Policy Assessment Research Articles

Оптимизация деятельности таможенных органов Дальневосточного региона в условиях наращивания российско-китайского товарооборота

The article examines the current conditions of customs authorities in the Far Eastern region in the context of increasing foreign trade between Russia and China. It illustrates the results of the activities of the region’s customs authorities and highlights the main challenges. An assessment of state policy in the development of customs administration at the Russian-Chinese customs border is provided, existing problems are identified, and solutions are proposed.

Demystification of Readiness, Security, and Technological Enhancements in the Adoption of a Cashless Economy

The adoption of a cashless economy was accelerated globally by the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brunei Darussalam was not excluded from this trend, as pandemic-related restrictions were implemented to ensure the safety of its population. In light of the COVID-19 crisis, this research paper examines the factors influencing the readiness and acceptance of a cashless economy among working society in Brunei Darussalam. The integrated concepts of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Technology Readiness Index (TRI) are applied to examine perceptions impacting their acceptance and readiness to continue adopting a cashless economy. The methodology includes a literature review and the use of secondary data from government reports and industry publications. A quantitative approach is employed, utilizing an online survey to collect non-probability samples from 212respondents. The main instruments used in the survey are structured questionnaires. The study’s findings show that factors such as the assessment of payment modes, technological development, digital literacy, knowledge, regulatory policies, and security concerns significantly affect working society’s perceptions, readiness, and acceptance of a cashless economy. These results provide insights for policymakers and stakeholders on the key factors influencing continued cashlessness adoption and shaping societal behavior towards cashless payments.

Conceptual framework for considering animal welfare in sustainability assessments of foods

In recent years, many studies analyzed the environmental, health and economic implications of the production and consumption of different foods – and, on this basis, evaluated their sustainability. However, associated impacts on animals have remained largely unexamined and existing assessment approaches are still immature and often lack reflection on their normative assumptions and resulting implications. As animal welfare concerns increase, this represents a shortcoming, leaving a critical sustainability issue without due consideration. To address this, we develop a conceptual framework that guides the key decisions for assessing animal welfare impacts of foods. The framework is derived from an integrative literature review and revised following external feedback from expert focus groups. It bridges the research fields of food system modeling, animal welfare science and animal ethics and can guide researchers in developing assessment approaches and assessing animal welfare impacts of foods, from individual food items to whole diets. The framework also directs transparent communication of the most important assessment decisions. We outline key considerations for animal welfare assessments of foods, highlight associated challenges and discuss quality criteria as well as technical and normative strategies to address them. Our contribution provides a basis for future research to integrate animal welfare into sustainability evaluations of food and investigate tradeoffs and synergies with environmental, social or economic issues. Following this framework in future assessments facilitates the integration of animal welfare into food-related policy assessments and public decisions.

Research Topics and Trends in Gifted Education: A Structural Topic Model

Many articles have been published in gifted education in recent years. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the evolution of academic studies in gifted education. In this context, the structural topic modeling (STM) method was used to analyze the topics and trends in the field. STM is a machine learning technique that utilizes natural language processing techniques based on text mining. It is a valuable methodology for identifying a text corpus’s main topics and trends. The corpus used in this study is 5,127 articles from nine leading journals in giftedness without any year limitations. As a result of the analysis, five topics that prominently emerged in the literature were discovered. These are curriculum and instruction, social-emotional characteristics, thinking skills, identification and assessment tools, and equity and policies. The research topics and trends discovered due to the analysis are discussed within the literature framework, and recommendations are presented.

Impact Assessment of Technological Innovation Policy on The Competitiveness of Spain's Cloud Computing Market

This paper discusses the impact assessment of technological innovation policy on the competitiveness of Spanish cloud computing market. The research points out that under the wave of digitalization, cloud computing technology has become the key to promote the development of informatization. As an important economy in Europe, the development of Spain's cloud computing market is of great significance to digital transformation. The technological innovation policies introduced by the European Union and the Spanish government, such as GAIA-X project, Industry 4.0 strategy and carbon neutrality goal, not only promoted the development of cloud technology, but also promoted the prosperity of the Spanish cloud computing market. GAIA-X project has brought opportunities for cooperation and competition for Spain, while Industry 4.0 strategy and carbon neutrality goal have stimulated the demand of enterprises for cloud computing. At the same time, Spain's domestic policies such as "Digital 2025 Plan" and Microsoft and Amazon's investment in data centers in Spain provide a good environment and opportunities for the cloud computing market. These policies have promoted the standardized development of the cloud computing market and enhanced the market competitiveness. Spain's public cloud market is growing steadily and is expected to continue to expand in the next few years. The establishment of a data center in Spain by cloud vendors not only promoted the country's position in the global cloud computing network, but also brought significant feedback effects to the local cloud computing market. The research reveals the mutual promotion relationship between policy and market, emphasizing the key role of policy in creating favorable environment and promoting market demand growth, while the development of market promotes the improvement and innovation of policy. This paper provides valuable insights and suggestions for the further prosperity of Spanish cloud computing industry.

Building stock energy modeling to assess annual progress in stock energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction of commercial buildings

Short-term progress assessments of carbon dioxide emission reductions are essential for nations to meet their medium/long-term targets. Bottom-up building stock energy modeling (BSEM) methods can contribute to this issue but have not been applied because of the need to represent short-term building stock dynamics in building systems and energy conservation measures (ECMs). To fill this gap, this study developed a BSEM framework that integrates top-down building stock decomposition, including building systems and ECMs, and bottom-up physics-based energy demand quantification using reference building models representing building stock segments. The framework was verified through a case study of a Japanese commercial building stock. The results indicate that the developed model effectively captures the short-term dynamics and contributions of the technologies. Although there are significant errors in estimating some building subsectors and end uses, the model predicts the changes in the aggregated energy consumption with acceptable accuracy. The Japanese 2030 emission reduction target cannot be achieved with the current technology deployment trends; however, the shortfall can be addressed by applying additional measures. Owing to its applicability to diverse building stocks, the framework promotes the use of BSEM for policy assessment and evidence-based policymaking for climate change mitigation.

Andean Landscape Legacies: Comprehensive Remote Sensing Mapping and GIS Analysis of Long-Term Settlement and Land Use for Sustainable Futures (NW Argentina)

The Andes region has an exceptional record of high-altitude settlements integrated within widespread regional chains of mobility and exchange. The Sierra de Aconquija (NW Argentina, south-central Andes) is an effective climatic barrier that has afforded an enduring indigenous approach to land use, mobility, and exchange over millennia. Despite this rich history, the Sierra has been largely considered marginal in pre-Columbian regional cultural developments. Today, the expansion of extractive industries threatens the region’s heritage and the sustainable futures of local communities. Innovative, integrative methodologies are needed for landscape characterisation, heritage assessment, and sustainable policy development. Building on earlier work, we undertook the first comprehensive mapping of archaeological features over 3800 sq. km of the Sierra using interpreter-led assessment of commercial and open-access satellite imagery and DSM data, to verify earlier assumptions and to identify previously unnoticed trends in the aggregation, distribution, and connectivity of archaeological features. The mapping identified 6794 features distributed unevenly but with clear tendencies towards maximising topographic, ecologic, and connectivity advantages expressed consistently across the study area. The outcomes confirm the important role the Sierra had in pre-Hispanic times, highlighting the significance of ancient indigenous practices for the sustainability of vulnerable upland landscapes both in the Andes and worldwide.

Anticipatory climate policy mix pathways: a framework for ex-ante construction and assessment applied to the road transport sector

ABSTRACT Globally, climate policy implementation is failing to deliver on the ambitions outlined in the Paris Agreement and countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions. We argue that a more strategic and anticipatory approach to policy mix design and implementation can help contribute to realizing these ambitions. Policy mixes need to co-evolve as energy transitions progress, in order to effectively target multiple transition challenges as these change over time. Accordingly, policy assessments need to both consider interactions between instruments and adopt a dynamic perspective, in terms of design logics and evaluative criteria. We highlight the need for a construction and assessment methodology for designing policy mix pathways which explicitly considers durability risks which could weaken support and lead to dismantling, and anticipatory design principles which can help mitigate these risks. Our paper addresses this gap by proposing and illustrating a novel framework for policy instrument mix pathway construction and ex-ante assessment. We identify generalizable durability challenges for effective anticipatory design: dynamic cost effectiveness, the distributive impacts and acceptance of pathways, along with fiscal and governance requirements for effective implementation. We demonstrate the value of the approach by application to the German light-duty vehicle sector transition. We construct and comparatively assess three illustrative pathways promising to deliver the German LDV sector 2030 GHG targets. The pathways differ in logic, and which of three main market dynamics driving a diffusion-stage transition they emphasize: battery electric vehicle (BEV) purchase, vehicle stock usage, and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle scrappage. Accordingly, the pathways utilize different instrument combinations, design features and calibrations. We also assess the illustrative pathways and discuss trade-offs. We argue that this approach can help improve climate policy planning and implementation processes, and increase the likelihood attaining ambitious mitigation targets.

Religious Inequalities and Human Rights: Implications for International Development

: This article explores the impact of inequalities linked to religious identity on development strategies and outcomes. Religious prejudice and differential treatment among communities affect development practice and outcomes, undermining social harmony and cohesion and deflecting development strategies. Development actors, however, often fail to take these issues fully into account. Unequal treatments range from discriminatory exclusion and persecution to preferential treatment, creating or accentuating inequalities among communities. Human rights violations are often involved. By various measures, problematic situations are increasing across countries, sparking social tensions that can undermine social compacts. Assessments of inequality and policies to address inequality should take more clearly into account religious identities and communities.

Challenges of Adult Education in China: A Review

This literature review examined the situation of adult education in China, using Knowles' Andragogy Theory and an assessment of legislation, policies, and challenges to adult learning. Knowles' approach emphasizes the value of self-directed, experiential learning, which is critical for adult learners. In China, the government has implemented laws such as the "Lifelong Education Law" to encourage continual learning, although considerable problems remain. These include insufficient finance, out-of-date curricula, restricted access to educational resources, and social attitudes that devalue adult education. Therefore, this review emphasized the need for policy refinement, creative teaching methods, and more investment in infrastructure and educator training. Addressing these difficulties is essential in developing a strong adult education system in China that encourages lifelong learning.

Have City Deals delivered higher productivity in England? An empirical assessment of a broad-spectrum local growth policy

Have City Deals delivered higher productivity in England? An empirical assessment of a broad-spectrum local growth policy

Economic assessment of MSW reduction policy in the Republic of Kazakhstan using contingent valuation method

The growth of waste, including food waste, is one of the main environmental problems of current time. Our planet is increasingly covered with waste every year, and a large area is formed under landfills. Therefore, the ways to reduce waste effectively are being investigated by worldwide scientists. Composting is one of the proven means of dealing with food (organic) waste. Fortunately, this method of recycling food waste is actively practiced in Kazakhstan. However, statistics show that food waste recycling is still developing slowly. Only 3% of the total amount of waste processed is food waste. To develop effective strategies for addressing environmental programs, scientists propose using the CV method to determine the monetary value of environmental benefits. Furthermore, the examination of household behaviour regarding food waste is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of government environmental programs. The results of this study showed that Kazakhstanis expressed their willingness to support the environmental initiative and pay 10 tenge more for utilities if this money was used to create food industry enterprises. This amount will be 600 million per year. The results of the regression analysis showed the importance of age and leading an environmentally friendly lifestyle in supporting environmental initiatives. Although we consider the results of this study to be preliminary data and continue to work on scaling the sample size, the chosen method of analysis may nonetheless be of interest to other researchers in the field.

Perception of the elementary mathematics teachers about assessment for learning: a case study of Sukkur IBA community colleges, Sindh, Pakistan

This study aims to explore the perceptions of elementary mathematics teachers regarding assessment for learning (AfL). The participants of this study included three elementary mathematics teachers, each with over 5 years of teaching experience at Sukkur IBA community colleges and schools in Sindh, Pakistan. These participants were selected using purposive sampling techniques. A qualitative exploratory case study research approach was used, with data collected through semi-structured interviews and observations. To ensure the trustworthiness of the study, the interview guide and observation checklist were reviewed by experts. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings of this study revealed that teachers had a limited understanding of the concept of assessment for learning. Based on these results, the study recommends several measures: the initiation of an assessment literacy program, an increase in class time, reducing the number of students per class, using moveable chairs to enhance classroom flexibility, and making amendments to the assessment policy.

The Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation in the 1990s in the assessments of domestic social Democratic parties

The article is devoted to the consideration of assessments of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation in the 1990s by domestic social democratic parties. The subject of the study is the publications of representatives of Russian Social Democrats, which reflect their views on the foreign policy of the Russian Federation during the period of Boris Yeltsin. The Social Democratic parties in the world and in Russia at that time influenced both the domestic and foreign policies of their states. The assessments of the social democratic parties in their programs and press reflect a wide range of views on the foreign policy of our state in the 1990s. Depending on the directions of the Social Democrats - left and right, their contradictions in views are displayed, which shows the breadth of social democratic thought at that time. The study uses a historical and comparative method, a civilizational approach in analyzing the assessments of the positions of the right-wing social Democrats and a world-system analysis in analyzing the assessments of the positions of the left-wing social Democrats. The scientific novelty of the study consists in identifying the positions of the social democratic parties of the 1990s on the foreign policy course of the Russian Federation, and the different assessments of the country's foreign policy by left and right social Democrats. The study reveals differences in the assessments of social democratic parties and their priorities in the foreign policy of the Russian Federation, depending on their directions - the left social Democrats and the right social Democrats. The article evaluates the attitude of the parties to the official course of the authorities of the Russian Federation at that time, who advocated the country's close integration into the Western world. The conclusion is made about the role of social Democrats of different directions in constructing a new understanding of Russia's foreign policy, based on the ideological positions of the parties.

The Implementation of the Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support Policy to Manage and Support Teaching and Learning Processes in KwaZulu-Natal

The Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) policy was developed to enable South African schools to respond systemically to diverse needs within an inclusive education (IE) system. This study explored teachers’ role as case managers with the implementation of the SIAS policy in inclusive education in three schools in the Pinetown District of KwaZulu-Natal. One departmental head and one principal from each of the selected schools were interviewed while two focus group discussions per school consisting of six teachers were conducted. The researcher used a reflective journal during the research process to ensure that the study was conducted rigorously as this improves the quality of the study. This qualitative study was grounded by Bronfenbrenner’s Bio-Ecological Systems Theory. The findings revealed that teachers lack adequate knowledge of the SIAS policy, leading to insecurity in its implementation. Overcrowded classes also pose a challenge, hindering teachers’ ability to provide individual support. The research aimed to contribute to a greater understanding of teachers’ challenges in understanding SIAS policy and the effective implementation of inclusive education. This study discusses the inadequate knowledge, understanding, and skills of teachers in implementing the SIAS policy effectively. To remedy this, regular workshops should be provided to teachers, which should explain the SIAS process or protocol, provide information on the responsibilities of all stakeholders, and inform teachers about their roles and responsibilities as case managers. Additionally, collaboration between the DBST, SBST, parents, and teachers is essential for the successful implementation of the policy, as it aims to provide teachers with the necessary support and resources. Keywords: Inclusive Education, District Based Support Team, Case Managers, School-Based Support Team, Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support

Navigating new assessment policy

The last issue of Assessment News (Darr & Cosslett, 2024) outlined NZCER’s position on possible assessment policy directions that had been signalled by parties within the new coalition government. Since then, the Government has released a plan for consistent assessment, which requires all primary schools to use standardised assessment tools twice yearly. The PATs are one of three choices of assessment tools that schools can use for progression monitoring in Years 3–8. This edition of Assessment News is written by members of NZCER’s Assessment Services and Education Advisory teams. The team reflects on how they are going about providing the support needed to help schools to navigate the new policy settings and build assessment and data analysis capability according to where each school is at and what they want to achieve.

A Framework for Studying EU Health Policy through a Political Determinants of Health Lens: The Case of the European Health Union

Context: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how the European Union (EU) impacts national health systems and people's health. In November 2020, the European Commission launched the European Health Union (EHU) to better coordinate and maximize EU member states’ abilities to deal with cross-border health threats. This article scrutinizes the early institutionalization of the EHU and its implications for EU health policy as a political determinant of health (PDoH). Methods: The article explores how EU health policy may be appreciated from a PDoH perspective. It draws from EU documents and existing research to analyze the early-stage institutionalization of the EHU. The study complements this policy output–focused perspective with an outcome-based exploratory assessment of EU health policy as a PDoH focusing on three examples: joint vaccine procurement, health reforms and investments under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and the development of a European Health Data Space. Findings: The article shows that the policy change triggered by the EHU and the potential impact on citizens’ health are not necessarily congruent. Modest change can have a potentially strong impact on health outcomes and vice versa. Conclusions: The article argues that the PDoH perspective provides a useful approach that is complementary to policy output–based perspectives, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of the EU's role in health.

An Analysis to the Link between Foreign Trade and Sectorial Economic Growth in Iraq

This research aims to analyse the link between oil export, commodity imports and other major sectors such as agricultural, manufacturing and service sectors over the period spanning from 2004 to 2020. So, it aims to extrapolating and analyse the role of Iraqi economic policy toward the diversification. Therefore, it tries to assess the governmental economic performance in utilizing oil revenues for reinforcement the manufacturing and agriculture sectors. For this purpose, the Granger causal relationship is used to find out the magnitude of the variables examined. The expected results will depict an assessment of the public economic policy. Thus, this paper tries to extrapolate to what extent the oil revenues can be circulated to activate the local economic sectors and enhance level of economic diversification in Iraq as an announced policy during the period studied.

Evaluating the Impact of Education Policy Reforms on Financial Literacy: A Meta-Analysis of Financial Education Initiatives in U.S. Schools

This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of U.S. education policy reforms on financial literacy outcomes through the implementation of financial education initiatives in schools. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, identifying relevant studies published between 2000 and 2023. After removing duplicates and screening based on pre-defined inclusion criteria, 35 studies were included in the final analysis. Data were extracted on key variables such as policy intervention types, student demographics, curriculum content, and assessment methods. The results were synthesized using random-effects meta-analysis, revealing significant improvements in financial literacy scores following policy reforms. However, variations in effectiveness were observed based on socioeconomic status and geographic regions. The findings highlight the critical role of well-structured education policies in enhancing financial literacy among students and offer recommendations for future policy directions to ensure equitable access and outcomes across diverse student populations. There was no financial support for this study.

A Quest to Nurture Creativity in Technology Classrooms: Are Physical Factors a Spanner in the Works?

Nurturing creativity in Technology classrooms will, potentially, prepare learners for adaptability to the sweeping transformations that the new industrial revolutions portend and equip them to maximise the opportunities inherent in these revolutions. This study examined the effects of physical factors on the development of creativity in Grade 9 Technology classrooms. A qualitative research design was employed to purposively sample three Grade 9 Technology teachers to participate in this study. Open-ended questionnaires and non-participant observations were used as the methods of data collection for the study and the data were analysed thematically. The research findings show that creative pedagogy and the resultant development of creativity in the classroom, to a significant extent, are influenced by physical factors – class size and availability of Technology equipment. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by outlining how unfavourable physical conditions hinder the development of creativity skills in Technology classrooms, which is a core objective of the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) guiding Technology education in South Africa. The study outlines the importance of a conducive learning environment to the quest to enhance learners’ creativity. Furthermore, the study recommends solutions to the paucity of resources for the enhancement of creativity in the Technology classrooms.