Social Processes Research Articles

Interdependent Formation of Symbolic and Regulatory Boundaries: The Discursive Contestation Around the Home-Sharing Category

The formation of boundaries between established and emergent categories is a complex social process. Therein, our understanding of how symbolic boundaries translate into regulatory boundaries is underdeveloped. Extant research either treats laws and regulations for categories as given or assumes a seamless translation of a symbolic into a regulatory boundary. This sidelines that market participants actively contest and shape boundaries between categories. To address this lacuna, we open the black box of how symbolic boundaries are translated into regulatory boundaries. We adopt a discursive perspective and conduct a longitudinal study of the contestation around the categories of home sharing and short-term rental in Europe. Our analysis shows how symbolic and regulatory boundaries are formed in a causal sequential process, driven by shifts in the field positioning of market actors and in the discursive accounts they mobilize. We develop a theoretical model of the discursive foundation of category boundary formation. At the heart of our theorization are discursive accounts and how shifting coalitions of market participants mobilize them to shape the evolving symbolic and regulatory boundaries between an emergent and an established category. We contribute to category research by unearthing the interdependent formation of symbolic and regulatory boundaries and the role of discursive accounts in these processes.

The Power, Capacity, and Resiliency of Women in Substance Use Disorder Recovery to Overcome Multiple and Complex Housing Transitions

Gendered understandings of housing transitions amongst women and especially amongst those in substance use disorder recovery are under-researched. To address this gap, this study explores the multifaceted challenges and pathways to housing stability amongst women in substance use disorder recovery in the UK. Through qualitative analysis of life course interviews with 15 women in recovery, it becomes evident that housing insecurity, instability, and frequent transitions are common experiences. The women in the sample faced housing instability, ranging from temporary supported accommodations to homelessness. Notably, escaping negative relationships with male partners emerged as a primary cause of homelessness among these women. What this article highlights, which has not been found elsewhere to date, is that housing transitions are essentially a social process for women in recovery. This study highlights the social dimension of housing transitions. The potency of social capital and social networks in determining housing stability and security amongst women is emphasised as they exchange negative forms of social capital for positive forms of social capital. Recommendations stemming from this study include the need for drug recovery and housing policies to integrate gender-specific strategies to adequately support women in recovery. Further, they need to adopt a broader perspective, emphasizing the importance of fostering positive social connections and networks when considering housing options for individuals in recovery. For women who have spent a long time in supported residential and therapeutic environments, there is a need to develop a scaffolded support system to help women transition to independent living. The utilisation of recovery capital (and CHIME) as frameworks may provide a basis upon which to map out holistic and sustainable pathways to housing stability and security for women in recovery due to their acknowledgement of interconnected and related life domains that produce change and transformation.

Dynamics of Social Influence and Knowledge in Networks: Sociophysics Models and Applications in Social Trading, Behavioral Finance and Business

In this paper we offer a comprehensive review of Sociophysics, focusing on relevant models as well as selected applications in social trading, behavioral finance and business. We discuss three key aspects of social diffusion dynamics, namely Opinion Dynamics (OD), Group Decision-Making (GDM) and Knowledge Dynamics (KD). In the OD case, we highlight special classes of social agents, such as informed agents, contrarians and extremists. As regards GDM, we present state-of-the-art models on various kinds of decision-making processes. In the KD case, we discuss processes of knowledge diffusion and creation via the presence of self-innovating agents. The primary question we wish to address is: to what extent does Sociophysics correspond to social reality? For that purpose, for each social diffusion model category, we present notable Sociophysics applications for real-world socioeconomic phenomena and, additionally, we provide a much-needed critique of the existing Sociophysics literature, so as to raise awareness of certain issues that currently undermine the effective application of Sociophysics, mainly in terms of modelling assumptions and mathematical formulation, on the investigation of key social processes.

Using societal conditional regard to cope with drug use in the ultraorthodox community and the unintended consequences.

A developing theoretical framework for the investigation of tight cultures' reaction toward members who violate communal norms is societal conditional regard (SCR). Using a qualitative interpretive approach, in the current study we investigated the way the Ultraorthodox Jewish community uses SCR to cope with substance use disorders (SUDs), which considered to be a norms violation in closed religious communities. We did so by drawing on in-depth interviews with 14 young men from the Ultraorthodox community in Israel who were diagnosed as having an SUD and were in recovery. (a) The community's socialization process, educating its members to lead a life that is the only right one; (b) The community's use of God as the one whose love and regard are conditional; (c) The SCR emotional and behavioral practices used by the community toward individuals who violate norms, and (d) How, paradoxically, the use of SCR may eventuate in the initiation of drug use, and within the community itself. Findings are discussed in the context of self-determination theory and SCR, and shed light on how tight cultures cope with the threat of deviation of communal norms. Implications for intervention and policy are outlined.

Professional Values of Public Relations Specialists

The article is devoted professional values of public relations specialists in the context of the formation and management of public opinion in the context of current social challenges. The media space of media specialists is associated with certain professional risks. The high level of media activity of students increases the level of such risks. Negative consequences are associated with the possible occurrence of professional deformation, violation of a specialist’s psycho-emotional state of a (professional burnout, etc.), the destabilization of his system of value orientations. The analysis of theoretical and empirical material, including the results of the author’s research of future public relations specialists’ media literacy, indicates that there are certain concerns about the understanding and formation of professional value among future media specialists. Public relations specialists are directly involved in the formation and filling of the information space and its agenda. They have a significant impact on the mood in society and social reality, on the preferences and views of the target audience. The results of the study allow the authors to assert that in modern conditions it is necessary to create a system for the development of professional values of public relations specialists, taking into account the new risks of modern social reality. Such system should be aimed at creating a safe information space, protected from fake and deliberately false information, negative manipulation of public consciousness, destabilization of political, social, economic and other processes and the values of citizens.

‘Me, us, and Them’: Policing and the Dynamics of Identity Work

The study of identity work has grown exponentially in the past decade; however, little research has been undertaken in challenging occupational contexts, such as policing. Existing studies have focused on tensions between personal and work identities, such as being a woman in a male-dominated workplace, or how officers have responded to threats to their occupational identities. Using data collected from interviews with 32 Canadian police officers, this study examines the circumstances that compel officers to engage in identity work and the processes undertaken to alleviate these identity conflicts or threats. The findings illustrate that police officer identity work is prompted by four primary triggers, defined as: (1) identity strain; (2) work-identity stigma; (3) identity maturation; and (4) organizational indifference. The findings also suggest that these triggers are influenced by police culture and the related socialization processes that continue to emphasize traditional masculine attributes (e.g., aggression, physical strength and toughness).

Dysconnectivity of the Nucleus Accumbens and Amygdala in Youths with Thought Problems: A Dimensional Approach.

Background: Youths with thought problems (TP) are at risk to develop psychosis and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Yet, the pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning TP are still unclear. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have shown that striatal and limbic alterations are associated with psychosis-like and obsessive-like symptoms in individuals at clinical risk for psychosis, schizophrenia, and OCD. More specifically, nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and amygdala are mainly involved in these associations. The current study aims to investigate the neural correlates of TP in youth populations using a dimensional approach and explore potential cognitive functions and neurotransmitters associated with it. Methods: Seed-to-voxels functional connectivity analyses using NAcc and amygdala as regions-of-interest were conducted with resting-state fMRI data obtained from 1360 young individuals, and potential confounders related to TP such as anxiety and cognitive functions were included as covariates in multiple regression analyses. Replicability was tested in using an adult cohort. In addition, functional decoding and neurochemical correlation analyses were performed to identify the associated cognitive functions and neurotransmitters. Results: The altered functional connectivities between the right NAcc and posterior parahippocampal gyrus, between the right amygdala and lateral prefrontal cortex, and between the left amygdala and the secondary visual area were the best predictors of TP in multiple regression model. These functional connections are mainly involved in social cognition and reward processing. Conclusions: The results show that alterations in the functional connectivity of the NAcc and the amygdala in neural pathways involved in social cognition and reward processing are associated with severity of TP in youths.

Behavioral and social drivers of COVID-19 vaccination initiation in the US: a longitudinal study March─ October 2021

Many studies have examined behavioral and social drivers of COVID-19 vaccination initiation, but few have examined these drivers longitudinally. We sought to identify the drivers of COVID-19 vaccination initiation using the Behavioral and Social Drivers of Vaccination (BeSD) Framework. Participants were a nationally-representative sample of 1,563 US adults who had not received a COVID-19 vaccine by baseline. Participants took surveys online at baseline (spring 2021) and follow-up (fall 2021). The surveys assessed variables from BeSD Framework domains (i.e., thinking and feeling, social processes, and practical issues), COVID-19 vaccination initiation, and demographics at baseline and follow-up. Between baseline and follow-up, 65% of respondents reported initiating COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination intent increased from baseline to follow-up (p < .01). Higher vaccine confidence, more positive social norms towards vaccination, and receiving vaccine recommendations at baseline predicted subsequent COVID-19 vaccine initiation (all p < .01). Among factors assessed at follow-up, social responsibility and vaccine requirements had the greatest associations with vaccine initiation (all p < .01). Baseline vaccine confidence, social norms, and vaccination recommendations were associated with subsequent vaccine initiation, all of which could be useful targets for behavioral interventions. Furthermore, interventions that highlight social responsibility to vaccinate or promote vaccination requirements could also be beneficial.

The missing link for effective informal settlement upgrading: Appropriation shaping the outcome of new infrastructure

Infrastructure investments, a core element of slum upgrading, play a role in improving the livelihoods of over 1 billion slum residents globally. Established planning practices often successfully deliver functional infrastructure but evidence shows that their contribution to improved livelihoods often either is absent or declines sharply after some time. To explain this limited effectiveness, this article identifies the missing link between infrastructure delivery and livelihood improvements as lying in the appropriation process, that is, the uptake and embedding of infrastructures into the daily practices of residents. Recent insights from sociotechnical transitions studies help to conceptualise appropriation. The authors use Munyaka informal settlement in Eldoret town, Kenya as a case to investigate the mechanisms of new infrastructure uptake. Findings indicate that appropriation is a social process that proceeds in three steps: reception, domestication and institutionalisation. This process is driven by the need to maintain or adjust residents’ livelihood practices relative to prevailing socioeconomic and spatiotemporal conditions. The study concludes that appropriation is a significant process that planners should try to anticipate. Prevalent approaches to participation have to be modified accordingly. This is essential for planning to improve livelihoods in slums.

Research on Nurses’ Psychological Empowerment: A Bibliometric Analysis

Psychological empowerment is a cultural, social, or psychological process that enhances individual control and autonomy over thoughts, emotions, and behaviors by developing attributes like self-identity, autonomy, and self-efficacy, which are integral to success in modern organizational management, particularly in service sectors like nursing. This study aimed to analyze the study focus, thematic trends, and evolution of studies on nurse psychological empowerment by using bibliometric analysis. The articles on nurses' psychological empowerment were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database from its inception to November 30, 2023. The R package “bibliometrix” was used to conduct the data analysis and graphical presentation. A total of 188 publications on nurses' psychological empowerment were included. Publications were mainly from the USA, Canada, and China. The most frequent keywords included “empowerment”, “psychological empowerment”, “nurses”, “nursing”, “job satisfaction”, “structural empowerment”, “burnout” and “leadership”, the most frequent topics were “power”, “settings”, “work satisfaction”, and “turnover”. This bibliometric analysis identified the research trend of nurses’ psychological empowerment in the past 25 years, and this subject has already become an active field of study in nursing research. In addition, nurse retention-related themes such as job satisfaction, and work environment have become hot topics in current research while structural equation model-based themes have been less studied.

Co-creating solutions with social housing users: a Living lab case

ABSTRACT Social housing (SH) upgrade processes have the potential to reduce social costs, improve living conditions, and increase the satisfaction of dwellers. All stakeholders, especially end-users, should participate in such processes to identify needs and problems and evaluate proposals. The Living Lab (LL) approach is recommended to develop solutions in a real-life context, and collaboration among participants. Our study explores this to involve residents of SH in enhancing their neighbourhood, positively influencing their satisfaction with their living environment, and improving their quality of life. We pursued this objective by exploring participatory tools. We present co-creation activities to develop upgrade proposals for communal areas. From our analysis of these co-creation activities, important lessons are learned on resident engagement in social housing upgrade processes. Our contributions include a set of practical advice for conducting co-creation activities in Living Labs for social housing upgrades and a demonstration of how research organisations can utilise Living Labs to empower users in creating their social innovation projects.

Diagnosing the Causes of Failing Waste Collection in Belize, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Panama, and Paraguay Using Dynamic Modeling

Most developing countries fail to provide waste collection services to all their citizens, which leads to many adverse effects. Nevertheless, research has not yet succeeded in explaining the underlying causes. We drew up a quantitative system dynamics model that can be used to diagnose the complex societal system that is leading to poor waste collection. The model describes demographic, social, economic, financial, participatory, and governance processes that may play a role. It is calibrated against real-life datasets for six Latin American countries. The calibration shows adequate performance of the model. Strong population growth appears to have a dual effect. It leads to an increase in available budgets for collection but also tends to dilute the available budget per inhabitant. Processes on the growth of GDP, government revenues, and quality of governance strongly improve access of citizens to waste collection. They do so separately but also because they reinforce each other. But, there are differences per country. Progress in Belize seems to be hampered mostly by low governance quality. For Bolivia, the hurdle seems to consist of an inability to increase public revenues and absorb new urban citizens. Ecuador and Paraguay would also benefit from increased revenues along with an ability to increase public participation. The Dominican Republic and Panama reveal an overall passivity to improve their services. This model may be useful for decision makers globally to develop effective interventions.

The impact of state and social audit on social development and entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan

The purpose of the study. In this study, the authors examined the role of state and social audit as the main means of effective coordination of social and labor relations, mainly in modern realities, undoubtedly relevant in the field of auditing activities.Methodology. As a methodological basis, the authors used the research of domestic and foreign scientists in the field of studying government audit and auditing the efficiency of spending public funds, as well as regulations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, international standards of government audit.Originality / value of the research. Consists in the study of theoretical, methodological and real issues of auditing the effectiveness of the execution of government programs and recommendations for increasing the results of auditing the effectiveness of government programs.The results of the study. Transparency of the results of an unsupervised audit can serve as the main means of monitoring the implementation of government social programs, and here the government audit of government concepts, programs, regulations, and so on plays a huge role. Most states are developing a regulatory framework through which government assistance to social entrepreneurship is implemented. The direct influence on the formation of the national economy, which is only growing, is provided by the social processes arising in our society. The formation and preservation by the state of social entrepreneurship is therefore considered valuable. Reducing unemployment and increasing employment levels, the emergence of fundamentally new forms of cooperation with civil society, the modernization of social innovation, and the development of inclusive entrepreneurship are facilitated by the integration of the public sector and entrepreneurship.

Contributions of Community Forestry in Rural Social Transformation: Some Observations From Nepal

This paper examines the contribution of Nepalese Community Forestry in social change process in two central hills districts of Nepal. Analysis of data indicates improvement in forest management, decision making, representation of poor and women in forest management and utilisation, awareness on economic and ecological contributions of forests. Debates and discussionshave increased as regards roles and responsibilities of users as well as mechanisms for gender-sensitive, poverty-focused and equity-based forest management activities. All these factors are contributing to achieve sustainable management of forest resources, to improve the living condition of people and to promote non-coercive social transformation.

Social processes in Modern Georgia: Is There any Potential for the Development of Russian-Georgian Cooperation?

The authors of the article, participants in the discussion “Georgia’s Communication Regime: Development Trends,” presented their views on social processes in modern Georgia. It is substantiated that the spiritual ties between Georgians and Russians are based on Orthodoxy and the mutual assistance that Russians and Georgians have provided to each other for centuries. The historical and cultural origins of Russian-Georgian relations are examined. The common historical past contributed to the interpenetration of cultures and traditions. However, under the influence of Western ideologies, a large part of modern Georgian youth has formed a different worldview. The authors of the article propose how to overcome the ideological gap through the implementation of cultural projects. Promising areas of cooperation between Russia and Georgia are considered in the absence of diplomatic relations and the anti-Russian position of the Georgian authorities. Youth communications and cooperation in the economy (primarily in agriculture) are also promising. The following risks of cooperation are considered: the unresolved issue of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, fluctuations of the political elites of Georgia, the chaotic nature of the Georgian economy, the role of anti-Russian position of Russians in Georgia, insufficient work with Georgian society on the Russian side and the need to activate the potential of the Georgian diaspora in Russia.The article was prepared based on the materials of the international round table “Georgia’s Communication Regime: Development Trends” (conducted by the National Research Institute for the Communications Development in December 2023).

Anthropocene, planetary boundaries and tipping points: interdisciplinarity and values in Earth system science

Earth system science (ESS) and modelling have given rise to a new conceptual framework in the recent decades, which goes much beyond climate science. Indeed, Earth system science and modelling have the ambition “to build a unified understanding of the Earth”, involving not only the physical Earth system components (atmosphere, cryosphere, land, ocean, lithosphere) but also all the relevant human and social processes interacting with them. This unified understanding that ESS aims to achieve raises a number of epistemological issues about interdisciplinarity. We argue that the interdisciplinary relations in ESS between natural and social / human sciences are best characterized in terms of what is called ‘scientific imperialism’ in the literature and we show that this imperialistic feature has some detrimental epistemic and non-epistemic effects, notably when addressing the issue of values in ESS. This paper considers in particular the core ESS concepts of Anthropocene, planetary boundaries and tipping points in the light of the philosophy of science discussions on interdisciplinarity and values. We show that acknowledging the interconnections between interdisciplinarity and values suggests ways for ESS to move forward in view of addressing the climate and environmental challenges.

Deviance Of Young People In The Era Of Modernization

Young people often find deviant behavior. Deviant behavior is the result of an imperfect socialization process. The most vulnerable groups in the process of deviant behavior are young people. This can be overcome if the function of the family goes well, because the family is a function of socialization for family members, especially children, because the first time a child is born is in the family which is the first and main institution. In accordance with the problems stated earlier, the focus of the research is emphasized to determine the form of deviant behavior among young people in the era of modernization and what is the role of parents in overcoming it. Data collection techniques and data processing in descriptive qualitative research can be carried out in various forms, namely through observations, interviews and documentation. The conclusions of the research results show that: 1) Parental functioning is very influential, because most young people do deviant behavior, namely children who do not receive full attention and affection from their parents, 2) Forms of deviant behavior among young people exist as young people written in the theoretical concept, there are three forms of deviant behavior, namely: a) non-conforming actions: such as going out of the house without saying goodbye, coming home late, smoking, etc .; b) Anti-social or asocial acts such as wild blapan, drinking; and c) Criminal acts such as reading and watching pornographic videos, extramarital sex, narcotics. 3) The factor of cultural shifts and individualistic attitudes also has an influence, this is reflected because people are starting to abandon behaviors and cultures that reflect solidarity and mutual cooperation.

Liver kinase B-1 modulates the activity of dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area and regulates social memory formation.

Social memory is the ability to discriminate between familiar and unknown conspecifics. It is an important component of social cognition and is therefore essential for the establishment of social relationships. Although the neural circuit mechanisms underlying social memory encoding have been well investigated, little focus has been placed on the regulatory mechanisms of social memory processing. The dopaminergic system, originating from the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA), is a key modulator of cognitive function. This study aimed to illustrate its role in modulating social memory and explore the possible molecular mechanisms. Here, we show that the activation of VTA dopamine (DA) neurons is required for the formation, but not the retrieval, of social memory. Inhibition of VTA DA neurons before social interaction, but not 24 h after social interaction, significantly impaired social discrimination the following day. In addition, we showed that the activation of VTA DA neurons was regulated by the serine/threonine protein kinase liver kinase B1 (Lkb1). Deletion of Lkb1 in VTA DA neurons reduced the frequency of burst firing of dopaminergic neurons. Furthermore, Lkb1 plays an important role in regulating social behaviors. Both genetic and virus-mediated deletions of Lkb1 in the VTA of adult mice impaired social memory and subsequently attenuated social familiarization. Altogether, our results provide direct evidence linking social memory formation to the activation of VTA DA neurons in mice and illustrate the crucial role of Lkb1 in regulating VTA DA neuron function.

A Systematic Literature Review on University Collaboration in Open Innovation: Trends, Technologies, and Frameworks

Open innovation is a concept of collaboration of ideas, knowledge, and resources that originates from within the organization and involves external organizations. University-industry collaboration is a factor driving innovation and competitiveness. Most research on interactions between universities and industry concentrated on the industrial side meanwhile, universities, as knowledge producers, play a vital role in creating an open innovation ecosystem that encourages realizing innovations that benefit society. Therefore, the problem raised in this research is how university collaboration can support open innovation. This research aims to identify research trends, the latest technologies, and inter-university collaboration frameworks that can support open innovation. The methodology used is Kitchenham's Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and bibliometric. SLR consists of Identification Study, Selection Studies, Quality Assessment, Data Extraction and Study Synthesis. From the SLR stages, 21 papers published between 2019 and 2023 were obtained. Synthesis and additional literature review were carried out to identify trends, technologies, and frameworks related to the topic comprehensively. In terms of trend, based on the application bibliometric, it was found that there was an increase in the number of publications and the top list of open innovation journals. University collaboration in open innovation more frequently takes place in the UK, and the industries mostly involved are small-medium enterprises. Quantitative research methodology and data analyses, comprising of hypothesis test, regression test, and descriptive statistics, are mostly preferred. Meanwhile, descriptive data analysis is the most common means of qualitative data analysis. Numerous suggestions on topics for future research were also identified. In addition, data analysis using machine learning survival data is identified as a novelty among data analysis methods. Technology transfer and the use of digital platforms may support open innovation processes, and the use of blockchain technology may promote digital platforms development. Seven domains form the framework for university collaboration in open innovation, namely Social Behavior, People, Process, Organization, Environment, Technology, and Performance. The findings of trends, technologies, and frameworks in this research may serve as a foundation for research on similar topics, and the identified framework domains could serve as framework components that might be used by universities to collaborate with partners in implementing open innovation processes. The research have contributes to knowledge management theoretically and practically. Theoretically, open innovation can expand the knowledge base by supporting the concept that knowledge and expertise can be found outside organizational boundaries. Practically, it can enrich knowledge management practices by emphasizing the importance of utilizing digital platform technology in supporting knowledge management sourced from external knowledge and collaboration services in the open innovation process.

Reshaping the energy landscape of Crete through renewable energy valleys

Renewable energy valleys (REVs) represent a transformative concept poised to reshape global energy landscapes. These comprehensive ecosystems transition regions from conventional energy sources to sustainable, self-reliant hubs for renewable energy generation, distribution, and consumption. At their core, REVs integrate advanced information and communication technology (ICT), interoperable digital solutions, social innovation processes, and economically viable business models. They offer a vision of decentralized, low-carbon landscapes accessible to all, capable of meeting local energy demands year-round by harnessing multiple renewable energy sources (RES) and leveraging energy storage technologies. This paper provides an overview of the key components and objectives of REVs, including digital integration through advanced ICT technologies and open digital solutions that enable the seamless management of RES within the REV. The social innovation aspect via the REV’s active communities is also examined, encouraging their participation in the co-design, implementation, and benefit-sharing of renewable energy solutions. In addition, business viability through sustainable business models central to the REV framework is proposed, ensuring affordability and accessibility to all stakeholders. The paper presents a case study of Crete, showcasing how the REV idea can work in real life. Crete utilizes various energy sources to become energy-independent, lower carbon emissions, and enhance system resilience. Advanced energy storage technologies are employed to ensure supply and demand balance within the REV. Situated on the picturesque island of Crete, Greece, it is pioneering the establishment of a Renewable Energy Valley ‘Living Lab’ (REV-Lab), integrating Community Energy Labs (CELs) as innovation hubs. This initiative exemplifies the REV model, striving to create a digitalized, distributed, and low-carbon landscape accessible to all residents throughout the year.