Fair Participation Research Articles

Fostering innovation in Algerian artisanal crafts: The impact of cluster development in Constantine and Batna

This article explores the cluster approach as a lever to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship in the artisanal crafts sector in Algeria, focusing specifically on the clusters of brass artisans in Constantine and jewelry artisans in Batna, two departments in Algeria. Drawing on Richard Florida's „3Ts“ model (Technology, Talent and Tolerance), the study analyzes how belonging to a cluster can enable artisans to acquire innovation capabilities and undertake collective projects. The methodology used in this research is a field survey conducted during the 21st International Traditional Crafts Fair in Algeria. The sample consists of 228 artisans, representing 30% of the fair's participants, with a distribution of 46% women and 54% men. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire based on the three key innovation factors defined by the „3Ts“ model. The data were then analyzed using descriptive analysis and cross-tabulation techniques. The results indicate that while artisans remain attached to traditional methods, they recognize the importance of innovation in preserving and promoting their craftsmanship. However, the adoption of information and communication technologies is limited, highlighting a need for increased training. The study also demonstrates the potential of clusters to enhance collaboration among artisans, facilitate knowledge exchange and improve their competitiveness in the global market. Finally, the article underscores the importance of protecting artisanal creativity through collective marks and geographical indications.

Hubungan Antara Pemerintah Pusat dan Daerah Menurut Perspektif Hukum Tata Negara

This article discusses the relationship between the central and regional governments in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) in the context of regional autonomy. By referring to the 1945 Constitution and Law no. 23 of 2014, this analysis highlights the importance of coordination and supervision between the two entities to achieve effective and efficient government goals. This relationship involves aspects of authority, institutions, finance and supervision, all of which play a role in maintaining the integrity and stability of the government system. In the digital era, new challenges emerge, such as the spread of inaccurate information, which require special attention to ensure fair and inclusive societal participation.

Mechanisation and Coir Industry in Kerala: Channels of State Interventions

The present article is an attempt to explore the role of government in mechanising the coir industry of Kerala, which is expected to yield wider policy implications regarding the channels of state interventions in the coir industry for its betterment. The analysis of the government support received by the private sector coir manufacturers reveals that the financial support aims to develop the infrastructure of the firm. However, non-financial assistance like government procurement and participation in government-sponsored trade fairs positively influence the mechanisation index (MI), whereas the provision of subsidised raw materials has a negative influence on MI. In this respect, ‘Coir Kerala’ is a good initiative by the government to mechanise and thus improve the coir industry of Kerala. The study concludes that proper market interventions are required for efficient utilisation of the production capacity of the firms and thus to improve the performance of the traditional coir industry of Kerala. This, in turn, will boost the mechanisation and thus the performance again. This chain of actions and reactions will help the industry to overcome all its vulnerabilities and will lead it to prosperity.

Trustworthy fog: A reputation-based consensus method for IoT with blockchain and fog computing

This paper proposes Trustworthy Fog, a novel reputation-based consensus method for Internet of Things (IoT) systems that leverages blockchain and fog computing technologies. By integrating fog computing’s near-end data processing capabilities with blockchain’s immutability and transparency, the proposed method addresses challenges related to latency, device load, and the adaptability of traditional consensus algorithms to resource-constrained environments. A reputation management module evaluates device and node behaviors, facilitating rapid authentication and consensus processes. Distinct reputation calculation schemes for physical devices and fog nodes aim to prevent reputation centralization through periodic resets of reputation values. Based on these values, a lightweight consensus algorithm balances computational capacity and reputation to select leader nodes. Simulations demonstrate the method’s effectiveness in dynamically reflecting device trustworthiness and ensuring fair consensus participation. This research advances IoT blockchain technology, offering a robust solution for the scalability and security challenges inherent in IoT networks.

Secondary vocational education and academic motivation in Sint Maarten

This study investigates the relationship between career and study fair participation and the motivations of Sint Maarten’s secondary vocational students. Using a mixed-method design, data was collected from 98 participants (N = 98) who completed an online survey consisting of the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS). Twenty-one survey participants were subsequently interviewed. Key findings indicated that extrinsic motivation was the highest among participants. The results indicate that a single career fair alone may not be sufficient for improving the intrinsic motivation of students. Future studies should investigate the impact of attending multiple career fairs over a longer period. Overall, the research findings contribute to our understanding of academic motivation and the correlations between career and study fairs and secondary vocational student motivations in Sint Maarten. The findings highlight the importance of improving fair attendance through better promotion and logistical support for students, while also emphasizing the need to address stigmas that affect intrinsic motivation of students. The findings of this study can be particularly useful among policymakers and school leaders in the field of vocational education.

Social Exchange and Destination Loyalty: The Case of Thessaloniki International Fair and the Concept of Honored Countries

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the factors that contribute to the formation of destination loyalty of trade fair exhibitors, through the perspective of social exchange theory. The study was conducted on the exhibitors of the 86th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who visited the city within the framework of the Honored Country concept. Results showed that the concept of the Honored Country is closely related to destination loyalty, while the relationship between satisfaction with trade fair participation (TFS) and destination loyalty (DL) was noted. Moreover, the relationship between social exchange theory–trust (T) and visitors’ satisfaction (VS)–and destination loyalty (DL) was also noted.

Unveiling Student Segments: Leveraging Clustering Analysis of Registration Data for Enhanced Recruitment Strategies

Recruiting the right students is crucial for higher education institutions to achieve their goals of attracting talented individuals and fostering academic success. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of data-driven recruitment strategies in identifying target student populations and tailoring recruitment efforts accordingly. By utilizing K-means clustering analysis on a dataset of student profiles, this research identifies distinct clusters based on factors such as province of residence, parent occupation, and parent revenue. The findings reveal valuable insights into the characteristics and preferences of different student clusters, enabling the development of targeted recruiting strategies. The results indicate that a significant number of students in specific clusters are from Songkhla Province, have parents predominantly engaged in the private sector, agriculture, and fishery occupations, and come from families with moderate income levels. Building upon these findings, several recommendations for recruiting strategies are proposed. These include focusing marketing efforts in the identified regions, forging partnerships with local businesses, offering financial aid programs, and establishing connections with agricultural and fishing communities. This can involve targeted online advertisements, promotional campaigns in local schools, and active participation in career fairs or educational expos held in Songkhla Province. This study contributes to the field of higher education recruitment by leveraging data-driven approaches to identify target student populations and develop tailored strategies.

Procurement Tender Fairness: MSME, Business Competition Law, and SIKaP Application

This study analyzes the right to justice in tenders for the procurement of goods and services for small business actors from the perspective of business competition law through the application of the SIKaP application. The research method used is qualitative analysis based on the available empirical analysis of the literature. The results of the literature analysis show that small business actors face challenges such as the non-transparency of the selection process, unfairness in evaluating proposals, non-neutral procurement, unfair competition, and constraints on access to information. SIKaP application is considered as a potential solution to increase fairness in procurement tenders, but challenges such as lack of understanding and awareness as well as technical obstacles still need to be overcome. The importance of the role of business competition law is also recognized in protecting the rights of small business actors. This study concludes that additional efforts are needed, including training and awareness, technological infrastructure improvements, and effective law enforcement, to ensure the successful implementation of the SIKaP application and the protection of small business actors' rights in procurement tenders. The results of this study make an important contribution in understanding the challenges and opportunities for small business actors in obtaining fairness in procurement tenders. The implications can be used as a basis for developing policies and actions that support fair participation and equal opportunities for small business actors.

Sustainable urban transformations based on integrated microgrid designs

The impacts of natural hazards on infrastructure, enhanced by climate change, are increasingly more severe emphasizing the necessity of resilient energy grids. Microgrids, tailored energy systems for specific neighbourhoods and districts, play a pivotal role in sustaining energy supply during main grid outages. These solutions not only mitigate economic losses and well-being disruptions against escalating hazards but also enhance city resilience in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11. However, disregarding socioeconomic factors in defining microgrid boundaries risks perpetuating inequalities and impeding progress towards other SDG 11 targets, including fair democratic participation. Our approach integrates social and technical indicators to bolster urban microgrid planning. Through a case study in a US county, we illustrate how integrated microgrid planning effectively intertwines urban resilience, well-being and equity while promoting sustainable development. This study underscores the importance of integrated microgrid planning for sustainable and resilient urban transformation amid environmental and societal challenges.

Design of strategies to position the tourist attractions of the parish of Cacha, canton Riobamba

The Cacha parish, located in Riobamba, Ecuador, has great tourism potential that has not yet been exploited. The objective of this study is to design positioning strategies for its tourist attractions through the implementation of effective branding. A mixed qualitative and quantitative approach was used for the research. A survey of 383 inhabitants of Riobamba was conducted to analyze tourism knowledge and preferences. Data were collected through documentary and field methods, including surveys, interviews and observation. The findings revealed that 67.1% of the respondents were unaware of Cacha's tourist attractions and 76% had not seen related publicity. However, 93% expressed willingness to visit. The conclusion is that the lack of knowledge and effective promotion are the main obstacles to tourism development in Cacha. For which strategies are proposed such as: creation of brand identity, development of promotional materials, implementation of advertising campaigns in local and digital media to increase the visibility of Cacha as a tourist destination, participation in tourism fairs and events. The implementation of these branding strategies will contribute to effectively position Cacha as an attractive tourist destination, increasing the number of visitors and generating economic benefits for the local community.

Demokrasi Dalam Menciptakan Pemilu Bersih di Kecamatan Mungka Kabupaten Lima Puluh Kota

Elections are one of the pillars of democracy that enable the realization of the people's right to determine their own destiny in order to form a democratic government. Through the active participation of students, the election guard movement aims to prevent manipulation and fraud, as well as ensure that the votes of each voter are respected and counted correctly. By overseeing the implementation of general elections, the aim is to create a transparent, fair and accountable environment. As for data collection techniques through observation and interviews in an effort to create clean elections, the community in Mungka District may face several obstacles. One of them is the low level of education and political awareness in several regions. This can leave society vulnerable to manipulation and abuse by irresponsible parties. Therefore, voter education and outreach about the importance of clean elections need to be a priority. Apart from that, economic factors can also be an obstacle for society in creating clean elections. The practice of money politics and misuse of resources in campaigns often occurs in environments with high levels of poverty. Effective voter education about their rights, the electoral process, and the importance of fair participation can help reduce election abuses. Socialization of anti-corruption programs and transparency in elections is also important to encourage responsible participation from all parties.

BUSINESS TRAVEL MOTIVATIONS AND OBJECTIVES OF TRADE FAIRS VISITORS: EXPERIENCE FROM THE TRADE FAIRS IN THESSALONIKI, GREECE

This research investigates the motivations and objectives of visitor participation in trade fairs in Thessaloniki. In particular, the trend of combining professional goals with the entertainment of visitors is investigated. The aim of the research is to determine whether the inclination to blend economic goals with entertainment is a shared characteristic among attendees of all trade fair events, or if it varies in any manner. Mixed methods research was used: quantitative research (1,066 participants) and in-depth interviews (51 participants). In order to comprehensively understand phenomena and ensure validity, the triangulation approach was used. The results showed that the type of trade fair is related to visitors' participation objectives. Specifically, the reason for visiting the trade fairs addressed to the general public is mainly entertainment, while those of the specialized sectoral trade fairs are mainly business-related. However, even in the sectoral trade fairs there is a significant percentage in several cases that mentions fun-entertainment as an objective. These results are of great research importance, but also of managerial importance, both for the trade fair organizers and for the local tourism development agencies.

Racial disparities in the intervention trials in colon cancer.

e13718 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third-leading cancer worldwide and racial minorities bear a disproportionate burden of this disease. Methods: We searched the clinicaltrials.gov database for all the completed clinical trials conducted on adult patients until 2023 in the United States. In intervention trials, we manually abstracted data on the racial distribution of enrollees, phases, tumor histology, intervention type, and year of completion. We divided interventions into chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy, behavioral, diagnostic tests, and others. To quantify the racial disparity, we calculated the enrolment ratio (ER) as the observed ratios of racial participation in the study compared to the prevalence in colorectal cancer per the 2009-2019 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. We also conducted subgroup racial enrollment based on clinical trial and type of intervention. Results: We identified 394 studies, of which 252 studies (64%) had racial distribution published, including 138814 participants. Most studies were phase 2 trials (168), followed by phase 1/2 trials (49) and phase 3 studies (43). The racial breakdown included 88677 White participants (63.9%), 23230 were African Americans (16.7%), 9963 were Asians (7.1%), 4398 were of other races (3.2%), and 12546 were of unknown race (9.0%). The frequency of including racial data was 100% in Phase 1 studies, 56.5% in Phase 2, 58.1% in Phase 3, and only 16% in Phase 4. A total of 185 were immunotherapy trials, out of which 63 studied chemotherapies, radiotherapy and/ or surgery along with immunotherapy. Racial enrolment data was reported in 68.6 %, 58% and 59.3% in immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy interventions respectively. The ERs of whites, blacks, and Asians were 0.8, 1.3, and 0.9, respectively (Table). However, ER in subgroups with specific interventions, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy, were 0.5, 0.4, and 0.6, respectively. Conclusions: African Americans are underrepresented in CRC intervention trials. Equal access and tailored strategies for cultural and linguistic differences are needed for fair participation. [Table: see text]

Quanto fund protection using partial lookback participation

In light of the intricate nature of global fund markets, investors need securities that enable them to manage the values of foreign funds adjusted by exchange rates, commonly referred to as quanto fund values. This paper delves into the development of contracts that protect quanto fund values through partial lookback participation and their valuations. In order to accomplish this, we derive a generalized analytical expected value of a function of state variables and partial extreme, which serves to streamline the process of developing and pricing exotic quanto fund protections. These pricing formulas are useful in determining fair participation rates for a preferred return during a monitoring period. Numerical experiments that showcase the properties of the proposed contracts are provided.

Politik Dinasti Dari Perspektif Demokrasi dan Hak Warga Negara Dalam Pemilihan Umum Di Indonesia

The implementation of democracy in Indonesia is a mandate from the provisions of Article 2 paragraph (1) and Article 6A paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, where one of the indicators is general elections. However, the implementation of general elections is often overshadowed by the presence of family members of powerful politicians running for general elections and succeeding, including the elections for president, governor, regent, and others. This condition can trigger much debate and concern about democracy, the quality of elections, and political stability in Indonesia. Nevertheless, the right to elect and to be elected are protected rights and their existence is recognized by the constitution. The limitations of the problem in this paper include: 1) Political dynasty in the perspective of democracy; 2) Political dynasty in the perspective of democracy and citizens' rights in elections in Indonesia. This research used a normative juridical approach by using secondary data in the form of literature studies so that the conclusions are obtained that: a) political dynasty is contrary to democratic principles that emphasize transparency, accountability, and fair participation; b) although the regulations have been set up to protect citizens' rights to elect and be elected, the rise of political dynasty shows incompatibility with democratic principles. It is difficult to avoid political dynasty in a democracy, but efforts are needed to maintain balance and avoid abuse of power by the ruling family.

Intercultural and Deliberative Disaster Ethics in Volcanic Eruptions

The objectives of this article are (i) to identify the most challenging ethical dilemmas and questions arising from the experiences of communities and professionals affected by or involved in volcanic eruptions, including risk management, the dissemination of information, and tourism; and (ii) to provide arguments for intercultural ethics to address these dilemmas. Intercultural ethics provide invaluable resources to disaster ethics across all three phases of the complete disaster management cycle. In this article, intercultural ethics is viewed as an ethics grounded in ongoing dialogue, facilitating the examination and establishment of norms and a critical reflection on values and their evolution. This approach recognizes power dynamics that may influence fair participation in dialogues and aims to address them, while also integrating elements of deliberative ethics to ensure that dialogues genuinely contribute to legitimizing decisions. Intercultural sensibility helps bridge the gap between experts and non-experts in both directions (a) by emphasizing the duty of transferring scientific knowledge (for experts) and the responsibility of acquiring scientific literacy (for citizens); and (b) by highlighting the importance of a ‘knowledge dialogue’ that acknowledges the non-scientific knowledge of citizens, rooted in their cultural background and experiences of dealing with past disasters, and shaping life in volcanic territories.

The shadow of institutional racism on people of color's involvement in membership associations

AbstractMembership associations are membership owned; they serve their members but play a critical role in the society. This study examines association membership and volunteering behaviors to identify differences in how people of color experience these organizations. Results detect continued barriers to engagement by people of color in terms of volunteering opportunities, and less so for joining these associations. People of color tend to engage in more activities but dedicate less time to these engagements, creating unbalanced results; yet they find more satisfaction from these engagements compared to their White counterparts. Associations themselves must continue to identify and remove barriers to fair participation rooted in racism.

Production, postharvest practice, marketing and challenges of smallholder vegetable producers in Tanzania

Beside staple crops, the fruits and vegetables subsector contribute significantly to domestic and export markets. Yet, this subsector faces a number of challenges that limits its full growth potential. Through 383 randomly selected farmers’ interviews in selected districts, the study revealed profound information on the vegetable value chain. Findings show that, there is fair participation of men (58%) and women (42%) in vegetable production. Majority of farmers were between 19 and 49 years old (70%), attained primary education (80%) and had more than 5 years in commercial vegetable production (71.8%). Further, 79.4% of farmers had less than 1 ha of vegetable farmland. Farmers cultivate a wide range of nutritious and commercially valued vegetables including broccoli (50.7%), cauliflower (37.3%), white cabbage (34.7%), crisphead lettuce (24.5%), Chinese cabbage (20.6%), zucchini (20.1%), carrot (18.5%), tomato (14.4%), purple cabbage (10.2%), beetroot (9.4%), African nightshade (8.4%), leaf lettuce (7.6%), green/snap bean (6.8%), snow/sugar-snap pea (5%), leeks (5%), spinach (4.2%), green pepper (4.2%), herbs (parsley, fennel and dill) (4.2%) and celery (2.9%). However, sustainable marketing of fresh vegetables is a challenge leading to most farmers opting to wholesale their produce at the farm gate (70.5%) instead of the marketplace, with the price often being set by the wholesale buyers (78.1%). With the exception of gender, household size, and farming experience; a farmer’s location and primary education level had a slightly statistically significant (p = 0.044) influence on opting to use farmgate as the point of sales. The unpredictable market (100%), costly and low-quality inputs (36.4%), pests and diseases (35.2%), and shortage of cold storage facilities (22.9%) were claimed to hamper vegetable production and the producers. In general, vegetables subsector can grow significantly in Tanzania due to the availability of irrigated nutrient-rich land, favorable climate and productive workforce. Thus, good farming practices, marketing and cold chain facilities have the potential to reduce postharvest losses and help realize national sustainable development goals. Key words: Fresh vegetables, postharvest practices, marketing, constraints, cold chains

Trade Fairs, Host Cities and Tourism Development: The Case of Thessaloniki, Greece

The literature has mainly focused on the significant business opportunities that companies obtain from their participation in trade fairs while less interest has been given to their impacts on the host regions. However, trade fairs are events with complex socio-spatial dimensions and an important scope of urban governance that need further analysis. The purpose of this article is to investigate the attitudes, opinions and representations of the exhibitors and visitors of the trade fairs in Thessaloniki, regarding the trade fair itself and its efficiency, the city of Thessaloniki as a destination, as well as the relationship between trade fairs and the city. The method of collecting qualitative material and information involved in-depth interviews with a semi-structured interview guide, while quota sampling was used. In total, 103 interviews were conducted at the trade fairs of Zootechnia and Detrop. Results show that the effect of trade fair activity on the city of Thessaloniki is strong and multi-layered. Also, the relationship between trade fair activity and the city is interactive and two-way, as one feeds and is powered by the other. Moreover, the need for coordination and cooperation between local agencies in an urban governance framework was highlighted.

Fair Participation via Sequential Policies

Leading approaches to algorithmic fairness and policy-induced distribution shift are often misaligned with long-term objectives in sequential settings. We aim to correct these shortcomings by ensuring that both the objective and fairness constraints account for policy-induced distribution shift. First, we motivate this problem using an example in which individuals subject to algorithmic predictions modulate their willingness to participate with the policy maker. Fairness in this example is measured by the variance of group participation rates. Next, we develop a method for solving the resulting constrained, non-linear optimization problem and prove that this method converges to a fair, locally optimal policy given first-order information. Finally, we experimentally validate our claims in a semi-synthetic setting.