Social Goals Research Articles

Strategic opportunities for nature-based solutions: Lessons for policy and practice from cross-city comparisons

Nature-based solutions (NbS) can address urban infrastructure challenges exacerbated by climate change (e.g., flooding) and contribute to citizens’ quality of life, supporting both environmental and social policy goals. Despite those advantages, NbS can be a difficult ‘sell’ for policy makers in a wider context of social uncertainty and austerity. To support greater insight into the issues affecting market uptake, this scoping study draws on data from a EU Horizons project. The experience of government and business stakeholders in six cities (Liverpool, Valladolid, Izmir, Mantua, Ludwigsburg, and Medellin), serve as illustrative cases of market uptake from the NbS provider perspective. Drawing on interview, survey and secondary data, three strategic drivers (and barriers) of NbS investment emerged: Socio-cultural, financial and governance. At operational level, four types of NbS (Grand, customized, large scale and niche) and four types of strategic opportunities emerged: Tolerable (low cost: low benefit), Ruinous (high cost: low benefit), Best case (low cost: high benefit) and Aspirational (high cost: high benefit). On the supply side, funding and maintenance capabilities are the primary barriers to NbS implementation. On the demand side, insight into public perception of NbS is crucial. Drawing from this data, the three pillars of successful NbS projects are: (1) Relevant policy frameworks (global, national and municipal), (2) supporting mechanisms and resources for public-private partnerships and (3) engaging all stakeholders through targeted communications emphasizing all forms of value.

Influence on Banks' Credit Risk Through Monetary Policy Instruments: A Study of Listed Commercial Banks in Pakistan

Monetary policy goals in any country are to accomplish economic and social goals to achieve financial prosperity. The study determined the impact of monetary policy tools on bank’s Credit Risk, which was previously unexplored. The analytical and econometrical design was adopted in this study. Descriptive statistics, correlation matrix, CD test, and DK regression were employed to determine the impact of monetary policy instruments on the bank’s Credit Risk. Multivariate statistical techniques were used to evaluate balanced panel data from 22 banks currently operating in Pakistan cover the span of 2009-2021. Banks were declared cross-sectionally dependent. ROE was positively associated with MG, ROA was negatively linked with INF in the Correlation Matrix. The overall research explored that PR and MG had a positive impact on ROE and ROA, but SLR showed an inverse impact on Credit Risk. This research used a large number of banks as a novel component in Pakistan’s context and filled a gap in the country’s banking literature. The paper will assist the government, managers of the banking industry, monetarists, stakeholders, investors, academicians, and researchers. This study could be extremely helpful to regulators in formulating favorable policy rates that fulfill Pakistan’s economic targets.

Nature based solutions in cities of the global South—The ‘where, who and how’ of implementation

Nature-based solutions have gained popularity as an approach to reduce the impacts of climate and environmental change, providing multi-fold and multi-sectoral benefits especially in cities. Yet there has been growing concern about their utility for cities of the Global South, a concern fuelled by the paucity of studies, including scientific peer reviewed and gray literature. In this paper, we contribute to this knowledge gap, based on an analysis of 120 case studies of NBS in Global South cities, documented in two databases (Urban Natural Atlas and Oppla). These cases fall largely under categories of blue and green infrastructure, with a few cases also focusing on grey infrastructure (in buildings or campuses). While most cases are in Asia, several have also been documented in Africa and Central/South America. Two-third of documented NBS cases are aligned towards either national, or lower-level (regional and local) policies indicating the importance of policy mechanisms for driving their implementation. Institutional arrangements are usually non-government, government or collaborative arrangements, with the goal of climate resilience, biodiversity support and ecosystem restoration—along with social goals of creating public spaces. However, when private players take on the mandate for NBS, they focus primarily on grey infrastructure (in buildings and campuses), primarily meant for private or employee benefits, and not for the public. In cases where public engagement is a stated priority, we find tokenistic approaches deployed, primarily seeking engagement through information dissemination and consultation predominate. Despite the stated importance for participation and engagement, only a few cases focused on empowerment and co-creation of NBS with local communities. We suggest that there is a greater need for documentation regarding the modes of participation especially on roles and levels of actors involved, to enrich our understanding of the impact of NBS on values of justice and equity in the cities of the global South.

Catalysing Financial Inclusion in South Africa's Rural Landscape: A Theoretical Discourse of PoS Business Model

In countries like South Africa, where cash plays a pivotal role in social and economic life, limited access to financial institutions, in rural areas has led to significant economic challenges for citizens and businesses. This limitation has further exacerbated the financial exclusion of the underserved population resonating with poor economic growth. In addressing the issue, this desktop-based theoretical discourse, draws on the Technology Acceptance Model, Schumpeterian Entrepreneurship Theory, and Circular Flow of Income Model to conceptualise cash point-of-sale business model, as an innovative mechanism with the potential to spearhead the country’s financial inclusion efforts, entrepreneurial imperatives and local economic participation. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and financial institutions to design and implement effective financial inclusion policies in rural areas. By addressing unique challenges faced by rural communities, such as limited infrastructure and lower levels of education, a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem can be achieved, contributing to broader social and economic development goals in South Africa's rural landscape. An exploratory empirical study is further recommended to pave the way for the development of a contextual framework to guide the model’s implementation in South Africa.

Organization of professional communication in social work

The article analyzes the key concepts of "communication" and "professional communication" from the point of view of an activity approach, because communication not only activates the consciousness of the subject, but also provides rational knowledge regarding the choice of social goals and means of their achievement. The specificity of the social work specialist's communicative activity is determined, which is aimed at changing individuals, groups and other social systems, at the development of one's own personality, colleagues and clients. The analysis of communication technologies taking place in social work is shown. The peculiarities of the communicative potential of social work, the improvement of the efficiency of professional communication, the identification of signs of communication in social work in the conditions of the information society, the identification of the most demanded mechanisms of interaction, the clarification of new functions and professional roles of social workers are analyzed. The need to update the principles and methods of communicative activity in social work, the approval of new communication technologies in accordance with the dynamics of social relations, the level of development of technical capabilities and the needs of modern society are substantiated. Special attention is paid to Internet communication, its advantages and limitations, problems and prospects of using the latest communication technologies are determined. Emphasis is placed on the system of social assistance, which does not always respond to the challenges of the times in a timely manner. One of the reasons for this situation is that the communicative potential of social work, which includes the development, adaptation, and implementation of various technologies for organizing professional interaction in social work, is insufficiently researched and used. New studies of the possibilities of organization and directions of development of professional communication in the activity of a specialist in the social sphere in modern conditions are considered

A CRITICAL APPROACH OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP THEORIES

Along with the evolution of society, the theories of social entrepreneurship have also evolved, and the aim of our research consists of the critical analysis of the theories related to entrepreneurial intention with a particularization of social entrepreneurship. Our research results led us to conclude that the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is still a dominant theory used to measure entrepreneurial intention. However, the resource-based theory is much more oriented toward creating a genuine motivation for social entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into a social project, and the resources that the community makes available to the entrepreneurs have the potential to stimulate them to fulfill social goals. Consequently, the emotional feature of the social entrepreneur contributes to the promotion of entrepreneurial behavior oriented towards solving a specific social need of the community or society.

Equity and Social Inclusion in Higher Education: The Funding Dilemma in Public Universities in Kenya

Equity and social inclusion in education are core to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4. This goal recognizes that education is a human right that should be accessible to all, irrespective of socioeconomic status. Universities are uniquely placed to contribute to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda by guaranteeing inclusive and equitable education. As citadels of research, knowledge production, and innovation, these institutions are rationally obligated to steer the 2030 Agenda. Indeed, the growth of university education has contributed enormously to Kenya's economic development. Yet, to continue contributing to inclusive and equitable education, universities require finances to reorient, repurpose and refocus. Unfortunately, public universities in Kenya are presently experiencing challenges that threaten their contribution to sustainable development through SDG 4. Therefore, this paper sought to enquire whether funding is a dilemma to universities achievement of equity and social inclusion goals. Besides, the paper considered strategies to address access, quality, and management barriers to inclusive and equitable education in higher education. The paper used the argumentative approach to conclude that inclusive and equitable education in higher education is at the most risk due to the diminishing funding of public universities and the unilateral push by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to overhaul some of these public universities. However, these institutions have the capacity to conduct research towards viable programs. Since funding does not appear as a dilemma to achieving equity and social inclusion in these institutions, this study recommends that the government should rethink the funding strategy in public universities by looking at other strategies like financial exposure awareness, development of principles, and change preparedness in order to enhance these institutions' potential to achieve SDG 4.

Regulatory and investor demands to use ESG performance metrics in executive compensation: right instrument, wrong method

ABSTRACT The growing acknowledgment of the need to transition to sustainability in corporate governance has led to the scrutiny of and the infusion of non-financial environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals into the traditional incentive-based executive remuneration frameworks. The swift adoption of ESG metrics in executive compensation by global corporations and their endorsement by influential institutional investors and various regulatory bodies highlight this trend. This article challenges the effectiveness and necessity of universally applying standard ESG metrics in compensation structures and aims to construct a framework for a more contextual and nuanced application of ESG-linked executive compensation. The analysis highlights the limitations of ESG objectives unrelated to shareholder value and demonstrates the limited circumstances where some company specific ESG objectives can drive rapid changes in targeted performance by drawing attention to these objectives. These findings question the evolving practice of a uniform integration of ESG metrics in compensation plan design of all companies and urge regulators, institutional investors, and corporate boards to adopt a more tailored, focused, and selective strategy in integrating ESG metrics into executive pay.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: ROLE IN SOLVING ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES AND ENSURING SOCIAL INCLUSION

The article studies the essence of environmental entrepreneurship and its role in solving modern environmental challenges and social problems. Balancing economic, social, and ecological goals, environmental entrepreneurs at all stages of their activities prioritize sustainable development and responsible and reasonable strategic decisions that form the long-term value of entrepreneurial activity. Thus, environmental entrepreneurship, introducing social and ecological innovations, rational use of resources and minimization of negative impact on the environment, ensuring a continuous recycling and absorption process of any material, promotes economic growth and social welfare of all segments of the population; promotes social inclusion and integration, a realization of human potential, business activity, entrepreneurial ability; expands opportunities for people with special needs, and marginalized; improves the level and quality of their life, reduces the differentiation of society, etc. Analysis of international experience has revealed that, in modern conditions, environmental entrepreneurship has received international recognition as a response to global environmental challenges. At the same time, international cooperation, standardization, and technology exchange are key factors in the development of ecological entrepreneurship at the international level. Legislative support, financial incentives, and increased consumer awareness create a favorable environment for green (sustainable) businesses. Despite the challenges of a large-scale war, progress is being made in the development of environmental entrepreneurship in Ukraine, in particular through the restoration of infrastructure and the introduction of European environmental standards. It is generalized that the development of environmental initiatives in the context of the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine will ensure the realization of the potential to stimulate economic development, create new opportunities for business and employment, generate profit and income, ensure the restoration of affected areas and rural development, promote the transition to a low-carbon economy, solve social problems. However, the implementation of these tasks requires compliance with the following principles: an integrated approach to the balance of economic, social, and environmental components of environmental entrepreneurship in the interests of sustainable development; investments in education to spread knowledge and skills in the formation of sustainable development public culture; impact investments, inclusive social and environmental innovations as the basis for economic growth; cooperation between governments, businesses, society, and communities as the basis for implementing sustainable development initiatives.

Nectere between Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Over, the past few years, social entrepreneurship has grow as a cause of poor effectiveness of government bodies in upgrading the wealth, quality of life of underprivileged social sectors. Since, the aim of sustainable development is to enhance the standard of individual’s lives. Social entrepreneurship including its advantages, would be observed as one of the most significant opinion for development. This study explores the interconnectedness between social entrepreneurship and sustainable development goals. Social entrepreneurship characterized by innovative, sustainable and impact driven solution to societal challenges, align closely with the sustainable development goals agenda for global development. This study made review of past researchers and use of present researchers. The study involve the Introduction; entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship; characteristics of social entrepreneurs; importance of social entrepreneurship in advancing the sustainable goals agenda; conception of sustainable development goals; link between social entrepreneurship and sustainable development; conclusion and implications. Finally this paper concludes with implications of policies and research emphasizing the greater support and integration of social entrepreneurship with broader development framework to accelerate progress towards the sustainable development to meet up with common needs without diminishing the importance of other goals and build a most sustainable and inclusive world. Key-Words Entrepreneurship; Social Entrepreneurship; Social Entrepreneurs; Sustainable Development Goals.

Familial pot boiler: Pressures from inside and outside and parental psychological control

The current study examined the contribution of both external (socialization goals) and internal parental characteristics (attachment insecurity, contingent self-worth, and parental helplessness) to parental psychological control (PPC). A sample of 159 Israeli triads of mothers, fathers, and elementary-school-age children participated in the study. The findings of parents’ self-reports indicated associations between fathers’ and mothers’ socialization goals, attachment orientations, parental helplessness, contingent self-worth, and PPC. A mediation path analysis model revealed direct positive associations between mothers’ and fathers’ contingent self-worth, socialization goals emphasizing obedience, and their self-reports of PPC. Mothers’ autonomous socialization goals had a direct negative association with maternal and child-reported PPC. A direct association was found between fathers’ attachment anxiety and paternal PPC, while indirect associations were found between mothers’ contingent self-worth, attachment avoidance and anxiety, and maternal PPC through mothers’ helplessness. The results highlight how internal and external factors can increase PPC, possibly putting children at risk.

Decoding the Nexus: A Bibliometric Review on Sustainability, Circular Economy, and Consumer Food Waste

One of the issues that has gained importance within the scope of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is the issue of food waste. These goals, which represent very important and urgent problems to be solved at the global level, are extremely critical in terms of sustainability. Food waste, by its nature at the intersection of economic, social, and environmental sustainability goals, has become a global problem linked to key challenges in the global environment in terms of food security, climate change, malnutrition, and economic sustainability. The fact that consumers are one of the most important factors affecting food waste in the transition to a circular economy increases the importance of this study once again. Due to the lack of systematic, chronological studies showing how food waste develops over time, this study will examine the development and evolution of food waste research using a bibliometric analysis. In this way, it aims to gain a comprehensive insight into the field’s current state and shed light on this highly important area of study. In addition to informing policymakers, practitioners, and consumers with the results of this research, it is also aimed to support all relevant individuals, institutions, and organizations in the efforts to combat food waste. One of the main objectives of this study is to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For this reason, it can be stated that the research has objectives in line with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13: Climate Action.

A multi-criteria model for measuring the sustainability orientation of Italian water utilities

This article investigates the influence of socioeconomic context and stakeholder pressure on water utilities' sustainability performance and disclosure. The Urban Water Cycle Services (UWCS) framework has been adapted to the Italian context and integrated with a social equity variable, which enhances the framework's ability to account for the distinctive characteristics and mission of water utilities in measuring sustainability performance. The sample comprises 17 Italian utilities providing water services that released a sustainability report in 2021. The results show that the socioeconomic context and stakeholder pressure influence how water utilities align with economic, environmental, and social sustainability goals. Listed multi-utility companies are strongly influenced by private shareholders, pushing them towards financial sustainability, while small public water utilities are more sensitive to the needs of their disadvantaged users, especially in low-income contexts. The findings of the study have interesting theoretical, managerial and policy implications.

Women in agroecology: inclusion, exclusion, and empowerment in Peru

ABSTRACT In Peru, formal and informal organizations are key actors in promoting agroecological farming and related social goals but struggle to make significant changes for gender equality. In this study, I seek to understand how organizations conceptualize their role in gender equality throughout project design, implementation, and presentation. While the organizations designed their projects around organizational change, the implementation and presentation of their work focused on improving financial security and agricultural literacy for individual women rather than systemic conditions. Despite this, their efforts underscored the importance of women’s contributions and furthered the conversation about gender in Peruvian agriculture.

Green Politics and the Policy Cycle in Indonesia's Electrification Journey: A Comparative Analysis of Policy Priorities for Electric Cars and Public Transport

This paper presents a comprehensive Descriptive Study and Document Analysis of policy priorities for electric cars and public transport in Indonesia, within the context of the country's electrification journey. Utilizing secondary data sources including policy documents, government reports, academic studies, and news articles, we apply the principles of Green Politics and the stages of the Policy Cycle to interpret our findings. Our comparative analysis reveals distinct policy priorities for electric cars versus public transport, with implications for Indonesia's environmental, economic, and social goals. We discuss these findings in relation to the principles of Green Politics and the stages of the Policy Cycle, providing insights into the political and policy dynamics shaping Indonesia's electrification journey. The paper concludes with recommendations for future policy priorities and strategies, aimed at promoting a more sustainable and equitable transition to electric mobility in Indonesia, and suggests areas for future research. Our research contributes to the growing body of literature on electrification policies in developing countries, and offers valuable insights for policy makers, industry stakeholders, and researchers

Sustaining Prosperity: Exploring Fiscal and Financial Sustainability in the Context of Dynamic Fiscal Policy

Purpose: This study explores how fiscal policy and financial sustainability support sustainable economic prosperity amid global instability. It examines the impact of government taxation and spending decisions on economic outcomes, aggregate demand, employment, inflation, social welfare, infrastructure development, and income inequality. Financial sustainability is analyzed through prudent fiscal management and debt sustainability, focusing on long-term government finance viability and mitigating fiscal risks. Research Design and Methodology: The study employs a qualitative methodology, incorporating a comprehensive literature review of theoretical works, empirical studies, and policy analyses. Data is collected through systematic reviews of scholarly articles, books, policy reports, and official publications. Thematic analysis techniques, including coding and categorization, synthesize findings, with reflexivity to consider assumptions and biases. Findings and Discussion: The research underscores the importance of flexibility and adaptability in fiscal policy, highlighting automatic stabilizers and countercyclical policies for economic stabilization and sustainable growth. Prudent debt management, including debt restructuring and fiscal consolidation, is vital for mitigating fiscal risks and ensuring debt sustainability. The findings emphasize integrating fiscal sustainability with broader economic and social goals and the need for institutional reforms and international cooperation to enhance fiscal governance. Implications: The study provides insights for policymakers on the importance of fiscal prudence and sustainability. It advocates for a balanced approach that addresses short-term stabilization and long-term goals and calls for institutional reforms to improve fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability. By integrating interdisciplinary perspectives, policymakers can develop resilient and sustainable fiscal policies that promote long-term prosperity and social equity.

Navigating agroecological urbanism: examining linkages and interdependencies within alternative food networks

In pursuing agroecological urbanism – a strategic endeavor to dismantle disempowering structures within urban food systems through cultivating mutual interdependencies – alternative food networks (AFNs) emerge as pivotal catalysts for transformative change. Indeed, there are increasing arguments for AFNs working on diverse issues to pool resources and address food system challenges from multiple perspectives under a common frame. However, a pressing need exists for greater clarity on tensions and challenges in establishing a network of AFNs within a shared framework, such as that fostered by agroecological urbanism. This study explores impediments to organizing AFNs into transformative networks, drawing insights from two diverse urban contexts – Preston, England, and Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country – using a case study methodology comprising online semi-structured interviews and participant observation. Our findings underscore three primary barriers to this process: divergent conceptualizations of food questions, education and awareness-raising as a limited convergence point, and constrained resources. Such barriers generate a practical divorce between social and environmental goals in the experiences analyzed. Central to this division is also the pivotal question of the subject of justice – whether AFNs advocate primarily for urban citizens’ interests or prioritize peri-urban and rural farmers’ concerns. The analysis highlights the need to develop inclusive socio-ecological narratives within the overarching framework of agroecological urbanism as a critical step in fostering collaborative coalitions among AFNs that move beyond individualized change. Building these coalitions would depend on funding availability for long-term strategic collaborative efforts, emphasizing the crucial role of public authorities in such processes.

How and Why People Synchronize: An Integrated Perspective.

Academic AbstractInterpersonal synchrony, the alignment of behavior and/or physiology during interactions, is a pervasive phenomenon observed in diverse social contexts. Here we synthesize across contexts and behaviors to classify the different forms and functions of synchrony. We provide a concise framework for classifying the manifold forms of synchrony along six dimensions: periodicity, discreteness, spatial similarity, directionality, leader-follower dynamics, and observability. We also distill the various proposed functions of interpersonal synchrony into four interconnected functions: reducing complexity and improving understanding, accomplishing joint tasks, strengthening social connection, and influencing partners' behavior. These functions derive from first principles, emerge from each other, and are accomplished by some forms of synchrony more than others. Effective synchrony flexibly adapts to social goals and more synchrony is not always better. Our synthesis offers a shared framework and language for the field, allowing for better cross-context and cross-behavior comparisons, generating new hypotheses, and highlighting future research directions.

Coproduced, arts interventions for nurturing care (0–5 years) in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs): a realist review

ObjectivesCommunity-based arts interventions have the potential to support contextually relevant nurturing care programmes and policies that adapt to different settings. Understanding the distinctive features of using the arts in local,...

The student as stakeholder: how the altruism of university social responsibility (USR) campaigns impacts student relationships

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to expand corporate social responsibility research in communication management by understanding the dynamics of university social responsibility (USR). The COVID-19 pandemic and social justice protests of 2020 provide a context to study communication about universities’ dual roles as economic engines and social activists. Messaging from a university about its social responsibility goals can impact student perceptions.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted of 493 students enrolled at a major university in 2020. Students were asked about two real campaigns at their university, one about healthy behavior and one about racial justice on campus.FindingsAltruism positively predicted reputation, trust and donation intent, while distrust was inversely predicted. Message credibility and believability were mediators of these relationships, but only source credibility mediated altruism for the social justice campaign. For universities, this study demonstrates the importance of communicating social responsibility messages with students. As an important and overlooked stakeholder group in USR, students may respond positively to these messages, which have implications for their potential willingness to donate after graduation.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by merging variables from public relations and marketing with theory development in higher education management to provide a new perspective on ethical organizational communication.