Search Results (1,113)

Research on post-COVID tourism behaviour has expanded rapidly, yet inland UNESCO World Heritage cities remain underexamined, particularly in Mediterranean contexts. This study examines whether the pandemic produced durable changes in tourist behaviour and in willingness to pay for sustainable services in Cáceres, Spain. A structured face-to-face survey was administered to 421 visitors in March 2023, after public-health restrictions had been lifted. The analysis covered self-reported behavioural change, perceived impacts on different destination types, perceived effects on local sustainability objectives and changes in willingness to pay (WTP) for sustainable services. Descriptive statistics were complemented by an exploratory binary logistic regression predicting increased WTP. Because the model includes only sociodemographic predictors and shows modest fit, it is used to describe associations rather than to predict. Reported behavioural change was limited: mean scores for crowd avoidance, health–safety preferences, shorter stays and substitution towards rural and nature tourism ranged from 1.73 to 1.91 on a five-point scale. Respondents nevertheless perceived substantial spatial effects of the pandemic, particularly on natural parks (92.6%) and rural destinations (84.1%). Most believed that the pandemic had accelerated sustainability efforts mainly through greater institutional and business awareness (54.9%). WTP proved relatively stable, with 62.7% reporting no change and 26.1% an increase. Women and respondents with university education showed higher odds of reporting increased WTP. Because constructs such as institutional trust and pro-environmental values were not measured directly, these attitudes are interpreted—rather than demonstrated—as reflecting governance-related confidence and value orientations more than lingering health concerns. This governance-and-values reading is the study’s main interpretive contribution and requires confirmation with direct measures of the underlying constructs. Full article

Underground heritage represents a hidden urban resource for cultural regeneration and sustainable tourism, preserving historical layers, wartime memory, and local identity. Positioning the shelters as a form of Underground Built Heritage (UBH), this study examines how concealed civil-defense spaces can be reinterpreted as local cultural heritage resources before systematic reuse. However, enclosed and unfamiliar spaces are often perceived as risky, making adaptive reuse socially sensitive. This study investigates Jingdezhen’s underground air-raid shelters through a scenario-based survey and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Using an extended Value-Attitude-Behavior (VAB) framework incorporating perceived authenticity, anticipated affective identification, safety assurance, and perceived risk, this study identifies factors influencing pre-development public acceptance. Results show that public acceptance is shaped by cognitive evaluation of value and anticipated affective identification, while perceived risk constrains behavioral intentions. Perceived authenticity enhances value perception and anticipated affective identification; perceived value strengthens attitudes; safety assurance shows a small but statistically significant negative association with perceived risk, although most variance in perceived risk remains unexplained; and an exploratory moderation analysis further suggested that perceived risk may weaken the attitude–visit intention relationship. Although the estimated model showed a relatively high SRMR, the results are interpreted as prediction-oriented ex ante evidence rather than as a covariance-based model with strong global fit. These findings provide prediction-oriented ex ante evidence for the sustainable reuse of underground heritage, supporting heritage interpretation, risk management, and urban regeneration aligned with SDG 11. Full article

Despite the promise of human–AI interaction in enhancing learning outcomes, its contribution to fostering sustainable learning resilience, particularly in underdeveloped regions, remains insufficiently examined. Prior research has inadequately investigated the psychological processes underlying the relationship between human–AI interaction and the development of resilience. To address these gaps, this study adopts the Cognition–Affect–Conation (CAC) framework to explore how task–technology fit and system quality collectively shape the dynamics of sustainable learning resilience, mediated by perceived value and trust. Survey responses were collected from 617 students across 34 universities in Western China, using both online and offline methods. The findings indicate that task–technology fit and system quality substantially influence students’ perceptions of value and trust in human–AI interactions, which in turn strengthen their sustainable learning resilience. Additionally, these mechanisms exert a significant positive influence on different academic disciplines. This research advances the understanding of how human–AI interactions facilitate sustainable learning resilience and provides actionable insights for implementing equitable technology solutions in higher education, particularly in resource-constrained environments. Full article

How does artificial intelligence (AI) adoption shape administrative efficiency and e-citizen integration in local governments, and what role does professional development play in mediating these relationships? Drawing on a survey of 500 municipal employees across Spanish municipalities, this study employs partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), with formal non-linearity testing via Warp3 algorithms, to test a theoretically grounded model. The conceptual framework integrates Digital Transformation Theory and Public Value Theory as primary explanatory lenses, while drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Total Factor Productivity (TFP) logic as complementary background perspectives that contextualise rather than directly operationalise the micro-level findings. Structural results reveal that AI adoption exerts a strong direct (and statistically linear) effect on perceived administrative efficiency (β = 1.04, p < 0.001; the standardised coefficient exceeding 1.0 and R² > 1 are a legitimate WarpPLS warp-model fit index rather than evidence of model misspecification: the Warp3 warp functions inflate the variance of predicted efficiency and break the additive identity SST = SSM + SSE, with the high AI–PD collinearity (r ≈ 0.84) as the contributing mechanism (RSCR = 1.000, SSR = 1.000); a comparative re-estimation without the moderation term yields β = 0.87 and R² = 0.76; we adopt this parsimonious specification (β ≈ 0.87, R² = 0.76) as the substantively interpretable estimate, with predictive relevance confirmed by a high Stone–Geisser Q² = 0.685, indicating that the model fits and predicts well rather than overfitting, while simultaneously stimulating professional development (β = 0.84, p < 0.001, R² = 0.70). Professional development positively predicted both efficiency (β = 0.27, p < 0.001) and e-citizen integration (β = 0.26, p < 0.01). Efficiency is the primary driver of e-citizen integration (β = 0.54, p < 0.001, R² = 0.53). The proposed moderation of AI adoption by professional development on efficiency was not supported (β = −0.01, p = 0.44), suggesting additive rather than synergistic effects. Model fit was robust (GoF = 0.701; ARS = 0.749; APC = 0.495); convergent and discriminant validity were confirmed by composite reliability, average variance extracted, Fornell–Larcker, and HTMT criteria; and common method bias diagnostics (Harman’s single-factor test, full-collinearity AFVIF, and marker-variable analysis) indicated that systematic method variance was not a material threat. These findings offer micro-empirical evidence of the mechanisms linking AI adoption to citizen service outcomes via a professional development pathway and provide actionable recommendations for Spanish and European municipalities navigating AI-driven governance reform. Full article

Background and Objectives: The neurocognitive sequelae of COVID-19 have attracted attention as part of post-COVID condition (PCC), yet standardized tools for screening and quantifying PCC-related cognitive impairment remain scarce. The present study aimed to develop and validate the Screening for Neurocognitive Abilities Post-COVID (SNAP-COVID), a self-report questionnaire designed to capture current symptom burden and perceived changes in cognitive functioning relative to pre-COVID status in a Greek-speaking sample. Materials and Methods: Data collection occurred in three phases between August 2024 and February 2025. Dataset A (N = 27) was used for test–retest reliability. Dataset B (N = 300) was used for exploratory factor analysis (EFA), reliability testing, and convergent validity analyses with the Brain Fog Scale (BFS). Dataset C (N = 317) was used for independent validation through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: Initial EFA of the 30-item SNAP-COVID scale suggested a four-factor model, yet further item refinement yielded a robust three-factor, 24-item solution: (1) General Cognitive Functions (17 items, α = 0.948), (2) Sensory Hypersensitivity (4 items, α = 0.829), and (3) Language and Communication (3 items, α = 0.950). The total scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency (α = 0.95). Convergent validity was evident by significant correlations between SNAP impact scores and BFS scores (r = −0.442, p < 0.001). CFA confirmed the three-factor structure with acceptable fit indices (χ²(249) = 677.29, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.882; TLI = 0.869; RMSEA = 0.074; SRMR = 0.032). Conclusions: The SNAP-COVID scale is a reliable and valid instrument. Its multidimensional structure captures global and domain-specific difficulties, addressing a critical gap in post-infectious cognitive assessment. Full article

MNOs are increasingly adopting 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) to meet household demands for high-performance services. This study evaluated the adoption and quality of experience (QoE) of 5G FWA through a multi-phase study. First, it utilized a systematic literature review to develop a structural equation modeling (SEM) framework. Second, questionnaire surveys from 42 industry experts and 52 end-users were administered to identify quality of service (QoS) and user experience (UX) factors. Finally, the SEM analysis showed that UX was not transferable between FTTx and 5G FWA, as the correlation (y = −0.052, t-value= −0.10) was statistically insignificant. The technical QoS FTTx does not influence how users perceive the technical QoS 5G FWA (y = −0.02, t-value = −0.12). Bandwidth and quality are the most critical drivers for 5G FWA success regarding UX, whereas latency, MoS, and throughput are vital for QoS. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) for the UX and QoS parameters of 5G FWA showed strong internal consistency across all identified factors. The framework with fit indices reflected excellent model QoS (RMSEA = 0.08, CFI = 0.973, TLI = 0.965, CMIN/DF = 1.254 and GFI = 0.782) and UX (RMSEA = 0.08, CFI = 0.895, TLI = 0.881, CMIN/DF = 1.377 and GFI = 0.655). The mathematical SEM model provides empirical evidence of the role of the service factor as an observed parameter and introduces a validated theoretical framework QoE-SEM; this study assists decision-makers in the telecommunications industry in formulating strategic models for upcoming 5G FWA. Full article

Internet memes increasingly move from social media into physical product packaging, yet little is known about how consumers respond when online cultural symbols become package design cues. Drawing on the Stimulus–Organism–Response framework, this study examines how meme-based packaging shapes purchase intention and sharing intention through perceived value, brand warmth, and cultural resonance. A between-subjects survey experiment was conducted with 305 Chinese adult consumers, who evaluated either a meme-based packaging stimulus or a no-explicit-meme conventional packaging control stimulus. Partial least squares structural equation modeling showed that purchase intention and sharing intention followed different dominant mechanisms. Perceived value was the strongest predictor of purchase intention, whereas cultural resonance was the strongest predictor of sharing intention. Visual attractiveness most strongly enhanced perceived value, while playfulness and expression–product fit contributed more clearly to brand warmth and cultural resonance. Mediation results further showed that brand warmth and cultural resonance consistently transmitted the effects of meme-packaging cues, whereas the value route was more selective. These findings show how online cultural symbols can continue to shape consumer evaluation and social transmission after entering physical product interfaces. Full article

Structural constraints arising from the family environment have been highlighted as a key predictor of deviant lifestyles that expose youths to criminogenic circumstances. Intervening processes are not well-understood. This study examined (a) whether family deviance is associated with students’ deviant lifestyles, (b) whether this association is mediated by low parental nurturance, and (c) whether this indirect effect is moderated by low parental education. Cross-sectional data from 233 African American, Hispanic, White, Asian American, and multiracial 11th grade students were used. The student deviant lifestyles construct was assessed using three composite indicators (student delinquent behavior, perceived peer deviance, student substance use). Using structural equation modeling, a latent moderated indirect effects model showed excellent fit (e.g., CFI = 0.986, RMSEA = 0.047, SRMR = 0.027). Parental nurturance significantly mediated the relation of family deviance with student deviant lifestyles, but only for students whose parents have low levels of education. Our results support the utility of an integrative criminogenic framework that includes structural constraints arising from the family environment and showed that high parental education can serve as a buffer against the adverse indirect effects of family deviance on adolescents’ deviant lifestyles via low parental nurturance. Full article

Illegitimate tasks are assignments that threaten professional identity by not being related to the intrinsic quality or morality of the main profession. This concept has gained attention within the Stress as Offense to Self (SOS) theory, which emphasizes the impact of self-esteem in stressful situations, particularly in the workplace. The SOS theory suggests that self-esteem plays a critical role in how individuals respond to stress: when self-esteem is threatened, it triggers adverse reactions affecting mental, physical, and behavioral dimensions; conversely, strengthening self-esteem promotes well-being. Illegitimate tasks are perceived as unnecessary or unreasonable, varying by profession and non-voluntary in nature, leading to a lack of purpose and meaning for the employee. The Bern Illegitimate Tasks Scale (BITS) was created to assess and quantify these tasks, demonstrating robust psychometric properties across different languages and cultural contexts, including Spanish, Swedish, and Portuguese adaptations. This study aims to translate and adapt the BITS for a public university context characterized by bureaucratic culture. The sample comprises 601 participants from a Portuguese public higher education institution. The translation process followed rigorous procedures to ensure equivalence between the original and Portuguese versions. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and internal consistency analysis, revealing satisfactory fit indices and high reliability. Despite contextual limitations, the findings affirm the reliability of the adapted scale for application in similar contexts. Future research should aim for more representative samples to enhance generalizability. Full article

Executive functions (EFs) are key cognitive processes for behaviour. However, there is little information about interaction with the dimensions of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), therefore the objective of this study was to analyse the association between lifestyle habits (physical activity and screen time), sleep, HRQoL and EFs in children and adolescents. Specifically, this study aimed to identify the extent to which perceived well-being dimensions are associated with EFs and to determine the potential mediating role of HRQoL in the relationships between lifestyle habits and these cognitive domains, examining whether these direct and indirect pathways remain robust after adjusting for gender and age. A total of 943 children and adolescents (51.3% female) aged 10–17 years participated. Lifestyle parameters (PA Krece Plus, sleep duration and KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaire) and EFs (CogniFit neurocognitive assessment battery) were evaluated. The analysis of the individual KIDSCREEN-10 items revealed that perception of school performance presented the most consistent association with EFs, being positively related to attention (b = 16.39, p = 0.018), cognitive flexibility (b = 30.65, p = 0.005), inhibition (b = 24.66, p = 0.022), and working Memory (b = 42.33, p < 0.001). Furthermore, parental fairness reported a significant association for three out of four domains: attention (b = 13.89, p = 0.006), flexibility (b = 22.93, p = 0.003), and working Memory (b = 25.42, p < 0.001). Having enough time for self was also significantly related to attention performance (b = 12.60, p = 0.026). Regarding lifestyle habits, the composite lifestyle index (PA + ST) showed the most consistent positive association across all cognitive domains, while sleep duration was inversely associated with attention, cognitive flexibility, and working Memory. The mediation analysis revealed that global HRQoL significantly mediated the relationship between lifestyle habits and executive functions, accounting for 9.55% of the total effect on attention, 5.45% on cognitive flexibility, and 4.14% on working memory, whereas no mediation was observed for inhibition. In conclusion personal time, parental fairness, and school adjustment were positively associated with EFs. HRQoL and physical activity levels also showed consistent links with all EFs, whereas sleep duration was inversely related. Furthermore, mediation analysis revealed that global HRQoL acts as a critical indirect pathway, explaining a significant proportion of the lifestyle habits’ total effect on attention, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. Overall, these findings highlight the multifactorial and interrelated mechanisms shaping executive functioning in children and adolescents. Full article

The global and national skills shortages, shifting employee work attitudes post-COVID pandemic, and the presence of a multigenerational workforce with diverse needs and preferences have sparked interest in employee retention. Traditional one-size-fits-all retention strategies are becoming less effective, and contemporary organisations are focusing on tailored retention strategies. The effectiveness of the tailored retention strategy does not only rely on its design but also on how it is perceived and experienced by employees. However, few studies have explored employees’ perceptions of their organisation’s employee retention strategy in the South African context. Hence, the objective of this study is to explore professional engineers’ perceptions of their organisation’s employee retention strategy and how these perceptions influence their intention to stay or leave the organisation. A qualitative research approach underpinned by the constructivism paradigm was employed in this study. A single case study was adopted, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 professional engineers working at a manufacturing organisation participating in the study. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings indicated that the professional engineers were unaware of, and did not fully understand, their organisation’s employee retention strategy, and they felt that their organisation was not adequately implementing a robust, dynamic one, which resulted in high turnover. They indicated that the retention strategy seemed to lack provisions for career growth opportunities and formal mentorship programs and failed to embrace technological advancement, which influenced engineers to leave the organisation. They perceived that their organisation provided competitive compensation, onboarding, and offboarding, as well as training and development, though implementation gaps existed. This study suggests that organisations should develop a robust, dynamic employee retention strategy and widely communicate it to their workforce. A robust, well-communicated employee retention strategy is likely to positively influence employee perceptions and enhance the organisation’s employer brand, thereby facilitating retention. Full article

As educators play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable futures, understanding their readiness to translate sustainability-related knowledge and values into teaching practice has become an important concern in teacher education and professional development research. This study aims to develop and validate a measurement instrument assessing student teachers’ intention to implement education for sustainable development (ESD). By operationalizing intention as a proximal indicator of future-oriented professional readiness for ESD, the study addresses the need for empirically grounded tools that capture educators’ preparedness to engage in sustainability-oriented teaching. The Intention to Implement ESD Scale (IESDS) was developed through a theory-informed item construction process grounded in ESD literature, teacher agency, and competence-oriented approaches to sustainable education. The instrument was validated on a sample of 706 student teachers enrolled in the final years of teacher education programs. The findings indicate that a bifactor model provided the best fit to the data, with a dominant general factor supporting the interpretation of the IESDS as a primarily unidimensional measure of intention to implement ESD. In addition, intention to implement ESD was positively associated with teacher self-efficacy for ESD, providing evidence of convergent validity and reinforcing the role of perceived capability in sustainability-oriented professional action. The IESDS can support teacher education institutions and professional development providers in monitoring and strengthening educators’ readiness for sustainability-oriented teaching. It may be used to evaluate the effectiveness of courses, modules, and professional learning interventions aimed at promoting teaching for sustainable futures. Full article

Background: Digital health technologies are increasingly integral to healthcare delivery worldwide; however, successful adoption depends on more than technological availability. In nursing, readiness is particularly important because digital systems increasingly shape documentation, communication, decision support, and care delivery. Within the context of Saudi Arabia’s healthcare transformation, doctoral nursing students are positioned as future educators, clinicians, and leaders whose perceptions can provide insight into digital health readiness and preparation. Aim: This study aimed to explore doctoral nursing students’ perceptions of their readiness to adopt digital health technologies in Saudi Arabia, guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2). Methods: This exploratory, qualitative, descriptive study recruited 9 doctoral nursing students from a public university in Saudi Arabia using purposive sampling based on predefined eligibility criteria. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted online and audio-recorded. Data were analyzed using a hybrid inductive–deductive thematic approach. UTAUT2 informed the deductive component of the analysis, while inductive coding and cross-case comparison supported theme generation. Results: Four interrelated themes were identified. First, readiness was positive but conditional, shaped by movement from openness to professional necessity, familiarity, workflow fit, and caution about the possible weakening of foundational or manual competence. Second, adoption depended on practical value and system credibility, including access, convenience, efficiency, safety, documentation integrity, accuracy, privacy, and reliability. Third, adoption was organizationally mediated through leadership, peer culture, infrastructure, implementation conditions, training, follow-up, and academic preparation. Fourth, digital health was understood as supporting, not substituting for, nursing work by reducing avoidable burden and creating more space for direct care while preserving human presence, communication, and clinical judgment. Conclusions: In this sample of doctoral nursing students, digital health readiness was positive but conditional. The findings suggest that readiness reflects a context-sensitive professional judgment shaped by educational preparation, organizational support, system credibility, workflow compatibility, and the perceived ability of digital technologies to enhance nursing work rather than replace it. Implications: The findings suggest that nursing education and practice should strengthen applied digital health competencies through simulation-based preparation, electronic documentation training, privacy and ethics education, workflow-aligned implementation, and sustained organizational support. Full article

Objectives: Commercial artificial teeth (AT) and three-dimensional printed teeth (3DPT) have been increasingly used in preclinical endodontic education; however, limitations regarding anatomical realism, tactile sensation, and procedural simulation continued to be reported. This study assessed students’ and evaluators’ perceptions regarding AT and PolyJet™ 3DPT fabricated with RGD525™, compared with natural teeth (NT), together with the quality of endodontic procedures performed using both artificial models. Methods: Undergraduate dental students with no previous experience using AT or 3DPT performed standardized endodontic procedures on both artificial models. Students and evaluators completed questionnaires regarding anatomical realism, tactile sensation, radiographic characteristics, educational applicability, and model preference. Procedural quality and errors were independently assessed radiographically by evaluators. Results: AT received more favorable perceptions regarding external anatomy, whereas 3DPT were more positively evaluated for internal anatomy, radiopacity, resistance of root canal walls and tactile sensation during instrumentation (p ≤ 0.002). NT remained the preferred training model, followed by 3DPT, while AT received the lowest preference ratings (p < 0.001). Evaluators consistently perceived 3DPT as more similar to NT than AT. Regarding treatment outcomes, 3DPT showed significantly higher scores for endodontic preparation, verifier fitting, and root canal filling (p < 0.05), while presenting significantly fewer procedural errors than AT (p < 0.001). Conclusions: PolyJet™ 3DPT fabricated with RGD525™ demonstrated promising applicability for preclinical endodontic training, combining favorable perceptions, fewer procedural errors, and potential for low-cost large-scale in-house production. Nevertheless, improvements in material realism and tactile simulation are still required. Full article

Climate change has become a major macroeconomic challenge with profound implications for the real economy. This study examines the influence of perceived climate-related risks, proxied by news-based indices capturing media attention to global warming, natural disasters, US climate policy, and international climate summits, on US business activity across short- and long-term horizons. The methodological framework first employs principal component analysis to condense multiple explanatory variables into a single composite factor. A Fourier autoregressive distributed lag model is then adopted to estimate the effects of these forward-looking informational proxies over time. The results reveal marked heterogeneity across perceived climate-related risks and temporal horizons. Global warming news intensity constitutes a persistent impediment, exerting stronger and more durable effects on business activity. Natural disaster media coverage generates sharp short-term deterioration, although its influence fades over longer horizons. News-based transition-risk proxies exhibit a mixed pattern. US climate policy media coverage consistently dampens business conditions, whereas international climate summit coverage plays a comparatively modest role. Our findings underscore that a one-size-fits-all strategy is ineffective. Climate risk management should differentiate between persistent and transitory forces, recognizing that perceived risks may operate through expectations, uncertainty, and sentiment rather than realized damages or enacted policies alone. Full article