56,722 research outputs found
Enhancing the role of the voluntary and community sector - a case study of the Yorkshire and Humber Region
This report was commissioned by the Chief Executive of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) to evaluate at ground level, using the Yorkshire and Humberside region as a case study, what is currently being achieved by the Prison and Probation Services in working with the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS); and to identify and provide analysis of perceived barriers and make recommendations to improve the engagement of the sector
Food calamities and governance; an inventory of approaches
In normal circumstances a governance structure of the food system has evolved that serves the system so as to reduce transaction costs. While its overarching conditions are often set by the government policy as to the sector, the private sector, with the help of an enabling government, has developed arrangements to its own liking. The question addressed in this review is whether this governance structure of the food system is robust enough to cover extreme events, calamities, that strike unexpectedly and may harm large sections of the system. Do normal arrangements cover part of what should be done in these circumstances, or do they perhaps hinder the application of adequate governance fit for such extreme events
Mechanisms for Automated Negotiation in State Oriented Domains
This paper lays part of the groundwork for a domain theory of negotiation,
that is, a way of classifying interactions so that it is clear, given a domain,
which negotiation mechanisms and strategies are appropriate. We define State
Oriented Domains, a general category of interaction. Necessary and sufficient
conditions for cooperation are outlined. We use the notion of worth in an
altered definition of utility, thus enabling agreements in a wider class of
joint-goal reachable situations. An approach is offered for conflict
resolution, and it is shown that even in a conflict situation, partial
cooperative steps can be taken by interacting agents (that is, agents in
fundamental conflict might still agree to cooperate up to a certain point). A
Unified Negotiation Protocol (UNP) is developed that can be used in all types
of encounters. It is shown that in certain borderline cooperative situations, a
partial cooperative agreement (i.e., one that does not achieve all agents'
goals) might be preferred by all agents, even though there exists a rational
agreement that would achieve all their goals. Finally, we analyze cases where
agents have incomplete information on the goals and worth of other agents.
First we consider the case where agents' goals are private information, and we
analyze what goal declaration strategies the agents might adopt to increase
their utility. Then, we consider the situation where the agents' goals (and
therefore stand-alone costs) are common knowledge, but the worth they attach to
their goals is private information. We introduce two mechanisms, one 'strict',
the other 'tolerant', and analyze their affects on the stability and efficiency
of negotiation outcomes.Comment: See http://www.jair.org/ for any accompanying file
Forming and maintaining cross-cultural interorganisational networks
This research addresses the problem: How do cross-cultural influences
affect interorganisational formation and maintenance international business
networks? In particular, the two concepts of stages of network development and
psychic distance in partner selection are explored. A partnership between educational
institutions and small and medium enterprises in developing trade relationships
in the Asia Pacific region are analysed is analysed in depth. This cross-cultural
business network did not appear to develop through clearly defined, predictable
stages and all dimensions of culture appeared to consistently influence the networks'
development. It seems that personal and business networks are important for both
partners (not only for Chinese Malaysians) but if these networks are not consciously
linked or expanded jointly, very little basis for cross-cultural understanding is built.
An investment in a cross-cultural network should be a multi-faceted and long term
financial, organisational and personal investment, which will have to change in
ways that are difficult to forecast except to say that they will be needed if
the network is not to eventually die
Measurement and reporting of climate-smart agriculture: technical guidance for a countrycentric process
Given the extent of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) initiatives at project, national, regional and global levels, there is increasing interest in tracking progress in implementing CSA at national level. CSA is also expected to contribute to higher-level goals (e.g., the Paris Agreement, Africa Union’s Vision 25x25, and the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs], etc.). Measurement and reporting of climate-smart agriculture (MR of CSA) provides intelligence on necessary the status, effectiveness, efficiency and impacts of interventions, which is critical for meeting stakeholders’ diverse management and reporting needs. In this paper, we build the case for a stakeholder-driven, country-centric framework for MR of CSA, which aims to increase coordination and coherence across stakeholders’ MR activities, while also aligning national reporting with reporting on international commitments. We present practical guidance on how to develop an integrated MR framework, drawing on findings from a multi-country assessment of needs, opportunities and capacities for national MR of CSA. The content of a unified MR framework is determined by stakeholders’ activities (how they promote CSA), needs (why MR is useful to them) and current capacities to conduct periodic monitoring, evaluation and reporting (how ready are institutions, staff and finances). Our analysis found that explicit demand for integration of data systems and active engagement of stakeholders throughout the entire process are key ingredients for building a MR system that is relevant, useful and acted upon. Based on these lessons, we identify a seven-step framework for stakeholders to develop a comprehensive information system for MR of progress in implementing CSA
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