Governance Tools Research Articles

Responsible and safe innovation in education: an iGEM showcase

ABSTRACT This paper showcases a project involved in the international Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) competition – a competition dedicated to the advancement of synthetic biology – executed at Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands. Through this case, we illustrate how Value Sensitive Design (VSD) and Safe by Design (SbD) are embedded in education associated with iGEM to arrive at a safe and responsible project design by integrating values and, particularly, the value of safety. As particularly SbD is still quite generally described in literature, we aim to make SbD more tangible to peers, and to inspire other iGEM teams and educators. In addition, we reflect on VSD and SbD in the context of Responsible Research and Innovation and provide guidelines for other iGEM projects to implement VSD and SbD approaches in their designs. To conclude, we explore if, and how SbD and iGEM projects could function as anticipatory governance tools for synthetic biology.

Does environmental management system certification keep enterprises out of trouble? Evidence from stock price crash risk.

This paper examines the impact of environmental management system (EMS) certification, a significant voluntary participatory environmental regulation, on the risk of stock price collapse. The study is based on sample data of heavily polluting listed companies from 2008-2020. The study demonstrates that certification of environmental management systems has a significant impact on preventing share price collapse. This finding remains consistent even after controlling for endogeneity and conducting robustness tests. The analysis also reveals that the inhibitory effect of EMS certification is more pronounced for state-owned enterprises and firms with a higher degree of marketisation. Exploring the mechanism of its influence, it is found that environmental management system certification mainly suppresses the risk of stock price collapse by improving the environmental performance of enterprises and the transparency of corporate information, suggesting that environmental management system certification can be used as both an "environmental governance tool" for suppressing stock price collapse and an "information transfer tool" for improving the transparency of corporate information, thus suppressing the risk of stock price collapse. Meanwhile, the media's attention has been found to moderate the effect of environmental management system certification on stock price crash risk. These findings validate the inhibitory effect of environmental management system certification on stock price crash risk, expand our understanding of the economic consequences of environmental management system certification and the factors that influence stock price crash risk. They also provide a theoretical basis and practical support for environmental regulators.

Localizing sustainable development goals (SDGs) through decentralized governance: Insights from Kerala, India

Localization is globally accepted as the strategy towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this article, we put forth the South Indian state of Kerala as a true executor of the localization of SDGs owing to her foundational framework of decentralized governance. We attempt to understand how the course of decentralization acts as a development trajectory and how it has paved the way for the effective assimilation of localization principles post-2015 by reviewing the state documents based on the framework propounded by the United Nations. We theorize that the well-established decentralization mechanism, with delegated institutions and functions thereof, encompasses overlapping mandates with the SDGs. Further, through the tools of development plan formulation, good governance, and community participation at decentralized levels, Kerala could easily adapt to localization, concocting output through innovative measures of convergence, monitoring, and incentivization carried out through the pre-existing platforms and processes. The article proves that constant and concerted efforts undertaken by Kerala through her meticulous and action-oriented decentralized system aided the localization of SDGs and provides an answer to the remarkable feat that the state has achieved through the consecutive four times achievements in the state scores of SDG India Index.

How can digitalization be used to develop community resilience in public health emergencies?: A qualitative comparative analysis from China

Community resilience is critical for the government’s response to public health emergencies. With the rapid development of digital technology, leveraging digital tools for grassroots community governance has become increasingly important for the Chinese government. Fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) is utilized in this study to establish a framework for investigating the historical development of holistic intelligent governance for community resilience in the context of public health emergencies. Using 31 provincial-level regions in mainland China as research samples and taking the development of community resilience as the outcome variable, the study explores the configurational models and developmental pathways of holistic intelligent governance in enhancing community resilience from a conditional configurational perspective. The results of this study suggest that the mechanisms of community resilience in the face of public health emergencies revolve around five key factors: community self-organization legitimacy, grassroots party-building leadership, policy support, digital governance platform funding, and organizational digitization. However, no single variable alone constitutes a necessary condition for fostering community resilience. Instead, a combination of these factors is required, along with other variables promoting the formation of community resilience, among which community self-organizational legitimacy, grassroots party-building leadership, digital governance platform funding, and organizational digitization serve as the productive basis for promoting the formation of community resilience in holistic intelligent governance at the grassroots level, and are complementary to policy support.

What Challenges for Global Development Research are Posed by a More Decolonial Approach? Colonial Genealogies and Responses

AbstractThe increasing appetite for decolonial approaches in development research challenges conventional methodologies rooted in colonial legacies. While the relationship between colonialism and development is well documented, the colonial underpinnings of key research methods, such as surveys and big data, have received less attention. This paper critically examines how these methods, as tools of colonial governance, continue to predominate in development research and reduce the space for decolonial alternatives. It highlights the continuities between colonial-era data practices, such as population censuses, and contemporary methods like big data, arguing that they can perpetuate power asymmetries and “data colonialism”. In contrast, decolonial methodologies emphasise reflexivity, relationality, and the active participation of indigenous communities. However, there is potential for these methods to be co-opted or instrumentalized within the global development research ecosystem, if they are adopted without a critical understanding of the relationship between power and knowledge. This paper evaluates emerging decolonial alternatives, including methodologies grounded in indigenous knowledge systems and ethical frameworks such as Ubuntu and relationality, assessing their potential to resist such co-option. The paper concludes by arguing that while decolonial research offers a more holistic and ethically grounded alternative to conventional methods, its influence is limited by the persistence of deeper structural inequities. These include the dominance of Northern epistemologies and the commodification of research methods and expertise within academia. Future development research must not only adopt decolonial approaches but also actively deconstruct the existing power dynamics within the field to create equitable and inclusive knowledge systems.

How past-present-future interconnect in China: CDramas as a tool of cultural governance and the possibility of a ‘Chinese wave’ in the case of GenZ

How past-present-future interconnect in China: CDramas as a tool of cultural governance and the possibility of a ‘Chinese wave’ in the case of GenZ

International Economic Sanctions. Part 1. History and Theory

The relevance of this research lies in examining the evolution of approaches to the application of international economic sanctions at the level of nation-states and international organizations; the reasons for their increasing popularity after the end of the Cold War; and determining the conditions for their effectiveness. The study aims to analyze and synthesize information on the application of economic sanctions, compare approaches to understanding their content and purpose across different historical periods, assess their humanitarian consequences, and formulate conclusions and recommendations for both theoretical and practical purposes. The research employed a wide range of approaches and methods, including the formal-legal method, which allowed for the formulation of basic terms, concepts, features, constructs, and classifications; the historical method, which aided in analyzing the evolution of approaches to the application of economic sanctions; the systemic method, which clarified the mechanisms for imposing, modifying, and lifting economic sanctions; and the comparative legal method of scientific inquiry, which was used to evaluate approaches to the legal regulation of economic sanctions at various stages of historical development. The results of the study include determining the role of international universal organizations, particularly the League of Nations and the UN, in recognizing and enshrining economic sanctions in international law as legitimate means of inducing sanctioned states to engage in desired activities. It has been established that the consequences of applying economic sanctions are ambiguous; in addition to positive effects, they can in some cases hinder peace processes and post-conflict recovery, impede the activities of peacekeeping organizations, undermine negotiations, and exacerbate disagreements between conflicting parties. Despite the possibility of negative consequences, economic sanctions remain popular as a means of demonstrating power or the ability to influence the behavior of a sanctioned government without resorting to military conflict. To mitigate the negative impact of sanctions on peacekeeping efforts, it is recommended that initiators set clear objectives when introducing economic sanctions; conduct regular substantive reviews of their impact; and expand exceptions to sanctions for peacekeeping activities, among other measures. The consequences of economic sanctions for the sanctioned country are primarily manifested in their impact on trade conditions. It is noted that economic sanctions are not necessarily more effective in the case of multilateral sanctions than in unilateral actions. The research observes that economic sanctions affect supporters and opponents of the ruling regime in the sanctioned country differently and may, in some cases, contribute to the consolidation of society around the ruling regime. The study concludes that despite existing shortcomings, economic sanctions have become an important tool for national governments and international organizations in responding to foreign policy challenges.

Exploring Satisfaction and Trust as Key Drivers of e-Government Continuance Intention: Evidence from China for Sustainable Digital Governance

With the rapid popularization of digital technology, e-government has become an essential tool for modern governments to improve governance capacity and enhance public trust. Especially in the post-pandemic era, the continued use of e-government plays a crucial role in promoting public participation, enhancing government trust, and fostering sustainable governance. The purpose of this study is to explore the behavioral drivers of e-government continuance intention to use (CIU), focusing on the roles of satisfaction (SA) and trust (TR) as mediators. Guided by the Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT), this study collected data from 393 valid questionnaires and employed quantitative analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine how perceived usefulness (PU) and expectation confirmation (EC) influence CIU through SA and TR. The findings indicate that perceived usefulness and expectation confirmation significantly and positively affect public satisfaction and trust in e-government, which in turn drive the public’s intention to continue using these platforms. This study extends the application of ECT in the e-government context, providing empirical support for its theoretical framework. Additionally, the results offer practical guidance for optimizing e-government services. By improving the platform’s usefulness and ability to meet user expectations, governments can enhance public satisfaction and trust, effectively encouraging continuous usage of e-government services. This contributes to the realization of modern digital governance and supports the sustainable development of society.

Integration Patterns in Unified AI and Cloud Platforms: A Systematic Review of Process Automation Technologies

This article comprehensively analyzes unified AI and cloud platforms, examining their role in transforming process automation and decision systems across industries. The article investigates the architectural frameworks and integration patterns that enable the convergence of AI tools, machine learning operations, and workflow orchestration within cloud-native environments. The article explores key innovations, including federated AI implementations, real-time data processing architectures, and multi-cloud integration patterns. It provides insights into their practical applications across finance, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing sectors. The article identifies critical success factors in platform implementation, including integrating MLOps frameworks, automated decision engines, and compliance tools for AI governance. Through case study analysis and architectural evaluation, we demonstrate how unified platforms address traditional challenges in AI deployment while enabling scalable, cost-efficient solutions. The findings reveal emerging patterns in platform architecture that facilitate seamless integration of edge computing, real-time analytics, and distributed AI systems, contributing to the broader understanding of enterprise AI implementation strategies. This article provides valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in cloud engineering, artificial intelligence, and systems integration while highlighting future directions for platform evolution and standardization.

Small smart cities – vision or reality?

Purpose This paper aims to focus on analysing the prerequisites that small cities need to create smart governance, namely, the conditions for establishing smart government, the stakeholder engagement and the tools used in smart governance. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents research results from a questionnaire survey conducted in 2021 among a representative sample of 51 small cities (5,000–49,999 inhabitants) in the Slovak Republic. From an international perspective, they are seen as small cities and cities with a rural feel. The survey’s main objectives are to assess the conditions that must be met in order for smart governance to be developed, as well as to identify stakeholders and provide tools for their engagement. Findings This study shows that the adoption of smart governance in small cities is not greatly affected by the citýs size. Although larger cities may use more smart governance tools, the overall quality of governance remains consistent across cities of different sizes. Moreover, the proximity to a regional capital does not have a significant impact on the implementation of smart governance. This study underscores the need for small cities to focus on internal capabilities, innovative use of existing resources and stakeholder engagement to effectively implement smart governance. Research limitations/implications This paper develops the knowledge on smart governance in small cities, namely, the specifics of smart governance, the stakeholder engagement and the tools used. The research findings may also serve as an inspiration for study conducted elsewhere because the institutional and social environments are comparable in Central and Eastern European nations. Practical implications This study suggests that small cities should prioritise the innovative use of their current resources to implement smart governance. This may involve using strong community networks, focusing on internal capabilities and using low-cost tools. Social implications This paper identifies barriers and formulates recommendations for further development of smart governance in small cities. The research results indicate that even small cities can adopt smart governance practices, despite having fewer resources compared to larger cities. To facilitate this process, political commitment, strategic management support, active community participation and the steady development of the professional, financial and technical infrastructure required to generate smart solutions are all important. Small cities should put more effort into implementing co-creation and co-production techniques to be more creative and effective in allocating resources and responsibilities. Originality/value This paper presents the results of a pilot study and critically compares and discusses them with theoretical assumptions related to the implementation and development of smart governance in small cities.

METROLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR THE INFORMATION-MEASUREMENT SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC ENERGY ACCOUNTING

The primary features of the government tools used to measure electric energy include the errors that arise during electricity accounting, which is essential for the development of the national economy within an information-sharing system. Issues related to reducing these errors and the associated losses are also addressed. The study analyzes the main characteristics of the measurement devices employed for electric energy accounting. It explores the causes and origins of errors in the measurement channel when developing an information-measurement system. Based on the analysis results, the sources of errors in measurement channels are identified according to the structural schemes of information-measurement systems utilizing various measuring devices (such as voltmeters, ammeters, electric energy meters, and voltage and current transformers). It has been demonstrated that errors in the measurement channel arise not only from the design and operating principles of the measuring instruments and signal processing devices but also due to distortions caused by harmonics in the voltage and current within the electrical network, as well as specific interferences. The primary sources of measurement errors in determining electric energy are mainly related to inaccuracies in measuring voltage, current, and phase shift, along with errors induced by temperature effects on the elements and devices used for these measurements. Although temperature errors may not be immediately apparent, they can contribute to various types of inaccuracies. In this context, the importance of implementing temperature compensation or correction schemes has been emphasized once again. Keywords: phase slip; electrical energy; information and measurement system; indirect measu¬rement; measurement error.

Nature as a stakeholder: including nature in corporate governance practices to meet the EU corporate sustainability reporting directive

This paper provides one of the first reviews of Nature-inclusive corporate governance models, as implemented in the day-to-day practice of ten identified businesses. Two key drivers of the formation of Nature-inclusive governance are increasingly urgent environmental change and the rise of corporate social responsibility reporting mechanisms and laws, notably the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The research consists of qualitative analysis of interviews with representatives of companies that have given Nature a governance role. These interviews were accompanied by legal research in several European jurisdictions (the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom) to identify additional legal options for incorporating Nature in corporate governance. Based on the findings, a framework of innovative Nature-inclusive governance models was developed and is presented in this paper. It consists of four models: Nature as Inspiration, Nature as Advisor, Nature as Director, and Nature as Shareholder. These models and the underlying framework provide essential context for understanding the changing landscape of corporate governance and meaningful tools for academics, legal and financial consultants, and businesses interested in understanding emerging Nature-inclusive corporate governance models.

Labor investment efficiency: a review of the international literature

PurposeWe aim to provide a systematic literature review of the determinants and consequences of labor investment efficiency in an international context. First, we offer a theoretical discussion of labor investment efficiency, followed by an examination of its measurement. Next, we review the determinants of labor investment efficiency, categorizing them into firm fundamentals including financial reporting quality, governance and controls, corporate social responsibility/environmental regulation and macroeconomic determinants. Finally, we review the limited empirical literature on the consequences of labor investment efficiency. We also provide some suggestions for future research.Design/methodology/approachWe perform a systematic literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review of Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to examine archival studies investigating the determinants and consequences of labor investment efficiency. Using a Boolean search strategy on the Scopus and PRISMA selection criteria, we review 86 published archival research articles from 2014 to the end of August 2024.FindingsOur review highlights that firm-level fundamental factors including financial reporting quality have profound implications for labor investment efficiency. Effective governance mechanisms also help mitigate agency conflicts and information asymmetries and alleviate labor investment inefficiencies. Furthermore, the influence of regulations including ESG-related regulations and macroeconomic factors play a crucial role in shaping labor investment decisions. We find very little research on the consequence of labor investment efficiency.Practical implicationsOur review has highlighted that well-functioning corporate governance tools are effective in mitigating inefficient labor investments. Stakeholders, therefore, should ensure that firms have effective internal governance mechanisms in place and that external governance regulations complement and where necessary act as substitutes for internal governance mechanisms to optimize labor investments.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first systematic review of extant research on labor investment efficiency. Our review highlights some research gaps, particularly about the consequences of labor investment efficiency and offers some suggestions for future research.

Can a Driving Restriction Policy Improve Air Quality? Empirical Evidence from Chengdu

Automotive exhaust emissions contribute significantly to air pollution in developing countries. However, the effectiveness of driving restriction policies (DRPs) is unclear, and most research on China emphasizes Beijing. This study used Chengdu, a typical large city in China, to examine the impact of a DRP on air quality. To alleviate potential endogeneity threats, we employed a regression discontinuity design to verify the policy’s effect. The results show that the DRP significantly reduced air pollution levels, effectively improving air quality in restricted areas. The heterogeneity analysis found that (1) the DRP effectively reduced pollution in newly added and original areas, while the air quality in adjacent areas deteriorated; and (2) the DRP significantly improved air quality during peak travel periods but had no significant impact in other periods. Our results indicate that the DRP is an effective tool for urban environmental governance but presents potential negative aspects. Therefore, restricted areas and periods should be carefully considered when designing similar policies. This study provides significant insights into the governance of automotive exhaust emissions pollution for large cities in developing countries.

The Interrelation between Corporate Governance Practises and the Financial Performance of Microfinance Institutions in CEMAC

This study aims to examine the relationship between corporate governance tools—specifically board size, board gender diversity, capital structure, ownership structure, and audit—and financial performance of microfinance institutions as measured by Return on Assets (ROA) and Operational Self-Sufficiency (OSS). Quantitative data is employed to identify the relationship between the variables. A dataset comprising forty-four microfinance institutes extracted from the Mix Market database for the period 2000 to 2021 is utilised. The research identified correlations between Microfinance Institutions’ financial performance and their board characteristics, capital structure, ownership structure and audit. The exploratory variables all produced significant results. The study identified significant relationships between the examined Corporate Governance practices and the financial performance of microfinance institutions in CEMAC. Capital structure positively influences the ROA and the constructed financial performance index but negatively influences the OSS of microfinance institutions in CEMAC when ownership structure is accounted for and audit is not accounted for. Ownership structure (those which have NGO and NBFI forms) positively influences the ROA and the constructed financial performance but negatively influences the OSS of microfinance institutions to a significant extent. Constructed board characteristics index (board size and board gender diversity) positively influences the ROA and the constructed financial performance index but negatively influences the OSS of microfinance institutions in CEMAC when ownership structure is accounted for and audit is not accounted for. Microfinance size has a positive effect on ROA and OSS but a negative one on the computed finance performance index. When audit is accounted for excluding ownership structure, we conclude that capital structure positively influences the OSS and the constructed financial performance index but negatively influences the ROA of microfinance institutions in CEMAC. The constructed board characteristics index (board size and board gender diversity) positively influences the OSS and the constructed financial performance index but negatively influences the ROA of microfinance institutions in CEMAC when audit is accounted for and ownership structure not. Being audited by large firms leads to a decrease in OSS, an increase in ROA and a general decrease in the constructed financial performance index in microfinance institutions in CEMAC when ownership structure is not considered. This study highlights the significance of corporate governance tools and their effectiveness in the success of organizations.

Assessing Heterogeneity in Governance Outcome: Evidence from Local Government Institutional Capacity Self-Assessment (LISA) in Nepal

Local Government Institutional Capacity Self-Assessment (LISA) is a tool for local governments to evaluate their own performance in Nepal. A key strength of LISA is its self-evaluation approach, which assesses local government workflows and achievements to identify the strengths and weaknesses for improving governance and development delivery. It facilitates the critical analysis of periodic plans, financial management, and governance delivery while promoting the development of quantifiable indicators and enhancing local government capacity on a larger scale. It covers ten dimensions for the evaluation such as Governance Approach, Organization and Administration, Annual Budgeting and Planning Management, Financial Management, Public Service Delivery, Judicial Proceedings, Physical Infrastructure, Social Inclusion, Environment Protection and Disaster Management, and Collaboration and Coordination. Each dimension includes a set of major indicators and sub-indicators, with a total of 100 indicators cumulatively across all dimensions. It broadly encompasses accomplishments and evaluation methods through three distinct approaches: Totalitarian Approach, Procedural Order, and Quantitative Results. This study of evaluation approaches, multi-dimensional scope and LISA scores of 749 local governments (published by the ministry after Quality Assurance) for the Fiscal Year 2022/23 by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) divulges the heterogeneity in local governance. The study results reveal that, through the three evaluation approaches, the ten categorized dimensions each contribute differently to governance outcomes. These variations highlight how each dimension's unique impact can influence overall performance. The direction and strength of their relationships can predict how changes in one area might impact another. The newly institutionalized governance framework, along with its assessment technique, serves as a valuable tool for promoting balanced regional development and improving local governance. By maintaining institutional bricolage, addressing the exit-voice dichotomy, and facilitating yardstick competition, this evaluation process effectively integrates diverse local needs and promotes the whole of the government. Thus, moving beyond a blanket approach, governing policies in Nepal must adopt targeted and tailored strategies that account for the diverse realities and heterogeneity in local governance outcomes.

Anthropology, Empire, and Resistance: French Colonial Ethnography, American Intervention, and the Moroccan Struggle in The Riffian

This article explores the complex relationship between anthropology, colonialism, and resistance in Morocco by analyzing the works of Edmond Doutté, Robert Montagne, and Carleton Coon. It investigates how French and American anthropologists approached Moroccan society, drawing comparisons between their methods and objectives. The analysis highlights how anthropology was used as both a tool for governance and a form of cultural critique. Particular attention is given to Carleton Coon’s novel The Riffian, which serves as a unique case study, blending ethnographic insight with fiction. The article argues that these anthropologists’ work reflects the tensions between colonial power, scholarly inquiry, and cultural identity. The findings illustrate that while anthropology often served imperial interests, it also provided spaces for anti-colonial narratives and deeper understandings of Moroccan life.

Interpretable machine learning model for predicting activist investment targets

This research presents a predictive model to identify potential targets of activist investment funds—entities that acquire significant corporate stakes to influence strategic and operational decisions, ultimately enhancing shareholder value. Predicting such targets is crucial for companies aiming to mitigate intervention risks, activist funds seeking optimal investments, and investors looking to leverage potential stock price gains. Using data from the Russell 3000 index from 2016 to 2022, we evaluated 123 model configurations incorporating diverse imputation, oversampling, and machine learning techniques. Our best model achieved an AUC-ROC of 0.782, demonstrating its capability to effectively predict activist fund targets. To enhance interpretability, we employed the Shapley value method to identify key factors influencing a company’s likelihood of being targeted, highlighting the dynamic mechanisms underlying activist fund target selection. These insights offer a powerful tool for proactive corporate governance and informed investment strategies, advancing understanding of the mechanisms driving activist investment decisions.

Regulatory design and interactions in worker‐driven social responsibility initiatives: The Dindigul Agreement

This article explores the rise of worker‐driven social responsibility (WSR) initiatives to combat labour and human rights abuse in global supply chains. We focus on the Dindigul Agreement, a pioneering WSR agreement initiated by an independent, majority Dalit trade union run by women in Dindigul, India, which seeks to address gender‐based violence in garment supply chains. Through key informant interviews and documentary analysis including coding in NVivo 12, we explore the establishment of the Dindigul Agreement, its distinctiveness in relation to other WSR agreements and its interactions with other supply chain governance tools.

Authoritarian Surveillance and Public Support for Digital Governance Solutions

This study investigates factors influencing support for digital governance solutions and compares this support between autocracies and democracies. We conduct survey experiments in Russia, Germany, Turkey, the United States, and Estonia, and find that awareness of potential misuse of digital governance tools by the government reduces support. Importantly, while this effect has previously been documented for China, we find it irrespective of regime type for an autocracy, a hybrid regime and three democracies. Individuals relying on government-controlled information sources are more likely to endorse digital governance tools. Our study challenges prior findings by indicating that gaps in public service quality do not boost support. Instead, satisfaction with government services correlates with trust in the government’s capacity to implement digital governance solutions.