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This article analyzes the nature and temporal change of conceptual contributions in marketing scholarship with two complementary studies. First, based on a computer-aided text analysis of 5,922 articles published in the four major marketing journals between 1990 and 2021, the authors analyze how conceptual contributions have changed over time using the MacInnis (2011) framework. Results indicate that over the past three decades, theorizing efforts have strongly favored "envisioning" and "explicating" at the expense of "relating" and "debating," with this imbalance increasing over time. Second, the authors draw on 48 in-depth interviews with editors, department heads, and authors to validate these patterns and uncover the underlying mechanisms. The findings indicate that a prevalent thought style has developed in the field—defined by the research ideals of novelty, clarity, and quantification—that shapes the collective view of how marketing scholars, in their roles as authors, reviewers, and mentors, can make a valuable contribution to marketing scholarship. This thought style favors envisioning and explicating contributions and disfavors relating and debating contributions. Jointly, the two studies point to several rebalancing options that can reinvigorate relating and debating contributions while preserving the current strengths of the marketing field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WeTV, the overseas version of Tencent Video, has significantly transformed the conventional paradigm for international expansion adopted by China’s media industry guided by the “going out” policy. The new path blends barriers between internet companies and the cultural sectors through the establishment of an all-in-one “pan-entertainment” ecosystem and highlights a new method for Chinese media going overseas. However, very little research investigated the fundamental rationale behind this innovative business model. This article seeks to address the gap by scrutinising the glocalised operations of WeTV with a particular emphasis on its implementation in Thailand. The study aims to elucidate the processes through which Chinese streaming media’s internet business logic and intellectual property (IP) economy strategies are adopted and received in foreign markets. Through semi-structured interviews with industry stakeholders, coupled with qualitative content analysis, this article provides insights into the monetisation procedure of WeTV in Thai contexts, employing originally produced Y-series as the case in the centre of its strategic cultural exports. This exploration sheds light on WeTV’s evolution from a domestic entity to an increasingly regionalised practice, aspiring to become an integral component of the global media landscape. The findings argue that WeTV’s strategic positioning within Tencent’s digital content ecosystem, demonstrates the viability of vertical integration in other industries and places. The article offers a comprehensive examination of the inter-Asia adaptation of Chinese internet strategies in the streaming industry, therefore, contributing to the de-Westernisation of global digital media industry research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While both the journalism industry and journalism studies research have long celebrated engagement as both a normative goal and a potential revenue source, scant evidence exists illustrating how an organization can turn engagement into profit. This study, utilizing a case study of the sports and culture news organization Defector, examines how one newsroom monetizes engagement. Through the lens of market theory for news production, the study examines what engagement practices Defector enacts, and how those successfully catalyze subscribers to pay almost 50% more annually for the ability to engage with the organization. Lastly, the study introduces, to journalism studies, the concept of market alignment, a necessity for monetizing engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the key features necessary for the development of a mobile application for human resource management (HRM). It addresses the shortage of empirical studies on digital HRM in the Middle East and emphasizes the increasing importance of HRM mobile applications in the region. The research utilizes qualitative research methods, including the Delphi method, in-depth interviews, literature review, historical analysis, and critical discussion. A qualitative research strategy is employed, analyzing data from 43 HR experts and mobile app development team members from international and local businesses in the UAE and the Kingdom of Bahrain. NVivo software is used for data analysis, encompassing over 120 transcriptions, notes, and academic papers. The study identifies and explores the logical and practical features required for an HRM mobile app. It uncovers challenges related to the Delphi survey experiences, such as managing heterogeneous information and ensuring compatibility with iOS and Android platforms. This research fills a gap in the literature by investigating the digital HRM landscape and HRM mobile applications in the Middle East. It provides valuable insights from HR and technology experts, contributing to the advancement of digital HRM, mobile applications, and the application of the Delphi method methodology. The study highlights implications for industries to enhance HR operations and productivity through the adoption of mobile HR applications. Theoretical contributions include new insights into the digital HRM literature, specifically regarding the identification and discussion of essential features in HRM mobile applications. Practical implications involve the benefits of transitioning from traditional HRM to digitalized HRM in the professional era, as identified through the analyzed features of the HR app. The study offers practical insights for the development and implementation of mobile HR apps. Organizations can leverage these insights to create effective mobile HR apps that enhance HR operations and employee productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Collegiate esports--organized competitive gaming--has expanded rapidly in the United States, drawing in student players, broadcasters, and support staff, as well as university employees. Universities have invested financially in esports, hoping to capitalize on gaming fandom to attract prospective students and enhance campus community integration. Little research, however, addresses collegiate esports fandom in depth. Methods: Drawing on thirty-one in-depth interviews with collegiate esports players, student workers, program directors, and administrators, this article investigates how collegiate esports participants perceive and discuss their fans. Results: We identify three central themes related to fans in the dataset: discussions of fans' role in the collegiate esports environment, comparisons between esports and traditional sports fans, and concerns about the underutilization of fans within collegiate esports spaces. Subsequently, we theorize these themes through existing research on professional esports and traditional collegiate sports fandoms, as well as through the concept of "fan labor," or how the productive work of fans provides value to the nascent industry. Discussion: This article thus not only specifically explores how collegiate esports programs are normalizing fan labor as an essential part of their practices, but also questions who benefits from this relationship and how. Investigating collegiate esports fans as an under-researched group additionally provides a new perspective on how fan labor integrates with media industries more broadly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Family medicine physicians take care of a diverse population of patients with a variety of acute and chronic diseases. These patients include family, friends, and acquaintances who may ask for direct medical care or help in accessing healthcare products and services within or outside of officially approved procedures. This is ethically challenging due to an ambiguous medical code of ethics, but it is commonly accepted as normal behavior by society. The aim of this study was to explore family medicine physicians' perspectives regarding the benefits, difficulties, and ethics of responding to medical care requests and/or favors from family, relatives, friends, and acquaintances and to make recommendations. Methods: The study sample consisted of junior and senior family medicine physicians working in primary healthcare centers affiliated with the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. Using social exchange theory, this qualitative study explores how family medicine physicians perceive and handle requests for medical favors from family members and others. Results: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 family medicine physicians (six focus groups) with clinical experience ranging from 3 to 20 years. The data analysis identified three themes: perceived benefits and costs of cultural and social connectedness, shortcomings in patient management and healthcare systems, and recommendations to address challenges between physicians and patients who are relatives. Discussion and Conclusions: This study shows that treating others outside of normal access to healthcare services presents several ethical, moral, and professional challenges. Therefore, policy adaptation requires understanding this intricate dilemma and improving laws, system regulations, and guidelines for physicians and community members to improve access to care, reduce system abuse, empower providers, and enhance community awareness and compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Road crash injuries are significant public health issues in many low-and middle-income countries. Every year more than 1.35 million people lose their lives due to road crashes, making it one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In 2021, 1.19 million road traffic deaths occurred worldwide. Globally, India accounts for the second-largest number of fatal road traffic crashes. Riders in the age range of 18–25 years contribute to 41.4% of India’s total road crash victims. An in-depth understanding of the current traffic density, violations, and behaviours of young riders is essential for enforcement agencies, in particular, the traffic police personnel. Their perspective is relevant as they have a unique position to judge and evaluate the riding behaviours and the efficiency of the existing intervention programmes. Furthermore, their suggestions can be highly effective in developing evidence-based risk reduction programmes. The present study was conducted in Manipal, which is a locality of Udupi district in Karnataka province of Southwestern India. Seventeen in-depth interviews were conducted from October 2018 to January 2019 among traffic police personnel. Thematic analysis was done using ATLAS.ti 8 software to identify, analyse, and report themes within the data. Respondents revealed that in recent times Manipal roads have become unsafe for young riders. Factors such as speeding, using a mobile phone while riding, reckless riding, and overtaking from the wrong side were the main reasons for road traffic crashes. Interventions like the installation of traffic barricades, closed-circuit television cameras, speed breakers, and signboards at the crash hotspots, together with strict enforcement of traffic laws, were suggested by the respondents to reduce crashes. The study findings highlight the importance of traffic police personnel’s views in understanding the various determinants for road crashes observed among young riders. Future research can be taken up in other settings with broader age group involvement for the target population. There is a need to establish a coordination committee that can locally organize awareness programmes involving all the stakeholders on road safety to increase the level of risk perception and reduce crashes.

Nouf Aloudah,1 Raghad Abdulaziz Alsaja,2 Abeer Mohammed Bin Mohareb,2 Aljoharah O Alshabanah,2 Raghad Bakr Alammari2 1Clinical Pharmacy Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Nouf Aloudah, Email naloudah@ksu.edu.saIntroduction: Improper disposal of unused antibiotics poses a significant global challenge, drawing attention from various stakeholders. This discharge of antibiotics into the environment can occur through various means such as industrial production, consumption, and excretion by humans and animals, as well as improper disposal of unused or expired antibiotics. The aim of our study is to investigate the availability of proper disposal of antibiotics in community pharmacies and to explore obstacles and opportunities from pharmacist’s point of view.Methods: This study used a mixed-methods approach that consisted of two study arms: quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative arm used a mystery-shopper method for assessing the disposal of antibiotics in community pharmacies. The qualitative study arm consisted of several in-depth semi-structured focus groups with a sample of pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Riyadh.Results: The mystery shopper arm showed that 85% (n=88) refused to take the return of antibiotics. Interviews with pharmacists have indicated a lack of knowledge on safe disposal methods for antibiotics and medications. Additionally, pharmacists have cited several factors contributed to accumulation of the antibiotics such as nonadherence or policies mandating the sale of whole medication packs instead of the required amounts as a contributing factor to this issue. Furthermore, there is a lack of dedicated facilities for the population to safely dispose of their medications and/antibiotics.Conclusion: By acknowledging the factors contributing to improper disposal practices, recognizing the importance of proper antibiotic disposal, and advocating for multi-faceted initiatives, we can work towards mitigating this critical issue. Through collaborative efforts involving education, policy interventions, and community engagement, we can foster a culture of responsible medication disposal, ultimately safeguarding public health and environmental well-being.Keywords: antibiotic disposal, antibiotic waste, Saudi Arabia, unused antibiotics, health care professionals, mixed methods, mystery shoppers, qualitative research, in-depth interviews

Scholarship about worker precarity, economic insecurity, and individualized risk in platform work tends to ignore that these trends are common features of informal economies in countries like Kenya, which has a culture of hustling rooted in economic opportunism and political resistance. Recognizing the parallels between the platform economy and Kenya’s informal economy, we examine individual and collective strategies ride-haling drivers in Kenya use to navigate the precarity of platform work.

This study examines how Americans’ narratives of pain are connected to social inequalities using more than 1,500 in-depth interviews collected as part of the American Voices Project. Our novel mixed-method approach to these “big (qualitative) data” uses machine learning and qualitative analysis to demonstrate that discussions of physical pain are prevalent across groups, but narrative content varies by demographics including educational background and gender identity. Our findings demonstrate (1) that pain is commonly described as a challenge that shapes everyday life, (2) that pain narratives often invoke morality and distinction, and (3) that narratives diverge around discussions of unequal medical treatment, illness identities, vulnerability and suffering. We discuss the implications of our findings for scholarship on inequality and experience, social scientific methods, and health policy.

Abstract Women with a history of Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in their future life. Lifestyle interventions are known to reduce this progression. The success of a lifestyle intervention mainly depends on its feasibility. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a lifestyle intervention programme aimed to attenuate the development of T2DM in mothers with a history of GDM. This qualitative phenomenological study was carried out in selected Medical offices of Health (MOH) areas in Sri Lanka. Postpartum mothers with a history of GDM who have undergone a comprehensive, supervised lifestyle intervention program for 1 year, their family members, and public health midwives (PHM) were recruited for this study. Focus group discussions (FGD) were carried out with mothers and PHM while In-depth interviews (IDI) were conducted with family members. Framework analysis was used for the analysis of data. A total of 94 participants (45 mothers, 40 healthcare workers, and 9 family members) participated in FGDs and IDIs to provide feedback regarding the lifestyle intervention. Sixteen sub-themes emerged under the following four domains; (1) Feelings and experiences about the lifestyle intervention programme for postpartum mothers with a history of GDM (2) Facilitating factors (3) Barriers to implementation and (4) Suggestions for improvement. Spouse support and continued follow-up were major facilitating factors. The negative influence of healthcare workers was identified as a major barrier to appropriate implementation. All participants suggested introducing continuing education programmes to healthcare workers to update their knowledge. The spouse’s support and follow-ups played a pivotal role in terms of the success of the programme. Enhancing awareness of the healthcare workers is also essential to enhance the effectiveness of the programme. It is imperative to introduce a formal intervention programme for the postpartum management of mothers with a history of GDM. It is recommended that the GDM mothers should be followed up in the postpartum period and this should be included in the national postpartum care guidelines.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between three factors: enforcement of labor social welfare labor laws, internal corporate social responsibility (CSR) implementation, and job satisfaction as perceived by managers in the commercial banking sector. The research utilized a qualitative research method – in-depth interviews based on a semi-structured questionnaire with 20 experienced managers from 11 commercial banks in Vietnam, an emerging economy. Findings indicated a positive reciprocal relationship between enforcement of social welfare labor laws and internal CSR responsibilities of enterprises. Additionally, enforcing labor social welfare laws and internal CSR implementation positively impacted employee job satisfaction. The study also identified five aspects of internal CSR implementation towards employees: (1) timely and full payment of wages, bonuses, and benefits; (2) establishing a conducive work environment; (3) policies addressing human rights, health, and safety at work; (4) fair and democratic treatment, providing training and career advancement opportunities, and protecting employees through organizational activities; (5) having legal norms, procedures, mechanisms for recording, feedback, monitoring, and reasonable evaluation of job performance. These findings contribute to enriching both theoretical understanding and practical implications regarding the interplay of these three factors in commercial banks, encouraging managers to effectively implement social welfare laws and internal CSR implementation. AcknowledgmentThis collaborative research involves scholars from the University of Law - Hue University and Duy Tan University. The authors extend their gratitude to both institutions for their support and assistance in facilitating the publication of this research. In addition, the authors would like to thank the Editor-in Chief and a reviewer for their helpful comments that in our view have helped to improve the quality of the manuscript significantly. This study was conducted based on decision No. 4741/QD-ĐHDT dated October 18, 2023 of Duy Tan University, Vietnam.

More consumers are choosing pro-consumption for social change, but scholars know little about why and how consumers engage in pro-consumption behaviors. A newly emerged pro-consumption behavior called "Don-jjul,'' which appeared during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, refers to compensating businesses that have engaged in altruistic actions by boosting their sales. This study used Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) of topic modeling, sentiment analysis, and in-depth interviews to investigate the perceptions, motivations, and emotions regarding Don-jjul. As a result, the study revealed pro-consumers' perceptions of Don-jjul as "collective pro-consumption for contributing to social well-being.'' Don-jjul has two main motives: "supporting underdogs with difficulties'' and "compensating good businesses economically.'' We also found two ambivalent emotions evoked by Don-jjul: "respect for good business owners'' and "concerns regarding the misuse of Don-jjul.'' The results contribute to pro-consumption research for social well-being, providing business opportunities for retailers and CSR managers with a deep understanding of pro-consumers.

Prior research on social media influencers (SMIs) often examined questions such as their model of communication with followers, ethical concerns, motivations, and ways of gaining capital. How influencers curate intense and intimate relations and strategize their content creation, and how the influencer industry takes a toll on their physical and psychological wellbeing should be carefully addressed. To fill in this gap, we conducted in-depth interviews with 20 SMIs. The findings advance the literature on influencers and influencer advertising by explicating the ways through which influencers maintain intimate and engaged relations with followers, including providing value, creating emotional bond, interacting and co-creating with followers, and disclosing personal life. Second, this research identifies and theorizes four principles - authenticity, topic sensitivity, fact-checking, and strategic sharing of privacy - under which influencers strategize content creations in building human brands. Last, our findings add to the ongoing literature on digital labor by expounding the downsides of influencers being digital labor. This research contributes to the understudied aspect regarding influencers' wellbeing and strategies employed in content creation and relation management in the current influencer literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era of information overload, understanding individuals' news consumption and avoidance necessitates an examination of the specific contexts in which these practices occur. While research in journalism studies has mainly underscored consumption habits at the individual level, limited scholarly attention has been given to news avoidance within the structure of dyadic spousal relationships. This study shifts the focus from individual choices to the couple as a unit of analysis, exploring how each partner's choice of media platform, content, and routines may be shaped by the context of being in a spousal relationship. Drawing on 82 interviews with Israelis, including 14 interviews with both partners of seven heterosexual couples, this study reveals three patterns of news avoidance within the context of a couple's relationship: avoiding shared news consumption, gender-based news avoidance practices, and a division of media-related responsibilities. This study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the contextual factors shaping news avoidance by elucidating how media use and non-use unfold within social relationships. It also demonstrates how news avoidance can be perceived as a liberating choice, enabled by partners' negotiation of preferences, platforms, and routines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study explores the experience of news avoidance among two groups—those who frequently consume news and those who do not. I focus the work of news avoidance, by asking: in today's media environment, when is news avoidance easy and when is it difficult? Data for this study comes from 45 qualitative interviews conducted with US adults during the fall of 2020. Interviewees were selected based on their prior levels of either low or high news consumption. The findings reveal stark differences in the experience of news avoidance among the interviewees. For some, news avoidance is easily accomplished and well-integrated into their daily routines, while for others, it presents a formable challenge that disrupts their established habits. Notably, infrequent news consumers are more likely to say news avoidance is easy, whereas frequent news consumers are evenly split regarding the perceived ease and difficulty of avoiding news. Ultimately, these findings offer a detailed understanding of how news avoidance is practiced in everyday life and its relationship to news consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how Americans' narratives of pain are connected to social inequalities using more than 1,500 in-depth interviews collected as part of the American Voices Project. Our novel mixed-method approach to these "big (qualitative) data" uses machine learning and qualitative analysis to demonstrate that discussions of physical pain are prevalent across groups, but narrative content varies by demographics including educational background and gender identity. Our findings demonstrate (1) that pain is commonly described as a challenge that shapes everyday life, (2) that pain narratives often invoke morality and distinction, and (3) that narratives diverge around discussions of unequal medical treatment, illness identities, vulnerability and suffering. We discuss the implications of our findings for scholarship on inequality and experience, social scientific methods, and health policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women with a history of Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in their future life. Lifestyle interventions are known to reduce this progression. The success of a lifestyle intervention mainly depends on its feasibility. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a lifestyle intervention programme aimed to attenuate the development of T2DM in mothers with a history of GDM. This qualitative phenomenological study was carried out in selected Medical offices of Health (MOH) areas in Sri Lanka. Postpartum mothers with a history of GDM who have undergone a comprehensive, supervised lifestyle intervention program for 1 year, their family members, and public health midwives (PHM) were recruited for this study. Focus group discussions (FGD) were carried out with mothers and PHM while In-depth interviews (IDI) were conducted with family members. Framework analysis was used for the analysis of data. A total of 94 participants (45 mothers, 40 healthcare workers, and 9 family members) participated in FGDs and IDIs to provide feedback regarding the lifestyle intervention. Sixteen sub-themes emerged under the following four domains; (1) Feelings and experiences about the lifestyle intervention programme for postpartum mothers with a history of GDM (2) Facilitating factors (3) Barriers to implementation and (4) Suggestions for improvement. Spouse support and continued follow-up were major facilitating factors. The negative influence of healthcare workers was identified as a major barrier to appropriate implementation. All participants suggested introducing continuing education programmes to healthcare workers to update their knowledge. The spouse's support and follow-ups played a pivotal role in terms of the success of the programme. Enhancing awareness of the healthcare workers is also essential to enhance the effectiveness of the programme. It is imperative to introduce a formal intervention programme for the postpartum management of mothers with a history of GDM. It is recommended that the GDM mothers should be followed up in the postpartum period and this should be included in the national postpartum care guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how solutions journalism education translates to professional practice, through in-depth interviews with current media professionals who encountered solutions journalism when they were in college. Findings suggest that solutions journalism education resonates powerfully with students, and incorporating the practice in J-school curriculum may have the potential to reengage disenchanted students. Whereas there remain significant barriers to practicing the approach in the workplace, participants revealed that their encounters at university with solutions journalism positively affected their reporting style, interview skills, and perspective of journalism's role in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study explored how social workers experienced changes, responded to the changes, and adapted to challenges in the ever-changing COVID-19 situation. This study interviewed 10 Korean social workers entering the post-pandemic era after enduring about three years of pandemic social work practice. A maximum variation sampling strategy of purposive sampling was used to collect data from social workers in various social work practice settings in South Korea. In-depth interviews, either in-person or Zoom videoconferencing, were conducted, and inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Three key themes were drawn from interviews: Catching the Two Rabbits of Quarantine and Service Provision, Social Work Practices More Vulnerable to Disaster Situations, and Growth and Lessons Learned through the COVID-19 Pandemic. Korean social workers' experiences with service delivery countermeasures and the role that commitment to the profession and vocational responsibility played in social worker endurance and adaptability are reflected in the named themes. Lessons learned from this research can inform future policies and assist in the development of best practice guidelines in the event of future disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few years, and in the aftermath of the #MeToo movement, increased attention has been devoted to the practice of “cancelling:” the withdrawal of support from someone whose values, action or speech are deemed unacceptable. While social justice advocates see cancelling as a tool advancing equality and inclusion, the pejorative term “cancel culture” has quickly earned a contested status and was used by opposers to warn against a “takeover” of “woke” values. The Joss Whedon fan community, centered around a creator celebrated for advancing feminist agendas in popular culture, is an intriguing site within this broader controversy. The aim of this study is to explore how fans navigate the ambivalences inherent in cancelling a previously-valued creator, and the tensions between promoting liberal values and protecting objects of fandom. Drawing on 20 in-depth interviews with Whedon fans and former fans, we propose a framework conceptualizing cancelling as consisting of three layers: cancelling the emotional relationship towards the creator, cancelling his works, and promoting cancelling as an ideological choice. The framework is helpful in understanding the broader tensions inherent in the practice of cancelling, in the context of culture and gender wars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study consists of seven in-depth-interviews about antecedents and consequences of grace experiences analyzed by CQR. Results indicated that situations of difficulty can provide fertile ground for experiencing grace. Opening up in being and doing were considered to be helpful to recognize and actively receive grace. Participants reported growing closer to themselves, others/the Other and life itself. Through cross-analysis a cluster of circular dynamics emerged encompassing virtues serving as interlinking facilitators regarding the giving and receiving of grace in daily life. This study also suggests that grace experiences may be linked with personal growth processes related to meaning making and virtue- and character development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the lens of disruptive innovation, the present study explores a potential model for local journalism—one that has proven particularly successful for sports journalism in The Athletic. The present study reports on in-depth interviews with Athletic employees across all facets of the organization (n = 49), and argues that the key to The Athletic 's success is reflected in its emphasis on implementing a national infrastructure for local reporting, and employing journalists already embedded in local communities. The article concludes with a rudimentary rendering of how this model could be implemented for local news. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars have long argued that incidental news exposure (INE) is a potentially valuable way citizens gain political information and learn about current affairs. Yet growing scholarship on news avoidance suggests many people still manage to consume little news, and algorithmic curation may decrease the likelihood that they will be exposed to it incidentally. In this article, we put the literatures on INE, news avoidance, and political talk into dialogue with one another. Then, by inductively analyzing over a hundred in-depth interviews conducted from 2016 to 2020 with news avoiders in the UK, Spain, and the United States, we explore how they encounter news incidentally and to what extent they feel the news is accessible and available to them. Our audience-centric approach highlights that interviewees often did not make a clear distinction between direct encounters with professional news ("firsthand news") and discussions of news ("secondhand news"), especially online. When they did make a distinction, the latter was often more salient for them. We also find that just as news consumers have repertoires of news sources on which they habitually rely, news avoiders have repertoires of sources for incidental exposure to news to stay informed about major events and anything that might affect them directly. And yet, those repertoires catch only the biggest and most sensational stories of the day and do little to help them contextualize or understand the news they encounter, contributing to their sense that news is neither entirely absent nor ambient in the way scholars have theorized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe challenges of safe menstrual hygiene management practices in low-income settings, including the study areas are pressing. However, Studies specifically focusing on barriers that schoolgirls face in managing monthly menstruation in schools of Bahir Dar are inadequate and scarce.MethodTo ensure the robustness of the findings, a comprehensive study was conducted among schoolgirls and boy students aged 12–20 in three schools. This study employed focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with students and leaders of the school gender club. A word cloud generator was used to visually represent frequently mentioned keywords, and the data generated from interviews were analyzed using the Open Code 4.03 tool.ResultsThe findings, derived from focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, revealed several significant barriers that schoolgirls face in practicing safe menstrual hygiene management. These barriers, including sociocultural factors (133), inadequate use of menstrual hygiene management facilities (73), inadequate knowledge before menarche (59), and a general lack of support (35), underscore the multifaceted nature of the issues. Importantly, these findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions to address these barriers and improve menstrual hygiene management among schoolgirls.ConclusionSchoolgirls in Bahir Dar encounter numerous challenges in maintaining safe menstrual hygiene practices. Addressing the identified modifiable barriers represents crucial areas for intervention, requiring collaborative efforts from school communities and other relevant stakeholders to create an environment conducive to promoting and enhancing safe menstrual hygiene practices.

IntroductionThe analysis of health technologies in Poland has so far mainly concerned drugs assessed by the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariffication, which was established for this purpose. Due to the implementation of various forms of investment (hardware, diagnostic, and organizational) in hospitals, and the growing need to properly assess the costs of implemented solutions, Hospital-Based Health Technology Assessment (HB-HTA) began to develop. In order to implement HB-HTA in the Polish healthcare system, in 2019–2022 a project was carried out, the consortium members of which were: the National Health Fund (NHF), the National Institute of Cardiology in Warsaw (NIKARD), and Lazarski University (UŁ).Purpose of the studyAnalyzing the possibilities of developing HB-HTA in Polish hospitals based on the experiences of the study participants. Presenting benefits and barriers for HB-HTA units implementation to Polish hospitals.MethodsQualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with the representatives of hospitals that participated in the HB-HTA project using the Nvivo12 program. A specially prepared questionnaire with questions regarding the pre-project, design, and post-project phases was presented to respondents from five of the seven hospitals participating in the pilot phase of the project, during which HB-HTA reports were prepared for selected medical technologies. The remaining two facilities that were invited refused to participate in the study. The Ethics Committee of the Jagiellonian University Medical College gave consent to conduct the study.ResultsHospital representatives indicate that the HB-HTA methodology allows for the assessment of investments in facilities based on appropriate data. Thanks to the project, employees of hospital units gained new skills, such as becoming familiar with literature reviews in medical bibliographic databases. However, HB-HTA in Poland has not been fully implemented because facilities do not obtain adequate benefits from the implementation of HB-HTA at the organizational and financial level. According to the study participants, the methodology itself should be modified to take into account the needs of the facility.ConclusionThe hospitals participating in the HB-HTA project are developing the field of analyzing how innovative solutions are implemented in their facilities, but not to the extent that was intended in the project design.

Skin color affects women's self-image, a fact that has long been a consequence of racial discrimination and dominance as well as the prevalence of light-skinned models in modern advertisements and other forms of communication. Although not all women aspire to greater whiteness of complexion, this standard has influenced many countries that were once dominated by white invaders. As multiculturalism infuses developed and developing nations, however, these standards may be shifting away from generic and hegemonic visions toward more realistic and varied standards, requiring international marketers to be proactive rather than reactive in their customer engagement practices under the ethical frame of "perfectionism." To examine this perspective, the authors completed a cross-national qualitative study (in-depth interviews) in India, Egypt, and Ghana, where lightness of skin tone has been a culturally imposed prerequisite for women to be considered (and consider themselves) beautiful. Using customer engagement literature and the ethical perfectionism framework, this study investigates women in these countries who embrace or reject this standard, further contextualizing customer engagement research across international markets. Implications are offered as a way to advance multinational corporations' development of customer engagement along a mutually beneficial path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative research explored sustainable fashion behavior among consumers in the Romanian market. The importance of clothing sustainability lies in addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges associated with the fast fashion industry. Through in-depth interviews with 15 respondents interested in sustainable clothing, the research explored their awareness of recycling/reusing clothes, motivations behind sustainable behavior, perceived barriers, knowledge of recycling business models, and potential strategies to promote sustainability. The findings revealed that most respondents were familiar with the concept of recycling clothes and engaged in practices like donating unwanted garments. Environmental protection emerged as a primary motivation, though economic factors like minimizing waste and social influences also played a role. Key barriers included emotional attachment to clothing, lack of convenient recycling options, and societal stigma around wearing second-hand items. Social norms and peer influences were identified as significant determinants of sustainable behavior. Rewards like discounts, knowing the destination of donated clothes, and receiving recycled material products were seen as potential incentives to increase recycling frequency. However, respondents demonstrated limited knowledge of existing business models that recycle garments. The study highlighted the need for sustained education campaigns to raise awareness about the environmental impact of clothing waste and the importance of recycling. Fostering innovative business models that facilitate collaborative consumption and efficient recycling processes could also drive sustainable fashion practices. Greater availability and accessibility of sustainable clothing options at various price points were recommended to encourage wider adoption. Overall, the qualitative insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing sustainable clothing behavior in Romania and offer strategies to overcome barriers and promote responsible consumption patterns in the fashion industry.

This study intended to identify the perception of quality of life (QoL) among architects, how architecture can impact QoL, and which barriers architects perceive to impact QoL. Numerous studies have emphasized the significance of the built environment in determining QoL, especially in institutional buildings. However, there has been less focus on how architects perceive QoL and how the concept is applied in their planning and design for residential buildings. The contribution of this study is to provide an increasingly important awareness of how to improve the architects’ considerations to build for QoL. The study is based on qualitative data from in-depth interviews with ten architects and one workshop with seven architects. The participants were selected by quota sampling and were all partners or owners of Danish architectural firms that provide housing services and are representative of the Danish architectural industry. The results reveal that the perceptions of QoL among architects are linked to three primary dimensions: health, a sense of harmony, and the experience of enchantment. The participants perceived that architectural design could impact QoL in three primary dimensions: the environment, the experience of enchantment, and health. The most frequent perceived barriers are linked to the economy and resources, building codes and regulations, and knowledge and communication.

Research on trust has come to the forefront of communication studies. Beyond the dominant focus on informational trust and its country-specific articulations, trustworthiness evaluations can relate to the materiality of news and its global manifestations. Especially in digital algorithmic environments, understanding news trustworthiness requires a holistic approach, which combines informational and socio-technical aspects while addressing both institutional and interpersonal trust. Drawing on 488 in-depth interviews with media consumers in Argentina, Finland, Israel, Japan, and the United States, this article investigates news (dis)trust from the lens of socio-materiality. The six trust-oriented affordances we identified—selectivity, interactivity, customization, searchability, information abundance, and immediacy—reveal important socio-technical commonalities that underlie news trust across countries. These affordances, moreover, point to an interplay of trust and self-agency. Taken together, the findings illuminate the lived experience of news trust as manifested across cultures and offer a broader understanding of trustworthiness within current media ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this thesis is to investigate the narrative identity of Hungarian teachers in Slovakia and to identify their identity factors. In the first section of the paper, we present the demographic and pedagogical characteristics of the Hungarian minority in Slovakia. In the following, we discuss the concept of narrative identity and its research possibilities, with a special emphasis on the Grounded Theory method, on which our study is based. Then we present the specificities and focal points of our research, as well as the group of our interviewees, which consisted of teachers from different regions of southern Slovakia. A particularity of our research is that the interviewees were all from pedagogue dynasties. In other words, from families where at least three generations of teachers succeeded each other. The in-depth interviews therefore provide insights not only into the life histories of individuals, but also into the similarities and differences of experiences within and between generations. In the second half of the paper, we will analyse in detail the common lessons from the in-depth interviews, which we will group into categories according to the Grounded Theory methodology and interpret them according to the concepts (key terms). The four categories we have identified are 'dynastic patterns', 'professional grounding', 'critical horizons' and 'national identity and culture'. For reasons of space, this paper is published in two parts. The continuation will be published in the next issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the possibility of using short sea shipping (SSS) as a sustainable freight modal alternative by analyzing data collected from shippers in the New York State Capital Region. To this end, qualitative and quantitative approaches were jointly used. The qualitative analysis focused on exploring in-depth interviews with the decision makers regarding the drivers and the barriers to firms shifting to SSS. The quantitative efforts included estimating discrete choice (ordinal logit) models to assess the influence of four key governing aspects (leadership buy-in, emergency logistics, public policy, and sustainability) on the probabilities of shifting to SSS supported by the findings from the qualitative part. This paper also includes a comprehensive description of various variables, factors influencing the current mode choice, shippers' perceptions, and willingness to use SSS. The results showed that firms with higher truck shares had fewer chances to switch to SSS unless in emergencies. Unfortunately, sustainability was the least valued by most of the participants in choosing SSS. Hence, lower costs and better service were essential. The ordinal logit models provide a potential tool for policymakers and freight planners to estimate the probability of firms choosing SSS over the current mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are millions of street-connected children worldwide, with thousands estimated in Kenya. Many child-serving organizations, including Agape Children's Ministry in Kenya, aim to remove children from the streets, and provide rehabilitation and family reintegration. This study aims to elucidate barriers and facilitators of Agape's Family Strengthening Program (FSP) and elicit feedback. Twelve children, 12 caregivers, and 11 staff participated in interviews. Salient child/caregiver themes include: (1) spirituality/religion, (2) reflections on the FSP, (3) reflections on Agape, and (4) family functioning. Staff themes were similar. Results amplify the voices of the participants regarding provision of and participation in the FSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study intended to identify the perception of quality of life (QoL) among architects, how architecture can impact QoL, and which barriers architects perceive to impact QoL. Numerous studies have emphasized the significance of the built environment in determining QoL, especially in institutional buildings. However, there has been less focus on how architects perceive QoL and how the concept is applied in their planning and design for residential buildings. The contribution of this study is to provide an increasingly important awareness of how to improve the architects' considerations to build for QoL. The study is based on qualitative data from in-depth interviews with ten architects and one workshop with seven architects. The participants were selected by quota sampling and were all partners or owners of Danish architectural firms that provide housing services and are representative of the Danish architectural industry. The results reveal that the perceptions of QoL among architects are linked to three primary dimensions: health, a sense of harmony, and the experience of enchantment. The participants perceived that architectural design could impact QoL in three primary dimensions: the environment, the experience of enchantment, and health. The most frequent perceived barriers are linked to the economy and resources, building codes and regulations, and knowledge and communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative research study investigates the phenomenon of Digital-Megastory and its role in the digital transformation of journalism in Vietnam. The study utilises in-depth interviews with 35 Vietnamese online journalists to explore their perspectives on the adoption of Digital-Megastory formats and the overall impact of digital transformation on journalism practices in the country. The research design involves purposive sampling to select 35 online journalists from various media organisations and backgrounds, ensuring a diverse representation of the online journalism landscape in Vietnam. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain insights into the journalists' experiences, challenges, and opportunities in integrating Digital-Megastory into their reporting practices. Through thematic analysis, key themes emerged, shedding light on the role of Digital-Megastory in engaging audiences and fostering interactive storytelling experiences. Participants highlighted the benefits of using multimedia elements, such as videos, infographics, and social media integration, to enhance the depth and breadth of news coverage. The findings also reveal the influence of digital transformation on the newsroom workflow, with journalists adapting to real-time reporting demands and employing data-driven storytelling techniques. The research underscores the importance of equipping journalists with multimedia skills, ethical guidelines, and strategies to navigate the challenges posed by the digital revolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid 19 pandemic has accelerated the transition to teleworking, and this work paradigm is likely to continue. There is intense debate about the positive and negative aspects of telework. The purpose of this study is to examine the positive and negative aspects of telecommuting. 21 in-depth interviews were conducted with engineers. The data were analysed using NVivo and thematic analysis. The results show that the positive and negative aspects of telecommuting are associated with specific elements, such as the types of tasks an engineer can perform more effectively when working remotely or in the office. In general, teleworkers in this study perceive better work-life harmony because they can save time on commuting. The need for home infrastructure to efficiently connect with high-speed VPN services was identified as the most important technological barrier in this study. Although there are some other negative aspects of teleworking, such as home distractions and career development, the study confirms that the positive elements of telecommuting overall outweigh the disadvantages, at least from the telecommuters' perspective, which is consistent with previous research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, special education social workers (SESWs) had to adapt to meet the needs of families and students rapidly. Traditionally SESWs delivered services through in-person modalities in schools. However, as the world changed overnight to comply with stay-at-home orders, these social workers found themselves in a unique position to utilize social work skills to mitigate the challenges of remote schooling, the mental health needs of students, and technology scarcity all while maintaining their dedication of service to students, families, and schools. The experience of SESWs as they navigated through the changes and challenges the pandemic caused was explored through in-depth interviews. Via thematic analysis, themes emerged regarding being unprepared, bridging communication (a high priority for mental health services), finding the missing, privacy, eagerness for in-person services, and technology scarcity. The study highlights SESWs' voices, experiences, and commitment to service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-based milk is any product that resembles animal or bovine milk but is made from plant extracts. While plant-based milk is considered a better alternative to bovine milk ethically, environmentally, and health-wise, the demand for plant analogues remains low in India because the country is the largest producer and consumer of bovine milk globally. To increase the credibility of plant-based milk as a food product in a competitive market like India, it is essential to understand consumer perspectives regarding plant-based substitutes. In-depth interviews were used to understand respondents' views, experiences, feelings, and perspectives regarding plant-based milk consumption. A thematic analysis of the interview transcripts identified the primary motivators, deterrents, and marketing scope for plant-based milk consumption in a bovine dairy-dominated nation like India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stigma is associated with harmful health outcomes, and it fuels social and health inequalities. It can undermine social cohesion and encourage social exclusion of groups, which may contribute to secrecy about disease symptoms, avoidance of disease testing and vaccination, and further spread of a contagious illness. Stigmatization is a social process set to exclude those who are perceived to be a potential source of disease and may pose a threat to effective interpersonal and social relationships. In this qualitative study, we delved into the stigmatization experiences of twenty COVID-19 recovered patients during the COVID-19 first wave, using in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted during November 2020. Using thematic analysis, we found that the process of stigmatization was all-encompassing, from the stage of diagnosis throughout the duration of the disease and the recovery phases. On the basis of the data, we hypothesized that stigma is a significant public health concern, and effective and comprehensive interventions are needed to counteract the damaging and insidious effects during infectious disease pandemics such as COVID-19, and reduce infectious disease-related stigma. Interventions should address provision of emotional support frameworks for the victims of stigmatization and discrimination that accompany the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics. This study was conducted in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when uncertainty about the disease was high and fear of contamination fueled high levels of stigmatization against those who became ill with Covid-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzes the problems of predicting urban resistance to shocks. The methodological problems of forecasting are described: the vagueness and versatility of the concept of shock resistance, the unknown nature of the shock and the state of the system at the time of its onset, the complexity of cause-and-effect relationships in the system of urban economics and urban management, the unpredictability of the ability to adapt to shock, the human factor, the lack of consensus on the final goal urban shock resistance, lack and/or delay of data. In Russian conditions, these problems are compounded by the lack of up-to-date, high-quality information about the reaction to stress, about the most pressing problems that require immediate solutions. The author's approach to predicting shock resistance was proposed and tested, including expert interviews with representatives of the city administration and their questionnaire survey. As the survey results showed, Russian cities have a fairly high adaptive capacity to stress, and one of the most important reasons for resilience is the human factor, the ability of the municipal administration to quickly respond to emerging problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]