Informal Ties Research Articles

Changing Workplace Relations and Sites of Belonging in Swedish University Administration

Based on a mixed-methods case study, this article explores the impact of formal affiliations and informal associations in professional organizations, relating these questions of belonging to workplace dynamics and collectives. Using the experience of departmental administrators within a Swedish university as an ideal case to investigate the formal and informal connections at work, this article argues that a multiplicity of belongings within organizations brings strain and opportunities, altering the relations at work. The study contributes to discussions on belonging and social relationships at the workplace level by applying the concept of belonging to different sites in the organization. It suggests that sites of belongings within organizations can serve as a discrete concept, useful for adding insights into the dynamics of work organizations.

The emergence of international police cooperation in Europe with the creation of the TREVI group

The article examines the roots of international police cooperation in Europe, dating back to the creation of the TREVI Group in the 1970s. The format of the Group is considered and the reasons for its placement outside the format of the European Communities are explained. The centralization and formalization of international police cooperation in Europe, which was observed with the creation of the TREVI Group, is considered. The powers of the TREVI Group to fight terrorism are being investigated. It is emphasized that the granting of such powers to the Group was the result of a response to the threats faced by European states in the 1970s. The debate on the format of the group, which arose among European states, primarily between the United Kingdom, France and Germany, is considered. Germany’s proposals to create a centralized structure and the United Kingdom’s and France’s proposals to create an informal political association are under consideration. It is emphasized that the format of the Group reflects the asymmetric impact of security threats in different countries, which led to the unevenness of the preferences of the states during its formation. The Group’s chosen format reflected the «common denominator» of these political influences. Along with the existence of a common desire to develop international police cooperation, EU member states differed in their vision of the format of such cooperation. It is emphasized that the final format of the TREVI Group reflected the complex structural interdependencies in security issues between the member states of the European Communities and the politicization of security issues in domestic and international discourses. It is emphasized that the negotiations on the creation of the TREVI Group took place in conditions of strong internal politicization of the issue of combating terrorism, which shaped the preferences of states at the EU level. At the same time, the inability of states to agree on a formal structure led to the formation of the TREVI Group primarily as a platform for discussion and cooperation between participating states and an informal body promoting practical cooperation. It is concluded that the Trevi Group has become a relatively free political association, independent of the bodies of the European Communities.

Dvojí život historické antropologie.

Since 1989 modern western methodological approaches, including historical anthropology, have been adopted in Czech academic circles, both spontaneously (among historians) and in institutionalised form (the case of ethnology). Very often, however, historical anthropology has been taken up only as an external label that has not meant any real change in research methods. This has simply encouraged the replication of the formal and informal ties and institutions inside the academic community that originated in the period of "normalisation" and that undermine the possibility of the real transformation of our academic environment. The author therefore attempts to distinguish in terms of both theory and method between two types of "historical anthropology": chronologically the first type has been closer to historical sociology (and directed in its way to the history of mentalities), while the second drew inspiration from social anthropology and led towards micro-history. In the Czech environment the ethnologists are closer to the first and the historians to the second, but often without either group being aware of the fundamental difference between the two types.

Practices of Grassroots Civic Activity in the Yaroslavl Region: Problems and Results of Implementation

Introduction. The relevance of the study is due to the increasing importance and complexity of horizontal public relations in socio-political processes, an increase in the number of practices of grassroots civic activity at the regional and local levels, including the use of new information and communication technologies. The purpose of the article is to identify the causes of initiation, the specifics of the organization and practical implementation of grassroots civic activity, as well as the specifics of the interaction of its key actors in modern socio-political conditions in the Yaroslavl region. Materials and Methods. The empirical basis of the study is 21 practices of grassroots civic engagement in the Yaroslavl region, the analysis of which was carried out by the case-study method with elements of comparative analysis. The case-study method made it possible to study these practices of grassroots civic engagement in their complexity and integrity, and also identified their key characteristics and factors influencing them. Results. A comparison of the main practices of grassroots civic engagement that have taken place in the Yaroslavl region in recent years has been made. The main mechanisms and subjects of grassroots civic engagement, processes of interaction between actors are identified. The role of information and communication technologies in the organization of grassroots civic engagement was determined. The problems of grassroots civic engagement organization and interaction of its key actors were also outlined. Discussion and Сonclusion. The study revealed the key characteristics of grassroots civic activity: significant actors, theirs goals, motives, resources and methods of action, features of media coverage and the use of information and communication technologies. The results of the study will be useful for improving the efficiency of the work of local authorities with various formal and informal organizations and associations of citizens. They will help to build work with these groups, taking into account the identified features in the implementation of practices of grassroots civil initiatives in the Yaroslavl region.

Assessment of social and personal manifestations of adolescents interested in youth subculture

Introduction. The problem of the study is related to the idea of peculiarities of socialization as the formation of adolescents’ personality. The solution to this problem is necessary to prevent the negative impact of the subculture on the personality of the adolescent in the learning environment. According to the age specificity, an adolescent pays special attention to the reaction of their peers. Having identified themselves as members of social groups, adolescents put this identification into the scheme of self-awareness and begin to ‘bring’ themselves into ‘conformity with the group’. Deep and long involvement in the informal movement determines the interiorization of the group’s value system and changes in the adolescent’s worldview. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to identify social and personal manifestations of adolescents who are interested in youth subculture. Materials and Methods. The study follows personality-oriented and cognitive approaches. In order to achieve the goal of the study, the authors used theoretical (analysis, generalization, systematization) and empirical (testing, conversations, questionnaires, expert assessments) methods. The sample included 85 Year 10 students of secondary educational institutions in the Krasnodar Territory (Russia). Results. The article presents a theoretical analysis of approaches to the problem of studying social and personal characteristics of adolescents included in youth subcultures. The data obtained indicate personality traits and social status that determine the enthusiasm for certain subcultures. In particular, adolescents interested in youth subcultures demonstrated the following problems: dissatisfaction with social status, communication problems, adequacy/inadequacy of self-esteem, search for thrills, influence of friends, and insufficient knowledge about the content and features of the influence of youth subculture. Conclusions. Based on the theoretical analysis of scholarly literature on the problem of the research, it was found that the adolescent’s inclusion in an informal association is determined by social and personal characteristics. Adolescents who are interested in youth subcultures demonstrated the following common characteristics: the need for a higher status in the students’ group, peer approval, unstable self-esteem, etc. Understanding the characteristics of adolescents contributes to fostering an adequate personality formation and determines the content of the prevention measures aimed at eliminating negative influences of informal associations.

Associations of mental health with vaccination readiness in informal caregivers and the vaccination status of their care recipients during the Covid-19 pandemic – A cross sectional analysis

IntroductionVaccinations are important for informal caregivers and their care recipients. Mental health problems are common among care givers. The aim of this study was to investigate vaccination readiness in informal caregivers and associations with mental health issues. Associations between vaccination readiness in informal caregivers and the vaccination status of their aged care recipients were examined. MethodsWithin the multicenter prospective registry study ‘Bavarian ambulatory Covid-19 Monitor (BaCoM) ‘, informal caregivers were asked for symptoms of depression (PHQ-9), burden of caretaking (BSFC-s), psychological antecedents of vaccination readiness (5C model) and previous Covid-19 infections of their care recipients. The vaccination status against Covid-19, seasonal influenza and pneumococcal disease was determined via vaccination certificates. Data analysis was performed using ordinal regressions and Mann-Whitney-U tests. ResultsData of n = 91 informal caregivers, associated with n = 84 care recipients were collected. Symptoms of depression were associated with reduced vaccination readiness (Calculation: p = 0.026, OR = 1.18), as well as the perceived burden of caretaking (Confidence: p = 0.006, OR = 0.88). A previous Covid-19 infection of the care recipients was associated with decreased vaccination readiness of informal caregivers (Median (Q1–Q3) Confidence: 5.0 (4.5–6.0) vs. 4.0 (3.0–5.0); Calculation: 5.0 (3.0–6.0) vs. 4.0 (1.0–5.0)). The vaccination status of the care recipients interrelated significantly with vaccination readiness of their informal caregivers (Confidence: p < 0.001; Complacency: p < 0.01; Constraints p < 0.05). No significant interrelations between vaccination readiness and the vaccination status against seasonal influenza or pneumococcal disease occurred. ConclusionMental health issues of informal caregivers seem to be associated with the actual vaccination status against Covid-19 in their care recipients. Target group specific counselling as well as an active involvement of informal caregivers in shared decision-making processes can be of relevance, but even more attention should be paid to the protection of mental health for informal caregivers.Trial registration number: German Register of Clinical Studies DRKS 26039.

National–Local Synergies for Development: How a Local Political Machine Delivered Infrastructure Results in Iloilo City

The upsurge in big-ticket infrastructure projects in Iloilo City for the past two decades owes much to the developmental alliance amongst Senator Franklin Drilon as the national government benefactor, multi-term city mayors, and the local business sector. These government officials’ prolonged tenure in office afforded a stable political leadership that ensured long-term planning around key infrastructure projects and continued access to national government funding. Robust institutional and informal ties between political and economic elites enabled consensus-building on the virtues of market-driven growth for which infrastructure is key. The Drilon political machine orchestrated a diverse but astutely networked group of local businesses by involving them in formal participatory planning processes, thereby facilitating approval of big-ticket items, and by influencing bureaucrats from national government agencies to approve the projects.

Challenges with collaboration: the interaction of formal and informal ties in infrastructure construction

Collaborative project delivery models (CPDM) have been introduced in infrastructure construction delivery to improve project outcomes and reduce adversity characteristic for the field. Recent research discusses the interaction of formal and informal governance but highlights the need for further research into the interaction as well as its functions and dysfunctions. With help of a social network lens, we study how collaboration in a CPDM can be understood by the interaction of formal and formal ties and their (dys)functions. Based on 45 in-depth interviews, observations and document analysis, we studied two major infrastructure construction projects utilising a CPDM and the challenges caused by the interaction of formal and informal ties. Our results indicate that these two types of ties interact in a cyclic fashion, where formal ties form the foundation to develop informal ties, and informal ties shape how formal ties are understood. Strong formal and informal ties have both positive as well as negative consequences for collaboration in a CPDM. Furthermore, although these challenges can be beneficial to certain parties in the project, they can also be dysfunctional to other parties. The research contributes to the academic debate on the interplay between formal and formal ties.

Training Returns Among Informal Workers: Evidence from Urban Sites in Kenya and Tanzania

AbstractTraining contributes to economic growth through raising productivity, enabling the use of new technologies and allowing workers to raise earnings through widening their skills base. This paper uses mixed methods to examine individual returns to off-the-job training, on-the-job training and informal training focussing on informal workers in the sectors of construction, micro-trade and transport in urban areas of Kenya and Tanzania. Based on a cross-section, the analysis shows that earnings are 21 pct. higher for workers with off-the-job training compared to being self-taught, whilst the premium for on-the-job or informal training by a family member is 16 pct. The qualitative data provide further insights into the reasons for variations in gains across the different types of training and illuminates the role of informal worker associations in facilitating training access. Formal training should be made affordable and tailored to worker needs so that it becomes a worthwhile investment for informal workers.

Exogenous, Endogenous, and Peripheral Actors: A Situational Analysis of Stakeholder Inclusion within Transboundary Water Governance

Transboundary water governance involves collaborative decision-making across geopolitical boundaries to manage shared water resources sustainably. While this approach integrates public, private, and community efforts, little scrutiny has been directed toward the involvement of non-institutionally affiliated stakeholders. This study critically examines stakeholder participation in Upper Klamath Basin water governance by investigating how deficiencies in stakeholder inclusion impede transboundary water management processes by favoring institutionally affiliated actors. Findings reveal the differential influence of “endogenous” (directly involved), “exogenous” (indirectly involved), and “peripheral” (limited engagement and influence) actors. While endogenous and exogenous actors have formal or informal ties to institutions, peripheral actors lack institutional affiliation(s), making it difficult for them to participate in and ultimately influence water governance decision-making processes. Their limited access to financial, natural, and social capital further restricts their engagement with governance efforts. This imbalance underscores challenges to equity and inclusion in transboundary water governance processes. Addressing the exclusion of peripheral actors from transboundary water governance requires that governance institutions prioritize equity and inclusivity, fostering transparency, incentivizing inclusive practices, and comparing engagement processes to enhance effectiveness and equity in transboundary water management.

Public control over migrant workers in Russia: to the problem statement

This article is devoted to the analysis of modern problems of the organization and implementation of public control over migrant workers in the Russian Federation. The authors argue that public control is the leading institution of civil society, which is the most important legal guarantee for the implementationand protection of both the system of constitutional principles and the entire system of rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of citizens and non-governmental non-profit organizations. The paper substantiates the position that public control measures should be carried out in relation to: authorized public authorities in the field of migration relations; enterprises, institutions and organizations that invite, import and use foreign citizens as labor, as well as stateless persons who previously lived abroad; labor migrants themselves; formal (registered in The Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation), and informal public associations of migrant workers. In the course of writing this scientific article, a number of general and private scientific research methods were used, including: formal-logical; comparative-legal; historical-legal; statistical; sociological; method of analyzing specific legal situations. The article develops and substantiates a system of measures to optimize the processes of organizing and implementing public control over the above-mentioned objects related to labor migration, including by: formalizing public control in the Constitution as well as in legislation on public control; determining the list of subjects of public control authorized to organize and conduct public control in relation to the above-mentioned public relations; obliging any subjects employing foreigners and stateless persons to create trade union organizations; conducting scientific and practical research in the above-mentioned sphere of public control; incorporation into the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation of measures of responsibility for countering the legitimate activities of representatives of subjects of public control in the field of labor migration; strengthening the organizational, legal and logistical base of subjects of public control in this area.

Social Embeddedness, Power Balance, and Local Governance in China

Why are informal institutions beneficial to local governance in some context but harmful in others? This research argues that local governance outcomes are jointly determined by social embeddedness – the extent to which local community leaders connect with their community members through informal ties, and power balance – the extent to which political power is balanced among local ruling elites to prevent it being captured by informal groups. We test our theory by investigating how informal lineage groups interact with formal political power to influence village governance in China. Using a four-round survey (2005–2016) in rural China, we find that village political leaders whose power is oligopolistically shared by two large clans distributed higher land-taking compensation to land-dispossessed households, while village leaders whose power is monopolized by one large clan paid less. This is because socially embedded village officials from the monopolized ruling clan are better able to fragment collective resistance, buy off aggrieved villagers, and collude with the state. The research reconciles the positive and negative perspectives of the role of informal institutions in local governance and highlights the effect of social embeddedness on local governance is conditional on the balance of power among local ruling elites.

Women Empowerment through Self Help Groups (SHGs) – A Review of Literature

Women are amongst the poorest and the most vulnerable population of our society. They are not able to reap the benefits of the various developmental schemes launched by the government for their betterment. For raising their socio-economic conditions, the scheme of Self-Help Groups was started many years ago in India. In various parts of the country, Self-Help Groups, which are an informal association of women in any rural or semi-urban area, are working very well with the objective of empowering women economically, socially, politically, institutionally and spiritually. Thousands of the women in India are building their lives, their families and their society through Self-help groups. The broad goals of a self-help group are to bring about socio-economic change in the lives of its members and society. The present research paper seeks to review various Literature published in various Journals and researcher has considered 30 such published papers for the review and found out the Research Gap from such literatures.

Профиль саморегуляции и социальной активности в портрете учащейся российской молодежи

Background. The relevance of studying the social activity of young people in the context of self-regulation is determined by the vulnerability of young people in difficult conditions of a transforming society subject to uncertainty. In social activity, young people socialize, manifest themselves, and therefore it is necessary to understand its factors, motives for inclusion in one or another of its forms, obstacles to its implementation, as well as risks and threats to the safety and well-being. Objectives. The aim is to establish the role of self-regulation in the involvement of young people in social activity, considering regional and gender specifics. Study Participants. This study involved 1492 respondents (Mage = 19.2; 1013 women), students of various majors from Russian regions. Methods. The research had a survey design, the questionnaires and scales were used in this work for collecting data: V.I. Morosanova's “Style of self-regulation of behavior”, Eysenck's three-factor model, FIRO-B, British scale of well-being, Scale of Russian parties and socio-political organizations attractiveness, Assessment of social contacts intensity and participation in events, and informal associations, a socio-demographic survey. Methods of descriptive statistics, cluster (k-means method) and comparative (t-Student and H-Kraskel-Wallis criterion) analyses were used for data processing. Results. It is established that the leading regulatory processes and properties in the profile of self-regulation of young people are persistence, programming of actions, and flexibility. Self-regulation has a greater impact on such forms of social activity of young people as leisure activities, participation in clubs, spontaneous events as the organizer of these forms with a predominant value for girls rather than for boys. Conclusions. The study showed the typical features of the self-regulation profile of young people. This profile is mostly conditioned by the age specifics of this social group. The limited influence of the processes and properties of self-regulation on the forms of social activity, especially in relation to young men, suggests the need to consider other factors of social activity in a complex.

Возможности координации торговой политики стран БРИКС

As an informal association, BRICS has formed an agenda that includes a wide range of issues of economic cooperation between the member countries. One of the areas in which cooperation, or at least coordination of positions, is possible and necessary is trade policy as a tool to promote the trade and political interests of the BRICS countries and, at the same time, a factor in the formation of a multipolar world. The purpose of this article is to identify areas in which, despite all existing differences, it is possible to harmonize interests and, possibly, represent a common position in multilateral trade negotiations.

Становление Румянцевского музея как социального института

The Rumyantsev Museum is called the treasure of the two capitals, but with the same reason it can be considered the treasure of the country. And although the museum itself and its unified collection ceased to exist (the collection has disintegrated and is now part of the collection of the Russian Museum, the Hermitage, etc.), with its complex almost century-old existence, it contributed to the formation of the museum as a social institution. The Rumyantsev Museum was formed with the participation of the public, united around Nikolai Petrovich Rumyantsev — the Rumyantsev Circle. In the literature, the term ‘Rumyantsev Circle’ is usually understood as an informal association of scientists, historians, librarians, journalists, archaeologists and collectors. The leader and founder of the circle was Nikolai Petrovich Rumyantsev. The very concept of ‘Rumyantsev circle’ appeared in historiography in the second half of the XIX century. The period of existence of the circle is approximately from 1813 to 1826 (before the death of N. Rumyantsev). According to different data the number of the circle — more than 200 people, about 55 made its core. The approximate composition is known: 26 people were employees, 7 — professors and teachers of various educational institutions, 4 — academicians and 12 — people who were in the service of Rumyantsev. The activities of the Rumyantsev circle had not only scientific, but also social significance. Historical works and ancient sources positively influenced the self-consciousness of the progressive Russian public, including such names as A. Pushkin, D. Venevitinov, V. Odoevsky, Decembrists, etc. In particular, the work of the members of the circle was aimed at participating in various ethnographic and geographical expeditions, as well as archaeological excavations.

Clientelism in Georgia (Review of the three previous elections)

This paper aims to examine clientelism in Georgian politics. It is one of the most severe cases of corruption since it substantially assists in establishing an anti-democratic regime in the state. Clientelism has been seen as a corollary of democracy, especially in the early phases of democratization. After 30 years of attempting to bring Georgia closer to European principles and complete integration with the West, Georgian politics has been dominated by informal ties that cause significant damage to state institutions. This study investigates politically motivated corruption-related activities using various sources and documentary materials. Additional factors that influence the creation of clientelism are also taken into account.

The Prospects of the G20’s Support of Liberalism: International Order and the Sustainable Development Goals

ABSTRACT This article examines the question of whether the G20 can support liberal notions of international order. It contends that the contribution of the G20 to promote order has not been fully considered and that there are significant difficulties but some limited possibilities whereby the G20 can support liberal aspirations related to international order. It is the case that the G20 offers prospects for a broader and more pragmatic conception of order to promote the stability of globalisation. This pragmatic possibility has always been present in the G20’s informal association of developed states and rising states which has had a flexible agenda that attempts to address both the economic and social aspects of globalisation. This article argues that the recent engagement by the G20 with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) points to a possible impetus for a post-liberal foundation of a pragmatic order able to manage a multifaceted understanding of globalisation.

Assessing the Contribution of Women-Led NGOs to Gender Equality and Empowerment in Kenya: Challenges, Successes, and Future Prospects

The critical role of women-led Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in advancing gender equality and empowerment in Kenya is undeniable, as they address issues like gender-based violence, educational disparities, and economic inequalities. This study reviewed the contributions of these NGOs in Kenya, focusing on their challenges, successes, and future prospects. It employed a systematic methodology, combining a positivist research philosophy with a desktop review design, to analyze existing literature and draw conclusions. The findings revealed that women-led NGOs have been instrumental in creating safe spaces for women, advocating for legal reforms, and implementing community-based programs for economic and social empowerment. These efforts have led to notable improvements in Kenyan women's lives, contributing to a gradual shift towards gender equality. However, the study also highlights significant challenges faced by these NGOs, including limited financial and human resources, societal and cultural barriers, and a fluctuating political and policy environment. Studies reviewed indicated the effectiveness of women-led Community-Based Rice Seed Entrepreneurship Models (CBRSEM) in enhancing women's skills and livelihoods, but also point out operational challenges such as high production costs and the need for agricultural tools. The study found that women's self-mobilization and movements in Kenya have shown to be vital in economic empowerment, evolving from informal associations to significant entities in agribusiness and NGOs. Moreover, educational programs have been effective in shaping adolescents' attitudes towards gender equality, suggesting the integration of gender studies in early education curricula. The study concludes that women-led NGOs in Kenya play a pivotal role in promoting gender equality, yet face persistent struggles with resource limitations and societal resistance. Their future success depends on sustainable funding, robust networks and collaborations, technological leverage, and societal mindset shifts towards gender-sensitive attitudes. Therefore, recommendations include increasing financial support, building robust networks, working towards changing societal norms, utilizing technology and social media, strengthening internal capacity, and engaging in policy advocacy. Keywords: Gender Equality, Women-led NGOs, Empowerment, Community-based Programs, Kenya

STUDENT LOANS: AN ALTERNATIVE TO FINANCE STUDIES USED BY HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS IN MOZAMBIQUE

Student loans as an alternative to social support for students are a contribution of economic theory to the financing of higher education. This study seeks to reflect on loans as a social support policy used by several countries for higher education students and to show the reality of loans made by higher education students in Mozambique. Data were collected from a questionnaire applied to higher education students, for a theoretical sample of 508 and an empirical sample of 607 students in the province of Gaza, in February and March 2018. Results reveal that student loans are not a social support policy co-financed by the Mozambican State, as in other contexts. Students have turned either to formal institutions, such as commercial and microfinance banks or to informal associations, called Xitique, to cover the costs of their studies. This allows concluding that, despite the challenges, loans can be a positive alternative for the government in the diversification of social support to students, which will allow better access to higher education, provided that they are introduced taking into account students/families’ socioeconomic conditions and with efficient mechanisms or systems that help control borrowers’ reimbursements and disbursements.