{"title":"Progress, employment and profit: The construction of the mafioso social capital and the Sack of Palermo","authors":"Vincenzo Scalia","doi":"10.1111/issj.12464","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/issj.12464","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The Sack of Palermo that took place from the 1950s to the 1980s dramatically changed the Sicilian capital's economic and social landscape. Vast tracts of what was agricultural land, including the Conca d'Oro citrus plain, were destroyed as the city was engulfed by concrete. The Mafia played a principal role in this process. This paper will show how Cosa Nostra consolidated its business through social and local connections by granting employment to the members of lower classes such as craftsmen and construction workers and thus gaining consent. The building process of a mafioso social capital, bound together by the ideology of progress, will be analysed through a qualitative analysis.","PeriodicalId":35727,"journal":{"name":"International Social Science Journal","volume":"2016 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135146953","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":"Exploring the effect of the Russian–Ukrainian conflict on MENA firms: Does the monetary policy play a role?","authors":"Mina Sami","doi":"10.1111/issj.12460","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/issj.12460","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This paper explores the effect of the Russian–Ukrainian conflict on the firms operating in the Middle East and North African (MENA) countries, focusing on how different sectors of the economy have responded. The empirical methodology utilizes firm‐level data from MENA countries, employing fixed effect and instrumental variable estimations to control for the potential endogeneity of casualties in the war and firm dynamics. The results of this study reveal that (1) an increase of 1% in the hostility of the Russian–Ukrainian war corresponds to a 0.13% decrease in the market cap of MENA firms. (2) This effect is more pronounced among highly indebted firms, conducting business solely within the domestic market, and operating on a small scale. (3) The monetary policy is vital in mitigating the effect of the conflict on firms. This study has two main contributions. First, it empirically assesses how firms operating in the MENA region respond to geopolitical events, highlighting differences in responses between firms and sectors. Second, this paper serves as guidelines for governments to face the challenges raised by wars. In particular, the paper shows the relevance of sector‐specific policy responses based on the extent to which each sector is affected by geopolitical events.","PeriodicalId":35727,"journal":{"name":"International Social Science Journal","volume":"71 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134944204","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":"Testing importance weighting: Lessons from the quality of life literature","authors":"Chang‐ming Hsieh","doi":"10.1111/issj.12461","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/issj.12461","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Marsh and Scalas (2018) proposed a taxonomic structural equation modelling approach to test the individually importance weighted‐average models (IWAMs) in their article published in Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal 25 : 137–158. As Marsh and Scalas (2018) pointed out, IWAMs could be found in many research areas, including self‐concept, job satisfaction and quality of life (QOL) research. Based on the findings of their proposed approach, Marsh and Scalas (2018) argued that importance weights do not make a difference. The purpose of this paper is to assess the applicability of the approach developed by Marsh and Scalas (2018) and their conclusion that importance weights do not make a difference in the area of QOL, specifically subjective well‐being, research. In the research area of QOL, IWAMs have been discussed often under the topic of domain importance weighting. Findings from an analysis of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics’ Wellbeing and Daily Life Supplement data show that different domain importance weighting methods, based on different underlying (within‐domain vs between/across‐domain) perspectives, produced different results leading to different conclusions. Although the approach for testing IWAMs developed by Marsh and Scalas (2018) offered several methodological advances and strengths, its applicability to the evaluation of domain importance weighting in QOL studies is limited by its underlying (within‐domain) perspective, its assumption that domain importance can be accurately and precisely measured, and the possibility of the small effect size of domain importance. Marsh and Scalas’ (2018) findings that importance weights do not make a difference should be interpreted with caution.","PeriodicalId":35727,"journal":{"name":"International Social Science Journal","volume":"28 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135740115","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":"Family, friends, school and nation: Socio‐ecological determinants of mental health among Filipino college students post‐lockdown","authors":"Jerome V. Cleofas","doi":"10.1111/issj.12459","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/issj.12459","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract As societies recover from the systemic socio‐economic impacts of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease pandemic, the mental health of the youth must be monitored as they transition back to on‐campus learning. This study sought to determine the socio‐ecological determinants of mental health among Filipino college students after a 2‐year lockdown (i.e., community quarantine). A total of 1204 students aged 18–24 participated in this cross‐sectional online survey research. Multi‐level socio‐ecological determinants were measured, such as individual (age, gender), micro/mesosystem (family, friends and school), exo/macrosystem (national resilience) and chronosystem (life satisfaction change over time). Findings suggest that male students who identify as cisheterosexual (cisgender, which refers to gender identity that aligns with biological sex, and heterosexual, which refers to sexual attraction exclusively for the opposite sex), with higher ratings for family, school community, national identity, trust in public institutions and improvements in life satisfaction post‐lockdown, demonstrated higher mental well‐being. Meanwhile, female, gender and sexual minorities, with lower ratings for family, respect for diversity in school and decline in life satisfaction post‐lockdown, reported higher psychological distress.","PeriodicalId":35727,"journal":{"name":"International Social Science Journal","volume":"223 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135343439","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":"How do benefits and challenges influence students’ satisfaction with online education? The mediation effect of awareness","authors":"Udit Chawla, Sundeep Singh Sondhi, Meerja Akhil Jabbar, Varsha Mishra, Harsh Vikram Singh","doi":"10.1111/issj.12457","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/issj.12457","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Traditional education is shifting towards online instruction, and the temporary closure of educational institutions due to COVID‐19 has prompted its dramatic increase in the last couple of years. With additional benefits, such as flexible schedule, low cost and anywhere learning, online education will determine the near future of education. Due to the increase in Internet reach in India, face‐to‐face instructional methods to which students are habituated to can be substituted. This study aims to analyse students’ satisfaction with the parameters of awareness, challenges and benefits of using new technologies to learn online. With the help of a structured questionnaire and interactions with local inhabitants, the researchers obtained 430 samples from the outskirts of five different cities (Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bengaluru) in India. A conceptual model was built around the constructs of awareness, challenges, benefits and student satisfaction, and their relationship was established and empirically tested. It is found that factors like challenges, benefits and awareness have a significant influence on student satisfaction with online learning. We also find that awareness helps in decreasing the challenges faced and increasing the value of benefits of online education for students.","PeriodicalId":35727,"journal":{"name":"International Social Science Journal","volume":"32 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135957797","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":"Women's happiness levels based on labour force status in Türkiye: A pseudo‐panel perspective","authors":"Aslı Ermiş‐Mert","doi":"10.1111/issj.12455","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/issj.12455","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This article examines the impact of mainly being in different labour force statuses on women's happiness levels in Türkiye. Other predictors include educational level, household income and what makes one the happiest. Ordered logistic regression models are used by implementing a pseudo‐panel approach. Findings demonstrate that unemployed women are less likely to be happier relative to women in paid work. There is a statistically significant higher likelihood for housewives to report being happier compared to employed women throughout the years for the same cohort, which could be associated with the (socially structured) fulfilment brought about by the conformity to traditional gender roles in a context where these norms are widely adopted, and concurrently the circumstances diminishing working women's happiness at home and in the job market. The probability to report being very happy is the highest for highly educated housewives who have a high level of household income, yet it decreases over time for the cohort observed. Findings refer to the importance of enhancing the well‐being of women in paid work via supporting equal domestic division of labour patterns and improving their conditions in the labour market.","PeriodicalId":35727,"journal":{"name":"International Social Science Journal","volume":"84 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136135770","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":"Gaps in education and marital dissolution: Evidence from India","authors":"Surya Nath Maiti","doi":"10.1111/issj.12458","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/issj.12458","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract India has had a low divorce rate only recently, but the divorce rate is rising following the international trend. The rising divorce rate has gained considerable attention among social scientists. The paper identifies gaps in spouses’ educational attainment as a potential cause of rising failed marriages in India. Using a nationally representative large survey dataset, namely the fourth round of the District Level Household Survey, we show that the likelihood of divorce and separation is higher among women who are comparatively more educated than their partners. Moreover, the likelihood increases as the positive education gap increases. The incidences of divorce are significant among those residing in rural areas, educated up to secondary and beyond, and unemployed despite being more educated than their husbands. Although the results show that women are gaining autonomy in deciding whether to move out of marriages, the government must provide free education for women, at least up to the secondary standard, as being more educated than their partner does not provide them the autonomy to dissolve their marriages unless they are educated at least up to secondary standard.","PeriodicalId":35727,"journal":{"name":"International Social Science Journal","volume":"46 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136136908","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":"What specific investments are critical in fostering buyer‐supplier relationships: Evidence from MSMEs in emerging economies","authors":"Priyavrat Sanyal, Nikunj Kumar Jain, Dibyendu Choudhury","doi":"10.1111/issj.12456","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/issj.12456","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium enterprises) play a vital role in the development of emerging economies, and their interactions with state‐owned enterprises can generate significant economic value for both parties. However, the dependency asymmetry between MSMEs and state‐owned enterprises can hinder their growth and overall relationship performance. This research explores the impact of various dimensions of relationship‐specific investments (RSIs) on fostering trust and satisfaction in these relationships. Additionally, the study investigates the moderating role of bilateral communication in the relationship between RSIs and satisfaction through trust. The conceptual model was assessed using a sample of 157 MSMEs, employing partial least squares structural equation modelling and necessary conditions analysis. The findings suggest that communication is crucial in building trust and satisfaction within these relationships. The literature has not extensively explored the context of these relationships and the application of necessary condition analysis, making this study valuable for policymakers. By understanding the factors that contribute to successful relationships between MSMEs and state‐owned enterprises, policymakers can create targeted strategies to support and enhance these interactions, ultimately fostering the growth and development of emerging economies.","PeriodicalId":35727,"journal":{"name":"International Social Science Journal","volume":"21 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135063671","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":"Effect of loneliness on mental health and cognition: A study on middle‐aged and older adults in India","authors":"Bijeta Mishra, Suman Dhaka","doi":"10.1111/issj.12454","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/issj.12454","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Objectives The article assesses the impact of loneliness and age on the mental health and cognitive functioning of individuals aged 45 and above in the Indian context. The mediating effect of marital status and age on the way loneliness impacts individuals’ cognition and mental health is examined. Methods Data were obtained from the pilot wave of Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, and scores of 1578 participants were considered for analysis. Standardised and validated measures were employed to measure loneliness, mental health and cognition of the participants. Multivariate analysis was employed to investigate the impact of loneliness and age on cognition and mental health. Structural equation modelling was used for evaluating the mediating effect of age and marital status. Results Loneliness significantly impacted mental health and global cognitive function, whereas age significantly impacted episodic memory and total cognition. Marital status had a significant mediating role on the impact of loneliness on individuals’ mental health and cognitive functioning. Discussion Fostering social support among lonely individuals might help mitigate loneliness, enhance their mental health status, and slow down cognitive decline.","PeriodicalId":35727,"journal":{"name":"International Social Science Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135307664","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}
Guido Sechi, Dino Borri, Caterina De Lucia, Jurǵis Šķilters
{"title":"How are personal wealth and trust correlated? A social capital–based cross‐sectional study from Latvia","authors":"Guido Sechi, Dino Borri, Caterina De Lucia, Jurǵis Šķilters","doi":"10.1111/issj.12453","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/issj.12453","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The relation between social capital and socio‐economic wealth is a highly debated topic in development studies. This article aims at investigating the relationship between personal wealth and trust. It combines social capital with social categorization theory through a structural equation model based on a data set of over 1000 observations collected in the Republic of Latvia, on the basis of stratified sampling, in 2010, in the wake of a deep financial and economic crisis. Main results suggest evidence of an indirect relationship between wealth and interpersonal trust, with institutional trust and social engagement as mediating factors. This evidence is tested for residence place dimensions, ethno‐linguistic affiliation, education and income. Main results hold for poorer, less educated and rural respondents, whereas significant discrepancies arise for urban respondents. Finally, results highlight the interplay of socio‐economic dimensions and social and cultural identity. This suggests the existence of different dynamics of social capital accumulation at play, depending on various socio‐demographic and socio‐economic dimensions.","PeriodicalId":35727,"journal":{"name":"International Social Science Journal","volume":"218 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135983781","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}