Institutional Stakeholders Research Articles

Modelling Stakeholders’ Capacity for Urban Housing Development: A Developing Country’s Perspective

Abstract The main aim of the study was to model stakeholders’ capacity for urban housing development from a developing country’s perspective, using Zambia as a case study. The study used a quantitative methodology and recruited 214 respondents from various organizations concerned with the planning and development of human settlements in Lusaka, Zambia. The structured questionnaire used for data collection contained nine indicator variables informed by literature. The collected data was analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and goodness-of-fit was utilized to assess the acceptability of the model using a two-index technique. The findings revealed that stakeholders’ capacity is explained by four variables, namely: ensuring adequate staffing levels in institutional stakeholders; community empowerment in planning practices; development of essential construction skills; as well as provision of technical support to communities on housing. The paper recommends, among other things, the need to fully engage and build the capacities of communities so that they can effectively participate in housing development. The findings have practical implications for improving housing in the global south. It advances the promotion of capacity building as a prerequisite for driving housing development in line with the new urban agenda.

Does Democracy Have a Future in Pakistan?

Abstract: Pakistan marked a watershed in its history on 9 May 2023 with the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, sparking nationwide protests and attacks on state institutions. These events, culminating in Khan's incarceration and a ban from public office, have intensified questions about the future of democracy in Pakistan. Political uncertainties are hardly new in in the country, but the coming together of economic crisis, political strife, and climatic disasters such as drought have sharpened age-old concerns about the country's stability. The chances of a genuine democratic dispensation emerging anytime soon can be ruled out, but if the key institutional stakeholders undertake to work with politicians instead of using, exploiting, and defaming them, Pakistan may well succeed in regaining lost ground and return to at least a semblance of normalcy.

Discourse to the Factors of Decision-making of Students in Choosing a University Major

The purpose of this paper to investigate the factors that influence students' choice of major, by conducting a literature review and identifying research gaps. There was adopted a methodical approach PRISMA that included a systematic literature review based on the Scopus database. The results of this study indicate a noteworthy trend in the literature related to major choice within the Scopus Database. The number of papers on this topic has exhibited consistent growth since 2008, reaching a peak in 2021, albeit with an annual publication count not exceeding 12 articles. Prominent authors have primarily contributed to discussions surrounding major choice, with a focus on the medical and engineering fields, while engagement with business-related disciplines, such as marketing, management, remains limited. Notably, most retrieved documents were articles (85%), with a minority being reviews (15%), some of which did not directly align with the research question. The affiliations of these documents were predominantly associated with research centers and universities in the United States, underscoring a gap in contextualizing major choice within the Kazakhstani and broader Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region. In summary, this study underscores a growing interest in major choice research since 2008, predominantly concentrated in specific disciplines and geographic regions, with notable disparities in representation among academic fields. Key factors that play a pivotal role in shaping students' decisions regarding their majors were identified. This paper emphasizes the foundation for the empirical research related to customers in roles of students and stakeholders in higher education institutions based on CIS countries.

Implementation of User-Oriented Geovisualization Web Dashboard for Monitoring Access to Improved Water using Satellite Imageries Data

This study aims to develop an engaging, web-based visualization dashboard for improved water access in Indonesia. The dashboard map was made using three technologies: the Qgis2web Python plugin for producing two-dimensional (2D) dashboard maps, JavaScript leaflets for map visualization, and Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascade Stylesheet (CSS), and JavaScript for the user interface. The built-in map dashboard has several features, including grid click, legend, zoom, search, and measure distance, which are meant to help users determine the location of the nearest water treatment facilities, identify geographical features, and keep track of areas that have poor access to improved water. Evaluation using the system usability scale (SUS) concludes the dashboard is acceptable with an excellent rating. Our results reiterate and enhance support for government institution and relevant stakeholders in providing sustainable access to public water.

The role of institutional and stakeholder interaction in integrated reporting policy development

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the role of institutional and stakeholder interaction in the development of integrated reporting policy by the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC). It helps advance the theory of integrated reporting and offers insights into its fundamental concepts and relevant issues.Design/methodology/approachA flexible pattern-matching qualitative research approach is used and an analytical framework of integrated reporting historical foundations and conceptual background is developed. An IIRC case analysis is conducted by using a chronological content analysis of the International Integrated Reporting Framework and related initiatives and publications for integrated reporting policy pronouncements.FindingsInstitutional and stakeholder pressures within both the organization’s macro and micro contexts have played an effective role in transforming corporate reporting practices. In an integrated reporting context, institutional forces of normative and mimetic isomorphism seem to have more influence on organizations than coercive pressures, where stakeholder pressures with limited official power derive influence from their legitimacy while urgency is evidently implied. Findings indicate that integrated reporting policy has emerged analogously with the institutional environment and stakeholders’ expectations. The distinct nature of integrated reporting has caused a paradigm shift from silo thinking of wealth creation to integrated thinking of value creation.Research limitations/implicationsThis is an exploratory study that does not consider different prominent integrated reporting models. It has important implications for policymakers in articulating the integration of financial and nonfinancial metrics for reporting overall corporate performance. It can help academics build on integrated reporting foundations for conducting future research and assist practitioners in operationalizing integrated reporting policy into practice. Moreover, it has potential prospects for international business in developing integrated reporting policies and strategies aimed at creating mutual value in specific international contexts.Originality/valueIntegrated reporting represents a new internationally developing reporting trend with distinct reporting features and foundations for value creation. The study provides considerable addition to emerging research into the growing awareness of integrated reporting policy, develops a conceptual model of institutional and stakeholder interaction and theorizes on such interplay, identifies the potential influences under which integrated reporting is likely to occur and offers key insights into integrated reporting policy. Hence, it contributes to the ongoing global challenge of promoting the reporting transition to integrated reporting and its perceived future endorsement.

The Role of the Headmaster in Establishing Exemplary Schools

This research analyzes the character of the madrasah principal in leading educational institutions. The objective of this study is to elucidate the significance of a madrasah head's virtuous character as a leader, which undoubtedly influences the persons and institutions under their guidance. This study is a qualitative case investigation conducted at a Madrasah located in Kartasura during the year 2022. Employing the interview technique with the headmaster, two educators, two parental figures of students, and observation. Triangulation is employed to verify the accuracy of the data by juxtaposing it with interviews and observations. This study employed interactive analysis. The findings of this investigation: The head of Madrasah embodies the qualities of uswatun hasanah, which include adherence to instructions, democratic leadership, and recognising teachers as individuals with their own capabilities. They possess excellent listening and speaking skills, empathy towards others, and the ability to make sound judgements. The term used to refer to this character is "nguwongke". Recommendations in this study propose that leaders of educational institutions should strive to establish efficient two-way communication by minimising mutual blame and adopting an attitude of mutual evaluation. Additionally, it is advised that leaders raise awareness among all stakeholders of educational institutions regarding the importance of frequently recognising and rewarding staff and subordinates. The character embodying the principles of the madrasah is characterised by democratic objectivity, serving as a role model, doing what they preach, making intelligent decisions, being attentive to others, and possessing effective communication skills. This character possesses the capability to cultivate self-leadership.

Methodical approach to the development and adoption of national documents of ukraine for determining the acceptability of innovative construction products

In a dynamic market environment, the integration of innovative products is key to the sustainable development of construction enterprises and the improvement of infrastructure. The article describes the methodical approach applied in Ukraine in the formation and adoption of national documents aimed at determining the acceptability of innovative construction products. The structured methodology emphasizes the importance of developing a new EU-oriented regulatory framework to facilitate the seamless integration of advanced technologies and materials into the construction sector. The methodology is based on the functions of the National Organization of Technical Acceptance Bodies, which has multifaceted responsibilities, including ensuring cooperation with organizations with recognized technical expertise in a particular field. Based on the experience of international organizations such as CEN and CENELEC, a funding framework is proposed that outlines six categories of cooperation. These include partnerships at different levels, interconnected organizations promoting specific technical areas, associated bodies offering comprehensive cooperation, European special interest advisers, European institutional stakeholders and other organizations with individual agreements. Cooperation takes place at two different levels, involving corporate bodies and their working or advisory groups, as well as technical committees and other standardization bodies. The focus on inclusiveness ensures that actors with specific technical knowledge, industry organizations and interest groups, including SMEs and the public, actively contribute to the standardization process. Mechanisms of financial participation are defined, distinguishing between partner organizations, affiliated organizations, associated bodies, European advisors, European institutional stakeholders and other organizations. The commissions are structured to cover administrative costs, with annual reviews to ensure compliance and fairness, and a transparent contribution structure aims to promote active participation, recognizing the different roles and contributions of different organizations to the standardization process. A methodical approach to the development and adoption of national documents in Ukraine will promote cooperation, inclusiveness and a transparent financial structure, the methodology ensures that the construction industry is well equipped to adopt and integrate innovative products, thereby contributing to the country's technological progress, economic growth and sustainable development.

Reflections on the Artificial Intelligence Transformation: Responsible Use and the Role of Institutional Research and Institutional Effectiveness Professionals

This article explores the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning on higher education. It overviews current generative AI capabilities and argues for ethical frameworks to address issues such as bias. The article advocates for a multidisciplinary governance approach involving institutional stakeholders by examining past academic technology adoption. It highlights the strategic role institutional research (IR) and institutional effectiveness (IE) professionals can play in navigating AI complexities. This article provides specific suggestions for IR/IE professionals to embrace the role of AI ethicist: continuously developing AI literacy, ensuring ethical deployment, upholding privacy and confidentiality, mitigating bias, enforcing accountability, championing explainable AI, incorporating student perspectives, and developing institutional AI policies. The article concludes by asserting that IR/IE’s research expertise, ethical commitment, and belief in human judgment equip the field to adapt to and lead in the AI era. By taking an active role, IR/IE can shape the technology’s impact to benefit higher education.

Analisis Peran Dan Dampak Bantuan Hukum Oleh Lembaga Yayasan Harapan Riau Sejahtera Dalam Mewujudkan Keadilan Bagi Masyarakat

This research evaluates and enhances the effectiveness of legal aid provided by the Legal Aid Institution of the Yayasan Harapan Riau Sejahtera, which focuses on economically disadvantaged communities. The research methodology involves causal analysis, interviews, informal dialogues, and participatory observations. The author examines the case handling process, the sustainability of legal solutions, as well as client satisfaction and understanding. While the institution makes a positive contribution to access to justice, the research identifies implementation challenges. The evaluation encompasses case handling efficiency, resource availability, and efforts to improve legal understanding within the community. This study provides in-depth insights and recommendations to improve service effectiveness, with implications as a basis for changes in the legal aid institution and related stakeholders to optimize legal services for those in need.

A data-driven global observatory addressing worldwide challenges through text mining and complex data visualisation.

Observing the world on a global scale can help us understand better the context of problems that engage us all. In this paper, we propose a data-driven global observatory methodology that puts together the different perspectives of media, science, statistics and sensing over heterogeneous data sources and text mining algorithms. We also discuss the implementation of this global observatory in the context of epidemic intelligence, monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the context of climate change, with a specific focus on water resource management. Moreover, we discuss the value of this global solution in local contexts and priorities, based on the exchange with stakeholders in municipalities, utilities and governmental institutions.

A Big Ten Leadership Approach to Service Animal Policy Development in Higher Education

There is a deficiency in scholarly research on higher education service animal policy that has created definitive gaps in how disability services office (DSO) directors approach policy development and how higher education institutions (HEIs) ensure access for service animal handlers. This qualitative research study aims to narrow these gaps by investigating the Big Ten Academic Alliance (Big Ten) DSO directors’ approaches to service animal policy development and exploring how federal and state legislation influence service animal policies. Participants in this study were five DSO directors from Big Ten institutions in the United States who participated in semistructured interviews. Findings reveal four themes associated with the approach Big Ten DSO directors take when developing and implementing service animal policies: (a) the influence of federal and state legislation, (b) transformational leadership, (c) social justice, access, and equity, and (d) involvement of institutional stakeholders in policy development.

Intercultural Communication in Tourism Enterprises of Latvia, Lithuania, and Sweden during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract The paper analyses intercultural communication problems in tourism enterprises of Latvia, Lithuania, and Sweden. It gives an overview of intercultural theories and their application to the characteristics of employees in three countries. The methodology includes both primary and secondary types of research: analysis of scientific literature and qualitative research. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted in three countries. The results show cultural peculiarities typical to each country and provide possible solutions to intercultural problems. The research aims to examine intercultural communication problems in tourism and hospitality enterprises and to identify types of strategies and actions required to develop intercultural communicative competence and to solve intercultural communication problems. The article provides company profiles, describes intercultural difficulties encountered and the designed employee-assessment questionnaire. The research findings may be of interest to tourism industry representatives and higher education institution stakeholders, including academic personnel and students who study intercultural communication as an important discipline in the tourism faculty.

The influence of sustainability drivers on the implementation of social sustainability practices in the leather industry

As industries move actively towards sustainable operations, communicating the value created as a result of implementing social sustainability practices is still a challenge for researchers and practitioners. Understanding the rationale behind the implementation of sustainability practices can improve adoption and communication amongst supply chain actors. This study aims to investigate the drivers of social sustainability practices in the European Leather Supply chain through the lens of the stakeholder and institutional theory. A qualitative approach is applied in which primary and secondary data are used to achieve the study's aim and objectives in the context of the European leather supply chain. Data was thematically analysed based on the key themes developed in the initial conceptual framework. The study's key findings show that internal and external drivers that serve as antecedents for implementing social sustainability practices can be general or specific, providing another paradigm to Sustainability driver studies. Internal drivers rather than external drivers were observed to clearly relate to and explain sustainability practices implemented. The results from the study show that the application of the intersection between Institutional Theory and Stakeholder Theory can assist in explaining the relationship between social sustainability drivers and practices. The study proposes a framework for managers that can assist leather brands in understanding and explaining the importance of implementing social sustainability practices to key stakeholders whilst actualising short- and long-term business goals.

Policy coherence for resilience in Sri Lanka coherence of climate change adaptation (CCA) disaster risk reduction (DRR) and sustainable development goals (SDGs)

PurposePolicy coherence is a complex and tough task for many developing nations because their capacity to examine and deliver evidence-based inputs to policymaking is limited, and policy dialogue platforms need to be effectively used. Resolving these difficulties is a critical requirement for policy consistency. As a result, the study focuses on the level of policy coherence for climate change adaptation (CCA), disaster risk reduction (DRR) and sustainable development goals (SDG) in Sri Lanka and suggests routes for policy coherence for Resilience. This study aims to investigate the coherent approach of CCA, DRR and SDG; to identify concerns in policy documents addressing the coherence of CCA, DRR and SDG in local context; and to propose policy coherence suggestions for resilience in Sri Lanka.Design/methodology/approachMethodology comprises a review and content analysis of 17 policy and legal documents in Sri Lanka and a qualitative study. The qualitative approach consists of semistructured interviews that obtained deep and broad expertise knowledge with ten government representatives and stakeholders. Both content analysis and interview data were analyzed by using NVivo.FindingsIt was discovered that there are several issues with the coherence of policies in Sri Lanka, including the fragmented approach, lack of integration, inadequate coordination, limited resources and lack of monitoring and evaluation. The policies are inspired by international frameworks, and local implementations are not focused, leading to inadequate implementation of policies. The lack of development cooperation for the use of innovative approaches, such as climate-resilient infrastructure and environmentally friendly solutions for CCA and DRR, further aggravates the situation. Another concern is the lack of land use management and responsibility for the development of physical infrastructure for DRR integration with CCA. It is found that there is a limited community involvement which is vital for the implementation of policies. Local implementations are encouraged to fill the gaps in existing policies/acts. The analytical framework of the study is based on a preliminary examination of policy documents, a review of the literature and discussions with practitioners. The framework reflects the current situation of policy integration which addresses strategic, conceptual, institutional, operational and financial coherence. The research suggests pathways for achieving policy coherence in CCA, DRR and SDG in Sri Lanka, such as enhancing the strategic coherence by improving goals to increase the coherence within CCA, DRR and SDG; improving the credibility of the unified approach for developing DRR and CCA risk assessments; intensifying institutional cooperation and stakeholder management; improving the common monitoring and evaluation; establishing implementation strategies; and increasing the community involvement.Research limitations/implicationsThe study on policy coherence in Sri Lanka recommends increasing community and professional involvement, conducting more research, developing a national strategy, increasing capacity building, strengthening international collaboration and fostering multisectoral collaboration. These recommendations can help improve policy coherence between CCA, DRR and SDGs, align policies with national goals and priorities and improve implementation effectiveness. By implementing these recommendations, Sri Lanka can address the challenges of climate change and natural disasters and achieve SDGs.Practical implicationsThe study on policy coherence for resilience in Sri Lanka has practical implications, including improved coordination and resource allocation, increased capacity building, improved reputation and sustainability. By integrating CCA, DRR and SDGs, this study can help Sri Lanka become more resilient to climate change and natural disasters, achieve SDGs and become a responsible actor in the international community. These implications can contribute to a more sustainable future and ensure that development goals are achieved in a way that is resilient to climate change and natural disasters.Social implicationsIncreased community participation: the study emphasizes the importance of community involvement in the policy development process. This can help build trust between communities and government agencies, improve transparency and ensure that policies are developed in a way that is responsive to local needs and priorities.Originality/valueBased on the identified existing loopholes in the policies and pathways to policy coherence, the issues in policymaking could be overcome. It could be used to establish strong linkages between policies based on CCA, DRR and SDGs to achieve long-term resilience.

Assessing Record Management Practices: A Study of Compliance and Diversity

This research investigates the implementation of records management practices at five Islamic State Universities and Colleges (PTKINs) located in Central Java and Yogyakarta, utilizing a qualitative research approach. The examination reveals considerable diversity in records management practices across the five PTKINs. This variation can be attributed to disparities in the interpretation of policies by each institutional stakeholder regarding the significance of effective and systematic records management. The divergent policies in place also influence the support systems available. The primary differentiator among these institutions lies in their instruments, serving as the foundational framework for handling records. Following the record management model, specifically ANRI Head Regulation Number 24 of 2011, which provides guidelines for organizing records in higher education, two of the studied PTKINs, namely IAIN Kudus and UIN Walisongo, have fully implemented the four pillars outlined in the regulation. However, persisting challenges stem from a limited comprehension of records management among the human resources involved, emphasizing a critical aspect that requires focused attention.

“Open access and without fees”: Arab university professors' views on the journal access types

PurposeDue to the high expense of obtaining and accessing scientific research, readers with diverse financial abilities are not offered equal opportunities. This study investigates the preferences for journal access types among Arab university academics and explores the implications of publishing research articles in open access vs closed access journals in low- and lower-middle income countries.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey and an in-person focus group consisting of 74 scholars from Arab institutions throughout the Arab World were conducted.FindingsFindings show that most professors at Arab universities favour open access publication without author fees. The results also show that this method of publishing research will help these nations advance by giving all citizens equal access to information and providing researchers with a good opportunity to be read and cited, which contributes to the overall progress of science.Originality/valueThis topic has not been investigated yet, and it is of great importance to university professors and stakeholders in higher education institutions in the Arab world.

Social imaginaries methods and socio-engineering competences in sustainable river management (a case study in the living lab Upper Citarum)

The Living Lab approach has become popular and developed in the past decade. It could provide a configuration to pursue a shared vision of integrated water resources management of the Citarum River in West Java - Indonesia. The multi-stakeholder situation and the growing recognition of interdependencies among stakeholders foster the complexity of addressing sustainable river management for the Upper Citarum River. To gain insights on essential competencies and adaptations in higher education curricula, the Environmental Engineering Department of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering-ITB, Telkom University Indonesia, and Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands, joined hands in a collaborative research project. This study aims to develop a socio-engineering aspect for sustainable river water quality management in the Environmental Engineering Field and Curricula. The methods used are social imaginaries of Participatory Mapping and a Poetry Route that allowed the involved river bank communities to activate their role and take positions in the living lab. Institutional stakeholders, acting in a facilitating role, learned to gain and share information from and with the community. The result concludes that social imaginaries methods enable a new perspective in developing community-based programs and advocate further exploring the socio-engineering competencies of environmental professionals.

The human capital and human capability models: Showing the connection between graduation and employment

The purpose of the paper is to examine the human capital and human capability models in order to show the connection between graduation and employment. There appear to be topical issues in Zimbabwean electronic and print media regarding the complaint of the mismatch between the students’ training and the product of graduates, which may lead to the failure to meet the industry’s needs. The mismatch between the university curriculum and national developmental needs results in the production of graduates who have to be trained in order to be employable in industry, and this little linkage led me to write this paper. A qualitative interpretive study of the examination of the gap between graduation and employability was used after identifying a small-scale case study with twenty (20) managers and university students that were purposefully sampled and then interviewed. The results of the interviews were presented in tables and graphs, then analyzed and interpreted. The findings of the results revealed that Zimbabwean businesses are suffering from the influx of recent graduates who lack the market-required scientific, technological, social, problem-solving, and creative abilities. The involvement of different stakeholders in higher education institutions, including the government, universities, and industries, should lead to the production of education and economic policy’s new language, posture, position, and direction that Zimbabwe could take to stabilize the economy. A new stable season where values are corrected and projected towards economic recovery, industrialization of the economy, and the creation of employment can be realized.

Formative Threads in the Tapestry of College Credit in High School: An Early History of the Development of Concurrent Enrollment and a Case Study of the Country's Oldest Program

While dual and concurrent enrollment (DE/CE) programs are a frequent part of a student’s secondary educational experience today, relatively little is known about how these programs came to be, what factors influenced their development, and what individual and institutional stakeholders were involved. This paper traces how DE/CE programs were created as one of many educational remedies to issues of articulation and duplication between high schools and colleges and the need for acceleration and enrichment for some students during the early and middle twentieth century. At that time, more students than ever were moving through the educational system, education attainment was increasing, and sociopolitical concerns required new ideas for the acceleration and enrichment of students. Additionally, this article also provides a historical review of the longest running CE program in the United States, the University of Connecticut’s Early College Experience Program. The historical review seeks to reflect and exemplify how the broader sociopolitical influences discussed in the first section of the paper influenced the creation of the first CE program in the country. Through understanding how one program came to be, the current landscape of DE/CE–as well as the evolution and future directions–can be better understood and contextualized.

Appraising institutional management of urban water supply in Ghana: the role of the stakeholders

Purpose Access to clean drinking water is a major encumbrance in developing countries. In Ghana, urban water supply is below internationally recognised standards, especially among the urban poor, sub-urban and rural communities. Stakeholders and institutional inefficiencies may be hindrances facing the Ghanaian water supply process. Therefore, this study aims to appraise the motivational factors and outcome of stakeholders’ engagement and identify the factors that influence effective institutional management of urban water supply in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Sequential exploratory mixed methods were adopted and analysed to proffer answers to the research questions. Nineteen participants and 521 respondents were sampled for the qualitative and quantitative phases. Findings Findings reveal that the institutional processes and stakeholder engagement significantly influence the effectiveness of the management of urban water supply in Ghana. Findings identified 35 motivational factors and categorised them into the health of the population, socio-economic, technological and innovation trends, policy reform and adaptive governance. Also, the 22 institutional factors identified were categorised into three groups: regulatory framework, ethics for managing water supply and the culture of managing water supply. Originality/value Besides the study addressing the theoretical gap regarding which variables are germane in influencing the effective management of urban water supply, the study may be among the top studies that have appraised the role of stakeholders in the institutional management of urban water supply in Ghana.