PEOPLE: International Journal of Social Sciences
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SAUDI WOMEN AS AGENT OF CULTURAL SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION THROUGH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT APPROACH: A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Full text linkThis research aims to identify the role of Saudi women in cultural sustainability as an aspect that generates and facilitates transformation towards sustainable development. The research is carried out in order to identify some directives which can reinforce the women’s position in the Saudi context according to the needs of vision 2030. It will examine how women can be considered as an agent of cultural sustainability to generate and facilitate transformation for a successful process for sustainable development. To reinforce this idea, this report will discuss the role of women on the social, economic and environmental transformation according to the requirement of a sustainable paradigm. As an explorative and descriptive approach, the research will adopt interviews to collect data. At all 25 interviews were conducted and a thematic analysis was operated by Atlas ti 8. The findings demonstrate that women are aware of the necessity to change and can contribute positively to the cultural transformation while preserving the present culture capital. The thematic analysis elaborated is used to dress a theorical model or a roadmap for a feminist cultural approach of sustainable development (economic, social and ecologic)
CRUSHED TO DEATH: HEALTH AND SAFETY RIGHTS OF STONE CRUSHERS IN NORTH BENGAL, INDIA
Full text linkSilicosis, among the stone crushing laborers, is considered one of the most common fatal occupational health hazards. Various forms of crushed stone play an extremely important role in urbanization. However, a lack of awareness and the degraded working environment often deny the basic right to health and safe working conditions for stone crushers, the backbone of development worldwide. Masonry workers develop this incurable and irreparable disease due to constant inhalation of crystalline silica particles, which are commonly found in most natural and engineered stones worldwide. Over 200 migrant stone crushers in the Balason riverbed in North Bengal, India, were interviewed in 3 years to understand their socio-economic background and health impact caused by the stone crushing job. It was observed that there are usually two types of crushing methods involved to produce the required sizes of stone chips as per the industry demand: manual stone crushing and stone crushing using jaw crushers and other industrial machines. Both sites were visited to compare dust emission conditions. In the industrial site, it was hard to breathe, owing to the massive dust emissions. On the other hand, manual stone crushers were facing the typical risks of getting hurt or blinded by the stone chips. Though there are several International and Indian Laws that advocate, promote, and protect workers’ safety, it was commonly seen that the workers were working on this site without wearing any Personal Protective Equipment. This field-based qualitative study tends to analyze and highlight such an important topic, which is not only common among the stone crushers, but also prevalent among the miners, construction workers, brick, tile industry, and sandblasting industry worldwide. The goal of this research is to spread awareness worldwide through this case study and create safe working conditions for the workers
COMMUNICATION: THE “MULTIPLIER COMPETENCY” FOR EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP IN SOUTH AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES OF TECHNOLOGY
Full text linkThis study examines communication as a vital competency for executive management in South African universities of technology. Interviews with executives reveal that communication consistently amplifies other managerial skills, functioning as a multiplier competency across both routine and crisis contexts, and is therefore essential for effective higher education leadership. This exploratory study adopts a qualitative design, using semi-structured online interviews held through videoconferencing with 13 executive management members of UoTs. This approach provides a secure and flexible means of collecting real-time audio-visual perspectives from participants, closely resembling face-to-face interviews while maintaining compliance with COVID-19 safety measures. To examine management competencies in depth, the study applies Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA). Communication competency emerged as a core multiplier competency for executive management in universities of technology. In normal operations, it strengthens leadership, decision-making, negotiation, and accountability, while in crises, it reinforces risk management, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and stakeholder reassurance. It is therefore indispensable for effective leadership across both stable and turbulent contexts. This study highlights communication as a pivotal “multiplier” competency for executive management in universities of technology, enhancing both routine and crisis leadership functions. Its dual-context impact—strengthening decision-making, accountability, and stakeholder engagement under normal operations, while supporting risk management and problem-solving during crises—offers novel insight. These findings underscore the strategic value of developing communication skills to reinforce multiple leadership competencies and promote resilient, adaptive management
BRIDGING BORDERS, PROTECTING RIGHTS: EVALUATING INDONESIA’S MIXED MARRIAGE POLICY FOR CITIZENS IN CHINA: Received: 24th September 2025, Revised: 27th October 2025, 30th October 2025, Accepted: 10st November 2025, Date of Publication: 04th December 2025
No full textThis study examines the implementation of Indonesia’s Mixed Marriage policy for Indonesian citizens residing in China. The rising number of mixed marriages between Indonesian women and Chinese men has brought about legal and social challenges, including cases of exploitation, human trafficking, and unclear legal status. A notable phenomenon is the emergence of informal Mail Order Bride arrangements, where Indonesian women relate to foreign spouses through unregulated networks and digital platforms, often bypassing official procedures and facing significant risks. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the research analyses the effectiveness of existing policies, identifies structural, legal, and social barriers, and evaluates the roles of both Indonesian and Chinese authorities in safeguarding citizens’ rights. Data was collected through interviews, document analysis, and field observations. Findings reveal that weak inter-agency coordination, limited institutional capacity, and unclear bureaucratic procedures hinder effective policy implementation. These gaps leave Indonesian citizens vulnerable to rights violations and legal insecurity. The study recommends strengthening bilateral legal frameworks, providing pre-marital legal education for prospective spouses, and establishing joint verification and protection mechanisms to ensure the dignity, safety, and legal certainty of Indonesian citizens in transnational marriages. This study investigates how Indonesia’s policies on mixed marriages are implemented for its citizens living in China. The increasing trend of marriages between Indonesian women and Chinese men has triggered a range of legal and social issues, including exploitation, human trafficking, and ambiguous legal standing. A particularly concerning development is the rise of informal “mail-order bride” arrangements, wherein Indonesian women connect with Chinese partners via unregulated digital channels and informal networks—often circumventing official legal processes and exposing themselves to serious risks. Adopting a qualitative descriptive methodology, the research evaluates the efficacy of current policies, pinpoints structural, legal, and societal obstacles, and assesses the roles played by both Indonesian and Chinese governmental bodies in protecting their citizens’ rights. Data was gathered through in-depth interviews with embassy staff, analysis of official documents, and on-site fieldwork. The findings indicate that ineffective coordination among government agencies, insufficient institutional resources, and vague bureaucratic protocols significantly impede policy enforcement. These systemic shortcomings leave Indonesian nationals—particularly women—in vulnerable positions, susceptible to rights abuses and legal uncertainty. To address these challenges, the study proposes several key interventions: reinforcing bilateral legal agreements between Indonesia and China, instituting mandatory pre-marital legal education for couples entering transnational unions, and creating joint verification and protection systems. These measures aim to uphold the dignity, safety, and legal security of Indonesian citizens involved in cross-border marriages
THE GREAT WAVE OFF KANAGAWA AND THE TAIJI DIAGRAM
Full text linkKatsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) created The Great Wave off Kanagawa, a renowned example of Japanese ukiyo-e art, during the Edo period (1603–1868). This iconic masterpiece subtly reflects the philosophy of yin and yang as embodied in the Taiji Diagram. Known for his preference for the S-shaped composition, Hokusai employed this form masterfully—the curling wave and the sky together trace a dynamic S-shape, evoking the Taiji’s symbolic balance. Some Western art historians suggest that The Great Wave was influenced by the Taiji Diagram, a claim supported by compositional and thematic parallels in Hokusai’s other work, The Raging Wave. In that piece, the interplay between male and female wave figures echoes the harmony of opposing forces, similar to the visual and conceptual elements seen in The Great Wave off Kanagawa. Although Hokusai never explicitly mentioned the Taiji Diagram in relation to this ukiyo-e, in my paper I identify five indirect forms of evidence to argue that he may have been inspired by the Diagram when creating this work
THE EVOLUTION OF SOCIETAL MARKETING IN SERVICE BUSINESSES: ORIGINS, TRANSFORMATIONS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES (1970-2023)
Full text linkThe aim of this article is to retrace the paradigm changes in the evolution of marketing theory through four periods that led to the emergence of societal marketing, as well as the causes behind these changes. Our work is based on an in-depth literature review and theoretical analysis founded on the work of P. Kotler and G. Zaltman (1971), which contributed to the reconceptualization of the concept of societal marketing. We then examine the factors that have favored the successful implementation of societal marketing in service companies, such as closer relationships with customers, win-win strategies for all, and a focus on relational trust. This analysis is inspired by the work of Grönroos (2007) on interactive service models, where transparent communication and customer experience reinforce consumer loyalty and commitment. Finally, we focus on future prospects that could completely revolutionize societal marketing and enable its consensual, gradual and widespread acceptance within service companies, which is not yet the case today. Despite notable advances, only a small minority of companies are implementing the principles of societal marketing. However, changing consumer behavior, the rise of artificial intelligence, increased competition and a growing number of brands for a limited demand, as well as existing regulations, have obliged many companies to prioritize customer loyalty strategies. These factors will increase the pressure on companies to meet societal marketing standards
CAUSAL FACTORS AFFECTING BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE OF MONTHLY RENTAL APARTMENTS IN THAILAND
Full text linkThis dissertation investigates the causal factors influencing business innovation models and sustainable performance in Thai apartments. The research aims to explore the impact of key factors, including green leadership, digital service transformation, and internal capabilities, on business innovation and sustainability. A comprehensive theoretical framework integrates these components using a systemic analysis that highlights the interconnections between each variable. Findings reveal that green leadership significantly enhances environmentally friendly practices and green innovation, while digital transformation improves operational efficiency and competitive advantage. Internal capabilities foster ongoing innovation and sustainability, contributing to a business model responsive to market and environmental demands, leading to long-term sustainability. This study provides valuable insights for apartment entrepreneurs, academics, and researchers, supporting sustainable business practices in Thailand's real estate sector
LACK OF CONSUMER ADOPTION OF CONVERSATIONAL ROBOTS IN THE ONLINE MARKETPLACE FOR U.S.-BASED CUSTOMERS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Full text linkArtificial intelligence technology continues to grow, with 2025 expected to exceed 72 billion USD by 2028. However, consumer reactions to chatbots continue to be a challenge despite marketers’ excitement. The problem addressed by this study was the lack of consumer adoption of conversational robots in the online marketplace. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the lack of consumer conversational robots in the position of Facebook users in the United States. The chosen framework for this research was the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), introduced by Alfred Davis in 1989 to assess users’ attitudes toward technology by measuring their perspectives of perceived use and perceived ease of use. Two research questions were developed to address the research problem. The methodology used was a qualitative case study design, which permitted five open-ended interview questions to answer the two research questions by interviewing 20 participants. Participants were recruited via Facebook, followed by 20 interviews spanning over two months. All interviews were recorded and transcribed using NVivo 15 software and later analyzed using an open-coded inductive thematic analysis to generate categories and themes. Results revealed that consumers desire improved personalization of chatbots and reduced screen interference during their online shopping experiences. Implications of the study indicated the following: 1) perceived usefulness showed no significant relationship with consumers, 2) frustration, annoyance, impatience, intrusiveness, and mistrust were key reasons for avoiding text-based chatbots, 3) user satisfaction with chatbot interactions impacted online purchase intention, 4) consumers perceived chatbots as not useful due to their limited human-like interaction, lack of helpfulness, and inability to address questions sufficiently, and 5) increased anthropomorphism can positively influence user engagement and comfortability. Recommendations for practice and future research include web developers and marketers refining how chatbots are deployed on a webpage, artificial intelligence developers evolving chatbot personalization, and researchers expanding this study by exploring commonalities in specific demographic groups to uncover deeper insights on chatbot adoption
ENHANCING E-COMMERCE SECURITY: A NOVEL APPROACH TO CREDIT CARD FRAUD DETECTION
Full text linkCredit card fraud presents a risk to businesses and their clients. To combat security breaches, organizations implement different administrative and technical security controls to protect their data. With the increasing use of online transactions, organizations implement fraud detection systems. In this paper, we propose a novel credit card fraud detection system that integrates K-Nearest Neighbors and Naive Bayes machine learning algorithms. It educates employees on adherence to company guidelines and enhances their ability to handle cyber threats. The proposed system examines online transactions and notifies administrators of suspicious transactions to act. The system is trained and tested on a dataset of 188 transactions. It achieved 94.3% accuracy, 94.4% sensitivity, and 94.1% specificity. The research findings demonstrate effectiveness of the proposed system in improving e-commerce security and safeguarding businesses and customers from this risk
STRATEGIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Full text linkThis article presents a comparative analysis of strategies for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into public administration. It examines the approaches of various countries to the digital transformation of the public sector through AI technologies, focusing on regulatory frameworks, organizational implementation, and institutional readiness. Particular attention is given to how countries such as the United States, China, Estonia, and the UAE incorporate AI into administrative processes, public service delivery, and decision-making within government institutions. The analysis reveals significant differences in national priorities: from ensuring technological sovereignty and security to developing citizen-oriented services and smart urban infrastructure. Despite these differences, a common objective is evident — to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and adaptability of public administration in a rapidly evolving digital environment. The findings may serve as a valuable resource for developing national AI strategies in the public sector based on international best practices