institutional-grade strategies—sometimes without adequate comprehension. This empowerment–distortion duality forms the theoretical contribution’s core. To empirically validate this model, this article outlines a five-step research agenda including psychological diagnostics, trading behavior analysis, market efficiency tests, and a Behavioral Shift Index (BSI). One agenda component—a dual-agent simulation framework—enables causal benchmarking in post-LLM environments. This simulation includes two contributions: (1) the Virtual Trader, a cognitively degraded benchmark approximating bounded human reasoning, and (2) the Digital Persona, a psychologically emulated agent grounded in behaviorally plausible logic. These components offer methods for isolating LLM assistance’s cognitive uplift and evaluating behavioral implications under controlled conditions. This article contributes by specifying a testable link from established decision frameworks (Theory of Planned Behavior, Technology Acceptance Model, and Risk-as-Feelings) to two estimators: a moderated regression for individual decisions (Equation (1)) and a composite Behavioral Shift Index derived from trading logs (Equation (2)). We state directional, falsifiable predictions for the regression coefficients and for index dynamics, and we outline an identification and robustness plan—versioned, time-locked, and auditable—to be executed in the subsequent empirical phase. The result is a clear operational pathway from theory to measurement and testing, prior to empirical implementation. No empirical results are reported here; the contribution is the operational, falsifiable architecture and its implementation plan, to be executed in a separate preregistered study. Full article

Remote, self-managed neuroempowerment protocols are emerging as promising tools for promoting psychophysical well-being in healthy individuals through scalable, home-based interventions. Rooted in positive psychology, applied psychophysiology, and embodied awareness practices, these protocols increasingly leverage wearable technologies and digital platforms to support self-regulated training in cognitive, emotional, and physical domains. This scoping review explores the current literature on such interventions, guided by a triadic model of subjective well-being encompassing neurocognitive efficiency, psychological balance, and physical fitness. A systematic search across major scientific databases identified 28 studies meeting inclusion criteria, with a focus on home-based interventions targeting healthy adult populations using embodied awareness practices, applied psychophysiology techniques, and empowerment-based strategies. Findings indicate that these interventions yield improvements in attention regulation, stress reduction, and subjective well-being, particularly when combining digital feedback systems with embodied practices. However, significant methodological limitations persist, including the overreliance on self-report measures, lack of longitudinal follow-up, and insufficient integration of objective, multimodal assessment tools. Moreover, few studies explicitly address the role of participant engagement and agency—key elements in neuroempowerment frameworks that conceptualize the individual not as a passive recipient of treatment, but as an active agent in the training process. This review highlights the need for more rigorous and theoretically grounded research, advocating for integrative, adaptive intervention models supported by wearable neurotechnologies. Such approaches hold the potential to enhance motivation, personalize feedback, and promote sustainable well-being in ecologically valid, participant-centred ways. Full article

This study investigates the gendered implications of Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under CPEC 2.0, focusing on risks and opportunities for women in the country’s green industrial transition. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines secondary research with multi-stakeholder consultations, including engagement with SEZ authorities, Chinese investors, and women’s professional networks, the paper examines how legal ambiguity, defeminization, and occupational segregation restrict women’s participation and mobility in SEZs. Drawing on global comparative evidence and Pakistan’s specific legal and institutional gaps, the paper argues that SEZs can support gender-equitable industrialization if reforms are integrated into their design and governance. It recommends introducing mandatory gender equity plans in zone licensing, providing targeted skills training for women in high-tech sectors, operationalizing Pakistan’s National Gender Policy Framework within SEZ development, and embedding the Zone Social Responsibility (ZSR) framework across all SEZs to ensure long-term inclusion and empowerment. Full article

Background: The growing burden of chronic illnesses calls for integrated and sustainable models of Primary Healthcare (PHC) that emphasize health promotion and patient-centered care. Interprofessional collaboration between General Practitioners (GPs) and Family and Community Nurses (FCNs) is a strategic approach to enhancing continuity of care and supporting individuals in adopting healthy behaviors across the trajectory of chronic conditions. This study aims to explore the experiences and perspectives of GPs and FCNs in Italy, with the goal of identifying the barriers, enablers, and transformative dynamics that can inform future PHC models. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted with four focus groups with 21 participants (8 GPs and 13 FCNs) from three Italian regions, carried out between March and November 2023. Data were analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) following Braun and Clarke’s framework. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Parma (Protocol No. 0266537—21 October 2022). Results: Four themes and sixteen subthemes were identified: (1) barriers to effective collaboration (role ambiguity, limited time, structural misalignments); (2) facilitators of collaboration (openness, mutual recognition, shared goals); (3) team-building processes (phases of trust development, shared values, reflective problem-solving); and (4) transformation of work practices (improved patient outcomes, flexible methodologies, integrated care strategies). Conclusions: Interprofessional collaboration between GPs and FCNs enhances the capacity of PHC to address the complex needs of people with chronic conditions. Aligning relational, organizational, and structural factors is essential for sustainable, health-promoting care models. Tailored training, protected time, and shared spaces are critical to foster teamwork, promote patient empowerment, and ensure continuity of care in chronic illness management. Full article

Street vending is a prevalent feature of the informal economy in African societies. Despite its role in generating income opportunities and fostering affordability and accessibility to goods for impoverished urban residents, street vending is considered by many governments to be antithetic to modern urban planning or development and in violation of laws pertaining to the use of public spaces. Whereas there has been an increasing academic interest in informal street vending, this scoping review seeks to identify gaps in the academic literature with respect of how street vending is understood and how conflict between street vendors and public authorities is conceptualized. This review can identify pressing research needs and inform indigenous and sustainable approaches to social work practice at micro and macro levels. This scoping review maps empirical research reported in peer-reviewed literature over a period from 1 January 2010 to 31 May 2024. It addresses street vending in sub-Saharan Africa and seeks to explicate the nature of conflict observed between street vendors and public authorities, theoretical explanations of the problem of street vending and its potential solutions. Few concrete solutions are provided in the literature and there is a clear lack of social work perspective on this topic. We argue that more research from this perspective is needed to gain a better understanding of the lived experiences of conflict faced by women street vendors. Full article