International Profile Research Articles

Estonia Goes Digital

Estonia Goes Digital

Ileus Management International (IMAGINE): protocol for a multicentre, observational study of ileus after colorectal surgery.

The management of postoperative ileus following colorectal surgery remains controversial. It is the commonest complication after elective colorectal resection and is associated with an increased incidence of postoperative adverse events. The prevention and management of postoperative ileus remains unstandardized. This study aims to describe an international profile of gastrointestinal recovery after colorectal surgery and will assess the role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, when used as postoperative analgesia, in expediting the return of gastrointestinal function. A multicentre, student- and trainee-led, prospective cohort study will be conducted across both Europe and Australasia. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection during 2-week data collection periods between January and April 2018 will be included. A site-specific questionnaire will capture compliance to Enhanced Recovery after Surgery components at participating centres. The primary outcome is time to gastrointestinal recovery, measured using a composite outcome of bowel function and oral tolerance. The impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on gastrointestinal recovery will be evaluated along with safety data with respect to anastomotic leak, acute kidney injury and complications within 30days of surgery. This protocol describes the methodology of an international, observational assessment of gastrointestinal recovery after colorectal surgery. It discusses key challenges and describes how the results will impact on future investigation. The study will be conducted across a large student- and trainee-led collaborative network, with prospective quality assurance and data validation strategies.

Sovereignty and the Sea: How Indonesia Became an Archipelagic State

Until the mid-1950s nearly all of the sea between the far-flung islands of the Indonesian archipelago was open to ships of all nations, but in 1957, the Indonesian government declared that it had absolute sovereignty over all the waters lying within straight baselines drawn between the outermost islands of Indonesia. In this single step, Indonesia made its lands and seas a unified entity for the first time, a claim formally recognized in 1982 by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Sovereignty and the Sea explores how Indonesia succeeded in its extraordinary claim despite its low international profile. John G. Butcher and R. E. Elson reveal that at the heart of Indonesia's archipelagic campaign was a small group of Indonesian diplomats whose dogged persistence, negotiating skills, and willingness to make difficult compromises resulted in Indonesia becoming the greatest archipelagic state in the world.

Company culture and prevention of corruption in Germany, China and Russia

A Web-based survey of 15 German companies with an international profile studied the main factors effectively preventing corruption. Results showed that the most important preventive factors were a company culture that promotes integrity, along with strong knowledge of norms and a high level of acceptance of the company anti-corruption programme. Using the example of Russia and China, the survey also studied how far German parent companies succeed in exporting their company cultures and prevention measures to foreign branches. Results showed that hierarchic-elitist cultures increase the susceptibility to corruption and impede the preventive effect of single anti-corruption measures.

English as lingua academica: The case of the Chinese Translation Fund for the Humanities and Social Sciences

ABSTRACT In recent years, China has been attempting to raise its international profile in the domain of academic research. However, in the humanities and social sciences, this process has been hindered by the inadequate English academic writing skills of Chinese scholars, as well as by cultural differences between China and the West as regards ideological preference, aesthetic taste and reading habits. In order to overcome these problems and promote China’s cultural influence in the world, a special fund has been set up to support translations of Chinese humanities and social science research, known as the ‘Chinese [Translation] Fund for the Humanities and Social Sciences’. Based on data derived from funded translation projects that ran from 2010 to 2015, this paper examines whether there have been discrepancies between the goals and outcomes of the fund, and investigates to what extent the translation of academic works may encounter ideological divergences between China and the West, and how this might affect the reception of translated Chinese works. Finally, the paper discusses any potential problems of exporting Chinese academic output globally as part of a political agenda.

A Long Stream: The Historical Influence of Peking Union Medical College on the Development of Modern Nursing Education in Taiwan

The faculty of Peiping Union Medical College (PUMC) formatively influenced the development of modern nursing in Taiwan. PUMC, which retreated with the national government to Taiwan from Mainland China in 1949, was initially established earlier in that century by enthusiastic medical missionaries and later reformed by the Rockefeller Foundation. After relocating to Taiwan, PUMC teachers and graduates have provided critical leadership in disseminating modern nursing education in Taiwan and in integrating public health and clinical services to establish a solid foundation for Taiwanese nursing education. To highlight the significant contributions of PUMC alumni in Taiwan, this article explores three dimensions as follows: 1) Establishing the foundation of modern nursing education in Taiwan; 2) Channeling aids from the United States and the international communities to improve nursing education; and 3) Raising the international profile and influence of the Taiwan nursing society. In celebration of the centennial anniversary of PUMC, we encourage in the spirit of PUMC congeniality greater Cross-Strait collaboration among elite professionals in order to further advance PUMC leadership in Asian medical education and cultural enlightenment.

Pomiędzy Nankinem a Hiroszimą. Konfliktowe rocznice w Azji Wschodniej jako element rywalizacji chińsko-japońskiej

Years 2015–2017 witness a series of trouble-causing anniversaries in East Asia that commemorate WW II and its tragedies. Against the background of these anniversaries and the international political situation, China and Japan conduct their policies of memories. Both countries use history in their top-to-bottom nation-building projects based on victimization. In case of China, the anti-Japanese nationalism serves as a tool to legitimize CPP’s rule and to enhance China’s international profile. In case of Japan, state historical revisionism questions Japan’s responsibility for WW II crimes and presents Japan as a victim of US atomic bombs. Thus, both sides use history for their political goals and are unwilling to conduct work on their memories. It makes every anniversary a trouble-causing one.

Compliance Through Company Culture and Values: An International Study Based on the Example of Corruption Prevention

The aim of this Web-based survey of 15 German companies with an international profile was to identify which higher-level values serve as a basis for a company culture that promotes integrity and can thereby also be used to promote crime prevention. Results on about 2000 managers in German parent companies and almost 600 managers in Central and North European branch offices show that a major preventive role can be assigned to a company culture that promotes integrity. This requires a ‘tone from the top’, ‘ethical leadership’ from the direct superior, and a general set of values that can be encouraged through training courses. Moreover, employees have to perceive these values as promoting their careers. The survey reveals that the companies in this study have basically succeeded in establishing their system of values in their Central and North European as well as their Asian branch offices. Moreover, it shows that the main values preventing crime on the management level are trustworthiness and consistency. Open communication is an important value on all levels of a company, and this is supplemented by transparency, compliance with the rules, and a rejection of behaving in one’s own interest. It is concluded that in spite of regional differences, major international companies can possibly make an important contribution to bringing about cultural change in regions with an affinity for corruption by implementing a culture that promotes integrity in both their company and their daily business.

Hotel Industry Regulations and Cross-Border Franchising: The Case of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has formulated and enforced a new tourism law to develop its tourism sector with special emphasis to open more international activities in the hotel industry. The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of new regulations of hotel industries in Saudi Arabia on the decision making process of the hotel companies in relation to international franchising. Qualitative research design was used to investigate the connection between new regulations of hotel industry in Saudi Arabia and its cross-border franchising activities. Data was retrieved from two primary sources: governmental agencies and, the hotel and leisure companies involved in franchising. The main sectors covered were the investment in tourism lands, establishment of tourism based associations, and replacement of foreigners, price and classification. Data was generated through twelve in-depth interviews with the representatives of the sample companies, from April to September 2016. The primary data generated during interviews was complemented by data from industrial publications and the annual reports to know about the current status of Saudi hotel industry and the activities of the sample companies. Findings confirmed that the regulatory reforms of a hotel industry, by following new hotel-based regulations, added new vigor to hotel based industry and enhanced its international profile. The new tourism law authorized the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Heritage (SCTH) to identify and propose new lands for tourism investment, which may increase its importance among the global hotels’ franchisors.

Nation branding in the Middle East - United Arab Emirates (UAE) vs. Qatar

Abstract Nation branding is crucial in order to attract investment, boost exports and attract tourists and talented workforce. Nation branding stands between public diplomacy and economic benefits. An adequate policy of Nation Branding-based on a positive, credible and economically reliable image-can be able to extend the range of potential customers and of potential investors. With the aim of better understanding the new challenges, opportunities and threats existent in a globalized economy, the paper compares nation branding in the context of UAE and Qatar. The paper examines nation-branding as a driver for boosting the economy, taking into account that clichés and stereotypes (especially in the context of the Middle East) can influence our perception towards one country or another. The analysis explores the strategy adopted in order that Dubai becomes the flagship-brand of the UAE. Abu Dhabi complements this strategy, driving UAE to the position of the most valuable brand in the Middle East. The paper further enquires the case of Qatar and compares it with the branding process of the UAE. Qatar has established various branding resources such as the Al Jazeera news network, international sport events and several cultural and educational exchange programs with international profile. The UAE strives to become an influencer in the global economy, overriding its dependence on hydrocarbon reserves. Qatar is richer in hydrocarbon reserves than the UAE; nevertheless, it shares the interest of detaching itself from the rentier economy. The study explores the fact that from 2014-onwards the global oil economy was hit hard, as the price of the oil barrel is at an historic low, thus it has become stringent for the Persian Gulf countries to diversify the revenue sources. As a result, their branding strategy has become even more salient. The processes undertaken for establishing nation-brands in the Gulf are noteworthy and constitute the focal point of the paper.

Joseph Kampé de Fériet et la mécanique des fluides en France durant l'entre-deux-guerres

Up until the twentieth century, fluid mechanics was characterised by a strong division between theory and practice. The formulas of mathematicians and physicists were difficult to apply experimentally and their relevance was neither well accepted nor well understood by engineers. In France, where priority was given to the theoretical aspects of this subject, the creation of several centres of fluid mechanics in the 1930s (Lille, Marseille, Paris and Toulouse) represented an attempt at a rapprochement between fluid mechanics, experimental aerodynamics, and hydrodynamics. The aim was to re-establish France's international profile, which had been lost after 1918. In Lille, the leadership of the “Institut de mécanique des fluides” (IMFL) was entrusted to Jospeh Kampé de Fériet, who was able to address questions of both theoretical and experimental nature in the context of his work at the IMFL and at the “Commission de la turbulence atmosphérique”. On the one hand, Kampé de Fériet used a probabilistic approach to give greater mathematical rigour to the statistical theory of turbulence due to Taylor–von Kármán. On the other hand, he played an active part in his group's experimental research on atmospheric turbulence. This paper aims to show in what way Kampé de Fériet's approach to fluid mechanics enabled him to contribute to the international development of the statistical theory of turbulence during the interwar period.

Employing nation branding in the Middle East - United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar

Abstract Branding represents the instrument through which an entity communicates and identifies itself in the consumer’s perception. National branding is a similar mean employed at country level. Nation branding is crucial in order to attract investment, boost exports and attract tourists and talented workforce. Nation branding stands between public diplomacy and economic benefits. An adequate policy of Nation Branding-based on a positive, credible and economically reliable image- can be able to extend the range of potential customers and of potential investors. With the aim of better understanding the new challenges, opportunities and threats existent in a globalized economy, the paper evaluates nation branding in the context of UAE and Qatar. The paper examines nation-branding as a driver for boosting the economy, taking into account that clichés and stereotypes (especially in the context of the Middle East) can influence our perception towards one country or another. The analysis explores the strategy adopted in order that Dubai becomes the flagship-brand of the UAE. Abu Dhabi complements this strategy, driving UAE to the position of the most valuable brand in the Middle East. The paper further enquires the case of Qatar and compares it with the branding process of the UAE. Qatar has established various branding resources such as the Al Jazeera news network, international sport events and several cultural and educational exchange programs with international profile. The UAE strives to become an influencer in the global economy, overriding its dependence on hydrocarbon reserves. Qatar is richer in hydrocarbon reserves than the UAE; nevertheless, it shares the interest of detaching itself from the rentier economy. The study explores the fact that from 2014-onwards the global oil economy was hit hard, as the price of the oil barrel is at an historic low, thus it has become stringent for the Persian Gulf countries to diversify the revenue sources. As a result, their branding strategy has become even more salient. The processes employed for establishing nation-brands in the Gulf are noteworthy and constitute the focal point of the paper.

Foreign policy in changing global politics

Since President Jokowi came to power in October 2014, Indonesia’s foreign policy has undergone fundamental change, most obviously in the state’s emphasis on domestic priorities rather than global engagement. Although Jokowi’s foreign policy has pursued an ‘active’ principle by participating in many international forums, it seems to have overlooked the changing contexts of the geopolitical turn. Asia has been rising and is becoming the geopolitical center of gravity in the 21st century. Yet, instead of adapting to this shift, Indonesia’s foreign policy continues to neglect the ‘Asian Century’ turn that has been taking place for years. Indonesia should have increased its international profile to enhance its status as a ‘Third Asian Giant’ beside China and India, but Jokowi’s administration has not taken such an opportunity. This article argues that Indonesia is not interested in gaining international status because of the domestically focused nature of its foreign policy. Indonesia is seen as needing to consolidate its own national resilience before asserting itself in a wider international arena. For Jokowi, national interest is defined as material—primarily economic—interest. In addition, Indonesia’s traditional status as a regional, middle level international power prevents the country from seeking any greater global status. This article argues, with optimism, that Indonesia should seek to change this traditional paradigm of middle power status. It suggests that the assertion of global status matters in Indonesia’s foreign policy because the better the country’s position in the international hierarchy of states, the easier it will be for the nation to achieve its own domestic interests.

Chinese Indonesians after May 1998 How they fit in the big picture

For Chinese Indonesians, May 1998 is a significant historical marker, twelfth and thirteenth being two concentrated days of riots and atrocities in Jakarta, followed by more, albeit on smaller scales, in Solo, Surabaya, and a number of other cities. Destruction of properties belonging to them, and rapes of their women, occurred. Then Indonesia witnessed the end of Suharto’s rule when the president resigned on 21 May 1998. A gradual political turn-around followed; Chinese Indonesians found room to move. The subsequent governments revoked restrictive regulations put in place by the New Order government, and lifted the suppression on cultural expression by Chinese Indonesians. The situation has progressed in conjunction with China’s rise in global economic dominance. Does China’s increasing international profile and rising global economic dominance help Chinese Indonesians? This article seeks to find some answer to the question as it looks at the development in the big picture; how and to what extent the social perceptions of Chinese Indonesians have evolved among the mainstream population; how they perceive themselves and believe how others perceive them; and how these may influence their lives as Indonesian citizens.

Money Laundering: A Review Essay and Policy Implication

Money laundering is a global business with an international profile. Organized crime carries out this illegal activity to infiltrate in the legal economy, upsetting the balances. The relevance of the phenomenon aroused the interest of academics and other experts, belonging to different fields. In the last years the empirical analysis carried out by scientists showed that, by means of money laundering, every year the criminal sector is able to held legal assets for an amount equal to a multiplier of corresponding dirty money gained by illegal activity. In particular, it seems that the global legal capital due to criminal activities is about US$ 1.2 trillion. Nevertheless, this value change if we consider the influence of the business cycle on illegal market. Such relationship could realize via two different channels. On the one side, illegal markets grow at varying rates depending on the status of the legal economy. Secondly, the business cycle influences legal markets that illegal operators make use of to reinvest their profits. In this paper the theoretical and empirical literature on Money Laundering will be surveyed, suggesting some policy implications.

China’s Joint Military and Civilian Development

China’s ambitious military reform deepens with the establishment of a new commission on 22 January 2017 helmed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The new commission will oversee the integration of military and civilian development. Xi aims to nurture Chinese defence manufacturers that are comparable to Lockheed Martin and Boeing in the United States and develop a military-industrial complex for the military modernisation commensurate with its rising international profile.

From place branding to placemaking: the role of events

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine developments in the use of events by places from a predominantly place branding role based on image and economic impacts towards a broader placemaking approach aimed at holistic improvements in place quality.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on a single case study approach, with the Dutch city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) as the focus. Data sources include resident surveys, depth interviews and analysis of policy documents.FindingsThe Den Bosch case illustrates the emergence of a more holistic approach to the use of events as a placemaking tool. The city shifted from an ad hoc events policy to the development of a multi-annual programme designed to produce economic, image, social cultural and network effects. This approach seems to have been successful in stimulating visitation, increasing visitor spend and raising the international profile of the city. At the same time, the city has developed many activities designed to mobilise local stakeholder groups and increase social cohesion, which provide essential support for the necessary investment.Research limitations/implicationsThere are indications that sustaining such a programme over the longer term is difficult in the face of political and economic change. Adoption of a holistic approach also requires the mobilisation of a wide range of stakeholders.Practical implicationsCritical success factors for placemaking are identified.Social implicationsThe Den Bosch programme helped to increase social cohesion in the city by involving residents and local cultural groups in different projects. However, this required a differentiated approach based on the needs of each group.Originality/valueThis study presents a placemaking model that can help to identify the different elements required in a successful placemaking programme. This is developed from a practice approach, which has the value of paying attention to how event programmes can be initiated and sustained by a group of actors.

The English Crown and the Election of Pope John XXII

This article investigates the involvement of Edward II in the negotiations that led to John XXII's election on 7 August 1316 after a two-year papal vacancy between 1314 and 1316. The main source for this analysis is a dossier of sixteen diplomatic documents, found among the Chancery records in The National Archives in London. The article concludes that Edward II tried to exploit the papal vacancy as a means to re-establish his international profile and seek support abroad in order to face opposition at home, thus ensuring a place for the English Crown within the European political milieu.

ЕВОЛЮЦІЯ СИСТЕМИ ПРОТИДІЇ ЛЕГАЛІЗАЦІЇ КРИМІНАЛЬНИХ ДОХОДІВ

The article considers the main stages of the evolution of the system of anti-money laundering of illegally obtained funds. The object of article analysis is activity of international general legal and profile institutions for the system of anti-money laundering. Based on object of the article it was determined modernized look of the system at the international and national levels. During the research, it was considered the significance of the main documents adopted at the international level for the improvement of the system of anti-money laundering of illegally obtained funds. Among them it was determined the most important: the European Convention on Extradition, Principles for the Prevention of Criminal Use of the Banking System for Money Laundering, the UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, the Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, reports, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime through the reports, typologies and recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering and terrorist financing. Based on research it was identified the main evolutionary stages of the system of anti-money laundering. These stages are: general awareness of the importance of international cooperation in combating financial crimes and highlighting the significant destructive impact of criminal legalization on the financial systems of countries. Awareness of the importance of counterterrorism, especially in terms of overlapping the channels of terrorist financing, which is carried out through the channels of money laundering and the transition to a risk-oriented approach to money laundering and transforming the counter-legalization system based on risk assessment we also considered as main stages of the system of anti-money laundering. It was analyzed the main international normative legal acts which are taken place in government legislative base. Based on performed analysis, it was detected the influence of international regulation on the development of the system of legalization of criminal proceeds in Ukraine.

Mejora de la enseñanza, aprendizaje y uso del inglés: errores comunes (F)

Se ha desarrollado el programa iErrors-F, disponible a modo de juego para aprender los errores comunes del uso del inglés (F) en http://www.uco.es/estudios/sep/titulos_propios/formacion_profesorado/formaprofe/iErrors-F. Dicho proyecto (2015-2-2009) complementa otros nueve (07NA2037, 08A4087, 092016, 102008, 112007, 122022, 2013-12-2009, 2014-12-2013 y 2016-1-2009), que permitieron desarrollar, respectivamente, los programas iFalseFriends, iPartialFalseFriends, iAnglicisms, iErrors-A, iErrors-B, iErrors-C, iErrors-D, iErrors-E and iErrors-G, disponibles a modo de juego para aprender los “falsos amigos” o cognados entre inglés y español http://www.uco.es/estudios/sep/titulos_propios/formacion_profesorado/formaprofe/iFalseFriends, los “amigos inconsistentes” o cognados parciales entre dichos idiomas http://www.uco.es/estudios/sep/titulos_propios/formacion_profesorado/formaprofe/iPartialFalseFriends, los anglicismos http://www.uco.es/estudios/sep/titulos_propios/formacion_profesorado/formaprofe/iAnglicisms, los errores comunes en inglés (A) http://www.uco.es/estudios/sep/titulos_propios/formacion_profesorado/formaprofe/iErrors-A, los errores comunes en inglés (B) http://www.uco.es/estudios/sep/titulos_propios/formacion_profesorado/formaprofe/iErrors-B, los errores comunes en inglés (C) http://www.uco.es/estudios/sep/titulos_propios/formacion_profesorado/formaprofe/iErrors-C, los errores comunes en inglés (D) http://www.uco.es/estudios/sep/titulos_propios/formacion_profesorado/formaprofe/iErrors-D los errores comunes en inglés (E) http://www.uco.es/estudios/sep/titulos_propios/formacion_profesorado/formaprofe/iErrors-E y los errores comunes en inglés (G) http://www.uco.es/estudios/sep/titulos_propios/formacion_profesorado/formaprofe/iErrors-G. Conviene resaltar que estos desarrollos se basan en el aprendizaje de forma lúdica, mediante un juego educativo, lo cual potencia su uso por todos en general y por las nuevas generaciones en particular. Esto diferencia a estos desarrollos de otras alternativas, como son las listas de textos escritos o diccionarios existentes. Dicho con otras palabras, el objetivo es innovar desde el diccionario clásico al juego educativo. Consideramos que ello es un elemento clave para incentivar y motivar al posible usuario. Dichos juegos educativos están diseñados para una visualización óptima desde el navegador web Apple Safari con iPhone e iPod touch (también se pueden usar en el iPad, así como con Mac o Windows). Es indudable que el inglés es el idioma universal y la lingua franca de nuestros días. Sin embargo, el nivel general de inglés en la Universidad de Córdoba puede ser significativamente mejorado, incluyendo Personal Docente e Investigador (PDI), alumnos y Personal de Administración y Servicios (PAS). Esta realidad puede extrapolarse a Andalucía y a España entera. Se trata de un hecho de notable importancia, sobre todo si se tiene en cuenta que la tendencia progresiva es hacia la impartición de clases en inglés. Por tanto, la situación actual nos pone en desventaja frente al proceso de Convergencia Europea (ECTS/EEES), la competitividad empresarial y el acceso al mercado laboral de nuestros egresados, por citar sólo algunos ejemplos. Esta realidad cobra especial relevancia en un mundo cada vez más globalizado. Faltan, por otra parte, herramientas específicas de enseñanza, aprendizaje, uso y perfeccionamiento del inglés (con aplicación académica general, docente, investigadora, asistencial y de gestión) que incidan en las peculiaridades de los hispanoparlantes en general y de los universitarios en particular. El proyecto realizado ha usado las nuevas Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) para el desarrollo y aplicación de herramientas multimedia y multiplataforma que ayuden a mejorar dichas carencias. El programa contiene una base de datos de errores comunes en el uso del inglés (F). El funcionamiento del recurso es tan intuitivo que no requiere instrucciones especiales: basta navegar hasta iErrors-F y seguir las instrucciones del juego educativo que aparecen en pantalla. La metodología utilizada es doble. Por una parte, se ha desarrollado dicho programa a modo de juego de aprendizaje para su acceso universal vía Internet. Por otra parte, los alumnos han jugado con el mismo de forma presencial y no presencial, analizándose después en clase los avances alcanzados en el aprendizaje del inglés, mediante las correspondientes evaluaciones de progreso. Con ello se ha conseguido una significativa mejora en el aprendizaje de inglés de los alumnos, en un campo en el que los propios angloparlantes cometen errores. El uso de esta herramienta permite una mejora de la docencia, aprendizaje y uso de dicho idioma, mejorando también con ello la calidad de las diferentes actividades desarrolladas en la universidad: académica general, docente, investigadora, asistencial y de gestión. De este modo se contribuye a aumentar la competitividad de la universidad, preparando a la misma para una mejor adaptación al Sistema de Convergencia Europea, actualizando la docencia en las nuevas tecnologías y mejorando la formación pedagógica del profesorado. Asimismo, todo ello genera un perfil más internacional y abierto de nuestra universidad, incrementando su calidad, y con ello el número de alumnos y profesores que la elijan.