Governance Structures Research Articles

Assessing Age-Friendly Community Initiatives: Developing a Novel Survey Tool for Assessment and Evaluation.

Age-Friendly Community Initiatives (AFCIs) have gained recognition as essential responses to the needs of aging populations. Despite their growing significance, there is a notable lack of effective measurement tools to assess the planning, implementation, and sustainability of AFCIs. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a survey tool for evaluating AFCIs. A sequential exploratory mixed-method design was used in two phases. First, we identified key themes from interviews with AFCI leads to generate AFCI survey items and regional workshops. Then, we conducted a pilot of the survey and assessed its measurement properties. Thematic analysis of interviews with 68 key informants from 58 AFCIs revealed four main themes: AFCI priorities, enablers, challenges, and benefits. These themes, combined with feedback from AFCI stakeholders at the regional workshops and a AFCI conference, informed the development and refinement of a reliable and valid AFCI survey in 2019, supported by a high Cronbach's Alpha value (α = 0.881). Steps were identified to maintain and sustain the AFCI survey over time. The survey accommodates AFCIs' diverse demographics, governance structures, and priorities with a standardized and flexible approach for effective measurement. This research contributes to the academic understanding of AFCIs and aids community leaders and policymakers in planning, implementing, and evaluating AFCIs.

Strengthening the Human Rights Guarantee System in the Management of Migrant Policies in Brazil

Objective: This study aimed to conduct a bibliographic survey of scientific productions that deal with migration governance throughout the national territory. Theoretical Framework: Supported by the theoretical and methodological assumptions of dialectical historical materialism, this article is part of the results of a post-doctoral internship that discusses the strengthening and defense of the rights of migrants in Brazil. Method: As a procedure for collecting this data, a time frame of research from the last ten years (2014-2024) was used. For this purpose, a survey of scientific production in Brazilian postgraduate programs indexed in the BDTD (Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations) was carried out. The analysis, in turn, was based on the ten dimensions of migration governance, developed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) adapted to the Brazilian context. Results and Discussion: The results revealed that although there is an effort by municipalities and states to try to strengthen the guarantee of rights to migrants, there are still gaps and difficulties in ensuring them. There is fragmentation in the provision of services to migrants and difficulties for sectoral policies to carry out integrated and cross-cutting actions. Few studies discuss the institutional structure of migration governance, that is, the strategic organization of public policies in order to strengthen the guarantee of the rights of migrants. Research Implications: The importance of this study lies in organizing and producing materials to support professionals who work to promote the human rights of migrants in the country. Originality/Value: Considering that the management of migration and migrant policies is still under construction, this research contributes to thinking about ways to ensure the rights of migrants through effective migration governance.

First Level Leadership in Schools: Evidence from Secondary Schools Across Australia

This article presents the results of an investigation into the phenomenon of ‘first level leadership’ in schools. The current theorization of school leadership largely includes senior and middle leaders. Yet there is evidence in schools, as well as recent research, about the existence of ‘first level leaders’. Some scholars might argue that this equates to teacher leadership, but that term is often confounded with middle leadership. First level leadership includes the efforts of teachers who hold positions of responsibility, but experience smaller spans of influence than middle leaders. The study reported here represents the initial phase of a multi-phase research program aimed at clarifying who first-level leaders are and what they do. The aim of the present study was to identify evidence of first level leadership from role descriptions, explanations of governance and leadership structures. The official websites of 675 secondary schools from all sectors and states of Australia were investigated to identify potential first level leadership positions, resulting in evidence from 87 schools. Confirmation of these positions was achieved through descriptions of responsibilities and jurisdictional documents such as role descriptions. The positions included coaches, coordinators and assistant heads. The article concludes with implications for educational leadership theory as well as policy and practices relating to developing school leaders.

Information Stratification: An Understanding of Rural Governance in the New Media Era

Current research on media governance emphasizes the technological aspect of information as a tool but lacks sufficient attention to the digital transformation of information subjects. This paper aims to focus on the internal information characteristics of rural governance in the digital age, thus understanding the changes of rural governance subjects in the information society under new media contexts. Based on more than a decade of fieldwork in rural areas of Beijing conducted by the research team, this study employs in-depth interviews and participant observation in a multi-case study, exploring the structural representation of rural governance from an information perspective. The research reveals that in the new media era, rural society, under multiple governance bodies, generates differentiated information stratification, specifically manifesting as instrumental rational information in the formal governance layer, proxy implementation information in the semi-formal governance layer, and livelihood-adaptive information in the informal governance layer. Among these, the authority-driven governance information in the formal layer is the core part of the rural governance system. The subjects and structures of information under multiple governance bodies are interconnected and coexist within the internal field of rural governance, subsequently driving the centralization of formal governance information, the collaboration of semi-formal governance information, and the alienation of informal governance information. This leads to the emergence of orderly information stratification within the multi-layered governance structure. Information stratification deepens the explanatory pathway of multi-layered governance in rural social studies and proposes new perspectives for understanding rural governance issues in the new media era.

Development and Initial Implementation of a Clinical Monitoring Strategy in a Non-regulated Trial: a research note from the ReStOre II Trial

Background Data and Safety Monitoring is integral to quality assurance of clinical trials. Although monitoring is a core legal component of regulated clinical trials, non-regulated trials are not mandated to incorporate monitoring. Consequently, the monitoring process has been underutilised and underreported in this setting. This research report outlines the development and plans for implementing a bespoke Clinical Monitoring Strategy within the ‘Rehabilitation Strategies Following Oesophagogastric and Hepatopancreaticobiliary Cancer (ReStOre II) Trial’, a non-regulated trial comparing a 12-week multidisciplinary programme of rehabilitation to standard care in a cohort of 120 cancer survivors. Methods This research note provides a detailed overview of the ReStOre II Clinical Monitoring Strategy and describes the development of the strategy pre and post awarding of the grant. The strategy consists of the establishment and implementation of a comprehensive trial governance structure, inclusive of a Trial Management Group, Trial Steering Committee Meeting, and Independent Data Monitoring Committee. In addition, external trial monitoring by the Clinical Research Facility at St James’s Hospital. Three monitoring visits will be conducted during the trial; i) site initiation visit, ii) interim monitoring visit, and iii) close our visit. Results The Clinical Monitoring Strategy has been finalised and is currently being implemented within the ReStOre II Trial. Two site initiation visits and one interim monitoring visit have been completed to date. Conclusion This research note provides a template for implementation of a Clinical Monitoring Strategy in a non-regulated clinical trial. Registration ReStOre II Trial: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03958019

“ESG score” vs. “ESG rating”: a conceptual model for the sustainability assessment and self-assessment of European SMEs

This paper aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse regarding the distinctions and application of scoring and rating systems by presenting a conceptual model designed to assess and self-assess small and medium-sized enterprises (hereinafter also “SMEs”) on their sustainability transition. Indeed, SMEs operate in very different economic contexts and have simplified organizational and governance structures. These characteristics can be effectively captured through this conceptual model based on a customized questionnaire tailored to the specificities of SMEs. Following an analysis of existing literature and regulatory frameworks, a conceptual model is proposed that includes a questionnaire that, unlike commonly proposed industry questionnaires, is designed to generate an Environmental, Social and Governance (hereinafter also “ESG”) Score complemented by a forward-looking perspective. This model can be useful for SMEs, as it allows them to self-assess their strengths and weaknesses in the sustainability transition process, highlighting specific needs and suggesting actions to improve their sustainability transition. It also allows banks to make a more accurate assessment of the sustainability of their customers, facilitating the redefinition of green and social credit products according to the needs of SMEs. Additionally, it also supports supply chain leaders in ensuring a sustainable supply chain by facilitating the sustainability assessment of SMEs. This is so that everything complies with the new European Union (hereinafter also “EU”) regulations. Finally, the questionnaire is currently being tested at a local bank and has been proposed to SME suppliers in a specific supply chain. It will be possible to make changes to the questionnaire based on the feedback received during the administration phase.

Self-governance of condominiums in urban China: A strategic action field perspective

This paper investigates the impact of homeowners’ condominium self-governance on neighbourhood governance in urban China. The self-governance campaign, which advocates for the direct employment of property management personnel, signifies condominium owners’ endeavours to reassert control over their private living space against the intervention of the state and the exploitation of property management agents. Whilst self-governance is practised within specific walled neighbourhoods, homeowners’ efforts to amplify the influence of this campaign have brought it beyond the mere selection of a property management model. Employing the strategic action field approach, this paper identifies the key actors and specific forces that shape China’s condominium and neighbourhood governance. It also explores the potential political risks associated with the self-governance campaign and how it changes the power dynamics within the neighbourhood governance structure. The research findings not only illustrate the versatility of the strategic action field approach in analysing the various aspects of condominiums and private neighbourhood governance in urban China but also extend current understanding of the interplay among homeowners’ organisations, market agents and state actors and reveal relevant implications for neighbourhood governance in urban China.

Towards trustworthy medical AI ecosystems – a proposal for supporting responsible innovation practices in AI-based medical innovation

AbstractIn this article, we explore questions about the culture of trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) through the lens of ecosystems. We draw on the European Commission’s Guidelines for Trustworthy AI and its philosophical underpinnings. Based on the latter, the trustworthiness of an AI ecosystem can be conceived of as being grounded by both the so-called rational-choice and motivation-attributing accounts—i.e., trusting is rational because solution providers deliver expected services reliably, while trust also involves resigning control by attributing one’s motivation, and hence, goals, onto another entity. Our research question is: What aspects contribute to a responsible AI ecosystem that can promote justifiable trustworthiness in a healthcare environment? We argue that especially within devising governance and support aspects of a medical AI ecosystem, considering the so-called motivation-attributing account of trust provides fruitful pointers. There can and should be specific ways and governance structures supporting and nurturing trustworthiness beyond mere reliability. After compiling a list of preliminary requirements for this, we describe the emergence of one particular medical AI ecosystem and assess its compliance with and future ways of improving its functioning as a responsible AI ecosystem that promotes trustworthiness.

Frontrunner model for responsible AI governance in the public sector: the Dutch perspective

AbstractAcross the European Union, considerable discrepancies can be observed regarding the current state of AI adoption in the public sector and the complexity of functioning AI governance structures. This can be attributed to diverse levels of digitalisation, AI maturity and governance styles across EU member states. In the field of AI implementation and AI governance models in the public sector the frontrunner is the Netherlands, scoring first in the Global Index on Responsible AI. Analysing this example of good practices in terms of AI governance, with a focus on the delegation acceptance perspective, is of relevance for the state of art on AI governance within the EU. The article looks into the structure of the public Dutch Algorithm Register which currently contains over 400 entries, the AI framework for the public sector, supervisory structures in place and risks management approaches, addressing the importance of values in the development and deployment of AI systems and algorithms. The article demonstrates how in the case of AI also, early adaptors shape future behaviours, thus carrying a burden of responsibility when developing and deploying key enabling technologies in line with the core values.

Complex Hybrid Governance in the South American Borderlands: The Agency of Grassroots Actors in Transforming Violent Conflicts

ABSTRACTThis article examines the role of grassroots actors in regions of violent conflict where competing governance systems exists. Specifically, it focuses on those living in the borderlands of South America, where alternative forms of governance may be created in response to violence between state and criminal organizations. In this context, how can grassroots actors overcome protracted armed violence and establish new, legitimate forms of social governance? To explore this question, our methodology employs data triangulation, combining literature, news reports, and fieldwork data collected in two violence‐prone territories: the borderlands of Cúcuta (Colombia)/Táchira state (Venezuela) and Pedro Juan Caballero (Paraguay)/Ponta Porã (Brazil). We argue that grassroots actors can develop innovative and alternative governance structures that differ from those of the state and criminal groups. This research also contributes to the ongoing discussion about the agency of local actors in violent conflicts between nonstate actors and the state. The findings demonstrate that grassroots actors in violent border regions can actively transform conflicts and build peace, particularly in areas such as migration, security, health, and education.

NEXUS BETWEEN THE ABSENCE OF A SOCIAL COMPACT, SOCIETAL POLARIZATION AND ITS IMPACT ON SERVICE DELIVERY IN SOUTH AFRICAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

South Africa, a nation marked by profound disparities, is deeply entrenched in the painful historical legacies of its past. The discourse on socio-economic transformation has been ongoing since the African National Congress (ANC) came into power in 1994, aiming to foster a social compact and reconcile the polarized society. Despite these efforts, black communities continue to face discrimination in service delivery. Daily reports of protests in impoverished, predominantly black communities emphasize the absence of a social compact in South Africa. This paper, primarily conceptual in nature and relying on secondary data, seeks to explore the nexus between the absence of a social compact, societal polarization, and its impact on service delivery in South African local government. It contends that addressing issues of poor service delivery, public protests and anti-government sentiment must start with acknowledging the absence of a social compact. This recognition should serve as the foundation for pursuing new paradigms for effective development and good governance practices at the local government level. The findings of this study suggest that the absence of a social compact is not only a result of human actions but also reflects structural issues. This absence exacerbates societal divisions, erodes trust in governance structures and hampers collaborative efforts crucial for effective service provision. Furthermore, societal polarization compounds challenges related to resource allocation and perpetuates disparities in service access, particularly impacting marginalized communities. In conclusion, the paper proposes policy recommendations aimed at fostering social cohesion, addressing structural inequalities, and promoting inclusive governance practices.

Watt’s fair in Mumbai: intermediaries’ impact on energy justice in informal settlements

Abstract India’s ongoing energy transitions are a systemic response to addressing critical challenges associated with climate change. Importantly, it leverages decarbonization as a strategic pivot to simultaneously mitigate and adapt to climate risks. The decarbonization agenda is largely skewed towards mitigation, struggling with adaptation alignments. Energy justice is a core dimension of adaptation intervention and it is important to explore how energy justice is or can be conceptualized and delivered as the decarbonization agenda is underway. Existing research suggests that, in the cities of the Global South, active involvement of intermediaries becomes a pivotal anchor and pathway to access infrastructure services, especially in low-income and informal settlements. Importantly, advocacy efforts by intermediaries also tackle existing injustices that restrict these settlements from accessing essential infrastructure services. Intermediaries become especially important in cities like Mumbai, where 41% of the people live in informal settlements (slums). Using Mumbai as a case study, this paper explores two questions in the context of intermediaries, energy access, and energy justice. First, how do intermediaries engage with infrastructure and governance structures to enable access to electricity in informal settlements? Second, does this ‘intermediation’ deliver just outcomes? Empirical fieldwork reveals that intermediaries serve as a quasi-political counterbalance by engaging in ‘politics from the bottom’ to articulate justice concerns, mobilize stakeholders, and produce knowledge that feeds back into the intermediation process. We argue that this is important if we need to ensure that energy transitions do not create systemic inequities and that the benefits of the ongoing transition are widespread and just.

Aligning local governance with SDGs: a study of local government systems in Pakistan

ABSTRACT This study examines the experiences of local government councilors between 2013–2020 in four provinces of Pakistan. The study addresses three key questions: Firstly, it investigates the differences and commonalities in the local government structures across provinces and explores the potential for synchronization to enhance the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level. Secondly, it examines the main challenges local councilors face in effectively delivering basic services, including water, sanitation, health, education, waste management, and transport, within both rural and urban contexts. Lastly, the study analyses the necessary changes or reforms at the provincial level within the existing local government system in rural and urban areas to ensure the delivery of basic services in alignment with SDGs. The findings reveal that a powerful bureaucracy and political influence at the intermediate to upper levels of the government hierarchy exert significant control over administrative, fiscal, and political.

Challenges and Opportunities for a Local Government Implementing a Human Rights Policy in Australia

This article considers how a human rights culture in urban policymaking fits within wider theories of human rights cities. Specifically, it considers practical ways to bring together what local government officers consider the most important initiatives to enhance human rights in the city, and which initiatives are feasible to implement in the context of complex urban governance structures. It argues that principles of leadership, accountability, and operational capability are all integral to the successful implementation of a human rights approach in the city. This account is informed by empirical data from a research project undertaken in a city council located in Melbourne, Australia. This study used a mixed-methods approach combining conversations, focus groups, and a co-designed workshop with local government officers working in various departments in the city, local politicians, and community representatives. The workshop collected ideas on how to work successfully towards the implementation of a human rights policy in the city council and to understand how obstacles to implementation can be overcome by changing the culture in the organisation. The findings show that a lack of leadership, an overreliance on quantitative monitoring, and diffused operational capability hamper the implementation of a local human rights culture in this local government council. Recommendations are for councillors and CEOs in local governments to take a stronger leadership role and for residents to be more involved in the co-design of human rights initiatives in the community.

Fact-Checkers on the Fringe: Investigating Methods and Practices Associated With Contested Areas of Fact-Checking

This study investigates the methods and practices used by self-identified fact-checkers situated on the fringe of the field of fact-checking to support their agenda for public recognition and legitimacy. Using a case study approach and selecting nine cases across five countries (Russia, Brazil, India, China, and Singapore), we identify the most common distinguishable attributes and tactics associated with this ambiguous collection of actors. In addition to identifying how fringe fact-checkers weaponize fact-checking practices and exploit or mimic the social standing of accredited fact-checkers, we critique examples where state-supported fact-checkers associated with authoritarian governance structures fact-check for national interests. We propose a spectrum of fact-checkers including those where public or general interest fact-checkers follow journalistic ideals and align with accredited communities of practice or non-accredited peer recognition, and a collection of fringe fact-checkers ranging from “special interest” actors promoting specific political agendas to hostile actors with disruptive, destructive, and openly propagandistic interests and aims to destabilize the global public sphere. The article contributes to current research and debates about the institutionalization of fact-checking and the understudied area of fact-checking impersonation, a problematic activity associated with misinformation and propaganda on platforms and the internet.

The Impact of ESG Performance on the Financial Performance of Chinese High-Tech and Internet Industry Firms

This study aims to explore the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance on the financial performance of firms in China’s high-tech and internet industries. Using annual data from 100 companies spanning from 2015 to 2022, a fixed effects model is applied for empirical analysis. The study finds that overall ESG performance has a significant positive impact on firms' return on assets (ROA) and net profit margin (NPM), with the governance (G) and social (S) dimensions showing particularly strong effects. While the environmental (E) dimension has a weaker short-term impact on financial performance, its long-term benefits are undeniable. Firm size and market share also have significant positive effects on financial performance. The results suggest that optimizing governance structures and actively fulfilling social responsibilities can enhance financial performance, while long-term investments in environmental responsibility should be integrated into corporate strategies. Overall, the findings provide empirical evidence for companies in formulating ESG strategies and offer specific policy recommendations for the sustainable development of China’s high-tech and internet industries.

Board characteristics and accounting value relevance: Insights from Saudi Arabia

This study aims to determine the extent to which corporate governance affects the usefulness of financial information available to investors in Saudi Arabia. The research investigates the impact of board characteristics—including independence, size, and frequency of meetings—on the value relevance of financial statements. Data from 125 non-financial firms from 2018 to 2022 were analyzed. The results indicate that increases in both book value per share (BVPS) and earnings per share (EPS) significantly enhance share prices. Furthermore, board independence, size, and meeting frequency amplify the value relevance of EPS but not BVPS, highlighting the complementary role of these governance attributes in equity valuation. High-quality governance and financial reporting are crucial for accurate evaluation of financial statements, enabling investors to perform more precise equity valuations. This underscores the importance of robust corporate governance structures. These insights are valuable for regulators, firms, and investors. Regulators can use these findings to strengthen corporate governance frameworks, ensuring boards are independent, well-sized, and diligent, thereby enhancing financial transparency. Firms can improve their governance practices, boosting the credibility and usefulness of their financial reports, which fosters greater market trust and attracts investment. Investors benefit from more reliable financial information, allowing for better-informed decisions and more precise equity valuations.

ERM strategies for navigating financial stress: Lessons from US commercial banks

This study explores the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) strategies employed by U.S. commercial banks during times of financial stress, with a focus on the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. It investigates how ERM frameworks enable banks to make risk-adjusted decisions and effectively manage credit risk, ensuring both operational resilience and long-term value preservation. The research highlights the critical role of ERM in guiding banks through periods of market volatility, emphasizing the need for a structured approach to risk identification, assessment, and mitigation. Through a detailed analysis, the study examines how commercial banks have adjusted their risk appetite and governance structures in response to economic disruptions, balancing short-term stability with long-term growth objectives. Key ERM components such as capital adequacy, liquidity management, and stress testing are reviewed to demonstrate their effectiveness in safeguarding financial institutions. Additionally, the research discusses the importance of leadership and governance in enhancing risk oversight and fostering a culture of risk awareness across banking operations. The findings offer valuable lessons for financial institutions on how to navigate future financial stresses by leveraging robust ERM frameworks. By examining these strategies, the paper provides insights into the adaptability and resilience of U.S. commercial banks in maintaining financial stability and shareholder value in the face of uncertainty.. Keywords: Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Financial Stress, Credit Risk Management, Operational Resilience, U.S. Commercial Banks, Governance Structures.

The Lessons from Sanctions on Iran and Their Impacts on the Development of Civil Aviation Understanding and Iranian Airlines

After the Islamic Revolution, Iran lived through many hard times not only because of its economic and financial resources such as oil and petroleum but also because of its historical, social, supremacy and leadership of some other Islamic countries and communities. Essentially, it has tried to defend its position for many years without sacrificing its Idiosyncratic Islamic governance structure within the world context or other Islamic countries, for these reasons, it has witnessed a lot of economic and financial sanctions or bans. Although Iran has a lot of highly qualified academicians and a workforce in the science of aviation, its civil aviation management structure and related activities, such as airline management, are very far from the average of the world depending on these financial and economic sanctions and bans by international orders. This situation is subjected to this research as a gap. This paper will analyse the civil aviation and air carrier industry of Iran under the impacts of these economic and financial bans and sanctions regarding four dimensions: Maintenance, Training and licensing, corporal development, and relationships with manufacturers. Essentially, at the beginning of the new age, in terms of international politics and conflicts in every continent of the world, new sanctions and bans are on the trouble agenda of world civil aviation agencies and institutions because of their highly political structure, and these bans and sanctions carry generally economic and financial identities, although they have international policy claims. There are a lot of possibilities on the desks of the civil aviation authorities for the burdens of these sanctions and bans and their sustainability impacts on civil aviation. Moving from the situation of Iran, the correct courses and necessary economic and financial policies will be suggested in this new world context and understanding.

The role of state policy in shaping the culture of society: socio-philosophical ideas of the XVII ‒ XIX centuries

Relevance. In modern society, conflicting opinions formed about the role of state shaping Russian culture. Changes concept cultural policy problem imbalance between the actions authorities and willingness citizens them. The search solution problem boils down study works sociologists and philosophers various historical periods, where question functions state and degree interference state policy cultural development society was raised.The purpose ‒ is to analyze scientific works XVII-XIX centuries, revealing the place and role state policy in shaping the culture of society.Objectives: to analyze the works R. Descartes, T. Hobbes, F. Bacon, A. Smith, F. Nietzsche, A. Saint-Simon, O. Konte, E. Durkheim; to formulate functions cultural policy; to present the role state in the cultural development society.Methodology. Research was conducted basis systematic approach within the framework structural functionalism using universal scientific methods such analysis, synthesis and generalization.Results. The main results are presented follows: within the framework this article, a study was conducted, with the help which we formulated peculiarities views sociologists and philosophers XVII-XIX centuries need state intervention in cultural processes society development, and highlighted functions cultural policy state.Conclusions. The socio-philosophical ideas XVII-XIX centuries evolved direction designating leading role state not only regulating cultural processes, but also educating younger generation through education and cultural development. The functions state century were largely reduced regulatory, and sometimes refusal participation government structures. Then, there was the recognition interaction society, culture state complementary elements, leading endowment state with such functions as: preservation traditions and protection from external influences, reflection interests society and education younger generation.