Feasible Policy Research Articles

Development and Influencing Factors of International Trade in Digitally Deliverable Services.

IntroductionInternational trade in digitally deliverable services has been developing rapidly in recent years, especially during pandemics. However, the growth rate and scale differ among regions and countries. To promote the growth and bridge the divide of global trade in digitally deliverable services, we provide feasible policy suggestions in this paper.MethodsBased on panel data of 33 countries' digitally deliverable service trade from 2005 to 2020, this study analyzes the development trends and influencing factors of international trade in digital-global service trade.ResultsThe development of digitally deliverable services in developed countries is far ahead, while in emerging economies such as China and India, it is growing at a high speed. Digital infrastructure; human capital; and science, technology, and innovation capacity have a significant impact on the digitally deliverable trade of countries with the level of STI playing the most important influence. Further, heterogeneity analysis shows that human capital and STI capacity are more sensitive to the digitally deliverable trade of middle-income countries than to the impact of high-income countries, and the contribution of population in middle-income countries is more pronounced.ConclusionAs the proportion of digital trade in global trade continues to increase, the role of digital service trade in countries' sustainable development is becoming more prominent. To cope with such opportunities and challenges, countries, especially developing countries, should actively increase digital infrastructure construction, improve talent training, vigorously develop digital technology, and enhance their innovation capacity.

The Chinese plug-in electric vehicles industry in post-COVID-19 era towards 2035: Where is the path to revival?

The sudden Coronavirus Disease reported at the end of 2019 (COVID-19) has brought huge pressure to Chinese Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs) industry which is bearing heavy burden under the decreasing fiscal subsidy. If the epidemic continues to rage as the worst case, analysis based on System Dynamics Model (SDM) indicates that the whole PEVs industry in China may shrink by half compared with its originally expected level in 2035. To emerge from the recession, feasible industrial policies include (1) accelerating the construction of charging infrastructures, (2) mitigating the downtrend of financial assistance and (3) providing more traffic privilege for drivers. Extending the deadline of fiscal subsidy by only 2 years, which has been adopted by the Chinese central government, is demonstrated to achieve remarkable effect for the revival of PEVs market. By contrast, the time when providing best charging service or most traffic privilege to get the PEVs industry back to normal needs to be advanced by 10 years or earlier. For industrial policy makers, actively implementing the other two promoting measures on the basis of existing monetary support may be a more efficient strategy for Chinese PEVs market to revive from the shadow in post-COVID-19 era.

Building bridges between natural and social science disciplines: a standardized methodology to combine data on ecosystem quality trends.

Despite a growing interest in interdisciplinary research, systematic ways of how to integrate data from different disciplines are still scarce. We argue that successful resource management relies on two key data sources: natural science data, which represents ecosystem structure and processes, and social science data, which describes people's perceptions and understanding. Both are vital, mutually complementing information sources that can underpin the development of feasible and effective policies and management interventions. To harvest the added value of combined knowledge, a uniform scaling system is needed. In this paper, we propose a standardized methodology to connect and explore different types of quantitative data from the natural and social sciences reflecting temporal trends in ecosystem quality. We demonstrate this methodology with different types of data such as fisheries stocks and mangrove cover on the one hand and community's perceptions on the other. The example data are collected from three United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Biosphere reserves and one marine park in Southeast Asia. To easily identify patterns of convergence or divergence among the datasets, we propose heat maps using colour codes and icons for language- and education-independent understandability. Finally, we discuss the limitations as well as potential implications for resource management and the accompanying communication strategies.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Nurturing resilient marine ecosystems’.

Participatory Project Monitoring and Evaluation and Performance of Mango Farming Projects in Makueni County, Kenya

This paper focuses on showing the necessity of crafting a feasible project monitoring and evaluation policy which would be an indispensable appraisal tool for assessing the performance of mango projects. It is extracted from the PhD thesis, which aimed to establish the influence of participatory monitoring and evaluation of mango farming projects in Makueni County, Kenya. A pragmatic research paradigm, a descriptive study plan, and a multistage sampling technique were used in the study. A sample of 375 respondents using the Krejcie and Morgan tabulation formula was selected from a population of 12,622 mango farmers. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used as tools for quantitative data analysis, while the content analysis was used for qualitative data analysis. The null hypothesis that there was no significant relationship between the participatory monitoring and evaluation of the project and the performance of the mango farming projects was tested using the correlation and the F-test. The results presented a statistically significant correlation at 95% confidence level with DF (2,367) F=4.756, t=2.269 at level of significance, P=0.000<0.05, r=0.0879 and R square=0.0773. The null hypothesis was therefore rejected, illustrating a significant relationship between the participatory project M&E and the performance of the Mango projects. Based on the results, the study identified a pressing need to use participatory project monitoring and evaluation to address performance issues across the mango value chain. Partnership Support between national and county governments was necessary to engage key experts in the field of agricultural extension, in order to engage mango farmers in improving mango performance.

Preferences for climate change-related fiscal policies in European countries: drivers and seasonal effects

We investigate drivers of preferences for policies of climate change mitigation using the European Social Survey. We find that the share of individuals who agree on (bonus/malus) potentially balanced budget policies that tax fossil fuels and subsidize renewable energies is much less than those who agree only on subsidizing renewable energies. Low levels of education and income are significantly and negatively correlated with the probability of being part of the group of tax-and-subsidy advocates. We also find evidence of a strong seasonal effect, with a significantly higher share of support for the tax-and-subsidy policy being present when interviews are conducted during the hottest months of the year. We discuss the implications of our findings in terms of politically feasible climate change policies.

CONTEXT OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND TEACHER OF BUSINESS STUDIES COMPETENCY IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KAJIADO COUNTY, KENYA

Potent policies directing professional development for teachers of Business studies focus on skills and competencies which address specific needs of learners for high achievement. Professional development for teachers of Business studies has been a trending phenomenon in the education sector in Kenya for enhancing effective teaching and learning. Contemporary training prepares teachers of Business studies with appropriate competencies for equipping learners with skills and capabilities to thrive in a dynamic and interconnected world that joins and engages the sense of curiosity. In addition, teachers of Business studies receive updates on modern pedagogical skills through pre-service training and capacity building and job motivation through teacher promotion for raising productivity. Professional development for teachers is guided by feasible policies which act as control mechanism for enhancing discipline, order and accountability in the teaching profession. Thus, this study determined the influence of policies guiding professional development on teacher of Business studies competency in Kajiado county, Kenya. The study was premised on the Context evaluation, Input evaluation, Process evaluation and Product evaluation model. Anchored on a descriptive survey design, the study targeted a population of 42 respondents from eleven public secondary schools and education offices in Isinya sub-county; Kajiado county. Data was gathered from teachers of Business studies using questionnaires and from school principals and sub-county education officials using interview schedules. Data collected was coded and fed into SPSS software version 25.0 and statistical analysis using inferential and descriptive statistics was done on cross-tabulations. The study found that policies guiding the professional development of teachers of Business studies were significantly related to teacher competency. The study recommends the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to formulate more feasible policies that guide professional development of teachers of Business studies through capacity building training, targeting contemporary issues surrounding Business studies and equipping teachers with practical skills critical for enhancing socio-economic development. Further, the study recommends the TSC to formulate attainable policies that guide and create morale of teachers of Business studies through continuous job promotion for high learner achievement.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0939/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

The political economy of coal phase-out: Exploring the actors, objectives, and contextual factors shaping policies in eight major coal countries

Political economy factors are key to explain why some countries keep expanding their coal capacity. Yet, comparable cross-country evidence is scant. We consult 123 energy experts for eight major coal countries through an online survey, to assess which political economy factors affect coal-related policies. Regardless of the political or economic system, we find that the ministry for energy, the head of state and the ruling party are consistently the most important political actors, while utilities and mining companies are the most influential economic actors. Generally, other societal actors are the least influential. Economic growth, electricity system stability and low electricity costs are very relevant objectives the major arguments of pro-coal actors. The most relevant contextual factors are the influence of the power sector and structure of the power market. Actors, objectives, and contextual factors related to the environment are consistently less important. The insights of this study help identify entry points for politically feasible policies to phase-out coal.

The EU’s Central Asia policy: no chance for change?

ABSTRACT One of the distinguishing characteristics of the European Union’s (EU) policy in Central Asia has been its continuity. Although the EU has recently revised its strategy for the region, Brussels’ priorities saw little change both thematically and in terms of approach. This article argues that two mutually reinforcing factors help explain the continuity of the EU’s Central Asia policy. First, the sui generis nature of the EU means the decision-making system is both complex and decentralized. The multitude of veto actors serves to make the status quo more realistic. Furthermore, the EU leadership is immune from the incentives and pressures of domestic political competition, an essential factor in the foreign policymaking of national leaders. The compounding factor is Central Asia’s peripherality for Brussels. The region is distant geographically and marginal economically. As a result, continuing existing approaches and commitments remains the least costly and most feasible policy option.

A National Framework for Establishing a Circular Economy for Phosphorus

Phosphate rock (PR) is a finite and limited resource from which phosphorus (P) is mined for use in fertilizer. Approximately 40% of P applied as fertilizer is lost to erosion, and nutrient pollution and eutrophication caused by run-off from excess P in agriculture is a pervasive environmental issue. As agricultural demand for P fertilizers increases, existing reserves of PR are depleted and alternate sources need to be considered. To ensure a sustained supply of P without destabilizing global food security, there is an urgent need to implement feasible policy and technology options. Establishing a circular economy where P is recovered from existing nutrient-rich waste streams and reused as fertilizers is a viable solution to the dual problem of nutrient pollution and availability. This policy memo offers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US Congress guidance to prioritize phosphorus policies by: (1) establishing a Federal Advisory Committee on a circular economy for P; (2) increasing Congressional funding of P-recovery research, (3) issuing a national ban on certain phosphate-bearing products, and (4) deregulating struvite from the 40 CFR Part 503 Biosolids Rule. We recommend implementation of a synergistic combination of the proposed policy options to accelerate transition to a circular P-economy.

Policies Guiding Pedagogy and Teacher of Business Studies Competency in Kajiado County, Kenya: Instructional Skills’ Policy Discourse

Operative utilization of policies guiding instructional skills is key in shaping ways in which teachers of Business studies incorporate varied methods of teaching, assessment of learning and integration of pedagogical resources for heightening learner academic achievement. Proper formulation and implementation of feasible policies guiding instructional skills possessed by teachers of Business studies tend to ensure even accommodation of learners during instruction process regardless of differences in learning preferences. This study pored over influence of policies directing teaching methods, assessment methods and pedagogical resources employed by teachers of Business studies in Kajiado county; Kenya. The study adopted Descriptive survey design and was informed by Context Evaluation, Input Evaluation, Process Evaluation and Product Evaluation (CIPP) model. A total of 42 respondents from eleven secondary schools in Isinya sub- county were targeted during the study. Data was collected using questionnaires as the main collection tool and interview schedules. The data gathered was ciphered and fed into SPSS software version 25.0 and statistical analysis using inferential and descriptive statistics was done on cross tabulations. The findings revealed that policies on instructional skills were significantly related to teacher competency. Informed by the findings, the study recommends that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and Ministry of Education (MoE) should formulate more policies that emphasis on instructional skills which lead teachers of Business studies to accommodate all learners during learning process. Further, the study recommends that the MoE should make teacher training in the country more practical by formulating policies that improve teaching practice period and training institutions to frequent micro teaching sessions, embracing diverse methods of teaching, assessment and guided choice of pedagogical resources.

Optimizing Information Freshness via Multiuser Scheduling With Adaptive NOMA/OMA

This paper considers a wireless network with a base station (BS) conducting timely status updates to multiple clients via adaptive non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA)/orthogonal multiple access (OMA). Specifically, the BS is able to adaptively switch between NOMA and OMA for the downlink transmission to optimize the information freshness of the network, characterized by the Age of Information (AoI) metric. For the simple two-client case, we formulate a Markov Decision Process (MDP) problem and develop the optimal policy for the BS to decide whether to use NOMA or OMA for each downlink transmission based on the instantaneous AoI of both clients. The optimal policy is shown to have a switching-type property with obvious decision switching boundaries. A suboptimal policy with lower computation complexity is also devised, which is shown to achieve near-optimal performance via numerical simulations. For the more general multi-client scenario, the optimal solution is the computationally intractable due to the large state and action spaces. As such, we devote to provide a feasible suboptimal policy with low computation complexity. Specifically, inspired by the proposed suboptimal policy of the two-client scenario, we formulate a nonlinear optimization problem to determine the optimal power allocated to each client by maximizing the expected AoI drop of the network in each time slot (i.e., minimizing the expected network-wide AoI of the next slot). The problem is shown to be non-convex, we manage to solve it by approximating it as a convex optimization problem. Simulation results validate the tightness of the adopted approximation. Specifically, the performance of the adaptive NOMA/OMA scheme by solving the convex optimization is shown to be close to that of the max-weight policy solved by exhaustive search. Besides, the adaptive NOMA/OMA scheme achieves significant performance improvement compared to the OMA scheme, especially when the number of clients in the network is large and the transmission SNR is high.

Revealing the dynamic effects of fossil fuel energy, nuclear energy, renewable energy, and carbon emissions on Pakistan's economic growth.

The primary goal of this study was to examine the relationship between fossil fuel energy, electricity production from nuclear sources, renewable energy, CO2 emissions, and economic growth in Pakistan. Data ranging from 1975 to 2019 were utilized, and the stationarity of this data was verified through the unit root testing. The dynamic connections between variables were investigated by utilizing the linear autoregressive distributed lag technique. Long-run analysis results uncover that fossil fuel energy, renewable energy use, CO2 emissions, and GDP per capita have a productive relationship with economic progress in Pakistan, whereas electric power consumption, electricity produced from nuclear sources, and energy utilization have an adverse effect on economic growth. Furthermore, the consequences revealed that fossil fuel energy, renewable energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, and GDP per capita have a significant linkage to Pakistan's economic growth via short run, whereas we revealed that the variables electric power consumption, electricity produced from nuclear sources, and energy usage have an adversative linkage to Pakistan's economic growth. Feasible progressive policies are required from the Pakistani government to pay more attention for tackling the energy and power sectors' issues in terms of fulfilling the country's energy requirements.

Impact of organizational culture, occupational commitment and industry-academy cooperation on vocational education in China: Cross-sectional Hierarchical Linear Modeling analysis.

At a time when vocational education is seen as critical for national development, concern grows regarding how weak organizational culture and occupational commitment may threaten the production of quality graduates and teachers within the field. The failure of vocational institutions to effectively create human capital likely threatens the connections between Chinese industry and its educational institutions. This study thus explores how these connections are influenced by organizational and occupational factors. A multi-layer linear model is employed on data collected from 406 teachers from 69 Chinese vocational colleges and universities. Results suggest that organizational cultural positively influences industry-university cooperative behavior through the construction of strong occupational commitment and job involvement. This study not only enriches and expands new knowledge and academic perspectives, but also provides feasible policy suggestions to help guide educational administrators toward the improvement of vocational education.

Natural resources, population aging, and environmental quality: analyzing the role of green technologies.

Depletion of natural resources and population aging are the two most critical challenges for environmental sustainability. However, the research that integrates natural resources and population aging in the same environmental policy framework is still scant. Therefore, this study investigates the linkage between natural resources, population aging, green technologies, and ecological footprint (EF) of G7 countries. In addition, this study also explores the moderating effects of green technologies on the relationship between natural resources and EF. Drawing on the panel times series data from 1970 to 2017, we employ a cross-sectional autoregressive distributed lags (CS-ARDL) model for short- and long-run empirical estimation. Our empirical analysis indicates that natural resource use exacerbates ecological degradation by increasing EF. By contrast, population aging and green technologies present positive ameliorative effects on EF. Interestingly, the interaction effect of green technologies and natural resources indicates that the damage to ecological quality from natural resources can be effectively improved by means of green technologies, thus maintaining environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the results of panel quantile regression show that the effects of population aging and green technologies on the overall ecological footprint distribution in G7 countries are heterogeneous, while the effects of natural resources on the distribution of all conditions of the ecological footprint are positive. In addition, this paper verifies the causal relationship between the variables using the Dumitrescu and Hurlin test. The findings reveal that the relevant changes in all explanatory variables are bilaterally causally associated with EF. Based on these results, this paper provides some feasible policy recommendations.

Dynamic Learning and Decision Making via Basis Weight Vectors

A New Method for Dynamic Learning and Doing For a large class of learning-and-doing problems, two processes are intertwined in the analysis: a forward process that updates the decision maker’s belief or estimate of the unknown parameter, and a backward process that computes the expected future values. The mainstream literature focuses on the former process. In contrast, in “Dynamic Learning and Decision Making via Basis Weight Vectors,” Hao Zhang proposes a new method based on pure backward induction on the continuation values created by feasible continuation policies. When the unknown parameter is a continuous variable, the method represents each continuation-value function by a vector of weights placed on a set of basis functions. The weight vectors that are potentially useful for the optimal solution can be found backward in time exactly (for very small problems) or approximately (for larger problems). A simulation study demonstrates that an approximation algorithm based on this method outperforms some popular algorithms in the linear contextual bandit literature when the learning horizon is short.

Panacea, placebo or pathogen? An evaluation of the integrated performance of polycentric urban structures in the Chinese prefectural city-regions

Although the polycentric urban structure is perceived as a bridging concept to achieve various policy goals, such as promoting economic efficiency, diminishing spatial inequity, and encouraging environmental sustainability, most studies tend to focus only on a singular dimension of polycentricity. Drawing on the non-radial direction distance function approach, our study aimed to provide a three-dimensional integrated assessment of the benefits of polycentric spatial structure in the Chinese prefectural city-regions. However, our findings were not as expected; specifically, a lower degree of polycentric city structure is robustly associated with better overall performance, and this performance is size-dependent and dominated by economic efficiency. These results shed light on the prevailing role of agglomeration economies and suggest that a polycentric-oriented spatial strategy may not be a feasible policy for Chinese prefecture-level cities.

Leveraging Public Healthcare Dollars to Funding Critical Time Intervention: A Proposal for a Scalable Solution to Crisis Homelessness in the United States

Recent experience demonstrates that substantial progress in reducing homelessness is possible if resources are directed towards evidence-based, housing-focused solutions. However, the homeless assistance systems in most countries are not adequately resourced to assist persons experiencing “crisis homelessness,” who account for the majority of the homeless population. Thus, we present a policy proposal for leveraging an expansion of Critical Time Intervention (CTI), an evidence-based behavioral health intervention, as a scalable solution for crisis homelessness. We draw on the specific policy context of the United States in proposing the use of funds from Medicaid, the public health insurance program for low-income individuals, to finance such an expansion, but argue our broader policy proposal has salience internationally as well. In presenting our proposal, we discuss why it represents a sound and feasible policy idea, focusing on the alignment between CTI and a promising new programmatic approach known as rapid rehousing. We describe the potential benefits of enacting this proposal and conclude with discussing the United States-specific and more general challenges that would need to be addressed to implement it, including the need for additional resources to cover the costs of the temporary financial assistance component of rapid re-housing.

Failure and opportunities of public value capture and developer obligations in Polish urban development

Abstract As many countries pursue private financing for urban public infrastructure, the tools for public value capture (PVC) gain prominence. This paper analyses Polish PVC tools in general, and spotlights a specific type: developer obligations (DOs). The authors conclude that the tools are ineffective for a series of reasons: negligence in the elaboration of pragmatic rationales (to mitigate the negative impacts of urban development), a lack of feasible (affordable) coercive land policy tools, and legislation (which puts Poland in sharp contrast to other countries) that prohibits municipalities from requiring DOs in exchange for approval of a land-use plan or planning permit, as well as the general ban on securing such obligations in a planning agreement (except for specific situations introduced by recent laws that have not yet been applied). As a consequence, new urban development in Poland neither includes sufficient urban public infrastructure, nor does it provide for social/affordable housing.

Urban solid waste challenges and opportunities to promote sustainable developing cities through the fourth industrial revolution technologies

Purpose In less than a decade to Sustainable Development Goals, the urban solid waste (USW) emanating from households, especially in developing countries, calls for concern. Several policies have been suggested and some implemented, but the challenges facing USW management remain, especially in developing nations. Past studies demonstrated that the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies can be used to improve urban public services. The role of 4IR in mitigating the challenges of USW is yet to receive in-depth research in Nigeria. Thus, the study investigated 4IR role regarding mitigating the challenges facing USW.Design/methodology/approach Seven cities across Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, were used as the study area to achieve the research objectives via a qualitative research design. Thirty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted from selected regulators, households, legislators, ICT experts, NGOs and waste managers. A thematic approach was adopted to analyse the collated data.Findings Findings group the USW challenges into five categories. The 4IR technologies can be used to manage USW; thus, they create an opportunity to integrate and promote sustainable clean cities.Research limitations/implications This study is confined to the 4IR role concerning mitigating the encumbrances facing USW in Nigeria and proffered feasible policies to enhance a sustainable healthy environment.Practical implications Proffered policy solutions will stir policymakers and construction practitioners to think outside the box and offer and better understand how 4IR technologies can be utilised to mitigate those challenges. The outcome will create sustainable clean cities as part of the implication contribution to the body of knowledge.Originality/value Evidence from the reviewed literature shows a paucity of literature focussed on 4IR roles in mitigating the encumbrances facing USW in Nigeria. Therefore, this study contributes to the existing research work on 4IR concerning its role in enhancing USW in Nigeria and, by extension, to other developing countries.

Key Stakeholder Perspectives on Introducing a Front-of-Pack Labelling Scheme on Packaged Foods in China: A Qualitative Study.

Front-of-pack (FoP) labelling on foods is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the growing global burden of diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), but this policy has not yet been implemented in China. The aim of this study was to ascertain key stakeholders’ views on barriers and facilitators to developing a feasible and acceptable FoP labelling policy in the Chinese context. Semistructured interviews were used to elicit opinions from diverse representatives in roles of FoP labelling policy influence. Participants were identified by purposive and snowball sampling. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was adopted to facilitate data collection and analysis. Themes and subthemes were generated using deductive and inductive approaches. Thirty participants were interviewed. The major barriers were the absence of national contextual analysis, perceived complexity of the process of policy development, disagreement on a preferred FoP labelling format, cost for the food industry, low priority compared to food safety policies, lack of existing regulatory framework or authorised nutrient profiling system, limited knowledge of FoP labelling, and the lack of planning and engagement with stakeholders. Facilitators included existing prerequisites, experiences and lessons from the pilot, policy coherence with Healthy China 2030, and support from external agents (e.g., WHO). Further efforts are required to develop and collate evidence to demonstrate the scientific, legal, and political feasibility of introducing effective FoP labelling.