Government Financial Support Research Articles

The impact of public policies on China’s new energy vehicles from the perspective of institutional economics

With the development of the economy and the enhancement of environmental awareness, new energy vehicles have become a new choice for many consumers. As one of the most developed countries in new energy vehicles, China cannot do without government financial support. In order to promote the development of China’s new energy vehicle industry, the government has introduced a series of support policies, including financial subsidies. This article conducts an empirical analysis of the development of new energy vehicles in China from the perspective of the impact of institutional economics on public policy. It is concluded that this article uses a time series model to analyze the relationship between the amount of state subsidies and sales, the number of patent applications, and the number of charging piles from 2011 to 2021. The research results show that state subsidies have a significant impact on the number of new energy vehicle patent applications. Positive promotion effect. The impact of state subsidies on sales is not significant.

Presenting a Paradigmatic Model of Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Economic Growth in Business Units (Case Study: Home Appliance Manufacturers)

Objective: The current research aims to present a paradigmatic model of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship towards sustainable economic growth in business units (Case study: Home appliance manufacturers). This study is applied in purpose and descriptive-analytical in nature. Method: The research method is qualitative. The population of this study includes academic experts and executive managers in the home appliance industry, calculated as 11 individuals through snowball sampling and theoretical saturation point. The data collection tool is semi-structured interviews. The analysis of this part is conducted using grounded theory. Findings: The qualitative research results propose the desired paradigmatic model, emphasizing the response to the main research question in the form of six main categories and subcategories. Conclusion: Causal factors including organizational entrepreneurship, development of products based on industry standards and competitive advantage. Contextual factors include government support, developmental infrastructures, and financial support for standardization in entrepreneurship. Intervening factors include the product quality condition for competitiveness, sustainability categories, and attention to labor. Strategies include reforming laws, developing science and technology parks, and accelerating capital turnover. Outcomes include commercial and economic liberalization, development of the innovation and technology ecosystem, and increased productivity. The core category includes technology, ideation, employment generation, and international competition.

Implications of the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling on Local Health Systems.

The Supreme Court decision on the Mandanas-Garcia petition regarding the internal revenue allotment given to local government units is a significant ruling in strengthening the concept of decentralized governance and in the delivery of services. While the ruling grants local government greater resources and financial support, the immediate implication is the full devolution of services defined in the Local Government Code, including health services. The urgent concern is how much the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling will affect local health systems. Through a review of related documents and publications, this paper presents some existing and foreseeable issues surrounding the implementation of the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling in relation to the current devolved healthcare system. In particular, challenges in implementing the ruling in relation to health devolution, the local health system process, and the Universal Health Care Act are discussed. Some concrete action points for addressing these issues are also posited for policy-makers and implementors to consider in order to ensure not just the smooth and efficient implementation of the ruling but also the continuity of care for Filipinos.

АНАЛІЗ ФІНАНСОВОЇ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ СВІТОВОЇ АВІАЦІЙНОЇ ІНДУСТРІЇ

The article examines the financial aspects of the global aviation industry, which is gradually recovering from the impact of COVID-19. It also examines the impact of economic instability on passenger traffic and airlines' strategies for adapting to new market conditions. The role of government programmes and financial support in the recovery of the aviation industry and ways to optimise these measures are analysed. Estimates suggest that in 2023, passenger kilometres (RPK) will reach only 94.1% of the previous pre-crisis level. Air traffic volumes have already exceeded 2019 levels and are expected to remain high, supported by strong global trade. The industry's net losses are projected to decrease, turning into a net profit of $23.3 billion by early 2024. Airlines cut costs by 31% in 2021 compared to 2019, but as passenger traffic increases, they are facing rising costs again. Since 2019, global governments have spent $243 billion to support airlines. Strong demand for air travel continued to drive the market recovery in 2023, with growth of 36.9% year-on-year. Traffic reached 94.1% of the 2019 level. Seat supply slightly exceeded demand, resulting in a load factor of 82.3%. Different regions are experiencing the recovery in different ways. North America is showing the fastest recovery, with regional traffic growing and intercontinental routes resuming. Europe is recovering moderately, while Asia-Pacific, particularly China, is showing stable demand. The Middle East is facing obstacles due to limited domestic markets, making it difficult to fully recover. Latin America and Africa are facing internal challenges such as airline restructuring and slow passenger growth. While the industry continues to make progress, it is forecast that a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels may not be achieved until 2024. In addition to financial and operational challenges, airlines are focusing on sustainability initiatives. The transition to more fuel-efficient aircraft, investments in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and efforts to reduce carbon emissions are central to the industry's recovery. Governments and stakeholders are collaborating to meet climate targets, including net-zero emissions by 2050.

The positive effects of the higher education expansion policy on urban innovation in China

<abstract> <p>Higher education not only enhances people's well-being, but also plays an important role in the in-depth implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy. In this paper, we use Chinese urban data for 1995–2020, utilizing the higher education expansion policy implemented in China in 1999 as an external shock. Using Double/Debiased Machine Learning (DML), we examine the impact of the aforementioned policy on urban innovation and its mechanisms. The results show that: (1) The higher education expansion policy significantly promotes urban innovation; (2) the policy promotes human capital expansion and strengthens government financial support, thereby significantly fostering urban innovation; (3) the impact of the policy varies across cities with different geographic locations, population densities and levels of marketization. Therefore, the findings of this paper provide empirical evidence that higher education expansion policy stimulates urban innovation. It also offers useful insights for China's transition from "Made in China" to "Created in China" during its high-quality development phase.</p> </abstract>

Was There Any Greed After All? The Lack of Greedflation Evidence in Greek Economic Data

As Greece has been experiencing a 9.6% inflation in 2022 and 4.2% in 2023, a policy narrative has risen claiming that corporate profits are to blame for the price hikes. However, Greek economic data indicate that when precisely defined, corporate unit profits are within their usual range. Furthermore, publicly available data indicate that corporate mark-ups (price-to-cost ratios) are relatively stable and primarily driven by the increases in costs of goods sold, with a mild increase being attributed to temporary business support measures in force in 2021. In addition, there is the overlooked demand-side component of inflation, contributing up to 50% in price increases between 2021 and 2022, fueled by the country’s fiscal responses to the crises of COVID-19 and the energy crisis of 2021-2022, both of which were among the largest in the world relative to GDP. On top of that, spending of the funds available under the RRF, with Greece once again spending the most in the E.U. relative to its GDP, further contributes to the inflationary pressures. As a result, it is imperative that any government financial support against increasing prices must be better targeted to not work as an income boost, fueling demand side inflation, and that the RRF plan be quickly implemented to lower prices by increasing the country’s productivity, rather than providing widespread income support in the hope of lowering mark-ups and prices only by enforcing competition regulations, which may bring opposite results than those intended.

The Impact of Government Tax, Fund, and Financial Support on a Company’s Research and Development Budget

The Impact of Government Tax, Fund, and Financial Support on a Company’s Research and Development Budget

A comparative study of governmental financial support and resilience of self-employed people in Sweden and Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Globally, self-employed people were among the hardest hit by the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and faced hardships such as financial decline, restrictions, and business closures. A plethora of financial support measures were rolled out worldwide to support them, but there is a lack of research looking at the effect of the policy measures on self-employed people. To understand how different governmental financial support measures enhanced the resilience of the self-employed and improved their ability to manage the pandemic, we conducted a mixed-method study using policy analysis and semi-structured interviews. The documents described policies addressing governmental financial support in Sweden and Canada during the pandemic, and the interviews were conducted with Swedish and Canadian self-employed people to explore how they experienced the support measures in relation to their resilience. The key results were that self-employed people in both countries who were unable to telework were less resilient during the pandemic due to financial problems, restrictions, and lockdowns. The interviews revealed that many self-employed people in hard-hit industries were dissatisfied with the support measures and found them to be unfairly distributed. In addition, the self-employed people experiencing difficulties running their businesses reported reduced well-being, negatively affecting their business survival.

Environmental judicature and enterprises’ green technology innovation: a revisit of the Porter Hypothesis

The existing research on the judicial system as the subject of environmental regulation has largely ignored in the Porter Hypothesis. Using the establishment of the environmental court in China, we construct the time-varying difference-in-differences model and use it to examines the rationality of the Porter Hypothesis. The main findings of this study are as follows: (1) as an effective form of environmental regulation, environmental courts significantly improve the level of enterprises’ green technology innovation, which demonstrates the Porter hypothesis positively in China; (2) the establishment of environmental courts can effectively enhance the quality of green technology innovation, and the effect is more significant amongst non-state enterprises and heavily polluting enterprises; (3) The possible mechanisms for the effect of environmental courts on enterprises’ green technology innovation are further verified, including enhancing the environmental attention from government and green financial support from the market. Through the findings of this study, we are able to uncover the effects of environmental judicature on enterprises’ green technology innovation and provide a practical foundation for the development of environmental judicature specialisation.

Economic Mechanisms of Entrepreneurship Development and Foreign Experiences for Developing Countries

This study examines the economic mechanisms that foster entrepreneurship development, focusing on lessons from developed countries and their relevance to developing nations. Key factors such as government policies, financial support, educational initiatives, and cultural attitudes are analyzed. The research identifies challenges in developing countries, including limited capital access and bureaucratic barriers. Based on these insights, concise recommendations are proposed to enhance entrepreneurship in developing countries, emphasizing policy reforms, financial accessibility, and educational improvements. The study underscores the need for a multifaceted approach to stimulate economic growth and development through entrepreneurship.

Prevalence of Subjective Unmet Mental Healthcare Needs, Barriers, and Socioeconomic Inequality among Adult Individuals with Physical, Visual, Hearing, and Speech Disabilities in West of Iran

People with disabilities are susceptible to mental disorders, so it is very important to check and monitor their access to mental health services. There has been no study in this regard in Iran. This study aimed to measure the prevalence and socioeconomic inequality of subjective unmet needs for mental healthcare services (SUNMH) among individuals with disabilities and the various reasons behind them in the west of Iran. This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted on 613 people with disabilities over 18 years of age in Sanandaj city in 2023. Simple random sampling was used, and a questionnaire was applied to collect the data. The multivariate logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of SUNMH. The concentration index (C) and concentration curve (CC) were calculated to measure inequality in the prevalence of SUNMH. Data were analyzed using STATA software version 16.0 (Stata Corp, College Station, TX, USA. About 47% of people had experienced SUNMH. Lack of financial ability with 45%, insufficient payment of basic health insurance for mental health services with 27%, and noncoverage of mental health services by basic health insurance with 25% were the three main reasons for SUNMH. According to the logistic regression model, unemployment (OR: 2.70, 95% CI: 1.31–5.53), not having supplementary insurance (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.11–4.74), having another member with a disability in the household (OR: 3.33, 95% CI: 1.34–8.29), and poor economic status increased the odds of experiencing unmet need for mental health services by about 3, 2, 3, and 21 times, respectively (OR: 21.11, 95% CI: 13.72–48.11). The concentration index was −0.496, indicating a greater concentration of SUNMH in people with low socioeconomic status. Access to health services is not suitable among people with disabilities and a significant percentage of them suffer from SUNMH. Policy recommendations are proposed to address the primary obstacle of financial barriers to SUNMH and increase access to the necessary services, which include increasing the allocation of financial resources to specialized mental health services for individuals with disabilities and expanding disability-specific health insurance coverage with government financial support.

ONLINE CROWDFUNDING PROJECTS AFTER THE PANDEMIC: ENTREPRENEURIAL ABILITIES AND INSTITUTIONAL DYNAMICS

This study examines what institutional conditions, entrepreneurial abilities and industry-specific factors contributed to the survival of online crowdfunding projects after the Covid pandemic. Based on the dynamic capability theory, we argue that government financial support alone cannot close the gap between market supply and demand after an exogenous shock. An institutional environment that promotes a transparent and efficient information sharing and resources allocation system is equally important for the survival of startups. Using a sample of 924 Kickstarter projects between 2017 and 2018, we found that startups in countries with high market dynamics and low entry barriers had a higher probability to survive the exogenous shock after controlling for entrepreneurial experience, social capital, and industry-specific factors. The findings support a free market approach to promote early-stage entrepreneurship.

Government and Business Funding of Sources of Funds for R&D at Universities: Complements or Substitutes?

Abstract The paper examines the relationship between different sources of funding for research and development at universities. Following the European Commission methodology, we distinguished between government, business and abroad financing of research and development (R&D) in the higher education sector. The paper aims to test short-run and long-run relationships between different funding sources. We are focused on the relationship between government and business funding of R&D at universities. Based on panel data for EU countries, we applied the Granger causality tests and General methods of moments to examine short-run causality and cointegrating regression to search for potential long-run relationships. Our results suggest that government funding of R&D act as a complement to business funding. Hence, rising government financial support for research in higher education can, lead to higher funding from the business sector. Founding from abroad seems to have a similar effect on business funding in the long run.

Population knowledge and commitment regarding a child’s car safety seat after implementation of the new traffic regulations in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the understanding and adherence to child car safety seat (CSS) guidelines among the general population in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia following the implementation of new traffic regulations.MethodA four-section questionnaire addressing knowledge and attitudes regarding CSSs was distributed among the general population of Makkah city in light of new traffic regulations. Data were collected from 487 respondents, and the chi-square test was utilized for statistical analysis.ResultsA total of 144 (29.6%) respondents reported using seat belts before the implementation of new regulations, while 101 (20.7%) started using them afterward. Only 31 (6.4%) stated that they would not use them. A total of 318 (65.3%) reported that their behavior towards using child car safety seats abroad will not change. Additionally, 452 (92.8%) believed that government financial support for car seat costs would increase usage and compliance. The knowledge level among those using CSSs (40.3%) was significantly higher than among those who do not (11.3%) (p = .001).ConclusionsMost of the respondents believed that governmental financial support for CSS costs will lead to increased compliance. Furthermore, there is a direct correlation between knowledge levels and compliance. Therefore, further investment should be focused on raising awareness and enforcing strict regulations.

How to mitigate incentives for poverty trade-off in Egypt's ageing population under the new bill for older people care rights using means tested benefit cost sharing framework?

PurposeMany countries around the world are facing great challenges from their ageing population with shrinking workforce, this will put more pressure on their financial system and will increase the public spending on care costs provided to older people. Egypt is in the phase of establishing a new law for older people care's rights, a law that will organise how older people in need for care would benefit from access to government financial support and how will families support their older relatives financially and how the care costs will be shared between the older people, their families and the government.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines the suitability two cost-sharing methods and applying them to assess the effect on the individuals and families' income strain.FindingsThe preferred approach can be used for sharing costs as it applies a gradual funding withdrawal by the government and provide more fairness and flexibility for application in different regions. Besides, the parameters of this approach can be used by policy makers to control the levels of funding.Originality/valueThe paper will be the first to discuss the intergenerational fairness from a financial perspective in Egypt to avoid forcing older people into poverty or resorting to poverty trade-off.

RADT-37. INTERIM RESULTS OF ACCELERATOR-BASED BORON NEUTRON CAPTURE THERAPY, RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL FOR RECURRENT AND REFRACTORY HIGH-GRADE MENINGIOMAS

Abstract BACKGROUND High-grade meningiomas (HGMs) recurred after X-ray treatment showed 5.2 months as median progression free survival (mPFS) and only 24.6 months as median overall survival (mOS) from the literatures. Recently, we showed much more excellent OS and PFS using reactor-based boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) (Neuro-Oncology 24:90-98, 2022). Based on these data, we started “A phase II investigator-lead RCT using accelerator-based BNCT system for refractory recurrent high-grade meningioma”, with the aid of Japanese governmental financial support. METHODS We prepared 2 study arms, BNCT test treatment arm (12 subjects) and control best supportive care arm (6 subjects) in RCT fashion. PFS judged by third party committee was set-up as primary endpoint and PFS judged by investigators themselves and OS of BNCT arm were set-up as secondary endpoints. To diminish ethical problems of this RCT, rescue BNCT is permitted for control group patients, if they showed progress disease during the observation period. Macdonald criteria was adopted for assessment. The first patient-in was August 2019 and the last patient-in was August 2021. Interim results of this trial: Three and two grade 3 subjects were included in BNCT and control arm, respectively. Others were grade 2 subjects. As of April 20, 2023, mPFS judged by investigators showed 90 weeks and 8 weeks for BNCT and control arm, respectively (P = 0.0004). OS-2 year rates of BNCT and control arms are 91.7% and 25%, respectively (p = 0.01) CONCLUSION Primary endpoint, mPFS judged by third party committee is still being closed and unknown, so far, until the end of the trial (August 2024). With regard to secondary endpoints, there are marked differences in both arms in mPFS judged by investigators. Also, OS in BNCT arm is extremely excellent in comparison with EORTC RCT of “trabectedine” and PD-1 blockade reports, just recently appeared.

Health insurance coverage and poverty status of postpartum women in the United States in 2019: an ACS-PUMS population-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundA quarter of United States (US) postpartum women still report unmet health care needs and health care unaffordability. We aimed to study associations between receipt of health insurance coverage and poverty status/receipt of government financial support and determine coverage gaps overall and by social factors among US postpartum women in poverty.MethodsThis study design is a cross-sectional study using secondary data. We included women who gave birth within the last 12 months from 2019 American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample. Poverty was defined as having an income-to-poverty ratio of less than 100%. We explored Medicaid/government medical assistance gaps among women in poverty. To examine the associations between Medicaid/government medical assistance (exposures) and poverty/government financial support (outcomes), we used age-, race-, and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. We also evaluated the associations of state, race, citizenship status, or language other than English spoken at home (exposures) with receipt of Medicaid/government medical assistance (outcomes) among women in poverty through multivariable-adjusted logistic regression.ResultsIt was notable that 35.6% of US postpartum women in poverty did not have Medicaid/government medical assistance and only a small proportion received public assistance income (9.8%)/supplementary security income (3.1%). Women with Medicaid/government medical assistance, compared with those without the coverage, had statistically significantly higher odds of poverty [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 3.15, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.85–3.48], having public assistance income (aOR: 24.52 [95% CI: 17.31–34.73]), or having supplementary security income (aOR: 4.22 [95% CI: 2.81–6.36]). Also, among postpartum women in poverty, women in states that had not expanded Medicaid, those of Asian or other race, non-US citizens, and those speaking another language had statistically significantly higher odds of not receiving Medicaid/government medical assistance [aORs (95% CIs): 2.93 (2.55–3.37); 1.30 (1.04–1.63); 3.65 (3.05–4.38); and 2.08 (1.86–2.32), respectively].ConclusionsOur results showed that the receipt of Medicaid/government medical assistance is significantly associated with poverty and having government financial support. However, postpartum women in poverty still had Medicaid/government medical assistance gaps, especially those who lived in states that had not expanded Medicaid, those of Asian or other races, non-US citizens, and other language speakers.

Effects of modern agricultural demonstration zones on cropland utilization efficiency: An empirical study based on county pilot

The establishment of modern agricultural demonstration zones, as an important initiative to promote the modernization of agriculture, has attracted much attention as to whether its promotion and demonstration can bring about a benign enhancement of the cropland utilization efficiency. This study uses the difference-in-difference model, and with the help of the data of 1872 counties in China from 2006 to 2020. The study shows that the agricultural demonstration zones significantly improve the utilization efficiency of cropland, while there is strong regional heterogeneity in this effect, with a greater degree of promotion in some regions that are lagging in agricultural development. Further mechanism analysis reveals that superior agricultural resource endowment and strong government financial support can positively moderate this effect. However, over-industrialization will inhibit this positive effect.

COVID-19 and the construction sector: Impacts and an agenda for post-pandemic policy in the context of Kuwait

PurposeAmidst the global upheaval, Kuwait's construction industry confronts unique challenges, serving as a microcosm for pandemic-induced disruptions examined in this study. This research offers a pivotal analysis of COVID-19's disruptive impact on Kuwait's construction projects, enriched with comparative global insights to bolster industry adaptability and recovery strategies. Design/methodology/approachA mixed-method approach involving a systematic literature review and 17 semi-structured in-depth interviews with construction experts, including contractors and suppliers from construction industry in Kuwait. FindingsThe findings showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, construction projects faced numerous challenges, including government-imposed lockdowns, increased safety measures, and a fear of infection among workers, leading to delays and increased overhead costs. Post-pandemic recovery strategies highlighted in the interviews include strict adherence to health guidelines, visa extensions for laborers, additional hiring, and embracing digital transformation to enhance productivity. However, the high costs of technology and a need for more skilled personnel have hindered digital adoption in the construction industry. Practical implicationsPractical implications for moving forward emphasize government financial support and incentives to aid the construction sector's recovery and advancement in the post-pandemic economy. Government institutions and stakeholders developed and executed a number of approaches and measures to successfully address the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on the Kuwaiti construction sector. Originality/valueThis paper contributes to a paucity in evidence on the impact of pre and post COVID-19 pandemic in the context of the Kuwaiti construction sector. The study used a mixed method research using systematic literature review and qualitative study. This is the first study that qualitatively investigate the effect of the pandemic on construction projects in Kuwait.

Ride the wind or go nuclear? A private investment analysis

This study presents a comprehensive investment analysis framework comparing onshore and offshore wind projects with traditional and modular nuclear projects. We assess investment potential excluding and including government financial support, akin to the system implemented in France. Results demonstrate that onshore wind projects rank as the most appealing investment option without government support, followed by offshore wind projects. In specific circumstances, modular nuclear projects prove more attractive based on specific metrics. Surprisingly, French government support tilts the scales, favoring offshore wind projects over onshore wind projects. To achieve investment parity with the most attractive wind project, modular nuclear power plants must receive a feed-in premium similar to that offered to offshore wind projects, leveraging their advantage of shorter construction times over wind projects.