Role In Organization Research Articles

Digital Rural Construction and the Welfare of Disadvantaged Children: Exploring the Roles of Government and NGOs

As global sustainable development goals progress, improving the welfare of vulnerable rural populations has become a critical issue for many countries. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) from 2014 to 2022, this paper examines the impact of Digital Rural Construction (DRC) on the welfare of disadvantaged rural children. Specifically, it explores the mechanisms through which DRC enhances child welfare, focusing on information access, educational resource availability, and medical service accessibility. Additionally, the roles of government and non-governmental organizations in moderating this process are analyzed. The findings show that DRC significantly improves children’s health, education, and psychological well-being. Furthermore, interventions by governments and non-governmental organizations amplify these positive effects, with non-governmental interventions proving particularly effective. This study not only addresses a gap in the literature on the mechanisms linking DRC and child welfare but also offers valuable insights for policymakers from a sustainability perspective.

Determining Factors for the Sustainability of Arabica Coffee-based Eco-farming in Sembalun, Indonesia

The sustainability of eco-farming based on Arabica coffee in Sembalun, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia is influenced by various environmental, economic, social, cultural, institutional, and technological factors. Arabica coffee, known for its high quality, has become an important commodity for farmers and the local economy. However, challenges in implementing sustainable agricultural practices, such as excessive pesticide use and limited knowledge, hinder the adoption of eco-farming. This research adopts a combined qualitative and quantitative approach to evaluate the factors affecting sustainability. The results indicate that improvements in land management and waste disposal, educational and social support for farmers, as well as the active role of women farmer groups and community organizations, are crucial for achieving effective sustainability. It is hoped that these findings will provide practical recommendations to enhance eco-farming systems and support sustainable development goals, as well as the welfare of farmers in Sembalun.

Promoting Institutionalization of Research-Evidence Use in Maternal, Newborn and Child-Health Policymaking in Nigeria

The implementation of policies informed by research evidence in maternal newborn and child health (MNCH) is known to improve health outcomes. In this study we describe the process of the establishment of MNCH Research Days Event as a mechanism for the promotion of institutionalization of evidence-to-policy-to practice in MNCH in Nigeria. We also describe the current status of research evidence use in policymaking, level of policymakers-researchers interaction as well as identify the individual and organizational roles to promote evidence-informed policymaking in MNCH in Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional survey carried out during a 3-day National MNCH stakeholders’ engagement meeting on Nigeria Research Days for MNCH, as part of the Implementation of Moving MNCH Evidence into Policy (MEP) Project. Data on the stakeholders’ perception regarding the study objective was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered in person. A total of 51 participants completed the questionnaire. Result showed low mean ratings (MNRs) for both research evidence use in MNCH policymaking (ranging from 2.23-3.14 in a 5-point scale) and policymakers-researchers interaction (2.98-3.43). Creating research capacity development platforms for individuals and institutions involved in policymaking (MNR 4.69) were among strategies that can enhance the evidence-to-policy process in MNCH. Sustainable interaction between policymakers and researchers can be achieved through the institutionalization of mechanisms such as ‘Research Day Event’ that will provide platform to consider issues around evidence-to-policy-to-practice. Urgent sustainable capacity development among stakeholders in the MNCH sector is highly recommended.

‘At the heart of the community’ – a Somali woman’s experience of ‘alignment’ of support to escape social isolation in pregnancy and early motherhood

ABSTRACT Purpose Stresses in pregnancy and early motherhood can affect women’s health and wellbeing, and babies’ development. Migrant women face compounding stressors from the intersection of gender, race, social class, migration, and language. We explored one Somali woman’s experience of pregnancy and the transition to motherhood, following migration to an urban environment in the Global North, aiming to understand resilience in this specific socio-cultural context. Methods This case study used interpretative phenomenological analysis of a single two-hour semi-structured interview with a Somali woman in the UK to explore how this experience may have relevance for communities and practitioners in the Global North. Results We identified two overarching themes in this woman’s experience: “vicious” and “virtuous” circles, attempting to make sense of her experience of isolation and lack of wellbeing, and subsequent confidence, engagement, and community-building. Conclusions An experience of “alignment” in social relationships appeared to make possible the shift from “vicious” to “virtuous” circle, which enabled escape from social isolation. This account of transformation—from social isolation to community contribution—underlines the role of community organizations facilitating positive social networks and peer support during pregnancy and early motherhood.

Interactions Determining Stereoselectivity in Two-Dimensional Systems─The Case of 22-Hydroxycholesterol Epimers.

Oxidized derivatives of cholesterol play an important role in the functioning of biomembranes. Unlike other biomolecules, which are physiologically active in only one enantiomeric form, some oxysterols exist endogenously as two stereoisomers that exhibit strictly different biological effects. In this paper, we focused our attention on 22-hydroxycholesterol (22-OH) epimers, 22(R)-OH and 22(S)-OH, and examined their properties in Langmuir monolayers spread at the air/water interface, using classical surface manometry complemented with Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) images of the film texture. The studied epimers showed quite different monolayer characteristics. Namely, 22(S)-OH formed homogeneous, condensed monolayers of high collapse pressure, while 22(R)-OH films were more disordered and expanded with quite low collapse pressure. Interestingly, the latter compound showed in the course of the surface pressure-molecular area isotherm a temperature-dependent plateau transition, characterized by the coexistence of domains of molecules with different inclinations, visible in BAM images as patches of varying brightness. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations confirmed this and revealed that the greater structural variability of 22(R)-OH is due to the greater hydration of the oxygen atom at C(22) compared to the other epimer. Next, we tested whether 22-OH epimers could differentiate interactions with sphingomyelin (SM). Although the strength of interaction with SM was similar for both epimers, the composition of the films corresponding to this minimum was different. With the aid of MD, it was found that these differences result directly from the interplay between 22-OH molecules and their ability for hydrogen bond formation. Therefore, the stereochemistry of oxysterols seems to play a crucial role in the overall structural organization of the membrane.

Minorities at War, Part 2: Minority Agency in Times of Conflict

This introduction provides an overview of the second part of thespecial issue titled “Minorities at War. Minority Agency in Timesof Conflict.” The articles in this issue underscore the role ofminority agency during times of conflict at the local, national, andregional levels. It examines how minorities self-organize inresponse to crises, the role of civic organizations and diasporas inproviding aid during wartime, and the impact of war on the creationand evolution of minority identities. Additionally, it explores theliving memories of past traumas among survivors and theirdescendants. The articles featured in this issue are based oncontributions originally presented at the BASEES Study Group forMinority History’s second official biennial symposium, “Minoritiesat War from Napoleon to Putin,” held at the New Europe College inBucharest, Romania, from 11-12 May 2023.

State Fragility and the Resurgence of Military Coups in West-Africa

State fragility and coups in Franco-phone West Africa constitute a worrisome political issue caused by weak leadership, instability, poverty, corruption, weak governance institutions, insurgency and terrorism, kidnapping and banditry, border porosity and high rates of military coup. The paper analysed the causes and consequences of military takeovers in West Africa and the role of regional organizations in curbing them. Secondary materials were used for data analysis. The paper concludes that the brazen-faced and audacious French imperialism in West Africa has contributed to the ongoing instability and insecurity in the subregion; creating a fertile ground for coup resurgence, which was driven by military leaders seeking to gain control and exploit the resources of the region for their own benefit. The paper thus suggests that as soon as the polity is stabilized, political power should be returned to the people in the affected States.

Green Energy Co-operation Mechanisms Between China and Countries along the Belt and Road: The Role of Chinese Local Governments and International Organizations

As global climate issues have intensified, promoting green energy has become the key to solving the problem. This paper explores the role of Chinese local governments and international organizations in promoting green energy cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It highlights the importance of such partnerships for accelerating energy transitions in underdeveloped countries. The study argues that local governments in China have translated central policies into local action, supporting the development of green energy projects along the Belt and Road through policy responses, promoting local projects, and mobilizing local businesses to invest. At the same time, this article classifies the international organizations participating in the BRI as platform-type organizations and participatory organizations. The former provides effective financial tools for Belt and Road green energy projects, and the latter uses existing influence to promote the construction of an international discourse on a consensus-driven green Belt and Road. Effective green energy cooperation requires a multi-level approach that includes policy adaptations, infrastructure construction, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms. Research on the role and influence of actors within cooperation networks and the relationships among multiple actors may provide a reference for broader green cooperation on a global scale.

Curbing bureaucratic limitations through continuous learning in local government in South Africa

The local government in South Africa faces a dire scenario as it relentlessly fails to execute its legally mandated responsibilities of rendering essential goods and services. Despite various legal frameworks (The Municipal Systems Act 2000; The Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) 2003) and government interventions (The Batho Pele Principles 1997) to address the bureaucratic limitations, local government continues to transgress, resulting in many local municipalities receiving adverse audit outcomes from the Auditor General every year. Prior research on local government in South Africa has not extensively investigated the effects of continuous learning on mitigating bureaucratic limitations and promoting efficiency and effectiveness in municipal service delivery. This paper examines the role of learning organizations, guided by Pete Senge’s Model of Learning Organizations, in mitigating bureaucratic limitations within South African local governments. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research explores how continuous learning platforms can contribute to overcoming these limitations and enhancing municipal service delivery. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select 50 participants from 10 municipalities across six South African provinces, ensuring representation from various managerial levels within local governments. The study’s key findings reveal that if properly implemented, continuous learning frameworks can address critical issues such as administrative inefficiency and resistance to innovation, which are deeply embedded in bureaucratic structures. The findings also highlight that change management strategies, grounded in collaborative learning and shared vision, are essential for fostering an environment conducive to organizational transformation. However, the study identified significant challenges, including political interference, staff turnover, and cultural resistance, which limit the effectiveness of learning organizations. Based on these findings, the study recommends targeted interventions that promote leadership development, skills enhancement, and policy reform to create a sustainable culture of continuous learning in local government.

Bridging Global Mandates and Local Realities: Intermediary clusters and interorganizational collaboration for international development

Addressing international sustainable development is an urgent and critical challenge. Existing research has focused on the role of individual intermediary organizations in supporting and shaping inclusive local markets to enhance development. However, it has overlooked how clusters of organizations act as intermediaries to build development capacity, and how they do so through local public institutions. This study focuses on the United Nations (UN) system and examines a specific transnational governance arrangement (Delivering as One) that envisioned the creation of local clusters of UN organizations to facilitate institutional capacity-building in developing countries. By comparing the evolution of the eight pilot UN arrangements, we distil a model of how intermediary clusters facilitate local capacity-building through a process of contextual bridging driven by interorganizational collaboration within the cluster. Our findings identify four mechanisms of contextual bridging. The first two – functional amalgamation of operations and development of a cohesive collective voice – strengthened internal collaboration among cluster members; subsequently, sharing authority with local stakeholders and the local calibration of interorganizational collaboration (IOC) allowed the entrenchment of IOC into the local context. Our work contributes to the literature on interorganizational collaboration and transnational governance in the face of global challenges.

Legal Policy in Handling Domestic Violence The Role of Protection and Legal Institutions

Domestic violence (DV) is a complex phenomenon that stems from various social, cultural and economic aspects. Domestic violence includes not only physical violence but also psychological, sexual, and economic violence, all of which have a significant impact on victims and their families. The Indonesian government has issued various regulations and laws to combat domestic violence, such as Law No. 23/2004 on the Elimination of Domestic Violence. This research aims to analyze the effectiveness of legal policies to combat domestic violence (KDRT) in Indonesia as well as the role of protection organizations and law enforcement agencies in providing support to victims. Domestic violence is a serious problem that requires comprehensive and systematic treatment. This research uses qualitative methods with analysis of policy documents, annual reports and statistics on domestic violence cases. The research results show that although there are supportive policies, their implementation is still not optimal due to lack of coordination between institutions, lack of resources and sensitivity of the judicial apparatus to domestic violence issues. Protection agencies play an important role in assisting and assisting victims, but limited financial and human resources hamper the effectiveness of these agencies. The study recommends increased training for law enforcement officers, increased funding for protection agencies as well as public education campaigns to increase awareness and participation in managing family violence. Collaboration between the government, protection agencies, law enforcement and the community is very important in creating a more effective and fair system for dealing with family violence.

Interscalable material microstructure organization in performance-based computational design

Various parameters can be integrated in material-based computational design in architecture. Materials are the main driver of these processes and evaluated with the constraints related to the form, performance, and fabrication techniques. However, current methodologies mostly involve investigating already existing materials. Studies on computational material design, in which new materials are developed by designing their microstructures in response to the performative issues, are generally undertaken at the material scale, and not adopted to the architectural design process yet. To resolve this issue, the methodology titled Interscalable Material Microstructure Organization in Performance-based Computational Design (I2MO_PCD) is developed and presented in three stages, including (1) identification of different types of material microstructures, (2) computational material design, and (3) prototyping. Data-based material modelling and visualization, and algorithmic modelling techniques are utilized, followed by various performance simulations as a part of an iterative process. New microstructure organizations are designed computationally, organized under three main groups as linear-curvilinear, crystal and metaball-voronoi. The outcomes of different performance analyses, including structure, radiation, direct sun hours, acoustics and thermal bridge were compared. Thus, the role of geometrical organization of microstructures, scales and material types in different performance computations were identified, by designing and fabricating synthetic materials.

In Silico Tools to Score and Predict Cholesterol-Protein Interactions.

Cholesterol is structurally distinct from other lipids, which confers it with singular roles in membrane organization and protein function. As a signaling molecule, cholesterol engages in discrete interactions with transmembrane, peripheral, and certain soluble proteins to control cellular responses. Accordingly, the cholesterol-protein interface is central to cholesterol-related diseases and is an essential consideration in drug design. However, cholesterol's hydrophobic, un-drug-like nature presents a unique challenge to traditional in silico analyses. In this Perspective, we survey a collection of tools designed to predict and evaluate cholesterol binding sites in proteins, including classical sequence motifs, molecular docking, template-based strategies, molecular dynamics simulations, and recent artificial intelligence approaches. We then comment on contemporary tools to evaluate ligand-protein interactions, their applicability to cholesterol, and the yet-untapped potential of cholesterol-protein interactions in human health and disease.

Exploring the Role of Community Organisations as Environmental Vulnerability Insurance for Cacao Smallholders in Colombia

The future of replacing illicit crops with cacao in the South Pacific region of Colombia transcends the economic viability of these plantations. The process of social-ecological restoration is intrinsically linked to the role of local organisations and the support of international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which introduce the main technical improvements conditional on the achievement of social improvements. The situation in the South Pacific region of Colombia, a territory historically characterised by illicit crop cultivation and inhabited by vulnerable Afro-Colombian communities, is analysed. This region is particularly significant for post-conflict agreements due to its high level of violence. This study analyses the determinants of differences in the selling price of cacao, assuming that the decision to sell dry cacao and access international markets is related to the support and assistance provided to farmers and their families than to their monetary value. The sustainable production of high-quality dry cacao, which is a main requirement for accessing international market prices, depends on access to adequate infrastructure. Inadequate access to high-quality production neutralises the substitution of illicit crops, and thus the environmental sustainability and social cohesion of the territory. The determinants of farmers’ ability to sell dry cacao are explored using a spatial econometric model that accounts for the influence of neighbouring areas. The findings indicate that enhancing producers' participation in community councils, supported by international NGOs, is crucial for addressing environmental risks.

Loop-extrusion-mediated plasmid DNA cleavage by the bacterial SMC Wadjet complex.

Structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) complexes play pivotal roles in genome organization and maintenance across all domains of life. In prokaryotes, SMC-family Wadjet complexes structurally resemble the widespread MukBEF but serve a defensive role by inhibiting plasmid transformation. We previously showed that Wadjet specifically cleaves plasmid DNA; however, the molecular mechanism underlying plasmid recognition remains unclear. Here, we use invitro single-molecule imaging to directly visualize DNA loop extrusion and plasmid cleavage by Wadjet. We find that Wadjet is a symmetric loop extruder that simultaneously reels in DNA from both sides of a loop and that this activity requires a dimeric JetABC supercomplex. On surface-anchored plasmid DNAs, Wadjet extrudes the full length of a 44-kb-pair plasmid, stalls, and cleaves DNA. Our findings reveal the role of loop extrusion in the specific recognition and elimination of plasmids by Wadjet and establish loop extrusion as an evolutionarily conserved mechanism among SMC complexes across all kingdoms of life.

The Role of Telemedicine in Enhancing Surgical Care Delivery in Africa: A Literature Review.

In Africa, telemedicine holds great potential to revolutionize surgical care delivery, especially in areas where access to quality treatment is scarce. Data about the use of these services in African countries is, however, limited. To outline the present issues in surgical care delivery, as well as the significant role of telemedicine in advancing surgical care delivery in Africa. This review will also discuss the challenges behind telemedicine utilization in Africa, and recommend targeted measures to address those barriers while promoting the enhanced integration of telemedicine into surgical care delivery. A comprehensive online literature search was conducted using several search engines, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar to assess the potential advantages of telemedicine over traditional surgical practices in Africa, as well as to identify the challenges hindering its implementation. The literature review examined the role of nongovernmental organizations in promoting telemedicine adoption across various African countries. Literature search terms include "countries of Africa," "impact of telesurgery and telemedicine in Africa," and "current situation of telemedicine in intervention." Only articles written in English were considered, and inclusion criteria included relevance to our research objectives and countries in Africa. The potential for telesurgery in Saharan and sub-Saharan countries is still a milestone to be unlocked, but already telemedicine implementation has shown great results. Although hindrances like trust, lack of infrastructure, and lack of trained personnel in the field of telecommunication have been issues. There is a rise in the use of telemedicine in areas of interest like postsurgical care, doctor-patient consultation, and tele-monitoring. Various schemes and plans implemented by public organizations have also peaked since the pandemic. A telemedicine establishment requires multifactorial development occurring in a step-by-step manner. Although complexity in development and barriers faced in countries in Africa are concerns, the outcomes of using telemedicine are considerably better. The rising population and lack of medical specialists have led to a gap in access to approachable surgical care, and telemedicine has shown promising potential to overcome it. Telemedicine implementation has changed the method of intervention in clinics all over the world. Implementation of parts of telemedicine like telesurgery and tele-monitoring has the potential to overcome the concern of a rising population, but there is still a long way to go.

Construction and use of mental models: Organizing principles for the science of brain and mind.

As an organizing framework for questions of mind and brain, I discuss how the brain builds and uses mental models. Mental models provide a complex, structured description of some situation in the world. The role of perception is to build such a model for the current environment; knowledge provides many of the building blocks; in episodic memory, a previous model is reinstated; in cognitive control, the model dictates a choice of action. A model, I suggest, is a compositional, whole brain state, combining information from multiple specialised brain systems into a structured description of entities in the model and their roles and relationships. The default mode network may play an organizational role as parts of a model are combined into a broader whole. The model combines an active attentional foreground with a more extensive, latent background. Foreground is based on active neural firing, orchestrated by the brain's multiple demand network. Background may also include low-intensity neural activity, but with a substantial contribution from both faster and slower aspects of synaptic change. Interplay between foreground and background underlies core aspects of cognition, including cognitive control, problem solving, abstraction, and learning. Together, these proposals suggest how integrated, whole-brain functions build mental models, providing a unifying framework for the diverse concerns of cognitive neuroscience.

The Role of the Dumai City National Narcotics Agency in the Rehabilitation of Drug Abuse Victims

Drug rehabilitation is a treatment process for narcotics abuse to restore or develop the physical, mental and social abilities of the sufferer concerned. Apart from recovering, rehabilitation is also a treatment or care for narcotics addicts so that people with an addiction can recover from their addiction to narcotics. This research aims to find out the role of the Dumai City National Narcotics Agency in the rehabilitation of drug abusers and to find out the inhibiting factors faced in rehabilitating drug abuse victims at the Dumai City National Narcotics Agency. This research uses qualitative research methods with a descriptive approach. This research refers to the organizational role theory of aromatic D and Sudrajat AR, which has four approach indicators: division of work, departmentation, distribution of authority, and coordination. The results of this research show that the role played by the organization in achieving the organization's goals is quite good. However, coordination in the field of prevention is still not optimal. The inhibiting factors are the lack of rehabilitation facilities and the long travel distance. In this way, it is hoped that the Dumai City National Narcotics Agency will emphasise coordination more and improve rehabilitation facilities.

Pupils' challenging behaviour towards their teachers: The role of teacher team collaboration in prevention. A qualitative study

Student challenging behavior toward teachers is a common phenomenon across countries. This qualitative study, based on 28 interviews with teachers and their school principals, from nine public schools in Denmark, examined how teachers prevent challenging behavior and the role of team organization. The findings emphasize that sharing knowledge, experiences, and responsibilities within teams facilitates prevention. School principals play a key role in supporting teachers and fostering reflection on teacher-student interactions. Trust among team members is essential for effective collaboration. Strengthening team organization and collaboration offers a practical approach to managing and preventing challenging behaviors within the student-teacher dynamic in schools.

Combating trade‐related fraud: do the Financial Action Task Force recommendations bite?

AbstractWe evaluate the efficacy of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations 2012, which set the global standard on combating money laundering and terrorist financing, by exploiting its staggered adoption in 16 East and South African countries. Using the trade gap as a proxy for trade‐related fraud activities, such as trade‐based money laundering, we find that the adoption of the FATF recommendations is correlated with a 15.3% reduction in trade‐related fraud. The FATF is particularly effective within countries with capable state and low corruption. The amount by which FATF adoption can reduce trade‐related fraud depends on a country's compliance level. Our results are robust to a series of robustness checks and contribute to a lively policy debate surrounding the role of international organizations in combating the financing of organized crimes.