https://journals.christuniversity.in/index.php/artha/issue/feed 2026-03-12T03:15:28+00:00 Dr Deepak Johnson deepak.johnson@christuniversity.in Open Journal Systems <p>Artha, Journal of Social Sciences, seeks to facilitate in-depth reflection and analysis of issues, problems and concerns in the disciplines under Social Sciences, in order to assist and further the directions and transformations human society needs to evolve into. It targets educational institutions, research centres, social scientists, policymakers and any individual interested in and committed to human welfare.</p> <p>The journal does not charge any article processing or article submission charges from the authors.</p> https://journals.christuniversity.in/index.php/artha/article/view/6834 2025-08-12T04:32:38+00:00 Hlanganani Mnguni hlangs50@gmail.com Mandla A Mubecua MandlaM4@dut.ac.za

<p>This paper explores the potential of community-driven approaches to foster sustainable and equitable development in South African townships, which face persistent socio-economic challenges rooted in apartheid-era inequalities. Using a systematic review of qualitative, secondary data, the study employs the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) framework to examine how leveraging local assets, participatory decision-making, and cooperative initiatives can address these issues. Findings reveal that while investment and entrepreneurial activity in townships have increased, benefits often fail to reach residents, exacerbating disparities. Community-driven strategies, such as cooperatives and community-based organizations, demonstrate transformative potential by creating jobs, fostering local entrepreneurship, and aligning development with residents' needs. Case studies, including the Gugulethu Cooperative Development Project and the Soweto Urban Farmers’ Cooperative, highlight their effectiveness in promoting economic growth, social cohesion, and sustainability. The paper concludes that collaborative efforts between government, private sector, and civil society are essential for scaling these strategies. Recommendations include prioritizing participatory approaches, supporting cooperatives, addressing infrastructure deficits, and promoting ethical investment. Community-driven models offer a viable pathway to inclusive and sustainable development in South African townships.</p> <p><strong>Key words: </strong><em>Community, Economic growth, Economic development, Township, socio-economic issues.</em></p>

2026-03-12T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Artha Journal of Social Sciences https://journals.christuniversity.in/index.php/artha/article/view/7189 2026-02-02T10:36:25+00:00 Dhanush M R mrdhanush1298@gmail.com Shobha C shobha@tumkuruniversity.ac.in

<p>Policing is characterized by high occupational demands that often disrupt work–life balance (WLB). Grounded in Conservation of Resources (COR) theory and Work–Family Enrichment theory, this study examined the structural relationships between perceived social support, job satisfaction, and work-life balance (WLB) among police personnel in Bengaluru, India. A cross-sectional survey of 400 officers was conducted using stratified random sampling, and Structural Equation Modeling was employed to test direct and indirect effects. The results indicated that social support significantly predicted job satisfaction (β = 0.304, p &lt; 0.01) and WLB (β = 0.353, p &lt; 0.01). Job satisfaction also positively influenced WLB (β = 0.444, p &lt; 0.01) and partially mediated the relationship between social support and WLB. The findings highlight the importance of relational resources in promoting occupational and cross-domain well-being in high-demand professions.</p>

2026-03-12T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Artha Journal of Social Sciences