Search Results (2,076)

The hotel sector is widely perceived as offering poor working conditions, contributing to persistent labor shortages within the industry. Transforming management practices in line with humanistic management principles has been suggested as one way to address these challenges. However, limited research has examined how hotel employees themselves perceive humanistic management relative to more traditional managerial practices and other approaches used to attract and motivate staff. This scoping study addresses this gap by surveying hotel employees in Austria, a tourism-intensive economy, to assess the perceived value of humanistic management practices. The findings show that although adopting humanistic management alone cannot fully resolve issues related to employee attraction and retention, it nonetheless has a significant positive effect on employees’ perceptions of employer attractiveness. Several humanistic practices valued by employees can be implemented without substantial increases in operational costs. These results suggest that hotel managers, even in data-driven decision environments, should integrate humanistic management practices while maintaining competitive remuneration. For policymakers in tourism-dependent destinations, the findings highlight the need to strengthen regulations that encourage more humanistic working conditions in hotels, thereby improving the overall quality of employment and enhancing the sector’s long-term attractiveness. Full article

This exploratory mixed-methods study examined whether a narrative-driven digital gamification platform, FantasyClass, grounded in the MDA (Mechanics–Dynamics–Aesthetics) framework and Bartle’s player typology (used as a cohort-level design input), was associated with science attitudinal change in preservice primary teachers. The quantitative component employed a one-group pretest–posttest (pre-experimental) within-participant design using a validated 22-item attitudes questionnaire (N = 23), structured across three temporal dimensions: past (retrospective experiences), present (current perceptions), and future (teaching expectations). Significant improvements were observed across all attitudinal dimensions with large effect sizes, most notably in students’ future expectations and confidence to teach science. Exploratory correlation analyses indicated that participants’ perceived motivational value of narrative and immersion elements was moderately associated with Future-dimension attitudinal gains. Qualitative thematic analysis of open-ended responses (n = 15) revealed enhanced motivation, reduced science anxiety, more positive perceptions of physics and chemistry, and strong intentions to adopt game-based and gamified strategies in future teaching practice. Convergence across quantitative and qualitative strands suggests that structurally coherent, player-type-informed narrative gamification may be associated with attitudinal transformation and early professional identity development in STEM teacher education, while recognizing that the design does not permit causal attribution. Full article

Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study tested the hypothesis that body image perception delineates distinct motivational pathways, linking the perceived interpersonal style of exercise professionals to basic psychological needs, motivation quality, and long-term exercise persistence intentions. A sample of 821 regular exercisers was divided into two groups based on body image: “Satisfied” (n = 276) and “Dissatisfied due to Overweight” (n = 545). Participants completed validated measures of perceived interpersonal behaviors (supportive/thwarting), basic psychological need satisfaction/frustration, motivational regulation, and exercise persistence intention. A clear divergent pattern emerged, strongly supporting the main hypothesis. The “Satisfied” group reported a positive pathway: perceiving more need-supportive behaviors from instructors was associated with greater satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, which in turn correlated with more self-determined motivation and stronger persistence intentions. Conversely, the “Dissatisfied” group reported a negative pathway: perceiving more need-thwarting behaviors was associated with greater need frustration, which correlated with more non-self-determined motivation and weaker persistence intentions. Measurement invariance confirmed these pathways are comparable across groups. The findings highlight that body image perception is a key correlate of distinct motivational experiences in exercise settings. Crucially, they underscore the significant association between the professional’s perceived interpersonal style and these pathways. Fostering need-supportive environments that enhance autonomy, competence, and relatedness is associated with more adaptive motivation and adherence, offering a valuable framework for practitioners aiming to support clients, particularly those with body image concerns. Full article

Background: The nursing profession is currently facing a critical challenge with a noticeable decline in interest among young people to pursue nursing as a career. Objectives: This study examined academics’ perceptions of factors driving low enrollment in Greek baccalaureate nursing programs and explored incentives that could motivate young people to pursue nursing careers. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study. We collected our data during October 2025 through an anonymous questionnaire. Source population included all academics in the nine nursing departments in Greece. Response rate was 54.2% (90 out of 166). Results: We classified the factors contributing to the low interest in baccalaureate nursing education programs into four groups: (a) poor working conditions, (b) negative social and cultural perceptions, (c) educational constraints, and (d) impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Academics identified negative social and cultural perceptions of nursing and poor working conditions as the primary drivers of low interest in baccalaureate nursing programs. The COVID-19 pandemic was viewed as having a moderate influence on young people’s career choices, while educational constraints were considered least important overall. Academics in nursing departments based in Greece’s capital perceived the pandemic’s impact as more substantial than colleagues outside the capital and attributed greater importance to educational constraints. Respondents without prior clinical nursing experience emphasized educational barriers more strongly. To attract students, academics prioritized improving working conditions, increasing salaries, and expanding scholarships and support. Conclusions: Academics reported that unfavorable nursing work environments, intensified during COVID-19, influence students’ career choices, underscoring the need for urgent policy and organizational actions informed by this study and existing evidence. Full article

Background: The athletic potential of young athletes is shaped by individual and environmental factors. Objectives: This study examines the physical growth, body composition, biological maturation, motivation, perseverance, physical performance and contextual factors of young male and female track and field athletes. Methods: A total of 425 (224 girls) track and field athletes were recruited and divided into five age cohorts (10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 years respectively). Measurements were assessed across (i) individual (anthropometry, body composition, biological maturation, motivation, and perseverance), (ii) performance (motor performance), and (iii) club context domains. Data analysis used descriptive statistics for clubs’ characteristics, a two-factor ANOVA for anthropometry, body composition, biological maturation, and performance and an ANCOVA for motivation and perseverance. All analyses used STATA 18.0. Results: Sex-related differences were identified in physical growth, maturation, psychological, and performance variables during adolescence. Girls reached their peak height velocity (PHV) around 12 years of age, compared to 14 years in boys. At all ages (except at age 11), girls had higher body fat, and at age 12 were taller and outperformed boys in right-handgrip strength and in sprint (30 m and 40 m). From age 13 years onwards, boys became taller, with greater leg length, greater fat-free mass, and superior results (p < 0.05) in most performance tests. Psychologically, girls reported higher levels of interest–enjoyment, effort–importance, relatedness, and perceived choice; no sex differences were found in perseverance. The clubs involved were of small size, with developing, yet qualified, coaches, with limited support staff and infrastructure. Conclusions: Clear sex differences in physical growth, psychological, and performance variables emerged during adolescence, and were related in part to earlier maturation in girls. Further, there was variation in clubs’ infrastructure and staff that may potentially influence track and field athletes’ growth and development. Full article

In a context of expanding remote work and increased mobility, digital nomadism has emerged as a growing phenomenon with implications for social and territorial sustainability. This study examines the factors influencing the intention to adopt a digital nomad lifestyle, using an extended Theory of Planned Behavior framework that incorporates life satisfaction and expectations regarding public policies. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted with 311 respondents characterized by high digital exposure. Structural equation modeling reveals that attitude toward digital nomadism is the strongest predictor of intention, followed by policy expectations, which exert both direct and mediating effects. Perceived behavioral control influences national intention only, while life satisfaction shows a negative relationship with domestic adoption. In contrast, international intention is associated with more aspirational motivations and lower influence of dissatisfaction. Subjective norms exhibit a negative effect on international intention, suggesting social-pressure “push” dynamics. The findings contribute to sustainability research by highlighting how institutional conditions, remote-work cultures, and emerging mobility patterns shape relocation decisions. The study offers insights for organizations seeking to attract remote talent and for territories aiming to position themselves as sustainable digital nomad destinations, informing policy design and place-based development strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Social media’s impact on adult well-being varies by engagement patterns, highlighting the need for evidence to inform digital well-being strategies. This study examines the association between social media use and self-esteem, a key psychological indicator linked to adult well-being, with the aim of identifying modifiable behavioral targets relevant to clinical, workplace, and public health contexts. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 81 Greek adults assessed daily social media use, engagement patterns, and self-esteem using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Analyses included linear and exploratory quadratic regression models, multiple regression with demographic covariates (age, gender), and descriptive group comparisons. Results: A small but statistically significant negative association was observed between daily social media use and self-esteem (R² = 0.078), indicating limited explanatory power. Exploratory analyses did not provide strong evidence of non-linear effects. Demographic factors and usage categories were not significant predictors, likely reflecting limited statistical power. Participant self-reports highlighted potentially disruptive patterns such as intensive use at specific times/conditions, perceived sleep impact, and cognitive preoccupation with social media, as well as motivation to reduce or stop use. Conclusions: Time spent online is a weak predictor of self-esteem, underscoring the importance of engagement quality over frequency. From a management perspective, the findings support shifting attention from generic screen-time reduction to targeting specific potentially high-risk patterns of engagement in future policy and practice. This exploratory pilot study provides initial, hypothesis-generating evidence within a Greek adult sample and highlights the need for larger, population-based studies to confirm and extend these findings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nurses working in closed psychiatric wards experience substantial psychosocial and spiritual burdens, emotional strain, and ethical tension due to continuous exposure to patients in crisis. As formal caregivers, nurses’ health and multidimensional well-being are essential for sustaining compassionate, dignity-preserving practice. However, the lived meaning of self-care within highly restrictive psychiatric environments remains insufficiently understood. This study explores how psychiatric nurses in South Korea experience and interpret self-care. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological design was used. Eight psychiatric nurses with more than three years of experience in closed psychiatric wards participated in in-depth, face-to-face interviews conducted between August 2018 and January 2019. Data were analysed using Colaizzi’s method to identify and synthesise essential themes. Results: Five categories captured the essence of nurses’ self-care experiences: (1) struggling to establish therapeutic roles as a psychiatric nurse; (2) conflating professional identity with ideals of good nursing; (3) recognising a gradual loss of motivation and hope to continue psychiatric nursing; (4) acknowledging the need to care for oneself and refocus on inner vitality; and (5) engaging in self-care through interactions with patients. Self-care was understood as a reflective, relational, and transformative process rather than as a set of stress-relief activities. Conclusions: Psychiatric nurses perceived self-care as an existential journey involving vulnerability, self-reflection, and renewal, which fostered both personal and professional growth. By framing self-care as an ethically grounded, relational practice that sustains therapeutic presence and safeguards moral and professional integrity, this study extends existing self-care literature beyond behavioural strategies. Full article

This systematic integrative review examines methodological frameworks used to evaluate educational technologies in biomedical higher education. We synthesize five complementary approaches frequently reported in the literature: the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the System Usability Scale (SUS), Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), and the ARCS motivational model. Each framework addresses distinct but interrelated dimensions of evaluation, including technology acceptance and intention to use, perceived usability and user experience, technological maturity and implementation risk, and learner motivation. Drawing on representative studies in e-learning platforms, virtual and extended reality environments, and clinical simulation, we discuss the strengths, limitations, and common pitfalls of applying these models in isolation. Based on this synthesis, we propose a pragmatic, multi-phase evaluation workflow that aligns usability, acceptance, motivation, and technological maturity across different stages of educational technology development and adoption. Finally, we outline exploratory future perspectives on how existing evaluation models might need to evolve to address emerging AI-driven, immersive, and haptic technologies in biomedical education. This abstract was prepared in accordance with PRISMA 2020 for Abstracts, ensuring structured reporting and transparency. Full article

Public schools often operate with shared devices, unstable connectivity, and limited support for digital tools, which can make feature-heavy platforms difficult to adopt and sustain. This study reports the first formal design iteration and formative evaluation of VLEPIC, a school-centred virtual learning environment (VLE) developed to support secondary English as a Foreign Language in a low-resource Ecuadorian public school. Using a design-based research approach with a convergent mixed-methods design, one Grade 10 cohort (n = 42; two intact classes) used VLEPIC for one month as a complement to regular lessons. Data were collected through questionnaires on perceived usability and motivation, platform usage logs, and open-ended feedback from students and the teacher; results were analysed descriptively and thematically and then integrated to inform design decisions. Students reported high perceived usability and strong motivational responses in attention, relevance, and satisfaction, while confidence was more heterogeneous. Usage logs indicated recurrent but uneven engagement, with distinct low-, medium-, and high-activity profiles. Qualitative feedback highlighted enjoyment and clarity alongside issues with progress tracking between missions, navigation on mobile devices, and task submission reliability. The main contribution is a set of empirically grounded, context-sensitive design principles linking concrete interface and task-design decisions to perceived usability, motivation, and real-world usage patterns in constrained school settings. Full article

This study examines how Generation Z’s digital practices on TikTok and Instagram shape their music festival experiences, focusing on event perception, engagement, and the development of collective identity. The aim is to identify key factors connecting online and offline aspects of festival participation. The research adopts a quantitative approach based on an online survey of 248 respondents born between 1995 and 2010 from various regions of Serbia. Data were analyzed in SPSS 26.0 using Spearman correlation, quantile regression, and the Mann–Whitney test. Given the exploratory nature of the study, the findings should be interpreted accordingly. Findings show that frequent social media use has a positive but limited effect on how important these platforms are perceived for the festival experience. However, user-generated content created by attendees plays a more significant role in shaping engagement and attitudes than influencer content. Influencer credibility also influences how festivals are interpreted digitally. The interplay between online interaction and offline participation motivates content sharing and reinforces a sense of community. Overall, the study concludes that social media and digital narratives are central to Generation Z’s festival experience. Authentic, attendee-created content strongly contributes to collective identity, helping bridge digital and physical dimensions—insights valuable for festival organizers, influencers, and cultural tourism. Full article

Background: By exploring the principles of Gestalt psychology, the neural mechanisms of perception, and computational models, scientists aim to unravel the complex processes that enable us to perceive a coherent and organized world. This multidisciplinary approach continues to advance our understanding of how the brain constructs a perceptual world from sensory inputs. Objectives and Methods: This study investigates the nature of visual perception through an experimental paradigm and method based on a comparative analysis of human and artificial intelligence (AI) responses to a series of modified square images. We introduce the concept of a “phenomenal gradient” in human visual perception, where different attributes of an object are organized syntactically and hierarchically in terms of their perceptual salience. Results: Our findings reveal that human visual processing involves complex mechanisms including shape prioritization, causal inference, amodal completion, and the perception of visible invisibles. In contrast, AI responses, while geometrically precise, lack these sophisticated interpretative capabilities. These differences highlight the richness of human visual cognition and the current limitations of model-generated descriptions in capturing causal, completion-based, and context-dependent inferences. The present work introduces the notion of a ‘phenomenal gradient’ as a descriptive framework and provides an initial comparative analysis that motivates testable hypotheses for future behavioral and computational studies, rather than direct claims about improving AI systems. Conclusions: By bridging phenomenology, information theory, and cognitive science, this research challenges existing paradigms and suggests a more integrated approach to studying visual consciousness. Full article

Background/Objectives: Physical activity benefits women with metastatic breast cancer. Past trials are typically well-resourced and supervised, but home-based interventions may be preferable and more accessible. This pilot trial evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a remotely delivered behaviour change intervention aiming to increase physical activity for women with metastatic breast cancer. Methods: A 12-week, two-arm trial involved 20 women with metastatic breast cancer randomised 1:1 to a generic recommendation group or behaviour change group. Both groups received a physical activity recommendation, Fitbit^® watch, diary, and nine phone/video call sessions. The behaviour change group received individualised advice around physical activity benefits, motivation, barriers, and social support; the generic recommendation group completed a recurring symptom questionnaire. Feasibility outcomes were recruitment, retention and adherence rates. Acceptability was evaluated with a structured interview at trial completion. Preliminary efficacy outcomes included 5-day Actigraph wear, 6 min walk distance, 30 s sit-to-stands, and questionnaires for self-reported physical activity, quality-of-life, fatigue, behavioural factors, and patient-specific function. Results: Recruitment, retention, and adherence rates were 63% (n = 20/32), 80% (n = 16/20), and 76% (137/180 sessions), respectively. Participants across both groups reported that participation was acceptable, and their behaviour change was perceived as sustainable. Preliminary change scores for efficacy measures favoured the behaviour change group, except some quality-of-life and behavioural factor subscales. Conclusions: Participants were receptive to the trial, and feasibility and efficacy measures were positive. This indicates that a behaviour change intervention for unsupervised physical activity is acceptable and can be beneficial to women with metastatic breast cancer, warranting further exploration. Full article

The rapid proliferation of misinformation on social media underscores the urgent need for scalable digital-literacy instruction. This study presents the design and evaluation of a Generative AI-enhanced serious game system that integrates Large Language Models (LLMs) to drive adaptive non-player characters (NPCs). Unlike traditional scripted interactions, the system employs role-based prompt engineering to align real-time AI dialogue with the Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose (CRAAP) framework, enabling dynamic scaffolding and authentic misinformation scenarios. A mixed-method experiment with 60 undergraduate students compared this AI-driven approach to traditional instruction using a 40-item digital-literacy pre/post test, the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI), and open-ended reflections. Results indicated that while both groups improved significantly, the game-based group achieved larger gains in credibility-evaluation performance and reported higher perceived competence, interest, and effort. Qualitative analysis highlighted the HCI trade-off between the high pedagogical value of adaptive AI guidance and technical constraints such as system latency. The findings demonstrate that Generative AI can be effectively operationalized as a dynamic interface layer in serious games to strengthen critical reasoning. This study provides practical guidelines for architecting AI-NPC interactions and advances the theoretical understanding of AI-supported educational informatics. Full article

This study examined whether the Ringelmann and Köhler effects emerge in adolescent rowing by assessing how crew size influences performance, physiological responses and perceived exertion in youth rowers aged 14–17 years. A total of 136 competitive rowers (mean age = 15.79 ± 1.14 years) completed four three-minute maximal-effort trials on a rowing ergometer under four conditions: individual trials, two-person crews, four-person crews and eight-person crews. Objective performance indicators, including stroke rate, heart rate and perceived exertion (Borg scale), were recorded. Repeated-measures ANOVA indicated that objective performance indicators (distance and power output) remained largely stable across conditions and age groups, although some isolated and non-systematic differences with large intra-subject effect sizes emerged in the younger category (14–15 years), particularly in the two-person crew condition. In contrast, the stroke rate differed consistently across crew sizes, with higher values observed in the eight-person crew condition in both age groups. Cardiovascular responses showed minimal and transient variation between conditions. Perceived exertion differed markedly by age, with older rowers (16–17 years) reporting significantly higher effort during individual trials compared with crew-based conditions, without corresponding gains in objective performance. Overall, although crew size influenced the regulation and perception of effort, the findings do not provide support for a consistent expression of either the Ringelmann or Köhler effects in adolescent rowing, as no systematic performance losses or motivational gains among weaker crew members were evident. These results suggest that developmental differences in self-regulation and effort perception may play a more prominent role than crew size alone in shaping performance responses, with practical implications for training design and crew configuration in youth rowing. Full article