The relations between induced emotions and humor among employees working in HR departments

PURPOSE: Studies show that there is a relationship between induced emotions and humor style for HR employees.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: In accordance with Martin's theory (2003) postulating the existence of five types of humor: affiliative, ego-serving, aggressive and depreciating, the HSQ questionnaire was used to check the type of humor among people belonging to groups in which one of the emotions had been previously induced: sadness, disgust, satisfaction and joy, and the control group. The independent variable was film presentations eliciting four types of emotions: disgust, sadness, satisfaction and joy. A total of 112 people were examined working in HR department.FINDINGS: The results obtained in this study show that inducing emotions such as joy or sadness are associated with a decrease or increase in the level of "affiliative" and aggressive humor. Experienced emotions can affect the way in which tasks are solved and, consequently, the results obtained.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results obtained may help in the selection of employees and personnel economy.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: First, the experienced emotions can affect the way in which tasks are solved and, consequently, the results obtained. Their influence is so strong that it may be related to changes in humor style.peer-reviewe

Organizational agility in risk management in a changing business environment : a case study

PURPOSE: The aim of this article is to examine how organizational agility affects risk management efficiency in dynamic business environments. The study focuses on demonstrating the practical application of agile approaches in a public institution, using the example of the Norwegian organization NAV.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The article employs the case study method, based on an analysis of secondary data related to a project implemented by NAV. The analysis focuses on the quality of activities related to team autonomy, iterative work, and risk management.FINDINGS: It was found that the implementation of agile practices enabled the organization to effectively monitor and manage risks in real time. Particularly important were the strong decentralization of decision-making and the rapid flow of information within project teams.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results indicate that organizational agility can be an effective tool for risk management, even in public institutions. The article provides recommendations for implementing agile practices to enhance organizational resilience.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This work contributes to the literature by presenting an empirical perspective on agility and risk management in the public sector. It also serves as a valuable source of knowledge for management practitioners seeking ways to adapt to changing market conditions.peer-reviewe

Generative design and additive manufacturing in assistive devices : educational strategies for human-centred solutions

This paper explores how Generative Design (GD), Additive Manufacturing (AM), and multi-stakeholder design approaches can inform engineering education for assistive technology innovation. Drawing on two research projects DIGICLAP and PREMIER, it analyses how these methods support the development of adaptive, personalised, and user-centred devices. The study identifies critical gaps in current curricula, particularly in co-design practice, Product–Service System (PSS) thinking, and the application of feedback-driven design. Based on these insights, it proposes targeted educational strategies that integrate GD, AM, and stakeholder collaboration into project-based and interdisciplinary learning environments. These findings contribute to ongoing efforts to align engineering education with the complex, evolving demands of human-centred assistive device design.peer-reviewe

Inclusion in recreation and green tourism as a condition for internal human balance on the way to environmental sustainability and legal-administrative regulations : part 2

PURPOSE: This article is the second part of the discussion; it is continuation of the first article. The concept of sustainable development refers to the interrelationship of humans with the surrounding natural environment. Due to the development of technology, increased productivity and changes in the organization of work, modern people have more opportunities to implement the concept of sustainable development in the gradually increasing time allocated to recreation and tourism. The purpose of this review was to characterize the historical and contemporary thought linking the issue of globally understood sustainable development with its inalienable condition of an intrinsically sustainable human being.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research method used was a search based on finding scientific sources of information linking the concepts of personal and environmental balance.FINDINGS: A review of popular concepts linking equilibrium at the level of the human interior to the equilibrium of the environment in a cause-and-effect mechanism proves more similarities than differences defining various theories.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: All the aforementioned concepts can be part of the philosophy of human life on the grounds of outdoor recreation and so-called green tourism, considered as currently popular proposals to return to nature and seek in its balance a chance for personal balance.peer-reviewe

Remote work and work efficiency

PURPOSE: The main objective of this article is to analyze the relationship between remote work and work efficiency, including both productivity and work-life balance dimensions. In light of the structural shift toward hybrid and remote models triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the study investigates how telework affects task performance, autonomy, motivation, and stress levels. The analysis incorporates both theoretical frameworks (agency theory, human capital theory, transaction cost theory) and empirical data. The article also presents two research hypotheses: H1: Employees working remotely perceive a higher level of work efficiency than those working in a traditional office setting; H2: Remote work contributes positively to employees’ work-life balance, reducing perceived stress and increasing job satisfaction.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The article combines a theoretical review with empirical research based on a structured survey. The questionnaire included 15 diagnostic variables assessing subjective perceptions of remote work’s impact on productivity, autonomy, communication, and work-life balance (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree). The sample consisted of 100 respondents and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and measures of variation.FINDINGS: Preliminary results suggest that remote work is associated with enhanced concentration, greater autonomy, improved task prioritization, and higher motivation. Respondents reported better time management and work-life integration, though some challenges—such as social isolation or ineffective communication—were also noted. Hybrid work emerged as a preferred model that optimally balances productivity and employee wellbeing.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings offer valuable insights for organizations designing post-pandemic work strategies. Emphasis should be placed on flexible structures, digital support, and the development of soft competencies such as time management and self-regulation.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This article contributes to the ongoing discourse on the future of work by empirically grounding discussions of remote productivity and well-being. By integrating behavioral and organizational perspectives, it highlights the dual impact of remote work on performance and personal balance.peer-reviewe

Mitigation of reverse power flows in a distribution network by power-to-hydrogen plant

The increase in power generation facilities from nonprogrammable renewable sources is posing several challenges for the management of electrical systems, due to phenomena such as congestion and reverse power flows. In mitigating these phenomena, Power-to-Gas plants can make an important contribution. In this paper, a linear optimisation study is presented for the sizing of a Power-to-Hydrogen plant consisting of a PEM electrolyser, a hydrogen storage system composed of multiple compressed hydrogen tanks, and a fuel cell for the eventual reconversion of hydrogen to electricity. The plant was sized with the objective of minimising reverse power flows in a medium-voltage distribution network characterised by a high presence of photovoltaic systems, considering economic aspects such as investment costs and the revenue obtainable from the sale of hydrogen and excess energy generated by the photovoltaic systems. The study also assessed the impact that the electrolysis plant has on the power grid in terms of power losses. The results obtained showed that by installing a 737 kW electrolyser, the annual reverse power flows are reduced by 81.61%, while also reducing losses in the transformer and feeders supplying the ring network in question by 17.32% and 29.25%, respectively, on the day with the highest reverse power flows.peer-reviewe

GenAI for self-directed individual and collaborative learning in the training of conference interpreters for the European Union institutions

Students pursuing studies in conference interpreting with a view to taking the European Union’s interinstitutional accreditation test are generally required to invest in self-directed individual and collaborative learning to complement their in-class training. Digital technologies may prove beneficial in this regard. The present paper discusses the four main digital technologies in the interpreting workflow, viz., computer-assisted interpreting training (CAIT) tools, computer-assisted or computer-aided interpreting (CAI) tools, remote or distance interpreting, and machine interpreting. While there may be some overlap, generative AI (GenAI) is proposed as a fifth, distinct category. Four piloted GenAI-based proposals are put forward to complement in-class training, along with their learning outcomes and suggested assessment method. In addition, the importance of critical AI literacy is addressed as a key skill for both trainers and students in preparing for institutional interpretation in the 21st century. Finally, the paper presents the results of a small-scale survey among students, gauging their experiences using GenAI for individual and collaborative tasks in the framework of a postgraduate program training students for the EU’s interinstitutional accreditation test. While limited in size and scope, the survey provides insight into student engagement with this new technology and supports further curriculum refinement.peer-reviewe

Synodus synodus (Actinopterygii, Aulopiformes, Synodontidae) in the coastal waters of Malta, central Mediterranean Sea

The occurrence of Synodus synodus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the central Mediterranean Sea is ascertained through integrated morphological and molecular analyses conducted on two specimens collected in April 2025 off the southwestern coast of Malta as well as through underwater photographic documentation from the same region. Morphological examination, including meristic counts and morphometric measurements, revealed diagnostic characters consistent with S. synodus. DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial COI gene further supported this identification, with BOLD assigning the sequences to a S. synodus with 99.84% similarity. The presence of S. synodus in Maltese waters represents the first confirmed record for the area and is added to the sparse reports of the species in the Mediterranean Sea. The occurrence of other Synodontidae recently found in the basin is briefly discussed.peer-reviewe

Predicting first-trimester pregnancy outcome in threatened miscarriage : a comparison of a multivariate logistic regression and machine learning models

Introduction: Threatened miscarriage (TM), defined as first-trimester vaginal bleeding with a closed cervix and detectable fetal cardiac activity, affects up to 30 % of clinically recognised pregnancies and is linked to increased risk of adverse outcomes. This study evaluates the predictive value of first-trimester ultrasound (US) and biochemical (BC) markers in determining outcomes among women with TM symptoms. Methods: This prospective cohort study recruited 118 women with viable singleton pregnancies (5+0 to 12+6 weeks' gestation) from Malta's national public hospital between January 2023 and June 2024. Participants underwent US and BC assessment, along with collection of clinical and sociodemographic data. Pregnancy outcomes were followed to term and classified as live birth or loss. Univariate logistic regression identified individual predictors. Multivariate logistic regression (MLR) and random forest (RF) modelling assessed combined predictive performance. Results: Among 118 TM cases, 77 % resulted in live birth, 23 % in loss. MLR identified progesterone, cervical length, mean gestational sac diameter (MGSD), trophoblast thickness, sFlt-1:PlGF ratio, and maternal age as significant predictors. Higher progesterone, cervical length, MGSD, and sFlt-1:PlGF ratio reduced risk, while maternal age over 35 increased it. MLR achieved 82.7 % accuracy (AUC = 0.89). RF improved accuracy to 93.1 % (AUC = 0.97), confirming the combined predictive value of US and BC markers. Conclusion: US and BC markers hold predictive value in TM. Machine learning, particularly RF, may improve early clinical risk stratification. Implications for practice: This tool may support timely decision-making and personalised monitoring, intervention, and counselling for women with TM.peer-reviewe

Profitability of self-employment in Poland after the introduction of the Polish deal regulations compared to other EU countries

PURPOSE: The primary objective of the study was to analyze the cost-effectiveness of self-employment as a strategy for optimizing labor costs in Poland, with a particular focus on the impact of changes introduced as part of the Polish Deal reform. In comparative terms, the objective of the study was to benchmark the level of labor taxation and preferences for the self-employed in Poland against other European Union (EU) countries.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The analysis was based on secondary data from publicly available statistical sources (including the Central Statistical Office, Eurostat, and the OECD), as well as industry reports, academic publications, and normative acts regulating the taxation and social security system in Poland. The following indicators were employed to ascertain the comparative profitability of various forms of employment: total cost of employment, annual net income and effective tax rate.FINDINGS: The study indicates that the disparities in net income between the self-employed and those employed under a contract persist, though their extent has diminished. In the tax and contribution structure subsequent to the implementation of the Polish Deal, there has been a partial equalization of the profitability of employment between forms for low-income earners, while self-employment remains fiscally more favorable for higher income groups (especially under the lump-sum tax regime). These changes can influence decisions regarding the form of employment and strategies to optimize labor costs. However, the structure of self-employment in Poland exhibits significant disparities compared to the patterns observed in Western and Northern European countries.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The analysis conducted and the results obtained should prompt the authors of tax regulations to consider, when drafting new legislation, the need to equalize the tax and contribution burden between employment under a contract of employment and selfemployment. This measure has the potential to contribute to the reduction of the phenomenon of false self-employment.peer-reviewe