SocietiesPub Date : 2024-07-04DOI: 10.3390/soc14070112
Rawan K. Kahtan, Mahitab A. Hanbazaza
{"title":"Despite Food Insecurity, University Students Remain Committed to Achieving Their Academic Goals: Cross-Sectional Single-Center Study in Saudi Arabia","authors":"Rawan K. Kahtan, Mahitab A. Hanbazaza","doi":"10.3390/soc14070112","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070112","url":null,"abstract":"Food insecurity is a pressing global concern affecting individuals across all age groups. Despite its widespread impact, a notable gap remains in the literature, particularly in reference to the literature concerning university students. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of food insecurity and examine its associated factors, including mental and general health and academic performance, among university students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 421 students from King Abdulaziz University participated in this study, completing a questionnaire that measured food insecurity, academic performance, and mental and general health. About 40% of the respondents experienced some level of food insecurity, which was categorized as mild (20.4%), moderate (13.0%), or severe (5.6%). Significant associations were observed between food insecurity and monthly household income (p < 0.001) and general health (p < 0.005), respectively. However, the associations were weaker between food insecurity and perceived stress (p < 0.066) and the impact of COVID-19. Notably, no significant correlation was found between food security and socio-demographic characteristics or academic performance. This study highlights the prevalence of food insecurity among university students in Saudi Arabia and emphasizes the need for further research to gain a better understanding of its complexities. Such insights can empower universities and policymakers to implement targeted interventions, thereby enhancing the learning experience and future success of university students.","PeriodicalId":21795,"journal":{"name":"Societies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141551838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SocietiesPub Date : 2024-07-03DOI: 10.3390/soc14070108
Aleksandra Sygnowska
{"title":"Polish Mother and (Not) Her Children: Intersectional State-Violence against Minors in Poland","authors":"Aleksandra Sygnowska","doi":"10.3390/soc14070108","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070108","url":null,"abstract":"This article seeks to explain the political responsibility that Polish right-wing female politicians directly associated with the 2015–2023 Polish government and the then-ruling Law and Justice Party bear in the state-sanctioned violence against minors in the context of LGBT- and immigration-related issues. Its main assumption is that, in times of the nationalist surge that has been sweeping Poland, women using anti-LGBT and anti-immigration discourses helped to legitimize discriminatory state practices and, consequently, made a significant contribution to the enactment of white, Christian, and heteronormative identity on Polish children. Drawing upon Critical Discourse Analysis, this work examines the anti-LGBT and anti-immigration political talk by female politicians who, in their narrative strategies, adopt the position of a “Polish mother” on a mission to save a “child in danger”. Through my analysis, I aim to demonstrate that anti-LGBT and anti-immigration discourses are equally significant areas of women’s political engagement. Despite the prevalent cultural norms of caring motherhood, women do exercise their agency in political struggles as supporters of discriminatory state policies directed against minors by re-politicizing a symbolic figure of the “Polish mother”.","PeriodicalId":21795,"journal":{"name":"Societies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141519181","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Role of the Quality Management Process within Society 5.0","authors":"Biljana Maljugić, Dragan Ćoćkalo, Mihalj Bakator, Sanja Stanisavljev","doi":"10.3390/soc14070111","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070111","url":null,"abstract":"This paper conducts a comprehensive review following the PRISMA methodology to explore the evolution and necessity of quality management in the era of Society 5.0, covering publications from 2017 to 2022. Through a meticulous process involving planning, conducting and reporting the review, along with a theory-driven selection and analysis of content, it aims to construct a theoretical model for quality management in Society 5.0. This model underscores the integration of quality management with Society 5.0’s principles, focusing on human-centric technological advancement and addressing social challenges to enhance life quality. The findings reveal a framework that could drive the transition to Society 5.0 by leveraging key inputs for tangible outcomes. The paper’s originality lies in its in-depth analysis and the proposed model’s potential to guide industries and governments towards sustainable development in the context of Society 5.0, marking a valuable contribution to future research in this field.","PeriodicalId":21795,"journal":{"name":"Societies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141519184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SocietiesPub Date : 2024-07-03DOI: 10.3390/soc14070109
Herring Shava
{"title":"Strengthening the Attachment to Local Brands through Consumer Ethnocentrism and Impactful Entrepreneurship Education","authors":"Herring Shava","doi":"10.3390/soc14070109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070109","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates whether consumer ethnocentrism, a concept that refers to the tendency of consumers to favor domestic products over foreign ones, and entrepreneurship education are variables that can be used to strengthen attachment to local brands. Brand attachment is a well-researched concept in marketing literature. Many variables have been found to have different impacts on brand attachment across the globe. However, studies linking consumer ethnocentrism and entrepreneurship education to brand attachment are scarce, and this study contributes in that regard. Furthermore, the study examines whether entrepreneurship education mediates the association between consumer ethnocentrism and brand attachment. The study adopted a quantitative research methodology. Primary data were gathered through a survey. Past and current entrepreneurship education candidates were targeted. Factor analysis, simple linear regression, and hierarchical regression analyses using PROCESS were performed to make sense of the data. The study’s findings reveal that consumer ethnocentrism and entrepreneurship education can be used to strengthen attachment to local brands. The study recommends that marketing practitioners, scholars, and policymakers collaborate to design an impactful entrepreneurship education curriculum with the goal of enhancing consumer ethnocentrism, leading to increased interaction between consumers and local brands.","PeriodicalId":21795,"journal":{"name":"Societies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141519182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SocietiesPub Date : 2024-07-03DOI: 10.3390/soc14070110
Carla Carvalho, Lisete Mónico, Ana Pinto, Soraia Oliveira, Eduardo Leite
{"title":"Effects of Work–Family Conflict and Facilitation Profiles on Work Engagement","authors":"Carla Carvalho, Lisete Mónico, Ana Pinto, Soraia Oliveira, Eduardo Leite","doi":"10.3390/soc14070110","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070110","url":null,"abstract":"Achieving the balance between work and family life needs a holistic viewpoint on how these two aspects interact. It poses a significant challenge due to its impact on individuals, organizations, and society. Research suggests that employees engaged in both spheres tend to exhibit more favorable work attitudes, and experience improved health and wellbeing. In this study, we examined the interplay between work–family dynamics and work engagement among 654 university professors in Portugal. Using several statistical methods, including confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, cluster analysis, and multivariate analysis, we identified distinct conflict and facilitation patterns within work–family relationships. Our findings revealed four clusters representing different conflict-facilitation profiles: those characterized by either work → family facilitation or conflict, and, similarly, family → work facilitation or conflict. Notably, we observed a significant association between work engagement and work–family facilitation, particularly evident in dimensions such as vigor and dedication. Absorption showed fewer significant effects than the other dimensions. We discuss these results, suggesting interventions within the university professors’ careers, as well as further research directions.","PeriodicalId":21795,"journal":{"name":"Societies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141519183","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SocietiesPub Date : 2024-07-02DOI: 10.3390/soc14070107
Mustafa Selim Altınışık, Esat Şanlı
{"title":"The Moderating Role of Perceived Social Support in the Relationship between the Impact of Events and Post-Traumatic Growth among Syrian Refugees","authors":"Mustafa Selim Altınışık, Esat Şanlı","doi":"10.3390/soc14070107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070107","url":null,"abstract":"The internal disturbances that have occurred in Syria since 2011 have led to the displacement of many Syrians and their exposure to stressful life events. In this context, this study aimed to examine the amplifying dimension of suffering experienced by Syrian refugees in terms of various variables. Within this scope, the moderating role of perceived social support on the impact of events on post-traumatic growth among Syrian refugees was investigated. This descriptive study, designed according to the relational survey model, was conducted on 448 Syrian refugees in Turkey, who were included using a random sampling method. The data collection tools in this study included the Impact of Events Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Post-traumatic Growth Scale. According to the analysis of the results, it was found that in Syrian refugees, the impact of events on post-traumatic growth is significantly moderated by family support, support from friends, and support from a significant other. Additionally, it was observed that the event impact variable has a positive and significant effect on the post-traumatic growth among Syrian refugees.","PeriodicalId":21795,"journal":{"name":"Societies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141504995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SocietiesPub Date : 2024-06-29DOI: 10.3390/soc14070106
Diosey Ramon Lugo-Morin
{"title":"Artificial Intelligence on Food Vulnerability: Future Implications within a Framework of Opportunities and Challenges","authors":"Diosey Ramon Lugo-Morin","doi":"10.3390/soc14070106","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070106","url":null,"abstract":"This study explores the field of artificial intelligence (AI) through the lens of Stephen Hawking, who warned of its potential dangers. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of AI and its implications for food security using a qualitative approach and offering a contemporary perspective on the topic. The study explores the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in various fields with an emphasis on the global food reality. It also highlights the critical importance of striking a harmonious balance between technological progress and the preservation of local wisdom, cultural diversity, and environmental sustainability. In conclusion, the analysis argues that AI is a transformative force with the potential to address global food shortages and facilitate sustainable food production. However, it is not without significant risks that require rigorous scrutiny and ethical oversight.","PeriodicalId":21795,"journal":{"name":"Societies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141519185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SocietiesPub Date : 2024-06-29DOI: 10.3390/soc14070105
Maria Goldshtein, Erin K. Chiou, Rod D. Roscoe
{"title":"‘I Just Don’t Trust Them’: Reasons for Distrust and Non-Disclosure in Demographic Questionnaires for Individuals in STEM","authors":"Maria Goldshtein, Erin K. Chiou, Rod D. Roscoe","doi":"10.3390/soc14070105","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070105","url":null,"abstract":"Demographic data pertain to people’s identities and behaviors. Analyses of demographic data are used to describe patterns and predict behaviors, to inform interface design, and even institutional decision-making processes. Demographic data thus need to be complete and correct to ensure they can be analyzed in ways that reflect reality. This study consists of interviews with 40 people in STEM and addresses how causes of relational (dis)trust in demographic data collection contribute to pervasive problems of missing and incorrect responses and disobliging responses (e.g., non-disclosure, false responses, attrition, and hesitancy to use services). The findings then guide a preliminary set of recommendations for cultivating trustworthiness based on recent developments in trust theory and designing for responsive and trustworthy systems. Specifically, we explore how demographic questionnaire design (e.g., item construction and instructions) can communicate necessary reassurances and transparency for users. The ongoing research provides interview-based recommendations for improving the quality and completeness of demographic data collection. This research adds to other recommendations on improving demographic questionnaires.","PeriodicalId":21795,"journal":{"name":"Societies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141504996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SocietiesPub Date : 2024-06-28DOI: 10.3390/soc14070104
Ghalia Al-Thani
{"title":"Comparative Analysis of Stakeholder Integration in Education Policy Making: Case Studies of Singapore and Finland","authors":"Ghalia Al-Thani","doi":"10.3390/soc14070104","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070104","url":null,"abstract":"This paper analyzes stakeholder engagement in educational policymaking in Singapore and Finland, two countries renowned for successful education systems. While both countries achieve high academic standards, they employ distinct approaches to engage stakeholders in shaping educational policies. Singapore adopts a centralized model where policymaking is primarily directed by the Ministry of Education (MOE), with limited participation from external stakeholders. In contrast, Finland adopts a decentralized approach, empowering local authorities and schools with significant autonomy and actively involving stakeholders in policymaking. Key stakeholders, including teachers, parents, students and the private sector, play different roles in each country’s education governance. In Singapore, stakeholders are consulted through formal channels but have limited influence on decision-making, whereas, in Finland, stakeholders actively steer fundamental policy directions through extensive participation and consensus-building. The paper highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and their impacts on education outcomes. Despite differences in governance models, both countries prioritize inclusive education, social cohesion, and holistic development. The analysis underscores the importance of meaningful stakeholder engagement in crafting effective education policies that align with national values and visions.","PeriodicalId":21795,"journal":{"name":"Societies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141519187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SocietiesPub Date : 2024-06-27DOI: 10.3390/soc14070099
A. K. M. Kanak Pervez, Akira Ishida, Md Shahriar Kabir, Lixia Tang
{"title":"Migration Intention of Rural Farmers to Urban Areas in Bangladesh and Its Determinants: A Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling Approach","authors":"A. K. M. Kanak Pervez, Akira Ishida, Md Shahriar Kabir, Lixia Tang","doi":"10.3390/soc14070099","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070099","url":null,"abstract":"Internal rural-urban migration is becoming a priority in social research. However, no one has systematically studied the intentions of farmers to migrate internally to Bangladesh to seek permanent urban residence via paid employment yet. This paper develops a TPB (theory of planned behaviour) model to explain farmers’ intentions to migrate or not migrate to cities for paid employment; then, this paper tests the model against the data collected. A total 372 individuals (migrated farmers) were randomly chosen from 11,200 families who had left a rural area in Bangladesh to collect quantitative data about the issues raised in the model; the data were collected by a telephone interview. The socioeconomic profile of the respondents fits that of internal migrants identified in the literature, and the Cronbach’s alpha as well as composite reliability statistics suggest that the data are representative of the population. According to the structural equation modelling (SEM) data, attitudes towards migration (ATTs) and subjective norms (SNs) have an impact on migration intention (MI), while perceived behavioural control (PBC) show no significant effect. This study used a primary dataset from interviews with rural migrants working in different sectors in different cities in Bangladesh. This suggests that the planned behaviour model may help explain farmers’ decisions to migrate internally in Bangladesh and that policies based on the model may successfully reduce such migration.","PeriodicalId":21795,"journal":{"name":"Societies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141519188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}