Advancing policy development for vertical agrivoltaics: Research on landscape integration and social acceptance

Risk of eucalyptus tree failure and social acceptance of its removal in urban green areas of Mexico City

Corrigendum to “Social acceptance of autonomous vehicles. A cross-country model validation” [Transp. Res. F: Traffic Psychol. Behav 115 (2025) 103329

Social acceptance factors of mobility-related policy packages

Social acceptability of aquaculture: Engaging with regulation to build industry credibility and legitimacy

Prioritizing service attributes to enhance social acceptance of urban air mobility for airport shuttle

In My Backyard or in My Country? Exploring the Social Acceptance of Controversial Infrastructure

Integrated resiliency and sustainability assessment of biogeochemical cover system to mitigate landfill gas emissions.

This article examines the employment of people with disabilities in the light of relevant policies and social acceptance in Greece. The method adopted is that of a literature review. The data examined show that in Greece various policies have been developed concerning people with disabilities with the aim of their equal inclusion in employment. However, the legislation is not reflected in practice. People with disabilities have limited opportunities compared to other people without disabilities to claim jobs. This is largely due to the fact that employers have perceptions that indicate a lack of social acceptance for people with disabilities. However, national policies also show that people with disabilities have not been widely accepted. The policies that exist for employment are inferior to those concerning social welfare. This also results in people with disabilities not seeking to work, not because they do not want to or do not need to, but because it is more economically efficient for them to maintain the benefits they receive. This highlights the need to design and implement policies that truly provide opportunities for people with disabilities to integrate into the labor market.

In the digital age, social media platforms homogenize beauty standards and intricately link clothing choices to social norms and class identities. Grounded in Pierre Bourdieu’s concepts of cultural and social capital, supplemented by Erving Goffman’s theory of stigma, this study examines how social media amplifies pre-existing socio-cultural pressures that influence Turkish women’s decisions to abandon the hijab. The research has practical implications for understanding and addressing hijab abandonment. It employs a qualitative design based on semi-structured interviews with 13 participants, analyzed through a phenomenological approach. The findings reveal that the pursuit of social acceptance and resistance to social exclusion are more decisive factors in hijab abandonment than direct social media influence. While social media serves as a crucial amplifier of aesthetic ideals and a gateway to digital legitimacy, the primary drivers are deeply rooted in the pursuit of social acceptance and resistance to long-standing mechanisms of socio-cultural exclusion, stigmatization, and symbolic violence—processes intensified and mediated through digital platforms. The analysis uncovers the operation of a dual-sided neighborhood pressure, whereby women face scrutiny from both religious communities enforcing idealized piety norms and secular circles perpetuating stigmatizing labels such as backwardness or ignorance. Crucially, participants reported that unveiling was strategically employed as a means of overcoming barriers to professional advancement, gaining access to elite social spheres, and escaping the constant burden of representation. The study concludes that hijab abandonment emerges as a complex strategy of social navigation, where digital platforms act as powerful accelerants of pre-existing class- and identity-based conflicts.

The emergence of self-driving vehicles raises not only technological challenges, but also profound moral and legal challenges, especially when the decisions made by these vehicles can affect human lives. The aim of this study is to examine the moral and legal dimensions of algorithmic decision-making and their codifiability, approaching the issue from the perspective of the classic trolley dilemma and the principle of double effect. Using a normative-analytical method, it explores the moral models behind decision-making algorithms, the possibilities and limitations of legal regulation, and the technological and ethical dilemmas of artificial intelligence development. One of the main theses of the study is that in the case of self-driving cars, the programming of moral decisions is not merely a theoretical problem, but also a question requiring legal and social legitimacy. The analysis concludes that, given the nature of this borderline area between law and ethics, it is not always possible to avoid such dilemmas, and therefore it is necessary to develop a public, collective, principle-based normative framework that establishes the social acceptability of algorithmic decision-making.

Purpose This study investigates the multidimensional challenges experienced by Bangladeshi migrant workers (BMWs) in Malaysia's construction sector and explores their implications on social well-being using Keyes' (1998) five-domain framework: social integration, social acceptance, social contribution, social actualization, and social coherence. Design/methodology/approach The study employed a qualitative case study approach using semi-structured interviews with 40 Bangladeshi construction workers, two key informant interviews (KIIs), and two field observations. Data were analyzed thematically, and findings were interpreted using Keyes' (1998) social well-being framework. Findings The study reveals that BMWs face interlocking forms of structural, economic, and psychosocial exploitation. Challenges include excessive migration fees, wage disparities, unsafe working conditions, restricted access to healthcare, legal harassment, and profound social exclusion. These hardships severely undermine all five domains of social well-being—limiting their sense of belonging, value, contribution, hope, and coherence. The study also highlights how limited access to collective representation and the fear of deportation constrain migrant agency and psychosocial resilience. Research limitations/implications The findings are based on one nationality and sector, potentially limiting generalizability. However, the study offers a transferable framework for examining the well-being of other migrant groups across sectors using a rights-based, psychosocial lens. Practical implications The findings highlight the urgent need for policies that ensure wage fairness, healthcare access, legal protection, and social inclusion. Specific attention should be given to psychosocial support and mechanisms for collective representation. Social implications Improving the well-being of migrant workers is vital not only for social justice but also for fostering cohesive, inclusive societies. Interventions grounded in well-being frameworks can help realign labor governance with international human rights standards. Originality/value This study contributes original insights by applying Keyes' (1998) framework to analyze the lived experiences of Bangladeshi migrant workers, offering a novel psychosocial perspective on migrant well-being. It bridges the gap between policy discourse and grounded realities, offering actionable guidance for policymakers, labor advocates, and international stakeholders.

More than fifty years have passed since Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan, yet certain communities in the country continue to face socially constructed barriers that affect their identity and belonging. Among them, the Biharis, though legally recognized as Bangladeshi citizens, are often excluded from full social acceptance by the native Bengali population. Bangladeshi media has increasingly highlighted their struggles, and the short film Jinnah is Dead, part of Bangladesh's first anthology film, Sincerely Yours, Dhaka, vividly depicts the intense identity crisis of a Bihari man attempting to conceal his origins while navigating conflicts within his own community. This paper examines the historical and socio-cultural factors that have marginalized the Biharis from 1971 to the present, exploring the psychological and social consequences of this exclusion through famous works of modern-day Bangladeshi filmmakers. Throughout the paper, the visual portrayal of the Biharis suffering from identity crisis and the reason behind their notion of unhomeliness will be discussed.

Pig manure often creates environmental pollution and social issues for small-scale farmers. This community service activity empowers pig farmers to utilize manure for biogas production as an alternative energy source and as a bioslurry for organic fertilization. We applied socialization and assistance, and constructed dome-type biogas digesters using locally available materials. We analyzed the potential of biogas based on the number of livestock and daily manure production, then connected this to household cooking energy needs. The results indicate that farmers can use the resulting biogas as a substitute for LPG for cooking, reducing their dependence on LPG. Additionally, bioslurry can serve as organic fertilizer, supporting agriculture and household gardens. Socio-economically, this activity enables energy cost savings, improves environmental conditions around pens, and fosters greater social acceptance of pig farming. Overall, transforming livestock manure into biogas and bioslurry provides a sustainable empowerment model for farmers, which communities can replicate.

Sustainable plant protection is vital for continuing improved agricultural productivity and safeguarding global food security. Reliance on synthetic pesticides to mitigate pest outbreaks has led to unintended environmental and health-related concerns, including soil degradation, water pollution, and bioaccumulation within ecosystems. These challenges have accelerated the push for eco-friendly, sustainable pest management alternatives. Biopesticides derived from natural sources offer a promising solution due to their target specificity, environmental safety, and high compatibility with integrated pest management principles. Biopesticides include viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, predators, and pheromones, each with distinct mechanisms of action. Despite these advantages, limitations exist in registration, regulation and social acceptance of biopesticides. This review provides a comprehensive overview of biopesticide categories -microbial, phytochemical, and nanobiopesticides and their mechanisms of action, advantages, and limitations. Moreover, the emphasis is placed on microbial pesticides, which differ from their chemical counterparts in their ability to multiply in situ and exhibit long-lasting effects. This review further underscores the significance of biopesticides in fostering climate-smart agriculture, advancing public health, and achieving Sustainable Development Goal targets. This review also underscores the need for ongoing research, innovation, and public involvement to promote the acceptance and commercial success of biopesticide-based solutions in global agriculture.

Background: Smokeless tobacco products, particularly Filter Khaini (locally known as AL-HOT), are increasingly popular in Yemen, especially among young adults. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of AL-HOT use among male university students in Aden and explore its associations with demographic factors, concurrent risk behaviors, and health perceptions. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between February and April 2025 among 1,000 male undergraduate students aged 18–30 years from public and private universities in Aden. Data were collected using a culturally adapted, self-administered questionnaire based on the WHO Global Adult Tobacco Survey. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, and chi-square tests (p < 0.05) assessed associations between AL-HOT use and independent variables. Results: Overall, 82.9% of participants were aware of AL-HOT, and 27.1% reported ever using it. Among users, 68.3% reported daily use and 31.7% less frequent use. AL-HOT use was significantly associated with cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use, qat chewing, and energy drink consumption (all p = 0.001), but not related to demographic factors. Daily users were more likely to perceive AL-HOT as less harmful than cigarettes (81.8%), consider it socially acceptable (84.8%), and report higher dependence and gastrointestinal symptoms. While most users acknowledged its addictiveness and supported awareness campaigns, daily users were less supportive of campus bans. Conclusion: AL-HOT use among male university students in Aden is common and closely linked to other risky behaviors, shaped by misconceptions of reduced harm and social acceptance. Culturally tailored prevention and policy interventions are urgently needed to curb smokeless tobacco use in this population.

HighlightsWhat are the main findings?Participation in the From “Me” to “We” intervention led to a small but statistically significant increase in children’s social status compared to a control group.The effect of the intervention was consistent across genders and independent of classroom-level differences.What are the implications of the main findings?Group-oriented interventions targeting the shift from self-focused to collective per-spectives can support social acceptance in elementary classrooms.Future research is needed to explore long-term effects, implementation fidelity, and applicability across diverse classroom and cultural contexts.Background: The elementary school years are a critical period for children’s social development, during which interactions with peers play a central role. While previous research highlights the importance of integration into the peer group, this study investigated the From “Me” to “We” school-based intervention, designed to enhance peer acceptance by encouraging children to move from an individualistic “Me” perspective toward a more group-oriented “We” mindset. Methods: Participants were 594 fourth- and fifth-graders (Mage = 9.57 years; 46% male, 54% female) from four schools in Israel. Students were assigned to an intervention group (N = 270) or a control group (N = 324). The From “Me” to “We” intervention, led by teachers with psychologist support, spanned three months and included six classroom sessions. Peer acceptance was evaluated using pre- and post-test social status questionnaires that assessed children’s actual social interactions with classmates. Results: Analyses revealed a significant interaction between the intervention and children’s acceptance within the group, such that among the intervention group, children’s social status significantly increased, whereas the control group showed no significant change. Conclusions: The From “Me” to “We” intervention led to a small but statistically significant increase in children’s peer acceptance. While these findings highlight the potential of group-oriented approaches to support social development in elementary school, future research is needed to examine the long-term effects and generalizability of the intervention across diverse classroom and cultural contexts.

Purpose This paper investigates how consumers across the European Union perceive and accept insect-based foods, aiming to determine which factors most significantly influence their willingness to adopt this sustainable dietary alternative. Design/methodology/approach A machine learning approach – specifically the Random Forest algorithm – was employed to analyze survey responses collected in six EU countries. The model's performance was assessed through classification metrics and the ranking of variable importance. Findings The classifier reached a strong predictive accuracy of 97.83%. Among the predictors, age stood out as the most impactful, followed by considerations related to price, health benefits and environmental motivations. The analysis also revealed a notable level of cultural consistency in attitudes toward entomophagy across countries. Research limitations/implications As the analysis relies on secondary data and non-random sampling, the ability to generalize the findings may be limited. Practical implications The results offer guidance for both industry stakeholders and public policy, highlighting the consumer segments most receptive to insect-based foods and identifying key themes for communication strategies. Social implications Understanding public attitudes toward edible insects can support the development of sustainable dietary norms across Europe. As food security and environmental concerns grow, this research may help normalize alternative protein sources and reduce cultural resistance. Enhancing awareness of health and ecological benefits could shift consumer mindsets and support broader social acceptance of entomophagy as a viable future food practice. Originality/value This research introduces a data-driven methodological perspective rarely seen in food acceptance studies by integrating machine learning into consumer research. It also provides fresh insights into how demographic and psychological variables interact in shaping European acceptance of insect consumption.

This paper critically examines Shadd Maruna’s (2011) “Re-entry as a Rite of Passage”, which explores how structured rituals can facilitate the reintegration of ex-prisoners by reducing stigma and promoting social acceptance. Maruna argues that the absence of such rites contributes to high recidivism rates, proposing public acts of remorse and community involvement as solutions. While his framework offers valuable insights, this review highlights key limitations, including the oversimplification of societal attitudes, the ambiguity of “community,” and the neglect of mental health challenges. It concludes that while reintegration rituals hold promise, they must be supported by systemic reforms and targeted social policies for lasting impact.

This study examines the influence of perceived social acceptability on engagement in risk talk. This study views risk perception as a socially negotiated phenomenon, where perceptions and discussions of risk are not just personal but also shaped by community norms and shared understandings. If people perceive a risk as widely accepted, they may be less likely to engage in conversation on that risk. We tested this question using linear regression and structural equation modelling (SEM) on multiple recreational risks with varying levels of social acceptance. The results indicate that a higher perceived social risk acceptability is associated with less engagement in risk talk. This relationship appears to operate mainly through risk willingness and risk perception. A small, robust effect remains, however, even when controlling for these factors. The SEM suggests a directional pattern between risk perception, risk talk, and social, informational, and benefit-related factors, consistent with risk perception functioning less as an independent driver and more a conduit for these factors. Illustrating the interplay between social acceptability, risk talk engagement, risk willingness, risk perception, and risk knowledge, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of individual and social dynamics in the context of the social processing and diffusion of risk understandings.