Showing papers in "International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy in 2020"
TL;DR: The COVID-19 or coronavirus pandemic which has affected the global economy has also affected the African economy through spillovers to African countries as mentioned in this paper, although this has come at a cost such as the collapse of health systems and a painful economic crisis or recession.
Abstract: The COVID-19 or coronavirus pandemic which has affected the global economy has also affected the African economy through spillovers to African countries. Many African countries have taken bold quarantine and lockdown measures to control the spread of COVID-19 although this has come at a cost such as the collapse of health systems and a painful economic crisis or recession. A coordinated and bold response by African authorities is needed. First, public funds should be provided to improve the capacity of health systems in African countries. Second, financial support should be provided to individuals, entrepreneurs and corporations to help them cope with the adverse effect of the coronavirus crisis. Third, employers should be granted incentives to preserve employment during the crisis to avoid mass layoff of workers. Finally, the Central bank in African countries should provide liquidity and credit support as well as asset purchase programs to prevent credit and liquidity crunch in domestic financial markets.
164 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a survey conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic from March to April 2020 on the crowdsourcing platform Amazon Mechanical Turk showed an increase of people working from home offices.
Abstract: This study investigates whether the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an acceleration of the digital transformation in the workplace.,This study is based on a survey conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic from March to April 2020 on the crowdsourcing platform Amazon Mechanical Turk.,The findings show an increase of people working from home offices and that many people believe that digital transformation of work has accelerated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. People who noted this acceleration can imagine working digitally exclusively in the future. Moreover, the importance of traditional jobs as a secure source of income has decreased, and digital forms of work as a secure source of income have increased because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Workers believe that digital work will play a more important role as a secure source of income in the future than traditional jobs.,Because the survey was conducted online, respondents may have had a certain affinity for digital work.,This study assesses the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the future of work, showing that changes in the perception of digital transformation and the willingness to work exclusively in a digital manner have arisen as result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To estimate the long-term consequences of the pandemic on the digitisation of work, research that includes macroeconomic consequences in its forecast is necessary.
111 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared the old working conditions (OWC) to the current working conditions to give insight into the overall sentiments of the abrupt change to the workplace, and found that most employees agreed that OWC need to be reviewed, and that the general sentiment was almost equally split on the efficiency of CWC in comparison to OWC, yet the majority was enjoying the flexible conditions.
Abstract: To give insight into human resource (HR) policy makers of the impact of the abrupt change in working conditions as reported from their primary stakeholders – the employees.,Reported from a first-person point of view, 192 employees from Kuwait who are currently working from home were surveyed as to how the lockdown circumstances have impacted their conventional work expectations. The study compares the old working conditions (OWC) to the current working conditions (CWC) to give insight into the overall sentiments of the abrupt changes to the workplace.,It was found that most employees agreed that OWC need to be reviewed, and that the general sentiment was almost equally split on the efficiency of CWC in comparison to OWC, yet the majority was enjoying the flexible conditions. Moreover, the majority of respondents found that overall conventional work elements either remained the same or had been impacted positively rather than negatively. Also, if given an option of a hybrid model inclusive of partly working remotely and partly working on-site, a considerable majority reported that they are able to efficiently conduct atleast 80% of their work expectation. Finally, it was found that employee expectation is changing as they consider post COVID-19 conditions.,This research was conducted using virtual crowd-sourcing methods to administer the survey and may have been enhanced should other methods have been integrated for data gathering. Also, a more comprehensive phenomenological approach could have been incorporated to add a qualitative method to the investigation. This could have freed the results of answer limitation and experience bias. Moreover, it is good practice to involve both quantitative and qualitative elements to any research when possible. Finally, future research can benefit from a bigger pool of participants so as to gain a clearer picture.,This research will give policy makers a look at what needs to be reviewed/changed for a successful roll-out of remote work in accordance with their original strategies.
95 citations
TL;DR: Although the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic appears to disproportionately affect those in informal employment, they often receive less government support than the formally employed as mentioned in this paper, and this occurs against the background of unresolved tensions arising from informal workers' desire for more employment security and employers' striving for continued labour flexibility while transferring costs to government and workers.
Abstract: PurposeAlthough the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic appears to disproportionately affect those in informal employment, they often receive less government support than the formally employed This paper considers definitions of the informal economy and informal employment, explores the rationale for participating in the informal economy and reflects on some effects of the pandemic on these workers Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a narrative literature review with analysis of the selected academic and policy literature FindingsThere are considerable short- and long-term implications of the pandemic for informal employment and the informal economy This occurs against the background of unresolved tensions arising from informal workers' desire for more employment security and employers' striving for continued labour flexibility while transferring costs to government and workers The COVID-19 pandemic might accelerate current trends and force new solutions to better protect basic work security while helping organisations to remain competitive Government policies supporting work safety, income security, moves to formalisation of employment and fairness for informal employees are particularly important Research limitations/implicationsAs statistical and qualitative evidence is currently limited, it is too early to identify the full effects of COVID-19 on employment in the informal economy Practical implicationsThe results suggest that governments need to carefully consider explicit support for those in informal employment to create fair, resilient and ethical structures for workers, businesses, economies and wider societies Social implicationsThe paper identifies some of the social implications of COVID-19 for the informal sector Originality/valueThe analysis offers initial insights into the impacts of a major health, economic and social shock on informal working
77 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the link between covid-19 and social entrepreneurship from a value co-creation perspective, thereby enabling a new way of thinking about the crisis from a social policy perspective.
Abstract: Society has changed forever as a result of coronavirus (covid-19) with the new normal referring to lifestyle changes including social distancing and working from home. The purpose of this article is to understand how covid-19 has resulted in increased levels of social value co-creation aimed at producing innovative benefits to society.,A commentary is provided on crisis management from a social entrepreneurship perspective with the goal of understanding the social benefits of collective action resulting from the covid-19 pandemic. This approach offers a novel way to understand the social policy implications derived from the covid-19 crisis.,The article highlights how there has been an increased emphasis on social policy focussing on finding entrepreneurial ways to handle the covid-19 crisis that incorporates some degree of value co-creation. Examples from seed plant initiatives and reducing homelessness in times of crisis are discussed as a way to explain social value co-creation. Moreover, the different ways countries have responded to the covid-19 crisis are stated as a way to understand contextual differences in global society.,This article is amongst the first to focus on the link between covid-19 and social entrepreneurship from a value co-creation perspective thereby enabling a new way of thinking about the crisis from a social policy perspective. This will provide a theoretical basis from which to understand social policy differences regarding the covid-19 crisis.
71 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the Covid-19 pandemic has affected most organisations' workplaces and productivity, leading to restrictions on movement and the temporary closure of workplace premises, which can pose severe threats to workers' routines and lifestyle and can impinge on their health and general well-being.
Abstract: The Covid-19 pandemic has affected most organisations' workplaces and productivity. Organisations have had to make provision for staff to operate remotely following the implementation of lockdown regulations around the world, because the pandemic has led to restrictions on movement and the temporary closure of workplace premises. The purpose of this paper is to provide insights from remote workers' experiences in South Africa about immediate conversion from the normal workplace environment to working remotely from home. The structuration theory was adopted to understand the social structural challenges experienced by staff working from home.,Data were collected using a Web-based survey, administered when the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in movement restrictions, using the judgemental sampling technique.,The results are presented using both external and internal features that are linked to the social structures experienced by remote workers who participated in the survey. The key findings indicate that despite the positive aspects of remote working using advances in technology, there are also negative aspects and risks attached to remote working such as work overload and pressures to perform timeously. This can pose severe threats to workers' routines and lifestyle, and the lack of interaction can impinge on their health and general well-being.,The online survey was carried out with first-time remote workers who were the target for the study. Some respondents may have had an affinity for remote working because of the novelty. The sample size may not be generalised, as the collected sample is moderately small, although the purpose of the paper was to report on a small sample size, given the rapidity of the study.,The paper seeks to highlight social structures that exist in South Africa, which accentuate the resource divide for remote workers. Also, the paper aims to encourage organisations (employers) to better understand challenges that workers encountered while working from their homes during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown restrictions.,The relevance of this paper is in its contribution to the structuration theory and remote working literature, as well as to the study of these topics in the context of South Africa.
47 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated how cultural variations in individualism and tightness affected the containment of COVID-19 using data from 54 nations during a 30-day period of government intervention.
Abstract: This paper empirically investigates how cultural variations in individualism and tightness affected the containment of COVID-19 using data from 54 nations during a 30-day period of government intervention.,The authors utilized the hierarchical regression approach to check the effects of three cultural variables – the individualism measure, taken from Hofstede’s six-dimension national culture index, and the measure of cultural tightness, based on the three tightness–looseness indexes calculated by Irem Uz (2015) and their interaction – on the changes in the prevalence rate (ΔPR) and crude mortality rate (ΔCMR) and case fatality rate (CFR) while controlling for the stringency of government responses to COVID-19, median age and population density.,Significant relationships were found between cultural variables and national performance in slowing the spread of the coronavirus, measured by ΔPR, ΔCMR and CFR. After controlling for the stringency of government responses, median age and population density, the authors found that cultural tightness and individualism as well as their interactions remain to be pivotal. Loose and individualistic cultures led to faster increases in PR and CMR and higher CFR. A four-quadrant conceptual framework is developed to categorize and discuss the national differences.,The paper integrated two constructs – cultural tightness–looseness and individualism–collectivism – to form a theoretical lens to guide the authors’ analyses while using the real-time COVID-19 data as a natural experiment for theorizing and testing. This study’s findings have significant policy implications in government responses, strategic planning, cultural adaptability and policy implementations for the world’s continuous battle against the pandemic.
43 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the role of human resource management and employee job satisfaction in predicting organizational commitment in the Saudi Arabian banking sector and found that HRM practices help in career development opportunities and hence provide better job opportunities.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of human resource management and employee job satisfaction in predicting organizational commitment in the Saudi Arabian banking sector.,For the purpose of this study, quantitative survey research was employed. The independent variables are human resource management and employee job satisfaction, while the dependent variable is organizational commitment.,Human resource management correlated positively with employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment. On the other hand, employee job satisfaction was found to be positively correlated with organizational commitment. The two independent variables made significant individual contributions to the prediction of organizational commitment.,This study has some limitations. First, convenient sampling method was used to recruit the participants. Therefore, the findings of the study have limited generalizability in other regions and age groups. Second, as a cross-sectional study, there has to be caution in making any generalization of the results. Future researchers should get more respondents from wider geographical location, that is from different bans, private and public. Furthermore, self-report questionnaires were used to collect data from respondents. It is recommended that future researchers use different methods such as personal interview or telephone interview to collect data. This may help get reliable data after clarifying and removing what may be ambiguous.,The results of this study have corroborated with previous research and confirmed correlations between and among human resource management (HRM), employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment in the Saudi Arabian banking sector. These findings have practical implications. Having high levels of job satisfaction among bank employees will prevent low levels of turnover rate, absenteeism and levels of productivity and increase organizational commitment. HRM practices, on the other hand, help in career development opportunities and hence provide better job opportunities. This study can recommend that to ensure high levels of job satisfaction among employees and enhanced organizational commitment, organizations, especially banks, should emphasize more on HRM practices.,This study could contribute to the literature on HRM, job satisfaction and organizational commitment in the Saudi Arabian banking sector. There is a rapid growth in the banking sector in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, there is an urge for recruiting efficient and experienced human resources (Mizan et al., 2013). This study will contribute to the development of the Saudi Arabian banking sector, which may lead to maintain this sector work effectively that will have a positively impact on the economy of the Saudi society. It also will highlight the nature and importance of the HRM practices for the benefit of the banking sector.
43 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the main effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labor market in Portugal regarding the dimensions related to job security and unemployment are explored and synthesized.
Abstract: Purpose: This short communication aims to explore and synthesize the main effects of COVID-19 on the labor market in Portugal regarding the dimensions related to job security and unemployment Design/methodology/approach: Field research is used to identify and understand the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to the labor market in Portugal Data from the National Institute of Statistics of Portugal are analyzed and compared with artifacts published in the field, which allow us to explore the impact of this phenomenon from multiple perspectives Findings: The findings indicate that the impact on the labor market is very asymmetric regarding geographical regions, sectors of activity, age groups and the nature of labor ties The most touristic regions and those with a strong dependence on the exterior are the most affected Young people and women with unstable employment relationships and in temporary work situations are also particularly vulnerable Originality/value: This study focuses on an emerging area with a strong impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labor market This study seeks both to identify challenges in the Portuguese labor market and to discuss measures that should be taken to mitigate their effects, such as reforming the social security model, the role of teleworking or the more balanced development of the territory © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited
34 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations that drive people's attitudes to engage in fundraising campaigns launched in many communities, providing a richer understanding of donors' responses, and revealed that all constructs included in the model (i.e., charitable projects geared for those affected by the pandemic, Internet technology features and religiosity level) are statistically significant, except for trust in charities.
Abstract: PurposeWith fundraising appeals for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) relief efforts and donating to those affected by its spread and impact, donors, volunteers and charities can all play their part and render much-needed support and aid. The purpose of this study is to be part of such effort by empirically examining the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations that drive people's attitudes to engage in fundraising campaigns launched in many communities, providing a richer understanding of donors' responses.Design/methodology/approachThe present work follows a quantitative approach based on an online survey conducted among potential Kuwaiti charitable donors. A total of 565 useable responses (356 females, 209 males) were obtained using snowball sampling and analyzed through smart partial least squares (SmartPLS) software.FindingsWith 90% of respondents financially able to donate who have a monthly income equal to or greater than the average (US$2000), this study confirms the suitability of the model used in predicting donors' attitudes to contribute online to grassroots fundraising campaigns. It reveals that all constructs included in the model (i.e. charitable projects geared for those affected by the pandemic, Internet technology (IT) features and religiosity level) are statistically significant, except for trust in charities.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that in uncertainty and concern surrounding COVID-19, nonprofit organizations, charities and governments should make concerted efforts toward mitigating the impacts of the pandemic on families and workers who are on the frontline against its outbreak. Possible areas need to be improved through suitable proactive strategies to solicit online monetary donations, such as charitable projects with inclusive information, focus attention on IT features (e.g. privacy, trustworthiness, security and effectiveness) and strengthen the religious faith of donors toward the significance of helping vulnerable groups and regions.Originality/valueThe research adds value to the literature on donation and giving behavior by offering an in-depth understanding of what influences online donation attitudes, especially amid such an unprecedented epidemic crisis.
34 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an extended work done on zakah and waqf in Islamic wealth distribution is presented, which shows the efficiency of wealth distribution according to the Islamic principles and application of the financial inclusion in the Islamic society.,The limitation is in verifying the accuracy of data gathering from the government agencies.
Abstract: Zakat has a strong humanitarian and social-political value. Zakat occupies a central role in Islamic fiscal policy and operations. At the same time, it does not preclude the use of modern tools and techniques in raising the state revenues. Islam provides its own comprehensive approach how the state can raise its revenue and how the revenue should be spend. Zakat is collected from those who are qualified and distributed to the eight recipients as identified in the Quran. Waqf instrument plays an important role in Muslim societies as its support the aged, the poor, the orphans through provision of education, training and business activities. The creation of waqf is strongly advocated, especially the creation of cash waqf in view of the expensiveness of land as waqf. There are collaboration efforts for cash waqf and zakat collection being done through Islamic banks and takaful. The paper aims to discuss these issues.,The data were source from the inland revenue, government agencies and state religious authorities, interviews, articles and conference reviews, as well as economic reports and later transcribe into charts and figures.,Its shows the efficiency of wealth distribution according to the Islamic principles and application of the financial inclusion in the Islamic society.,The limitation is in verifying the accuracy of data gathering from the government agencies.,The study can be used in financial inclusion through the application of zakah and waqf being applied to alleviate poverty.,The research is an extended work done on zakah and waqf in Islamic wealth distribution.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the relationship between institutional confidence and adherence to recommended measures during a pandemic by using structural equation models (SEMs) based on data from ResPOnsE COVID-19, a rolling cross-section (RCS) survey carried out in Italy from April to June 2020.
Abstract: This article contributes to a better theoretical and empiric understanding of mixed results in the literature investigating the relationship between institutional confidence and adherence to recommended measures during a pandemic.,The article relies on structural equation models (SEMs) based on data from ResPOnsE COVID-19, a rolling cross-section (RCS) survey carried out in Italy from April to June 2020.,The authors’ findings show the existence of multiple pathways of confidence at the national and local level. Confidence in the institutions is positively associated with support for the performance of the Prime Minister and that of the regional institutions in the North West, which in turn, raises the likelihood of following the restrictive measures. However, in the same regions, a good appraisal of the regional system's performance also had a direct positive effect on the perception of being safe from the virus, decreasing adherence to the restrictive measures. Finally, the direct effect of confidence in the institutions on compliance is negative.,The result enlightens the crucial role both of national and local institutions in promoting or inhibiting adherence to restrictive measures during a pandemic and suggests that “one size fits all” measures for increasing overall institutional confidence might not be sufficient to reach the desired goal of achieving compliance in pandemic times.,The authors theorize and test three cognitive mechanisms – (1) the “cascade of confidence”; (2) the “paradox of support” and (3) the “paradox of confidence” – to account for both the positive and negative links between measures of political support and public acceptability of COVID-19 containment measures.
TL;DR: The authors analyzed the framing of the emergency response to the novel coronavirus (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19];severe acute respiratory syndrome-like coronaviruses [SARS-CoV-2] in 2020 with wartime combat language.
Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the framing of the emergency response to the novel coronavirus (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19];severe acute respiratory syndrome-like coronavirus [SARS-CoV-2]) in 2020 with wartime combat language Metaphors have been used throughout American politics and society to frame perceived social problems, to both mobilize support and demobilize opposition By simplifying and dichotomizing social problems, latent negative consequences frequently emerge, which tend to have a disproportionate impact on minority communities Design/methodology/approach This paper used a case study and applied text from presidential press conferences and policy speeches from multiple sources on the War on Poverty, the War on Drugs and the War on COVID-19 The work identified common themes, actions and policies that can lead to other stakeholders adapting the "war" rhetoric Findings An apparent cycle emerged - from disdain to metaphorical "war," to policy, to law, to consequences and back to disdain - that fueled the American political system and, by extension, systematic oppression The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be another crucible for this cycle to repeat itself The series of examples illustrate how public leaders use the "war metaphor" as an all-out victory approach to galvanize policy responses to social issues, crises and natural disasters By local, national and international stakeholders Research limitations/implications Limitations of this study are the limited use of the metaphor and the time of completing this manuscript The paper only views the presidential use and interpretation of the war metaphor The COVID-19 pandemic disaster is persisting and the race for a vaccine is underway While the authors present the immediate policy impacts, it is too early to understand the long-term policy impacts typically measured over decades Practical implications This paper contributes to the literature by employing three case studies: the War on Poverty, the War on Drugs and the War on COVID-19 pandemic to draw comparisons between wartime rhetoric, social policies and the sociopolitical implications of those policies, as well as how these policies have the potential to disproportionately affect socially vulnerable populations Originality/value This paper builds on research regarding the use of metaphor, this analysis bridges a knowledge gap by employing the COVID-19 case to the historical use of the war metaphor
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focused on how young adults face the COVID-19 pandemic by investigating their personal concerns about mental well-being, career/studies and economic situation.
Abstract: This study focuses on how young adults face the COVID-19 pandemic by investigating their personal concerns about mental well-being, career/studies and economic situation. The authors investigated how young adults' (aged 18–29) personal concerns differ from older people's concerns (aged 30–65) and which person- and context-related antecedents relate to personal concerns.,Data of Finnish young adults aged 18–29 (n = 222), who participated in the “Corona Consumers” survey (N = 1,000) in April 2020, were analyzed by path analysis and compared to participants aged 30–65 by independent samples t-test.,Young adults were significantly more concerned about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental well-being, career/studies and economic situation than older people. Females were more concerned about their mental well-being than males. Among youth, lower life satisfaction was related to concerns about mental well-being, and lower satisfaction with financial situation was related to concerns about career/studies and economic situation. Young adults' predisposition to avoid difficult situations was related to more frequent concerns in all domains, whereas generalized trust and education were not.,Due to cross-sectional data, causal COVID-19 interpretations should be made cautiously.,Strong youth policies are needed for youth empowerment, mental health and career advancement in the pandemic aftermath.,The study highlights the inequality of the effects of COVID-19: The pandemic has radically influenced young adults as they exhibit significant personal concerns in age-related life domains.
TL;DR: This paper analyzed tweets containing the hashtags #Masks4all and #NoMasks over a three-week period, using adjacent hashtag analysis to determine the terms most associated with Karen in the pro and anti-mask communities associated with these hashtags.
Abstract: This paper asks how values and beliefs around gender influence social norms regarding masking. Specifically, the paper explores how the gendered meme “Karen” fits into social media discussions on support for and opposition to the wearing of masks to fight the spread of COVID-19.,The authors analyze tweets containing the hashtags #Masks4All and #NoMasks over a three-week period, using adjacent hashtag analysis to determine the terms most associated with Karen in the pro and anti-mask communities associated with these hashtags.,Anti-maskers reference Karen more often than pro-maskers, although she is presented in negative terms with gendered overtones by those on both sides of the masking debate.,The paper highlights how hypermasculinity rhetoric impedes social change that normalizes mask wearing.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the changes that have taken place in consumer behavior due to the fear caused by the spread of the coronavirus, in parallel to studying how supermarket activities have changed during the pandemic.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes that have taken place in consumer behavior due to the fear, caused by the spread of the coronavirus, in parallel to studying how supermarket activities have changed during the pandemic.,Using qualitative methods (email interviews and document analysis) and utilizing the few statistics available for the case, the authors performed a comparison between Greece, a country that imposed an early lockdown, and Sweden, which, for its own political reasons, did not lock down, but took other measures instead.,Differences in consumer behavior and supermarket activities in both countries based on different mentalities and different experiences were identified. Similarities in consumer behavior, but with different motives, were also discovered.,Retailing practitioners and communication executives can apply the findings to manage sales in a time of sharp, unpredictable crisis. The paper aims at integrating existing literature for the academic community and contributes with implications for practitioners and policymakers to reduce crisis risks.,This paper is one of the first to explore changes in consumer behavior caused by the spread of the coronavirus. It provides a coherent and comprehensive understanding of how consumer behavior changes under fear-crisis conditions along with future research directions.
TL;DR: The authors in this article presented a visual mapping of intellectual structure of CSR in five-dimensions and to identify the subfields of the CSR research concluded by co-citation analysis.
Abstract: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) deliberated regarding business firms' actions for doing well to society and natural environment. Specifically, CSR has been about firms contributions towards stakeholder management. As world economy has prospered over the last couple of centuries, business firms have had also increased its footprints in social landscape. In such a scenario, the roles and responsibilities of business firms have expanded in society. Over the years, CSR as a domain of research and literature has developed into a very potent and rich field. Presently, CSR literature as a body of knowledge has become substantial. The authors in this literature review study attempts to conceptually map this complex field of CSR literature.,The objective of this literature review study was to present a visual mapping of intellectual structure of CSR in five-dimensions and to identify the subfields of CSR research concluded by co-citation analysis. All the citation research documents which were listed in the Web of Knowledge (WoK) database between 1998 and 2019 were analysed. Multivariate analysis was undertaken for the literature review. The study conducted a sequence of statistical analyses comprising of factor analysis, multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis.,This literature review research study summarised the contours and status of CSR research by categorizing the CSR literature into five classification factors, namely CSR Drivers CSR, Contextual Grounding of CSR, Historical Legacy of CSR, Strategic CSR and CSR Implementation. Further, based upon the analysis of literature review of extant research in CSR, both the contemporary and imminent CSR-related research themes were also deliberated upon.,The results were helpful for academic scholars of CSR to comprehend both the gamut and focus of CSR literature over the years (between the years 1998 and 2019). The sequence of analyses involved factor, multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis. CSR literature was categorized into five factors namely- CSR Drivers, Contextual Grounding of CSR, Historical Legacy of CSR, Strategic CSR and CSR Implementation.,This study was one of the first set of studies to review the literature on CSR research articles by using citation, co-citation and social network analysis.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the effect of financial literacy level and risk aversion on the saving behavior of French households and found that financial literacy moderate the relationship between risk aversion and saving behavior.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to explore the effects of financial literacy level and risk aversion on the saving behavior. The literature review showed dialectical results. Therefore, this study attempts to clarify the debatable of these results by studying the mediating effect of risk aversion on the relationships between demographics determinants and saving behavior moderated by the effect of the financial literacy level.,The data were collected from the University of Normandy; the study sample included 516 respondents representing different segments of French households. The structural equation analysis was utilized to control the impact of financial literacy as a moderate variable and the risk aversion as a mediator variable among the link between sociodemographic factors and saving behavior.,The results demonstrated that there were significant effects of demographics factors on risk aversion. Moreover, financial literacy moderates the relationships between risk aversion and saving behavior.,The major limitation of this research is the small size of the study sample. This paper is restricted to French households. Future financial education training should cover the European context.,This study provides further evidence that financial literacy should be considered an important factor for improving household well-being. The paper encourages governments and financial institutions to create a national financial education program.,This paper is the first attempt to employ a sample of low-income households after financial education training in the French context.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed the relationship between trust, altruism, reciprocity, social solidarity and community-based approach during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, and found that these practices evolve from individual approaches to collective actions.
Abstract: Purpose – During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic lockdowns, stay at home or work from home, many have argued that the westernised non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) do not provide remedial in low-income countries like Nigeria, where informal job seekers, street traders, informal labourers and artisans depend mainly on the informal economy. By applying social solidarity (SS) and community-based approach (CBA), the authors evaluate individual acts (trust, altruism and reciprocity) during the lockdown and how these practices evolve from individual approaches to collective actions.
Design/methodology/approach – This study reflects on pragmatism research paradigm that enables researchers to maintain both subjectivity in their reflections and objectivity in data collection and analysis. The authors adopt a qualitative method through purposeful and convenience sampling procedure. Data were analysed thematically to identify elements of SS, individual acts, collective or community actions and perceptions.
Findings – The findings reveal that COVID-19 had a disproportionate impact (lack of food and a fall in daily income) on workers, informal job seekers, informal businesses operators and the poor households. As such, the study developed a reflective model of solidarity exhibited by individual acts and collective acts (practices of resource pooling, information sharing, women empowerment, distribution of palliatives and donations) within trusted circles that helped people cope with the lockdown experiences.
Practical implications – Solidarity represents beliefs, practices of values and norms. The SS exhibited by people through NPI would have implications on planning and monitoring the effectiveness of public health programmes during a pandemic in the future.
Social implications – The findings of citizens and community actions have implications related to the process of building communities – coming together – and solidarity that enhances social development with implications on community health policy agenda during disasters, emergencies and health pandemic.
Originality/value – This is one of the first studies to analyse the relationship between trust, altruism, reciprocity, SS and CBA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, it seems reasonable to clarify the concept of SS given the lack of clarity about the definitions from previous studies.
TL;DR: In this paper, a socio-economic theory of regulatory compliance for assessing the probable determinants shaping Zakah payers' compliance behavior was used to shed light on the relationships between Zakah system fairness, Zakah morale, peer influence and law enforcement with compliance behavior among entrepreneurs.
Abstract: To provide a sound understanding of Zakah compliance behaviour, this paper aims to shed light on the relationships between Zakah system fairness, Zakah morale, peer influence and law enforcement with Zakah compliance behaviour among entrepreneurs.,The underpinning model used in this paper is the socio-economic theory of regulatory compliance for assessing the probable determinants shaping Zakah payers' compliance behaviour. Based on a survey of active entrepreneurs in a typical Islamic situation like Yemen, a total of 500 self-administered instruments were distributed to the respondents. Partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to estimate the compliance model.,All the variables included in the compliance model are statistically significant, except for law enforcement. Zakah compliance of entrepreneurs is significantly influenced by Zakah system fairness, Zakah morale and peer influence.,Zakah institutions and agencies in Muslim-majority countries may use the results of this work to focus attention on appropriate proactive policies to formulate a fair Zakah system, inculcating moral responsibility among Zakah payers, embarking on sensitisation programmes in society as a whole, and being more proactive in educating Muslims in the importance of paying Zakah to the respective Zakah agencies.,This paper complements the limited literature on Zakah by examining both tangible and intangible motivations affecting Zakah payers' compliance decision.
TL;DR: This article explored the relationship between fathers' leave-taking and gender equality impacts and found that maximizing both parental leave time and family income in order to sustain good care for their children (through paid and unpaid leave time, followed by limited and expensive childcare services) was a more immediate concern to parents than were issues of gender equality.
Abstract: This research article explores several questions about assessing the impacts of fathers' parental leave take up and gender equality. We ask: How does the conceptual and contextual specificity of care and equality shape what we focus on, and how, when we study parental leave policies and their impacts? What and how are we measuring?,The article is based on a longitudinal qualitative research study on families with fathers who had taken parental leave in two Canadian provinces (Ontario and Quebec), which included interviews with 26 couples in the first stage (25 mother/father couples and one father/father couple) and with nine couples a decade later. Guided by Margaret Somers' historical sociology of concept formation, we explore the concepts of care and equality (and their histories, networks, and narratives) and how they are taken up in parental leave research. We also draw on insights from three feminist scholars who have made major contributions to theoretical intersections between care, work, equality, social protection policies, and care deficits: Nancy Fraser, Joan Williams, and Martha Fineman.,The relationship between fathers' leave-taking and gender equality impacts is a complex, non-linear entanglement shaped by the specificities of state and employment policies and by how these structure parental eligibility for leave benefits, financial dimensions of leave-taking (including wage replacement rates for benefits), childcare possibilities/limitations and related financial dimensions for families, masculine work norms in workplaces, and intersections of gender and social class. Overall, we found that maximizing both parental leave time and family income in order to sustain good care for their children (through paid and unpaid leave time, followed by limited and expensive childcare services) was articulated as a more immediate concern to parents than were issues of gender equality. Our research supports the need to draw closer connections between parental leave, childcare, and workplace policies to better understand how these all shape parental leave decisions and practices and possible gender equality outcomes.,The article is based on a small and fairly homogenous Canadian research sample and thus calls for more research to be done on diverse families, with attention to possible conceptual diversity arising from these sites.,This research calls for greater attention to: the genealogies of, and relations between, the concepts of care, equality, and subjectivity that guide parental leave research and policy; to the historical specificity of models like the Universal Caregiver model; and to the need for new models and conceptual configurations that can guide research on care, equality, and parental leave policies in current global contexts of neoliberal capitalism.,We call for a move toward thinking about care, not only as care time, but as responsibilities, which can be partly assessed through the stories people tell about how they negotiate and navigate care, domestic work, and paid work responsibilities in specific contexts and conditions across time. We also advocate for gender equality concepts that attend to how families navigate restrictive parental leave and childcare policies and how broader socio-economic inequalities arise partly from state policies underpinned by a concept of liberal autonomous subjects rather than relational subjects who face moments of vulnerability and inter-dependence across the life course.
TL;DR: This paper used a semi-structured online survey (n=305) with UK residents and Facebook forum debates collected during the lockdown period in the UK to examine the implications of both the Covid-19 pandemic and UK lockdown for the social, political and economic future of the UK.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider the implications of both the Covid-19
pandemic and UK lockdown for the social, political and economic future of the UK. Drawing
on primary data obtained during the lockdown and the theoretical concepts of transcendental
materialism and the ‘event’, the paper discusses the strength of participants’ attachment to
the ‘old normal’ and their dreams of a ‘new normal’.
Design – This paper utilises a semi-structured online survey (n=305) with UK residents and
Facebook forum debates collected during the lockdown period in the UK.
Findings – The findings in this paper suggest that while the lockdown suspended daily routines
and provoked participants to reflect upon their consumption habits and the possibility of an
alternative future, many of our respondents remained strongly attached to elements of prelockdown normality. Furthermore, the individual impetus for change was not matched by the
structures and mechanisms holding up neoliberalism as governments and commercial
enterprises merely encouraged people to get back to the shops to spend.
Originality – The original contribution of this paper is the strength and depth of empirical data
into the Covid-19 pandemic, specifically the lockdown. Additionally, the synthesis of empirical
data with the novel theoretical framework of transcendental materialism presents an original
and unique perspective on Covid-19.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined how community engagement can be influenced by responsible leadership during crises and found that responsible leadership is an effective way to positively engage stakeholders and influence community response during a pandemic.
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this paper was to examine how community engagement can be influenced by responsible leadership during crises. It looks at the phenomenon of community engagement and responsible leadership in India during the Covid-19 pandemic, using the collective responses of community. Design/methodology/approach: This paper uses netnography, which studies community interpretations through their online social communication. The perceptions on how engaged the Indian community felt during the pandemic were studied by collecting and analysing their postings on social media. Findings: The findings suggest that responsible leadership – through the building of trust, open communication, collective consciousness and mindful action – is an effective way to positively engage stakeholders and influence community response during a pandemic. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the literature of responsible leadership and community engagement during crises. It is an attempt to link public leadership with responsible leadership and its impact on community engagement in a novel way, filling a void in the literature.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss how occupational prestige evolves and devolves during times of social change, and how elevated status, dependent on one's service to the country in the spirit of a "war-time" narrative, is just temporary and fleeting.
Abstract: Key workers are deemed “essential” for keeping the country going while the rest of us have been resigned to the safety of our homes. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, key workers have become the exalted symbol of the pandemic; although, during pre-pandemic many of these roles were considered “low skilled” and were (and still are) low paid.,The analysis uses newspapers as data sources to discuss occupational prestige and situate it within previous theory.,This social commentary discusses how occupational prestige evolves and devolves during times of social change, and how elevated status, dependent on one's service to the country in the spirit of a “war-time” narrative, is just temporary and fleeting. Prestige is wrapped up in notions of class, income and education, and during the pandemic, “key workers” have become their own sub-group with an almost mythologised status and value, which the authors argue might take the focus away from genuine efforts to improve working conditions (e.g. access to PPE and pay rises etcetera).,The article considers the current value of key workers and how elevated levels of prestige are transitory. The enduring nature of this new status is yet to be seen. More qualitative nuanced research is required around how occupational prestige changes, evolves and devolves and more quantitative research on why and how widespread some of the critical issues might be.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the impact of three modes of globalization, i.e., trade globalization, financial globalization and technological globalization, separately on income inequality on the Asian emerging economies, using Hecksher-Ohlin and the Stolper-Samuelson theorem as a theoretical model for the relationship between globalization and income inequality.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of three modes of globalization, i.e. trade globalization, financial globalization and technological globalization, separately on income inequality on the Asian emerging economies.,The study uses Hecksher–Ohlin and the Stolper–Samuelson theorem as a theoretical model for the relationship between globalization and income inequality. The study uses pooled least square (POLS) and instrumental variable least square (IVLS) estimation technique but prefers the IVLS over POLS due to the problems of omitted variable biased and endogeneity. Due to unavailability of data for all the Asian emerging economies, the study uses the following 11 countries, i.e. Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand, from 1980 to 2014 for the trade and technological globalization model and from 1990 to 2014 for the financial globalization model.,Trade globalization significantly contributes to reduce income inequality in the Asian emerging economies. The impact of financial globalization on income inequality suggests that financial integration causes an increase in income inequality. Therefore, the benefits of financial globalization are not evenly distributed among the rich and the poor. The impact of technological globalization significantly contributes in the reduction of income inequality.,Government has to invest in research and development activities, establish efficient financial system, reduce trade restrictions and provide subsidies that help to increase the volume of trade.,This study contributes in the existing literature by analyzing the impact of trade globalization, financial globalization and technological globalization on income inequality in Asian emerging economies. The study provides useful guidelines to policy makers and governments to make effective policies in relation to globalization and income inequality that lead toward economic growth and reducing income inequality.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a structured review of articles that seek to provide lessons for the COVID-19 pandemic, using interpretative content analysis to apply the criteria of prospective policy transfer to the material.
Abstract: This article brings together the literatures on policy learning and lesson drawing with the intra-crisis learning literature in order to assess “learning lessons” in the COVID-19 pandemic.,It carries out a structured review of articles that seek to provide lessons for the pandemic. It examines these articles using interpretative content analysis to apply the criteria of prospective policy transfer to the material.,Application of the criteria of prospective policy transfer suggests that lesson drawing was fairly limited. It is often not fully clear why nations were selected. Many articles were brief and provided limited detail, meaning that there was little depth on issues such as problems and goals and on policy performance or policy success or failure. There was limited discussion of transferability of lessons, and few clear lessons could be drawn. Finally, the extent to which it was possible to learn lessons in a “non-routine” or “less routine” crisis, under conditions of threat, uncertainty and urgency was generally not discussed.,The criteria within the framework of prospective policy transfer provide a template for policy makers to assess lessons.,This article indicates the problems of attempting to draw lessons from the past or from other nations to an unprecedented crisis, where decision-making is characterized by elements of threat, urgency and uncertainty.
TL;DR: In this paper, a computer-assisted content analysis was conducted to extract data on war and military metaphors, followed by a qualitative analysis of the metaphor scenarios used for explaining the situation and justifying action.
Abstract: Purpose: Politicians' response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic worldwide relied on war scenarios having a tradition in disease management The study contrasts how the political measures introduced during the state of emergency were presented by the Prime Minister of Hungary in his social media posts and his speeches and announcements broadcast by public media Design/methodology/approach: A computer-assisted content analysis was conducted to extract data on war and military metaphors, followed by a qualitative analysis of the metaphor scenarios used for explaining the situation and justifying action The role of the prime minister (PM) indicated by the social media posts and by his transcripted speeches was compared with the suggestion of the visual illustrations Findings: The study’s findings were that verbal communication shifted between war-related metaphoric to military-related realistic The third conceptual domain identified was fear Messages were mostly about national cohesion, however, visually, the PM was the protagonist of the events The communication proved efficient according to opinion polls Originality/value: The research revealed how the securitization of the pandemic took place via the political discourse constructed both for Internet users and traditional media consumers Metaphors of fear, war and military action created the justification of the declaration of a state of emergency The PM as a capable and responsible leader was placed in focus of the events Although verbal messages by the PM were centred on a sense of community and joint action, the personalization of political action was remarkable by indirect means, such as visual messages The personalization of politics throughout the period researched served the purpose of securitization of the pandemic with the PM as a charismatic leader attracting attention and giving credit to the severity of the threat along with the introduction of extraordinary measures © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited
TL;DR: In this article, the authors address the labour market impacts of Covid-19, the necessity of active labour policy reform in response to this pandemic unemployment crisis and what trajectory this reform is likely to take as countries shift attention from emergency income supports to stimulating employment recovery.
Abstract: Purpose: This paper addresses the labour market impacts of Covid-19, the necessity of active labour policy reform in response to this pandemic unemployment crisis and what trajectory this reform is likely to take as countries shift attention from emergency income supports to stimulating employment recovery. Design/methodology/approach: The study draws on Ireland’s experience, as an illustrative case. This is motivated by the scale of Covid-related unemployment in Ireland, which is partly a function of strict lockdown measures but also the policy choices made in relation to the architecture of income supports. Also, Ireland was one of the countries most impacted by the Great Recession leading it to introduce sweeping reforms of its active labour policy architecture. Findings: The analysis shows that the Covid unemployment crisis has far exceeded that of the last financial and banking crisis in Ireland. Moreover, Covid has also exposed the fragility of Ireland's recovery from the Great Recession and the fault-lines of poor public services, which intensify precarity in the context of low-paid employment growth precipitated by workfare policies implemented since 2010. While these policies had some short-term success in reducing the numbers on the Live Register, many cohorts were left behind by the reforms and these employment gains have now been almost entirely eroded. Originality/value: The lessons from Ireland's experience of post-crisis activation reform speak to the challenges countries now face in adapting their welfare systems to facilitate a post-Covid recovery, and the risks of returning to “workfare” as usual.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the work passion and job satisfaction relationship of social workers in Delhi/NCR and examine the influence of belongingness and psychological empowerment on the association.
Abstract: The present research work is intended to investigate the work passion and job satisfaction relationship of social workers in Delhi/NCR and examine the influence of belongingness and psychological empowerment on the association. The study has used self-determination theory to support the relationship.,The study used the standardized instruments to assess the relationship. Statistical tools such as SEM, convergent and discriminant validity, reliability, and moderated regression analysis were used to analyze the data.,The study found that psychological empowerment and belonging moderated the association between passion and job satisfaction.,HR managers and practitioners should promote a culture of openness, empowerment, collectivism, and meaningful work to ensure the fulfillment of psychological needs of the social workers.,The fulfillment of psychological needs can become a significant motivator for the social workers as due to political and administrative constraints, giving financial incentives or introducing variable financial pay would not be possible.,The authors were not able to locate any paper exploring the relationship between work passion and job satisfaction of social workers. The present research work proposes that there are certain psychological needs, which can be fulfilled other than monetary needs in order to motivate social workers for their work.
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors investigated China's employment stabilization policies in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and discussed the accessibility of these policies in practice.
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate China's employment stabilization policies in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to discuss the accessibility of these policies in practice. In addition, by focussing on the problems and dilemmas encountered during the implementation of these policies, this paper proposes some future directions for reforming employment protection and social insurance to adapt to the changing employment structure and mode in China. Design/methodology/approach: The design and methodology of this paper utilises open sources and documentary materials on China's employment stabilization policies, employment protection and social insurance measures. Findings: The employment stabilization policies/measures launched during the COVID-19 pandemic were formulated under an initial policy framework designed only for employees in a definite employment relationship and do not match the current employment structure and model. As a result, the accessibility of employment stabilization policies/measures is limited because some worker groups that are the most affected are not covered by the policies. Originality/value: This paper provides timely analysis on the China's employment stabilization policies and evaluates the accessibility of these policies.