Effective Policy Implementation Research Articles

Geospatial determinants of urban poverty in Nigeria: an analysis of locally weighted factors

ABSTRACT Determining the factors that influence poverty has been seen as one of the ways of identifying appropriate poverty alleviation strategies in cities. This has been done, in most cases, through the application of ordinary least squares (OLS), which assumes homogeneous influence without considering the spatial heterogeneity that may occur in this influence. This study aims to determine the spatial heterogeneity in the influence of public infrastructure, economic, environmental, and social factors on poverty, by carrying out comparison analysis using OLS and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) in ArcGIS Pro 3.0.1, with a view of proffering poverty alleviation strategies for each section of an urban area. A questionnaire in Geographic Open Data Kit (GeoODK) was administered to 366 urban residents across the twenty wards in the selected city in Nigeria. The results reveal that factors that influence income poverty are spatially varying in direction and weight across a city. Spatial heterogeneity of poverty’s determinants should be considered in the formulation and implementation of effective poverty alleviation policies and programs.

Exploring the diversity of non-industrial private forest properties in Southern Sweden

ABSTRACT Diverse forest landscapes contribute to reaching various forest policy goals. Understanding how the diversity of forests in a landscape is distributed among forest properties and how it is related to biogeographical and ownership factors can be helpful for effective policy implementation. We created a forest characteristics-based typology of non-industrial private forest properties aiming to capture the between-property forest diversity in a municipality in southern Sweden, and studied how it was related to owner age and gender, landscape position, and storm damage. Using public data of forests and latent profile analysis, we detected five clusters of properties. Four clusters differed mainly by age structure and species composition. One of them was clearly marked by a high proportion of young mixed forest following severe storm damage >15 years prior. The fifth cluster was marked by a greater occurrence of nature conservation agreements and conservation value forests. Conifer-dominated properties were larger than broadleaf-dominated properties. Owner age only slightly differed between clusters, being higher for properties characterized by a prevalence of older coniferous or by noble broadleaved forests and nature conservation. Properties in the latter cluster were more often owned by women and located close to lakes.

How science and policy came together and made a global impact: The EU common list of COVID-19 antigen tests

Science can play a pivotal role in providing support to public health policy making processes, and to ensure effective and efficient implementation of policies. This work illustrates how science was integrated into policymaking during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, in relation to countries’ COVID-19 antigen testing strategies as well as the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2021/953 on the EU Digital COVID Certificate. The lessons learnt during this process as well as the critical steps taken, and concrete recommendations, have been identified and capitalised and turned into a list of science-based advice. The availability of an already established mechanism that can be quickly adapted in case of need, is likely to be highly beneficial in case of a future public health emergency.

On the Way to Net Zero Emissions. Can Environmental Tax be the Game Changer? The Vise Grad Group Evidence

Today, protecting the environment is a top issue for global policy. In essence, the literature has identified several macroeconomic problems as factors in environmental deterioration. The purpose of the investigation was to explore environmental deterioration (EVD) and energy consumption (ENC) by Vise grad regions. Environmental taxes (ENTX) and carbon taxes have been proving to be a significant factor in carbon mitigation. The analysis was carried out for the period 1994-2021, employing the fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS). The empirical evaluation indicates that ENC had a positive while ENTX had a negative nexus with EVD for the Vise grad nations. Similarly, the moderating role of ENTX*ENC – EVD exhibited an inverse affiliation. In the long run, the dependence on non-renewable energy appreciates EVD. However, effective policy implementation of ENTX will lead to quality of the environment. The empirical results have shown that ENTX can be employed to control the demand and utilization of coal, gas, and nuclear in the Vise grad regions. This research offers policymakers and government organizations in these areas a reference point for their investments in more eco-friendly technology, human capital, urbanization, trade openness, and appropriate environmental levies to demonstrate the quality of the environment.

Kebijakan Pemerintah dalam Pengelolaan Sumber Daya Alam: Studi Kasus Indonesia

This study shows that government policies face major challenges in managing natural resources in Indonesia, especially in the fields of fisheries, plantations and mining. Government policies in managing natural resources must be implemented optimally, fairly, sustainably and environmentally friendly. In the fisheries sector, government policies must pay attention to the principles of sustainability, setting fishing quotas and protecting marine protected areas. However, implementation often faces complex regulatory challenges and resistance from industry stakeholders. In the plantation sector, government policies must ensure that plantation business activities can run optimally and provide benefits to the surrounding community. The administrative sanctions imposed must be more effective than just fines. In the mining sector, government policies must consider land rights and mining rights. Mineral rights do not eliminate rights to the land above them and must be regulated based on an agreement between the parties involved. Possible solutions to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of policy implementation include improving coordination between government institutions and increasing institutional capacity. Community participation in decision making is also an important element in sustainable natural resource management.

Understanding pathways from feeding difficulties of children to mental health risks of mothers at critical stages of childrearing: Does social support make a difference?

BackgroundIdentifying the factors influencing mental health of mothers at critical stages of childrearing is significant for the implementation of effective promotion policies and counselling activities. ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the relationships between children's feeding difficulties, marital quality, parenting quality and maternal mental health risks amidst Chinese mothers with high and low social support using a multi-group structural equation modelling approach. ParticipantsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Wenzhou, China and a total of 772 mothers with children aged 0–3 were surveyed by using purposive sampling. FindingsResults showed that of the 772 participants, 23.6 % reported anxiety, 50.1 % reported depression, 91.2 % reported insomnia, and 24 % reported feeding difficulties. The joint occurrence of multiple forms of mental problems is the most commonly reported features of mental health risks among mothers. The positive association between feeding difficulties of children and mental health risks of mothers was mediated by marital quality and parenting quality. In addition, feeding difficulties were not related to mental health risks in high social support group but all the relationships were significant in low social support group. ConclusionsThese findings highlight the importance of the specific interventions to enhance social support, marital quality and parenting quality for improving mental health of mothers of children with feeding difficulties.

The direct energy rebound effects for manufacturing and service sectors in China: Evidence from firm-level estimations

China has implemented a variety of energy efficiency policies to achieve energy saving and carbon abatement targets. While the national carbon market has been launched and China has opted to give market-oriented policies a greater role in achieving net zero, energy efficiency policies still constitute a significant portion of the policy mix. However, the substantial drawback of energy efficiency policies compared to carbon trading, the rebound effect, has made energy efficiency policies debatable. It is crucial to precisely understand the magnitude of the rebound effect to design and implement effective energy policies. Our study estimates and compares the direct energy rebound and output expansion effects in China's manufacturing and service sectors using firm-level data from 2013 to 2016 and employing panel regression analysis. We also analyze the impact of firm characteristics such as ownership status, geographical location, and industry type on enterprises' rebound effects. We found a 33.5% direct rebound effect and a 19.3% output expansion effect in the manufacturing sector. In the service sector, the direct energy rebound effect was 57.9%, a larger one than the manufacturing sector. We also estimate direct energy rebound effects for key manufacturing and service enterprises. Our findings reveal that key manufacturing enterprises exhibit a larger rebound effect compared to the overall manufacturing sector, while key service enterprises show a smaller rebound effect than the overall service sector. Public, foreign, and heavy service enterprises show a smaller energy rebound effect, while northeastern manufacturing and service enterprises exhibit a larger rebound effect. We suggest that China's carbon market should also cover key service enterprises. For those below the threshold, enhancing energy management is essential to mitigate the rebound effect. Aligning with carbon emission cap targets, rather than relying solely on energy efficiency policies, could more effectively achieve energy savings and carbon abatement.

The contribution of macroeconomic indicators to the attainment of economic development objectives in some western ASIAN countries

This study looks at how macroeconomic variables affect poverty, unemployment, and economic growth in seven Western Asian nations. We used 18 years of data (2003-2020) using a generalized moment analysis method, although experience has varied significantly in different countries as well as between different regions. The development and effective implementation of policies to accelerate employment growth are essential to success on a continent that still has an exceptionally high rate of poverty. These policies will allow us to address the persistent problems of unemployment and poverty. In developing an appropriate policy, countries need to take into account the universal acceleration of trends towards closer integration of the world economy and the rapid pace of liberalization as national economies move increasingly towards a market economy. According to our findings, poverty, unemployment, and economic growth are all significantly impacted by sustainable development indices. During the study period, investment and the activity rate were two of the primary factors influencing economic growth. Western Asian countries should improve the quality of their institutions and their capacity to adapt and acquire new skills. Trade and globalization should not be considered in isolation. Additional policies are needed to reinforce its impact on economic growth.

Decoding China's urban agglomerations policies: A scientific evaluation and exploration of economic benefits

Urban agglomerations planning policies are a critical driver for sustainable urban development. The Chinese central and local governments have implemented a series of policies to guide the development of urban agglomerations. However, the scientific soundness of these policies and their impact on promoting high-quality urban economic development have received limited attention. This study addresses this research gap by examining the scientific rationale of China's urban agglomerations policy formulation through the policy modeling consistency (PMC) index model. Then, it empirically assesses the economic effects of policy implementation using a difference-in-differences (DID) model based on statistical data from 182 cities spanning 2000 to 2021. The results show that: (1)while the overall level of urban agglomerations policies is excellent, there are areas for improvement, such as policy objectives, implementation, and financial support; (2) Urban agglomerations policies contribute to a 1.8% increase in high-quality economic development; (3) Mechanisms underlying policy effect include the scale effect of industrial agglomerations, the radiation effect of infrastructure construction, and the spillover benefits of advanced industrial structure. Moreover, the effects of policy vary across urban agglomerations of different scales, with larger urban agglomerations demonstrating more substantial benefits. The research outcomes provide valuable insights for policymakers in formulating scientifically and economically beneficial urban agglomerations policies.

Analysing the evolving effectiveness of monetary policy instruments in China: insights from the TVP-SV-MF-bfavar framework

ABSTRACT The application of monetary policy rules requires careful consideration across different macroeconomic stages. As the largest developing nation, China has undergone significant economic reforms over the past few decades, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness of various monetary policy rules at different stages of development. This study introduces an innovative research framework, the TVP-SV-MF-BFAVAR model, and employs mixed-frequency data (quarterly, monthly, daily) spanning 20 years to construct relevant proxy indices. It empirically examines the evolving trends in the effectiveness of price-based and quantity-based monetary policy rules in China. The findings indicate that as the economy matures and interest rate marketization progresses, the effectiveness of price-based monetary policy has improved, while quantity-based measures remain reliable policy instruments. Moreover, the effectiveness of monetary policy rules exhibits distinct time-varying characteristics in response to macroeconomic fluctuations, suggesting the need for policy adjustments across different economic stages. Developing nations should actively promote interest rate marketization reforms to foster an enabling environment for the effective implementation of monetary policy.

Nomadic responses to rainfall: Nighttime light evidence from wadis in Djibouti

This study examined the association between human activities and precipitation in dry areas, focusing on nomadic people in Djibouti. Nomadic communities often lack access to essential social services, and water resource management is crucial for their survival and social welfare. Understanding how they respond to variations in water availability could contribute to effective policy implementation. Using satellite-derived information, this study found that nighttime light brightness increased in response to precipitation around wadis, with potential water spring locations, and decreased with distance from a wadi. Specifically, we observed no effect when the distance was more than 5 km. Furthermore, no effect of precipitation was found in urban areas, while a positive effect was found in remote areas. These findings suggest that the activity of nomadic people increases around wadis in response to increased water resource availability, indicating that water supply is important for settlement projects because it can reduce water-seeking costs and improve social welfare. This study provides the first empirical evidence using satellite data and statistical analysis to show that water availability is critical for nomadic communities which can inform better resource management and policy decisions in African countries.

Heterogeneity in carbon intensity patterns: A subsampling approach

Carbon intensity, defined as carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per unit of gross domestic product (GDP), is a critical metric for assessing the effectiveness of climate policy across nations. This paper presents an analysis of the persistence and stationarity of carbon intensity data across 176 countries and 44 regions from 1990 to 2014, employing subsampling confidence intervals. Subsampling is a robust statistical technique that performs well with finite samples and requires minimal assumptions about the data. Our findings categorize countries into three distinct groups based on their carbon intensity patterns: convergent, persistent, and divergent. We observe that climate mitigation policies in countries with a convergent pattern tend to have only temporary effectiveness, whereas in countries with a divergent pattern, such policies can lead to permanent changes. Additionally, using unsupervised learning methods, we delve into the underlying factors influencing these classifications. This study is particularly significant for understanding the long-term impacts of climate policies, offering valuable insights for policymakers and international bodies. By identifying and analyzing these distinct patterns, our research contributes to the strategic planning and implementation of more effective and sustainable climate policies globally, aligning with the goals of international agreements like the Paris Accord.

Analysis of the Influence of Legal Policy on the Financial Performance of Companies in the Manufacturing Sector: Case Study Using the Anova Method

This study aims to evaluate the effect of legal policy implementation on the financial performance of companies in the manufacturing sector using a quantitative research design with case studies. The population in this study are manufacturing companies in Indonesia. Sample selection using purposive sampling. The data used are primary data and secondary data by distributing questionnaires using the ANOVA test. The results showed a significant difference in the company's financial performance between the period before and after the implementation of the legal policy, with a p-value of 0.032 (p<0.05). This shows that legal policy has a real impact on the financial performance of companies in the manufacturing sector so that a stable legal framework is needed to encourage optimal financial performance.

Multi-Scale Higher-Order Dependencies (MSHOD): Higher-Order Interactions Mining and Key Nodes Identification for Global Liner Shipping Network

Liner shipping accounts for over 80% of the global transportation volume, making substantial contributions to world trade and economic development. To advance global economic integration further, it is essential to link the flows of global liner shipping routes with the complex system of international trade, thereby supporting liner shipping as an effective framework for analyzing international trade and geopolitical trends. Traditional methods based on first-order global liner shipping networks, operating at a single scale, lack sufficient descriptive power for multi-variable sequential interactions and data representation accuracy among nodes. This paper proposes an effective methodology termed “Multi-Scale Higher-Order Dependencies (MSHOD)” that adeptly reveals the complexity of higher-order interactions among multi-scale nodes within the global liner shipping network. The key step of this method is to construct high-order dependency networks through multi-scale attributes. Based on the critical role of high-order interactions, a method for key node identification has been proposed. Experiments demonstrate that, compared to other methods, MSHOD can more effectively identify multi-scale nodes with regional dependencies. These nodes and their generated higher-order interactions could have transformative impacts on the network’s flow and stability. Therefore, by integrating multi-scale analysis methods to mine high-order interactions and identify key nodes with regional dependencies, this approach provides robust insights for assessing policy implementation effects, preventing unforeseen incidents, and revealing regional dual-circulation economic models, thereby contributing to strategies for global, stable development.

Learning Health System to rapidly improve the implementation of a school physical activity policy

BackgroundLearning Health Systems (LHS) – characterised by cycles of evidence generation and application – are increasingly recognised for their potential to improve public health interventions and optimise health impacts; however there is little evidence of their application in the context of public health practice. Here, we describe how an Australian public health unit applied a LHS approach to successfully improve a model of support for implementation of a school-based physical activity policy.MethodsThis body of work was undertaken in the context of a strong research-practice partnership. Core LHS capabilities included: i) partnerships and stakeholder engagement; ii) workforce development and learning health communities; iii) multi-disciplinary scientific expertise; iv) practice data collection and management system; v) evidence surveillance and synthesis; and vi) governance and organisational processes of decision making. Three cycles of data generation and application were used. Within each cycle, randomised controlled trials conducted in NSW primary schools were used to generate data on the support model’s effectiveness for improving schools’ implementation of a government physical activity policy, its delivery costs, and process measures such as adoption and acceptability. Each type of data were analysed independently, synthesised, and then presented to a multi-disciplinary team of researchers and practitioners, in consult with stakeholders, leading to collaborative decisions for incremental improvements to the support model.ResultsCycle 1 tested the first version of the support model (composed of five implementation strategies targeting identified barriers of policy implementation) and showed the model’s feasibility and efficacy for improving schools’ policy implementation. Data-informed changes were made to enhance impact, including the addition of three implementation strategies to address outstanding barriers. Cycle 2 (now, testing a package of eight implementation strategies) established the model’s effectiveness and cost-effectiveness for improving school's policy implementation. Data-informed changes were made to reduce delivery costs, specifically adapting the costliest strategies to reduce in-person contact from external support personnel. Cycle 3 showed that the adaptations minimised the relative cost of delivery without adversely impacting on the effect.ConclusionsThrough this process, we identified an effective, cost-effective, acceptable and scalable policy implementation support model for service delivery. This provides important information to inform or support LHS approaches for other agencies seeking to optimise the health impact of evidence-based interventions.

Impact of the comprehensive agricultural water use reform policy on food production: Quasinatural experimental evidence from China

In 2014, the Chinese government launched a comprehensive agricultural water use reform policy (CAWURP) for the conservation of agricultural water. Thus, the question as of as to how the implementation of this policy affects food production has arisen. To answer this question, we use Chinese provincial data from 2004 to 2021 and apply the difference-in-differences (DID) method to explore the relationship between the CAWURP and food production. The results show that the CAWURP can significantly improve food production, which means that water conservation and food production growth can be achieved simultaneously. Moreover, the CAWURP can enhance technological innovation and promote large-scale crop cultivation, which is conducive to enhancing food production. Regional division based on the CAWURP, economic development level, and food production area type significantly impacts the effect of the CAWURP. For example, policy reforms have been more effective at increasing food production capacity in the northeastern and eastern regions. However, such policy reforms have been less effective in the more water-poor northwestern region and in the major food-producing regions. Based on these conclusions, this study suggests that the Chinese government should differentially implement the CAWURP by, for example, strengthening the level of policy implementation in Northwest China and adjusting policy implementation projects in not only the major food-producing regions of the country but also Central China to enhance the effectiveness of policy implementation. This study provides a useful reference for other countries aiming to conduct agricultural water reforms and enhance food security.

Female firefighters' experiences of discrimination and harassment: Implications for institutional gender policy

Women in uniformed professions, including firefighters, are at high risk of being victims of institutional discrimination and sexual harassment. The aim is to describe the occupational, social, and psycho-emotional experience of female firefighters in Chile in situations of discrimination and harassment in the organization and formulate guidelines for creating institutional gender policies. Data collection was carried out through three focus groups. Eleven female firefighters participated. The information obtained was analyzed through content analysis, forming four themes. Difficulties were identified in women doing their jobs as firefighters. Simultaneously, the presence of situations of gender discrimination and institutional sexual harassment were identified, which causes emotional exhaustion in female firefighters. Our results highlight the need for effective implementation and dissemination of institutional policies that protect female workers from abusive situations. Guidelines are proposed for the development of such institutional policies.

Progress in Ecosystem Services Research Under the Evolution of Land Use Landscape Patterns

Land use change (LUUC) is the most intuitive reflection of human activities and a key driver causing changes in ecosystem types and landscape pattern evolution [162]. Changes in land use patterns, structure, composition, intensity, and spatial patterns due to natural and anthropogenic factors affect ecosystem processes such as species movement, soil erosion, and patterns of biodiversity distribution, which in turn affect a wide range of ecosystem services, such as food provisioning, flood storage, soil retention, and soil and water conservation, and ultimately affect human well-being. Most studies have shown that changes in land use landscape patterns affect ecosystem services through multiple pathways, including changes in biodiversity, ecosystem processes and habitats. Land use change and ecosystem services have a reciprocal relationship, and the evolution of land use landscape pattern will directly affect or change the structure and function of ecosystems, which ultimately affects ecosystem services, while the results of the ecosystem services assessment can also provide a scientific basis for the formulation of relevant policies. Therefore, understanding the relationship between the evolution of land-use landscape patterns and the response of ecosystem services can not only clearly reveal the process of land-use landscape evolution, but also more accurately assess the function of ecosystem services, which can promote the scientific formulation and effective implementation of relevant planning and protection policies.

Cameroon and its 21st Century Challenges towards Achieving Sustainable Development: Appraisals and Proposals

Purpose: This study presents an appraisal of some of the dynamics which Cameroon continues to face in the 21st Century in its quest to achieve sustainable. Using various indicia, the study identifies and proffers explanation why the country continues to face surmountable challenges in its pursuit towards achieving sustainable development. To attain this objective, a broad review of published literature was employed using various journal articles, textbooks, internet sources, etc. Methodology: The study adopts a qualitative research methodology in the interpretation of data. These data are both primary and secondary derived from laws, text books, journal articles, reports, working papers and other internet sources. This study adopts an analytical approach in the interpretation of the available data. Findings: The study observes that irrespective of existence of deterrent penal laws, policy formulations from international organization and support from foreign donor institutions, the country is not yet on the path towards sustainably sound environmental practices. Cameroon is engulf in a number of challenges both internal and external, which has accounted for continuous impoverishment of its population, social progress and economic advancement of the country generally. The Study employs the post-colonial and dependency theories of development to justify some of the key findings. The internal challenges revealed in the study ranges from the continuous prevalence of poverty and hunger, corruption and misappropriation, lack of judicial independence, the prevalence of conflicts, environmental degradation and poor enforcement measures. Similarly, this study also found the underlying external challenges to include the Structural Adjustment Programmes, the influence of Foreign Financial Institutions, and neo-colonialism. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This study therefore concludes that strengthening enforcement measures, effective implementation of poverty alleviation policies, fight against corruption and misappropriation, and citizen participation can positive contribute to sustainable development in the Cameroon.

Application of Hedonic Pricing Model and Geographic Information System on Property Valuation in Yogyakarta

This study aims to: 1) identify the differences in housing choices between Generation Z (students) and the previous generation (parents or guardians); 2) determine the factors influencing housing purchase decisions; and 3) map the areas of interest for Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) students based on price. The research employs a combination of the Hedonic Pricing Model (HPM) and Geographic Information System (GIS), a method that remains limited in the field of property research. The findings reveal that significant factors affecting property prices are building area and location, with the majority of UGM students choosing to reside in Ngaglik District, Sleman Regency. Sleman Regency is also the predominant area where UGM students purchase housing in Yogyakarta. Key attributes influencing UGM students' housing decisions include a safe neighbourhood, residential environment, and distance from waste centers. This research contributes valuable information to property appraisers regarding property price distribution in Yogyakarta and its influencing factors, and provides crucial insights for effective decision-making and policy implementation in regional economic development planning, especially in less popular areas.