Current studies in disaster sociology, which were initiated and developed mostly in the USA upon the request of the army, are far from meeting the needs today. Today, more than ever, new theoretical and methodological approaches that are not human-centered are needed. The research, a part of which is presented here, aims to render invisible the damages and losses suffered by those who are marginalized by the powerful, in disasters in general and earthquakes in particular. The main question of this research is how to address the damages suffered by soil plants and animals, including immigrants in Turkey, due to the disaster on 6February 2023.(Based on this, the main question of the study is how to address the damages of the natural environment, including plants, animals and soils, as well as Syrian immigrants in Turkey, who were affected by the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on 6February 2023, which we experienced most recently, will be addressed with an antipositivist approach.) For this purpose, unlike classical sociological approaches, based on relational sociology, how immigrants, plants, animals and soil are affected together during the uncertainty and complexity in daily life has been analyzed based on available written and visual documents. The findings were discussed with a holistic view, based on the ‘One World’ terminology suggested by relational sociologist Bruno Latour. It has been revealed that due to the earthquake turning into a major disaster, the resident population has become openly or secretly immigrants, and they have been marginalized like other creatures, especially international immigrants, most of whom are Syrians, have been blamed, excluded and rendered invisible. While the research results reveal the inadequacy of classical essentialist sociological approaches based on the basic duality of nature and society, they also show that ‘differences’ and ‘uncertainties’ come to the fore in daily life instead of linear determinations. In addition, while the importance and contributions of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary studies with concepts such as ‘liminality’ and ‘turning point’ are exhibited, on the other hand, some suggestions are made based on Bruno Latour’s ‘One World’ approach.
The rising trend of tourists selecting agrotourism as a tourist destination has become an intriguing study issue. Seremban is a well-known tourist attraction that is popular among visitors. As a result, Seremban has been selected as the study site. However, river pollution may have an influence on Seremban’s natural environment and agrotourism potential. Furthermore, inadequate infrastructure, such as unauthorized parking, exacerbated the inhabitants’ problems. A growing number of young people leave Seremban to pursue employment or further education in other cities, with no desire to work as farmers. The labor scarcity has also made it difficult for farmers to grow their farms. Consequently, the study aims to examine how factors such as the natural environment, tourist infrastructure, perceived social advantages, and perceived barriers influence the attitudes of Seremban residents towards agrotourism, with a focus on its potential for driving economic growth. This study adopts quantitative research methods, employing descriptive and causal research designs. Primary data collection is conducted through questionnaires, supplemented by secondary data. Non-probability quota sampling is utilized due to the absence of a specific sampling frame, with a sample size of 385 respondents determined using G*Power software. Constructs are developed based on previous research, and the questionnaire comprises Likert-scale items to gauge attitudes and perceptions. A pilot study assesses the instrument’s reliability. Data analysis is performed using SPSS software, encompassing multiple linear regression and Pearson correlation analyses in addition to descriptive statistics. The findings provide valuable insights into the factors driving residents’ perceptions of agrotourism in Seremban, emphasizing the importance of the natural environment, tourism infrastructure, perceived social benefits, and perceived barriers in shaping attitudes. Additionally, the study highlights the resilience of residents’ positive attitudes toward agrotourism, despite potential challenges and barriers identified. Overall, these results offer implications for policymakers and stakeholders involved in tourism development in the region.
Purpose: Kindergartens are an important educational environment for the development of children at an early age, and they also play a crucial role in developing the values of sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to investigate kindergarten teachers’ perceptions of observable and sustainable development practices. Design, methodology, approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 302 Saudi kindergarten teachers. Additionally, observation cards were utilized to collect data on actual practices of sustainable development in kindergartens. Data were analyzed using Nvivo12, a qualitative data analysis software, and descriptive analysis methods. The main themes were produced first, and then the perspectives were organized around them. Finding: The impact of social and cultural factors on the development of values, the lack of resources available to implement educational activities, and teacher awareness and training gaps were found to be the main barriers to the development of sustainable development values in kindergartens. Originality, value: To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study in Saudi Arabia that has looked into the environmental and social perceptions of early childhood teachers about sustainable development practices, so the study’s findings can highlight the importance of reorienting teacher education programs toward sustainability in order to bridge knowledge and practice gaps.
Studies show that Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies can enhance compliance with COVID-19 guidelines within the parties in the construction industry in the future and mitigate job loss. It implies that mitigating job loss improves the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1) (eliminate poverty). There is a paucity of literature concerning 4IR technologies application and COVID-19 impact on South Africa’s construction industry. Thus, this paper investigates the impacts of the pandemic on the sector and the roles of digital technologies in mitigating job loss in future pandemics. Data were collected via virtual semi-structured interviews. The participants proffered unexplored insights into the impact of the pandemic on the sector and the possible roles that 4IR technology can play in mitigating the spread of the virus within the sector. Findings show that the sector was hit, especially the low-income earners, threatens to achieve Goal 1, despite government institutions’ intervention, such as economic support programmes, health and safety guidelines awareness, and medical facilities. Findings group the emerged impacts into health and safety, environmental, economic, productivity, social, and legal and insurance issues in South Africa. The study shows that technology can be advantageous to improving achieving Goal 1 in a pandemic era due to limited job loss.
Virtual environments like the Metaverse have been gaining popularity in recent years. Live streaming has gained popularity as a favorite way to entertain among social network users, thanks to its real-time authenticity. This study will utilize the Extended Unified Theory of Acceptability and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) to examine the factors influencing the adoption of live streaming in the Metaverse, a new platform with greater immersion, among citizens in Vietnam. The research used a quantitative approach, collected data from a sample of participants through a structured questionnaire including Performance Expectancy (PEE), Effort Expectancy (EEF), Social Influence (SCI), Hedonic Motivation (HEM), and Experience (EXP). Additionally, technological Self-Efficacy (TSE) as an extended alternative is thought to influence that relationship as well. Results from the PLS-SEM technique was used to examine perception, acceptance, and adoption differences among demographic groups. Remarkably, the results show experience has a remarkable impact on the relationship between behavioral intention and the adoption use Metaverse for livestreaming. This study contributes theoretical value for investors and researchers on the entertainment and technology sectors due to the abilities of the live-streaming industry and the advanced features of metaverse in this digital world.
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