Power Imbalance Research Articles

Intersectionality and Feminist Theory: A Framework for Understanding and Teaching Social Construct and Healthcare Policy

The continuing nursing shortage throughout the United States has affected all aspects of the healthcare sector, particularly nursing leadership. As the Baby Boomer generation of nurses retires, the profession is primed to need more experience, advocacy, and leadership. This leaves a critical gap for leaders who identify with and are wise to the factors that influence the dynamic power relationships inherent to American history. As the country continues to become increasingly diverse, women and minorities in leadership continue to be underrepresented. In one of the most significant threats to women’s health, the recent overturning of the Supreme Court landmark case, Roe v. Wade, has highlighted the marginalization of women and people of color that is deeply embedded in the nation’s history. The lack of women and minorities in leadership positions in healthcare that has resulted from vast power imbalances, gender stereotyping, discrimination, and patriarchal structures must be addressed. Intersectionality theory offers a lens through which to understand these factors of power for all nurses. Nurse leaders can understand complex social constructs and be prepared to address power relationships that inform healthcare policy.

Addressing power imbalances in research and translation studies

Addressing power imbalances in research and translation studies

Neither Naïve Nor Fatalistic: Decolonizing Mining Partnerships With Indigenous Communities in Mongolia and Australia

Mining partnerships have often been promoted as opportunities for meaningful collaboration between corporations and Indigenous communities. However, these partnerships frequently lack a nuanced understanding of the colonial assumptions that underpin power imbalances and divergent perspectives. This study addresses this gap by examining how a multinational mining corporation, Indigenous communities, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) representing these communities (de)legitimize their mining partnerships within the framework of global stakeholder colonialism in Australia and Mongolia. The study shows how stakeholder colonialism coerces Indigenous communities into accepting a social reality where mining is inevitable, either with or without partnerships. This dynamic reflects the hegemonic power of mining corporations, which is sustained not by a balance of coercion and consent but by discursive coercion without consent. This implies that there is a failure of this hegemonic power to fully establish itself, opening the door for subaltern resistance and counter-hegemonic struggles by Indigenous peoples. By highlighting Indigenous perspectives that challenge the prevailing managerial views in mining corporations, this study disrupts the corporate narrative that portrays the sole social objectivity where mining is inevitable. Instead, it advocates for a more nuanced understanding that goes beyond a simplistic view of mining partnerships as either naïve democratic deliberation or fatalistic stakeholder colonialism.

Labour division and inclusion: perspectives of early childhood education staff on interprofessional collaboration when identifying and working with autistic children

ABSTRACT Autistic children have the right to be included in early childhood educational (ECE) settings. Motivated by the need for knowledge of how such education can be developed, this study examined the perspectives of ECE staff (i.e. teachers, child carers, and principals) on interprofessional collaboration regarding identifying and working with autistic children. Qualitative interviews were used. By using Interpretative phenomenological analysis, three themes were found: (1) identifying children, (2) professional collaboration in ECE settings, and (3) collaboration with professions from outside ECE settings. The findings were analysed in light of the concepts of power, jurisdiction, and interprofessional collaboration and discussed in relation to inclusive education. The study found that rigid labour divisions, power imbalances, and lack of knowledge were perceived to hinder collaboration concerning identifying and working with autistic children. The study concludes that future research on interprofessional collaboration is needed to improve inclusive education.

Cyber Bullying Prevention in Learning Institutions: Systematic Approach

Cyberbullying has been identified as a biggest problem for the last decade. In this paper we will discuss some recent findings and focus on general concepts within the area. This paper covers issues like repetition and power imbalance, types of cyberbullying, age, cyberbullying and traditional bullying, motives for and impact of cyber victimization, coping strategies, and prevention/intervention possibilities. Understanding the characteristics and methods of typical cybercrimes can help us better arm ourselves with the information and resources needed to reduce risks, improve cyber-security, and protect our online identities. However, hackers, phishing fraudsters, and other cybercriminals seized the chance to profit greatly from this chaos. Phishing assaults and cybercrime complaints have skyrocketed throughout the epidemic, putting a great deal of people & small organizations at danger of identity theft, credit card fraud, or data breaches.

Veiled costs, concealed incentives: Rethinking market approaches to address institutional marginalization and reduce vulnerability of artisanal fishers to power abuses in the Peruvian dolphinfish fishery

Market-based approaches play a crucial role in promoting seafood sustainability by leveraging market incentives. Typically, these incentives are commonly perceived as closely associated with premium prices or improved market access. As such, arguments around product competitiveness are used by various stakeholders to engage the lower levels of the seafood supply chain in sustainability initiatives. This study presents findings from an analysis of secondary and primary data obtained through a two-tier survey, focusing on the operational costs of Peruvian artisanal dolphinfish fleets and estimating the concealed costs that result from institutional malpractice and coercive transactions from criminal groups. Our analysis reveals that the artisanal fishing sector, due to institutional marginalization facilitated by bureaucratic overburdening, experiences various forms of power abuse. Specifically, we show how the higher the levels of informality of the fleet’s operation, the higher the probability of being subject to unethical behavior. This results in heightened hidden operational costs, which in turn affect the income of vessel owners and fishers. To address these issues, we argue that market-based approaches should build upon the new incentives offered by import-control schemes and anti-Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated regulations, prioritizing actions to alleviate institutional marginalization of fishers. By doing so, responsible companies in the supply chain can effectively reduce legal, economic, and reputational risks while actively tackling the critical factors contributing to power imbalances and the resulting unequal distribution of benefits.

A Sociological Review of Gender-based Violence across the Globe

Gender-based violence is considered as a pervasive and widespread phenomenon which transcends into geographical, cultural and socio-economic boundaries and it affects individuals and communities worldwide. This paper tries to explores the intricate and multi-faceted nature of gender-based violence by delving into its prevalence, underlying causes and its wide-ranging consequences across the globe. At the outset, it is crucial to acknowledge that gender-based violence is not limited to any specific region or demography. The global scope and magnitude of this issue are staggering with millions of women experiencing violence or living with its consequences. Intimate partner violence, sexual abuse by non-intimate partners, trafficking, forced prostitution and exploitation of labor are some of the most common and severe forms of violence against women that are prevalent worldwide. Moreover, gender-based violence is not only found in the workplace since personal violence is deeply rooted in the very structure and power dimensions of the global economy. Underlying the pervasiveness of gender-based violence is the persistent gender inequality and power imbalances that exist within societies.

Coordinated frequency control strategy for modern power system considering engagement willingness

The large scale integration of renewable energy sources (RES) is posing unprecedented challenges to the frequency stability of modern power systems, with system inertia being the primary concern. Under such a landscape, this paper introduces a coordinated control strategy aiming at enhancing frequency stability by swiftly adjusting the power output of flexible resources to mitigate power imbalances and further dampen frequency fluctuations. Firstly, a communication-free center of inertia (COI) frequency estimation method is proposed. An equivalent inertia estimation method tailored for modern power systems is then developed by exploiting the correlation between synchronous inertia and active power fluctuations. By integrating the COI frequency variation rate with the estimated equivalent inertia, the imbalance power is calculated and compensated through the proposed coordinated control strategy. In this work, two typical flexible resources including photovoltaic (PV) generation and electric vehicles (EVs) are modeled and integrated into the testing system in PSCAD/EMTDC. Considering the contradiction between maximizing generation profit and reducing power output to mitigate frequency variation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of renewable Generation Companies (GENCOs) is modeled to sketch their willingness of engaging into frequency support. Moreover, the frequency modulation potential of EVs in both commercial and residential areas are quantified for practical implementation. The simulations results successfully validate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.

Frequency response coefficient optimal allocation strategy for multi-stacks alkaline water electrolyzer plant

Currently, power discrepancies between stacks are often overlooked when developing frequency response (FR) strategies for multi-stack alkaline water electrolyzer plants (AWEPs), which limits the full utilization of the plant’s FR potential. To address this issue, this paper introduces a stack-level FR coefficient allocation strategy aimed at minimizing post-contingency frequency deviation. Specifically, the quantitative relationship between the operating power of alkaline water electrolyzer (AWE) stacks and steady-state frequency deviation is first derived, followed by the formulation of an optimal FR problem. The solution to this problem is an FR strategy based on the principle of equal frequency deviation, which optimally allocates FR coefficients among AWE stacks according to their operating power, thereby maximizing the plant’s FR support capacity. Equivalent circuit model-based case study demonstrates that, compared to existing strategies, the proposed approach achieves a more balanced power distribution among the stacks during the FR process. This even power allocation not only reduces post-contingency frequency deviation but also enhances productivity and streamlines production management in the AWEP, thereby increasing the plant owner’s willingness to participate in FR. Specifically, the proposed strategy results in a 29.3% reduction in post-contingency frequency deviation, a 1.8% improvement in production efficiency under a 10 MW power imbalance, a 2.3% increase in hydrogen production rate under a 4 MW power imbalance, and more stable operation under a 16 MW power imbalance.

Power imbalance in hospital dual management system and its impact on turnover.

With the deepening of the healthcare reform in China, the competition in the sector is becoming fiercer leading to several unintended consequences such as talent turnover, which highly affect hospital development. Taking the case of a specialized university-affiliated stomatology hospital in Guangzhou, this thesis aims to analyze the main factors that contribute to talent turnover in this type of hospitals. The loss of talents in the field of stomatology is not unique to China and represents a significant problem in both developed and developing countries. The data for the study were collected from post facto live interviews conducted with 21 resigners to understand their feelings and motivations after the passage of time. The data were coded and concepts refined using MAXQDA software to form 18 sub-categories and six aggregate dimensions leading to the construction of two theoretical models. The balance of power embedded in the dual leadership system characteristic of Chinese organizations and corresponding leadership style and behavior, deeply affect the turnover of talents. The more unbalanced the power, the greater the impact on turnover. Based on the situation studied, a power imbalance allowed for individual behaviors that determined the development of the hospital and directly affected institutional fairness, culture, working atmosphere and ultimately led to turnover.

Performance analysis of hybrid metaheuristic assisted collateral FO controller for HRES system integrated UPQC

Due to the fluctuating characteristics of the environment, it is advisable to connect a minimum of two renewable energy sources (RES) to the grid to mitigate unreliable power supply. The integration of Hybrid Renewable Energy Storage (HRES) with nonlinear loads introduces harmonics and other power quality issues, which are significant concerns for both utility providers and customers. Power quality challenges, such as real power fluctuations, voltage interruptions, and reactive power imbalances, can be mitigated through the use of a Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC). For optimal performance, the series and shunt compensators within the UPQC rely on precise PWM signals to control the converters' outputs. These signals are correctly tuned by controllers using updated algorithms. The paper develops an optimized Hybrid Metaheuristic assisted Collateral Controller for the improvement of the 3-phase HRES system-based Distribution Grid incorporated with UPQC. It consists of a Fractional order Proportional Integral derivative (FOPID) controller combined with a proportional integral (PI) controller. As a consequence, the DC link voltage regulation and controller optimization are achieved with the optimal tuning of gain parameters by using a hybrid Metaheuristic Algorithm named Amplified Slime Mould with WildeBeest Herd Optimization (ASM-WHO) Algorithm. The optimization of the weights (W1 and W2) and parameters of the Collateral Fractional Order Controller is achieved using an innovative hybrid metaheuristic method that combines the Wildebeest Herd Optimization (WHO) and Slime Mould Algorithm (SMA). The proposed system is implemented in MATLAB Simulink to analyze the compensation efficiency during voltage sag/swell. The proposed controller showcases robust performance, emphasizing its potential for enhancing power quality and distribution stability in Three-Phase Hybrid Renewable Energy Storage systems integrated with UPQC, outperforming or matching the performance metrics of conventional methods such as PI, FOPID controller, FOPID-PI with various optimization algorithms (CSO,SOA, WHO, SMA, AQO, HBA). The settling minimum and maximum of 170.5668 and 189.4736 for the proposed FOPID-PI controller with ASM – WHO is notably superior to that of the controller without optimization, the proposed collateral controller method (using SOA or CSO), WHO optimization, and the PI controller, improving by 1.7 %, 13.78 %, 1.338 %, and 13.66 %, respectively. The ASM-WHO algorithm shows robust performance and improved convergence, as validated by benchmark function tests, and surpasses competing algorithms.

Energy democracy: Reclaiming a unique agenda in energy transitions research

The intersection of energy transitions and equity is a rapidly expanding area of research and concern. Within this literature, energy democracy and energy justice have arisen as two equity-related concepts sharing both overlap and distinctions, at times leading to conceptual confusion and diverging recommendations on how to address their overlap. Given the importance that research adequately wrestles with the intersection of energy transitions and equity, it is critical that scholars do not inadvertently obscure the complexities inherent in this field of research. With this in mind, our perspective paper illustrates the uniqueness of these concepts, with particular focus on energy democracy.While energy justice has arisen as a valuable academic framework for assessing critical energy issues, we differentiate energy democracy as both a critique of dominant approaches to energy transitions and the offering of an alternative vision involving the reconfiguration of social relations in energy systems. We argue that without understanding the broader struggles in which energy democracy is embedded, it may otherwise be difficult to understand why its distinctiveness matters. Our paper therefore situates energy democracy within broader struggles to prefigure a democratic economy. Further, we argue that critical engagement with these broader social movements and their associated literatures may position energy researchers to better wrestle with challenges facing energy democracy and energy transitions, including systemic power imbalances, Western biases in equity-related frameworks, and the structural barriers inherent in existing economic systems.

Engaging in emotional and cultural work: Migrant mothers’ experiences of school-based sexuality education

Objective: By looking at the school-based sexuality education experiences of migrant mothers in Tiohtià:ke-Montréal (Canada), this article aims to shed light on the diverse and often invisible ways in which parents become involved in their child’s sexuality education. Method: Qualitative virtual asynchronous focus groups. Results: The findings shed light on the different ways in which migrant mothers become engaged in their children’s sexuality education. The results showed that participants engaged with cultural perspectives by discussing sexuality education topics with their child, thereby mitigating the power imbalance between themselves and the school by building on the parent–child relationship. Mothers also made their voices heard by actively becoming involved in change. Conclusion: Aligned with the principles of culturally responsive education and school–family partnership, the analysis and discussion raise awareness about the limitations of existing school-based sexuality education curricula, particularly when it comes to recognising and empowering parents as primary educators. Moving forward, the research urges educational institutions and actors to learn from the challenges faced by migrant parents and the strategies they employ. This learning can then be used to inform the development of school-based sexuality education curricula and policies so as to ensure that they are more responsive to the needs of migrant students and families.

‘The problem is the system’: Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso and the sound of sealed lips

In this contribution, I explore the affordances of videographic criticism for feminist activism by dissecting a specific incident of power imbalance and toxic entitlement: the non-consensual kiss that the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, inflicted upon player Jenni Hermoso during the official ceremony for Spain’s victory in the Women’s Soccer World Cup in August 2023. Through a supercut set to the romantic song ‘As Time Goes By’ from Casablanca, mimicking the fanvid format, the video essay—”A Kiss is Not Just a Kiss” ( https://vimeo.com/908473856 )—juxtaposes footage of Rubiales’ kiss with representations of non-consensual kisses in mainstream films, where the woman reciprocates the kiss after a brief resistance. Slow-motion, zooming-in and repetition of the same narrative disrupt and challenge the normalization of sexual aggression. By selecting films, including animation features, that span seven decades (from 1937 to 2007), I aim to highlight the persistent nature of the issue. The superimposition of Jenni Hermoso’s voice interrupts the kisses, and a glitch with the text ‘System error’ obscures the action, arguing that the incident is part of a broader systemic problem of entrenched naturalization of sexual violence.

A Comparative Analysis of Conciliation versus Litigation: Pros and Cons from Indian and Global Perspectives

This comparative analysis will examine Conciliation and Litigation as two distinct yet interrelated mechanisms for resolving disputes, highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages within both Indian and global contexts. Conciliation, on one side, offers flexibility and cost-effectiveness, fostering opportunities for “cooperation” and aiding in the maintenance of a “working relationship,” thereby preserving any undamaged aspects of the relationship despite the dispute at hand. Conversely, it lacks binding authority and can be susceptible to exploitation due to existing power imbalances. In contrast, Litigation offers legal certainty, enforceability, and public accountability but is often lengthy, expensive, and inherently adversarial. This paper will explore the increasing significance of conciliation in the overwhelmed judiciary of India as well as on an international scale. Additionally, it is essential to evaluate the adaptability of conciliation in relation to the formal authority of litigation within an effective dispute resolution framework, ensuring that access to justice remains equitable and efficient across various legal systems.

The Invisible Struggle: Parents with FASD, the Courts and the Child Intervention System

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) encompasses a range of complex neurodevelopmental challenges that arise because of maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. Contrary to previous beliefs, FASD is a wide-ranging condition that is mostly invisible, affecting cognitive, social, and daily living skills. Furthermore, living with FASD may present other challenges, such as mental health issues, substance abuse, and engagement in criminal behavior. FASD is a long-term disability that requires support across the lifespan. The main objective of this research was to determine what, if anything, has changed since a prior review in 2020 of parents with FASD appearing in child intervention courts in Canada. We found eleven relevant reported cases throughout Canada from 2020 to 2024 where parents had a confirmed diagnosis or a potential FASD to be eligible for our study. Within these cases, only one parent was able to reunite with their children because of the strong and supportive system they had. There were four cases where ongoing contact between parent and child(ren) was permitted, Additionally, we found that professionals lack education regarding the potential skills that people with FASD may demonstrate. A person with FASD is seen through the lens of their diagnosis rather than a strengths-based approach, creating stigma, fear, and power imbalance. Stigma has an impact not just on how professionals see people and make decisions but also on policymakers, funding, and support from governments or other social groups. Individuals or parents with FASD are often reluctant to report their diagnosis for fear of being judged or having their children taken from their care. Thus, parents are unable to obtain access to services, and even when they do have access, they must navigate the system on their own. Parents with FASD who are involved in child intervention may be required to participate in many programs simultaneously, potentially resulting in an overwhelming experience.

Counseling on Prevention of Sexual Violence and Bullying at State Elementary School 100 Barru

Sexual violence is an act involving sexual coercion or harassment against someone without their consent. Bullying is aggressive behavior that is carried out repeatedly by one individual or a group of individuals with the aim of hurting, degrading, or intimidating the victim. Sexual violence and bullying often occur in school environments. Children and adolescents are vulnerable to being victims or perpetrators of these acts. However, due to the taboo nature of this issue, many cases go unreported so existing statistics may not reflect the true numbers. Sexual violence and bullying in schools have serious impacts on victims, including psychological trauma, anxiety disorders, depression, decreased academic performance, and even a high risk of suicide. An unsafe school environment can also affect the entire student population, hindering their learning and social development. Some factors that contribute to sexual violence and bullying in schools include institutional indifference to reporting and action, lack of awareness and adequate education, power imbalances, detrimental social norms, and negative media influences. Preventing sexual violence and bullying in schools requires collaboration between students, teachers, parents, school staff, and the community. This shared responsibility is essential to protecting children and adolescents from physical and psychological harm. With proper education, social support, and proactive action, we can create safe, inclusive, and supportive school environments for all individuals.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Framework in the Cultivation and Consumption of Kalanamak Rice: A Case Study

This research article examines the dimensions of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) in the cultivation and consumption of Kalanamak rice (KNR), a heritage and indigenous agricultural product of India. It explores the historical and contemporary roles of KNR in promoting or hindering DEIB within its cultural and agricultural contexts. The research is a unique attempt to construct the DEIB framework in KNR by using secondary resources and qualitative personal interview data, applying the grounded theory approach. The study provides insights into a rarely studied heritage/indigenous crop in India concerning the DEIB framework in its cultivation and consumption. The case study of KNR indicates that the equity and integration of marginal communities in KNR fall short of the desired level. Nonetheless, there is an acknowledgment of the necessity for progress in establishing a DEIB framework. Challenges such as insufficient financial resources and expertise, stemming from a prevailing power and privilege imbalance, are a threat to DEIB in KNR and need to be addressed by policymakers for the benefit of stakeholders. The article also highlights some of the government interventions to improve the DEIB of the KNR farmers and communities.

Robust Control Scheme for Optimal Power Sharing and Selective Harmonic Compensation in Islanded Microgrids

In power systems, nonlinear loads cause harmonic distortion, adversely affecting sensitive equipment such as induction motors, power electronics, and variable-speed drives. This paper presents a novel control strategy that integrates with existing hierarchical control systems to mitigate voltage imbalances and harmonic disturbances in AC-islanded microgrids. The proposed method utilizes selective harmonic order filtering through multiple second-order generalized integrators (MSOGI) to extract negative, positive, and harmonic order components. The distributed generation (DG) unit control mechanism is designed to immediately correct voltage imbalances and harmonic disruptions, distributing the compensatory load evenly to rectify real and reactive power imbalances and harmonic disturbances. The microgrid’s control architecture primarily includes droop controllers for real and reactive power of positive sequences, voltage and current regulation inner control loops, an additional loop for correcting imbalances and harmonics, and secondary controllers to maintain voltage magnitude and frequency at nominal levels, ensuring high-quality voltage at the point of common coupling (PCC). The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated through simulation results on the MATLAB/Simulink platform, proving its ability to effectively mitigate voltage imbalances and harmonic issues with the total harmonic of voltage reduced to approximately THDv = 0.5% and voltage unbalance factor (VUF) within approximately 0.1%.

A review of walk-and-talk conversations with children as a research method

ABSTRACT This review of research publications in the period 1989–2021 examines both advantages and limitations of walking methodologies used as a research method, aiming to serve education researchers contemplating using the approach with children. Walking methodologies combine walking with verbal and non-verbal communication, such as body language or photography, and are particularly useful to study how children and young people relate to their environment, as well as for research on experiential and outdoor education. Advantages mentioned in the reviewed studies included improved communication, enhanced memory and reducing power imbalances. Challenges included group dynamics, possible exclusion based on disability or language, practical issues such as distractions, and power imbalances or limited relationship capital. Child-led walks, distractions, effects of the weather, and influence of place or the children’s interest on conversation topics reduced the researcher’s control over the research process, while at the same time offering greater agency for the children.