Addressing Energy Poverty Through Ecological Governance of Solar Home Systems in South Africa

South Africa has long recognised the need to eliminate energy poverty, and significant progress has been made since 1996. With the recent global outcry about the use of sustainable and clean energy sources for human and ecological development, it has become essential for countries to upscale the use of non-grid electrification in order to effectively and sustainably eradicate energy poverty. South Africa implements different non-grid electrification programmes which focuses on ensuring universal access to clean energy by all, with one of these initiatives being the Solar Home Systems Programme. This study aims to contribute to academic discussion and knowledge about the role that solar home systems can play in bringing change on the current status of the energy poverty eradication initiatives which negatively affect the environment and the people. The study used a qualitative approach in assessing how the Solar Home Systems Programme contributes to energy poverty eradication and environmental preservation if managed in line with ecological governance principles. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of 40 households in Limpopo and officials from government departments in the province as well as a service provider responsible for the roll-out and maintenance of solar home systems in Limpopo. Framed within the ecological economics theory which advocates for ecological and environmental solutions that take into consideration the future generation, the study established that the solar home systems can eradicate energy poverty and contribute to the protection of the environment if managed in line with ecological governance principles. The study further revealed that the Solar Home Systems Programme in South Africa failed due to lack of proper governance systems that provide solutions for the future as the programme was short-term focused and lacked proper ecological governance systems. In order for the solar home systems to contribute to energy poverty eradication and environmental protection, the study recommends a total overhaul of the programme which includes ensuring that the provision of SHSs is not viewed as a temporary measure that is only meant for poor rural households but a long-term and sustainable initiative.

Emergence of Familiness and Family Owned Business Performance

This article explores the concept of familiness in family-owned businesses (FOBs), identifying how families generate their own resources for business performance. Applying the resource-based view, the authors examined seven Myanmar businesses. Findings revealed that two factors influence familiness in Myanmar FOB: family unity and internal governance systems, which can be subdivided into traditional and collective systems. Moreover, evaluation revealed that FOB's business performance was affected by different family attitudes. A combination of family unity and a traditional internal governance system was conducive to controlling the internal business capabilities, whereas creating external opportunities were considered more effective for a combination of family unity and a collective internal governance system. Findings suggest that familiness emerges through embedded family resources that incorporates a sense of awareness with abilities for business advantages. These empirical results can provide insights and inputs that can help small and medium-sized FOBs safeguard their future.

The Effectiveness of Corporate Governance in Uganda: The Case of Private Companies

This paper examines the effectiveness of rules, procedures and Acts as instruments of corporate governance in Uganda, with interest in the performance of private companies. An extensive review of literature and ethnographic observation of the dynamic of corporate governance in private companies indicate that much as the private companies have adopted a hybrid regulatory framework of corporate governance, loopholes do still exist that have hindered the effectiveness of these instrument in the performance of private companies. Therefore there is need for strengthening corporate governance systems; however some of the weakness are attributed to the unsolved debate on key issues of corporate governance globally that trickles down to Uganda’s young corporate governance system in the private sector.

ESTIMATION OF FINANCIAL STABILITY OF AGRARIAN ENTERPRISES IN UKRAINE

In this paper the system of factors influencing the formation of financial solvency was investigated, the financial sustainability of agricultural enterprises of Ukraine was evaluated, and an approach was developed to define and help ensure the financial sustainability of enterprises in the face of contemporary economic and market challenges. According to the research, the main principles for maintaining financial sustainability are: responsiveness to internal and external changes; governance systems; risk management; analysis of financial ratios; real assessment of the financial solvency of the enterprise; integration with the overall management system; orientation towards achieving the strategic goals of the enterprise; use of qualitative methods to inform financial decisions in the face of uncertainty and risk.

Examining models for measuring corporate governance to resolve financial crises

This document deals with corporate governance and its impact on corporate performance and economic performance. This work is first summarized and based on previous work done, for example, to provide a clearer expression of the corporate governance models of shareholders and shareholders. It then addresses some of the key factors that lead to the effectiveness of corporate governance, and examines some of the strengths, weaknesses, and economic consequences associated with different corporate governance systems. In addition to providing information not provided in previous work, it also provides new information on the concentration of ownership and voting rights in a number of OECD countries. This document also provides empirical evidence on the relationship between corporate governance, firm performance, and economic growth. Finally, several policy implications are identified. This document shows how a corporate governance framework can influence the development of stock markets, R&D and innovative, corporate activities and the development of an active SME sector, thereby affecting economic growth. However, there is no single model of corporate governance, and each country has, over time, developed a variety of mechanisms to overcome representation problems arising from separation of ownership and control. This document examines the various mechanisms used in different systems (eg centralized ownership, executive rent schemes, stock market, inter-corporate shareholding, etc.) and examines the available evidence. Whether they have achieved their goal or not. do. For example, one of the benefits of centralized ownership is that it provides more effective oversight of management and helps with representation problems arising from separation of ownership and control. However, some costs reduce liquidity and the likelihood of risk diversification. Although dispersed ownership carries more liquidity, it may not provide the appropriate incentive to encourage the long-term

Disaster Risk Reduction Regime in Japan: An Analysis in the Perspective of Open Data, Open Governance

This paper addresses open data, open governance, and disruptive/emerging technologies from the perspectives of disaster risk reduction (DRR). With an in-depth literature review of open governance, the paper identifies five principles for open data adopted in the disaster risk reduction field: (1) open by default, (2) accessible, licensed and documented, (3) co-created, (4) locally owned, and (5) communicated in ways that meet the needs of diverse users. The paper also analyzes the evolution of emerging technologies and their application in Japan. The four-phased evolution in the disaster risk reduction is mentioned as DRR 1.0 (Isewan typhoon, 1959), DRR 2.0 (the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake, 1995), DRR 3.0 (the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: GEJE, 2011) and DRR 4.0 (post GEJE). After the GEJE of 2011, different initiatives have emerged in open data, as well as collaboration/partnership with tech firms for emerging technologies in DRR. This paper analyzes the lessons from the July 2021 landslide in Atami, and draws some lessons based on the above-mentioned five principles. Some of the key lessons for open data movement include characterizing open and usable data, local governance systems, co-creating to co-delivering solutions, data democratization, and interpreting de-segregated data with community engagement. These lessons are useful for outside Japan in terms of data licensing, adaptive governance, stakeholder usage, and community engagement. However, as governance systems are rooted in local decision-making and cultural contexts, some of these lessons need to be customized based on the local conditions. Open governance is still an evolving culture in many countries, and open data is considered as an important tool for that. While there is a trend to develop open data for geo-spatial information, it emerged from the discussion in the paper that it is important to have customized open data for people, wellbeing, health care, and for keeping the balance of data privacy. The evolution of emerging technologies and their usage is proceeding at a higher speed than ever, while the governance system employed to support and use emerging technologies needs time to change and adapt. Therefore, it is very important to properly synchronize and customize open data, open governance and emerging/disruptive technologies for their effective use in disaster risk reduction.

Responding with Equality: The case for combating extreme inequality to tackle crises, strengthen democracy and foster a fairer future in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic

For decades, our flawed economic and governance systems have allowed inequality and social exclusion to grow to extreme and dangerous levels, and now coronavirus has driven an even greater wedge between the haves and have nots. Without immediate action, the pandemic could cause the biggest spike in inequality ever seen, and further destabilize the democratic systems we need to ensure a recovery for all. Governments must take action to tackle the inequality and climate crises, rein in extreme wealth and monopoly power, and deliver universal public services and social protection.

Decolonial conservation: establishing Indigenous Protected Areas for future generations in the face of extractive capitalism

Extractive capitalism has long been the driving force of settler colonialism in Canada, and continues to threaten the sovereignty, lands and waters of Indigenous nations across the country. While ostensibly counterposed to extractivism, state-led conservation has similarly served to alienate Indigenous peoples from their territories, often for capitalist gain. Recognizing the inadequacy of the colonial-capitalist conservation paradigm to redress the biodiversity crisis, scholars in political ecology increasingly call for radical, convivial alternatives rooted in equity and justice. Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) are one such alternative, representing a paradigm shift from colonial to Indigenous-led conservation that reinvigorates Indigenous knowledge and governance systems. Since the Indigenous Circle of Experts finalized a report in 2018 on how IPCAs could contribute to Canada's conservation targets and reconciliation efforts, an increasing number of Indigenous stewardship initiatives across the country have been declared as IPCAs. These initiatives are assertions of Indigenous sovereignty, inherent rights, and responsibilities to their territories, as well as movements to rejuvenate biocultural conservation. Although Canada is supporting IPCAs through certain initiatives, the country's extractivist development model along with jurisdictional inconsistencies are undermining the establishment and long-term viability of many IPCAs. This paper explores two instances where Indigenous governments have established, or are establishing, IPCAs as novel strategies for land and water protection within long histories of resistance to colonial-capitalist exploitation. We argue that there is a paradoxical tension in Canadian conservation whereby Indigenous-led conservation is promoted in theory, while being undermined in practice. IPCAs offer glimpses of productive, alternative sustainabilities that move away from the colonial-capitalist paradigm, but are being challenged by governments and industries that still fail to respect Indigenous jurisdiction.

Interactive Governance Between and Within Governmental Levels and Functions: A Social Network Analysis of China's Case Against COVID-19

COVID-19 has created long-lasting yet unprecedented challenges worldwide. In addition to scientific efforts, political efforts and public administration are also crucial to contain the disease. Therefore, understanding how multi-level governance systems respond to this public health crisis is vital to combat COVID-19. This study focuses on China and applies social network analysis to illustrate interactive governance between and within levels and functions of government, confirming and extending the existing Type I and Type II definition of multi-level governance theory. We characterize four interaction patterns—vertical, inter-functional, intra-functional, and hybrid—with the dominant pattern differing across governmental functions and evolving as the pandemic progressed. Empirical results reveal that financial departments of different levels of government interact through the vertical pattern. At the same time, intra-functional interaction also exists in provincial financial departments. The supervision departments typically adopt the inter-functional pattern at all levels. At the cross-level and cross-function aspects, the hybrid interaction pattern prevails in the medical function and plays a fair part in the security, welfare, and economic function. This study is one of the first to summarize the interaction patterns in a multi-level setting, providing practical implications for which pattern should be applied to which governmental levels/functions under what pandemic condition.