Journal of Policy and Society (JPS) is a fully open access peer-reviewed journal covering a broad range of topics in Public Policy and Administration. It publishes themed sections that encourage in-depth, critical analyses of specific policy areas. The journal welcomes scholarly papers - both theoretical and empirical - which analyse any aspect of social policy and its relationships with society from different angles. Contributions on teaching and learning issues within the discipline are also welcome.
Does populism affect government transparency? A transnational analysis
Government transparency is intrinsically linked to governance and accountability and is an essential element for democracy. However, the increasing use of populism by political leaders has raised questions about its impact on transparency. Political leaders often deploy populism as a strategy that can compromise the dissemination of information and weaken the institutions responsible for government oversight. Given this scenario, this study aims to analyze the effects of populist governance on government transparency at the transnational level, in addition to investigating the influence of factors such as economic development, corruption, press freedom, and human development. Employing an explanatory and quantitative research design, the study uses regression analysis on panel data from 27 countries between 2013 and 2021, encompassing 243 observations. The results indicate that Latin America exhibits distinct political, cultural, and economic characteristics compared to other regions, which affects the effectiveness of transparency strategies. Moreover, the study observes that in countries outside Latin America where populists govern, transparency tends to decline. Thus, the main contribution of this study is to emphasize the need to adapt transparency policies to regional differences, considering the effects of populism on governance. Awareness of these dynamics can be decisive for voters’ decision-making and the formulation of more effective public policies.
government transparency; populist governance; political accountability; Latin America politics; public policy
Copyright (c) 2026 Authors https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Policy review of talent competition among Chinese cities: Impacts of hukou and declining fertility
China’s cities are increasingly engaged in a “talent war”, driven by urban competitiveness and challenges posed by low fertility rates and the Household Registration System. Talent policies have become central to addressing labor shortages, fostering regional innovation, and supporting sustainable urban development. This study uses the method of meta-research to explore the intricate relationship between talent policies and urban competitiveness, analyzing 58 journal articles sourced from the CNKI database. The analysis identifies three main areas of focus: (1) The evolution and characteristics of talent policies in response to economic reforms and demographic shifts; (2) the effectiveness of these policies in enhancing urban technological innovation and industrial restructuring; and (3) the mechanisms by which talent policies influence population mobility, innovation performance, and urban economic transformation. Findings highlight that cities, leveraging their superior resources and autonomy, successfully attract high-skilled talent but contribute to regional disparities. In contrast, smaller cities face challenges such as limited diversity in policy tools and low market-oriented talent allocation. Additionally, the commodification of talent and the competitive nature of local government policies have introduced inefficiencies in regional innovation systems. To achieve sustainable urban development, the study underscores the need for coordinated talent policy frameworks, emphasizing innovation-driven development, regional collaboration, and tailored approaches to attract, retain, and utilize talent effectively. Addressing systemic issues in the Household Registration System and fostering equitable resource distribution will be critical to balancing regional development and ensuring long-term urban sustainability. This research provides actionable insights into the evolving dynamics of talent policies in China’s rapidly transforming socioeconomic landscape and provides readers with a clearer and three-dimensional understanding framework to understand China’s talent policy.
China’s cities; talent policies; household registration system; low fertility; human resources competition
Copyright (c) 2025 Authors https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The nexus of polytechnic education expansion, economic growth, and unemployment: A two-decade perspective in Nigeria
This study explores the dynamic relationship between polytechnic expansion, economic growth, and unemployment in Nigeria from 1999 to 2023 using secondary data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria and the National Bureau of Statistics. Key macroeconomic variables analyzed include the Number of Polytechnics (NP), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), GDP Growth Rate (GDPGR), and Unemployment Rate (UNER). Descriptive analysis revealed significant growth in polytechnic institutions, alongside persistent unemployment and fluctuating economic performance. The study employed the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test to assess stationarity, followed by a cointegration test and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to examine both long- and short-run dynamics. The results confirmed a statistically significant long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables, with the ARDL bounds test yielding an F-statistic of 15.84, surpassing the critical upper bound. Notably, the Number of Polytechnics (log_NP) exhibited a strong positive long-term effect on GDP growth (p = 0.0014), reinforcing the role of technical education in economic development. The error correction term (−0.4819, p = 0.0457) was negative and significant, indicating that deviations from the long-run path adjust moderately at a speed of 48.2% annually. Granger causality analysis further showed that polytechnic expansion Granger causes GDP growth, though not GDP directly, implying indirect effects through skill development and labor market productivity. These findings underscore the importance of aligning technical education with industry needs and improving the employability of graduates. The study recommends policy strategies focused on curriculum reform, funding support, and institutional-industry collaboration to fully harness the growth potential of polytechnic education in Nigeria.
cointegration; education; GDP growth rate; polytechnic expansion; stationarity; unemployment
Global Solutions & Outreach Programs: Humanity’s best chance to resolve global warming, Part 2: Global warming solutions
In “Global Solutions & Outreach Programs: Humanity’s best chance to resolve global warming, Part 1: Global warming challenges,” we discussed the challenges that are preventing humanity from resolving global warming. We are facing an existential threat. To mitigate these biases, the Global Solutions and Outreach Programs (GSOP) proposal calls for a truly global collaboration to evaluate and integrate climate solutions using the wicked- problem approach. This approach was demonstrated in the 1990s by a U.S. Army-funded project led by Dr. Richard (Dick) Hutchinson. The project involved two hundred and seventy (270) professionals from national laboratories and other U.S. government agencies to provide effective verification measures at the international chemical weapons convention then being negotiated in Geneva. GSOP evaluation and integration of climate solutions will be undertaken by multiple teams of engineers, economists, social experts, and political experts within each country. This work will be done outside of, yet informing, governments, the marketplace, and public opinion. Country Action Plans will be rolled up to regional and global levels. The GSOP work will be iterated until the global action plan provides a resolution of global warming at the scale of Earth. Part 2 describes our GSOP proposal.
global warming; climate change; climate solutions; wicked problems; business-as-usual; collaboration
Charting public health horizons: Hybrid SMEs and the X.0 Wave Theory in post-COVID governance
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed significant weaknesses in global public health systems, highlighting the urgent need for innovative governance strategies. This study investigates the potential of the X.0 Wave Framework, also referred to as the Comprehensive Integration Theory, alongside the innovative model of Hybrid Enterprises (SME X.0, where X.0 = 5.0), to revolutionize public health governance in a post-pandemic era. It emphasizes the role of these transformative concepts in reshaping strategic approaches to health systems, ensuring resilience, adaptability, and proactive crisis management. It delves into the integration of advanced technologies and novel business models to improve public health responses, resilience, and preparedness for future crises. By merging forecasting models, proactive measures, and sustainable practices, this chapter presents a comprehensive framework for developing adaptable and robust public health strategies to meet evolving challenges. Healthcare, social systems, and welfare structures are transitioning from conventional practices to advanced, data-centric methodologies, giving rise to a groundbreaking concept termed the “Digital Health Ecosystem” (DHE) and a new paradigm known as the “Internet of Health” (IoH). This concept integrates Internet of Things (IoT) technologies into health and social welfare systems, revolutionizing how data is collected, analyzed, and utilized to enhance individual and community well-being. This proposal aims to develop a comprehensive framework guided by the X.0 Wave Theory to address the ethical, social, and digital dimensions of the IoH, ensuring that technological advancements benefit society equitably and responsibly.
public health; Hybrid SMEs; the X.0 Wave Theory; post-COVID governance; health innovation; resilience; Welfare X.0; internet of health (IoH); digital health ecosystem (DHE); digital health
Energy research in a pluralistic system: Bibliometric analysis of SA publications
This article presents the results of a bibliometric analysis of South African energy publications during the period 2011 to 2021. Bibliometric analyses have the potential to reveal policy issues that cannot be identified easily through other approaches (e.g., peer review). Several findings are important for policy. It is identified that a substantial number of the energy publications produced by South Africans are proceedings papers. Identification of the main funders leads to the assumption that the National Research Foundation funding for conferences has led to the overproduction of proceedings. The most prolific producers of energy research produce approximately the same number of publications. Energy research is distributed to a large number of universities in the country. It is suggested that this may create diseconomies of scale. Comparisons of the organizational outputs of the South African organizations with international entities identify that the country’s organizations are subcritical. Analysis of the international collaborative patterns of energy identifies that collaboration is very light in comparison to collaborative patterns of all disciplines. It is noted that researchers moved towards renewable technologies even though there is no relevant support from the government. The investigation identifies that bibliometrics is a powerful approach for monitoring and evaluating disciplines within systems of innovation.
energy and fuels; bibliometrics; South Africa; web of science (WoS)
Copyright (c) 2025 Author https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A decade retrospect of Chinese education in the Belt and Road Initiative: Achievements, experiences, and challenges
Education plays a key role in the Belt and Road Initiative in the new era. Over the past decade, education has promoted the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, constructing a multilateral cooperation mechanism led by the government and dominated by universities, facilitating the training of talents in participating countries, fostering cultural exchanges among countries along the Belt and Road, and developing diversified educational assistance models. Meanwhile, certain experiences have been accumulated, such as implementing province-ministry cooperation and leveraging local advantages, maintaining the opening of education to the outside world and building a higher education community, optimizing the governance system and promoting the internationalization of vocational education, as well as emphasizing the integration of strengths and exploring new models of international educational assistance. However, there are also numerous challenges, such as the need to overcome institutional obstacles of higher education systems among countries along the Belt and Road, the need to deepen educational cooperation and exchange between the participating countries, the need to enhance the level of China’s opening of education to the outside world, and the need to further optimize the “going global” strategy of China’s vocational education. Going forward, countries along the Belt and Road should seek to identify the convergence point of common interest and the greatest common divisor in educational cooperation and exchange, thereby contributing to the steady and long-term progress of the Belt and Road Initiative.
the Belt and Road Initiative; education; achievements; experiences; challenges
Global Solutions & Outreach Programs: Humanity’s best chance to resolve global warming, Part 1: Global warming challenges
In June 2024, the world’s largest standalone public opinion poll covering 77 countries, Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024, reported that “89% of people [want] to see more climate action from their governments”. That is all well and good. However, how are policymakers being informed on the viability of climate solutions? Policymakers are typically not engineers or scientists. They must rely on others for advice. Many who provide that advice are influenced by four types of bias: Corporate vested interests, career vested interests, public passions, and political agendas. In combination with business-as-usual, these biases are destroying humanity’s chances of resolving global warming. They are detrimentally affecting current global projects to resolve global warming. To mitigate these biases, the Global Solutions and Outreach Programs (GSOP) proposal will be undertaken by multiple teams of engineers, economists, social experts, and policy experts within each country, using a Wicked-Problem Approach. This work will be done outside of, yet informing, governments, the marketplace, and public opinion. Country action plans will be rolled up to regional and global levels. The GSOP work will be iterated until the global action plan provides a resolution of global warming at the scale of Earth. Part 1 describes the challenges we face and a problem-solving approach to resolving it. Part 2 will describe our GSOP proposal using that approach.
global warming; climate change; climate solutions; human bias; wicked problems; business-as-usual; collaboration; mineral limits
Current trends in the development of the Russian economy as a challenge to vocational higher education
The article is an analysis of the current directions of development of the Russian economy in the context of sanctions pressure from technologically developed countries (countries of opponents). Sanctions restrictions determine many areas of the development of socio-economic processes in Russian society, acting as a kind of catalyst for the formation of technological sovereignty, rethinking their own capabilities to ensure national interests, and the formation of national mental security. The conditions in which the Russian economy has to develop represent a strategically important transition from the state of consumption of technological innovations that were proposed by the global external environment to the state of creation, production and scaling of its own technological solutions that determine the prospect of strengthening national technological and intellectual sovereignty. The innovative development of the Russian economy in the context of severe restrictions on world interaction and equal exchange of knowledge and resources requests national human capital, since it is he who is the key strategic resource that determines state competitiveness in the field of creating and developing current technological innovations that can provide and maintain the necessary pace of socio-economic development, as well as strengthen intellectual and technological sovereignty. In order for the national human capital to be able to provide the necessary level of socio-economic development in extreme conditions, high-quality vocational education is needed in the course of which highly qualified specialists of a new generation are formed with a set of knowledge, competencies, skills and personal qualities that can ensure technological sovereignty, mental security of the state and effective implementation of national interests.
technological sovereignty; innovation; socio-economic development; innovative knowledge; knowledge economy
Research on the change of China’s elderly service policies—An empirical analysis based on 117 policy texts
Population aging has emerged as a significant global concern. This article analyzes 117 policy texts in China since the reform and opening-up, borrowing Rothwell and Zegveld’s classic policy instrument theory to create a two-dimensional analysis framework. The X-dimension of the framework represents the three fundamental policy tools of supply, environment, and demand, while the Y-dimension consists of internal elements such as service subjects, service targets, service content and methods, and guarantee measures. Using this framework, the elderly service policies are categorized into three stages: the budding stage, the developing stage, and the perfecting stage. The study finds that China’s elderly service policies are primarily driven by environment-type tools, with supply-type and demand-type tools serving as secondary tools. The policy system is structurally imbalanced as a result. Over the long term, the trend is towards an increasing number of issuing subjects for Chinese elderly service policies. Moreover, the number of policies jointly issued by different departments is gradually increasing, and the issuing subjects are becoming increasingly diverse. The positioning of responsibilities among government, market, society, and family has been optimized, and the role of the government is becoming more rationalized.
policy instruments; elderly care service; government functions; policy texts
Digitalization’s role in energy demand and renewable energy integration: Evidence from BRICS + countries
This research examines the effect of digitalization on energy consumption and the integration of renewable energy in the energy mix in BRICHS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia) from 2015 to 2023. Panel regression models, including the fixed effects model and the random effects model, were employed to analyze within-country and between country variations. The Hausman test confirmed the appropriateness of the fixed effects model for country-specific analysis. Cointegration tests, such as the Pedroni Panel Cointegration Test and the Kao Residual Cointegration Test, were used to evaluate long-term equilibrium relationships, while Granger causality tests were conducted to identify directional relationships. Robustness checks included the Breusch-Pagan test for heteroskedasticity and the Durbin Watson test for serial correlation, ensuring the reliability of the findings. The findings reveal that digitalization contributes to intensive energy consumption, particularly in fossil fuel-rich countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia. However, countries such as Brazil and China interpret this situation differently due to their significant levels of installed renewable energy capacity, which partially offsets the impact of digitalization on energy demand. Furthermore, the increasing use of mobile data has replaced mobile broadband infrastructure in India, a rapidly digitizing economy, mitigating the energy-intensive nature of broadband systems. Thus, this study highlights the need for a balanced view of digitalization, such that technology fosters a sustainable energy transition rather than undermines it. The integration of digitalization with sustainable energy policies offers a greater chance of realizing benefits, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving a seamless energy transition. This duality presents a significant challenge for policymakers in balancing energy transitions and underscores the need for strategies that maximize the benefits of digitalization while minimizing its adverse effects on energy consumption.
digitalization; energy demand; renewable energy; BRICHS countries
Examining gender disparities in obesity clinic utilization: An analysis of sex and gender influences via the X.0 wave theory
Background: Obesity is a growing global health issue with significant social, psychological, and physical consequences. Despite a higher prevalence of obesity among men, women have historically been the predominant patients in obesity treatment centers. However, recent trends show an increasing male involvement in bariatric surgery. Understanding the motivations and societal influences driving these gender-based differences is critical to addressing obesity treatment disparities. Objectives: This paper investigates gender disparities in obesity clinic utilization and bariatric surgery motivations through the lens of the X.0 Wave Theory, as a comprehensive framework conceived, invented, introduced, and developed by Prof. Dr. Hamid Mattiello. The X.0 Wave Theory segments human history into transformative epochs characterized by significant advancements in knowledge, technology, and business. These epochs include the Agricultural Age (X.0 = 1.0), the X.0 Wave/Tomorrow Age (2.1 ≤ X.0 ≤ 2.2), and the current Age of Artificial Intelligence (X.0 = 4.0), with projections into the Human Age (X.0 = 5.0) and Transhuman Age (X.0 = 6.0) and beyond. Methods: We conducted a survey with 75 participants (69% women, 29% men) to investigate gender-based differences in motivations for seeking bariatric surgery. The survey captured various factors, including aesthetic concerns, health reasons, self-confidence, and quality of life, alongside the influence of societal pressures and social media. Results: The findings revealed distinct gender-based differences in motivations. Women primarily cited aesthetics, self-confidence, and social pressures, while men were more focused on health concerns and improving quality of life. The study also highlighted that women faced greater societal expectations and were more likely to engage with social media for information regarding treatment options. Discussion: The X.0 Wave Theory offers valuable insights into how emerging technological, social, and cultural waves influence decision-making in bariatric surgery. By understanding these gender disparities within the context of shifting societal norms and digital engagement, this study advocates for the development of gender-sensitive interventions in obesity management. The findings underscore the importance of addressing these differences to improve treatment approaches and outcomes. This research also offers predictions on how future technological and societal shifts may continue to shape gender disparities in healthcare decisions.
bariatric surgery; gender differences; obesity treatment; health motivations; aesthetic concerns; societal pressure; social media influence; patient demographics; gender disparities; obesity clinic utilization; the X.0 wave theory; motivations for surgery; health and aesthetics
Harmonization of cross-border contract law: Legal solutions in a globalized world
The harmonization of law is an essential tool to address the regulatory challenges arising from globalization and the increase in international commercial transactions. This phenomenon focuses on creating consistent legal frameworks that reduce conflicts of laws and transaction costs while improving legal certainty. From its emergence in the 19th century with the intent to revive the Lex Mercatoria to the advancements made in the 20th century through institutions like UNIDROIT and UNCITRAL, harmonization has evolved as a flexible mechanism promoting normative integration without imposing absolute unification of legal systems. This process is particularly relevant in dynamic areas such as cross-border contract law, where legislative diversity hinders the effectiveness of contractual and economic relationships. However, harmonization faces significant challenges in sensitive areas such as family law and labor law, where cultural and political factors play a central role. Despite these difficulties, its adaptable nature allows states and individuals to adjust legal instruments according to specific needs. This paper analyzes the historical evolution, fundamental characteristics, and contemporary challenges of legal harmonization, highlighting its role as an effective response to regulatory conflicts in a globalized environment. It concludes that harmonization not only fosters international cooperation but also strengthens global economic development by providing practical and balanced legal solutions tailored to the demands of an increasingly interconnected trade landscape.
law harmonization; cross-border contracting; globalization of law; international trade; conflict of laws; legal pluralism
Copyright (c) 2024 Authors https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Digitalization and country image: Key influencing factors (a case example of Nigeria)
This article examines the multi-faceted role of digital technologies in shaping a country’s image, with particular reference to Nigeria, the largest economy in West Africa. Digital technologies are playing an increasingly significant role in the development of country image, impacting cultural, economic, and political aspects, and this is drawing increasing interest and focus from the academic community. Here, the ways in which digital technologies contribute to the creation and projection of a country’s image are investigated via a two-stage research process. Firstly, a systematic literature review identifies key influencing factors (IFs) that are represented in a provisional conceptual framework (PCF). The IFs are the impact of social media, the level of digitalization and support infrastructure, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, technology innovation, standards and governance, and education and awareness. Secondly, a questionnaire based around the PCF was circulated to 10 leading academics and managers, in which they were asked for their views and experiences, and their assessment of the significance of each of the IFs. The exploratory paper concludes that digitalization has a significant influence on a country’s image, affecting perceptions of technological advancement, economic development, access to information, social transformation, and global competitiveness, and suggests that the framework put forward here may act as a model for cross-country comparisons in subsequent studies.
digitalization; country image; provisional conceptual framework; influencing factors; digital transformation
Exposing the hidden costs of ‘free’: Personal data commodification in the digital economy via X.0 Theory, Fuzzy Delphi, thematic analysis, and problem-solving frameworks
In this article, various techniques such as Fuzzy Delphi, thematic analysis method, and Creative Problem Solving (TRIZ Algorithm) are investigated to model the antecedents and consequences of personal data commodification in the digital economy in the post-truth world, through the X.0 wave/era theory. The article’s findings highlight and reveal the hidden costs of ‘free’ products and services that are offered in exchange for personal data. To address these issues, there is a growing need for increased regulation and transparency in the digital economy, as well as greater awareness among consumers about the value of their personal data and their rights to privacy. The article draws upon the metaphor of ‘free cheese and mousetrap’, which emphasizes how individuals can be lured into providing their personal data, only to be exploited or used for someone else’s benefit. Additionally, this article addresses three topics that have become increasingly relevant in recent years. Firstly, it is crucial to, beware of products that appear to be free—they’re not intended for your benefit, but rather to exploit you as a commodity. Secondly, the article examines the ‘velvet revolution’ that has taken place, which has facilitated the commodification of personal data in the digital economy. Thirdly, the article explores the intersection of hybrid, cognitive, and disinformation warfare with information disorder, which is used to control social and cultural capital.
free cheese and mousetrap; commodification of personal data; digital economy; hidden costs; hybrid warfare; emerging technologies the X.0 Wave/Age Theory; Seven Pillars of Sustainability Model (7PS); TRIZ Algorithm; problem-solving frameworks
Linkage between community resilience and participation, and social sustainability: Insights from the challenges of urban apartment residents in Yangon, Myanmar
All over the world, urban communities face several pressures such as natural hazards, climate change, and other urban challenges. Yangon, the former capital city of the developing country, Myanmar also faces poor infrastructure and limited resources, complicating efforts to reduce risk, and increasing its vulnerability to various shocks and emergencies. Especially in Yangon’s urban areas, an important aspect that seems to be lacking is maintaining the social aspect of sustainability and enhancing community resilience and participation. By approaching the conceptualizations and applying them through qualitative methods, including interviews and questionnaires, this paper explores a holistic understanding of the challenges and barriers faced by urban apartment residents in downtown Yangon, focusing on maintaining resilience and enhancing the overall well-being of their daily lives. Our findings contribute to the theoretical conceptualizations and empirical understanding of urban lifestyle by exploring descriptive analysis of how apartment residents face weak social bondings and social illness. As a result, we proposed political recommendations and highlighted the critical need to promote long-term social sustainability not only to address immediate urban challenges but also to promote their resilience against a variety of future challenges. Although the outcome of this study has focused on specific suggestions for Yangon, this paper provides original insight into effective strategies for building social bonding and resilience, aiming to impact future urban studies and inspire actionable solutions that enhance the social well-being of its population and encourage equitable development across the globe.
social sustainability; community resilience; risk reduction; urbanization; Yangon
An interpretative phenomenological analysis: Is Indonesia prepared for electric vehicles?
The transition towards sustainable transportation is critical for Jakarta, where traditional gas-powered vehicles contribute substantially to air pollution and adverse health effects. Battery- Powered Electric Vehicles (BEVs) represent a viable alternative, backed by technological advancements and government interventions like subsidies. However, despite these initiatives, BEV adoption remains influenced by factors beyond just price. This study explores consumer perceptions and the determinants of BEV demand using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The qualitative research, conducted through semi-structured interviews with 10 male participants aged 25 to 40, examines key factors impacting BEV adoption, such as price sensitivity, availability of substitutes, production costs, and externalities. Additionally, the study identifies the role of information gaps and government awareness campaigns in shaping consumer preferences. Findings indicate that price disparities, substitute availability, and infrastructure limitations significantly influence BEV adoption. Economic considerations, coupled with consumer awareness of environmental impacts, are pivotal in driving demand. The research suggests that enhancing infrastructure, providing accurate information, and implementing supportive policies could accelerate BEV adoption in Jakarta. This study contributes valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to promote sustainable transportation and mitigate negative externalities in Indonesia’s capital.
electric vehicles; factors price; government; Jakarta; pollution
Considering state administrative decrees (SAD) by artificial intelligence from the transparency principle in Indonesia (Case study: The ministry of law and human rights of the republic Indonesia)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has now touched the realm of government, such as in the creation of State Administrative Decrees (SAD/Keputusan Tata Usaha Negara/KTUN). The involvement of AI in this realm leaves questions regarding the application of its transparency aspects based on the Indonesian legal context. This article aims to understand the phenomenon of using AI for SADs in Indonesia and to find out the application of the principle of transparency generally and contextually in terms of using AI for SADs. This research is normative-empirical research with a conceptual and statutory approach by conducting literature studies and respondent interviews. As a result, SADs as a product of government administrative action in several cases have been using AI and have received normative recognition. On the other hand, there is legislation that regulates the general aspects of SAD transparency, especially related to public information openness and personal data protection. AI transparency itself can be divided into two concepts, namely: technical transparency and justifiable transparency. Justifiable transparency is considered more convenient and suitable to be applied in Indonesia.
SADs; artificial intelligence; principle of transparency
Assessment of broadcast media in mobilizing women for political participation in lagos state
The goal of this study is to examine the role of broadcast media in mobilizing women for political engagement in Lagos State. The objectives of the study were to investigate how women in Lagos State are being mobilized for political participation by the broadcast media, to determine whether cultural norms in society have an impact on women’s political participation in Lagos State, and to ascertain the obstacles that women encounter when engaging in Lagos State. The study used a survey research method, and agenda-setting theory and Status Conferral theory were adopted as a theoretical framework. The total population of the study consists of 183 respondents, while the sample size was 96 respondents who meet the criteria of the study. Convenience sampling was employed based on the availability of the respondents, and the instrument for data collection was a questionnaire. Content validity was used to validate the instrument for effective data collection. After coding and analysis in SPSS 22.0, the results were interpreted using frequencies and percentages. The findings of the study show that the media plays a significant role in the process of political mobilization. The fact that women are and have been marginalized in Nigeria’s political system is the most important aspect of this discussion, as it portends dire consequences for the country’s system, which is now essentially ruled and controlled by men. Therefore, issues causing this predicament are deeply ingrained in the anxieties that the majority of women experience, some of which are related to insecurity, financial hardship, and a lack of political support. The study recommends that there is a need to establish a supportive environment free from all forms of violence and harassment that enables women to participate effectively in the decision-making process in a sustainable and efficient manner.
assessment; broadcast media; mobilizing; women and political participation
Energy literacy among young adults in the European countries
Energy literacy is an essential prerequisite for informed and sustainable energy consumption habits. Our paper focuses on factors influencing young adults’ attitudes and behaviours and their knowledge of sustainable energy consumption practices. The research was conducted in five European countries, Austria, Croatia, Greece, Slovenia and Poland, and data were collected from 219 young adults between the ages of twenty-nine and thirty-nine. The methods used are statistical analyses, including principal component analysis, a technique for analysing large data sets and identifying influencing factors. We used a statistical software package (SPSS) for the analyses. Our analysis revealed five significant factors influencing the energy literacy of young adults. The key factors were education and awareness, investment in energy efficiency, age and gender, climate change and environmental protection, sustainable lifestyle and social environment. Policymakers, educators and other stakeholders can work towards creating a more energy-literate and sustainable society by understanding the key factors that influence energy literacy.
energy literacy; energy consumption; awareness raising; sustainability; survey; energy-related behaviour
Jazz music: From black pride to political consciousness to social change in the United States
African Americans have been marginalised, discriminated against, and excluded from American society for centuries. First as slaves, but later when they gained emancipation, they remained relegated, differentiated, and discounted, in a range of areas, including in the political and economic spheres. Music has been a means to promote their greater inclusion in American society, drawing together and uniting all Americans through its power. While there have been links drawn between music and the African American struggle for equality, there has not been sufficient focus on the pivotal role that specifically jazz music has played in this regard. Jazz particularly has been a vehicle for promoting Black pride, political consciousness, and social change. This article argues that jazz has had a major effect on African American culture, society, and experience. Analysing the works of legendary jazz musicians James Brown, John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, and The Temptations, this article shows that jazz is not only as a catalyst for, but a driving force in, the fight for political freedom, as well as for economic empowerment, which is arguably still ongoing today.
music; jazz; United States of America; African Americans; human rights; pride; consciousness; social change
Leisure class stratification among Chinese residents: Evidence from the CGSS
Amidst rapid societal progression in China, leisure has become a crucial component of Chinese residents’ daily lives. However, the unequal distribution of social resources across social strata significantly affects their leisure patterns and practices. This study utilizes data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) spanning 2006, 2010, and 2017, analyzing the frequency and types of leisure engagement as dependent variables through mean, variance, and OLS regression analyses. The findings indicate considerable leisure stratification within Chinese society, both subjectively and objectively; there are significant differences in leisure participation frequency and type among different social strata, particularly in developed leisure activities. The conclusions of this study may aid in understanding the current state of leisure class stratification among Chinese residents, while its practical recommendations could help mitigate the issues of leisure stratification within Chinese society.
leisure class stratification; China; measurement
Rethinking higher education for the 4th Industrial Revolution: Synergetics in global social transformations and society building
This paper highlights the need for our Rethinking Education towards a global common good and cultivating New Era universities for the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). 4IR represents a fundamental change in the way we live, work, and relate to one another. It is a new chapter in human development, enabled by extraordinary technological advances commensurate with those of the first, second, and third industrial revolutions. Indeed, the 4th Industrial Revolution measures up with the Post-Capitalist Society, involving policies catering to human living needs, enabling people to have a Neo-humanist outlook, and come together to form a universal and more evolved society. This evolved societal state can also come about through the implementation of SDGs. 4IR requires a new vision and mission for universities as agents of social transformation and society building, which is what we as humanity must now embark upon.
humanistic higher education; Higher Education 4.0; radical socio-economic innovation
Evaluation of sustainable finance implementation in emerging markets
This paper provides a comprehensive review of the initiative and commitment of an emerging market, Indonesia, in implementing sustainable finance to achieve a low-carbon economy and sustainable development goals (SDGs). It explores trajectories, challenges, and opportunities of sustainable finance as well as recommendations for related stakeholders for the development of sustainable finance in Indonesia. Many believed that implementation of sustainable finance, which considered multiple aspects of economic, social, and environmental risks and returns, would enable finance companies to maximize their role as a catalyst for the creation of environmentally friendly investment and a fair economic social system to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) more effectively. Specifically, green finance implementation as an important element of sustainable finance would create acceleration in financing for environmental preservation and climate change adaptation. Data used for evaluation is derived from selected ten financial services companies’ members of the Indonesia Sustainable Finance Initiative (ISFI) in the 2019–2022 period. It shows that despite the continuous growth in the amount of loan allocated to sustainable and green business activities, considering their loan capacity, the Indonesian financial services sector has done too little in sustainable finance, which in fact is dominated by microfinance, and very little in green finance. Regulators urgently need to formulate proper policies and incentives as well as to develop a favourable ecosystem together with related stakeholders to expedite the establishment of a well-developed and sophisticated sustainable and green finance system in Indonesia.
sustainable finance; green finance; climate finance; SDGs; Indonesia
Land use/cover change and transormations in Upper Runde Sub-catchment area in Zimbabwe
The study assessed land use/cover changes in the Upper Runnde sub-catchment in Zimbabwe between 2000 and 2020 using GIS and remote sensing techniques with the support of interviews and field observations. Faster land use/cover changes were experienced within the 2000–2010 decade when compared to the 2010–2020 decade; for instance, bare land increased by 92.1% between 2000–2010 compared to 16.5% between 2010–2020. Major land cover transformations included change from forest land to bare land, grassland and shrub land, and change from grassland to bare and shrub land to grassland. The results confirmed conversion of forests to agricultural lands and settlements following the fast-track land reform program in 2000, and livestock increase induced overgrazing as major human activities driving land cover changes. There is a need for serious attention from resource management stakeholders before depletion of critical resources like water and woodlands. Therefore, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, and Rural Resettlement and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority may consider strict auditing of land uses and water resource use in catchment areas to guard against encroachment of agriculture and other land uses in protected lands and fragile ecosystems like water bodies and wetlands.
land use/cover; drivers; land cover change; catchment; resources
COVID-19 induced DV in Zimbabwe’s Southlea Park residential area in Harare
COVID-19 affected various communities across the globe in different ways. The study assessed the impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown on domestic violence in the Southlea-Park residential area in Harare. A mixed-methods research design was adopted as it allowed use of both qualitative and quantitative data collection approaches. Questionnaires, interviews, and observations were employed for data collection. The research showed that DV in the Southlea Park residential area emanated from drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, conflicts over decision-making between parents, prostitution, and food insufficiency, among others. The study indicated that most dominant forms of DV in Southlea Park during the COVID-19 lockdown period included physical, emotional, and verbal violence. The findings from this study indicated that males suffered more from verbal and psychological violence, while females suffered more from physical, economic, sexual, and emotional violence. The research concludes that COVID-19 had massive influence on domestic violence; however, the Zimbabwe Republic Police should ensure deployment of police officers in temporary camps within or close to residential areas that are far from police stations to ensure public safety during situations that trigger domestic and other forms of violence in residential areas, and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development in Zimbabwe should ensure availability of agents responsible for ensuring against vulnerability of people to gender, domestic, and other forms of violence in all communities of the country, especially during situations that trigger violence.
domestic-violence; COVID-19; lockdown; vulnerable; victim
Copyright (c) 2023 Authors https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Environmental challenges associated with disposal of baby diapers in Hwange town, Zimbabwe
The rapid increase in the use of disposable baby diapers in urban areas is associated with a number of environmental challenges. This study assesses the environmental challenges of disposable baby diapers in Hwange, Zimbabwe. Questionnaires, interviews, and field observations were used for data collection in this study. Data collected from the field was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 and Microsoft Excel. The study findings show that pollution, diseases, and odours are the major challenges of poor waste management associated with disposable baby diapers in Hwange ZPC residential areas. The study recommends the involvement of responsible authorities in conscientious recycling and education on waste management. The research also recommends the need to conduct longitudinal research to establish the position of local and central government in the bid to promote a safe and healthy environment in mining towns such as Hwange, as they are overlooked.
disposable baby diapers; diseases; environmental challenges; waste; Zimbabwe