Digital Social Sciences
Digital Social Sciences
Is a semi-annual peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to advancing the understanding of how digital technologies transform social structures, behaviors, institutions, and relations. The journal provides a critical, interdisciplinary forum for the development, application, and reflection of digital research methodologies within the social sciences. DSS aims to bridge the gap between computational innovation and social inquiry. It responds to the challenge of rapidly growing digital data sources (born-digital archives, social media, administrative data) and computational methods (big data analytics, network analysis, simulation, NLP) outpacing existing theoretical and ethical frameworks in traditional social science publishing. The journal prioritizes work that not only uses digital tools but also critically examines their epistemological, ethical, and societal implications. Specifically, DSS aims to publish high-quality original research at the intersection of social science disciplines (sociology, political science, economics, anthropology, geography, law, communication studies) and digital methodologies. The journal fosters critical reflection on the history, current practice, and theory of digital social research, including issues of Indigenous data sovereignty, postcolonial digital studies, gender and technology, algorithmic bias, digital inequality, surveillance, and data justice.
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Journal issues
Journal articles
Scientific article
This research explores the coping mechanisms of the tertiary education sector during the Covid-19 pandemic from the point of view of the restricted human migration. The research is conceptual and empirical in nature within the qualitative research paradigm. Interviewing technique and narrative enquiry were employed to generate data pertaining to the restricted human mobility during the Covid-19 pandemic. Out of the population of 25 public higher education institutions, in South Africa, only 2 were conveniently sampled for intensive study on restricted human migration of their employees during the Covid-19 lockdown. This paper is therefore, a case study of 2 public higher education institutions. Research findings revealed that firstly, organisational efficacy took a nosedive during the Covid-19 pandemic. Secondly, there was a controversy of the mandatory immunizations within the migrants. Thirdly, the application of migration segregation aggravated the state of affairs. Fourthly, inhibition of the already planned face-to-face conference attendance crippled the education sector. Lastly, compromising of quality assessment practices particularly at institutions of higher learning was a disservice and disruptions to the education sector. Exemption of the education sector from the suffocation of restrictive health protocols in case of similar Covid-19 pandemics in future is recommended.
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Cut a Tree, Cut a Man: Charcoal Production as a Bane to Green Economy in Nigeria
Scientific article
Symbiotically speaking, cutting a tree is akin to cutting a man or any of its counterparts in the animal kingdom. Besides solar energy, heat energy's role in humans’ daily life calls for its taming, artificial ignition, and fuelling of same for its reuse as and when due. Hence, humans’ ability to ignite and fuel fire marked a significant achievement in human evolution. Meanwhile, wood was the most traditional source of fuel in human history, which is, mainly, of two forms: firewood and charcoal. Dried wood was the common source of fuel for domestic cooking and commercial use both in the rural and urban areas in the primitive era. Although, firewood has relatively little burden on nature, charcoal, which has more adverse effects on the environment, is now taking over. Sadly, the discovery of better alternative sources such as LPG and electricity could not bring about a remarkable shift in many developing nations, including Nigeria, despite their efficiency. Taking expository and critical analysis methodologies, this paper argues that wood-fuelling hinders the achievement of the green economy in Africa, and it persists for many reasons; poor state of electricity, unavailability and/or unaffordability of the LPG, poverty, poor environmental awareness, unsophisticated and poor enforcement of environmental laws and lack of compensation for the conservators among others. In addition to the ever-suggested solutions, this paper recommends a ‘carrot and cane' system. By this, the offenders should not only be accordingly penalised but also the conservers be compensated duly. It also recommends the use of briquettes as viable alternatives.
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Administrative Contracts: Reflections on the limitations of exorbitant clauses
Scientific article
In view of the inherent prerogatives of the Public Power vis-à-vis private individuals in administrative contracts, this article aims to reflect on exorbitant clauses in administrative contracts, their use, their characteristics, their species and their limitations. Based on this analysis, the topic of certain rights and guarantees in the Constitution was explored, such as the supremacy of the public interest over the private interest and economic and financial equilibrium. In order to carry out this work, a study was carried out through bibliographical research, analysis of legal provisions and doctrinal teachings in the areas of constitutional and administrative law. In fact, due to these principles, the feasibility and possibility of restricting the indiscriminate and abusive use of exorbitant clauses by the Public Administration was verified, since the legitimate use of such prerogatives is not indiscriminate and can be mitigated.
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Scientific article
This study aims to highlight the determinants and pathways that trigger employee functional and detrimental voluntary work performances i.e. OCB & CWBs. It is unclear whether family financial pressure is functional or nonfunctional for generating voluntary work behaviors. This study spotlights the paradoxical nature of family financial pressure. We theorize that family financial pressure is a double-edged sword that can produce positive OCB and negative CWBs employee voluntary work behaviors. We have collected data from manufacturing and service sector employees working in different organizations in Pakistan. This study found that family financial pressure is the salient determinant that can generate both functional voluntary work performance OCB and counterproductive voluntary work performance CWBs through unique pathways i.e. family motivation, state self-control failure. Family motivation acts as a partial mediator between family financial pressure and OCB and state self-control failure also partially mediated the link between family financial pressure and CWBs. The practical and theoretical implications are also discussed in this study.
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Educational and Psychological Consequences of the Internal Migration: Left-behind Children in Nepal
Scientific article
One of the major socioeconomic trends observed globally is internal migration. In Nepal, this trend is particularly significant, with many families' experiencing separation as parents migrate for work while their children remain behind. Although internal migration can improve household income and living conditions, the psychological and educational consequences for left-behind children remain underexplored. This research paper proposes a review of the impact of parental internal migration on children aged 10 to 16, examining both its positive and negative effects and suggesting educational policy responses. Using a comparative research design focused on two residential districts (Salyan and Dang), the study surveyed 354 households. The research employed structured questionnaires to assess demographic profiles, family circumstances, child welfare, and educational outcomes. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, independent sample t-tests, and logistic regression, were used to evaluate the data. Findings suggest that while remittances from migrant parents may improve household conditions, the absence of parents often creates emotional and psychological gaps that affect children’s educational attendance. Regression results indicate that parental absence significantly affects children’s psychosocial well-being, although academic performance was not uniformly negatively impacted. Key factors influencing outcomes included quality of primary care, family functioning, and the presence of social safety nets. The study highlights the importance of community engagement and local support systems in mitigating the adverse effects of parental migration. It recommends policy measures that support the emotional development and education of left-behind children, as well as broader rural development initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of migration.
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Scientific article
Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector is crucial to Bangladesh's economy, significantly contributing to GDP, employment, and exports. However, supply chain management (SCM) inefficiencies, such as poor demand forecasting, inventory management, logistics, and quality control, pose persistent challenges. This study investigates the potential of integrating advanced technologies like AI, IoT, blockchain, Big Data Analytics, and automation to improve SCM in the Bangladeshi RMG sector. Through a review of literature, industry reports, and case studies, the study assesses the benefits and challenges of technology adoption in the sector. Advanced technologies can enhance visibility, efficiency, quality control, decision-making, and sustainability in SCM. However, challenges such as high costs, data privacy, technical complexity, and resistance to change require strategic planning to overcome. Adopting these technologies can significantly improve the RMG sector's efficiency and global competitiveness, requiring collaboration between policymakers and industry leaders. This study provides a concise analysis of technology integration in Bangladeshi RMG SCM, offering balanced insights to guide future research and industry practices.
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