Policy Implementation Research Articles

Regular Variable Returns to Scale Production Frontier and Efficiency Measurement

Breakthrough in Measuring Efficiency with Respect to Nonconvex Technology The variable returns to scale (VRS) frontier, commonly used in data envelopment analysis, has a convex technology set and follows a specific “regular VRS” structure in economics. This structure demonstrates increasing, constant, and then, decreasing returns to scale, and it is the standard in data envelopment analysis. When the convexity assumption is relaxed, modeling regular VRS becomes challenging, and no satisfactory solution currently exists for multioutput production. In “Regular Variable Returns to Scale Production Frontier and Efficiency Measurement,” Li, Tsang, Lee, and He introduce a new framework for analyzing regular variable returns to scale and propose an innovative empirical production frontier. This new frontier can more accurately measure technical efficiency without the convexity assumption. The implications of this research are extensive, impacting fields like manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, banking, etc., with crucial findings for informed decision making and effective policy implementation.

Integration of cost-effective datasets to improve predictability of strategic noise mapping in transport corridors in Delhi city, India.

Assessing exposure to environmental noise levels at transport corridors remains complex in conditions where no standardized noise prediction model is available. In planning and policy implementation for noise control, noise mapping is an important step. In the present study, land use regression model has been developed to predict the environmental noise levels in Delhi city, India, using previously developed approaches along with machine learning techniques, however improved using new datasets. Lday, Lnight, LAeq,24h, and Ldn were modeled at daily resolution by utilizing an annual noise levels dataset from 31 locations in Delhi city. The noise-monitored data was integrated with travel time data, nighttime light data along with common parameters including land use, road networks, and meteorological parameters. The developed LUR models showed good fit with R2 of 0.72 for Lday, 0.55 for Lnight, 0.71 for LAeq,24h, and 0.61 for Ldn, which was further improved up to 0.88 for Lday, 0.79 for Lnight, 0.86 for LAeq,24h, and 0.81 for Ldn by integrating machine learning approaches. The developed models were validated through tenfold cross validation and by comparison to a separate noise level dataset. The average travel time variable was observed to be the most influential predictor of LUR models for Lday and LAeq,24h, which signifies the crucial impact of road traffic congestion on environmental noise levels. The study also analyzed the parametric sensitivity of various infrastructural factors reported in the study, which shall be helpful for planning for smart cities.

CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANTI-CORRUPTION POLICY AT THE NATIONAL AND REGIONAL LEVELS

This article explores the challenges and barriers faced in the implementation of anti-corruption policies at both national and regional levels in Ukraine, emphasizing the urgent need for effective measures to combat corruption, which remains a significant impediment to sustainable economic development, the establishment of a rule of law, and social justice. Despite numerous legislative initiatives and the establishment of specialized anti-corruption bodies, the implementation of anti-corruption policies is hindered by various factors. These include insufficient institutional capacity, the influence of political interests that compromise the independence of anti-corruption agencies, and an inadequate legislative framework that often fails to meet contemporary demands. Regionally, local elites frequently resist anti-corruption measures, compounded by low legal awareness among citizens and a lack of resources for effective oversight and investigations. This research employs qualitative analysis, drawing on existing literature and case studies to identify key challenges in anti-corruption efforts. It synthesizes perspectives from various scholars, including Al-Jundi, Shuhaiber, and Budsaratragoon, to highlight global insights while focusing on Ukraine's specific context. By analyzing these challenges, the study seeks to develop recommendations for overcoming barriers to effective anti-corruption implementation. It underscores the importance of enhancing institutional capabilities, promoting transparency, and fostering a culture of accountability. Ultimately, this research serves as a critical step toward establishing a robust anti-corruption framework that promotes a transparent and equitable society in Ukraine, necessitating a comprehensive approach that integrates national and regional strategies for optimal effectiveness. Through this work, the article contributes to the ongoing discourse on anti-corruption policies and their implementation challenges, providing actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners.

Healthcare Experiences and Needs of Older Adults Living With HIV: A Qualitative Study.

To explore the healthcare experiences and needs of older adults living with HIV in Sweden. A phenomenological study using qualitative thematic analysis. Data were gathered through semistructured qualitative interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. A purposive sample of individuals ageing and living with HIV was recruited for this study. A total of 22 participants aged 65 years and older, with a mean age of 75 years, participated in the study. Living with HIV meant a need to rely on consistent healthcare and treatment over the course of one's lifetime. The experiences of older adults were described under four themes: relying on access to health care, desiring involvement and shared decision-making, the importance of trust and confidentiality and experiences of stigma in healthcare visits. Living and ageing with HIV involved recurring exposure and vulnerability in healthcare encounters, and experiences of being exposed to HIV-related stigma, especially outside HIV clinics. Continuity and being seen as a person in healthcare encounters were important. Enhancing HIV knowledge alongside fostering supportive attitudes and approaches of healthcare professionals is critical for ensuring high-quality and nondiscriminating health care. Meeting the needs of older adults living with HIV requires a person-centred approach, including active involvement and shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers. This study describes the healthcare experiences and needs of older adults, aged 65 years and older, living with HIV, a population that is not typically investigated in qualitative research. Living and ageing with HIV means a vulnerability where the attitudes of professionals and the active involvement of the patient become significant for quality care. The findings can help with the implementation of policies and practices for the care of older adults living with HIV. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ) was used. Patient representatives were involved in discussions on data collection and the development of the interview guide.

More Bilingual Programs, No Matter What

Since 2011, the New York City (NYC) Department of Education (DOE) has engaged in a campaign to increase the number of bilingual programs it offers. This case presents the experiences of a principal who was asked by her superintendent to open a new Dual Language program. Having been a principal for only 1 year, and with little expertise about English Language Learner compliance and instruction, the principal engaged in a learning process that illuminated significant complexities not just about bilingual education policy, but also about the DOE’s bureaucracy, policy implementation in NYC, and the ambiguity of the principalship.

Implementation outcomes of disaster risk reduction (DRR) policy in public facilities (PFs): Aceh perspective, Indonesia

PurposeAceh province has established various infrastructure and regulations related to disaster risk and management after the Indian Ocean Tsunami (IOT) hit the province. Hence, this study investigates the implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Public Facilities (PFs) in Banda Aceh municipality using implementation outcome variables (acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, compliance, implementation cost, coverage and sustainability).Design/methodology/approachQualitative methods, including in-depth interviews and document reviews, were applied to collect data for this study. The data were then analysed thematically using NVivo 12 software.FindingsThe lack of public communication regarding DRR in PFs to all involved stakeholders resulted in poor acceptability, adoption, coverage and compliance with the policy implementation among public facilities’ chiefs, owners or managers. Additionally, they were reluctant to implement DRR plans and activities within their facilities due to limited DRR funds.Practical implicationsThis study’s results can contribute to reviewing the policy and practices of Aceh government authorities and other involved stakeholders to improve policy implementation of DRR activities comprehensively across eight groups of public facilities in Banda municipality, other districts in Aceh province, and local areas in Indonesia. Further, the methods used in this study to assess DRR regulations’ progress towards the eight implementation outcome variables can be applied widely to other settings.Originality/valueNo research was found on examining the policy implementation of DRR in PFs in Aceh province, which motivated the author to conduct this work.

Estimation of Informal Economy in Pakistan through Monetary Approach

This study purposes to estimate Pakistan's informal economy by monetary methods. Ordinary least square is used for estimation. From the monetary approach, we conclude that the informal economy is increasing. In our study, particular implications of the informal economy are identified and conferred to accomplish and achieve the goal of continuous growth and progression of a country. The informal economy plays a main role in income inequality and reducing poverty. It limits the implementation of the operative public policy. The government should make such policies to control the informal economy and increase tax evasion.

The 2017 Curriculum Change in Ecuador: Representations From the School Culture

Aim: The aim of this study is to analyze the social representations related to the 2017 curriculum change and the educational policies implemented for curriculum development in Ecuador, evaluating the perspective of teachers, educational administrators and academics. Theoretical Framework: The research is based on theories on social representations, educational change and school culture. These theories provide a framework for understanding how the perceptions of educational actors influence the implementation of curricular reforms. Method: A qualitative approach was employed with a descriptive phenomenological design. In-depth interviews were conducted with teachers, an educational administrator from Zone 4 of the Ministry of Education, and academics to capture their experiences and perceptions. Results and Discussion: The results revealed that cultural resistances within the educational institutions hindered the fulfillment of the pedagogical objectives of the reform. Interrelationships were observed between social representations that affect the implementation of the curriculum. Implications of the research: This research highlights the importance of actively involving educational stakeholders in curriculum change processes to overcome cultural barriers and achieve successful educational reform in Ecuador. Originality/value: The study contributes to the understanding of the influence of social representations on school culture and how they impact the implementation of curriculum policies, offering new perspectives on the promotion of educational change in the country.

Implementation of a UK supermarket intervention to increase purchasing of fresh fruit and vegetables: process evaluation of the WRAPPED natural experiment.

Placement interventions, characterised by greater availability and more prominent positioning of healthy food products in supermarkets and other food stores, are associated with healthier patterns of purchasing and diet. The WRAPPED intervention study is a natural experiment that aims to evaluate a supermarket placement intervention to improve fruit and vegetable sales, household purchasing and the dietary quality of women and their children. Process evaluation, alongside the evaluation of outcomes, is essential to understand how interventions are implemented, under what circumstances they are effective, and their mechanisms of impact. This study aimed to assess the implementation of the WRAPPED placement intervention. The study adopted a convergent mixed-methods design. Quantitative data extracted from study store planograms (visual representation of stores and product placement) before and after intervention implementation were used to assess the positioning of fresh fruit and vegetables in the first aisle from the front entrance (intervention dose). The availability of fresh fruit and vegetables in each study store was examined from stock-keeping unit (SKU) figures before and after intervention implementation. An intervention implementation survey (IIS) completed with store managers and senior supervisors before and 1- and 6-months post-intervention implementation enabled examination of the context across study stores. Semi-structured interviews with store managers and senior supervisors provided qualitative data about store staff experiences and perceptions of the intervention between 6-months post-intervention implementation. The placement intervention was implemented with close adherence to the study protocol. There were marked differences, post-intervention implementation, in the positioning of fresh fruit and vegetables in intervention stores compared with control stores: median distance in intervention stores was 8.0m (IQR 5.0 to 10.0) compared with 23.8m (IQR 21.0 to 30.0) in control stores (P < 0.0001). The availability of varieties of fresh fruit and vegetables increased in intervention stores post-intervention compared with control stores: median (IQR) among intervention stores was 72 (51, 84) compared with 56.5 (50, 62) in control stores (P = 0.03). The mean change from baseline to post-implementation in number of different fruit and vegetables available in intervention stores was 15.3 (SD 16.7) (P = 0.01). IIS and interview data demonstrated little difference between intervention and store contexts over time. Reinforcing factors for intervention implementation included: head-office leadership, store staff views and attitudes and increased awareness of the importance of offering healthy food in prominent locations within stores. This study demonstrated that placement interventions which promote fresh fruit and vegetables to customers in discount supermarkets can be implemented effectively. These findings are encouraging for the implementation of national food policies which modify retail environments to improve population purchasing and dietary patterns. NCT03573973; Pre-results.

Towards value‐based rehabilitation: an analysis of South African policies for people with disabilities

AbstractSouth Africa has progressively established good healthcare policies and actively promotes the rights of people with disabilities. However, as the healthcare sector is moving towards value‐based care to achieve universal health coverage, it remains unclear whether South African rehabilitation policies provide sufficient guidance for delivering value‐based rehabilitation services for people with disabilities. This article attempts to ascertain whether the content of South African rehabilitation policies is aligned with value‐based care. Rehabilitation policies were identified through a literature search (including grey literature) and discussions with stakeholders in the health policy field. A framework for value‐based care was created for deductive policy content analysis. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to describe the content that correlates with the framework's components. The National Rehabilitation Policy and the Framework and Strategy for Disability and Rehabilitation Services were included in this study. Both documents aligned with the value‐based framework, however, various barriers in South Africa challenge value‐based rehabilitation services. We conclude that South Africa's rehabilitation policies can guide value‐based rehabilitation services. However, these policies need to be operationalized and supported by empirical data on disability and rehabilitation services. A concerted effort is required from the government to ensure the allocation of resources for the implementation of policy.

The management methods in the sphere of state security in conditions of social transformation

The article is dedicated to the investigation of management methods in the field of state security during periods of social transformation. It addresses the importance of adapting governance strategies to contemporary challenges, especially in the context of Ukraine’s ongoing crisis and global instability. Emphasis is placed on the development of comprehensive management approaches that not only react to current threats but also anticipate future challenges. The relevance of the study is underlined by the need for strategic planning and proactive implementation of policies to safeguard national interests and ensure long-term stability. The article emphasizes the necessity of effective cooperation between public administration entities to guarantee the resilience of the national security system. The author notes that the success of state security management heavily depends on the integration of political, legal, and organizational mechanisms. The focus is on how these mechanisms contribute to the implementation of Ukraine’s National Security Strategy, aiming to protect the country’s territorial integrity and facilitate its European integration efforts. Special attention is given to the reform of public administration, stressing the importance of transparency and professionalism in law enforcement and strategic management. The author indicates that effective governance in the security sector requires enhanced coordination among various governmental bodies. The importance of information exchange, joint training, and the development of new technological solutions is highlighted as key methods for addressing modern security threats such as terrorism, cyberattacks, and organized crime. The study also points out the need for continuous professional development and reform in public administration to ensure that national security objectives are met in a timely and effective manner. Particular attention is paid to the interaction between different state institutions and the importance of coordinated efforts to respond to security threats. The article underscores the need for a dynamic and adaptable governance system, one that can respond swiftly to both domestic and international challenges. This includes the development of innovative approaches to governance, strategic planning, and the use of cutting-edge technologies. Ultimately, the study calls for the continuous improvement of public administration in the security sector, to build a sustainable and secure future for Ukraine.

From Trash to Treasure: Assessing the Effectiveness of the Green@Community Recycling Network in Hong Kong

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is a growing problem worldwide posing a variety of environmental and human health impacts. Despite recycling being one major strategy to alleviate MSW production, the effectiveness of recycling has been equivocally dependent on local policy implementation and citizen environmental behavior. To enhance recycling effectiveness in Hong Kong, the government has established Green@Community, a unified community-based network for recycling and public environmental education. Since its establishment, the number of visitors to and the amount of recyclable materials collected at the network increased steadily over time. Our study is the very first to investigate the effectiveness of this territory-wide recycling network. Through a questionnaire survey, we found that respondents’ recycling traits were stronger if they have accrued gift tokens through participating in recycling activities. Visiting a Green@Community facility could also enhance knowledge of the types of acceptable recyclables, and respondents who had visited a Green@Community facility agreed that education and publicity could increase the recycling rate in Hong Kong. These findings highlighted the effectiveness and uniqueness of this community-based recycling network, its role in raising recycling knowledge, and its implications for policymakers and urban planners of densely populated cities to leverage society’s recycling participation, but also called for more efforts on developing, promoting, and incentivizing the usage of such a network to further enhance recycling and alleviate MSW production in Hong Kong.

Strong or thin digital democracy? The democratic implications of Taiwan's open government data policy in the 2010s

What kind of “democracy” do new government-led digital initiatives facilitate? This paper discusses the issue by investigating the open government data policy in Taiwan in the 2010s, asking whether the policy encouraged “strong democracy.” Using interviews, written records, and an analysis of platform design, I argue that the implementation of Taiwan's open data policy has not institutionalized the engagement of civil society groups or ordinary citizens in government decision-making processes, which is at odds with the claims that open government data encourages “strong democracy.” Instead, open government data in Taiwan has facilitated monitorial democracy, which presupposes watchful but not active citizens, and neoliberal democracy, which presupposes profit-pursuing citizens. Both are more in line with “thin democracy,” which focuses more on individual rights and private interests than on participation and political community. The finding sheds light on why conservative governments around the world often embrace open government initiatives.

The social gradient of trust in government: An empirical analysis based on the 2019 wave of the Chinese Social Survey

Recent research on trust in the Chinese government has increasingly focused on whether it can be seen as the civic foundation of political stability. Differing from previous studies discussing the authenticity of the high mean level of trust in China, this paper responds to this discussion by examining how trust in the government varies across different social classes. By analyzing data from the Chinese Social Survey, our research revealed a gradient in trust towards both central and local governments across social classes, with notably lower trust observed in the lower classes. The social gradient was more pronounced in trust towards local governments compared to the central government. Furthermore, we found that the implementation of equity-oriented policies was effective in bridging the gap in trust between classes. These findings not only indicate that highly stratified trust may lead to potential risk to political stability, but also provide valuable insights into government behavior and its consequences, which are essential for guiding the transformation of governmental functions in the future.

From policy to practice: How NATO joined forces with NGOs for the protection of civilians

North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO’s) active cooperation with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on the protection of civilians (PoC) challenges the academic assumption that NATO’s decision-making structures are generally closed to civil society participation. What explains the decision of NATO officials to work with NGOs when developing a Policy for the PoC, and how did this cooperation take place? Combining insights from resource dependency and organisational learning theories, we explore whether and how concerns about public legitimacy and operational effectiveness can explain that NATO engaged with NGOs during its learning process on PoC. Methodologically, we combine data from 26 interviews with NATO officials and NGO representatives with a document analysis of 648 NATO publications. Our analysis shows that NATO’s collaboration with NGOs in the adoption of a PoC policy was very much a bottom-up process. Military commanders began engaging with NGOs on the ground during NATO’s International Security Assistance Force operation in Afghanistan (2001–2014). NGOs then gradually gained access to the formulation and institutionalisation of the PoC policy. While legitimacy concerns triggered NATO’s initial cooperation with NGOs, effectiveness concerns related to policy implementation facilitated stronger cooperation once the process was underway.

A Case Study of Air Quality in Kabul, Afghanistan

The air quality in Afghanistan is severely affected by various pollutant sources, the impacts of which often cause acute health problems, particularly among the old, young and those suffering from poor health. The impacts of chronic exposure to air pollutants are also likely to become apparent over time. The purpose of this air quality dissertation is to assist policy makers in the design and implementation of policies, and in the development of monitoring and management tools to restore air quality in Afghanistan. Since 2001, Kabul city’s population has grown from four hundred thousand to six million people. Estimates of various pollutant emissions indicate that vehicular traffic, windblown dust, brick kilns, residential heating during winter season, and domestic and commercial generators are the major sources of air pollution in Kabul. The estimated total annual emissions in Kabul are 17,363 tons of PM10, 16,183 tons of NOx, 2,484 tons of SO2, 97,068 tons of CO2, and 650,846 tons of CO2 .In the article “In Kabul, air pollution a bigger killer than war” that every year around 3,000 people die in Kabul city due to air pollution whereas the total mortality rate due to war across the country is 2,777 cases.

Tracing the Success of QRIS Policy Implementation in Surabaya City’s Parking Levy System

This research explores the effectiveness of the Surabaya City Government’s policy on parking levy payments via the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS). The study aims to analyze the policy’s success in increasing Regional Original Income (Pendapatan Asli Daerah or PAD) and enhancing community welfare by improving the payment experience for parking users and supporting efficient management by parking attendants. Using Van Meter and Van Horn’s policy implementation framework, which includes six critical factors—policy standards and objectives, resource allocation, characteristics of implementing organizations, inter-organizational communication, implementer disposition, and socio-political and economic environment—the study evaluates both the facilitating and hindering elements of the policy. A qualitative descriptive methodology was employed, with data gathered through literature reviews, field observations, and structured interviews with key stakeholders, including government officials, parking service providers, and users. Analysis revealed that QRIS implementation has been beneficial in promoting transparency and efficiency in revenue collection, supporting PAD growth. However, challenges such as varying levels of digital literacy among users, limited internet access in certain areas, and reluctance among some parking attendants to adopt digital systems were identified as barriers to optimal implementation. Key findings suggest that the policy’s long-term success hinges on consistent inter-agency coordination, community engagement initiatives to raise digital payment awareness, and ongoing training for parking attendants to improve digital proficiency. The study concludes that achieving sustainable success in implementing non-cash transactions for parking levies requires a holistic approach, integrating community awareness, inter-organizational support, and policy adaptability. This research offers valuable insights for policymakers seeking to improve public service delivery through digital transactions. It highlights the importance of adaptive management in fostering community welfare alongside regional revenue growth.

Implementation of Smart Government, Smart Mobility, and Smart Living Policies in Realizing the Quality of Public Services in Yogyakarta City

Major cities around the world believe in the concept of "smart cities" or "intelligent cities". This concept encourages people to participate in city management through a citizen-centered approach. This results in more active and close interaction between citizens and service providers, in this case the local government. This study examines how the Yogyakarta City government can implement e-government to become a Smart City and improve its public services by implementing smart government, smart mobility, and smart living policies. Cities around the world are currently championing this idea as the central government's idea to address various problems in different places. This research uses a descriptive qualitative method by relying on secondary data from digital mass media news which is assisted by data processing using Nvivo 14 as a research tool. Based on the results of the research, it can be found that Smart City in Yogyakarta City shows that (1) Smart Government regarding its online procedures has started to run well; (2) Smart Mobility is superior in traffic monitoring; (3) Smart Living is more prominent in indicators about security. Where with these results, Policy Implementation in the City of Yogyakarta has started to run well, but there must still be improvements, especially in Smart Government, Smart Mobility, and Smart Living so that the quality of public services in the City of Yogyakarta can run even better. Key word: Implementation of smart government, smart mobility, smart living, Yogyakarta CIty

Exploring carbon emission effects of national-level industrial park policies on cities in China

Serving as the backbone of economic development, industrial parks have strong implications for reducing carbon emissions in China under the “carbon peak and carbon neutrality” background. This study explores the carbon emission reduction effects of three different types of national-level industrial parks on prefectural-level cities in China, including economic and technological development zones (ETDZs), eco-industrial demonstration parks (EIDPs), and low-carbon industrial parks (LCIPs). Data on 204 prefectural-level cities over the period of 1999 to 2019 were examined by using the difference-in-differences method and the mediating effect model. The study revealed that (1) the three types of industrial parks significantly reduced the intensity of city carbon emissions by 1,155, 395, and 450 tons per million CNY, respectively; (2) There existed lag effects of 7 years for the ETDZ and 3 years for the EIDP; (3) Industrial structure exhibited significant mediating effects, with ETDZ and EIDP reducing city carbon emission intensity by 58 and 56 tons per million CNY, respectively; (4) Strong heterogeneity in the effects was found, arising from the differences in geographical location, resources endowment, and amount of industrial parks; and (5) ETDZ and EIDP reduced the carbon emission intensity of neighboring cities by 174 and 144 tons per million CNY, respectively, while LCIP increased that by 686 tons per million CNY. The major contribution of this study is analyzing the city-level impacts of ETDZ, EIDP, and LCIP, three different types of national industrial park policies with different implementation periods, regional distributions, and policy focuses. This not only fills a gap in the analyses of ETDZ and LCIP policies in this area of research, but also draws analogies and contrasts between the effects of the three different policies. This study suggests that the stability and long-term nature of industrial park policies be maintained and further transformation and upgrading of industrial structure be attained. Additionally, intercity coordination could be introduced or enhanced.

ANALISIS IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM PAJAK ORANG PRIBADI APARATUR SIPIL NEGARA PADA DINAS PEKERJAAN UMUM DAN PENATAAN RUANG KOTA DEPOK

Technology Development plays the role in influencing modernization of tax system one of them is e-Filing System. E-Filing is a tax filing system electronically that facilitates taxpayers in submitting Tax Return anytime and anywhere. The objective of this study is to analyze the implementation of policy on individual tax e-Filing, obstacles encountered and efforts undertaken in coping with such obstacles at the Public Work and Spatial Planning Office of Depok. This study used qualitative descriptive research method. Result of this study identified that the implementation of e-Filing has been good enough. Some obstacles which can be overcome with efforts carried out from the implementor and taxpayer.