Securing Whose Peace? The Effects of Peace-Agreement Provisions on Physical Integrity Rights After Civil War

When civil wars are resolved via negotiated settlement, peace-agreement provisions like power-sharing agreements and third-party security guarantees often are advocated for their purported benefits of ensuring a long-lasting and durable peace. Although scholars have explored the effects of peace-agreement provisions on enhancing the security of states, their influence on shaping individual security outcomes is largely unknown. The strong potential exists that these same provisions that improve a government\u27s ability to deter future violence also increase that government\u27s violation of its citizens\u27 physical integrity rights as a means of coercion and governance. Also rare in the power-sharing literature is exploration of the effects of individual, disaggregated provisions. This dissertation, therefore, asks: Under what conditions do peace-agreement provisions significantly improve the state\u27s protection of its citizens\u27 physical integrity rights? Two models are proposed. Model 1 considers aggregated power-sharing provisions. Model 2 considers disaggregated peace-agreement provisions, and includes both power-sharing agreements and robust third-party security guarantees. Both models are evaluated in light of the situational and historical contexts relevant to each state\u27s civil war experience. The universe of cases includes thirty-six civil wars in twenty-seven states where conflict terminated between 1989-2007 via negotiated settlement. This project leverages a mixed-method research design, including contingency tables and fuzzy-set Quantitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to resolve the small number of cases, multiple variables challenge and to account for causal complexity. Four central claims are advanced in this dissertation: First, the common technique of evaluating peace-agreement provisions by aggregating them according to common political, military, and territorial dimensions obscures and misleads scholars; the disaggregation of peace-agreement provisions reveals how measures often act in opposition. Second, a number of commonly present provisions--including integration of rebels into the main military ranks and the granting of territorial autonomy--are consistently inhibitory to individual security after civil war ends. Third, other provisions such as robust third-party security guarantees and the granting of territorial federalism consistently lead to a reduction in the level of political repression used by states after civil war has ended. Fourth, significant human-rights improvement results from favorable causal recipes (i.e., combinations of disaggregated conditions) that together reduce both the motivation and opportunity of a government to repress. These findings will assist decision-makers involved in negotiated settlements, as they (1) identify the appropriate blends of peace-agreement provisions for resolving different civil wars, and (2) balance the need for a post-conflict government to both assure its population and to deter future violence

Research on Risk Management for Healthcare Supply Chain in Hospital

Purpose: Unlike the commercial industries, the risks arising from the healthcare industry’s internal system and the surrounding environment may cause serious consequences, even the patients’ health. Concerning the increasing emphasis on risk management in the healthcare supply chain environment, there is an urgent demand for a novel decision support method that supports supply chain risk management in the hospital setting. As the topic is still in the early stage and only a few systematic academic studies on this topic can be found over the last decades. This research aims to propose a novel comprehensive framework and integrated risk management model that takes explicit account of multiple types of risk factors in aiding decision-making as well as compares and ranks the current implemented alternative risk mitigation strategies using fuzzy set theory and multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods. Methodology: In pursuit of meeting the requirements of the research objectives, this research conducts empirical studies from both China and UK healthcare industries and follows three steps of risk management procedure based on the proposed framework to conduct risk factors identification, assessment and risk mitigation strategies identification. In order to ensure that the analysis is systematic and inclusive, various types of risk factors are identified through a related systematic literature review and are validated through a set of empirical studies. Risk assessment is conducted through two stages of questionnaire surveys and evaluated through Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM). Thereafter, risk mitigation strategies are identified through conducted empirical studies and evaluated through Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Research Implications: This is the first study which has developed a comprehensive risk management framework in the healthcare supply chain that effectively integrates supply chain risk factors identification, risk assessment as well as mitigation strategy identification and evaluation. The novelty of the developed framework lies in the fact that a systematic and practical decision making tools are proposed supporting hospital managers making strategic decisions on healthcare supply chain risk management. Furthermore, compared with several studies using secondary data, this thesis uses empirical data to conduct the identification and evaluation of risk mitigation strategies, enabling the results closes to the reality of the situation in the healthcare setting. Practical Implications: The profile of risk sources, the priority weighting and inter-relationship among these risks and, the ranking of mitigation strategies provide a guideline for hospital managers to anticipate and proactively deal with potential risks. The proposed framework applies to both the UK and China healthcare industries, the finding can also be applied in other countries and regions

Moving with the times? clinical psychologists views of cultural diversity : reflections on fear and uncertainty

There has not only been a lack of research in this area but also a trend towards pathologising those from minority ethnic backgrounds. Research has focussed on the black rather than the white and the client rather than the therapist. Some have argued for a paradigm shift within psychology, to place more emphasis on cultural factors, (Hong and Chiu 2001). However, others have stressed that emphasising difference creates an in-group, making difference a problem, (Reicher 1999). 10 clinical psychologists representing various levels of qualification, experience and interests were interviewed. Recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed using a grounded theory approach, (Strauss and Corbin 1997). The central theme of the data was uncertainty and fear of making mistakes. Due to the sensitivity of the topic, psychologists were afraid to admit a lack of knowledge, for fear of being seen as politically incorrect. In order to move forward with these issues, fear of not knowing needs to be reduced. Lack of knowledge should be accompanied by curiosity and seen as strength in cross cultural work. According to Wetherell et al (2001), versions of the world are seen as actively constructed through talk and categories of race are not fact but ideological constructions which become collectively shared. Analysis showed how language was used to support ambivalence and to justify a lack of responsibility and action. Clinical Psychologists employ discursive devices that serve to maintain the status quo and these are also representative of wider society. I think it is imperative that the profession is more aware of its own values; and how our discourse represents this, as being in the powerful position of therapist we may knowingly or unknowingly impose these values onto others. This area of research often attracts scrutiny and criticism. Yet, we should not VII allow this negative attention to deter future researchers and prevent the opportunity to develop our understanding in this area

Experimental and numerical analysis of damage in CFRP laminates under static and impact loading conditions

Engineering composites and especially long fibre carbon composites have been in high demand not only in aerospace and automotive applications, but also in high end everyday applications. In aerospace, carbon composites are used predominantly for secondary structures attached by joints or fasteners to various alloys or even different composites, and are exposed to service loads and repetitive impacting. Impact fatigue (IF) is not studied adequately for long cycles and relevant literature is investigating mainly drop weight tests and high speed projectile experiments. The main aim of this research was to investigate the behaviour long fibre CFRP’S exposed to repeated low-velocity, low energy impacts, and to observe the damage effects of this regime on the structural integrity of these materials. Two types of specimen configurations using CFRPS’s were used and exposed to loading conditions relevant to the Izod impact fatigue test (IIFT), and the tensile impact fatigue test (TIFT), in order to determine the fatigue behaviour of the specimens for each of these load conditions. For the IIFT, the fatigue life was investigated using IM7/8552 unidirectional specimens and T700/LTM45 cross-ply specimens were utilised for the TIFT. The specimen thicknesses were altered in both cases and parametric studies were carried out, where it was seen that IF results in high level of scatter and the apparent decrease in life was seen at relatively modest levels of maximum force after relatively few cycles. In the case of the IIFT, a durability limit was not apparent which increases the complications when designing against IF. In the case of the TIFT the stiffness deterioration was reflected as an increase of the loading time, in the force vs time graph, over the total fatigue life span. Fatigue crack growth was investigated using fractography and X-ray micro-CT at the micro and macro level. It was seen, that IF had the potential to initiate cracks and to cause their propagation at low levels of loading. For the IIFT, a single crack was growing substantially in the fibre direction and across the sample width causing matrix cracking and probably breaking of some fibres, which acted as impact wave guides since matrix cracks were propagating initially along the length of the fibres. In the case of the TIFT multiple damage modes were presented (matrix cracks, axial splits and delaminations). Their sequence and progression was successfully v captured and contrasted against the number of impacts. Axial splits governed the damage scenario, with delaminations extending between them and the free edges. For the TIFT, IF was studied using the force-life (F-Nf) and energy-life (E-Nf) curves. The tests undertaken showed that when halving the thickness of the laminates the fatigue life presented a 10-fold decrease as well as higher scatter. Finite element modelling was undertaken to validate the experimental data of the TIFT test. Successful simulation of a single impact was carried out using a fully transient 3-D model of the actual experiment configuration which involved geometric non-linearities in addition to the multiple contact conditions. The analysis was undertaken using the Abaqus 6.11 explicit solver. Since the numerical single impact results (force vs time response) was in agreement with the experimental results, the crack modes, experimentally observed, were also incorporated in the model utilising the use of the cohesive zone elements (CZE)

How does the use of mobile phones by 16-24 year old socially excluded women affect their capabilities?

This research looks at the impact of mobile phone use on the lives and opportunities of 16-24 year-old socially excluded women, using a novel, cross-disciplinary framework of the capability approach and affordances. Fieldwork took the form of semi-structured interviews in 2013-14 with 30 women between the ages of 16-24, and four youth workers. The instrumental affordances of mobile phones are examined to understand whether they provide a means to address issues relating to work, health, education and housing. The impact of the maintenance and communicative affordances of mobile phones on women’s lives and relationships is also critically examined. The fieldwork showed that respondents were making limited use of instrumental affordances to address issues of social exclusion. Poverty impacted on women’s mobile phone use: they lacked funds to repair their phones and experienced intermittent connectivity. Respondents were often paying a high proportion of their income for their mobile phones, going over call limits and breaking contracts. Mobile phones were contributing to a ‘digitally gendered’ identity, including technology-facilitated sexual harassment and gendered communicative practices. Economic and social circumstances meant that half of respondents were reliant on these devices for their Internet connection, and thus for a wide range of instrumental purposes. This demonstrates the value of research on women’s use of mobile phones that is alive not just to gendered technology use, but also to structural issues of class and poverty. This study shows the strength of cross-disciplinary approaches to studies on the social effects of inequalities of access to digital tools, particularly in the use of theories from the field of human computer interaction to ‘materialise’ understanding of the relationship between social and digital exclusion. It also makes a significant contribution to knowledge on the use of mobile phones by socially excluded young women in the UK

Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards and Market Performance of Listed Banks in Nigeria

Abstract. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of the adoption of IFRS on the market performance of banks in Nigeria. Secondary data were acquired from the financial statement of 15 money deposit banks listed on floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) while regression and paired sample test analyses were used to determine the association between the adoption of IFRS and the market performance of listed money deposit Banks in Nigeria. The study found a positive and significant relationship between the adoption of IFRS and the market performance of listed money deposit banks in Nigeria proxy by Dividend pay-out (DPO) and Dividend Yield (DY). Furthermore, the paired sample test result indicates a significant difference exists between Dividend pay-out (DPO) and the adoption of IFRS while no significant difference exists between Dividend Yield (DY) and the adoption of IFRS. Thus, the study recommends that the global adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards particularly in developing economies like Nigeria should be properly implemented and studied, so as to keep abreast with the various changes the would likely affect the market performance of the Nigerian Banking industry

Firm Characteristics and Corporate Social Responsibility Practices in Nigerian Listed Firms: An Empirical Investigation

In recent past, Corporate Social Responsibility has been a fundamental subject of discussion in academic literatures because of its vital contribution to sustainable development. In line with this assertion, this study assessed the corporate social responsibility (CSR) performances of listed companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). A cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study and secondary data compiled from the annual reports of those companies were used for the analysis. The study employed multiple regression estimation technique to analyse the CSR ratings of sixteen (16) companies used as the basis of investigation. The study found that while market capitalization had a positive significant relationship with corporate social responsibility practice, period of existence on the listing of Nigerian Stock Exchange had a negative relationship. Also, the industrial goods sector had a positive significant relationship with CSR practice while the oil and gas sector had a significant negative relationship. It is therefore recommended that activist groups, NGOs and community leaders should be more dynamic to challenge organizations to do more for their communitie

Global News Coverage on Victimization and Challenges of Roma Migrants from Romania: An Experiential Study

The issue of Roma migrants from Romania has generated debate and discussion among media experts, scholars and policy analysts across the globe. The socio-cultural implications of this issue have triggered an increase of reports and commentaries on international news television outlets across the globe. Interestingly, there have been various qualitative and quantitative studies on social mobility of migrants in Europe. However, there is paucity of research investigations on communication perspectives on the issue of victimization and challenges of Roma migrants from Romania. Thus, the need to generate empirical evidences on the rise and fall of media report on the experiences, motivations, and ambitions of Roma migrants from Romania is critical, considering the fact that the dramatic increase of Roma migrants in Western Europe is alarming. This study examined global news coverage on socio-cultural issues of Roma migrants from Romania, using Youtube videos as examples. Furthermore, this study examined the audience mindset on global news coverage of Roma migrants. The method adopted was content analysis and 12 news videos of three selected global TV outlets were analyzed; British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Cable News Network (CNN) and Aljazeera. The timeline adopted for the analysis was between June 2014 and March 2016 to achieve the objectives of the study. Also, four research questions were raised and adequately answered in this study. From the findings of the study, three predominant sociocultural challenges affecting the Roma migrants were identified and discussed, which are ethnic marginalization, structural poverty and racial bias. It was recommended that non-government agencies and concerned bodies should work hand-in-hand to provide structures for skill acquisition and human capital inclusion. Furthermore, the EU should reinforce its benefit systems for Migrants as well as partne

Impact of Ethics on the Conduct of Professional Accountants in Nigeria

High profile corporate collapses and fraud with which accountants are said to have been associated with has given rise to the questioning of the integrity of the professional accountants. This systemic failure has brought into focus issues of long standing debate with respect to how to curb this act and regain the confidence of the public in the professional accountants and the professional accountancy bodies at large. The study examined the impact of code of ethics on the conduct of professional accountants in Nigeria. Regression Analysis, Correlation Technique and Ttest were employed in analyzing the data collected. The results revealed that the fundamental principles of ethics have a significant impact on the positive conduct of professional accountants. It further revealed that there is no difference in the various opinions of stakeholders with respect to the impact of the code of ethics. It is therefore recommended that early stage teaching of ethics in all schools and continuous improvements taking into consideration changes in time, based on the current trend should be encouraged. There should also be a program in place to effectively monitor the adherence level of accountant

Bankers’ Perspectives on Integrated Reporting for Value Creation: Evidence from Nigeria

This study aims to examine the opinions of Zenith bank employees on the value, content and processes as well as the challenges of Integrated Reporting () in Nigeria with the hope of highlighting recommendations to encourage organizations to adopt it. Ninety eight employees responded to our survey. Generally, the respondents agree that () has value that could lead to better reporting of corporate activities. They also identified challenges that could mitigate the value of (). It was however noted that some of the challenges could be overcome with time, given that framework exist that is being test run by a number of organizations. The study recommends that there should be awareness campaigns to sensitize organizations on the value of . This paper contributes to the extant literature by offering insights of Zenith Bank employees on