Allocation Of Social Resources Research Articles

Has urban expansion alleviated working-residential spaces segregation across inner-outer cities? A multi-scale study with location-based social bigdata

Working-residential spaces segregation has become a pressing issue, exacerbated by the unequal allocation of spatial and social resources within contemporary metropolitans. However, limited research has delved into working-residential spaces segregation through the lens of urban space allocation, and few studies have investigated the interplay between policy and spatial segregation within urban expansion. To deepen our understanding of the triad relationship among government, residents, and spaces in the urbanization process, it is essential to promote the rational allocation of spatial resources, mitigate the conflict between working-residential spaces, and bolster the government's socialized governance and sustainable regulation. Therefore, this study takes Chengdu as a case to identify working-residential spaces, and categorize working-residential spaces segregation into nine types, analyzing the segregation of its spatial functions and working-residential spaces segregation. Results show that spaces segregation varies considerably between inner-outer cities, and that urban expansion of outer cities has not alleviated working-residential spaces segregation. In terms of spatial distribution, the inner cities have a large number of residential spaces, while working spaces are located in the west and south sides of the outer cities. In terms of work-residential spaces segregation, the segregation is much more severe in the outer cities than in the inner cities, especially in the government-planned high-tech zone and new districts, which show extremely severe spatial segregation. Critically, the study challenges the efficacy of constructing new districts in resolving urban segregation. It contributes valuable insights into comprehending urban spatial equity and justice through the lens of urban spaces, offering a reference point for the enhancement of urban social governance.

Digital services as alternative for in-person visits among clients with long-term illnesses

Abstract Background For individuals managing long-term illnesses and often requiring complex care across health and social care sectors, the transition to digital platforms holds considerable potential to facilitate management of one’s health. This study examined factors among people with long-term illnesses associated with their perception that digital services had replaced in-person visits in health and social care. Methods A total of 11,012 Finnish residents with long-term illnesses necessitating regular care (56% female, mean age 56.9, SE .23) responded to a nationwide population survey between September 2022 and March 2023. The Inverse Probability Weighting method was used to correct for bias. Complex samples binary logistic regression was used to examine whether factors related to self-rated health, distress, digital skills and perceived benefits of digital services were associated with the replacement of in-person visits by digital services. The model was adjusted for age, gender, education, and urbanicity. Results Approximately one third (35.8%) of the respondents indicated that the use of digital services had replaced in-person visits within the past 12 months. Respondents in poor or moderate health (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.02-1.34) had greater odds of reporting the replacement compared to those in good health. Those with proficient digital skills (OR 1.84, 1.57-2.14) and those perceiving more benefits in digital services (OR 1.56, 1.47-1.74) had greater odds of reporting of the replacement compared to their counterparts. Conclusions Transition to digital services could facilitate access to care for individuals with long-term illnesses perceiving their health poorer. Promoting digital skills and perceptions of benefits of digital services can significantly increase the use of digital services as substitutes of in-person visits and contribute to more efficient allocation of health and social care resources. Key messages • Especially those reporting poorer health seem to use digital services as replacements of in-person visits, offering the potential to optimize resource utilization in health and social services. • Promotion of digital skills and perceptions of the benefits of digital services could increase the use of digital services as replacements for traditional visits with health and social professionals.

Are Low‐Income Groups More Dependent on Community Space? A Case Study of Nanjing

AbstractCommunity dependence reflects individuals' daily needs for community space and facilities and is closely related to the accurate allocation of social resources and human quality of life. This study examines the differences in community use and dependence among different income groups at the overall and community levels from the perspective of the microscale individual activity space. Compared with non‐low‐income groups, low‐income groups are generally more dependent on their communities during their daily lives. However, these differences are diverse among different communities; they are more moderate among different income groups in communities located in central city areas and significant among different income groups in suburban affordable housing communities. The regression models reveal that in addition to income, the characteristics of activities and built environment attributes also affect individuals' community dependence. Social policies should prioritize the quality and quantity of community resources for vulnerable suburban groups.

Unemployment and Personal Income Loss After Traumatic Brain Injury

Employment and personal income loss after traumatic brain injury is a major source of postinjury stress and a barrier to societal reintegration. The magnitude of labor market ramifications following traumatic brain injury remains largely unknown. To quantify the 3-year postinjury labor market consequences following traumatic brain injury in Canada. To also estimate the incurred national labor market cost over the study period. This retrospective quasi-experimental, pan-Canadian observational cohort study used linked administrative health and federal taxation data obtained between 2007 and 2017. Mixed-effects difference-in-difference regressions were constructed to estimate the annualized magnitude of the personal income and employment loss during each of the 3 years following injury, respectively, relative to preinjury baseline. Participants included tax-filing adult (19 to 61 years old) traumatic brain injury survivors. Traumatic brain injury. Coprimary outcomes were personal income loss and the proportion of newly unemployed individuals per annum. Secondary objectives were to quantify income and employment loss within mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injury subgroups. A total of 18 050 patients with traumatic brain injury between 2007 and 2017 were identified (mean age, 38.0 [SD, 12.4] years; 13 360 male [74.0%]), each of whom was followed up with for 3 consecutive fiscal years. Mean income was CAD $42 600 (US $31 083) in the fiscal year prior to injury and 82% were employed at time of injury. The adjusted mean loss of personal income was CAD $7635 (US $5650) in the first year after injury (Y+1) and CAD $5000 (US $3700) in the third year after injury (Y+3) relative to uninjured controls. In each of the 3 postinjury years, 7.8% individuals were newly unemployed compared with the preinjury baseline. The adjusted average personal income loss for mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injury subgroups were CAD $3354 (US $2482), CAD $6750 (US $4995), and CAD $17 375 (US $12 859), respectively, at Y+3; the proportion of unemployed individuals increased by 5.8%, 9.2%, and 20% across the same groups at Y+3 after injury relative to preinjury baseline. The estimated total reduction in personal income aggregated over the 3 postinjury years for the affected participants was CAD $588 million (US $435 million). This work represents national cohort data quantifying the labor market implications of traumatic brain injury. These results may be used to inform economic evaluations and social service resource allocation.

Exploring the mechanisms of underground economy: A case study of the informal bicycle market in a southern China city

This paper aims to explore the typical mechanisms of the underground economic phenomenon through anthropological and grounded theoretical methodology through an ethnographic study on the site of an informal bicycle market in a city in South China. It investigates and analyzes the formation path and mechanism of the informal bicycle market. Data was collected through unobtrusive observation and in-depth interviews. It follows a grounded theory data analysis procedure based on multiple data sources, such as participant observations, interviews, prior literature, and news reports. The model illustrates how the informal bicycle market is formatted and the mechanisms to maintain its operations. The findings indicated that the development of the informal market affects the efficiency of social resource allocation and, in many cases, may erode the overall system of the national economy. The analysis of the formation path and mechanism of the underground economy represented by the informal market is of great significance for the sustainable development of the social economy.

Research on the Sheepskin Effect in China: Factors Influencing Educational Returns and Heterogeneity Analysis

Using sample data from the China General Social Survey (CGSS2021), this study employs econometric methods based on the basic cost-benefit economics perspective. It investigates the relationship between educational investment and labor income in China in recent years, utilizing the Mincer earnings model as well as an extended model incorporating additional control variables. An Ologit model is constructed to analyze the impact of gender, ethnicity, family economic status, and regional registration on educational attainment among the sample population. Furthermore, the study compares educational returns across different genders, regions, workplaces, and job positions. Finally, based on empirical analysis, suggestions are proposed to enhance individual income levels and optimize the allocation of social educational resources from both individual and environmental perspectives.

Research on the Improvement of Green Slow Traffic System under the Guidance of "Healthy City"

The rapid transformation of the world has changed the way people live. The level of urbanization is being saliently improved, material and civilization is becoming more and more abundant as well. Motor vehicles have reshaped our lifestyle. The mobile traffic-dominated planning thoughts has contributed to various problems such as disorder spread of cities, traffic congestion, aggravation of resource energy consumption, inclined allocation of social resources, and deterioration of urban health. In the evolution of urban slow traffic network in China, there are some problems such as the scale imbalance and the lack of humanistic care. In the situation of global low-carbon economic development, green travel and low-carbon transportation have been widely concerned. As a people-oriented, harmonious and low-carbon traditional green travel mode in the urban transportation system, slow traffic has once again become the focus of research. This paper will demonstrate the necessity of the development in slow traffic system under the concept of healthy city, combined with the current development status of slow traffic. The characteristics of green slow traffic system are analyzed from two aspects of goal-oriented (slow traffic subject) and demand-oriented (slow traffic activity). Then this paper will point out the problems existing in the current slow traffic and summarize the theoretical basis for improving the slow traffic environment. The strategic framework of improving the slow traffic system is constructed from the aspect of urban planning to promote healthy urban construction.

Transnational Comparative Study on Building Grassroots Emergency Response Capacity: Managerial Economics Perspectives on COVID-19 in China and Singapore

This study aims to explore how China and Singapore can effectively respond to COVID-19 through emergency capacity building at the grass-roots and societal levels, and analyze the similarities and differences in response strategies of the two countries. First, the experience and lessons of China and Singapore in emergency management of public health incidents are analyzed. Secondly, it describes the model of analyzing the emergency response capacity of the grassroots and society, and explains the application measures of the theory. Thirdly, in the comparison of coping strategies, this paper analyzes the strategies of China and Singapore in social mobilization, information dissemination, resource allocation, social participation and technology application, and evaluates their effects and limitations. Finally, recommendations are made for future research on the economics of outbreak response and management, and the importance of building grassroots and social emergency response capacity is emphasized.

Стратегическое развитие «зеленого» финансирования в Китае

The growing severity of global climate change increases public environmental awareness. As a result, green financing has become a prospective area of financial services that attracts attention of investors, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Green financing means using financial tools and mechanisms to provide financial support for a green and low-carbon economy, as well as to promote environmental protection, sustainable development, and resource efficiency. Green finance not only introduces social capital into the green industry and the green economy, but also optimizes the allocation of social resources and creates new points of economic growth. This article reviews the current state of green financing in China. The authors analyzed the related development processes, defined the key challenges, and proposed some policy ecommendations.

A Novel Industrial Software Model for Social Manufacturing

Abstract Distinct from the conventional manufacturing paradigm, the functioning of the Social Manufacturing (SocialM) model relies on a vast and dispersed array of social manufacturing resources. SocialM communities/groups emerge autonomously through business interactions, resource self-organization, and production information sharing, all driven by product orders within the SocialM system. This necessitates a more open, distributed, and autonomous software model to facilitate the allocation and operation of social manufacturing resources in support of the SocialM model. Consequently, this paper introduces a novel software development model designed specifically for SocialM. This proposed model employs business interaction software as the system's primary control portal, enabling efficient management of resources and users based on the social manufacturing communities/groups. Additionally, it facilitates the administration and oversight of numerous applications by utilizing an industrial Appstore. Moreover, the paper delves into the technological roadmap for realizing the essential technologies of the software model by integrating multi-agent and Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) technologies. A 3D printing task simulation case was employed to demonstrate the model's working principle, which served to confirm the reliability and scalability of the SocialM software, as well as the feasibility of the SocialM theory.

Gendered Vulnerabilities in Disaster Responses: A Case Study of Majuli Island, Assam

This study employs a qualitative research methodology to study the gender disparities in disaster responses, focusing on the case study of Majuli Island in Assam, India, to provide nuanced insights into the distinct vulnerabilities experienced by women, particularly in the context of floods. Through an in-depth exploration of social norms, behavioural restrictions, and resource allocation practices, the research elucidates how women’s roles as caregivers and providers constrain their mobility and exacerbate their susceptibility to harm. The gendered ramifications of disasters on health, encompassing reproductive health issues and malnutrition, are underscored, alongside the psychological and physiological impacts that precipitate enduring mental anguish and heightened risks of violence and abuse. The findings underscore the imperative for gender-sensitive approaches to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, advocating for comprehensive strategies that foreground women’s safety, well-being, and empowerment. By adopting a qualitative research methodology grounded in descriptive investigation, the study delves deeply into the lived experiences of communities grappling with disaster risks, offering invaluable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and communities striving to foster inclusive and resilient societies.

Time Series Analysis of the Impact of Meteorological Conditions and Air Quality on the Number of Medical Visits for Hypertension in Haikou City, China

Meteorological conditions and air quality are important environmental factors in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as hypertension. The aim of this study was to take Haikou City, located on the tropical edge, as the research area and to analyze the exposure–response relationship and lag effect between its meteorological conditions, air quality, and the number of hypertensive patients. Using the data from the hypertension outpatient department of Hainan Provincial People’s Hospital from 2016 to 2018, together with meteorological data and air quality data, a distributed lag nonlinear model based on the nested generalized addition model of meteorological element base variables was established. The results showed that the impact of temperature on the risk of hypertension was mainly due to the cold effect, which was associated with high risk, with a lag of 1–10 days. When the temperature dropped to 10 °C, the cumulative effect on the risk of hypertension of relative risk (RR) reached its highest value on the day the low temperature occurred (RR was 2.30 and the 95% confidence interval was 1.723~3.061), passing the test with a significance level of 0.05. This result indicated that efforts should be made to strengthen the prevention of hypertension under low-temperature conditions and the prediction and early warning of disease risks. The impact of the air-quality effect (the environmental Air Quality Index was selected as an indicator) on the risk of hypertension was mainly characterized by a low air-quality effect, with a lag effect of 0–8 days. When the risk reached approximately 124, the RR was highest (RR was 1.63 and the 95% confidence interval was 1.104~2.408), passing the test with a significance level of 0.05. The research results can provide technical support for conducting medical meteorological forecasting, early warning, and services for hypertension. A joint work and research mechanism among multiple departments such as meteorology and medical health should be established to improve the level of medical and health care, optimize the allocation of social resources, and develop targeted prevention and control strategies to reduce the health and economic burden of hypertension.

Gender disparities in summer outdoor heat risk across China: Findings from a national county-level assessment during 1991–2020

Increasing anthropogenic global warming has emerged as a significant challenge to human health in China, as extreme heat hazards increasingly threaten outdoor-exposed populations. Differences in thermal comfort, outdoor activity duration, and social vulnerability between females and males may exacerbate gender inequalities in heat-related health risks, which have been overlooked by previous studies. Here, we combine three heat hazards and outdoor activity duration to identify the spatiotemporal variation in gender-specific heat risk in China during 1991–2020. We found that females' heat risk tends to be higher than that of males. Gender disparities in heat risk decrease in southern regions, while those in northern regions remain severe. Males are prone to overheating in highly urbanized areas, while females in low urbanized areas. Males' overheating risk is mainly attributed to population clustering associated with prolonged outdoor activity time and skewed social resource allocation. In contrast, females' overheating risk is primarily affected by social inequalities. Our findings suggest that China needs to further diminish gender disparities and accelerate climate adaptation planning.

Corporate environmental infringement, legal regulation, and sustainable development: punitive damages as a perspective

In order to maximize personal interests, enterprises have a tendency to choose environmental pollution in exchange for corporate profits, resulting in negative externalities; the Civil Code of the People’s Republic of China imposes legal regulations on the environmental infringement of enterprises in order to achieve the maximization of the use of the allocation of social resources and promote the sustainable development of society. Subsequent judicial interpretations have set a two-fold cap on the amount of punitive damages. However, in cases of extremely serious environmental damage, the two-fold cap on punitive damages for environmental infringement will create the possibility of insufficient compensation. Based on this, this paper analyzes the legal text of China’s punitive damages provisions for environmental infringement and analyzes the interrelationships between enterprises and between enterprises and potential environmental infringement victims in a game analysis. The results of the analysis show that as the amount of punitive damages for environmental infringement increases, the probability of the infringed person filing a lawsuit and that of the enterprise reducing its environmental infringement behavior also increase. In order to promote the cause of China’s sustainable development, this paper puts forward relevant suggestions for the improvement of China’s environmental legal regulation: first, the upper limit of the amount of punitive damages for environmental infringement should be canceled; second, the amount of reasonable punitive damages should be set on the basis of the damages caused by environmental infringement on human beings and the environment; lastly, in the baseline setting of the amount of punitive damages, additional factors need to be taken into account, and the amount of punitive damages should be set for the enterprises with a high degree of maliciousness. Finally, additional factors need to be considered in setting the benchmark for the amount of punitive damages, which should penalize the enterprises causing environmental infringement with a high degree of malice with heavier penalties and, at the same time, penalize the enterprises with a smaller scale of operation and economic strength with lighter penalties.

Depression among older adults before and during the pandemic: Follow-up assessment of a three-wave longitudinal observation

Previous studies have documented the average impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on depressive symptoms among the older population. However, discerning specific individuals at a higher risk and developing targeted support based on the significant average effect has proven challenging. In response to this gap, this study explored the influence of personal histories, encompassing pre-existing depression and personal depression trajectories, as well as personal experiences such as pandemic-related financial and health impacts, on deviations in individual depression curves during the pandemic. The results of the study indicated that individuals with pre-existing depressive symptoms or those affected by pandemic-related financial and health challenges experienced an upward deviation from their original depression trajectory, signifying a more severe level of depression during the pandemic. Interestingly, individuals who demonstrated a steeper growth in depression prior to the pandemic exhibited less severe depressive symptoms during this period, showcasing a downward deviation in their personal depression trajectory. These findings contribute valuable insights into the diverse personal factors driving depression during the pandemic. They also provide guidance on prioritizing the allocation of social support resources to effectively manage depression among the older population.

The Impact of Corporate Philanthropy on Optimising Unequal Allocation of Social Resources

The Impact of Corporate Philanthropy on Optimising Unequal Allocation of Social Resources

Research on the Influence of Depth and Breadth of Equity Reform on the Performance of State Owned Enterprises Based on Dynamic Panel Data Model

In order to explore the necessity of mixed ownership reform of state-owned enterprises and clarify the direction of mixed ownership reform of state-owned enterprises in China, this paper uses dynamic panel data model and bootstrap-DEA method to study the impact of “depth” and “breadth” of equity reform of state-owned enterprises in China on the performance of state-owned enterprise. The results show that there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between performance and the level of equitable reform of state-owned enterprises. When the depth of equity reform is 36.6%, the performance of mixed reform enterprises is the best. There is a positive U-shaped relationship between the breadth of equity reform and the performance of state-owned enterprises. When the breadth of equity reform is 12.47%, the performance of mixed reform enterprises is the worst. At the same time, it is found that the average performance of the sample enterprises shows an obvious downward trend, while the performance variance of the sample enterprises shows an obvious upward trend, and this trend has not changed significantly after China launched a new round of state-owned enterprise reform in 2015. According to the above research findings, this paper believes that the intervention of government forces is conducive to promoting the survival of the fittest of state-owned enterprises and the overall optimal allocation of social resources, but we should pay attention to the adoption of market-oriented means and should not directly interfere with the mixed reform of state-owned enterprises. At the same time, the mixed reform of state-owned enterprises in China is either relatively thorough, giving up the dominance of the largest state-owned shareholder, giving other shareholders a greater say, or not to carry out mixed reform, or symbolic mixed reform, otherwise it may aggravate the internal friction of the mixed reform state-owned enterprises, resulting in worse performance.

Social care data in the UK; current landscape, challenges, and future recommendations

ABSTRACT Objectives Social care in the United Kingdom (UK) refers to care provided due to age, illness, disability, or other circumstances. Social care provision offers an intermediary step between hospital discharge and sufficient health for independent living, which subsequently helps with National Health Service (NHS) bed capacity issues. UK Health Technology Assessments (HTAs) do not typically include social care data, possibly due to a lack of high-quality, accessible social care data to generate evidence suitable for submissions. Methods We identified and characterized secondary sources of UK social care data suitable for research (as of 2021). Sources were identified and profiled by desk research, supplemented by information from custodians and data experts. Results We identified twenty-one sources; six high potential (three national, three regional data sources), five future potential, seven limited potential, and three not considered further (outdated or lacking social care data). Conclusion Despite identifying numerous sources of social care data across the UK, opportunities and access for researchers appeared limited and could be improved. This would facilitate a deeper understanding of the clinical and economic burden of disease, the impact of medicines and vaccines on social care, enable better-informed HTA submissions and more efficient allocation of NHS and local council social care resources.

Optimization of Nursing Care Resource Allocation in an Aging Population Based on Combinatorial Optimization Algorithm

Abstract This paper first considers population aging as a breakthrough, analyzes the demand for long-term care due to population aging, and classifies the models and characteristics of long-term care. Secondly, the combinatorial optimization algorithm and its classical cases are analyzed, and a care resource allocation system is built based on the solution set performance metrics and multi-objective combinatorial optimization algorithm for an aging population society. In city A, a research experiment examines the elderly population and the allocation of nursing care resources. The results show that the Gini coefficient of the population distribution of nursing institutions is 0.027 and the Gini coefficient of the population distribution of the number of institutional beds is 0.296, both of which are less than 0.3, thus indicating that the overall structure of the current social nursing resource allocation is relatively fair.

Association of Social Vulnerability and COVID-19 Mortality Rates in Texas between 15 March 2020, and 21 July 2022: An Ecological Analysis.

Despite the key role of social vulnerability such as economic disadvantage in health outcomes, research is limited on the impact of social vulnerabilities on COVID-19-related deaths, especially at the state and county level in the USA. We conducted a cross-sectional ecologic analysis of COVID-19 mortality by the county-level Minority Health Social Vulnerability Index (MH SVI) and each of its components in Texas. Negative binomial regression (NBR) analyses were used to estimate the association between the composite MH SVI (and its components) and COVID-19 mortality. A 0.1-unit increase in the overall MH SVI (IRR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.04-1.55; p = 0.017) was associated with a 27% increase in the COVID-19 mortality rate. Among the MH SVI component measures, only low socioeconomic status (IRR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.28-1.89; p = 0.001) and higher household composition (e.g., proportion of older population per county) and disability scores (IRR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.29-1.68; p < 0.001) were positively associated with COVID-19 mortality rates. This study provides further evidence of disparities in COVID-19 mortality by social vulnerability and can inform decisions on the allocation of social resources and services as a strategy for reducing COVID-19 mortality rates and similar pandemics in the future.