Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities

A PRISMA-based Review of Taoist Cultural Heritage and the Development of a Heritage and Strategy Matching Guide

2026-05-11T16:39:55+00:00

At present, the research on Taoist cultural heritage has not been well integrated. Lack of tangible and intangible systematic connections. To fill this gap, this study aims to conduct the first structured review of Taoist cultural heritage research published between 2010 and 2024. Systematically collect relevant research through the main academic databases and use the PRISMA guidelines for content analysis. The analysis divides the heritage into two categories: tangible (such as painting, architecture) and intangible (such as music, medicine, martial arts, philosophy), and explores the conservation strategies adopted in previous studies. Based on this result, the study develops the “Heritage and Strategy Matching Guide”, which connects five key strategies: documentation, quantitative experimental analysis, scientific and technical analysis, field investigation, and cultural integration with specific heritage categories. Cross-examination of existing case studies shows the practical relevance of the guide and its potential for wider application. The results indicate underutilized strategies and uneven research coverage, especially regarding intangible heritage. This study provides a systematic foundation for further research, promotes multidisciplinary and cross-cultural opinions, and provides beneficial suggestions for the conservation and sustainable development of Taoist heritage.

A Critical Analysis of Alternative Dispute Resolution in South Africa and Ghana

2026-05-11T16:39:24+00:00

This article critically examines the principles, legislative framework, and operational mechanisms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in South Africa, drawing comparative insights from Ghana’s consolidated ADR framework under the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act. ADR is increasingly recognized as an essential tool to enhance access to justice, reduce court backlogs, and foster restorative outcomes in civil, criminal, and commercial disputes. The study traces the historical development of ADR in South Africa, evaluating its constitutional and statutory foundations, and analyzing key mechanisms, including arbitration, plea bargaining, and court-annexed mediation. Judicial recognition of ADR in landmark cases such as Telcordia Technologies Inc v Telkom SA Ltd 2007 and Lufuno Mphaphuli & Associates (Pty) Ltd v Andrews reinforces its legitimacy, yet fragmentation across sector-specific statutes limits accessibility, public trust, and uniformity. Ghana’s ADR framework integrates arbitration, mediation, and customary dispute resolution within a single legislative instrument, supported by a national ADR Center, demonstrating a model that could inform South African reform. Using a doctrinal desktop methodology, the study analyses primary legal sources, SALRC reports, and scholarly literature to identify legislative and operational challenges. The study recommends legislative consolidation, professionalization of mediation services, expansion of court-annexed programs, integration of customary dispute resolution, and alignment with international best practices, such as the UNCITRAL Model Law. These reforms could enhance fairness, accessibility, and public confidence, enabling South Africa to realize the constitutional promise of transformative justice.

The End of Interdependence: Re-assessing Power, Progress, and Peace in a Fragmented World

2026-05-11T16:36:38+00:00

This article uses counterfactual analysis to explore a hypothetical world in which states operate under mandatory autarky, completely lacking the economic, security, and social interdependence that define the modern international system. While existing International Relations (IR) scholarship extensively examines the consequences of growing interdependence, it has not systematically theorized the structural and political outcomes of its complete and instantaneous absence. This article aims to show that ending interdependence would not merely revert the system to Westphalian realism but would fundamentally and unexpectedly reshape its core principles. Using a deductive thought experiment to test key IR paradigms, the article examines four structural changes: the shift of power toward complex, autarkic capabilities; the halt in progress as global knowledge resources collapse; the tension of peace into rigid spheres of influence; and an environmental paradox in which local efforts fail to prevent global ecological decline. The article concludes that such a fragmented world would be marked by profound instability, cultural and technological stagnation, and a fragile peace sustained solely by deterrence. This offers a critical perspective for re-evaluating the advantages and vulnerabilities of the current global order, warning that even the perceived failures of interdependence may be preferable to any viable autarkic alternative

From Perceived Organizational Support to Employee Creativity: Mediating Role of Affective Commitment

2026-05-11T16:37:04+00:00

Employee creativity is important for innovation and performance in organizations, but how this creativity is encouraged in higher education institutions is not well understood. This study examines the relationship between perceived organizational support (POS) and employee creativity, with affective commitment as a mediating factor. Drawing on Social Exchange Theory and Organizational Support Theory, the research examines how supportive organizational practices increase emotional attachment among academic staff and encourage creative behavior. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was used to collect data from 200 academic staff at Kabul Polytechnic University through a structured paper-and-pencil questionnaire. Stratified sampling ensured representation across departments and academic ranks. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and mediation analysis using PROCESS Macro Model 4 in SPSS were performed to test the hypothesized model. The findings show that POS is a significant predictor of employee creativity. That affective commitment partially mediates this relationship, suggesting that organizational support influences creative behaviors both directly and indirectly through strengthening academic staff's emotional attachment to the university. This study contributes to the literature by showing how affective commitment serves as a mediator in the relationship between POS and employee creativity. The findings provide actionable insights for university administrators and policymakers in developing-country contexts and underscore the importance of fostering supportive organizational practices to enhance faculty members' creativity and innovation.

Effect of Transformational and Transactional Leadership and Emotional Intelligence on Employee Productivity: The Mediating Role of Employee Motivation

2026-05-11T16:37:40+00:00

This study examines the impact of transformational and transactional leadership styles and emotional intelligence on employee productivity, with an emphasis on the mediating role of employee motivation in service-sector businesses in Afghanistan. Effective leadership and emotional intelligence are increasingly seen as crucial factors influencing employee performance in emerging nations, although employees’ motivational moods heavily influence their performance. Using a quantitative research approach, data were collected through a structured questionnaire from employees across various organizations. Regression and mediation analyses were employed to assess the direct and indirect effects of transformational leadership, transactional leadership, and emotional intelligence on employee productivity. The findings revealed that transformational leadership (β = 0.418, p < 0.001), transactional leadership (β = 0.362, p < 0.001), and emotional intelligence (β = 0.401, p < 0.001) each had a significant positive effect on employee productivity. Further results indicated that employee motivation played a critical mediating role in these relationships. Employee motivation fully mediated the effects of transformational leadership and emotional intelligence on employee productivity, while partially mediating the relationship between transactional leadership and productivity. These findings suggest that transformational leadership and emotional intelligence primarily enhance productivity by strengthening employee motivation, whereas transactional leadership influences productivity through both motivational and reward-based mechanisms. The study highlights the importance of adopting a motivation-centered leadership approach to enhance employee productivity in developing organizational contexts and recommends future research to incorporate additional contextual variables and longitudinal designs.

Examining the Role of Quality Assurance in Accelerating the Internationalization Process of Higher Education in Afghanistan

2026-05-11T16:36:26+00:00

Internationalization of higher education has become one of the strategic priorities for universities worldwide in recent decades; however, its effective realization largely depends on the existence of efficient quality assurance systems, Given the growing importance and discussion of quality assurance and the internationalization of higher education, to date, no specific research has been conducted on the relationship between the quality assurance process and higher education in Afghanistan. Therefore, addressing this issue is essential. This study aims to examine the role of quality assurance in supporting and strengthening the internationalization process of higher education in Afghanistan. This study is a systematic review in which data were gathered from scholarly articles, institutional reports, and policy documents published between 2006 - 2025 in databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, Wiley, Springer, Sage, Taylor & Francis, ERIC, ACE, ENQA, IEAC, Google Scholar and World Bank, and analyzed following the PRISMA guidelines. References citations have been made using Mendeley Reference Manager. The results of this research indicate that the establishment of effective quality assurance mechanisms can pave the way for increased trust and academic credibility of universities, improve the quality of teaching and research, increase participation in joint international research projects, faculty exchange, student exchange, and the internationalization of curricula. Overall, strengthening quality assurance systems can be considered one of the fundamental strategies to support the sustainable internationalization of higher education in Afghanistan.

The Relationship Between Managerial Leadership Styles and Teacher Productivity in Kabul’s Private High Schools

2026-05-11T16:40:21+00:00

Leadership is widely recognized as a fundamental factor influencing teacher productivity and the overall quality of educational outcomes. Although several studies have examined leadership within educational settings, few investigations in Afghanistan have examined transformational and servant leadership simultaneously, particularly through the use of structured productivity frameworks such as the ACHIEVE model. Therefore, the present study sought to examine the relationship between school principals’ leadership styles and teacher productivity in private high schools located in District 13 of Kabul, aiming to address the existing gap in integrated analyses that combine leadership behavior with systematic productivity measurement. A descriptive–correlational research design was employed for this purpose. Data were gathered using two well-established standardized instruments: the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) developed by Bass and Avolio (1995) and the Human Resource Productivity Questionnaire (ACHIEVE) designed by Hersey and Goldsmith (1980). The research population consisted of 1,711 teachers and 95 school principals. Based on random sampling procedures guided by Morgan’s table, 313 teachers and 76 principals were selected, from which 270 teacher responses and 75 principal responses were deemed suitable for final analysis. Regression analysis was employed to test the proposed relationships between variables. The findings demonstrated a statistically significant positive relationship between both leadership styles and teacher productivity. Servant leadership explained 47.6% of the variance in productivity. In contrast, transformational leadership accounted for 59%, indicating that ethical conduct, staff empowerment, and vision-driven leadership practices play a substantial role in strengthening teacher performance and effectiveness.

Examining the Relationship Between Attachment Styles and Life Satisfaction Among Students of Kabul Education University

2026-05-11T16:36:51+00:00

According to attachment theory, early attachment patterns play a crucial role in shaping psychological well-being and individuals’ evaluations of life. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between attachment styles (secure, anxious, and avoidant) and life satisfaction among students at Kabul Education University. This study employed a descriptive-correlational design and included 314 students selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Satisfaction with Life Scale developed by Diener et al. and the Attachment Styles Questionnaire by Collins and Read, and were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. The results indicated that secure attachment was positively and statistically significantly associated with life satisfaction (r = 0.195, p < 0.01).In contrast, anxious attachment (r = -0.166, p < 0.05) and avoidant attachment (r = -0.07, p = 0.03) demonstrated significant negative relationships with life satisfaction. These findings suggest that attachment patterns play a meaningful role in explaining individual differences in life satisfaction. From an applied perspective, the findings highlight the importance of designing counseling and educational interventions to strengthen secure attachment and enhance students’ psychological well-being. Furthermore, these results can inform the planning and development of psychosocial services within university settings to improve students’ adjustment and overall quality of life.

Investigating the Challenges and Strategies of Teaching English in Afghan EFL Multicultural Classrooms

2026-05-11T16:38:40+00:00

This study investigates the challenges and strategies of teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in multicultural classrooms in Afghanistan. The classrooms in this country are mostly characterized by significant ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity. To collect data from participants, researchers employed a mixed-methods design, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. The research combines quantitative surveys from EFL university instructors across 15 Afghan universities. Moreover, qualitative interviews were conducted with EFL educators at Ghor University who were nearby and available to the researchers. Findings of this study indicate that, although most Afghan EFL instructors feel relaxed and enthusiastic in teaching multicultural classrooms, they also encounter challenges such as language diversity, cultural misunderstandings, differences in students’ backgrounds, and a lack of qualified and experienced teachers. Thus, participants and respondents in this study emphasized strategies for use in such settings, such as cultural diversity, collaborative learning, and integrating culturally relevant materials to enhance classroom engagement and inclusivity in multicultural settings. The study provides the crucial need for culturally responsive education and professional development to enhance EFL instruction. The findings of this study are significant for policymakers, educators, instructors, and curriculum developers seeking to improve the quality of language teaching and learning in Afghanistan’s diverse educational perspective.

Effects of Remittances on Household Welfare: An Econometrics Analysis from Kunar Province, Afghanistan

2026-05-11T16:38:19+00:00

This study evaluates the effect of remittances on household welfare in Kunar province using primary cross-sectional data from 336 households receiving remittances. A composite index, including normalized income, healthcare access, education access, and standard of living, is developed to compute household welfare. The study employed Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Logistic Regression (Logit) models to assess the impact of remittances on aggregate welfare and its constituent elements. The Ordinary Least Squares results indicate that household welfare is significantly and positively affected by remittances, access to healthcare, and employment status. The Logit model shows that remittances significantly affect access to healthcare and the standard of living, but not access to education. In addition, remittances were found to be the key determinants of household income, underscoring the vital role of livelihood sustainability amid limited employment opportunities. The study contributes to the limited empirical literature in this context by presenting the econometric analysis and developing a composite index of household welfare. The findings reveal the vital role of remittances as the most important and stabilizing source of household income in an environment characterized by low levels of employment opportunities, weak economic conditions, and long-term social and political instability. The study concludes that remittances remain an important socio-economic survival tool for Kunar province and recommends policies to best utilize remittances to ensure more sustainable welfare improvements.

Brand Attitudes in Generation Alpha: Social Media Marketing Exposure and the Moderating Role of Parental Mediation

2026-05-11T16:40:09+00:00

Children in Generation Alpha are growing up in algorithm-driven social media environments where branded content is seamlessly integrated into entertainment, creator culture, and influencer endorsements. While prior research has examined the effects of digital marketing among adolescents and Generation Z, limited empirical evidence explains how platform-based marketing shapes younger children’s brand-related evaluations and how parental mediation influences these effects. This study therefore investigates (1) the relationship between exposure to marketing content on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram and children’s brand awareness, attitudes, and loyalty, (2) the relative effectiveness of different content formats, (3) the influence of influencer type on trust formation, and (4) the moderating role of parental mediation. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining survey data from 500 parent–child dyads (children aged 8–12) with six focus groups involving both parents and children. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and regression analysis, while qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis to provide deeper contextual insights. Findings indicate that TikTok is associated with the strongest brand-related responses among children, while short-form and gamified content produce higher recall and emotional engagement than other formats. Micro-influencers generate greater perceived credibility and stronger loyalty than macro-influencers. Importantly, active parental mediation, particularly through discussion and contextualization, reduces children’s susceptibility to persuasive content. These findings contribute to digital marketing and child media research by clarifying key mechanisms shaping early brand socialization and offering practical, ethically informed insights for marketers and parents.

The Moderating Role of Self-Regulation in the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction and Academic Procrastination

2026-05-11T16:36:14+00:00

Social media addiction is positively associated with academic procrastination among university students. Nevertheless, the influence of self-regulation within this relationship remains underexplored in the context of Afghanistan. This study examined the association between social media addiction and academic procrastination, as well as the moderating effect of self-regulation, among university students. A cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational design was utilized with a sample of 215 students from the Faculty of Education at Bamyan University. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires and analyzed through Pearson correlation and hierarchical moderated regression analysis in SPSS-27. Before calculating the interaction term, the predictor and moderator variables were mean-centered. The results showed a significant positive link between social media addiction and academic procrastination (r = 0.545, p < 0.001). Self-regulation had significant negative relationships with both academic procrastination (r = -0.239, p < 0.001) and social media addiction (r = -0.228, p < 0.001). The overall regression model was significant (R² = 0.312, F = 38.178, p < 0.001). The interaction between social media addiction and self-regulation was also significant and negative (β = -0.230, p < 0.05). This means that self-regulation reduces the positive link between social media addiction and academic procrastination. In other words, when self-regulation is higher, the connection between social media addiction and academic procrastination is weaker, leading to less academic procrastination.

Dynamic Relationship Analysis between Foreign Direct Investment, Exports, Imports, and Economic Growth in Afghanistan: An ARDL Model Approach

2026-05-11T16:39:40+00:00

The purpose of this study is to examine the interrelationship among foreign direct investment (FDI), exports, imports, and economic growth in Afghanistan during the period 2002–2023. To achieve this objective, annual time series data and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) econometric model were employed. The estimation results indicate that the negative and statistically significant coefficient of the error correction term (-0.2694) reflects an adjustment speed of approximately 27 percent of short-term deviations in gross domestic product (GDP) toward long-term equilibrium in each period, confirming the existence of a cointegrating relationship among the variables. In the short run, exports exert a negative and significant effect on economic growth, whereas imports demonstrate a positive and significant influence. In the long run, FDI with a positive and significant coefficient (0.1775) and imports with a positive and significant coefficient (0.012137) play a crucial role in enhancing economic growth, while exports show no significant effect. A comparison of these findings with previous studies reveals both similarities and differences, largely attributable to Afghanistan’s institutional, structural, and security conditions. The results highlight that targeted attraction of foreign direct investment, facilitation of capital goods imports, and structural reforms in the export sector can contribute to sustainable economic growth in Afghanistan.

Macroeconomic Factors Affecting the Level of Unemployment in Malaysia

2026-05-11T16:40:38+00:00

Reducing unemployment is one of the essential macroeconomic objectives, while many countries find it difficult to manage it. The current study examines annual time-series data from 1980 to 2022 to determine how unemployment in Malaysia is affected by key macroeconomic factors, including economic growth, inflation, foreign direct investment (FDI), and population growth. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) technique is used in the study to examine both short- and long-term dynamics among the variables. According to the empirical findings, there is a negative correlation between GDP growth and unemployment: for every 1% increase in GDP, the unemployment rate decreases by 0.099%. Although the effect's magnitude remains low due to structural limitations and labor market inefficiencies, this result confirms Okun's Law and indicates that economic expansion helps create jobs. Likewise, the results indicate that inflation has a statistically significant negative effect on unemployment, which confirms the validity of the Phillips Curve hypothesis. It is suggested that moderate inflation could boost employment and aggregate demand, as a 1% increase in inflation lowers unemployment by 0.521%. On the other hand, the findings indicate that both population growth and FDI inflows have a significant positive impact on the unemployment rate, suggesting that foreign investment in Malaysia cannot be sufficiently labor-intensive and that the labor market remains under pressure from population growth. These results underscore the importance of creating inclusive growth plans that balance labor market expansion and macroeconomic stability. Promoting labor-intensive businesses, enhancing human capital, and directing foreign direct investment (FDI) into profitable industries that create jobs should be the main priorities of policymakers.

A Study on the Factors Influencing Employee Engagement and Its Work Outcomes: Evidence from Kabul University

2026-05-11T16:38:54+00:00

Grounded in Social Exchange Theory (SET), this study investigates the factors and outcomes of employee engagement by distinguishing between job and organizational engagement. This study examines how employee communication, employee development, and co-supportive employee behavior influence key work outcomes through the mediating roles of job and organizational engagement. Data were collected from 133 out of 200 administrative and academic members at Kabul University using a structured questionnaire and stratified random sampling. Multiple regression analyses revealed that co-supportive employee behavior was the only significant predictor of both forms of engagement, exerting a stronger effect on the job engagement. Employee communication and employee development showed insignificant direct effects. The findings further indicate that both job and organizational engagement significantly enhance job satisfaction and organizational commitment, but have no significant effects on organizational citizenship behavior or intention to quit. Mediation analysis confirmed that the two engagement dimensions significantly mediated the relationships between factors and most outcome variables, except for the intention to quit. Overall, this study contributes to the engagement literature by empirically distinguishing between job and organizational engagement in a higher education context and by highlighting the critical role of peer support in fostering desirable employee attitudes and behaviors in Afghan academic institutions.

Reality of People's Participation and Accountability in Local Government in Bangladesh: A Study of Union Parishads

2026-05-11T16:39:10+00:00

This study explores the dynamics of citizen engagement and accountability within the framework of local government in Bangladesh, focusing specifically on Union Parishads (UPs) — the lowest tier of rural governance. The researcher conducted fieldwork in three Union Parishads in Cumilla and Lakshmipur districts, collecting data from chairman, members, secretaries, committee members, and local beneficiaries through semi-structured interviews and two FGDs. The analysis reveals a significant disparity between the provisions of the Union Parishad Act of 2009 and their implementation. The findings indicate that several interconnected factors, including limited awareness among rural communities, political influence, intimidation and fear, distrust, lack of seriousness, and bureaucratic complexity, substantially hinder public participation in Ward Shava and Open Budget meetings. For instance, among the interviewed citizens, more than 90% lacked awareness of Ward Shavas, and nearly 87% were unaware of the Union Parishad's standing committees. Notwithstanding the several measures in the Act designed to enhance local engagement in the governance of UPs, the outcomes observed in the field remain limited. The analysis revealed a significant absence of engagement in decision-making and the budget planning process, coupled with an ineffective monitoring mechanism that lacks accountability and transparency. To address these challenges, it is essential to enhance awareness, foster accountability and transparency, and facilitate effective communication between local authorities and the community.