The OTS Canadian Journal, based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, is a prestigious publication that serves as a critical platform for disseminating research, insights, and developments within the field of education and teaching services. This journal is dedicated to advancing the understanding and practice of education, providing educators, researchers, and policymakers with valuable resources and information. Each issue of the OTS Canadian Journal features a diverse array of articles that explore innovative teaching methods, policy analysis, and educational trends, with a particular emphasis on the Canadian education system. Through rigorous peer review and a commitment to academic excellence, the journal ensures that its content is both relevant and of the highest quality, contributing significantly to the body of knowledge in education.
Strategic Misalignment in Protracted Humanitarian Operations and Its Implications for Funding Sustainability and Organizational Capacity
Protracted humanitarian operations have become a defining feature of the contemporary global crisis landscape, driven by prolonged conflicts, climate-related disasters, forced displacement, and fragile governance structures. While humanitarian organizations were historically designed for short-term emergency response, many are now operating in chronic crisis contexts that last for decades. This shift has exposed a growing phenomenon of strategic misalignment, where organizational mandates, funding mechanisms, operational models, and stakeholder expectations are no longer coherently aligned. This article critically examines the nature of strategic misalignment in protracted humanitarian operations and analyzes its implications for funding sustainability and organizational capacity. Drawing on organizational theory, humanitarian governance literature, and funding architecture analysis, the study argues that unresolved strategic misalignment undermines long-term financial viability, erodes institutional learning, weakens staff capacity, and reduces programmatic effectiveness. The article concludes by proposing an integrated strategic realignment framework aimed at enhancing sustainability, adaptability, and mission coherence in long-term humanitarian engagement.
Protracted Humanitarian Crises, Strategic Misalignment, Funding Sustainability, Organizational Capacity, Humanitarian Governance
Understanding Canada’s Physical and Human Geography
This study examines how Canada’s varied physical geography influences patterns of settlement, regional economies, environmental pressures, and long-term development trajectories. Spanning a wide range of landforms and climatic zones—from the rugged terrain of the Western Cordillera to the Arctic’s polar environment—Canada’s geographical structure shapes both human activity and resource utilization. Adopting a qualitative descriptive framework, the research integrates evidence from scholarly sources, governmental publications, and spatial data analyses. The findings highlight pronounced regional contrasts in population density and economic function, with extensive regions such as the Canadian Shield supporting limited settlement due to physical constraints, while southern corridors and the Prairie provinces sustain intensive agriculture, urban concentration, and industrial growth. The analysis further reveals that climate-related risks are most severe in northern regions, where environmental change disproportionately affects Indigenous communities and fragile ecosystems. Major metropolitan areas have expanded largely as a result of favorable geographic positioning that facilitates trade, transportation, and economic connectivity. Overall, the study emphasizes the central role of geography in shaping Canada’s national development and advocates for region-specific policy approaches that prioritize environmental resilience, infrastructure planning, and Indigenous land governance.
Climatic variation, northern environments, environmental vulnerability, ecosystem change, resource geography
Linking Operational Performance to Guest Satisfaction in Hotel Management
This research investigates how managerial practices within the hotel sector influence service performance, operational effectiveness, and guest perceptions in a competitive hospitality environment. Employing a qualitative research design, the study draws on semi-structured interviews conducted with hotel executives, operational staff, and guests across three mid-scale hotels in Erbil, Iraq. The analysis identifies several interrelated dimensions shaping hotel success, including responsiveness to guest needs, leadership flexibility, the strategic use of digital technologies, workforce development, and heightened standards of hygiene and safety in the post-pandemic context. The findings suggest that hotels achieving higher levels of guest satisfaction and loyalty are those that emphasize service personalization, invest in employee capability and well-being, and leverage technology to streamline operations. Moreover, environmentally responsible practices and ethical management were found to play an increasingly important role in shaping customer preferences and brand credibility. By integrating perspectives from multiple stakeholder groups, this study enriches the hospitality management literature and provides actionable guidance for hotel leaders seeking to improve service quality, strengthen organizational resilience, and sustain competitive advantage in evolving market conditions.
Workforce management, employee engagement, service excellence, customer loyalty, hotel services
Optimizing Gynecological Services through Strategic Hospital Management
This research examines how selected hospital management approaches influence organizational and clinical performance within gynecological healthcare institutions. Adopting a quantitative methodology, the study analyzes data obtained from multiple gynecological hospitals using standardized survey instruments and institutional performance records. The analysis demonstrates that collaborative leadership practices are strongly associated with enhanced patient satisfaction, while ongoing professional development programs contribute to lower staff attrition and reduced readmission rates. In addition, the implementation of integrated digital health infrastructures—particularly electronic health record systems—was found to support better care coordination and a reduction in clinical inaccuracies.
Women’s health services, hospital administration, quality performance, workforce development, patient experience
Rising Prices and Living Standards: Household Consumption Adjustments in Emerging Markets
This paper examines how inflation influences household consumption behavior across emerging market economies. Drawing on a balanced panel dataset covering ten countries over the period 2000–2022, the study applies panel econometric techniques, including fixed-effects and random-effects estimations, to assess the sensitivity of household expenditure to price level fluctuations. The empirical findings reveal a robust and inverse association between inflation and household consumption, indicating that rising prices erode real income and dampen consumer spending. The results underscore the vulnerability of household demand to inflationary shocks and highlight the importance of coordinated monetary and fiscal policies aimed at preserving purchasing power and sustaining consumption-led growth in emerging economies.
Panel econometrics, price dynamics, consumption behavior, emerging economies, income effects
From Monitoring to Control: How Surveillance Technologies Reshape Political Authority
This study explores how contemporary governments operating within hybrid political systems employ digital technologies to reshape state power and constrain democratic practice. Focusing on comparative cases from Turkey, Hungary, and India, the article analyzes the ways in which surveillance infrastructures are embedded into governance mechanisms to regulate political opposition, manage public discourse, and consolidate authority under the appearance of electoral legitimacy. Adopting a qualitative comparative design, the research draws on policy texts, legal instruments, human rights assessments, and interviews with regional experts. The analysis demonstrates that technologically enabled monitoring has become increasingly institutionalized, reinforced through formal legislation and populist narratives that frame surveillance as a tool of security and national interest. By revealing how digital governance mechanisms facilitate subtle yet systematic forms of political control, the study advances critical debates on democratic resilience and accountability in an era of expanding state surveillance.
Hybrid political systems, surveillance governance, democratic backsliding, state power, comparative authoritarianism, civil freedoms
Organizational Behaviour Practices in Canadian SMEs
This research examines how organizational behaviour is experienced and enacted within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in Ottawa, Ontario. Using an in-depth qualitative design, the study draws on insights from 62 semi-structured, face-to-face interviews conducted with both managerial and non-managerial staff across a range of industries, including technology, healthcare, education, retail, and hospitality. The findings highlight key behavioural patterns shaping everyday organizational life, notably leadership inclusivity, interpersonal communication practices, workforce diversity, and the management of work–life boundaries. Through thematic analysis, the study illustrates how broader Canadian cultural norms and multicultural principles are embedded in SME workplaces, influencing employee engagement, collaboration, and organizational performance. By addressing a notable gap in qualitative research on organizational behaviour in Canadian SMEs, this study offers actionable insights for business leaders, human resource practitioners, and policymakers seeking to foster healthier and more effective workplace environments.
Small and medium-sized enterprises, workplace behaviour, qualitative inquiry, Canadian business context, employee relations, organizational culture
Land, Weather, and People: A Study of Canada’s Spatial and Cultural Diversity
This research examines how Canada’s diverse physical geography influences patterns of settlement, economic organization, ecological resilience, and regional growth. Spanning from the towering peaks of the Western Cordillera to the frozen expanses of the Arctic Archipelago, Canada’s vast terrain presents contrasting conditions for human habitation and resource utilization. Adopting a qualitative synthesis approach, this study integrates data and perspectives drawn from scholarly publications, governmental analyses, and geographic information systems (GIS). The investigation highlights four overarching dimensions—regional diversity, agricultural potential, climate sensitivity, and urban expansion. Results show that areas dominated by rocky or boreal landscapes, such as the Canadian Shield, sustain limited populations, whereas fertile zones in Southern Ontario and the Prairie Provinces foster intensive agriculture and higher settlement density. The Arctic emerges as the region most vulnerable to environmental disruption, where accelerating climate change endangers both Indigenous livelihoods and fragile ecosystems. Meanwhile, metropolitan hubs including Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal have thrived due to their advantageous locations along waterways and trade corridors. The study concludes that Canada’s spatial heterogeneity continues to shape its national trajectory and emphasizes the need for regionally tailored planning strategies that harmonize sustainability, equity, and cultural stewardship. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers addressing climate resilience, infrastructure investment, and balanced regional development.
Climate Zones, Regional Development, Natural Resources, Human Settlement, Arctic, Urbanization
Redefining Hospitality Success: Integrating Operational Agility and Customer Delight
The hospitality sector increasingly depends on strategic management to deliver memorable guest experiences, improve operational productivity, and maintain a strong competitive edge. This research investigates the foundational aspects of successful hotel administration by analyzing how innovation, workforce development, sustainability practices, and service excellence influence both institutional outcomes and customer loyalty. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the study gathered data through in-depth interviews with administrators, service personnel, and clientele from selected boutique and business hotels. The thematic interpretation identified five major factors shaping organizational success: adaptive leadership, digital transformation, employee engagement, service personalization, and health-oriented safety protocols. Results demonstrate that technology-enabled efficiency, empowered employees, and emotionally intelligent service models significantly strengthen guest satisfaction and long-term retention. Moreover, eco-conscious initiatives and transparent ethical standards emerged as central to shaping modern consumer expectations and trust. The research underscores the necessity of cohesive managerial systems that merge internal efficiency with evolving guest preferences. Ultimately, this study enriches the body of hospitality management literature by presenting evidence-based recommendations for hotel executives seeking to foster sustainable growth, optimize operations, and cultivate meaningful guest relationships in a continuously changing service landscape.
Hotel Management, Operational Efficiency, Guest Satisfaction, Service Quality, Hospitality Industry, Human Resource Management
Optimizing Women’s Healthcare Delivery: Managerial Approaches, Barriers, and Impacts
This research examines how administrative approaches and digital integration influence service quality and operational outcomes in hospitals specializing in women’s health. Adopting a quantitative methodology, data were obtained from several women’s hospitals through standardized surveys and institutional reports. The analysis, performed with SPSS, demonstrated that collaborative leadership styles were strongly linked to higher levels of patient trust and satisfaction, while continuous professional training contributed to lower employee attrition and better clinical performance. Additionally, hospitals utilizing comprehensive electronic information systems exhibited greater coordination among medical teams and a noticeable decline in procedural errors. The evidence underscores that modern management practices rooted in data utilization, inclusive decision-making, and technological advancement play a crucial role in achieving excellence in women’s healthcare institutions. Despite persistent obstacles such as limited financial resources and organizational resistance, the study emphasizes the necessity of sustained investment in workforce development and digital infrastructure. The findings offer practical guidance for executives and policymakers aiming to strengthen reproductive and maternal healthcare systems through innovation, strategic leadership, and evidence-informed management frameworks.
Gynecological Hospital, Quantitative Research, Hospital Management. Staff Training, Digital Health Records, Healthcare Performance
Leveraging Information Systems for Operational Excellence: Insights Across Multiple Industries
This research explores how digital management technologies contribute to improving organizational performance across multiple industries, emphasizing their influence on operational agility, cost optimization, and technological integration barriers. Employing a mixed-method design, the study synthesizes insights from 50 scholarly publications and survey data collected from 120 organizational leaders in the education, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors. The findings indicate that digital systems—such as Business Analytics (BA), Enterprise Resource Platforms (ERP), and Customer Data Solutions (CDS)—play a pivotal role in fostering efficient information flow and evidence-based decision processes. Statistical analyses reveal significant positive correlations between the implementation of digital tools and improvements in both decision responsiveness (β = 0.48, p < 0.01) and financial performance (β = 0.41, p < 0.05). Conversely, digital adoption challenges were more prevalent in larger firms and among employees with limited technological proficiency (β = -0.36, p < 0.05). Cross-sectoral comparisons show that the magnitude of these benefits varies depending on technological maturity and strategic focus. The results underscore that the success of management technologies hinges not only on technical capacity but also on leadership commitment, digital literacy, and a culture receptive to innovation. This study advances the discourse on organizational digitalization and provides actionable guidance for optimizing technological investments in modern enterprises.
Management Information Systems, Information Technology, Decision-Making, Organizational Efficiency
Perceptions of the International Baccalaureate Curriculum among Educators Worldwide: A Thematic Study
This research explores international educators’ perceptions of the Cambridge International Curriculum through a qualitative investigation involving 52 teachers from secondary schools in Singapore, South Africa, Brazil, and Finland. Data were collected through virtual interviews and analyzed thematically using Atlas.ti to uncover educators’ insights on curriculum flexibility, assessment alignment, and classroom applicability. The study identifies five recurring dimensions, contextual adaptability, evaluation consistency, cross-cultural awareness, inquiry-driven pedagogy, and learner motivation. Results indicate that while the Cambridge framework encourages analytical thinking and intercultural competence, its standardized assessment design often conflicts with local pedagogical traditions and resource limitations. Participants who benefited from institutional autonomy and region-specific training demonstrated greater confidence in customizing teaching approaches and integrating local perspectives into the curriculum. The findings suggest that achieving true global relevance requires a balanced approach that combines uniform academic standards with sensitivity to cultural and educational diversity. This study contributes to a nuanced understanding of how international curricula operate across varied national contexts and offers actionable recommendations for enhancing teacher agency and curriculum inclusivity worldwide.
International Baccalaureate, IB curriculum, global education, qualitative research, teacher perspectives
Price Instability and Its Influence on Household Expenditure in Emerging Nations
This research explores how fluctuations in inflation influence household expenditure across developing and transitional economies. Drawing on panel data encompassing ten emerging nations, the study applies both fixed and random effects estimation techniques to evaluate the impact of rising price levels on consumer behavior. The analysis reveals a consistent and statistically significant inverse relationship between inflation rates and household spending, indicating that escalating prices diminish purchasing capacity and limit consumption activity. The outcomes underscore the importance of effective monetary and fiscal strategies aimed at mitigating inflationary shocks and preserving household welfare within vulnerable economic systems.
Emerging Markets, Panel Data, Inflation, Household Consumption.
Surveillance Capitalism and the New Social Order: Rethinking Freedom in the Digital Age
This study explores the rise of digital authoritarianism and its influence on weakening democratic principles within hybrid political systems. Through a comparative analysis of surveillance mechanisms in nations such as Turkey, Hungary, and India, the research demonstrates how governments increasingly exploit digital infrastructures to regulate information, monitor citizens, and marginalize opposition under the pretense of democratic governance. Employing a qualitative comparative approach, the study integrates insights from policy documents, human rights assessments, and interviews with experts in digital governance. The results indicate that state-led surveillance has evolved into a sophisticated tool of control, legitimized through legislation and reinforced by populist narratives. By revealing the intersection between technology, power, and civic freedoms, this research deepens our understanding of the transformation of political authority in the digital era and highlights urgent challenges for safeguarding democracy in technologically mediated societies.
Hybrid Regimes, State Surveillance, Democratic Erosion, Digital Authoritarianism.
Canadian Organizational Behaviour in SMEs
The present study delves into the behavioural patterns that characterize small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in Ottawa, Ontario. Utilizing a qualitative research design, insights were obtained from 62 comprehensive interviews with business owners, supervisors, and employees across multiple industries, including education, healthcare, retail, technology, and hospitality. The investigation highlights essential elements of workplace behaviour such as participative management, openness in dialogue, multicultural integration, and employee well-being that collectively shape interpersonal dynamics and organizational climate. Through the application of thematic analysis, the research demonstrates how Canada’s pluralistic ethos and inclusive societal norms inform leadership styles, cooperation, and overall workforce engagement. The findings enrich existing discussions on organizational behaviour within the Canadian SME context and propose meaningful recommendations for leaders, human resource professionals, and policymakers focused on cultivating constructive and adaptive organizational environments.
Leadership, Diversity, Communication, Employee Engagement, Workplace Culture
A Case Study Analysis of Practicing Educators’ Perceptions of the Relative Impact of Key School Leadership Characteristics Upon Expected Student Achievement in Recognized Successful Private Schools in Erbil, Iraq
This multiple case study investigated practicing educators’ perceptions of the impact of key leadership characteristics on expected student achievement in recognized private schools in Erbil, Iraq. The study focused on seven leadership dimensions: professionalism, individual consideration, knowledge, research and scholarship, mentoring and empowering, action orientation, and effective communication. A quantitative research design was employed to examine the perceived influence and interrelationships among these characteristics across 22 selected schools. Data were collected using a researcher-developed survey instrument, consisting of 30 Likert-scale items adapted from prior international leadership studies. The survey was distributed electronically to 500 randomly selected educators from a total teaching population of 1,151, yielding 342 usable responses (44% return rate). This represented approximately 68% of the intended sample and 30% of the total teacher population across the participating schools, ensuring adequate representation. The data were analyzed through a series of statistical procedures. Demographic analysis provided insights into participants’ gender, age, academic qualifications, and teaching experience. Reliability testing confirmed the consistency of the measures, while correlation analysis identified associations among variables. Regression analysis further examined the predictive power of leadership dimensions on expected student achievement. Results revealed that all seven leadership characteristics positively and significantly influenced educators’ perceptions of student achievement, though the degree of impact varied.
Canada, Physical Geography, Climate Zones, Regional Development, Natural Resources, Human Settlement, Arctic, Urbanization
Challenges and Opportunities in Gynecological Hospital Leadership for Improved Patient Outcomes
This research examines how central aspects of hospital administration—namely leadership approach, the use of electronic health record (EHR) systems, and the frequency of staff development initiatives—shape performance outcomes within gynecological healthcare institutions. Employing a quantitative methodology, data were gathered from multiple gynecological hospitals using structured surveys and official administrative reports. Analysis conducted with SPSS demonstrated notable links between participatory leadership and enhanced patient satisfaction, as well as between regular training programs and lower staff turnover alongside reduced readmission rates. Additionally, the integration of digital health platforms, particularly EHRs, was strongly associated with improved coordination of care and a decline in clinical mistakes. These results underscore the necessity of evidence-based managerial practices to strengthen efficiency, employee well-being, and patient-centered outcomes in women’s health facilities. Although issues such as financial limitations and organizational resistance were acknowledged, the findings confirm that systematic, data-informed management is essential for sustaining high-quality gynecological services. The study further provides practical guidance for healthcare leaders and policymakers aiming to introduce targeted reforms and elevate reproductive and maternal care. Overall, the evidence supports participatory leadership, ongoing training, and digital transformation as foundational elements of effective gynecological hospital governance.
Leadership Style, Participative Leadership, Staff Training and Development, Patient Satisfaction
Household Consumption Under Inflationary Pressures: Insights from Emerging Markets
This paper explores how rising price levels influence patterns of household expenditure in emerging economies. Utilizing a panel dataset covering ten nations from 2000 to 2022, the study applies econometric techniques—including fixed-effects and random-effects estimations—to evaluate the effect of inflationary movements on consumer spending behaviour. The findings demonstrate a clear inverse association between inflation and household outlays, showing that persistent increases in prices diminish real income capacity and limit demand for goods and services. These results carry important implications for economic governance, particularly in the formulation of monetary strategies and fiscal policies aimed at protecting household welfare in inflation-sensitive markets.
Emerging Economies, Panel Data Analysis, Fixed-Effects Model, Random-Effects Model, Purchasing Power
State Surveillance and the Decline of Democracy: Comparative Insights from Hybrid Regimes
This study explores the intersection of state surveillance and democratic decline within hybrid political regimes. Focusing on cases such as Turkey, Hungary, and India, the research investigates how governments employ digital surveillance systems to monitor populations, restrict dissent, and consolidate authority, all while upholding the outward appearance of democratic institutions. A qualitative comparative case study design was adopted, drawing on data from government records, human rights documentation, and interviews with subject-matter experts. The analysis demonstrates that surveillance mechanisms have grown increasingly sophisticated and are legitimized through legal structures and nationalist narratives. These findings highlight the extent to which digital tools are instrumentalized to weaken democratic practices and reinforce authoritarian tendencies. The article underscores the urgent need to reassess the relationship between technological governance and political freedoms in the contemporary digital era.
Democratic Erosion, Political Control, Legal Frameworks, Nationalist Rhetoric, Governance and Technology
A Qualitative Examination of Organizational Practices in Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises Located in the city of Ottawa
This research explores the dynamics of organizational behaviour (OB) within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in Ottawa, Ontario. Using a qualitative methodology, the investigation draws upon 62 in-depth, face-to-face interviews conducted with both administrators and staff members from diverse sectors, including retail, technology, healthcare, education, and hospitality. The inquiry highlights essential behavioural dimensions—such as participatory leadership, transparent communication, cultural inclusiveness, and work-life integration—that shape professional interactions within these organizations. Through thematic analysis, the study demonstrates how Canadian social values and multicultural principles inform SME practices, influence productivity, and enhance employee involvement. The findings enrich the limited body of qualitative literature on organizational behaviour in Canadian SMEs and provide actionable insights for business leaders, policymakers, and human resource practitioners seeking to strengthen workplace culture and organizational performance.
Organizational Behaviour, Inclusive Leadership, Communication Openness, Cultural Diversity, Work-Life Balance
Bias in AI Decision‑Making: Ethical Implications for Hiring and Healthcare Algorithms
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized decision-making in critical sectors such as hiring and healthcare. While AI promises enhanced efficiency, scalability, and data-driven objectivity, emerging evidence shows that these systems can inherit and even amplify societal biases, leading to unfair outcomes. This article explores the ethical implications of AI-driven bias in hiring and healthcare algorithms. It examines the sources of bias, the consequences of algorithmic discrimination, and the regulatory and ethical frameworks needed to ensure transparency, accountability, and equity. Case studies illustrate real-world impacts, and policy recommendations are provided for developers, organizations, and regulators seeking to create responsible AI systems.
Algorithmic Bias, Ethical AI, Fairness In Machine Learning, AI In Hiring Practices, Healthcare Algorithms, Discrimination In Automated Decision-Making.
Code‑Switching Patterns in Multilingual Classrooms: A Study of Pedagogical Strategies
In multilingual classrooms, code-switching—the alternation between two or more languages during communication—has emerged as a key linguistic and pedagogical phenomenon. This study examines the patterns and functions of code-switching in Iraqi classrooms, where Arabic, Kurdish, and English frequently intersect in educational settings. Through classroom observations, teacher interviews, and student focus groups, the research identifies the pedagogical strategies that support effective teaching and learning in a linguistically diverse environment. Findings suggest that code-switching serves a range of functions including clarification, classroom management, content reinforcement, and student engagement. The article concludes with implications for teacher training and language policy in Iraq’s evolving education system.
Code-Switching, Multilingual Education, Language Alternation, Classroom Interaction, Pedagogical Strategies, Bilingual Teaching
Digital Privacy in the Age of Surveillance: A Comparative Study of GDPR and CCPA
The rise of cryptocurrencies has introduced both opportunities and challenges for emerging markets, where financial infrastructure is often underdeveloped and economic volatility is prevalent. While digital assets offer alternatives to traditional banking, their extreme price volatility can pose systemic risks. This article explores the effects of cryptocurrency volatility on emerging markets, providing a sectoral analysis across finance, trade, technology, and consumer behavior. It highlights the dual nature of cryptocurrencies as tools of financial inclusion and sources of macroeconomic instability. The study concludes with policy recommendations for mitigating volatility risks while harnessing the benefits of digital currency adoption.
Cryptocurrency Volatility, Emerging Markets, Sectoral Economic Impact, Financial Stability, Digital Asset Risk, Crypto-Market Fluctuations.
In an era marked by unprecedented data generation and widespread digital surveillance, the need for robust privacy regulations has never been more critical. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the United States represent two landmark legislative responses aimed at protecting individual data rights. This article presents a comparative analysis of the GDPR and CCPA, focusing on their scope, core principles, consumer rights, compliance obligations, and enforcement mechanisms. It highlights the similarities and differences between the two frameworks and explores their implications for businesses, governments, and consumers in the evolving global data privacy landscape.
Digital Privacy, Data Protection Laws, Surveillance Practices, GDPR Vs. CCPA, Consumer Rights, Data Governance.
The Effects of social media on Adolescent Self-Esteem: A Meta-Analytical Approach
The rapid rise of social media platforms has transformed the social lives of adolescents, bringing new modes of interaction, self-expression, and identity formation. While social media can foster connection and creativity, concerns have emerged about its potential negative impact on adolescent self-esteem. This article presents a meta-analytical review of recent empirical studies exploring the relationship between social media use and self-esteem among adolescents. The findings reveal a complex, bidirectional relationship influenced by usage patterns, gender, platform type, and psychological context. While excessive, passive, and comparison-based use is associated with lower self-esteem, active and supportive engagement may enhance self-worth. The article concludes with implications for parents, educators, mental health professionals, and policy makers.
Social Media Usage, Adolescent Self-Esteem, Psychological Well-Being, Digital Identity, Peer Comparison, Mental Health Outcomes
Urban Green Infrastructure and Its Impact on Air Quality in Densely Populated Cities
Urban green infrastructure (UGI) is increasingly recognized as a vital component of sustainable urban planning. In densely populated cities, where air pollution poses significant risks to public health and environmental stability, UGI offers a natural and cost-effective solution. This article explores the relationship between urban green infrastructure and air quality improvement, examining the mechanisms through which vegetation reduces pollutants and presents case studies from major global cities. It also discusses design strategies, implementation challenges, and policy implications, concluding with recommendations for integrating UGI into urban development frameworks to enhance air quality and promote livable cities.
Urban Green Infrastructure, Air Quality Improvement, Urban Vegetation, Pollution Mitigation, Green Spaces, Urban Sustainability, Environmental Health.
Blockchain Applications in Supply Chain Management: A Review of Transparency and Traceability Solutions
As global supply chains become increasingly complex and susceptible to disruption, the need for transparency, trust, and traceability has never been greater. Blockchain technology has emerged as a promising tool to address these challenges by providing immutable, decentralized, and verifiable data across supply chain networks. This article reviews current applications of blockchain in supply chain management (SCM), with a focus on its role in enhancing transparency and traceability. It explores real-world use cases across various industries—such as food, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods—and highlights the technological, organizational, and regulatory challenges involved. The paper concludes with future directions for integrating blockchain into mainstream supply chain systems.
Blockchain Technology, Supply Chain Management, Transparency, Traceability, Distributed Ledger Systems, Smart Contracts, Data Integrity, Logistics Innovation.
Telehealth Adoption Among Elderly Patients: Barriers and Opportunities in Post-Pandemic Care
The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed an unprecedented shift toward telehealth services, offering a lifeline for vulnerable populations, particularly elderly patients. While telehealth adoption expanded rapidly during the pandemic, its continued integration into post-pandemic healthcare systems raises concerns and opportunities. This article explores the barriers elderly patients face in adopting telehealth, including technological literacy, access to devices, cognitive and physical limitations, and concerns about privacy. It also highlights key opportunities to improve elderly care through telehealth by enhancing accessibility, streamlining care coordination, and reducing hospital readmissions. Recommendations for policymakers, healthcare providers, and caregivers are provided to ensure equitable and sustainable telehealth integration for older adults.
Telehealth Adoption, Elderly Patients, Digital Health Barriers, Post-Pandemic Healthcare, Technology Acceptance, Healthcare Accessibility, Digital Literacy
Agile Leadership in Times of Crisis: A Strategic Framework for Organizational Resilience
In an increasingly volatile and uncertain global environment, organizations face mounting challenges requiring adaptive and strategic responses. This article explores the concept of agile leadership as a critical driver of organizational resilience during times of crisis. Drawing from recent research and real-world examples, it proposes a strategic framework outlining how agile leaders can guide organizations through disruption while sustaining performance and promoting innovation. Key components include adaptive thinking, decentralized decision-making, emotional intelligence, transparent communication, and continuous learning. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for leadership development programs that foster agility across all levels of the organization.
Agile leadership, Crisis management, Organizational resilience, Strategic framework, Adaptive leadership, Change management, Resilient organizations
Gamification in Remote Learning: Enhancing Student Engagement in Virtual Classrooms
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to remote learning, exposing limitations in traditional instructional methods and highlighting the need for innovative engagement strategies. This study investigates the effectiveness of gamification—defined as the integration of game design elements such as points, badges, leaderboards, and challenges—in enhancing student engagement, motivation, and academic performance in virtual classrooms. Using a mixed-methods, quasi-experimental design, the study compares a control group receiving traditional remote instruction with an experimental group engaged through gamified platforms. Results demonstrate that gamification significantly improves student participation, time-on-task, satisfaction, and learning outcomes. Additionally, qualitative data reveal that gamified learning environments foster a stronger sense of community and promote intrinsic motivation. However, challenges such as equity, over-reliance on competitive elements, and the need for thoughtful instructional design are also identified. The findings underscore the importance of balanced, inclusive, and well-aligned gamified strategies in creating effective and student-centered remote learning experiences.
Remote Learning; Student Engagement; Online Pedagogy; Educational Technology; Digital Learning; Intrinsic Motivation; Game-Based Learning; Instructional Design; Equity in Education