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1 – 10 of 128Kawsar Uddin Mahmud and Nasrin Jabin
The Ukraine crisis, which began with Russia's military intervention, has violently jolted the modern world. The egregious Russian invasion of Ukraine, on the other hand, has…
Abstract
The Ukraine crisis, which began with Russia's military intervention, has violently jolted the modern world. The egregious Russian invasion of Ukraine, on the other hand, has arguably altered the trajectory of the world order. This whiff of war does not exclude any state because all states in the world system are economically, politically, and socially interconnected and dependent on one another. Bangladesh is also feeling the effects of the Ukraine crisis. The crisis has highlighted some challenging aspects of Bangladesh's foreign policy, testing the robustness and independence of its decision-making process regarding United Nations resolutions. Myanmar, like Bangladesh, has appeared befuddled in its response to the crisis. This paper examines how Bangladesh and Myanmar's foreign policy anticipated an unwanted labyrinth by the crisis, which made its moral credibility critical to some extent. Furthermore, the paper discusses how these two countries’ foreign policy trajectories became entangled at a difficult crossroads. We used secondary data sources backed up by scholarly works on Bangladesh and Myanmar foreign policy, relevant books, recent reports, and writings on the subject for this article. This paper also sheds light on Bangladesh's U-Turn in supporting and speaking out in support of the UN resolution on Ukraine's humanitarian crisis.
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Noraini Abdul Latiff, Kazi Enamul Hoque and Muhammad Faizal A. Ghani
This paper aims to determine the hierarchical relationship between building partnership competencies for public sector educational leaders (ELs) administering and running the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to determine the hierarchical relationship between building partnership competencies for public sector educational leaders (ELs) administering and running the education system.
Design/methodology/approach
An interpretive structural modelling (ISM) technique was used to develop a hierarchical structural model for building partnership competencies. Nominal group technique (NGT) was used with the help of experts’ suggestions and opinions at the beginning of ISM to identify building partnership competencies. Also, the NGT was used to rank the competencies. A structural self-integration matrix was developed based on experts’ voting and agreement. Cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis was used to analyse the relationship among the building partnership competencies. A total of 11 experts were chosen for NGT and ISM sessions.
Findings
A total of 16 building partnership competencies were identified for this study. The competencies were compartmentalised into four domains: creative collaboration, create network, develop collective culture and encouraging constructive dialogue. MICMAC analysis shows each domain of the model of its key competencies ranked at the highest level in the ISM model and dependent competencies.
Research limitations/implications
ISM is a modelling approach that is based solely on expert opinions and responses. Its limitation can be overcome with the help of empirical analysis.
Practical implications
This study supports the public sector ELs’ professional development and upskilling. In addition, the model developed in the study will be helpful for stakeholders, human resources division and policymakers to incorporate building partnership competencies in the training and development of ELs.
Originality/value
This study helps to identify and prioritise building partnership competencies using NGT and ISM. Literature shows that numerous authors have used the ISM approach. Still, the combination of NGT approach is limited. Therefore, the model developed in the study was based solely on experts’ opinions and suggestion based on their experiences and knowledge.
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School leaders face many changes and challenges as they navigate their schools through complex and turbulent educational environments. Highly effective school leaders cope with…
Abstract
School leaders face many changes and challenges as they navigate their schools through complex and turbulent educational environments. Highly effective school leaders cope with complexity by building mental models or frameworks to understand the world that they face and operate in. This paper sets out a framework of six changes and six challenges for school leaders to consider as they move through the first decade of the new millennium. The paper is intended to be a means of providing a strategic discussion framework for leadership development within schools.
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Bridget Roberts, Darryl Maybery and Rebecca Jones
The integration of health or social services is an enduring challenge and especially so in relation to people experiencing “dual diagnosis”, the co‐occurrence of mental health and…
Abstract
Purpose
The integration of health or social services is an enduring challenge and especially so in relation to people experiencing “dual diagnosis”, the co‐occurrence of mental health and substance use problems. The emergence of the “dual diagnosis” concept has highlighted the tension between specialist treatment for single problems and complex, individualised care. The purpose of this paper is to examine the evolving nature of dual diagnosis initiatives in an Australian state during recent decades.
Design/methodology/approach
Interpretive, case study analysis of policy documents and key informant interviews (19) illuminates the experience of dual diagnosis initiatives.
Findings
In the case of Victoria, dual diagnosis responsiveness has evolved slowly over the last 20 years, delayed by the inherent difficulty of practice change, a weak perception of need, interprofessional tensions and shortcomings in data collection, coordination and resources. Key enablers have been champions and leaders in policy, management and clinical practice, directive government policy and targeted funding. Achieving a wrap‐around service system entails investment in interpersonal relationship‐building and stigma reduction, as well as technical or structural changes.
Originality/value
The paper presents a unique and independent view of a 20‐year period and indicates progress in attitudinal change that merits wider acknowledgement and application to other settings throughout health and social care.
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Z. Majdalani, M. Ajam and T. Mezher
Sustainable construction is a way for the building industry to move towards achieving sustainable development, taking into account environmental, socio‐economic and cultural…
Abstract
Sustainable construction is a way for the building industry to move towards achieving sustainable development, taking into account environmental, socio‐economic and cultural issues. Buildings, infrastructure and the environment are inextricably linked. Energy, materials, water and land are all consumed in the construction and operation of buildings and infrastructure. These built structures are also part of our living environment, affecting our living conditions, social well‐being and health. It is therefore important to explore environmentally and economically sound design and development techniques to ensure that buildings and infrastructure are sustainable, healthy and affordable. The objective of this paper is to investigate the role that the construction industry is playing in the sustainable development management globally and in Lebanon particularly. Survey questionnaires were distributed to main construction industry players: Contractors, Architects/Engineers and Owners/Developers. These questionnaires are designed to collect information on companies’ environmental awareness and social responsibilities and current practices that include land development, material selections, energy efficiency, construction operations, waste handling, storage facilities, sustainable designs and so on. The information is then analysed and recommendations are made on how to learn from socially responsible companies and how to improve the overall sustainable development of the construction industry in Lebanon.
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The principal goal of the article is to examine how Singapore, one of the East Asian tiger economies, has attempted to diversify its higher education system by developing…
Abstract
Purpose
The principal goal of the article is to examine how Singapore, one of the East Asian tiger economies, has attempted to diversify its higher education system by developing “transnational education” in the island state.
Design/methodology/approach
With particular reference to the most recent education reforms and changing higher education governance in Singapore, this article focuses on how the Singapore government has changed its higher education governance models in enhancing the global competitiveness of its higher education system by adopting more pro‐competition policy instruments and allowing the growth of transnational education in the city state.
Findings
The findings suggest the choice of policy tools (the choice of market forces in higher education and the rise of transnational education in the present case) is highly political and governments should pay particular attention to the particular socio‐economic and socio‐political contexts of their countries when making such choices.
Originality/value
The paper shows that the role of government in East Asia is still important, especially when there is a strong need for government to set up appropriate regulations, social protection and welfare, hence, governments in East Asia are very much conceived as a complement to the markets.
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Edward M. Mungai, S. Wagura Ndiritu and Tazeeb Rajwani
This study aims to investigate the drivers for adopting energy efficiency practices within an emerging market context.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the drivers for adopting energy efficiency practices within an emerging market context.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on the shared value theoretical perspective, this study investigates the corporate strategy approaches toward energy efficiency in firms. This paper draws from a sample of 852 Kenyan firms from 14 sectors. This study’s analysis is based on an ordered probit model.
Findings
The findings indicate that companies that conduct energy audits, have environmental performance-based compensation for senior management, provide staff training on energy efficiency and have a written energy policy are more effective in energy efficiency and conservation efforts. Based on the findings, this study recommends that companies and policymakers incentivize corporate actions and strategies to promote energy efficiency. While this study’s findings offer critical insights, the authors recommend future research to make sectorial comparisons.
Originality/value
Studies focusing on drivers of energy efficiency are limited, and those that exist are often either qualitative or focused on large, listed firms. By investigating 852 companies in 14 sectors in Kenya, this study adds to the literature on firms’ energy efficiency management.
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David Chan and Jason Tan
This paper aims to trace the evolution of two initiatives – the direct subsidy scheme and independent schools initiative – their genesis, rationale, current form and take‐up rate…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to trace the evolution of two initiatives – the direct subsidy scheme and independent schools initiative – their genesis, rationale, current form and take‐up rate. It also analyses them as education reforms in terms of policymaking dynamics. The very notion of the term “privatization” will be examined.
Design/methodology/approach
The article examines the two school privatization schemes in Hong Kong and Singapore, by putting into perspective a discussion of their policy implications, thereby reflecting on their similarities and differences in their agenda, implementation and implications.
Findings
The findings indicate that the DSS and independent school schemes in both Hong Kong and Singapore are in line with the global trends of privatization. It is suggested that the governments of the two places have adopted different approaches in the implementations of their schemes.
Originality/value
The paper shows how the direct subsidy scheme and independent schools initiative represent attempts over the past two decades by the governments of Hong Kong and Singapore, respectively to promote school privatization.
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This paper explores the value of financial statement auditing in the public sector. The study applies theory about auditing from the private sector as well as the public sector to…
Abstract
This paper explores the value of financial statement auditing in the public sector. The study applies theory about auditing from the private sector as well as the public sector to explore ways in which public sector auditing can be expected to be valuable. It shows that there are a number of complementary explanations that can be applied to examine the value of public audit, including agency, signaling, insurance, management control, governance and confirmation explanations. The evidence from research and history is generally consistent with the agency and management control explanations. There is some support for the signaling and insurance explanations, while research evidence suggests that governance has differing impact in the public sector compared to the private. The confirmation hypothesis is also potentially relevant. Reviewing the history of the development of public sector auditing functions shows that at least some developments were consistent with explanations such as agency theory and management control. Auditing in the public sector is an area where more research is valuable. The paper concludes with a discussion of issues for further investigation.
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As US firms expand into Canada, it becomes necessary for them to be aware of Canadian law governing labour and employment. Unlike what many might think, the laws in the two…
Abstract
As US firms expand into Canada, it becomes necessary for them to be aware of Canadian law governing labour and employment. Unlike what many might think, the laws in the two countries are substantially different. Further, the effects of these differences have been demonstrated empirically. Considers the differences between US and Canadian labour law in seven areas: certification procedures; first contract arbitration; new technologies; strike replacements; successorship; employee participation programmes and union security. Discusses the effects of the laws in these areas.
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