Government Policy Research Articles

Innovations in Environmental Governance: The Significance of the British Office for Environmental Protection

The British Office for Environmental Protection was established in 2021 following the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union. It is the most recent of just a handful of independent environmental watchdog bodies established in global jurisdictions to date, and has a broad range of powers. These include the evaluation of government policy, advice to government on new environmental law, reviewing the implementation of environmental law, and enforcement powers against government and other public bodies for breaches of environmental duties. The need for such bodies in the environmental field is important, and the Office for Environmental Protection may provide a useful model for other countries.

The effect of public funding and government effectiveness on CO2 emissions in developing countries: Evidence from panel quantile analysis

AbstractEnvironmental concerns emphasize the need for sustainable finance now more than ever. The study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of whether public funding for renewable energy impacts environmental degradation in developing countries over time. It emphasizes the relationship between green finance, renewable energy adoption, and government effectiveness in driving sustainable development. This study examines the relationship between CO2 emissions, gross domestic product, renewable energy consumption, investments in renewable and government effectiveness. The study sample includes 34 developing countries for the period between 2000 and 2020. The analysis specifically employs public flows as a measure to gauge a country's commitment to green finance. It also employs a simultaneous panel quantile regression estimator. The results reveal a cointegrating relationship among variables, with notable findings: GDP increase correlates with CO2 emissions rise, while higher renewable energy consumption correlates with CO2 emissions decrease. Interestingly, increased public funding correlates with reduced CO2 emissions for the upper quantile. Furthermore, the analysis uncovers that government policies have yet to fully align with the sustainable development goals. These findings hold critical implications for informed policymaking. Developing countries should opt for sustainable financing and create a favorable environment for investment. Moreover, funders should ensure equitable distribution of public flows within developing countries and fund less mature technologies.

Guarding Against China’s Predatory Acquisition of Foreign Technologies: A Quad Perspective

The study examines the response of the Quad countries (Australia, India, Japan and the United States) to People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s predatory acquisition of foreign technologies. This article looks at PRC’s science and technology (S&T) policy and its relation to the grand strategy of attaining global superpower status. The meteoric rise of the PRC in the last four decades has amazed many. Innovation and technological advancement and their alignment with government policies are important factors in this rise. The study notes that PRC’s S&T policy involves, among others, acquiring foreign technologies through illicit means that include stealing through espionage and sophisticated cyberattacks and forcing overseas companies operating in China to share intellectual property rights with local partners. Alarmed by PRC’s predatory strategy, the Quad countries have taken steps to regulate, and in some cases prohibit, the PRC’s targeted foreign investments and coercive and opportunistic takeovers. The article argues that the Quad countries need to coordinate their efforts to effectively counter PRC’s illicit acquisition of their technologies.

Influence of Political Risk on International Business Operations in Germany

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of political risk on international business operations in Germany. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study revealed that political uncertainties, such as shifts in government policies, geopolitical tensions, and regulatory changes, can significantly impact the business environment, investment decisions, and market opportunities in Germany. While Germany is known for its stable political system and business-friendly environment, recent developments, such as Brexit, global trade tensions, and the rise of nationalist movements, have introduced new layers of complexity and uncertainty for international businesses operating in the country. These political risks can manifest in various forms, including disruptions to supply chains, fluctuations in currency markets, and heightened regulatory scrutiny, necessitating proactive risk management strategies and adaptive business practices. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Institutional Theory, Resource Dependence Theory (RDT) & Transaction Cost Economics (TCE) theory may be used to anchor future studies on influence of political risk on international business operations. Implement regular political risk assessments using this comprehensive framework to identify potential threats and opportunities in different regions. Businesses should use advanced analytics and scenario planning to forecast potential political changes and their impacts. Businesses should diversify their investments across multiple countries and regions with varying political risk profiles. Policymakers should establish standardized guidelines for political risk assessment to ensure consistent and accurate evaluation across industries and regions. This will help firms better prepare for and mitigate political risks.

Menganalisis Potret Industri Indonesia Berdasarkan Industri Pengolahan Migas dan Non-Migas

This research aims to analyze industrial conditions in Indonesia with a focus on the oil and gas processing industry (oil and gas) and non-oil and gas industries. This study uses a descriptive approach by collecting secondary data from various official sources such as the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the Ministry of Industry, and the annual reports of related companies. The analysis results show that the oil and gas and non-oil and gas processing industries have a significant contribution to the Indonesian economy, but face different challenges. The oil and gas industry, although it plays a large role in state revenues and exports, experiences fluctuations in world oil prices which affect its stability. On the other hand, the non-oil and gas industry shows more stable and diversified growth, with sectors such as manufacturing, textiles and electronics being the main pillars. This research also identifies various factors that influence the development of these two types of industry, including government policy, foreign investment, and infrastructure. It is hoped that these findings can provide insight for policy makers and stakeholders in formulating strategies to advance industry in Indonesia.

An analysis of Corona Virus Disease (Covid-19) vaccine acceptance in Gowa Regency

One of the indicators of vaccination success as an effort to overcome COVID-19 can be seen from how many people participate. This study aims to analyze the acceptance of OVID-19 vaccine using Indonesian SARS-CoV-2 seropravalence survey data. This study was an analytic observational study with cross sectional study design. The total number of samples was 847 samples. Data collection technique used purposive sampling. The data used was the SARS-CoV-2 seropravalence survey data. Data analysis used STATA program 14.0 version with multiple logistic regression. The differences were found in vaccine acceptance based on occupation (p<0.001). However, it was not with age, gender, knowledge, attitudes, support from healthcare workers and family support. The results of the multivariate analysis showed that occupation (p<0.001), gender (p=0.001) and age (p=0.024) were variables that related to COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance. Occupation is a variable that related to reasons for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. This may be related to government policies and mobilization factors. On the other hand, age and gender also determine COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. The government should pay attention to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance for people who are not bound at work and unemployed.

Austria's Institutionalized Discriminatory Policies: A Historical Study on Anti-Semitic and Anti-Muslim Phenomena

Racism constitutes a serious social issue in Austria. This phenomenon has garnered significant attention from activists, leading to discussions and the formation of numerous organizations dedicated to combating and addressing racism. However, despite decades of anti-racist discourse and efforts in Austria, the issue persists. Reports from anti-racist organizations indicate that incidents of racism remain prevalent to this day. Therefore, it is intriguing to investigate why racism has endured as a dynamic phenomenon in Austria. This article seeks to discuss how politics in Austria institutionalized racism, rooted in a lengthy historical context specifically, racism against the Jewish community (antisemitism) and racism against Muslims. The data were obtained through reviewing previous research findings and reports from anti-racism organizations. Descriptive analysis was employed to provide a detailed explanation of the context within a framework of power relations theory. The study reveals that the ideology inherited from Nazism, which encompasses concepts such as Lebensraum (living space) and the marginalization of specific groups, continues to influence Austrian politics, albeit narrated differently through political campaigns and discriminatory policies. This ideological influence permeates the public sphere, serving as a crucial factor in the unresolved nature of racism in contemporary Austria. Furthermore, the research identifies a shift in political tendencies over time, transitioning from an emphasis on anti-Semitism to Government policies and political campaigns in Austria constitute significant supporting factors influencing racist actions against Muslims in the daily life of Austrian society. wards anti-Muslim racism. Through the perspective of power relations government policies and political campaigns in Austria constitute significant supporting factors influencing racist actions in the daily life of Austrian society. For example, Dokustelle (the Center for Documentation and Counseling on Anti-Muslim Racism in Austria) identified over a thousand cases of racism against Muslims in 2022.

A Scoping Review to Improve Universal Health Coverage for Pediatric Dental Services Policies

Background: Poor oral and dental health significantly affects public health, impacting over half the world’s population. Dental caries can undermine children’s academic success and career prospects. Social inequities result in unequal access to oral healthcare, particularly among populations with lower socioeconomic status (SES). National policies that improve access to oral health can reduce these disparities. Objectives: This study aims to compile policies implemented by various countries to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) for pediatric dental services. Methods: This scoping review was conducted according to Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and is reported using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. A systematic search was conducted on databases including Scopus, PubMed, Magiran, SID, Irandoc, Google Scholar, the WHO website, and the databases of Iran’s Ministry of Health. The search aimed to identify literature discussing governmental steps taken to achieve UHC for pediatric dental health, published between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2022. The results were charted and presented in a table. Results: This review included 22 studies. Six themes were identified based on the roles played by key players in this field, including schools, government policy and support, community-oriented preventive plans, insurance support, parents’ awareness, and inequality in accessing dental services. Conclusions: A comprehensive policy that reduces barriers to access, increases utilization, and engages all stakeholders—including parents, schools, and community centers—can effectively achieve UHC for pediatric dental health.

Impact of Government Policies on Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: A Comparative Analysis of Developing and Developed Economies

Impact of Government Policies on Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: A Comparative Analysis of Developing and Developed Economies

Donor-funded procurement effectiveness in the public health medical laboratory services: Examining the moderation role for government policy in donor-support

The paper seeks to provide evidence on the government policy’s moderating role in donor-funded procurement in the laboratory services of Zimbabwe. Procurement is a key component for any organisation to function optimally and the medical laboratory service is no exception considering that the donors are the major funders of the department hence the need for this study to examine the government policy as the moderating variable for this research. Medical laboratory services plays a very important role in the functioning of any health sector as every disease have to be tested to ascertain the actual disease a person suffering from before any treatment can be commenced. The aim of the paper was to examine the moderating role of government policy on donor-funded procurement in Zimbabwe’s laboratory services. This study only focused on donor-funded procurement in the laboratory services of Zimbabwe. The paper made use of a quantitative method research method. Data was collected from 214 respondents from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe. The study found out that government policy (GP) moderates the pre-donation preparation process (PDPP) (β=0.15, p-value = 0.038) donation requirement process (DRP) (β=0.24, p-value =0.000), donation recipient planning process (DRPP) (β=0.22, p-value = 0.001) and donation implementation process (DIP) (β=0.18, p-value = 0.004) and the effectiveness of donor-funded procurement. Based on the results, the study concluded that government policy has a role to play to support donor-funded procurement in the laboratory services in Zimbabwe and the world over. This study is the first of its kind focusing on how donor-funded procurement can be improved in support of the key health outcomes such as laboratory services.

Workplace access, burnout, and prescription drug misuse among Korean hospital nurses: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundPrescription drug misuse has been identified as a global issue of concern. Nurses’ prescription drug misuse is linked to personal health problems and impaired nursing care. This study explored the level of South Korean hospital nurses’ prescription drug misuse and examined associations with workplace access and burnout.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used data from 1142 nurses working in South Korean hospital settings. Nurses completed the online survey anonymously. Descriptive analysis, logistic regression, and Shapley value assessment were conducted.ResultsPain relievers (44.2%), IV drips (26.8%), and antibiotics (13.5%) were the most commonly misused drugs among hospital nurses. Accessibility in the workplace was high, with nurses reporting frequent administration of IV drips, pain relievers, and antibiotics and perceiving these drugs as easily accessible. Logistic regression demonstrated that perceived availability was significantly related to misuse across all drug types. Burnout was associated with IV drips, sleeping pills, and steroids, increasing the likelihood of misuse. Shapley feature importance analysis highlighted perceived availability as the most influential factor for IV drips, pain relievers, and steroids, while burnout emerged as crucial for antibiotics and sleeping pills. Notably, age played a significant role in appetite suppressant misuse, distinguishing it from other drugs.ConclusionOur results revealed that workplace access and burnout are associated with nurses’ prescription drug misuse. Effective educational strategies are essential for enhancing nurses’ willingness to seek help for personal health issues. Hospital organizations play a crucial role in facilitating access to healthcare and fostering a supportive environment for nurses to seek treatment when necessary. Additionally, governmental policies should prioritize the implementation of active surveillance systems to monitor medication usage in healthcare settings, thereby mitigating drug misuse among healthcare professionals. By addressing these issues, we can ensure the well-being of nurses and promote a safer healthcare environment.

Drivers of urban sprawl in Dammam metropolitan area (DMA), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A qualitative exploration

Urban Sprawl, categorized by the city's outward expansion into their adjacent areas, has emerged as a pressing and complex challenge in urban development worldwide. Understanding the urban sprawl drivers becomes essential for efficient and sustainable urban development as cities transform and grow. Only some studies have provided a comprehensive analysis combining local perspectives with international understanding, making it challenging to form policies to prevent urban sprawl. This study is conducted with the primary aim of determining the drivers of urban sprawl. The qualitative analysis of focus group, interviews and document analysis have been done to reveal the multifaceted drivers of urban sprawl. The thematic analysis reveals the main role of economic incentives, government policies, accessibility, zoning regulation, cultural aspects, land use changes, Low Spatial Distribution of Productivity and limited Capacity of Dammam Urban Planning Department in influencing the spatial dynamics of urban sprawl in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. This research study connects the local context to the worldwide urbanization trends, contributing to the broader international perspective on the drivers of urban sprawl. The study findings will be helpful in effectively addressing the urban sprawl challenge. With the local focus and international insight, this research study offers a great knowledge for communities, policy makers and urban planners, enabling more sustainable urban development in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

STATE SUPPORT MEASURES FOR SMALL BUSINESS IN UZBEKISTAN

This article explores the diverse range of state support measures available to small businesses in Uzbekistan. By analyzing these initiatives and their impact, it seeks to provide insights into how government policies are shaping the small business landscape and fostering an environment conducive to entrepreneurship. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for policymakers, business owners, and stakeholders aiming to promote sustainable economic development and inclusive growth in Uzbekistan.

Reflecting on the Rise and Decline of the South African Defence Industry

The South African Defence Industry has undergone several significant changes during the past six decades, with its current state being deemed unfavourable for continued survivability. To develop a robust understanding of the industry, a review of the scientific literature (and government policies) has been undertaken to chart the trends in the industry through the decades. South African political ideologies in the sixties and seventies resulted in a need for self-sufficiency in defence. By the late eighties, increased military spending resulted in a powerful and capable defence industry, but the end of apartheid and regional conflicts saw an expected sharp drop in the defence budget. The Strategic Defence Package offered some respite in terms of exports, but this has declined in the recent past. The defence budget has remained at a steady low value for two decades, with no real possibility of an increase. To maintain relevance and ensure organisational resilience, the remnants of the South African Defence Industry should use the Defence Industry Strategy as a baseline to develop robust local relationships to drive innovation and foster economic growth, while also strengthening international market share by strengthening unique South African technologies.

An evaluation of digital inclusion response policies for elderly in China

AbstractDigital inclusion is related to the physical and mental health of the elderly, and the relevant policies formulated by the government have an important impact on it. This article analyzes 69 policies related to digital inclusion of the elderly released by the central government of China. The results of the content analysis show that the current policies generally attach importance to the service and building of digital inclusion for the elderly, and gradually shift the policy focus to aging adaptation, smart device use, and learning guidance. The evaluation results using a policy modeling consistency index (PMC‐Index) indicate that the quality of the current Chinese government's policies to help the digital inclusion of the elderly is generally high. However, PMC‐Surface shows that there is still considerable variability in the scores of the main‐indicators for each policy. The evaluation results suggest that we can still improve the effectiveness of policies by expanding the scope of policy audiences, establishing good policy timeliness planning, and enriching policy contents, so as to effectively help the elderly integrate into the current rapidly developing digital society.

The experiences and perceptions of rural and remote nurses who provide care to pregnant women in the absence of midwives.

Maternity unit closures in rural and remote settings of Australia have left a substantial gap in services for pregnant women. In the absence of midwives, and when women are unable to attend a maternity facility, registered nurses (RNs) are required to fill the void. While maternity education can attempt to prepare RNs for such encounters, there is little documented to suggest it meets all their physical and psychological needs. The existing challenges for health professionals, practising a vast generalist scope of practice while living and working in a rural and remote location, have been well researched and documented. How nurses feel about the expectation that they work outside their scope of practice to provide maternity care in a rural and remote setting in Australia has not been asked until now. This study explores the perceptions and experiences of RNs who find themselves in this situation. The study utilised a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology to examine the experiences and perceptions of rural and remote nurses providing care for pregnant women. RNs working in rural and remote health facilities that had no maternity services were recruited by a purposive sampling method. Semistructured conversational interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was guided by van Manen's analytical approach. Eight nurses participated, and from the data three themes, each with several subthemes, emerged: 'being-in-the-world of the rural and remote nurse' - described how participants viewed rural and remote nursing as an entity with unchangeable aspects that could not be considered in isolation; 'scope of practice - unprepared or underprepared' described how, despite their existing and extensive nursing skills, participants felt ill-equipped theoretically, practically and mentally to care for pregnant women; 'moral distress' - participants expanded their feelings of unpreparedness to include inadequacy, fear, and appropriateness of care delivery. The realism of rural and remote nursing practice demonstrates that at some point in their career, rural and remote nurses will care for a labouring and/or pregnant woman at high risk for complications. Participants in this study appeared open and honest in their interviews, displaying pride at their extensive nursing skills and job satisfaction. However, they were unanimous in their discussions of what being a nurse and providing maternity care in a rural and remote setting meant to themselves and to pregnant women. They suggested care was fragmented and inadequate from a workforce that is inadequately prepared and stressed. This study has highlighted another concerning aspect of rural and remote midwifery care - the experiences and perceptions of eight nurses delivering care that has previously been overlooked. The united voice of the RNs in this study warrants a platform to speak from and deserves acknowledgement and attention from government and midwifery policy drivers. These nurses, and the women receiving their care, deserve more.

The societal impact of Open Science:a scoping review.

Open Science (OS) aims, in part, to drive greater societal impact of academic research. Government, funder and institutional policies state that it should further democratize research and increase learning and awareness, evidence-based policy-making, the relevance of research to society's problems, and public trust in research. Yet, measuring the societal impact of OS has proven challenging and synthesized evidence of it is lacking. This study fills this gap by systematically scoping the existing evidence of societal impact driven by OS and its various aspects, including Citizen Science (CS), Open Access (OA), Open/FAIR Data (OFD), Open Code/Software and others. Using the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews and searches conducted in Web of Science, Scopus and relevant grey literature, we identified 196 studies that contain evidence of societal impact. The majority concern CS, with some focused on OA, and only a few addressing other aspects. Key areas of impact found are education and awareness, climate and environment, and social engagement. We found no literature documenting evidence of the societal impact of OFD and limited evidence of societal impact in terms of policy, health, and trust in academic research. Our findings demonstrate a critical need for additional evidence and suggest practical and policy implications.

The Transition of South Korea’s Economic Growth Drivers — From Labor-Intensive to Knowledge-Intensive Industries

This paper examines the remarkable economic transformation of South Korea from the 1960s to the present, focusing on the transition from labor-intensive to knowledge-intensive industries. Initially, South Korea’s economic strategy centered on export-oriented industrialization, leveraging labor-intensive sectors such as textiles, footwear, and electronics assembly. This approach facilitated rapid GDP growth, increased employment rates, and significant urbanization. However, in the 1980s, South Korea began shifting towards more technologically advanced and capital-intensive industries in response to rising wages, global competition, and changing market demands. Strategic government policies, including substantial investments in research and development (R&D) and educational reforms, played a crucial role in this transition. By the 2000s, South Korea had successfully developed a robust innovation ecosystem, with key industries such as information and communication technology (ICT), biotechnology, finance, and cultural industries driving economic growth. The study highlights the importance of strategic government intervention, investment in human capital, and fostering an innovation-friendly environment. The paper concludes with policy implications for other developing economies and suggestions for future research.

Examining The Necessity and Significance of Implementing Cross-Cultural Management Practice in Yixin Energy Technology Co. In Shanghai, China

Cross cultural management mainly focuses on the behaviour of people from different culture working together as a group or an organization. Most of cross-cultural management study aims at dealing with the issue of organizational behaviour, such as leadership style, motivational approaches, strategy, organizational structure. As to the cultural concept, culture is a complex issue in some fields such as sociology, anthropology and now become a hot topic in management. The aim of this paper is to examine the necessity and significance of implementing cross-cultural management practice in Yixin Energy Technology Co. in Shanghai, China. A questionnaire is used in this study. This study randomly distributed questionnaires in the form of survey and collected 158 results as samples. SPSS was used for data analysis of the data obtained. The information gathered from the survey questionnaire underwent a number of in-depth investigations before being interpreted. Descriptive tests, ANOVA, and multi-regression test. Multiple regression indicates that there is a strong relationship between the independent factors and the dependent variables. The analysis's findings indicate that the three independent factors examined in this study may account for around 38.1% of the variance in multinational companies' cross-cultural management. Based on the findings, the social culture impacted the cross cultural management at 23.3%, the government policy impacted the cross cultural management at 35.0%, the management style impacted the cross cultural management at 21.8% and the cross cultural management at 28.7%. This study's findings provided concrete statistical support for the argument that cross-cultural practise is necessary, and Yixin Energy Technology Co. in Shanghai, China, has acknowledged the need of this cross-cultural practise. It is advised that businesses create a series of cross-cultural training programmes that concentrate on different levels of expatriates.

Inconsistencies in Government Policy for Workers Judging from Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning Job Creation

Inconsistencies in Government Policy for Workers Judging from Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning Job Creation