Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities

Ethical Ideologies and Professional Cultures in Transitional Societies: An Examination of Media Practices within Iraqi Kurdish Journalism

Shwan Adam Aivas — 2026-08-02

This study investigates professional journalism cultures and ethical ideologies within transitional societies, focusing on media practices in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Grounded in comparative media systems analysis and normative ethical theory, the research examines how journalists navigate the structural tensions between universal ethical principles and local political, economic, and institutional pressures. Using a mixed-method approach, including qualitative interviews, surveys, and content analysis, the study explores how political loyalties, financial dependencies, and social norms shape professional decision-making. The findings reveal that while global ethical standards are rhetorically acknowledged, actual media practices are deeply compromised by partisan ownership, gender inequalities, and severe structural constraints on press freedom. Frequently, the "public’s right to know" is leveraged to justify invasive reporting, while political and commercial interests sideline genuine public-interest journalism. To address these systemic challenges and safeguard editorial autonomy, this research draws on international regulatory frameworks, such as the UK’s Leveson Inquiry, to advocate for the establishment of a statutorily empowered, independent Public and Media National Council. Ultimately, by integrating cultural, political, and legal dimensions, this study contributes to the global discourse on media ethics in post-conflict environments and proposes a novel "Priority Model" designed to systematically reconcile individual privacy rights with the public’s right to information in transitional media landscapes.

Effect of Armed Conflict on Socioeconomic Well-Being of Survivors’ Households in Benue State

Victor Ushahemba Ijirshar — 2026-08-02

This study investigates the effect of armed conflict on the socioeconomic well-being of survivors’ households in Benue State, using a survey design via a cross-sectional approach that involves field and sample surveys. The study adopted purposive and simple random sampling techniques to select survivors’ households that represented the population under study. Data were collected by administering a well-structured questionnaire as the primary research instrument, developed along the lines of the research objectives stated for the study. A total of 384 questionnaires were distributed/administered to survivors’ households living in IDP camps in Benue State. The data collected for this study were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired sample t-tests, and seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) analysis. Results suggest that armed conflict reduces the socioeconomic well-being of survivors’ households in all three dimensions: household income, education, and health. The SUR model suggests that armed conflict shows a significant negative effect on household income and health. Some policy recommendations, such as government at all levels working towards enhancing security measures that are effective in reducing the frequency and/or number of attacks in the affected communities in particular, and Benue State at large, were suggested.

Legal Pluralism Practices and Real Property Transaction Dilemma in Unguja, Zanzibar

Kerbina Moyo — 2026-08-02

The objective of this study is to assess the effect of legal pluralism practices on perceived transaction failure risk within Unguja's prevailing social structure. A descriptive research design was applied, using mixed methods, with interviews and surveys administered to a sample of 290 respondents. These instruments were used to describe the risks associated with property transactions in a legal pluralism environment. Simple linear regression analysis was further carried out to assess the probability of real transaction failure. These allowed the researcher to analyze, test for statistical significance, describe the direct and indirect effects, and relationships that result from the transaction dilemma. Findings reveal that legal pluralism practices have a significant effect on all stages of real property transactions. The study further confirms that legal pluralism-related practices pose substantial risks to property transactions, including legal and development risks, land title risks, and financial risks. The results indicate that LPPs have a positive unstandardized coefficient of 0.267 (p-value = 0.000 < 0.05), suggesting a significant LPPs transaction risk escalation effect and increasing the likelihood of TFRs across case study areas. The study further identifies multiple ownership Structure (MOS), Multiple Institutional Structure (MIS), and land tenure types as potential TFR escalators by causing transaction delays of between 8–20 percent. To overcome the institutional power dilemma and limited protection of title deed holders, it is recommended that the land policy be modernized to strengthen and integrate all land transactions into an effective land management system using low-cost technology.

Anti-Corruption Law in Vietnam : Limitations in Design and Implementation, Orientations for Improving the Legal System

BaoKhanh Nguyen Huynh — 2026-08-02

Corruption continues to be a significant obstacle to national development and undermines the integrity of the public apparatus. Although Vietnam has built a relatively comprehensive anti-corruption legal framework, especially since the 2018 Anti-Corruption Law came into effect, the effectiveness of enforcement remains far from social expectations. The article analyzes the main limitations in legal design and implementation mechanisms, focusing on the following issues: transparency of income and assets is still formalistic, the mechanism for controlling conflicts of interest lacks operational criteria, the protection of whistleblowers is inadequate, the recovery of corrupt assets is limited, and the absence of an independent monitoring institution. Through qualitative analysis and normative approaches, the study shows that current obstacles stem from the gap between regulations and practice, as well as the dependence of enforcement agencies on the current power structure. On that basis, the article proposes a set of solutions to strengthen independent supervision, digitize and connect public databases, standardize the process of handling violations, and improve the accountability mechanism. The research results contribute to supplementing scientific arguments for building a more effective anti-corruption legal system in the context of a socialist-oriented market economy in Vietnam.

Examining How Digital Divides Shape Social Media Platform Preference and Usage in Climate-Vulnerable Coastal Bangladesh

Imran Khan — 2026-08-02

This study investigates the influence of demographic disparities on social media usage patterns among climate-vulnerable, resource-constrained coastal communities, based on Digital Divide Theory. The study specifically examines whether age, sex, education level, and household income correlate with social media usage patterns. Social media usage was defined by platform preference, usage duration, and visit frequency. A quantitative research design was used with a stratified, randomly selected sample of 384 from Khulna and Satkhira. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis H, and chi-square tests. The results show significant demographic disparities in digital engagement. Age was significantly associated with platform preference, usage duration, and visiting frequency, with younger respondents being the most engaged. Significant gender differences were also observed regarding usage duration and visiting frequency, while education level was significantly correlated with platform preference and usage duration. Household income was significantly associated with only secondary platform preference, although higher-income groups tended to demonstrate higher social media engagement. The findings suggest that alongside digital access, patterns and intensity of digital engagement are influenced by demographic inequalities. The study extends the Digital Divide Theory by demonstrating that digital inequalities persist even within increasingly connected communities. It highlights the importance of demographic-sensitive communication strategies in disaster management and development communication in climate-vulnerable coastal contexts. However, the cross-sectional quantitative design and the exclusion of behavioral and contextual variables such as digital literacy, smartphone ownership, and cultural norms, which may influence the social media engagement pattern, are important limitations of the study.

A Case Study of an Afghan EFL Learner’s English Learning Style Preferences at Kabul University

Ahmad Arsalan Zaiel — 2026-08-02

English language proficiency is essential for academic and professional success, yet learners differ in how they acquire and develop these skills. Although learning style preferences play a critical role in EFL contexts, limited research has explored their impact on English language skill development among Afghan university students. This study investigates the role of learning style preferences in the development of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) skills of a single Afghan undergraduate learner in the English Language and Literature Department at Kabul University. Purposive sampling was used to select the participant, allowing an in-depth exploration of a learner’s oral English language skills. A single-participant case study design was employed, providing detailed insight into individual language learning processes while limiting generalizability. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview, a learning style questionnaire, and oral and written language tasks. Quantitative data from the questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics to identify the participant’s dominant learning style. Qualitative data from interviews and tasks were examined through thematic analysis, involving systematic coding and theme development to interpret patterns related to the participant’s language learning history, oral proficiency, and written expression. Findings reveal a dominant auditory learning style, which aligns with stronger listening and speaking skills. Social environment, motivation, and media exposure also influenced English language development. These results suggest that aligning instruction with learners’ preferred styles can enhance English language skill acquisition in EFL contexts such as Afghanistan.

Taiwan as a Maritime Pivot: Sea Power Competition in the Northwest Pacific

Rabia Anwar — 2026-08-02

Taiwan’s geographical position as being centrally located within the First Island Chain makes it an important player in the maritime geography of the Northwest Pacific and an arena of growing strategic competition between the United States and China. The geopolitical significance of Taiwan in the First Island Chain is analyzed from the perspective of maritime geography and its role in influencing great power politics in the Northwest Pacific through the sea power theory propounded by Alfred Thayer Mahan. The current work emphasizes the significance of having control over maritime spaces and lanes to maintain the power equilibrium of states. However, previous research has neglected the role of maritime geography and strategic discourse in the long-term trends. The purpose of this research is to fill the research gap by utilizing discourse analysis of the national security strategies, defense white papers, and naval doctrines of both the US and China for the period 1991-2025. The focus on Taiwan is as an example of sovereignty conflicts and a maritime pivot. The findings demonstrate a transition from the unquestionable supremacy of the US in the oceanic domain to a situation in which strategic competition is characterized by the Chinese Anti-access/area-denial system, along with other forms of competition in different spheres such as the economy and technology. In general, it is found that no matter what geographical conditions and naval innovations exist, deterrence and crisis management play a crucial role.

Examining the Association Between Economic Status and Mental Health among Newly Admitted Students at Daikundi University

Hamed Mohammadi — 2026-08-02

Mental well-being has a significant influence on students' learning and social adaptation processes, especially in their entry into the university years. Studies on mental well-being among first-year students in Afghanistan and on the effects of family economic well-being in the current situation have not yet been conducted. Thus, it is difficult to identify the factors contributing to this group's psychological vulnerability. This work is devoted to analyzing the psychological well-being of first-year students and its relationship to their family's economic status. All the admitted students of Daikendi University in 2025 (N=221) participated in this study. The sample size was determined to achieve sufficient statistical power for the research, with a minimal detectable effect size of 0.80, to detect the mean effect at a 95% confidence level. Psychological well-being was measured with the GHQ-28 tool. Although most students had normal or mild levels of well-being, the findings showed overall psychological vulnerability (minimal 0.80), indicating an average effect size at the 95% confidence level. Significant correlations were found between mental well-being and certain factors, namely, physical symptoms and social functioning.

Examining the Relationship between Sustainable Capacity Development and Employee Performance

Hafizullah Hakimi — 2026-08-02

The research explores how sustainable capacity-development initiatives influence employee performance in Afghanistan’s Ministry of Finance. The research aimed to identify the organizational and individual factors that contribute to capacity development and improved performance. A sample of 344 employees was selected using Cochran’s formula, employing an applied research approach, and surveyed through a structured questionnaire. The study adopted a descriptive methodology. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, applying Pearson’s chi-square test. Results indicate a robust positive correlation between sustainable capacity development and employee performance (Phi = 0.841, Cramer’s V = 0.815). Among the examined dimensions, organizational factors such as training, job enrichment, delegation of authority, and collaborative management exerted the greatest influence (Phi = 0.796, Cramer’s V = 0.785). Individual factors including motivation, attitude, and skills also showed a significant positive relationship (Phi = 0.736, Cramer’s V = 0.710). The study highlights that training, motivation, and individual skills are the most critical drivers of both capacity development and performance. The research offers valuable evidence on the crucial connection between sustainable capacity development and staff performance. Despite challenges in data sharing, the results provide valuable insights into the pivotal role of sustainable capacity development in enhancing employee effectiveness. The outcomes emphasize how institutional approaches can nurture professional advancement and elevate collective performance levels.

Formulations of Fair and Equitable Treatment Standard in South Asian Investment Agreements

Mujeeb Rahman Emami — 2026-08-02

Fair and equitable treatment (FET) is a central standard in international investment agreements (IIAs) that protects foreign investors. In South Asia, bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and other investment agreements adopt diverse formulations of FET, reflecting differences in treaty drafting and policy priorities. Despite South Asia’s growing importance in international investment law, no comprehensive study has examined FET formulations across the region. Existing research focuses mainly on individual countries or arbitral decisions. This study employs a comparative doctrinal methodology to examine 209 BITs and related investment agreements concluded by six South Asian countries—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Afghanistan. The treaties were classified according to the type of FET clause they contain: combined with other investment protection standards, standalone, or qualified by international or domestic law. The analysis covers treaties in force, signed but not yet in force, or terminated treaties, and relevant model BITs. The findings show that combined FET clauses are the predominant drafting approach in South Asia, whereas standalone clauses occur less frequently and qualified clauses remain comparatively limited. India and Pakistan exhibit the greatest diversity in FET formulations, while Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan demonstrate more limited drafting variations. The study contributes to international investment law by providing the first systematic regional comparison of FET formulations in South Asian investment agreements and offers insights for treaty negotiators, policymakers, and researchers concerned with contemporary investment treaty practice.

The Impact of Financial Structure on Corporate Performance: Evidence from Selected EAGLEs Economies

Ahsanullah Barakzai — 2026-08-02

Financial structure selections are regarded as one of a company's most strategic and crucial choices. By effectively and appropriately implementing these choices, a business may achieve its ultimate objective: maximizing value. This study looks at how manufacturing firms in the sample EAGLE rising nations of China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Turkey performed between 2010 and 2019 in relation to financial structure. The financial structure indicators in this study are the short- and long-term debt ratios. In contrast, the corporate profitability indicators are the return on equity, return on assets, and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization margin. Sales growth and firm size are included as control variables to account for firm-specific characteristics that may influence corporate performance. The study employs panel data analysis to examine the relationship between financial structure and firm performance across the selected emerging economies. The study's findings indicate that during the study period, financial leverage had a substantial detrimental effect on the performance of manufacturing firms operating in the aforementioned sample EAGLE emerging nations. In other words, a rise in debt reduces the worth of the corresponding businesses. The performance of the aforementioned companies during the study period is substantially positively connected with the control variables, which are sales growth and company size. The findings provide empirical evidence on the importance of maintaining an appropriate financial structure to improve profitability and sustain firm value in emerging markets. These findings offer practical insights for managers, investors, policymakers, and academic researchers.

The Future of Trade Unions in South Africa: An Industrial Relations Perspective: A Qualitative Literature Review

Luvuko Nkwenkwe — 2026-08-02

This study examines the future of trade unions in South Africa through an Industrial Relations perspective by synthesizing existing scholarly literature on labor market transformation, employment governance, and worker representation. Using a qualitative literature review, the study analyses 20 peer-reviewed academic and policy sources to explore how globalization, technological change, labor market fragmentation, and institutional restructuring are reshaping organized labor. The thematic analysis reveals that trade unions have experienced a gradual erosion of structural and institutional power due to outsourcing, non-standard employment, digitalization, and changing production systems. However, the findings indicate that union decline is neither inevitable nor uniform. Rather, the future relevance of trade unions depends on their ability to renew organizing strategies, strengthen sectoral bargaining, broaden representation to precarious workers, and enhance their role within employment governance. The study argues that trade unions remain important institutions for promoting worker voice, social dialogue, and equitable labor market outcomes. It concludes that organizational innovation, inclusive representation, and stronger governance mechanisms will be essential for sustaining trade union relevance within South Africa's evolving industrial relations landscape. The article contributes to Industrial Relations scholarship by integrating diverse perspectives into a coherent analysis of trade union renewal and institutional adaptation.

Learning Difficulties and Environmental Factors: The Role of Socioeconomic Status, Maternal Literacy, and Supplementary Education

Samiullah Hasanzadah — 2026-08-02

Learning difficulties refer to challenges that students may experience in understanding academic content, completing homework, or applying effective learning strategies. These difficulties may manifest as academic underachievement, reduced self-esteem, and even school dropout. Unlike specific learning disorders, learning difficulties are more strongly associated with environmental factors and are therefore considered controllable. This study aimed to examine the role of these environmental factors by comparing learning difficulties among students with different socioeconomic statuses, access to supplementary education, and maternal literacy. For this purpose, 129 students from Syed Jamaluddin Afghan School were selected using stratified sampling. Data were collected using the Colorado Learning Difficulties Questionnaire and analyzed in SPSS version 29. The results indicated that overall levels of learning difficulties in the studied population were below the average level (although 16% of the sample exhibited learning difficulties). Furthermore, students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, those whose mothers were illiterate, and those who did not attend supplementary courses demonstrated significantly higher levels of learning difficulties. It is recommended that learning difficulties receive greater attention in schools and that efforts be made to reduce them through improving teaching quality, providing remedial classes, and similar interventions.

The Relationship Between Gratitude and Mental Health Among Policy and Public Administration Students: The Mediating Role of Hope

Mohammad Jawad Mirzaee — 2026-08-02

Given the rising prevalence of psychological distress among university populations worldwide, international health authorities have called for urgent action to pinpoint psychological assets that can safeguard student well-being. Grounded in positive psychology, this study examined the relationship between gratitude and mental health. It investigated the mediating role of hope among undergraduate students of the Faculty of Policy and Public Administration at Kabul University. A cross-sectional, correlational design was employed with a stratified random sample of 196 students (2025 academic year). A battery of validated self-report instruments was administered to all participants, comprising the Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6), the Adult Hope Scale (AHS), the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), and the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations and mediation analysis (PROCESS Model 4, 5,000 bootstrap samples). Results indicated that gratitude was positively associated with hope (r = .329, p < .01) and positive mental health (r = .299, p < .01), and negatively associated with negative mental health (r = −.332, p < .01). Hope was positively related to positive mental health (r = .579, p < .01) and negatively related to negative mental health (r = −.466, p < .01). Mediation analyses revealed that hope partially mediated the relationship between gratitude and both positive (indirect effect = 0.224, 95% CI [0.129, 0.330]) and negative mental health (indirect effect = −0.118, 95% CI [−0.182, −0.063]). These findings suggest that gratitude enhances students’ mental health directly and indirectly through fostering hope, underscoring the value of gratitude- and hope-based interventions in higher education settings. University counseling centers can leverage these low-cost interventions, such as gratitude journaling and hope-enhancing workshops, to improve student mental health, particularly in socioeconomically challenging contexts.

Investigating the Impact of Socio-Economic Factors on Poverty Reduction in Rural Areas of Kunduz Province, Afghanistan

Muhammad Asef Shaiq — 2026-08-02

Rural poverty is a complex and multifaceted problem that many developing countries face. This type of poverty is not only related to a lack of access to financial resources and insufficient income, but also depends on various economic and social factors. Identifying these factors and understanding their impact on the living conditions of rural inhabitants is crucial for designing effective programs and policies to alleviate poverty. In this context, this study aimed to identify and analyze the socio-economic factors affecting rural poverty reduction in Kunduz province. The statistical population of this research included all rural households in Kunduz Province. The primary data collection tool was a questionnaire, which, after assessing its validity and reliability, was distributed to 383 participants based on Cochran's formula and collected through a multi-stage sampling method. For data analysis, in addition to descriptive statistics, the coefficient of variation and multiple linear regression were used. The results indicated that among the economic factors influencing rural poverty reduction, the most significant consensus was related to variables such as investment in rural service jobs, the development of livestock farming in villages (raising economically viable animals), and the development of fish and poultry farms. Meanwhile, the establishment of local cooperatives in villages, access to public services for rural families, and education aimed at increasing the productivity of agricultural and non-agricultural products were recognized as some of the most important social factors affecting the reduction of rural poverty in Kunduz Province. Overall, the economic and social factors affecting the reduction of rural poverty explained approximately 55% of the total variance.

Analysis of Public Procurement Methods in Growth of Small and Medium Sized-Enterprises in Afghanistan (Evidence from Kabul SMEs)

Hassib Andar — 2026-08-02

Public procurement has become an important tool for economic recovery and for supporting domestic industries in many countries. It plays a significant role in national and global economic activities. Small and medium-sized enterprises drive economic growth, job creation and economic diversification. As a post-conflict country, Afghanistan requires strong promotion of SMEs. SMEs in Afghanistan face structural and institutional challenges that limit their participation in procurement opportunities. The objective of this study is to assess the challenges and opportunities of current procurement methods in supporting SME growth. This study adopts an interpretivist paradigm and a qualitative exploratory approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews from 10 SMEs in different sectors and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings identified several key barriers, including limited access to financial resources, bureaucracy, strict tender requirements such as banking guarantees and annual income conditions, limited knowledge of procurement regulations, and intense competition from non-sector firms in open bidding processes. These challenges often reduce SME profits and sometimes result in financial losses or minimal returns. The study suggests that procurement policy and practice should be reformed to improve SMEs participation. Most participants suggested establishing procurement quotas or reserved contracts for SMEs, revising tender requirements, promoting sector-based participation in open bidding, improving access to financial resources and simplifying administrative procedures. These reforms could enhance the role of SMEs in economic growth and contribute to employment generation in Afghanistan.

Investigating the Impact of Occupational Stress on Employee Performance

Hikmatullah Wahidi — 2026-08-02

Occupational stress is a key party of the work environment that impacts employees job performance and productivity. The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of occupational stress on employee performance among administrative staff at Kabul university. This research is applied in nature and cross-sectional in terms of data collection method. The statistical population included all administrative staff of Kabul university, totaling 393 individuals. Using simple random sampling and Morgan’s table, a sample of 187 employees was selected. Standard questionnaires were employed to collect data, including the UK Health and Safety Executive work-related stress questionnaire’s (2004) and Patterson’s employees performance questionnaire (1970). The reliability of the first and second questionnaires was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha, which yielded a coefficient of 0.85 and 0.79. Content validity for both questionnaires was evaluated by several experts in management. The results of the regression analysis for main hypothesis were confirmed the impact of occupational stress on employee performance (sig.=0.000, β=0.489). The results of the sub- hypothesis 1, 4 & 5 testing indicate that, concerning the impact of job demand, colleagues support & workplace relationship on employee performance, were rejected because significance of the hypotheses, as the p-values were above than 0.05, and For the sub-hypotheses 2, 3, 6 & 7 concerning the impact of employee control, officials support, role clarity, and organizational changes on employee performance, were confirmed because significance of the hypotheses, as the p-values were less than 0.05. The findings suggest that when occupational stress is appropriately managed, it increases employees’ job satisfaction, organizational commitment and enhances organizational effectiveness.