Social Perspective Research Articles

Comprehensive assessment of green hydrogen potential in Jordan: economic, environmental and social perspectives

Comprehensive assessment of green hydrogen potential in Jordan: economic, environmental and social perspectives

Analyzing the role of social value in megaprojects: toward a new performance framework

Purpose Megaprojects stimulate and challenge public opinion across countries, generating extensive reactions from citizens. Given their ability to attract public attention, they may also influence public participation in collective choices and political decision-making. These issues are relevant for evaluating projects, but are unfortunately rarely discussed in the managerial literature. This study aims to open up a debate on social issues and how they could be taken into account within management studies. Design/methodology/approach This study carried out a systematic review of the literature on the social impact of megaprojects to identify different research areas related to the evaluation of megaprojects from a social perspective. Findings This study identified three different research areas related to the evaluation of megaprojects from a social perspective: the role of power and social issues; infrastructure and social space; and stakeholder engagement and endorsement. Originality/value This paper underlines the need to go beyond current understanding of the social impacts of megaprojects and calls for a more interdisciplinary research agenda.

Happiness and Emigration as A Challenge to Albanian University Youth: A National Level Case

Aim: The research article aims to analyse happiness as the primary indicator of the current emigration potential of university youth. The challenges of decision-making of Albanian university youth to emigrate tease out the social, political and economic factors as indicators to decrease the level of happiness in terms of personal (being happy with life in general, with life, with family life in the last four years) and in social perspective such as being happy with economic status and house/shelter, the level of satisfaction with current life (standards of living), and the level of trust (in political and governmental institutions; in people, friends and media), as the pushing factors to potential emigration of youth. Methods: To guarantee a national-level measurement of the university youth emigration potential, due to the mentioned indicators, the empirical data gained from the quantitative online survey research on the measurement of opinions of (N=1010) Albanian university youth, at the national level of (N=7) (all) public universities in Albania, in (N=13) departments on social sciences profile, analysed by the Statistical program IMB SPSS 26, in different statistical approach analysis, such as descriptive, frequency, cross-tabs and Kurtosis. Results: Many measurement indicators show that personal and social levels of happiness reflect on a ‘low level of subjective well-being, unsatisfaction subjective well-being and dissatisfaction with life and living conditions that decrease the level of trust and security for life, and proxy dimensions of emigration decision (intention and concrete plan to migrate) of university youth. Conclusion: The low satisfaction (with life and living conditions), and low trust in the state bodies and political institutions, due to the current, social, political and economic conditions, formed an elation among the variables, on the conclusion that happiness is the main push factor and a challenge for potential emigration of university youth as high skilled worker, in the next years.

Researching the social aspects of dementia from a social work perspective

The issues associated with dementia are challenging for social workers, who have a lot of direct contact with people with dementia, as well as their support networks. These networks play a key role in the care of people with dementia. Social workers differ from other professionals in that they are aware of the urgency of attending to social justice, as well as the implementation of human rights, participation and equality. Recognising the experiences of people with dementia is of paramount relevance to social work, as it provides insight into their needs and the aptness of existing forms of assistance in responding to their needs. Through this approach, those working in social work strive to find new forms of help to enable people with dementia to live independently in their community. It is important to find ways to involve people with dementia as active co-creators in the helping process and in exploring the social perspectives of dementia. In the present paper, we present the literature review on experience of researching dementia from a social work perspective in Slovenia and Croatia—two countries with similarities in the development of social work and its research. The inclusion of people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia in research is very complex. Both professionals working with people with dementia (formal caregivers) and family members (mostly informal caregivers) face various difficulties and pressures. It is therefore important to consider research ethics and respect existing legal frameworks and informed consent. An individualised approach should be used to include people with dementia in research to meet their need for personal worth and dignity (despite numerous mental and functional deficits). Ultimately, all research should strive to determine the true situation of people with dementia and their needs, with the aim of using and developing their remaining abilities to improve the quality of life for both those people and those who provide care for them.

Facilitating social learning through learning design

In the field of technology-enhanced learning design, the rise of Web 2.0 has been the filip needed to accelerate the emergence of socially-connected global learners. These highly social learners now use the web to engage with knowledge and skill development and as such, online education has moved irrevocably beyond simply the finding and sharing of information among learners. The higher education sector is responding to this learning landscape. This is particularly relevant to the massive open online courses (MOOCs) environment where there is the potential for thousands of participants to learn through multiple open source tools with minimum intervention from educators. This social learning perspective can present a challenge for some educators. In this paper we present a work-in-progress collaborative project designed to respond to the professional development of teaching academics newly engaged in designing and teaching from a social learning perspective. We, in a central learning and teaching unit, designed and developed a professional development (PD) course that sought to build the capacity of academics going through this change: they were about to teach on a MOOC platform. Our purpose was to model the social learning framework as a method of capacity-building, but we also aimed to distil authentic social learning for the academics themselves. This resulted in creating a community of practice among educators. Further research is required to measure the impact of this capacity-building course in order to further enhance the learning experiences of academics preparing to teach on a MOOC platform.

Analysis of the Effect of Structural Transformation of The Economy

This study aims to analyze the impact of economic structural transformation on economic growth, income inequality, labor distribution, and community welfare. The method used is a literature study, by reviewing various academic literature, government agency reports, and case studies of countries that have undergone structural transformation. The results show that economic structural transformation generally increases economic growth and productivity through labor shifts from the primary sector to the secondary and tertiary sectors. These sectors tend to be more productive and efficient, resulting in increased output and new economic opportunities. However, these positive impacts are often accompanied by rising income inequality, as the industrial and service sectors offer higher compensation than the primary sector. In addition, this transformation brings significant changes to labor market dynamics, requiring new skills that the primary sector workforce may not possess, thus risking increased unemployment and skills gaps. From a social perspective, the structural transformation of the economy may lead to lifestyle changes and rapid urbanization, leading to infrastructure stress and social disintegration. To address these challenges, the study recommends a range of policies, including training and education programs that focus on inclusion, as well as income redistribution policies to reduce inequality. In conclusion, the structural transformation of the economy presents significant growth opportunities, but requires an inclusive and sustainable strategy to ensure its impact is felt equally across society. This study provides relevant recommendations for policymakers in managing economic structural transformation with a balanced approach between growth and social inclusion.

Foreign language proficiency, career behaviors, and turnover‐related outcomes: A social cognitive career theory perspective of host country national employees in foreign subsidiaries

AbstractWhile the majority of employees in foreign subsidiaries are host country nationals (HCNs) who use English as a second language in their work tasks, little research focuses on the impact of English proficiency on their career‐related behaviors and outcomes. This paper applies social cognitive career theory (SCCT) to link HCN employees' English proficiency to their career‐related behaviors and outcomes in two time‐lagged studies in foreign subsidiaries. Study 1 conducted with 542 HCN employees in the Philippines suggests that career environment exploration mediates the positive English proficiency–turnover intention relationship. Study 2 conducted with 493 HCN employees in Japan suggests self‐initiated headhunter contacts to mediate the positive English proficiency–voluntary turnover relationship and job embeddedness moderate the self‐initiated headhunter contact‐turnover relationship.

The Role of AI Self-Efficacy in Religious Contexts in Public Sector: The Social Cognitive Theory Perspective

The Role of AI Self-Efficacy in Religious Contexts in Public Sector: The Social Cognitive Theory Perspective

Suggestions for the management of pediatric obesity in Korea

Background: The prevalence of pediatric obesity has increased both globally and in South Korea over the past few decades, and obesity in childhood and adolescence is a serious public health concern.Current Concepts: The increasing prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity is associated with an increase in comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and dyslipidemia, which were previously observed in adults. Furthermore, pediatric obesity contributes to increased medical costs. Recent studies have reported an increase in the prevalence of severe obesity.Discussion and Conclusion: It is important to acknowledge the need for obesity management and responsive management capabilities in children and adolescents. Prevention of obesity in all children, screening for comorbidities in high-risk children, and establishment of treatment strategies are important measures. Pediatric obesity can be addressed by approaching it from a social perspective, providing a National Health Insurance System, and facilitating multidisciplinary collaboration between experts from various fields.

Social Media Tourism Marketing Optimization: Improving Promotion Effectiveness and Broadening the Consumer Base

This research investigates the price-based strategy of social media in tourism marketing, specifically in China. The study involves both primary and secondary methodology research, represented in qualitative format. The primary research evidence is collected from Chinese travelers and relevant people in the travel industry by using online questionnaires and interviews since it is a more efficient way to receive more responses within less amount of time. On the other hand, secondary evidence is collected from various online sources, including relevant and credible articles, news reports, and academic essays. According to the secondary evidence, the key areas considered in the pricing-based Marketing Landscape for the Travel industry on social media are the challenges, stakeholders perceptions, pricing-based strategies, and the impact of social media marketing. By evaluating the evidence and data, the research concludes that from both social and economic perspectives, social media marketing has a more significant positive impact than a negative one on the views of companies and customers, which benefit both firms and consumers in terms of the ability to provide better product quality. This research further shows that the tourism industry needs to adopt a pricing strategy tailored to firms specific cases in order to achieve more effective marketing and operation efficiency with long-term development.

Water Pricing and Quotas: A Quantitative Analysis from a Private and Social Perspective

AbstractThe current situation of structural water scarcity due to the rise in demand, the reduction in supply as a consequence of climate change, increasingly frequent drought periods, and overall quantitative pressure on water resources creates a need for economic instruments to reduce the amount of water used, especially in the agricultural sector. Thus, water pricing and allocation quotas (proportional reduction of allocations) may be suitable tools to reduce demand or allocate scarce water resources. For a comparative analysis of the performance of these two measures, a Positive Mathematical Programming model has been developed, using the Guadalquivir River Basin as a case study. Additionally, the analysis takes into account the revenue generated from water pricing and the marginal cost of public funds. The results indicate that, from the farmer’s perspective, quotas result in smaller losses than water pricing. However, when considering water pricing along with the revenue generated from this measure, this mechanism would be more beneficial for society as a whole, since the taxes collected could be used for other purposes, albeit with efficiency losses measured by the marginal cost of public funds and the excess burden of taxation.

Cost-effectiveness and cost–benefit analyses of fluoride varnish for caries prevention in Guangxi, China

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit of fluoride varnish (FV) interventions for preventing caries in the first permanent molars (FPMs) among children in rural areas in Guangxi, China.MethodsThis study constituted a secondary analysis of data from a randomised controlled trial, analysed from a social perspective. A total of 1,335 children aged 6–8 years in remote rural areas of Guangxi were enrolled in this three-year follow-up controlled study. Children in the experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG) received oral health education and were provided with a toothbrush and toothpaste once every six months. Additionally, FV was applied in the EG. A decision tree model was developed, and single-factor and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted.ResultsAfter three years of intervention, the prevalence of caries in the EG was 50.85%, with an average decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index score of 1.12, and that in the CG was 59.04%, with a DMFT index score of 1.36. The total cost of caries intervention and postcaries treatment was 42,719.55 USD for the EG and 46,622.13 USD for the CG. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of the EG was 25.36 USD per caries prevented, and the cost–benefit ratio (CBR) was 1.74 USD benefits per 1 USD cost. The results of the sensitivity analyses showed that the increase in the average DMFT index score was the largest variable affecting the ICER and CBR.ConclusionsCompared to oral health education alone, a comprehensive intervention combining FV application with oral health education is more cost-effective and beneficial for preventing caries in the FPMs of children living in economically disadvantaged rural areas. These findings could provide a basis for policy-making and clinical choices to improve children’s oral health.

Local Gambling Culture and Enterprise Bribery: A Social Norms Theory Perspective

Abstract Based on social norms theory, we examine the impact of local gambling culture, an unexpected result of government-permitted lotteries, on enterprise bribery. We propose that local gambling cultures can promote active enterprise involvement in bribery activities by reinforcing the speculative psychology of enterprise decision-makers. In addition, we argue that local gambling culture is less likely to lead female (returnee) chairpersons to develop speculative psychology than male (nonreturnee) chairpersons. This, in turn, allows female (returnee) chairpersons to undermine the positive impact of local gambling culture on involvement in enterprise bribery. Based on 11 years of empirical data obtained from privately listed Chinese companies (including 2,637 listed companies with 15,036 firm-year data points), we obtain empirical evidence to support most of these views. This study is the first to explore the relationship between local gambling culture and enterprise bribery, and important insights are provided for shareholders and policy-makers to better curb enterprise bribery.

How patients with chronic disease create value in online health communities? A mixed methods study from social technical perspective

How patients with chronic disease create value in online health communities? A mixed methods study from social technical perspective

Does government food demonstration interventioninfluence household dietary diversity in the Upper West Region of Ghana?

Dietary diversity is crucial in ensuring food and nutrition security. In low-middle-income countries, people frequently prioritize the quantity of food they consume over its quality due to a lack of availability and financial limitations. As a result, achieving dietary diversity is often overlooked in favor of ensuring adequate caloric intake. Through a social cognitive theory perspective, our study examines the relationship between food demonstrations and household dietary diversity in Ghana's Upper West Region utilizing cross-sectional survey data from 517 smallholder farmer households. The results from ordered logistic regression presented in odds ratio (OR) show that participating in food demonstrations (OR: 2.585, p<0.01), engaging in home gardening (OR: 1.932, p<0.001), having access to credit (OR: 1.609, p<0.01), self-rated good nutritional status (OR: 1.747, p<0.01), and Waala ethnicity (OR: 3.686, p<0.001) were all positively associated with high household dietary diversity. Conversely, living in the Wa West district was associated with lower dietary diversity (OR: 0.326, p<0.001). Our research findings suggest that policymakers may want to consider implementing community-based educational programs, such as home and school visits for food demonstrations and sensitizations, promoting mother-to-mother support groups for dietary diversity education, nutrition counseling services, and using role-play and local media. In addition, strengthening local agricultural policies through food banks, indigenous seed development, and mobile food markets and enhancing public-private partnerships like the Ghana Schools Feeding Programme and National Food Buffer Stock company could improve the supply chain and distribution networks for diverse food items. Implementing these interventions in the Upper West Region of Ghana could improve health, well-being, food security, and nutritional outcomes.

Developments and implications of tourism information technology: a horizon 2050 paper

Purpose This study aims to provide an overview of the development of tourism information technology from a macro perspective of the chronological lineage of tourism and information technology from its origins to the present. This study also explores the progression of tourism information technology, its implications and its future directions based on a macro environmental analysis framework comprising political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal perspectives. Design/methodology/approach This study serves as a valuable connection between theoretical knowledge and practical application, combining the experiences of academic researchers and industry practitioners to thoroughly examine the progress and developments in tourism information technology. This research also identifies critical points in the domain to provide a unified and comprehensive explanation that aligns with the current research findings. Findings This research reveals the continuous timeline of tourism and information technology development. It discusses the origins, progress and interactions of tourism and information technology, revealing the structural political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal drivers of tourism information technology. This paper also presents suggestions for future agendas on the basis of a compendium and outlook of influences and implications for the domain. Originality/value Findings of this study set the foundation for a comprehensive analysis of the transformative influence of information technology on tourism and provide a contextual framework and insightful future agenda guide for subsequent academic and industry exploration and analysis of tourism information technology.

An assessment of urban park accessibility using multi‐source data in Hefei, China: A social equity perspective

AbstractUrban parks are vital to enhance human well‐being and encourage sustainable urban development. However, the supply–demand match between the layout of urban parks and various social groups needs to be addressed. Therefore, this study quantitatively evaluates urban park accessibility using house‐level data from the social equity perspective in Hefei, China. A real‐time navigation route measurement based on the Amap application programming interface was taken advantage of to calculate green space travel time costs‐accessibility, and a combination of the Gaussian‐based two‐step floating catchment area method and measurement model to analyze supply–demand accessibility. On the other hand, housing price was used to indicate dwellers' socioeconomic status. The Gini coefficient, Lorenz curve, and bivariate correlation were adopted to explore the inequality of green space accessibility among residential communities. The results reveal a spatial inequality of green space between communities in the central portion of the Hefei and those in peri‐urban areas. We further found a spatial mismatch between green space resources and population distribution. At the same time, there is a significant correlation between green space accessibility and housing prices, which means the disadvantaged urban strata with low economic income face a supply shortage, while wealthier communities benefit more from green space accessibility. Hence, based on the evaluation results, the author proposes feasible optimization strategies for constructing urban parks in Hefei and can inform policy decisions regarding future park construction.

Chilean penitentiary system: towards a new conception from a social justice perspective

Chilean penitentiary system: towards a new conception from a social justice perspective

Exploring knowledge sharing on social media from the perspectives of personality traits and social capital

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate what factors can affect individuals’ knowledge sharing on social media from the perspectives of personality traits and social capital.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical model was developed with reference to the personality traits theory and the social capital theory. Accordingly, a questionnaire was designed to collect the individuals’ ideas on knowledge sharing on social media and further test the model. The questionnaire was then distributed to two LINE groups. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS) approach.FindingsPersonality traits not only directly affect knowledge sharing, but also indirectly influence it via social capital. Of all personality traits, agreeableness, openness and extraversion directly and indirectly influence knowledge sharing.Research limitations/implicationsKnowledge sharing is undertaken by individuals and social groups. It starts with individuals and then diffuses to other members of a group.Practical implicationsGroup managers have to identify the members who are friendly, open-minded or extroverted and encourage them to act as the bellwethers for knowledge sharing under an effective regulatory regime, through which intra-group knowledge sharing can be promoted.Originality/valueThis study introduces a new model to explore knowledge sharing on social media from individual and social perspectives. It illustrates what will affect individuals’ knowledge sharing on social media.

The impact of doctors' facial attractiveness on users' choices in online health communities: A stereotype content and social role perspective

This study examines the impact of doctors' facial attractiveness on users' choices in online health communities (OHCs). We conducted a field study using a sample of 14,897 doctors registered on a Chinese OHC. The results indicate a significant negative relationship between the facial attractiveness of doctors and the number of visits to their homepage by users. However, this relationship only holds true for male surgeons and female internal medicine doctors, not for female surgeons or male internal medicine doctors. These findings suggest the possible presence of gender-specialty bias in the influence of facial attractiveness on patients' decision-making. To further investigate how facial attractiveness influences users' inclination to choose a particular doctor, we develop our research model drawing upon the stereotype content and social role perspective. Through a laboratory experiment, we found that OHC users' perceptions of doctors' warmth and competence act as mediating factors in the relationship between facial attractiveness and user choice. Additionally, this relationship is influenced by stereotypical gender-specialty fit.