Taken collectively, consumer food choices have a major impact on animal lives, human lives, and the environment. But it is far from clear how to move from facts about the power of collective consumer demand to conclusions about what one ought to do as an individual consumer. In particular, even if a large-scale shift in demand away from a certain product (e.g., factory-farmed meat) would prevent grave harms or injustices, it typically does not seem that it will make (...) a difference whether one refrains from purchasing that product oneself. Most present-day food companies operate at too large a scale for a single purchase to make a difference to production decisions. If that is true, then it is not clear what point there is in refraining. This is “the problem of collective impact.” This chapter explores a range of proposals for how to solve this problem. (shrink)

This study focuses in testing the power of reciprocity and leadership as collective action incentive structures and cooperation economic benefits in explaining collective action initiation in the context of a post-communist transition economy. The paper is based on a structured survey targeting Albanian export-oriented farmers. Different from most previous studies, this paper uses both regression analysis and machine learning procedure which is better suited for analysing non-linear relationships. The empirical findings are at odds with common sense that non-cooperation (...) is the dominant strategy, because the presence of tolerant reciprocators and leadership resources provide promising incentive structures for collective action development. KEYWORDS: Albania, collective action, collective action benefits, incentive structures, leadership, power, reciprocity. (shrink)

Sometimes, a group of people can produce a morally bad outcome despite each person’s individual act making no difference to whether the outcome is produced. Since each person’s act makes no difference, it seems the effects of the act cannot provide a reason not to perform it. This is problematic, because if each person acts in accordance with their reasons, each will presumably perform the act—and thus, the bad outcome will be brought about. I suggest that the key to solving (...) this problem is to make it true of each person that their act would in fact make a difference to the relevant outcome. Fortunately, I contend, this can be accomplished by each person simply forming a particular type of attitude. I argue that each person has an obligation to form the relevant attitude in collective action cases, on pain of being immoral or irrational. (shrink)

This paper describes the scientific practices of the anatomists from the Société Anatomique de Paris (1803–1873) who were collecting anatomical and pathological specimens in Nineteenth-Century Paris and which led to the building of the anatomy and pathology Musée Dupuytren (1835–2016). The framework introduced by Robert Kohler to describe collecting sciences (2007) is useful as a tool to identify the set of diverse practices within pathological anatomy in nineteenth-century Paris. However, I will argue that anatomy and pathology collecting had specific features (...) compared to most collecting sciences. Two main collecting practices could be distinguished: first, “finding” anatomical specimens and second, keeping these specimens. The first kind of practices were at least rhetorically and explicitly motivated by Auguste Comte’s positive philosophy. But “finding” an anatomy or pathology specimen could not be completely compared to finding an object or making a simple observation, as dissecting as well as some experimental practices were also involved. Heterogeneous practices thus coexisted within collecting in anatomy and pathology. Epistemological as well as pragmatic tensions arose. On top of Kohler’s framework, I introduce Sabina Leonelli’s concept of “data journey” to offer a narrative of the diversity of collecting practices involved in the Société Anatomique de Paris and the Musée Dupuytren. I use the concept to analyse how this diversity of practices impacted knowledge production. (shrink)

Even with events like the Capitol attack, it is misguided to focus too much on the possible epistemic failures of individuals. Instead, the focus should be on the collective underpinnings of bad beliefs (such as false beliefs about a stolen election), and especially on the collective agents who peddle in misinformation. We can divide the collective agents that pollute our epistemic neighborhoods roughly into those that do so for ideological or other such reasons (misbelievers), and those that (...) do so for instrumental reasons (disinformers), although in practice these categories can overlap. These two motivations impact the responsibility of the collective agents that help to create bad epistemic neighborhoods. While misbelieving is more culpable in a purely epistemic sense, being a disinformer is more culpable in a moral sense. Epistemic institutions present a special case for the responsibility of collective agents. Although collective agents can present us with clear cases of culpability in epistemic matters, when dealing with consumers of fake news and misinformation, we should proceed with a certain level of epistemic humility. (shrink)

Digital duplicates reduce the scarcity of individuals and thus may impact their instrumental and intrinsic value. I here expand upon this idea by introducing the notion of collective scarcity, which pertains to the limitations faced by social groups in maintaining their size, cohesion, and function.

Abstract -/- Throughout history, scientific discovery and technological innovation have consistently shaped the trajectory of human civilization. Although breakthroughs often originate from specific individuals, institutions, or nations, their long-term impact ultimately extends to all humanity. This paper demonstrates that the collective body of scientific and technological progress transcends borders, cultures, and generations, producing shared benefits in health, communication, economic development, and quality of life. Drawing on historical cases and contemporary examples, it argues that innovation—when responsibly managed—functions as a (...) global public good, expanding human capability and alleviating suffering. -/- . (shrink)

Collective efforts to address the legacies of slavery and colonialism tend to orient solely towards dealing with material compensation, such as reducing economic disparity, and levelling access to public services. However, communities directly impacted by the dehumanizing legacies have insisted on a broader reckoning—one that recognizes all dimensions of the harms, including the spiritual injury and the relevant psychosocial trauma inflicted across the generations. They remind us that harms of structural injustice extend beyond the material, the physical and the (...) psychological, also entangling the moral, relational, and spiritual fabric of human life. Understanding harms of inhumanity brings to light the layers of damage and is key to identifying interdisciplinary approaches to collective healing, social transformation and the well-being of all. -/- This book emerges from the ongoing intellectual dialogue as part of the UNESCO Collective Healing Initiative. The Initiative focuses on healing the wounds of inhumanity, co-creating just societies and enhancing the flourishing of current and future generations. -/- Brings together under-explored questions and provides succinct answers to them in one volume. Includes multi-disciplinary perspectives. Connected to a UNESCO global initiative. (shrink)

Can a basic sensory property like a bare colour or tone be beautiful? Some, like Kant, say no. But Heidegger suggests, plausibly, that colours ‘glow’ and tones ‘sing’ in artworks. These claims can be productively synthesized: ‘glowing’ colours are not beautiful; but they are sensory forces—not mere ‘matter’, contra Kant—with real aesthetic impact. To the extent that it inheres in sensible properties, beauty is plausibly restricted to structures of sensory force. Kant correspondingly misrepresents the relation of beautiful wholes to (...) their parts. Beautiful form is not extrinsic to sensory force. Sensible beauty is just the holistic impact of agonistically-interacting sensory forces. When sensory forces interact hierarchically, their collective impact is closer to the sublime, in quality if not degree. The simplest sensory experience of sublimity is just the impact of radically intensified sensory forces, similar in kind if not degree to the individual ‘singing’ tones in a beautiful melody. (shrink)

The present paper tackles what we might call the AI achievement challenge, which has been the subject of recent debate in AI ethics. The challenge concerns the question of whether there are any achievement gaps due to artificial intelligence and what we should do if there are: how to fill them, or what policies are needed to decrease their impact on us if they cannot be filled. This paper argues that none of the proposed views is entirely satisfactory, even (...) though they all have certain merits. The paper will provide two mutually compatible answers to the AI achievement challenge: one in terms of collective achievement and the other in terms of vicarious achievement. (shrink)

This article analyzes the formation of distorted collective perceptions in contemporary media contexts and examines their impact on social, political, and cultural life. From a hermeneutical approach, an interpretative model is proposed that explains how the initial perception is transformed into public opinion through processes of amplification, negativity bias and narrative fragmentation. It is argued that the information acceleration of the digital age produces impoverished collective interpretations that influence political decision-making, the construction of religious identities and the (...) geopolitical configuration of a multipolar world. Finally, the need for a deep hermeneutic is raised to correct these distortions and recover a more balanced understanding of the social world. (shrink)

The study aims to analyze the impact of top management support for strategic planning on crisis management in UNRWA-Gaza Strip field in Palestine. Several descriptive analytical methods were used for this purpose, and a survey as a tool for data collection. Community size was (881), and the study sample was stratified random (268). The overall findings of the current study show that top management provides needed HR for strategic planning but with no financial support. Also there are shortcomings in (...) the way that organization manages the crises before and after they occur. A crisis management is only practicing during the crisis. The study suggest that top management must provide the financial support for strategic planning, periodic meetings to prepare how to deal with potential crisis in the future, establishing a specialized team and provide them with all sources needed. (shrink)

Polarization poses a critical threat to the stability of nations around the world, as it impacts climate change, populism, democracy, and global health. This perspective examines the conceptual understanding, measurement challenges, and potential interventions for polarization. Our analysis highlights the distinction and interactions between the individual and collective levels of polarization, conceptually, methodologically, and in terms of interventions. We conclude by pointing out future directions for understanding polarization and highlighting the interrelations between polarization and other social phenomena. -/- .

This study investigated the impact of social media on academic performance of mathematics education students in tertiary institutions in Anambra State, Nigeria. With the increasing integration of social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram into students' daily lives, there is growing concern about their impact on academic performance, particularly in challenging subjects like Mathematics. Employing a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 100 final-year undergraduate students across three public tertiary institutions using a validated structured questionnaire. (...) The study examined both positive and negative influences of social media on students' academic performance. Data analysis using mean scores, standard deviations, and t-tests revealed that social media platforms positively influence academic achievement by facilitating access to educational resources, collaborative learning, and peer support. Conversely, excessive and unregulated use leads to distractions, poor time management, and reduced academic focus. No significant gender differences were found in perceptions of social media's impact. The findings underscore the need for balanced and guided social media use to optimize academic outcomes in Mathematics education. Recommendations include the incorporation of social media literacy training and policy interventions to enhance its educational benefits, while mitigating adverse effects. (shrink)

Previous research has extensively analysed teachers' and students' Facebook use for instructional engagement, writing, research dissemination and e-learning. However, Facebook as a data collection mechanism for research has scarcely been the subject of previous studies. The current study addressed these gaps by analysing students' awareness, willingness, and utilisation of Facebook for research data collection [RDC]. This study aimed to predict students’ Facebook use for research data collection based on their awareness and willingness and to determine age and gender differences in (...) such predictions. A sample of 11,562 students of tertiary institutions participated in an online survey. The researchers designed and validated the online survey. Exploratory Factor Analysis was used for dimensionality. Average Variance Extracted [AVE] was used for convergent validity, whilst the Fornel-Larcker criterion and Heterotrait-Monotrait ratio were used for discriminant validity. Composite reliability indices of .97, .94 and .90 proved the instrument’s three sub-scales usable. One sample t-test and multigroup analysis were conducted using SPSS 27 and Smart PLS 3. The study found high awareness but low usage of Facebook for RDC among Nigerian university students. Younger and male students showed higher willingness and actual use of Facebook for RDC. Awareness directly impacted by awareness, and acted as Facebook usage for RDC, with stronger impacts for males and students aged 19 to 28. Willingness was positively impacted and acted as a negative mediator between awareness and usage for some age groups and genders. These findings provide important insights into using Facebook for RDC among students in Nigerian universities and highlight the need to consider the impact of demographic factors such as age and. (shrink)

Background: The impact of Experience-Based Learning (EBL) on the academic achievement of secondary school students in Computer Science in the Nnewi Education Zone, Anambra State, Nigeria, has become an important issue that needs to be addressed. Objective: The study aims to assess the effect of the Experiential Learning Strategy (ELS) on the academic achievement of secondary school students in Computer Studies. Method: A quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest non-equivalent control group was used. Eighteen community secondary schools were selected from (...) 48, with two schools randomly chosen. Intact classes participated, where students were taught Microsoft Word using either ELS or the traditional lecture method (LM). The Computer Studies Achievement Test (CSAT) was used for data collection, and data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and ANCOVA. Results: Results showed a significant difference in achievement scores, favouring students taught with the Experiential Learning Strategy (ELS). Conclusion: The study recommended incorporating the Experiential Learning Strategy into the curriculum as a teaching strategy for Computer Studies in the classroom, as it fosters self-development. Contribution: This study provides empirical evidence of ELS's effectiveness in improving academic achievement, offers a framework for enhancing student engagement in Computer Studies, and suggests future directions for integrating innovative teaching strategies into education. (shrink)

The paper investigated the impact of capital formation on economic growth in Nigeria. The data were collected from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin. To analyze the impact of capital formation, stock market capitalization, human capital formation, inflation rate and interest rate on economic growth, the study employed Ordinary least square (OLS) technique. To test for the properties of time series, phillip-perron test was used to determine the stationarity of the variables and it was discovered that gross (...) fixed capital formation and economic growth are integrated of order zero (I(0), Johasen co integration test was employed to determine the order of integration while error correction model was employed to determine the speed of adjustment to quilibrium. The empirical findings suggest that capital formation has positive and significant impact on economic growth in Nigeria for the period under review. This result corroborate the findings. Stock market also showed a positive impact, while interest rate has a negative impact on economic growth in Nigeria for the period under review but the impact is statistically insignificant. The result further shows a long run relationship between capital formation and economic growth in Nigeria for the period under review. Therefore emphasis should be placed on accumulating capital in Nigeria as this will accelerate growth and development in Nigerian economy. The Nigerian stock market should be deepened more to enhance their contribution to the growth of the domestic economy. (shrink)

We investigated the impact of psychological capital (PsyCap) on supervisory-rated innovative performance and job stress. Data collected from a diverse sample (N = 237 paired responses) of employees from various organizations in Pakistan provided good support for the hypotheses. The results indicate that PsyCap is positively related to innovative job performance and negatively related to job stress. High PsyCap individuals were rated as exhibiting more innovative behaviours by their supervisors than low PsyCap individuals. Particularly, we found that high PsyCap (...) individuals were more likely to generate, acquire support for, and implement novel ideas in their workplace. Similarly, individuals with high PsyCap reported lower levels of job stress as compared to their low PsyCap counterparts. (shrink)

Purpose: The cost of capital is a critical factor influencing investment decisions and company financing. Sustainability reporting also enhances the strategic and organizational legitimacy of companies. Therefore, it is expected that sustainability reporting can influence company legitimacy with enhancing trust of companies, their capital costs is reduced. Based on this premise, the objective of this research is to investigate the impact of sustainability reporting on the cost of capital of companies listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange. Method: for testing (...) of hypothesis Data from 33 listed companies on the Iraq Stock Exchange during the company's period of 2012-2022 was collected and analyzed using a multiple linear regression approach with a combination of panel data analysis. Result: Our findings indicate that Iraqi firms experience higher costs of capital due to their weak implementation of sustainability reporting. Conclusion: reporting on corporate sustainability activities can enhance reputation of companies and, by gaining legitimacy for the companies, their cost of capital is reduced. Implication: These findings can inform policymakers about the need to strengthen requirements for sustainability reporting. Also help investor to form an optimal portfolio based on the policy of companies in compliance with the sustainability reporting. (shrink)

There is a growing interest in how other people contribute to our own experience of concerts and other collective aesthetic engagements. However, we lack frameworks that connect experiential features with embodied and embedded aspects. What dynamics and processes articulate the collective response to music while remaining open to individual processing? This paper explores one possible pathway: chemosignals. Recent research suggests that these chemicals we constantly emit and inhale convey emotional information from those who produce them and shape cognitive, (...) affective, and behavioral dynamics in those who receive them. Integrating various approaches to the concert experience and empirical research on chemosignals, I will illustrate how the impact of the chemosignals on the vector constituted by emergent patterns of movement and individual respiratory rhythms may be an aspect contributed by other listeners with the potential to shape how we experience collective live musical events. (shrink)

The advent of quantum supremacy, defined as the point at which quantum computers outperform classical systems in solving computational problems, represents a paradigm shift with profound implications for the field of cryptography, particularly in the context of secure financial transactions. Classical cryptographic techniques, such as public-key encryption systems that rely on the computational hardness of problems like integer factorization and discrete logarithms, are foundational to modern financial security architectures. However, the accelerated computational capabilities of quantum systems, driven by Shor’s and (...) Grover’s algorithms, render these traditional cryptographic methods vulnerable to compromise. This paper delves into the potential impact of quantum computing on cryptographic frameworks, emphasizing its disruptive influence on secure communication protocols, authentication systems, and transaction mechanisms within digital financial ecosystems. A comprehensive analysis of quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms, collectively termed post-quantum cryptography (PQC), is presented as a critical countermeasure to these emerging threats. The paper explores lattice-based cryptography, hash-based signatures, code-based encryption, multivariate polynomial cryptography, and isogeny-based cryptographic schemes, evaluating their robustness against quantum adversaries. Through a rigorous examination of these algorithms’ theoretical foundations and practical implementations, the study identifies strengths, limitations, and potential deployment challenges. Special attention is devoted to the trade-offs between computational efficiency, security guarantees, and scalability, which are critical considerations for the widespread adoption of PQC in financial systems. Additionally, the study highlights the transitional challenges posed by integrating post-quantum cryptographic methods into existing infrastructures. Financial institutions, reliant on legacy systems and global interoperability standards, face significant hurdles in adopting quantum-resilient solutions. These include the need for standardized cryptographic protocols, cross-platform compatibility, and resistance to side-channel attacks. The research underscores the urgency of proactive measures to safeguard critical financial systems, including the development of hybrid cryptographic models that incorporate both classical and post-quantum techniques during the transition phase. Furthermore, the role of regulatory frameworks in mandating the adoption of quantum-safe protocols is examined, along with the potential for collaborative efforts among governments, financial institutions, and cryptographic researchers to ensure a coordinated response to the quantum threat landscape. The implications of quantum supremacy extend beyond technical considerations, affecting the trust and stability of global financial systems. This paper provides strategic recommendations for mitigating risks, including the prioritization of research into quantum-resistant algorithms, the establishment of testing environments for post-quantum solutions, and investment in the development of quantum-secure hardware. By leveraging these strategies, financial ecosystems can enhance their resilience against quantum-induced vulnerabilities. The discussion is substantiated with case studies and simulations that evaluate the performance of post-quantum algorithms in real-world financial contexts, illustrating their effectiveness in securing digital transactions against quantum attacks. By bridging the gap between theoretical advancements and practical implementations, this paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on the future of cryptography in the quantum era. Ultimately, the research aims to provide a comprehensive roadmap for securing digital financial ecosystems against the disruptive potential of quantum computing, ensuring the continued reliability and integrity of secure financial transactions in the face of emerging technological challenges. (shrink)

This study investigated the impact of childhood adversity on achievement orientation among school children in Enugu State, Nigeria. The study adopted ex-post-facto research design. A sample of 471 school children who met the inclusion criteria drawn through purposive sampling techniques was used. Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire (ACEQ) and Students’ Achievement Orientation Questionnaire (SAOQ) were the instruments used for data collection. Means, standard deviation and ANOVA were used for data analysis. Major findings revealed that school children who are vulnerable to (...) ACEs manifest low achievement orientation than those who are not/less vulnerable, irrespective of gender. The results suggested, among other things, that educators, parents, and caregivers be made aware of the negative impact of ACEs on children and adults, as well as preventative strategies that can be implemented at the home, school, and community levels. This action could improve the prevention and lessen the effects of childhood adversities among school children in Enugu State, Nigeria. (shrink)

The study aimed to identify the strategic sensitivity and its impact on enhancing the creative behavior of Palestinian NGOs in Gaza Strip, and the study used the descriptive analytical approach and the questionnaire as a main tool for collecting data from employees of associations working in Gaza Strip governorates, and the cluster sample method was used and the sample size reached (343) individuals (298) questionnaires were retrieved, and the following results were reached: The relative weight of strategic sensitivity was (...) 79.22 (%), and the relative weight of creative behavior was 78.99 (%), a statistically significant relationship between all strategic sensitivity and creative behavior, and the presence of a sensitivity effect The strategy’s strategy on creative behavior, there are statistically significant differences in the scale dimensions attributable to the gender variable and the differences were in favor of females, there are no statistically significant differences between the averages of strategic sensitivity due to the age variable, and the educational qualification, and there were no statistically significant differences in creative behavior according to The gender variable, age, educational qualification, specialization, and the study presented a set of recommendations, the most important of which are: the need for civil organizations in Gaza Strip to seek funding from external countries in order to provide self-income for associations to face crises and give them independence Mechanism in order to keep them to carry out their role in society, the need to follow up the strategic plan of civil organizations using e-mails as they pave the way to reach excellence and creativity in the field of work. (shrink)

Cambodia’s GDP contributed 0.03 percent of the world economy. Cambodia economy has grown around seven percent. Cambodia’s economy was led by growth in garment exports. Cambodia’s economy was related with other countries through exports and imports. The Trump administration has imposed visa sanctions against Cambodia and likely to make economic sanction on Cambodia. To understand the potential impact of the sanction, a research into “Potential Impact of Foreign Sanction on Cambodia’s Economy” has been proposed. Two research objectives were (...) (1) to analyze potential impacts of foreign investment in Cambodia and (2) to analyze potential impacts on employment of Cambodians. This research focuses only trade sanction that limits or potential restriction of textile, clothing and footwear export from Cambodia to EU and US as independent that would potentially impact on seven independent variables including garment and footwear valued added to GDP, Cambodia’s exports, products exported to US and EU, worth of textile, clothing and footwear exports, garment and footwear investment factories, employments in garment and footwear, workers’ wages in garment factories and footwear factories. The secondary data was collected. The data was collected from varied sources. After the data and information collected, data entry was done into MS excel. The descriptive statistics like table and bar-charts were used for this research. The research found out that Cambodia’s economy was likely to be negatively impact from EU’s and US’s sanctions on Cambodia. The impacts included reduction of GDP value, potential loss of Cambodia export of textile, closure of garments and footwear factories, unemployment and loss of workers’ incomes in textile, clothing factories and footwear factories. There are some recommends: maintaining good relation with EU and US, exploring new markets of garments and footwear products, exploring impact of the close of visa of some top government officials to US on Cambodia’s economy, the impacts of products imported from EU on Cambodia. The more studies on other scenario of sanction on Cambodia and indirect impact and impacts of foreign aid reduction or withdrawal on Cambodia’s economy should be done. (shrink)

Jung once observed, “With glorious naivete a statement comes out with the proud declaration that he has no ‘imagination for evil.’ Quite right: we have no imagination for evil, but evil has us in its grip” (Jung, 2019). His words feel more relevant than ever, as we traverse—whether consciously or unconsciously—a world increasingly shaped by collective trauma. Jungian Analysis in a World on Fire: At the Nexus of Individual and Collective Trauma (2024), edited by Laura Camille Tuley and (...) John R. White, delves into the profound impact of trauma—not just on individuals, but on entire societies. The book confronts the wounds we inflict upon nature, evident in the climate crisis, industrialized animal slaughter, and pandemics, alongside the fractures within human relationships, reflected in systemic oppression, gender inequality, and mass violence. (shrink)

This study investigated the impact of head teachers’ leadership roles on pupils’ academic performance in the Onitsha Educational Zone. Specifically, the study examined the relationship between head teachers’ qualities and teachers’ giving and marking of pupils’ assignments. It also investigated the association between head teachers’ leadership styles and subject missed registers, as well as the correlation between head teachers’ leadership styles and teachers’ dedication to teaching pupils. The study used a qualitative research methodology, including Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant (...) Interviews, and questionnaires, to elicit information from the respondents. The study population comprised primary school teachers in the Onitsha Education Zone. A sample size of 100 participants was selected for the study. Five public primary schools were randomly selected, from which twenty (20) teachers were selected from each school, making a total of 100 respondents. In addition, the study used a random sampling technique to select respondents across the study area. The study also used Chi-Square estimation techniques to analyze the data collected from the field. The results of the empirical analysis indicated that there was no significant relationship between head teachers’ relational qualities and teachers’ giving and marking of pupils’ assignments. It also found that there was no significant association between head teachers’ leadership styles and subject missed registers. In addition, the results showed that there was no significant correlation between head teachers’ leadership styles and teachers’ dedication to teaching pupils. Based on the findings, recommendations and suggestions were made. The study recommended that head teachers should be regularly sensitized on instructional supervision. This will enhance instructional supervision, which has a positive impact on pupils’ academic achievement. The study also recommended that the government should review the Universal Basic Education policy, especially regarding the provision of teaching and learning materials. Furthermore, the government should consider increasing funding for primary education, particularly by increasing allocations for the purchase of new textbooks and other instructional materials. (shrink)

This paper sets out to examine the ideals of rebranding in the national image rebuilding process, fetching examples from Nigeria’s experience. The discourse also examines the concepts of image and the impact of anti-social behaviour of citizens on the nation’s image within the international community. This includes indiscriminate imaging of violence or crime scenes through photographs and written reports by citizens of the country. The paradox of the development of indiscriminate imaging and reporting of violence through photographs is antagonistic (...) to Nigeria’s image rebranding project. This paper acquires data through observational and analytical methods. This paper concludes that the rebranding of Nigeria and other African nations where violence, corruption, and anti-social behaviours strive is almost impossible until there is a change in the attitude of the citizens. The paper recommends that the war against corrupt practices, suicide bombings, and terrorist attacks on innocent citizens of Nigeria should be a collective effort of every Nigerian who wishes the country’s image well, otherwise the country will continually suffer the risk of perpetual alienation effects. (shrink)

Smart home technology adoption is growing in Nigerian urban areas , yet its impact on household management and family life remains underexplored, particularly in contexts characterized by infrastructure challenges . This study examined how smart home technology affects household management efficiency and quality of family life in Kubwa, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria. A survey research design was employed with 382 households selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a validated 25-item questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent (...) samples t-test at 0.05 significance level. Smart home technology significantly improved household management efficiency and family quality of life, particularly through enhanced security, time savings, and stress reduction . However , substantial challenges exist including high costs, inconsistent electricity supply, poor internet connectivity, and limited technical support. Income level significantly moderated technology impact, with high-income households achieving greater benefits and experiencing fewer challenges than low-income households . While smart home technology offers significant benefits for Nigerian households , infrastructural and economic barriers require targeted policy interventions including government subsidies , infrastructure improvements , local technical support networks , and consumer education programs to democratize access and maximize effectiveness across diverse socioeconomic groups. (shrink)

Abstract Reading proficiency is crucial for academic success, yet many students struggle with comprehension, do not engage in independent, self-motivated reading, and lack confidence in their reading abilities. The absence of a reading culture in Nigeria threatens the knowledge economy, as those who lack reading proficiency are incapable of producing, accessing, or transmitting knowledge. Purpose of the study: This study examined the potential of structured debate as an instructional strategy to address the reading outcomes of secondary school students in Calabar, (...) Cross River State, Nigeria. Methodology: A quasi-experimental design was employed with two groups: an experimental group engaged in structured debate activities and a control group following traditional reading instruction. Data on reading proficiency, reading anxiety, and reading autonomy was collected through standardized tests and surveys before and after the intervention. Three hypotheses were tested using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), while the pre-test scores were used as covariates. Results: The findings revealed that structured debate significantly improved students' reading proficiency and autonomy compared to the control group. However, no significant impact on reading anxiety was observed. (shrink)

Often financially excluded by the traditional banking system, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in many developing countries have found in mobile money services (MMS) a sustainable alternative. Despite its potential in propelling inclusive growth, the use and adoption of mobile money (MM) by SMEs has generally been low in developing countries, and one of the reasons has been limited data that supported its impact on financial performance. As a result, there was a need to investigate the impact of (...) the mobile money payment and receipt services on the financial performance of the SMEs in Cameroon. This paper implemented a mixed research paradigm with data collected through the administration of a survey questionnaire and from one-on-one in-depth interviews. A sample of 285 SMEs responded to the survey, while 12 owners/managing directors were purposively selected to participate in the personal interviews. Version 25 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyse the quantitative data, while the qualitative data was analysed along themes. The results were, after that, triangulated for credibility reasons. The concluding findings indicated that the mobile money payment and receipt services contributed of the order of 73% of the total variance in the turnover of the SMEs in Douala after they had begun to use the technology. By confirming the positive relationship between the use of mobile money services and the financial performance of businesses, it is hoped that all the relevant stakeholders will see this as a possible solution to the financial challenges that SMEs face in developing economies. (shrink)

This paper builds upon Peter Singer's ethical framework asserting that individuals bear a moral duty to aid those in need. It argues that giving to charity is obligatory, particularly in times of economic downturn affecting developing nations. Focusing on the current economic challenges faced by many developing countries, including declining remittances, foreign exchange shortages, energy market imbalances, and inflation, the study contends that collective action is essential to navigate these crises. It advocates for a shift in individual priorities towards (...) essential needs over luxury expenditures and emphasizes the importance of resource conservation and waste reduction. Additionally, it underscores the significance of supporting local economies by patronizing domestic products and services to alleviate hardship among vulnerable populations. Ultimately, the paper explores the necessity of shared responsibility to ensure the long-term sustainability of developing nations. (shrink)

Some proponents of a ban on Autonomous Weapon Systems (AWS) believe adopting these would lower the threshold for war, and is thus morally undesirable. This paper argues against that thesis. First, removing a single constraint on warmaking does not automatically make war more likely. Analysis of the causal input of other more potent restraints shows this holds true for just a fraction of potential conflicts. Secondly, AWS adoption would also impact other restraints on war in ways that are complex (...) and unpredictable. Without a thorough analysis of these other impacts, AWS’ adoption impact on the incidence of war cannot be said to be significant enough to warrant action. Thirdly, war ethics does not aim to reduce the number of wars simpliciter, but to resist, deter, and thus reduce occurrence of unjustified aggression. Consequently lowering the threshold for defensive war, especially for wars of collective defense and/or humanitarian interventions, would be a good outcome, potentially offsetting a possible negative effect on the incidence of aggressive wars. Last but not least, states that already restrain themselves from aggressive warring by sufficiently robust alternative mechanisms cannot be required to eschew AWS adoption for that reason. Taken together, these arguments prove that the impact of AWS introduction on the incidence of war cannot be discerned through a priori philosophical analysis alone. Consequently ‘lower threshold for war’ argument cannot support calls for an AWS ban. (shrink)

Research assessment and grant funding are vital to higher education. However, the reliance on quantitative metrics in these processes has raised concerns about their validity and potential negative consequences. This study aims to investigate the game of numbers in research assessment and grant funding, focusing on the perspectives of experienced researchers from around the globe. Accidental sampling elicited responses from more than 15 experienced researchers across different academic disciplines, institutions, and countries. The data were collected from the popular “Reviewer 2 (...) Must be Stopped!” Facebook platform, which includes more than 135,000 members across the globe. Two posts were made, allowing participants to share their experiences, perspectives, and concerns related to metrics and numbers in research assessment and grant funding. The results from the thematic analysis revealed diverse perspectives among experienced researchers. Some participants expressed concerns about the dominance of quantitative metrics, highlighting the limitations and potential biases associated with their use. Others acknowledged the value of certain indicators in showcasing research impact. Moreover, the impact of metrics on grant funding awards was also documented. The study highlights the necessity for a more balanced and context-aware approach to research assessment and grant funding, incorporating qualitative measures and acknowledging the diverse nature of research impact. (shrink)

The study aimed to identify creative behavior and its impact on achieving Lean strategy in Palestinian civil organizations. The study used the descriptive analytical approach and the questionnaire as a main tool for collecting data from employees of associations operating in the governorates of Gaza Strip. The cluster sample method was used and the sample size was (343) individuals. Retrieving (298) questionnaires, and the following results were reached: The relative weight of the measure of Lean strategy was 79.04 (%), (...) and the relative weight of the measure of creative behavior was 78.99 (%), and there was a statistically significant relationship between creative behavior and Lean strategy, and the presence of an effect of creative behavior on Achieving Lean strategy, the absence of statistically significant differences in creative behavior according to the gender variable, age group, educational qualification, specialization, and the presence of statistically significant differences in Lean strategy attributable to the gender variable in dimensions (strategic sensitivity, clarity of vision, choice of strategic goals, Response speed, action) and differences were in favor of females. While there were no statistically significant differences in my dimension (shared responsibility, core capabilities) due to the gender variable, there were no statistically significant differences between the mean dimensions of Lean strategy due to the age group variable, the educational qualification, and the study presented a set of recommendations, the most important of which are: the necessity of seeking civil organizations In Gaza Strip, by obtaining funding from external countries to provide self-income for associations to face crises and give them independence in order to preserve them to carry out their role in society, the need to work to follow up on the strategic plan for NGOs using electronic messages as they pave the way to reach excellence and creativity in the field of work, The necessity of holding meetings and workshops with the local community, and this helps them to define the community's needs. (shrink)

The research aims to identify the impact of the strategic orientations (Vision, Mission, goals) on crisis management agency, international relief in Gaza, the researchers used the descriptive and analytical approach and a survey for collection data, amounted to community size (881), and the study sample (268), and the sample was a stratified random. SPSS program used for entry, processing and analysis of data. The most important findings of the study: The results showed that the organization develop a clearly written (...) vision, mission and strategic goals and the organization's strategic objectives are consistent with the vision and mission of the organization. The results also showed that the organization develop a clear stage objectives framed with time bass which can be achieved on the ground. The employees in the organization's behavior comes within a disciplined set of principles and values that underpin the organization. Also the concept of the organization vision and mission are familiar for the employees. In general the views of the research sample agreed that there is a presence of strategic orientations (vision, message, goals). A direct positive correlation between the presence of strategic orientations (vision, mission and goals) and crisis management (before, during and after the crisis) in the international relief agency in Gaza. The research also concluded a series of recommendations, Researchers consistently recommend the continuous existence of strategic orientation and continue to develop the vision, mission and objectives in a clearly written method. In addition to that, the organization must develop in advance plans to deal with crises, taking into account past experience in this field through a specialized team, hold continuous meetings and discussions and workshops with the emergency team who has previous experience in dealing with crises. (shrink)

For a long time, the tourism industry was considered one of the economy’s lead- ing and most progressive sectors, characterized by an advanced scale of development. The situation was changed fundamentally by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused significant losses at the global level, not only for tourism but also for all sectors of the economy and society. In this regard, the provision of this article identifies the nature of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism in a particular (...) country in the European region using cluster analysis. In the first stage of this work, a detailed literature review on the existence of such a connection was carried out with the help of bibliometric analysis. The authors used the results published in Scopus and Web of Science databases for the keywords «tourism», and «Covid-19» and analyzed the growth dynamics in their number and citations, belonging to the research area and the spread of geography. Building a bibliometric map of keywords based on their joint placement in the VOSviewer software complex deepened findings. It made it possible to form 10 clusters, each of which covers scientific works on various forms of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism (for example, behavioral, marketing, economic, environmental, psychological aspects, etc.). In the second stage, an analytical review was conducted, which showed a significant drop in the absolute and apparent contribution of travel and tourism to GDP worldwide in 2020 and 2021 worsened with the pandemic level, and an increase in the dynamics of key indicators of the tourism industry in the world and across all UNWTO regions (especially Asia & Pacific). In the last step, a hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis (with Ward’s method) was carried out for the countries of the European region (45 countries) based on indicators of the number of COVID-19 cases in the country (cumulative and new), vaccination of the population, the presence of restrictions on tourism, international tourist arrivals, and receipts, collection of tourism in exports. All indicators for analyzing the collected state are provided as of July 30, 2022, using the Stata SE 12 software complex. The construction of a dendrogram and the use of Calins- ki-Harabasz and Duda-Hart stopping rules made it possible to decide on the presence of 3 clusters that meet the conditions of this study and are characterized by different levels of adaptability to post-pandemic functioning and recovery direction. (shrink)

The purpose of this study was to determine the form of teacher readiness and difficulty when implementing the mathematics curriculum in high school, measured from four teacher competency assessments. Schools in Indonesia are still 50% learning from home until 2022, this situation has an impact on the achievement of student learning outcomes. In 2020, the ministry conducted a survey of 4000 students and the results of the survey and out of 100% of the participants, 58% were of the opinion (...) that online learning was ineffective, 38% lacked attention from the teacher, 35% had poor communication, 62% had poor internet access, and 80% had difficulty learning mathematics online. The method in this research is descriptive qualitative. The technique of collecting data is by means of field observations, interviews and collecting documentary evidence. Data analysis techniques by presenting data, data reduction and intersecting data are drawn into conclusions. The number of people who were observed was 2 with a total of 58 and 13 people interviewed sources. Findings, difficulties arise from unprepared pedagogic competence and professional competence. Teachers have no self-constructed modules, difficulty writing symbols and mathematical proofs online. Students provide an assessment of teacher competence online, from 100% of respondents 80% disagree with pedagogic and 90% disagree with professional competence. This is due to the lack of readiness of the two competencies. In conclusion, online learning is expected by students and teachers to have their own modules. Students argue that the teacher's difficulties when writing symbols, providing examples of questions and proving mathematical formulas can be written in modules and modules can be given to students to study at home. (shrink)

The main thrust of this study is to examine the impact of social cost on the corporate performance of petroleum marketing firms in Nigeria. Ex post facto research design was adopted, secondary sources of data were collected for analysis of results and interpretation of data. The results indicated that social cost positively influences the corporate performance of petroleum marketing firms in Nigeria. Hence, it was recommended that the federal government should mandate all petroleum marketing companies to capture and disclose (...) all quantitative data relating to corporate social responsibility which would serve as a boost to the company performances vis-a-vis increased employee productivity. (shrink)

The study aimed to identify the effect of applying detection and prevention tools for career fraud in combating and preventing fraud and reducing its risks through an applied study on Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza Strip, Palestine. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researchers used the questionnaire as a main tool to collect data, and the descriptive and analytical approach to conducting the study. The study population consisted of (501) supervisory employees working at MOH in Gaza Strip, (...) Palestine. The researchers used the stratified random sample method and the multiple regression method to measure the effect. The study concluded a set of results, the most important of which is a positive evaluation among respondents about the levels of application of tools to detect and prevent job fraud within MOH, and the presence of a high interest in tools to prevent job fraud during the implementation of its various work. The study recommended the necessity for the Palestinian National Authority to develop and approve laws regulating health sector, so that those laws guarantee the prevention of conflicts of interest, especially for the category of doctors, by preventing job duplication of doctors working in the government sector. Also study recommended the need for MOH to adopt principles of health sector governance and begin immediately to implement them. This process to ensure transparency, disclosure and accountability in the business framework in a manner that realizes the effective protection of stakeholders and does not compromise or discriminate in the application of these principles, which ensures that all forms of job fraud are organized in an organized manner and within fixed legal frameworks. (shrink)

Mobile phones are part of a major growth industry in so-called Third World countries. As in other places, the use of this technology changes communication behaviour. The influence of these changes on indigenous social structures was investigated with a mixed-type questionnaire that targeted parameters such as: in-group vs. out-group communication, involvement with dominant industrial culture and the use of financial resources. Data was collected from indigenous representatives at the United Nations, as well as in Africa from subjects of various cultural (...) backgrounds, and from a control group in Berlin. The results reflect widespread use of mobile phones among indigenous persons, having a segregating effect within the indigenous community, but also enhancing ingroup communication and especially the use of the indigenous language. Mobile phones also facilitate moves from village to town, with the opportunity of frequently communicating with other in-group members. (shrink)

Why is aesthetic experience of nature important in our everyday lives? This will be my main question. After defining the meaning of 'imagination' and 'aesthetic nature' in the context of Seel's thought, I will reflect on two aspects of this question. Firstly, I will focus on the function of imagination within our aesthetic experience of nature. Secondly, I will expose some ethical implications of the aesthetic approach to nature. My conclusion will emphasize the importance of aesthetic imagination for our personal (...) and collective behaviour towards nature. (shrink)

This study critically examined the stylistic devices, thematic elements, and audience interpretations in Air Supply’s Making Love… The Very Best of Air Supply album, employing a qualitative research design. The corpus comprised twelve (12) songs analyzed through Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework, supplemented by I. R. Galperin’s stylistic device theory and Raney’s Affective Disposition Theory. Interviews with eleven (11) purposively selected Airheads provided insights into listener reception. The analysis revealed 86 stylistic devices, with metaphor and repetition emerging as (...) the most frequent, alongside personification, simile, imagery, anaphora, hyperbole, parallelism, symbolism, and antithesis. The lyrics conveyed recurring themes of trust, the transformative power of love, the need for intimacy, the desolation of lost relationships, and the emotional impact of past relationship. Audience interpretations reflected emotional connections, including family remembrance, emotional connection, nostalgia, coping mechanisms, and increased positivity. Beyond Air Supply’s repertoire, this study contributes to broader scholarship on how musical discourse integrates literary expression, thematic resonance, and affective audience engagement. The findings may inform discourse studies, cultural research, and applications of music analysis in education and media studies. (shrink)

This study evaluated the impact of fuel subsidy removal on family income and sustainability in Ondo City. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Three (3) research questions guided the study. The study population was comprised of all household members in Ondo Metropolis. The total population of the study is two hundred and fifty-three thousand, four hundred and sixty-two (253,462). The sample size was one hundred and eighty-five (185) and was randomly selected using a simple random technique. A (...) structured questionnaire was the research instrument used to elicit responses from the respondents. Split-half reliability was used to determine the instrument's consistency, and a correlation coefficient of 0.76 was obtained. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that the fluctuation of oil prices in the international market necessitated subsidy removal, and the higher cost of transportation increases the cost of food items. The study concluded that the factors that necessitate fuel subsidy removal have a significant relationship with the possible challenges encountered by households in family sustenance. It was therefore recommended that the government's actions, such as increasing civil servants' wages and providing incentives for business owners, could enable them to cope with the increasing prices of commodities, offering a hopeful outlook for the future. (shrink)

This paper presents an impact evaluation of the policies for teacher education programs within the framework of the National Development Plan 2014-2018. The programs were compelled to obtain high-quality accreditation, increase the credits in school practices, and the English level, among other requirements. Relying on multivariable regression, it shows that, for the year 2021, there is no association between high-quality accreditation in most modules of the Saber Pro tests, or it is negative in the global score and quantitative reasoning. (...) In a second step, using Differences–in–Differences, it evidences how the changes made by the programs had positive effects on the performance of students compared to other professional programs. The results show significant improvement in most modules of the Saber Pro test, except for the English module. The effects were homogeneous by characteristics of the students and institutions, but heterogeneous by area of knowledge, indicating that the effect is mainly due to the curricular changes of the programs. (shrink)

This paper presents the impact of entrepreneurship education on youths through clothing and textile. It examines some business enterprises available to learners, such as pattern drafting, tailoring, patchwork/appliqué creation, and others. The entire population of 82 final year students both N.C.E. and Degree in the two colleges of education in Anambra State were used for the study. Relevant data which were collected through a developed questionnaire that was administered on the subjects were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The (...) study revealed that entrepreneurship education through clothing and textiles makes youths self-reliant and contributes to national development. Conclusion and recommendations were made based on the findings of the study. (shrink)

This paper presents the impact of entrepreneurship education on youths through clothing and textile. It examines some business enterprises available to learners, such as pattern drafting, tailoring, patchwork/appliqué creation, and others. The entire population of 82 final year students both N.C.E. and Degree in the two colleges of education in Anambra State were used for the study. Relevant data were collected through a developed questionnaire that was administered on the subjects and analyzed with mean and standard deviation. The study (...) revealed that entrepreneurship education through clothing and textiles makes youths self-reliant and contributes to national development. Conclusion and recommendations were made based on the findings of the study. (shrink)

The recent pandemic is a reminder of several important lessons from Popper's philosophy. My aim in this paper is to address some of these lessons. By making use of Popper's theory of three worlds, I explain how coronavirus has a far-reaching impact on the ecosystem of rationality, and how the viruses that threaten humans could also be a threat to the whole life on Earth. Applying the epistemological distinction between science and technology, I go on to explain the pivotal (...) role of science in preventing further crises. This, I argue, is done by putting technology in the sphere of rationality; through both criticizing technologies and inspiring the invention of clean technologies, and also technologies that serve us as alerting systems. I shall argue that critical rationalism helps us to understand the ‘pandemic problem situation’ in a more informed manner and thus helps us to find out about the vulnerable points of our ecosystem of rationality in a more efficient way. In the latter part of the paper, I shall develop the thesis that while during the recent pandemic, science did it best to warn us about its dangers, the policy-makers, who are technologists of a sort, in many countries did not take those warnings seriously. Even when the crisis turned into a global catastrophe, the three types of technologies (health-care, lock-down, and diagnosis and treatment) were not fully efficient in controlling the pandemic. Drawing on Popper’s ideas I shall argue that in the face of the current emergency, our best chance to improve our situation is to apply the method of piecemeal social engineering to alleviate people’s suffering. (shrink)

In the present study an attempt is made to assess the comparison of adjustment and academic achievement among students in Dire Dawa university, Ethiopia. A total of 100 students studying in Dire Dawa university were randomly selected. They were administered in Students Adjustment Inventory (SAI) which measured adjustment of an individual in 4 areas (Campus Life, health, time management and social life). Academic achievement scores were collected from the respective university. One-way ANOVA was employed to find out the significance of (...) difference between students with different levels of adjustment in various areas and their academic achievement scores. Results revealed that only campus life adjustment had significant influence over academic achievement. Social life, time management and health adjustments did not have significant influence over academic achievement of the sample studied. (shrink)

The study aimed to identify the impact of leadership style in achieving organizational justice on relief organizations operating in the southern governorates - Palestine, and the most important hypotheses of the study were: that there is a positive correlation between leadership style and achieving organizational justice. Which contribute to achieving the objectives of the study, and the study population consisted of Employees in relief organizations, and a stratified random sample was used to collect data from 60 relief institutions. The (...) study showed that the relative weight of the leadership axis was 78.65%, and the study showed that the relative weight of organizational justice was 82.2%. The results also showed a correlation between leadership style and organizational justice, in addition to the prevailing leadership style, which contributes to training and empowering Employees. The study recommended the need to provide effective leadership, with the need to build clear foundations to motivate and encourage Employees in organizations, and to define clear criteria for the distribution of services in order to enhance the procedures of distributive justice in organizations, as well as work to integrate sub-tasks into one task, and give the institutions management full freedom for Employees to make decisions. (shrink)

We are living in an “age of disasters” that is profoundly affecting societies and communities on a global scale. “Natural” disasters (earthquakes, floods, tsunamis), wars, migrations, famines, epidemics, environmental disasters, and economic crises are reshaping our world and causing significant disruptions in the daily lives of communities. These disasters have a serious impact, especially on vulnerable groups such as migrants/asylum seekers, women, and the disabled, exacerbating existing inequalities and reducing their resilience in the face of such crises. In this (...) study, it is argued that in order to create a society resilient to the disasters that occur in today’s societies, the conditions that will eliminate or reduce the vulnerability of social groups should be considered through the axis of the capability approach and the question of whether it is possible to reduce vulnerability by developing policies that will increase the capabilities of these groups. This study does not address vulnerable groups from an essentialist perspective; rather, it aims to examine how disasters hinder the ability of these groups to act and how pre-existing social and cultural conditions exacerbate the impact of disasters. The study begins with a conceptual discussion of the capability approach, then analyzes the conditions of vulnerability faced by persons with disabilities, migrants/asylum seekers, and women in disasters. Finally, by drawing attention to the concept of “collective capabilities,” it emphasizes the possibilities of the capability approach for guiding policies and developing recommendations for disaster management. (shrink)