Search results

In social sciences the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) is an ever growing phenomenon. Emanating from the need of knowledge about society and economy, we are constantly striving to create ideas and methods for a better use of information. This study analyses different practices such as business process management, business process modelling or relationship marketing. It also discusses the use of ICT in a variety of examples taken from different fields such as education, web clipping, public safety, tactic knowledge, or protection of intellectual property and offers an ou

The papers in this volume cover the subject of international migration. The three papers in the first part deal with general aspects. The first paper discusses the influence of migration on world development (Hatton and Williamson), the second models the patterns of labor migration when workers differ in their skills and information is asymmetric (Stark), and the third explores the economics of international labor and capital flows (Grubel). The second part focuses on experiences in the United States and contains four papers. These papers discuss the performance of immigrants in the U.S. labor market (Chiswick), the influence of immigrants on entrepreneurship in the nineteenth-century U.S. (Ferrie and Mokyr), ethnic identity, assimilation of immigrants, and the intergenerational transmission of immigrants' skills (Borjas), and the labor market consequences of U.S. immigration (Greenwood and McDowell). The three papers in the final part discuss lessons for Europe's migration policies. The first paper asks whether immigration policy can help to stabilize social security systems (Felderer), the second explores the economic consequences of immigration and the resulting lessons for immigration policies (Simon), and the third reviews the conference's papers in the light of recent European developments (Zimmermann)

The paper has a review character, and the presented analysis is based on theoretical considerations referring to the works of other authors. The aim of the paper is to draw attention to the importance of human creativity in the context of technology development, with special emphasis on artificial intelligence. For the purpose of exploration, the study applies philosophical methods, especially methods typical of ethical reflections, also supported by the analysis of existing data derived from social sciences, especially contemporary sociology. The study is synthetic in nature and includes theoretical considerations concerning several issues. Positive and creative possibilities of using artificial intelligence in social and economic life were shown. Potential threats that may be associated with the inappropriate use of artificial intelligence – robots and information systems were also identified. Potential threats resulting from too much trust of people in algorithms were shown. Attention is focused on social and ethical aspects of the human-machine relationship, with special emphasis on the dimension of pragmatism, trust and fascination with new technologies, as well as the principles of robot ethics. A significant part of the considerations also refers to the effects of automation processes, including the functioning of the labour market, human creative abilities and appropriate competences. The third part of the study indicates still undeveloped research fields related to artificial intelligence. The conducted analysis may indicate the direction for further sociological and philosophical research that considers the specificity of the artificial intelligence functioning and seeks support in interdisciplinary research teams.

A careful analysis of the mental hospital case notes of 55 Jamaicans who had become ill in Britain and were successfully traced in Jamaica show that most had suffered from recurrent episodes of schizophrenia but that few were predisposed develop this illness. After an average period of 42 months follow-up it was found that there had been an excessive mortality and that others were living in the Bush. The most important finding of the study is that the chronic symptoms of illness which have been previously described as characteristic of the repatriate syndrome, had taken place in a half of the sample. Nevertheless there was evidence of a good outcome in a third of those who were living and interviewed during the field survey. These findings have been discussed. It has been concluded that repatriation may be of therapeutic benefit but only following more careful selection of cases.

pt. 1. Challenges, contradictions and consequences of global socio-ecological change -- pt. 2. Climate change, energy and adaptation -- pt. 3. Urban environmental change, governance and adaptation -- pt. 4. Risk, uncertainty and social learning -- pt. 5. (Re)assembling social-ecological systems.