Areas Of Potential Conflict Research Articles

Identification of potential conflict areas between land transformation and biodiversity conservation in north-eastern South Africa

Transformation of natural vegetation to other land-uses, such as crop cultivation and urban development, presents the most important threat to biodiversity. Plant and animal species distribution data were employed to identify areas of high biodiversity value in the major summer crop production region in north-eastern South Africa. These areas of biodiversity conservation importance were then evaluated in terms of their (1) potential overlap with areas currently transformed by land-uses in the region and (2) potential co-occurrence with areas of natural vegetation cover likely to become cultivated. Integrating species distribution, land-cover and land capability data allowed for potential conflict areas, i.e. areas with a high biodiversity value facing large current or future land transformation threats to be identified. Areas of potential conflict appear to be central Gauteng, the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, Maputuland and the escarpment of Mpumalanga. Most of the arable areas, that are not currently under some form of land-use, are marginal lands where the physical land characteristics demand high input costs, give rise to low yields and are thus not suitable for full scale commercial cultivation. As the results indicate some of these areas have a high biodiversity value, land reform programs should therefore refrain from promoting cultivation on marginal lands in these conflict areas, as they provide the last safe havens for many species. The proportion of bird, butterfly, mammal and plant species’ ranges remaining in an untransformed state was quantified. Animal species with less than 60% of their natural range remaining, referred to as impacted species, comprised 63 bird, 207 butterfly and 15 mammal species. The grid cells containing these impacted species were identified as additional potential conflict areas. This study presents evidence that there is significant overlap between areas of biodiversity conservation interest and transformed or arable land in this region of South Africa and that there is an urgent need for the formulation of appropriate policies to promote biodiversity conservation on private farmland.

When Cultures and Computers Collide

Online communication technology makes intercultural communication faster and more direct than was ever before possible, but, in doing so, it may also amplify cultural rhetorical differences. Communication scholars, therefore, need to begin examining potential areas of conflict in international cyberspace to anticipate and to resolve potential cross-cultural misunderstandings related to online exchanges. This commentary proposes that researchers need to compare the communication patterns noted in the computermediated communication (CMC) literature and in the intercultural communication literature to see where these communication patterns collide.

Bluetooth-enabled teleradiology: applications and complications.

Wireless personal area networks and local area networks are becoming increasingly more prevalent in the teleradiology and telemedicine industry. Although there has been much debate about the role that Bluetooth will play in the future of wireless technology, both promoters and doubters acknowledge that Bluetooth will have an impact on networking, even if only as a "niche" product. This article provides an overview of the Bluetooth standard and highlights current and future areas of inclusion for use in a teleradiology environment. The possibilities for Bluetooth in a teleradiology environment without wires are nearly boundless and an overview of current and proposed Bluetooth-enabled radiology equipment and vendors is provided. A comparison of Bluetooth and other wireless technologies is provided, including areas of similarity and potential conflict. Bluetooth and other wireless technologies can not only peacefully coexist but also complement each other and provide enhanced teleradiology services.

A multicriteria approach to reserve selection: addressing long-term biodiversity maintenance

Existing complementarity-based reserve selection techniquesconcerned with maximal biodiversity representation within minimum landarea do not necessarily ensure the long-term maintenance ofbiodiversity. These approaches often ignore the maintenance of naturalprocesses, turnover of feature diversity and the need to minimisethreats within conservation areas. We address these three emergentissues in the identification of potential avian conservation areas inthe Northern Province of South Africa, by combining ordination andspatial autocorrelation analyses, as well as land transformation datainto complementarity-based reserve selection techniques. Existingconservation areas are biased and inefficient and complementarity-basedmethods do little to correct this skew. The inclusion of speciesassemblage structure as well as the underlying environmental gradientsensures a conservation area network that strives to maintain bothbiodiversity pattern and process. Spatial autocorrelation analysisallows for the identification of areas with high β diversity,important areas for the long-term maintenance of biodiversity. Theinclusion of land transformation data leads to viable conservation areanetworks and highlights areas of potential conflict between biodiversityconservation interests and human land-use issues. These combinedimprovements on complementarity-based reserve selection techniques bringus a step closer to ensuring the long-term maintenance of biodiversitywithin conservation areas in the northern province.

Modernisation, Democratisation and Community Governance

This article examines the New Labour agenda for the governance of localities, focusing on three central themes: community leadership, improving the management of public services and building social capital. Potential areas of policy tension and conflict are identified between these themes. The different forms of Community Governance are outlined and their coverage of the three themes described. This helps to elaborate and explain the tensions that exist within the New Labour agenda. The article then specifies the key challenges facing elected local government if modernisation and democratisation is to be delivered through a framework of Community Governance.

The roles of EIA in the decision-making process

Public approval of a project usually is combined with different conditions that the project is required to meet. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) constitutes one important basis for decisions regarding possible conditions to impose. The focus of this paper is to clarify the roles that EIA can have in such decision-making processes. Three common decision-theoretical perspectives are used to illustrate the decision-making process. A total of 45 EIAs of petroleum field development have been studied. Five issues, each representing a potential conflict area between the oil company and public interests, have been classified according to type of content [professional (technical) or political] and form of government (detailed regulation or conflicting/diffuse goals). The empirical research shows that the framework — based on the outlined three types of decision processes and a classification of issues according to the type of content and form of governance — provides a useful tool for understanding the role EIAs can have in decision-making processes.

Eurasian oil and gas routes in the twenty‐first century

World oil demand is considered by region for the period 1993–2010. A future tilt in oil supply routes is predicted, with Southeast and East European axes likely to be diverted to the upcoming hypermarkets ‐ China and India, as well as Korea and eventually Japan. Oil and gas transportation areas are linked to potential conflict areas, notably the Trans‐Caucasus. Security considerations vis‐à‐vis Eurasian hydrocarbon corridors stress the need for a credible security mechanism safeguarding uninterrupted energy supply.

A comparison of senior nurses and managers views on the development of mental health services in NHS trusts in London

Aims To assess how lead nurses and senior managers of mental health services differed in their views concerning the drivers and barriers to service development in London. Background Since 1997, London managers in Mental Health have been surveyed to assess their views about the drivers and barriers to service development ( Peck et al. 1997 ). Under clinical governance, nurses are likely to have an enhanced decision-making role. Therefore, in 1998, lead nurses were included in the study to identify differences in views. Methods Lead nurses and senior managers of mental health services in Trusts in the London area were sent self-administered questionnaire. Only if responses were obtained from the lead nurse and senior manager in the Trust were they included in the current analysis. Findings Few differences were identified in the ratings of drivers and barriers to service development. Reasons why lead nurses and senior managers felt drivers and barriers were important differed: senior mangers focused on organizational-wide development, lead nurses focused staff expertise and clinical issues. Conclusion Although areas of potential conflict are revealed, these areas may also be complimentary. Lead nurses highlight issues of concern for the optimum clinical functioning of the Trust, allowing management to incorporate these concerns into strategic planning.

Ethical issues for nurses providing perinatal care in community settings.

Ethical issues in perinatal nursing are complex in that two patients--mother and fetus--are considered. This work considers six areas of potential ethical conflict: conflict between the mother and fetus, informed consent, confidentiality, cultural conflicts, conflicts associated with managed care, and conflicts in childbirth education. Ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, and justice are included. Strategies for resolving ethical conflicts in community practice settings are suggested.

Factors affecting international joint venture success: an empirical analysis of foreign–local partner relationships and performance in joint ventures in Turkey

This article discusses inter-partner relationships and their impact on joint venture performance. It explores the changes in the nature of relationships (conflict, commitment, co-operation, trust) which have important implications for the continuity and performance of partnerships. In doing so, it identifies the potential areas of co-operation and conflict, due to both partners' overlapping interests, and establishes constructs which help explain conflict, commitment and other soft dimensions of joint venture operations. Based on previous studies, this article develops a framework within which inter-partner relations (conflict, commitment, trust, co-operation, and autonomy) are empirically examined. The article also establishes performance constructs for joint venture organisations. Finally, it develops a dynamic model of inter-partner relations and performance which indicates the causal connections between conflict, commitment, control, inter-partner co-operation and performance.

Managing change in the community 3: conflict in PCGs

Recent Health Service Circulars (NHS Executive, 1998a,b,c), which arose from the White Paper The New NHS; Modern, Dependable (Department of Health, 1997), dealing with governing arrangements in primary care groups (PCGs) consistently stress the importance of achieving and maintaining ‘consensus’ in management. Consensus management has been promoted in previous NHS reorganizations but has been criticized for promoting the false belief that consensus equals correctness which may result in ‘lowest common denominator decisions’ (Department of Health and Social Security, 1983). Current research shows that ‘cognitive’ conflict within groups can be an important and positive force in developing and refining high quality decisions and may lead parties to integrate opposing interests. This article discusses the management of conflict within PCGs. It considers the role of consensus, types of conflict and potential areas of conflict within PCGs. It is suggested that if community nurses are to develop an effective leadership and commissioning role, they need to engage in high level arguments and evidence-based problem-solving strategies.

Do anaemia co‐ordinators have to be nurses?

The role of the anaemia co-ordinator has developed subsequent to the introduction of erythropoietin therapy for renal anaemia, and posts have been established at an increasing number of hospitals in the UK. While co-ordinators have previously tended to come from a nursing background, the post at our hospital has been held jointly by a pharmacist and a clinical nurse specialist since July 1997. This paper presents an informal evaluation of our experience of joint working, and has drawn on diary entries to outline the components of the service provided. The main focus is on the boundary negotiated between pharmacist and nurse responsibilities and expertise, involving as it does areas of potential conflict and complementarity. Through a critical examination of the assumptions and expectations associated with 'generic' pharmacist and nurse roles, we begin to clarify the respective contributions which the disciplines make to anaemia management.

SYMBOLIC TRADITIONALISM AND PRAGMATIC EGALITARIANISM

Drawing on Connell's notion of gender projects, the authors assess the degree to which contemporary evangelical ideals of men's headship challenge, as well as reinforce, a hegemonic masculinity. Based on 265 in-depth interviews in 23 states across the country, they find that rather than espousing a traditional gender hierarchy in which women are simply subordinate to men, the majority of contemporary evangelicals hold to symbolic traditionalism and pragmatic egalitarianism. Symbolic male headship provides an ideological tool with which individual evangelicals may maintain a sense of distinctiveness from the broader culture of which they are a part. At the same time, symbolic headship blunts some of the harsher effects of living in a materially rich, but time poor, culture, by defusing an area of potential conflict, creating a safe space within which men can negotiate, and strengthening men's material and emotional ties to their families.

Service evaluation and development: experience of a paediatric disability team.

Classical audit frameworks encourage the use of audit cycles, with performance being evaluated against predefined quality targets and modified accordingly. This approach has obvious validity in clinical settings where treatments have very clear endpoints and outcome measures can be prioritized with ease. The situation becomes more complex in disability service settings, where the impact of clinical intervention is often qualitative rather than quantitative, and where management strategies are dependent on working in partnership with families, purchasers and other professional colleagues. There is thus a danger of neglecting aspects of service delivery which are of major importance to one sector of this extensive network. To ensure that service goals and standards comprehensively reflect the specific concerns of all parties, it is proposed that measures of service quality should be defined within the context of a dynamic multi-user framework. Development of such a framework is dependent on collating information on specific needs from parents, referrers, purchasers and other involved professionals, and determining areas of overlap, as well as areas of potential conflict. Audit techniques for key issues can then be devised, alongside a timetable to revisit these issues at appropriate intervals. Application of this approach is illustrated by reference to our own paediatric disability service.

Chicken Soup Group: Peer Group Supervision for Therapists Treating Orthodox Jews

This paper will discuss my personal experience as an Orthodox psychiatrist engaged in the treatment of Orthodox clientele and how our peer group supervision has facilitated the resolution of clinical problems in the treatment of this special subgroup of patients. As other group members address possible areas of overlap and potential conflict between dynamic psychology and Judaism, I, as an MD who prescribes medication, will focus on particular issues that this raises for the Orthodox Jewish community. I will demonstrate how the peer group forum has enabled me to deal with some difficult clinical problems.

A proclivity for entrepreneurship: A comparison of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and corporate managers

Despite intensive inquiry, relatively little is known about the entrepreneur, the central figure in entrepreneurship. The question of how an individual who operates his or her own business differs from a corporate manager remains unanswered. In addressing this question, the primary purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of psychological constructs to predict a proclivity for entrepreneurship. The research model includes three classic themes in the literature: achievement motivation, risk-taking propensity, and preference for innovation. A survey of 767 small business owner-managers and corporate managers was assembled from a 20-state region, primarily the southeastern United States. The participants completed a questionnaire composed of the Achievement Scale of the Personality Research Form, the Risk-Taking and Innovation Scales of the Jackson Personality Inventory and questions pertaining to numerous individual and organizational variables. Respondents were first divided into two groups, managers and small business owner-managers. Subsequently, due to the often cited variations in entrepreneurs, the owner-managers were further categorized as either an entrepreneur or small business owner, using the widely cited Carland et al. (1984) theoretical definitions. Entrepreneurs are defined by their goals of profit and growth for their ventures and by their use of strategic planning. Alternatively, small business owners focus on providing family income and view the venture as an extension of their personalities. In this study, both groups of owner-managers were simultaneously compared with managers using hierarchical set multinomial LOGIT regression. The results indicated that the psychological constructs are associated with small business ownership, but with some important caveats. As hypothesized, those labeled entrepreneurs were higher in achievement motivation, risk-taking propensity, and preference for innovation than were both the corporate managers and the small business owners. This profile of the entrepreneur as a driven, creative risk-taker is consistent with much of the classic literature concerning the entrepreneur. Nonetheless, not all of the owner-managers fit this profile. When compared with managers, the small business owners demonstrated only a significantly higher risk-taking propensity. In terms of the constructs studied, the small business owners were more comparable to managers than to entrepreneurs. In addition to theoretical and methodological implications, the results presented here have important implications for small business owner-managers of both types. A major issue is the connection between the owner’s psychological profile and the characteristics of the venture, including performance. It would appear that psychological antecedents are associated with owner goals for the venture. Some owners will be more growth oriented than will others, and performance should be assessed in light of the owner’s aspirations for the venture. Moreover, owners should be aware of their own personality sets, including risk preferences, which may be more or less suited to different venture circumstances, including those with relatively high levels of risk. Planning in small businesses appears to enhance venture performance. Research has demonstrated the connections between psychological factors and planning behaviors in small businesses. Those labeled entrepreneurs in this study have goals of profit and growth, and tend to engage in more planning. An awareness of these psychological preferences and concomitant attention to planning behaviors have the potential to improve the performance of the venture, irrespective of owner aspirations. Venture teaming is becoming more popular among entrepreneurs. Balanced venture teams appear to improve the chances of entrepreneurial success (Timmons 1990), but a common source of conflict among venture team members is inconsistent or ambiguous motives for the new venture. Awareness of venture partners’ psychological predispositions in areas such as risk-taking could be used to identify and reconcile areas of potential conflict, and enhance the planning process in the small firm. In sum, an individual’s awareness of his or her psychological profile provides a number of advantages, not only to existing entrepreneurs, but also to aspiring entrepreneurs who should assess their perceived entrepreneurial opportunities against the backdrop of their psychological proclivity for entrepreneurship.

A GIS for the management of fisheries in West Africa: preliminary application to the octopus stock in Senegal

A preliminary application of a Geographical Information System (GIS), based on a georeferenced database including data from commercial fishing and oceanographic surveys, and on geographical objects describing the physical and juridical environment, trawl operations and artisanal fishing sites, is presented. An ArcView environment is used to show spatial and temporal phenomena. Seasonal distribution charts for Octopus vulgaris and for the main associated finfish species on the Senegalese continental shelf reveal that octopuses are particularly abundant on the deep part of the continental shelf off Casamance and the Grande Côte during the cool season. Warm-season distribution seems to be more coastal. The results allow the interactions between artisanal and industrial fisheries and areas of potential conflicts to be identified. The intensity of these interactions for resource access and space allocation is highly correlated to season. The results also provide alternative explanations for fisheries management, e.g. on the degree of respect for or the relevance of the limits of regulated fishing areas and spatial fishing unit strategies according to the main seasons.

Management of water resources of the Nile Basin

SUMMARY A water crisis is looming in the Nile Basin in the near future due to higher population growth rates, greater affluence, and higher demand for water by agriculture and industry. There is no basin-wide agreement among the ten Nile Basin states and the existing rules of international water management are complicated and are not equipped to handle any future water conflicts in the Nile Basin. This paper reviews the existing water sharing arrangements among the Nile Basin countries, examines areas of potential conflict over future water use, and suggests possible areas of cooperation that will ensure equitable use of the Nile waters. The paper concludes by (1) appealing for formulation of good water development policies to deal with growing water needs such as water quality protection, efficiency of water delivery and efficiency of water use; and (2) calling for human resources development and technology transfers that are critical for good management and efficient use of the water resources of the Nile.

Defining landscapes suitable for restoration of grizzly bears Ursus arctos in Idaho

Informed management of large carnivores depends on the timely and useful presentation of relevant information. We describe an approach to evaluating carnivore habitat that uses pre-existing qualitative and quantitative information on humans and carnivores to generate coarse-scale maps of habitat suitability, habitat productivity, potential reserves, and areas of potential conflict. We use information pertinent to the contemplated reintroduction of grizzly bears Ursus arctos horribilis into central Idaho to demonstrate our approach. The approach uses measures of human numbers, their estimated distribution, road and trail access, and abundance and quality of bear foods to create standardized indices that are analogues of death and birth rates, respectively; the first subtracted from the second indicates habitat suitability ( HS). We calibrate HS to sightings of grizzly bears in two ecosystems in northern Idaho and develop an empirical model from these same sightings based on piece-wise treatment of the variables contained in HS. Depending on whether the empirical model or HS is used, we estimate that there is 14 800 km 2 of suitable habitat in two blocks or 37 100 km 2 in one block in central Idaho, respectively. Both approaches show suitable habitat in the current Evaluation Area and in an area of southeastern Idaho centered on the Palisades Reservoir. Areas of highly productive habitat are concentrated in northern and western Idaho and in the Palisades area. Future conflicts between humans and bears are most likely to occur on the western and northern margins of suitable habitat in central Idaho, rather than to the east, where opposition to reintroduction of grizzly bears is currently strongest.

Asian and Pacific Islander cultural values: considerations for health care decision making.

As the United States becomes more ethnically diverse, health care practitioners must learn about the perspectives and values of a variety of cultural groups. Of interest is how these cultural values intersect with those of the dominant culture, especially in the health care arena. This article explores the values that influence decision making among Asian and Pacific Islander cultures, with specific illustrations from six of these cultures. The literature, along with our observations as health professionals and researchers working in Hawaii, suggest potential areas of conflict between the more collectivist values of Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and the more individualist orientation of the U.S. health care system. Implications for practice and research are presented.