International journal of social sciences

Good governance in the management of local government administration

2026-07-10T13:59:07+00:00

This study examines the application of good governance in the administration of local government as an effort to achieve effective, transparent, accountable and participatory governance. This study employs a literature review method, analysing various relevant academic sources concerning the principles of good governance, its implementation in local government administration, as well as the challenges and strategies for strengthening it. The findings indicate that the application of good governance plays a crucial role in improving the quality of public services, strengthening public trust, and fostering a professional bureaucracy. However, its implementation still faces obstacles such as weak leadership commitment, low civil service capacity, a cumbersome bureaucracy, and limited public participation. Therefore, good governance needs to be strengthened through bureaucratic reform, the digitalisation of services, the enhancement of civil service competencies, and the expansion of public involvement in the local government process.

The 2026 Us/Isreal – Iran conflict and its implications for the construction industry in the Middle East and Africa

2026-05-07T13:18:02+00:00

This article analyzes the 2026 military escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran, highlighting its severe consequences for the construction industry across the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Drawing lessons from five earlier conflicts—the 1991 Gulf War, the 2003 Iraq War, the Syrian civil war, the Russia–Ukraine war, and the 12-day US/Israel–Iran war of June 2025—the study contextualizes current destruction and explores reconstruction pathways. Using a qualitative, multi-case comparative approach, it synthesizes open?source intelligence, government reports, industry databases, and expert analyses to estimate reconstruction needs and identify success factors for post-conflict rebuilding. Findings show unprecedented damage to strategic assets in Iran and spillover effects across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Jordan. Airports, desalination plants, power stations, and the Bushehr nuclear facility were destroyed, while energy infrastructure losses reduced revenues and raised reconstruction costs. Sectoral damage assessments suggest costs exceeding $600 billion over 15 years, consistent with IMF warnings of systemic shocks to energy markets and trade routes. Lessons from prior wars emphasize the need for stable security, integrated planning, innovative financing, and resilient infrastructure. Practical implications include risk management, supply chain diversification, workforce development, and embedding sustainability. International cooperation will be vital to mobilize finance and expertise.

Motivation, stress, and GPA

2026-08-20T09:37:43+00:00

Objective: This study examined the independent associations of academic motivation and financial stress with postsecondary GPA and tested whether motivation moderates the financial stress-GPA relationship. Methods: Using Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 data, base-year motivation was linked with third-follow-up financial stress and transcript-based GPA. A baseline regression included 6,568 students; an expanded model added socioeconomic status, parental education, sex, race/ethnicity, prior achievement, and the motivation by financial stress interaction. Results: The baseline model was significant, with motivation positively and financial stress negatively associated with GPA. Both associations held in the weighted expanded model (R² = .174) after adjusting for the covariates above, with prior achievement the strongest continuous predictor. Black participants had lower adjusted GPAs than White non-Hispanic participants. Conclusions: Motivation and financial stress were each independently related to GPA. Contrary to the hypothesized buffering effect, the financial stress-GPA relationship was slightly stronger, not weaker, at higher motivation, though the interaction was small and not robust to sensitivity analysis. Significance: These findings suggest motivation and financial stress are independently associated with GPA and may inform student support efforts. Future research should further examine the racial disparities identified here.

The CIPO model in the management of university lecturers’ scientific research activities: Some theoretical issues

2026-09-14T09:59:32+00:00

Research objectives: This study aims to clarify the theoretical foundations of the CIPO model and examine its applicability to the management of university lecturers’ research activities, with a view to enhancing research quality, effectiveness, and practical impact in the context of digital transformation. Research gap: Although the CIPO model has been widely examined and applied in educational evaluation and management, its application to the management of university lecturers’ research activities has received limited systematic and in-depth attention. Research methods: The study employs theoretical research methods, including the analysis and synthesis of relevant domestic and international literature; practical research methods focusing on the application of the CIPO model to research management in higher education institutions; and expert consultation to assess the relevance and feasibility of the proposed management measures. Key findings: The study identifies and clarifies the components of the CIPO model and their respective roles in managing university lecturers’ research activities. Based on the CIPO framework, it proposes management measures aimed at improving the quality of scientific publications, strengthening lecturers’ research capacity, enhancing the linkage between research, teaching, and practice, and responding to the requirements of digital transformation and higher education reform.