Formal Mechanisms Research Articles

The informal role of marketing control systems

PurposeThe implementation of control systems allows marketing managers to improve operational decisions and organizational results. This paper aims to identify the relationship between control combinations and organizational results and analyze the relationships between the variables attributed to the marketing managers and with marketing control combinations. Decisions involving marketing control combine formal and informal mechanisms and generate control systems that have a favorable relationship with organizational results.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on 301 cross-sectional surveys among marketing managers. The classification procedure based on metric distance was implemented to identify the marketing control combinations. A hierarchical cluster analysis was carried out with perceptions about formal and informal control, to validate the control combination classifications. Finally, a discriminant analysis and ANOVA test were carried out for exploring factors associated with the managers. The data analysis was supported by IBM SPSS Statistics 24 software.FindingsThe authors found evidence that, when managers perceive high-control systems, the perception of non-financial and financial results is always better, but the presence of high-clan control also returns optimal results. In addition, the manager's satisfaction levels and work motivation are higher with high control systems than with other control systems.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing knowledge by providing a broader empirical basis to extend conceptual frameworks about marketing control combinations that emerge in practice.

Facilitating cooperation of smallholders in developing countries: design principles for a cooperative-oriented decentralized autonomous organization

AbstractClimate change and an increasing food demand due to a growing world population pose significant challenges for agriculture. Smallholders play a decisive role in establishing a sustainable and efficient future agricultural system since they already provide up to 80% of food in developing countries. However, they often face severe obstacles, especially in developing countries, hampering effective and efficient cooperation and productivity. Even though organizations in the form of cooperatives could help overcome some of the challenges of facilitating smallholders’ cooperation, they still suffer from structural problems. Further, in many countries, a lack of formal mechanisms to enforce contractual agreements exists. Given such challenges, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) have already proven to provide alternative forms of governance independent of formal contracts or intermediaries. Therefore, this study follows the design science research paradigm to design, develop, and evaluate a decentralized autonomous organization in the agricultural sector that makes use of cooperative principles. This cooperative-oriented DAO is governed by smart contracts and technically enabled by blockchain technology as the underlying infrastructure. Through our developed and evaluated artifact, the AgriDAO, we guide researchers and practitioners on how such a cooperative-oriented DAO could look to solve existing problems related to smallholders and cooperatives. Additionally, we present eight design principles that will guide the development of cooperative-oriented DAOs. Finally, our research shall initiate lively discussion and extensive exploration of this new form of organization.

Remembering Martial Law: An Eco-System of Truth Initiatives and the Emergence of Narrative Documentation in the Philippines

ABSTRACT In the Philippines, governmental and civil society actors installed a range of mechanisms to deal with violent legacies of the Marcos regime. Formal truth-telling mechanisms were, however, not part of the early transitional justice architecture, meaning that truth-seeking initially took place as part of other justice efforts. Nonetheless, more recently, a boom in truth, documentation and memorialization processes has resulted in a dynamic eco-system of formal and informal truth initiatives, dealing with Martial Law as well as other violent legacies. This article argues that this eco-system of truth initiatives underlines the importance and potential of foregrounding the dissemination of truths through a decentralized approach to truth-telling, as well as the potential of ‘narrative documentation’ in doing so. I then explore how this eco-systemic approach to truth-telling, and the narrative documentation used as part of it, can be a meaningful strategy in the face of ongoing disinformation campaigns.

Exploring Accountability Choices in Service Contracts for Collaborative Public Safety Services Provision

There is limited evidence on how local governments adopt formal contractual mechanisms to hold partners accountable and mitigate defection in the context of differing power dynamics. What kind of monitoring mechanisms do local governments choose to check opportunism and align incentives as they delegate service provision to another actor? Does the choice of monitoring mechanisms vary if the partner government is another local government, higher-level government, or a non-government actor? Does the choice of monitoring mechanisms used by local governments vary by the nature of service provision? To explore these questions, we examine a randomly selected sample of 163 public service contracts involving local governments in Iowa. Our findings suggest that the use of monitoring mechanisms is not homogenous and varies across different service areas and collaboration directions. In practice, our findings are useful for enhancing local governments’ internal contract management capacity for preventing contract failure, establishing accountability, and mitigating risk.

Safety Constraint-Guided Reinforcement Learning with Linear Temporal Logic

In the context of reinforcement learning (RL), ensuring both safety and performance is crucial, especially in real-world scenarios where mistakes can lead to severe consequences. This study aims to address this challenge by integrating temporal logic constraints into RL algorithms, thereby providing a formal mechanism for safety verification. We employ a combination of theoretical and empirical methods, including the use of temporal logic for formal verification and extensive simulations to validate our approach. Our results demonstrate that the proposed method not only maintains high levels of safety but also achieves comparable performance to traditional RL algorithms. Importantly, our approach fills a critical gap in the existing literature by offering a solution that is both mathematically rigorous and empirically validated. The study concludes that the integration of temporal logic into RL offers a promising avenue for developing algorithms that are both safe and efficient. This work lays the foundation for future research aimed at generalizing this approach to various complex systems and applications.

A collective autoethnography of coproduction in mental health research by academic researchers and young people in Brazil

IntroductionCoproduction of mental health research and interventions involving researchers and young people is increasingly common. However, this model raises challenges, related, for instance, to communication, power and control. This paper...

The Invisible Safeguards of Judicial Independence in the Israeli Judiciary

AbstractThe Israeli democracy regulates the operation of the judiciary through the constraints of formal rules that check the political actors, the individual judges, and the judiciary. Basic laws, laws and regulations prescribe the operation of every subject. Yet beyond these formal rules, informal institutions and practices are sometimes equally important in the operation of the judiciary, as they are in any constitutional system. In Israel, some of these informal institutions are crucial for the flourishing of democracy and the rule of law, through their protection of judicial independence from external political interference. The imminent possibility that political actors may set some of them aside is nothing less than a potential transformation in the constitutional order. Over the past few decades, judges and court administrators have introduced other internal informal institutions in the administration of the Israeli Judiciary, which qualify formal judicial accountability mechanisms in ways that may prove to be detrimental to democratic principles. This article discusses informal institutions that are important in the operation of the Israeli judiciary, separating the former external kind that are conducive to the rule of law—such as the illegitimacy of political and partisan considerations in judicial appointments—and whose disregard may signal democratic decay from the latter internal kind that may prove detrimental to the courts—such as opaquely changing who is responsible for court administration. Lastly, the political attempt to change informal institutions, detailed herein, can be seen as a harbinger of the current attempt to change formal institutions in the constitutional status of the judiciary in Israel.

CEO tenure, board monitoring and competitive corporate culture: how do they influence integrated reporting?

PurposeThis study aims to explore the association between chief executive officer (CEO) tenure and the quality of information disclosed through integrated reporting quality (IRQ), which combines financial and non-financial data. The authors also investigate how formal (e.g. board independence and gender diversity) and informal (e.g. corporate culture) governance mechanisms influence this association. By analysing these factors, the authors expect to provide valuable insights on the impact of CEO tenure and governance structures on the comprehensive nature of integrated reporting.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a sample of the top 200 Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)-listed companies from 2015 to 2019. IRQ is measured through levels of compliance with the integrated reporting (IR) framework proposed by the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC). The hypotheses are tested using multiple regression analyses.FindingsThe authors find that CEO tenure is negatively associated with IRQ. Furthermore, CEO tenure has a more positive influence on IRQ in the early CEO tenure years than later ones. The authors' study finds that the association between CEO tenure and IRQ is insignificant when firms have a high level of monitoring, as measured by board independence and gender diversity. The authors also document that competitive corporate culture moderates the negative association between CEO tenure and IRQ.Originality/valueThe authors' study highlights the significant impact of internal formal and informal governance mechanisms on disclosure practices in Australia's voluntary IR environment. By shedding light on these factors, the authors' research enhances understanding of Australian companies' IR practices and offers valuable insights for scholars, policymakers and practitioners in the field.

THE CHALLENGES OF VILLAGE COURTS TO OPERATIONALIZE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL: A CASE STUDY IN THE SOUTHWEST REGION OF BANGLADESH

The village court and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) promised to resolve civil cases instead of regular court proceedings in rural areas, as it takes less time and is a more cost-saving process. Village courts are a useful pattern of dispute resolution in the local community by avoiding formal judicial mechanisms. This study examines the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of village courts in rural Bangladesh. Additionally, it identifies the challenges of village court to operationalization at the local level. To do that, by employing multistage sampling technique, nine unions from rural communities in Bangladesh's southwestern districts of Bagerhat, Khulna, and Sathkhria were selected as study areas. Mixed method approach was adopted, where 141 households were surveyed by using a semi-structured questionnaire for quantitative data, and three focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII) were applied to collect qualitative information. Descriptive statistics and SWOT analysis were carried out to address the research objective. The study result demonstrates that the middle-aged (31-40 year) group, secondary level of education, and lower middle-income (10,001-20,000 BDT/month) people are the main stakeholders in reporting disputes to the village court. The findings from qualitative part show that the main challenges of village court are the lack of manpower, logistic support, infrastructure, and lack of training for village court personnel. Other challenges are the lack of awareness of local people regarding the law relating to village courts and their limited pecuniary jurisdiction (up to 75,000 BDT). However, village courts have several strengths, including fair trials, the existence of rules and regulations, a well-accepted body, easy access to justice, and less paperwork. This study demonstrates that resolving the present problems will increase the efficacy of village courts, allowing them to provide cost-effective, timely, and harassment-free justice to local communities. Therefore, the study recommends that the government should take the necessary action and amend the law relating to village courts to overcome the existing challenges and fully functionalize them for the greater wellbeing of local communities in Bangladesh.

Contrôle de gestion durable : Quels modèles de contrôle dans les grandes entreprises marocaines

Previous research has shown that management control is essential in helping an organization become more sustainable. However, skepticism has been raised about the existence of management controls in the context of sustainability, particularly regarding their role in promoting sustainability within organizations. Based on Malmi and Brown's (2008) management control framework, this article empirically explores the extent to which large companies have developed a set of formal and informal management control mechanisms and theorizes a sustainability control model. The results show that all companies studied deploy sustainability management controls. The document identifies two approaches to sustainable management control, formal or informal. The results also highlight the need for research to better understand the situations in which formal and informal management control in sustainability could be developed.

Antiradical Activity of Lignans from Cleistanthus sumatranus: Theoretical Insights into the Mechanism, Kinetics, and Solvent Effects.

Sumatranus lignans (SL) isolated from Cleistanthus sumatranus have demonstrated bioactivities, e.g., they were shown to exhibit immunosuppressive properties in previous research. Their structure suggests potential antioxidant activity that has not attracted any attention thus far. Consistently, a comprehensive analysis of the antioxidant activity of these compounds is highly desirable with the view of prospective medical applications. In this work, the mechanism and kinetics of the antiradical properties of SL against hydroperoxyl radicals were studied by using calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). In the lipid medium, it was discovered that SL reacted with HOO• through the formal hydrogen transfer mechanism with a rate constant of 101-105 M-1 s-1, whereas in aqueous media, the activity primarily occurred through the sequential proton loss electron transfer mechanism with rate constants of 102-108 M-1 s-1. In both lipidic and aqueous environments, the antiradical activity of compounds 6 and 7 exceeds that of resveratrol, ascorbic acid, and Trolox. These substances are therefore predicted to be good radical scavengers in physiological environments.

Role of Informal Institutions in Climate Change Adaptive and Mitigative Measures: A Case Study of Jirga and Ashar Movement

This research delves into the significant role of informal institutions, notably the Ashar movement and the Jirga, in addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation. Operating within traditional frameworks for conflict resolution, these structures play a vital role in fostering societal harmony and environmental stewardship. Focusing on Baluchistan, Pakistan, where the Ashar movement originated, the study examines its grassroots initiatives in combating issues like deforestation. The Jirga, as an essential component, formulates resolutions that blend tradition with modern challenges. Employing qualitative analysis and case studies, the research underscores the impact of these informal institutions. It highlights the necessity for greater synergy between informal and formal mechanisms to bolster climate resilience. Advocating for policy recognition and integration of community-driven efforts, the study emphasizes the pivotal role of grassroots initiatives in effective climate governance.

Why use or forgo formal and informal appropriation mechanisms? A qualitative study of sustainable innovations from small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises

AbstractThe role that appropriation mechanisms such as patents and secrecy play in sustainable innovation is currently being debated. In particular, we lack an understanding of the different motives behind using or forgoing specific appropriation mechanisms. Current knowledge is mainly derived from the general innovation literature, which emphasizes profiting from innovation. However, sustainable innovators also seek to positively impact the environment and society, which raises the question of whether existing appropriation literature also applies to sustainable innovation. We interviewed 42 business leaders from small‐to‐medium‐sized enterprises concerning a recently commercialized sustainable innovation. The results indicate that known motives from the general innovation literature apply to sustainable innovation but also reveal motives specific to sustainable innovation. We also discovered motives suitable to all innovations, such as non‐disclosure agreement motives extending beyond achieving secrecy. Theoretically, our findings suggest the profiting from innovation framework may also apply to sustainable innovation, even though the pursuit of profits is not the only motive of sustainable innovators. In practical terms, the results help sustainable innovators to craft an appropriation strategy, and policy‐related opportunities arise for improving patent and trademark filing experiences.

Transportation system performance capabilities for vulnerable populations

A critical component of transportation systems' resilience is their capability of withstanding disruptions and adapting to changing conditions to safely meet the demands of the users pre-, peri-, and post-disasters. Historically, disruptions from natural hazards are more consequential, with more negative disproportionate impacts on older adults, ethnic minority groups, rural, and disabled populations. Incorporating special users' needs as a core value of transportation systems resilience management will equip transportation agencies to improve the system performance for these populations. This study aims to expand the understanding of transportation systems resilience from an equity standpoint. To achieve this, two sets of surveys were used to collect data about the vulnerable populations' needs and concerns, and a conceptual framework connecting the users' needs to the system's performance was developed. The paper proposes a planning framework for transportation agencies to improve the transportation system's outcomes for vulnerable communities, with a particular focus on resilience to natural hazards. Overall, the results underscore the critical role of user input in achieving equity in resilience planning by providing a formal mechanism for integrating the specific needs of vulnerable populations into the planning process. Contributions to resilience and engineering management literature are achieved by highlighting the shortcomings of current resilience approaches and providing a framework for the formal incorporation of vulnerable populations' needs in the agencies' documented plans for the purpose of improved resilience management.

Senior Managers in the UK: The Development of Educational Leaders in Further Education Institutions

The knowledge of the enhancement of the journey to educational leadership in the Further Education (FE) sector in the United Kingdom (UK) has attracted the attention of academics. The majority of the experiments reviewed illustrate the formal educational mechanisms that leaders have experimentally learned via their experiences in FE. However, this study proposed that in order to lead admirably, senior academic leaders need additional assistance for their training and hands-on leadership experience. With an emphasis on Gronn’s theory of leadership model, the major objective is to critically evaluate educational leadership development at FE institutions in the UK. This supports the recognition of leadership in Gronn’s model in career terms and explores the significant impacts of the four phases of Gronn’s model in the development of academic leaders. Additionally, this study is interested in learning about leaders’ experiences and how they view leadership in FE in general. This study used a mixed-method approach to ensure that the two main research questions were consistently addressed. Twelve leaders at the FBT participated in face-to-face interviews for the data-gathering process, while 61 leaders in the UK completed a questionnaire. The results showed that developing into an effective leader requires a number of factors, or what Gronn’s concept of the leadership journey refers to as four sequential phases. Four areas of critical impact were identified during the professional pathway: family influence, educational influence, influential people, and significant experiences. The leader’s major experiences, character traits, and leadership aspirations were all shaped by fostering knowledge. The research on educational leadership supports the idea that a school leader’s capacity is greatly influenced by their leadership, which is the implication of this study.

Coffee and cigarettes in industrial relations: A comparative network analysis of the role of informality

Literature commonly links the role of informality in collective bargaining to industrial relations systems based on voluntarism and decentralized negotiation settings. According to this view, informal processes won’t exist or at best play a marginal role in institutionally strong industrial relations systems, where formal rules define the roles, rights and duties of actors in the system. Yet, even in highly regulated contexts, formal and informal mechanisms very often co-exist and complement each other to help reach agreements or solve conflicts among actors. A relational approach and social network analysis applied to the study of the retail sector in Italy, Netherlands and Spain allows to understand the role of informality in countries with different industrial relations regimes. The analysis shows the importance of informal interactions and events in all countries, irrespectively of the industrial relations regime, and confirms the positive contribution of relational approaches to the study of collective bargaining linking with the literature on the embeddedness theory and structural holes.

Total allowable catches and fishing opportunity decisions of the Council of the EU – A voting power index approach

The setting of total allowable catches (TACs) have been a part of the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy since its conception in 1983 and has been the main management tool of conservation of fisheries stocks in EU waters. TAC decisions of the Council are made behind closed doors, which has been the object of criticism. Previously voting power indices have been calculated and used to analyse Council decisions (e.g. EU budget) and institutional changes of the EU (e.g. Treaty of Lisbon), however not for EU TAC legislation and decisions. This paper looks at EU Council decision making for a subset of member states concerning TAC decisions for which the Council has exclusive competence in. Specifically, the paper looks at formal mechanisms of voting in the Council concerning EU TAC decision-making by calculating voting power indices for member states. Additionally, the paper looks at the changes in voting power due to the UK leaving the EU. Results indicate that the Council’s voting rules distributes voting power to member states with larger populations, but also distributes disproportionally voting power to smaller member states at the expense of medium size populated member states. This reflects previous results from the literature. The results do not undermine the importance of informal mechanisms such as consensus and coalition building among member states, but rather complement it.

Sale and Purchase of Ships over GT-7 Size without Authentic Deeds in North Morowali Regency

This research aims to discern and analyze the legal repercussions of selling and purchasing ships over GT-7 size without authentic deeds. This research uses an empirical legal research method. All collected data is then qualitatively analyzed to describe the problem and answer the research objectives. The results show that the preference of the North Morowali community leans more towards the use of receipts as evidence of the sale and purchase of ships over GT-7 size, compared to the formal mechanism of a deed of sale and purchase executed before a Notary. As a result, five ships over GT-7 size operate without Port Clearance, which inevitably places the ship’s captain in a vulnerable position regarding criminal punishment: a maximum imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to IDR 600,000,000. Furthermore, the sale and purchase of ships over GT-7 size without authentic deeds have also resulted in ownership disputes among the local community, as the gross deed of ship registration still lists the previous owner’s identity. Therefore, several recommendations can be proposed to the relevant stakeholders. First, the Harbor Master of Kolonodale Port should conduct intensive socialization regarding the importance of the deed of sale for ships over GT-7 size executed before a Notary. This socialization aims to ensure the clear legal status of ships, raise public awareness about safety and seaworthiness, and prevent potential criminal punishment risks for the captain. Second, as Government Officials, the Ship Registration Officer and Ship Name Transfer Recorder should collaborate with legal institutions to review ships operating in Indonesian waters without Port Clearance. Lastly, Law Enforcement should adopt a mediation approach in resolving ship ownership disputes, prioritizing aspects of justice and truth, thereby preventing further losses for the Northern Morowali community.

Downward Accountability of NGOs in Bangladesh: Theoretical Issues and Empirical Investigation

This article analyses overall NGO accountability and accountability to beneficiaries in particular. It is based on the collection of qualitative data from four NGOs in Bangladesh. The participation of beneficiaries has been disaggregated into three phases for more analytical discussion: decision-making, implementation, and evaluation. The study results reveal that the participation of beneficiaries is much higher in the project/program implementation phase. The condition is alarming for the decision-making and evaluation phase, where participation is more rhetoric and sham rituals than the actual exercise. The study also identified some formal and informal mechanisms of participation.

Mixed and non-competitive enzyme inhibition: underlying mechanisms and mechanistic irrelevance of the formal two-site model

The formal mechanism of linear mixed and non-competitive enzyme inhibition implies the binding of inhibitors to both the active site of the free enzyme in competition with the substrate, and to an allosteric site on the enzyme-substrate complex. However, it is evident from a review of the scientific literature that the two-site mechanism is frequently mistaken as the actual underlying mechanism of mixed inhibition. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of the mechanistic relevance of this type of inhibition using a statistical approach. By combining a statistical analysis of the inhibition cases documented in the BRENDA database with a theoretical investigation of inhibition models, we conclude that mixed inhibitors exclusively bind to the active site of enzymes. Hence ruling out any implication of allosteric sites and depriving the two-site model of any mechanistic relevance.