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Why a Book on the Digital Divide in 2020?
Review of: Jan van Dijk, „The Digital Divide“, 2020, Cambridge, UK: Polity, 208 pages ISBN 978-1-509-53445-6. Review by: Rozália Klára Bakó
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Review of: Jan van Dijk, „The Digital Divide“, 2020, Cambridge, UK: Polity, 208 pages ISBN 978-1-509-53445-6. Review by: Rozália Klára Bakó
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This study includes the functioning of the solid waste management system in our country and recommendations on what needs to be done for this. In the current period, city administrators tend to carry out the application of modern and traditional orientations together in solving problems. In this sense, city administrators stand out in terms of having much more humane, participatory, democratic options. This brings together a situation that strengthens the hand of city administrators. The issues of collecting, transporting and disposing of hazardous and toxic waste, that is, waste that is both liquid and solid, that are of close concern to local authorities about waste problems and that have come to the agenda in recent times are the issues of collection, transportation and disposal. Some of the hazardous and toxic waste is from flammable substances such as solvents used for chemical purposes in the chemical industry. These create fire hazards where they are located. Some of them have explosive properties. Naturally, when they come into contact with different chemicals, they create gases full of danger and poison. In some of them, that is, in those that differ in different ways, they carry agents that cause diseases in living beings, that is, bacteria, viruses, parasites, cysts, etc.
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Always critical activities within the European Union, the United Kingdom and the European Union as a country that takes the place of suspicion and distrust between the two parties the relationship between the countries that carried a strong association has not been established. The Brexit process, which consists of the merger of the words Britain and Exit and resulted in the departure of the United Kingdom from the union, has been shaped in this context. Finally, in the referendum held on June 23, 2016 with the participation of 72.2 percent of the population, 51.9 percent of citizens voted for the separation of the kingdom from the union. On 29 March 2017, the United Kingdom officially informed the Council of Europe that it intended to leave the union. After the European Parliament approved the decision, the kingdom officially left the union on January 31, 2020.
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The paper is aimed to perceive critically the three-decade concept of sustainable development at several levels, and, accordingly, it is divided into three parts. The first one is dedicated to the specific features of the emergence of this concept in the initial period 1983-1992 and the first developmental period 1992-2000. A special emphasis is laid on the theoretical distinction and domination of the concept of sustainable development in relation to the then existing forms, such as ecological modernization. The second part of the paper continues the identification of the developmental stages within the scope of the Millennium Goals 2000–2015, with a central critical focus on the achieved results. The third part of the paper covers the current stage of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) envisaged for the period 2015–2030, and particularly points to the quantitative faults and inconsistencies in the methodology of evaluation, as well as measurement of the fulfilment of the goals themselves. The analytical apparatus points ty qualitative and quantitative methods to the chronically faulty set of instruments of sustainable development due to which the ecological component as the first among the equal is derogated to the level of the least importance, which is contrary to the founding principles of this concept.
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The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine crisis 2022 on tourism has rendered forecasts of tourism demand obsolete. Accordingly, scholars have begun to look for the best methods to predict the recovery of tourism. In this study, econometric and judgmental methods were combined in order to to forecast the possible ways to tourism recovery in Slovenia. The goals of this paper are to show and assess the current offerings and potential for the development of tourism in Slovenia, and to point out the advantages and challenges in the development of tourism in this type of destination. Statistical methods were used for benchmark analysis, while Box and Jenkins approach and ARIMA modeling were used for forecasting Slovenian tourism until 2030. The datasets are analyzed using Tableau 2022.1. Our findings show that Slovenian tourism will be slower on the uptake and is not likely to fully recover until 2026, due to COVID-19 related uncertainty. A steep jump in daily COVID-19 infections in China and the Ukraine crisis which is affecting political and economic stability in the world is also slowing down the speed of recovery. In 2019, Chinese, Russian and Ukrainian tourists generated 5% of all tourist arrivals and overnight stays. In particular Russian tourists were well-known for their high consumer expenditure and thus desirable to the destination places. To mitigate the drop in tourist arrivals, Slovenia should do two things, namely concentrate on traditional markets, i.e. Austria, Italy, and Germany, which altogether represent 1/3 of all tourist arrivals and overnight stays, and secondly, it should target new markets, bringing new, innovative products, services, and experiences.
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Housing modernization played a key role in interwar European urban planning, as it was used to build a new type of healthy and comfortable residential area. This question is also relevant in the case of the city of Vilnius, since from 1919 to 1939 the area of the city did not increase – its limits covered an area of 10 400 hectares, which was approved in 1919. This means that the modernization of housing and related urban planning in Vilnius had to take place in a different way than it had in the rapidly growing cities of East Central Europe, where the growth of a city’s area was stimulated by newly built residential suburbs. In this paper, residential architecture of Vilnius in 1919–1943 is studied based on the theory of housing-based urban planning formulated by Yael Alweill and Noa Zemer. Through an examination of how the Greater Vilnius Master Plan (1936–1939) was prepared, the research follows how the construction of modern housing affected urban planning and functional zoning.
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The rate of global urbanization is constantly increasing. As a result of the massive population growth, there is an increasing demand for further urban development, especially in developing regions such as Aswan city. This paper aims to examine the usage official land-use data in predicting future urban growth until 2046, moreover, to define urban driving forces in case study area. This was done using Similarity weighted model, a machine learning based model to simulate future urban growth. The results show that official land-use data produce a slightly better results’ accuracy than remote sensing sources within small to medium scales. The results although reveal that for study region, urban area is expected to expand to cover an area of almost 4460 Feddan by year 2046. The outcome of this research assesses decision makers to accurately predict future urban sprawl areas using available official land-use data.
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This is a chronological study of the way the ideas of “urban restructuring” were “implemented” and of the indoctrination conducted for two decades (1950-1970) on several generations of architects, using the principles of “socialist urban planning.” The city as a “weapon of the bourgeoisie” and the “reconstruction of cities as an expression of the class struggle” are the main landmarks of the socialist urban planning ideology.
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This work has for its aim to give answers to the complex of questions related to modern trends od development of world socio-economic systems and the ways of fitting Yugoslavia into those systems. By using qualitative judgements of development, we come to the conclusion that social trends are regulators of economic relations so that is why in the system of planning, we start with constant change of social needs. By sistematizing economic and un-economic factors of development we come to the conclusion that uneconomic factors dominate with more than 30% over economic factors. In such conditions, strategic planning of national economy has a dominance over operative and regional plans of development. In Yugoslav conditions, planning has to keep balance between the so called viable development and risky markets so that it could, on the basis of conception of its own strenght, include our economy in the existing new conception of international economic order. That means that plan with the force of action provides Yugoslavia with one of links of division of international profitable cake.
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The author is director of the Urban and Regional Sociology Centre and professor of sociology at the University of Bucharest The text is a fragment of the research program The Impact of the Urban Development Politics on Life Quality edited by the Urban and Regional Sociology Centre, Bucharest. The man-made environment in Romania is discussed on three levels: experts in town planning, designers and population. Documentary analysis and sociological questionnaire were used as investigation methods. The Romanian case is considered as meaningful for a virtual totalitarian regime sociology.
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Alcohol consumption among teenagers and young people has increased, a phenomenon evident in the specific statistics at the national and international level. In this direction, the authorities have concerns regarding monitoring and combating the harmful consumption of alcohol, by proposing social control and prevention policies. In recent years, different strategies have been implemented in Romania at the level of social policies in the field of health and education regarding the reduction of abusive alcohol consumption. Purpose: The purpose of the sociological research was to analyze social policies in the field and the opinion of specialists who work in social support services for people addicted to alcohol and their families. Methodology: The sociological research focused on a qualitative analysis of social policy strategies in the field and a quantitative analysis based on the sociological questionnaire survey. The population included in the research targeted professionals (n. 101) working in support services in the field of social work and health. Results and conclusions: The results of the sociological research showed that there is no unitary social policy, and the social support services in the social and medical fields are not sufficiently developed by public institutions and do not cover the needs of these categories. Most therapeutic and recovery services have been developed mainly by private psycho-medical institutions and non-governmental organizations.
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In this article, Klaudia Słowik presents her recommendations for supporting the process of empowerment. The primary goal of the empowerment process is to prepare school graduates for independent life. According to the legislature on this subject, graduates should become active subjects in this process. Słowik’s article is a voice in the ongoing discussion on the trajectory of the process of gaining independence. In particular, she focuses on the fundamental issues faced by graduates and proposes a holistic understanding of the system of support in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the process of their gaining independence.
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In this paper, two questions are been put forward: whether doping falls within the athlete's freedom to do what they can to enhance their performance and whether or not is necessary an establishment of limits on the scientific research concerning these substances. Following this line of thought, two aspects of freedom are raised: the freedom of the athlete, and the freedom of the scientist. These two aspects are discussed within a moral framework, in particular that of moral relativism. For the first question, based on the theory, the athlete may consider that there is no absolute truth about doping, such as e.g. that it is wrong and not beneficial for sports, athletes, etc. The morally rightness of doping depends on the moral character of each athlete and/or the association, the country she/he represents. For the second question, one might consider that research in the field in question is not morally wrong. By investigating the properties of various substances we could be led to cures for several diseases and even to the augmentation of human capabilities. Both aspects are also discussed through selected interview answers of professional athletes.
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In recent years, there has been a remarkable increase in the intensity and frequency of natural disasters. There is no doubt that a thorough knowledge of natural disasters and an adequate awareness of how to protect against their negative consequences will spare many individuals considerable losses. Accordingly, the present study aims to investigate students’ level of awareness of natural disasters within a cross-cultural perspective. Twelve schools in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Yemen were selected (four schools from each country). The total research sample consisted of 180 sixth and ninth grade students randomly selected from the targeted schools, with 60 students from each country. Semi-structured interviews were implemented. The results indicated that most students in the three countries have a false or incomplete perception of earthquakes and volcanoes. Only 20.6% of students had a correct perception of how earthquakes occur. An analysis of students’ drawings of earthquakes and volcanoes revealed that, on average, only 13.3% were able to clarify the scientific reason for earthquakes; the highest percentage of correct answers came from Egyptian students (15.0%), followed by Saudi students (13.3%) and then Yemeni students (11.7%). Religious understanding, culture, and day-to-day experiences of the learners turned out to influence their cognizance and analysis of natural events. It was concluded that students develop intricate understanding and theories based on their beliefs and experiences.
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The main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between TFR, delayed births and indicators of the average age of mother at childbirth in the conditions of postponement parenthood transition throughout the analysed period. An attempt was made to assess the immediate impact of changes, specifically at the end of the period considered, on cross-sectional fertility rates. Based on the relevant indicators, similarities and differences in the dynamics of the observed processes in the European countries were studied. According to the established similarities in the trends of the considered indicators, groups of countries were formed in which the transition started at the same time and in a relatively close socio-economic context. In this study, more detailed attention was paid to the very pronounced recent postponement of births observed in 2020, when the global Covid-19 pandemic unfolded in Europe at the beginning of the year.
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The article presents the results of a statistical analysis of the dependence of the birth rate in Bulgaria on the standard of living in an up-to-date aspect. Fertility was presented using the gross birth rate and the total fertility rate. In order to assess the standard of living, a complex set of criteria for administrative areas was calculated, taking into account the state of 12 specially selected indicators at the same time. The information used was: the information officially published by the National Statistical Institute, Eurostat and data from the publication “Regional Profiles – Development Indicators” by the Institute for Market Economy. The algorithm of the used methodology was detailed, including the user options and arguments for choice. An international comparison was also made involving the EU Member States. The lack of a significant relationship between the birth rate and the standard of living according to complex criteria in Bulgaria and a moderate negative relationship between the total fertility rate and the standard of living in our country was revealed. When the analysis is based only on the GDP per capita as criteria for the achieved standard of living, the relationship between material well-being and the birth rate turns out to be moderately positive, both for Bulgaria and for the entire set of EU Member States (EU 27). Recommendations were made for selective material stimulation of the population in reproductive age and special attention to support married couples with reproductive problems and vulnerable social communities.
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The healthcare system’s effectiveness depends mainly on healthcare workers’ knowledge, skills, and motivation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Systematic planning of human resources is, therefore, an essential prerequisite for ensuring the sustainability and efficiency of the health care system. This article outlines a structural human resource planning model in health care and explores the complexities involved. A detailed analytical framework is proposed, drawing on various materials and evidence to outline the factors that influence human resource planning in health care. The in-depth analytical process employs an extensive literature review to provide greater credibility to research findings. It investigates numerous sources and materials, both in national and international contexts. The purpose of human resource planning initiatives in healthcare is to calculate the needed number of healthcare workers in the future based on past and current data and assumptions about future supply and demand trends. The research findings reveal this is a very challenging task, as there are typically many unknowns when planning for the future. In addition, planners often need more reliable data and systemic deficiencies. Furthermore, the study shows that unplanned and delayed solutions concerning human resource needs in healthcare can only alleviate problems. Still, they cannot replace effective strategic measures and timely structural changes within the healthcare ecosystem.
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The paper is a review of the scientific contribution of Russian sociologist, Professor Zinaida T. Golenkova, PhD, particularly in the field of research of Yugoslav (and Serbian) sociology in the period of its socialist development, as well as Golenkova’s personal engagement in the cooperation between (Soviet) Russian and (Yugoslav) Serbian sociologists in the period from the 1960s to date. Having in mind the wealth of history of Serbian and Yugoslav sociology, to the research of which Golenkova largely contributed, the paper pleads for the development of a special academic, sociological discipline that would deal with the development of sociology in Serbia.
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This opinion/review deals with a valuable collection of sociological articles that were previously presented at an especially organised scientific meeting at the Institute for Sociological Research of the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, which was held in September 2022, to honour 100th anniversary of the birth of Vojin Milić, an influential Serbian (and former Yugoslav) sociologist. The authors of these articles are predominantly younger-generation sociologists, whose professors were Milić’s former undergraduate students, master or doctoral students.In the nine original articles that these proceedings contain, the scientific contributions of Vojin Milić are systematically analysed in five key areas of sociology (sociological theory, history of sociological thought, methodology of sociological research, sociology of knowledge, and sociology of science). The authors of the articles presented in a very structured, systematic and critical manner some of Milić’s most important views, which make him recognisable among sociologists even after more than a quarter of a century since his passing.It is indisputable that they made a valuable effort to reaffirm what is most noteworthy from the domestic cognitive (sociological) legacy, which contributed to international reputation of Serbian sociology and thus allowed for a more substantial and comprehensive introduction of it to the domestic younger generations in science.
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