Limited Government Research Articles

Employee perception of electronic human resource management and COVID-19 restrictions in public organizations: the experience of Ghana Revenue Authority, Bono Region

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to find out what measures were taken to manage human resources during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Ghana Revenue Authority in Ghana. This was necessary because, even though electronic human resource practices have been implemented in most public organizations in the country, it was uncertain whether or not these practices were vital in delivering public service during the peak of the pandemic at the regional level due to government restrictions implemented to curb the spread of the virus. The study used 78 employees of the Ghana Revenue Authority in the Bono Regional Office of the Ghana Revenue Authority. The study used inferential statistics by employing Pearson correlation and multiple regression techniques to test the effect of employee perceptions, electronic human resource management practices, and COVID-19 practices on electronic human resource adoption. The findings revealed that e-human resource practices had the strongest effect on e-human resource adoption with a beta value of 0.781 and a p value of 0.000, followed by employee perception with a beta value of 0.272 and a p value of 0.004. Significantly, the entire effect of the COVID-19 practices was statistically insignificant yet positive. Overall, the four regression models were significant (p < 0.01), with the fourth model indicating R2 to be 0.677 points. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the Ghana Revenue Authority focuses more on transformational human resource management strategies to increase employee adoption of electronic systems. Furthermore, it is suggested that the organization includes employees in new technologies that improve their performance. Our findings are significant because the outbreak of COVID-19 made scholars focus more on flextime, health and safety, and remote working practices. Little has been done to determine whether or not the new normal has impacted how electronic human resource practices have been implemented in public sector organizations compared to the private sector. So, this study stands out as one of the critical studies in electronic human resource management practices in sub-Saharan Africa. Graphical Abstract

Procurement under pressure: shifting governance strategies in turbulent times

ABSTRACT Organizations in the public sector generally use contractual governance mechanisms to govern buyer–supplier relationships. Little is known about what happens when procurement is put under pressure and which governance strategies are used in such turbulent times. News articles, parliamentary documents, and internal communication regarding the procurement of personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 crisis in the Netherlands were analysed to address this question. The findings show a brief shift from contractual to relational governance, followed by an attempt to return to contractual governance, albeit with different procedures. After the contract closes, limited governance strategies are applied, resulting in ‘laissez-faire’ governance.

Resilience of cooperatives during global pandemics – Short-term effects of Covid-19 on lending behaviour of British credit unions

Cooperative financial institutions are believed to be less vulnerable to business and economic fluctuations linked to recessions and crises. This paper examines the short-term effects of Covid-19 on the British credit union sector drawing on survey data for 58 credit unions and follow-up interviews with 21 credit union managers. Loan demand, and the volume and value of loans were significantly lower in March and April 2020 after the introduction of government restrictions than in March and April 2019. Bad debt provisioning was also significantly higher in April 2020 than in April 2019. There was no significant difference for loan interest income between April 2019 and April 2020. The findings suggest that credit unions were affected by the pandemic in the same way as other financial institutions. For the majority of the credit unions, the decline in lending may be explained by a drop in consumer demand rather than restrictions put on the supply of credit. It is too early to conclude if the adverse economic conditions caused by Covid-19 will negatively affect the sustainability and ability of the sector to generate surpluses or if the cooperative model will shield the sector from resulting economic fluctuations, as suggested by the literature.

Fossil fuels, stranded assets, and the energy transition in the Global South: A systematic literature review

AbstractComplying with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change requires leaving fossil fuels underground (LFFU), which raises justice issues regarding the Global South and its energy transition. The literature is scattered with no review papers on the challenges of LFFU in the Global South, hence we ask: What can be learnt from reviewing the scholarship on the Global South's energy transition, focusing on LFFU and the issue of stranded resources and assets? Our review reveals: (a) renewable investments in the Global South are relatively low for the scale of change needed, and such renewable deployment is more additive than substitutive. Nonetheless, there is potential for the Global South to leapfrog; (b) literature on LFFU in the Global South is limited, and much of it focuses on subsidies. However, developing countries might include stranded assets in their accounting, making LFFU appealing; (c) the Right to Development influences the energy transition's governance and justice issues: limited governance hampers LFFU, while understudied power dynamics shape transition's political economies. However, a global and multilevel just transition may have the potential to achieve LFFU. Thus, the literature overlooks (i) the dilemmas of stranded resources and assets from a developing country perspective and the implications in terms of equity, development, and climate change impacts; and (ii) the underlying power dynamics. Future research should investigate energy leapfrogging viability, critically assess renewables' additive rather than substitutive character in the Global South, and better identify the constraints to an inclusive energy transition, posed by North–South power dynamics and FF incumbents.This article is categorized under: Climate and Development > Social Justice and the Politics of Development

Youth futures under construction

The articles presented here engage with some of the multifaceted and intersecting challenges faced by young people today – these include conflict, insecurity, limited government support, deep-set gender discrimination, climate change, infectious disease and a widespread lack of decent jobs. While recognising the structural influences on young people’s circumstances, the articles gathered here bring young people’s perspectives, experiences and actions to the fore. With an eye on the future, and a sense of the past, this collection is situated in the present. Most of the research presented here stems from the British Academy’s Youth Futures research funding scheme. The results showcased here remind us how the present matters in and of itself, while influenced by the past and playing a key role in shaping the future. Thus there is a triple significance to understanding young people’s challenges: they matter for today and for how they impact tomorrow, and will be best understood with reference to the past.

“More Business and Less Politics!” Schooling, Fiscal Structure, and the 1923 California State Budget

AbstractIn 1923, Los Angeles teachers protested the state’s biennial budget, a controversial document from newly elected governor Friend Richardson that significantly cut funding to government agencies. The budget was the culmination of more than a decade of fiscal policy reform that reflected a significant shift in anti-tax sentiment. The expansion of state governance in the early twentieth century required the development of fiscal policies to meet the needs of the modern state, and public debates about taxation reflected deep ideological differences about the structure and scope of government and implicated public schooling. This analysis demonstrates two features of fiscal policy reform in California. First, tax reform shaped and was shaped by the political context, demonstrating the dynamic relationship between fiscal policy and state formation. Second, debates about tax reform were ultimately about the scope of government. Anti-tax campaigns that sought a more limited government implicated schooling, the largest item in the state budget, and undermined efforts to achieve educational equity.

Do online social networks affect information asymmetry?

This paper empirically explores the impact of online social networks on information asymmetry, based on an international survey conducted in January - August 2021, with 930 respondents. The methodology follows cross-sectional multivariate regressions augmented by a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach. The findings show that young people living in their origin country are more prone to check the veracity of information read, especially those who are Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) activists. Europeans are very sensitive regarding the veracity of posted information. The number of spoken languages facilitating both processes. Additionally, the information asymmetry is attenuated when the users spend more hours on online social networks or use more platforms. The core result is very interesting, showing that the posted information without serious filters during the reading stage is a serious source of asymmetry. Not least, the owner and government restrictions nonlinearly affect information asymmetry by inverted U-shape. This reinforces the idea that none of those characteristics can be absolutized to improve information asymmetry.

Environmental, meteorological and pandemic restriction-related variables affecting SARS-CoV-2 cases.

Three years have passed since the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) brought the world to standstill. In most countries, the restrictions have ended, and the immunity of the population has increased; however, the possibility of new dangerous variants emerging remains. Therefore, it is crucial to develop tools to study and forecast the dynamics of future pandemics. In this study, a generalized additive model (GAM) was developed to evaluate the impact of meteorological and environmental variables, along with pandemic-related restrictions, on the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Córdoba, Argentina. The results revealed that mean temperature and vegetation cover were the most significant predictors affecting SARS-CoV-2 cases, followed by government restriction phases, days of the week, and hours of sunlight. Although fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and NO2 were less related, they improved the model's predictive power, and a 1-day lag enhanced accuracy metrics. The models exhibited strong adjusted coefficients of determination (R2adj) but did not perform as well in terms of root-mean-square error (RMSE). This suggests that the number of cases may not be the primary variable for controlling the spread of the disease. Furthermore, the increase in positive cases related to policy interventions may indicate the presence of lockdown fatigue. This study highlights the potential of data science as a management tool for identifying crucial variables that influence epidemiological patterns and can be monitored to prevent an overload in the healthcare system.

Enhanced surveillance of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Europe: an evaluation of the I-MOVE-COVID-19 surveillance network.

A pre-existing, well-established European influenza surveillance network known as I-MOVE enabled the rapid implementation of a European multi-country COVID-19 hospital surveillance network for surveillance of hospitalized COVID-19 cases in early 2020. This network included 257 hospitals in 11 surveillance sites across nine countries. We aimed to identify whether the surveillance objectives were relevant to public health actions, whether the surveillance system met its objectives, where and how shortcomings could be improved, and whether the system was sustainable. We identified six key attributes (meeting objectives, usefulness, timeliness, data quality, simplicity and sustainability) to assess, using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's evaluation framework. We analyzed pooled datasets, held interviews and group discussions with 10 participating and coordinating sites and gathered feedback through web surveys. There was overall agreement that the surveillance objectives had been met and being involved in a network of European partners had additional important benefits for stakeholders. While the publication of the outputs was not always sufficiently timely, data submission processes were considered straightforward and the key surveillance variables (age, sex, hospital admission and mortality data) were complete. The main challenges were identified as the collection of the large number of variables, limited available human resources and information governance and data protection laws. I-MOVE-COVID-19 delivered relevant and accurate data supporting the development and implementation of COVID-19 surveillance. Recommendations presented here identify learning opportunities to support preparedness and surveillance response for future pandemics. The applied evaluation framework in this study can be adapted for other European surveillance system evaluations.

Acceptability, feasibility, and user satisfaction of a virtual reality relaxation intervention in a psychiatric outpatient setting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic was particularly difficult for individuals with mental disorders. Due to governmental restrictions, face-to-face offers for psychiatric outpatients like therapies, psychoeducational groups or relaxation courses were limited. Virtual reality (VR) might be a new possibility to support these patients by providing them with a home-based relaxation tool. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and user satisfaction of a supportive therapy-accompanying, relaxation VR intervention in psychiatric outpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. The four-weeks VR intervention consisted of regular watching of relaxing videos in the participants' home environment. Sociodemographics, feasibility (frequency of use, user-friendliness), satisfaction (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), quality of life (abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment), and credibility and expectancy (Credibility Expectancy Questionnaire-8) were measured in an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis and a per-protocol (PP) analysis of completers. In total, N = 40 patients participated in the study. Most of the participants in the ITT analysis (n = 30, 75.0%) used the VR device three or 4 weeks. A majority of the N = 29 completers (PP: n = 18, 62.1%) used it all 4 weeks. Most participants used the device two or more times a week (ITT: n = 30, 83.3%; PP: n = 26, 89.7%) and described the user-friendliness as rather or very easy (ITT: n = 33, 91.7%; PP: n = 26, 89.7%). User satisfaction was high (ITT: 19.42, SD = 4.08; PP: M = 20.00, SD = 4.19) and did not correlate with participants' sex or age (all p < 0.05). Depressive symptoms and psychological quality of life improved significantly from pre-to post-intervention (ITT and PP, all p < 0.05). Higher pre-intervention credibility significantly correlated with a better outcome of satisfaction (ITT and PP), depressive symptoms, physical, psychological, and social quality of life (PP; all p < 0.05). A supportive therapy-accompanying VR relaxation intervention is feasible and acceptable in a psychiatric outpatient setting. Due to the high satisfaction and user-friendliness, VR can be an easy to implement relaxation tool to support psychiatric outpatients. https://clinicaltrials.gov/, DRKS00027911.

Internally Displaced Persons’ Experiences and the Predictors of Social Support and Adjustment to Displacement in Northeast Nigeria: A Mixed-Method Study

Boko Haram insurgency is a significant problem in Nigeria, leading to the loss of lives and properties and the displacement of hundreds of people. This study explored the internally displaced persons (IDPs) adjustment experiences and the predictors (socioeconomic factors and religiosity scale) of social support for adjustment to displacement in Northeast Nigeria. A mixed-method approach guided this study. One hundred and eighty participants completed a survey on religiosity and perceived social support, of which 15 were qualitatively interviewed. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using multiple regression and thematic analysis. Older (B = 0.407), male (B= −1.203), married participants (B = −1.890), being Muslim (B = 0.136), having high (secondary and tertiary) education level (B = 0.423), and income (B = 0.019), were significantly associated with receiving social support for adjustment to displacement. Across the four dimensions of the religiosity scale, only preoccupation (B = 0.49) was significantly associated with social support among IDPs. Six themes emerged from the experience of IDPs regarding social support, and they include: adapting in camps and not adjusting is the ideal concept; men adapt faster than women; younger capers adapt faster than older campers; concern for their children’s education fosters adaptation; family/friends were emotionally/financially supportive and limited government support. Some of these predictors are modifiable, such as religious preoccupation, social support, income, and education; therefore, strategies to leverage these modifiable predictors in reducing the impact of displacement on individual’s health and wellbeing are recommended.

Global Market Perceptions of Cryptocurrency and the Use of Cryptocurrency by Consumers: A Pilot Study

Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin and Ethereum, have garnered global attention in recent years as digital alternatives to traditional fiat currencies. This paper explores the complex landscape of cryptocurrency adoption, consumer behavior, and perceptions. Beginning with the origin of cryptocurrencies and the dominance of Bitcoin with its USD 1.23 trillion market capitalization, the paper highlights popular online platforms facilitating Bitcoin trading. It also examines the varying legal statuses and regulations across different countries, with a notable divide between Eastern and Western nations, attributed to factors like wealth, risk tolerance, and government restrictions. The role of blockchain technology as the foundation of cryptocurrencies is explained, emphasizing its role in ensuring secure and transparent transactions. The paper delves into the processes involved in handling cryptocurrencies, including the blockchain, exchanges, wallets, and mining. Consumer behavior and the factors influencing cryptocurrency usage are analyzed, with a focus on speculation, algorithm trust, spending power, and demographics. Survey findings and case studies from diverse geographical areas reveal patterns of adoption and local consumer perceptions. The paper concludes by discussing the cryptocurrency market’s inherent volatility and sensitivity to regulatory changes, as well as the different types of cryptocurrencies and online exchanges shaping this evolving financial landscape. Overall, it offers insights into the complex dynamics surrounding cryptocurrency adoption and its potential impact on global finance.

Pandemic public health interventions and corporate communications: Evidence from China

We investigate the impact of government public health interventions on corporate communications in this study. Based on a large quarterly sample of Chinese listed firms, we find firms respond positively to the growing information needs during the pandemic mainly through the promotion of online communications, despite government public health restrictions hindering offline investor relations activities significantly. Also, several firm characteristics including industry, financial constraints, and information asymmetry mediate the relationship between government restriction and different forms of communication. Overall, our paper provides evidence on how firms’ communications evolved in response to public health interventions.

How can cities achieve accelerated systemic decarbonization? Analysis of six frontrunner cities

Globally, many cities have pledged to reach net zero emissions by mid-century and formulated climate action plans (CAPs) to pursue this goal. Attainment of net zero requires accelerated systemic decarbonization measures to catalyze fundamental changes across multiple societal systems simultaneously. Yet the extant literature has not conceptually clarified conditions leading to accelerated systemic decarbonization in cities. This research therefore aims to: (1) conceptualize strategies that contribute to accelerated systemic decarbonization at the sub-national level and develop a framework for empirically identifying these; and (2) assess the extent to which CAPs in cities known for progressive climate policies embody these characteristics. This involved examination of evidence from CAPs and related documents in six cities: Copenhagen, Leeds, Oslo, San Francisco, Australian Capital Territory and Kyoto. Findings show that San Francisco's climate actions are the most indicative of accelerated systemic decarbonization. In other cities, although many ingredients for accelerated systemic decarbonization are in place, several missed opportunities to achieve more rapid and transformative decarbonization outcomes were identified. These include lack of consideration of scope 3 emissions and limited participatory governance measures as well as absence of economic planning, climate budgets and financial indicators to estimate the benefits or costs of various climate-mitigation actions.

Agent-based simulation model of panic buying behavior in urban public crisis events: A social network perspective

With the rapid growth of urban economies, accelerated urbanization has resulted in increasing urban public crisis events. The panic buying behavior of the public triggered by these events can seriously endanger social stability and the safety of the urban environment. Therefore, this study aims to explore the evolution of public panic buying behavior in complex urban systems with the intervention of multiple social actors. Based on information filtered from actual cases, this paper identifies 15 stakeholders associated with panic buying in complex urban systems. The complex urban network between the stakeholders is formalized using social network analysis (SNA). To more accurately reflect the evolutionary process of panic buying behavior, this paper proposes an agent-based model (ABM) that simulates five different behavioral states of public and the transition of states to explore the evolutionary process of panic buying behavior under other behavioral decisions of the government and the social media. The model explanation follows the ODD (Overview, Design concepts, Details) protocol. The findings suggest that, prioritizing limited government resources to enhance supply monitoring and responsive attitudes to the public can positively influence public panic buying behavior. At the same time, the social media's willingness to assume its social responsibility and improve information disclosure can further reduce the negative social impact of panic buying.

Overcoming the problems facing cassava processing industry in Nigeria

This paper takes a look at overcoming the problems faced by processors of cassava in Nigeria and how important the processing of cassava is to the Nigerian economy. The importance of the cassava processing industry cannot be overemphasized. Apart from providing food security, provision of employment opportunities for the ever-teeming population, it serves as a foreign exchange earner to boost the economy and provide raw materials for industries such as textile, pharmaceutical and alcohol. The roots and leaves of cassava are also source of medicine, it is also used in the production of biofuel. The paper also looked at the myriad of problems associated with the processing operations and delved into the challenges of the cassava processing industry which includes: a lack of basic infrastructural facilities, lack of access to finance the industry, excessive cost of processing equipment, poor market accessibility and limited government support. The paper proffers solutions as ways forward in taking the cassava processing industry in Nigeria to the next level.

The Seashell Business and Its Supply Chain in Zanzibar

Despite the critical activities of people live in the coastal areas, plus efforts undertaken by fisherfolk, and government in improving the supply of sea resources, seashells supply chain has been regarded to have meagre enhancement economic contributions to the livelihood of coastal community in Zanzibar. This poses considerable challenge in the improvement of the seashell business development in Zanzibar. This study examined the entire seashell business supply chain, the current status of the business and challenges hindering the growth of the business in Zanzibar. The study was qualitative in nature with a case study design. Data were collected from 45 participants who were purposively and conveniently sampled. Data were collected through in-depth interviews (IDI), document review and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). Data obtained were analyzed by content analysis done manually. Findings reveal that currently; the status of seashell business is described differently by different people. While others consider it valuable others see it invaluable. Findings further reveal that government restrictions on seashell export and limited research on the business hinder its growth. Thus, the study recommends to the government to invest massively in research so as to unveil more opportunities presented by the seashell. These opportunities may open room for more development ventures.

Tripartite evolutionary game analysis of power battery carbon footprint disclosure under the EU battery regulation

The EU's battery regulation aims to promote low-carbon and sustainable batteries and achieve carbon neutrality goals. However, in the actual implementation, limited government supervision, asymmetric information, and economic interests may induce battery manufacturers and third-party verification agencies to manipulate carbon footprint data. To prevent the occurrence of the above phenomena, this study constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model involving battery manufacturers, third-party verification agencies, and national market authorities. The model examines the strategic decision-making process, influential factors, and evolutionary stability of the three players, followed by simulation analysis. The results showed that the evolutionary system may exhibit two stable states: (0,0,1) and (1,1,0), corresponding to two strategy combinations {disclose false carbon footprints, intend rent-seeking, supervise} and {disclose true carbon footprint, reject rent-seeking, not supervise}, respectively. However, if the benefits of third-party agencies objectively assessing carbon footprints are not substantial enough, there will be only one stable state (0,0,1) in the system. To guide the evolutionary system towards the desired stable state (1,1,0), supportive policies should be implemented along with the EU battery regulation. Therefore, this study puts forward some policy recommendations in terms of institutional improvement, database construction, and the application of emerging technologies.

Post-Conflict Economic Recovery in Kosovo

Modern Kosovo faces many challenges in post-conflict economic recovery and development. The current international and regional agenda significantly complicate the recovery process. It is a combination of both chronic underdevelopment and post-conflict reconstruction. Such a mix produces limited state governance, a vast shadow economy and criminal networks, massive unemployment, and widespread poverty worsened by original Kosovo's problems such as gender disbalance in the labor force, ethnic discrimination, and unsettled rights of local property owners. The article highlights the current results of internal and external efforts to enhance the ability of Kosovo’s authorities to provide economic and physical security for local households and businesses. It focuses on international support through direct financial aid and external investments and argues that this support challenges the political independence and viability of this self-declared polity. Kosovo is still on the list of Europe's poorest and most vulnerable regions. Reforms are proceeding slowly. A large share of state-owned enterprises is unprofitable. The private sector is fragmented, and microenterprises dominate. Kosovo's economy relies heavily on imports and excessively depends on the trade sector. Financial discipline, efficiency, and transparency of the resource’s distribution, optimization of intersectoral interaction, fight against corruption – all these issues are still on the current economic and political agenda, as they were ten years ago, despite Kosovo’s ranking as one of the top twenty most improved economies in the world. Financial dependence becomes a formidable barrier to Kosovo's membership in the European Union.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Construction Industry in Czechia and Europe; Current Struggles and Future Predictions

This paper talks about the the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe and the impact it had on the construction industry between the years 2020 and 2023. We look at the pre-pandemic situation of the construction industry in both Europe and specifically in Czechia, followed by taking a look at the start of the pandemic and the effect it had on the industry, ranging from government restrictions and the economical impact of changing supply and demand, to changes in the strategy of different construction companies and future predictions. The paper is split into 3 parts. The first part discusses the situation in Czechia in several steps and how things changed for local construction companies (but also other industries this affected). Second part of the paper describes the situation in Europe in the same manner. Third and final portion of the paper discusses the current situation and future predictions for the developement of the construction industry in Europe while also reflecting on current struggles, and comparing them to older predictions.