Social Ties Research Articles

Social Opportunity Structures in Hacktivism: Exploring Online and Offline Social Ties and the Role of Offender Convergence Settings in Hacktivist Networks

ABSTRACT Hacktivism represents the promotion in the cyber landscape of ideologically motivated agendas using hacking techniques. Despite research on the topic has provided some clues on how hacktivist networks develop, the processes behind their evolution remain mostly unknown. This gap in the literature prompted us to research the role of online/offline social relationships and of the offender convergence settings in the creation, recruitment process and development of hacktivist networks. This study is based on 30 interviews with hacktivists, and it uses the social opportunity structures framework to analyze the development of 21 hacktivist networks. The results show that said networks can be divided in sub-categories based on the type of connections used to create them. Online social relationships and online convergence settings (particularly social media platforms and IRC channels) seem to play a key role in the development of hacktivist networks, while offline contacts are limited. For the recruitment process, hacktivists use comparable strategies to any organization, but three different categories were identified when discussing the level of sophistication applied to the selection of new candidates.

Correlation Between Social Support and Entrepreneurial Intentions: Evidence from Private and Public Universities in Ghana

Abstract Based on the assertion that not all social ties promote entrepreneurship, this study investigated the correlation between social support and entrepreneurial intentions among 352 2019/2020 graduating university students sampled from private and public universities in Ghana. This study adopted a quantitative approach using questionnaires and a correlational analysis. The finding was that social support and entrepreneurial intentions have a moderate, significant positive effect on entrepreneurial intention among Ghanaian tertiary students; there was no statistically significant difference between students’ sex (male or female), birth order, and exposure to entrepreneurship on entrepreneurial intention. This study’s conclusions suggest that families and friends/peers are capable or willing to provide support to become entrepreneurs or are willing to use social support for venture creation. The findings have implications for practicing entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship educators, and policymakers.

Mines’ Characteristics and Their Links with Agriculture as the Main Livelihood for Rural Households in Burundi

Mining activities create positive links with agriculture. They are also characterized by uprooting of agricultural land and labour, and water pollution. The objective of this paper is to characterize mining activities and their links with the livelihoods of rural household. A survey with 140 households, interviews and observations were conducted in July and August 2022 in Mabayi commune, on Gahoma and Ruhororo hills, where the Russian mining company ‘Tanganyika Mining Burundi-TMB’ and the local mining cooperative Dukorere Hamwe Dusoze Ikivi-DHDI were carrying out their activities respectively, since December 2018. The results showed that TMB and DHDI inject money into the local economy, and strengthen social ties by creating farmers and mutual aid’s associations/cooperatives. They are also characterized by competition in land and labour markets, environmental degradation, rising food and arable land prices, and corruption in the compensation awarding process. DHDI absorbs considerably local labour force and improves social infrastructure, unlike TMB. Although it is characterized by survival mining activities which are dangerous to health and live of employees, DHDI contributes positively to agricultural production, whereas TMB contributes negatively to agricultural production, despite having sufficient capacity and skills to improve performance and ensure the safety of its employees. Received: 3 January 2024 / Accepted: 26 June 2024 / Published: 02 July 2024

In the Desert of Loss: Oases and Mirages in Grief

Even in times of peace, the experience of loss can be trying; it can either be sense-making or destructive. During war, loss takes on an entirely different scale. War is a “loss machine.” Those touched by war inevitably lose their peaceful lives and usual social ties; some lose their homes, others their health, and still others their loved ones. We Ukrainians have lost the sense of safety and our pre-war visions of the future. This article is about the loss of a loved one in war and the process of grieving. Grieving requires silence, care, and a safe space. It is not easy to create a safe corner during war. Loss multiplies: first, a person may lose a home, then a loved one, and after that, several friends to the war. How does one create meaning against a backdrop of continuous ruination? Do religion, motherly duties, or professional identity help to overcome loss? These common supports can melt like a mirage within the desolation of loneliness and disorientation. The path toward the oasis can be long and exhausting. The author will attempt to look into the abyss of hopelessness with the intent of finding a way to survive.

The Ties That Bind: A Systematic Review of Behavioral Research on Social Bonds and Social Ties in Accounting

ABSTRACT We provide a comprehensive review and synthesis of behavioral accounting research on social bonds and social ties. Social bonds represent a person’s subjective sense of interpersonal closeness or connectedness with another, whereas social ties are the relationship networks that connect individuals with one another. We identify 75 articles published in leading accounting journals relevant to our review. The primary contexts examined by prior research that give rise to these social connections include auditors’ identification with their clients, team member identification, and social network ties between client executives, board members, and their various external stakeholders. We structure our synthesis around the antecedents, moderators, and outcomes of these social connections. Cumulatively, our synthesis findings reveal a rich, complex setting where social bonds can sometimes benefit financial reporting and audit quality by promoting proactive knowledge sharing and sometimes harm the financial reporting process by prompting undue favoritism and increased acquiescence. Data Availability: All data used in this project are available through the Google Scholar database. JEL Classifications: M40; M41; M42.

Digital Entrepreneurial Orientation and Green Innovation in the VUCA Era: The Impact of Cross-organizational Improvisation and Social Ties

Although research acknowledges the role of digital entrepreneurship in driving corporate innovation, digital entrepreneurial orientation (DEO) remains limitedly explored. Based on resource-based view (RBV) and social network theory (SNT), we developed a model to examine the role of cross-organizational improvisation (COI) and social ties (specifically, business and political ties) in the relationship between DEO and green innovation (GI). Survey data from 217 start-ups support the findings that (a) DEO positively influences green innovation, (b) COI mediates the link between DEO and GI, and (c) business ties (BT) moderate the relationship between DEO and GI; however, the role of political ties (PT) requires further investigation. This study not only contributes to the research on digital entrepreneurship and green innovation, but also enhances our understanding of the path from digital strategy to GI. The insights gained hold significant value for managers seeking to leverage a digital entrepreneurship orientation to foster GI.

Sustainable Living: Young Adults Prolonging the Material Life Cycle of Objects Through the Appreciation of Used Furniture, Interiors, and Building Design

AbstractYoung adults acquire furniture from retail stores, second-hand shops, flea markets, and online marketplaces; they also inherit items from family members. While scholars have focused on consumers who acquire second-hand objects and appreciate inherited furniture, limited attention has been paid to the meanings of second-hand and inherited objects as elements of sustainable home interior decoration. Based on qualitative data, we analyze how young adults living in three northern European cities value used interior-decoration objects and how this enhances sustainable ways of using goods. Our study shows that young people appreciate architectural structures and interior-design aesthetics as well as inherited and recycled items in their homemaking. The building and home-decor style of the era shape the way consumers acquire used interior-design materials and objects. Moreover, young adults engage with inherited and purchased second-hand furniture by incorporating narratives about social ties during their acquisition. The durability of materials is valued in both inherited and second-hand furniture. Thus, young adults prolong the life spans of home-decor items, and they contribute to a sustainable, low-speed circular economy linked to homemaking.

Persecution and Escape: Professional Networks and High-Skilled Emigration from Nazi Germany

We study the role of professional networks in facilitating emigration of Jewish academics dismissed from their positions by the Nazi government. We use individual-level exogenous variation in the timing of dismissals to estimate causal effects. Academics with more ties to early émigrés (emigrated 1933–1934) were more likely to emigrate. Early émigrés functioned as “bridging nodes” that facilitated emigration to their own destination. We also provide evidence of decay in social ties over time and show that professional networks transmit information that is not publicly observable. Finally, we study the relative importance of three types (family, community, professional) of social networks. (JEL I31, J44, N34, N44, Z12, Z13)

Ghosting: Social rejection without explanation, but not without care.

Many social ties end when one side rejects the other, but rejection does not need to happen directly. Ghosting-the act of ending a relationship by ignoring another person's attempts to connect-is a common way of ending social ties. The present experiments first establish the key characteristics of ghosting and distinguish it from other rejection behaviors (Pilot Studies 1a-1c). The experiments then proceed to explore the relational and motivational implications of this behavior, finding that ghosters (those who ghost) care about the well-being of ghostees (those who are ghosted) more than ghostees realize. This result occurs in recalled instances of ghosting (Experiment 1), when ghosting in real time (Experiment 2), and when refraining from ghosting is monetarily costly (Experiment 3). We find that this occurs partly because ghostees underestimate the other-oriented motives involved in ghosting, misunderstanding that ghosters ghost partly as a way to end a tie while avoiding hurting ghostees' feelings (Experiments 4-6). Indeed, greater other-oriented motives lead to a higher likelihood of ghosting others (Experiment 7). A final experiment finds relational consequences whereby ghostees miss out on opportunities for future help exchange due to their underestimation of the extent to which ghosters care about them (Experiment 8). Ghosting is social rejection without explanation or feedback, but not without care. This study highlights how prosocial motives can drive rejection behaviors and the role of interpersonal accuracy in mitigating the negative effects of social rejection. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Implementation of Mukhabarah in Productive Waqf Management to Improve Social Welfare in Bireuen

This research examines the implementation of mukhabarah in the management of productive waqf to improve social welfare in Bireuen. Mukhabarah, as a profit-sharing system in agriculture, allows cooperation between nadzir (waqf managers) and cultivators to manage waqf land productively. The research results show that mukhabarah can increase land productivity, cultivator income, and the quality of life of the community. The social impacts of this system include reducing unemployment, increasing agricultural skills, and strengthening social ties. However, the implementation of mukhabarah faces challenges such as a lack of understanding and skills of nadzir, unsupportive regulations, and limited access to capital and technology. The role of the government and Islamic financial institutions is very important in supporting and overcoming these challenges. By increasing the capacity of nadzir and cultivators, developing supportive regulations, facilitating access to capital and technology, infrastructure and market support, as well as collaboration between stakeholders, it is hoped that the implementation of mukhabarah can run more effectively and provide optimal benefits for community welfare.

The Impact of the Built Environment on Students' Social and Cultural Sustainability in Educational Campuses: Istanbul Okan University Case

It is common knowledge that well-functioning buildings improve our lives, communities, and culture. This paperdescribes the intricate relationship between architecture, spatial design, and the sustainable well-being ofeducational institutions. How physical spaces impact social interactions, foster cultural exchange, and contributeto long-term sustainability is explored. Social sustainability, which aims to define, organize, and develop sociallife based on humans and their relationships/interactions in social life, requires a versatile and well-understoodrelationship between the built environment and society. By combining qualitative research, user surveys, andarchitectural analysis, this paper provides actionable insights for enhancing the social and cultural sustainabilityof educational campuses.It is extremely important to evaluate the spatial quality of the built environment interms of students' sense of belonging, social ties, sense of community, trust, and physical well-being when usinguniversity campuses for students coming from different cultures, different cities/countries, and differentprofessions. This study, which will focus on Istanbul Okan University Campus as a case study, will propose anoriginal evaluation framework that relates the functional quality of the campus’s-built environment to variousspatial qualities at different spatial levels for evaluating social sustainability in campus life.

How institutional pressures on green innovation are perceived by firms? The role of board social ties

AbstractInstitutional pressures are major driving forces for firms' green innovation. However, there is significant heterogeneity in firms' responses to these forces due to the complex information environment within the institutional field. Social ties are known to provide information and resources. This study explores how board social ties, including business and political ties, shape firms' responsiveness to formal and informal institutional forces related to green innovation. Using a dataset from Chinese listed companies in the manufacturing sector, we propose that firms' business ties strengthen the effects of various institutional pressures on green innovation. On the other hand, political ties strengthen the impact of environmental regulation on green innovation but weaken the influence of imitative pressure on green innovation. This suggests that political ties can be a double‐edged sword in firms' responses to institutional pressures. This research contributes to institutional theory and social capital theory, offering implications for green innovation strategies.

지역사회보장협의체 사회적 자본과 협력적 거버넌스 사례

Focusing on the experiences and best practices of direct participation in field activities for public and private members of the P Community Security Council in Seo-gu, Gwangju, this study attempted to collect and analyze the contents of the focus group interview (FGI), focusing on social capital and cooperative governance cases. Accordingly, a series of conclusions were drawn through focus group interviews (FGI) with executives who belong to the P Community Security Council and are directly participating in case-related activities. This study aims to strengthen the level of work cooperation or joint decision-making among members of the community security council to carry out joint projects by establishing a network with other organizations in the community in terms of cooperative governance, and to establish a network between organizations such as cultivating a sense of common goals, sharing responsibility, and complying with norms and rules. It can be said that it is important to strengthen social ties and communication related to the sense of community participating in the community security council. To this end, it is required to expand the attachment and interest of members of the community of the community security council to the community and draw them as active participants in cooperative governance.

The Elegant Inkstones and Artful Calligraphy in Modern Korea: The Catalogue of Three Inkstones Studio (三硯齋硯譜, Samyŏnjae yŏnbo)

This study investigates The Catalogue of Three Inkstones Studio (三硯齋硯譜, <i>Samyŏnjae yŏnbo</i>), compiled by Pak Yŏngch’ŏl (朴榮喆, 1879~1939), a prominent Korean bureaucrat, businessman, and collector during the Japanese colonial period. The catalogue centers on three inkstones reputedly associated with notable Chinese and Korean scholars. Pak Yŏngch’ŏl, despite his modernist and enlightenment leanings, was deeply rooted in classical Chinese culture and used his collection to assert his cultural and intellectual identity.</br>The study examines the cultural significance of inkstones, their role in forging social ties, and the strategic utilization of the past by modern intellectuals for self-fashioning. The first inkstone is notable for its inscriptions by Dong Qichang (董其昌), Weng Fanggang (翁方綱), and Kim Chŏnghŭi (金正喜), illustrating the cultural interconnectedness between Chinese and Korean scholars. The second inkstone, crafted by the eighteenth-century scholar Chŏng Ch’ŏlcho (鄭喆祚), is explored in terms of the craftsmanship and social networking practices of the late Chosŏn era. The third inkstone features a poem by Shen Rujin (沈汝瑾) and showcases the transnational cultural exchanges between China, Korea, and Japan.</br>Pak Yŏngch’ŏl’s collection practices and the subsequent compilation of the catalogue reflect his efforts to align himself with the cultural heritage of both China and Korea, while also embracing modernization under Japanese influence. The catalogue not only serves as a historical compendium but also as a reimagined past that aligns with the cultural aspirations of subsequent generations. Through a detailed analysis of the inkstones and their associated texts, the study provides a micro-historical perspective on East Asian intellectual history and material culture, revealing the intricate interplay between cultural memory, networks, and craftsmanship.

Formation of Social Ties in P. I. Potemkin's Embassy to France (1680–1682)

Based on the extant complex of Russian and French sources, this article analyses the mechanisms of the formation of social ties of the Russian embassy in France in 1681. The embassy had both foreign policy and diplomatic significance for the representation of tsarist power and Russian culture in France: the envoys had not only to inform Louis XIV about the events in Eastern Europe, but also to get an overview of the French position on the preparation of the Perpetual Peace of Russia with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the conclusion of the Russian-French trade treaty, and to ensure the recruitment of foreign specialists. The author examines the formation of relations in the context of the new diplomatic history, paying special attention to the problems of power representation, the personalities of diplomats and the cultural side of their mission. For the first time in historiography, the article characterises the whole complex of archival documents about the embassy, the peculiarities of the formation of social ties of the embassy participants necessary for the successful implementation of the tasks of the diplomatic mission. The study is based on French court reports on ceremonies, notes of courtiers, internal correspondence of Russian and French diplomatic departments, materials of the Parisian periodical press, and reports of Russian envoys. Conclusions are drawn on the peculiarities of the strategies of the envoy P. I. Potemkin in establishing social relations, their significance for the development of Russian diplomacy, foreign policy, and cultural contacts with Western Europe, as well as on the peculiarities of the reflection of these relations in the surviving sources.

Understanding the pathways linking visual impairment and depression among older Indian adults

BackgroundVisual impairment(VI) is a multifaceted condition that significantly impacts mental health, notably depression. With the population ageing, the incidence of VI is expected to rise, consequently increasing depression rates. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the pathways linking VI and depression among older adults in India. Data & methodsThis study uses data from the Longitudinal Ageing Survey of India (LASI Wave-1) with a sample of individuals aged 45 years and above (n=56,353). Binary logistic regression along with causal mediation analysis was conducted to assess the roles of mediating factors and other socio-demographic factors contributing to depression among older adults in India. ResultsAn association between VI and an increased likelihood of depression was observed after accounting for functional, behavioural, psychosocial mediators and other covariates (OR:1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.19). The overall effect of visual impairment on depression, including both direct and indirect effects shows that visual impairment has a significant total effect on depression, with a coefficient of 1.11 (95 % CI: 1.01–1.10). The natural direct effect is significant, with an OR of 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01–1.10) for functional mediators, while the natural indirect effect through functional mediators suggests that a portion of the relationship between VI and depression is mediated through functional pathways. ConclusionFindings highlight the importance of addressing not only the direct impact of VI on individuals' well-being but also the various indirect effects mediated through functional limitations, behavioural, and psychosocial factors. This necessitates the interventions aimed at enhancing daily functional capacity and health perception among the visually impaired elderly. Findings suggest the need for fostering strong social ties and ensuring a supportive environment for older adults experiencing visual impairments.

Exploring psychosocial Dynamics

The importance of psychosocial processes in mental well-being warrants emphasizing. Time and again, psychological and social factors have been proven to be highly important in determining a person’s mental health (Elkefi et al., 2023, p.105065). Psychosocial dynamics have a vast scope, covering a lot of factors, such as stress, social support, coping strategies, interpersonal ties, socioeconomic situations, and societal aspects. Understanding how these dynamics unfold can be instrumental when it comes to the enhancement of subjective wellness. Acknowledgement of the significance of psychosocial variables does not necessarily eliminate the existing difference in understanding regarding the impact of lifestyle elements on mental health. Lifestyle factors cover individuals’ daily behaviors and choices, including diet, exercise routine, sleeping pattern, social life, and work–life balance (Pluut and Wonders, 2020). Literature has investigated the effect of these elements on physical health, but recently researchers have also begun to notice the role these factors play in mental health. Nonetheless, there is still a requirement for detailed investigation to assess the interactive relationship that exists between lifestyle backgrounds and mental health. This paper aims to bridge this gap by examining the interconnection between lifestyle-related components and mental well-being in the European setting. The European context offers a unique situation with various cultures, socioeconomic standards, healthcare systems, and lifestyles. By focusing on Europe, we try to attain more profound knowledge of how different lifestyle factors affect mental health within our cultural and social context. Moreover, looking at this issue from a European perspective presents an opportunity to understand how cultural differences affect the links between lifestyle factors and mental health. It can thus guide the interventions and policies that are more suitable for promoting mental health in European populations.

Revealing hidden injustice: barriers to citizen participation among migrants in the energy transition of the Hague

Citizen participation is key to learn of actors’ lived experiences for the design of just energy policies. Many members of society, however, experience barriers to participation. As a result, the injustices they experience are likely to remain hidden from public decision-making processes. This paper applies the ‘hidden morality’ framework to a case study of migrants with a low socio-economic status (SES) in the Dutch city of The Hague. Through the analysis of 15 policy documents and 26 semi-structured interviews with migrants in a low-SES neighbourhood, this paper uncovers hidden injustices and the societal mechanisms forming barriers to participation. Simultaneously, the case study is used to test the conceptual framework. The study reveals that the interviewed low-SES migrants were not only considerably prevented from expressing their perceived injustices in decision-making, but were also unaware that they were subject to several procedural injustices. We identify three main barriers withholding low-SES migrants from participating in decision-making: unfamiliarity with (Dutch) democratic institutions and of their rights as citizens; language barriers; and weak social ties in their neighbourhoods. We conclude that the hidden morality framework proves useful for revealing injustices and barriers to participation that would otherwise run the risk of remaining hidden from scholars and policymakers.

Tradisi Makan Bersama Berhadap-Hadapan pada Masyarakat Melayu Batubara (Analisis Kearifan Lokal dalam Kehidupan Sosial Etnik Melayu)

The Batubara Malay tribe is a Malay tribe originating from the North Sumatra area. The tradition of eating together face to face can be seen from traditional life which is strongly influenced by Islamic values, where marriages are often carried out through arranged marriages and family introductions mediated by the tradition of eating together. This research aims to explore the local wisdom stored in these various traditions and reveal its influence in strengthening social ties between ethnic Malays. Using a qualitative approach, data collection was carried out through observation, in-depth interviews and literature review. The research results show that the tradition of eating together face to face is not just an activity of eating at weddings, but also as a means of strengthening ties of brotherhood, strengthening communication between community members, and maintaining cultural values and social norms. This tradition also reflects the principles of mutual cooperation and togetherness which are the basis of the social life of the Batubara Malay community. Through this analysis, it can be understood that the tradition of eating together face to face has a significant role in maintaining harmony and preservation of Malay culture.

Проблема перехода иноверцев Российской империи в православие во второй половине XIX века по публицистическим источникам на примере М. К. Кабановой и Е. В. Мелковой

The article is devoted to the problem of the conversion of non-believers of the Russian Empire to the Orthodox faith in the second half of the XIX century. These gentiles had to resist their society in particular, their families, or break social ties. Based on journalistic sources, the author reconstructs the activities of Maria Kosminichna Kabanova and Ekaterina Vasilyevna Melkova, who show examples of individual missionary service of women carried out in the 1870s-1890s in the Orenburg and Samara dioceses, respectively. The article highlights the ways in which missionaries carried out their activities and examines the features of their interaction with the structure of the Orthodox Missionary Society. Basing on the example of the missionaries’ service it is noted how important it was for the Russian Orthodox Church to organize shelters for the newly converted orthodox people so that they could safely establish in their faith. Because of this, the emphasis is put on the fact that the shelters created by the missionaries were not an artificial phenomenon, but arose in response to an existing need. M. K. Kabanova and E. V. Melkova indicated with the help of their service, which occurred at the same time, certain changes which took place in the society because of the Great Reforms. It is seen both through the tendency of the people to acquire the desire to serve the Church and the mission and through the newly opened possibility to change their social status of women.