scholarly journals The Importance of the Sharing Economy in Improving the Quality of Life and Social Integration of Local Communities on the Example of Virtual Groups

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 754
Author(s):  
Anna Irena Szymańska

The main objective of the article was to demonstrate and prove the role of the sharing economy in integrating local communities as well as in improving the quality of life of urban residents. The sharing economy is an alternative model of consumption entered around an access to given goods without the need to possess it. The concept fits excellently into the ideas that are at the core of the social economy. Internet groups operating in the area of the sharing economy were analysed for the purpose of the article. Their members either live in or have other bonds with Krakow. They are usually focused around issues important for local communities. In the research, a triangulation method was used, involving a desk analysis as well as a passive observation and a covered participative observation. Such choice of methods allowed for the topic of the impact that the sharing economy has on the integration and the quality of life of urban residents to be analysed. The research confirmed that the sharing economy; as a form of social innovation; influences the improvement of the quality of life. Online groups integrate local communities and have a significant impact on the quality of life of city residents (T1; T2; T3; T4). The bilateral nature of dependency between the sharing economy and the quality of life was noticed. Firstly; the sharing economy affects the shape and quality of the product or service that is the subject of the transaction. It is also crucial to create a general “ambience of a site” in the internet group; which supports and stimulates satisfaction of the needs related to the sense of individuality; authenticity and community. On the other hand; the sharing economy affects the satisfaction of residents through economic; psychological; political and social impacts as well as individual ones; related to, e.g., the development of creativity and the acquisition of new skills

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy E. Pergande ◽  
Zoe Belshaw ◽  
Holger A. Volk ◽  
Rowena M. A. Packer

Abstract Background Idiopathic epilepsy is a common neurological condition in dogs. Previous research has focused on clinical aspects of seizure management in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy with little attention given to the emotional and logistical challenges for their owners. The current study aimed to explore the impacts of owning a dog with idiopathic epilepsy on owner quality of life and lifestyle, using qualitative methods. Methods Owners of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy living in England were recruited via social media and word of mouth, and then selected using purposive sampling to participate in face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Epilepsy management was explored through in-depth accounts of owner experiences and influencing factors. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was used to construct key themes. Results Twenty-one interviews were completed. Almost all owners had made lifestyle changes in order to care for their dog, including substantial modifications to routines and, in some cases, employment. Many owners discussed a very emotionally close dog-owner bond, and described experiencing frequent feelings of fear, stress and uncertainty regarding their dog’s health. Friends, family and colleagues did not always understand the magnitude of commitment required to care for a dog with idiopathic epilepsy. This, combined with a fear of leaving their dog unsupervised, had social implications in some instances and lead to increased use of the Internet and online groups for peer support. Conclusions The commitment required to care for a dog with idiopathic epilepsy, and the lifestyle changes made by their owners, may be far greater than previously estimated. Further consideration of these factors by veterinary professionals and the friends and families of owners of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy could improve owner quality of life, and facilitate the provision of additional support.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Eliza Pergande ◽  
Zoe Belshaw ◽  
Holger A Volk ◽  
Rowena M A Packer

Abstract Background Idiopathic epilepsy is a common neurological condition in dogs. Previous research has focused on clinical aspects of seizure management in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy with little attention given to the emotional and logistical challenges for their owners. The current study aimed to explore the impacts of owning a dog with idiopathic epilepsy on owner quality of life and lifestyle, using qualitative methods. Methods Owners of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy living in England were recruited via social media and word of mouth, and then selected using purposive sampling to participate in face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Epilepsy management was explored through in-depth accounts of owner experiences and influencing factors. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was used to construct key themes. Results Twenty-one interviews were completed. Almost all owners had made lifestyle changes in order to care for their dog, including substantial modifications to routines and, in some cases, employment. Many owners discussed a very emotionally close dog-owner bond, and described experiencing frequent feelings of fear, stress and uncertainty regarding their dog’s health. Friends, family and colleagues did not always understand the magnitude of commitment required to care for a dog with idiopathic epilepsy. This, combined with a fear of leaving their dog unsupervised, had social implications in some instances and lead to increased use of the Internet and online groups for peer support. Conclusions The commitment required to care for a dog with idiopathic epilepsy, and the lifestyle changes made by their owners, may be far greater than previously estimated. Further consideration of these factors by veterinary professionals and the friends and families of owners of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy could improve owner quality of life, and facilitate the provision of additional support.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (F) ◽  
pp. 129-136
Author(s):  
Ni Made Sri Nopiyani ◽  
I Md Ady Wirawan

BACKGROUND: Tourism development can have a positive or negative impact on the lives of local communities. AIM: This systematic review aims to determine the impact of tourism on the quality of life (QoL) of people in tourist destination areas. METHODS: The search was conducted on the Science Direct database, Taylor Francis, EBSCO Host, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar. The keywords used were “residents’ QoL” AND impacts of tourism. Inclusion criteria were articles that focus on the QoL of people in tourist destination areas, published from 2015 to 2019 in peer-reviewed journals, in English. Articles were excluded if they were qualitative studies, literature reviews, and if full papers were unavailable. The review was conducted on 18 articles selected from 673 articles obtained in the initial search. RESULTS: Tourism has an impact on the QoL of local communities. In general, the domains that are perceived as being positively affected are the improvement of the economy, employment opportunities, community pride, cultural exchanges, and increased facilities availability. Meanwhile, the domains that are negatively affected in most of the studies are health, safety, quality of the physical environment, cost of living, accessibility to public facilities, and social relations. Apart from that, there is also dissatisfaction with the types of jobs available and the low level of community involvement in tourism development. CONCLUSIONS: Tourism can have both positive and negative impacts on the QoL of local communities. Efforts to minimize the negative impacts of tourism should be undertaken to improve community support for tourism development.


2020 ◽  
Vol 176 ◽  
pp. 04012
Author(s):  
Vladimir Luchkevich ◽  
Marinicheva Galina ◽  
Vladimir Filatov

The article presents the results of the analysis of the priority health-related quality of life criteria of metropolis residents (St. Petersburg), who live on the territories under the environmental risk and have the signs specific for respiratory diseases. The survey targets analyzing the severity of the main functioning types in the health-related quality of life structure taken in conjunction with the environmental factors. The clinical and statistical analysis and screening questionnaire were performed with the use the specialized questionnaire WHO, to identify the risk factors, the prevalence of the clinical symptoms and chronic respiratory diseases. The importance of the impact was established with deterioration of the life quality indicators at various degrees of the clinical status of the patients at the chronic respiratory disease development stages. The priority health-related quality of life assessment criteria were developed by the types of functioning, providing for classification of the urban residents by medical and environmental risk groups. Insufficient medical awareness and medical preventive care of urban residents were found to increase the impact of the adverse environmental factors on the development of the respiratory diseases. The revealed regularities allowed developing the medical and environmental programs for organizational and functional interaction of the experts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 82-94
Author(s):  
Andris Klepers ◽  
◽  
Iveta Druva-Druvaskalne ◽  

As a reflection of Latvian identity, the country’s rural landscapes are a living embodiment of both natural and cultural heritage, contributing to quality of life for local communities and serving as a magnetic pulling factor for international tourists. Traditional farmsteads (viensētas) are perceived as symbolic spaces which have developed gradually, especially since the 19th Century, through annual cycles of farm work alongside extensive farming. Yet their existence is threatened by the impact of transitional changes such as depopulation, globalisation, the non-competitive nature of traditional farming models, and changes in society and the lifestyle of young people. Many abandoned farmsteads are disappearing under large areas of cropland or forest, and some newly built private houses do not have a connection with the traditional rural landscape. The aim of this study is to explore the way that perceptions of farmsteads and rural landscapes have changed over time within local communities. This is done by comparing representations of countryside landscape ideals in the media from 1920 to 1940 and perceptions of farmsteads as an element of countryside landscapes within local rural communities today (<12 % of the population of Latvia lived on a farmstead in 2019). The findings show that in the period when most people lived in the countryside, a particular kind of idealised rural landscape was often visually represented in the mainstream media, strengthening stereotypes about symbolic landscapes. These concepts are still strongly rooted in the perceptions of current rural inhabitants and there was consensus among respondents about the elements which are associated with high-quality rural landscapes. Although the daily routines of the traditional farmstead today have been changed by a number of factors and many elements of the rural landscape have lost their functionality, symbolism — including the iconic image of separate family farmsteads — helps to maintain a continuing metanarrative of national identity, creating nostalgic ties which lead many to have a preference for living in the countryside, holding perceptions about the availability of various ecosystem services next door which will improve their quality of life.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 2097-2108
Author(s):  
Robyn L. Croft ◽  
Courtney T. Byrd

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify levels of self-compassion in adults who do and do not stutter and to determine whether self-compassion predicts the impact of stuttering on quality of life in adults who stutter. Method Participants included 140 adults who do and do not stutter matched for age and gender. All participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale. Adults who stutter also completed the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering. Data were analyzed for self-compassion differences between and within adults who do and do not stutter and to predict self-compassion on quality of life in adults who stutter. Results Adults who do and do not stutter exhibited no significant differences in total self-compassion, regardless of participant gender. A simple linear regression of the total self-compassion score and total Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering score showed a significant, negative linear relationship of self-compassion predicting the impact of stuttering on quality of life. Conclusions Data suggest that higher levels of self-kindness, mindfulness, and social connectedness (i.e., self-compassion) are related to reduced negative reactions to stuttering, an increased participation in daily communication situations, and an improved overall quality of life. Future research should replicate current findings and identify moderators of the self-compassion–quality of life relationship.


2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer S. Fabritius ◽  
Lisa S. Doane ◽  
Aileen M. Echiverri ◽  
Shoshana Y. Kahana ◽  
Joshua D. McDavid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document