Organizing Theories for Disasters into a Complex Adaptive System Framework

Increasingly urbanized populations and climate change have shifted the focus of decision makers from economic growth to the sustainability and resilience of urban infrastructure and communities, especially when communities face multiple hazards and need to recover from recurring disasters. Understanding human behavior and its interactions with built environments in disasters requires disciplinary crossover to explain its complexity, therefore we apply the lens of complex adaptive systems (CAS) to review disaster studies across disciplines. Disasters can be understood to consist of three interacting systems: (1) the physical system, consisting of geological, ecological, and human-built systems; (2) the social system, consisting of informal and formal human collective behavior; and (3) the individual actor system. Exploration of human behavior in these systems shows that CAS properties of heterogeneity, interacting subsystems, emergence, adaptation, and learning are integral, not just to cities, but to disaster studies and connecting them in the CAS framework provides us with a new lens to study disasters across disciplines. This paper explores the theories and models used in disaster studies, provides a framework to study and explain disasters, and discusses how complex adaptive systems can support theory building in disaster science for promoting more sustainable and resilient cities.

Conceptualizing Personhood for Sustainability: A Buddhist Virtue Ethics Perspective

This conceptual paper addresses the role the individual plays in sustainability against the backdrop of the ethical dimensions of sustainability. We discuss the relevance of moral personhood as a basis for sustainability and develop a model of personhood for sustainability. The paper outlines the ethical dimensions of sustainability and discusses the role of individual morality for sustainability from a virtue ethics perspective. We employ a Buddhist virtue ethical approach for conceptualizing a model of the sustainable person that is characterized by sustainability virtues, interdependent personhood, and an inherent concern for the wellbeing of others, nature, and future beings. In contrast to many Western-based conceptions of the individual actor, our model of sustainable personhood conceptualizes and explains a coherent and inherent individual motivation for sustainability. The paper contributes to the methodological question of how to best consider the individual in sustainability research and sustainability approaches and suggests a conceptual basis for integrating individual, institutional, and systemic aspects of sustainability.

9. Mental conditions, intoxication and mistake

This chapter considers the most commonly occurring ‘mental condition defences’, focusing on the pleas of insanity, intoxication and mistake. The common law historically made a distinction between justification and excuse, at least in relation to homicide. It is said that justification relates to the rightness of the act but to excuse as to the circumstances of the individual actor. The chapter examines the relationship between mental condition defences, insanity and unfitness to be tried, and explains the Law Commission’s most recent recommendations for reforming unfitness and other mental condition defences. It explores the test of insanity, disease of the mind (insanity) versus external factor (sane automatism), insane delusions and insanity, burden of proof, function of the jury, self-induced automatism, intoxication as a denial of criminal responsibility, voluntary and involuntary intoxication, dangerous or non-dangerous drugs in basic intent crime and intoxication induced with the intention of committing crime.

Targets of jokes (Satirical Shows)

With the variable “targets of jokes” it is analyzed which actors are evaluated in satirical shows (either by criticism or as a target of a joke). Targets of jokes can be celebrities and societal actors, however, the greatest attention is given to political actors. Political actors can either be collective actors such as parties and other political organizations or individual politicians. Due to cultural specifics in the U.S., the coding of political actors as targets of jokes is often expanded to the family and staff of presidential candidates and other high-ranking politicians in American studies (Lichter, et al., 2015). Field of application/theoretical foundation: The variable is used to analyze balance in jokes (e.g., distribution of jokes on political actors) and is an indicator for political plurality. References/combination with other methods of data collection: The variable is used in content analysis that have been combined with experimental studies that analyze priming effects (Matthes & Rauchfleisch, 2013) Example study: Nitsch & Lichtenstein (2013) Information on Nitsch & Lichtenstein, 2013 Authors: Cordula Nitsch, Dennis Lichtenstein Research question/ research interest: Depiction of politics (topics and actors) in satirical shows vs. news shows Object of analysis: Satirical Show (Harald Schmidt Show), news show (Tagesschau) Timeframe of analysis: 2009-2010 Information about variable Variable name/definition: Akteure [actors] Gewertet werden nur politisch relevante Akteure, die in der Sendung angesprochen werden oder selbst sprechen. Ein Akteur gilt als politischer Akteur, wenn es sich dabei entweder um eine politische Institution (z.B. EU, Nato, UNO, Parlament) oder um einen demokratisch legitimierten Individualakteur (z.B Bundespräsident, Politiker unterschiedlicher Parteien) handelt Pro Thema wird jeder Akteur nur einmal codiert. Enthält ein Thema keinen Akteur, so wird die Variable nicht ausgefüllt [Only politically relevant actors who are addressed in the satirical shows or who speak on their own behalf are considered. An actor is considered a political actor if it is either a political institution (e.g. EU, NATO, UN, parliament) or a democratically legitimated individual actor (e.g. Federal President, politicians from different parties). If a topic contains no actor, the variable is not coded.] Level of analysis: Beitragsebene Scale level: Nominal Reliability: Identifikation der Akteure: .82, Akteursvariablen: .81 D national D regional EU Ausland Bereich 1xxx 2xxx 3xxx 4xxx 100 Politiker Land/EU als Ganzes z.B. „die USA haben entschieden“, „Griechenland ist pleite“, „die EU sagt…“ 110 Präsident z.B. Bundespräsident 111 Regierungschef z.B. Bundeskanzler 112 Regierung Als Gesamtheit oder einzelne Minister auf nationaler Ebene; für EU: Kommission und Rat 113 Die Opposition Nur als Gesamtheit, auf nationaler Ebene 114 Parlament 115 Partei z.B. „die SPD hat sich mit der CDU darauf geeinigt…“ 116 Spitzenfunktionär in Partei z.B. Parteichef, Generalsekretär 117 Sonstiges Parteimitglied/Parlamentarier 118 Ehemaliger Politiker 119 Ehemalige Regierung 199 Politischer Akteur, nicht näher zuzuordnen Weitere Akteure: 5101 Nato 5102 UNI 5103 G8-Staaten 5999 Anderer internationaler politischer Akteur References Nitsch, C. & Lichtenstein, D. (2013). Politik mal anders: Die Politikdarstellung in „Harald Schmidt“ im Kontrast zur „Tagesschau“ [A different serving of politics: the depiction of

National Innovation Systems

Since innovation is central to the success of firms in the 21st century, policymakers in many countries try to achieve sustained competitive advantage by promoting technological innovations. However, achieving this goal requires coordination of all actors in the economy including governments, industries, and national institutions. Although each individual actor has unique capabilities and strategic resources, how well the economy performs depends on the strengths of the network as a whole. National Innovation Systems (NIS) approach considers all these interdependent actors within a country to increase national competitiveness. A good example in this regard is South Korea, an innovation leader, which could be a role model for developing countries with its well-established NIS. This chapter studies the elements of the NIS of this country and compares them with that of an emerging economy, Turkey, by using data from the Global Innovation Index and the Global Competitiveness Index. The analysis reveals the strengths and weaknesses of Turkey and helps to draw concrete policy conclusions.

Equilibrating resources and challenges during crises: a framework for service ecosystem well-being

PurposeThis article explores the impact of crises, such as the coronavirus pandemic, on service industries, service customers, and the service research community. It contextualizes pandemics in the realm of disasters and crises, and how they influence actors' well-being across the different levels of the service ecosystem. The paper introduces a resources–challenges equilibrium (RCE) framework across system levels to facilitate service ecosystem well-being and outlines a research agenda for service scholars.Design/methodology/approachLiterature on disasters, crises, service and well-being is synthesized to embed the COVID-19 pandemic in these bodies of work. The material is then distilled to introduce the novel RCE framework for service ecosystems, and points of departure for researchers are developed.FindingsA service ecosystems view of well-being co-creation entails a dynamic interplay of actors' challenges faced and resource pools available at the different system levels.Research limitations/implicationsService scholars are called to action to conduct timely and relevant research on pandemics and other crises, that affect service industry, service customers, and society at large. This conceptual paper focuses on service industries and service research and therefore excludes other industries and research domains.Practical implicationsManagers of service businesses as well as heads of governmental agencies and policy makers require an understanding of the interdependence of the different system levels and the challenges faced versus the resources available to each individual actor as well as to communities and organizations.Social implicationsDisasters can change the social as well as the service-related fabric of society and industry. New behaviors have to be learned and new processes put in place for society to maintain well-being and for service industry's survival.Originality/valueThis paper fuses the coronavirus pandemic with service and well-being research, introduces a resources-challenges equilibrium framework for service ecosystem well-being and outlines a research agenda.

Toward a new framing of corruption in health systems in LMICs: what questions should we be asking?

Understanding and addressing corruption is critical for equitable and socially just development, and is therefore central to the realisation of the SDGs including the creation of responsive and trusted heath systems. Some conventional definitions of corruption do not reflect the complex reality in LMICs. Corruption is often conflated with poor governance, weak accountability or inefficiency but each manifestation has different structural and institutional causes, triggers and so requires different strategies to address it. 'Survival corruption' can be an informal coping strategy, other forms are manifest as reciprocal social exchanges within networks which may benefit wider groups of people and mask or contain health system dysfunctions. A proposition is made that we ask new questions that move away from a focus on the individual transaction towards locating it within health system and societal contexts that ultimately consider power and individual actor motivation.

Break the Limits: INGOs Limitation and Learning from Amnesty International

Civil society as the beginning of the notions of INGOs gives a holistic view to analyze the problem and the limit of International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) itself. Critics that arises regarding the limit of INGOs is the lack of independence of INGOs that is questionable about the possibility of the dependence of funds even from individual actor to government fund. It can reduce the roles and the functions of INGOs to act objectively. Another critic for INGOs is a complex matter for international organizations in general about the lack of accountability. So many questions about how do INGOs can be more accountable or whom INGOs should be accountable. This paper argues that accountability should not just for the donors or the government but also stakeholder/grassroots. But, the limit of INGOs can be answered by Amnesty International which is a contradiction example of international organizations that is not affected by the limit of INGO.

A Course in Microeconomic Theory

This book is a text in microeconomics that is both challenging and “user-friendly.” The work is designed for the first-year graduate microeconomic theory course and is accessible to advanced undergraduates as well. Placing unusual emphasis on modern noncooperative game theory, it provides the student and instructor with a unified treatment of modern microeconomic theory — one that stresses the behavior of the individual actor (consumer or firm) in various institutional settings. The author has taken special pains to explore the fundamental assumptions of the theories and techniques studied, pointing out both strengths and weaknesses. The book begins with an exposition of the standard models of choice and the market, with extra attention paid to choice under uncertainty and dynamic choice. General and partial equilibrium approaches are blended, so that the student sees these approaches as points along a continuum. The work then turns to more modern developments. Readers are introduced to noncooperative game theory and shown how to model games and determine solution concepts. Models with incomplete information, the folk theorem and reputation, and bilateral bargaining are covered in depth, followed by exploration of information economics. A closing discussion concerns firms as organizations and gives readers a taste of transaction-cost economics.

An overview

This chapter provides an overview of some basic concepts and philosophy in microeconomic theory. Microeconomic theory concerns the behavior of individual economic actors and the aggregation of their actions in different institutional frameworks. This description introduces four categories: the individual actor, traditionally either a consumer or a firm; the behavior of the actor, traditionally utility maximization by consumers and profit maximization by firms; an institutional framework, which describes what options the individual actors have and what outcomes they receive as a function of the actions of others, traditionally the price mechanism in an impersonal marketplace; and the mode of analysis for modeling how the various actors' behaviors will aggregate within a given framework, traditionally equilibrium analysis. Ultimately, the purpose of microeconomic theory is to provide a better understanding of economic activity and outcomes. The chapter then considers the levels of scope, detail, emphasis, and complexity of the theories and models presented in the book.