A mixed methods exploratory study of the utility of social cognitive career theory for research into the careers of entrepreneurial Emirati women in Dubai

Background: Social cognitive career theory (SCCT) is one of the leading theories within the literature of career development, but there is marginal evidence of its applicability within the diverse nations and cultures of the Middle East and Arab nations.Objectives: The research involved a mixed methods exploratory design with an aim to determine SCCT’s utility in the context of Dubai and with a specific focus on the careers of Emirati women.Method: Study 1 used interviews to explore contextual factors affecting women’s careers. Study 2 used a survey to measure core SCCT constructs, namely self-efficacy and outcome expectations, and their relations with work engagement.Results: The qualitative data from the interviews and quantitative data from the survey found salience in factors that were consistent with the tenets of SCCT.Conclusion: The findings provide evidence of SCCT’s potential utility in this cultural context; however, future research should extend into a broader and larger sample of workers in Dubai and the UAE.

Comparison of Fenton Versus Intergrowth-21 Growth Charts for Preterm Neonates

Background: Fenton charts from developed world are commonly used for growth assessment of preterm newborns. Recently prescribed Intergrowth-21 (IG-21) charts look more promising as they include mixed population from economically diverse nations. Objective: We compared IG-21 with Fenton charts for birth size classification and extrauterine growth in preterm infants. Study design: A prospective collection of growth parameters. Participants: Preterm newborns (<37 weeks). Intervention: Weight (W), length (L), and head circumference (HC) were collected at weekly interval during the stay as well as follow-up. Outcomes: Growth of preterm newborns at birth and last follow-up was assessed using Fenton and IG-21 charts. Agreement between Fenton and IG-21 for percentiles and z-scores of growth parameters was assessed using Bland-Altman plot. Results: A total of 301 preterm newborns were enrolled in the study. Mean (standard deviation [SD]) gestational age at birth was 34.08 (1.84) weeks, while at last follow-up (N = 296) it was 37.62 (1.85) weeks. The mean (SD) of birth W, L, and HC were 1889.24 (418.9) g, 44.69 (3.03) cm, and 30.6 (1.84) cm, respectively, while for last follow-up, they were 2114.76 (397.7) g, 47.64 (2.97) cm, and 32.65 (1.7) cm, respectively. The agreement of z-score/percentile between the 2 growth charts was not good for all the anthropometric parameters. Overall, Fenton reported more intrauterine (42.9% vs 36.9%) and extrauterine (92.9% vs 73%) growth restriction as compared to IG-21. Conclusion: The agreement between the 2 charts was poor. More proportions of the preterm population were growth restricted using Fenton charts.

The End of Neoliberal Globalism: A Critical Perspective

There has been a growing trend towards protectionism, particularly in the Global North in recent years. The rise of Trump, Brexit and tighter immigration control across Europe and America seem to run contrary to the conventional neoliberal globalism discourse of free flow of people, capital, goods and information across the globe. Using a qualitative approach and drawing on data from published works, this paper argues that these events are part of the Global North’s rebellion against neoliberal globalism. This process is not external to the process of neoliberal globalism but integral to it. Although the current rise of nationalism and protectionism does not represent an end of globalization, it represents the end of the discourse of globalization as a fit all economic and political solution to diverse nations. This demands that alternatives to the current thinking be considered. A new form of globalization must consider issues of income and economic inequality among nations and people. It must offer the chance to the nation state to reinvent itself as the welfare providing and protecting states.

Acute Ischemic Stroke at High Altitudes in China: Early Onset and Severe Manifestations

The detailed characteristics of strokes at high altitudes in diverse nations have not been extensively studied. We retrospectively enrolled 892 cases of first-ever acute ischemic strokes at altitudes of 20, 2550, and 4200 m in China (697 cases from Penglai, 122 cases from Huzhu, and 73 cases from Yushu). Clinical data and brain images were analyzed. Ischemic strokes at high altitudes were characterized by younger ages (69.14 ± 11.10 vs. 64.44 ± 11.50 vs. 64.45 ± 14.03, p < 0.001) and larger infract volumes (8436.37 ± 29,615.07 mm3 vs. 17,213.16 ± 47,044.74 mm3 vs. 42,459 ± 84,529.83 mm3, p < 0.001). The atherosclerotic factors at high altitude, including diabetes mellitus (28.8% vs. 17.2% vs. 9.6%, p < 0.001), coronary heart disease (14.3% vs. 1.6% vs. 4.1%, p < 0.001), and hyperlipidemia (20.2% vs. 17.2% vs. 8.2%, p = 0.031), were significantly fewer than those in plain areas. Polycythemia and hemoglobin levels (138.22 ± 18.04 g/L vs. 172.87 ± 31.57 g/L vs. 171.81 ± 29.55 g/L, p < 0.001), diastolic pressure (89.98 ± 12.99 mmHg vs. 93.07 ± 17.79 mmHg vs. 95.44 ± 17.86 mmHg, p = 0.016), the percentage of hyperhomocysteinemia (13.6% in Penglai vs. 41.8% in Huzhu, p < 0.001), and the percentage of smoking (33.1% in Penglai vs. 50.0% in Huzhu, p = 0.023) were significantly elevated at high altitudes. We concluded that ischemic stroke occurred earlier and more severely in the Chinese plateau. While the atherosclerotic factors were not prominent, the primary prevention of strokes at high altitudes should emphasize anticoagulation, reducing diastolic pressure, adopting a healthy diet, and smoking cessation.

Effect of Cultural Distinctiveness and Perception of Digital Advertising Appeals on Online Purchase Intention of Clothing Brands: Moderation of Gender Egalitarianism

Digital advertising has been frequently used for the promotion of e-commerce among individuals. However, little is known about the function of cultural factors that can outline the effectiveness of digital advertising practices to alter attitude and consumer behavior toward clothing brands. This research examines how norm-congruent attitudes toward digital advertising (hereafter ADA) may operate as a process variable that mediates the relationship between perception about digital advertising (hereafter PDA) and online purchase intention of fashion brands (hereafter OPI). We propose a gender egalitarianism (hereafter GE)-moderated mediation model whereby ADA mediates the relationships between PDA and OPI in two culturally diverse nations: Malaysia and Pakistan. The model was tested by using 2 (GE appeal: present vs. absent) × 2 (nation: Pakistan vs. Malaysia) × 2 (no exposure to ads/exposure to ads) experimental design with data obtained from a sample of 260. Findings show that there is a significant difference in the relationship between PDA and OPI that is mediated by the attitude in both nations. However, the mediation implication of the attitude is significantly dependent on the interaction of the GE. In this way, the study provides some practical recommendations for the marketers by highlighting the salient advertising features that may be more useful in both nations.

A way forward? The impact of interculturalism on intergroup relations in culturally diverse nations

Various diversity ideologies including assimilation, colorblindness, and multiculturalism have been promoted with mixed results about their costs and benefits. In the current research, we consider the impact of a new diversity ideology, interculturalism, discussed and debated by political philosophers and policy-makers as the “way forward.” Across three experiments ( N = 1230) in two ethnically diverse nations, we examined the causal impact of promoting interculturalism on intergroup relations. Data revealed that interculturalism reduced outgroup prejudice, increased willingness to engage in intergroup contact, improved implicit attitudes, and increased behavioral trust and cooperation relative to controls. Reductions in essentialist beliefs partially mediated the impact of interculturalism, highlighting one psychological mechanism underlying the benefits of interculturalism. However, interculturalism was found to be no better than multiculturalism in its impact on intergroup relations in two of three experiments. Collectively, these studies suggest that interculturalism may be a promising new diversity strategy for improving intergroup relations.

The Constitutional Difference in Canadian Asymmetry

This paper discusses how asymmetrical Canadian federalism contributes to neo-colonialism and therefore, also the social inequalities faced by Indigenous nations. Asymmetrical federalism has been heralded as a system that maintains a balance of power among the diverse nations that constitute Canada. However, many fail to recognize that Canadian federalism contributes to neo-colonialism, as it validates solely colonizers through the power division in the Constitution Act of 1982. Further, this power imbalance places Indigenous nations under the jurisdiction of the federal government. This greatly limits the ability of Indigenous nations to self-govern and be heard within the Canadian system of government. Through furthering neo-colonial power divisions, the Canadian federal system significantly contributes to social inequalities, such as poor healthcare coverage, faced by Indigenous nations.

The Types of Nonverbal Communication Cues with Reference to Refugeeism

This paper tackles nonverbal communication cues among refugees. It is widely believed that nonverbal communication is one of the most effective types of communication to enhance better human understanding and cooperation. Besides, interpretation and comprehension of this type of communication are crucial among diverse nations, cultures, and ethnic groups. On the other hand, the number of refugees has increased because of several factors, mainly including armed political conflicts in Middle-Eastern countries. Thus, they face political, economic, social, and/or psychological threats. Besides, they encounter other challenging difficulties in verbal and nonverbal communication. Therefore, communication enhancement has become essential and crucial to treat refugees through more proactive nonverbal communication strategies. The study targets real people in Sulaimani Governorate refugee camps, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It investigates the types of nonverbal cues in the sociopragmatic refugeeism context. It initiates by some definitions of sociopragmatics and nonverbal communication and its cues categorization. In addition, it extends to explain the impact of sociopragmatic variables on the communicative types of nonverbal cues.

The Negative Implications of Being Tolerated: Tolerance From the Target’s Perspective

Intergroup toleration is a requirement for living with diversity and actively promoted by local, national, and international bodies. However, although psychological researchers have extensively considered the implications of being discriminated, little is known about the psychological consequences of being tolerated. In this article, we argue that beyond the freedoms implied by tolerance, being “merely” tolerated also implies social identity threats that compromise specific psychological needs (belongingness, esteem, control, certainty). We further consider the psychological consequences of being tolerated at the personal, interpersonal, and intergroup levels and consider factors that may moderate the impact of being tolerated for minority outcomes. Taken together, this work provides the first theoretical argument and overview of what it means to be tolerated by considering the negative implications of toleration in diverse nations.

State-Society Relations in South Asia

South Asia, a region comprising roughly one-fifth of the world’s population, is home to some of the most diverse nations in the contemporary world, encompassing social cleavages across multiple dimensions. A critical facet of this diversity is that it has persisted, even as state-builders, starting from the precolonial period, have sought to impose the writ of centralized authority to make such diversity legible and governable. Not surprisingly, therefore, the region offers a fascinating vantage point for social scientists to develop and test theories of a range of state-society linkages and how these reconstitute our understandings of both “state” and “society.” This bibliography aims to provide a window into this continuously evolving body of research. As with any such endeavor, it is not possible to capture the vast depth and breadth of this research within the confines of a single work. Hence, the goal here is to introduce academics and policy practitioners to some of the key conceptual developments and empirical findings in the field. In what follows, the cited works have been classified under the following headings: (i) Capital-State Linkages, (ii) Labor-State Linkages, (iii) Land-State Linkages, (iv) Party-State Linkages, (v) Region-State Linkages, (vi) Caste-State Linkages, (vii) Migrant-State Linkages, (viii) Gender-State Linkages, (ix) Breakdown of State-Society Relations, and (x) Law and State-Society Relations. This schematic was adopted to underscore the sheer variety of social actors and institutions that impinge on the exercise of state power in the region. The concluding section offers an overview of the core academic Journals in the field.