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This paper explores the intricate relationship between servant leadership, conflict management behaviour, and organisational outcomes in the context of Tanzania's higher learning institutions. Through a longitudinal study involved 800 respondents from four public universities, the research investigates the interplay between servant leadership and conflict management styles, specifically focusing on integrating and compromising behaviors. The study employed a comprehensive methodology, utilising questionnaires distributed over two waves with a one-year time lag. The findings revealed a positive correlation between servant leadership and integrating conflict management styles, specifically avoiding and accommodating. However, the anticipated correlation between integrating and compromising conflict behaviours in servant leadership is not confirmed. The study further examined the prevalence of cooperative conflict management patterns among Tanzanian university leaders, highlighting a combination of problem-solving and compromising strategies. A significant aspect of the research involved cluster analysis, which revealed distinct conflict behaviour patterns in Tanzanian universities. The result showed a preference for compromising and low-integrating (co-operative) patterns, as well as high-integrating and low-compromising (competitive) patterns. Notably, these patterns were not mutually exclusive, indicating a nuanced approach to conflict management. In the second part of the study, the paper delved into the impact of servant leadership's cooperative behaviour on team performance, conflict resolution efficacy, and turnover intention. The results affirmed the positive relationship between integrating and compromising conflict management styles and team performance, while forcing behaviour showed a negative correlation. Moreover, the study identified a negative relationship between accommodating and forcing conflict management styles and turnoverintention. The paper concluded that servant leaders in Tanzanian universities adeptly combined different conflict management styles, mitigating the adverse effects of conflicts on team performance and turnover intention. Even though avoiding and accommodating conflict behaviours were used together, problem-solving and compromising strategies were used a lot. This showed that servant leadership was used in a more complex way in Tanzanian higher education. The study contributed valuable insights into the dynamics of servant leadership, conflict management, and organisational outcomes, emphasising the need for a contextual understanding of leadership behaviours and their cultural implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

North Central Nigeria has experienced a series of deadly conflicts between Fulani herders and farmers. Contestation over ecological space and natural resources, prompted by climate-induced drought, has promoted a migratory form of pastoralism. The influx of Fulani herders in the region has triggered deadly eco-related conflicts between the host communities and the Fulani herders. Consequently, the RUGA settlement policy was unilaterally introduced to prevent migratory pastoralism, including, among others, to provide an immobile or stationary system of pastoralism in the host communities. This paper explains why and how host communities opposed the RUGA settlement policy in North Central Nigeria. As a significant contribution to the literature, its findings align with some theories that inform the possibility of host communities' resistance to top-down government policies, some of which are highlighted as implementation barriers to the RUGA settlement scheme. The paper acknowledges the relevance of participatory, inclusive, and consensus-based conflict resolution strategies, particularly at local community levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International organisations play a vital role in shaping and implementing international norms and standards, contributing to the development of international law. This paper focuses on the United Nations (UN) as a prominent international organisation and examines its role in developing and implementing international law. Specialized entities within the UN, such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), and the International Law Commission (ILC), have played significant roles in the development, codification, and implementation of international law. The UN serves as a platform for ongoing dialogue, identifies emerging challenges, formulates international legal and policy instruments, provides mechanisms for peaceful settlement of disputes, and collaborates with other international and regional organisations. However, this paper also acknowledges the inherent challenges and shortcomings of the UN and explores proposals for UN reform to address these issues, enhance its influence, and better fulfil its overarching purpose. Through an analytical assessment of the UN's role and influence on international law, this paper aims to provide insights into the functioning of international organisations and their impact on shaping global legal norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High dynamic range (HDR) displays based on liquid crystal panels require local dimming algorithms to reproduce content with high fidelity and HDR. However, most local dimming algorithms are developed by using hand-crafted features and most of them focus on low dynamic range images rather than HDR images. In addition, few local dimming algorithms can manage well the conflicting requirements of maintaining image quality while minimising power consumption. In this paper, we propose a genetic algorithm for backlight local dimming (GABLD) that generates images for the HDR display based on the given fitness function and the HDR content about to be displayed while considering the impact of power consumption and image quality. The effectiveness of the GABLD method is demonstrated in three aspects: the fidelity of reconstruction of HDR images, the power consumption, and the visualisation of HDR content on HDR displays. The results show that the proposed method has good performance in terms of both the image quality and power consumption, and it retains more details especially for areas with highlights when compared to traditional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses local communities' initiatives and challenges in resolving the Anglophone conflict in the South West Region of Cameroon between 2016 and 2023. The conflict that began in September 2016 as the Anglophone teachers and lawyers strike soon vitiated into calls for secession of the Anglophone regions of the country due to marginalization by the Francophone majority. By early 2017, the employability of arms by separatists alongside other tactics like ghost towns, kidnappings, and the maiming of civilians had prompted a government military response leading to a massive humanitarian crisis. While the conflict is still on, the situation seems to be returning to normalcy in some communities owing, not to the government approach to solving the problem but to various indigenous community initiatives. Informed by primary and secondary data, the study investigates the strategies adopted by local communities in resolving the Anglophone conflict in the southwest region of Cameroon. The paper also concedes the persistence of the crisis despite these initiatives and questions factors that mitigate against indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms that local communities have been propagating. It concludes that the Anglophone crises far from serving as a platform for the English-speaking people of Cameroon to express their grievances was an opportunity for local communities to understand the complexities of war and a chance to re-initiate indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms which were rife in the pre-colonial days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Research into the dark side of online brand-managed communities (OBCs) and, specifically, consumer-to-consumer (C2C) conflicts within this context are scarce. This paper aims to explore the different forms of C2C conflicts in OBCs, measure their direct impact on observing consumers and brands and investigate their appropriate moderation by exclusively focusing on two actors: brands versus consumers. Design/methodology/approach: This research adopts a sequential exploratory approach. First, the authors capture different forms of C2C conflict via netnographic observations of five brand-managed communities. Second, the identified forms of C2C conflict are used in an online experiment to examine their impact on OBCs' social and commercial outcomes. Third, further two online experiments were used to assess how brand versus consumer conflict moderators impact perceived credibility and conflict de-escalation. Findings: The authors uncover three prominent forms of C2C conflict based on whether conflict occurs between supporters, non-supporters or outsiders of the OBC. The authors further show that these affect consumers' engagement behaviours and emotional responses, while brands suffer from diminished credibility and could be targets of unfavourable electronic word-of-mouth. Finally, for managing C2C conflict, the findings confirm that brands are perceived as more suitable, while under certain conditions consumers can also be viewed as appropriate moderators. Research limitations/implications: This research used a range of participant self-selected brands and is limited to brand-managed (as opposed to consumer-managed) communities on Facebook. While beyond the scope of this paper, the dynamics for consumer-managed communities may differ. Practical implications: This article offers guidance to marketing practitioners on the different nuances of undesirable consumer interactions in brand-managed communities on social media, their impact on customer engagement and brand perceptions and when/whether brands or consumers may be suited to moderating these. Originality/value: This paper makes novel contributions to the literature on consumer (mis)behaviours and OBC management. The findings are among the first, to the best of the authors' knowledge, to examine the direct social and commercial consequences of C2C conflicts and to provide comparative insights into the appropriateness of two different moderators in OBCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is replete with significant environmental resources including forests, water, land, and energy; although its transition to a bio-resource economy is yet to be actualized. Consequently, there are limited socio-economic gains from resource valorization. These challenges which stall progress towards the attainment of several interlinked sustainable development goals, are rooted, among others in resource governance defects. Furthermore, the persistence of knowledge fragmentation on resource governance shades possibilities for an in-depth theorizing of the nexus approach. In this light, two questions beg for answers: (i) To what extent are governance indicators captured in empirical studies on the nexus approach in SSA? (ii) What questions and approaches should inform future research on the nexus approach in SSA? To answer these questions, this paper systematically reviews 100 peer-reviewed articles (with 154 cases) that address governance questions in nexus studies within the broad framework of bioeconomy transitioning in SSA. Using the PROFOR analytical framework, our analysis reveals the following: (1) Although sub-regional variations exist in the application of nexus thinking, the overall emphasis in SSA is on first-level resource transformation. (2) With only 5% of studies explicitly mentioning the nexus approach, there is a strong indication for nexus thinking to be prioritized in future research. (3) While efficiency is the most recurrent in the literature (69%), its assurance in resource nexus and transformation is insignificant. (4) Interlinked questions of equity, participation, transparency, and conflict management have not been sufficiently addressed in studies on the nexus approach. The paper suggests an urgent need for in-depth, multi-country, and interdisciplinary research on these governance parameters in the nexus approach, as prerequisite to advancing the science–policy intercourse in nexus thinking in SSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expert group decision-making in the process of engineering consulting is an important part of the smooth development of engineering projects. Whether the conceptual design scheme of the project is reasonable or not will directly affect the construction quality of the project. After the preliminary selection of a river ecological governance project, four conceptual design schemes were obtained. The owner invited 20 experts in relevant fields to make decisions on the four schemes collected in the early stage. The experts gave preference information for each scheme after reading the relevant materials of the project and clarifying the actual needs of the project. Based on this background, this paper uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to construct a model for group decision-making and conflict resolution in the engineering consulting process. We use the preference relationship to reflect the degree of experts' preference for the scheme, cluster them through similarity calculation, calculate the conflict degree of group preference and personal preference respectively, and comprehensively use the sequence difference method and personal preference correction method to resolve the conflict, so that their opinions can be quickly agreed within the specified time. The results calculated by model are consistent with the actual situation of the project, which verifies the effectiveness of the model proposed in this paper and can provide a reference for similar project decision-making and conflict resolution process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper does lament whatever had happened to North Central Nigeria, and in particular, Benue's, Plateau's, and Southern Kaduna's glorious past, and the abysmal state of Nigeria's civilization inherited from British colonial masters, with its attendant effects such as insecurity and underdevelopment most especially on the sampled area and the continent at large. The paper, through an exegesis of select historical facts and texts, reports, and journals, has explored via a desk and textual study, an objective explication for an unpacking of the inherent mischiefs caused by the apparent harmful retributive system of justice inherited from the colonial criminal justice system. Thereafter, the prognosis of the problematics of the retributive justice system in Nigeria, and of the vicious cycles of the conflicts, is addressed through an unveiling of the gaps in the retributive justice system, which hitherto has focused more on the offender, to the detriment of the victim(s), and society, is underscored. These dialectics for peacebuilding, conflict management/transformation, and mutual trust would be reached through (re)negotiation, and (re)visiting of the Nigerian criminal justice system, with a focus on the restorative justice system by advocating for the full entrenchment of the formidable Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 in all the States of the Federation for the development of Nigerians and African's scions globally. Where the emphasis is now hinged on "victim-offender-mediation" and lessons are drawn from the Wajir Peace Development Committee (in Northeastern Kenya) cum the Plateau model as a panacea to the unending vicious cycle of conflicts and reprisals in our societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Often disputes and conflicts are present among states consequently, international law requires peaceful means for dispute settlement. From a legal perspective, the dispute settlement in international law constitutes some obligations for states to solve their disputes in harmony with the international law by using the peaceful means so they can choose between diplomatic, judicial and institutional means. Quite often bilateral disputes have been crucial barrier and obstacle for EU enlargement process to occur, especially in the South-Eastern Europe. The dispute between North Macedonia and Greece and North Macedonia and Bulgaria has had a significant impact in this direction. Clearly, when it comes to history, culture and identity states favor national interest over European interest. This paper strives to contribute in the recent debate about the dispute settlement between North Macedonia and Bulgaria regarding the identity issues. The neighbors have a long-lasting dispute, which resulted in Bulgaria vetoing North Macedonia’s path to EU accession. It is characteristic that the dispute between Bulgaria and North Macedonia is of ‘diverging narratives’ of the past and the dispute does not stop neighbors to cooperate on economic level. The paper goes beyond the political interpretations of the dispute and attempts to examine the legal background so in this paper I’ll try to explain the role of international law in the resolution of disputes between two states. The dispute between North Macedonia and Bulgaria it is becoming an acute problem in the region because it blockades North Macedonia’s path towards EU membership due to Bulgarian veto in this direction North Macedonia, for instance, has affected Albania’s European path through the current coupling of the two countries’ accession process, because the bloc is treating the pair as a political package. The issue is treated from both sides pointing out increasingly divergent interpretations of the past regarding language, history and culture and it is evident that there is no quick fix for this dispute however solving it will be a panacea for the long list of other regional disputes occurring in the Western Balkan region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the challenges of coproduction at individual, team, service, organisational and system level and critically describes the work of one organization to describe ways in which coproduction can be facilitated. Design/methodology/approach: This is a case study of the approaches developed (coproduced) within an independent not-for-profit mental health consultancy organization to facilitate coproduction at every level. Findings: Although much is published about coproduction in research, there is relatively little guidance relating to coproduction in practice. This paper describes the meaning, purpose and impact of coproduction at different levels and gives examples of how it can be achieved. The learning from his work is drawn together to present a series of findings with recommendations including: inclusion, managing power difference, accommodating difference, generating new ways forward rather than debating and selecting existing options. Originality/value: The literature on coproduction in practice is replete with guidance rather than examples of good practice. It is also apparent that the ambition for coproduction has progressed rapidly from coproduction between service providers and people using services to coproduction with all relevant stakeholders. This paper provides contemporary examples of coproduction in different forms and at different levels with attention to ways of overcoming challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Contemporary Journal of African Studies is the property of Institute of African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper considers the possible role of 'Track Two diplomacy' in the Falklands/Malvinas dispute. The paper begins by introducing Track Two. It then summarises the Falklands/Malvinas conflict, with particular attention to why it has proved so intractable and how the dispute has evolved since the conflict. The one documented case where a Track Two dialogue was attempted is examined and the paper considers what the case says about the Falklands/Malvinas dispute. Finally, the paper explores whether such a dialogue could be renewed and considers whether and how it may be able to make a positive contribution. It is suggested that, even if such a dialogue could be started, expectations must be kept modest. Such a dialogue would be an investment in tackling the growing sense that the continuation of this conflict is inevitable and could help lay the ground for a moment when the sides were ready to explore changes in their positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inherent dual roles of "follower" and "leader" among ecosystem entrepreneurs inevitably introduce challenges in managing conflicting dependent and independent goals. Ecosystem entrepreneurs' capabilities in conflict goals management directly influence new venture survival and development. This single-case qualitative study explores how ecosystem entrepreneurs develop conflict goals management capabilities through self-regulation, which is not only a unique practical challenge in ecosystem entrepreneurship, but also a cutting-edge topic in current theoretical research. Through research of entrepreneurs in Haier Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, the paper finds: (1) strategic corresponding and mechanism adapting emerge as the two trigger factors enabling ecosystem entrepreneurs to recognize the equilibrium or disequilibrium between conflicting goals; (2) by leveraging self-control, grit, and metacognition, ecosystem entrepreneurs construct decoupling mechanisms for antagonistic goal recognition and coupling mechanisms for synergistic goal recognition; (3) ecosystem entrepreneurs enhance their conflict goals management capabilities by developing both segregative and synergistic management capabilities. Furthermore, this research explores the self-regulation process underlying ecosystem entrepreneurs' conflict goals management behaviors, including environmental interaction perception, conflict goals analysis, and delineation of goal relationships. Findings provide insights for ecosystem entrepreneurs on improving their conflict goals management capabilities through self-assessment and skill development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oman and its conflict management model are the focus of this paper. This model has crystalized out of the three stand‐alone but complementary systems of conflict resolution which evolved in an ad hoc fashion: the institute of tribal leaders; the reconciliation committees; and the formal judicial system. These systems offer a foundation for the current efforts of the local people to sustain a peaceful co‐existence among the vibrant and ethnically diverse Omani communities known for their turbulent past. The analyzed data obtained from interviews with Omani tribal leaders, reconciliation committee members, and lawyers shed light on both the strengths of the conflict management model and the modern challenges which the model faces. The findings confirm that this model represents a coherent entity run by an integrated constitutional‐tribal order. They also suggest that the model serves as a state mechanism for balancing power between the country's major players—the government and the institute of tribal leaders. The novel contribution of this paper lies in linking the origin and philosophy of each system with the "mediation identity" of Oman's foreign policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes the divergent approaches of Sino-American public diplomacy in the context of Saudi-Iranian reconciliation. Utilizing text analysis of governmental policy documents, this research explores how China, and the United States employ distinct strategies in Middle Eastern when dealing with the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran between 2016-2023. While the United States historically emphasizes the promotion of democratic values and human rights, China adopts a pragmatic, economic-focused approach, as exemplified by its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In March 2023, the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran facilitated by Chinese government, underscores the effectiveness of China’s strategy emphasizing non-interference, mutual benefits, and economic development. The findings suggest that China’s approach, centered around economic cooperation and noninterference, may offer a new “Chinese model” for conflict resolution in the Middle East areas. The paper contributes to the understanding of shifting global diplomatic dynamics and the potential for alternative conflict resolution methods in a complex regional landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Necmettin Erbakan University Journal of the Faculty of Political Science / Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Siyasal Bilgiler Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Necmettin Erbakan University Journal of The Faculty of Political Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Analyzed from a social, educational and psychological point of view, the phenomenon of bullying has become a global concern in all schools. Taking into account the harmful effects they have on all educational factors (children, parents and teachers), governments around the world to create some policies and dedicated to the prevention and reduction of bullying in the school environment. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of acts of violence and intimidation, both in schools and in the online environment, becoming a problem not only in high schools in Romania, but also in secondary and even primary schools. Thus, although the statistics are worrying, legislative changes in the field of bullying in the educational system in Romania are at the beginning of the road and aspects are generally aimed at prevention. The present paper proposes to bring to the fore the need to develop an integrated intervention strategy in cases of school bullying, by involving the decision-making factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examined the amnesty approach from a two-dimensional approaches of the central and sub-national governments in the management of structural conflicts in Nigeria. Using the case study approach, the study explains how the actions of individuals (or groups) escalate militancy, insurgency and banditry, as well as undermine the amnesty initiatives of national and subnational bodies in Nigeria. We argued that: administration bordering on crass corruption is the unacknowledged goal of amnesty; the complicity of state actors is the direct consequence of this unacknowledged goal; and there is a clear link between the financial compensation/payment to the bandits/militants and the proliferation of attacks and armed groups. Thus, in the regions we focused on, there was a proliferation of militant, insurgent and bandit attacks as well as fatalities in the post-amnesty period because of the complicit role of political actors in fuelling insecurity to justify continuous financial investment in these initiatives and present more opportunities for further misappropriation of the amnesty funds. This finding questions the appropriateness of multi-layer amnesty programmes as a conflict management strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conflict expression describes the way people convey opposition across six types (debate, argue, tease, dismiss, complain, and disguise). The concept has garnered increased attention among management scholars, but experiential exercises to guide instruction are needed. This paper presents an engaging activity that encourages participants to experience the six conflict expression types. We provide guidelines for implementing the exercise and assess its effectiveness for in-person and online courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ekonomske Ideje i Praksa is the property of Centar za Izdavacku Delatnost Ekonomskog Fakulteta u Beogradu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In governance theory, there is a crucial theoretical conundrum of meta-governance: how can meta-governors simultaneously stay outside of the governed network while also being embedded within it, and appropriately apply hands-off and hands-on strategies? The heterogeneous experiences of governance practices in non-Western contexts may help to explore this issue. The paper examines the 'Starfish Project'(haixing jihua), a volunteer action aimed at improving the incomes of rural residents in mountainous areas of H District in N City, China, against the backdrop of promoting common prosperity. This initiative involves non-profit organizations, market actors, and government agencies, forming a multi-order meta-governance system. In this system, the government acts as a second-order meta-governor. It provides shared values, norms, and objectives, for the social network, thereby conferring institutional legitimacy upon the social network and its activities. Meanwhile, a non-profit organization operates as a first-order meta-governor within the network, and leverages market-based mechanisms to continuously incentivize network members, foster network interaction, and facilitate conflict resolution. The multi-order meta-governance model provides a potential solution to the dilemma. However, it is important to note that this may not yet be a definitive solution to the conundrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real-time train rescheduling for high-speed railway (HSR) is a pivotal technique in HSR transportation to efficiently recover train operation under disturbance scenarios. This paper aims to put forward an integrated resolving and rescheduling method considering network delay propagation. A tree-based conflict resolution mechanism is first established, with delicate considerations on the strategy's adaptability under different conflict scenarios. By inputting the scheduled arrival and departure time under different conflict resolution strategies, the timetable optimizing model aims to look for an optimal solution with minimal weighted train delay and average train adjustments under necessary technical and empirical constraints solved by a combined algorithm of Pareto optimality and Nash equilibrium, where the feasible solution space is narrowed in advance by a depth-first pruning algorithm. The performance of this coordinated train rescheduling approach is validated by a typical section disturbance in a regional HSR network administrated by the Shanghai Bureau. The results show that the proposed method can well utilizes timetable buffers and organizes train avoidance. The delay propagation characteristics are also simultaneously estimated based on the indicators of cumulative delay and instantaneous delay, which are established considering the spatio-temporal difference between the scheduled and planned timetables, in order to verify the coordination between resolution strategies and train running delays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the associations between conflict management behaviors, job satisfaction, and innovation performance as felt by 322 blue-collar workers in supermarket chains in Istanbul. The authors collected data through direct and virtual surveys and a convenience sampling methodology. The study uses frequency analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, item-level summary statistics, linear regression analysis, moderating analysis, and simple plots. The results indicate that integrating and compromising managers are significantly and positively associated with innovation performance while dominating, obliging, and avoiding managers are significantly and negatively related to innovation performance. Job satisfaction significantly and positively moderates the links between integrating and compromising managers and innovation performance. Job satisfaction significantly and negatively affects the relationships between dominating, obliging, and avoiding managers and innovation performance. The study focuses on some supermarkets and treats a low number of respondents. Conflict management strategies reflect employee perceptions that might lead to attributive misconceptions. The paper exclusively portrays how job satisfaction moderates links between management styles in dispute resolution and novelty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to analyse the impacts of cross-border activities and cooperation in the conflict management process in the Sulu-Sulawesi Sea. Using a qualitative approach with a case study method, this research collected longitudinal data from 2016 to 2022 through observation, interviews, and literature reviews. The results indicate that inter-state conflict can be managed through cooperation in political-economy and socio-cultural aspects instead of defence and security concerns. Legal and traditional cross-border cooperation have played important roles in conflict management by reducing violence and the practice of transnational crimes, increasing the welfare of transnational communities, and building good relations among cross-border actors. Several factors have supported these roles, prominently cultural proximity and trade interdependence which encourage diaspora and business networking. However, this research also identifies illegal cross-border activities that have negative impacts on conflict management by increasing tensions and disrupting regional stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]