International Journal of Sociology and Social PolicyTable of Contents for International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy. List of articles from the current issue, including Just Accepted (EarlyCite)https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/0144-333X/vol/44/iss/13/14?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestInternational Journal of Sociology and Social PolicyEmerald Publishing LimitedInternational Journal of Sociology and Social PolicyInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/proxy/containerImg?link=/resource/publication/journal/2b2d55d1267d0806033d5d9fc1f1ed4e/urn:emeraldgroup.com:asset:id:binary:ijssp.cover.jpghttps://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/0144-333X/vol/44/iss/13/14?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe depoliticisation of social policy through financial inclusionhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-03-2023-0056/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe purpose of this paper is to explore two financial inclusion measures adopted within the local welfare context of the city of Milan, Italy, examining their functioning and underpinning representations. The aim is also to understand how such representations take concrete shape in the practices of local actors, and their implications for the opportunities and constraints regarding individuals' effective inclusion. To this end, this paper takes a wide-ranging look at the interplay between the rise of financial inclusion and the individualisation and responsibilisation models informing welfare policies, within the broader context of financialisation processes overall. This paper draws on the sociology of public action approach and provides a qualitative analysis of two case studies, a social microcredit service and a financial education programme, based on direct observation and semi-structured interviews conducted with key policy actors. This paper sheds light on the rationale behind two financial inclusion services and illustrates how the instruments involved incorporate and tend to reproduce, individualising logics that reduce the problem of financial exclusion, and the social and economic vulnerability which underlies it, to a matter of personal responsibility, thus fuelling depoliticising tendencies in public action. It also discusses the contradictions underlying financial inclusion instruments, showing how local actors negotiate views and strategies on the problems to be addressed. The paper makes an original contribution to the field of sociology and social policy by focusing on two under-researched instruments of financial inclusion and improving understanding of the finance-welfare state nexus and of the contradictions underpinning attempts at financial inclusion of the most vulnerable.The depoliticisation of social policy through financial inclusion
Maria Dodaro, Lavinia Bifulco
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 44, No. 13/14, pp.1-15

The purpose of this paper is to explore two financial inclusion measures adopted within the local welfare context of the city of Milan, Italy, examining their functioning and underpinning representations. The aim is also to understand how such representations take concrete shape in the practices of local actors, and their implications for the opportunities and constraints regarding individuals' effective inclusion. To this end, this paper takes a wide-ranging look at the interplay between the rise of financial inclusion and the individualisation and responsibilisation models informing welfare policies, within the broader context of financialisation processes overall.

This paper draws on the sociology of public action approach and provides a qualitative analysis of two case studies, a social microcredit service and a financial education programme, based on direct observation and semi-structured interviews conducted with key policy actors.

This paper sheds light on the rationale behind two financial inclusion services and illustrates how the instruments involved incorporate and tend to reproduce, individualising logics that reduce the problem of financial exclusion, and the social and economic vulnerability which underlies it, to a matter of personal responsibility, thus fuelling depoliticising tendencies in public action. It also discusses the contradictions underlying financial inclusion instruments, showing how local actors negotiate views and strategies on the problems to be addressed.

The paper makes an original contribution to the field of sociology and social policy by focusing on two under-researched instruments of financial inclusion and improving understanding of the finance-welfare state nexus and of the contradictions underpinning attempts at financial inclusion of the most vulnerable.

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The depoliticisation of social policy through financial inclusion10.1108/IJSSP-03-2023-0056International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2023-06-12© 2020 Maria Dodaro and Lavinia BifulcoMaria DodaroLavinia BifulcoInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policy4413/142023-06-1210.1108/IJSSP-03-2023-0056https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-03-2023-0056/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2020 Maria Dodaro and Lavinia Bifulcohttp://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
Consumer trust in Thai street food vendors: implications for the post-pandemic erahttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-09-2023-0220/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThis study aims to investigate the impact of service quality (SQ), perceived value (PV) and consumer satisfaction on Thai street food, with customer satisfaction (CS) as a mediator for customer loyalty and repurchase intention (RI). It also explores how consumer trust (CT) in Thai street food safety moderates these relationships. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilised to analyse the complex interrelationships between various constructs. Multi-group analyses were conducted to investigate the moderating effects of CT on the structural model, considering two distinct groups based on trust levels: low and high. The findings revealed that SQ and PV significantly influenced CS and behavioural intention, while the perceived quality of Thai street food had no significant impact on post-COVID-19 consumer satisfaction. The study highlighted the critical role of CT in moderating the relationships between SQ, PV and CS, with distinct effects observed in groups with varying trust levels. The research emphasises the importance of enhancing SQ and delivering value to customers in the context of Thai street food, which can contribute to increased CS, RI and positive word-of-mouth. Furthermore, the study underscores the critical role of building CT in fostering enduring customer relationships and promoting consumer satisfaction and loyalty. This research offers valuable insights into consumer behaviour and decision-making processes, particularly within the realm of Thai street food. It underscores the significance of understanding and nurturing CT, especially in the post-COVID-19 landscape, emphasising the need for effective business strategies and consumer engagement.Consumer trust in Thai street food vendors: implications for the post-pandemic era
Teerapong Teangsompong, Pichaporn Yamapewan, Weerachon Sawangproh
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 44, No. 13/14, pp.16-48

This study aims to investigate the impact of service quality (SQ), perceived value (PV) and consumer satisfaction on Thai street food, with customer satisfaction (CS) as a mediator for customer loyalty and repurchase intention (RI). It also explores how consumer trust (CT) in Thai street food safety moderates these relationships.

Structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilised to analyse the complex interrelationships between various constructs. Multi-group analyses were conducted to investigate the moderating effects of CT on the structural model, considering two distinct groups based on trust levels: low and high.

The findings revealed that SQ and PV significantly influenced CS and behavioural intention, while the perceived quality of Thai street food had no significant impact on post-COVID-19 consumer satisfaction. The study highlighted the critical role of CT in moderating the relationships between SQ, PV and CS, with distinct effects observed in groups with varying trust levels.

The research emphasises the importance of enhancing SQ and delivering value to customers in the context of Thai street food, which can contribute to increased CS, RI and positive word-of-mouth. Furthermore, the study underscores the critical role of building CT in fostering enduring customer relationships and promoting consumer satisfaction and loyalty.

This research offers valuable insights into consumer behaviour and decision-making processes, particularly within the realm of Thai street food. It underscores the significance of understanding and nurturing CT, especially in the post-COVID-19 landscape, emphasising the need for effective business strategies and consumer engagement.

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Consumer trust in Thai street food vendors: implications for the post-pandemic era10.1108/IJSSP-09-2023-0220International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-01-19© 2024 Teerapong Teangsompong, Pichaporn Yamapewan and Weerachon SawangprohTeerapong TeangsompongPichaporn YamapewanWeerachon SawangprohInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policy4413/142024-01-1910.1108/IJSSP-09-2023-0220https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-09-2023-0220/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Teerapong Teangsompong, Pichaporn Yamapewan and Weerachon Sawangprohhttp://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
Tanzanian social policy in the new millennium – a cross-sectoral analysis from a gender perspectivehttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-01-2023-0007/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestMainland Tanzania has seen two decades of significant social policy reforms and transformations in its social and economic structures, whilst the country continues to grapple with persisting gender inequalities. This article examines Tanzania's social policy developments from a gender perspective. The authors analyse the level, reach and quality of social policy delivery to working-age women across the areas of health policy, social protection and employment policy during 2000–2021. The article draws on qualitative research deploying the scoping review method. The data consist of diverse secondary materials, including academic publications, government policy documents, relevant statistics and other types of “grey” literature. Tanzania has made significant advancements in the legal frameworks around welfare provision and has instituted increasingly gender-responsive government policy plans. The health and social protection sectors, in particular, have witnessed the introduction of large-scale measures expanding social policy implementation. However, social policy delivery remains two-tiered, with differences in provisions for women in the formal and informal sectors. Social policy delivery and implementation have increased and diversified in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) during the new millennium, with a growing integration of gender-specific policy objectives. However, limited social policy scholarship has focused on the gendered effects of broader social policy models in SSA. The article remedies the concomitant knowledge gaps by examining various social policies and their impacts on working-age women in Mainland Tanzania. The authors also engage with the theoretical welfare regime literature and present an analytical framework for gender-sensitive assessment of emerging social policy models in the Global South.Tanzanian social policy in the new millennium – a cross-sectoral analysis from a gender perspective
Roosa Amanda Lambin, Milla Nyyssölä
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 44, No. 13/14, pp.49-67

Mainland Tanzania has seen two decades of significant social policy reforms and transformations in its social and economic structures, whilst the country continues to grapple with persisting gender inequalities. This article examines Tanzania's social policy developments from a gender perspective. The authors analyse the level, reach and quality of social policy delivery to working-age women across the areas of health policy, social protection and employment policy during 2000–2021.

The article draws on qualitative research deploying the scoping review method. The data consist of diverse secondary materials, including academic publications, government policy documents, relevant statistics and other types of “grey” literature.

Tanzania has made significant advancements in the legal frameworks around welfare provision and has instituted increasingly gender-responsive government policy plans. The health and social protection sectors, in particular, have witnessed the introduction of large-scale measures expanding social policy implementation. However, social policy delivery remains two-tiered, with differences in provisions for women in the formal and informal sectors.

Social policy delivery and implementation have increased and diversified in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) during the new millennium, with a growing integration of gender-specific policy objectives. However, limited social policy scholarship has focused on the gendered effects of broader social policy models in SSA. The article remedies the concomitant knowledge gaps by examining various social policies and their impacts on working-age women in Mainland Tanzania. The authors also engage with the theoretical welfare regime literature and present an analytical framework for gender-sensitive assessment of emerging social policy models in the Global South.

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Tanzanian social policy in the new millennium – a cross-sectoral analysis from a gender perspective10.1108/IJSSP-01-2023-0007International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-01-19© 2023 2023, UNU-WIDERRoosa Amanda LambinMilla NyyssöläInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policy4413/142024-01-1910.1108/IJSSP-01-2023-0007https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-01-2023-0007/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2023 2023, UNU-WIDERhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo/legalcode
Does public debt moderate government spending – informal economy nexus? Evidence from the Asian countrieshttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-01-2024-0003/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between government spending, public debt and the informal economy. In addition, this paper investigates the moderating role of public debt in government spending and the informal economy nexus. By utilizing a data set spanning from 2000 to 2017 of 32 Asian economies, the study has employed the dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) and fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS). The study is also extended to consider the marginal effects of government spending on the informal economy at different degrees of public debt. The results indicate that an increase in government spending and public debt leads to an expansion of the informal economy in the region. Interestingly, the positive effect of government spending on the informal economy will increase with a rise in public debt. This study stresses the role of government spending and public debt on the informal economy in Asian nations. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study pioneers to explore the moderating effect of public debt in the public spending-informal economy nexus.Does public debt moderate government spending – informal economy nexus? Evidence from the Asian countries
Toan Khanh Tran Pham, Quyen Hoang Thuy To Nguyen Le
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between government spending, public debt and the informal economy. In addition, this paper investigates the moderating role of public debt in government spending and the informal economy nexus.

By utilizing a data set spanning from 2000 to 2017 of 32 Asian economies, the study has employed the dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) and fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS). The study is also extended to consider the marginal effects of government spending on the informal economy at different degrees of public debt.

The results indicate that an increase in government spending and public debt leads to an expansion of the informal economy in the region. Interestingly, the positive effect of government spending on the informal economy will increase with a rise in public debt.

This study stresses the role of government spending and public debt on the informal economy in Asian nations. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study pioneers to explore the moderating effect of public debt in the public spending-informal economy nexus.

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Does public debt moderate government spending – informal economy nexus? Evidence from the Asian countries10.1108/IJSSP-01-2024-0003International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-03-27© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedToan Khanh Tran PhamQuyen Hoang Thuy To Nguyen LeInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-03-2710.1108/IJSSP-01-2024-0003https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-01-2024-0003/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
Drivers of intention to engage in informal economy activities during maternity leavehttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-01-2024-0031/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe present paper seeks to reveal the factors underlying the intentions of women on maternity leave to engage in informal economy activities. A representative cross sectional survey of 417 women on maternity leave was selected as a main research approach. A structural equation modelling – partial equation modelling served as a research tool. The study revealed that the most important determinants of intentions to become involved in informal economy activities during maternity leave are unsatisfactory financial situation, complicated legal regulation and fear of becoming uncompetitive in the labour market. To the best of authors’ knowledge, it is the first scientific attempt to investigate the informal work/economy during maternal leave.Drivers of intention to engage in informal economy activities during maternity leave
Mangirdas Morkūnas, Elze Rudiene, Jinzhao Wei
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

The present paper seeks to reveal the factors underlying the intentions of women on maternity leave to engage in informal economy activities.

A representative cross sectional survey of 417 women on maternity leave was selected as a main research approach. A structural equation modelling – partial equation modelling served as a research tool.

The study revealed that the most important determinants of intentions to become involved in informal economy activities during maternity leave are unsatisfactory financial situation, complicated legal regulation and fear of becoming uncompetitive in the labour market.

To the best of authors’ knowledge, it is the first scientific attempt to investigate the informal work/economy during maternal leave.

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Drivers of intention to engage in informal economy activities during maternity leave10.1108/IJSSP-01-2024-0031International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-03-21© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedMangirdas MorkūnasElze RudieneJinzhao WeiInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-03-2110.1108/IJSSP-01-2024-0031https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-01-2024-0031/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
Exploring resistance in family policy transfer: a comparative analysis of the Czech Republic and South Koreahttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-01-2024-0032/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestFamily policy is an area where policy transfer has garnered a lot of attention lately. A growing body of research demonstrates policymakers' interest in and willingness to adopt foreign family policies. However, previous studies have tended to neglect the second mechanism of policy transfer: resistance. This manuscript aims to address this research gap by exploring both the willingness and resistance to policy transfer in Czech and Korean childcare and leave policies. This study employs a qualitative research design, incorporating structured expert interviews instrumental in in-depth thematic analysis. The analysis shows that policymakers in both countries demonstrated interest and willingness to transfer family policies, albeit employing different strategies and to varying extents. Moreover, the two countries exhibited significant differences in resistance to family policy transfer, with resistance in the Czech Republic being more frequent and effective. Resistance is directed towards both forced and voluntary transfers, although it isn't always against transfers that require a paradigm change. Policy transfer and non-transfer can concurrently be perceived as threats. The study concludes that integrating both policy transfer and resistance in the analyses helps to shed light on cross-national differences in family policy change and contributes to a more nuanced portrayal of the world of policy transfer in this policy field.Exploring resistance in family policy transfer: a comparative analysis of the Czech Republic and South Korea
Martin Gurín
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

Family policy is an area where policy transfer has garnered a lot of attention lately. A growing body of research demonstrates policymakers' interest in and willingness to adopt foreign family policies. However, previous studies have tended to neglect the second mechanism of policy transfer: resistance. This manuscript aims to address this research gap by exploring both the willingness and resistance to policy transfer in Czech and Korean childcare and leave policies.

This study employs a qualitative research design, incorporating structured expert interviews instrumental in in-depth thematic analysis.

The analysis shows that policymakers in both countries demonstrated interest and willingness to transfer family policies, albeit employing different strategies and to varying extents. Moreover, the two countries exhibited significant differences in resistance to family policy transfer, with resistance in the Czech Republic being more frequent and effective. Resistance is directed towards both forced and voluntary transfers, although it isn't always against transfers that require a paradigm change. Policy transfer and non-transfer can concurrently be perceived as threats.

The study concludes that integrating both policy transfer and resistance in the analyses helps to shed light on cross-national differences in family policy change and contributes to a more nuanced portrayal of the world of policy transfer in this policy field.

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Exploring resistance in family policy transfer: a comparative analysis of the Czech Republic and South Korea10.1108/IJSSP-01-2024-0032International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-03-22© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedMartin GurínInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-03-2210.1108/IJSSP-01-2024-0032https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-01-2024-0032/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
The relationship between the media and corruption: perspectives of Ghanaian justice and anti-corruption officialshttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-02-2024-0082/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe media is described as a fourth estate of the realm due to its ability to frame and shape discussions on governance and provide a stimulus for fighting corruption. But is the media really an effective tool for fighting corruption? This question arises due to the possibility of the media being used for propaganda, biased reporting and media owners’ and journalists’ engagement in corruption. The current study addresses the question by exploring the relationship between the media and corruption from the perspectives of Ghanaian justice and anti-corruption officials. The study adopts a qualitative approach by interviewing justice and anti-corruption officials across three administrative regions in Ghana. The results show that while justice officials describe the media as a medium for accusing officials unjustifiably and exaggerating the scale of corruption, anti-corruption officials believe the media helps to fight corruption. In addition to uncovering and exposing public officials’ corruption, the media is also a double-edged sword characterised by intra-vigilance: the media hold “their own” (i.e. journalists fighting corruption) accountable through criticism and exposure of wrongdoings. The double-edged nature of the media can strengthen and enhance the fight against corruption because anti-corruption actors and journalists will be cautious as misjudgements or errors committed will not be overlooked or concealed by the media. Therefore, anti-corruption agencies in Ghana can collaborate with the media to uncover and expose corruption committed by public officials and even journalists or media owners. This study is the first in Ghana to explore the relationship between the media and corruption from the perspectives of justice and anti-corruption officials. The approach, frameworks and methodology adopted in this study can be applied in similar studies in other countries on the African continent and beyond.The relationship between the media and corruption: perspectives of Ghanaian justice and anti-corruption officials
Moses Agaawena Amagnya
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

The media is described as a fourth estate of the realm due to its ability to frame and shape discussions on governance and provide a stimulus for fighting corruption. But is the media really an effective tool for fighting corruption? This question arises due to the possibility of the media being used for propaganda, biased reporting and media owners’ and journalists’ engagement in corruption. The current study addresses the question by exploring the relationship between the media and corruption from the perspectives of Ghanaian justice and anti-corruption officials.

The study adopts a qualitative approach by interviewing justice and anti-corruption officials across three administrative regions in Ghana.

The results show that while justice officials describe the media as a medium for accusing officials unjustifiably and exaggerating the scale of corruption, anti-corruption officials believe the media helps to fight corruption. In addition to uncovering and exposing public officials’ corruption, the media is also a double-edged sword characterised by intra-vigilance: the media hold “their own” (i.e. journalists fighting corruption) accountable through criticism and exposure of wrongdoings.

The double-edged nature of the media can strengthen and enhance the fight against corruption because anti-corruption actors and journalists will be cautious as misjudgements or errors committed will not be overlooked or concealed by the media. Therefore, anti-corruption agencies in Ghana can collaborate with the media to uncover and expose corruption committed by public officials and even journalists or media owners.

This study is the first in Ghana to explore the relationship between the media and corruption from the perspectives of justice and anti-corruption officials. The approach, frameworks and methodology adopted in this study can be applied in similar studies in other countries on the African continent and beyond.

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The relationship between the media and corruption: perspectives of Ghanaian justice and anti-corruption officials10.1108/IJSSP-02-2024-0082International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-03-25© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedMoses Agaawena AmagnyaInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-03-2510.1108/IJSSP-02-2024-0082https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-02-2024-0082/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
Changing context, changing work? Comparing rural and urban contexts in social services provision in Italyhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-03-2023-0079/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe study compares the social services functioning in two local contexts, one urban and one rural, in the same Italian region, to understand how contextual features affect frontline workers' work. By applying the framework of the street-level bureaucracy theory (SLB) and proposing a framing of the spatial contexts under analysis, the present study adopts a qualitative approach. In particular, semi-structured interviews were conducted among street-level workers, decision-makers and privileged witnesses. The study shows how the typical features of the rural and urban Italian contexts analyzed impact differently on the working conditions of frontline workers, leading to substantive differences in the possibility of exercise their role at the street-level. The article contributes to a wider understanding of social services provision in a highly fragmented system like the Italian one by taking into consideration contexts that are usually little investigated in SLB and welfare studies in the Mediterranean Europe area: those rural and, in particular, those belonging to the so-called “inner areas”.Changing context, changing work? Comparing rural and urban contexts in social services provision in Italy
Susanna Pagiotti
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

The study compares the social services functioning in two local contexts, one urban and one rural, in the same Italian region, to understand how contextual features affect frontline workers' work.

By applying the framework of the street-level bureaucracy theory (SLB) and proposing a framing of the spatial contexts under analysis, the present study adopts a qualitative approach. In particular, semi-structured interviews were conducted among street-level workers, decision-makers and privileged witnesses.

The study shows how the typical features of the rural and urban Italian contexts analyzed impact differently on the working conditions of frontline workers, leading to substantive differences in the possibility of exercise their role at the street-level.

The article contributes to a wider understanding of social services provision in a highly fragmented system like the Italian one by taking into consideration contexts that are usually little investigated in SLB and welfare studies in the Mediterranean Europe area: those rural and, in particular, those belonging to the so-called “inner areas”.

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Changing context, changing work? Comparing rural and urban contexts in social services provision in Italy10.1108/IJSSP-03-2023-0079International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2023-12-04© 2023 Emerald Publishing LimitedSusanna PagiottiInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2023-12-0410.1108/IJSSP-03-2023-0079https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-03-2023-0079/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2023 Emerald Publishing Limited
Institutional and organisational influence on mental health management in Spanish and Italian primary carehttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-03-2023-0081/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThis study aims to investigate how institutional and organisational factors affect case management of patients with mental disorders by GPs in Italy and Spain. The paper highlights the importance of improving the effectiveness of primary care to ensure easy access to mental health services, which is crucial in responding to the increasing incidence of mental disorders and preventing negative outcomes. This article details a qualitative research study that examines the management of patients with mental disorders by general practitioners (GPs) in Italy and Spain, using cross-national comparison and in-depth interviews with GPs as research methods. The study revealed that Italian self-employed GPs have more scheduling autonomy than Spanish Health Centre GPs. Both face high work pressure and resource scarcity, highlighting the need for targeted training. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a rise in phone consultations. This study provides novel insights into mental health management by examining the case management of patients with mental disorders by GPs in Italy and Spain, with a focus on the impact of institutional and organisational factors. The cross-national comparison and in-depth interviews enhance the originality of the study, offering a nuanced understanding of the constraints faced by GPs in their work context. Furthermore, the comparison of the similar primary care frameworks of Italy and Spain may offer insight into their evolution.Institutional and organisational influence on mental health management in Spanish and Italian primary care
Roberto Giosa
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

This study aims to investigate how institutional and organisational factors affect case management of patients with mental disorders by GPs in Italy and Spain. The paper highlights the importance of improving the effectiveness of primary care to ensure easy access to mental health services, which is crucial in responding to the increasing incidence of mental disorders and preventing negative outcomes.

This article details a qualitative research study that examines the management of patients with mental disorders by general practitioners (GPs) in Italy and Spain, using cross-national comparison and in-depth interviews with GPs as research methods.

The study revealed that Italian self-employed GPs have more scheduling autonomy than Spanish Health Centre GPs. Both face high work pressure and resource scarcity, highlighting the need for targeted training. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a rise in phone consultations.

This study provides novel insights into mental health management by examining the case management of patients with mental disorders by GPs in Italy and Spain, with a focus on the impact of institutional and organisational factors. The cross-national comparison and in-depth interviews enhance the originality of the study, offering a nuanced understanding of the constraints faced by GPs in their work context. Furthermore, the comparison of the similar primary care frameworks of Italy and Spain may offer insight into their evolution.

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Institutional and organisational influence on mental health management in Spanish and Italian primary care10.1108/IJSSP-03-2023-0081International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-01-11© 2023 Emerald Publishing LimitedRoberto GiosaInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-01-1110.1108/IJSSP-03-2023-0081https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-03-2023-0081/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2023 Emerald Publishing Limited
Street-level quasi-bureaucracy and professional discretion: how transformational leadership and public service motivation influence village health volunteers' professional discretionhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-04-2023-0083/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestVillage health volunteers are community health volunteers in Thailand that have helped the government deliver public health services for many years, particularly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Though labeled as “volunteers,” the village health volunteers are recruited, trained and supervised in a manner similar to how a government agency recruits, trains and supervises its street-level bureaucrats (SLBs). This study examines the two factors that affect how these street-level quasi-bureaucrats use their professional discretion: transformational leadership and public service motivation (PSM). Transformational leadership means a leadership style that develops, shares and sustains a vision to elevate SLBs to higher levels of performance, while PSM is defined as an SLB’s predisposition to make a difference by working in the public sector with a sense of calling. This study attempts to analyze the mediating role of psychological empowerment in the relationship between transformational leadership, PSM and professional discretion. The paper uses a three-wave survey-based quantitative method to avoid common method biases. This method provides evidence gathered from 105 subdistrict health promotion hospitals and 798 village health volunteers (VHVs) in five provinces in Thailand. PSM and transformational leadership influence the village health volunteers' use of professional discretion indirectly through the psychological empowerment mechanisms that make them feel positive toward their village health volunteer role and responsibility. The authors' findings suggest that the hospital directors' transformational leadership induces the village health volunteers' use of professional discretion by making them feel competent to do their work and feel fulfilled and valuable about their work. Similarly, the village health volunteers' PSM leads them to use professional discretion by making them feel fulfilled and valuable and by convincing them of the social and community impact of their work. While existing research focuses on VHVs' role in alleviating capacity constraints on the health care system, this study revealed an equally important role played by hospital directors. These directors' transformational leadership was instrumental in enhancing VHVs' psychological empowerment – particularly their perceptions of the meaning of their work and their competence – that ultimately enabled them to use professional discretion in their work. This study also highlighted the importance of VHVs' PSM, which leads to their use of professional discretion via the meaning and impact dimensions of psychological empowerment. Based on this study, PSM should also be incorporated into the community health volunteers' recruitment criteria. Also, public health agencies should consider including transformational leadership in the hospital directors' training programs and their promotion criteria. As VHVs' high-PSM level was found to enhance their professional discretion, the process of recruiting ordinary citizens to serve as community health volunteers should incorporate assessment of the candidates' PSM. Also, the Ministry of Public Health should design and assign tasks that citizen volunteers, particularly VHVs, consider meaningful and at which they feel competent. Aside from technical training, directors of the subdistrict health promotion hospitals should regularly receive soft skill training (i.e. leadership training) and transformational leadership characteristics should be included in the government criteria for promotion. While past research has examined the impact of other leadership styles on psychological empowerment, this study took a further step by examining the mediating effects of psychological empowerment on the relationship between transformational leadership and professional discretion among VHVs. The authors analyzed the mechanism linking PSM to the VHVs' professional discretion. In addition, by examining the relative importance of different dimensions of psychological empowerment, this study offers a nuanced understanding of the psychological processes by which transformational leadership and PSM shape the SLBs' use of professional discretion in their work.Street-level quasi-bureaucracy and professional discretion: how transformational leadership and public service motivation influence village health volunteers' professional discretion
Achakorn Wongpreedee, Tatchalerm Sudhipongpracha
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

Village health volunteers are community health volunteers in Thailand that have helped the government deliver public health services for many years, particularly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Though labeled as “volunteers,” the village health volunteers are recruited, trained and supervised in a manner similar to how a government agency recruits, trains and supervises its street-level bureaucrats (SLBs). This study examines the two factors that affect how these street-level quasi-bureaucrats use their professional discretion: transformational leadership and public service motivation (PSM). Transformational leadership means a leadership style that develops, shares and sustains a vision to elevate SLBs to higher levels of performance, while PSM is defined as an SLB’s predisposition to make a difference by working in the public sector with a sense of calling. This study attempts to analyze the mediating role of psychological empowerment in the relationship between transformational leadership, PSM and professional discretion.

The paper uses a three-wave survey-based quantitative method to avoid common method biases. This method provides evidence gathered from 105 subdistrict health promotion hospitals and 798 village health volunteers (VHVs) in five provinces in Thailand.

PSM and transformational leadership influence the village health volunteers' use of professional discretion indirectly through the psychological empowerment mechanisms that make them feel positive toward their village health volunteer role and responsibility. The authors' findings suggest that the hospital directors' transformational leadership induces the village health volunteers' use of professional discretion by making them feel competent to do their work and feel fulfilled and valuable about their work. Similarly, the village health volunteers' PSM leads them to use professional discretion by making them feel fulfilled and valuable and by convincing them of the social and community impact of their work.

While existing research focuses on VHVs' role in alleviating capacity constraints on the health care system, this study revealed an equally important role played by hospital directors. These directors' transformational leadership was instrumental in enhancing VHVs' psychological empowerment – particularly their perceptions of the meaning of their work and their competence – that ultimately enabled them to use professional discretion in their work. This study also highlighted the importance of VHVs' PSM, which leads to their use of professional discretion via the meaning and impact dimensions of psychological empowerment. Based on this study, PSM should also be incorporated into the community health volunteers' recruitment criteria. Also, public health agencies should consider including transformational leadership in the hospital directors' training programs and their promotion criteria.

As VHVs' high-PSM level was found to enhance their professional discretion, the process of recruiting ordinary citizens to serve as community health volunteers should incorporate assessment of the candidates' PSM. Also, the Ministry of Public Health should design and assign tasks that citizen volunteers, particularly VHVs, consider meaningful and at which they feel competent.

Aside from technical training, directors of the subdistrict health promotion hospitals should regularly receive soft skill training (i.e. leadership training) and transformational leadership characteristics should be included in the government criteria for promotion.

While past research has examined the impact of other leadership styles on psychological empowerment, this study took a further step by examining the mediating effects of psychological empowerment on the relationship between transformational leadership and professional discretion among VHVs. The authors analyzed the mechanism linking PSM to the VHVs' professional discretion. In addition, by examining the relative importance of different dimensions of psychological empowerment, this study offers a nuanced understanding of the psychological processes by which transformational leadership and PSM shape the SLBs' use of professional discretion in their work.

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Street-level quasi-bureaucracy and professional discretion: how transformational leadership and public service motivation influence village health volunteers' professional discretion10.1108/IJSSP-04-2023-0083International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-01-04© 2023 Emerald Publishing LimitedAchakorn WongpreedeeTatchalerm SudhipongprachaInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-01-0410.1108/IJSSP-04-2023-0083https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-04-2023-0083/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2023 Emerald Publishing Limited
Street-level netocracy: rules, discretion and professionalism in a network-based interventionhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-04-2023-0087/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe paper aims to analyse the meaning and extension of discretionary power of social service professionals within network-based interventions. Empirically, the paper is based on a case study of a network-based policy involving private and public organisations in the Northeast of Italy (Province of Trento). The paper identifies netocracy as a social policy logic distinct from bureaucracy and professionalism. What legitimises netocracy is neither authority nor expertise but cooperation, the activation of connections and involvement, considered “good” per se. In this framework, professionalism and discretion acquire new and problematic meanings compared to street-level bureaucracy processes. Based on a case study, the research results cannot be generalised but pave the way to further comparative investigations. The paper reveals that the position of professionals in netocracy is to some extent trickier than that in a bureaucracy because netocracy seems to have the power to encapsulate them and make it less likely for them to deviate from expected courses of action. Combining different literature streams – street level bureaucracy, professionalism, network organisations and welfare governance – and building on an original case study, the paper contribute to understanding professionalism in welfare contexts increasingly characterised by the combination of bureaucratic, professional and network logics.Street-level netocracy: rules, discretion and professionalism in a network-based intervention
Barbara Da Roit, Maurizio Busacca
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

The paper aims to analyse the meaning and extension of discretionary power of social service professionals within network-based interventions.

Empirically, the paper is based on a case study of a network-based policy involving private and public organisations in the Northeast of Italy (Province of Trento).

The paper identifies netocracy as a social policy logic distinct from bureaucracy and professionalism. What legitimises netocracy is neither authority nor expertise but cooperation, the activation of connections and involvement, considered “good” per se. In this framework, professionalism and discretion acquire new and problematic meanings compared to street-level bureaucracy processes.

Based on a case study, the research results cannot be generalised but pave the way to further comparative investigations.

The paper reveals that the position of professionals in netocracy is to some extent trickier than that in a bureaucracy because netocracy seems to have the power to encapsulate them and make it less likely for them to deviate from expected courses of action.

Combining different literature streams – street level bureaucracy, professionalism, network organisations and welfare governance – and building on an original case study, the paper contribute to understanding professionalism in welfare contexts increasingly characterised by the combination of bureaucratic, professional and network logics.

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Street-level netocracy: rules, discretion and professionalism in a network-based intervention10.1108/IJSSP-04-2023-0087International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2023-08-10© 2023 Barbara Da Roit and Maurizio BusaccaBarbara Da RoitMaurizio BusaccaInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2023-08-1010.1108/IJSSP-04-2023-0087https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-04-2023-0087/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2023 Barbara Da Roit and Maurizio Busaccahttp://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
Refer rather than treat: coping with uncertainty in municipal primary care clinics in Indiahttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-04-2023-0090/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe institutional conditions of primary care provision remain understudied in low- and middle-income countries. This study analyzes how primary care doctors cope with medical uncertainty in municipal clinics in urban India. As street-level bureaucrats, the municipal doctors occupy two roles simultaneously: medical professional and state agent. They operate under conditions that characterize health systems in low-resource contexts globally: inadequate state investment, weak regulation and low societal trust. The study investigates how, in these conditions, the doctors respond to clinical risk, specifically related to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The analysis draws on year-long ethnographic fieldwork in Pune (2013–14), a city of three million, including 30 semi-structured interviews with municipal doctors. Interpreting their municipal mandate to exclude NCDs and reasoning their medical expertise as insufficient to treat NCDs, the doctors routinely referred NCD cases. They expressed concerns about violence from patients, negative media attention and unsupportive municipal authorities should anything go wrong clinically. The study contextualizes street-level service-delivery in weak institutional conditions. Whereas street-level workers may commonly standardize practices to reduce workload, here the doctors routinized NCD care to avoid the sociopolitical consequences of clinical uncertainty. Modalities of the welfare state and medical care in India – manifest in weak municipal capacity and healthcare regulation – appear to compel restraint in service-delivery. The analysis highlights how norms and social relations may shape primary care provision and quality.Refer rather than treat: coping with uncertainty in municipal primary care clinics in India
Radhika Gore
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

The institutional conditions of primary care provision remain understudied in low- and middle-income countries. This study analyzes how primary care doctors cope with medical uncertainty in municipal clinics in urban India. As street-level bureaucrats, the municipal doctors occupy two roles simultaneously: medical professional and state agent. They operate under conditions that characterize health systems in low-resource contexts globally: inadequate state investment, weak regulation and low societal trust. The study investigates how, in these conditions, the doctors respond to clinical risk, specifically related to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

The analysis draws on year-long ethnographic fieldwork in Pune (2013–14), a city of three million, including 30 semi-structured interviews with municipal doctors.

Interpreting their municipal mandate to exclude NCDs and reasoning their medical expertise as insufficient to treat NCDs, the doctors routinely referred NCD cases. They expressed concerns about violence from patients, negative media attention and unsupportive municipal authorities should anything go wrong clinically.

The study contextualizes street-level service-delivery in weak institutional conditions. Whereas street-level workers may commonly standardize practices to reduce workload, here the doctors routinized NCD care to avoid the sociopolitical consequences of clinical uncertainty. Modalities of the welfare state and medical care in India – manifest in weak municipal capacity and healthcare regulation – appear to compel restraint in service-delivery. The analysis highlights how norms and social relations may shape primary care provision and quality.

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Refer rather than treat: coping with uncertainty in municipal primary care clinics in India10.1108/IJSSP-04-2023-0090International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-02-06© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedRadhika GoreInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-02-0610.1108/IJSSP-04-2023-0090https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-04-2023-0090/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
Street-level bureaucrats in the professional context of primary care social services in Spainhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-04-2023-0091/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThis study aims to identify the street-level approaches of professional workers in complex public social service organisations when attending to social assistance claimants. The study employed a multifaceted approach comprising documentary analysis, semi-structured individual interviews (17) and focus group discussions (8) with qualified frontline social workers from primary care social services in Tarragona. Social workers embodied three specific sets of cognitive, normative and emotional dispositions when attending to people with low incomes. First, the compassionate approach conceives clients as defensive regarding social services and emotionally vulnerable because of deprivation. Second, the instructional approach frames clients as being baffled by a new, precarious, institutional and economic context. They also lack information, abilities and the proper mindset to conceive of and attain available welfare and occupational resources. Third, the enforcement approach tends to define clients as suspicious, trying to obtain an excessive and unfair advantage of the welfare system that would eventually hamper their social opportunities. Research thus far has tended to define public social assistance programmes in Southern welfare state contexts as mostly inefficient and hardly relevant residual social policies. The street-level approach shows that social workers try to resist the mere administrative processing of benefits, which is a professionally troubling and organisationally unsustainable way to proceed. They attempt to help clients by providing inclusive content in order to implement their benefits.Street-level bureaucrats in the professional context of primary care social services in Spain
Sergio Sánchez-Castiñeira
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

This study aims to identify the street-level approaches of professional workers in complex public social service organisations when attending to social assistance claimants.

The study employed a multifaceted approach comprising documentary analysis, semi-structured individual interviews (17) and focus group discussions (8) with qualified frontline social workers from primary care social services in Tarragona.

Social workers embodied three specific sets of cognitive, normative and emotional dispositions when attending to people with low incomes. First, the compassionate approach conceives clients as defensive regarding social services and emotionally vulnerable because of deprivation. Second, the instructional approach frames clients as being baffled by a new, precarious, institutional and economic context. They also lack information, abilities and the proper mindset to conceive of and attain available welfare and occupational resources. Third, the enforcement approach tends to define clients as suspicious, trying to obtain an excessive and unfair advantage of the welfare system that would eventually hamper their social opportunities.

Research thus far has tended to define public social assistance programmes in Southern welfare state contexts as mostly inefficient and hardly relevant residual social policies. The street-level approach shows that social workers try to resist the mere administrative processing of benefits, which is a professionally troubling and organisationally unsustainable way to proceed. They attempt to help clients by providing inclusive content in order to implement their benefits.

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Street-level bureaucrats in the professional context of primary care social services in Spain10.1108/IJSSP-04-2023-0091International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-01-15© 2023 Emerald Publishing LimitedSergio Sánchez-CastiñeiraInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-01-1510.1108/IJSSP-04-2023-0091https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-04-2023-0091/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2023 Emerald Publishing Limited
The role of trust as an informal social mechanism for contract enforcement among young women microenterprises in financial markets in sub-Saharan Africahttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-06-2023-0146/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe main purpose of this paper is to establish whether trust plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between access to microcredit and survival of young women microenterprises in under-developed financial markets in sub-Saharan Africa. The main focus of this paper is to specifically test whether relational social capital built by young women from homogeneous and heterogeneous groups can be more effective in promoting economic exchange in under-developed financial markets since interpersonal trust has recently been found to harbor group collusion, especially among kins. Overall, the paper distinguishes trust among individuals based on their age, gender and ethnic diversity. This study used structural equation model to test whether trust significantly mediates the relationship between access to microcredit and survival of young women microenterprises using Analysis of Moments Structures (AMOS) based on recommendations by Hair et al. (2022) and Baron and Kenny (1986). The findings from this study revealed that trust significantly and positively mediate the relationship between access to microcredit and survival of young women microenterprises in under-developed financial markets in sub-Saharan Africa. Trust developed from relational social capital among young women from homogeneous and heterogeneous groups create a stronger basis for economic exchange in under-developed financial markets. While this study generates a positive evidence on the impact of access to microcredit on survival of young women microenterprises, the results cannot be over emphasized and generalized because the data were collected from only a single developing country. Future research may extend the current study to include other developing countries to make a more justified comprehensive analysis. The findings from this study highlights the importance of using a blend of social policy guided by norms combined with formal regulations as an informal contract enforcement mechanism to achieve efficient economic exchange in under-developed financial markets. Relational social capital formed on the basis of informal norms among groups from diverse population can supplement formal laws to enforce contractual obligations in microcredit access, especially among youthful microentrepreneurs, who seems to have stronger relational behaviors than adults. Financial institutions such as banks should use informal contract enforcement system to increase the scope of financial inclusion of young microentrepreneurs, especially in unbanked rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda inclusive where formal laws are weak and sometimes not functional. The findings also show that younger people have a stronger relationship behavior than adults. Therefore, policy should create structures that can promote social activities among youth. Governments in sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda inclusive through their respective Ministry of Gender, Labour and Youth Affairs should create youth clubs that can increase interaction and relational social capital among the younger population to derive economic empowerment. sub-Saharan African governments, Uganda inclusive should rely more on social policy based on relational social capital as a missing link to promote and achieve economic development. This paper provides an evidence on the unique role of age, gender and ethnicity in information sharing and exchange based on social policy in the financial market to limit group collusion. The authors indicate that diversity in relational social capital among young women microentrepreneurs prohibit strategic defaults, which promotes access to microcredit for survival of women micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through socialization. High level of interaction among younger women microentrepreneurs from homogeneous and heterogeneous groups allow them to close the information gap to timely meet borrowing contractual obligations to derive economic benefits. The paper shows that younger women have more trust than older women while searching for economic value through socialization. In fact, social policy can wholly supplement formal policy to promote growth and survival of young women microenterprises, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda inclusive.The role of trust as an informal social mechanism for contract enforcement among young women microenterprises in financial markets in sub-Saharan Africa
George Okello Candiya Bongomin, Charles Akol Malinga, Alain Manzi Amani, Rebecca Balinda
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

The main purpose of this paper is to establish whether trust plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between access to microcredit and survival of young women microenterprises in under-developed financial markets in sub-Saharan Africa. The main focus of this paper is to specifically test whether relational social capital built by young women from homogeneous and heterogeneous groups can be more effective in promoting economic exchange in under-developed financial markets since interpersonal trust has recently been found to harbor group collusion, especially among kins. Overall, the paper distinguishes trust among individuals based on their age, gender and ethnic diversity.

This study used structural equation model to test whether trust significantly mediates the relationship between access to microcredit and survival of young women microenterprises using Analysis of Moments Structures (AMOS) based on recommendations by Hair et al. (2022) and Baron and Kenny (1986).

The findings from this study revealed that trust significantly and positively mediate the relationship between access to microcredit and survival of young women microenterprises in under-developed financial markets in sub-Saharan Africa. Trust developed from relational social capital among young women from homogeneous and heterogeneous groups create a stronger basis for economic exchange in under-developed financial markets.

While this study generates a positive evidence on the impact of access to microcredit on survival of young women microenterprises, the results cannot be over emphasized and generalized because the data were collected from only a single developing country. Future research may extend the current study to include other developing countries to make a more justified comprehensive analysis.

The findings from this study highlights the importance of using a blend of social policy guided by norms combined with formal regulations as an informal contract enforcement mechanism to achieve efficient economic exchange in under-developed financial markets. Relational social capital formed on the basis of informal norms among groups from diverse population can supplement formal laws to enforce contractual obligations in microcredit access, especially among youthful microentrepreneurs, who seems to have stronger relational behaviors than adults. Financial institutions such as banks should use informal contract enforcement system to increase the scope of financial inclusion of young microentrepreneurs, especially in unbanked rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda inclusive where formal laws are weak and sometimes not functional. The findings also show that younger people have a stronger relationship behavior than adults. Therefore, policy should create structures that can promote social activities among youth. Governments in sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda inclusive through their respective Ministry of Gender, Labour and Youth Affairs should create youth clubs that can increase interaction and relational social capital among the younger population to derive economic empowerment. sub-Saharan African governments, Uganda inclusive should rely more on social policy based on relational social capital as a missing link to promote and achieve economic development.

This paper provides an evidence on the unique role of age, gender and ethnicity in information sharing and exchange based on social policy in the financial market to limit group collusion. The authors indicate that diversity in relational social capital among young women microentrepreneurs prohibit strategic defaults, which promotes access to microcredit for survival of women micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through socialization. High level of interaction among younger women microentrepreneurs from homogeneous and heterogeneous groups allow them to close the information gap to timely meet borrowing contractual obligations to derive economic benefits. The paper shows that younger women have more trust than older women while searching for economic value through socialization. In fact, social policy can wholly supplement formal policy to promote growth and survival of young women microenterprises, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda inclusive.

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The role of trust as an informal social mechanism for contract enforcement among young women microenterprises in financial markets in sub-Saharan Africa10.1108/IJSSP-06-2023-0146International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-02-02© 2023 Emerald Publishing LimitedGeorge Okello Candiya BongominCharles Akol MalingaAlain Manzi AmaniRebecca BalindaInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-02-0210.1108/IJSSP-06-2023-0146https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-06-2023-0146/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2023 Emerald Publishing Limited
Exploring gender inequality and sociocultural factors in Fiji: unveiling the “pink unicorns”https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-08-2023-0184/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe purpose of this study is to explore the roles that sociocultural systems such as traditions, religious practices, and rituals play in upholding gender imbalance in Fiji. This qualitative study relies on results from semi-structured interviews with auditors, educationalists, academics, partners from leading accounting/audit firms, company directors and high-ranked government officers. Thematic analysis was conducted both manually and using MAXQDA software, and the themes that emerged from both analyses are complementary. A few more complementary analyses were also conducted such as Word Cloud. The results support the claim that the religious traditions and rituals are strongly linked to gender-inequitable beliefs and suggest sociocultural factors impose on women experiencing self-effacing emotions and passive acceptance of lower status, contributing to the persistence of gender inequality. It also emphasizes the need to challenge certain sociocultural practices to promote greater gender equality, which is the theme emerged from thematic analysis. Additionally, this paper proposes four distinct types of attitudes in this regard as self-effacing feminist, self-effacing traditional, self-effacing modesty and talented driven. Respondents' openness authenticity may be limited by factors like selection bias, small sample size and other potential constraints in this study. The findings might influence stakeholders to advocate for policy changes to promote women's representation in leadership positions. The results give voice to various segments of society who are advocating greater gender diversity on board representation in Fiji. The themes immerged and theories developed would make a substantial contribution to the existing literature. The findings highlight the importance of addressing gender inequality in leadership positions to promote inclusive and sustainable growth. This study sheds light on the less-explored domain of internal barriers to gender equality within Fiji. It adds a novel dimension to the understanding of how cultural norms intersect with individual perceptions to shape gender inequality.Exploring gender inequality and sociocultural factors in Fiji: unveiling the “pink unicorns”
C.A. Saliya
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

The purpose of this study is to explore the roles that sociocultural systems such as traditions, religious practices, and rituals play in upholding gender imbalance in Fiji.

This qualitative study relies on results from semi-structured interviews with auditors, educationalists, academics, partners from leading accounting/audit firms, company directors and high-ranked government officers. Thematic analysis was conducted both manually and using MAXQDA software, and the themes that emerged from both analyses are complementary. A few more complementary analyses were also conducted such as Word Cloud.

The results support the claim that the religious traditions and rituals are strongly linked to gender-inequitable beliefs and suggest sociocultural factors impose on women experiencing self-effacing emotions and passive acceptance of lower status, contributing to the persistence of gender inequality. It also emphasizes the need to challenge certain sociocultural practices to promote greater gender equality, which is the theme emerged from thematic analysis. Additionally, this paper proposes four distinct types of attitudes in this regard as self-effacing feminist, self-effacing traditional, self-effacing modesty and talented driven.

Respondents' openness authenticity may be limited by factors like selection bias, small sample size and other potential constraints in this study.

The findings might influence stakeholders to advocate for policy changes to promote women's representation in leadership positions. The results give voice to various segments of society who are advocating greater gender diversity on board representation in Fiji. The themes immerged and theories developed would make a substantial contribution to the existing literature.

The findings highlight the importance of addressing gender inequality in leadership positions to promote inclusive and sustainable growth.

This study sheds light on the less-explored domain of internal barriers to gender equality within Fiji. It adds a novel dimension to the understanding of how cultural norms intersect with individual perceptions to shape gender inequality.

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Exploring gender inequality and sociocultural factors in Fiji: unveiling the “pink unicorns”10.1108/IJSSP-08-2023-0184International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-01-16© 2023 Emerald Publishing LimitedC.A. SaliyaInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-01-1610.1108/IJSSP-08-2023-0184https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-08-2023-0184/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2023 Emerald Publishing Limited
Do social investment policies promote employment among the vulnerable? A case of single mothershttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-08-2023-0194/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThis study aims to investigate whether social investment (SI) policies improve employment among single mothers. This paper analyzes the potential effects of SI policies on vulnerable individuals and workers at the macro level by using the employment position of single mothers as a dependent variable. Time-series cross-national data from 18 OECD countries between 1998 and 2017 are analyzed. Multilevel model analysis is also used for robustness check. I find that public spending on education and family support is positively associated with the employment rates of single mothers. In contrast, active labor market policy (ALMP) spending is negatively associated. ALMP’s negative effects stand out particularly with public spending on job training. Of all family support policies, family allowances are positively associated with single mothers’ employment, which runs counter to the conventional argument that family allowances are a disincentive for women’s or mothers’ employment. Paid leave (length and generosity) is also associated with higher employment for single mothers. There is also some tentative evidence that public spending on maternity leave benefits (spending level) may raise the odds of single mothers being employed, when individual-level factors are controlled for in multilevel analysis we implement for robustness check. This paper does not analyze the effects of the qualitative properties of SI policies. Future research is necessary in this respect. The effects of SI policies on employment among single mothers have not yet been examined in the literature. This paper seeks to be a first cut at measuring the effects.Do social investment policies promote employment among the vulnerable? A case of single mothers
Takayuki Sakamoto
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

This study aims to investigate whether social investment (SI) policies improve employment among single mothers.

This paper analyzes the potential effects of SI policies on vulnerable individuals and workers at the macro level by using the employment position of single mothers as a dependent variable. Time-series cross-national data from 18 OECD countries between 1998 and 2017 are analyzed. Multilevel model analysis is also used for robustness check.

I find that public spending on education and family support is positively associated with the employment rates of single mothers. In contrast, active labor market policy (ALMP) spending is negatively associated. ALMP’s negative effects stand out particularly with public spending on job training. Of all family support policies, family allowances are positively associated with single mothers’ employment, which runs counter to the conventional argument that family allowances are a disincentive for women’s or mothers’ employment. Paid leave (length and generosity) is also associated with higher employment for single mothers. There is also some tentative evidence that public spending on maternity leave benefits (spending level) may raise the odds of single mothers being employed, when individual-level factors are controlled for in multilevel analysis we implement for robustness check.

This paper does not analyze the effects of the qualitative properties of SI policies. Future research is necessary in this respect.

The effects of SI policies on employment among single mothers have not yet been examined in the literature. This paper seeks to be a first cut at measuring the effects.

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Do social investment policies promote employment among the vulnerable? A case of single mothers10.1108/IJSSP-08-2023-0194International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-03-15© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedTakayuki SakamotoInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-03-1510.1108/IJSSP-08-2023-0194https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-08-2023-0194/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
Does social capital promote sustainable livelihood? Mediating effect of women entrepreneurshiphttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-09-2023-0234/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe present study investigates the role of social capital in promoting sustainable livelihood amongst indigenous women in India. The study further analyses the mediation effect of women entrepreneurship between social capital and livelihood promotion. Structure equation modeling has been used to empirically examine the effect of social capital in promoting sustainable livelihood. The study has collected 612 samples from indigenous women entrepreneurs across Sundargarh and Koraput districts in Odisha. The result highlighted the extensiveness of indigenous women entrepreneurs, who utilized their social capital to improve enterprise performance and livelihood conditions. It is witnessed that social capital has a direct and positive effect on uplifting the living standards of indigenous women. Furthermore, women entrepreneurship mediates the relationship between social capital and livelihood promotion of indigenous women. The decision-makers, policy practitioners and government agencies must encourage more women's self-help groups to participate in entrepreneurial activities by utilizing social capital through government welfare programs. The present study adds value to the existing literature on social capital, women entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihood by measuring the importance of social capital in achieving sustainable livelihood. This study will add knowledge to the existing theories and literature of social capital on its use and importance towards the benefit of society.Does social capital promote sustainable livelihood? Mediating effect of women entrepreneurship
Jogeswar Mahato, Manish Kumar Jha
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

The present study investigates the role of social capital in promoting sustainable livelihood amongst indigenous women in India. The study further analyses the mediation effect of women entrepreneurship between social capital and livelihood promotion.

Structure equation modeling has been used to empirically examine the effect of social capital in promoting sustainable livelihood. The study has collected 612 samples from indigenous women entrepreneurs across Sundargarh and Koraput districts in Odisha.

The result highlighted the extensiveness of indigenous women entrepreneurs, who utilized their social capital to improve enterprise performance and livelihood conditions. It is witnessed that social capital has a direct and positive effect on uplifting the living standards of indigenous women. Furthermore, women entrepreneurship mediates the relationship between social capital and livelihood promotion of indigenous women.

The decision-makers, policy practitioners and government agencies must encourage more women's self-help groups to participate in entrepreneurial activities by utilizing social capital through government welfare programs.

The present study adds value to the existing literature on social capital, women entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihood by measuring the importance of social capital in achieving sustainable livelihood. This study will add knowledge to the existing theories and literature of social capital on its use and importance towards the benefit of society.

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Does social capital promote sustainable livelihood? Mediating effect of women entrepreneurship10.1108/IJSSP-09-2023-0234International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-01-02© 2023 Emerald Publishing LimitedJogeswar MahatoManish Kumar JhaInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-01-0210.1108/IJSSP-09-2023-0234https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-09-2023-0234/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2023 Emerald Publishing Limited
The explanatory role of religious identity, practices and beliefs in perceived discrimination among Muslim American racial/ethnic groupshttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-09-2023-0238/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe study examines the effects of religious identity, practices and beliefs on Muslim Americans' perceptions of discrimination and the extent to which religion might shape the perception of discrimination differently within Muslim race/ethnic groups. Study data were obtained from the 2011 Pew Survey (N = 1,033), a nationally representative sample of Muslim adults 18 years old and older living in the United States. The sample weights with the exclusion of non-response cases were used for bivariate analyses. For multivariate analyses, multiple imputation procedures were employed to impute missing values on all variables. Muslim Americans with high levels of religious practices are more likely and Muslim Americans with strong belief in religious tenets are less likely to report experiencing different forms of discrimination. Black, Asian and other/mixed race Muslims with high levels of religious practices report higher rates of discrimination than their white coreligionists. Within group comparison shows that the pure extrinsic group reports higher rates of perceived discrimination than the pro-religious, pure intrinsic and non-religious groups. The study emphasizes varying effects of religious factors on different Muslim American groups in perceived discrimination and suggests researchers challenge a common perception of viewing religion as a “master status” for the Muslim identity.The explanatory role of religious identity, practices and beliefs in perceived discrimination among Muslim American racial/ethnic groups
Hakim Zainiddinov
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

The study examines the effects of religious identity, practices and beliefs on Muslim Americans' perceptions of discrimination and the extent to which religion might shape the perception of discrimination differently within Muslim race/ethnic groups.

Study data were obtained from the 2011 Pew Survey (N = 1,033), a nationally representative sample of Muslim adults 18 years old and older living in the United States. The sample weights with the exclusion of non-response cases were used for bivariate analyses. For multivariate analyses, multiple imputation procedures were employed to impute missing values on all variables.

Muslim Americans with high levels of religious practices are more likely and Muslim Americans with strong belief in religious tenets are less likely to report experiencing different forms of discrimination. Black, Asian and other/mixed race Muslims with high levels of religious practices report higher rates of discrimination than their white coreligionists. Within group comparison shows that the pure extrinsic group reports higher rates of perceived discrimination than the pro-religious, pure intrinsic and non-religious groups.

The study emphasizes varying effects of religious factors on different Muslim American groups in perceived discrimination and suggests researchers challenge a common perception of viewing religion as a “master status” for the Muslim identity.

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The explanatory role of religious identity, practices and beliefs in perceived discrimination among Muslim American racial/ethnic groups10.1108/IJSSP-09-2023-0238International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-01-02© 2023 Emerald Publishing LimitedHakim ZainiddinovInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-01-0210.1108/IJSSP-09-2023-0238https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-09-2023-0238/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2023 Emerald Publishing Limited
An exploratory study on women single parents’ experiences in coping with socioeconomic insecurityhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-10-2023-0247/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestSocial welfare scholarship has not paid adequate attention to the phenomenon of single-parent women in Asia, especially in terms of their economic and social vulnerabilities. This study aims to explore the strategies employed by women who are single parents to secure their families from socioeconomic issues. It also delves into the experiences and viewpoints of families regarding the social institutions they turn to for assistance during times of hardship – whether it be the state, market, or informal networks. The data were collected through 33 semi-structured interviews, with informants selected using the purposive sampling technique in South Sumatra Province, Indonesia, from February 2023 to July 2023. This number was obtained based on informants who were included in the criteria the researchers determined, which included “being a female single parent” and “being over the age of 17,” which is the minimum age for Indonesians to marry. Others included “having dependents to support, be they children and/or the respondent’s family” and occupying the main role as “household head” – all of which defined whether someone belongs to the “vulnerable group.” The study highlights the significance of informal support for single mothers facing economic hardship. Still, overreliance on it can lead to concerns about the sustainability of the everyday social safety net they receive. Social exclusion is also problematic due to societal assumptions about divorce and widowhood. The last highlight is how 'deskilling' among single parents has complicated the challenges women face to re-enter the workforce. This study’s outcomes provide crucial insights into analyzing the patterns of single-parent families in Indonesia and serve as a framework for further research on the resilience of single parents in developing countries.An exploratory study on women single parents’ experiences in coping with socioeconomic insecurity
Misbahul Munir, Tauchid Komara Yuda, Echo Perdana Kusumah, Maygsi Aldian Suwandi
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

Social welfare scholarship has not paid adequate attention to the phenomenon of single-parent women in Asia, especially in terms of their economic and social vulnerabilities. This study aims to explore the strategies employed by women who are single parents to secure their families from socioeconomic issues. It also delves into the experiences and viewpoints of families regarding the social institutions they turn to for assistance during times of hardship – whether it be the state, market, or informal networks.

The data were collected through 33 semi-structured interviews, with informants selected using the purposive sampling technique in South Sumatra Province, Indonesia, from February 2023 to July 2023. This number was obtained based on informants who were included in the criteria the researchers determined, which included “being a female single parent” and “being over the age of 17,” which is the minimum age for Indonesians to marry. Others included “having dependents to support, be they children and/or the respondent’s family” and occupying the main role as “household head” – all of which defined whether someone belongs to the “vulnerable group.”

The study highlights the significance of informal support for single mothers facing economic hardship. Still, overreliance on it can lead to concerns about the sustainability of the everyday social safety net they receive. Social exclusion is also problematic due to societal assumptions about divorce and widowhood. The last highlight is how 'deskilling' among single parents has complicated the challenges women face to re-enter the workforce.

This study’s outcomes provide crucial insights into analyzing the patterns of single-parent families in Indonesia and serve as a framework for further research on the resilience of single parents in developing countries.

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An exploratory study on women single parents’ experiences in coping with socioeconomic insecurity10.1108/IJSSP-10-2023-0247International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-03-27© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedMisbahul MunirTauchid Komara YudaEcho Perdana KusumahMaygsi Aldian SuwandiInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-03-2710.1108/IJSSP-10-2023-0247https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-10-2023-0247/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
Gender employment contradictions in Israeli nonprofit organizations providing social carehttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-10-2023-0248/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThis article asks how gender, ethnicity and other identities intersect and shape the employment experiences of social workers. During recent decades, governments have contracted social care to for-profit and nonprofit organizations (NPOs) globally as a part of the adaption of the neoliberal approach. Most employees in these organizations are women. However, there is a lack of knowledge about women working in social service NPOs and their unique working environments. This article explores the experiences of women employed as social workers in social care NPOs in Israel regarding intersectionality. 27 in-depth interviews were conducted with women social workers working in social service NPOs. Participants reflected diversity in ethnicity, religion and full-time and part-time jobs. Thematic analysis was used. The findings shed light on: (1) the contradiction social workers experienced between the stated values of the social care NPO and those values’ conduct, (2) intersectional discrimination among social workers from vulnerable populations and (3) the lack of gender-aware policies. The need to raise awareness of the social care sector and governments to those contradictions and to promote diversity through gender-aware policies and practices. The article suggests a conceptualization describing gender employment contradictions in social care NPOs, discusses how the angle of intersectionality expands the understanding of the complexities and pressures exerted on social workers from minority groups and emphasizes the need for social care NPOs to acknowledge and deal with these contradictions.Gender employment contradictions in Israeli nonprofit organizations providing social care
Inbar Livnat, Michal Almog-Bar
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

This article asks how gender, ethnicity and other identities intersect and shape the employment experiences of social workers. During recent decades, governments have contracted social care to for-profit and nonprofit organizations (NPOs) globally as a part of the adaption of the neoliberal approach. Most employees in these organizations are women. However, there is a lack of knowledge about women working in social service NPOs and their unique working environments.

This article explores the experiences of women employed as social workers in social care NPOs in Israel regarding intersectionality. 27 in-depth interviews were conducted with women social workers working in social service NPOs. Participants reflected diversity in ethnicity, religion and full-time and part-time jobs. Thematic analysis was used.

The findings shed light on: (1) the contradiction social workers experienced between the stated values of the social care NPO and those values’ conduct, (2) intersectional discrimination among social workers from vulnerable populations and (3) the lack of gender-aware policies.

The need to raise awareness of the social care sector and governments to those contradictions and to promote diversity through gender-aware policies and practices.

The article suggests a conceptualization describing gender employment contradictions in social care NPOs, discusses how the angle of intersectionality expands the understanding of the complexities and pressures exerted on social workers from minority groups and emphasizes the need for social care NPOs to acknowledge and deal with these contradictions.

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Gender employment contradictions in Israeli nonprofit organizations providing social care10.1108/IJSSP-10-2023-0248International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-02-23© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedInbar LivnatMichal Almog-BarInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-02-2310.1108/IJSSP-10-2023-0248https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-10-2023-0248/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
Corrosion beneath the surface? The emotional navigation of managerialist regulation in German welfare organizationshttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-10-2023-0259/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestRegarding how the public regulation of human services is perceived within welfare organizations and how the latter cope with it, the role of emotions (as mediators between structure and agency) proves highly relevant while often being hidden beneath the surface. This article shows how a specific approach to such regulation – here: managerialism – may impact on “emotional regimes” at the organizational and individual level, affecting the attainment of organizational goals and workers' health. The article primarily draws on multiple qualitative case studies across two welfare sectors (four organizations) in Germany (continuing education/active inclusion; long-term care). The study research was conducted between 2020 and 2022 and based on 36 interviews with caseworkers and managers, focus group interviews and expert dialogues at industry level. The results suggest that the managerialist regulation of welfare services breeds complex and ambiguous emotional regimes. Business-like management techniques elicit various emotions, affecting the motivational basis of human service work. While the experience of hard challenges may raise positive feelings, coping patterns often put strain on organizations and staff alike. In the short run, related emotional regimes tend to make service delivery proceed smoothly, yet in the long run they may have corrosive effects and problematic repercussions on macro-level developments. The study highlights the role of emotions in publicly regulated human service settings by intermingling macro- and micro-level processes and thereby broadens the perspective of welfare state research as it reveals the impact of (managerialist) regulation on the dynamic organizational chemistry of such settings.Corrosion beneath the surface? The emotional navigation of managerialist regulation in German welfare organizations
Sigrid Betzelt, Ingo Bode, Sarina Parschick
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

Regarding how the public regulation of human services is perceived within welfare organizations and how the latter cope with it, the role of emotions (as mediators between structure and agency) proves highly relevant while often being hidden beneath the surface. This article shows how a specific approach to such regulation – here: managerialism – may impact on “emotional regimes” at the organizational and individual level, affecting the attainment of organizational goals and workers' health.

The article primarily draws on multiple qualitative case studies across two welfare sectors (four organizations) in Germany (continuing education/active inclusion; long-term care). The study research was conducted between 2020 and 2022 and based on 36 interviews with caseworkers and managers, focus group interviews and expert dialogues at industry level.

The results suggest that the managerialist regulation of welfare services breeds complex and ambiguous emotional regimes. Business-like management techniques elicit various emotions, affecting the motivational basis of human service work. While the experience of hard challenges may raise positive feelings, coping patterns often put strain on organizations and staff alike. In the short run, related emotional regimes tend to make service delivery proceed smoothly, yet in the long run they may have corrosive effects and problematic repercussions on macro-level developments.

The study highlights the role of emotions in publicly regulated human service settings by intermingling macro- and micro-level processes and thereby broadens the perspective of welfare state research as it reveals the impact of (managerialist) regulation on the dynamic organizational chemistry of such settings.

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Corrosion beneath the surface? The emotional navigation of managerialist regulation in German welfare organizations10.1108/IJSSP-10-2023-0259International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-01-31© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedSigrid BetzeltIngo BodeSarina ParschickInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-01-3110.1108/IJSSP-10-2023-0259https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-10-2023-0259/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
“The black is going”: a phenomenological study on young rural women's experience of colourismhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-10-2023-0272/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe present study explored the young women's lived experiences of discrimination and othering based on skin tone in two rural localities of Uttarakhand , State of India. The authors used intersectionality as the theoretical lens for this study. The authors have adopted an interpretive phenomenological study in the conduct of this research. The authors interviewed twelve female participants in person using a semi-structured interview schedule. The data were analysed using the six-stage data analysis process of interpretive phenomenological analysis. The study's findings underline the experiences of stigma, negative self-concept, marriage is a complex reality, media's influence and skin whitening is the first and last resort. Dark-skinned women experience stressful life events due to their skin tone and society's prejudice favouring white and fair skin tones. The experiences of bullying, social shame, guilt and low esteem were also vivid. This study reveals women's exposure to negative experiences of skin-tone-based discrimination prevalent in Indian society. This is one of the first kinds of such study in India that captures the dark-hued women's recurrent phenomenon of discrimination in their daily lives. It further shows that skin-tone bias and discrimination are widely prevalent and practised despite the claims that Indian society is free from skin-tone biasedness and subsequent discrimination.“The black is going”: a phenomenological study on young rural women's experience of colourism
Dandub Palzor Negi, E.P. Abdul Azeez, Asha Rani
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

The present study explored the young women's lived experiences of discrimination and othering based on skin tone in two rural localities of Uttarakhand , State of India. The authors used intersectionality as the theoretical lens for this study.

The authors have adopted an interpretive phenomenological study in the conduct of this research. The authors interviewed twelve female participants in person using a semi-structured interview schedule. The data were analysed using the six-stage data analysis process of interpretive phenomenological analysis.

The study's findings underline the experiences of stigma, negative self-concept, marriage is a complex reality, media's influence and skin whitening is the first and last resort. Dark-skinned women experience stressful life events due to their skin tone and society's prejudice favouring white and fair skin tones. The experiences of bullying, social shame, guilt and low esteem were also vivid.

This study reveals women's exposure to negative experiences of skin-tone-based discrimination prevalent in Indian society. This is one of the first kinds of such study in India that captures the dark-hued women's recurrent phenomenon of discrimination in their daily lives. It further shows that skin-tone bias and discrimination are widely prevalent and practised despite the claims that Indian society is free from skin-tone biasedness and subsequent discrimination.

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“The black is going”: a phenomenological study on young rural women's experience of colourism10.1108/IJSSP-10-2023-0272International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-01-09© 2023 Emerald Publishing LimitedDandub Palzor NegiE.P. Abdul AzeezAsha RaniInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-01-0910.1108/IJSSP-10-2023-0272https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-10-2023-0272/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2023 Emerald Publishing Limited
Motives underlying the intentions of youth to get involved in bribery: evidence from Lithuaniahttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0286/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThis paper embarks on revealing the main factors behind the intentions of youth in Lithuania to get involved in bribery. A questionnaire survey of 432 respondents served as a source of primary data. The structural equation modelling – partial least squares techniques was employed as a main research tool. It was revealed that youth in Lithuania display a high value congruity with their counterparts in Western Europe and a relatively reluctant to offer bribes. It can be stated that youths’ positive attitude towards some shadow economy activities is a forced response to government failures, rather than an intrinsic motivation created by cultural legacy or psychological issues. It is one of the first scientific attempt to investigate reasons behind the formation of the positive attitude towards bribery and intentions to get involved in bribery among the youth.Motives underlying the intentions of youth to get involved in bribery: evidence from Lithuania
Mangirdas Morkūnas, Julius Janavicius, Artiom Volkov
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

This paper embarks on revealing the main factors behind the intentions of youth in Lithuania to get involved in bribery.

A questionnaire survey of 432 respondents served as a source of primary data. The structural equation modelling – partial least squares techniques was employed as a main research tool.

It was revealed that youth in Lithuania display a high value congruity with their counterparts in Western Europe and a relatively reluctant to offer bribes. It can be stated that youths’ positive attitude towards some shadow economy activities is a forced response to government failures, rather than an intrinsic motivation created by cultural legacy or psychological issues.

It is one of the first scientific attempt to investigate reasons behind the formation of the positive attitude towards bribery and intentions to get involved in bribery among the youth.

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Motives underlying the intentions of youth to get involved in bribery: evidence from Lithuania10.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0286International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2023-12-15© 2023 Emerald Publishing LimitedMangirdas MorkūnasJulius JanaviciusArtiom VolkovInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2023-12-1510.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0286https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0286/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2023 Emerald Publishing Limited
Bibliometric analysis on positive work–family interfacehttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0300/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestResearch on work–family interface (WFI) is almost two decades old. It is widely believed that the archetype of work and family after COVID has changed. Post-COVID emphases and outcomes would be different. Accordingly, a bibliometric analysis of the research would help to understand the state of the research and positive WFI patterns that guide further investigations. The present study used measures such as journals, citations, etc. to determine the bibliometric patterns from 2003 to August 2023 using VOSviewer software. Data were obtained from Scopus. 1,601 works were found in the first search. This figure was narrowed down to 525 based on a few conditions. The most commonly referenced journals, sources, authors, etc. were used for the analysis. Research on positive WFI has increased in recent years. The total number of articles in positive WFI was 525 between 2003 and August 2023. Greenhaus, Powell and Carlson were the most cited authors in this field. Carlson had produced the highest number of documents in WFI. Most WFI authors focused on antecedents, treating positive WFI as the outcome variable. This is the first bibliometric analysis conducted on a positive WFI, although there have been a few on work–family conflict. However, other sources such as the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) and Web of Science may throw different results on journals, citations, etc. Hence, future researchers might emphasize if the same results originate from data in other databases. Other analytical tools may be used in the place of VOSviewer. This is the first article on bibliometric analysis of positive WFI. This paper’s primary objective is to understand the patterns of literature available on positive WFI and its significance comprehensively.Bibliometric analysis on positive work–family interface
Mounika Mude, J. Reeves Wesley
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

Research on work–family interface (WFI) is almost two decades old. It is widely believed that the archetype of work and family after COVID has changed. Post-COVID emphases and outcomes would be different. Accordingly, a bibliometric analysis of the research would help to understand the state of the research and positive WFI patterns that guide further investigations. The present study used measures such as journals, citations, etc. to determine the bibliometric patterns from 2003 to August 2023 using VOSviewer software.

Data were obtained from Scopus. 1,601 works were found in the first search. This figure was narrowed down to 525 based on a few conditions. The most commonly referenced journals, sources, authors, etc. were used for the analysis.

Research on positive WFI has increased in recent years. The total number of articles in positive WFI was 525 between 2003 and August 2023. Greenhaus, Powell and Carlson were the most cited authors in this field. Carlson had produced the highest number of documents in WFI. Most WFI authors focused on antecedents, treating positive WFI as the outcome variable.

This is the first bibliometric analysis conducted on a positive WFI, although there have been a few on work–family conflict. However, other sources such as the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) and Web of Science may throw different results on journals, citations, etc. Hence, future researchers might emphasize if the same results originate from data in other databases. Other analytical tools may be used in the place of VOSviewer.

This is the first article on bibliometric analysis of positive WFI. This paper’s primary objective is to understand the patterns of literature available on positive WFI and its significance comprehensively.

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Bibliometric analysis on positive work–family interface10.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0300International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-02-05© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedMounika MudeJ. Reeves WesleyInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-02-0510.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0300https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0300/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
Are small- and medium-sized enterprises more likely to innovate when facing informal competition? Evidence from Kazakhstanhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0303/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThis paper aims to investigate whether Kazakh small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that claim to compete with the informal sector are more likely to invest in innovation than their competitors who do not perceive such pressure. Logistic regression and classification trees are performed on the Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey (2018–2020) to examine whether the degree of informal competition correlates with a firm's propensity to innovate. The findings show that informal sector competition is a critical factor that shapes the organizational behaviour of Kazakh SMEs. There is a stimulating positive effect of informal competition on both product and process innovation, depending on its perceived intensity. This study challenges conventional thinking that still views informal sector competition as a barrier to innovation and entrepreneurship by assessing whether innovation is compatible with informal entrepreneurial practice.Are small- and medium-sized enterprises more likely to innovate when facing informal competition? Evidence from Kazakhstan
Tommaso Aguzzi, Rodica Ianole-Calin, Susanne Durst
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

This paper aims to investigate whether Kazakh small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that claim to compete with the informal sector are more likely to invest in innovation than their competitors who do not perceive such pressure.

Logistic regression and classification trees are performed on the Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey (2018–2020) to examine whether the degree of informal competition correlates with a firm's propensity to innovate.

The findings show that informal sector competition is a critical factor that shapes the organizational behaviour of Kazakh SMEs. There is a stimulating positive effect of informal competition on both product and process innovation, depending on its perceived intensity.

This study challenges conventional thinking that still views informal sector competition as a barrier to innovation and entrepreneurship by assessing whether innovation is compatible with informal entrepreneurial practice.

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Are small- and medium-sized enterprises more likely to innovate when facing informal competition? Evidence from Kazakhstan10.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0303International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-01-15© 2023 Emerald Publishing LimitedTommaso AguzziRodica Ianole-CalinSusanne DurstInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-01-1510.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0303https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0303/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2023 Emerald Publishing Limited
Conceptions of time, socioeconomic development and cultural valueshttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0305/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThis article analyzes the relationships between different conceptions of time, socioeconomic development and cultural values. We focus on three major aspects of time, namely, 1) duration, 2) orientation and 3) tempo. Furthermore, we draw on modernization theory to distinguish between agrarian/traditional and industrial/modern societies and their respective cultural values. Analyses indicate that agrarian/traditional societies with cultural values such as collectivism, survival, religiosity and hierarchical structures are marked by subjective/cyclical/inaccurate, past-oriented and slow-paced conceptions of time. In contrast, industrial/modern societies with cultural values such as individualism, self-expression, secularism and egalitarianism are marked by objective/linear/accurate, future-oriented and accelerated conceptions of time. This paper introduces an original conceptualization of the three dimensions of time – duration, orientation and tempo – previously overlooked in the literature. Additionally, it provides an in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the relationships between time, culture and socioeconomic development.Conceptions of time, socioeconomic development and cultural values
Hamid Yeganeh
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

This article analyzes the relationships between different conceptions of time, socioeconomic development and cultural values.

We focus on three major aspects of time, namely, 1) duration, 2) orientation and 3) tempo. Furthermore, we draw on modernization theory to distinguish between agrarian/traditional and industrial/modern societies and their respective cultural values.

Analyses indicate that agrarian/traditional societies with cultural values such as collectivism, survival, religiosity and hierarchical structures are marked by subjective/cyclical/inaccurate, past-oriented and slow-paced conceptions of time. In contrast, industrial/modern societies with cultural values such as individualism, self-expression, secularism and egalitarianism are marked by objective/linear/accurate, future-oriented and accelerated conceptions of time.

This paper introduces an original conceptualization of the three dimensions of time – duration, orientation and tempo – previously overlooked in the literature. Additionally, it provides an in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the relationships between time, culture and socioeconomic development.

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Conceptions of time, socioeconomic development and cultural values10.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0305International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-02-28© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedHamid YeganehInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-02-2810.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0305https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-11-2023-0305/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
Protecting vulnerability. An international comparison of social workers as street-level bureaucrats during the COVID-19 lockdownhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-12-2023-0312/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe purpose of this article’s research was threefold. Firstly, it aimed to investigate how social services professionals coped during the pandemic period by comparing their involvement in five different national contexts. Secondly, it analysed how these professionals have performed their duties according to the street-level bureaucracy theory. Finally, the third question examines social workers' strategies to guide their professional role when they may have had more discretion in their actions. The research also examined whether discretion has increased during this phase and, if so, how it has been exercised. This article is based on the findings of the project called “Theory and Practice of Social Work in the World in Times of Pandemic”, which was funded by the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW). The project involved 11 universities across five countries in Europe and Latin America, including Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Spain and Sweden. The research was conducted over 24 months to analyse the practices and measures taken to protect vulnerable people by adapting social services during the extraordinary period of the pandemic. In addition, the research explored how the awareness of emergency arose among social workers and how it influenced the services delivered from the perspective of the street-level bureaucracy theory. In different countries, the level of resourcefulness of services has varied based on their recognition of the severity of the pandemic and the impact of the government’s narratives. In some cases, these narratives have been conspiratorial or even anti-scientific. Additionally, there has been a reduction in the distance between professionals and clients, increased inequalities in access to services and a positive reassessment of the potential of new professional tools, such as digital social work, in establishing a trusting relationship. As revealed in the interviews, the elements shaping this high degree of discretion among social workers can be classified into three levels: macro- and micro- (Saruis, 2015) plus a meso-level. Each level has four significant aspects. At the macro-level, these are legislation, public information, large associationism and integration of the social services-health system. At the meso-level, these are interpretations of role performance by managers technical equipment, self-organization and community action. The micro-level pertains to personal and family situations, emotions, ethics and social workers' direct relationships with those in charge. This study investigated how social workers responded to the Covid-19 pandemic. The data gathered sheds light on their understanding of the situation, as well as the differences in experiences across the five countries studied. However, it is essential to note that the findings may not apply to all situations or countries. Nevertheless, this research serves as a stepping stone for future studies to delve deeper into the results and explore them in greater detail . The study highlights the crucial role of social workers as street-level workers in managing, negotiating and creating meaning in the interaction between professionals and the people they serve. This is especially relevant in Latin America. Additionally, the study emphasizes the significance of social workers as policy actors and the political nature of social work practice. The findings also underscore the importance of effective communication and collaboration between social workers, their teams and the organizations they work for. The sources cited in the study are Barberis and Boccagni (2014) and Cuadra and Staaf (2014). The research has also underscored the potential of social service workers to build networks and cooperate. Such networking can play a vital role in implementing their acquired knowledge. The study has, therefore, emphasized the importance of social workers being an integral part of the societies they serve. They need to continuously enhance their communication skills, using all the necessary tools to gain a comprehensive and updated understanding of the evolving needs of their clients. Integrating digital social work as a mode of service provision has emerged as a crucial aspect, especially in the three European countries observed. This approach has demonstrated its potential and is expected to continue being a part of services to some extent, even after the return to normalcy. However, it is essential to ensure that the accessibility and proximity of services are not compromised in any way. An unexpected result was observed during the research: the pandemic circumstances have led to valuable reflections. These reflections can help in rethinking and recreating social services. Social workers have been given a unique opportunity to return to the essence of their profession and develop less bureaucratic and more humane ways of working. This experience has also enabled them to recover a closer relationship with the people they serve. To sum up, this study emphasizes that social workers, when given more leeway in their work, rely on cultivating and upholding relationships with other professionals, organizations and stakeholders to stay connected with the community they serve. This is crucial for ensuring the delivery of effective and sustainable social services. The research employed a thematic analysis approach (Bazeley, 2007) to identify themes related to the concept of consciousness as derived from the field experiences of social workers. Additionally, an in-case and cross-case analysis method (Fereday and Muir-Cochrane, 2006) was used to connect themes related to individual experiences with those gathered from the overall experiences.Protecting vulnerability. An international comparison of social workers as street-level bureaucrats during the COVID-19 lockdown
Lluis Francesc Peris Cancio, Maria Alexandra Monteiro Mustafá
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

The purpose of this article’s research was threefold. Firstly, it aimed to investigate how social services professionals coped during the pandemic period by comparing their involvement in five different national contexts. Secondly, it analysed how these professionals have performed their duties according to the street-level bureaucracy theory. Finally, the third question examines social workers' strategies to guide their professional role when they may have had more discretion in their actions. The research also examined whether discretion has increased during this phase and, if so, how it has been exercised.

This article is based on the findings of the project called “Theory and Practice of Social Work in the World in Times of Pandemic”, which was funded by the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW). The project involved 11 universities across five countries in Europe and Latin America, including Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Spain and Sweden. The research was conducted over 24 months to analyse the practices and measures taken to protect vulnerable people by adapting social services during the extraordinary period of the pandemic. In addition, the research explored how the awareness of emergency arose among social workers and how it influenced the services delivered from the perspective of the street-level bureaucracy theory. In different countries, the level of resourcefulness of services has varied based on their recognition of the severity of the pandemic and the impact of the government’s narratives. In some cases, these narratives have been conspiratorial or even anti-scientific. Additionally, there has been a reduction in the distance between professionals and clients, increased inequalities in access to services and a positive reassessment of the potential of new professional tools, such as digital social work, in establishing a trusting relationship.

As revealed in the interviews, the elements shaping this high degree of discretion among social workers can be classified into three levels: macro- and micro- (Saruis, 2015) plus a meso-level. Each level has four significant aspects. At the macro-level, these are legislation, public information, large associationism and integration of the social services-health system. At the meso-level, these are interpretations of role performance by managers technical equipment, self-organization and community action. The micro-level pertains to personal and family situations, emotions, ethics and social workers' direct relationships with those in charge.

This study investigated how social workers responded to the Covid-19 pandemic. The data gathered sheds light on their understanding of the situation, as well as the differences in experiences across the five countries studied. However, it is essential to note that the findings may not apply to all situations or countries. Nevertheless, this research serves as a stepping stone for future studies to delve deeper into the results and explore them in greater detail .

The study highlights the crucial role of social workers as street-level workers in managing, negotiating and creating meaning in the interaction between professionals and the people they serve. This is especially relevant in Latin America. Additionally, the study emphasizes the significance of social workers as policy actors and the political nature of social work practice. The findings also underscore the importance of effective communication and collaboration between social workers, their teams and the organizations they work for. The sources cited in the study are Barberis and Boccagni (2014) and Cuadra and Staaf (2014). The research has also underscored the potential of social service workers to build networks and cooperate. Such networking can play a vital role in implementing their acquired knowledge. The study has, therefore, emphasized the importance of social workers being an integral part of the societies they serve. They need to continuously enhance their communication skills, using all the necessary tools to gain a comprehensive and updated understanding of the evolving needs of their clients. Integrating digital social work as a mode of service provision has emerged as a crucial aspect, especially in the three European countries observed. This approach has demonstrated its potential and is expected to continue being a part of services to some extent, even after the return to normalcy. However, it is essential to ensure that the accessibility and proximity of services are not compromised in any way.

An unexpected result was observed during the research: the pandemic circumstances have led to valuable reflections. These reflections can help in rethinking and recreating social services. Social workers have been given a unique opportunity to return to the essence of their profession and develop less bureaucratic and more humane ways of working. This experience has also enabled them to recover a closer relationship with the people they serve. To sum up, this study emphasizes that social workers, when given more leeway in their work, rely on cultivating and upholding relationships with other professionals, organizations and stakeholders to stay connected with the community they serve. This is crucial for ensuring the delivery of effective and sustainable social services.

The research employed a thematic analysis approach (Bazeley, 2007) to identify themes related to the concept of consciousness as derived from the field experiences of social workers. Additionally, an in-case and cross-case analysis method (Fereday and Muir-Cochrane, 2006) was used to connect themes related to individual experiences with those gathered from the overall experiences.

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Protecting vulnerability. An international comparison of social workers as street-level bureaucrats during the COVID-19 lockdown10.1108/IJSSP-12-2023-0312International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-03-07© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedLluis Francesc Peris CancioMaria Alexandra Monteiro MustafáInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-03-0710.1108/IJSSP-12-2023-0312https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-12-2023-0312/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
Analysis of tax compliance behavior of family businesses: combining social and psychology norms and legitimacy determinantshttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-12-2023-0314/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThis study aims to analyze the tax compliance behavior of family firms by integrating social and psychological norms with legitimacy determinants, focusing specifically on the Moroccan context. Employing a qualitative research design, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 chief executive officers (CEOs) of Moroccan family firms. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis to unravel the interplay between individual beliefs and societal norms. The findings reveal a complex interplay between the personal norms of CEOs and chief financial officers (CFOs) and wider societal and cultural expectations, significantly influencing tax compliance behavior. The study identifies the multifaceted nature of tax compliance, which is shaped by personal ethics, family values and the dominant societal tax culture. The research is limited by its qualitative approach and focus on Moroccan family businesses, which may not be generalizable to other contexts. Future studies could use a quantitative approach and expand to other geographical settings for a more comprehensive understanding. Insights from the study can assist policymakers and tax authorities in developing culturally sensitive tax compliance strategies that resonate with family business values. The research underscores the importance of considering sociocultural dimensions in tax compliance, fostering a more cooperative relationship between family businesses and tax authorities. The study contributes a novel perspective by synthesizing social, psychological and legitimacy factors in understanding tax compliance in the unique context of family businesses.Analysis of tax compliance behavior of family businesses: combining social and psychology norms and legitimacy determinants
Rida Belahouaoui, El Houssain Attak
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

This study aims to analyze the tax compliance behavior of family firms by integrating social and psychological norms with legitimacy determinants, focusing specifically on the Moroccan context.

Employing a qualitative research design, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 chief executive officers (CEOs) of Moroccan family firms. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis to unravel the interplay between individual beliefs and societal norms.

The findings reveal a complex interplay between the personal norms of CEOs and chief financial officers (CFOs) and wider societal and cultural expectations, significantly influencing tax compliance behavior. The study identifies the multifaceted nature of tax compliance, which is shaped by personal ethics, family values and the dominant societal tax culture.

The research is limited by its qualitative approach and focus on Moroccan family businesses, which may not be generalizable to other contexts. Future studies could use a quantitative approach and expand to other geographical settings for a more comprehensive understanding.

Insights from the study can assist policymakers and tax authorities in developing culturally sensitive tax compliance strategies that resonate with family business values.

The research underscores the importance of considering sociocultural dimensions in tax compliance, fostering a more cooperative relationship between family businesses and tax authorities.

The study contributes a novel perspective by synthesizing social, psychological and legitimacy factors in understanding tax compliance in the unique context of family businesses.

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Analysis of tax compliance behavior of family businesses: combining social and psychology norms and legitimacy determinants10.1108/IJSSP-12-2023-0314International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-03-22© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedRida BelahouaouiEl Houssain AttakInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-03-2210.1108/IJSSP-12-2023-0314https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-12-2023-0314/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
Female immigrant entrepreneurship – predicted by women’s empowerment in host countryhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-12-2023-0334/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe social inclusion of immigrants has been a central public policy issue in European countries, and entrepreneurship is often promoted as a form of integration. Female immigrants face double discrimination of gender and ethnicity while becoming entrepreneurs. The aim of the paper is to investigate the female empowerment in the host country as a predictor of immigrant women engagement in entrepreneurship. Based on panel data for European Union countries for years 2006–2021, female immigrant entrepreneurship was modelled by the impact of variables showing the empowerment of women in host countries. Data availability was the determinant regarding the inclusion of 22 countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden were all in the research sample. Although immigrant entrepreneurship is highly context-oriented and locale-specific (as in the physical setting for relationships among people), some universal patterns for a group of countries are found. A stronger political and managerial position of power for the women in host countries encourages female immigrant entrepreneurship, while the gender pay gap is statistically insignificant. The originality of the paper is due to the multi-country level and female-focused research perspectives in immigrant entrepreneurship. The study refers to the intersectionality of gender and ethnicity, arguing that the empowerment of women in host countries affects female immigrant entrepreneurship at the macro-level.Female immigrant entrepreneurship – predicted by women’s empowerment in host country
Aleksandra Gaweł, Timo Toikko
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

The social inclusion of immigrants has been a central public policy issue in European countries, and entrepreneurship is often promoted as a form of integration. Female immigrants face double discrimination of gender and ethnicity while becoming entrepreneurs. The aim of the paper is to investigate the female empowerment in the host country as a predictor of immigrant women engagement in entrepreneurship.

Based on panel data for European Union countries for years 2006–2021, female immigrant entrepreneurship was modelled by the impact of variables showing the empowerment of women in host countries. Data availability was the determinant regarding the inclusion of 22 countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden were all in the research sample.

Although immigrant entrepreneurship is highly context-oriented and locale-specific (as in the physical setting for relationships among people), some universal patterns for a group of countries are found. A stronger political and managerial position of power for the women in host countries encourages female immigrant entrepreneurship, while the gender pay gap is statistically insignificant.

The originality of the paper is due to the multi-country level and female-focused research perspectives in immigrant entrepreneurship. The study refers to the intersectionality of gender and ethnicity, arguing that the empowerment of women in host countries affects female immigrant entrepreneurship at the macro-level.

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Female immigrant entrepreneurship – predicted by women’s empowerment in host country10.1108/IJSSP-12-2023-0334International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy2024-02-15© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedAleksandra GawełTimo ToikkoInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policyahead-of-printahead-of-print2024-02-1510.1108/IJSSP-12-2023-0334https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSSP-12-2023-0334/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited