Search Results (222)

This study focuses on Shanghai, a pioneer city in China’s community renewal practices. In recent years, community renewal driven by civic participation has become a prominent research topic, leading to the emergence of numerous exemplary cases in Shanghai. However, field investigations revealed that many projects have experienced varying degrees of physical deterioration and a decline in spatial vitality due to insufficient maintenance, reflecting unsustainable outcomes. In response, this study examines a bottom-up community renewal project led by the research team, aiming to explore how broad civic participation can promote sustainable community renewal. A multidisciplinary approach incorporating perspectives from ecology, the humanities, economics, and sociology was used to guide citizen participation, while participatory observation methods recorded emotional shifts and maintenance behavior throughout the process. The results showed that civic participatory actions under the guidance of sustainability principles effectively enhanced citizens’ sense of community identity and responsibility, thereby facilitating the sustainable upkeep and operation of community spaces. However, the study also found that bottom-up efforts alone are insufficient. Sustainable community renewal also requires top-down policy support and institutional safeguards. At the end, the paper concludes by summarizing the practical outcomes and proposing strategies and mechanisms for broader application, aiming to provide a reference for related practices and research. Full article

This literature review investigates how social, cultural, political, and psychological factors contribute to biodiversity loss in coastal ecosystems. While biodiversity decline is often analyzed from ecological or economic perspectives, this review focuses on the societal dimensions that shape environmental attitudes and behaviors. Using a semi-structured approach, we searched Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed studies that address social influences on biodiversity, particularly in coastal contexts. Boolean logic and targeted keywords guided the selection, complemented by snowballing techniques to identify additional relevant literature. From over 600 initial results, 57 studies were included in the final synthesis. The literature spans diverse disciplines, including sociology, political science, environmental psychology, and cultural studies. Although many studies do not explicitly focus on coastal areas, they provide transferable insights into conservation-related behavior and structural drivers of biodiversity pressure. The review identifies thematic clusters and theoretical gaps, particularly regarding underexplored social variables and insufficient attention to multi-level dynamics. Our findings underline the need for stronger integration of societal dimensions into biodiversity research and policy, especially in coastal regions facing complex socio-ecological challenges. Full article

“Racial Injustice, Violence, and Resistance: New Approaches from Multidimensional Perspectives” is the product of a dialogue among three experts, bridging the disciplines of economics, criminology, and sociology and bringing together expertise in racial inequality, urban sociology, international immigration, Latin America, and Latino/a/x studies [...] Full article

Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) is emerging as a disruptive force, both economically and socially, with its use spanning from the provision of goods and services to everyday activities such as healthcare and household management. This study analyzes the enabling and inhibiting factors of GAI use in Spain based on a large-scale survey conducted by the Spanish Center for Sociological Research on the use and perception of artificial intelligence. The proposed model is based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and is fitted using machine learning techniques, specifically decision trees, Random Forest extensions, and extreme gradient boosting. While decision trees allow for detailed visualization of how variables interact to explain usage, Random Forest provides an excellent model fit (R² close to 95%) and predictive performance. The use of Shapley Additive Explanations reveals that knowledge about artificial intelligence, followed by innovation orientation, is the main explanatory variable of GAI use. Among sociodemographic variables, Generation X and Z stood out as the most relevant. It is also noteworthy that the perceived privacy risk does not show a clear inhibitory influence on usage. Factors representing the positive consequences of GAI, such as performance expectancy and social utility, exert a stronger influence than the negative impact of hindering factors such as perceived privacy or social risks. Full article

In the context of accelerated urbanization and ageing in China, the inefficient use of land resources and ecological space extrusion pose significant challenges to the development of age-friendly cities. Existing studies predominantly adopt a single-disciplinary perspective, and there is a paucity of systematic exploration of regional heterogeneity and the multidimensional influencing mechanisms of the effects of adaptive land management policies. Drawing upon the theoretical framework of social-ecological system resilience in environmental sociology, this study integrates the concept of adaptive land management as a factor in the resilience of old-age-friendly cities. Empirical investigation is conducted to examine the impact of adaptive land management on the resilience of old-age-friendly cities and its spatial differentiation. The entropy weight method and the panel regression model are utilized to analyze the panel data of 269 prefectural-level cities in China from 2010 to 2022. The study posits that effective land management is instrumental in enhancing the resilience of age-friendly cities through optimal spatial allocation and ecological restoration. The promotion effect is more pronounced in the central and western regions and in small and medium-sized cities. The internal dimensions of resilience demonstrate heterogeneity, with economic and social resilience showing significant improvement, and ecological resilience being constrained by natural thresholds with a limited effect. The study also puts forward policy recommendations for further building the resilience of age-friendly cities. Full article

In recent social science debates, poverty is seen as a multidimensional phenomenon, not only economic, but also psychological, educational, moral, and relational. The empirical observation and analysis of this latter dimension and its qualities represent a sociological challenge, especially in assessing the integral effectiveness of social projects. As part of this debate, this article proposes an analytical method—based on Social Network Analysis, according to the egocentric or personal approach—and describes its use during an empirical “relational impact assessment” of a specific anti-poverty project in the Northwest region of Argentina. Analysis of the data—collected longitudinally through questionnaires—highlights the changes in the personal “relational configurations” of small entrepreneurs in the tourist area, i.e., the beneficiaries of the project, while also highlighting the emergence of “relational goods”. In this way, this article offers an analytical method to evaluate the “relational impact” of anti-poverty projects in quali–quantitative terms. Full article

Reducing total waste generation, increasing the rate of separate collection, and ensuring efficient material recovery are three key objectives recognized at the UN, EU, and national levels for achieving a sustainable waste management system. The policy and scientific debate has traditionally been polarized around two main collection systems: door-to-door and street collection, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. However, in recent years, hybrid waste collection models, which aim to integrate the advantages of both systems, have gained increasing attention. The impact of these models on sustainability, as well as the social mechanisms underlying their success or failure, remain underexplored. This paper analyzes a case study of a hybrid waste collection innovation implemented in eight small and medium-sized municipalities in Piedmont, Italy. The study has a twofold objective: (1) assessing the economic and environmental impacts of the system and (2) hypothesizing the social mechanisms that generate these effects. To address these research gaps, we develop a theoretical framework that combines the socio-technical system approach with analytical sociology. The framework is then operationalized through a quasi-experimental research design, which allows us to measure the effects of the hybrid innovation on a set of 17 indicators. The analysis is conducted by comparing the treated municipalities with a control group selected for its similarity. Empirical evidence reveals an unexpected and partially contradictory outcome: while the total amount of waste decreases, this reduction is not offset by a proportional increase in separate collection rates. Moreover, the quality of waste separation worsens. To explain this emerging pattern, we formulate a set of hypotheses—grounded in our theoretical framework—on the key factors influencing individual behavioral responses. Our provisional conclusion, which requires further qualitative validation, suggests that the interplay between economic incentives and social control in a context of imperfect awareness leads to ambiguous effects of hybridization in waste collection systems. Full article

In all successful economic societies, trust is a unity factor. By contrast, the absence of trust leads to poor economic performance and negative social implications. In this paper, we uncover the relationships among social trust, corruption, and the duration of economic crises. Our theoretical foundation is based on a collection of studies from different academic fields, especially political science, sociology, and economics. We test two hypotheses: Hypothesis 1: Social trust has a negative correlation with the duration time of an economic crisis. Hypothesis 2: Corruption has a positive correlation with the duration time of an economic crisis. Our study is based on two methods: descriptive and econometric analysis. As a first step, we perform a descriptive analysis on a dataset including social trust, corruption, and economic crisis as variables. As a second step, we apply econometric techniques to analyse our data. For the hypotheses, we introduce a multiple regression with control variables. Our dataset includes 11,364 observations distributed across 211 countries. The quantitative findings support Hypothesis 1 suggesting that, as the duration of economic crises increases, social trust declines. Similarly, when the duration of the economic crisis decreases, social trust increases. Hypothesis 2 was rejected. Connecting our theoretical stance with the empirical evidence, we propose several possible explanations for the findings and provide both theoretical and practical implications. Full article

This paper analyses temporary migration programs (TMPs) as a manifestation of the “State thought” ideology, drawing on Abdelmalek Sayad’s sociological framework. Sayad considers the State central to the migration system, shaping perceptions and practices around migration through its ideological and structural dominance. The paper first explores how the State constructs hegemonic ideologies around migration, emphasising the dichotomy between nationals and non-nationals. TMPs epitomise these ideologies by promoting utilitarian migration systems that maximise economic benefits while minimising social integration. TMPs, such as agricultural guest worker schemes, enforce strict temporality, denying migrants permanence and full participation in host societies. Migrants are treated as disposable labour, restricted by non-transferable permits, and confined to precarious living conditions. The paper highlights the tension between the economic reliance on migrant labour and the State’s exclusionary policies, revealing TMPs as tools for controlling and exploiting migrants while maintaining national homogeneity. Ultimately, TMPs embody the pinnacle of “State thought”, balancing economic utility and sovereignty by perpetuating provisionality, exclusion, and systemic exploitation. The paper concludes by acknowledging migrants’ agency as they navigate and resist the structural constraints of TMPs to pursue personal and collective goals, challenging these programmes’ colonial and utilitarian underpinnings. Full article

This interdisciplinary study examined the migration, settlement, and identity formation of Afro-Caribbean communities in Canada, with a focus on Haitian and Jamaican diasporas. It explored the historical transitions from racially exclusionary immigration policies to contemporary multicultural frameworks and assessed their impact on the socioeconomic integration and cultural identity of these communities. Drawing from archival records, government reports, and sociological literature, this research highlights how Afro-Caribbean populations have navigated systemic barriers while contributing significantly to Canadian society. Using racial capitalism as a theoretical lens, the study critiqued the structural inequalities embedded within Canadian immigration and labour policies, underscoring the persistent challenges of economic marginalization and racial discrimination. Additionally, it engaged with cultural capital theories to examine the resilience and agency of Afro-Caribbean communities in forging new opportunities through cultural knowledge and community networks. Ultimately, this research advocates for policy reforms that foster a more equitable and inclusive society by addressing the systemic exclusions that continue to shape the experiences of Afro-Caribbean Canadians. Full article

Brain drain represents a critical challenge to global development, reflecting structural inequalities and tensions between mobility and rootedness. This study analyzes the determinants of skilled migration in 178 countries (2006–2022) using a regression model based on panel data, identifying six key variables: uneven economic development, the quality of public services, external intervention, voice and accountability, the rule of law, and political stability. Governance, particularly political stability and the rule of law, stands out as crucial for retaining talent, while external interventions and economic inequality exacerbate emigration. From a sociological perspective, migrants are active agents who transform transnational networks, challenging traditional notions of citizenship and belonging. Civil society organizations play a central role by facilitating sociocultural inclusion, mediating resettlement processes, and promoting brain circulation as an alternative to retention-focused models. Additionally, this study highlights the cultural and symbolic dimension of migration, revealing the impact of uprooting on communities of origin. Future research should explore how inclusive policies, digital nomadism, and remittances can reduce structural inequalities, strengthen the connection between migrants and their communities, and advance towards a sustainable and equitable mobility model. Full article

The global growth of solar power has led to a significant increase in solar photovoltaics (PV) waste, which is expected to rise significantly in the coming years. The recommended end-of-life (EOL) management techniques for wasted PV panels include landfill disposal, recycling, or panel reuse. However, a comprehensive decision-making strategy is necessary to assess the appropriate EOL plans from various perspectives, including economic, environmental, sociological, technological, regulatory, and business. This study aims to establish a comprehensive approach for examining disposition alternatives and suggest guidelines for PV EOL management. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is used to prioritize disposition alternatives for solar PV waste, considering five key criteria: environmental impact, economic viability, social implications, policy and legislative compliance, and technical feasibility. The AHP Aggregating Individual Priorities (AIP) aggregation approach is used to analyze data using a pairwise comparisons matrix. The research indicates that recycling is the most preferred option based on the primary criteria, achieving the highest overall score compared to other alternatives. However, discrepancies were observed in the decisions among individual stakeholder groups and subfactor evaluations. To address these variations, this study provides policy recommendations to guide the sector in adopting optimal decision-making strategies for PV EOL management. Full article

Business sustainability emerges as a cornerstone for balancing economic growth, environmental preservation, and social well-being, establishing itself as a global priority. However, this approach still faces significant challenges among micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in emerging regions such as Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico. This study examines how business networks facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices through knowledge transfer and inter-organizational collaboration, emphasizing the influence of sociological factors and social interactions. Using a qualitative approach that combines semi-structured interviews and social network analysis with UCINET software version 6.776, an active network of 54 companies is analyzed. The results highlight central nodes with high betweenness centrality, underscoring their role as catalysts in disseminating sustainable practices. A significant correlation is also identified between types of business interactions and the implementation of these practices, emphasizing the strategic value of cooperation in fostering responsible behaviors. This study helps bridge the theoretical gap regarding sustainability in MSMEs and offers practical implications for designing policies that enhance business collaboration for sustainable development. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of understanding business interaction dynamics and their implications for driving sustainable transformation in regional contexts. Full article

Phytoremediation, a sustainable approach, is a hot topic, particularly for harsh mining environments. The Baiyin copper mine, a typical example of massive sulfide deposits, retains value as a national park after closure. Our research on it aimed to explore phytoremediation. By studying the plant community’s phyto-sociological attributes, we found that plants maintained long-term stability, with restoration potential. And the top-level dominant species, Lycium chinense and Nitraria tangutorum, were selected as candidate repair plants based on importance value. Then, we assessed soil heavy metals using pollution indices and found that Pb, As, and Cd were the primary contributors, along with Cu and Zn, causing pollution. Next, we determined the repair ability of two candidate repair plants through their accumulation effect and transport efficiency, finding that both had strong tolerance to these heavy metals and accumulated similar amounts, except for Cu, which was slightly lower than expected; however, Lycium compensated for this with its higher Cu conversion rate, leading to its final recommendation. Lycium has an uncommon advantage: during extraction of active ingredients, it can remove heavy metals as impurities, preserving economic value. This discovery provides the idea, theoretical basis, and pioneer plant for the phytoremediation of sulfide deposits like the Baiyin copper mine, particularly in northwestern China’s mining regions. Full article

Contemporary science and religion discourse (SRD) is a large field encompassing various topics, from creationism against evolution to theological anthropology and artificial intelligence, though historically, what is meant by “science” is Western science, and what is meant by “religion” is usually Christianity. Moreover, SRD has been driven mainly from the North American context. The scope of this paper will thus be more focused on Western science and North American Protestant Evangelical Christianity, which hereafter will be referred to as simply Christianity or religion. In this article, I argue that SRD often arises from conflict or intersections where such interdisciplinary dialogue is needed to better understand the topic. However, this also means that topics that seem to agree between religion and science are not discussed in SRD. It is as if the goal of SRD, consciously or unconsciously, is to attain some consensus. Topics that have achieved consensus are not worth interrogating using the interdisciplinary approach of SRD. In this article, I will raise the topic of the holy war on obesity as a case example. From the medical and scientific perspective, obesity is a significant epidemic and problem. Similarly, Christians also see obesity as a problem that their churches can help by reinforcing the need for self-control as a virtue. The alignment of the two fields leaves this subject primarily out of the radar of the academic SRD. Yet I argue here that this unholy alliance needs to be questioned because locating the solution to obesity simply on willpower to lose weight and battle gluttony is short-sighted at best, misleading perhaps, and harmful at worst. This paper calls for a transdisciplinary approach to the SRD on obesity, emphasizing the need to address the multifaceted nature of the problem, which spans physiology, psychology, sociology, economics, culture, and theology. In overlooking the complexity of the problem with its various intersectionalities, both science and religion in SRD have colonized bodies and health. Inherent within this transdisciplinary approach is the exercise of undisciplining SRD and decolonizing bodies. The concept of “undisciplining” involves re-evaluating the problem beyond mere weight loss, addressing interconnected issues such as food supply, government regulations, capitalism, discrimination, and mental health care. The narrative of gluttony as sin, the war metaphor, and the methodologies employed by both religious and scientific communities need to be deconstructed. In conclusion, recognizing the entangled system in which all are complicit, the paper advocates for a more nuanced and comprehensive approach, free from the constraints of traditional disciplinary boundaries and influenced narratives. Full article