Search Results (265)

This study examines the moral agency of French secondary school headteachers through the lens of the theory of conventions. Using qualitative data from interviews with fifteen headteachers involved in professional development, this study explores how these leaders justify their practices within a centralized, bureaucratic, and hierarchical education system. It identifies a variety of conventions—civic, domestic, industrial, project, market, inspired, and fame—that headteachers draw on to navigate institutional constraints, manage professional relationships, and foster pedagogical and organizational change. Particular attention is given to how civic and domestic conventions shape leadership discourse and practices, especially regarding trust building, decision making, and reform implementation. We also compare the French context with international examples from the International Successful School Principalship Project (ISSPP), focusing on Nordic countries, where leadership emphasizes democratic participation, professional trust, and shared responsibility. This study underscores the uniqueness of the French leadership model, which resists managerial and market logics while remaining rooted in republican and egalitarian ideals. It concludes by advocating for a more context-aware, ethically grounded, and dialogical approach to school leadership. Full article

Water governance in Europe faces mounting challenges from climate change, demographic pressures, and aging infrastructure—especially in Southern regions increasingly affected by drought and institutional fragmentation. In contrast, Nordic countries such as Denmark and Sweden exhibit coherent, integrated governance systems with strong regulatory oversight. This study introduces the Water Governance Maturity Index (WGMI), a document-based assessment tool designed to evaluate national water governance across five dimensions: institutional capacity, operational effectiveness, environmental ambition, equity, and climate adaptation. Applying the WGMI to eight EU countries—four Nordic and four Southern—reveals a persistent North–South divide in governance maturity. Nordic countries consistently score in the “advanced” or “model” range, while Southern countries face systemic gaps in implementation, climate integration, and territorial inclusion. Based on these findings, the study offers actionable policy recommendations, including the establishment of independent regulators, strengthening of river basin coordination, mainstreaming of climate-water strategies, and expansion of affordability and participation mechanisms. By translating complex governance principles into measurable indicators, the WGMI provides a practical tool for benchmarking reform progress and supporting the EU’s broader agenda for just resilience and climate adaptation. Unlike broader frameworks like SDG 6.5.1, the WGMI’s document-based, dimension-specific approach provides granular, actionable insights for governance reform, enhancing its utility for EU and global policymakers. Full article

The private healthcare sector in Romania, led by prominent players such as Medlife, Regina Maria, Medicover and Sanador, has become a cornerstone of the country’s healthcare system. However, achieving sustainability in this sector remains a challenge. This study evaluates sustainability practices in Romania’s private medical sector using the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework, comparing them to those of the EU, USA and Japan. Using statistical methods and benchmarking, we identify correlations between healthcare expenditures, financing schemes and sustainability metrics. A bibliographic review highlights global trends in sustainable healthcare management, including environmental, social and economic strategies and provides insights into the cost-effectiveness of green initiatives. Special focus is given to the role of technology in driving sustainability through innovations in telemedicine, digital health records and operational optimization. Using statistical methods (Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients), we have performed an analysis of health expenditure data for EU countries, the USA and Japan. The dataset was extracted from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data portal and included various health expenditure indicators, financing schemes and administrative data for all EU countries, the USA and Japan for the period 2018–2023. We have performed a structured analysis that explores correlations between these indicators, with a focus on financial schemes, expenditures and management sustainability. The analysis shows strong correlations between healthcare expenditures, financing schemes and administrative costs. Countries with efficient governance, balanced financing and proactive population health strategies (e.g., Japan and Nordic countries) demonstrate better management sustainability. However, countries like the USA and Eastern EU nations face challenges due to high administrative costs and inefficient financing models, respectively. Addressing these issues is critical to sustaining healthcare systems in the long term. The findings reveal that while Romanian providers excel in patient satisfaction and technological innovation, they lag behind their European counterparts in environmental sustainability and equitable access. Recommendations are proposed to address these gaps, drawing on successful strategies implemented in other European healthcare systems. This study fills a gap in the literature by providing a structured analysis of sustainability practices in Romania’s private healthcare sector, contextualized within a global comparative framework. Full article

In this paper, we compare the determinants of CO₂ emissions: GDP per capita, energy production from renewable sources (EPREN), secondary school enrollment (SI) and urbanization (URB) for three groups of countries: SEE (South-Eastern European), Nordic, and Baltic countries during 1990–2022 by means of panel ARDL. The long-term analysis indicates that in SEE countries, URB significantly reduces CO₂ emissions (4.54%). In contrast, GDP (0.46%) and SI (0.54%) slightly increase CO₂ emissions. In the case of Baltic countries, GDP positively correlates with CO₂ (1.65%), while URB (29.27%), EPREN (0.03%), and SI (6.22%) negatively correlate with CO₂. In the case of Nordic countries, GDP (0.59%), EPREN (0.14%), and URB (18.02%) negatively impact CO₂ emissions. Regarding the Error Correction Term (ECT) dimension, the Nordic countries exhibit the fastest adjustment to shocks (−0.67), succeeded by the SEE countries (−0.44), while the Baltic countries display the slowest response (−0.27). This sequence indicates varying degrees of efficiency and speed at which each region can address fluctuations impacting CO₂ emissions. These differences may reflect variations in policy execution, infrastructure adaptability, and the general development of environmental governance across the three regions. Our research contributes by offering a comparative, region-specific econometric analysis of the long-run and short-run dynamics of CO₂ emissions in European subregions, revealing the nuanced roles of education, urbanization, and RES in shaping environmental outcomes and providing empirical evidence to inform targeted climate and development policies. Full article

Despite its ancient and foreign origin, the Bible has managed to integrate so seamlessly into the contemporary Nordic countries that it is seen to form the basis of specifically Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish identity and values. This paper will employ the work of translation scholar Lawrence Venuti on the politics and ethics of translation, and especially his concepts of foreignization and domestication, to explore this understanding of the Bible. Venuti’s thought informs critical reflection on how translation contributes to the cultural position of the Bible in the Nordic context, through examining translation principles, the function of retranslation, and the role of fluency. This contributes to our understanding of how the Bible has become a successful migrant to the Nordic region who is now used to keep others out. Full article

Objectives: A dentist may assume incorrect working positions throughout their professional career, which can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study aimed to quantify the prevalence of self-reported MSDs in dentists and the body region most affected, as well as to evaluate the most frequent working position, the area of work and the age group most frequently associated with MSDs. Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study adhering to the STROBE and CHERRIES guidelines, approved by the local Ethics Committee. An online questionnaire (including the Nordic Musculoskeletal Symptoms Questionnaire) was applied to a convenience sample of Portuguese and Italian dentists. Data analysis was conducted with non-parametric comparisons (IBM© SPSS^® Statistics vs. 28.0, p < 0.05). Results: A total of 341 dentists (170 Portuguese, 171 Italian) aged 18–75 years participated. The prevalence of self-reported MSDs in Portugal and Italy was 78.8% and 81.9%, respectively. The most affected self-reported MSD body regions were the neck (65.3% Portuguese and 61.4% Italian dentists), shoulder (49.4% Portuguese and 39.2% Italian) and lumbar region (52.4% and 39.2%, respectively). The neck region was the one reported to cause the highest work absenteeism. The higher age group (41–50 years and higher) has a higher risk for self-reported MSD. Multivariate analysis highlighted increased practice time as a significant risk factor for MSDs in the previous year in both countries. Age group, practice duration and work position relative to the patient were significantly linked to MSD occurrence and work avoidance. Conclusions: Dentists showed a high prevalence of self-reported MSD despite performing clinical activity mostly seated. It was concluded that dentists older than 40 years and those who have been working for more than 20 years have a higher risk of MSD, and that endodontics is the area where they report feeling more discomfort. Dentists should be encouraged to take more breaks between appointments and regular exercise to prevent the development/progression of MSDs. Full article

Action competence emerged in the 1980s in Denmark as a response to a demand for transformative and educational approaches fostering informed actions for real-world challenges, often with a focus on environmental sustainability. As action competence initially emerged in response to environmental concerns, its applicability to the social dimension of sustainability education requires deeper examination and understanding. This review synthesizes and analyzes studies on action competence in social sustainability, focusing on its conceptualization, integration, and practical applications. Its aim is to deepen our understanding of how action competence, as a critical tool, can foster more equitable, resilient, and sustainable social futures. A systematic online database search was conducted with ERIC, EBSCO, Scopus, Web of Science, as well as national databases in the Nordic countries. The inclusion criteria required the term “action competence” to appear in the title, abstract, or keywords, along with a focus on social sustainability. Studies that solely addressed environmental aspects were excluded. A total of 288 records were identified, of these 169 were unique, and 28 were included in the sample. The results highlight the critical role of action competence in equipping individuals and communities with the tools to foster sustainable and equitable societies. Full article

An increasingly obese population has spread worldwide. But what causes so many people to be overweight or obese? Obesity is also one of the most significant public health problems in Finland, as the obesity rate in Finland has increased over the past two decades and is now much higher than the EU average, with every second Finn classified as at least overweight. Finland will be used as a case study, as we have been monitoring the fitness and body weight of Finnish recruits annually since the 1970s and therefore have comprehensive reliable data to use for the period. This article will review existing reports in the fields of obesity and societal development focusing on the Nordic countries. As far as possible, different social phenomena will be discussed in separate sections to try to find out if there is something in societal development that could be a major cause of this obesity epidemic. This article will also give some suggestions on what could be done in the future to slow down the negative trend. Full article

Energy efficiency and CO₂ emission reduction are key objectives related to climate change mitigation, sustainable development, and energy resource management. In the Nordic context, energy consumption trends in both the residential and industrial sectors are closely linked to European Union policies, technological innovation, and real estate investments. In recent decades, the development and renovation of the real estate sector has become one of the most important factors determining changes in energy consumption, especially in residential buildings, which remain among the largest energy consumers and polluters. In this context, countries’ efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions and increase energy efficiency are inseparable from the real estate sector’s contribution to these processes, by promoting investments in building modernization and energy-saving technologies. However, the real estate sector remains a complex area where economic interests need to be reconciled with environmental objectives, especially in the context of EU strategies such as the Renovation Wave and the Energy Efficiency Directive. This article examines the links between real estate investment, energy efficiency, and CO₂ emission reduction, based on quantitative analysis, to assess how the development of the real estate sector and EU policy measures affect sustainable development in Northern Europe. This study uses advanced quantitative methods, including a panel regression model, which helps better reveal the long-term dependencies between investment, energy consumption, and emissions dynamics. This article highlights the importance of the real estate sector in implementing sustainability policies and suggests strategic solutions that can help reconcile economic and environmental priorities. Full article

Population-based cancer registries are crucial for tracking cancer trends, supporting research, guiding policy decisions, and ensuring efficient healthcare resource allocation. However, their effectiveness relies heavily on data quality, specifically the completeness of the cancer registration process. Background/Objectives: This systematic review aims to identify the methods used by adult population-based cancer registries worldwide to assess the completeness of their data. It also considered the significant role of high-quality data in method selection and the significant challenges of data handling. Methods: A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted across the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed for studies published from January 2004 to December 2024. The review was written according to PRISMA guidelines, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Results: The review identified 83 studies from 31 countries, the majority from Europe, especially Nordic and Central European countries. Most studies met high-quality standards, with only one study scoring below 75%. Common approaches include independent case ascertainment (the most used), a capture–recapture analysis, a death-certificate-only analysis, and comparisons with historical rates. While independent case ascertainment is valuable when high-quality auxiliary sources are available, its accuracy varies. Other methods, like capture-recapture or Mortality-to-Incidence ratios, may be more accurate or feasible in some cases. Conclusions: The findings suggest that methods for completeness evaluations vary widely across registries, influenced by data quality and regional practices. The results emphasize the importance of the continuous refinement of these assessment methods to improve the reliability and global comparability of cancer registry data. Full article

Objective: Several surgical approaches are being used in the reconstruction of long-gap esophageal atresia. We investigated which methods are being used in the Nordic countries and the postoperative complications that occurred in the first year of life. Methods: This study is a retrospective multicenter study, where medical records on children with esophageal atresia Gross type C or D born in the period from 1 January 2000 to 1 May 2017 were reviewed. Results: Forty-four patients were included in this study, forty-three with Gross type C and one with Gross type D. Thirty-six patients were included in the statistical analysis. Delayed esophageal anastomosis was performed in half of the patients and an esophageal replacement procedure in the other half. Postoperative complications were common, but there was no difference in postoperative complications or weight-gain within the first year of life. There were no differences in hospital stay or duration of parenteral nutrition. Attempted primary esophageal anastomosis was significantly more common in patients that underwent an esophageal replacement procedure compared to those who underwent a delayed esophageal anastomosis. Conclusions: No significant relationship between surgical approach and postoperative complications within the first year of life could be demonstrated. Long-term functional studies are warranted. Full article

This paper investigates whether the external audit quality has an impact on the link between ESG performance and firm valuation using a sample of publicly listed Nordic firms. The results from a fixed-effect panel regression show that higher ESG scores lead to higher valuation when a Big Four audit firm is engaged as the external auditor, highlighting the impact of audit quality on the the reliability of the ESG evaluation. The finding highlights the importance of intense external audits in reinforcing investors’ confidence in ESG–firm valuation assessment. Full article

Gender-based violence and sexual harassment in the Nordic labor market prevails, despite decades of preventive work. The #Metoo movement has clearly challenged past and current notions of the Nordic countries as gender equal welfare states, but it also pointed at the inability of policy to overcome its own prerequisites. In this study, we analyze past research on sexual harassment in Nordic working life, especially targeting theoretical, methodological, and practical results and challenges. By taking this systematic Nordic research review as a point of departure, we also develop a framework to analyze and transgress existing boundaries of policy and research in several ways. By reimagining research practices, as well as neoliberal management protocols for prevention, we elaborate on ways forward through several analytical steps. Finally, we envisage a need to overcome an immanent paradox when performing social research, pointing towards a vision of critical research moving beyond contemporary research politics and policy. Full article

Background: The European Commission has called for a harmonised front-of-package nutritional label (FOPNL) system in the European region. The Keyhole is a widely adopted positive FOPNL used in several Nordic countries. The Nutri-Score is a five-level graded FOPNL, more recently introduced in Western Europe. Both FOPNLs are supported by intrinsically different nutrient profiling systems (NPSs). A third NPS is the Choices NPS, which originally supported a positive FOPNL similar to the Keyhole and has been expanded into a five-level NPS. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to investigate the overall alignment between both the Choices and Nutri-Score multi-level NPSs and the Keyhole NPS. Furthermore, food group-based alignment was analysed to understand the main sources of misalignment. Methods: In this study, we extracted 1064 food/drink items from the food and beverage database of the Swedish Food Administration. All products were assessed according to all three NPSs, and alignment was assessed, using the Keyhole NPS as a recommendation-based reference. Two definitions of alignment were examined—healthier (more lenient, i.e., two highest grades) and healthiest (stricter, i.e., only the highest grade). Results: The overall alignment between the Choices and Keyhole NPSs was similar to that between the Nutri-Score and Keyhole NPSs (89% and 85% alignment under the healthiest definition, i.e., stricter). However, two food groups showed poor alignment between the Nutri-Score NPS and the Keyhole NPS (~60%). Under the healthier (more lenient) definition, the alignment for both the Choices and Nutri-Score systems with the Keyhole system was lower (86% and 79%). Conclusions: The alignments and misalignments between the Choices/Nutri-Score systems and the Keyhole system prompt important considerations for future developments of FOPNL systems for the Nordic countries. Extending the Keyhole NPS to include a multi-level criterion could potentially help consumers identify healthier choices, even for less nutritious foods. Full article

This article investigates the concept of hospitality (xenia) in the ancient Mediterranean world and its relevance to contemporary migrant communities. To bridge the gap between ancient texts and modern experiences, we utilize a combined lens of contextual biblical hermeneutics and migration theory to analyze the Parable of the Returning Son (Luke 15:11–32), highlighting the inherent tensions and complexities of welcoming the stranger. Ethnographic research among Latin Pentecostal migrant congregations in the Nordic countries reveals how these communities embody xenia through tangible acts of welcome, risk-taking, and prodigal hospitality. This analysis demonstrates the vital role of hospitality in fostering community building within contexts of mobility. Furthermore, the concept of xenia helps address the limitations of applying modern migration theories directly to ancient contexts by providing a framework for understanding the continuity and evolution of hospitality practices across time and cultures. Full article