International Clients Research Articles

Death dealers: Dynamics of Israel’s permanent war economy

This study critically explores Israel’s permanent war economy, examining its core principles and strategic impacts. It analyzes how the war economy is integral to Israel’s settler-colonial structures and functions, fulfilling various ideological, geopolitical, and financial goals through a sustained conflict footing, rather than being a transient occurrence. To this end, the study identifies and analyzes four key dynamics underpinning Israel’s war economy: First, acute societal militarism serves as an economic growth engine, nurturing skilled military capital and advanced technologies that feed the war economy system. Second, the role of American patronage is examined as a key enabler of the Israeli war economy. In the absence of a traditional colonial metropole, the United States functions as an imperial sponsor, providing extensive military aid, technological transfers, financial assistance, and diplomatic backing–without which Israel’s military posture would be inconceivable. Third, the article investigates Israel’s exploitation of the occupied Palestinian territories as a laboratory for testing, optimizing and marketing military systems’ performance to international clients. Fourth, examines how Israel’s arms export multiplies revenues for the Israeli war economy while also providing diplomatic leverage to advance Israel’s geopolitical agendas and foreign policy objectives.

Healing with Ayahuasca the Plant Teacher: Psychedelic Metaphoricity and Polyontologies

ABSTRACT Shamans, neo-shamans, atheists, and others describe gaining special knowledge from drinking ayahuasca, supporting the cross-cultural idea of ayahuasca as a plant teacher. While secular enthusiasts interpret this metaphorically, animists and others take it literally. This article examines ontological collisions at a healing retreat in the Peruvian Amazon, considering Shipibo shamans and their international clients. It explores how embodied experiences, such as purging and visions, inform both literal and metaphorical views of healing and illness. By addressing incommensurable ontologies, the article highlights how a polyontological framework approaches ontological collision without necessarily privileging specific ways of knowing.

The Interplay of Market Choices and Social Mission: Learning From B2B Social Enterprises in Emerging Economies

Social enterprises that operate in business-to-business contexts, often out of emerging economies, typically face high expectations from business clients, mainstream competition, and the challenge of operating across distances. In these contexts, social enterprises need to carefully choose which market segments to serve and how to organize their social mission accordingly. Based on the case of impact sourcing—hiring and training of disadvantaged staff for global business services—we seek to better understand this interplay. In general, we find that social enterprises in this context focus on serving either domestic clients with an implicit social mission and an integrated social enterprise model or international clients with a more explicit social mission and a decoupled model. We discuss why both main configurations represent viable social enterprise models in the outsourcing industry, and why, in particular, the professional background of founders plays a key role in these strategic choices. Our findings contribute to a more nuanced and context-sensitive understanding of social enterprise model adoption in emerging economies.

Examining the Linguistic Identity of Asia’s Latin City: A Content Analysis of Multilingualism of a Nonmetropolitan Cityscape

This investigation offers an extensive analysis and examination of the linguistic landscape of a nonmetropolitan cityscape, focusing on the linguistic identity and multiple languages used throughout the city. This study fundamentally analyzes the multilingual nature and characteristics of the central district of Zamboanga City. Furthermore, the investigation incorporated analytical categories, adapted from previous studies, which constituted the systematic foundation for gathering and selecting essential data from multiple sources throughout the city proper. The investigation revealed significant results and indicated that the cityscape contains six (6) languages that comprise its linguistic identity, specifically, English (51.25%), Filipino (23.36%), Chavacano (19.59%), Tausug (2.99%), Chinese (1.74%) and Bisaya (1.07%). To ensure the accuracy of the collected data, the photographs were analyzed through content analysis to examine the linguistic signage of the nonmetropolitan cityscape. Moreover, the study revealed that the cityscape employs monolingual (80.79%), bilingual (18.82%), and multilingual (0.39%) signages, highlighting the city’s commitment to providing universally accessible information and preserving cultural/linguistic heritage. The investigation also revealed that English is the dominant language found within the signage, proving its significance in promoting global development, internationalization and economic growth in the city. However, despite its prominence, both local (Chavacano) and national (Filipino) languages are also evident in the cityscape, which underscores the city’s mission to preserve its cultural and linguistic identity, indicating that the languages are linguistically represented. In addition, the cityscape employs both official and nonofficial signage, which underscores its importance in information dissemination and advertising local services and products to international clients.

The role of peripheral vendors in enhancing the absorptive capacity of offshore software development teams in challenging institutional environments

This study aims to elucidate how vendors located at the periphery facilitate the advancement of offshore software development (OSD) teams' absorptive capacity (AC) despite the unfavourable skill environment prevalent in their home country. Current research does not explain whether and how vendor teams located at the periphery respond to adverse skill environments and contribute towards OSD teams’ AC in spatially distant linkages with international clients at the core. Using an inductive approach, this study developed a conceptual framework that outlines how vendor teams at the periphery acquire the “need knowledge” embedded in the context of clientele teams and subsequently transfer “solution knowledge” to international clients. Our findings highlight the importance of recursive interaction between the periphery vendor team, client teams, external agents, global experts, consultants, and incubators that facilitate this process. All these actors co-drive the AC process whereby periphery vendor teams are not just recipients of knowledge but also contributors of knowledge towards international clients in core regions.

Financial Analysis for Land Reinforcement Project to Optimize Dump Capacity INL Pit Case: Coal Mining Company PT. XYZ East Kalimantan

PT XYZ, a leading coal mining company in Indonesia located in East Kalimantan, boasts a production capacity of 55 million tonnes annually. Engaging in coal mining and sales for domestic and international clients across diverse industrial sectors, PT XYZ’s INL Area plays a pivotal role in its production for the next eight years, producing low-quality coal with an average calorific value of 4200 Kcal/kg GAR. As a cost leadership business, the company prioritizes cost efficiency, particularly in fuel consumption, notably for overburden movement. To enhance efficiency, PT XYZ explores the optimization of the distance from the mining front of the INL pit to the waste dump. A financial analysis case study compares two scenarios using a financial model: Scenario A, utilizing the recent waste dump with a cycle time of approximately 6.7 km, and Scenario B, proposing a new waste dump design with an investment in borepile reinforcement to accommodate overburden removal for the INL pit, resulting in a reduced cycle time of around 5 km. The financial model assesses feasibility parameters such as NPV, IRR, PI, and PBP between the scenarios, conducting scenario analysis to measure project success probability and identify significant variables affecting project feasibility. A Rsik Analysis on the project considers coal price realization and fuel consumption as key variables influencing the project’s value. The recommended option is Scenario B, presenting higher value for PT XYZ, with an investment in borepile reinforcement yielding a potential NPV of around $144.24 million, an IRR of 33%, and a PBV of 4.2 years.

Agile Change Management of Ukraine's IT Sector's and Value Creation Amidst Conflict

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has posed significant challenges to the country's IT sector. Despite these challenges, the sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience, adapting to the new realities and continuing to provide critical services to both domestic and international clients.
 This research examines the Ukrainian IT industry before and after the war, and designs a value stream mapping of the sector that is applicable to current realities. It also explores the value creation strategies employed by the sector to maintain productivity and deliver value to its clients.
 The research finds that the sector has adopted a number of strategies to mitigate the impact of the war on its value stream, including attracting and retaining talent, investing in skill development and upskilling, adopting agile project management, implementing automated testing and continuous quality improvement, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and expanding into new markets and diversifying customer base. The sector's ability to adapt, innovate, and deliver value in the face of adversity provides valuable insights and lessons for other sectors and countries facing similar challenges.

A high-throughput 3D X-ray histology facility for biomedical research and preclinical applications

Background The University of Southampton, in collaboration with the University Hospital Southampton (UHS) NHS Foundation Trust and industrial partners, has been at the forefront of developing three-dimensional (3D) imaging workflows using X-ray microfocus computed tomography (μCT) -based technology. This article presents the outcomes of these endeavours and highlights the distinctive characteristics of a μCT facility tailored explicitly for 3D X-ray Histology, with a primary focus on applications in biomedical research and preclinical and clinical studies. Methods The UHS houses a unique 3D X-ray Histology (XRH) facility, offering a range of services to national and international clients. The facility employs specialised μCT equipment explicitly designed for histology applications, allowing whole-block XRH imaging of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue specimens. It also enables correlative imaging by combining μCT imaging with other microscopy techniques, such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) and serial block-face scanning electron microscopy, as well as data visualisation, image quantification, and bespoke analysis. Results Over the past seven years, the XRH facility has successfully completed over 120 projects in collaboration with researchers from 60 affiliations, resulting in numerous published manuscripts and conference proceedings. The facility has streamlined the μCT imaging process, improving productivity and enabling efficient acquisition of 3D datasets. Discussion & Conclusions The 3D X-ray Histology (XRH) facility at UHS is a pioneering platform in the field of histology and biomedical imaging. To the best of our knowledge, it stands out as the world's first dedicated XRH facility, encompassing every aspect of the imaging process, from user support to data generation, analysis, training, archiving, and metadata generation. This article serves as a comprehensive guide for establishing similar XRH facilities, covering key aspects of facility setup and operation. Researchers and institutions interested in developing state-of-the-art histology and imaging facilities can utilise this resource to explore new frontiers in their research and discoveries.

Agile Change Management of Ukraine's IT Sector's and Value Creation Amidst Conflict

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has posed significant challenges to the country's IT sector. Despite these challenges, the sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience, adapting to the new realities and continuing to provide critical services to both domestic and international clients.
 This research examines the Ukrainian IT industry before and after the war, and designs a value stream mapping of the sector that is applicable to current realities. It also explores the value creation strategies employed by the sector to maintain productivity and deliver value to its clients.
 The research finds that the sector has adopted a number of strategies to mitigate the impact of the war on its value stream, including attracting and retaining talent, investing in skill development and upskilling, adopting agile project management, implementing automated testing and continuous quality improvement, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and expanding into new markets and diversifying customer base. The sector's ability to adapt, innovate, and deliver value in the face of adversity provides valuable insights and lessons for other sectors and countries facing similar challenges.

FEATURES OF STRATEGY FORMATION OF UKRAINIAN COMPANIES ON INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

FEATURES OF STRATEGY FORMATION OF UKRAINIAN COMPANIES ON INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

What Makes the Swiss Banks Special?

The Swiss banking sector has long been famous for its success in attracting foreign assets and wealthy clients. This article aims to analyze the reasons behind the success of Swiss banks by considering various factors. The research paper includes a literature review, methodology, and examination of key elements such as foreign assets, Indian 'black money,' the largest Swiss banks, the impact of the coronavirus crisis, Swiss banking secrecy, overall country stability, stable currency, and globalization. The study reveals that Swiss banks have historically been a preferred destination for people from politically and economically unstable countries seeking secure storage for their wealth. The existence of banking secrecy laws, dating back to 1930s, has played a significant role in attracting international clients, although other factors have also contributed to the success of the sector. The analysis of foreign assets shows a substantial amount of money held in Swiss banks, accounting for a significant portion of global cross-border assets. Indian 'black money' has also found its way to Swiss banks, although efforts to disclose account information have been ongoing. The largest Swiss banks, including UBS and Credit Suisse, have played a pivotal role in the country's financial sector. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the Swiss banking industry was analyzed, showing that despite challenges, the industry managed to offer new jobs and maintain profitability. The study emphasizes the importance of Swiss banking secrecy, which has been a key factor in attracting wealthy clients for centuries. However, it argues that secrecy alone does not fully explain the success of the Swiss banks. Other factors, such as overall country stability, a stable and easy convertible currency like the Swiss Franc, and the role of globalization in facilitating international operations, have all contributed to the sector's prominence. In conclusion, the success of Swiss banks is a result of multiple factors working together. While banking secrecy has played a significant role, other favorable conditions such as political stability, a strong currency, and global outreach have also contributed to Switzerland's status as a global financial hub. Understanding the interplay of these elements sheds light on the reasons behind the exceptional performance of the Swiss banking sector.

Pakistan’s Opioid Squeeze: Impacts of Taliban Edicts, Indian Synthetics and Chinese Regulations

This study examines how the Taliban’s opium poppy eradication edict and the westward shift in illicit fentanyl production from China to India potentiates an opioid squeeze on Pakistan from its east-west flanks, influencing Pakistan’s opioid production, distribution and use. As opioid output sputters in Afghanistan, while Indian chemists increasingly normalise illicit fentanyl production in South Asia, opportunistic Pakistani chemists will be incentivised to supply synthetic opioids to high-demand international markets, just as Pakistani farmers supply opium and heroin to international clients. This convergence has ramifications for Pakistani law, drug enforcement and public health, as domestic production increases domestic access to synthetic opioids. The article conducts an empirical examination of current trends in South Asian opioid production, distribution and use, along with an exegesis of the legal and regulatory systems in Pakistan, Afghanistan and China. This study also details how the Pakistani government should respond to this challenge legislatively, foremost through blanket ban of fentanyl and its precursors. Pakistan can reduce domestic use through evidence-based treatment programmes, including discrete and confidential treatment administered by females to female users, opioid substitution therapy, safe needle exchange programmes, culturally sensitive drug awareness campaigns, and increased data collection to detect geographic hotspot locations of opioid use and overdoses.

A high-throughput 3D X-ray histology facility for biomedical research and preclinical applications.

The University of Southampton, in collaboration with the University Hospital Southampton (UHS) NHS Foundation Trust and industrial partners, has been at the forefront of developing three-dimensional (3D) imaging workflows using X-ray microfocus computed tomography (μCT) -based technology. This article presents the outcomes of these endeavours and highlights the distinctive characteristics of a μCT facility tailored explicitly for 3D X-ray Histology, with a primary focus on applications in biomedical research and preclinical and clinical studies. The UHS houses a unique 3D X-ray Histology (XRH) facility, offering a range of services to national and international clients. The facility employs specialised μCT equipment explicitly designed for histology applications, allowing whole-block XRH imaging of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue specimens. It also enables correlative imaging by combining μCT imaging with other microscopy techniques, such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) and serial block-face scanning electron microscopy, as well as data visualisation, image quantification, and bespoke analysis. Over the past seven years, the XRH facility has successfully completed over 120 projects in collaboration with researchers from 60 affiliations, resulting in numerous published manuscripts and conference proceedings. The facility has streamlined the μCT imaging process, improving productivity and enabling efficient acquisition of 3D datasets. The 3D X-ray Histology (XRH) facility at UHS is a pioneering platform in the field of histology and biomedical imaging. To the best of our knowledge, it stands out as the world's first dedicated XRH facility, encompassing every aspect of the imaging process, from user support to data generation, analysis, training, archiving, and metadata generation. This article serves as a comprehensive guide for establishing similar XRH facilities, covering key aspects of facility setup and operation. Researchers and institutions interested in developing state-of-the-art histology and imaging facilities can utilise this resource to explore new frontiers in their research and discoveries.

AN ANALYSIS OF LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIPS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON SMALL ENTERPRISES

There are many different ways that a business can be structured, and the type of business structure that one decides to use will have a significant impact. There are many different kinds of business entities, each of which has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, with the end goal of overcoming the challenges posed by the fluctuating circumstances and economy. It started with individual ownership of limited companies and eventually spread to other businesses. In India, it is against the law for many professionals to work through companies. These professionals include advocates and lawyers, chartered accountants, company secretaries, and medical professionals. When it comes to providing these kinds of professional services, the structure of an LLP would be especially helpful. In the years to come, it's possible that professionals in India will offer these kinds of valuable services to a large number of organisations in other countries. Multidisciplinary combinations will be needed to help international clients with a wide range of problems. So, people think there should be an alternative to the traditional partnership: a new corporate entity with limited liability and a flexible business environment that can be set up and run in a way that is both flexible and effective. If there was a new company, this would be the case. To be able to compete effectively on the international market, business owners, professionals, and providers of services will have the ability to collaborate and run their businesses in an effective manner. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how LLP can adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of a company. By analysing the trend of small businesses or enterprises, one can also discover the advantage of choosing to register in India as an LLP.

A review of the ecological and socioeconomic characteristics of trophy hunting across Asia

AbstractThe continuing debates about trophy hunting should be underpinned by an understanding of at least the basic characteristics of the practice (e.g. species, quotas, areas, prices). Whilst many countries in Asia have established trophy hunting programmes of considerable importance to conservation and local livelihoods, there remains some ambiguity over the extent of trophy hunting in Asia as its basic characteristics in each country have not been compiled. In this study, we compile information on various ecological and socioeconomic characteristics of trophy hunting of mammals for countries across Asia by reviewing published and unpublished literature, analysing trade data, and obtaining contributions from in‐country contacts. Across Asia, established trophy hunting programmes exist in at least 11 countries and target at least 30 species and one hybrid (incl., five Vulnerable and one Endangered species). Trophy hunting in these countries varies markedly in areas (e.g. >1 million km2 in Kazakhstan, 37% of country, vs. 1325 km2 in Nepal, <1% of country) and annual offtakes (e.g. Kazakhstan: 4500 individuals from 4 of 5 trophy species; Pakistan: 229 from 4 of 7; Mongolia: 155 from 6 of 9; Tajikistan: 126 from 3 of 6; Nepal: 22 from 3 of the 4 that are trophy hunted in practice). Permit prices also vary across species and countries, with domestic and international hunters sometimes charged different rates. Hunters from the USA appear overwhelmingly prominent among international clients. National legislations typically mandate a proportion of trophy hunting revenue to accrue locally (range: 40–100%). We provide five key recommendations for research to inform trophy hunting policy in Asia: (1) Ecological impact assessments; (2) Socioeconomic impact assessments; (3) Evaluations of the contributions of trophy hunting to conservation spending; (4) Evaluations of the contributions of trophy hunting to the post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework; (5) Further examinations of perceptions of trophy hunting.

Quality Control and Management in Manufacturing Industries: A Critical Analysis

A crucial component of India's manufacturing industry is quality control and management. Manufacturers work hard to make sure their products satisfy customers' expectations and adhere to legal regulations. During the production process, items are monitored and examined as part of quality control procedures to find and fix any flaws or deviations from required specifications. This covers the utilization of instruments such as statistical process control, inspection, and testing.Implementing quality management requires setting up procedures and systems to guarantee consistent quality at all manufacturing phases, from raw materials to completed goods.In order to remove errors and optimize operations, it also includes ongoing improvement initiatives like lean manufacturing and Six Sigma.Effective quality control and management procedures result in higher-quality products, higher customer satisfaction, lower costs, and greater competitiveness on the international market. As they work to develop high-quality goods that satisfy the various needs of domestic and international clients, Indian manufacturers place a strong priority on quality control and management. Sample of 185 respondents involved in quality control and management were surveyed to analyze different Quality Control and Management in manufacturing industries where respondents choose “Yes” or “No” for all the questions. It is found that Systematic evaluation and monitoring to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations and Quality Control and Management in manufacturing industries help with fault detection and correction, decrease variability, and enhance overall product quality.

TECHNOLOGIES FOR BUILDING PERSONAL BRAND IN THE FIELD OF GRAPHIC DESIGN

The design component has gained significant popularity in the advertising and PR services market in recent years, making it practically significant. To stand out among competitors, utilizing not only creativity but also an individual approach, and more importantly, creating a personal brand in this field, becomes necessary and relevant. Moreover, the use of modern technologies provides limitless opportunities for promoting one’s own brand. This article explores the effectiveness of methods for promoting the personal brand of a graphic designer by comparing selected media platforms; a comprehensive strategy for brand promotion is developed and implemented. Online presence on international platforms is a key element for attracting international clients. Participation in international initiatives, competitions, and exhibitions contributes to the expansion of the professional community. Optimizing websites for international search engines increases the chances of attracting new clients abroad. The use of various social networks allows designers to promote their brand and capture the audience’s attention. Attractive content marketing plays a crucial role in maintaining interest and interaction with the audience. Integrating artificial intelligence into the workflow automates processes and personalizes content. Understanding trends and consumer demands helps graphic designers position themselves in the global market. The target audience and its main characteristics are defined. Audience segmentation methods are engaged and comprehensively described based on various criteria, aimed at distinguishing consumer groups for individual influence and focusing on their needs. Media channels and promotion strategies are established, emphasizing the importance of the adaptability of the strategy, continuous monitoring, and strategy updates, considering changes in demand, consumer behavior, and technological advancements. The final choice of the website development platform allows for the formation of an effective structure and informational blocks. The use of printed products, such as business cards, proves to be highly effective for offline events and personal meetings. This method not only serves an advertising function but also works well for the image component in the future.

Questions and Answers from Freelance Pros

How can I prepare my freelance business for the recession? Did you freeze or increase your pricing/rates at the beginning of the pandemic? If you did, are you making any further changes to those rates now? How do you handle payments from international clients? Is there an optimal payment method that has worked for you? In this issue, our Freelance Focus contributors are: Brian Bass Cathryn D. Evans Lori De Milto Gail V. Flores

The Choice of Environmental Management Accounting Practices Adopted by Managers: Evidence from the Hotel Sector in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

To understand the ways that 5-star hotels in Kwazulu Natal use to select environmental management accounting (EMA) practices to implement, the study assists hotel managers in better understanding and effectively formulating other mechanisms for improving EMA. The paper ascertains the manner applied by managers in 5-star hotels in KwaZulu Natal province when selecting EMA practices to adopt for their business activities. To attain the key aim objective of the research, 21 interviews and observations were conducted on three 5-star hotels among hotel managers, accountants, and administration managers. The study identifies that meeting international customers’ expectations plays a dominant role in pushing hotels to select EMA practices that can be easily identified by the customers such as water and energy efficiency. 78% of the interviewees endorse that international clients choose hotels that promote environmental initiatives hence the choice of current EMA practices. In addition, this is critical because it also affects the financial performance of the hotels. The paper provides further empirical evidence in extant literature that financial performance remains the key factor influencing a decision on EMA practices to be applied by hotels in emerging markets.

Performing politics at the Israeli security fair

ABSTRACT Fairs, markets and bazaars are primarily commercial activities. Historically, however, through the accumulation of wealth they enable and due to their often strategic locations, they have also been sites at which political alliances are made and empires founded. Surprisingly, most debates on the politics of markets are consumer-oriented and rarely focus on their geopolitical importance. In this article, I analyse the Israeli security fair as a political event. Israel’s security industry is booming; its global export is worth billions, and it attracts thousands of potential international clients. To show how politics are conducted and constructed at the security fair, I will look beyond the neoliberal idea that gives ‘the market’ powers of its own and implies that market forces are neutral and non-political. By expanding the operationalisation of politics to include discursive, visual and material performances, I will not only argue that the fair is inherently political but also present a novel way in which to see such politics. Importantly, while exploring politics through the ways in which they are performed, I will emphasise the embeddedness of the fair and its politics in orientalist and colonialist logics.