Governance Approach Research Articles

The “Fasting of the Heart” (Xinzhai 心斋): Zhuangzi, Daoism and Its Transformative Healing Power in Contemporary Psychotherapy

This article investigates a form of psychotherapy rooted in the Daoist notion of xinzhai, “fasting of the heart” in the Zhuangzi. Xinzhai is described as a meditative practice that “empties” the heart ( xin 心) so that it becomes responsive to the world, but is not affected by it. Also known as the “mirror-heart,” this state is characteristic of the Daoist sage. The xinzhai therapy is practiced together with Jung’s Active Imagination and Bosnak’s Embodied Imagination. In this hybrid therapy, the therapist’s “empty heart” aids in developing a non-judgmental openness in the client, allowing free flow of vital energy ( qi 气) that may lead to the dissolution of object-subject boundaries and inner transformation ( wuhua 物化). The article critically assesses both the merits and pitfalls of such Daoism-based hybridized therapies. It argues that therapies based on ancient spiritual self-cultivation, and more generally, the psychologization of Daoism and the hybridized use of the heart ( xin) and the psyche in the context of a far-reaching pragmatic governmental approach to ancient wisdom may dilute the spiritual depths of Zhuangzi’s teachings.

Bawaslu's Strategy in Increasing Community Participation: Preventive Efforts in Supervision and Prevention of Violations in the 2024 Regional Election in Surabaya

This study aims to analyze the strategy of the Surabaya City Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) in increasing public participation as a preventive effort in supervising the 2024 Pilkada. Bawaslu uses a collaborative governance approach that involves non-government actors in decision-making and utilizes digital technology through the Sigaplapor platform to facilitate reporting of election violations. The use of social media and training for volunteer supervisors are also part of this strategy. The results of the study show that public participation through a collaborative approach and digital technology has succeeded in strengthening election supervision. However, there are still challenges in the form of limited digital literacy and resistance from certain political actors. This policy requires increasing digital literacy, strengthening cooperation with law enforcement, and increasing digital security to ensure the sustainability of inclusive, transparent, and accountable election supervision.

Evolution of the UK Tilt to the Indo-Pacific Region

The article explores the conceptual foundations of the UK “tilt to the Indo-Pacific”, its evolution and the transformation of the strategic narrative ensued therefrom as it is impacted by a number of factors from both outside and within. The author notes that the flagship proposal of the Conservative cabinet for indivisible Euro-Atlantic and IndoPacific security is twofold: to extrapolate the principles of transatlantic security to the new region, and to present Britain in the emerging multipolarity in a new ambitious role as a link between two mega-spaces. It is highlighted the continuity of the foreign policy approach of the new Labor government, which, based on the conceptual framework of the Conservative cabinet, seeks to strengthen London’s position in the Indo-Pacific. It is shown that the strategy of the Conservative government in the Indo-Pacific is limited not only by resource scarcity but also by heated internal debates as to an ultimate goal of its presence in the region (the degree of involvement in the economic and defense ecosystem), as well as the nature of future relations with China. Moreover, London’s position is also weakened by the contradictory attitude of regional actors towards the UK’s role in the region, as well as broad inter-party discussions on adjusting the foreign policy strategy in the region.

COVID-19 pandemic- mitigation and governmental response, Uttarakhand

The Health Department of the Uttarakhand State Government, in collaboration with various other departments, implemented a timely and comprehensive response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. A range of administrative and technical strategies were adopted, encompassing not only preventive and mitigation measures but also interventions designed to address the pandemic's economic and social impacts. This editorial highlights the coordinated efforts of different departments and the integrated governmental approach taken by the state of Uttarakhand to effectively respond to and mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Exploring the Transformation of Education for Children with Disabilities in China: Implementation and Challenges of Inclusive Education Policies

This paper examines China's significant shift in the education of disabled children from segregated special education to the inclusive "Learning in Regular Classroom" (LRC) model, in alignment with international trends. The elitist structure in the educational system, geographic concerns, and teacher resources are the three main obstacles both inside and outside of China's educational system that are the subject of this paper. The paper analyses the theoretical and practical challenges encountered in implementing inclusive education (IE). Additionally, it analyzes the factors contributing to the inability of Chinese society to accept children with disabilities.The paper evaluates the effectiveness and reasonableness of the Chinese government's approaches to resolving these issues and emphasizes that, in reality, it is doubtful if children with disabilities are actually granted their full right to an education. The paper suggests that the Chinese government could consider using technology to promote IE and try to change people's prejudices against children with disabilities.

Regional Governance Challenges in Implementing EU Smart Speciali-zation Policy: A Critical Review

This review paper has three main objectives: first, to examine the governance challenges associated with the implementation of smart specialization policies in different EU regions; second, to examine the governance challenges faced by weaker regions; and third, to explore specific governance approaches to address these challenges. A systematic literature review was conducted to analyze the most relevant studies, extract critical findings, and derive lessons and practical policy recommendations. The review identified two key challenges in the governance of smart specialization policies, namely stakeholder engagement and institutional readiness. These challenges are common in most EU regions and are more critical in weaker regions. Further analysis reveals specific governance approaches that can address these challenges, with some literature explicitly linking these approaches to multilevel governance. Given the gaps identified in the existing literature, this paper aims to lay the groundwork for future research to explore these governance approaches in the context of smart specialization policies in EU regions and, more specifically, in weaker regions.

Estimating urban growth on Mersin, Tarsus and Adana corridor in Türki̇ye by using Cellular Automata and Markov Chain

In many developing countries, urban growth is often unplanned and haphazard, leading to significant threats to the sustainable use of urban land. This study predicts future urban expansion patterns in the Mersin, Tarsus and Adana corridor in Türkiye using Cellular Automata and Markov Chain models. Analysing Landsat satellite images from 1989 to 2019, we simulated land use changes for 2019, 2031, and 2049. The results indicate a projected increase in urban areas from 3.8% in 2019 to 7.4% by 2049, with significant expansion onto fertile agricultural areas. This unregulated growth highlights the urgent need for a well-planned governance approach that balances economic, social, and environmental factors to ensure resilient and sustainable urban development.

The concept of the strategic state: An assessment after 30 years

AbstractThe strategic state was conceptualised 30 years ago in response to neoliberal reforms of government and the rise of New Public Management that began in Western democracies in the 1980s. The concept was widely used by the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development in assessing the performance of governments through the 2000s. This research note describes how the concept has evolved, lessons learned from the application of the concept over the last 20 years, and some new developments that affirm the continuing relevance of the concept but also make its practical application more challenging.Points for practitioners The strategic state is a well‐established concept of long‐term, outcomes‐based government. It is pertinent to contemporary debates around mission‐driven government and wellbeing approaches to government. The strategic state requires long‐term and sustained investment in strategic capabilities, in part to mitigate against electoral pressures. Secondly, it requires a connection from strategy to action through clear accountability processes for both individuals and organisations including appropriate budgeting and evaluation mechanisms. Thirdly, a successful strategic state requires effective collaboration between different levels of government. This can be supported through a relational approach to public service design and delivery. Challenges to the strategic state include increased turbulence from political events, economic crises, the climate emergency, and the rise of artificial intelligence; the erosion of public trust in government and social cohesion combined with the rise of populist movements; and a decay in the media environment with increasing public alienation and polarisation in political debate.

Life and Quality of Life of Older Adults in Residential Centers in Spain: A Focus Group Analysis Based on Center Quality from the Perspective of Management Stakeholders.

New residential models for older adults highlight the need for both public and private institutions to adopt new governance and management approaches. These approaches focus on strategic frameworks that guide decision-making, daily operations, and processes aimed at addressing and resolving the economic and social challenges faced by our society while promoting quality standards that serve the public good. The primary objective of this research is to identify and analyze the quality of residential centers and their impact on improving the quality of life of older adult residents from the perspective of management stakeholders; Methods: This study employed a qualitative methodology, involving systematic literature reviews and the analysis of focus groups. The participants were professionals from various fields working with older adults in Spanish residential centers; Results: The results reveal widespread dissatisfaction among participants regarding the need for change to improve both the quality of the centers and the quality of life for older adult residents; Conclusions: This study suggests that the well-being of older adults residing in these centers requires regulatory changes that focus on person-centered care and are tailored to the specific needs of the residents.

Encountering the Postcolonial State: Development Bureaucracy and Social Transformation in Rural Pre-Independent Bangladesh, 1947–70

This article explores how the rural areas of East Pakistan—Bangladesh since 1971—experienced the postcolonial state during 1947–70. How did the rural population react when facing the state-building efforts? An exploration of this question would reveal how the state carried forward the ‘burdens’ of colonial administration and approach for governance, as well as the ways in which the pre-existing society continued to mould the postcolonial ‘state’. Focusing away from the national elites, this article investigates the dynamics among the rural population, the local elites and the development bureaucracy. The article locates power dynamics in the spatial and temporal realities of social life. Finally, the article indicates to what extent and in which ways continuities and changes occurred during the postcolonial state period (1947–70) for the rural people in pre-independence Bangladesh.

Studying the Effectiveness of Government Approaches to Incidents and Crisis in the Egyptian Hospitality Sector

Studying the Effectiveness of Government Approaches to Incidents and Crisis in the Egyptian Hospitality Sector

Digital Transformation of BPRACo by Designing IT Governance with COBIT 2019 SME Focus Area

Digital transformation (DT) is a necessity for incumbent companies today, including MSMEs, to be able to continue to compete in the era of technological disruption and accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This research aims to design IT governance (ITG) for BPRACo MSMEs using the COBIT 2019 SME focus area framework. The research method used is design science research (DSR) which creates artifacts in the form of ITG solution development methods and systems. The research results revealed that the highest GMO priorities selected were APO10 Managed Vendors, MEA03 Managed Compliance with External Requirements, and APO12 Managed Risk. From the analysis of the selected GMOs, there are gaps and recommendations for improvement in the seven components which are then mapped into three aspects, namely people, process and technology aspects. The results of the research analysis show that the ambidextrous IT governance approach has succeeded in increasing the level of capability in several main components of BPRACo MSMEs in adopting DT. The right ITG strategy can help BPRACo MSMEs operating in the banking industry achieve a successful DT journey.

WHO Pandemic Treaty

This paper examines the political and ethical implications of the proposed pandemic treaty within the context of global health governance (GHG). Analyzing the treaty's development, we found that the explicit political content has been moderated from the initial draft of the document to its latest version. The treaty’s ethical considerations rooted in global bioethics, however, remain central. Bearing this finding in mind, we explore the treaty’s navigation of global health imperatives and national sovereignty. More so, we highlight the treaty's potential to reshape international health relations through scientific cooperation and knowledge sharing, and we consider the document’s adaptability to emerging technologies in healthcare, such as AI. Despite implementation challenges of the treaty, we conclude that this document represents a significant step toward formalizing the interconnection between global health and politics, underscoring the enduring relevance of ethical approaches in international health governance and diplomacy.

Scaling rainwater harvesting for irrigation in Kenya: potential sustainability risks and the need for adaptive governance

Abstract Rainwater harvesting for irrigation (RWHI) systems offer many benefits to smallholder farmers in Kenya, including the possibility of agricultural intensification and improved resilience to climate change in more arid areas. However, the scaling of RWHI systems could inadvertently pose risks to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Governance institutions in Kenya tasked with managing RWHI adoption processes are often unaware of such risks and ill-equipped to manage them when they emerge. To address this gap, this article first presents key insights from the literature on innovation scaling and adaptive governance on how undesirable effects of scaling can be mitigated. Then, based on the results of a global literature review and a case study in Kenya, it outlines potential environmental, social, and economic risks of scaling RWHI that may manifest in the Kenyan context. Environmentally, the biggest risk is that widespread adoption of RWHI, while increasing water availability at the household level, will alter hydrological flows and impact ecosystem functioning. Socially, major risks of scaling RWHI include increased inequities in water access and rights, as those with the resources to adopt RWHI are able to store and use more water than others. Finally, economic risks may emerge when farmers who have adopted RWHI to grow cash crops experience heightened vulnerability to market fluctuations. The article ends with a discussion on governance approaches that could be applied to ensure responsible RWHI scaling in Kenya. Key recommendations include creating institutions that embed adaptive governance mechanisms, democratizing the development of scaling strategies to ensure their collective ownership, and enhancing monitoring and data collection capacities for effective response. These measures aim to balance short-, medium-, and long-term objectives across various scales and user groups to maximize sustainability outcomes during RWHI scaling processes.

Corrigendum to “A participatory local governance approach to social innovation: A case study of Seongbuk-gu, South Korea”

Corrigendum to “A participatory local governance approach to social innovation: A case study of Seongbuk-gu, South Korea”

Carbon governance or trade gaming: China's approach to addressing the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism

The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) poses a significant challenge for developing countries, especially China, a key player in the global market and a major carbon emitter. We use the GTAP-E model to evaluate CBAM's impact on China's economy and carbon reduction efforts, and propose two response strategies: carbon governance approaches and international trade gaming. Our findings show that CBAM may lead to a slight decrease of 0.003% in China's GDP and a 0.004% reduction in carbon emissions. It also generates ripple effects across the supply chain, notably affecting energy-intensive upstream industries. We find that the combination of carbon pricing and trade agreements is more effective than trade protection measures in minimizing economic losses from CBAM. This is achieved through mechanisms such as sharing carbon reduction costs and promoting decarbonization on both the supply and demand sides. Furthermore, improving carbon governance can enhance the green competitiveness of Chinese products. Going forward, China should maintain trade agreements with developing countries and enhance its carbon pricing mechanism to better align with global climate governance. Our study offers valuable policy insights for developing countries as they navigate the challenges posed by CBAM.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Local-Based Approaches Adopted Towards Addressing Terrorism in Lamu County, Kenya and Baadadhe District, Somalia

In the global context, terrorism has evolved into a complex and transnational threat. Al-Shabaab posed significant threats, particularly to East African countries, due to its capacity for numerous attacks in Somalia and neighboring nations. Despite employing alternative strategies, such as a multiagency and comprehensive government approach to tackle terrorism in Lamu and Baadadhe, acts of terror persisted in the region. The study explored the efficacy of a populace-centered approach in curbing terrorism in Somalia and Kenya. The populace-centered approach aimed to actively involve the local population in Lamu County, Basuba Ward, in socio-economic development initiated by security personnel to address the root cause of insecurity problems. The approach was guided by the Securitization theory, System theory, and Power theory, which held a significant relationship with the terror threats and insecurity challenges in Lamu County and Baadadhe district. The study employed a descriptive research design with stratified sampling, with target population 4506 and a sample size of 363 obtained through Slovin sampling formula. It gathered stakeholders' perspectives through questionnaires, interviews, and group discussions. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses . Quantitative data was analyzed through statistical analysis while qualitative data was analyzed thematic analysis. The analysis revealed community responses to terrorism, including physical and cyber threats, through initiatives like neighborhood watch groups and religious collaborations. The study highlighted the importance of strengthening existing structures like neighborhood watch groups and enhancing collaborations with religious leaders and schools. The study concluded that the populace involvement in countering terrorism in Lamu, Kenya and Baadadhe, Somalia reflects a vigilant and multifaceted approach encompassing various aspects, from physical to cyber threats. Further, the research concluded that populace-centered approach is effective in curbing terrorism through information sharing. The study recommended for active involvement of community leaders in security committees and advocated for a legal framework supporting a populace-centered approach to counter-terrorism. Policymakers and security agencies should consider diverse economic and environmental contexts in Lamu County, Kenya, Baadadhe, Somalia.

The Effect of the Rise of Populism in South Korea on Its Governments Diplomatic Relations with Japan

As a former colony of Japan, South Koreas relationship with Japan has always been ambivalent. South Korea did form an alliance with Japan through the alliance with the United States and a geopolitical situation, but tension remained due to historical grievances between the two countries. In recent years, populist South Koreans have demanded the government take a harsher stance towards Japan when addressing historical problems as they look for genuine apologies from Japan, challenging the governments approach when engaging with Japan. This paper, through case analysis, explores how populism shaped the foreign policy of the Korean government. This paper finds that the publics sensitivity towards Japans historical issues, combined with the political structure of South Korea, played a huge role in shaping their administrations interactions with Japan and verified existing theories regarding populisms role in foreign policies in the specific case of the Dokdo/Takeshima dispute.

Galvanising social innovation in gambling harms reduction: a process evaluation of a multi-component Community of Practice.

Communities of Practice (CoPs) are increasingly used in health and non-health sectors globally. Evidence suggests that CoPs can support health promotion activities, but the research mainly encompasses formal, professional contexts: the role and contribution of CoPs in community-centred health promotion has not been explored. This paper presents a process evaluation of a CoP that aimed to facilitate social innovation among voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations. Hosted by a city-region government in England, VCFSE organisations were invited to join a CoP to enable the development and implementation of their ideas for addressing gambling harms. The process evaluation sought to develop mid-level programme theory for the use of CoPs in community-centred health promotion. Data collection consisted of 33 qualitative interviews with stakeholders, as well as project reporting. Data were organised using a framework approach which supported the construction of themes and a complex intervention model. The research team reflected on these to develop the programme theory. The CoP facilitated the development of community-centred interventions for addressing gambling harms through a two-track process: first, a community of VCFSE staff was formed, whose understanding of gambling harms was nurtured through discussions led by people with Lived Experience; second, the CoP contributed to project development via collaboration, knowledge sharing and an integrated referral pathway, although project-level benefits were uneven. Learning was generated in community engagement, training, education, support and social campaigns. The findings confirm the combined effectiveness of a CoP, varied VCFSE projects and people with Lived Experience to co-create an evolving knowledge-base for a city-region government's gambling harms reduction strategy. CoPs may therefore complement partnership working in community settings, although additional training support may be required in comparison with CoPs involving health professionals. The city-region government's approach could be replicated in other emerging public health areas.

Urbanization governance approaches for the sustainability of WEF resources: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Urbanization is a socioeconomic and geopolitical issue that affects the sustainability of resources. Therefore, this study uses Mean Item Score (MIS) and structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyse urbanization governance for the sustainability of WEF resources. The study established urbanization measures that significantly affect the WEF nexus and the urban governance approaches for WEF Nexus sustainability. The research findings revealed that urbanization has a statistically significant effect on the sustainability of the WEF nexus through indicators of urban place (population size and employment status), over-urbanization (overpopulation) and urban primacy. Moreover, the study revealed three urban governance approaches to ensuring the sustainability of the WEF nexus: Circular economy business models in the CBD, migration-orientated urban infrastructures and demand–pull governance modes for urban poverty. This study concludes with two policy recommendations for redesigning migration documents with WEF statistics and repurposing urban areas.