Decision-making Actors Research Articles

Damocles's Switchboard: Information Externalities and the Autocratic Logic of Internet Control

Abstract This paper advances a theory for the autocratic logic of internet control. Politically motivated internet control generates a positive externality for domestic data-intensive firms and a negative externality for domestic knowledge-intensive research entities. Exploiting a major internet control shock in 2014, I find that Chinese data-intensive firms gained 26 percent in revenue over other Chinese firms as the result of internet control. The same shock incurred a 10 percent decline in research quality from Chinese researchers, conditional on the knowledge intensity of their discipline. It also reduced the research quality from Chinese researchers relative to their US counterparts by 22 percent in all disciplines. Due to the positive data externality, internet control enacted to prevent domestic threats challenges the state's competing need for data sovereignty against foreign threats. Meanwhile, the state shields certain foreign knowledge-intensive actors from the negative knowledge externality to avoid the immediate economic costs they might otherwise impose. Qualitative evidence supports both implications, highlighting the centrality of short-term interests and foreign actors in autocratic decision making.

A systems approach to improving health consideration in UK urban development: a real estate perspective

ABSTRACT This research investigates how population health is considered in urban development decision-making by developing a causal loop diagram from 21 interviews with senior real estate actors. It classifies variables in the model in structural, attitudinal, and transactional dimensions, links them to relevant decision-making actors, and identifies key feedback loops. This enhances understanding of the system and informs intervention strategies for improving the consideration of health. Structural and attitudinal variables are powerful leverage points but are more challenging to influence directly and slower to change. Yet, when activated through a transactional variable, such as enhancing a data-led health metric to increase the ability of stakeholders to include health in planning, investment and development decisions, they generate virtuous feedback loops. These drive and sustain decision-making that shapes a healthier built environment.

The tortoise in the urban development network: How social relations affect decision-making speed in a road expansion project in Kristiansand, Norway

ABSTRACT Why do urban development projects take a long time to complete? This question is of paramount importance, both practically and academically. Practically, understanding the reasons for delays in these projects can help improve project efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance stakeholder satisfaction. Academically, the study contributes to the field of urbanization by applying social network analysis (SNA) to explore the interactions and relationships among decision-makers in urban development projects. This study draws upon original data from a road extension project in Kristiansand to illustrate and explain why the implementation of large development projects suffers from convoluted and slow decision-making processes after an overall agreement on project aims and goals has been established. This study draws on a sample of 33 actors who participated in the decisions concerning the project. I collected the data through a combination of interviews and document reviews and subsequently analyzed them using social network structural metrics and visualization techniques. The results show that the actors are connected in less dense, more centralized, and clustered networks with subgroups and low reciprocity which have hampered efficient communication, resulting in delays. The findings imply that the pattern of relationships among decision-making actors can affect the amount of time taken to reach conclusions in urban development initiatives.

The role of local knowledge in snow observation and applied snow avalanche forecasting in Longyearbyen, Svalbard

In this article, we present the results of our study of knowledge in the actor-network of snow avalanche forecasters and observers in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Our study aimed to understand how observers and forecasters make sense of snow conditions and snow avalanche risks. To do so, we conducted empirical investigations, which included interviews with key observation, forecasting, and decision-making actors in Longyearbyen’s risk governance system and autoethnographic participatory observation by the first author during the 36 months they worked closely with several informants in Longyearbyen. We draw on perspectives from literature on sensemaking, sensework, and tacit knowledge to conceptualize the modus operandi of observers and forecasters in a manner that allows for generalization to contexts beyond snow avalanche forecasting in Longyearbyen. We find that avalanche-related knowledge construction is highly dependent on the experiences of the observers from their non-professional interaction with the local topography and snow as part of their leisurely activities. Further, social relations and communication among observers and forecasters are essential in knowledge construction. Based on the different processes and resources entering the knowledge construction, we describe three dimensions of local knowledge involved in snow avalanche forecasting: situated, social knowledge; embodied knowledge; and synthetic knowledge. We elaborate on these dimensions of knowledge and discuss implications for the development and administration of avalanche warning systems in contexts characterized by a high degree of transience and change in phenomena.

Policy Implementation in Management of Anchor Harbors Kepulauan Riau Province

Research discusses the implementation of anchor anchor management policies in the Kepulauan Riau Province which involves various actors with different interests. Research objectives are to implement anchor anchor management policies in the Kepulauan Riau Province. Research method used is a post-positivism approach by analyzing the types of benefits obtained, the scale of change desired, the decision-making framework, institutional and regime characteristics, as well as policy implementation and responsiveness. Results and discussion show that implementing this policy has significant economic, social, environmental and security benefits but still requires improvements to infrastructure and supporting facilities. There is also a need for good cooperation and coordination, increasing institutional capacity, increasing the capabilities of relevant officials, as well as developing technology and innovation to support more effective policy implementation. In conclusion, the anchor anchor management policy in the Kepulauan Riau Province must be improved so that it can have a positive impact on the community and the surrounding environment and improve the welfare of the local community. Apart from that, this research also highlights the importance of involving various actors in decision making regarding anchor anchor management policies. In this way, the resulting policies can be more effective and efficient, and can meet the needs and interests of all parties involved. Implication of this research is the need for synergy and collaboration between various actors regarding anchor anchor management policies. Apart from that, it is also important to pay attention to the decision-making framework, characteristics of institutions and regimes, as well as policy implementation.

A shift towards collaboration? Evidence from national digitalisation strategies

This paper seeks to better understand the paradigm shift towards ‘networked governance’ in digitalisation discourse. Little is known about the link between digitalisation reforms and the main reform paradigms in public management studies. By analysing French and German national digitalisation strategies over time, we find that neo-Weberian, new public management, and networked governance discourses co-exist within the digital era, although networked governance rhetoric is increasingly influential. However, a closer examination reveals that this shift in discourse is unrelated to the increased integration of nonstate actors in actual decision-making and service delivery.

A shift towards collaboration? Evidence from national digitalisation strategies / Ein Plädoyer für eine kooperative(re) Verwaltung? Eine Diskursanalyse nationaler Digitalisierungsstrategien

This paper seeks to better understand the paradigm shift towards ‘networked governance’ in digitalisation discourse. Little is known about the link between digitalisation reforms and the main reform paradigms in public management studies. By analysing French and German national digitalisation strategies over time, we find that neo-Weberian, new public management, and networked governance discourses co-exist within the digital era, although networked governance rhetoric is increasingly influential. However, a closer examination reveals that this shift in discourse is unrelated to the increased integration of nonstate actors in actual decision-making and service delivery.

Политики информационной и кибербезопасности

Information security is a critical issue in today’s world, as the constant threat of cyber-attacks and breaches continues to pose a serious threat to individuals, businesses and governments. To address this issue, it is necessary to evaluate the existing security measures and their effectiveness in protecting against cyber threats, as well as the decisionmaking processes that drive information security policy at the national and international levels. The classification of existing security measures and decision-making actors is an essential step in identifying areas of weakness and improving security policies. By taking a comprehensive approach to the subject, this research has provided insight into different levels of policy development and implementation, as well as the key actors involved at each stage. The review, classification and analysis of existing cybersecurity ratings have also contributed to the identification of areas for improvement. Despite the lack of transparency in the methodology and robustness issues of most ratings, this work has provided some important insights into the overall effectiveness of different cybersecurity and information security policies. Finally, the finding that gaps and theoretical-methodological inconsistencies in the field of national information and cybersecurity research can be explained by the opaque and non-objective methodology used to evaluate the effectiveness of policies is crucial. It shows that there is a need for more transparent and objective methodologies that can accurately evaluate cybersecurity policies at the national and international levels, taking into account the unique challenges and contexts within which they operate.

TRANSFORMASI PERKOTAAN MELALUI KOLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE DALAM PROGRAM TANGERANG GEMILANG BERBASIS SMART CITY

Smart City is considered to be an innovation in solving the complexity of urban problems, requiring cooperation between government, society, the private sector and stakeholders. This research aims to understand the collaboration process between various stakeholders carried out by the Tangerang Regency Government through the Tangerang Gemilang application in realizing the Smart City concept. Qualitative research methods with a case study strategy were used, and data was collected using literature studies, interviews and documentation. The research results explain that Tangerang Gemilang has succeeded in providing efficient and easily accessible public services via digital platforms. The Tangerang Gemilang application allows the public to access public information, submit requests, and report problems by reducing complicated permits and increasing transparency. Through a collaborative governance approach, this program involves several actors in decision making and policy implementation, including government, society and the private sector. Active community participation is realized through the use of applications as a communication channel between the community and the government. Collaborative Governance is an important foundation in improving the quality of Smart City-based urban services in Tangerang Regency.

Supporting young people as genuine political actors in climate decision-making.

Supporting young people as genuine political actors in climate decision-making.

THE CRIME OF RAPE: AN ANALYSIS FROM THE FEMINIST LEGAL THEORY PERSPECTIVE

Rape is a crime that seriously impacts victims and society, especially women. In this research, feminist legal theory is used as a basis for analyzing the regulation of the crime of rape. feminist legal theory emphasizes placing women as the main actors in decision-making and upholding women's rights in any form. feminist legal theory emphasizes establishing women as the main actors in decision-making and defending women's rights in any form. This theory sees violence against women as a form of gender discrimination, where the parties who are most often victims are women. In feminist legal theory, violence against women occurs because of gender inequality and the power held by men in the legal system. The author analyzes the criminal act of rape regulated in positive law in Indonesia in protecting women. This research aims to find out how the crime of rape is regulated and how criminal acts are regulated from the perspective of Feminism Legal Theory. This writing uses a normative juridical method with a statutory and conceptual approach. This research shows that referring to feminist legal theory, the sexual violence crime law is a positive step in eliminating gender-based violence and providing justice for rape victims.

Is blood thicker than water? Perceptions on the role of stepparents in medical decisions among minors.

Alternative family configurations are becoming more prevalent, yet current legislative statutory does not support stepparents in medical decisions for their stepchildren. We investigate opinions of Belgian and Dutch adults regarding inclusion of stepparents in medical decision-making in minors. We make two observations. First, participants wanted stepparents to be involved in cases when medical information had to be shared or informed consent signed. Second, when stepparents object against previously approved medical interventions by a biological parent, respondents were less likely to support stepparents. Participants with stepchildren were likely to favour inclusion of stepparents in decision-making. Overall, our findings indicate that Belgian and Dutch adults view stepparents as potential executive actors in medical decision-making for minors, but not as primary decision-makers. This study is a first step in showing to what extent stepparents could be included in medical information and decision-making regarding stepchildren. We reflect on these findings in light of implications for medical practice and legislative shortcomings.

Strategic Dilemmas of Western Corporations in Russia

This article presents the problems of designing the strategies of western companies that continue to own Russian assets, and identifies the main dilemmas of the strategic choice facing these companies: 1) to leave Russia or stay in Russia; 2) to leave as quickly as possible or profitable as possible; 4) if a decision is made to expand the business, then – ​do it with reduction of the share of innovation expenses in the gross profit (revenues) of the Russian division or with an increase of the share of innovation expenses in the gross profit (revenue). The article presents the difficulties of choosing between these options. The main difficulties related to the fact that criteria of decisions are in different domains (political and economic ones) and standard quantitative methods of analysis in many cases turn out to be unacceptable, since there is no single metric for comparing the consequences of decisions. In addition, the interests of decision-making actors are extremely heterogeneous, and the speed of the situation’s change exceeds the speed of decision-making procedures usual for international corporations. The article presents the main types of behavioral models of companies in high uncertainty, multidirectional pressure from various actors of the strategic process and the rapidly changing environment. The trends in the analysis of the behavior of companies under uncertainty that were developed in the literature are mainly associated with economic discourses. Situations of massive sanctions by western countries against Russia introduced political factors into the field of management studies. At the same time, the behavioral aspects of decision-making remain out of sight of most authors. We propose to use Kahneman's and Tversky's «prospect theory» approaches to analyze the situation, which helps to find an explanation for the observed phenomena and put forward hypotheses regarding the future behavior of western companies that are going to continue Russian assets.

Stakeholders Mapping in Election Management in West Nusa Tenggara Province

Purpose: This study aims to analyze stakeholder mapping as a model for strengthening the role of stakeholders in election management. This model explores the success of election management using a collaborative approach between election management bodies, namely the General Election Commission, the Election Supervisory Body, and election stakeholders. Method: The object of study is limited to the 2019 elections in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province. This study uses a qualitative method with a case study approach. The findings of the research show that the stakeholders collaborating in election management are mapped using the hepta-helix model, namely the collaboration model of seven stakeholders: (1) the election management body; (2) the government; (3) the business world; (4) NGOs; (5) mass media; (6) universities; and (7) political parties. Results and Conclusions: This finding proves that election management has implemented the concept of collaborative governance. Nonetheless, collaborative governance in election management does not place all collaborative actors in decision-making. Specifically for the decision-making stage, this is the function of the election management body, while other actors function as a support system in the management of election management. The weakness of collaborative election management practices is that the categories and functions of each actor as a stakeholder have not been mapped. Research implications: This study recommends that the application of the collaborative governance model in election management should be preceded by the preparation of stakeholder mapping into the main, key, and secondary stakeholder categories with their respective functional roles. Originality/value: The findings of stakeholder mapping in election management emphasize that the application of the concept of collaborative governance from Anssel and Gash which is well established in the science of public administration will only be successful if it is supported by stakeholder mapping initiated by Grimble and Wellard, as well as the election stakeholder model initiated by Allen Wall.

“Human-Centric” (“Human-Sized”) Turn in the Evolution of the “Smart City” Concept and the Participation of Civil Society Actors in Political Decision-Making

The paper analyzes the main causes and outlines of a human-sized turn in the evolution of the concept of smart cities, one of the characteristic features of which is the transition from centralized approaches (“top-down”) in political decision-making to approaches that involve community participation, diffuse interaction and orientation towards joint decisions, consideration of citizens not only as voters, but rather as equal subjects, partners of the government, the use of whose potential in making political decisions ensures the effectiveness and “human dimension” of the latter. The “human dimension” turn leads to the conceptualization of smart cities through categories such as “happiness”, “well-being”, “collaboration”, “inclusion”. There is a shift in emphasis from explicit knowledge to the so-called. Implicit knowledge, i. e. knowledge of citizens. At the same time, the paper highlights the existing gap (and in many respects the declarative nature of the goals of smart cities) between the ideal human-centric and “human-sized” model of smart cities and the existing real decision-making practice, which the researchers pay attention to. The paper concludes that a promising direction in the study of smart city in this context is the study and search for effective forms of participation of civil society actors in decision-making, mechanisms for ensuring inclusive and transparent participation of citizens, ways to achieve meaningful civic participation and adjust decisions through real “exchange” of knowledge, modern smart city models that consider the participation of civil society actors as a key part of the decision-making process.

Scharpf revisited: European welfare governance through the lens of actor-centred institutionalism

ABSTRACT The scholarship of Fritz Scharpf has inspired a leading strand in the debate on ‘social Europe’, but his arguments deserve more critical scrutiny than they have received. In contrast to his thesis about a ‘structural asymmetry’ that prevents the EU from functioning as a social market economy, national welfare provision has not been systematically undermined by regulatory competition, supranational liberalisation and fiscal rules, whereas there has been more positive integration of social policies than he anticipated. I contend that we can gain a richer theorisation of European welfare governance by challenging Scharpf on his own terms, which entails recovering key elements of his actor-centred institutionalism. From this perspective, I discuss four dimensions along which we should reconsider the relation between European integration and national welfare regimes: the cognitive and normative orientations of decision-making actors, the role of interaction orientations and socialisation, social policymaking as a problem-solving process beyond distributive bargaining, and the bounded legitimation of the EU as a diverse union of welfare states.

Potential Forage Hybrid Markets for Enhancing Sustainability and Food Security in East Africa.

The cattle sector is strategic for both the economic development and food security of Africa, but the low availability and quality of forage puts the most vulnerable population at risk. Hybrid forages are an alternative for enhancing both food security and sustainability of the sector but adoption levels are still low in Africa, which is related to various factors such as the availability of seeds. This document analyzes potential markets for new interspecific hybrids of Urochloa and potential hybrids of Megathyrsus maximus, adapted to the environmental conditions of eastern and partially western Africa, applying a four-step methodology based on estimating (i) required forage amounts for each country according to its dairy herd, (ii) potential hectares for forage cultivation based on (i), (iii) hectares that can be covered by the two hybrids of interest according to a Target Population of Environment approach, and (iv) potential market values for each country and hybrid. The results show a potential market of 414,388 ha for new interspecific hybrids of Urochloa and 528,409 ha for potential hybrids of Megathyrsus maximus, with approximate annual values of 73.5 and 101.1 million dollars, respectively. Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Kenya hold a market share of 70% for Urochloa, and South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Tanzania a 67% market share for Megathyrsus maximus. The results will help different actors in decision-making, i.e., regarding private sector investments in forage seed commercialization or public sector incentives supporting adoption processes, and thus contribute to increasing food security and sustainability in the region.

Die Verwendung der Reichssteuer von 1427 im Spiegel der Quittungen und Rechnungsbücher

This paper examines the accounting book "Liber Teutonicorum des Ausgebens" and quittances from the state archive in Nuremberg about the imperial tax from 1427, whose intent was to finance the war against the Hussites in Bohemia. Unlike older studies, which focused on the concept and failed enforcement of the tax, this paper raises questions about the use of the collected tax money and the responsible actors involved. Therefore, the aim is to provide a new perspective to assess the imperial project, which historians often claim as a failure. Starting from the normative text of the tax law, first the members of the two institutions are determinated responsible for administrating and spending the money and it is showen how they worked together. In the second step, the quittances are discussed and the possible need for accountability for both institutions to the king and prince-electors. That leads to the third question about the role of external actors in decision-making, where the entries in the accounting books are analyzed.

Conceptual and Analytical Diversity of Environmental Governance in Latin America: A Systematic Review.

The analysis of environmental governance and the analytical frameworks used to study this concept in Latin America show that the term is diffuse and polysemic. The term governance refers to democratic societies that theoretically encourage the plural participation of actors in decision making to solve public or collective socioenvironmental problems. However, in Latin America, there is a broad social perception of a democratic deficit that affects the socioenvironmental sphere. The objective of this work is to determine the main trends in studies on environmental governance in Latin America, the most commonly used analytical frameworks and the predominant approaches to characterize the scientific and political uses of the concept. A systematic literature review is carried out on databases in English and Spanish, and 140 articles that consider environmental governance using various analytical frameworks are analyzed. The main finding is the predominance of a critical perspective on the effectiveness of environmental governance, as well as the associated institutional components and social organizations, because the democratic practices that should support it are questionable.

Corporate Capture of the laws application in Colombia: a new form of capture for public policy actions

Abstract The law popularly known by the title ‘Junk Food’, was approved in Colombia in 2021 after years of advocacy from the Civil Society. Many authors as M. Mialon (2019, 2020, 2021) have documented the level of actions to intervene in the legislative space of the Parliament in Colombia created by the food industries to change the terms of the content of this law. Nowadays and after the approval of the text interpreted as a victory for Civil Society, Colombia is confronted with the re-regulation of the law, leading to a new form of capture: the capture of the spaces of decision-making actors in public health policy in the country. We present an analysis of the case from a follow-up study designed by our organization FIAN Colombia (human rights organization that advocates for the right to adequate food and nutrition). The data used in this process of monitoring and action research comes from the observational data of the advocacy scenario made during the debates of the law in the Colombian parliament, based on the proceedings of the work meetings with congressmen, academia and civil society. This research-action process makes it clear that the collective action of advocacy from civil society manages to mobilize conditions to denounce the corporate capture of decision-making spaces and the execution of public health policies, and generates pressures based on research free of conflict of interest to reduce this capture. Similarly, there is a capacity to demand accountability that was generated from this process in Colombia, and that turns out to be a pilot experience for other regions.