Reassessing the contents and context of governance in Asia: recognizing achievements

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Shafiqul Huque

Purpose Good governance has been declared as the key target of most Asian governments, but it appears to be an unattainable objective. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potentials for establishing governance across Asian countries. Drawing upon the literature and experience of Asian countries, the study argues that governance represents an unclear state that is rooted more in perception than reality. An extensive review of the indicators of governance reveals the anomaly and unorganized efforts to measure it, and points to the need for recognizing accomplishments in areas that are not directly or indirectly covered in the existing schemes of assessment. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a broad review of the literature on governance and political systems in Asian countries. Existing arrangements for assessing governance are critically reviewed to point out the risks in a perception-dependent approach. Secondary sources and insight obtained from relevant research constitute the data analyzed in the paper. Findings The paper finds that the target of good governance cannot be fully achieved due to the significant diversity across Asian countries as well as varied perceptions held by assessors. Stakeholders have different perceptions about the requirements and ideal of governance and existing tools for measuring governance are inadequate. Most importantly, assessment frameworks do not recognize contextual dimensions that are relevant to Asian countries. Furthermore, it is important to recognize efforts that are aimed at improving conditions instead of working toward an absolute outcome of governance. Recognition of small successes will contribute to the improvement of circumstances rather than ranking countries on the basis of a limited number of perception-based indicators and listing them on international indices. Research limitations/implications The paper does not draw upon primary sources of information and is limited to an assessment of existing arrangements. Practical implications The paper will help draw attention to the limitations of existing arrangements of assessing countries and ranking them for the quality of governance. It will also encourage researchers to think about alternative tools for assessing governance and recognizing progress in Asian countries. Social implications The paper will encourage governments to identify obstacles to good governance and adopt policies to overcome them. Originality/value The paper contributes to the literature presenting a critical view for encouraging alternative approach to governance, incorporating perceptions of diverse stakeholders and highlights the need to recognize progress, however limited, in all areas.

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Y. Sheresheva ◽  
Anton A. Antonov-Ovseenko

Purpose – This paper aims to document and analyze the development of Russian print advertising at the turn of the Communist era. It provides an overview of Russian print advertising in 1917 as compared with the previous decades of the “Russian economic miracle”. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses a historical method based on archival research. Analysis of primary sources in this paper is used in conjunction with secondary sources available. Findings – The amount and quality of advertising in Russian newspapers in 1917 is described. The decline of the “Russian economic miracle” print advertising is confirmed. The findings in this paper also change the previous perception of events in Russia in 1917, as well as in the history of Russian advertising. Originality/value – There has been little research on Russian advertising between the end of the Russian Empire and the early Soviet era, and there is no written history of advertising in Russian periodicals in 1917. Therefore, this paper adds to the literature on the history of advertising at the beginning of the twentieth century.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Koszewska

An overview of the Western European literature shows that one of the most distinct trends in consumption that has been noted in the recent years is globally increasing environmental and social awareness. The issue of consumers' behaviours and attitudes towards "socially responsible products" has been gaining importance in Polish economy as well. This article evaluates the development prospects of ethical and ecological consumption in Poland vis-a-vis Western European countries. The comparative analysis being part of the article utilizes primary sources of information, i.e. interviews with a representative sample of Polish adults, as well as secondary sources of information. A factor analysis or, more precisely, a principal component analysis, allowed dividing Polish consumers into groups that were typologically homogeneous in respect of their sensitivity to various aspects of business ethics and ecology.


2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 242-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Cudworth

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to map the field of sociological animal studies through some examples of critical and mainstream approaches and considers their relation to advocacy. It makes the argument that while all these initiatives have made important contributions to the project of “animalising sociology” and suggest a need for change in species relations, the link between analysis and political strategy is uncertain. Design/methodology/approach – The paper develops its argument by using secondary sources, reviewing sociological positions and offering illustrations of possible interventions. Findings – Sociological interventions in the field of animal studies have been informed by critical perspectives, such as feminism and Marxism, or taken less critical routes deploying actor-network theory and symbolic interactionism. Whilst those working in critical traditions may appear to have a more certain political agenda, an analysis of “how things are” does not always lead to a clear position on “what is to be done” in terms of social movement agendas or policy intervention. In addition, concepts deployed in advocacy such as “liberation”, “quality of life” or “care” are problematic when applied beyond the human. Despite this, there are possibilities for coalition and solidarity around certain claims for change. Research limitations/implications – If the central argument of the paper were taken seriously by general sociologists, then sociology may be more open to “animal studies”. In implications for exisitng sociological animal studies scholarship is to trouble some of the certainties around advocacy. Practical implications – If the central argument of the paper were taken seriously by advocacy groups, then the hiatus between “welfarism” and “liberation” might be overcome. Originality/value – There have been recent attempts to map the field of scholarship in animal studies, but surprisingly little consideration of how different emergent positions inform questions of advocacy and the possibilities for political intervention.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aspalella A. Rahman

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the forfeiture regime under the Malaysian anti-money laundering law. Apart from discussing the relevant provisions, several court cases also were examined to identify the problems which arise in the implementation of such a powerful forfeiture regime. Design/methodology/approach This paper mainly relies on statutes and court cases as its primary sources of information. It is supported by secondary data to justify the analysis. This paper also used analytical descriptive approach to analyze relevant forfeiture provisions from statutes and to examine current court cases regarding the implementation of the forfeiture regime. Findings The Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) provides comprehensive procedures for the forfeiture of criminal proceeds. Any limitations of the previous statutory legislations have been addressed, and more importantly, the AMLATFPUAA introduces more powerful and innovative measures that can facilitate the recovery of illegal proceeds from money laundering and any other serious crimes. The AMLATFPUAA also provides avenue for the bona fide third parties to contest the forfeiture order. However, it appears that such right is not easy to be enforced. Originality/value This paper provides an analysis of the forfeiture regime under Malaysian anti-money laundering laws. It is hoped that the content of this paper can provide some insight into this particular area for enforcement authorities, practitioners, academics, policymakers and legal advisers not only in Malaysia but also elsewhere. The findings of this paper also expose any weakness or lacunae in the aspects of application and implementation of the forfeiture regime. Thus, more effective and workable legal solution especially on the issue of civil forfeiture of criminal assets could be considered for further accomplishment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 923-934
Author(s):  
Sanna Pauliina Ryynänen ◽  
Risto Harisalo

Purpose The patient complaint is one of the main procedures of exercising patient’s rights in the Finnish health care system. Such complaints typically concern the quality of care and/or patient safety. The purpose of this paper is to examine the types of patient complaints received by a specialized medical care organization and the kinds of responses given by the organization’s personnel. The organization’s strategy and good governance principles provide the framework for understanding the organization’s action. Design/methodology/approach This study’s data comprise patient complaints and the responses from personnel of a specialized medical care organization from the start of 2012 to the end of January 2014. The data were analyzed through qualitative data analysis. Findings The results show many unwanted grievances, but also reveal the procedures employed to improve health care processes. The results are related to patients’ care experiences, provision of information, personnel’s professional skills and the approach to patient complaints handling. The integrative result of the analysis was to find consensus between the patients’ expectations and personnel’s evaluation of patients’ needs. Originality/value Few prior studies have examined patient complaints related to both strategy and good governance. Patient complaints were found to have several confluences with an organization’s strategic goals, objectives and good governance principles. The study recommends further research on personnel procedures for patient complaints handling, with a view to influencing strategic planning and implementation of strategies of organizations.


Author(s):  
Mohamed Omar Moftah Medon ◽  
Ali Mohamed Aneba

<p>The tolerance in Islam springs from Sharia in both its primary and secondary sources.  There are abundance evidences found in the Qur'an and Sunnah which order people to tolerate and avoid terror. Qur'an and Sunnah as a  primary sources of Sharia do not accept terror, but invite people to have a sense of tolerance and kindness and non-extremism in Islamic dealings. Islam unrecognized a differentiation among people, except the quality of their <em>taqwa</em>. That is why  there is no different between Arabs and non-Arabs. Therefore, the primary sources of Islam have no any relation with terror and killing of the innocent. Such an example, killing the innocent is done toward a certain direction, side, group, doctrine, political thought, or sect that are the reasons of terror and enmity which increase force within communities.</p><strong><em></em></strong><strong><em></em></strong>


Author(s):  
KAMARUL AFENDEY BIN HAMIMI ◽  
AHMAD ZULLAILI BIN ZAMRI

Kertas kerja ini menganalisis peranan Ustaz Abu Bakar al-Baqir iaitu lama reformis tempatan yang konsisten menentang British sehingga terpenjara pada 1948. Beliau turut menubuhkan Maahad al-Ehya Assyariff untuk memodenkan sistem pendidikan pondok di samping meniupkan semangat kemerdekaan kepada pelajar dan masyarakat di sekelilingnya. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk mengetengahkan sumbangan Ustaz Abu Bakar al-Baqir sebagai seorang ulama dan pejuang kemerdekaan menentang British sekitar 1934 sehingga 1957 di Perak. Kajian ini berbentuk historiografi yang menggunakan kaedah kualitatif dengan pendekatan analisis kandungan. Dua jenis sumber digunakan dalam kajian ini iaitu sumber primer dan sekunder. Sumber primer adalah seperti mendapatkan dokumen dan fail di Arkib Negara Malaysia, sumber pejabat kolonial British di samping menemu bual ahli keluarga dan murid Ustaz Abu Bakar al-Baqir. Sumber sekunder pula diperoleh melalui buku, surat khabar dan kertas kerja seminar yang berkaitan dengan perjuangan beliau. Hasil kajian mendapati para pelajarnya terdedah dengan semangat kemerdekaan ini ekoran guru-guru reformis dari Indonesia yang terdedah dengan perjuangan menentang Belanda mengajar di Maahad al-Ehya Assyariff. Selain itu, hubungan baik Ustaz Abu Bakar al-Baqir dengan Ibrahim Yaakub selaku penggerak Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM) dan Dr. Burhanuddin al-Helmy yang memimpin Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Muda (PKMM) menjadikan Maahad al-Ehya Assyariff sebagai markas politik menentang British sehingga tertubuhnya Parti Hizbul Muslimin di bawah pimpinan Ustaz Abu Bakar al-Baqir. Kata kunci: Maahad al-Ehya Assyariff, Hizbul Muslimin, British, Kaum Muda, Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (PKMM), Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM). This paper attempts to analyze the role played by Ustaz Abu Bakar al-Baqir, a local reformist religious leader who consistently opposed the British until he was imprisoned by them in 1948. He established the Maahad al-Ehya Assyariff with the aim of modernizing the religious education system besides stoking the spirit of freedom among his students and the society around him. The objective of this study is to highlight the contributions of Ustaz Abu Bakar al-Baqir as a religious leader as well as a freedom fighter who opposed British rule in Perak from around 1934 until 1957. This is a historiographical research which uses qualitative methodology with a content analysis approach. Two different sources of information are used for this study namely primary and secondary sources. Primary sources include documents and files from the Malaysian National Archives and official documents from the British Colonial office, besides interviewing family members as well as former students of Ustaz Abu Bakar al-Baqir. On the other hand, secondary sources include books, newspapers and seminar report relating to his struggle. The findings of the study show that his students were exposed to the struggle for Independence through the direct influence of the reformist teachers from Indonesia who were teaching at the Maahad al-Ehya Assyariff. These teachers had already been involved in the fight against the Dutch colonialists in Indonesia. In addition to this, the close relationship of Ustaz Abu Bakar al-Baqir with Ibrahim Yaakub, the primemover of Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM) and Dr. Burhanuddin al-Helmy, the leader of Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Muda (PKMM), projected Maahadal-Ehya Assyariff as the political front that opposed British rule until the founding of the Parti Hizbul Muslimin under the leadership of Ustaz Abu Bakar al-Baqir. Keywords: Maahad al-Ehya Assyariff, Hizbul Muslimin, British, Kaum Muda, Malay Nationalist Party (MNP), Young Malays Union.


2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Mukwiri

Purpose – This paper aims to assess the effectiveness of the Bribery Act 2010 in curbing corporate bribery. Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes a doctrinal focus in assessing UK bribery law using both primary and secondary sources. Findings – This paper finds that the effectiveness of the Bribery Act 2010 in curbing bribery lies in its approach of changing the basis for corporate criminal liability from focusing on the guilt of personnel within the company to focusing on the quality of the system governing the activities of the company. Companies have to address the risks of bribery or risk facing liability for failure to prevent bribery. With its regulatory approach to corporate liability, coupled with its extraterritorial reach, the Bribery Act is likely to change business cultures that facilitate bribery, thereby proving an effective law to corporate bribes. Originality/value – This paper highlights the deficiency of earlier laws in tackling corporate bribery, examines the crime of bribery from a company law perspective and argues that the regulatory strategy in the Bribery Act is likely to be an effective tool against bribery.


2021 ◽  
pp. 147-151
Author(s):  
Roberta Varriale ◽  
Fabiana Rocci ◽  
Orietta Luzi

In recent years, the Italian national institute of statistics (Istat), together with most National Statistical Institutes, is progressively moving from traditional production models based on the use of primary source of information - represented by direct surveys - to new production strategies based on the combined use of different primary and secondary sources of information. As result, new multisource statistical processes have been built, that guarantee a major improvement of both amount and quality of information about several phenomena of public interest. In this context, the Total Process Error (TPE) framework has been recently proposed in literature for assessing the quality of multisource processes. The TPE framework represents an evolution of the Zhang’s two-phase life-cycle approach and it additionally includes an operational tool to connect the steps of the multisource production process to the phases of the quality evaluation framework. TPE framework can be used both to support a multisource process design and to monitor an entire production process, in order to provide key elements to assess the quality of both the processes and their statistical outputs. In the present work, we describe as a case study in the new context of Istat production of official statistics the use of the TPE framework to support the process design of the Register for Public Administrations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-61
Author(s):  
Dagwom Yohanna Dang ◽  
James Ayuba Akwe ◽  
Salisu Balago Garba

PurposeCredit relevance of financial reporting can be influenced by change in financial reporting framework. This study aims to examine the effect of mandatory international financial reporting standards (IFRS) adoption on credit relevance quality of financial reporting of deposit money banks (DMBs) in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses difference-in-differences (D-in-D) design for its modelling. Panel data regression analysis based on the D-in-D model is used in analysing the data collected from secondary sources.FindingsThe findings of this study are that based on the D-in-D approach, there is a significant and positive effect of mandatory IFRS adoption on credit relevance quality of financial reporting of DMBs in Nigeria, and that there is also a significant difference in the credit relevance quality of financial reporting of mandatory adopting banks in the post-mandatory IFRS adoption period compared to pre-mandatory IFRS adoption period.Research limitations/implicationsTo the best of this study's review, there is inadequacy of literature within the credit relevance research in Nigeria. In the light of this, this study intends to fill the gap.Practical implicationsThis study is specifically important to regulatory authorities, both primary and secondary regulators. Specifically, this study has implications in the regulatory roles of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC). However, the study recommends that regulatory authorities should encourage DMBs to avail their financial reports annually to credit rating agencies (local and international) for proper evaluation for subsequent ratings.Originality/valueThe peculiarities in this study, that is the utilisation of the D-in-D design and the use of credit relevance metric as the dependent variable, made this study important and novel to push the frontier of existing knowledge.


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