Basis For Cooperation Research Articles

International Co-Operation as a Veritable Tool in Combating Human Trafficking: A Review of the Decision in R V. Josephine Iyamu

The investigation, rescue of victims and effective prosecution of human trafficking offences which occurred in two or more states is a major challenge to stakeholders around the world. This paper examined international cooperation (mutual assistance in criminal matters) as an important tool to contain human trafficking. It briefly demonstrated the informal and formal forms of collaboration available to states and highlighted the bases for cooperation, it adopted the doctrinal research method. It also Reviewed the facts and law of the UK court decision in R v. Josephine Iyamu which represents the global expectation of all countries as it brought to the fore the high level of collaboration exhibited by Germany, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria in bringing the offender to justice. The paper concluded with a clarion call on all nations of the world to activate international collaboration as a useful tool in the fight against human trafficking.

Computational diplomacy: how 'hackathons for good' feed a participatory future for multilateralism in the digital age.

This article explores the role of hackathons for good in building a community of software and hardware developers focused on addressing global sustainable development goal (SDG) challenges. We theorize this movement as computational diplomacy: a decentralized, participatory process for digital governance that leverages collective intelligence to tackle major global issues. Analysing Devpost and GitHub data reveals that 30% of hackathons since 2010 have addressed SDG topics, employing diverse technologies to create innovative solutions. Hackathons serve as crucial kairos moments, sparking innovation bursts that drive both immediate project outcomes and long-term production. We propose that these events harness the neurobiological basis of human cooperation and empathy, fostering a collective sense of purpose and reducing interpersonal prejudice. This bottom-up approach to digital governance integrates software development, human collective intelligence and collective action, creating a dynamic model for transformative change. By leveraging kairos moments, computational diplomacy promotes a more inclusive and effective model for digital multilateral governance of the future. This article is part of the theme issue 'Co-creating the future: participatory cities and digital governance'.

Does habitus provide the framework for Scandinavian cooperation?

This article argues that habitus is the basis for Scandinavian cooperation. The article makes two contributions. First, it endeavours to contribute to the literature on Scandinavian cooperation by demonstrating, through the article’s empirical data, that shared habitus provides the structural framework for Scandinavian cooperation. Habitus drives together the bureaucratic, diplomatic, and political personnel of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, including those who work within, or as state representatives, at International Organisations (IOs), despite them being members of differing communities of practice. Habitus also shapes Scandinavian approaches to practices within IOs and global politics. The second contribution the article makes is a theoretical one, to International Relations practice theory literature, through demonstrating the usefulness of habitus as a conceptual tool in examining the basis for close bonds and cooperation between groups of states.

Investigation Methods of Combating Smuggling and Suspicious Trade Through Transport Routes: Ukrainian Case

Smuggling poses a threat both to individuals and to national security. The problem of smuggling is complicated by the constant transformation of criminal schemes, thereby urging the search for appropriate investigation methods of this offense. The aim of the research is to improve the methods of investigation of smuggling through the integration of legislative, international, human, and technical resources. The research employed a doctrinal approach, a statistical method, and a descriptive method. As a result of the research, the Ukrainian legislation on combating smuggling was analysed in the context of European integration. It is noted that the criminalization of smuggling of goods is a welcome innovation, but the legislative framework needs further improvement. The legal basis of Ukraine's international cooperation in the investigation and countering of smuggling has been disclosed. The priority forms of cooperation were determined and directions for further improvement were revealed using the experience of several international initiatives. The value of human capital in combination with the latest technologies in the process of investigating crimes related to smuggling is noted. The obtained conclusions can be useful for regulatory bodies in the context of developing anti-smuggling policies based on identified priority areas.

From the border of ‘barrier’ to the border of ‘connectivity’: The current development and connectivity of Vietnam-China cross-border infrastructure

The purpose of the article is to examine the changes in cross-border cooperation between Vietnam and China as a result of the development and connectivity of cross-border infrastructure between the two countries. This article is based on a mixed-methods study that includes desk research and surveys. The article explains how the two countries’ approaches to border shifted from ‘barrier’ to the border of ‘connectivity’. Accordingly, the article examines the changes in border management cooperation between the two countries, which serves as a vital basis for cross-border development cooperation. Furthermore, the article examines the perceptions of the two countries regarding the development and connectivity of cross-border infrastructure for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and beyond. At the same time, the article examines how the two countries promote the development and connectivity of cross-border infrastructure, both hard and soft. The article also examined some initial results and some issues facing the two countries. The paper concludes with some findings. In particular, the article concludes that increased border connectivity will encourage cross-border cooperation and integration between the two countries and help to alleviate security concerns. Although the two countries have made efforts to open their borders, in the transition from a border of ‘barriers’ to a border of ‘connectivity’ remain partly to Vietnamese people’s memories of the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese border war, as well as the impact of the two countries’ unresolved South China Sea disputes. However, Vietnam also tries to promote cross-border cooperation within a controllable level.

DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE ON THE PLATFORM OF INNOVATIVE BIOECONOMY

Ukraine's economy is in a state of crisis caused by the war. The agricultural sector in extreme conditions is trying to fulfill its function of ensuring the food security of the state, supporting its export potential despite limited resources and logistical problems. Agrarian science in the conditions of budget funding deficit is trying to find ways to use the scientific and experimental base, developed varieties and technologies to promote the stabilization and revival of agro-industrial production in the industry and regions. Effective models of implementing the innovative potential of agrarian science on a business basis are necessary.The purpose of the study is to justify the platform of market adaptation of science to crisis conditions and the mobilization of scientific potential in the breakthrough directions of the development of the agrarian sphere on the basis of innovative bioeconomy and close cooperation between science and business.To realize the set goal, the work assessed the possibilities of integrating science and business on the platform of innovative bioeconomy in the crisis economic and legal conditions of Ukraine; the bio-ecosystem of the platform and its operational mechanism of the partnership of science and business for the implementation of joint innovation and investment projects are substantiated. For the introduction of a well-founded bioecosystem, a set of measures is proposed for the formation of a platform in the system of agrarian science on the basis of conducted tests and adopted organizational decisions based on the example of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. Cooperation between agricultural science and business on the basis of the proposed public-private partnership platform ensures the mobilization of scientific potential to solve pressing issues of innovative development of agricultural production, rural areas through the creation and transfer of breakthrough and supporting bioinnovations, the production of competitive innovative agro-food products.

CORPORATE CULTURE AS A FACTOR IN PERSONNEL EFFICIENCY

The article is devoted to the study of the influence of corporate culture on the efficiency of personnel through the prism of work psychology. The main focus is on the analysis of key components of corporate culture, such as corporate values, norms and traditions, and their impact on staff motivation. Corporate culture is defined as a set of values and beliefs that determine the behavior of employees and the effectiveness of the organization as a whole. The psychological climate in the organization is considered as a critical factor affecting job satisfaction and the emotional state of employees. The article substantiates the importance of maintaining a healthy psychological climate for ensuring high productivity. Various aspects of personnel motivation are considered, including intrinsic and extrinsic incentives. It has been found that a positive corporate culture promotes motivation, improves communication and strengthens trust between employees. In particular, factors such as open communication, support from management and opportunities for professional development are key to ensuring high performance. The study shows that a positive psychological climate helps reduce stress levels and increase overall job satisfaction. It is noted that corporate values, which are shared by all members of the organization, create a basis for successful cooperation and achievement of common goals. The authors provide recommendations for implementing effective management practices to improve corporate culture. Special attention is paid to the role of leadership in the formation of a favorable working environment. The conclusions emphasize the need for a strategic approach to the formation of corporate culture. It is emphasized that investment in the development of corporate culture has a positive effect on the efficiency of the staff in general. Keywords: corporate culture, work psychology, personnel motivation, psychological climate, corporate values

No need to look, trust me! Mutual trust and distrust in the European arrest warrant system

Abstract No cooperative scheme in EU law has displayed bigger tensions between mutual trust and fundamental rights protection than the EAW system. Despite the requirement developed by the CJEU for national courts to trust each other and recognise each other’s arrest warrants, the reality on the ground has shown high levels of distrust between national courts regarding Member States’ alignment with core EU values. In this contribution, we analyze how the CJEU has managed such tensions in the EAW system. To that effect, we first put the Court’s EAW case law into context by examining the broader language of mutual trust used by the Court in other fields of EU law. In doing so, we point out how the Court has espoused different levels of lawful distrust to be exercised in different circumstances under the scope of application of mutual trust. Given that broader context, it is contradictory for the Court to mainly view mutual trust as a requirement rather than a reality in need of permanent and continuing justification between national authorities. The latter conception of mutual trust is more apt to be the basis of EU horizontal cooperation, which must be value-based and sincere according to the Treaties. Therefore, we propose a bidimensional account of mutual trust as a legal principle, one that accommodates both trust and distrust as tools for managing the uncertainty and dynamic nature of trust-based cooperation. Finally, we explore how such account of mutual (dis)trust can be concretised by the Court and other political institutions.

A matter of identity? Youth participation in cooperatives' governance for a sustainable future

AbstractThe study explores the issue of youth participation in cooperative organisations, which are organisational arrangements characterised by a participatory governance model with sustainability values and principles in their DNA. We argue that an influential driver of participation in this setting is the conceptual–philosophical basis of cooperation that shapes a value‐based identity. We surveyed the attitudes and values of young people working in cooperative settings. We tested the hypotheses that youth participation is driven by self‐identification with cooperatives' values and a mentality oriented towards economic benefits. Using the lenses of identity theories, we contribute to the currently scant literature on this topic by identifying possible roots of a drift from cooperative missions in the attitudes that youth show in a decision‐making context. Our findings support the need to leverage combinations of multiple identities to retrieve benefits in governing cooperatives and educate young generations toward sustainable governance.

Strategy for the Development of the Investment Potential of the Tourism Industry of Ukraine in the International Economic System

The purpose of this study is to establish a robust strategic framework for the development of investment potential within Ukraine’s tourism industry during the post-conflict period. The methodology involves a systematic approach encompassing literature review, conceptual framework development, measurement of corporate responsibility, creation of indicative indicators, implementation stages, and cross-border cooperation. As a result, the article presents a model of the functional platform of the international economic system, which forms the concept of the State’s investment policy on the basis of corporate socio-economic responsibility and implements the strategy of development of the tourism industry. From the standpoint of a holistic view of the strategic development of the investment potential of the tourism industry, the range of measurement of corporate socio-economic responsibility of joint investment institutions and their partnerships is presented. A methodical approach to the formation of indicative indicators of the first and second levels, which activate the investment development of the tourism industry in the regions of the country, has been developed. The stages of implementation of measures for the strategic development of the investment potential of the tourism industry in the context of international turbulence are presented. The developed proposals can be successfully implemented when planning programs for the development of the tourism industry of Ukraine on the basis of cross-border cooperation of regional associations, in order to support the national economic system of Ukraine.

Determinants of Bilateral Cooperation of Small States in Contemporary International Relations: From the Neorealist Perspective of Politics and Security – A Case Study: Serbia and North Macedonia

Bilateral relations of small states represent a very limited field in academic debates and research within the science of international relations. In fact, there is a lack of research and relevant debates on what the determinants and factors of bilateral relations are between small states and how much those factors contribute to promoting it on one hand, while, on the other, how much same factors condition that cooperation, and, finally, how much small states independently determine and define their bilateral relations in their foreign policy activities. In this paper, using the example of bilateral relations between Serbia and North Macedonia in the period of the last ten years, the authors will try to answer the following main research question: What is the basis of the bilateral cooperation between Serbia and North Macedonia and what is its perspective? On those grounds, they will also answer the following questions: To what extent is this cooperation conditioned by internal political circumstances in either country; to what extent is this cooperation determined by regional circumstances; how much is it influenced by the so-called “major actors” in international relations; and, finally, to what extent is it actually a consequence of the sovereign decisions of the authorities in Belgrade and Skopje? With this methodological order of research questions, from the general to the individual in the theoretical sense through the prism of realists and structural realists, the authors will establish the perspective of bilateral relations between small states within the framework of the actual circumstances of international relations.

Systematic Approach to Academic Teamwork as Basis of Effective Cooperation

A systematic approach to teamwork is important for clarifying the behavior of actors in a cooperative environment. The cooperative game as system steps is most often shown in teamwork. The aim of this article is to present the results of this research, in which two rounds of an experiment were carried out and then an interview was held to clarify the results. We pointed out academic teamwork. This article focuses on the research of team cooperation under specified conditions of an experiment on students, which were divided into organized and unorganized teams and assigned two different tasks. Within this research, team cooperation, quality of team results, and conflicts in teams were observed. Detailed results are presented in this article. The results of this research mainly present the different quality of team outputs, which is caused by the different abilities of the members of individual groups and not by the different form of team formation. The main result is also that knowledge and training on how to work together in a team had a positive impact on team results. From a managerial point of view, we see room for establishing an exact strategic procedure in the form of cooperation moves for a positive result of team cooperation in the business environment we are presenting.

Сравнительная картина и проблемы иностранного портфельного инвестирования в реальном секторе экономики / Comparative picture and problems of foreign portfolio investment

The article is devoted to the comparative picture and problems of foreign portfolio investment in the real sector of the economy. The article analyzes the main obstacles that arise in the process of attracting foreign portfolio investments. The factors influencing the increase in the flow of foreign portfolio investments, the possibility of their rapid attraction and effective distribution are considered. Sustainable development of the economy of any country today is impossible without active participation in world economic relations. Along with international trade, international flows of investment capital, carried out on the basis of effective cooperation between countries, are becoming increasingly important. In recent years, the issue of attracting external capital to the Armenian economy has become topical. Foreign investment is one of the most important conditions for stabilization and growth of the country's economy. This is primarily due to the fact that firms’ own financial resources are limited, which is due to a number of reasons in Armenian reality, such as high return on invested capital, high taxes, etc. The movement of global financial capital through the channels of the global financial system occurs in various forms, among which international portfolio investments, including investments in equity and debt securities, occupy a special place. Financial globalization is accelerating the trend towards expanding the market segment of international portfolio investments.

О ПРЕСЕЧЕНИИ РАСПРОСТРАНЕНИЯ НАРКОТИЧЕСКИХ СРЕДСТВ И ПСИХОТРОПНЫХ ВЕЩЕСТВ НА ТЕРРИТОРИИ СОЮЗНОГО ГОСУДАРСТВА

The article shows the prerequisites for further improving the work of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus to suppress the spread of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances on the territory of the Union State. Based on the results of the generalization of materials, the legal basis for cooperation between the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus in the field of combating drug trafficking, information on the state of the drug situation in the territory of the Union State, measures to counter the spread of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the territory of the Union State, some results of the implemented coordinated actions of internal affairs bodies, potential for further improvement of coopera-tion in the field of combating drug trafficking.

The Position of The Underlying Asset System in Musyarakah Mutanaqisah (MMq) Contract in Islamic Banking

This research aims to analyze the substance of related jurisprudence underlying asset in islamic economic law, analyzing the position of the system underlying asset in the financing agreement musharakah mutanaqisah (mmq) in the perspective of islamic economic law, and analyzing the application of the system underlying assets in the agreement musharakah mutanaqisah on sharia banking. This type of research is an empirical research type. Data is qualified as primary data and secondary data. Primary data was obtained through interviews and secondary data was obtained through literature study. The data collected was then processed using a qualitative analysis approach. The research results show that: 1) Underlying Asset position is based on the substance of fiqh as the basis for cooperation in an MMq contract, 2) Position Underlying Asset in the Musyarakah Mutanaqisah Agreement it can be categorized as the basis for cooperation in an MMq contract. In Islamic economic law, regarding the issue of musyarakah objects or MMQ objects being used as collateral, Islam prohibits goods used as transaction objects from becoming collateral/guarantee for the implementation of a mutual agreement, when the rental object has not beentangible when the contract is made, 3) The application of collateral in sharia banking is absolutely unavoidable. Requests for guarantees by banks from recipients of financing facilities are not only intended to ensure the return of the capital borrowed, but to ensure that recipients of financing facilities actually carry out everything that has been agreed upon in the contract, including Underlying Assets as a basis in the issuance of MMq contracts.

Structural basis for transcription activation through cooperative recruitment of MntR.

The manganese transport regulator (MntR) from B. subtilis is a dual regulatory protein that responds to heightened Mn2+ availability in the cell by both repressing the expression of uptake transporters and activating the expression of efflux proteins. Recent work indicates that, in its role as an activator, MntR binds several sites upstream of the genes encoding Mn2+ exporters, leading to a cooperative response to manganese. Here, we use cryo-EM to explore the molecular basis of gene activation by MntR and report a structure of four MntR dimers bound to four 18-base pair sites across an 84-base pair regulatory region of the mneP promoter. Our structures, along with solution studies including mass photometry and in vivo transcription assays, reveal that MntR dimers employ polar and non-polar contacts to bind cooperatively to an array of low-affinity DNA-binding sites. These results reveal the molecular basis for cooperativity in the activation of manganese efflux.

Structural basis for transcription activation through cooperative recruitment of MntR.

The manganese transport regulator (MntR) from B. subtilis is a dual regulatory protein that responds to heightened Mn 2+ availability in the cell by both repressing the expression of uptake transporters and activating the expression of efflux proteins. Recent work indicates that, in its role as an activator, MntR binds several sites upstream of the genes encoding Mn 2+ exporters, leading to a cooperative response to manganese. Here, we use cryo-EM to explore the molecular basis of gene activation by MntR and report a structure of four MntR dimers bound to four 18-base pair sites across an 84-base pair regulatory region of the mneP promoter. Our structures, along with solution studies including mass photometry and in vivo transcription assays, reveal that MntR dimers employ polar and non-polar contacts to bind cooperatively to an array of low-affinity DNA-binding sites. These results reveal the molecular basis for cooperativity in the activation of manganese efflux.

POPULIST NATIONALISM WHETHER ‘TRUMP’-ING THE LEGITIMACY IN THE CAUSE OF SOCIAL EQUALITY IN INTERNATIONAL LAW?

The election of Trump marks the watershed in the history of International Law being an exemplification of a growing trend of populist nationalism globally, particularly after Brexit. Scholars recognize the predominant mode of articulation of these nationalist sentiments to be within the ‘cultural backlash’ theory. The authors explore the underlying legitimacy of the nationalist cause as being depicted by the concern of the economic have-nots over the unequal spread of the gains of globalization as having the potential to shatter the uncertain basis of international co-operation founded on trans-national economic integration. Deep tension ensues from this discrepancy between the non-progressive, retaliatory and state-centered claims of nationalism despite the legitimacy of the cause being universal. Such elitist articulation of a state’s interests/concerns in international law paves the way for a predominant use of the consensual theory to explain the scope of international co-operation, raising a problematic concern as to whether it is possible to by such distorted representation of the underlying legitimate claims of the people to trivialize the central liberal values, now universally accepted, as matters of mere politics and not governed by rules of law? Constitutionalism in international law is considered herein as an instrument to institutionalize the hierarchical superiority of certain liberal values and non-derogable core principles including the ideal of social equality as a basis of world peace. The researchers present this as one method to optimally reconcile the tensions in the present global order as it ultimately provides a framework to curtail the ability of those wielding the state’s political power to further the elitist agenda at the cost of the legitimate demand of the people, the ultimate beneficiaries of an international legal order. The paper emphasizes the urgent need to ease out these tensional elements, as realizing the goal of social equality is possible only by international co-operation.

Examination of environmental legislation (related administrative law and some criminal and civil law) and sanctions for illegal waste dumping in the V4+ countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia)

Illegal dumping of waste is a high-profile environmental problem today. In order to address these challenges, cooperation and information exchange between the Visegrad Group (V4) countries and Slovenia (V4+) is vital. This study, which examines the regulatory mechanisms in the V4+ countries to combat illegal dumping, seeks to understand the environmental practices and legal frameworks related to this issue. The V4+ countries – the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia – face similar challenges in the area of illegal waste management. The study seeks to highlight the common cultural, historical and legal backgrounds binding these countries together, providing an ideal basis for cooperation and exchange of experiences. The analysis is accompanied by a detailed comparison of the environmental legal frameworks, criminal sanctions and enforcement mechanisms operational within the V4+ countries. Apart from analysing the specificities and strengths of each country, it focuses on the methods that have proved more effective in tackling the illegal waste problem. The document also highlights the importance of strengthening cooperation between the V4+ countries. By exchanging information and sharing best practices, countries in the region can apply tried and tested solutions. The document aims to promote enhanced regional cooperation as a catalyst for sustainable environment and waste management.

Cooperative Gsx2-DNA binding requires DNA bending and a novel Gsx2 homeodomain interface.

The conserved Gsx homeodomain (HD) transcription factors specify neural cell fates in animals from flies to mammals. Like many HD proteins, Gsx factors bind A/T-rich DNA sequences prompting the following question: How do HD factors that bind similar DNA sequences in vitro regulate specific target genes in vivo? Prior studies revealed that Gsx factors bind DNA both as a monomer on individual A/T-rich sites and as a cooperative homodimer to two sites spaced precisely 7 bp apart. However, the mechanistic basis for Gsx-DNA binding and cooperativity is poorly understood. Here, we used biochemical, biophysical, structural and modeling approaches to (i) show that Gsx factors are monomers in solution and require DNA for cooperative complex formation, (ii) define the affinity and thermodynamic binding parameters of Gsx2/DNA interactions, (iii) solve a high-resolution monomer/DNA structure that reveals that Gsx2 induces a 20° bend in DNA, (iv) identify a Gsx2 protein-protein interface required for cooperative DNA binding and (v) determine that flexible spacer DNA sequences enhance Gsx2 cooperativity on dimer sites. Altogether, our results provide a mechanistic basis for understanding the protein and DNA structural determinants that underlie cooperative DNA binding by Gsx factors.