Journal of Social Science Studies (JSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 13, Number 1 Anubhav Mathur, Bennett University, IndiaAnurag Hazarika, Tezpur University, IndiaChristo Nikolov Kaftandjiev, Sofia University, BulgariaLeonie Brummer, Utrecht University and University of Groningen, NetherlandsMd Mashiur Rahman, Comilla University, BangladeshMichael O Akintayo, Metropolitan College of New York, United StatesRoberto Campos da Rocha Miranda, Chamber of Deputies (Brazil) University Center Iesb, BrazilYu Kun, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia John SmithJournal of Social Science StudiesMacrothink Institute*************************************5348 Vegas Dr.#825, Las Vegas, Nevada 89108, United StatesTel: +1.866-288-9585E-mail 1: jsss@macrothink.orgE-mail 2: jsss@macrothink.comWebsite: http://jsss.macrothink.org
This research investigated the difficulties encountered by Sudanese women who sought asylum in Egypt after the eruption of war in their country in April 2023. Central to the study were the flee women’s own narratives. Eight families were purposefully selected for the study. They consented to share their experiences without disclosing their identities. The study utilized interviews with open-ended questions. Moreover, it was structured in the form of narrative accounts.Key findings from the narratives indicated that Sudanese women were compelled to flee their homes due to the rapid escalation of violence in their home country. The violence began in Khartoum, the capital, and extended to neighboring regions and states. Many Sudanese people experienced forced displacement and migration. They endured severe conditions throughout their journey until the arrival to their destination. Egypt was the most favored location among a lot of Sudanese women. The narratives highlighted themes such as, harsh circumstances of migration, fears faced by the flee women during their travels, challenges of settling down in Egypt, and other coping mechanisms. These stories revealed the profound physical and psychological sufferings that impacted these individuals, at personal and family levels, at the present time and in the futures. Furthermore, it showed the urgency to provide them with the crucial support and policies to address their challenges in the host countries.
With the rise of the experience economy, environmental theatre, as a new form of cultural consumption space, has become a carrier of "liminal space" for urban youth to escape reality and seek emotional resonance. From the perspective combining liminal theory and spatial consumption, this study explores the liminal experiences and consumption behaviors of young people in environmental theatres through participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, and netnography. It reveals the endogenous dynamics of this cultural industry and the cultural practices of youth participation. The findings are as follows: (1) Environmental theatres construct spatial liminality by reorganizing physical space within urban buildings; by offering audiences liminal experiences, they provide a field for disembedding from reality and self-reinvention within the city. (2) The consumption practices within this culture are driven by a dual logic: "emotional resonance triggers" and "symbolic stamp-collecting psychology." Meanwhile, deeply involved participants construct their identities through high-frequency consumption and engage in symbolic interaction practices on digital platforms, guiding consumption within their circles. (3) Under the influence of the attention economy, environmental theatres increasingly emphasize visual symbols, leading to new shifts in market trends.
In fragile and conflict-affected settings, climate variability and insecurity increasingly interact to shape patterns of human mobility. However, localized empirical evidence explaining how these forces jointly influence youth migration decisions remains limited. This study examines the climate–insecurity–migration nexus in Burhakaba District, Southwest State of Somalia. Using a cross-sectional survey of 80 youth respondents selected through purposive sampling, the study analyzes primary data using descriptive statistics in SPSS. The findings reveal that youth migration is driven by the cumulative effects of recurrent droughts, loss of agricultural and pastoral livelihoods, high unemployment, persistent insecurity, and weak governance structures. Climate-related stress intensifies resource scarcity and inter-communal tensions, while insecurity undermines institutional trust and economic stability. In this context, migration emerges not primarily as an aspirational choice but as a form of constrained adaptation to structural vulnerability. The study highlights the need for integrated policy interventions that simultaneously address climate resilience, youth employment, and local peacebuilding to reduce distress-driven migration.
This study examines the psychological and social impacts of electronic video games on middle school students using research instruments specifically designed to measure these effects and by verifying their psychometric properties. The study sample comprises 266 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students in the Directorate of Education in Al-Muwaqqar District, Jordan. A correlational descriptive approach was employed. The findings reveal that the overall mean score for the psychological influence of electronic games on middle school students is moderate. Similarly, the overall mean score for the social impact is also moderate. The study found no statistically significant correlation between hours spent playing electronic games and their psychological and social effects. Nevertheless, significant differences are found in the mean scores for the psychological and social effects of electronic games on middle school students based on gender, favoring females. Conversely, no statistically significant differences are observed in mean scores for the psychological and social impacts of electronic games by grade level or number of hours played. Based on the results, the study recommends raising students’ awareness of the potential harms associated with electronic gaming. It also contributes to enriching studies of the effects of interactive media by providing empirical evidence from the Jordanian educational context, reliable measurement tools for the psychological and social consequences of electronic games, and clarification of the role of certain demographic variables as conditional factors in shaping these effects.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a relatively recent practice in China, where state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are mandated to publish CSR reports. This study analyzes how Chinese state-owned energy companies use intertextuality as an impression management strategy in CSR report introductions over a fifteen-year period. Drawing on impression management theory and intertextuality as an analytical lens, the study examines three intertextual devices: reference, presupposition and discourse representation. The findings reveal a clear shift in discourse, from an authoritative, bureaucratic tone to one highlighting equality and dialogue. Over time, the authoritative identity becomes less dominant, while professional and public-oriented identities become more prominent. Changes in referencing and presupposition strategies further reflect increased personalization and responsiveness to stakeholder expectations. This research demonstrates how intertextual practices shape corporate identity and contribute to the evolution of CSR communication. It offers insights into how Chinese SOEs adapt their discourse to align with broader sociopolitical transformations and growing demands for public accountability.
Male breast cancer exhibits a higher mortality rate compared to female breast cancer; however, it remains under-researched in terms of its potential consequences. This study explores men’s knowledge of male breast cancer (MBC) in Ghana. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with twenty-two (22) purposively and conveniently selected participants between the ages of 18 and 70. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze participants’ knowledge of male breast cancer. The findings revealed that most participants, including community members, a male breast cancer patient and a survivor, had limited and inaccurate knowledge of female breast cancer and no awareness or knowledge of male breast cancer. Nevertheless, these knowledge gaps did not deter participants from seeking healthcare, as most expressed willingness to undergo screening for early indicators of breast cancer. The study recommends increased education and awareness about male breast cancer through targeted community outreach.
The shift towards globalization and digitalization has fundamentally altered the marketing environment, enabling both international corporations and local businesses to compete more equally. Concurrently, advances in information technology (IT) have changed how young consumers interact with brands and make purchasing decisions.This study aims to identify the key factors influencing brand preferences among young IT professionals, explore the relationships between these factors, and determine a model that differentiates preferences for global versus local brands.A survey using a self-administered structured questionnaire with a 7-point Likert scale was distributed to 554 randomly sampled young IT professionals. The data was analyzed for reliability and consistency, followed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to validate the factors affecting purchase decisions for both high-involvement products (smartphones) and low-involvement products (Marie biscuits). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was then applied to the validated factors.Key findings reveal that a variety of factors influence purchase preferences, depending on the product type:High-involvement products (smartphones): Factors include consumer ethnocentrism, brand trustworthiness, affordability, brand familiarity and comprehension, environmental concerns, and brand affiliation and allegiance; Low-involvement products (Marie biscuits): Factors include brand familiarity and reliability, brand publicity, brand charm and fascination, brand crush and attachment, and brand engagement. The study concludes that marketing practitioners need to be aware of these distinct factors when developing branding strategies targeting IT professionals.
Omoregie (2023) developed the SCRAP LOC model in his book, ‘Divergent Theory of Intimate Relationships: A Theory & Remedy.’ The model provides a structured framework for addressing divergence in intimate relationships. The aim of this paper was to present the SCRAP LOC model, highlighting its theoretical underpinnings and practical applications. There were 76 couples (152 participants) who attended a relationship seminar that took place in the Greater Manchester region post covid-19 pandemic. Participants were those whose relationships had survived 10 years and above without in-between breakups. 32 key factors were extracted from participants’ perceptions as being responsible for addressing relational divergence and improving relational harmony. These factors were factorised into superordinate factors. Findings suggest that the SCRAP LOC model has promising potential for usability. Potential implications and limitations of the model were discussed.
Theatre for Development (TfD) has emerged as a powerful participatory methodology for catalyzing community transformation in Ghana, yet critical questions persist regarding how audience participation actually translates into sustained behavioral change and structural transformation. This article examines the role of audience participation in Ghanaian TfD projects through analysis of theoretical frameworks, established case studies, and recent student-led initiatives in local communities (2024–2025). Five key mechanisms of audience participation are identified: extended community entry, collaborative performance creation, interactive theatrical techniques, structured post-performance dialogue, and sustained engagement. Drawing on recent empirical evidence from four university-supervised TfD projects, all conducted by students from the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Education Winneba, and reaching over 12,000 community members across diverse development issues; environmental sustainability, educational equity, public health, and economic empowerment, the study demonstrates that participatory theatre, when thoughtfully designed and implemented with authentic community partnerships and linkages to concrete resources, can contribute meaningfully to individual empowerment, community mobilization, and sustainable development outcomes. However, persistent challenges including power dynamics, resource constraints, facilitation capacity gaps, and sustainability limitations require deliberate strategies including inclusive facilitation, community control throughout project cycles, institutional alignment, and long-term commitment from practitioners, policymakers, and development institutions. The evidence suggests that TfD’s transformative potential can be realized by embracing participation as a technique of redistributing power to marginalized voices in development processes.
This conceptual paper aims to construct an integrated theoretical framework for exploring how AI-generated content systematically reshapes the value creation logic of publishing brands. The research identifies a symbiotic cycle between AIGC and publishing brand development, characterized by ‘data-driven insights-content adaptation-intelligent action.’ This paper elucidates the specific pathways through which AIGC empowers brand creation, promotion, and management. Ultimately, it provides systematic strategic guidance for publishing enterprises to leverage AIGC for brand value enhancement and digital transformation.
With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the field of cultural and creative product design is undergoing a profound paradigm shift. Based on Peircean semiotic theory, this research establishes an innovative cultural semiotic translation framework to explore the cultural value transmission mechanism in creative product design under AI intervention. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative semiotic analysis with quantitative questionnaire surveys, using the cultural and creative product design of Nanjing Confucius Temple as a case study to examine the impact of AI technology on the production and decoding process of cultural signs. The research finds that AI technology creates a new paradigm of cultural value transmission by reconstructing the relationship between signifiers and signified; in the digital translation process of cultural signs, the integration of traditional cultural elements and modern design language demonstrates multi-dimensional characteristics of cultural cognition, spiritual resonance, and aesthetic integration. This study not only enriches semiotic theory in the digital age but also provides a new methodological perspective for the modern transformation of cultural heritage. It has significant theoretical and practical implications for promoting innovation and development in the cultural and creative industries.
In the era of social media, talk show actresses Yang Li and Ali Wong's performances and their public opinions have attracted wide attention on Chinese and foreign media platforms. The rise of talk show actresses is of great significance to the construction of new media images of women. Based on critical discourse analysis and cross-cultural comparison framework, this study selects relevant discussions on Zhihu and Reddit platforms to construct an asymmetric corpus to explore the media image construction process of the two actresses. The study finds that Yang Li's symbol construction revolves around gender power games, performance discourse disputes, and personal image and social mapping; Ali Wong's involves comedy style, content theme, audience acceptance, and cultural and social comments. Social media amplifies disputes over gender and cultural issues, affecting public perception.
Purpose: To explore how Orthodox Christian ethical teachings on lending and usury can be translated into economically viable frameworks that promote justice, solidarity, and responsible financial governance in Greece and Cyprus.Design/methodology/approach: This study employs a conceptual, historical-theological, and applied ethical approach. It draws from biblical sources, patristic writings (particularly St. Basil the Great and St. John Chrysostom), and comparative analysis of the sovereign debt crises in Greece and Cyprus. The study also outlines pathways for implementing these insights into economic policies and financial systems.Findings: The study establishes that Orthodox Christian ethics condemns exploitative lending while allowing for morally responsible lending that supports communal welfare and development. A theological framework that balances compassion with economic prudence can foster just and sustainable finance.Practical Implications: Ethical guidelines derived from Orthodox theology can inform public policy, inspire alternative banking models, and promote equitable lending practices that contribute to economic stability and social welfare.
This scoping review evaluates hazing prevention efforts within the United States (U.S.) military, outlining existing programs and providing recommendations for future initiatives. Relevant studies were sourced through electronic bibliographic database searches and reference reviews of pertinent literature. The search yielded 95 studies, of which 16 met the inclusion criteria. To understand the literature in reference to the current hazing prevention efforts in the civilian sector, these studies were categorized according to the Hazing Prevention Framework (HPF) – a comprehensive, evidence-based approach structure most commonly used for addressing the behavior– components, which include: (1) commitment, (2) capacity, (3) cultural competence, (4) assessment, (5) planning, (6) evaluation, (7) sustainability, and (8) implementation. Current Department of Defense efforts primarily focus on commitment, capacity, and assessment, while cultural competence, planning, evaluation, sustainability, and implementation require further development. Strengthening military hazing prevention initiatives by incorporating all HPF components is essential to effectively addressing and reducing hazing behaviors among service members.
Adolescents face unprecedented challenges in sustaining hope for the future, making it a critical focus of educational and psychological inquiry. Hope is not only a psychological strength but also a moral virtue that represents a positive orientation toward goals, aspirations, and future possibilities. In parallel, resilience refers to the ability to withstand, adapt to, and recover from stressful experiences, crises, or adversity. For secondary school students, resilience functions as a protective factor that supports adaptive development, enhances coping strategies, and fosters growth when confronting challenges. Hope and resilience jointly function as fundamental psychological resources that equip adolescents with the skills and attitudes needed to thrive in uncertain and demanding contexts. The present study explored the relationship between hope and resilience among secondary school students in Taiwan. A total of 802 students participated, and data were gathered using validated scales designed to measure both constructs. The results demonstrated a significant positive correlation between hope and resilience, suggesting that adolescents who possess higher levels of hope are more capable of adapting to adversity. Moreover, hope was identified as a strong predictor of resilience. Within the dimensions of hope, positive emotions and optimism emerged as the strongest predictors, while empathy and interpersonal interaction also contributed meaningfully to resilience outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of fostering hope and resilience in school settings. The study concludes with practical implications for educators and policymakers, emphasizing strategies such as optimism training, emotional development, and peer support.
Higher education in Brazil has undergone intense transformations, driven by public policies, expansion of the private sector and challenges in regulating the quality of teaching. This article carries out a theoretical review on the evolution of higher education in the country, addressing the impacts of commercialization, the assessment of academic quality and inequalities in access to universities. The research discusses the role of the National Higher Education Assessment System (SINAES) and analyzes student financing policies, such as FIES and PROUNI. Furthermore, it examines the challenges of university autonomy, the impacts of quota policies and the effects of student debt on academic retention. The results point to the need to improve educational policies, both in regulating higher education and in promoting equity and academic quality. The study highlights that, although programs such as PROUNI and FIES have significantly expanded access to higher education, their structure needs to be reviewed to avoid precarious teaching and excessive student debt. Furthermore, the growing influence of private conglomerates raises questions about the standardization of curricula and the loss of academic diversity. Given this scenario, this article concludes that the consolidation of quality higher education in Brazil depends on the implementation of public policies that balance sector growth with effective regulation and financing mechanisms. The search for more inclusive, sustainable education and aligned with the demands of the job market and academic research is essential for national development.
The engagement of artificial intelligence (AI) has been presented as one of relentless and uniform progress reshaping management practices and employee relations across the globe. Or so the narrative goes. This paper argues that the adoption of AI-driven management and surveillance tools is not a culturally neutral phenomenon but contains differences as understood whether in an Eastern or Western context. Through a synthesis of existing literature, this analysis examines this divide by focusing on algorithmic management and workplace surveillance. Western contexts, prioritizing individual autonomy, tend to view algorithmic surveillance with precaution, framing it as an infringement on rights. Many Eastern contexts that emphasize collective harmony and national goals would demonstrate a higher degree of acceptance of these tools as instruments for efficiency and social order. This dichotomy is examined further through an analysis of China's Corporate Social Credit System as an apotheosis of the state-driven, collectivist model. The paper then provides a comparative analysis of worker pushback, and how responses to algorithmic control are themselves culturally coded. The paper concludes that a one-size-fits-all approach to the deployment of workplace AI is untenable, and discusses a few implications for multinational corporations, global AI ethics, and the future of labor rights.
With the escalating environmental harm caused by carbon emissions from road diesel trucks and the global advancement of carbon reduction and carbon neutrality initiatives, enterprises and individuals are compelled to seek greener transportation alternatives. This study focuses on the application of new energy trucks and hydrogen trucks in logistics trunk lines, centering on their roles in reducing carbon emissions and lowering operating costs. By constructing mathematical models, it analyzes different road sections to select appropriate vehicle types and scheduling schemes, thereby optimizing the overall logistics and transportation system for enhanced economic and environmental benefits. The research findings indicate that new energy and hydrogen-powered trucks excel in carbon emission reduction; however, they currently confront challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, high hydrogen fuel costs, and other development constraints. Nevertheless, in the long term, new energy and hydrogen energy are expected to yield substantial economic and environmental benefits (Mao et al., 2022).
Unethical behaviour in the workplace is a persistent global challenge, and Lesotho’s public sector is no exception. While conventional tools such as codes of ethics, legislative frameworks, and self-regulation mechanisms exist, they have not curbed the prevalence of misconduct. This study investigates the underlying economic and institutional factors that may increase susceptibility to unethical behaviour among public service professionals in Lesotho. A descriptive quantitative approach was employed, drawing on secondary data from reputable sources for the period 2005–2023. The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) served as the dependent variable, with six macroeconomic indicators analysed for their potential influence on ethical outcomes: income per capita, inflation, foreign direct investment (FDI), unemployment rate, vulnerable employment, and dependency ratio. Time series estimation was conducted using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) after ensuring all variables met stationarity requirements. The findings indicate that among the variables examined, only income per capita had a statistically significant association with CPI trends. This suggests that economic pressures linked to income levels may affect the ethical orientation of professionals under institutional stress. While limited to the context of Lesotho, the results highlight the importance of addressing structural economic vulnerabilities in public service reform. Broader and more inclusive studies across African contexts are recommended to validate these findings and support regional strategies for strengthening ethics and professionalism in governance.
