Technology & AI

Considering words and the areas of the mind that they impact as two-dimensional shapes forms the theoretical basis from which intercultural communication between the West and Sub-Saharan Africa are examined. Unique shapes of words are illustrated as arising from their meeting with equally unique 'impactible areas' of people's minds, and cultures, resulting in transmitted and received shapes differing in a way related to lexical content at both ends. Differences in overlap between word impacts, shapes of words and fit between words in different languages / cultures are shown to contribute to imprecision in translation, resulting in the recommendation that local policy be of local origin. The above is applied to Christian mission in Africa through diagrammatic representations of 'love' as a spiritual gift in comparison to fellow words, and by an inter-cultural consideration of public…

How may culture be defined? Numerous works and important contributions have been answering this crucial question for the past thirty years; yet the problem remains unsolved. When taking a close look at ‘intercultural communication’, we may see that some utterances might not be thatcultural at all. If we have a clear definition of ‘intercultural communication’, then what is ‘intra-cultural communication’ (Winch 1997, Ma 2004)? Is there really a sharp difference between these two concepts and is miscommunication necessarily ‘cultural’ when implying individuals or groups from alleged different cultural backgrounds? We will study various examples and try to separate the cultural from the non-cultural by taking a close look at intercultural and intra-cultural miscommunication, insofar as their definitions seem to ultimately cover the same conceptual maps. After this first step, we will…

This study aims to investigate the public acceptance of potential loot box regulation in digital games, focusing on the similarities between loot boxes and gambling, and the need for increased transparency. An online survey was conducted in July 2019, targeting participants from Germany, Hungary, South Africa, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The survey collected data on consumer preferences regarding the mandatory disclosure of loot box probabilities. The survey results indicate a strong public agreement on the need for mandatory transparency in displaying loot box probabilities. Participants believe that showing these probabilities would lead to a decrease in spending on loot boxes, suggesting that game publishing companies currently avoid this practice due to potential revenue loss. The study concludes that there is significant public support for…

This study investigates the impact of technology finance and technological innovation on economic growth in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (Jingjinji) region, while also exploring whether this relationship is nonlinear and moderated by technology finance. Using panel data from 2000 to 2021, the study constructs indices for technology finance and technological innovation through principal component analysis (PCA) and applies a threshold regression model. The findings reveal that technological innovation has a stronger positive effect on economic growth when the technology finance index is below or equal to a threshold of 1.459. Beyond this threshold, the impact of innovation diminishes. Additionally, financial development and financial openness positively influence growth, while higher college enrollment ratios have a negative effect. Comparing regional data, the study observes that Beijing…

The current study focuses on the effects of English language instruction using Education 4.0 in Telangana's engineering institutions. Telangana has many educational facilities that offer Education 4.0, or technology-based learning. It fosters creativity in education. At the fundamental level, students can learn by being provided with a self-learning opportunity. The majority of the subjects were learned through Education 4.0. As a result, Telangana kids also learn English via Education 4.0, which has an effect. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how Education 4.0 has affected Telangana's English language instruction. In Telangana's engineering institutions, survey-based research has been done for this aim. The analysis used in the study is quantitative. The data gathered from the chosen educational institutions were analysed using SPSS software. The findings indicate that adopting…

Exploring the communicative behavior of teachers and students in the Japanese language classroom in Singapore is one important way of looking at intercultural communication between Japanese and Singaporeans. Ease in effective communication is often hindered by differences in expectations resulting in communication gaps. In this study, attempts were made to explore the differences in perceptions held by students and Japanese teachers of (i) a good teacher versus a Japanese teacher; and (ii) a good student versus a university student. A questionnaire based on previous findings was constructed using a 5-point semantic differential scale for this purpose. A comparison of results showed that there were significant differences in students’ and teachers’ perception of a good teacher/student versus the teacher/student in reality.

Sweden is rapidly changing from being a monocultural to a multicultural society. The effects of this process can also be seen in health care which has, up till now, been one of the most ethnically and gender segregated working places, compared to the industrial sector. Increasing multiculturality places the issue of intercultural communication on top of the agenda for Swedish society in general and for the health care sector in particular. This article is based on the results of two interrelated questionnaires, one directed at non-Swedish physicians, a relatively new but rapidly growing group in Swedish heath care, and one directed at Swedish health care personnel, a traditionally ethnically homogeneous group. The respondents’ answers have been summarised and compared in order to get a comprehensive picture of intercultural communication in Swedish health care.

This study examines the role of social media in enhancing digital resilience and knowledge sustainability among Syrian refugees. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines qualitative and quantitative methods, surveying Syrian refugees in Jordan and Türkiye to explore how social media assists them in accessing information and knowledge resources. The findings reveal that social media plays a crucial role in developing social networks, increasing awareness of events in Syria, and connecting refugees with support systems, helping to combat social isolation and foster a sense of belonging. Additionally, digital tools enable refugees to navigate host country services, learn about their rights, and seek assistance from local and international organizations. The study concludes that social media is an essential tool for enhancing refugee resilience, providing a platform for…

This study examines how strategic financial management boosts SMEs' corporate value and competitiveness in the fast-changing digital economy. As digital technologies change market landscapes, SMEs face unique challenges and opportunities in aligning their financial strategies with digital transformation. This mixed-methods study combines quantitative regression analysis with qualitative interviews with senior management from technology, finance, retail, and manufacturing. Quantitative findings from 129 SMEs show a positive correlation between strategic alignment, innovation culture, and corporate value and financial performance, highlighting the complex but crucial role of digital technology investments and risk management. Qualitative insights emphasise the need to align these investments with strategic goals and foster innovation. This study contributes twice. First, it empirically…

This study explores the lived experiences of religious tourism and intercultural communication at the Loang Baloq Tomb in West Lombok, Indonesia—a sacred site where spiritual pilgrimage and local cultural practices converge. Using a phenomenological approach, the research investigates how visitors, caretakers, and community members interact, perform rituals, and make meaning within a shared sacred environment. Drawing on interviews with 25 participants and field observations, the study identifies key motivations for visitation, such as spiritual healing, cultural curiosity, and ancestral reverence. It also uncovers the dynamics of intercultural encounters, including hospitality, symbolic interpretation, and negotiation of meaning across linguistic and cultural differences. The findings reveal that ritual acts at Loang Baloq function as a form of communication, fostering shared…