Research on community resilience has been ongoing for decades. Several studies have been carried out on resilience in different groups and contexts. However, few address the relationship between community resilience and depopulated rural areas. This study aims to dig deeper into this, considering the concrete impact of population decline in Spain. We carried out a systematic review of the most relevant contributions. A search protocol was developed and used to consult ten databases. Different combinations of terms such as ‘community resilience’, ‘rural’, and ‘depopulation’, or related terms, were used. 22 scientific texts were analysed. We obtained a set of publications that demonstrate the heterogeneity of research methods, approaches and analytical processes applied to the study of this relationship. A mostly qualitative approach was observed, either as the main technique or complementary to documentary reviews. The results underscore the complex nature of rural depopulation and related constructs. It emphasizes the specific importance of community resilience in these territories in terms of social capital, endogenous resources, sustainability, economic dynamism, local responsibility and effective governance. The findings identify a scarce mention to social intervention professions, which should have a more important role due to their core values. In the studies reviewed, it appears as an emerging and scientifically relevant area to explore, both for investigation and intervention purposes. The strength of a multidisciplinary approach to addressing the phenomena appears in the discussion as a main potential line of research.
In the context of ecological and social challenges in global food systems, this study investigates the potential of agri-food districts to foster balanced territorial development. A multi-step approach to developing sustainable agri-food districts is outlined. How these districts, as integrated systems and meso-level organizational forms, can enhance sustainability through governance is then assessed. This research uses a context-driven analysis pathway involving stakeholder participation and needs identification. The theoretical background, the Italian regulatory framework, and a case study from Lombardy are presented. Needs are identified through participatory approaches and actions are prioritized using desk research and a narrative SWOT analysis combined with key stakeholder discussions (focus group). A total of eighteen needs are identified and categorized into 3 dimensions of sustainability: economic, environmental, and socio-institutional. Findings indicate that agri-food district organization has great potential to help achieve local and regional policy goals in line with the shift to sustainable approaches in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The paper proposes actions to strengthen district capacity-building, focusing on internal governance and sustainable production chains. Additionally, initiatives to attract young people to rural areas and agreements for ecosystem services in agri-food districts are suggested. These actions aim to promote sustainability and competitiveness while addressing challenges related to governance, innovation, branding, demographics, and environment. In conclusion, the study prompts critical inquiry into governance models and system dynamics. The innovative aspects of this study lie in its methodological approach, integration of theory and practice, holistic perspective, policy relevance, and critical inquiry, which collectively contribute to advancing knowledge and understanding in the field of sustainable agriculture and territorial development.
This study addresses the present limited understanding of the complex relationship between ethical leadership, job stress, and employee job performance in the hotel business. This study shows that job stress moderates the association between ethical leadership and employee job performance, underlining the necessity for more research in the industry. The present study fills a crucial research void in our understanding of the complex interaction between these factors. The study utilizes a sample of 292 employees in the accommodation and hotel industry. Prior to commencing data collection, the questionnaire underwent thorough validation and reliability testing to ensure that the instrument met all specified criteria and demonstrated robustness. Using hierarchical regression analysis, the study reveals substantial findings. It has been discovered that ethical leadership has a direct and positive effect on employee job performance. Notably, job stress emerges as a significant moderating variable that affects the relationship between ethical leadership and employee job performance. This highlights the crucial role that job stress plays in determining outcomes. The research indicates that reducing workplace stress and fostering ethical leadership can result in improved employee job performance. In addition, the study highlights the importance of social learning theory in enhancing employee job performance, with job stress and ethical leadership serving as significant moderating factors.
This empirical study explores the influence of Hollywood product placements on cultural perceptions and teaching practices of preservice English teachers in higher education in China. Hollywood movies and TV series routinely use product placements as a tactic to blend commercial goals with compelling storylines, which could possibly influence the perceptions, and potential teaching practice of Chinese preservice English teachers. The purpose of this study is to determine the degree to which material culture in the form of product placement in Hollywood affects preservice English teachers’ image of America, and their future teaching practice, altering their expectations and goals as well as how they view the West. The study uses a quantitative study method by means of an online questionnaire (N = 497) and applies structural equation modelling to conduct data analysis. The results find notable significant relationships including those from food, architecture, transportation, and electronic devices to positive image of America, as well as architecture and transportation to potential teaching practice. The most prominent path is from image to teaching. However, certain relationships, including those from fashion to image and food to teaching, do not demonstrate statistical significance. These results contribute to the theoretical and practical understanding of how preservice English teachers see Hollywood’s material culture, and how it affects their perception and possible teaching methods. The findings also demonstrate how preservice teachers’ perceptions and educational approaches are shaped by Hollywood’s material culture in the form of product placement, while simultaneously emphasizing the significance of integration of media literacy and upholding their cultural identity amidst these influences.
This study explored the relationships between green market orientation and competitive advantage, with a particular focus on the mediating role of green sustainable innovation. The research utilized a structured questionnaire to gather data from managers involved in environmental protection and professionals working in the manufacturing sectors of computers, electronics, optical products, and electrical equipment. The survey targeted respondents from key regions in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Qassim, and the Eastern Province, resulting in a total of 273 responses. The collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM), a robust statistical technique that allows for the examination of complex relationships between variables. The findings confirmed a mediational model where green sustainable innovation—comprising both green product and green process innovation—served as a critical intermediary linking green market orientation to competitive advantage. Furthermore, the study validated direct effects of green market orientation on both green sustainable innovation and competitive advantage. These results emphasize the dual pathways through which green market orientation influences business performance. The research concludes by offering actionable insights for Saudi managers, highlighting strategies to maximize profitability and competitiveness through the adoption and implementation of green sustainable innovation practices.
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