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This paper aims to explore PT. Recycled Paper Hub's response to the increasing demand for recycled paper within the context of sustainable production management and supply chain management, with a focus on the B2B industry. The study encompasses an analysis of the company's practices in managing relationships with suppliers of recycled paper, enhancing operational efficiency, and mitigating environmental impacts from its operations. PT. Recycled Paper Hub, a B2B company specializing in processing recycled paper into bales, faces rising demand for its products. This article presents research findings on how the company addresses the growing market demand through the utilization of advanced production technology and the application of lean manufacturing methods to minimize waste. Furthermore, the research evaluates how PT. Recycled Paper Hub manages relationships with suppliers of recycled paper to ensure stable and high-quality supply. Strategic partnerships with suppliers of recycled paper are identified as key success factors in meeting increasing demand. The research findings indicate that the increased demand for bales of recycled paper not only reduces waste and emissions but also reinforces PT. Recycled Paper Hub's commitment to sustainability. These findings offer valuable insights for the paper industry and other companies seeking to adopt more sustainable business models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely recognised that paper remains a pervasive resource for collaboration and yet there has been uncertain progress in developing technologies that aim to enhance paper documents with computational capabilities. In this article, we discuss the design of a technology that interweaves developments in hardware and materials, electronics and software, and seeks to create new affinities between digital content and paper. The design of the technology drew from findings from naturalistic studies of the uses of paper, particularly when considering how ‘users’ might ‘interact’ with the augmented technology. We briefly review these studies and discuss the results of an evaluation of the emerging technology. Analysis of the fine details of the conduct of participants in these assessments suggest how, even when we design simple forms of interaction with a device, these can be shaped and transformed by the participation and collaboration of others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After a 14-year gap, Australia's 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper advanced a 'comprehensive framework to advance Australia's security and prosperity in a contested and competitive world' (Australian Government 2017a, "2017 Foreign Policy White Paper." ., v). Focused on regional stability, partnerships and global cooperation, it identifies 'risks and opportunities' in an altered external environment. In this article, we argue that the neglect of gender and conflict prevention in the White Paper has implications for its stated aspirations with regard to peace and security. This is striking considering the attention that gender—particularly in the context of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda—has received in other policy areas and documents. Building on feminist security scholarship, conflict prevention approaches, and bringing in civil society voices, we argue that the White Paper contains a gendered, masculinist logic, separating domestic and international issues and paying insufficient attention to the structural and systemic causes of conflict. This article pursues a gender analysis in order to illuminate the gaps present in the White Paper and its limited vision of security and makes the case that conflict prevention from a gender perspective is key to sustainable peace, security and national interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an update on the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology's (SIOP's) involvement in innovative and challenging white paper projects. The SIOP International Affairs Committee is preparing a series of white papers known as the IAC White Papers. SIOP is likewise a founding partner in the Work Psychology White Papers (WPWP) Project which is an initiative of the Alliance for Organizational Psychology whose governance plan was approved in 2011.

Purpose: In the rapidly evolving landscape of HR, the role of the HR business partner (HRBP) has significantly changed. This paper shares some of the latest research on how it is changing for the worse, and how it now sorely needs to evolve further. Design/methodology/approach: The paper includes reference to two studies, an analysis of 55,000 comments from HR professionals and a self-assessment of 7,100 HR professionals across 96 different HR capabilities and five capability levels. Otherwise, the paper includes insight and expertise from across the Josh Bersin Company. Findings: This paper and report it references highlights the emergence of the role in the 90s, and how it is expectations have changed to the present day: with the rise of digital technology, globalization and changing workforce expectations, HRBPs have had to acquire a broader skill set, focusing not on personnel management but on strategic initiatives, such as people analytics, employee experience and organization design. However, far too many HRBPs have ended up in admin or tactical roles, rather than being used to their full potential with the above. This paper includes actionable guidance for how companies can develop the role to get them back on track, including case study examples from Mastercard and LEGO. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this report is unique, novel and the latest research from the Josh Bersin Company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through empirical investigations into university spin-offs (USOs), we discovered innovativeness benefits derived from maintaining both academia and business partners at a distance. Distance should not be misconstrued as isolation; rather, it emphasises specific attributes where partners are maintained at arm's length, affecting co-creation. Consequently, this paper explores how distance impacts the co-creation and innovativeness of USOs. It presents a longitudinal case study of a Swedish USO and conceptualises various types of distances, including actor-type, industry, supply-chain, geographical and knowledge-related distances. We explore the interplay between these different distance types as antecedents to USOs' innovativeness and co-creation activities. The paper contributes to the existing literature by introducing the concept of distance as a critical characteristic affecting innovativeness and co-creation. By delineating various types of distances, it refines previous research on the characteristics of firm connections within university and business ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For this award, we considered all papers published in 2022, excluding note-comments, editorials, message articles, and papers authored by a committee member. In our model, these systemic synergies are considered levers for successfully implementing the 2030 Agenda, while trade-offs are potential hurdles. In our paper, we first statistically determine SDG synergies and trade-offs using indicator data. [Extracted from the article]

In the university environment, libraries and writing centers often operate as separate entities, but they provide similar services to students. The placement of the writing center inside the library may provide opportunities for partnership. At Florida Gulf Coast University, the Humanities Librarian and the Writing Center Director decided to take advantage of their close proximity and observe each other's service desks. The authors identify five challenges common to librarians and writing consultants as well as cooperative solutions. Furthermore, an exploration of how other libraries and writing centers around the country are working together inspired additional avenues for collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our research, we study the case of a pulp and paper producer who decides to establish a partnership with one buyer. Using two different types of relationship, namely a traditional system without any collaboration scheme and Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment, we develop decision models describing the producer and the buyer planning processes. We also identify which approach is more profitable for each actor as well as for the network, based on real costs and parameters obtained from the industrial case. We then test how different incentives can improve the traditional system and provide higher gains for each partner. Our results show that using incentives increases the system's profit by up to 4% if parameters are well defined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Have you ever wondered as a performance consultant how you can shape a positive learning experience for your learner while addressing their performance needs and distinguish yourself as a strategic partner to the business using a data‐driven approach? As a performance consultant, I've interfaced with the business to understand their challenges and provide solutions using a human‐centered design approach to problem formulation, data stories, and data analysis. I will explore these challenges along with using data‐driven strategies to understand the business problem, create a central question to shape your data narratives (short stories), and conduct data analysis to provide a comprehensive solution for your business partner based on customer feedback in this reflection paper titled, "It's all about the data." We will shape our knowledge and approach using case studies that focus on the value of data in your role as a performance consultant. It's truly all about the data and more... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Competitively multipolar international system demands bilateral and multilateral partnerships. Joint innovation signals close partnerships. Regional proximity of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) to the European Union (EU) defines its research and development objectives. These objectives are additionally subjected to the USA's geopolitical strategy in this geographical area. Hence, CEE's limited resources require limited resources make international innovation cooperation. This paper aims to analyse whether and how CEE countries make international innovation cooperation decisions. Design/methodology/approach: This paper used Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) database of total patent applications filed to the patent cooperation treaty (PCT) with co-applicants from abroad, where co-patents with at least one foreign inventor present a measure of international innovation partnership. A vector autoregression analysis and impulse response function were used to analyse international innovation partnership choices of eight CEE OECD countries for the period 1990–2018. Findings: Innovation with the EU is of collaborative nature, commonly displaying complementary properties with the rest of the examined innovation partners, while co-patenting with the Russia and China act as substitutes or complements. Co-patenting with Russia is the most versatile, displaying both properties of collaboration and competition. Some countries exhibit complementarity in co-patenting activities with multiple partners. The significance levels of these relationships vary, indicating varying degrees of impact. Overall, these findings highlight the complex dynamics of co-patenting activities and the influence of different partners on countries' collaborative innovation strategies. Research limitations/implications: In addition to significant relationships, insignificant relationships as well as those that could bring about greater synergy are flagged in the paper. Those relationships portray possible direction into which national funds could be channelled to incite cooperation between different sectors and countries, especially as innovation partnerships are not always successful and require a long time period to materialise. Originality/value: By examining bilateral innovation partnerships, this study provides an insight into the strategic political and economic spheres of influence in the CEE region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Accelerated orthodontics represents a significant shift in dental practice aimed at reducing treatment times while maintaining optimal patient outcomes. This bibliometric analysis evaluated the research landscape of accelerated orthodontics from 2012 to 2023, focusing on publication trends, citation patterns, influential journals, leading institutions, and key contributors. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search in Scopus identified 600 relevant articles, with the top 50 most-cited papers encompassing systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and experimental studies. Key techniques, such as corticotomy and piezocision, have been frequently highlighted for their effectiveness in expediting tooth movement. Results: The analysis revealed fluctuating annual scientific outputs, with notable peaks driven by technological advancements and increased patient demand for quicker orthodontic solutions. However, the production of high-impact papers was hindered by delays in citation accumulation and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Keyword analysis identified critical themes, such as orthodontic tooth movement, malocclusion, and demographic factors, while a global collaboration map underscored extensive international research partnerships. Leading journals included the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, and prominent institutions such as the University of California at Los Angeles played significant roles in advancing the field. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of accelerated orthodontics, emphasizing the need for continued research, particularly RCTs, to further refine and validate accelerated orthodontic techniques and improve clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this paper is to report on the process for developing an online RE-AIM evaluation toolkit in partnership with organizations that provide physical activity programming for persons with disabilities. Methods: A community-university partnership was established and guided by an integrated knowledge translation approach. The four-step development process included: (1) identify, review, and select knowledge (literature review and two rounds of Delphi consensus-building), (2) adapt knowledge to local context (rating feasibility of outcomes and integration into online platform), (3) assess barriers and facilitators (think-aloud interviews), and (4) select, tailor, implement (collaborative dissemination plan). Results: Step 1: Fifteen RE-AIM papers relevant to community programming were identified during the literature review. Two rounds of Delphi refined indicators for the toolkit related to reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance. Step 2: At least one measure was linked with each indicator. Ten research and community partners participated in assessing the feasibility of measures, resulting in a total of 85 measures. Step 3: Interviews resulted in several recommendations for the online platform and toolkit. Step 4: Project partners developed a dissemination plan, including an information package, webinars, and publications. Discussion: This project demonstrates that community and university partners can collaborate to develop a useful, evidence-informed evaluation resource for both audiences. We identified several strategies for partnership when creating a toolkit, including using a set of expectations, engaging research users from the outset, using consensus methods, recruiting users through networks, and mentorship of trainees. The toolkit can be found at et.cdpp.ca. Next steps include disseminating (e.g., through webinars, conferences) and evaluating the toolkit to improve its use for diverse contexts (e.g., universal PA programming). Plain English summary: Organizations that provide sport and exercise programming for people with disabilities need to evaluate their programs to understand what works, secure funding, and make improvements. However, these programs can be difficult to evaluate due to lack of evidence-informed tools, low capacity, and few resources (e.g., money, time). For this project, we aimed to close the evaluation gap by creating an online, evidence-informed toolkit that helps organizations evaluate physical activity programs for individuals with disabilities. The toolkit development process was guided by a community-university partnership and used a systematic four-step approach. Step one included reviewing the literature and building consensus among partners and potential users about indicators related to the success of community-based programs. Step two involved linking indicators with at least one measure for assessment. Step three involved interviews with partners who provided several recommendations for the online toolkit. Step four included the co-creation of a collaborative plan to distribute the toolkit for academic and non-academic audiences. Our comprehensive toolkit includes indicators for the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of physical activity programs for individuals with disabilities. This paper provides a template for making toolkits in partnership with research users, offers strategies for community-university partnerships, and resulted in the co-creation of an evidence-informed evaluation resource to physical activity organizations. Users can find the toolkit at et.cdpp.ca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers news briefs on printing and publishing technologies in the U.S. in 2016. Topics in the news include the binding agreement of paper company International Paper Co. with Holmen Paper AB for the newsprint mill of Holmen in Madrid, Spain and its plan to sell its corrugated packaging business to packaging specialist Xiamen Bridge Hexing Equity Investment Partnership Enterprise LP.

Collaborative research between educational institutions and health agencies is being increasingly used as a method of achieving joint outcomes and bringing together theory and practice. This paper reports on the experiences of collaboration that arose out of just such a project carried out in a residential aged care setting. The research team included university academics, two nurses in management positions in the aged care facility and a senior research assistant. In this paper, we explore some of the unexpected issues that emerged during implementation of the research project. The major challenges to successful collaboration arose not from within the collaborative research team, but from the responses of the broader staff who generally had little, if any, experience of research. Despite efforts to inform and involve staff, deep suspicions about the ‘real’ motives of the project proved difficult to shift. Trust and commitment are vital dimensions of successful collaborative research, yet gaining these from some staff proved elusive. Collaborative relationships between educational and practice settings need to be viewed as long-term endeavours driven by a common unifying goal to enhance client care. This has implications for costs and timelines which might be difficult to manage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic relationship has been the cornerstone of the China-EU relation as well as the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership which was established in 2003. On the other side of the coin, economic relations have been main sources of disputes between China and the EU since the 2005–2006 textile disputes. This paper examines their mutual perceptions in this field as one way of explaining the development of the bilateral relationship, supported by substantial empirical data. It is found that the successful economic development of China has generated different perceptions between the EU and China. With the difference in the development level reducing, the EU side was concerned more about the rise of China, while the Chinese side emphasised more the relative decline of the EU's economic might. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents news brief related to the printing industry. Mohawk Fine Papers Inc. has announced the company has acquired the Crane Stationery Corporation of North Adams, Massachusetts for an undisclosed amount. X-Rite and Flint Group Inc.'s Paper and Board business have announced the two companies have created a color management system. AstroNova has announced the company has completed its first shipments of its Trojan T4 digital color label press.

The Journal of the American Institute for Conservation has released a special double issue titled "Practical Approaches to Technical Research." The goal of this series is to showcase research conducted in unconventional settings and explore the challenges and benefits of adapting rigorous research methods. The first part of the series featured studies from various specialty areas, while the second part covers equally diverse topics such as optimizing imaging techniques, evaluating treatment potential, and identifying fibers in collections. The accessibility of this research is valuable and has the potential to lead to new conservation solutions and discoveries. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into how management accountants can become relevant business partners out of respect for existing locally developed accounts of economic performance for decision-making. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with local business actors, in this case, families from seven financially successful Danish dairy farms. The casework and the analysis have been informed by pragmatic constructivism. Findings: The local business actors do not use the official accounting system for ongoing cost-management-related decision-making. Instead, they use several epistemic methods that include locally developed decision models, experiences, rules of thumb and intuition. The farmers use these vernacular accountings to compensate for the cost management illusion that the formal accounting system tends to create. What the study suggests is that when management accountants engage as business partners, they are likely to enter a space where accounting is already present. Originality/value: This paper argues that local business actors practice epistemic methods where they develop and use vernacular accountings to support their managerial practice, also in the absence of a professional management accountant. These vernacular accountings may lead the local actors into an illusion because the vernacular accountings do not necessarily have an inherent economic logic and theoretical reliability. The role of the management accountant in such a setting is hence to understand, support and advance local epistemic methods. Becoming a business partner requires a combination of management accounting analytical skills and a sense of empathy and sensitivity regarding what is already at play and how this can become an object of discussion without violating the values of the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 1942 and 1945, Jewish inmates of a forced labour camp and later Auschwitz subcamp at Blechhammer (Blachownia Slaska, Upper Silesia) worked alongside British prisoners of war on the construction site of a giant synthetic fuel facility, the Oberschlesische Hydrierwerke. This paper examines the multifaceted forms of interaction between these two groups, who were situated at the opposite ends of a spectrum ranging from high survival rates to certain death. By reframing the Jewish inmates' perceptions of the POWs, it seeks to shed new light on a controversial debate on the nature of the relationship between them and the British prisoners. The paper argues that important aspects have been missing from this debate, as the Jewish inmates were not sufficiently represented and not viewed as active protagonists. The relations between Jews and British POWs were not one-sided, but rather interdependent in complex ways. Both groups used these contacts to gain strategic information on the war and jointly contributed to the Allied resistance effort. The barter with British POWs played a crucial role in the collective and individual survival strategies of Jewish inmates, whereas the British increasingly depended on the Jewish inmates to procure basic foods, when German rations ceased to be allocated. An analysis of the effects of British aid-giving showed that the actual impact on the physical survival of the emaciated inmates was negligible. However, these gifts were commonly interpreted as humanitarian gestures by both sides. Altogether, the British were encouraging symbols of resistance against the Nazi regime in the eyes of the inmates. Negative experiences were rarely corroborated and were often linked to poor English language skills, or a stronger identification with other nationalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Universities Initiative (EUI) was established in 2017. Its aim is to strengthen strategic partnerships between higher education institutions across the EU by building networks of universities. At the end of 2023, there were already 50 European University Alliances gathering 430 higher education (HE) institutions. In each of these Alliances, academic libraries are members, too. These libraries are already involved in intra-alliance projects, and these alliances will probably happen more often due to the EU's project-driven approach. This practice paper is, to the authors' knowledge, the first attempt to describe another challenge that European academic libraries currently face i.e., project management practice. The alliance partner universities operate under distinct national laws and institutional practices, making it challenging to easily align them for effective cross-university collaborations. Familiarity with the theoretical principles of EU project management and project management methodology greatly facilitates the preparation of the proposal and the work of the project. It also allows more effective management of the project as a whole or its individual parts. This paper maps the challenges that work in international projects brings and provides suggestions on how EUI libraries can utilize project management techniques, while also aiming at showing the paths to facilitate cooperation. Drawing from an analysis of the literature on project management that might apply in library-led projects to strengthen communities of purpose, the paper is based on the example of the work experience on the project TRAIN4EU, that was co-led by the academic librarians from the University of Warsaw Library, Poland, and run by 4EU + universities. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations based on TRAIN4EU practices, lessons learned, as well as pitfalls to avoid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consistent finding that internationally coauthored papers are more heavily cited has led to a tacit agreement among politicians and scientists that international collaboration in scientific research should be particularly promoted. However, existing studies of research collaboration suffer from a major weakness in that the Thomson Reuters Web of Science until recently did not link author names with affiliation addresses. The general approach has been to hierarchically code papers into international paper, national paper, or local paper based on the address information. This hierarchical coding scheme severely understates the level and contribution of local or national collaboration on an internationally coauthored paper. In this research, I code collaboration variables by hand checking each paper in the sample, use two measures of a paper's impact, and try several regression models. I find that both international collaboration and local collaboration are positively and significantly associated with a paper's impact, but international collaboration does not have more epistemic authority than local collaboration. This result suggests that previous findings based on hierarchical coding might be misleading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the economic and business rationales why joint operating agreements (JOAs) ended in the U.S. It relates the decrease of the number of cities with papers under these arrangements. It explores the means used by publishers to put period on the said joint operations and the implications of those processes. It states that JOAs between periodicals are allowed under an exemption to antitrust laws in the nation as means of saving secondary newspapers and preserving editorial competition in cities.

It is now widely believed that the more numerous the authors of a scientific paper, the greater is the likelihood of higher citation impact. By contrast, this paper considers a set of single- and multiple-authored publications in a group of matched journals that have resulted from collaborative research networks funded by the Austrian Science Fund, and presents evidence that no statistically significant relationship is found between multiple-authored papers and higher citation impact over single-authored papers. Moreover, within the data set examined, some evidence is found of a negative relationship between increasing numbers of authors and higher citation impact. The implication is drawn that where research is carried out within larger networks where researchers may benefit from a more general rather than a more specific collaboration, some researchers may publish their more important work through single-authored papers in order to enhance their reputations. Further implications of these findings are then considered for research funders and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information related to an analysis of the law regarding same--sex marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships. The issue of gay marriage and same-sex unions burst with a fury into people's national consciousness in 2003. it became obvious that this issue was going to be a central part of the national debate for the immediate future. Therefore, upon becoming chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Family Law in August 2003, the author appointed a Working Group on Same-Sex Marriages and Non-Marital Unions. The Section of Family Law is a leader on marital and family-law issues. Its members are national experts in the field of family law, experienced in analyzing the legal policy issues of same-sex partnerships. This puts the section in a unique position to provide information and resources to those considering the complex implications of this issue at the local, state and national levels. The mission of the Working Group was to study and report to the ABA on the status and legal ramifications of recognition of same-sex marriages and non-marital unions.

Purpose: In today's business settings, most firms strive to closely integrate their resources and activities with those of their business partners. However, these linkages tend to create lock-in effects when changes are needed. In such situations, firms need to generate new space for action. The purpose of this paper is twofold: analysis of potential action spaces for restructuring; and examination of how action spaces can be exploited and the consequences accompanying this implementation. Design/methodology/approach: Network dynamics originate from changes in the network interdependencies. This paper is focused on the role of the three dual connections – actors–activities, actors–resources and activities–resources, identified as network vectors. In the framing of the study, these network vectors are combined with managerial action expressed in terms of networking and network outcome. This framework is then used for the analysis of major restructuring of the car industries in the USA and Europe at the end of the 1900s. Findings: This study shows that the restructuring of the car industry can be explained by modifications in the three network vectors. Managerial action through changes of the vector features generated new action space contributing to the transition of the automotive network. The key to successful exploitation of action space was interaction – with individual business partners, in triadic constellations, as well as on the network level. Originality/value: This paper presents a new view of network dynamics by relying on the three network vectors. These concepts were developed in the early 1990s. This far, however, they have been used only to a limited extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This paper presents a case study review of an Australian research partnership between an independent mental health lived experience-led research network and an academic organisation established for the research and treatment of disorders of the brain and mind. The aim of the study was to explore the principles and practical requirements needed for a successful partnership that promotes inclusive research practices and power sharing and provide a framework to improve the operationalization of future similar partnerships. Methods: This study was led and conducted by lived experience researchers. We used a mixed-method approach to data collection for data triangulation. An environmental scan of peer-reviewed and grey literature on mental health research partnerships was conducted, followed by a three-part data collection with members of both organisations. Data collection comprised an online survey, in-depth interviews, and a roundtable discussion to integrate findings and formulate recommendations. Results and Conclusion: This case study explores and describes a missed opportunity of a consumer led mental health research organisation to work successfully with an established mental health research organisation. Poor communication and unclear processes led to unmet expectations on both sides. Findings suggest the use of reflective practice by team members of both partner organisations may have been helpful in identifying further improvements to inclusive research practice, empowering consumers in inclusive mental health research. Plain English summary: Background: Involving people in research who have used mental health services improves research outcomes. The Consumer Led Research Network (CLRN) was formed to progress this in Australia and entered into a partnership with the Brain and Mind Centre (BMC), a large, established, research centre. A short, written agreement was made to guide the partnership. Aim: This study explored the principles and practices used to work together. The paper suggests a framework to guide similar work. Methods: Independent consumer researchers worked with CLRN and BMC to carry out the study. People from both groups took part in a survey and individual interviews. The findings of the survey and interviews were analysed and discussed at a group meeting. Results and Conclusion: The study found that the partnership was not well set up to allow success. A better start may have been made if both parties had outlined at the outset what they wanted to result from the partnership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to explain how the dynamics of inter-firm relations between small and large firms can, in the case of some behaviours, be interpreted as inter-organizational bullying. Design/methodology/approach: This paper draws on a qualitative approach adopting the critical incident method to explore the subjective experiences of 13 individual managers and owners of small service businesses in dealing with the representatives/executives of the large corporations they serviced. The method facilitated an investigation of the significant occurrences identified by the small-firm respondents about the undue advantage taken by the large firms. This was found to be more than simple occasional opportunistic or unfair business practices perpetrated by representatives of the large firms but, instead, involved bullying. Findings: The results revealed that large corporations actively, though covertly, sought to take advantage of their small service providers by resorting to bullying practices. Intimidation, opportunism, use of deceitful or unfair business practices, as well as abuse of power, were manifestations of inter-organizational bullying committed by the large and powerful corporations. The contrasting characteristics of size, access to resources, economic and market power were identified as strong impediments against building effective ethical relational exchanges between the large corporations and their small service providers. Research limitations/implications: The study's findings provide valuable insights into the root causes and consequences of inter-organizational bullying. However, it is crucial to interpret these results in the context of this specific study. It is worth nothing that these findings primarily represent the self-perception of inter-organizational bullying among small service providers and may not capture other viewpoints or aspects of the industrial sector. Replicating this study in different sectors could enhance the generalizability of the conclusions drawn. Practical implications: This analysis is valuable in understanding what constitutes the phenomenon referred to as inter-organizational bullying. It also assists to understand the conditions when large firms exhibit such behaviours and their implications on the well-being of relevant stakeholders. Social implications: Firstly, the business partners should maintain a healthy relationship if they want to avoid incidents of bullying, which can harm the performance of the relationship. In doing so, they need to reduce the level of uncertainty in their business relationships through the transparent information exchange, formulating commonly agreeable contracts and enhancing communication procedures. They also need to put aside their self-interest, but rather strive for achieving results that will be beneficial to both parties. Originality/value: This exploratory study offers a novel and unexplored way of theorizing inter-organizational bullying, as well as uncovering its antecedents and impacts on the welfare of small businesses, particularly small service providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New non-governmental organisations (NGOs) face a challenging landscape, struggling to secure funding and demonstrate impact in their early stages. This creates a Catch-22 situation, hindering their ability to gain traction. This paper explores these hurdles and showcases how the Abdullah Dzinamarira Foundation (ADF), a Zimbabwean NGO, navigated these challenges through resourcefulness. The paper outlines successful strategies adopted by ADF, including diversifying funding streams, forging strategic partnerships, and leveraging volunteers. These strategies allowed ADF to maximise the impact of limited resources while laying the groundwork for future sustainability. Looking beyond individual efforts, the paper emphasises the need for a shift towards institutional capacity building for new NGOs. Investing in their potential fosters a vibrant civil society and empowers local actors to deliver culturally appropriate solutions. The authors call for a collaborative approach, urging international NGOs, funders, and stakeholders to prioritise mentorship programs, online resources, and regional training hubs to equip new NGOs with the tools they need to thrive and become architects of positive change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calls for the co‐production of climate knowledge and services are increasingly prominent in research and funding proposals, including within federally funded programs. While co‐production has led to more accessible and relevant climate services for frontline communities, scholars have identified numerous barriers to equitable relationships and outcomes within co‐production partnerships. In an effort to support the development of climate services through equitable research partnerships, the Consortium for Climate Risk in the Urban Northeast, a NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnership team, collaboratively designed and launched the Community Climate Resilience (CCR) Grant competition in 2022. The CCR program serves to provide funding and build capacity among community‐based organizations (CBOs) responding to climate variability in historically disinvested communities in the urban Northeast, as well as foster co‐production partnerships between the organizations and local university‐based researchers. This paper assesses the design and implementation of the program based on data collected through a survey of research partners, discussions with key stakeholders, and observation of relevant project meetings. Despite the incorporation of lessons from similar co‐production projects, program designers found several persistent impediments to equitable partnerships, including time constraints, funding limitations, and burdensome institutional requirements. We reflect on these challenges and offer strategies for overcoming barriers to equitable partnerships, including streamlining funding pass‐through structures, increasing transparency in funding competitions, promoting flexible funding options, and fostering communities of practice among CBOs and university partners. The findings are relevant for researchers and practitioners implementing equity‐focused co‐production partnerships and small grant programs in climate services and related fields. Plain Language Summary: Knowledge and services produced collaboratively between scientists and local stakeholders have benefits for communities responding to evolving climate risks, including more accessible and relevant research. Funding agencies, including those at the federal level in the U.S., have increased requirements for co‐produced research and service development, prompting relationships between university researchers and community partners. However, co‐production partnerships are not always equitable. This paper identifies promising strategies for improving equity outcomes within co‐production relationships and small grant programs. The authors assess the design and implementation of the Community Climate Resilience (CCR) Grant competition, launched by the Consortium for Climate Risk in the Urban Northeast, a NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnership team, in 2022. While the CCR program attended to multiple dimensions of equity, the authors identified a number of impediments to equitable co‐production partnerships, including time and funding limitations and difficult institutional requirements. We suggest streamlining access to funding, increasing transparency in competition design, promoting realistic funding options, and fostering communities of practice to improve equity outcomes in similar small grant programs and co‐production relationships related to climate adaptation, resiliency, and other fields. Key Points: We identify promising approaches for equitable co‐production relationships in university‐community small grant programsWe assess equity implications of the design and implementation of a small grant program for community resilience in the urban NortheastStreamlining funding access, increasing transparency, promoting flexible spending, and fostering collaboration may improve equity outcomes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the ironies of education, especially under-funded K-12 public education, is that although it is a field that significantly creates the future, the concerns of the present are so intense and so varied, that people working within these systems find themselves almost entirely in reactive mode. My work, and that of my colleagues, is focused on bringing strategic foresight into public education, giving system leaders, their staff, and their internal and external communities tools, approaches, and ways of thinking with which to engage intentionally with the future, and to build a sense of collective agency about the future. This paper is based on key learnings from over a decade of taking US school districts and their diverse communities - students, family members, staff, community partners, business partners, faith leaders and city government officials - through future visioning processes. The paper describes three approaches that have been integral to developing Futures Literacy in groups with widely divergent relationships to the future, ranging from fear or avoidance to unexamined beliefs that privilege will maintain and protect, and on to anticipatory hope for a more just, more sustainable world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]