THE JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

Public Perception of Innovation and Technology Investments/Products During Economic Hardships

Aslı Kılıc — 2025-01-13

This study investigates public perceptions of innovation and technology during economic hardships, with a focus on discussions on the social media platform Reddit. Utilizing advanced data mining and natural language processing (NLP) techniques, this research analyzes Reddit posts to uncover sentiment trends, thematic patterns, and levels of public engagement related to technology investments during economic downturns. By methodically gathering and processing user-generated content, the study aims to map out variations in public attitudes towards innovation in response to economic shifts. The analysis employs sophisticated NLP
techniques, including sentiment analysis, topic modeling, and semantic analysis, to interpret the rich and diverse discussions occurring on Reddit. The findings reveal a predominantly positive sentiment towards technology investments, with significant discussions centered around public perception, technological strategies, and environmental impact. The study also identifies key themes that dominate conversations at various stages of economic movement, providing insights into the effectiveness of technological tools and products during challenging times.
This research not only contributes to the academic understanding of public discourse on innovation and technology, but also offers valuable insights for organizations, policymakers, and social media strategists aiming to promote innovation amidst economic adversity. The study’s detailed sentiment timeline and thematic analysis provide a comprehensive overview of how public perceptions evolve in response to economic conditions, offering practical implications for fostering technological advancements in difficult economic climates.

Building a Sustainable Financial Future: Exploring Georgia’s Path to Green Finance

Malkhaz Dzadzua — 2025-01-13

Sustainable finance is becoming a central issue and a critical driver of decision-making for the majority of global investors and policymakers. By taking environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into account, and integrating them into the corporate business strategy, financial institutions are ensuring long-term investments in sustainable economics and contributing to meaningful global change.
However, sustainable goals may conflict with other short-term economic objectives of the institution. Many green projects, such as renewable energy infrastructure and eco-friendly buildings, require large upfront investments, while cost of capital in developing countries is often much higher than in advanced economies. Other challenges, such as regulatory gaps, lack of direct incentives, need for additional competencies, and low awareness, also affect the sustainable finance market. This paper analyses the evolution of sustainable finance over the past decades, and examines the key challenges and prospects associated with sustainable finance in developing countries, particularly in Georgia. The paper also highlights some recommendations that may help address the current challenges and improve the sustainable financial ecosystem in Georgia.

Communicating Values in Political Campaigns: An Analysis of Polish Candidates’ Rhetoric in the 2024 European Parliament Elections

Maja Bednarska — 2025-01-13

This article is grounded in the hypothesis that political communication is fundamentally shaped by values. Whether acknowledged or not, individuals are consistently situated within a framework of values. The central research questions for this study relate to the purpose, development, and communicative functions of values. To address these, we conduct an analysis of the philosophical and communicative dimensions of values in the pre-election messages for the 2024 European Parliament elections in Poland, focusing on leading representatives (from Lesser Poland) of the major Polish political parties.

Georgia’s European Choice During the First Democratic Republic (1918-1921)

Manana Darchashvili — 2025-01-13

For Georgian politicians, the future development of a free country has always been closely linked to the European states. The vision of Georgia’s alignment with Europe and its integration into European frameworks dates back to 1918-1921. Considering this fact, Georgia’s current aspirations for European integration reflect a desire to return to its natural political and cultural environment. During the period of 1918-1921, Europeanization was seen as a means of achieving peaceful coexistence, embodying European norms, values, and ideas, while also implementing various structural reforms through cooperation.
The paper aims to analyze, through the study of existing documents, the efforts of Georgia’s political leaders to establish security and democratic values in partnership with Europe. This goal was clearly understood, and, for this reason, immediately following the declaration of Georgia’s independence on May 26, 1918, the Act of Independence, developed by the
National Council of Georgia, became a foundational document. This act outlined the main priorities of the country, rooted in elements of classical European principles, from the form of government to the broad recognition of human rights.
Georgia’s Constitution, which followed shortly after, was similarly grounded in European ideals, and clearly demonstrated the country’s commitment to democratic development. This constitution is viewed by both foreign and domestic scholars as one of the most progressive of its time. Despite the varied and often inconsistent trajectories of development in the modern world, Georgia’s political and civil approach has remained steadfast and unchanged. Over a century ago, the country sought to preserve and strengthen its political course and direct it towards European political and legal unity. It is an effort that continues to this day.

The Relationship Between Social Acceptance, Tolerance and Xenophobia in the Tourism Industry

Megi Surmanidze — 2025-01-13

Social acceptance, tolerance, and xenophobia are three distinct but interconnected processes within the tourism industry. Social acceptance refers to the attitudes and dynamics in social relations, which are determined by various factors, among them tolerance and xenophobia.
This article explores studies and scientific sources on these concepts, analyzing the connections between them, and their origins. It examines how healthy relationships between tourists and locals, as well as local attitudes, impact tourist satisfaction and the development of the tourism industry. The article discusses research on xenophobic social issues in South Africa, identifying the social consequences and the individuals most affected by irrational societal views.
The article also analyzes the factors that contribute to xenophobia, which hinder business relations in tourism and impede the establishment of welcoming environments. Research on social acceptance conducted in the Adjara region is also presented, with the primary methodology being the analysis of sources and surveys carried out through questionnaires.

Migration Trends in Slovakia: An Analysis of Post-EU Enlargement

Mariam Jikia — 2025-01-13

While migration is not a new phenomenon, it remains a key issue on the global policy agenda due to its economic, social, and cultural implications for both sending and receiving countries. Since 2014, the large influx of migrants and asylum seekers from third countries into the EU has contributed to the migration crisis, which is now closely tied to the broader political crisis within the EU. However, the understanding and application of shared values, particularly solidarity, still vary among EU Member States.
This article examines migration trends in Slovakia following its 2004 accession to the European Union, focusing on key determinants and implications for the country’s social-economic landscape. Using both qualitative and quantitative data, the research analyzes various types of migration, including labor migration, educational migration, and family reunification. The research findings reveal significant inflows and outflows of migrants, shaped by economic factors such as wage differences and job availability, alongside social factors like educational opportunities and community ties. While Slovakia benefits from a diverse and dynamic labor force, challenges remain in integration and public attitudes toward migrants. The article concludes with policy recommendations to deeper the understanding of migration in Slovakia, offering insights for policymakers in navigating the complexities of the evolving migration landscape.