Fair Benefits Research Articles

Measuring Vertical Integration in the Technology Sector: Indonesia, the US, and the EU in Unfair Competition

On several occasions, Indonesian competition authorities have attempted to apply Article 14 to adjudicate violations related to vertical integration practices; however, these attempts were invalidated at the objection and cassation levels. The criteria utilized include the concepts of unfair business competition and public harm, as these terms are instrumental in determining the impacts of violations concerning vertical integration. This research aims to examine the legal approaches employed by Indonesian competition authorities in addressing vertical integration, with a particular focus on the technology sector. The findings indicate that the criteria for assessing whether vertical integration constitutes a violation of unfair business competition vary among Indonesia, the United States, and the European Union. In Indonesia, the emphasis is on preventing the exclusion of access to essential raw materials or significant buyers, utilizing the Rule of Reason approach. In contrast, the U.S. evaluates public detriment by balancing fairness and competitive benefits, whereas the EU focuses on market dominance and its potential to reduce competition. Despite these variations, all three jurisdictions share a common objective of enhancing consumer welfare and promoting competitive market conditions, with specific regard to differing regulations on online sales restrictions.

School Climate, Incentives and Feedback Mechanism in Chinese Universities

This study aims to explore the school climate, incentives and feedback mechanisms in Chinese universities and their effects on teachers and students. This paper analyzes how a good school climate, effective incentives and sound feedback mechanisms can enhance teachers’ career satisfaction, professional growth. A total of 400 valid questionnaires were collected for this study, and descriptive analysis, analysis of variance, and regression analysis were conducted using SPSS 26.0. The majority of teachers in Chinese universities are women and are sensitive to remuneration and benefits. The findings revealed a positive relationship between school climate, incentive mechanism and feedback mechanism in Chinese universities. This means that the better the school climate in university, the better incentive mechanism and the better feedback mechanism. The findings suggest that a campus culture of trust and cooperation, a transparent and fair compensation and benefits system, personalized career development planning, and a timely and constructive feedback mechanism are key factors in enhancing the quality of education. Based on this, this paper proposes a series of specific strategies to optimize the university’s school climate, motivation, and feedback mechanisms, including strengthening culture, providing career development opportunities, establishing sound assessment and feedback mechanisms, applying advanced educational technologies, and creating a positive career development environment for teachers and retaining more teachers in universities.

PERJANJIAN KERJASAMA PADA PERUSAHAAN DAERAH AIR MINUM KOTA KENDARI

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are an increasingly popular strategy in the provision of public services, such as clean water, infrastructure, and health. This article aims to analyze the factors that influence the success of such partnerships and their social and economic impacts on communities. This research method combines normative and empirical approaches to determine the cooperation agreement of the Regional Drinking Water Company (PDAM) in Kendari City. The results of the study show that in this context, political commitment, transparency, selection of the right partner, and continuous evaluation are considered key factors. In addition, the positive impacts of PPPs include increased access and quality of services, while the challenges faced such as inequality in access to services require special attention. Therefore, wise management is needed to ensure that this partnership provides fair benefits to all levels of society.

Skill-Biased Technical Change, Again? Online Gig Platforms and Local Employment

This study explores the impact of online gig platforms like TaskRabbit on the employment of incumbent service workers, focusing on the housekeeping sector. It highlights how TaskRabbit’s entry correlates with a decrease in middle-skilled roles such as supervisors due to automation, whereas low-skilled jobs like janitors remain stable because of their manual nature. Notably, many middle-skilled workers transition to self-employment within the sector instead of facing layoffs. Amidst competing narratives about the gig economy’s influence on labor markets, this research offers critical insights into how gig platforms redistribute the workforce and create new employment opportunities, suggesting significant implications for policymakers and practitioners. Policymakers should recognize the shift from traditional roles to self-employment facilitated by these platforms, which enhances local entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, it is crucial for them to ensure fair working conditions, wages, and benefits. Practitioners can see that gig platforms not only improve operational efficiency but also enable middle-skilled workers to launch their own businesses, indicating a potential strategy for new platforms looking to increase their service offerings and client base. Traditional companies, in response, need to adapt their job designs, incentive structures, and company culture to align with the changing needs for flexibility and autonomy in the gig economy.

Cooperative energy and reserve trading strategies for multiple integrated energy systems based on asymmetric nash bargaining theory

To tackle the issues of cooperative energy and reserve trading as well as fair cooperative benefit allocation among multiple integrated energy systems (IESs), this paper proposes a two-stage cooperative energy and reserve trading model for multiple integrated energy systems (MIESs). Specifically, at day-ahead stage, MIESs aim to maximize their overall profit through cooperative electricity and heat trading. At real-time stage, MIESs trade demand response (DR) reserve to minimize the overall wind power deviation compensation cost. To reduce the complexity in model solution, we transform the model into two sub-problems. In sub-problem 1, we determine the energy and DR reserve trading volumes. Here, distributionally robust optimization (DRO) is utilized to manage the severe uncertainties in wind power distribution. In sub-problem 2, based on the outcomes from sub-problem 1, we settle the energy and DR reserve trading prices. To ensure the fairness of benefit allocation, asymmetric Nash bargaining theory is applied to assess each IES's contributions in trading volumes and profit growth. Interval adaptive alternating direction method of multipliers (IA-ADMM) is used to preserve each IES's privacy. Finally, simulation results demonstrate that, compared with independent operation, cooperative trading among MIESs increases profits for all IESs, thereby motivating their participation in cooperative trading.

Optimization model for distributed energy trading based on a market value allocation mechanism in the electricity spot market

This study proposes a novel distributed energy trading market model with a value distribution mechanism to optimize the allocation and transactions of distributed energy resources (DERs). The framework incorporates a direct load management approach via an electricity aggregator agent, simplifying market processes and reducing transaction costs. A Nash bargaining model is employed to design a fair and efficient value distribution mechanism, promoting equitable benefit allocation among participants. The model integrates stochastic programming to account for uncertainties in real-time load and DER output, enhancing its robustness and applicability in real-world scenarios. The proposed mechanism quantifies each DER’s contribution using a market value contribution rate, serving as a foundation for the Nash bargaining model. This approach ensures individual rationality for both the aggregator and DERs while maximizing overall system benefits. Case studies validate the model’s effectiveness, demonstrating improvements in resource utilization and fair benefit allocation. This research contributes to the advancement of distributed energy markets, offering valuable insights for designing efficient and equitable market structures, ultimately promoting grid stability, renewable energy adoption, and the development of more sustainable and flexible energy systems.

Legal and economic perspectives on fair and equitable benefit sharing in the Nagoya Protocol.

Adopted in 2010 as a supplementary agreement to the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity, the Nagoya Protocol (NP) mandates the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources provided by Indigenous peoples. Member states must newly enact or amend domestic laws to align with the NP. Consequently, many countries are currently implementing legislative, administrative, and policy measures to ensure fair benefit sharing from the use of Indigenous genetic resources. We examined the inclusion of intellectual property (IP) protection in the sharing of benefits from research and development that utilizes Indigenous genetic resources. The NP does not specify guidelines for IP-related benefit sharing, leaving each member state to establish its own rules. We used an economics-based approach to explore the optimal scope and duration of IP protection for maximizing stakeholder interests, including those of Indigenous peoples, at the national level. The optimal duration of IP protection was when the marginal social cost and benefit of IP protection were equal. When this point occurred varied depending on various factors, such as the type of genetic resources in the country, existence of alternatives, number of users, and competing actors. The optimal scope of IP protection was when the social benefit of investment in fundamental research equaled the social benefit of application development. Likewise, this point of implementation also varied based on various factors, such as the type, uniqueness, potential for further discovery, and diversity of providers in the country.

The analytical hierarchical process (AHP) approach to study the tourist choice behavior in rural southern India: Promoting responsible tourism practices

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the prioritization of the services marketing mix and compare the outcomes between first-time and repeat visitors in selecting a rural destination. Six rural tourism destinations were selected from four different southern states of India. Approximately 512 respondents consisting of 292 first-time visitors and 220 multiple-time visitors participated in a questionnaire survey carried out from May 2023 to October 2023. Multicriteria method, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is applied to examine the prioritisation of services marketing mix components and ranking is done concerning the reason behind choosing a particular rural destination. The present study reveals that many new visitors favor rural tourist locations due to their affordability and variety of experiences. In addition, repeat visitors also choose rural areas based on the native resident’s attitude, customer service, cultural orientation, training, language proficiency, information and communication processes and facilities and services. Efficient marketing is important for promoting tourism in rural destinations and increase the arrival of tourists . The article also proposes the adoption of responsible tourism practices, which are essential for protecting cultural assets and ensuring that local populations get fair and equal benefits from tourism. The research also provides significant insights to destination management firms on the formulation of services marketing mix strategies, policy choices, and initiatives aimed at expanding rural tourism in India.

The Constitutionality of Special Mining Business Permit (IUPK) Application to Community Organisations in Indonesia

The management of natural resources, including minerals and coal, is governed by the principle that these resources are controlled by the state and used as much as possible for the prosperity of the people, the constitutionality of Article 33 Section (3) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia (1945 Constitution). This principle places the state as the main manager responsible for fair and sustainable exploitation. A Special Mining Business Permit (IUPK) is a license that allows certain parties to manage mining in a certain area, regulated in Law Section 4 of 2009 and its derivative regulations. The decision of Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) to be involved in mining has significant economic, social, and environmental implications. Its economy can increase organizational income, create jobs, and support social programs; its social strengthens the role of the organization in positive change by promoting fair work standards; However, environmental challenges require strict standards to prevent damage. The granting of mining permits is regulated in Government Regulation (PP) No. 25 of 2024, which aims to provide financial independence for religious organizations. However, strict monitoring is needed to mitigate negative impacts such as pollution, social change, and health impacts. From a constitutional perspective, licensing must adhere to the principles of social justice, transparency, and environmental protection to ensure fair and sustainable benefits for society.

Principles for equitable and resilient tropical peatland restoration in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Indonesia's tropical peatlands are crucial global carbon stores but have been heavily degraded in recent decades. We present seven principles for equitable and resilient tropical peatland restoration in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, host to 19% of Indonesia's tropical peatland area, where local livelihoods, cultural practices, and indigenous social relations remain closely connected. Our collaborative methods employed a Delphi survey and focus group discussions with researchers from various disciplines to develop a shared vision for restoration. This vision served as a boundary object during interviews with diverse stakeholders involved in peatland restoration in Central Kalimantan, allowing for refinement and adaptation of the vision and the development of principles to achieve it. The principles emphasize inclusive and collaborative decision‐making, planning, and implementation; site‐specific approaches adapted to local social and ecological conditions; and ensuring the informed consent of and fair benefit distribution to all local social groups. They also emphasize a holistic, integrated, and long‐term approach to restoration that considers multiple aspects, including hydrological function, vegetation regeneration, fire prevention, locally appropriate livelihood benefits, inclusive governance, and adaptive management practices. These principles serve as a starting point for resilience‐oriented social‐ecological restoration practice and policy formulation, aiming to facilitate equitable, effective, and resilient tropical peatland restoration outcomes.

Customer Care-Specific Attributes and The Performance of Quoted Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

This study assesses the relationship between customer care-specific attributes and the customer growth of quoted deposit money banks in Nigeria. In this study, a cross-sectional survey, which is a quasi-experimental method, was employed. This study encompasses the entire Survey Respondents of 105 sample staffs and their bank customers of the 14 quoted money deposit banks in Nigeria, serving as the accessible population for the study. Data Collection Method was the Primary Data Collection designed questionnaire. The Likert scale, consisting of response options such as Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree, was employed. The study used Spearman's rho correlation to observe the statistical significance at 1% level. The result showed that p-values for all correlations are highly significant (p < 0.01), suggesting strong evidence that these relationships are meaningful. This provides confidence in the model's fitness in terms of statistical significance in the given results, with the highest being between customer growth and the number of financial products (0.494), indicating a moderate positive relationship. The coefficients show the strength of the relationships, with high values indicating stronger associations. The model's relationships are robust and not due to random chance, indicating good fitness. It was recommended that banks should ensure that customer service personnel are accessible, responsive, and effective by investing in convenient customer service channels. They should regularly provide training and development opportunities for bank customer service personnel to ensure that they can handle customer inquiries and issues effectively. They should recognize and reward the efforts of bank customer service personnel with fair and competitive salaries and benefits to motivate and retain top talent. They should also diversify the range of financial products offered by banks to meet varying customer needs and attract a broader customer base.

Maximizing Efficiency in University Human Resources Management for Lecturers

In today's dynamic academic landscape, effective human resource (HR) management is essential for the successful operation of universities. This paper explores the critical role of HR practices in shaping the academic environment and institutional culture, focusing on recruitment, development, retention strategies, and performance management of lecturers. Recruitment strategies are crucial for attracting qualified candidates who align with institutional goals. Development and training programs ensure lecturers remain innovative and productive, with a focus on pedagogy, research, leadership, and mentorship. Retention strategies, including fair compensation and benefits, foster a supportive work environment and promote job satisfaction. Performance management systems, emphasizing goal-setting and professional development, enhance lecturer effectiveness and contribute to overall academic achievements. In conclusion, effective HR planning is vital for universities' prosperity and survival, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement. By investing in their lecturers, universities can fulfill their fundamental mandate of knowledge dissemination and societal contributions.

Why does community ownership foster greater acceptance of renewable projects? Investigating energy justice explanations

ABSTRACT The fact that community ownership increases the social acceptability of renewable energy projects is well established, but there is a lack of empirical evidence to explain why this is the case. This study examines whether energy justice factors (fair involvement, fair distribution of benefits and perceived impacts from wind turbines) can help explain this relationship, whether these factors are interrelated, and whether different ownership structures (community, shared or private ownership) change these associations. Using a postal survey of residents in Scotland (n = 320), the study employs a novel method, Multigroup-Structural Equation Modelling, to investigate these questions. This modelling reveals that acceptance of these projects was influenced by factors of energy justice (i.e. fair involvement, fair benefits and perceived impacts), but the influence from each factor depended on the ownership structure. Specifically, those near the community-owned project prioritised involvement, those near the privately-owned valued fair benefits, and those near the shared ownership prioritised both. By examining the relationships amongst energy justice factors, the real-life complexity of people’s responses to wind energy projects is revealed, whereby factors can have knock-on effects. Importantly, this study finds that the community and shared ownership projects fostered greater community acceptance than the privately-owned because they had more instances where fair involvement influenced other factors, which led to greater overall acceptance. Although community involvement may seem time-consuming, a more inclusive approach can prevent long-term issues caused by local opposition. Policy Highlights Community ownership of renewable energy projects leads to greater acceptance by local residents, as long as the projects meet their expectations. Energy justice plays a crucial role in acceptance of onshore wind energy projects, but residents prioritise different aspects depending on ownership. Policymakers and developers should take into account the preferences and concerns of local residents when designing renewable projects, especially in terms of fair involvement and fair distribution of benefits. Better support for communities and developers is essential if the Scottish Government want shared ownership offered on all new projects.

Capacity and operation joint optimization for integrated energy system based on Nash bargaining game

Integrated energy systems (IESs) can uniformly coordinate different locations and diversified forms of energy systems, which is critical for ensuring low-carbon and sustainable energy usage. This paper proposed a capacity and operation joint optimization method for an IES with multiple interconnected energy hubs (EHs) based on the Nash bargaining game. Firstly, considering the uncertainty of the EH, robust optimization was carried out for both long-term capacity planning and short-term operational strategies at the same stage. Furthermore, the optimization of the single EH is embedded in the cooperative framework of the IES, and it is formulated as an asymmetrical Nash bargaining game model, in which the players bargain over the transaction energy. Finally, this game model is solved by the alternating direction method of multipliers algorithm. Case studies with a typical IES including three EHs are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods. It was found that the proposed joint optimization method has better computational ability than traditional two-stage method. The asymmetrical bargaining solution can not only effectively reduce the cost of the IES, but also help achieve a fair benefit balance among EHs.

Energy asset stranding in resource-rich developing countries and the just transition - A framework to push research frontiers

Climate policy will inevitably lead to the stranding of fossil energy assets such as production and transport assets for coal, oil, and natural gas. Resource-rich developing countries are particularly affected, as they have a higher risk of asset stranding due to strong fossil dependencies and wider societal consequences beyond revenue disruption. However, there is only little academic and political awareness of the challenge to manage the asset stranding in these countries, as research on transition risk like asset stranding is still in its infancy. We provide a research framework to identify wider societal consequences of fossil asset stranding. We apply it to a case study of Nigeria. Analyzing different policy measures, we argue that compensation payments come with implementation challenges. Instead of one policy alone to address asset stranding, a problem-oriented mix of policies is needed. Renewable hydrogen and just energy transition partnerships can be a contribution to economic development and SDGs. However, they can only unfold their potential if fair benefit sharing and an improvement to the typical institutional problems in resource-rich countries, such as the lack of rule of law, are achieved. We conclude with presenting a future research agenda for the global community and academia.

Investigating the Gender Mainstreaming Policies on the Political Sector in West Sumatra, Indonesia: An Analytical Approach

Gender Mainstreaming (PUG) is a government strategy to ensure that men and women gain access, participation, control, and fair benefits in development, including in the political field. Although the Gender Mainstreaming (PUG) policy has long been echoed in West Sumatra, the Gender Development Index (IPG) in the political sector in West Sumatra Province is still below the provincial and national averages. This study will describe how the implementation of Gender Mainstreaming (PUG) policies in development, especially in the political field in West Sumatra Province, uses four variables of public policy effectiveness from Edward III's theory, namely Communication, Resources, Disposition or Attitude of Executors, and Bureaucracy. The results of the study show that the implementation of Gender Mainstreaming (PUG) policies in the political field in West Sumatra Province has not been full as planned. This is due to the lack of socialization and coordination between implementers as well as the economic and social environment that has not supported the implementation of Gender Mainstreaming in West Sumatra Province and the inadequate availability of human and financial resources. On the one hand, the participation and cooperation of regional apparatus organizations of the West Sumatra Province have been good in designing and responding to Gender Mainstreaming policies.

Economic and low-carbon planning for interconnected integrated energy systems considering emerging technologies and future development trends

The integrated energy system facilitates the synergistic and efficient utilization of diverse energy. Establishing interconnected regional energy internets by linking multiple integrated energy systems enables the realization of cross-sector, cross-temporal, and cross-subject energy coupling, consequently enhancing economic benefits, driving profound decarbonization, and bolstering energy resilience. This study develops a multi-agent planning model grounded in an electricity-heat-hydrogen sharing framework, collaboratively optimizing capacity configurations and energy scheduling strategies across various integrated energy systems containing emerging technologies. Furthermore, this study integrates the trading volume and prices of various energy sources to distinguish the energy sharing contribution of each participant, then combines with the Nash bargaining game, forming a fair cooperative benefit allocation incentive mechanism. The proposed model is adeptly solved using the alternating directions method of multipliers, ensuring the protection of participants’ private information. To reflect seasonal characteristics of energy supply and demand, this study uses the daily data of three integrated energy systems across four seasons to simulate. The research results reveal an annual cost saving of 233.73 thousand RMB and a reduction of 290.85 tCO2. Additionally, the impact of variations in electricity operation modes, uncertainties, and emerging technical advances are evaluated to further validate the sustainability of the multi-energy trading mechanism.

Strategi Pengembangan Sosial Ekonomi Masyarakat Melalui Pariwisata di Nagari Terindah Pariangan Kabupaten Tanah Datar

This research examines the strategies for socio-economic development through tourism in Nagari Terindah Pariangan, Tanah Datar Regency. This village holds a rich history and unique tourist attractions, acknowledged as one of the most beautiful villages in the world. Using SWOT analysis, the study identifies strengths such as job creation and increased income, weaknesses like low product prices, opportunities such as enhanced human resources and employment opportunities, and threats including the potential shift from agricultural land use. Positive impacts on the local economy, fair benefit distribution, and the significant role of tourism in government revenue are also revealed. This research contributes valuable insights for local government, village leaders, and the community to guide more effective tourism development efforts aimed at improving the well-being of the local population.

Optimal operation of multi-microgrid systems considering multi-level energy-certificate-carbon coupling trading

Under the background of sustainable development, the microgrid (MG) has become an important method for energy saving, emission reduction and meeting multiple energy demand. With the continuous promotion of China's carbon emission right market and green certificate market, to further promote the low-carbon development of MG, a multi-level trading optimization strategy is proposed for multi-microgrids (MMG) that considers the coupling of energy-certificate-carbon market. First, a MMG trading framework including a two-level certification-carbon and a three-level electric-thermal coupled trading is proposed. Second, based on the game theory pricing strategy and the elastic price mechanism of the supply-demand ratio, the MMG operation optimization strategy model is constructed considering multi-level energy-certification-carbon coupled trading. Finally, based on the principle of fair benefit allocation, the Shapley value method is utilized to redistribute the comprehensive income among the alliance members. The simulation results show that compared with the MMG baseline scenario, the overall economic efficiency of the proposed trading model is improved by 3.94 % and the carbon emissions are reduced by 11.71 %. In this way, it can effectively release the potential of MMG resource sharing and mutual benefit, so as to optimise the trade-off strategy for joint participation in the energy-certificate-carbon market.

Commercial Use of Non-Timber Forest Products: Can the Poor Really Get Benefits?

Although the markets for NTFP is increasing, local harvesters have not been able to reap fair benefits. This is mainly because of non-conducive policy environment, imperfect market structure and complex socio-economic system that weakens the position of local communities in NTFP business. Citing the cases and figures of income disparity from NTFP trade in western Nepal, theauthor contends that policy is the overarching factor responsible for the situation. Any move to improve the situation should start from policy and provision of market and social services capable of elevating the position of local communities’bargaining power and share of benefits.