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This article reviews employee HIV and AIDS-related corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices by small business in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The article aims to present a comparative snapshot of how SMMEs are responding to the epidemic as a basis for developing a CSR framework that could be implemented by SMMEs in both countries. The article applies an exploratory literature review methodology to extract data from secondary sources. Research findings show that HIV and AIDS-related CSR in Zimbabwe appear disengaged from the direct influence of corporate business, the opposite of what South African SMMEs experience. In South Africa, SMME CSR practices experience pressure from large firms. However, differences in economic status between the two countries show no effect on the CSR behaviors of SMMEs in both countries when compared with each other. In both countries, findings reveal that SMMEs hardly establish HIV and AIDS policies and therefore rely on informal CSR practices to assist employees to deal with the pandemic in the workplace. Thus, the article submits that while HIV and AIDS practices are not formalized in both countries, SMMEs fulfil their epidemic-related CSR obligations towards employees' corresponding with their smallness. In conclusion, the study recommends an empirical examination of the research question to establish a grounded recommendation for the development of a SMMEs CSR framework that could be implemented by SMMEs in both countries.

International audience ; The object of the research in this article is a psychological and social experience of mystic studies. An interest in the phenomenon is increasing in terms of the modern spiritual crisis in the face of the threat of national, religious, political and other conflicts when the whole world safety is very vulnerable. Mystics may allow to find the universal source of all religions which is very important in the situation of the global rivalry of a great number of seekers for the truth. The research of the psychological (introvertive) and social (extravertive) experience of mystic studies makes it possible to find practical methods of transformation of human being and society. Methodology of the research is based on the comparative philosophical and religious analysis. The main research method is the comparative analysis. General scientific methods used by the researcher also include analysis, synthesis, generalization, and individualization. The author comes to the conclusion that mystic studies combined the world religious experience and devepoled a complex transformation system of the mental life of a person where all the levels of individual consciousness interact. Education of mentally healthy and self-actualized personality is the consequence of it. Mystic studies developed practical ways for the improvement of the social life on the basis of love, compassion and mutual respect. Mystic experience involves tolerant attitude to the representatives of another culture, religious confession or nationality. It sets the borders of the tolerance which is provoked by the need of an egocentric consciousness limitation. ; Объектом исследования в данной статье является психологический и социальный опыт мистических учений. Интерес к мистическому феномену возрастает в условиях современного духовного кризиса перед угрозой национальных, религиозных, политических и других конфликтов, когда очень уязвимой оказывается безопасность всего мирового сообщества. Мистика способна помочь найти универсальное ...

Bibliography leaves: 69-75. ; Quality has been one of the most talked about issues in higher education in the last fifteen years. Concerns about the quality of higher education have been directed predominantly at publicly-funded institutions which have been required increasingly, in the last decade, to do more with less and expected, simultaneously, to provide assurance that the quality of educational provision is not being compromised. Quality assurance systems, established to measure and assess the quality of higher education institutions and programmes, have become a global trend. This movement, which began in Europe and the United States in the early to mid-1980s, has spread to many other countries. Publications on quality in higher education draw contributors from, inter alia, Hong Kong, Australia, India, Chile and Canada. The Fourth Biennial Conference of the International Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education which was held in South Africa in 1997 attracted more than 50 papers by contributors from 20 countries and many more countries were represented. Appropriately the theme of the conference was "Quality without frontiers". South Africa has been engaged in discussions about quality since the National Education Policy Investigation was launched in 1990. Although a relative newcomer to the 'quality movement', South Africans have not hesitated to draw on international expertise in an effort to join the global university system, especially as international accreditation of qualifications looms on the horizon. However, the most important reason for establishing a quality assurance system in South Africa is the need to achieve acceptable standards of quality across a system which has been distorted over time as a result of apartheid's discriminatory policies. This study looks at the extent to which South Africa has relied on models of quality assurance developed in older academic systems, notably those in Europe. The study is interested in how much South Africa's approach has been borrowed and what dynamics within the South African system have given it its specific character.

This article uses elements of postmodernist spatial theory to explain aspects of ethnic identity among a group of soccer `hooligans' who follow a traditionally Croatian-based team in Australia's premier soccer competition. While not supporting the practices of vilification evident in the group, the article seeks to understand the significance of such practices from the subcultural perspective of its members. To this end Soja's concept of `Thirdspace' and Bhabha's related concept of `third space' are used to explain how members of the group found a metaphorical space within the soccer stadium to construct a unique social identity.

A society's ability to anticipate disaster is a fundamental part of its resilience. The purpose of this paper is to investigate potential gaps between theory, policy and practice concerning functions for risk assessment in the governmental systems of southern African development countries, particularly Botswana and Tanzania. It applies comparative case studies with data collected in focus groups and interviews on national, regional and local level, and through documentary sources. The paper reveals significant gaps between theory and policy, and even more substantial gaps between policy and practice.

This article is a try to analyze the methods and means of using the Internet and social networks based on open sources, in particular as one of the most popular tools for conducting specific information and psychological operations of hybrid warfare. Among other things, the article discusses: the reasons for using social networks as a means of influencing the individual and society; some scientific developments on the methods and purposes of information operations in a hybrid war; examples of using the potential of social networks (on the example of Facebook) in conducting information and psychological operations of hybrid warfare, in particular regarding the formation of social tensions, support of controversial and confrontational radical groups, undermining mobilization readiness, spreading panic, danger, social insecurity among citizens, as well as the means of counteracting such operations by governments, organizations, associations, and individuals that have taken place in practice. The parties' motives to the military information conflict, methods, and means of harmful influences and resistance against them, including international practice, are generally listed. Activities at the international, public, private and civil levels have been demonstrated to effectively protect society from potential harmful impacts on citizens, society, and the State by its "goodwill". The article also deals with the Ukrainian experience of information confrontation in the conditions of information warfare to prevent/reduce side effects from information and psychological operations. The publication can be helpful for journalists-practitioners, students, scientists, and all users of social networks for whom information hygiene and media literacy are a daily necessity.

PurposeThe youth leadership development program is an opportunity to establish best practices for the development of youth and of the wider community. Based on underpinning research related to social cohesion and social capital, the purpose of this paper is to focus on connectedness is consistent with the work of Putnam (Bowling Alone).Design/methodology/approachReflecting the multi-level character of all complex problems and also the need to explore common values, social networks and problem-solving mechanisms, the initial approach was a pre- and post-activity survey for participants, and focus groups with elders and parents. The pilot survey, however, revealed participants were unable to discriminate between the nominated Likert scales. The consequent approach turned to appreciative inquiry involving observational data and selected interviews with a random sample of participants from both gender groups, as well as focus groups with community elders.FindingsThe study presents findings from an experiential activity in a youth group to bridge social boundaries. Findings are presented using a social-ecosystem model. Key constructs relevant to a discussion of social cohesion and connectedness are discussed, and the youth development initiative identified bridging capital strategies and noted countervailing forces to engagement and successful integration. Central to effective social development strategies is the need for peer- and community-based initiatives to foster shared responsibility, hope and a sense of significance. The social-ecosystem framework offers a potential and realistic approach to enabling families and community groups to be the foundation of a safe and resilient country.Research limitations/implicationsA single case study, where the pilot survey revealed participants were unable to discriminate between the nominated Likert scales. The consequent approach turned to appreciative inquiry involving observational data and selected interviews with a random sample of participants from both gender groups, as well as focus groups with community elders.Practical implicationsLooking first at the participants in this program, engagement requires challenge and buy-in, much the same as in classroom-based educational strategies. There are some preconditions that vary by gender. For young men, there is a mask that they adopt. As well, there is a rift between fathers and sons – confirmed in the community consultation and a more general inter-generational gap that requires attention. There are competing tensions that emerge at the family, community and societal levels. For example, the prevailing discourse is on acute VE related responses. However, what is needed is a greater focus on building social cohesion. Conversely, if family commitment is an important motive to disengage from VE, then cultural realities such as fractured communities, lack of role models, as well as a lack of suitable knowledge and the infrastructure for people to deal with vulnerable youth makes the whole issue highly problematic.Social implicationsCentral to community-based primary prevention responses and to bridging capital is the need for common values, strong social networks and shared problem-solving mechanisms. Table I presents a summary of key insights and countervailing forces (in italics and with a *) that illustrates a tug-of-war between different stakeholders in the social-ecosystem. This list is not exhaustive, but it provides a formative framework for the deeper exploration of community participation and evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of primary prevention.Originality/valueAn experiential approach to bridging social boundaries based on a youth development program in a refugee community is presented. Findings are presented using a social-ecosystem model was presented. Key constructs include an ecosystem model, and a framework that links social cohesion, capital and connectedness. The study presents ideas to activate bridging capital strategies and highlights countervailing conditions to engagement and development.

This article explores the role of social narratives in working-class formation. The primary goal of this exercise is to generate concepts for the comparative analysis of working-class identities and practices. My thesis is that more successful cases of working-class formation involve the elaboration of coherent narratives about individual and collective history, stories that are coordinated with one another and that are organized around the category of social class. In such narratives, events are selected for inclusion due to their relevance to social class, or they are excluded or deemphasized because of their irrelevance to class, and events are interpreted, emplotted, and evaluated in a way that emphasizes class rather than other possible constructs. By contrast, working-class formation is less pronounced where individual and collective narratives are based on alternative, nonclass forms of identity, such as nationality, gender, ethnicity, and race. Working-class formation is also weaker where individual narratives are asynchronous, where the individual and collective levels are not coordinated with one another, or where identities fail to attain narrative coherence.

Drawing from the proceedings of an expert workshop with academics, researchers, government and NGO participants working in diverse countries in southern Africa and beyond, this paper reviews the discourse on resilience, both conceptually and in practice. We highlight opportunities to develop and apply more situated, equity-sensitive and context-relevant understanding of resilience, particularly in the water sector. To pursue more just and resilient water futures in highly unequal and water stressed regions, we propose that researchers and practitioners (1) place greater emphasis on the transformative potential of resilience, (2) broaden the social dimensions of resilience to account more fully for intangible and other social factors, (3) engage critically with the decision-making processes and practices of building resilience, (4) contribute to the development of indicators and guidelines for building just and resilient water futures, (5) strengthen the role of situated knowledges, (6) critically engage with scale and boundaries in complex adaptive systems, and (7) strengthen the policy-science-civil society interface. ; Science, Faculty of ; Non UBC ; Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES), Institute for ; Reviewed ; Faculty ; Researcher ; Graduate

This article develops a new theoretical approach to digitalisation in diplomacy, resituating conventional understandings of the relationship between diplomacy and technological transformation. Challenging the conception that 'traditional' diplomacy is being supplemented or challenged by new forms of 'digital diplomacy', we show how the ubiquity of digital devices and technologies makes disentangling analogue from digital diplomatic practices practically impossible today. The argument is developed through ethnographic observations of everyday diplomatic work in the European Union (EU) multilateral setting in Brussels as well as interviews with ambassadors, attachés, seconded diplomats, spokespersons and interpreters. To understand the place of digital technologies in diplomatic work, we develop the concept of blended diplomacy by which we mean the dual process of the entanglement of technical and social doings and the contestation regarding how this entanglement impacts professional diplomatic imaginaries and relations. Drawing on insights from practice theory and the sociology of science, technology and professions, we show how diplomatic actors demarcate their professional territory and protect their positions through boundary work. They draw horizontal boundaries between what they see as 'real' diplomatic work and distractions and vertical boundaries between themselves and other diplomatic actors, ranking people around status and skills. Overall, digital technologies are implicated in deeper struggles regarding what it means to be a diplomat. A focus on the blended character of diplomatic practice opens new avenues for research on how digitalisation, in contradictory and uneven ways, shapes norms, identities, and social relations and how it – through reflexivity, anxieties and contestation – may shape international politics.

Health policy and systems research (HPSR) is a transdisciplinary field of global importance, with its own emerging standards for creating, evaluating, and utilizing knowledge, and distinguished by a particular orientation towards influencing policy and wider action to strengthen health systems. In this commentary, we argue that the ability of the HPSR field to influence real world change hinges on its becoming more people-centred. We see people-centredness as recognizing the field of enquiry as one of social construction, requiring those conducting HPSR to locate their own position in the system, and conduct and publish research in a manner that foregrounds human agency attributes and values, and is acutely attentive to policy context. Change occurs at many layers of a health system, shaped by social, political, and economic forces, and brought about by different groups of people who make up the system, including service users and communities. The seeds of transformative practice in HPSR lie in amplifying the breadth and depth of dialogue across health system actors in the conduct of research - recognizing that these actors are all generators, sources, and users of knowledge about the system. While building such a dialogic practice, those conducting HPSR must strive to protect the autonomy and integrity of their ideas and actions, and also clearly explain their own positions and the value-basis of their work. We conclude with a set of questions that health policy and systems researchers may wish to consider in making their practice more people-centred, and hence more oriented toward real-world change.

Health policy and systems research (HPSR) is a transdisciplinary field of global importance, with its own emerging standards for creating, evaluating, and utilizing knowledge, and distinguished by a particular orientation towards influencing policy and wider action to strengthen health systems. In this commentary, we argue that the ability of the HPSR field to influence real world change hinges on its becoming more people-centred. We see people-centredness as recognizing the field of enquiry as one of social construction, requiring those conducting HPSR to locate their own position in the system, and conduct and publish research in a manner that foregrounds human agency attributes and values, and is acutely attentive to policy context. Change occurs at many layers of a health system, shaped by social, political, and economic forces, and brought about by different groups of people who make up the system, including service users and communities. The seeds of transformative practice in HPSR lie in amplifying the breadth and depth of dialogue across health system actors in the conduct of research – recognizing that these actors are all generators, sources, and users of knowledge about the system. While building such a dialogic practice, those conducting HPSR must strive to protect the autonomy and integrity of their ideas and actions, and also clearly explain their own positions and the value-basis of their work. We conclude with a set of questions that health policy and systems researchers may wish to consider in making their practice more people-centred, and hence more oriented toward real-world change.

Health policy and systems research (HPSR) is a transdisciplinary field of global importance, with its own emerging standards for creating, evaluating, and utilizing knowledge, and distinguished by a particular orientation towards influencing policy and wider action to strengthen health systems. In this commentary, we argue that the ability of the HPSR field to influence real world change hinges on its becoming more people-centred. We see people-centredness as recognizing the field of enquiry as one of social construction, requiring those conducting HPSR to locate their own position in the system, and conduct and publish research in a manner that foregrounds human agency attributes and values, and is acutely attentive to policy context. Change occurs at many layers of a health system, shaped by social, political, and economic forces, and brought about by different groups of people who make up the system, including service users and communities. The seeds of transformative practice in HPSR lie in amplifying the breadth and depth of dialogue across health system actors in the conduct of research - recognizing that these actors are all generators, sources, and users of knowledge about the system. While building such a dialogic practice, those conducting HPSR must strive to protect the autonomy and integrity of their ideas and actions, and also clearly explain their own positions and the value-basis of their work. We conclude with a set of questions that health policy and systems researchers may wish to consider in making their practice more people-centred, and hence more oriented toward real-world change.