Long-term Partnerships Research Articles

Conflict and Adaptation: The History and Future of China-Pakistan Cultural Exchange

The relationship between China and Pakistan has a long history, and the two countries have maintained a long-term cooperative partnership. Under this relationship, fruitful cultural exchanges have taken place, although occasional cultural conflicts have occurred. Based on the foundation of long-term cooperation, conflicts in cultural exchanges have been effectively resolved through mutual visits, promoting deeper understanding and trust between the two sides. Therefore, it can be said that cultural exchange between China and Pakistan is an important tool for adjusting cultural conflicts, promoting diplomatic relations, and bridging the gap between the two countries. This article reviews and examines the history of cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and proposes a conflict adjustment framework based on "respect-understanding-communication-trust." Specific measures are also proposed, such as "establishing smooth cultural communication channels, improving conflict resolution mechanisms, deepening cultural exchange projects, and strengthening joint research projects" to adjust cultural conflicts and promote deeper cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Multimodal digital extensive reading program: a reflection on literacy movement in madrasah and pesantren

Over the years, ample studies on diverse school literacy movements have been discussed. However, multimodal digital extensive reading (MDER) has not been fully incorporated into literacy programs in Islamic private school (madrasah) and Islamic boarding school (pesantren). This study attempts to investigate how digital literacy and reading literacy in the form of MDER program in madrasah and pesantren can be deployed to build strong reading habits. This study employed a qualitative case study design. It involved nine novice teacher participants from ten madrasahs and pesantrens, and one supervisor. The data were garnered from the participants' reflective journals, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), documentation, and interview with the supervisor. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results of this study showed three fundamental tenets of the MDER program in madrasah and pesantren: teachers’ efforts, the sustainable collaboration between teachers and students, and a long-term partnership among school members and stakeholders. The result sheds light on how to build a reading habit and digital literacy in madrasah and pesantren. It also implicates the role of leaders’ policy in achieving successful program implementation.

ORGANIZATIONAL AND ECONOMIC PRINCIPLES OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATION IN THE MILK MARKET IN UKRAINE UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

When considering the issue of cooperation between counterparties of agri-food supply chains, it is advisable to pay attention to the peculiarities of the formation of economic relations at both the horizontal and vertical levels. It is obvious that the drivers of the formation of long-term partnership relations should be processing enterprises, since they are the ones experiencing a shortage of raw materials, but they have no interest in receiving agricultural raw materials from smaller and scattered small commodity producers. On the other hand, end consumers demand agri-food products that have the appropriate quality, origin and certified production process. It is these factors that require the development of effective tools for the development of transparent and mutually beneficial economic relations in horizontal and vertical agri-food supply chains. The article is devoted to the problems of the development of cooperation in the production of milk in Ukraine. It was found that when forming integrated structures of agricultural producers and processing enterprises in the dairy sub-complex, it is important to take into account the economic interests of future partners to ensure their mutually beneficial and sustainable production activities. A mathematical toolkit for modeling the production activity of an agricultural service cooperative, jointly formed by small agricultural commodity producers and processing enterprises, has been developed, which adequately reflects the real economic conditions of the SOK. It has been proven that the development of cooperative structures at the regional level can be ensured according to the principle of associated cooperation with the participation of large trade networks, under the condition of public-private partnership with a high state share, or under the condition of the contribution of the united territorial rural community. The proposed system of cooperative networks can be organized gradually or partially, with the initial formation of pilot projects in individual regions. As alternatives, the following pilot scenarios for the formation of cooperative centers are proposed: single – the creation of one most effective cooperative center with the minimum investment payback period is envisaged; distribution – it is envisaged to create one cooperative center for each type of product; concentrated – involves placing as many centers as possible in rural areas with the aim of creating local growth points.

Plug Power and Johnson Matthey announce long-term strategic partnership to accelerate the hydrogen economy

Plug Power and Johnson Matthey announce long-term strategic partnership to accelerate the hydrogen economy

The influence of geopolitical factors on the internationalization strategies of Chinese State-owned oil and gas companies

Subject. The article addresses strategies of internationalization of Chinese State-owned oil and gas companies. Objectives. The purpose is to investigate the influence of geopolitical factors on the internationalization strategies of Chinese State-owned oil and gas companies. Methods. The study rests on general scientific research methods. Results. The study revealed that Chinese State-owned oil and gas companies are actively expanding in various macro-regions of the world. This enables China to provide its dynamically growing economy with energy resources, diversify risks, reduce dependence on individual countries and, as a result, increase the country's energy security. The internationalization strategy implemented at the State level in the oil and gas sector meets the modern geopolitical realities, which for China are characterized primarily by the tough opposition of the United States in the international arena. This struggle is going on using various economic, political, social and information tools. Conclusions. The geopolitical confrontation forces China to develop and implement comprehensive strategies for international expansion, concentrate significant resources on the most important areas, make efforts to establish long-term partnerships with foreign countries in various regions of the world. In this confrontation, the current political and economic model in China, in which control over strategic energy assets is in the hands of the State, plays an important role.

Community Resilience and Cultural Responses in Crisis: Lessons Learned from Pacific Islander Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the USA.

Pacific Islander communities in the USA experienced some of the most severe effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative synthesis examines the literature on Pacific Islander community responses and lessons learned from COVID-19, using a systematic search that identified 28 articles with this focus. Thematic analysis was subsequently used to classify both documented efforts by Pacific Islander communities to respond to the pandemic, as well as lessons learned and best practices from research in this area. Results revealed multiple efforts to address the pandemic, including Pacific Islander grassroots approaches, government responses, inter-sector collaboration, and research. Results further emphasized the importance of culturally and linguistically responsive outreach and messaging; partnership, engagement, and capacity building; and changes in research and policy approaches to promote health equity. Future efforts to address public health crises should make the most of Pacific Islander cultural approaches to disaster response. To achieve this, government and other organizations that work with PI communities need to support the development of the PI leadership, healthcare and research workforces, and work with Pacific Islander communities to build long-term, sustainable, and trustworthy partnerships.

Social emotional learning matters: Interpreting educators’ perspectives at a high-needs rural elementary school

IntroductionSchool educators’ have a great influence on the adoption, sustainability, and development of school-based Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programs. The purpose of this school-based research was to investigate educators’ experiences and perspectives on implementing SEL in a high-needs rural elementary school setting.MethodsFifteen school educators (n = 15), including ten K-5 classroom teachers, one special education teacher, one social worker, and three school leaders, participated in this study. In addition, lessons were observed, and 17 sets of field notes were taken during 17 different days of visit (60–90 min) over the two semesters. A case study design drawing on qualitative research methods was utilized.ResultsThe inductive analysis and constant comparison of the collected data generated six themes: prerequisite for academic success, essential skills for everyday life, lack of time, lack of preparation and development, home-school disconnection, and pushback from students.DiscussionThe study provided qualitative evidence to support the need for quality SEL implementation and revealed nested levels of constraints for school educators’ implementing SEL from the “voices” of school educators. The study also calls for collaborative efforts and shared strategies to facilitate “legitimate” long-term partnerships between universities and schools, families, and communities, particularly in rural areas, in promoting a more holistic vision of the social and emotional development of our children.

GRASSROOTS ECO-SOCIAL INNOVATIONS DRIVING INCLUSIVE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

The paper discusses research results on waste governance and circular economy, conducted with waste picker cooperatives in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil. Two cases have been selected, from a pool of 21 waste picker organizations, to video document their grassroots eco-social innovations that have improved local waste management and the lives of the cooperative members. The videos support knowledge sharing with key actors in waste governance and the circular economy. Social grassroots innovation theory focuses on livelihood opportunities beyond the formal labour market, pursuing social inclusion by creating meaningful work for individuals who were considered left out and in vulnerable situations. Transitioning to sustainability necessarily goes beyond socio-technical innovations but rather integrates eco-social perspectives. After first introducing grassroots innovation theory and the concept of eco-social innovations the paper describes the empirical frame and presents two cases where organized waste pickers were successful in operationalizing innovations that address the circular economy and contribute to sustainability transitions. Key findings highlighted are cooperative governance, long-term partnership building, improved productivity and increased income.

Sustaining Long-term Community-Academic Partnerships: Negotiating Power and Presence

Community based participatory research (CBPR) partnerships simultaneously increase knowledge and community well-being. Despite the growing number of long-term (as opposed to project-specific) CBPR partnerships, research has yet to sufficiently explore factors that contribute to their success and sustainability over time. This study investigated this question by exploring the perceived benefits, barriers, and facilitators of participation in one long-term CBPR partnership, with particular attention to the role of power. Fifteen members and non-members of a CBPR partnership were interviewed, and data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Interviewees discussed the value of involvement in the partnership, including strong relationships, honest discussion of power dynamics, mutual learning, and capacity building. Barriers and facilitators to involvement included access factors (ability to be involved) and participation factors (desire to be involved.) Attention to power dynamics was an important benefit for members, yet culturally-specific organizations faced unique barriers to participation. The findings of this study suggest that future long-term CBPR partnerships should prioritize addressing inequitable logistical barriers to participation, discussing power dynamics and power-sharing, and “centering the margins” by focusing on the needs and interests of culturally-specific organizations.

Peer Social Environment Impacts Behavior and Dopamine D1 Receptor Density in Prairie Voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) are socially monogamous rodents that form selective, long-lasting relationships with mates and with same-sex peers. It is unknown to what extent mechanisms supporting ‘peer relationships’ are similar to those involved in mate relationships. The formation of pair bonds is dependent on dopamine neurotransmission, whereas the formation of peer relationships is not, providing evidence of relationship type-specificity. The current study assessed endogenous structural changes in dopamine D1 receptor density in male and female voles across different social environments, including long-term same-sex partnerships, new same-sex partnerships, social isolation, and group housing. We also related dopamine D1 receptor density and social environment to behavior in social interaction and partner preference tests. Unlike prior findings in mate pairs, voles paired with new same-sex partners did not exhibit upregulated D1 binding in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) relative to controls paired from weaning. This is consistent with differences in relationship type: D1 upregulation in pair bonds aids in maintaining exclusive relationships through selective aggression, and we found that formation of new peer relationships did not enhance aggression. Isolation led to increases in NAcc D1 binding, and even across socially housed voles, individuals with higher D1 binding exhibited increased social avoidance. These findings suggest that elevated D1 binding may be both a cause and a consequence of reduced prosociality. These results highlight the neural and behavioral consequences of different non-reproductive social environments and contribute to growing evidence that the mechanisms underlying reproductive and non-reproductive relationship formation are distinct. Elucidation of the latter is necessary to understand mechanisms underlying social behavior beyond a mating context.

A new interpretation of scientific collaboration patterns from the perspective of symbiosis: An investigation for long-term collaboration in publications

Based on complementarity in terms of factors such as skill and knowledge, researchers might build long-term partnerships with one another during their scientific careers. It has been shown that such relationships have a significant positive impact on researchers’ scientific performance. However, the preferential connection mechanism in collaboration networks actually suggests the unequal positions of participants in the process of scientific collaboration. This study argues that this phenomenon is very similar to the symbiosis function in the natural world. Hence, this work provides a novel interpretation of scientific collaboration patterns from the perspective of symbiosis. In more detail, long-term collaboration relationships are investigated based on the scope of an academician dataset with multiple fields and an economic dataset. With the aid of a quantitative metric for symbiosis degree, six meta-patterns of the short-term evolution of symbiosis degree are proposed. Furthermore, by exploring the evolution of meta-patterns, four scientific collaboration patterns are summarized according to the common characteristics as follows: leading growth, continuous leadership, chasing each other, and standing on equal footing. Extensive experimental results on an academician dataset with multiple fields show that the collaboration network evolution of four collaboration patterns is consistent with our summarized characteristics based on symbiosis. This indicates that our symbiosis-based framework can be used to effectively interpret the developmental and evolutionary trajectories of scientific collaboration.

Development and implementation of clinical mentorship in Rwanda: successes and challenges

Rwanda has prioritized the decentralization and integration of HIV services over the past decade to ensure universal access to HIV services throughout the nation. Improving the capacity of healthcare providers to provide high-quality HIV prevention and treatment services was a crucial component of this process. In partnership with the authors, Rwanda’s national health implementation agency developed a national clinical mentorship program from 2011 to 2017 to facilitate this transition. The Rwanda Clinical Mentorship Model aims to effectively manage HIV-infected patients across all levels of healthcare delivery, implement task shifting, and adhere to national guidelines. The clinical care of HIV-positive individuals was transferred from HIV specialists to family physicians and nurses. The facility team was trained, supervised, and mentored by a multidisciplinary team. Mentorship consisted of routine site visits during which clinical case reviews, clinical supervision teaching, and data reviews were conducted to assess the facility’s performance and identify obstacles. Between 2012 and 2020, 5,774 healthcare professionals across the country received HIV testing and treatment training. This clinical mentoring has demonstrated a pragmatic, data-driven, and enduring strategy for enhancing clinical practice at all levels of care. A dedicated cadre of mentors is required to ensure the coordination and sustainability of this approach, according to one finding. The authors participated in accelerating the geographic and scope expansion of clinical mentoring in Rwanda. Developing a sustainable HIV clinical mentorship program in Rwanda requires longterm partnerships and evolving technical assistance.

A European Union corporate due diligence act for whom? Considerations about the impact of a European Union due diligence act on artisanal and small-scale cobalt miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo

BackgroundCobalt is a key mineral for the European Unions (EU) growing electrical vehicle market. It is widely held by international NGOs and researchers that the extraction of this mineral is associated with human rights violations. This study investigates the expected consequences of an EU Due Diligence Act on the health of artisanal and small-scale cobalt miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) based on the perspectives of stakeholders. MethodsSemi-structured open-ended qualitative interviews (n = 7) with researchers, non-governmental workers, representatives of a trade organisation and policymakers were conducted between February 2021 and April 2021. The Capability Approach focusing on agency and participation of the DRC's mining population was operationalised in the coding scheme. The software NVivo was used for coding and analysing the data. ResultsAn EU Due Diligence Act was welcomed by the interviewed stakeholders. They expect the act to positively impact supranational human rights and environment protection standards in non-European regions. The impact on the health of miners will occur indirectly through monitoring and formalisation efforts and is expected to be positive when accounting for complex contextual factors. ConclusionsArtisanal and small-scale cobalt miners should be included in international discussions about due diligence and their needs considered in the final version of the law to ensure it positively impacts health outcomes. Mandatory proactive engagement of businesses in the artisanal and small-scale cobalt mining sector with a focus on long-term approaches, partnerships, and collaborative efforts is recommended.

Building a collaborative, university-based science-in-action video storytelling model that translates science for public engagement and increases scientists' relatability

Collaborating scientists and storytellers successfully built a university-based science-in-action video storytelling model to test the research question: Can university scientists increase their relatability and public engagement through science-in-action video storytelling? Developed over 14 years, this science storytelling model produced more than a dozen high-visibility narratives that translated science to the public and featured scientists, primarily environmental and climate scientists, who are described in audience surveys as relatable people. This collaborative model, based on long-term trusting partnerships between scientists and video storytellers, documented scientists as they conducted their research and together created narratives intended to humanize scientists as authentic people on journeys of discovery. Unlike traditional documentary filmmaking or journalism, the participatory nature of this translational science model involved scientists in the shared making of narratives to ensure the accuracy of the story's science content. Twelve science and research video story products have reached broad audiences through a variety of venues including television and online streaming platforms such as Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Netflix, PIVOT TV, iTunes, and Kanopy. With a reach of over 180 million potential public audience viewers, we have demonstrated the effectiveness of this model to produce science and environmental narratives that appeal to the public. Results from post-screening surveys with public, high school, and undergraduate audiences showed perceptions of scientists as relatable. Our data includes feedback from undergraduate and high school students who participated in the video storytelling processes and reported increased relatability to both scientists and science. In 2022, we surveyed undergraduate students using a method that differentiated scientists' potential relatable qualities with scientists' passion for their work, and the scientists' motivation to help others, consistently associated with relatability. The value of this model to scientists is offered throughout this paper as two of our authors are biological scientists who were featured in our original science-in-action videos. Additionally, this model provides a time-saving method for scientists to communicate their research. We propose that translational science stories created using this model may provide audiences with opportunities to vicariously experience scientists' day-to-day choices and challenges and thus may evoke audiences' ability to relate to, and trust in, science.

Rochester Healthy Community Partnership: Then and now.

Community-engaged research partnerships promote health equity through incorporation of regional contexts to inform partnership dynamics that shape research and interventions that reflect community voice and priorities. Long-term partnerships build trusted relationships and promote capacity building among community and academic partners, but there are many structural barriers to sustaining long-term partnerships. Here we describe lessons learned from sustaining Rochester Healthy Community Partnership (RHCP), an 18-year community-based participatory research (CBPR) partnership in Southeast Minnesota. RHCP collaborates with immigrant and refugee populations to co-create interventions that promote health equity for community health priorities. Challenges to sustainability include a tension between project-based funding and the needs of long-term community-based research infrastructure. These challenges can be met with a focus on shared CBPR principles, operating norms, partnership dynamics, and governance. RHCP began in 2004 through identification of a community health priority, defining the community, and establishment of CBPR principles. It grew through identification of broader community health priorities, capacity building for community and academic partners, and integration of diverse learners. We describe the capacity for RHCP to respond to new societal contexts, the importance of partnership dynamics as a barometer for partnership health, and lessons learned about sustainability of the CBPR partnership.

John Wesley and the East India Company

ABSTRACT This article explores why John Wesley was slow to condemn the East India Company for its brutal exploitation of the Indian subcontinent in the late eighteenth century. One reason may have been a hope that the Company would support Methodist missionaries; another his friendship with Ebenezer Blackwell, who was active in Company affairs. A letter sent to shareholders in the mid-1760s suggests that Wesley was supporting efforts to stabilize the Company and secure its long-term partnership with the government. These failed, and the Company entered a period when short-term profit-seeking dominated its decisions, causing Wesley to finally speak out.

Carbios and Novozymes form long-term exclusive strategic partnership for enzymatic recycling of PET

On January 31, 2023, Carbios and Novozymes announced an exclusive long-term global strategic partnership. This agreement ensures the long-term production and supply of Carbios’ proprietary PET-degrading enzymes at an industrial scale for the reportedly world's first biological PET-recycling plant due to start production in 2025 in Longlaville (France), as well as Carbios’ future licensee customers.

The effect of social customer relationship management on customer loyalty in Saudi Arabia

The study focused on examining the social customer relationship management impacts on the customer loyalty of five-star hotels in Saudi Arabia. Customer relationship management included the dimensions of customer value, long-term partnership with the customer, customer knowledge, reliance on technology, trust, and social media communication. The study population consists of the customers of five-star hotels in Saudi Arabia. A convenience sample was taken from 500 customers, while the validly retrieved responses were 413. A quantitative approach was conducted in statistical analysis through SPSS and AMOS software. The study demonstrated that social customer relationship management dimensions are impacting the customer loyalty of five-star hotels in Saudi Arabia. Subsequently, the recommendations centered on the establishment of a complaints handling unit to speed up service, identify problems, identify the sites of deficiencies, and take the necessary and appropriate solutions to these problems.

Formation and management of marketing channels of product distribution of agricultural enterprises

Introduction. The article examines the theoretical principles and practical approaches to the formation and management of distribution channels of an agricultural enterprise. The necessity of coordination of planning processes and functioning of each participant of the channel of distribution of agricultural products and functions, and, accordingly, the profit, as a reward for their performance, among the participants of the marketing channel is proven. Goal. The purpose of the article is to generalize the theoretical principles and practical approaches to the development of an algorithm for the formation and management of the product distribution channel by an agricultural enterprise with an orientation to long-term partnership between participants. Method (methodology). The following scientific methods of knowledge are used in the article: theoretical generalization, systematization, logical-structural, comparative and cause-and-effect analysis when formulating tasks, conclusions, as well as clarifying the concepts that determine the process and structure of product distribution, substantiating the requirements for the product distribution management model on agricultural enterprise levels; when systematizing and clarifying the principles of management of distribution channels; general scientific methods of research - analysis, synthesis, deduction, induction, formalization of criteria in the development of a management model for the distribution channel of agricultural products. The results. Approaches to the formation and management of product distribution channels are summarized, their advantages and disadvantages are systematized, on the basis of which the most rational algorithm for their formation by an agricultural enterprise is substantiated. The need to take into account the peculiarities of agricultural production and other factors that affect the organization of distribution channels has been proven. When analyzing them, it is advisable to list them in order of decreasing their impact on productivity. In order to evaluate the marketing channel of distribution, it is advisable to form an appropriate system of indicators and set their threshold values. The main principles of distribution channel management are systematized, which will allow implementing a marketing approach in distribution management. Qualitative interrelationships of changes in distribution channel parameters with changes in the resulting indicators of channel functioning have been determined, which should be calculated and given an economic interpretation, with the aim of forming a generalized opinion about the rational structure of the distribution channel and directions for its optimization. The algorithm for forming the distribution channel is substantiated, which is based on the use of the advantages of the analyzed methods and consists of several stages, each of which includes several sublevels and has an iterative nature. It has been proven that when forming a distribution channel, it is advisable to select channel participants and distribute functions among them, and accordingly costs and profits, taking into account the minimization of possible conflicts between participants, which will contribute to the manifestation of a synergistic effect and the formation of long-term partnership relations.

ТРАНСФОРМАЦІЯ БІЗНЕС-МОДЕЛІ ПІДПРИЄМСТВА: ЕКОСИСТЕМНИЙ АСПЕКТ

The modern business environment is characterized by rapid changes, significant diversity and increased interconnection between its elements. These factors require new approaches to the reconfiguration of existing business models. Using the concept of entrepreneurial activity on the ecosystem base, enterprises can significantly increase the social and economic efficiency of their activities. The article describes three main archetypes of business models, each of which has a different content. The first type of business models is based on long-term partnerships with customers. The strategy of mutually beneficial relations with clients is formed in the front office. The basis of the second type of business models is operational efficiency, which involves improving of back-office operations. The third type involves creating value through the coordination of the front office and back office. Thus, the prerequisites for creating innovative business models, namely digital platforms, are being formed. Progressive changes in the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of business models require appropriate conditions to ensure the effective implementation. A mechanism for constructing actions and an outlined sequential phasing of changes are necessary. Without business models modifying, it is impossible to achieve the goals of sustainable social, economic and environmental development of enterprises. The business models priorities will be determined by the level of economic development, scientific, technical, social and environmental needs of enterprises. The directions of the business models transformation are outlined: digital and ecosystemic. It is determined that the business model transformation is a synthesis of various aspects of social, economic and ecological convergence. It is emphasized that special attention during the business models transformation towards ecosystems is paid to shaping a relative management system, organizational structure and corporate culture. The mechanism of the business model transformation is developed. The mechanism provides the growth of the enterprise’s ecosystem development as a result of consolidation of ecosystem components, increase of resource efficiency, modernization and greening of business process management.