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Societies
Volume 13
Issue 5
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Societies, Volume 13, Issue 5 (May 2023) – 29 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): This article focuses on German companies in Germany and China and, conversely, Chinese companies in China and Germany. Specifically, it examines 1) how the training cultures of companies differ between the home country and abroad, 2) which influencing factors determine the training cultures realised in each case, and 3) what influence the respective nationally prevailing skills ecosystems specifically exert. The findings document that German companies in Germany use the formal vocational training system of dual training, whereas in China, it is strongly influenced by the local training culture of in-company learning. Moreover, Chinese companies in China also use this training. The findings show that Chinese companies in Germany do not adopt the dual training system there. View this paper
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31 pages, 549 KiB  
Review
Burnout through the Lenses of Equity/Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Disabled People: A Scoping Review
by Gregor Wolbring and Aspen Lillywhite
Societies 2023, 13(5), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050131 - 20 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5691
Abstract
Burnout is a problem within the workplace including in higher education, the activity of activism, and in reaction to experiencing systemic discrimination in daily life. Disabled people face problems in all of these areas and therefore are in danger of experiencing “disability burnout”/”disablism [...] Read more.
Burnout is a problem within the workplace including in higher education, the activity of activism, and in reaction to experiencing systemic discrimination in daily life. Disabled people face problems in all of these areas and therefore are in danger of experiencing “disability burnout”/”disablism burnout”. Equity/equality, diversity, and inclusion” (EDI) linked actions are employed to improve the workplace, especially for marginalized groups including disabled people. How burnout is discussed and what burnout data is generated in the academic literature in relation to EDI and disabled people influences burnout policies, education, and research related to EDI and to disabled people. Therefore, we performed a scoping review study of academic abstracts employing SCOPUS, the 70 databases of EBSCO-HOST and Web of Science with the aim to obtain a better understanding of the academic coverage of burnout concerning disabled people and EDI. We found only 14 relevant abstracts when searching for 12 EDI phrases and five EDI policy frameworks. Within the 764 abstracts covering burnout and different disability terms, a biased coverage around disabled people was evident with disabled people being mostly mentioned as the cause of burnout experienced by others. Only 30 abstracts covered the burnout of disabled people, with eight using the term “autistic burnout”. Disabled activists’ burnout was not covered. No abstract contained the phrase “disability burnout”, but seven relevant hits were obtained using full-text searches of Google Scholar. Our findings suggest that important data is missing to guide evidence-based decision making around burnout and EDI and burnout of disabled people. Full article
28 pages, 8505 KiB  
Article
Oral History as a Source for the Interpretation of UBH: The World War II Shelters in Naples Case Study
by Roberta Varriale
Societies 2023, 13(5), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050130 - 18 May 2023
Viewed by 1498
Abstract
What can be the contribution of oral history to the interpretation of tangible cultural assets? Starting from this conceptual question, this article focuses on the case study of the experiences Second World War in Naples bomb shelters, recently included within the Underground Built [...] Read more.
What can be the contribution of oral history to the interpretation of tangible cultural assets? Starting from this conceptual question, this article focuses on the case study of the experiences Second World War in Naples bomb shelters, recently included within the Underground Built Heritage (UBH) class. The hypothesis of the research is that bomb shelters are very significant elements in the subsoil of Naples but that, due to the lack of distinctive elements and dedicated storytelling, they are only partially exploited in the context of urban parks or generic itineraries Naples’s subsoil. The thesis of the research is that the memories of those children that took refuge there during World War II (WWII), which were collected with the adoption of the oral history methodology, can integrate their value as elements of local cultural heritage and eventually support their interpretation for the benefit of the new generations. The methodology adopted was the collection, via structured and unstructured interviews, of the direct testimonies of those who took refuge in Naples’ underground during the alarms. Twenty-three interviews were carried out, and all the issues introduced have been classified according to the various themes addressed during the narration in order to allow the reconstruction of dedicated storytelling in the future. The research was carried out immediately after the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, an event that claimed many victims belonging to the generation of our witnesses, whose memories were at risk of being lost forever. Full article
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18 pages, 297 KiB  
Article
Leadership Opportunities in the School Setting: A Scoping Study on Staff Perceptions
by Robert Hannan, Niamh Lafferty and Patricia Mannix McNamara
Societies 2023, 13(5), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050129 - 17 May 2023
Viewed by 1360
Abstract
The focus of this study was to explore teachers’ and middle school leaders’ perspectives of promotional policies and practices within the schools where they work. As this was an initial scoping study, a qualitative approach was adopted. Fifteen teachers and/or middle school leaders [...] Read more.
The focus of this study was to explore teachers’ and middle school leaders’ perspectives of promotional policies and practices within the schools where they work. As this was an initial scoping study, a qualitative approach was adopted. Fifteen teachers and/or middle school leaders participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. Themes that emerged from the data included a mix of perceptions, in that promotions were sometimes perceived to be based on appropriate measures of merit such as experience, but at other times were perceived to be unfair or based on cronyism, with female staff perceived to be at a disadvantage. Reasons for seeking out promotion were identified as predominantly being for personal ambition and increased salary. A dark side of promotions also emerged, and this referred to the breakdown of relationships with co-workers following promotions and implications for turnover. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Educational Leadership and Organizational Culture in Education)
13 pages, 257 KiB  
Article
Arab Youth Involvement in Delinquent Behaviors: Exploring Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory from a Qualitative Perspective
by Mona Khoury-Kassabri, Edith Blit-Cohen, Mimi Ajzenstadt and Lana J. Jeries-Loulou
Societies 2023, 13(5), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050128 - 17 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1761
Abstract
The current study is based on Travis Hirschi’s social bond theory, arguing that the debut of delinquent behavior is a result of the weakening of the ties that bind people to society. According to Hirschi’s social bond theory, all youth have the potential [...] Read more.
The current study is based on Travis Hirschi’s social bond theory, arguing that the debut of delinquent behavior is a result of the weakening of the ties that bind people to society. According to Hirschi’s social bond theory, all youth have the potential to commit delinquent behaviors, but they are kept under control by their relationships with friends, parents, neighbors, teachers, and employers. These factors could serve as protective factors from involvement in crimes. Most studies of social bond theory have been conducted in Western countries among male adolescents using quantitative methods, including cross-cultural approaches. However, the ability of social bond theory to explain youth involvement in delinquency in non-Western cultures, especially conservative and authoritarian cultures such as the Arab one, has not been widely examined. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring youth involvement in delinquency using qualitative research on Palestinian-Arab youth in Israel. Addressing youth delinquency within the unique sociocultural, economic, and political situation of the Arab minority in Israel will help us examine the theory’s applicability to the explanation of deviant behavior in a variety of contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Juvenile Delinquency: Causes and Solutions)
22 pages, 662 KiB  
Review
The Culturally Competent Healthcare Professional: The RESPECT Competencies from a Systematic Review of Delphi Studies
by Costas S. Constantinou and Monica Nikitara
Societies 2023, 13(5), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050127 - 16 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2189
Abstract
Background: In the existing literature, there are many guidelines regarding cultural competencies for healthcare professionals and many instruments aiming to measure cultural competence. However, there is no consensus on which core cultural competencies are necessary for healthcare professionals. Aim and Methods: [...] Read more.
Background: In the existing literature, there are many guidelines regarding cultural competencies for healthcare professionals and many instruments aiming to measure cultural competence. However, there is no consensus on which core cultural competencies are necessary for healthcare professionals. Aim and Methods: This study employed the PRISMA 2020 statement to systematically review Delphi studies and identify the core cultural competencies on which experts, who have been working with diverse populations in the fields of healthcare and allied healthcare, have reached a consensus. For this purpose, we searched, retrieved, and reviewed all Delphi studies conducted between 2000 and 2022 in the databases Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, and PsycInfo and coded and synthesised the results qualitatively. Results: The systematic search resulted in 15 Delphi studies that met eligibility criteria and in which 443 experts from 37 different countries around the globe had participated. The review of these Delphi studies showed that the core competencies necessary for healthcare professionals to ensure that they provide culturally congruent care were: Reflect, Educate, Show Interest and Praise, Empathise, and Collaborate for Therapy. Discussion and Conclusion: These competencies make the abbreviation and word RESPECT, which symbolically places emphasis on respect as the overarching behaviour for working effectively with diversity. The study also provides a new, comprehensive definition of the cultural competence of healthcare professionals and opens new directions in formulating standardised guidelines and research in cultural competence in healthcare and allied healthcare. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Diversity Competence and Social Inequalities)
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5 pages, 248 KiB  
Editorial
Research on Digital Political Communication: Electoral Campaigns, Disinformation, and Artificial Intelligence
by Paulo Carlos López-López, Daniel Barredo-Ibáñez and Erika Jaráiz-Gulías
Societies 2023, 13(5), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050126 - 15 May 2023
Viewed by 2281
Abstract
In recent years, political communication has emerged as one of the most prolific subfields within political science and the social sciences as a whole [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Political Communication and Public Political Participation in the Digital Societies)
29 pages, 1935 KiB  
Review
Transgender Health between Barriers: A Scoping Review and Integrated Strategies
by Davide Costa
Societies 2023, 13(5), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050125 - 14 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2732
Abstract
Transgender people have garnered attention in recent years. They have different health problems; the fact, however, that they belong to a minority means that this is characterized by complex mechanisms of stigmatization. This paper aims to analyze the current literature on the barriers [...] Read more.
Transgender people have garnered attention in recent years. They have different health problems; the fact, however, that they belong to a minority means that this is characterized by complex mechanisms of stigmatization. This paper aims to analyze the current literature on the barriers to health services encountered by transgender people. This scoping review is based on the following research questions: (1) What are the main barriers to health care encountered by transgender people? (2) Is it possible to organize these barriers according to a macro-, meso- and microanalysis approach? (3) What are the main characteristics of the barriers to health care encountered by transgender people? (4) Are there significant relations between the different types of barriers? The review was undertaken following the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. In total, 32 studies were included from which three types of barriers with different subcategories were identified: health system barriers, social barriers, and individual barriers. In conclusion, due to the complexity of gender issues and barriers to health care, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary. In this regard, some integrated strategies to reduce barriers to health care for transgender people are proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Equity and Equality, Empowerment, Inclusiveness: The Pillars of Public Health Promotion in Modern Societies)
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3 pages, 167 KiB  
Editorial
Anti-Racist Perspectives of Sustainabilities
by Ranjan Datta
Societies 2023, 13(5), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050124 - 12 May 2023
Viewed by 1384
Abstract
This Special Issue centers on anti-racist and decolonial perspectives of sustainability [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anti-racist Perspectives on Sustainabilities)
10 pages, 1227 KiB  
Concept Paper
Latino Paradox or Black Exception? Race, Ethnicity, and Crime in the 21st Century
by Edward S. Shihadeh and Raymond E. Barranco
Societies 2023, 13(5), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050123 - 12 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1579
Abstract
George Floyd’s murder by a Minnesota police officer sparked outrage, protests, and a re-evaluation of racial inequities in America. Within criminology, we argue, that re-evaluation should include the Latino Paradox, the idea that Latino communities are an exception—a paradox—in that, while they face [...] Read more.
George Floyd’s murder by a Minnesota police officer sparked outrage, protests, and a re-evaluation of racial inequities in America. Within criminology, we argue, that re-evaluation should include the Latino Paradox, the idea that Latino communities are an exception—a paradox—in that, while they face economic deprivation, they also possess a magical something that makes them resistant to social problems like crime. Unfortunately, this compels the more delicate question; what is the deficiency in Black communities that makes them so vulnerable to crime? However, as we argue here, the Latino Paradox forces a false comparison. Its assumptions with respect to crime are factually incorrect, it demeans Blacks by neglecting their historical context, it romanticizes the Latino experience, and it misdirects policy making. It also leads to lazy theorizing by suggesting that the Latino Paradox forces a re-evaluation of a major criminology theory, Social Disorganization. Indeed, Social Disorganization Theory can adequately explain past and present links between immigration and crime. In light of these problems, it is time to drop the Latino Paradox as an explanation for the race/ethnic differences in crime. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Immigration and Crime)
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18 pages, 3400 KiB  
Article
Rural–Urban, Gender, and Digital Divides during the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Multi-Layered Study
by Anuradha Mathrani, Rahila Umer, Tarushikha Sarvesh and Janak Adhikari
Societies 2023, 13(5), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050122 - 09 May 2023
Viewed by 2063
Abstract
This study explores digital divide issues that influenced online learning activities during the COVID-19 lockdown in five developing countries in South Asia. A multi-layered and interpretive analytical lens guided by three interrelated perspectives—structure, cultural practices, and agency—revealed various nuanced aspects across location-based (i.e., [...] Read more.
This study explores digital divide issues that influenced online learning activities during the COVID-19 lockdown in five developing countries in South Asia. A multi-layered and interpretive analytical lens guided by three interrelated perspectives—structure, cultural practices, and agency—revealed various nuanced aspects across location-based (i.e., rural vs. urban) and across gendered (i.e., male vs. female) student groups. A key message that emerged from our investigation was the subtle ways in which the digital divide is experienced, specifically by female students and by students from rural backgrounds. Female students face more structural and cultural impositions than male students, which restricts them from fully availing digital learning opportunities. Rich empirical evidence shows these impositions are further exacerbated at times of crisis, leading to a lack of learning (agency) for women. This research has provided a gendered and regional outlook on digital discriminations and other inequalities that came to the forefront during the COVID-19 lockdown. This study is especially relevant as online learning is being touted as the next step in digitization; therefore, it can inform educational policymaking and help build inclusive digital societies and bridge current gender and regional divisions. Full article
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28 pages, 619 KiB  
Article
Serious Mortgage Arrears among Immigrant Descendant and Native Participants in a Low-Income Public Starter Mortgage Program: Evidence from Norway
by Kristin Aarland and Anna Maria Santiago
Societies 2023, 13(5), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050121 - 08 May 2023
Viewed by 2356
Abstract
Although low-income homeownership programs serving vulnerable families at the lower end of the income distribution have been the focus of housing policy in many countries over the past 50 years, little is known about the post-origination experiences of immigrant families participating in these [...] Read more.
Although low-income homeownership programs serving vulnerable families at the lower end of the income distribution have been the focus of housing policy in many countries over the past 50 years, little is known about the post-origination experiences of immigrant families participating in these programs. Notably absent from the extant literature are studies examining the sustainability of homeownership among immigrant homebuyers and their susceptibility to falling behind on payments and experiencing mortgage defaults, evictions, or short sales. Utilizing data from 8263 families participating in Norway’s Starter Mortgage Program (Startlån) during the first three calendar years after mortgage origination, we examine the extent to which serious mortgage arrears varies by immigrant background. Two primary questions shape our research: (1) What is the incidence of serious mortgage arrears among Western, Eastern European, and non-Western immigrant homeowners relative to ethnic Norwegians participating in a public low-income homeownership program? and (2) What pre- and post-origination characteristics of applicants and households, mortgage terms at the time of origination, and experiences of household financial vulnerability or economic shocks predict heterogeneity in serious mortgage arrears by immigrant backgrounds? We found that 6.1% of ethnic Norwegian, 6.2% of Western, 4.9% of non-Western, and 3.2% of Eastern European immigrant homeowners participating in the Starter Mortgage Program were in serious mortgage arrears at least once during the first three calendar years after mortgage origination. Results from our negative binomial regression analyses suggest that program participants who were sole owners, with larger families, and higher debt were more likely to experience serious mortgage arrears; these effects were accentuated for ethnic Norwegians. Additionally, mortgage terms at the time of origination produced differential effects by immigrant background. Compared to Western and Eastern European immigrant homeowners, ethnic Norwegians were more likely to have experienced serious mortgage arrears if they purchased a single-family home, had larger LTV and DTI ratios, or if the Startlån share of their mortgages was higher. Non-Western immigrant mortgagors were more likely to make late mortgage payments if they had larger LTV ratios, interest-only mortgage servicing, or if they were more reliant on Startlån funds to finance their mortgages; however, this risk was reduced if they had fixed-rate mortgages. Financial vulnerability in terms of higher debt or fewer assets also increased the risk of serious mortgage arrears for ethnic Norwegians and non-Western immigrant homeowners, while increases in real wealth reduced that risk for all immigrant mortgagor groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Society and Immigration: Reducing Inequalities)
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13 pages, 295 KiB  
Article
The Cultural Dimension of Clinical Vulnerability: Repeated Access to Emergency Units and Discontinuity in Health and Social Care Pathway
by Laura Bertini-Soldà
Societies 2023, 13(5), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050120 - 07 May 2023
Viewed by 1172
Abstract
Swiss health and social care system is complex and is based on universal coverage. However, discontinuity in health and social path and repeated access to emergency units are symptoms of inequity. The aim of this paper is to highlight the interactions between vulnerable [...] Read more.
Swiss health and social care system is complex and is based on universal coverage. However, discontinuity in health and social path and repeated access to emergency units are symptoms of inequity. The aim of this paper is to highlight the interactions between vulnerable patients with socio-sanitary actors to propose some innovative solutions to promote social justice. A six-month ethnography of 15 vulnerable patients’ health and social transitions in the region of Ticino Canton in Switzerland gives new insight into conflict situations in assistance relationships, where reciprocal stereotyping between professionals and patients undermines continuity of care. The cultural dimension of health and social institutions is identified in the problem-solving approach which is legitimized as the only one for dealing with complex situations. The analysis shows how clinical vulnerability relates strongly to an unmanaged so-called liminality phase. Culture is an invisible dimension in care, but its effects on equity are major. Two possible interventions are discussed, which are culturally informed reorganization of the care network and collaboration with a sociosanitary cultural mediator. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Worker Migration and Migrant Healthcare: Retrospect and Prospect)
18 pages, 1489 KiB  
Article
Everyday Virtuality: A Multimodal Analysis of Political Participation and Newsworthiness
by Veronica Yepez-Reyes, Patricio Cevallos, Andrea Carrillo-Andrade, Jorge Cruz-Silva, Marco López-Paredes and Alejandra González-Quincha
Societies 2023, 13(5), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050119 - 06 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2479
Abstract
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, digital interactions ceased to be “just another form of communication”; indeed, they became the only means of social interaction, mediated and driven by information and communication technologies (ICTs). Consequently, working in a digital context switched from being a [...] Read more.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, digital interactions ceased to be “just another form of communication”; indeed, they became the only means of social interaction, mediated and driven by information and communication technologies (ICTs). Consequently, working in a digital context switched from being a phenomenon to be studied to the primary means of socializing and the primary workspace for researchers. This study explores four different methodologies to question how discursive interactions related to power and newsworthiness may be addressed in digital contexts. The multimodal approach was reviewed through the affordances of critical discourse analysis, issue ownership and salience, morphological discourse analysis, and protest event analysis. It starts by theoretically addressing concepts of multimodality and phenomenology by focusing on the implications of both perspectives. It examines publications and interactions in digital contexts in Ecuador from March 2017 to December 2020 within three political phenomena. The results of the analysis of these publications and interactions suggest that when analyzing political participation and newsworthiness, the virtual becomes a subjective space. Moreover, qualitative research is one of the primary ways to combine multimodality with other forms of discourse analysis. This paper concludes that perceptions, practices, and meanings assigned to social online representations can be better analyzed through multimodality, which tackles the intertwined characteristics of virtual discourses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Political Communication and Public Political Participation in the Digital Societies)
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13 pages, 438 KiB  
Article
Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education: Pros and Cons from the Perspectives of Academics
by Alina Iorga Pisica, Tudor Edu, Rodica Milena Zaharia and Razvan Zaharia
Societies 2023, 13(5), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050118 - 05 May 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 21212
Abstract
This article investigates the perspectives of Romanian academics on implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Higher Education (HE). The article analyzes the pros and cons of AI in HE, based on the views of eighteen academics from five Romanian universities. There is a large [...] Read more.
This article investigates the perspectives of Romanian academics on implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Higher Education (HE). The article analyzes the pros and cons of AI in HE, based on the views of eighteen academics from five Romanian universities. There is a large and heated debate about the proliferation of AI in many domains, with strong supporters and determined deniers. Studies that research the implications of AI enrich the evidence-based literature on the advantages, disadvantages, threats, or opportunities that AI creates for us, for businesses, or for societies. Though many aspects are still less well known, attitudes toward AI are still under construction. HE is a domain where the implications of AI create passionate discussions. HE is, eventually, the sector that shapes the masterminds of societies’ leaders. There is a quest to find the perspectives of those who will apply AI, who will work with or for AI, and those who are opposed to or in favor of implementing AI in HE. The conclusions revealed by this study are in line with similar studies that exist in the literature. The positive aspects of AI implementation in HE are related, in the view of academics, to gains in the learning–teaching process, improvements in students skills and competences, better inclusion, and greater efficiency in administrative costs. Similarly, the negative aspects revealed by the research are linked to psychosocial effects, data security, ethical aspects, and unemployment threats. However, there are some aspects (mostly negative) related to implementing AI in HE that are less exposed by the interviewed academics, which are mostly related to the costs and efforts of implementing AI in HE. The possible explanation of this situation is related to the lack of strategic vision on what, in fact, the implementation of AI in HE means, what this process involves, and the fact that digitalization in Romanian universities (as well as in the Romanian economy) is in its infancy. The contribution of the results of this research is mainly empirical and practical. These opinions should be used as resources for managers of HE institutions to develop better policies concerning the implementation of AI in HE and for strategic vision toward AI, with the ultimate purpose of achieving progress and prosperity for the entire society. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Interactions and the Technology Development: Perspectives on E-Societies)
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19 pages, 2473 KiB  
Article
Generalizability of Machine Learning to Categorize Various Mental Illness Using Social Media Activity Patterns
by Chee Siang Ang and Ranjith Venkatachala
Societies 2023, 13(5), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050117 - 05 May 2023
Viewed by 2644
Abstract
Mental illness has recently become a global health issue, causing significant suffering in people’s lives and having a negative impact on productivity. In this study, we analyzed the generalization capacity of machine learning to classify various mental illnesses across multiple social media platforms [...] Read more.
Mental illness has recently become a global health issue, causing significant suffering in people’s lives and having a negative impact on productivity. In this study, we analyzed the generalization capacity of machine learning to classify various mental illnesses across multiple social media platforms (Twitter and Reddit). Language samples were gathered from Reddit and Twitter postings in discussion forums devoted to various forms of mental illness (anxiety, autism, schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and BPD). Following this process, information from 606,208 posts (Reddit) created by a total of 248,537 people and from 23,102,773 tweets was used for the analysis. We initially trained and tested machine learning models (CNN and Word2vec) using labeled Twitter datasets, and then we utilized the dataset from Reddit to assess the effectiveness of our trained models and vice versa. According to the experimental findings, the suggested method successfully classified mental illness in social media texts even when training datasets did not include keywords or when unrelated datasets were utilized for testing. Full article
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17 pages, 285 KiB  
Article
Similar or Different Training Cultures? German and Chinese Companies in Their Home and Host Countries
by Matthias Pilz, Martina Fuchs, Junmin Li, Lena Finken and Johannes Westermeyer
Societies 2023, 13(5), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050116 - 01 May 2023
Viewed by 1661
Abstract
For internationally producing companies, training and recruiting skilled workers is particularly challenging. At various international locations, companies often encounter a “skills ecosystem” that differs to a greater or lesser extent from that of the home country. This article considers this problem and examines [...] Read more.
For internationally producing companies, training and recruiting skilled workers is particularly challenging. At various international locations, companies often encounter a “skills ecosystem” that differs to a greater or lesser extent from that of the home country. This article considers this problem and examines German companies in Germany and China and, conversely, Chinese companies in China and Germany. Specifically, it examines (1) how the training cultures of companies differ between the home country and abroad, (2) which influencing factors determine the training cultures realized in each case, and (3) what influence the respective nationally prevailing skills ecosystems specifically exert. The findings from these four perspectives document that German companies in Germany use the formal vocational training system of dual training, whereas German companies in China are strongly influenced by the local training culture of in-company learning. Moreover, Chinese companies in China also use this training, and only cooperate to a limited extent with the formal school-based vocational education and training system. These findings show that Chinese companies in Germany do not adopt the dual training system used in Germany. This article analyses these results and discusses the reasons behind them, drawing of a distinction between institutional logic and internal logic. Full article
15 pages, 314 KiB  
Article
Student Participation: Issues for the Governance of Higher Education
by Albertina Palma, Joaquim Mourato, João Vinagre, Fernando Almeida and Ana Maria Pessoa
Societies 2023, 13(5), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050115 - 30 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1542
Abstract
The paper reports findings of a research project aimed at developing insight into student participation in the governance of higher education institutions. The project was carried out in two institutions in Portugal, analyzing numbers and forms of participation, identifying facilitators and constraints to [...] Read more.
The paper reports findings of a research project aimed at developing insight into student participation in the governance of higher education institutions. The project was carried out in two institutions in Portugal, analyzing numbers and forms of participation, identifying facilitators and constraints to participation, and analyzing the students’ perceptions of their own participation. The study was carried out in the context of the European purpose of creating a cohesive European Higher Education Area (EHEA), and in light of theoretical perspectives of the sociology of public action. The concept of participation put forward by the Council of Europe in 2003 was mobilized in the sense that true participation involves making a difference in decision-making. The research objectives required both quantitative and qualitative data collection; therefore, a mixed-methods approach was adopted, including document analysis, interviews, and a questionnaire. The cross-analysis of the data collected enabled the researchers to characterize the participation of students in formal governing bodies and in other institutional contexts, identify facilitators and constraints to participation resulting either from the legal framework, the institutional culture, or personal contexts, and simultaneously capture individual perceptions of participation on the part of the students. The results enabled the authors to make a set of recommendations for political action both at national and institutional levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspectives and Researches on Higher Education Policies: Analysis for Quality and Development)
11 pages, 258 KiB  
Article
Contextual Factors in Ethnic-Racial Socialization in White Families in the United States
by Tanya Nieri and Justin Huft
Societies 2023, 13(5), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050114 - 29 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1727
Abstract
Recent demographic shifts and sociopolitical events in the United States have led to a racial reckoning in which white people are engaging with issues of race and racism in new ways. This study addressed the need for research to better understand contextual factors [...] Read more.
Recent demographic shifts and sociopolitical events in the United States have led to a racial reckoning in which white people are engaging with issues of race and racism in new ways. This study addressed the need for research to better understand contextual factors in ethnic-racial socialization (ERS)—strategies in white families to teach children about their own and other people’s ethnicity or race. It examined the relation of neighborhood, school, and social network ethnic-racial composition and U.S. region of residence to participants’ perceptions of ethnic-racial socialization by parents. It employed a large, national survey sample of white young adults reporting on their ERS while growing up and a comprehensive set of ERS strategies. We found that the ethnic-racial composition of the family’s social network, but not the neighborhood or school, was related to exposure to ERS: the whiter the network, the less frequent the socialization, particularly antiracism socialization and exposure to diversity. We also found that Southern residents were more likely than residents in the West and Midwest to be exposed to the strategies of preparation for bias, mainstream socialization, and silent racial socialization. The findings show that these two contextual factors relate to both the frequency and content of the ERS a white child receives. Full article
11 pages, 591 KiB  
Concept Paper
The Nexus of Holistic Wellbeing and School Education: A Literature-Informed Theoretical Framework
by Sultana Ali Norozi
Societies 2023, 13(5), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050113 - 29 Apr 2023
Viewed by 2973
Abstract
The concept of wellbeing in education is complex and multifaceted, with inconsistent definitions, philosophical conceptualizations, and research approaches. This paper proposes a theoretical framework for understanding and promoting comprehensive wellbeing in school education, drawing insights from global in general and the Norwegian context [...] Read more.
The concept of wellbeing in education is complex and multifaceted, with inconsistent definitions, philosophical conceptualizations, and research approaches. This paper proposes a theoretical framework for understanding and promoting comprehensive wellbeing in school education, drawing insights from global in general and the Norwegian context in particular. The paper begins by reviewing the literature on wellbeing and wellbeing in educational policies to identify common threads in contemporary understandings and approaches to wellbeing, highlighting important issues in its conceptualization. The analysis shows the need for a holistic understanding of wellbeing, encompassing its multiple dimensions, which should be introduced and advocated in schools. The paper contributes to a more comprehensive and holistic concept of wellbeing that should be an integral part of school education. The discourse highlights the emergence of an alternative, commonly agreed theoretical framework for holistic wellbeing, drawing together different dimensions of wellbeing and interconnectedness and focusing on students’ strengths. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of the framework for future research and practice. The framework offers a comprehensive and integrative approach to understanding and promoting wellbeing in school education, which can guide the development of interventions and policies that address the multiple factors influencing students’ wellbeing. The framework also highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and a systems approach to wellbeing in education, which can promote a holistic and sustainable approach to education that benefits both students and society. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Youth Health and Well-Being: Determinative Effects of Environment)
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15 pages, 731 KiB  
Article
Invest in Your Mental Health, Support Your Career. Exploring the Impact of Mental Health Activities on Movement Capital and the Mediating Role of Flourishing and Career Engagement during the Transition to Work
by Marco Giovanni Mariani, Rita Chiesa, Elena Lo Piccolo and Gerardo Petruzziello
Societies 2023, 13(5), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050112 - 28 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1816
Abstract
The current theorising of career self-management advocates that personal resources that support an adaptive transition to work are bound to individual agency. Yet, research still needs to enrich the empirical exploration of how behaviours in personal life affect careers. For this reason, we [...] Read more.
The current theorising of career self-management advocates that personal resources that support an adaptive transition to work are bound to individual agency. Yet, research still needs to enrich the empirical exploration of how behaviours in personal life affect careers. For this reason, we explored the impact of mental-health activities—a group of self-help activities that people can perform to increase their mental health—on movement capital among Italian new entrants in the labour market. We also explored a mechanism underlying this relationship by testing the mediating role of flourishing and career engagement. We collected data from 229 Italian university students and recent graduates through an online questionnaire. Contrary to our expectations, we found no significant direct relationship between mental-health activities and movement capital, yet the results supported an indirect relationship. The findings contribute to existing evidence about how personal life behaviours affect career self-management and advance the understanding of the role of mental health activities. This work suggests ways to encourage engagement in self-help behaviours and implement public and higher education interventions to foster these behaviours’ benefits for an adaptive transition to work. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue School-to-Work Transitions: Developmental and Mental Health Outcomes)
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27 pages, 448 KiB  
Concept Paper
The Behavior of Information: A Reconsideration of Social Norms
by Jennifer A. Loughmiller-Cardinal and James Scott Cardinal
Societies 2023, 13(5), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050111 - 28 Apr 2023
Viewed by 5026
Abstract
Do social norms really matter, or are they just behavioral idiosyncrasies that become associated with a group? Social norms are generally considered as a collection of formal or informal rules, but where do these rules come from and why do we follow them? [...] Read more.
Do social norms really matter, or are they just behavioral idiosyncrasies that become associated with a group? Social norms are generally considered as a collection of formal or informal rules, but where do these rules come from and why do we follow them? The definition for social norm varies by field of study, and how norms are established and maintained remain substantially open questions across the behavioral sciences. In reviewing the literature on social norms across multiple disciplines, we found that the common thread appears to be information. Here, we show that norms are not merely rules or strategies, but part of a more rudimentary social process for capturing and retaining information within a social network. We have found that the emergence of norms can be better explained as an efficient system of communicating, filtering, and preserving experiential information. By reconsidering social norms and institutions in terms of information, we show that they are not merely conventions that facilitate the coordination of social behavior. They are, instead, the objective of that social coordination and, potentially, of the evolutionary adaptation of sociality itself. Full article
20 pages, 357 KiB  
Concept Paper
Explaining the Populist Right in the Neoliberal West
by Christian Joppke
Societies 2023, 13(5), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050110 - 25 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2950
Abstract
With the 2016 double shock of Brexit and Trump, the populist right has become a game-changing force on both sides of the North Atlantic. A proper explanation needs to combine political, economic, and cultural elements. Qua populism, the populist right addresses a political [...] Read more.
With the 2016 double shock of Brexit and Trump, the populist right has become a game-changing force on both sides of the North Atlantic. A proper explanation needs to combine political, economic, and cultural elements. Qua populism, the populist right addresses a political condition, which is neoliberalism’s endemic democracy deficit. However, the illiberal democracy that populists advocate is not a cure for it. Cleavage theory in the Lipset–Rokkan tradition sheds light on the rightist orientation and the nationalist content of this populism. The main explanatory challenge remains the combination of economic and cultural factors in the rise of populism. In economic respect, middle-class decline under a neoliberal order seems to be the root cause of populism. However, its agenda is culture-focused, amounting to a nationalist opposition to immigration and cosmopolitanism. This “cultural deflection” is a persistent puzzle. The minimum to conclude is that one-sided accounts of populism in exclusively economic or cultural terms are unconvincing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Neoliberal Project and the Rise of Populist Nationalism: Ideology and Development since 1991)
17 pages, 350 KiB  
Review
“We Need a Father and a Mother!” Rationalities around Filiation in the State: The Invisibility of LGBTIQ+ Families
by Rodolfo Morrison, Gabriela Moreno Yates, Jessica Hormazábal Quiroz, Francisca Galdames Baumann and Pablo Olivares-Araya
Societies 2023, 13(5), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050109 - 25 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1853
Abstract
Objective: This article has two objectives. The first is to describe the procedures, characteristics, and, above all, the rationalities present in three Chilean State institutions in matters of filiation. The second is to analyze how these rationalities impact families that are not represented [...] Read more.
Objective: This article has two objectives. The first is to describe the procedures, characteristics, and, above all, the rationalities present in three Chilean State institutions in matters of filiation. The second is to analyze how these rationalities impact families that are not represented in public policies, such as LGBTIQ+ families. Method: A documentary analysis was used. The analysis focused on official documents, freely accessible, from three public institutions, understood as local centers of experience. Specifically: (a) the Assisted Reproduction Program of the National Health Fund (FONASA); (b) the State Adoption Office “Mejor Niñez” [Better Childhood]; and (c) the Civil Registry. For the above, approaches to governmentality and post-structuralist analysis of public policies within a documentary analysis methodology were considered to be theoretical–conceptual supports. Results and analysis: The findings reveal a general lack of mention of LGBTIQ+ families and a heteronormative structure in the process of designing official documents from the State. This may exclude these families from public policies. Conclusions: It is concluded that a broader and more diverse understanding of the problems that the State should seek to represent would contribute to a greater representation of diversity in public policies. Full article
17 pages, 551 KiB  
Article
The Populist Divide in Far-Right Political Discourse in Sweden: Anti-Immigration Claims in the Swedish Socially Conservative Online Newspaper Samtiden from 2016 to 2022
by Anders Hellström
Societies 2023, 13(5), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050108 - 24 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2019
Abstract
In this article, I aim to show how populism can be used as an analytical category to make sense of how anti-immigration claims are articulated in far-right political discourse. I will do this by giving examples of and drawing attention to how the [...] Read more.
In this article, I aim to show how populism can be used as an analytical category to make sense of how anti-immigration claims are articulated in far-right political discourse. I will do this by giving examples of and drawing attention to how the anti-immigration claims are articulated via the populist divide, namely anti-elitism and people-centrism, and delve into the issue of which people are mobilised against which elite in articulatory practice. I use narrative analysis to link individual newspaper texts to dominant storylines of the nation (master narratives) in the continuous construction of national identity. The material is based on 169 articles published in the socially conservative online newspaper Samtiden between 2016 and 2022 on national identity. The results from the narrative analysis indicate that far-right populist discourse conveys nostalgia for a golden age and a cohesive and homogenous collective national identity, combining ideals of cultural conformism and socio-economic fairness against the fragmentary political agenda of different elites, spelling out a message that everything was better before. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Migration and the Rise of Populism)
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14 pages, 777 KiB  
Article
Conditions for Operating in Marginal Mountain Areas: The Local Farmer’s Perspective
by Stefano Duglio, Giulia Salotti and Giulia Mascadri
Societies 2023, 13(5), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050107 - 24 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1757
Abstract
Agriculture and local food products can have a significant impact on the economic development of rural areas. However, in environments as harsh as marginal mountain areas it may be difficult to find the right conditions to start a new production. This study aims [...] Read more.
Agriculture and local food products can have a significant impact on the economic development of rural areas. However, in environments as harsh as marginal mountain areas it may be difficult to find the right conditions to start a new production. This study aims to present the positive and negative circumstances for starting and operating agricultural activities in minor mountain contexts while assuming the mountain farmer’s viewpoint. With reference to the Soana Valley, in the Northwestern Italian Alps, four semi-structured interviews with mountain farmers have been carried out to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Preliminary results include land availability, lack of marketing skills, high level of bureaucracy and financial overexposure as the main limitations in starting new economic activity. The adoption of quality/origin labels and multifunctionality in agriculture and tourism as the end market can be considered to be potential flywheels by operators. Therefore, local policy makers can support farmers by firstly reducing land fragmentation and secondly by providing technical assistance for achieving financial funding. Full article
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3 pages, 184 KiB  
Editorial
COVID-19 as a Collective Trauma in Global Politics: Disruption, Destruction and Resilience
by Dovilė Budrytė and Erica Resende
Societies 2023, 13(5), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050106 - 24 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1600
Abstract
There is expanding awareness in the IR (International Relations) literature that collective trauma is a common denominator in major events in global politics [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 as a Collective Trauma in Global Politics: Disruption, Destruction and Resilience)
26 pages, 11944 KiB  
Article
Materiality of Precarious Housing and Its Relationship with Perception in Society: Case Study in Municipality of Pinal de Amoles
by Luis Eduardo López Flores, Manuel Toledano-Ayala, Juvenal Rodríguez-Reséndiz and Miguel Ángel Rubio Toledo
Societies 2023, 13(5), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050105 - 23 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1123
Abstract
This paper shows the importance of using interpretative, hermeneutic methods in research related to precarious housing, taking as a case study the municipality of Pinal de Amoles, Querétaro, Mexico. Firstly, the phenomenon is characterized through the use of natural semantic networks, where a [...] Read more.
This paper shows the importance of using interpretative, hermeneutic methods in research related to precarious housing, taking as a case study the municipality of Pinal de Amoles, Querétaro, Mexico. Firstly, the phenomenon is characterized through the use of natural semantic networks, where a degree of knowledge of society about the phenomenon is appreciated. Secondly, the perception of the population regarding the causes and those responsible for the problem is compiled to make sense of these independent variables deductively. Finally, through the theoretical analysis of precariousness and poverty measurement, it is revealed that the related studies approach the phenomenon from the perspective of materiality and not the person and his or her technical–cognitive capacities. In conclusion, there are gaps between the knowledge of the causes from which the conditions of precariousness originate and the perception of individuals to the conditions of habitability in precarious housing. Full article
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12 pages, 1567 KiB  
Article
Male Chauvinism and Complex Thinking: A Study of Mexican University Students
by Martina Carlos-Arroyo, José Carlos Vázquez-Parra, Marco Cruz-Sandoval and Arantza Echaniz-Barrondo
Societies 2023, 13(5), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050104 - 23 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3874
Abstract
This article presents the results of a study conducted on a sample of students at a techno-logical university in western Mexico, in which the aim was to identify a possible relationship between the presence of male chauvinistic behaviors and complex thinking. The argument [...] Read more.
This article presents the results of a study conducted on a sample of students at a techno-logical university in western Mexico, in which the aim was to identify a possible relationship between the presence of male chauvinistic behaviors and complex thinking. The argument that motivates this analysis focuses on the assumption that a person with high levels of complex thinking should have a more integrated vision of the capabilities of people beyond their gender, as well as a tendency to question, from a critical point of view, the possible stereotypes rooted in their environment. This article describes the study, its methodology, analyses, results, and the conclusion that high levels of complex thinking result in lower levels of male chauvinistic attitudes. Although it is recognized that this work is not exhaustive, its results are valuable for further educational, social, and gender studies research. Full article
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19 pages, 332 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Relationship between Early Leaving of Education and Training and Mental Health among Youth in Spain
by Laura M. Guerrero-Puerta and Miguel A. Guerrero
Societies 2023, 13(5), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050103 - 22 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1864
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the relationship between Early Leaving Education and Training and mental health perceived by young Spanish school leavers, as well as develop mid-range theories to better understand this relationship. The study uses a grounded theory approach; specifically, Charmaz’s constructivist [...] Read more.
This study aimed to explore the relationship between Early Leaving Education and Training and mental health perceived by young Spanish school leavers, as well as develop mid-range theories to better understand this relationship. The study uses a grounded theory approach; specifically, Charmaz’s constructivist approach and its informed version have guided the study. Through qualitative interviews with individuals who had left school prematurely, the results of this study showed a bidirectional relationship between ELET and mental health, where the detriment in the mental health of young people who leave school early should be understood as both a cause and an effect of the process of ELET. In addition, the findings suggest that certain socio-economic and educational factors, such as bullying, academic stress, self-responsibilization of failure, and labels such as “NEET” can contribute to a decrease in mental health. Overall, this study has provided new insights into the ELET-mental health relationship, contributing to the development of mid-range theories that can inform future research and interventions to minimize these problems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspectives and Researches on Higher Education Policies: Analysis for Quality and Development)
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