This research uses the analytical potential of General Strain Theory in the study of criminal phenomena to understand why some Portuguese professional football players engage in betting related match-fixing based on a quid pro quo. The research follows a qualitative methodological strategy focused on the documental analysis of the “Jogo Duplo” court judgment - the only betting related match-fixing case tried in Portuguese court – and semi-structured interviews with former professional football players. The findings show that national footballers are subjected to three types of strains: financial problems; lack of prospects; and reality shock. These strains increase the vulnerability of these players, but they do not explain match-fixing on their own. It is their combination with catalysts of a relational (peer influence), organisational (organisational culture) and structural (opportunity structures) nature that produces this effect. This research expands the literature by showing that material deprivation (e.g. unpaid wages, low salaries) and the anticipated loss of status or lifestyle that some footballers experience in the latter stages of their careers are not the only strain factors. Footballers in the early or middle stages of their careers but with no prospects, victims of human trafficking, and players facing an abrupt career decline or stagnation may also resort to match-fixing as an illegitimate means of achieving positively valued goals, coping with the negative stimuli experienced, or achieving accomplishments in line with created expectations. This research also contributes to advancing the literature by producing micro-level knowledge, without overlooking the meso- and macro-level influences underlying the phenomenon.
This study analyses how Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Italian radical right party Fratelli d'Italia and current Prime Minister, employs women's rights as a discursive strategy to legitimise nationalist and anti-immigration positions. Drawing on scholarship in gender, postcolonial and migration studies, it reveals how Meloni's standing for (carefully selected) women's rights serves to nurture and perpetuate orientalised representations of Muslim migrants, grounded in the same binary thinking that justifies colonialism and white supremacy. Based on the analysis of Meloni's social media posts published between January 2015 and September 2022, we argue that her representations of women's rights function as discursive weapons deployed to uphold racialised and exclusionary nationalist agendas. By contextualising her defence of women's rights within her broader self-positioning as the “Christian mother of the homeland”, we highlight her dismissal of gender politics, contributing to existing debates on femonationalism.
Objective To propose and test an innovative model by integrating the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and Knowledge-Attitude-Practice model to explain the mechanisms influencing the adoption of digital health technologies by elderly patients with chronic diseases from the perspective of both internal and external factors, promoting the acceptance and utilisation of digital health technologies among elderly chronically ill patients.Study design A face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted from July to September 2023.Study setting The study was conducted in 12 medical institutions in Shanghai, including 6 tertiary hospitals, 3 secondary hospitals and 3 community hospitals.Participants 1222 participants aged 60 years or more, diagnosed with one or more of the following chronic diseases: essential hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, were involved in the study using convenience sampling. Critically ill emergency patients and those who were involved in medical disputes were excluded.Outcome measure The behavioural intention and usage behaviour of older patients with chronic diseases to use digital health technologies.Results The explanatory power of the proposed model for behavioural intention was 72.9%. There is a significant negative association between technology anxiety and the intention to use digital health technologies among older patients with chronic diseases (β=−0.224, p<0.001); effort expectancy (β=0.530, p<0.001) and performance expectancy (β=0.193, p<0.001) were also significantly associated with intention to use digital health technologies. Men (β=−0.104, p=0.016), relatively younger (β=−0.061, p=0.005), with experience in using digital health technologies (β=−0.452, p<0.001) were more likely to translate behavioural intention into use behaviour.Conclusions Acceptance of digital health technologies among older patients with chronic diseases was associated with a combination of internal and external factors, with the former playing a dominant role. These valuable findings provided insights and inspiration for improving digital health technologies acceptance and utilisation among older patients with chronic diseases.
In an increasingly digitalized world, enterprises that neglect to adapt and innovate risk losing their competitive edge and lagging behind industry trends. Recognizing the unique challenges that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) encounter in this transformative process, there is a pressing need for an evaluation system to aid decision-making regarding digital technology factors that can enhance the performance of these firms. This study employs a multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach that integrates cognitive mapping and the Best–Worst Method (BWM) to systematically identify evaluation criteria and their intricate interactions. To ensure the relevance and applicability of the research findings, a panel of experts was recruited from among professionals with knowledge and experience in this area, who were able to provide added value to the research. The results include a proposed decision-support model, the practical potential of which was discussed and validated by both the panel members and a project manager from COTEC Portugal—a leading think-and-action network dedicated to advancing technology diffusion and business innovation cooperation. Due to its process-oriented nature, this research contributes to bridging the gap between theoretical insights and practical applications. Its contributions and limitations are also analyzed, offering valuable insights for researchers, practitioners and policymakers alike. Overall, this comprehensive and unique approach addresses the critical need for understanding the nuanced interplay between digital technologies and SME performance in today’s dynamic business environment.
BACKGROUND: Performance appraisal (PA) plays a crucial role in human resource management by guiding professional development and informing decisions on promotions, compensation, and training. Employee satisfaction with the PA process is essential, as it affects motivation, engagement, and productivity. to effectively assess satisfaction with PA remain scarce. MAIN BODY: The Satisfaction Questionnaire for Performance Appraisal Evaluation (SQPAE) was developed to assess three core dimensions of satisfaction with PA: (a) the procedures involved, (b) the perceived effectiveness of the process, and (c) the feedback received. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a reliable instrument for assessing employee satisfaction with PA and to identify its key contributing factors. METHODS: The research comprised four studies.Study 1 focused on item development and expert validation. Study 2 applied exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to identify the structure and psychometric properties of the instrument. Study 3 confirmed the structure through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in an independent sample. Study 4 examined how the SQPAE components and different appraisal sources influence employee satisfaction. Data were collected via surveys in private-sector organisations, and statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS and AMOS. RESULTS: The SQPAE demonstrated high reliability and validity. Feedback emerged as the strongest predictor of satisfaction with appraisal outcomes. Additionally, evaluations conducted by supervisors and peers were positively associated with satisfaction, while evaluations by subordinates showed a negative association. CONCLUSION: The SQPAE is a valid and reliable tool for assessing employee satisfaction with PA and offers a robust alternative to existing instruments. It can support organisations in improving PA processes to enhance employee engagement and performance. Future studies should examine its applicability across different organisational settings, hierarchical levels, and sectors.
