Field Of Sociology Research Articles

The Mediating Role of Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Between Transformational Leadership and Work Motivation of Predoctoral Researchers at German Professorships

This study examines the relationship between predoctoral researchers’ perceptions of transformational leadership and their autonomous work motivation, with basic psychological need satisfaction (autonomy, relatedness, and competence) as a mediator. Based on the full range leadership model and self-determination theory, hypotheses are tested using an online survey (n=1,969) conducted from March to May 2022 among professors and their academic staff at German research universities in the fields of business administration, biology, mechanical engineering, and sociology. For the subsample of predoctoral researchers (n=1,005), the structural equation model reveals that transformational leadership increases autonomous work motivation through perceived autonomy and competence, whereas perceived relatedness has a negative effect. In addition, academic career aspirations positively influence autonomous work motivation, while gender has no significant effect. These findings highlight the role of transformational leadership in promoting basic psychological needs satisfaction among emerging scientists.

Tasmanian forests and their people: Self-narrative, forests and temporalities

This paper explores the role of forests in the formation and maintenance of self-identity, drawing on the experiences of 27 people from Tasmania, Australia. Specifically, I argue that forest experiences play an important role shaping some people's ‘self-narrative’ – the biography of their personal experience of the familiar past and anticipated future – framed through three temporal forms: ‘personal’ time, ‘external’ time and ‘ontological’ time. Participants’ recollections show how forest help make time ‘knowable’, in terms of one's own self-trajectory, and time scales which far exceed individual human lives. This link between forests, time and narrative has important implications for the ongoing conversation about temporality in the social sciences, contextualising the reciprocal, subjunctive relationship between humans and nonhumans. This article closes with an invitation to further the ongoing conversation about temporality in the social sciences, particularly in the field of qualitative environmental sociology.

CERN for AI: a theoretical framework for autonomous simulation-based artificial intelligence testing and alignment

This paper explores the potential of a multidisciplinary approach to testing and aligning artificial intelligence (AI), specifically focusing on large language models (LLMs). Due to the rapid development and wide application of LLMs, challenges such as ethical alignment, controllability, and predictability of these models emerged as global risks. This study investigates an innovative simulation-based multi-agent system within a virtual reality framework that replicates the real-world environment. The framework is populated by automated 'digital citizens,' simulating complex social structures and interactions to examine and optimize AI. Application of various theories from the fields of sociology, social psychology, computer science, physics, biology, and economics demonstrates the possibility of a more human-aligned and socially responsible AI. The purpose of such a digital environment is to provide a dynamic platform where advanced AI agents can interact and make independent decisions, thereby mimicking realistic scenarios. The actors in this digital city, operated by the LLMs, serve as the primary agents, exhibiting high degrees of autonomy. While this approach shows immense potential, there are notable challenges and limitations, most significantly the unpredictable nature of real-world social dynamics. This research endeavors to contribute to the development and refinement of AI, emphasizing the integration of social, ethical, and theoretical dimensions for future research.

Consumer decision‐making in cosmetic surgery: An interdisciplinary review identifying key challenges and implications for marketing theory

AbstractConsumer interest in cosmetic surgery has grown tremendously in recent years. However, despite the long‐lasting implications of cosmetic surgery decisions on consumer well‐being, existing insights on these decisions remain limited and scattered across various fields. Through an interdisciplinary bibliometric review, we identify that previous research has primarily focused on five aspects shaping consumers' decisions in cosmetic surgery: (1) differing perspectives, (2) social drivers, (3) individual drivers, (4) online media content, and (5) influences relevant to labiaplasty. These investigations stem from the fields of psychology, sociology, communication, and healthcare and aim to understand especially consumer intentions to undergo surgery at the pre‐consumption stage. In this research, we delineate how marketing researchers can advance insights along the entire consumer surgery journey (i.e., pre‐consumption, consumption, and post‐consumption stage) through a better understanding of (i) the phenomenon and its different treatments, (ii) the role of identity, (iii) stakeholder interactions, and (iv) how social media and technology shape cosmetic surgery decisions. Finally, we highlight how studying these topics can contribute to marketing theory through novel insights on the self and identity, the body's meaning in consumption, and self‐enhancement practices.

GenAI-Assisted Database Deployment for Heterogeneous Indigenous–Native Ethnographic Research Data

In ethnographic research, data collected through surveys, interviews, or questionnaires in the fields of sociology and anthropology often appear in diverse forms and languages. Building a powerful database system to store and process such data, as well as making good and efficient queries, is very challenging. This paper extensively investigates modern database technology to find out what the best technologies to store these varied and heterogeneous datasets are. The study examines several database categories: traditional relational databases, the NoSQL family of key-value databases, graph databases, document databases, object-oriented databases and vector databases, crucial for the latest artificial intelligence solutions. The research proves that when it comes to field data, the NoSQL lineup is the most appropriate, especially document and graph databases. Simplicity and flexibility found in document databases and advanced ability to deal with complex queries and rich data relationships attainable with graph databases make these two types of NoSQL databases the ideal choice if a large amount of data has to be processed. Advancements in vector databases that embed custom metadata offer new possibilities for detailed analysis and retrieval. However, converting contents into vector data remains challenging, especially in regions with unique oral traditions and languages. Constructing such databases is labor-intensive and requires domain experts to define metadata and relationships, posing a significant burden for research teams with extensive data collections. To this end, this paper proposes using Generative AI (GenAI) to help in the data-transformation process, a recommendation that is supported by testing where GenAI has proven itself a strong supplement to document and graph databases. It also discusses two methods of vector database support that are currently viable, although each has drawbacks and benefits.

Ecological and socio-economic factors influence stand biodiversity

Biodiversity is associated with functional protection, adaptation to external conditions, and ecosystem resilience. Therefore, maintaining forest ecosystems with high biodiversity is essential for improving resistance and resilience to disturbances. In addition to the ecological factors influencing forest ecosystems, various socio-economic factors associated with forests can influence the ecosystem. However, socio-economic impacts on forest biodiversity have rarely been addressed. In this study, we investigated whether tree species diversity (TSD) of forest stands varies with ownership status (national vs. private forests). In addition, selected ecological (stand characteristics, site conditions, and climate) and socio-economic (regional forest management sectors, population, forestry population, forest coverage, and forestry income) factors influencing TSD were determined using data from the National Forest Inventory in South Korea. National forests had higher TSD than private forests, reflecting differences in management objectives. Among ecological factors, stand structural diversity (SDivI) was the most influential in both national and private forests. Socio-economic factors, such as population, forest coverage, forest income, and forest management bodies, significantly influenced the TSD, although the impact was smaller compared to ecological factors. Our results suggest that securing stand growth and development is essential for increasing stand structural diversity, which leads to an increase in TSD. Furthermore, our study shows that socio-economic factors can influence forest conditions over time. To better understand the factors influencing the state of forests and manage forests sustainably in the future, collaborative research bridging ecological and sociological fields is necessary.

Profile of Albanian Journalists During the Communist Period

During the Albanian communist period, the role of journalists was often evaluated, treated or judged the same as that of writers. And this duality has also happened in their professional status. Famous Albanian writers were often read in the press pages (such as the well-known case of Petro Markos), and various journalists have switched from journalistic to literary careers. We will talk about these transformations or co-exercises of both "related" professions in this scientific treatise. This topic is a panoramic view, with historical nuances of the evolution of the Albanian media in the period of communism. But its meaning will emerge through the analysis of the position, rights and obligations enjoyed by Albanian journalists of the time. For its realization, bibliographic data and analysis of various scientific works will be used. We will orient the theoretical support from books that deal with propaganda and public communications in totalitarian regimes. Selected literature in the field of media sociology will also be used. The methodology that will be used will be reflected first in the bibliographic and theoretical study, in the analysis and in the qualitative method of evaluating the bibliographic data. Received: 12 June 2024 / Accepted: 25 July 2024 / Published: 29 July 2024

L’analisi scientifica del potere: il contributo della sociologia politica

The article examines the evolving field of political sociology and highlights the need for a modern reassessment in the context of rapid global changes. The aim is to distinguish the framework of political sociology from that of other social sciences such as history, law and economics. The article emphasises the importance of understanding political power and its transformations in the context of crises such as economic downturns, pandemics and geopolitical conflicts. Reflecting on the seminal theories of Max Weber and Talcott Parsons, the discussion highlights how political power, legitimacy and the interplay with other forms of power (economic, technological, etc.) shape contemporary governance. Finally, the article suggests a focus on the dynamics of political power and its legitimacy in the globalised era, noting the growing influence of technological power and the complex challenges posed by modernity.

Comparative analysis of the capabilities of WoS and eLibrary for analyzing bibliographic networks

This article presents a comparative analysis of two major scientific publication databases: Web of Science Core Collection and eLibrary – to identify their differences and unique opportunities for exploration of bibliographic networks of Russian scientific authors. Current shortage of tools and approaches for collection, processing and analysis of bibliographic data in the Russian language constitutes the relevance of this study. Empirical analysis is based on comparison of respective arrays of scientific publications in the field of sociology over the period of 2010-2021. We propose a set of comparison criteria including those related to the procedure of data access, quality of data management, quantitative and qualitative features of the data. Inspection of the databases based on the proposed criteria aids in identification of intersections between both the collections and the respective qualitative observations about them. We make conclusions regarding the comparative advantages and weaknesses of both databases in regards to their potential as the sole data source for bibliographic studies, and make recommendations for their effective use in research on Russian science.

Money and values in couples: a cross-welfare system comparison of gender values

PurposeMoney management practices among couples from 27 countries were studied to understand how they reflect egalitarian values. The welfare system was used as a classification criterion, to account for the distinct socio-political contexts in which couple relationships are formed.Design/methodology/approachThe data are sourced from the 2012 Survey on Family and Changing Gender Roles of the International Social Survey Programme. The analytical strategy used has been binary logistic regression.FindingsThe results demonstrate that participation of the woman in the household economy and financial decision-making indicates higher levels of egalitarian values in the couple. Couples who distinguish between a common fund and individual funds demonstrate more egalitarian values than those who have only a common fund. Besides, symmetry in the couple in terms of the income level of each partner increased the probability of having more egalitarian values. Greater equality was found among couples who resided in countries with a Mediterranean welfare system.Originality/valueThe paper makes an original contribution to the field of sociology and social policy by focus on couples' money management and improve understanding of the finance-well-being nexus.

THEORY OF SOCIAL REPRESENTATIONS AND USER SAFETY IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE: Construction of theoretical-methodological path

This research aimed to develop a theoretical-methodological path between the Theory of Social Representations and the safety of users of Primary Health Care. This is a theoretical essay, guided by productions in the fields of social sciences, politics, sociology, of philosophy and health, digital and in printed materials. Electronic databases: MEDLINE, LILACS, BDENF, VHL and Google Scholar were used. The content was deepened through consultations in books by classic authors that discuss the theory and its insertion in social reality. To support inferential analysis, Bradin's content analysis technique was used. For analytical and reflective scope, the discussion covered four topics, namely: The Theory of Social Representations: preliminary notes; Social Representations: intertwining and deepening based on Moscovici's postulates; The processes of elaboration of social representations: transforming the unfamiliar, or unfamiliarity itself, into the familiar; Arrival: outline of a theoretical path between the Theory of Social Representations and User Safety in Primary Health Care. The identification of how representations are created and how they are organized in everyday life, supporting the understanding of knowledge, feelings, values, symbols and culture that can influence and modify practices within primary care. Shared and socially constructed knowledge can influence new practices and behaviors regarding user safety in Primary Health Care.

Evolvement of new professions in the sphere of career guidance as an imperative of our time

Introduction. The current situation with the employment of graduates, when almost half of them do not work in their speciality, is a negative phenomenon for both the state and the citizens. One of the reasons for this situation is a gap between the graduates’ expectations and the real content of labour activity. The core of the problem is inefficient career guidance. The need to modernise the career guidance system is recognised worldwide. Forecasting of new professions for career guidance should be one of the directions of this modernisation. Specialists having new competencies will be able to ensure the systemic and planned nature of transformations in the sphere of career guidance in order to optimise it. The aim of the study is to justify the need for and predict the emergence of new professions to improve the efficiency of career guidance. Materials and methods. The study involved the materials of the European Training Foundation, the World Economic Forum; the documents of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation: letters, orders, methodological recommendations; the data of the Russian Federal State Statistics Service; scientific articles by Russian and foreign authors. The following methods were used: theoretical analysis of the career guidance development sphere; inductive inferencing; forecasting based on the study of documents and scientific literature on the problem. Results. At present, there is a problem connected with the professional training of specialists engaged in career guidance. People with education in the fields of pedagogy, psychology, sociology and social work are not able to efficiently solve the numerous tasks of modern career counselling. The solution can be achieved by the introduction of new specialisations of employees in this sphere matching the needs of modernity and development trends. It is predicted that these specialisations will be transformed into new professions in the future. For instance, such new professions for career counselling as career research foresighter (prognosticator), career guidance playwork specialist, career guidance testing specialist and developer, career guidance imagemaker, etc. will presumably appear. Conclusion. The modernisation of the career guidance system requires innovations not only in its content and technical fit-out but also in its staffing. The research results can be further used in the process of development of new qualification requirements; for substantiation of proposals on training specialists in upand-coming professions in the sphere of career guidance. They can also serve as a basis for the development of training programmes in new specialities.

Economic Dynamics of Urban Fishermen in Muarareja: The Death of Fish Auction Places

This study examines the closure of the Fish Auction Place (TPI) in Muarareja, which was caused by debt agreements between fishermen and fish traders for boat purchases. The closure of the TPI has led to fishermen losing access to a competitive sales platform and becoming dependent on the traders' markets. The research method used was qualitative with a case study approach, through semi-structured interviews, direct observation, and documentation. The research participants included 6 skippers or fishermen who own ships, 5 crew members (ABK), 6 collectors or traders, and 3 mothers who make salted fish around the TPI. Data collection was carried out from June 1 to August 28, 2023. The purpose of the study was to analyze changes in the dynamics of patron-client relationships among fishermen in Muarareja and to examine the economic and social impacts of the closure of the TPI. The results showed that the closure of the TPI changed the mechanism of buying and selling fish to be more closed to patrons (traders), which significantly affected the social and economic dynamics of urban fishermen. Based on these findings, it is recommended to examine the effectiveness of alternative programs such as fishermen's cooperatives or micro-loans, and further research is needed on the revitalization of the TPI to improve the overall welfare of fishermen. In the context of public policy, it is also necessary to consider strategies that strengthen the capacity of fishermen in facing increasingly complex global economic challenges. This research is expected to provide significant theoretical and practical contributions to the field of sociology, especially economic sociology.

Gender Disparities in Pro-Environmental Attitudes: Implications for Sustainable Business Practices in Croatia

Objective – This research aimed to investigate potential disparities between genders in Croatia regarding their pro-environmental attitudes and mindsets, focusing on understanding how gender influences individuals' environmental consciousness and support for sustainable practices. This paper presents an empirical study utilizing survey data to examine gender differences in environmental attitudes and behaviors. Methodology – It contributes to the field of environmental sociology by exploring the role of gender in shaping individuals' responses to environmental challenges, with implications for policy development and sustainability initiatives. By employing an online survey via snowball sampling, a total of 263 adult participants from Croatia were recruited for the study. Closed-ended questions on a Likert scale measured respondents' attitudes towards recycling, waste sorting, environmental protection urgency, and health impacts of environmental issues. Findings – The findings in this research indicate that gender plays a role in influencing individuals' environmental attitudes and behaviors, with significant gender-based variations in environmental consciousness. Women exhibit higher levels of concern for environmental issues, stronger support for recycling policies, and a more positive outlook on the health implications of ecological problems. This study provides valuable insights into the connection between gender and environmentalism in Croatia, making significant contributions to existing literature. Moreover, it offers implications for the development of policies targeting environmental management and recognizing the need to influence the environmental behavior of each gender. By focusing on gender disparities in pro-environmental behaviors, the study offers new insights into the connection between gender and environmentalism, emphasizing the need for gender-sensitive approaches to environmental policymaking and intervention. Novelty – The research aims to deepen our understanding of the intersection between gender and environmental attitudes, highlighting the importance of incorporating gender-specific perspectives into efforts to promote sustainable behaviors, address environmental challenges, and foster more environmentally conscious societies in Croatia and beyond. Type of Paper: Empirical JEL Classification: F64, J16, Q54, Q56 Keywords: environmental attitudes, sustainability, eco-awareness, environmental behavior Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Mandarić, D; Hunjet, S.A. (2024). Gender Disparities in Pro-Environmental Attitudes: Implications for Sustainable Business Practices in Croatia, J. Bus. Econ. Review, 9(1), 73–84. https://doi.org/10.35609/jber.2024.9.1(4)

Self-care among breast cancer survivors: A concept analysis

Background: Breast cancer survivors have an excellent prognosis and a high survival rate, thus each survivor requires self-care abilities throughout their complex therapy. The concept of self-care is not a new concept in the nursing field, but it is necessary to analyze it as there are still inconsistencies in its use and unclear definitions, especially in the context of breast cancer survivors. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the concept of self-care among breast cancer survivors by employing the Walker and Avant’s analysis method. Methods: The Walker and Avant’s concept analysis method comprises of eight systematic steps. The literature search was conducted through electronic databases, such as ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, EBSCO, ProQuest and SAGE, with the search constraints ranging from 2003 to 2023. Results: The literature search identified 115 articles in the fields of medicine, nursing, sociology, psychology, economics, anthropology, pharmacy, computer science and midwifery. Following the analysis, 30 articles were selected for this study. The concept of self-care was defined as: 1) survivor activity; 2) survivor awareness; 3) self-management; 4) prevention of morbidity and recurrence; 5) improved health. Meanwhile, the concept’s antecedents included self-efficacy, self-care agency and social support, and the consequences included symptom control, improved coping, improved well-being, and improved quality of life. Conclusions: Understanding the attributes of self-care among breast cancer survivors along with their antecedents and consequences could facilitate its development in nursing practices. The self-care concept is utilized for self-care assessment and implementation of appropriate interventions in the context of breast cancer survivors who have completed the therapy.

FEATURES OF MANAGING THE PROCESS OF FORMING A FAVORABLE SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CLIMATE IN THE TEAM OF A MODERN ENTERPRISE

Introduction. The practice of modern enterprises shows that a favorable social and psychological climate in the team increases the efficiency of the enterprise, contributes to reducing staff turnover and improving the general atmosphere at the workplace. At the same time, knowledge of the features of the effective formation of the appropriate social and psychological climate allows managers to create conditions for the professional and personal development of personnel, which results in an increase in the effectiveness of the enterprise. The purpose of the article. The purpose of the article is to study the specifics of managing the formation of the appropriate social and psychological climate in the workforce of modern enterprises for the development of recommendations for an effective personnel management strategy. Methods. The research methodology is based on the analysis of scientific literature and empirical studies in the field of human resource management, organizational psychology and sociology. Such methods of scientific knowledge as the method of analysis and synthesis, comparison, and abstraction were also used. Such a comprehensive approach made it possible to understand not only the theoretical aspects of climate management in the team, but also the practical methods of its implementation in a real business environment. Results. The article considers the key aspects of managing the formation of a favorable social and psychological climate in the collective of a modern enterprise. The key factors affecting the formation of a positive working environment are considered. Various aspects of the impact of organizational culture on the formation of a favorable working environment have been studied. The importance of effective communication between management and staff, as well as between employees, is highlighted in order to create trusting relationships and promote collective success. Different leadership styles and their impact on staff morale and motivation are analyzed. The importance of effective conflict resolution at the workplace and the development of joint problem-solving strategies has been proven. The peculiarities of the application of these approaches in ensuring sustainable growth and competitiveness of enterprises in the modern business environment are studied. Conclusions. Based on the analysis of key aspects of organizational culture, communication practices, leadership and conflict management, practical approaches to the formation of a favorable social and psychological climate in the company's team have been determined. Specific practical methods are proposed for increasing employee satisfaction, reducing staff turnover and increasing labor productivity, which contributes to the sustainable development of the enterprise in the conditions of modern business.

Back to the Future: Placing the Florida Decision in Historical Context

In January 2024, Florida’s Board of Education eliminated the sociology course, ‘Principles of Sociology’ as one of its core requirements for obtaining a general social science education in its college and university system. Florida’s Commissioner of Education, Manny Diaz, led the charge, claiming that sociology has been ‘hijacked by left wing activists’ and is a purveyor of ‘woke ideology’. Some within the profession would agree with Diaz, and certainly, many university administrators would as well. Of course, there are varying representations of sociology, and what Diaz and others are targeting is critical sociology and its commitment to the interrogation of power. However, these political dynamics are not new. The history of critical sociology has reflected a similar pattern that it is being played out currently. The ebbs and flows of critical sociology’s place within the discipline, the state and profession’s suppression of it, its resurgence linked to external social and political forces, and its precarious existence within the university have been true of critical sociology since its origins. This paper offers a historical context for better understanding the current attack on the field of sociology and raises the question, what should critical sociologists do about it?

The Impact of Social Capital on Vietnam Rural Economic Development

Social capital is always considered as an important resource in the development process. In each nation, social capital shows different characteristics; as a result, these differences create varieties in both styles' lives and social relationships. Usually, social capital is traditionally studied in the sociology field; however, this research will examine it from an economic perspective; and focus to discourse on social capital within the context of economic development in rural areas in Vietnam - a middle-income developing country. Through the author's practical experiences in 6 rural areas in northern Vietnam, combined with in-depth interviews with farmers in these 6 regions and official statistical data from state agencies, the article has synthesized and summarized and pointed out the impact of social capital on Vietnam's rural economic development.

Field Theory, Intercorporeality, and the Sámi Underworld

Field theory as a concept entered scientific discourse in the mid-nineteenth century. Yet the essential features of a field long predate discoveries about the physical properties and behavior of matter. The paper briefly describes ancient esoteric precursors to scientific field theory, including the Hermetic tradition and archetypal astrology, before turning to twentieth-century sociological field theories and their elemental idea of subjectivity and intersubjectivity. Jungian psychology is a field theory, expanding the limits of sociology in important ways. The paper adopts a somatic archetypal perspective to argue that intersubjectivity, the basis of sociological and psychological field theories, is inadequate. Instead, depth psychologists should embrace intercorporeality, the more embodied, holistic field theory originating in the work of Husserl and Merleau-Ponty. The paper concludes with a discussion of nekyia to illustrate how an intercorporeal field theory can include the underworld in world mythologies. The inverted cosmic geography of one tradition, the Sámi, gives new meaning to numinous encounters with one’s ancestors and spirit guides. Such encounters intertwine the subtle energy bodies of the personal and transpersonal worlds, a meeting one can imagine as soul to sole, not just soul to soul.

A Sociological Case Study Based on Cultural Capital and Intergenerational Social Mobility

Cultural capital and intergenerational social mobility are important concepts in the field of sociology, which have significant implications for studying various sociological events and common phenomena in society. This article uses these two important concepts to study and analyze the actual case of news protagonist Percy, who hopes to work as a chef in the future but is obstructed by his family. Through case analysis, this article explores the cultural capital involved in this case and how it specifically affects the upward social mobility of individuals or families, and provides some sociological perspectives to analyze specific cases.