Hong Kong Journal of Social Sciences

This article explores the images and symbols in Abhi Subedi’s poem “Soft Storm” from a sociopolitical perspective. The study interprets this poem's highly allegorical, paradoxical, symbolic, and philosophical signs, symbols, and images that reflect power politics. The poet has presented everything symbolically and ironically. The poet disseminates the sociopolitical messages through the metaphorical presentation depicting modern society's deteriorated condition. The paradoxical language often bothers general readers and most scholars from other disciplines. The images and symbols reflect the adverse situations of the modern world and suggest the necessary steps for amelioration. This poem is as complex as T. S. Eliot’s poem “The Wasteland.” The main findings Subedi’s poem reveal that the number of homeless children is increasing as it is a result of an anarchic and undisciplined world. The poet envisions the absurdities of tumultuous times with a touch of compassion. The research tries to answer the research questions - Why are metaphorical and allegorical meanings ambiguous? Can general readers grasp the underlying meanings of Subedi’s poem?  This research paper interprets the depth of meanings and frees a society with a significant departure from traditional power politics. The soft storm signifies the softness of power politics as the system is weak. The study employs the theories of Chandler’s semiotic and Mead’s symbols.

Keywords: Ambiguous, images, paradox, semiotics, symbols.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.64.37

Unconventional tin mining on Bangka Island, Indonesia, has caused severe environmental and social consequences, particularly for indigenous communities like the Lom people. The key causes driving their resistance include deforestation, water pollution, and the appropriation of ancestral lands without proper consultation, which disrupt access to clean water, food sources, and traditional livelihoods, threatening their well-being and cultural heritage. This study employs a qualitative descriptive case study approach to explore the experiences of the Lom community in three hamlets: Air Abik, Pejem, and Tuing. The research aims to (1) examine the role of traditional rituals in the Lom people’s resistance against mining activities, (2) analyze how these rituals foster cultural identity and community solidarity, and (3) explore the broader implications of indigenous knowledge systems in advocating for environmental justice and indigenous rights. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis to gain a deeper understanding of the role of traditional rituals in their resistance movements. The findings reveal that the Lom people’s rituals, rooted in centuries-old indigenous knowledge, serve as powerful tools for resistance. These rituals assert cultural identity, foster community solidarity, and defend ancestral lands. Beyond their cultural significance, rituals provide moral, emotional, and social cohesion while serving as platforms for advocacy. They enable collaboration with external allies such as environmental activists and academic institutions. Through these efforts, the Lom community safeguards their cultural heritage, livelihoods, and legal rights against mining encroachment. The scientific novelty of this study lies in its exploration of traditional rituals not merely as cultural expressions but as strategic mechanisms for resistance and advocacy. By highlighting the intersection of indigenous knowledge systems, environmental justice, and social movements, this research contributes to broader discussions on the role of cultural practices in addressing contemporary environmental and social challenges. This study concludes that indigenous rituals are more than symbolic expressions; they are critical strategies for promoting environmental justice and protecting indigenous rights. By highlighting the role of indigenous knowledge systems, this study underscores the importance of traditional rituals in achieving environmental and social justice.

Keywords: Indigenous Knowledge, Environmental Justice, Traditional Rituals, Cultural Resistance, Unconventional Mining.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.64.36

Online learning became widespread and fully realized during the pandemic. With the new method of learning came the gamification of some online learning platforms. Previous studies state that Discord is perceived positively as a potential online learning platform. However, these studies were isolated from practice and primarily gathered information from students at the college level. This study aimed to determine how Discord servers can be designed for use by senior high school students and educators. The study was conducted over the course of 3 months through multiple focus group discussions, the flow of which was aided by the ADDIE Model. The research concluded that the full use of Discord’s free features, paired with standard operating procedures, can be used to design a server usable by senior high school students and educators in online learning. Future studies can use the created server and test it on a wider audience, and it could also be used to expand studies on Discord, particularly using Discord Bots for educational purposes.

Keywords: Discord, online learning, learning management systems, gamification, senior high school.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.64.35

This academic inquiry seeks to assess and analyze the influence of organizational commitment and participatory budgeting on the tenets of good governance, alongside its resulting implications for stakeholder satisfaction within Zakat management institutions situated in Riau. The empirical evidence used in this analysis was sourced from primary data. Primary data collection was facilitated through the deployment of structured questionnaires. This investigation targeted stakeholders affiliated with the zakat management entities. The methodological framework employed was the explanatory survey method, while data analysis was performed using the SEM–PLS technique. The findings of the study reveal that organizational commitment and participatory budgeting significantly affect the quality of good governance. Additionally, organizational commitment, participatory budgeting, and good governance collectively influence stakeholder satisfaction. Ultimately, it is concluded that organizational commitment and participatory budgeting have an indirect effect on stakeholder satisfaction through the mediating role of good governance. This study contributes to the literature by elucidating the indirect relationship between organizational commitment and participatory budgeting on stakeholder satisfaction through the mediating function of good governance, a topic that has been insufficiently explored in prior research.

Keywords: organizational commitment, participatory budgeting, good governance, stakeholder satisfaction.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.64.34

This research examines the factors influencing car-sharing adoption intentions among condominium residents near Bangkok’s public transit stations. Car-sharing, a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to private car ownership, is gaining global traction, particularly in rapidly motorizing cities. With rising car ownership posing significant challenges, promoting shared mobility has become a critical strategy for urban management. High-rise condominiums near transit stations are encouraged to reduce parking spaces and promote car-sharing, which can lower construction costs and make residential units more affordable. Understanding residents’ attitudes is essential before advocating car-sharing to real estate developers. To gather insights, data were collected via a questionnaire survey of 237 condominium residents, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze adoption intentions. The analysis focused on key factors such as attitudes toward car-sharing, subjective norms (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC). The findings reveal valuable opportunities for developers and urban planners to effectively integrate car-sharing initiatives. Attitudes toward car-sharing, particularly perceptions of service quality, emerged as the most significant factor influencing adoption. Conversely, perceived behavioral control such as challenges in finding parking or traveling long distances was identified as the primary barrier discouraging car-sharing use. Environmental concerns (EC) also played a role, with environmentally conscious travelers typically opting for other forms of public transportation. However, interest in car-sharing increased among this group when electric vehicles were offered, highlighting the potential of eco-friendly options. Interestingly, subjective norms, or social influence, had little impact on car-sharing adoption intentions. These findings suggest that addressing practical barriers—such as improving accessibility and service quality—and promoting environmentally friendly electric car-sharing options are key strategies to encourage adoption. Such an approach can help reduce dependency on private cars, alleviate congestion, and support sustainable urban mobility by offering affordable, efficient, and eco-conscious transportation alternatives.

Keywords: Car-sharing adoption intention, Car usage reduction, Car parking space, Condominium, Bangkok.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.64.33