International Journal of Social Science Research and Review

The Impact of Air Freight and the Human Development Index: The Volume of Freight, Health, Knowledge and Standard of Living Across Countries

Yin Hei Chan — 2025-05-10

Existing literature mostly focused on the relationship between freight and standard of living of individual countries (Leite et al., 2022; Sarram & Ivey, 2017). Moreover, many studies merely emphasized the impact of air freight and air quality (Facanha & Horvath, 2007; Ramani, Jaikumar & Charman, 2019), but not the overall quality of living of humans across countries. This current study filled the literature gap by investigating some of the factors that might predict the Human Development Index (HDI) of 94 countries by including air freight as one of the independent variables. The HDI can be seen as the average achievement of three basic aspects of human development, namely health, knowledge and standard of living (United Nations Development Programme, 2023). Three factors were included in the analysis to predict the HDI values: air freight, computers, communication and other services and the number of infant deaths. Air freight involved volume of freight, express and diplomatic bags carried on every freight stage. The results showed that the three independent variables significantly explained approximately 39% of the total variance in the HDI. Though air freight was not the strongest predictor of the HDI, results showed that higher volume of freight was significantly related to higher HDI.

Implementation of the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 27 of 2022 concerning the Protection of Personal Data in the Big Data Era in Indonesia

Rahma Charkava Resti — 2025-05-10

The rapid development of information and communication technology, especially in the Big Data Era context, brings significant challenges to the protection of personal data. Indonesian Law No. 27 of 2022 concerning the Protection of Personal Data (PDP Law) is expected to provide a clear legal framework to protect individual rights over their data. The study aims to analyze the implementation of the PDP Law in the big data context and its impact on citizen protection and privacy. The result showed that although the PDP Law had set strong legal basis, the challenges in its aplications still existed.

A Study of Chinese EFL Students' and Teachers' Perceptions on Willingness to Communicate

Yuhua Liang — 2025-05-10

This study examines students' and teachers' perceptions of Chinese EFL students' willingness to communicate (WTC) in class, as well as the impact of societal context and personality factors on WTC. Although WTC has been frequently studied in Western contexts, its dynamics within the Chinese educational setting remain unclear. This study captures the complexity of WTC using a mixed-methods approach. A thorough questionnaire was used to gather quantitative results from 350 university students. After that, three experienced teachers and four students participated in semi-structured interviews, qualitative data was collected then. The findings indicate that WTC is influenced by a combination of societal context, including group cohesiveness and teacher support, and personality factors, such as tolerance of ambiguity and risk-taking. Supportive and friendly class environments significantly enhanced students' WTC. Furthermore, students with higher tolerance for ambiguity and moderate risk-taking tendencies were more likely to engage in English communication in class. However, fear of losing face led many students to remain silent despite their language proficiency. Teachers who incorporated group activities, positive feedback, and low-stress communication opportunities effectively promoted students' WTC. This study provides new insights into WTC in Chinese EFL contexts and offers valuable implications for language teaching practices.

Economic Dilemma of Fuel Subsidy Removal in Nigeria

Johnbosco Chukwuma Ozigbu — 2025-05-10

In this study, we provide valuable insights into how the removal of fuel subsidy contributed to headline inflation in Nigeria from 2023 to February 2025. This is based on the premise that high prices of premium motor spirit (PMS), associated with the subsidy removal, tend to increase the costs of transportation, food, and production. Thus, we employ exploratory analysis, a least squares estimation, and Granger causality tests to quantify the contributions of PMS, household kerosene, and automotive gas oil (AGO) prices to headline inflation using time series data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The exploratory analysis indicated that high PMS prices are positively and significantly correlated with headline inflationary pressures. The findings from the regression estimates revealed that prices of PMS, household kerosene, and automotive gas oil have positive and significant effects on headline inflation in both the short and long run. However, the magnitude of these impacts varies, with the price of PMS exerting a more pronounced positive effect on headline inflation during the study period. This underscores that changes in PMS prices exacerbate the inflation conundrum, complicating the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) efforts to achieve price stability. Therefore, the government should prioritise fiscal discipline in managing the savings from subsidy removal, ensuring these funds are invested in revamping refineries to increase supply and reduce prices in the long run.

Sentencing Disparities in the United States

Jennifer M. Miller — 2025-05-10

The United States has historically faced sentencing disparities that stem from racial, socioeconomic, and geographic factors, creating unequal treatment within the criminal justice system. The article analyzes current sentencing disparity conditions with an emphasis on racial and ethnic disparities while assessing how another Trump presidency could influence these patterns. Based on literature reviews and government reports, the paper presents evidence that Trump administration policies and their associated rhetoric might worsen current disparities through stricter sentencing practices alongside reduced enforcement of federal sentencing guidelines and reversal of criminal justice reforms. The paper ends by suggesting strategies to address these disparities amid possible policy changes.

The Impact and Effectiveness of Prayer in Individual and Social Well-being

Sayed Ziaoddin Olyanasab — 2025-05-10

Prayer is the pillar of religion and the foremost among acts of worship. Performing prayer is considered one of the most significant religious practices, a defining characteristic of prophets, and a crucial foundation for fulfilling their mission. Like any other form of worship, prayer holds value only when its intended purpose is realized, meaning it must be impactful and effective. According to the Quran, the essential elements of an impactful and effective prayer include humility before the Almighty God, consistency and vigilance in performing prayers, remembrance of God during prayer, and the establishment (iqama) of prayer rather than merely reciting it. Functionally, effective prayer creates a foundation for the growth of individual and social values, fosters psychological tranquility in the worshiper, reduces crime at both individual and societal levels, aids in resolving various issues, and eliminates the effects of inappropriate behavior from the human psyche. This study employs a qualitative research method of a descriptive-analytical nature and aims to examine the effectiveness and impact of prayer on individual and social well-being. The findings indicate that impactful prayer elevates individual and social values, guides the worshiper toward inner peace, and significantly reduces the likelihood of sin and disobedience within personal and social contexts.

The Decision of the Civil Case Court Acts of Default at the Cassation Level in the Convention's Lawsuit to Punish the Cassation/Plaintiff (Case Study No.91/Pdt.G/2021/PN.Plg)

Ferry Irawan — 2025-05-10

This case focuses on a court decision regarding default that occurs in the context of convention lawsuits. In case No. 91/Pdt.G/2021/PN.Plg, the Plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the Defendant who was suspected of violating the agreed agreement. The Defendant's failure to execute the obligations outlined in the agreement was determined by the Palembang District Court to be a default. The Supreme Court reviewed the decision during the cassation stage to verify that the legal substances and procedures were applied appropriately. The defendant's appeal was denied by the Supreme Court, which underscored the appropriateness of the previous court's decision. The Defendant is required to reimburse the Plaintiff for the sum of money received as compensation for default, according to the court. This is consistent with the regulations of Article 1238 of the Civil Code, which governs default and its repercussions. This decision has a significant impact on the parties involved, as the Defendant was legally obligated to fulfill his obligations. Furthermore, this decision establishes precedents for other default cases, emphasizing the significance of adhering to mutually agreed-upon agreements. Case No. 91/PDT.G/2021/PN.PLG is a noteworthy illustration of civil law enforcement in the context of default. The Indonesian legal system's dedication to safeguarding the rights of parties who are underprivileged in the agreement is reaffirmed by the Supreme Court Decision, which also underscores the significance of all parties fulfilling their contractual obligations.

Impact of Teacher Professional Development on Assessment Practices in Pre-Tertiary Institutions in the Northern Region of Ghana

Hassan Mubarik Iddrisu — 2025-05-10

Assessment is an important tool in education which is used to measure student learning, provide feedback, and inform instructional decisions. However, many teachers, especially in developing countries, lack the requisite skills to design and implement effective assessments. This study, guided by Guskey’s Model of Teacher Change, investigates the impact of teacher professional development (PD) on assessment knowledge, effective use of assessment strategies, and confidence in conducting assessments among pre-tertiary school teachers in the Northern Region of Ghana. A quantitative research design was employed, surveying 335 teachers using a structured questionnaire. Independent samples t-tests revealed that teachers who participated in PD demonstrated higher assessment knowledge (M = 4.12 vs. 3.45, p = 0.000) and greater confidence in conducting assessments (M = 4.25 vs. 3.62, p = 0.000) than their non-participating counterparts. A Pearson correlation analysis (r = 0.524, p = 0.000) indicated a moderate positive relationship between PD and effective assessment use. Regression analysis showed that PD significantly predicted assessment knowledge (β = 0.412, p = 0.000, R² = 0.170), effective assessment use (β = 0.524, p < 0.001, R² = 0.274), and confidence (β = 0.398, p = 0.000, R² = 0.159). The study concluded that teachers who participated in continuing professional development acquired more knowledge and skills in using assessment strategies effectively. It thus recommended the structuring of PD programmes and the integration of assessment literacy in teacher training so as to enhance institutional support for teachers’ assessment practices. These interventions are essential for improving educational quality and student learning outcomes.

Kenneth Kaunda’s Humanism in Contemporary Zambian Politics: Is It an Enduring Echo?

Francis Mwewa Kaumba — 2025-05-10

This study explored the enduring influence of Kenneth Kaunda’s humanism on contemporary Zambian politics, investigating its relevance and impact in a post-colonial context. Kaunda’s humanism, rooted in values of dignity, unity, and social justice, served as a moral and ethical framework during his presidency. However, with Zambia’s transition to a multiparty democracy and the introduction of neoliberal economic policies, the practical application of these ideals has diminished. This study analyses existing literature, policy documents, and critical assessments through desk-based research to evaluate how much Kaunda’s humanist principles persist or have been eroded in contemporary governance. The findings show that while Kaunda’s values continue to serve as symbolic references in political rhetoric and education, there is a significant gap between the ideals of humanism and the practical governance observed today. Factors such as neoliberal reforms, corruption, and clientelism have contributed to the erosion of humanism, although some elements, such as the “One Zambia, One Nation” motto, continue to resonate. These findings have important policy implications, suggesting that reintegrating humanist principles into Zambia’s governance could foster more inclusive and equitable development. This study contributes to discussions on post-colonial governance and the role of ethical leadership in contemporary African politics.

Evidence-based Child Protection in the Philippines: A Scoping Review

Eduardo Junio Andaya — 2025-05-13

This scoping review provides a comprehensive examination of the current landscape of child protection practices in the Philippines, focusing on the implementation of policies, effective strategies, and encountered challenges. Drawing on 19 publications, including 17 research articles, 1 report, and 1 website document, this review synthesizes evidence from various sectors and contexts to address three key research questions: What evidence exists regarding the implementation of child protection policies? What are the identified best practices in implementing these policies? What key challenges and recommendations are encountered in implementing child protection policies? The findings reveal a diverse range of implementation efforts across schools, local governments, hospitals, and community-based programs. Promising strategies of best practices, includes multidisciplinary approaches, community engagement, and strong leadership from Local Government Units. However, persistent challenges remain, including resource constraints, capacity gaps, coordination issues, and socio-cultural barriers. The review concludes with recommendations for strengthening child protection efforts, emphasizing increased investment, capacity building, enhanced coordination, and a focus on preventive measures. This review contributes valuable knowledge to the field and can inform policy and practice improvements to ensure a brighter future for Filipino children.

Assessment of the Economic Significance of Gold: A Reappraisal of the Ilesha Schist Belt, Southwestern Nigeria

Ahmed K. Usman — 2025-05-10

Nigeria, endowed with significant gold deposits, holds substantial economic potential, particularly in the northwest and southwest regions within the Schist Belts. In the Iperindo axis of the Ilesha Schist Belt, artisanal mining has been reported; however, the lack of comprehensive geoscience data hinders optimal resource development. This study evaluates the economic viability of gold occurrences in the area, leveraging geoscience research findings. To assess gold mineralization potential, Geonics EM34-3 and SuperSting R8/IP/SP meters were used for frequency domain electromagnetic (FDEM) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) profiling, alongside geochemical sampling of soil and stream sediments. Apparent resistivity data from ERT profiles were inverted using RES2DINV software, while Oasis Montaj was utilized to generate 2D conductivity/resistivity sections, maps, and 3D subsurface models. The results suggest the presence of gold or base metals in pegmatitic veins within low-resistivity, high-conductivity zones. Additionally, processed geochemical data identified areas with substantial mineralization potential. These findings underscore the economic potential for commercial gold exploitation in the Ilesha Schist Belt. Instead of further expanding artisanal mining, structured commercial development could enable the government to collect royalty taxes, create employment opportunities, and foster economic growth for both the local community and the nation.

Reconstruction of Divorce Suit Regulations on the Reason That the Husband Does Not Provide Maintenance to the Wife Based on the Values of Justice

Fatimah Asyari — 2025-05-15

Maintenance is a wife’s right during marriage and after divorce within a certain time limit. This study aims to: (1) analyze the unjust regulation of divorce lawsuits due to a husband's failure to provide maintenance; (2) examine the weaknesses of the existing regulations; and (3) reconstruct the regulations based on the principle of justice. The research employed a constructivist paradigm with normative and empirical approaches, using a descriptive research design. Data sources consisted of secondary legal materials (primary, secondary, and tertiary), with data collected through literature review, qualitative descriptive analysis, and field studies. The theoretical framework includes the Theory of Islamic Justice (Grand Theory), Legal System Theory (Middle Theory), and Progressive Legal Theory (Applied Theory). The findings reveal that: (1) Regulations concerning divorce lawsuits due to the husband’s failure to provide maintenance are still unjust, as marriage laws remain ambiguous and influenced by patriarchal cultural biases. As a result, divorce rulings are easily granted even when the fault lies with the husband, without any compensation for the wife. (2) The weaknesses of the regulation lie in three aspects: legal substance (lack of protection for the wife's rights post-divorce), legal structure (the passive role of Religious Court officials who rely solely on legal texts), and legal culture (low public legal awareness and prevalent legal manipulation). (3) Justice-based reconstruction includes value reconstruction (redefining the basis of regulation to ensure fairness) and normative reconstruction, namely adjustments to Law No. 16/2019 on Marriage (Article 7 paragraph 1) and Supreme Court Circular No. 1/2022 to align with the sighat ta’lik talak. Therefore, the regulation must be revised to ensure justice for wives, both during the divorce process and in the post-divorce period.

An Empirical Study on Work Performance Appraisal of the Employees in an Industry at Karur

Rajeswari S, Dr — 2025-05-18

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the performance appraisal processes among employees in the textile industry, specifically within Atlas Textile Private Limited. The research focuses on understanding how performance appraisals influence employee engagement, productivity, and overall professional growth.

Methodology
The study adopts a systematic random sampling method to select a sample of 100 employees from a population of 200 employees at Atlas Textile Private Limited. Data collection was conducted using a self-prepared questionnaire that gathered insights on employee perceptions of performance appraisals. The study emphasizes the importance of systematic data gathering for evaluating employee performance effectively.

Findings
The study reveals that a significant majority of employees (62%) report having a high level of satisfaction with the performance appraisal system. The findings highlight that regular feedback and clear communication contribute to enhanced employee engagement. Furthermore, the study suggests that initiatives like face-to-face interaction, on-the-job training, and recreational tours can improve employee well-being, thereby contributing to better performance and higher productivity.

Originality/Value
This research contributes to the body of knowledge by providing insights into the impact of performance appraisals in the textile industry. This sector often receives less academic attention in terms of human resource management practices. The findings and suggestions offer valuable insights for organizations aiming to enhance their performance appraisal processes and boost employee satisfaction and productivity.

A Critical Analysis on Illegal Border Massacre Violations and International Perspectives to Maintain Human Rights Safety

Sumon Matubbar — 2025-05-10

This study examines the complex issue of extrajudicial killings across international borders, highlighting the urgent need to protect human rights. Historically, border control has been closely associated with military forces and diplomatic control; Today, border controls are often stepped up to save the wealth, culture, and population of citizens, and to ensure social security. This paper includes a brief history of border control and lawlessness and its progression from general border safeguarding to more complex ethnic, national, and cultural protection. But the rise of nation states and the subsequent establishment of stricter border policies coincided with a worrying rise in human rights abuses. So, this study examines the global phenomenon of illegal cross-border killings and examines their legal, ethical and humanitarian aspects. As migration policy evolves and border security measures tighten, there is a need to develop effective mechanisms to protect human rights while addressing legitimate security concerns. This paper examines in depth the international legal system, examines the potential for international cooperation, and scrutinizes the ethical considerations of cross-border law enforcement, with the aim of contributing to they have developed a more humane approach to border management.

A look at Political Thought of Mulla Sadra with emphasis on the Characteristics and Legitimacy of the Political Ruler

Seyyed Mohammad Amin Madayen — 2025-05-10

Investigating the origin of the state, the legitimacy of the state and the type of government are among the general components of a political thought. In this article, after briefly explaining and explaining the aforementioned issues, we will discuss the matching of these issues to Mulla Sadra's political thought. From Mulla Sadra's point of view, the origin of the open government is quite natural. But this government must be divine and its ruler must be either a messenger from God or a divine caliph and a means to reach God's creation to God's pleasure. Based on Sadr al-Mutallehin, the legitimacy of the government is the divine legitimacy that has been rationalized by explanation and punishment. And the ruler of the government will not have legitimacy unless his scope of existence has entered the intellectual realm after going through the sensory and exemplary stages. Such a person is either the Prophet of God or the Caliph of God, who can be called the ruler of the Islamic society due to his position as the divine caliph.

Legal Politics on the Principle of Ultimum Remedium in the Context of Protection Recidivist Children

Lutfi Ramadhani Tiara Putri — 2025-05-24

The principle of juvenile criminal justice focuses more on protecting and rehabilitating children of criminals, because children have weaknesses compared to adults. Repeat crimes are not new in the law, because every time there is a crime, there will be a repetition of the crime. The last principle of settlement is an important concept in criminal law that emphasizes that the use of criminal law should only be carried out as a last resort in enforcing the law. This study is intended to explore how the juvenile criminal law policy in Indonesia provides protection for children who repeat crimes and how the latter principle as a last resort is applied in the handling of recidivism children in the juvenile criminal justice system in Indonesia. In this study, normative legal research methods are used with the Laws and Regulations approach and the Conceptual Approach. Literature relevant to the object of research becomes a source of legal material that provides a juridical descriptive analysis. Research and discussions show that the progressive application of the law in the restorative justice approach is the best for children in dealing with legal problems. In the case of recidivist children, the use of ultimum remedium is intended to avoid excessive punishment and focus more on rehabilitation and recovery.

The Journey of Exploitation: Investigating Human Trafficking and Migration Routes from Bangladesh to the Mediterranean

Sheikh Md. Abdullah Bin Kalam — 2025-05-10

The Central Mediterranean route was the primary subject of this study, which examined the intricate phenomena of human trafficking and irregular migration from Bangladesh to the Mediterranean region. The study looked at how Bangladesh's socioeconomic weaknesses fueled the growth of exploitative migration patterns and how trafficking organizations routinely took advantage of these circumstances. Using a mixed method approach that included secondary data from international organizations like the IOM and UNODC, as well as in-depth interviews with law enforcement officials, non-governmental organization (NGO) staff, and returnees, the study offered a thorough examination of the migration journey, related risks, and human trafficking mechanisms. The results showed that the majority of Bangladeshi migrants were enticed by fictitious promises of work overseas, and that after they left, they were subjected to extortion, debt bondage, physical abuse, and in certain situations, forced labor and sexual exploitation. Libya became a significant hub for transit and detention, where many migrants were held over extended periods of time. These travels were discovered to be largely facilitated by multinational trafficking networks, which are made possible by dishonest officials and open borders. Finding and defending victims was extremely difficult due to the hazy boundaries between forced migration and voluntary migration. In order to prevent human trafficking and safeguard vulnerable migrants from Bangladesh, this study will support future initiatives by providing information for evidence-based policies, regional cooperation plans, and focused interventions.