Effective Policy Research Articles

A review of studies on the effectiveness of the new rural social pension insurance policy

The new rural insurance policy is of great significance for improving China's social pension security system, alleviating social conflicts, and promoting social stability. This article provides a comprehensive review and research on the development process, policy effects, challenges, countermeasures, and prospects of the new rural insurance policy, based on existing literature and relevant data. Research has identified three distinct stages in the progression of the rural insurance initiative.: the exploration stage of local pilot projects, the stage of central unified policies and national pilot projects, and the stage of comprehensive promotion and institutional improvement. The policy effect mainly involves the impact on three levels: government credibility, family economy, and social and cultural concepts. At the same time, it has been found that there are still some problems with the implementation of the new rural insurance policy, such as insufficient publicity, legislative and authoritative power. Finally, based on existing literature, corresponding optimization paths and prospects are proposed to address the existing problems.

Analysis of the Role of Digital Economy in Hebei Province's Economic Transformation

Hebei Province, located in northern China, is a key player in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development strategy. Despite steady economic growth, Hebei faces significant challenges in achieving sustainable, high-quality development due to its reliance on traditional heavy industries like steel, chemicals, and building materials. The digital economy offers a transformative opportunity to address these challenges by enhancing industrial transformation, promoting green production practices, and fostering technological innovation. This paper examines the current economic structure of Hebei, the progress of digital economic development, and its integration with traditional industries. It also explores the potential for digital technologies to optimize industrial efficiency, improve resource allocation, and support Hebei's transition from a resource-dependent to an innovation-driven economy. The study identifies the gaps in technological innovation and industrial capabilities and proposes strategic recommendations to strengthen Hebeis position within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development framework. Future research should focus on regional differences, workforce education, environmental impacts, and policy effects on industrial and digital innovation.

Microsimulation models on child and adolescent health: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionMicrosimulation models are computer-based models, which can be employed to simulate the behaviour of microagents, such as children and adolescents, to understand the potential behavioural and economic effects of health...

Implementation of the Performance Allowance Policy at the Regional Inspectorate Office of North Sulawesi Province

The purpose of this study was to analyze the implementation process of the performance allowance policy at the Regional Inspectorate Office of North Sulawesi Province, identify obstacles faced during its implementation, and assess its impact on employee performance. This research used a descriptive qualitative approach using data collection methods such as in-depth interviews, observation, and document review. Analysis was conducted using thematic analysis techniques to identify patterns and main themes related to the implementation of the performance allowance policy. The results showed that the performance allowance policy at the Regional Inspectorate Office of North Sulawesi Province had been implemented in accordance with applicable regulations. However, several challenges were identified, including budget constraints, resistance from some employees, and a lack of understanding of the performance appraisal mechanism. The impact of this policy on employee performance varies. Some employees experienced increased motivation and productivity, while others were less affected by the policy. Factors such as transparency in performance evaluation and clarity in reward mechanisms play an important role in the effectiveness of performance allowance policies. This study recommends improvements in policy communication, increased socialization of the performance allowance mechanism, and continuous evaluation to ensure that the policy is more effective and fair for all employees.

Review of the studies regarding the evolution of China's long-term care insurance framework

Community care and long-term care concerns have attracted substantial attention from both the government and society as China's aging process accelerates. an important tool for managing elder impairments, reducing family stress, and advancing social justice in China is long-term care insurance. The modern academic community has had a major impact, on the creation of a system of multi-tiered care services the structure of long-term care insurance, and the invention and adaption of global techniques. However, the research is not without its shortcomings, such as the absence of a systematic theoretical framework, insufficient implementation studies in rural regions, a poor appraisal of the long-term impacts of policies, and a lack of interdisciplinary collaboration. Future research should concentrate on important areas, such as a thorough examination of the execution effectiveness of long-term care insurance policies and an evaluation of the adaptability of current rural elderly care service models, in order to promote the long-term advancement and improvement of the long-term care insurance system.

A Quantitative Research of Retirement Policy in China Based on PMC-AE Index Model

Under the circumstance of aging phenomenon, Chinas government tried to keep social stability by changing retirement policies. So far, there is no research has systematically evaluated the consistency of the series of policies issued by China's retirement system, or pointed out the advantages and disadvantages of the current retirement policies in China. This paper evaluates Chinas retirement policy (1950-2022) in a quantitative method by PMC-AE index model. Based on the model, it sets nine major variables, including policy level, policy duration, policy nature, target population, release body, policy evaluation, policy input, policy implementation, and policy impact. Results show that the average of PMC index for 14 Chinas retirement policies was 8.21, 3 excellent consistency policies (P10, P11, P14) and 11 perfect consistency policies (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9, P12, P13). Policy 13 Civil Servant Law of the Peoples Republic of China (retirement part) gains the highest score (8.47), and Policy 11Shanghai Urban Employee Pension Insurance Measures scored the lowest (7.97). Therefore, China's retirement policies are generally perfect consistency and low fidelity. The main risk factors are policy implementation and target population. But it gets high marks for policy consistency, effectiveness and input.

An overview of rural e-commerce policy research in the context of rural revitalization

The expansion of rural industry is aided by rural e-commerce, which is a key element of China's rural revitalization. More and more policies, such as the implementation of the “Digital Business for Agriculture” project, have laid a solid foundation for the development of rural e-commerce, which is particularly emphasized in this paper in a systematic review of the historical process of rural e-commerce policies from initial exploration to high-quality development. Through a study of the literature, this article examines the current situation in terms of the coupling effect of policies, talent nurturing, urban-rural development impacts, and economic advantages. However, there are issues with the creation, landing, and oversight of rural e-commerce rules. By addressing these issues, suggesting related development strategies, and projecting the development trend that rural e-commerce policies will present in the future, this paper seeks to offer theoretical references and practical guidance for the formulation and implementation of rural e-commerce policies.

The Impact of Talent Attraction Policies on Housing Prices in Haikou, Nanjing, and Wuhan

In the context of escalating global urban competition, attracting top talent has become essential for cities to boost economic competitiveness. Talent attraction policies significantly impact local economies and real estate markets by driving population growth and enhancing urban innovation. Talent attraction programs profoundly influence local economies and real estate markets by stimulating population expansion and fostering urban innovation. This study focuses on Haikou, Nanjing, and Wuhan, using empirical methods to analyze the impact of talent attraction policies on housing prices. Through parallel trends tests and group regression analyses, results show that these policies significantly affect housing prices, with policy implementation leading to notable price increases. Additionally, mediating effects analysis indicates that research and development levels and patent grants mediate the relationship between talent attraction policies and housing prices, highlighting innovation as a key mechanism. Placebo tests confirm the validity of these policy effects, revealing no significant impacts outside the implementation periods. This paper advises governments to refine policy measures, balance real estate market health with talent attraction, and enhance investments in research infrastructure for sustainable urban economic growth.

Effects of US state paid family leave policies on perinatal and postpartum health: A quasi-experimental analysis.

The US is the only high-income country without a national paid family leave (PFL) policy, although several states have implemented policies recently. This study evaluated whether PFL policies in six states improved maternal and infant health. We used difference-in-differences, a quasi-experimental approach, to estimate the impact of state-level policy implementation. We leveraged recently developed methods designed to account for staggered policy implementation and treatment effect heterogeneity. Data were drawn from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System 2004-2021 waves. Primary outcomes included breastfeeding, maternal postpartum depressive symptoms, and attendance at a postpartum check-up; secondary outcomes included birth outcomes. Multivariable regressions were adjusted for possible confounders. PFL policies led to increased breastfeeding duration (0.53 weeks; 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.99) and decreased depressive symptoms (-0.93 percentage points; 95% CI: -1.84 to -0.01). Policies were also associated with worsening of some birth outcomes, possibly reflecting selection in utero, data limitations, or true negative effects. Estimates were largely robust to alternative specifications, with subgroup differences by race/ethnicity and income. This study adds important evidence on the health effects of state-level PFL policies at a critical point when many states are considering or enacting policies, and during ongoing conversations about national PFL policy implementation.

Consistency of Thailand National Energy Plan and Strategic Policy for Energy Management Toward SDG

Objectives: This study evaluates the sustainability of conservation projects for residential buildings in Al Balad, Jeddah, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It examines the effectiveness of implemented policies, strategies, and methodologies aimed at preserving this area. Theoretical Framework: Rooted in established theories of heritage conservation, the study emphasizes integrating sustainable development principles with architectural preservation. It advocates for a holistic approach that addresses both historical integrity and contemporary challenges. Method: Employing a qualitative methodology, the research includes in-depth case studies of the Al Sharbatly and Nasif Houses and reviews relevant academic literature, conservation policies, and historical documents to understand the conservation context in Al Balad. Results and Discussion: Findings reveal successes, such as innovative materials and community engagement, but also highlight challenges in policy implementation and balancing authenticity with modern development. The discussion emphasizes the need to reconcile preservation efforts with contemporary needs. Research Implications: The study offers actionable recommendations to enhance conservation policies, stressing stakeholder engagement at all levels. It also promotes integrating sustainable practices into heritage conservation, encouraging an interdisciplinary approach. Originality/Value: By incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), focused on sustainable cities and communities, this research enriches the academic discourse and offers practical insights for policymakers and conservation practitioners.

The disenchanted fairy godmother: comparing how and why evidence-based management and public service professionals influenced policy performance in public school and active labour market policy in Denmark

Background: The aspiration to use evidence to enhance the legitimacy and effectiveness of policies is widely shared but often falls short. A common explanation for failure is the presence of barriers to utilising evidence or the inadequacies of the evidence available to policy makers. Aims and objectives: The article examines how and why evidence-based policies sometimes fail to enhance policy performance, through a comparative analysis of evidence-based management in Danish public school and active labour market policies after 2000. The two cases are characterised by similar policy performance problems but vary in terms of evidence-based management styles and responses from public service professionals. Methods: The article relies on document analysis and expert interviews with civil servants and key stakeholders to explain how and why evidence-based policies fail to improve policy performance in the two cases. Findings: We find that evidence-based policy making did not resolve performance problems in either case, though for different reasons. In public school policy, conflict over the 2014 Public School Reform impacted negatively on its implementation despite efforts to incorporate evidence in its design. In active labour market policy, evidence-based policies were imposed on job centres and institutionalised in key performance indicators, but over time critique of processual requirements and indignified casework accumulated and contributed towards a political decision to reform job centres. Discussion and conclusion: We advocate for setting realistic expectations about the potential of evidence in resolving policy performance problems and caution against overstating the ‘dream’ of evidence-based policy making.

When Less Means More: Policy Accumulation, Administrative Capacities, and Policy Performance

Abstract Democratic governments have consistently introduced new policies to address various societal, economic, and environmental issues. However, this ongoing expansion of policy measures risks overburdening the public administrations responsible for their execution. To explore this challenge, we examine how the relationship between the size of sectoral policy portfolios and available implementation capacities impacts the effectiveness of sectoral policies. Our analysis of environmental policies across OECD countries reveals a growing disparity between the number of policies requiring implementation and the resources available to carry them out, which in turn negatively affects policy performance.

Can ‘breaking the rigid payment’ lead to better household financial asset allocation? Evidence from China’s financial regulation

ABSTRACT Changes in financial regulation profoundly impact the broader economy and shape household financial behaviour. Using the implementation of the New Asset Management Regulation (NAMR) as an exogenous quasi-natural experiment, we investigate the effect of financial regulatory policies on optimizing household asset allocation. Our findings show a significant improvement in household portfolio returns. Mechanism analysis indicates that regulatory policies enhance asset allocation by boosting financial literacy and reducing overconfidence. Additionally, the optimization effect is more pronounced among households in non-financial industries and rural areas. From the perspective of household financial participation, we provide policy recommendations to strengthen the financial system and promote rational, high-yield asset allocation.

Verifying the “Porter Effect” of Green Credit Policy on Upstream Suppliers in the Green Supply Chain

In striking contrast to the hot debate on the effect of the Green Credit Policy (GCP) on heavy-polluting enterprises (HPEs), little attention has been paid to the policy effect on upstream enterprises of HPEs in the green supply chain. Using the data of China’s A-share listed companies from 2009 to 2020 and regarding the promulgation of GCP as a quasi-natural experiment, we manually collect upstream suppliers providing source control and end-of-pipe treatments to HPEs and investigate the impact of GCP on the green innovation in these suppliers. Findings show that: (i) The GCP promotes green innovation in upstream suppliers of HPEs, especially those providing end-of-pipe treatments. Such findings hold after a series of robustness tests. (ii) Green innovation in these suppliers increases alternatively after promulgating the policy. A higher-than-average growth in green innovation in SOEs (state-owned enterprises) supplying advanced equipment for source control, non-SOEs providing end-of-pipe treatments, large-scale enterprises, as well as suppliers in cities with well-developed finance systems, suggesting that these enterprises are more likely to collaborate with HPEs under credit constraints. (iii) Insight into the potential mechanisms reveals that the credit policy can effectively improve internal environmental concerns and demand-induced trade credits of upstream suppliers to green the supply chain.

Exploring the roles and challenges of national development experts on the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh

ABSTRACT Bangladesh hosts nearly one million Rohingyas who live in several congested camps in Cox’s Bazar, making it the largest refugee camp in the world. Many NGOs and several UN agencies support the Rohingyas with essential basic needs. The enormity and complex nature of the crisis have created spaces for practitioners, researchers, academics, and activists to get involved in the quest for a dignified and sustainable solution for the Rohingyas. Based on 25 interviews with various “experts” (including academics, researchers, and activists) working on the Rohingya crisis, this paper explores to what extent the “experts” can play a meaningful role in resolving this crisis. Our evidence suggests that a nonchalant, non-responsive practice limits the roles of “experts” in making meaningful contributions towards effective policy formulation for this crisis. Traditionally, there remains a lack of evidence-based policy formation in various sectors in Bangladesh. The case of the Rohingya is no exception. The lack of evidence-based policy culture makes it difficult for the experts, although “international”: experts enjoy some advantages over national experts.

Accountability audits of natural resources and industrial green total factor productivity: evidence from China

Accountability audits of natural resources, which aim to support green development, constitute a Chinese institutional innovation. In this study, we employed a multiperiod difference-in-differences model to investigate the influence of accountability audits of natural resources on the industrial green total factor productivity by matching 2012 to 2019 province‒industry annual data. We demonstrated that accountability audits of natural resources considerably increase the green total factor productivity among heavily polluting industries and the overall industry greening level. These findings continued to hold after expansion tests, and a series of robustness tests were performed. Further analysis revealed that via resource allocation optimization and driven by technological innovation, audit supervision supports increased green total factor productivity levels among heavy polluters. Moreover, regional, industrial, and individual characteristics exerted heterogeneous impacts on industrial green transformation. Thus, this study yields a novel contribution, as it is the first in which industry-level data are used to clarify the controversy observed in previous studies and the first to provide incremental empirical evidence to support the reliability and sustainability of the policy effects of accountability audits of natural resources.

Modelling the effects of climate policy on firewood collection and women’s welfare in developing countries

Abstract Climate policies such as carbon taxes for emissions reduction could be detrimental to social welfare in developing countries. High energy prices could induce substitution towards traditional solid fuels such as fuelwood for cooking. Given fuelwood is primarily collected by women in low- and middle-income countries, climate policies may particularly affect women’s welfare. This article reviews the empirical evidence on climate policies, energy use and women’s well-being. Further, I develop a theoretical framework to characterise the potential effects of climate policy and complementary social policies on women’s welfare. The theoretical results show provision of clean cooking technologies and improved biomass cook-stoves, when complementary to fuel taxes, could improve women’s welfare and confer health and climate benefits in developing countries. The predictions of the theoretical framework are validated in the empirical literature.

Does Climate Change Hinder Women's Participation in the Labour Market in Africa?

ABSTRACTClimate change remains a global threat whose disparate and controversial impacts over the past three decades have fuelled an extremely fertile literature. In this article, we analyse its effects on women's participation in the labour market (WPLM) based on a sample of 48 African countries. For this purpose, we consider two dimensions of climate change (temperature and rainfall), then specify and estimate a dynamic panel data model using the System Generalised Method of Moments (S‐GMM) over the period 2000–2019. Our results show that approximate climate change significantly reduces women's labour market participation in Africa due to exposure to greater vulnerability, particularly with respect to agriculture, which is their main source of income. The robustness of the results is demonstrated by the women's sectoral employment in agriculture, industry and services through Africa. We suggest the effectiveness of sustainable climate policies to consolidate and ensure better integration of women in the labour market and improve the gender equity in the African workforce.

Financial Strategies Driving Market Performance During Recession in Nigerian Manufacturing Firms

This study examines the interplay between leverage, dividend policy, and market performance in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector during the economic downturn of 2016–2020. Drawing on signaling and trade-off theories, we investigate how firms balanced leverage and dividend payouts to sustain performance amidst macroeconomic shocks, including currency depreciation, inflation, and weakened consumer demand. Using panel data from 26 Nigerian Stock Exchange-listed firms, the study applies pooled ordinary least squares (POLS) and fixed-effect models (FEM) to analyze the direct and interactive effects of leverage and dividend policy on market performance, controlling for profitability, firm size, and taxation. The findings reveal that leverage generally exerts a negative effect on firm value, particularly long-term debt, which increases financial distress risks. However, the interaction between leverage and dividend payouts positively moderates this relationship, suggesting that firms use dividends strategically to signal stability and mitigate leverage-related risks. Profitability emerges as a key determinant of firm value, while short-term debt provides operational flexibility, and taxation imposes significant financial strain. Larger firms demonstrate greater resilience, benefiting from scale economies and diversified funding sources. This research highlights the importance of an integrative financial strategy during periods of economic uncertainty, emphasizing the complementary roles of leverage and dividend policy in enhancing firm value. The findings offer critical insights for policymakers and corporate managers in emerging markets, advocating for tax reforms and prudent financial management to improve business resilience. By addressing gaps in the literature, this study contributes to the understanding of financial decision-making in developing economies.

Examining the asymmetric influence of tax revenue policy in an oil-dependent economy: evidence from Oman

Purpose This study aims to examine the asymmetric effects of tax revenue policies on the economic activity of Oman. Design/methodology/approach This study applies the nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag model and uses data from 1980 to 2022. Findings The findings confirmed that economic activity has a cointegrating relation with the positive and negative shocks of the tax revenue policy and selected macroeconomic variables. In addition, the long-run results show that positive changes in tax revenues have a positive significant effect on the economy, while negative shocks in tax revenues have a negative effect on the economy at the 5% significance level. The study concludes that a significant long-term asymmetric relationship exists between taxation policy changes through the revenue channel for the economy of Oman. Originality/value No previous study has specifically investigated the asymmetric impact of tax revenue policies on the economy of Oman, which is an oil-dependent country. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first attempt to explore this relationship with respect to the Omani economy, and it uses extensive time series data and employs various contemporary econometric techniques. Given Oman’s reliance on oil and gas revenues, which typically fund approximately 70% of the country’s annual budget through taxation on oil and gas sold, fluctuations in global oil prices directly influence country’s fiscal position. Thus, this study contributes to the literature by empirically confirming the asymmetries impact of fiscal (tax) policies on Oman’s economy. The implication of the results suggests that the government cut back on tax incentives and tax exemptions for local and foreign businesses. This move can foster economic growth and reduce the negative competition effect among investors and taxpayers, which may ultimately improve the country’s tax revenue.