Mapping power relations in SEA – The role of statutory environmental consultees. An Italian case-study

2020 ◽  
Vol 83 ◽  
pp. 106405
Author(s):  
Paola Gazzola ◽  
Alessandro Bonifazi ◽  
Alessandro Rinaldi
Keyword(s):  
Power Relations ◽  
Italian Case

scholarly journals A Control Based Mathematical Model for the Evaluation of Intervention Lines in COVID-19 Epidemic Spread: The Italian Case Study

Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 890
Author(s):  
Paolo Di Giamberardino ◽  
Rita Caldarella ◽  
Daniela Iacoviello
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Equilibrium Points ◽  
Italian Case ◽  
Control Actions ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
Asymptomatic Subjects ◽  
The Impact

This paper addresses the problem of describing the spread of COVID-19 by a mathematical model introducing all the possible control actions as prevention (informative campaign, use of masks, social distancing, vaccination) and medication. The model adopted is similar to SEIQR, with the infected patients split into groups of asymptomatic subjects and isolated ones. This distinction is particularly important in the current pandemic, due to the fundamental the role of asymptomatic subjects in the virus diffusion. The influence of the control actions is considered in analysing the model, from the calculus of the equilibrium points to the determination of the reproduction number. This choice is motivated by the fact that the available organised data have been collected since from the end of February 2020, and almost simultaneously containment measures, increasing in typology and effectiveness, have been applied. The characteristics of COVID-19, not fully understood yet, suggest an asymmetric diffusion among countries and among categories of subjects. Referring to the Italian situation, the containment measures, as applied by the population, have been identified, showing their relation with the government's decisions; this allows the study of possible scenarios, comparing the impact of different possible choices.

scholarly journals ‘Volunteering is like any other business’: Civic participation and social media

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 2186-2207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Kaun ◽  
Julie Uldam
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Power Relations ◽  
Civic Participation ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Migration Crisis ◽  
Technological Affordances ◽  
Shed Light

The increased influx of refugees in 2015 has led to challenges in transition and destination countries such as Germany, Sweden and Denmark. Volunteer-led initiatives providing urgent relief played a crucial role in meeting the needs of arriving refugees. The work of the volunteers in central stations and transition shelters was mainly organised with the help of Facebook, in terms of both inward and outward communications. This article examines the role of social media for civic participation drawing on Swedish volunteer initiatives that emerged in the context of the migration crisis in 2015 as a case study. Theoretically, this article provides an analytical framework, including power relations, technological affordances, practices and discourses, which helps shed light on the interrelation between social media and civic participation.

Power relations and the accounting system in the Archbishop’s Seminary of Siena (1666-1690)

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 401-420
Author(s):  
Michela Magliacani ◽  
Roberto Di Pietra
Keyword(s):  
Power Relations ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
Religious Institutions ◽  
Local Power ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Control ◽  
Flow Of Information ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Accounting can affect and determine power relations. Previous studies have emphasized how accounting has been used by “central” powers; less is known from the perspective of “local” power and its capacity to resist and protect its interests. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the Archbishop’s Seminary of Siena (ASS) (local) and Roman ecclesiastic institutions (central). This study contributes to filling the existing gap in the literature regarding how accounting could be used as a tool for deception in local/central power relations. Design/methodology/approach The research methodology is based on a case study and archival research. The ASS case study was analyzed through its archive, made up for the most part of accounting books. As to the approach adopted, the authors used the Foucault framework to observe power relations in order to identify possible ways in which accounting can be employed as a factor of deception. Findings Power relations between the ASS and Roman ecclesiastic institutions were maintained through a system of reporting that limited the influence of the ecclesiastical power of Rome over the Seminary’s administration and control. The relationship thus runs contrary to the findings in previous studies. The accounting system was managed as a factor of deception in favor of local interests and the limitation of central ecclesiastic power. Research limitations/implications This study contributes to enhancing the existing literature on governmentality, proposing a different perspective in which power relations are based on the use of accounting. The Foucaldian approach demonstrates its validity, even though the power relations under consideration have the unusual feature of occurring within the context of religious institutions. Originality/value This study on the ASS has allowed the identification of two relevant points: the local/central dichotomy is consistent with the logic of power relations as theorized by Foucault, even in cases where it highlights the role of a local power in limiting the flow of information to a central one; and the ASS accounting system was used as a factor of deception.

When institutional entrepreneurship failed

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 1199-1229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Major ◽  
Ana Conceição ◽  
Stewart Clegg
Keyword(s):  
Change Process ◽  
Power Relations ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Institutional Entrepreneurship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Power Strategies ◽  
Political Economic

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the role of power relations in initiating and blocking accounting change that involves increased “responsibilisation” and “incentivisation”, and to understand how institutional entrepreneurship is steered by power strategies. Design/methodology/approach An in-depth case study was carried out between 2010 and 2015 in a cardiothoracic surgery service (CSS) where a responsibility centre was introduced. Findings Introducing a responsibility centre within a CSS led to a change process, despite pressures for stability. The institutionalisation of change was conditioned by entrepreneurship that flowed through three circuits of power. Strategies were adapted according to changes in exogenous environmental contingencies and alterations in the actors’ relationships. Originality/value The contributions of the paper are several: first, it demonstrates that the existing literature discussing the implementation of responsibility centres cannot be isolated from power issues; second, it expands understanding of the power dynamics and processes of institutional entrepreneurship when implementing accounting change; third, it shows how change introduced by exogenous political economic events structured organisational circuits of power and blocked the introduction of the change initiative.

The role of the building sector for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gases: An Italian case study

2013 ◽  
Vol 60 ◽  
pp. 586-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Cellura ◽  
Francesco Guarino ◽  
Sonia Longo ◽  
Marina Mistretta ◽  
Aldo Orioli
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Building Sector ◽  
Italian Case ◽  
Reducing Energy

scholarly journals A Statistical Investigation of Mesoscale Precursors of Significant Tornadoes: The Italian Case Study

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 301
Author(s):  
Roberto Ingrosso ◽  
Piero Lionello ◽  
Mario Marcello Miglietta ◽  
Gianfausto Salvadori
Keyword(s):  
Potential Energy ◽  
Wind Shear ◽  
Deep Level ◽  
Convective Available Potential Energy ◽  
Vertical Wind Shear ◽  
Statistical Investigation ◽  
Italian Case ◽  
Large Wind

In this study, mesoscale environments associated with 57 significant tornadoes occurring over Italy in the period 2000–2018 are analyzed. The role of the vertical Wind Shear in the lower and middle troposphere, in terms of low-level shear (LLS) and deep-level shear (DLS), and of the convective available potential energy (CAPE) as possible precursors of significant tornadoes is statistically investigated. Wind shear and CAPE data are extracted from the ERA-5 and ERA-Interim reanalyses. Overall, the study indicates that: (a) values of these variables in the two uppermost quartiles of their statistical distribution significantly increases the probability of tornado occurrences; (b) the probability increases for increasing values of LLS and DLS, and (c) is maximum when either wind shear or CAPE are large. These conclusions hold for both the reanalysis datasets and do not depend upon the season and/or the considered area. With the possible exception of weak tornadoes, which are not included in our study, our results show that large wind shear, in the presence of medium-to-high values of CAPE, are reliable precursors of tornadoes.

Managing Complexity and Institutionalization

2005 ◽  
pp. 160-175
Author(s):  
Brian Corbitt ◽  
Konrad Peszynski ◽  
Olaf Boon
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Power Relations ◽  
Erp Implementation ◽  
The Social ◽  
Managing Complexity ◽  
Administrative Tasks

This chapter reports a case study of ERP implementation in an institution of higher education. The ERP is one based on integration of administrative tasks based on Oracle® systems and is successful both in terms of its embeddedness in institutionalized practice and in supporting that university’s operations. The key issue that emerged from the study showed that understanding complexity, institutionalized practice, and the power relations in existence enable the implementation to be more effective, as it can be managed when understood. The chapter argues that organizations reproduce practice and that an ERP challenges that. To deal with that challenge, social dramas emerge wherever power exists, and the resulting conflicts challenge the effectiveness of the systems put in place. In this case study, the key role of the project champion in resolving the social dramas became evident.

scholarly journals We say no to La Monroe closure! local defiance to global restructuring in a transnational company

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holm-Detlev Köhler ◽  
Sergio González Begega
Keyword(s):  
Power Relations ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Northern Spain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Restructuring ◽  
Transnational Company

Purpose This paper aims to examine the reaction of a local workforce to global restructuring in a transnational company (TNC), which entailed the closure of a manufacturing plant (La Monroe) in Northern Spain. The article explores the micro-political nature of the corporate decision to close the plant, the workforce reaction to relocation and the discourse legitimizing global restructuring. It also delves into the contra-hegemonic potential of labour as a main stakeholder in TNCs. Design/methodology/approach The methodological approach is qualitative. The article presents a theoretically informed and analytical case study based on the literature on micro-politics and power relations in TNCs. Fieldwork is based on semi-structured interviews carried out with relevant stakeholders and other external actors to the TNC. Findings The findings substantiate the dynamic role of micro-politics within TNCs. The article presents and discusses evidence of the formation of a broad multi-level political network of resistance to a plant closure plan. Research limitations/implications More case study analysis would further support the findings in the paper and provide for a comparative approach. Originality/value The article substantiates the dynamic role of micro-politics and power relations in the reification of social norms and discourses on production relocation. It offers an empirical appraisal of the micro-political approach to global restructuring in TNCs. The article also puts labour strategies at the forefront of the analysis in corporate relocation.

A reassessment of the role of guild courts in disputes over apprenticeship contracts: a case study from early modern Italy

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDREA CARACAUSI
Keyword(s):  
Conflict Resolution ◽  
Early Modern ◽  
Power Relations ◽  
Incomplete Contracts ◽  
State Courts ◽  
Large Database ◽  
Contractual Arrangements ◽  
Early Modern Italy

AbstractThis article analyses the mechanisms of conflict resolution in apprenticeship contracts using a large database of disputes from early modern Italy. It finds that the guild court under investigation (the Padua Woollen Guild court) did not enforce training contracts, but rather sought to improve on incomplete contracts by adding clauses, thereby helping individuals renegotiate and redefine the contractual arrangements into which they had decided to enter. However, power relations within the court operated largely in favour of employers, both merchants and master craftsmen. The article concludes that alternative contract enforcement systems, such as municipal or state courts, were probably better suited than corporative systems for resolving disputes surrounding apprenticeship.

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