Anthropology was a late‐comer to the Caribbean and only after World War II did the study of Caribbean culture and societies become less exceptional. Early in this century when…
Abstract
Anthropology was a late‐comer to the Caribbean and only after World War II did the study of Caribbean culture and societies become less exceptional. Early in this century when anthropology was first making itself over as an ethnographic science, anthropologists concentrated on tribal peoples. For most of the post‐Columbian era, the Caribbean region, with a few minor exceptions, was without indigenous tribal societies. Even after anthropology turned its attention to the study of peasantries, Caribbean peasantries were ignored in favor of more stable and tradition‐oriented peasant societies in other parts of Latin America. When anthropologists began to study Caribbean peoples in a more serious and systematic fashion, they found that they had to develop new concepts to explain the variation, flexibility, and heterogeneity that characterized regional culture. These concepts have had a significant impact on social and cultural theory and on the broader contemporary dialogue about cultural diversity and multiculturalism.
Umma Habiba, Yukiko Takeuchi and Rajib Shaw
Many people as well as the government in Bangladesh perceive floods and cyclones as recurrent environmental hazards in the country. They also view that these two hazards are the…
Abstract
Many people as well as the government in Bangladesh perceive floods and cyclones as recurrent environmental hazards in the country. They also view that these two hazards are the main contributors to crop loss in the country. But, in reality, droughts afflict the country at least as frequently as do major floods and cyclones, averaging about once in 2.5 years (Adnan, 1993, p. 1; Erickson, 1993, p. 5; Hossain 1990, p. 33). In some years, droughts not only cause a greater damage to crops than floods or cyclones, but they also generally affect more farmers across a wider area (Paul, 1995). If not institutionally and economically tackled, the consequences tend to have a far-reaching effect on the given society, and the socioeconomic problems would assume a chronic pattern.
The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyse the importance of social networking in information diffusion and capability of farmers by understanding the pattern of social…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyse the importance of social networking in information diffusion and capability of farmers by understanding the pattern of social networking. This study also looks into the impact of social networking in agriculture and how far the village resource centre as an institution helped the social networking at the rural level.
Design/methodology/approach
The study conducted an empirical analysis by using primary data. A well-structured interview schedule is used to collect the information about social networking of each of the 170 Village Resource Centre (VRC) attending (VRCAM) and VRC non-attending (VRCNAM) people of Meppadi (Kerala State, India) and 170 VRC non-attending people from neighbouring villages of Meppadi (VRCNANV). Also, 133 samples were collected from VRC attendees (VRCAT), VRC non-attendees (VRCNAT) and VRC non-attendees from neighbouring villages of Thiruvaiyaru (Tamil Nadu state, India).
Findings
This paper provides empirical results that appropriate institutions at rural level can create effective social networking, and thereby help the information dissemination among the farmers. It is understood that the Meppadi VRC social network is expansionary in nature, but in Thiruvaiyaru, the social network is not expansionary. A major motive for the farmers to join a VRC network is to gain “knowledge” in both regions. The two patterns of networking identified that networking and communication between experts and attendees are strong in Triruvaiyaru, but less visible in Meppadi. Similarly, networking between VRC attendees and non-attendees is very strong and evident in Thivaiyaru. At the same time, the study found that the knowledge diffusion from VRC happens maximum in Meppadi famers because of their enhanced skills and capabilities.
Research limitations/implications
Since the research has conducted among the farmers who attended one particular type of institution, the result lacks diversity. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to conduct it in different types of institutions.
Practical implications
The study throws light on the importance of appropriate institutional interventions for developing a social network to disseminate knowledge and ideas among the farmers. Farmers rely more on personal interactions with their peers, friends, agricultural professionals, local institutions, media and extension farm advisers for new technology, knowledge, etc., than the formal channels of information sharing.
Social implications
Well-directed social networks among the farmers can enhance the productivity of agriculture, which, in turn, will enhance the living standard of the agriculture-dependent population.
Originality/value
The study conducted an empirical analysis by using primary data and proved that local institutions are important for developing social networks.
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Bright O. Asante, Renato A. Villano and George E. Battese
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the characteristics of crop-livestock diversification among smallholders in the forest-savannah agroecological zone of Ghana.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the characteristics of crop-livestock diversification among smallholders in the forest-savannah agroecological zone of Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a stochastic input distance function to investigate the evidence of economies of diversification and its effect on determining diversification decisions of smallholders in Ghana. Furthermore, this study also explores evidence of scale economies in integrated crop-livestock systems among smallholder farmers.
Findings
The empirical results show that economies of diversification are significant in determining diversification decisions of smallholders. The economies of scale are evident in integrated crop-livestock systems in Ghana, suggesting that opportunities exist to expand crop-livestock outputs without employing additional inputs or improved production technologies. Crop-livestock diversification is a desirable strategy for improving overall farm productivity among smallholders in Ghana. Economies of diversification were found to be significant among the output combinations, maize with other crops and other crops with livestock, in integrated crop-livestock production systems.
Research limitations/implications
This study is based on a cross-sectional data set. Hence, the findings may be subject to some limitations; however, the authors have sought to minimise such limitations.
Practical implications
The results imply that crop-livestock diversification is a desirable strategy for improving overall farm productivity. Therefore, the findings are useful for policymakers to design appropriate strategies for enhancing the production of specific output combinations in crop-livestock diversification systems among smallholders in Ghana. Specifically, such policies should promote the production and integration of crops such as legumes with other crops, and livestock with other crops in diversified farming systems to enhance overall farm productivity. This will reduce food insecurity and poverty among rural farm households and the entire rural population.
Originality/value
These results indicate that to improve crop-livestock productivity through diversification, and reduce the effect of climate variability, it is imperative to provide the enabling environment that will facilitate and encourage production of these output combinations among smallholders in Ghana. The empirical results enhance the literature by providing empirical evidence of the complementary synergies and economies of diversification in integrated farming systems and, hence, make recommendations for improving these farming systems.
Peer review
The peer review history for this paper is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-04-2019-0274.
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Jeanne Brett, Katherine Nelson and Nicole Tilzer
One Acre Fund (OAF) was founded by Andrew Youn in 2005 for the purpose of helping to solve the chronic hunger problem in Africa. The idea is to provide the resources (seed…
Abstract
One Acre Fund (OAF) was founded by Andrew Youn in 2005 for the purpose of helping to solve the chronic hunger problem in Africa. The idea is to provide the resources (seed, fertilizer, and education) necessary for African farm families to feed themselves when their land holdings are one acre or less. The business model of OAF is that of a cooperative: OAF buys resources like seeds and fertilizer in bulk at reduced prices and distributes them to small farmers who otherwise could not afford them. This case concerns the negotiation that OAF's manager of external relations and research, Moises Postigo, conducted to buy fertilizer in the last quarter of 2007. The case provides an opportunity for students to analyze a real-world deal-making negotiation in a developing economy. A number of aspects of the context of the negotiation and the negotiation process itself make for good class discussion. Postigo did a good job preparing for the negotiation, making the case one that emphasizes proper use of negotiation planning and sensitive understanding of the negotiation environment. Some of the elements that make for good discussion include the following: OAF was a new organization, unknown to the five major providers of fertilizer in Kenya. The negotiations were entirely conducted by cell phone. Negotiations went through stages of request for a bid, discussion with multiple bidders, selection of a provider, and negotiation. There were multiple issues, including price delivery and form of payment. Postigo was negotiating in the shadow of the possibility that the Kenyan government would start selling subsidized fertilizer to small farmers.
Analyze the fundamentals of a real-world negotiation; Consider cultural implications for negotiation strategy; Consider negotiation strategy decisions particular to the context: commodity purchase, developing country, etc. Understand how the economic and political context affects negotiations; Understand the importance of relationships in negotiations.
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Subarna Ferdous and Mitsuru Ikeda
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the value chain activities of shrimp firms in Bangladesh, and mapping the Porter’s (1985) value chain framework to see if it works or not…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the value chain activities of shrimp firms in Bangladesh, and mapping the Porter’s (1985) value chain framework to see if it works or not. The present study identifies the gap, synthesizes and analyzes those gaps which lead the firms to create more values from firms to consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
Interviews were conducted with the shrimp industry managers in the southern region of Bangladesh. Exploratory qualitative research method was used and the questionnaire was semi-structured. Data were gathered from 43 firm managers. After sending multiple phone calls and face to face meeting, the response rate was 35.83 percentages.
Findings
Poor transportation, communication gap between the stakeholders, shortage of raw shrimps and lack of quality standard were the areas where shrimp industries were suffering. It was found that some of the primary and secondary activities of shrimp industries did not map with Porter’s framework. Based on Porter’s framework, the study suggested that analyzing and synthesizing those gaps can lead the firm more value and competitive advantages.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations include a lack of knowledge on value chain and shortages of raw materials for the processing plants. Moreover, the sample size was small for this exploratory study.
Practical implications
Shrimp industries will learn standard value chain activities, and identify the gaps based on the mapping of Porter’s value chain.
Originality/value
Using Porter’s value chain this is the first empirical study in the shrimp firms in Bangladesh. The primary research contribution is the revised theoretical framework which can be used for further research on shrimp industries in Bangladesh.
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The Sanitary Committee of a certain County Council, strong with the strength of recent creation, have lately been animated by a desire to distinguish themselves in some way, and…
Abstract
The Sanitary Committee of a certain County Council, strong with the strength of recent creation, have lately been animated by a desire to distinguish themselves in some way, and, proceeding along the lines of least resistance, they appear to have selected the Public Analyst as the most suitable object for attack. The charge against this unfortunate official was not that he is incompetent, or that he had been in any way negligent of his duties as prescribed by Act of Parliament, but simply and solely that he has the temerity to reside in London, which city is distant by a certain number of miles from the much favoured district controlled by the County Council aforesaid. The committee were favoured in their deliberations by the assistance of no less an authority than the “Principal” of a local “Technical School”;—and who could be more capable than he to express an opinion upon so simple a matter? This eminent exponent of scientific truths, after due and proper consideration, is reported to have delivered himself of the opinion that “scientifically it would be desirable that the analyst should reside in the district, as the delay occasioned by the sending of samples of water to London is liable to produce a misleading effect upon an analysis.” Apparently appalled by the contemplation of such possibilities, and strengthened by another expression of opinion to the effect that there were as “good men” in the district as in London, the committee resolved to recommend the County Council to determine the existing arrangement with the Public Analyst, and to appoint a “local analyst for all purposes.” Thus, the only objection which could be urged to the employment of a Public Analyst resident in London was the ridiculous one that the composition of a sample of water was likely to seriously alter during the period of its transit to London, and this contention becomes still more absurd when it is remembered that the examination of water samples is no part of the official duty of a Public Analyst. The employment of local scientific talent may be very proper when the object to be attained is simply the more or less imperfect instruction of the rising generation in the rudiments of what passes in this country for “technical education”; but the work of the Public Analyst is serious and responsible, and cannot be lightly undertaken by every person who may be acquainted with some of the uses of a test‐tube. The worthy members of this committee may find to their cost, as other committees have found before them, that persons possessing the requisite knowledge and experience are not necessarily indigenous to their district. Supposing that the County Council adopts the recommendation, the aspirations of the committee may even then be strangled in their infancy, as the Local Government Board will want to know all about the matter, and the committee will have to give serious and valid reasons in support of their case.
Nceba Ndzwayiba and Melissa Steyn
The purpose of this paper is to critically analyse the discourses of gender empowerment in South African organisations to determine the extent to which they reify or resist the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to critically analyse the discourses of gender empowerment in South African organisations to determine the extent to which they reify or resist the entrenched oppressive gender binaries.
Design/methodology/approach
Multiple case studies design and critical discourse analysis were employed to collect and analyse the data. Research entailed critical analysis of 36 published documents containing information on gender and gender empowerment. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with six transformation managers as change agents who are tasked with the responsibility of driving gender empowerment in the selected organisations.
Findings
The authors found that gender in studied organisations was insularly defined within the confines of the male–female gender binaries. Consequently, designed gender empowerment strategies and ensuing initiatives mainly focussed on promoting the inclusion of heterosexual women in and on protecting these women from heterosexual men. Thus, gender empowerment systematised heteropatriachy in organisational culture and processes while invisibilising and annihilating the possibility of existence of alternative genders outside these naturalised binaries. Transformation managers, as change agents, fell short of acknowledging, challenging and changing these entrenched ideologies of patriotic heterosexuality.
Research limitations/implications
The paper uses Galting’s (1960) and Paul Farmer’s (2009) concept of structural violence and Rich’s (1980) notion of “deadly elasticity of heterosexual assumptions”, to theorise these gender empowerment discourses as constituting and perpetuating violence against queer bodies and subjectivities.
Practical implications
The paper recommends that corporates need to broaden their conceptions of gender and to design and entrench gender discourses that promote gender justice and equality.
Social implications
This inquiry proves Joan Acker’s (2006) and Baker’s (2012) views that inequality and injustice are produced and entrenched in a reciprocal relationship between society and the workplace.
Originality/value
This paper focusses on constructions of gender in organisations. By doing so, it links the observed violence against women and gender binary non-conforming people in society with organisational discourses of gender that perpetuate such violence instead of challenging and changing it so that democracy can be realised for all.
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Philippe Stoesslé and Francisco Gonzalez-Salazar
Undocumented Central American migrants in Mexico are legally eligible for free access to the public health system through the new Instituto para la Salud y el Bienestar (INSABI…
Abstract
Purpose
Undocumented Central American migrants in Mexico are legally eligible for free access to the public health system through the new Instituto para la Salud y el Bienestar (INSABI) health program, but many experience structural vulnerability and stigmatization that prevent them from accessing health-care facilities. The purpose of this study is to investigate the discrepancy between the migrants’ Human Right to health, proclaimed by the Mexican Government and supposedly guaranteed by law, and the reality of the migration process.
Design/methodology/approach
This study reviewed relevant literature on the health risk factors, social and structural vulnerability, stigmatization and structural violence experienced by undocumented migrants as obstacles to their Human Right to health. It also reviews the current legal framework in Mexico and internationally.
Findings
This review demonstrates the lack of implementation of the current legal framework in Mexico and identifies a set of complex obstacles to effective access to health for undocumented migrants. Although the migration process itself was not found to be directly associated with major health issues, the social conditions of the migratory journey expose the migrants to serious threats, especially sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis.
Practical implications
This paper makes 10 practical recommendations for interventions collectively involving the state, international and civil organizations and the migrant community. These are especially relevant since the implementation of the INSABI health program in 2020.
Social implications
The paper lays the basis for influencing Mexican health system stakeholders to improve the health of migrants.
Originality/value
The sociological barriers to health access for undocumented populations in Mexico have not been fully explored. In addition, this paper provides a unique reflection on opportunities and challenges linked to the 2020 health system reform.