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A special issue of Societies (ISSN 2075-4698).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 October 2025 | Viewed by 17378

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Florin Lobont

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Political Science, Philosophy and Communication Sciences, West University of Timisoara, 300223 Timișoara, Romania
Interests: philosophy of social science; 19th century philosophy; 20th century philosophy

Dr. Vasile Hațegan

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Guest Editor

1. Faculty of Economics, Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, Arad 310130, Romania
2. Faculty of Educational Sciences, Psychology and Social Work, Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, Arad 310130, Romania
Interests: applied philosophy; philosophical counseling; philosophy for society; economics; community; social responsibility and environment; personal development; bioethics; education; organizational consultancy; ethical leadership; democracy and society; communication
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We propose a collection of research and scientific works with societal approaches characteristic of an interdisciplinary study, which can be applied to areas with a major impact on human society. This Special Issue will bring together original research papers, literature reviews, and scientific approaches and interpretations derived from the research of the proposed fields of economy, environment, education, or philosophy, which can be considered to be part of contemporary emergent societal research. The Issue aims to gather a cutting-edge interdisciplinary array of approaches that analyze the complex interactions of political cultures, formal political institutions, markets, educational philosophies and policies, social sciences, environmental challenges, and informal social arrangements as responses (adequate or inadequate) to the multiple challenges of the present and foreseeable future, and pro-active steps towards their resolution. With a strong focus on the environmental crisis, we acknowledge the essential role of society in finding and refining environmental values. As a young environmental philosopher, F. Pruna, argues, human agency means irreversible environmental transformation and environmental knowledge coincides with social knowledge and vice-versa. Contributors are invited to argue that the way environmental knowledge—in general—is currently produced, disseminated, valued, and used by our society is one of the principal obstacles ‘we’ face in achieving a more inclusive, concerned and aware, environmentally-responsive, and responsible society.

Contributions must follow one of the three categories of papers for the journal (article, conceptual paper, or review) and address the topic of the Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Florin Lobont
Dr. Vasile Hațegan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as conceptual papers are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Societies is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

educational sciences and philosophy
environmental challenges sustainability (policies, society, markets)
environmental ethics and philosophy
political cultures
sustainable markets
social sciences
top-down bottom-up social responsibility

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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16 pages, 1224 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Examining Cash Usage Behavior in Metropolitan Greater Jakarta Societies

by Saiful Bahri, Arif Imam Suroso, Suhendi and Linda Karlina Sari

Societies 2025, 15(5), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15050120 - 28 Apr 2025

Viewed by 222

Abstract

Despite the rapid advancements in payment technologies, cash continues to play a significant role in modern society. This phenomenon presents a unique area of analysis, particularly within metropolitan societies such as those in the Jakarta metropolitan area in Indonesia. The present study aimed to investigate cash usage in the Jakarta metropolitan area by analyzing two cases: (1) cash usage in physical stores, and (2) intention to continue to use cash in daily activities. To this end, two analytical techniques were employed: logistic regression and structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). These techniques were implemented using data from 400 respondents residing in the Jakarta metropolitan area. The results of the study indicate a preference for cash over digital payments in transactions among a significant proportion of the respondents. The determinant analysis further identified several factors influencing cash usage in physical stores, including education, employment status, and the number of bank accounts. Furthermore, this study identified attitudes toward behavior, subjective norms, and satisfaction as variables affecting the intention to continue using cash in Indonesian society. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Social Research in Economics, Environment, Education, and Philosophy)

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12 pages, 257 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Paradigm of Desistance and Correctional Interventions: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Relapse Risk Reduction in Sexual Offenders

by Maria-Marinela Mihăilă, Cristina Gavriluță, Tiberiu Dughi and Dana Rad

Societies 2025, 15(4), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15040112 - 21 Apr 2025

Viewed by 246

Abstract

The criminological approach to relapse is based, on the one hand, on the theories that explain the risk of relapse, including the risk level assessment tools, and on the other hand, on the rehabilitation theories—the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) Model and The Good Live Model (GLM), which explain the mechanisms of reducing the risk of relapse in the assisted desistance paradigm. The objectives of this study focus on identifying the predictors of relapse in correlation with relapse inhibitors that combine a number of personal, psycho-emotional factors with psychopathological, socio-economic, and cultural accents. The method used is that of the case study from the perspective of clinical criminology, referring to forensic psychiatry through specific techniques and working procedures of some institutions in the correctional system—territorial structures of probation (TSP) in cooperation with the penitentiary system. The results of the study focus on the impact of standardized programs on the reduction in the risk of relapse after prison (RRR) and on personal and socio-familial factors involved in post-executional surveillance and post-criminal assistance. In conclusion, the current study highlights the need to corroborate the clinical or subjective assessment of relapse risk with the actual or objective assessment, which also includes the risk of violence in the framework of community monitoring from the perspective of community or social psychiatry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Social Research in Economics, Environment, Education, and Philosophy)

12 pages, 230 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Digital Teaching Competence Regarding Foreign Languages and Learning Modes at Official Language Schools in Andalusia (Spain)

by María Rubio-Gragera, Antonio Palacios-Rodríguez, Julio Cabero-Almenara and Mª Victoria Fernández Scagliusi

Societies 2025, 15(4), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15040099 - 11 Apr 2025

Viewed by 290

Abstract

Despite the limited academic focus on the context of Official Language Schools (OLSs), these institutions play a crucial role in the formal education system, which are exclusively dedicated to foreign language teaching across various modalities in Andalusia, where ten different languages are taught. The main aim of this study is to perform an analysis the following two specific aspects: first, a descriptive analysis of the digital competence of 105 OLS teachers, and, second, a contrastive analysis examining potential differences in digital competence based on the language and teaching modalities (e.g., face-to-face vs. blended learning). This study uses the DigCompEdu framework to evaluate the digital skills of the teachers, revealing that, while they receive some training in digital competence, the overall level is only moderate, indicating a significant need for further professional development. Notably, the study highlights that the teachers’ ability to convey the importance of digital tools for educational purposes is a crucial area, particularly in an environment where digital natives and immigrants coexist, presenting an intergenerational digital divide. The contrastive analysis shows no significant differences in digital competence based on language or modality, pointing to the lack of specialized training for blended learning teachers, who must rely heavily on technology in their work. This study suggests future research should focus on the digital competence of students, considering age as a potential influential factor in language learning, and recommends designing a tailored digital competence training plan for OLS teachers based on the DigCompEdu framework, which could benefit foreign language educators broadly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Social Research in Economics, Environment, Education, and Philosophy)

15 pages, 912 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ethical AI in Social Sciences Research: Are We Gatekeepers or Revolutionaries?

by Remus Runcan, Vasile Hațegan, Ovidiu Toderici, Gabriel Croitoru, Mihaela Gavrila-Ardelean, Lavinia Denisia Cuc, Dana Rad, Alina Costin and Tiberiu Dughi

Societies 2025, 15(3), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15030062 - 6 Mar 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1459

Abstract

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) in social sciences research introduces both transformative potential and critical ethical dilemmas. This study examines the role of researchers as either ethical gatekeepers or pioneers of AI-driven change. Through a bibliometric analysis of 464 records from the Web of Science Core Collection, we identify key themes in ethical AI discourse using VOSviewer Version 1.6.20. The findings highlight dominant ethical concerns, including governance, bias, transparency, and fairness, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaborations and responsible AI frameworks. While AI offers efficiency and scalability in research, unresolved issues related to algorithmic bias, governance, and public trust persist. The overlay visualization underscores emerging trends such as generative AI, policy-driven governance, and ethical accountability frameworks. This study calls for a shift from passive oversight to proactive ethical stewardship in AI-driven social science research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Social Research in Economics, Environment, Education, and Philosophy)

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47 pages, 5289 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Global Patterns of Parental Concerns About Children’s Education: Insights from WVS Data

by Daniel Homocianu

Societies 2025, 15(2), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15020030 - 5 Feb 2025

Viewed by 1091

Abstract

Parental concerns about the education of children usually reflect deep-seated anxieties. This study identifies the most influential factors shaping these global concerns based on World Values Survey (WVS) data spanning several decades. Using advanced techniques, including feature selection (Adaptive and Gradient Boosting, Pairwise Correlations, LASSO, Bayesian Model Averaging), mixed-effects modeling, cross-validation procedures, different regressions and overfitting, collinearity, and reverse causality checks together with two-way graphical representations, this study identified three enduring predictors: fear of job loss, fear of war, and respondent age. These findings mainly underline the role of socio-economic and geopolitical stability and security and, in addition, that of generational perspectives in shaping global parental priorities. All three predictors were consistent across seven dataset versions, various subsets considering random (ten-folds) or non-random criteria (different values for socio-demographic variables in mixed-effects models), and distinct feature selection approaches. Secondary influences, including opinions regarding the priority of work in life, other fears, and socio-demographic variables (e.g., gender, number of children, marital and professional status, income, education level, community size, etc.) provided more nuances to this study and additional explanatory power. The findings have implications for designing socio-economically sensitive educational policies that address parental priorities and anxieties in diverse global contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Social Research in Economics, Environment, Education, and Philosophy)

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17 pages, 1032 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mapping Australian Culture and Society in the Animated Series Bluey—The Use of Audiovisual Material in Early EFL Learning

by Amaya Arigita-García, Lidia Mañoso-Pacheco, José Luis Estrada-Chichón and Roberto Sánchez-Cabrero

Societies 2024, 14(12), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14120252 - 27 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1803

Abstract

Bluey stands as the current pinnacle in children’s television series, lauded and adorned with multiple accolades for its educational and social merits. It stands out for its portrayal of childhood social learning within familial settings, offering a realistic depiction of everyday challenges. In addition, Bluey is based on the everyday life of Australian society, clearly reflecting the country’s customs, social values, and natural environments, making it an invaluable resource for enriching the cultural learning of the English language and culture from an Australian point of view, an issue that is rarely addressed in the specialist literature. Thus, this study seeks to identify the cultural and societal facets of Australia depicted in it, with the aim of assessing its pedagogical value in teaching English to non-native learners within the context of primary education. Thirty evaluators analyzed the 52 episodes of the first season of Bluey, endeavoring to identify elements across nine thematic areas. To mitigate variances among evaluators, elements were verified only if agreement was reached by at least three evaluators. In total, evaluators identified 3327 elements representing Australian culture, comprising these categories: (1) Childhood; (2) Devices; (3) Lifestyles; (4) Food; (5) Language; (6) Sports; (7) Animals; (8) Nature; and (9) Places. A total of 1223 elements received verification by the requisite number of evaluators. The resulting catalog of Australia-specific elements per episode serves as a valuable tool in selecting the most instructive episodes for English-language and Australian cultural education for non-natives. This compilation facilitates a nuanced approach to teaching English, rooted in the diverse and culturally rich Australian context, thus breaking away from strictly British and American cultural associations and embracing a broader linguistic and cultural landscape. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Social Research in Economics, Environment, Education, and Philosophy)

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20 pages, 1024 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Human Resource Practices and Job Performance: Insights from Public Administration

by Zakaria Ouabi, Khadija Douayri, Fatine Barboucha and Omar Boubker

Societies 2024, 14(12), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14120247 - 22 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1531

Abstract

The Moroccan government has taken several initiatives to improve HR practices in the public sector, with the aim of enhancing the performance of civil servants and thereby improving the quality of public administration services. Therefore, this study employs the PLS-SEM technique to investigate the influence of HRM practices on job satisfaction, affective commitment, and in-role job performance within public administrations. The dataset was collected online from 390 Moroccan civil servants. The results indicate that recruitment and selection (RSE), training (TRA), compensation (COM), employment security (ESE), and internal career opportunities (ICOs) had a positive impact on job satisfaction (JSA). Likewise, RSE, TRA, and ICOs improved affective commitment (ACO). In addition, JSA and ACO enhanced in-role job performance (RJP). These findings provide valuable theoretical implications and practical guidelines for policymakers on how to adapt HR practices to enhance civil servants’ job satisfaction and affective commitment, ultimately improving their in-role job performance levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Social Research in Economics, Environment, Education, and Philosophy)

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19 pages, 745 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving Innovative Work Behavior in Small and Medium Enterprises: Integrating Transformational Leadership, Knowledge Sharing, and Psychological Empowerment

by I Nengah Aristana, Ni Made Dwi Puspitawati, Putu Pradiva Putra Salain, Viktor Koval, Oksana Konarivska and Tetiana Paniuk

Societies 2024, 14(11), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14110228 - 3 Nov 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2454

Abstract

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) significantly contribute to society’s growth and welfare. Nevertheless, SMEs often experience challenges, i.e., high levels of competition and market demands. To maintain SMEs’ existence, a competitive advantage is demanded by increasing innovative work behavior. This study explores and evaluates the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative work behavior and examines the mediating role of knowledge sharing and psychological empowerment on the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative work behavior. This study uses a quantitative approach, where data were gathered from a questionnaire distributed to 190 employees of export SMEs and were further examined using Smart PLS 3.2.9. The findings demonstrate that transformational leadership does not influence innovative work behavior but significantly and positively influences psychological empowerment and knowledge sharing. Psychological empowerment and knowledge sharing significantly and positively influence innovative work behavior. Subsequently, psychological empowerment and knowledge sharing partially mediate the linkage between transformational leadership and innovative work behavior. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Social Research in Economics, Environment, Education, and Philosophy)

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15 pages, 1089 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Stakeholder Integration in Education Policy Making: Case Studies of Singapore and Finland

by Ghalia Al-Thani

Societies 2024, 14(7), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070104 - 28 Jun 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5228

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Social Research in Economics, Environment, Education, and Philosophy)

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13 pages, 260 KiB

Open AccessConcept Paper

Theorising Pandemic Necropolitics as Evil: Thinking Inequalities, Suffering, and Vulnerabilities with Arendt

by Anastasia Christou

Societies 2024, 14(9), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090171 - 4 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1647

Abstract

A conceptualisation of the COVID-19 pandemic through the analytic lens of a ‘necropolitics as evil’ brings to the fore Hannah Arendt’s theorisation that evil is both an expression of, and a threat to, humanity and its plurality as an intersectional assemblage, and by extension as freedom in political action. Arendt accepts that while evil—as an expression of our humanity—can never be eradicated, it must—as a threat to our common humanity—be confronted. From this perspective, the functioning of race, gender, and wider structural inequalities as operational hinges of COVID-19 capitalism required spaces for resistance and change within the political economy of global inequalities during the recent pandemic. This (concept) paper explores such a conceptualisation through stories of the pandemic and with a particular focus on Indigenous people, marginalised groups such as migrants and asylum seekers, as well as the homeless. It is through the viral logics of cytopathic COVID-19 capitalisms that we confront and resist theoretical pathologies by re-theorising evil as conceptual currency to confront this conjuncture, critique limitations, and meaningfully translate the current societal landscape through this lens. This allows for engaging in a particular kind of reading of Arendt that is contextualised in terms of the stakes of the paper: the importance of thinking about convivialising solidarities in the ongoing pandemic that has been perpetuated by ‘evil political formations/evil governance’ under capitalism, and as such, the structural pathologies that exacerbate COVID-19’s deathly effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Social Research in Economics, Environment, Education, and Philosophy)

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