The main purpose of this book is not only to present recent studies and advances in the field of social science research, but also to stimulate discussion on related practical issues concerning statistics, mathematics, and economics. Accordingly, a broad range of tools and techniques that can be used to solve problems on these topics are presented in detail in this book, which offers an ideal reference work for all researchers interested in effective quantitative and qualitative tools. The content is divided into three major sections. The first, which is titled “Social work”, collects papers on problems related to the social sciences, e.g. social cohesion, health, and digital technologies. Papers in the second part, “Education and teaching issues,” address qualitative aspects, education, learning, violence, diversity, disability, and ageing, while the book’s final part, “Recent trends in qualitative and quantitative models for socio-economic systems and social work”, features contributions on both qualitative and quantitative issues. The book is based on a scientific collaboration, in the social sciences, mathematics, statistics, and economics, among experts from the “Pablo de Olavide” University of Seville (Spain), the “University of Defence” of Brno (Czech Republic), the “G. D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara (Italy) and “Alexandru Ioan Cuza University” of Iaşi (Romania). The contributions, which have been selected using a peer-review process, examine a wide variety of topics related to the social sciences in general, while also highlighting new and intriguing empirical research conducted in various countries. Given its scope, the book will appeal, in equal measure, to sociologists, mathematicians, statisticians and philosophers, and more generally to scholars and specialists in related fields.

This book presents a systemic perspective on the broadly perceived problem of social care, meant in terms of a network engaging balanced resources and actors to assure the functionality, in an integrative approach. The approach involves individual, institutional and organizational structures, at the micro, mezzo- and macro-levels, in their interrelations, with proper contexts for understandings, interpretations and actions by stakeholders. The papers presented suggest ways of changes, involving even participant actors as changing agents, taking into account evolving behaviors and human relations, policies and inter-institutional frameworks, from many points of view. In the first part, various aspects, notably economic and emotional, of innovative and integrated approaches to long-term care are dealt with. Different aspects are considered exemplified by legal, educational, economic, environmental, cultural and those related to the perception of aging, labor market for the elderly, perceived quality of life, etc. The planning and management of social services are discussed in terms of a functional, and effective and efficient system, with the identification and analysis of actors and processes, and transformation policies. This is done at the local, regional and global levels.

This book concisely presents a broad range of models and theories on social systems. Because of the huge spectrum of topics involving social systems, various issues related to Mathematics, Statistics, Teaching, Social Science, and Economics are discussed. In an effort to introduce the subject to a wider audience, this volume, part of the series “Studies in Systems, Decision and Control”, equally addresses the needs of mathematicians, statisticians, sociologists and philosophers. The studies examined here are divided into four parts. The first part, “Perusing the Minds Behind Scientific Discoveries”, traces the winding path of Syamal K. Sen and Ravi P. Agarwal’s scholarship throughout history, and most importantly, the thought processes that allowed each of them to master their subject. The second part covers “Theories in Social Systems” and the third discusses “Models in Social Systems”, while the fourth and final part is dedicated to “Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences”. Given its breadth of coverage, the book will offer inquisitive readers a valuable point of departure for exploring these rich, vast, and ever-expanding fields of knowledge.

Enormous developments have been made in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) during the past four decades as ICT has spread rapidly in the world and become a significant part of daily life for economic units. ICT development and penetration are continuing to affect all aspects of societies and have led to significant changes in almost all disciplines such as education, environment, economics, management, energy, health, and medical care. Economic and Social Implications of Information and Communication Technologies explores the economic and social implications of ICT development and penetration from a multidisciplinary perspective. Covering key topics such as sustainability, public health, and economic growth, this reference work is ideal for managers, industry professionals, researchers, scholars, practitioners, academicians, instructors, and students.

Due to advances in technology, particularly in artificial intelligence and robotics, the service sector is being reshaped, and AI may even be necessary for survival of the service industries. Innovations in digital technology lead to improving processes and, in many situations, are a solution to improving the efficiency and the quality of processes and services. This volume examines in depth how AI innovation is creating knowledge, improving efficiency, and elevating quality of life for millions of people and how it applies to the service industry. This volume addresses advances, issues, and challenges from several points of view from diverse service areas, including healthcare, mental health, finance, management, learning and education, and others. The authors demonstrate how service practices can incorporate the subareas of AI, such as machine learning, deep learning, blockchain, big data, neural networks, etc. The diverse roster of chapter authors includes 48 scholars from different fields, (management, public policies, accounting, information technologies, engineering, medicine) along with executives and managers of private enterprises and public bodies in different sectors, from life sciences to healthcare. Several chapters also evaluate AI’s application in service industries during the COVID-19 era. This book, Incorporating AI Technology in the Service Sector: Innovations in Creating Knowledge, Improving Efficiency, and Elevating Quality of Life, provides professionals, administrators, educators, researchers, and students with useful perspectives by introducing new approaches and innovations for identifying future strategies for service sector companies.

This book provides a snapshot of state-of-the-art interdisciplinary discussions in Russia about technology in the information society. New technologies are subject to original theoretical analysis, but there are also reflections on the practical experience of their application. The book covers a range of topics which includes human–technology interaction, education in digital reality, distance education due to COVID-19 quarantine measures, cognitive technologies, system analytics of information and communication technologies. The book collects contributions from philosophy, didactics, computer sciences, sociology, psychology, media studies, and law. It contains a selection of papers accepted for presentation at the XX International Conference «Professional Culture of the Specialist of the Future» (26–27 November 2020, St. Petersburg) and the XII International Conference «CommunicativeStrategies of the Information Society» (23–24 October 2020, St. Petersburg).