Reconciling the Theoretical and Empirical Study of International Norms: A New Approach to Measurement

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
TYLER GIRARD
Keyword(s):  
Item Response ◽  
Bayesian Model ◽  
International Norms ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
New Approach ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
National Analysis ◽  
Study Designs ◽  
Cross National

Abstract Despite extensive research on international norms, our approach to measurement has not kept pace with theoretical advancements. Existing research often relies on single indicators to facilitate cross-national analysis or employs case-study designs that provide greater nuance but restricted scope. Given these limitations, this note argues that item-response theory (IRT) provides a framework for strengthening the link between our theoretical understanding of norms and empirical measurement of norm adoption. In turn, I develop a modified Bayesian model with substantively informed dynamic priors. The proposed approach is evaluated with the lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) equality norm, using 13 policies and laws across 196 countries (1990–2017). The results are broadly consistent with theoretical expectations while also providing new empirical evidence on the evolution of the norm across space and time. This note highlights the significant potential in greater interaction between both latent measurement approaches and scholarship on international norms.

Explaining Population Displacement Strategies in Civil Wars: A Cross-National Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-294
Author(s):  
Adam G. Lichtenheld
Keyword(s):  
Political Violence ◽  
Civil Wars ◽  
Civil Conflict ◽  
Type I ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Population Displacement ◽  
Forced Relocation ◽  
National Analysis ◽  
Cross National

AbstractWhy do combatants uproot civilians in wartime? In this paper I identify cross-national variation in three population-displacement strategies—cleansing, depopulation, and forced relocation—and test different explanations for their use by state actors. I advance a new “assortative” theory to explain forced relocation, the most common type. I argue that combatants displace not only to expel undesirable populations, but also to identify the undesirables in the first place by forcing people to send signals of loyalty and affiliation based on whether, and to where, they flee. This makes communities more “legible” and facilitates the extraction of rents and recruits. I test these arguments using a novel Strategic Displacement in Civil Conflict data set (1945–2008). Consistent with my expectations, different displacement strategies occur in different contexts and appear to follow different logics. Cleansing is more likely in conventional wars, where territorial conquest takes primacy, while forced relocation is more likely in irregular wars, where identification problems are most acute. The evidence indicates that cleansing follows a logic of punishment. The results for relocation, however, are consistent with the implications of my assortative logic: it is more likely to be employed by resource-constrained incumbents fighting insurgencies in “illegible” areas—rural, peripheral territories. A case study from Uganda based on in-depth fieldwork provides evidence for the assortative mechanism. As the most comprehensive analysis of wartime displacement strategies to date, this paper challenges some core assumptions about a devastating form of contemporary political violence.

I choose my business model! A cross-national analysis of business model choice in family firms

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Casprini ◽  
Simona D'Antone ◽  
Bernard Paranque ◽  
Tommaso Pucci ◽  
Lorenzo Zanni
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Family Involvement ◽  
Family Business ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
National Analysis ◽  
Cross National

Purpose – Drawing on family-business and business model (BM) literature the purpose of this paper is to explore whether a relationship exists between the family involvement in the management (i.e. closed or mixed management) and BM choice. Design/methodology/approach – A multiple case study analysis of family-owned wineries in Chianti (Italy) and Côtes du Rhône (France) has been conducted. Findings – The analysis surprisingly reveals that no relationship exists between the BM ideal type chosen and the type of management composition. Rather, it seems that the choice of hiring non-family managers is dictated by the willingness to reinforce the BM chosen by the owner and that the role played by non-family managers is not revolutionary but reinforces the owner’s BM choice. The authors propose that the stewardship theory can contribute in explaining the findings. Originality/value – A twofold contribution is offered by this study: first, it links the strategic management research on BMs to family business (FB) research on corporate governance and specifically on the composition of management teams; second, it provides an empirical example of a cross-national comparative analysis on FBs using multiple case studies.

scholarly journals Survey-Based Cross-Country Comparisons Where Countries Vary in Sample Design: Issues and Solutions

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olena Kaminska ◽  
Peter Lynn
Keyword(s):  
Union Member ◽  
Sample Design ◽  
Country Comparison ◽  
Indicator Variables ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
National Analysis ◽  
European Union Member States ◽  
Complex Sample Design ◽  
Cross National

Abstract In multi-national surveys, different countries usually implement different sample designs. The sample designs affect the variance of estimates of differences between countries. When making such estimates, analysts often fail to take sufficient account of sample design. This failure occurs sometimes because variables indicating stratification, clustering, or weighting are unavailable, partially available, or in a form that is unsuitable for cross-national analysis. In this article, we demonstrate how complex sample design should be taken into account when estimating differences between countries, and we provide practical guidance to analysts and to data producers on how to deal with partial or inappropriately-coded sample design indicator variables. Using EU-SILC as a case study, we evaluate the inverse misspecification effect (imeff ) that results from ignoring clustering or stratification, or both in a between-country comparison where countries’ sample designs differ. We present imeff for estimates of between-country differences in a number of demographic and economic variables for 19 European Union Member States. We assess the magnitude of imeff and the associated impact on standard error estimates. Our empirical findings illustrate that it is important for data producers to supply appropriate sample design indicators and for analysts to use them.

Patientenbezogene Komplexität in der Pflege – Kollektive Case Studies im Akutspital

Pflege ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 237-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Gurtner ◽  
Rebecca Spirig ◽  
Diana Staudacher ◽  
Evelyn Huber
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Study Designs

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Die patientenbezogene Komplexität der Pflege ist durch die Merkmale „Instabilität“, „Unsicherheit“ und „Variabilität“ definiert. Aufgrund der reduzierten Aufenthaltsdauer und der steigenden Zahl chronisch und mehrfach erkrankter Personen erhöht sich die Komplexität der Pflege. Ziel: In dieser Studie untersuchten wir das Phänomen patientenbezogener Komplexität aus Sicht von Pflegefachpersonen und Pflegeexpertinnen im Akutspital. Methode: Im Rahmen eines kollektiven Case-Study-Designs schätzten Pflegefachpersonen und Pflegeexpertinnen die Komplexität von Pflegesituationen mit einem Fragebogen ein. Danach befragten wir sie in Einzelinterviews zu ihrer Einschätzung. Mittels Within-Case-Analyse verdichteten wir die Daten induktiv zu Fallgeschichten. In der Cross-Case-Analyse verglichen wir die Fallgeschichten hinsichtlich deduktiv abgeleiteter Merkmale. Ergebnisse: Die Ausprägung der Komplexität hing in den vier Cases im Wesentlichen davon ab, ob klinische Probleme kontrollierbar und prognostizierbar waren. Je nach individuellen Ressourcen der Patientinnen und Patienten stieg bzw. sank die Komplexität. Schlussfolgerungen: Komplexe Patientensituationen fordern von Pflegefachpersonen Fachwissen, Erfahrung, kommunikative Kompetenzen sowie die Fähigkeit zur Reflexion. Berufsanfänger und Berufsanfängerinnen werden zur Entwicklung dieser Fähigkeiten idealerweise durch erfahrene Berufskolleginnen oder -kollegen unterstützt und beraten.

Cross-National Analysis of Islamic Fundamentalism

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mansoor Moaddel ◽  
Kristine J. Ajrouch
Keyword(s):  
Islamic Fundamentalism ◽  
National Analysis ◽  
Cross National
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