Institutional Development Research Articles

UNIVERSITY AUTONOMY IN THE CONTEXT OF OPTIMISING THE NETWORK OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

The relevance of the article is determined by the importance of strengthening the autonomy of higher education, its ability to really influence the acceleration of Ukraine's recovery and the need to resolve a number of contradictions (between the launched higher education reform and imperfect regulatory, legal and organisational mechanisms for its implementation; public awareness of the inefficiency of the higher education network and the importance of its optimisation, and the insufficient level of awareness of the importance of ensuring democratic and transparent processes by senior education managers). The aim is to analyse the prerequisites, features and prospects for optimising the network of higher education institutions in the context of implementing the right of universities to autonomy for accelerating Ukraine's recovery. Methods: theoretical analysis of official, statistical, scientific and journalistic sources – to study the functioning peculiarities of the higher education network in Ukraine and the development of their autonomy; comparison and generalisation – to identify factors that hinder the autonomy development of Ukrainian higher education institutions and conditions that facilitate it. Results: the dynamics of the higher education institutions network expansion and their contingent is studied; the peculiarities of acquiring the "national" status by higher education institutions are analysed; the factors of inhibition of the university autonomy development in Ukraine are identified; the conclusions of Ukrainian scientists on creating conditions for ensuring the process effectiveness of the higher education institutions optimisation are summarised. Conclusions: the autonomy development of higher education institutions in Ukraine is hampered by an imperfect regulatory framework, non-state actions of educational managers at the institutional and national levels, and an unbalanced national education system; uncontrolled expansion of the higher education institutions network has disrupted the balance of the national education system (decline in vocational education, deterioration in the quality of higher education); the autonomy of higher education institutions in the context of an unbalanced national education system, weakened links with regional labour markets, and underdeveloped public-private partnerships cannot become a means of a restorative breakthrough for the Ukrainian education system to ensure Ukraine's post-war recovery; the need to optimise the network of higher education institutions is obvious and urgent, but it is undemocratic and non-transparent, which provokes unhealthy sentiments among the scientific and pedagogical community and undermines the authority of higher education in Ukrainian society; the process of optimising the network of higher education institutions needs to be regulated (development of relevant regulations, methodological recommendations, clear algorithm), taking into account the achievements of Ukrainian scientists and European experience.

Large state-owned shareholders and cash holding: Evidence from family firms

This paper investigates the effect of large state-owned shareholders on cash holding in family firms. Using a large sample of Chinese listed family firms for 2012–2022, we find that large state-owned shareholders positively impact cash holding in family firms. The finding remains valid to a battery of sensitivity tests and is attenuated for family firms with higher control power of the controlling shareholder, family firms originating from the privatization of state-owned enterprises, and family firms located in regions with lower levels of institutional development. Economic mechanism tests show that large state-owned shareholders increase cash holding in family firms by reducing related-party transactions and perk consumption. These findings support the view that better corporate governance may increase corporate cash holding and suggest that state-owned ownership is an essential variable in the predictors of cash holding in family firms.

Water as elemental medium and heritage: The case of Sangyuanwei Polder embankment system

This paper argues that elemental media studies, which emphasize the entanglements between humans and non-humans, can offer new avenues for addressing the challenges faced by post-humanist heritage studies. Due to the importance of tourism for heritage revitalization, this paper examines the limitations of the local tourism industry’s understanding of the water element in the context of the tourism plan of the Sangyuanwei Polder Embankment System, particularly the neglect of the destructiveness of water. It also investigates human-water interactions in the history of SPES through elemental analysis, examining how water as a medium of life has inspired human affects, feelings, actions, as well as facilitated the transformation of and communication with water through the development of water-related engineering and social institutions. By focusing on the affective aspects of the elements, as well as revisiting the histories and local knowledge, elemental aesthetics derived from elemental analysis aims to reconnect humans to the elements as media of life, thus allowing for the initiation of dialogs with heritage management and tourism. The elemental aesthetics of water for the life of heritage sites aiming at flood control has often included the destructive characteristics of water, as well as the complex feelings of fear, awe, reverence, and dedication that it stirs. Based on this, this paper also points out a possible new orientation for the future development of water-related heritage sites.

Holistic Curriculum Development in Islamic Religious Education Institutions in Primary Schools or Madrasah Ibtidaiyah

The era has experienced developments and changes in various fields. These developments and changes can affect changes in the education system. Nowadays, education has become an important part of social life, because education can change the quality of one's life. It can be proven that the higher the level of education, the more knowledge and experience a person has so that it is easier to solve life problems. One of the cornerstones of education is the curriculum, so when there are developments in various fields that can affect the education system, the curriculum is the same. Problems that arise in society also encourage changes in the education system. The curriculum is here to solve problems and meet the demands of society. The curriculum is designed to facilitate existing learning. This research uses qualitative research methods with the type of library study (library research), which is a method of collecting data by understanding and studying theories from various literature related to research, collecting data by searching for sources and reconstructing from various sources such as books, journals, and existing research. The indicators of success include understanding the concept of Islam, applying the values of religious teachings in daily life, improving student behavior and attitudes, and improving the quality of individual character Developing a holistic curriculum for Islamic religious education in elementary schools or madrasah ibtidaiyah is an important step in developing balanced and moral individuals. This curriculum covers the development of all aspects of a person, including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. The implementation of a holistic curriculum requires the active role of teachers and the application of creative and interactive learning methods. The success of a holistic curriculum can be seen from the achievements of students in understanding religious concepts, applying religious education values, changing behavior and improving the quality of individual character. By developing a holistic curriculum, it is hoped that Islamic religious education can contribute to the formation of a pious national character.

MÜSTƏQİLLİK İLLƏRİNDƏ AZƏRBAYCANDA ALİ TƏHSİLİN İNKİŞAF PERSPEKTİVLƏRİ

Perspectives of Development of the Higher Education in Azerbaijan Indicators During Independence Summary Article deals with the research of the fundamental improvement of the management structure for the modernization of the structure of the higher education institutions and its management system in terms of modern requirements, the establishment of structures that ensure the participation of staff in the management and development of higher education institutions, establishing close relationships with the relevant institutions as a base, is important to achieve significant improvements in the development of the self-governance system Key words: development of higher education, State Strategy for the development of education, higher education system, higher education in Azerbaijan, modernization of education

Enabling TEL capacity across complexity

Embedding technology is now a necessary part of higher education teaching and learning policy and practice, owing to cascading effects of technological advancements and the pandemic-driven disruption of traditional teaching and learning modes (Rapanta et al., 2020, 2021). Well-designed technology enhanced learning (TEL) spaces and activities can provide experiences that are authentic, learner-centred, flexible, and equitable (Cochrane et al., 2017; Dunn & Kennedy, 2019).
 
 Despite growing supportive evidence of these benefits, university teaching and learning systems often retain legacy structures and practices where technology-enhanced, creative and flexible activities are not easily integrated or well supported (Bridges et al. 2023). These issues may be exacerbated by the perceived comfort – by both academics and institutions – offered by a ‘snap back’ to pre-pandemic settings (Bryant 2022). As institutions rethink the ways in which they enact TEL (García-Morales et al., 2021; Rapanta et al. 2021), understanding and navigating potential barriers and enablers of innovative TEL design (Bone 2022) becomes important. Within this presentation, I draw and reflect on recent projects to consider how academic development programs might facilitate TEL initiatives that are targeted and sustainable.
 
 For individual academics, approaches to teaching and learning can vary, with flow-on effects into the ways they teach, and the learning outcomes of their students (Trigwell & Prosser, 1997, 2004). In challenging, high-pressure environments, academics who teach may not have the capacity to adapt their approaches to a rapidly changing context (Bone 2021). Indeed, impacts of the pandemic highlight that academic development during times of crisis needs to be more holistic and provide adequate support for innovative change (Bone et al. 2021; Sumer et al., 2021; Mulder et al., 2022; Bone et al. in review). Enacting such holistic academic development in higher education institutions, which are highly complex (Knight 2001) but increasingly fragmented and siloed (Becher & Trowler, 2001), requires approaches to design and delivery of programs and supports that mimic and respond to this complexity (Bone & Ross 2019), and are responsive to the intents and priorities of both academics and management, and the learning needs of students.
 
 Embedding technologies into this complex curriculum environment in ways that are sustainable and equitable requires approaches that both build incentives and drivers from leadership (top-down), and reward and harness the existing enthusiasm and capacity of academics (bottom up) (Bone 2022). Building networked approaches to enable curriculum design, development and innovation can involve communities of practice, mentoring or other knowledge-sharing activities across disciplines and roles (Bone et al., 2023). Enacting these across institutional boundaries can bring together those interested in specific aspects of TEL (Narayan et al., in press) who may also feel isolated within traditional hierarchical institutional structures (Bone et al., in press).
 
 Knowledge sharing and community building has clear potential to drive positive change. As a TEL community, we must continue to advocate for teaching, learning and development spaces that emphasise collaboration and collegial knowledge-sharing, and to push for greater recognition as we work together to build the future of higher education teaching and learning.

КОРПОРАТИВНЫЕ УНИВЕРСИТЕТЫ: ПРИОРИТЕТЫ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ, РЕШЕНИЯ, ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ. ЧАСТЬ 1

The article presents an analytical review of the research of corporate universities as knowledge management institutions implementing strategies for the formation of intellectual capital based on the knowledge network, reveals the role of corporate universities in continuing professional education and training.
 The aim of the project is to systematize the theoretical results of relevant research, summarize the main conceptual solutions in the field of knowledge management, identify key priorities and promising strategies of corporate universities in Russia, China and other countries in this area.
 The main task is to determine the role of corporate universities in the implementation of the strategy of continuing education, in improving the quality of professional education and the formation of corporate culture within the framework of a comparative analysis of specific cases of knowledge management in corporate universities.
 Improving the quality of vocational education and solving the problems of continuing education is largely associated with the development of modern corporate universities and improving the quality of knowledge management.
 One of the advantages of corporate universities is their potential in ensuring the integration of corporate needs into higher education. In this regard, the role of knowledge management 
 is increasing as a way to implement the educational strategy of a corporate university, which involves achieving the goals of the organization by increasing intellectual capital as a decisive factor in the development of innovative systems.
 The tendency of corporate universities to go beyond the function of continuous learning as an additional component is revealed, in such a way that the function of continuous learning plays an increasingly important role in ensuring the development of organizations and institutions.
 The formation of a theoretical basis for the study of strategies of corporate universities in various countries in the field of knowledge management based on their comparative analysis 
 is becoming in demand.
 An analytical review of the scientific literature confirms the gradual formation of a special conceptual framework for knowledge management research in corporate universities around 
 the world.
 Methodology. The principles of the methodology of comparative analysis were used, qualitative analysis and theoretical generalization were carried out.

РАЗВИТИЕ ИНСТИТУТОВ УСТОЙЧИВОГО РАЗВИТИЯ НА ПРЕДПРИЯТИЯХ АПК НА ОСНОВЕ ESG-КОНЦЕПЦИИ (НА ПРИМЕРЕ РЕСПУБЛИКИ ТАТАРСТАН)

Currently, companies around the world are faced with the task of not only increasing their own efficiency and competitiveness, but also complying with the principles of sustainable development. The relevance of this task is determined by increasing climate change and social problems, which force stakeholders to put forward new demands for environmental responsibility and social commitment of business. The ESG concept is a modern concept of doing business based on the principles of sustainable development. It should be noted that the application of ESG in agribusinesses is particularly specific due to the dual role they play in society and the economy: on the one hand, being large sources of greenhouse gas emissions and consumers of natural resources, on the other hand, ensuring food security and promoting development rural areas. The object of the study is the system of sustainable development of the agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Tatarstan. The purpose of the study is to characterize the potential of the ESG concept for the development of sustainable development institutions in the agricultural sector of the Republic of Tatarstan and to identify the most effective practices for strengthening the integration of ESG principles into the activities of agro-industrial enterprises. Research methods: analysis of scientific literature on the topic of ESG and sustainable development in the agro-industrial complex, statistical analysis, general scientific methods. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the analysis of the possibilities of applying the ESG concept at enterprises of the agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Tatarstan, identifying and systematizing factors that promote or hinder sustainable development in this area.

Burdens on the gateway to the state: Administrative burdens in the registration of people experiencing homelessness in Belgium and the Netherlands

AbstractPopulation registries are the gateway to public services, benefits, and rights. However, despite clear formal rules and procedures, people eligible for registration may still face administrative burdens in obtaining access. In this article, we study the case of the municipal registration of people who experience homelessness in Belgium and the Netherlands—a group that typically suffers from administrative vulnerability. Using data from 61 interviews with social workers and civil servants, we find that burdens are constructed at the municipal level to disincentivize homeless people's access to registration. However, using the Institutional Analysis and Development Framework, we also identify mechanisms in the governance of population registrations and the decentralization of social policies that create incentives for strategic behavior by municipal policy makers and street‐level bureaucrats. By analyzing the interaction between multiple institutional levels, we contribute to understanding how structural mechanisms influence policymakers’ agency in the construction of administrative burdens.

Breakdown and reform: the Chilean road to the creation of ministries of hygiene and social welfare 1892-1931.

Doctors have played an important role in the development of health institutions in Latin America. However, they are not the only profession that has had a voice in these matters. There are also other factors influencing the development of ministries of health. This issue has gone unnoticed in the literature. This article suggests that it is possible to identify two distinct trends in the creation of health ministries in Latin America. The first, of an early nature, was seen principally in Central America and the Caribbean in countries dependent on or under the influence of the United States which, from the 1880s, promoted health Pan-Americanism. The second trend, which became apparent from 1924, was characterised by the emergence of ministries in a context of institutional breakdown and the appearance of new actors (military or populist leaders). This second trend was first seen in Chile in 1924. This article analyses the creation of the Ministerio de Higiene, Asistencia y Previsión Social (Ministry of Hygiene, Assistance and Social Security) in Chile in 1924 and its subsequent development through to 1931. The analysis looks at the health measures adopted, the context in which this occurred and the debates triggered by the ministry's process of institutional development, based on parliamentary discussions, presidential speeches, official statistics, legislation, documents prepared by key actors and the press of the time.

Environmental performance, financial development, systemic risk and economic uncertainty: What are the linkages?

The paper studies the relationships among the composite indicators of environmental performance, financial development, systemic risk and economic uncertainty for a balanced panel of 57 countries during 2010–2020. The analysis builds on panel local projections by Jordá (2005). In addition to the whole panel, this technique also applies to two sub-panels obtained via the K-means clusterization conditional on a set of composite indicators of environmental performance. We underscore a two-way relationship between systemic risk and environmental performance. An increase in systemic risk improves the environmental quality, albeit to the detriment of economic growth and energy consumption, whereas ex ante higher values of the key composite indicators of environmental performance mitigate systemic risk. Financial development adversely affects environmental performance. Contrary to the prevailing view, this effect is mostly related to the development of financial markets compared to the development of financial institutions. Economic uncertainty is found totally unrelated to the composite indicators of environmental performance. The aforementioned key findings generally hold after splitting the whole panel into the two sub-panels. Overall, our results induce policymakers to treat with caution certain policy recommendations aimed at improving environmental quality, since reducing systemic risk, increasing financial development as a whole or shifting towards a market-based financial system do not necessarily help accomplish this goal.

Sinergi Pembangunan Wisata Bahari Berkelanjutan dalam Rangka Mewujudkan Visi Maritim 2024 di Pulau Nusa Penida, Klungkung, Bali

This research explores the synergy of sustainable marine tourism development in realizing the 2024 maritime vision on Nusa Penida Island, Klungkung, Bali, as well as the factors that affect it. The method used is a literature study with qualitative descriptive analysis. The results show that the synergy is achieved through communication and coordination of Indonesia's maritime vision with the implementation of optimization of marine tourism development under the Indonesian Marine Policy Action Plan 2021-2025 and Presidential Regulation Number 34 of 2022. Tourism in Bali has an economic impact on local communities, but its distribution needs to be more evenly distributed. Social, economic, and cultural tourism provides opportunities to utilize local potential with the participation of policy stakeholders. The tourism sector encourages the development of infrastructure and educational institutions, increasing human resources in the field of tourism. Factors influencing the synergy of marine tourism development include Indonesia's maritime history and politics, maritime biological and non-biological resources, socio-cultural factors, and maritime industry and economy. Recommendations include improving the marine ecotourism product program, multi-stakeholder involvement in planning, and the establishment of a special department in the Ministry of Tourism to focus on developing sustainable marine tourism to realize the 2024 maritime vision.

Governing Landscape Simplification in Rapid Commercialization Contexts – the Case of the Dike-Pond System in the Pearl River Delta, China

In the last decades, rapid agricultural commercialization has led to landscape simplification, posing threats to the social and ecological values of agroecosystems worldwide. This paper draws upon the landscape commons concept, advocating for an institutional perspective to comprehensively understand the local governance concerning landscape simplification. We contributed to commons research by expanding the scope into holistic and multifunctional landscape systems, and particularly concentrate on pond landscapes. We select the case of a dike-pond system in the Pearl River Delta, China, to scrutinize the local institutional arrangements and their interplay with landscape simplification. This study utilizes the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework in conjunction with Ostrom’s Design Principles (DPs). Findings from the study reveal that an emphasis on ponds exhibiting comparative profit advantages over dikes and rivers, coupled with a preference for intensive fish production in collective decision-making, has resulted in land cover simplification and erosion of the system’s multifunctionality. To address this issue, we recommend considering multiple biophysical elements and functions in the governance of landscape commons while identifying avenues to reinforce local institutions, in alignment with Ostrom’s DPs.

The Eurasian Economic Union and Multipolar Globalization

The article discusses ways to resolve the contradiction between globalization and national sovereignty in the context of the transition to a multipolar world order. The main features of the emerging multipolar model of globalization are shown. Through the prism of Eurasian integration, the differences between Russia’s partnership with the countries of the West and its partnership with the countries of the Global East and the Global South are analyzed. The special role of the Eurasian Economic Union and Russia in the formation of a just multipolar world is revealed.Aim. To substantiate Russia’s integration policy in the context of its global confrontation with the West. Tasks. To study the role of mega-regulators and regionalization in resolving the contradictions between the global nature of the economy and national sovereignty in the context of the transition to a multipolar world order. Analysis of the development of the EAEU, its bodies and institutions as a factor in resolving the contradiction between the old and new leaders of globalization.Methods. A systematic approach to the study of Eurasian integration in the process of formation and development of multipolar globalization. Many years of practical experience in participating in specific processes of Eurasian integration.Results. The ways of strengthening the economic sovereignty of the EAEU countries based on the institutional development of Eurasian integration and the formation of new mega-regulators within the framework of the SCO and BRICS are shown.Conclusions. Multipolar globalization is irreversible. At the same time, the EAEU, SCO and BRICS are gaining a leading role in this process. The Russian Federation needs to critically review its partnership with Western countries and organizations, taking into account their threefold role in relation to our country: opponents, rivals, partn.

Health sciences students' perspectives on online teaching and learning: Extending the implications beyond the COVID‐19 pandemic

AbstractDigital transformation in education and relevant calls for action are recognised global priorities aimed to support education and training in the digital age. The experiences from the emergency remote teaching during the COVID‐19 pandemic and recent research findings reveal relevant advantages, challenges, as well as different students and teaching staff perspectives which should be carefully considered and integrated into institutional strategies and policies to improve and enrich students’ learning experience. The present study aimed to explore health sciences students' perspectives on online teaching and learning (T&L) in four domains—Satisfaction, Motivation, Interaction and Challenges, and to identify the preferred T&L models or tools. A total of 1,041 responses were collected, including 476 dental medicine (45.7%), 399 pharmacy (38.3%), and 166 medical students (15.9%). Overall Satisfaction was quite high (4.0 ± 1.2; out of 5), followed by satisfactory Interaction (3.4 ± 1.4), whereas Motivation was quite low on average (3.0 ± 1.5). Challenges in online T&L were not markedly expressed (3.0 ± 1.6). The majority of students (46.6%) opted for the blended model as the preferred T&L model. Moodle lessons were perceived as the most useful online T&L tool (45.5% of students), followed by video materials (32.2%). Other T&L tools which require more active student's role, such as short test/quiz, and group or team assignment were declared as less favourable. The findings from the current study may contribute to raising the awareness of academic staff and higher institutions management about the student attitudes and needs related to online T&L and inform institutional planning, decision‐making and policy development.

How to Integrate Strategy and Culture for Transformative Change

Purpose: This paper demonstrates that strategy and culture are important collaborators in the successful design and implementation of transformative change for sustainable corporate transformation and ethical institutional development.
 Materials and Methods: The researcher explores select, classic, contemporary and current scholarly literature on the theory of change. The research reviews theory articulated by Kurt Lewin on change management, systems theory, theory U and complexity in relation to their efficacy in facilitating organization change in global and local contexts. The study draws from ubuntu philosophy and the African business experience to propose a conceptual framework for the integration of strategy and culture to establish transformative change. 
 Findings: The study finds a distinction in the context in which the theory of change is applied at the global and local levels. Business leaders need to use different approaches to change initiatives in the two contexts. The study also shows why culture has the power to frustrate transformative change and the implementation of new strategy. Subsequently, the paper proposes that sensitivities to culture should be built into strategy design in order to mitigate its inertial power during strategy implementation. The study submits that global change theory presumes the stability of the macro-operating environments in which strategy is developed. It also assumes the existence of supportive institutional culture, predictable environmental forces and the availability of well-developed macroeconomic infrastructure to underwrite desirable change initiatives. Conventional models suggest that the only intervening agency to establish change is the design and implementation of a new strategy. However, continental business microenvironments are made up of unstable, diverse, complex and volatile microeconomic disparities and cultural undercurrents that resist the implementation of change. In other words, the outcomes of strategy implementation in microenvironments, do not always mirror the predictive designs of global change theory. The study suggests that while global contexts may also benefit from the proposed model, culture should be integrated into the design and implementation of corporate strategy, in local contexts, to facilitate sustainable change. 
 Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: This paper recommends that; 1) Business and institutional leaders should carefully evaluate the strategic initiatives and development models they adopt and establish whether they indeed have the capacity to create and sustain transformative change within their operating environment, 2) Because proposed change always invites a response from culture, businesses must put in place mitigating measures to ensure that undue cultural inertia does not hinder ethical institutional advance, 3) Business leaders must remain alive to the fact that strategists, however brilliant, are not in control of the environmental forces in the ecosystem they seek to navigate. Hence the need to take pre-emptive measures, design strategic alternatives and employ dynamic approaches to successfully implement strategic plans, 4) Successful strategy implementation depends on the supportive confluence of multiple, complex and dynamic environmental factors beyond the designers of a good strategic plan. Thus, business leaders need to protect good strategy from being disoriented by fluctuating environmental change, 5) The perceived conflict of culture and strategy can be resolved by incorporating the ends of both in the design of crafting transformative change, 6) Ubuntu provides a powerful ethical lens to evaluate the acceptability, suitability and sustainability of strategic business initiatives in the continental business experience.

Analysis of the Development Status of Foreign Insurance Companies in China

Today, China has become the second-largest insurance market in the world. Attracted by China's policies and good prospects for the development of the insurance industry, foreign insurance companies continue to expand their presence in the Chinese market and actively participate in the wave of development and reform of the Chinese insurance industry. This paper reviews the development characteristics and the evolution of regulatory policies of foreign-funded insurance institutions in various stages, analyzes and explores the current difficulties they face and the support they hope to obtain, to provide references for further strengthening international cooperation. The full text is divided into three parts: the process and methods of foreign insurance entering the Chinese market, the difficulties faced by foreign insurance institutions in China, and suggestions to promote the development of foreign insurance institutions in China. China's attitude toward foreign investment has always been inclusive and open, and it hopes that Chinese insurance institutions can learn more experience and innovation from foreign insurance companies, but also hope that foreign insurance companies can contribute to the development of China.

Implication of institutional informality in the historical urban evolution of Morocco: Case studies of Fes and Oujda

This paper is concerned with the role of informality in the spatial and institutional development of post-colonial cities. The study uses a historical institutionalist approach to trace the historical evolution of Morocco's Fes and Oujda as two former French colonies. It analyzes the historical urban growth of both cities through archival research, policy analysis, and complements its findings with semi-structured interviews. This study explores the different interactions between formal policies and the informal spatial and institutional urban practices, and discusses the processes of incremental institutional change that informal institutions introduce and sustain without disrupting the status-quo. This paper argues that in post-colonial contexts, informality prevails over formality as a stronger feedback mechanism to path dependence. Finally, the paper makes the case for the importance of mapping informal practices within and in relation to formal planning institutional structures for more comprehensive understandings of the role and the impact of spatial planning as a practice.

Labour Market Institutions and Features of their Functioning in Georgia

Today unemployment and related socio-economic problems are perceived by the society as particularly painful. Therefore, the issues of the effective functioning of the labor market are particularly prominent. Due to these challenges, the issue of development of institutions is becoming more and more urgent, which is confirmed by the experience of advanced countries of the world. With purpose to study the labor market institutions, this paper uses Douglas North’s division of institutions into formal and informal institutions. The paper considers the institutions as an economic category and discusses the role of the formal and informal institutions in the functioning of the labor market, and the peculiarities of the functioning of labor market institutions in Georgia. As this study confirms, labor market formal and informal institutions are closely connected with other institutions and changes in one area affect other areas. Therefore, economic decisions should take into account the interests of all areas as much as possible. In addition, the state have to give priority to formal institutions in the functioning of the labor market, since the existence of informal institutions in Georgia is characterized by shortcomings and in many cases injustice. The institutional development of the labor market in Georgia is characterized by a number of peculiarities: the connection between institutions of different fields is characterized by instability and does not have a complex approach at the state level; A changing political course changes the agenda and undermines the importance of institutions; Informal institutions of the labor market are mostly characterized by shortcomings, which are widespread among the population of Georgia and have deep historical roots. Keywords: labor market institutions; institutional development; institutional framework; government agencies; Social psychology.

From Stage to Screen: The Digital Mediatization of Ballet

While contributing to mediatization theory by extending the scope of study, this research explores the interrelationship between digital media and ballet. Upon defining ballet as a sociocultural field, it attempts to describe how digital media influences ballet and assess: 1) how and why ballet dancers of varying degrees of involvement use different types of digital media when engaging with their activity; 2) how ballet dancers understand digital media’s influence on the development of ballet; and 3) the attitudes toward such influence that ballet dancers hold. The study first offers an outline of the history of ballet and its longstanding relationship with the media. It then provides a brief overview of mediatization and, considering the complexity of the contemporary digital media environment, isolates the influence of digital mediatization. The results suggest that digital mediatization has significantly influenced the development of ballet, affecting technical, professional, and social institutions and processes.