Comprehensive Policy Recommendations Research Articles

CLUSTERING OF EU MEMBER STATES BY THE LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR ASSET MANAGEMENT

The financial landscape within the European Union is characterized by a significant disparity in the development of institutional investor asset management across its member states. Institutional investors, such as pension funds, insurance companies, and investment trusts, are vital in shaping financial markets and influencing economic stability. This study aims to fill the gap in the existing literature by examining the grouping of European Union member-states. The research focuses on examining key attributes, trends, and performance indicators of institutional investor asset management across various EU member-states. It utilizes data from 2017 to 2022, reflecting the average values of financial assets held by institutional investors as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This data provides a critical perspective on the investment landscape within the EU, particularly focusing on investment funds and insurance corporations. A notable observation from the data is the significant variance in the financial assets to GDP ratio among EU countries, with Denmark and France showing exceptionally high ratios, indicating a substantial role of institutional investments in their economies. In contrast, Lithuania and Greece demonstrate much lower ratios. This disparity is further analyzed through cluster analysis, grouping EU member-states into five clusters based on their asset management profiles. The clusters reveal distinct patterns in the distribution and development of asset management across the EU. Countries like Denmark and France, with highly developed financial markets, contrast sharply with those like Lithuania and Greece, which have less mature markets. The study highlights the influence of various factors such as economic structure, regulatory environment, and cultural attitudes towards savings and investment on these disparities. The study suggests that future research should focus on developing comprehensive policy recommendations, taking into consideration the distinct characteristics of each cluster to promote balanced economic growth and stability within the EU.

Sustainable Growth Strategies for Bangladesh’s Leather Industry: Policy Recommendations and Future Perspectives

This study offers an in-depth analysis of the challenges and opportunities confronting the leather industry in Bangladesh, a sector poised for significant growth. Through extensive literature review and qualitative research, the paper identifies key areas such as policy framework strengthening, enhancing financial accessibility for SMEs, promoting technological innovation, and ensuring environmental compliance as instrumental for the industry’s sustainable development. Furthermore, the study underscores the need for human capital development, infrastructure enhancement, and strengthened industry associations to bolster the sector’s competitiveness on the global stage. Recognizing the industry’s potential contribution to Bangladesh’s economic development, this research proposes comprehensive policy recommendations to aid stakeholders in realizing this potential. Limitations of the study and avenues for future research are also discussed, inviting further academic and practical engagement in this vital sector.

Renewable Energy and Banking Sector Development Impact on Load Capacity Factor in Malaysia

BackgroundMost studies focusing on the environment predominantly utilize indicators such as CO2 and ecological footprint (EF), which solely examine the demand aspect of the environment, therefore overlooking the supply dimension. This limitation restricts the policy recommendations obtained from those studies. Load Capacity Factor (LCF) variable overcomes this deficiency in the literature by including both the supply and demand dimensions of the environment in the analysis and makes it possible to provide more comprehensive policy recommendations. This article discovers the impact of renewable energy consumption (REC), banking sector development (BSD), and economic growth (GDP) on the LCF in Malaysia between 1980 and 2018. Methodology: After investigating the stationarity of variables utilizing Lee and Strazicich's (2003) Unit Root (LSUR) test that considers structural breaks, the study tested the long-term (LT) relationship in the model through the ARDLB test approach. Subsequently, the short-term (ST) and LT coefficients of the GDP growth, BANK, and RE consumption variables are calculated. FindingsThe Load Capacity Curve (LCC) theory is valid in the ST and LT. In both the ST and LT, RE consumption has a detrimental effect on environmental sustainability (ES), while BSD has a positive impact. In conclusion, the study presents novel findings related to environmental policies for the policymakers of Malaysia.

Exploring the impact of renewable energy on economic growth and carbon emissions: Evidence from partial least squares structural equation modeling

The concern for environmental sustainability comes along with sustainable energy for consumption. Therefore, this study aims to explore the direct and indirect effects of renewable energy on economic growth and carbon emissions by employing Partial Least Square Structure Equation Modeling and Granger Causality Test and the data for this study is from 1990 to 2021. The results from the Partial Least Squares Structure Equation Modeling indicate that renewable energy consumption causes carbon emissions and has no effect on economic growth. Financial inclusion and foreign direct investment have positive effects on carbon emissions. However, renewable energy has an indirect negative effect on carbon emissions through economic growth. Foreign direct investment affects economic growth positively. Furthermore, the results from the Granger causality test indicate that renewable energy has a unidirectional causality relationship with financial inclusion and foreign direct investment and has a feedback causality relationship with economic growth. In addition, there is a feedback causal effect between financial inclusion and carbon emissions, a unidirectional effect running from carbon emissions to foreign direct investment, and a causal effect from economic growth to foreign direct investment. This study has suggested comprehensive policy recommendations for policymakers based on the findings.

Predicting residents' adoption intention for smart waste classification and collection system

Smart waste classification and collection systems improve workload balances while promoting environmental sustainability. Consumer acceptability is critical for effectively implementing novel and upcoming techniques to enhance ecological sustainability and minimize pollution. The current study looked at the factors that impact Chinese residents' intention to use smart waste classification and collection systems, using Shanghai as a case study. The study extended an integrated theory of planned behavior and technology acceptance model with community engagement. 514 valid responses from a questionnaire survey were examined using structural equation modeling. The main findings indicate that residents' adoption intentions are influenced by their attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and perceived usefulness. There was no statistically significant link between adoption intention and community engagement. However, community engagement influence residents' intention via attitude. The study provides a robust standard for understanding smart waste classification and collection systems adoption intention in ecological sustainability and pro-environmental consumption. Also, the study provides policymakers and stakeholders with comprehensive policy recommendations to promote public patronage and involvement in local community smart waste classification systems initiatives.

Adoption of financial inclusion in a world of depleting natural resources: The importance of information and communication technology in emerging economies

Climate change and declining air quality can dramatically affect human health and ecosystems. The sustainable use of natural resources involves treating them in a way that benefits the entire human population. Considering the importance of information and communication technology in emerging economies from 2004 to 2021, this study investigates the impact of financial inclusion in a world of depleting natural resources. It moderates the effects of macroeconomic indicators such as foreign direct investment, education, consumer price index, technology, and renewable energy consumption. Analyzing the empirical findings, applying advanced econometric methods, and developing comprehensive policy recommendations are part of this study. The results indicate that economic growth, technology, renewable energy consumption, information and communication technology, financial inclusion, foreign direct investment, and the consumer price index are significant at a 1% significance level. However, education is significant at a 5% level of significance. Growth in economic activity, renewable energy consumption, and information and communication technology are all negatively related to natural resources. Natural resources are positively associated with technology, financial inclusion, foreign direct investment, and education in emerging economies. Policymakers in emerging economies should take into consideration the needs of all stakeholders, develop targeted policies, improve the regulatory environment, and prioritize capacity building in order to ensure financial inclusion and sustainable use of natural resources in emerging economies.

Marine plastic management policy agenda-setting in China (1985–2021): The Multi-stage Streams Framework

Although numerous policies for mitigating marine plastic are now widely developing in the international community, describing and understanding the generation and implementation of policies is still a challenge. To illustrate the development of marine plastic management agenda-setting in China, this study modified the Multi-stage Streams Framework and used comprehensive operational variables to quantitate the problem, politics and policy streams in the policy evolution of marine plastic management in China from 1985 to 2021. The result shows that there is a significant gap of policy configuration between the central government and local governments on the policy field of prohibiting plastic usage and cleaning coastal areas, and the implementation discrepancy of local governments defeats the evolution of policy agenda on marine plastic management. Further analysis by the Multi-stage Streams Framework reveals that the government's attention to marine plastic has not been fully attracted because of inconspicuous conflicts and policy entrepreneurs' poor sensitivity to problems. This study indicates a necessity for further consideration of the adaptability of policy implementation by local governments, in order to mitigate the inconsistency of governance goals from intergovernmental conflicts in the evolution of the marine plastic policy agenda. The future promotion of ambitious marine plastic policies should diversify the identity of policy entrepreneurs to generate comprehensive policy recommendations supported by sufficient interdisciplinary researches. In general, this study provides the rationale for a comprehensive understanding of the plastic policy development in China and is beneficial for guiding policymakers to invest management resources to get the desired policy evolution.

Spina bifida management in low- and middle-income countries - a comprehensive policy approach.

Globally, spina bifida (SB) occurs more often in low- and middle-income countries, where the healthcare demands are often quite challenging. Several social/societal issues and/or lack of government support makes for incomplete SB management in many areas. Clearly, neurosurgeons should be knowledgeable about initial closure techniques and the basics of SB management, but must also advocate for the patients outside our immediate scope of care. Recently, the Comprehensive Policy Recommendations for the Management of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (CHYSPR) and the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and other Neurological Disorders (IGAP) publications emphasized the need for a more unified approach to SB care. Although both documents discuss other neurological conditions, they support SB as a congenital malformation needing attention. We identified several similarities for comprehensive SB care in these approaches - including education, governance, advocacy, and the need for continuum of care. Prevention was recognized as the most important aspect for SB going forward. A significant return of investment was noted, and both documents recommend more active neurosurgical involvement (i.e., folic acid fortification). A new call for holistic and comprehensive care for SB management is recognized. Neurosurgeons are called upon to use solid science to educate governments and actively participate to advocate for better care and most importantly, prevention. Folic acid fortification schemes are mandatory and neurosurgeons should advocate for global strategies.

The Role of Neurosurgeons in Policy Development: Addressing Unmet Neurosurgical Needs in Low-and-Middle Income Countries

Introduction: Global Neurosurgical (GNS) publications can be classified into two broad categories: 1) clinical research and 2) public health research. To date, most papers and manuscripts have been clinical in nature. However, over the past 5 years, the focus of GNS manuscripts have changed dramatically. A recent scoping review identified public health-oriented GNS manuscripts from 1999 to 2019 and categorized them by the WHO’s six Health System domains (service delivery, workforce, infrastructure, financing, information management, and governance). The objectives of this follow-up study include: 1) updating the literature search done in the scoping review and 2) discussing the importance of comprehensive policy recommendations.
 Methods: We searched three databases – PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, and EMBASE – for GNS literature published from June 2019 (the end of previous search date) to December 2020. Afterwards, a title & abstract screening was conducted.
 Results: A total of 246 references were found across the three aforementioned databases. After the title & abstract screening, 68 GNS manuscripts were identified. Although a full-text review was not conducted, this cursory search supports the notion that the GNS community is now shifting towards a more holistic, health systems-oriented approach.
 One limitation to this search method is the exclusion of commentaries and policy briefs that discussed governance within GNS. For example, the study excluded the Comprehensive Policy Recommendations that have been released by the Program for Global Surgery and Social Change (PGSSC). The first set of recommendations were about head and spine injuries. The second set of recommendations – published at the end of 2021 – focused on policy related to the management of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.
 Discussion: The Comprehensive Policy Recommendations clearly highlight how neurosurgeons can influence policy development and implementation. While these publications are a step forward, it is not enough. Moving ahead, the GNS community should: 1) widely disseminate the document to all, 2) selectively distribute the document to Ministries of Health, and 3) conduct more policy-focused research. To adequately address the unmet neurosurgical needs in LMICs, collaboration is paramount. It is time for neurosurgeons to think beyond the operating room.

Are Nordic Saltmarshes Europe’s Way to ‘Live in Harmony with Nature’? Scientists Driven Future Scenarios via a Participatory Workshop

Saltmarshes have the ability to not only promote biodiversity, but to put nations on the path towards climate recovery and net-zero emissions through saltmarshes’ capability to take up carbon. As the European Union’s (EU) Green Deal sets out to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, innovative solutions will need to be identified, possibly even through better preserving century-old habitats such as saltmarshes. Based on the upcoming needs from the EU, in the Spring of 2021, a workshop was held with leading Nordic saltmarsh and blue carbon scientists using the transdisciplinary methods of Systems Thinking and Bayesian Belief Networks to identify solutions that can include saltmarshes in future policy. These joint methods elicited multiple future scenarios in which data were collected on perceived notions of the value of saltmarshes and how to better govern them to ensure their longevity. The models developed in this study include human perceptions and comprehensive quantitative scenarios through their ability to define paths forward in the form of comprehensive policy recommendations. We found through scenario analysis that a major belief among the stakeholders was numerous events of change such as ‘outreach, getting salt marshes on the political agenda and forming new narratives would help to increase saltmarsh area via conservation and restoration prioritization’ would have a positive impact of saltmarshes in Nordic countries.

The decoupling relationship between CO2 emissions and economic growth in the Chinese mining industry under the context of carbon neutrality

Mining industry emission reduction is an important way to achieve the 2060 carbon neutrality target in China. Decoupling economic development from CO2 emissions is the main strategy to reduce emissions from the mining industry. However, no studies have investigated the decoupling state and drivers of the Chinese mining industry. This paper is based on panel data of the mining industry and its subsectors during 2002–2016. The Tapio decoupling model was constructed to analyze the decoupling state of economic development and CO2 emissions. The LMDI model was developed to decompose the drivers of the decoupling state. The results show that: (1) The CO2 emission intensity of the mining industry decreased significantly from 1.63 tons per 10,000 yuan in 2002 to about 0.27 tons per 10,000 yuan in 2016. (2) The Chinese mining industry shows an inverted U-shaped decoupling relationship between CO2 emissions and economic growth. Specifically, the change trend of decoupling state of Mining and Washing of Coal (MWC) also presents an inverted U-shape. Mining and Processing of Nonmetal Ores (MPNO) performs the best during the study period. Extraction of Petroleum and Natural Gas (EPNG) shows the largest change in decoupling state and the worst performance. (3) Overall, the economic output effect (CG) is the most important factor that promotes CO2 emissions and inhibits decoupling. The energy intensity effect (EI) is the main contributor to suppressing CO2 emissions and promoting decoupling. The energy structure effect (ES) is the most promising influencing factor. (4) There is variability in the role played by different 21 factors in the five subsectors. Specifically, EI inhibits decoupling in MWC but promotes decoupling in EPNG、Mining and Processing of Ferrous Metal Ores (MPFMO) and MPNO. ES inhibits decoupling in MWC and MPFMO but promotes decoupling in MPNFMO, while it has little effect on decoupling in EPNG and MPNO. Based on the results, comprehensive policy recommendations are made to achieve decoupling economic growth from CO2 emissions in the Chinese mining industry.

Dynamic influence of natural resources, financial integration and eco-innovation on ecological sustainability in EKC framework: Fresh insights from China

The relation between inclusive natural resources and ecological pollution has significant environmental implications. Though, the literature on this question is scarce and has inconclusive results from the perspective of financial integration. The substantial economic growth, energy sources, and technological advancement have increased China's extraction and consumption of natural resources. The study aims to probe the effects of natural resources, financial integration, eco-innovation, and clean energy on the ecological footprint in the Environment Kuznets Curve (EKC) concept. Notably, the authors further bifurcate the financial integration into Model 1 (the ratio of FDI to GDP) and Model 2 (capital account openness). This paper applied a novel dynamic autoregressive distributive lag (D-ARDL) technique that is efficient enough to automatically draw positive and negative simulations of the explanatory variables for the period 1980–2020. Outcomes of this study discovered that natural resources decrease ecological degradation in the short- and long-run. More so, the dynamic results explain that financial integration degrades the ecological quality whilst renewable energy and eco-innovation preserve the environmental performance. Interestingly, this study endorses the presence of the EKC hypothesis in developing countries like China. In the end, comprehensive policy recommendations and limitations are proposed to recover the ecological quality.

Comprehensive Policy Recommendations for the Management of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in Low-and Middle-income Countries

In November 2020, the Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the World Health Assembly resolution 73.10, asking the Director-General to develop an Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders. Notably, the action plan aims to use ”an integrated, person-centered framework for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care of people with neurological disorders” and asks the Member States to develop “policies, plans, and legislation relating to neurological disorders, whether as separate instruments or integrated into other planned multisectoral actions”. Accordingly, these recommendations for the comprehensive management of spina bifida and hydrocephalus for low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) represent the collective effort of a group of advocates, and experts from around the world to compile the best evidence to date. They utilize the WHO health systems and person-centered framework used by many ministries of health to facilitate their integration. 
 We intentionally chose two pediatric neurosurgical conditions, spina bifida and hydrocephalus, to highlight the massive pediatric surgical needs in LMICs as well as the paucity of prevention efforts despite overwhelming supporting scientific evidence. While the strengthening of capacity to detect and holistically treat spina bifida and hydrocephalus are crucial, strategies to prevent these conditions are indispensable to the overall disease management and cost effective. Contributions from members of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery and the Global Alliance for the Prevention of Spina Bifida proved to be especially valuable.
 Healthcare workers, researchers, and public health practitioners came together for this project in providing strategic guidance and technical support to policymakers. Accordingly, the research team, with guidance from the advisory group of experts, initially reviewed the available literature to develop a comprehensive set of recommendations for the management of spina bifida and hydrocephalus in LMICs. The advisory group, especially its members living and working in LMICs, helped with contextualizing the recommendations.
 The goal of this document is not limited to just raising awareness of the unmet pediatric neurosurgical needs and the importance of prevention. We envision the inclusion of the recommendations in the WHO’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders. Additionally, it is our hope that LMICs adopt the recommendations into their national surgical system strengthening efforts pursuant to the World Health Assembly resolution 68.15, “Strengthening of Emergency and Essential Surgical Care and Anesthesia as a Component of Universal Health Coverage”. Furthermore, the team of contributors to this document stand ready to support the country-led implementation of these policies to reduce death and disabilities from spina bifida and hydrocephalus among children living in LMICs.

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT IMPACTS ON ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN QATAR

This study examines the short and long-run relationships among economic growth, financial development, investment, and electricity consumption during the period between 1975 and 2018 for Qatar. We conducted the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) cointegration test and Vector Error Correction Model to propose comprehensive policy recommendations. The findings support the validity of the conservation hypothesis for the energy-growth nexus, and thereby energy use reduction has an insignificant impact on the growth. We recommended policies aiming to reduce household energy use and country-wide AC usage. In this regard, financial subsidies in energy and water consumption should be reduced further, even abolished, to lower the waste use of energy and prevent extravagant water use distilled from seawater by natural gas-powered desalination plants. Policymakers should also consider proactive and incentivizing strategies for cooling electricity load control and demand-side management of cooling in summers. This might enable leveling out peaks in electricity use, and hence reduce redundant power generation and cost.

Assessing country-level privacy risk for digital payment systems

As we evolve in the digital age, new risks have emerged and are increasing the complexity of existing global digital ecosystems. These include privacy risks from cyberattacks and the threat of data misuse. Such privacy risks negatively affect consumer confidence, the reputation of an entity, and international consumerism. Prior studies have examined country-level risks, including economic, political, and financial risks; however, very little research has paid attention to country-level privacy risk. In this study, we focus on a key aspect of digital ecosystems, i.e., Digital Payment Systems (DPS). More specifically, we analyze the privacy policies of Mobile Wallets and Remittance (MWR) apps – a component of DPS that contributes to privacy debates- to assess their compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in order to create a country-level privacy risk index for DPS. We create a framework to help convey country-level risks concerning DPS and inform comprehensive policy recommendations. The study reveals country-level data privacy and protection practices and provides recommendations for country-level risk assessment exercises. The research contributes to the digital payment ecosystem, privacy risks, privacy policy and regulatory compliance literature.

The energy-food-water nexus: Water footprint of Henan-Hubei-Hunan in China

Energy security, food security, and water security have become the three most prominent problems in human survival and sustainable development. The three are interrelated and directly affect each other; that is, there exists a nexus between, energy, food, and water (EFW). A scientific understanding and correct response to this is important for achieving the sustainable development of natural resources. This study uses quantitative analysis to estimate the Central China region's energy-food production water footprint (WF) and virtual trade water flow from 2001 to 2016. It proposes a Modified Water Stress Index (MWSI) associated with virtual water outflows and evaluates the pressure exerted by virtual water flowing out, along with the effect of trade on local water resources systems. The results indicate that the energy and food production WF and virtual trade water flow are on the rise, causing water stress in local and export areas. Based on the adjustment of industrial structure, optimization of production technology, and rational regionalization of ecological divisions, the paper makes comprehensive policy recommendations to ensure the region's sustainable development of water resources for the future.

Examining Hotspots of Traffic Collisions and their Spatial Relationships with Land Use: A GIS-Based Geographically Weighted Regression Approach for Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Examining the relationships between vehicle crash patterns and urban land use is fundamental to improving crash predictions, creating guidance, and comprehensive policy recommendations to avoid crash occurrences and mitigate their severities. In the existing literature, statistical models are frequently used to quantify the association between crash outcomes and available explanatory variables. However, they are unable to capture the latent spatial heterogeneity accurately. Further, the vast majority of previous studies have focused on detailed spatial analysis of crashes from an aggregated viewpoint without considering the attributes of the built environment and land use. This study first uses geographic information systems (GIS) to examine crash hotspots based on two severity groups, seven prevailing crash causes, and three predominant crash types in the City of Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). GIS-based geographically weighted regression (GWR) analysis technique was then utilized to uncover the spatial relationships of traffic collisions with population densities and relate it to the land use of each neighborhood. Results showed that Fatal and Injury (FI) crashes were mostly located in residential neighborhoods and near public facilities having low to medium population densities on highways with relatively higher speed limits. Distribution of hotspots and GWR-based analysis for crash causes showed that crashes due to “sudden lane deviation” accounted for the highest proportion of crashes that were concentrated mainly in the Central Business District (CBD) of the study area. Similarly, hotspots and GWR analysis for crash types revealed that “collisions between motor vehicles” constitute a significant proportion of the total crashes, with epicenters mostly stationed in high-density residential neighborhoods. The outcomes of this study could provide analysts and practitioners with crucial insights to understand the complex inter-relationships between traffic safety and land use. It can provide useful guidance to policymakers for better planning and effective management strategies to enhance safety at zonal levels.

"No, We Should Do It": Youth Training Youth in Activist Research Methods.

This article explores a 9-month process of youth research capacity-building, beginning with the training of high school and college aged researchers in qualitative methodologies and concluding with both tentative and comprehensive policy recommendations, at the behest of the youth, for altering the landscape of a major Southeastern city to ensure greater equity of opportunity in particular for minoritized youth and their families. Our analysis led us to consider the ways in which community-engaged youth and their adult partners created a culture of reciprocity and respect as they worked together to train other youth to conduct their own justice-oriented inquiry projects.

Comprehensive Policy Recommendations for Head and Spine Injury Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Comprehensive Policy Recommendations for Head and Spine Injury Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Agricultural nature conservation in the Netherlands: Three lenses on transition pathways

In this paper three approaches on transitions pathways are combined to study the role of agricultural nature conservation in the Dutch land use domain for achieving internationally agreed climate and biodiversity targets. The three perspectives used are the Multilevel Perspective (MLP), Initiative Based Learning (IBL) and Integrated Assessment Modelling (IAM). The analysis provides insights in how the combination of different research approaches can lead to more comprehensive policy advice on how agricultural nature conservation could help to achieve internationally agreed sustainability goals related to climate change and biodiversity. IAM shows under which conditions agricultural nature conservation could be consistent with European and global long-term goals regarding food security, biodiversity and climate. MLP provides insight into the extent in which agricultural nature conservation has affected or changed the existing nature and agricultural regimes. IBL, finally, reveals the challenges of encouraging agricultural nature conservation with policy measures. Our analysis shows that a combined perspective provides a deeper understanding of the underlying processes, reasons and motives of agricultural nature conservation, leading to more comprehensive policy recommendations.