Societal Challenges Research Articles

Institutional Complexity and Social Innovation: The Case of Chinese Social Enterprises

Abstract Social enterprises (SEs) have emerged throughout the world to address societal challenges through market-based activities and innovation. Research has focused on how SEs manage the tensions arising from the combination of social-welfare and market logics, neglecting the institutional complexity that arises in authoritarian regimes where the state plays a dominant role. Based on the institutional logics perspective and interview data of 42 SE leaders in China, we find that key tensions arise from the state and social-welfare logics and that state logic (re)configures the social–market relationships to be compatible. Chinese SEs employed depoliticization and localization to adapt to this unique form of institutional complexity in their social innovation efforts. This study advances research on SEs, institutional complexity, and hybrid organizing.

Development of methodology to support molecular endotype discovery from synovial fluid of individuals with knee osteoarthritis: The STEpUP OA consortium

Objectives To develop a protocol for largescale analysis of synovial fluid proteins, for the identification of biological networks associated with subtypes of osteoarthritis. Methods Synovial Fluid To detect molecular Endotypes by Unbiased Proteomics in Osteoarthritis (STEpUP OA) is an international consortium utilising clinical data (capturing pain, radiographic severity and demographic features) and knee synovial fluid from 17 participating cohorts. 1746 samples from 1650 individuals comprising OA, joint injury, healthy and inflammatory arthritis controls, divided into discovery (n = 1045) and replication (n = 701) datasets, were analysed by SomaScan Discovery Plex V4.1 (>7000 SOMAmers/proteins). An optimised approach to standardisation was developed. Technical confounders and batch-effects were identified and adjusted for. Poorly performing SOMAmers and samples were excluded. Variance in the data was determined by principal component (PC) analysis. Results A synovial fluid standardised protocol was optimised that had good reliability (<20% co-efficient of variation for >80% of SOMAmers in pooled samples) and overall good correlation with immunoassay. 1720 samples and >6290 SOMAmers met inclusion criteria. 48% of data variance (PC1) was strongly correlated with individual SOMAmer signal intensities, particularly with low abundance proteins (median correlation coefficient 0.70), and was enriched for nuclear and non-secreted proteins. We concluded that this component was predominantly intracellular proteins, and could be adjusted for using an ‘intracellular protein score’ (IPS). PC2 (7% variance) was attributable to processing batch and was batch-corrected by ComBat. Lesser effects were attributed to other technical confounders. Data visualisation revealed clustering of injury and OA cases in overlapping but distinguishable areas of high-dimensional proteomic space. Conclusions We have developed a robust method for analysing synovial fluid protein, creating a molecular and clinical dataset of unprecedented scale to explore potential patient subtypes and the molecular pathogenesis of OA. Such methodology underpins the development of new approaches to tackle this disease which remains a huge societal challenge.

Social Enterprise Referents: How Social Enterprises Help Organize Nascent Fields to Address Complex Societal Problems

AbstractAddressing societal challenges requires engaging diverse actors, but clashes between social and commercial interests often hinder coordination. In established fields, conflicting social interests can be integrated by challenging dominant commercial positions and rallying powerful actors. However, creating new fields without established actors and coordination mechanisms is more complex, especially when interests conflict. We explore this challenge through the development of reusable containers for takeaway food and beverages, where incompatible perspectives initially led to a field impasse. A pioneering social enterprise blending commercial and social interests emerged as a referent, facilitating collaboration and breaking the impasse. After initial field organizing succeeded, regulatory changes and increased demand exposed the shortcomings of early solutions, leading to setbacks. New social enterprises developed solutions to fill supply–demand gaps, anchoring new models in a market and driving both standardization and innovation. We introduce the concept of ‘social enterprise referents’ to highlight their essential role in organizing nascent fields to address complex societal issues. Without these referents, models for building new fields struggle to take hold. Successfully transitioning from an underorganized to an organized field requires sustained efforts from multiple social enterprise referents to anchor solutions in a market and uphold collaboration with field actors.

Obstacles to the Full Realization and Adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds transformative potential across various sectors, yet its journey to full realization and widespread adoption is impeded by several significant obstacles. These challenges span technical, ethical, societal, research and development, implementation, and regulatory domains, necessitating a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to address them.Technical Challenges: AI systems require vast amounts of high-quality, labeled data, which is often unavailable or of poor quality. AI models also struggle to generalize beyond specific tasks, and their opaque decision-making processes hinder trust. Scaling AI to handle large datasets and interactions, while ensuring robustness and security against adversarial attacks, poses major technical hurdles.Ethical and Societal Challenges: AI can perpetuate and amplify biases, leading to unfair outcomes and privacy issues. AI-driven automation risks job displacement, necessitating measures for worker support and retraining. The rapid development of AI outstrips regulatory bodies' abilities to create appropriate frameworks, complicating responsible deployment.Research and Development Challenges: AI struggles to integrate information from different modalities and lacks human-like common sense and reasoning. Improving AI's learning efficiency to reduce its dependence on vast data is a significant research focus.Implementation Challenges: Integrating AI into legacy systems, addressing the talent shortage, and managing the high costs of AI development and deployment are substantial barriers.Ethical and Regulatory Uncertainty: The absence of universally accepted ethical guidelines and varying regulatory landscapes create uncertainty and potential misuse.Addressing these multifaceted obstacles requires a concerted effort from researchers, developers, policymakers, and society to create robust, fair, and transparent AI systems, unlocking AI's full potential and societal benefits.

The Future of Artificial Intelligence: Trends and Predictions

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved rapidly, transforming diverse industries and societal functions. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of AI's current landscape, examining its advancements, applications, and ethical challenges. Key trends are explored, including innovations in machine learning and deep learning, AI’s expanding role across industries, and its potential for addressing climate change and sustainability. Furthermore, the paper highlights AI's role in enhancing human-machine collaboration, paving the way for systems that augment rather than replace human capabilities. Predictions for AI’s future are discussed, such as the emergence of artificial general intelligence (AGI), advancements in autonomous systems, the impact of quantum computing on AI, and innovations in AI-specific hardware. The paper also examines ethical and societal challenges, such as privacy, algorithmic bias, and the need for global governance, addressing the urgent call for responsible AI. In light of these trends, the paper emphasizes future research directions, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and a focus on explainable, robust, and resilient AI models. This work aims to shed light on the transformative potential of AI while advocating for ethical practices to ensure a positive and sustainable impact on society.

Legal and practical challenges in preventing cyberbullying in Tanzania: Navigating Legislative gaps, Enforcement hurdles, and Social Realities

Cyberbullying presents significant legal and societal challenges, particularly in developing countries like Tanzania, where digital literacy and legal frameworks are still evolving. This paper explores the legal and practical obstacles to preventing cyberbullying in Tanzania, examining the adequacy of existing laws, enforcement limitations, and social issues that complicate intervention efforts. Drawing on legal analysis, case studies, and comparative insights, it discusses potential reforms and offers recommendations for more effective prevention and response mechanisms. This study aims to contribute to an improved understanding of the unique challenges Tanzania faces in curbing cyberbullying, advocating for holistic strategies that address legal, educational, and technological dimensions

Beacons not burdens: Business groups and corporate social performance around the world

AbstractResearch SummaryPrior studies on business groups (BGs) have predominantly focused on the impact of group affiliation on financial performance. In contrast, we argue that BG affiliates will outperform standalone firms in terms of corporate social performance (CSP) and that this effect will be positively moderated by the strength of formal and informal institutions. Moreover, we examine also differences among BGs and hypothesize that diversification and hierarchy of the group will negatively affect the CSP of affiliates. Employing a panel of 4368 firms from 43 countries between 2003 and 2016 and a propensity score matching approach in our regressions, we find robust support for these predictions. Our findings advance two distinct strands of literature on BGs and, respectively, corporate social responsibility.Managerial SummaryBG are a common organizational structure in many countries. Despite this, we still do not know much about them beyond their financial performance. In this study, we focus on examining the impact of BG affiliation on non‐financial performance (i.e., CSP) in the light of growing societal grand challenges. Using an international dataset of several thousands of firms, we find out that BG affiliates exhibit superior CSP results compared to non‐affiliated firms. These positive effects of affiliation are increased in environments with strong formal and informal institutions but reduced within groups that are more diversified and hierarchical. Our findings showcase the importance of BGs in tackling some of today's grand challenges and provide support for more nuanced approaches to study BGs across countries.

Navigating perinatal loss: societal and psychological challenges faced by female athletes in Pakistan

Navigating perinatal loss: societal and psychological challenges faced by female athletes in Pakistan

Celebrating four decades of the Centre de Recerca Matemàtica

Founded in 1984, the Centre de Recerca Matemàtica (CRM) has significantly advanced mathematical research in Catalonia, receiving prestigious awards and international recognition. Created by the Institut d’Estudis Catalans, the CRM promotes international collaboration and advanced training, hosting events and supporting research in both fundamental and applied mathematics to address societal challenges.

Preparing the Future Public Health Workforce: Fostering Global Citizenship Through the Relational Employability Framework—Insights from Two Case Studies

A well-prepared public health workforce is essential for reducing disease burdens and improving population health, necessitating an education that addresses global and complex challenges. This paper explores the integration of the Relational Employability Framework in public health education as a tool to foster critical reflection and cultivate global citizenship among students and graduates. Global citizenship encompasses the social, political, environmental and economic actions of globally conscious individuals and communities, recognising that individuals operate within diverse local and global networks. Relational employability expands traditional notions of graduate employability, incorporating not only foundational career development and human interactions but also connections with more-than-human elements, including ecologies, technologies and materials. Our research, conducted at Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia, involved two case studies using qualitative interviews. Case Study 1, drawn from the Cook’s doctoral research, explored student experiences with the Relational Employability Framework within an undergraduate capstone unit. Case Study 2, a school-funded project, gathered graduate perspectives to inform ongoing curriculum development. The findings indicate that the Relational Employability Framework can help support the development of global citizenship through critical reflective practice, as students reported improved ability to engage with diverse perspectives and societal challenges, and graduates highlighted the framework’s role in supporting ethical, evidence-based practice in professional contexts. Additionally, the framework supported the development of a reflective mindset, which graduates said helped them make informed, value-based career decisions, thus advancing their professional growth. This study suggests that adopting a relational employability approach can prepare globally competent and reflective public health professionals and recommends its implementation across health and higher education.

Generative AI and Investigative Journalism—An Application of Baumol's Cost Disease Across Mass Communication Sectors

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed various industries, automating tasks and enhancing productivity. Yet, its impact varies across sectors. In mass communication, AI has notably benefited entertainment, public relations, and advertising. However, it poses a lesser advantage for investigative journalism, where labor-intensive research and other highly specialized activities depend on highly educated journalists. This situation parallels Baumol's concept of a cost disease, which applies to labor-intensive “stagnant” service sectors such as healthcare, education, and the performing arts. These sectors rely heavily on human labor and struggle to achieve significant productivity gains from technological advances. This means they may require decreasing wages or increasing subsidies to compete with more productive industries. In mass communication, this phenomenon could be especially pertinent to (investigative) journalism, which directly competes for attention with other communication forms. This could exacerbate pressures on wages and working conditions, hindering the attraction of talent to the field and necessitating higher public spending on this vital journalism form. This commentary presents a cross-industry analysis of the impact of generative AI on communication sectors and derives directions for further research that would enhance our understanding of journalism's economic viability in a digital communication landscape and inform policy makers to address the affiliated societal challenges. It closes with a discussion of Guzman and Lewis’s call for more cross-industry research on AI in communication industries.

#PorkandPigs: an online media listening analysis of public perception of the U.S. swine industry

Abstract With the majority of the U.S. swine industry being generally bounded by social licensing, there is a growing need to understand social perspectives to better adapt to consumer demands. Online and social media data are rich datasets that researchers are leveraging to tackle economic and societal challenges. The information that can be gleaned from online media regarding public perceptions makes it an important tool for producers to understand driving topics of interest to the public. This study utilized a prominent online and social media listening and data analytics platform to identify and quantify online and social media mentions related to the U.S. swine industry from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2023. A general search for online media referencing pork and pigs was designed resulting in a total of 41,093,309 mentions. The search was further queried to specific topics of food and cooking (20,580,068 mentions), price (2,866,548 mentions), welfare (1,615,208 mentions), sustainability (771,819 mentions), and top authors/organizations within the U.S. swine industry (1,430 mentions). The study spanned the geographic locations of the overall U.S. (including U.S. Minor Outlying Islands), the top 5 most populous states, and the top 5 pork producing states as of 2024. Of all mentions, X/Twitter was the largest domain for nearly all mentions related to pork and pigs. Major organizations designed to spread information between the general public and pork producers had a minor impact on the overall conversation and no online media presence in the top 5 most populous states. Net sentiment was overall positive across all four years and all geographies except for major events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the H1N1 Swine Flu, the passing of California Proposition 12, environmental events, and inflation-associated pork prices. Overall, most media presence had positive net sentiments and with most interest surrounding ways to cook pork and how to keep bacon cheap. Understanding public perceptions of the U.S. swine industry provides the opportunity to make informed decisions on marketing strategies and production practices.

Kenstituent power: an exploration of feminist constitutional change in Barbie

Greta Gerwig’s Barbie explores the influence of childhood dream worlds and toys over adult life, and the singular importance of a toy which represents an empowered woman. But this story plays out against the backdrop of deep societal challenges. That the subject matter of the film is light does not detract from its cultural significance; it enhances its reach and thereby its influence. Constitutional change, property, dissent, inequality and revolution are not the B-plot of the film, they suffuse every scene and motivate its major characters. In this article we explore the significance of Barbie Land as a supposed embodiment of a feminist utopia and the extent to which Gerwig is confronting viewers with difficult questions about authority and just governance in the Real World.

Studying Geodesy and Geoinformatics - a German university perspective

Abstract. This paper describes the discipline of geodesy and geoinformatics with a focus on university studies and career opportunities. It is shown how the disciplines contributes to the solutions of major societal challenges such as sustainable development, mobility and global change. Then, the structure of German universities is shortly explained, followed by an overview of where in the country the discipline can be studied. Finally, the example of Leibniz University Hannover, one of the prime centres of excellence in the field, is described in more detail. We thus hope to encourage young talents to consider this exciting field of studies for their future career.

Towards Sustainable Products and Services: The Influences of Traditional Costumes in Promoting Sustainable Fashion

Recent research in Sustainability has gained increasing attention within the past years, particularly regarding methods and approaches for designing sustainable products and services to address environmental and societal challenges. However, there has been limited exploration of incorporating cultural materials into the design process, which could enhance the cultural sustainability of products and services. This article aims to investigate the potential of integrating traditional royal costumes into fashion design to foster sustainability values and behaviours in contemporary society. A descriptive study focused on the Nhat Binh robe; a formal dress worn by noblewomen of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802–1945). The findings reveal that this traditional costume is rich in visual elements, offering a wealth of inspiration for fashion designers. However, existing products and services have yet to fully leverage the emotional and visual aspects of this unique cultural material. To creatively and sustainably preserve and promote traditional cultural values, this study proposes a model for incorporating traditional cultural materials into fashion design through co-design activities. This model emphasizes close collaboration between designers, artisans, and fashion consumers, with the goal of safeguarding traditional cultural values while advancing sustainable fashion. By fostering collaboration among them, the model has the potential to encourage a sense of ownership and emotional connection to the products, enriching consumer experiences. It not only addresses existing gaps in the use of cultural elements in fashion design but also positions designers to play a pivotal role in the future of sustainable fashion.

A Qualitative Exploration of the Role of Culturally Relevant Social Prescribing in Supporting Pakistani Carers Living in the UK.

Approximately 5.7 million people in the UK are providing informal care. Carers across all ethnic groups can experience negative impacts on their physical and mental health but some minority ethnic groups face greater challenges. Higher levels of social isolation exist among Pakistani carers compared to White British carers, yet the needs of Pakistani carers and how well support services meet these needs is less well understood. Social prescribing can help people get more control over their health care in a nonmedical way. South Asian and other ethnically diverse populations are under-served in social prescribing and there is little evidence available on why this is the case. To explore the potential role of culturally relevant and adapted social prescribing in assisting Pakistani carers and identify the cultural and religious influences and barriers on carer health behaviours. Semi-structured one-to-one interviews with Pakistani family carers (n = 27) and social prescribing stakeholders (n = 10) living in London and Sheffield, UK. Participants were recruited through voluntary and community sector organisations (VCSOs), social media, religious organisations, and word of mouth. Interview data was analysed in NVivo using reflexive thematic analysis methods. Two themes were developed; (1) Individual and community level influences: Navigating and accessing carer support within Pakistani communities, including carer identity and cultural barriers to accessing support provision, and cultural adaptation to facilitate support for Pakistani carer health and well-being, (2) societal and structural level challenges: Accessing and providing social prescribing for Pakistani carers, including funding challenges for the provision of culturally relevant carer support, integration of primary care and social prescribing, and enhancing cultural awareness and competence in social prescribing for Pakistani carers. There are complexities surrounding carer identity, family dynamics, stigma, and a lack of knowledge of social prescribing within Pakistani communities. There is a need for more culturally competent support, culturally relevant education, awareness-raising, and collaboration among primary care and VCSO's to better support Pakistani carers through social prescribing, which acknowledges and addresses the complexities. The study included a patient advisory group comprised of two South Asian family carers who contributed towards all stages of the study. They provided feedback on study documents (topic guides and recruitment materials) and recruitment strategy, supported with translation of study documents and interpretation of the interview data, and helped with facilitation of our dissemination activities.

A review of migraine treatment methods: a comparative analysis of therapeutic approaches

Migraine, a complex neurological disorder, affects a significant portion of the population and presents both medical and societal challenges. The aim of this paper is to provide a detailed review and analysis of available therapeutic methods for patients suffering from migraines, considering both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. The approaches presented include acute treatment with triptans and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as well as preventive therapies, such as beta-blockers and antiepileptic drugs. The section on non-pharmacological therapies focuses on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), biofeedback, and lifestyle recommendations, including diet and sleep hygiene. A review of the literature indicates that integrating pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches can significantly improve treatment effectiveness and the quality of life for patients with migraines.

Factors Associated with the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Primary Healthcare Workers Regarding Neglected Tropical Diseases with Skin Manifestations in the Dakar Region, Senegal, 2022

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) with skin manifestations present a significant health and societal problems challenge worldwide. This study aimed to analyzed factors associated with the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) of primary healthcare workers (HCW) concerning NTDs with skin manifestations in the Dakar region of Senegal. We conducted a cross-sectional study utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire which was administered to eligible HCW (general practitioners, nurses and midwives) working at the 24 health centers located in the Dakar region. Data were collected using the ODK Collect application (version 2022.3.6). KAPs measures were constructed from questionnaire responses, and bivariate analysis was used to identify associated factors. Of the 187 HCW surveyed, 75.9% were female, with a mean age of 35.1 years (SD: 8.56). The majority of HCWs had a bachelor’s degree (40.6%), were nurses (49.2%) and had between 1- and 10-years of professional experience (52.4%). Regarding their knowledge of NTDs with skin manifestations, only 43.3% of HCW had received initial training on NTDs. The most commonly reported NTDs with skin manifestations were leprosy (53.5%), lymphatic filariasis (51.3%), scabies (49.7%), onchocerciasis (45.5%) and schistosomiasis (42.8%). Television was the main source of information about these NTDs (38.5%). In term of practices, only 47.6% of HCW reported being able to diagnose NTDs with skin. Factors associated with good knowledge regarding NTDs with skin manifestations included having received training on NTDs (p = 0.0015) and more years of professional experience (p = 0.004). In summary, there is a need to strengthen and raise awareness about NTDs with skin manifestations among HCWs and promote quality management of patients in Senegal.

Understanding society: a reflexive foresight matrix for navigating complexity and shaping the future

Purpose This paper introduces the foresight matrix, a conceptual framework for foresight analysis rooted in critical realism (CR) and complexity theory. It aims to address the need for a comprehensive theoretical perspective that embraces emergence and recognizes the interplay between different layers of reality. Informed by critical theory within futures studies, the study seeks to provide additional foresight theoretical perspectives in addressing contemporary societal challenges and collectively shaping desirable futures. Design/methodology/approach The proposed reflexive foresight matrix incorporates elements of CR, complexity theory and morphogenesis theory, providing an alternative conceptual framework for analyzing complex social challenges. It integrates the vertical layers – empirical, actual and real – and horizontal dimensions – structure, agency and culture. This matrix guides researchers through a systematic analysis of structural barriers, cultural influences and individual agency, offering a comprehensive tool for understanding the underlying mechanisms driving social change. Findings The reflexive foresight matrix dissects complex situations into structure, agency and culture dimensions, enabling a thorough understanding of societal dynamics by examining the interplay between these dimensions and their influence on individual and collective behaviors. This conceptual framework guides researchers through a systematic analysis of structural barriers, cultural influences and individual agency, uncovering the mechanisms driving social change. Through reflexive monitoring and temporal action analysis, it explores historical and contextual factors, informing future tendencies. Practical implications The reflexive foresight matrix provides a multidimensional lens for understanding social issues, prompting researchers to consider the interplay between structure, agency and culture across different layers of reality. By exploring historical and contextual factors, this framework enables an insight into diverse perspectives and their impact on future outlooks. Furthermore, the matrix facilitates critical inquiry into prevailing power dynamics and narratives, offering insights into societal injustices and inequalities. This critical examination empowers stakeholders to challenge dominant narratives and work toward more equitable and desirable futures. Social implications The proposed reflexive foresight matrix offers a comprehensive approach to analyzing complex social challenges, potentially impacting futures thinking and foresight practices. By integrating CR, complexity theory and morphogenesis theory, the framework fosters a deep understanding of the interplay between various factors influencing future tendencies. This comprehensive view of problems allows analysts to consider structural barriers, cultural influences and agency, thereby enhancing foresight efforts in addressing contemporary challenges. Originality/value The proposed reflexive foresight matrix contributes to futures thinking and foresight practices by offering a comprehensive approach to analyzing complex social challenges. By combining CR, complexity theory and morphogenesis theory, the framework fosters an insightful understanding of the interplay between various factors influencing future trajectories. Moreover, the integration of critical perspectives and reflexive methodologies into foresight practices underscores the importance of challenging dominant narratives, fostering inclusive decision-making processes and empowering individuals and communities to shape their futures.

Considerations for a Micromirror Array Optimized for Compressive Sensing (VIS to MIR) in Space Applications

Earth observation (EO) is crucial for addressing environmental and societal challenges, but it struggles with revisit times and spatial resolution. The EU-funded SURPRISE project aims to improve EO capabilities by studying space instrumentation using compressive sensing (CS) implemented through spatial light modulators (SLMs) based on micromirror arrays (MMAs) to improve the ground sampling distance. In the SURPRISE project, we studied the development of an MMA that meets the requirements of a CS-based geostationary instrument working in the visible (VIS) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectral ranges. This paper describes the optical simulation procedure and the results obtained for analyzing the performance of such an MMA with the goal of identifying a mirror design that would allow the device to meet the optical requirements of this specific application.