The Centre Decides and the Local Pays: Mandates and Politics in Local Government Financial Management in China

Abstract

In China, ‘the centre decides and the local pays’ means the central government decides on policies but requires its local subordinates to provide the financial resources. The politics of this practice implies that local government has to take different strategies to cope with the unfunded mandates with various consequences. As an empirical study framed by Niskanen’s rational choice theory and Dunleavy’s ‘bureau-shaping’ model, this paper examines how the unfunded mandates impact local government behaviour. Its main focus is the question of how the local officials respond, the extent to which they comply or resist and the techniques they use to adapt to these mandates. This paper finds when deciding how to pay the bill for the centre, local officials have to take a number of principles into consideration. They need to stick to the people-orientated principle and to finance money for salaries and operation to the extent that they can; they also have to see if the mandates are strictly implemented or popular among local people.     

Employer–employee relationships at Lonmin Platinum: A developing South African perspective

Abstract

More than ever, companies are confronted with the importance of developing and maintaining relationships with their strategic stakeholders, such as employees. These relationships should be aimed at balancing the interests of the company with the interests of said stakeholders. Managing relationships with stakeholders is difficult in itself and even more so within the complex context of the South African mining industry. The aim of this article is to determine guidelines that could be used to ascertain employer–employee relationship type and relationship quality in the mining sector. In 2004, a quantitative questionnaire survey was conducted with a stratified quota sample of 508 company employees as part of a commissioned stakeholder perception survey. In addition, qualitative focus-group sessions were conducted to contextualise and clarify the quantitative results. The research indicated that the employer–employee relationship at Lonmin Platinum could be classified as an exchange, rather than a communal relationship. Employees generally perceived the quality of their relationship with the company in a negative way. Employees from all job levels had low levels of trust in the company. This study contributes to a growing body of research aimed at trying to understand the nature of employer–employee relations within large companies in a developing society, where companies are faced with the challenge of communicating to and managing diverse workforces.     

Towards a new model to describe the organisation–stakeholder relationship-building process: A strategic corporate communication perspective

Abstract

Successful organisations depend on stakeholder perceptions to address changes in turbulent organisational environments, report on the social and environmental impact of activities, the prevalence of public activism, globalisation, emerging issues and crises, and the need to be good corporate citizens through ethical and socially responsible behaviour. Despite the current emphasis on stakeholder relations and management, a lack of research exists on how to build these relationships. This article aims to report and discuss the findings of a study that explored the lack of organisation–stakeholder relationship (OSR) building models, to emphasise the elements and development of an OSR and highlight the need for a generic, strategic, integrated approach for sustainable OSR to contribute towards organisational effectiveness. This will be done using an exploratory literature review to constitute a conceptual framework for OSR building, of which the principles of the framework will be measured among leading Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed South African organisations, by means of a quantitative web-based survey and qualitative one-on-one interviews. The dominant focus on organisational stakeholders has provided added impetus and importance to the role of corporate communication, hence, this article will simultaneously endeavour to highlight the importance of practising corporate communication strategically, by emphasising its role in OSR.     

“村庄社区化”管理的社会资本分析

城乡结合部作为城市化进程的产物,外来人口多、基础设施差、管理难度大、社会矛盾交织．已经成为社会治安案件的多发地带,严重威胁着首都的和谐稳定。北京市公安局大兴分局就这一现状推出了“村庄社区化”管理,积极探索流动人口的管理创新,取得了一定的成效。为此,只有运用社会资本理论来分析“村庄社区化”管理前后大兴城乡结合部地区的社会资本状况及其成因,才能探究社会资本对城乡结合部地区社会管理的影响及作用,进而提出培育社会资本的路径。     

公安本科院校在招录培养体制改革中应统筹处理好“四大关系”——以湖南警察学院为研究对象

新设公安本科院校在推进招录培养体制改革的过程中,应统筹处理好招录培养体制改革与本科院校办学模式、遵循高等教育办学规律与凸现行业办学特征、公安学历教育与在职民警培训、公安专业教育与普通专业教育＂四大关系＂,走内涵发展、特色发展道路。     

Do Social Relationships Protect Victimized Children Against Internalizing Problems?

We investigated whether social relationships protect children against the effects of victimization on internalizing problems. We used data from the Zurich Project on the Social Development of Children and Youths. Victimization at age 8 years was associated with internalizing problems at age 9 years. Victims who had siblings, warm parents, and a good relationship with the teacher had less severe internalizing problems than those who did not, providing evidence for a protective effect of social relationships. Friendships with classmates were not found to be protective. Furthermore, social relationships did not protect victims more than nonvictims.     

假设的因果关系

假设的因果关系肇始于不作为犯中不作为的原因力的解释。学界在对因果关系做一般性的论述中否定了假设的因果关系,但基于刑法目的性,在不作为犯的场合肯定了假设的因果关系。     

论马克思恩格斯的公平思想

公平是具体的,而不是抽象的,它是在人类社会历史发展中产生的。它作为一种主观价值评判,是对现存经济关系的反映。因此,要实现真正意义上的公平,必须从根本上消灭阶级和阶级差别。同时,公平的实现需要发挥社会调剂功能。在当今中国,公平观应该而且必须与我国现实生产力、生产关系的发展相适应,它的科学性合理性依赖于制度的建设和法规的完善,我们要学会运用马克思主义历史唯物主义的方法论和原则去研究分析公平问题。     

社会主义政治文明与统一战线

江泽民同志“5·31”讲话提出了“建设社会主义政治文明”的重要论断。这个论断对于推进社会主义民主政治、巩固和发展爱国统一战线具有重要的意义。社会主义政治文明有着丰富的蕴涵 ,统一战线是建设社会主义政治文明的重要内容 ,适应建设社会主义政治文明的需要必须进一步发展统一战线。要高度重视制度建设 ,注意转变、更新观念 ,积极探索创造统战工作的新途径、新方法 ,努力把统战工作提高到一个新水平。