Institutional Characteristics Research Articles

Enacted institutions, participatory sense-making and social norms

This paper argues that institutions are higher-level autonomous systems enacted by patterns of participatory sense-making. Therefore, unlike in the standard equilibrium theory, institutions are not themselves thought of as behavioural patterns. Instead, they are problem domains that these patterns have brought forth. Moreover, these are not merely any patterns, but only those devoted to maintaining a specific strategy of problem solving, called the strategy of ‘letting be’. The latter refers to, following Hanne de Jaegher, a balance between underdetermination and overdetermination of individual behaviour by a collective. Such an understanding of institutions becomes an option once a hybrid ‘equilibrium + rules’ theory of institutions, such as the one proposed by Frank Hindriks, is supplemented with insights from enactivism. In this light, drawing a connection between these two areas is the additional, meta-theoretical goal of this paper. This connection is beneficial, I argue, in particular since it allows for a satisfactory, in-depth account of the normative character of institutions as well as their local character.

Exploring COVID-19 census burdens by US hospital characteristics: Implications of quality reporting at rural and critical access hospitals.

By assessing longitudinal associations between COVID-19 census burdens and hospital characteristics, such as bed size and critical access status, we can explore whether pandemic-era hospital quality benchmarking requires risk-adjustment or stratification for hospital-level characteristics. We used hospital-level data from the US Department of Health and Human Services including weekly total hospital and COVID-19 censuses from August 2020 to August 2023 and the 2021 American Hospital Association survey. We calculated weekly percentages of total adult hospital beds containing COVID-19 patients. We then calculated the number of weeks each hospital spent at Extreme (≥20% of beds occupied by COVID-19 patients), High (10%-19%), Moderate (5%-9%), and Low (<5%) COVID-19 stress. We assessed longitudinal hospital-level COVID-19 stress, stratified by 15 hospital characteristics including joint commission accreditation, bed size, teaching status, critical access hospital status, and core-based statistical area (CBSA) rurality. Among n = 2582 US hospitals, the median(IQR) weekly percentage of hospital capacity occupied by COVID-19 patients was 6.7%(3.6%-13.0%). 80,268/213,383 (38%) hospital-weeks experienced Low COVID-19 census stress, 28% Moderate stress, 22% High stress, and 12% Extreme stress. COVID-19 census burdens were similar across most hospital characteristics, but were significantly greater for critical access hospitals. US hospitals experienced similar COVID-19 census burdens across multiple institutional characteristics. Evidence-based inclusion of pandemic-era outcomes in hospital quality reporting may not require significant hospital-level risk-adjustment or stratification, with the exception of rural or critical access hospitals, which experienced differentially greater COVID-19 census burdens and may merit hospital-level risk-adjustment considerations.

Neighborhood-Level Disadvantage and Delayed Adjuvant Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer

For patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), initiation of postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) within 6 weeks of surgery is recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines and the Commission on Cancer. Although individual-level measures of socioeconomic status are associated with receipt of timely, guideline-adherent PORT, the role of neighborhood-level disadvantage has not been examined. To characterize the association of neighborhood-level disadvantage with delays in receiving PORT. This retrospective cohort study included 681 adult patients with HNSCC undergoing curative-intent surgery and PORT from 2018 to 2020 at 4 US academic medical centers. The data were analyzed between June 21, 2023, and March 5, 2024. The primary outcome was delay in initiating guideline-adherent PORT (ie, >6 weeks after surgery). Time-to-PORT (TTP) was a secondary outcome. Census block-level Area Deprivation Index (ADI) scores were calculated and reported as national percentiles (0-100); higher scores indicate greater deprivation. The association of ADI scores with PORT delay was assessed using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for demographic, clinical, and institutional characteristics. PORT initiation across ADI score population quartiles was evaluated with cumulative incidence plots and Cox models. Among 681 patients with HNSCC undergoing surgery and PORT (mean [SD] age, 61.5 [11.2] years; 487 [71.5%] men, 194 [29.5%] women) the PORT delay rate was 60.8% (414/681) and median (IQR) TTP was 46 (40-56) days. The median (IQR) ADI score was 62.0 (44.0-83.0). Each 25-point increase in ADI score was associated with a corresponding 32% increase in the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of PORT delay (aOR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.07-1.63) on multivariable regression adjusted for institution, age, race and ethnicity, insurance, comorbidity, cancer subsite, stage, postoperative complications, care fragmentation, travel distance, and rurality. Increasing ADI score population quartiles were associated with increasing TTP (hazard ratio of PORT initiation, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.53-0.96; 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44-0.77; and 0.54; 95% CI, 0.41-0.72; for ADI quartiles 2, 3, and 4 vs ADI quartile 1, respectively). Increasing neighborhood-level disadvantage was independently associated with a greater likelihood of PORT delay and longer TTP in a dose-dependent manner. These findings indicate a critical need for the development of multilevel strategies to improve the equitable delivery of timely, guideline-adherent PORT.

DESIGN OF CORPORATE CLOTHING: AESTHETIC AND ERGONOMIC ASPECTS

The article is devoted to the process of designing corporate clothing for employees and students of higher education of the Khmelnytskyi National University, which is considered as a system of "corporate style → corporate image → corporate clothing and its identity", including logos, colors, graphic elements and graphic standards of visual identification of the KhNU and their structure. Scientific novelty. The most characteristic artistic and compositional solutions and the typology of graphic elements used in the corporate style of KhNU as a means of communication for the creation of the image and brand of the higher education institution were analyzed and highlighted. Practical meaning. The developed systematization of the graphic elements of the corporate style of KhNU made it possible to generalize their artistic and compositional features and use them in the design of men's and women's corporate clothing for employees and students of higher education of the Khmelnytskyi National University for visual representation and broadcasting of the values and main characteristics of the educational institution. The process of creating a sketch and harmonizing the project image of corporate clothing with the help of an information model, which allows to present it as a single symbolic system with the help of modern practices of visual presentation of fashion innovations, is demonstrated. The design stages of corporate clothing samples are presented with the help of computer technologies, which provide clothing designers with wide visual and artistic opportunities in the context of modern communication practices. Artistic and design, constructive and technological solutions for men's and women's corporate clothing models were developed, which were produced under the conditions of the Ukrainian fashion brand ARTY Sport using a calender thermopress for sublimation. Testing of experimental samples of products took place at the exhibition dedicated to the Day of Science (Khmelnytskyi, KhNU, 2022). Research materials can be used in the development of corporate style and design of modern corporate clothing. The results of the study can be used in further scientific research on the design of other types of corporate clothing for employees and students of higher education of the Khmelnytskyi National University.

The effect of institutional characteristics and social norms on corruption in healthcare

AbstractCorruption in healthcare is widespread and consequential. Informal payments (IPs) are a common form of petty corruption, especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Using data from the Life in Transition Survey encompassing 33 countries across Europe and Central Asia, I analyze the prevalence and reasons behind IPs made to public health providers. In addition to individual‐ and system‐level factors often used in literature, I also introduce a latent measure of social norms related to high levels of corruption. These are associated with a significantly higher prevalence of paying informally. This paper also bridges a gap between the corruption literature and health‐related research by introducing a typology of IPs based on why they were made. I find that the association between health system characteristics and IPs prevalence differs based on the reason for payment. This difference is further exacerbated by the existence of corruption‐related social norms. The results of this analysis highlight the need to revisit existing anti‐corruption policies and align them to the underlying social norms.

The two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender identity curriculum in Canadian Dental Schools: What are the gaps and proposed next steps?

This study aimed to investigate gaps in the delivery of two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender identity (2SLGBTQ+) curricula and identify curricular challenges within Canadian dental schools. A 21-item closed-ended questionnaire was distributed to curriculum experts across 10 dental schools in Canada. The survey questions were organized into three sections: institution characteristics, current 2SLGBTQ+ content and delivery, and opinions on the improvement of the 2SLGBTQ+ curriculum. Microsoft Excel (2020) was used to perform a descriptive analysis of the survey responses. Nine dental schools participated in the survey. All participating schools reported the offering of undergraduate, graduate, and degree completion programs. The most reported methods of teaching 2SLGBTQ+ content were 'lecture-based teaching' (n=5), 'small-group teaching' (n=4), and 'case-based discussions' (n=4). The most common topics taught were 'gender identity' (n=7) and '2SLGBTQ+ discrimination in healthcare care settings' (n=7). The topics of 'sex reassignment surgery,' 'alcohol, tobacco, or other substance use by 2SLGBTQ+ people,' '2SLGBTQ+ pediatric and adolescent oral health issues,' 'coming out,' and 'sex reassignment surgery' were not included or were unknown by the majority of dental schools (n=8). Overall, participants were unsatisfied with the level of 2SLGBTQ+-specific content covered at their institution and reported a 'lack of space within the curriculum and time constraints' as a barrier to implementation (n=8). Community-based research is needed to identify the unmet oral health needs of the 2SLGBTQ+ population, which can be translated into the development of a risk-based oral health curriculum within Canada and beyond.

Mental health among U.S. College students: implications of COVID-19 and roles of institutional and individual characteristics

Previous research on college campus environments, student mental health, and COVID-19 has primarily focused on individual-level factors, with limited attention to the broader institutional characteristics. Objective and Methods: Using the national survey data from the American College Health Association, this study examines the influence of both individual-level and institutional-level characteristics on college students’ stress, psychological distress, and psychological well-being, before and during COVID-19. Results: (1) COVID-19 significantly impacted students’ mental health; (2) institutional-level factors, such as school size, locale, region, and religiously affiliation, were significant predictors of mental health outcomes; and (3) individual-level variables, including gender, age, race/ethnicity, relationship status, moderated the relationship between COVID-19 and mental health. Conclusion: This study suggests the need to consider various institutional contexts in future efforts to understand predictors of mental health conditions and resilience.

Economic policy uncertainty and tax avoidance: International evidence

In this study, we investigate how economic policy uncertainty (EPU) influences corporate tax avoidance using a dataset of listed firms from 22 countries spanning 1999 to 2019. Our findings align with the agency motive, showing that as EPU increases, firms tend to decrease their tax avoidance practices. Further analysis reveals that this negative relationship is particularly strong among unconstrained firms. We also observe that strong firm-level governance is associated with reduced tax avoidance during periods of heightened EPU. Furthermore, we investigate how institutional characteristics at the country level influence the relationship between EPU and firms' tax avoidance strategies. We find that firms in countries with strong governance, situated in developed economies, and adhering to stringent auditing standards are less inclined to engage in tax avoidance amid increasing EPU. Conversely, firms in countries with low GDP per capita, low governance scores, and located in emerging economies demonstrate a positive association between tax avoidance and EPU. Overall, our research highlights EPU as a key driver of corporate tax management, offering policymakers valuable insights into its potential impact on tax planning.

Application, knowledge and training needs regarding comprehensive geriatric assessment among geriatric practitioners in healthcare institutions: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the actual application, knowledge, and training needs of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) among geriatric practitioners in China.MethodsA total of 225 geriatric practitioners attending the geriatric medicine or geriatric nursing training were recruited for this cross-sectional study. The questionnaire included demographics, healthcare institution characteristics, the actual application, knowledge, training needs, and barriers to CGA and geriatric syndromes (GS).ResultsPhysicians and nurses were 57.3% and 42.7%, respectively. 71.1% were female, with a median age was 35 years. Almost two-thirds (140/225) of geriatric practitioners reported exposure to CGA in their clinical practice. The top five CGA evaluation items currently used were malnutrition risk (49.8%), fall risk (49.8%), activity of daily living (48.0%), pain (44.4%), and cognitive function (42.7%). Median knowledge scores for the management procedures of GS ranged from 2 to 6. Physicians identified medical insurance payment issues (29.5%) and a lack of systematic specialist knowledge and technology (21.7%) as the two biggest barriers to practicing geriatrics. Nurses cited a lack of systematic specialist knowledge and technology (52.1%) as the primary barrier. In addition, physicians and nurses exhibited significant differences in their knowledge of CGA-specific evaluation items and management procedures for GS (all P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in their training needs, except for polypharmacy.ConclusionsThe rate of CGA application at the individual level, as well as the overall knowledge among geriatric practitioners, was not adequate. Geriatric education and continuous training should be tailored to address the specific roles of physicians and nurses, as well as the practical knowledge reserves, barriers, and training needs they face.

Cross‐border university choice in China's Greater Bay Area

AbstractThis study explored Chinese students' motivations for selecting a cross‐border university in China's Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) and how they perceive their undergraduate experiences. The GBA was developed as an international economic cluster in China. Despite the vitality of the GBA's international education sector, few studies have focused on individual students' perspectives on cross‐border higher education choices and experiences. We interviewed twenty students and two academics in charge of university admissions about their opinions and reflections concerning a GBA cross‐border university. Students' university choices were linked to different admission profiles, parental influences, institutional features and interactions between students and the institutions. Our study has significant implications for leaders and policymakers in higher education seeking to attract talented university students, improve enrolment and promote students' learning experiences in cross‐border higher education institutions.

Истоки возникновения феномена культура отмены

The article is focused on a topical phenomenon of modernity – the culture of abolition or cancelling. Based on a retrospective analysis of the development of Western philosophical and sociological thought, the authors come to the conclusion that the prototypes of the practice of cancelling individual members of society were found in ancient times and in many religious customs of the peoples around the world. However, the considered practices of the past are fundamentally different from modern cancelling in the sense that they had an institutional character and reflected the peculiarities of the socio-political order of their time. In recent years, the development of the Internet and new media has allowed marginalized but extremely active social groups to participate more actively in the life of society. As a result, under the influence of the ideas of Marxism, the cancel culture became one of the main tools of the “new ethics” to promote its own pseudo-liberal agenda.

From Confrontation to Cooperation: Describing Non-State Armed Group–UN Interactions in Peace Operations

Abstract In various conflict contexts where the state is unable to maintain security and public order, non-state armed groups (NSAGs) and the United Nations (UN) conduct their activities alongside one another. While previous research has focused on hostile relations between the UN and NSAGs, less attention has been given to collaborative interactions. This paper aims to address this research gap by formulating a novel conceptual typology of NSAG–UN interactions in the context of a peace operation. The typological framework comprises two-dimensions: firstly, the thematic field of interaction including human rights, humanitarian needs and governance, security, and political processes and, secondly, the nature of interaction ranging from confrontation to cooperation. Based on the typology, interaction activities between the UN and NSAGs in two peacekeeping operations—the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)—are systematically documented and described. While both cases show confrontation in the security field, UNOCI also commonly cooperated with NSAGs on security-related issues; MINUSMA instead cooperated with NSAGs primarily regarding the political process. The analysis further proposes factors that may explain such variation, including institutional arrangements and NSAG characteristics. The conceptual framework presented in this paper is crucial in advancing knowledge about an empirical phenomenon that we know little about and that has important implications for different forms of “local” engagement in peace operations and the effectiveness of UN policies and practices.

Adaptive Complexity: Examining Texas Public Postsecondary Institutions’ Provision of Student Basic Needs Programs

This study reveals that the likelihood and diversity of postsecondary institutions providing basic needs programs are significantly influenced by institutional factors such as the institutions’ organization and size. This study also indicates that Hispanic-Serving Institutions tend to provide emergency housing, which highlights a targeted response to specific community needs. In addition, the analysis indicates that the presence of students with financial needs is linked to the availability of food pantry services, suggesting a strategic approach to address student welfare. The findings from this study provide critical insights into how institutional characteristics influence the provision and variety of basic needs services. These conclusions not only underscore the pivotal role of such services in supporting the overall well-being and academic success of students but also indicate institutional factors that support the formal implementation of a variety of basic needs programs to meet diverse student needs.

The Public Legitimacy of Multistakeholder Partnerships in Global Environmental Governance: Evidence from Survey Experiments in Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United States

Abstract Multistakeholder partnerships (MSPs) in global environmental governance are either praised for their problem-solving capacities and inclusion of various societal actors or criticized for their limited accountability and corporate dominance. Despite the lively scholarly debate and the continued promotion of MSPs by international organizations and governments, knowledge about how environmental MSPs are perceived by the public is very limited. Understanding the sources of public support for MSPs is important, given its crucial role in MSPs’ abilities to secure resources and achieve their goals. In this article, we evaluate whether and how institutional features of MSPs influence citizens’ legitimacy beliefs. Building on previous studies, we theorize which institutional dimensions of MSPs matter for citizens’ level of support. We conduct population-based survey experiments in Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United States, encompassing more than 6,000 respondents. The results from the survey experiments have substantive implications for our understanding of the role of MSPs.

Are Companies Offloading Risk onto Employees in Times of Uncertainty? Insights from Corporate Pension Plans

AbstractWe investigate how firms adjust corporate pension plans in response to economic policy uncertainty (EPU). Using a sample of US-listed firms, we find that firms increase pension underfunding levels when facing higher EPU. The result is robust to controlling for pension portfolio returns, discount rates, plan sizes, pension liability, numbers of employees, other macroeconomic factors, difference-in-differences and instrumental variable estimation, and additional evidence of pension risk-shifting. Further analysis reveals that financial distress and information asymmetry induced through EPU are the potential channels. The effect is stronger for firms having CEOs being excessively paid, using cash flow as a performance metric in CEO compensation, paying high dividends, and having short-term institutional investors, whereas the presence of unions, positive corporate culture, and social capital alleviate the effect. Notably, managers, not shareholders, appear to be the party reaping the benefits. Our findings suggest that firms may shift risk to employees in response to heightened uncertainty and institutional characteristics play a moderating role in this crucial business ethics issue.

Modeling the demographic situation in the regions by agent-based approach

The aim of the paper is to predict demographic changes at the regional level, based on the variation of the parameters of the healthcare system presumed to be a significant factor in both the number of population and its qualitative characteristics. It is assumed that a reform of the healthcare system reflects the institutional nature of state regulation and serves functionally as an exogenous shock in the model. Based on the agent-based modeling a model consisting of two regions has been developed. It takes into account the migration of agents making decisions based on the level of private income. Various scenarios for modeling demographic indicators are presented, depending on the selected quality regime of the healthcare system that reflects the institutional features of the region. The model is calculated based on the statistics for the Perm Region and the Sverdlovsk Region for the period 2012—2019. The approbation of the model on actual regional data confirmed its operability and adequacy. Shocks in the healthcare system are associated with the corresponding budget expenditures under budget constraints of the regional government sector and have an impact on the dynamics of migration at regional labor markets, as well as on the simulated health indicators. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the presented methodological approach, which can be used in the development of regional strategies, as well as planning and assessing the consequences of state reforms in social policy.

INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS OF TRANSFORMATION PROCESSES IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

The article is devoted to the study of the impact of institutional aspects on the transformation of the hospitality industry in Ukraine. The object of the study is the transformation processes of the hospitality industry, which took place under the influence of institutional factors. The paper analyses a number of scientific works by foreign and domestic scholars on understanding the concepts of "institution", "institute", "institutional environment" and its importance in the development of the hospitality industry in general. Methodology. The aim of the study is to analyse the impact of institutional factors on the transformational processes of development of the hospitality industry in Ukraine at the present stage. It is proposed to consider the institutional environment as a set of formal and informal institutions that at different levels have different impacts on the formation of the institutional system of society. The comparative characteristics of formal and informal institutions were compiled in order to clearly distinguish their differences and apply them correctly in building an effective institutional policy for the hospitality industry. It is proved that although formal institutions are relatively stable, their formation and preservation should be based on their perception by people in society as a factor in effectively solving certain problems. It was determined that Ukraine, as a country in a period of crisis (direct military action), should seriously consider institutional factors as a source of future direct investment, and weak institutional policies will raise concerns about the possibility of transferring management practices, procedures, and methods from other countries. The authors compiled a scheme of influence of factors on the formation of the institutional environment of the country as a whole and the hospitality industry, including political, legislative, economic, socio-cultural and ethical factors of influence. The publication examines the mutual influence of the institutional environment and the organisation, which is based on institutional ties, institutional pressure and institutional entrepreneurship. It has been found that an effective institutional environment stimulates the development of the hospitality industry, and a good institutional structure characterised by a strong rule of law, control of corruption, freedom of expression, a stable political environment, better regulation and good governance can open a new path for hospitality services. Conclusion. The results of the study are a significant contribution to the qualitative formation of the institutional environment of the hospitality industry.

Hate Crimes and Black College Student Enrollment

Abstract Reported hate crimes in the United States have increased rapidly in recent years, alongside an increase in general racial animus. Scholars have shown that the larger sociopolitical environment can directly impact the campus climate and experiences of all students, particularly students of color. However, little is known about how reports of hate crime incidents relate to college enrollment levels of students of color. This lack of evidence has especially troubling implications for Black people, the most frequent targets of reported hate crimes. This paper helps to fill in that gap by exploring the association between the number of reports of hate crimes within states and Black students’ college enrollment. We examine a comprehensive dataset of institutional enrollment and characteristics, reported hate crimes, and census data on state racial demographics from 2000 to 2017 using several techniques, including institution fixed effects. We find that a 1 standard deviation increase in reports of state-level hate crimes predicts a 17 to 22 percent increase in Black first-time student enrollment at historically Black colleges and universities. As the number of reported hate crimes is almost assuredly an undercount of the actual number of incidents, we explore the implications of what these results mean.

Liquidity and dynamic leverage: the moderating impacts of leverage deviation and target instability

PurposeWe explore the impact of equity liquidity on a firm’s dynamic leverage adjustments and the moderating impacts of leverage deviation and target instability on the link between equity liquidity and dynamic leverage in the UK market.Design/methodology/approachIn applying the two-step system GMM, we estimate our model by exploring suitable instruments for the dynamic variable(s), i.e. lagged values of the dynamic term(s).FindingsOur analyses document that a firm’s equity liquidity has a positive impact on the speed of adjustment (SOA) of its leverage ratio back to the target ratio in the UK market. We also demonstrate that the positive relationship between liquidity and SOA is more pronounced for firms whose current position is relatively close to their target leverage ratio and whose target ratio is relatively stable.Practical implicationsThis study provides important implications for both firms’ managers and investors. Particularly, firms’ managers who wish to increase the leverage SOA to enhance firms’ value need to give great attention to their equity liquidity. Investors who want to evaluate firms’ performance could also consider their equity liquidity and leverage SOA.Originality/valueWe are the first to enrich the literature on leverage adjustments by identifying equity liquidity as a new determinant of SOA in a single developed country with many differences in the structure and development of capital markets, ownership concentration and institutional characteristics. We also provide new empirical evidence of the joint effect of equity liquidity, leverage deviation and target instability on leverage SOA.

Evaluating Local Government Policy Innovations: A Case Study of Surabaya's Efforts in Combating Stunting and Enhancing Public Health Services Quality

This research aims to evaluate regional innovations in implementing Surabaya City government policies to reduce stunting rates and improve the quality of public health services. A qualitative descriptive method was used with a case study approach involving field observations and structured interviews. The research results show the success of Posyandu Prima in reducing stunting rates significantly in the last two years. The Surabaya City Government has proven effective in managing this program's human resources and budget. The active involvement of Great Surabaya Cadres (KSH) and non-governmental organizations also contributed greatly to the program's success. Cross-sector collaboration plays an important role in supporting implementation. Institutional characteristics, such as commitment to public health and ability to collaborate, also matter. Theoretically, this research shows that synergy between the parties involved and government commitment can achieve significant results in handling the stunting problem. In conclusion, the Prima Posyandu Program has proven successful in reducing stunting rates and improving the quality of public health services in Surabaya. Additionally, the collaborative efforts between community stakeholders, healthcare providers, and governmental bodies underscore the crucial role of multi-sectoral partnerships in addressing complex public health issues like stunting. This synergy fosters comprehensive approaches that combine local knowledge, resources, and policy support to effectively combat stunting and enhance the well-being of communities. Thus, the Prima Posyandu Program's success is a compelling example of how concerted action and sustained commitment can yield tangible improvements in population health outcomes.