University of Macedonia

The Internet is nowadays an integral part of adolescents’ everyday life, bringing several benefits but risks as well. Although adolescents are familiar with technology, there seems to be a gap in their knowledge in safety and data protection on the Internet. So it is clear that adolescents have to be educated on relevant issues and serious games have emerged as a promising means of educating, by raising awareness and changing behaviors. In this article, we present the results of an empirical study that utilized serious games for raising students’ awareness on safety and data protection on the Internet. Two questionnaires, that collected information regarding students’ knowledge and practices while using the Internet, were used for data collection. The first questionnaire was filled in prior and the second one after playing the games in the school lab. The study showed that student attitudes before playing the games did not significantly protect their privacy and personal data online. The serious games seemed to be effective in developing cyber protection skills, while students reported that they gained knowledge and were motivated to seek even more. After playing the games, the students became aware of issues on safety and personal data protection on the Internet and realized the need to change their behavior in order to protect them more effectively.

This research aims to investigate the factors driving Willingness to Work (WtW) and the influence of job satisfaction within the Greek tourism sector, which is crucial for addressing the permacrisis of labour shortage in the tourism sector. This ongoing crisis can weaken resilience by introducing challenges related to operations, finances, employee well-being, and customer satisfaction. Using a sample of 2,104 experienced individuals in tourism, we employed descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression analysis. Job motivation is presented hierarchically, and key motivators impacting WtW in accommodation and F&B services are identified. Significant positive influences on WtW include job satisfaction dimensions like remuneration, promotion opportunities, and collaboration with colleagues. These findings aid employers aligning recruitment criteria with candidate preferences, contributing to the advancement of WtW research in the tourism industry.

This article reports the protocol of a single-arm exploratory study investigating the impact of singing on the brain activity of premature infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The study focuses on how the differentiation of voices, as defined by the fundamental frequency (F0) shaped by biological sex and kinship, influences neurophysiological responses when measured by electroencephalography (EEG). Premature infants, who are highly sensitive to auditory stimuli, may benefit from music-based interventions; however, there is limited understanding of how voice variations between male and female caregivers, and whether they are biologically related, affect brain activity. Our protocol outlines a structured intervention where infants are exposed to singing by four facilitators – a male and a female music therapist, the mother, and the father – and includes two singing stages: a sustained note and a lullaby, both interspersed with silent periods to allow for baseline measurements. EEG recordings track brain activity throughout these sessions, followed by quantitative EEG (qEEG) analysis and thorough statistical computations (e.g., mixed-effects models, spectral power analysis, and post-hoc tests) to explore how these auditory stimuli influence brain function. Preliminary data from five infants show that maternal singing elicits the highest delta spectral power in all measured conditions except during the ‘lullaby song’, where paternal singing elicits the highest effects followed by the male music therapist and then the mother. These early findings highlight the potential influence of parental voices, particularly the fathers’ voice, on neonatal brain development, while the detailed study protocol ensures rigor and replicability, providing a robust framework for future research. (clinicaltrials.gov unique identifier: NCT06398912).

This study presents the implementation of an augmented reality application designed to enhance the exploration of art murals. The primary purpose was to investigate how augmented reality technology can improve the experience of interacting with urban art. The validation was conducted in a case study involving 13 tourists who used the application to explore selected murals. A user-centered design approach guided this process, with usability, user experience, and motivation evaluated through standardized instruments. The results indicated that the augmented reality application significantly enriched the tourists’ experience, providing an intuitive and engaging platform that enhanced their understanding and appreciation of the murals. Usability scores were high, with users finding the interface easy to navigate. As for the user experience, participants noted the application’s novelty as a critical factor in attracting their interest. Additionally, feedback from the motivation survey showed an increased desire to explore and learn about art, attributed to the interactive and immersive nature of the augmented reality content. This study builds on existing augmented reality applications in cultural heritage and tourism, highlighting how this technology can be used not only to make art more accessible but also to promote cultural tourism and environmental awareness. Future research should explore comparative analyses with similar projects to further validate the effectiveness of augmented reality in this domain.

We investigate the impact of sustainability performance (Refinitiv Environmental, Social, and Governance [ESG] scores) on corporate risk (CR). We apply stakeholder theory and the resource‐based view to an international sample of 247 tourism firms from 2002 to 2018. We demonstrate a negative association between ESG and CR, which is more pronounced when pension funds act as the controlling shareholders. We reveal that tourism firms with stronger ESG performance have statistically and economically significantly less risk of volatile earnings and a lower probability of failure than their counterparts with poor ESG. Our findings are robust to endogeneity and model misspecification. Overall, we add new evidence suggesting that ESG generates value and concrete positive outcomes for tourism firms, an effect moderated by the identity of controlling shareholders.

The significant challenges faced by students with visual impairments in educational settings, particularly in accessing university education, are well documented. Limited access to essential learning materials often leads to poor academic performance and increased risk of dropout. On the contrary, providing educational resources in alternative formats is essential to improving accessibility. The effectiveness of engaging students with visual impairments with graphical materials for learning in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics has been well supported, as well as the difficulties these students face in accessing accessible images/graphics. The present study aims to compare four different forms of accessible images regarding their effectiveness and usefulness for students with visual impairments, as well as the satisfaction of students with visual impairments with these forms of accessible educational materials. These four forms are (a) verbal description of pictures, (b) pictures printed on swell/microcapsule paper, (c) embossed pictures on paper with the Tiger embosser, and (d) audio-tactile pictures. The findings of the study highlight several useful conclusions for the design and production of accessible images.

This chapter provides an overview of the literature that associates religiosity and religious affiliation with the prevalence and severity of COVID-19. It first discusses studies on the interplay between religiosity, health outcomes, COVID-19 spread, compliance with vaccination policies, and trust. The chapter then focuses on methodological challenges in exploring the religiosity-COVID-19 relationship and reviews the literature that uses data from different world regions. The empirical literature suggests that in regions where individuals manifest a higher degree of religiosity, the COVID-19 mortality rates are conditionally higher. Interestingly, the correlation between religiosity and COVID-19 mortality rates is particularly strong in Protestant and Catholic regions, while weaker for other denominations. Thus, it can be conferred that religious denomination and the degree of religiosity play an important role in the spread of the virus. A hypothesized mechanism is that in regions with a high degree of religiosity, the social interactions are more intense, particularly those driven by higher religious attendance, suggesting that these aspects should be embedded in policies with the aim of maximizing their effectiveness for future disease outbreaks.

The selection of suppliers in public procurement significantly impacts economic efficiency and social wellbeing, particularly within residential care institutions responsible for vulnerable populations. Despite the strategic importance of procurement decisions, limited research has addressed criteria weighting in the specific context of residential care. This study bridges this gap by applying the group Analytic Hierarchy Process (group AHP) to determine the weights of selected procurement criteria in residential care institutions in Serbia. Results indicate that price remains the dominant factor, though sustainability considerations are increasingly influential, aligning procurement practices with broader regulatory and policy goals. Moderately weighted criteria emphasize the importance of contractual clarity and fairness, while delivery time is found to be of comparatively lower priority. The application of group AHP demonstrates strong consistency among expert judgments, highlighting its effectiveness in enhancing transparency and reducing potential biases or corruption. The findings underscore the necessity of embedding scientifically grounded multi-criteria approaches into public procurement frameworks and suggest comprehensive training for procurement professionals to facilitate informed, sustainable, and socially responsible procurement decisions.

Cognitive maps act as symbolic structures that encode spatial knowledge and assist individuals with blindness in making critical decisions while navigating spatial environment. The present study aimed to investigate the information (items) contained in the city center cognitive map of individuals with visual impairments, as well as to the classification of these items based on the sensory modality through which they are recognized, and their perceived usefulness for information, safety, and wayfinding/orientation support. Fourteen individuals with visual impairments were asked to present their cognitive map of the city center, and five of them were further involved in a focus group. The results gave prominence to those items (e.g., bus stations, cafe, pastry shops) the participants find more important to include in their cognitive maps, to the sensory modalities of these items (e.g., auditory and olfactory), as well as to the scope of using the specific items (information and orientation/wayfinding) during their environmental navigation within the city center.

The Greek-Turkish exchange of populations is situated in the political context of the simultaneous reconstruction of the two neighbouring countries in the aftermath of the Greek-Turkish War (1919–1922) and their consolidation as nation states. In Lausanne, land and population constituted the risk factor in the diplomatic negotiations between all involved parties. The Convention of Lausanne (30 January 1923) regulated the fate of approximately two million people in a non-reversible and compulsory way. The agreement, although of ambiguous compliance with international law, imposed ethnic unmixing as an acceptable practice and finalised the consequences of the war.

Parents facing child’s life-threatening diseases like cancer encounter a myriad of emotional challenges, often exacerbated by communication barriers. This study designed to explore the significance of effective communication and emotions’ management in improving the well-being and quality of life of these parents. The research was conducted on a sample of 133 families of children with cancer, and the results were displayed after statistical processing and data analysis with R statistical software. The results of the study confirm with statistically significant data, the importance of the communication and emotions’ management of the parents during the disease of their children, and the need of a multidisciplinary approach involving healthcare providers, psychologists, social workers, and support groups. Thus, 74.5% of the respondents stating that they receive help from their partners during the period of childhood cancer and 76.7% could also communicate and receive help from the other family members. The key findings are characterized by high specificity as it is a part of a unique study that reveals particular aspects of the Greek parent’s behavior, communication, and psychosocial problems during the period of their child’s illness.

This chapter seeks to develop a conceptual framework for talent management to address its critical role in recruitment, development, and retention in the current business era. It achieves its aim by analysing and examining the interconnected influence of organisational culture, leadership, and employer branding on talent management practices. By reviewing the extant empirical research, the study also cites talent management as a strategic lever for digital transformation, Quality 4.0 processes, and organisational sustainability. This study contributes to the existing literature by developing a conceptual framework for investigating the interconnections mentioned above. The creation of a talent management construct is innovative and is anticipated to influence perspectives and propel new research avenues within the domain of talent management. Also, its practical application will assist business leaders in aligning talent management strategies with broader organisational objectives. Ultimately, the proposed framework is expected to contribute to the current knowledge base in talent management.

Virtual reality is increasingly used in health sciences education, including healthcare, nursing, and medical education. Hence, this study provides an overview of the use of virtual reality within healthcare education, nursing education, and medical education through the analysis of published documents from 2010 to 2025. Based on the outcomes of this study, virtual reality emerged as an effective educational tool that can support students and health professionals. The immersive, realistic, and safe environments created in virtual reality allowed learners to enhance their knowledge and practice their skills, patient interactions, and decision-making without risking patient safety. Improvements in learning outcomes, including performance, clinical skills development, critical thinking, and knowledge acquisition were observed. Virtual reality also positively contributes toward a more holistic health sciences education as it increases students’ empathy and behavioral understanding. Finally, eight main research topics were identified and research gaps and future research directions are presented.

Background: Migraine is a highly prevalent and disabling neurological disorder among university students that has significant impacts on personal and socioeconomic levels. Despite its impact, migraine remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of probable migraine among university students in Greece and explore its association with sociodemographic data. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted between September 2023 and January 2024 among university students in Greece using a convenience sampling method. The Headache Screening Questionnaire—English Version (HSQ-EV) was used to screen for probable migraine, along with additional questions assessing demographic characteristics. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were performed. Results: The prevalence of probable migraine was 20%. Female students were more likely to experience migraine compared to males. Migraine was also statistically significantly associated with marital status and employment status. In a multivariate logistic regression model including sex assigned at birth, age, educational level, marital status, and employment status, older age was independently associated with higher odds of migraine. Conclusions: Migraine is a prevalent health issue among university students in Greece, with clear gender and sociodemographic associations. Future studies with larger, more representative sample sizes and the use of validated diagnostic tools are needed to understand its determinants and inform targeted interventions.

I lost my mom in 2020, shortly before the COVID‐19 outbreak. Ι began working on the first draft of this story several months before her death, at a particularly difficult stage of her illness during which our relationship was challenged. Care is a complex assemblage of economic and social practices, emotions and policies. In the micro‐context of a mother–daughter relationship, I try to explore how care could be transformed into an emotional battlefield which sheds light on the construction of this bond in the Greek, urban context. How does this relationship become constructed, and how does it test the boundaries of intimacy and family? How could care help women understand their gendered experiences and expand their female solidarity? To address these questions, the story investigates the mother–daughter relationship through the appearance of a real and symbolic stranger, a female immigrant woman. How does this newly arrived woman help the mother and the daughter reevaluate their relationship?

Sonority and its language-universal sonority-sequencing principle (SSP) define an important dimension of phonological grammar which aids in the segmentation of words into syllables (Clements in Pap Lab Phonol 1:283–333, 1990). Studies have yielded contradictory findings on sonority and SSP phonotactics in lexical perception of speech by children with cochlear implants (CI) (Hamza et al. in Ear Hear 39(5):992–1007, 2018; Ear Hear 41(6):1715–1731, 2020). The present study aimed to investigate whether sonority-based and prosodic word aspects guide the lexical preferences of children with CI in comparison with two groups of normally-hearing οnes, who were matched based on chronological and hearing age to children with CI, respectively. A retrospective analysis of real words was undertaken, obtained from a-CYLEX, a parent-reporting tool of receptive and expressive vocabulary which was completed for 17 children with CI, aged from 21 to 71 months (Oktapoti et al. in Deaf Educ Int 18(1):3–12, 2016). The data for each word was re-coded into sonorous-loaded, nonsonorous-loaded and neutral words, and also into five word categories based on number of syllables. Metrical values were obtained following normalization of data. Results indicated similar trends in sonority and prosodic word categories based on normalized scores, in children with CI and NH peers, for both receptive and expressive vocabulary. Yet, differences in vocabulary size among the three groups were noted.

Despite the extensive research on container port efficiency, the impact of port organizational reforms on productivity and efficiency in lower-middle-income countries remains underexplored, with most studies focusing on developed nations or specific regions. This study addresses this gap. It aims to analyse the productivity changes in container ports within world-wide lower-middle-income countries. The Malmquist Productivity Index, estimated using data envelopment analysis (DEA), was applied to a balanced panel of 39 container ports from 2001 to 2012 being a period that covers substantial port organisational reforms in the target population. The findings reveal an average productivity growth rate of 1.9% among the sample ports during the study period. Decomposition of the Malmquist Index shows that this growth is primarily driven by improvements in technical efficiency, with pure efficiency change emerging as the main driver. These insights are valuable for guiding strategic decision-making to enhance port competitiveness, particularly in lower-middle-income countries.

The aim of this chapter is to analyse the issues and concerns raised in relation to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) using the framework of governance within the European Union (EU) as a basis of analysis. We examine two methods of governance: the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) and the Community Method (CM). After an in-depth review of these two methods, an extensive analysis of the history and legal nature of the EPSR is presented. Having placed the EPSR within the wider framework of the EU’s modus operandi, an evaluation of the different possibilities and issues that arise from its implementation at the supranational and national levels through either the OMC or the CM is presented, followed by a conclusion on the ways through which the EPSR could be more effectively implemented.

This chapter examines the role of stereotypes, especially ethnic stereotypes, in the European and Greek contexts. Stereotypes as categories of meaning and as communicative currency are studied. A brief historical account of the European Others and how they were contextualized in the Greek context is explored with emphasis on the Enlightenment period and the formation of the Greek state, the Cold War and Greek Diasporas from the Black Sea and the former socialist countries and the current refugee crisis.

The vulnerability of LGBTIQ+ persons is accelerated by the intersecting forms of discrimination they face in multiple and overlapping ways. A constellation of factors increases the vulnerability of intersex persons and non-binary and gender-diverse persons. With limited visibility, they have been subjected to historical discrimination in varying contexts (legal, policy, social, cultural, political, workplace, etc.). Recent case law before the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union opens up the space for interaction with the lived experiences of these two groups and critical thinking on the interpretation of human rights law in Europe.