Apparent Gap Research Articles

Local government performance: promoting trust in local government and reducing trust gap

ABSTRACT This study elaborates the link between local government performance and the trust gap between higher trust in national government and lower trust in local government. The data in this paper come from China, which is characterised by an apparent trust gap between upper and lower government echelons. Ten national surveys are used for preliminary statistics, three of which are used for regression analysis and robustness testing. This paper finds that good local government performance can significantly increase trust in local government and thus narrow the trust gap between central and local government. In addition, by comparing the effect of cultural factors and local government performance on narrowing the trust gap, this paper finds a more critical role for local government performance. Therefore, in order to promote the balance of trust between national and local government, the focus should be particularly on improving local government performance.

Is Governance Aligned with Rhetoric? Exploring the Board Composition of Leading Transnational NGOs

Transnational NGOs (TNGOs) often claim to speak and act on behalf of diverse communities, yet many are governed by boards that may not reflect the sector’s rhetorical commitments to inclusive governance. This apparent gap between rhetoric and practice has led to growing pressure for leading TNGOs to engage in governance reforms. This exploratory article evaluates the composition of the boards of 25 leading TNGOs in the United States with a combined 395 board members to assess the extent to which this rhetoric is associated with board composition. A latent class analysis of board member data measuring demographic, competency, and cognitive background indicators identifies a distinction between “inclusive” and “traditional” board types. We find that the inclusive board type is associated with rhetorical commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion, whereas the traditional board type is not. We conclude with recommendations for research to inform TNGO governance reforms.

Are you thinking what I’m thinking? The role of professionals’ imaginaries in the development of smart home technologies

This article draws on a co-design workshop with professionals working in the field of smart energy in the UK, to explore their imaginaries of smart homes and how these are (in)formed by their everyday ‘lay’ experiences. Smart home technologies (SHTs) are fundamentally embedded in future visions of energy transitions as they are expected to support actions to tackle climate change. Nevertheless, literature and adoption rates reveal an apparent gap between householders’ needs, expectations, and uses of SHTs, and how professional designers and developers view the same technology. Previous studies on SHTs imaginaries coming from industry and experts have focused on how users are represented in institutional visions, however, they routinely neglect the individual subjectivities of professionals producing such representations. The article presents three core results on the role of SHTs in digital energy futures: (1) it generates visual and textual conceptualizations of professionals’ imaginaries around smart domestic environments; (2) it identifies empirical insights on the formative role of professionals’ personal imaginaries for smart energy transitions; and (3) it calls for an alternative and more reflexive co-design practice to envision a fairer and more inclusive energy future.

Growing Confidence and Remaining Uncertainty About Animal Consciousness

While the study of consciousness has had a controversial history and, until recently, a pessimistic prognosis, recent views within the neuroscientific community suggest that a maturing if incomplete scientific understanding of consciousness is close at hand. The purpose of this essay is to specify the major points on which in my opinion there is widespread though not universal agreement, as proposed benchmarks for the current state of consciousness research across the phylogenetic spectrum. Most published definitions of consciousness boil down to a focus on it as a process arising in a nervous system engaged with a body and its environment, giving rise to subjective (personal) experience. A broad consensus on the phenomenology of consciousness sees it consisting at a minimum of (1) awareness_ _and focused attention, (2) unity of perception, (3) qualitative variations in content, (4) mental causation, and (5) a sense of self. There is also broad agreement that the substrate of consciousness requires sizeable, complex nervous systems organized into several hierarchical levels of processing. Further insight is gained by reconstructing the evolution of subjective phenomenological experience ― most likely from multiple origins, hosted by a diversity of body and brain architectures, and diverging into markedly different forms across the animal kingdom. However, three major mysteries about phenomenological experience that remain unresolved are (1) the neurological correlates of consciousness, (2) the apparent gap between phenomenology and mechanism, and (3) the process that monitors the brain activity admitted into consciousness.

Fiqh Maxim of ‘al-Ghurm bi al-Ghunm’: A Critique on the Interpretation of the Maxim relating to Risk-Return Concept in Islamic Banking and Finance

Purpose – This paper aims to critically review the interpretation of fiqh maxim ‘al-ghurm bi al-ghunm’ which is widely adapted in the Islamic banking and finance while being associated with the risk-return concept. Tracing back the doctrinal sources of Shariah law, the review intends to examine the appropriate meaning of the Shariah texts based on their contexts and occurrences. Design/methodology/approach – This paper inclines to the doctrinal methodology specified to Shariah law whereby the observations, documents and records will be comparatively reviewed for establishing a critical evaluation. A number of doctrinal sources have been gathered to analyse the essence of the subject matter, in which the two types of materials referred to are mainly classical Arabic dictionaries and the books of Hadith. Findings – The review demonstrates a discrepancy on the adaptation of the maxim into Islamic banking and finance in relation to the risk-return concept. Though both principles have similarities in risk return precepts, nevertheless, they also possess differences in terms of interpretation and applications. The context of the Hadiths, which is the Shariah basis of the maxim or from where it is derived, describes specific scenario in relation to asset-based transaction, whereas the risk-return concept is quite generic for risk measurement system that is commonly used in financial management and investment. Research limitations/implications – Even though the general belief says Islamic alternatives to interest bearing financial services are risk-sharing based mode such as musharakah and mudarabah, the argument is hardly supported by and found in present-day academia Though the observations may limit the searching result, they however do not hamper the findings. Originality/value – The paper identifies the apparent gap of the current theories to assist researchers ascertaining the research area. Paper type Conceptual Paper

Bred 'Like Cattle' Forced Procreation in the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia

The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) serves as a compelling case study to extend current thinking about reproductive violence in international criminal law beyond the crime of 'forced pregnancy'. In particular, the cases and evidence from the ECCC illustrate a broader concept of forced procreation, associated with the Khmer Rouge regime's role in forcing or coercing its citizens to produce children for the nation. Although this type of forced procreation was potentially prosecutable in the ECCC using the crimes against humanity of 'other inhumane acts' or 'enslavement', no such charges were laid. This article considers that apparent gap in the ECCC charges, drawing on Sellers' concept of 'absent jurisprudence'.

Dynamic ESG Equilibrium

This paper proposes a conditional asset pricing model that integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) demand and supply dynamics. Shocks in the demand for sustainable investing represent a novel risk source, characterized by diminishing marginal utility and positive premium. Green assets exhibit positive exposure to ESG demand shocks, hence commanding higher premia. Conversely, time-varying convenience yield leads to lower expected returns for green assets. Moreover, ESG demand shocks have positive contemporaneous effects on unexpected returns, contributing to large positive payoffs in the green-minus-brown portfolio over extended horizons. The model predictions align closely with evidence on return spreads between green and brown assets, further reinforcing the apparent gap between realized and expected spreads. This paper was accepted by Lin William Cong, finance. Funding: Y. Liu acknowledges funding by the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China [Grant T35/710/20R]. A. Tarelli acknowledges funding by the European Union - Next Generation EU [Project Code 2022FWZ2CR]. The views and opinions expressed are only those of the authors. Supplemental Material: The online appendices and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.03491 .

Dimensionality reduction analysis of the renewable energy sector in Azerbaijan: nonparametric analyses of large datasets

Although the number of econometric analyses related to the renewable energy sector in Azerbaijan is increasing, studies on nonparametric dimensionality reduction are rather sparse. Principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) were chosen to fill this apparent research gap. As a result, a large dataset including the renewable energy sector and selected key macroeconomic indicators was evaluated. The PCA procedure yielded four distinct principle components reflecting the main macroeconomic variables, renewable energy production, industry-energy relations and natural resource revenues. The PCA method offers the possibility to examine the precise correlations and the underlying patterns between the displayed clusters of variables. Meanwhile, the MCA-based cross-country assessment of Azerbaijan’s wind, solar and hydropower has struck somewhat pessimistic notes, as the country lags behind neighbouring and other post-Soviet countries (e.g. Estonia, Iran, Latvia, Russia) in developing its green energy sector. These findings are of great interest to policymakers, businesses and academics who wish to gain deep insight into the Azerbaijani economy in terms of renewable energy production. The practical value of the present work also lies in the fact that it analyses a multidimensional and relatively longitudinal dataset (1990–2022), which is an example of a methodological application of two nonparametric approaches.

Unpacking the Discourse on Youth Pathways into and out of Homelessness: Implications for Research Scholarship and Policy Interventions

Youth homelessness presents a complex and persistent challenge worldwide, particularly affecting young adults between 16 and 24 years of age in the US and Canada. This population faces elevated risks of exploitation, victimization, and various health issues upon detachment from familial support structures. Understanding the multi-faceted nature of youth homelessness requires the consideration of individual, structural, and systemic factors within the socio-ecological model. Historically, when examining youth homelessness, traditional methods have concentrated either on individual factors contributing to homelessness or on broader structural issues within society. The emergence of the new orthodoxy attempted to bridge the apparent gap between individual- and structural-level factors by considering both to be equally significant, but it faced skepticism for its theoretical framework. In response, the “pathways” approach gained traction, emphasizing the subjective experiences and agency of youth experiencing homelessness. Departing from conventional epidemiological models, the pathways approach views homelessness as a dynamic process intertwined with individual life contexts. This paper navigates the scholarly discourse on youth homelessness and examines the distinct characteristics of the pathways approach. By exploring its implications for research and policy, this study contributes to a nuanced understanding of youth homelessness and informs future prevention-focused interventions.

Engaging With Sexuality of People With Disability-Organisational Efforts/Endeavours

As people with disability participate in the abled world, they are at a clear disadvantage as there is an apparent gap in resources. This is evident at the intersection of disability and sexuality. They are viewed as asexual beings and denied basic rights when dependent on society and care-givers. We aim to study the available resources and ways of making it stakeholder friendly. We aim to provide a framework for creation of resources through qualitative data analysis. The purpose is to investigate ground reality and develop understanding and strengthen policy making, infrastructure and working on social conditioning in the Indian context. Analysis of the depiction of disability, sexuality and inclusivity in select films to view issues of representation is done. In-depth interviews with experts have provided insights about the complexity of the subject. In conclusion, as this subject remains in the shadows, active ground work is required on all fronts.

The balancing act: Leading creative teams for clear, accurate science communication

Leading a team is inherently complex, requiring managers to juggle diverse organisational goals, meet superiors’ expectations, and cater to individual team member needs. The challenge intensifies when leading creative teams in a scientific environment. Here, bridging the apparent work-culture gap between scientific and communications disciplines is key. Leaders must ensure scientific accuracy while crafting communication that resonates with the target audience. This article dives into the specific challenges faced by medical writers and other science communication teams: achieving clear, engaging communication without com promising scientific precision. It explores the complexities of leading such creative teams within a rigorous scientific environment. Effective leadership extends beyond mere results; it cultivates a team culture that both unleashes creative potential and prioritises meticulous fact-checking. The article presents strategies for fostering a high-performing team and addresses the perceived tension between scientific rigor and audience-friendly communication.

Consumer's Attitude towards Digital Payments: A Demographic Analysis

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to assess the knowledge and attitude of consumers towards various payment modes with special reference to digital payment methods in Nagaland State, India. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on primary data from students, scholars, government employees, and self-employed private employees of the Nagaland state of India. The data were collected through a questionnaire. The questionnaire was standardised by using the item analysis and the items generating unfavourable t-statistics were removed. The basic data were analysed by using descriptive statistics followed by interpretation of the results. In addition to that, inferential statistics was also used for hypothesis testing. Findings: The majority of consumers were satisfied with the electronic payment option, according to the study's findings, which is encouraging for the country's lawmakers. However, consumers also make use of cash on a regular basis. Debit or credit cards are used by almost half of consumers for both in-person and online purchases. Consumers of both sexes and varying socioeconomic backgrounds have quite different sentiments about e-payments. Regarding e-payments, people with different educational backgrounds, marital statuses, management styles, and work statuses have the same attitudes. Research limitations/implications: The study was conducted in Nagaland state of India and confined to only two districts. Convenience sampling technique was used in the study. This study considered only perception towards E-Payments. Similar study may be conducted by using some other variables. Furthermore, research that are cross-sectional and longitudinal can be conducted to delve deeper into the topic. Originality/value: This study fills the apparent gap in the existing payment gateway system. It contributes to the body of research on adoption of new technologies, and specifically E- payment services. It provides with a better understanding of Consumer's attitude towards E-Payments.

Exploring EFL Teachers’ Insights Regarding Artificial Intelligence Driven Tools in Student-Centered Writing Instructions

The significance of technology integration including artificial intelligence (AI)-mediated tools has established a notable presence in the academic spectrum. Despite the abundance of studies available on AI-mediated technology integration in writing instructions in diverse settings, there remains an apparent gap in exploring teachers’ insights, particularly within the context of Arab universities. Therefore, the current study explores the employment of AI-driven tools in student-centered writing instructions from English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’ perspectives. Using a qualitative research methodology, this study collected data through semi-structured interviews with a sample of (N = 16) teachers from four different universities. The content analysis indicates that teachers strongly perceive a positive impact of AI writing assistants on both student involvement and the role of teachers. Additionally, they underscore the significance of professional development and the role of AI in facilitating student-centered approach for effective writing instructions. While acknowledging the efficiency, customization, and time-saving aspects of AI tools, they also expressed reservations about potential issues such as overreliance, bias, digital divide, and concerns regarding accuracy. Furthermore, the participants observed the ways to address issues and concerns associated with the integration of AI-mediated tools include, but not limited to, clear communication, ethical considerations, academic integrity, teacher roles, ongoing and latest AI updates, student-centered learning, and professional development. Finally, the study offers limitations and recommendations for future research.

Should I Pay, Or Should I Quash? The Role of Governments’ Ideology in Ransom Payment

ABSTRACT Does governments’ ideology influence the likelihood of ransom payment? Despite a steady interest in hostage-taking events, this question remains unanswered. In this article, I argue that ideology contributes to explaining governments’ decisions to pay or not pay ransoms: guided by individualising moral foundations, left-leaning governments are more likely to concede to terrorists to save lives. I test the theoretical argument through a quantitative analysis of abductions between 1970 and 2020 whose victims are citizens of OECD member states. Two results stand out. The presence of leftist governments increases the likelihood of ransom payment, but the abduction of statesmen mitigates its impact. This work contributes to hostage-taking and Foreign Policy Analysis literature by covering an apparent gap in these fields. It also fosters studies on the role of ideology in security issues and moral dilemmas by focusing on a peculiar event that scholars have largely overlooked.

Sustainability and Productivity of Village Tank Cascade Systems: A Bibliometric Analysis and Knowledge Mapping

Research on social–ecological systems is rapidly expanding globally in response to human-induced climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation. Safeguarding these traditional agroecosystems is vital according to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In the last decade, there has been a growing research interest in the Village Tank Cascade Systems (VTCSs) of Sri Lanka, recognised as social–ecological systems. However, few studies have systematically analysed VTCS research in Sri Lanka. To examine this apparent knowledge gap in more detail, a bibliometric analysis and knowledge mapping were conducted to systematically analyse and interpret the state, trends, clusters, and emerging fields of VTCS research. In total, 159 peer-reviewed research publications between 1985 and 2023 were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus databases, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate to perform this analysis. Furthermore, this study employed the Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture systems (SAFA) tool, developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, to map the inclusion of sustainability and productivity dimensions in VTCS research, in alignment with the objectives set forth by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The study provides insight into dominant and neglected areas of future VTCS research.

Adaptation and innovation: How does climate vulnerability shapes corporate green innovation in BRICS

In the face of escalating environmental challenges, gaining insights into their influence on corporate strategies has become crucial because it paves the way for proactive and adaptive measures. In view of this, the primary objective of study is to explore the relationship between climate vulnerability (CVN) and corporate green innovation (GIN). The study leverages a comprehensive dataset spanning 13 years (2010−2022) across enterprises within BRICS nations. The regression was conducted by employing system GMM model and robustness of analysis was checked by considering the quantile regression technique. The findings reveal a significant negative relationship between CVN and GIN, signifying that heightened vulnerability to climate hazards impedes corporations' capacity for green innovation. The adverse impact of CVN on corporate green innovation (GIN) persisted consistently across various facets. The study emphasizes the importance of strategic measures to counteract the adverse effects of climate vulnerability on green innovation. Corporate managers need to prioritize climate resilience strategies, integrating sustainable innovation into their business models to navigate environmental challenges and ensure long-term viability. This study makes a valuable contribution to the existing literature by investigating the influence of climate vulnerability on corporate green innovation, presenting a unique research focus that fills an apparent gap in the current body of knowledge.

Learners' causal intuitions explain behavior in control of variables tasks.

Self-directed learners are described as "intuitive scientists," yet they often struggle in assessments of their scientific reasoning skills. We investigate a novel explanation for this apparent gap between formal and informal scientific inquiry behavior. Specifically, we consider whether learners' documented failure to correctly apply the control of variables strategy might stem from a mismatch between task presentation and their intuitions as causal learners. In Experiment 1, children (7- and 9-year-olds) and adults were tested on a version of a traditional multivariate reasoning task (Tschirgi, 1980) that was modified to clarify ambiguous elements of the causal logic in the original design. In all age groups, a significant majority of participants selected informative experiments on this modified task, avoiding confounded actions with positive tangible outcomes. In Experiment 2, we replicate these results with real-world stimuli, and in Experiments 3 and 4, we provide direct evidence that self-directed learners apply specific causal intuitions to experimentation tasks. Together, these findings support a novel alternative interpretation of the apparently paradoxical gap between learners' success in informal exploration and their error-prone experimentation-both behaviors are consistent with an intuitively causal approach to scientific inquiry. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Establishment of the Agricultural Landscape of Central Sicily Between the Middle Neolithic and the Beginning of the Iron Age

The possible co-variation of human occupation and vegetation from the Middle Neolithic to the beginning of the Iron Age (7.5–2.8 ka BP) in Central Sicily in the context of the central Mediterranean between Middle and Late Holocene are analysed in this paper to provide new insights on Sicilian prehistoric demography. The demographic and economic trends during these millennia were reconstructed using archaeological, Accelerator Mass Spectrometry 14C dates, palynological, archaeobotanical, and zooarchaeological data from the northern, central, and southern sectors of Central Sicily through a diachronic comparison with variation in Arboreal Pollen, Anthropogenic Pollen Indicators, Olea-Juglans-Castanea pollen, microcharcoals, and Sporormiella from four pollen cores from sites in different ecosystems. A very significant spread of farming activities was found at the end of the Neolithic, together with an apparent demographic gap during the Middle Copper Age, and the emergence of agricultural landscapes at the end of the Copper Age associated with a striking increase in population. A combination of cultural and climatic changes during the late phase of the Bronze Age resulted in a subsequent overall decrease in population.

A descriptive model featuring expansive clinical microbiology approaches and antimicrobial stewardship to control antimicrobial resistance in low- and middle-income countries

The upsurge and escalation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a major worry on the global scene. Effective antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs are critical to combat this challenge, and applied knowledge in clinical microbiology serves as the cornerstone for the successful implementation. Despite technological advances, many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) still adopt traditional phenotypic techniques in clinical microbiology laboratories. An expansive implementation of clinical microbiology approaches can bridge this apparent gap. Good laboratory assessment, hospital epidemiology, and infection prevention and control, which are the sub-divisions of the expansive clinical microbiology approaches, can be deployed to implement AMS appropriately in LMICs. In this paper, we describe a model featuring a functional AMS equipped with expansive clinical microbiology approaches to control AMR in LMICs.  

Introducing the Condor array telescope II – deep imaging observations of the edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 5907 and the NGC 5866 Group: yet another view of the iconic stellar stream

ABSTRACT We used the Condor array telescope to obtain deep imaging observations through the luminance filter of the entirety of the NGC 5866 Group, including a very extended region surrounding the galaxy NGC 5907 and its stellar stream. We find that the stellar stream consists of a single curved structure that stretches 220 kpc from a brighter eastern stream to a fainter western stream that bends to the north and then curls back toward the galaxy. This result runs contrary to a previous claim of a second loop of the stellar stream but is consistent with another previous description of the overall morphology of the stream. We further find that: (1) an extension of the western stream appears to bifurcate near its apex, (2) there is an apparent gap of ≈6 kpc in the western stream due east of the galaxy, (3) contrary to a previous claim, there is no evidence of the remnant of a progenitor galaxy within the eastern stream, although (4) there are many other possible progenitor galaxies, (5) there is another structure that, if it is at the distance of the galaxy, stretches 240 kpc and contains two very large, very low-surface-brightness ‘patches’ of emission, one of which was noted previously and another of which was not. We note the number and variety of stellar streams in the vicinity of NGC 5907 and the apparent gap in the western stream, which may be indicative of a dark sub-halo or satellite in the vicinity of the galaxy.