Piecemeal Approach Research Articles

A Comparative Perspective on the Future of Law in a Time of Artificial Intelligence

The article explores the impact of AI on legal systems globally. It highlights how technology, particularly AI, disrupts social order and power dynamics, necessitating legal adaptations. The document categorizes global AI regulatory responses into four types: no response, reliance on existing tech regulations, fragmented solutions, and unified approaches. The European Union (EU) has adopted a unified approach with the Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA), aiming to harmonize AI rules, address risks, and stimulate AI development. The United States employs a piecemeal approach with the National Artificial Intelligence Act of 2020 and various state laws and executive orders. Australia lacks specific AI legislation, but it has an AI Action Plan focusing on economic benefits and talent development. South Africa’s National AI Policy Framework emphasizes economic transformation and social equity. The African Union’s Continental AI Strategy aims for socio-economic transformation while addressing AI risks. Canada has a Voluntary Code of Conduct and a proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA). The document critiques current AI regulations for incomplete definitions and a lack of focus on the broader societal purpose of AI. It stresses the need for regulations to consider ethical dimensions and societal impacts. The document concludes that AI regulation must balance innovation with social order, human dignity, and safety, emphasizing the urgent need to address AI’s energy and water consumption to prevent potential global instability.

The generosity ecosystem framework (GEF): a comprehensive approach to giving

Abstract Generosity plays a crucial role in addressing economic and social inequalities worldwide. Generosity research has garnered attention from various disciplines; however, to date, it has largely taken a piecemeal approach, focusing on either the generous individual or the recipient. Aiming to fill this gap, we conducted an extensive literature review on generosity and developed the proposed Generosity Ecosystem Framework (GEF). GEF analyzes the interactions and influences of various actors and their outcomes at different ecosystem levels (micro, meso, and macro). The interchange between the micro, meso, and macro levels creates a dynamic ecosystem where generosity is cultivated. Individual actions inspire community engagement, and vice versa, whereas organizational collaborations amplify these efforts within a supportive societal framework. Understanding these interrelations is vital for developing effective strategies to promote generosity at all ecosystem levels. GEF contributes to the nonprofit marketing, service, and business literature by reducing conceptual ambiguity, providing a theoretical foundation for future research, and enabling actionable decisions.

“Because We’re Going to Mess Up”: Practices for Accountability—Not a Piecemeal Approach

What are we in rhetoric, writing, and literacy studies currently practicing? What practices do harm and, in contrast, which counter harm? How do we disrupt everyday, cumulative, and structural injustices and instead invest in accountability? In addition to asking these and other questions, this article engages four accountability practices that are necessary for countering the ongoing violence of the mythical norm (Lorde), of domination, and of harm within higher education: (1) resisting denial of ongoing harms; (2) recognizing normalized violence; (3) divesting from whiteness; and (4) investing in a consistent, relational approach to seeking justice. These practices help us tap into and amplify the work of BIPOC feminist and womanist educators-scholars-activists (including Ahmed, Gumbs, hooks, Mingus, and Royster) who have been countering epistemic injustice by building linguistic resources and expanding what we can name. These practices are part of a whole in which taking a piecemeal approach entrenches the current state of affairs: white supremacy status quo and normalized violence. Together, these add up to a call for striving toward justice in a sustained, momentum-gathering way.

Navigating Rough Waters After Sackett v. EPA

The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law regulating impacts to water resources and water quality in the United States. Congress asserted the focus of the Act in the first section: to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters. Federal jurisdiction to implement this focus for many of the Act’s water protection programs turns on whether a waterbody is classified as a “Water of the United States” (WOTUS). The definition of WOTUS has been contested since the ink dried on the Act, with proponents of greater water protections arguing for more expansive boundaries of federal jurisdiction. Most recently, the Supreme Court re-interpreted WOTUS in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (2023), in which the Court held that wetlands 300 feet from Priest Lake would no longer be considered adjacent wetlands protected as WOTUS. Upending forty-five years of agency and judicial interpretation, the Court narrowed the definition of WOTUS to only those wetlands that have a continuous surface connection to a traditionally navigable body of water, such as a river or lake. This places many wetlands and ephemeral and intermittent streams outside of federal jurisdiction, and thus, the protections of the CWA. Yet, wetlands and nonperennial streams are vital to the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters. Wetlands filter pollutants from water, retain and absorb flood waters, and provide habitats for wildlife. Ephemeral and intermittent streams are ubiquitous and important pathways that drain water and pollutants into traditional navigable waters. Removing federal protections means these areas are vulnerable to ruin by human alterations, and it increases flood risks to downstream communities. Decreasing federal jurisdiction over the majority of wetlands and nonperennial streams across the U.S. places a greater emphasis on the role of states and tribes in water protection. Lacking a consistent federal approach results in a patchwork of protections for waters that are now considered nonfederal, even when those waters impact large regional shared waters, such as the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, the Colorado River, and Rio Grande, to name a few. This Article starts with a grounding in the scientific literature to explore the importance and vital functions of the waters that have lost federal jurisdiction. Using that as a springboard, we explain the most important legal decisions defining WOTUS to place Sackett v. EPA in context. We then discuss the divergent responses to the loss of federal jurisdiction by surveying responses at federal, tribal, and state levels of government. We show that many tribes opposed reducing federal protections leading up to Sackett, and after the decision, at the federal and state level, the battle continues over removing versus restoring regulatory protections. We observe that even in states where reducing regulatory control is favored, agreements have been forged around non-regulatory programs that fund wetland protections. We conclude that tribes and states have the power to shape protections for these vital waters regardless of federal jurisdiction, but with no federal regulatory backstop, the integrity of the Nation’s waters is threatened by this piecemeal approach.

The Changing Landscape of Water Resources Planning in England

Water resources planning in England has undergone a significant transformation from a fragmented, piecemeal approach to a more strategic, multi-scale framework. This shift is a response to the pressing need for increased resilience in the face of climate change, population growth, and environmental pressures. Recognising the limitations of existing planning frameworks established during privatisation, new national, regional, company, and sub-regional frameworks have emerged to address gaps and enhance strategic planning efforts. Understanding the critical pathway dependencies, opportunities, and constraints allows reforms to be designed and implemented with a better chance of success. Several key features characterise water resources planning in England. Firstly, the systems are inherently complex and fragmented, requiring tailored approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. Secondly, planning operates within a neoliberal framework emphasising economic efficiency. Thirdly, subjective concepts like risk, uncertainty, and value are managed through technical quantitative methods which can pose challenges for transparency. Fourthly, while legislation often operates in silos, there is a growing demand for more integrated planning approaches. Funding and regulatory powers play crucial roles in water resources planning. Access to capital is influenced by the institutional environment and broader economic and political factors, with government and regulators ultimately holding power over the framework. Companies, driven by the profit motive, are responsible for detailed planning and delivery, regulated by standards and reputational incentives. Public participation is framed as consumer engagement. Aligning incentives for public good with financial rewards and ensuring effective regulation are vital for the framework’s success.

Structural brain basis of latent factors of executive functions in childhood.

Structural brain basis of latent factors of executive functions in childhood.

An analysis of security rights to secure the repayment of loans in South African law

In South African law, a borrower’s obligation to repay a loan for consumption, which is typically a loan of money, can be secured using a myriad of common-law and statutory security rights created in favour of the lender. If, applying the pledge theory of cession in securitatem debiti, the security right takes the form of a pledge and cession in securitatem debiti of a personal right, the borrower or other security provider retains its dominium in the right. At the same time, the lender temporarily acquires and holds, for as long as the loan remains unpaid, a limited security interest therein. The lender’s right to repayment of its loan is thereby secured in that the lender can exercise its security rights if the borrower defaults on its loan repayment obligation. Complex issues regarding certain security rights available to lenders are analysed, including their purpose, function, classification, nature and operation. It is recommended that the UNCITRAL Model Law on Secured Transactions could be drawn on to streamline South Africa’s current piecemeal approach to security rights.

Organisational determinants of employees’ affective commitment in pharmaceutical multinationals: mediation by perceived corporate social responsibility

PurposeThis quantitative study aims to examine the mediating role of perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) between organisational practices and affective commitment. Code of ethics, ethics training, transformational leadership and ethical climate were investigated as factors of perceived CSR.Design/methodology/approachThis research model was evaluated using structural equation modelling and survey data from 184 employees of Malaysian pharmaceutical multinationals.FindingsPerceived CSR mediated the relationship between code of ethics, transformational leadership, ethical climate and affective commitment.Practical implicationsThe CSR investments aimed at developing an effective ethics programme, transformational leadership practices and ethical climate could improve organisational competitiveness by strengthening employees’ perceived CSR and affective commitment.Originality/valueThe systematic investigation of various organisational controls that establish a corporate environment of ethics and social responsibility sets a precedent for past piecemeal approaches. The existing body of knowledge is based on Western countries, which revealed insights unique to pharmaceutical multinationals in a transitional Asian economy.

Land degradation neutrality and carbon neutrality: approaches, synergies, and challenges

Land is being degraded rapidly worldwide. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in 2015 has invited countries to formulate voluntary targets to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). Under the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty adopted in 2015, the world is transitioning toward Carbon Neutrality (CN) with more mitigation actions. This paper intended to review the concepts of land degradation, LDN along with CN emphasizing the degradation types, approaches, models available to analyze, synergies, economic aspects and challenges. The review explores approaches and models available for achieving LDN and CN which are both synergistic, economically efficient and could overcome the common challenges. Land degradation has to focus beyond the traditional definitions to incorporate more persistent and the difficult to restore degradation causes. Such complex land degradation requires specialized LDN approaches. The level of degradation and restoration progress could be analyzed using a variety of modeling approaches including economic models. Approaches for LDN and CN can bring significant synergies for each other. The approach proposed by the present study will provide a logical flow for decision-making while minimizing time and effort and avoiding a piecemeal approach. The approach therefore maximizes the output in relation to the inputs thus enhancing sustainability.

Climate change adaptation in Malta: assessment of skills in the built environment

PurposeThe construction industry is one of the major contributors of greenhouse gas emissions (UNEP, 2022), but it provides numerous valuable opportunities to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (IPPC, 2023). Innovation within the industry and the adoption of sustainable practices are key to achieve this. This is possible with the contribution of highly knowledgeable professionals and skilled workers. However, different countries, including Malta are facing skill gaps and resource shortages. The purpose of this paper is to define the existing skill gaps and mismatches in climate change adaptation in the built environment in Malta. The research focuses on the positionality of the professionals working in the sector as they operate within a legal framework guided through various policies, and through their role and responsibility, they are in contact with the other stakeholders in the sector.Design/methodology/approachThe data generation strategy used in this study involved a pragmatic approach through a mixed method research methodology, namely, interviews, a questionnaire and a focus group discussion. The three tier scaffolding approach in the data generation strategy allowed for a progressive validation of the data generated.FindingsThe research indicates that the professionals in the sector are aware of their roles and responsibilities to address climate change in their practices, and they have the disposition to acknowledge the need of continuous professional training. Moreover, this study points out that the professionals in the built environment sector are concerned about other gaps within the industry and not solely by skill gaps. Their responsibility to address climate change through greener solutions is often hindered by fragmentation in the system including bureaucratic procedures, clients’ demands, lack of enforcement and general education of the need to address and adapt climate change among the general public. The professionals appeal for an overhaul in the “culture” of the construction industry through a comprehensive rather than a piecemeal approach. This research puts in the limelight the need of a comprehensive strategy to address skill gaps and mismatches in accordance with the need for climate change adaptation as the ultimate challenge rather than addressing different issues separately within the sector.Originality/valueThe paper is to define the existing skill gaps and mismatches in climate change adaptation in the built environment in Malta. By identifying these skill gaps and mismatches, it would be possible to devise an action plan to iron-out such hindrances as part of a broader climate action adaptation strategy.

A country-level primary-final-useful (CL-PFU) energy and exergy database: overview of its construction and 1971–2020 world-level efficiency results

Societal exergy analysis examines the flows of energy and exergy through societies, from primary (e.g. oil) to final (e.g. gasoline) to useful (e.g. propulsion) energy stages. By extending the study of energy to the useful stage, new insights into the under-represented role of energy in economic growth have been made. However, currently (a) country coverage is patchy and incomplete, (b) available data are based on varying methods and assumptions including efficiencies based on economic rather than engineering data, and (c) datasets are constructed using piecemeal computational approaches. To address these gaps, we construct a country-level primary-final-useful (CL-PFU) energy and exergy database for the period 1960–2020, containing country-level data created by a consistent physical approach, covering 152 individual countries and 3 rest of world regions, 7 aggregate and 46 detailed sub-sectors, 68 final energy products, and 85 final-to-useful (FU) energy conversion devices. This paper (a) provides details of CL-PFU database construction and its input datasets and (b) gives world-level primary-final-useful energy, exergy, and efficiency results for 1971–2020. We find that whilst world efficiency (including animal and human muscle work) has decreased over primary-to-final stages from 79% to 72% for energy and from 79% to 70% for exergy, there has been a much larger increase in world FU efficiency, which has grown from 37% to 65% in energy terms and from 15% to 23% in exergy terms. This large rise in FU efficiency leads to much larger gains in useful energy (3.71 × 1971 value) and useful exergy (3.20 × 1971 value) than at primary (2.33 × 1971 value) or final (2.10 × 1971 value) stages. Muscle work contributes only a small (less than 10%, and declining) share at primary, final, and useful energy stages.

The Holistic Advantage: Unified Quantitative Modeling for Less-Biased, In-Depth Insights into (Socio)Linguistic Variation

What happens when recognized and diverse conditioning factors of linguistic variation are omitted from analysis and/or are not analyzed under a single analytical procedure? This paper explores the consequences of such a choice on data interpretation and, consequently, (socio)linguistic theorization. Utilizing Twitter-style English in the Philippines (EngPH) as a case study, I employ the Twitter Corpus of Philippine Englishes (TCOPE) primarily to investigate and elucidate variations in three morphosyntactic variables that have been previously examined using a piecemeal approach. I propose a holistic quantitative approach that incorporates documented linguistic, social, diachronic, and stylistic factors in a unified analysis. The paper illustrates the impacts of adopting this holistic approach through two statistical procedures: Bayesian regression modeling and Boruta feature selection with random forest modeling. In contrast to earlier research findings, my overall results reveal biases in non-unified quantitative analyses, where the confidence in the effects of certain factors diminishes in light of others during analysis. The adoption of a unified analysis or modeling also enhances the resolution at which variations have been examined in EngPH. For instance, it highlights that presumed ‘universals’, such as the hierarchy of linguistic > stylistic > diachronic > social factors in explaining variation in some domains, is contingent on the specific variable under examination. Overall, I argue that unified analyses reduce data distortion and introduce more nuanced interpretations and insights that are critical for establishing a well-grounded empirical theory of EngPH variation and language variation as a whole.

Examining the linkage between managerial ties and firm performance: The mediating role of marketing capabilities and moderation role of industry - A meta-analytic approach

Examining the linkage between managerial ties and firm performance: The mediating role of marketing capabilities and moderation role of industry - A meta-analytic approach

Monetary Integration Across West Africa: Is the Region Ripe for a Monetary Union?

This study investigates the possibility of forming a monetary union across West Africa. This was achieved by employing the structural VAR framework. Data on real GDP, inflation, and exchange rate were used to represent supply, monetary, and demand shocks from the period 1986 to 2020. The impulse response and variance decomposition results showed that shocks affecting the West African region are idiosyncratic, while the residuals of the structural VAR were used to compute the correlation coefficient. The correlation coefficient revealed that the demand and monetary shocks were symmetric across WAEMU countries and asymmetric for the rest of the region. The study suggests that the West African region is not ripe for a monetary union. However, the study opined that the WAEMU countries are the closest to forming a West African monetary union and a piecemeal approach may be adopted such that the WAEMU countries are the first to form the union, while the rest may join when they meet the convergence criteria. In essence, West African countries’ central banks need to focus on harmonizing their monetary policies and remove all barriers to factor mobility for the synchronization of shocks and for all countries to meet the convergence criteria.

Distribution of internal medicine rotations among resident physicians in Japan: a nationwide, multicenter, cross-sectional study

BackgroundIn Japan, postgraduate clinical training encompasses a 2-year residency program, including at least 24 weeks of internal medicine (IM) rotations. However, the fragmented structure of these rotations can compromise the training’s quality and depth. For example, a resident might spend only a few weeks in cardiology before moving to endocrinology, without sufficient time to deepen their understanding or have clinical experience. This study examined current patterns and lengths of IM rotations within the Japanese postgraduate medical system. It scrutinized the piecemeal approach—whereby residents may engage in multiple short-term stints across various subspecialties without an overarching, integrated experience—and explored potential consequences for their clinical education.MethodsThis nationwide, multicenter, cross-sectional study used data from self-reported questionnaires completed by participants in the 2022 General Medicine In-Training Examination (GM-ITE). Data of 1,393 postgraduate year (PGY) one and two resident physicians who participated in the GM-ITE were included. We examined the IM rotation duration and number of IM subspecialties chosen by resident physicians during a 2-year rotation.ResultsApproximately half of the participants chose IM rotation periods of 32–40 weeks. A significant proportion of participants rotated in 5–7 internal medicine departments throughout the observation period. Notable variations in the distribution of rotations were observed, characterized by a common pattern where resident physicians typically spend 4 weeks in each department before moving to the next. This 4-week rotation is incrementally repeated across different subspecialties without a longer, continuous period in any single area. Notably, 39.7% of participants did not undertake general internal medicine rotations. These results suggest a narrowed exposure to medical conditions and patient care practices.ConclusionsOur study highlights the need to address the fragmented structure of IM rotations in Japan. We suggest that short, specialized learning periods may limit the opportunity to gain broad in-depth knowledge and practical experience. To improve the efficacy of postgraduate clinical education, we recommend fostering more sustained and comprehensive learning experiences.

Absence and Piecemeal Approaches to Commemorative Practice

In this essay I utilize Natalia Molina’s (2014) definition of racialized script to interrogate how and to what extent AMNH’s efforts in 2019 to “flip” the racialized script of the TR equestrian statue with the temporary Addressing the Statue exhibit attempts to mitigate public perceptions of the statue being a blatant expression of racial dominance. This mitigation is done through the rhetorical recontextualization of the statue through the exhibit as a problematic but necessary history. Here I discuss why such actions are piecemeal efforts on the part of the AMNH, and how the museum’s choices to maintain other problematic displays inside the museum counter-productively embraces the commemorative absence of the TR equestrian statue (Maxson, 2019)—continuing to circulate the same problematic narratives the museum claims to detest. This analysis adds to our ability to continue asking, “How do we deal with our problematic history?” This question aids us in understanding the potential implications associated with preserving and circulating histories that promote discriminatory perspectives and reinforce hegemonic ideals by masquerading as a “necessary” or “entitled” history.

The Relationship between Socioeconomic Status and Academic Achievement is Mediated and Moderated by Executive Functions.

Executive function is an underlying mechanism linking family socioeconomic status (SES) and academic achievement. Previous studies mainly investigated either the mediating or moderating role of executive function within this relationship, which either overlook the individual differences that are independent of the environment or neglect the influence of the environment on shaping personal factors. To avoid a piecemeal approach to theory, the current study aimed to test the mediating and moderating roles of executive function in a single analytic model. Two hundred and thirty-six Chinese fifth graders (Mage = 10.70 years, SD = 0.49, range = 10.23-11.75 years, and 40.30% girls) were recruited. Their executive function performance was measured using eight different tasks, and their Chinese literacy skills and mathematics achievement were assessed by routine school evaluations. One year after the initial assessment, children's academic achievements were evaluated again. Results demonstrated that parental SES positively predicted children's academic achievement when controlling for prior academic achievement, and children's executive function mediated this relationship. Also, executive function moderated the association between SES and academic achievement in that, the negative predictive effect of low SES on academic achievement was only significant for children with lower levels of executive function, which is not shown in children with higher levels of executive function. By demonstrating the dual roles of executive function in the SES-achievement link, this work provides evidence for supporting the optimal development of children from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and emphasizes the significance of developing individualized intervention strategies on executive function to mitigate the negative effect of low SES on children's academic achievement.

Industry 4.0: Makes Manufacturing Factory Smatter

The purpose of this article is to present an overview of industry 4.0. The goal of this presentation is to give a brief perspective of what Industry 4.0 is, its challenges in today’s manufacturing environments. Many researchers have mentioned that implementing industry 4.0 is a response to the current challenges in fast changing environments. In this paper, I have provided a comprehensive introduction and definition about this Industry 4.0 concept, transformation steps and explain the technologies involved in Industry 4.0 ecosystem. After that, I have presented several points about challenges and issues of Industry 4.0, then the most relevant and potential benefits of this new industrial paradigm. Lastly, I have ended this presentation by drawing a conclusion. The successful path to smatter Industry 4.0 depends on having a vision and enterprise-wide strategy, rather than taking a piecemeal approach to implementing technology solutions. Focus on business drivers, tech enablers that overcome pain points, and working with the right partner ecosystem to accelerate sustainable transformation for greater business value and opportunity outcomes. Now in competitive market, it is more likely a company will be more profitable and create jobs when it produces products with higher flexibility, quality and technology content and applying Industry 4.0 than by competing on low-price products. In addition, companies can take advantage of the broad range of aspects of Industry 4.0, including smart products, smart assets, and optimized factories operating sustainably and creating optimal conditions for empowered workers. Manufacturing organizations need an enterprise-wide strategy to gain the full business value of Industry 4.0, including productivity, sustainability, and competitive edge. A smatter Industry 4.0 approach helps organizations overcome the challenges they currently face, and it also enables them to become future-ready to build anything, anytime, anywhere. The goal of Industry 4.0 implement is to enable autonomous decision-making processes, monitor assets and processes in real-time, maintaining improved quality and enable equally real-time connected value creation networks through early involvement of stakeholders, and vertical and horizontal integration.

정책논변모형을 통한 고교학점제 담론 분석

This study analyzes the discourse through the policy argument model and proposes implications for policy implementation under the recognition that the policy means and contents are important for the correct implementation of the policy purpose of the high school credit system. To achieve the research purpose, this study reorganized and utilized Toulmin et al.’s (1979) analysis framework.The conclusions of the analysis using the policy argument model are as follows. First of all, since the high school credit system is an education policy that requires public consensus in consideration of its linkage with university entrance examinations, it is necessary to solidify the foundation for a soft landing sequentially through the process of social consensus and public discussion. Next, we need to move away from the tendency to take a piecemeal approach to the issues of the high school credit system’s curriculum, teaching and learning, educational evaluation, and teachers and facilities, and move toward the holistic approach. There needs to be a soft landing for unit schools with an organic approach. As suggested in the argumentative analysis of this study, it seems necessary to have a strategy that can comprehensively enhance the technical feasibility and political feasibility.

Combatting the Threat of Cybercrime in Nigeria: Examining Current Laws and Policies

Cybercrime has been a major global criminological challenge in recent years. Regarded as one of the epicenters of international Internet fraud, Nigeria is gaining notoriety as a cybercrime hotbed. With the continuing advancement in technological innovations and the growth of terrorism in Nigeria, cyberattacks are also a continuing threat. Efforts to tackle the threat of cybercrime have mainly been ineffective. Even though the Nigerian government has introduced measures to tackle the danger posed by cybercrime to economic and social growth, the piecemeal approach it has used in the past has yielded no tangible results. In this paper, we argue that cybercrime cannot be confronted by the Nigerian government alone without a comprehensive, holistic approach, including international cooperation. We examined the various strategies employed by the Nigerian government to curb cybercrime and why cyber criminality has been a malignant tumor that has refused to subside. We also outline some policy measures and recommendations