bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Evaluation of Adversarial Attacks against Speech Emotion Recognition Models
Authors: Facchinetti Nicolas , Simonetta Federico , Ntalampiras Stavros
Published: April 2024

Speech emotion recognition (SER) has been constantly gaining attention in recent years due to its potential applications in diverse fields and thanks to the possibilities offered by deep learning technologies. However, recent studies have shown that deep learning models can be vulnerable to adversarial attacks. In this paper, we systematically assess this problem by examining the impact of various adversarial white-box and black-box attacks on different languages and genders within the context of SER. We first propose a suitable methodology for audio data processing, feature extraction, and convolutional neural network long short-term memory (CNN-LSTM) architecture. The observed outcomes highlighted the considerable vulnerability of CNN-LSTM models to adversarial examples (AEs). In fact, all the considered adversarial attacks are able to considerably reduce the performance of the constructed models. Furthermore, when assessing the efficacy of the attacks, minor differences were noted between the languages analyzed as well as between male and female speech. In summary, this work contributes to the understanding of the robustness of CNN-LSTM models, particularly in SER scenarios, and the impact of AEs. Interestingly, our findings serve as a baseline for (a) developing more robust algorithms for SER, (b) designing more effective attacks, (c) investigating possible defenses, (d) improved understanding of the vocal differences between different languages and genders, and (e) overall enhancing our comprehension of the SER task.
A General Synthesis Method for Patterning PEDOT toward Wearable Electronics and Bioelectronics
Authors: Cheng Wanke , Zheng Zihao , Li Xiaona , Zhu Ying , Zeng Suqing , Zhao Dawei , Yu Haipeng
Published: April 2024

The conductive polymer poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT), recognized for its superior electrical conductivity and biocompatibility, has become an attractive material for developing wearable technologies and bioelectronics. Nevertheless, the complexities associated with PEDOT’s patterning synthesis on diverse substrates persist despite recent technological progress. In this study, we introduce a novel deep eutectic solvent (DES)-induced vapor phase polymerization technique, facilitating nonrestrictive patterning polymerization of PEDOT across diverse substrates. By controlling the quantity of DES adsorbed per unit area on the substrates, PEDOT can be effectively patternized on cellulose, wood, plastic, glass, and even hydrogels. The resultant patterned PEDOT exhibits numerous benefits, such as an impressive electronic conductivity of 282 S·m
−1
, a high specific surface area of 5.29 m
2
·g
−1
, and an extensive electrochemical stability range from −1.4 to 2.4 V in a phosphate-buffered saline. To underscore the practicality and diverse applications of this DES-induced approach, we present multiple examples emphasizing its integration into self-supporting flexible electrodes, neuroelectrode interfaces, and precision circuit repair methodologies.
Lectotypification of the Name Artemisia kabylica (Asteraceae)
Authors: Tavilla Gianmarco , Dellaa Yasmina
Published: April 2024

The name Artemisia kabylica Chabert (Asteraceae) is lectotypified here. The lectotype of A. kabylica is stored in FI, and isolectotypes are deposited in FI, MPU, and P.
Gender as a Moderator of the Double Bias of Mistakes – Knowledge Culture and Knowledge Sharing Effects
Authors: Kucharska Wioleta , Kopytko Aleksandra
Published: April 2024

There is no learning without mistakes. The essence of the double bias of mistakes is the contradiction between an often-declared positive attitude towards learning from mistakes, and negative experiences when mistakes occur. Financial and personal consequences, shame, and blame force desperate employees to hide their mistakes. These adverse outcomes are doubled in organizations by the common belief that managers never make mistakes, which makes the contradiction even more harmful. Double bias affected leaders select only easy tasks to secure their positions, and those who want to be promoted hide their mistakes to maintain the image of a “perfect employee”. Avoiding the risk of failure is generally not wrong as long as doing so does not block organizational growth. It has been proven that the double bias of mistakes can present a serious hurdle for organizational learning and collective intelligence building. This study explores whether the double bias of mistakes is gender-related and how it affects tacit and explicit knowledge sharing. To do so, it is based on a sample of 183 Polish knowledge workers affected by the double bias of mistakes. The analysis method was ordinary least squares regression, which was conducted with SPSS PROCESS software. Results show that the double bias of mistakes generally causes more problems for female specialists than male specialists and more for male managers than female managers. Regarding managers, male managers probably tend to focus more on control at work. In contrast, women focus on supporting learning (they accept mistakes as a source of knowledge and share knowledge gained from them). Considering current challenges relating to collective intelligence building, women seem to have the potential to be better mentors and probably also better leaders than men. Such formulated conclusions are based on indirect inferences, so further research is necessary.
Effectiveness of Gender Equality Policies in G20 Parliaments: A Fuzzy Logic Analysis
Authors: Kalemci R. Arzu , Ozkan-Canbolat Ela , Kalemci-Tuzun Ipek
Published: April 2024

The institutional theory draws attention to the possibility of decoupling. Decoupling refers to complying with external pressures, organizations can maintain their internal practices without changing them. There is a relative increase in the number of women in parliament in almost all G20 countries on an annual basis. However even though the ratio of women's seats in the national parliament has increased relatively in some countries, our knowledge is limited whether gender equality policies are effectively implemented. Based on the observation about the relative increase in the women seats in the G20 national parliaments, the current study examines whether there is decoupling. The study adopts the quantitative data collection method and analyses the fuzzy logic method. The findings of the study reveal that decoupling may exist in G20 countries even where the human development index is high.
Gendered Perspectives on Sustainable Entrepreneurship: A Study of Finnish SMEs
Authors: Joensuu-Salo Sanna , Kangas Emilia , Könönen Laura , Koivuranta Annukka
Published: April 2024

The objective of this research is to understand how gender is related to opportunities of sustainable entrepreneurship. The data was gathered from Finnish SMEs, and it has responses from 202 SME owner-managers. Of the SME owner-managers, 28 % were women and 72 % male. Most of the SMEs were small sized and employed under 50 employees. First, we developed a taxonomy of green entrepreneurship by building an instrument with 10 items (7-point Likert scale) based on the definitions of green SMEs. For building the taxonomy, we performed an exploratory factor analysis, which produced three factors. The first factor was named as “green entrepreneurs”. This factor measures the behaviour related to seeking business opportunities from green transition and reducing the negative impact of SME’s operations. The second factor was named as “green missionaries”. This factor measures behaviour related to active promotion of green transition and the SME’s vision to improve the state of the environment. The third factor was named as “no concern for environmental issues”. SMEs with high values in this factor represent SMEs who think that environmental issues do not concern their business or industry. Based on these factors, scales were created with acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s alphas over 0,70). Secondly, we performed t-tests to test mean differences between men and women in these scales. Results show that women have higher mean values in the scale “green entrepreneurs” (4,9 vs. 4,3), and lower mean values in the scale “no concern for environmental issues” (2,8 vs. 3,2). No mean differences between men and women were found in the scale “green missionaries”. The results indicate that women approach the opportunities offered by sustainable entrepreneurship differently than men. They are more proactive in seeking new business opportunities and are more inclined than men to promote sustainability principles in their own business operations. This research sheds light on how women and men engage differently in green business initiatives, providing valuable insights for fostering gender-inclusive sustainability strategies.
Gender Diversity: An Empirical Study on 4.151 US Investment Funds
Authors: Arduini Simona , BECK TOMMASO
Published: April 2024

The aim of this paper is to explore the issue of gender diversity (GD) in relation to the world of investment funds. In recent times, in fact, savers’ choice does not only converge on the mere pursuit of profit. Investment funds, in this scenario, are increasingly judged according to their environmental and ethical actions, and not just by the promised rewards. Individual and institutional investors, on this wake, are aligning their behavior with their values by taking responsibility for the investments they select. It is central, therefore, to understand and observe how issues such as GD are evaluated, managed and converted into rating values by funds. This paper is supported by a mixed research methodology involving, on the one hand, an in-depth literature review on the aforementioned topic and, on the other hand, a statistical study developed with the “R-Studio” program. Through the statistical derivation, this study proposes an analysis of histograms and scatter plots on a sample of 4.151 investment funds and the GD-related rating judgments compared with their net assets and longevity. Based on our findings, funds with higher net assets achieve high rating classes but not excellence. In fact, larger funds reside in lower rating classes. Similarly, it is also valid for the amount of capital managed by the funds. From the empirical evidence we provide, it can also be seen that, there is no evidence between GD rating category and youngest funds longevity. Filling a gap that exists in the literature on GD-related rating assessment in investment funds, the originality of this paper concerns the descriptive statistics proposed. In fact, the paper contributes to the literature on GD by enriching the analysis of the factors surveyed for its measurement and rating judgment. This study may have both theoretical and practical implications. From a practical perspective, the statistical evidence in this paper could be a guideline for practitioners oriented toward ethical and profitable investment choices. From a theoretical point of view, instead, GD evaluation and monitoring could be a tool to reduce problems related to transparency and legitimacy theory, mitigating information asymmetry between parties and aligning them on potential risks.
Awareness of Women's Inclusion in STEM: Twitter Data in Italy
Authors: Leggerini Chiara , Bannò Mariasole
Published: April 2024

This paper focuses on assessing public awareness of women in STEM disciplines. The underrepresentation of women in STEM has garnered recent attention, and this study is grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory, which examines how individual, contextual, and experiential factors impact interests and goals in STEM. Individual factors, such as self-efficacy beliefs and outcome expectations, play a crucial role in shaping career choices. Contextual factors influence women's leadership roles, particularly in male-dominated environments, and may differ in female-majority settings. Additionally, social modelling, where individuals learn from observing others, contributes to self-efficacy. Our study focuses on contextual factors that influence awareness of women in STEM. We employ a panel-type econometric model spanning 2014-2022 and analyse 29,985 tweets to explore the influence of socioeconomic factors on public opinions in various Italian regions. Italy's significant regional disparities make it an ideal setting for this research, considering factors like human capital, industry, and government. The managerial implications underscore the importance of understanding public opinion to inform decisions that promote women's inclusion in STEM fields for policymakers and corporate management. This study's unique use of geolocated data on Twitter adds a novel dimension to the intersection of STEM and women.
Feminism and Entrepreneurship in Prestigious Management Journals: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Leggerini Chiara , Bannò Mariasole , Federici Camilla
Published: April 2024

This study explores the intersection of feminism and entrepreneurship within prominent management studies, emphasizing the vital role women entrepreneurs play in economic growth. Despite feminism's societal impact, a significant gap exists in leading management studies, potentially reinforcing a male-centric perspective. To investigate this gap, we conducted a systematic literature review focusing on the top 50 journals in "Business Management and Accounting" and "Strategy and Management." Our review, utilizing the SPAR-4-SLR method, revealed only 11 documents on feminism and entrepreneurship, highlighting limited coverage in top academic journals. We propose addressing this gap through special journal issues and global data collection efforts to advance gender equality in entrepreneurship.
The Power of Knowledge in Combat Sports Coaching
Authors: Erdogan Sanna
Published: April 2024

A growing number of studies develop recommendations for improving the expertise of coaching better athletes. Scholars build knowledge of how to coach and what competence a sports coach should have. Following feminist ideology in knowledge production, this paper explores who can decide on approved coaching know-how. It investigates the assumed expertise and the identification of competition-level coaches' competence and asks what capability is required to qualify as a sports coach. It scrutinises existing practices and collectively formed concepts that influence coaches’ pathways: how to become a coach and what possibilities are there for different positions as a coach. The study is conducted at the sports club level, where coaches are voluntary workers. The research includes judo, boxing, and wrestling, referred to as combat sports. Through feminist studies and analysis, the research examines power structures between people or groups. The study focuses on how practical, procedural knowledge is valued in the culture of combat sports. By describing culturally shared meanings and practices in sports, the study reveals the gendered practices by which situations are planned, implemented, and managed. The analysis shows how the male-dominated coaching environment relies on tacit knowledge of learning, cultural behaviour, and assumed know-how. The implied procedural knowledge is proven performatively in physical manners learned through experience, especially expertise from winning competitions. As a result, the study highlights the unchangeable, traditional environment, where repetition of current knowledge is indispensable. Consequently, the study suggests that coaches without previous sport-specific knowledge are excluded from coaching.
Gender Differentials for Participation in Producer Organization Among Smallholder Farmers: Evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Adewusi Oluwatosin , Okoruwa Victor Olusegun , Salman Kabir , Alawode Olubunmi , Adewusi Oluwafemi
Published: April 2024

Linking smallholder farmers to formal markets through producer organizations is increasingly becoming a pathway toward agricultural inclusivity. This study investigated the disparities in participation between male and female groups in Nigeria. Data was collected from  604 farmers and decomposition analysis for three gender categories was carried out using the Fairlie decomposition technique. The results showed a 24.2% higher actual mean probability of participation for males over females and a 20.1% actual mean probability higher for male-headed households compared to female-headed households. There was also a 27.59% actual mean probability higher for the de facto female-headed households over de jure female-headed households. Diverse factors were found to push the gender gap at various magnitudes. Interventions targeting gender equality should be entrenched in understanding the social and cultural practices and norms in Nigeria.
Empowering Women for Technology Entrepreneurship: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: NDOU Valentina , MELE Gioconda , HYSA Eglantina , MANSI Egla
Published: April 2024

This paper aims to underline how the new emerging digital technologies could empower women entrepreneurship by supporting them in overcoming the constraints they face as well as in creating a more favorable network environment. We will do this by analyzing the state of the art of the research regarding entrepreneurship practices by women considering the literature that has focused on this theme up to now. Methodology - A structured literature review methodology is going to be applied to this paper. Through the use of specific keywords, we analyzed Scopus documents published up to now on the theme related to Women and technology entrepreneurship. Several steps have been followed to perform a systematic, transparent, and replicable study. We used the VOSviewer tool for bibliographic and cluster analysis. A final content analysis was performed to identify research areas. Findings - Specifically the contribution and the impact provided by the Digital Technologies is analyzed for women's entrepreneurship. A conceptual discussion on how the Digital Technologies opportunities in overcoming some of the constrains women tackle in their entrepreneurship process and which are the main research streams that emerge for future investigation on the theme, is provided. Practical implications – The major implication is to advance knowledge and practice in the area of gender in management and use of Digital Technologies by focusing upon empirical research, theoretical developments, practice and current issues. Benefits are related to a better understanding of the debate on “Gender and Management” themes by reconsidering networking activities with social media.
Up-Cycling Barbie: “Bad Feminism” for Mixed-Up Times
Authors: De Castell Suzanne , Jenson Jennifer
Published: April 2024

This paper explores both the critical and the contradictory ways ‘gender’ is enacted in what has become a blockbuster at once wildly popular, and as well a site of controversy and censorship. Examining the reporting on and reviews of the film Barbie, providing some of the actual history of its design, as against its narrative re-presentation in the film, looking in particular at its ironic remediation of gendered games and play, the paper also identifies some of the cinematic techniques through which the movie reinvents Barbie as a filmic feminist, through a deconstructive and reconstructive upcycling of the iconic material Barbie en plastique. The director’s embrace of an explicitly feminist narrative re-frames a 60-year-old doll and upcycles Barbie for a new generation, reaching an unprecedented global audience with its diverse, inclusive casting, its satirizing of patriarchy and a passionately feminist speechifying moment that couldn’t happen nowadays across an increasingly litigation-sensitive academy, yet has gained astonishing traction in popular media, and enthusiastic re-citation in TikTok. Those commitments, however, sit uncomfortably with the Mattel Toy company’s embrace of a new market for a product at risk of obsolescence from a generation of mothers raised on one or another ‘wave’ of feminist thought, and the considerably different versions of feminism that the film avows, and those it enacts.
Gaming Equity: Women, Videogame Companies, and Public Discourse
Authors: Jenson Jennifer , De Castell Suzanne , Kanapelka Olga , Skardzius Karen
Published: April 2024

It is by now well documented and widely acknowledged that the videogame industry has since its inception been a bastion of hegemonic masculinity. Only more recently, however, with events like Gamergate, #metoo, and the public accusations of workplace toxicity and sexism brought against prominent AAA giants like Riot and Activision Blizzard King, have game companies initiated policies and processes for change—or at least what looks like change, based on company websites and interviews with female employees. Does this mean women are being heard, at last? These are turbulent times for the industry, with legal actions, policy shifts, personal callings-out and billion-dollar corporate mergers and restructurings. What has changed and what is changing for women in games? How, and by whom, is that change being made? This paper begins with a closer look at what women have said since these events, about their experiences, expectations and frustrations working in the industry. Has the public scrutiny turned upon the games industry, post-gamergate and beyond influenced what women have to say about their conditions and experiences working in games? Are they better supported in taking the risks and shouldering the costs of speaking up? What workplace changes in policy or practice may have resulted from women giving public voice to their experiences? Building upon an earlier study of public speech by women about their experiences in the videogames industry (de Castell & Skardzius, 2019), this study both updates and extends its database, and deepens its analysis, by looking explicitly at a speech event’s context of elicitation: who elicits the “event” of public speech, on what topics, with what purpose? Through that dialogical lens we can make more visible and explicit how minority self-representation and marginalized identities and voices are deployed to bolster business as usual, even as they are still expected to lead the charges and fight the battles for a just and inclusive working life in games.
Can Participatory Action Research Deepen the Understanding of Intersectionality in the Field of Biodiversity Research?
Authors: Thaler Anita , Karner Sandra
Published: April 2024

Halting biodiversity loss and reducing inequalities are targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are not within reach. In 2022, the European Commission started to explicitly include gender with an intersectional perspective in their Horizon Europe working programme. In this paper, research is presented that tackles the very interlinkage of social inequalities in biodiversity studies. The first – conceptual – phase of an ongoing biodiversity project is analysed, explaining the knowledge co-creation process within a transdisciplinary, international team of researchers and practitioners, aiming to elaborate a methodological framework of intersectionality. Five intensive biodiversity case studies from Norway, Germany, Austria, Great Britain, and Switzerland, and their specific understandings of the concept of intersectionality are presented in detail and analysed with an action research approach. The outcome of this conceptual project phase is a report, which was further analysed regarding the development of approaches to include intersectionality in overall eleven biodiversity case studies, with a quantitative and qualitative content analysis. The main conclusion of this research is that intersectionality is a hard to grasp concept outside gender studies. Thus, it is on the one hand used as a synonym for terms like sociodemographic variables, and on the other hand closely related to diversity. It depends on the definition of diversity, whether these terms can be used almost interchangeably. This paper argues that the general focus of diversity – inclusion of all potential persons – is different to the focus of intersectionality, pointing towards discriminations at the crossroads of social or political categories. The latter is of specific relevance for environmental justice issues by addressing neglected, excluded or oppressed persons and their knowledges.
Qualitative Assessment of Resilience: Lessons from Rural Women in South India
Authors: Mohan Radhika , Menon Preetha , J.S. Anjana , J Aswathy
Published: April 2024

Resilience among women has garnered significant research attention, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 United Nations’ theme of "Building rural women’s resilience in the wake of COVID-19" aligned with that of the present study and sought to assess the applicability of the positive cognitive triad and psychological capital lenses in understanding the resilience characteristics of rural women in India. The study involved a diverse group of conveniently selected 31 rural women from the Idukki district, Kerala, South India, spanning an age range of 18 to 74 years. The deductive and inductive analyses of interview transcripts revealed convergence to the proposed positive cognitive triad -psychological capital framework and the emergence of new themes. Notably, gender emerged as a distinct theme that did not align with the operational definition of resilience, highlighting its significance in explaining resilience among Indian rural women. The study acknowledges limitations such as limited generalizability, social desirability bias, and a lack of quantitative data. In conclusion, this research contributes valuable insights to the literature on resilience among Indian rural women, emphasizing the importance of gender-centric and culturally sensitive resilience measures. The study recommends the implementation of such measures to enable a comprehensive assessment of resilience in this population, providing valuable resources for government and non-government agencies to design appropriate psychosocial interventions.
Role of Education and Training to Make Agritourism A Success Story in India
Authors: Sandhu Navjot
Published: April 2024

: The paper  explores the  role of entrepreneurship education and training amongst women entrepreneurs to promote agritourism sector of the Indian economy. This study employ qualitative and quantitative approaches to gather  data  questionnaires survey and in-depth face to face interviews, based on a semi-structured questionnaire. The research involved a matched sample of 10 registered farmers (from the Punjab Heritage Tourism Promotion Board) and 200 unregistered male and female farmers selected randomly from the Indian State of  Punjab. Quantitative analysis suggests that there is a direct and significant impact of EET on the management, efficiency, and use of farming land. The findings also suggested that  the fall in the agricultural productivity due to labour shortages;  revenue losses are rising as  commodity prices are falling. Therefore, it is not a surprise that farmers seek to  supplement income through alternative means to enhance their socio-economic stability and viability. The findings suggest that there is high incidence of migration amongst male farming population  and female farmers lack EET and reluctance on their part to work with external male population. However, analysis of male owner-managers of micro and small agritourist firms also reported to  have lower levels of EET and hence the  need for EET  male and females; thus, EET and adequate access to finance were two major determinants of agritourist firms’ success in Indian Punjab.
Experiences and Perceptions of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Among Homeless Women in Cape Town
Authors: Mhlongo Ayanda
Published: April 2024

This study qualitatively explored the experiences and perceptions of period poverty among homeless women in Cape Town, South Africa, using the Capability Approach. The study was guided by a qualitative research design and non-probability sampling was used in recruiting participants. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 homeless women who experienced period poverty. The individual interviews were done mainly in English and in IsiZulu and isiXhosa. The interviews lasted for a minimum of 45 minutes and were voice-recorded using a phone. A semi-structed interview schedule with 33 open-ended questions was used during the data collection process. The data analysis aspect of this study relied on the work of Creswell (2012) and Tesch (1990). The findings revealed that homeless women experience period poverty due to a lack of sanitary products and poor Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM). Sen (1999) identified five ‘instrumental freedoms’ that, according to him, play a role in the general capability of a person to live more freely. Of the five instrumental freedoms, the third freedom,’ social opportunities,’ resonates deeply with this study. This freedom refers to facilities and arrangements available to uplift society. Examples of this would be access to quality education and healthcare. Homeless women lack access to quality healthcare and therefore experience obstacles to achieve effective MHM. The lack of sanitary products causes homeless women to resort to the unhygienic use of items such as rags, old socks, tissue paper, paper towels, torn pieces of clothing, or diapers, to satisfy their menstrual needs. Alternatively, they go about life without any menstrual protection and bleed through their undergarments and clothing. This results in them wearing blood-soaked items for days, or even weeks. Additionally, homeless women do not have access to safe water and sanitation facilities that are required to effectively manage their period. The paper serves as a means of highlighting how life, government policy, funding, etc. are still restricted to issues that relate to men. As a result, a multifaceted and holistic approach to addressing period poverty amongst homeless women is encouraged and provision should be made for the type of sanitary products and facilities that homeless women are most comfortable using.
Artificial Intelligence – Gender-Specific Differences in Perception, Understanding, and Training Interest
Authors: Armutat Sascha , Wattenberg Malte , Mauritz Nina
Published: April 2024

In light of the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in science, business, and society, broad acceptance is crucial. However, recent studies indicate a significant underrepresentation of women in the emerging AI-driven professions of the future job market. This hampers the innovation potential of technologies due to the lack of diverse perspectives in development. Gender-specific differences also manifest in the perception of AI: Men tend to view AI applications more positively, rate their own AI competencies higher, and have more trust in the technology compared to women. However, both genders agree on the critical importance of the comprehensibility of AI decisions and are equally willing to pursue further education in the field of AI.
This study aimed to investigate gender-relevant aspects in the perception and understanding of AI, as well as the need for further education and opportunities for communication and exchange on the topic of AI.
To achieve this, focus groups with female students were conducted in May 2023. The analysis of the conversation data and materials used was carried out using an inductive coding method.
Overall, women perceive knowledge as the key to generating more interest in AI. However, they also identify obstacles such as discrimination, gender stereotypes, and a lack of gender equality. Additionally, they desire more practical examples, improved communication regarding the advantages and disadvantages of AI, as well as more democratic and transparent decision-making processes.
The paper emphasizes that an inclusive educational environment requires awareness and education for women, along with measures against discriminatory barriers and stereotypes. Furthermore, it suggests the early involvement of women in the development of AI applications and the establishment of clear rules to ensure gender equality in the workplace. These study findings provide valuable support to companies in the gender-specific planning of awareness and training processes for introducing AI.
Is Artificial Intelligence Gender-Free? What Does Feminist Epistemology Say About That?
Authors: Vendramin Valerija
Published: April 2024

I start my contribution with some general questions: Is AI gendered? Is AI sexist or can it be? Does AI include gendered knowledge and suppositions? If so, how?
After that, I proceed to develop my theoretical (i.e., qualitatively based) starting points with the main referential authors, Donna Haraway and Alison Adam. The fact that impersonal does not mean observer-independent (as Haraway described it in a slightly different context [1997]) is a good reason to turn to feminist epistemology, especially its concept of situated knowledges. Since knowledge (or the representation of knowledge) lies at the very centre of AI research, this makes it an appropriate vehicle for a gendered critique of AI (Adam, 2000).
The concept of situated knowledges entails knowledge that reflects a perspective on a subject which is necessarily partial and limited, not universal (this is Haraway’s famous critique of the “view from nowhere”). Namely, there is no way to be simultaneously in all of the epistemologically privileged positions structured by gender, class, nation, etc.
I then proceed to AI research. The knowledge engineers build systems that contain knowledge reﬂecting their own interests and competencies. While this representation of knowledge is usually regarded as being universal (Adam, 2000), it is hierarchical since it does not grant epistemic authority to all. Most importantly, social exclusivism and biological essentialism are re-inscribed in the ontology of AI (Adam, 2000). I address the question of which effects social and political contaminations and prejudices can bring for the development of AI.
I suggest that unless we commit to deconstructing the harmful essentialisms that govern our human lives, we might just be perpetuating the same (i.e., our own and others’) practices of domination and unequal parts of privilege and oppression (Haraway, 1991) in developing AI.
External Return-To-Work Programs Impact On Women Relauching Their Careers
Authors: Ferrez Frisch Karen , Costa Sandra , Matos Florinda
Published: April 2024

Women have higher drop-out rates during their professional careers, mainly due to family, child, or elderly care; furthermore, they have more difficulty returning to the workforce even if they are highly qualified, making the future of gender equality in the workplace a continuing challenge. Thus, encouraging women to re-enter the workforce after a career break makes sense from a gender perspective and, at the same time, can also add value to the economy by providing qualified and diversified resources to companies (large ones or small-medium-sized enterprises, or SMEs). Additionally, this encouragement can have short- to medium-term positive effects on career-break women who would like to return to the workforce, as well as long-term effects due to lower or no pension contributions during their career break. The aim of this study is to identify the push and pull factors affecting women´s ability to return to the job market after a career break. Moreover, the purpose of this study is to understand what has been studied about the impact of return-to-work/returnship programs (RTW) and externally provided return-to-work programs (RTWE) in helping bring back women to the labor market. The research is qualitative and exploratory, based on a literature review. The findings of this research provide an overview of relevant factors related to women’s return to the market and allow for new research avenues on RTWE’s outcomes for both women and small and medium-sized enterprises. In terms of originality, the goal of this research is to encourage data-driven debates about the potential implications of women's return-to-work programs as a strategy to help women return to the workforce and whether this strategy can be adopted by different-sized companies.
CEO Gender and Family Business Performance: The Moderating Role of Socio-Emotional Wealth
Authors: Lybaert Nadine , Umans Ine
Published: April 2024

Family businesses are businesses that are managed and/or owned by a family. Like in any other company, the CEO is the manager and is responsible for achieving good performance. But unlike in non-family businesses, women are more represented in leadership positions and are more likely to work their way up. There is considerable disagreement in the literature about whether female CEOs outperform male CEOs. While some studies confirm this, other studies refute it, and other studies find no connection at all. In this study, we therefore investigate whether female CEOs perform better than male CEOs within family businesses. However, given the target group, it is essential not to ignore the influence of socio-emotional wealth (SEW) on this relationship, since family businesses distinguish themselves from other organizational forms with this characteristic. SEW includes the non-financial aspects of a business, such as a desire to maintain family control and family values that are incorporated into the corporate culture. According to SEW theory, family businesses focus more on maintaining SEW than pursuing purely economic prosperity. This can ensure that not all decisions are made with profit maximization in mind. To empirically test our hypotheses, we use a sample of 238 Belgian family businesses. Our results do not show any statistically significant results for the impact of the CEO’s gender on firm performance. What is significant, though, is the positive moderating effect of SEW on the relationship between CEO gender and performance in family businesses. The more SEW retention within a family business, the better the performance will be in the case of a female CEO.
Indigenous Women Perspectives on Gender Equality and Feminism: A Case Study of Jahai Women in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Abd Karim Rafidah , Mustapha Ramlee , Abdul Wahab Norwaliza , Aliasak Mohd Hasrol Haffiz , Che Ghani Nurul Farhani , Zainol Nurul Shatirah
Published: April 2024

Most research on gender equality and feminism have been concentrated on non-indigenous women worldwide, with very few studies focusing specifically on Jahai tribe women. Indigenous women are important in advancing the ideas of feminism and gender equality within their societies. This paper is a case study focuses on the indigenous women which is the Jahai tribe women in Royal Belum State Park, Malaysia. In this case study, we explored Jahai women’s perspectives of gender equality and feminism aspects in this indigenous society. This case study employed a quantitative and a qualitative method for data collection. A total of 20 Jahai women were selected to complete a set of questionnaires and five of them were chosen for the in-depth interview. From the study, there were four main themes that emerged including socio- economic equality, equal treatment, gender responsibilities and egalitarian leadership and decision-making prospects. This research study was guided by the Transnational Feminism Theory and Theory of Gender Equality approach. The findings revealed that there was the similarities and distinctions perceptions in gender equality and feminism aspects among Jahai women. The study's conclusions shed new light on the gender equality and feminism interpretations and challenges those women in indigenous societies face. As a result, this study is important for future research since it adds to the body of knowledge about gender equality and concerns pertaining to indigenous women.
Wonder Woman on Screen: From Feminist Symbol to Stereotypical Figure
Authors: Zhang Ruochen
Published: April 2024

Wonder Woman, a founding female figure in superhero fiction, was initially celebrated as a symbol of women’s empowerment in the 1970s but faced criticism in the 2010s for embodying fetishized objectification. This article aims to explore the gender representation of the 1970s TV series Wonder Woman and the 2010s Wonder Woman movie through a feminist approach. The portrayal of Wonder Woman in the TV series challenged the traditional stereotypes of femininity and the subordinary roles of women under patriarchy at that time. The Wonder Woman movie, however, lacked diversity under an intersectional framework and signified the beauty myth for male pleasure, which undermined her validity as a feminist icon. Through close analysis, it is revealed that the white feminist privilege and fetish fashion of superheroines traditionally recognized as feminist icons are problematic, calling for more scholarly attention on discriminatory gender representation in contemporary popular culture.
Situation Analysis of Female Academics' Career Advancement in Higher Education in Syria
Authors: Dalati Serene , Omar Rim , Alchach Hala , Alkhatib Rewa
Published: April 2024

This research examines factors which may be influencing female academics career advancement at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Syria. The paper conducts situation analysis on academic environment at HEI in Syria, exploring factors which may be impacting female academics experience and career progression and lack of academic representation at senior management levels. The paper examines a private HEIs investigating the environment in Syria highlighting the situation after 2011. The methodology applied in diagnosing the situation, is based on data collected from a capacity building in higher education project (CBHE), funded by Erasmus+. The methodology employs the design of questionnaire survey administered at the research target group. A one-way translation from English to Arabic is performed by expert academics and verified by linguistic experts. The sample design employs nonprobability sampling techniques. The size of the sample is 47 observations for academics. The findings of the analysis are reported across individual, and institutional levels. The research results signify that interest in research is a strong motivator; while career satisfaction still reveals an area of future development. There is still little awareness on gender issues topics, as well as little research works being performed in the scope gender research issues. The concept of gender equality has a high potential for evolution and expansion on the intermediate and long term at the institutional and socio cultural contests in Syria. The future direction of this research emphasizes developing a conceptual framework on the factors which may be affecting female academics experience and career advancement in HEIs in Syria. Furthermore, future research recommends the development of institutional and national policies in the scope of gender equality, which could be reflected at human resources practices, environment of the workplace, infusion of gender at university mission and planning, curriculum, research, and university governance.
From Norm and Theory to Practice: a Tailor-made GEP for the Institut de Ciències del Mar
Authors: Donoso Lopez Silvia , Garcés Esther , Torrecilla Elena
Published: April 2024

The European Commission is fully committed to promoting gender equality in research and innovation. It is a priority for the European Research Area (ERA) and a cross-cutting principle under Horizon Europe. Gender equality plans (GEPs) have been established as the primary instrument for implementing institutional changes in Research Performing Organizations (RPOs) to address structural barriers to gender equality in research and innovation. Within this framework, specific objectives are defined, and thematic areas for intervention are recommended. In this regard, the formulation of a GEP for the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), implied a broader challenge as it had to comply with diverse national regulatory frameworks. Nevertheless, the variety of reference frameworks, instruments and approaches did not condition the aspiration to design a GEP that fully responded to the specific context of the ICM. Thus, the GEP became the roadmap to generating an organisation cultural change that allows the effective integration of gender equality across all its areas and actions. Drawing from ICM’s experiences, we aim to share the path undertaken by ICM and shed light on the multifaceted challenges encountered during the GEP’s design and successful implementation. There is a pressing need to transition from mere adherence to the normative framework to achieving genuine gender equality in practice. Transforming normative principles into practice requires tailored and individualised strategies, feasible objectives with measurable results, appropriate measures to achieve them, and indicators to measure progress. This challenge involves effective institutional changes that remove obstacles to gender equality, both inherent in the research system and stemming from the institutional model of human resources management, funding, decision-making and research programs. The commitment to gender equality must transcend the field of research and research to encompass all staff and institutional practices. Successfully transitioning from theory to practice requires institutional commitment, data-driven decision-making, resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, internal collaboration, responsibility, leadership, and strong gender expertise. This paper stems from the European Horizon Project Leading Towards Sustainable Gender Equality Plans in RPOs (LeTSGEPs).
Participatory Strategies to Integrate Gender+ Into Teaching and Research
Authors: Campanini Vilhena Fernanda , Bencivenga Rita , López Belloso María , Leone Cinzia , Celeste Taramasso Angela
Published: April 2024

This article explores the use of participatory approaches to promote gender equality in academia, focusing on initiatives implemented in two universities. First, we look at the experience of the University of Deusto (Spain) in developing a handbook to integrate a gender perspective into teaching and research practises through an equality, diversity and inclusion lens (EDI). This initiative, carried out as part of the university’s Gender Equality Plan, featured active involvement from scholars representing the faculties of Law, Psychology, Social Sciences and Humanities, Engineering, Business, and Theology, as well as the university’s Social Responsibility Unit. It serves as a valuable example of how participatory strategies can effectively engage a wide array of institutional stakeholders in change-oriented actions. Promoting increased participation fosters a sense of ownership of the process and outcomes among stakeholders and strengthens institutional recognition. Second, we analyse the introduction of a "gender+-responsive curriculum" developed at the University of Genoa (Italy), as part of the university’s Gender Equality Plan. This initiative seeks to promote inclusion across all disciplinary subjects by incorporating current research that examines subject matters through the lens EDI, where relevant. The pilot implementation was undertaken in an undergraduate course focused on hydraulic engineering and hydrology, drawing guidance from various resources, including academic publications and EU-funded project reports. This initiative highlights the practical implications and challenges associated with interventions aiming to challenge conventional teaching and research norms from an EDI perspective, particularly in STEM fields. By exploring the experiences, obstacles and solutions associated with a gender+-responsive curriculum, we broaden our understanding of academia’s potential to advance gender equality, diversity, and inclusion. In examining the two experiences, we emphasise the theoretical underpinnings that underscore the importance of participatory approaches for promoting meaningful and enduring changes in academic institutions. Additionally, we highlight the ongoing challenges associated with implementing such changes and offer initial insights into potential strategies for overcoming these obstacles. Our goal is to ensure that gender and other intersecting diversity factors are not relegated to the edges of institutional priorities, but are instead mainstreamed into wider institutional practices.