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Ciphertext-policy attribute-based encryption, denoted by CP-ABE, extends identity based encryption by taking a set of attributes as users’ public key which enables scalable access control over outsourced data in cloud storage services. However, a decryption key corresponding to an attribute set may be owned by multiple users. Then, malicious users are subjectively willing to share their decryption keys for profits. In addition, the authority who issues decryption keys in CP-ABE system is able to generate arbitrary decryption key for any (including unauthorized) user. Key abuses of both malicious users and the authority have been regarded as one of the major obstacles to deploy CP-ABE system in real-world commercial applications. In this paper, we try to solve these two kinds of key abuses in CP-ABE system, and propose two accountable CP-ABE schemes supporting any LSSS realizable access structures. Two proposed accountable CP-ABE schemes allow any third party (with the help of authorities if necessary) to publicly verify the identity of an exposed decryption key, allow an auditor to publicly audit whether a malicious user or authorities should be responsible for an exposed decryption key, and the key abuser can’t deny it. At last, we prove the two schemes can achieve publicly verifiable traceability and accountability.

This study seeks to highlight the implications of governance and reporting practices in ensuring accountability and building donors trust in Waqf Institutions (WIs). Data gathered through the survey are analyzed using PLS-SEM technique. The conceptual model was developed based on the critical review of the past literature. Among the three proxies of board attributes, only board ability has a significant positive impact on accountability. Voluntary information disclosure has a significant positive impact on accountability. Accountability has a significant impact on building trust in waqf management. Results provided by the study advocate for the adoption of formal reporting and improved governance mechanisms to enhance donors’ trust in WIs.

Can fiscal transparency, accountability and macro-fiscal stabilization be imposed by adopting a fiscal responsibility law (FRL)? Skeptics argue that law is impotent or that the existing legal framework for the budget system suffices. In Europe, supranational fiscal rules were previously seen to be adequate. After reviewing the experience with FRLs around the world, this paper concludes that FRLs enhance fiscal transparency and accountability. However, the adoption of a FRL for attaining fiscal stability goals succeeds only if there is strong political commitment to fiscal discipline. Also, the inclusion of quantitative fiscal rules in FRLs is a high-risk undertaking.

As the world's fastest growing economies, India and China have significantly served as "engines of world economic growth". At the same time, they are beset with gigantic internal socio-economic problems and are endeavoring hard to achieve economic growth with social justice for a greater "societal good". Given their ideologically divergent political systems and varying historical and cultural experiences, however, India and China have pursued radically different development paths to achieve their respective socio–economic goals. This article addresses the dynamics of development within theoretical perspectives, deals with development policies, perspectives and strategies of India and China in the historical backdrop, and spells out their development challenges which need to be addressed to achieve social justice and inclusive growth.

This paper uses the Wenchi District as a case study to generate a nuanced understanding of the interactive process between decentralized government structures and traditional authority in the context of Ghana's highly touted democratic achievements within the African continent. Qualitative methods involving focus group discussions of 159 males and 98 females aged between 18 to 72 years in 8 communities were used to facilitate insightful discussions and reflections. The focus group discussions (FGDs) were complemented with key informant interviews (n = 8) and direct observations. Using grounded theory, the results reveal that the interaction between traditional authorities and government decentralized institutions within Ghana's emerging democracy are characterized by competition for power and legitimacy. This has led to mistrust and the inability to take advantage of the potentially synergistic effects between the two systems of local governance for accelerated development. Furthermore, the findings reveal that a predominant culture of fear of authority within different hierarchical levels, is stifling genuine participation, further reinforcing a lack of accountability by authorities from both sides. We conclude that if decentralization policies are to be effective in Ghana, it may be imperative for government to strive for more open governance processes that are capable of blending the traditional systems with the emerging democratic dispensation depending on the context.

Blockchains as digitized, decentralized ledgers allow recordkeeping of peer-to-peer transactions, thus eliminating the need for intervening trusted third parties. This makes the technology useful in altering business processes and transactions not just across industrial sectors but also across economies. However, little research exists on the factors that impede and sponsor blockchain technology adoption in developed relative to developing country contexts. We highlight blockchain technology issues which sponsor/impede its adoption across developing/developed economic contexts. We focus on assessing the flow of money and land registries in these contexts in relation to the propensity to deploy blockchain systems. We then apply our analytical frame resting on real options principles to explore the decision point at which blockchain would be adopted relative to economic development.

In 2014, Xiamen University faced a scandal about one of their history professors sexually harassing female students. The professor was suspended, but the case became very prominent in the Chinese blogosphere. The case looks at the scandal from the students’ and university’s perspective and asks how harassment can be avoided at universities.

The year 2015 represented a historic mark for sustainable development, with the approval of the 2030 Agenda at the United Nations (UN) summit, which defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN 2030 Agenda provides a universal framework to which each country, region, and community can prioritise its needs and address them locally. Higher education institutions (HEIs) can and must provide a holistic approach to the 2030 Agenda and advance it since the SDGs are a key aspect of their social responsibility (Vilalta et al., 2018). The UN Agenda 2030 represents an opportunity for the improvement of university management, the relationship with stakeholders and the community, and the articulation and consolidation of education policies with the SDGs. Sustainability education can provide students with the in-depth competence to incorporate sustainability into the consciousness of the future, as citizens and professionals. Thus, HEIs will need to be able to plan, evaluate and monitor their contributions to the SDGs, and review their strategies accordingly. Therefore, reports can play a key role, informing HEIs’ progress towards sustainability in four main areas (learning and teaching, research, organisational governance, and external leadership) and shaping future commitments and actions. This chapter aims to develop a longitudinal study regarding the evolution of the sustainability report in a Portuguese Public University — the University of Minho — seeking to analyse how this University includes its contributions towards the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda in its disclosures. The study methodology is based on content analysis of the information disclosed in the sustainability reports published until 2016, referring to the period 2010–2015. The results indicate that the university adopted the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines. The alignment with the UN goals was made for the first time in the last sustainability report.