American Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities

Food crime: Definitions, taxonomies, culpability, and theoretical perspectives

2026-05-21T08:42:31-05:00

Food crime refers to a broad array of illegal, harmful, and unethical activities embedded within the global food system. The topic has only recently gained traction as a subject of criminological inquiry. This article provides an introductory review of the concept of food crime, clarifies its relationship to adjacent constructs such as food fraud and food safety, and synthesizes recent empirical literature. The paper provides definitions of food crime, taxonomies of food crime, and reviews recent research into food fraud and adulteration, organized crime in the food sector, labor exploitation and food supply chain abuses, environmental harms of industrial food production, and harms associated with foods we eat. The paper also addresses food insecurity, inequality, and corporate power, illustrating the specific ways corporations are culpable for food crimes. Different theoretical approaches taken in the food crime literature are addressed, including Green Criminology, Nutritional Criminology, and Zemiology. The global nature of food crime is addressed, and future directions in the field are assessed. The review identifies definitional ambiguity, the centrality of economic motivations, the criminogenic nature of globalized supply chains, and the underdevelopment of empirical research as key themes. Overall, the article is meant as a thorough yet brief introduction to the topic of food crime in order to inform readers and spur further research.

From ecotourism to e-ecotourism: Exploring digital transformations for sustainable tourism development in Songkhla Province, Thailand

2026-06-12T01:07:53-05:00

This study examines the transition from traditional ecotourism to e-ecotourism in Songkhla Province, Southern Thailand, with a focus on the role of digital technologies in advancing sustainable tourism development. Using a qualitative systematic literature review (SLR) and thematic content analysis of 21 peer-reviewed studies from Scopus and Web of Science, the study addresses three questions: the current ecotourism landscape and its digital readiness, barriers to transitioning from traditional ecotourism to e-ecotourism, and how digital technologies contribute to sustainable tourism outcomes. Findings indicate that digitalization significantly enhances destination management, visitor education, and environmental conservation. Four key barriers constraining digital transformation are identified: limited digital literacy among local operators, insufficient financial resources for infrastructure development, inadequate digital infrastructure particularly in rural areas, and traditional mindsets resistant to technological change. A comprehensive conceptual framework linking digital transformation to three sustainable tourism development dimensions, including economic growth, socio-cultural preservation, and environmental conservation is developed, positioning e-ecotourism as an integrative mechanism for achieving sustainable outcomes. The study highlights e-ecotourism as a strategically necessary direction for Songkhla’s future sustainable tourism development. Practical implications include targeted policy recommendations for government investment in digital infrastructure, comprehensive training programs for local operators and community members, and collaborative stakeholder engagement strategies designed to enable effective technology adoption while preserving community values and environmental integrity.

Monetary policy dynamics and export competitiveness in Nigeria

2026-06-22T08:32:40-05:00

This study examines the effect of monetary policy dynamics on export competitiveness in Nigeria between 1994 and 2024. The persistent challenges of high interest rates, exchange rate instability, and inflationary pressures have raised concerns about the effectiveness of monetary policy in enhancing external sector performance. The study employed an ex-post facto research, while Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model was used to estimate both short-run and long-run relationships among the variables. The data were subjected to series of statistical test, pre-estimation test (descriptive statistics, correlation, variance inflator factor, and unit root tests), standard econometric analysis (multiple regression analysis using the autoregressive distributed lag - ARDL model) and diagnostic test (multi-collinearity, serial correlation, CUSUM and CUSUM of square tests) at 5% level of significance The findings reveal that monetary policy has a significant effect on export competitiveness in Nigeria. Variables of monetary policy jointly had significant effects on export competitiveness {Adj.R² = 0.78, F(8, 21) = 23.08, prob. (0.0000), p < 0.05}. Specifically, interest rates, exchange rate fluctuations, and real effective exchange rate negatively affect export competitiveness in both the short and long run, while the error correction term indicates a rapid adjustment speed toward long-run equilibrium. The study concludes that unstable monetary conditions and weak exchange rate management undermine Nigeria’s export performance. It recommends the stabilization of exchange rates, moderation of interest rates, and stronger macroeconomic coordination to enhance export competitiveness and improve Nigeria’s integration into global markets.

Academic, social, and economic benefits of high-quality early childhood education: Implications for global impact

2026-06-22T09:23:40-05:00

The purpose of this paper is to synthesize interdisciplinary evidence to examine the long-term impacts of high-quality early childhood education (ECE) and to identify the conditions under which these effects are maximized across diverse contexts. Drawing on developmental science, human capital economics, and international policy research, it integrates findings from five decades of scholarship to provide a comprehensive understanding of ECE effectiveness. The analysis is based on a systematic review of longitudinal, experimental, and quasi-experimental studies, with attention to cross-national variation in program quality, access, and policy design. This approach enables an assessment of both developmental and economic outcomes associated with ECE participation. The findings consistently demonstrate that children who attend high-quality early learning programs exhibit stronger cognitive, linguistic, and socio-emotional development. These advantages persist across the life course and are associated with reduced participation in special education, welfare systems, and the criminal justice system. Economic analyses further indicate that ECE investments generate substantial returns, particularly for children experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, often exceeding returns on other public investments. Despite this robust evidence, many education systems continue to prioritize remedial interventions over early prevention. The paper highlights the need for a strategic shift toward early developmental investment, emphasizing the importance of equitable access, sustained financing, and a well-prepared workforce. Advancing high-quality ECE is positioned as a critical policy lever for promoting equity, strengthening human capital formation, and supporting long-term social and economic development globally.

Unveiling language’s role in conflict discourse: A textual analysis of black November and its implications for violence prevention

2026-07-16T01:49:11-05:00

Language plays a critical role in shaping conflict dynamics, yet its contribution to violence escalation in media representations remains underexplored. This study investigates how language constructs, reinforces, and escalates conflict in the Nigerian film Black November to identify communicative patterns that can inform violence prevention strategies. Guided by Gurr's Relative Deprivation and Frustration–Aggression Theory, the study adopted a qualitative textual analysis of Black November, which was purposively selected for its portrayal of the Niger Delta conflict. Using open and axial coding, the analysis identified recurring patterns associated with conflict discourse. The findings reveal linguistic aggression as the dominant communicative pattern, manifested through various forms of intimidation, provocation, and manipulation. These patterns demonstrate that persistent experiences of marginalization, perceived injustice, and unequal power relations intensify frustration and contribute to the escalation of violence. The analysis further shows that language functions not only as a reflection of socio-political tensions but also as a mechanism that legitimizes conflict, mobilizes resistance, and shapes collective responses to oppression. By illustrating the relationship between discourse and violence, this study extends conflict communication scholarship and demonstrates the value of qualitative textual analysis for identifying early warning indicators of violence in media texts. The findings offer practical insights for policymakers, peacebuilding practitioners, communication professionals, and conflict prevention stakeholders seeking to develop discourse-based interventions that promote social cohesion, violence prevention, and sustainable peacebuilding in conflict-affected societies.