Evolution Of Institutions Research Articles

The Microfinance Institution in Cameroon: Historical Perspectives

Using the sociological approach to critical analysis, my paper examines the evolution of the microfinance institution in Cameroon from a historical perspective. It argues that due to a number of significant changes on the national and international scene, the institution has undergone a number of palpable changes to become what it is obvious today. I aim at showing how these varied changes on the socioeconomic landscape have been informing templates of the banking sector and, by extension, the microfinance sector in the country today.

The legality of roads in Chile, 1842–1969: A historical overview

Currently, no academic work examines the history of the legality of roads in Chile during its independent existence as a sovereign country. Addressing this gap in the literature, this paper focuses specially on the period from 1842 to 1969, when different actors articulated a set of guiding ideas about the duties of the state and the legal powers of the administrative authority in terms of planning, construction and management of road infrastructure that would allow connectivity between population centers and across regions, according to the ideas and resources available at their historical time. This historical overview of Chilean “road law” is done in the light of insights and questions of contemporary intellectual history and institutional history. In this regard, it is argued that the evolution of road infrastructure norms and institutions during the period under study can be divided into three historical regimes, based on their fundamental legislative milestones, guiding ideas, institutional settings, and strategies of state action: from 1842 to 1887, a period of a decentralized “minimal road state” with precarious roads characterized by both material and juridical uncertainty; from 1887 to 1920, the emergence of a “proto-developmentalist road state” intent on strengthening its grip on the nationwide road infrastructure; and from 1920 to 1969, a period of a “techno-developmentalist road state” that created a nationwide paved road network for the new technology of mobile vehicles.

The Role of Heads of Departments (HODs) in University Management: Leadership and Accountability in Academic Success

The important role that heads of departments (HODs) play in university administration is examined in this article, with particular attention paid to their responsibility and leadership duties in promoting academic achievement. HODs now have a major role in determining the operational results and strategic direction of their departments as well as the evolution of academic institutions and the conventional administrative roles that they once held. Successful HODs strike a balance between administrative and academic responsibilities, fostering a climate that supports academic performance via transformative and collaborative leadership approaches. But along with this leadership comes a big accountability burden: HODs must make sure that faculty performance, research, and teaching meet high standards. The tactics that HODs may use to improve their leadership skills and maintain accountability are discussed in this article. These tactics include professional development, delegating, and fostering a transparent culture. The article also discusses the difficulties HODs encounter, including those related to institutional politics and resource limitations, which can make it difficult for them to carry out their duties in an efficient manner. This article provides a thorough understanding of the function of HODs in university administration and their vital role in ensuring the academic success of their institutions through a combination of theoretical ideas and real-world experiences.

Historical development of political structures in the context of the modern russian-ukrainian war: key vectors

Introduction: The study aims to analyze the evolution of political institutions in Ukraine. Hence, the main objective is to analyze the evolution of political institutions in Ukraine within the framework of the modern Russian-Ukrainian war, with an emphasis on the main vectors of change and their impact on the country's political system. Methods: The research employed content analysis, thematic analysis, and coding to systematically examine relevant scientific literature and other sources on the topic. These methods were applied to identify and categorize Ukraine's political structures' main themes and transformations.Results: The results determined that the most significant changes in the system of development of political structures took place after the Revolution of Dignity and the beginning of the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014, which necessitated systemic changes in the political organization of Ukraine. It was also established that Russian aggression influenced active transformations in the political structures of Ukraine, in particular, the modernization of the state apparatus, the growing role of civil society, active international support, decentralization of power, and strengthening of national identity. Conclusions: The conclusions also emphasize that there are challenges related to the crisis of confidence in parliamentarism and the party system. However, the study recognized that the transformations that took place as a result of Russian aggression created new opportunities for the development of the state body and political structures of Ukraine

Structural and Functional Consolidation Processes of Local Government Units in Norway and Croatia. A Comparative Study

The aim of the article is to synthesise the process of the introduction of the reform of the basic territorial division of the state in Norway between 2016 and 2020, creating a new structure of municipal and regional self-government with a simultaneous change in some of the tasks carried out at both levels of municipal and provincial (regional) self-government. We comparatively analyse the process of development of territorial selfgovernment in Croatia, with a particular focus on changes in the attitude of academia and politics towards the consolidation of local self-government units. The analysis is based on the assumptions and categories of neo-institutional methodology. The main thesis of the paper emphasises the importance of the process of structural and functional consolidation of local government units carried out in order to optimise the delivery of public services, enhance the well-being of local communities and exploit economies of scale. The essence and evolution of local self-government institutions in Norway and Croatia and their political and theoretical conditions will also be the subject of synthesis in the paper.

Сказкотерапия как поле междисциплинарного взаимодействия исследователей (по итогам состоявшейся в Российской государственной библиотеке дискуссии)

<p>On June 26, 2024, as part of the program of the XIII International Summer School “Evolution of Institutions for Self-Organization and Charity”, the Russian State Library for Young Adults held a discussion on "How to Form Positive Attitudes towards Philanthropy and Mutual Assistance?", which was attended by civil society researchers from Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Belarus, Romania and the United Arab Emirates. The lively discussion focused on the methodology for using fairy tale therapy as a specific area of practical psychology to solve many social and cultural problems. In particular, the following question was highlighted: How fairy tales help develop social empathy, promote philanthropy in society and promote unity among people, and form attitudes towards charity and mutual assistance.</p>

Political institutions and output collapses

This paper examines whether major output collapses are more likely under autocracy. Using data on 123 developing countries over 1971–2016, we model the joint evolution of output growth and political institutions as a finite state Markov chain with a two-dimensional state space. We study how countries move between states. We find that growth is more likely to be sustained under democracy than under autocracy; output collapses are more likely to deepen under autocracy; and stagnation under autocracy can give way to outright collapse. Democratic countries appear to be more resilient.

123 Years of Jamiat Kheir: Service to Education Synergy for Reinvention of Excellence

This article explores the 123-year journey of Jamiat Kheir, the oldest Islamic educational institution in Indonesia, in the context of service for education and synergy for reinvention of excellence. Through historical document analysis, in-depth interviews, and participant observation, this study reveals Jamiat Kheir's contribution in shaping the landscape of Islamic education in Indonesia and its strategies for maintaining its relevance in the modern era. The findings show that Jamiat Kheir's success is based on four key strategies: (1) implementing the concept of service in the curriculum, emphasizing the value of service and community service; (2) adapting the curriculum that integrates traditional religious education with modern science; (3) developing innovative programs that respond to contemporary needs; and (4) building synergy with various institutions. This study contributes to the understanding of the evolution and sustainability of Islamic educational institutions in Indonesia, highlighting the importance of reinvention and synergy in facing the challenges of modernization and globalization. The implications of this study can be a model for other Islamic educational institutions in maintaining relevance amidst rapid social and technological changes.

Alternative-academic careers of LIS in China: Trends, challenges, and opportunities

This study investigates the state of alternative-academic careers (alt-ac) in Library and Information Science (LIS) within China, based on the transformation of the LIS academic market over a 5-year span (2018–2022). The study employs a unique dataset of job postings collected through first-hand field investigations and meticulous manual preprocessing. A comprehensive analysis of the dataset was conducted using a combination of the BERT-BiLSTM-CRF model for named entity recognition, social network analysis for examining interdisciplinary interactions, and descriptive statistics for characterizing the distribution and trends of alt-ac positions. The results reveal that alt-ac positions account for 48.3% of the total demand in the field, distributed across nine categories: academic research institutions, government departments, military organizations, public libraries, and others. Each category exhibits unique developmental patterns. Over 20 distinct alt-ac roles were identified, such as data librarians, competitive intelligence specialists, transformative OA agreement negotiators, and scholarly communication experts, highlighting the ongoing emergence of new positions in response to institutional evolution. Descriptive statistics showed that the demand for alt-ac positions was notably concentrated in economically advanced regions, with the East China region accounting for 32.58% of the total positions, surpassing the proportions in North China (26.22%) and South China (13.86%). Social network analysis revealed substantial interdisciplinary interactions between LIS and other areas, such as computer science and public administration, suggesting potential opportunities for collaboration and competition. The findings emphasize the growing significance of alt-ac in China’s LIS field and provide insights into the dynamic landscape of the academic job market, offering implications for LIS education and workforce development strategies.

THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT OF A DEMOCRATIC STATE ON THE BACKGROUND OF CRISIS POLITICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL DESIGN

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of the form of government as a structural basis for the exercise of power, formed within the framework of constitutional law, under the condition of representation of the main socio-economic groups of society. The purpose of the study is to establish the peculiarities of the form of state government as a factor in the formation of democratic institutional design. Features of the form of government as a factor of institutionalization of relations between authorized centers of power are characterized. It was emphasized that the modernization of the form of government in the political agenda may indicate a lack of deep consensus regarding the development of the political system. The significance of changes for institutional design within the evolution of the form of state government, which depends on the level of satisfaction of the requirements and needs of key political players, is analyzed. The significance of the political experience of Ukraine, which during the last decades has shown that political expediency is a more significant principle than considerations of preserving constitutional stability, is revealed. It was found that the existence of the current form of government in Ukraine is the result of the evolution of certain institutions, first of all, the institution of the presidency. In the context of the experience of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the assessment of the crisis phenomena of 2008 and 2010 becomes important, in particular the pressure of the demands of socio-economic balancing, which caused the “internal national reading” of the functioning of the form of government. It is revealed that the use of the existing potential of the form of government to ensure advantages in political competition led to the authoritarianization of the institution of the prime minister in modern Hungary. It has been proven that the international community’s fixation on the deterioration of the state of human rights protection has become a clear evidence of the influence of the form of government on inter-institutional interactions, in particular, in increasing the pressure of public authorities on civil society. It was established that the contradictions between high standards and the demands of the consumer society caused the support of right-wing conservative populist political forces. It was found that the situation in modern Slovakia shows that the parliamentary republic as a form of government also ensured the transition to democracy and the observance of democratic procedures. It was established that the trends of “non-normative” use of the power potential of the form of state government may indicate the search for a national model of balance between branches of government and key officials. It was concluded that a high level of self-regulation in the political system corresponds to a high level of civil political activity, responsibility and consensus of political elites, professionalism of the political class as a whole.

Critical junctures, labour unions, and social dialogue in Tunisia and Lebanon: Implications for the social contract

ABSTRACT This paper examines the evolution of social dialogue institutions in Lebanon and Tunisia between 2010 and 2017. Both countries faced critical junctures, but their institutions pursued divergent courses. The national social dialogue institution was revamped in Tunisia to increase participation in policymaking, whereas it was reinstated in Lebanon without addressing its institutional flaws. By building on these developments, this paper makes two theoretical contributions. First, it argues that the nature of political interference in organized labour prior to the critical juncture influences its subsequent role. Labour neutralization in Lebanon was founded on sectarian politics that co-opted national leadership and bound rank-and-file to sectarian clientelism. Labour pacification in Tunisia harmed executives, whereas local unionists remained independent. After the critical juncture, Tunisian organized labour revitalized itself, aided by rank-and-file autonomy. It then made a strategic choice to reconsolidate the tripartite system with enhanced involvement of the traditional labour and capital organizations in policymaking. Lebanese organized labour was unchallenged by its rank-and-file. It maintained ties with political elites. Second, these paths illustrate the differences between social contracts. Participation in policy elaboration is among the deliverables exchanged between political elites and social actors in Tunisia but not in Lebanon.

Navigating Faith and Politics: The Evolution of Islamic Education and NGOs in the Balkans

This study employs a multi-dimensional approach to analyze the impact of Islamic education on the Balkans’ religious, educational, and socio-political landscapes. Using descriptive, historical, and analytical methods, it examines the evolution and influence of Islamic educational institutions under Ottoman rule and their continued development through the 20th and early 21st centuries. The research evaluates the curricula, teaching methods, and societal roles of these institutions, exploring their contribution to Islamic knowledge dissemination and community building. Further, it investigates the complex interactions between these institutions, Middle Eastern NGOs, state power, and societal changes, aiming to provide a nuanced understanding of their legacy and relevance today. This study addresses the critical role of these institutions and NGOs in shaping Islamic religious education and their broader implications for the Muslim communities in the Balkans.

A Clinical Construct: Research, Experimentation, and Education at the Johns Hopkins Hospital

Background: The Johns Hopkins Hospital, the first U.S. institution to integrate medical education with practice, has served as a critical case study in understanding the evolution of American medical institutions in response to advancements in medical science, education, and technology. However, the role of architecture and design in informing those institutional practices has not been sufficiently explored. Aim: This study examines the intricate interplay between architecture and medicine in the late nineteenth century through a historical analysis of the design, construction, and early operation of the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, focusing on how this interdisciplinary relationship shaped both the hospital’s physical environment and institutional practices. Methods: This paper utilizes historical analysis to investigate the design, construction, and operations of the Johns Hopkins Hospital. By examining primary archival materials, it details how architectural strategies addressed scientific, technological, and educational advancements. Results: The investigation reveals that the hospital’s architecture not only facilitated medical research, experimentation, and education but also embodied a novel blend of scientific inquiry and architectural design. Conclusions: The Johns Hopkins Hospital exemplifies the transformative potential of integrating architectural design with medical science. This case study underscores the enduring significance of interdisciplinary collaboration, offering insights into contemporary practices and the future of hospital design and medical education and practice in academic communities.

Independent Fiscal Institutions as a Part of European Traditions

Fiscal councils are independent public institutions aiming to promote the sustainability of public finances through various functions, such as assessing budgetary plans and their implementation or preparing budgetary and macroeconomic forecasts. Thus, synthesising the attempts made in the literature to define the concept of independent fiscal institutions, it should be emphasised that by providing an independent, impartial and objective assessment of fiscal policy and performance, they promote sound fiscal decisions and sustainable public finances. Independent fiscal institutions also reduce information asymmetries and promote transparency in public finances, thereby raising the reputation and electoral costs for governments that pursue imprudent policies or breach key commitments. As such, they can support contemporary states in addressing the tendency to increase spending and deficits. To better understand the contemporary factual and normative state of the analysed dissertation topic, it is worth tracing, even in some summary, the process of emergence and the directions of development and evolution of independent fiscal institutions. Although independent fiscal institutions are relatively new bodies in the political architecture of the vast majority of the EU Member States, a small group of countries pioneered the creation of these institutions. It is necessary to trace the systemic solutions that have determined the legal and constitutional status of fiscal institutions in recent decades in order to understand the factors that have led to their reassessment.

Canadian Senate Reform: Lessons from Its First Decade, 1867–78

During the 19th century and through the 20th century, the role of the parliamentary upper house (especially, but not exclusively, within the Westminster system of government) changed in subtle, yet dramatic, ways. Among those changes was increasing deference to elected lower houses of parliament, a reduction in partisanship in its actions and legislative goals, the development and pursuit of greater specialization of interest and function, appeals to the public interest beyond the electoral mandate, and greater practical attention to technical overview and improvement of legislation and policy, especially through the engagement of the committee process. This article argues that the role of the current Senate of Canada is a result of that historical transformation and was evident as early as the first decade of its existence (consistent with an institutional evolution that continues through the 21st century) and should be strongly considered in relation to current and future proposals for its reform.

Perceived Impact of Lecturers’ Digital Literacy Skills in Higher Education Institutions

This research investigates the impact of lecturers’ digital literacy skills on higher education institutions. It explores how technology integration influences teaching, learning, and research while proposing strategies to enhance educational outcomes. The central issue is how lecturers’ digital literacy skills directly affect higher education institutions’ teaching, learning, research, and overall educational experience. Many lecturers need to improve using technology tools, resources, and platforms, which can hinder tertiary institutions’ educational experience and academic outcomes. Employing a mixed-method approach and utilizing t-test analysis and two-way ANOVA, this study aligns with the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, emphasizing the integration of technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge for effective technology use in education. The research highlights the importance of equipping lecturers with robust digital literacy skills, enabling them to integrate technology effectively into higher education. It underscores the significance of digital literacy in reshaping the educational landscape. This study contributes to advancing knowledge, information practices, and the sustainable evolution of higher education institutions in the digital age. The findings also have practical implications for tailored professional development and curriculum design. It is important to note that this study acknowledges limitations related to sample size and qualitative focus. Future longitudinal studies can enhance our understanding of the evolving landscape of digital literacy in higher education.

Institutional Evolution of Public Procurement: Russian and Global Experience

Institutional Evolution of Public Procurement: Russian and Global Experience

Formation and development of the militia: historical and legal analysis

The historical aspects of the formation and development of militia in Ukraine are studied, with special attention paid to its role during the revolutionary events and the civil war. The state of law and order in the Ukrainian lands in the late 19th – early 20th centuries, key legal aspects of the formation and initial stage of the militia functioning are analysed, and a scientific assessment of its activities in the context of complex revolutionary challenges is provided. The creation and development of the Soviet militia was a complex and ambiguous process, so the challenges faced by the newly formed militia during the revolutionary period are analysed. The historical factors that contributed to the creation and development of the militia, its transformation over time, and the formation of the modern police are studied. Historical experience shows that the establishment of the Soviet militia depended on many factors, namely: the gradual formation of tasks, powers and functions of the militia, the definition of the regulatory framework for its activities, the organisation of the system of administrative apparatus, coordination of efforts at the local and central levels, the resolution of personnel issues, etc. The necessity of studying the historical processes of formation of the modern police, its institutional origins in the context of the State development is emphasised, and the crucial role of the police in maintaining the rule of law, public order and security of citizens of modern Ukraine is noted. The study of historical factual material contributes to a better understanding of the evolution, nature and role of state institutions designed to protect Ukraine's sovereignty and solve other tasks in the field of national security and law enforcement in response to the needs of society, offering ideas for future effective strategies based on historical experience and current challenges.

The Role of Majlis Taklim in Medan City: Institutional Growth, Religious Education, and Social Transformation

This study examines the historical and social development of Majlis Taklim in Medan City, focusing on its institutional evolution, the expansion of religious education, and its significant role in community empowerment. Using a qualitative methodology with a historical and social science approach, the research reveals how Majlis Taklim has grown from informal gatherings into structured institutions that not only provide religious education but also serve as centers for social and humanitarian activities. The findings highlight three key aspects: the social and political factors behind the establishment of Majlis Taklim, its formal institutional development, and the diversification of activities to include technology, social media, and targeted programs for different segments of society. Additionally, Majlis Taklim’s collaboration with governmental and religious organizations has strengthened its role in promoting Islamic values while addressing contemporary social issues. The study also identifies challenges such as limited resources, leadership issues, and the need for modernization to maintain relevance. The research concludes that Majlis Taklim plays a crucial role in shaping religious understanding, fostering social cohesion, and contributing to the social welfare of Medan’s Muslim community.

Improving teacher performance: Evolution and enlightenment of primary and middle school teacher certification institution in China (1978–2023)

Improving teacher performance: Evolution and enlightenment of primary and middle school teacher certification institution in China (1978–2023)