Search Results (223)

In the context of increasing Artificial Intelligence integration in higher education, understanding the factors influencing university teachers’ adoption of AI tools is critical for effective implementation. This study adopts a perception–intention–behavior framework to explores the roles of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived trust, perceived substitution crisis, and perceived risk in shaping teachers’ behavioral intention and actual usage of AI tools. It also investigates the moderating effects of peer influence and organizational support on these relationships. Using a comprehensive survey instrument, data was collected from 487 university teachers across four major regions in China. The results reveal that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are strong predictors of behavioral intention, with perceived ease of use also significantly influencing perceived usefulness. Perceived trust serves as a key mediator, enhancing the relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and behavioral intention. While perceived substitution crisis negatively influenced perceived trust, it showed no significant direct effect on behavioral intention, suggesting a complex relationship between job displacement concerns and AI adoption. In contrast, perceived risk was found to negatively impact behavioral intention, though it was mitigated by perceived ease of use. Peer influence significantly moderated the relationship between perceived trust and behavioral intention, highlighting the importance of peer influence in AI adoption, while organizational support amplified the effect of perceived ease of use on behavioral intention. These findings inform practical strategies such as co-developing user-centered AI tools, enhancing institutional trust through transparent governance, leveraging peer support, providing structured training and technical assistance, and advancing policy-level initiatives to guide digital transformation in universities. Full article

Media organizations are experiencing ongoing transformation, increasingly driven by the advancement of AI technologies. This development has begun to link journalists with generative systems and synthetic technologies. Although newsrooms worldwide are exploring AI adoption to improve information sourcing, news production, and distribution, a gap exists between resource-rich organizations and those with limited means. Since ChatGPT 3.5 was released on 30 November 2022, Greek media and journalists have gained the ability to use and explore AI technology. In this study, we examine the use of AI in Greek newsrooms, as well as journalists’ reflections and concerns. Through qualitative analysis, our findings indicate that the adoption and integration of these tools in Greek newsrooms is marked by the lack of formal institutional policies, leading to a predominantly self-directed and individualized use of these technologies by journalists. Greek journalists engage with AI tools both professionally and personally, often without organizational guidance or formal training. This issue may compromise the quality of journalism due to the absence of established guidelines. Consequently, individuals may produce content that is inconsistent with the media outlet’s identity or that disseminates misinformation. Age, gender, and newsroom roles do not constitute limiting factors for this “experimentation”, as survey participants showed familiarity with this technology. In addition, in some cases, the disadvantages of specific tools regarding qualitative results in Greek are inhibiting factors for further exploration and use. All these points to the need for immediate training, literacy, and ethical frameworks. Full article

This study employs k-means clustering to analyze local organizations responsible for land improvement in Greece, identifying four distinct groups with consistent geographic patterns but divergent financial and operational characteristics. By integrating unsupervised machine learning with spatial analysis, the research offers a novel perspective on irrigation water pricing and cost recovery. The findings reveal that organizations located on islands, despite high water costs due to limited rainfall and geographic isolation, tend to achieve relatively strong financial performance, indicating the presence of adaptive mechanisms that could inform broader policy strategies. In contrast, organizations managing extensive irrigable land or large volumes of water frequently show poor cost recovery, challenging assumptions about economies of scale and revealing inefficiencies in pricing or governance structures. The spatial coherence of the clusters underscores the importance of geography in shaping institutional outcomes, reaffirming that environmental and locational factors can offer greater explanatory power than algorithmic models alone. This highlights the need for water management policies that move beyond uniform national strategies and instead reflect regional climatic, infrastructural, and economic variability. The study suggests several policy directions, including targeted infrastructure investment, locally calibrated water pricing models, and performance benchmarking based on successful organizational practices. Although grounded in the Greek context, the methodology and insights are transferable to other European and Mediterranean regions facing similar water governance challenges. Recognizing the limitations of the current analysis—including gaps in data consistency and the exclusion of socio-environmental indicators—the study advocates for future research incorporating broader variables and international comparative approaches. Ultimately, it supports a hybrid policy framework that combines data-driven analysis with spatial intelligence to promote sustainability, equity, and financial viability in agricultural water management. Full article

In higher education, the emotional intelligence (EI) of university professors, defined as the ability to perceive, understand, manage and utilize emotions effectively, is increasingly recognized as a pivotal factor in enhancing students’ academic achievement and psychological well-being. However, the scarcity of studies directly linking professors’ EI to students’ well-being highlights a critical research gap. This systematic review investigates how professors’ emotional competencies influence student outcomes—such as academic performance, engagement, motivation, and mental health—and identifies the factors that mediate or moderate these effects. Findings indicate that professors’ EI, particularly empathy, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills, significantly enhances student engagement, motivation, and academic satisfaction, with indirect effects on psychological well-being. Cultural context, teaching modality (e.g., online vs. in-person), and professors’ age and experience moderate these effects and influence effect sizes. Qualitative synthesis further highlighted contextual gaps in the literature. The limited focus on well-being and outcomes and reliance on self-report measures underscore the need for longitudinal, culturally diverse studies and performance-based EI assessments. The value of this research lies in its potential to inform evidence-based educational practices and institutional policies. By elucidating the role of professors’ EI, the review lays the groundwork for developing faculty training programs aimed at strengthening emotional competencies and fostering inclusive, supportive learning environments that promote student growth and resilience. This is especially relevant given the growing prevalence of stress, anxiety, and disengagement among university students, exacerbated by post-pandemic challenges and academic pressures. Understanding the impact of EI can inform culturally responsive interventions, improve student retention, and enhance institutional effectiveness, thereby addressing a pressing need in contemporary higher education. In today’s rapidly evolving technological, social, and cultural landscape, universities have both the opportunity and the responsibility to act as catalysts for the creation of an educational culture that promotes social well-being. This requires adopting educational and organizational models that prioritize human care and the quality of interpersonal relationships. To be effective, these priorities must be integrated into all university operations, from governance to student support and talent development. Full article

This inquiry articulates a conceptually cohesive framework to explore the interplay between ethical leadership–affective commitment, particularly in settings characterized by socio-environmental volatility. Central to the analysis is the examination of how ethical climate functions as a psychological conduit and how psychological empowerment modulates this pathway. Empirical validation was carried out with a sample of 448 employees (175 women, 273 men) from Colombia’s electricity sector, a context where institutional fragility elevates the salience of ethical practices. The study employed structural equation modeling to test the model’s robustness. Results underscore that ethical leadership cultivates a benevolent ethical climate, which in turn reinforces affective commitment. Importantly, this sequence is not fixed but is contingent upon psychological empowerment. The influence of ethical leadership on ethical climate and especially on affective commitment is amplified when empowerment is high; likewise, the ethical climate–affective commitment link becomes more salient under elevated empowerment conditions. These findings highlight the influence of ethical dynamics in organizations. Beyond model validation, this research contributes to broader conversations on social sustainability. Ethical leadership is shown to foster organizational climates rooted in fairness, stakeholder sensitivity, and moral coherence—factors essential for long-term institutional legitimacy. In environments such as Colombia’s electricity industry, where governance infrastructures are evolving, such leadership emerges as a necessary condition for rebuilding trust and promoting shared ethical standards. Accordingly, this study advocates for the systematic cultivation of ethical leadership as a means to enhance organizational loyalty and public credibility. The theoretical model presented here offers fertile ground for cross-cultural replication and further inquiry across industries in emerging economies. Full article

The global port and maritime industry is experiencing a new paradigm shift known as the artificial intelligence transformation (AX). Thus, domestic container-terminal companies should focus beyond mere automation to a paradigm shift in AI that encompasses operational strategy, organizational structure, system, and human resource management. This study proposes a resilience-based AX strategy and implementation system that allows domestic container-terminal companies to proactively respond to the upcoming changes in the global supply chain, thus securing sustainable competitiveness. In particular, we aim to design an AI-based governance model to establish a trust-based logistics supply chain (trust value chain). As a research method, the core risk factors of AX processes were scientifically identified via text-mining and fault-tree analysis, and a step-by-step execution strategy was established by applying a backcasting technique based on scenario planning. Additionally, by integrating social control theory with new governance theory, we designed a flexible, adaptable, and resilience-oriented AI governance system. The results of this study suggest that the AI paradigm shift should be promoted by enhancing the risk resilience, trust, and recovery of organizations. By suggesting AX strategies and policy as well as institutional improvement directions that embed resilience to secure the sustainable competitiveness of AI-based smart ports in Korea, this study serves as a basis for establishing strategies for the domestic container-terminal industry and for constructing a global leading model. Full article

Background/Objectives: Integrating Artificial Intelligence Clinical Decision Support Systems (AI-CDSSs) into healthcare can improve diagnostic accuracy, optimize clinical workflows, and support evidence-based medical decision-making. However, the adoption of AI-CDSSs remains uneven, influenced by technological, organizational, and perceptual factors. This study, conducted between November 2024 and February 2025, analyzes the determinants of AI-CDSS adoption among healthcare professionals through investigating the impacts of perceived benefits, technological costs, and social and institutional influence, as well as the transparency and control of algorithms, using an adapted Path Dependence-Augmented–Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model. Methods: This research was conducted through a cross-sectional study, employing a structured questionnaire administered to a sample of 440 healthcare professionals selected using a stratified sampling methodology. Data were collected via specialized platforms and analyzed using structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the relationships between variables and the impacts of key factors on the intention to adopt AI-CDSSs. Results: The findings highlight that the perceived benefits of AI-CDSSs are the strongest predictor of intention to adopt AI-CDSSs, while technology effort cost negatively impacts attitudes toward AI-CDSSs. Additionally, social and institutional influence fosters acceptance, whereas perceived control and transparency over AI enhance trust, reinforcing the necessity for explainable and clinician-supervised AI systems. Conclusions: This study confirms that the intention to adopt AI-CDSSs in healthcare depends on the perception of utility, technological accessibility, and system transparency. The creation of interpretable and adaptive AI architectures, along with training programs dedicated to healthcare professionals, represents measures enhancing the degree of acceptance. Full article

This study examines the challenges and opportunities in global talent management (GTM) systems within developed economies, with a specific focus on Republic of Korea. The research investigates both internal and external factors—positive and negative—that shape GTM strategies across key national high-tech industries. Framed within a human-centric model, the study identifies three dominant global megatrends—technological, socio-economic, and cultural—that significantly influence talent ecosystem dynamics. The study is framed as a qualitative interview-based analysis, supported by quantitative descriptive data for contextual analysis. A qualitative approach was employed, addressing the quantitative analysis of statistical labor market data to qualitative interviews (n = 42) conducted with high-level STEM professionals pursuing global talent status. Quantitative statistics indicate a measurable decline in global talent inflow to Republic of Korea in the past year. Qualitative findings reveal critical deterrents—including regulatory, organizational, and cultural barriers—as well as motivational drivers influencing global mobility decisions. These factors were synthesized within the three identified megatrends to provide a comprehensive view of GTM system dynamics. Based on the findings, the study offers strategic, human-centered recommendations for enterprises and academic institutions to enhance their GTM practices in an era of accelerating technological change. The results offer practical guidance for policymakers, business leaders, educators, and researchers seeking to align talent strategies with evolving global trends. Full article

This study examines the relationship between training and job satisfaction among public sector employees in Portugal through a sequential mediation model. Understanding the factors that influence job satisfaction among public administration employees is essential for fostering healthier and more productive work environments. This study investigates the role of competency acquisition, performance appraisal (PA), and career progression opportunities in the relationship between training and job satisfaction, using a sequential mediation model. The sample consisted of 340 public sector employees aged between 20 and 65 years. A cross-sectional, quantitative design was employed to analyze the relationships among the variables and test the proposed hypotheses. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to a convenience sample. The mediation analysis revealed that training influences job satisfaction indirectly by promoting the development of competencies that contribute to improved PA results, which, in turn, facilitate career advancement. These findings highlight the importance of implementing organizational strategies that align training with transparent performance evaluation systems and career development plans, offering valuable guidance for public human resource policies aimed at strengthening institutional efficiency. Full article

In Tunisia, the agricultural sector faces multiple challenges that affect both productivity and farmers’ livelihoods. Although agroecology is increasingly recognized as a pathway to sustainable agriculture, the extent of its adoption by farmers remains unclear. This study assesses the agroecological performance of 50 farms in the Sbikha delegation of the Kairouan governorate (Central Tunisia), using the Tool for Agroecological Performance Evaluation (TAPE), developed by the FAO. This tool assesses how existing cropping systems align with the 10 principles of agroecology and explores their potential for further transition. The results reveal a modest level of agroecological adoption, averaging only 41%. Several factors influence this outcome, including limited farmer knowledge and technical capacity, a weak institutional and organizational framework, and low diversification of cropping systems. Furthermore, three types of farms were identified based on their production systems: farms specializing in fruit trees, farms specializing in cereal and vegetable crops, and farms specializing in olive and vegetable crops. Among these, fruit tree farms exhibit a higher level of agroecological transition, averaging 51%. This increased diversification enhances resilience to market fluctuations. To accelerate the agroecological transition, several key measures should be implemented. Updating land property titles would improve access to credit by enabling farmers to provide the necessary guarantees. Additionally, targeted training programs and awareness-raising initiatives could strengthen technical capacities, thereby facilitating the adoption of agroecological practices. These interventions would enhance farmers’ economic resilience, support sustainable agricultural production, and promote equitable rural development. Full article

Background and Objectives: Burnout syndrome is increasingly recognized as a significant occupational hazard among forensic medicine professionals, a population exposed to intense psychological stress and complex work demands. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of burnout, job satisfaction, and unconditional self-acceptance among forensic personnel in Romania and to explore potential predictors and mediators of burnout within this context. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 153 forensic medicine professionals from 31 counties across Romania. Participants completed a battery of standardized instruments, including the Maslach Burnout Inventory—General Survey (MBI-GS), the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS), and the Unconditional Self-Acceptance Questionnaire (USAQ). Cut-off scores for burnout subscales were established using the 75th percentile. Data were analyzed to identify demographic, occupational, and psychological correlates of burnout. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize sample characteristics and burnout prevalence. Group comparisons were made across demographic and professional categories. A mediation model was tested to evaluate whether unconditional self-acceptance mediated the relationship between job satisfaction and burnout. We hypothesized that job satisfaction would be negatively associated with burnout symptoms and that unconditional self-acceptance would mediate this relationship, acting as a protective psychological factor. Results: Approximately a quarter of respondents met the criteria for high total burnout, emotional exhaustion, and professional inefficacy, while cynicism was present in a fifth of participants. Burnout was more prevalent among younger workers, forensic medicine residents, and those working in the capital. Job satisfaction was generally high, but lower in women, younger individuals, and residents. Nearly half of the participants reported low or very low self-acceptance. Mediation analysis revealed that unconditional self-acceptance partially mediated the relationship between job satisfaction and burnout, suggesting a protective psychological mechanism. Conclusions: This study highlights the considerable burden of burnout among forensic medicine professionals in Romania and identifies job dissatisfaction and low self-acceptance as key contributors. Findings underscore the need for targeted interventions aimed at enhancing job satisfaction and emotional resilience, particularly in vulnerable subgroups. Institutional efforts that support mental well-being, foster emotional coping, and improve organizational dynamics are essential to reduce burnout in this high-risk population. Full article

Background and Objective: Aging in place (AIP) refers to the ability to remain in one’s home and community as one ages. While AIP is widely regarded as beneficial, disparities in housing stability, accessibility, and affordability create inequitable barriers. Current clinical AIP interventions focus on individual-level solutions, often overlooking broader socio-economic and structural determinants.This study examines how community-based interventions, particularly those from Rebuilding Together Richmond (RT-R), address these gaps through home modifications and critical repairs. Methods: Using the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) Research Framework, demographic and service data from home modifications from a community-based organization, RT-R was analyzed. Descriptive statistics assessed the characteristics of homeowners served, the types of repairs performed, and their potential impact on AIP. Repairs were categorized as structural or occupational to evaluate their contributions to home safety and accessibility. Results: RT-R provided repairs for 33 homes, benefiting 47 individuals all of whom were Black or African American living in a ZIP code with high eviction rates. The majority (63.8%) were female, and 51% were older adults and/or had a disability. Structural repairs were more frequent than occupational modifications reflecting both homeowner needs, service availability, and community organizational goals. Conclusions: Housing stability is a critical yet overlooked factor in AIP. Integrating clinical AIP interventions with community-based solutions can more effectively address health disparities, reduce institutionalization risks, and improve long-term livability. Partnerships between healthcare practitioners and organizations like Rebuilding Together are essential to advancing equity in AIP. Access to housing is not accessible housing, and to remove barriers, practitioners and community-based organizations should expand their appreciation of obstacles to include historical, contemporary, economic, and environmental factors to work toward equity in aging in place for all. Full article

This study investigates the spillover effects of physicians’ prosocial behavior, specifically knowledge sharing, on the paid consultations of other physicians within the same specialty and offline hospital. Using data from an online healthcare platform, we apply propensity score matching to explore how the sharing of medical knowledge by physicians influences the consultation outcomes of their colleagues. The results reveal significant positive spillover effects, indicating that prosocial behavior benefits other physicians within the same specialty and healthcare institution, thereby enhancing collaboration within the healthcare ecosystem. The spillover effect is stronger within the same offline hospital’s physicians on the online healthcare platform, suggesting that knowledge sharing has a more localized impact within the same healthcare institution. Furthermore, the study examines heterogeneity across both physician-level characteristics (e.g., popularity, title, price, gender) and contextual factors (e.g., specialty type, hospital level, wait time, regional GDP). The findings show that the magnitude and direction of spillover effects differ by subgroup, shaped by professional visibility, authority, and organizational structure. These insights contribute to the understanding of how prosocial behavior can foster collaboration and benefit healthcare networks beyond individual physicians, offering practical implications for healthcare platforms, administrators, and policymakers. Full article

Background/Objectives: This descriptive study investigated the influence of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses’ knowledge and perception of the importance of patient safety management, nursing professionalism, and infection control organizational culture on the direct and indirect performance of centrally inserted central catheter (CICC) infection control. Direct performance encompasses immediate infection control interventions administered to patients, whereas indirect performance constitutes physician communication and documentation protocols. Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to survey 176 ICU nurses from a tertiary hospital in Korea. Results: There were no significant differences in CICC infection control performance according to participants’ general characteristics. The direct performance of CICC infection control showed a significant positive correlation with clinical experience (p = 0.006), ICU work experience (p = 0.020), the perception of the importance of patient safety management (p < 0.001), nursing professionalism (p < 0.001), and infection control organizational culture (p < 0.001). The indirect performance of CICC infection control did not show any significant correlation with participants’ general characteristics; however, it showed significant positive correlations with the perception of the importance of patient safety management (p < 0.001), nursing professionalism (p < 0.001), and infection control organizational culture (p < 0.001). The factors affecting the direct performance of CICC infection control were the perception of the importance of patient safety management and infection control organizational culture. The perception of the importance of patient safety management affected the indirect performance of CICC infection control. Conclusions: To enhance overall infection control performance among ICU nurses, it is crucial to raise the perception of the importance of patient safety management and implement systematic strategies targeting both the direct and indirect performance of CICC infection control. Healthcare institutions should establish more detailed guidelines distinguishing between direct and indirect performance of CICC infection control and continuously educate ICU nurses on the importance of compliance with both aspects. Full article

Existing sustainability tracking frameworks primarily address water, energy, and material durability, with limited focus on factors driving zero-waste (ZW) initiatives. The current sustainability tracking tools especially lack comprehensive assessment mechanisms to evaluate organizational progress toward ZW, especially in higher education institutions (HEIs). This study reviews the global literature (2000–2023) on ZW indicators in organizations, focusing on HEIs, using databases such as Scopus and Web of Science, with an emphasis on waste reduction and sustainability practices. Institutional theory is used to explain the adoption of ZW programs in HEIs through normative, mimetic, and coercive isomorphisms. This study finds that ZW initiatives in HEIs are driven by shared professional norms (normative isomorphism), imitation of best practices (mimetic isomorphism), and compliance with regulatory policies (coercive isomorphism). Education, full-time staff, sustainability offices, and student advocacy play key roles, while collaboration within sustainability networks further enhances these efforts. This study emphasizes the complex interplay of these isomorphic forces across different levels of influence. Full article