Comparative Analysis Methodology Research Articles

한국의 개발원조와 개발컨설팅 산업 활성화

Development cooperation is usually conducted in the form of development consulting. This study aims to examine the feasibility of and to explore policy measures for the vitalization of development consulting industry in Korea. Based on a literature survey on related topics, we applied the methodology of international comparative analysis, and the method of in-depth discussion with experts in development cooperation and economic policy issues. We conducted a status analysis and examined the possibility of the potential competitiveness of the development consulting industry, which showed that although the competitiveness of the industry was very weak, its potentiality was great for various reasons. Having reviewed the possible benefits of the industry, we found that its vitalization would not only upgrade the aid effectiveness of Korea, but also contribute to the creation of good jobs, and the foundation of economic security and business opportunities in Korea. Then, we explored various policy schemes for the vitalization of the industry. Strategies for its vitalization were examined, and various policy measures were proposed, including programs for fostering professional development consultants and policies for the improvement of aid service procurement. With more than 30 years of development aid in Korea, the revitalization of the development consulting industry, which is the key to improving aid effectiveness, is an urgent task of the times.

Impactful B Corps: A configurational approach of organizational factors leading to high sustainability performance

AbstractCertified B Corps (B Corps) are firms characterized by a hybrid purpose and a sustainable business model that combines profit with social impact. Prior quantitative studies on B Corps have mainly analyzed the impact of certification on firm performance, while only a few have tried to analyze the antecedents of certification or high sustainability performance. Regression models have been used in most cases, often with inconsistent results and some research limitations. The aim of this study is to test the presence of different possible combinations of firm‐level antecedents leading to a high sustainability performance in B Corps. It applies a configurational approach and a qualitative comparative analysis methodology to search for different combinations of organizational factors (size, age, profitability, certification experience, women on board and the “Born B” factor) that lead to a high sustainability outcome, measured by a B Impact Assessment (BIA). Results indicate the existence of four configurations leading to a high BIA, representing as many kinds of impactful B Corps: Born B, small young ventures, small and medium enterprises, and large firms. These results contribute to the literature by showing that a high sustainability performance in B Corps can be reached through different paths (equifinality) entailing both high and low values of each factor (asymmetry) and depends on how factors are combined (conjunction) rather than on their single effect.

A Comparative Study of Chinese and French Primary School Music Education Curriculum Concepts

Music education is essential for children's intellectual, social, and emotional development. The primary school music education curricula in China and France are two of the most significant music education systems in the world. This study attempts to compare the principles and objectives of these two curricula and uncover parallels and contrasts. The primary goals of this research are to conduct an analysis of the music education curriculum concepts taught in primary schools in both China and France, to identify the similarities and differences between these curricula, and to evaluate the potential impact that these differences may have on the musical development of young children. In this study, a comparative analysis methodology is utilized to investigate the music education curriculum of elementary schools located in both China and France. The process of doing the analysis entails conducting interviews with music instructors in both nations, reviewing the pertinent literature, and examining the curriculum materials. According to the findings of the study, the primary school music education curricula in China and France have some goals in common, including the promotion of cultural awareness, the development of students' musical skills, and the encouragement of creativity. Yet, there are also major discrepancies in the conceptual frameworks of the curriculum, the instructional strategies, and the evaluation strategies. The study emphasizes the significance of comprehending the cultural and historical settings of music education systems in various countries.

Statistical Modeling of Regional Labor Productivity

The article from the perspective of interregional comparative analysis methodology substantiates the system of labor productivity factors and presents the results of statistical modeling of labor productivity in the regions of Russia in 2020.The shortcomings of the existing measures of labor productivity in international and domestic practice are noted, namely, the ambiguity and inconsistency of the assessment results. The authors propose a technique for constructing an integral index of regional labor productivity and substantiate a four-factor econometric model of the dependence of the integral index of regional labor productivity, which allowed for an improved system of labour productivity factors to be applied in regional economic analysis. Estimates are given of the relative impact of both traditional and new factors of regional labor productivity, which are the increasing incidence rate and the growing share of unprofitable enterprises (organizations), investments and industrial output per capita in the regions of Russia in 2020.The need to monitor regional labor productivity factors annually to help bring forward problems in the regions is justified. The reasons that led to the insufficient level of labour productivity (compared to Russian average) were identified. According to the authors (following the results of socio-economic development in 2020), they should include low growth rates of investment and production volumes, as well as an increase in the incidence and in the share of unprofitable enterprises and organizations.

A novel integrated method of fsQCA and digital design for sustainability monitoring and assessment in building energy management systems: a case study

The present study provides potentially interesting for researchers in the novel integrated method of the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and digital design methodology to apply in the field of energy and sustainability of socio-technical systems (STSs) used in the building energy management (BEM). The research sample is the air-conditioning system (ACS). The social and technical aspects of ACS are satisfaction and energy consumption. Ten sustainability criteria are applied to assess and monitor the fields of energy consumption and satisfaction with the aim of achieving sustainable consumption in the use of ACSs for BEM. This action can be carried out by nesting a circuit in a microprocessor and microcontroller for use in a building energy management system (BEMS). According to, the circuit obtained from the assessment of the study can be practically implemented and assembled in a BEMS as online. This work can define a sustainability-based BEMS.

Primary care physician leaders’ perspectives on opportunities and challenges in healthcare leadership: a qualitative study

BackgroundThere is an increasing demand for physicians to assume leadership roles in hospitals, health systems, clinics and community settings, given the documented positive outcomes of physician leadership and the systemic...

Implementing the Learning from the Mindfulness-based Social Work and Self-care Programme to Social Work Student Practice during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study

AbstractThis is the first study which has explored how social work students have applied the learning from a bespoke Mindfulness-Based Social Work and Self-Care (MBSWSC) programme to their social work practice. A qualitative research design was chosen, and a realist ontological position taken. The qualitative data were collected from reflective journals from seven social work students on placement who had completed the MBSWSC programme. An inductive thematic and comparative analysis methodology was used to identify key themes. This study found that the MBSWSC programme supported students to cope with the stress and anxiety that manifested before and during their placement. Students highlighted how switching from an avoidant to an approach oriented coping strategy allowed them to alleviate any negative thoughts or feelings they were experiencing. Students identified that this allowed them to employ more positive responses when dealing with stress. Students outlined that the learning from the programme allowed them to develop increased self-awareness, empathy, reflection and reflexivity skills, all of which will likely enhance their capacity for anti-oppressive social work practice. It is clear that improved access to the MBSWSC programme will allow social work students to develop the skills necessary to practice sustainably over the longer term.

Застосування МСФЗ суб’єктами державного сектору економіки: законодавче регулювання операцій з основними засобами

The article is dedicated to the issues of IFRS applied by public sector entities related to property, plant and equipment use as regard to their recognition, depreciation and derecognition. Specifying the general issue, our attention was focused on a certain range of aspects which are acquiring more and more importance in the activity of such kind of economic entities at both conceptual and action-oriented levels. A special consideration is given to some most challenging issues. Primarily, professional judgments implementation was required with the aim to select and apply accounting policy for assets obtained by state enterprises under the rights of economic management and permanent use which are specific legal regimes in post-Soviet countries. In its turn, it’s necessary to walk a line between IFRS and legislative acts of Ukraine’s requirements for addressing another issue concerning physically damaged, obsolescent, inoperable as a result of force-major without economic sense of recovery non-current assets derecognition. By means of applying a comparative analysis methodology, key differences regarding requirements towards depreciation policy of IAS 16 rules and National Accounting Standards 7 are discovered as well as its application by some public sector entities. It is discursive key components of property, plant and equipment depreciation policy with variable part which is being chosen voluntary by enterprise, namely, a depreciation method, useful life as well as salvage value. Having discovered the essence as well as advantages and disadvantages of key depreciation methods introduced by the above mentioned IAS, the dominant trends are revealed not just in Ukraine but in other countries including economically developed ones regarding, in particular, accelerated depreciation. Such kind of methods can be applied as an instrument of the state policy in the field of property, plant and equipment administration with the aim to accelerate their renovation and improve efficiency of performance . For further development above mentioned aspects, the consolidated approach in respect to property, plant and equipment decommission due to maintenance, modernization, modification, reconstruction or conservation through the prism of IFRS provisions and imperative rules of tax legislation of Ukraine is presented.

Comparative Analysis and Harmonization of Global Halal Standards

Muslim awareness of halal lifestyles has developed into a lucrative business opportunity on global scale. Currently, there is no globally recognized halal standard as a reference for the establishment of a global halal system. The absence of global halal standard restricts the growth of halal industries. The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the halal standards applied in some countries as well as to propose a global halal standard for harmonization. A comparative analysis methodology was applied by conducting an in-depth review on five halal standards frequently used as references in some countries (OIC/SMIIC 1: 2011, UAE.S/GSO 2055-1:2015, MS 1500:2009, MUIS-HC-S001, HAS 23000). The review focused in aspects that directly affects to the halal status of food products (materials, processing facilities, and products). There are similarities, differences and incompleteness in five halal standards in terms of material, product and facility aspect. The same standard can be directly adopted as a proposed global halal standard, whereas for those differed and incomplete standards, depth analysis was conducted and new clauses are proposed. There are 24 clauses that are harmonized in proposed global standard, while five clauses require further discussion among Islamic scholars. SMIIC is being considered as a center for the harmonization of international halal standard.

Домашний як и его гибрид в номадном стаде монголов и бурят

Goals. The article aims at characterizing a unique animal of Inner and Central Asian nomads — the domestic yak (sarlyk) and its hybrid (khainak) that have been bred by Mongols and Buryats for hundreds of years. The work provides a first ethnographic insight into statistical data on yak population dynamics in synchronous and diachronous perspectives, reviews adaptive properties of the animal instrumental in surviving in extreme conditions of highlands, its exterior, breeding and behavioral specifics, economic significance. Materials and methods. The article explores literary, field and online sources to employ the methodology of comparative analysis, in particular, the comparative-historical-genetic method. Materials about yak breeding among Turkic peoples are essentially verifying by nature. Results. When it comes to declare the five traditional types of livestock bred, Mongols and Buryats mention no yak, the latter be clustered with cattle. Mongolia’s yak population ranks second worldwide — after China. The post-Socialist era witnessed an increase in yak numbers in Mongolia paralleled by a decrease in Russia. Domestic yaks have unique adaptive properties towards low oxygen partial pressure, extreme cold, and meagre fodder resources. The incomplete domestication of animals is determined by high profitability via such extensive farming techniques. Being meat, dairy and working animals, sarlyks and khainaks were most essential to the traditional economy of nomads. In the 21st century, their products become exotic and environment friendly food items, while skin, hair, wool, undercoat and other components serve as unique raw materials for light industry, pharmacology and cosmetology. Conclusions. The 21st century Mongolia with its vast yak friendly territories witnesses a significant head increase resulting in industrial processing facilities of yak raw materials nationwide. In the 1980s, the Soviets were undertaking active purposeful efforts to develop yak breeding, while the free market period decreased both numbers of animals held by Buryats and their habitat. The situation is due to the lack of demand for yak products and the lack of infrastructure for industrial processing of raw materials. The domestic yak and its hybrid had made it possible for nomads of Inner Asia — Mongols and Buryats — to significantly extend economic boundaries of their ethnic territories and inhabit montane grasslands and shrublands.

Recommendations of the Council of Europe as a Guide for the Development of Criminal Executive Law of Ukraine

The recommendations of the Council of Europe are based on the rich European experience of execution of punishments in the field of criminal-executive law, as well as the generalisation of the positive achievements of the national legislation of the most developed countries in this respect. In its recommendations, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe calls on States to improve the legislation and practices of their respective agencies with a view to increasing the application of alternative sanctions and measures, which should ultimately reduce the number of people held in prisons. The aim of the article is to determine the degree of consideration of the recommendations of the Council of Europe on changes in certain norms of legislation in the field of criminal executive law. The main approach is the methodology of comparative analysis of the domestic penitentiary system and its legal framework in the world and the European Union, as well as the previous system in Ukraine, which has changed in accordance with the recommendations of the Council of Europe. Based on the results of the analysis, the priority areas for implementation of the recommendations provided by the Council of Europe concerning the observance of rights in the penitentiary system have been identified. In the future, it is of interest to compare the legislative support of the penitentiary system in the light of the further implementation of the recommendations of the Council of Europe in the context of the implementation of relevant norms in the domestic legislation and their realisation in practice.

Intercivilizational dialogue: The possibilities of local civilisations

The article contains the basics of a scientific discussion held at the National Research Institute for the Development of Communications (NIIRC). In the course of the discussion, the issues of the methodology of civilizations studies , the complexity of the formation of the conceptual apparatus, different facets of the problems in civilizations dialogue, features and potential of local civilizations were discussed. Common approaches and differences in them, the issues of the ability of civilizations to a dialogue, subjectivity in the inter civilizational dialogue are revealed. It was proposed to use a rhythmic cascade approach, which can contribute to the development of the methodology of comparative analysis of civilizations, the increment of scientific knowledge in this field of scientific research. The participants drew attention to the constant factors determining the evolution of civilizations at the present time, to the possibilities of a constructive dialogue of civilizations. In the course of the discussion, the features of the Russian type of modernization, which developed under the conditions of a vast frontier in Asian Russia, cultural and historical tradition as a mechanism of interethnic dialogue in Russian- Ossetian relations, the community of social cultural codes between Russia and Ossetia are considered.

Configurational Paths of Leadership Competency Shortages and 4.0 Leadership Effectiveness: An fs/QCA Study

This study examines various leadership competency shortages, such as shortages in strategic perspective; critical analysis and self-vision; managing resources, communication, and achieving results; empowering and developing teams; self-awareness and intuitiveness; and sensitivity—all of which influence problems with 4.0 leadership effectiveness. The effectiveness of 4.0 leadership was assessed in the article in relation to the effectiveness of the leadership style and its relevance to Industry 4.0. The data sample considered 86 small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in Poland. The analysis used a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fs/QCA) methodology, which allows for identifying a configuration of causes that lead to the analysed outcome. The innovativeness of the research carried out lies in the fact that the authors examined the relations of deficiencies (gaps) of certain features attributed to leaders which are dependent on each other and which determine the effectiveness of the leader. The results support the argument that different configurations of leadership competency shortages lead to low 4.0 leadership effectiveness. Almost all configurations had a low leadership competence related to strategic perspective. The position we present regarding the configurations of competency shortages and leadership effectiveness is important for considering the development of the profile of leaders in organizations. The research presented complements the characteristics of leaders in the context of building an Industry 4.0 organization.

Artificial Intelligence in the View of Philosophical Methodology: an Educational Track

Introduction. The problematic of artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the central issues for modern scientific and business communities. Despite the relevance and particular demand for AI professions, there is currently an acute need in the labor market for both highly qualified and young specialists in this area. According to analysts, the shortage is due to shortcomings in the system for training AI specialists. The reasons that determined the crisis of educational programs in the field of IT are considered. The main emphasis is focused on the new approaches of gaining knowledge in the training of IT specialists, appropriate to the specifics of the new realities.Methodology and sources. The methodology of comparative analysis, interdisciplinary and philosophical approaches to the consideration of AI as an information and communication phenomenon of the new reality is used. Sources are based on the special literature of foreign (K. Schwab, N. Davis, P. Dougherty, J. Wilson and etc.) and Russian (E.M. Proydakov, V.B. Tarasov, P.M. Gotovtsev and others) authors, scientific researches (collective research of Russian scientists “Strong Artificial Intelligence”, 2021; and others), publications and websites devoted to the problems of AI, including the educational sphere (O.E. Baksansky, U. Pakhomov, etc.; www.trends.rbc.ru/trends/education and others).Results and discussion. Main tendencies of artificial intelligence development are determined. AI is opening out both as a special field of scientific knowledge and as a huge AI-industry. The specifics of educational track in training young AI specialists are revealed; the question of the necessity of developing new educational model, implementing the needs of digital economy in terms of training highly qualified personnel in the field of IT is raised.Conclusion. In the present conditions, when the volume of information is constantly increasing and the practice of AI development is ahead of the theory, the training of AI specialists has still a narrow profile. In this connection, we consider the latest modification of STEM education – i-STEAM, which, like STEM, is aimed at ensuring end-to-end interaction between applied tasks, fundamental research and educational system, but, unlike STEM, includes humanitarian and innovative components, which is especially relevant for training young AI specialists. However, as applied to the AI direction, the humanitarian component must be necessarily supplemented by the subject field of digital humanistic with the main emphasis on digital applied ethics as a prerequisite for progressive development of AI. It is focused that this approach of the training of AI profile meets the requirements of the human-centered digital era.

An FsQCA exploration of multiple paths to ecological innovation adoption in European transportation

Companies in the transportation and logistics business are key contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, their fleet choices are viewed as critical in climate change mitigation efforts. This study adopts a configuration theory approach to explore how drivers at multiple levels (i.e., country, locale, company, and field units) interact to shape the fleet decisions in one of Europe's leading third-party logistics providers operating a large, multi-country, road transportation network. Using fuzzy set/qualitative comparative analysis methodology, we identify and describe five distinct paths leading to high levels of adoption of ecological innovation and two paths to low adoption levels. Building on the findings, we develop a set of propositions that can help guide future research.

Approaches to Qualitative Comparative Analysis and good practices: A systematic review

AbstractThe Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) methodology has evolved remarkably in social science research. Simultaneously, the use of QCA too often lags behind methodological recommendations of good practice. Improper use is a serious obstacle for QCA to enrich the social science ‑methodology toolkit. We explore whether the coherence of analytic approaches can help us understand good practices in applied QCA by performing a systematic review of 86 QCA studies. Although adherence to technical GPs has improved over time, we find a high prevalence of incoherent, “hybrid” approaches. As the hybridity of a study increases, its adherence to good practices decreases. The case‐oriented, realist, exploratory QCA studies do not consistently follow recommendations of good practice. Instead, the only consistently good‐practice approach is case‐oriented, realist, but explicitly theory‐evaluating. We conclude that consistently aligning methodological choice with the underlying analytic approach and the use of theory can help foster good practices in applied QCA.

“Good” choices vs “what really works”: a comparison of evidence-based practice in medicine and education

Evidence-based practice, in a form which draws predominantly on quantitative research and privileges randomised controlled trials as research methods, has been translated from medicine into education. It follows that combining understanding of both disciplines may contribute to insights into the costs and benefits of this project. This article shares findings from a small study initiated by a medical doctor and teacher educator to compare versions of practice and professionalism offered by two texts from our respective disciplines. These texts advocate evidence-based practice for patients and students with disability and/or special needs. We describe our methodology and methods for interdisciplinary comparative textual analysis and share how this comparison contributes to understanding ways evidence-based practice is performed in education. In particular, we compare the versions of professionalism imagined in these cases and ask questions for policy and practice about motivations for the choices made in the apparently neutral process of “translation”.

DevOps – concept and structural representation

Problems. Today, along with a huge number of methods, technologies and means of improving business efficiency, the concept ofDevOps (Development & Operations) is also gaining rapid development.In particular, the application of the DevOps concept in business leads practitioners to the question of the feasibility of application,formalization of this process, and usually the development of their own DevOps system focused on achieving the specified values of themetrics of the organizational structure.Research goal and objectives. The purpose of this article is to study the essence, concept and definition of the DevOps concept,define the entities of the DevOps concept and formalize the unified DevOps model.Methods of research. Methodology of comparative analysis of scientific results and engineering practices of DevOps implementation,systematization of entity classes of the DevOps concept in the form of a Venn diagram, graphic modeling of a unified DevOps model.Research results. The practical value and effectiveness of DevOps implementation, the lack of theoretical research and justificationof DevOps systems engineering methods, apart from examples of individual patterns and individual architectural solutions of DevOps forthe IT industry, have been established.The article substantiates and proposes a structural representation of the DevOps concept in the form of a Venn diagram as a systemof entities of production, support, management of production and support processes, and relationships between them. These results makeit possible to choose theoretical and applied tools for the formalization of a unified model of DevOps systems.Conclusions. The unified model of the DevOps system in the form of a diagram of components and formalized specifications ofthe interfaces between these components and the unified model of the DevOps system in the form of a diagram of the activities of thesecomponents make it possible to proceed to the development of well-founded engineering methods of DevOps systems.

Large-scale and small-scale mining in Peru: Exploring the interface

The global demand for gold and copper has intensified tensions between formal mining (mostly Large-Scale) and informal mining (mostly Artisanal and Small-Scale) in key mining corridors of Peru. The formalization of ASM producers through an Exploitation Contract (EC) was devised as the main policy instrument towards resolving such tensions between these scales and types of mining. However, the EC quickly became the main policy bottleneck due to the LSM formal title holder's reluctance to sign these ECs in favor of ASM activities. This study applies a Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) methodology to investigate the combinations of conditions that tend to produce an EC by studying 20 cases wherein LSM and ASM overlap. The findings indicate that there are two necessary conditions to arrive at an EC: (1) a strong willingness to formalize a mining business on behalf of ASM producers and (2) a strong business case for LSM companies to support ASM formalization. An analysis of sufficient conditions concludes that there is no single approach for arriving at an EC, which highlights the importance of tailoring formalization strategies to the local context. Nevertheless, the participation of a third actor, and a corporate culture appropriate to engage ASM producers, were present in some cases wherein an EC was reached.

Integration of systemic and process approaches to an enterprise management within the National project “Labor productivity and employment support”

The paper explores issues related to improving the quality of management at enterprises which are participating in the implementation of the priority national project “Labor Productivity and Employment Support”. The problem is that at the enterprises participating in the national project, ongoing changes often do not affect the fundamental foundations of improving managerial activity; a systematic and process approach to management is traditionally positioned autonomously from each other. This situation does not allow participants in the national project to realize fully the existing potential for improving labor productivity. To more effectively achieve the target parameters of this national project at the level of individual enterprises, it was proposed to integrate the basic elements of a systemic and process approach to management. A comparative analysis of the systemic and process approaches to management in relation to the participants of the national project has been completed. There were identified the main groups of management processes associated with the basic elements of the enterprise management system in the framework of the national project. Also, there was developed a model for integrating systemic and process approaches to managing the company participant to increase labor productivity. The results of the study were tested in the practice of implementing the national project “Labor Productivity and Employment Support” at large industrial companies of the Perm Territory. The research used the methodology of an integrative approach to solving management problems, as well as the methodology of system and comparative analysis. The results of the study can be used in the Federal and regional centers of competencies to develop recommendations for improving management at enterprises participating in the implementation of the national project “Labor productivity and employment support”.