Nurture

A Semiotic Study of Duan Inkstones as Tourist Souvenirs from the Tourists' Perspectives

2026-01-02T01:07:11-06:00

This paper examines Duan inkstones, a traditional cultural artifact from Guangdong, China, as tourist souvenirs through a semiotic lens. By analyzing the symbolic meanings, cultural connotations, and aesthetic expressions embedded in Duan inkstones, the study explores how tourists perceive and interpret these artifacts in the context of cultural tourism. Drawing on semiotic theory, the paper identifies three layers of meaning in Duan inkstones: material symbolism, cultural symbolism, and experiential symbolism. This study holds significant academic value and practical implications. Through interviews with tourists and analysis of purchasing behaviors, the study reveals that tourists value Duan inkstones not only for their artistic and historical significance but also for their role in constructing cultural identity and facilitating cross-cultural communication. The findings suggest that Duan inkstones serve as semiotic bridges connecting tourists to Chinese culture, offering insights into the dynamics of cultural consumption in tourism. It constructs a theoretical model to explore pathways for their visual transformation and material reconstruction, providing a methodological approach for differentiated innovation in souvenir design, and practically enhancing the cultural connotations and aesthetic qualities of such souvenirs and thereby strengthen their market competitiveness.

Digital Technologies and Endogenous Cultures in Niger: Between Preservation and Transformation

2026-01-08T07:10:45-06:00

This article critically examines the complex intersection between endogenous cultural preservation and the rapid penetration of digital technologies,including artificial intelligence (AI), in the Republic of Niger. Situated within the broader context of digital globalization and the country’s significant infrastructural and policy limitations, the study aims to provide a nuanced assessment of both the transformative opportunities and the existential threats that technological integration poses to cultural continuity. Employing a qualitative, document-based analytical approach grounded in Canclini’s seminal theory of cultural hybridization and Castells’ influential network society model, the research explores the multifaceted ways in which information and communication technologies (ICTs) influence the safeguarding, transformation, and dissemination of Nigerien languages, rituals, and artistic expressions. The findings indicate a dualistic impact: digital technologies actively foster the revitalization of cultural heritage through innovative digitization projects, online educational tools, and social media diffusion, while simultaneously heightening the risks of cultural homogenization, decontextualization, and a deepening dependency on foreign digital ecosystems and platforms. The study concludes that sustainable and sovereign cultural preservation in the digital age necessitates a multi-pronged strategy involving equitable technological access, robust digital literacy initiatives, participatory and community-led archiving practices, and reinforced legal and ethical protection of cultural rights. Overall, the article constitutes a significant contribution to the academic discourse on digital globalization by elucidating the specific mechanisms through which African societies—with Niger as a poignant case study—can navigate the delicate balance between embracing technological innovation and protecting their invaluable cultural diversity and sovereignty.

Assessing Economic Impacts of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives on U.S. Retail and Food Service Markets for Animal Protein

2026-02-17T03:57:45-06:00

Plant-based proteins have a long history in U.S. food markets and innovations in recent years have led to a new class of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMA) becoming commercially available in both retail and food service settings. Early market indicators for PBMA products, including company stock valuations, as well as qualitative excitement over novel offerings and widespread proliferation in food service outlets, pointed to high growth potential and strong consumer interest. However, the market has slowed and adjusted to the availability of PBMA, it has become less clear how PBMA affect overall protein markets, specifically animal proteins. The article addresses the relative value (as measured in willingness to pay estimates) consumers have for various animal and plant-based proteins in both the retail and food service cases. It then simulates market shares to examine prevalence of PBMA in consumer spending and subsequently estimates the consumer welfare impacts of PBMA availability in both types of markets. To further investigate the distribution of PBMA value and impacts across consumer types, these analyses are also broken down by self-reported consumer dietary patterns (Regular meat consumption, flexitarian, vegetarian, and vegan).

Relationship between Talent Management Practices and Employee Performance

2026-02-26T05:15:02-06:00

This study examines the impact of talent management practices on employee performance in the Mongolian banking sector, addressing the growing need for evidence-based human resource strategies in emerging economies. The study focuses on four core components of talent management: Talent attraction, talent retention, training and development, and career planning. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 343 employees of the State Bank of Mongolia and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Measurement model assessment confirmed adequate reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the constructs. The structural model results indicate that all four talent management components have a positive and statistically significant effect on employee performance (p < 0.01). Among these, talent attraction, retention, training and development, and career planning each contribute meaningfully to improving employee performance outcomes. The findings suggest that effective implementation of comprehensive talent management practices enhances employee performance within the banking context. This study contributes to the talent management literature by providing empirical evidence from a developing country context and extending the application of established theoretical frameworks, including the Resource-Based View, AMO model, and Social Exchange Theory, to the Mongolian banking sector.