The impact of Estonia’s established relations with the EU on the success of its post-communist transition

ESAANZ ESSAY PRIZE WINNERThis paper investigates Estonia’s post-communist transition and the successes and challenges of its accession and integration into EU. Specifically, it examines the tumultuous history between Estonia and Russia over the course of the last century and how this affected Estonian independence in the 1990s and the path to EU accession. Due to historical and ethnic factors, Estonians had always been opposed to Russification. This factor, coupled with Estonia’s consolidated liberal democracy and working market economy, has led the country’s accession to the EU to be one of the most successful examples of an effective post-communist transition. EU accession has benefitted Estonia in terms of protection against the ever-lingering threat of Russia, but such benefits have not come without a cost. Estonia has struggled with treatment of minorities and refugees, while its support for EU integration has been tested by the rise of populism both within and beyond its borders

Science and Charity: Rival Catholic Visions for Humanitarian Practice at the End of French Rule in Cameroon

This paper explores the conflict between local expressions of Christian charity and new theories of scientific humanitarianism in the final years of French rule in Africa. Compassionate phenomena inspired by Catholic social organizing had transformed everyday life throughout French Cameroon’s cities and villages in the interwar and postwar years, and yet, in 1950, poverty, crime, poor public health, and social tensions remained prevalent. Seeking a more deeply transformative approach to social rehabilitation, ecclesiastical leaders in the Catholic Church in Europe and French foreign missionary societies in Africa partnered with international medical and scientific organizations in order to invigorate charity with technical expertise. Revised ethics and practices departed sharply from preexisting models of collective social action, as European leaders lacked confidence in the intentions as well as the outcomes of African-led religious organizing. European humanitarian approaches conceived after World War II demanded a new focus on particular African subjects, namely the child and the family, which alienated indigenous Christian principals, who, along with large and diverse African Christian communities, had previously determined the direction of Catholic social action on the continent

Social Construction of Retail Digitalization: Managerial Perspectives

Digitalization is a pervasive movement, shifting society rapidly into the next industrial revolution and causing disruption to traditional ways of working. This movement has had major ramifications on brick and mortar retailers, redefining the traditional business model and offering opportunities to enhance the customer experience. The purpose of this study was to gain a holistic understanding of the digital transformation of retail from a retail manager’s perspective, thus, this study explores the ways in which retail managers are socially constructing retail digitalization. To address the lack of an established conceptualization of digitalization from a retail managers’ perspective, I applied an exploratory, framing analysis approach to this research gap. This procedure involved integrating field-based insights from 26 managers within the retail sector across Finland and the UK with supplementary literature on the topic of retail digitalization. Through conducting this research, three framing categories were identified, including: 1) investing in digital strategy and management, 2) changing organizational competences and mindset, and 3) shifting power to the retail customer, which were formulated based on nine managerial framings that were developed in the analysis. The findings indicate that though managers are aware of the various threats caused by digitalization, overall, they consider it a positive movement that stimulates innovation, offers new solutions, improves business processes, and enables a better service offering for customers. This study suggests that undergoing the digital transformation is not only a technological change in processes and systems, but a human change in terms of ways of thinking and working. The findings further indicate that retail managers must develop with the organization and have a thorough understanding of their business and the retail market. This study makes theoretical contributions by supporting ideas that are explored in existing literature such as the challenges related to creating the omni-channel business model, while adding the managerial perspective on various issues surrounding this organizational change. This study also contests some points made in the current literature on the death of high street by highlighting the hedonic value that brick and mortar retailers offer their customers which cannot be replaced by other channels. New perspectives were also contributed through this study by exploring how managers view data and analytics as important tools in organizational decision making and understanding the business. Finally, this study highlights an unexplored area in the literature, more specifically, the significance that retail managers place on the human side of the organization through the digital transformation

Developing R&D capacity in a primary care trust : use of the R&D culture index

There has traditionally been a low level of engagement of primary care practitioners with research. In the UK, primary care trusts (PCTs) now have some responsibility for the encouragement of research and development in primary care. The aim of this study was to assess the current level of research activity and capacity for research within a PCT. A questionnaire, incorporating a recently developed and validated research and development culture index, was sent to all 572 health care professionals and staff under the auspices of North Tyneside Research PCT. Data analysis used nonparametric tests of association including chi-squared, Mann–Whitney U and Spearman's rank order correlation. There was a 50.3 per cent response rate to the questionnaire. Groups more likely to show an increased capacity for research included those with postgraduate qualifications and those in post for the least time. General practitioners were less likely than other professional groupings to declare personal skills or aptitude for research. The two most important factors thought to contribute towards the development of a culture of R&D were having access to people to support development and changes in professional practice and having access to training and development opportunities. The use of the R&D culture index enabled groups to be identified that may be more research interested and can therefore be targeted to increase research capacity. The R&D culture index could be used by other PCTs wishing to define and develop research capacity in primary care

Business Model Opportunities in Brick and Mortar Retailing Through Digitalization

Purpose: In current retailing, digitalization provides new value creation mechanisms that increase competition and offer customers myriad options to fulfil their needs. Increasing complexities in the retail field has instigated restructuring, pressuring traditional retailers to reconsider their business models. The purpose of this study is to explore and identify the ways in which brick and mortar retailers are approaching opportunities presented by digitalization. Design/methodology/approach: 26 semi-structured interviews were conducted with top-level retail managers from the UK and Finland. This exploratory study analyzes the qualitative data through the five key drivers of innovation (operational effectiveness and efficiency, lock-in, customer effectiveness and efficiency). The opportunities are presented in terms of the three business model elements (format, activities, and governance). Findings: The findings illustrate seven key business model opportunities enabled by digitalization. Retailers are responding to competition, providing speed and convenience through multiple channels, leveraging digital tools to improve efficiencies and deliver customer experiences, rethinking management models, and adjusting organizational approaches. However, brick and mortar retailers should re-evaluate the business model elements collectively in order to seize opportunities that drive profits and gain competitive advantage. Originality/value: This topic is pertinent due to the accelerated restructuring of retail markets, yet the subject is underexplored in the literature. This paper highlights brick and mortar retail managers' perceptions and experiences of adapting through digitalization. Guided by this enriched data, we provide contributions by identifying and suggesting opportunities in brick and mortar retail business model reconfiguration. Keywords: business model, opportunities, digitalization, brick and mortar retailer

A Study Examining the Experiences of Unrepresented Defendants in the Criminal Courts

This thesis explores the experiences that unrepresented defendants have when appearing in magistrates’ courts in England and Wales. The majority of previous research done in the area is outdated (e.g. Dell 1971a, 1971b; Carlen 1976; McBarnet 1981). Twenty interviews were conducted with legal advisors, ushers, defence lawyers and judicial prosecutors. I also spent around 226 hours observing at two magistrates’ courts and a range of hearings were observed. Mostly qualitative data were collected in this research, though some quantitative data were also gathered. The findings from this study were compared with those from previous research and were considered in light of a number of theories and models (i.e. due process, crime control, human rights, liberal democratic, and procedural justice). Similar to other research (e.g. Transform Justice 2016), the main finding of this thesis is that unrepresented defendants tend to experience problems when self-representing at court and these problems are varied. This is not ameliorated by virtual hearings. However, it is not just those who self-represent who experience difficulties when it comes to court proceedings; those who are represented do too. All defendants generally struggle to engage and effectively participate in court proceedings (e.g. follow and understand what is taking place) – although this is particularly the case for those who are unrepresented and/or have additional support needs (e.g. a learning disability) and/or have never been to court before. Within this thesis, the meaning of effective participation, the reasons why it is important and the barriers that exist, which act to undermine defendants’ ability to effectively participate, are all discussed. A new theory – called defendant engagement – has also been developed. This theory draws upon the theories identified above and seeks to address issues around participation and proposes that defendants’ status within criminal courts needs to be re-examined

Ni Una Más, Ni Una Menos: Analysing Media Framing of Femicide in Pandemic-Era Spain

In the first two years of the coronavirus pandemic, there were 161 femicides recorded in Spain. While women were locked inside their houses to keep themselves safe from one pandemic, they were in danger of being killed by another, a silent pandemic: femicide. This research focuses on the framing of femicides by Spanish media in terms of the victims, perpetrators, crimes and mention of the COVID-19 pandemic to see if such cases are framed as isolated events or part of a larger societal problem in Spain. This aim is undertaken through content analysis of 121 articles covering a total of 19 cases from March to May 2020 and the same timeframe in 2021. The articles come from seven leading online Spanish-language Spanish newspapers: ABC, El Diario, El Español, El Mundo, El País, OKDiario and La Vanguardia. The findings indicate that Spanish media does not play into negative stereotypes of victims, full blame is placed on the shoulders of perpetrators, the pandemic was not mentioned to the extent expected and such crimes are portrayed as part of a larger societal problem in Spain: gender-based violence and femicide

Teachers' and children's personal epistemologies for moral education: Case studies in early years elementary education

While there is strong interest in teaching values in Australia and internationally there is little focus on young children’s moral values learning in the classroom. Research shows that personal epistemology influences teaching and learning in a range of education contexts, including moral education. This study examines relationships between personal epistemologies (children’s and teachers’), pedagogies, and school contexts for moral learning in two early years classrooms. Interviews with teachers and children and analysis of school policy revealed clear patterns of personal epistemologies and pedagogies within each school. A whole school approach to understanding personal epistemologies and practice for moral values learning is suggested