Integration Process Research Articles

Research on urban agglomeration spatial network structure in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River based on real-time traffic accessibility scenario analysis

ABSTRACT Investigating the spatial network structure of urban agglomerations based on traffic accessibility has an important practical significance in accelerating the process of regional integration. Taking urban agglomeration in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River (UAMRYR) as the case study, this study aims to examine the characteristics associated with the spatial network structure based on traffic accessibility and its changes under scenarios of different traffic accessibilities by adopting real-time traffic data, modified gravity model, and social network analysis (SNA). The main conclusions are as follows. Wuhan, Changsha, and Nanchang are the central cities in the spatial network; the spatial network structure of UAMRYR is imbalanced and in the agglomeration stage of regional economic development. With the development of traffic accessibility, resources first gather in the individual center cities and then spread to other cities, and the network tends toward equilibrium.

Artificial intelligence and human integration: a conceptual exploration of its influence on work processes and workplace learning

ABSTRACT This paper examines the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on job and organizational processes, drawing on sociotechnical systems (STS) theory. It discusses the emergence of AI and its implications for HRD on individual, group, and organizational learning. AI has changed the trajectory of work processes and outcomes, paving the way for the future of work. An AI-human integration process model is proposed to reinforce its influence on job design in response to AI applications in the workplace. Learning is experienced between humans and between humans and AI. AI’s cognitive intelligence is capable of learning from each other through a process of deep learning. Humans, too, can learn from AI to modify their response towards working with AI-enabled applications. The model illustrates the relationships between individuals, work processes, and sociotechnical systems through multilevel interactions. Of relevance to HRD are two critical processes, namely learning and innovating, that facilitate the continuation of AI-human integration, enabling employees to embrace AI as an integral part of their work life. The paper offers several implications for HRD research and practice, recognizing opportunities for workplace learning and the potential constraints and risks arising from AI adoption that are applicable globally and internationally.

Low-Temperature Nanosecond Laser Process of HZO-IGZO FeFETs toward Monolithic 3D System on Chip Integration.

Ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFETs) are increasingly important for in-memory computing and monolithic 3D (M3D) integration in system-on-chip (SoC) applications. However, the high-temperature processing required by most ferroelectric memories can lead to thermal damage to the underlying device layers, which poses significant physical limitations for 3D integration processes. To solve this problem, the study proposes using a nanosecond pulsed laser for selective annealing of hafnia-based FeFETs, enabling precise control of heat penetration depth within thin films. Sufficient thermal energy is delivered to the IGZO oxide channel and HZO ferroelectric gate oxide without causing thermal damage to the bottom layer, which has a low transition temperature (<250 °C). Using optimized laser conditions, a fast response time (<1 µs) and excellent stability (cycle >106, retention >106 s) are achieved in the ferroelectric HZO film. The resulting FeFET exhibited a wide memory window (>1.7V) with a high on/off ratio (>105). In addition, moderate ferroelectric properties (2·Pr of 14.7 µCcm-2) and pattern recognition rate-based linearity (potentiation: 1.13, depression: 1.6) are obtained. These results demonstrate compatibility in HZO FeFETs by specific laser annealing control and thin-film layer design for various structures (3D integrated, flexible) with neuromorphic applications.

Electrochemical characterization of localized corrosion mechanism of ALD Al2O3-coated copper for microelectronic application

To achieve performance and reliability in microelectronics devices, copper interconnections must be protected from aggressive environment during the manufacturing process and throughout the life of the devices. Atomic Layer Deposition Al2O3 thin films has been used as a compatible layer with key integration process steps, as well as being corrosion-resistant in neutral media. However, electrochemical tests in aggressive environment have revealed that the alumina prematurely failed to protect copper from localized corrosion. In this study, local and global electrochemical techniques have been employed to evaluate the reactivity of copper at multiple scales and to elucidate the underlying corrosion mechanisms.

European Integration, Opportunities and Risks of Business and Agriculture in Albania

The Integration Process of Albania in the European Union started in 1993 and is considered a long road with many challenges. The signing of the Stabilization-Association Agreement in 2006 is the most important moment of this process, including the harmonization of legislation, to prepare the final EU membership process. This article analyses business opportunities and risks, mainly those of the agri-food sector on its way to the EU. In this framework, trade agreements with the EU and Free Trade Agreements (CEFTA) have influenced the liberalization of trade for agri-food products, intensifying and increasing the level of trade with Europe and the countries of the region. This article also deals with the identification of comparative advantages for the agri-industry sector, where facing the regulated European market, not only challenges are analyzed, but also serious limitations, increasing the need for a structural change in trade relations. In the focus of this paper, are the economic and regional strategies, as well as the progress of the business and agri-food processes, also addressing the trade flows of Albania with the countries of the region and the EU. The analysis of this paper consists of three main premises: 1) in the framework of European integration, costs and benefits in terms of economy and business are more visible in the medium and long term; 2) the integration in the medium term brings a higher economic growth for the countries that aspire to join the EU; and 3) the European integration makes the economy more efficient, bringing about an increase in the ratio of investments, in relation to income, through the reduction of risk with a tendency to increase capital and income per capita (European Commission Report, 2023). The analysis of empirical data shows that the results are not as convincing as expected, thus confirming other previous studies by experts in the field. The main conclusion of this paper is that the integration process has influenced reforms and economic policies in terms of formal and content, both in terms of costs and benefits. In substantive terms, the data analysis shows that the process of European integration has served as a strong impetus for the development of institutions in the country, inter-institutional coordination, the establishment of new institutions, the improvement of human resources, local markets, and the increase of absorptive capacities of funds from the EU. On the other hand, it is concluded that in specific areas of domestic business, such as agri-industry, the effects of EU integration are either not felt yet or are minimal.

Features of Applying Judicial Precedent in the Ukrainian judicial system

The article explores the possibility of future application of judicial precedent in the Ukrainian judicial system and the necessity of normative consolidation of its status as a source of law. Additionally, it is necessary to determine the criteria according to which judicial acts will be classified as sources of law. It is important to consider that the legal force of judicial precedent cannot be equivalent to the legal force of legislation; however, it can play a supplementary role and significantly enhance the quality and effectiveness of justice delivery. It analyzes specific works of scholars on the issue of recognizing judicial precedent as a source of law in Ukraine and its application in modern judicial practice. It is argued that the main questions arising during the investigation of the potential application of judicial precedent in Ukraine as a legal phenomenon should be analyzed through comparative analysis with legal systems where precedent is the primary source of law. It is substantiated that comprehensive and thorough research on precedent as a source of law is necessary for further improvement of the judicial system in Ukraine, driven by several reasons. Firstly, the increasing scientific interest in atypical sources of law for our country is associated with the intensive processes of Ukraine's integration into the European and global communities, as well as military actions in the country. Secondly, at the present stage, there is a significant influence of political, geographical, historical, and other factors on the legal space. The third reason for conducting research on judicial precedent is that both precedent and judicial practice are exclusively applied and legally applicable institutions directly related to the practical activities of the judicial system. It is established that unlike judicial practice, a judicial precedent, which is created by individually adopted court decisions of higher judicial instances, is a type of legal provisions developed as a result of judicial practice and one of its forms aimed at overcoming gaps in legislative regulation.

Revolutionizing Supply Chain Management: Real-time Data Processing and Concurrency

In the contemporary business landscape, effective supply chain management (SCM) is paramount for organizations seeking to thrive amidst evolving market dynamics and heightened customer expectations. This research paper presents a pioneering approach to SCM that harnesses cutting-edge technologies, namely Kafka and Akka, to revolutionize data integration and decision-making processes. By leveraging Kafka as a robust distributed event streaming platform and Akka as a versatile toolkit for developing concurrent and distributed applications, our system facilitates seamless communication and coordination across diverse nodes within the supply chain network. This paper elucidates the intricacies of the proposed architecture, detailing the implementation methodology and performance evaluation metrics. Through a comprehensive examination, we demonstrate how our solution enhances supply chain visibility, fosters operational agility, and enables real-time responsiveness to market fluctuations and customer demands. Moreover, practical use cases exemplify the transformative impact of our approach on inventory management optimization, order fulfillment efficiency, and logistics optimization. Furthermore, we delve into the challenges encountered during implementation and deployment, offering insights into potential mitigative strategies. Finally, we outline avenues for future research, exploring emerging trends and opportunities in the realm of SCM empowered by Kafka and Akka technologies.

The typical and atypical developing mind: a common model.

We present a theory of atypical development based on a developmental theory of the typical mind integrating developmental, cognitive, and psychometric theory and research. The paper comprises three parts. First, it outlines the theory of typical development. The theory postulates central cognitive mechanisms, such as relational integration, executive and inferential processes, and domain-specific processes underlying different environmental relations, such as visuospatial or quantitative relations. Cognitive development advances in cycles satisfying developmental priorities in mastering these systems, such as executive control from 2-6 years, inferential control from 7-11 years, and truth control from 12-18 years. Second, we discuss atypical development, showing how each neurodevelopmental disorder emerges from deficiencies in one or more of the processes comprising the architecture of the mind. Deficiencies in relational integration mechanisms, together with deficiencies in social understanding, yield autism spectrum disorder. Deficiencies in executive processes yield attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Deficiencies in symbolic representation yield specialized learning difficulties, such as dyslexia and dyscalculia. Finally, we discuss clinical and educational implications, suggesting the importance of early diagnosis of malfunctioning in each of these dimensions and specific programs for their remediation.

Modern Challenges of Adjusting the Effectiveness of the Application of Laws (on the Example of Tax and Legal Regulation)

The relevance of the research topic is determined by the current state of social relations. It is notedthat the analysis of modern social relations cannot be carried out outside the boundaries of significantchallenges that require not only their understanding, but also consideration in the relevant reform measures.The most important challenges today are the following: Russia&amp;#39;s war with Ukraine; European integrationprocesses that characterize modern trends in Ukrainian development; digitization of all aspects of public life.Given the problems associated with this, the article defines both objective reasons that affect tax relations, aswell as requirements that are subjective in nature.The purpose of the article is to highlight problematic aspects of the state of modern legal regulation.Attention is focused on the fact that war, European integration and digitalization are among the mostinfluential factors in this aspect. It is clear that they cannot fail to influence the traditional legal means thatguarantee the effectiveness of tax legislation. These aspects are the subject of analysis.Traditional methods of scientific knowledge are used in the research, thanks to which a systematicidea is formed about the reasons for adjusting legal means of influence on tax relations. The characteristicsof the influence of martial law on tax regulation are carried out depending on the stages. The beginning ofthe first is associated with 2014, while the second - with 2022. Despite common features (narrowing of theterritories where Ukrainian jurisdiction exists, reduction of the tax base and tax-paying taxpayers, etc.),differences in the content of these stages have been singled out. European integration processes, whichreflect the movement of Ukraine towards the European community, provide for the adjustment of the natureand content of tax legislation in the following directions: a) adaptation of the current tax legislation ofUkraine to European requirements; b) consideration of European prescriptions at the stage of developmentof zocono projects; c) achieving a balance of acts of the national legislation system.Three areas of relations, which most fundamentally affect the legal status of tax regulation, havebeen studied. The prospects of tax changes depending on the state of war, the prospects of the impact ofharmonization of EU legislation and national legislation, the need to take into account the processes ofdigitalization of tax relations are considered.On the basis of the conducted research, conclusions were made and recommendations were maderegarding the harmonization of the prescriptions of both exclusively tax norms and tax norms on the borderwith other industry regulations. Adjustment of the current set of legislative norms determines the importanceof a systematic approach to the turnover of virtual assets. The formation of a generalized, systematicapproach to these relations is fundamentally important. In order to achieve such a state, it is very importantto supplement the private law means of regulating the circulation of virtual assets with effective tools ofpublic and legal influence (taxation, supervision, public control). The study analyzes the substantive factorsof the regulation of such relations proposed by the two draft laws.

Asymmetry of the economic development of the Eurasian Economic Union: analysis and recommendations

The article analyses the asymmetry of the development of the Eurasian Economic Union countries (hereinafter referred to as the EAEU). The objective of the work is to analyse the symmetrical development of countries within the framework of the EAEU and to formulate measures and recommendations for increase of the economic potential of the countries. In order to achieve the purpose, the objective of comparative assessment on the basis of three indicators was set and overcome. The three indicators include gross domestic product per capita, investments per capita and average accrued salary. The corresponding calculations were done for each indicator, and graphs were constructed showing the general state of the economic development. During the study, the methods of factor and system analysis were applied. The initial data for the study were the official sources of the statistical authorities of the EAEU countries, the Interstate Statistical Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States as well as publications and scientific articles related to this topic. The main problem is the uneven economic development of the EAEU member states which leads to negative consequences for strengthening the integration process. As a result of the study, some measures were proposed to achieve the symmetrical development of the countries within the framework of the EAEU, and recommendations were prepared for the effective development of interaction between the member countries of the integration association. Following the results of this work, a conclusion was formulated on strengthening ties between the countries by focusing on a mixed economy with government regulation, infrastructure development and increased investment activity.

General practitioners’ management of mastitis in breastfeeding women: a mixed method study in Australia

BackgroundMastitis is a common reason new mothers visit their general practitioner (GP). In Australia, the Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic provides practical advice to GPs managing a range of infections, including mastitis. It is not known if Australian GPs prescribe antibiotics and order investigations as recommended for the management of mastitis.MethodsA convergent mixed methods design integrated quantitative analysis of a general practice dataset with analysis of interviews with GPs. Using the large-scale primary care dataset, MedicineInsight, (2021–2022), antibiotics prescribed and investigations ordered for mastitis encounters were extracted. Mastitis encounters were identified by searching ‘Encounter reason’, ‘Test reason’ and ‘Prescription reason’ free text field for the term ‘mastitis’; ‘granulomatous mastitis’ was excluded. Clinical encounters for mastitis occurring within 14 days of a previous mastitis encounter were defined as belonging to the same treatment episode. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Australian GPs using Zoom or telephone in 2021–2022, and analysed thematically. The Pillar Integration Process was used to develop a joint display table; qualitative codes and themes were matched with the quantitative items to illustrate similarities/contrasts in findings.ResultsDuring an encounter for mastitis, 3122 (91.7%) women received a prescription for an oral antibiotic; most commonly di/flucloxacillin ([59.4%]) or cefalexin (937 [27.5%]). Investigations recorded ultrasound in 303 (8.9%), blood tests (full blood examination [FBE]: 170 [5.0%]; C-reactive protein [CRP]: 71 [2.1%]; erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]: 34 [1.0%]) and breast milk or nipple swab cultures in approximately 1% of encounters. Analysis using pillar integration showed consistency between quantitative and qualitative data regarding mastitis management. The following themes were identified:- GPs support continued breastfeeding.- Antibiotics are central to GPs' management.- Antibiotics are mostly prescribed according to Therapeutic Guidelines.- Analgesia is a gap in the Therapeutic Guidelines.- Low use of breast milk culture.ConclusionsPrescribing antibiotics for mastitis remains central to Australian GPs’ management of mastitis. Interview data clarified that GPs were aware that antibiotics might not be needed in all cases of mastitis and that delayed prescribing was not uncommon. Overall, GPs followed principles of antibiotic stewardship, however there is a need to train GPs about when to consider ordering investigations.

Analyzing the process of achieving common wealth for different groups in China based on the opportunity advantage perspective of income distribution

Realizing the common wealth of all people is the essential requirement of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Measuring the process of realizing common wealth and the differences between groups is one of the important issues that need to be addressed urgently. In order to reasonably measure the process of realizing common wealth in China, on the premise of horizontal comparability and vertical consistency, the principles of comparability and consistency are introduced, and a comparative method of opportunity advantage based on income distribution is proposed from the perspective of opportunity equity. Using the 2012–2020 CFPS data to measure and test the opportunity advantages and their differences across regions and groups in China. The study found, firstly, that the opportunity advantage persists but tends to diminish across groups, with the more educated group having a more pronounced opportunity advantage, but that this advantage is diminishing over time. Secondly, the doctoral degree group has a greater probability of earning higher incomes, followed by the master’s and bachelor’s degree groups, but this opportunity advantage, i.e., the probability of earning higher incomes, is diminishing, i.e., the education dividend is diminishing. Third, the difference in opportunity advantage between urban and rural areas still exists, as evidenced by the greater probability of higher incomes in towns than in rural areas, but this advantage has narrowed further over time, with a clear process of urban-rural integration. Fourthly, in terms of gender, men have a certain opportunity advantage over women, but this difference is not significant. Fifthly, in the context of education levels, gender and urban/rural subgroups, under the framework proposed in this paper, China has achieved some success in the process of realizing the common wealth, and is showing a steady upward trend.

Conditional independence as a statistical assessment of evidence integration processes.

Intuitively, combining multiple sources of evidence should lead to more accurate decisions than considering single sources of evidence individually. In practice, however, the proper computation may be difficult, or may require additional data that are inaccessible. Here, based on the concept of conditional independence, we consider expressions that can serve either as recipes for integrating evidence based on limited data, or as statistical benchmarks for characterizing evidence integration processes. Consider three events, A, B, and C. We find that, if A and B are conditionally independent with respect to C, then the probability that C occurs given that both A and B are known, P(C|A, B), can be easily calculated without the need to measure the full three-way dependency between A, B, and C. This simplified approach can be used in two general ways: to generate predictions by combining multiple (conditionally independent) sources of evidence, or to test whether separate sources of evidence are functionally independent of each other. These applications are demonstrated with four computer-simulated examples, which include detecting a disease based on repeated diagnostic testing, inferring biological age based on multiple biomarkers of aging, discriminating two spatial locations based on multiple cue stimuli (multisensory integration), and examining how behavioral performance in a visual search task depends on selection histories. Besides providing a sound prescription for predicting outcomes, this methodology may be useful for analyzing experimental data of many types.

Women on the move: Understanding the female face of migration to develop targeted policies

Women migrants and refugees are playing an increasingly important socio-economic role in our societies. As gender has an impact on their experience and on their integration process, it is necessary to develop a gender-sensitive, targeted approach, which enables their contribution to society to be fully appreciated. Female migrants and refugees may face stronger, and double, discrimination and experience further barriers to integration in their host countries. Yet, the societal inclusion of women is key for their families; has multiplier effects; and can stimulate changes in social norms, gender relations and discriminatory practices. Furthermore, investing in women contributes to economic growth, social cohesion and stability. Therefore, promoting gender mainstreaming in migration policies is both a social and an economic necessity. It must not be overlooked.

Health promotion as the nexus of public health and clinical care: the case of a district hospital in southern Ghana.

This study explored the extent to which health promotion techniques and activities are incorporated into public health and clinical care at a District Hospital in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, as well as the challenges that this process faces. Information was obtained at the hospital facility through direct observation, interviews and open-ended questionnaires. Findings showed that the process of incorporating health promotion activities into public health and clinical care at the hospital was underdeveloped. The challenges this process faces based on the research findings include structural challenges, inadequate logistics, increased workload, insufficient human resource capacity, lack of motivation for staff, lack of cooperation, teamwork and consultation, inadequate management and enforcement support, prolonged hospital hours for healthcare workers and patients, and inadequate knowledge of health promotion and training. To address these challenges, suggested measures include promoting teamwork and collaboration among healthcare professionals, training and continuous education, government involvement and enforcement of health promotion integration at the hospital, hospital management involvement, media sensitization and advocacy, provision of financial, material and human resources, motivation and encouragement of the process of health promotion integration, and patient involvement. Further research is also recommended to broaden the scope of this study by involving other health practitioner categories and health promotion stakeholders.

Aligning peripheral intravenous catheter quality with nursing culture-A mixed method study.

To explore barriers and facilitators that influence adherence to evidence-based guidelines for peripheral intravenous catheter care in different hospital wards. Sequential explanatory mixedmethod study design, with qualitative data used to elaborate on quantitative findings. Data were collected between March 2021 and March 2022 using the previously validated Peripheral Intravenous Catheter mini questionnaire (PIVC-miniQ) on each ward in a tertiary hospital in Norway. Survey completion was followed by individual interviews with nurses from selected wards. The Pillar Integration Process was used to integrate and analyse the quantitative and qualitative findings. The PIVC-miniQ screening assessed 566 peripheral intravenous catheters in 448 patients in 41 wards, and we found variation between wards in the quality of care. Based on the quantitative variation, we interviewed 24 nurses on wards with either excellent or not as good quality. The integration of the quantitative and qualitative findings in the study enabled an understanding of factors that influence nurses' adherence to the care of peripheral venous catheters. One main theme and four subthemes emerged. The main finding was that ward culture affects education practice, and this was evident from four subthemes: (1) Deviation from best practice, (2) Gaps in education and clinical training, (3) Quality variation between wards and (4) The importance of supportive leadership. This mixed method study is the first study to explore reasons for variability in peripheral intravenous catheter quality across hospital wards. We found that ward culture was central to catheter quality, with evidence of deviations from best practice correlating with observed catheter complications. Ward culture also impacted nursing education, with the main responsibility for learning peripheral intravenous catheter management left to students' clinical training placements. Addressing this educational gap and fostering supportive leadership, including champions, will likely improve peripheral intravenous catheter care and patient safety. Nurses learn good peripheral intravenous catheter care in wards with supportive leaders and champions. This implies that the quality of nursing practice and patient outcomes are situational. Nurses need a strengthened emphasis on peripheral catheter quality in the undergraduate curriculum, and nurse leaders must emphasize the quality of catheter care in their wards. The study findings impact nurse leaders who must commit to quality and safety outcomes by appointing and supporting local ward champions for promoting peripheral intravenous catheter care. This also impacts nursing education providers, as the emphasis on catheter care must be strengthened in the undergraduate nursing curriculum and continually reinforced in the hospital environment, particularly when guidelines are updated. The study adhered to the Good Reporting of A Mixed Method Study (GRAMM). A patient representative has been involved in planning this study.

Advancing Smart Lithium-Ion Batteries: A Review on Multi-Physical Sensing Technologies for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Traditional battery management systems (BMS) encounter significant challenges, including low precision in predicting battery states and complexities in managing batteries, primarily due to the scarcity of collected signals. The advancement towards a “smart battery”, equipped with diverse sensor types, promises to mitigate these issues. This review highlights the latest developments in smart sensing technologies for batteries, encompassing electrical, thermal, mechanical, acoustic, and gas sensors. Specifically, we address how these different signals are perceived and how these varied signals could enhance our comprehension of battery aging, failure, and thermal runaway mechanisms, contributing to the creation of BMS that are safer and more reliable. Moreover, we analyze the limitations and challenges faced by different sensor applications and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each sensing technology. Conclusively, we present a perspective on overcoming future hurdles in smart battery development, focusing on appropriate sensor design, optimized integration processes, efficient signal transmission, and advanced management systems.

Gaze Orienting in the Social World: An Exploration of the Role Played by Caregiving Vocal and Tactile Behaviors in Infants with Visual Impairment and in Sighted Controls

Infant attention is a cognitive function that underlines sensory–motor integration processes at the interface between the baby and the surrounding physical and socio-relational environment, mainly with the caregivers. The investigation of the role of non-visual inputs (i.e., vocal and tactile) provided by the caregivers in shaping infants’ attention in the context of visual impairment is relevant from both a theoretical and clinical point of view. This study investigated the social attention (i.e., gaze orientation) skills in a group of visually impaired (VI) and age-matched sighted controls (SCs) between 9 and 12 months of age. Moreover, the role of VI severity and maternal vocalizations and touch in shaping the social attention were investigated. Overall, 45 infants and their mothers participated in a video-recorded 4 min interaction procedure, including a play and a still-face episode. The infants’ gaze orientation (i.e., mother-directed, object-directed, or unfocused) and the types of maternal vocalizations and touch (i.e., socio-cognitive, affective) were micro-analytically coded. Maternal vocalizations and touch were found to influence gaze orientation differently in VI infants compared SCs. Moreover, the group comparisons during the play episode showed that controls were predominantly oriented to the mothers, while VI infants were less socially oriented. Visual impairment severity did not emerge as linked with social attention. These findings contribute to our understanding of socio-cognitive developmental trajectories in VI infants and highlight the need for tailored interventions to promote optimal outcomes for VI populations.

Loosely Defined Partnerships: A Case Study of Three Refugee-Serving Nonprofit Organizations

This article uses a case study approach to explore how U.S.-based nonprofit organizations collaborate to serve immigrants and refugees and identifies characteristics that are essential to successful partnerships. While other studies have documented the challenges immigrants and refugees face in relocating to a new community and the ways community-based organizations help them through the integration process, this project brings together migration studies and nonprofit management studies to interrogate the concept of partnerships based on the lived experiences of organization staff. Partnerships are essential to providing programs and services, and this project seeks to explore the tension inherent in partnering with other organizations that have similar missions and goals. This project captures the stories of three refugee-serving nonprofit organizations in a midsouth city. Utilizing in-depth interviews to analyze the interorganizational collaborations that the three organizations have formed to provide holistic support to immigrants and refugees, the findings here suggest that partnerships are essential but often fraught. These organizations, like many nonprofits, face limited capacity and form community partnerships to alleviate these limitations. As defined by improving an organization’s ability to fulfill its core missions, successful partnerships rely on relational embeddedness and a shared mission. Findings demonstrate the necessity and benefit of a network of partnerships to meet the needs of this unique population.

The Impact of the European Union on the Endorsement of the Justice Reform in Albania

European integration has been the primary goal of Albanian foreign policy since the collapse of the communist regime, regardless of the ruling political party. The political elite and the Albanian people embrace and support the integration process. Also, the European Union has grown as a transformative power in Albania, fostering democracy, influencing structural reforms, and impacting the rule of law through the promise of future accession. However, the enlargement process has been slow due to internal and external factors. The article analyzes the EU as a transformative power and the use of Conditionality in Albania as an essential diffusion channel of the EU's values and norms, using the adoption of justice reform as a key study. The article's objective is to examine how the EU perspective membership has influenced the endorsement of justice reform in Albania. The paper argues that the EU approach has succeeded in fostering compliance with formal accession criteria but has yet to implement the justice reform due to internal factors and a not linear enlargement perspective. Progress Reports, literature, surveys, and media articles will be analyzed to fulfill the paper's objective.   Received: 10 February 2024 / Accepted: 20 April 2024 / Published: 5 May 2024