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Background: Social cohesion refers to an individual's sense of belonging to their community and correlates with health outcomes. Rural communities tend to have higher social cohesion than urban communities. Social cohesion is relatively understudied as a factor impacting COVID-19 prevention behaviors. This study explores the associations between social cohesion, rurality, and COVID-19 prevention behaviors., Methods: Participants completed a questionnaire assessing rurality; social cohesion (subscales of (1) attraction to neighborhood, (2) acts of neighboring, and (3) sense of community); COVID-19 behaviors; and demographics. Chi-square tests were used to characterize participant demographics and COVID-19 behaviors. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between COVID-19 outcomes and rurality, social cohesion, and demographics., Results: Most participants (n = 2,926) were non-Hispanic White (78.2%) and married (60.4%); 36.9% were rural. Rural participants were less likely than urban participants to practice social distancing (78.7% vs 90.6%, P<.001) or stay home when sick (87.7% vs 93.5%, P<.001). Social distancing was more common among participants with higher "attraction to neighborhood" scores (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26-3.47) but was less common among participants with higher "acts of neighboring" scores (aOR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.40-0.88). Staying home when sick was also more common among participants with higher scores on "attraction to neighborhood" (aOR = 2.12; 95% CI = 1.15-3.91), and less common among participants with higher scores on "acts of neighboring" (aOR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.33-0.86)., Conclusions: Efforts to maximize COVID-19 behavioral prevention, particularly among rural communities, should emphasize the importance of protecting the health of one's neighbors and how to support one's neighbors without face-to-face interactions., (© 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Rural Health published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of National Rural Health Association.)

This study examined how social cohesion variables, SCV are associated with effective crime control strategies, CCS in Nigeria's rural areas. With mixed-methods, we collected data from 3408 participants and 12 interviewees in 48 rural areas; the results showed that strong SCV indirectly hindered an effective CCS. Significant correlation was found between SCV and CCS. The SCV are shared emotions, strong-family and religious-ties, mutual-trust, communal cohesion, well-articulated common information network, and longstanding age-group bond. The CCS adopted by the law enforcement agents were largely ineffective; these strategies are indiscriminate arrest or search with/without warrant, secret deployment of informants, liaising with local security guards and prompt documentation of cases. Other strategies include monitoring crime black-spots, collaboration among different security agencies, awareness programs and strong community-police relationship. There is a need for public awareness about the negative effects of communal bond on crime control to have a crime-free society in Nigeria., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

This paper discusses digital neighbourhood communication in rural areas and its effects on local communal life. Therefore, survey data as well as guided interviews of residents in Metelen, county Steinfurt (Germany), are analysed. The results indicate that using digital neighbourhood platforms in rural communities intensifies contacts and further strengthens the feeling of social participation.However, digital neighbourhood contacts do not facilitate relationships concerning analogous material exchange, such as lending items. Furthermore, the analysis of the qualitative interviews shows that digital neighbourhood communication is used in the organisation of community life, presents local activities, and simplifies the organisation of local customs. All in all, those digital structures are mainly used for information purposes. Consequently, digital neighbourhood relations must be regarded when developing and organising future public services, although a functional usage is required to achieve a successful outcome. As digital contact emerges from analogous contact, occasions and infrastructure to actually ensure direct contact are inevitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social cohesion is beneficial to economic restructuring, social change, and political action. At its core, it involves building shared values and communities of interpretation, reducing disparities in wealth and income, and generally enabling people to have a sense of belonging, inclusion, participation, recognition, and legitimacy. A family, as a major social institution, is central to the functioning of any society and is therefore potentially the bedrock of creating and maintaining social cohesion. This article draws inextricable links between the role of the family and the creation of social cohesion by evaluating South Africa's White Paper on Families. First, it defines and unpacks social cohesion and contextualises the family environment. This is done through an evaluation of the available literature on social cohesion in the family. Second, an evaluation of legislation and the White Paper on family is presented. Third, the aid of Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory is used to examine the various environments concerning social cohesion in the family. The White Paper on family recognises the family in aspects other than the concept of the family cycle, a key component of the developing individual who should be nurtured from infancy to adulthood. In addition, gaps in the policy are highlighted by looking at implementation challenges of the constitutional provisions and examining the way in which these gaps lead to social and economic exclusion and attendant poverty as the cardinal result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Understanding the intricate relationship between energy and wellbeing in informal urban settlements is essential for developing effective interventions that address the diverse needs of residents. This paper explores this nexus through a multi-dimensional lens, examining the complexities and dynamics involved in off-grid renewable energy interventions, focusing on solar microgrids in an informal settlement in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods: The paper is based on empirical research analysed through a theoretical framework articulating the pathways through which energy insecurity influences various dimensions of wellbeing, encompassing economic, physical, social, and environmental aspects. By applying this framework to our empirical research, the paper reveals the intricate interplay between neighbourhood factors, housing conditions, social processes, and economic insecurities, shedding light on both the challenges and opportunities associated with off-grid energy interventions. Results: The understanding of wellbeing presented in the paper is based on what we term the energy-wellbeing-informality nexus. Understanding the nexus necessitates: (a) moving past universalist and technocratic understandings of wellbeing, and towards a relational and networked basis for wellbeing analysis; (b) moving beyond conventional narratives of off-grid electrification as mere technical fixes, emphasizing the importance of recognizing informal settlements as sites of innovation and experimentation; (c) understanding the multi-sectoral nature of energy-related wellbeing impacts, extending beyond energy provision to encompass broader dimensions such as education, health, and social cohesion. Discussion: The paper not only advances theoretical understanding but also offers practical insights for policymakers and practitioners. It emphasizes the need for context-sensitive policymaking that acknowledges the complexities of informal settlements and fosters innovative approaches to energy service provision. By integrating energy interventions into broader development strategies and adopting a multi-sectoral perspective, stakeholders can work towards more equitable and resilient solutions that enhance the overall wellbeing of residents in informal urban contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the role of the Spanish legal ecology in maintaining social cohesion, bolstering the popular legitimacy of the imperial project, and setting the boundaries of economic development. Drawing the connections between Hapsburg and Bourbon governance through two (inconclusive) legal cases, the first lasting throughout the Spanish War of Succession (1700-1713), and the second occurring during the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763). The ambiguity of missing appeals and references to previous legal actions corresponds to the reality for Africans and their descendants in the Spanish Indies for whom there was rarely a clear endpoint in their dealings with the courts. The first case follows two sisters, Maria Josefa Copete and Lorenza Elena, as they defend their freedom against their half-brother. In the second case Nicolás Quintana, an African slave, fights to avoid being sent to the gold mines and separated from his family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like most sustainable entities on earth - be they countries or organisations - South Africa is underpinned by a number of foundational myths. Myths are the fuel that keep organisations, countries and entities covering the whole gamut of human experience going. Myths are at the percussively-throbbing heart of an organisation's dreams and aspirations. In the case of our country, one of these enduring myths is the notion of the Rainbow Nation. It is a catch-phrase meant to create an environment conducive for nation-building and social cohesion. Sadly, this milestone in the march of our history has been mistaken by some for the final destination. The liberal establishment, with the dominant media in tow, is steeped in the rhetoric of a post-racial society. This, I want to argue, is not just myth-making gone wrong, it is mass hysteria and self-delusion that might backfire. The Rainbow Nation myth should be a springboard from which we launch deep penetrating questions about race, class, identity and social inequality informed by these cultural cleavages. This is no time for resting on false laurels, but a point at which we should pick up the cudgels and fight for what we really want for ourselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In May 2020 at the height of Australia's first national COVID lockdown, NewsCorp Australia announced that more than 125 regional newspapers would either be closed or become available online-only. Queensland was hit hard with 22 regional and 20 community newspapers shifting to online formats, and 15 community newspapers closing. Yet within months of the NewsCorp changes, a significant number of new print newspapers were being announced to fill the 'news deserts'. Broadly welcomed by those in these local communities, the new publications suggest a reinvigoration of long-standing norms and tenets, many of which are specific to regional print news media, such as community-centred, locally-shaped news values and high reliance on 'micro-ads' (i.e. classifieds) and hyper-local business revenue. But given the dire prognostications about print business models, what are the aims and intentions of these start-ups (n = 22), and how do they translate their notions of community-centric news into business models they perceive as viable? Drawing on Hanitzsch and Vos framework for the discursive constructions of journalists' role in society, we find these newspaper start-ups both reassert and claim more vigorously the normative values associated with community journalism as 'social glue', while also developing 'lean start-up' business models that capitalise on the sense of a local newspaper's 'social good' functions through an affective rationale. We argue this represents a shift to a new 'hybrid' model, with strong elements of a traditional and still feisty monitorial news values fusing with a more 'morale-enhancing' and explicitly social cohesion-centric role conceptions. We call it a 'community cohesion model'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the Victorian Father Christmas/Santa Claus, charting his transformation during the era from a non-gift-giving character synonymous with festive cheer and social cohesion into the consumer deity that is more familiar today. Using Karl Marx's theory of commodity fetishism, this transformation is read in the context of the development of a consumer society and a consumer Christmas in the Victorian period. It is argued that the Santa Claus legend in its revised state enabled the origins of industrial commodities to be displaced, allowing the Victorian middle class to indulge in hedonistic festive consumption without being burdened by anxieties surrounding the true origins of the products they bought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flocking cohesion is critical for maintaining a group's aggregation and integrity. Designing a potential function to maintain flocking cohesion unaffected by social distance is challenging due to the uncertainty of real-world conditions and environments that cause changes in agents' social distance. Previous flocking research based on potential functions has primarily focused on agents' same social distance and the attraction–repulsion of the potential function, ignoring another property affecting flocking cohesion: well depth, as well as the effect of changes in agents' social distance on well depth. This paper investigates the effect of potential function well depths and agent's social distances on the multi-agent flocking cohesion. Through the analysis, proofs, and classification of these potential functions, we have found that the potential function well depth is proportional to the flocking cohesion. Moreover, we observe that the potential function well depth varies with the agents' social distance changes. Therefore, we design a segmentation potential function and combine it with the flocking control algorithm in this paper. It enhances flocking cohesion significantly and has good robustness to ensure the flocking cohesion is unaffected by variations in the agents' social distance. Meanwhile, it reduces the time required for flocking formation. Subsequently, the Lyapunov theorem and the LaSalle invariance principle prove the stability and convergence of the proposed control algorithm. Finally, this paper adopts two subgroups with different potential function well depths and social distances to encounter for simulation verification. The corresponding simulation results demonstrate and verify the effectiveness of the flocking control algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the countryside, where intensive rural development and rising property values have been observed since the late 1970s, the preservation and meaning of traditional dwellings have emerged as crucial considerations in shaping Hong Kong's countryside conservation policy. The focus of this paper is on the conservation of temples, as we are drawn to these structures not only for their architectural merit but also for their role as public buildings within the countryside. Consequently, their cultural significance is heavily influenced by the stakeholders they are associated with, distinguishing them from other types of dwellings. This paper examines the coastal landscape of South Lantau, which includes several villages with distinct traditions that have undergone significant transformations since the 1960s. Located at the southwest edge of Hong Kong, Lantau Island had a rural lifestyle that was relatively undisturbed before WWII because of the difficulty in accessing the island. However, in response to the large people influx from China's mainland after 1949, the Hong Kong government introduced the Lantau Development Plan in 1953, mainly to open up new sources of freshwater resources for Hong Kong Island. The construction of South Lantau Road in 1955 and Shek Pik Reservoir in 1957 gradually led to the decline of agricultural activities in South Lantau and the population exodus of local villagers, resulting in a rupture to regional traditions. In multilineage communities such as the villages on South Lantau, worship of a common deity provides a vital source of social bonding, particularly for an area long beset by typhoons, piracy and banditry. Local people pray for safety and prosperity through collective rituals and celebratory activities. Therefore, temples are not only religious establishments but also embody the sense of social solidarity among villagers on South Lantau. Through the case study of three rural villages on South Lantau, this paper examines how temples play an important role in the continuity of the communal network amid repercussions from the postwar disruption of traditional rural life. Significantly, this pilot study also draws attention to the functions of temples in their historical context. It emphasises the importance of recognising and re-evaluating these buildings for cultural enhancement as part of community engagement. This study provides valuable insights for future conservation efforts for religious buildings in the countryside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social identity of a researcher can affect their position in a community, as well as the uptake of their ideas. In many fields, members of underrepresented or minority groups are less likely to be cited, leading to citation gaps. Though this empirical phenomenon has been well-studied, empirical work generally does not provide insight into the causes of citation gaps. I will argue, using mathematical models, that citation gaps are likely due in part to the structure of academic communities. The existence of these 'structural causes' has implications for attempts to lessen citation gaps, and for proposals to make academic communities more efficient (e.g. by eliminating pre-publication peer review). These proposals have the potential to create feedback loops, amplifying current structural inequities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to cultivate the future in Higher Education (HE), firstly by looking backward and learning from the past, then by looking around and questioning the present, and finally, by looking forward and imagining the future of HE. This paper seeks to answer the question of how HE can foster students' life-world becoming, their emancipatory competence with wisdom pedagogy. The research method is based on selected literature from German educational philosophy (Herder, Humboldt, Hegel, Heidegger, and Gadamer) and on recent international publications discussing Bildung, self-cultivation, and life-world becoming in relation to HE. The findings show the need for moral education to enhance students' flourishing in life with wisdom pedagogy. In the future, HE needs to focus more on cultivating character, emancipatory competence, life-world becoming, values, justice, trust, truth, and intellectual virtues such as intellectual humility, curiosity, open-mindedness, and courage. This paper offers a framework for synthesizing the epistemological and ontological goals of HE, and a framework that presents the place and role of wisdom pedagogy in developing emancipatory competences. This paper argues for applying wisdom pedagogy and its methods by teachers in HE to foster students' capacity to flourish in life. The paper calls for more debates and research in understanding wisdom pedagogy in HE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research paper investigates the impact of Urban Living Labs (ULLs) on social resilience within urban communities, with a specific focus on the Multicultural City ChatterBox project in Portsmouth, the UK. Drawing on a rich body of literature and empirical data collected through ethnographic research methods, including interviews, focus groups, and participant observations, this study explores how participatory placemaking and co-creation activities foster community resilience. The ChatterBox project, a collaborative effort between the local community and researchers, led to the construction of a temporary timber pavilion in an underutilized urban space, serving as a vibrant hub for social interaction and engagement among diverse community groups. Our findings reveal that ULLs significantly contribute to enhancing social resilience by empowering communities, fostering a sense of belonging, and facilitating the development of social networks. Through the process of co-design and co-creation, participants not only gained a deeper understanding and ownership of their urban environment but also developed valuable skills and knowledge, thus strengthening their capacity to adapt to societal challenges. Furthermore, this study highlights the role of ULLs in bridging gaps between different community groups, thereby promoting inclusivity and social cohesion. The Multicultural City ChatterBox project exemplifies how ULL interventions can serve as catalysts for social innovation, offering flexible and adaptive solutions to urban challenges while simultaneously enriching the social fabric of cities. This paper contributes to the growing discourse on urban resilience, placemaking, and community-led urban development, providing valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and community organizers seeking to foster resilient and vibrant urban communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022 triggered a conflict that has transformed international relations through drastic impacts on policymaking, energy politics, and alliances. Such impacts have produced severe multi-dimensional consequences for African countries that have yet to be sufficiently interrogated in the literature. In response to this gap, this paper examined the security implications of the conflict for African countries to offer a comprehensive analysis that considers the intersection of the conflict with contemporary economic, human, social, and political issues confronting Africa. In discourse using a qualitative approach and rooted in a theoretical perspective drawn from the Copenhagen School, the paper underlined the security implications as evident in the areas of food security and governance, buttressing that the proxy conflicts and power struggles associated with this war have exacerbated existing challenges related to food availability and interfered with the consolidation of democracy in Africa. The paper concluded that the war's multi-dimensional impact potentially compounds political instability vectors. It generates dynamics capable of eroding social cohesion and fomenting social unrest in Africa, meriting its designation as an issue of great concern to African policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030 encompass a comprehensive framework to address the world's most pressing challenges, aiming to achieve a more sustainable and equitable future for all. Among these goals, Goal 11 specifically targets sustainable cities and communities, emphasizing cultural and natural heritage preservation and management. This research paper delves into the significance of SDG 2030 in the context of heritage management, focusing on both Indian and global perspectives. The paper highlights the importance of safeguarding cultural and natural heritage for sustainable development, contributing to social cohesion, economic growth, and environmental conservation. The paper also draws on empirical data and case studies; the research delves into the unique challenges faced by India in managing its diverse and rich heritage. The study examines how India's efforts align with global goals and identifies potential gaps and areas for improvement. Factors such as rapid urbanization, population growth, and climate change are explored regarding their impact on heritage sites and their management. In analyzing the global context, the research assesses various heritage management strategies and best practices from different countries worldwide. Drawing comparisons with India's approach, the paper highlights successful models that can be adapted to address global heritage management challenges. The study concludes with a series of policy recommendations to strengthen the efforts toward achieving the SDG 2030 targets related to heritage management. Emphasizing collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the paper advocates for a collective approach to conserving and promoting the diverse heritage of nations and the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigenous crafting practices are increasingly being recognised for their benefit to community connectedness, health, cultural identity, and individual wellbeing. This article explores published literature to determine the role of Indigenous crafting in transferring traditional and cultural teachings from female relatives and Elders to girls and younger women. We examine the effect of crafting on intergenerational cohesion and social connectedness within the Indigenous community. Does crafting serve as an effective conduit for physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental change in learners and teachers? Our review identifies 12 publications that describe Indigenous mostly girls and younger women's experiences as they acquire female Elders', teachers' and older family members' traditional and cultural teachings while participating in crafting activities. The papers identify an array of traditional and cultural activities including: basket weaving, beading, sewing, language acquisition, traditional songs, traditional dance, and storytelling. More contemporary forms of artistic expression such as photography, theatre and film production are also included. Research findings show that learning, teaching and practicing Indigenous crafting is associated with increased intergenerational cohesion, cultural connectedness, and wellbeing for both teachers and learners. Further, learning about Indigenous crafts and activities helps inspire pride in Indigenous identity and promotes healing from historical trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Western democracies experience profound conflicts that induce concerns about polarization and social cohesion. Yet although conflicts are a core feature of democracies, the forms, functions, and dynamics of democratic conflicts have rarely been subject of political theory. This paper aims at furthering our understanding of democratic conflicts. It analyzes the theory of conflict in Mouffe's agonistic pluralism, confronts it with sociological conflict theory, and presents concrete points of departure for a more comprehensive theory of democratic conflicts. The paper, thus, contributes to two lines of research: (1) Regarding agonistic theories, the paper shows that agonistic pluralism fails to provide a convincing theory of conflict since it underestimates the mechanisms and effects of conflict dynamics (e.g. intergroup cohesion, intragroup conflict, domination, and escalation) and fails to account for the variety of conflict interactions. Proponents of agonistic pluralism should therefore invest more into clarifying their core concept. (2) For a general account of democratic conflicts, the paper proposes to pursue interdisciplinary research on the cognitive concepts shaping conflict interactions, the linked practices of conflict regulation, and the processual dynamics of conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While questions continue to be asked about teachers' content and pedagogical content knowledge to ensure quality education systems, less consideration has been placed on teachers' ability to teach for citizenship and social cohesion that contributes equally to quality education systems. This paper illuminates the understandings of citizenship and social cohesion held by South African and Zimbabwean teachers, their experiences of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) that promote the values of citizenship and social cohesion, and how they practice these learnings in their school contexts. The South African study presents the views of eleven high school teachers where data was procured through semi structured interviews. The Zimbabwean study presents the views of seventeen high school teachers, where data was procured through an open-ended questionnaire. The two studies suggest that teachers in South Africa and Zimbabwe share similar perspectives on citizenship and social cohesion, emphasizing nation-building and respect as key drivers. Teachers also report aligning their teaching practices with citizenship and social cohesion values with a limited focus on political participation, possibly due to fear of negative repercussions. Further, CPD for citizenship and social cohesion is fragmented, inconsistent and mostly absent. This study is an important contribution to debates about improving quality education and ensuring deliberative democracies in post-conflict and post-colonial states in the Global South. Teachers play a critical role in socializing schoolchildren for citizenship. As such, they need to be equipped with the skills that allow them to do so. Further to this, teachers also need the freedom and autonomy to discuss politics in the classroom without fear of negative repercussions, including alienation and fear of losing their jobs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The funeral rite, locally called oshwue-aji, is a funeral condolence outing among the Nsukka Igbo of Southeastern Nigeria. It features performances, enlivened with art objects and costumes. It is imbued with remarkable social significance. This paper examines varying performances and costumes associated with the oshwue-aji rite. The condolence trip displays exquisitely crafted bracelets, pendants, clothing, and other fashion accessories worn by the bereaved – children, daughters, sons, as well as daughters' and sons’ in-laws with their spouses. Relying on Paul Horwich's use theory of meaning, this paper discusses the distinctive nature of these visual art objects to understand their symbolic and social functions. It equally presents the phenomenon of oshwue-aji, directed towards understanding the nature of sociality these incorporated artistic dimensions generate within the social space per time. Interviews and personal observations were relied on for data collection from people performing the oshwue-aji rite because they are bereaved. Being a qualitative study, the art forms and related objects that constitute the data were analyzed descriptively. Beyond serving to epitomize vivacity and gaiety, these artistic creations remain an orchestration to appreciate, publicize, and promote. The paper finds that people's engagements in funerals with creative elements and donations and/or exchange of gifts build social solidarity in traditional contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors describe a simple recurrent writing task called the "Two Page Paper Exercise," designed to enhance candidates' learning of analytic theory and technique. They set this task in the context of other analytic institutes' writing programs and show that this exercise is unique. Their educational philosophy is that, as candidates confront multiple perspectives in contemporary psychoanalysis, this writing task develops their ability to conceptualize, reflect on their learning, integrate affect and cognition, and express their ideas to others in written form and in discussion with peers. The candidate group develops cohesion that reduces writing anxiety. As individuals they develop a writing habit that supports the eventual duty to develop the field of psychoanalysis through publishing. The authors present raw data from candidates' writing for readers to make their own assessment of the usefulness of the task as a measure of candidates' integration of learning, development of analytic sensibility and synthetic capacity, and communication of experience and ideas to others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It is widely recognized that interior office space can affect health in several ways. Strategic and evidence-based design, including explicit design objectives, well-chosen design solutions and evaluation of results, aid realization of desired health effects. Therefore, this paper aims to identify possibly effective interior design strategies and accompanying design solutions and to provide examples of effectiveness measures. Design/methodology/approach: A literature sample of 59 peer-reviewed papers published across disciplines was used to collect examples of workplace design features that have positively influenced workers' well-being. The papers were grouped by their health objective and design scope successively and their theoretical assumptions, measures and findings were analyzed. Findings: Four main workplace design strategies were identified. Design for comfort aims at reducing or preventing health complaints, discomfort and stress, following a pathogenic approach. It has the longest tradition and is the most frequently addressed in the included papers. The other three take a salutogenic approach, promoting health by increasing resources for coping with demands through positive design. Design for restoration supports physical and mental recovery through connections with nature. Design for social well-being facilitates social cohesion and feelings of belonging. Design for healthy behavior aims at nudging physical activity in the workplace. Originality/value: By drawing complementary perspectives and offering examples of design solutions and effectiveness measures, this paper encourages workplace designers, managers and researchers to take a transdisciplinary and evidence-based approach to healthy workplaces. It also serves as a starting point for future empirical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper engages Adam Smith's reflections concerning the moral and economic dimensions of business–society relations in the context of the Multinational Corporation (MNC). The paper argues that Smith formulates a pronounced moral criticism of prevailing corporate business practices, which emphasize profit while de facto undermining the moral underpinnings and social cohesion of commercial society. Rather than simply promoting selfish profit maximization by individuals, businesses, and society at large, Smith's work reveals a deeply entangled analysis of the complex interplay between material interests, moral aspects of human behavior, and Smith's overall goal of broad socioeconomic welfare. The balancing of moral and material motivations requires the social embeddedness of economic exchange within normative community frameworks. In this context, the sociopsychological process of moral approbation via Smith's impartial spectator mechanism has the potential to temper humans' tendency for excessive (material) self-love. Smith's scrutiny of internationally active corporations problematizes a range of institutional and governance issues and their implications for the moral bonds between individuals, MNCs, and global society. Most importantly, Smith worries about the potentially negative impact of increasingly anonymous and emotionally distant economic relationships between market participants on their ability to reckon with the moral consequences of their actions. Building on Smith's entangled perspective, the paper proposes a normatively grounded framework to critically contend with contemporary efforts to redefine corporate citizenship in the global economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the aftermath of several decades of neoliberalism in Eastern Europe, the social fabric of post‐socialist societies is frayed. In this context, nationalist cultural policies and everyday displays of national belonging have emerged as key instruments of social solidarity. There has recently been a drive of state initiatives in Latvia in the field of cultural policy aimed at strengthening national identity. In this paper, we focus our attention on one particular cultural policy initiative, Latvian Films for Latvian Centenary. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 16 film directors who participated in the Centenary film programme, the paper explores how artists and cultural operators involved in this programme are mobilised as national(ist) subjects and how they see their work within such a framework. We argue that nationalist cultural policy can be successfully implemented because the artists, themselves formed as responsible political and moral subjects in the tradition of Latvian cultural nationalism, share a regard for culture and the arts as a resource for sustaining the political statehood and the national community. However, the artists also recognise the limitations of their work as a source of social cohesion and solidarity in a society that is ethnically divided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2017-2021, Latvia celebrated its centenary with a wide-ranging cultural programme. The Centenary programme was announced as "the biggest event in the history of modern Latvia" providing 22.3 million euros over three years for more than 800 festive events "to strengthen the spirit of nationhood and a sense of belonging amongst the people of Latvia, and to promote collaboration and self-organization within the community" [Ministry of Culture 2020]. In this paper, we explore the ways in which this cultural policy initiative worked as a form of social solidarity building in the Latvian society, where there is a large Russian-speaking community. We are interested in examining the public's participation and perceptions of the Centenary cultural programme, focusing specifically on the differing patterns and effects in the Latvian and Russian-speaking communities. The analysis draws primarily on a representative survey, designed and conducted in the autumn of 2021 by the authors as part of a larger research project. The survey was designed to enable analysis of the perceptions of the Centenary programme, participation and consumption patterns among different social groups and cultural communities, and experiences and perceptions of social solidarity (or lack thereof) in the context of the Centenary programme. The survey has provided new data on the links between cultural and arts consumption practices in an ethnically diverse society, as well as on the perceptions of effects of arts consumption on social solidarity and sense of belonging. On the basis of quantitative analysis of the survey data, we study the patterns of cultural consumption and its social impact, given the ethnic diversity of the society in question. We explore, firstly, how cultural and arts consumption is influenced by ethnic belonging and, secondly, how the effects of this consumption differ among ethnic groups. Based on this empirical analysis, the paper contributes to the wider, ongoing interdisciplinary debates on cultural and arts consumption, societal diversity and inclusion. Furthermore, the paper offers a novel approach to exploring, both theoretically and empirically, the effects of cultural and arts consumption on social solidarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]