Institutional Constraints Research Articles

Practices and Perceptions of Teacher Educators on Learner Autonomy

This study explores practices and perception of English language teacher educator on learner autonomy. It aimed to identify the ways through which teacher educators practice autonomy in students learning and encourage them be autonomous. Using qualitative narrative inquiry research design, the data were collected through interviews with the five English language teacher educators teaching at undergraduate level, of Far Western University, Nepal. The findings of the study highlight a shared understanding of learner autonomy, emphasizing independent learning, self-direction, and responsibility. Teacher educators stress the pivotal role of instructors in promoting autonomy, advocating for a shift from traditional to student-centered methods. Despite a common understanding, challenges persist, including psychological factors, institutional constraints, and socio-cultural beliefs. The study also suggests the need to address these challenges through targeted strategies for successful promotion of learner autonomy in English language classrooms. Moreover, the study shows that even though it is challenging, teacher educators are making efforts to encourage students be autonomous in providing choices, goal-setting, encouraging self-evaluation, finding out the resources, preparing assignments, having class presentations into classroom practice using different strategies.

Organization of production and income inequality

AbstractThis paper contributes to the literature that postulates a relationship between income inequality and the relative importance of “market” and “organization” in the direction of resources. The paper emphasizes that both are endogenous; therefore, the empirical associations observed in the empirical data between inequality measures and production organization variables cannot be interpreted as indicative of causal relationships. The paper solves for the composition and size of occupational groups, the distribution of firm size, and the distribution of income as market equilibrium outcomes of an occupational choice economy, and performs a comparative static analysis. We find that the interaction between cross‐economy differences in the distribution of general skills in the labor force and the loss of control in the supervision of workers by managers can explain the empirical regularities observed in the relationship between the organization of production (distribution of firm size) and income inequality (distribution of labor income). This explanation of the empirical regularities differs from others proposed in the literature, such as those based on institutional constraints or the market power of firms.

Didactic transposition and the knowledge to be taught: towards an archeorganisation for concave/convex functions

This study is framed within the anthropological theory of the didactic. The first part is a comparative study of the mathematical organisation of concave/convex functions on the one hand at university, and on the other hand in secondary education. Data for this analysis are from a university textbook on calculus and a secondary school textbook. The analytic results show how the mathematics (to be) taught at secondary level consists of a largely demathematised logos block. The corresponding institutional fragmentation of knowledge reveals a missing praxeological organisation from which the organisations of knowledge we consider in this paper could be derived by transposition. Responding to this insight, in the second part of the paper, we have outlined what we call an archeorganisation for concave/convex functions, a framework that teacher education institutions could refer to when trying to satisfy the specific constraints they are subjected to (notably because of its publics), without for that matter isolating themselves epistemically from other academic institutions. Formulating an archeorganisation represents a meta-curricular study, with the objective of transforming the institutional conditions and constraints that guide mathematics educators and curriculum designers in their deliberations about the concept of concave/convex functions.

The Impact of Human Resource Management on University Development

As competition in the education industry intensifies and the knowledge economy evolves, the significance of Human Resource Management (HRM) in university institutions. This study aims to explore how HRM affects the sustainable development and competitiveness improvement of universities. This article begins with a theoretical analysis to define the concept of HRM and its particular relevance within university education. The subsequent analysis examines the multi-dimensional framework of university development, encompassing its connotation, goals, and key influencing factors. The article further elaborates on the positive effects of HRM on university teaching quality, scientific research capabilities, organizational culture, and social services. On this basis, the main challenges currently faced by university HRM are discussed, such as talent mobility, institutional constraints, resource limitations, and internationalization pressure. Finally, optimization strategies are proposed, including building a scientific human resources system, enhancing talent training and development, fostering diversity among teaching staff, and improving decision-making efficiency and transparency. The conclusions of this study aim to provide strategic insights for university education managers to better utilize human resource advantages and promote the comprehensive and sustainable development of universities.

Shifting focus from end-of-pipe treatment to source control: ESG ratings’ impact on corporate green innovation

This study actively explores the pivotal role of environment, society, and governance (ESG) ratings in optimizing corporate green innovation activities as a robust response to ongoing ESG investment divestment. It provides empirical support for implementing corporate green transitions, establishing, and refining market-driven green development framework, and attaining “carbon peaking, carbon neutrality” targets. Furthermore, the research represents a groundbreaking effort to assess the influence of ESG ratings on corporate green innovation with a specific focus on pollution disposal. Specifically, examining data from Chinese A-share listed companies spanning 2011 to 2020, this study utilizes various models, including multi-period difference-in-differences (DID), event study, staggered DID, and synthetic DID (SDID). The ensuing analysis reveals that ESG ratings significantly impact the development of corporate green innovation, catalyzing the transformation of green innovation activities from end-of-pipe to source control. Notably, ESG ratings achieve this transformation by mitigating managerial myopia, enhancing the research and development (R&D) staff ratio, and alleviating financial constraints. However, the study also identifies institutional constraints and corporate digitalization as factors leading to heterogeneous effects on green innovation and its direction. These findings not only provide enhanced theoretical support but also offer empirical validation for corporations and governments looking to implement and generalize ESG ratings, facilitating a successful green transition.

Housing recovery and community relocation: Lessons learned from indigenous community recovery after typhoon Morakot in Taiwan

Modern states have been concerned with helping Indigenous communities recover after disasters, often through relocation, to prevent future disasters. However, such strategies are often fraught with difficulty and challenges. This study uses qualitative and quantitative data collected over a decade after Typhoon Morakot to analyze how the Han-People-dominated Taiwanese government assisted Indigenous communities in off-site disaster recovery. According to this study, post-disaster recovery programs had to be implemented speedily and comprehensively within the constraints of time and institutions, resulting in a lack of Indigenous participation and difficulty meeting the recovery needs of Indigenous communities in various ways. Notwithstanding Indigenous communities’ use of social capital to fight for and secure external resources. In early stages, Indigenous communities protested government policies through internal community bonding, bridging among affected Indigenous communities, and linking with national NGOs to raise awareness regarding recovery issues. In later stages, the government collaborated with communities that were relocated to address recovery issues. However, if relocation sites and housing options are already determined, only partial improvements can be made without resolving the primary problems of livelihood and cultural preservation. This situation calls for the promotion of pre-impact recovery planning in Indigenous communities at risk of disasters.

How Community-based Tourism Improves Community Welfare? A Practical Case Study of ‘Governing the Commons’ in Rural Nglanggeran, Indonesia

Anchored in Ostrom’s (1990) account of Governing the Commons, this article discusses community-based mechanisms and their potential implication for poverty alleviation and well-being improvement of societies. The material for this article draws on our research report on the application of community-based tourism (CBT) as social innovation for poverty alleviation and social well-being improvement in the Nglanggeran village from 2009 to 2016, which continues to be monitored to date. Our findings indicate that community-led initiatives have been successful in alleviating chronic poverty and social problems by integrating local institutions and developing resource-based businesses. However, recent government intervention has limited the initiatives, highlighting a power imbalance between government agencies and the community. Consequently, CBT has become an industry reserved for a select few villagers who have formed partnerships with the government. It reveals the recurring problems of government–community partnership, which, over the last two decades, has expanded in many Southern countries and has resulted in contestations of political interest within the empowerment programme, all of which produced institutional constraints to ‘commons approach’ application to governance. This article contributes to understanding the dynamics of empowerment initiatives by highlighting the intersection of collectivity and welfare capitalism as an analytical framework, enabling the application of ‘the commons theory’ within community/social development studies.

Integration of Climate Change Strategies into Policy and Planning for Regional Development: A Case Study of Greece

Climate change presents a pressing challenge to regional development, impacting economies, environments, and societies across the globe. Europe, with its diverse regions and commitment to sustainability, serves as a unique case study for exploring the integration of climate change strategies into regional policy and planning. The purpose of this study is to analyze the integration of climate change strategies into policy and planning for regional development in Europe, especially in Greece. Data was collected from 270 environmental experts across Greece using a questionnaire. The results highlight the significance of regional economic growth (gross regional product), infrastructure quality, educational attainment, and a conducive business environment as key measures of regional development. Opportunities arising from climate change strategy integration are explored, revealing economic benefits, environmental opportunities, social enhancements, and technological advancements. These opportunities not only mitigate climate change’s adverse impacts but also foster innovation, economic growth, and community resilience. Successful integration can position regions as global leaders in sustainability and innovation. Correlation and regression analyses reveal that opportunities for integration and common climate change strategies positively influence regional development, while barriers exhibit a counterintuitive positive relationship. However, several barriers hinder integration efforts, including institutional fragmentation, resource constraints, conflicting political and economic priorities, and insufficient stakeholder engagement. This study sheds light on the intricate relationship between climate change, policy integration, and regional development in Greece. It supports the potential for regions to drive sustainability and innovation while navigating the challenges of climate change, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and prosperous future.

Multinational firms as emissaries of decent work: worker responses to progressive HRM in a foreign retailer in Japan

PurposeThe paper aims to provide an understanding of how the transfer of progressive human resource management (HRM) practices may or may fail to render multinational enterprises (MNEs) institutional entrepreneurs creating change in job quality and decent work to underprivileged workers in the low-pay retail sector in Japan.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on survey questionnaire data and interviews with workers and management in a foreign retailer in Japan.FindingsThe findings suggest that even where MNEs may provide some measurable material improvements in job quality, in this case equal pay for equal work, the total outcomes are nevertheless shaped by institutional context and constraints. In this case, the improvement in pay was intertwined with flexibility demands that were possible to meet for some workers but not others. In particular, women with care responsibilities and competing demands on their time were not able to experience “decent work” in the same way as others.Research limitations/implicationsThe study had a relatively low response rate, due to lack of discretion over time experienced by workers in Japan, as well as limited data on program outcomes, with interviews conducted with a small number of participants.Practical implicationsThe study suggests that spaces and opportunities exist for MNEs to diverge from dominant practices in given host country locations and exercise a level of agency as emissaries of decent work but successful outcomes require a very thorough understanding of individual worker experiences within the institutional constraints of given environments.Social implicationsThe study offers insights into the complexities of initiatives by MNEs to contribute to the provision of decent work, particularly for workers in underprivileged positions including women in low-pay sectors such as retail, as firm-level practices lead to variable outcomes when filtered through local institutions.Originality/valueThe study brings together a focus on firm-level practices that inform much of the international HRM and international management scholarship with an emphasis on the experiences of workers, which is pursued in the sociology of work, to investigate whether MNEs can be actors in the realising of the Sustainable Development Goals around decent work.

Escape from Political Freedom. The Constitutional Crisis of 1993 and Russia’s Political Trajectory

Abstract The constitutional crisis of 1993 was one of the major turning points in the failed democratization of Russia and subsequent turn of the country towards personalist authoritarianism. The October 1993 conflict, as the crisis is commonly called in Russia, was driven by a strategic choice of priorities by Russia’s political leadership during the post-Communist “triple transition”. After the overthrow of the Communist regime in August 1991, Russian elites prioritized market reforms and sacrificed further democratization of the country for the sake of preserving the new political status quo. This choice, made at the expense of building new democratic institutions, greatly contributed to the clash between the plebiscitary legitimacy of President Boris Yeltsin and unconstrained legality of the parliament, which was resolved in a violent zero-sum game in October 1993. The new Russian constitution sought to drastically reduce institutional constraints to presidential power. Its approval paved the way to authoritarian regime building and served as a role model for other post-Soviet countries.

Autoethnographic reflections on creating inclusive and collaborative virtual places for academic research

PurposeThis paper explores the collaborative dynamics and dimensions within a virtual multi-cultural and interdisciplinary workplace. The study focusses on the use of online communication technologies to enhance social inclusion and networking within academia.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses an autoethnographic approach to draw on the personal experiences of a team of four scholars, including three early-career researchers and a senior scholar. Their reflections on their academic positionality and the institutional constraints reveal both the strengths and vulnerabilities of collaborating in a virtual workplace.FindingsThe findings offer insights into the complexities of navigating social dynamics, such as delegating responsibilities, organising meetings across various time zones and encouraging continuous collaboration, inclusivity and effective communication during an extensive timeline. As a result, their experiences revealed that a virtual workplace culture with similar and different attributes to a “normal” workplace emerged.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates how to create an effective and inclusive virtual workplace by exemplifying best practices in academia and providing practical guidance for individuals and institutions based on honest, co-produced autoethnographic reflections of the authors’ lived experiences.

Land use planning and climate change adaptation in river-dependent communities in Nigeria

Land use planning and climate change adaptation are critical for ensuring sustainable development and resilience in river-dependent communities in Nigeria. This study examines land use planning and climate adaptation in river-dependent communities in the Lower Niger River region of Nigeria. The research utilizes a mixed-methods approach. Data for the study were gathered from 198 households through surveys, complemented by 17 qualitative interviews and remote sensing techniques to assess land use changes and community perceptions. Findings reveal a notable trend where poor farmers face heightened vulnerability to climate change due to financial constraints, hindering their adoption of adaptive land use strategies. Specifically, more than half of the sampled households possess individual land for agricultural purposes yet lack the resources to effectively mitigate climate-related risks. Among the studied communities, Odekpe emerged as particularly vulnerable, with a prevalence of vulnerability at 32.3% and higher exposure to flood-prone zones.The quantitative analysis delineates community engagement in land management practices, showcasing proactive resource allocation and conflict resolution efforts among over 60% of participants. However, a significant portion (57.6%) lacked awareness of hydrological changes, potentially impeding effective land use planning and adaptation measures.Further analysis through remote sensing and mapping techniques revealed shifts in land use land cover, highlighting a transition from predominantly vegetated areas to built-up regions over the past three decades. The flood vulnerability assessment maps underscored substantial vulnerability across the Lower Niger basin, especially in downstream regions, indicating heightened risks due to proximity to the Niger River and heavy rainfall.Qualitative insights from stakeholder interviews identified challenges impeding effective land use planning, including uncertain climate projections, insufficient data, institutional capacity constraints, and conflicting priorities. Additionally, participants emphasized the need for resilient land use decisions to address urbanization impacts, altered drainage patterns, and diminishing green spaces. The study recommends several key actions to enhance the effectiveness of land use planning and climate adaptation in the Lower Niger River region. These include the imperative to strengthen institutional capacities, improve stakeholder engagement processes, integrate traditional knowledge and practices into planning efforts, fortify legal frameworks governing land use, and prioritize the promotion of sustainable livelihoods among local communities.

The challenges of community policing in maintaining community security: the case of Harar City, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The adoption of community policing was expected to bring a paradigm shift in preventing crime and disorder. However, regardless of the practice of community policing as a strategy to maintain public security, the programme faces several challenges that hinder its proper implementation. The purpose of this article is to examine the challenges of community policing implementation in Harar City, Ethiopia. This article employed a qualitative research approach with a grounded theory design. The article used both primary and secondary data sources and the study participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data was collected using key informant interviewees, focus group discussions, non-participant observation, and document analysis. The thematic analysis method was applied during the data analysis process. The study revealed that conceptual and practical, institutional, infrastructural challenges and political constraints derived from the community, the police organisation, and the government agencies limit the successful practices of community policing for maintaining public security in the study area. It is, therefore, recommended that the community, police organisation, government agencies, and other stakeholders have to coordinate and collaborate to alleviate or at least minimise the challenges of community-based policing in Harar City.

Physiotherapists' moral distress: Mixed-method study reveals new insights.

Moral distress is a well-recognized term for emotional, cognitive, and physical reactions of professionals, when facing conflicts between perceived obligations and institutional constraints. Though studied across medical roles, limited research exists among physiotherapists. What factors contribute to Moral distress among physiotherapists and how do they cope? To develop and test a multifaceted model of Moral distress and gain an in-depth understanding of the phenomena. A 2017-2022 mixed-methods study: (1) Survey of 407 physiotherapists quantitatively testing a literature-based model analyzing relationships between Moral distress, Moral sensitivity, Locus of control, Self-efficacy, Ethical climate perceptions and demographics, analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics, multiple comparisons and structural equation modelling (SPSS26, SAS, AMOS); (2) Semi-structured interviews with 21 physiotherapists examining Moral distress experiences using meticulous phenomenological analysis. Israeli physiotherapists from various occupational settings recruited via professional networks. The Haifa University Ethics Committee authorized the study. Informed consent was obtained for the anonymous survey and before interviews regarding recording, and quote use. Quantitative results showed moderately high average Moral distress, significantly higher among women and paediatric physiotherapists, positively correlating with Moral sensitivity. Qualitative findings revealed intense emotions around Moral distress experiences, inner conflicts between care ideals and constraints, and coping strategies like reflective skills. Senior therapists, despite higher self-efficacy and moral sensitivity, still reported persistent high distress. Moral distress has complex links with moral sensitivity, self-efficacy, perceived professional autonomy and organizational support. A renewed framework emerged explaining relations between moral distress and personal, professional and organizational factors. Multidimensional insights help identify Moral distress causes and coping strategies among physiotherapists, advancing theory. Conclusions can shape ethics training programs and competencies.

Foreign policy consequences of democratic backsliding: the case of the Comfort Women Agreement in 2015

Recent studies have documented the profound effects that democratic backsliding generates on various realms of governance. However, foreign policies remain an exception in this trend despite the notable emergence of non-traditional foreign policy positions backsliding governments around the world took in recent years. To address this gap, this paper examines South Korea’s policy toward Japan during its recent period of democratic backsliding, focusing on the making of the Comfort Women Agreement in 2015. The case study reveals that the Park Geun-hye government (2012-2017) pursued a policy position that defied social and institutional constraints. The paper suggests that this case represents how democratic backsliding can destabilize foreign policies.

Informing National Climate Action with the Green Economy Model: A Technical Description of the Structures and Processes

National climate ambitions have been hampered by a lack of understanding of the impacts of the transition to a low-carbon economy as well as the consequences of inaction. Amid legitimate concerns regarding transitional impacts, financing needs, and the institutional and political constraints to low-carbon policy implementation, knowledge and analytical skill gaps prevent countries from increasing necessary ambition on climate and environmental targets consistent with global goals. In this Technical Note, we present the green economy model (GEM), which aims to simultaneously improve people’s understanding of complex climate, environmental, and socioeconomic linkages; equip decision-makers with adequate tools for policy development; and help close coordination gaps and build technical capacity for low-carbon policymaking. It is a practical guide for local policymakers, experts, and academics to understand the model structures and considerations for employing GEM for green economic policy analysis.

Can democracy at work deliver mutual gains in the digital economy?

Digital and AI-based technologies provide new tools to discipline workers, intensify monitoring, and deskill jobs. This article asks under what conditions these technologies can instead be used to generate mutual gains for employers, workers, and the broader public. Two developments are discussed, which provide opportunities for new coalitions in support of strengthened collective worker voice in technology adoption and deployment. First, the growing use of these tools in a range of service occupations provides opportunities for coalitions with customers or service users focusing on technologies' impact on service quality. Second, the importance of worker knowledge and skills as both inputs to and output of new AI-based technologies provides opportunities for a more collaborative approach to improving their accuracy and performance. To realize these opportunities for mutual gains, governments and labor unions first need to place institutional constraints on employers that strengthen bargaining rights and that protect minimum employment standards, workers' privacy and control over data, and job security.

Exploring the desires to become academics: Reflections of academic women in Chinese non‐elite public universities

AbstractThis study explores the dynamic journey of women as they become academics in non‐elite Chinese public universities. It focuses on their aspirations and the evolving subjectivity that accompanies this process. Ten participants from the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) fields, aged 28–57, were interviewed; the transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Adopting a Butlerian perspective, our findings identify two distinct subjectivities that shape Chinese women's decision to become academics: autonomous subjectivity driven by intrinsic desire and strategic subjectivity driven by instrumental desire. We argue that becoming an academic is a complex process influenced by regulatory power, including market forces, institutional and societal constraints, and gender norms, which shape the context in which the desire is pursued. It is essential to view this decision not only from the individual's perspective but also from the larger context within which it is made. This study contributes to the literature on gender equality in academia by interrogating the complexities of the decision‐making processes for Chinese women pursuing academic careers in non‐elite Chinese universities.

Implementation of Environmental Pollution and Damage Prevention Instruments in Indonesia: Issues and Challenges

This paper delves into the implementation of environmental pollution and damage prevention instruments in Indonesia, highlighting the inherent issues and challenges. It scrutinizes the efficacy of existing measures in curbing environmental degradation and explores the obstacles hindering their successful execution. The findings underscore a myriad of challenges confronting the implementation process, ranging from regulatory gaps and enforcement deficiencies to institutional capacity constraints. Despite the presence of legislation aimed at safeguarding the environment, enforcement mechanisms often fall short due to inadequate resources, corruption, and lack of coordination among relevant stakeholders. Additionally, the complexity of environmental issues, coupled with rapid industrialization and urbanization, exacerbates the challenges faced in mitigating pollution and preserving natural resources. Addressing these challenges necessitates a multi-faceted approach that encompasses legislative reforms, capacity building initiatives, and enhanced collaboration between government agencies, civil society, and the private sector. Strengthening regulatory frameworks, improving monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and promoting public awareness are crucial steps towards achieving sustainable environmental management in Indonesia. Moreover, integrating environmental considerations into broader policy agendas and fostering international cooperation are vital for addressing cross-border environmental challenges and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability. In conclusion, while Indonesia has made strides in formulating environmental policies, effective implementation remains a pressing issue. By identifying and addressing the challenges impeding the execution of pollution prevention instruments, Indonesia can bolster its environmental governance framework and pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future.

Comparative dynamics analysis of the environmental policy efficacy in a nonlinear Cournot duopoly with differentiated goods and emission charges

The price and the exchanged quantity volatility observed in real-world markets may be explained, according to the existing empirical literature, in terms of the endogenous fluctuations generated by the presence of nonlinearities. We then replace with a sigmoid adaptive best response mechanism the linear partial adjustment best response rule considered in Mamada and Perrings (2020), where the effect produced by quadratic emission charges on the dynamics of a Cournot duopoly model with homogeneous goods was investigated. Moreover, the sigmoid nonlinearity, in addition to being well suited to describe the bounded output variations caused by physical, historical and institutional constraints, makes the model able to generate interesting, non-divergent dynamic outcomes, despite the linearity of the demand function and of marginal costs. Additionally, following the suggestion in Mamada and Perrings (2020), we deal with the more general case of differentiated products. Beyond analytically studying the stability of the unique steady state, coinciding with the Nash equilibrium, and the effect produced by the main parameters on the stability region, we perform two comparative dynamics investigations which allow to evaluate the environmental policy efficacy when the Nash equilibrium is not stable and thus the standard comparative statics technique does not fit for the purpose. In particular, the former analysis, which is based on a comparison of emissions for different levels of charges, shows that, also in case the Nash equilibrium is not stable, the considered environmental policy may be effective both with complements and with substitutes. The latter investigation, consisting in a comparison of emissions along non-stationary trajectories and along the equilibrium path, in the proposed experiments highlights that emissions are larger along non-stationary trajectories. This gives us the opportunity to show how to act on the level of the asymptotes of the sigmoid adjustment mechanism to reduce output variations, reaching at one time a complete stabilization of the system and limiting pollution.