Kenya court ruling sets stage for new controversies

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Government Policy ◽  
Presidential Election ◽  
Court Ruling ◽  
Foreign Investments ◽  
Public Funds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Law ◽  
Business As Usual

Significance The unprecedented move overturned President Uhuru Kenyatta’s apparently comfortable victory over Raila Odinga by 54.2% of the vote to 44.7%. The court ruled on the basis of what it said was a failure of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to follow the law in the transmission of the results. The court has 21 days to release a final judgment giving a detailed justification, while the IEBC must hold a fresh presidential election within 60 days. Impacts Further use of public funds for the election will exacerbate fiscal strains for the next presidency. Delays to government policy and decision-making will slow domestic and foreign investments. Although unlikely, an Odinga presidency could introduce less business-as-usual policies towards large investors.

Exploring decision-making biases among Iranian entrepreneurs: some novel insights

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pouria Nouri
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Illusion Of Control ◽  
Escalation Of Commitment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Control Factors ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis ◽  
The Law ◽  
Decision Making Biases

Purpose Decision-making biases play decisive roles not only in entrepreneurs’ decisions but also in the fate of entrepreneurial businesses. While the extant literature in this regard is relatively rich, it has predominantly focused on certain biases like overconfidence and overoptimism at the expense of other possibly influential biases, which could influence entrepreneurial decisions. Thus, to address this serious research gap, this paper aims to explore four of the less-researched biases of escalation of commitment, the illusion of control, confirmation and the belief in the law of small numbers in entrepreneurial decisions. Design/methodology/approach By taking a qualitative approach, the data for this study were collected through face-to-face interviews with 19 Iranian habitual (experienced) entrepreneurs running small businesses and analyzed by a qualitative thematic analysis. Findings According to the results, the environmental uncertainty, the reluctance to lose face and the experiences of previous failures contributed to the escalation of commitment, while disregard for external factors beyond one’s control caused the illusion of control, factors like prior successful businesses in the same sector, looking for resorts to manage uncertainty, along with the decision to exploit opportunities resulted in the confirmation bias, while the expenses of conducting sweeping pilot tests in the market and the reluctance to reveal a business secret to the competitors were the main contributors of the belief in the law of small numbers. Originality/value This study is a pioneer in scrutinizing four less-researched but important biases in entrepreneurs and, thus extending the line of research in this regard.

Is childhood a disability? Using Mental Capacity Tribunals and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards to shield children's capacity to consent to and refuse medical treatment

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Mackenzie ◽  
John Watts
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Mental Capacity ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Legal Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Decision Making Capacity ◽  
The Law

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that the common and statutory law governing children's capacity or competence to consent to and to refuse medical treatment is unsatisfactory and to suggest solutions. Design/methodology/approach – Critical legal analysis of the law on assessing minors’ decision-making capacity in relation to legal recognition of their consent to and refusal of medical treatment. Findings – Without legal mechanisms which protect both children and their rights, all children and young people are effectively disabled from exercising age and capacity-related autonomy and participation in decisions affecting their lives. Yet in English law, inconsistencies between legal and clinical measures of decision-making capacity, situations where compulsory medical or mental health treatment is lawful, and tensions between rights and duties associated with human rights, autonomy, best interests and protections for the vulnerable create difficulties for clinicians, lawyers and patients. Research limitations/implications – As the paper acknowledges in its recommendations, the views of stakeholders are needed to enrich and inform legal reforms in this area. Originality/value – The paper makes suggestions to amend the law and clinical practice which are original and far reaching. The paper suggests that in order to observe children's rights while protecting them appropriately, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivations of Liberty Safeguards should be applied to minors. The paper recommends the establishment of Mental Capacity Tribunals, similar in nature and purpose to Mental Health Tribunals, to provide legal safeguards and mechanisms to foster the supported decision-making envisaged in recent United Nations Conventions.

The influence of political candidate brands during the 2012 and 2016 US presidential elections

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (12) ◽  
pp. 2629-2656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Van Steenburg ◽  
Francisco Guzmán
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Presidential Election ◽  
Presidential Elections ◽  
Brand Image ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Us Presidential Election ◽  
Voter Decision Making ◽  
First Time

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether voters consider a candidate’s brand image when evaluating election alternatives. That is, how prominent a role does the candidate brand image have in the decision-making process? As election outcomes are behavior-driven, the goal is to examine the potential relationship between the candidate brand image, the self-brand image and voting intention. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected for the third week of October 2012 and again for the same time in 2016 – three weeks prior to the US presidential election each year. An online-based nationwide survey was leveraged, followed by correlation, regression and mediation analysis. Findings Candidate brand image has a role in US presidential elections. In addition, candidate brand image and self-brand image are significantly related to voting intention. In both elections, the losing candidate’s brand image was more of a factor when it came to voting intention, as both candidates’ brand image mediated the relationships between self-brand image and voting intention for all voters. Research limitations/implications A link between candidate brand image and voting intention was demonstrated for perhaps the first time. With results showing candidate brand image does relate to the voter’s self-brand image and voting intention, future research should investigate what other brand elements are a factor. There are undoubtedly other factors – some branding-related, others not branding-related – that go into voter decision-making. Because results were stronger for a losing candidate than a winning one, research should also examine whether this occurrence was coincidence or consistent voter behavior. Practical implications When voters considered who might best represent themselves, the brand image of the candidate enhanced the likelihood of voting for, or against, the candidate. Therefore, it is highly recommended that campaign managers understand not only the importance of their candidate’s brand image to develop and maintain a positive image among their supporters but also how to highlight what their supporters view as the negative aspects of the opposing candidates’ brand image to increase the lack of affinity for competitors. Originality/value This research demonstrates, for the first time, that candidates’ brand image is considered by voters in a US presidential election. In addition, it discovers the role candidate brand image plays in voting intention. Finally, it provides direction for campaign managers to conduct research into candidates as brands to build brand relationships with the electorate.

China data doubts may muddle decision-making

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
International Economic ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Interest Rate ◽  
Government Policy ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Risk Profile ◽  
Reserve Requirement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Apparent Stability

Significance This was slowest pace since the first quarter of 2009, but still exceeded most forecasts. The apparent stability of official GDP data even when many other indicators are weak has revived the long-running debate about the reliability of Chinese data. Impacts Further monetary stimulus is likely if growth disappoints, both as reserve requirement ratio cuts and interest rate cuts. Uncertainties about the economy and government policy will multiply, raising the country's risk profile. External pressure may build for Beijing to be more transparent and informative given China's international economic relevance.

Ukraine's chances of a favourable conflict end recede

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Presidential Election ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Military Conflict ◽  
Election Result ◽  
Independent Decision ◽  
Economic Ties ◽  
The Military

Significance The military conflict in eastern Ukraine remains muted, but the breakdown of economic ties, trade, and supplies of power and water makes a political rapprochement look even more remote. Moscow had hoped for direct engagement with President Donald Trump's administration but little has happened, and the four-party (Russian-Ukrainian-German-French) talks process remains in place. Impacts Narrowing economic options will further limit independent decision-making by rebel leaders. The French presidential election result and the likely outcome of German elections allow four-party 'Normandy format' talks to continue. If Ukraine perceives continued Western support, it may act more assertively towards the rebels.

Internal splits will hold back rising Polish far right

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Presidential Election ◽  
The Political ◽  
Far Right ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Law ◽  
Law And Justice ◽  
The Government ◽  
Political Scene

Subject The rise of the far right in Poland. Significance The Law and Justice (PiS) government initially tried to work with far-right organisations to increase its own support. However, the recent political successes of the far-right Confederation coalition are making PiS see it as more and more of a threat. Impacts The political scene in Poland will become ever more polarised in coming years, with the far right benefiting the most. As PiS turns towards a more moderate, modernising conservatism, radicals will agitate against the government becoming too centrist. Incumbent Andrzej Duda has PiS backing for next May’s presidential election, which could reveal shifts in party strengths.

Non-decision making in the reform of equal pay policy

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 280-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Koskinen Sandberg
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Policy Process ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Strategic Responses ◽  
Equal Pay ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vested Interests ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Law

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse an example of non-decision making in the Nordic tripartite policy process, namely, the reform of the Finnish gender equality legislation and the law for equal pay comparisons. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses non-decision making as a conceptual framework for qualitative analysis of the documentation of the working group that drafted the law for equal pay comparisons. The analysis focuses on the strategic responses used by the participants in order to defend the status quo and resist change in legislation. Findings The key findings are that the suggested law for conducting equal pay comparisons as part of gender equality planning in Finnish organisations changed dramatically in the tripartite policy process. Employer organisations successfully prevented the most relevant features from being implemented in the reformed law. Research limitations/implications The findings of this research indicate that there is a need for more research on the tripartite policy process and its implication on developing policy. Social implications This paper shows what kind of power employer and employee organisations use in Finnish policy making. As a result, the reformed gender equality legislation is a compromise reflecting the vested interests of different stakeholders. The findings highlight the challenges of developing policy in tripartite policy process. Originality/value The tripartite policy process and its implications have rarely been studied. The value of this paper lies in both originality of the topic and approach, and the societal importance of the findings.

Parliamentarism and the Legislative Branch

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
András Sajó ◽  
Renáta Uitz
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Political Parties ◽  
Legislative Branch ◽  
Effective Decision ◽  
The Law ◽  
Internal Operations ◽  
Effective Decision Making ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Law Making

This chapter examines the relationship between parliamentarism and the legislative branch. It explores the evolution of the legislative branch, leading to disillusionment with the rationalized law-making factory, a venture run by political parties beyond the reach of constitutional rules. The rise of democratically bred party rule is positioned between the forces favouring free debate versus effective decision-making in the legislature. The chapter analyses the institutional make-up and internal operations of the legislature, the role of the opposition in the legislative assembly, and explores the benefits of bicameralism for boosting the powers of the legislative branch. Finally, it looks at the law-making process and its outsourcing via delegating legislative powers to the executive.

Impact of relatedness, uncertainty and slack on corporate entrepreneurship decisions

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Garrett ◽  
Shaunn Mattingly ◽  
Jeff Hornsby ◽  
Alireza Aghaey
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Hierarchical Linear Modeling ◽  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Corporate Entrepreneurship ◽  
New Venture ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Linear Modeling ◽  
Slack Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effect

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of opportunity relatedness and uncertainty on the decision of a corporate entrepreneur to pursue a venturing opportunity.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a conjoint experimental design to reveal the structure of respondents' decision policies. Data were gathered from 47 useable replies from corporate entrepreneurs and were analyzed with hierarchical linear modeling (HLM).FindingsResults show that product relatedness, market relatedness, perceived certainty about expected outcomes and slack resources all have a positive effect on the willingness of a corporate entrepreneur to pursue a new venture idea. Moreover, slack was found to diminish the positive effect of product relatedness on the likelihood to pursue a venturing opportunity.Practical implicationsBy providing a better understanding of decision-making schemas of corporate entrepreneurs, the findings of this study help improve the practice of entrepreneurship at the organizational level. In order to make more accurate opportunity assessments, corporate entrepreneurs need to be aware of their cognitive strategies and need to factor in the salient criteria affecting such assessments.Originality/valueThis paper adds to the limited understanding of corporate-level decision-making with regard to pursuing venturing opportunities. More specifically, the paper adds new insights regarding how relatedness and uncertainty affect new venture opportunity assessments in the presence (or lack thereof) of slack resources.

Making investment decisions in stock markets using a forecasting-Markowitz based decision-making approaches

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 647-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Moeini Najafabadi ◽  
Mehdi Bijari ◽  
Mehdi Khashei
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Time Series ◽  
Stock Markets ◽  
Time Series Prediction ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Rate Of Return ◽  
Expected Returns ◽  
Prediction Methods ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Markowitz Model

Purpose This study aims to make investment decisions in stock markets using forecasting-Markowitz based decision-making approaches. Design/methodology/approach The authors’ approach offers the use of time series prediction methods including autoregressive, autoregressive moving average and artificial neural network, rather than calculating the expected rate of return based on distribution. Findings The results show that using time series prediction methods has a significant effect on improving investment decisions and the performance of the investments. Originality/value In this study, in contrast to previous studies, the alteration in the Markowitz model started with the investment expected rate of return. For this purpose, instead of considering the distribution of returns and determining the expected returns, time series prediction methods were used to calculate the future return of each asset. Then, the results of different time series methods replaced the expected returns in the Markowitz model. Finally, the overall performance of the method, as well as the performance of each of the prediction methods used, was examined in relation to nine stock market indices.

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