Complex concepts with varying connotations: In search for conceptual definitions

One of the fundamental challenges for sociology is the interpretation of its key terms, which is determined by the fact that many words of everyday language and scientific discourse are the same despite implying a much higher level of generalization as sociological categories. Certainly, such challenges are more typical for the empirical research - when sociologists turn their theoretical concepts into sets of empirical indicators which have to be clear enough for the respondent to understand and answer the questionnaire and for the sociologist to interpret these answers correctly. Nevertheless, the lack of generally recognized conceptual definitions is no less important, because the general picture of social reality is necessarily made of them (the society is described as either fair, consisting of trustworthy institutions that provide opportunities for being happy, or in the opposite statements). The article presents a possible reconstruction of the strategy that sociologists use in the search for conceptual definitions for such complex concepts with varying connotations as love, happiness, trust and justice. This strategy consists of two steps: focus on the macro-sociological dimension of the phenomena under study as determining its various manifestations and everyday interpretations (the key step in the study of love and happiness); and identification of objective and subjective indicators of the phenomenon under study (the key step in the study of trust and justice). For instance, in the study of love and happiness, there is the obvious micro-sociological perspective that implies personal responsibility for being happy and loved, and the hidden macro-sociological perspective that implies social standards for identifying and achieving love and happiness; trust is defined as a source of social order, cooperation, institutional, organizational and everyday interactions, which reduces the level of uncertainty; in the searches for the conceptual definition of justice, there are two main approaches - the first approach considers justice as one of many grounds for developing some theoretical model; the second approach reconstructs justice either as an ideal political-philosophical model of social order or as a means of the comparative analysis of its practical implementations.

METHODOLOGY OF DETECTION OF COMPUTER CRIME OFFENSES

Computer crime is characterized by an exceptional phenomenological diversity that complicates its unique and precise conceptual definition, and the permanent intensive development of computer technologies contributes to the constant expansion of its forms and poses increasing challenges to the authorities responsible for combating it. After a brief review of the concept and importance of criminology as a science, and criminological methodology as a branch of criminology, and the conceptual definition and basic characteristics of crime in general, and computer crime, the paper analyzes the most important aspects of crime detection methodology in this area. The conclusion is that the basic characteristics of computer crime, difficult detection, complicated proving and ineffective prevention certainly encourage potential perpetrators to make a decision on taking criminal acts in this area, which again indicates in which direction to move in order to eliminate difficulties in the methodology of detection and collection of evidence in criminal offenses of computer crime.

SAVREMENI DRUŠTVENI PROCESI I REDEFINISANjE DRŽAVNE SUVERENOSTI

The crisis of the nation-state in modern conditions leaves deep consequences for the achieved theoretical achievements of understanding state sovereignty. Globalization, which establishes the contours of the new world order, is increasingly influencing the foundations of the conceptual definition of the constitutive elements of the state as a form of social organization. State sovereignty is gradually coming under the impact of modern political tendencies on the global map, which justifies the need for analytical thinking about the theoretical scope of this concept. The paper critically treats and connects the basic postulates of sovereignty with contemporary developments in relations between states. The influence of the domination of the superior state on others is especially emphasized, in order to justify the position on the serious threat to the sovereignty and the very essence of the nation-state.

AKSIOLOŠKE OSNOVE USTAVNE DEMOKRATIJE I POPULIZMA

The paper discusses the axiological foundations of constitutional democracy and populism, as well as the influence of populist movements on law, legal processes, liberal democracy and the state order as a whole. The conceptual definition of populism in the situation of stable functioning of the political system inevitably leads to the conclusion that it represents an anomaly and an absolutely retrograde political phenomenon in the conditions of globalization and constant changes in modern societies. A serious crisis of the political system, that is, consequently, of the state- legal order as a whole, puts things on a completely new basis, providing an opportunity for a deeper and more complete understanding of the phenomenon of populism and its impact on constitutionalism and democracy.

Defining Microgames in Education Context

The concept of microgaming in education is relatively new and it has evident potential for supporting learning in various learning environments. However, there is little consensus in the education literature on how micro-games are defined. The present article proposes a conceptual definition of mi-crogames by considering related terms and learning approaches in education. Microgames in education context are defined as very small and short games that provide brief engagement and meaningful experience for players, support learning and instruction toward specific objectives, and integrate with existing resources. This article further elaborates the key definition elements to indicate microgame characteristics and provides some examples to demonstrate the kinds of games that fit this definition. The proposed definition acts as a fundamental starting point to study microgames for educational purposes in the future.

Konsep Kewalian Menurut Syeikh Abdul Qodir Al-jailani

In tasawwuf, sainthood is one of the most important topics, which sheikh ‘Abd Al-Qodir Al-Jailânî even considers indispensable to the term tasawwuf itself. Indonesian Muslims ascribe sainthood to those honourable religious figures of high rank and reputation. This article expounds the concept of sainthood according to sheikh ‘Abd Al-Qodir Al-Jailânî with special reference to his three books, Sir Al-Asrâr, Al-Fath Al-Robbanî and Futûh Al-Ghoib. The discussion includes conceptual definition, methods to reach sainthood rank/level, the saints’ characteristics, infallibility and knowledge of their own sainthood and others’ sainthood as well as their karômah.

The way towards food sustainability: some insights for pasta supply chain

Over the last decades, circular economy and its implications for sustainability have gained momentum in several socio-economic domains (e.g., academia, industry, politics, society), even though the relationship between them remains poorly understood. This situation has blurred the conceptual definition of both terms, limiting their research and practice effectiveness. To counteract this situation, scholars and policymakers are approaching Circular Economy as able to inspire the development of sustainable development strategies and to increase the sustainability of the current economic system, balancing the need for economic development and the importance of protecting environmental resources and people wellbeing. Drawing on the previous considerations, this study aims to contribute to address this gap, better understanding how a circular economy approach can contribute to challenge the number of sustainability issues that currently affect supply chains. In doing so, the analysis has been focused on the investigation of a specific supply chain, the pasta supply chain. To this end, after a brief theoretical recognition, an interpretative model has been proposed for better recognizing and describing the enhancing actions that—at each supply chain’s stages—can improve process efficiency, output effectiveness and, therefore, the overall sector sustainability. However, it is worth noting that the inherently theoretical nature of the study somewhat limits it; therefore, future empirical research is needed to further test the proposed model, applying it to other real applicative sets.

Feelings of Entrapment during the COVID-19 Pandemic Based on ACE Star Model: A Concept Analysis

This study aimed to analyze the concept of the “feelings of entrapment” during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic using a systematic review. We included literature based on content and outcomes related to feelings of entrapment, such as antecedents, attributes, and consequences. The exclusion criteria were studies that did not have inappropriate subject, content, conceptual definition, and degree thesis was excluded. Walker and Avant’s process of concept analysis was used in this systematic literature review. The attributes of the concept of feelings of entrapment during the COVID-19 pandemic were found to be feelings of: (1) being out of control, (2) no escape, (3) being trapped, (4) being robbed, and (5) hopelessness. The causes for these were identified as (1) the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) lockdown system, (3) restricted situation, (4) uncertain future, (5) economic hardship, and (6) poor coping abilities. Consequences of the concept were: (1) increased suicide, (2) decreased mental health, and (3) decreased well-being. In situations such as COVID-19, it is important need to know what feelings of entrapment’s antecedents and attributes are to prevent suicide and enhance mental health and well-being. Based on the results of this study, counseling services, policies, and systems for relieving feelings of entrapment in the COVID-19 situation are recommended.

Towards a conceptual definition of intangible Olympic legacy

PurposeIntangible legacy encapsulates the essence of Olympism and its manifestation, the Olympic Games. Despite significant interest in the capacity of the Olympics to produce notable changes in society, conceptual difficulties in defining and measuring intangible legacy persist. The study develops a conceptual definition of intangible Olympic legacy.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows a four-step concept definition approach. It examines and integrates three strands of literature including intangibles, social interactions and public value, which is combined with insights from a longitudinal empirical investigation of intangible Olympic legacy for National Sport Organisations (NSO).FindingsThe proposed concept of intangible legacy defines it an emerging combination of attributes, interactions, processes and technology, with the goal of creating public value which is the ultimate goal of the Olympic Games. Since intangible legacy is qualitative rather than quantitative, a reconsideration of the current research paradigm is also proposed.Research limitations/implicationsThe study develops a new analytical device for the investigation of intangible legacies for specific publics such as NSO.Practical implicationsThe study carries practical implications for Olympic and events/festival promoters as it allows defining and operationalising the key attributes of the concept.Originality/valueThis is the first study to conceptualise intangible legacy of mega events.