Advantageous Position Research Articles

Women’s Network Resource Acquisition in Informal Rural Entrepreneurship: A Developed View of Opportunity versus Necessity Dichotomy

This study explores the inherent interdependencies between microfinance social enterprises and two groups of women informal farm entrepreneurs and women informal tourism entrepreneurs in four impoverished rural regions in Iran. Using a qualitative constructivist grounded theory methodology, the findings suggest that women tourism entrepreneurs tend to engage in a greater coexistence of weak vertical and horizontal ties. In contrast, women farm entrepreneurs primarily develop strong horizontal ties. Consequently, members of the tourism group have greater opportunities to access a diverse range of resources, placing them in a more advantageous position along the opportunity–necessity entrepreneurship continuum. Guided by a network approach combined with strong structuration theory, this study develops a theoretical model that illustrates how these two groups of women entrepreneurs differently cope with gender constraints to grow their informal businesses. The findings highlight the need for tailored strategies and policies to empower various groups of subsistence women entrepreneurs.

Prevailing Party laws and general election outcomes

AbstractObjectiveThis article examines the incidence and effects of the most common ballot ordering procedure used in U.S. general elections, Prevailing Party laws, which give the most advantageous ballot position to the currently prevailing political party.MethodsPanel regression and regression discontinuity analyses are applied to almost 50 years of county‐level election data from Wyoming.ResultsPrevailing Party laws generally increase the favored candidate's vote share by two percentage points or more, enough to flip the result of roughly 1 percent of major elections nationwide.ConclusionsThe effect of Prevailing Party laws is substantially larger than that of more innocuous ballot ordering schemes, due to “endorsement effects” these other schemes lack. The existing literature, which exclusively analyzes these other schemes, substantially understates the degree to which ballot order can be used to maintain political power.

Performance of GNSS space service for geostationary autonomous operations

Abstract The geostationary orbit (GEO) belt hosts a substantial number of high-value satellites, making the study of autonomous navigation within this area significant. Features of autonomous operations such as patrolling the GEO belt and frequent manoeuvres at a certain location make real-time positioning using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) valuable. This paper studies the performance of positioning with GNSS considering main lobe and side lobe signals at different longitudes in the GEO belt. The research delves into the visibility and Position Dilution of Precision (PDOP) across the GEO belt, analysing the performance of the Global Positioning System (GPS), GLObalnaya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS) in Russian, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), Galileo Navigation Satellite System (Galileo) and multi-systems. In particular, this paper investigates the impact of asymmetric constellations of mixed GEO, Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites. The study reveals that BDS hybrid constellation provides long-term stable signal coverage over the GEO space above North America and Atlantic Ocean, where GEO signals are more sustainable while IGSO signals have wider coverage. This advantage positions BDS favourably in terms of performance in these regions.

Positional advantages and occupational specificity. Returns for higher education in West Germany

ABSTRACT This study analyses how changing positional advantages affected occupational returns for higher education in West Germany from 1974 to 2018. Positional advantages measure the advantages of educational levels relative to others during educational expansion. The impact of positional advantages on occupational returns plausibly differs regarding both the type of higher education degree and its level of occupational specificity. Using the German Microcensus and with the help of median regression models, the study tests if the socioeconomic status of Bachelor’s and Master’s graduates whose degrees have different levels of occupational specificity are systematically affected by the percentage of individuals with at least the same qualification at a given point in time. The empirical results reveal that higher education graduates benefit from educational expansion: positional advantages therefore affect occupational returns for different higher education degrees in divergent ways. Graduates with occupation-specific Master’s degrees appear to benefit most from educational expansion. Graduates with Bachelor’s degrees and less occupationally specific degrees benefit less from educational expansion. The empirical results suggest increasing positional competition within higher education.

Triple Pelvic Osteotomy for Hip Dysplasia: The Akbulut-Coskun Technique Using a Modified Stoppa Approach.

Many successful osteotomies have been reported for the treatment of acetabular dysplasia. However, triple pelvic osteotomy remains a technically challenging procedure with potential for significant complications. This study examined a series of Tönnis periacetabular osteotomy (TPAO) procedures performed using the modified Stoppa approach to treat acetabular dysplasia in adolescents. To describe the radiographic outcomes, complications, and early functional results of TPAO using the modified Stoppa approach for acetabular dysplasia in adolescents. This study included 16 patients (20 hips) who underwent TPAO using the modified Stoppa approach for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia. The characteristics of the patients and the surgical procedure were discussed. The radiologic outcome was evaluated using the lateral center-edge (CE) and Tönnis roof angles. Perioperative data including surgery duration, blood loss, and complications were recorded. Complications were also discussed. The mean age of the patients was 11.5±1.1 (10 to 13) years. The mean preoperative anteroposterior CE angle was 14.7±3 degrees (7 to 19 degrees), and the mean postoperative angle was 35.7±3.1 degrees (30 to 42 degrees; P<0.001). The mean preoperative Sharp's angle was 55.9±5.4 degrees (48 to 65 degrees), and the postoperative mean was 33±5 degrees (24 to 40 degrees; P<0.001). The mean Tönnis angle before and after osteotomy was 23.3±7.1 degrees (17 to 36 degrees) and 7.1±2 degrees (4 to 10 degrees), respectively (P<0.001). The mean operative time was 42.2±10.3 minutes with a mean blood loss of 167.7±50.3mL. One patient sustained a bladder injury as a major complication. The use of TPAO with the intrapelvic modified Stoppa approach in the treatment of hip dysplasia provides the benefits of a single incision, access to 2 hips in the same session, positional advantage, and abductor function preservation. Early results are satisfactory and safe. Level IV.

Ensuring coherence between China’s “Belt and Road” initiative and Eurasian Economic Union Project

The article examines the transport development of the intracontinental spaces of Eurasia and their interrelations with the Belt and Road initiative and the activities of the EAEU in infrastructure construction. The emergence of the Initiative is due to several large-scale global economic processes, such as the shift of the center of world production to Asia, China’s leading role in the global economy, its desire to form a different, more equitable model of world economic relations, the growth of geopolitical, transport and economic dynamics of intra-continental events. The central element of the Initiative is China’s willingness to finance local infrastructure projects in which there is a common interest. The integration project is focused on the state sovereignty of the participating countries, the transformation of the EAEU into a dynamically developing region of Eurasia, and the economic attraction for third countries. The EAEU sees the creation of a modern communications infrastructure (the Eurasian transport framework) as the main prerequisite for achieving these objectives. One of the important results of the conjugation of the mega-project and the activities of the EAEU has been a multiple increase in trade and transport communications between China and the EAEU countries. The implemented, ongoing and recommended projects of international transport corridors ensure the permissive effect of intra-continentality and a wider use of the advantages of the Central Eurasia position for the development of the countries of Central Asia, Western China and the Siberian regions of Russia.

Study on hydrogen and helium chromatographic analysis system

Abstract Rare gas helium is widely used in industrial and high-tech areas, is the national important strategic resources, to lead the scientific and technological innovation has the increasingly important role, helium production capacity in China is relatively scarce, helium gas resources long-term dependence on imports. In order to strengthen the helium resource guarantee capacity of our country and ensure the advantageous position in the international development competition. In recent years, helium detection and analysis in real-time while drilling at wellsite has been gaining interest in the oil and gas industry, the detection of non-hydrocarbon gases such as helium has become the focus of current exploration. In order to meet the demand of hydrogen and helium exploration and development, a set of hydrogen-helium chromatography analyzers is developed. A separation method of helium and hydrogen combined with the pre-analysis column and the main analysis column is proposed to realize the efficient separation of hydrogen and helium, the wide spectrum TCD (Thermal Conductivity Detector) is used as the analyzer to achieve the high efficiency detection of hydrogen and helium. Field application shows that the system can detect hydrogen and helium efficiently within 30 seconds analysis cycle while drilling, which provides a technical means for the detection of hydrogen and helium in the exploration process. It provides a good technical reserve for the future large-scale development and utilization of natural hydrogen and helium.

Fair Shares and Selective Attention

Attitudes toward fairness and redistribution differ along socioeconomic lines. To understand their formation, we conduct a large-scale experiment on attention to merit and luck and the effect of attention on fairness decisions. Randomly advantaged subjects pay less attention to information about true merit and retain more economic surplus, and this effect persists in subsequent impartial decisions. Attention also has a causal role: encouraging subjects to look at merit reduces the effect of an advantaged position on allocations. This suggests that attention-based policy interventions may be effective in reducing polarized views on inequality. (JEL C91, D63, D83)

Sustainable Energy and China: The Importance of Institutional Authority

It is not possible that fossil fuels keep on their existence as a main energy source for the future when they are evaluated with the effects on the global environment. In addition to this, due to the limited source and the increased consumption parameters, coal, petroleum and natural gas are not also seen as sustainable energy sources in the long term. However, renewable energy provides the competing circumstances with fossil fuels as a framework of cost-benefit analysis. Minimised the efficiency problems, renewable energy sources overcome the storage problems with the developments of electrochemical storage systems. On the other hand, the support of the political will is crucial to consolidating of this advantageous position. As it is seen in some countries, it gives positive results if the authorities focus on the development of renewable energy in their strategical policies, their steps to reduce the importation of fossil fuels and they encourage the industry for the renewable energy investment. China attaches importance to energy diversity. China has significantly increased its installed capacities thanks to central control and a focus on renewable energy.

Class and Ethno-Gender Differences in Education and Labour Market Position—An Intersectional Analysis of Ethnic Integration in the UK

This paper analyses the socio-economic disadvantages of women from different ethnic minority heritages in the UK. Using data from the Labour Force Survey (2014–2023), which contains detailed information on parental class and respondents’ socio-economic conditions, we examine four domains of life chances which are crucial for ethnic integration: educational attainment at the degree level, risks of unemployment, access to professional-managerial (salariat) position and earning power. We proceeded with the gross differences and then examined the differences by ethno-gender status and parental class combinations, controlling for many confounding factors. We also examined the net ethno-gender differences over the life course and the trends of social fluidity over the period covered and across the ethno-gender groups. We found that women from all ethnic origins were doing well in education but faced multiple disadvantages in the labour market, especially in access to the salariat and in earning power. Women of Pakistani/Bangladeshi heritages faced pronounced unemployment risks, especially at the earlier life stages. There is a significant increase in fluidity over the period covered, but this is marked by considerable ethnic and class differences, with Black Caribbean, Black African, Pakistani and Bangladeshi women from more advantaged class origins being unable to secure advantaged class positions and those from working-class families unable to make long-range upward mobility as effectively as White men. Overall, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Black African and Black Caribbean women are found to be considerably disadvantaged, but there are also signs of social progress.

Video Generative AI in Digital Marketing: A SWOT Analysis on E-Commerce

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the way various business processes are performed, most rapidly in digital marketing, due to its advanced computational capabilities. ECommerce companies are in advantageous position to adopt and reap the benefits of AI for many reasons including the readily available computational infrastructure and big data related to their users and processes. Meanwhile, big tech companies and startups are competing to create and improve generative AI models, that create high-definition videos based on inputs in the form of text, image or videos. The current research specifically aims to analyse the video outputs of various video generating AI models available for digital marketing purposes in ecommerce businesses and to rationally analyse how those video generative AI models benefit or affect e-commerce companies. To meet the research objectives, mixed methodologies of experimentation and content analysis were deployed. It was observed that the video outputs from the tested models were not yet suitable for digital marketing and appeared underdeveloped. Additionally, the SWOT analysis revealed advantages like low costs, alongside concerns such as intellectual property issues.

Genesis of Polish Populism (1945–2023) and its Impact on the Transformation and Support of “Law and Justice”

The article analyzes the formation of Polish populism at the present stage represented by the ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS, Prawo i Sprawiedliwosc) using the theoretical apparatus of neoinstitutionalism, as well as historical and comparative approaches. Both general features of populism and those specific to Eastern Europe are considered. The process of development of ideas, practices and results contributing to the rooting of populist values and a picture of the world in the Polish public consciousness is also studied within the framework of the path dependence concept. The final part describes the essential guidelines, ideology, program and electorate of PiS. The party is compared with its main competitor Civic Platform (PO, Platforma Obywatelska) in terms of its strategy, and specific results of PiS rule are also mentioned. Poland is characterized by weak and unstable connections between voters and parties, which leads to the absence of a stable social base and support for parties and, in turn, leads to their constant fragmentation and high party volatility. Parties in Poland have historically been organizations with the lowest level of public trust. In such a context, parties that can truly attract voters will immediately find themselves in a more advantageous position. One of the most suitable methods is therefore simple, often primitive slogans, intransigence of discourse, aggressive rhetoric, unrealistic promises of universal abundance, sharp opposition to everyone else and the rejection of democratic norms of representation in favor of strong leadership, that is, classic populism.

The Asymmetries Generated by New Weapon Systems and Their Role in Achieving Success on the Battlefield. The Impact of HIMARS on the Conflict in Ukraine

The advent of new weapon systems, which integrate the latest technologies, is transforming the battlefield and redefining the character of contemporary modern warfare. The recent armed conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Ukraine, by their complexity, serve to illustrate the diversification of threats and the adaptation of military capabilities to counter them. Regardless of the type of conflict, success on the battlefield depends on the ability to gain an advantage over the enemy and exploit it. Such an advantage may be derived from the realization of asymmetries on the battlefield, which may be generated at all levels of military operations. The equipping of the Ukrainian forces with the HIMARS system in the summer of 2022 has given them a significant position of advantage, creating a number of tactical and operational asymmetries. In this context, the objective of this research is to identify the asymmetries generated by the HIMARS system and to determine how they contributed to the battlefield success. The key findings are of significant value due to the fact that most NATO member states, including Romania, are making efforts to strengthen their HIMARS capabilities.

Analisis Strategi Pemasaran Digital pada Apotek Pendidikan Sekolah Farmasi ITB

This research aims to analyze and develop an effective digital marketing strategy for the Apotek Pendidikan Sekolah Farmasi ITB. This research uses IFAS (Internal Factor Analysis Summary) and EFAS (External Factor Analysis Summary) to identify internal and external factors, as well as appropriate marketing strategies for the company. In addition to qualitative descriptive analysis, this study also utilizes SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), SWOT Cartesian Diagram, and SWOT Metrics as solutions obtained from the SWOT analysis. The results of this research show an IFAS score of 3.15 and an EFAS score of 2.65 indicating that the pharmacy has a very good ability to utilize existing external opportunities. In the Cartecius SWOT diagram, it is in a very advantageous position to grow rapidly ("Growth"). This is indicated by the coordinates (X: 0.25; Y: 0.35) which reflect the internal strength of the study program and great external opportunities. So that in the SWOT strategy matrix the most appropriate to apply is SO where this is in line with the Aggressive strategy in the results of the Cartecius diagram.

A Financial Analysis and Valuation of Shell

In todays era of global energy transition, the strategic choices made by energy giants like Shell carry immense significance, shaping not only their own future blueprint but also profoundly influencing the overall energy sectors trends. The article provides a comprehensive analysis of Shell plc with liquidity, solvency, profitability, and valuation analysis of 2023 with its main competitors in the oil and gas industry. Despite facing challenges from fluctuating commodity prices and regulatory changes, Shell maintains a competitive advantage and favorable market position. The company demonstrates robust financial health, with strong liquidity, solvency, and profitability ratios compared to industry peers. Nevertheless, the analysis reveals the companys profitability ratios lag behind competitors, indicating room for improvement. Although facing uncertainties in future commodity prices and regulatory environments, the analysis highlights Shells commitment to balancing environmental goals with shareholder value, as evidenced by its energy transition strategy. Shells stock is still fairly valued according to the analysis, presenting a compelling investment opportunity with its well-constructed financial framework. Overall, Shells strategic plans and adjustments aim to ensure resilience and adaptability, promising investors sustainable development amidst evolving market dynamics.

Assessment of the Position of North Adriatic Terminals in Container Market Based on Different Indices

Background: This paper addresses the common question of how service providers compare to their competitors and what their competitive advantages are. It focuses on the North Adriatic ports of Trieste, Koper, Rijeka, Venice, and Ravenna, all members of the North Adriatic Ports Association, analyzing their position, size, competitiveness, and role in the container market. Methods: The research employs three distinct methods: market structure analysis using several concentration indices, the R method for ranking terminals, and aggregation of these indices to create a combined index for port performance. Results: Based on the rankings, indicators, the BCG matrix, and future development plans for each terminal, the ports are ranked as follows: Koper, Rijeka, Trieste, Venice, and Ravenna. Koper emerges as the leader, positioned in the high market share and strong growth category. This advantageous position allows Koper to efficiently attract traffic without requiring substantial investments. Conclusions: The contribution of the work is that the specific measure indices were applied, which were not used in the analysis of the North Adriatic container terminals until now. The research provides both a broad and detailed understanding of the position, role, and condition of each terminal. This insight enables stakeholders to take timely, strategic actions aimed at boosting productivity and traffic, ultimately improving their competitive standing.

Working in a relational way is everything: Perceptions of power and value in a drug policy-making network

BackgroundThe development of drug policies has been a major focus for policy-makers across North America in light of the ongoing public health emergency caused by the overdose crisis. In this context, the current study examined stakeholders’ experiences and perceptions of power and value in a drug policy-making process in a North American city using qualitative, questionnaire, and social network data.MethodsWe interviewed 18 people who participated in the development of a drug policy proposal between October 2021 and March 2022. They represented different groups and organizations, including government (n = 3), people who use drugs-led advocacy organizations (n = 5), other drug policy advocacy organizations (n = 5), research (n = 3) and police (n = 2). Most of them identified as men (n = 8) and white (n = 16), and their ages ranged between 30 and 80 years old (median = 50). Social network analysis questionnaires and semi-structured qualitative interviews were administered via Zoom. Social network data were analysed using igraph in R, and qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. The analyses explored perceptions of value and power within a drug policy-making network.ResultsThe policy-making network showed that connections could be found across participants from different groups, with government officials being the most central. Qualitative data showed that inclusion in the network and centrality did not necessarily translate into feeling powerful or valued. Many participants were dissatisfied with the process despite having structurally advantageous positions or self-reporting moderately high quantitative value scores. Participants who viewed themselves as more valued acknowledged many process shortcomings, but they also saw it as more balanced or fair than those who felt undervalued.ConclusionsWhile participation can make stakeholders and communities feel valued and empowered, our findings highlight that inclusion, position and diversity of connections in a drug policy-making network do not, in and of itself, guarantee these outcomes. Instead, policy-makers must provide transparent terms of reference guidelines and include highly skilled facilitators in policy discussions. This is particularly important in policy processes that involve historical power imbalances in the context of a pressing public health emergency.

Adult Socioeconomic Position Mediates the Association between Childhood Socioeconomic Position and Later-Life Frailty Trajectory: A Nationally Representative Cohort Study

Abstract Background and Objectives Early life risk factors influence the aging process in the short term and shape its trajectory in the long term. We aim to 1) explore the association between childhood socioeconomic position and frailty trajectories and 2) test whether adult socioeconomic position mediates the association between childhood socioeconomic position and frailty trajectories. Research Design and Methods We analysed four waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study data. The frailty index was estimated based on the number of individual deficits across 40 indicator variables. Principal component analysis was used to generate childhood socioeconomic position and adult socioeconomic position. Group-based trajectory models were used to identify the patterns of frailty trajectories over time. Causal mediation analysis was conducted to determine whether the adult socioeconomic position mediated the association between childhood socioeconomic position and frailty trajectories. Results We identified three distinct trajectories of frailty progression. Low childhood socioeconomic position was significantly associated with “High and increasing frailty trajectory” (OR = 1.76, 95%CI 1.38-2.23; adjusted OR = 1.55, 95%CI 1.22-1.97). About 30% of the childhood socioeconomic position effect on rising frailty trajectory was mediated through the adult socioeconomic position, and there is a significant gender disparity in the mediating effect of adult socioeconomic position (18% among men and 51% among women, respectively). Discussion and Implications Our findings suggest that policies that initially benefit children will yield well-being benefits as they reach adulthood. Promoting ongoing childhood socioeconomic position advantages increases the likelihood of delaying frailty progression in later life. This study underscores the critical importance of addressing social determinants of health throughout one's life course to foster healthy aging and diminish health disparities in later stages of life.

A Brief Analysis of Good Argumentation

The book "Good Reasoning: Logical Training to Counter Fallacies" provides us with authoritative standards and paradigms for argumentation, as well as basic principles for the application of logical thinking, and deeply analyzes the difference between good argumentation and fallacies. This book aims to guide us in building good argumentative skills, enhancing our personal thinking and action skills, and enabling us to find a more advantageous position in both social and professional settings. In legal negotiations, good argumentation plays a crucial role.

Rosja na Bałkanach w XXI wieku: konflikty, działania i perspektywy

Following the dissolution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, six newly independent countries sought European and Euro-Atlantic integration. The advantageous geographical position and geopolitical importance of the region as a borderland between East and West gained international attention during the Balkan wars. In this period Russia started to consider the region with more interest, relying on its historical, ideational, religious and political ties with the countries therein. This article looks into Russia’s presence and role in the region by focusing on two main dimensions: (1) the anti-Western sentiment reflected in the Kremlin’s efforts to prevent the region’s advancement towards NATO, and (2) the ideational element that includes a plethora of activities, covert activities, and tactics intended to exert political influence and maximize economic benefits. The broader geopolitical context is explained through the lens of the war in Ukraine, whose outcome could cause shifts in alliances in the region, subsequently affecting the Kremlin’s decades-long aim of establishing itself as a regional power.