Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal

Navigating Perceptions and Crises: The Impact of Public Relations on Community Engagement in Ghana's Oil and Gas Sector

2025-02-25T18:41:48+00:00

Public relations (PR) plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions and fostering community engagement in Ghana’s oil and gas sector. As the country seeks to maximize the benefits of its hydrocarbon resources, strategic communication becomes essential in addressing stakeholder concerns and mitigating conflicts. This study examines the impact of PR on community relations, crisis management, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives within the sector. Relying on secondary sources of data, the research analyses existing literature, case studies, and industry reports to assess how PR strategies influence public trust and sustainable development. The oil and gas industry in Ghana presents both opportunities and challenges. While it contributes to economic growth through job creation, foreign investments, and infrastructure development, it also raises concerns related to environmental degradation, social displacement, and resource mismanagement. Effective PR strategies, including transparent communication and proactive stakeholder engagement, are essential in balancing these competing interests. The study highlights the role of PR in crisis management, demonstrating how companies that adopt timely and transparent communication strategies can minimize reputational damage and restore public confidence. Additionally, the research explores the integration of CSR initiatives with PR efforts to enhance corporate credibility and community relations. It underscores the importance of aligning industry operations with local development goals to ensure equitable benefits. The findings suggest that strategic PR practices contribute to improved stakeholder relationships, fostering a more stable and sustainable oil and gas sector in Ghana. Ultimately, this study reinforces the significance of PR in navigating public perceptions and promoting inclusive socio-economic growth.

A Study on China-Bangladesh Relations in the Context of the Geopolitical, Security, Strategic and Economic Interests of India

2025-02-21T15:06:52+00:00

The geopolitical dynamics of South Asia have changed significantly in the twenty-first century, with Bangladesh emerging as a vital participant in China's regional cooperation and development. This article investigates the emerging economic and strategic partnership between China and Bangladesh, examining its security, economic and strategic implications for India, particularly in light of Bangladesh's recent political shift. As China has decided to strengthen commercial and defense ties with Bangladesh, India's traditional regional influence faces an increasing threat in recent time. The study investigates how Bangladesh's growing reliance on Chinese investments and military backing, threaten India's security, trade and impact regional stability. By studying the China- Bangladesh geopolitical and economic relations this article aims to provide a thorough understanding of India's security, economic, regional and strategic goals in both South and Southeast Asia. This study has found that a strong relationship between China and Bangladesh might jeopardize India's regional interests in South and Southeast Asia. But, a strong and cordial relationship among China-Bangladesh and India, is of course, in favor of India's Interests. The study is based on secondary data, focus group discussions and observation methods. Finally the study has provided with some policy recommendations so as to improve the relationship among China, India and Bangladesh. After all, regional developmemt, economic cooperation and cultural ties in the whole region are very essential.

Social Loafing and Team Development: A Barrier to Achieving UNESCO's Sustainable Development Goals

2025-02-20T14:57:09+00:00

This qualitative study examines the phenomenon of social loafing in team settings, exploring its impact on team development and strategies to mitigate its effects. Through a comparative analysis of three case studies of multinational corporations, this study identifies key factors that contribute to social loafing and its consequences on team performance. The findings highlight the significance of leadership, clear goal-setting, and regular feedback in promoting a culture of accountability and motivation. This research contributes to the existing literature on social loafing and team development, providing valuable insights for organizations and teams seeking to promote collaboration, productivity, and social justice. The study’s results have implications for leadership development, team management, and organizational performance, emphasizing the need for intentional strategies to mitigate social loafing and foster effective teamwork.

Laudato Si’ and Beyond: An Interfaith Exploration of Integral Ecology and its Implications for Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)

2025-02-20T14:52:29+00:00

This qualitative research explores the concept of integral ecology, as outlined in Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, and its implications for peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16). The study examines two case studies, the Green Belt Movement in Kenya and the Jesuit-run Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat in Rome, to demonstrate the practical applications of integral ecology in promoting sustainable development and social justice. The research integrates insights from various scholarly voices and explores the diversity of interpretations within different Christian denominations. The study finds that Integral ecology provides a holistic approach to understanding the relationships between human dignity, environmental sustainability, and social justice. The case studies highlight the importance of community-led initiatives, environmental justice, and advocacy and community engagement in promoting sustainable development and social justice. The research contributes to the growing body of research on integral ecology and its implications for sustainable development and social justice, providing valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars seeking to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16).

Occupational Rehabilitation of Individuals with Mental Disorders: The Role of Occupational Therapy and Organizational Benefits for Businesses

2025-01-22T19:44:19+00:00

The occupational rehabilitation of individuals with mental disorders presents a unique opportunity to foster workplace diversity while enhancing organizational performance. Despite advancements in societal and legal frameworks, individuals with mental disorders continue to face significant barriers to employment due to stigma and insufficient workplace support. This literature review examines the potential benefits for organizations that employ and support individuals with mental disorders, emphasizing the critical role of occupational therapy in facilitating successful workplace integration. By analyzing existing research, this review highlights strategies for creating inclusive environments, such as tailored support systems, employee training, and effective diversity management practices. Furthermore, it explores how these approaches contribute to enhanced organizational outcomes, including increased productivity, improved workplace culture, and greater awareness of mental health issues. The review positions occupational therapy as a key factor in enabling occupational rehabilitation, underscoring the long-term advantages for businesses that embrace diversity and actively support employees with mental disorders. Such practices benefit individuals and align with sustainable and socially responsible business strategies.

Scintillating Catch Phrases in Selected Presidential End of Year Speeches in Cameroon

2025-03-20T15:36:32+00:00

This study explores scintillating catch phrases in selected presidential end of year speeches in Cameroon. The study investigates how scintillating catchphrases have been used by the president during his end of year speeches. The paper argues that he wants to capture the attention of the audience and convince them to believe in his discourse, so the citizens can continue to support him and his political ideology and to maintain self in power. The analysis will bother on some selected speeches which the paper finds necessary to meet the objective of the research. The data is collected from Cameroon Tribune the state bilingual daily newspaper which publishes the end of year speeches in both French and English. Only the English versions have been used in the work. The theoretical framework that has informed this research is Critical Discourse Analysis drawing largely on Ruth Wodak’s Discourse Historical Approach (DHA) 2009, and Teun van Dijk’s Socio-Cognitive Approach (SCA), which opines ‘that properties of language which can vary as a function of social power should be taken into account when analyzing language’ (Van Dijk, 2009). For the DHA, language is not independently powerful-it gains power through the use ‘powerful’ individuals make of. (Wodak, 2009). The results reveal that president Paul Biya uses and switches from one catch phrase to the other in order to spur his audience and capture their attention. These catchphrases are used to good effect in order to lay bare his arguments for the development of the country and to better the living conditions of Cameroonians.

Analysis of the Proliferation of Prophecy and Fake Prophets in Southwestern Nigeria: Implications and Policy

2025-03-04T12:44:58+00:00

Christianity has been a moral bastion of the African continent since it was introduced to the shore of Africa. It has impacted the continent regarding education, health, and agriculture. Meanwhile, it is unfortunate that the growth and development of the church in South-Western Nigeria have brought in some distasteful acts introduced by dubious pastors, prophets, and prophetesses. It is a fact that some pastors and prophets in Nigeria are politicizing prophecy. Thus, some people no longer believe in prophecy and prophetic utterances from some acclaimed Prophets and Prophetesses in Nigeria. It is worrisome that the actions of these pastors have led to the commercialization and politicizing of prophecy in the country. Against this background, this paper examined Analysis of the Proliferation of Prophecy and Fake Prophets in Southwestern Nigeria: Implications and Policy. A survey research method was used to assess this situation, and empirical results were found. From these results, it was discovered that there is confusion among the Christians in South-Western Nigeria because of different prophecies on a particular issue from prophets and prophetesses. Also, most people who call themselves prophets in the country are only looking for a livelihood. Moreover, unlike the biblical prophets, some contemporary prophets are moved by what they see, not what we have heard from God. It was also discovered that prophecy had lost the values attached to it in the past. The paper, therefore, recommends that a body coordinate and regulate prophecy and prophetic utterances in the country. Also, fake prophets must be identified and disciplined to bring sanity to Christendom.

The Digital Dilemma: Balancing Phone Time and Real Life in the Age of Social Media

2025-02-27T05:36:54+00:00

The widespread adoption of smartphones and social media has led to a significant increase in screen time among adolescents. This study investigated the relationship between screen time and mental health in adolescents, with a focus on the impact of screen time on mental health symptoms, social relationships, and productivity. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods. The study found that excessive screen time was associated with negative mental health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, and lower self-esteem. Focus group discussions revealed that adolescents experience social pressure to be constantly connected to their screens, contributing to feelings of anxiety and stress. The findings of this study have implications for promoting healthy screen use habits among adolescents, including the need for parents, educators, and healthcare professionals to be aware of the potential negative effects of excessive screen time on adolescents’ mental health.

Black Empowerment and Affirmative Action: The Incongrous Irony of South Africa’s Multiracial Democracy

2025-02-25T18:36:37+00:00

The central focus of this paper is the racially engendered irony that underlying the African National Congress’(ANC) use of affirmative action as a policy to achieve social justice by empowering the black population. The discussion centres on fictionalized examples from Nicholas Mhlongo’s Dog Eat Dog and After Tears and highlights how the rise in racial tension observed in the country’s public sphere is a consequence of the policy’s seemingly racist and/or racial nature. The irony of affirmative action in post-apartheid South Africa can be examined from two broad, interconnected perspectives: the government’s initiatives inspired by affirmative action and the general black population’s response to the policy. The article argues that despite the ANC’s commendable intent in implementing affirmative action, some of the actions of the new leadership - driven by this policy – subtly reflects the very racial and/or racist tendencies it once fought against. Ultimately, the irony of South Africa’s affirmative action policy is shaped by its often racialised repercussions, which arise from a public that has not fully grasped the spirit of the policy and frequently misconstrues the government’s initiatives. The discussion in the paper is shaped by new historicists’ and postcolonial theoretical considerations as it borrows from the major concepts of New Historicism such as those propounded by Anton Kaes, Louis Montrose, Jerome McGann, and the Postcolonial concepts of Centre/Margin, Self/Other binaries, Race, Class and Ethnicity.

The Relationship Between Faith and Reason: A Biblical and Philosophical Exploration

2025-02-20T15:03:35+00:00

This PhD thesis explores the complex and multifaceted relationship between faith and reason, examining the intersections and tensions between these two concepts in biblical, philosophical, and contemporary contexts. Through a qualitative research approach, incorporating literature reviews, case studies, and theoretical analysis, this study investigates the ways in which faith and reason inform and shape each other, and the implications of this relationship for critical thinking, problem-solving, and social justice. The study draws on biblical hermeneutics and philosophical analysis, integrating the works of influential thinkers such as Immanuel Kant, Søren Kierkegaard, and C.S. Lewis. The findings highlight the interconnectedness of faith and reason, emphasizing the importance of integrating these concepts in various contexts, including education, ethics, and personal growth. This research contributes to ongoing debates about the nature of faith and reason, and their interrelationship, offering insights into the ways in which these concepts can be integrated and applied in various contexts. The study argues that a nuanced understanding of the relationship between faith and reason is essential for fostering critical thinking, promoting social justice, and addressing the complex challenges of the 21^st century.

Artificial Intelligence: Investigate the Implications of AI on the Work of the Holy Spirit, Including the Potential for AI to Facilitate or Hinder Spiritual Growth

2025-02-20T14:54:37+00:00

This research investigates the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the work of the Holy Spirit and spiritual growth, examining the potential benefits and drawbacks of AI in facilitating or hindering spiritual development. A qualitative approach, combining literature review, case studies, and expert interviews, is employed to explore the intersection of theology, AI, and spirituality. Two case studies, the Interfaith Dialogue Platform and AI-Powered Chatbots in a Church Setting, provide valuable insights into the potential applications and implications of AI in spiritual contexts. The findings of this research contribute to the growing body of literature on the intersection of theology and AI, highlighting the importance of considering the implications of AI on spiritual growth and development. The study’s results have practical applications in various fields, including education, healthcare, and interfaith dialogue, and contribute to UNESCO’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

Research on Cross-Cultural Conflict Management in Chinese Enterprises Under the Belt and Road Initiative by Integrating Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture

2025-02-13T10:10:49+00:00

This study innovatively integrates Confucian culture and the concept of a "community of shared future for mankind" into cross-cultural conflict management research. By using the cultural integration approach of cross-cultural conflict theory as a breakthrough, the study adopts the "Western framework with embedded Chinese elements" method. This approach imparts new cultural connotations to Confucianism and integrates them into Western management theories, thus forming a new cultural integration framework. This framework includes: "righteousness" based on corporate social responsibility, "benevolence" based on business ethics, "ritual" based on institutional theory, "wisdom" based on organizational learning, "trust" based on social network theory, and "moderation" based on stakeholder theory. The goal is to realize a shared cultural and interest community in multinational enterprises. This system explores the understanding and coexistence between diverse cultures by reinterpreting the meanings of "benevolence," "righteousness," "ritual," "wisdom," "trust," and "moderation," promoting "equal dialogue" and mutual prosperity among multicultural communities in multinational enterprises. Through equal dialogue and interaction, cultural differences and disputes can be resolved, achieving the ideal corporate cultural atmosphere of "all things grow together without harming each other, and all paths can coexist without contradiction."

Neurotechnology, AI, and Human Identity: A Christian Anthropological Analysis and Apologetic Response

2025-03-05T18:54:36+00:00

The convergence of neurotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining human identity, consciousness, and personhood. As Christian communities grapple with these advancements, a coherent and compelling response is urgently needed. This article develops a robust Christian anthropological framework to understand the implications of neurotechnology and AI on human identity. By integrating insights from theology, philosophy, neuroscience, and AI research, this study addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by these technologies. Through a comprehensive literature review, expert interviews, and case studies, this research constructs a comprehensive apologetic response to equip Christian communities to engage confidently with the emerging landscape of neurotechnology and AI. This study contributes to a nuanced understanding of human identity, informing a Christian response that is both theologically grounded and philosophically informed.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Case Management of Vulnerable Children at Household Level in Delta State, Nigeria

2025-03-03T15:46:30+00:00

Poverty, war, HIV/AIDS, traffic accidents, infectious and non-communicable diseases, and detrimental cultural customs are the main causes of orphaning and vulnerability. Therefore, the case management approach has been adopted as a community service delivery technique to address the needs of vulnerable children and orphans at the family level. This study assessed the case management approach's efficacy in delivering household-level services to vulnerable children, orphans, and their caregivers in Delta State, Nigeria. An explanatory case study design using a mixed method of both quantitative and qualitative study were used to analyze descriptive variables and indicators that evaluates the outcomes of services provided to vulnerable children and their caregivers using the case management model. Data from quantitative surveys from vulnerable children national service provision tools were analyzed to obtain the outcome of services received from Orphans and Vulnerable Children and their Caregivers. Conversely, a semi-structured qualitative questionnaire was administered to key stakeholders of orphans and vulnerable children programs including CBOs/NGOs, Government Officials, Case Managers and relevant agencies. A total of 49,141 beneficiaries residing in some13,445 families were served across all four OVC domains–Healthy; Safe; Schooled and Stable — this exploratory analysis can rightfully argue that the case management strategy has demonstrated immense power to shape how services provided through VC programs are delivered. After being enrolled, services were provided to the households and a significant number of them moved from vulnerability to self-resilience. Findings also show appreciable levels of coordination both between government stakeholders and implementing partners within the geographical areas to strengthen systems for the provision of services needed by VCs and their caregivers. On the other hand, the results showed that vulnerable children (VC) officials from the state and local governments were not adequately working together, which hindered their ability to oversee VC initiatives. The overall results showed that case management of vulnerable children and their caregivers is an effective strategy for providing need based appropriate services to vulnerable groups and adequate synergy among critical stakeholders with increased funding is key to program sustainability as shown by this study.