Socio-economic Opportunities Research Articles

(Re)producing uneven waterscapes in South China: the materiality and spatiality of the Dongshen inter‐basin water supply project

(Re)producing uneven waterscapes in South China: the materiality and spatiality of the Dongshen inter‐basin water supply project

Returning to fund refugeehood: dispersal and survival between Uganda and South Sudan

ABSTRACT Return movements of refugees, even when gradual or temporary, are typically understood as part of a process of full repatriation or as a ‘strategy’ for leveraging socio-economic opportunities across borders. However, for some refugees, return is neither a step towards repatriation nor an empowering strategy. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative data from Uganda and South Sudan, this article shows how, due to gradual reductions in aid and the lack of livelihood opportunities in Uganda, South Sudanese refugees travel back to their homeland in order to financially support their relatives who remain in exile. These return movements and the phenomenon of split households among South Sudanese are responses to severe hardship and, paradoxically, are deployed to sustain their life in Uganda. While cross-border migration enables refugees to access subsistence opportunities, this article argues that it underscores how refugees must now find their own means to ‘fund’ their refugeehood, given ongoing reductions in international assistance for protracted displacement.

Obliged tolerance: Power at the intersection of everyday peace and the intervention economy

This article explores the economic relationships of host and refugee communities in the context of international humanitarian interventions and their implications for everyday peace. It argues for an expanded understanding of power in everyday peace, incorporating an analysis of the interplay between international interventions, local power dynamics and everyday peace. It responds to the call for increased attention to the economic dimensions of peacebuilding, particularly at the local level. The article introduces the concept of obliged tolerance to explain some of the socioeconomic motivations for different actors in the intervention economy to engage in everyday peace processes. Those benefitting from the international intervention actuate less empowered community members to practice tolerance for peaceful coexistence which sustains the economic benefits derived from the intervention economy. The findings from research conducted in Lebanon indicate that humanitarian interventions shape a peace that primarily benefits affluent and influential actors, while marginalised individuals engage in everyday peace for survival and to pursue socioeconomic opportunities. By integrating an analysis of everyday economic interactions, this article highlights the role of power dynamics and economic motivations based on obliged tolerance in shaping everyday peace, challenging conventional notions of everyday peace as a social coping mechanism that people practice entirely voluntarily.

Mining, farming, and diplomacy. Understanding the human landscape of Bronze Age Sardinia (Italy) through geospatial analysis

Human agency on landscape modification and land use is often seen in terms of socio-economic opportunities vs. natural constraints. In the study of prehistoric cultures this is both a strong source of information about sustenance strategies and community behaviours, and a subject potentially easy to analyse within a limited set of physical and social parameters. The recent advancements in the use of spatial analysis tools in landscape archaeology allow to obtain ever more precise models. However, studies that compare at the same time the geological landscape and social elements are very scarce. We used Point Pattern Analysis and Modelling to investigate megalithic structures (nuraghes) in Bronze Age southwestern Sardinia (Italy) and identify correlations between their spatial patterns and a set of covariates encompassing both environmental (i.e. topography and geological resources) and cultural factors. The models which best represent pattern distribution come from the combination of covariates from both groups.The models highlight a close distance from known ore deposits and show a clear dependence of Nuragic populations to ore extraction and metallurgy. The availability of fertile soils with moderate permeability and moderately low pH is also significant, as well as a preference to prominent locations with a positive correlation with the Topographic Position Index and the Convexity Index. From a cultural standpoint, we observed a consistent aggregation of simple nuraghes around complex nuraghes at mid-short distances. The occurrence of polycentric patterns can be explained either by the former emerging from the presence of the latter or vice versa, and is typically associated with a loosely stratified social structure devoid of strong hierarchies. These results underscore the efficacy of spatial analysis in disentangling and juxtaposing the physical and social factors influencing the distribution of past culture, and offer new insight on the development of Bronze Age societies in their geographical context.

Food diversity and accessibility enabled urban environments for sustainable food consumption: a case study of Brisbane, Australia

Food overconsumption is being addressed increasingly in the policy agendas of many advanced economies to achieve sustainable consumption. Yet, few studies define and research sustainable food consumption, particularly in understanding socioeconomic and environmental challenges and opportunities in urban environments. This paper evaluates 500 online surveys conducted in Brisbane, Australia, to explore public perceptions of food consumption and the underlying challenges and opportunities. A key finding is the co-existence of over- and underconsumption prevailing over the traditional focus on unhealthy food overconsumption. The challenges of affordability, access to healthy foods, limited retail options, and increasing carbon urban footprints complicate food consumption as a demand issue more conditional to the socio-spatial characteristics of urban environments. Opportunities for sustainable food consumption also arise in high health awareness and willingness to change dietary habits if facilitated by improved urban food provisioning. We argue that food diversity and accessibility-conducive urban environments can help transform food consumption by enabling enhanced access to affordable and nutritious foods, diversified food retail options and variety, and reduced food waste and loss-associated carbon emissions. To do so means improved global equity in food consumption and carbon footprint can optimistically reduce global food demand by 9% and generate better environmental outcomes, positively contributing to the UN’s Responsible Consumption (SDG12) and Climate Action (SDG 13) for 2030.

Socioeconomic challenges and opportunities in renewable energy transition

The global transition to renewable energy is a multifaceted endeavor that entails profound socioeconomic transformations. This study aimed to explore the socioeconomic challenges and opportunities inherent in this transition. By leveraging a comprehensive review of existing literature and case studies, this research provides insights into the economic, social, technological, and policy dimensions of renewable energy adoption. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative analysis of policy frameworks with quantitative assessment of economic impacts. Key findings indicate that while renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind, are increasingly cost-competitive, high initial capital costs and long payback periods remain significant barriers. Social and cultural resistance also poses challenges, particularly in communities with strong ties to traditional energy sources. Policy inconsistencies and regulatory uncertainties further complicate the adoption of renewable energy technologies. Conversely, the study highlights numerous opportunities. Renewable energy deployment can drive substantial job creation, stimulate local economies, and enhance energy security by diversifying energy sources. Technological advancements in energy storage and smart grids are crucial for integrating renewable energy into existing systems, thereby ensuring reliability and stability. Effective policy frameworks, such as feed-in tariffs and carbon pricing, are essential for fostering investment and innovation in the renewable energy sector. The study concludes that a holistic approach, integrating economic incentives, social engagement, and robust policy frameworks, is vital for overcoming challenges and maximizing the benefits of renewable energy. Recommendations for future research include exploring innovative financial instruments, advancing energy storage technologies, and enhancing public engagement to increase social acceptance of renewable energy projects. Keywords: Renewable Energy, Socioeconomic Challenges, Energy Policy, Technological Innovation, Energy Transition, Sustainable Development.

Many Tongues, Many Economic Practices: Socio-Economic Opportunities and Challenges for African Pentecostal Christianity

This article focuses on Pentecostalism and its real and possible contributions to socio-economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. First, we provide an overall historical and theological introduction to Pentecostalism in sub-Saharan Africa, especially as these relate to socio-economic wellbeing. The heart of our research is a review of the literature on African Pentecostalism focused on economic development. We conclude with an exploration of the challenges and opportunities the movement faces in contributing to development across the continent. The question we seek to pursue is as follows: what theological and missiological resources might pentecostal–charismatic communities contribute to improve the socio-economic circumstances of the people of sub-Saharan Africa?

THE MAIN FEATURES OF ENSURING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES OF THE BLACK SEA ECONOMIC REGION

The main features of ensuring the competitiveness of territorial communities of the Black Sea Economic Region are considered in the article. The institutional framework for the development of territorial communities in the context of the reform of local self-government and territorial organization of power in Ukraine on the basis of decentralization is character- ized. The signs of competitiveness of united territorial communities at the vertical and hori- zontal levels are outlined. It is determined that the vertical competitiveness at the regional lev- el is determined by the ability to effectively use its own potential and resources, to be in the forefront of the socio-economic development of the region, while at the national level – to suc- cessfully compete with other communities in a particular type of activity. The horizontal di- mension of competitiveness implies the ability of a community to use its own socio-economic opportunities with minimal involvement of external resources by reducing energy costs, im- proving the quality of housing and communal services, creating new jobs, supporting small and medium-sized businesses, training and engaging third-party specialists, and efficient use of land and natural resources. The signs of competitiveness of communities in the Black Sea Economic Region by vertical and horizontal criteria are analyzed in the article. Examples of successful implementation by territorial communities of measures to increase their competi- tiveness by optimizing the use of available internal resources are provided. The main problems and obstacles to ensuring the competitiveness of the territorial communities of the studied re- gion in the context of a full-scale war are outlined. The main ones are: damage to the industri- al and social infrastructure of the region, due to the occupation and active hostilities, regular attacks on sea and river ports, mining of the Black Sea, export blockade, destruction of rec- reational potential, as well as the environmental disaster caused by the explosion of the Kak- hovka hydroelectric power plant, etc. The key measures aimed at increasing the competitive- ness of the territorial communities of the studied district are proposed, in particular: improving the human resources potential in the system of management of the development of territori- al communities; promoting the development of competitive positions of the real sector of the district’s economy; carrying out systematic work to create new jobs; aiming entrepreneurs to create industries with higher added value; introducing modern energy-saving technologies, ra- tional use of natural resources, etc.

Development-Induced Displacements and Livelihood Options — A Case of the Chingwizi Community in Mwenezi Rural District

Using primary data of 100 households and literature review, this study examined the socio-economic opportunities or lack of them as well as vulnerabilities encountered by the Chingwizi Community in Mwenezi Rural District in Masvingo Province. The study argues that the Chingwizi people are rational, resourceful and strategic actors. It further contents that the relocated households were plunged into deeper socio-economic problems as the climatic and infrastructural conditions in the new area are harsher than where they were coming from. Primary data was collected from key informants through interviews, informal conversations and observation. Key informants included government officials from the ministries of local government, agriculture and land resettlement, community leadership (both traditional and elected), development workers from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the resettled farmers of Chingwizi in general. Literature review involved discussing empirical findings by other scholars on development-induced displacements (DIDs) in other parts of the world and Zimbabwe in particular. Findings from the study indicate that the state failed to fulfill its promises to the relocated households and that the principles of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), fair and comprehensive compensation (FCC) as well as inclusive socio-economic development and profit-sharing (ISDP) were ignored by the state in the process of relocating households from Chivi and Masvingo rural areas. In light of the foregoing the study recommends the need to engage those communities affected by development projects so that sustainable options are arrived at.

A traits-based approach to assess aquaculture’s contributions to food, climate change, and biodiversity goals

Aquaculture has the potential to support a sustainable and equitable food system in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on food security, climate change, and biodiversity (FCB). Biological diversity amongst aquaculture organisms can drive diverse contributions to such goals. Existing studies have assessed the performance of a limited number of taxa in the general context of improving aquaculture production, but few explicitly consider the biological attributes of farmed aquatic taxa at the FCB nexus. Through a systematic literature review, we identify key traits associated with FCB and evaluate the potential of aquaculture to contribute to FCB goals using a fuzzy logic model. The majority of identified traits are associated with food security, and two-thirds of traits linked with food security are also associated with climate change or biodiversity, revealing potential co-benefits of optimizing a single trait. Correlations between FCB indices further suggest that challenges and opportunities in aquaculture are intertwined across FCB goals, but low mean FCB scores suggest that the focus of aquaculture research and development on food production is insufficient to address food security, much less climate or biodiversity issues. As expected, production-maximizing traits (absolute fecundity, the von Bertalanffy growth function coefficient K, macronutrient density, maximum size, and trophic level as a proxy for feed efficiency) highly influence a species’ FCB potential, but so do species preferences for environmental conditions (tolerance to phosphates, nitrates, and pH levels, as well as latitudinal and geographic ranges). Many highly farmed species that are typically associated with food security, especially finfish, score poorly for food, climate, and biodiversity potential. Algae and mollusc species tend to perform well across FCB indices, revealing the importance of non-fish species in achieving FCB goals and potential synergies in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems. Overall, this study provides decision-makers with a biologically informed assessment of desirable aquaculture traits and species while illuminating possible strategies to increase support for FCB goals. Our findings can be used as a foundation for studying the socio-economic opportunities and barriers for aquaculture transitions to develop equitable pathways toward FCB-positive aquaculture across nuanced regional contexts.

Structural Inequalities in Namibia and South Africa: A Critical Social Work Perspective

Namibia and South Africa share land and maritime borders and the interrelated structural challenges of poverty and socio-economic inequalities amidst progressive economic growth that are rooted in their apartheid past and contemporary economic development trajectories. Such inequalities are defined along racial, class, gender and other social locations that either grant privilege, power and access to socio-economic opportunities or result in marginalisation, oppression and resource deprivation. The rationale for this article is linked to the historic call for social work to intensify efforts in promoting social and economic equality. Despite Namibia and South Africa’s geographical proximity and their intertwined histories, there is a dearth of social work studies that offer a comparative critical social work perspective on structural inequalities in these former apartheid strongholds. While social work should actively engage in contesting the structural contradictions of poverty and inequalities amidst abundant resources, the reality is often that of the uncritical acceptance of existing socio-political inequalities, such that the profession’s enunciated commitment to social justice becomes perimetric. Thus, the article argues for the inclusion of critical social work approaches in social work education and practice against a backdrop of ideological divides, political trends and contextual factors that limit social workers’ critical and structural level engagement.

Exploring risky health behaviors and vulnerability to sexually transmitted diseases among transnational undocumented labor migrants from Bangladesh: a qualitative study

BackgroundIn Bangladesh, remittances constitute a substantial portion of the country’s foreign exchange earnings and serve as a primary source of income. However, a considerable number of Bangladeshi citizens reside overseas without proper documentation, exposing them to significant challenges such as limited access to healthcare and socioeconomic opportunities. Moreover, their irregular migration status often results in engaging in risky health behaviors that further exacerbate their vulnerability. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the risky health behavior and HIV/STI susceptibility of Bangladeshi irregular international migrants residing across the globe with undocumented status.MethodsUsing a qualitative Interpretative Phenomenological Approach (IPA), 25 illegal migrants were interviewed who are currently living illegally or returned to their home country. The author used a thematic approach to code and analyze the data, combining an integrated data-driven inductive approach with a deductive approach. Concurrent processing and coding were facilitated by employing the Granheim model in data analysis.ResultsThe study identified four risky health behaviors among irregular Bangladeshi migrants: hazardous living conditions, risky jobs, suicidal ideation, and tobacco consumption. Additionally, the authors found some HIV/STI risk behavior among them including engaging in unprotected sex, consuming alcohol and drugs during sexual activity, and having limited access to medical facilities.ConclusionsThe findings of this study can be used by health professional, governments, policymakers, NGOs, and concerned agencies to develop welfare strategies and initiatives for vulnerable undocumented migrant workers.

Soberania alimentar indígena em tempos de covid-19: estudo de caso em Santa Catarina Minas, Oaxaca, México

The information presented in this article derives from ethnographic research conducted with members of the Zapotec Indigenous community of Santa Catarina Minas (Oaxaca, Mexico) on their experiences, achievements, and challenges associated with food sovereignty practices in their community during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to identify and analyze the relationships present between cultural traditions, food, and disease and how these have influenced the social perceptions and practices experienced during the pandemic and up to the present. The methodology employed for the project included qualitative research techniques such as participant observation, interviews, audiovisual documentation, and surveys based on three fieldwork stays in the study community for a total of approximately forty days. The main research findings focus on the exploration of the dichotomy between gastronomic practices and what I classify here as symbolic food, both being essential for health, social well-being, and cultural identity in this community during and after the pandemic. The main conclusion consists of evidencing the preexistence of a relevant link between food sovereignty practices in the community that directly helped the residents of Santa Catarina Minas to cope with the challenges of COVID-19—a link that has also provided new socioeconomic opportunities after the pandemic. This article is relevant due to its novel contributions to the field of anthropological knowledge on indigenous experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, as well as its original analysis of food sovereignty practices in these communities in the contemporary context.

Analysis of the socio-economic parameters of farms applying soil restoration strategies in Bulgaria and Austria

This article presents the assessment of the degree of influence of socio-economic parameters of farms applying soil restoration strategies over the supply chain cooperation, public-private partnerships, and landscape alliances in Austria and Bulgaria. The aim of the assessment is to highlight new socio-economic opportunities, which can be a target for the public policies. The study is based on the pilot farms analysis of the TUdi1 project survey results. The analysis of the socio-economic parameters is made with an Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP). The results are analyzed on both county and soil restoration strategy base. The analysis shows that Fertilization strategies have impact on supply chain cooperation. The goal aims to involve all suppliers and the most important socio-economic opportunities are certainty of demand, access to finance, and uncertainty of income. In terms of fertilization and remediation strategies, the analysis shows that the most important socio-economic opportunities are related to certainty of demand and access to finance. On the other hand, the implementation of Remediation strategy requires higher consensus in the local society and more activities, which explains the stronger interaction of this criteria with the goals public-private partnership and landscape alliances. In this case, the most important socio-economic opportunities are certainty of demand, access to finance, political support, and training and equipment.

Integrating Latin America into the Global Economy: Strategies for Regional Economic Development

The 1990s marked a transformative era for Latin American economies, characterized by significant political and institutional reforms aimed at increasing trade and financial openness. The economic development model adopted during this period emphasized market-led growth through liberalization measures, significantly reducing the state's role in the economy. However, by the decade's end, the anticipated economic and social benefits had not materialized in many countries, prompting a reevaluation of development policies. This paper revisits the theoretical frameworks proposed by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), grounded in Keynesian economics and a historical-structural methodology. ECLAC's analysis focused on the implications of deregulation and the liberalization of economic and financial policies, advocating for a regional development strategy that balances economic growth with equitable income distribution, employment opportunities, technological advancement, and social fairness. By analyzing Latin America's integration into the global economy in the 1990s, this study explores ECLAC's theoretical perspectives as viable alternatives to the reforms implemented during that period. Employing a bibliographic and reflective analytical approach, the paper underscores ECLAC's contributions to understanding the socioeconomic challenges and opportunities facing the region.

From waste to resource: demystifying the policy challenges and identifying opportunities for a circular economy in Zambia

Policy plays a significant role in accelerating or hindering a circular shift; Governments can set long-term visions and drive legislative change to create an enabling environment. Reflecting the regional picture, Zambia is experiencing increasing waste burdens due to a growing population and economic development. The current management approach is linear, characterized by low collection rates, inadequate disposal, and limited waste revalorization. From a sustainable development perspective, how waste is managed impacts pressing issues such as climate change and public health. The concept of the Circular Economy (CE) has gained global and regional interest given its potential to transform how resources are viewed and managed. Circular strategies may help to reduce waste burdens and create local socioeconomic opportunities while safeguarding the environment. This qualitative study uses document review and expert interviews to explore the current waste management regime in Zambia and understand if and how circularity is embedded into the policy approach. The findings suggest that the CE is potentially highly relevant for Zambia, but there are various policy challenges that could impede its successful integration into the national agenda. These challenges relate to ownership and coordination; gaps in implementation and enforcement; a restrictive licensing approach; obstacles to innovation and new entrants; as well as the role of informal sector actors. The challenges point to opportunities to overturn these policy shortfalls, which also presents future research avenues.

Inclusion by Design: Requirements Elicitation with Digitally Marginalized Communities

A more equal and sustainable digital future depends on the inclusion of digitally marginalized communities in the socioeconomic opportunities created by digital technologies. Digital inclusion is a complex process that involves all stages of digital innovation, including development, adoption, use, and maintenance. However, past research has largely approached digital inclusion as an adoption and use challenge. In this paper, we develop a view of digital inclusion as a design challenge. We focus on the activities of requirements elicitation (RE) as a critical element of the design process and draw on a design-based interpretive study involving the design of two mobile apps for agricultural communities in India and China. We analyze how the conditions of digital inequality underlying the digital marginalization of these communities affect their sensemaking as they participate in RE activities. We conceptualize these challenges as limitations on the emergence of technology affordances. Our findings reveal various shifts, or translations, in the emerging affordances, which enabled the RE activities to be more generative and consequently more inclusive. These affordance translations manifested along three main dimensions: specificity, temporality, and collectivity. We discuss the implications of these findings for the inclusion of marginalized communities in the design of new technologies.

Understanding the impact of COVID-19 Outbreak on Primary School-aged Children in Sindh: A Contextual Analysis of Post-Pandemic Education

COVID-19 has changed the way we lived, worked and learnt. It has adversely impacted everyone, especially the most vulnerable groups: people with disabilities, senior citizens and children. The negative effects on children's health, socio-psychological development, and intellectual advancement are regarded to be unprecedented in recent human history. This paper examines the educational system of Hyderabad, a city in Sindh, Pakistan during COVID-19 and it investigates the negative effects on children and their school learning. This study is interdisciplinary, focusing on Applied Anthropology and Education policy and pedagogy. Mixed methods both qualitative as well as quantitative are used to collect and analyse the data. For qualitative data collection, ethnographic research methods such as participant observation, semi-structured interviews and case study are used. Surveys through digital sources such as email, WhatsApp, Facebook and SMS are implied to collect quantitative data. Ethnographic fieldwork was conducted in a Government Primary School (GPS), Hyderabad, Pakistan. The findings of the study reveal that post COVID-19 has impacted the school learning and experience of educational attainment in multiple ways to the primary school aged going children. Moreover, it has also revealed the uneven socio-economic opportunities for learning, and discloses the government's inability to reach out to the most vulnerable class of the society in the time of emergency.

A climate-impact-related transport infrastructure risk assessment for the City of Cape Town

Climate-related severe weather events pose a threat to transport infrastructure. Damage to transport infrastructure, in turn, threatens access to socio-economic opportunities (such as employment, healthcare and education). The aim of this paper is to quantify the volume of transport infrastructure at risk of weather-related hazards in the City of Cape Town, and to estimate the direct economic value thereof. Geographical Information Systems are used to overlay areas that are highly exposed to climate-related threats on the city's transport network and infrastructure, enabling the identification and quantification of the volume of infrastructure at risk. Cost estimates for the rehabilitation or reconstruction of this infrastructure obtained from various experts in the South African transport arena are applied to calculate the economic value of the infrastructure at risk. In total, the transport infrastructure at high risk in the case city is valued at R20 billion. Fires and coastal flooding pose the greatest threat. The analysis presented can inform planners and decision-makers on how to improve the resilience and where to reduce the vulnerability of transport infrastructure in the city.

Empowering Former Women Migrant Workers: Enhancing Socio-Economic Opportunities and Inclusion for Sustainable Development

This research aims to design and implement participatory empowerment programs for former migrant workers, with a focus on non-formal socio-economic initiatives. Utilizing the Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) method in Cilacap Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia, the study collected data through observations, dialogues, and Participatory Decision-Making (PDM). Purposive sampling involved selecting subjects from the village government, community leaders, and former women migrant workers belonging to entrepreneurial groups. The participatory analysis approach was used to identify, categorize, and prioritize essential and strategic initiatives. The research findings led to the development of non-formal education programs for former women migrant workers, aimed at fostering creativity and innovation in entrepreneurship, administrative management, digital accounting, product quality improvement, product innovation, labeling and packaging, and promotion management with digital marketing. Collaborative efforts between village and district governments, academics, and the community of former women migrant workers were emphasized in planning and implementing these creative socio-economic non-formal education programs. The programs were tailored to address the unique problems, needs, and local resources of the community of former women migrant workers, providing them with the knowledge, motivation, and skills to independently operate economic ventures and improve the well-being of their families.
 
 Received: 1 September 2023 / Accepted: 26 November 2023 / Published: 5 January 2024