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A possible side effect of several research evaluation schemes adopted by governments and research organizations is the discouragement of research diversification and cross-discipline fertilization, which are crucial for major global scientific challenges. This work intends to contribute to the literature stream investigating such initiatives' effects on scientists' specialization/diversification strategies. To this purpose, we analyze the response of academics to the introduction of the national scientific accreditation (ASN) for professorship introduced in Italy in 2012. We will conduct a longitudinal disciplinary analysis of the publications of each Italian university professor in the sciences (over 25.000), accounting for those individual and contextual variables that might moderate the opportunistic response to the ASN incentive scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeMotivationDesign/Methodology/ApproachMain findingsPractical implicationsNovelty/ContributionThis research aims to review the integration of blockchain in accounting issues by identifying patterns and areas of research and outlining a roadmap for future investigations.Although anecdotal evidence indicates a rising investment in blockchain technology, there is currently a lack of systematic literature reviews assessing its implications in accounting issues. While blockchain holds significant potential, the challenges and opportunities associated with its integration into financial reporting warrant further investigation.From 2017 to 2023, a systematic literature review in the accounting, business, and management journals from the Scopus Database identified 77 articles on blockchain and accounting.Increasing the quality of information using blockchain positively impacts governance, accountability, supply chain, innovation, shareholder value, and sustainability reporting. However, stakeholders' high expectations of these benefits, coupled with a minimal understanding of blockchain and the need for accounting regulations or standards governing blockchain adoption, may reduce the reliability and relevance of information derived from blockchain adoption, potentially leading to opportunistic behaviour.Organizations must manage risks amidst high expectations(hype) surrounding the adoption of this technology. Further research into earnings management – whether opportunistic or beneficial – and its impact on non-profits and SMEs could yield valuable insights.Provides a comprehensive overview of current accounting research on blockchain technology through a hybrid approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subcontracting organizational arrangement has received limited attention in designing the control mechanism. This study has explored how managerial controls affect opportunistic behaviour and developed a contingency framework to investigate the moderating effect of subcontracting dispersion. By using survey data from 323 general contractors in the Chinese construction industry, this study reveals that both outcome control and clan control curb the occurrence of subcontractors' opportunistic behaviours while behaviour control scarcely helps. Besides, subcontractor dispersion distinctively moderates these relationships. A high level of subcontractor dispersion amplifies the opportunism-curbing effect of outcome control, but attenuates that of clan control, which leads to more opportunistic behaviours. Only at a lower level of subcontractor dispersion will behaviour control mitigate subcontractors' opportunistic behaviours. Our configurational analyses reveal the substitute and complementary relationship between different control modes with different levels of subcontracting dispersion. This study contributes to the literature on governing opportunism and managerial control. The findings guide managers of the general contractor to exploit appropriate managerial controls to curb opportunistic behaviours across different organizational designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the dynamics of patent alliances, underscoring their strategic relevance for firms pursuing technological innovation and market leadership. We address the issue of opportunistic behaviour stemming from the contractual gaps in these alliances, proposing strategic measures to curtail such conduct and bolster alliance robustness. Utilising Evolutionary Game Theory (EGT), we conduct numerical simulations to analyze the motives for alliance formation, the efficacy of anti-opportunism strategies, and their influence on alliance durability. The study highlights how regulatory policies increase repercussions, fostering cooperative alliances. Our simulations, predicated on defined parameters such as the likelihood of detecting and sanctioning opportunistic actions, showcase how these factors shape the strategic decisions of alliance members. This study enriches the theoretical discourse on patent alliance management by integrating the EGT approach, shedding light on effective deterrents against opportunistic behaviour and mechanisms fostering alliance solidarity. We advocate for a synchronised approach that aligns stringent regulatory practices with corporate strategies to ensure the resilience and success of patent alliances, crucial for navigating the complexities of competitive technology markets and maintaining long-term alliance efficacy. This comprehensive strategy is essential for managing the intricacies of patent alliances and securing their long-term viability and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Civil law and regulations governing civil legal relations are an inportant issue in the legal system of every country in the world. Understanding the authority to end a contract and the possibilities of terminating it, especially by a party that does not fulfil its terms in good faith, is very relevant in the realities of the modern world. This study aims to investigate the fundamental principles and possibilities of contract termination for a party in breach of obligations under the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China (PRC). To achieve this goal, the author uses systemic and structural, dialectical, historical and formal legal methods, comparative legal methods, analytical and synthetical, and others. The investigation established that the status of a contract is crucial in the modern world, including in the PRC. According to international customs, contracts must be unconditionally fulfilled, but sometimes situations arise that lead to early termination or cancellation of a particular contract, so the results of this study can be a foundation for a more fundamental comprehension of the conditions and possibilities of termination of a contract by the party that has breached it, while minimising losses and risks in the future. The results of this study will be especially relevant for potential partners planning to sign a contract in China, as they will help them understand the specifics of compliance with the contract terms and conditions and help them take legally correct actions in case the contract terms are no longer fulfilled. It is also important to understand how to avoid similar situations when signing civil contracts and what needs to be done to fulfil the contract in full. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioural uncertainty is an important factor in building contractual relations, which can lead to significant risks in the process of concluding and implementing a contract as the main tool for economic exchange. This article explores the most typical types of opportunistic contracts, based on the personal business experience of the authors and on the practice of interaction between business entities in today's Russian economy. An opportunistic (mined) contract is a written procedure for the interaction of economic agents providing for some contract terms and conditions that can significantly change the economic effect of the contract execution with an unjustified benefit for one of the parties to the detriment of the other party to the contract, which is not obvious at first glance, but can happen in the process of the contract implementation (or under the impact of a certain combination of external factors). The authors give a definition of an opportunistic contract, define its characteristics and consider some practical examples of the contractual opportunism manifestation. They conclude that the fundamental precondition for the widespread institutional practice of opportunistic (mined) contracts is an insufficient effectiveness of the judicial system and the judicial and other mechanisms for protecting the violated rights of business entities. The main negative effect of opportunistic contracts on economic processes is a significant increase in transaction costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success rate of information systems development projects is very low. Agency theory explains the low level of project success, emphasizing that agency problems and the opportunistic behaviour of designers are the main causes of the low level of project success. The main factors of agency problems are conflict of interest between the owner and the designer, avoiding the execution of tasks, collection of private information and not using tools and techniques for project management. The research was conducted as a case study. The data was collected based on questionnaires filled out by the designers and interviews with the designers and the owner of the company. In the questionnaire, based on a five-point Likert scale, the views of the designers were expressed. Only the designers and the owner of the company took part in the examination of the views on the conflict of interest. The draft research linked the agency problems and the success of the project and the company in a systematic way. The paper claims that the opportunistic behaviour of designers can be solved with an adequate employment contract. The scientific contribution of the work refers to the rejection of new scientific facts, cognitions. In addition, a detailed questionnaire was created to collect the designer's views on agency problems and a model was created for solving agency problems and improving the success of projects and the company. Researchers, designers, and company owners will benefit from the mentioned research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeThis study investigates some extant research concentrating on student self-regulation to play online games addictively. Then, it proposes a new design to explain game addiction caused by students’ cognitive biases according to three contested approaches: self-control or self-regulation, cognitive distortion, and opportunistic behaviour. Moreover, it separates each contested approach in detail.Research methodologyThis research generalises research subjects with specific qualities and characteristics according to the researchers’ provisions. It selects the population with specific attributes: self-control, cognitive bias, opportunistic behaviour, habits and addiction to online games. Then, this study distributes bilingual questionnaires to the respondents throughout Indonesia. Finally, it tests these research hypotheses, splits them according to each model, and avoids perfect-collinearity among the constructs.OriginalityThis research creates a new design incorporating three contested models of students’ addiction to games. The authors argue that online game addiction is due to students’ weak self-control, cognitive distortion, and opportunistic behaviours. The first perspective suggests that students play games addictively because of their low self-control in managing their tasks and enjoying leisure time. Secondly, this research deals with students playing the game due to their cognitive distortions: embodiment, stereotype, and heuristic biases. Finally, the third perspective explains students’ addiction to games because of their probable attitudes and behaviours: indeterminism, escapism, and adverse selection.FindingsThis research finds that each contested model could explain students’ tendencies to be addicted to playing online games. The authors conclude that multi-constructs and multi-dimensions explain students’ tendency to play games addictively in all three contested models. Moreover, this research infers that students’ habits and addictive behaviours are due to the number of games available on social media and the internet. This availability would likely damage academic habits, behaviours, culture and environment. Meanwhile, educational systems cannot stop the emergence and alterations of some new games. Finally, this study innovates the multi-paradigm for teachers’ counselling guidance.ImplicationsThis study’s findings imply a need for students’ behavioural therapy to be conducted by academic counsellors who are careful of the causal factors of multi-constructs and multi-dimensions. Then, it argues that the different causal factors impact the need for different cognitive therapies. Moreover, it explains that equal treatment for these students addicted to games would make them more stressed. Then, academic counsellors developing healing and wellness programmes should mitigate these students with a specific trait from the subdimensions of each construct.

We describe the interaction between harpoon fishing activity and sharks, which opportunistically depredated harpoon catches in the Strait of Messina. Shark bite marks were observed on harpooned swordfish during the period 2014–2020, with different damages to the catches. Most of the depredation events have focused on large swordfish, generally weighing more than 60 kg. Data on direct observations were implemented by interviews and questionnaires to fishermen aimed to recover the information on their local fishing and ecological knowledge. Fishermen provided additional data on shark-harpoon fishing interactions also supplying information on by-catch species (i.e., bluefin tuna). Therefore, these results suggest that sharks migrating through the Strait of Messina are occasionally attracted by injured prey, due to their ability to detect chemical cues, fish distress stimuli and body fluids (i.e. blood) in the water. In addition, our investigations showed an increase in shark attacks on harpooned fish over time, likely due to an increase in harpoon swordfish catches. This may be related to the effects of the driftnets’ ban enforced by European Regulations in the last decades.

Stakeholder opportunistic behaviour has been reported as one of the reasons for failure in public-private partnership (PPP) housing projects. This study aimed at managing stakeholder opportunistic behaviours in PPP housing projects in Abuja, Nigeria with view to devise strategies for addressing the menace towards successful application of PPP in housing. Purposeful sampling technique was used to select the study sample from the total population. A total of 93 questionnaires were administered, out of these, 61 were duly completed and used for the study. The study adopted the ranking model and mean rating in analysing the data. Conflict of interest and lack of trust were the major determinants of opportunism manifesting in deliberate underbidding by private sectors and delays in disbursement of approved project funds. Strategic behaviours can effectively be prevented and mitigated by developing trust among stakeholder and use of contract structure. The study suggests structuring of contracts such that opportunism is avoided or reduced to acceptable level, building of trust among stakeholders and building an environment with adequate incentives to penalise collusion attempts as strategies for preventing and mitigating opportunism in PPP housing projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To acquire needed resources, companies often build relationships with various types of partners in 'open innovation' (OI) relationships. However, such relationships have considerable downsides related to the risk of partners' opportunistic behaviour, and managers need to know how to manage such behaviours if they are to profit from the external resources that OI relationships offer. Drawing on resource dependency theory, this study investigates how firms can manage their OI relationships effectively to deal with their upsides and downsides in terms of resource acquisition and opportunistic behaviour. Furthermore, this study examines an open organisational context in the form of open strategy as well as open structures and processes as contingency factors. The multisource data for the empirical analyses stem from survey data from managers in 181 companies and secondary data from a financial database. The results reveal that an open strategy facilitates the transformation of acquired resources into OI product performance and market success. However, an open strategy also increases the risk of partners' opportunistic behaviour and its effect on OI product performance, contrary to the hypotheses. The results indicate that when firms seek to counter the negative impact of opportunistic behaviour, they should implement open structures and processes. Overall, the findings provide guidance for managers about how to ensure that their OI relationships thrive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper investigates deviant behaviour of stakeholders in higher education. Methodologically, the study relies on the combination of management, sociological and economic theories that possess an epistemological potential for comprehending the concept under study. Deviant behaviour is the one that contradicts the prescribed social norms. Applying the methods of induction and abstraction, we establish and analyse the key trends in the evolution of scientific approaches to understanding deviant behavior. The authors detect the prevailing trends in the development of scientific interpretation of deviant behaviour, which are the following: a focus shifting from identification of deviations to finding the ways to neutralize them, and from examining characteristics of individuals to analysing the special features of the institutional environment as a deviation factor. The study presents a taxonomy of stakeholders’ deviant behaviour with an emphasis on peculiarities of higher education in Russia and determines the stable models of opportunistic behaviour of stakeholders in higher education. Based on the results of the analysis of public relations in higher education, the authors conclude that deviant behaviour intensifies under uncertainty and rapid changes in the institutional environment, when the rules are no longer clear and consistent, but contradict routines, traditional practices and values.

In this study, we propose to model the operation of a service concession arrangement in the economic area of municipal heat supply utilities. We offer a scheme of interaction between the concedent and concessionaire in this concessionary arrangement. Currently, the existing regulations regarding the temperature of coolant focusses on the daily average outdoor temperature, and the determination of a “normative” demand for heat energy. On any day of the heating period, this demand is a random variable, whose distribution can be described through the distribution of daily average air temperature. In our model, heat energy is paid for at a fixed price, and the concessionaire pays a penalty for each unit of unsatisfied normative demand. The price and penalty values are the concession parameters, and are determined by the concedent. The concedent’s goal is to minimise the thermal energy cost; the concessionaire’s purpose is to maximise profit. The interaction is formalised as a two-move game model. First, the concedent determines the price and the value of the penalty. Then the concessionaire selects the capacity to be created. The concession’s parameters should be set so that the individual rationality and incentive compatibility conditions are met. Our results prove the existence of Stackelberg equilibrium, and we derive the relevant formulas for computing its parameters. In equilibrium, the optimum capacity for the concessionaire provides a sufficient probability of meeting demand. The price of thermal energy is minimal under this condition. We also formulate a one-parameter model (thermal energy price as a parameter), which is based on a typical concession scheme. In the two-parameter model, the equilibrium capacity and price do not exceed the corresponding parameters of the one-parameter model. The main advantage of the two-parameter model is an “embedded” economic mechanism that prevents the concessionaire’s opportunistic behaviour. By contrast, in the one-parameter model there is no such mechanism. The proposed approach can be applied to a concession for the production of any good or service, provided the concerned parties are interested in the availability and reliability of meeting a corresponding need, which may be described as a random variable. However, typical concession schemes do not penalise unsatisfied demand, so the implementation of our two-parametric model is possible only after modification of the pertinent concession legislation.

The paper examines the interpretation of individualism-collectivism as the key culture dimensions, which have the most significant impact on the economy. The author explains the view, according to which individualism and collectivism are not monosemantic categories. They represent a form ofchanging content, and reflect the fundamental differences in the nature ofhuman behavior. The latter are connected with the inclinationfor opportunism and deviation of moral norms.

We describe the interaction between harpoon fishing activity and sharks, which opportunistically depredated harpoon catches in the Strait of Messina. Shark bite marks were observed on harpooned swordfish during the period 2014–2020, with different damages to the catches. Most of the depredation events have focused on large swordfish, generally weighing more than 60 kg. Data on direct observations were implemented by interviews and questionnaires to fishermen aimed to recover the information on their local fishing and ecological knowledge. Fishermen provided additional data on shark-harpoon fishing interactions also supplying information on by-catch species (i.e., bluefin tuna). Therefore, these results suggest that sharks migrating through the Strait of Messina are occasionally attracted by injured prey, due to their ability to detect chemical cues, fish distress stimuli and body fluids (i.e. blood) in the water. In addition, our investigations showed an increase in shark attacks on harpooned fish over time, likely due to an increase in harpoon swordfish catches. This may be related to the effects of the driftnets' ban enforced by European Regulations in the last decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing upon a social media perspective, this study explores the phenomenon of opportunistic behaviour in supply chain finance (SCF). Based on research into the factors that drive opportunistic behaviour in the context of SCF and the associated effects, this study conceptualises and empirically examines a research model by leveraging social media data related to the 'Noah event'. The data was collected from Sina Weibo, the biggest Chinese microblog platform. A text mining approach utilising Python programming and R technique was employed for data analysis. The results reveal interesting findings. Opportunistic behaviour had negative effects on all the SCF participants involved in the study. Information uncertainty was the factor that induced opportunistic behaviour, whereas information governance played a moderating role that could mitigate information uncertainty and, thus, opportunistic behaviour. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first research endeavour investigating opportunistic behaviour in SCF. The insights provided by the study are of significance for both academia and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates whether corporate social responsibility active (CSR active) firms operate dissimilarly from other firms in their financial reporting. Specifically, we examine whether the corporate social responsibility (CSR) attitude of a firm sways its reporting incentives, in respect of the extent of earning management. To test our predictions, we use a sample of 25,861 year-company observations, corresponding to 3538 Chinese listed companies, for the period 2009–2019. We find a significant positive association between CSR activity and earning management assessed by the level of discretionary accruals in Chinese listed companies. Moreover, we document that Chinese CSR active firms engage more in earnings management through discretionary accruals than CSR inactive firms. These findings are consistent with the opportunistic financial reporting hypothesis: advances in CSR used by managers to safeguard their position by evading scrutiny from stakeholder activists. This study contributes to the growing awareness among investors, stakeholders and researchers that we should distinguish between CSR active firms and socially responsible firms and that being the latter entail something more than just mechanically produce CSR reports.

This paper investigates whether corporate social responsibility active (CSR active) firms operate dissimilarly from other firms in their financial reporting. Specifically, we examine whether the corporate social responsibility (CSR) attitude of a firm sways its reporting incentives, in respect of the extent of earning management. To test our predictions, we use a sample of 25,861 year-company observations, corresponding to 3538 Chinese listed companies, for the period 2009–2019. We find a significant positive association between CSR activity and earning management assessed by the level of discretionary accruals in Chinese listed companies. Moreover, we document that Chinese CSR active firms engage more in earnings management through discretionary accruals than CSR inactive firms. These findings are consistent with the opportunistic financial reporting hypothesis: advances in CSR used by managers to safeguard their position by evading scrutiny from stakeholder activists. This study contributes to the growing awareness among investors, stakeholders and researchers that we should distinguish between CSR active firms and socially responsible firms and that being the latter entail something more than just mechanically produce CSR reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public expenditure subjects to government and its volume and structure is influenced by decisions of government according to activities and fiscal policies realized. Political expenditure cycles could also act as one of potential public expenditure determinant and could influence the public expenditure volume and structure. The paper examines whether the political expenditure cycle is present in V4 countries at the central level of government considering the opportunistic approach. Variance of central government expenditure indicates the presence of changes in the central government total expenditure and in its sub-categories defined according to government functions, while the analysis of their dynamics in connection with parliamentary election brings only vague results. After, the OLS model is estimated for each V4 country for the period 1995-2015. Results of estimations present certain statistically significant impact of election period on the central government total expenditure. As the monitored time-series cover the period of the financial crisis, models were tested for the structural break. Augmented regressions were re-estimated. Results point to cases, when election variables meet the hypothesis about the opportunistic behaviour of central government. Additionally, prevalent part of results shows opposite behaviour of the central government before and after the financial crisis. However, observed results do not allow generalizing the opportunistic model to all V4 post-communist countries, because statistically significant opposite effects of tested hypothesis are also observed..

This paper focuses on how brokerage practices in the markets for commercial real estate investment assets and residential development land in England generate different possibilities for and patterns of opportunistic behaviours. Drawing upon previous research and analysis, the paper examines the nature of the brokerage market in both sub-markets. An interactionist model of the determinants of ethical judgement in the context of the brokerage sector is created. Based upon an interview survey of brokers and principals, the findings of an exploratory empirical study are discussed. Whilst there are challenges in defining, observing and measuring opportunistic behaviours, it is concluded that a number of different unethical practices have become routine rather than exceptional in the markets for institutional-grade real estate assets and residential development land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mark-recapture study of the nominotypical Erebia pronoe in the Alps was conducted to survey its ecological demands and characteristics. Population structure analysis revealed a combination of protandry (one-week earlier eclosion of males) and serial eclosion. Significant differences between both sexes were found in population density (males: 580/ha ± 37 SE; females: 241/ha ± 66 SE), sex-ratio (2.4) and behaviour (57.7 vs. 11.9% flying). Both sexes used a wide range of nectar plants (Asteraceae, 77.3%; Dipsacaceae, 12.3%; Gentianaceae, 9.7%). The use of nectar plants shows a non-specific spectrum, which, however, completely avoids overlap with the locally co-occurring species Erebia nivalis. Movement patterns show the establishment of homeranges, which significantly limits the migration potential. Due to its broad ecological niche, E. pronoe will probably be able to react plastically to the consequences of climate change. The formation of high population densities, the unconcerned endangerment status, the unspecific resource spectrum and the sedentary character of the species make E. pronoe a potential indicator of the quality and general resource occurrence of alpine rupicolous grasslands.

This article examines whether the increase in insolvency regulation is adequate to deter insolvency practitioners from using their discretion to charge excessive fees. To understand how insolvency regulation has developed the article will commence with a review of the historical origins of insolvency work and how it became associated with opportunistic behaviour. Next, the insolvency practitioner will be examined along with the recognised professional regulators to examine how their practices have helped to shape insolvency law. IP discretion and their decision making will then be considered to demonstrate how opportunism has continued to exist in administration, before the measures that have been taken over the last twenty years to address some of these issues are explored. The Australian regulatory system will then be reviewed as a comparison to the UK, before finally recommendations are made to the effect that insolvency practitioners should be further monitored in the use of their discretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the operation stage of public-private partnership (PPP) projects, investors may engage in opportunistic behaviour in pursuit of their own profits. In order to curb this kind of behaviour, this article analyses the selection of government supervision mode based on evolutionary game theory taking the perspective of government supervision. The results show that government supervision mode is closely related to the probability of identifying investors' speculative behaviour through outcome-oriented supervision. When the probability of identifying such behaviour is relatively high, the equilibrium strategy of investors and governmental supervision institutions is (not to behave opportunistically, outcome-oriented supervision). In contrast, if the probability is relatively low, there is no set of evolutionarily stable strategies (ESS); rather, a periodic behavioural pattern is formed. In this scenario, the strategies ultimately chosen by both sides relate to initial states and the payoffs of the options. Furthermore, determinants and some recommendations for government supervision are proposed, providing a reference for efficient governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents evidence that effort varies according to players' positions in the contract cycle using 2007 through 2011 data on Major League Baseball (MLB) non-pitchers eligible for free agency. While controlling for time-invariant player traits, fixed-effect regression modelling produces evidence that MLB players exhibit contract-year increases in adjusted on-base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS+) in the final years of contracts and declines in OPS+ in the initial years of long-term contracts. The estimated contract-year boost is driven disproportionately by the best offensive performances, while estimated shirking effects are concentrated among the weakest. The results are not driven by the hitting performance of defensive specialists, nor do the results change when the econometric model accounts for players who change teams. OPS+ offers advantages over some other offensive statistics (such as RBI) because it depends less on teammate performance and adjusts for differences among home ball parks and the American and National Leagues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new concept of bifurcated risk and market and non-market mechanisms reducing the risk. Bifurcated risk occurs in different situations, and it is characterized by a disruption of the relationship between decision-making and the resulting consequences. The bifurcated risk is followed by a number of very negative consequences in the form of disturbances of institutional order and a decrease in the level of generalized trust which leads to an increase in transaction costs. Therefore, it is important to reduce this risk, by means of using various market and non-market mechanisms. This article presents two such mechanisms — reputation and regulations. Reputation reduces the bifurcated risk, because on one hand, it creates stimuli which discourage decision-makers from taking this risk, on the other hand helps to reduce information asymmetry, allowing entities susceptible to the effects of risks to avoid entering into relationships with entities which are the source of this risk. Regulations in turn play a greater role not in preventing the emergence of the bifurcated risk, but in mitigating the negative consequences associated with the risk. Reputation and regulations are complementary and as mechanisms to reduce the bifurcated risk can occur together.

The Karoo Meat of Origin certification scheme is the first certification scheme established to differentiate and protect a region of origin meat product in South Africa. Although this scheme has come a long way in protecting the value embedded in the name 'Karoo', many challenges and loopholes for non-compliance still exist. These challenges include opportunistic behaviour on the farmers' side regarding the vulnerable free range claim as well as inconsistent supply and mismatched objectives of supply chain stakeholders. Because of these challenges the niche product has not yet come to its own. The purpose of this case study is threefold. Firstly, to understand the notion of Karoo Lamb as a geographical indication, and the subsequent establishment of the Karoo Meat of Origin certification scheme. Secondly, to identify and understand both the institutional and supply chain challenges that Karoo Lamb is faced with. Thirdly, to guide the certification scheme to evaluate their modus operandi for better regulation. Ultimately, the managerial decisions are expected to come full circle; if the certification scheme is better-managed consumers may be willing to pay higher premiums which might, in turn, convince farmers to become part of this prestigious certification scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to capture an unusual typology of political radicalization of the youth in Greater Romania. Unlike the young generation's leaders who fell prey to political extremism, Dumitru Corbea didn't have a great educational and symbolic capital. However, he tried to build a reputation by writing and by using his writings as political weapons. From this point of view, his case can be regarded as a symptom of the revolutionary spirit that has encompassed a large part of the youth in Greater Romania. Originating from a poor family unable to pay for his studies, Corbea adhered to the Legionary Movement in the early 1930s. But, as a result of internal struggles within this political organization, he shifted to the left, so that at the beginning of the World War II he was a member of the illicit Communist Party of Romania (according to his own confession). However, unlike the other comitologists of his generation, Dumitru Corbea „evolved" on this axis of revolutionism from right to left, an irrational choice in the context of the times. In order to survive in such an unfriendly political environment, Corbea adopted some opportunistic strategies. He was also supported by some important figures of that period, like Mihail Ralea or Demostene Botez. After the establishment of the communist regime in Romania, Corbea made a literary career as a proletcultist writer. One can say that the study reflects the life story of a simple man with great expectations of life caught in the „ideological storms" (Hannah Arendt) of the 20th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]