Search Results (443)

This contribution aims to honour Guido Barbiellini’s profound interest in the interpretation and impact of quantum mechanics by examining the implications of the so-called before–before Experiment on quantum entanglement. This experiment was inspired by talks and discussions with John Bell at CERN. This was during the years when John and Guido co-worked, promoting the mission of the laboratory: “to advance the boundaries of human knowledge”. As the experiment uses measuring devices in motion, it can be considered a complement to entanglement experiments using stationary measuring devices, which have meanwhile been awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics. The before–before Experiment supports the idea that the quantum realm exists beyond space and time and that the quantum state is a real mental entity concerning choices. As it also leads us to a better understanding of the ‘quantum collapse’ and the measurement process, we pay homage to Guido’s work on detectors, such as his collaborations on the DELPHI experiment at CERN, on cosmic ray detection at the International Space Station, and gamma-ray astrophysics during a large NASA space mission. Full article

Biosecurity measures applied on poultry farms, with a recent history of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus infection, were monitored using 24 h/7 days-per-week video monitoring. Definition of biosecurity breaches were based on internationally acknowledged norms. Farms of four different production types (two broiler, two layer, two breeder broiler, and one duck farm) were selected. Observations of entry to and exit from the anteroom revealed a high degree of biosecurity breaches in six poultry farms and good biosecurity practices in one farm in strictly maintaining the separation between clean and potentially contaminated areas in the anteroom. Hand washing with soap and water and/or using disinfectant lotion was rarely observed at entry to the anteroom and was almost absent at exit. Egg transporters did not disinfect fork-lift wheels when entering the egg-storage room nor change or properly disinfect footwear. The egg-storage room was not cleaned and disinfected after egg transport by the farmer. Similarly, footwear and trolley wheels were not disinfected when introducing young broilers or ducklings to the poultry unit. Biosecurity breaches were observed when introducing bedding material in the duck farm. This study shows a need for an engaging awareness and training campaign for poultry farmers and their co-workers as well as for transporters to promote good biosecurity practices. Full article

Japan’s 8.5 million vacant homes (Akiyas) represent a paradox of scarcity amid surplus: while rural depopulation leaves properties abandoned, housing shortages and bureaucratic inefficiencies hinder their reuse. This study proposes AKI2ALL, an AI-blockchain framework designed to automate the circular repurposing of Akiyas into ten high-value community assets—guesthouses, co-working spaces, pop-up retail and logistics hubs, urban farming hubs, disaster relief housing, parking lots, elderly daycare centers, exhibition spaces, places for food and beverages, and company offices—through smart contracts and data-driven workflows. By integrating circular economy principles with decentralized technology, AKI2ALL streamlines property transitions, tax validation, and administrative processes, reducing operational costs while preserving embodied carbon in existing structures. Municipalities list properties, owners select uses, and AI optimizes assignments based on real-time demand. This work bridges gaps in digital construction governance, proving that automating trust and accountability can transform systemic inefficiencies into opportunities for community-led, low-carbon regeneration, highlighting its potential as a scalable model for global vacant property reuse. Full article

A vast majority of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) experience economic abuse, including but not limited to, employment sabotage. The purpose of this study is to further understand IPV by testing a technology-inclusive abuser-initiated workplace disruption measurement in an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) so that future researchers can better examine and address economic abuse. Using a sample of survivors (N = 312) employed in the nursing profession in the United States, who may be uniquely impacted by technology, we used complete data to examine experiences of abuser-initiated workplace disruptions, including those that utilized cellphones (e.g., excessive texting, harassment of coworkers, preventing educational advancement). The results revealed a two-factor structure: one containing a variety of direct and indirect workplace disruptions relevant to the nursing profession (73% of variance) and a second containing only cell-phone related harassment (9% of variance). Implications for healthcare employers seeking to protect employees from IPV, as well as policymakers, are included. Full article

This study investigates the mechanisms through which employees’ green behavioural intention (GBI) translates into employee in-role green behaviour (EGB-IR) in the hospitality sector. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Value-Belief Norm (VBN) theory, we propose an extended model that incorporates four contextual mediators —customers’ environmental attitudes (CEAs), coworkers’ green work climate (CGWC), supervisors’ commitment to the environment (SCE), and environmental organisational policy (EOP)—to explain how the relationship between intentions and behaviours is mediated by these social and organisational factors. Data were collected through a self-administered survey of 497 employees from hotels located in the Canary Islands, a recognised coastal tourism destination facing relevant environmental challenges. The proposed relationships were tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Results confirm that GBI significantly predicts in-role green behaviour (EGB-IR), and all four contextual factors partially mediate this relationship. Among them, EOP and CGWC emerged as the most influential mediators. These findings underscore the importance of aligning individual motivation with supportive workplace environments to foster consistent sustainable practices in hospitality organisations. This research contributes to the growing literature on green behaviours in hospitality by empirically validating a multilevel TPB-VBN-theory-based framework and highlighting key points for hotel managers aiming to strengthen their environmental commitment through employee engagement. Full article

As remote and hybrid work models continue to grow, the design of workspaces and their surrounding environments has gained even more importance. This study explores the impact of window design on the restorative potential of Prefabricated Movable Buildings (PMBs) of smart/co-working located in small villages. Using Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR), seven window configurations, varying in size, frame ratio, and number of glass panes, were evaluated. Participants’ sense of presence, defined as the subjective feeling of ‘being there’ in the virtual environment, and perceived restoration, referring mainly to the psychological (attention and emotions) and physiological (stress) resources recovery, were assessed using, respectively, Igroup Presence Questionnaire (IPQ) and the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS). The overall IPQ results suggest that the virtual environment in this study provides a “High” sense of presence, highlighting the validity of IVR to evaluate architectural designs. The PRS results found that larger, uninterrupted windows with a higher Window-to-Wall Ratio and lower Frame Ratio significantly enhance participants’ perceived restoration. Restoration effects were also higher when offices were located in small villages rather than in business districts. These results highlight the importance of incorporating large windows in smart/co-working spaces within culturally rich small villages to promote worker well-being and office sustainability. Full article

Work–family conflict (WFC) is a common issue faced by employees balancing work and family roles, but research exploring individual strategies to reduce its negative effects has been limited. Leaders’ positive humor is a mutually (leader–subordinates) amusing communication tool in the workplace. It has been shown to enhance peer relationships (coworker socializing (CWS)) and may serve as an effective coping mechanism that mitigates the adverse effects of workplace stress (work–family conflict). This study strives to examine the relationship between leaders’ positive humor (LPH) and work–family conflict (WFC), with coworker socializing (CWS) mediating this relationship and sensitivity to favorable interpersonal treatment (SFIT) moderating the relationship between leaders’ positive humor and coworker socializing in the tourism and hospitality industry. The research addresses a significant gap in previous studies by investigating these variables together. A total of 387 valid questionnaires were collected from employees of five-star hotels and tourism organizations in Egypt. This study employed PLS-SEM to analyze the data. The results showed that leaders’ positive humor negatively impacts work–family conflict, positively influences coworker socializing and that coworker socializing negatively affects work–family conflict. Additionally, coworker socializing mediated the association between leaders’ positive humor and work–family conflict, and sensitivity to favorable interpersonal treatment moderated the relationship between leaders’ positive humor and coworker socializing. This study provides theoretical and practical insights by validating the proposed model based on the Stimulus–Organism–Response (S-O-R) framework and the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory. Regarding practical implications, the study recommends leadership training on the effective use of humor to foster follower socialization and promote work–family balance. Full article

Interpersonal workplace mistreatment (IWM) is a pervasive issue with varied co-worker reactions. Despite significant growth in IWM research, understanding co-workers’ responses remains challenging due to scattered research streams and a focus on isolated components. Therefore, this integrative review synthesizes the existing literature to examine when and how co-workers respond to IWM. We identify key factors influencing both the intention and actual behavior of co-workers when initially witnessing IWM. These factors are categorized into eight overarching individual (perceived responsibility, emotion and affect, personal characteristics) and contextual themes (social relationships, risks and costs considerations, workplace characteristics, target characteristics, characteristics of the perpetrator and the act of IWM). By integrating these factors into a comprehensive framework drawing on dual processing accounts, we highlight the complex interplay between cognitive and affective processes in shaping co-worker responses. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for designing effective intervention programs that encourage co-workers to counteract IWM. Our findings offer valuable theoretical insights and practical implications for fostering a more supportive and just workplace environment. Full article

The inclusion of people with hearing impairments in logistics environments is a topic of increasing importance, especially when considering the promotion of diversity and accessibility in the workplace. The use of a risk perception questionnaire can represent an effective tool to identify barriers and challenges faced by these workers. The questionnaire covers several aspects, including communication between employees, the adequacy of visual signage, workplace safety and the accessibility of tools and equipment. The responses collected help to understand how people with hearing impairments perceive the risks inherent in their work activities, as well as to identify possible deficiencies in the training and awareness of their coworkers. Analysis of the data collected by the questionnaire allows companies to develop specific strategies and actions to improve inclusion, such as inclusive training, adaptation of the physical environment and implementation of auxiliary technologies. In this way, these actions not only contribute to a safer and more productive work environment, but also value diversity and the unique contribution that each worker can make to the logistics sector. Full article

An “employment ecosystem” approach acknowledges that factors affecting employment are never the result of one singular factor but are the product of multiple, intersecting, and mutually reinforcing factors at the individual level (personal attributes and immediate circumstances), relationships and wider community, the workplace, and the wider macro-level (societal and structural factors, such as legislation, government policies, and macro-economic trends). Originally conceptualised within the context of employment for people with disabilities, the employment ecosystem approach provides an ecological perspective that can be used to understand the ingredients of inclusive employment more generally. This entry applies an employment ecosystem analytical lens to explore and identify enablers and barriers to youth employment in the Australian context, based on reviews of published research and reports of initiatives and programs targeting youth employment. Findings include the need to recognise the centrality of support from broader community resources, including family and community-based support, employers and co-workers, policy, and legislation. It provides evidence-based insights for practitioners and researchers interested in the development and implementation of inclusive employment practices. Full article

Previous discussions on customer injustice and emotional labor have primarily focused on employee–customer dyads, often neglecting the role of service co-workers in shaping emotional labor dynamics. To address this gap, the current study integrates intrapersonal and interpersonal factors to explore their joint effects on employees’ emotional labor strategies when encountering customer injustice. A full-factorial experimental design with 2 (self-construal: independent vs. interdependent) × 3 (service co-workers: alone vs. positive attitudes vs. negative attitudes toward customer injustice) is employed, using data from 179 frontline service employees at high-star hotels in Shanghai, with self-construal and service co-workers operationalized as manipulated conditions. Results reveal that self-construal significantly influences surface acting: interdependent individuals are more inclined to engage in surface acting than independent individuals. By contrast, self-construal has no direct effect on deep acting. While service co-workers do not moderate the relationship between self-construal and surface acting, they play a critical role in the relationship between self-construal and deep acting: for interdependent employees, service co-workers’ attitudes (rather than their mere presence) decisively impact deep acting, with positive attitudes promoting deeper emotional engagement and negative attitudes reducing it. This study advances a dual-path framework highlighting how intrapersonal dispositions (self-construal) and interpersonal impression cues (service co-workers’ attitudes) interact to shape emotional labor. By expanding the traditional employee–customer dyad to a triadic model, the study bridges impression management theory and workplace injustice research, offering theoretical insights into how intrapersonal traits and interpersonal dynamics jointly shape contextualized emotional labor. This thereby provides a theoretical foundation for nuanced management strategies in service organizations. Full article

Concussion is a costly healthcare issue affecting sports, industry, and the defense sector. The financial impacts, however, extend beyond acute medical expenses, affecting an individual’s physical and cognitive abilities, as well as increasing the burden on coworkers, family members, and caregivers. More effective personal protective equipment may greatly reduce the risk of concussion and injury. Notably, aerogels are light, but traditionally fragile, non-Newtonian fluids, such as shear-thickening fluids, which generate more resistance when compressive force is applied. Herein, a composite material was developed by baking a shear-thickening fluid (i.e., starch) and combining it with a commercially available aerogel foam, thus maintaining a low cost. The samples were tested through the use of a ballistic pendulum system, using a spring-powered launcher and a gas-powered cannon, followed by ballistic penetration testing, using two electromagnetic accelerators and two different projectiles. During the cannon tests without a hardhat, the baked composite only registered 31 ± 2% of the deflection height observed for the pristine aerogel. The baked composite successfully protected the hygroelectric devices from coilgun projectiles, whereas the projectiles punctured the pristine aerogel. Leveraging the low-cost design of this new composite, personal protective equipment can be improved for various sporting, industrial, and defense applications. Full article

Hundreds of millions of migrants experience frequent homesickness that affects their psychological wellbeing. This study integrates the job-demands–resources model and temporal comparison theory to examine how music listening and similar activities involving coworker homophily and roommate homophily influence the relationship between homesickness and burnout. Our analysis of survey data from 2493 migrant workers reveals that off-work music listening strengthens the positive relationship between homesickness and burnout. Furthermore, coworker homophily and roommate homophily enhance the strength of the interaction between off-work music listening and homesickness as a predictor of burnout. Our findings demonstrate how seemingly supportive job resources can transform into psychological demands and thus have important theoretical and managerial implications. Full article

Valve leakage mainly comes from worn sealing surfaces caused by abrasive particles. This study uses plasma beam spraying to create Fe55 alloy coatings with CeO₂ and TiN added to improve microstructure and wear resistance. Five coatings were prepared: Fe55 with 0.02% CeO₂ (FC2), 0.04% CeO₂ (FC4), 1% TiN (FT1), 2% TiN (FT2), and 2% TiN/0.02% CeO₂ (FC2T2). These coatings were tested for wear and erosion using wet sand and slurry experiments. Results showed that FC2T2 had the most uniform microstructure with fully equiaxed grains (20.32 μm size) and no columnar grains. This was due to CeO₂ and TiN co-working effect: CeO₂ was adsorbed onto TiN surfaces, reducing TiN decomposition and acting as nucleation sites. The FC2T2 coating also showed the highest hardness uniformity (no large changes with depth) and the lowest surface roughness after wear (41% lower than pure Fe55). In wear tests, FC2T2’s Cr₇C₃ hard phases blocked abrasive cutting, while the γ-Fe matrix prevented Cr₇C₃ from breaking off. Erosion tests confirmed FC2T2’s superior performance, as its uniform structure limited deep grooves. Adding both CeO₂ and TiN improved wear resistance by providing a balanced microstructure, reducing leakage risks in valve sealing surfaces. Full article

While outside chief executive officers (CEOs) are often viewed as catalysts for strategic change compared to their inside counterparts, this study reveals their potential to undermine firms’ environmental responsibility. Integrating agency theory with social capital theory, we investigate whether and how board-level social capital can moderate the sustainability risks associated with outside CEO succession. Using a panel dataset of 989 pollution-intensive Chinese firms from 2010 to 2022, we apply propensity score matching (PSM) to reduce endogeneity in CEO succession decisions, followed by fixed-effects regressions. The empirical results show that outside CEOs, particularly during their early tenure, are more likely to prioritize short-term financial performance over environmental goals—due to limited firm-specific knowledge and heightened external pressure. However, external board social capital (e.g., ties to government and industry associations) enhances resource access and post-appointment accountability, while internal social capital (e.g., co-working experience among directors) establishes common norms that facilitate strategic continuity. This study positions board social capital as a relational governance mechanism that complements formal oversight. The findings contribute to succession and environmental research by linking executive origin to sustainability outcomes and provide practical guidance on leveraging board networks to support leadership transitions. Full article