scholarly journals State investments and human rights? The case of the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1742-1770
Author(s):  
Niklas Kreander ◽  
Ken McPhail
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Pension Fund ◽  
Investment Fund ◽  
Sovereign Wealth Funds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Conflict ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Rights Issues ◽  
Large Investment ◽  
Do So

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how the Norwegian Government incorporated its responsibility for human rights into the investment practices of its Global Pension Fund and how human rights issues were negotiated when exclusion was considered. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on a series of interviews the authors analyse the way in which responsibility for human rights has been translated into the practices of the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global. Findings The paper documents how a large investment fund used several mechanisms to address human rights risks. The authors demonstrate that different logics among actors sometimes impeded addressing human rights issues. The findings demonstrate that sovereign wealth funds (SWF) can be held accountable for human rights. Research limitations/implications The paper illustrates the difficulty of co-operation between actors with different logics. This can result in institutional conflict, but also in positive outcomes for human rights. Practical implications Attempts to introduce human rights into state investments may result in increased institutional complexity. The findings indicate that state investors can address human rights issues, but that the ability to do so is diminished where divestment creates political tension. Social implications Large investors can influence companies on specific human rights issues. Originality/value This is one of the first empirical investigations of the human rights practices of a SWF. The authors contribute to the literatures on accounting and human rights, SWF and institutional theory.

SFC reminding sponsors of the need to adopt an attitude of “professional scepticism”

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 82-84
Author(s):  
Gareth Hughes ◽  
James Comber
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Regulatory Regime ◽  
Group Company ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Professional Skepticism ◽  
Company Limited ◽  
A Company ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Do So

Purpose To remind sponsors to adopt an attitude of “professional skepticism” in Hong Kong IPOs. Design/methodology/approach Explains the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”)'s sanction on BOCOM International (Asia) Limited (“BIAL”) as a sign of determination to hold sponsors to account as gatekeepers to the Hong Kong capital markets. Findings The SFC has reprimanded and fined BIAL HK$15 million for failing to discharge its duties as a sole sponsor in a listing application for China Huinong Capital Group Company Limited (“China Huinong”), a company established in the PRC. This substantial fine reinforces the need for sponsors to ensure that they fully and properly discharge all of their duties, and that they will be held responsible for any failure to do so, even if the listing is not ultimately approved. Practical implications If sponsors fail to fulfil the requirements required under the sponsors’ regulatory regime, the SFC will be proactive and impose tough sanctions, even if the listing application is eventually withdrawn or returned by the SEHK. Originality/value Practical guidance from experienced regulatory, financial and commercial dispute resolution lawyers.

Jordan will quietly reposition on human rights issues

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rights Issues

Headline JORDAN: Amman will quietly reposition on rights issues

Evolution of artificial intelligence and its impact on human rights: from sociolegal perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheshadri Chatterjee ◽  
Sreenivasulu N.S. ◽  
Zahid Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
The Government ◽  
Unique Study ◽  
Rights Issues

Purpose The applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in different sectors have become agendas for discussions in the highest circle of experts. The applications of AI can help society and can harm society even by jeopardizing human rights. The purpose of this study is to examine the evolution of AI and its impacts on human rights from social and legal perspectives. Design/methodology/approach With the help of studies of literature and different other AI and human rights-related reports, this study has taken an attempt to provide a comprehensive and executable framework to address these challenges contemplated to occur due to the increase in usage of different AI applications in the context of human rights. Findings This study finds out how different AI applications could help society and harm society. It also highlighted different legal issues and associated complexity arising due to the advancement of AI technology. Finally, the study also provided few recommendations to the governments, private enterprises and non-governmental organizations on the usage of different AI applications in their organizations. Research limitations/implications This study mostly deals with the legal, social and business-related issues arising due to the advancement of AI technology. The study does not penetrate the technological aspects and algorithms used in AI applications. Policymakers, government agencies and private entities, as well as practitioners could take the help of the recommendations provided in this study to formulate appropriate regulations to control the usage of AI technology and its applications. Originality/value This study provides a comprehensive view of the emergence of AI technology and its implication on human rights. There are only a few studies that examine AI and related human rights issues from social, legal and business perspectives. Thus, this study is claimed to be a unique study. Also, this study provides valuable inputs to the government agencies, policymakers and practitioners about the need to formulate a comprehensive regulation to control the usage of AI technology which is also another unique contribution of this study.

Artificial intelligence and human rights: a comprehensive study from Indian legal and policy perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheshadri Chatterjee ◽  
Sreenivasulu N.S.
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Criminal Liability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Legal Perspective ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Rights Issues ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the human rights issue. This study has also examined issues with AI for business and its civil and criminal liability. This study has provided inputs to the policymakers and government authorities to overcome different challenges. Design/methodology/approach This study has analysed different international and Indian laws on human rights issues and the impacts of these laws to protect the human rights of the individual, which could be under threat due to the advancement of AI technology. This study has used descriptive doctrinal legal research methods to examine and understand the insights of existing laws and regulations in India to protect human rights and how these laws could be further developed to protect human rights under the Indian jurisprudence, which is under threat due to rapid advancement of AI-related technology. Findings The study provides a comprehensive insight on the influence of AI on human rights issues and the existing laws in India. The study also shows different policy initiatives by the Government of India to regulate AI. Research limitations/implications The study highlights some of the key policy recommendations helpful to regulate AI. Moreover, this study provides inputs to the regulatory authorities and legal fraternity to draft a much-needed comprehensive policy to regulate AI in the context of the protection of human rights of the citizens. Originality/value AI is constantly posing entangled challenges to human rights. There is no comprehensive study, which investigated the emergence of AI and its influence on human rights issues, especially from the Indian legal perspective. So there is a research gap. This study provides a unique insight of the emergence of AI applications and its influence on human rights issues and provides inputs to the policymaker to help them to draft an effective regulation on AI to protect the human rights of Indian citizens. Thus, this study is considered a unique study that adds value towards the overall literature.

Constructions of inclusion at two senior nursing home units in Sweden: immigrants’ perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 462-476
Author(s):  
Solange Barros de Alcantara Hamrin
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Immigrant Integration ◽  
Nursing Assistants ◽  
Immigrant Workers ◽  
International Organisations ◽  
Relational Dynamics ◽  
Language Competence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Do So

Purpose This study is an inductive exploration of factors that are relevant to the inclusion and integration of immigrant workers in a Swedish workplace. The purpose of this paper is to examine the experiences of immigrant employees with other organisational actors at two senior nursing units in Sweden. Design/methodology/approach Results are drawn from the analyses of interviews with six female and three male immigrant nursing assistants living permanently in Sweden. Findings Trustful relationships with other organisational actors, during both formal and informal interactions, are considered essential facilitating inclusion of these immigrant workers. Immigrant workers experienced inclusion when they achieved language competence (or felt supported in their attempts to do so) and bridged cultural differences. The results also highlight conditions for interactions and leadership as factors influencing inclusion. In addition, inclusion implied acculturation or awareness of the values of native-born citizens. Research limitations/implications The study suggests that immigrants’ relational dynamics with their colleagues are essential to inclusion, despite types of studies that focus mainly on the competences of leaders to manage diversity. Practical implications The results have implications for organisations’ development of a more democratic workplace with more inclusiveness and with satisfied employees. Originality/value The study gives voice to immigrant workers, which is rare in Swedish and international organisations that deal with the issue of immigrant integration in the workplace.

Lonely are the brave

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Snéha Khilay
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Professional Lives ◽  
Dominant Culture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Do So

Purpose – Highlights the notion of a dominant organizational culture and examines what can happen when this conflicts with an individual employee’s set of beliefs. Design/methodology/approach – Provides examples of employees who have challenged the dominant culture in their organization and considers some of the outcomes. Findings – Investigates how people get caught up in the “need-to-be-liked” syndrome and behave in a manner that causes discomfort, yet continue to do so while occasionally losing sight of strongly held values or perspectives. Practical implications – Tells the stories of individuals who, although their fight for justice involved difficulties and emotional grief, had to take responsibility and focus on the outcome they wanted, basically to continue their personal and professional lives with their heads held high. Originality/value – Recounts cases of individuals who have faced adversity in their work because of them voicing their differences, raising concerns and being treated in a negative manner as a result.

scholarly journals Men procuring sexual services from women: everyman or peculiar man?

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Birch ◽  
Jane Ireland
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
New South ◽  
Criminal History ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sex Worker ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Thrill Seeking ◽  
Sexual Services ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Do So

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore characteristics of men procuring sexual services from women. Design/methodology/approach – This is a quantitative study using questionnaires and purposive sampling. The sample was from New South Wales, Australia, and included brothels and outreach organisations where sex work is decriminalised. The participants were 309 men who reported procuring sexual services with women. Findings – Primary motivations for procurement included thrill/excitement and attractiveness of the sex worker. Cluster analysis identified five groups, the most frequent being those with a drive for exciting, thrill-seeking sex with an attractive partner and those with the same drive but not wanting investment. High proportions of men were married, in professional employment and did not present with a criminal history. Sexual experiences procured were conventional. Procurement presented as an enduring behaviour maintained across decades, commencing at a young age. Involvement in procurement preceded decriminalisation. Practical implications – The results do not support men's procurement as primarily “deviant”. Professionals may need to explicitly enquire about such behaviour where relevant to do so (e.g. in discussing sexual health) and in doing so ensure procurement is discussed as normative and not as unusual behaviour. Originality/value – Challenges any conceptualisation of procurement as deviant, extending the research base further by capturing users of such services as opposed to attitudes towards procurement.

Israel’s ‘return to Africa’ faces blockages

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
International Institutions ◽  
African Immigrants ◽  
African Union ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Cooperation ◽  
Migration Flows ◽  
Policy Priority ◽  
Rights Issues

Significance While rejecting African immigrants, Israel’s government has identified deepening political ties with Africa as a key foreign policy priority. It seeks observer status at the African Union (AU) as part of a broader strategy to gain diplomatic support, build strategic cooperation and access African markets. Impacts Africa may become a more overt arena for Israeli-Palestinian diplomatic competition. African votes in international institutions could help Israel combat international boycott campaigns. Issues of migration flows and people-smuggling could become increasingly controversial for both Israel and African countries. The fact that Israel does not raise human rights issues with African governments might encourage greater cooperation.

Contrasting quality of service experience for northern and southern Mediterranean tourists

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walesska Schlesinger ◽  
Amparo Cervera ◽  
Carmen Pérez-Cabañero
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Service ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Service Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Peace Of Mind ◽  
Tourist Destinations ◽  
Southern Mediterranean ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Do So

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine quality of service experience as reported by tourists in seven northern and southern Mediterranean cities. Design/methodology/approach – A self-report study was used to gather data from 1,362 tourists. Once validity of Otto and Ritchie’s (1996) scale had been confirmed, ANOVA and the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test were used to analyse the data. Findings – Tourists in all destinations highlighted the importance of the dimension peace of mind. Significant differences between tourists in the northern Mediterranean and those in the southern Mediterranean were observed in two quality of service experience dimensions: hedonics and involvement. Research limitations/implications – Although the sample was large, this study’s scope was limited to seven Mediterranean tourist cities. Further research is therefore required to generalize findings to other Mediterranean tourist destinations. Practical implications – Knowledge about quality of service experience dimensions may help tourism managers innovate and improve services. Tourists perceive northern Mediterranean destinations differently from destinations in the southern Mediterranean. Tourists report high tourist involvement in northern destinations, whereas in the south, tourists emphasize destinations’ hedonic features. These implications are also valuable for European policymakers. Originality/value – The study compared quality of service experience in northern and southern Mediterranean tourist destinations. To do so, it analysed a sample of 1,362 tourists from seven Mediterranean cities. This research is the first to analyse quality of service experience in the Mediterranean.

An overview of quantitative instruments and measures for impact in coproduction

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen MacGregor
Keyword(s):  
Professional Learning ◽  
Measurement Properties ◽  
Learning Networks ◽  
Impact Measurement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fields Of Study ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Measurement Tools ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Do So

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the quantitative measurement tools used in fields of study related to coproduction, as an approach to mobilizing knowledge, in order to inform the measurement of impact.Design/methodology/approachAn overview methodology was used to synthesize the findings from prior instrument reviews, focusing on the contexts in which measurement tools have been used, the main constructs and content themes of the tools, and the extent to which the tools display promising psychometric and pragmatic qualities.FindingsEight identified reviews described 441 instruments and measures designed to capture various aspects of knowledge being mobilized among diverse research stakeholders, with 291 (66%) exhibiting relevance for impact measurement.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies that measure aspects of coproduction need to engage more openly and critically with psychometric and pragmatic considerations when designing, implementing and reporting on measurement tools.Practical implicationsTwenty-seven tools with strong measurement properties for evidencing impact in coproduction were identified, offering a starting point for scholars and practitioners engaging in partnered approaches to research, such as in professional learning networks.Originality/valueCurrent quantitative approaches to measuring the impacts of coproduction are failing to do so in ways that are meaningful, consistent, rigorous, reproducible and equitable. This paper provides a first step to addressing this issue by exploring promising measurement tools from fields of study with theoretical similarities to coproduction.

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