Government Agencies Research Articles

A Study of digital literacy among the marginalizes in Thailand: Issues, challenges for implementation and the way forward

The concerns about digital literacy in Thailand especially relevant to fake news, disinformation, and misinformation keep increasing and creating a multifaceted challenges to various sectors of Thai society i.e. financial, commercial, politics, society, and health-related. Among the areas identified include digital contents creation, dissemination, and social media enabling various information with complex challenges such as the proliferation of fake news, disinformation, and misinformation affected more kinds of negative effects currently. This study employs mixed-research method quantitative (survey questionnaire) and qualitative (Focus group discussion, observation, interview) data collection and analysis. A total of 315 samples and key informants were involved as well as grouped under 5 categories: marginal youths, elderly, community leaders, teachers, also government workers focusing on digital literacy knowledge and skills relevant to fake news. It also highlights the relevant contexts i.e. regulatory frameworks and mechanisms driven by key agencies in Thailand. Two main results were revealed that reflected the objectives of the study accordingly: The first objective is (1) overview of digital literacy and how to achieve it. The findings summarized from survey questionnaire include 1.1) even regulations exist found inadequate enforcement and low public awareness call for more effective and collaborative communication from all partners starting from the government agencies; 1.2) urgent need for public awareness communication campaigns emphasizing all the marginalized groups. Youths expressed in the interviews about their contribution to help reduce all kinds of fake news; 1.3) support more friendly ICT context provision such as availability, affordability, accessibility, usability, and useful information. The second objective is (2) mechanism for digital skills empowerment. The feedback from key informants include: 2.1) strengthening digital literacy skills among all marginalized groups to be a smart citizen then can help protecting themselves, their families and their communities; 2.2) all agencies from policy to local i.e. community leaders, educational institutions, private sectors, social media companies, civil society, and others must synergized more contributions; 2.3) educational institutions must design digital literacy academy with digital new-skills for the marginalizes, ensuring them for their safety and future job demands; 2.4) private sectors should support and co-designing digital products and services that address all current needs; 2.5) local government, and all partners should take an active collaboration and enforcement. The study concluded with implications and suggestions for future research in line with SDGs.

Green Behaviour Engagement Towards the Achievement of Sustainable Health: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Background The short-term actions generated by the proposed SDGs by the United Nations promote sustainability and raise the probability of finding the best global crisis solution. This research builds on previous studies that demonstrate the interconnectedness and reciprocal support of Goals 3 and 12 in their pursuit of societal transformation by altering production and consumption patterns. Focus of the Article This study set out to fill a knowledge need by examining the current state of the literature on the topic of how SDGs interact with one another. The paper primarily addressed SDGs 3 and 12. Research Question (a) How could green behaviour promote sustainable health, and what is the present status of research in this field across nations, research communities, academic journals, and professional organizations? (b) How, with research topic as the key domain, can we make progress towards Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 12 through the social marketing?. Importance to the Social Marketing Field The purpose of this paper is to provide a plan for bringing about societal transformation by means of sustained, short-term efforts in the realms of production and consumption, undertaken with the backing of the nation’s stakeholders. Doing so makes long-term success in altering health-related behaviours (prevention, protection, and persistence in the face of health hazards) more likely. Despite their best efforts to enhance the well-being of societies through social transformation, the authors believe that social marketers may be steering communities in an unsustainable direction. Method Thus, a systematic review and bibliometric analysis were conducted to ascertain the breadth of the research underlying the title by analyzing 135 Scopus publications from 74 journals from 2011–2022 and graphically presented and tabulated the trends, important authors, nations, research papers, and keyword co-occurrences. Biblioshiny, a Bibliometrix R-tool used for the purpose of scientific mapping. In addition, the alignment of study of keywords by taking social marketing discipline into account was justified through systematic review. Results Research on the interplay between SDGs and other factors is required, as 27% of the data remains unexplained. Short-term sustainable behaviours that may enhance health outcomes are combined in this study to better inform policymakers and marketers about consumers’ long-term commitment to sustainable green consumption. Recommendations for Research According to the study’s results, government agencies should create social marketing initiatives to influence the public’s behaviour and promote the health and well-being benefits associated with sustainable production and consumption. Additionally, they should provide incentives to businesses to expand their range of sustainable commodities. Businesses have a shared responsibility to develop, communicate and supply customers with the advantages of sustainable offerings, and enhance the demand for these products through a green marketing approach while reducing their prices. The ecosystem as a whole will reap the benefits of everyone’s efforts, as well as the health and happiness that comes with it. Limitations From 2011 through 2022, the Scopus database’s articles and review papers were used in the study. Additional knowledge in this area might be gained from a comparison of databases like Web of Science, Dimensions, Google Scholar, etc. The study had no geographic focus. Therefore, future research should assess this field’s national and regional potential.

The Development of a Family Support Program for Caregivers of Hemodialysis Patients

Family caregivers of hemodialysis patients have a heavy burden based on negative experiences, long-term care hours, total physical dependence of patients, comorbid health conditions, and financial stress treatment procedures. This study design is a mixed method followed by 114 participants in the quantitative phase and eight participants in the qualitative phase. The research instrument used Zarit Burden, a demographic profile form, semi-structured interview questions, and a recorder. Data analysis used ANOVA, t-test, and thematic analysis. The results showed that most participants were 51 to 60 years old, patients' wives, college graduates, had a monthly income below ph10,000.00 and had cared for patients for 20 to 24 hours. Participants have experienced high physical and financial burdens and loss of control over life, as well as very high emotional and social burdens. Significant differences were found in the levels of emotional, social, and financial burdens when grouped by education level. Monthly income affects the level of social and financial burdens. Physical exhaustion, emotional suffering, limited social life, role conflict, financial poverty, and fear of the future are the themes of challenges in caregiving. Participants coped with their challenges by seeking help and sleep, emotional adjustment, acceptance, maintaining friendships, resisting the urge to participate in social activities, utilizing family resources, seeking financial support from politicians and government agencies, and borrowing money. The proposed stress relief support program has the potential to be an intervention to enable family care with various forms and levels of caregiving burden.

Improve disaster literacy in nurses: a qualitative descriptive study.

The enhancement of nurses' disaster literacy is crucial for effective disaster emergency management, especially for clinical nurses with no prior experience in disaster rescue. This study aims to explore the perspectives of nurses who have been involved in disaster rescue operations on strategies to advance nurses' disaster literacy. A qualitative descriptive study, which follows unified qualitative study reporting guidelines. Thirty disaster rescue nurses were recruited to participate in this study, who came from 30 third-class hospitals in China. From October to December 2021, information was acquired by conducting semi-structured telephone interviews with participants. Qualitative content analysis was used to examine the data. Six categories and eleven subcategories were created. Strengthening disaster education and training was the main focus, and its subcategories included continuing education, nursing curriculum development, and disaster rescue experience guide. The second focus, which included scene simulation, actual combat/military simulation, and virtual reality simulation, was strengthening disaster simulation and drill. The third focus was on providing psychosocial support, which included improving self-psychological adjustment, developing resilience, and engaging in active coping. The fourth category was to strengthen nurse/hospital managers roles and leadership, which included enhancing professional identity and policies/leadership support. The fifth category was disaster preparedness, and the sixth was enhancing knowledge transformation. Government agencies or healthcare organizations should actively promote the formation of nurses' disaster literacy from multiple viewpoints. Disaster education and training, simulation exercises, and psychosocial support should be prioritized.

Incorporating sex and gender into health research funded by the Brazilian Ministry of Health: lessons learned in 15 years and prospects for change

Incorporating sex and gender differences into health research demonstrates the inequalities in the health of women, men and intersex people. This study analyzed funding provided by the Brazilian Ministry of Health’s Department of Science and Technology (Decit/MS) for research incorporating sex and gender in Brazil between 2004 and 2018, stratified by year, region, funding format, and type of research. This is a descriptive retrospective study based on public secondary data provided by Decit/MS. A total of 171 studies were funded, with a value of 30.5 million PPP$, most conducted in educational and research institutions in Southeast Brazil (78.4%). Stratified analysis revealed no significant difference in the amount of funding provided under different government administrations. The largest investment was for national research funding (57.9%). Ten institutions received most of the financial resources provided (82.8%). The most funded research was on population and public health (62%). The most studied topic was chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCD) (29%). Investments in research were insufficient and unequally distributed among regions, receiving institutions, and types of research. Government and funding agencies need to implement specific action plans to encourage understanding of sex and gender disparities in the Brazilian health sector.

A Remote-Sensing-Based Method Using Rockfall Inventories for Hazard Mapping at the Community Scale in the Arequipa Region of Peru

Small communities in the Arequipa region of Peru are susceptible to rockfall hazards, which impact their lives and livelihoods. To mitigate rockfall hazards, it is first necessary to understand their locations and characteristics, which can be compiled into an inventory used in the creation of rockfall hazard rating maps. However, the only rockfall inventory available for Arequipa contains limited data of large, discrete events, which is insufficient for characterizing rockfall hazards at the community scale. A more comprehensive inventory would result in a more accurate rockfall hazard rating map—a significant resource for hazard mitigation and development planning. This study addresses this need through a remote method for rockfall hazard characterization at a community scale. Three communities located in geographically diverse areas of Arequipa were chosen for hazard inventory and characterization, with a fourth being used for validation of the method. Rockfall inventories of source zones and rockfall locations were developed using high-resolution aerial imagery, followed by field confirmation, and then predictions of runout distances using empirical models. These models closely matched the actual runout distance distribution, with all three sites having an R2 value of 0.98 or above. A semi-automated method using a GIS-based model was developed that characterizes the generation and transport of rockfall. The generation component criteria consisted of source zone height, slope angle, and rockmass structural condition. Transport was characterized by rockfall runout distance, estimated rockfall trajectory paths, and hazard ratings of corresponding source zones. The representative runout distance inventory model of the validation site matched that of a nearby site with an R2 of 0.98, despite inventorying less than a third of the number of rockfalls. This methodology improves upon current approaches and could be tested in other regions with similar climatic and geomorphic settings. These maps and methodology could be used by local and regional government agencies to warn residents of rockfall hazards, inform zoning regulations, and prioritize mitigation efforts.

Assessment of the effectiveness of management at the regional level based on the analysis of the activities of authorities

Relevance. The problem of effective management of regional development is becoming more and more urgent due to the emergence of new conditions (obstacles) of functioning, which pose the task of creating programs for the most effective management of subjects to the regions of Russia and executive authorities. It is important to note the choice of the subject: the Kursk region is an important region of the Central Federal District due to its potential and geographical location.The subject has a specialization in important sectors of the entire Russian economy, but at the same time may face inefficient management, which will cause a decline in the regional economy. The purpose is to assess the effectiveness of management of an economic entity on the example of the Kursk region by analyzing the activities of executive authorities.Objectives: to establish the parameters of effective management; to study regional policy as a means of increasing the effectiveness of regional development; to study methods for assessing the effectiveness of regional development through the prism of actions of public authorities; to compare the economic structures of the Kursk region and neighboring regions of the region using specific methodologies; to identify the main problems in the development of the Kursk region.Methodology. To carry out the research, methods of system analysis and synthesis, statistical data processing, as well as comparative and expert analysis are used. The results of the study include an analysis of the effectiveness of regional policy in the Kursk region and the identification of the main problems in the activities of government agencies that affect the economic growth of the subject.Conclusions. The Kursk Region is an ambiguous region regarding the quality of regional economic management. Studying the state support of subjects, their management by authorities, we can say that in the field of ecology and industrial development, the state supports the region sufficiently, since these areas are specialized in the region, which cannot be said about other areas. Despite the weak development of other industries, the state needs to provide significant support to such specialized sectors as agriculture and industry.

Spirals of knowledge in geographical indications: the brazilian wine sector case

Purpose: This paper aims to verify how the construction of spirals of knowledge of geographical indications occurs in the Brazilian wine sector and to identify the conversion of the knowledge of Geographical Indication (GI) from tacit to explicit according to the SECI model (the epistemological spiral). Additionaly, to identify how the ontology spiral occurs in the opinion of government agencies, associations and managers of wineries. Design/Methodology/Approach: This research was qualitative and exploratory.The study was delimited to the Brazilian wine sector. All interviews were conducted in person. Twenty interviews with interest groups: government agencies (5 interviews), associations (5 interviews) and managers of wineries (10 interviews). Purpose: This paper aims to verify how the construction of spirals of knowledge of geographical indications occurs in the Brazilian wine sector and to identify the conversion of the knowledge of Geographical Indication (GI) from tacit to explicit according to the SECI model (the epistemological spiral). Additionally, to identify how the ontology spiral occurs in the opinion of government agencies, associations, and managers of wineries. Design/Methodology/Approach: This research was qualitative and exploratory. The study was delimited to the Brazilian wine sector. All interviews were conducted in person. There were twenty interviews with interest groups: government agencies (5 interviews), associations (5 interviews), and managers of wineries (10 interviews). Findings: The Epistemological Spiral is constructed at the individual, group, and organization levels, within the wineries, converting tacit to explicit knowledge according to the SECI model. The Ontology Spiral is completed with the inter-organizational level that, in the case of Geographical Indications, is formed by the Associations. The Ontology spiral is produced in the context of GIs, and the wineries have the generation of knowledge in each one of them and, at the same time, interact within the Associations and form a representative body of GIs. Originality: Within the GIs, there is the generation of knowledge, which is shared between the coopetitors. Knowledge Management of Geographical Indication emerges, and the block that forms the body of the association produces knowledge that adds experiences and strengths of each individual, group and organization, culminating in the dissemination of superior knowledge. Originality: Within the GIs, there is the generation of knowledge, which is shared between the coopetitors. Knowledge Management of Geographical Indication emerges and the block that forms the body of the association produces knowledge that adds experiences and strengths of each individual, group, organization, culminating in a dissemination of knowledge superior.

Cyanide Medical Countermeasure Development: Assessing the Efficacy of Intramuscular Sodium Tetrathionate for the Treatment of Acute, Severe Cyanide Toxicity in Swine (Sus scrofa).

Given its availability and lethality, cyanide has potential for weaponization and thus has the attention of several governmental agencies. In large scale exposure scenarios, an effective countermeasure that can be administered quickly and in low volume intramuscularly may prove valuable because IV medications may have limited practical applications in these situations. Sodium tetrathionate, a potential cyanide antidote, is a compound that provides sulfur to rhodanese, the enzyme that detoxifies cyanide endogenously. Additionally, sodium tetrathionate has been reported to directly react with cyanide and is effective when administered intramuscularly. In this study, we assess the efficacy of sodium tetrathionate, when administered intramuscularly for the treatment of acute, oral cyanide poisoning in swine. We conducted a prospective trial approved by the 59th Medical Wing Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee comparing intramuscular sodium tetrathionate (n=6) to no treatment control (n=4) in animals (Sus scrofa) exposed to a lethal dose of oral potassium cyanide. Survival at 120 minutes was the primary outcome. Lactate, a cyanide toxicity biomarker, was measured. At the study end, all animals were euthanized in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care. Survival between groups was summarized using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve after comparing survival by log-rank, Mantel-Cox analysis. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of other variables between groups. At baseline animals were similar. There was 100% survival in the treatment group and 0% survival in the control group (P=0.0011). Serum lactate significantly increased in the control group (control: 5±0.9 vs. treatment: 2.1 ± 0.5 mmol/L at 20 minutes). Sodium tetrathionate (intramuscular) significantly improved survival in a large, swine model of acute, oral cyanide poisoning. Future studies will be directed at further assessing sodium tetrathionate as a potential medical countermeasure for cyanide poisoning.

Still Standing Defiantly: Guidelines for Reducing Inequality of Human capital in the Northeast of Thailand during the Covid-19 pandemic

This study aimed to develop an approach to reduce human capital inequality of marginalized people in the northeastern of Thailand during the Covid – 19 pandemics. This study employed a qualitative research methodology to collect data through focus group discussions with the focus group discussion guideline from a group of key informants who were stakeholders in urban development and the quality-of-life development in Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality, Khon Kaen Municipality, and Udon Thani Municipality, totaling thirty-six persons. The study results indicate that there were three approaches to reducing human capital inequality of marginalized people in northeastern Thailand during the Covid – 19 pandemic as were follows: a) Promote the civil society networks, 2) Develop Human capital of marginal households, and3) Develop a tripartite inequality reduction mechanism between government agencies, the public sector, and civil society to coordinate cooperation between agencies to share information and problems for further resolutions.

Factors influencing and controlling vandalism by tourists and local indigenous communities at the Fandoghlou forest natural site

The presence of tourists may lead to environmental damage and vandalism, which can affect local community and tourist relationships, leading to dissatisfaction. The persistence of vandalism in natural environments can lead to detrimental effects; hence, identifying its triggering and inhibitory factors is crucial. The Fandoqhlou Forest region, as a tourist destination in Ardabil Province, has been subjected to various types of damage. The aim of this study is to assess the factors influencing and controlling damage resulting from tourism activities in the Fandoqhlou region. The study population included tourists and the local community who visited the forest area during the spring and summer months of 2023. Additionally, qualitative data analysis was conducted via Atlas Ti software. On the basis of the interview results, 479 initial codes were identified, from which 62 basic themes, 15 organizing themes, and 2 global themes were derived. The research findings identified the factors influencing the occurrence and control of vandalism in the study area. According to the results, environmental disregard, alongside tourists’ low cultural and educational awareness, was identified as a significant factor influencing vandalism. To mitigate this behavioral disorder, the important role of social media in disseminating relevant information and creating a platform for nature conservation in tourism activities and visits to natural sites can be emphasized. Management implications-Management programs should focus on enhancing environmental education and cultural awareness among both tourists and local communities need to mitigate vandalism and destructive behaviors at the natural forests and leverages social media to promote nature conservation.-Strengthening collaboration and foster between local communities, government agencies, and private sectors, need to be established to increase surveillance, enforce penalties and supporting environmental guardians are essential for effective monitoring and deterrence of destructive behaviors.-Implementing stricter law enforcement, along with establishing facilities and community empowerment programs, can strengthen forest protection, reduce vandalism, and promote a sustainable relationship between tourism and local communities.

The Acceptance of Mobile Applications for Government Services (MG- App): A Study From Users’ Perspective

Purpose: The objective of this study is to identify and analyze various factors that influence users' acceptance of mobile government applications (mG-Apps). Methodology: This study has constructed a research model grounded on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Further, information quality and trust, two vital constructs, have been added to the UTAUT to enhance the predictability of the model. Data collected from a sample size of 212 from Bangladesh has been used to test the model. Findings: We have employed the popular structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess the data. Our results suggest that the significant elements impacting users' acceptance of mG-Apps are performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, information quality and trust. In contrast, social influence is identified as an insignificant predictor. Practical Implications: This research will assist different government agencies, policymakers, and practitioners in the creation of timely and effective policies to develop and promote myriad mG-Apps to render services to the citizens. Originality/Value: This research has offered an innovative framework to assess the acceptance of mG-apps by the citizens. This unique model has been constructed by expanding UTAUT with two key contextual constructs such as information quality and trust. We believe, this study will contribute to the extant body of theory surrounding the use of mobile government, e-government, and mobile applications development. Limitations: This study only looks at the opinions of people in Bangladesh, hence the researchers recommend that the proposed study model should be validated by using data collected from other similar countries.

Comparative Analysis of Government Website and Service Monitoring System Ratings among State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRCs) in Malaysia

This study explores the comparison of websites of various State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRCs) in Malaysia using the Government Website and Service Monitoring System known as SPLaSK ratings. SPLaSK, an initiative by the Malaysian government serves as a critical tool for monitoring and evaluating the performance of government websites and services. By focusing on the SIRCs, this study seeks to identify patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement in digital governance. Using qualitative content analysis and semi-structured interviews, the study analyzes SPLaSK ratings of SIRCs to understand how these councils utilize digital platforms to engage with the public, disseminate information, and provide services. Websites registered with SPLaSK are assessed based on six (6) dimensions, namely accessibility, ease of use, quality of content, privacy or security, responsiveness, and reliability. It has been disclosed that only 10 out of 14 SIRCs were registered with SPLaSK in 2023, with 40% achieving excellent ratings of above 80%. The overall scores of the websites also suggest that four (4) SIRCs have underperformed, receiving scores below 50, attributed to inefficient website management. The findings offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of SPLaSK in promoting transparency, efficiency, and user-friendliness in government digital services, thus contributing to the broader discourse on digital governance within government agencies in Malaysia

Water Management as a Social Field: A Method for Engineering Solutions

This paper proposes the use of Pierre Bourdieu’s sociological concepts of social fields, capital, and habitus to analyze water management in Colombia. By mapping the social dynamics of water management, this study examines the interactions and power relationships among agents, including government agencies, private companies, academic institutions, non-profits, and local communities. The analysis reveals how various forms of capital, such as economic, cultural, social, and symbolic, influence water management practices, policies, and the distribution of power. Integrating agent-based modeling with hydrological simulations provides a more nuanced understanding of how social dynamics influence water management. This interdisciplinary approach helps develop more adaptive and equitable strategies by capturing the complex interactions between human behavior and environmental factors. This study highlights the need to localize the analysis of the social field to capture regional customs and specific social dynamics. This localized approach ensures that water management strategies are more relevant, context sensitive, and sustainable. This paper advocates for the wider adoption of agent-based modeling in water management, proposing a methodology that combines the engineering principles of practical problem solving and adaptive design with an understanding of the social complexities in water management.

Evaluating Internal Control Mechanisms in Malaysian Public Sector Initiatives: Insights from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Reports

This study examines internal control challenges in Malaysian government projects, drawing on Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reports from 2019 to 2022. The focus on this period stems from the shift in PAC chairmanship from government to opposition, which enhanced perceived independence. However, the literature suggests that the PAC’s success depends more on collaborative decision-making than on the chairman’s political affiliation. Analyzing 29 government agencies across various sectors revealed recurring weaknesses in internal controls. The study employed the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission’s (COSO) Internal Control-Integrated Framework (ICIF) to systematically identify these weaknesses. A content analysis method was used to examine the themes, which were grouped into five ICIF components: control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring. Weaknesses in the control environment include conflicts of interest, compromised ethical values, inadequate governance, and a lack of accountability and transparency. Risk assessment deficiencies were found in financial risk management, procurement and acquisition risks, geopolitical and strategic risks, intellectual property and technology risks, and project management risks. Control activity weaknesses involved poor resource and process management, non-compliance, and flawed decision-making. Information and communication issues included poor documentation, inadequate system integration and data sharing, limited stakeholder engagement, weak communication protocols, and poor information management. Monitoring deficiencies were noted in regulatory compliance, contract management, financial oversight, monitoring systems, and disbursement tracking. Addressing these weaknesses in internal controls is crucial for minimizing the risks of fraud, waste, and loss of public trust

Smart Benefits Distribution : Leveraging IoT and Data Analytics for Streamlined Office Efficiency

This article explores the transformative potential of integrating Internet of Things (IoT) devices and advanced data mining techniques in benefits distribution systems. Faced with challenges such as long wait times, inefficient processes, and resource mismanagement, government agencies and private organizations are turning to these technologies to revolutionize service delivery. The article discusses how IoT-enabled smart kiosks, occupancy sensors, and process automation tools can streamline operations and improve client experiences. It further examines how data mining techniques, including predictive analytics, clustering, and anomaly detection, can enhance decision-making and operational efficiency. Through a case study and analysis of benefits and challenges, the article demonstrates how this integrated approach can lead to reduced wait times, improved staff productivity, enhanced fraud detection, and significant cost savings, ultimately transforming the landscape of benefits distribution to be more efficient, responsive, and beneficiary-centric.

Letters of Credit: a Finance Tool for Managing Cash Flow in the Muntinlupa City Business Community

In the 1800s, the Letters of credit materialized in Europe and grew purposely to serve international trade, which flourished since the 1700s despite the non-uniformity of national laws. The reviews of related literature and studies conducted by the researcher, identified various gaps concerning the use of letters of credit: First, there were no studies conducted yet concerning the use of letters of credit as a financial tool for managing cash flow amongst the Business Community in Muntinlupa, City; and, Secondly, no studies were done in the City of Muntinlupa correlating letters of credit as a financial tool in managing cash flow. These led to the development of this pioneering research study in the City of Muntinlupa. This descriptive study aimed to determine the openness of the businesses, banks, and government agencies in the Alabang Muntinlupa area to use letters of credit as a mode of payment to effectively manage the company’s cash outflow. The study had 35 automobile companies and bank financing companies as its primary respondents. The researcher used Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient for Likert-type scales data analysis tool to test the internal consistency of the questionnaire. A high correlation signaled high internal consistency. There was a significant relationship between the perceived effectiveness of a Letter of Credit and the perceived awareness of benefits, risk factors, and source of funds for letters of credit.

Public Private Partnership and Financial Implication to Government: A Case Study from Malaysia

The implementation of infrastructure projects through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) that involve investments from the private sector has greatly benefited the country. Apart from being an alternative to conventional public infrastructure projects, PPP is also said to be a more efficient method as the risk of project implementation is transferred to the private partner. Even with these advantages, it cannot escape criticism, especially the implementation of PPP projects which involve financial implications to the government. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the Malaysian government's experience in the implementation of PPP projects especially regarding its financial implication issue and how the Malaysian government addresses the issue. A total of 29 officers from several government agencies were interviewed. The interview transcripts were analyzed using ATLAS. Ti application. Apart from contributing a theory regarding PPP, the results of this study have provided new knowledge on PPP, especially Malaysia's experience in dealing with financial commitment issues arising from the implementation of PPP projects. Although the context of development in other countries may differ, this Malaysian experience can be used as an example for PPP practitioners in planning PPP projects elsewhere.

Monitoring roadkill in Amravati, India: A Citizen Science project

Roadkill is a global conservation problem, and India is no exception. Animal-vehicle accidents on roads are a leading cause of death for a variety of animal species both within and near protected areas. However, roadkills are rarely documented due to field limitations and the unavailability of dedicated IT platforms. The lack of documentation and unavailability of traffic fatality data pose major limitations for government agencies and conservationists. In 2018, as part of a citizen science program to collect opportunistic data, we launched a free "ArRM" mobile app and website, www.arrm.org.in. In 2022, we conducted a systematic random survey of 10,500 km covering the entire road network in Amravati district, Maharashtra, India. Through citizen science and our efforts, 364 roadkills (336 wild, 28 domestic) from 70 species were recorded. Our project aims to overcome the non-documentation of roadkills in the Amravati district and provide data on an interactive map that is freely accessible in the public domain. This will help wildlife authorities, conservationists, and policymakers plan or implement effective measures to reduce the number of wildlife killed on roads.

Identifying optimal funding allocations for public water infrastructure improvements under uncertainty

Diversified and locally managed funding strategies bring substantial benefits to water infrastructure investments across financial, social, institutional, and political spheres. However, these strategies often occupy a secondary role in the public sector's capital allocation process. We outline optimal funding strategies for water infrastructure by zeroing in on communities' specific needs and navigating two types of uncertainty—historical and priority uncertainty—across both long-run (multi-decade) and short-run (recent years) timeframes. Employing Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT), our approach pinpoints optimal funding distribution both across and within categories (namely, individual counties) based on their funding needs. By comparing these distributions with Tennessee's Clean Water State Revolving Fund's historical funding approach, we benchmark how risk and socioeconomic factors influenced past decisions. This analysis yields optimal allocations that inform which counties should be given priority by public funding agencies, moving toward portfolios that adeptly balance risk with funding necessity. Our methodology is executed in two stages, each bearing distinct implications. The initial stage seeks to prioritize groups of counties based on their funding needs, considering both immediate and long-term contexts, in line with what government agencies might aim to achieve. The subsequent stage refines the equilibrium between risk and need at a more detailed level within these groups, facilitating risk diversification that effectively addresses both short- and long-term funding requirements.