Government-industry Partnerships Research Articles

‘Choice should be made through… educated decisions not regressive dictates’: discursive framings of a proposed ‘sugar tax’ in Bermuda: analysis of submissions to a government consultation

BackgroundSeveral governments have introduced taxes on products with high sugar content as part of their obesity prevention strategies. Bermuda is the first jurisdiction to apply such measures in the Caribbean – a region of small island developing states and territories with high obesity prevalence and substantial reliance on imported food products. This study examines how commercial and health actors framed the proposed introduction of a 75% import tariff on high-sugar products, based on written submissions to the Bermudan government.MethodsEleven submissions containing written comments were analysed with reference to their framing of the proposed import tariff, the ‘problem’ of obesity, and the relationship between the two (including alternative policy approaches for tackling obesity).ResultsKey emergent frames were complexity, partnership, products, personal responsibility, affordability and evidence. Respondents favoured different framings, depending on whether they supported or opposed the proposed import duty. Commercial actors were universally opposed, presenting obesity as a ‘complex’ problem that would be better addressed through government-industry partnerships (a framing particularly favoured by international and regional business associations). Increased product range and an emphasis on personal responsibility were also positioned as policy alternatives. Health actors expressed partial support for the proposed sugar tax, although this was tempered by a perceived lack of evidence where the proposal differed from sugar taxes introduced elsewhere. Like commercial respondents, health actors framed obesity as a ‘complex’ problem and emphasised the need for other measures, including efforts to address the affordability of fruits and vegetables.ConclusionIn responding to a proposed ‘sugar tax’ in Bermuda, commercial actors opposed the proposal and stated a clear preference for ‘partnership’ approaches to tackling obesity. Commercial responses were dominated by local businesses (with only two responses received from international or regional business associations), perhaps reflecting Bermuda’s reliance on tourism and hospitality and the specificity of the proposed intervention (that is, an import tariff rather than an excise tax). The much smaller number of responses from health actors suggests limited civil society capacity. Nevertheless, the Bermudan government successfully introduced a 75% tariff on high-sugar imports, demonstrating the potential for policy innovation to address obesity in small-island jurisdictions.

From physical to virtual to digital: The Synthetic Environment and its impact on Canadian defence policy

The Synthetic Environment (SE) takes the power of computing, digital processing, artificial intelligence, extended reality technology, and other advancements borrowed from the gaming industry to create a computer simulation with near-perfect levels of realism. Designed to enable connectivity across all domains and platforms, SE has the potential to dramatically improve military training, force development, situational awareness, and communications. Our article provides a technical overview of SE and offers a high-level analysis of its use in Canada, the US, UK, and Australia. Informed by dozens of interviews and a roundtable workshop held with experts from academia, industry, and government, this article relates SE to Canada’s future defence policy. We argue that leveraging SE effectively will require that Canada commit to a long-term SE program, promote new government-industry partnerships, encourage top-down leadership from both civilian and military officials, and consolidate domestic skillsets and industry knowhow to maintain and retain Canadian sovereignty.

Value chain analysis of yellow broiler industry in Guangxi, China to inform H7N9 influenza control strategies

Yellow broilers are the primary source of poultry consumption in China and the predominant trade of live poultry. However, knowledge of the value chain is limited, which is vital evidence for the effective control of H7N9 and other zoonotic avian influenzas. The aim of the study was to map the yellow broiler value chain in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China and investigate its governance structure and practices relevant to the risk of H7N9 transmission.A value chain analysis was conducted in five areas of Guangxi from May to August 2018. To map the value chain, three focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted and stakeholders, products and premises involved and their interactions were identified. Then, 55 key informant interviews (KIIs) collected qualitative data on stakeholders’ profile, practices and interactions with other stakeholders and rules/norms that exist along the value chain. On-site observations were also carried out at different types of premises along the value chain to complement and validate findings of KIIs and FGDs. Participants were also asked to provide proportional estimates of each component in the value chain where possible. The qualitative data from FGDs, KIIs and on-site observations were analysed to create stakeholder profiles and a diagram of product flows and stakeholders’ interactions. Thematic analysis was used to identify the governance structure of the value chains and practices relevant to the risk of H7N9 transmission.The stakeholders and premises involved in Guangxi yellow broiler production, wholesale and retail were described, as well as their interactions. Contract farming is extensively adopted in Guangxi; consequently yellow broiler grower companies are the dominant stakeholders. The trading platform was identified as a key premise linking farms and live bird markets. The thematic analysis highlighted poor biosecurity practices in different premises along the value chain, which was supported by on-site observations. The operation of trading platforms reported in this study presents a disease risk but is not considered in the current H7N9 control programs. The study suggested that biosecurity management gaps need to be addressed through government-industry partnerships that require engagement with private stakeholders in the planning and implementation of H7N9 control strategies incentivising participation of grower companies, wholesalers and retailers.

Seven-year itch: the UK Government's difficult relationship with the food and drink industry since Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A Call to Action on Obesity in England (2011).

Unhealthy food and drink consumption is associated with a range of physical and mental health concerns. In response, public health policies have been developed targeting a reduction in obesity in particular. In the present commentary we argue that government-industry partnerships have reduced the effectiveness of resultant policies and explore why. Perspectives of authors. UK.ParticipantsPopulations in the UK; UK Government. Industry involvement has presented three interrelated challenges for the UK Government: (i) balancing collaboration while maintaining appropriate distance from industry stakeholders; (ii) resultant production of 'watertight' and effective legislation or intervention; and (iii) actual or perceived limited sanctioning or bargaining power. Industry involvement in public health policy making has led to weak action. Support with policy implementation (rather than development) and genuine 'buy-in' from industry could accelerate the pace of public health improvement.

Best Practices for Operating Government-Industry Partnerships in Cyber Security

Since the publication of the first National Strategy to Secure Cyber Space in 2003 the US federal government has realized that due to the interconnected nature of the Internet, securing the system would require an industry-government partnership. However, defining exactly what that new partnership would look like and how it would operate has been unclear. The ramifications of this ambiguous strategy have been noted elsewhere including the 2011 JSS article “A Relationship on the Brink” which described the dysfunctional state of public private partnerships with respect to cyber security. Subsequently, a joint industry-government study of partnership programs has generated a consensus list of “best practices” for operating such programs successfully. Moreover, subsequent use of these principles seems to confirm their ability to enhance the partnership and hopefully helps ameliorate, to some degree, the growing cyber threat. This article provides a brief history of the evolution of public-private partnerships in cyber security, the joint study to assess them and the 12 best practices generated by that analysis.

A Q methodology study of stakeholders’ views about accountability for promoting healthy food environments in England through the Responsibility Deal Food Network

In March 2011, the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) Government launched five Public Health Responsibility Deal Networks to address public health priorities. The Networks used voluntary partnerships to influence peoples’ choice architecture to move them toward healthier behaviors. The purpose of this research was to conduct an exploratory study of diverse stakeholders’ perspectives about perceived responsibility and accountability expectations to improve food environments in England through the Food Network partnerships. A purposive sample of policy elites (n=31) from government, academia, food industry and non-government organizations sorted 48 statements related to improving food environments in England. Statements were grounded in three theoretical perspectives (i.e., legitimacy, nudge and public health law). PQMethod 2.33 statistical software program used factor analysis to identify viewpoints based on intra-individual differences for how participants sorted statements. The results revealed three distinct viewpoints, which explained 64% of the variance for 31 participants, and emphasized different expectations about responsibility. The food environment protectors (n=17) underscored government responsibility to address unhealthy food environments if voluntary partnerships are ineffective; the partnership pioneers (n=12) recognized government–industry partnerships as legitimate and necessary to address unhealthy food environments; and the commercial market defenders (n=1) emphasized individual responsibility for food choices and rejected government intervention to improve food environments. Consensus issues included: protecting children’s right to health; food industry practices that can and should be changed; government working with industry on product reformulation; and building consumer support for economically viable healthy products. Contentious issues were: inadequacy of accountability structures and government inaction to regulate food marketing practices targeting children. We conclude that understanding different viewpoints is a step toward building mutual trust to strengthen accountability structures that may help stakeholders navigate ideologically contentious issues to promote healthy food environments in England.

An empirical study on accountability for promoting healthy food environments in England through the Public Health Responsibility Deal Food Network (1014.2)

Objective: In 2011, the United Kingdom launched five Public Health Responsibility Deal Networks inspired by ‘nudge theory’ to facilitate healthy‐lifestyle behaviors. This study used Q methodology to examine stakeholders’ views about responsibility and accountability for healthy food environments to reduce obesity and diet‐related chronic diseases.Design: A purposive sample of policy elites (n=31) from government, academia, food industry and civil society sorted 48 statements grounded in three theoretical perspectives (i.e., legitimacy, nudge and public health law). Factor analysis identified intra‐individual statement sorting differences.Results: A three‐factor solution explained 64 percent of the variance across three distinct viewpoints: food environment protectors (n=17) underscored government responsibility to address unhealthy food environments; partnership pioneers (n=12) recognized government‐industry partnerships as legitimate; and the commercial market defenders (n=1) emphasized individual responsibility for food choices and rejected any government intervention.Conclusions: Building trust and strengthening accountability structures may help stakeholders navigate differences to engage in constructive actions. This research may inform efforts in other countries where voluntary industry partnerships are pursued to address unhealthy food environments.Grant Funding Source: World Health Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, Deakin University, Australia

Evolution of the household vehicle fleet: Anticipating fleet composition, PHEV adoption and GHG emissions in Austin, Texas

In today’s world of volatile fuel prices and climate concerns, there is little study on the relationship between vehicle ownership patterns and attitudes toward vehicle cost (including fuel prices and feebates) and vehicle technologies. This work provides new data on ownership decisions and owner preferences under various scenarios, coupled with calibrated models to microsimulate Austin’s personal-fleet evolution. Opinion survey results suggest that most Austinites (63%, population-corrected share) support a feebate policy to favor more fuel efficient vehicles. Top purchase criteria are price, type/class, and fuel economy. Most (56%) respondents also indicated that they would consider purchasing a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) if it were to cost $6000 more than its conventional, gasoline-powered counterpart. And many respond strongly to signals on the external (health and climate) costs of a vehicle’s emissions, more strongly than they respond to information on fuel cost savings. Twenty five-year simulations of Austin’s household vehicle fleet suggest that, under all scenarios modeled, Austin’s vehicle usage levels (measured in total vehicle miles traveled or VMT) are predicted to increase overall, along with average vehicle ownership levels (both per household and per capita). Under a feebate, HEVs, PHEVs and Smart Cars are estimated to represent 25% of the fleet’s VMT by simulation year 25; this scenario is predicted to raise total regional VMT slightly (just 2.32%, by simulation year 25), relative to the trend scenario, while reducing CO 2 emissions only slightly (by 5.62%, relative to trend). Doubling the trend-case gas price to $5/gallon is simulated to reduce the year-25 vehicle use levels by 24% and CO 2 emissions by 30% (relative to trend). Two- and three-vehicle households are simulated to be the highest adopters of HEVs and PHEVs across all scenarios. The combined share of vans, pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), and cross-over utility vehicles (CUVs) is lowest under the feebate scenario, at 35% (versus 47% in Austin’s current household fleet). Feebate-policy receipts are forecasted to exceed rebates in each simulation year. In the longer term, gas price dynamics, tax incentives, feebates and purchase prices along with new technologies, government-industry partnerships, and more accurate information on range and recharging times (which increase customer confidence in EV technologies) should have added effects on energy dependence and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Forestry Research Partnership: Developing the partnership

Initiated in 1999 by Tembec Inc., the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Canada, and housed at the Canadian Ecology Centre, the Canadian Ecology Centre – Forestry Research Partnership (referred to as the CECFRP) quickly evolved into an effective and successful catalyst, facilitator, and funding source for integrated forest research and development in Ontario. This paper highlights the development of the partnership and serves as an introduction to a collection of papers that highlight some of the forest science and research projects undertaken by the CECFRP over 7 years. Key words: government-industry partnerships, science to operations continuum, enhanced forest productivity, research Implementation

Sustainable Development and the US

ABSTRACT In the late 1980s, the United Nations recognized that industrial activities of the 19th and 2(20th centuries were responsible for global pollution-related problems, and presented a future threat to life-sustaining qualities of the environment. While difficult to document in a perfectly quantifiable and defensible case, the evidence was sufficiently strong for the UN to create a global initiative for sustainable development. Many countries around the world now have institutionalized programs for sustainable development. Target projects and procedures to implement incremental changes in the way the natural elements necessary for life are sustained for their support of, and use by, future generations by managing growth and pollution are underway. The United States has a number of initiatives in various agencies that primarily consist of discrete government-government or government-industry partnerships. Nonetheless, the concept of sustainable development in the US remains ambiguous in terms of its widespread understanding and adoption by the public and private sectors, which are responsible for activities that can cause pollution, or indirectly affect the ability of the environment to sustain future human populations, lifestyles, and the economy. The US Environmental Protection Agency refers to some of its sustainable development initiatives as “Smart Growth” to more clearly and positively conveys the focus of these activities. It has been observed that sustainable development will not make a significant difference in the US, relative to the strides made in other countries, unless sustainable development programs become regulatory in nature. The US sustainable development initiatives are discretionary and essentially implemented according to the prevailing political will. Since the US economy is based on capitalism, and growth in profits is a pre-requisite to economic success, sustainable development programs will only be implemented if program managers in industry and government believe that these programs somehow tangibly benefit “the bottom line.” While exhibiting pioneering leadership in many areas, with regard to innovative and across-the-board programs for sustainable development, the US in fact may lag behind the rest of the world.

Quality Shipping in the Asia Pacific Region

This paper summarises the findings of a study on maritime safety in the Asia Pacific region. The study was conducted in 1999 by the Asia Pacific Maritime Institute for the APEC Transportation Working Group. The study aimed to identify specific mechanisms used by APEC governments and maritime industries to promote safer shipping and combat substandard shipping in the Asia Pacific region. Information was collected through a survey and interviews. The survey was posted on the internet and also sent by fax and post. The interviews covered 14 APEC economies: Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States. A total of 424 people from various maritime sectors participated. Information was cross checked against published literature and relevant documentation. Maritime experts in the region were also consulted. Seven mechanisms were found to be the most effective in improving the safety of shipping in the Asia Pacific region: port state control; ship vetting; ISM Code implementation; industry self regulation; government-industry partnerships; a regional approach and a stronger Asia Pacific voice; and media coverage and information exchange. To make these mechanisms truly effective, however, a range of implementation problems would need to be resolved. Further, two other issues need greater regional attention: better economic incentives to reward compliance and improving crew training, competence, and welfare.

Congress and U.S. Research

W ashington memories are short. Many a good idea has gotten buried between the end of one Congress and the start of a new one. One idea that the 106th Congress must not bury is the growing recognition that the federal government has an important responsibility to fund research and to provide an appropriate policy environment that stimulates private-sector investment in research and development (R&D). Last year, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution, HR578, that takes into consideration the principles outlined in the 1998 report Unlocking the Future—Toward a New National Science Policy, authored by Representative Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), vice chairman of the House Science Committee. And the Senate unanimously passed a bill (S2217) promoting federal investment in R&D that was sponsored by Senators Bill Frist (R-TN), John D. Rockefeller (D-WV), Pete V. Domenici (R-NM), and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT). These two congressional actions, together with a plethora of independent reports on R&D investment and the changing policy environment, establish a momentum that must be embraced and accelerated by the new Congress. There is plenty of disagreement about the details of how U.S. science and technology policy should move forward. However, we wish to point to four recommendations of the Ehlers report that are especially worthy of strong bipartisan support in the 106th Congress. First, Congress should give high priority to stable and substantial federal funding for fundamental scientific research. Such research is the basis for future developments in areas ranging from health and medicine to computers and software and thus is essential to maintain our nation's economic strength. Federal support of fundamental research has declined as a percentage of gross domestic product during this decade. Ironically, our research base has not benefited from the very economic expansion it helped to create. Second, the federal government should invest in fundamental research across a wide spectrum of disciplines in science, mathematics, and engineering. The Ehlers report specifically warns against concentration of funds in any particular area. The seamlessness of science and technology and the interrelation of their subfields are demonstrated every day. Advances in one area are necessary for progress in another, and synergies at their interfaces are increasingly important. Third, an increased focus on partnerships is needed. University-industry partnerships, government-industry partnerships, and three-way efforts are required today because of the complicated relationship between research and the needs and constraints of each sector. Furthermore, we learned in the past decade that research is increasingly expensive and that the rates of scientific discovery and technological change are too great and resources too scarce for every company, government laboratory, or university to go it alone. Finally, the policy environment for research must be improved. The Research and Experimentation Tax Credit must be strengthened and made permanent. This credit has been on again, off again during the past 15 years, despite its effectiveness in stimulating private industry to invest in R&D. This impermanence discourages industry from using it effectively. Well-conceived modifications include incentives to encourage capitalization of new companies that focus on long-term research or stimulate industry-sponsored university research. The Ehlers report points out the importance of removing a number of unnecessary regulations that damage or inhibit research or that stimulate companies to conduct research offshore. A familiar example is the medical device industry, for which time to market is much longer in the United States than in many other countries that have a similar record of safety. With HR578 as a base and S2217 as a context, Congress, during hearings on the administration's FY2000 budget, should ensure that R&D, especially fundamental research, receives the priority it deserves and that partnerships between government, academia, and the private sector are given an objective hearing. The research community, in turn, cannot assume that research is a protected and preferred expenditure in the federal budget. At every opportunity, we need to explain the benefits of this national investment to the public, to Congress, and to the administration.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency's 33/50 Program: the anatomy of a successful voluntary pollution reduction program

When the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) first introduced the 33/50 Program in 1991, the concept of voluntary programs was relatively new to industry. By the time the program ended in 1996, over 1300 companies were hailing the program as a success and were calling for additional voluntary programs to replace regulatory actions wherever possible. The Program experienced successes in establishing government–industry partnerships, reducing pollution, and fostering the development of creative pollution reduction techniques within industry. This paper presents an overview of the 33/50 Program, some examples of the technologies implemented under the Program, the reasons why the 33/50 Program was successful, and how to apply some of the lessons learned under the Program to the development of future voluntary programs aimed at reducing pollution. The lessons learned from the 33/50 Program are universal, and are valuable to consider in the decision between choosing `the carrot' or `the stick' for policymakers around the world, including those in both developed and developing nations.

RaDiUS Draws a Bead on U.S. R&D

A problem with government-industry partnerships has been the lack of a central repository of information on how the government spends its $70 billion a year R&D budget. But now there9s a solution. A database called RaDiUS (Research and Development in the United States), developed by The RAND Corp., covers 24 federal agencies and provides information on more than 1500 programs and nearly 300,000 separate grants and contracts. Three years in the making, it9s currently available, at a price, to almost anyone in the scientific community (see www.rand.org/radius).

Technology Policy: Report Backs Industry-Government Ties

An upcoming report by a nonpartisan panel will make the case for government-industry research partnerships, a pillar of the Clinton Administration9s technology strategy but a favorite target for Republican budget cutters. The report from the Council on Competitiveness, to be released on 10 April, also urges politicians to stop bickering over definitions of basic and applied research, saying the distinction is meaningless in setting public policy.

Equivalence of the tests of Cattell and Spielberger in the measurement of anxiety

Yellow broilers are the primary source of poultry consumption in China and the predominant trade of live poultry. However, knowledge of the value chain is limited, which is vital evidence for the effective control of H7N9 and other zoonotic avian influenzas. The aim of the study was to map the yellow broiler value chain in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China and investigate its governance structure and practices relevant to the risk of H7N9 transmission.A value chain analysis was conducted in five areas of Guangxi from May to August 2018. To map the value chain, three focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted and stakeholders, products and premises involved and their interactions were identified. Then, 55 key informant interviews (KIIs) collected qualitative data on stakeholders’ profile, practices and interactions with other stakeholders and rules/norms that exist along the value chain. On-site observations were also carried out at different types of premises along the value chain to complement and validate findings of KIIs and FGDs. Participants were also asked to provide proportional estimates of each component in the value chain where possible. The qualitative data from FGDs, KIIs and on-site observations were analysed to create stakeholder profiles and a diagram of product flows and stakeholders’ interactions. Thematic analysis was used to identify the governance structure of the value chains and practices relevant to the risk of H7N9 transmission.The stakeholders and premises involved in Guangxi yellow broiler production, wholesale and retail were described, as well as their interactions. Contract farming is extensively adopted in Guangxi; consequently yellow broiler grower companies are the dominant stakeholders. The trading platform was identified as a key premise linking farms and live bird markets. The thematic analysis highlighted poor biosecurity practices in different premises along the value chain, which was supported by on-site observations. The operation of trading platforms reported in this study presents a disease risk but is not considered in the current H7N9 control programs. The study suggested that biosecurity management gaps need to be addressed through government-industry partnerships that require engagement with private stakeholders in the planning and implementation of H7N9 control strategies incentivising participation of grower companies, wholesalers and retailers.