Abstract: Climate change poses a growing challenge for high Andean communities around the world, whose livelihoods depend directly on agriculture, livestock farming, and the stability of local ecosystems. In this context, the study sought to understand the construction of social imaginaries among agricultural producers around the dynamics of climate variability, with the aim of analyzing both the vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities that emerge in their daily practices. Based on a qualitative approach, supported by 32 interviews with key informants from 16 communities, four focus groups, and documentary analysis, data was collected in the field and, using Atlas.ti software, the testimonies of community members from Cojata, in Puno, Peru, were processed, revealing the social imaginaries and collective responses linked to the phenomenon. The findings reveal feelings of concern and uncertainty, diverse interpretations of the dynamics of climate change, a reconfiguration of cultural meanings, and the deployment of hybrid adaptation strategies that combine ancestral knowledge and contemporary resources. Taken together, these findings show that social imaginaries play a central role in how communities face the climate crisis, revealing both the persistence of structural inequalities and the need to strengthen intercultural territorial policies that recognize local knowledge, enhance community cooperation, and promote a horizon of resilience and climate justice.

Abstract:

We exist within the confines of an information system called human culture which has evolved over tens of thousands of years alongside humanity itself. Evolution is a dual process comprised of the evolution of the biological systems along with the evolution of the information systems, both of which affect and support each other. Functional Idea (FI) – this is that smallest “piece of software”, an evolutionary product, a concept developed to perform a function in society. Soft Force (SF) – this is a psychological force, a vector that has magnitude and “direction”. There is a direct correlation between FI and SF, with an SF vector being formed in the subconscious based on the FI. Idearchy – this is a collection of all the main FIs comprising human culture. This term facilitates discussion concerning the evolution and health of the Idearchy and the way a society develops means to maintain it. All social systems are formed by agents connecting to them through a set of SFs. Positive or attracting SF vectors are formed in the subconscious for each FI. Also, the negative or repelling SF vectors are formed. All decisions, including the decision whether to stay as part of a social structure, are made on the Soft Force level, not on a logical level. The brain, like any other organ, communicates with our consciousness through a set of signals or symptoms. Emotions are only symptoms of the SF vector interaction.

Abstract: Annotation is often a time-intensive and costly aspect of social sciences research utilizing natural language data. Recent advances in large language models (LLM) and general pretrained transformers promise new methods for quick and easy annotation but often rely on commercial APIs or cloud services that introduce costs, limit researcher control, and raise concerns about privacy. Bias from training data introduces further issues for this approach. This paper investigates the feasibility of LLM annotation using small (less than 14B parameters) models executed on consumer-grade hardware, further investigating potential issues of model bias. The study examines binary topic annotation task quality for 6 different models, two different topics, and two different historical periods on political speeches from the German Bundestag between 1949–2025. Standard metrics, including F1 scores, are calculated against a human-annotated gold standard. Results indicate that most models tested achieve strong performances with F1 scores ranging from 0.7 to 0.9 for both topic annotation tasks, with the annotation of discussions of abortion generally surpassing the annotation of economic topic mentions. Performance varies systematically for the sample origin time, with annotation quality being higher for older speeches. The findings suggest that small, locally executed LLMs can serve for low-cost annotation tasks while also highlighting the need to account for topic, period, and model-specific bias when crafting a studies research design utilizing LLM annotation.

Abstract: Radical environmental protests (REPs) have become more frequent and, in some contexts, increasingly supported by the public. Amid ongoing climate change, biodiversity loss, governmental backsliding, and political polarization, REP is likely to grow, with implications for both social and environmental sustainability. This study examines whether support for REP stems primarily from general pro-environmental attitudes and frustration with the limits of moderate protest, or from radical beliefs such as anti-speciesism (AS). Using UK survey data from 2024–2025 (N = 1163), we assessed support for REP through established measures like the Nature Connectedness Scale and New Ecological Paradigm, alongside new scales measuring governmental efficacy and principled support for radical protest. Moderated multiple regression analysis found that AS significantly predicts support for REP, even when controlling for general pro-environmental behavior. Notably, engagement in public environmental actions was an even stronger predictor. While perceived governmental efficacy did not moderate these relationships, it was an independent positive predictor—indicating that support for REP is linked to political optimism, rather than disillusionment. These findings challenge assumptions that REP emerges from political disengagement, suggesting instead that it reflects a broader, hopeful commitment to environmental action in the face of global crisis.

Abstract: District heating (DH) is increasingly recognised as a crucial solution for urban energy needs, contributing to energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. However, the transition towards adopting renewable energy sources (RES) in DH poses several challenges. The success of such a transition depends on technological innovation, acceptance, and public perception as well as a range of socio-economic, regulatory, and behavioural factors. This study investigates how these key dimensions influence public attitudes towards renewable DH systems in Italy. Based on a survey of 1,200 citizens in Turin we examine how public attitudes towards decarbonised heating options, the integration of renewables and demand-side flexibility are influenced by socio-economic characteristics. These characteristics include income, education, age, housing tenure, eco-awareness, trust in institutions, and technological affinity. Results show widespread support for efficiency and comfort benefits of DH. However, the results also show a limited willingness to pay more for renewable heat, particularly among economically vulnerable groups. The study has important implications for strategies that can facilitate the transition towards adopting RES in DH. In particular, the study points to the relevance of economic incentives, institutional trust, and clarity about benefits, as well as community engagement in supporting this transition.

Abstract: This mixed-methods interdisciplinary study examines critical psychological dimensions underpinning organizational sustainability. Utilizing qualitative interviews with 42 organizational leaders, quantitative survey data from 218 organizations across 11 industries, and a systematic review of 157 empirical studies, the research identifies key psychological constructs associated with organizational resilience and adaptability. The integrated theoretical framework connects psychological safety, positive psychological capital, leadership approaches, and organizational systems within specific contextual moderators. Findings reveal significant associations between psychological safety and innovation (r = .42, p < .001, 95% CI [.36, .48]), psychological capital and organizational resilience (r = .38, p < .001, 95% CI [.32, .44]), and servant leadership practices and employee well-being (r = .45, p < .001, 95% CI [.39, .51]). The study acknowledges important limitations regarding causal inference and demographic generalizability. Implementation challenges and measurement considerations are discussed, with evidence-based considerations for practitioners. The study concludes with directions for future research in this evolving field.

Abstract: This study explores a circular economy approach to agricultural waste transformation through an in-depth case study of Taiwan Enzyme Village Company. In response to global challenges related to food waste, resource inefficiency, and environmental degradation, the company has developed a low-energy fermentation system that converts surplus fruits and vegetable residues into a range of value-added products, including enzyme liquids, organic fertilizers, seed paper, and biodegradable packaging. The research employs the BS 8001 Circular Economy Principles as an analytical framework to evaluate the company’s operational model, stakeholder engagement, and environmental contributions. Findings reveal a highly localized and replicable circular system that emphasizes low-carbon production, community collaboration, and innovative reuse of biological resources. The study contributes practical insights for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) aiming to implement circular economy practices within the agricultural sector and highlights strategic pathways for sustainable rural development.

Abstract: Demographic trends over the last decades and future projections clearly indicate a steady increase in the proportion of older adults (65+) relative to both the working-age (15-64) and child populations (0-15) across Europe. This demographic shift – driven by rising life expectancy and declining fertility – raises pressing challenges for intergenerational equity and questions the sustainability of the implicit formal and informal social contract that links generations through the distribution of rights, responsibilities, and resources. In particular, the two fundamental pillars of European post-industrial societies, namely an extensive welfare state and a liberal-democratic institutional framework, appear to be at risks. To address this issue, the notion of “intergenerational fairness” recently adopted by social policies in both USA and Europe, appears flexible and fundamentally ambiguous. As a substantial variant of neoliberal austerity policies, it is simply used as a justification for further austerity measures, the withdrawal of entitlements to social and economic rights by citizens and the dismantling of welfare states. A second meaning of “intergenerational fairness” is possible starting from the concept of ambivalence used to describe the mix of conflict and solidarity that characterizes intergenerational relations in contemporary post-industrial societies. In this respect, the two concepts of “successful ageing” and “active ageing” often considered as overlapping, actually involve very different perspectives: successful ageing adopts a substantially reductionist, individualistic and static approach to the process of ageing, whereas active ageing is a more comprehensive and dynamic strategy that seeks to overcome all these limitations by a life course perspective. This recognizes that a person’s path to old age is not predetermined but depends primarily on earlier life experiences and their influence: the ageing process affects people of all ages, not just the elderly. And since the subjectivization of ageing in contemporary societies has challenged the conventional notion of “natural life stages”, the new concept of “ageing lifestyles” becomes central to understanding the ageing process today. Ageing styles are the outcome of the interplay between the objective and subjective dimensions of the life course, represented respectively by the life chances (social structure) and the life choices (agency). A framework is proposed for analysing ageing styles that can be used from a life course perspective to highlight their complex and dynamic nature. To this end, the methodology of intersectionality is particularly suited to address diverse health inequalities, especially those linked to forms of discrimination such as ageism, sexism, and racism, which are at the origin of unequal ageing styles. Key concepts of role transitions, trajectory, agency, historical time and spatial context that can be employed for sorting out intersectional subgroups are illustrated, along with five guidelines which can be followed to analyse unequal ageing styles and identify the prevailing “matrix of domination” that originate them. An evidence-based European political strategy aimed at promoting active ageing from a perspective of intergenerational fairness, based on the eight principles indicated, can be flexible enough to ensure that everyone can adopt their preferred ageing style without top-down imposition and contribute to the maintenance of the intergenerational social contract.

Abstract: This paper explores the use of Qualitative Pretest Interviews (QPIs) to refine the IT questionnaire module for the 10th wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). The study aimed to improve question clarity and validity by identifying respondent misunderstandings and to adapt the QPI method for large-scale, multinational surveys. An in-house team conducted 17 interviews with adults aged 50 and older, focusing on device access, online activities, and digital literacy. Analysis revealed ambiguities in question wording and response categories, leading to targeted revisions—such as clarifying definitions, adding examples, and simplifying response options—while balancing the need for longitudinal comparability. The findings highlight the effectiveness of QPIs in enhancing questionnaire quality and address challenges like sample diversity, interviewer training, and cross-cultural adaptability, offering insights for future survey development.

Abstract: Promoting sustainable mobility is a critical component of advancing sustainable development in higher education. This study explores how different communication strategies influence the perceived effectiveness of messages promoting sustainable mobility among university communities. Using focus groups, we examined the responses of students and staff at the University of Navarra (Pamplona, Spain) to messages emphasizing personal benefits, community engagement, and immediate action ("here and now"). Nine messages were evaluated, varying in tone (youthful vs. adult) and inclusion of data. Results reveal that message effectiveness differs significantly between students and professionals, highlighting the importance of tailoring communications to their audience’s motivations, social context, and structural barriers. Students responded most positively to direct, actionable messages emphasizing the present, while professionals valued messages highlighting personal and collective benefits. Findings underscore the need for segmented, context-aware strategies in promoting sustainable mobility, contributing to broader sustainability goals in higher education.

Abstract: Big players of information and communication technologies are investing in the metaverse for their businesses. Meta company, as main player of social media worldwide, is massively developing its "social" metaverse as a new paradigm by depicting it with nice and endless features and by expecting to turn current socials into it. What would be the attitude of users towards this future scenario? Very few studies specifically focused on this question have been found. In this work a scale for assessing the attitude of people towards social metaverse has been developed. A questionnaire composed of 38 Likert items, inspired by such features of social metaverse, has been generated and administered to 184 Italian subjects; the results have been analyzed with exploratory factor analysis; the final scale is composed of 15 items gathered in 4 factors that have been interpreted. Aspects consistent both with preliminary work of the authors and with some previous works have been found. Considerations are made, also in relation to the analysis of contents of Meta.

Abstract: In France, the extractive and recycling (ExtRec) sector plays a critical role in resource recovery and circular economy transitions; and representing complexity in the modelling and simulation of material and waste flows would allow the sector to better capture the effects of various stakeholders’ decisions on waste management. However, the sector remains reluctant to adopt complexity, particularly agent-based modelling and simulation (ABM&amp;S) whereas the approach is now developing elsewhere (in other sectors, other countries). Our sociological question is then: how such a reluctance could exist in this sector? Using a qualitative method, this study identified 5 reasons for this reluctance including limited knowledge of ABM&amp;S, entrenched reliance on classical practices (MFA, LCA …), and workplace and institutional influences. This research then shows that reluctance toward ABM&amp;S in the French ExtRec sector is not simply a technical gap but a socially and institutionally embedded phenomenon. Addressing this reluctance requires both technical innovations (coupling, data frameworks) and sociological strategies (participatory approaches, institutional practice reform). Nevertheless, the sector expressed conditions under which ABM&S could gain acceptance; furthermore, we provide recommendations that would remove adoption barriers. More globally, this paper contributes to debates on modelling approaches for waste policy and circular economy strategies.

Abstract: As the digital access divide narrows, disparities in university students’ innovation capacity and entrepreneurial intention continue to widen. To move beyond the binary of technological versus structural determinism, we advance a technology–cognition–institution framework to illuminate less visible pathways that reproduce urban–rural inequality. Drawing on a national survey of 31,779 Chinese university students, we estimate multilevel mixed-effects models and a theory-ordered structural equation model. Three patterns emerge. (1) We observe pronounced gradient differences across digital literacy, information perception, innovation capacity, and entrepreneurial intention (urban > county > township), including a medium effect size for digital literacy (Cohen’s d = 0.428). (2) The sequential pathway “digital literacy → information perception” statistically operates as the core channel, accounting for roughly one-third of the modeled total association in innovation capacity and more than four-fifths in entrepreneurial intention. (3) University institutional resources exhibit compensatory features: Double First-Class universities both partially substitute for deficits in digital literacy through offline support (interaction β = −0.039, p < .05) and attenuate the cognition-formation link by reshaping the “digital literacy → information perception” pathway (β = −0.021, p < .05). Taken together, the findings are consistent with the view that digital habitus—conceived as a new form of cultural capital—sustains inequality via cognitive mechanisms. County regions, with their transitional position, emerge as pivotal nodes for policy targeting. We propose an integrated governance approach of stepwise intervention, institutional compensation, and dual-track strategies to support inclusive digital transformation.

Abstract: Climate-driven droughts pose major threats to rainfed farming worldwide. To address these impacts, smart agricultural approaches focusing on conservation practices (CPs) have been widely recommended by institutions such as FAO, WFP, and IFAD, among others. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on CPs for climate-driven drought adaptation and the barriers to their adoption in southern Mozambique, where drought is predominant. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search across four academic databases retrieved 595 records (2000–April 2025), of which 23 were peer-reviewed studies. Data was extracted and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and NVivo 15. As a result, five major CPs were identified: (i) Minimum tillage; (ii) Mulching and residue retention; (iii) Maize–legume (cowpea, groundnuts, pigeon pea and soybeans) intercropping and crop rotation; (iv) Drought-tolerant maize varieties; and (v) indigenous practices. The systematic review has shown that minimum tillage was associated with 89–90% increase of maize and legume yields; Mulching expands maize yields by 24–59%; intercropping increases maize and legume yields by more than 30%; drought tolerant maize varieties expand yields by 26–46%; and local practices sustain yields while strengthening resilience, with adoption ranging from 75–100%. These findings suggest that minimum tillage and intercropping/crop rotation are the most effective CPs in enhancing yield and resilience. Despite their potential, the adoption is generally low (average around 40%, with some as low as 7–16% for minimum tillage). Reasons for limited uptake includes economic, cultural, institutional, biophysical and technological barriers.

Abstract: The Syrian refugee crisis remains one of the most significant humanitarian challenges of our time. This study provides a comprehensive, longitudinal analysis of the living conditions of Syrian refugees over a ten-year period, based on a systematic review of publicly available data from major international humanitarian organizations and non-governmental bodies. The research synthesizes quantitative and qualitative data to document the evolving socio-economic status, health, educational access, and housing conditions of refugee populations across major host countries. Key findings indicate persistent challenges in achieving sustainable livelihoods, consistent barriers to education and healthcare, and a notable divergence in living standards between camp-based and urban refugee communities. The study also examines the emerging trend of voluntary returns and the complex conditions returnees face. By consolidating a decade of data, this paper aims to provide a neutral, evidence-based foundation to inform future humanitarian aid strategies and policy development, highlighting critical areas for targeted intervention and long-term support.

Abstract: It examines the social, economic and cultural impacts that Latin American women face in the face of displacement caused by the climate crisis. Using a multidimensional approach, it analyses how climate disasters exacerbate pre-existing structural inequalities, exposing women to greater risks and limiting their adaptive capacity in contexts characterised by patriarchal structures. It highlights the emergence of women climate refugees as a catego-ry that strains international legal frameworks and poses new challenges for global gov-ernance. The study highlights the need for gender-sensitive policy and institutional re-sponses that recognise women as both vulnerable populations and agents of social change. This contribution broadens the understanding of the links between climate change, gender and forced migration in Latin America.

Abstract: Background: Socioeconomic factors may influence maternal nutrition knowledge, which directly affects the nutritional status of children under five. This study seeks to explore the importance of socioeconomic status (SES) in relation to maternal nutrition knowledge, as well as how these factors influence children's nutritional status. Method: This cross-sectional study focused on mothers of children aged 36-59 months (n=657). A structured questionnaire was employed to collect data socioeconomic determinants. Anthropometric measurements were taken to assess the nutritional status of the children. The Boruta algorithm, implemented using R Studio, was used to integrate socioeconomic factors and identify key predictors of maternal nutrition knowledge and nutrition status. Result: The analysis revealed that SES was a strong predictor of maternal nutrition knowledge and nutritional status in children under five, particularly stunting and wasting. However, SES was not confirmed as a predictor of underweight. Underweight was an important predictor for stunting and wasting. Furthermore, weaning practices and exclusive breastfeeding were found to be important predictors for underweight, suggesting the importance of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices for nutritional status. Conclusion: SES is an important determinant in predicting maternal nutrition knowledge and nutrition status (stunting and wasting) among children under five. These findings underscore the importance of specific nutrition interventions, which must be prioritised by addressing SES and require multi-sectoral strategies to reduce poverty, promote maternal nutrition knowledge, support family income, and improve healthcare access.

Abstract: Informal support from adult children is crucial for many older individuals as their need for assistance increases. This makes older people without children, or with children living far away, particularly vulnerable—especially when public care and support institutions are being scaled back or during times of crisis. This paper draws on data from the most recent waves of SHARE: Wave 8, the SHARE Corona Survey 1, and Wave 9, to examine both informal and professional help received by individuals aged 70 and above in 26 European countries, before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimated the likelihood of receiving informal and professional help from outside the household, comparing parents living with adult children, parents with children living nearby, parents with children living far away, and older individuals without children. We also compared countries with different welfare models. The results show that many individuals over the age of 70 still manage independently. However, nearly one-third of respondents in Wave 9 reported receiving informal help from outside the household, with adult children being the primary providers—even in countries with universal welfare models. As expected, the probability of receiving help was higher among parents with adult children living nearby. However, the difference between older individuals without children and those with children living far away was relatively small. This suggests that older people in Europe without children, as well as those whose children live at a distance, constitute vulnerable groups—particularly if trends toward re-familization continue. Furthermore, we found no evidence that the dramatic increase in informal help during the pandemic had a lasting impact on how such support is provided in the post-pandemic period.

Abstract: This study explores the origin of micro-theories in sociology through a systematic content analysis of the Holy Qur’an. Micro-theories in sociology emphasise interpersonal relationships, individual behaviour, and social interactions within small-scale contexts. By employing a qualitative content analysis of Qur’anic verses, this research demonstrates that the Qur’an provides an intricate framework for understanding human behaviour, social order, and constructing meaning in everyday life. Verses highlighting reciprocity, cooperation, moral accountability, and communication are precursors to sociological insights later formalised in symbolic interactionism, rational choice theory, phenomenology, and ethnomethodology. The Qur’an’s portrayal of micro-social realities—kinship ties, market transactions, and community relations—provides an ethical and normative dimension underpinning sociological inquiry. This study argues that the micro-level concepts articulated in modern sociological theories were not entirely novel but rather anticipated within the Qur’anic discourse. Unlike secular sociology, which often separates normative frameworks from empirical observation, the Qur’an integrates divine guidance with empirical social realities, thereby constructing a holistic sociology of micro-relations. Since the foundational texts of sociology by Weber, Mead, and Garfinkel emerged centuries after the Qur’an, this study posits that the Qur’an constitutes the source of these micro-theoretical insights. This conclusion repositions the Qur’an not only as a spiritual and religious text but also as a foundational intellectual contribution to the emergence of modern sociological thought.

Abstract: This research explores the compatibility of the Holy Quran with the macro-theories of sociology, namely structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism, through a systematic content analysis of 240 selected verses. While the Quran is primarily understood as a divine revelation guiding human conduct, its teachings also encompass profound social principles, offering insights into the structures, conflicts, and symbols that underpin society. Examining the text in light of these sociological frameworks demonstrates how Quranic verses address concepts such as social order, justice, power relations, inequality, and meaning-making in ways that parallel—and sometimes exceed—modern sociology's theoretical formulations. Significantly, this research advances the argument that the Holy Quran, written centuries before the advent of social science, should not merely be seen as compatible with sociological theory but as the source of these theoretical insights. Rather than sociology discovering truths independently, its macro-theories echo principles already embedded in the Quranic worldview. This perspective challenges the conventional chronology of knowledge production by positioning the Quran as a foundational text in both spiritual and sociological thought. The study thus contributes to interdisciplinary scholarship by bridging religious studies and sociology, highlighting the Quran’s enduring relevance as both a theological and sociological guide.