Inter-institutional Cooperation Research Articles

Human trafficking victims in Portugal: Perceptions of service providers

This study aims to explore the perceptions of service providers in Portugal, specifically regarding (i) how victims of human trafficking are aided; (ii) the victims’ needs and their understanding of the “condition of special vulnerability”; and (iii) the opinions of service providers on the obstacles victims face in seeking and receiving assistance. According to our research, most organizations offered assistance, ranging from legal aid to food and lodging, to victims of all ages, genders, and forms of exploitation. Participants recognized that the needs of human trafficking victims differ from those of victims of other crimes, such as domestic abuse survivors, particularly in terms of the unique challenges they face in rebuilding trust. They also identified challenges in delivering assistance, including insufficient financial resources, inadequate interinstitutional cooperation, and the victims’ lack of cooperation. Fear of traffickers along with feelings of humiliation, embarrassment, and fear of reprisal against themselves or their families were cited as major reasons why victims refuse assistance.

The Judicial Institutions Response to Human Trafficking: A Case Study From Southeast Europe

Trafficking in human beings is a phenomenon of global proportions, which on the one hand violates basic human rights and on the other hand represents a modern form of slavery. This phenomenon is influenced by various factors that are directly related to the level of development of the state, such as the economic situation, poverty, difficult housing conditions, low level of education, sociocultural factors, etc. Trafficking in human beings in Kosovo concerning the number of inhabitants is considered to be high, despite the measures taken by the justice institutions. In this paper, the main focus is based on the analysis of the contribution of justice institutions concerning the criminal offense of trafficking in human beings in Kosovo and the comparability of cases of trafficking during the years 2017-2022. Furthermore, the conclusions of this research emphasize the necessary measures and policies that should be undertaken by the institutions of justice for the prevention and combating of this negative phenomenon at the country level. It also includes the importance of international legal cooperation, public awareness, and protection of victims through institutional channels. Only through inter-institutional cooperation and the raising of social awareness success can be achieved in the combat against this phenomenon, namely to protect basic human rights and freedoms.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR INTERINSTITUTIONAL COOPERATION IN THE CONTEXT OF MANAGING SOCIAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS

The aim of the article is to assess the level of interinstitutional cooperation in the management of municipal and poviat organizational units of the social assistance system from the perspective of administrative procedures. This work is interdisciplinary in nature, and the content contained in the article is embedded in legal sciences and management and quality sciences. Original research results obtained among managers and employees of social welfare centers and district family support centers in Poland using the cooperative research method from the action research group are presented. The conducted research process had a nationwide scope and the presented conclusions can be an auxiliary tool to trigger a discussion on systemic solutions supporting the directions of inter-institutional cooperation through the use of appropriate administrative procedures in order to effectively implement social policy at the local government level.

Inter-Institutional Cooperation in Mali: Analysis and Outlook After the Departure of EU and MINUSMA Troops

Pour la quatrième fois, le Mali connaissait la crise en 2012 alors que quelques années de cela, il était considéré comme modèle de démocratie en Afrique au sud du Sahara. Les mêmes causes produisent les mêmes effets, c’est toujours les mêmes revendications qui reviennent de la part des rebelles (Touaregs) qui estiment qu’ils sont marginalisés, se battent pour leur autodétermination : la création de l’Etat de l’Azawad. Par crainte d’embrasement de la situation d’insécurité sur toute la région, la Communauté Internationale est allée au chevet du Mali pour stopper l’avancée des Djihadistes dans le cadre de la coopération inter institutionnelle au nom de la Sécurité Collective et du Droit International Humanitaire. L’insécurité sévit toujours au pays et la menace reste récurrente en dépit d’efforts fournis par la MINUSMA et l’Union Européenne

Natural hazard risk analysis in the framework of water safety plans.

The available literature on natural hazard risk analysis focused on the implementation of water safety plans (WSPs) is surprisingly quite poor, despite the significant increase in the number and severity of disasters and adverse effects on drinking water supply systems generated by natural hazards. At the same time, WSPs that conveniently account for natural hazards with a comprehensive approach 'from source to tap' are still scarce as they typically occur at larger spatial scales and adequate prevention, mitigation and adaptation require efficient inter-institutional collaborations. The aim of this paper is to highlight the main bottlenecks for water utilities to include natural hazards in the development of their WSPs. The research adopted a stakeholders-oriented approach, involving a considerable number of water utilities (168), water sectoral agencies (15) and institutions (68) across the Adriatic-Ionian Region through a stepwise process that generated joint SWOT analysis, the development of a decision support system (DSS) focused on WSPs procedures and tabletop exercises. The final outcomes generated strategic documents (REWAS - Adrion Road map for resilient water supply) that highlighted the necessity for efficient cross-sectoral and inter-institutional cooperation in the development of well-founded and robust WSPs to address natural hazard risk analysis for water supply systems (DWSS).

Analysis of Inter-institucional Cooperation Practices for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health

This study aimed to analyze practices of inter-institutional cooperation for science, technology, and innovation in health in different countries and institutions available in scientific journals. Eight articles were chosen for discussion in this study. This work also introduced a method for constructing a platform model that might guide performance improvement actions in inter-institutional cooperation activities in science, technology, and innovation in health. We observed that this subject is evolving and that there is an opportunity to perform additional studies to develop this scientific area. This work enhanced the discussion on this progressing scientific and practical area.

Inter-Institutional Cooperation and Migrants' Financial Education: An Italian Case Study

Inter-Institutional Cooperation and Migrants' Financial Education: An Italian Case Study

Intimate partner homicide: Risk constellations in separation conflicts and points of intervention for the police

Abstract The escalation of conflicts in intimate relationships to potentially fatal partner violence poses a massive safety risk for victims involved. In addition, separations represent a particularly vulnerable phase for the dynamics of violent escalation. Based on an analysis of court records of three cases of attempted or completed homicides in the course of intimate partner separation in Germany, we outline the conditions under which the separation process is to be assessed by the police as a high-risk phase for the escalation of violence. The study's findings suggest that police work would be more effective if measures were implemented to focus on the overall history of violence rather than on isolated cases, and if these measures were aimed directly at the perpetrators. Moreover, inter-institutional cooperation would support the police in identifying perpetrators at an early stage and carrying out valid risk assessments, rather than working in isolation. The study presents starting points and options for police prevention measures.

Establishment Policies of Research Universities: A Critical Analysis of Global and Turkish Perspectives

Education holds a significant position at the core of social, economic, technological, and cultural development. Universities play a crucial role within the education system by contributing to the global pool of knowledge. With the Renaissance and reform processes, the concept of universities underwent revision, emphasizing the autonomy of universities, preservation of the prestige of scientists, and prioritizing research over teaching. Research universities emerged as new institutions within the scientific community. Research universities serve as institutions that facilitate societal development, progress, and change. This study provides an analysis of the emergence of research universities, the development process in leading countries, and an overview of research universities in Turkey. A literature review and document analysis were conducted, examining scientific publications in databases such as Web of Science, ERIC, Google Scholar, Dergipark, and the YÖKTEZ. A critical evaluation was conducted regarding the values and practices reflected in the establishment policies of research universities. In general, it is emphasized that determining the core mission of research universities is of great importance, as well as increasing funding and resource diversity, reducing non-research workloads for university staff, and enhancing postgraduate education and inter-institutional cooperation.

Gestionarea riscurilor și amenințărilor la Marea Neagră: scenarii pentru viitor și implicarea României

Given the plasticity of the current geopolitical environment and the increasingly visible concern of NATO and the EU related to security in the Black Sea region in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the present article adopts a multidimensional approach to assess regional risks and threats. The paper begins by providing a comprehensive overview of the current security situation, focusing on diverse challenges that include both conventional and hybrid threats. Drawing on a diverse range of academic sources, policy documents and security analyses, and employing an empirical qualitative research approach, this study examines the factors that contribute to regional instability, such as territorial disputes, military buildup and hybrid threats. An essential point of this article is Romania’s role in addressing the identified risks and threats. The analysis investigates Romania’s position as a NATO and EU member state and its contributions to regional security initiatives. In addition, it highlights the importance of inter-institutional cooperation and coordination for strengthening Romania’s resilience in the face of complex security challenges. Overall, this article provides not only a comprehensive analysis of the security landscape in the Black Sea region, but also valuable insights into the potential paths that future developments could take.

Management of Risks and Threats in the Black Sea: Future Scenarios and Romania's Involvement

Given the plasticity of the current geopolitical environment and the increasingly visible concern of NATO and the EU related to security in the Black Sea region in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the present article adopts a multidimensional approach to assess regional risks and threats. The paper begins by providing a comprehensive overview of the current security situation, focusing on diverse challenges that include both conventional and hybrid threats. Drawing on a diverse range of academic sources, policy documents and security analyses, and employing an empirical qualitative research approach, this study examines the factors that contribute to regional instability, such as territorial disputes, military buildup and hybrid threats. An essential point of this article is Romania’s role in addressing the identified risks and threats. The analysis investigates Romania’s position as a NATO and EU member state and its contributions to regional security initiatives. In addition, it highlights the importance of inter-institutional cooperation and coordination for strengthening Romania’s resilience in the face of complex security challenges. Overall, this article provides not only a comprehensive analysis of the security landscape in the Black Sea region, but also valuable insights into the potential paths that future developments could take.

The Activity of the “Renaşterea” Priesthood Society from Oltenia, in the Socio-Cultural and Political Context from 1938–1940 and the Establishment of the Social Service Institution

"This paper approaches one of the faces of transposition into practice mechanism of inter-institutional cooperation, enforced thru the Social Service law, in October, 1938. The case of the Priesthood Society “Renaşterea”, socio-professional society that united the active and retired priests and deacons from Oltenia, of which social activity interfered/intersected, mostly, with the activity of the new institution, can be considered a similar pattern also for the integration of other institutions and associations that activated prior to 1938 in the socio-cultural field. The analysis has in the centre the idea that the politic register of Carol II royal dictatorship was a reference point that should have been considered by all public institutions and organisations to operate. Based on the analysis of some archive documents (consisting in the reports of the “Renaşterea” Society, the correspondence between the representatives of the society and the administrative and cultural authorities), the two parts of the article highlights the organisational and functional complications the Social Service law caused to the “Renaşterea” Priesthood Society, and also the efforts of this socio-professional association to keep the continuity of its existence, and also the place earned over time within local communities. In this matter, the necessity of integration/connection of its activity with the newly formed institution appeared as a forced compromise solution, determined by the restrictive limits of the Carlist regime."

An epidemic behind the bars: AIDS in American prisons

Recommendation:By analyzing current research, the article provides useful strategies to prevent, detect, and treat HIV infection among the incarcerated population in the United States, emphasizing the critical need for interventions to mitigate the impact of the HIV epidemic among prisoners.Objective:The aim of this text is to present the challenges associated with the spread of the virus in the population incarcerated in correctional facilities and to emphasize the difficulties that the prison system faces in this context.Materials and Methods: Review of available literature using PubMed and Google Scholar platforms. Results and Conclusions: The article presents complex relationships between HIV infection and the prison system, emphasizing specific challenges and risk factors for infection. The history and evolution of the virus, its impact on the lives and health of prisoners, and issues related to treatment within the prison environment are discussed. The epidemiology of HIV in prisons is analyzed, pointing out positive trends, but further action is necessary. Ongoing intervention, improvement of access to healthcare, and collaboration are essential to effectively manage the issue of HIV infection among incarcerated individuals.Implications: The article implies that effective management of the HIV problem in the prison system requires a comprehensive approach, encompassing preventive strategies, equal access to healthcare, integration of care before and after release, elimination of racial and social disparities, as well as interinstitutional cooperation.

Cooperation at the National and International Level in the Protection of Victims

The respect for the victims' rights, the guarantee of their rights, and the participation of the victims in the criminal process have faced positive developments, especially after the justice reform. The changes in the legal acts carried out in 2017 sanctioned a number of rights for the victims of criminal offenses, previously unknown. The paper aims to address the rights of victims of criminal offenses from the perspective of national legislation and international standards, focusing on victims with special needs such as women, children, victims of trafficking, possible victims of trafficking, victims of sexual abuse, victims of domestic violence, etc. The paper aims to address the role of national and international institutions in protecting the rights of victims, cooperation, and coordination of work between them. The treatment of victims' rights in the criminal process is also analyzed from the perspective of international practice. Following this paper, there will be a wider treatment of national and international legal acts that sanction the rights of victims in criminal processes, their protection mechanisms, and inter-institutional cooperation at the national or international level in order to guarantee these rights.
 
 Received: 16 September 2023 / Accepted: 21 October 2023 / Published: 23 November 2023

Evolution of global scientific collaboration in mRNA vaccine research: Insights from bibliometric and social network analysis (2010~2023)

ABSTRACT The field of mRNA vaccines has witnessed rapid development in recent years, leading to significant changes in global scientific collaboration. In this study, a bibliometric and social network analysis was conducted to reveal the evolution of global scientific collaboration in mRNA vaccine research. Altogether 6974 articles published since 2010 were retrieved and categorized into Period 1 (2010–2019), Period 2 (2020–2021) and Period 3 (2022–2023). During Period 2 and 3, there was a significant rise in the proportion of publications involving domestic inter-institutional cooperation (42.0%, 54.0% and 59.1%, respectively in Period 1, 2, and 3), while a significant decrease in international cooperation (32.1%, 23.7% and 21.0%). More countries participated in international collaboration during Period 2 and 3, with the US, the UK and Germany remaining top three throughout all periods, while some other countries like Italy, Japan, and China experiencing significant shifts. Significant correlations between collaboration type and publication impact and between geographical distance and collaborative publication counts were detected. Furthermore, significant changes in research focuses and institutions that are major contributors in the mRNA vaccine development have been observed. In conclusion, the mRNA vaccine field has experienced rapid development over the past decade, with significant evolutions of global scientific collaboration detected in our study.

University scientific production: The case of the Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales (Bogotá, Colombia)

The research and scientific production of Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales U.D.C.A was analyzed based on the intellectual capital approach, global academic rankings, research, and scientific production in the last 40 years. The Scimago Graphica tool and the VOSviewer software were used for the bibliometric and content analysis of the scientific publications available in the Scopus database. The bibliometric analysis showed that there are 534scientific documents in the Scopus database, with at least one author affiliated with U.D.C.A. Of these, 84 % can be found in SciELO and 56 % on Publindex. Most documents (70 %) are in English, and 27 % are in Spanish. The citations of 7 articles account for 64.4 % (37,147) of the total citations. Authors with affiliation U.D.C.A have collaborated with researchers from 72 countries. Based on intellectual capital and scientific production, U.D.C.A is currently in model 2.0 and is transitioning towards model 3.0, drawn by three areas: Medicine, Environmental Sciences, and Veterinary. These areas have focused on inter-institutional cooperation, internationalization, regionalization, and globalization. However, they must incorporate business development, digital technologies, virtual learning, knowledge capitalization, and entrepreneurship. The other areas of knowledge need to reconsider the type and scope of research they develop to be relevant to the academic community and society.

Systematic bibliometric analysis of the cultural landscape

ABSTRACT The cultural landscape is valuable for global ecological conservation, as it embodies human history and cultural heritage. Cultural landscapes, as treasures of human history and culture, have a place in the globalization process of ecological conservation. This paper uses Citespace based on the W.O.S. database for a bibliometric analysis to explore cultural landscape research. The history of the development of cultural landscapes is summarized and supported by theory and data. The study analyzes 2506 publicly available publications from various disciplines, including ecology, environmental sciences, multidisciplinary studies, social sciences, anthropology, and more. The research reveals that the discipline has a multi-layered nature, an uneven distribution of research institutions, and a single depth of analysis. The number of keywords in the literature has been increasing year-by-year, covering many hotspots and spanning a wide range of topics. To bridge the gap in the comprehensive study of cultural landscapes caused by psychological factors, we recommend starting with the historical context, cultural history, and human behavioral adaptations. Additionally, we suggest that the cultural ecosystem services provided by cultural landscapes should be explored in the context of human-driven ecotourism. The current phase of cultural ecosystem services aims to translate theory into practice by creating spiritual services and cultural psychology for humans in the post-popular era. Inter-institutional cooperation among scholars should be strengthened in research to respond to the trend of the globalization of ecological civilization-building. These efforts will provide suitable and feasible solutions for the globalization of ecological civilization and contribute to the development of the cultural landscape around cultural ecosystems.

Inter-institutional cooperation as a prerequisite for the human resource development in the tourism sector

The aim of this article is to investigate theoretical assumptions of inter-institutional cooperation as a prerequisite for the tourism human resource development. In times of uncertainty and rapid changes such sectors as tourism face many challenges. As one of the main factors influencing the successful adaptation to the changes can be mentioned the competencies of the human resources, which shall be developed constantly. Due to the systematic nature of the tourism sector, inter-institutional cooperation can be treated as prerequisite for the human resource development in this sector. Participation of different stakeholders in the human resource development for tourism sector may bring the common benefits on different levels and positively influence the development of such sector.

The Cooperation Between EU and NATO in Response to Hybrid Threats. A Retrospective Analysis from the Institutionalist Perspective

The annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine by the Russian Federation provided new impetus for the EU and NATO to develop and later also intensify cooperation in hybrid threats. This unique process, that happens between two actors who have different histories, aims or membership structures, is analysed from the institutionalist perspective, which served as a framework to understand the development. The main aim of the article is to assess interinstitutional cooperation between the EU and NATO in the area of hybrid threats: especially in the area of capacity building, strategic communication, crisis management, counterterrorism or WMD use, and civil protection. The author concludes that both the EU and NATO successfully developed cooperation in hybrid threats and created mechanisms that enable similar perceptions of the threats and better coordination of the responses. The article serves merely as an exploratory study dedicated to the development of cooperation between the EU and NATO in this challenging area in the period between 2014 and 2022.

A Deep Learning Model for the Normalization of Institution Names by Multisource Literature Feature Fusion: Algorithm Development Study.

The normalization of institution names is of great importance for literature retrieval, statistics of academic achievements, and evaluation of the competitiveness of research institutions. Differences in authors' writing habits and spelling mistakes lead to various names of institutions, which affects the analysis of publication data. With the development of deep learning models and the increasing maturity of natural language processing methods, training a deep learning-based institution name normalization model can increase the accuracy of institution name normalization at the semantic level. This study aimed to train a deep learning-based model for institution name normalization based on the feature fusion of affiliation data from multisource literature, which would realize the normalization of institution name variants with the help of authority files and achieve a high specification accuracy after several rounds of training and optimization. In this study, an institution name normalization-oriented model was trained based on bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT) and other deep learning models, including the institution classification model, institutional hierarchical relation extraction model, and institution matching and merging model. The model was then trained to automatically learn institutional features by pretraining and fine-tuning, and institution names were extracted from the affiliation data of 3 databases to complete the normalization process: Dimensions, Web of Science, and Scopus. It was found that the trained model could achieve at least 3 functions. First, the model could identify the institution name that is consistent with the authority files and associate the name with the files through the unique institution ID. Second, it could identify the nonstandard institution name variants, such as singular forms, plural changes, and abbreviations, and update the authority files. Third, it could identify the unregistered institutions and add them to the authority files, so that when the institution appeared again, the model could identify and regard it as a registered institution. Moreover, the test results showed that the accuracy of the normalization model reached 93.79%, indicating the promising performance of the model for the normalization of institution names. The deep learning-based institution name normalization model trained in this study exhibited high accuracy. Therefore, it could be widely applied in the evaluation of the competitiveness of research institutions, analysis of research fields of institutions, and construction of interinstitutional cooperation networks, among others, showing high application value.