Eastern Orthodoxy as a Resource of Ethics and Social Sustainability for the Challenges Faced by the Digital Transformation of Society

Gheorghe Nadoleanu; Ana Rodica Staiculescu; Emanuela Bran; Stefania Cristina Ghiocanu

doi:10.18662/rrem/15.1/688

Authors

Gheorghe Nadoleanu PhD student, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Bucharest, Romania.
Ana Rodica Staiculescu University Professor Doctor, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Bucharest, Romania.
Emanuela Bran PhD student, “Transilvania” University, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Brasov, Romania; Research Assistant, “Ovidius” University, Black Sea Institute for Development and Security Studies, Constanta, Romania.
Stefania Cristina Ghiocanu University Assistant, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Bucharest, Romania.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/15.1/688

Keywords:

digital transformation, spirituality, religion, sustainability, policy

Abstract

This study focuses on the potential of harnessing the power of the local Eastern Orthodox religious teachings in creating a socially sustainable glocalized digital transformation for Romania. First, we investigated within the scientific literature the ways religion might impact social action, and where does spirituality intersect with digitalization. Second, we devised a questionnaire with items targeting religious styles and the perception of digitalization during the pandemic and in the foreseeable future along with inquiring about which institutions should get more involved in directing digital development. The sample was constituted of 170 adult residents from Bucharest and Constanta urban areas, most of them having graduated from university, with the sample being balanced between the engineering domains and the humanities domains of study. Thirdly, we employed statistical data analysis in order to explore differences in perception of risks, benefits, and in the desired action towards the digital transformation, between the different flavours of spirituality and religiousness. The aim of the study is to obtain valuable insights for creating a bridge between spiritual preachers, digital policymakers, and the civil society, driving development towards spiritually and economically sustainable goals, for a conscious society and a healthy environment.

Author Biographies

Gheorghe Nadoleanu, PhD student, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Bucharest, Romania.

Gheorghe Nadoleanu is a PhD student in the field of Sociology at the University of Bucharest, researching the connection between religion and society. He has a profound understanding of humans, being a priest with over 25 years of experience, and having a multidisciplinary study background comprising theology and psychology. After graduating Theology at the University of Bucharest and Psychology at the Ovidius University of Constanta, he obtained a master’s degree in Theology and one in Law and Administration, and further continued his research at the Pontifico Orientale Institute in Vatican. He coordinated several institutions such as a centre for preventing family abandonment created from European funding, a NGO for vulnerable people, the theological seminary of Cocosu Monastery from its foundation, and the Department of Development Programs in Tomis Archiepiscopate. He is currently working as a priest and as a university assistant.

Ana Rodica Staiculescu, University Professor Doctor, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Bucharest, Romania.

Prof Dr. Ana Rodica Stăiculescu has graduated Sociology at the University of Bucharest and received a scholarship from the ONU-CEDOR, continuing her postgraduate studies at the University of Paris I – Panthéon-Sorbonne, where she obtained her PhD in Demography with the “très honorable” distinction - the highest grade. She is currently working as a university professor at Șaguna University of Constanta, and furthermore, as a PhD coordinator at the University of Bucharest. Her area of expertise comprises Sociology and Social Psychology, with subfields such as demographical research, transdisciplinary studies of social identity, impact of technology on society, cultural differences in international negotiation, sociology of deviance and sociology of organizations.

Emanuela Bran, PhD student, “Transilvania” University, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Brasov, Romania; Research Assistant, “Ovidius” University, Black Sea Institute for Development and Security Studies, Constanta, Romania.

Emanuela Bran is a PhD student at the Transilvania University of Brasov in the field of Computers and Information Technology. She is currently working as a research assistant at the Institute of Security and Development at the Black Sea which is affiliated with Ovidius University of Constanta, where she researches and developpes distributed multimodal systems used for enhancing the driver’s experience. Her area of expertise includes ubiquitous computing, multimodal interfaces, human-computer interaction, mixed reality, user experience, blockchain and connected subjects. Her aim is to understand and create technology that brings a positive change in people lives, society and the environment.

Stefania Cristina Ghiocanu, University Assistant, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Bucharest, Romania.

Dr. Ștefania Cristina Stanciu has recently obtained her PhD in Sociology in year 2021. She has a 7-year experience in the academic environment, working as a university assistant and activating as an expert in European projects, expert in entrepreneurial courses, and as a vocation counsellor, and an internship counsellor. She published multiple articles and research studies in several domains such as public policy, youth unemployment, public administration, social and youth issues, and youth entrepreneurship.

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Eastern Orthodoxy as a Resource of Ethics and Social Sustainability for the Challenges Faced by the Digital Transformation of Society

Authors

DOI:

Keywords:

Abstract

Author Biographies

Gheorghe Nadoleanu, PhD student, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Bucharest, Romania.

Ana Rodica Staiculescu, University Professor Doctor, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Bucharest, Romania.

Emanuela Bran, PhD student, “Transilvania” University, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Brasov, Romania; Research Assistant, “Ovidius” University, Black Sea Institute for Development and Security Studies, Constanta, Romania.

Stefania Cristina Ghiocanu, University Assistant, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Bucharest, Romania.

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