Policy Implementation Research Articles

The nexus between corporate governance, political environments, and firm performance: a comparative study of Ghana and Kenya

Purpose This study aims to examine the effect of political conditions on the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance in two sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, Ghana and Kenya. Design/methodology/approach This study used a panel data methodology, examining data from a sample of 72 companies (Ghana: 25 and Kenya: 47) from 2018 to 2022. This study used panel quantile regression and the Huber M-estimation robust least squares regression methods. Findings The research reported that larger boards, diversity and ownership concentration do not affect business performance while board independence improves corporate success in both countries. The findings about chief executive officer (CEO) duality were mixed. In Ghana, CEO duality has a positive effect on firm performance, but in Kenya, the study finds that CEO duality hurts firms’ performance. The results found that higher levels of institutional ownership decreased firm performance in both countries. The research found that Ghana’s political environment had a greater impact on corporate governance and business performance nexus than Kenya’s. Research limitations/implications The research is limited to Ghana and Kenya. This study emphasises the necessity for governments in both countries to maintain a stable political environment, implement policies that encourage economic and policy continuity and reduce political uncertainty to improve business conditions. Practical implications This study emphasises the necessity for governments in both countries to maintain a stable political environment, implement policies that encourage economic and policy continuity, and reduce political uncertainty to improve business conditions. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is unique because it is the first in SSA to address a research gap by investigating a comparative analysis of the relationship between corporate governance, political environments and firm performance in two distinct countries with different political situations.

Challenges And Solutions In Implementing Reading Policies In The Foundation Phase: A Multiple Case Study From The Lichtenburg Circuit, North West Province

This article aims to examine the policies guiding reading instruction and investigate how these policies are implemented in the FP to gain a deeper understanding of teachers’ experiences in this area. Implementing reading policies effectively in the FP is crucial for fostering early literacy skills, which form the foundation for lifelong learning. However, teachers often encounter various challenges that impact the successful application of these policies. This article explores the complexities associated with implementing reading policies within the FP, specifically focusing on the Lichtenburg Circuit in the North West Province. The Lichtenburg Circuit, a unique educational setting within the North West Province, provides a valuable multiple case study for examining these challenges and identifying effective solutions. Utilizing a qualitative case study approach, the research focused on the perspectives of Subject Advisors, Principals, HoDs, and FP teachers in three primary schools within the Lichtenburg circuit. Thirteen participants were purposively selected, and data were collected through document analysis, observations, and interviews. Thematic analysis revealed that the CAPS is the primary policy used for reading instruction, yet it lacks explicit directives on teaching reading, leading to challenges in implementation and application by teachers. By investigating the experiences of English Home Language this article aims to uncover the specific difficulties teachers face and assess the support mechanisms available. The findings will offer insights into improving policy implementation and enhancing literacy outcomes for young learners. The objective of this article is to identify and analyze the key factors that influence teachers’ implementation of reading policies in the FP. This article aims to understand how various contextual, professional, and institutional elements shape teachers’ approach to applying reading policies in their classrooms. By examining these factors, the article seeks to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by teachers in translating policy into effective practice, ultimately contributing to the development of more supportive and practical strategies for improving reading outcomes in the FP. The purpose of this article is to investigate and evaluate the challenges and solutions in implementing reading policies, using the Lichtenburg Circuit in the North West Province as a multiple case study. The article also seeks to uncover the specific challenges that teachers encounter in implementing these policies and to analyze how these obstacles impact the effectiveness of reading instruction. The article aims to provide insights and recommendations for improving the implementation of reading policies to better support FP teachers.

IMPACTO DA PNEUMONIA NA MORTALIDADE INFANTIL: ANÁLISE HOSPITALAR NO ESTADO DA BAHIA

Introduction: Pneumonia is a severe respiratory infection, often caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, that primarily affects the lungs and can impair gas exchange, leading to respiratory difficulties. In Brazil, pneumonia presents a significant public health challenge, with a particular impact on children under five years of age. This issue is especially evident in the state of Bahia, where the infant mortality rate due to pneumonia is one of the highest in the country. The causes of this high mortality are linked to a combination of factors such as lack of access to adequate medical care, low vaccination coverage, poor living conditions, overcrowded homes, and insufficient air quality. Objectives: The main objective of this study is to analyze the impact of pneumonia on infant mortality in the state of Bahia, focusing on hospital data analysis between 2020 and 2024. The research aims to identify the epidemiological trends of the disease, understand the associated risk factors, and encourage the implementation of public policies to reduce infant mortality caused by pneumonia. Justification: This research is relevant to public health because it highlights the persistent high rates of infant mortality due to pneumonia, a critical issue in socially vulnerable areas. The study contributes to understanding the social, economic, and healthcare access factors affecting the child population in Bahia, providing essential data for more effective public health policies. Methodology: The study is of an epidemiological nature, using a quantitative approach. Data were collected from records of pediatric pneumonia cases provided by the Health Department of the State of Bahia (SESAB) and DATASUS, covering the period from 2020 to 2024. Data on incidence, mortality, demographic characteristics (age, sex, race/ethnicity), and regional conditions were analyzed. The analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and techniques such as calculating mortality rates and identifying risk factors. Results and Discussion: The data revealed that between January 2020 and September 2024, there were 295 deaths due to pneumonia in children in Bahia. The highest mortality was observed in the age groups under 1 year (33.6%) and 1 to 4 years (37.3%), indicating extreme vulnerability of these age groups to the disease. Additionally, pneumonia mortality was higher among children of mixed-race (parda) background (76.3%), reflecting socioeconomic and healthcare access inequalities, particularly in peripheral and rural areas. A slight predominance of deaths among girls was also observed, though the gender difference was small (2.37%). Conclusion: This study highlights the social and regional inequalities contributing to high infant mortality from pneumonia in Bahia, emphasizing the difficulties in accessing healthcare services in more vulnerable areas. The analysis revealed that children under 5 years of age, especially those under 1 year old, are the most affected. To reduce these rates, it is urgent to implement public policies focused on improving healthcare access, expanding vaccination coverage, and strengthening living conditions in the most underserved areas of Bahia.

Starting again: National spatial planning and the quest for compact growth in Ireland

In 2002, the Irish Government launched the National Spatial Strategy, aimed at achieving effective national spatial planning. A lack of political support and the primacy of localism in planning and development led to its demise in 2014. However, in 2018, the government launched the new National Planning Framework, which had compact growth at its core. It is supported politically by central government, is backed by legislation and must be adhered to by the regional and local layers of government. The National Planning Framework was accompanied by planning policies which sought to increase apartment development and to loosen restrictions on urban height, thereby creating the conditions for increasing residential densities. As the National Planning Framework sets out plans to 2040 and is subject to periodic revision, this article examines initial perceptions of its contents and the prospects for its implementation. Simultaneously, the ongoing housing crisis in Ireland impacts directly on planning policies, as the government introduces major market interventions to increase supply, which can conflict or undermine existing planning policies. This research is based on a critical reading of key compact growth planning policies and is augmented by semi-structured interviews with key players in policy implementation. These interviews analyse the viewpoints of senior built environment professionals who are involved in the implementation of compact growth policies in Dublin. The results indicate the complexity and difficulty of implementing compact growth policies where there has been a legacy of urban sprawl and where the attempts at centralisation lead to tensions with local planning. Starting again is not easy.

Using online negative emotions to predict risk-coping behaviors in the relocation of Beijing municipal government.

This article explores the use of online negative emotions to predict public risk-coping behaviors during urban relocation. Through a literature review, the paper proposes hypotheses that anticipate advanced prediction of public risk-coping behaviors based on online negative emotions. The study's empirical focus is on the relocation of the Beijing municipal government, using time series data for Granger causality analysis in EViews 10.0 software. Data on online negative emotions is sourced from Sina Weibo. After data cleaning, 1420 pieces of data related to the relocation policy of the Beijing Municipal Government within the period from June 9, 2015 to April 28, 2019 are retained. while risk-coping behaviors are measured through public information search behaviors and the incidence of violent crimes, the data coverage is also from June 9, 2015 to April 28, 2019. The results indicated that: (1) Online negative emotions regarding the relocation policy predict public risk-coping behaviors in advance. (2) Negative comments are more effective predictors than negative feelings; (3) Negative emotions about relocation policy formulation predict risk-coping behaviors better than those related to policy effectiveness and implementation; (4) Negative emotions from individuals better predict public risk-coping behaviors than those from institutions; (5) Negative emotions from key stakeholders better predict public risk-coping behaviors than those from non-key or marginal stakeholders. It is recommended that relevant departments establish a real-time monitoring system to track negative public opinions and emotions expressed online, adopt a stakeholder-centric approach to facilitate communication, and promote transparency and educational campaigns to address the challenges of urban relocation. In future studies, methods such as expanding the sample size and adding indicators will be used to address the limitations of potential bias in sample data.

A Transaction Cost Approach to Policy-Mandated Collaborations: Evidence from North Carolina

ABSTRACT In human services domains, policymakers mandate formal collaborations and alliances between public service agencies as part of policy implementation. We examine mandated child welfare collaborations in a stratified random sample of North Carolina counties, finding that agencies experienced frictions associated with collaboration fatigue and unclear goals. Access to private information, the ability to combine collaborations, and even serving lunch were conduits for successful collaboration. Agencies that did not engage faced high costs and saw little marginal benefit. We argue that policymakers looking to improve collaboration should communicate the value propositions to the agencies involved. They should also fund lunch.

For Spatial Planning and Land Consolidation Issue

Planning the rational use of land's potential capabilities is one of the most important functions in Georgia. When developing the state policy in this area, it is essential to take into account that the implemented policy directly affects the country's socio-economic development. The given article states that determining the land status is part of the country's territory planning and development plan, moreover, changing the status of the land is almost impossible without making changes to the spatial planning of the territory. The article states that in most European countries, changing the designation of land is within the competence of the government and describes the needs to be addressed by various European countries (permit of the relevant state institution, compliance with the spatial development plan, imposition of a tax on the change of category, with certain exceptions, a general ban on changing the category of land, etc.). It also discusses examples of various mechanisms for land consolidation in Eastern and Central European countries. At the end of the article, the conclusion is made that under the conditions of Georgia, the state should develop a plan for the privatization of the remaining agricultural land in its possession, the primary goal of which should not be the increase of budget revenues, but rather ensuring the effective use of land resources. This process should consider: registering the landownership for the actual owner, registering land ownership for municipalities, and the alienation of land remaining in state ownership, which should ultimately contribute to the consolidation of small farms. Keywords: land, land categories, land disposal, agricultural policy, spatial planning, land consolidation, land management, agrarian territories.

Implementation of national policies and interventions (WHO Best Buys) for non-communicable disease prevention and control in Ghana: a mixed methods analysis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) encourages all member states to adopt and implement a package of essential evidence-based interventions called the Best Buys to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). To date, little is known about the implementation of national policies and interventions for NCD control in the WHO member states in sub-Saharan Africa. Our study aimed to evaluate the implementation of national policies and interventions (WHO Best Buys) for non-communicable disease prevention and control in Ghana. This was explanatory mixed methods research which started with a document review of Ghana's WHO Best Buys scores from the 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2022 WHO NCD Progress Monitor Reports. Thereafter, we conducted 25 key informant interviews and one focus group discussion (11 participants) with key policymakers and stakeholders in the NCD landscape in Ghana to understand the implementation of the NCD policies and interventions, and the policy implementation gaps and challenges faced. Data from the NCD Progress reports were presented using mean scores whilst the qualitative data was analysed thematically. Ghana has shown some advancements in the implementation of the WHO Best Buys measures. Ghana's implementation scores for 2015, 2017, 2020 and 2022 were 5.0, 9.0, 5.0 and 5.5 respectively, against the mean implementation scores of 7.6/19 for lower-middle-income countries and 9.5/19 for upper-middle-income countries. Efforts to decrease major risk factors such as excessive alcohol consumption and unhealthy diet have been progressing slowly. The most common challenges were related to a) the role of socio-cultural factors, b) stakeholder engagement, c) enforcement and implementation of public health policies, d) implementation guidelines, e) public awareness and education on NCDs, f) financing of NCD prevention and control, g) curative-centered health systems, and h) over-centralization of NCD care. Ghana has made progress in adopting the WHO Best Buys targeting risk factors of NCDs. However, the country faces contextual barriers to effective implementation. With the retrogression of some measures over time despite making progress in some earlier years, further investigation is needed to identify facilitators for sustained implementation of the WHO Best Buys interventions.

Factors Behind Chinese Citizen Support to Implementation of Social Credit Policy

The social credit system was implemented in China by the Xi Jinping government officially in 2020. In implementing this policy, there are many arguments that argue this policy has the potential to cause human insecurity from the Chinese people because this policy is widely considered to be used as a tool to control people’s behaviour. Even so, this policy has high support from the Chinese people as evidenced by the high support for the implementation of the social credit system, and the high participation of the Chinese people in the trial of the social credit system in different provinces. Using disciplinary power theory, this article analyses what factors influence public support for the implementation of social credit policies by the Chinese government. This article also looks at how the Chinese government’s efforts in shaping obedience in Chinese society through the implementation of social credit policies. This article argues that the Chinese government succeeded in utilising appropriate means to make people support the implementation of the social credit policy even though the policy has the potential to cause human insecurity.

Climate crisis and human migration: the emergent sociolegal parameters of a science-based policymaking

IntroductionThe Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, is the epitome of the effort for a global consensus on the problem of climate change and its repercussions, including climate-induced migration, aimed at improving the institutional capacity for the formulation of effective adaptation and mitigation policies. One of its novel characteristics was the incorporation of science in the formal policy toolkit: States must use the best available science, as the empiricism of traditional policy-making regimes, bequeathed by an era of ordinary climatic patterns, must now take a backseat and give way to the emerging paradigm of science-based policymaking. Given the growing awareness of the climate migration problem affecting humans from all paths of life and likely to disrupt social cohesion and economic development, our era is set to become an epoch of climate migration; still, the rights of climate displaced peoples continue to be neglected.MethodsThis article examines the extent to which the Paris Agreement and associated public policies have the capacity to address climate induced migration, since international law urges States to address all critical impacts of climate change, using the best available scientific knowledge in this purpose. The analysis is based on a review of the existing literature on the science-policy interface, followed by a presentation of developing trends in international law. Subsequently, the authors attempt to present the socio-legal context of the emerging trends and assess the integration of science in climate migration policymaking. In this context, comparative case studies are presented to underscore what seems to be disparities and gaps in policy implementation in this area.ResultsOur findings show that climate change raises unforeseen challenges that have not been properly assessed by policy makers both at the international and national levels, such as the extent of climate-induced human displacement and migration and the urgent necessity for legal protection of climate-induced migrants. The lack of a concrete and legally binding framework for States is highlighted, while science is only incorporated at suboptimal levels, although there seem to be recent changes in this paradigm, suggesting a shift towards greater operational integration of scientific inputs.DiscussionThe study highlights the prospects and challenges of emerging policy contexts, especially the binding duty to use science for policymaking, resulting in specific obligations –i.e., the necessity to produce and disseminate data, and to create the necessary institutional arrangements–, given that existing policy measures remain inadequate in addressing the scale and urgency of climate induced migration. The incorporation of science in policy, although progressing, requires more robust implementation to support climate justice initiatives, that must be pursued despite the complex policy implications involved at all levels.ConclusionThe paper suggests that efforts must be intensified in this specific direction to efficiently support initiatives toward more social and environmental justice, such as encouraging the development of climate migration databases and establishing specialized bodies. Parallel to this, it is suggested that enhancing the role of scientific evidence in policymaking should go hand in hand with strengthening the international legal frameworks; both will be essential to ensure that climate-displaced populations are adequately protected and supported.

Transition space: navigating dilemmas between mainstream and minority language classrooms

Abstract From policymaking to classroom practices, educational language policy implementation is a complex process filled with a cacophony of voices. This article examines policy implementation as it unfolds in micro-level transitions between mainstream classrooms and lessons in Sámi, Kven, or Finnish as a second language (SKF) in Norway. In such situations, SKF pupils need to leave their mainstream classes to receive their language instruction. To examine these transitions, I draw primarily from ethnographic data (e.g., classroom observations and semi-structured interviews) collected over several months in public schools in a town in Northern Norway. The findings suggest that organizational circumstances construct an in-between space, which I refer to as transition space, in which classroom actors can or need to negotiate and make choices about which of the theoretically co-available classes/activities will be chosen at which times. Such choices involve dilemmas and consequences on different scales. In this study, (1) I demonstrate how (non)movements between mainstream and SKF classes are made in time and space, and (2) I propose transition space as a new conceptualization for researching micro-level transitions in educational settings.

Do climate change policies affect labour market distortions? Empirical evidence from China's low-carbon city pilots

ABSTRACT To mitigate climate change while ensuring that the substantial benefits of a green economic transition are widely shared, the concept of a just transition has emerged as a pivotal element in climate strategies. Although the effectiveness of climate policies has been a subject of ongoing debate, the integration of just transition principles is often overlooked as a key component. This study employs China’s Low-Carbon City Pilot policy (LCCP) as a quasi-natural experiment and uses a time-varying difference-in-differences (DID) methodology to assess the impact of LCCP on wage distortions within firms. Using data from listed companies between 2006 and 2022, our analysis shows that the low-carbon policy itself may be a source of inequity, disproportionately benefiting capital at the expense of labour, thus exacerbating wage distortions and preventing labour from receiving fair compensation. This inequity undermines the principles of a just transition, as the allocation of policy resources tends to favour large firms, enhancing their pricing power and diminishing labour market flexibility. The economic outcomes of LCCP are mixed: while it accelerates the growth of capital share, it also leads to an unequal distribution between capital and labour. Furthermore, our exploration of the role of export trade in mitigating these distortions reveals that exports actually widen the disparity in wage distortions. Our study underscores the urgent need to prioritize equity in climate policies and improve labour allocation efficiency within climate action frameworks. We aim to provide decision-making support for the design and implementation of more equitable low-carbon policies in developing countries.

Unveiling China's Fertility Dilemma: Analyzing Risk Factors and Their Global Implications

Abstract: The National Bureau of Statistics of China has announced in 2021 that the country has formally entered the stage of low fertility rate, reaching a historically low of 1.3. Such low birth is far below the replacement level of 2.1 which is needed for maintaining a sustainable population, implying the possibility for China to start a significant demographic shift. Several key factors have contributed to this decline. Factors behind the problem includes Chinas historical policy implementation, socioeconomic factors including the rise of housing price and cost of upbringing and social factors including waning of social norms and ascent of gender equity. Such phenomenon serves as also valuable insights for analyzing global fertility intention for countries like Switzerland, the United States and South Korea. As all global policymakers seek to address the problem of unstable and declining fertility rates and waning fertility intention, the Chinese case could provide intriguing example as supportive evidence.

Identifying policy determinants of bank default risk during the COVID-19 pandemic: empirical evidence from the U.S. and Canada

ABSTRACT This study examines the policy determinants of bank default risk, proxied by credit default swap (CDS) spreads, using quarterly data from the U.S. and Canada for the period 2020 to 2022. The analysis considers four determinant groups: the COVID-19 pandemic shock, aggressive monetary and fiscal policy responses, macroprudential-related bank financial fundamentals, and macroeconomic and market conditions. Utilizing General Least Squares (GLS) and dynamic panel models with system General Method of Moments (GMM), the findings reveal that rising COVID-19 deaths significantly widen CDS spreads. Expansionary monetary policies reduce bank default risk, though the effectiveness under conventional monetary policy is reduced by increasing COVID-19 deaths. In contrast, expansionary fiscal policies and inflation broaden CDS spreads. The combined analysis highlights policy stances as dominant factors, with macroprudential-related fundamentals having minimal impact. The findings are robust using both 5-year and 10-year CDS measures. This study has significant policy implications during health and economic crises. For financial stability, policymakers should prioritize reducing pandemic-related deaths, utilize expansionary monetary policies with health support strategies, balance fiscal support to avoid excessive government spending, and implement measures to control inflation. It is essential to enhance coordination between healthcare, fiscal, and monetary authorities for effective policy implementation.

Modeling and testing strategic interdependence and tipping in public policy implementation

We develop a game-theoretic model of strategic interdependence and tipping in public policy choices and show that the model can be estimated by probit and logit estimators. We test its validity and applicability by using daily data on state-level COVID-19 responses in the United States. Social distancing via shelter-in-place (SIP) strategies and wearing masks emerged as the most effective nonpharmaceutical ways of combatting COVID-19. In the United States, choices about these policies are made by individual states. We develop a game-theoretic model of such choices and test it econometrically, confirming strong interdependence in the implementation of these policies. If enough states engage in social distancing or mask wearing, others will be tipped to follow suit. Policy choices are influenced mainly by the choices of other states, especially those of similar political orientation and to a lesser degree by the number of new COVID-19 cases. The choice of mask-wearing policies is more sensitive to peer choices than the choice of SIP policies, and Republican states are much less likely than Democratic to introduce mask-wearing policies. The choices of policies are influenced more by political than public health considerations. These findings emphasize strategic interdependence in policy choice and offer an analytical framework for these complex dynamics.

Policy Implementation Analysis: Examining the Effectiveness of Jambi's Teacher Certification Program

Teacher quality is crucial for improving education outcomes. Indonesia introduced the Teacher Certification Program (Sertifikasi Guru) in 2005 to enhance teacher professionalism. This study investigates the program's effectiveness in Jambi Province by analyzing its impact on teacher competencies, teaching practices, and student learning outcomes. This mixed-methods study involved 300 certified and 300 non-certified teachers in Jambi Province. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires and student achievement records, analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and regression analysis. Qualitative data were gathered through interviews with 30 teachers, 10 school principals, and 5 education officials, and analyzed thematically. Certified teachers exhibited significantly higher pedagogical knowledge, subject matter knowledge, and classroom management skills than non-certified teachers. They were also more likely to employ active learning and student-centered approaches. However, the impact on student learning outcomes was modest. In conclusion, Jambi's Teacher Certification Program successfully improved teacher competencies and teaching practices. However, further efforts are needed to enhance its impact on student learning outcomes. Recommendations include strengthening the program's focus on practical application, providing ongoing professional development, and increasing school-level support for effective teaching.

Strategies for Strengthening Network Capacity in the Implementation of Food Security Policies at the Local Level in Indonesia

This study aims to analyze network management strategies in the interactive governance perspective in the implementation of food security policies in North Luwu Regency, Indonesia. The complexity of food security issues requires effective collaboration and interaction among various actors in the policy network. Using a qualitative approach with an explanatory case study design, this research examines seven indicators of network management strategies: network (de-)activating, constitutional reform, (de)coupling games, changing incentives, changing internal structure and position of actors, changing relations, and management by chaos. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis, involving relevant stakeholders from government agencies, farmer organizations, and private sector partners. The findings reveal that the application of network management strategies facilitates interaction among network actors and contributes to the success of interactive governance in implementing food security policies. Network (de-)activating involves the engagement of new coalitions and resource mobilization to strengthen cooperation and interaction. Constitutional reform through changes in rules and resources helps develop coordination mechanisms and strengthen policy integration. (De) coupling games demonstrate the separation of strategies carried out by various actors to support a holistic approach in achieving food security. Changing incentives through incentive interventions can increase motivation and active participation of actors in realizing food security. Changing relations indicate changes in cooperative relationships and actor roles to enhance effective collaboration. Management by chaos through the application of principles of flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to manage uncertainty can strengthen interactive governance in facing complex and dynamic challenges. This study recommends strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration, developing a structured incentive system, enhancing the capacity of farmer organizations, and optimizing the use of information technology to improve the success of interactive governance in food security policy implementation.

Investment Priorities for Technological Breakthroughs Based on Scale Effect

The article presents an analytical approach to calculating the value of technological scale effect in regional industry clusters using econometric models. This approach allows for the identification of production zones in Russia with the highest technological potential. The authors propose a method for calculating investments based on the traditional investment multiplier. This method enables rapid technological advancements in specific regional and sectoral clusters within the country. The methodology has been tested on two groups related to the agricultural sector: the main group and the control group, each consisting of seven territorial entities of the Russian Federation. The article also discusses the implementation of a selective investment policy to foster economic growth and enhance the performance of existing advanced industries.

Producción de café biodiverso en México: calidad, beneficios y controversia sobre el cambio de variedades por la roya

Intervention in any territory requires a careful assessment of environmental and cultural aspects, especially in the framework of territorial development. The objective of this study was to highlight the importance of conserving biological and cultural biodiversity in the main coffee growing of Mexico, and to analyze the challenges facing biodiverse coffee production. An updated regional typology was used to analyze the socio-economic dynamics of four states that will account for 90 % of national coffee production in 2020. The study examines the biological and cultural diversity of these areas in the context of public policies implemented between 2012 and 2016, which promoted varietal conversion as a phytosanitary measure to combat coffee rust (Hemileia vastatrix Berk & Br., 1869). This policy has generated an ongoing debate among producers, markets and specialists, who discuss the dilemma between maximizing production and preserving the quality and biodiversity of the territories. Finally, arguments are presented in favour of biodiverse coffee production driven by local communities, and the available legal framework for its protection, highlighting the right to be consulted in the implementation of future projects and policies.

The Influence of Emotional Competencies on the Entrepreneurship Intentions of University Students in Colombia

The main objective of this article is to analyze the effect of a group of predictors on entrepreneurial intention from the perspective of emotional competencies. To achieve this aim, a sample of 996 students belonging to ten public and seven private universities was selected, with each university having been granted high-quality accreditation by the Colombian Ministry of Education. The theoretical approach was based on Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and the empirical analysis was based on structural equation models. Eight hypotheses were tested, with entrepreneurial intention as the dependent variable and emotional competencies, subjective norms, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial attitude as independent variables. The information was obtained by applying a questionnaire with a Likert scale to students of subjects related to entrepreneurship. From the findings of the study, it is concluded that in the two ecosystems analyzed (public and private), emotional competencies (EC) have neither a direct influence on entrepreneurial intention (EI) nor an indirect one since no significant influence is observed between emotional competencies and entrepreneurial attitude; however, a direct and positive effect was recorded between the self-efficacy and entrepreneurial attitude constructs on entrepreneurial intention. In addition, it is observed that subjective norms (SN) do not directly affect EI, but they do influence it indirectly, being mediated by entrepreneurial attitude and self-efficacy. The contribution of this study is focused on obtaining a better understanding of the entrepreneurial intentions of university students in Colombia, which will make it possible to foster strategies for the generation of youth employment and public policies to promote various entrepreneurial initiatives. This could be based on government regulations adopted in the last decade, which are still under development, and the broad participation of university students and research groups of higher education institutions. Furthermore, given the dearth of research examining the impact of emotional competencies on the entrepreneurial intentions of young Colombian university students, this study aims to bridge the existing knowledge gap, thereby contributing to the development of a more robust body of literature that can inform the design and implementation of educational strategies and public policies aimed at fostering entrepreneurship within the university ecosystems of this country.