The Mediating Role of Organizational Culture for the Relationship Between Internal Social Responsibility and Intellectual Capital

Purpose: The objective of this study was  investigate the effect of internal corporate social responsibility on intellectual capital and testing the moderate effect of organizational culture between the dependent and independent variables in the Jordanian banking sector.   Theoretical framework: Internal corporate social responsibility(ICSR) ,Intellectual capital (IC), and  organizational culture (OC)  are usually considered three crucial pillars to increase firms’ performance in the urban world. Nevertheless, in Arabian  countries such as Jordan, these pillars have not received adequate consideration from specialists.   Design/methodology/approach:  The researcher designed a questionnaire based on the objectives and hypotheses of the study. The researcher distributed 350 questionnaires. 336 questionnaires have been retrieved. SPSS and Smart  PLS 4was used to analyze the collected data and test the hypotheses.   Findings: Study results showed a positive and significant correlation between Internal corporate social responsibility and intellectual capital , from the standpoint of managers in Jordanian Banking sector. Organizational culture plays a moderating role in the relationship between Internal corporate social  responsibility and intellectual capital.   Research, Practical & Social implications: Some managerial implications for bank managers in Jordanian banking sector have emerged based on the findings of this study.   Originality/value: As far as the author is aware, this is the first empirical study conducted to examine the interrelationship between internal corporate  social responsibility, organizational culture and  intellectual capital, and their combined effects Arabian  countries such as Jordan

RECONSIDERING THE USE OF POST-POSITIVIST PARADIGM IN SOCIAL SCIENCES: IS IT POSSIBLE?

This paper investigates the evolving landscape of research methodologies in the social sciences, focusing on the renewed interest in post-positivism amid growing dissatisfaction with strictly quantitative approaches. The study traces the experiences of a junior social work researcher struggling with paradigm identification, ultimately finding alignment with the adaptable and inclusive nature of post-positivism. By highlighting post-positivism's shift from a rigid quest for absolute truths to an emphasis on interactive dialogue and continuous learning, this research enriches the methodological discourse. The examination of post-positivism’s nuanced ontological, epistemological, and axiological perspectives underscores the significance of reflexivity and critical engagement in research. The study advocates for integrating qualitative and quantitative methods within the post-positivist paradigm to address complex social issues more effectively. It emphasizes the pivotal role of junior researchers in contributing to paradigm discussions and advancing the field, particularly in the scholarship of teaching and learning. By revisiting the post-positivist paradigm, this research encourages graduate students and emerging scholars to critically examine and understand the epistemological foundations that shape knowledge production. This exploration not only enriches their research but also equips them with essential skills for engaging with varied perspectives and advancing scholarly discourse.  Article visualizations

Improvement of misalignment tolerance in free-space optical interconnects

In this paper, the use of micro lenses with non-uniform transmittance apertures as an alternative to those with uniform transmittance apertures in optical communication systems is proposed. In particular, we consider the use of micro lenses with tapered Gaussian transmittance profiles to improve the misalignment tolerance in optical interconnects. We study the effects of utilizing Gaussian transmittance profiles on the propagation of light beams and the signal to crosstalk ratio of misaligned optical systems. Moreover, we consider the use of uniform transmittance profiles in optical systems for the sake of comparison. To this end, the crosstalk optical noise is modeled at the plane of the detectors array considering the two scenarios of uniform and Gaussian apertures. This was possible after finding the optical field for both scenarios at the of the detectors array. Numerical results clearly demonstrate the significant improvement in decreasing the crosstalk and increasing the signal to crosstalk ratio in the considered optical systems upon utilizing the Gaussian profiles

Becoming a Novice Smoker: Initial Smoking Behaviours among Jor danian Psychiatric Nurses

A better understanding of how male Jordanian psychiatric nurses become smokers and continue the habit mainly at work is necessary if smoking reduction and cessation programs are to help them better manage their smoking behaviours. Here we use a grounded theory approach to describe the factors that influenced the eight nurses in our sample to take up smoking. We use five categories derived from open coding to explain the initial stage in the smoking histories of the nurses. We situate our account of becoming a novice smoker within the contextualizing smoking behaviours over time theory we developed from our study. Finally, we relate the substantive findings we report here to the theoretical perspectives of symbolic interactionism and transtheoretical theory

Understanding Jordanian Psychiatric Nurses’ Smoking Behaviors: A Grounded Theory Study

Purpose. Smoking is prevalent in psychiatric facilities among staff and patients. However, there have been few studies of how contextual factors in specific cultures influence rates of smoking and the health promotion role of psychiatric nurses. This paper reports the findings of a classical grounded theory study conducted to understand how contextual factors in the workplace influences the smoking behaviors of Jordanian psychiatric nurses (JPNs). Method. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with a sample of eight male JPNs smokers at a psychiatric facility in Amman, Jordan. Findings. Constant comparative analysis identified becoming a heavy smoker as a psychosocial process characterized by four sub-categories: normalization of smoking; living in ambiguity; experiencing workplace conflict; and, facing up to workplace stressors. Conclusion. Specific contextual workplace factors require targeted smoking cessation interventions if JPNs are to receive the help they need to reduce health risks associated with heavy smoking

Nicotine Vaccines for Smoking Prevention and Treatment from Utilitarian and Deontological Ethical Perspectives

Nicotine vaccines are a new prevention and treatment method for smoking addiction. They are promoted as a method to cease smoking among those who smoke and possibly prevent this behaviour from taking place among those who do not smoke. However, offering these vaccines to adults, adolescents, and children will undoubtedly raise an ethical debate among policy-makers, health professionals, and the public. This paper discusses the possibility of using nicotine vaccines treat and prevent smoking among adults/children/adolescents through the lenses of two ethical theories: utilitarianism and deontology (Kantianism). From an utilitarian perspective, nicotine vaccines are good for society because they provide the greatest benefit for the greatest number of individuals. Authors perceive them as a healthy ethical choice to prevent and treat smoking. And, from the deontological perspective, nicotine vaccines are justified because individuals can prevent the harm of nicotine addiction by choosing vaccines or any other smoking prevention and treatment methods

Bandwidth density optimization of misaligned optical interconnects

In this paper, the bandwidth density of misaligned free space optical interconnects (FSOIs) system with and without coding under a fixed bit error rate is considered. In particular, we study the effect of using error correction codes of various codeword lengths on the bandwidth density and misalignment tolerance of the FSOIs system in the presence of higher order modes. Moreover, the paper demonstrates the use of the fill factor of the detector array as a design parameter to optimize the bandwidth density of the communication. The numerical results demonstrate that the bandwidth density improves significantly with coding and the improvement is highly dependent on the used codeword length and code rate. In addition, the results clearly show the optimum fill factor values that achieve the maximum bandwidth density and misalignment tolerance of the system

The Promising Health Promotion Role of Advanced Practice Nurses in the Sultanate of Oman

Background: Health promotion contributes significantly to enhancing population awareness and improving their knowledge of wellness and illness. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) play a major role in lifestyle modification, treatment regimen, coordination of care, individual patient care and health promotion. The Omani health care system has seen changes in epidemiology from communicable diseases to non-communicable diseases. The title of APNs is still not conceptualized enough in Oman, and the role of APNs in Oman is still not well-known.  Aim: this paper aims to discuss the expected and the promising role of APNs in health promotion in the Sultanate of Oman. Method: Both published and grey literature and reports were reviewed to draw a roadmap for the expected role of APNs in Oman. Result: APNs in Oman have many health promotion competencies that qualify them professionally and ethically to play an important role in promoting health and preventing diseases in Omani society. Conclusion: Preparing, recruiting, and engaging APNs in the Omani health care system is important for optimizing Omanis' health and preventing diseases.&nbsp

Applied Health Services Research as a Framework for Patient-Oriented Research: A Suggested Framework for Health Care Researchers

Engaging the general population in the research process provides new visions that may lead to innovations and research that are relevant to patients. Many developed countries like Canada are working toward engaging the population in healthcare research to achieve outcomes pertaining to enhanced accountability, transparency, and population empowerment in research. For example, Canada created Canada's Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) (Canadian Institute of Health Research [CIHR], 2011) to empower the patient's role in health research and the healthcare system.  However, there appears to be a gap in the literature because few studies or reports could be found on how applied health services research might be used as a framework for patient-oriented research. The aims of these authors in this paper are to (1) discuss how the applied health services research (AHSR) can be used as a framework for patient-oriented research (POR); and (2) describe salient challenges and potential outcomes that may result from implementing applied health research as a framework for patient-oriented research. This is a multidimensional framework for patient engagement using AHSR as a framework for POR as they have shared crossover research aspects between them. Conducting POR at different levels of AHSR reduces the gap between health research and practice, and empower patients to be responsible for their own health and health services (Gooberman-Hill et al., 2013). The multidisciplinary nature of AHSR and POR may face challenges related to research interests, patients, patient involvement, environmental/ organizational regulations and policies, and research culture

The Lived Experiences of Middle Eastern Immigrant Women During Their Cancer Survivorship Journey: A Phenomenological Study

The number of Middle Eastern immigrant women (MEIW) living in Canada has significantly increased. However, this group of women is underrepresented in health research and there is a gap in knowledge of their cancer survivorship experiences in Canada. This phenomenological qualitative approach was employed to uncover the meaning of the lived experiences of MEIW during their cancer survivorship journey (CSJ). Data were collected through unstructured interviews and one written description from three MEIW. The participants\u27 perspectives of cancer risk factors were believed to be the cause of their cancer, and their CSJ was fear-inducing and anxiety-provoking. There appears to be similar and homogenous lived experiences among the participants. Participants showed that their own cancer survivorship experiences were shaped by mutual contributions from different factors and circumstances. Importantly, when they talked about their experiences, they related their personal, familial, cultural and immigrational, gender, economics, social support, self-image, and other associated factors that contributed to their illness and wellness. Healthcare professionals need to identify immigrant women\u27s unmet needs of support and psychosocial responses during their CSJ. Language-specific and culturally competent cancer-care intervention programs need development within the Canadian healthcare system