Institutional Obstacles Research Articles

Coalition: Mapping the Development of Inclusive Practices in Initial Teacher Training for Fostering Student Participation

In this article, we present the progress of the Erasmus+ Coalition European project. The aim of this project is to promote the development of inclusive practices in higher education so that optimal learning scenarios can be experienced which allow for the rethinking of participation processes in an educational context. In the first phase of the project, a study was carried out using a mixed methodological approach of teaching competences for the development of inclusive practices. University teaching staff and students from several European institutions participated in this study with the aim of gathering information on the following key areas: academic perceptions of possible institutional obstacles and resources; beliefs of the teaching body with regard to inclusive pedagogical approaches; and strategies for adapting to different learning styles and encouraging student participation. Here, we present the results obtained in relation to the implementation of procedures for inclusive teaching, placing our emphasis on the strategies used to favour the monitoring of student learning. Based on the achievements of the initial stage, our intention is to generate a community of practice that supports the training scaffolding of those concerned, and to develop online processes of inquiry to improve initial teacher training in fomenting student participation.

Pro- and Contra-Coalition: Governing the Rise and Fall of Creative Industrial Parks in China

A great number of creative industrial parks (CIPs) have emerged in the past two decades in China as a critical and popular approach to the adaptive reuse of abandoned industrial land in cities. However, a few vibrant CIPs have been closed in the past few years, and the sites are set to be demolished and redeveloped in a property-led manner, suggesting the fragility of CIPs as a land reuse approach. This article aims to elaborate on the institutional rationale behind such a phenomenon. Cases in Shanghai and Guangzhou are examined and presented. The key arguments include: (a) in the industrial land redevelopment process, public and private actors flexibly establish pro-coalitions and contra-coalitions to foster and close CIPs, with strategies to overcome institutional obstacles and to implement land redevelopment-pursued regulatory plans, respectively; (b) key actors forming the two coalitions overlap, such as the local government and the state-owned enterprise land occupiers, and their positions shift subject to specific circumstances; and (c) the finding of the two coalitions echoes the existing argument that there are forces beyond the growth machine driving China’s urban development and provides further insight into the explicit framework of the dual forces underneath.

Obstacles and challenges of rural development in Afghanistan: examining problems and solutions: a review

This study comprehensively examines the multifaceted challenges impeding rural development in Afghanistan and proposes strategic recommendations for achieving sustainable growth. The research employs extensive document analysis, a critical review, and a literature review spanning 2020 to 2024, analyzing institutional, socio-cultural, economic, environmental, and infrastructural factors affecting rural development. The findings reveal that development is hindered by institutional obstacles such as ineffective governance, centralized planning, and a lack of coherent strategies, alongside socio-cultural issues like migration, low educational attainment, gender disparities, and economic barriers including poverty, unemployment, and limited market access. Environmental concerns such as land degradation and inadequate infrastructure further exacerbate these challenges. The study recommends a holistic approach, emphasizing decentralization, community engagement, infrastructure investment, sustainable agricultural practices, and vocational training to build local capacities. Collaborative efforts between stakeholders are essential to drive sustainable development in Afghanistan's rural areas.

The endless reform process: Realities behind Jordan's political modernization efforts

AbstractThe latest royal committee headed by Samir Al‐Rifai to modernize Jordan's political system is often portrayed as a significant step toward political reform. However, this narrative overestimates the committee's impact and overlooks historical limitations and institutional obstacles to reform in Jordan. This study highlights how political reform initiatives in Jordan can be manipulated to serve the regime's objectives rather than the people's will. Historically, despite public pressure for genuine political reform, the regime's responses have been minimal. Royal committees and initiatives have rarely produced tangible results, serving more to provide the regime with narratives of superficial reform than to achieve real change.

Absorbable and biodegradable enzyme-crosslinked gelatin/alginate semi-IPN hydrogel wound dressings containing curcumin

Effective wound management presents a substantial financial and time-related obstacle for healthcare institutions. Enhancing healthcare involves implementing innovative wound treatment methods to minimize healing time and expenses. This study is centered on the development of a non-toxic wound dressing using only two natural polymers and an enzyme. By adding 10 % wt microbial transglutaminase, the mechanical properties of the dressing were improved. This formulation increased the swelling rate by 70 %, deswelling rate by 15 %, conversion rate by 9 %, and networking rate by 20 %. Additionally, the non-toxic dressing showed a cell viability rate of 106 %. In drug delivery tests, explosive release behavior was observed, which is advantageous for open wounds. Cell staining experiments were also carried out to evaluate wound behavior in terms of collagen formation, granulation, and inflammation. The results suggest that the optimized hydrogel has great potential as a wound dressing. Its excellent absorption, antioxidant, and biocompatibility characteristics enhance tissue granulation rate and reduce wound treatment time by half compared to conventional methods, while also minimizing scarring risk. This innovative treatment, which eliminates the need for frequent changes, is beneficial for both secondary intentions and severe open wounds requiring bottom-up healing.

The impact of FDI on R&D investment of small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam: The role of institutions

This paper investigates how the quality of the local institutional environment affects the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on R&D investment of domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam. By analysing data of 2690 manufacturing SMEs in 2011, 2013 and 2015, we find that FDI presence hinders R&D activities of domestic SMEs, probably due to SMEs' low absorptive capacity, large technological gap, lack of economies of scale and low market power. However, institutions positively moderate the relationship, that is better institutions mitigate the negative impacts of FDI on R&D investment of domestic SMEs. When the quality of local institutions improves beyond a certain minimum level, FDI exerts positive spillovers that encourage R&D activities of domestic SMEs. Our hypothesis suggests that institutions can moderate FDI spillovers to SMEs' R&D by promoting the foreign investors' incentive and ability to create technological spillovers, mitigating FDI crowding-out effects, enhancing domestic SMEs' absorptive capacity, and facilitating interaction and knowledge sharing in the local business environment. We also find that the institutional moderating effect is less pronounced for FDI originating from countries with lower institutional quality compared to that from countries with higher institutional quality. This suggests that multinational enterprises (MNEs) in the former group may be more susceptible to institutional impacts due to their unfamiliarity with institutional obstacles in the host economy. Our study highlights the importance of institutions to researchers who explore the relationship between FDI and domestic firms’ R&D investment and to policymakers in emerging economies where FDI inflows and domestic SMEs play a pivotal role.

Assessing farmers’ knowledge of environmental policy along the Ayeyarwady River: Strides towards the Indian Ocean marine life safety

The Ayeyarwady River Basin in Myanmar is grappling with severe environmental challenges, including soil erosion and water pollution, primarily driven by unsustainable agricultural practices. This study aims to evaluate farmers' awareness of environmental policies and identify barriers to their effective implementation. In-depth interviews were conducted with 45 stakeholders, encompassing farmers, government officials, and researchers. The findings highlight a significant lack of policy awareness among farmers, exacerbated by socio-cultural, economic, and institutional obstacles. These barriers impede the successful application of environmental policies, perpetuating environmental degradation. The study advocates for integrative strategies that encompass education, community engagement, and adaptive policy frameworks to address these complex issues. Detailed policy implications are provided, offering insights into potential solutions for enhancing the region's environmental governance and sustainable development. This research contributes to understanding the critical interplay between policy awareness and ecological management, underscoring the importance of targeted interventions to mitigate environmental threats.

Institutional Obstacles and Countermeasures to Improve the Chinese Ocean Carbon Sink Trading Market

Global climate change is a great challenge shared by human society today. All countries are actively carrying out carbon emissions trading to cope with increasingly serious environmental problems. Ocean carbon sink trading is an important part of the carbon emissions trading market and has become a new academic hot spot. It is urgent to construct an ocean carbon sink trading mechanism that meets China’s national conditions. The goal of this study is to determine how to improve China’s ocean carbon sink trading market using research methods such as normative analysis, comparative analysis, and case studies. The study shows that there are outstanding problems, such as unclear property rights and imperfect relevant laws and regulations, in the Chinese ocean carbon sink trading market. In order to solve these problems, the property rights of ocean carbon sinks should be clarified, relevant laws related to ocean carbon sinks and the trading market should be improved, and construction of a financial system for ocean carbon sinks should be further developed. At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen the supervision of ocean carbon sink trading and encourage the public to actively participate. According to the results of the study, there is a long way to go towards improving China’s ocean carbon sink trading market, requiring the joint efforts of the government, market, society, and public in making greater contributions in the response to global climate change.

Unlocking rural resilience: Exploring innovative digital saving solutions for farming households in Mali

AbstractFinancial savings at the household level are vital for poverty alleviation, yet they face social, psychological and institutional obstacles. Over recent years, mobile phones have proven effective in enhancing financial inclusion. However, when individuals decide how to save, their preferences remain unclear. This study investigates the preferences of 421 Malian smallholder farmers for a hypothetical mobile savings application using a discrete choice experiment. Apart from standard savings account features such as transaction charges, interest amount and minimum deposit requirements, it assesses preferences for two innovative features designed to address deviations from rational decision‐making. The first feature allows multiple users to pool their savings, utilising social dynamics and peer pressure to encourage responsible savings behaviour and enhance commitment. The second feature offers users the ability to manage their finances more effectively by dividing them into purpose‐specific sub‐accounts. The findings reveal a strong overall preference for saving via the application rather than keeping cash on hand. As anticipated, farmers favour lower costs and deposits and higher interest amounts. Generally, individual saving is preferred over group saving, and the option to compartmentalise is valued, albeit not statistically significantly so. However, the analysis of underlying heterogeneity reveals substantial differences in respondents' preferences for these commitment‐enhancing features. These findings underscore the need for customised approaches that align with farmers' unique preferences and constraints. Such approaches can inform the development of bespoke mobile savings solutions for farming households, thereby boosting their resilience and financial well‐being.

Mental and institutional barriers to creating impact

PurposeIn this impact paper, I outline how a new inclusion theory generated non-scholarly impact even before it was published and share my personal experiences with mental and institutional barriers to creating that impact. With this, I hope to (1) help readers relate to and understand the issues that they are facing in creating impact and (2) inspire academics and academic institutions to remove obstacles to creating impact.Design/methodology/approachAfter outlining the new theory and the impact it has generated, I autobiographically describe the barriers to impact that I experienced, split up into two categories: mental and institutional barriers.FindingsI discerned six main barriers that I had to overcome. Three of these are mental obstacles: impact order beliefs, prioritizing impact and a lack of examples. The other three are institutional obstacles: a lack of incentives for doing impact work, a lack of resources and an incompatibility between the impact form and the institutional environment.Originality/valueIt can be daunting to hear about the impact that others are having when the journey to get there is being left out and success stories run the risk of pretending that there were no or only a few obstacles involved. In sharing the struggles involved with doing an impact in my particular case, I hope to provide a more realistic insight into the barriers that one is likely to face in doing impact and issue a wider call for removing barriers to making impact.

Optimising Educational Outcomes: Data and Process Analysis Approaches with Attention to Self-Directed Learning

The swift advancements in technology and the corresponding job market impose increasingly challenging and dynamic requirements on workers. This is a significant obstacle for higher education institutions in adequately preparing their students for contemporary expectations and equipping them to tackle future difficulties. Today's students are "digital natives", and they distinctly absorb knowledge and employ new strategies to learn compared to earlier generations. Hence, it is of utmost significance for higher education institutions to comprehend the student learning process. Learning management systems (LMS) can offer substantial assistance in this endeavor, as they facilitate comprehension of students' learning process, while log files also offer unbiased insights into individual adaptation. This study aims to investigate the learning mechanisms of Business Informatics students at Corvinus University of Budapest by analyzing Moodle's educational data. The objective of the study was to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the learning patterns exhibited by students in higher education through the utilization of an extensive collection of log files. The central idea revolved around examining the behavioral, motivational, and interest-related dimensions of learning as indicators of self-directed learning. These were examined using two primary methodologies: data analysis and process analysis. The findings indicate that distinct learning patterns exist regarding data and learning processes. Additionally, there are variations in time management and information consumption habits. The results of this study have practical implications for identifying learning patterns and developing tailored interventions to enhance educational achievements.

Editorial: More Practical Gender Research is Needed in Higher Education Leadership and Management

This Editorial explores the challenges and barriers faced by women in leadership roles within higher education institutions using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. This Editorial investigates internal, external, and institutional obstacles hindering women's progression into leadership positions. Gender biases, socio-political traditions, cultural expectations, and institutional norms contribute to the under-representation of women in leadership roles. Additionally, internal factors such as lack of confidence and fear of failure further impede career advancement. Despite these challenges, the editorial highlights the pivotal role of women in shaping leadership standards and underscores the transformative impact of diverse leadership teams. The Editorial advocates for pragmatic scholarly approaches to considering achievement of equal opportunities for women in leadership, emphasising education, progressive workplace policies, mentorship programs, and cultural shifts. By embracing an approach nested in the macro-, meso-, and micro-level environments, a more holistic approach to research aimed at fostering innovative scholarly advancement is encouraged.

Factors influencing presentation delay among cancer patients: a cross-sectional study in Malaysia

BackgroundCancer represents a significant global public health challenge, with escalating incidence rates straining healthcare systems. Malaysia, like many nations, has witnessed a rise in cancer cases, particularly among the younger population. This study aligns with Malaysia’s National Strategic Plan for Cancer Control Programme 2021–2025, emphasizing primary prevention and early detection to address cancer’s impact. Therefore, we aim to describe the timeliness of cancer care for symptom presentation, socio-demographic, patient, as well as organizational-related factors among patients in Malaysia diagnosed with breast, colorectal, nasopharyngeal, and cervical cancer.MethodsThis cross-sectional study enrolled adult cancer patients diagnosed with breast, cervical, colorectal, or nasopharyngeal cancer from 2015 to 2020 in seven public hospitals/oncology centres across Malaysia. Data were collected through patient-administered surveys and medical records. Presentation delay, defined as the duration between symptom onset and the patient's first visit to a healthcare professional exceeding 30 days, was the primary outcome. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.ResultsThe study included 476 cancer patients, with breast cancer (41.6%), colorectal cancer (26.9%), nasopharyngeal cancer (22.1%), and cervical cancer (9.5%). Over half (54.2%) experienced presentation delays with a median interval of 60 days. Higher proportions of presentation delay were observed among nasopharyngeal cancer patients, employed patients with lower socioeconomic statuses, and those without family history of cancer. Most patients self-discovered their first cancer symptoms (80%), while only one-third took immediate action for medical check-ups. Emotional and organizational factors, such as long waiting times during doctor's visits (47%), were potential barriers to seeking cancer care.ConclusionThis study highlights the significant problem of presentation delay among cancer patients in Malaysia. The delay is influenced by various factors encompassing sociodemographic characteristics, health-seeking behaviours, and healthcare system-related issues. A comprehensive approach addressing both individual barriers and institutional obstacles is imperative to mitigate this presentation delay and improve cancer outcomes.

Youth inclusion in value chain development: a case of the aquaculture in Nigeria

Many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have made youth inclusion a top priority in their development agendas. This is aimed at overcoming social, technical, and institutional obstacles and providing fair and significant opportunities for the growth of young people. Inclusive agricultural value chain development (VCD) is being used to address youth unemployment in the region. The Nigerian government and its partners have invested in aquaculture VCD to create employment opportunities for young men and women, but the participation rate is low, at around 2%. Further, research and practices focusing on rural youth inclusion in VCD is scant, with biases towards urban youth inclusion. This study explored youth engagement in the aquaculture value chain and how the chain features and context shape inclusive mechanisms/patterns of youth inclusion in VCD processes. We used the integrated livelihood asset framework, access approach, and VCD approaches to present an analysis of conditions influencing the inclusion of young men and women in the aquaculture VCD in Nigeria. Accordingly, two youth inclusion strategies were identified: investment and risk management strategies. Young men and women from better-off households adopt investment strategy and dominate the production function. They use their resources, social networks and support from youth-focused aquaculture projects to invest in production functions. Those adopting a risk management strategy dominate the processing, distribution, and marketing functions. They dominantly use social networks, support from aquaculture projects, and Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) to mitigate risks. The high demand for fresh and processed fish, supportive policies, and youth-centered aquaculture projects encourages the engagement of young men and women to adopt either of the strategies. However, they face challenges such as high-cost and low-quality inputs, lack of tailored services, inadequate infrastructure, and sociocultural norms. This study contributes to youth inclusion literature, provides a comprehensive theoretical lens for understanding youth inclusion in VCD, and offers insights into the specific case of young men and women’s engagement in the aquaculture sector in Nigeria.

A Study on the Challenges and Opportunities of Women Entrepreneurs

Abstract: This research explores the complex terrain of female entrepreneurship with the goal of illuminating the diverse obstacles and prospects encountered by female entrepreneurs. Gender inequality still prevents women from fully participating in and succeeding in the business sphere, even in spite of the increasing recognition of their contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This study clarifies the structural, cultural, and institutional obstacles that face female entrepreneurs by an extensive analysis of the body of literature and also with the help interviews of women entrepreneurs in-person and through google forms the data that was collected was then analysed. This research adds to a deeper understanding of the complex factors influencing women's entrepreneurial aspirations and provides insights into practical solutions for creating gender-inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems by critically assessing both possibilities and constraints.

Understanding Agrarian Reform in Colombia: The Story from a Field Visit during the International Land Grabbing Conference 2024

During the International Land Grabbing Conference 2024 in Colombia, the authors had the opportunity to visit two sites of agrarian reform struggle in the Department of Cundinamarca, where efforts to curb land grabbing are being implemented: the San Joaquín Farm in the municipality of Puerto Salgar, and the Zona Reservo Campesino in the municipality of Venecia. Given the long-standing history of agrarian issues in Colombia and the hopeful political will of the current Colombian president, it is intriguing to discuss the authors' findings from this field visit to understand the achievements in the implementation of agrarian reform in Colombia, as well as the challenges faced in resolving agrarian issues confronted by farmers and rural communities. Based on observations, it is evident that the success of agrarian reform implementation relies on the political will of the government and efforts to involve farmer organizations, as well as addressing policy barriers. A state-centered approach, with the involvement of social actors such as farmer organizations and NGOs, can overcome structural and institutional obstacles. Furthermore, sustainable livelihoods for farmers must be prioritized, considering the cultural and historical context of the farmers and the need for balanced resource management with a subjective approach to agricultural organization, which can facilitate farmer regeneration and the success of agrarian reform in Colombia.

Communication Barriers to Sustainable Utilization of Coconut Waste in Gedebage Main Market Bandung

Coconut waste, a largely untapped resource, holds immense potential for efficient utilization. However, this commodity's current production has yet to generate significant added value as coconuts are primarily used for coconut oil, and the fiber is often discarded as waste. This service research identifies challenges and communication barriers in using coconut dregs at the Gedebage Main Market, Bandung City. By employing the Community Research (CBR) service method through Forum Group Discussions (FGD), we aim to collaborate with the community to explore various approaches to the issues they face. Data was collected through a qualitative approach, including in-depth interviews, field observations, and literature studies. The service research findings reveal several challenges in utilizing coconut waste, such as infrastructure problems, licensing constraints, and the need for better-trained human resources. Meanwhile, communication obstacles faced include technical obstacles, namely the lack of accompanying staff or communicators who carry out outreach and provide information on the potential use of coconut dregs to the community. Technological obstacles include the unavailability of the required modern coconut waste processing machines. Institutional obstacles include unclear roles and responsibilities of the parties involved and the need for coordination between stakeholders in utilizing coconut waste. Your active participation and support are crucial in overcoming these obstacles and realizing the full potential of coconut waste.

Choreographing a good death: Carers' experiences and practices of enacting assisted dying.

The proliferation of assisted dying legislative reforms globally is a significant change in the social and medico-legal landscape of end-of-life care. Understanding the impacts of these legislative reforms on family members who care for a dying person is vital, yet under-theorised in research. In this article, drawing on semi-structured interviews with 42 carers for a person who has sought assisted dying in Australia, and extending ideas of ontological choreography we explore the new and complex choreographies enacted by carers in their endeavour to arrange a 'good death' for the dying person. We find that desires to fulfil the dying person's wishes are often accompanied by normative pressures, affective tensions and complexities in bereavement. Enacting assisted dying requires carers to perform a repertoire of highly-staged practices. Yet, institutional obstacles and normative cultural scripts of dying can constrain carer assisted dying practices. Understanding the nuances of carers' experiences and how they navigate this new end-of-life landscape, we argue, provides critical insights about how assisted dying legislation is producing new cultural touchpoints for caring at the end of life. Moreover, we show how emerging cultural scripts of assisted dying are impacting in the lives of these carers.

A Study on Non-Performing Asset at Co-Operative Societies in India

The performance of a country's financial system reflects in a country's growth. India is striving to be one of the developed countries. Our country is going through many changes as it strives to be at the top of the world. The financial system is the mainstay of any country in India and the banking system plays an important role in the financial system. In a country like India, where 70% of the population lives in rural areas agriculture is a main occupation, which accounts for more than 30% of GDP. Banks and cooperatives in the public and private sectors play an important role in accelerating credit services to rural areas. India has 12 public sector banks, 22 private sector banks, 42 foreign banks, 56 regional rural banks, 1485 urban cooperative banks 96000 rural cooperative banks in addition to Credit Cooperative Bank. The obstacle for cooperative societies and banking institutions is NPA non-performing assets. The focus of this paper is to study NPA in Indian cooperatives and the impact of NPA on the profitability of cooperatives, the remedies for NPA problems to improve the performance of cooperatives.

Article: Climate Clubs: An International Tax Law Perspective

Global carbon pricing has often been portrayed as an interesting idea that will never be implemented due to political hurdles. Yet, this description is being challenged: growing political support for climate clubs suggests that a global carbon price might become reality in the future. This article investigates the conditions for the adoption and implementation of a climate club based on a global carbon price by comparing it to the international corporate tax club created by Pillar Two, which was also described as politically impossible a few years ago. This comparison highlights that establishing a climate club will require addressing design issues and institutional obstacles that might be even more complex than those that characterized the negotiations of the global anti-base erosion (GloBE) rules. Climate club, carbon border adjustment measures, global carbon price, global carbon tax, GloBE rules, inclusive forum on carbon mitigation approaches, inclusive framework, international corporate tax club, Pillar Two