Social Themes Research Articles

Social-LCA providing new insights and learnings for social responsibility—case pulp and paper industry

Abstract Purpose This paper presents the lessons learnt from testing the ORIENTING S-LCA methodology for a case product of Stora Enso, a globally operating forest industry company. The main purpose of the study was to explore what kind of additional insights and benefits the S-LCA method could provide compared to other existing social responsibility methods and approaches used by companies. Methods The paper briefly describes the applied ORIENTING S-LCA method and its application in the case study, focusing on main learnings gained and development needs identified. The S-LCA methodology proposed in ORIENTING builds upon the UNEP Guidelines for S-LCA (UNEP 2020) and the Handbook for Product Social Impact Assessment (Goedkoop et al. 2020). S-LCA methodology relies on the reference scale approach (RSA) and combines qualitative and quantitative evaluations for assessing social performance and social risk along the product’s life cycle. Social performance assessment approach was applied for company’s own processes covering several life cycle stages and the risk assessment for assessing the supply chain. Results and discussion Based on the case company’s experience, social assessments are currently conducted mainly on company or facility level. Moving towards product-based assessments could help gaining a more transparent view of products’ value chains and bring new possibilities for example to supplier specific sustainability audits. With the product-based S-LCA, the company could more easily identify, e.g., in which life cycle stage they would have most gaps on information and on which social matters, and take different stakeholders’ needs better into consideration in different life cycle stages. Areas that require further development concern especially data availability, assessment efficacy, and formulation of social topics. Conclusions The study demonstrates that the S-LCA methodology offers several benefits when addressing social sustainability issues in the pulp and paper industry. Comprehensive view over different social topics, life cycle perspective, and stakeholder identification are key elements of S-LCA that may support identifying relevant sustainability topics for the purposes of corporate sustainability reporting. Additionally, they can support defining appropriate mitigation actions that will be required for complying with the requirements related to corporate sustainability due diligence.

Unveiling the Cultural and Entrepreneurial Potential of Música Popular Brasileira

Música popular Brasileira (MPB) is a genre of Brazilian music that emerged in the mid-1960s. It is characterized by its eclectic mix of samba, bossa nova, tropicalia, rock, pop, electronic, and samba-pop incorporating elements from African, European, and indigenous Brazilian music traditions. MPB is known for its rich lyrical content, which often addresses social, political, and cultural themes, and its innovative fusion of traditional and contemporary musical styles. This paper explores the allure and entrepreneurial prospects of MPB in the global music sphere. Through qualitative analysis of insights from industry experts Beatriz Malnic, Bruno Miranda, and Derris Lee, it delves into MPB's distinctive elements, its global influence, and strategies for enhancing its commercial success. Despite barriers, MPB's diversity, rhythmic appeal, and genre fusion captivate audiences globally. The paper advocates for collaborative partnerships with educational institutions, language-inclusive promotion, and digital engagement to expand MPB's reach. Embracing MPB's cultural legacy and entrepreneurial ethos can deepen connections with audiences and enrich the global music landscape with Brazil's musical treasures.

Immunosuppressive medication adherence and affecting factors in solid organ transplantation patients: a mixed-methods study

Objectives: Transplantation is a form of treatment that requires long-term pharmacotherapy. After transplantation, patients may have difficulty adapting to medication use for various reasons, and this may result in rejection. The aim of this study is to determine participants’ medication compliance and the factors affecting it. Methods: The research was conducted with a sequential explanatory mixed method. In the study, quantitative data were collected using the Turkish Immunosuppressive Medication Adherence Scale, and qualitative data were collected using the In-Depth Individual Interview Guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using statistical methods, and qualitative data were examined according to Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis framework. Results: In this study, 62.3% of the participants were male, 37.0% were 50 years old and over, 71.3% lived with their spouse, 54.0% had primary and secondary school education, and 42.0% could not work due to their current health condition. From a clinical perspective, it was determined that 78% of the transplants were kidney transplants, and 41.3% were more than 4 years after transplantation. 74.3% of the transplants were from living donors. The mean score of the immunosuppressive medication compliance scale was determined to be 40.91±4.09. In the qualitative data analysis of the study, factors affecting medication adherence were examined and the themes of "individual factors", "complexity of the regimen" and "social support resources" were obtained. The sub-themes of the individual factors theme are reluctance, hopelessness and addiction; Sub-themes of the complexity of the regimen theme are drug side effects and polypharmacy; The sub-themes of the social support resources theme are loneliness and family pressure. Conclusions: The factors influencing medication adherence among organ transplant recipients have been investigated, revealing that adherence levels vary significantly depending on various factors. These findings underscore the importance of tailored care strategies and individualized support approaches.

Rendering smallholders social: Taking a social relations approach to understanding the persistence of smallholders in the rural Global South

Drawing on 36 studies in 19 countries and three continents, conducted over forty years, this paper revisits the question of how and why smallholders – and smallholdings – persist in the Global South even under conditions of rapid social and economic transformation. The paper argues that a significant part of the answer to this question can be found by taking a social relational approach: by ‘rendering’ the smallholder social. We identify five social themes that have resonance notwithstanding very different historical inheritances, environmental conditions, political contexts, and economic and developmental situations. Smallholder households feed a significant population of the world, educate the next generation, care for the sick and support those in need, cushion workers when economies contract and jobs evaporate, create communities, underpin national growth, and manage the land. Bringing these roles and qualities into view makes clear that smallholders, far from being relict survivors are critical actors in contemporary rural and urban transformations.

Measuring business impacts on the sustainability of European-listed firms

The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) themes assume a central position in the foundation of business strategies and risk management for both private managers and financial institutions. Measuring the sustainability commitment of listed companies is required by regulators and Monetary Authorities and plays a pivotal role in the selection process for asset management companies. ESG ratings are used to assess the company’s commitment to sustainability. This paper explores how a firm business, measured by balance sheet data, influences the ESG rating. In particular, we focus on Europe, which countries first paved the way for the sustainable transformation of the economy through various policies and initiatives. We employ a Machine Learning approach to discern the non-linear relationships between ESG ratings and corporate data aiming to identify the prime factors influencing the ESG ratings. We can assess potential country or business sector-based discrepancies by selecting a sample containing firms listed on the major European indices (AEX, BEL, CAC, DAX, FTSE, FTSE-MIB, IBEX, OMX). We find that the firm size, measured by total assets, and the carbon intensity are the variables that most influence the ESG rating in countries where the economic sectors rely mainly on the business cycle and economic conditions. For companies operating in the technology, financials, and industrial sectors, the main ESG driver is the asset turnover ratio, which is a measure of the efficiency with which a company generates revenues, and the EBIT to revenue, which is a measure of the operating margin asset turnover and the Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) to revenue ratio. We discover diverse factors affecting ESG ratings across various European countries, highlighting the impact of each nation’s policy on ESG commitment.

“It’s the Only World We’ve Got.” Children’s Responses to Chris Jordan’s Images about SDG 14: Life Below Water

Abstract Broad and complex ideas about sustainability can be communicated through the Arts. Australian curriculum documents support the integration of Arts education with education for sustainability. Responding to artworks as a viewer is a key aspect of Arts education in Australian schools. Chris Jordan is a US artist whose online media galleries communicate ideas about environmental and social justice themes. This paper reports interview data from a larger project exploring children’s responses to Chris Jordan’s artworks. Conversations were held with 28 children aged between 4 and 12 as they navigated Jordan’s website to explore the images they encountered. Data relating to SDG14: Life below water were selected for the specific focus of this paper. Thematic analysis of the data revealed five themes: connections to prior experience and knowledge, links with local contexts and places, emotional engagement with the images, solutions and action-taking and ideas related to post-humanism and the human-nature binary. These findings endorse the power of Arts-based experiences for enhancing education for sustainability in primary schools and early childhood contexts.

Re-envisioning corporate social responsibility education from a multicultural perspective: From pyramid to hourglass

While contemporary capitalist society is stimulating corporate social responsibility (CSR) and related themes such as sustainability, with the UN SDGs and ESG as dominant narratives, educators have voiced concerns about the actual issue of how to integrate these emerging phenomena into management education. This study adopted a sequential explanatory design using responses collected from international business school students in Asia over a 6-year period to examine this gap. Their perceptions were analyzed by matching them against Carroll's four-part definitional framework, the pyramid of CSR, to gauge the degree to which CSR theories are received by students. The results revealed that the majority of Asian students understand CSR differently from the mantra “CSR is about responsible business”. Depending on the context, Carroll's CSR pyramid is negatively perceived by students in Asia as many are aware that CSR is a culturally hypersensitive subject. The study proposes three recommendations for developing inclusive CSR education in multicultural settings: 1) emphasizing the “changing” role of business in the world and contemporary capitalism; 2) emphasizing the necessity of blending Western CSR theories with sustainable development issues in other nations; and 3) adding more details about cultural sensitivity in our use of CSR.

Illness as Metaphor in Contemporary Autobiographies: A Theoretical and Methodological Study

This research article explores the use of illness as a metaphor in contemporary autobiographies, focusing on two key texts: The Bright Hour: A Memoir of Living and Dying by Nina Riggs and The Unwinding of the Miracle: A Memoir of Life, Death, and Everything That Comes After by Julie Yip-Williams. Using Susan Sontag’s theoretical framework from Illness as Metaphor, this paper investigates how these memoirs use illness not only as a literal experience but also as a symbolic representation of broader existential, social, and philosophical themes. By applying narrative analysis as the primary research methodology, the article examines how the metaphor of illness shapes these autobiographical narratives, reflecting on identity, mortality, and the human condition.

ПУНКТУАЦИОННАЯ СИСТЕМА ЯЗЫКА И ЕЕ СОСТАВЛЯЮЩИЕ: АНГЛИЙСКАЯ И КЫРГЫЗСКАЯ ПУНКТУАЦИЯ В ПОСТРОЕНИИ ХУДОЖЕСТВЕННОГО ДИСКУРСА

This article describes the role of the punctuation system of language and its components, the formation of punctuation as the development of written communication, English and Kyrgyz punctuation in developing the literary discourse, as well as examples of literary and artistic discourse. Ten basic and generally accepted punctuation marks are considered using the example of literary discourses in the English and Kyrgyz languages. Discourse is defined as a coherent text that has ontological and epistemological properties. Here, an analysis of literary and artistic discourse is carried out; in general, the influence of English and Kyrgyz punctuation on the formation of literary artistic discourse is studied. For linguistic comparison, artistic discourses of a similar extra-linguistic event with a similar social and everyday theme in both compared languages are involved. In general, the ontological and epistemological functions of punctuation marks are applicable. The syntactic, semantic and intonation functions act as the main function and in the updated additional function. As a result, the dual functioning contributes to the establishment of discursive artistic meaning and its theme.

Social Skills Training For Future Leaders: Nurturing Social Awareness Through Kampus Mengajar Program

Introduction/Main Objectives: This paper examines the Kampus Mengajar (KM) program, a government initiative aimed at addressing learning loss among primary students in Indonesia due to the COVID-19 pandemic while enhancing the soft skills of college students by giving them teaching experience in schools. Background Problems: The issues investigated in this study are how Kampus Mengajar facilitates the development of social awareness and social responsibility among its participants and its relation to leadership potential. Novelty: This paper analyses the Kampus Mengajar program, its impact on developing social awareness and social responsibility, and its correlation with leadership potential among its participants. While the previous batch focused on its impact in addressing learning loss, more research needs to be done on its potential to enhance socioemotional skills. Research Methods: The research method used in this paper is a qualitative analysis of survey data as primary data and a monitoring report as secondary. The data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify keys related to social awareness and social responsibility themes. Finding/Results: The empirical findings suggest that while Kampus Mengajar does facilitate the development of social awareness among its participants, it may not necessarily facilitate social responsibility. Conclusion: The study concludes that Kampus Mengajar facilitates the development of social awareness among its participants but may need to be supplemented with additional interventions to enhance social responsibility. This study has also indicated that implementing socio-emotional learning at schools, which facilitates social awareness, has increased participants' leadership potential.

Examining Structures and Practices of Affinity Group Development in Teacher Education: A Mixed Methods Sequential Explanatory Approach

For many educators, transitioning from teacher to scholar is a journey wrought with identity-laden challenges, as students must merge an already developed professional identity with an academic researcher identity. Thus, we examined how the structures and practices of cohorts enabled or constrained affinity identity development in teacher education doctoral students from 2008-2012. Through our mixed method design, the four professional, collaborative, institutional and social themes emerged as the most important aspects for our participants (n=16). Our 2011 cohort participants most readily identified as an established cohort, and upon closer examination, they, unlike the others, had structures and practices put forth in the beginning of their doctoral program that emphasized the four emerging themes. Our findings have a meaningful impact on the support that is received and scholarly development that occurs for doctoral students.

Social and Psychological Effects of Tennis on Disabled Individuals

Disability has traditionally been mainly conceptualized individually or medically. In a social perspective disability can be identified as a 'disadvantage or limitation of activity' caused by a contemporary social organization that takes little or no account of persons with physical disabilities and excludes them from participation in social activities. This study focuses on the effects of sports, specifically tennis, on disabled individuals. In this respect, the research purposes to examine the social and psychological impacts of tennis on disabled individuals. The phenomenology technique, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the study. 17 wheelchair tennis players, 10 men and 7 women, who played in the International Wheelchair tennis tournaments held in Antalya between 16 November and 5 December 2023, participated in the research. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed using the thematic analysis. The data obtained from the study were themed under the umbrella of life routine, social and psychological impact, with the coding made as a result of the interviews. Under the theme of life routine, it was seen that issues such as personal development, sense of accomplishment, getting life in order, holding on to life, accepting disability, and health literacy were emphasized. Socialization, social support, commitment, new friendships, and communication skills stand out as values coded under the social impact theme. Self-confidence, happiness, coping with pressure and stress, controlling emotions, focusing, and feeling valuable are the subheadings of the psychological impact theme.

Research on the Impact of Social Media Marketing of Films on Consumer Behaviour

Before and at the early stage of a movies release, a successful movie marketing strategy will have a great attraction and influence on the target audience. The trailer is a marketing tool used before the official release of a movie, and its main function is to market and publicize the movie to a general audience, as well as be an effective tool for the audience to understand the movie. And topic marketing is to position the content of the movie through emotional value, social topics, potential consumer experiences, and so on, to build consumer awareness of the movie. Effective marketing promotion can increase the conversion rate of the audience want to see by influencing consumer decision-making behavior. Therefore, this paper explores the impact of two social media marketing methods (trailer marketing and topic marketing) on consumer decision-making behavior on Weibo and Douyin from the perspective of the audiences want to see conversion rate. This will provide a useful reference for movie producers to carry out effective marketing promotions.

Impairments of Human Dignity at the End of Life Quantitatively Assessed by Health Care Professionals: A Pilot Study From Germany.

Empirical investigations on health care professionals' (HCPs) perception of dignity have already spotted common themes in preserving dignity in end-of-life care. However, heterogenic assessment results of varying HCP groups exist. This pilot study wants to provide further evidence on HCPs' rating of dignity-impairing aspects based on a patient-centered concept, especially regarding different underlying job profiles and other professional characteristics. In a quantitative study design, the rating of dignity-impairing factors in end-of-life care via an adapted version of the Patient Dignity Inventory (aPDI) was assessed. Participants of the relevant professional groups were recruited via convenience sampling from a region of Germany. From the final sample of participants, 229 questionnaires were analyzed. The overall importance of each dignity-impairing aspect in end-of-life care was considered to be very high by all different HCP groups. Nonetheless, ratings differed between professions: nursing staff had the highest ratings of importance compared to both physicians and individuals with multiple occupations. Participants with previous knowledge in bioethics also rated some aspects as more important compared to those without this feature. With the findings of this investigation, an insight of how professionals rate impairments of dignity at the end of life based on a patient-centered concept is given. Thus, a link between empirical research and medical ethics is added. Potential normative implications for HCPs in practice of a dignified care can be derived, consisting of actively addressing social topics as well as further stressing ethics as a fundamental subject in the training and continuing education.

Impact of Short Video Marketing on Film Promotion: A Case Study of Douyin Platform

Short video platforms, with their ease of content production, wide dissemination, and large user base, have become important mediums in the internet, providing new opportunities for film marketing and promotion. This study explores the use and effects of short video platforms (Douyin) in film marketing. Through case analysis and in-depth interviews, short video marketing has significant advantages in disseminating film information, attracting audiences with diverse content forms, and increasing exposure and appeal. However, issues like excessive plot leakage and content homogenization may affect audience expectations and viewing experience. The study also reveals that short video marketing excels in emotional resonance and guiding social topics but should avoid over-reliance on star power and misleading promotions. Based on these findings, the study recommends optimizing short video film marketing strategies, including maintaining content novelty, enhancing emotional marketing, effectively using audiovisual language, and accurately targeting audiences to improve marketing effectiveness and audience engagement.

How vernacular languages create humour on China’s social media: a linguistic and multimodal analysis

ABSTRACT With the growth of China’s online platforms, increasing attention has been paid to new, online discursive styles and modalities. Such discourses are created using a range of modalities, including text, mixed languages, images, video, memes, and new symbolic forms. Yet what is understudied is the use of vernacular and nonstandard forms of Chinese (including dialects or fangyan); these can be used as a semiotic resource in interaction, such as creating playful content. By conducting a close, linguistic and multimodal analysis of three humorous videos that use a nonstandard vernacular (Yunnan, Changsha, and Dongbei), and the user-generated messages shared on these platforms, this study examines Chinese humour. It finds a universally recognisable script of incongruity and locally situated forms that map onto social and familial themes. Finally, by showing how Chinese people create and enjoy humorous content, this study refutes previous claims that they are not as humorous as non-Chinese people.

Transformation of Beauty in Digital Fine Arts Aesthetics: An Artpreneur Perspective

The evolving nature of beauty in digital fine arts aesthetics signifies profound shifts within contemporary social and cultural contexts. Technological advancements have enabled artists to explore new mediums, creating works that reflect and respond to current societal issues. This study examines the paradigm shift in digital fine arts, focusing on the interpretation and manifestation of beauty in digital creations. It explores the interplay between digital aesthetics and societal realities, providing insights into the transformation of beauty in the digital age. An interdisciplinary approach is utilized, incorporating textual analysis of relevant literature, participatory observation at art exhibitions and online platforms, and a comprehensive literature review. These methods trace the evolution of beauty in digital fine arts and analyze how artists incorporate visual, auditory, and interactive elements. The research demonstrates that technological progress has significantly impacted the creation and perception of beauty in fine arts. This transformation includes broader definitions of aesthetics, integrating multisensory experiences and community participation. Digital fine arts now serve as a dynamic medium that reflects diverse social, political, and cultural themes. The transformation of beauty in this field underscores the complex relationships among art, technology, and society. Digital artworks provide innovative aesthetic experiences and mirror contemporary social dynamics. Despite concerns regarding the authenticity and preservation of digital art, its role in expanding artistic expression and fostering innovation is undeniable

The State of Marine Social Science: Yesterday, Today, and into the Future.

Rapidly changing ocean conditions are resulting in changes in marine species and across entire ecosystems that, in turn, affect communities and individuals who rely on these resources for their livelihoods, culture, and sustenance. Marine social science, an emerging field that embraces diverse methods to understand human-ocean relationships, is increasingly called on to contribute to transdisciplinary ocean science that can inform the evidence-based policy and management needed to address these changes. Here, we review the state of marine social science as a growing field of study. First, we outline the history of marine social science, including the emergence of the field and the social science disciplines and community it encompasses. We then discuss current marine social science research themes as a framework to understand key ocean issues, which is followed by a commentary on the future of marine social science research.

Decoding loneliness: Can explainable AI help in understanding language differences in lonely older adults?

Study objectivesLoneliness impacts the health of many older adults, yet effective and targeted interventions are lacking. Compared to surveys, speech data can capture the personalized experience of loneliness. In this proof-of-concept study, we used Natural Language Processing to extract novel linguistic features and AI approaches to identify linguistic features that distinguish lonely adults from non-lonely adults. MethodsParticipants completed UCLA loneliness scales and semi-structured interviews (sections: social relationships, loneliness, successful aging, meaning/purpose in life, wisdom, technology and successful aging). We used the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC-22) program to analyze linguistic features and built a classifier to predict loneliness. Each interview section was analyzed using an explainable AI (XAI) model to classify loneliness. ResultsThe sample included 97 older adults (age 66–101 years, 65 % women). The model had high accuracy (Accuracy: 0.889, AUC: 0.8), precision (F1: 0.8), and recall (1.0). The sections on social relationships and loneliness were most important for classifying loneliness. Social themes, conversational fillers, and pronoun usage were important features for classifying loneliness. ConclusionsXAI approaches can be used to detect loneliness through the analyses of unstructured speech and to better understand the experience of loneliness.

"It's a Very Good Second Option": Older Adults' Experience of Telehealth.

The growing ability to provide online services has enabled the proliferation of exercise-based telehealth interventions; however, adoption in older adults may be impacted by low digital literacy and "technophobia." The aim of this study was to explore the experience of community and aged-care dwelling older adults following exercise-based telehealth services to provide insights that could guide future telehealth exercise delivery. Semi-structured interviews for qualitative analysis. Participants (age ≥60) who had completed at least one online exercise session from a registered health professional were recruited through a combination of purposeful and snowball sampling methods via their exercise facility or provider. A semi-structured interview guide was used by 2 interviewers to investigate participants' experiences and a "critical friends" approach used to identify common themes. Thirteen interviews with 21 participants were conducted from 2 different facilities. Analysis identified meaning units within 3 themes and subthemes. Technology subthemes related to digital confidence prior to telehealth and changes during interventions, as well as the usability of technology for telehealth. Clinical practice subthemes described the different motivations to exercise, perceived benefits of telehealth, important implications for practitioners, and perceptions of safety. The social connection theme related to the social benefits of telehealth. Older adults in our sample were technologically confident and capable of performing exercise sessions delivered via telehealth. They notice benefits from this form of exercise delivery however, prefer face-to-face exercise delivery.