Page Number
Article Information
A Taxonomy of Civil Servants on State Violence in a Neoliberal Besieged Authoritarian State: Reflections of Qualitative Researcher
Edmore Ntini
DOI: 10.15604/ejss.2024.13.1.001
Abstract
This study examines the experiences of civil servants in Zimbabwe under the intersecting pressures of authoritarianism and neoliberalism. It investigates how these forces shape their roles and perspectives, diverging from the Weberian ideal of neutrality, efficiency, and adherence to rules. Utilizing a descriptive qualitative approach, interviews were conducted with ten civil servants across five government ministries, selected through purposive and snowball sampling. A thematic analysis of the data identified five typologies of civil servants: Patriotic Africanist, Neoliberal Compliant/Victim, Fence-Seater, Aloof-Knowledgeable, and Inarticulate. Findings reveal significant deviations from the Weberian model, with some civil servants aligning with state narratives while others exhibit ambivalence, cynicism, or disempowerment. The study underscores how the dual pressures of neoliberal economic policies and authoritarian governance distort the civil service’s functioning, leading to political, ethical, and professional dilemmas. These typologies provide insight into how individuals navigate systemic challenges, balancing personal survival, professional ethics, and loyalty to the state. This research contributes to the broader discourse on governance and public administration, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms to restore neutrality, professionalism, and efficiency in bureaucracies operating under authoritarian neoliberal conditions. It highlights civil servants’ complex and often precarious realities in such environments.
Keywords: Civil Servants, Weberian Bureaucracy, Authoritarianism, Neoliberalism, State Violence, Typology, Zimbabwe, Public Administration, Professional Ethics
Undergraduate Students’ Math Anxiety: A Case Study for the Faculty of Economics
Vildan Kistik and Gülen Arıkan Kokkaya
DOI: 10.15604/ejss.2025.13.002
Abstract
Math anxiety is a phenomenon that affects individuals in many areas from academic life to working life and can occur due to numerous factors. In this study, math anxiety of university students was examined, and it was investigated whether gender, age and the department of study were effective on students’ mathematics anxiety. In this context, the math anxiety of 172 students from different departments of Faculty of Economics in a public university in Turkey was measured using a questionnaire composed from the MARS-S questionnaire and some demographic questions. The data was obtained in 2023 and according to the results of the analysis, it was determined that math anxiety was higher in female students. In addition, students in the departments of Econometrics and Economics have lower math anxiety while students in the departments of Finance and Labor Economics and Industrial Relations (LEIR) and Public Finance. It is noteworthy that the students in departments who know they will be exposed to elevated levels of math courses have low levels of math anxiety due to the sense of exposure. The effect of age on math anxiety could not be measured since there was no significant difference among ages of the students who participated in the survey. Shaping educational methods in a way to reduce anxiety levels will increase the contribution of women, who do not take part in mathematical fields due to high anxiety levels, to the workforce, and at the same time, by reducing prejudices against math, it will cause us to gain the brain power needed in mathematical fields.
Keywords: Math Anxiety, Gender, Stress and Performance
An Integrative Review of Green Training and Development as a Novel Approach to Environmental Sustainability
Samuel Bangura and Melanie Elisabeth Lourens
DOI: 10.15604/ejss.2025.13.003
Abstract
The increasing significance of environmental sustainability has prompted organizations to explore innovative strategies for addressing ecological challenges. Green training and development have emerged as a promising approach to fostering awareness of environmental sustainability among employees. This study examines the role of green training and development as a novel strategy for promoting environmental sustainability. Additionally, the integrative review investigates green training and development to equip staff members and organizational stakeholders with the knowledge, skills, and motivation required to implement sustainable practices that contribute to environmental sustainability. Drawing from a wide range of literature in human resource management and ecological science sourced from reputable academic journals, the review synthesizes existing research to identify key trends, challenges, and opportunities associated with green training and development initiatives as a considerable influence on environmental sustainability. The findings highlight the importance of incorporating environmental sustainability themes into training programs, integrating green skills within professional development frameworks, and recognizing the critical role of leadership in fostering sustainable behavioral change. The study concludes that green training and development is an essential tool for embedding environmental sustainability within organizational culture, ultimately contributing to a greener and more resilient future.
Keywords: Environmental Management, Green Skills, Environmental Sustainability, Green Education and Training
Hybrid Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure Assessment and Measurement Framework: Perspective From Zimbabwe
Chosani Simon and Sheenaz Gazi
DOI: 10.15604/ejss.2025.13.004
Abstract
Although there are firms using various other international frameworks worldwide to report on social activities, the aim of this study is to develop and present a hybrid corporate social responsibility disclosure assessment and measurement framework consisting of both qualitative and quantitative corporate social responsibility disclosures. The study is thus motivated by filling the gaps of already existing frameworks and to broaden the reporting of corporate social activities in annual reports by firms in Zimbabwe. The proposed hybrid corporate social responsibility disclosure assessment and measurement (HCSRDAM) framework is expected to assist firms in reporting their corporate social responsibility performance more adequately and improve their overall performance. The study adopted an exploratory sequential mixed method research design and gathered qualitative data through a Delphi method consisting of twenty experts in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Inferential statistics were used to augment qualitative findings. The framework emerged with nine CSR themes consisting of 57 CSR constructs that should be disclosed for CSR disclosures to be regarded as adequate in annual reports. The study recommends the adoption of the current proposed hybrid CSR disclosure assessment and measurement framework to ensure adequate, consistent, standardized, and comparable CSR disclosures by firms listed on Zimbabwe Stock Exchanges rather than referring to various CSR frameworks.
Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure, Annual Reports, Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, Stakeholder Theory, Legitimacy Theory
Contact
Eurasian Publications
(Esra Barakli)
Aksemsettin Mah. Kocasinan Cad.
Erenoglu Is Merkezi
Fatih – Istanbul, TURKEY
Email: [email protected]
Copyright 2013-2024 © Eurasian Publications | Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.