•Slovenian consumers in general are moderately doubtful of products bearing NHCs.•The trust in the formal authorities and social system are important for accepting foods with NHC/images.•Consumers ...who did not trust the social system also did not accept foods with NHC/images.•There are four groups of consumers regarding the reasons for their (non)acceptance of NHCs;
To understand consumers’ acceptance and preference in relation to Nutrition and Health Claims (NHCs) on food products and the reasons for their (non)acceptance in an Eastern European country with a weak tradition in NHC, and an enormous increase in the number of foods with NHCs in recent years, this study aimed to fill a research gap by applying a multi-methodological approach combining a survey and conjoint analysis (n = 204) and a focus group (n = 45). The survey demonstrated that Slovenian consumers in general are moderately doubtful of NHCs. Conjoint analysis showed that when Slovenians choose their breakfast cereals, NHCs are more important than whether visual images are present. Visual images convince only the youngest consumers. The study revealed the importance of social perception and trust in the social system for accepting foods with NHCs/images. Consumers who did not trust the political and economic system also did not accept foods with NHCs/images.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze the long-term burnout levels of healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in Slovenian nursing homes during the fifth wave of the pandemic; to compare ...the results of similar facilities in 2020 and 2013; and to examine the correlation between demographics and burnout and fatigue among HCPs. Material and Methods: The study used a descriptive, correlational cross-sectional method. Results: In the fifth wave, HCPs suffered more from emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and lack of personal accomplishment than in the first wave of the pandemic and in the spring of 2013. The HCPs caring for COVID-19 patients and younger women had higher rates of burnout and fatigue than other occupational groups. There is a strong positive correlation between burnout and fatigue. Conclusions: There is an urgent need to address the problem of fatigue and burnout with administrative measures. Key words: fatigue, professional burnout, healthcare professionals, nursing homes, COVID-19 pandemic, long-term healthcare
The periodic reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are announced each time by a strategic document in the form of a Communication by the European Commission (EC). The content of the last ...Communication differs from previous ones, which raises the questions of what frames the EC has employed with respect to its CAP reforms and how these frames have been modified over the past 26 years (from 1991 to 2017) in order to legitimise the preservation of the CAP. This paper tries to fill the gap in the research of frames in the main strategic documents on the CAP by employing comparative historical framing analysis. The results show consistent use of five frames: the policy mechanism frame, farmers’ economic frame, foreign trade frame, budgetary frame, and the societal concerns frame. While they have all remained in use, most have been changed significantly over the years. Throughout the analysed period, the farmers’ economic frame has retained its primacy and continuity, demonstrating the power of the farmers’ lobbies and conservative member states. If in the initial Communications the environment was barely present within the societal concerns frame, it has gained importance in the recent Communications, in addition to other general societal issues, such as climate change, food security and quality, health, digitalisation, innovation, and even migration. By marginalising the policy mechanism frame and replacing it with the implementation model and increasingly emphasising the societal concerns frame with social justifications of the CAP, the EC is trying to legitimise the CAP after 2021.
Since there is no study on burnout and job satisfaction in Slovenian nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aims to analyse job satisfaction and burnout levels of healthcare ...professionals working in Slovenian nursing homes in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic, and make a comparison with the results of the same services in 2013.
The study is based on a cross-organisational and descriptive quantitative study conducted in spring 2013 (n = 556) and spring 2020 at the peak of the pandemic in Eastern Europe (n = 781) to identify the relationships and the changes in the satisfaction and burnout levels of healthcare professionals working in Slovenian nursing homes in rural areas, and on a qualitative study conducted in 2020, to identify in-depth relationships and changes in both studies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
An increase in burnout syndromes between 2013 - 2020 was observed. The respondents experienced intensified emotional exhaustion and lack of personal accomplishment during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, depersonalisation did not differ statistically over the years. During the pandemic crisis, healthcare workers were less satisfied with their job than in spring 2013. Their job satisfaction was related to satisfaction with the work of nursing homes and with the work of state institutions and politicians who directly affected their working conditions and recognition in society.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly exacerbated already existing burnout syndromes of nursing homes healthcare workers in Slovenian rural areas. Job satisfaction proved to be a relevant predictor of burnout syndrome. A negative correlation was observed between job satisfaction in 2020 and emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment in 2013 and 2020.
Alternative housing systems for dairy cattle have recently emerged, such as compost-bedded packs and artificial floor ones. To determine their acceptability among categories of people with a ...connection to animal husbandry, this study aimed to identify and compare the acceptability of (alternative) housing systems and attitudes to aspects of housing systems for dairy cattle among Slovenian consumers, farmers, and stakeholders. Farmers (N = 306), consumers (N = 508), and stakeholders (N = 40) were interviewed about their views on the main aspects (animals, farmers, products, environment) of housing systems for dairy cattle, the acceptance of four housing systems, and important housing features. The results show that consumers, stakeholders, and conventional farmers preferred housing systems with an artificial floor, while organic farmers preferred a housing system with a compost-bedded pack. Consumers and organic farmers expressed the greatest acceptance of almost every aspect of the housing system, except for a sufficient income for farmers and a low workload. Conventional farmers and stakeholders hold similar views, except for the expectation that the animals have enough space to move around, the image of the landscape, and the animals' health and wellbeing, where stakeholders showed more acceptance than conventional farmers. The results imply that systematically planned information aimed at different target categories is needed to increase the acceptance of (alternative) housing systems for cattle.
Purpose – The study aims to identify the needs, barriers, and measures relevant for the revitalization of the herbal market in Slovenia. Design/Methodology/Approach – A mixed-methods approach was ...used in the study, with a quantitative online survey of Slovenian herbalists (N = 217) and in-depth interviews conducted with key Slovenian stakeholders in the field of herbalism (N = 18). Findings and Implications – Most Slovenian herbalists grow herbs as a hobby or as a supplementary farm activity; they have little land for growing herbs and thus also generate a low income. Most of them sell their products directly to consumers, with only one tenth selling herbs to retailers. As many as three quarters of the respondents are not a part of any organization which, along with lower prices, is the main barrier to a market revitalization. The in-depth interviews revealed a lack of interest in collaboration among herbalists because they find the existing situation to be sufficient to a certain extent, as demand is greater than their supply. The results show no evidence of an herbal market as it existed before Slovenia’s independence. Limitations – Since there is no census of Slovenian herbalists, the sample is not representative. Originality – There is a lack of understanding of the barriers to and measures for revitalizing the herbal market, especially in developed countries whose market was well developed decades ago, such as Slovenia.
In the establishment and maintenance of a housing system for cattle by farmers, their perception of housing systems plays an important role in their decision to choose the environmentally sustainable ...housing system. The aim of this study was to determine farmers' attitudes towards their role, environmental sustainability, and perceived government support, to determine whether the role of cattle farmers influences their perceptions of different cattle housing systems, and to create a typology of cattle farmers based on these attitudes. The paper was based on online surveys (n = 306) and five focus groups with Slovenian cattle farmers (n = 42). Results show that the majority of participants placed a higher value on production than on the environment, but had adopted animal and environmentally friendly housing systems to achieve higher production and profits and to receive full direct payments. Four groups of cattle farmers based on the attitudes towards their role, environmental sustainability, and perceived governmental support were identified: Productivists, Traditionalists, Abandoners, and Environmentalists. Most respondents belonged to the Productivist group, who believed that environmental measures have a negative impact on agricultural development. A characteristic of the smaller Traditionalist group is that these farmers claimed to have an obligation to preserve or improve the environment for future generations. For Environmentalists, environmentally friendly agriculture is most important. The smallest group identified consists of farmers who indicated their role as a farmer was not important because they were likely to give up farming. Systematically planned communication aimed at different groups of farmers is needed to promote acceptance of changes in housing systems for cattle that reduce the greenhouse effect.
HIGHLIGHTS
The majority of farmers placed a higher value on production than on the environment.
They had adopted animal and environmentally friendly housing systems to achieve higher production and profits and to receive full direct payments.
There were four groups of cattle farmers: Productivists, Traditionalists, Abandoners, and Environmentalists.
Aim of study: The paper explores whether the legislative proposal for the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2021 and the novelty of comprehensive strategic planning at Member State (MS) level ...can bring about a greener, more multifunctional policy paradigm. While existing research has explored long-term policy change over the entire decision-making process, this study aims to demonstrate the usefulness of conducting policy analysis at the inception of the legislative procedure.Area of study: The study applies to the European Union.Material and methods: The research employs a qualitative method of policy analysis, using a combination of three theoretical frameworks – social learning, path dependency and intergovernmentalism. Extensive document analysis and in-depth interviews were applied to evaluate the proposed reform and gauge the responses of key interest groups.Main results: The proposal holds potential for a substantial overall greening of the policy but will be strongly dependent on implementation at the MS level; the institutional framework provides space for increased environmental ambition, but does not guarantee it, as the proposed safeguards are too weak.Research highlights: More accountability is required during the formulation and implementation of Strategic Plans. Due to strong elements of path dependency and intergovernmentalism, an overall paradigm shift at EU level is unlikely. Strengthening the role of MSs is weakening the commonality of the policy that guarantees at least minimal environmental standards.
In countries with a long tradition of folk herbal medicine that is not integrated into the health system, consumer interest in medicinal herbs has increased. Considering the lack of knowledge about ...the factors influencing the use of medicinal herbs, the aim of this study was to identify the most important factors of herbal use in Slovenia. Factors were assessed in June 2023 using a nationwide sample (
= 508). Results show that almost half of the respondents are not familiar with medicinal herbs, however, 86% use them at least a few times a year. The "familiarity with medicinal herbs" had the strongest direct effect on the use of medicinal herbs, followed by the "social impact of the herbalist" and the "perceived usefulness of medicinal herbs." There is a need to create a new approach to integrative medicine policy and the use of medicinal herbs in Slovenia by developing educational programs, training professionals, establishing guidelines for the safe and effective use of herbs, and advocating for reimbursement by health insurance companies.
Purpose – This study aims to identify the awareness of Slovenian consumers and their attitudes towards labels, as well as the reasons why consumers do not buy labeled food. ...Design/Methodology/Approach – A qualitative approach involving six focus groups (N = 60) and shopping with consumers (N = 16) was conducted in the winter of 2020/2021. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings and implications – The results show that the awareness of quality labels is weak mainly due to their considerable number and poor designed, but also on account of ineffective communication campaigns. With respect to the awareness of and attitude to the quality scheme, the participants were divided into four groups: “The Aware”, “The Sceptics”, “Potential Buyers”, and “The Disinterested”. The reasons for not buying quality labeled foods despite being aware of the labels included overpriced products, no availability of labeled foods generally and those with a good taste and special nutritional value specifically, familiarity/experience with the product, and mistrust of the labeling and social system. The study stresses the important role of social perception and trust in the social system for the acceptance and purchase of such food. Limitations – The main limitation of the study is its focus on digitally literate consumers only. Originality – The relevant literature is enhanced by considering the shopping with consumers exercise given that no published study to date, according to the authors’ knowledge, is based on the observation of quality labels at the time of purchase.
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