Empirical Evidence Research Articles

Wildlife values can inform strategic conservation communication efforts

ABSTRACT The ways in which people value wildlife, or “wildlife value orientations,” shape attitudes and behaviors and can even predict support for environmental issues. As such, wildlife value orientations can be used strategically to inform communication strategies. We used a national, experimental framing survey (n = 1,998) to investigate how the two most predominant wildlife value orientations in the US – domination and mutualism – affect people’s intentions to engage in conservation behaviors. Results showed that respondents on the mutualistic scale were more likely to express strong intentions to donate, engage in political activity, and adopt simple actions in support of conservation. In mutualistic-oriented respondents, pessimistically framed messages generally increased intentions to donate, but both optimistic and pessimistic-framed messages were likely to backfire and reduce intentions to adopt personal conservation actions. Our findings provide preliminary empirical evidence that wildlife value orientations could guide more effective communication approaches leading to behavior change.

REACHing for divergence?-UK chemical regulation post-Brexit.

On 1 January 2021, the United Kingdom formally exited the European Union (EU; Brexit) and ceased to be subject to EU chemical regulation requirements. Before Brexit, UK chemical policy was regulated largely by the EU. With its large internal market, sophisticated regulatory capability, and stringent regulatory framework, the EU has become the world's leading regulatory state, regularly influencing global industrial decisions and practices. At the time of writing, there has been limited academic analysis of the implications of Brexit for UK chemical regulation. More than twoyears post-Brexit, we have the opportunity to assess UK chemical regulation and revisit early expectations about regulatory divergence. This article takes the EU's Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as a case study to analyze patterns of post-Brexit regulatory divergence, thereby providing one of the first analyses of the implications of Brexit on UK chemical regulation. Through the analysis and review of key documents and reports (n = 99), this article assesses the extent to which UK and EU regulatory (REACH) regimes are beginning to diverge and discusses the potential implications of any divergence for the United Kingdom. We find that the UK and EU chemical regulatory regimes are now evolving independently and provide clear, empirical evidence of an emerging divergence in regulatory decisions, ambitions, and approaches. The evidence suggests that the United Kingdom is currently unable to keep pace with EU developments, lacking the capacity, expertise, and capability of its EU counterparts, raising the prospect of further divergence in the future. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1-10. © 2024 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Advancing Research on and Treatment of Dissociative Identity Disorder With People With Lived Experience.

Dissociative identity disorder is a posttraumatic, psychobiological syndrome that develops over time during childhood. Despite empirical evidence supporting the validity of this diagnosis and its relation to trauma, the disorder remains a misunderstood and stigmatized condition. This article highlights expert consensus guidelines and current empirical research on the treatment of dissociative identity disorder. In addition, the authors describe the Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP), which was designed to leverage the expertise of individuals with dissociative identity disorder to combat stigma and improve research, clinical programming, professional education, and public outreach related to the disorder. This article also describes how LEAP members have partnered with other researchers to create new knowledge through participatory action research in order to advance equitable service provision and effect positive change.

Continuum of maternal and new-natal health care: empirical evidence from 10 developing countries in South and South East Asia

Maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, particularly in developing countries, are high even in the twenty-first century, which is a cause for concern. Therefore, this paper examines the Continuum of Mother and Neonatal Health Care (MNH), i.e., at least four ante-natal care visits (ANC 4 +), skilled birth attendance at delivery (SBA), post-natal care (PNC), and its determinants in 10 developing countries in Asia. It uses Demographic and Household Survey data (2014–2021) and finds that only 46% of women received all the MNH services, and 8% did not receive any services. In Afghanistan, only 2.8% of women availed complete care of MNH services, followed by Timor-Leste (26.1%), Bangladesh (31.5%), Pakistan (35.1%), and Nepal (38.8%). Empirical analysis shows that women with higher education, those living in urban areas, from wealthy families, and female-headed households have higher odds of availing all MNH. Media exposure, ease of access to MNH services, and the women who have attended the first ANC at less than four months of pregnancy have higher odds of availing all three MNH services. Therefore, the MNH policy should target women in rural areas who have a lower level of education and come from low-income families to improve the mother and neonatal health situation in South and Southeast Asia.

Teleworking and commuting mode choice in the post-COVID-19 era as a challenge for organisations

PurposeThis empirical research aims to provide organisations with useful information on how teleworking has affected employee commuting, allowing organisations to adapt working conditions to the new social context. This research sets out to provide evidence on the behaviour of teleworkers in terms of the mode of transport chosen when commuting to work physically.Design/methodology/approachThis research is based on a survey conducted in Madrid based on a theoretical approach grounded in the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and discrete choice models. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and discriminant analysis have been used to determine the variables that influence the mode of transport chosen by teleworkers when commuting in person.FindingsThe results indicate the prevalence of private car use by teleworkers when working at the office, finding that attitudes and satisfaction with modes of transport significantly influence their choice. The characteristics and frequency of teleworking, however, are not significant, which indicates that teleworkers attach greater importance to their preferred mode of transport, regardless of the disadvantages.Originality/valueThis research provides empirical evidence using an inductive approach to understand the challenges that organisations are facing with regard to teleworking since commuting behaviour has changed for teleworkers. This requires organisations to give significant reconsideration to the issue of commuting as an important component of working time that could condition employee satisfaction and, therefore, the retention or recruitment of talent. Furthermore, residence and mobility changes afford organisations better access for recruitment, notwithstanding urban planning implications.

Energy Poverty and Health Expenditure: Empirical Evidence from Vietnam

Energy Poverty and Health Expenditure: Empirical Evidence from Vietnam

The role of agricultural innovations, renewable energy and economic growth in the CO2 emissions of Nepal: an empirical evidence from the environmental Kuznets curve

The role of agricultural innovations, renewable energy and economic growth in the CO2 emissions of Nepal: an empirical evidence from the environmental Kuznets curve

The influence and mechanism of female-headed households on household debt risk: empirical evidence from China

With the development of society, the number of female-headed households is on the rise. Based on the data from the China Household Finance Survey (CHFS) in 2019, this paper establishes a Tobit model to study the influence of female-headed households on household debt risk. Results indicate that female-headed households can substantially reduce household debt risk, and this conclusion still holds after overcoming endogeneity issues. Further tests on the mediating effect reveal that risk aversion and housing property holding have partial mediating effects and masking effects, respectively, in the path of female-headed households affecting household debt risk. In addition, the heterogeneity analysis indicates that the influence of female-headed households on household debt risk is more significant in third-tier cities, as well as in families without children, families without elderly members, and families with more than two elderly members. The conclusions of this paper provide a reference for the relevant policy measures to reduce household debt risk and promote gender equality.

Impact of business strategy on carbon emissions: Empirical evidence from U.S. firms

Impact of business strategy on carbon emissions: Empirical evidence from U.S. firms

Contextually appropriate nurse staffing models: a realist review protocol

IntroductionDecisions about nurse staffing models are a concern for health systems globally due to workforce retention and well-being challenges. Nurse staffing models range from all Registered Nurse workforce to a...

Conflict Governance between Protected Areas and Surrounding Communities: Willingness and Behaviors of Communities—Empirical Evidence from Tanzania

Conflict Governance between Protected Areas and Surrounding Communities: Willingness and Behaviors of Communities—Empirical Evidence from Tanzania

Modification Mechanisms of Descriptive Norm Perceptions Toward Vaping: The Role of Behavior Prevalence and Group Size in an Online Setting.

We often rely on descriptive norm perceptions as a mental shortcut for decision making. However, less is known about how such perceptions are shaped and modified by our experiences in day-to-day life. The interactive nature of the current media environment offers opportunities for individuals to access others' health behavior choices through online user-generated content. Within a setting of online comment boards, the current study examined the descriptive norm perception modification process toward vaping with a large-scale experiment that systematically varied levels of exposure to online commenters' vaping behavior choice indications. Findings revealed a significant positive effect of behavior prevalence on descriptive norm perceptions, which in turn were positively associated with vaping intention. This set of results was observed only when a sufficient total amount of comment exposures was ensured. The study provided empirical evidence for the underlying mechanism of the "quasi-statistical sense," which helps people draw conclusions about behavior prevalence and may influence their behavioral decision making. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Associations between trauma exposure and irritability within the family unit: a network approach.

Pediatric irritability is a pervasive psychiatric symptom, yet its etiology remains elusive. While trauma exposure may contribute to the development of irritability, empirical research is limited. This study examined the prevalence of irritability among trauma-exposed children, identified factors that differentiate trauma-exposed children with and without irritability, and employed a network analysis to uncover associations between irritability and trauma exposure in the family unit. Sample included 676 children (56.3% male, mean age = 9.67 ± 3.7 years) and their parents referred by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families to Fathers for Change - a psychotherapy intervention designed to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV) and child maltreatment. Child's trauma exposure, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and irritability were assessed pre-intervention using self- and caregiver-report. Parents self-reported their childhood and adulthood trauma exposures, PTSD symptoms, irritability, psychopathology, and IPV. Across caregiver- and child-reports, 16%-17% of children exhibited irritability. Irritable children experienced greater trauma exposure, interpersonal violence, emotional abuse, and PTSD severity. They had caregivers, particularly mothers, with greater trauma histories, IPV, and psychopathology. Network analysis revealed 10 nodes directly correlated to child's irritability including child's PTSD severity, parental IPV (specifically psychological violence), and parental psychopathology. Results provide initial empirical evidence that pediatric irritability is linked to trauma exposure, suggesting trauma histories be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of irritability. Interventions addressing caregiver trauma, IPV, and psychopathology may ameliorate pediatric irritability. Future studies could benefit from adopting network approaches with longitudinal or time series data to elucidate causality and points of intervention.

Unveiling key determinants of higher education expenditure in Vietnam: an adaptive LASSO approach in Tobit regression analysis

PurposeThis paper investigates the key determinants affecting household spending for university degree in Vietnam. This paper serves as empirical evidence for policymakers to select appropriate factors to estimate financial needs for university students in Vietnam.Design/methodology/approachWe employ an innovative variable selection approach with adaptive LASSO for Tobit Regression Model.FindingsThe results suggest income, region and ethnicity play significant roles in determining higher education expenditure at Vietnamese households. Gender-related indicators (such as gender of household head, student’s gender), distance to school, occupations, etc. are empirically insignificant.Originality/valueThis study proposes a data-driven method by interfering regulation and Tobit regression to understand the divergence in higher education spending. Especially, adaptive LASSO was first introduced to identify key determinants of higher education expenditure at household level in Vietnam. It hopes to tackle over-fitting problems of traditional OLS regression in previous literature.

Relations between local councillors and executive boards: conceptualisations, explanations and empirical evidence from the Netherlands

ABSTRACT This paper nuances the dualism between local councils and local executives and distinguishes distinct patterns of interactions between councillors and executive members based on Anthony King's modes of executive–legislative relations. Several hypotheses explaining council–executive relations were tested using original survey data on Dutch local councillors. The interparty mode (coalition vs opposition) was found to be the most dominant relative to the non-party mode (council vs executive board) and the crossparty mode (policy specialists vs policy specialists). Councillors operate less frequently in the interparty mode when the governing coalition is oversized, and female councillors operate less often in the interparty mode than male councillors. Furthermore, an analysis of councillors shifting between modes suggests that councillors operate in the interparty mode when politically salient issues are at stake, in the non-party mode when the position of the council is at stake, and in the crossparty mode when dealing with technocratic issues.

Informal public space: exploring street vending in Tehran

ABSTRACT The shaping of public spaces in global South cities generally involves informal actors and activities competing for access, use, and visibility, with street vending being one of the most prevalent forms of urban informality. Despite the crucial role of street vendors in shaping the streetscapes and promoting employment productivity, they often face little dignity and tolerance from authorities. This paper presents findings derived from a case study in Tehran, using observation, photography, fieldwork notes, archival records, and urban mapping to investigate the dynamics of street vending in relation to human/non-human entities, including functional mix, ground-floor storefronts, pedestrian flows, and gender. Empirical evidence suggests that street vendors are attracted to high volumes of pedestrian traffic, acting as external stimuli or social catalysts that impact people’s relationships, especially women’s. The paper reveals a strong link between the predominance of street vending and increased levels of women’s activities, albeit with negligible use of public space by women vendors. The paper provides empirical evidence that street vending is a male-dominated occupation in the studied area. These findings offer insights for developing context-specific, spatially grounded interventions that recognise the diversity of street vendors and enable their activities to thrive in the public realm.

Enhancing agile product development with scrum methodologies: A detailed exploration of implementation practices and benefits

This study conducts a systematic literature review to examine the implementation, challenges, and ongoing evolution of Scrum methodologies within Agile product development frameworks. Aimed at understanding how Scrum can be effectively tailored to meet the needs of diverse organizational contexts, especially in scenarios involving remote and distributed teams, the research also seeks to uncover the trajectory of Agile practices' continuous evolution. Employing a rigorous methodology, the review analyzed peer-reviewed articles and conference papers from key academic databases, including IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and Scopus, published between 2013 and 2024. The selection was based on relevance to Scrum practices, empirical evidence, and theoretical contributions to the field of Agile development. Key insights from the study underscore the critical role of Scrum in enhancing collaboration, flexibility, and responsiveness in product development processes. Challenges identified include the necessity of overcoming organizational resistance and the importance of customizing Scrum practices to align with specific project and team dynamics. Notably, the research highlights Scrum's adaptability in supporting distributed teams through strategic communication and trust-building measures. Furthermore, the study points to the integration of Scrum with DevOps and its application beyond software development as indicators of its evolutionary potential within Agile methodologies. Finally, the study offers strategic recommendations for organizations adopting Scrum, emphasizing cultural adaptation, continuous training, and practice customization. It also suggests avenues for future research, particularly in exploring Scrum's integration with emerging technologies and broader industry applications, contributing valuable insights into enhancing Agile product development efficacy through Scrum methodologies. Keywords: Scrum Methodologies, Agile Product Development, Distributed Teams, Continuous Evolution.

The socializing nature of protest events. Consequences of the 15-M protests on participants’ political engagement over time

ABSTRACT In spite of the widespread belief that firsthand experience with protest is able to change participants’ hearts and minds, the empirical evidence tracking actual changes after participation in protest events is scant and mixed. We examine whether participation in significant protest events increases political engagement in terms of both attitudes (interest, internal efficacy) and behaviors (later participation in demonstrations, overall political participation), and whether these effects persist over time. We use a unique panel survey that covers nine years (2010–2019) and tracks individuals before and after the major protests that took place in Spain in 2011, known as the Indignados or 15-M protests. Our results indicate that participating in the 15-M protests had a positive effect on all the studied political engagement indicators immediately after the protests and, in particular, about two years after they occurred. However, eight years after the protest events, most of these effects had faded.

The effect of education on economic institutions

ABSTRACT This research is the first to use the Heritage Foundation economic freedom index as a measure of economic institutions in order to examine the relationship between education and economic institutions. It presents a variety of empirical evidence to show that education predicts economic institutions whereas the inverse is not true. It uses 2SLS, with the level of education in 1950 as the instrument for the level of education in 2015, and finds that the effect of education on economic institutions is positive and statistically significant. Also, this paper uses fixed effects in order to control for country-level omitted variables that may affect both economic institutions and the instrument. Finally, it uses difference GMM, and system GMM. These regressions exploit both the cross sectional and the time series variation in the data, address endogeneity, and confirm that the effect of education on economic institutions is positive and statistically significant.

The impact of environmental regulation on firms’ markups: evidence from China

ABSTRACT A comprehensive evaluation of the costs and benefits of environmental regulations provides empirical evidence for policymakers to formulate and introduce environmental policies. Firms’ profitability and competitiveness manifest their market power and provide the micro foundation for economic development and social stability. Therefore, this paper focus on investigating the impact of air pollution environmental regulation on manufacturing firms’ market power, measured by markups, with a difference-in-differences (DID) method. Using air pollution control policy, requiring China’s Key Cities for Air Pollution Control (KCAPC) to meet air quality standards within a specified time limit as a natural experiment, our DID estimations show that air pollution regulation significantly leads to an increase in firms’ markup rate by 0.002 in key cities that did not meet air quality standards. Heterogeneous effects show that this impact is larger for polluting firms, private-owned and foreign-owned firms, and firms located in western and central cities and cities with high marketization. Productivity and market share may be two main influencing channels to explain the positive impact of air pollution environmental regulation on firms’ markups. Our findings suggest that strengthening environmental regulation is conducive to improving the competitiveness and market power of manufacturing firms, lending support to the enforcement of environmental regulations.