Search Results (595)

This article explores the crucial role of media education and media literacy as effective tools in combating disinformation. In the context of the growing influence of digital media and the increasing spread of fake news, propaganda, and manipulative content, the authors examine the level of awareness among young people regarding key media-related concepts such as media literacy, fake news, propaganda, and disinformation. A sociological survey was conducted among students from two Ukrainian higher education institutions—Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and Lviv Polytechnic National University—involving 277 respondents. The research aimed to evaluate the depth of understanding and preparedness of youth to critically assess media content and recognize signs of manipulative information. The findings indicate a clear trend: media awareness and critical thinking skills improve progressively from secondary school students to university students. This article emphasizes the importance of integrating media literacy into formal education systems as a long-term strategy to build a more informed and resilient society. The authors highlight the need for systematic educational initiatives and practical training in media literacy to empower young audiences in navigating the complex media environment and resisting the impact of disinformation. Full article

Due to global warming and intensified anthropogenic impacts, mountainous areas are increasingly being colonised by alien plant species. The diversity patterns of these species have not been sufficiently studied in the Central Balkans. The aims of this study were to determine the occurrence and richness of alien plant species in relation to habitat type and geological substrates, and to identify the factors with the greatest influence on the composition and abundance of these species on Zlatibor Mountain (Central Balkans). This area is known as an important tourist centre and a large mountainous massif in Serbia. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and distance-based Redundancy Analysis (db-RDA) were employed to examine the influence of environmental factors on the abundance and composition of 18 alien plant taxa. Data on altitude, habitat type, bedrock type, bioclimatic variables, and indicator values (light regime, soil moisture, acidity, nitrogen and temperature) of dominant plant species within the habitats were used as explanatory variables. Erigeron annuus, Reynoutria × bohemica, Robinia pseudoacacia, and Erigeron canadensis were the most common alien taxa and had the highest abundances. Residential and tourist facilities and the peripheries of asphalt roads are the habitat types where most alien species occur, while the lowest number of species was found in natural and semi-natural herbaceous habitats. Most taxa were found on serpentine substrates, while the number of taxa was lower on siliceous and carbonate substrates. This study emphasises the predominant role of habitat type in the partitioning of ecological niches of alien plant species. Furthermore, habitat type has a much greater influence on species composition and abundance than climatic factors and bedrock type, suggesting that the diversity pattern of alien plant species is related to the type and intensity of anthropogenic influences. Our results provide a useful basis for developing effective strategies to protect native habitats from invasion by alien plants. Full article

The entry is intended to define the concepts of risk communication and emergency communication. At the same time, it explains the difference not only from a communication point of view but also from a cultural one. Risk and emergency are two sociologically relevant events, and they are culturally constructed. They are events that bring about a socio-cultural change, which, in turn, is triggered by the population’s responses on the basis of the social perception of the events themselves, also conveyed by the different forms of communication. When communicating risk and emergencies, it is essential to educate people about alert and emergency systems. Above all, what they refer to and what kind of message they contain. The “warning communication” must be specific and refer exclusively to the threat to start the first phase of the communication through which it is possible to understand the type of threat and define the communication plan to be implemented later. The use of social media, which is strongly spread in digital society, allows not only rapid dissemination of information but also rapid communication and message selection (speed and content of the message are equally important). Alert and warning systems are very often linked to risk systems, since the risk from natural disasters (eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis) or technological catastrophes (nuclear power plant explosions) follows emergency phases when the phenomenon occurs. The communication processes, in and emergency, must be able to explain, persuade but also confer an assist the political decision-maker and the decision-making process itself through an alert system (especially in the first phase), followed by continuous dissemination through the media that the digital society offers, as well as through the usual systems adopted by government bodies (for example, bulletins and news), specialized research institutions and institutes with information and communication functions. In risk and emergency management, information and communication are to be considered, respectively, a basic element and a means of dissemination and training to educate the population to perceive a risk, to recognise emergencies and the possible impact of the risk. Differences will be expressed and analysed with reference to international examples. Full article

To enhance ecosystem services (ESs) benefits and promote ecological–economic–sociologic sustainability in highly urbanized regions such as the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region, it is essential to assess the dynamic changes in ESs within these regions from a functional zoning perspective and to explore the interactions between ESs. This research delved into how ESs change over space and time, using land-use projections for 2035 based on Natural Development (ND), Ecological Protection (EP), Economic Construction (EC) scenarios. This study also took a close look at the interplay of these ESs across BTH and its five distinct functional zones: the Bashang Plateau Ecological Protection Zone (BS), the Northwestern Ecological Conservation Zone (ST), the Central Core Functional Zone (HX), the Southern Functional Expansion Zone (TZ), and the Eastern Coastal Development Zone (BH). We utilize the Multiple Ecosystem Service Landscape Index (MESLI) to assess the capacity to supply multiple ESs. Key results include the following: (1) Projected land-use changes for 2035 scenarios consistently show cropland and grassland declining, while forest and urbanland expand, though the magnitude of change varies by scenario. (2) Habitat quality, carbon storage, and soil conservation displayed a “high northwest–low southeast” gradient, opposite to water yield. The average MESLI value declined in all scenarios relative to 2020, with the highest value under the EP scenario. (3) Synergies prevailed between habitat quality, carbon storage, and soil conservation, while trade-offs occurred with water yield. These relationships varied spatially—for instance, habitat quality and soil conservation were weakly synergistic in the BS but showed weak trade-offs in the HX. These insights can inform management strategies in other rapidly urbanizing regions. Full article

Phenomena from a variety of disciplines, including biology, computer science and sociology, can be modeled by graph dynamics in which nodes are associated with states and the node-state association changes in time. Although general k-state dynamics have been considered, most of the research in this area refers to binary dynamics especially as far as deterministic dynamics are regarded. In this paper 3-state deterministic dynamics are studied from the computational complexity perspective. A tractability result is proved when the third state is a state of neutrality, adopted by any node unable to establish a preference between the two remaining states. Subsequently, two hardness results are proved for two cases where each of the three states represents a semantically distinct state: the case in which a state change occurs in a node only if the most preferred state among the remaining two receives a suitable number of preferences, and the case in which a state change occurs in a node only if its current state lacks sufficient preferences and the most preferred state among the remaining two receives a suitable number of preferences. Finally, the relation of the last two results and a conjecture from the 1980s is discussed and it is shown that the conjecture is contradicted in both cases. Full article

This narrative review of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) history, therapy and prevention shows that its conceptualization has changed three times over 100 years. First, AD was a normative creation by Kraepelin in 1910 of a rare presenile dementia characterized by specific histological features. Second, during the 1970s, American neurologists, driven by sociological changes, merged presenile and senile dementias into an Alzheimer-type dementia with the universally accepted clinicopathological diagnostic criteria of McKhann. By the end of the 20th century, AD was divided into early-onset genetic (1%) and late-onset sporadic (99%) forms. In the 21st century, AD was redefined as a biological entity, using biological and neuroimaging markers of amyloid, tau and neurodegeneration, to better address research and clinical trials. This new nosology has been widely criticized, given the absence of curative therapy, the evidence of mixed pathology in most cases and the decline in the dementia/AD incidence in high-income countries. However, there are currently many drugs against AD in the pipeline; prevention appears as medical and social therapy. In summary, the ancient concept of age-related dementia has evolved into AD normative disorders over 100 years. Nowadays, AD requires a conceptual reassessment, although its medical paradigm remains. Awaiting pharmacological breakthroughs, dementia prevention seems the best practical approach. Full article

The influence of sex and gender on health is a relevant topic in both social research and health studies. However, the complexity of considering sex and gender jointly with multiple dimensions of the social structure (labor market, violence, traditions and culture, health system, etc.) requires an analytical framework. The present study employs the gender regime as a theoretical framework for health studies. It primarily draws upon the theoretical contributions of Walby and Connell, engaging with the challenges encountered in theoretical, methodological and empirical debates. Despite the diverse roots of these two perspectives, broadly utilizing the gender regime is promising for research. The health evidence demonstrates the potential of this framework to facilitate a more nuanced understanding of the distinct characteristics, experiences and resources that are specific to men and women. Studies of pain and illness also illustrate the contribution of the gender regime for both science and public policy related to health and well-being. A multi-level framework for health and pain has been developed using a sociological interpretive synthesis and a critical review. The present study puts forward a model and classification of components with an application to human health in which the gender regime is significant. Full article

This study addresses the dual sociological challenges of the silver digital divide and intergenerational estrangement in aging societies. Through a Participatory Action Research project, it explores and evaluates the AI-Enhanced Intergenerational Digital Inclusion (AI-IDI) framework as a mechanism for fostering social cohesion. Findings indicate that socio-emotional scaffolding from students, rather than technical instruction, was instrumental in reducing older adults’ technology anxiety, while students’ civic responsibility increased in line with the quality of collaboration. Interpreting these findings through the lens of Digital Symbiosis highlights how youth’s digital fluency and elders’ life wisdom can function as mutually reinforcing assets. Positioned as conceptual development and exploratory empirical research, this study reframes AI not as a mere tool but as a mediating resource for dialogue and solidarity. It contributes to sociological debates on technology and intergenerational relations while offering a transferable model for advancing digital equity and community cohesion. Full article

Gray divorce, defined as the dissolution of marriages among individuals aged 50 and above, has become an increasingly significant issue in Türkiye. Official statistics in Türkiye show that between 2001 and 2024, divorces among individuals aged 50 and above increased both in absolute numbers and as a proportion of total divorces, rising nearly threefold during this period. These increases reflect broader demographic and social changes, such as population ageing, longer life expectancy, changing expectations of marriage, and shifting gender norms. Using sociological literature on modernization and family change, as well as official statistical data, this review synthesises existing knowledge and situates gray divorce within global debates on family transformation. Findings from gray divorce studies indicate that women’s increasing autonomy, life cycle transitions such as retirement or empty nest experiences, and greater societal acceptance of divorce contribute to this trend. Furthermore, gray divorces have broad implications for intergenerational relationships, care responsibilities, and social policies. Specifically in Türkiye, regional differences show that divorce among the elderly is more prevalent in western urbanized provinces, where individualism and secular values prevail, and significantly less common in eastern regions, where traditional and religious norms are stronger. The increasing prevalence of this phenomenon highlights the need for more empirical research and policy responses that are appropriate to Türkiye’s demographic, regional, and cultural transformations. Full article

Mentoring is a series of communication interactions over time that involve the exchange of experiences or accumulated knowledge between individuals in a relationship with the intent of assisting growth and developing capacity. More specifically, mentoring frequently occurs in dyads that provide developmental mentoring, career development, psychosocial support, and role modeling across a continuum of formal and informal mentoring relationships, including episodic interactions. Mentoring has a long history, from guidance documented in Homer’s “Odyssey” dating back to 700 BCE, to structured mentoring programs used by organizations such as the Big Brothers (founded in 1910). However, mentoring research did not gain widespread prevalence until the 1980s when mentoring was applied across various employment sectors. This entry encompasses international scholarly publications across disciplines such as communication, business, education, medicine, engineering, psychology, sociology, and more to identify and explain key mentoring concepts, provide a comprehensive summary of existing research findings, offer strategies for effective mentoring practices, and highlight future research directions. Full article

This review seeks to understand what urban planning and management can do to reduce disaster risk and help cities adapt to the impacts of climate change. To achieve this, it examines various streams of the literature, as the topic sits at the intersection of several distinct but relevant disciplinary fields. These include urban planning in hazardous areas, recovery planning, disaster risk reduction (an umbrella term encompassing disciplines from engineering to geography and sociology), and, more recently, climate change adaptation. To navigate this vast body of knowledge, a conceptual framework is proposed to guide the selection of the relevant literature, and the strategy for this selection is detailed in the methodological section. This review adopts elements of both critical and theoretical approaches: it does not aim to be comprehensive or to systematically search each disciplinary domain addressed. While acknowledging the limitations and potential biases in the selection of articles and books, the review reflects an evolution in the discourse on urban planning for resilience. The discussion explores how the concept of resilience has emerged as a valuable bridge between disaster risk reduction, sustainability, and climate change adaptation—especially as cities face increasing exposure and vulnerability to stresses that are now more frequently compounded, multi-hazard, and cascading. The conclusion outlines the gaps and challenges that researchers, practitioners, and policy makers need to address moving forward. Full article

Studies conceptualize planning support systems (PSS) outcomes as post-implementation use (limited or continuous) in the planning process. This paper presents another perspective on PSS implementation outcomes—its institutionalization in the planning process. It combines the sociology of translation (SoT) and actor–network theory (ANT) as an analytic framework to investigate and explain a country’s PSS institutionalization in the planning process over 8 years. Ethnographic methods aid qualitative data collection and analysis. Results provide insight in the following three ways: (1) how heterogeneous actors create networks for PSS use, (2) to what extent the network(s) shape PSS institutionalization, and (3) why PSS institutionalization in planning processes does or does not happen. This paper argues that if PSS research investigates and documents these three ways, it will provide additional insights into the decisions, actions, and agencies of PSS institutionalization compared to studies that conceptualize PSS outcomes with use. It contributes to PSS research and practice by demonstrating the value of ANT in enhancing our understanding of PSS institutionalization in planning processes. It recommends further studies to validate this research regarding both retrospective understanding of and prospective management for PSS institutionalization. Full article

This work addresses the problem of synurbization, with its causes and effects specified using the example of wild boar (Sus scrofa). It presents basic biological parameters of the species, including those that promote its synurbization—small habitat demands, omnivorism, as well as ecological, behavioral, and demographic flexibility. It also discusses intra-species transformations stemming from wild boar adaptation to the urban space and pinpoints habitat fragmentation, ecological restoration, and phenotypic flexibility as the underlying causes of people–wild boar interactions. These interactions are primarily negative because wild boars attack humans and domestic animals and cause many traffic accidents. An analysis of the literature included in this study shows that, unfortunately, there are currently no fully effective methods that could protect urban areas and their inhabitants from the threats posed by wild boars. In order for sustainable urban development policies to be effectively implemented, there is a need for intensive, holistic research and cooperation between experts in many fields: wildlife, economics, public health, sociology, ethics, psychology, and urban planning. The synurbanization of wild boars is a large and growing social problem, but from an ecological perspective, there is a need to take action and develop methods to mitigate human/wild animal conflicts, not only from a human perspective. A one-sided view and action can be a threat to many animal species. Full article

Existing research on live-streaming e-commerce consumption behavior is mostly limited by a single disciplinary framework, unable to systematically parse the mechanism of macro-policies and cultural values on intergenerational consumer psychology. This study takes ASEAN cross-border live-streaming e-commerce as a scenario, integrates theories of economics, political science, and sociology, and constructs an innovative three-layer analysis model of “macroeconomic system–meso-market–micro-behavior” based on multi-source data from 2020 to 2024. It empirically explores the formation mechanism of intergenerational differences in impulse buying. The results show that the behavior differences of different groups are significantly driven by income gradient, cross-border policies (tariff adjustment and consumer protection regulations), and collectivism/individualism cultural orientations. The innovative contribution of this study is reflected in three aspects: Firstly, it breaks through the limitation of a single discipline, and for the first time, it incorporates structural variables such as policy synergy effect and family structure change into the theoretical framework of impulse buying, quantifying and revealing the differentiated impact of institutional heterogeneity in ASEAN markets on intergenerational behavior. Secondly, it reconstructs the transmission path of “cultural values–family structure–intergenerational behavior” and finds that the inhibitory effect of collectivism on impulse buying tends to weaken with age. Thirdly, it proposes a “policy instrument–generational response” matching model and verifies the heterogeneous impact of the same policy (such as tariff reduction) on different generations. This study fills the gaps in related research and can provide empirical support for ASEAN enterprises to formulate stratified marketing strategies and for policymakers to optimize cross-border e-commerce regulation. which is of great significance to promote the sustainable development of the regional live-broadcast e-commerce ecology. Full article

Problem: Amid digital disruption and the cross-fertilization of RBV, DCV, and KBV, strategic management knowledge has grown fragmented with blurred boundaries. Conventional mapping (citation/co-word, LDA) lacks semantic and temporal resolution, obscuring overlaps, divergences, and turning points and hindering links to actionable indicators (e.g., the Balanced Scorecard). Hence, an integrated, semantically faithful, time-stamped map is needed to bridge research and operational metrics. Gap: Prior maps rely on citation/co-word signals, miss textual meaning, and treat RBV/DCV/KBV in isolation—lacking a theory-aligned, time-stamped, manager-oriented synthesis. Objectives: This study aims to (1) reveal how RBV, DCV, and KBV evolve and interrelate over time; (2) produce an integrated, semantically grounded map; and (3) translate selected themes into actionable managerial indicators. Method: We analyzed 25,907 WoS articles (1980–2025) with BERTopic (Sentence-BERT + UMAP + HDBSCAN + c-TF-IDF). We used an RBV/DCV/KBV lexicon to guide retrieval/interpretation (not to constrain modeling). We discovered 230 topics, retained 33 via coherence (C_V), and benchmarked them against LDA. Key findings: A concise set of 33 high-quality themes with a higher C_V than LDA on this corpus was established. A Fish-Scale view (overlapping subfields across economics, management, sociology) that clarifies RBV–DCV–KBV intersections was achieved. Era-sliced prevalence shows how themes emerge and recombine over 1980–2025. Selected themes mapped to Balanced Scorecard (BSC) indicators linking capabilities → processes → customer outcomes → financial results. Contribution: A clear, time-aware synthesis of RBV–DCV–KBV and a scalable, reproducible pipeline for structuring fragmented theory landscapes are presented in this study—bridging scholarly integration with managerial application via BSC mapping. Full article