Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov. Series VII: Social Sciences • Law

Spirituality for a Community Care. The Experience of Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital

Andrea Casavecchia — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The healthcare system becomes a field of investigation in the search for spirituality, when the human weakness encountered in illness questions nurses and doctors, children and their families about the meaning of life. The paper aims to analyse a case study of Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital. This holistic method allows to interpret statistical data, narrative methods, and participants’ perspectives. The findings underline an original interaction between evidence-based medicine methods, the humanisation of care and the role of spirituality.

The Sociology of Managerial Communication in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

Liliana Iosif — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Managerial communication has undergone concurrent evolution with organizational theories, starting from the twentieth century. Technological progress, evidenced by the emergence of computers and the expansion of networks, has diversified communication methods in the digital era. Subsequent research has focused on sociological theories such as the classical management theory by Fayol and Weber, the Human Relations Theory, and McGregor's X and Y theory. Currently, Artificial Intelligence (AI) fundamentally alters managerial communication, bringing increased efficiency, predictive analytics, and automation. A study at MASPEX Romania highlights the positive impact of AI on reporting and collaboration processes. However, ethical dilemmas arise, including those related to privacy and social impact, necessitating regulation and heightened attention. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact and implications of Artificial Intelligence in the context of managerial communication in organizations.

Sustainability in the Cleaning World: With Tomorrow in Mind

Diana M. Aron — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Starting from the idea of „sustainability culture”2by Stephen Ashkin, the Father of Green Cleaning3, in which the actions and choices we make are defining for improving health and the environment, I conducted a study that explores the behind-the-scenes stories of a company in the cleaning industry. In this movement, the major battles are fought by the staff in middle and top management, but the weapons are in the hands of the cleaning agents. It is a process that involves numerous efforts and requires significant resources to minimize costs, streamline activities, and reduce waste. All of this is because, in the battle against filth, „the choices we make -- from our daily actions and words to the things we buy and ultimately throw away -- really do matter” 4 (Stephen Ashkin).

Methodological Particularities in Current Research on Religiosity

Monica Defta — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The purpose of this article is to capture how religiosity is sociologically researched. On the basis of a bibliographical research, the particularities of quantitative, qualitative and mixed methodological approaches to this topic are highlighted. Each method used enhances a different dimension of religiosity. In studying the religious phenomenon, it is found that there are certain limitations that the researcher must take into account. Its working data also include spiritual values, which legitimise how research participants relate to the phenomenon. In turn, the researcher has his own relationship to religiosity.

The art of AI: Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence in Photography

Eduard C. Gross — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) into photography has given rise to a controversial discussion over image perception, originality, and authenticity. Though AI presents artists with new tools and opportunities, worries over the degradation of artistic integrity and emotional depth continue. This paper investigates the complex ramifications of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated art, looking at how it affects the artistic process, public opinion, and the changing field of visual expression. Drawing on insights from recent controversies in the film industry and diverse perspectives from artists, the present essay delves into the complexities of AI-generated art.

Public Diplomacy in Time of War. Israel's War on Gaza Case Study

Ecaterina Hlihor — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This paper aims to study the conflict between Israel and Hamas and its public diplomacy implications. In contemporary societies, war is viewed negatively as a phenomenon that destroys the peaceful life of society and dramatically changes people's lives. It has the potential to do great harm and spread systematic disruption, fear, and uncertainty in societies at war. It also produces profound changes in the perceptions of others in public opinion. These negative transformations affect all aspects of international political life at the regional or even global level. In such situations, there is an urgent need to take measures to remove such states of affairs. Public diplomacy can be one way to return societies to pre-war normality. It can lead to the restoration of trust in societies affected by war. It can also repair these misperceptions and reconnect people and societies to a normal life. All these are possible if public diplomacy informs a wider audience as objectively as possible. Many specialists argue that during wartime, states used public diplomacy in order to promote their subjective positions by influencing public opinion in national, regional, and global contexts. The main question is whether public diplomacy can achieve its aims and objectives during wartime.

Analysis of Organizational Culture and Climate

B. Zichil, H. Moasa, L. Meresan Schmitz — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Integrating culture and climate in analyzing organizational profiles has become a major area of research in organizational studies. Building on this discussion, this pilot study aims to combine two instruments of cultural and climate assessment (OCAI and OCQ) to identify how a less typical family business needs to change to ensure its success. This article concludes by examining the implications of combining the two instruments, as well as by offering insights into possible future changes that managers can implement.

Self-Esteem, Stigma and Social Support in Occupational Therapy

M. Pascaru, M.I. Ratiu — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Our work starts from the finding that, at present time, among the theorists and practitioners of occupational therapy, the need for a holistic model of approach is invoked. In such a model, the perspective of social psychology can have a decisive role. From the field of concepts and themes of social psychology, we have chosen to focus our attention in this paper on self-esteem, stigma and social support. Each of these concepts is briefly described and then related to the substantiation needs of occupational therapy, both at the theoretical level and at the level of intervention and training of professionals in the field.

Jealousy between Partners Social Networks: A Cause of Infidelity in Couples

Florenta L. Simion — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Jealousy is a universal notion, quite often found in the discussions of people who will make their presence felt both in the case of adults and children. In this study I will consider the sociological analysis of adult jealousy, through a quantitative research based on a questionnaire. I chose this research topic in order to find out how jealousy (as the main aspect), but also stalking and conflicts in the couple (secondary aspect) highlight infidelity between partners, as well as the separation between them. Given that the Internet is present in the main daily, professional and social activities, I consider it interesting to find out how the Internet can contribute, as a communication tool.

Motivations for Attending University and Dropout Intention in First-Year University Students

A.M. Cazan, R.E. Stoica, C. Truta, M.M. Stan, C.I. Maican — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

University dropout is considered a critical research topic today due to its significant implications for individuals, institutions, and society. The main aims of this study were to analyse the differences in learning engagement and dropout intention during the first academic year and to analyse the predictive value of motivations to attend university and pre-entry characteristics on the dropout intention. Results showed that learning engagement and dropout intentions vary during the first year, with the decrease in engagement and relative stability towards the end of the year. Students without clear reasons for attending university are most susceptible to dropping out. Learning engagement appears to be a powerful predictor of a low dropout intention.

Exploring the Relationship between Resilience (Personal Strength), Emotional Stability, Emotional Self-Control, Attachment, and Personal Fear of COVID-19

Georgiana-Simona Moscu — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The research examines correlational and predictive relationships between resilience (personal strength), emotional stability, strategies of emotional self-regulation, the style of attachment, and personal fear of Covid-19. At this study took part 130 adults (91 women and 39 men), the average age being 39 years old. The results indicated statistically significant medium and high levels of correlation among most of the analysed variables, the greatest correlation being obtained between emotional stability and emotional regulation strategies. Another significant result is the predictive relationship between emotional stability, attachment style and self-perception (subdimension of personal strength), which in turn proved to be a predictor for personal fear of Covid-19.

Development of Scientific Thinking in Contemporary University Education: An Amplified Analysis

Sergiu Sanduleac — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The present paper elucidates the issue of developing scientific thinking in contemporary university education systematically, taking into account certain principles. The problem of forming scientific thinking in university education resides in two aspects. The first is related to students, their attitudes, skills, and motivation to develop scientific thinking. The second aspect concerns the ability of highly qualified teaching staff to ensure optimal development of scientific thinking in students. In this context, several internal and external factors contributing to the development of scientific thinking in university education are presented. As a result, three directions of intervention are proposed to shape scientific thinking at the initial and continuous training stage. As a basis, the analysis of the Domain-Specific Learning Model is proposed, which would allow students to assimilate scientific concepts limited to the field of their studies.

Feedback – A New Perspective in Learning. A Constatative Approach to Feedback Literacy in Teacher Education

Alina Turculet — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to explore students’ perspective on feedback and feedback literacy. Open-response data were analysed using an inductively derived coding framework and applied thematic analysis. The findings enhance two major themes regarding feedback perception in students’ mindset: first and widely covered theme recognizes the role of feedback in the learning process and second theme highlights the contribution of feedback to the construction of educational relations. The students enrolled in the certification program for teaching career point out that feedback offered to teachers regarding their influence and pedagogical practices represents an acknowledgement of didactic professionalism and a new way in student-teacher relationship.

Quo Vadis Romanian Citizenship

S.G. Barbu, M.D. Cucu, D.F. Cosman — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In presenting some considerations on the legal institution of citizenship, we will make some brief historical and doctrinal forays into the concept, a brief x-ray of the legislation and public administration institutions involved in this matter, then we will present some perspectives on the constituent dimensions and also on the reverberations of the connection between the Romanian citizenship and the „citizenship” of the European Union, in regards to the present and its possible future.

Psychology of Witnesses and Victims in Establishing the Truth in Criminal Trials

M.M. Barsan, I.D. Anton — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This paper analyzes aspects pertaining to the psychology of witnesses and victims in criminal trials, by pointing out the influence of stress and trauma on the credibility of testimony. The importance of efficiently managing perjury is underlined to ensure an equitable trial. The paper points out the presence of psychological factors which play a crucial role in determining the credibility of testimony and in correctly recalling traumatic events.

Maximum Duration of the Tax Inspection

Constantin I. Gliga — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

We can define a tax inspection as the procedure by which the competent tax authority orders a tax inspection of a taxpayer. The hypothesis considered in this material mainly concerns the period of time during which the tax inspection can be carried out and, more importantly, the consequences to which the tax authority is subject in the event of failure to comply with the mandatory legal provisions concerning the maximum period of time during which the tax inspection can be carried out, given that this procedure can be suspended at the request of the tax authority to obtain additional information necessary for the control activity. Thus, this paper will take as a starting point brief considerations on how to conduct this procedure, taking as a point of reference the legislation in force at the time, following mainly the method of calculating the maximum duration in which the tax authority can conduct this procedure and the consequences of non-compliance with mandatory relevant legal provisions.

Romanian Diplomacy during the Balkan Wars (1912-1913)

Cristinel I. Murzea — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The young national Romanian state would reaffirm itself in the first decades of the 20th century as a factor of equilibrium and of collective security in the Balkan Peninsula, in the context of the two wars which were about to begin (1912;1913), both conflicts which would precede the greatest diplomatic and military conflict known to international society until that time, namely the First World War (1914-1918). Romania acted in accordance with the principles of public international law regarding its external policy to maintain its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of state built from the ruins of the former Ottoman Empire, thus acting for the respect of the status quo in the Balkan area according to the regulations of international treaties, seen as formal sources of law.

Local Self-governments’ Competences in Administrative Procedures Related to Prioritized Investments in Hungary

Judit Siket — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines a special administrative procedural law instrument that serves the competitiveness of the economy in Hungary. This procedural regime on prioritized investments became a part of the law after the accession to the European Union. The research clarified the specialties of the process and the relations between them highlighted by the competent public administrative bodies, the Government and the local self-governments concerned with this procedure. The implementation of such investments raises constitutional issues, through the presumed violation of local self-governments’ competences. The analysis presents the practice of the Hungarian Constitutional Court.

Arguments in Favor of the Extinction of the Right of Habitation Due to the Common-Law Relationship of the Surviving Spouse

G.B. Spirchez, M.C. Soptea — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

As it is known, the remarriage of the surviving spouse causes the extinction of his right of habitation, a just regulation that takes into account the special and personal character of this right. However, we have raised the question of how to assess, in practice, the situation in which the surviving spouse did not remarry, but lives, in a common-law relationship in that house with another person. In this context, with this paper, we aim to give a legal and equitable solution to this problem.