Societal Trust Research Articles

A Study on Functional Requirements and Inspection Items for AI System Change Management and Model Improvement on the Web Platform

The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) on the web platform across multiple sectors has highlighted not only its inherent technical hurdles, such as unpredictability and lack of transparency, but also significant societal concerns. These include the misuse of AI technology, invasions of privacy, discrimination fueled by biased data, and infringements of copyright. Such challenges jeopardize the sustainable growth of AI and risk the erosion of societal trust, industry adoption and financial investment. This analysis explores the AI system’s lifecycle, emphasizing the essential continuous monitoring and the need for creating trustworthy AI technologies. It advocates for an ethically oriented development process to mitigate adverse effects and support sustainable progress. The dynamic and unpredictable nature of AI, compounded by variable data inputs and evolving distributions, requires consistent model updates and retraining to preserve the integrity of services. Addressing the ethical aspects, this paper outlines specific guidelines and evaluation criteria for AI development, proposing an adaptable feedback loop for model improvement. This method aims to detect and rectify performance declines through prompt retraining, thereby cultivating robust, ethically sound AI systems. Such systems are expected to maintain performance while ensuring user trust and adhering to data science and web technology standards. Ultimately, the study seeks to balance AI’s technological advancements with societal ethics and values, ensuring its role as a positive, reliable force across different industries. This balance is crucial for harmonizing innovation with the ethical use of data and science, thereby facilitating a future where AI contributes significantly and responsibly to societal well-being.

A historical analysis of the banking system and its impact on Greek economy

This paper outlines the critical role of banks in the Greek economy, emphasizing their importance for maintaining stability and fostering financial growth. It traces the historical development of the Greek banking system, examines its current structure, and explores future challenges and opportunities. The paper adopts a historical-analytical approach, beginning with a comprehensive review of the Greek banking system’s evolution. It then delves into four key pillars, regulation, function, accessibility, and societal impact, to provide an in-depth analysis of the banking sector. This method allows for a well-rounded understanding of both the historical context and the current dynamics influencing the Greek financial landscape. The Greek banking system has been a pivotal player in the country’s economic development, especially during periods of recovery and growth. Post-2008, the global financial crisis exposed significant weaknesses in the banking sector, including a prevailing deficit of confidence. Regulatory reforms, while effective in some areas, have left challenges related to accessibility, societal trust, and economic resilience. The need for further reforms, especially in digital banking and transparency, is identified as crucial for long-term stability and growth. Conclusion: Greek banks remain essential to the national economy, yet they face considerable challenges, especially regarding public confidence and systemic risks. Addressing these issues through targeted reforms is vital for creating a more resilient and sustainable future for the Greek banking sector. The paper provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, emphasizing the importance of strengthening regulatory frameworks, enhancing accessibility to financial services, and fostering societal trust through improved transparency. The recommendations aim to help the Greek banking sector navigate future uncertainties while supporting economic growth.

Editorial for the Special Edition—Contemporary Local Governance, Wellbeing, and Sustainability: Integrating Digital Innovations and Societal Trust for Future Resilience

In the evolving landscape of local governance, the intersection of digital technology, citizen engagement, and sustainability presents unique opportunities and challenges [...]

THE RIGHT TO TRIAL WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND THE CHALLENGES OF RESPECTING IT IN THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

The concept of "fair judgment and in a reasonable time" is integral to the administration of justice and the protection of human rights. This abstract explores the dual principles of fairness and timeliness within judicial processes, emphasizing their importance in ensuring that legal outcomes are just, equitable, and efficient. Fair judgment necessitates impartiality, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law, ensuring that all parties receive an unbiased and equitable hearing. Mean while, delivering judgments in a reasonable time is crucial to prevent undue delays that can exacerbate stress, financial burden, and uncertainty for the involved parties. The balance between thoroughness and efficiency is examined, highlighting the challenges faced by judicial systems globally, including caseload pressures and resource constraints. Additionally, the impact of delayed justice on public trust in legal institutions is discussed of Republic of North Macedonia. This analysis underscores the need for systemic reforms, such as procedural streamlining and technological innovations, to enhance the capacity of courts to deliver fair and timely judgments, thereby upholding the principles of justice and maintaining societal trust in the legal system of Republic of North Macedonia.

Societal Trust and Modified Audit Opinions: International Evidence

ABSTRACT This study examines how societal trust influences auditors’ likelihood of issuing modified audit opinions. Analyzing cross-country data, we find that auditors in countries with high levels of societal trust are less prone to issue modified audit opinions. Specifically, our findings indicate that this effect is moderated by formal audit-related institutions, such as heightened auditor liabilities, the presence of Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) inspections, and a more advanced audit profession. These results are consistent even when applying a difference-in-differences (DiD) approach. Further analysis shows that the moderating impact of formal institutions is more pronounced for clients operating domestically, clients of non-Big N auditors, and auditors with long tenure. Overall, our findings highlight societal trust as a significant informal institution influencing auditor opinions, with a complex interplay between this trust and formal audit-related institutions. The study offers important implications for policy, practice, and future research. Data Availability: Data are available from the public sources cited in the text. JEL Classifications: M40; M41.

Trauma Exposure across the News Cycle and the Case for Biotypes of PTSD in War Journalists

This study examines the pervasive nature of trauma exposure in journalism and its impact across all stages of the news reporting cycle. Drawing from a comprehensive literature review, we highlight the significant gap in research on the neuroscience of journalism and journalist PTSD, despite the high prevalence of PTSD among war correspondents and photojournalists. We present a conceptual framework illustrating how primary and secondary trauma exposures occur during news gathering, reporting, and consumption phases. The study also reviews empirical findings on PTSD's effects on brain structure and function, identifying symptom subclusters and their associated brain regions. This knowledge informs the development of biotypes for more personalized and effective treatment strategies for journalists with PTSD while also emphasizing an urgent need for comprehensive support systems for journalists. This interdisciplinary approach uniting research in journalism, neuroscience, psychology, and organizational management, also advances the understanding of trauma in journalism and its broader implications for news consumption and societal trust in media institutions. Interventions that can support journalists’ mental well-being can also enhance the quality of news reporting and contribute to a more resilient and informed society.

ENTROPY BASED EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF EDUCATION ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

In contemporary economic landscapes, effective managerial decision-making requires serious justifications often facilitated by information technologies. The article proposes the application of the foundational principles from information theory and entropy to determine the correlation between education and economic development. This research employs entropy methodology to explore the correlations and implications of these multifaceted domains, drawing insights from a range of global indices. By analyzing data from indices such as the Human Development Index, we investigate the relationship between average years of education and entropy values, shedding light on the diversity and standardization of human capital systems across nations. Moreover, economic indexes, encapsulating factors such as economic freedom and innovation, provide critical insights into the vibrancy and resilience of national economies. Through the lens of the Global Innovation Index, we explore how countries with higher levels of economic freedom and innovation efficiency exhibit less diversity in economic approaches and innovation strategies, leading to a reduction in entropy values. By examining entropy values in conjunction with innovation indicators, such as research and development expenditure and patent applications, we uncover patterns and trends indicative of the diversity or standardization of innovation strategies across countries. Additionally, cybersecurity emerges as a critical dimension of national security and resilience, with implications for economic well-being and societal trust. Through the National Cybersecurity Index, we assess the level of diversity and uncertainty in cybersecurity landscapes, highlighting the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in safeguarding against emerging threats and reducing entropy values. Ultimately, this research contributes to the discourse on sustainable development and resilience in an interconnected world. By identifying specific challenges and opportunities within education, economy, innovation, and cybersecurity domains, it facilitates informed decision-making and strategic interventions to promote inclusive growth and societal well-being on a global scale.

Issues of Cyber security and its solutions in Nepalese Context

In today's digital age, the internet's expansion has brought great convenience but also raised cyber threats. So, identify the issue of cyber-security and its solution in Nepalese context is significant. Descriptive design and qualitative methods were employed, with data sourced from Google Scholar and analyzed through thematic analysis. The study shows a myriad of issues stemming from inadequate cyber security awareness in Nepal, including increased vulnerability to cyber-attacks, data breaches, and societal, economic, and regulatory consequences. Bridging the gap in cyber security awareness is imperative to mitigate risks effectively and foster a secure digital environment in Nepal. Strategies emphasizing education, training, and regulatory frameworks are vital for addressing these challenges and promoting technological advancement and societal trust. This study proposes AI-driven solutions to address the lack of cyber security awareness in the Nepalese context, offering a unique approach to mitigate cyber threats and foster a secure digital environment.

Cultivating Political Efficacy: Facilitation as a Catalyst for Democratic Education and Civic Competence

ABSTRACT Participation in democratic processes is a cornerstone for good governance and societal trust. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and academic literature emphasize enhancing civic engagement to foster democracy, shape policies, and build societal trust. Within this context, the concept of facilitation gains prominence as a vital mechanism that enhances participatory inclusivity and better decision-making through capacity-building. However, the current scope of facilitation is limited, mainly emphasizing its role as a skill for democratic engagement but neglecting its capacity to confront declining political efficacy. To address this oversight, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of facilitation in the context of democratic participation and political efficacy. Conducting a systematized review of 54 publications, the paper contributes significantly to the largely underexplored domain of facilitation theory. The study's findings offer a nuanced understanding of facilitation's role in democratic engagement. Far from just serving as a tool for managing interpersonal relations, the data demonstrate that facilitation is primarily employed to navigate process conflicts concerning agency, power, and responsibility. Furthermore, the data highlights a significant link between facilitation practice and increased internal and external political efficacy. These insights position facilitation as a crucial catalyst for democratic education, playing a key role in fostering a more engaged and resilient democratic society.

A Survey on the Use of Large Language Models (LLMs) in Fake News

The proliferation of fake news and fake profiles on social media platforms poses significant threats to information integrity and societal trust. Traditional detection methods, including rule-based approaches, metadata analysis, and human fact-checking, have been employed to combat disinformation, but these methods often fall short in the face of increasingly sophisticated fake content. This review article explores the emerging role of Large Language Models (LLMs) in enhancing the detection of fake news and fake profiles. We provide a comprehensive overview of the nature and spread of disinformation, followed by an examination of existing detection methodologies. The article delves into the capabilities of LLMs in generating both fake news and fake profiles, highlighting their dual role as both a tool for disinformation and a powerful means of detection. We discuss the various applications of LLMs in text classification, fact-checking, verification, and contextual analysis, demonstrating how these models surpass traditional methods in accuracy and efficiency. Additionally, the article covers LLM-based detection of fake profiles through profile attribute analysis, network analysis, and behavior pattern recognition. Through comparative analysis, we showcase the advantages of LLMs over conventional techniques and present case studies that illustrate practical applications. Despite their potential, LLMs face challenges such as computational demands and ethical concerns, which we discuss in more detail. The review concludes with future directions for research and development in LLM-based fake news and fake profile detection, underscoring the importance of continued innovation to safeguard the authenticity of online information.

Does societal trust matter for the conservative financing policy puzzle? European SMEs evidence

Does societal trust matter for the conservative financing policy puzzle? European SMEs evidence

Relevansi Pengampunan Korupsi dalam Perspektif Islam Dengan Hukum yang Berlaku

Corruption remains a pervasive issue in Indonesia, spanning across all levels of governance from national to local, impacting both public and private sectors. Rooted deeply within societal and governmental structures, corruption undermines ethical standards, economic stability, and public trust. This research aims to examine the implications of granting pardons to corruption offenders within Indonesia's legal framework. The study employs a literature review methodology, synthesizing insights from various scholarly sources. Findings suggest that pardons, whether through remission or sentence reduction, are intended to expedite case resolutions, facilitate asset recovery, and promote social reintegration of offenders. However, the practice of pardoning corruption offenders raises ethical and legal dilemmas concerning justice for victims and societal repercussions. From an Islamic perspective, corruption is unequivocally condemned, emphasizing principles of justice and restitution. Islamic jurisprudence allows for forgiveness only upon sincere repentance and restitution of unlawfully acquired assets. Indonesian legal policies rigorously regulate the conditions under which pardons are granted, including requirements such as fine payments and cooperation with law enforcement. Thus, the process of granting pardons demands careful consideration to uphold justice, ensure societal trust, and maintain deterrence against future corrupt practices.

Societal trust and information timeliness: international evidence

We investigate the association between societal trust and the timeliness with which value-relevant information is incorporated into stock price with a large sample of observations collected from 38 countries between 2000 and 2019. We find that in high trust countries, positive (negative) value-relevant information is impounded into stock price in a less (more) timely manner, mitigating imbalanced optimistically biased information timeliness (IOBIT). Results from robustness checks lend strong support to our inferences. Further analyses suggest that the relation between trust and IOBIT is more pronounced in emerging countries and in countries with weak investor protection, and lower levels of religiosity. The relation between trust and IOBIT is less pronounced in firms with strong corporate governance and lower managerial ability. Taken together, our study highlights the significant role that trust plays in affecting the efficiency of capital markets.

Legaculturation: Turning Laws into a Culture

The interaction between law and culture is fundamental to the functioning of any society. While laws are formal rules enforced by state institutions, culture encompasses the shared values, beliefs, and practices of a society. In order to eliminate problems such as the conflict between law and culture, the pressure of law on culture, the society's behavior against the law, and similar problems, law must be adapted to the culture and existing laws must be made a culture of the society. This article explores the process of transforming legal norms into cultural ones, emphasizing the mechanisms through which laws are internalized and become an integral part of social behavior. By examining historical precedents, theoretical frameworks, and contemporary examples, the article demonstrates how legal norms can shape and be shaped by cultural norms, transcending their formal boundaries. More significantly, it illustrates how the state's promulgation, enforcement, and potential future enactment of laws can be rendered more palatable, acceptable, and culturally integrated to both the state and society. The article posits that as society embraces laws as part of its culture, not only will the state's expenditure on ensuring security decrease, but societal trust will also increase, reducing conflicts and insecurities in the application of laws. The article also, introduces the concept of Legaculturation and emphasizes the importance of turning (transforming) laws into a culture. This comprehensive research provides a professional and detailed examination of the concept of Legaculturation by combining information from existing literature. Ultimately, the article assumes that society will thrive in welfare underpinned by a harmonious blend of legal and cultural norms.

Trust and SME short-term financial policy. European evidence

PurposeDoes societal trust influence short-term financial management? Recent papers uncover the importance of societal trust for financial management in specific countries and large firms. Our paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of societal trust on short-term financial policies of SMEs, namely working capital management and cash holdings.Design/methodology/approachWe rely on a sample of 14,711 privately owned medium-sized manufacturing firms from 26 European countries with a sample period between 2014 and 2020. For estimation, we use pooled OLS and hierarchical linear models and control for several firm-specific and country-specific known determinants of short-term financial management. Moreover, our results are robust to the specific measurement of trust, financial constraints, and corruption.FindingsWe show a positive relationship between trust and working capital requirements investment and a negative relationship between trust and the level of cash holdings. Moreover, we show that trust attenuates the negative impact of being a financially constrained firm and the positive impact of national perceptions of corruption. Finally, in higher trustworthy environments, firms operate with relatively higher inventories and relatively lower trade credit granted and obtained.Research limitations/implicationsResults suggest that policies supporting societal trust may also foster business development and that when dealing with clients or suppliers from different trustworthy environments, firms may have to adapt their business models to incorporate trust differences between business environments.Originality/valueFirstly, the comprehensive analysis of the impact of trust on working capital management and cash holdings while controlling for different firm-level and country-level known determinants of short-term financial management. Secondly, it addresses a European sample of unquoted, medium-sized firms. Thirdly, it studies the combined effect of trust and financial constraints and trust and corruption.

Societal trust and corporate bankruptcy

We find that societal trust—the extent to which residents of a country trust others—is associated with a more efficient bankruptcy process. Bankruptcy resolutions are faster, efficient outcomes are more likely, and the value lost during the bankruptcy process is lower in countries with higher societal trust. This effect of societal trust on the efficiency of the bankruptcy process is more pronounced in countries with low-income per capita, and in corrupt countries. Our results are derived from the analysis of survey data concerning the outcomes of a hypothetical firm's bankruptcy in 99 countries from 2004 to 2020, a dataset also utilized by Djankov et al. (2008).

The pricing of green bonds: Does social capital matter? Evidence from China

This paper examines the relation between the level of regional societal trust and the cost of green bonds. We conduct empirical estimation on 330 green bonds issued in China from 2016 to 2019, and find that a higher level of provincial societal trust can significantly reduce the spread premium of green bonds. Further investigation reveals that because generalized social capital can take the place of an individual's particular social capital, trust has a more pronounced effect on bond spread when the issuer's ultimate controller has a less extensive social network.

Delivering and Evaluating Climate Services: The North Central U.S. Climate and Drought Webinar Series

Abstract Evaluation of near-term (sub)seasonal climate services’ impact is challenging but necessary for ensuring that society’s needs for actionable information are met. We use a descriptive study of the monthly North Central U.S. Climate and Drought Webinar Series at two time points (2014 and 2021) to examine societal impacts on capacity-building, sensemaking, fact-establishing, communication, decision-making, and social–ecological systems. The North Central U.S. Climate and Drought Webinar Series arose following a 2011 climate disaster and established itself over the next 10 years as a monthly resource for climate and impact information translation and interaction. Survey respondents indicated early benefits related to understanding how to find and use climate information and improved conceptual understanding of climate issues and problems. Many used webinar information to compare with other sources of data or to incorporate into their own communications, uses which can increase overall societal trust in climate information over time. Attendees’ self-reported capacity for using climate information in decision-making and actual use of information in specific decisions or management contexts increased as the webinar series approached the 10-yr mark. Most participants did not note financial or other social–ecological outcomes of their use of the webinars. We conclude by recommending that climate services be evaluated over sufficiently long time periods to capture evolving impacts and that evaluations incorporate impact rubrics that measure subtle yet important societal capacities and decision-making processes related to climate risk management.

The place of information protection in the professional ethics of uniformed services in poland

Professional ethics plays a crucial role in safeguarding classified and legally protected information, encompassing various moral and professional aspects. Despite the lack of a unified ethical code regarding the protection of classified information in Poland, various law enforcement agencies introduce provisions regarding professional secrecy and confidentiality in their ethical codes. Maintaining confidentiality and protecting information are key elements of professional ethics aimed at ensuring the effectiveness of agency actions and building societal trust. Although some agencies do not publish their ethical codes, it can be presumed that they operate according to internally available ethical principles due to the necessity of maintaining secrecy.

AI Integrity Solutions for Deepfake Identification and Prevention

The increasing complexity of deepfake technology has sparked significant worries over individual privacy, the spread of false information, and deficiencies in cybersecurity. Deepfakes have the ability to effectively modify audio and visual content, resulting in a growing challenge to differentiate between real and fake content. To address this critical challenge, the study is conducting a survey to reveal a broad range of perspectives on the familiarity, encounters, and concerns related to deepfake technology. In addition, the study evaluates the effectiveness of current strategies in addressing the spread of deepfake material and proposes future approaches for improving the integrity of AI. The survey was delivered digitally, and responses were examined to provide an in- depth analysis of the latest techniques and difficulties in the context of deepfake detection. The outcomes demonstrate a range of perspectives on understanding deepfakes with an explicit agreement on the importance of risk presented by harmful deepfake applications. Although the participants showed an understanding of the available interventions, they also identified considerable challenges and the need for improved awareness, robust detection tools, and ethical standards in AI development to address the challenges posed by deepfakes with the present detection method. Implementing AI ethical guidelines to avoid deepfakes has a significant and beneficial effect on several industries by providing protection against their harmful effects. By fostering AI ethical guidelines, these policies are able to foster societal trust, mitigate risk, and cultivate a more robust digital environment.