Government Decision Research Articles

PRIORITY DIRECTIONS OF ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT IN THE WAR CONDITIONS BASED ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES AND DIGITAL TOOLS

The article examines the modern challenges faced by Ukrainian enterprises in war conditions and the strategic approaches to adapting to these challenges. As business leaders, policymakers, and analysts, your understanding and support are crucial. The current stage of Ukraine's economic development, characterized by high instability due to the full-scale invasion of Russia, dictates new conditions for the functioning of domestic enterprises. In these conditions, implementing information technologies and digital tools becomes critically important for ensuring sustainable development and adaptation of enterprises to new realities. The influence of the war on the strategic behavior of enterprises is considered in detail, emphasizing the need to adapt to rapid changes in the external environment. In constant uncertainty and risks, enterprises are forced to look for new development opportunities, actively implement information technologies, and diversify their activities. The main challenges and barriers faced by enterprises during the war are also analyzed. Among them are the lack of sufficient capital, limited access to credit funds, the unpredictability of the situation in Ukraine, the negative impact of government decisions on business, and others. To overcome these problems, enterprises must look for development directions and develop appropriate development strategies that consider internal opportunities and external threats. Digitization and the use of information technologies are becoming critical tools for achieving these goals, allowing enterprises to adapt to changes in the external environment quickly, increase the efficiency of their activities, and maintain competitiveness. Special attention is paid to such promising development directions as DefenseTech, FinTech and cyber security. These directions, with their significant potential for development in wartime, provide the necessary technological solutions to improve the security and efficiency of enterprises, offering a beacon of hope for the future. Thus, the article provides a comprehensive analysis of the priority directions of enterprise development in wartime conditions, with an emphasis on implementing information technologies and digital tools.

Considerations on citizen participation in the development of public policies: insights from a Habermasian perspective

The Habermasian theory has the potential to help understand government initiatives aimed at implementing actions in the public interest with social participation. It provides an epistemic framework for understanding the coherence, comprehensiveness, and sustainability of government decisions and actions. The objective of this analysis was to examine the fundamental concepts of Habermasian thought and its strengths in understanding public policies. Additionally, a proposed analytical framework of public policy with Habermasian categories is presented. A documentary-analytical methodology was used, involving the review, analysis, systematization, and interpretation of books, scientific articles, and theses related to the central themes of the study. The results indicate that the theory of communicative action, the notions of public sphere, and deliberative procedure enable the creation of mechanisms and spaces for debate and social participation in the management of public policies, legitimizing the normative system in a democratic rule of law. In conclusion, it is established that the use of analytical categories from Habermasian thought, when contextualized, contributes to the practice of social management in addressing public policy issues of collective interest.

A Judicial Case Study on Inheriting Membership Shares in Rural Collective Economic Organizations - An Empirical Analysis of 132 Judgment Documents

The government Decision on Several Major Issues Concerning Comprehensive Deepening of Reform stated that the shares of collective assets should have the right of inheritance, thus bringing the issue of inheritance of shares in rural collective economic organizations into public view. In 2016, the government issued the Opinion on Steadily Advancing the Reform of the Collective Property Rights System in Rural Areas, which encouraged localities to carry out practical exploration of inheritance of shares in rural collective economic organizations. Since then, numerous practical cases concerning inheritance of shares in rural collective economic organizations have emerged across the country, but because of the delay in legislation, different standards have been applied in handling related issues in different places, resulting in a large number of "same case but different judgments." Through a comparative study of rural collective economic organization theory and the collection of 132 civil judgments involving inheritance of shares in rural collective economic organizations from various places for empirical research, it was found that the scope of heirs was unclear, the proportion of non-collective members who could inherit was unclear, and the procedures for inheritance were unclear. Therefore, this study aims to provide judicial application suggestions for clarifying the scope of heirs, clarifying the proportion of non-collective members who could inherit, and clarifying the procedures for inheritance, in order to provide some reference for future judicial practice.

Faith in Conflict: Examining the Varied Available Chronicles of Churches' Responses to the South African Border War and Their Enduring Legacies

On 26 August 1966, the first skirmish between the South African Defence Force (SADF) and the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), known as Operation Blue Wildebeest, took place and the hostilities, which had been increasing for some time, were ignited. Thus, the South African Border War, otherwise known as the Namibian War of Independence, which would span the next two decades, began in earnest. This paper examines the conflict from the discipline of Church History in order to illuminate the nuanced development of the relationship between the church in South Africa and the concept of war, as well as the varied responses from different denominations to the conflict as it progressed. As the last conflict, which necessitated an active draft of South African men, the war's immediate effects were felt throughout society and persisted into the future. The churches' responses ranged from staunch support for the government's decision and involvement in the war to vocal opposition, thus reflecting diverse theological perspectives and ethical positions. The article sheds light on how different denominations responded publicly to the war, with the aim to highlight how these discussions were influenced by the circumstances of the time and how they changed in the following years leading up to the close of the war.

Hegemony and Colonialization in the Water Management Sector: Issues and Lessons for IWRM

Water resources management and the broad concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) attract varied perspectives about their effectiveness and equity as they address diverse needs across sectors and contextual situations. Managers in the water sector generally support their current governance models, while anti-poverty advocates seek more equity in the distribution of resources. Another group of stakeholders claims a lack of inclusivity in decision-making, leading to inequitable outcomes due to hegemony and colonialization of the water management domain by sector experts, officials, and other actors. IWRM focuses on reforms in water governance to achieve greater participation and sharing of power by all sectors of society in decision-making. It can facilitate the involvement of all groups of stakeholders, including those who may in some cases need to engage in social action to address water issues. This paper reviews the claims about the validity of IWRM and analyzes them according to management scenarios where water is a connector among sector issues. The scenarios show that participation in utility and local government decisions is the main pathway for urban water, wastewater, and stormwater management, while the same pathway is more difficult to organize in dispersed situations for domestic supply and irrigation in rural areas, some cases of aquifer management, and management of sprawling flood risk zones. The body of knowledge about participation in water resources management is robust, but organizational and financial capacities among existing entities pose barriers. Water resources management and IWRM do involve hegemony, and the field of practice has been colonialized, but the existential issues and complexity of the decisions and systems involved challenge society to manage successfully while assuring equity and participation through governance reform. The debates over hegemony and colonialization in water management provide an opportunity to continue improving the norms of practice and water resources education.

The strategic case for New Zealand to join AUKUS Pillar 2

ABSTRACT A debate is underway in New Zealand over whether the nation should join AUKUS Pillar 2 that involves collaborating and sharing of advanced emerging technologies. Most of the commentary has been critical, yet rarely do New Zealand's domestic critics acknowledge the potential benefits or strategic reasoning underlying the New Zealand's government's decision to consider the pact. This article offers a rejoinder to insert balance into the discourse. It argues that the advanced technologies involved in Pillar 2 will be critical in future conflicts, and that New Zealand needs them if it is to remain interoperable with like-minded militaries. It may also act as an economic accelerator for New Zealand's budding tech industry, and future-proof New Zealand's access to advanced technologies in a bifurcating global technology ecosystem. AUKUS is also part of a region-wide geostrategic re-balancing initiative in response to China's military buildup – it may strengthen deterrence against potential Chinese aggression. The article also considers the issue of New Zealand's perceived trade dependency on China and how this is a factor in Wellington's deliberations, and then challenges the critique that New Zealand does not have relevant capabilities or expertise to benefit the AUKUS members.

Government decisions and macroeconomic stability: Fiscal policies and financial market fluctuations

Since the 2008 Financial crisis, macroeconomic and financial markets' stabilisation policies relied mainly on monetary actions, reducing the ECB's margin of manoeuvre and calling for a major role for fiscal authorities. We investigate the impact of government decisions on financial markets for 11 Eurozone economies (from 1995 to 2021), in the very short run, using an event study, finding a positive (negative) reaction to fiscal expansion (consolidation) announcements and in the short/medium-run, with a Bayesian TVP-FAVAR, identifying cross-country heterogeneities; stronger (weaker) public finances show a direct (indirect) relation between fiscal policies and stock prices and an indirect (direct) one with 10-year bond yield.

Corporate Governance and Capital Structure Decisions: Moderating Role of inside Ownership

This study empirically investigates the association between board attributes and capital structure decisions of non-financial listed firms in Bangladesh. This study also investigates how this association is shaped and moderated by the level of insider ownership. The current study takes 3096 firm-year observations of firms that are listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange from 2004 to 2023. Multiple regression analysis on panel data was used, and pooled OLS was selected by resolving stationary issues. Moreover, this study used lagged variables and a GMM estimator to address endogeneity. The results show that both board size and board independence are more positively correlated with a firm’s leverage under conditions of a high level of inside ownership. On the other hand, without the moderating effect of inside ownership, gender diversity on the board does not have any significant impact on a firm’s leverage, and it turns into a positive association due to the moderating effect of inside ownership. This result is consistent with the existing theory and previous findings. After the introduction of corporate governance guidelines, the inside owners’ effect on board size and board independence became substantial, indicating that corporate governance guidelines with the moderating role of inside ownership play a significant role in capital structure decisions in Bangladeshi listed firms.

An update on ICES’ Applied Health Research Question (AHRQ) program: Informing public health policy and practice using linked, population-based administrative health data in a collaborative model.

ObjectiveTo provide an update on the key characteristics, refinements to project flow, and future opportunities for a program providing customized research evidence to health system policymakers and providers. ApproachWith a goal to inform health system decision making, the program answers research questions posed by health system requestors that can be answered with linked, population-based administrative data. Now in its 10th year of operation, the program has been refined over time to improve efficiency, usefulness of research products, and requestor satisfaction. Satisfaction surveys and individual-level engagements with requestors are used to collect feedback on the needs of an increasingly diverse group of requests. ResultsWith 508 requests, 82 Data Sharing Agreements, and 257 unique requestors since its inception, the program informs governmental decision making, evaluates intervention effectiveness, and aids grassroots organizations’ planning for services. Notable updates to the program include, inserting multiple opportunities for connection between the program and requestors through the project life cycle to understand goals and needs; assigning staff scientists to shepherd projects and promote efficiency; training coordinators to review privacy impact assessments; and (soon) accepting a broader range of projects to include data beyond the health sector e.g. education. ConclusionThis program continues to improve and is an exemplar of sustainable approaches to supporting health system requestors with evidence from administrative data in program evaluation, planning and policy change. ImplicationsBeing responsive to requestor needs has allowed the program to attract an increasingly diverse range of requesters who can obtain impactful and timely research evidence.

A Lost Opportunity? Environmental Investment Tax Incentive and Energy Efficient Technologies

AbstractThis paper examines the impact of the Spanish Environmental Investment (EI) tax credit on adoption of green technologies by employing data from 2567 industrial firms for 6 years. It makes use of the sudden re-introduction of the tax incentive in March 2011, that aimed at favouring energy efficient over solely pollution abating technologies. I exploit this unexpected change and perform a difference-in-differences analysis to study its effect on green investments and as an extention on green employment outcomes. The policy change, aimed at switching financing to energy efficient technologies, is assessed as semi-effective. Admittedly, it decreased investment in end-of-pipe technologies, but the investment in superior cleaner production technologies increased only for the small firms (below 50 employees), which are especially vulnerable to the capital market failure. Unfortunately, the policy change had also a few unexpected indirect effects, firms in response to the tax incentive regime modification reduced the number of their green employees and their associated salaries. In stark contrast to the decision of the Spanish government on this EI tax credit, the results of this analysis seem to be quite encouraging for the continued use of this green fiscal policy and show that the modifications in the precision of the existing fiscal policies can be successful.

Impact of Debt Accumulation and Debt Restructuring on the Pension Space: A Case of Ghana

The Ghanaian economy has experienced persistent accumulation of public debt over the past decades. Debt Servicing over the years usually causes distress to the domestic economy whilst several external interventions seem to be beneficial only for a short while due to controversial fiscal and monetary policy decisions of successive governments. The recent financial sector clean-up followed by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukraine war have exacerbated the country’s debt burden which has culminated in a domestic debt restructuring programme aimed at securing an IMF bailout. Through thematic analysis, this research explored the debates and interviews organised by some selected Ghanaian TV stations with respect to the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme; with a research objective that sought to unravel the impact of the DDEP on stakeholders of the pensions space. The denouement of the study established four main themes by which the impacts were observed: namely, economic impact, social impact, psychological or emotional impact and reputational impact. The enormity of the impact presupposes going forward, government must perform an in-depth sensitivity analysis on the pensions space for prudent management of potential victims and repercussions. Additionally, with the exemption of pension fund, same will be negatively affected, how much more the inclusion of pensioners who are a vulnerable section of society, and institutional bondholders with whom pension schemes have invested funds.

The adoption of dual Vocational Education and Training in Spain: Analysis of descentralised decision-making in educational policy transfer

This paper examines the adoption of dual VET in Spain as a process of educational policy transfer. Using Phillips and Ochs’ (2003, 2004) policy transfer spectrum and decision-making classification and Perry and Tor’s (2008) model of transfer forms, the study relies on semi-structured interviews with key decision-makers in the Spanish central government and the Autonomous Communities of the Basque Country and Andalusia. Findings indicate that EU diffusion activities facilitated adoption, involving first-order learning. Initially, adoption at the central level was uninformed, driven by quick-fix decisions, but later shifted to informed transfer through second- and third-order learning, enhancing realism. In Andalusia and the Basque Country, decision-making consistently adapted to the real context, progressing from second- to third-order learning. Ultimately, this analysis concludes that dual VET adoption at the central, Andalusian, and Basque levels falls between ‘negotiated under constraint’ and ‘borrowed purposefully’, though not at the same point.

The Existence of Kerapatan Adat Nagari (KAN) in Society Decision Making: Case Study in Durian Tinggi

In general, the aim of this research is to map the existence of the Kerapatan Adat Nagari (KAN) in Nagari Durian Tinggi. The specific objectives are analyzing the structure and function of the KAN and analyzing the degree of power of KAN in government decision making in nagari. This research uses qualitative methods, with a field study approach to collect data. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and observations. The data that has been collected is classified and then made into a code that answers the research questions. The answer to a research question is the results obtained and then reported into a research discussion. The manuscript resulting from this research also wants to be further developed as a form of academic reaction to the condition of KAN in several nagari based on the latest regional regulations, such as the dilemma of positioning the role of KAN which is feared to overlap with the role of the nagari government and also for education for the community in increasing policy on the position of the elements contained in the nagari, both government and non-government or elements of society.

The coupling characteristics and influencing factors of the "homestead-cultivated land system" in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region of China: A farmer perspective

Homesteads and cultivated land are crucial elements of the rural territorial system. Their coupling characteristics and changing patterns are essential for understanding the evolution of rural human-land systems and for developing coordinated rural development strategies. This study takes Huilong Village and Pingba Village in the TGRR, employing methods such as GIS spatial analysis, comprehensive index evaluation, coupling coordination degree model, and geographic detector model. The analysis focuses on the coupling characteristics and influencing factors of the “HCS” in these villages and proposes optimization strategies to provide scientific guidance for village planning, selection of high-quality rural development paths, and strategy design. The main findings are as follows: (1) The spatial distribution of homesteads and cultivated land in typical villages exhibits clear traffic directionality. The spatial coupling of the “HCS” demonstrates significant convergent evolution and adjacent distribution characteristics. (2) The utilization coupling of the “HCS” in Huilong Village and Pingba Village is predominantly high, with 98.72% and 94.62% of farmers, respectively, being highly coupled. However, the degree of coupling coordination is mostly barely coordinated. (3) The primary factors influencing the coordinated development of the “HCS” in the study area include the utilization conditions of homestead and cultivated land, labor status, and economic status. These factors can be categorized into four types: labor factor restrictions, nonagricultural development disturbance, agricultural development, and lagging farming conditions. Differentiated development strategies are proposed for each type. This research enhances the understanding of the coupling between homestead land and cultivated land, offering valuable insights for regional village planning, high-quality development path selection, and government decision-making.

Framework for multivariate carbon price forecasting: A novel hybrid model

The complex characteristics of volatility and non-linearity of carbon price pose a serious challenge to accurately predict carbon price. Therefore, this study proposes a new hybrid model for multivariate carbon price forecasting, including feature selection, deep learning, intelligent optimization algorithms, model combination and evaluation indicators. First, this study collects and organizes the historical carbon price series of Hubei and Shanghai as well as the influencing factors in five dimensions including structured and unstructured data, totaling twenty variables. Second, data dimensionality reduction is performed and input variables are obtained using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, followed by the introduction of nine advanced deep learning models to predict carbon price and compare the prediction effects. Then, through the combination of models, three models with the best performance are combined with Pelican optimization algorithm to construct a hybrid forecasting model. Finally, the experimental results show that the developed forecasting model outperforms other comparation models in terms of prediction accuracy, stability and statistical hypothesis testing, and exhibits excellent prediction performance. Furthermore, this study also applies the developed model to European carbon market price prediction and uses the Hubei carbon market as an example for quantitative trading simulation, and the empirical results further verify its robust prediction performance and investment application value. In conclusion, the proposed hybrid prediction model can not only provide high-precision carbon market price prediction for the government and corporate decision makers, but also help investors optimize their trading strategies and improve their returns.

가상가치평가법(CVM)을 활용한 청와대(靑瓦臺) 이용가치 추정

Purpose: This study employs a 2-stage dichotomous choice contingent valuation method (CVM), to evaluate the use value of Cheongwadae (the Blue House)--the former presidential office and residence of South Korea--which opened for tourist visits in May 2022. Methods: To minimize the hypothetical bias, hypothetical and actual scenarios (cash/card payment) were jointly used. Survey data of 400 Cheongwadae visitors were collected, and the data were analyzed using willingness to pay (WTP) estimation and logistic regression analysis. Results: Logistic regression analysis revealed that bid amount, landmark attributes (form, symbolism), experience factors (esthetic, escape), gender, age, marital status, visitor type, and political orientation significantly influenced respondents’ willingness to pay (WTP) for entry fees. The estimated per-person use value, based on the truncated mean WTP, was KRW 6,002 in the hypothetical scenario and KRW 2,347 in the actual scenario. This difference suggests that using an actual scenario and a truncated mean is more appropriate for minimizing hypothetical bias and estimating a more accurate value. Considering the total number of visitors in the past 12 months (3,381,664, May 2023), the total use value of Cheongwadae was calculated as KRW 7937.37 million. Conclusion: This study’s findings highlight Cheongwadae’s significant economic and cultural value as a landmark. The results can assist public awareness campaigns regarding Chengwadae’s socio-economic importance and guide government decisions for its preservation and development as a tourism attraction. Furthermore, the methodological insights on minimizing hypothetical bias in CVM studies can be applied to the future valuation of cultural heritage sites.

Spatiotemporal changes and driving mechanism of ecosystem carbon sink in karst peak cluster depression basin in Southwest Guangxi based on the interaction of “water-rock-soil-air-biology”

Research on ecosystem carbon sinks is vital for developing policies to reduce emissions and enhance carbon sequestration. Analyzing the temporal and spatial trends of carbon sinks and their driving mechanisms is crucial for guiding policy and measures. Traditional methods for estimating carbon sinks in karst regions focus primarily on vegetation-soil carbon sinks, mainly comprising net primary productivity (NPP) and soil heterotrophic respiration (Rh). However, these methods overlook the unique karst carbon sink (KCS), leading to significant uncertainties in carbon sink evaluations. This study focuses on the karst peak cluster depression basin in southwest Guangxi and proposes a Karst Ecosystem Carbon Sink Assessment System (KECAS) based on the “water-rock-soil-air-biology” coupling framework, considering lithological characteristics. Theil-Sen trend analysis and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression were used to explore the temporal and spatial variations and driving mechanisms of carbon sinks in the area from 2000 to 2022. The results show the following: (1) The total carbon sink flux (TCSF) in the study area has shown an upward trend over time, with a 23-year average ranging from 538 to 929 g CO2 m−2 a−1 and a growth rate of 3.1039a−1. This means TCSF increases by 6.78 g CO2 m−2 a−1 each year. (2) Spatially, areas with increasing carbon sinks cover 34.17 % of the study area, mainly in Chongzuo, Nanning, and Wenshan Prefecture. Areas with decreasing carbon sinks cover 11.79 % of the total area, mainly in Chongzuo, with smaller areas in Nanning and Baise. The mean TCSF distribution is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast. (3) The critical thresholds for influencing factors were identified using RCS regression: precipitation (1430 mm), temperature (17.9 °C), evapotranspiration (855 mm), NDVI (0.63), DEM (637 m), slope (16.3°), nighttime light index (6.21), and population density (421 people/km2). (4) Areas with high carbon sink supply potential, based on natural and human thresholds, account for 25.09 % and 92.97 % of the southwestern Guangxi study area, respectively. When considering both natural and human conditions, high potential areas account for approximately 22.31 % of the total study area. These findings provide a scientific basis for carbon sink protection and management and offer valuable references for government decision-making.

PELAKSANAAN PEMILIHAN PRESIDEN YANG SESUAI DENGAN PRINSIP KEDAULATAN RAKYAT DALAM SISTEM DEMOKRASI DI INDONESIA

This research was submitted to answer two fundamental questions regarding the implementation of people's sovereignty in the direct election of the President and Vice President in Indonesia, namely, what is the ideal ideal of the implementation of the presidential election in accordance with the principle of people's sovereignty in the democratic system in Indonesia. This research is normative. This research is a library research conducted by examining library materials in the form of books, journals, research reports and/or secondary data that discuss the implementation of general elections in Indonesia in relation to people's sovereignty. Application of laws and regulations (legal facts) that regulate the implementation of elections in Indonesia. From this research, the author concludes that in a democracy, people's rights should be respected and upheld. There is no justification for government decisions that can harm people's rights, let alone policies that aim to oppress the people for the sake of the ruler. In this case, by adhering to the basic philosophy of democracy guided by the wisdom of deliberation and representation, the holding of general elections as a means of implementing people's sovereignty in Indonesia must not deviate from the ideals and objectives of the formation of a Government of the State of Indonesia to protect all Indonesian people and all of Indonesia's territory, advance public welfare, improve the life of the nation, and participate in implementing world order based on independence, eternal peace and social justice as mandated by the constitution.

The Extent to which Conflict of Interest in the Public Sector Affects Private Sector Functioning

This analysis explores the profound implications of conflict of interest in the public sector on private companies, highlighting the intricate relationship between governmental decisions and market outcomes. Public-sector conflicts of interest can distort regulatory frameworks, disrupt market competition, and compromise ethical standards, leading to significant challenges for private enterprises, including financial instability and reduced investor confidence. The study underscores the importance of transparent governance and ethical integrity in maintaining a fair and competitive economic environment. It concludes that addressing conflicts of interest in public administration is not only a matter of ethical compliance but a critical necessity for ensuring equitable business practices and sustaining long- term economic growth. By fostering a regulatory environment centered on transparency, accountability, and ethical governance, we can mitigate the detrimental effects of conflicts of interest, thereby promoting a healthier and more trustworthy landscape for private sector operations.

The role of political institutions in the religious sphere before and during the Russo-Ukrainian war: national security vs. freedom of religion

The paper aims to demonstrate characteristics of interaction between governmental efforts to maintain national security and the situation with freedom of religion in Ukraine. To answer the questions of how political decisions have influenced the religious sphere in Ukraine over the past five years including wartime and whether there is a balance between national interests and freedom of religion we apply event impact assessment comparing trends of transitions of parishes and people attitudes towards different Orthodox churches before and after political actions and governmental decisions during 2018–2023. The paper confirms that although religion was repeatedly brought into the political sphere religious pluralism persists in Ukraine on the territories that are under government control. We demonstrate that establishing the Orthodox church that was independent of Russia bolstered freedom of religion and full-scale Russia invasion caused a steep increase in many religious transfers from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UPC MP) to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). Despite an increased role of the state and issues of national security due to Russian aggression, the religious sphere was quite autonomous.