The Rise of Network Society
Abstract
From the Publisher:
This ambitious book is an account of the economic and social dynamics of the new age of information. Based on research in the USA, Asia, Latin America, and Europe, it aims to formulate a systematic theory of the information society which takes account of the fundamental effects of information technology on the contemporary world.
The global economy is now characterized by the almost instantaneous flow and exchange of information, capital and cultural communication. These flows order and condition both consumption and production. The networks themselves reflect and create distinctive cultures. Both they and the traffic they carry are largely outside national regulation. Our dependence on the new modes of informational flow gives enormous power to those in a position to control them to control us. The main political arena is now the media, and the media are not politically answerable.
Manuel Castells describes the accelerating pace of innovation and application. He examines the processes of globalization that have marginalized and now threaten to make redundant whole countries and peoples excluded from informational networks. He investigates the culture, institutions and organizations of the network enterprise and the concomitant transformation of work and employment. He points out that in the advanced economies production is now concentrated on an educated section of the population aged between 25 and 40: many economies can do without a third or more of their people. He suggests that the effect of this accelerating trend may be less mass unemployment than the extreme flexibilization of work and individualization of labor, and, in consequence, a highly segmented socialstructure.
The author concludes by examining the effects and implications of technological change on mass media culture ("the culture of real virtuality"), on urban life, global politics, and the nature of time and history. Written by one of the worlds leading social thinkers and researchers The Rise of the Network Society is the first of three linked investigations of contemporary global, economic, political and social change. It is a work of outstanding penetration, originality, and importance.
... The questions raised by the above-mentioned scholars from a critical perspective about the homogeneity of values and the trivialising of difference remind us of Castells's (2010) counterargument about an emerging global citizenship and shared values. Based on empirical observations, Castells (2010: xxxvi) concludes that the 'networks are global, but the narratives, values, and interests are diverse, and globally produced and distributed, albeit asymmetrically, around the world … We are not sharing a global culture. ...
... The results reported above, based on the 2014 WVS data, show that (1) neither the global rights and responsibilities nor the global competitiveness models of value priorities are dominant among students and (2) students grouped according to the continents where they live do not share a common set of values. Our finding that value priorities of university students across the world are not homogeneous confirms the critical perspective's value pluralism (Bosio and Waghid, 2023) and Castells's (2010) research-based observation that networks are global, but that values are diverse. The significance of this finding is that it supports value pluralism. ...
Abstract
The many universities across the world that promote internationalisation together with global citizenship education overtly or covertly orient their students around particular global citizenship values. Neoliberal and liberal humanist perspectives on global citizenship have historically dominated global citizenship education. The neoliberal ‘global competitiveness’ model promotes the values Achievement and Power, and the humanist ‘global rights and responsibilities’ model promotes the values Benevolence and Universalism. The critical perspective has emerged to challenge these dominant approaches. Inter alia, the critical perspective has argued against the prescription of certain values (or homogeneity of values) and for value pluralism that is open-ended. We investigated the extent to which these different perspectives on global citizenship values correspond with patterns in the value priorities among students from across the world. With data from the World Values Survey, we tested for homogeneity of values among students and assessed whether either global rights and responsibilities or global competitiveness values are dominant. There is no clear evidence of students’ values converging as either global rights and responsibilities or global competitiveness. These findings suggest that a critical perspective on global citizenship education, which acknowledges value pluralism, is better suited to work with differences in student value priorities by creating opportunities in dialogical non-prescriptive ways for the conceptualisation of multiple global citizen selves.
... Building on this understanding, Phills et al. (2008, p. 36) define social innovation as "a novel solution to a social problem that is more effective, efficient, sustainable, or just than existing solutions and for which the primary value created accrues to society as a whole rather than private individuals." The term "social" also encompasses critical concepts such as learning, social capital, social interaction, and social networks (Castells, 2011;Nicholls & Murdock, 2012). The discourse surrounding the connection between social and technological innovation holds significant importance as it raises essential questions about the nature and role of innovation in contemporary society (Godin, 2015;Gulbrandsen & Aanstad, 2015). ...
... The information society incorporated a new and unfamiliar uncertainty, amplified by the slow disintegration of the USSR. To counter this uncertainty, an alternative, more collaborative model of industrial organization was developed, based on network logic (Benkler, 2006;Castells, 2011;Beck, 2016). The fall of the Berlin Wall led to a different opening of international markets, which was accompanied by a reduction in the role of states in socioeconomic dynamics and a progressive distancing from the manufacturing sector. ...
Purpose
The paper positions social and technological innovation as pivotal counterforces to conservative resistance against change, particularly in light of the recurrent economic and technological upheavals characterizing the present shape of capitalism.
Design/methodology/approach
The research adopts a qualitative methodology, rooted in a comparative case study approach, offering a critical retrospective analysis of societal disruptions and transformations. Central to this methodological framework is the construct of sensemaking, which is characterized as the process by which collective entities retrospectively develop plausible narratives that rationalize their experiences. The approach is informed by the dynamics of socio-ecological systems, which are understood to undergo cyclical phases of growth, stabilization, collapse, and regeneration.
Findings
The study shows evidence that resilience and adaptability are more authentically gauged by socio-technological responses to cyclical disruptions and recoveries. It delineates sensemaking as a crucial socioecological mechanism through which elicitation emerges and societies and organizations navigate these cycles, forging shared narratives from collective experiences that are driven by plausibility rather than mere accuracy.
Practical implications
The research calls for the development of policies that synthesize disruptive innovations with strategies for social cohesion. Such policies must ensure the protection of the socioeconomic texture from implicit structural precariousness arising from innovation. The ability to integrate and institutionalize change is emphasized as crucial, demanding a synergy between innovative creativity, new normative frameworks, and the preservation of fundamental societal values.
Originality/value
The paper challenges reductionist technological interpretations of societal changes, advocating for a holistic perspective that accounts for the redistributive and elicitation roles as vital to the evolution of socio-economic systems. The value of this research lies in its comprehensive framing of these transformations, underscoring the importance of a multi-faceted understanding in the effective management of socioeconomic change.
... Network hospitality is trying to describe a new way of being together thanks to the affordances of all of these network technologies and peer-to-peer platforms. In developing this idea, I was inspired by Andreas Wittel's (2001) work on network sociality, which in turn was inspired by Manuel Castells' (1996) work on network society. I was trying to think about how, in the 21st century, so much of the way that people are together isn't necessarily just social, but it's hospitable. ...
In this interview, Germann Molz emphasized the idea that we must go beyond a moralistic view of technology. If we want to understand how people, places, mobile technologies, and digital or hybrid environments are intertwined, we need to change or adjust our analytical lenses. Rather than subscribing to technological determinism, she advocates for the concept of affordances.
... With elements such as circular design, artisanal craftsmanship, robotics, and augmented reality at its core, the installation stands as a testament to the symbiotic relationship between immersive art and urban heritage. The intricate mesh of physical and digital dynamics, reminiscent of the liminal spaces, becomes palpable in this immersive framework (Castells, 2010;Carpo, 2017). ...
... In recent years, the strong influence of digital technology has changed various aspects of our lives, impacting societies across the world (Castells, 1996;Wellman et al., 2003). The continuous advancements in digital technologies, such as the internet, social media, artificial intelligence, and mobile devices, have brought about manifold changes in how we communicate, work, access information, and interact with each other (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010;Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2014). ...
This paper is based on systematic review and bibliometric analysis of Digital Technology and Society. The chief purpose of this review paper is to provide a holistic perspective of publication trend and trajectory in terms of citations and publication metrics. This study analyses the bibliometric data found from Scopus database for the year 2014 to 2023, in order to reveal the most productive countries, authors, and journals in the domain of digital technologies and society. Only journal articles published in English language were considered for this study, total 135 journal articles were used to conduct the analysis. VOSviewer software was used to present the mapping and networks of bibliographic coupling, Co-Citation, and keyword Co-Occurrence analysis. The findings reveal that there is a continuous rise in the number of publications after the year 2016 in the domain of digital technology and society. Russian federation has been the most productive country in terms of number of paper publications. Technology and Society journal has published maximum papers in the domain of digital technology and society. Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review were found to have strong Co-Citation Connections. The primary addition of this research is to provide an overview of the research work published so far in the area of Digital Technology and Society that may help scholars to understand the tendencies and future research directions across the world.
... The term "digital society" describes a social framework where individuals engage with one another primarily through digital networks, and where access to information and services is facilitated by digital platforms. Manuel Castells popularized the concept of the network society, which is regarded as one of the most unique forms of social organization in the digital age (Castells, 2010). ...
This article explores the development of cultural identities on digital platforms and the influence of these identities on political and social interactions. This analysis centers on the impact of digital revolution on cultural diversity and the creation of online identity politics. Online platforms enable individuals to express and reinforce their cultural identities, but they can also facilitate cultural conflicts. The article examines the political and social consequences of the development of cultural identities on the internet and explores topics such as safeguarding or stifling diversity. Hence, comprehending the impacts of digital transformation on cultural identities is a substantial challenge and potential for political decision-makers. This article seeks to enhance comprehension of cultural identities and politics on online platforms within political and social contexts.
... Castells's theory "space of flows" (1996) about cultural abstraction of space and time and their dynamic interactions with digital age society situate spaces like Consoleya in Cairo, together with the increasing proliferation of coworking spaces in the Middle East and around the world as networks linking transnational elite entrepreneurs, reinforcing upper class subject-formation. Even though Castells's theoretical work indicated ahead of time that power existed in networks, and that what counts in an economy is not being in the "right place" but rather being part of the "right network" (Castells, 1996). Castells left the idea of how power and "spaces of flows" can create zones of exception in the city, how such "spaces of flow," detached from the immediate locality and more connected to global capital, may challenge the traditional notion of citizenship by creating a new social contract of "flexible citizenship(s)" (Ong, 1999), which operate differently locally versus regionally and globally, being more attuned to other "lifestyles," rules, regulations, concessions and benefits than the surrounding. ...
This paper examines the remaking of Downtown Cairo in the post-revolutionary era through real-estate’s adoption of the creative city approach using a neoliberal strategy of adaptive reuse for historical buildings. Through mapping a new narrative of coworking spaces in Downtown Cairo and carrying out spatial and observational analyses of Consoleya coworking space as a case study, the paper situates and theorizes spatial practices of the creative city and explores the subject formation of the entrepreneurial citizen as a neoliberal strategy to pacify Downtown Cairo. The analysis draws on the work of Harvey’s entrepreneurial urbanism, Bourdieu’s social con-struct of capital, and Foucault’s subject formation to demonstrate coworking spaces’ monetization of Downtown Cairo, generation of class privileges and exercise of control through an entertaining atmosphere of co-creation. The case study epitomizes New Egypt’s neoliberal era of soft control recurring in the ongoing urban regeneration projects of Downtown Cairo.
... Positioned as a sustainable megacity and Egypt's administrative hub, the NAC aims to span around 170,000 acres and house up to seven million residents. With an estimated cost exceeding USD 45 billion, funding is sourced from both the Egyptian government and private entities [15]. ...
The concept of sustainable architecture plays a pivotal role in developing prosperous and environmentally friendly cities. The New Administrative Capital, as depicted in state media, incorporates many sustainable design elements. This includes the use of environmentally friendly building materials, energy-efficient infrastructure, water conservation and recycling, waste reduction, and the provision of green spaces along with efficient public transportation networks. The successful integration of these sustainable features within the NAC highlights the positive outcomes that can be achieved through sustainable urban architecture in major cities. These results not only reduce the environmental footprint but also improve the quality of life and provide economic benefits. However, to encourage the widespread adoption of sustainable urban architecture practices in major cities, further research, policy adjustments, and community engagement are essential. Therefore, this paper aims to present a framework specifically designed to evaluate sustainable initiatives within the New Administrative Capital of Cairo, focusing on its government district and examining the environmental, economic, and societal dimensions. This study will use a qualitative descriptive case study design complemented by a content analysis method.
... It is what enters the private spaces of the fans and creates a 'territory' reaction, which is also extraordinary. The network society-implemented on digital fandom-formed by digital media has succeeded in connecting individuals with other individuals and institutions at the macro level, which more or less reconstructs the identities of these individuals 22 . Here is where hyper-reality and panoptic action are often reproduced altogether. ...
The reflections of joy in the lyrics are part of the singer's message tactic in his songs. Even so, with the overall packaging of the singer's appearance. The problem is when world-class singers sing self-motivating songs for their listeners, at the same time, life's troubles become familiar to the singer. Many articles also reported how severe depression, mental health, and suicide occurred in the lives of these artists. Demi Lovato, Shia, and Ariana Grande are some Western artists claiming to have experienced mental health problems. In the ranks of Korean artists, names such as Twice Jeongyeon, AOA Kwon Mina, HyunA, Red Velvet Wendy, and Super Junior Heechul are artists who have also experienced mental health problems and severe depression. The same thing happened to the BTS members. RM and Suga are two members who have admitted to experiencing depression and seeing life as an uphill struggle. This study aims to describe how BTS songs with the theme 'Love yourself' do not reflect the lives of BTS members under strict agency rules and fans' supervision. Ultimately, the theme of 'love yourself' is just a simulation strategy that generates 'false joy' for the members but has a substantial economic impact on the agency. This study uses the concepts of simulacra, panopticon, and duality reflection. At the same time, the research method is qualitative, with document study as a data collection technique. The unit of analysis is the text, namely the BTS song lyrics with the theme 'love yourself' and media reports about the members' lives. These two data are then compared and produce a simulacra picture because there is no reflection on what is being sung and what the members are experiencing. A life full of surveillance from fans and companies removes the privacy boundaries of the members who are-in the end-just a commodity for business turnover. It is where the irony occurs. The pseudo-happiness experienced by these members generated many economic benefits for the agency. Increasing the number of listeners, purchasing merchandise, selling concert tickets, traffic on social media, and brand endorsements are essential aspects that can be monetized by the agency, which accompanies the fame of the songs sung by BTS. While living without romantic relationships, solitude, and loneliness, the prohibition of direct interaction via social media with fans are some things that fence off the members' lives and make them even more alienated from social life.
... While IR often refers to cities as part of global politics in the past -for instance Greek city states in the Peloponnesian War or the Hanseatic League as examples of early globalization -a global, contemporary perspective on cities emerged in the 1990s through influential work by Sassen (1991) and Castells (1996) who established the idea of 'World Cities' at the intersection of IR, sociology, and urban studies (Derudder et al. 2011). Focusing on the city's function for the global economy, namely for global companies and markets (Bassens et al. 2019, 3), this intellectual tradition conceptualizes cities as strategic sites or nodes in a global network of economic interactions which created international hierarchies between different cities in their importance for the global economy (Bouteligier 2014, 60;Acuto and Leffel 2021, 9-10). ...
Bridging across the strands of urban studies, norm research and network research, this article examines how International Relations (IR) research can contribute to a comprehensive and comparative analysis of international city networks (ICNs). ICNs have regularly been examined in urban studies, showing a growing degree of networking among cities, global representation of urban actors, but also a growing implementation of global norms on the local level. Yet, we know little on the variety of ICNs’ activities and explanations for them. To facilitate further research on ICNs and explain this variance, the paper proceeds in four main steps: We first present research in urban studies, highlighting the manifold empirical insights linked to ICNs and global norms, yet also showing that generalizable explanations on what causes specific activities of these networks deserve more attention. In a second step, with a view to classify ICNs’ activities, we show how norm research can enrich the study of ICNs. In particular, we show the existent variety of activities in norm dynamics, ranging from norm initiation and adoption to norm contestation. In a third step, emphasizing that ICNs are global networks, we review IR network
research with a view to examine the structural characteristics of ICNs and their influence on ICNs’ activities. In a final step, we show that combining these research strands leads to a more comprehensive understanding of specific ICNs, and using them as complementary approaches enables the systematic development of novel hypotheses on ICNs. All in all, the article paves a way not only to more systematic research on ICNs, but also for cross-fertilization of usually separated research strands in IR.
... (Schlör 2015: 11) In the current debates, Jewish urban landscapes and buildings contribute to the construction of social relations; yet their significance is often fluid and open to interpretation rather than intrinsic. (Castells 1996) These new trends can be observed across Europe. There are hundreds and thousands of physical and symbolic de-/reconstructions of historical sites, shtetls, ghettos, "Jewish districts" and neighbourhoods, cemeteries, etc., in Europe today. ...
The special urban nature of the Holocaust experiences of Jewish forced laborers deported from Hungary to Vienna in the summer of 1944 (work in industrial areas and in bomb-damaged houses across the city, use of public transportation, visiting hospitals, etc.) combined with their images and knowledge of Viennese culture and history figure prominently in the survivors' testimonies. It is also very interesting how the project of The Vienna Wiesenthal Institute for Holocaust Studies (Vienna, Austria) entitled “Ungarische Zwangsarbeit in Wien” (http://ungarische-zwangsarbeit-in-wien.at/) that is built mainly on these oral history sources influences the recent images of Vienna. The overlap and (accidental, intentional and/or historical and cultural) juxtapositions between Vienna as the imperial "Kaiserstadt" and the locus of the Holocaust experiences of Jewish forced laborers deported from Hungary act as an especially potent way to create and emphasize complex Viennese narrative identities.
... Nevertheless, in an increasingly networked society, the interdependence among (largely) autonomous institutions naturally grows and forces these institutions to continuously interact with one another. This means that the internal logic underlying the actions of institutions must-in a balanced form-also integrate external elements in order to be able to operate within society (Castells 1996;Giddens 1984). The reason for this is that individual social institutions have different, but mutually contingent interests in solving particular problems and, in the problem-solving process, depend on each other's resources to attain their goals. ...
... Communication theory is the field of study, which explores the ways in which knowledge, information, ideas, and thoughts among individuals or groups are transmitted through written language, verbal language, non-verbal means, and symbols (Castells 2000;Gomez and Ballard 2013). There are many elements of communication, among which are feedback, two-way communication, face-to-face communication, and non-verbal communication (Ziemer and Tranter 2015). ...
This is the second installment of volume 22 of the Journal "Religion and Social Communication" published by the Asian Research Center for Religion and Social Communication, St. John's University, Thailand.
... In 1997, Castells cited the example of the marginalized Zapatistas, an indigenous political group in Mexico, which harnessed the Internet to coordinate their endeavors and advocate for autonomy and self-determination in their dealings with the Mexican government. WikiLeaks serves as another illustrative instance of Internet activism as a component of democratic engagement (Castells, 2010). ...
This research proposes Foucauldian Discourse Analysis (FDA) as an innovative qualitative methodology to investigate the use of social media as a platform of power control through shared opinions. A phenomenon where social media used as a medium for public to express themselves whereas previously was often done physically (offline), is now more likely to be done in digital area through social media. This study found that the main discourse held no more power than the opponent’s discourse in the contestation. In reality, the main discourse weakened and morphed to dampened actions but still could not become a consensus that led to student action on the streets. While the main discourse was powerfully amplified from bottom to center elites, it ultimately resulted in defeat and failed to acquire acceptance or legitimation by society, leading to pseudo-power.
... The relevance of megachurches, observed latest in the outgoing quarter of the 20 th century, is linked to processes of urbanization and especially to a global megatrend of megacities; it is further linked to widening sectors of the middle class in most countries, providing for new accesses to social upward mobility and geographical migration. Megachurches, with their fluid network connectivity, would fit perfectly in what became known in social theory as the contemporary "rise of the network society" (Castells 1996;Christerson and Flory 2017) that displays the fundamental role of information technology. In the literature on megachurches and especially of a North American provenience, still the broadest corpus of literature on the theme, we can discern arguments linking the rise of megachurches in terms of economic market theory. ...
What does it mean for the spirit world to be real? Scholars from different disciplines investigate this topic focusing on the role played by the spiritual realm in Pentecostalized Africa. The grammatical angle of their research proves to be a fruitful avenue to clarify the kind of reality or realities the spirit world has. This novel approach takes us beyond most existing research by investigating the often unaddressed assumption that we know what it means for the spirit world to be taken as real. This volume shows the importance of paying close attention to the grammar according to which people speak of spirits, Spirit, witchcraft, ancestors and other aspects of the spirit world.
... NPM that emerged in 1990s as a liberal reform focuses on improving the performance of public sector using private sector techniques and also promotes consultation with different stakeholders (Donina & Paleari, 2019;Hanif et al., 2016). Both NPM and governance are two different yet similar approaches to administer an organization as both the approaches use tools to cope with growing complexities (Castells, 2011;Christensen & Laegreid, 2007;Klijn, 2012). ...
The paper tracks the history of higher education reforms in Pakistan and examines the recent higher education reform initiatives undertaken by Higher Education Commission under 'Higher Education Commission Vision 2025'. It also highlights the challenges faced during the implementation of these reforms and proposes different solutions. Qualitative approach was adopted to carry out this study and seventeen semi-structured interviews of senior officials belonging to Federal Higher Education Commission, Punjab Higher Education Commission, Higher Education Department and senior academicians belonging to different public sector universities of Punjab were carried out. Secondary data comprising of published reports and policies was also analyzed. Multiple reform initiatives to improve the quality of faculty, higher education and its governance were found to have been implemented in higher education institutions. Jurisdictional ambiguity of federal and provincial higher education commissions after 18 th constitutional amendment, their inadequate consultation with each other and other stakeholders, no formal performance evaluation of previously implemented initiatives, incompatibility between reforms and university culture and excessive political intervention in HEC and in universities were identified as major challenges faced during the implementation of reform initiatives.
... In it they explore the labour question in the digital age. In opposition to the-endof-labour-thesis proponents, including Manuel Castells (1996), the end of labour triumphalist, and Michael Burawoy (2010), the uncompromising labour pessimist, Webster and Dor expound the power resources approach, showing that it frames the labour question differently. It is in this chapter that they defend and lay a solid foundation for the application of the power resources approach and its extension in the chapters that follow. ...
Professor Edward Webster, affectionately known as Eddie, breathed his last on 5 March 2024, twenty-four days before his eighty-second birthday. Eddie was healthy and had just participated in a run. The shocking untimely death has left a profound void. His impactful research work, integrating a consistent focus on work and labour, spanned decades, dating back to the early 1970s. Eddie went beyond just researching and publishing – activities in which he engaged extensively. He was an engaged intellectual, actively involved in the emancipatory working-class movement to change the world he researched. Writing with Lynford Dor, Webster defends the power resources approach which identifies the sources of workers' power and includes a focus on workers' resistance to exploitation in pursuit of their interests. Webster successfully challenges the “end of labour thesis” using evidence-based sectoral case studies from a selection of global South countries. He brought together contributions by other scholars in the edited book. The “end of labour thesis” can also be challenged from the standpoint of the labour theory of value. However, this is not part of the authors’ chosen approach, which suffices on its own merits.
... La globalización es, sin duda, el fenómeno sociológico sobre el que más se ha polemizado desde el pasado siglo hasta nuestros días. Sus múltiples perspectivas y niveles de análisis, determinados tanto por los disímiles sectores sobre los que irradia como por su constante evolución, le adjudican dosis de alta complejidad (Castells, 1996). Su incidencia ha impactado significativamente en diversos ámbitos de la vida social, incluyendo el fenómeno criminal y económico (Beck, 2000). ...
Este ensayo analiza el impacto de la globalización en la política criminal, destacando la complejidad y los desafíos que enfrenta en un mundo interconectado. Se resalta la importancia de la cooperación internacional y la armonización legal para abordar delitos transnacionales como el tráfico de drogas y la trata de personas. Se enfatiza la necesidad de incluir perspectivas interculturales y de género en las políticas criminales globales para proteger los derechos humanos y promover la equidad en la aplicación de la ley a nivel mundial.
Since the launch of its “New Socialist Countryside Construction” (NSCC) programme in 2005, China has experienced significant rural restructuring, marked by both new urban-rural connectivity and a diversification of rural socio-economic and spatial structures. Thereafter, and under the Xi administration, the “National Rural Revitalisation Strategy” was launched. It can be considered to be both a successor to the NSCC and to represent renewed effort to integrate pluralising rural society into the party-state apparatus through state programmes that increasingly involve local and external social stakeholders in the implementation stage. This national integration process of rural society, also known as rural integration, is in line with China's rural governance and development tradition which both date back to Imperial China. Viewed in this manner, the NRRS can be seen as part of a broader state-building objective.
This recent governance transition has led to the emergence of a hybrid rural development approach which is referred to, in this thesis, as “neo-exogenous development” (NED). Unlike community-oriented (neo-)endogenous development approaches, NED is characterised by a party-state-led collaborative innovation process in which the ‘active party-state’ — comprised of both central- and local- state bureaucrats and semi-formal rural party agents — act as the primary development actors rather than civil society groups. In addition to physical improvement, the NED aims to guide rural communities towards becoming “activated communities” that understand how to communicate and cooperate with the “active party-state”, as a result of rural integration.
This thesis has two main goals: first, it provides deeper understanding of rural development theory and practice in China, by shifting to a conception of rural development that is rooted in the longer Chinese experience of state-building and unique party-state regime rather than in Western (and mainly European) analyses. Secondly, it unpacks the operational mechanisms and policy effectiveness of NED, which are represented in the thesis by the Modern Agricultural Zone (MAZ). For the purpose of evaluation, effectiveness centres on the propensity of a development model to generate and retain local value; a major challenge for global rural development practice
The purpose of this research is to delve into the detailed perform between the gender and digital participation in Panchkhal Municipality, which is located in the developing tech realm of Kavre District. The research investigates the subtle relationship between gender and digital dimensions, including self-rated digital literacy, internet habits, online safety mindfulness, and the desire to improve digital prowess. This research uses a combination of methods to access data from a field survey conducted within Panchkhal Municipality. This survey includes a wide range of participants, recording their gender preferences and digital behaviors. It also used quantitative analysis, primarily the Pearson Chi-Square test, to identify significant connections between gender and the examined digital factors. This method provides empirical support for a more nuanced sociological perspective on gender's role in forming digital interactions. The findings reveal intriguing patterns: gender has no influence on self-rated digital competence levels, but it does have a significant influence on internet use patterns, online safety awareness, and the desire to improve one's skills. These differences reveal gendered sections within tech engagement, implying that genders share inclinations while also having distinct choices, susceptibilities, and aspirations. Beyond the numbers, our research emphasizes the importance of fostering all-encompassing digital literacy initiatives that take gender differences into account. Furthermore, we advocate for just technological ecosystems while acknowledging the complex dance of norms in society, gender personas, and tech behavior. This study adds to our sociological understanding of how gender presents on the digital canvas by unraveling gender- infused threads interwoven into digital interaction. These insights transcend academia, guiding us to craft actions and policies that shape a more equitable, inclusive digital future in Panchkhal Municipality and beyond.
The purpose of this research is to delve into the detailed performance between the gender and digital participation in Panchkhal Municipality, which is located in the developing tech realm of Kavre District. The research investigates the subtle relationship between gender and digital dimensions, including self-rated digital literacy, internet habits, online safety mindfulness, and the desire to improve digital prowess. This research uses a combination of methods to access data from a field survey conducted within Panchkhal Municipality. This survey includes a wide range of participants, recording their gender preferences and digital behaviors. It also used quantitative analysis, primarily the Pearson Chi-Square test, to identify significant connections between gender and the examined digital factors. This method provides empirical support for a more nuanced sociological perspective on gender's role in forming digital interactions. The findings reveal intriguing patterns: gender has no influence on self-rated digital competence levels, but it does have a significant influence on internet use patterns, online safety awareness, and the desire to improve one's skills. These differences reveal gendered sections within tech engagement, implying that genders share inclinations while also having distinct choices, susceptibilities, and aspirations. Beyond the numbers, our research emphasizes the importance of fostering all-encompassing digital literacy initiatives that take gender differences into account. Furthermore, we advocate for just technological ecosystems while acknowledging the complex dance of norms in society, gender personas, and tech behavior. This study adds to our sociological understanding of how gender presents on the digital canvas by unraveling gender[1]infused threads interwoven into digital interaction. These insights transcend academia, guiding us to craft actions and policies that shape a more equitable, inclusive digital future in Panchkhal Municipality, Kavre Palanchowk district and beyond.
The study is on the topic "Globalization and National Policy Making in Third World Countries" and considers Nigeria as a case study. It investigates the impact of globalization on politics and policy making in third world countries. Developing countries are particularly vulnerable to global events and actions and have become heavily dependent on the international community for financial and technical assistance. As a result, poor countries generally have weak and fragile political accountability regimes, and national policies are tied to global issues. With few autonomous institutions and little ability to counter the power of the central government, external agencies wield great influence as potentially important political actors.
I therefore attempt to explore the impact of globalization on public policy in relation to Nigeria's economic development. My main proposition is that Nigeria cannot meet the challenges of contemporary globalization without sustained efforts to develop its economic base. For if the objective of globalization is to advance the national development agenda, then globalization is likely to be utilitarian. This essay was based on Marxist theory of the state. The significance of this approach to this essay is that it begins with a comprehensive examination of the country's historical experience and the impact it has had on today's political economy. The research design was historically descriptive and data was obtained from secondary sources. Content analysis was used to analyze the data obtained. The study concludes that many poor countries like Nigeria have liberalized their economies without adequate preparation or care. I recommended that Nigeria should formulate economic policies that take into account Nigeria's specific needs and circumstances to promote inclusive economic development.
Exploring the dynamic genres of animation and comic book films, this book examines the transmedia role of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and its critical involvement in attempts to diversify representations in youth-oriented cinema and culture.
Several years after the movie’s immense commercial and critical success, a look back on the innovative features of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse shows how the film’s force derives from its thoughtful depiction of Miles Morales – a young, Afro-Latino superhero who must face systemic obstacles his white predecessor nerver worried about. Engaging a web of pressing topics in the field – from transmedia storytelling to identity formation and minority representation – this book offers an accessible analysis of the hypertextual design and animation techniques, which help this film to sensitively confront the combustible dynamics of racial representation in contemporary American youth culture.
Written in an approachable style, this book is suitable for undergraduates, postgraduates, and specialists in the field. It is a versatile resource for media studies, film studies, animation studies, and cultural studies courses, but will also appeal to fans seeking to investigate the thematic underbelly of Into the Spider-Verse.
El mundo está sobrecalentado, la civilización global se ha arrinconado y negocia un incómodo doble dilema entre los imperativos del crecimiento y la urgente necesidad de soluciones sostenibles. Hoy en día existe un amplio consenso sobre la necesidad urgente de tomar en serio estos retos en la investigación, la movilización política y la elaboración de políticas. La cuestión es qué tipo de conocimiento se necesita para dar los pasos adecuados. La respuesta corta es: Muchos tipos de conocimiento. Una respuesta más larga comienza con una pregunta complementaria: ¿Qué conocimientos? Utilizando el concepto y la metáfora del sobrecalentamiento para explicar el estancamiento contemporáneo, esta contribución muestra la importancia de la interdisciplinariedad y se pregunta hasta qué punto los conocimientos producidos en antropología pueden contribuir al tipo de esclarecimiento que se necesita. ¿Debemos aprender de los errores y aciertos del pasado, buscar los conocimientos necesarios en las pequeñas sociedades restantes o, por el contrario, insistir en que la modernidad tiene que resolver sus contradicciones por sus propios medios, ya sea con algún tipo de gobierno global o con soluciones tecnológicas?
The use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in education has become an increasingly interesting topic as the digital era develops. In this analysis, we investigate the challenges faced as well as the prospects offered by IoT integration in the context of education. One of the main challenges is data security, where the sensitivity of student information requires careful protection from cybersecurity threats. In addition, the infrastructure required to support IoT implementation, such as the availability of fast internet connections and appropriate hardware, is also an important concern. The need for special skills for educators and administrative staff to understand and manage IoT technology effectively is a challenge in itself. Nevertheless, the use of IoT in education also holds a number of exciting prospects. One of them is its ability to provide a more personalized learning experience. By collecting real-time data on student progress, education can be tailored to each student's individual needs, improving learning effectiveness. IoT technology also allows for more interactive learning, such as the use of IoT devices in laboratory experiments or simulations, which can increase student engagement. Administrative efficiency can also be improved through process automation such as inventory management and student attendance monitoring. Additionally, IoT allows for better collaboration between students, teachers, and parents. Through the IoT platform, information about student progress can be easily accessed and shared, improving communication and cooperation between education stakeholders. Integrating IoT in the educational curriculum will require careful planning and investment in skill development as well as adequate infrastructure. By taking these challenges and prospects into account, education can harness the full potential of IoT technology to create a more effective and connected learning environment in this digital era.
Italy was the first Western country to be heavily affected by Covid-19 after the first Chinese outbreak. Apart from the effects in terms of health and emergency issues, mainstream discourses have been early monopolized by the need to reconsider the ways of living and working in post-pandemic times. An ubiquitarian narrative mobilizing a “back-to-the-village” rhetoric transversally emphasized the possibility to permanently or temporarily live in small towns and villages thanks to the unprecedented opportunities provided by remote working, often combined with tourist practices.
This chapter aims at evaluating to what extent remote working has been mobilized in several mainstream discourses to tackle the challenges that small villages, rural areas, and marginal contexts have to face in the country, where the epidemics has emphasized the historically rooted territorial fragmentation.
In particular, the research explores discourses combining smart working and new mobility/tourist models and practices such as “workation” to scrutinize if these innovation practices fall within strategies of local development or, on the contrary, of territorial corporization, by reproducing crystallized stereotyped imageries about marginal places.
Tacit knowledge flows can be facilitated by employment transitions, such as for example the transitions of PhDs from university employment to industry. There are however barriers to transitions into and out of university employment, and as a consequence, such transitions are relatively rare. PhDs can circumvent the barriers to permanent transitions by simultaneous secondary employment relationships. Though we know that such cross-employment exists, we do not know how common it de facto is. In this paper, we use a nine-year panel of daily-level employment microdata on the full population of Finnish PhDs to show that about 30% of university-employed PhDs are cross-employed outside of universities. This is a substantial share, and its magnitude alone suggests a central but underappreciated role for cross-employment in contemporary knowledge production and dissemination. We furthermore find that similar numbers of non–university-employed PhDs are cross-employed at universities as university PhDs are cross-employed outside of universities, and that many cross-employment relationships are in non-technical fields, and with public sector organizations. This illustrates the importance of understanding the nature of knowledge flows other than the unidirectional flows of technical knowledge from universities to industrial firms.
In media and communication research the datafied society has become a core concept for describing a society in which data-based sense making has become a fundamental principle of the construction of reality. In datafied societies it is often suggested that the possibilities of human agency are evolving, while also recognizing that a new form of machinic agency has become a ubiquitous phenomenon of daily life. The thematic issue Agency in a datafied society takes up such a discussion and aims to contribute to further clarification through theoretical and empirical articles. This introduction aims to achieve two objectives: First, it addresses the intellectual risks posed by empirical and conceptual ambiguity linked to vague interpretations of a datafied society. In tandem, it systematically categorizes the diverse applications of the term agency in the context of investigating a datafied society. Both serve as a foundation for situating the further contributions to this special issue in within the broader discourse of the field.
The processes of cognition of the theory of commitment to the profession of a higher education teacher for the establishment of improved higher education and the accompanying scientific and expert discussions began long before the start of the reformation of the 21st century, however, the total transition to a new form of advanced training and innovative work of universities since 2021 has updated a new round of discussions about how the use of digital technologies is changing the landscape of higher education and the roles and modes of work of professionals. The article, based on a series of semi-structured interviews with teachers from 3 universities, most often of a humanitarian nature, which were collected in two stages from March to April 2021 and a survey of teachers in June 2023, discusses the transformation of the teaching profession in the new conditions after 2015. The key attention is paid to what is happening with the social mechanism of management in the new conditions, how the relationship between the administration and the teaching community is changing. It is shown that in the conditions of “forced bureaucratization” two divergent aspects are emerging. On the one hand, in the conditions of an unprecedented natural experiment on the mass transfer of all work processes into a mixed learning format, traditional forms of manifestation of the social management mechanism are being revived through the self-organization of the teaching community, the emergence of networks of cooperation and mutual support between professionals. On the other hand, teachers note increased administrative control and bureaucratization of the educational process. In some cases, this leads to an aggravation of conflict between the administration and the teaching community and is perceived by the latter as a threat to the social management mechanism. In this way, scientific algorithms are updated in relation to the future of the profession of a higher education teacher. The presented analysis concludes with a discussion of possible measures that can be taken to reduce the potential negative effects of the identified aspects on the entire higher education system.
This paper presents the concept of digital health, also known as e-healthcare, and discusses its current state of the art, enabling factors, and barriers. The focus is on the level of e-health literacy among the elderly population, the factors that influence it, the relevance of innovative digital health projects, the usability of digital tools, organizational models, and implications for the national health system. The study employed a research methodology consisting of two phases. A review of journal articles was conducted, followed by a longitudinal analysis of a case study of a project (TS4.0) launched by the Trentino Region. The study emphasises the need for training programmes on key IT and health technologies for underserved groups to improve the adoption of eHealth technologies by patients. Specific actions to achieve this goal are proposed, with emphasis on the crucial role of public institutions. For hospitals to fully embrace technology and become digital, healthcare facilities must undergo a business and managerial transformation that involves the use of technology. This case study highlights the importance of supporting healthcare start-ups to comprehensively improve healthcare. Although this study is limited to a single case, the results may be useful for further research in identifying other factors that enable or hinder the adoption of digitalisation in the healthcare sector.
The article is devoted to the systematization of theoretical problems of the creative economy and their key characteristics. It is emphasized that the creative economy, from the point of view of the influence of intellectual capital and investments in human capital on the dynamics of competitive development of national economies, is the highest form of development of the new economy, capable of producing creative products with more than 50% of the specific weight of the creative component in their intangible value. The innovation-technological paradigm of the creative economy is determined by the accelerated dynamization of global technological progress, in which production, turning into a platform for technological application and a continuous flow of innovative developments, puts science and education among the priority factors of global economic development. As international practice shows, it is precisely the cultural aspect of the creation of economic activity that is the most difficult to understand, since in the cultural sphere, as in no other, the prevailing concepts in most cases require the greatest adjustments in order to adequately reflect the specific methods of organization and development of the economic system of society, presented in products of material and spiritual labor, the system of social norms and institutions, as well as the attitude of individuals to nature, to each other and to themselves. The article emphasizes the cultural paradigm of the theoretical design of the creative economy, which is characterized by the multifacetedness of the cultural phenomenon, which makes it possible to significantly expand the methodological ideas about the nature and driving forces of creative production based on the inclusion of economic activity that goes beyond the artistic sphere itself. The fundamental transformations that the world economic system has undergone in recent decades include radical changes in the nature and forms of organization of economic activity with the loss of traditional reproductive factors of production of their leading role in the competitive development of companies, states and entire regions. Under such conditions, their maintenance of high competitive positions on the market is decisively determined by creative resources, which, although they cannot be evaluated in traditional value categories, are actively introduced into the process of social reproduction based on the generation of new creative ideas by economic entities and their large-scale market commercialization.
This review article examines the significant influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the performance of the business and services sector, as well as its contribution to promoting innovation in the fast-changing digital world. Based on an extensive analysis of existing literature, we examine the historical progression of artificial intelligence in the commercial sector, documenting significant advancements and pivotal moments. The ubiquitous effect of AI is explored by examining its current uses in diverse areas such as banking, healthcare, and retail. The objective of our study is to examine the significant influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on corporate performance, with a particular emphasis on its ability to improve efficiency, productivity, reduce costs, and optimize resources. By integrating research findings from specific studies, we classify results and identify trends, so offering a detailed comprehension of the present status of AI integration in the services industry. Examination of case studies that showcase successful AI applications emphasizes its crucial role in fostering innovation, while an investigation of future trends and technology provides valuable understanding of the changing environment.The study's research questions are formulated within a strong theoretical framework that incorporates several viewpoints. By utilizing a systematic review process, we thoroughly examine pertinent literature, retrieving and synthesizing data to guide our inquiry. The thematic analysis of the data provides valuable insights into the consequences of AI for organizations and services. It addresses the study topics that were identified and also highlights the limits of previous studies. Within the discussion section, we analyze and elucidate the significance and ramifications of our findings. We rigorously evaluate the constraints of existing research and suggest new avenues for both academics and professionals. The conclusion offers a succinct overview of significant discoveries and highlights the impact of this analysis on the field.
Cities are part of a number of national and international networks with a wide variety of purposes. A city’s inclusion or exclusion from a network or its position in it, affects its prosperity.
The networks may be where the power resides but there is an interdependency between them and their nodes, which are the cities. Metropolitan structures that have emerged in the past thirty years in France, Britain and Germany play an important role in the global economy and concentrate power as nodes in the networks they are part of. Both networks and nodes compete for dominant positions and their powers are in constant flux.
It could be argued that the search for an ideal model of metropolis is the result of trying to resolve the tensions between efficiency and positioning in the global networks on the one hand, and the successful functioning of internal networks which require the involvement and participation of the citizenship on the other. Additional issues are the relationship between the metropolis and its hinterland and the emergence of counter powers that challenge the existing hegemons and the networks themselves.
Approaching the interplay between social stability and social change as a complex network of “development pathways” and the routes people and communities take as their “livelihood journeys,” this Rural Sociological Society Presidential Address explores how information and communication technologies (ICTs) influence our capabilities to choose and navigate where to go and how to get there. Access and the literacy and skills needed for effective and safe use of ICTs are increasingly influential factors for livelihoods in the so‐called digital age, impacting wellbeing and resilience. Rural‐focused social scientists can help to inform livelihood journeys, especially by asking questions about the interplay between ICTs and social inclusion to involve often‐overlooked spatial dimensions at the local and regional levels. Doing so will require dialogue, discernment, and active engagement on the topics we explore, the research methods we employ, and incorporation of the experiences, needs, and desires of rural people and places in policies and programs. As a professional association built on diverse scholarly traditions yet rooted in a shared interest for practical application for the benefit of often excluded people and places, the Rural Sociological Society has important roles to play in the digital age.
Today, the response to the consequences of present and future environmental catastrophes tends to take three forms: one purely technological-productive coming from the alliance between States and the Market; another one, which is essentially movementist, is confusedly fragmented into initiatives, often contradictory to each other, without having a strong ideological–political vision at its base; and the third one refers to apocalyptic or posthuman messianisms of a philosophical–religious nature. None of the three forms envisions a radical transformation of the current political–economic system. In this context, the voice of the Catholic Church emerges strongly to denounce the systemic reasons for the environmental disaster and at the same time to oppose the current system another system, centered on alternative assumptions. This article will analyze the encyclical Laudato Si’ (2015), which, sometimes mistaken for a simple text on Christian ecology, should actually be interpreted as a manifesto for a new world, based on the idea of a total anthropological and socio-political revolution. The analysis of the Encyclical is intended to highlight the historical–theological foundations and the ability to adapt some of the cornerstones of Catholicism (in particular of the Franciscan and Jesuit matrix) to the resolution of the current ecological emergency.
This research delves into the perspectives of faculty members in higher education regarding the utilization of Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) in the realm of education. Additionally, it examines the probable impacts of this technology on social transformation and academic settings in the Philippines. A research study was conducted wherein 20 faculty members from a state university in the Philippines were questioned to acquire their perspectives and firsthand encounters regarding the utilization of ChatGPT in their academic instruction. The research's findings showed that ChatGPT had both beneficial and detrimental effects on higher education. On the positive side, ChatGPT can be a helpful learning tool for students, especially for those who are introverted, and can simplify the repetitive tasks that educators perform while encouraging the growth of students' self-directed critical thinking skills. The utilization of ChatGPT may have adverse effects on students' critical thinking skills and promote excessive dependence on technology. Moreover, the research revealed that although the faculty members were cognizant of ChatGPT's existence, they did not entirely depend on technology to execute highquality education. The efficacy of artificial intelligence and its incorporation in the realm of education, as per the respondents, was contingent upon the conscientiousness of the faculty and administrators in facilitating the enhancement of students' analytical and evaluative proficiencies.
This research examines internet collective behavior in mainland China during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the factors and characteristics that drive such behavior. The Chinese government initially implemented a conservative and biased policy to contain the spread of the virus, but the sudden lifting of lockdown measures in late 2022 resulted in a surge in infections and scarcity of medical resources. This policy shift led many Chinese internet users to perceive the government’s actions as hasty and harsh, prompting them to engage in collective online behavior. The study employed a survey-based approach, collecting 1,626 valid questionnaires, which underwent reliability testing, descriptive statistical analysis, and a difference-in-differences test. A structural equation model (SEM) was then constructed and applied to comprehensively analyze the mediating and moderating effects of latent variables. Ethical considerations were prioritized, with informed consent obtained from all participants, who were provided with detailed information about the study and given sufficient time to review and ask questions. The research yielded three primary conclusions: the Chinese public demonstrated a perception of fairness and exhibited obedience, respect, and cooperation with the government during the epidemic; the observed online collective behavior can be characterized as a moderate and rational form of resistance, explained by the elaborated social identity model (ESIM); and the middle class consistently adopted a self-vulnerability strategy, positioning themselves as beneficiaries of protection to maximize their own interests in epidemic prevention and control. This study shows notable insights into internet collective behavior in mainland China during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting perceptions, resistance, and strategies adopted by different segments of the population.
This paper evaluates the use of digital communications and discusses the integration of residents from the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics (LPR, DPR) into modern Russia’s sociocultural expanse. The study uses cyber-metric analysis, as well as the method of constructing and analyzing social graphs. The research concludes that strategies for using digital communications in new regions are heterogeneous. Also, the authors highlight two issues. First, there is a low representation of political parties, public associations, and projects in the regional digital communications system. Second, the digital infrastructure of new regions is currently being set up.
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