Institutional Stability Research Articles

Offshoring software development: india/china choice a transaction costs perspective

The purpose of this paper is to interpret the decision to choose a country to entrust its service providers with the software development activity. Based on transaction cost theory, the cost measurement waxes derived from this theory are used to compare two competing countries in the Offshore market: India and China. Salary, ICT, language, trust and economic and institutional stability are the points of differentiation on which this study is based. By using an exploratory and a comparative study based on secondary data from different statistical sources, the study confirms that according to the TCT, India remains a more appropriate choice than China for client firms seeking to outsource software development activity. This paper is completely original and proposes a new research component that links TCT predictions with the country chosen as a part of Offshore’s strategy.

The Power Elite in the Welfare State 2012–2017: Stability and Change in the Key Institutional Orders of the Core of Power Networks in Denmark

Abstract C. Wright Mills’ framework of power elites did not just address the power structure of post-World War II America. We propose a methodological framework to identify this group—by locating individuals sitting at the core of elite networks—arguing that the sector composition of this group reflects the relative importance of institutional orders within the limits of a nation-state. With two comprehensive sets of network data, composed of around 5,000 potentially powerful affiliations containing approximately 38,000 individuals, we identify a modified version of k-cores in Danish elite networks each composing around 400 individuals in 2012 and 2017. While 55% of the individuals in the core have changed over five years, the core group exhibits remarkable institutional stability. First, sectoral affiliations remain largely the same, as just over half were employed in the corporate world with the rest split fairly evenly amongst union leaders, academics, senior civil servants, and politicians. Other sectors, such as cultural elites, army, clergy, or judiciary were all but excluded. Second, their organizational affiliation also remains stable. Four out of five in 2017 were employed in an organization having a member in 2012. Third, the social background, ethnic background, education, and residence remain largely the same.

Differences Among Types of Sexual Misconduct Incidents Reported to Title IX Coordinators and Institutional Stability in Incidents Over Time.

Sexual misconduct incidents reported to Title IX coordinators and stability in incident characteristics within institutions of higher education (IHEs) over time were examined. Data included two waves of reported incidents in 2016-2018 (n = 2,598) and 2018-2020 (n = 2,778) across Maryland IHEs (N = 40). Findings showed most reported incidents were for Other Sexual Misconduct (e.g., sexual harassment) versus Sexual Assault I (i.e., rape) or Sexual Assault II (e.g., unwanted sexual touching). Types of sexual misconduct differed regarding reporting by responsible employees, nonstudent perpetrators, and the range of accommodations accessed; institutional-level profiles of sexual misconduct were stable across waves. Implications and future research are discussed.

Illegitimately pursuing legitimacy: critical conversations of sport mega events hosting and bidding

There have been increased efforts from emerging global powers to bid for and win the hosting rights for SMEs as key elements of broader campaigns to showcase their cultures and economies on the world stage. Yet, some have expressed concerns over emerging countries’ capacity to host SMEs due to economic constraints, questions of institutional stability, and labour issues. The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the pursuit of international legitimacy through the hosting of SMEs. Specifically, the authors are concerned with the impacts of illegitimate practices on vulnerable populations and how illegitimate practices undermine the positive impacts and legacies of SMEs. Drawing upon the case of Qatar and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the authors theorise the illegitimacy of practices implemented for securing the right to host the event and the preparations of the country’s sport infrastructure, thereby highlighting the dichotomy of pursuing national legitimacy through illegitimate means.

Administrative capacity and EU funds management systems performance: the cases of Hungary and Slovakia

ABSTRACT We analyse European Union (EU) funds management systems performance using the cases of Hungary and Slovakia – two Central European countries with a common history and background, yet different concepts of EU funds management. We explore the role of administrative capacity and institutional stability as key factors affecting performance in both countries. We also provide evidence for the relationship between administrative capacity and non-compliance, measured by financial corrections, with a model robust to different programming periods and model specifications. Using the resulting baseline model applicable to all EU countries, we assess EU funds management system performance in Hungary and Slovakia.

A draw for Flemish nationalism: Institutional change and stability in the Belgian sport system

AbstractThis article combines insights from historical institutionalism with the literature on ideational policy change to explain why Belgian sport institutions like the national football team appear as outliers in the story of the country's unidirectional move towards a decentralised federal state. It shows how Flemish nationalist ideas drove the asymmetrical decentralisation of the originally unitary Belgian sport system. On one hand, mechanisms of gradual institutional change led to the complete decentralisation of public sport policy. The Flemish government consequently has the authority and means to generate symbols and policies that boost Flemish identity through sport, while no comprehensive policies can be developed at the federal level for instrumentalising sport to build Belgian identity. On the other hand, mechanisms of institutional stability including vested interests, strong veto players and Flemings' dislike of secessionism prevent the full decentralisation of the Belgian non‐governmental sport governing bodies. This implies that Belgium continues to be represented in international sport competitions as a nation and that sport can thus also be employed to create and sustain Belgian alongside Flemish identity. Sport therefore contributes to sustaining the Flemings' dual Flemish‐Belgian identity, which ultimately stands in the way of a fully autonomous Flemish state.

Institutionalization of European Union membership of the Republic of Moldova

Moldova is a parliamentary democracy that has recently embarked on a strong reform agenda despite a series of exogenous crises. The parliamentary nature of the democracy has been confirmed by recent competitive elections at parliamentary and presidential level. The country’s legal and constitutional framework largely corresponds to European and international standards. As regards the political criteria, Moldova has a solid foundation in place to reach the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities. As regards the economic criteria, Moldova has pursued reasonably sound macroeconomic policies, significantly strengthened financial sector stability, and improved the business environment. Speaking about capacity to fulfil the obligations of membership, Moldova has worked since 2016 on the implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (AA/DFCTA). These agreements already capture significant amount of the EU acquis and Moldova has gradually taken up the alignment process across many sectors and has a satisfactory track record of implementation. Overall, Moldova is a European State committed to respecting and promoting the values on which the European Union is founded.

The Contribution of Traditional Agroforestry Systems and Challenges of Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia. A review

Agroforestry is a system of land use that incorporates the use of trees with either crops, livestock, or both. In Ethiopia, traditional agroforestry systems such as home gardens, parkland, border planting, woodlots, coffee-based, enset-based, and fruit-based systems have been used. Therefore, the goal of this review study was to gather, arrange, and analyse traditional agroforestry systems’ social, economic, and environmental contributions as well as the factors influencing their uptake. In Ethiopia, traditional agroforestry systems enhanced biodiversity and improved the livelihood of the society by providing cash income, fuelwood, pole, timber, fencing, indigenous medicines and food. Additionally, they increase soil fertility and restore biomass carbon in the range of 12 to 228 Mg ha⁻1. Despite their importance, a variety of factors have prevented farmers from implementing these agroforestry techniques. They include the uncertainty of tenure, the availability of land, the age of the family’s leader, labour, gender, degree of education, access to training, and the availability of water. Therefore, it is important to encourage agroforestry practices in order to increase production, raise soil carbon stocks, and conserve biodiversity. This can be done through offering training, equitable land sharing, and institutional stability

Issues of Financial Reform of Culture and Art Institutions

In the article, the importance of financial reform in order to ensure the financial stability of institutions in the field of culture and art of our country in the conditions of the market economy was studied, and the main tasks in its implementation were determined. A financial reform program was proposed as a result of the study. At the same time, the profitability index was obtained in the evaluation of the results of the financial reform of cultural and art institutions.

Codesigning sustainable land uses: framing participatory methods for research and development projects

ABSTRACT The application of participatory methods for codesigning sustainable land uses in research and development (R&D) projects for the agroecological transition are receiving increasing attention. However, there has been limited research critically assessing participatory methods employed in a codesign process. We therefore analyze the participatory methods applied for codesigning alternative land uses in the Sustainable Amazonian Landscape (SAL) project in the Caquetá department, Colombia. We conducted our analysis by situating the codesign process in a participation continuum and a codesign typology. We found that a gradient of participation level in the R&D project is beneficial for managing a codesign process. Thus, codesigning can be shaped during the project to respond to specific needs, and farmer participation levels change during the project. We found that codesigning is a process that only partially relies on participatory methods epistemologies. Instead, it reflects a tension between the continuity of a codesign project in a given territory, the sustained involvement of local partners, and external conditions such as socioeconomic and institutional stability. These are essential points to consider for co-designing the agroecological transition, as we suggest that these project-based research conditions might hinder critical principles of the codesign process.

ANALYSIS OF THE FINANCIAL SUSTAINABLE OF HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS IN THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONDITIONS

Introduction. An important element of the implementation of the concept of sustainable development in Ukraine and the concept of the development of the system of financial support in the field of health care is the modernization of the financial mechanism of medical institutions, the development of new models of financial activity in the context of ensuring their stability and sustainability. The purpose of the article is to study the main theoretical and methodological approaches to the analysis of the financial stability of health care institutions in the context of sustainable development. Methods. The set goal was achieved using general scientific, special and empirical methods of learning processes and phenomena. In particular, the methods of analysis and synthesis, comparison, and generalization are used to understand the sustainable development of society and the enterprise, the financial stability of health care institutions; scientific abstraction, structural-logical and tabular methods, structural-dynamic and coefficient analysis - to determine and analyze the financial stability of medical institutions. Results. The theoretical foundations and methodical approaches of the analysis of financial stability have been studied. The methodology was adapted to modern health care institutions that have acquired features of an entrepreneurial nature, an analysis of the medical institution was carried out, and indicators were calculated to determine the level of financial status. Conclussions. Therefore, the financial stability of communal non-profit institutions is the state of financial resources and their management, which ensures the balance of assets and liabilities in a changing external and internal environment and ensures constant solvency and investment attractiveness within the limits of an acceptable level of risk. Analysis of the financial stability of health care institutions allows us to assess their readiness to repay their debts, financial independence, trends in the level of this independence, the rationality of managing state and self-raised funds. The algorithm for determining financial stability includes the use of a balance sheet model of financial equilibrium, a three-component indicator, determination of the optimal degrees of coverage of sources of financial support for health care, and calculation of absolute and relative indicators.

No risk no funding The distinct effects of institutional strength and institutional stability on venture capital investments

Research on the impact of institutions on venture capital investments has revealed a puzzling picture. While institutional theory predicts that higher developed institutions should promote investments, the empirical evidence for venture capital investments is surprisingly ambiguous. This study connects the institution-based view and the unique characteristics of venture capital investors by examining the distinct effects of institutional strength and institutional stability on venture capital investments. Empirical results from 58,062 individual companies, nested in 104 countries, show that ventures attract higher investments in countries with higher institutional strength but lower institutional stability. However, both institutional strength and institutional stability increase the survivability of those funded ventures. Hence, we promote a dynamic perspective on institutional effects for founders, investors, and policy-makers, since these institutional effects differ between institutional strength and stability as well as between different firm characteristics, strategies, and performance dimensions.

The socio-demographic aspect of the development of the resilience capacity of the socio-economic system in Ukraine

The course and consequences of any shock is uncertain in both space and time. However, the emergence of threats and risks affects all spheres of life of a society in one way or another. At the same time, the socio-demographic sphere is a driver of the resilience capacity of the country’s socio-economic system, and, on the other hand, its qualitative characteristics are the result of the resilience of this system. Continuous regulation and efficient management of socio-demographic processes in society increase the resilience capacity of the country’s socio-economic system in the face of a global shock or threat. Meanwhile, the main public interest is to ensure the safety of each individual and well-being and stability of institutions that guarantee democracy, security, and sustainable development of society. An important indicator of the resilience capacity of Ukraine’s socio-economic system in shocks is the population’s savings. They provide insurance coverage for individuals in case of unforeseen events and contribute to the improvement of living standards. At the same time, rising income and wealth inequality, especially in times of crisis, weakens social resilience by reducing social cohesion in the long run. The socio-demographic resilience of a country can be strengthened or weakened depending on the specifics of a particular shock. The study argues that in the context of crises and threats faced by our country in recent years, the following socio-demographic characteristics weakened the resilience capacity of the socio-economic system of Ukraine the most: unbalanced socio-demographic structure of the society; high level of external and internal migration; a low share of household and business savings in their total income; the illegalization of the economy in general and the labor market in particular, the prevalence of informal employment, low wages and social protection. Today, in the context of the temporal and spatial uncertainty of a full-scale war, it is necessary to continue research on socio-demographic resilience as a strategy, the original cause of the return of people from abroad to Ukraine, and a deterrent to migration from Ukraine in the future. It is a key driver for building the resilience capacity of the country’s socio-economic system and strengthening the proactive position of authorities at various levels on IDP issues, increasing social cohesion, civic engagement, and volunteerism.

European experience in ensuring the financial security of financial institutions

The article is dedicated to exploring the essence of financial security for financial institutions in Ukraine in the context of a state of war and providing proposals for its enhancement. In light of international events, particularly the full-scale invasion and aggression by the russian federation, the insufficient level of financial security of Ukrainian financial institutions becomes exceptionally pertinent. Therefore, identifying internal and external threats to the financial security of these institutions during wartime, along with developing a strategy to neutralize these threats and enhance the effectiveness of financial security, emerges as an extremely relevant task. The article substantiates the significance of developing a strategic plan to bolster Ukraine's financial security, with a focus on the control of financial institution activities. The author meticulously examines key aspects and methods of ensuring stability and reliability of financial institutions in the European Union. Additionally, key elements of controlling financial institution activities within the context of Ukraine's financial sector development strategy are studied and compared with methods applied in other countries around the world. The article comprehensively examines practices and strategies for financial stability of institutions in European Union countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic. Analyzing the practices of these countries, known for their successful results in ensuring economic stability and protecting consumer and investor rights, provides insights and recommendations for Ukraine's financial sector. A crucial aspect of the article highlights the role of regulatory bodies that define standards of business conduct, requirements for financial reporting, and the process of service delivery. Moreover, the article underscores the importance of innovation and financial literacy in ensuring the efficiency and competitiveness of financial institutions in the modern global environment. In conclusion, the article makes a significant contribution to understanding and addressing the issues of financial security in Ukrainian financial institutions, especially in the context of geopolitical challenges. The conclusions and proposals presented in the article have the potential to contribute to refining approaches to financial stability in other countries and developing effective strategies for Ukraine's financial institutions.

No Risk no Funding The distinct effects of institutional strength and institutional stability on venture capital investments

No Risk no Funding The distinct effects of institutional strength and institutional stability on venture capital investments

Методологічний підхід до оцінки поточної фінансової стійкості закладів вищої освіти

Methodological approaches to assessing the financial stability of universities in the international scientific community were studied, an algorithm for assessing the current financial stability of higher education institutions was proposed, which includes the purpose of the assessment, the choice of the type of assessment, the formation of information support with the identification of available sources of information, a system of indicators/indexes for the analysis of the current of financial sustainability of higher education institutions, their analysis and visualization of data, assessment of the level of financial sustainability of higher education institutions and management decision-making. The proposed groups of indicators of the current financial stability of universities are characterized. The methodology for calculating a group of dynamic indicators of the university's income is defined, and recommended values for each indicator are proposed. A practical test of the dynamic indicators of the university's income was carried out using a panel approach with a two-dimensional array of data: a sample of 35 economic, polytechnic, classical, pedagogical and other types of higher education institutions and time period. The results are presented with the help of visualization tools, which makes it possible to draw general conclusions about the current financial stability of universities and the probability of the risk of its violation.

Nowe obywatelstwo i patriotyzm na pograniczu kultur: międzykulturowy kontekst

The cultural diversification of states deconstructs the model of a homogenous national community, yet it requires the maintenance of the stability of democratic institutions in a situation where culturally different citizens are increasingly resistant to forced assimilation and subjugation. A multicultural state must actively protect the cultural identities of its citizens. Some dilemmas arise in the understanding of citizenship and patriotism, for which state multiculturalism and interculturalism at the level of an individual citizen become contextual references. Therefore, the subject of this article is the different types of new citizenship and patriotism, with model approaches to them. The author exposes multiculturalism, revealing the new citizenship and intercultural connotations of patriotism. She looks at these categories from a cultural borderland perspective. With reference to the pillars of coexistence identified on the basis of empirical research in this borderland, the author conceptualizes intercultural citizenship and patriotism. She also points to their multidimensional nature with an intercultural connotation. The author sees them as integrating factors of a culturally diverse society. Their national-cultural, identity, and community provenance gives an intercultural character to the integration process. Integration conceived in this way fosters the evolution of the nation-state into a heterogeneous national community operating within its borders.

Внутрішньополітичні загрози під час війни та у повоєнний час: пошук шляхів мінімізації

The article considers the key internal political threats for Ukraine, which are relevant during the war, as well as have the potential to remain in the reconstruction period. The article is based on the materials of the project, made by National Institute for Strategic Studies (NISS) „Analysis of threats to national security in the sphere of internal policy” [1]. A two-stage expert survey was conducted within the framework of this project. The experts of the project were the employees of the NISS and about 50 specialists (scientists, nongovernmental activists, public administratorі, journalists), who represent national and regional institutions. At the first stage, experts were asked to identify three internal political threats that, in their opinion, pose the greatest danger to the country. Based on the received data, a list of the most relevant threats was formed. At the second stage, the same experts determined the destabilizing potential and probability of realization of each of the threats on a five-point scale. According to the project participants, the biggest risks for internal political stability are caused primarily by: corruption; problems of government efficiency and stability of state institutions; the potential for horizontal disintegration of society; the presence of instruments of Russian influence – the UOC (MP), pro-Russian politicians and information resources; demographic losses, depopulation, loss of human capital. Both the destabilizing potential and the probability of threats will increase during the period of reconstruction, compared to the period of martial law. The article concludes that the effective counteraction of the state and society to internal political threats is an important factor in Ukraine's resilience to Russian aggression, as well as successful reconstruction and modernization after the end of the war.

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The article is devoted to the issue of prosecution for corruption criminal offenses committed during the legal regime of martial law, as well as prevention of these offenses. The relevance of the problem, as well as the object and subject of the research are outlined. Various sources were used for the analysis, including legislative acts, scientific publications and reports. The article provides a rationale for the most important task of Ukrainian society in the conditions of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, namely, the preservation of statehood and territorial integrity, taking into account the challenges that came with the war, and is a serious problem of the stability and security of society, a threat to the stability of legal institutions, democratic values and the rule of law. Special attention is drawn to corruption, which to this day remains one of the most complex and still unsolved problems in Ukraine, and also, along with war, serves as a threat to the security stability of the state, the development of democracy and the preservation of ethical values. The rationale for the need to introduce the best international practices, standards and rules, which will allow strengthening the legal and regulatory regimes in the fight against corruption, as well as preserve the gains made by Ukraine in the prevention of corruption in peacetime, is presented. Further steps in the fight against corruption are proposed, which consist in realizing the need for a maximum revision of regulatory acts through the prism of the existing situation, and developing a basis for effective post-war legislation with the aim of not bringing corruption to a permanent level, but realizing its destructive effect. The article also considers ways of systematizing the current legislation regarding the approach to understanding corruption crimes and responsibility for them during the legal regime of martial law. In addition, the article reflects the dynamics of anti-corruption indicators in Ukraine in recent years and the development of state anti-corruption institutions.

The Quest for Institutional Stability: Fiscal Distributive Policies and Economic Crises in Argentina, 2002-2023

The Quest for Institutional Stability: Fiscal Distributive Policies and Economic Crises in Argentina, 2002-2023