Governance by and of Algorithms on the Internet: Impact and Consequences

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Latzer ◽  
Natascha Just
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Life Domains ◽  
Private Governance ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Selection Processes ◽  
The Public Sphere ◽  
The Impact

Internet-based services that build on automated algorithmic selection processes, for example search engines, computational advertising, and recommender systems, are booming and platform companies that provide such services are among the most valuable corporations worldwide. Algorithms on and beyond the Internet are increasingly influencing, aiding, or replacing human decision-making in many life domains. Their far-reaching, multifaceted economic and social impact, which results from the governance by algorithms, is widely acknowledged. However, suitable policy reactions, that is, the governance of algorithms, are the subject of controversy in academia, politics, industry, and civil society. This governance by and of algorithms is to be understood in the wider context of current technical and societal change, and in connection with other emerging trends. In particular, expanding algorithmizing of life domains is closely interrelated with and dependent on growing datafication and big data on the one hand, and rising automation and artificial intelligence in modern, digitized societies on the other. Consequently, the assessments and debates of these central developmental trends in digitized societies overlap extensively. Research on the governance by and of algorithms is highly interdisciplinary. Communication studies contributes to the formation of so-called “critical algorithms studies” with its wide set of sub-fields and approaches and by applying qualitative and quantitative methods. Its contributions focus both on the impact of algorithmic systems on traditional media, journalism, and the public sphere, and also cover effect analyses and risk assessments of algorithmic-selection applications in many domains of everyday life. The latter includes the whole range of public and private governance options to counter or reduce these risks or to safeguard ethical standards and human rights, including communication rights in a digital age.

scholarly journals Risk of Increased Acceptance for Organizational Nepotism and Cronyism during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Risks ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Ignatowski ◽  
Łukasz Sułkowski ◽  
Bartłomiej Stopczyński
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Social And Economic Development ◽  
The Times ◽  
The Impact

Nepotism and cronyism are forms of favoritism towards certain people in the workplace. For this reason, they constitute a problem for organization managers, ethicists and psychologists. Identifying the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the increase of nepotism and cronyism may provide a basis for organizations to assess their extent and to take possible measures to prevent their negative effects. At the same time, the research presented in the article may provide a basis for further research work related to nepotism and cronyism at the times of other threats, different from the pandemic. The aim of the article is to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on growing acceptance for nepotism and cronyism in Polish enterprises. Qualitative and quantitative methods have been included in the conducted research. Qualitative study aimed at improving knowledge of nepotism and cronyism and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these phenomena, followed by a quantitative study conducted in order to verify the information obtained in the qualitative study. This research has demonstrated that Nepotism and cronyism in the workplace, are phenomenon that are basically evaluated negatively. They adversely influences social and economic development, but the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on nepotism and cronyism is not significant.

scholarly journals The Impact of Information Communication and Technology Utilization on the Financial Performance of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda Case Study: Reseau Interdiocesain De Microfinance (Rim) Ltd, Rwanda (2011 -2015)

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Jean Bosco Harelimana
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Financial Sustainability ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Descriptive Survey ◽  
The Impact

The study analyzed the impact of ICT utilization on the financial performance of microfinance institutions inRwanda with case study of Réseau Interdiocesain de microfinance (RIM) Ltd undertaken within 5 years (2011-2015). The study adopted the use of descriptive survey using both qualitative and quantitative methods for a totalsample size of 132. Purporsive and simple random simpling was used for this purpose. Primary and Secondary datawere collected and thene analyzed using SPSS version 16.00. The study found that ICT has been introduced and usedabout 5 years and above. The study found that ICT impact firstly on financial sustainability and profitability (65.8%),secondly on financial efficiency and productivity (23.7) and finally on portfolio quality (5.3%). ICT utilization havea high influence to the RIM Ltd.’s financial performance compared to the previous situation.The correlation results imply that ICT usage has a positive impact on financial sustainability and profitability as theymove in the same direction (R=0.502). The strength of the impact was found to be low due to the low investments inICT among microfinance institutions.

Evidence of an Open Government Data Portal Impact on the Public Sphere

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 21-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Pedro Lourenço
Keyword(s):  
Public Sphere ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Open Government ◽  
The Internet ◽  
The Public ◽  
Open Government Data ◽  
The Public Sphere ◽  
Google Search ◽  
The Impact

Data portals are being created as part of open government strategies to increase transparency. But although the potential of the internet to increase transparency (as data disclosure) has been widely considered in the literature, there is no reported evidence of any of the released data actually being used by their ultimate recipients (citizens) for public accountability purposes. This descriptive research effort aims to find evidence of the impact of open government portals, asserting whether data is indeed being used and for what purposes. One contract portal was selected and Google Search was used to find portal references on the internet. A qualitative content analysis approach was adopted, whereby references were examined with respect to its main purpose and data usage. Evidence was found of contract data being used, among others, to identify possible situations of corruption, nepotism and misusage of public resources, support argumentation on public policy debates and, in general, to hold public officials accountable in the public sphere through ‘blame and shame' sanctions.

scholarly journals El uso seguro del Internet y el rol de los padres / The Safe Use of the Internet and the Role of Parents

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Elizabeth Moreno Carrillo ◽  
Gustavo Adolfo León Duarte ◽  
Carlos René Contreras Cázarez
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Role Of Parents ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Mixed Approach

ABSTRACTSociety has been transforming throughout the last years. The easy access to Internet has made two important institutions, family and school, cope to new challenges. Teenagers in different countries have access to Internet. However, understanding how these changes affect them, their families, their education, their community and the risks they cope help us get to empiric research. The main inquiry is to identify the use and the role parents have around the Internet and technological devices. The research is based in a mixed approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, using a questionnaire and a focus group to collect data.RESUMENLa sociedad ha venido transformándose durante las últimas décadas. El fácil acceso al Internet ha hecho que dos importantes instituciones, la familia y la escuela, se enfrenten a nuevos retos. En distintos países alrededor del mundo, los adolescentes tienen acceso al Internet. Sin embargo, para entender como estos cambios los afecta a ellos, a sus familias, a su educación, a su comunidad y los riesgos que enfrentan, es posible llevar a cabo la investigación empírica. La pregunta central es conocer el uso y el rol que tienen los padres en torno al Internet y a los dispositivos tecnológicos. Como parte de la metodología, la construcción del objeto de estudio se basa en la implementación de un enfoque mixto. La combinación de enfoques cualitativos y cuantitativos conlleva al diseño de dos fases en las que se utilizarán dos herramientas, la encuesta y el grupo focal. Contacto principal: [email protected]

Role of Educational Leaders in Supporting Beginning Teachers in Al Ain Schools in the UAE

2019 ◽  
pp. 908-921
Author(s):  
Salam Omar Ali
Keyword(s):  
Beginning Teachers ◽  
Novice Teachers ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Induction Program ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Al Ain ◽  
Effective Role ◽  
Effective Principal

This chapter studied the current practices of the principals in Al-Ain school district (in UAE) in supporting their novice teachers in their first years of teaching. It aimed at drawing attention to the urgent need for an effective principal who knows the important role he plays, especially with the newly appointed teachers. The study used a literature review to establish a good base of theoretical ideas about the effective role of principals in supporting novice teachers in their first years of teaching. The importance of induction program and its goals and benefits were tackled as well, in addition to the main aspects of the support provided. Moreover, the conceptual framework of the study discussed the methodology by describing the qualitative and quantitative methods used to gather data. The population and the sample, data analysis and discussion, conclusion and recommendations were presented too. Twenty principals and 30 teachers of public and private schools participated in answering a questionnaire. Some of them were also interviewed.

The Impact of the Internet on Political Activism

2011 ◽  
pp. 3371-3388
Author(s):  
Pippa Norris
Keyword(s):  
Civic Engagement ◽  
Political Activism ◽  
Social Characteristics ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Political Consequences ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
The Social ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
The Public Sphere ◽  
The Impact

The core issue for this study concerns less the social than the political consequences of the rise of knowledge societies; in particular, the capacity of the Internet for strengthening democratic participation and civic engagement linking citizens and government. To consider these issues, Part I summarizes debates about the impact of the Internet on the public sphere. The main influence of this development, as it is theorized in a market model, will be determined by the “supply” and “demand” for electronic information and communications about government and politics. Demand, in turn, is assumed to be heavily dependent upon the social characteristics of Internet users and their prior political orientations. Given this understanding, the study predicts that the primary impact of knowledge societies in democratic societies will be upon facilitating cause-oriented and civic forms of political activism, thereby strengthening social movements and interest groups, more than upon conventional channels of political participation exemplified by voting, parties, and election campaigning. Part II summarizes the sources of survey data and the key measures of political activism used in this study, drawing upon the 19-nation European Social Survey, 2002. Part III examines the evidence for the relationship between use of the Internet and indicators of civic engagement. The conclusion in Part IV summarizes the results and considers the broader implications for governance and democracy.

The Impact of the Internet on Political Activism

2008 ◽  
pp. 889-904
Author(s):  
Pippa Norris
Keyword(s):  
Civic Engagement ◽  
Political Activism ◽  
Social Characteristics ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Political Consequences ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
The Social ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
The Public Sphere ◽  
The Impact

The core issue for this study concerns less the social than the political consequences of the rise of knowledge societies; in particular, the capacity of the Internet for strengthening democratic participation and civic engagement linking citizens and government. To consider these issues, Part I summarizes debates about the impact of the Internet on the public sphere. The main influence of this development, as it is theorized in a market model, will be determined by the “supply” and “demand” for electronic information and communications about government and politics. Demand, in turn, is assumed to be heavily dependent upon the social characteristics of Internet users and their prior political orientations. Given this understanding, the study predicts that the primary impact of knowledge societies in democratic societies will be upon facilitating cause-oriented and civic forms of political activism, thereby strengthening social movements and interest groups, more than upon conventional channels of political participation exemplified by voting, parties, and election campaigning. Part II summarizes the sources of survey data and the key measures of political activism used in this study, drawing upon the 19-nation European Social Survey, 2002. Part III examines the evidence for the relationship between use of the Internet and indicators of civic engagement. The conclusion in Part IV summarizes the results and considers the broader implications for governance and democracy.

Combatting economic crimes in Nigeria through whistleblowing: a shift from policy to legal framework

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 819-832
Author(s):  
Sirajo Yakubu ◽  
Mohammed Kyari Dikwa
Keyword(s):  
Personal Experience ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Critical Examination ◽  
Policy Document ◽  
Content Type ◽  
National Assembly ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Nigerian Government ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is a holistic assessment of the impact of whistleblowing policy adopted by the Nigerian Government in fighting corruption and an evaluation of the whistleblowing and witness protection bill. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a critical analysis of the whistleblowing policy and the draft whistleblowing and witness protection bill. The paper combines both qualitative and quantitative methods. It is conducted through the study of the policy and the draft bill and the critical examination of the data released by the federal Ministry of Finance. Moreover, the personal experience of the authors in the civil service and in formulating and implementing the whistleblower policy account significantly. Findings The whistleblowing policy adopted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria is promising in controlling corruption and other economically motivated crimes. However, while efforts to give whistleblowing a legal backing will strengthen the fight against corruption in Nigeria, the National Assembly must subject the bill to rigorous debate to avoid having many lacunas in would be act. Research limitations/implications The use of whistleblowing in combatting corruption in Nigeria is still at its infancy. A policy document backs implementation of the policy – there is no legislation or case law to consider. Thus, analysis is based on the policy document, the bill, statistics from the FMF and personal experience of the authors. Originality/value There is no comprehensive study on the adoption of and efforts to give legal backing to, the whistleblowing policy adopted in Nigeria. This paper is of value to the Nigerian Government and the National Assembly considering the latest efforts to institutionalise whistleblowing in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Creating the Habit of Recycling in Early Childhood: A Sustainable Practice in Spain

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 6393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pilar Buil ◽  
Olga Roger-Loppacher ◽  
Mireia Tintoré
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Teaching Unit ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews

Early childhood education on sustainability has been an issue of high relevance in the last decade. In Spain, many different efforts have been made to increase children’s knowledge, skills, and awareness related to sustainability issues. However, uncertainty about the effectiveness of education on sustainable development exists. This research reports on an exploratory study organized by the association that promotes aluminum packaging recycling in Spain (Arpal). Seven teachers were trained on sustainability in general and on aluminum packaging recycling in particular. These teachers defined and implemented a teaching unit with active learning activities that involved three preschools. Fifty-four children under 6 years of age, mainly 2 and 3 years old, along with their parents, participated in the teaching unit. Qualitative and quantitative methods (questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and focus groups) were carried out to assess the impact. The results proved that different partners, such as children, parents, teachers, managers, and associations, can work together with the common goal of improving education on sustainable development in early childhood, and all of them benefit from this collaboration. Moreover, this study confirmed that education on sustainability should be embedded in the daily routine of preschools. Furthermore, after the exploratory study, the teaching unit was implemented in 29 Andalusian preschools.

The Impact of the Internet on Political Activism

2007 ◽  
pp. 22-43
Author(s):  
Pippa Norris
Keyword(s):  
Civic Engagement ◽  
Political Activism ◽  
Social Characteristics ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Political Consequences ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
The Social ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
The Public Sphere ◽  
The Impact

The core issue for this study concerns less the social than the political consequences of the rise of knowledge societies; in particular, the capacity of the Internet for strengthening democratic participation and civic engagement linking citizens and government. To consider these issues, Part I summarizes debates about the impact of the Internet on the public sphere. The main influence of this development, as it is theorized in a market model, will be determined by the “supply” and “demand” for electronic information and communications about government and politics. Demand, in turn, is assumed to be heavily dependent upon the social characteristics of Internet users and their prior political orientations. Given this understanding, the study predicts that the primary impact of knowledge societies in democratic societies will be upon facilitating cause-oriented and civic forms of political activism, thereby strengthening social movements and interest groups, more than upon conventional channels of political participation exemplified by voting, parties, and election campaigning. Part II summarizes the sources of survey data and the key measures of political activism used in this study, drawing upon the 19-nation European Social Survey, 2002. Part III examines the evidence for the relationship between use of the Internet and indicators of civic engagement. The conclusion in Part IV summarizes the results and considers the broader implications for governance and democracy.

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