Government Initiatives Research Articles

Does the national ecological civilization pilot zone achieve a “win-win” circumstance for the environment and the economy: empirical evidence from China

ABSTRACT Faced with increasing constraints on resource supply, serious environmental pollution, as well as degraded ecosystems, humans urgently need to propose effective environmental governance initiatives and construct an environmental governance system. Exploiting the national ecological civilization pilot zone (NECPZ) policy as a quasi-natural experiment and using city-level data from 2011 to 2019, this research employs a difference-in-differences (DID) approach to evaluate the comprehensive environmental and economic effects of the NECPZ policy. Meanwhile, we investigate its mechanisms using firm-level data from 2011 to 2019. The NECPZ policy significantly reduces city carbon emission intensity and promotes industrial structure upgrading. The results still hold after a series of robustness tests. The mechanism analysis indicates that NECPZ policy curbs urban carbon emission intensity and boosts industrial structure upgrading via altering four firm behaviours: corporate environmental management, green technological innovation, green finance, and tax relief. Moreover, the impact of NECPZ policy on city carbon emission intensity and industrial structure upgrading varies considerably among regions and different city types. Combining empirical findings and theoretical analysis, this paper argues that NECPZ achieves a ‘win-win’ situation of ecological protection and economic development, which provides evidence for other developing countries to govern the environment and simultaneously develop their economies through constructing ecological civilization systems.

Total Fat and Fatty Acid Content in Meals Served by Independent Takeaway Outlets Participating in the Healthier Catering Commitment Initiative in London, UK.

Out-of-home meals are characterized by poor nutritional quality, and their intake has been linked to adverse health outcomes. Therefore, national and local government initiatives have been implemented in the UK to promote healthier out-of-home meals. However, there is limited evidence of their effectiveness. This study evaluated the fat content and fatty acid profile of takeaway meals from 'standard' and from Healthier Catering Commitment (HCC)-approved takeaway outlets. Meals from 14 'standard' and 13 'HCC-awarded' takeaways (74 meals and 26 side dishes) were analyzed for total fat and fatty acid composition. No statistically significant differences in total fat, saturated, and trans fatty acids per 100 g and per portion between HCC and standard meals were observed, except for donner kebabs. Over 70% of all meals contained more than the recommended 30% of daily fat intake from a single meal. Some meals could provide more than 50% of the recommended total fat and SFAs intake. Despite businesses participating in the healthier out-of-home meal initiative, there has not been a significant improvement in the nutritional quality of the meals they offer. Further research to develop effective approaches to support independent takeaway businesses in offering meals with improved nutritional quality is warranted.

Vocational knowing and becoming in VET and VTE: How bringing them together can provide new insights for vocational pedagogies

This article addresses how vocational knowing and becoming are cultivated in vocational education and training (VET) as part of upper secondary and adult education, as well as in vocational teacher education (VTE). It is based on a study within a Swedish government initiative aimed at promoting the development of school-relevant research and educational practice in partnership between the academia and the school sector and draws on interviews with VET and VTE teachers. Our findings show that VET and VTE teachers share similar ideas of what a good teacher is and does, and how these qualities are cultivated through participation in various communities of practice. VET and VTE teachers also share ideas of what their students need to become skilled professionals. These ideas include critical judgement, the integration of theory and practice, ethical reflection, and the propensity to handle diversity and relate to the Other. We identify and discuss these as aspects of VET and VTE teachers’ vocational phronesis. Implications for VTE include the need for supporting students’ educational journeys, developing teachings strategies for vocational phronesis and reflecting on the purpose of education.

Comprehensive Analysis of Millets in India: Area, Production, Cost of Production and Export Statistics

Millets, recognized for their nutritional richness and adaptability to diverse environmental conditions, have regained global attention due to their sustainable agricultural practices and nutritional benefits. This paper explores the historical significance, global and Indian production trends, cost dynamics, export patterns, and governmental initiatives driving millet cultivation in India. By analyzing statistical data and research findings, the study underscores millets' potential to enhance food security, mitigate environmental impact, and foster socio-economic development.

CURRENT STATUS OF NON-PERFORMING ASSETS OF BANKING SECTOR OF INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCES TO CAUSES AND GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

The objective of the study is to examine the current status of non-performing assets of banking sector of India. It has found that non-performing assets is a bigger challenge of our banking sector. Such asset is the burden in any financial institution. It exists in more or less in any type of banking institution. Gross and net non-performing assets of scheduled commercial banks are declining since 2018-19. In scheduled commercial banks, public sector banks have the higher non-performing assets then the private bank, regional rural banks and foreign banks. Rural Co-operative Banks has higher non-performing assets then the urban cooperative banks. Non-performing assets affect bank’s profitability, and revenues. Due to the recession and slowdown in demand, companies are unable to pay debts. This has led to debt accumulation and increased non-performing assets. The Reserve Bank of India has taken various measures to address the non-performing assets problem. Measures related to management processes, technological integration and specific business strategies aimed at immediate reduction and long-term adaptation.

PRANAMIKA

The efficient execution of government schemes is crucial for the welfare of citizens. Programs such as AADHAR, public health initiatives, welfare schemes, and various social services rely heavily on the integrity and effectiveness of local government officials. However, in many cases, public servants fail to fulfill their duties due to negligence, rudeness, dishonesty, and even indulge in corrupt practices like bribery. These shortcomings undermine the success of important government initiatives, erode public trust, and diminish the overall quality of service delivery. To address these challenges, we have developed Pranamika, a digital platform that allows citizens to rate and review the performance of local government officials. This innovative solution aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and overall governance by making these ratings and reviews publicly accessible. KeyWords: Transparency,Accountability,Governance,Performa nce1

DIGITAL PAYMENT ECOSYSTEM IN INDIA: A STUDY ON INTEROPERABILITY DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

The Prime Minister's plan, the "Digital India Program," will spur innovation across all industries. The COVID-19 period increase the use of digital payment system because of the social distancing rules and lockdown situation. During COVID-19 period, there is a need to quickly transform traditional payment mode to digital payment mode. The world need to adapt new ways of life and work. Since 2016, government has made a concerted effort to promote online payments, beginning with demonetization. Many digital and Indian economic actions were motivated by "Digital India" campaign., unstructured support data (USSD), the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS), integrated payments, Bank car bank prepaid cards, and other ways of digital payment are available in India. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated the adoption of digital payment systems across India, highlighting the critical role of interoperability in the digital payment ecosystem. This research explores the interoperability of various digital payment platforms in India during the COVID-19 crisis, examining how seamless integration between different payment systems, such as Unified Payments Interface (UPI), mobile wallets, and traditional banking channels, contributed to the broader acceptance and usage of digital payments. The study investigates the role of government initiatives and policies in enhancing system compatibility. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative data, the research highlights the lessons learned during the pandemic, provides insights into the strengths and weaknesses of India’s digital payment infrastructure, and proposes recommendations for future improvements to ensure a more inclusive and efficient digital payment ecosystem. Here, we explore scenarios of increase in the amount of digital payment system pre and post COVID-19 period in India.

Unveiling Gender Dynamics in Career Decision-making: Insights from students of University of Technology and Applied Sciences, (UTAS) Sultanate of Oman

This study explores gender differences in career decision-making among students at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in the Sultanate of Oman. A sample of 380 students, selected using stratified random sampling from a total student population of 35,037, participated in the study with 179 responses received, reflecting a response rate of 47.1%. The sample was proportionally distributed based on the number of students enrolled at each campus, ensuring representation from all university branches, including Muscat (13,000 students), Nizwa (4,697 students), Salalah (3,528 students), Ibra (3,267 students), Ibri (2,682 students), Shinas (3,202 students), and Musannah (4,661 students). Data was collected through a structured 40-item questionnaire, which included seven subscales: educational, on-the-job training, university, financial, personality, social, industrial (focused on Tourism, manufacturing, and technology), and governmental factors. Participants rated items on a five-point Likert scale. Independent samples t-tests and factor analysis were used to analyze the data. Factor analysis was conducted to identify underlying factors influencing career choice. The factor analysis revealed eight key factors influencing career choices: University factors, Government initiatives in the manufacturing sector, Monetary benefits, Personality traits, Technology sector opportunities, Academic performance, Tourism opportunities, and Student involvement. Independent samples t-tests revealed significant gender differences in perceptions related to career guidance and counseling services, career placement services, personal interests in career decisions, and on-the-job training opportunities, with female students generally expressing more positive views than male students. These findings underline the importance of enhancing career counseling and placement services, increasing on-the-job training opportunities, and integrating personal interests into career counselling to support gender-inclusive career development.

Establishment of reference audiometric norms for the elderly population: A community-based study on mean and median hearing thresholds.

This investigation quantifies the mean and median hearing thresholds and assesses the prevalence of age-related hearing loss within the senior population of Taipei. In a substantive geriatric assessment supported by government initiative, 1696 individuals from a community hospital partook in this cross-sectional study (2016-2018). Detailed audiometric evaluations logged pure-tone thresholds across critical frequencies (0.5k, 1k, 2k, 4k Hz), in conjunction with participant ages, genders, and HHIE-S questionnaire results. The findings indicated mean and median pure tone averages (PTA) of 25.3±15.6dB HL and 22.5dB HL, respectively. Gender-based analysis showcased higher PTAs for males than females. The study illuminated a progressive increase in hearing thresholds with age and higher frequencies. A 41% prevalence of hearing impairment was recorded, with a notable 15.2% deemed disabling, and a potential candidacy for cochlear implantation in 1.5% of the study group. Hearing loss was prevalent in 41% of the non-hospitalized elderly demographic, chiefly characterized as mild. However, older age groups, particularly those over 85, presented an elevated occurrence of moderate hearing loss.

Towards culturally inclusive healthcare in Peru: Mapping epistemic concepts in contemporary Indigenous Amazonian medicine-Traditional healers' perspectives.

Peru is among Latin American countries with the largest Indigenous population, yet ethnical health disparities persist, particularly in the Amazon region which comprises 60% of the national territory. Healthcare models that include Indigenous medicine and traditional healers present an important avenue for addressing such inequalities, as they increase cultural adequacy of services, healthcare access, and acknowledge Indigenous Rights for their perspectives to be represented in public healthcare. Understanding the underlying epistemologies of Indigenous medicine is a prerequisite for this purpose. Thus, in order to support Indigenous Organizations and governmental initiatives to develop more inclusive healthcare approaches, the current study investigated key epistemic concepts in Indigenous-Amazonian medicine from the perspective of traditional healers. We conducted systematic in-depth interviews (semi-structured) with a sample of 13 healers of three Peruvian-Amazonian regions (Loreto, Ucayali, San Martín). Data was analysed using manifest qualitative content analysis. Our findings point to an intricate medical system based on a sophisticated understanding of health, illness, and treatment. Indigenous healers described multifactorial aetiology concepts, complex interactions between material and spirit-related aspects of body and nature, diagnosis, and treatment. These often involved carefully designed applications of 'teacher plants', a concept at the heart of this medical system. Furthermore, while the healers considered traditional and biomedicine as complementary systems, they identified the lack of recognition of traditional healers as a primary barrier for collaboration. Indeed, preconceptions and stigma on Indigenous medicine along with a paucity of research, still represent an impediment to countries' ability to respond to Indigenous peoples' health-related expectations and needs, thus maintaining existing inequalities. This work offers a significant contribution to the understanding of Indigenous-Amazonian medicine and perspectives of traditional healers, relevant for Peru and adjacent countries sharing Amazonian territory and cultures. Our findings also highlight Amazonian healers' unique expertise around the therapeutic applications of psychoactives, from which the current revival of clinical scientific interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies may have a great deal to learn.

Sentiment analysis of social media discourse on public perception of online courier services in Saudi Arabia using machine learning

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has witnessed a significant surge in online shopping in recent years, fueled by factors like growing internet penetration, smartphone adoption, and government initiatives supporting e-commerce growth. This rise in online activity has led to a corresponding increase in the utilization of online courier services, playing a crucial role in ensuring timely and efficient delivery of goods In this context, understanding public perception of online courier services becomes crucial for businesses to improve their offerings, address customer concerns, and maintain a competitive edge. Social media platforms have emerged as a valuable source of customer feedback and user-generated content, offering insights into customer experiences and opinions. This paper presents a sentiment analysis on online couriers in Saudi Arabia using natural language processing techniques combined with Decision Tree and Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifiers of machine learning. A dataset on customers’ sentiments was created by a crawling process from X social media. Both classifiers perform well, with Decision Tree classifier performs slightly better on accuracy, i.e. 95.01% compared to 93.60% of the Support Vector Machine. Other metrics support the robustness of the classification.

E-waste recycling in an optimized way for copper recovery by leaching and a case study on E-waste generation and management in Dhaka city.

The widespread adoption of electronic devices has enhanced living standards but has also led to a surge in electronic waste (e-waste), creating serious environmental and health challenges. Although various methods exist to recover valuable metals from e-waste, each has notable drawbacks. Among these, chemical leaching with aqua regia is widely used but is both highly corrosive and hazardous. This study introduces a safer, more environmentally friendly approach to copper recovery from e-waste using an iron-based leaching solution. A combination of experimental procedures and computational modeling was employed to optimize copper extraction from printed circuit boards (PCBs). The experiments involved treating PCBs with iron-based solutions of different concentrations and testing the effectiveness over two distinct time periods. The most effective recovery rate, 72.69% over five days, was achieved using a 50:50 mixture of ferrous and ferric sulfate. Computational analysis with Python's SciPy library further identified 5.92g of PCB as the ideal input quantity for the process. In addition to the lab-based work, a survey of Dhaka's primary e-waste recycling hubs, Nimtoli and Elephant Road, revealed that approximately 1173 tons of e-waste are processed in these areas each year. Based on experimental findings, the survey findings have a projection to generate over 35 million BDT annually through copper recovery. However, despite government initiatives to regulate e-waste management, unsafe handling practices remain widespread. These practices not only endanger workers and the environment but also hinder regulatory efforts. The study emphasizes the urgent need for stricter regulations, greater public awareness, and the adoption of eco-friendly methods, like the proposed iron-based solution, to ensure safer and more effective copper recovery.

Quest for Governance in the Philippiines: Opportunities and Challenges

This qualitative case study examines the governance journey of a female mayor, focusing on her efforts to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality within her leadership role. The study aims to describe her experiences, the opportunities and challenges she encountered, and the initiatives she implemented to support women in her community. Data collection involved in-depth interviews and participant observations, offering a comprehensive view of the mayor’s political career and leadership style. The study reveals that the mayor’s professional background, educational experiences, and personal qualities—such as her passion, commitment, and sense of excellence shaped her approach to governance. These attributes, coupled with her strong sense of public service, enabled her to introduce and execute programs that increased women’s participation in socio-political and economic spheres, thus elevating their status within the community. This case study serves as an inspiring example, challenging the prevailing notion that gender should limit women’s involvement in politics and public service. The findings underscore the importance of supportive frameworks that enable women’s leadership and empowerment. Hence, the paper recommends the expansion of government initiatives and programs focused on enhancing women’s political and leadership roles, as a means to further promote gender equality and contribute to national development.

Social Media as a Pathway to Entrepreneurial Success: Overcoming Barriers for Black Women Entrepreneurs

This study examines social media's significant yet challenging role as a tool for entrepreneurial success among Black women entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship is a powerful pathway to social and economic mobility, offering underrepresented groups opportunities for financial independence and influence. Social media platforms have opened up avenues for brand building, customer engagement, and business scaling. Still, Black women face obstacles in leveraging these opportunities such as algorithmic bias, underrepresentation, and social barriers. This paper explores these challenges and the strategic approaches Black women entrepreneurs can employ to build a robust social media presence despite systemic limitations. It also provides policy recommendations to mitigate these barriers' impact and calls for targeted support from government and private sector initiatives, including education on platform algorithms and inclusive design. Finally, empirical research directions are proposed to deepen understanding of how Black women utilize social media for opportunity recognition and business performance.

Education Inequality in China between Rural and Urban Area

Education inequality is a pressing and undeniable social issue in China, where disparities in educational opportunities and resources are starkly evident between urban and rural regions. Public policies and societal perceptions significantly influence the allocation of educational resources, resulting in a polarized educational landscape. This essay aims to delve into the intricacies of educational stratification caused by various policies, utilizing a Quantitative Methodological approach to address three pivotal questions. Firstly, it seeks to identify the key factors contributing to the unequal distribution of educational opportunities and resources across the country. Secondly, the essay will explore the profound impact of educational inequality on the socio-economic development of both urban and rural areas in China. Thirdly, the effectiveness of government initiatives aimed at redistributing resources to bridge these educational gaps will be scrutinized. This includes evaluating the success of policies such as the “Two Sessions” system, which aims to provide equal access to quality education for all children, regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic background. By addressing these questions, the essay will conclude that while education inequality is indeed a pervasive issue in China, there is a critical need to understand the root causes and impacts to develop targeted and effective solutions. It will highlight that the provinces with the greatest demand for educational resources are often those that are most underserved, emphasizing the urgency for policy reform and resource reallocation to ensure equitable educational opportunities for all.

Assessment of Digital Integration in Learning

This research explores the integration of digital tools, particularly mobile learning, in educational contexts in Nepal, aiming to optimize their effectiveness. Employing a questionnaire-based methodology, data was collected from students across all over Nepal using a Google Form distributed through online media. Insights were gathered from 1104 students, revealing widespread ownership and usage of mobile devices for studying. Findings indicate a preference for laptops and smartphones, with web pages and applications being the most utilized resources. Significant associations were observed between the type of mobile device, academic major, and preference for mobile learning. The study concludes that digital tools play a critical role in modern education, emphasizing the need for comprehensive policies to promote their integration. Recommendations include government initiatives to enhance access to educational devices, conduct proper trainings to learners, expand internet connectivity, address technical challenges, and distribute digital equipment to enhance mobile learning experiences for equity of access to technology all over Nepal.

A local governance initiative for climate mitigation: the place-leading role of local government

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to contribute with an understanding of the governance capacity of local public actors to be place leaders for local collaborative initiatives aimed at addressing climate mitigation, and how this agency is embedded within place-specific institutional conditions. The research design is a single case study of a climate mitigation initiative in the city of Uppsala in Sweden. The discussion based on the empirical results highlights three findings. Firstly, that the political and administrative arms of local government interact in their capacity to be place leaders in local interventions. Secondly, that the capacity of local government to provide place leadership needs to be conceived in relation to the place and the institutional structure of the local environment. Thirdly, that the role of place leader for governance is imbued with governance dilemmas deriving from how the steering role is negotiated. The concluding discussion argues for the need of a detailed understanding of place-leading agency to achieve a deeper understanding of governance capacity. This paper illustrates that place leadership is multifaceted and means different things across the cycles of collaborative governance. The concluding discussion also stresses the importance of understanding governance dilemmas in making actors prepared to strategically take position for their involvement and engagement in collaborations. This means that maintaining collaborative governance is an important strategy for meeting social challenges, but that this needs to be developed based on thorough knowledge about the intrinsic conditions for such arrangements and processes.

NAVIGATING THE DIGITAL FRONTIER: THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF EDUCATION IN INDIA

The rapid digitalization of education has positioned India at a critical juncture, offering transformative opportunities and exposing persistent challenges. As the second most populous nation with a highly diverse education system, India's digital journey in education encompasses over 260 million school students and millions in higher education. While urban regions leverage cutting-edge EdTech tools, rural areas face systemic barriers such as poor connectivity, lack of devices, and limited infrastructure. The interplay of socioeconomic diversity, linguistic challenges, and infrastructure gaps reflects the need for innovative and inclusive digital strategies. This study explores India's unique educational landscape, focusing on the hurdles of digital transformation and the potential pathways to revolutionize learning through technology. The aim of this article is to analyze the challenges and opportunities of digital education in India, with an emphasis on bridging gaps in access, fostering inclusivity, leveraging technology to enhance learning outcomes, and addressing the unique socioeconomic and cultural factors that shape India's educational ecosystem.The article uses a qualitative analysis of India's digital education landscape, incorporating literature reviews, case studies of government policies, and data on EdTech adoption. The findings highlight a multi-faceted transformation in Indian education: digital divide; EdTech integration; government initiatives; blended learning models; focus on skill development; linguistic diversity; emerging technologies. Future studies should explore scalable and sustainable strategies to bridge the digital divide, with a focus on affordability, infrastructure development, and digital literacy. Research on the efficacy of emerging technologies in enhancing learning outcomes and integrating them into India’s complex education system is critical.

Social responsibility approach as an explanatory model for the solution to squatter settlements using the example of Mwanza City, Tanzania

The purpose of this study was to provide reinforcement to solutions aimed at resolving problems brought about by squatter settlements in Mwanza city, Tanzania. In its pursuit, this study employed Social Responsibility Approach as an explanatory model for strengthening sought solutions to squatter settlements in Mwanza city, Tanzania. Qualitative research approach through a case study strategy was mainly employed with minimum quantitative research approach. Purposive sampling to get government leaders was used, while simple random sampling was employed to obtain respondents in squatter settlements for the study. Data collection methods included questionnaire, semi-structured interview and focus group discussions that yielded primary data, whereas documentary review furnished secondary data. Qualitative data were subjected to content analysis, while quantitative data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results from this study indicate that there was no individual and civil society involvement in dealing with squatter settlement problems. Besides, there are several difficulties including people’s hardships in squatter areas; big population increase; unscrupulous house construction; and political leaders’ failure to control as well as prevent squatters. There are government initiatives in dealing with squatter settlements but all are mainly executed through top-down approach that has no achievements. The employed Social Responsibility Approach in uncovering pertinent pathways as solutions to squatter settlement is important because it recommends for use of bottom-up approach instead of top-down approach owing to the fact that the latter has never yielded positive results in solving squatter settlement problems.

A study on adaption of rooftop solar system in Gujarat: Opportunities and challenges

The current research paper examines the adaptation of the rooftop solar system in Gujarat and mainly pays attention to its opportunities and challenges. The main focus of this paper is to create an enabling environment that encourages investment, promotes awareness, and ensures the long-term sustainability of rooftop solar initiatives. Despite having the 6th largest land area and the 9th largest population, Gujarat is a crucial player in the world energy market and is frequently disregarded. Here, the government is committed to helping customers find cost-effective installations, and more than 20k MW of clean power are currently operational. The data has been considered from Patan and Mehsana districts of Gujarat, 400 participants from 20 villages participated in the current study. For data examination, the study has various sorts of variables; capital set-up cost is taken as a dependent variable while maintenance, subsidies, available space, and awareness are considered independent variables. The study is driven with the help of Karl Pearson’s Correlation Method and Durbin’s Autocorrelation Model to check the relationship among the selected variables. The study revealed a perfect correlation with the worth (1.0) and in the alignment of the result, Durbin’s Model (1.727) also found a positive autocorrelation among the selected dependent and independent variables. Gujarat has made significant strides in promoting rooftop solar systems through a variety of government initiatives, opening doors for financial savings, energy independence, and environmental benefits. Resolving these issues and encouraging broader use across the state would need sustained efforts to increase awareness, better financial choices, and technology advancements.