Positions Of Power Research Articles

Corruption and Early Chief Constables in the County of Roxburgh: Sexual Misconduct, Thefts, Desertion and a ‘Disreputable Drunkard’

This article addresses a subject that has not been examined by scholars: the extent of corruption in early Scottish chief constables. Three men placed in charge of their forces in the county of Roxburgh between 1861 and 1902 succumbed to corruption. There are striking similarities in the backgrounds of the men: they were all married men, experienced police leaders, highly regarded by their previous forces and successful in their new roles. James McMaster abused his position of power to cajole a young constable into a homosexual relationship, Daniel Munro deserted the force with a married woman and John Macdonald experienced alcohol abuse issues. All three men stole from their force. The research presented here is grounded in primary sources ranging from police records, police commissioners’ minute books, the reports of the Inspector of Constabulary, the private correspondence of the duke of Buccleuch and local newspapers. The article describes the circumstances whereby their crimes were revealed and the reaction of their police commissioners. It also poses an important question: if this examination of one small rural county uncovers such a high level of criminality, how widespread was corruption amongst Scotland's early police leaders?

Institutional analysis of water governance in the Colorado River Basin, 1922–2022

The 1922 Colorado River Compact started the long history of water governance in the Colorado River Basin. Over the last century, the institutional structure has shaped water governance in the basin. However, an understanding of the long-term evolution is lacking. This study examines how water management strategies have evolved at the basin scale by incorporating institutional, temporal, and network structure analysis methods to examine long-term changes. Content analysis was employed to systematically investigate encouraged and/or discouraged water management actions at different rule levels. The water governance network was examined at four points in time to map the institutional structure, actors, and governance level at which rules are issued and targeted. Using institutional analysis, we found constitutional, operational, and collective-choice level rules for water supply, storage, movement, and use have been altered via layering of new governance rules without major rule or responsibility alteration. The network analysis results indicate that key decision-making positions have remained and actors who issue and are targeted by the rules lack significant change. We found original positions of power have been maintained, potentially stagnating the space for problem-solving and management strategy renegotiation. Our results indicate that path dependency has shaped water governance and who is able to influence decision-making.

Quenching and Suppression of Limit Cycles in 3x3 Nonlinear Systems

For several decades, the importance and weight-age of prediction of nonlinear self-sustained oscillations or Limit Cycles (LC) and their quenching by signal stabilization have been discussed which is confined to Single Input and Single Output (SISO) system. However, for the last five to six decades, the analysis of 2x2 Multi Input and Multi Output (MIMO) Nonlinear Systems gained importance in which a lot of literature available. In recent days few literatures are available which addresses the exhibition of LC and their quenching/suppression in 3x3 MIMO Nonlinear systems. Poor performances in many cases like Load Frequency Control (LFC) in multi area power system, speed and position control in robotics, automation industry and other occasions have been observed which draws attention of Researchers. The complexity involved, in implicit nonmemory type and memory type nonlinearities, it is extremely difficult to formulate the problem in particular for 3x3 systems. Under this circumstance, the harmonic linearization/ harmonic balance reduces the complexity considerably. Still the analytical expressions are so complex which loses the insight into the problem particularly for memory type nonlinearity in 3x3 system. Hence in the present work a novel graphical method has been developed for prediction of limit cycling oscillations in a 3x3 nonlinear system. The quenching of such LC using signal stabilization technique using deterministic (Sinusoidal) and random (Gaussian) signals has been explored. Suppression LC using pole placement technique through arbitrary selection and optimal selection of feedback Gain Matrix K with complete state controllability condition and Riccati Equation respectively. The method is made further simpler assuming a 3x3 system exhibits the LC predominantly at a single frequency, which facilitates clear insight into the problem and its solution. The proposed techniques are well illustrated with example and validated/substantiated by digital simulation (a developed program using MATLAB codes) and use of SIMULINK Tool Box of MATLAB software. The Signal stabilization with Random (Gaussian) Signals and Suppression LC with optimal selection of state feedback matrix K using Riccati Equation for 3x3 nonlinear systems have never been discussed elsewhere and hence it claims originality and novelty. The present work has the brighter future scope of: i. Adapting the Techniques like Signal Stabilization and Suppression LC for 3x3 or higher dimensional nonlinear systems through an exhaustive analysis. ii. Analytical/Mathematical method may also be developed for signal stabilization using both deterministic and random signals based on Dual Input Describing function (DIDF) and Random Input Describing Function (RIDF) respectively. iii. The phenomena of Synchronization and De-synchronization can be observed/identified analytically using Incremental Input Describing Function (IDF), which can also be validated by digital simulations.

Who uses abusive supervision to punish deviant employees? An integration of identity threat and self‐regulation perspectives

AbstractSubordinates' counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs) have been demonstrated as a critical precursor to their supervisors' abusive supervision. However, prior research has mainly taken a victim precipitation paradigm and focused on exploring subordinate characteristics that may diminish or amplify this relationship. The important role of supervisor characteristics has been rather overlooked. Integrating self‐regulation and identity threat theories, the current study extends the prior literature by focusing on supervisor characteristics, specifically, supervisors' sleep quantity, sleep quality, and narcissism, as moderators of the relationship between subordinates' CWB and supervisors' abusive supervision. The study utilized a time‐lagged design with a sample of 292 employees and 50 supervisors at a Chinese hospital. Results showed that subordinates' CWB at Time 1 was positively related to their supervisors' abusive supervision at Time 2. Supervisors' sleep quality was found to mitigate the relationship between subordinates' CWB and supervisors' abusive supervision; however, the moderating effect of supervisors' sleep quantity was not significant. Moreover, supervisors' narcissism exacerbated the relationship between subordinates' CWB and supervisors' abusive supervision. This study contributes to the abusive supervision literature by shifting away from the victim precipitation paradigm and placing supervisors, those in positions of power, at the forefront. Findings from the study provide insights into the design and implementation of supervisor training aimed at mitigating abusive behaviors in the workplace.

Design of magneto-inductive waveguide in 2-d magnetic metamaterial structure for wireless power transfer and near-field communications

<p>Recently, significant research has been conducted on magnetic metamaterials that exhibit negative permeability and operate within the GHz and MHz frequency ranges. These metamaterial structures can be utilized to improve the efficiency of near-field wireless power transfer systems, subterranean communication, and position sensors. However, in most cases, they are only designed to work for a single application. This study focuses on examining the transmission of magneto-inductive waves in magnetic metamaterial structures with ordered arrangements. This structure can be used simultaneously for wireless power transfer and near-field communications. The unit cell is formed by a spiral with five turns that is implanted on a FR-4 substrate. An external capacitor was used to regulate the resonant frequency of the magnetic metamaterial unit cell. The properties of magneto-inductive waves, including reflection, transmission response, and field distribution on the waveguide, have been extensively computed and simulated. The obtained results indicate that both 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional magnetic metamaterial configurations possess the ability to conduct electromagnetic waves and propagate magnetic field energy at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. The straight and cross path configurations were also investigated to identify the optimal configuration on the 2-dimensional metamaterial slab.</p>

CEOs’ Perceptions of Loneliness in the Workplace: An Exploratory Study

Loneliness among CEOs is a topic that draws the attention of leadership experts, as it was suggested that it’s a less explored topic in leadership studies (Wright et al., 2023). The popular phrase “it’s lonely at the top” suggests that top managers frequently experience loneliness in their roles. Not having someone close to confide in is a challenge for many leaders at work (George, 2015). CEO loneliness can have negative effects both individually (e.g., health, well-being and stress) and organizationally (e.g., commitment, employee perceptions of the CEO and turnover) (Wright et al., 2023; Chen et al., 2021). The aim of this study was therefore to explore how CEOs perceived and experienced workplace loneliness; more specifically, we sought to identify what types of loneliness they encounter most often, what situations may trigger workplace loneliness, and how CEOs cope with loneliness in the workplace, in Norwegian organizational settings. Based on empirical results from 14 in-depth qualitative interviews with CEOs of small and medium-sized companies, it appeared they had experienced state loneliness at work and that none of them had reported trait loneliness. State loneliness often arose in situations such as confidentiality cases, decision-making processes and change management processes. Due to the nature of the CEO role, our participants stated that they often accepted the loneliness in the workplace as part of their role, which might suggest a potential coping strategy that they utilize. Other coping strategies that were found include disconnection techniques and the use of their support networks. Addressing this topic adds value to empirical research on leadership by raising awareness of the challenges of loneliness that business leaders in positions of power, specifically CEOs in a Norwegian cultural context, face in the workplace when performing their duties. It provides insight into the types of loneliness experienced, the situations that can trigger CEO loneliness, and how loneliness in the workplace can be addressed and mitigated.

Community Health Agents Dismantling Gender Norms in a Machismo Society.

Community health agents (CHAs) play a crucial role in healthcare delivery and can also impact societal gender norms. This study aims to understand CHAs' perceptions of gender roles and norms to identify long-term strategies for women's empowerment. We conducted 90-min focus group discussions (FGDs) among CHAs in Peru. FGDs illuminated women's perceptions of gender roles and how to empower women in communities. In total, 53 CHAs participated across six FGDs. CHAs noted that women face significant barriers, are treated disrespectfully, and relegated to domestic roles. Ideal gender norms were described as having access to education, increasing voice, inclusion in decision-making, and independence. Changing gender norms requires that men, women, families, and communities support women's progress in society. CHAs are in a unique and powerful position to drive social change. Understanding CHAs perceptions can help develop effective strategies for women's empowerment.

Importance of accounting for student identities and intersectionality for creating equitable and inclusive physics learning environments

This research focuses on the experiences of seven undergraduate women who were majoring in physics in a medium-size physics department at a small liberal arts college. In the semistructured, empathetic interviews we conducted, the women discussed how they decided to major in physics, their interactions with their peers and instructors, and who supported them during their physics trajectory. We used Standpoint Theory and focused on the experiences of undergraduate women to get a holistic perspective of how they became interested in physics, how they have been supported in their physics journey, as well as identify any challenges that they faced in their undergraduate physics program due to their identity. Using the Domains of Power framework, we analyzed how those in the position of power, e.g., instructors, can play important roles in establishing and maintaining safe, equitable, and inclusive environments for students, which is especially important for historically marginalized students such as women and ethnic and racial minority students in physics. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Studying Up Public Sector AI: How Networks of Power Relations Shape Agency Decisions Around AI Design and Use

As public sector agencies rapidly introduce new AI tools in high-stakes domains like social services, it becomes critical to understand how decisions to adopt these tools are made in practice. We borrow from the anthropological practice to "study up" those in positions of power, and reorient our study of public sector AI around those who have the power and responsibility to make decisions about the role that AI tools will play in their agency. Through semi-structured interviews and design activities with 16 agency decision-makers, we examine how decisions about AI design and adoption are influenced by their interactions with and assumptions about other actors within these agencies (e.g., frontline workers and agency leaders), as well as those above (legal systems and contracted companies), and below (impacted communities). By centering these networks of power relations, our findings shed light on how infrastructural, legal, and social factors create barriers and disincentives to the involvement of a broader range of stakeholders in decisions about AI design and adoption. Agency decision-makers desired more practical support for stakeholder involvement around public sector AI to help overcome the knowledge and power differentials they perceived between them and other stakeholders (e.g., frontline workers and impacted community members). Building on these findings, we discuss implications for future research and policy around actualizing participatory AI approaches in public sector contexts.

The Pijao Indians in the Colombian Andes: a legacy for organizational democracy

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the organizational and managerial practices of the Pijaos community as a segmentary organization located in the Colombian Andes, providing a cultural legacy through the effective management of power and authority, while establishing a bridge to organizational democracy (OD). Design/methodology/approach A review of books, papers and historiographies was conducted to collect historical data on the Pijaos. Findings It was found that the social organization of the Pijaos was devoid of power ambitions and abuses of authority, thanks to characteristics inherent in their economic system, parenting style, socio-political structure and authority based on rotation of leaders rather than supreme delegation under an inheritance scheme. Originality/value Management literature has not considered the ancestral Amerindian communities of the southern continent to rescue their organizational practices and relate them to the new management trends, as organizational democracy, which not only operates based on flat structures but also considers the rotation of individuals holding positions of power.

Teacher Bullying—Does It Have an Impact on Peer Bullying Victimization?

AbstractPeer bullying in schools is well-documented through international research. There is, however, limited knowledge about teachers who bully students and how this is related to peer bullying. In the school hierarchy, the teachers have a strong position of formal power. When this power is exercised positively, through authoritative classroom leadership, this will both prevent bullying and support and protect victims of bullying. However, we cannot neglect the possibility that teachers can use their formal power negatively, and in the worst cases bully students. This study aimed to explore how teacher bullying was associated with being bullied by peers. Data from the Norwegian Annual Pupil Survey (2018) was used. The sample consisted of 173,742 students (48.93% female). The participation rate was approximately 90%. A Likert scale was used to estimate the extent to which students were being bullied by peers and teachers. The main results showed that teacher bullying was positively associated with peer offline and online bullying victimization while statistically controlling for gender and grades. With a rather small effect size, the association of teacher bullying with offline bullying victimization was stronger than with online bullying victimization. Bullying was measured using self-reporting with a single question. In future research, it is recommended that several questions be used to capture the complexity of bullying. The results from this study show that it is necessary to develop and implement preventive measures not only against bullying among peers but also against teacher bullying.

Acoustic Drift: Generating Helicity and Transferring Energy

This article studies the general properties of the Stokes drift field. This name is commonly used for the correction addedto the mean Eulerian velocity for describing the averaged transport of the material particles by the oscillating fluid flows. Stokes drift is widely known mainly in connection with another feature of oscillating flows known as steady streaming, which has been and remains the focus of a multitude of studies. However, almost nothing is known about Stokes drift in general, e.g., about its energy or helicity (Hopf’s invariant). We address these quantities for acoustic drift driven by simple sound waves with finite discrete Fourier spectra. The results discover that the mean drift energy is partly localized on a certain resonant set, which we have described explicitly. Moreover, the mean drift helicity turns out to be completely localized on the same set. We also present several simple examples to reveal the effect of the power spectrum and positioning of the spectral atoms. It is revealed that tuning them can drastically change both resonant and non-resonant energies, zero the helicity, or even increase it unboundedly.

Bourbachokátzouli: A Greek Governess in Victorian England

In Victorian fiction, the Greek woman often appears as a representation of modern Greece, with the 1821 War of Independence as a backdrop. When the novel A Modern Greek Heroine appeared in 1880, the Morning Post naturally noted that ‘this is not, as might possibly be supposed from its title, the biography of any champion of Hellenic independence, but a novel of English life’ (3). Henry Cresswell, the novel's author, imagined an alternative universe for his heroine. In A Modern Greek Heroine, Bourbachokátzouli has lost her father and connection to her homeland and is haunted not by the ghost of a lost cause but by a man suspected of insanity in a trajectory that brings her to Britain to seek employment as a governess. Cresswell drew inspiration from revolutionary Crete, giving his main protagonist the highly distinctive name of a real-life woman warrior from Sfakia, yet his Bourbachokátzouli is both an unconventional ‘modern Greek heroine’, resenting many elements of her Greek past, and an untypical Victorian governess harnessing the heroic in herself. Employed as a French governess in Britain and received as an untruthful Greek, she discovers heroism in self-abnegation, exposes late-Victorian society's limitations, subverts stereotypes, and finally finds herself in a position of power.

Locked out of water: a reflection on WaSH access in US prisons

ABSTRACT The United Nations global minimum standards for prisons are termed the ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ and are based on the humane treatment of incarcerated people. Of the approximately 11.5 million people incarcerated worldwide, over two million are located in the United States (US). Mass incarceration is maintained by political, economic, and societal structures of inequality and discrimination. The lens of safely managed sanitation provides a window into the treatment and lived realities of people who are incarcerated. This article synthesizes the existing literature and builds on this foundational knowledge with accounts from people who have experienced living in the US prison system. Throughout the literature and across these lived accounts we find a severe lack of privacy, emotional distress, consistent Human Rights violations, and evidence of those in positions of power in prisons using control over water and sanitation to enact excessive punishment. Denying these fundamental rights restricts people's health and well-being, and contributes to further dehumanization and trauma, which is detrimental to the individual and to wider society. We find that one route toward revealing the extent of discrimination against incarcerated people, and beginning to make impactful, person-centered change, is focusing on full, safe, and dignified access to WaSH services.

Is the Position of Power More Relevant than Gender for Commercialization of Research? An Explorative Longitudinal Study over 21 Years

AbstractThe existing gender gap regarding commercialization of research is a limiting factor for the knowledge economy. The aim of this study is to explore the long-time development of the proportion of women researcher’s involvement in the process of university spin-out (USO) foundations in a longitudinal study over 21 years at the Uppsala University in Sweden, using the perspective of the position of power. It was found that the proportion of women researchers among the USO-founders increased at the same pace as the increase in the proportion of women among full professors at the University and the gender gap was significantly reduced during the last 7 years studied. Furthermore, during the last 7 years studied, 2.7% of the women full professors at the University participated in USO creations compared to 2.6% of their male counterparts. These findings challenge the perception that women in general have a lower entrepreneurial propensity and strongly indicate that the position of power has a significant impact. Furthermore, the prosperity of women researchers to get involved in commercialization efforts in this Scandinavian study seems to be much higher than those previously reported from the Anglo-Saxen context which is discussed from the perspective of other influential factors. Since the study is limited to only one university recommendations for further studies to validate, the findings are given as well as policy recommendations.

Teacher Well-Being Under Threat: The Consequences of Workplace Bullying from Preschool to Higher Education

Workplace bullying can be defined as the repeated occurrence of aggressive behaviour by one or more persons in a position of power towards the victim. This phenomenon remains insufficiently researched among education professionals, especially between different levels of education. With this in mind, the present study aims to assess and characterise this phenomenon in the Portuguese teacher population, as well as its consequences. A digital questionnaire was used for the study, which includes a socio-demographic component and two scales, namely the LIPT-60 scale and the WBMMS scale. The questionnaire was published online and made accessible to all teachers employed in schools in Portugal. The final sample consisted of 2003 teachers. The obtained results revealed that 22.5% of the sample acknowledged experiencing workplace bullying. The most prevalent aggressive behaviours included communication blockage and defamation and disregard for work. Vertical descent emerged as the most common form of bullying. More than half of the victims reported experiencing health issues, with a quarter of them requiring a medical certificate. Finally, we would like to emphasize the significance of this study as an initial step towards the prevention and reduction of workplace bullying among Portuguese teachers.

Defining child maltreatment for research and surveillance: a Delphi study in 34 countries

Abstract Background Child maltreatment is a complex public health issue that has consequences across the life-course. Studies to measure child maltreatment and identify interventions and services are constrained by a lack of uniform definitions across sectors and countries. We conducted a Delphi study to reach consensus on types and characteristics of child maltreatment for use in surveillance and research in Europe. Methods Statements were developed following a scoping review and identification of key concepts by an international expert team (n = 19). A multidisciplinary expert panel (n = 70) from 34 countries participated in three rounds of online data collection. We defined consensus as ≥ 70% agreement or disagreement with each statement after the final round. Results Consensus was reached on 26/31 statements, with a participant retention rate of 94%. The definition states that child maltreatment is a subtype of violence against children. The perpetrator can be an adult or minor, but must be in a position of power over the child. To define an act or omission as child maltreatment, it must cause harm or have the potential to cause harm, regardless of intention, severity, chronicity, or the traditional/cultural beliefs of the perpetrator. In addition, the broad umbrella term encompassing emotional, behavioural or cognitive maltreatment should be “psychological”, and psychological maltreatment should be split into sub-types of psychological abuse and psychological neglect. “Neglect” is a broad type of child maltreatment within which there are subtypes that can all be characterised as “failure to provide” or “failure to supervise”. Conclusions This is the first study to demonstrate consensus on the types and key characteristics of child maltreatment across multiple sectors and countries, providing a unified definition of child maltreatment to improve consistency of measurement and surveillance in Europe. This abstract is submitted on behalf of Working Group 1 COST Action 19106. Key messages • A standardised definition is essential for monitoring child maltreatment. • We propose a consensus-based definition that can be used to improve child maltreatment measurement in research and surveillance.

Hierarchy as a signal of culture and belonging: Exploring why egalitarian ideology predicts aversion to hierarchical organizations

Variation in people's ideological preference for the maintenance of inequality between social groups (i.e., social dominance orientation; SDO) predicts important sociopolitical outcomes, such as endorsement of different social policies, institutions, and belief systems. We argue that SDO may also inform people's engagement with work organizations. Specifically, we propose that SDO may impact attraction to different organizational structures. Across 6 experiments (N = 3034), we find that people with relatively egalitarian values are less attracted to organizations with much (vs. little) managerial hierarchy; this gap in attraction is attenuated for relative anti-egalitarians (Studies 1a-b). These effects are not moderated by whether dominant vs. subordinate group members occupy positions of power in hierarchical arrangements (Study 2a-b) and are driven by signals concerning likelihood of organizational belonging that egalitarians (vs. anti-egalitarians) derive from managerial hierarchy (Studies 3a-b). We discuss implications for social dominance theory and research connecting ideology to organizational attraction.

“It Can't Just Be the Younger People”: Exploring Young Activists' Perspectives on Intergenerational Tensions and Solidarities for Climate Justice

ABSTRACTYouth activism for climate justice is inherently intergenerational. Fundamentally, young activists demand urgent action by today's adult power‐holders for the security and well‐being of their own and future generations. Despite intergenerationality being core to the movement, few studies with young activists have explored their views and experiences of intergenerational relations and tensions and how to advance intergenerational solidarities for climate justice. Addressing these critical topics, the present study used in‐depth interviews with young activists (ages 15–17) in the climate justice movement across the US. Themes generated through reflexive thematic analysis centre on: (1) youths' adoption of “next generation” and “last generation” identities, respectively emphasising the heightened climate risks faced by their own and future generations, and the closing window of opportunity to prevent catastrophic climate breakdown; (2) their experiences of hostile and benevolent adultism; and (3) the need for adults to listen to, take seriously, centre, amplify, and—most importantly—respond to youths' demands. They urge adults, particularly those in powerful positions, to use their age‐based privilege, political enfranchisement, material resources, professional status, and decision‐making authority to uplift young people's voices and tangibly advance climate justice through solidarity‐driven intergenerational partnerships and action. Implications for youth‐centred research and policy are discussed.

Prevalence and pattern of child maltreatment at home among secondary school students in Ibadan North Local Government, Oyo State, Nigeria

BackgroundChild maltreatment is an action that endangers a child's health or survival and is often committed by individuals in positions of responsibility, trust, or power. The extent of maltreatment among secondary school students in developing countries, including Nigeria, requires further exploration, and evaluating this burden can inform preventive interventions. ObjectiveThe study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, pattern and factors associated with maltreatment at home among secondary school students in Ibadan North LGA, Oyo State, Nigeria. Participants and settingA cross-sectional study including 422 students in secondary school was conducted in randomly selected secondary schools in Ibadan North LGA, Nigeria using a multistage-sampling procedure to select students. MethodsThe study used a pre-tested, semi-structured, questionnaire administered by the interviewer, incorporating questions on sociodemographic and the child home version of the ISPCAN Child Abuse Screening Tool (ICAST-CH). Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test, done by setting the significance level at 5 %. ResultsRespondents had a mean age of 13.9 ± 1.8 years, with 52.1 % being female and 69.5 % living with their parents. More than a quarter (26.8 %) of the respondents experienced all forms of maltreatment, with emotional and physical maltreatment rates at 85.3 % and 81.8 %, respectively, and neglect and sexual maltreatment at 47.4 % and 55.9 %. Age, school type, Parental education, and living arrangements were significantly associated with experience of all forms of maltreatment. ConclusionsAll child maltreatment forms were significantly present among the students. Measures like engaging parents/guardians through parenting programs and sensitization efforts are crucial in reducing the occurrence of maltreatment.