Government Policy Research Articles

Green Infrastructure Vulnerability and Regional Poverty Reduction: New Sustainable Development Recommendations Based on a Spatial Clustering Approach

ABSTRACT Poverty is always associated with poor green infrastructure. Indonesia has a significant poverty rate and low green infrastructure investment. Therefore, this study uses fuzzy clustering with area weighting (FGWC-HHOP) and 2018 Potential Village Census (PODES) data to analyze green infrastructure risk and poverty in Indonesia. The first cluster, which is mainly urban, is vulnerable, while the second cluster has poor air quality and green infrastructure. Future government policies should encourage sustainable development, especially green infrastructure, to reduce social vulnerability. Consider green infrastructure and social vulnerability when planning urban expansion and poverty alleviation in Indonesia.

Planning Green Infrastructure: Provisions and Alteration in Prominent Cities of Nigeria

Abstract: Green infrastructure provides physical aesthetics, healthier and quality environment for urban settlements globe. However, many urban centres in the third world countries are deprived the benefits of green infrastructure and subjected to unhealthy conditions that endanger human safety, land uses and the entire ecological system of both macro and micro environment due to poor planning and government policies. This research therefore, compared the effect of green infrastructure alteration on the physical environment of two major cities (Port Harcourt and Calabar) Nigeria. The study sampled 6 green zones and 250 residents for both cities under investigation while Duncan Multiple Comparism analysis (DMCA), mathematical percentage (MP) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was adopted as the statistical analysis implements. The findings established that calabar benefits from green infrastructure that improves the city aesthetics and other aspect of the environment through proper physical planning and government policies than Port Harcourt city of Nigeria at (P<0.05). In furtherance, the study revealed that usage understanding, budget constraint, wrong cost benefit analysis, and poor environmental management and maintenance strategies were identified as the key determinants of naturally retained and planned green infrastructure alteration in both cities, and discovered that, the city of Calabar was built on smart and resilient development strategies than Port Harcourt metropolis of Nigeria. The study recommended that town planning authorities should be charge with the responsibilities of smart and resilient city building through green infrastructure development and avoidance of informal alteration of such infrastructure. Also, suggested the need for frequent acquisition of data on green infrastructure development and inclusion in all land use development.

Why do people save water? A systematic review of household water consumption behaviour in times of water availability uncertainty

ABSTRACT Continued global warming is projected to increase the severity of droughts, and, as water scarcity intensifies in different regions, water demand-side management (DSM) has emerged as an important topic. In this study, we present an overview of recent research on the factors that influence water consumption behaviour, considering the scenario of global water availability changes. To do so, we reviewed 55 articles, published from 2010 to 2022, that focused on water consumption behaviour in a drought context. In the reviewed articles, we identified six factors that are most frequently addressed in the literature: psychological factors, water-saving technologies, awareness, water availability context, socioeconomic/demographic characteristics, and governmental policies. Based on the analysis of the findings in the literature regarding these factors, we developed an integrated framework that clarifies how they are interconnected and influence household water consumption.

ATTRACTING PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC-PRIVATE-PARTNERSHIP: TAX REDUCTION OR RISK SHARING

With the financial burden of government increasing, the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model has become an alternative method to develop public infrastructure. To efficiently promote the private sector to participate in PPP, making a proper incentive policy is critical for the government. This paper examined the effects of two governmental support policies, i.e., tax reduction and risk-sharing, on the investment decision of the private sector, and further compared the relative efficacy of these two policies. The results manifest that: first, both tax reduction and risk-sharing policies motivate private sector to invest earlier; second, although the capital structure decision of the private sector is free from the influence of the risk-sharing policy, the optimal debt level under tax reduction policy shows a U-shape relationship with the incentive ratio; third, when completion risk is large, there exists efficiency loss for total benefits of the project under the risk-sharing incentive policy. Besides, the efficacy of two incentive policies varies depending on the scenario. Firstly, given the same incentive ratio, the risk-sharing policy proves to be more effective than the tax reduction policy. Secondly, when considering the same level of incentive loss for government, tax reduction policy outperforms than risk-sharing policy in terms of efficacy. Thirdly, the efficacy of these policies also depends on the completion risk level: under small completion risk, risk-sharing policy is more effective, whereas under large completion risk, the tax reduction policy takes precedence. Based on these findings, some managerial insights that could assist government in formulating more effective incentive policies are proposed.

Household migration decisions: Understanding Ethiopians irregular migration from Kembata‐Tembaro zone to the Republic of South Africa

AbstractThis research intends to shed light on the household migration decision‐making process of Ethiopian irregular migrants heading to the Republic of South Africa. Data were drawn from a cross‐sectional household survey (n = 659) and in‐depth interviews (n = 24) conducted in 2022. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regressions and thematic analysis were employed to analyse the data. Our findings reveal that being a young male, having a large household size, the presence of family members and smugglers positively influence households' decisions for irregular migration. Possession of farmland, being employed and married have a negative influence on household decisions for migration. The study findings further show that prior information about the migration destination is important in the household's migration decision‐making process. We suggest that government actions and policy interventions should be based on such empirical evidence to promote safe and regular migrations while addressing potential migrants' aspirations and needs in their pursuit of a better life.

‘Life became harder with COVID-19’: exploring the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic among youth living in eThekwini district, South Africa

BackgroundIn South Africa, pervasive age and gender inequities have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and public health response. We aimed to explore experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic among youth in eThekwini district, South Africa.MethodsBetween December 2021-May 2022 we explored experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth aged 16–24 residing in eThekwini, South Africa. We collated responses to the open-ended question “Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected you in any other way you want to tell us about?” in an online survey focused on understanding the pandemic’s multi-levelled health and social effects. We used a thematic analysis to summarise the responses.ResultsOf 2,068 respondents, 256 (12.4%, median age = 22, 60.9% women) completed the open-ended survey question (11% in isiZulu). Results were organized into three main themes encompassing (1) COVID-19-related loss, fear, grief, and exacerbated mental and physical health concerns; (2) COVID-19-related intensified hardships, which contributed to financial, employment, food, education, and relationship insecurities for individuals and households; and (3) positive effects of the pandemic response, including the benefits of government policies and silver linings to government restrictions.ConclusionsWe found that South African youth experienced significant grief and multiple losses (e.g., death, income, job, and educational) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trauma-aware interventions that provide economic and educational opportunities must be included in post-COVID recovery efforts.

Optimization of Corporate Social Responsibility and Synergy with Government Policies in Overcoming Poverty

The research aims to examine the optimization of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and synergy with government policies in overcoming poverty in to realize justice. CSR is a form of accountability to society or society by a corporation or company. This accountability can be related to poverty alleviation, especially residents around the company who are directly affected by the company's activities that can be aligned with government programs. The problem that will be in this study is how to optimize corporate social responsibility and synergy with government policies in overcoming poverty to realize justice. The research method used is a normative research method related to CSR in the context of poverty alleviation by corporations and government using the statute approach and case approach and analyzed using content analysis.

The Impact of Digitalization on FDI Inflows in Saudi Arabia

Aim: This study investigated the impact of digitalization on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Saudi Arabia. m Methods: The study identified critical digitalization and institutional factors and hypothesized their influence on FDI inflows to Saudi Arabia. Multiple linear regression analysis using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method was conducted on data from 1997 to 2022, utilizing SPSS. Results: The outcomes revealed that digital infrastructure and government policy positively and significantly explain the FDI inflows in Saudi Arabia. The null hypothesis was rejected, indicating that effective digitalization and supportive government policy contribute to FDI inflows. Conclusion: The study concluded that internet access, mobile phone usage, and favorable government policies are key factors in attracting FDI inflows into Saudi Arabia. Recommendations: Policymakers should prioritize developing and implementing comprehensive digitalization strategies and regulations to improve digitalization and business-related institutions, raise the standard of digital transformation, and improve the regulatory environment framework to encourage more inward FDI inflows.

Implementasi Kebijakan Kredit Usaha Rakyat Guna Mendorong Peningkatan UMKM di Kantor Cabang Non Metro Bank BRI Jakarta 3

Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR) is a government policy in Indonesia initiated in 2007. KUR provides financial assistance to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) under specific conditions and terms. The general aim of KUR is to support the Indonesian community in developing their MSMEs to progress continuously. It not only aids the community in business ventures but also contributes to Indonesia's GDP due to the significant potential of MSMEs in boosting the national economy. This study aims to understand how the implementation of the Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR) operates in non-metro branch offices of Bank BRI. The research employs a qualitative method involving interviews with employees at the Jakarta 3 regional office of Bank BRI, revealing that the policy's implementation has been effective.

Impact evaluation of development plans in the Egyptian harbors on morphological changes using numerical simulation (case study: Damietta harbor, northeastern coast of Egypt)

The Egyptian government is grappling with the challenge of sedimentation in Damietta Harbor (DH), leading to expensive and recurring dredging operations for safe vessel navigation. This research examined the changes in the region's coastline, both before and after the port was established between 1977 and 1995. The impact of the government's policy to halt backfilling in the navigation lane on adjacent beaches until 2023 was also assessed using remote sensing (RS) and the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) program, revealing varying yearly accretion and erosion rates. Following a shoreline movement tracking procedure, in the period from 1985 to 2023, the total areas undergoing erosion and accretion amounted to −1.36 km2 and +2.21 km2, respectively.To address the issue, the research team developed scenarios reflecting regional realities and conducted a numerical simulation using the Coastal Modeling System (CMS). Morphological alterations in the approach channel and pre- and post-port regions were monitored to assess the scenarios. The study also explored how deepening the navigation channel affected the annual sediment volume. Results showed that Scenario 5, involving breakwaters extension and the new western breakwater (NWBW), effectively controlled sediment. However, sedimentation increased with the deepening of the navigation channel. Scenario 7, with a 19 m deepening, exhibited slightly higher sediment volume by 21.75% but stood out for its capacity to handle large vessels. Additionally, the sedimentation in the navigation channel experienced a notable 72.1% decrease in Scenario 8, which portrays the anticipated final state of DH compared to the benchmark case.The study noted morphological changes from planned coastal constructions on the eastern side, including detached breakwaters (DBW) and Y-groins (Y-gs). Despite significant development costs, these structures were deemed insufficient to stabilize the shoreline. In summary, the research highlights the complexity of addressing sedimentation in DH, emphasizing the need for nuanced approaches in coastal management, and considering the consequences of deepening navigation channels.

Urban planning policy of the local government in the city of Stavropol (Togliatti) in the 1950-ies and 1960-ies

Urban planning policy of the local government in the city of Stavropol (Togliatti) in the 1950-ies and 1960-ies

Macroeconomic econometric analysis of government policy

This paper first proposes three indicators, gross domestic product (GDP), consumer price index (CPI) and producer price index (PPI), to quantitatively describe the macroeconomic situation based on the theory of macroeconomic indicators. Next, in view of the fiscal and monetary policies promulgated by the Chinese government, two indicators, namely government budget expenditure, and new credit, are selected to quantitatively describe the government's economic policies. Then the Granger causality test and Johansen cointegration relationship analysis are conducted between these indicators. The study found that there is no significant causal relationship between China's government budget expenditure, new loans and GDP, but the long-term cointegration relationship is obvious, and this relationship is positive. And found that there is not only a significant bi-causal relationship between the price indexes (CPI, PPI), but also a long-term positive cointegration relationship. On this basis, a VEC model between government budget expenditure and GDP, CPI and PPI was established based on the integrity of the indicators, and a VAR model was stablished between the amount of credit and GDP, CPI and PPI.

A Model to Analyze Industrial Clusters to Measure Land Use Efficiency in China

An understanding of how land use efficiency and industrial clusters interact helps one to make informed decisions that balance economic benefits with sustainable urban development. The emergence of industrial clusters is a result of market behavior, while the determination of administrative boundaries is a result of government behavior. When these two are not consistent, it can lead to distortions in the allocation of land resources. However, current research on industrial development and land use efficiency is based on agglomeration within administrative regions rather than on industrial clusters. This study addresses this gap by identifying industrial clusters based on the spatial distribution of enterprises and analyzing their impact on land use efficiency. This study uses the density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) algorithm to identify industrial clusters, the convex hull algorithm to study their morphology, and spatial econometrics to measure the relationship between land use efficiency and the scale of industrial clusters. The results indicate the following: (1) the density of manufacturing industry (MI) clusters is significantly higher than that of information technology industry (ITI) clusters, and larger industrial clusters tend to be more circular in shape; (2) there is a positive correlation between the scale of industrial clusters and land use efficiency, and industrial clusters with varying levels of land use efficiency are interspersed throughout; (3) significant differences exist between the boundaries of industrial clusters and administrative regions, which could lead to biases when analyzing land use efficiency based on administrative regions. This study provides theoretical support for government policies on improving land use efficiency in China.

Absence of effects of widespread badger culling on tuberculosis in cattle

Government policy in England aims for the elimination of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). This policy includes culling of European badger (Meles meles) to reduce cattle TB incidence. The rationale is based on a field trial, the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT) 1998–2005, which reported a substantial decrease in bTB herd incidence where badger culling had been implemented, in comparison to untreated control areas. The RBCT was undertaken because previous studies of reductions in badgers by culling, reported a possible association between bTB in badger and cattle, but none could directly show causation. The effect of intensive widespread (proactive) culling in the RBCT was reported in 2006 in the journal Nature. Analysis of an extensive badger removal programme in England since 2013 has raised concerns that culling has not reduced bTB herd incidence. The present study re-examined RBCT data using a range of statistical models. Most analytical options showed no evidence to support an effect of badger culling on bTB herd incidence ‘confirmed’ by visible lesions and/or bacterial culture post mortem following a comparative intradermal skin test (SICCT). However, the statistical model chosen by the RBCT study was one of the few models that showed an effect. Various criteria suggest that this was not an optimal model, compared to other analytical options available. The most likely explanation is that the RBCT proactive cull analysis over-fitted the data with a non-standard method to control for exposure giving it a poor predictive value. Fresh appraisal shows that there was insufficient evidence to conclude RBCT proactive badger culling affected bTB breakdown incidence. The RBCT found no evidence of an effect of culling on ‘total’ herd incidence rates. Total herd incidences include those confirmed as bTB at necropsy and those herds where there was at least one animal animal positive to the comparative intradermal skin test, the standard diagnostic test used for routine surveillance, but not confirmed at necropsy. This was also the case using the more suitable statistical models. Use only of ‘confirmed’ herd incidence data, together with a more recent (2013) published perception that RBCT data presented ‘a strong evidence base….with appropriate detailed statistical or other quantitative analysis’ should be reconsidered. The results of the present report are consistent with other analyses that were unable to detect any disease control benefits from badger culling in England (2013–2019). This study demonstrates one form of potential driver to the reproducibility crisis, in this case with disease control management in an increasingly intensified livestock industry.

The Failure Of The Ministry Of Education And Culture (Kemendikbud) To Implement Educational Policies Related To Digital Literacy In The School Literacy Movement (SLM)

Technological progress certainly requires that various fields can adapt to technology, especially in the field of education. Various innovations continue to be made by the government to improve the technology-based education system. The government policy, namely the School Literacy Movement (SLM), contains one of its components: digital literacy. This is one form of the education government's response to technological advances and making use of them. However, the implementation could be more optimal because the use of technology in this school should be carried out as it should. This research was conducted using library research, namely by collecting various articles by reading, taking notes, and managing various sources. The results of this study indicate that hoax news is still being spread. Namely, the information obtained needs to be filtered first. This, of course, also occurs because technology facilitates access to various information. Student delinquency in digital use is also a form of failure, and many students still abuse the use of technology. Because the information obtained is absorbed raw and the existing technology needs to be used properly, this also causes digital-based learning to be ineffective.

Prevention of School Attendance Problems in Japan: A Macro-Level Perspective on Avoidance Behaviour

In this study, we examined government policies and the relevant law on prevention measures for school attendance problems in Japanese compulsory education schools from the perspective of school avoidance behaviour. In summary: (a) the number of students with school attendance problems has been increasing rapidly since 2017; (b) despite an increase in school counsellors as a government-initiated prevention measure, the number of students with school attendance problems has risen; (c) government policies and the relevant law seek to foster social independence even for students unable to return to school and to provide spaces where students with school attendance problems feel comfortable, which may inadvertently reinforce or perpetuate school avoidance behaviour; and (d) in the Japanese compulsory education system, stakeholders have limited opportunities to block school avoidance behaviour. We propose two measures to prevent school attendance problems drawing on a macro-level behavioural perspective: (a) employing data on class absences in mainstream schools, regardless of the reason for the absence, as an evaluation criterion for prolonged school absenteeism, and (b) implementing appropriate grade repetition for students who miss classes in their mainstream school over a certain threshold, including withholding the school diploma.

Moving from idea to reality: The barriers and enablers to implementing Child and Family Hubs policy into practice in NSW, Australia

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences can impact physical and mental health throughout the lifespan. To support families experiencing adversity and improve child health and developmental equity, an integrated, multi-sector response is required. Child and Family Hubs (Hubs) are a feasible and acceptable approach to providing such a response. In the Australian context, a number of federal and New South Wales (NSW) state policies support an integrated, multi-sector response using Hubs to support families experiencing adversity. This study examined NSW policy stakeholder and health service manager perspectives on the barriers and enablers to translating policy into practice in the implementation of Child and Family Hubs.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 NSW government policy stakeholders and 13 community health service managers working in child and family policy and planning or child and family community-based services. Interviews were of 30–60 min duration and explored stakeholder knowledge, perspectives and experiences around childhood adversity, and barriers and enablers to operationalizing policies supporting Hubs. Analysis of barriers and facilitators to implementation of Hub models of care was undertaken using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).ResultsKey barriers that emerged included short-term and inconsistent funding, lack of resourcing for a Hub co-ordinator, limited support for evaluation and insufficient time to plan for Hub implementation. Key enablers included flexibility and adaptability of Hub models to meet local needs, formal change management processes, strong governance structures and engagement among Hub practitioners. Key insights included the importance of targeted strategies to support sustained individual practice change and the need for organization-wide commitment to enable the successful adoption and maintenance of the Hub model of care.ConclusionsThis study provides valuable insights and contributes evidence around what is needed to strengthen and support the operationalization and scalability of the Hub model of care. Key recommendations for Hub practitioners include the importance of formal change management processes and establishment of strong governance structures, while key recommendations for policymakers include the need for sustainable Hub funding and a standardized, evidence-based framework to support Hub implementation and evaluation.

Survival Strategy for Tourism Business Actors During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Badung Regency

Until the present time, it has been almost two years since the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and for almost two years, Indonesia, including Bali, has been struggling against the Covid-19 pandemic which has had an enormous impact on various sectors, including the tourism and creative economy sectors. Badung Regency as the centre of tourism in Bali is the area most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. In this area there are many employment issues where many hotels, restaurants/cafes and other types of tourism businesses are forced to close due to lack of visitors. As a result, the highest number of cases of termination of employment and employees who were laid off occurred in Badung Regency; the figure reached 28,609 people who were laid off and 631 people whose employment was terminated. This study aims to (1) examine the profile of tourism business actors in the Covid-19 pandemic situation in Badung Regency, (2) examine the influence of the role of government policies, social capital, and technological capital on the entrepreneurial spirit of tourism business actors in the Badung Regency, (3) examine the influence of the role of government policy, social capital, technological capital and entrepreneurial spirit on the economic resilience of tourism business actors in the Badung Regency, and (4) formulate a strategy to strengthen the capacity of tourism business actors to be able to survive during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Badung Regency This research was conducted in Badung Regency in four sub-districts, namely South Kuta District, Kuta District, North Kuta District, and Petang District. Respondents in this study were determined to be 120 people with several informants. The analytical techniques used are descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and PLS. The results of the study show the condition of the economic resilience of tourism business actors is still relatively good as indicated by the indicator that the majority of respondents have their own homes, are still able to send their children to a higher level of education, have an average income exceeding the minimum wage for the Badung Regency as well as having adequate savings and access to health insurance. The results of statistical tests show the role of government policy, social capital, and technological capital have a positive and significant effect on the entrepreneurial spirit and family economic resilience. Indirectly, the role of government policies, social capital and technological capital have a positive and significant effect on family economic resilience through an entrepreneurial spirit. There are three strategies that should be taken by business actors, such as optimizing digital platforms, wait and see strategy and bundling products.

The Specifics of the Relationship between the State and Business in Modern India

India, a member of the BRICS and the SCO, can play an important role in deepening Eurasian integration. However, in order to make possible the use of its integration potential, it is necessary to fully understand the specifics of this country, the nature of its existing political and economic system, which, in particular, is determined by the established model of relations between the state and business.Aim. To identify the features of the system of relations between the state and business, which has developed in India during the period of economic reforms and determines the potential and specifics of its political and economic development.Tasks. To trace the main stages of the evolution of relations between the state and business in the Republic of India, to assess government policy in relation to the main types of business and various business structures, to identify the degree of influence of private business on the policy and dynamics of economic development of the country.Methods. Systematic and comparative analysis, scientific generalization, expert assessments. Results. The article provides a scientific generalization of the evolution of models and methods of interaction between the state and business of the Republic of India, an assessment of their effectiveness from the point of view of socio-economic development of the country.Conclusions. The formation of the system of relations between the state and business in modern India was determined by the needs of the economic and social development of the country, the essence and forms of which were determined by the dominance of the relevant political forces and ideologies. At the initial stage, the use of repressive and coercive regulatory methods led to the establishment of a patron — client relationship between the state and business in all industrial sectors, focused on obtaining rent. However, subsequently, the growing inefficiency of the Indian economy and the growth of corruption forced the country’s ruling elites to reconsider their political and economic views and switch to a policy of economic liberalization, as a result of which India began to acquire the characteristic features of a “development state”. Currently, in a regulated market economy, the state, on the one hand, seeks to ensure greater freedom of the market, private entrepreneurship, promote greater openness and internationalization of the economy, on the other hand, weaken and limit large capital to protect small and medium-sized enterprises. At the same time, the relations between the state and business continue to be largely clientelistic, which, according to many experts, hinders further economic liberalization and increasing the global competitiveness of the Indian economy.

Model Peningkatan Kinerja Petani Kopi Arabika di Kabupaten Kerinci

This research aims to determine the direct and indirect influence of Supply Chain Management (SCM) on Performance Improvement through Government Policy. This research is quantitative research using a survey research design. The sample in this study consisted of 70 coffee farmers in Kerinci district taken using the Purposive Sampling Technique. The data collection instrument is a questionnaire with a Likert Scale format consisting of five alternative answers. Data from filling out the questionnaire will be analyzed using the Partial Least Square (PLS) technique. The research results show that the SCM has a significant influence on Performance Improvement and Government Policy, the Government Policy variable has a significant influence on Performance Improvement and the Government Policy variable is able to mediate the SCM on Performance Improvement.