Formal Channels Research Articles

A mixed methods qualitative approach outlining a strategic and operational agenda for the pawpaw value chain in the eastern US

Abstract The latest global scale occurrences — COVID-19 pandemic and bellicose conflicts — have weakened stable value chain relationships and forced international leaders to reassess commitments to sustainability. From these experiences, it became evident that the success of sustainability initiatives encompasses strengthening local and short value chains while creating means for engaging smallholders in formal food channels. Taking international and national policies as motivations, this article examines the emerging pawpaw value chain in the Eastern United States. We employ a mixed-mode approach with two aims. First, we demonstrate how complementing qualitative methods can be articulated to prepare a strategic agenda to foster the development and resilience of local ag-food chains. Second, through the application of the devised methodology, interview records and survey answers are evaluated to map value chain relationships and describe stakeholders’ perceived challenges and opportunities. On the empirical front, this article proposes four macro strategies and 22 actionable projects. We argue that the representative association of pawpaw growers may adopt a broader leadership role to coordinate the necessary changes for sustaining long-term growth and promoting economic gains in rural communities dedicated to pawpaw production. The mixed-mode approach presented in this study can be replicated to analyze local and short chains elsewhere.

CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNICATION OF GREEN AND NON-GREEN COMPANIES IN DIGITAL ERA

This study aims to understand the corporate sustainability communication of green and non-green companies in Indonesia. This research examines 20 Indonesian companies divided into two subgroups of sample: green and non-green companies, which are classified according to their sustainability performance. The categorization indicator is obtained from CSRHub, a global database source aggregating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scores. The paper analyzes the implementation of formal communication channels and social media during two months (June-July 2023) as a novel digital communication channel at the stakeholder information strategy level. This study found green companies engaged in more active sustainability communication through formal and digital channels. In the formal communication, green companies routinely prepared standalone sustainability reports and annual reports reflecting sustainability values in each Board of directors' and commissioners' letters. In digital channels, green companies own social media accounts on many platforms to engage with stakeholders. Some of them have reflected their sustainability value publicly through the new media.

The Magnitude Of The Informal Remittances Flow To Kenya: An Augmented Gravity Model Approach.

Background: In Kenya remittances are now a proper source of external finances. Kenya received $4.19 billion in form of diaspora remittances in year 2023. Over the years, remittances are proving to be more stable, well diversified and are promising more growth relative to foreign direct investments, official development assistance, private capital and exports. On the micro scale the remittances are helping achieve Kenya’s developmental goals of having a globally competitive human resource and an adequately and decently housed population as outlined in the country’s development blueprint - The Kenya Vision 2030. Though the remittances are these important, official remittance data in Kenya, as well as in many African countries, only include remittances sent through formal channels such as banks and Money transfer Operators. Remittances through the informal channels such as hawalas and hundis are not recorded. This means that the recorded remittances are grossly understated impeding the capacity of policy makers to design appropriate policies aimed at encouraging remittances. The study employed panel data analysis and a thought experiment on remittance data between 2013Q1 and 2022Q4. Through a thought experiment, the study asks what impact a reduction of the costs of sending remittances would have on remittances if the transaction costs were reduced to that of the informal channels of sending remittances. The analysis revealed that the size of the informal remittances in Kenya is between 20% and 26% of the formal remittances. On the determinants of remittance flows to Kenya, the study establishes that Kenyan migrants send more when the economic freedoms and economic conditions improve in their host nations but send less when economic freedoms back at home improve. Accurately measuring informal emittances in Kenya is vital for creating effective government policies. This data would reveal the true extent of remittances' impact on the economy, allowing policymakers to develop strategies that fully utilize their potential for development. By encouraging people to send money through official channels, the government can increase tax income, improve access to financial services, and better monitor these transactions. Additionally, understanding the size of informal remittances is essential for combating financial crimes like money laundering and ensuring that resources are used efficiently

Informal Foreign Currency Market Rate Coordination and Remittance Flows

ABSTRACT An unintended consequence of remittance flows to economically troubled countries may be the exacerbation of parallel foreign currency market activities. Studying clandestine markets is often hobbled by a lack of data on informal market coordination mechanisms. This paper examines the impact of the sudden cessation of an informal foreign currency exchange reference rate in Zimbabwe on inward remittance flows and public attention to money transfer operators. While the reference rate existed, there was bi-directional feedback between black market currency rates and retail diaspora remittance flows, but not with the flows of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The abolition of the informal reference rate did not stall retail diaspora remittance flows. NGO remittances reacted negatively to the ban, suggesting concerns with government policy. Online attention on money transfer operators increased after the reference rate’s cessation suggesting remitters shifted to formal channels. Accordingly, remittance costs reduced significantly.

Communication Styles and Leadership Conflicts in the Legio Maria Church, Ugenya, Kenya

This study explored the impact of communication styles on leadership conflicts within the Legio Maria Church in Ugenya. Effective communication is crucial for organizational dynamics, particularly in religious institutions where spiritual authority intersects with hierarchical structures. The Legio Maria Church faces persistent leadership conflicts, often exacerbated by differences in how leaders convey, interpret, and act upon information. These conflicts are influenced by the church's complex web of formal and informal communication channels, which shape power dynamics and organizational cohesion. This research identifies the diverse communication styles employed by church leaders, ranging from direct and open to indirect and informal methods. It examined how these styles impact decision-making processes, conflict-resolution strategies, and overall leadership dynamics. By understanding personal and organizational communication preferences, the study provides insights into the root causes of leadership conflicts. Practical recommendations are proposed, including communication training programs, clear communication protocols, and fostering a culture of openness and respect for diverse communication styles. These measures aimed to enhance leadership cohesion and improve the church's ability to serve its members effectively. This research contributes to the broader discourse on effective communication in religious organizations, offering valuable insights for fostering sustainable leadership practices and organizational harmony within the Legio Maria Church.

Various Components and the present Scenario of Skill Development

Literacy enhances people's knowledge and abilities. Literacy as a fundamental human right is becoming more widely recognized across the globe. Because of this, learning never ends. Having skill makes any task easier to do. Practical education builds on previously gained information, and the two go hand in hand. Formal and informal channels of information dissemination have both been used by educational institutions. Making a student financially independent is one of the primary goals of formal education. College degrees are a boon to society in many ways, both financially and otherwise. Higher education students who participate in skill development programs get insight into themselves while also gaining practical knowledge, increasing their productivity, and realizing their full potential. Undergraduate students who were previously aimlessly pursuing higher education now have an alternate schooling option because to the social logic of these programs. But for skill development programs to be accessible, equitable, informative, and engaging for undergraduates—who "...have miles to go before they sleep"—and to be meaningful and effective in light of the changing global scenario, careful planning is essential.

Optimization of reverse logistics network for end-of-life vehicles: A Shanghai case study

With the surge in car ownership, the end-of-life vehicles recycling market has shown enormous development potential. As the reverse logistics network for recycling end-of-life vehicles suffers from high operating costs and low recycling rates, there is an urgent need to upgrade the actual recycling measures for end-of-life vehicles to an operable level. This article first uses the OGM (1, N) model to predict the number of end-of-life vehicles in the coming years. At the same time, a reverse logistics network model with the second-hand car market as the recycling centre was constructed with the goal of minimizing the total cost of the end-of-life vehicles reverse logistics network. The network model was simulated using mixed integer programming (MILP), and the optimal solution was solved through LINGO 12 programming. Through an example analysis of Shanghai, it is found that the market of end-of-life vehicles will embrace growth, and it is verified that the optimized reverse logistics network can effectively reduce the operation cost and logistics cost of recycling centres, and can effectively improve the actual recycling rate of end-of-life vehicles. Finally, the optimized site selection results are obtained, and a specific traffic distribution scheme is proposed, which is crucial for promoting cars that meet scrap standards to be recycled through formal channels and reducing logistics costs for recycling enterprises.

When socialization fails: breaking the habit of engagement with China

Abstract Why do states sustain failing policy? The literature on path dependency and cognitive habits shows how foreign policy logics become axiomatic. Yet these explanations focus too much on people and not enough on policies. We argue that the content of policies matters for the degree and depth of their entrenchment. Policies with long-term time horizons, immeasurable objectives and diffuse effects are especially vulnerable to stasis. Engagement policies toward China are a paradigmatic example. We focus on Canada's engagement policy, which exhibits both stasis and change, and refer to similar policies of other countries. Drawing on primary evidence including interviews with high-level diplomats and decision-makers, we find that engagement aimed at socializing China was sustained despite growing evidence of its failure—including through a multi-year diplomatic crisis. Change only became possible through ‘institutionalized debate’, meaning the purposeful creation of formal channels for debate. The article makes three contributions. First, we identify a novel explanation of stasis, showing that the content of policies matters. Second, we introduce a practical pathway—institutionalized debate—that can disrupt stasis once a policy logic is habituated. Finally, we identify an aspect of socialization ignored in the literature: when operationalized as policy, it becomes resistant to reversal.

Are remittances “resilient?” Evidence from Sri Lanka between COVID-19 and the crisis

Remittances have been characterized as resilient flows of capital that provide financial relief to migrant households and emerging economies during downturns, crises and other periods of hardship. This article examines patterns of remittance transfer to Sri Lanka between January 2020 and December 2022, drawing on Central Bank statistics and online remittance surveys with migrant workers to test prominent assumptions about the drivers of remittance behavior. Findings indicate little evidence to support explanatory factors linked to the resilience hypothesis, instead pointing to the likelihood that fluctuations in official remittance figures reflect shifts between formal and informal remittance channels.

La Persona y el Marketing Científico Digital

Introduction: Examines the implications of marketing in improving content related to scientific production, focusing on Academic Search Engine Optimization (ASEO) and highlighting the role of Digital Scientific Marketing. Methodology: It presents the constructive stages of Digital Scientific Marketing from the ASEO perspective, considering the Author dimension and the formal and informal channels that constitute digital information environments. Results: Describes the stages of Planning, Persona Definition, Content Creation and Definition, Content Distribution, Content Evaluation, and Result Measurement for the application of Digital Scientific Marketing in the ASEO context. Conclusion: The application of Digital Scientific Marketing requires reflection on the target audience and the proper delivery of content, taking into account social media metrics and effective audience engagement. Integrating Digital Scientific Marketing with Academic Search Engine Optimization (ASEO) provides new perspectives for scientific research, aiming to reach audiences beyond the specialized public. This approach can foster research in various knowledge areas and lead to the development of new lines of investigation.

Research on the impact of information sharing and government subsidy on competitive power battery recycling

From the perspective of promoting the compliant recycling of retired power batteries, this paper considers a power battery recycling supply chain dominated by the electric vehicle battery (EVB) manufacturer, where the formal and informal recyclers compete for recycling. Battery information sharing between the EVB manufacturer and the formal recycler is proposed firstly and based on this, government subsidy for the formal recycler is proposed then. By establishing models and comparing the equilibrium results, the recycling prices, recycling quantities and profit changes of supply chain members under different scenarios are obtained. The study shows that battery information sharing and government subsidy can promote more retired power batteries to enter formal channels and inhibit the development of informal recyclers. In addition, under the battery information sharing model, government subsidy can improve the formal recycler's profit loss due to battery information sharing. The proposal of these measures provides a development direction worthy of reference for the recycling of EVBs and is conducive to building a benign power battery full life cycle system.

Decoding the networking strategies of Asian and Black workers in the London Insurance Market

PurposeThis study utilizes Bourdieu’s concepts of field, capital and habitus to investigate the networking strategies of Asian and Black knowledge workers in the London Insurance Market. It also examines the factors contributing to the success or failure of these strategies. The trading activities of the London Insurance Market are underpinned by interdependent relations among its participants. It provides an appropriate context for examining the networking strategies adopted by Asian and Black workers to accelerate their careers.Design/methodology/approachThis research employed a qualitative methodology, gathering data from 24 participants through semi-structured interviews. Participants were selected using purposive, convenience, and snowball sampling methods. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data and develop aggregated concepts from the identified themes and subthemes.FindingsThe London Insurance Market accords great importance to networking. Interpersonal connections significantly influenced career progression, often overshadowing educational attainments. Asian and Black workers faced systemic nepotism and limited access to influential networks in this field. Participants strategically used their interactions to overcome these challenges and advance their careers. Many believed that their careers had a better chance of progressing through informal networks than through formal channels such as Human Resources. Some participants declined to engage in the commonly accepted networking practices, choosing alternative ways to further their careers.Practical implicationsFindings underscore the need for implementing specific organizational policies to address systemic biases and nepotism, particularly in front-office recruitment. Such policies could include prioritizing merit-based hiring practices and developing targeted initiatives to reduce the underrepresentation of minority ethnic workers in front-office positions. By adopting these measures, organizations can create more equitable career advancement opportunities and leverage the full potential of their diverse workforce.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing literature on minority ethnic workers' careers, networking theory and workplace diversity. It provides insights into the networking strategies of Asian and Black workers within the London Insurance Market, revealing that these strategies are dependent on contextual factors. The study also highlights the pervasive practice of nepotism deeply ingrained in the habitus of the London Insurance Market and which acts as a barrier for gaining access to influential networks.

What makes consumers buy from the informal rather than formal retail market? A consumption value perspective

Purpose This paper aims to understand consumption values buying from informal retail markets (i.e., street vendor retailing). It also explores why consumers prefer daily necessary goods from the informal compared to the formal retail market (such as supermarkets, retail chain outlets and e-commerce). Design/methodology/approach Employing the qualitative research approach, this study collected data from nine respondents in two areas in Malaysia. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using the thematic analysis technique. Only representative verbatim codes were presented under five themes of consumption value theory. Findings Consumers are triggered by the convenience, ease, and exclusive products (conditional value), friendly and known relationship with informal sellers, as well as the availability of some particular food items (emotional value) and lower price and freshness of groceries (functional value) while buying from informal compared to formal retail vendor. Research limitations/implications This study provides knowledge implications to the consumption value theory. Functional, emotional, and conditional values are the dominant components of purchase behaviour in informal compared to formal retail channels. Social values are common, whereas epistemic value is more substantial in formal retailing. Practical implications Findings are helpful for informal retail businesses to understand consumers' buying behaviour. Informal retail owners should ensure that commodities are fresh, highly affordable and available in the local communities. Building a friendly relationship with consumers would be a key to the success of this retail sector. Social implications Authorities should support informal sellers to set up mobile retail stores in residential areas. This effort would offer greater convenience to both parties in informal businesses and ensure informal sellers' financial and social well-being. Originality/value Despite the widespread acceptance of buying goods from informal retail vendors, research on consumption value in informal retailing is largely overlooked. Previous research primarily deals with formal market phenomena due to their size and economic contribution. Consequently, current literature lacks an understanding of why consumers prefer to buy from informal retail vendors for their daily groceries when the formal retail channel could fulfil similar needs. Using a qualitative research design, this research uncovers consumers' buying motives from informal compared to formal vendors.

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