Policy Changes Research Articles

Inequities in Unmet Oral Care Needs after a Swedish Subsidization Reform: An Intersectional Analysis.

The main strategy to achieve equal provision of oral care in Sweden has been to offer partial subsidies for the adult population. However, their effects on unmet oral care needs (UOCNs) have not been extensively assessed. This study used an intersectionality framework to examine 1) the overall frequency of UOCNs, 2) single-indicator inequities, and 3) intersectional inequities in total UOCNs and financial-related UOCNs (FUOCNs) in Sweden before and after implementation of a partial subsidization reform in 2008. Data from 12 national surveys conducted over 2004 to 2018 were divided into 3 periods: prereform (2004 to 2007), early postreform (2008 to 2011), and late postreform (2012 to 2018). The analytic sample consisted of 98,177 respondents aged 24 to 84 y. Changes in the prevalence of UOCNs were estimated by inferential statistics. Single-indicator and intersectional inequities were examined by intersectional analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy, across 48 strata defined by gender, age, educational level, income, and immigrant status. The prevalence of total UOCNs and FUOCNs decreased significantly early after the reform, followed by a slight rebound. Relative inequities increased by education, income, and immigrant status after the reform and decreased for age. The discriminatory accuracy for both types of UOCNs was moderate and improved marginally but significantly with the inclusion of the intersectional strata. Most intersectional strata showed greater FUOCN inequities after the reform. Contrary to expected, larger inequities in FUOCNs were identified in most intersectional strata after the reform. The moderate discriminatory accuracy suggested that Sweden could benefit from future strategies to foster equity that are universal but proportionately more intense among the intersectional strata with greater inequities (proportionate universalism). This analysis highlighted the benefit of adopting the principle of proportionate universalism as a strategy to reduce unmet oral care needs in Sweden. This would mean implementing universal strategies and specific support measures for the most vulnerable social groups as a future oral care policy change in Sweden.

Harmonising minds and culture: Exploring the role of music in mental health awareness through activism in Nigeria

Mental health issues in Nigeria are pervasive, yet the stigma surrounding them limits open discussions and access to care. Music artists, activists, and therapists have emerged as key advocates, using music as a platform to raise awareness and challenge misconceptions. This study explored the role of Nigerian music and activism in shaping mental health discourse, highlighting their contributions to public awareness and understanding. Additionally, the study examined how music and activism could influence mental health policies in the country. A qualitative approach was used, involving in-depth interviews with seven participants, including Nigerian musicians and therapists engaged in mental health advocacy. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes related to mental health awareness, advocacy, and the intersection of music and activism. Findings revealed that while music is a powerful tool for raising awareness and fostering emotional expression, it has had limited impact on policy change. Themes of resilience, inclusivity, and advocacy emerged as significant, showing how music influences public perceptions. However, participants emphasized the need for government involvement to translate public awareness into effective mental health policies. While music has proven effective in generating awareness and reducing stigma, its ability to drive policy changes remains limited.

The U.S. Radiologist Workforce: AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review.

The U.S. radiologist workforce has experienced periods of growth as well as stagnation and downturns, with concerns of radiologist oversupply during tight job markets followed by perceived workforce shortages. Major issues facing the radiologist workforce today include: impacts of accumulated policy changes; mismatch between the demand for radiologist services and the current size of the radiologist workforce; dissatisfaction, turnover, and burnout among radiologists; challenges in radiology resident education due to employment trends; and the promise and challenges of artificial intelligence. To address current and future workforce shortages, radiology as a profession must adapt to ongoing stresses and the changing care ecosystem by promoting appropriate utilization, leveraging all existing workforce reserves, and embracing innovation. In this AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review, we explore the recent history of the U.S. radiologist workforce; examine the political, social, and educational milieus faced by current and future radiologists; and consider the effects of disruptive technology.

Health and Well-Being in the Context of Health-Promoting University Initiatives: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Needs Assessment Study at Qatar University.

Health-promoting universities are dedicated to fostering learning environments and organizational cultures that support the physical and mental well-being of students, faculty, and staff. As students constitute the largest group within the university community, any policy intervention targeting them is likely to have a significant impact on the university as a whole. This study aims to assess the health status and needs of Qatar University (QU) students using a comprehensive and holistic definition of health, informed by the perspectives of students, faculty members, and key informants. The ultimate goal is to inform evidence-based policies and services designed to improve students' physical and mental well-being. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods research design will be used to conduct a comprehensive assessment of students' health status and needs. This assessment will consist of a quantitative component (a web-based health survey) administered to a convenience sample of students, and a qualitative component, including focus groups with students and faculty members, as well as interviews with key informants. Priority health issues and their determinants, identified through the quantitative assessment, will inform and guide the qualitative assessment to provide a deeper understanding of the various contexts and factors shaping them. Descriptive analyses (eg, proportions or means with SDs), comparative analyses (eg, t tests or chi-square tests), and association analyses (eg, linear, logistic, or Poisson regression models) will be used to analyze the quantitative data. Thematic analysis will be used in the qualitative assessments. Additionally, an environmental scan will be conducted to assess relevant facilities, services, and programs at the QU campus and the QU Primary Healthcare Corporation Center, as well as to review university policies and regulations that may affect students' health and well-being. Together, the needs assessment and environmental scan will inform the design of multilevel interventions, including health education and promotion programs, health services orientation, and proposed policy changes. Between March and December 2022, 812 students completed the web-based health survey. Data have been extracted, cleaned, and harmonized. Analyses to assess the extent of selection bias and the calculation of weights to account for this in all subsequent analyses have been completed (by December 2023). Following the completion of all quantitative data analyses (expected by the end of 2024), focus groups, interviews, and the environmental scan will begin in January-December 2025. This project will help identify and prioritize the health needs of QU students and their determinants, and inform relevant services and policies targeting these needs. By using comprehensive and context-appropriate methods, this project will contribute to QU's strategic efforts to become a Health-Promoting University. DERR1-10.2196/58860.

Provider views on vasectomy: cultural, gender, and political elements of Men's decisions to seek publicly funded services

IntroductionEvidence suggests a new demand for vasectomies following the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization [597 U.S. 215 (2022), (Dobbs)]. Vasectomies are safer and more cost-effective than tubal sterilization. Understanding how to support men's use of this procedure is important to improving sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing (SRHW). This study is an exploration of health care providers' perspectives on the gender, cultural and political influences on vasectomies at Title X-funded clinics across all regions of the US.MethodsProviders or health services staff (N = 21) at Title X-funded settings currently offering vasectomy services in their own clinics or via referral were recruited using list serve and email outreach. Participants took part in one-on-one or small group interviews about vasectomy procedures, patient experiences, and trends. A thematic analysis of interview transcripts through an iterative process of reviewing, note-taking, and discussing data assessed provider views on patient cultural, gender, and political vasectomy influences.ResultsQualitative interviews yielded four themes related to participant access to services, including income challenges, language barriers, medical distrust, and societal gender roles that stressed women's responsibility for contraception. Two additional themes focused on men's fear of losing reproductive health options and desire to “step up” to do their part to prevent unplanned pregnancies.DiscussionInterviewees stressed that vasectomy was for everyone but identified sub-groups of men who still faced logistical and social access challenges to the procedure. Providers also believed that men were concerned over reproductive justice in the US and wanted to do their part to help prevent unplanned pregnancies. They thought that the Dobbs decision may mark a turning point in reproductive care that could ultimately better public health initiatives and overall SRHW by including men in the conversation. Vasectomy education, marketing—along with policy changes that ease access, can support this goal.

US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Policy Shift.

This Viewpoint discusses recent changes in US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services policy changes for transfemoral carotid artery stenting in all patients.

Evaluating the Impact of Geoeducation Programs on Student Learning and Geoheritage Awareness in Greece

In recent years, multiple efforts to promote geoscience and geoenvironmental awareness have highlighted the need for geoeducation. This article explores the importance of integrating geoeducation into the Greek curriculum for promoting a deeper understanding of geosciences. The method used is primarily based on a mixed-methods approach, covering both qualitative and quantitative data. A preliminary assessment revealed a lack of information on the conceptual framework of geosites and geoparks. Following this, a geoeducation tool was developed to introduce the basic principles of geoeducation. The evaluation showed a significant increase in understanding and a heightened desire for further knowledge on geoeducational topics. To address current deficiencies, effective integration of this geoeducational tool requires comprehensive teacher training and curriculum reform. Promoting geoeducation through school programs is critical for creating a more informed, responsible, and sustainable society. This paper advocates policy changes and educational initiatives to firmly integrate geoeducation into the Greek educational system.

Exploring perceptions and experiences of gender-based violence among women in a refugee camp setting in Uganda-A qualitative study.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is an internationally widespread human rights and public health issue, known to be exacerbated and underreported in humanitarian settings and among conflict-affected populations. A combination of factors including increased vulnerability, lack of protection and marginalization are believed to increase the risk for GBV in settings such as displacement and refugee camps. An increased understanding of GBV in these populations is needed to inform and improve future policy changes and interventions. This qualitative study sought to explore women's perceptions and experiences of GBV in a refugee camp setting in Uganda to increase the understanding of the dynamics and risk contexts of GBV in the context of displacement and refugee camps. This was a qualitative study based on individual semi-structured interviews and content analysis. The interviews were conducted during October 2023 with women living in a refugee camp setting in Western Uganda. The participants (N = 13) included female refugees, residing in the refugee camp, above eighteen years of age and who were survivors of GBV. Findings showed no easy escape route from gender-based violence, with a high exposure to GBV throughout the refugee experience. The nature of GBV, the perpetrators and risk contexts however seemed to shift throughout the process from conflict to the refugee camp. Increased marginalization and lack of resources compounded by a shift in gender roles in the refugee camp where women seemed to assume the role of the primary provider increased the risk of violence in pursuit of basic needs. Women described extensive intimate partner violence (IPV) in the camp often connected to new gendered power dynamics and the control of resources. Faced with the struggles of migration, marginalization, and GBV, women displayed various coping mechanisms including rebuilding networks and support systems. Our study showed the complexity of GBV in settings such as refugee camps, where various structural and individual changes involved in migration and life in a refugee camp seemed to create new risk contexts for GBV both inside and outside of the household. Interventions across various dimensions including addressing underlying conditions of marginalization and gendered power dynamics are therefore warranted to address GBV in refugee camps. Further research is essential to better understand this complex issue, as well as the perception and effectiveness of services and interventions in place.

Reflections from first-generation small-scale vegetable farmers

Renewal of the agriculture sector requires an influx of young farmers, either members of farming families or first-generation farmers. The latter face distinct challenges (Bloomfield, 2023; Magnan et al., 2023). This study seeks to understand some of their motivations and challenges in order to inform policy changes to support and encourage more first-generation farmers. Agriculture has long been regarded in Canada as not only economically but also culturally significant. Yet less than 1% of the population are recognised as farmers by the latest census data (Statistics Canada, 2021). In the last three decades alone, Canada has net lost nearly 150,000 farmers and the average age of a Canadian farmer is now 56. Only 8.5% of Canadian farmers were under 35 in the last Agricultural Census, compared to 20% in 1991, and that percentage has been declining steadily since 1931 (Clapp, 2023; Magnan et al., 2022; Qualman et al., 2018; Statistics Canada, 2006, 2022). In particular, the number of young people from farming families staying in agriculture is declining. Several reports, including that of the Royal Bank of Canada Climate Action Institute, show that a majority of farmers do not have a succession plan in place although, within the next decade, 40% will retire (Yaghi, 2023). People from non-farming backgrounds find it difficult to enter the profession due to barriers that include prohibitive costs and lack of training. To ensure that Canada can feed its growing population, we must address the farmer shortage by understanding the experiences of new—particularly young—farmers.

Navigating Barriers: Healthcare Anchor Institutions and Population Health Advancement

Background: Many United States hospitals explicitly pursue “anchor missions” by committing to intentionally apply place-based economic power and human capital in partnership with the community. Little is known about how hospital-community partnerships are implemented or whether they impact social determinants of health (SDOH) and population health. We qualitatively analyzed healthcare institutions from a national network to understand barriers and facilitators while implementing hospital-community partnerships that aim to improve population health. Methods: We used qualitative analysis of responses to open-ended items on a cross-sectional survey to explore how hospitals with anchor missions address SDOH. We administered the survey to healthcare systems participating in the Healthcare Anchor Network (HAN), a national network of hospitals with explicit goals to address SDOH and improve population health. Results: Responses were from 16 organizations. Two themes emerged: 1) healthcare systems faced many demands (i.e., COVID-19, financial stability), which competed with prioritization of the anchor mission, and 2) senior leadership engagement was critical for impact of the anchor mission and efforts to address SDOH and population health. Strategies to engage leadership included peer networking and providing repetitive education on community health inequities to hospital leaders. Conclusions: Although health systems show enthusiasm for population health, competing priorities often constrain anchor mission efforts to improve SDOH and population health outcomes. With external encouragement, such as changes to federal or state quality metrics reporting, payment incentives to address community health, or other policy changes, health systems will engage more with communities and be able to address SDOH.

An Event Study on Impact of Russia-Ukraine War on Indian Banking Sector Stock

Aim: To study the impact of the Russia-Ukraine event on the performance of banking sector stocks. Study Designs: The descriptive statistical analysis has been done for six selected banks and is based on the Russia-Ukraine war. Study employs event analysis method for analysis. Place and Duration of Study: The secondary data has been downloaded from the NSE site, and the study duration is pre- and post-90 days from the event day and 120 days for the event window and 210 days for the estimation window has been considered. Methodology: The event analysis method has been used in which a paired t-test has been employed. We have checked significant at a p-value of 0.10 (10% level). Significant at p-value of 0.05 (5% level) Significant at p-value of 0.01 (1% level). Results: By examining a wide range of degrees of relationship between the two variables, we have tried to analyze how financial markets respond to changes in the warlike situation and how conditions impact asset prices. The results show the impact of the event before and after the event date. This analysis fills the gap in understanding event-specific impacts on financial institutions. Conclusion: The study provides insights into whether market behavior remained stable (null hypothesis accepted) or displayed volatility (alternate hypothesis accepted) across 90 days for global crises like the Russia-Ukraine war. The findings of the research have implications for the banking sector of India, policymakers, investors, and researchers. The research provides numerical and non-numerical information that other researchers can employ for cross-study analysis or for verifying theories. Lingering questions from the investors, including those in search of portfolio diversification strategies and the right time to invest. The discovery empowers the firms to have better policies inside and better relations outside, with customers and other stakeholders, such as during the change in monetary policy or in external shocks.

Historical Evolution, Logical Deconstruction and Future Trends in Marine Ecological Compensation Policies in China

The marine ecological compensation policy has become an important tool for China to protect the ocean and promote the construction of ecological civilization. However, problems such as a fragmented policy system structure and inefficient implementation still plague the sustainable development of marine ecological compensation policy. In the context of the high-quality development of the marine economy in the future, it is necessary to evaluate the current status of the construction of China’s marine ecological compensation policy system and explore the plans to improve the marine ecological compensation policy in depth. This paper takes the marine ecological compensation policies issued from 1982 to 2023 as the analysis sample, uses semantic network analysis to analyze the evolution of China’s marine ecological compensation policy and divides the evolution into four stages based on the focuses of the policies in different periods. This paper uses a policy element model to analyze the scope, direction and dynamic mechanism of the change in the marine ecological compensation policy. The study found that the policy elements at the abstract level remained stable for a long time, and the policy elements at the procedural level and operational level are heterogeneous at different stages; China’s marine ecological compensation has gradually developed in the direction of improved quality, land and sea coordination, full-process supervision and integrated management, and is affected by the macro-environment, institutional demand and supply and cost–benefit coordination and balance. The marine ecological compensation policies should start with the top-level design of the supplementary system, improve the supporting tools and coordinate multiple synergies to promote the improvement of the marine ecological compensation policy system.

Building Professional Relationships and Student Confidence through Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies

This paper reports on how Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies (ECGPCs) impact on professional relationships and develop bidirectional confidence in the practical abilities of Early Childhood Studies (ECS) students in England. The study adopted an interpretive approach, seeking views through questionnaires (n=38) which were administered, through purposeful sampling, to students, mentors and academics from three universities in England offering Early Childhood Studies (ECS) degrees with ECGPCs. Findings suggest that the ECGPCs enabled focused placement students, with stakeholders recognising the potential for confidence and increased professionalism through the direction that the ECGPCs provide. In contexts of rapid change in Early Childhood policy this article argues the importance of the ECGPCs and of placement to support the graduate professional identity of the early childhood workforce. Interlinking and evidencing knowledge from research and practice enable graduates to articulate and have competencies in; ‘what they do’, ‘how they do ‘it’’ and essentially ‘why they do ‘it’’’. This is essential in promoting graduate relational/collegial professionals and advocating for stronger societal recognition and valuing of young children and the professionals working with them. With the ECGPCs being a new initiative within the United Kingdom, this study is unique in that it begins the research conversation around the success and challenges that this new initiative brings to the suite of Early Childhood (EC) qualifications.

Reasons for unsafe abortion in Iran after pronatalist policy changes: a qualitative study

BackgroundIn Iran, restrictive abortion laws have led to widespread unsafe abortions, posing significant health risks. The 2021 Family and Youth Protection Law further restricted access to reproductive health services in an effort to boost birth rates. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the reasons women sought abortions in an illegal context, based on their own experiences.MethodsThis exploratory qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with 46 women in Kermanshah, Iran, between April and August 2024. All participants had experienced incomplete abortions after undergoing unsafe procedures. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis and thematic analysis with MAXQDA 10 software to identify key themes in the women's experiences. To ensure the study's rigor, we applied Guba and Lincoln’s criteria, including credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability.ResultsFive main themes emerged from the interviews: economic hardship, pursuit of a prosperous life, unstable marital relationships, health and fertility issues, and cultural factors. Economic challenges, such as unemployment and lack of basic necessities, were the most frequently cited reasons for seeking unsafe abortions. Health issues, including unplanned pregnancies and fear of fetal anomalies, also played a significant role, alongside cultural stigmas related to age, illegitimacy, and gender preferences.ConclusionThis study sheds light on the multifaceted factors driving unsafe abortions in Iran following pronatalist policy changes. A holistic approach is recommended to address the interconnected economic, social, and cultural challenges that contribute to this issue. By implementing such comprehensive strategies, policymakers and stakeholders can work to reduce the prevalence of unsafe abortion practices and foster improved health and well-being for women.

Health Disparities in Hospice-Home Health Transitions in Hispanic Older Adults With Co-occurring Dementia and Cardiovascular Disease.

In the US, nearly one-third of skilled home health (HH) patients and nearly one-half of hospice patients live with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Hispanic older adults are more likely to live with ADRD than white non-Hispanic older adults. Persons with ADRD, compared to their counterparts without ADRD, have a prolonged trajectory of decline and experience multiple care transitions between health care settings, bringing risks for poor outcomes. Little is known about patients transitioning between skilled HH and hospice. We aimed to determine if there were demographic and/or diagnostic variables associated with the frequency of transitions between skilled HH and hospice. In a cross-sectional study, we used Medicare claims data from 2020 and descriptive statistics including Chi-Square to determine demographic and diagnostic differences in frequency of care transitions between skilled HH and hospice for older adults with ADRD. In N = 272,323 hospice episodes, Hispanic older adult beneficiaries with ADRD and co-occurring cardiovascular disease (CVD) had significantly higher rates of care transitions from hospice to skilled HH (P = 0.037) than other racial and ethnic groups with both diagnoses. Our findings provide evidence of disparities in care transitions from hospice to skilled HH for Hispanic older adults living with ADRD and CVD. Multiple factors may impact this result: Hospice low quality scores, insufficient advance care planning and understanding of hospice philosophy, and policies affecting eligibility. Implications include policy change and greater coordination of care for older adults with co-occurring ADRD and CVD, with attention to health equity.

DIVÓRCIO NO BRASIL NO PERÍODO PRÉ E PÓS PANDEMIA DA COVID-19: UM ESTUDO ACERCA DA JUDICIALIZAÇÃO DO DIVÓRCIO NESSE PERÍODO

Divorce in Brazil reflects changes in family, social, and legal relations over time. This study explores the judicialization of divorce, highlighting its increase during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Pandemic challenges such as mobility restrictions drove the adoption of digital solutions to facilitate legal procedures, although logistical challenges arose. The study's qualitative approach seeks to understand the factors influencing divorce and its implications, aiming to contribute to more effective policies. Research findings indicate a significant decrease in the number of divorces in Brazil in 2020, totaling 331.2 thousand cases, followed by a significant increase in 2021, reaching a record of 386.8 thousand divorces. In 2022, there was a decrease to 68,703 cases until November, reflecting fluctuations influenced by social and economic conditions during the pandemic. The transition to the virtual environment during the pandemic facilitated divorce processes, with virtual hearings and digital document signatures, overcoming logistical challenges and delays in legal procedures. The analysis reveals significant variations in the number of divorces during and after the pandemic, reflecting social and economic changes. The transition to the virtual environment facilitated legal procedures, while changes in family structures demand supportive policies. Future studies can further explore the impact of technological adaptations on the divorce process, including the effectiveness of virtual hearings and the security of online communications.

COMMERCIAL BANKS OF UKRAINE DURING THE WAR: NEW TRENDS AND OLD PROBLEMS

The article is devoted to the analysis of the peculiarities of the activities of commercial banks in Ukraine during the period of full-scale war. Its purpose is to identify new trends in banking activity and substantiate recommendations for restructuring the work of banks and its state regulation in the post-war period. During the study, a number of hypotheses were tested. It is proved that despite the significant number of commercial banks in Ukraine, the banking services market is actually oligopolistic. Taking into account the fact that state-owned banks, whose share in the total assets of commercial banks reaches 56%, actually pursue a coordinated policy and act as a single entity, the Herfindahl-Hirschman index for the banking sector of Ukraine is more than 3000, which corresponds to an oligopolistic market. This situation is justified for martial law, but it will require changes in the post-war period. The hypothesis that the main factor affecting the size of commercial banks’ assets is monetary aggregates was confirmed. The closest correlation was found between the size of assets and the monetary aggregate M2. This gives reason to recommend regulating this monetary aggregate as a tool for state regulation of banking assets. During the full-scale war, the tendency to change the structure of banking assets, which originated back in 2020, intensified. A sharp decrease in the share of loans granted was noted, while the share of debt securities, mainly government bonds, increased. On the one hand, this is evidence of the success of the implementation of government programs to attract funds from commercial banks for borrowing and covering the state budget deficit, and on the other hand, it distracts the banking system from fulfilling its main function - mobilizing temporarily free funds and providing loans. The high yield of government bonds, the NBU discount rate, which significantly exceeds the inflation rate, make loans inaccessible to business. And since other components of the market infrastructure (for example, joint investment institutions) are underdeveloped in Ukraine, business is actually deprived of the opportunity to attract funds for the implementation of investment projects. A study of the dynamics of bank performance indicators (ROA, ROE) for the period from 2008 to 2024 showed that after the banking crisis of 2015-2018, when the banking system as a whole operated at a loss, in the following years the situation not only stabilized, but also demonstrated that banks received excess profits. This is again a consequence of high interest rates on government securities and the concentration of profits in state-owned banks. Substantiated proposals for changes in state policy in the post-war period, which should revive the lending activities of commercial banks.

The Effect of International Actors on Public Support for Government Spending Decisions

Abstract Does the intervention of an international organization in domestic politics render policy change more popular? While voters may ultimately care only about policy outcomes, the involvement of international actors often seems to lead to resentment. Still, citizens may have greater faith in the wisdom of international actors than in their own government. As others have argued, a well-respected international actor might provide a cue, especially for voters considering controversial policies like spending cuts. We test this argument in a novel pre–post experimental panel study conducted in Spain. We find that citizens become less opposed to unpopular spending cuts when informed that they are required by an international institution. The effects differ, however, across the two organizations that we test: They are stronger for the European Union than for the International Monetary Fund. Our findings lend support to studies arguing that the endorsement of specific international organizations can help push through otherwise unpopular policies.

National innovation system for resilience, transformation and sustainable development in Uganda: contextual analysis of the factors, actors and associated linkages

Purpose While the role of the National Innovation System (NIS) in promoting economic growth is well recognized, there remains a significant knowledge gap concerning how interactions among actors and learning processes within these systems facilitate innovation commercialization in Uganda. This gap hinders the effective design and implementation of policies aimed at boosting innovation-driven development in emerging economies. This study aims to explore the linkages and interrelationships among NIS actors in Uganda. Design/methodology/approach This study used systematic document reviews and case-study techniques. A systematic review based on the SPAR-4-SLR protocol evaluated the literature on Uganda’s NIS, including policy and strategy documents, development frameworks, journal articles and working papers. This dual approach allowed for an in-depth analysis of policy documents and empirical examples, revealing complex mechanisms within Uganda’s NIS. A content analysis tool facilitated the reduction of qualitative data through codification, theme development and the reporting of results. Findings This study explored the relationships among NIS actors, offering insights into using Uganda’s unique institutional and economic landscape for sustainable growth. It identifies key drivers, such as improved collaboration between the government, industry and academia and strategic policy measures in technology transfer and innovation funding, which are essential for revitalizing Uganda’s innovation ecosystem. Research limitations/implications This study presents a preliminary analysis of Uganda’s NIS. Future studies should adopt a longitudinal approach to examine the evolution of NIS over time, including the impact of global technological advancements and policy changes on Uganda’s innovation ecosystem. To elucidate the complex interrelationships within an NIS, subsequent research could employ network analysis or systems thinking methodology. These approaches would facilitate a more nuanced understanding of the interconnections and reciprocal influences among various NIS stakeholders. Practical implications The inclusion of the innovation, technology development and transfer (ITDT) program in National Development Plan III demonstrates that National Innovation System (NIS) incorporation into the country’s development process is possible through a combination of policy/regulatory, market/economic and technical/technological factors. Originality/value This study significantly advances the understanding of innovation systems by detailing the intricate network of relationships within Uganda’s NIS. This highlights the unexplored dimensions of learning and cooperation and offers a thorough analysis of the factors that enable innovation, which are crucial for promoting innovation in a developing country.

Utilising factor analysis on political risks including strategies of managing firm-specific risk factors for multinational construction projects in Pakistan

Purpose The purpose of this article is to investigate the influence that firm-specific characteristics, such as organisational capabilities, risk management methods and stakeholder relationships, have on political risks (PRs) that are associated with multinational construction projects in Pakistan.Design/methodology/approach The methodology employed in this investigation involved the acquisition of data through the use of questionnaires administered to experts in the construction industry. The research applied a quantitative method, and the sources of the data are from the Pakistani stakeholders. One hundred questionnaires were used for the data collection during field visits. Based on the data, it has been ensured that the valid questionnaires were utilised, and the data were tested for validity and reliability. The analysis tool utilised was SPSS software. For the questionnaire, a total of 15 firm-specific factors were considered in order to design the survey, which specifically targeted the identified features. The factors identified as risks were investigated using quantitative method to determine firm-specific risks.FindingsIt was found that when stakeholders have a better grasp of these dynamics, they are better able to strengthen their resilience and efficacy in managing PRs, which ultimately increases the likelihood that the project will be successful.Research limitations/implications International construction projects (ICPs) in emerging countries are substantially impacted by PRs, which can have a considerable impact on their success and sustainability. The study is localised and not generic as it is limited to Pakistan, and the risk factors considered are firm-specific but related to PRs.Practical implications By identifying key risk factors, these firms can develop targeted risk management strategies, leading to enhanced decision-making and more efficient resource allocation. Effective strategies include diversification, local partnerships and comprehensive risk assessments tailored to the unique challenges faced by international contracting firms in Pakistan.Social implications ICPs in emerging countries like Pakistan face critical problems, which include the presence of PRs. Although the larger political environment plays a significant part, the manner in which businesses navigate and mitigate PRs is also influenced by firm-specific elements.Originality/value The study is novel in terms of the factors looked at, the data, the conceptual framework and the findings of the study. The dynamic political scene, which is characterised by instability, policy changes, corruption and geopolitical conflicts, poses significant dangers to the timeliness of projects, the expenses of such projects and the investments that are made in those projects.