Conflict Resolution Mechanisms Research Articles

DISPUTE BOARDS COMO MEIO DE RESOLUÇÃO DE CONFLITOS NA LEI DE LICITAÇÕES E CONTRATOS ADMINISTRATIVOS (LEI N. 14.133/2021): A IMPLEMENTAÇÃO DOS DISPUTE BOARDS NOS CONTRATOS ADMINISTRATIVOS

This article analyzes the application of Dispute Resolution Committees as a means of resolving conflicts in administrative contracts, focusing on the Law on Tenders and Administrative Contracts (Law no. 14,133/2021). Dispute Boards emerge as a preventive and effective tool to deal with the complexity and high amounts involved in public contracts, such as concessions and public-private partnerships (PPPs). The study addresses the origin and concept of Dispute Boards, their preventive and resolutive action in contracts, and their increasing use in the public sector, highlighting the challenges and limitations in this context. Furthermore, it deals with Dispute Boards compared to other conflict resolution mechanisms, such as arbitration and mediation, comparing their advantages and advantages. Finally, areas for future research are suggested, such as the economic impact of Dispute Boards and the analysis of practical cases involving large-scale public contracts.

Linguistic Accommodation and Identity in The Context of Social Media Discourse

Peaceful coexistence among members of the society is paramount. However, conflicts among the people living together are inevitable and therefore conflict resolution mechanisms must always be put in place. This paper focuses on how language can be used as a tool for resolving and maintaining peace among the individuals in the context of social media. Our society is organised in such a manner that people interact at various levels in the community and there are different forums and platforms that individuals use in the interaction process. During their interactions, language plays a very important role in ensuring that people live in harmony. Living harmoniously may be a concern for people that work together, live in the same neighbourhood, go to church together or live together. These people may interact on face-to-face basis and or use other media such as social media to reach out to one another. This paper narrows down to the kind of interactions that take place in the social media and how the interactants accommodate or cope with each other. The paper analyses texts extracted from Chuka University Students’ social media discourse (from the author’s PhD thesis) to reveal how students accommodate one another. This is an important aspect particularly nowadays when people have made social media an integral tool of communication and interaction. There are different platforms and genres of social media interaction platforms such as Facebook, twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp just to mention a few but this paper focuses on WhatsApp. The WhatsApp groups from which data for analysis were extracted, were those formed by Chuka University students in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. This paper is informed by Communication Accommodation Theory and Social Identity Theory. Since it was a qualitative investigation, a descriptive research design was used. Snowballing was used in the identification of the WhatsApp groups from which the texts were extracted purposively. The texts used in this paper were purposively collected on the basis of their content to show accommodation and identity among the social media users. The content analysis of the texts was done and results discussed. The findings revealed that students accommodate one another in their interactions and that they use language to mark their identity. The accommodation is achieved by using language in a manner that is peculiar to them. They for instance come up with their own jargons, phrases and forms of words that they use in their communication

The Nature of Environmental Degradation and Inter-Ethnic Conflict in Meru County, Kenya

Environmental degradation continues to be one of the most serious challenges in achieving Kenya's Vision 2030 sustainable development goals. For instance, parts of Meru County where this study was done experience persistent conflict from environmental degradation and depletion of the natural resources, due to farming and livestock raring. The conflict pits the agriculturist Meru and other communities who are pastoralists. This study sought to examine the nature of environmental degradation and inter-ethnic conflict in Meru County, Kenya. This study employed phenomenological study research design using qualitative approach. The research instruments used were, interview guides and Focused Group Discussion guide (FDGs). The analysis of data was done thematically and presented as narrations and quoted verbatim. The study found that environmental degradation in Meru County is primarily driven by overgrazing, deforestation, and poor land management practices. These factors have led to soil erosion, water and pasture scarcity, and reduced agricultural productivity, which in turn escalate inter-ethnic conflicts between farmers and pastoralists. The analysis revealed that environmental degradation not only strains the already limited resources but also intensifies competition and disputes over land, pasture and water. The study concluded that there is a significant relationship between environmental degradation and escalating inter-ethnic conflicts in Meru County. Effective strategies to mitigate these issues include enhancing community engagement, implementing robust environmental policies, promoting sustainable land use practices, and fostering conflict resolution mechanisms. Addressing environmental degradation is crucial for reducing inter-ethnic conflicts and promoting peace and sustainable development in the region. To address environmental degradation in Meru County, prioritize sustainable agriculture, reforestation, and waste management to combat erosion and pollution; engage the community in conservation efforts, strengthen policies against harmful activities, and integrate land use plans to balance conservation and development.; implement conflict resolution mechanisms and revive traditional practices to enhance resilience; and capacity building and advocacy are key to fostering sustainable practices and ensuring long-term environmental stewardship.

Straight from the heart and “out of mind”: strategies for managers to navigate workplace romance

Purpose Workplace romance presents both opportunities and challenges for organizations, requiring strategic HR leadership to navigate effectively. This study explores the dynamics of workplace romance, its impact on organizational culture and performance, and strategic HR approaches to manage this complex phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach Information and data from various research blogs and websites have been studied to understand the concept of workplace romance and insights drawn by proposing a few practices for HR leaders. Findings This practitioner paper indicates a positive relationship and develops insights into how HR leaders’ good strategic practices help manage and mitigate workplace romance challenges. Practical implications HR leaders can foster a positive work environment while minimizing the risks associated with workplace relationships by developing clear policies, providing training and education, promoting transparency and fairness, implementing conflict resolution mechanisms and monitoring enforcement. Originality/value This paper explores the dynamics of workplace romance and its impact on organizational culture and performance. It also provides fresh insights into strategic HR approaches to managing this complex phenomenon in the workplace.

Ethnicity: A Trojan Horse for the Perpetuation of Armed Civil Conflicts in Africa

Abstract Purpose: The prevalence of armed conflicts in Africa seems commonplace, with little possibility to their end. This study aims to challenge a narrative that seem to consider ethnicity, or ethnic differences as the main causes of armed civil conflicts in Africa. This study argues that while ethnicity might play a role in conflict formation, ethnicity is simply a Trojan horse that is impishly presented as the main cause of armed conflicts in Africa. Design/Methodology: Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. To evaluate the ethnicity vs. conflict nexus more conscientiously, this study provided two case examples: Ethiopia and Kenya, each providing distinct political trajectories. Findings: The study finds that ethnicity is not the main cause of armed conflicts in Africa; rather, the main causal factors are embedded in bad governance practices by political elites and their cronies. Notable is the practice of politics of power grab and marginalisation of certain groups to achieve Machiavellian ends. The additional causal factor is tied to external imperial exploitative motives of looting Africa’s natural resources, often using African puppets, bagmen and traitors of their own homeland. Thus, a combination of bad local governance practices and external economic interests is mainly what has led to a surge in armed civil conflicts in Africa. Originality/Value: The novelty of this study is that it challenges conventional political standpoints on the causes of ethnic-related conflicts and the solutions needed to end/reduce them. The study has achieved this by pushing the cloak of appreciating the scope and scale of Africa’s armed conflicts by advancing the argument that conflict management solutions lie inward rather than outward through the utilisation of local or homegrown conflict resolution mechanisms. Such local mechanisms must focus on addressing bad governance practices. The current penchant of relying on international or foreign mediatory systems as solutions is done merely at the behest of global politicking and, as such, only provides cosmetic solutions, hence themselves responsible for those protracted ethnic-related conflicts.

Investigating Socio-Economic and Academic Consequences of Insecurity and Kidnapping in Senior Secondary Schools in Anambra State

The study investigates the socio-economic and academic consequences of kidnapping in senior secondary schools in Anambra State. Two research questions and two research hypotheses were formulated for the study. The scope was restricted to the extent to which kidnapping influence academic performance and socio-economic development of students. Relevant literatures were reviewed on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, empirical studies and summary of reviewed literature. The design of the study was a descriptive survey design. The study was carried out in Anambra State. The study population was public SS 2 students in Anambra State. The sample of the study consisted of 400 SS2 students. The instrument for the study was a questionnaire consisting of 10 items. The instrument was validated by 3 experts – two experts in measurement and evaluation and one expert in administration. The reliability of the instrument was done using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (r) yielding a value of 0.86. Data analysis was conducted using mean and standard deviation for research question and t-test statistic was used to test the research hypotheses. The results of the study were as follows: there is a significant difference between the mean ratings to which kidnapping influence academic performance of SS2 students in senior secondary schools and there is a significant difference between the mean ratings to which kidnapping influence socio-economic development of SS2 students in senior secondary schools. The study recommended among others that government and traditional rulers should encourage dialogue and conflict resolution mechanisms at the community level to address underlying grievances and prevent conflicts from escalating into violence.

A risk-based model for human-artificial intelligence conflict resolution in process systems

The conflicts stemming from discrepancies between human and artificial intelligence (AI) in observation, interpretation, and action have gained attention. Recent publications highlight the seriousness of the concern stemming from conflict and models to identify and assess the conflict risk. No work has been reported on systematically studying how to resolve human and artificial intelligence conflicts. This paper presents a novel approach to model the resolution strategies of human-AI conflicts. This approach reinterprets the conventional human conflict resolution mechanisms within AI. The study proposes a unique mathematical model to quantify conflict risks and delineate effective resolution strategies to minimize conflict risk. The proposed approach and mode are applied to control a two-phase separator system, a major component of a processing facility. The proposed approach promotes the development of robust AI systems with enhanced real-time responses to human inputs. It provides a platform to foster human-AI collaborative engagement and a mechanism of intelligence augmentation.

EMPOWERING WARD CITIZEN FORUMS FOR LOCAL SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION IN NEPAL

The Local Governance and Community Development Program (LGCD) has been found to be adopted a transformational approach to social mobilization, aiming to address the absence of elected political representatives at the community level. Central to this approach has been identified as the Community Ward Citizen Forum (WCF) and the Awareness Centre (CAC), which play crucial roles in enhancing local governance through community engagement.The WCF has been explored to serve as a collective of community representatives’ tasks with bridging the gap between the community and local decision-making processes, thereby improving local governance. Complementing this, it has been focused that the CAC operates on a REFLECT process basis, bringing together marginalized and vulnerable community members weekly to discuss pertinent issues affecting their lives. Through facilitated discussions, participants have been found to identify key issues, devise actionable plans to address these concerns, and establish links with local service providers and Village Development Committees (VDCs) to mobilize necessary resources.Numerous studies and evaluations have been found to have highlighted the effectiveness of WCFs and CACs in initiating community transformation. The research has aimed to underscore the significance of community-based organizations in driving social transformation. It has been known that it provides an analytical overview of the initial successes achieved by WCFs and CACs in fostering social change, explores strategies to expand these successes across broader contexts, and identifies essential prerequisites for the sustained success of the transformational approach to social mobilization. It has been identified that Empowering Ward Citizen Forums (WCFs) for local social transformation involves various approaches aimed at enhancing community participation, decision-making, and overall impact. They have been presented pointwise as the findings of the research. the different approaches have been explored like capacity building, inclusive participation, access to information, collaborative partnerships, supportive policy environment, monitoring and evaluation, sustainable community projects, civic education and awareness, conflict resolution mechanisms, and celebrating successes and learning from challenges have been explored as the best approaches for the empowering the ward citizen forums.It has also been found that Empowering Ward Citizen Forums (WCFs) for local social transformation involves a strategic and inclusive approach that engages community members in meaningful ways. The strategies like establishing clear objectives, inclusive participation, capacity building, access to information, supportive environment, partnerships and collaboration, community-driven initiatives, policy advocacy, monitoring and evaluation, communication and outreach and celebrating successes have been found to be employed. By implementing these strategies, WCFs can effectively empower local communities, drive social transformation, and create positive changes that enhance quality of life and well-being for residents. Each step contributes to building a resilient and engaged community that works together towards common goals and shared aspirations.

Legal Cooperation and Conflict Resolution Mechanism in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is an important strategic region for China's economic development. The coordination and integration of its legal system plays a key role in realizing the economic, social and cultural integration in the region. However, as Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong belong to different legal systems and social systems respectively, the differences between the legal systems lead to frequent conflicts of laws and hinder the coordinated development in the region. Based on the constitutional and legal foundations, historical and cultural backgrounds of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, as well as the practical experience of Guangdong, this paper analyzes in detail the main challenges facing the current legal collaboration and conflict resolution mechanism in the GBA. These challenges are mainly reflected in the imperfect legislative design, the inadequacy of legal protection, and the unclear legal remedies. Through in-depth discussion of these issues, this paper proposes specific ways to establish a legislative coordination mechanism, formulate a unified substantive law, develop diversified relief channels, and ensure the equal application of law by residents of the three places, with a view to optimizing the legal cooperation and conflict resolution mechanism of the GBA, so as to provide a solid legal guarantee for regional stability and prosperity. The research in this paper not only provides a new perspective for understanding the complexity of legal integration in the GBA, but also puts forward feasible suggestions for deepening regional legal cooperation in the future.

Towards a livelihood-interdependence approach to framing adaptation in research and practice: evidence from farmers’ and herders’ relations in Northern Ghana

ABSTRACT Changing farmer–herder relations (FHR) are central to the social dynamics of climate change adaptation in African drylands, involving conflict and cooperation. While substantial literature has built a case for increased conflict of various kinds in West African drylands due to climate change stressors, this literature does not yet fully reflect the growing importance of more cooperative and interdependent elements of FHR. This study addresses this research gap through a case study of Gushiegu and Karaga Districts in Northern Ghana. Our analysis found growing cooperation between farmers and herders driven by livelihood diversification, sociocultural conditions such as increasing intermarriage, religious affiliation and the emergence of hybrid conflict resolution mechanisms that reflect a process of institutional bricolage. This deepening interdependence manifests in multiple ways, including knowledge exchange, management of common property resources and the strengthening of “bridging” forms of social capital. Our findings suggest a need to reframe adaptation in research, policy and practice to emphasize these beneficial forms of interdependence in FHR.

The Relevance of Traditional Mechanisms of Conflict Resolution to End Localized Communal Conflicts in Africa

Though the “local turn” in peacebuilding increased interest in traditional methods of conflict resolution, a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of these methods vis-à-vis hybrid and modern approaches is only just emerging. This paper adds to this nascent body of research by analyzing the trends in the applications and effectiveness of different communal conflict resolution approaches to end localized conflict in Africa. The paper found out that in communal conflicts with an annual conflict-death of 25 or more, the type of conflict resolution method used and the intensity of the conflict influence the effectiveness of a communal peace agreement. This result is in line with the hypothesis that traditional mechanisms are comparatively more effective than hybrid and modern methods. In communal conflicts with less than 25 annual deaths, hybrid approaches appear to be as effective as traditional methods, though our confidence in this result is tempered by the limited size of our sample and the lack of control over ‘conflict intensity’ as a relevant variable.

Improving effort-aware just-in-time defect prediction with weighted code churn and multi-objective slime mold algorithm

Effort-aware just-in-time software defect prediction (JIT-SDP) aims to effectively utilize the limited resources of software quality assurance (SQA) to detect more software defects. This improves the efficiency of SQA work and the quality of the software. However, there is disagreement regarding the representation of the key feature variable, SQA effort, in the field of effort-aware JIT-SDP. Additionally, the most recent metaheuristic optimization algorithms (MOAs) have not yet been effectively integrated with multi-objective effort-aware JIT-SDP tasks. These deficiencies, in both feature representation and model optimization (MO), result in a significant disparity between the performance of effort-aware JIT-SDP techniques and the expectations of the industry. In this study, we present a novel method called weighted code churn (CC) and improved multi-objective slime mold algorithm (SMA) (WCMS) for effort-aware JIT-SDP. It comprises two stages: feature improvement (FI) and MO. In the FI phase, we normalize the two feature variables: number of modified files (NF) and distribution of modified code across each file (Entropy). We then use an exponential function to quantify the level of difficulty of the change. The equation is as follows: DD = NFEntropy, where DD is an acronym for the degree of difficulty, NF denotes the base number, and Entropy denotes the index. We define change effort as the product of the difficulty degree in implementing the change and CC, with weighted CC representing the change effort. During the MO stage, we improve the SMA by incorporating multi-objective handling capabilities and devising mechanisms for multi-objective synchronization and conflict resolution. We develop a multi-objective optimization algorithm for hyperparameter optimization (HPO) of the JIT-SDP model in WCMS. To evaluate the performance of our method, we conducted experiments using six well-known open-source projects and employed two effort-aware performance evaluation metrics. We evaluated our method based on three scenarios: cross-validation, time-wise cross-validation, and across-project prediction. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method outperforms the benchmark method. Furthermore, the proposed method demonstrates greater scalability and generalization capabilities.

Understanding and resolving student conflicts: Perspectives and strategies in senior high schools across the Volta Region of Ghana

AbstractThis study investigates the dynamics, sources, and resolution strategies of student conflicts in senior high schools across the Volta Region of Ghana. Despite the implementation of various conflict resolution and peer mediation programs, challenges in effectively managing student disputes remain prevalent. These conflicts often stem from interpersonal and academic tensions, exacerbated by a complex mix of socio‐cultural backgrounds, economic disparities, and personal beliefs. Our analysis reveals significant gender differences in conflict experiences and resolutions, highlighting the need for gender‐sensitive and culturally informed approaches. The study employed a quantitative research design, utilizing a structured questionnaire to gather data from a representative sample of 661 students. The findings indicate that interpersonal conflicts with peers and academic‐related issues are the most common, with conflicts involving violence and guns being comparatively rare. Gender‐specific differences were notable in responses to conflicts involving school administration and cultural or ethnic disparities. The research underscores the importance of adopting comprehensive, culturally sensitive conflict resolution programs that are tailored to the unique socio‐cultural and educational context of the Volta Region. By addressing these nuanced needs, the study aims to enhance the educational landscape and foster an atmosphere conducive to effective dispute resolution. The findings contribute to the discourse on implementing effective, culturally responsive conflict resolution mechanisms in Ghanaian senior high schools, advocating for strategies that support the holistic development of students.

Expelling controversies: assessing the effectiveness of party expulsion procedures to resolve internal conflicts

ABSTRACT Intra-party conflicts are a constant challenge for political parties, involving both personal and political aspects. Notably, expulsion procedures are initiated against members involved in these conflicts as a means of resolution. However, the question arises whether expulsion procedures are an effective approach to addressing internal conflicts. This paper aims to examine the practice and effectiveness of expulsion procedures as a mechanism for resolving intra-party conflicts. The study focuses on Germany, where parties and expulsions are strictly regulated by law, and uses a case study approach including three cases from different contexts of intra-party conflict in recent years: Max Otte and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Boris Palmer and the Greens and Sahra Wagenknecht and the Left Party. Unresolved conflicts can have serious consequences, potentially even destabilising or dismantling the parties. Therefore, effective conflict resolution mechanisms are crucial to ensure internal functioning and cohesion and need to be systematically analysed. However, political science literature has so far barely addressed the issue of party expulsions. The study will show that, in many scenarios, expulsion procedures often fail to resolve internal conflicts and that conflicts involving larger groups, such as factions, tend to persist or intensify even after expulsion procedures have been initiated.

Analyzing the Economic Viability of the Shared Farming Model

Innovative agricultural models have emerged in recent decades, with the shared farming model gaining prominence for its cooperative approach to resource sharing and mutual benefits among stakeholders. This research focuses on conducting an empirical investigation of the shared farming model involving farmers in the context of sustainable agricultural development. It investigates farmers' experiences with the shared farming model as well as the shared farming model's economic viability. The study was conducted in the Shanghai region, involving 40 participants who were sampled purposely. Findings revealed that shared farming has the potential to promote farmers' income, with most respondents reporting satisfaction with the economic returns. Resource access, risk-sharing, and market expansion were recognized as major drivers of this success. Challenges, including resource allocation disputes, are acknowledged, highlighting the need for structured agreements and conflict resolution mechanisms. This research highlights the economic potential of shared farming models, suggesting that they offer an avenue for promoting agricultural sustainability and rural development.

The Role of Leadership in Mitigating Toxic Workplace Culture: A Critical Examination of Effective Interventions

Toxic workplace culture, characterized by negative behaviors such as poor communication, lack of trust, and unethical conduct, poses significant challenges to organizational effectiveness and employee well-being. Leadership plays a pivotal role in either perpetuating or mitigating these toxic environments. This article critically examines the role of leadership in addressing toxic workplace culture, focusing on effective interventions that leaders can implement to transform negative work environments into positive and productive spaces. The study highlights how different leadership styles, particularly transformational and ethical leadership, are instrumental in fostering a culture of accountability, open communication, and ethical behavior. It also explores the importance of leadership interventions such as establishing clear organizational values, implementing conflict resolution mechanisms, and promoting continuous learning and development. However, the study also acknowledges the challenges leaders face, including resistance to change, deeply entrenched toxic behaviors, and external pressures that may undermine efforts to create a positive work environment. The findings suggest that while leadership is crucial in mitigating toxicity, success depends on sustained commitment, adaptability, and the ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics. By prioritizing ethical leadership and fostering a culture of inclusion and respect, organizations can effectively combat toxic workplace culture and promote long-term organizational health and success. This research contributes to the broader understanding of the critical role of leadership in shaping workplace culture and provides practical insights for leaders seeking to address and prevent toxicity in their organizations.

Evaluation of Sustainable Tourism Development in Dachen Island, East China Sea: Stakeholders’ Perspective

Sustainable tourism development on small islands remains challenging because of the potential conflict of interest among relevant stakeholders. This study aims to explore the issue of sustainable tourism development in small island destinations through the example of Dachen Island in China. More specifically, this study intends to fulfill three objectives: (1) assess the stakeholders’ perception of tourism sustainable development using five major sustainability dimensions: economic sustainability, sociocultural sustainability, environmental sustainability, tourism development, and tourism management; (2) explore the major reasons for potential conflict of interest among the stakeholders; and (3) propose some conflict resolution mechanisms. Semistructured interviews were used to collect data from 29 stakeholders including locals, visitors, officials, and academicians. The findings indicated that sustainable tourism is developing rapidly on Dachen Island and our respondents showed reasonable satisfaction with the five sustainability dimensions, with emphasis placed on the potential for improving sustainable performance in the future. However, locals were less satisfied with the economic sustainability than other stakeholders. Limited conflict of interest among stakeholders was justified based on the ranking of their perceived priorities. Our findings recommend adopting responsible tourism and we highlight three conflict resolution mechanisms to ensure effective sustainable tourism development on Dachen Island, including the involvement of local communities in decision making, encouraging responsible visitor behavior, and enhancing infrastructure and services.

Palm oil expansion, insecure land rights, and land-use conflict: A case of palm oil centre of Riau, Indonesia

Insecure rights tend to lead to land-use conflicts. The literature mainly focuses on the impact of insecure land rights on investment. Regarding the causes, studies mainly focus on the effect of state regulations. Little attention is given to the impact of the extractive economy on land rights security. This article scrutinizes how palm oil expansion manipulates insecure land rights, leading to land-use conflict. We pay attention to a particular land right in Indonesia that is based on the´ land status letter´ (Surat Keterangan Tanah, SKT), an initial proof of land ownership that is widely held by villagers in Indonesia. Studies have neglected this land right, as most attention has been on customary rights (Adat). Our main questions are: How do palm oil companies treat the SKT in their efforts to obtain more land for their plantations, and how do farmers try to fight for their SKT rights? Using a qualitative case study in Indonesia´s Riau Province, we show that because of a shared perception that SKTs offer security, villagers did not attempt to get a full legal land certificate from the Land Agency, and palm oil companies often manipulated SKT land rights to acquire land for new plantations. Limited access to conflict resolution mechanisms hampers landholders’ efforts to enforce their land rights, and our study suggests that the security of SKT land rights depends upon landholders’ ability to fight for their rights. NGOs did not help empower them in this matter in most cases.

Harmony in Dispute: The Role of Anywaa's Traditional Institutions in Conflict Resolution

This paper explores the traditional institutions and conflict resolution mechanisms among the Anywaa community, shedding light on their intricate structures and practices. The Anywaa people, located in Ethiopia and South Sudan, have developed indigenous governance systems centered on institutions such as Nyieya (nobleship), Kwaaro (headmanship), and the spiritual leadership of Nyibur, along with family councils. These institutions play vital roles in maintaining social order and resolving conflicts within the community. The study elucidates the processes of conflict resolution, involving mediation by various officials and councils within the traditional governance system. Whether dealing with inter-village disputes, intra-village conflicts, or homicide cases, the Anywaa employ a combination of customary practices and indigenous knowledge to address conflicts effectively. The involvement of neutral parties underscores the community's commitment to fair and just resolution processes. Furthermore, the research highlights the significance of compensation and purification rituals in restoring harmony and reconciliation within the community. Through restitution and traditional ceremonies, the Anywaa aim to mend relationships and reintegrate offenders back into society, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and community cohesion. Overall, the findings contribute to a deeper understanding of indigenous governance systems and their relevance in contemporary society. By documenting the intricate workings of traditional institutions and conflict resolution practices among the Anywaa people, the research underscores the importance of preserving and respecting indigenous knowledge for sustainable peace and social cohesion in diverse cultural contexts.

Stakeholder engagement and influence: Strategies for successful energy projects

In the energy sector, stakeholder engagement is a critical factor for the successful planning, execution, and operation of projects. Effective stakeholder engagement involves identifying, understanding, and addressing the interests and concerns of various stakeholders, including governments, communities, investors, and environmental groups. This paper explores the strategies for successful stakeholder engagement and influence in energy projects, highlighting their significance in ensuring project sustainability, compliance, and community support. Energy projects, ranging from renewable energy installations to fossil fuel extraction, impact a broad array of stakeholders. Each group has distinct interests and concerns that can significantly influence project outcomes. Proactive stakeholder engagement helps in building trust, gaining necessary approvals, and minimizing conflicts. It involves continuous communication, transparent processes, and active participation of stakeholders in decision-making. One effective strategy is the use of stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify all relevant parties and understand their influence and interests. This process helps in prioritizing stakeholders and tailoring engagement approaches accordingly. Early and ongoing dialogue with stakeholders is crucial for addressing concerns and incorporating feedback into project planning and implementation. Another key strategy is developing robust communication plans that include regular updates, public consultations, and information sessions. These activities ensure transparency and help build a positive relationship with the community and other stakeholders. Utilizing digital platforms and social media can enhance outreach and facilitate real-time communication. Collaborative approaches, such as forming advisory committees or partnerships with local organizations, can also strengthen stakeholder relationships. These partnerships can provide valuable insights and resources, fostering a sense of ownership and support among stakeholders. Additionally, implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives that address local community needs can enhance project acceptance and create long-term benefits. Conflict resolution mechanisms are essential for addressing disputes that may arise during project execution. Establishing clear procedures for grievance redressal and involving neutral mediators can help resolve conflicts efficiently and maintain stakeholder trust. In conclusion, successful stakeholder engagement and influence in energy projects require a comprehensive and strategic approach. By identifying stakeholder interests, maintaining transparent communication, fostering collaboration, and addressing conflicts proactively, energy companies can enhance project sustainability, ensure compliance, and secure community support. These strategies not only facilitate project success but also contribute to the broader goals of sustainable development and social responsibility in the energy sector. Keywords: Stakeholder; Engagement; Influence; Strategies; Energy Projects.