JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

IMPLEMENTATION OF PLASTIC RECYCLING STRATEGIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA. CASE STUDY

2025-07-31T20:07:22+00:00

The present study examines the implementation of national sustainability strategies derived from European policies and global environmental concerns, focusing on ensuring a sustainable future for future generations. Given the environmental impact of plastic, as well as its non-biodegradability, the research analyzes the national and European legal framework that recommends a series of strategies and measures aimed at mitigating environmental impact while fostering a culture of sustainability from an early age at the national level. To conduct the study, multiple research methods were employed, including direct observation, systemic analysis, case studies, circular document analysis, data collection methods, and comparative analysis. The study’s findings indicate that, at the national level, the first companies dedicated to recycling specific types of plastic and reintegrating them into the economic cycle as equally necessary and widely used products have been established. Additionally, various awareness and promotional campaigns highlight the importance of recycling used plastic packaging, a culture of environmental responsibility is gradually emerging among users of all age groups. The novelty of this study lies in its exploration of the interconnection between the legal, academic, and economic spheres in addressing sustainability and environmental protection. This integration positions the national approach within the broader framework of global sustainability strategies.

COMPLEX VALORIZATION OF WASTE FROM THE ALCOHOL PRODUCTION INDUSTRY

2025-07-31T20:11:43+00:00

The study addresses the technological valorization of agro-industrial residues generated as a result of the integrated activity of a cattle farm and an ethyl alcohol distillery, in the context of the transition to a circular bioeconomy. The experiment was implemented within the enterprise SRL "Garma Grup", which uses a continuous anaerobic digestion system for the conversion of a homogeneous mixture of cereal bran and cattle manure into biogas. The objective was to evaluate the influence of dihydroxyfumaric acid (DHFA) on the efficiency of the anaerobic digestion process under industrial conditions. The results confirmed the hypothesis regarding the stimulating effect of DHFA on the microbiological activity in the acidogenesis and methanogenesis stages. The enterprise implemented an integrated biogas purification system, which allowed the reduction of the level of impurities to safe thresholds from an operational point of view. The study confirmed the feasibility of circular bioeconomy strategies, the need to deepen the biochemical mechanisms involved, as well as economic assessments.

FRONT-OF-PACK LABELING OF FOOD PRODUCTS: EVOLUTION, CHARACTERISTICS, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

2025-08-01T05:22:37+00:00

In the dynamic landscape of the food industry, front-of-pack labeling serves as a crucial tool for "dialogue" between producers and consumers. This mechanism helps to quickly and efficiently identify nutritional characteristics and serves as an effective tool for promoting healthy eating practices through an accessible and universal language. In this context, an exploratory study was conducted by analyzing scientific works on food labeling systems, including their evolution, the characteristics of different labeling typologies, the evaluation methods as well as the challenges and prospects for the development of food labels in the future. Each labeling typology had different attributes that represent an essential tool for supporting consumers in making food choices and in promoting a healthy lifestyle, both at the individual level and in terms of public health. To establish an integrated labeling system for food products, future research should focus on improving the universal applicability of labeled items and environmental sustainability, to make labels more digital and modern in the context of ongoing social and climate change.

DEVELOPMENT TRENDS IN ROAD FREIGHT TRANSPORT IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

2025-08-01T05:27:00+00:00

The article deals with the development trends of the road freight transport sector in the Republic of Moldova with a particular focus on road haulage for hire and reward. The importance of the sector for the national economy in terms of its contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment was emphasised. The evaluation of the development trends of the sector was facilitated by the presentation and interpretation of statistical data reflecting the road haulage industry's situation for a period of five years (2018-2023). The given period reflected the situation before the pandemic, the influence of the pandemic on the situation in the sector, and the trends of recovery and development after the pandemic. The efficiency of enterprises in the sector was appraised through the utilisation of indicators encompassing sales revenue, inventory, profit, profitability, and labour productivity. The study also considered an evaluation of the state of the vehicle fleet, its technical condition, and the level of staffing. The analysis also identified the fundamental challenges confronting the sector, which impeded progress.

THE IMPACT OF ACCELERATING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DUAL EDUCATION

2025-08-01T05:44:18+00:00

The trends in the development of the economic situation require authorities to identify quick and effective measures to ensure the labor market is supplied with a qualified workforce. In 2024, under the aegis of the Ministry of Education and Research, the authorities focused their resources on accelerating the implementation of dual education. This article reflects the main results of the acceleration of dual education implementation in the Republic of Moldova and provides an overview of dual education through the lens of four pillars: policy framework, funding, institutional framework, and human resource management in dual education. We believe that the results presented in this paper are relevant for both national public authorities and at the international level. We consider that accelerating the implementation of dual education represents an example of best practices in the implementation of educational policies.

SECURITY FACTORS AND HOUSING NEEDS MANAGEMENT IN DEVELOPING COMMUNITIES IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

2025-08-01T08:28:52+00:00

This study explores Nigeria's housing trends, focusing on individuals' shelter needs and management. This study finds it interesting that despite widespread insecurity, people were residing in partially constructed buildings in relatively new neighborhoods. This therefore reflects poverty and inadequacies in housing policy, as it falls below the World Health Organization's standard for healthful living. This study therefore interrogates the life among these people and the emerging challenges being experienced in the areas. Security and associated matters as well as respondents’ coping mechanisms were explored. The study utilized a mixed-methods approach, incorporating quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, and based its arguments on Berger and Luckmann's theory of the Social Construction of Reality. The study revealed that inflation and rising house rents led respondents to opt for partially completed houses due to economic insolvency. In anticipation of security challenges, they moved in without valuable property to curb such trends and kept a low social profile to prevent undue attention to the bad elements. The commonly identified challenges experienced included health matters, the absence of potable water, and occasional fear of the antics of the men of the underworld. This position informs the recommendations for healthy and sustainable development in this work.

THE ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN FOSTERING POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL OUTCOMES AMONG THE WOMEN INVOLVED IN CAESAREAN CHILDBIRTH

2025-08-01T08:33:07+00:00

Globally, Caesarean section (CS) is one of the most performed surgical operations in obstetrics, and the numbers are on the increase. As the number of caesarean births has risen, so too have rates of hysterectomy, blood transfusions, adhesions, and surgical damages. This study therefore explored the role of social workers in fostering positive psychological outcomes of women involved in caesarean childbirth in Ilorin metropolis. The study employed Health Belief Model to explain utilization of the caesarean services and its determinants. The population of the study comprised social workers in Ilorin metropolis. A descriptive method of survey was used for this research, and purposive sampling technique was adopted to select 160 social workers in Ilorin metropolis. A structured questionnaire was adopted to extract information from the respondents. Summary statistic such as count and percentage were used and, inferential statistics of multiple regression to test the hypotheses. The research revealed that; counselling service; childbirth education; discharge planner; and assessing/prevention of a traumatic birth are the professional measures employed by the social workers for positive psychological outcomes among the women involved in caesarean childbirth in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. This study thus justified the significance roles of the social workers in rehabilitation processes for women involved in caesarean childbirth.

ECONOMIC VIOLENCE – A SILENT THREAT TO SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY: APPROACHES, INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS, AND PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS

2025-08-01T08:42:52+00:00

In the context in which the concept of sustainable development has become a global priority, it is essential to understand that sustainability involves ensuring a balance between economic progress, social inclusion and respect for fundamental human rights. In this sense, the social pillar of sustainability involves combating all forms of inequality, discrimination or abuse. Economic violence is a subtle but deeply destructive form of discrimination, which undermines sustainable social development. This article aims to analyze economic violence both from a conceptual and historical perspective, as well as in its practical dimension, through a survey conducted among UTM respondents. Through a comparative analysis between the Republic of Moldova, the European Union, the United States and other countries, the research aims to highlight the determinants, characteristics and institutional responses to this phenomenon. The paper demonstrates that the prevention and elimination of economic violence presents not only problems of social justice, but also essential conditions for building a sustainable society based on equality, solidarity and mutual respect.

EXPLORING COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS IN DRUG-RESISTANT EPILEPSY: INSIGHTS FROM A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

2025-08-01T08:45:34+00:00

This article explores the cognitive impairments in individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy compared to those with well-controlled epilepsy. The research involves 102 subjects (62 with drugresistant epilepsy and 40 with well-controlled epilepsy), and examines cognitive functions such as verbal and visual memory, attention and language. Subjects were assessed with the MoCA test; the Rey Auditory Verbal Test; the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure; the Trail Making Test (parts A and B) and the F-A-S language test. Results show that cognitive deficits are three times more frequent in the drug-resistant epilepsy group, with significant impairments in verbal memory, visual memory, attention and semantic fluency. Additionally, drug-resistant epilepsy individuals, particularly those aged 50-59, with lower education, and more frequent seizures, exhibit more pronounced cognitive issues. These findings align with international research, confirming the strong correlation between seizure frequency and cognitive decline in epilepsy. The study highlights the need for personalized cognitive assessments and interventions for individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy.

THE PARTICULARITIES OF THE BEHAVIOR AND MOTIVATION OF THE CONSUMER OF ECOLOGICAL PRODUCTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

2025-08-01T08:49:17+00:00

The integration of the concept of sustainable development into the market economy is closely linked to a clear understanding of the motivations underlying the ecological behavior of consumers. The hypothesis of the study was that consumers in the Republic of Moldova are increasingly motivated to purchase ecological products, and their consumption behavior is influenced by factors such as awareness of health benefits, concern for environmental protection, income level, etc. The purpose of the study was to analyze the behavior and motivation of consumers of ecological products in the Republic of Moldova. To achieve this goal, the following tasks have been proposed: developing a questionnaire, conducting a survey and collecting data, analyzing the information obtained and formulating relevant conclusions. The methods used for the research consisted of studying domestic and foreign literature sources in the field, using the systemic approach method to study market phenomena and conducting a survey. Research results showed that in the current context, characterized by growing concerns about sustainability, climate change and the negative impact of industry on the environment, the behavior of consumers of organic products in the Republic of Moldova is becoming a topic of major interest, and the motivation for purchasing these products is constantly evolving. The initial hypothesis has largely come true. The analysis of the behavior and motivation of consumers in the Republic of Moldova showed that the orientation towards organic products is determined by factors such as awareness of health benefits, concern for environmental protection and social influences.

ANALYSIS OF THE MECHANISM OF ETHICAL GOVERNANCE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

2025-08-01T08:55:57+00:00

The uncertainty of the rapid development of science and technology has led to ethical risks that have attracted attention from all parties. As an important guarantee for the effective development of scientific and technological innovation activities, the ethical governance is of key significance to promote research and development innovation and ensuring that science and technology serve the greater good. An important issue in both governmental governance and academic discussions is how ethical governance of science and technology can enhance scientific and technological innovation. Based on the panel data at the prefecture-level cities from 2019 to 2023, the fixed effects model and the mediating effect model are used to test the impact of ethical governance of science and technology on scientific and technological innovation. The results show that ethical governance has a significant positive driving effect on scientific and technological innovation, and at the same time, ethical governance of science and technology promotes the improvement of innovation ability through the construction of legal environment. Accordingly, refining the ethical governance system of science and technology, adapting governance strategies flexibly, and optimizing the legal environment are essential to fostering sustainable scientific and technological innovation within an ethical framework.

GOOD GOVERNANCE CHALLENGES IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN PUBLIC SERVICE

2025-08-01T08:58:50+00:00

The article examines the various causes of ineffective governance in South African public service: the lack of transparency, accountability, effectiveness and efficiency, ethical norms, and others. The main rationale of the study is that even though the country has anticorruption legislative and institutional frameworks, implementing good governance principles remains a challenge. The study used a qualitative approach to compile information. Literature and document reviews were considered to gather relevant information that was then assessed through conceptual and document analysis. The findings show that South Africa lacks adequate resources and technological skills to establish transparency, the lack of digitalised platforms leads to poor citizen participation in the governance processes, and political will is lacking to enhance openness in government structures, processes, and decisions, to name a few. The findings suggest that maintaining ethical standards in public administration necessitates that public officials demonstrate openness in fulfilling public responsibilities. Transparency constitutes a fundamental principle for the success of any public organisation. The study offers policy recommendations for improvement.

A STUDY OF THE POLITICS OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION DYNAMICS: THE CASE OF ZIMBABWE'S ROLE IN THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY

2025-08-01T09:08:34+00:00

This study delves into the intricate web of regional integration, with a keen focus on Zimbabwe's pivotal role within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Zimbabwe's participation in regional integration initiatives has been a interplay of political, economic, and social factors. The study seeks to unpack how Zimbabwe's engagement within the SADC has left its mark on the broader discourse surrounding regional integration in Southern Africa. It delves into the multifaceted relationship between Zimbabwe and its SADC counterparts, delving deep into the political motivations, economic synergies, and the social tapestry of this engagement. Furthermore, it explores the historical roots and contemporary developments that have sculpted Zimbabwe's matrix discourse within the SADC. By dissecting the nuanced interplay of regional integration dynamics, this study aspires to offer insights for policymakers, scholars, and stakeholders invested in the ever-evolving landscape of regional cooperation in Southern Africa. The findings are expected to illuminate the opportunities and challenges entailed in Zimbabwe's involvement in the SADC, along with its broader impact on the regional integration agenda.

STATE-BUILDING: AN OVERLOOKED APPROACH FOR REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN THE HORN OF AFRICA

2025-08-01T09:12:01+00:00

The study perceives the ‘state’ as a collection of various institutions that execute core functions that are all basic for the survival of a certain political community. Based on this definition, state-building refers to the process of constructing new institutions, reconstructing old institutions, and consolidating the existing state institutions for the protection of social cohesion and the promotion of economic development and political stability within a given state. Accordingly, the principal objective of this study is to examine the symbiosis between state-building and regional integration in the Horn of Africa by taking the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Member States as a Case Study. The researchers argue that any attempt at regional integration will never be achieved in regions that consist of weak, failed, or fragile states. Unlike other regions in Africa and elsewhere, regional integration in the Horn of Africa is at an early stage, as the region is dominated by fragile and insecure states. The study used both primary and secondary data to reveal the symbiosis between state-building and regional integration.

POST-INDEPENDENCE STATE FORMATION IN AFRICA: A THEORETICAL REVIEW

2025-08-01T09:14:34+00:00

This article reviews key essential theories to understand the actors, nature, and characteristics of the post-independence African state that emerged since the early 1960s decolonization period. In conducting academic research, a theory has multiple scholarly valuable purposes, including the quest to understand how the social world works. Theorizing state formation is the quest to understand how state formation in post-independence Africa differs from other parts of the world. Scholars argue that theorizing state formation in postindependence Africa incorporates deeply analysing the challenges originating from the progress of global economic and political systems, identifying the key roles of prominent individuals, investigating major establishments of the state, and examining the power struggle between social groups and classes. Methodologically, qualitative approach is employed that is exploratory and descriptive by collecting qualitative data from respective sources. This study is aimed at emphasizing on examining the existing theories of state formation in postcolonial Africa. The findings of this study that post-independence African states are artificially crafted by the coercive European colonial rule based on these two key theories: - the Leadership/Nation-Building and the Marxist theories of state formation.

PROPERTY RIGHTS TO A MOTOR VEHICLE FROM THE THEORY OF LEGITIMACY PERSPECTIVE

2025-08-01T09:20:06+00:00

Property rights are included in the scope of civil law, including ownership rights to motorized vehicles as movable objects. However, the status of civil ownership rights needs to be clarified and reaffirmed in line with the existence of motor vehicle administration policies. Based on civil law provisions, ownership rights to an item can be recognized if the owner can prove ownership according to law. The most prominent object/zaak in civil law is the division of movable and immovable objects. Motorized vehicles are included in movable objects because ownership is easily transferred. It will have an impact on his property rights. Ownership rights to motorized vehicles through bezit/control are not sufficient for the principle of bezit which is understood by the term 'the position of controlling or enjoying an item controlled by oneself or through the intermediary of another person as if the item were one's own'. However, for motorized vehicles, proof of documentation is required, because motorized vehicles are movable objects and are registered in traffic regulations and local tax levies. A new policy that upholds civil property rights is needed so that people's property rights to objects such as motor vehicles are lost due to arbitrary tax administration.