Hong Kong Journal of Social Sciences

The purpose of this research: This study aims to develop an Early Intervention Guideline for parents to improve the social skills of their children with ASD in Jordan. The issue covered in this study is very crucial as it focuses on a sample of people who may lack the care from others because they need special care.
Methodology: An experimental quantitative research design was chosen. Using a random sampling method, 60 families of children with ASD were chosen for this study. A self-developed questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics via SPSS.
Main Findings: The results revealed a moderate level of agreement among the parents relating to the needs of the family for guidance for early intervention (M=2.39, SD= 0.94) to improve the children’ communication skill (M=1.75, SD=0.76) and the social skills (M=1.57, SD=0.61). The result of the effectiveness before the Early Intervention Guideline intervention was lower (M=1.89, SD=0.63), than after the training (M=2.39, SD=0.94). The communication skills showed an increase after the training (M=1.75, SD= 0.76). The child’s social skills showed an improvement after training (M=0.93, SD=0.47) compared to the development of the child’s skills before training (M=0.93, SD=0.55).
Applications: These results indicated the necessity of conducting early intervention programs for families of children with ASD to improve their social and communication skills.
Novelty/Originality: This study is new as it designs a comprehensive guideline for Arabic parents of children with ASD in Arabic to improve the social skills of the children. This study is very useful for other centers that take care of other disabled children, such as children with deaf and hearing impairment. This study is applied in Arabic; hence, any Arabic disabled center can use these results to achieve a high degree of communication with disabled children.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), early intervention, guideline, parents, social skills, Jordan.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.65.3

The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of financial development indicators, broad money supply, bank liabilities and bank credit to the private sector on economic growth. This study assesses the causal relationship between financial development (FD) indicators and economic growth in Nepal.
Methodology: This study applies a descriptive and causality research design for investigating the nexus between FD and the economic growth rate (GDP). The GDP growth rate is used as a dependent variable and FD indicators broad money supply to GDP, bank credit to private sector to GDP and total bank liabilities to GDP are considered as explanatory variables. This research uses Johansen cointegration, Granger causality, and vector error correction models for assessing both the short-run and long-run causal relationship between FD indicators and economic growth in Nepal.
Main Findings: The Johansen cointegration test reveals long-run cointegration among the variables. In addition, the Granger causality test confirms the bi-directional causality between FD indicators and economic growth in Nepal. Finally, the result of the vector error correction term represents a significant level of short-term alteration toward long-term stability, which concludes both short- and stable long-run contributing role of financial development indicators in economic growth.
Applications: The focus of financial development for economic growth is a national priority of Nepal and is of great interest to researchers.
Novelty/Originality: The examination of the causal relationship between financial development and economic growth is the novelty of this study in the context of Nepal. Therefore, policy makers are suggested to formulate and implement various policies to develop a strong financial system for rapid economic growth in Nepal.

Keywords: Bank credit to the private sector, bank liabilities, broad money supply, economic growth, financial development.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.65.2

The purpose of this study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of Albania’s legal framework governing economic assistance and social protection from 1992 to 2022. The study further aims to evaluate the impact of legislative reforms on beneficiaries of these social protection measures, thereby providing insights into the broader socio-economic transformation that has taken place in Albania during this period.
Methodology: A qualitative legal analysis was conducted using Albanian legislation, including laws, decisions, and by-laws related to economic assistance and social protection. The study systematically reviewed over 50 legal acts and amendments adopted between 1992 and 2022 to identify their key changes and impacts.
Main Findings: The findings reveal a significant evolution from fragmented legal norms towards a comprehensive framework, expanding beneficiary categories, simplifying application processes, and increasing financial coverage. The reforms have led to measurable improvements in the socio-economic conditions of vulnerable groups.
Applications: This study provides insights relevant to scholars and policymakers working in the fields of social protection, public policy, and law reform in post-socialist economies. It offers empirical data for the assessment of social welfare legislation and for guiding future reforms in transitional economies.
Novelty/Originality: This is the first comprehensive longitudinal analysis of Albania’s legal framework for economic assistance and social protection, spanning three decades. By quantifying the extent and direction of legal changes, the study offers a novel perspective on Albania’s social policy evolution during its transition to a market economy.

Keywords: Albania, economic assistance, legal framework, social protection.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.65.1

This study examined the effect of internal corporate governance mechanisms on the financial performance of listed financial institutions on the Uganda Securities Exchange. We collected secondary data from a census of all the financial institutions from 2014 to 2023. In addition, primary data on governance and financial performance was obtained through interviews to supplement the secondary data. We employed both accounting-based (ROE) and market-based (Tobin’s Q) proxies to measure firm-financial performance. Based on the results, the agency theory fails to illustrate that the board of directors (BoDs) and the audit committee (AC) are effective in improving financial performance. However, ownership structure (OS) has a notably positive and significant effect on financial performance, highlighting the importance of different forms of ownership in a firm. Our study adds to the literature by demonstrating that the application of agency theory doesn’t have a significant effect on firm-financial performance in the Ugandan context. Moreover, it contributes to the present body of knowledge on ICGMs and firm-financial performance literature, particularly in the context of an emerging economy.

Keywords: Internal corporate governance mechanisms, financial performance, listed commercial banks, Uganda Securities Exchange.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.64.42

Despite the growing use of Smart Tourism Technologies (STTs) in heritage tourism, their effectiveness in shaping tourist experiences, heritage site image, and destination loyalty remains underexplored, particularly in Cambodia’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This study examines how key STTs attributes—informativeness, accessibility, interactivity, personalization, and security—enhance tourists' experience with STTs and their loyalty with heritage destinations. It also examines the mediating role of heritage site image in this relationship. This study collected data on-site from 411 international tourists visiting all four of Cambodia's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Smart-PLS 4.0 was used to evaluate the measurement and structural models. The results demonstrate that all STTs attributes positively enhance tourists perceived STTs experience. This perceived smart tourism experience subsequently impacts tourists' likelihood of returning to the heritage destinations and recommending them through word-of-mouth, which is partially mediated by the heritage site image. This study contributes to the limited body of research on the impact of STTs in heritage tourism by introducing a new conceptual model that positions heritage site image as a mediator between perceived STTs experience and destination loyalty. The findings offer practical insights for heritage stakeholders, including technology developers, by highlighting the critical role of informativeness, personalization, and interactivity in the design and implementation of STTs to enhance tourists’ experiences and strengthen the global appeal of Cambodia's heritage sites.

Keywords: Cambodia, smart tourism technologies, heritage site image, PLS-SEM, destination loyalty.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.64.41