Agency Level Research Articles

Analisis Pengendalian Internal atas Siklus Pelaporan pada Sistem Aplikasi Keuangan Tingkat Instansi (SAKTI)

This research was conducted to analyze the implementation of internal control over the financial reporting cycle at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially in the year of 2022 after all the ministries are obliged to implement the Agency Level Financial Application System referred as SAKTI. This research used a case study methodology with a qualitative descriptive data analysis on a single unit analysis by using the Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO) theoretical framework adjusted to PMK.17/PMK.09/2019. The data collection in this research was obtained through interviews, documentations and observations techniques which were processed and analyzed using the content analysis method using the Nvivo12 Pro application tool. The results show that the effectiveness of internal control plays an important role in the organization to present an accurate and accountable financial reports. The manual procedures in data recapitulation and journal record in SAKTI had an impact on the occurrence of human errors which causing the need of corrections to be made in the following periods. Based on the results, it is concluded that internal control over financial reporting cycle at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been implemented but it is still not effective, so it needs some improvements such as the need to digitize manual procedures in data recapitulation and journal interconnection in SAKTI and also optimize monitoring activities for accurate and accountable financial reports in the future.

The main factors of schoolchildren agency: empirical analysis

The article is devoted to schoolchildren agency, understood as the ability to make decisions and proactively act in various contexts and spheres of public and personal life, supporting or transforming social environment. The focus of the study is aimed at examining interrelationships between the level of schoolchildren agency and factors related to the family environment, as well as academic performance and participation in extracurricular activities. The data were obtained by surveying 4,603 schoolchildren from 4th to 8th grade of schools in Yaroslavl. Another data source was a survey of 1,910 parents whose children attend extracurricular activities, as part of the Monitoring of education markets and organizations (http://memo.hse.ru/en/), from 8 federal districts of the Russian Federation in 2022. The level of agency was assessed using a specially developed methodology that takes into account the child’s activity in different areas (family or relationships with peers). It has been established that the socio-economic status of a family, primarily the parental level of education, is poorly related to the agency level, whereas older age and higher academic performance of schoolchildren demonstrate a slightly stronger positive relationship. The gender factor as a whole is not significant, however, boys display somewhat both higher and lower agency levels, while girls are characterized by average indicators. A strong positive relationship has been revealed between the level of schoolchildren agency and their participation in extracurricular activities most pronounced for classes in specialized organizations outside of school. The strongest relationship with the agency level is demonstrated by sports, art, social activities, technology and crafts.

A machine learning model for estimating the temperature of small rivers using satellite-based spatial data

The influence of anthropogenic activity and land cover alteration on stream temperatures has major ecological implications, such as limiting fish survival. While these ecological impacts have been extensively studied at varying spatial scales for major rivers, our understanding of the range and complexity of this relationship across climates and geographies for smaller rivers (less than ∼60 m wide) remains limited. This is in part because although such rivers comprise a vast majority (∼97%) of total stream length, most smaller rivers lack routine temperature observations despite extensive gage networks. While existing gage networks in many regions are sufficient to support satellite remote sensing-based modeling of small stream temperatures, most large regions including the contiguous United States do not have modeled data products at high spatial and temporal resolution for small rivers.In this study, we developed a statistical model, TempEst (“temperature estimation”), to estimate monthly average water temperatures for smaller rivers and evaluated the model with rivers ranging from 3 m to 1000 m (1 km) in width, using land cover, topography, and satellite-based land surface temperature. The rivers chosen for development of the model are representative of a range of urban and rural land uses and cover eight US Environmental Protection Agency Level I ecoregions. The model was calibrated and validated using observed stream temperatures from the United States Geological Survey. TempEst is able to predict monthly average temperature for streams of any size with an overall median RMSE of about 1.5 °C and bias of 0%. Model accuracy has a consistent trend with training gauge network density, with median RMSE increasing to about 2.0 °C in more sparsely-gauged regions. As a simple demonstration, we used TempEst to estimate thermal suitability conditions for cutthroat trout in Rocky Mountain streams in the United States. The developed model, available as open-source R (model) and Google Earth Engine (data retrieval) scripts, will facilitate the study of stream temperature behaviors at higher resolutions than previously available across the contiguous United States and can be easily adapted to support global river systems.

Use of standardized decision support instruments to inform child welfare decision-making: lessons from an implementation study

Research has demonstrated children in out-of-home care have experienced trauma and a significant proportion are in need of behavioral health services (e.g. Casaneuva et al., NSCAW II baseline report: Child well-being, US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, 2011). Accessing services requires interagency coordination between child welfare and behavioral health professionals; however, challenges to coordination and collaboration may result in lack of service utilization for many youth (Hanson et al. 2016). Utilizing a mixed methodological approach, this paper describes the results of a study conducted five years after full state-wide implementation of processes designed to promote the use of evidence-based practices to inform decision-making for youth dually served by the child welfare and behavioral health systems. Outcomes from the study were used to develop strategies to address programmatic concerns and reinforce implementation supports. Study findings may aid organizations seeking to reinforce data-informed practices and employ strategies for addressing barriers at the worker and agency level.

Exploring player agency in educational video games

Player agency is the freedom and control to make decisions during gameplay. Game designers shape player agency by including alternative storylines, optional objectives, and developing a range of mechanics thereby enriching player experience with novelty and variety during gameplay. So far, there is a dearth of studies that focus on giving autonomy to players over the use of learning mechanic in educational games. This study explores the impact of providing players with the autonomy over the use of learning mechanic. Students interacted with two versions of a computer programming game prototype differing in the level of player agency in terms of freedom to employ the learning mechanics during gameplay. We employed quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate if player agency affected students’ learning outcomes, game enjoyment, and intrinsic motivation to learn. The results have implications for design of educational games, suggesting that incorporating player agency, particularly in the context of choosing learning mechanics, can enhance enjoyment and intrinsic motivation without compromising the educational effectiveness of the game.

Exploring the factors that influence the food choices of 14- to 16-year-old competitive cyclists in the UK

The natural growth and maturation process for young people is metabolically taxing and, for young athletes, there is added pressure to ensure sufficient energy to sustain sporting pursuits. Adolescence is also a time of increasing independence coupled with a continued dependence upon guardians. There is an increasing understanding of the physiology and expected nutritional needs of the competitive youth cyclist, however understanding of their nutrition knowledge and behaviours lags behind. The aim of this study was to explore the factors which influence the food choices of 14- to 16-year-old competitive cyclists in the UK, to inform the development of effective and sustainable nutrition support frameworks for this demographic. To do this, one-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted in-person or online with these athletes. Questions focussed on understanding the athletes’ sources of information, perspectives, and perceived level of agency surrounding their food practices. Interviews were conducted with a total of five athletes (female = 4, male = 1). Audio recordings were transcribed and inductively coded by hand to check for saturation before being compiled into a larger data set which was analysed for concepts and themes. The final codes were interrogated by an external researcher to further increase their validity. Data analysis revealed five key themes for this sample: influence, practice, personal narrative, opportunity, and optimal support. Subthemes for influence were parents, coaches, experiential learning, community, the external cycling world, peers, and externally contracted support. Subthemes for practice were fluid and hydration, carbohydrates, protein, caffeine, and food culture within cycling. Subthemes for personal narrative were application of knowledge, categorisation, lack of motivation, personal control, food as enjoyment, and superstition and ritual. Subthemes for opportunity were family support, independence, and planning. Subthemes for optimal support were guidance wanted and bespoke solutions. Though saturation was not achieved, the sample showed homogeneity across a number of areas and across sexes. Participants expressed a desire for nutrition guidance and, in particular, solutions tailored to their circumstances. They would prefer to receive nutrition support from trusted coaches who know them and their training loads, in an informal manner rather than through formal nutrition support from a professional. There was scepticism about the ability of a nutritionist to understand their unique sporting needs. Recommendations include further research into this population and also an examination of the knowledge and support required by guardians and coaches of youth cyclists to develop a practical approach that supports the athletic triangle.

Choosing to be gay: Authentic outcomes, agency and identity in Life Is Strange1

Life is Strange is a modern classic of storytelling in games that allows players to make consequential choices at the level of action as well as at the level of narrative. But does it also allow players to play as their authentic selves, or does it constrain them within frameworks of ethics that are assumed by its authors? This study uses an approach that combines elements of ludology, the focus on games as systems that are altered by players through a mechanistic interface, and the application of structuralist narratology. The latter allows us to textually analyse Life is Strange as a case study of a progression game with emergence characteristics, in which mechanics are treated as functional units of narrative. In addition, we draw from a unique quantitative source. Every choice made by players of Life is Strange is recorded and available to see in the public domain. This allows us to compare the narrative structure encoded into the game at the level of action, with the choices players made at the level of narrative. The outcome shows that players subverted hegemonic expectations, within affordances created for them by the game developers, demonstrating an unexpected level of player agency.

Evaluation of Merit System Policy Implementation in the Selection for High Leadership Positions within the Riau Provincial Government

This article discusses the evaluation of merit system policies in the implementation of selection for High Leadership Positions in Regional Government Agencies. According to Law Number 5 of 2014 concerning State Civil Apparatus (ASN Law) has brought a new foundation in bureaucratic reform of apparatus resources. This law brings a breath of change to create an apparatus that is professional, has integrity, is neutral and free from political interests. This topic is important because, so far, research on JPT selection is still dominated by matters of administrative and procedural suitability. In fact, the merit system in the theory of meritocracy and Weberian bureaucracy emphasizes aspects of transparency and equal access for each candidate. Therefore, it is important to carry out research regarding studies of equality of access and career opportunities in JPT selection at the Regional Government Agency level. This research data was obtained through literature study in the form of a literature review. The author found that there are non-merit aspects in the JPT selection process in several Regional Government Agencies studied. The author recommends the need to develop a JPT selection model that prioritizes the merit aspect for better bureaucracy. The implementation of the JPT Pratama open selection within the Riau Provincial Government has been running in accordance with Perman PAN-RB Number 13 of 2014. However, the implementation of this policy has not fully met expectations, because ASN interest and motivation to take part in the selection is still low.

Constructing student agency: The nexus between classroom activities and engagement

Student agency refers to the quality of students’ self-reflective and intentional actions and interactions concerning their activities and engagements both inside and outside the classroom. The engagements and activities help to increase the level of personal agency. This study mainly aims to determine the nexus between constructing student agency and engagements and activities in higher education English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms. This study adopted a sequential explanatory mixed method design. To collect quantitative data, a survey was conducted with a set of five-point Likert scale questionnaires among 107 students studying at bachelor’s level in Dhading district, Nepal. The students represent different years of the bachelor’s level. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among three teachers teaching at the same level to collect qualitative data. The findings of the study hold important insights for higher education teachers, emphasizing the significance of incorporating agency into classroom activities and fostering engagement. Additionally, this study contributes to the development of agency when students have opportunities to be selective in actions, engagements and interactions in classrooms. To effectively address this issue, the researcher strongly advocates highlighting the importance of classroom engagement and activities as essential components in enhancing student agency in EFL classrooms and beyond.

Gender bias in movie posters through the lens of Spatial Agency Bias

Research has shown that women are perceived as having less agency than men. Numerous studies have found portrayals of gender inequality in different aspects of media, including movie posters. However, no study has examined movie posters to assess portrayals of agency between genders. This study attempts to fill the literature gap by examining the top 250 grossing movie posters of all time in the US through the lens of Spatial Agency Bias to determine if there are differences in portrayed agency based on one’s gender in movie posters. The two levels of the independent variable – gender – are female and male, and the two levels of the dependent variable – spatial positioning – are left and right. A chi-squared test of independence was utilized to determine whether there were statistically significant levels of gender stereotyping in movie posters with regard to agency. The study found that women are portrayed in positions of less agency compared to men on movie posters. The implications of this study are gender inequality in various contexts through the unfavorable stereotyping of women relative to men in their perceived levels of agency. Although the causes of this discrepancy were outside the scope of this study, potential causes, implications, solutions, and future directions are discussed.

Justice Delayed is Justice Denied: Managing Contracting Performance for Equal Employment Opportunity Discrimination Complaints

Public agencies often use contractors to facilitate Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) discrimination complaint cases, but we know relatively little about which factors influence contracting performance of the complaint process. Drawing on contracting theories, this study examines two factors—incentive structure and contractor ownership (i.e., women-owned and small disadvantaged-owned)—that moderate the link between agency contracting use and agency performance in the discrimination complaint process. Using the agency-level panel data from multiple sources, this study finds agency contracting use facilitates the discrimination complaint process when agencies use a performance-based incentive structure. When it comes to the moderating effect of contractor ownership focused on the socially/economically underrepresented, the findings show that using small disadvantaged-owned contractors positively moderates the relationship between contracting use and performance at the agency level.

СТАН МОСТОВОГО ГОСПОДАРСТВА УКРАЇНИ НА ДОРОГАХ ЗАГАЛЬНОГО КОРИСТУВАННЯ ДЕРЖАВНОГО ЗНАЧЕННЯ НА ПІДКОНТРОЛЬНИХ ТЕРИТОРІЯХ ЗА 2023 РІК

Introduction. Bridges are important critical infrastructure facilities; they play a key role in economic development and ensure the security of regions and the state as a whole. During the period of martial law, bridges became an important element of the country's defense capability, as well as routes for humanitarian evacuation and export logistics. To make effective management decisions at the level of the State Agency for the Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine in the field of bridge management, the Analytical Expert Bridge Management System (AESUM) software package is being implemented. Problem statement. In connection with the introduction of martial law in Ukraine, ensuring the proper functioning of the bridge sector has become of great social importance, since the availability of sustainable transport links allows to ensure the vital activity of the population and the functioning of the state under martial law. It is also important to improve the strategy of operation of transport facilities, taking into account the scientific and analytical apparatus of the AESUM software package. Objective. Implementation of an effective strategy for the operation of bridges on highways in order to plan financial resources for their repair and maintenance. Providing the general public with up-to-date statistical information on bridges from AESUM will be useful for scientific and practical purposes, and identifying certain analytical trends will allow to improve AESUM in terms of forming a strategy for the operation of transport facilities. Materials and methods. Analytical, statistical, system analysis. Results. The paper presents analytical and statistical information on transport facilities on public roads of national importance in the controlled territories of Ukraine as of the end of 2023. Certain trends have been identified and the technical condition of transport facilities has been focused on.

What do the papers say? The role of older adults in 20 years of digital inclusion debate in Dutch and Flemish newspapers

Adoption of digital technology by older adults has become an important topic in academia and the public sphere within the debate on digital inclusion. Likewise, this topic has gained traction in the print media also. This paper assesses the representation of older adults in print media in the past 20 years in The Netherlands and Flanders. A total of 281 articles in the Dutch language were analysed to determine the representation of older adults and their level of agency. We found that they were represented in three manners: a) ambassadors of digital skill acquisition; b) naturally lacking in digital skills; or c) not alone in being helpless. These representations clearly increased during the COVIS-19 crisis. Some representations can be problematic, as the relationship between older adults and digital inclusion is not envisioned positively. Furthermore, they receive no agency to participate actively in the discussion surrounding their own digital inclusion and are too often used as the automatic example of the digitally illiterate – which is not particularly encouraging older adults towards digital skills acquisition.

Government Health Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A BERT Topic Modeling Approach

Different levels of government agencies have exerted great effort to communicate with the public during the Covid-19 pandemic on multiple social media platforms. This study uses BERT topic modeling, an artificial intelligence model, to extract topics from various public health agencies of cities, states and the federal government on Twitter and Facebook for the years 2020 and 2021. We contrast and compare major topics addressed by these agencies related to Covid-19 and the pandemic across the two major social media platforms. The findings show how we can employ BERT topic modeling to extract social media topics during a health emergency and evaluate the extent to which topics covered by these agencies address the major social and health concerns of the pandemic.

Sexual orientation concealment, hope, and depressive symptoms among gay and bisexual men: a moderated-moderation model

ABSTRACT The prevalence of depressive symptoms among gay and bisexual men is cause for concern. This study aimed to investigate whether hope and its two components (agency and pathways) moderated the relationship between sexual orientation concealment and depressive symptoms in gay and bisexual men and whether the moderating effects were conditional on sexual orientation. Participants were 197 gay men aged 18 to 71 years (M = 35.13 years, SD = 12.18 years) and 212 bisexual men aged 18 to 66 years (M = 29.24 years, SD = 10.46 years) who completed The Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, The Sexual Orientation Concealment Scale, and The Adult Hope Scale. Results did not support the moderating role of hope, agency, or pathways. The interaction between sexual orientation and pathways was significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Higher levels of pathways were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms for both groups of men, however, the association was stronger for gay men compared with bisexual men. Higher levels of hope, agency, and pathways were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Interventions aimed at increasing hope may be beneficial for reducing depressive symptoms among gay and bisexual men.

The Influence of Human Resource Competence, Implementation of Agency Level Financial Application Systems and Organizational Commitment on The Information Value of Central Government Financial Reports (Empirical Study in The Ministry of Industry in Java and Sumatera Regions)

This study aims to determine, test, and analyze the influence of human resource competence, implementation of agency-level financial application systems, and organizational commitment on the information value of central government financial reports in the ministries of industry in the Java and Sumatera regions. This research uses quantitative methods with an associative approach and documentary data collection by collecting, recording, reviewing and analyzing primary data in the form of respondents’ answers to the questionnaires given. This research took 70 samples as respondents from work units. The data analysis technique used is descriptive statistics which is used to explain the data description of all variables and Partial Least Square (PLS) regression analysis which is a Structural Equation Model (SEM) equation model. The results of this research show that human resource competence, application system implementation agency level finance, and organizational commitment influence the information value of central government financial reports.

A process evaluation of the NIDUS-Professional dementia training intervention for UK homecare workers.

This process evaluation was conducted in parallel to the randomised controlled feasibility trial of NIDUS-Professional, a manualised remote dementia training intervention for homecare workers (HCWs), delivered alongside an individualised intervention for clients living with dementia and their family carers (NIDUS-Family). The process evaluation reports on: (i) intervention reach, dose and fidelity; (ii) contexts influencing agency engagement and (iii) alignment of findings with theoretical assumptions about how the intervention might produce change. We report proportions of eligible HCWs receiving any intervention (reach), number of sessions attended (dose; attending ≥4/6 main sessions was predefined as adhering), intervention fidelity and adherence of clients and carers to NIDUS-Family (attending all 6-8 planned sessions). We interviewed HCWs, managers, family carers and facilitators. We integrated and thematically analysed, at the homecare agency level, qualitative interview and intervention recording data. 32/141 (23%) of eligible HCWs and 7/42 (17%) of family carers received any intervention; most who did adhered to the intervention (89% and 71%). Intervention fidelity was high. We analysed interviews with 20/44 HCWs, 3/4 managers and 3/7 family carers, as well as intervention recordings involving 32/44 HCWs. All agencies reported structural challenges in supporting intervention delivery. Agencies with greater management buy-in had higher dose and reach. HCWs valued NIDUS-Professional for enabling group reflection and peer support, providing practical, actionable care strategies and increasing their confidence as practitioners. NIDUS-Professional was valued by HCWs. Agency management, culture and priorities were key barriers to implementation; we discuss how to address these in a future trial.

Social-media-based crisis communication: Assessing the engagement of local agencies in Twitter during Hurricane Irma

As social media platforms have become vital means of communication, it has become imperative for emergency managers and policy makers to understand how people are interacting with different agencies on these platforms for enhancing community response coordination during disasters. Although many public agencies have already adopted social media platforms for crisis communication purposes, empirical evidence on whether and how these agencies are effectively engaged on these platforms is lacking. This research aims to examine crisis communication activities of a variety of agencies in Twitter (now X) in response to Hurricane Irma in 2017. The study analyzed 13,353 hurricane-related tweets posted by the local agencies from eight counties in East Central Florida as well as federal and state agencies and other nonprofit and private organizations during the hurricane response period. An engagement metric was applied on these tweets to determine which agencies were most active in disseminating information during Hurricane Irma. The results revealed the most engaged local agencies in Twitter during Hurricane Irma for crisis communication and the Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) associated with them in coordinating disaster response activities. The study further investigated Twitter profiles and relevant attributes of these actively engaged agencies, and the contents of the hurricane-related tweets during Hurricane Irma. The study found that local agencies remain active and engaged in Twitter during a disaster compared to other levels of agencies. The ESF representing communication (ESF #2) was one of the most frequent ESFs associated with these active agencies; however, ESF #6 (Mass Care and Sheltering) was also found to be highly utilized. The results also provided insights on crisis communication performance of these agencies in terms of the three dimensions of social media engagement including popularity, commitment, and virality, which are correlated to the counts of like, reply, and retweet of each post, respectively. The study includes recommendations to local government and partner organizations and emergency managers to improve crisis communication in social media and suggests future research directions.

Pesticide risk during commercial apple pollination is greater for honeybees than other managed and wild bees

Abstract Most pesticide research has focussed on risk to managed honeybees, but other managed and wild bees are also exposed to pesticides. Critically, we know little about the magnitude and sources of risk to honeybees compared with other bees during crop pollination. To compare pesticide exposure and risk across wild and managed bees, we sampled the main bee groups present during bloom in 20 apple orchards, including managed honeybees (Apis mellifera), managed bumblebee workers (Bombus impatiens), wild mining bees (Andrena spp. and Andrena [Melandrena] spp.), bumblebee foundress queens (Bombus impatiens) and eastern carpenter bees (Xylocopa virginica). We screened all bees for 92 pesticides and computed a Risk Quotient using available toxicity data (honeybee LD50s), adjusting for differences in toxicity known to scale with body mass. To gain insight into exposure origin, we compared residues in bees to those in focal orchard apple and dandelion flowers. Nearly all bee samples contained pesticides (95%), with the average contamination level ranging from 7.1 ± 2.8 parts per billion (ppb) in B. impatiens workers to 388.4 ± 146.2 ppb in Andrena. Exposure profiles were similar for all bees except A. mellifera, whose unique exposure profile included high levels of the neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam. All bee groups except wild B. impatiens queens had at least one sample exceeding a US Environmental Protection Agency or European Food Safety Authority exposure level of concern. Apis mellifera experienced significantly greater risk than other bee groups, with 63% and 81% of samples exceeding an acute or chronic exposure level of concern, respectively. Risk to honeybees was driven primarily by high thiamethoxam levels not found in focal orchard flowers and likely originating outside the orchard. Synthesis and applications: We find that pesticide exposure and risk differ between honeybees and other managed and wild bees during apple pollination. Furthermore, pesticide exposure is a landscape‐scale phenomenon and therefore measures to reduce exposure must consider the surroundings beyond focal farms. Limiting orchard sprays, while reducing on‐farm exposures, will not protect far‐foraging bees from off‐farm exposures such as thiamethoxam, which we hypothesize is coming from nearby seed‐treated corn fields planted during apple bloom.

The effects of agentic and communal traits and conspiracy beliefs on covid-19 beliefs and behaviors

The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath that have swept across the world from 2020 through the present has provided an abundance of often conflicting ideas about how to protect the self and others, including issues related to misinformation and conspiracy theories. This study sought to investigate how belief in conspiracy theories interacted with the personality traits of agency, communion, unmitigated agency (UA), and unmitigated communion (UC) to predict the extent to which participants felt that COVID-19 presented a real threat to society and the extent to which mitigation efforts such as masking and social distancing could help stop the spread of the disease. Participants (n = 105) were recruited via social media posts and represented a diverse sample in terms of age, ethnicity, and gender. Results generally indicate that conspiracy beliefs are associated with not believing that COVID-19 poses a threat to well-being and that mitigation efforts are not efficacious, however higher levels of agency and communion are protective against these beliefs whereas higher levels of UA exacerbate them. UC was not significant in these analyses. Implication will be discussed.