Group Structure and Intergroup Relations in Global Terror Networks: Further Explorations

Studies have begun to look at the potentially crucial impacts of group decentralization and inter-group global networking in accounting for the extent and severity of violence in insurgencies and terrorism. Groups may be able to survive more effectively, evade anti-terror or counter-insurgency strategies, and inflict greater damage or more civilian attacks by operating under more or less centralized leadership, or by making use of the resources of other like-minded groups scattered across borders. While some analysts have examined each of these possibilities, few if any have done so simultaneously with both structural and networking indicators or examined the joint effects of these indicators. We propose to do so in this study by combining existing datasets on terrorist structure and networks. Hypotheses and findings in prior studies have indicated that structural decentralization may lead to more civilian attacks if not more destruction since local cells are freer to act on their own, and that group size and centrality in the global terror networks lead to greater lethality and group survival rates. We re-examine such assumptions here with OLS and logit models combining these effects, and find that in addition to group size, network reach (eigenvalue centrality) rather than group interconnections per se (number of allies) appears to have primary impacts on group lethality, targeting, and survival, sometimes in conjunction with decentralized organizational structure.     

The Influences of Perceived Managerial Discretion and Risk-Taking Behavior on Government Organizational Performance

Purpose: This study investigates pertinent factors in perceived managerial discretion (PMD) in association with risk-taking behavior (RTB) and organizational performance within government organizations. Design/methodology/approach: This study used a mix of qualitative methods—using focus group discussions (FGDs) to select key variables affecting PMD and to validate the research findings—and quantitative methods—using structural equation modeling (SEM) to test eight hypotheses developed from FGDs and from a literature review. Out of 340 questionnaires sent out to potential participants, 260 were returned and deemed valid for SEM analysis, reflecting a satisfactory response rate of 76%. Findings: A total of six factors affecting PMD were identified: quasi-legal constraint (QLC), powerful outside forces (POFs), inertial forces (IFs), powerful inside forces (PIFs), power base (PB), and political acumen (PA). The SEM analysis indicated that QLC, PIF, PB, and PA enhance PMD, while IF tends to inhibit PMD. Stronger PMD was associated with weaker RTB on the part of government-official decision makers, while greater RTB was associated with more positive organizational outcomes. These findings are partially consistent with prior findings, with some notable contradictions. Research implications/limitations: The primary limitation of this study was its limited external validity, as these findings can only be extended to organizations with similar characteristics of those of the government institution used as the case study. These findings must be used with care for different types of public organizations. Practical implications: These findings support taking the following steps: (1) review and remove equivocal regulations that could restrain PMD, (2) streamline bureaucracy, (3) establish regulations that allow more space for innovation and discretion, (4) delineate the tasks and responsibilities of decision makers, and (5) discourage abrupt policy changes, promoting proper scrutiny and notice.     

网络群体性事件的特征与对策

互联网极大地激发了公众讨论、参与和监督政治活动的积极性,网络群体性事件也成为这一领域的特殊表现形式,形成了基于社会舆论对政治系统的压力,促使其接受网络舆论并作出反应。积极探索网络群体性事件的规律和特征,能够促使政府构建科学的应对策略。     

处置群体性事件应把握的战术原则

处置群体性事件是一项政策性与技术性很强的公安工作,必须将战略与战术运用相结合,侧重于战术运用,重点把握六项原则:信息优先、及时预警原则;快速反应、提前备警原则;大兵压境、以压促缓原则;统一指挥、协调有序原则;综合施策、因势利导原则;依法处置、效果最优原则。     

我国台湾地区消费者权益司法保护方法简析

消费者权益是一种分散的、弱小R权益,对其进行司法保护需要建立特别的诉讼制度。我国台湾地区借鉴西方国家的先进经验,建立了小额诉讼、选定当事人诉讼、团体诉讼和民事公诉制度,形成了消费者、消费者保护团体和政府共同参与维护消费者权益诉讼的司法保护体系。我们应当借鉴台湾地区的作法,完善我国消费者权益司法保护制度。     

转型期中国弱势群体问题的理论剖析

弱势群体是由于社会结构急剧转型和社会失调或由于一部分社会成员自身的某些原因,而造成的对社会现实的不适应,并且出现了生活障碍和生活困难的人群共同体。弱势群体的产生已经成为当前社会的一个热点问题。解决弱势群体问题刻不容缓。     

环境污染诱致型群体性事件的过程——变量分析

农村环境污染诱致型群体性事件的变量包括怨恨变量、精英分子及其组织能力、理性计算三个方面。当前我国在现代化建设过程中存在着自然生态环境恶化、居民生活环境污染等问题，政府应该以科学发展观为指导，加强对农村的环境污染治理，真正构建环境良好的和谐社会。     

我国地方政府行为现状分析——基于利益集团视角

地方政府在与地方企业的相互需要中,又进一步形成了地方利益集团。所以,现在地方政府的行为是一种维护地方利益,并与中央政府进行利益博弈的过程。     

我国代表人诉讼制度之缺陷及其矫正

我国代表人诉讼制度由于自身存在的缺陷,而不能被成功地启动和应用,影响了其应具有的价值和功能,因而需要从取消权利登记、改良公告程序、放宽代表人适格条件等方面进行矫正。     

以全球化视野看金融集团监管

金融集团是二十世纪八十年代以来发展起来的一种创新组织形式，在经济全球化背景下面临由复杂组织结构及集团内部交易等问题引起的特定风险。自成立起来，“联合论坛”先后发布多项旨在监督金融集团稳健运营的文件，以切实加强对多元化金融集团的监管。欧盟理事会发布的“监管指令”消弭了欧盟对金融集团监管的重复、脱节现象，使欧盟监管由行业监管向跨行业监管、机构性监管向功能性监管的方向过渡。