Project Funding Research Articles

Terrestrial very-long-baseline atom interferometry: Workshop summary

This document presents a summary of the 2023 Terrestrial Very-Long-Baseline Atom Interferometry Workshop hosted by CERN. The workshop brought together experts from around the world to discuss the exciting developments in large-scale atom interferometer (AI) prototypes and their potential for detecting ultralight dark matter and gravitational waves. The primary objective of the workshop was to lay the groundwork for an international TVLBAI proto-collaboration. This collaboration aims to unite researchers from different institutions to strategize and secure funding for terrestrial large-scale AI projects. The ultimate goal is to create a roadmap detailing the design and technology choices for one or more kilometer--scale detectors, which will be operational in the mid-2030s. The key sections of this report present the physics case and technical challenges, together with a comprehensive overview of the discussions at the workshop together with the main conclusions.

China's Debt Trap in Indonesia: A Case Study of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail Project

Thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, the rise of China has brought forth new sets of opportunities and challenges for Southeast Asia. Indonesia has become one of Southeast Asia countries that has close economic relations with China. The Indonesia-China High Speed Rail project, which connects Jakarta-Bandung with a 142 km long line, can be seen as one of the biggest projects between Indonesia and China. However, the project faces an overrun of around USD 2 billion. This paper aims to analyze the worst possibility that Indonesia will face, namely China's Debt Trap. This paper uses the literature study method. The results show that Indonesia has the potential to be caught in China's debt-trap if there are no comprehensive economic recovery efforts without relying on foreign loans. State income from loans and debts will only lead Indonesia under the influence of the lender country. This paper suggests that Indonesia needs to reconsider its decision to use APBN funds for a new capital project, namely Nusantara. This can make Indonesia trapped in a debt-trap due to excessive reduction in state assets.

Transformational Changes in the Creative Sector under the Influence of Generative AI Technologies

Each time period of economic development is characterized by one or another key, central technology that links the technological structure together. In the 19th century, this technology became the use of steam engines, from the beginning of the 20th century – electricity and internal combustion engines, in the 90s – computerization and the emergence of network technologies, then – cellular communications and mobile broadband Internet, then – the emergence of social networks and social media. Now, according to the consensus opinion of industry experts, the function of such technology is performed by generative artificial intelligence, which emerged just a few years ago, but has already significantly changed many sectors of the economy. The article discusses the main aspects associated with the emergence of breakthrough technologies of generative artificial intelligence. The key factors that influenced the emergence of technological capabilities were studied, such as the growth of the computing capabilities of processors, a consistent increase in funding for innovative projects, and an increase in publication activity in this direction. Particular attention is paid to the characteristics of the value chain of generative artificial intelligence technologies. It is shown that hardware requirements are becoming higher, a previously non-existent stage of creating basic models appears, as well as a layer of companies adapting basic models to the tasks of business practice by learning from industry data. We have also shown that generative artificial intelligence technologies will have the greatest impact on the creative sector of the economy, since they allow us to significantly speed up and optimize processes at all stages of creating the value of a product, reducing the need for manual labor, but not replacing it completely.

Impact assessment of critical success factors (CSFs) in public construction projects of Saudi Arabia

PurposeThere is a limited number of research work on critical success factors (CSFs) in public construction projects in Saudi Arabia. In response to this knowledge gap, the objective of this paper is to assess the impact of CSFs on the government construction projects in Saudi Arabia. The success factors are investigated from a broader consideration of failure criteria, from consideration of most effectiveness in successful project completion and also from consideration of the impact of implementing control processes for successful project completion.Design/methodology/approachThis study has analysed the impact of success factors on construction projects in Saudi Arabia using a descriptive methodology. An exhaustive literature survey is undertaken to identify the success and failure factors related to government construction projects in Saudi Arabia. The survey data are sorted out and analysed by cost, schedule, technical, context and finance dimensions of the projects based on project types, engineering complexity, size, modality, jurisdictional control and funding approach. To evaluate the influence of success factors implementation, qualitative data were collected in a survey via a web-based questionnaire that was sent to officials working and occupying a responsible position in national project guidelines organizations and in government construction organizations in Saudi Arabia. In all, 28 CSFs were identified, ranked and evaluated for their impact on project success. The four identified factors belong to process categories of construction projects, nine factors belong to management of construction projects and 15 success factors are identified for impact assessment of implementation in construction projects.FindingsThe study's findings have identified and ranked the top five CSFs that significantly influence project outcomes, including meeting time targets, adhering to financial budgets, delivering desired outcomes for all stakeholders, effectively managing risks and assembling the appropriate team while optimizing resource allocation. Additionally, the research indicates that hindrances to projects primarily stem from execution, economic, human and political factors. The study advocates for strict controls over incomplete engineering designs and advises against contractors independently handling design work to ensure project success. Additionally, addressing contractors' qualifications and financial matters is crucial for project success. By highlighting these CSFs and challenges, the research provides actionable insights to enhance project management practices in the construction industry.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to the infrastructure projects constructed by governmental bodies with the participation of officials from government organizations. Further study, including private projects and officials working on private projects, may be needed to generalized the research outcome.Originality/valueNumerous studies have investigated CSFs in construction projects, but few have examined their relevance to Saudi Arabian government projects. This study aims to fill this gap by identifying key CSFs specific to Saudi Arabian public sector construction projects and assessing their impact on project success. It advocates for stringent controls in the Saudi Arabian construction sector, emphasizing the importance of preventing incomplete or altered engineering designs by contractors to increase the success rate of public sector projects. This research offers practical insights to stakeholders, advancing project management practices in Saudi Arabia's construction sector for improved outcomes and resource utilization.

Project Management Practices and Implementation of Somali Humanitarian Fund Projects by Local Non-Governmental Organizations in Mogadishu, Somalia

The effective management and control of a project are fundamental to its success. In the context of intricate projects, such as those associated with the Somali Humanitarian Fund (SHF), strict adherence to a defined scope, schedule, and budget is crucial to attaining the desired outcomes. Humanitarian and Development (SHF) projects carried out by local NGOs in Mogadishu, Somalia. The specific goals of the study included scrutinizing the role of communication in SHF project performance, evaluating the impact of planning on project success, assessing the effects of financing on project performance, and determining the importance of monitoring and evaluation in the implementation of SHF projects. The study was grounded in the Theory of Change, Management by Objective Theory, Adaptive Structuration Theory, and the Theory of Constraints. Employing a descriptive survey design, the research involved a population of 50 SHF projects. Data collection utilized a semi-structured questionnaire, and the analysis was conducted using SPSS, with findings presented through mean scores, standard deviation, and percentages. The findings highlight the critical role of effective communication, comprehensive planning, adequate financing, and robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) mechanisms in project success. Communication challenges were identified as hindrances to timely project completion, emphasizing the need for improved communication channels and strategies. Planning was deemed essential, but the recognition of inadequate planning as a challenge suggests a need for capacity building and best practice adoption. Financial support was seen as crucial, but there's room for improved assessment by financiers to ensure transparency. M&E processes were acknowledged as integral, yet areas like demonstrating corrective actions and aligning deliverables with objectives need attention for enhanced effectiveness and accountability. Recommendations include enhancing communication channels, bolstering planning capacities, improving financial management practices, and institutionalizing M&E processes. These steps aim to mitigate challenges, optimize resource utilization, and maximize the impact of SHF projects on vulnerable populations in Mogadishu.

Does the Innovation Fund Improve Healthcare Provision? A Critical Assessment of the Status of Implementing Successful Innovation Fund Projects into Healthcare Practice

Since 2015, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA)'s Innovation Fund has been supporting projects in health services research and new health service models ("Neue Versorgungsformen", NVF). By the end of 2022, 211 projects in the NVF category had been funded. A key objective is the transfer of successful projects into standard care. This article analyzes previous projects regarding their incorporation into routine care based on transfer recommendations of the Innovation Fund Committee ("Innovationsausschuss" IA). Descriptive analysis of all projects completed by August 1, 2023 with transfer recommendations in the "NVF" funding stream. Presentation by topic, project duration, time until IA transfer decision, categorization, and number of institutions and organizations (recipients) addressed per project, their feedback published on the G-BA website, response rates per recipient group, and a content classification and interpretation of exemplary feedback. Recommendations based on the results and their discussion in an expert workshop. Out of 57 NVF projects, 17 had a transfer recommendation. A total of 57 feedback responses were received from a total of 431 recipients addressed by the IA across these projects. Response rates varied significantly. One-third of inquiries to the G-BA and its member organizations received a response (31%), while only every fifth inquiry to federal states (18%) and professional societies (18%) got a response. Less than one in ten inquiries to the Federal Ministry of Health (8%), administrative bodies (6%), and the German Medical Association (0%) received a response. Project-specific feedback within a recipient group was often contradictory or limited to regional scope. The transfer process reveals significant structural and procedural obstacles regarding the incorporation of projects evaluated as successful into routine health care. To ensure that funding from the innovation fund is most effectively used, there needs to be a realistic chance of successful transfer of positive project outcomes into routine care. The DNVF recommends stronger involvement of rule-competent institutions, mandatory publication of responses, structured moderation of the transfer process, expanding types of selective contracts, financing of implementation phases and of studies drawing on results across successful NVF projects.

Global Perspectives on Financial Policy Optimization: Addressing Overinvestment and its Impact on Corporate Profitability (Study on Indonesia Stock Exchange)

The primary objective of this research is to investigate the impact of overinvestment on corporate performance. It also seeks to analyze the effectiveness of debt policy, dividend policy, and the combined use of debt and dividend policy in alleviating the adverse effects of overinvestment on corporate performance. The study utilizes data from a sample of 53 non-financial companies that carried debt and consistently distributed dividends from 2010 to 2022. Overinvestment is assessed through two methods: the residual value derived from the new investment equation and the Hodrick-Prescott (HP) filter. The data is then transformed into panel data, and various models such as fixed effect, random effect, and common effect are applied to identify the most suitable model. The findings indicate a negative correlation between overinvestment and corporate performance. Debt policy emerges as a mitigating factor, addressing agency conflicts and reducing the adverse impact of overinvestment on company performance. Similarly, dividend policy proves effective in mitigating the negative effects of overinvestment by constraining excess cash. The combination of debt and dividend policies is identified as a comprehensive strategy to mitigate overinvestment, as it aids in curbing excessive free cash flow. However, it is noted that this combination also lowers financing funds to their minimum level, potentially leading to a shortage of funds for future profitable projects. Consequently, careful calculations are emphasized to ensure companies strike a balance, avoiding neglect of profitable investments in the future.

Crowdfunding Success Factors: Financial Information and Advertising Finance

This study aimed to determine whether financial information, business location, funding objectives and advertising content as intervening variables can help the success of funding through 10 crowdfunding platforms registered with OJK. This study used signalling theory in discussing equity crowdfunding platforms, which can be assumed by small investors as a signal of business quality and can convince investors to invest, thus reducing the problem of information asymmetry. The research method used in this study was descriptive quantitative with the analytical model used to test the hypothesis was the logistic regression analysis model. The population of this study consisted of companies seeking funding through crowdfunding platforms registered with OJK Indonesia. The research was conducted in 2023. The data used in this study was secondary data obtained from published crowdfunding platform data. A purposive sampling technique was used to determine the research sample. The results of this study are expected to provide information to funding project owners and investors to be used as a guide in making decisions. Keywords: financial information, business location, funding purpose, advertising finance, and funding success

Cost-effectiveness of erosion mitigation to meet water clarity targets in the Manawatū-Whanganui Region of New Zealand

Soil erosion is a significant environmental issue worldwide. It affects water quality, biodiversity, and land productivity. New Zealand government agencies and regional councils work to mitigate soil erosion through policies, management programmes, and funding for soil conservation projects. Information about cost-effectiveness is crucial for planning, targeting, and implementing erosion mitigation to achieve improvements in sediment-related water quality. While there is a good understanding of the costs of erosion mitigation measures, there is a dearth of literature on their cost-effectiveness in reducing sediment loads and improving water quality at the catchment level. In this study, we estimate the cost-effectiveness of erosion mitigation measures in meeting visual water clarity targets. The analysis utilizes the spatially explicit SedNetNZ erosion process and sediment budget modelling in the Manawatū-Whanganui Region and region-specific mitigation costs. The erosion mitigation measures considered in the analysis include afforestation, bush retirement, riparian retirement, space-planted trees, and gully tree planting. We modelled two scenarios with on-farm erosion mitigation implemented across the region from 2021 to 2100, resulting in a 48% and 60% reduction of total sediment load. We estimate the marginal costs to achieve the visual national bottom line for water clarity, as assessed by the length of waterways that meet the clarity targets. We also estimate the marginal costs of improving average water clarity, which can be linked with non-market valuation studies when conducting a cost-benefit analysis. We find that gully tree planting and space-planted trees are the most cost-effective mitigation measures and that riparian retirement is the least cost-effective. Moreover, cost-effectiveness is highly dependent on current land use and the biophysical features of the landscape. Our estimates can be used in cost-benefit analysis to plan and prioritize soil erosion mitigation at the catchment and regional levels.

Rapidly Developing a Community- and Evidence-Based Heat Action Plan

Abstract Extreme heat contributes to 8000–12 000 excess U.S. deaths per year. Partly due to increasing summer temperatures and a renewed focus on environmental justice, local governments started new initiatives to manage and adapt to extreme heat. For example, Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, appointed Jane Gilbert as the world’s first Chief Heat Officer. This manuscript summarizes Miami-Dade County’s preliminary efforts to build local evidence, engage the community, and rapidly respond to extreme heat. The manuscript’s goal is to expedite the translation of existing tools into mainstream extreme heat, health, and equity planning. The study generated local evidence to identify the places and periods of time with elevated heat-related illness using a statistical vulnerability and time series analysis, respectively. The places with the highest severe heat-related illness rates had hotter land surface temperatures and/or higher proportions of people who were outdoor workers, Indigenous, living in poverty or mobile homes, and households with children. “Everyday” summer conditions instead of rare heatwaves increase the risk of a heat-related death. The Chief Heat Officer convened workshops that engaged 298 unique community members on six cross-sectoral heat topics. Key recommendations included increasing multisectoral heat monitoring and risk communication, building more affordable housing, preserving and expanding greenspace, and creating heat resilience hubs. The activities culminated in a Heat Action Plan, which was completed in less than two years from the receipt of project funding.

BENEFITS, CHALLENGES, AND INFORMATION NEEDS IN HYPERTENSION APPS – FIRST RESULTS OF A QUANTITATIVE SURVEY AMONG CARDIOLOGISTS IN GERMANY

Objective: In Germany, approximately 30 million people suffer from hypertension. Digital applications, such as apps, can assist individuals with hypertension in monitoring their blood pressure at home or in adhering to therapy and medication. However, healthcare professionals, such as doctors, only sporadically provide recommendations for hypertension apps. A qualitative survey has already identified the advantages, challenges, and information needs of cardiologists, which are now intended to be validated through the data from a quantitative cross-sectional study. Design and method: From October 2023 to January 2024, a quantitative, standardized questionnaire survey was conducted with cardiologists. Access to cardiologists was facilitated through the Bundesverband Niedergelassener Kardiologen (BNK - Federal Association of Outpatient Cardiologists). Participating physicians received compensation amounting to €75. The survey was conducted online using the Unipark software. Cardiologists were able to assess the advantages, disadvantages, and information needs of hypertension apps using 5-point Likert scales and free-text responses. The study is part of the innovation fund project DiPaH and has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Brandenburg Medical School (E-02-20220620). Results: The questionnaire survey is currently ongoing. The target is to include 200 cardiologists. Descriptive analysis will be conducted in January 2024. The first presentation of quantitative results will take place at the 33rd European Meeting on Hypertension and Cardiovascular Protection. Conclusions: Cardiologists could only participate online, potentially leading to a positive bias in the data towards digitally savvy physicians who may have taken part in the online survey. Nevertheless, these are the first and most comprehensive results regarding the attitudes of cardiologists towards apps in hypertension care, providing practical implications for a successful implementation of apps in hypertension management.

Assessment of Project Baseline Effect on Performance of Rwanda Education Funded Projects: A Case of Pan African Education Empowerment Project in Rwanda

A project's baseline is the research conducted at the commencement of the project to identify the current state of the project via data collecting, providing a benchmark against which subsequent modifications may be evaluated. The general objective of the study was the assessment of project baselines on performance of Rwanda education funded projects. A case of Pan African Education Empowerment Project in Rwanda and the specific objectives were to evaluate the influence of stakeholder’s participation as an effective baseline-survey on performance of education funded project of Pan African Education Empowerment Project in Rwanda, to examine the effect of project team competency as an effective baseline-survey on performance of education funded projects of Pan African Education Empowerment Project in Rwanda and to determine the effect of project costs as an effective baseline-survey on performance of education funded project of Pan African Education Empowerment Project in Rwanda. The study guided by the following theories: Stakeholder’s participation theory, project team competency theory, Project Costs Effectiveness theory and Expected Quality Standard theory. Project coordinators, PAEE project officers, District Education Officers in the Nyarugenge District, and project beneficiaries in the Nyarugenge District made up the target population of this descriptive research that used both quantitative and qualitative methods. In all there were 2689 from which a sample size of 348 was picked, the sample size calculated by Yamane formula. Researchers utilized a basic random sample strategy to choose participants from the whole population of interest, and a stratified sampling strategy to divide those participants into manageable subsets. Questionnaires, interviews, and records were used to compile the information needed for the study. Frequency tables, percentages, means, and standard deviations were generated using SPSS version 21 when data processing is complete. The predictors (Project cost effectiveness, Project team competency, and Stakeholders' engagement) and the Performance of education sponsored project of Pan African Education Empowerment Project in Rwanda are well correlated (R value of 0.807). There is a 0.221 coefficient for stakeholders' engagement (t = 3.938, p = 0.000), a 0.398 coefficient for project team competency (t = 8.381, p = 0.000), and a 0.254 coefficient for project cost effectiveness (t = 4.286, p = 0.000). This means that the performance of the Pan African Education Empowerment Project -funded education initiative in Rwanda improves in direct correlation with the level of each of these factors. These coefficients have important statistical significance and major roles in contributing to the success of the education financed project of Pan African Education Empowerment Project in Rwanda, since their p-values are considerably below the normal significance threshold of 0.05. Pan African Education Empowerment Project in Rwanda is recommended to strengthen stakeholder engagement, providing comprehensive training, investing in project team competency through professional development, conducting cost-benefit analyses, and implementing strong monitoring mechanisms to optimize financial resources and enhance the success of education funded projects.

WHO USES MHEALTH IN HYPERTENSION CARE? - INSIGHTS FROM A QUANTITATIVE SURVEY AMONG HYPERTENSION APP USERS

Objective: Digital health technologies, particularly mHealth apps, are proving to be effective tools for both prevention and monitoring of hypertension therapy. The aim of this study is to gain an in-depth understanding of the profiles and adoption patterns of mHealth users in hypertension care. Design and method: From January to October 2023, a quantitative, standardized questionnaire-survey was conducted with users of a hypertension-focused mHealth app (Hypertension.App). The data analysis included descriptive statistics as well as Bayesian univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. The study is part of the Innovation Fund Project DiPaH. Results: Overall, 255 questionnaires were included in the analysis. The mean age of the app users was 53.6 ± 13.9 years. Most participants were male (54.3%, 139/255), 42.9% (109/255) were female and 0.79% (2/255) non-binary. Most participants had a university degree (44.5%, 113/255) or high school diploma (22%, 56/255). The majority reported that they live in an urban environment (57.8%, 147/255). Overall, 44.5% (113/255) of the participants reported a monthly net income of more than 2500 € per month and 20.1% (51/255) an income between 1500-2500€ per month. The mean eHEALS score (eHealth literacy / 1-40) was 31.0 ± 4.91. Most users received a hypertension diagnosis more than 10 years ago (60.2%, 153/255) or more than 10 years ago. The most common method of discovering the app was personal searches on the web or app store (44.1%, 112/255). The majority reported using the app at least once a week (80.7%, 205/255), with daily usage reported by 52.4% (133/255). However, the app's integration into formal medical treatment was limited, with only 11.8% (30/255) of participants having their medication adjusted based on app entries. Conclusions: The high frequency of app usage suggests that users find it a valuable tool in monitoring their blood pressure. The results indicate that people with a high level of education, high income and in urban regions are more likely to use mHealth in hypertension care. Additionally, the limited integration of the app into medical treatment indicates a gap between personal health monitoring and formal healthcare.

Corruption and Good Governance in Africa: A Hermeneutical Analysis

Human beings are social and communal animals and cannot but live in an ordered society and have interactive relationships, hence good governance, which is essential for their well-being and development. This fact grounds their forming governmental apparatus to coordinate the things that are common to them; otherwise, violence and warfare may continue unabated. Good governance does not just happen. Those elected or appointed into positions of governance need to be effective, efficient and exhibit an ethical character to ensure that the good life constitutive of the promotion of human rights, provision of social facilities, and all that provide a better life for the people are in place. In the African continent, many of those in governance, instead of working for the public good to ensure a better life for their citizens, serve their private and parochial interests to the detriment of the welfare of the people by engaging in massive corruption. Corruption, especially political and public, has grave effects on the economy and the lives of the people all over the continent. Massive corruption has siphoned public funds for development projects and lodged them in foreign banks. This has led to poverty and underdevelopment, weakened sustainable development goals, caused youth restiveness, led to forced migration, poor environmental growth, and loss of millions of lives. Problematized in this paper is a continent endowed and blessed with natural and human resources but remains the poorest, most undeveloped continent in the world because of corruption. The paper used hermeneutics and critical analytic methods to examine corruption as an impediment to good governance in Africa. The hermeneutics method was used to interpret, decipher, and highlight the importance of this work’s principal concepts. The critical-analytic method was used to rationalize the arguments. The paper found that massive corruption is decimating the continent and that there is a need to combat it to ensure good governance. It concluded that combating corruption will help create a better continent where people enjoy a good life and democratic entitlements

Review: Detect and Overcomes the Problem in Project Finance

Abstract: Despite the increasing investment in constructional development over the past decade, a systematic review of construction project financing is lacking. The objectives of this paper are to conduct a systematic review to examine the policies, practices, and research efforts in the area of project finance in construction projects and to explore the potential opportunities for future research. To achieve these goals, this paper first reviewed the reasons for financial crises in the construction industry and sustainable construction project financing practices implemented by the critical analysis method for Kolhapur district. Project finance refers to the funding of long-term projects, such as public infrastructure or services, industrial projects, and others, through a specific financial structure. Finances can consist of a mix of debt and equity. The cash flows from the project enable servicing of the debt and repayment of debt and equity. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by reviewing existing policies, practices, and research efforts in the area of construction project financing. Meanwhile, the findings from this paper benefit the industry as well, because they are able to provide practitioners with a holistic view of risk and uncertainty, thereby enhancing their knowledge and skills in this regard

Participatory budgeting in Russia in conditions of economic instability

Subject. The article considers theoretical and methodological aspects of participatory budgeting development in Russia. Objectives. The aim is to substantiate the effects of using the participatory budgeting under economic instability. Methods. The study draws on general scientific methods of cognition (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, comparison, and analogy), and special methods of cognition (comparison of theoretical and practical material, expert method, systematization, and classification). Results. Changes in methodological aspects of budget planning significantly affected the implementation of budget policy. Budget planning is influenced by internal and external factors, and by entities with which public legal entities have to interact at the subnational level. The paper focuses on financial aspects of participatory budgeting, like the total amount of funding for participatory budgeting projects, the average cost per project, the number of funded projects, sources of funding. I investigated options for including participatory budgeting in the budget process of Russian regions and municipalities and identified two main ones used by public legal entities. Conclusions. The study substantiates why participatory budgeting is advisable to apply in conditions of economic instability and uncertainty. It highlights the effects of the development of participatory budgeting practices and specifics of their implementation at the municipal level. The findings can be useful for public authorities, local governments, and those involved in participatory budgeting.

A decision-making framework for the funding of shipping decarbonization initiatives in non-EU countries: insights from Türkiye

The decarbonization of the shipping industry is a critical imperative in the global fight against climate change. Non-EU countries, being significant contributors to shipping emissions, play a crucial role in shaping the industry's sustainable future. However, securing funding for shipping decarbonization initiatives in these countries presents challenges, such as limited access to capital, lack of financial initiatives, political and regulatory uncertainties, technological risks, lack of local expertise, and the effects of global economic volatility. Addressing these challenges demands innovative strategies. The paper explores ways of effectively allocating funds for decarbonization projects in the shipping industry of non-EU countries, Türkiye in particular, using a structured decision-making framework tailored to their specific needs and challenges. We adopt the Moment Integrated Solution Method (THEMIS) to identify the “best” option from the range of alternative strategies identified in the framework. Our findings show that the use of incentive mechanisms is the most prioritized funding alternative, followed by the implementation of a sound Cap-and-Trade system and the promotion of strict local regulations to combat emissions. These imply that the prioritization of funding mechanisms, market-driven approaches, and more stringent regulation are key drivers in maritime decarbonization efforts. The Türkiye case study on strategies to achieve a greener maritime industry in developing countries also shows that securing funding for decarbonization requires a concerted effort by governments, private entities, and international organizations.

Assessing Factors Influencing the Failure of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Projects in Education and Health Sectors in Zambia: A Critical Analysis

This study critically evaluates factors leading to the failure of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects within Zambia's education and health sectors, aiming to recommend effective strategies for improving project success rates. Utilizing a sequential mixed-method approach, the research examines the effectiveness of existing management strategies, identifies key factors contributing to project failures, and explores challenges faced by project committees. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, a literature review, and five focus group discussions (FGDs) with 46 respondents from Chongwe Constituency. Purposive sampling was employed to gather both primary and secondary data. Quantitative data were analyzed using the mean t-test to determine factors significantly impacting community engagement and project outcomes. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis to explore themes from interviews, literature, and FGDs, enhancing the triangulation of findings. Findings reveal that despite the alignment of management practices with best practices, factors such as failure to use CDF, funding delays, lack of transparency and accountability, weak monitoring and evaluation, limited community involvement, and limited community knowledge of CDF, contractor incompetence, Key challenges faced by implementors included, volunteer status of WDCs which was unsustainable and challenging, lack of capacity building contribute to project failures. The study advocates for improved project management practices, enhanced stakeholder engagement and education about CDF to communities and robust monitoring to increase project success.

Modeling Funding for Industrial Projects Using Machine Learning: Evidence from Morocco

Moroccan manufacturing companies investing in the metallurgical, mechanical, and electromechanical industries sector are among the contributors to the growth of the national economy. The projects they are awarded do not have the same specific features as those of operating activities within other companies. They share several common features, making them particularly complex to fund. In such circumstances, supervised machine learning seems to be a suitable instrument to help such enterprises in their funding decisions, especially given that linear regression methods are inadequate for predicting human decision making as human thinking is a complicated system and not linear. Based on 5198 industrial projects of 53 firms operating in the said sector, four machine learning models are used to predict the funding method for some industrial projects, including are decision tree, random forest, gradient boosting, and K-nearest neighbors (KNN). Among the four machine learning methods, the gradient boosting method appears to be most effective overall, with an accuracy of 99%.

Bio-inspired algorithms for feature engineering: analysis, applications and future research directions

Purpose Nature’s evolution has shaped intelligent behaviors in creatures like insects and birds, inspiring the field of Swarm Intelligence. Researchers have developed bio-inspired algorithms to address complex optimization problems efficiently. These algorithms strike a balance between computational efficiency and solution optimality, attracting significant attention across domains. Design/methodology/approach Bio-inspired optimization techniques for feature engineering and its applications are systematically reviewed with chief objective of assessing statistical influence and significance of “Bio-inspired optimization”-based computational models by referring to vast research literature published between year 2015 and 2022. Findings The Scopus and Web of Science databases were explored for review with focus on parameters such as country-wise publications, keyword occurrences and citations per year. Springer and IEEE emerge as the most creative publishers, with indicative prominent and superior journals, namely, PLoS ONE, Neural Computing and Applications, Lecture Notes in Computer Science and IEEE Transactions. The “National Natural Science Foundation” of China and the “Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology” of India lead in funding projects in this area. China, India and Germany stand out as leaders in publications related to bio-inspired algorithms for feature engineering research. Originality/value The review findings integrate various bio-inspired algorithm selection techniques over a diverse spectrum of optimization techniques. Anti colony optimization contributes to decentralized and cooperative search strategies, bee colony optimization (BCO) improves collaborative decision-making, particle swarm optimization leads to exploration-exploitation balance and bio-inspired algorithms offer a range of nature-inspired heuristics.