Government Policy Research Articles

Proposals for integrated public management of the menopausal transition and postmenopause through Spanish women's experiences: a qualitative study

IntroductionIn Spain, legislation protecting women during the menopausal transition and postmenopause is still in its early stages. For public policies to be effective, it is essential that their design, implementation, and evaluation actively involve women going through this stage. Only from their experience and perspective can the impact of measures be maximized and ensure that they truly respond to their needs and realities. The goal of this article is to identify and analyze proposals for action that public organizations in Spain could undertake to improve the management of and transition through menopause. On the basis of the initiatives identified through women's narratives, this study aims to establish a solid basis for the inclusion of future governmental policies and practices in Spain. Adapting to the economic conditions and sociocultural aspects specific to each region can stimulate reflection and debate on their policies regarding menopause.MethodsThis qualitative study, which was conducted in Spain, was based on 20 semistructured interviews with women who had experienced physiological and symptomatic menopause in the last five years, were postmenopausal, and were actively employed. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed following an inductive thematic analysis.ResultsThe stories of the interviewees indicate three categories of government action comprising a set of specific measures. More specifically, the categories relate to: (a) proposals for accompaniment and social awareness, (b) educational and training proposals, and (c) political and regulatory proposals.ConclusionsThis study identifies governmental proposals and specific actions to improve support for the menopausal transition and postmenopause in Spain. While its findings may be applicable to other countries, further research is needed to explore how they could be adapted to the different socioeconomic and cultural realities of those contexts. Ultimately, the proposals presented lay the groundwork for developing public policies and laws that respond to the needs of women, improving their well-being and promoting gender equity in public health.

Stalin’s Repressions and Rehabilitation of the Victims in the Politics of Memory in Uzbekistan

This article is devoted to the analysis of how Stalin’s repressions are represented in the politics of memory in Uzbekistan, becoming part of the process of constructing a national ideological discourse. Uzbekistan’s multi-ethnicity and authoritarian system of governance have had a significant impact on understanding the country’s past and the formation of official memory. The research sources included official data, published memoirs, as well as individual interviews with witnesses of the era. The idea that Soviet repressions should be seen in the context of the anti-colonialist struggle against the aggression of the Russian Empire was not an invention of Uzbek political elites, but was developed by Uzbek cultural elites. The first president of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, in close dialogue with the Uzbek intellectual elite, contributed to the formation of a national memory of Soviet repressions and their victims. During this period, the rehabilitation of victims of Soviet repressions was carried out selectively. Since Shavkat Mirziyoyev came to power, there has been a more liberal government policy and a wider discussion of the issue of Soviet repressions and the rehabilitation of their victims. In official narratives, all residents of the former Uzbek SSR who suffered from Stalinist repressions, regardless of their political position, are considered victims of the Soviet regime. Unlike neighbouring countries, the political and cultural elite of Uzbekistan does not follow the ethnic principle of studying the victims of Soviet repressions, but adheres to internationalism and territoriality.

Minimization of losses in postharvest of fresh produce supply chain

PurposeGlobalization and population explosion have worsened postharvest losses (PHL) in developing countries. This study looks to identify numerous controllable variables to reduce these losses and make the fresh produce supply chain more efficient.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs the interpretive structural modelling (ISM) technique to develop a hierarchical model to comprehend the intricate relationships between the variables influencing PHL. These variables are further classified based on the relative levels of importance in terms of their driving and dependence powers.FindingsThe findings of this research provide variables for enterprises operating in fresh food supply chains to understand the specific risks that that supply chain faces and how these risks interact within the system. The fuzzy MICMAC analysis also classifies and highlights critical risk factors in the supply chain to aid implementation of PHL mitigation measures. The study highlights the importance of devising policies, legislation and efforts to regulate and curtail PHL across the global food supply chain.Research limitations/implicationsThe efficiency of the food supply chain contributes not only to economic sustainability but also to broader goals such as food security, better utilisation of global resources and sustainability in the supply chain.Social implicationsIt also highlights the significance of well-informed government policies, laws and regulations in successfully controlling and reducing PHL.Originality/valueThis study compares factors contributing to PHL in the fresh produce supply chain and emphasises the stakeholders’ critical role in alleviating these losses. It also highlights the significance of well-informed government policies, laws and regulations in successfully controlling and reducing PHL.

Partnering for energy justice: Indigenous–corporate relationships in renewable energy industries in Australia

Around the world Indigenous communities are involved in the renewable energy industries. Relationships with for-profit corporations are integral to this development. Indigenous communities are entering into partnership with renewable energy corporations or developing their own renewable energy corporations. Relying on doctrinal, desk and case study methodologies, this article analyses six case studies and identifies three Indigenous–corporate relationships in the renewable energy sector in Australia. These include (1) renewable energy corporations that have proposed partial agreements with Indigenous communities; (2) Indigenous-led partnerships with non-Indigenous corporations; and (3) Indigenous-owned renewable energy projects. We interrogate these Indigenous–corporate relations in the context of energy justice with a focus on fairness in procedure, recognition, and distribution of benefits. We conclude by highlighting the gaps in energy justice in the current practices of Indigenous–corporate relations in renewable energy industries in Australia. Accordingly, this article is significant because it fills a gap in the scholarly literature on Indigenous and corporate relationships. Furthermore, it sheds light on the practices in the field that play an important role in government and community policy development centred around the improvement of Indigenous and corporate relationships – and settler colonial interactions more generally.

The internationalization of Chinese social sciences research: publication, collaboration, and citation patterns in economics, education, and political science

ABSTRACT Despite recent Chinese government policies aiming to balance international and national publishing patterns, the enduring impact on China's global engagements, publications, and collaborations remains uncertain. Analyzing 8,962 publications from Scopus between 2016 and 2020, the paper assesses publication, collaboration, and citation patterns among the top 500 productive China-affiliated scholars within Economics, Education, and Political Science. Results indicate that publications are primarily in Western journals, with Political Science often focusing on China-specific issues, suggesting potential ‘silos’. Co-authorship patterns show Western dominance, with diverse international collaborations in Education and Economics, but more national-focused in Political Science. The paper concludes with discussions on practical implications and study limitations.

Analysis of the Impact of Government Policies on Supply and Demand in China's Real Estate Markets in First-tier and Second-tier Cities

Due to changes in demographics, urbanization, and economic development, the Chinese real estate market has intrigued many analysts in the last three decades. To begin with, it is necessary to know more about the nature of this market since it plays an essential role in the country's economic development and in improving the standard of living of its population. The importance of the real estate industry cannot be overemphasized in the context of China, specifically in terms of the financial structure, urbanization, and social welfare. Hence, evaluating government policies in this regard is crucial to understand further, how and why they work or fail, along with the impact on the growth of cities. Thus, this paper aims to provide an overview and qualitative analysis of the Chinese real estate market's government policies between first- and second-tier cities, focusing on supply and demand. The actual policies include purchase restrictions, availability of land, and monetary policies, and the effects of actual policies are discussed for various tiers of cities. The study establishes that first-tier cities are highly priced and competitive due to high supply and demand, while second-tier cities are variably priced and could be oversupplied. These issues need more profound and local policy suggestions to understand specific heterogeneities of various Chinese urban property markets and strive for the mutual and relatively balanced growth of different city clusters.

Factors Affecting Formal Micro-Credits in the Wetland Regions of Bangladesh: A Discriminant Analysis

Micro-credit has been playing a vital role in developing wetland people’s socio-economic status by facilitating their income-generating activities such as seasonal fish farming, raising ducks and cattle, and floating vegetable gardens. Wetland people’s livelihoods are largely dependent on borrowing micro-credits, but access to formal credits is somewhat intricate for them due to procedural complexity. Therefore, this study aims to explore the potential discriminating factors of formal credits in the wetland region of Bangladesh. This study used data from 1607 micro-credit receiver households that were collected by a research project sponsored by the GARE Program, Ministry of Education, Government of Bangladesh. The discriminant analysis was performed to explore the factors discriminating between formal and informal credit-receiving groups. This study considered three types of factors such as borrower’s individual-level, household-level, and micro-credit related characteristics as the potential factors distinguishing between formal and informal credits. The findings show that micro-credit-related factors such as the number of installments, duration of the loan, and rate of interest are more crucial for affecting formal credit in the wetland peoples of Bangladesh. Most vulnerable groups in the wetland region still struggle to obtain formal credit because of obstacles such as a lower number of installments, lower duration of loans, and high interest rates. The government policy should remove these obstacles to ensure the people's easy access to formal loans, which would ultimately improve their socio-economic conditions. International Journal of Statistical Sciences, Vol. 24(2), November, 2024, pp 85-96

Interpreting Context in Rural and Remote Aged Care Facilities in Readiness for a New Care Model: A Mixed Method Study.

Geographical isolation compounds limited access to healthcare services and skilled workforce for the provision of rural aged care. Residents have complex chronic disease management and end-of-life care needs. An undersupply of general medical practitioners due to retirement, attrition or unfilled training places in Australia has impacted recruitment to rural areas. Nurse practitioners have been identified as a potential solution. To describe and explore the inner (local and organisational) and outer (wider health system) contexts of healthcare, from the perspective of care staff and residents' families. This, in turn, aims to inform the planned implementation of a nurse practitioner model, in several aged care facilities, operating within rural and remote settings, in Queensland Australia. A convergent mixed methods design. Qualitative data were collected, in 2022-2023, using semistructured interviews with staff focusing on role, knowledge development, workplace culture and care relationships with local community. Resident's family's perspectives were obtained as a secondary analysis of organisational feedback data. Quantitative data were collected from direct care workers using the Alberta Context Tool for Long-Term Care. Data were analysed according to type and integrated. Relational care for residents and families is highly valued but provision of quality is challenging where time-poor staff are perceived to be doing the best they can. Scarce local healthcare services make it difficult to meet resident healthcare needs. Despite the supportive organisational culture, evolving policy requirements have impacted already difficult staff recruitment in rural settings. Identifying contextual needs of organisations in readiness for change highlights geographical and sectoral nuances influencing any future implementation. As government policy changes to improve the older adult care sector, rural and remote facilities are forced to increasingly adapt. Context-specific needs extend far beyond a nurse practitioner providing additional expertise in care provision. What problem did the study address? Nurse practitioners have been successfully implemented into residential aged care facilities in metropolitan and major regional centres but translating this role into rural and remote Australia requires being cognisant of the needs, unique challenges and context of this setting. What were the main findings? In an organisational culture of support, the importance of staff providing relational care and having connection with older adult residents and families was a central driver. It was challenging for staff to meet complex care requirements in the absence of local healthcare options and support. Time pressures, from inadequate staffing and changing structural aged care sector, force the prioritising of care requirements. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? Older adults, policy makers and aged care providers will benefit from understanding the context of rural and remote settings, particularly in identifying potential solutions when there are gaps in primary and secondary healthcare. The GRAMMS checklist was followed in reporting of this study. Two lived experience consumers were involved as research team members. One was involved during the development and submission of the funding application and another during project activities including data collection and analysis and the development of publications.

Influence of social media on maternal decision-making and breastfeeding practices.

Breastfeeding practices are influenced by multifactorial determinants including individual characteristics, external support systems, and media influences. This commentary emphasizes such complex factors influencing breastfeeding practices. Potential methodological limitations and the need for diverse sampling in studying breastfeeding practices are highlighted. Further research must explore the interplay between social influences, cultural norms, government policies, and individual factors in shaping maternal breastfeeding decisions.

A study on the promotion of biofertilizer: an application of the plackett-luce model

The research focuses on understanding the elements that drive Agro-input dealers to promote biofertilizers and highlights the challenges encountered in their adoption. With increasing environmental concerns over chemical fertilizers, biofertilizers are promoted as a sustainable alternative that improves soil fertility through beneficial microorganisms. The research was conducted in Hassan district, Karnataka, where 40 dealers were surveyed using structured questionnaires. The Plackett-Luce model was employed to analyze ranked data and understand the relative importance of variables. Results show that high promotional activities (worthiness=0.80, P=<0.001), profitability (worthiness=0.42, P=<0.001) and Service by Company Staff (worthiness=0.23, P=<0.001) significantly impact dealers' promotion efforts, whereas brand image (worthiness=-0.56, P=0.349) has minimal influence. Constraints such as farmers' negative attitudes (worthiness=2.65, P=<0.001), insufficient market facilities (worthiness=1.41, P=<0.005) and limited dealer knowledge (worthiness=-2.02, P=<0.001) were identified as significant barriers. Promotional strategies like field trials (worthiness=0.93, P=<0.001), farmers' meetings (worthiness=0.83, P=<0.001) and jeep campaigns (worthiness=0.61, P=<0.001) emerged as the most effective methods for engaging farmers. The study highlights the need for improved dealer training, better market infrastructure and supportive government policies to enhance biofertilizer promotion, fostering sustainable agricultural practices.

Development of a Data Portal System for Governance in Berau

The development of a Data Portal System for Berau Governance addresses the need for an integrated platform to effectively manage and disseminate government data. This system aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and public access to diverse datasets in alignment with the One Data Indonesia initiative. The portal consolidates various data categories, including news, announcements, agendas, publications, downloads, infographics, and visualizations, into a single platform, streamlining data access for both government agencies and the public. The system was developed using the Rapid Application Development (RAD) methodology, enabling iterative prototyping and quick adjustments based on feedback from key stakeholders. This approach ensured the system could meet the dynamic requirements of the government while remaining adaptable to future needs. The Laravel framework was chosen for its flexibility, scalability, and security features, allowing the system to provide a responsive, user-friendly experience while maintaining high levels of data integrity.The Data Portal System significantly improves the local government’s ability to manage and share information, fostering greater civic engagement and enhancing public trust in governance processes. Furthermore, the system facilitates more efficient public service delivery by making key data accessible in a structured and intuitive format. Regular assessments and updates are recommended to ensure the system continues to align with evolving user needs and governmental policies, further advancing data governance in Berau Regency.

Cities against authoritarianism? Polish and Hungarian capitals facing centralistic pressure

ABSTRACT The paper provides a new taxonomy of local government reactions to the recentralization policies of authoritarian central governments. By studying the capitals of two Central European countries recently undergoing an illiberal turn – Budapest and Warsaw – we have extended the list of reaction types previously identified in the literature. Moreover, the comparative nature of the research has highlighted the internal diversity of reaction types and allowed us to hypothesize on the sources of the differences between Hungary and Poland. These differences are rooted in the initial level of decentralization, municipal networking and the political and legal framework.

Impact of national development programs and legislations on the cereal crops seed sector in Iraq

Agriculture is a crucial economic sector in Iraq, benefiting from abundant natural resources, skilled labor and essential infrastructure. These elements have enabled the sector to play a significant role in agricultural development, particularly in the production of strategic crops. Between 2010 and 2020, the Iraqi government implemented various policies and legislation aimed at advancing the seed sector. These efforts focused on supporting and developing seed-producing entities across governmental, mixed and private sectors, positioning them as essential instruments for executing the strategies of the government. Modern agricultural technologies, especially improved seeds, have been vital in boosting productivity and reducing costs. Therefore, the government has prioritized the adoption of advanced technologies within its agricultural policies and programs. These scientific innovations, particularly in seed production, are key to enhancing the cultivation of strategic crops. Improved seeds have thus become a cornerstone of Iraq’s agricultural development, contributing to both increased productivity and sustainable farming practices. This research aims to clarify the role of national development programs and legislation in strengthening the seed sector and increasing the production of strategic crops in Iraq. It reviews the progress in grain crop production between 2006 and 2020 and examines the most significant aspects of government policies, highlighting how legislation and national programs have played a pivotal role in the production of higher-grade seeds and the development of strategic crop cultivation.

Green Politics in the Political Agenda and Village Development Policies in Batu City

Village head elections (Pilkades) and village development policies are visual windows to see how green politics is implemented. Examining the implementation of Pilkades in three villages in Batu City and 2 years of leadership of the elected village head, this research aims to see the perspective of green politics, whether it is one of the main political agendas for candidates who are competing and policies by elected candidates during their leadership. The three villages were chosen because they have severe environmental damage problems. The research method applied in this study is qualitative and focused on content analysis of text data, both primary data, including observation data, interviews, and FGDs, and secondary data, including candidates' Vision-Mission, reports, news, and village government policies related to environmental protection. The results showed that only in Bulukerto and Sumber Brantas did the village head candidates specifically have a vision of environmental conservation, followed by concrete policies during their two years at the helm. Meanwhile, in Pandanrejo, despite facing the impact of environmental damage, the policies implemented are more focused on short-term economic development and have not systematically integrated nature conservation. Furthermore, the results of this study also show that the need for more awareness of the importance of sustainable conservation policies in Pandanrejo is closely related to the community's view that prioritizes economic and infrastructure issues.

Mapping agents: A spatial economic analysis of agent location in the Federal Crop Insurance Program

AbstractCrop insurance is delivered to farmers and ranchers through a partnership among the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), part of the United States Department of Agriculture, and the crop insurance industry. The FCIC offers financial incentives, through reinsurance and subsidies, to private insurance companies for insurance contracts sold in accordance with the Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA). Crop insurance agents play an important role in the delivery of the federal crop insurance program, acting as intermediaries between farmers and crop insurance companies. Little is understood about the supply of crop insurance agents and the role of government policy in the provision of agent services, particularly after the 2010 SRA. We model the equilibrium supply of crop insurance agents to derive testable hypotheses about the factors that influence agent concentration across space. We evaluate our model using spatial econometric techniques and a novel dataset of crop insurance agent locations by county. Generally, forces that raise agent compensation, including the degree of competition among insurance companies, are shown to increase the local supply of agents. Results vary by government‐defined reinsurance regions. Notably, historical average premium rates, which both reflect actuarial risk and influence farmer insurance demand, are negatively related to agent competition in the low‐risk Group 1 states, which contributes over 40% of insured liabilities. These factors produce spatial spillovers, suggesting the presence of agglomeration effects in the market for agent services. Proposed changes to the SRA should consider impacts on the regional distribution and local supply of agents.

Legalization of Marijuana in the Medical Sector: A Criminal Law Perspective

Marijuana is a plant that is illegal in Indonesia today. This is regulated in law 35 of 2009 concerning narcotics.2009 on narcotics. Although the use of marijuana is still reaping the pros and cons, one of the followingorganization LGN (lingkat ganja nusantara) is fighting for legalization and expanding to educate the public.educate the public. Marijuana, which is viewed negatively by society, in fact provides many benefits for the medical sector where it is used as a drug.benefits for the medical sector where it is used as an alternative treatment with the doctor's compliance. The conclusion of this study is that the government continues to prohibit the legalization and use of marijuana for medical purposes with the aim of protecting all Indonesian people from new problems that are at risk of arising and to strengthen the government's narrative about marijuana policy for medical purposes requires empirical testing by involving academics to strengthen government policy arguments and clinical trials.

“I am the gatekeeper”: why and how ministerial media advisers have been empowered

Although policy advisers have been amply studied, far fewer studies have examined media advisers. And, so far, adviser research has offered few insights into the relationship between these two key groups of political staffers. This article claims that media advisers have been empowered. It offers a rational functionalist explanation, which emphasises concerns about functional efficiency. Media generates functional pressures for the institutional strengthening of media advisers, solidifying their role. This argument is examined empirically through a case study of ministerial media adviser (MMA) empowerment in Sweden, based on interviews conducted among MMAs and political journalists. The data tell us that MMAs are on the rise, that they have become more controlling toward journalists and more assertive within ministerial staff. In the process, MMAs have come to constitute a category of their own as they have converged among themselves but diverged from policy advisers. The interview evidence indicates that MMAs also have a role in government policy, as the media has contributed to more integration of communication and policy, but additional research is needed. Overall, this work has implications for research on political communication, executives, and advisers—especially for debates about political professionals in government.

Contemporary Challenges for Sharia Financial Institutions to Increase Competitiveness and Product Innovation Perspective of Sharia Economic Law: Evidence in Indonesia

Globalisation and technological advancement present contemporary challenges for Indonesia's Sharia Financial Institutions (LKS) in maintaining competitiveness and innovating. This study examines these challenges, including the acceleration of financial technology (fintech), regulatory changes, and rising consumer expectations for inclusive and efficient services. LKS is required to continuously innovate and create products that meet the needs of a dynamic market while still following the principles of Sharia economic law. This research discusses how LKS integrates fintech and Islamic financial technology in their operations. This research uses a qualitative method with a descriptive-analytical approach. Data were collected through a literature study and document analysis related to government regulations and policies regarding Sharia Financial Institutions. The literature study and document analysis also included laws and regulations related to Islamic finance, Islamic economic law regulations, academic articles (journals), and books that discuss product innovation and competitiveness challenges of Sharia Financial Institutions. This study found that regulations such as the Financial Services Authority Regulation (POJK) and the fatwa of the National Sharia Council of the Indonesian Ulema Council (DSN-MUI) provide a legal basis to support such innovation. However, LKS still faces challenges such as competition with conventional financial institutions, regulatory changes, and technological disruption. To remain competitive, LKS must adjust innovations such as Sharia fintech and crowdfunding following Sharia principles. In addition, public education on Sharia products is also important to increase financial inclusion. Through innovations such as factoring, bespoke financing, and solutions for online businesses, LKS can improve efficiency and empower small businesses while contributing to sustainable economic growth.

Information provision on local industries by Japanese public libraries: a survey on cultural industry-focused corners

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine how Japanese public libraries position and implement their services to provide information on cultural industries as local industries. Furthermore, the design characteristics of corners providing information on local industries and the potential and issues of services for contributing to the development of local industries were discussed.Design/methodology/approachThrough qualitative content analysis of library and municipal publications and websites, the following perspectives were examined: description, background of collecting materials and relationship with the local government policies. Through direct observations of library corners, the following perspectives were examined: location of the library, location of the corner, library information resource arrangement and content and content without library information resources. The targets were the following three corners related to the cultural industry: animation corner, film materials room and Ningyo (Japanese doll) corner.FindingsRegarding the design characteristics of corners, an intent to disseminate the appeal of local industries was particularly revealed. Regarding potential, cultural industries examined in this study are present in various and supporting cultural industries can promote development in these communities, even though traditional BI services may not be effective in some communities. Regarding issues, helping revitalize users and local businesses and collaboration with other organizations was inadequate.Originality/valueThis study provides suggestions for libraries to support local industries, expanding the concept of BI services, and has the potential to support communities that traditional BI services cannot cover.

The Effect Of Health Expenditure On Life Expectancy In Bengkulu

This study aims to analyse the effect of health expenditure, access to health services, and poverty on life expectancy in Bengkulu Province from 2014-2023. Using the multiple linear regression method, the results show that health expenditure does not significantly influence life expectancy, which is caused by the budget allocation that is still low and less than optimal. In contrast, access to health services substantially increases life expectancy, whereas people with better access to health services have a higher life expectancy. Poverty was also found to have no significant effect, which may be due to government policies that help people experiencing poverty obtain health services. This study concludes that optimising access to health services is more important than increasing health spending to increase life expectancy.