Changes In Governance Structures Research Articles

Decisive conservation action in areas beyond national jurisdiction is urgently required for seabird recovery in the face of global change

AbstractAreas beyond national jurisdiction, or the high seas, are vital to life on Earth. However, the conservation of these areas, for example, through area‐based management tools (ABMTs), is challenging, particularly when accounting for global change. Using decision science, integrated population models, and a Critically Endangered seabird (Kuaka; Pelecanoides whenuahouensis) as a case study, we evaluated potential ABMTs in the high seas under global change and different governance structures, while accounting for uncertainty and imperfect compliance. Our study highlighted that global change in these areas will likely cause population declines of ∼60% by 2050. However, decisive conservation action could cost‐effectively address predicted declines, particularly when implemented as soon as possible and under the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty. We illustrate how decision science can transparently navigate a complex seascape of management decisions and we advocate for its wider integration in the management of the largest sections of our planet, the high seas.

The influence of China in AI governance through standardisation

Artificial intelligence systems (AIS) are subject to technical standardisation. Technical standards are primarily developed within standard developing organisations (SDOs) traditionally operating under consensus-based, community- and largely industry-driven processes. Governments are increasingly interested in technical standards’ development, accentuating the political dimension of standardisation. This article explores the contribution of technical standardisation to the governance of artificial intelligence (AI) and asks whose views are being implemented in the development of non-state rules for AI. The article, based on empirical research, focuses on the changing governance structure of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Overall, the discussion offers an overview of the existing geopolitics in AI-related standardisation and contributes to the scholarship on AI and digital governance by exploring the role of technical standardisation as a tool in AI governance. The research finds an increasing Chinese representation in international standardisation and argues that the political use of standardisation can lead to China establishing its own vision of digital governance. Consequently, the article suggest that China is using participation in recognised SDOs to legitimate its vision for digital governance calling for a re-examination of standardisation considering its implications for democracy and the protection of human rights.

Conceptual framework on the continuum of change in governance structures from the perspective of member control and the life cycle of agricultural cooperatives

Given the models of traditional, extended traditional, management, and corporate governance structures, this theoretical essay aims to present a conceptual framework that integrates the member control and life cycle perspectives of agricultural cooperative organizations. Starting from the continuum of changes, it is proposed that in phase 1 member control is total and is combined with the economic justification of the life cycle. In phase 2 the control is of quasi-integration and is combined with the organizational design stage of the life cycle. In phase 3 there is the separation of membership control and the life cycle goes through the stages of growth, glory, and heterogeneity. In phase 4 the control of the associates is delegated and combined with the stages of recognition and introspection. In phase 5, member control remains delegated and the life cycle reaches the stage of choice, eventually reaching the demutualization of the cooperative (phase 6).

Turning 30 and myopic? Temporal orientation and the firm lifecycle

AbstractA vast body of literature shows that large, publicly listed firms suffer from managerial short‐termism and inadequate temporal orientation. We study the temporal orientations, measured as the investment horizons, of firms throughout their lifecycles. We build on theoretical arguments from organizational learning theory and agency theory to argue that the relationship between firm age and the investment horizon is quadratic, with an inverted U shape. Using a large sample of publicly listed and privately held European firms, we obtain results consistent with this prediction. Our results support the idea that younger firms gradually learn to use more sophisticated investment decision criteria, thus resulting in longer investment horizons. However, this effect is bounded by changes in governance structure, such as the separation of ownership from control that results from the transition from an owner‐managed status to a professionally managed status. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Diffuse land control, shifting pastoralist institutions, and processes of accumulation in southern Kenya

ABSTRACT In East Africa, pastoralist systems are undergoing rapid transformation due to land enclosures, benefit distributions associated with new land uses, shifting social relations, and changing authority and governance structures. We apply a critical analysis of the institutions that mediate access and benefits across a complex mosaic of property relations within Ilkisongo Maasai pastoralist land in southern Kenya. Our analysis elucidates how global and national influences have interacted with shifting dynamics of socio-cultural norms and rules regarding access to create new benefit pathways, cascading patterns of accumulation and social differentiation, and diffuse institutional controls over land.

Support of small business as a factor of sustainable development of Krasnoyarsk region districts

Nowadays, a complex socio-ecological and economic situation is developing in the rural territories of the region. Changes in governance structures, the collapse of both social and industrial infrastructure, as well as unemployment exacerbate the current situation. The gap between the standard for living of the urban and rural population continues to widen. A large number of villages disappear from the map of the country every year. In this regard, the economy, life, way of people’s life, their history, traditions and culture are being destroyed. In this regard, special attention should be paid to state support of small and medium-sized businesses as a factor of sustainable development of rural areas.

CBDC as a challenge to commercial neo-banks

As more central banks investigate the possible advantages and drawbacks of issuing their own digital currencies, CBDC have gained a lot of momentum in recent years both on micro-level and macro-level. In this respect CBDC have posed not only opportunities for supporting monetary policy changes and boosting financial inclusion, yet also created challenges for private digital currencies and neo-banks operating them. Aim of this paper is to identify current situation and future tendencies in terms of CBDC launch progress with a special focus on legislative and governance and its impact on private digital currencies. Major benefits of CBDCs (i.e., programmability, financial inclusion, and security & privacy) are outlined. Current statistics on CBDC development trends is analyzed, namely more than 110 nations are considering a CBDC at some stage of development. Nigeria’s case as the first nation in Africa to introduce a CBDC (eNaira) is analyzed. It is outlined that eNaira has potential advantages such as improved transmission of monetary policy, convenience, effective payments, increased financial inclusion, and increased remittance inflow. This research stresses that digital illiteracy, cyberattacks, data theft, and the shifting role of banks are key hazards to successful CBDC launch and future functioning. Outlined experience of Nigerian CBDC launch is transferred to Ukrainian case of CBDC launch initiative. This study emphasizes that successful launch of CBDC in Ukraine will positively influence economic growth and changes in monetary policy. Legislative changes, monetary policy changes, and major governance structure changes may all be necessary for the CBDC implementation to be successful. This study may be used by researchers and analysts in the field of digital currencies, central banks and other regulators, banking associations, commercial banks, state authorities. Future perspective of this research may lay in considering CBDC functioning peculiarities from the point of view of major user groups.

The institutional change in governance structure of spatial plans highlighting the transaction cost: a case study of detailed plan of Isfahan City

سابقه و هدف: هزینه مبادله که برخاسته از اقتصاد نهادگرا است، با مفهوم کارایی مرتبط است. یکی از وظایف برنامه‌ریزان، افزایش کارایی فرایند برنامه‌ریزی است، به همین دلیل شناسایی عوامل مؤثر بر هزینه مبادله همچون هزینه‌های جست‌وجوی اطلاعات، مذاکره، ایجاد و اعمال ساز­و­کارهای نظارتی حائز اهمیت است. زیرا از این طریق است که برنامه‌ریزان می‌توانند با تکیه بر طراحی نهادی ساختارهای حکمرانی، هزینه مبادله را کاهش دهند. طرح تفصیلی در نظام برنامه‌ریزی ایران، برنامه‌ای است که بازیگران متعددی از جمله شهروندان و شهرداری در طول سال با آن درگیر هستند. هدف این مقاله کاهش هزینه‌های مبادله برای بازیگران مختلف درگیر در فرایند طرح تفصیلی است که از طریق شناسایی عوامل موثر بر ایجاد هزینه مبادله در فرایند طرح تفصیلی شهر اصفهان، تعیین عوامل کلیدی و تولید سناریو‌های امکان‌پذیر با سازگاری بالا برای ساختار حکمروایی طرح محقق خواهد شد.مواد و روش‌ها: این پژوهش از نوع مورد‌پژوهی قلمداد می‌شود. روش‌های گردآوری و تحلیل به ­کار­رفته در این پژوهش کیفی و کمی و در مجموع ترکیبی است. عوامل موثر بر هزینه مبادله از تحلیل مضمون مصاحبه‌های صورت‌گرفته با بازیگران کلیدی در نرم‌افزار اطلس حاصل شد. در ادامه، پرسش‌نامه‌ ماتریس تاثیرات متقابل بر اساس نظرات خبرگان تکمیل و محتوای آن با استفاده از روش میک‌مک تحلیل شد، تا از میان این عوامل پنج عامل کلیدی موثر بر هزینه مبادله شناسایی شوند. برای عوامل کلیدی، وضعیت‌های مختلفی در نظرگرفته شد که بر اساس دیدگاه خبرگان در مورد تاثیر این وضعیت‌ها بر یکدیگر و با استفاده از نرم‌افزار سناریوویزارد، سناریوهای با سازگاری بالا برای ساختار حکمروایی طرح شناسایی شدند.نتایج و بحث: کل هزینه‌هایی که برای تدوین طرح تفصیلی انجام می‌شود هزینه مبادله است. این هزینه‌ها شامل مواردی همچون حقوق کارمندان بخش عمومی درگیر طرح، شرکت‌های مشاور مرتبط با طرح، هزینه‌های زمانی مشارکت‌کنندگان در فرایند تدوین طرح تفصیلی است. عوامل موثر بر ایجاد هزینه مبادله در فرایند طرح تفصیلی اصفهان در سه مقوله کلان محیط نهادی، کیفیت حکمروایی و سرمایه دسته‌بندی می‌شوند که زیرمجموعه آن‌ها ۲۳ عامل قرار دارند. در این بین، ۵ عامل قوانین و مقررات، دیوان‌سالاری، اعتماد میان بازیگران، سطح مشارکت و دسترسی به اطلاعات به عنوان عوامل کلیدی شناسایی شدند. با توجه به وضعیت‌های مختلفی که برای این عوامل در نظرگرفته شد، برای کمینه‌کردن هزینه مبادله ساختار حکمروایی طرح تفصیلی سه سناریو با سازگاری بالا شناسایی شدند که یکی از آن‌ها در راستای تمرکز­زدایی و دو سناریوی دیگر به دنبال تمرکز­گرایی در ساختار حکمروایی طرح تفصیلی است.نتیجه‌گیری: مقایسه عوامل موثر بر هزینه مبادله‌ی حاصل از تحلیل مضمون با آنچه از مبانی نظری به ­دست آمده نشان می‌دهد گرچه در دسته‌بندی و بیان عوامل تفاوت‌هایی وجود دارد اما ماهیت عوامل یکسان است. عوامل کلیدی موثر بر هزینه مبادله که با نظر خبرگی از میان این عوامل انتخاب شدند، بیشتر معطوف به مراحل اجرا و نظارت بر اجرا و بازنگری طرح تفصیلی هستند. فرایند سناریو نویسی برای ساختار حکمروایی طرح تفصیلی در راستای کاهش هزینه مبادله در این پژوهش، در قیاس با پژوهش‌های مشابه که صرفا به تحلیل هزینه مبادله پرداخته بودند، و انجام طراحی نهادی به شیوه‌ای نظام‌مند و قابل فهم، شکاف موجود دانش در این زمینه را تکمیل نمود. در هر سه سناریوی تولید‌شده، وضعیت یا حالات هر پنج توصیف‌گر یک سناریو، هم‌جهت یا هم‌راستا هستند به شکلی که برآیند آنها یک سناریوی کاملا تمرکز­گرا یا کاملا تمرکز­زدا را شکل می‌دهد. شرایط رخ‌داده بیانگر این است که حکمروایی کاربری زمین شهری با استفاده از الگوهایی میسر است که اجزاء آن با هم سازگار باشند و از یک منطق واحد تبعیت کنند. این الگوها یکی از دو حالت تمرکز­گرا و تمرکز­زدا هستند که در دوران معاصر و شهرهای مختلف سابقه تاریخی دارد.

The Impact of Corporate Capital Structure on Financial Performance Based on Convolutional Neural Network

Capital structure is an important indicator to measure the source, composition, and proportion of a company's equity and debit capital. It is not only related to the internal operating environment of listed companies but also related to the rights and obligations of shareholders and is closely related to the company's future development direction, decision-making bodies, and changes in governance structure. This study aims to study the impact of corporate capital structure on financial performance based on convolutional neural network. Based on the relevant theories of capital structure, by constructing a convolutional neural network model, taking a listed company as the research object, this study analyzes the company's capital structure, liabilities, and other financial conditions. Finally, it is concluded that short-term liabilities can meet the company's sustainable development and enhance the competitiveness of the industry, thereby increasing the company's operating income. However, a poor capital structure can negatively impact a company's finances. By improving the corporate governance structure of listed companies, strengthening the adjustment of the financing structure of listed companies, and strengthening the management of listed company's operating risks, the company's capital structure can be improved so that the company's financial situation can be sustainable and healthy.

Italian healthcare organizations facing new dimensions: changes in governance structure

AbstractPrivate and public organizations facing merger processes may consider reconfiguring the size, composition, and mechanisms used by the strategic apex. In Italian local health organizations (LHOs), the strategic apex had to face challenges arising from an increase in size and its impacts on different governance areas. The aim of this study is to highlight the role of the top management team in shaping the conditions of governance, and link these conditions to certain internal and external characteristics of the specific LHO and to the behavior and vision of the CEO. The study used qualitative techniques to examine the cases of three of the largest Italian LHOs that had undergone merger processes in recent years. The results show how changes in the organizational size impact the structure and mechanisms of the strategic apex. In particular, this study identifies three main governance strategies.

Policy discourses for reconnecting nature with society: The search for societal engagement in Dutch nature conservation policies.

The recently published EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 emphasizes nature’s benefits to humans. In line with wider shifts in nature conservation discourses in many European countries, moving from nature’s intrinsic value towards its instrumental values, the EU strategy strongly focuses on a ‘Natural capital’ view. In this context of a European wide search for business opportunities and societal engagement in nature conservation, this article investigates efforts from Dutch governments to strengthen the link between nature conservation and society. Over the past 10 years, policy responsibilities for nature conservation in the Netherlands have been decentralized from the national level to the twelve provinces, who have employed a variety of approaches to stimulate societal engagement in nature conservation.Through discourse analysis, we show how the previously hegemonic “Ecology First” discourse – a hierarchical mode of governance with a strong focus on intrinsic values – has transgressed towards a more flexible and adaptive "Partnership for Nature" discourse, with a strong focus on aligning with local stakeholders through network governance. In addition, we describe the emergence of three new discourses: a “Green Economy” discourse, capitalizing on ecosystem services to unleash new financial resources; a “Relational Nature” discourse with a strong focus on people’s connections to nature; and a “Democratic Nature” discourse focusing on nature’s intrinsic and relational values combined with a mosaic governance approach. While the EU Biodiversity Strategy focus on natural capital aligns very well with the Dutch Green Economy discourse, the EU strategy gives little attention to the relational and democratic dimensions of societal engagement.Based on our analysis, we show that changing modes of governance relate to changes in values of nature. Government’s need for new conservation partners requires opening up for new values of nature. In addition, changing values of nature require a change in governance structures to allow new actors to participate and contribute. The increasing focus on natural capital and green economy at the European level may be a first step in such diversification. However, we argue that Europe needs to develop additional strategies beyond instrumental values, to allow for further diversification of values and include all stakeholders from society.

Reforming the Institutions of Eurozone Governance

The Eurozone has faced repeated crises and has experienced profound transformations in the past years. This thematic issue seeks to address the questions arising from the changing governance structure of the Eurozone. First, how have the negotiations, pressures of the crises and reforms impacted the relationships between key actors like EU institutions and Member States? Second, where did national positions come from and what role did domestic politics play in the negotiations? And finally, to what extent has the evolution of Eurozone governance left room for adequate control mechanisms and democratic debate? The articles in this issue highlight the developing role of Member States, domestic politics and democratic and legal control mechanisms.

Beyond agency and stewardship theory: shareholder–manager relationships and governance structures in family firms

PurposeChallenging the static view of family business governance, we propose a model of owner–manager relationships derived from the configurational analysis of managerial behavior and change in governance structure.Design/methodology/approachStemming from social exchange theory and building on the 4C model proposed by Miller and Le Breton-Miller (2005), we consider the evolving owner–manager relationship in four main configurations. On the one hand, we account for family businesses shifting from a generalized to a restricted exchange system, and vice versa, according to whether a family manager misbehaves in a stewardship-oriented governance structure or a nonfamily manager succeeds in building a trusting relationship in an agency-oriented governance structure. On the other hand, we consider that family firms will strengthen a generalized exchange system, rather than a restricted one, according to whether a family manager contributes to the stewardship-oriented culture in the business or a nonfamily manager proves to be driven by extrinsic rewards. Four scenarios are analyzed in terms of the managerial behavior and governance structure that characterize the phases of the relationship between owners and managers.FindingsVarious factors trigger managerial behavior, making the firm deviate from or further build on what is assumed by stewardship and agency theories (i.e. proorganizational versus opportunistic behavior, respectively), which determine the governance structure over time. Workplace deviance, asymmetric altruism and patriarchy on the one hand, and proorganizational behavior, relationship building and long-term commitment on the other, are found to determine how the manager behaves and thus characterize the owner's reactions in terms of governance mechanisms. This enables us to present a dynamic view of governance structures, which adapt to the actual attitudes and behaviors of employed managers.Research limitations/implicationsAs time is a relevant dimension affecting individual behavior and triggering change in an organization, one must consider family business governance as being dynamic in nature. Moreover, it is not family membership that determines the most appropriate governance structure but the owner–manager relationship that evolves over time, thus contributing to the 4C model.Originality/valueThe proposed model integrates social exchange theory and the 4C model to predict changes in governance structure, as summarized in the final framework we propose.

A dynamic model of global value network governance

This paper presents a novel understanding of the changing governance structures in global supply chains. Motivated by the global garment sector, we develop a geographical political economy dynamic model that reflects the interaction between bargaining power and distribution of value among buyer and producer firms. We find that the interplay between these two forces, in combination with the spatial specificities of global production and consolidation, can drive governance structures towards a more symbiotic position.

From business models to value networks and business ecosystems – What does it mean for the economics and governance of the transport system?

The entire transport sector is experiencing disruption on a global scale due to a number of drivers. These include the drivers of technology, changes in governance structures, a range of environmental challenges, and the need to provide mobility and accessibility regardless of social status or income level. To realize socio-economically worthwhile investments in the transport system, particularly where new technologies are involved, fresh views of the economy and investment are needed. This paper explores the relationship between business models, value chains and business ecosystems, and demonstrates a meta-model for transport-related services that involve profound incorporation of new technologies. The meta-model consists of four elements: end customer value (value proposition to the end user), business value (shareholder value), collaborative value (business value to the supply chain) and societal value (value creation in the supply chain and control of negative externalities). The meta-model is tested with a case study.

Linking governance structure and sustainable operations of Chinese manufacturing firms: The moderating effect of internationalization

Based on 2,775 firm-year observations of Chinese manufacturing firms (CMFs) as their significant impact on mitigating climate change and distinctive governance structures, this paper examines whether CMFs’ internationalization degree (INTD) improves the effect of their governance structure (GS) on sustainable operations (SO). Specifically, we define GS from aspects of ownership concentration, size of independent director, and state-holding intensity. Through OLS regression, Fixed Effect Test, and Random Effect Test, the change of SO can be robustly explained in a systematic manner. Empirical results present that CMFs’ INTD is lower in general. Stronger state-holding can significantly improve SO, and INTD can motivate ownership concentration to act on SO. Further, INTD that exceeds the average of all sample significantly improves ownership concentration’s effect on SO, but lower INTD is unable to promote any GS indicator to produce a positive effect. Additionally, the size of independent director has not been able to improve SO. Our findings indicate that key shareholders’ decision-making authority more directly guides firms’ sustainability, and thus CMFs with centralized governance mode are more likely to develop SO. What’s more, global-market expansion provides a feasible path that helps link corporate governance and SO.

The Faroese Path to a Comprehensive Education System

This article traces the Faroese path to a comprehensive education system, following the winding road from Norwegian heritage to Danish rule and an increasing degree of autonomy. The main research question explores the extent to which the Faroese themselves have determined the development of their education system, and the extent to which Norwegian and most of all Danish influences have been crucial in this process. Previous research on the development of Faroese education is insufficient and few secondary sources are available. Therefore, this article is largely based on primary sources, such as legislation, curricula, circulars, official reports and interviews. The analysis shows that changes in governance structures and economic conditions are determinant factors that have had impact on the extent to which the Faroese have been responsible for their own educational development. Strong economic growth in recent years has allowed the Faroe Islands to adopt what is considered to be “global education” and “international standards.”

Impact of Demutualization on Market Quality

The literature on market quality has focused on different perspectives but has overlooked its relationship with governance structure. This study analyzes the impact of a significant change in governance structure; that is demutualization, on market quality. We investigated one hundred thirty-seven non-financial firms listed on Demutualized Pakistan Stock Exchange and found that transaction cost has reduced by demutualization. We used two different proxies for transaction costs such as Thompson and Waller (1986) and Roll (1984) spread. We found that demutualization has a negative and significant impact on both proxies of the transaction cost. We conclude that demutualization has reduced the transaction cost and has improved market quality. Keywords: Demutualization, Governance Structure, Transaction Cost, Market Quality DOI : 10.7176/EJBM/11-28-12 Publication date :October 31 st 2019

Analyzing Social Networks to Examine the Changing Governance Structure of Springsheds: A Case Study of Sikkim in the Indian Himalayas.

The governance of natural resources now attracts greater participation of different stakeholders, ushering in a shift from conventional governance by the state to that by a network of stakeholders-a form of governance marked by a growing role of non-state and local actors. These changing dynamics are highlighted through a study of the governance network for springsheds in the Indian Himalayas by empirically mapping the changes in the Dhara Vikas Yojna, a plan or scheme (yojana) by the state for the development (vikas) of springs (dhara) in Sikkim, India, from policy planning to policy implementation. The study highlights the diverse existing and emerging roles of different stakeholders, the complex relationships between them, and the power dynamics that influence the management of springsheds. The study (1) identified some new but missing actors/actor groups that were critical to managing springs; (2) showed that although state governments continue to play a dominant role, decision making is shifting to non-state and local actors; and (3) highlighted the importance of exchanging knowledge and information in implementing a policy more effectively. Understanding the characteristics of the governance network helped in drawing lessons to make the plan more sustainable and replicable, which include considering the policy in the wider context of policies for other sectors such as sanitation and hydropower development, incentivising the emerging actors, and building a stronger interdisciplinary and inclusive knowledge network. Such an integrated approach to policymaking can also be adopted to analyze governance networks related to natural resources other than water.

The Conciliar System Is Dead. Long Live the ???

[Figure: see text] When it was originally established in 1925, the United Church of Canada created a unique form of governance, labelled “conciliar.” This was understood to be a series of interlocking “courts” with clear and distinct responsibilities and powers and, often, a high degree of shared membership from the local congregation to the national level. Recent changes in governance structures have all but eliminated the shared membership, creating a very different reality. This article examines changes over time and provides an analysis of the impact of differing structures on decision making in Canada’s largest Protestant denomination.