Positions Of Influence Research Articles

Seeking friends and influencers: business and labor groups lobbying in the Chilean congress

Abstract This study analyzes direct lobbying in the Chilean Congress, contributing to the debate over which legislators are targeted by interest groups. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset constructed from legally mandated records of lobbying meetings, we test theoretical implications predominantly derived from the US context within a different presidential democracy. The focus is on the legislative targets of business and labor groups. The results reveal a marked preference for lobbying allies, aligning with recent theories of information transmission and legislative subsidies. This pattern holds true for both business and labor groups and highlights the significance of ideological alignment for legislative lobbying in Chile. Additionally, the study finds that legislators with influential positions, such as those on key committees or centrally located in the bill collaboration network, are more frequently targeted. This research provides key insights into the dynamics of legislative lobbying in a non-US context, underscoring the generalizability of established theoretical frameworks.

Career Construction Networks Among Junior and Senior High School Students

Although career construction theory has been utilized to understand how to construct the career process, it remains unclear how the various factors involved in this process interact comprehensively. In this study, we introduced the career construction network to explore the career development of junior high school students ( N = 372) and senior high school students ( N = 516) and its influencing factors, and investigated the adaptive readiness, adaptability resources, adapting responses, adaptation results and environmental factors within the network. The results showed that hope and proactive personality occupied influential positions in the network of junior high school students; hope exhibited the highest values of strength and closeness in the senior high school student sample; parental career-related behaviors, as the environmental factors, were located in the peripheral clusters of the two networks. In conclusion, this study provides insights and targeted intervention suggestions for adolescent career training methods.

A matter of time? Gender and ethnic inequality in the academic publishing careers of Dutch Ph.D.s

Abstract Women and ethnic minorities underpopulate influential academic positions, even though these groups are increasingly represented at the doctorate level. Does this imply that gender and ethnic gaps in academic careers are closing? Prior studies on gender inequality in academia predominantly focus on single academic fields or restricted time periods. Longitudinal descriptions of ethnic inequality are even more rare. Using a novel data set of a nearly complete population of doctorates (N = 95,130) from Dutch universities across all academic fields between 1990 and 2021, and their publications, we extend descriptions on gender and ethnic inequality in academic publication careers in the Netherlands. Furthermore, we assess trends in inequality over approximately 30 years without focusing on established academics. We find that while women are as likely as men to start an academic publishing career after obtaining a doctorate, their careers are shorter. Ethnic minority scholars are less likely to start an academic career after their doctorate, and when they do, they stop sooner than ethnic majority researchers. We do not observe a trend towards more equality in academic publishing careers. In conclusion, efforts to increase diversity in Dutch academia have not yet paid off, and gender and ethnic parity are likely not just a matter of time.

Political survival and legislative reselection in Mexico’s chamber of deputies

ABSTRACT This article presents an empirical investigation into the factors influencing the renomination of legislators by party leaders for their continued presence in Congress. We argue that legislators who have previously held influential positions within Congress, such as Committee President, have a successful track record of (co)sponsoring bills, and have built distinguished political careers, are more likely to be renominated in Congress. To test this theory, we employ an original dataset sourced from the Mexican 2018–2021 Chamber of Deputies, which comprises the inaugural group of Congress members allowed to seek reelection after a 90-year prohibition within the context of a transforming party system marked by the diminishing electoral attractiveness of traditional parties. Our findings carry significant implications for comprehending how party leaders recognise and reward legislators who effectively safeguard the party’s interests and uphold its reputation inside the halls of Congress.

Analysis of editor in chief gender and associated journal variables among 126 pathology journals.

Gender equity studies have shown that women are underrepresented in journal editor in chief positions, which confer major professional opportunities and influence. We sought to systematically investigate editor in chief gender and journal attributes within pathology. We constructed a journal data set using the Scimago Journal & Country Rank and Clarivate Journal Citation Reports databases. We also included official journals of the major medical societies for the 12 pathology subspecialties recognized by the Association of American Medical Colleges. The final data set included 126 journals. We obtained editor in chief gender, impact factor, publication model (ie, hybrid access vs open access), year of founding, and geographic location for all included pathology journals. Women made up only 18% of the 141 total editor in chief positions. This inequity was present irrespective of all pathology journal variables studied. Among 10 journals with 2 editor in chief positions, 5 had only men and 5 had 1 man and 1 woman. All 3 journals with 3 editor in chief positions had 2 men and 1 woman. Women are significantly underrepresented among editor in chiefs across pathology journals. Journals and affiliated members should advocate for diversity among these influential positions, given their impact on research, science, and medicine.

Private schools and inequality

Abstract Among the significant inequalities within Britain’s school system, the greatest lies in the resources gap and the social segmentation between fee-paying and state schools. Published estimated average effects of attending private schools in Britain on academic performance are modest, but nevertheless significant at each stage of education. Cumulatively, by the end of a school career the private school pupil has gained notably higher qualifications compared with a state school pupil with an observably similar background—enough to ensure a distinct advantage in access to a high-status university, a good job and high pay. These gains add to the educational advantages of growing up with an affluent family background. An unusually high proportion of private school alumni occupy highly influential positions in business, in the judicial system, in the press and in politics. A further financial advantage from private school stems from an increased probability of partnering with a richer spouse. The hallmark of a good school policy for reducing inequality would be one that opens up access to private schools, so that participation is no longer constrained as much by financial background, and diminishes substantially the inequalities between schools’ resources. Feasible reforms are of two kinds: those that would lower parental demand for private schooling, inducing enlargement of the state sector, and those that would directly integrate pupils from the state sector into currently private schools. Currently, bursaries are far too small to make a substantial difference.

“Not in the Objective Function”: Gender Equality Considerations in the work of Women Government Economists in Israel

This article examines the role of gender equality considerations in economic policy from the perspective of women economists in central economic agencies in government service in Israel. It asks whether and under what circumstances women economists promote policies aiming to reduce gender inequality or benefit women. Using qualitative research tools, the study reveals that women economists view the incorporation of gender equality into economic policy as insignificant and marginal. Gender equality is perceived as a narrow issue, specific and sectoral, while the core issues dealt with by economists are considered broad and universal. The findings are consistent with previous research claiming that placing women in influential positions does not ensure representation of gendered interests, as gender plays a secondary role to training, education, and institutional context. The findings indicate that the claim of neutrality in diverse aspects of economics limits women economists’ activity and thwarts unfettered thinking on economic policy. HIGHLIGHTS In Israel, gender plays a marginal role in women economists’ policymaking. Spaces for training and learning in economics remain fundamentally gender biased. Neutrality perception limits critical feminist thinking on economic policy. Including feminist perspectives in economic education is vital.

Powerful News Sources Versus Advocate-Journalists as Factors Affecting the Editorial Agenda-Building on Sustainable Development Goals

ABSTRACT While journalism scholarship has extensively investigated the actors shaping news content, there is a paucity of research on how different factors influence newspaper editorial agendas for sustainable development issues. To bridge the gap, this longitudinal study examines newspaper editorials during two distinct periods in a developing country: T1, when the SDGs were adopted in 2015, and T2, when two state officials with a pro-development agenda came into power in 2018. A quantitative content analysis was performed on (N = 11,453) editorials collected from six mainstream Pakistani newspapers published in English and Urdu languages. Results suggest that the SDGs’ launch year failed to influence editorialists to sufficiently emphasize human development issues. However, when powerful news sources, prioritizing sustainable development over internal and external disputes, discussed these issues, their influential positions and government public relations support steered editorialists to shift focus from conflict-oriented content to human development. Concurrently, editorialists, though sporadically, also functioned as advocate journalists. Under the influence of this professional role, they allocated more coverage to issues such as rising inflation and unemployment, reflecting the hardships faced by common people, despite attempts by powerful sources to downplay these public concerns. This role positioned them as key influencers in shaping the editorial agenda.

Reimagining Urban Spaces: Green Spaces, Obesity, and Health Resilience in an Era of Extreme Heat.

Record-breaking heat waves intensified by climate change pose both environmental and health threats, necessitating a balance between urban sustainability and well-being. Extreme heat and limited green space access are drivers of obesity prevalence, with decreased proximity to green spaces correlating with higher rates of obesity in nearby communities. In contrast, access to such green spaces fosters physical activity, well-being, and community cohesion, especially crucial in marginalized communities facing health disparities due to historical policies like redlining and underinvestment in social gathering spaces. Despite challenges, green space investment offers healthcare savings and environmental gains, necessitating a shift in perception towards viewing green spaces as essential for urban living. As heat waves persist, integrating health and sustainability in urban planning is paramount. Health and medical communities must play an active role in advocating for equitable access to urban green spaces, as they possess influential positions to address climate-related health disparities through localized advocacy.

IMPACT OF RUSSIA’S ELITES ON THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

This article examines the issue of the relationship between the elites of Russia, as well as their possible influence on the course of the election campaign for the election of the President of the Russian Federation. The work analyzes the varying degrees of influence on the formation of approaches in the process of transformation of the Russian political system. The purpose of preparing a scientific article is to study the problems of the influence of significant elite groups on pre-election scenarios, with an assessment of the position of competing political structures during the federal election campaign. In addition, there is speculation about possible steps they will take to acquire more influential positions in the next six months, when preliminary nominations of candidates take place and the prospects for election “battles” are outlined. The conclusions underlying this work make it possible to determine the current state of the elites in their competition in the field of political influence on candidates in the presidential “race”.

A Purposeful Approach to LMX Differentiation: The Role of LMX With Key Members

A central idea in the leader-member exchange (LMX) literature is that leaders, due to the limited organizational and personal resources available to them, often struggle with developing and maintaining high-quality exchange relationships with all of their members. As a natural consequence, leaders typically form high-quality relationships with a select few members—often those who seem likable or are similar to the leader—while maintaining formal and distant relationships (i.e., low-quality LMX) with others. This form of differentiated treatment of members creates tensions in team dynamics. In this paper, we propose that leaders can mitigate the downsides of leader-member exchange differentiation (LMXD) for team dynamics by being more purposeful and strategic in how they differentiate in their treatment of members. Specifically, we posit that when leaders strategically develop high-quality LMX relationships with key members—individuals occupying influential positions in team social networks—such key members will engage in behaviors that buffer the negative impact of LMXD on team dynamics. Our framework integrates LMX theory with perspectives from social networks research to illustrate how strategic differentiation influences task and relational team dynamics. Finally, we discuss recommendations for empirically testing, theoretical extensions, and practical implications of this framework.

Racial Inequalities in the Health Establishment Access to the Treatment of COVID-19 in Brazil in 2020.

The Brazilian health system simultaneously allows for the existence of the public and private sectors, which often imposes financial barriers to access to services and affects the health of exposed groups. Studies have shown evidence of higher lethality risks among Black/Biracial and Indigenous People admitted to hospitals due to COVID-19 during the pandemic when compared to White People. This paper evaluated the association between access to treatment for COVID-19, race, and COVID-19-related deaths among the five macro-regions of Brazil in 2020. We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional observational, and population-wide study. Logistical models were used including first-order interactions between race and the health establishment administration sector using deaths as outcome, adjusted for covariates. The lethality risk, defined as the percentage of deaths among hospitalized patients, of Black/Biracial and Indigenous People was up to 78% (in the Midwest) and 29% (in the South) higher when compared to White People, respectively. The association of the race/access interaction with COVID-19-related deaths suggested the possibility of institutional racism in health establishments. The results highlight the need to guarantee adequate funding to the public health sector to improve equity in access to healthcare and the constant development of educational activities and increased participation of racialized minorities in the healthcare workforce at influential positions for health workers on topics such as racism.

Comparative Analysis of Chinese and American Higher Education Policies

The development of higher education in China and the United States has garnered global attention, given their influential positions in the international arena. This paper examines the disparities in higher education policies between the two countries, considering their political, economic, and cultural differences. While China and the U.S. share common objectives and approaches in higher education, notable distinctions arise in terms of technological advancements and intellectual property protection. These variations are particularly evident in policies pertaining to talent cultivation, science and technology innovation, and financial support for higher education. These disparities can be attributed to the unique societal, economic, and socio-cultural contexts of each country. To enhance China’s higher education policy framework, this article proposes three key areas for optimization and supplementation: university competition policy, talent cultivation and attraction policy, and higher education focus development policy. By strengthening the interconnection between higher education and practical applications in society, these proposed enhancements aim to bolster the overall effectiveness and relevance of China’s higher education system.

The Power of Authorities, Interpretations, and Songs: The Discourse of Authenticity in the Latvian Folklore Revival

This is a collaborative study on how, and by whom, the discourse of folklore authenticity was developed in Latvia in the 1970s–1980s and how it affected and still affects the Latvian folklore revival and post-revival practices. Influential positions and vital discussions have arisen in search of meaningful (authentic) folklore practices, such as honouring an unattainable ideal and practicing political resistance, creative ancientness, and spiritual empowerment.

Still facing the ‘paper ceiling’? Exploring gender differences in political news coverage of the last decade

In the present study, we investigate gender bias against politicians in a large set of news articles ( n = 1,139,571) published in major media outlets in the United States between 2010 and 2020 by tracing changes in reporting about 1,095 US politicians. Using topic modeling with latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), we identify main policy-related topics in media reports. We find gender differences in the coverage of certain policy issues, with major imbalances explained by societal factors. Specifically, we show that women in high-level political positions receive less media coverage than their male counterparts and women in less powerful positions on economic and national security issues. However, women and men in less influential positions do not differ in the amount and type of reporting they garner. Since women are still underrepresented in leadership positions, the US media may inadvertently reflect and reinforce existing gender biases in society by devoting more attention to high-profile politicians, who are overwhelmingly male. Although our longitudinal analysis shows positive changes, the gender gap in reporting continues to exist.

Billionaire Politicians: A Global Perspective

We introduce an original dataset of formal political participation for over 2,000 individuals included in the Forbes Billionaires List. We find that billionaire politicians are a surprisingly common phenomenon: Over 11% of the world’s billionaires have held or sought political office. Even compared to other elite groups known for producing politicians from their ranks, this is a high rate of political participation. Moreover, billionaires focus their political ambitions on influential positions, have a strong track record of winning elections, and lean to the right ideologically. We also document substantial cross-national variation: a country’s number of billionaire politicians is not simply a product of its total number of billionaires, but is instead related to regime type. Specifically, billionaires formally enter the political sphere at a much higher rate in autocracies than in democracies. We conclude by discussing the normative implications of our findings and outlining a new research agenda on billionaire politicians.

Do Parliamentary Roles Affect Lobbying Activities? Evidence from the Canadian House of Commons

ABSTRACT In parliamentary systems, private members (i.e. backbenchers) with formal titles and roles can affect the institutional system in which politicians, civil servants and interest groups are embedded. Packing legislative institutions with backbenchers who act as agents of the government but who are not in Cabinet puts certain Members of Parliament in a privileged position with the core executive. We hypothesize that influential positions in Canada’s House of Commons, notably a parliamentary secretary tasked with supporting a minister or a chair of a parliamentary committee, bring increased external pressure from interest group lobbyists. We test these assumptions with data on communications between MPs and interest group lobbyists gathered from the federal Registry of Lobbyists and open data lists found on the website of the Parliament of Canada. Our results show that a parliamentary secretary position or a seat on a standard committee exposes MPs to higher lobbying volumes.

Who is responsible for developing energy policy interventions in Mozambique? A stakeholder analysis and social network analysis

PurposeThis study highlights the crucial significance of stakeholder participation in the creation of a comprehensive energy and electrical master plan for Mozambique. The purpose of this study is to deliver a practical insights that transcend theoretical concerns by digging into the subtleties of stakeholder relationships and strategic collaborations, paving the path for pragmatic and meaningful solutions that connect with real-life conditions. This debate lays the groundwork for educated decision-making, propelling Mozambique’s energy industry towards a more sustainable and prosperous future.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a combined approach of stakeholder analysis (SA) and social network analysis (SNA) to enhance our understanding of the stakeholder landscape in Mozambique’s energy sector. This methodological approach offers a unique vantage point to examine the individual stakeholders’ roles and the intricate web of connections, partnerships, collaborations and information-sharing activities. By integrating SA and SNA, this study aims to provide a more comprehensive and dynamic depiction of stakeholder interactions, contributing methodologically to the existing body of literature.FindingsThe findings also highlight the need to develop frameworks that promote private investment and joint endeavours with entities such as Cahora Bassa Dam/Mozambique Transmission Company. A consistent legal framework ensures uniform performance and a robust monitoring system for ongoing projects, improving accountability and progress tracking. Furthermore, the discussion includes enhancing the competence of the regulatory agency regulating the electricity industry. This includes tackling complex concerns with electricity pricing and other regulatory aspects relevant to private investment. A highly empowered regulatory agency is critical to creating an atmosphere conducive to long-term private sector involvement.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the study emphasises the need to integrate multiple stakeholders, it may not detail specific issues or impediments that may develop during the engagement process. Additional research could look into potential tensions or barriers to effective collaboration. Furthermore, the study emphasises the necessity of addressing environmental impacts; it must thoroughly examine specific environmental concerns such as carbon emissions, deforestation or renewable energy possibilities. Future research could assess the suggested policies’ environmental impact more extensively. Additionally, while the conclusion briefly mentions economic prosperity, a more thorough consideration of the possible economic and social implications of various energy policies could provide a greater understanding of their practicality and potential benefits.Practical implicationsIn terms of practical contributions, this study aspires to shed light on how stakeholder interactions can shape energy policy interventions that ensure reliable and affordable energy sources for economic development and societal well-being. By unveiling the complex network of relationships and partnerships, this study seeks to provide actionable insights for policymakers, industry players and other stakeholders involved in Mozambique’s energy sector. By taking this action, this research aims to pave the way for more effective and inclusive energy policies that align with circular economy principles, thus addressing a critical need in scholarly discourse and practical implementation.Originality/valueThe study underscores the critical role of energy stakeholders in shaping energy policies and projects, given their influential positions and impact on decision-making processes. While existing literature acknowledges this influence, a discernible research gap exists in comprehensively understanding how stakeholder interactions and collaborations in the energy sector affect policy interventions within a context such as Mozambique. This study seeks to bridge this gap by delving into the intricacies of stakeholder involvement and its implications for energy policy development in Mozambique.

Profit margins

The veterinary industry has perpetually produced excellent practitioners who have often ended up in business manage­ment positions through natural succession. These owners are in highly influential leadership positions through necessity, not passion or skill, which ends up with important factors of practice being an afterthought of practicing medicine. Profit margins within the veterinary practice must be thoroughly understood in order for practice administrators to effectively implement pricing structures and help associates and staff members understand where pricing structures come from to communicate effectively with clients. Understanding terminol­ogy and calculations required to audit one’s numbers can help restructure focus and pricing. Understanding profit margins also helps understand the effect of inventory shrinkage most commonly due to obsolescence among other sources. Having the ability to calculate these numbers for one’s practice gives the ability to make systematic changes to improve one’s practice.

Resounding Resistance: A Critical Assessment of Women’s Contributions in Shaping the Literary Cosmos

Women, the glorious creation of God, have contributed magnificently to the growth of human civilization performing distinctive roles as well as holding influential positions miraculously throughout the history of humanity. India's illustrious past passionately and proudly tells the inspirational stories of strong, independent women who glorified our society and culture with their forceful presence. If we look at the contributions that they have made throughout the history of human civilization, we can see that they have contributed in a variety of ways to the formation of society as a whole. They personify "Shakti," the living manifestation of divine force. Undoubtedly, the universe endows women with innate resilience, as they have demonstrated for decades. They have fought their battles by first recognizing and then publicly embracing their self-worth. Their achievements can be acknowledged as philosophers, global leaders, businesspeople, poets, playwrights, authors, artists, journalists, painters, musicians, and other creative types. Though women have contributed multifariously to society at large, this essay will focus on the contributions made by women to Indian English literature. This study places a significant emphasis on the contributions made by women to Indian English literature throughout the course of its magnificent history, which spans from before the country's independence to the present day. In addition, the paper will analyse a number of different Indian authors in order to get a deeper comprehension of women’s writings and the role they have in the world of literature. This paper will comprehensively study the incredible contribution of writers such as Kamala Das, Shashi Deshpande, Bharti Mukherjee, Kamla Markandaya, Nayantara Sahgal, Arundhati Roy, Shobha De, Anita Desai, Manju Kapur, and Kiran Desai, who have paved the way for future generations of Indian women writers to express themselves. They are the progenitors of resistance, consciousness, and individualism.