https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/296 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 22:26:52 GMT 2026-08-02T22:26:52Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148118 Title: Greenwashing : awareness and perception of responsibility among graphic designers Abstract: This thesis explores the awareness and sense of responsibility of creative communication agency leaders regarding greenwashing. Greenwashing is a misleading communication practice that abuses consumers’ growing concern for sustainability, leading to growing mistrust of consumers around truly sustainable products and slowing down the sustainability movement. While the legal responsibility lies with the client commissioning the misleading visuals, graphic designers and other creatives function as the mediator between the client and the consumer, thereby carrying out the practical work. This thesis uses a qualitative approach to explore the awareness of four Maltese creative communication agencies’ leaders around greenwashing and to explore their potential responsibility as communicators. The study draws its importance from the 2024 introduced ‘Green Transition Directive’ (EU 2024/825) that turns a moral consideration for graphic designers into a legal wrong. Firstly, the interviews revealed that “greenwashing” can easily be mixed up with other issues within the wider domain of sustainability in designers’ minds. Another finding is that a potential lack of sense of responsibility among creatives may be explained by the belief that individual action does not have a sufficient impact to tackle those problems. Since lawmakers and companies are perceived as more powerful, some interviewees attribute the main responsibility for introducing positive environmental change to these parties. All agencies interviewed have principles for the selection of their clients and declined clients for ethical reasons. Being able to be selective and act ethically also depends on the establishment of an agency. At the beginning of one’s career, however, there can be the temptation to overlook design ethics in an effort to establish professional acumen and market exposure. Description: B.Comms. (Hons)(Melit.) Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148118 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147894 Title: Theoretical perspectives on generative and agentic AI adoption in service environments Abstract: The editors of this special issue particularly welcome submissions that explicitly draw upon, refine or combine well-established theories that have been influential in service and technology research, including (but not limited to) the following ones (as discussed in Camilleri & Troise, 2023): Anthropomorphism theory (e.g., human-likeness, emotional attachment and/or moral attributions to AI). Affordance theory (perceived action possibilities enabled or constrained by GenAI and/or Agentic AI interfaces). Assemblage theory (AI as part of dynamic socio-technical service systems). Behavioral reasoning theory (reasons for and against AI use in service encounters). Cognitive fit theory (task–AI alignment and decision quality). Commitment–consistency theory (habit formation and sustained AI use). Communication accommodation theory (linguistic and stylistic adaptation in human–AI interaction). Contingency theory (contextual conditions that can have an impact on AI effectiveness). Diffusion of innovations theory (organizational and market-level adoption trajectories). Expectancy and expectation-violation theories (surprise, delight, discomfort or distrust in AI services). Flow theory in computer-mediated environments (engagement, creativity and immersion). Functionalist theory of emotion (affective responses to AI-enabled services). Human–computer interaction / human–machine communication theories. Information systems success model (service quality, satisfaction and net benefits of AI). Politeness theory (face-management and social norms in AI communication). Self-determination theory (autonomy, competence and relatedness in AI use). Situational theories of problem-solving and publics. Social cognitive theory (learning AI use through observation and social influence). Social presence and social response theories. Structural role theory (AI as role-performing service actors). Technology acceptance model (TAM) and unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). Theory of conversation. Theory of planned behavior (TPB) and its related theory of reasoned action (TRA). Trust–commitment theory. Uses and gratifications theory. Submissions that integrate multiple perspectives, compare existing conceptual frameworks and develop new theoretical models specific to GenAI and Agentic AI in services are especially encouraged for this special issue. Illustrative research questions may include (but are not limited to): How and to what extent do customers and employees anthropomorphize Generative versus Agentic AI in service encounters? Which GenAI and Agentic AI affordances drive value co-creation, trust, reliance or resistance in services? How do emotional cues, social presence and politeness strategies influence engagement with AI-driven service agents? Under what contingencies does AI adoption enhance or undermine service quality, relationships and well-being? How do expectations and expectation violation aspects influence satisfaction and continued use of AI-enabled services? How do organizations implement Agentic AI within broader service systems? What ethical, relational, psychological and accountability tensions emerge from sustained human–AI interactions, particularly when AI acts autonomously? The special issue welcomes conceptual, qualitative, quantitative, experimental or mixed-methods approaches, provided that the contributing authors demonstrate strong theoretical grounding and relevance to the underlying objectives of this journal. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147894 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147838 Title: Monitoring media pluralism in the European Union : results of the MPM2026. Country report : Malta Authors: Mallia, Megan; Vassallo, Louiselle; Mallia, Ġorġ Abstract: This report presents the results of the implementation of the Media Pluralism Monitor in Malta for the year 2025 (MPM2026). The MPM is a holistic tool aimed at assessing the risk to media pluralism in the EU member states and candidate countries. It considers legal, political, and economic variables relevant for analyzing the levels of media pluralism in a democratic society. The Media Pluralism Monitor has been implemented annually by the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom since 2013/2014. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147838 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147396 Title: A visual exploration of cultural identity and belonging in Malta Abstract: This research offers an insight into cultural identity and sense of belonging of Malta’s inhabitants through photography, and public engagement. The practical project investigates how visual storytelling and individual experiences contribute to the understanding of cultural identity. Data has been collected through qualitative interviews and a dedicated Instagram account, @portraitsofmalta. Photographs captured as part of the practical segment of this research were shared on the aforementioned Instagram account. Public polls were created to encourage reflection on cultural identity and sense of belonging and allowed the researcher to gather further insights on the subject in question. Ultimately, this study demonstrates how photography and social media are powerful tools for capturing and understanding cultural identity in Malta’s increasingly diverse community. Description: B.Comms. (Hons)(Melit.) Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147396 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z