Search Results (87)

This study investigates how the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage influences personal value systems and self-actualization in the context of late modernity, where individualism and instrumental rationality often constrain moral and communal development. Drawing on Schwartz’s value theory and Kaufman’s scale of self-actualization, we conducted an online survey of 500 pilgrims to examine self-reported value changes following the pilgrimage. Factor analyses tested whether these changes aligned with theoretical value structures and how they related to self-actualization. The findings suggest that pilgrimage fosters a shift from self-enhancement toward self-transcendence, with self-direction aligning more closely with universalism and benevolence—indicating a socially oriented form of autonomy. Increases in self-actualization correlate positively with self-transcendence values (universalism and benevolence), self-direction, and conservation values (tradition, conformity, and security) while showing negative associations with power and achievement. The pilgrimage experience appears to realign values toward altruism, moral engagement, and sustainability. By integrating personal growth with ethical and communal orientations, the Camino de Santiago emerges as a meaningful context for multidimensional repair. In this way, the pilgrimage can be understood as a journey of repair—mending value hierarchies fractured by late modern life and restoring a sense of belonging, care, and transcendent purpose. Full article

This paper explores how sound design in the Harry Potter film series shapes the symbolic significance of written words within the magical world. Sound mediates between language and meaning; while characters gain knowledge by reading and seeing, viewers are guided emotionally and thematically by how these written texts are framed through sound. For example, Harry’s magical identity is signalled to viewers through the score long before he fully understands himself—first through music when he speaks to a snake, then more explicitly when he receives his letter from Hogwarts. Throughout the series, characters engage with a wide array of written media—textbooks, letters, newspapers, diaries, maps, and inscriptions—that gradually shift in narrative function, from static props to dynamic, multi-sensory agents of transformation. Using a close analysis of selected scenes to examine layers of utterances, diegetic sounds, underscore, and sound design, this study draws on metaphor theory and adaptation theory to examine how sound design gives writing a metaphorical voice, sometimes framing it as character, landscape, or moral authority. As the series progresses, becoming more autonomous from the literary source, written words take on greater symbolic significance, and sound increasingly determines which texts are granted narrative power, whose voices are trusted, and how viewers interpret truth and agency across media. Ultimately, written words in the films are animated through sound into agents of growth, memory, resistance, and transformation. Thus, the audio-visual treatment of written magic reveals not just what is written, but what matters. Full article

The cage tilapia farming boom in Kenya’s Lake Victoria region underscores its role in food security and economic growth. Success depends on understanding producer and consumer behaviors within the value chain. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study examines how attitudes (evaluations of farming/consumption), subjective norms (social pressures), perceived behavioral control (confidence in actions), environmental awareness, and moral obligation shape decisions. A survey of 66 producers and 169 consumers, analyzed via structural equation modeling (SEM), reveals key drivers. Producers are driven by positive attitudes toward profitability, technical feasibility, and sustainability, reinforced by community norms and resource access, promoting sustainable practices. Consumers prioritize health, affordability, and accessibility of cage-farmed tilapia, with environmental and ethical factors less influential. These findings highlight opportunities for targeted interventions to enhance production, boost demand, and ensure sustainable aquaculture. Full article

This paper explores the leadership lessons embedded within the television series Ted Lasso, using the show as a case study to illustrate the intersection of authentic and servant leadership theories. While leadership research has often debated the distinctions between moral leadership frameworks, Ted Lasso (the main character in the television series) presents a compelling example of how these approaches can operate in tandem. Through his unwavering commitment to empathy, resilience, and personal connection, Ted Lasso exemplifies how authentic leadership serves as a mechanism for enacting servant leadership, reinforcing the idea that true leadership is not merely about authority or expertise but about fostering growth and empowerment in others. By analyzing key leadership moments in the series, this paper highlights the ways in which Ted’s leadership approach aligns with theoretical constructs in the literature, offering valuable insights for educators, practitioners, and students seeking to understand the complexities of leadership influence. The findings suggest that Ted Lasso provides an engaging and accessible framework for discussing leadership in learning environments, demonstrating that ethical and relational leadership approaches can drive both individual and organizational success. Full article

(1) Background: This study investigates the relationship between the moral maturity levels of individuals who have experienced parental divorce or loss and their adjustment to the divorce process, considering various factors. (2) Methods: A total of 319 participants, aged between 10 and 18, who had either divorced parents or had experienced parental loss, were included in the study. Data were collected using the Adaptation to Divorce Inventory for Children and the Moral Maturity Scale. (3) Results: The results revealed that individuals who had experienced parental loss exhibited higher-than-average moral maturity levels. (4) Conclusions: A moderate, positive correlation was found between moral maturity and divorce adjustment, specifically in the areas of conflict resolution and depression–anxiety subscales. Additionally, substance use was associated with lower levels of moral maturity, while gender and educational level were significant predictors of moral maturity. These findings suggest that professional support, guidance programs, and family communication strategies are essential to promote the psychological adjustment of children affected by parental divorce or loss. Full article

This study investigates the relationship between ownership structure (foreign and domestic) and bank risk-taking over the period 2014–2022. The analysis includes 66 banks operating in the GCC, divided into 44 domestically owned, and 22 foreign-owned banks. The research examines the relationship across two distinct periods: the pre-pandemic and the COVID-19 pandemic era, using the two-stage least squares (2SLS) method, and panel data techniques for robust analysis. The findings reveal that, in both periods, foreign-owned banks exhibited lower credit risk, greater cost efficiency, and less risk-taking compared to domestic counterparts. Domestic banks, while maintaining profitability, relied heavily on capital absorbency, which resulted in elevated credit risk and operational inefficiencies. These inefficiencies, observed among domestic banks, stem from inadequate monitoring of borrowers’ information and the occurrence of moral hazard. Foreign banks played a crucial role in supporting banking sector stability, as their presence enhanced the GDP growth. The results are in line with the “global advantage hypothesis”. Full article

This paper aims to include the human capital elements of agricultural managers in the decision-making process of farmland quality protection behavior in farmers’ cooperatives in an effort to discuss and explore the relationship between hiring agricultural managers and the implementation of farmland quality protection behavior. Based on the survey questionnaire of 436 planting cooperatives in Sichuan, China, in 2021, the Poisson model and mediating effect model were used to explore the impact and mechanism of hiring agricultural managers on farmland quality protection behavior in farmers’ cooperatives. The empirical results reveal that hiring agricultural managers significantly elevates farmland quality protection behavior in farmers’ cooperatives. Compared to cross-period farmland quality protection behavior, hiring agricultural managers has a greater impact on single-period farmland quality protection behavior. Through the improvement of information technology application level, the farmland quality protection behavior in cooperatives can be elevated by hiring agricultural managers, but standardized management has a masking effect between the two. Accordingly, continuous development and growth of the agricultural manager team encourages cooperatives to establish a standardized system for recruiting farm managers and strengthen the link between farm managers and cooperatives. The training of agricultural managers should be optimized to deepen their mastery of techniques and knowledge and protect the quality of arable land. Material and moral incentives should be provided to encourage farm managers to focus on the long-term development of their cooperatives. The government should be encouraged to establish a platform for sharing information on farmland quality to provide technical support to farm managers to carry out targeted work on farmland quality protection. Full article

Despite the consequences of ethnic moral disengagement, such as ethnic bullying, racism, and prejudice, a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively counter it remains an ongoing area of research. The present study proposes an association between ethnic moral disengagement and three individual dimensions: the executive function of inhibitory control, a reflective cognitive style, and personal values that reflect growth-oriented motivations in contrast to self-defensive ones. By evaluating these dimensions respectively through a behavioral task, a cognitive measure, and a self-report instrument, the aim is to understand the role of basic behavioral capability, cognitive reflection, and growth-oriented values in reducing ethnic moral disengagement. The study, conducted on 413 participants (243 female, M = 19.60 years, SD = 1.46) using a structural equation modeling approach, found that while inhibitory control was not significantly linked to ethnic moral disengagement, reflective information processing and broader value horizons may constitute a key resource for opposing it. Overall, these results suggest that individuals who adopt such a reflective and growth-oriented mindset may elaborate differences and unfamiliar encounters as opportunities rather than as threats to be defended against by justifying themselves and externally displacing responsibility for their decisions and actions. Full article

This article examines the incorporation of sustainability into Human Resource Management (HRM) practises, emphasising the role of HR as a catalyst for sustainable growth within organisations. The study employs a qualitative research methodology, relying on comprehensive interviews with HR specialists from various businesses. These interviews explore the methods, problems, and triumphs related to integrating sustainability into HR services, including recruitment, training, performance management, and employee engagement. The qualitative insights indicate essential strategies, such as the implementation of eco-friendly recruitment procedures, the execution of sustainability-oriented training, and the incorporation of environmental and social objectives into performance evaluations. This study elucidates recommended methods for cultivating a culture of sustainability in organisations, as well as the perceived effects of staff dedication, organisational morale, and company image. The results underscore the crucial role of HRM in advancing sustainability, illustrating how qualitative insights may guide practical measures for developing a workforce fit with long-term social and environmental objectives. Full article

Background/Objectives: Soluble αKlotho (sαKlotho) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) are increased in acute heart failure (AHF). This study aimed to assess changes in serum sαKlotho and FGF-23 concentrations during an episode of AHF as well as the usefulness of both biomarkers for predicting long-term prognosis. Methods: The study included 104 consecutive patients hospitalized in t he intensive cardiac care unit due to AHF (mean age, 65.8 ± 14.6 years; mean ejection fraction, 31.4% ± 14). New-onset AHF was reported in 43.3% of the population. Blood samples were measured at entry and on discharge from hospital. The main clinical outcomes assessed in this study were all-cause mortality or rehospitalization due to HF during a 3-year follow-up. Results: At admission sαKlotho, FGF-23, and NT-pro BNP levels, compared with discharge, were significantly higher at p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001 respectively. The 3-year Kaplan–Meier analysis, based on tertiles, revealed, for sαKlotho levels from Tertile 1 on admission and at discharge, a 2-fold higher rate of all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for HF compared with Tertile 3 (p = 0.006 and p = 0.028, respectively). One-third of patients showed an increase in FGF-23 and sαKlotho levels during hospitalization. Patients with the highest percentage increase in the levels of both biomarkers had an elevated risk of all-cause morality or hospitalization for HF (hazard ratio, 2.75; confidence interval, 1.19–6.35; p = 0.02). Conclusions: sαKlotho and FGF-23 levels are elevated during an episode of AHF. Low sαKlotho levels are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for HF. Increases in sαKlotho and FGF-23 values during hospitalization identify patients with poor prognosis. Full article

The European Funds market is a key mechanism for fostering regional development and economic growth within the European Union, yet its efficiency can be undermined by information asymmetry, which complicates fund absorption processes. This paper investigates the European Funds market and explores how adverse selection and moral hazard impact the dynamics of the fund allocation. Through qualitative research, the authors assess the European Funds market, identify its key stakeholders, and explore factors influencing funds absorption. Findings reveal complex interactions among European Union institutions, managing authorities, beneficiaries, and consultants. The research highlights economic, administrative, institutional, and social factors that affect fund absorption rates and pinpoint adverse selection and moral hazard as primary consequences of information asymmetry in the European Funds market. By emphasizing the importance of effective communication processes and describing the experiences of various actors in European-funded projects, the study provides actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders. This paper offers a new perspective on the European Funds market and links information asymmetry to inefficiencies in fund allocation. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the European Funds market, fostering transparency, enhancing institutional capacities, and promoting sustainability in the governance of public funds. Full article

The essay explores the theme of suffering from an Eastern Patristic perspective, focusing on its spiritual and communal dimensions. It draws on the works of Maximos the Confessor, a famous 7th-century Byzantine theologian, particularly on his Amiguum 8. Maximos presents suffering not only as an inevitable consequence of the lapsarian human condition but also as a providential opportunity for moral and spiritual growth. Through suffering, individuals can reorient themselves towards God, fostering virtues like compassion and gratitude. This kenotic love, modeled after Christ’s sacrificial love, reveals the inherent dignity and equality of all human beings. Maximos’ perspective is at odds with the modern technological and political systems, which often depersonalize care and diminish the role of spiritual transformation, especially in the end-of-life context. The essay suggests that, while technological advancements address suffering, they may overlook the spiritual truth that suffering reveals—a truth central to human dignity and salvation. This perspective invites further exploration into the interplay between Christian theology, suffering, and modern biopolitics. Full article

Growth in forms of violence germinates from the abject soil of racism and colonialism. This article investigates religious racism in Brazil in the State of Rio de Janeiro through in-depth case studies and published data. First, I analyze how religious racism is utilized as a means to legitimize the demonization and consequent violence directed at Afro-Brazilian religions. Through an analysis of terreiro leaders’ discourses, I present a conception in which demonization and deliberate attacks imply the persecution of ways of being, existing, doing, and living of Black African origin. I use this lens to highlight the role that neo-Pentecostal churches and the theology of spiritual battle play in the resurgence of violence against Afro-religious people. Then, I problematize the harmful relationships between the demonization of terreiros and the extremely warlike conception of Christian faith. Ultimately, I argue that racist theological discourse of demonization manifests itself through verbal, physical, psychological, moral, and patrimonial aggression, putting the existence of terreiro peoples and communities at risk. Full article

Background and Objective: In this study, we aimed to identify the factors that could impact the Stress-Related Growth Scale (SRGS) questionnaire administered to patients. Materials and Methods: Participants were asked to complete a written SRGS questionnaire (a translated and approved version in Romania) at varying time intervals relative to the traumatic event. The questionnaire was developed in accordance with legal regulations of the World Health Organization and the European Union for research involving human subjects for medical purposes. It took approximately 15 min to complete. The questionnaire was filled out by the patient or their legal guardian/parent for minors between January 2021 and January 2022. Results: The findings revealed the individual dimensions in the context of the traumatic impact, and the subsequent conclusions could be applied to a larger group with similar traumatic experiences. It is recognized that psychosomatic pathologies can hinder posttraumatic rehabilitation, leading to slower and more challenging recovery. Conclusions: Posttraumatic stress disorder often manifests as chronic development of symptoms characterized by reexperiencing traumatic scenes, avoidance behaviors, negative alterations in cognition, and heightened arousal. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent, persistent, and psychologically debilitating syndrome that can significantly impair an individual’s ability to cope with life. The etiology and manifestation of this disorder present numerous challenges due to the complexity of defining and diagnosing these conditions. The distribution of men and women affected by posttraumatic stress disorder varies across different sources and cannot be simplified into one explanation. While sex distribution is an important factor, it is not the sole determinant for understanding the various aspects of these disorders. The diversity of stressors has been shown to correlate with changes in SRGS scores, including subtle emotions like shame and guilt, which contribute to the moral injury resulting from trauma. Full article

Deras are generally perceived as an alternative socio-religious space frequented mostly by lower castes and economically weaker sections of society. They promise to make a significant difference to the lives of such vulnerable sections of society by lending them much needed spiritual, moral, and social support. Within the sprawling premises of Deras, downtrodden find a welcoming ‘counter-public’ enriched with social capital, which offers them an egalitarian domain free from the afflictions of caste discriminations, social exclusion, and subtle indignities often faced by them within the mainstream religious spheres. The growth of Deras thus may be seen as an index of subaltern socio-cultural and syncretic religious realms generating a rich haul of social capital. Full article