Social Perspective Research Articles

Salafis’ hybrid trajectories of socio-political engagement in Tunisia and Algeria. A social movement perspective

ABSTRACT Over the past decades, numerous studies have enhanced the understanding of the Salafi milieu, revealing a diversity within the movement that goes beyond the traditional classifications of quietist, jihadist, and political Salafism. This research builds on recent scholarly work by exploring the porous boundaries of the Salafi realm, emphasizing the concept of hybridization. It examines the blending of registers and repertoires of action from other social worlds with Salafism, utilizing a social movement perspective and first-hand field data. The study investigates Salafi trajectories of engagement beyond the religious sphere in Tunisia and Algeria during perceived periods of constraint. This comparative analysis is both empirically and theoretically significant, given the distinct socio-political landscapes of the two countries. Tunisia was recognized as a democratic exception in the MENA region in 2011. In contrast, Algeria, rising from the ashes of its civil war, is regarded as a resilient rentier state largely unaffected by the Arab uprisings but significantly impacted by the Hirak movement in 2019. Despite these differences, both countries have experienced revolutionary moments and repressive campaigns, offering opportunities for the transformation of Salafism.

Crypto-Cognitive Exploitation: Integrating Cognitive, Social, and Technological perspectives on cryptocurrency fraud

The rising prominence of cryptocurrency in global finance has unfortunately rendered it a prime target for scams, leading to significant financial losses. This study employs Cognitive Vulnerability Theory and the Social Engineering Approach to examine the dimensions, consequences, and prevention strategies of cryptocurrency scams. We analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), focusing on the dimensions of scams within the digital landscape and the efficacy of digital strategies and regulations in mitigating them. Our findings reveal seven critical dimensions of cryptocurrency scams and introduce the “Crypto-Cognitive Exploitation Model” (CCEM), which integrates theoretical insights with the unique aspects of these scams. Quantitative analysis indicates that fraudulent trading platform scams are the most prevalent, often intertwined with pig butchering scams, highlighting the complex, multifaceted nature of these fraudulent activities. We demonstrate the practical application of our recommendations, bridging theory and practice in scam mitigation. The study concludes with strategic recommendations for tailored digital approaches and enhanced regulatory mechanisms to combat evolving deceptive practices.

<b>Performance Dynamics of Male and Female Entrepreneurs in Pakistan: A Qualitative Comparison</b>

In recent years, focus on women entrepreneurship has increased and women are encouraged to perform an active economic role in the modern societies. However, it has been argued that women owned and operated entrepreneurial ventures exhibit poor performance, raising questions on the entrepreneurial potential of the women. Another line of argument highlight that women are different than men, leading them to have different entrepreneurial aspirations. Considering this theoretical premise, this study adopts a social role perspective to explain differences of entrepreneurial performance of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. By employing a qualitative research design and collecting data from 19 male and female entrepreneurs in Pakistan, this study finds indications that social roles influence the performance orientation of male and female entrepreneurs. It was also found that male entrepreneurs have a more material and financial approach to relate to their entrepreneurial performance as they stressed more on profitability, cash flows, and material growth. On the other hand, female entrepreneurs exhibit a more peoples-oriented approach. They seemed to focus more on their stakeholders like customers, family, employees, and society at large. The study concludes that both male and female entrepreneurs have different performance orientations, and a unidimensional performance comparison of entrepreneurial performance of male and female is futile. Therefore, future practice and research on women entrepreneurship should consider a feminist perspective of entrepreneurial performance, where women entrepreneurs might be interested in self-fulfillment and empowerment and not in material growth or financial outcomes. The scope of this study is delimited to educated women entrepreneurs, living in metropolitan areas of Pakistan.

Prisoner education and prisoner’s multi?scalarity of identity negotiated from penitentiary discourse

The growing interest in identity and language, coupled with increased interest in the relation between identity, language and education, has resulted in a rich amount of work that has informed education, identity and language. To keep abreast of the developments in identity research, the authors propose the research on prisoners’ identity changing from structuralism on identity as a set of generically inherent characteristics to social constructionist perspectives on identity as fluid and emerging in interaction. From the social constructionist perspective on identity, the prisoner’s multi-scalarity of identity is identified through the negotiation from penitentiary discourse indicating that the prisoners inhabit various identities in accordance with the discourses and discursive varieties that they are using, which requires us to alter the lens of seeing prisoners as having a single and stable identity of “Prisoner”. Prisoners’ fluid identity transformed from the legally fixed “prisoner” to the socially acceptable “people”, between which there is prisoners’ multi-scalarity of fluid identity, plays an important role in prisoners’ rehabilitation and socialisation. The successful identity transformation from “prisoner” to “people” means the efficient rehabilitating process of the prison for prisoners. The process of identity circulation has pedagogical implications for prisoner education.

Social Development Perspective in Child Custody Law Enforcement: A Comparative Study of Legal Systems and Their Implications in Developing and Developed Countries

This study discusses the comparative application of child custody laws between developed and developing countries with a focus on the principle of "best interests of the child." Although this principle is recognized globally, its implementation varies widely across countries, influenced by social, cultural, religious, and economic factors. Developed countries such as the United States and Sweden tend to have more structured legal systems that support equality in custody, often adopting a joint custody model. In contrast, developing countries such as Indonesia and India face significant challenges in implementing this principle due to the influence of customary law, religion, and resource constraints. This study uses thematic and comparative analysis methods, and makes generalizations about the factors that influence the implementation of child custody in countries with different socio-economic backgrounds. The results of the study indicate that legal and social policy reforms, as well as increasing access to social services and legal education, are essential to improving the protection of children's rights in developing countries. Thus, recommendations focus on the need for international collaboration and increasing the capacity of courts to adopt best practices in child protection.

Analysis of good practices of social impact measurement: the social balance sheet developed by the Spanish network of the social and solidarity economy

Purpose This study aims to analyse the good practices developed by the Spanish Social and Solidarity Network (one of the leading networks in the country) regarding its social balance sheet, created under the perspective of social and solidarity principles. This social balance sheet is implemented by its members for their self-evaluation. Design/methodology/approach By using a qualitative methodology based on triangulation, which includes a semi-structured interview with the manager of the social audit commission, the main good practices associated with this initiative of social impact measurement are attained. Moreover, two organisations implementing the social balance sheet have been analysed to obtain a complete perspective of the tool and the process developed by the network. Findings The main findings include: the social balance sheet dimensions are based on the social and solidarity principles, which enable companies to analyse the compliance of their activity with their philosophy; cooperation is crucial for the success of the tool; the efforts made by the network involve a range of different behaviours, all shared and published on social networks and the internet for free to diffuse the good practices of social impact measurement. Originality/value This research contributes to the literature on social entrepreneurship and social impact measurement by analysing the good practices regarding a social balance sheet, designed under the social and solidarity philosophy, whose procedure can serve as a reference for any other representative institutions or practitioners. From this view, this initiative can be considered a social innovation itself since it constitutes a step towards transforming society through the quantification of business activity from a more social perspective and through a process of participative governance by all the stakeholders involved.

Analisis Teologi Sosial Dalam Pemertahanan Identitas Kultural Kesamen Masyarakat Hindu Di Desa Sembiran Buleleng

Kesamen, as a local wisdom passed down through generations, is preserved and maintained by the Sembiran community as a core part of their identity. From a social theology perspective, Kesamen represents efforts to uphold ancestral values that emphasize equality and unite the community in a socio-religious framework, while also preventing conflicts of interest. This study aims to examine the Kesamen system in the Sembiran community through the lens of social theology, particularly as a form of cultural identity preservation. The research uses a qualitative approach with data collection methods including observation, interviews, literature studies, and documentation. The findings show that Kesamen values align with the concept of social theology, reflected in daily practices such as Tri Hita Karana, Karma Phala, Tat Twam Asi, and Menyama Braya. Sembiran village is known for its rich traditions and culture, with moral values integrated into various aspects of social life, from individual relationships to community interactions. The preservation of Kesamen holds significant meaning, especially in maintaining religious values, fostering togetherness, ensuring social and cultural sustainability, and stabilizing society. In conclusion, Kesamen plays an essential role in strengthening social cohesion, preserving the cultural identity of the Sembiran community, and resisting external cultural domination. These values also boost the community's confidence in safeguarding their identity and solidarity.

Language matters: what can social workers learn from the transgender community?

ABSTRACT Questions of language and its contribution to constructing and preserving the social order have gradually entered social work research. This paper seeks to add to this professional scholarship by examining the concrete impact of language usage on real persons in everyday interactions. It is based on an interview study with eleven members of the transgender community in Israel and anchored in the feminist social work perspective. Transgender individuals challenge seemingly natural social conventions and do not necessarily conform to expected coherency between biology and gender. Since most Hebrew grammatical forms make clear distinctions based on gender, these individuals often lack adequate means for conducting a dialogue consistent with their sense of self. The interviewees’ descriptions highlight the pivotal role Hebrew plays in realizing their identity, thus providing a better opportunity for enhancing our understanding of the strategic power of language than the discourse of members of predominant social groups. These findings have potential implications for social work teaching and practice, especially in relation to undoing injustice.

Towards a computational model for higher orders of Theory of Mind in social agents.

Effective communication between humans and machines requires artificial tools to adopt a human-like social perspective. The Theory of Mind (ToM) enables understanding and predicting mental states and behaviours, crucial for social interactions from childhood through adulthood. Artificial agents with ToM skills can better coordinate actions, such as in warehouses or healthcare. Incorporating ToM in AI systems can revolutionise our interactions with intelligent machines. This proposal emphasises the current focus on first-order ToM models in the literature and investigates the potential of creating a computational model for higher-order ToM.

How do state-owned multinational enterprises behave abroad?

ABSTRACT This symposium is the result of a call for papers organised to answer a core question: How do state-owned multinational enterprises (SOMNEs) behave once they internationalise, that is, go “abroad”? To organise the research, papers used the FESPET framework to analyse SOMNE behaviour abroad from the Financial, Environmental, Social, Political Economy and Technology perspectives. The contributions to this project fill an important gap in the literature with the aim of improving our understanding on the consequences of the internationalisation of State-Owned Enterprises from key, selected countries that are important but currently under-researched: Brazil, India and Russia.

Casting a long shadow: Examining the relationships between vicarious and direct racism and generalized trust among Asian communities in New Zealand during COVID-19

Utilizing a social learning perspective, this study investigated the associations between vicarious and direct racism and generalized trust among Asian communities in New Zealand during COVID-19, highlighting the comparability of their effects. Data from a cross-sectional online survey conducted in 2021 (N = 1377), were utilized to estimate the prevalence of vicarious and direct racism experiences and the distribution of since-COVID generalized trust. Linear regression was used to assess the association between experiences of racism and shifts in generalized trust. Findings indicate that almost 40 % of participants experienced racism, with vicarious experiences of physical violence and unfair treatment being more prevalent, while direct experiences of microaggressions and verbal/written abuse were more common. Female, younger, Chinese, and South East Asian participants, those for whom English is a first language, and students reported disproportionate reductions in generalized trust. Negative associations were identified between vicarious and direct racism experiences and changes in generalized trust. Crucially, our analysis reveals that vicarious microaggression experiences have a greater negative association with generalized trust than direct experiences, challenging prevailing perceptions of their significance. Emphasizing a comprehensive approach to eliminating all forms of racism, the findings support the need for critical scrutiny of media reporting of racism and its influence on trust.

Leader Organizational citizenship behaviour and perceived followers support as outcomes of proactive Followership: A Social Exchange Perspective

In recent decades, leadership research has tended to focus on leaders and the role of followers has been given less attention. This study, which uses the social exchange theory, investigates the role of proactive followership in leadership outcomes, considering the moderating influence of individual-level power distance orientation (PDO). Non-probability sampling was employed to tests the proposed hypotheses, 182 respondents participated in the research. The data was analysed using SmartPLS 3. The results showed that proactive followership has a positive effect on leader organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and the perceived support of followers. PDO significantly moderates the relationship between proactive followership and leader OCB, with low PDO strengthening the role of proactive followers in shaping leader OCB. These findings suggest that organizations should focus on developing their followers in order to improve leadership outcomes and strengthen relationships.

From commitment to capital: does environmental innovation reduce corporate cash holdings?

ABSTRACT Using 7066 firm-year observations of the US-listed firms for the period of 2008–2021, we examine a channel through which eco-innovation affects Corporate Cash holding. More specifically, we modeled the role of goodwill between eco-innovation and Corporate Cash holding. Using a random effect regression model, we show the economically relevant and statistically significant negative impact of eco-innovation on firm-level cash holdings. We provide evidence that goodwill fully mediates the relationship between eco-innovation and cash holdings. Our analyses further document that the impact of eco-innovation on firm-level cash holdings is more pronounced for the firms that operate in environmentally insensitive industries. The influence of eco-innovation on cash holdings is less for low-size firms relative to the high size and more for highly leveraged firms. The results are robust for alternative measures of eco-innovation, selection biases and potential endogeneity. The findings have imperative implications for stakeholders’ engagement from a social capital perspective.

“I get the referral because nobody else wants to work with this person”: A critical realist analysis of social workers providing care to people living with borderline personality disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by unstable relationships, self-image, and emotions, as well as impulsive behaviors and high rates of morbidity and mortality. Provider-based stigmatization of individuals with BPD is associated with poor health outcomes and increased mortality risk. However, little is known about social workers' experiences in providing care to people living with BPD (PLBPD). This study explored social workers' perspectives on the impact of stigma on care for PLBPD. Between April 2020 and January 2021, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 41 social workers practicing across the continuum of care (e.g., community services and hospitals) in Ontario, Canada. Data were analyzed using Critical Realist Analysis. Four primary themes emerged: (1) stigmatization of PLBPD due to the complexity of their needs (e.g., avoidance, blame, name-calling by providers); (2) lack of BPD-specific training and education in social work curricula; (3) observed stigmatization of PLBPD by social workers and other professionals (e.g., psychologists and physicians); and (4) suggestions for improving care experiences for PLBPD. Results suggest that provider-based stigma remains a significant quality of care issue affecting PLBPD. Further research is needed to understand the scope of these issues among diverse PLBPD populations, within social work practice, and across interprofessional care settings.

The Roles of Corporate Social Responsibility and Perceived Organizational Support on Employee Loyalty in the Vietnamese Public Sector

Employee loyalty is crucial for an organization’s success, especially during economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. This research aims to develop a framework of employee loyalty for the public sector, examining the relationship between corporate social responsibilities (CSR), perceived organizational support (POS), organizational identification, and employee well-being. The research addresses the gap in the literature on employee loyalty in public sector organizations and provides valuable insights into the mediating roles of employee well-being and organizational identification in enhancing employee loyalty in the Vietnamese public sector. The findings of this study showed that both CSR and POS positively impact organizational identification and employee well-being. Also, organizational identification and employee well-being play mediating roles in the relationship between CSR, POS, and employee loyalty. However, there is an insignificant relationship between POS and employee loyalty in the Vietnam public sector context. By combining both social identity theory and organizational support theory perspectives, this research offers a more integrated and holistic approach to understanding the path from CSR and POS to employee loyalty, providing managers and policymakers with a more concrete perception of the value and role of CSR and POS in building long-term trustworthy relationships with employees.

Multifaceted personas in context: mental health social worker perspectives on the intersection of mental health, social work and professional identity in England and Wales

Mental health provision in England and Wales has fluctuated between promoting social work as a valued, distinct contributor and viewing it as an adjunct to a generic workforce. Perspectives are divided on whether the profession should emphasise social work, mental health work or a cross-disciplinary blend, and definitional attempts have proved challenging, with wide variation in practice. This article explores how mental health social workers view their professional identity across practice contexts. Using a mixed-methods approach, 248 mental health social workers completed an online survey, and 30 undertook a subsequent semi-structured interview. Survey data were statistically analysed using Kruskal–Wallis H-tests to explore differences across settings. Qualitative interview data were analysed using a framework thematic approach. Participants demonstrated a strong but flexible professional identity, adopting a multifaceted, fluid sense of self that prioritised the aspect of identity most relevant to the context. Contrary to narratives of poor articulation, this was framed within a specialist knowledge- and values-based perspective that influenced practice approaches and accommodated context without requiring external validation. This fluidity suggests a need to move away from restrictive task-based definitions of social work in order to actively engage the workforce in developing professional roles that embrace this flexibility to offer holistic services.

지속가능성을 위한 텍스타일디자인 산업의 도전과 혁신사례 연구

This study aims to systematically analyze the challenges and innovative cases for implementing sustainability in the textile design industry. The textile design industry plays a significant role in the global economy but also causes problems such as environmental pollution, resource waste, and social inequality due to large-scale production and consumption. This study presents various approaches to solve these problems and seeks strategic approaches for the sustainable development of the industry. From an environmental perspective, it emphasizes the importance of improving resource efficiency and adopting eco-friendly materials and production methods. From a social perspective, it presents cases that protect workers' rights and welfare and ensure fair working conditions. From an economic perspective, it analyzes the need for strategic approaches to secure technological innovation and global competitiveness. The study found that innovative companies such as Spinnova, DyeCoo, and Human Material Loop are attempting various innovative approaches to implement sustainability. This study provides concrete action plans to enhance sustainability in the textile design industry and contribute to promoting sustainable development across the industry.

Kajian Sosiologis Pungutan Tapera Terhadap Buruh

This article examines the impact of the Public Housing Savings Program (Tapera) on Indonesian workers from both legal and social perspectives. The program mandates a 3% salary deduction, shared between employees and employers. However, the policy has faced significant criticism for increasing financial burdens on workers, particularly during challenging economic conditions. The study employs a normative legal approach to analyze relevant regulations and assess the social impact of its implementation. The findings indicate that, while Tapera aims to improve workers' access to housing, it imposes additional financial strains. Furthermore, the lack of worker participation in the policy-making process exacerbates dissatisfaction. To address these issues, it is recommended that the government review the Tapera policy with active involvement from workers and labor unions. Alternative funding mechanisms, such as subsidies from the state budget or lighter installment schemes, should also be considered. A more inclusive and equitable approach could not only enhance the program's effectiveness but also foster stronger relationships between workers, the government, and employers, thereby achieving a better balance in its implementation.

Prospects of Computational Intelligence in Society: Human-Centric Solutions, Challenges, and Research Areas

The future of society could be shaped by artificial intelligence (AI), which is a part of soft computing that deals with probabilistic reasoning, neural networks, fuzzy logic, and evolutionary algorithms. This paper focuses on issues that are faced by soft computing as it moves towards human-centric solutions, outlines the challenges for soft computing, and provides possible research directions for development. Currently, there is an increasing emphasis on human-centered solutions in various fields, such as the healthcare industry, transportation sector, financial institutions, and education systems in the world today. Using soft computing techniques in this way comes with its own advantages, especially when managing unclearness or ambiguity or unsureness existing within humans' decision-making processes. Soft computing based on using neural networks may help to develop computer systems capable of faking human behavior and preferences as they evolve over time by using fuzzy logic and evolutionary algorithms. This human-centric approach helps improve the user experience while creating more symbiotic ties between technology and society, leading to examples such as personalized medicine treatment plans, among others. Soft computing’s future in society will be, to a large extent, determined by the provision of human-friendly AI while addressing the ethical, legal, and social challenges of its applications. Rights on AI represent humanity and shall be accountable. Collaborating with interdisciplinary scientists and carrying out frontier studies on developing human-friendly AI systems from ethical, legal, and social perspectives and welfare has the potential to have an influence on community and policy-maker decisions, facilitate a suitable climate for soft computing and AI in society, leverage it for empowering individuals, communities, and societies, and to improve the quality of human life while respecting human values and dignity. It also paves the way for society to be more inclusive and equitable.

The Role of Social Cognitive Perspective on Investment Intentions in Sharia Stocks in Indonesia

The majority of Indonesia's population recorded in 2024 will be Muslims, reaching 85% with a figure of 263 million out of a total population of more than 278 million people. However, the level of public investment in shares is still low, especially in sharia shares. The aim of this research is to examine the impact of attitudes, social influence, and self-confidence on Indonesian investors' intentions to invest in sharia shares. This will be achieved by exploring further with Social Cognitive Theory. This research uses a quantitative methodology which is used to collect data from a minimum sample size of 85 respondents. This research was conducted by giving questionnaires to investors who have knowledge about sharia shares in Indonesia. The expected result of this research is to increase understanding of the determining factors that influence investment intentions in sharia shares. Therefore, this research is expected to provide a significant contribution to policy makers in their efforts to increase the number of investors in Islamic stocks.