Policy Implications Research Articles

The Effect of Financial Deepening and Borrowing Cost on Aggregate Output in Nigeria and its Policy Implications

This study examines the effect of financial deepening and borrowing costs on aggregate output using secondary data from 1986 to 2022. The effect of financial deepening and borrowing costs on aggregate output is expressed in an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. The findings of the study indicate that the state of financial deepening in Nigeria is not sufficient to drive production to optimal levels, indicating that there are unrealized gains in the business of providing financial intermediation services in the economy. The result of the estimated models shows among other things that aggregate output is inelastic to changes in lending rate, indicating that raising policy interest rate will lead to minimal losses in output. It also shows that financial deepening has the potential to contribute significantly to output growth. It is concluded that financial deepening in the short run may not be achieved by relying totally on market equilibrium where it is expected that the market for credit and other financial services will clear and produce optimal macroeconomic outcomes. Rather, policies (reforms) should be made to heighten the demand and supply of credit in the economy to support real sector production activities.

Corporate governance and foreign direct investment in Latin America

Purpose Hitherto, several Latin American countries have pinned their hopes for growth in international markets through foreign direct investments (FDIs). However, much investor confidence is shaped by perceptions of the country’s corporate governance pillars, such as accountability, board efficacy and investor protection. Thus, this study aims to examine how these corporate governance pillars impact on FDI inflows among the countries in this region. Design/methodology/approach The research design is a causal longitudinal non-experimental empirical study that uses the gravity model of the FDI bilateral flow from 17 Latin American countries from 10 years before COVID-19, obtained from 272 bilateral flows and 2,992 observations. The authors factorized and normalized country-level corporate governance measures from the World Bank and generated the dynamic panel data estimates with the Arellano–Bond two-step generalized method of moments system. Findings The findings of this study are robust concerning previous gravity models, showing that FDI bilateral flows depend significantly on their lagged flows and the economic growth of the reporter countries. This study shows accountability and board efficacy significantly increase FDI bilateral flows in Latin America. Investor protection only positively influences the FDI bilateral flow if it is from the home country. Originality/value The literature on the relationship between FDI and corporate governance is relatively scarce to justify such pillars of corporate governance in Latin America from the perspective of bilateral investment flows. Thus, this study seeks precisely to deepen the analysis of the relationship between FDI flows and corporate governance. Additionally, the authors present theoretical and policy implications with a future research agenda.

Editorial: Differentiating and defining “exposed” and “offshore” aquaculture and implications for aquaculture operation, management, costs, and policy

Editorial: Differentiating and defining “exposed” and “offshore” aquaculture and implications for aquaculture operation, management, costs, and policy

The role of self‐regulated learning in modelling the relationships between learning approaches, FoMO and smartphone addiction among university students

Smartphone addiction (SA) has become a pervasive issue among university students. Therefore, it is important to better understand the conditions under which SA develops. Previous studies indicate that fear of missing out (FoMO), a psychological barrier to behavioural self‐regulation, is often associated with SA risk. In the pedagogical context, poor self‐regulation may manifest as lack of self‐regulated learning skills (SRLSs), which may, in turn, be associated with the adoption of a superficial approach to learning tasks. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine and model the associations between deep and surface learning approaches, SRLSs, SA and FoMO among university students. The sample comprised 687 university students, and structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data. The results indicated that SLRSs were positively associated with deep learning, and negatively associated with surface learning. It was also shown that higher SRLSs were associated with lower risk of FoMO and SA. However, while SRLSs may help reduce the level of SA among surface learners by helping them overcome FoMO, the same may not be said for students with a deep learning approach, whose reduced risk of SA due to higher SRLSs was not explained through FoMO. Based on the findings, interventions that aim to improve SRLSs appear warranted, as these may help reduce SA. Practitioner NotesWhat is already known about this topic Fear of missing out (FoMO) is commonly associated with smartphone addiction (SA) risk. Smartphone notifications disrupt the learning activities of surface learners and FoMO may be the reason. FoMO is considered to be a challenge for behavioural self‐regulation. What this paper adds Higher levels of self‐regulated learning skills (SRLSs) are associated with deeper approaches to learning. Although a deeper approach to learning is associated with lower SA risk, a reduction in FoMO is irrelevant in explaining this effect. As far as surface learners are concerned, better SRLSs are associated with FoMO but are not associated with lower SA risk. Implications for practice and/or policy For deep learners, interventions that support the development of SRLSs are advised because these are important not only for fostering a deep approach to learning but also for helping reduce the risk of SA. Further research is necessary to identify the underlying mechanism by which improved SRLSs are associated with lower SA risk among deep learners. Further research is necessary to identify factors other than FoMO that may be associated with SA risk among surface learners.

Predicting Placement in Residential Treatment in a Drug Court Program

With a growing emphasis on alternatives to incarceration for high-risk/high-need individuals who use drugs or alcohol, there is an increased need for intensive treatment services in the community. The current study examines referrals to residential treatment in a drug court setting. Using a sample of 378 drug court participants, this study compares characteristics of drug court participants who received traditional drug court services and those who received residential services. Multivariable logistic regression model analyses indicate that drug of choice (i.e., heroin/opiate use), substance use severity (i.e., early onset of drug use at 15 years and below), and noncompliance (i.e., rearrests prior to referral) were significant predictors of referral to and placement in residential treatment, when controlling for demographic characteristics (i.e., age, race, gender). Research and policy implications are discussed.

Dam break in Japan’s immigration policy: the 2018 reform in a long-term perspective

Abstract The 2018 reform is a dam break in Japan’s immigration policy. Previously, for decades, the opening of the Japanese labour market for lower-qualified foreign workers was discussed without any comprehensive reform despite far-reaching proposals. This article discusses this change from a persistent standstill to comprehensive reform by analysing comparatively the frames and institutional setting in earlier immigration debates around 1970, around 1990, and around 2005 with the debate in the late 2010s. It argues that the persistent stalemate on the most hotly debated issue of immigration policy was due to the diversity of frames with very different policy implications and an institutional fragmentation in policy-making without any pivotal policy entrepreneur. The comprehensive reform of 2018 is the result of a window of opportunity by the conjuncture of a declining security frame as the main counterargument and by the centralization of decision-making in the core executive in the later years of the second term of Prime Minister Abe Shinzō (2012–20) on the level of institutional setting. Abe and his entourage were reluctant policy entrepreneurs who only realized the 2018 reform because of pressure and the absence of any other policy option. Still, they fundamentally changed the framework in Japanese immigration policy.

Data-driven insights into interhospital care fragmentation: Implications for health policy and equity among older adults.

To determine factors leading to interhospital care fragmentation (ICF); evaluate how ICF affects rehospitalization costs, length of stays (LOS), and delayed discharge; and analyze ICF disparity among equity-seeking groups. We used a 13-year retrospective cohort of older adults (65+) in Ontario, Canada. Utilizing multivariable logistic regression, we identified characteristics associated with ICF and determined its association with outcomes. Discharge to facilities except home and homecare and travel distance were the strongest risk factors for ICF. Patients were less likely to experience ICF if they were older, frail, or had multiple comorbidities. ICF was strongly associated with an increase in the daily costs of readmission. Moreover, the risks of a prolonged LOS after ICF and delayed discharge were higher among returning surgical patients. The rural residency was a source of health inequality. ICF exacerbates health disparities and worsens patient outcomes. Our study identified several risk factors associated with ICF, some of which are controllable, paving the way for interventions to mitigate this issue. To promote health equity and reduce adverse outcomes, policymakers should focus on policies for reducing care discontinuity, particularly addressing the controllable risk factors.

Waterbody connectivity: Linking science and policy for improved waterbody protection

Abstract Connectivity—the flows and exchanges of organisms, materials, and energy within and among watersheds—is a central paradigm in ecosystem science. Changes in those connections have consequences for ecosystem functioning and water quality downstream and upstream. Therefore, connectivity is a cornerstone for federal water protection under the United States Clean Water Act (CWA). In the present article, we review the science of connectivity, explain the history of changes in CWA jurisdiction defining waters of the United States, discuss implications for US water policy, and highlight key steps to align that policy with science. The Sackett v. EPA (2023) Supreme Court decision significantly reduced federal water protection for wetlands and headwaters, disregarding their connectivity with larger, protected waterbodies. To fulfill the goals of the CWA to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of U.S. waters, Congress must amend the act, fully recognizing the multidimensional connectivity of aquatic ecosystems and ultimately incorporating these connections into ecosystem-level policy.

The Impact of Academic Stress on Psychological Well-Being with Life-College Balance as a Moderating Variable for Students in Jakarta

Academic stress can affect a student's psychological well-being, but college-life balance can play a role in mitigating the impact. This study aims to analyze the influence of academic stress on the psychological well-being of students in Jakarta, by considering the life-college balance as a moderation variable. A quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design was used in this study, which involved 300 students in Jakarta. Data were obtained through questionnaires that measured academic stress (using the Academic Stress Scale / ASS), Work-Life Balance Scale (WLBS), and psychological well-being (Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Scale / RPWBS). Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to test the relationship between variables. The results showed a negative relationship between academic stress and students' psychological well-being, which was consistent with previous research. In addition, college-life balance was shown to moderate the effects of academic stress, where students who had a better college-life balance experienced a lower negative impact on their psychological well-being. These findings have significant implications for higher education policy, which needs to provide support programs to help students manage academic stress and improve their college-life balance. This research also opens up space for further research on other factors that can affect the psychological well-being of students.

The Future of Education: A Multi-Layered Metaverse Classroom Model for Immersive and Inclusive Learning

Modern education faces persistent challenges, including disengagement, inequitable access to learning resources, and the lack of personalized instruction, particularly in virtual environments. In this perspective, we envision a transformative Metaverse classroom model, the Multi-layered Immersive Learning Environment (Meta-MILE) to address these critical issues. The Meta-MILE framework integrates essential components such as immersive infrastructure, personalized interactions, social collaboration, and advanced assessment techniques to enhance student engagement and inclusivity. By leveraging three-dimensional (3D) virtual environments, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven personalization, gamified learning pathways, and scenario-based evaluations, the Meta-MILE model offers tailored learning experiences that traditional virtual classrooms often struggle to achieve. Acknowledging potential challenges such as accessibility, infrastructure demands, and data security, the study proposed practical strategies to ensure equitable access and safe interactions within the Metaverse. Empirical findings from our pilot experiment demonstrated the framework’s effectiveness in improving engagement and skill acquisition, with broader implications for educational policy and competency-based, experiential learning approaches. Looking ahead, we advocate for ongoing research to validate long-term learning outcomes and technological advancements to make immersive learning more accessible and secure. Our perspective underscores the transformative potential of the Metaverse classroom in shaping inclusive, future-ready educational environments capable of meeting the diverse needs of learners worldwide.

Advances in Autonomous Robotics for Environmental Cleanup and Hazardous Waste Management

This research investigates the progress made in autonomous robots for environmental cleaning and hazardous waste management. The objective is to evaluate their efficacy, adaptability, and prospective influence on existing methods. The study used a secondary data review process to combine information from several case studies, technical breakthroughs, and upcoming robot trends. Autonomous robots improve cleaning efficiency and safety in soil cleanup, oil spill response, garbage sorting, and disaster recovery. AI, sensors, and multi-modal robots boost performance. However, sensor accuracy, navigation, and energy management issues persist. The paper emphasizes the policy implications, such as the need for uniform rules, more investment in research and development, and the significance of addressing ethical and social concerns. By focusing on these specific areas, the incorporation of autonomous robots may be enhanced, resulting in more efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for handling environmental risks and waste.

An Evaluation of the Attainment Gaps in State Schools in England: Evidence from Next Steps’ Age 25 Sweep Dataset

This paper evaluates the higher education (HE) admissions policy by examining the educational attainment gaps in state schools of young people from different socio-economic backgrounds in England. We analysed data for a cohort of 5192 state-educated young people from the large-scale nationally representative longitudinal Next Steps dataset from 2004 to 2015, linked to the robust administrative National Pupil Database (NPD) for England. The analytical methods used include effect sizes and correlations. The results show a clear pattern of the socio-economic stratification of young people’s educational attainment. Pupil deprivation is a key indicator which is consistently associated with lower educational attainment. While this is not surprising, our study also suggests that there are other factors besides the family backgrounds which are associated with young people’s educational outcomes. Pupils’ enjoyment of school, their educational aspirations, and their parent’s aspirations for their children are found to have a positive correlation with attainment at school, suggesting that educational aspirations and positive school experiences might contribute to a narrowing of deprivation-related gaps. As the analyses also suggest that young people who went to university and those in professional occupations consistently achieved higher academic performance than their peers, the findings have policy implications for improving social mobility. While it is not possible to alter parents’ socioeconomic backgrounds, raising children’s aspirations and making school enjoyable are amenable to policies and interventions. The common practice of using academic attainment as a selection criterion for admission to HE is likely to disadvantage children from low socioeconomic families, with implications for social mobility. The contextualised admission (CA) policy should lead to fairer approaches, which could be used for admissions to HE.

The EU’s depoliticized approach to deliberative democracy and its implications for climate policy: The case of the Conference on the Future of Europe

ABSTRACT The Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) was the ‘first transnational, multilingual and interinstitutional exercise of deliberative democracy’ at the EU level, aiming to give citizens the opportunity to shape the Union’s future. This paper critically reflects on how the deliberative process was designed, framed and implemented, and its implications for climate policy. Methodologically, I follow a mixed-method qualitative design, including a document review of the official reports, nine semi-structured interviews with key actors, and observation during two related events. The research findings indicate that depoliticization accompanied the entire process, especially unfolding via the broad and neutral framing of the European Citizens Panels and the scarce presence of civil society during the process. As a result, the resulting proposals are mostly in line with current climate policies, therefore rather serving as a legitimacy tool. In addition, this prevented citizens from developing a holistic understanding of the climate and environmental crises, overlooking its connections with global justice and the political economy, and without opening up the space for contesting the EU’s main discourses and trajectories.

Understanding the Association Between Neighborhood Resources and Trauma-Informed Care Among Providers Who Serve Autistic Youth.

A growing body of literature suggests that youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), herein, autistic youth, face an increased risk of being exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). However, trauma-informed approaches to care among autistic youth remain limited. In a large cross-sectional survey of ASD providers (N = 670) recruited from five U.S. locations, we examined the association between neighborhood resources using the Child Opportunity Index (i.e., educational, health/environmental, and social/economic opportunities) and the frequency at which providers engaged in trauma-informed care (i.e., inquire about, screen for, treat, and provide referrals for trauma diagnosis and treatment) and the types of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) they screen for (i.e., maltreatment/neglect and household dysfunction). The latent model revealed that providers in neighborhoods with fewer resources engaged in more trauma-informed care and were more likely to screen for ACEs related to household dysfunction. Follow-up exploratory analyses indicated that providers in the lowest 20% of opportunity neighborhoods made the greatest efforts in trauma screening for maltreatment and household dysfunction, followed closely by those in the lowest 40%, compared to higher-opportunity areas. Sensitivity analyses, controlling for potential nesting effects, confirmed similar results. These findings may suggest a concerted effort to ensure that autistic youth in highly disadvantaged areas receive adequate trauma screening. However, lower screening rates in higher-resourced neighborhoods may mean trauma-exposed autistic youth in these areas are overlooked. Expanding provider training to emphasize trauma inquiry across all neighborhoods could help address this gap. Limitations, implications for policy and practice, and future directions are discussed.

Repositioning English Language Teacher Education for Global Competence and Local Realities: Adopting the Cline of Glocality

ABSTRACTSingapore is an ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse nation‐state that has always practiced deliberate language policy and planning. The bilingual education policy, introduced shortly after the young nation's independence has led to the emergence of English‐knowing bilinguals who are proficient in both English and their ethnically ascribed mother tongues, namely, Mandarin for the Chinese, Malay for the Malays, and Tamil for the Indians. The linguistic landscape of Singapore, documented in the most recent population census of 2020, shows the rise in the use of English as the home language across all three major ethnic groups, leading scholars to adopt the term “English‐dominant bilinguals.” It is of prime importance to document the English used by these English‐dominant bilinguals who have to balance between being globally competent but also having to be accommodating to the local realities of English use in Singapore. This paper extends the findings in Low's presentation of an empirical study of 31 expert users of English who hold Director‐level positions in the Singapore civil service and 6 literary writers to examine the linguistic spaces where Standard Singapore English and Colloquial Singapore English (also known as Singlish) function and the choices and factors influencing the choices are made. Through an online qualitative survey, a new model for looking at variations in the use of English in Singapore is introduced. This three‐dimensional model proposes the cline of glocality which adds to Pakir's original 1991 two‐dimensional model of the expanding triangles of English expression in Singapore which only has the clines of proficiency and formality explaining the variety of English used at the time. Proposing the cline of glocality more accurately reflects the current situation of English in Singapore where users need to balance between achieving global competence while yet adapting to the local realities of its use. Adopting the cline of glocality also necessitates rethinking how language teacher education needs to be repositioned to help young Singaporeans navigate between the global and local uses of English. This paper articulates the key concepts surrounding the theory of change proposed and practical implications for language teacher education policy and practice to effect this change.

Community Empowerment in Rural Areas Based on Social Capital in Lamongan Regency: A Holistic and Collaborative Approach

This study aims to analyze the implementation of community empowerment in rural areas of Lamongan Regency through a social capital-based approach, utilizing holistic and collaborative strategies. The primary focus is to understand the role of social capital—comprising bonding, bridging, and linking dimensions—in community empowerment, while also evaluating the engagement of pentahelix stakeholders: government, society, academia, media, and the private sector. This research employs a descriptive qualitative approach, with data collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis. The findings reveal that leveraging social capital significantly contributes to social harmony, economic capacity building, and improved access to essential services. However, optimizing private sector participation and integrating cross-sectoral programs remain key challenges. Furthermore, the proposed social capital-based community empowerment model underscores the importance of stakeholder synergy in achieving sustainable rural development. The study has implications for regional development policies, advocating for an inclusive, poverty-alleviation-oriented, and locally driven empowerment approach.

Predictive risk modelling in child and family welfare: reflections on a Danish case

Based on a Danish research project in child and family welfare services, we present reflections, exchanges and dialogue from workshops held at one national and four international conferences (please see details in the ‘Acknowledgements’). The article highlights shared discussions and perspectives on challenges across European countries by examining predictive risk modelling (PRM) technologies in evolving organisational contexts. We provide insights into implications for practice, research and policy based on how social work researchers envision the future of PRM.

A Note on the Welfare and Policy Implications of a Two-Period Real Option Game Under Imperfect Information

We show that the discrete real option game model proposed in the recent literature can be extended to the case of imperfect information. As a result, the model can cover a wider range of applications. However, we also observe that the effectiveness of implementing the subsidy is affected by the imperfect informational structure.

Capturing Inter and Intra Sectoral Productivity Spillovers in Industrial Filière: A System of Dynamic Spatial Panel Data Models

ABSTRACTGiven the relevance of spatial and sectoral interactions in shaping the productivity performance of economic systems and filières, in this study, we suggest addressing both aspects by estimating a system of simultaneous dynamic spatial panel data models. This approach allows to consider how the production level of a specific sector is influenced by the performance of other interconnected sectors in the same area (cross‐sectoral spillovers) as well as the role of productivity spillovers originating from the same or other sectors in neighbouring territories (inter and intra sectoral spatial effects). The validity of the proposed approach is confirmed through the estimation of a simultaneous system for the production process of the Italian agribusiness filière. The results indicate the existence of meaningful inter‐dependences within and between sectors and territories that materialises in spillovers of different natures (input factors, internal and external features), offering valuable policy implications for the overall economic growth of the agriculture filière.

Arab representation in Israeli healthcare professions: achievements, challenges and opportunities

BackgroundIsrael is a multiethnic society with a population of 9.8 million at the end of 2023. Israeli Arabs (i.e., Arab Palestinian citizens of Israel) account for 21% of the Israel’s overall population, 22% of its working age population and 16% of the employed population. This study has several objectives: (1) To provide an overview of the current representation of Israeli Arabs in four key health care professions (medicine, nursing, dentistry, and pharmacy) in terms of employment, licensure, and professional studies; (2) To document changes in those parameters over the past decade, subject to limitations of data availability; (3) To provide a broader context on the employment of Israeli Arabs; (4) To explore the policy implications of the key findings.MethodsEstimates of employment levels are based on the Labor Force Survey (LFS) of the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Data on licensure (i.e., professional qualification) and place of professional studies were extracted from the Ministry of Health report series entitled “The Health Care Professions”. Data on enrollment in degree programs in Israel was provided by the Council of Higher Education. Important background information was elicited from relevant policy documents and policy experts.ResultsIn 2023, among employed Israelis up to age 67, Arabs constituted approximately one-quarter of Israel’s physicians (25%), nurses (27%), and dentists (27%), and half of Israel’s pharmacists (49%). These percentages are substantially higher than they were in 2010, with the increase being particularly marked in the case of physicians (25% versus 8%). The number of new licenses granted annually increased significantly between 2010 and 2022 for both Arabs and Jews in each of the professions covered. The percentage of newly licensed professionals who are Arab increased substantially among physicians and nurses, while remaining stable among dentists and pharmacists. In medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, many of the licensed Arab health professionals had studied outside of Israel; this phenomenon also exists for nursing but is less widespread there. In the 2022/3 academic year, the percentage of first-degree students in Israeli colleges and universities who were Arab was 70% in pharmacy, 33% in nursing, 23% in dentistry, and 9% in medicine. Between 2012/3 and 2022/3 the percentage of first-degree students who are Arab increased substantially for pharmacy, declined slightly for nursing, and declined substantially for medicine and dentistry.ConclusionsArab professionals play a substantial and recently increased role in the provision of health care services in Israel. It is important to recognize, appreciate, and maintain this substantial role. Moreover, its potential as a model for sectors other than health care should be explored. To build on achievements to date, and to promote continued progress, policymakers should expand access to health professional education within Israel, upgrade the skills of graduates of non-Israeli universities, promote diversity in leadership positions and key specialties, and expand specialty care services in Arab localities.