Intermediaries Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

This introductory essay reflects on the continuing relevance of Ray Pahl's Whose City? It reassesses the original urban managerialist perspective, developed in the Europe of the late 1960s and early 1970s. When large-scale public... more

This introductory essay reflects on the continuing relevance of Ray Pahl's Whose City? It reassesses the original urban managerialist perspective, developed in the Europe of the late 1960s and early 1970s. When large-scale public institutions dominated access to scarce urban resources, Pahl argued that urban managers played a crucial role in the shaping of life chances. But with the emergence of Marxist perspectives on the city, urban managers receded from view as minor players within overarching structures of exploitation and inequality. This was only reinforced by the neoliberal transformations that started to take hold after the late 1970s. We are now living in a very different world of global financialized capitalism in which the relevance of various radical theorists is being reassessed. Does the urban managerialist perspective have any relevance in this new urban reality? Have new urban managers emerged? Who are they and what do they do? Should we modify the urban managerialist perspective for the post-privatized city, the city of 'governance', the city of choice in which interests and responsibilities appear to have become more fragmented and less transparent? The essay concludes with a discussion of the other three papers in this special section

These selected essays, originally presented at the African Religious Health Assets Program (ARHAP) International Colloquium in Cape Town in 2009, include several cutting edge studies and reflections on the increasingly important... more

These selected essays, originally presented at the African Religious Health Assets Program (ARHAP) International Colloquium in Cape Town in 2009, include several cutting edge studies and reflections on the increasingly important interface of religion and public health.
As a whole, they reflect ARHAP’s general sensibility: that religious entities and impulses of one kind or another need to be better understood and mobilized for public health. Religious entities commit vast energies and resources to health. How does one encourage, support and leverage that work for the good of all? What does one need to understand and do to align these assets and capacities, tangible and intangible, with public health institutions and interventions in service of the health of all? What do religious leaders and public health leaders need to learn about and from each other in this regard?
The essays, embodying a rich ARHAPian tapestry of inter-disciplinary thinkers, researchers and practitioners, address ways of understanding religion and public health, ways of thinking about the necessary leadership, specific work on HIV and AIDS, implications for practice and innovation, and lessons learned from work at the forefront of religion in development.

Abstract: A central feature of innovation systems is that innovation arises from interaction between organizational units. This requires' cognitive distance'that is sufficiently large to yield novelty of combinations, but not... more

Abstract: A central feature of innovation systems is that innovation arises from interaction between organizational units. This requires' cognitive distance'that is sufficiently large to yield novelty of combinations, but not too large for mutual understanding. Two problems and solutions in the transfer of knowledge, especially to small firms, are identified and discussed. There is a problem not only of expressing tacit knowledge, but also of absorbing new knowledge when it needs to replace existing tacit knowledge. Next to issues of learning or ...

This research examines intermediary use of categories at the micro-social level, highlighting the links between categories and gatekeeping. Use of membership categorization analysis (MCA) concepts with ethnomethodology helps to show... more

This research examines intermediary use of categories at the micro-social level, highlighting the links between categories and gatekeeping. Use of membership categorization analysis (MCA) concepts with ethnomethodology helps to show categorical micro-foundations of intermediation in talk and text. In the case of gatekeepers (gallerists) in the high value art market, thematic analysis highlights ideal-type "good collectors" and newer "good investors," and gallerist strategies to push buyers to conform to one of these categories, often with the goal of discouraging disruptive speculation. The findings show: first, how ideal categories serve as reference points for legitimate and even "valorous" behavior, providing a discursive socialization tool; second, illegitimate categories and problem behaviors provide a moral basis for value-protecting gatekeeping, and; third, how recognized categories underlie dealers' gatekeeping, sorting and allocation, practices seen as fair and necessary for professional practice in value-enhancing gatekeeping. The paper extends our understanding of intermediaries at a micro-social level, identifies productive connections between categories and gatekeeping research, and provides exciting methodological suggestions for micro-social categories research.

""This paper presentation is about the potential understanding of the development of defamation, Cyber Defamation respectively. The paper will further assess the development of defamation (origin, meaning, types of defamation, elements... more

""This paper presentation is about the potential understanding of the development of defamation, Cyber Defamation respectively. The paper will further assess the development of defamation (origin, meaning, types of defamation, elements and the aspect of innuendo) from traditional defamation to modern means that is Cyber Defamation (Part II). A Detail Discussion on Whether Defamation Differs from Cyber Defamation (Part III) and personal assessment will conclude the work (Part Iv).
The main questions in this presentation will be;
Why users of the Internet are more likely than ordinary citizens to be found publishing comments which are actionable as defamatory, and;
What problems (or, looking at it from the other side of the fence, opportunities) arise if those who are the victims of defamatory comments on the net attempt to seek compensation by taking legal action .
The answers to these two questions will influence at large extent as to whether defamation differs from the cyber defamation.
""

From the fourteenth century onwards, Muslim brotherhood networks spread throughout South-Eastern Europe in the wake of Ottoman domination. They were subject to continuous restructuring due to political, social and religious developments.... more

From the fourteenth century onwards, Muslim brotherhood networks spread throughout South-Eastern Europe in the wake of Ottoman domination. They were subject to continuous restructuring due to political, social and religious developments. On a supra-local level, the threads of the networks followed the connections between spiritual teachers and disciples, even though the local level in the shape of 'social cores' remained their essential basis. Brotherhood members moved freely for reasons of spiritual formation and devotional obligations, but also jihād. This mobility, together with economic and social connections, played an important part in spreading and maintaining these networks (and, by default, also in their disappearance).

Il giornalismo di inchiesta, è espressione più alta e nobile dell’attività di informazione; con tale tipologia di giornalismo, infatti, maggiormente si realizza il fine di detta attività quale prestazione di lavoro intellettuale volta... more

Il giornalismo di inchiesta, è espressione più alta e nobile dell’attività di informazione; con tale tipologia di giornalismo, infatti, maggiormente si realizza il fine di detta attività quale prestazione di lavoro intellettuale volta alla raccolta, al commento e alla elaborazione di notizie destinate a formare oggetto di comunicazione interpersonale attraverso gli organi di informazione, per sollecitare i cittadini ad acquisire conoscenza di tematiche meritevoli, per il rilievo pubblico delle stesse.

Recently, increasing attention has been paid to intermediaries, actors connecting multiple other actors, in transition processes. Research has highlighted that intermediary actors (e.g. innovation funders, energy agencies, NGOs,... more

Recently, increasing attention has been paid to intermediaries, actors connecting multiple other actors, in transition processes. Research has highlighted that intermediary actors (e.g. innovation funders, energy agencies, NGOs, membership organisations, or internet discussion forums) operate in many levels to advance transitions. We argue that intermediation, and the need for it, varies during the course of transition. Yet, little explicit insight exists on intermediation in different transition phases. We integrate existing conceptual models on transition dynamics and phases and a typology of transition intermediaries to examine how intermediaries advance transitions in different phases. We illustrate our conceptual insights through examples from car clubs, heat pumps and low-energy housing. We conclude that intermediation is paramount from predevelopment to stabilisation of a transition. Intermediary functions change from supporting experimentation and articulation of needs in pre-development, to the aggregation of knowledge, pooling resources, network building and stronger institutional support and capacity building in acceleration.

SUMMARY Recent literature suggests that to make value chains in changing agrifood systems in sub-Saharan Africa more inclusive, intermediary institutions should foster coordination. The hub concept has been applied as such an intermediary... more

SUMMARY Recent literature suggests that to make value chains in changing agrifood systems in sub-Saharan Africa more inclusive, intermediary institutions should foster coordination. The hub concept has been applied as such an intermediary institution that coordinates advisory services, input supply and smallholder access to markets. This study unravels hub coordination in smallholder dairy in Kenya, conceptualising the hub as a mix between a broker of relationships, a one-stop-shop for services and a cluster of producers and service providers, enabling horizontal coordination (between smallholders) and vertical coordination (between smallholders and value chain actors and service providers). Findings indicate that, in resolving challenges that limit smallholders' integration in value chains, synergies emerged as the hub combined different types of horizontal and vertical coordination. This was done by simultaneously organising clusters of farmers and input and service providers (clustering role) and actively facilitating delivery (broker and one-stop-shop role), where the hub structure stimulated the matching of demand (better articulation) to supply (better organised access). However, tensions emerged in the combination of horizontal and vertical coordination as farmer organisations as hub operators had to balance a role as an honest broker between farmers with the intent of enhancing collective action and as a business-oriented entity which resulted in the exclusion of some farmers who cannot deliver the quantity and quality required to minimise coordination costs. Given these tensions and capacity problems of farmers' organisations, complementary intermediary arrangements may be necessary to fulfil some coordination roles.

The roles of intermediaries in open data is insufficiently explored; open data intermediaries are often presented as single and simple linkages between open data supply and use. This synthesis research paper offers a more socially nuanced... more

The roles of intermediaries in open data is insufficiently explored; open data intermediaries are often presented as single and simple linkages between open data supply and use. This synthesis research paper offers a more socially nuanced approach to open data intermediaries using the theoretical framework of Bourdieu’s social model, in particular, his concept of species of capital as informing social interaction. The study is based on the analysis of a sample of cases from the Emerging Impacts of Open Data in Developing Countries Project (ODDC)
project. Data on intermediaries were extracted from the ODDC reports according to a working definition of an open data intermediary presented in this paper, and with a focus on how intermediaries link actors in an open data supply chain. The study found that open data supply chains may comprise multiple intermediaries and that multiple forms of capital may be required to connect the supply and use of open data. Because no single intermediary necessarily has all the capital available to link effectively to all sources of power in a field, multiple intermediaries with complementary configurations of capital are more likely to connect between power nexuses. This study concludes that consideration needs to be given to the presence of multiple intermediaries in an open data ecosystem, each of whom may possess different forms of capital to enable the use and unlock the potential impact of open data.

Unlike previous snapshot studies, this research traces ‘historical learning events’ to enable us to examine the evolution of roles and underpinning capabilities of intermediaries in an innovation system. By following this approach, the... more

Unlike previous snapshot studies, this research traces ‘historical learning events’ to enable us to examine the evolution of roles and underpinning capabilities of intermediaries in an innovation system. By following this approach, the rationale, obstacles and lessons learned of intermediaries in performing their roles and building up required capabilities can be vividly illustrated. The National Food Institute (NFI) of Thailand was selected as the case study. As an intermediary organization, NFI has enhanced its capabilities step by step in analysing and disseminating information, training, testing policy development and consultancies through major ‘learning events’ that provide NFI with learning opportunities. As a result, over time it can perform its intermediary roles better by reducing ‘systemic failures’ in the Thai food industry’s
sectoral innovation system. Recently, however, due to the lack of an official mandate, continuous government budgetary support and organizational lock-in problems, NFI’s role has not evolved with the changes in strategies and capability needs of Thai food
exporters as these firms change from OEM to OBM manufacturers.

Crowdfunding has proven to be one of the best strategies for individuals and businesses to raise funds for ideas and efforts, following the daily embracement of the concept by global netizens. As a practice for raising funds for projects... more

Crowdfunding has proven to be one of the best strategies for individuals and businesses to raise funds for ideas and efforts, following the daily embracement of the concept by global netizens. As a practice for raising funds for projects and initiatives, it has been recognized as an "alternative finance 1 ". Nevertheless, the connection between the various stakeholders in internet-mediated crowdsourcing often calls for the determination of liability for negligent acts of stakeholders involved, bearing in mind, the circumstances of the fundraising whether equity-based, rewardbased, or donation, as the case may be. Identification of the type of crowdfunding further illuminates the degree of "information asymmetries." Who then bears the duty to exercise due diligence on his part? Which of the stakeholders bear the liability for the investors' loss arising from negligence? These are among other questions to be addressed in this essay.

The essence of providing sophisticated services has helped the insurance sector to become increasingly competitive and market oriented. In such a competitive milieu, survival and success of Indian life insurers depends on the quality of... more

The essence of providing sophisticated services has helped the insurance sector to become increasingly competitive and market oriented. In such a competitive milieu, survival and success of Indian life insurers depends on the quality of services rendered by distribution channels. So, the present study examined satisfaction of customers towards distribution channels of insurance industry in India. For the purpose of analysis, customers' satisfaction has been regressed with various benefits received as well as problems faced by them respectively, while dealing with intermediaries, along with demographic variables. For this, sample of 617 policyholders has been taken from three cities of Punjab (India) and data have been analysed using Ordered Probit Regression. The research findings revealed some significant relationships of customers' satisfaction with respect to benefits, problems and demographic variables. But the magnitude of effect of customer relationship management is more prominent than other benefits whereas magnitude of effect of difficulty in availing services is strong predictor among other problems faced by the policyholders. This paper offers insight to distribution channels that can help them in designing insurance services for the policyholders, in which they would emphasize on enhancement of said benefits and curb addressed problems to intensify the level of satisfaction.

The UK market for energy service contracts is expanding, owing in part to the emergence of intermediaries for those contracts in different parts of the public sector. These intermediaries combine a legal framework for establishing... more

The UK market for energy service contracts is expanding, owing in part to the emergence of intermediaries for those contracts in different parts of the public sector. These intermediaries combine a legal framework for establishing contracts with an organisational framework that facilitates contract negotiation and execution. This paper examines the nature and operation of these intermediaries in more detail, including their achievements to date and their similarities and differences. It uses ideas from transaction cost economics to develop a theoretical model of the contracting decision and shows how intermediary organisations can lower the transaction costs incurred by both clients and contractors, thereby increasing the viability of contracting. The paper argues that intermediaries can play an important role in expanding the market for energy service contracts, and hence in delivering cost-effective energy efficiency improvements throughout the public sector.

Domestic workers have long provided a range of services for families from cleaning and cooking to caring for children, the elderly and disabled, to driving household members and tending gardens. Despite the crucial services they provide,... more

Domestic workers have long provided a range of services for families from cleaning and cooking to caring for children, the elderly and disabled, to driving household members and tending gardens. Despite the crucial services they provide, in many countries, domestic work is characterised by a high incidence of informal arrangements and contributes significantly to informality especially among women. The level of organization of the domestic work sector varies dramatically from country to country. In some countries, domestic workers are hired informally, by word of mouth, through social networks. In other countries, intermediaries – such as agencies, digital platforms, coops and others – play a role in recruiting, placing, and employing domestic workers. As the role of these intermediaries increases, questions arise about the impact intermediaries have on formalizing domestic work and providing decent work for domestic workers.
This paper focuses on the role of labour intermediaries in formalizing domestic work. A scoping study was conducted to construct a typology of intermediaries that are active in the domestic work sector in different countries, regions and locations. This typology also identifies the employment relationships and services that are associated with different types of intermediaries operating in the domestic work sector. The paper also proposes an adapted framework to measure the outcomes of various types of employment arrangements, according to the type of intermediary used. The paper found that intermediaries have the potential to improve labour market outcomes and formalize domestic work; however, they can also lead to a deterioration in working conditions and informal employment. While intermediaries can provide useful vectors for organizing and promoting compliance, they can also work against the identification of employment relationships and the implementation of the rights normally conferred through these. The paper concludes with suggestions as to the conditions under which such intermediaries can play a positive role in formalization, service provision and improvement of working conditions

Regulation is typically conceived as a two-party relationship between a rule-maker or regulator (R) and a rule-taker or target (T). We set out an agenda for the study of regulation (and rules more broadly) as a three-(or more) party... more

Regulation is typically conceived as a two-party relationship between a rule-maker or regulator (R) and a rule-taker or target (T). We set out an agenda for the study of regulation (and rules more broadly) as a three-(or more) party relationship-with intermediaries (I) at the center of the analysis. Intermediaries play major and varied roles in regulation, from providing expertise and feedback to facilitating implementation, monitoring the behavior of regulatory targets and building communities of assurance and trust. After developing the basic RIT model, we discuss important extensions and variations. We then discuss the varieties of regulatory capture that appear where intermediaries are involved.

The Lubanga judgment opened several issues that are interesting for practitioners and scholars alike. Although the judgment by itself is a solid piece of work, a survey of the judicial process leading to it demonstrates that the... more

The Lubanga judgment opened several issues that are interesting for practitioners and scholars alike. Although the judgment by itself is a solid piece of work, a survey of the judicial process leading to it demonstrates that the International Criminal Court is yet to embrace coherent concepts of intermediaries, the principle of legality and dolus eventualis (indirect intention). The Lubanga judgment is but a first step in the right direction.

What are the similarities and differences between crowdsourcing and sharing economy? What factors influence their use in developing countries? In light of recent developments in the use of IT-mediated technologies, such as crowdsourcing... more

What are the similarities and differences between crowdsourcing and sharing economy? What factors influence their use in developing countries? In light of recent developments in the use of IT-mediated technologies, such as crowdsourcing and the sharing economy, this manuscript examines their similarities and differences, and the challenges regarding their effective use in developing countries. We first examine each individually and highlight different forms of each IT-mediated technology. Given that crowdsourcing and sharing economy share aspects such as the use of IT, a reliance on crowds, monetary exchange, and the use of reputation systems, we systematically compare the similarities and differences of different types of crowdsourcing with the sharing economy, thus addressing a gap in the current literature. Using this knowledge, we examine the different challenges faced by developing countries when using crowdsourcing and the sharing economy, and highlight the differences in the applicability of these IT-mediated technologies when faced with specific development issues.

From Senegal to Tanzania, and South Africa to Egypt, over the last decade " hub " organisations have proliferated across the African continent. Whilst this rapid growth has been accompanied by increasing academic interest, to date, works... more

From Senegal to Tanzania, and South Africa to Egypt, over the last decade " hub " organisations have proliferated across the African continent. Whilst this rapid growth has been accompanied by increasing academic interest, to date, works examining this phenomenon and this new dynamic organisational form remain limited. This study aims to contribute towards addressing this gap by examining hub organisations in Kenya. More specifically, and drawing upon in-depth qualitative case study research with three hubs, it examines: the nature of hubs in Kenya, what they are; unpacks what they do, and especially the role of hubs as intermediaries; and evaluates the potential of hubs, including as promoters of entrepreneurship, innovation and wider positive social change in Kenya. This research identifies the multiple hybridities of hub organisations in Kenya. It finds that they perform an intermediary role working institutional voids. Finally, both potential and limitations of hubs are identified. This research contributes to hitherto limited work on hubs, especially in Africa, and theorises hubs as hybrid intermediary organisations. It also showcases Africa as an important but still understudied context for management scholarship.

After examining the theoretical context of reference, which for years has devoted ample space to research on the relationship between art and business organizations, the article explores results from the observation of 21 real case... more

After examining the theoretical context of reference, which for years has devoted ample space to research on the relationship between art and business organizations, the article explores results from the observation of 21 real case studies of collaboration between artists and companies, which took place in the last 5 years in the Veneto region, Italy.
The aim will be outlines, in a completely experimental way, a model of cooperation able to illustrate the internal steps of collaboration between the artistic and entrepreneurial spheres and to understand how art is able to transfer cultural value to business.