International Involvement Research Articles

Bringing Realism to the Idealism of Small States: Norway and Atrocity Prevention at the UN Security Council

ABSTRACT This article examines Norway’s approach to the responsibility to protect (R2P) norm and atrocity prevention during its term on the UN Security Council (2021–22). Because it is a small state with high ambitions for its international human rights and humanitarian profile, one might expect Norway to be a strong defender of the R2P norm, in line with the idea that small states are often norm entrepreneurs. However, this article argues that prioritizing R2P and atrocity prevention norms in the Security Council may conflict with other Norwegian foreign policy interests such as peace diplomacy and consensus building. Indeed, in its approach to its Security Council seat, Norway prioritised agendas that fit a neutral, diplomatic approach to conflict prevention and civilian protection. Taking a pragmatic approach to problem solving in the Council was a strategy that served Norwegian interests. In a time when extremely tense global relations hamper the Security Council’s work, small states may not find it in their interest to take strong and outspoken positions on the gravest human rights abuses. Advocates of the R2P norm should look to other institutions to secure international involvement in atrocity prevention and promote R2P.

Global Models, Victim Disconnect and Demands for International Intervention: The Dilemma of Decoloniality and Transitional Justice in Sri Lanka

Abstract This article uses Sri Lanka as a case study to impel engagement of decoloniality with transitional justice. It identifies gaps in the literature critical of transitional justice, specifically structural interpretations of power hierarchies, state-centrism and disregard of ethnicity and religion. It thereby uses a decolonial analytical lens on empirical findings from Sri Lanka’s failed transitional justice process to identify and understand continuing colonial power structures, including epistemic coloniality. The empirical findings offer three new insights. First, an ideational, structural and procedural disconnection between victims and the global transitional justice model is noted. The article traces how victim positioning and this disconnection were disregarded in favour of an internationally authoritative, credible and universal model of transitional justice. Second, the ethno-religious challenges to transitional justice, which include its reliance on the state as a neutral provider of justice, are highlighted. The third finding, however, on victim demands for greater international involvement, presents a dilemma to future decolonial consideration of transitional justice. Despite only using decoloniality as an analytical tool, the article nevertheless demonstrates the need for deeper reform, including at the epistemic level, for transformation to occur within the field.

Energy transition as a way to improve the welfare of Indonesian society

The shift towards energy is now a priority in Indonesia's efforts to promote sustainable development. With a growing recognition of the effects of climate change and the limitations of energy sources, the urgency to transition to clean and renewable energy options is on the rise. This study aims to investigate how transitioning to energy can enhance the well-being of communities. We aim to highlight critical insights by examining and thoroughly reviewing the literature. Firstly, ensuring energy practices is crucial for attaining development objectives. Energy plays a role in providing services like electricity, transportation, and household heating. Secondly, challenges related to infrastructure and energy accessibility remain hurdles in Indonesia's journey towards an energy transition. Despite advancements in energy initiatives, many remote areas still need access to electricity. Lastly, governmental intervention plays a role in steering a transition towards sustainable energy solutions. Private sector investment in renewable energy sources must be supported and directed through relatively strict policies, fiscal incentives, and regulations. Finally, the energy transition is an essential social and economic event, and appropriate policies need to be developed to promote a just transition and ensure the best outcomes for all stakeholders and society. To conclude, the energy transition in Indonesia requires a combination of government, private sector, civil society, and international stakeholder involvement. By working together across sectors, investing in renewable energy gen technology, and implementing advanced policies, Indonesia promotes transitioning to a more sustainable energy system and improving the overall welfare of society.

Colombia as the ‘Laboratory’ for Transitional Justice: Consolidation and Innovation of Global Formulas

ABSTRACT∞ This article examines the standardization of transitional justice, using Colombia—regarded by international observers as a contemporary laboratory—as a case. It investigates the extent to which transitional justice, as a global blueprint for addressing past atrocities, is being embraced in Colombia and how Colombian experiences contribute to both innovation and advancement of transitional justice internationally. Colombia offers a unique perspective on how transitional justice experts and institutions engage in and construct national, regional and international networks experimentally, under the guidance of international lab certifiers and informal standardizers. Drawing on a study focused on the justice pillar of transitional justice, the article argues that the significant level of local agency, coupled with international recognition and involvement, has contributed to strengthening, rather than weakening, the international transitional justice standard through innovation and localization.

Factors influencing the research impact in cancer research: a collaboration and knowledge network analysis

BackgroundCancer is a major public health challenge globally. However, little is known about the evolution patterns of cancer research communities and the influencing factors of their research capacity and impact, which is affected not only by the social networks established through research collaboration but also by the knowledge networks in which the research projects are embedded.MethodsThe focus of this study was narrowed to a specific topic – 'synthetic lethality’ – in cancer research. This field has seen vibrant growth and multidisciplinary collaboration in the past decade. Multi-level collaboration and knowledge networks were established and analysed on the basis of bibliometric data from ‘synthetic lethality’-related cancer research papers. Negative binomial regression analysis was further applied to explore how node attributes within these networks, along with other potential factors, affected paper citations, which are widely accepted as proxies for assessing research capacity and impact.ResultsOur study revealed that the synthetic lethality-based cancer research field is characterized by a knowledge network with high integration, alongside a collaboration network exhibiting some clustering. We found significant correlations between certain factors and citation counts. Specifically, a leading status within the nation-level international collaboration network and industry involvement were both found to be significantly related to higher citations. In the individual-level collaboration networks, lead authors’ degree centrality has an inverted U-shaped relationship with citations, while their structural holes exhibit a positive and significant effect. Within the knowledge network, however, only measures of structural holes have a positive and significant effect on the number of citations.ConclusionsTo enhance cancer research capacity and impact, non-leading countries should take measures to enhance their international collaboration status. For early career researchers, increasing the number of collaborators seems to be more effective. University–industry cooperation should also be encouraged, enhancing the integration of human resources, technology, funding, research platforms and medical resources. Insights gained through this study also provide recommendations to researchers or administrators in designing future research directions from a knowledge network perspective. Focusing on unique issues especially interdisciplinary fields will improve output and influence their research work.

International Involvement to Benefit Our Members and Enhance Global Influence

International Involvement to Benefit Our Members and Enhance Global Influence

International entrepreneurial culture as a booster of early and rapid internationalisation: A comparative study of Born Globals vs non-Born Globals

AbstractThe literature demonstrates how Born Globals (BGs) make recourse to distinctive strategic intangible assets to accelerate their internationalisation processes while, nevertheless, broadly neglecting the role of International Entrepreneurial Culture (IEC) in generating and differentiating BGs despite its relevant role. This study examines the IEC as a driver of the early and rapid internationalisation of BGs and correspondingly seeks to capture the prevailing differences compared to non-Born Globals (non-BGs).Thus, we empirically tested and validated an IEC scale for a sample of 66 BGs and 102 non-BGs and deployed multivariate analysis techniques to identify the main differences among company profiles. The results reveal how BGs stand out from their peers in terms of autonomy (a dimension of the international entrepreneurial orientation (IEO)), international motivation, and international market orientation. Therefore, concentrating on developing these dimensions may return an effective means of boosting rapid and early internationalisation and thereby stand out from the competition. The remaining IEO dimensions, the international learning orientation and the international networking orientation were not relevant to this differentiating process.This research has important theoretical and practical implications, encouraging and guiding BG managers to adopt a strategic posture emphasising some particular IEC dimensions to differentiate themselves from their competitors and succeed in their early international involvement.

Investigation of Disparity of Urologic Fellowship Match Rates by Gender and US Versus International Medical Graduates Over the Past Decade

ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of postgraduate medical education (US vs. international) and gender on applicant matching for postgraduate training across different urologic sub-specialties. MethodsMatch statistics of five societies that participated in the AUA fellowship match between 2010-2024 were retrospectively reviewed. Societies included: Endourology Society (EUS), Society for Urological oncology (SUO), American Society of Andrology (ASA), Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons (GURS), and Society of Pediatric Urology (SPU). Candidates were classified based on gender (male/female) and their postgraduate medical education: local graduates from the United States or Canada (US/Ca) and international medical graduates (IMG). The match odds were analyzed using the Chi-square test, while trends were assessed through the Mann-Kendall test. ResultsOverall, 2429 applicants applied for 1627 programs from 2010 to 2024, comprising 1998 males (81.8%), 399 females (16.4%), and 42 undisclosed (1.7%). There were 1486 US/Ca graduates (60.8%) and 953 IMGs (39.2%). 1471 (60.6%) applicants were matched with a program, compared to 958 (39.4%) unmatched. The likelihood of US/Ca graduates matching (83.8%) was significantly higher than IMGs (23.3%), OR = 17.5, 95% CI: (14.3, 21.5), p < 0.001. IMGs had the highest match rate with GURS (33.8%, 47/118) and the lowest with SPU (7%, 1/14). Female applicants had a significantly higher chance of matching 324/399 (81.2%) than male applicants 1139/1998 (57%), OR = 3.26, 95% CI: (2.5, 4.3), p < 0.001. US/Ca-to-IMGs ratios and the male-to-female ratios were stable throughout the match years. ConclusionsCompared to IMGs, U.S./Ca graduates had remarkably higher matching rates. Matching outcomes were also significantly better for female applicants. Further assessment of international involvement and diversity in urological subspecialty roles is warranted.

Stabilizing Civil Wars without Peacekeeping: Evidence from South Asia

Abstract Peacekeeping is helpful in resolving civil wars, but there is little chance of peacekeeping operations or other international peace-building interventions for many conflicts. How do internal wars stabilize in the absence of meaningful international involvement? Two key factors, the government's political space for bargaining and the relative power of armed groups, help to explain when it is possible to reach either stable cooperation between states and armed groups or negotiated settlements. We analyze three conflict trajectories—“long-term limited cooperation” arrangements, state incorporation or disarmament, and ongoing conflict—to show that the paths to stabilization are often ethically fraught and empirically complicated but exist even when international involvement is off the table. We use quantitative and qualitative data to study the relationships between armed groups and governments in much of post-colonial South Asia, including during periods of little or no violence. Understanding these trajectories provides policymakers, analysts, and scholars with useful tools for identifying policy options and political trade-offs as they seek to reduce the human costs of war.

The Criminal Proof Mechanism for Gorilla Tobacco-Type Drug Crimes Under Guideline Number 11 of 2021 in Indonesia

&lt;p&gt;This study explores the legal intricacies of drug crimes involving substances like Gorilla Tobacco under Indonesia's Narcotics Law, aiming to address disparities in penalty severity. Employing legal normative methods, conceptual approaches, and statutory analysis, it examines key provisions of the law, particularly the proving mechanism for Gorilla Tobacco offenses and the significance of Guideline No. 11 of 2021. Emphasizing the need to standardize evidence calculation and suspect qualifications for a fair legal foundation, the research highlights the complexities in investigating and prosecuting Gorilla Tobacco-related crimes. It underscores the importance of international collaboration and community involvement in addressing these challenges. Through structured analysis, this study provides valuable insights into the evolving mechanism of criminal proof for Gorilla Tobacco offenses, advocating for fairness and effectiveness within the criminal justice system. The incorporation of Guideline No. 11 proves pivotal in this pursuit, offering a balanced response to the dynamic nature of drug-related crimes and the evolving legal landscape in Indonesia.&lt;/p&gt;

HESA Graduate Students’ International Involvements and Civic Engagement

This study maps the types of international involvement opportunities available to HESA: Higher Education and Student Affairs graduate students in the U.S.A., as seen through the eyes of the students, and analyzes the impact of these students’ diverse international involvements on their orientation towards social responsibility. The study follows a survey research design. The study’s results indicate low levels of international exposure amongst HESA graduate students across diverse programs, and moderate rates of orientation towards civic responsibility. HESA students’ orientation towards social responsibility can successfully be predicted by a combination of five variables, three of which represent curricular and co-curricular environmental engagements: listening to an international speaker, discussing the ways the U.S. higher education links to the rest of the world, and attending presentations of study abroad students. The findings aim to inform program directors and faculty on existing opportunities for international exposure, on the rate of student involvements in them, as well on the importance of international exposures for their students’ future professional preparation.

Unlocking the Code to Continuous Innovation: A Study of Key Determinants for Serial Innovators

This study investigates the fundamental role of collaboration in promoting a culture of continuous innovation in companies, driving them to become serial innovators, as evidenced by their industrial property registrations. Furthermore, it explores, in an innovative way, how various factors, such as the level of technological advancement in the sector, government support for innovation, investments in research and development, the degree of international involvement, and the level of education of employees, influence the probability of a company achieving the status of serial innovator. Based on data extracted from CIS reports spanning from 2012 to 2018, this research employs Logit models to explore the relationship between these variables. The findings clarify the positive impact of collaboration on a company’s ability to sustain innovation over time, thereby establishing itself as a serial innovator. The promotion of collaborative networks and partnerships with external entities, such as partner companies, research institutions, and government organizations, emerges as a powerful strategy for promoting innovation in organizational contexts. Furthermore, the study reveals the critical roles played by public support for innovation, the educational level of the workforce, and investments in R&amp;D in increasing companies’ innovation capabilities. These factors contribute to increasing a company’s propensity for innovation and increasing its likelihood to become a serial innovator. A qualified and educated workforce is known to have the skills and knowledge required to actively engage in innovative activities, thus positioning companies as serial innovators.

ДИСПОЗИЦІЯ УКРАЇНИ НА РИНКУ НАНОТЕХНОЛОГІЙ

The article examines the current issues of leadership of countries in the field of nanotechnology, and it is argued that the pace of development of the national system of nanotechnology standardization and certification in Ukraine is far from encouraging, especially taking into account global progress in this area. The positions of Ukraine in the global rankings of the effectiveness of innovative activity were evaluated and the possession of our state with a fairly developed scientific, technical and educational potential as a basis for conducting fundamental nanotechnological research was confirmed, but they also demonstrate the presence of a number of deep structural problems in the domestic economy. Significant inhibiting factors in the development of the nanotechnology segment of the national innovation system are also the preservation of significant bureaucratic and financial restrictions in the internationalization of Ukrainian R&amp;D, which not only repel international partners from this process, but also largely demotivate domestic scientific research institutions to develop international innovation cooperation and involvement in of foreign infrastructural capacities. An immanent feature of the national field of research and development is also the significant problems of international scientific and technical cooperation of domestic institutions and the insufficient level of their integration into the global and European research space. It has been proven that despite the transformation of nanotechnology into a leading scientific and technological priority of global innovative progress in recent decades, nanoproduction still has not gained significant distribution in Ukraine. In the context of successfully overcoming the scientific and technical backwardness of our country in the field of development of the nanotechnological segment of the domestic innovation market and increasing the scale of production of new nanomaterials, the issue of ensuring a deep convergence of fundamental and applied research and development of the nanotechnological profile, as well as organizational, economic and institutional training of domestic sub enterprises to the introduction of nanotechnology in their production activities.

Biodiversity and Conservation

Biodiversity, the intricate web of life on Earth, is vital for ecosystem health and human well-being. This paper delves into the profound importance of biodiversity, highlighting its role in maintaining ecosystem services critical to human survival. The exploration covers the complexity of biodiversity, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity. The paper further addresses the threats that human activities pose to biodiversity, such as habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation. To counter these threats, the paper outlines a range of conservation strategies. It discusses the significance of protected areas, sustainable resource management, habitat restoration, and the role of conservation genetics. Additionally, international initiatives like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the work of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are emphasized as essential for global cooperation. The paper underscores the urgency of collaborative efforts in biodiversity conservation. It emphasizes the need for international cooperation, sustainable practices, and community involvement to ensure the persistence of Earth’s incredible biodiversity for generations to come. The abstract encapsulates the essential elements of the paper, calling for a shared commitment to safeguarding the diversity of life that sustains our planet.

Internationalization and Organizational Resilience to COVID-19 Crisis: The Moderating Effect of Digitalization

Organizational resilience is a company’s ability to quickly recover and adapt when it encounters sudden and unexpected challenges. Our study looks at how a company’s level of international involvement before such challenges can influence its resilience, particularly when faced with the global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We also examine whether a company’s prior investment in digital technologies can help soften any negative impacts. From January 20 to June 10, 2020, we analyzed data from 2,363 Chinese companies that are traded on stock exchanges. We assessed their organizational resilience based on how their stock prices fluctuated and how quickly they returned to their pre-shock performance levels. Our findings indicate that companies with more international activities before the pandemic were generally slower to recover. However, companies with advanced digital capabilities before the pandemic demonstrated greater resilience, overcoming the negative repercussions more effectively. This research contributes new insights to the understanding of how international business activities affect a company’s ability to withstand and bounce back from global crises. Additionally, it underscores the importance of digitalization in enhancing organizational resilience.

Analyses of Past and Future Initiatives in the Kashmir Disputes

This article meticulously examines the historical, present, and future dimensions of the Kashmir disputes, encompassing key aspects such as historical initiatives, challenges faced, recent developments, and future prospects. It delves into the complexities of political obstacles, regional and global influences, and the profound impact on the Kashmiri people. After scrutinizing attempts post-independence and international involvement, the article confronts major setbacks, emphasizing the role of intransigence in impeding resolutions. The evolving dynamics and current state of the Kashmir dispute are explored, providing a nuanced understanding of the region. Drawing from historical analyses, the article extracts crucial lessons and offers insights into future initiatives, underscoring the significance of international community engagement for bilateral diplomatic efforts. Humanitarian concerns take center stage, emphasizing the necessity to address the grievances and protect the rights of the Kashmiri people. The article concludes by presenting future scenarios, ranging from best to worst-case possibilities, encouraging a holistic understanding of potential outcomes. This comprehensive analysis serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, academics, and stakeholders invested in fostering a peaceful resolution to the enduring Kashmir conflict.

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION: BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES

A broad range of teamwork styles and practices characterizes the present state of science. Working together across organizational and cultural boundaries widens the horizons of scientific discovery. Collaborative research initiatives that span international borders frequently yield results that surpass the accomplishments of individual teams working alone. Collaboration among scientists is an essential aspect of the advancement of all scientific disciplines, particularly in the field of clinical medicine. Cultural and international diversity involvement in projects can be advantageous for scientific progress. However, it also brings specific difficulties, potential hazards, and drawbacks. Some of the significant difficulties identified are related to the physical distance between people and the variations in culture, language, and career level. This review analyzes the benefits and challenges associated with international scientific collaboration and strategies for effective collaboration.

French Operation Barkhane in Africa – success or failure?

Operation Barkhane began in August 2014 and was a continuation of Operation Serval, targeting Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) structures. The main objective of the French armed presence was to support the local military forces in the fight against terrorism, coordinate the international coalition and support the humanitarian action for the benefit of the local population. The aim of the article is to systematize knowledge and investigate the activities of French entities, also within the EU missions, obliged to fight against terrorism in the Sahel, carrying out the largest antiterrorism operation in Sub-Saharan Africa. France's strategic objective was to help the Sahel countries achieve military self-reliance so that they could provide security and stability in the region without the assistance of foreign forces. Ultimately, France decided to withdraw its soldiers from Mali and Burkina Faso at the beginning of 2022 and had terminated its mission earlier. It was the end of Barkhane and the French antiterrorism involvement on a high scale level in the Sahel. The decision to withdraw has a number of implications for international involvement in the region and will greatly weaken the level of security in the region. This would be very dangerous for Europe, which is not ready for another wave of migration, as well as the international threat of terrorism. It must be indicated that France have maintained a relatively secure situation in the Sahel region.

Social-cultural features of the suicidal behaviour in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The paper considers specific factors related to suicide and the influence of general, social-cultural factors on suicide in a typical post-war society - Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH). Many researchers focus on the life history of a person that committed suicide in order to get a better understanding of its social-psychological and other factors. However, the authors consider the social-economic factors of suicide based on the survey on social-cultural characteristics of suicide in BH. Part of the sample consisted of respondents that were friends or neighbours of the suicider. BH is a multicultural society that suffered war events not so long ago, which determined social-economic devastation and misery. The consequences are post-traumatic syndrome, high unemployment, social disorders, and social-pathological phenomena, including suicide. In BH, suicide is largely determined by the social circumstances, while certain social-psychological factors seem to be less important (individual pain and suffering caused by accidents or discomforts). Therefore, to understand the causes of increased suicide rates in certain periods and societies, we need to analyse the very nature of the particular society. The suicide rate in BH was considered through the social-cultural determinants of suicide. The ten-year timeframe does not exclude the impact of the previous turbulent period, including a decade of great political turmoil and economic crisis in the post-war society. Thus, the authors studied the statistical data collected by the relevant public institutions and the survey data collected with three questionnaires. Based on that data, the authors analysed in detail the causes of suicide in BH and the effects of specific social-cultural factors in the society trying to overcome the consequences of war after two decades of interethnic conflicts and strong international involvement. By considering the biography, interpersonal relationships, physical and mental health, lifestyle and other aspects of life of the person that committed suicide, the authors identify the most significant risk factors of suicidal behaviour, which may influence a personal decision to commit suicide (including ‘triggers’ and the level of suicidal intent). The social-cultural aspects of suicide prove that this phenomenon has a historical, cultural, religious and global social dimension, which means the need in its multidisciplinary study.

International Involvement in Sovereign States: The Role of the AU in the Preservation of Peace and Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Cameroon

The Anglophone issue, the jihadist insurgency, and Boko Haram are among the several violent conflicts that are occurring in Cameroon, along with escalating ethnic and political tensions both online and offline. Nevertheless, the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) tenet has been steadily adopted across Africa. This study's primary goal was to learn what the African Union (AU) is doing in connection to the peace and security situation in Cameroon in light of the above context. This study was descriptive in nature. Secondary data was the sole form of data used in this investigation. Information was gathered through the internet, periodicals, newspapers, books, journals, and other sources. Numerous studies show that the AU Peace and Security Council, which makes decisions on the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts, do not address Cameroon's challenges and problems. Therefore the AU and the United Nations (UN) can coordinate their efforts in addressing the humanitarian needs of refugees and displaced people.