Formal Channels Research Articles

Influencing Factors of Financing Constraints of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in China: A Risk Information Conveyance Perspective

Given the phenomenon of “financing is difficult and expensive” for MSEs, this paper empirically investigated the influencing mechanism of the credit demand side characteristics on the financing constraints of MSEs based on the information conveyance perspective. The conclusions show that MSEs in China are severely suffering from financing constraints and 57.17% and 50.00% of MSEs with credit demand have not applied for loans from formal and informal financing channels, respectively. In terms of enterprise characteristics, MSEs have low asset size, short establishment history, weak profitability, and lack of tools such as fixed assets, complete financial management system, professional technicians, and private brands to convey risk information to financing institutions, which are key factors resulting in their financing constraints. In terms of owner characteristics, young owners lack financing experience and convey higher risk information to financing institutions; therefore, owners’ age negatively influences the financing constraints of MSEs. These findings suggest that banks can use big data credit technology as a tool to obtain risk information about MSEs, and the government should implement diversified interventions to improve the information environment in financial markets. These findings provide empirical evidence for banks and governments to address the financing constraints of MSEs.

Innovation Strategy Implementation of Character Education for the Young Generation of Indonesia

The discourse of scholars in the field of education is that educational institutions are strategic for carrying out the transformation of values ​​and science, technology and art. This is how strategic educational institutions are as places for the transformation of values, knowledge, technology and art, so that in order to internalize and develop good character, it cannot be separated from the role of education in informal, formal and non-formal education channels. This research aims to analyze and discover the concept of implementing character education, character education strategies and values ​​implemented in character education. The results of this research show that the implementation of character education can be carried out through three stages of knowing the good, feeling the good and acting the good. Character education strategies can be integrated between micro, meso and macro level education. Character education is important for humans, so the role of educational institutions must not just provide insight into character, but also train, familiarize students with positive character over a long period of time so that it crystallizes in humans. The various character education values ​​developed in Indonesia are taken from 4 sources, namely: religion, Pancasila, culture and national education goals. Keywords: Educational Character, Educational Strategies, Sources of Character Values

KONSEP MASYARAKAT MULTIKUTURAL DI INDONESIA DALAM PERSPEKTIF ISLAM

Research on the concept of a multicultural society is motivated by conditions that often occur, namely, social fights, political fights, culture, and even economy, all of which greatly influence the unity and integrity of the nation. From this background, the researcher tries to conduct research, whose research results can be used as an alternative study of people's lives. This type of research is liberary research (literature study), the data can be taken from actual news from newspapers, literature books, and journals. The analysis technique is to study the theory of references, and also to search the Al-Quran and Hadith books, as well as other relevant books. The results and discussion included 1) the concept of a multicultural society that is very appropriate to be applied in Indonesia, because it is in accordance with the conditions of Indonesia which have diversity, be it race, ethnicity, culture and religion. 2) Nadlatul Ulama (NU) as a civil society has fought for this multicultural concept through NU's formal education channels, education in Islamic boarding schools, and recitation of fathers and recitation of women in society. 3) The Islamic perspective on the concept of a multicultural society is very positive, meaning that Islam provides full support and legally there is no imbalance, even so much is revealed in Islamic law either through the Al-Qur'an or Al-Hadith.

Soil fertility in mixed crop-livestock farming systems of Punjab, Pakistan: The role of institutional factors and sustainable land management practices

CONTEXTSoil salinization is a significant environmental challenge prevalent in arid and semi-arid regions, causing adverse effects on crop yields and jeopardizing household food security. Previous research has examined the influence of institutional dynamics and the adoption of sustainable land management practices in bolstering agricultural output, and some have investigated the interplay among socioeconomic determinants, institutional frameworks, and the uptake of climate-resilient and sustainable methodologies, or the association between soil health and agricultural productivity. Yet, there has been a lack of studies that considered this relationship altogether and their role in enhancing soil fertility. OBJECTIVEWe investigate the relationship among socioeconomic and institutional factors, adoption of sustainable land management practices, and the resulting changes in soil fertility between 2016 and 2019 within the context of mixed crop-livestock farms in the three irrigated agroecological zones of Punjab, Pakistan. A household survey was conducted in 2019 to complement soil attributes data collected by the Government of Punjab in 2016. Households that implemented sustainable land management practices between 2016 and 2019 were analysed to investigate the effect of various factors on soil fertility, including the adoption of sustainable land management practices and their influence on soil fertility dynamics. METHODSA structural equation model was employed to examine the relationship among exogenous variables, moderating variables, and endogenous variables, to explain their collective influence on soil fertility between the two periods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe key findings highlight the significant role of institutional factors, including access to formal information channels such as extension services, demonstration trials, and credit facilities, alongside secure land rights, in predicting the adoption of sustainable land management practices such as gypsum application, laser land leveling, farmyard manuring, and agroforestry. Furthermore, specific SLM practices, particularly agroforestry featuring intercropping with Acacia spp. and farmyard manure application, exhibited positive impacts on change in soil organic matter, albeit with agroforestry showing a negative influence on soil phosphorus levels. The adoption of gypsum and LLL displayed positive effects on soil phosphorus levels over time, contrasting with LLL's adverse impact on soil organic matter. SIGNIFICANCEOur findings suggest that soil fertility benefits from policies enacted through public-private partnerships that lead to improved access to sustainable land management information, reduced credit barriers, establishment of local soil testing facilities, and expedited land entitlement processes. These findings highlight the critical role of collaborative partnerships and institutional arrangements in enhancing agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.

Voices from the Workplace: Exploring Communication Practices in an Engineering Firm through an Interview-Based Study

Effective communication is crucial for organizational success. This study explores communication practices within an engineering firm, to understand how communication models impact project dynamics and stakeholder relationships. We adopted a qualitative approach, conducting face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with employees and executives. The firm’s unique approach to construction projects makes it an ideal case study for understanding how communication influences this field. This research aims to unravel the communication culture within the firm, including formal and informal communication channels, and how these practices affect workplace stability and effectiveness using communication models from past researchers, such as Organizational Culture Theory, the Transactional Communication Model, and the Interactive Communication Model. The findings can help reshape communication strategies in construction, fostering better stakeholder relationships and project success. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on communication in engineering workplaces by providing insights into communication practices and their impact on an organization's efficiency and stakeholder dynamics.

Peran Orang Tua Dalam Menerapkan Home Schooling pada Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini

Early childhood education (ECCE) is the level of education before the primary education level which is a coaching effort aimed at children from birth to the age of six years by providing educational stimulation to help physical and spiritual growth and development so that children have readiness to enter further education, which is held on formal, non-formal, and informal channels. Early childhood education is also functioned to build, process, and develop all the potential of children at an early age optimally so that basic behaviors and abilities that are in accordance with the level of development have readiness to enter further education. The research uses a library research approach or literary research. Library Research is a type of qualitative research that generally does not go into the field in finding data sources. This study aims to find out how the implementation model of home schooling, home schooling methods and approaches, the benefits of home schooling, and the advantages and disadvantages of home schooling.

Household Mobility Between Formal and Informal Credit Channels and Its Relationship to Economic and Social Status: An Empirical Analysis Based on Micro Data in China

Household Mobility Between Formal and Informal Credit Channels and Its Relationship to Economic and Social Status: An Empirical Analysis Based on Micro Data in China

Pre-exposure prophylaxis and telemedicine during coronavirus (COVID-19): a qualitative study of the experiences of health care professionals in Mexico.

Background Telemedicine, which involves utilising technologies for remote health care delivery, proved useful to continue offering certain health services during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. However, the extent of its effectiveness in delivering pre-exposure prophylaxis services for HIV prevention remains underexplored from the viewpoint of health care providers. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the experiences of health care professionals in Mexico who utilised telemedicine for delivering pre-exposure prophylaxis services during the COVID-19 contingency. Methods A qualitative study was performed: 15 virtual interviews with health care professionals were conducted, transcribed and coded in ATLAS.ti. Results The results indicate that telemedicine effectively mitigated COVID-19 exposure, facilitated users' access to pre-exposure prophylaxis counselling, minimised waiting times and enhanced health care professionals' perceived control during sessions. While implementing remote services, certain organisational challenges, which were somewhat latent before the pandemic, became more apparent: colleagues recognised the necessity for more formal communication channels to disseminate information effectively. Additionally, there was a recognised need for electronic patient files to streamline data-sharing processes. An optimal approach would involve a blend of face-to-face and virtual services, contingent upon the availability of essential infrastructure, well-defined implementation protocols and comprehensive training programs. Conclusions Telemedicine streamlined certain processes, garnered positive acceptance from healthcare professionals and holds promise as a valuable post-pandemic tool for improving retention among pre-exposure prophylaxis users.

Economic and environmental benefits of e-waste management networks design in Yogyakarta province, Indonesia

Purpose: Electronic devices consumption, especially smartphones for communication, have increased significantly, causing the potential for electronic waste to increase too. However, the high potential of this flow has not been matched by good waste management. This study aims to develop a management network for e-waste that collaborates formal and informal channels to provide optimal supply chain benefits in terms of economic and environmental aspectsDesign/methodology/approach: This research designs an e-waste management network followed by building a single-objective mathematical model that considers economic and environmental aspects. This model was solved using Mixed Integer Linear Programming.Findings: The supply chain will benefit from the proposed management network by collaborating formal and informal channels. With an incentive of 10,000 IDR, it is hoped that it will be able to invite consumers and informal collectors to collect waste informal channels. The total profit from managing electronic waste supply every month from Yogyakarta Province is 5.529 x 1010 IDR with the composition, consumers 81.2%, informal 13.3% channel obtained from informal collectors and repairing centers and 2.1% for formal channels, and there is an intangible profit of 3.4%. The formal channel provides more significant benefits than the informal, but requires a significant investment. This formal channel feasible if at least 33% of the total supply goes to this channel.Research limitations/implications: The model designed is deterministic. Therefore, it can be developed into a probabilistic model for further research to represent more real cases in the field.Practical implications: Regulation is the factor that most influences consumers' intentions and behavior to participate in e-waste management programs. It will be able to change consumer behavior by forcing consumers to participate in e-waste collection programs. Therefore, a government regulation is needed that organizes and supervises the implementation of the proposed management model.Social implications: Currently, the practice developing in the community is that the informal sector carries out smartphone waste management, therefore in the designs made, informal actors are still given space in waste management for the repair process and the secondhand market. Meanwhile, further processing, such as recycling, must be carried out through formal channels taking into account the environmental impact.Originality/value: Few studies have developed an electronic waste management model by collaborating informal and formal channels that consider economic and environmental aspects, and its implementation is organized and supervised by government regulations.

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Health Security of Unorganised Construction Workers Through Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) Special reference to the Haldwani Development Block

Purpose of the study – This study explores the Ayushman Bharat Scheme (PM-JAY) in the Haldwani Development Block of Uttarakhand, focusing on awareness, utilization, and impact among unorganized construction workers. It also assesses the scheme's accessibility in rural and urban areas within the study area. Design/methodology/approach – The present study is based on descriptive and analytical research design. The cross-sectional study was conducted within the rural and urban parts of the study area. The study is based on primary data and the data was collected through a close-ended interview schedule with the sample size of N = 384, which is determined through William Cochran’s methods for infinite population size. Statistical tool – Descriptive statistics has been used for summarizing the result of the study and in the inferential statistics Spearmen’s rank correlation, Chi-Square, one sample t-test and Likert Scale Analysis have been used. Conclusion - The study reveals that in the case of awareness, the schemes were successful but there is substantial gaps exist in the utilization of Ayushman Bharat Schemes (PM-JAY) among the unorganised construction workers. The researcher found a weak negative correlation coefficient between the level of education and awareness, enrollment and availing the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat schemes. Rural respondents have received more benefits than urban respondents. Enrolment in Ayushman Bharat leads to significant reductions in annual healthcare expenditure. This suggests that PM-JAY helps reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs, making medical services more affordable to unorganised construction workers. On average, respondents reported a moderately positive perception regarding the shift of their healthcare utilization from informal to formal channels due to PM-JAY.

In Search of a Middle East and North Africa Peace System

This article examines the strengths and weaknesses of the peace system in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It views peace not merely as the absence of direct violence but as the result of institutions and systems that mitigate, defuse, and diminish conflict. The peace system of MENA operates at multiple scales and deals with multiple kinds of violent conflict. Different system components produce different forms of positive and negative peace through both formal and informal institutional channels. Consequently, peace in MENA is often uneven and unstable, with progress in one dimension coming at the expense of another. Understanding the gaps and inconsistencies within the MENA peace system can help devise a more realistic and feasible approach to conflict resolution rather than abstract and ultimately impractical ideals. The article identifies shortcomings in the current explanations for the frequency of war, explores the idea of a regional peace system that operates in regional and domestic arenas both formally and informally, and examines policy measures that might bolster or undercut the MENA peace system.

One Health communication channels: a qualitative case study of swine influenza in Canada in 2020

BackgroundWith increased attention to the importance of integrating the One Health approach into zoonotic disease surveillance and response, a greater understanding of the mechanisms to support effective communication and information sharing across animal and human health sectors is needed. The objectives of this qualitative case study were to describe the communication channels used between human and animal health stakeholders and to identify the elements that have enabled the integration of the One Health approach.MethodsWe combined documentary research with interviews with fifteen stakeholders to map the communication channels used in human and swine influenza surveillance in Alberta, Canada, as well as in the response to a human case of H1N2v in 2020. A thematic analysis of the interviews was also used to identify the barriers and facilitators to communication among stakeholders from the animal and human health sectors.ResultsWhen a human case of swine influenza emerged, the response led by the provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health involved players at various levels of government and in the human and animal health sectors. The collaboration of public and animal health laboratories and of the swine sector, in addition to the information available through the surveillance systems in place, was swift and effective. Elements identified as enabling smooth communication between the human and animal health systems included preexisting relationships between the various stakeholders, a relationship of trust between them (e.g., the swine sector and their perception of government structures), the presence of stakeholders acting as permanent liaisons between the ministries of health and agriculture, and stakeholders' understanding of the importance of the One Health approach.ConclusionsInformation flows through formal and informal channels and both structural and relational features that can support rapid and effective communication in infectious disease surveillance and outbreak response.

Factors affecting succession planning in family-owned fish trading SMEs in Mwanza City, Tanzania

The purpose of this study was to assess factors affecting succession planning in family-owned fish trading SMEs businesses in Mwanza city. The research utilized quantitative methodologies to evaluate the effect of individual, familial, and organizational factors on succession planning within family-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Mwanza city. Chi-square analyses revealed that leadership, delegation, the ability to disassociate from the business, and successor preferences significantly influence succession planning. Moreover, the interest and abilities of the successor plays a crucial role in the planning process. The study further found that family-level factors, including traditions, compensating family members, formal communication forums, and the desire to maintain family control, also significantly affect succession planning. Regression analyses indicated that individual factors such as leadership, delegation, and the abilities of potential successors positively influenced succession planning. At the family level, practices like compensating family members and establishing formal communication channels significantly contributed to succession planning, while traditional practices like favouring the eldest son as a successor did not have a substantial impact. Additionally, the study identified that the readiness of the successor, the presence of a clear and documented succession plan, effective board governance, a well-defined organizational structure, and the existence of a written strategic plan were key predictors of successful succession planning. The findings suggest that businesses with well-defined and specific succession plans, identified successors, and active development plans for the next generation are more likely to achieve success in shaping succession planning within family-owned fish trading SMEs, providing a solid foundation for successful ownership transitions. This research offers valuable insights for future research and policy development concerning SME succession planning and business sustainability.

Model of Information Dissemination in the Context of Reputation Formation of an Auditing Company: Official Sources or “Word of Mouth”?

The reputation of auditing firms is of paramount importance in ensuring trust and confidence in financial markets. This article investigates the information dissemination model and its impact on the reputation formation of auditing companies, focusing on the choice between official sources (formal channels, corporate communications, regulatory disclosures, etc.) and word-of-mouth mechanisms (informal channels, client recommendations, corporate gossip, etc.). The research reveals the complex dynamics between formal and informal information dissemination strategies (official sources provide trust and transparency, while word-of-mouth mechanisms offer detailed information and trust) and their implications for reputation management in the auditing industry. The relevance of this research problem lies in the critical role of auditing firms in supporting transparency and honesty in financial reporting, especially after corporate scandals and regulatory scrutiny. The primary aim of this research is to understand the relative effectiveness of different information dissemination models in shaping the reputation of auditing companies. The choice of research subject is justified by the significant influence of auditing firms on financial markets, corporate governance, and investor trust. Using VOSviewer 1.6.16 software, the article conducts a bibliometric analysis of English-language articles and conference abstracts indexed in the Scopus database from 2007 to 2023 (1177 publications) using the keywords “Reputation” and “Auditing Firm.” The analysis confirms the increasing scholarly interest in this topic and identifies 8 thematic clusters, the largest of which combines corporate, image, and social reputation with stability and consistency. The empirical part of the research involves constructing a polygamous model similar to the SIR model, which describes the behavior of three groups of subjects depending on the presence of information and actions regarding its dissemination (active, passive, neutral). The article models the intensity of changes in the number of group members considering various phenomenological parameters (e.g., intensity of communicative processes between groups, structure of social system connections, mathematical expectation of time required for a subject to transition from one group to another, etc.). The results of this research have practical implications for auditing firms, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders in the financial sector. By understanding the relative strengths and weaknesses of different information dissemination models, auditing firms can adapt their communication strategies to effectively enhance their reputation. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on reputation management and trust-building in financial markets.

Property rights protection, financing, and firm exports: the impact of China’s property law enactment

Chinese property law plays a significant role in the reforms of the Chinese economic system by establishing protective legal frameworks. This study utilizes the enactment of the Property Law in 2007 as a quasi-natural experiment and employs the difference-in-differences method to investigate the law’s impact on firm exports in China. The results indicate that firms’ exports experienced a significant increase after the law’s enactment. These findings remain robust after controlling for additional fixed effects, alternative subsamples, and measures of core variables. The law affects firm exports through two mechanisms: informal financial channels, such as trade credit with trading partners, and formal financial channels, such as borrowings from banks and other financial institutions. Heterogeneity analyses suggest that the export effect is positively related to firms that rely heavily on external financing and are not politically connected. Moreover, this correlation is accentuated in regions characterized by more conservative credit development and heightened efficiency in law enforcement. In addition, the promotional effect is more pronounced in firms exporting to high-income countries. These findings suggest that property rights protection in China significantly impacts trade and provides a comparative advantage to firms’ exports.

Discovery of Knowledge and Perception among the Indigenous People Related to Teenage Pregnancy and Sexual Education

This study examined the knowledge and perceptions of sexual education and teenage pregnancy among Indigenous people in Pekan, Malaysia. The research aimed to address the high rates of teenage pregnancy, particularly among unmarried teenagers, in the country. Through qualitative methods, including semistructured interviews with Indigenous participants, several themes emerged. These themes included the sources of sexual education, such as formal and informal channels, first sexual experiences, safe-sex beliefs, and the importance of sexual education for children. The study also explored perceptions of teenage pregnancy, identifying factors like young marriage and premarital dating. Participants shared their views on premarital motherhood among those under 20 years old, as well as the acceptance and responses of parents and the responsibility of the baby’s father. The study highlighted the complications of teenage pregnancy for both the baby and mother. The findings revealed a lack of sexual education knowledge among Indigenous participants, attributed to limited access to facilities like mobile phones and limited interaction with outsiders. The study recommends further research and the dissemination of awareness and knowledge about sexual education, particularly through campaigns and outreach efforts to Indigenous communities, while also emphasise the need to review the effectiveness of these initiatives.

The Temptation of Social Networks under Job Search Frictions

Abstract This paper presents descriptive evidence that although social networks are helpful to find jobs, the jobs found through social networks tend to be mismatched. The paper uses nationally representative matched employer–employee data in Bangladesh that include direct measures of match quality. Less educated and seemingly poorer workers are more likely to have found their jobs through social networks. Compared to workers at the same occupation level in the same firm who were matched through formal channels, those matched through social networks found their jobs quicker but have lower match quality and earn less. The mechanism, suggested by a theoretical model, is as follows: even when social networks are connected to mismatched jobs, workers can be tempted to use social networks to find mismatched jobs for fear of finding nothing. This temptation is stronger for less skilled and poorer workers, because costly formal channels are less rewarding and affordable for them.

Disillusionment and hope with transnational mothers: Avenues of change in education through acompañamiento

AbstractThis critical ethnographic study explores a participatory action research group consisting of Latin American immigrant mothers seeking to involve their community in school decision‐making. Drawing from pedagogies of acompañamiento, I describe how the mothers responded to decision‐making challenges and leveraged reflections on their struggles to co‐create knowledge and belonging. I demonstrate how their collective learning highlights transformation outside of formal policy channels, pushing us to consider alternative ways of making social change.

The use of evidence-based programmes in family support across Europe: A comparative survey study

The importance of using evidence-based programmes to ensure children’s rights and families’ wellbeing is increasingly recognized in Europe. However, there are few and partial attempts to gain insight into the scope of prevention and promotion programmes currently implemented in child and family services across Europe, often located outside the formal peer-reviewed channels. The objectives of this study are empirically examining the diversity of family support programmes delivered and the extent to which they meet evidence-based standards for programme formulation and provide a picture of the typologies according to programme descriptors, operational aspects and implementation components. The Family Support Programmes' Survey was used to identify existing programmes addressing family support in participating countries. The sample includes 193 support programmes from 17 European countries, members of the European Family Support Network corresponding to three regions of Europe (Northern, Southern and Central-Eastern). The comparative survey was conducted using the Data Collection Sheet to gather information about program characteristics. Descriptive and cluster analyses were carried out. Results show that a large number of programmes fulfil evidence-based standards for programme formulation, such as clearly defined theoretical framework, manualization, and methodology components. In addition, three cluster profiles of programme formulation components were determined corresponding to the three European regions. Implications for research and practice on the development of family support programmes according to evidence-based standards for programme formulation are discussed.