Social Values Research Articles

THE ASTONISHING BEAUTY OF CHHAU MASK: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON THE TRADITIONAL FOLK ART OF CHARIDA VILLAGE OF PURULIA DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL

Bengal, a land of beauty and prosperity in its cultural ancestry. The tradition is enriched by diverse folk art of various tribes and ethnic groups creating the uniqueness. Music, dance have great importance for recreational, aesthetic and cultural aspect of the state. The cultural background, social value and structure, history, religion and mythological concept are also reflected by the traditional folk art. Different types of folk art are found in West Bengal. Among them, Patachitra and Madhubani are respectively the traditional style of painting, characterized by their mythological stories and intricate designs. The other folk arts with great traditional significance are the embroidery art locally called, Kantha and metal casting technique based Dokra. The Chhau Mask making art is one of them important traditional folk art, essential for the age old Chhau dance. The present paper is empirical and qualitative in nature, mainly focused on the traditional folk art of Chhau Mask, an integral part of Chhau dance, of Charida village, its making procedure and people associated with the mask making economy.

Libraries and National Education Policy (NEP 2020) of India in higher education

Purpose This study aims to provide an overview of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, identify areas where libraries can play crucial role in effective implementation of NEP 2020 and explains the role of libraries in higher education for implementation of NEP 2020 in India. Design/methodology/approach For the purpose of the present research, the researcher has evaluated The “National Education Policy 2020” document consisting of 65 pages. The contents of NEP 2020 are evaluated to find out major areas of working for libraries and in the context of major areas, the crucial role which a library can play in implementation of NEP 2020 is described. Hence, the research methodology followed is “descriptive research method”. Findings NEP is bringing out tremendous positive changes in higher education in India. The changes can be effectively implemented with the help of libraries and library professionals to adapt to course, curriculum, research and infrastructure-related changes. The challenges of the 21st century in the field of higher education are related to personality development, strengthening of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), internationalisation of higher education, specific skills and values for students, motivation for researchers and teachers as well as for equity and inclusiveness of higher education can be effectively imparted by libraries and it can contribute as a catalyst for overall national development. Research limitations/implications The study covers NEP of India 2020 and the role of libraries in HEIs of India are described. Practical implications NEP 2020 and its implementation are mandatory in HEIs in India. All universities and colleges in India had started implementing India’s NEP 2020, and hence, accessing the role of libraries in higher education for the successful implementation of NEP 2020 is essential. Elaborating on the “Role of Libraries under National Education Policy 2020” of India, libraries play a very important role in implementing the NEP 2020 of India. The sub-chapters from 9 to 19 under Chapter III on higher education are thoroughly studied by the researcher and on the basis of the contents related to NEP in the higher education system of India, the library parameters that can identify the role of libraries in NEP 2020 are explained. Social implications Libraries contribute to “personal development” as well as “to inculcate certain prescribed skills and values”. “Interdisciplinary research” is intended to develop an active community of research in various disciplines as well as to increase the efficiency of both physical resources and human resources. Promoting interdisciplinary research is done through libraries. Many libraries have developed “inclusive education centres” to provide library facilities to visually impaired and disabled students. Originality/value Overall personality development, strengthening of educational institutions, optimistic move towards multidisciplinary education through identification of business skills and specific skills and values, internationalisation of education, a motivation factor for students, teachers and researchers as well as equity and inclusiveness in higher education are all the areas occupied by libraries. It is described elaborately and it is of social and educational value for all.

Impact of Ethical Awareness on Engineering Identity Formation Using Ordinary Least Squares Analysis

<p style="text-align:justify">The 21st century marks a world where scientific, humanistic, technological, and societal issues are integrated. The complexity caused by the reciprocal effects among technology, engineering, cultural, and social values raises new ethical problems. This study addresses recent increased attention to the relationship between ethical awareness and engineering identity factors. Participants in this study were 246 undergraduate engineering students enrolled in a research university located in the northeast U.S. Bivariate correlation and ordinary least squares regression were conducted. Bivariate correlations showed that ethical awareness was positively correlated to engineering interest, engineering recognition, and engineering performance/competence, which are the three factors of engineering identity. The OLS regression showed the r2 value for the computed regression equation indicated that there was a non-zero relationship between the set of all independent variables (engineering identity factors, gender, ethnicity, years in school, and first-generation status) and the dependent (ethical awareness) and that the final set of independent variables accounted for approximately 22% of the variation in the dependent variable, Ethical Awareness. Undergraduate engineering education is a key to ensuring engineers will uphold the ethical values of the profession. This study contributes to the practical value of engineering ethics awareness by affirming that engineering identity is sound and should be applied in practice.</p>

The Quest for Biodiversity Preservation and Conservation in Lesotho: The Basotho Folklore and Literary Contribution

Researchers have discovered that both oral and written literature have aesthetic, entertainment, cultural, political, and social values. Based on the literature read for this study, none has shown the importance of both oral and written literature as a strategy to preserve and conserve biodiversity. This study intends to find out how Sesotho oral and written literature can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in Lesotho. This study is a desktop study and used secondary data. A qualitative approach was used in the data analysis. The functionalist approach is used to respond to the research questions. The researchers conclude that both oral and written forms of Sesotho literature are still relevant in the 21st century, and through strategies derived from it, contemporary challenges can be addressed. Therefore, this study recommends that scholars of both oral and written Sesotho literature should consider the beauty of nature and appreciation of biodiversity in this genre to retain the relevance of the literature and contribute towards conserving nature and biodiversity.

A technological construction of society: Comparing GPT‐4 and human respondents for occupational evaluation in the UK

AbstractDespite initial research about the biases and perceptions of large language models (LLMs), we lack evidence on how LLMs evaluate occupations, especially in comparison to human evaluators. In this paper, we present a systematic comparison of occupational evaluations by GPT‐4 with those from an in‐depth, high‐quality and recent human respondents survey in the UK. Covering the full ISCO‐08 occupational landscape, with 580 occupations and two distinct metrics (prestige and social value), our findings indicate that GPT‐4 and human scores are highly correlated across all ISCO‐08 major groups. At the same time, GPT‐4 substantially under‐ or overestimates the occupational prestige and social value of many occupations, particularly for emerging digital and stigmatized or illicit occupations. Our analyses show both the potential and risk of using LLM‐generated data for sociological and occupational research. We also discuss the policy implications of our findings for the integration of LLM tools into the world of work.

Wanting to matter and learning to care: A neurodevelopmental window of opportunity for (Pro) social learning?

Wanting to matter—to feel socially recognized, appreciated, and capable of actions that benefit others—represents a fundamental motivation in human development. The motivational salience of mattering appears to increase in adolescence. Evidence suggests this is related to pubertal increases in the incentive salience for gaining social value and personal agency. This can provide a useful heuristic for understanding motivational proclivities (i.e. wanting to matter) that influence action-outcome learning as young adolescents are exploring and learning how to navigate increasingly complex social and relational environments. Adolescence also brings new capacities, motives, and opportunities for learning to care about and contribute to the benefit of others. Together, these create a window of opportunity: a sensitive period for learning to gain salient feelings of mattering through caring prosocial actions and valued societal contributions. Successfully discovering ways of mattering by doing things that matter to others may contribute to formative socio-emotional learning about self/other. Advances in understanding these social and relational learning processes and their neurodevelopmental underpinnings can inform strategies to improve developmental trajectories of social competence and wellbeing among adolescents growing up in a rapidly changing and increasingly techno-centric world.

Money As the First Priority——On the Origin of The Chaos of Chinese Social Values

Money As the First Priority——On the Origin of The Chaos of Chinese Social Values

The impact of Fintech innovations on digital currency adoption: a blockchain-based study in India

Purpose The purpose of this study is to integrate customer value theory (CVT) and protection motivation theory (PMT) to understand the factors that have an impact on customer experience, e-trust and intention to recommend, which influence the adoption behaviour of digital currency users. Design/methodology/approach A purposive sampling technique was used, and data were gathered through an online survey of 414 respondents. The measurement and structural models were tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling to establish linkages between the constructs. Findings Functional, emotional and social values positively impact customer experience. Furthermore, perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, response efficacy and self-efficacy had a positive impact on e-trust. E-trust positively affects customer experience and intention to use the digital currency directly. The study demonstrated that perceived value and protection motivation factors play a significant role in influencing the use of digital currency. Practical implications For managers and policymakers interested in the Indian digital currency market, it is suggested that functional utility and emotional and social benefits can enhance user satisfaction. In an e-trust model, user education to increase risk and protection awareness, effectiveness of responses and self-efficacy are critical to building e-trust. Originality/value Building on CVT and PMT’s usage in the broader financial services domain, this research empirically confirms the significance of perceived value and protection motivation factors while adopting digital currency. It provides an extensive and multifaceted approach to comprehending customer involvement and trust in digital financial services, thus enhancing the theoretical and empirical knowledge of both the fintech and blockchain industries.

Kritik Sosial dalam Lirik Lagu Album Akibat Pergaulan Blues Karya Musisi Jason Ranti

Jason Ranti, in the lyrics of his album entitled The Effects of Blues Association, conveys a lot of criticism and satire on social problems which are considered problems by society depending on the social value system of that society, however there are the same problems faced by society in general, for example the problem of poverty and crime. , family disorganization, the younger generation in modern society, war, violations of societal norms, population, the environment, and bureaucracy. This type of research is qualitative. According to Semi (1993:23), qualitative research is carried out without prioritizing numbers, but prioritizing the depth of appreciation of the interactions between concepts that are being studied empirically. This research using qualitative methods cannot be measured, because its nature emphasizes socially constructed reality. Data from the results of this research found social criticism in the song lyrics in Jason Ranti's album Akun Pergaulan Blues as many as 24 data in the form of several fragments of song lyrics which include 3 types of social criticism, namely (1) social criticism about violations of societal norms (2) social criticism about religious behavior and beliefs (3) social criticism about politics and bureaucracy. It can be concluded that the social criticism contained in the lyrics of the song Album "Results of Promiscuity" by Jason Ranti is social criticism of violations of societal norms, social criticism of religious behavior and beliefs, and social criticism of politics and bureaucracy.

Legal Challenges and Opportunities in World Trade Organization Agreements: A Comparative Analysis of Member States

The World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements have a broad and complex impact on its member countries, especially regarding trade policy and global economic justice. Legal challenges in implementing these agreements, including harmonization between national and international law, as well as domestic political and economic dynamics, add to the complexity of their implementation. In addition, the WTO agreements also offer significant opportunities for member countries, such as wider market access and increased foreign investment. This study aims to analyze the long-term impact of the WTO agreements on trade policy, economic justice, and sustainable development in its member countries. This study uses a qualitative approach, with data obtained from various relevant sources such as research results and previous studies, which are then processed and analyzed in depth. The results show that the WTO agreements significantly shape the direction of member countries' future trade policies, with a greater impact felt by developing countries. Global economic injustice has emerged as one of the consequences of the implementation of these agreements, where developed countries are better able to utilize WTO provisions. On the other hand, the environmental and social impacts of implementing the WTO agreements are concerns that require better integration into trade policy. Projections of future challenges suggest that the WTO must continue to adapt to global changes to remain relevant and effective. Overall, this study highlights the need for a balance between trade liberalization and the protection of social and environmental values ​​within the WTO framework.

MAKNA SIMBOLIK DAN KULTURAL TRADISI LEBARAN KETUPAT BAGI MASYARAKAT JAWA

The Ketupat Eid tradition is one of the cultural heritages of the Javanese people which is still preserved today. Eid Ketupat (kupatan) has deep value and meaning in several aspects, namely in the religious aspect as a means of spreading Islamic religion, strengthening ties of friendship, as an expression of gratitude to Allah SWT for the success of fasting during the month of Ramadan. In the spiritual aspect there is interaction to forgive each other, then in the social aspect it is a form of mutual cooperation, while in the economic aspect it can increase people's income by selling coconut leaves or palm leaves.Apart from having social meaning and value, the kupatan tradition also has symbolic meaning, namely Eid as a symbol of the end and end of the fasting month of Ramadan, luberan as a symbol of an invitation to share one's fortune by giving zakat and alms, melting as a symbol of admitting mistakes and forgiving each other, and laburan as a symbol so that humans always maintain their physical and spiritual purity. Apart from containing symbolic meaning, the Eid Kupatan tradition also contains cultural meaning, namely a means of communication and friendship, a means of giving alms, a means of honoring guests and a means of preserving ancestral traditions.

Discourse Analysis and the Newly Qualified Social Worker: Liberty Protection Safeguards and Beyond

This article explores the application of Critical Discourse Analytic methods learnt during a (Social Work) Master’s degree, in the author’s first year of practice as a newly qualified social worker. The focus is the Liberty Protection Safeguards and how the discourse analytic techniques utilised may be translated into specific practice learning. An extract from the author’s Critical Discourse Analysis of the Liberty Protection Safeguards factsheets is presented before further exploration of analytic methods in the context of both literature and personal practice reflections. Specifically, the four issues addressed are: A. Considering how language signals a certain (ethical, social, political, moral) position. B. How language helps construct and reconstruct practice. C. What it means for social work practice to remain open to the consequences of language. D. Considering writing as a form of social work practice. Discourse analytic methods may complement social work values, considering the ethical stance that underpins our work. It is argued that critical discourse analytic tools and the learning arising from them can have a direct influence on social work practice through encouraging practitioners to remain open to language and questioning of the role of power in communication.

A Systems Engineering Approach to Incorporate ESG Risks and Opportunities in Early-Stage Mine Design and Planning

This study examines how ESG risks and opportunities can be systematically identified, assessed, and incorporated into the early-stage design and planning of natural resources projects. The focus for this study will be on the mining activities required to source the resources for the global decarbonization effort. The need for a framework to incorporate ESG risks and opportunities into the strategic mine planning process was first identified in the de Beers Sustainability Valuation Approach. The Social Value Capital Decision Model advanced by BHP represents an advance on the de Beers model. This is the first example of a structured methodology for systematically considering stakeholder values and incorporating these into the capital decision framework. To test the applicability of a new approach to mine design by using Quality Function Deployment (QFD), a case study involving a copper mine located in South America was developed. This case study demonstrates how QFD can provide clear line-of-sight to connect design decisions with priority stakeholder concerns. The framework provides a communications tool for aligning the ESG design process across functional silos within complex organizations. The development of appropriate software tools could assist in managing the inherent complexity associated with integrating stakeholder value concerns into early stage design decisions.

How online pro-environmental games affect users’ pro-environmental behavioural intentions? — Insights from Ant Forest

Information technology has created new ways for people to participate in environmental protection. Ant Forest, a pro-environmental game that actively encourages users to take part in offline environmental activities through online gaming content, has gained great popularity. However, research in this area is still limited, and the effect of playing such games on users' pro-environmental intentions in real life and the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Therefore, this research draws from Persuasive Systems Design model and value theory and examines the relationships between design features of Ant Forest, users' values and their pro-environmental behavioural intentions. The research model is empirically tested by survey data from 428 Ant Forest users. Results indicate that users' self-enhancement values, including utilitarian, hedonic and social values, and self-transcendence values, including altruistic and biospheric values, all positively affect their continued gameplay intentions and therefore affect their pro-environmental behavioural intentions. Additionally, the primary task support, social support, dialogue support, and system credibility of Ant Forest have varying positive effects on users’ perceived values.

Creating Social Value: Unveiling Stakeholder Commitments Dynamics in Malaysian Social Enterprise

Social enterprise represents a convergence of profit-driven organisational structures committed to fostering social impacts, such as expanding employment opportunities or supporting single parents in income generation. This study delves into the depth of stakeholder commitment towards social enterprise initiatives in Malaysia. Employing an interpretative case study methodology, the research utilises multifaceted approaches, including interviews, on-site visits, program observation, and financial statement analysis focusing on a social enterprise entity, Rose Sdn. Bhd. (RSB). The thematic analysis serves as the lens through which commitment dynamics within the social enterprises are explored, drawing upon the dimensions of affective, normative, and continuance commitment within the organisational commitment framework. The research highlights the profound commitment of RSB’s founder to its establishment, driven by personal experiences that instill a profound sense of purpose. The study underscores the pivotal role of the work environment and income opportunities in fostering continual commitment among employees. The conducive atmosphere within RSB fosters dedication and a sense of belonging among its workforce, enhancing the organisation's sustainability and social impact. By creating a genuine and supportive learning environment, trainers strengthen the bonds between individuals and the organisation, reinforcing their commitment to its objectives. The sincerity of trainers is pivotal in nurturing normative commitment among program participants. Additionally, this research emphasises the critical importance of stakeholder commitment in driving the success and sustainability of social enterprises. Close stakeholder engagement emerges as a core strategy for ensuring the sustainability and efficacy of social enterprise initiatives. By exploring commitment dynamics within social enterprise contexts, this study significantly enriches theoretical understanding in the field.

The Economic Resources of the Jahili Arabs

The Arabs had established their name and place in Arab civilization since ancient times. They were well aware of the secret that nations that remain economically backward can never achieve progress and prosperity. They worked tirelessly and with great skill in the economic field to maintain their freedom and autonomy, which was their natural characteristic. This is evident from their economic life.We see that their commercial life not only fulfilled their economic needs, but also enabled them to establish cultural and civilizational ties with the nations of the world, which is certainly a testament to their high capabilities. They worked with courage to open up the rocky lands of Arabia and make them arable, and they used their ingenuity and craftsmanship to create countless products.An important feature of their society was that even the common man did not shy away from hard work and labor. If someone could not find anything else to do, they would take up herding as their occupation. Although some individuals, devoid of natural good sense, also adopted uncivilized methods for earning a living, the Arabs' sense of honor and pride generally prevented them from doing so.By adhering to their social values, they always ensured the stability of their economic condition and protected themselves from any external element. This was a historical achievement of an extraordinary kind.

POLA PENDIDIKAN BUDI PEKERTI DALAM MENINGKATKAN MOTIVASI BELAJAR SISWA-SISWI KATOLIK

Character of education is an effort to educate students so that the students have noble attitudes and behavior. In fact, this education still has not achieved the objectives of the establishment of the program. From the results of initial observations at Junior High School I Wonogiri and Kanisius Wonogiri Middle school, it was found that there were several degradations of moral values which had an impact on reducing student motivation. Therefore, this research focused on digging deeper into how both public and private schools apply patterns of character education as a school effort to help increasing student motivation. The research method used in this research was to use a qualitative research method using a comparative descriptive approach. The results of study showed that in the implementation of character education, Junior High School I Wonogiri applied moral values as a whole while the three main values emphasized by Kanisius Wonogiri Middle School were more religious values, honesty values, and social care values; in terms of school strategies and methods, the teacher's approach and the evaluation used both have similarities and differences. The results of the study show that the two schools have their own characteristics which are tailored to the vision and mission of each school.

Rentier capitalism, social reproduction, and the limits of liberalism: mapping gendered asset value in Kuwait

ABSTRACT This paper introduces the concept of citizenship rent to help explain the apparently contradictory coexistence of liberalising economic reforms and the entrenchment of patriarchal values. Citizenship rent (CR) is defined as the financial flows that move from the state to the citizen in the form of entitlements, employment, and access to state-subsidised goods, labour and business opportunities. Our innovative proposal substitutes transaction cost economics’ assumption of market selection for a selection by patriarchy to show how gender plays a central role in the reproduction of the asset specificities that increase transaction costs. This illustrates how an extractive, asset-based economy, like Kuwait's, can afford to double down on conservative social values, even at a considerable fiscal price, as long as the transaction costs of getting oil to the international markets are not increased through social disruption or political uncertainty. Rather than examining how women’s social reproductive work subsidises social and political stability, CR reveals women’s role in sustaining assets valuable to the state. This paper demonstrates that a close examination of the social values that inhibit transactions can also reveal patriarchal structures in rentier capital and exhibit a need to further analyse the patriarchal transaction costs that shape and sustain societies.

Integrated developmental and green social work field education to control fall armyworm Infestation in maize crops in Malawi

In Malawi, fall armyworm (FAW) infestation in maize crops is a problem of public importance as it reduces maize yields and exacerbates household food insecurity. In addition to pest resistance, the use of synthetic pesticides to control FAW negatively affects the health of farmers and the environment. Biochemical pesticides from plants contain naturally non-toxic chemotypes and are effective in controlling pests. Tephrosia vogelii plants contain these bioactive phytocompounds that have pesticidal properties. Geographical location and plant species influence the occurrence of phytocompounds in Tephrosia vogelii. Farmers in Sub Sahara-Africa are using Tephrosia vogelii as a pesticide but there are mixed research findings regarding its effectiveness in controlling FAW pests. This study was informed by developmental and Green Social Work frameworks to compare the effectiveness of Tephrosia vogelii leaves extracts, Belt 480 SC, and soap solution in controlling FAW in maize gardens. The study employed a randomized complete block design with four replication gardens and was conducted from November 2022 to March 2023. A social work field education student was assigned to coordinate the project. The study affirmed that the sampled Tephrosia vogelii leaf extracts contained pesticidal chemotypes. The results of field gardens suggest that Tephrosia vogelii leaf extracts have similar potency to Belt SC 480 chemical pesticide. It has been identified that Boom detergent soap is not as effective as Tephrosia vogelii leaf extracts. The study has social work field education implications for empowering practicum students to gain community mobilization skillsets, to participate in environmental justice advocacy, and to uphold social work values.

Thinking social reproduction beyond the household: circuits of capital and social value

Thinking social reproduction beyond the household: circuits of capital and social value