Influence Policy Formulation Research Articles

Bridging the Gap: Unveiling the Factors of Government Support Influencing the Success of Vietnamese Agricultural SMEs Post-COVID-19

This study investigates the essential role of government aid in enhancing the resilience and success of small and medium-sized agricultural firms in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research fills a gap in the existing literature by concentrating on strategies for long-term recovery rather than immediate reactions. Using a structured survey and multivariate linear regression analysis, the study engaged 200 proprietors and executives from the Red River and Mekong Delta areas. The results exhibit a favorable association between governmental support and the success of small and medium-sized enterprises, emphasizing the necessity of tailored governmental interventions to enhance sector competitiveness. While offering valuable insights for policymakers, the study’s geographical and sectoral scope is restricted, indicating the need for more extensive research and qualitative evaluations to deepen comprehension of the effects of governmental support in diverse settings. This research has the potential to significantly influence policy formulation and further scholarly investigation in the economic landscape post-pandemic.

Community-based Rehabilitation Support Programmes and Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Tigania East, Kenya

Community-based rehabilitation programmes (CBR) are considered fundamental in improving the well-being of persons with disabilities by facilitating access to basic services like healthcare, education, housing, and employment and fostering their participation in the community through the transfer of knowledge and skills concerning disability and rehabilitation to people with disabilities, their families and the community at large to enhance social inclusion. However, despite the existence of the Disability Community programmes, it is not clear how community-based rehabilitation support has fostered the social inclusion of persons with disabilities in Kenya. Based on the data from Tigania East, Meru County, Kenya, this paper explores the impact of community-based programmes on the social inclusion of persons with disabilities with a view to influencing policy formulation to foster livelihood and inclusion of the disability in the community agenda.

UNRAVELLING THE ROLES OF ACTIVE RESIDENTS IN A POLITICALLY CHALLENGING CONTEXT: An Exploration in Cairo

AbstractCapital cities struggle with population growth that challenges existing infrastructure and affects the quality of urban life. The failure of local governments to manage urban deterioration motivates active resident groups to improve their neighborhoods, but they struggle to play a role in neighborhood governance in contexts where citizens’ engagement in public affairs is restricted. In this article we aim to understand active residents’ roles in the neighborhood governance process and how these roles unfold in a context that challenges citizen engagement in public life. We adopted a case study methodology and interviewed active residents and local officials from selected districts in Cairo, which revealed that active residents’ influence is limited mostly to neighborhood management and implementation activities. In this limited space, the role of active residents is confined to either that of the ‘fixer’ who restores existing services, or that of the struggling and intermittent ‘self‐provider’, neither of whom can influence policy formulation. This study provides a structured and zoomed‐out view of local activism in Cairo, offering a starting point for scholars and decision makers seeking to enhance active residents’ roles in Cairo.

Study on Cost-Effective Performance of Alternative Fuels and Energy Efficiency Measures for Shipping Decarbonization

Within the context of global initiatives to address climate change, the shipping industry is facing increasingly intensified pressure to decarbonize. The industry is engaging in the exploration and implementation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction measures, including energy efficiency technologies and alternative fuels, with the objective of accelerating the progression towards greenhouse gas mitigation. The application of various GHG emission reduction measures usually requires different levels of investment costs, and economic feasibility is a key factor influencing policy formulation and investment decisions. In this regard, this paper developed a cost-effective model for energy efficiency measures and alternative fuels based on the marginal abatement cost (MAC) methodology. This model can distinguish the differences between energy efficiency measures and alternative fuels in terms of Tank-to-Wake emissions and Well-to-Wake emissions in the GHG emission evaluation system. By taking typical ship types with significant emission contributions as study cases, i.e., bulk carriers (61–63K DWT), container ships (8000 TEU), product tankers (115K DWT), crude oil tankers (315–320K DWT), and Ro-Ro passenger ferries (3500 DWT), the GHG abatement cost-effective performance of major categories of measures such as operational measures, technical measures, renewable energy sources, and alternative fuels were calculated. According to the MAC results, the marginal abatement cost curves were plotted based on the ranking of energy efficiency measures and alternative fuels, respectively. The impacts of bunker fuel prices and carbon market prices on the cost-effectiveness were analyzed. The research results provided the GHG abatement potential of the integrated application of cost-effective energy efficiency measures, the cost-effectiveness ranking of alternative fuels, and the carbon emission price expected to bridge the price gap between alternative fuels and conventional bunker fuel. The presented methodology and conclusions can be used to assist shipping companies in selecting emission reduction measures, and to support maritime authorities in developing market-based measures.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF EMERGING AND TRADITIONAL IT BUSINESS MODELS IN A GLOBAL LANDSCAPE

This research aims to provide a comprehensive comparative analysis of emerging and traditional IT business models within the global landscape, addressing their scalability, sustainability, and the distinct challenges and opportunities each presents. Emerging IT business models, characterized by innovative technologies and disruptive market strategies, contrast significantly with traditional models, which rely on established technologies and stable market approaches. This study explores how these diverse business models adapt to rapid technological advancements and fluctuating market demands, thereby impacting global economic dynamics. By examining various factors such as activity type, organizational structure, ownership, market scope, technological focus, revenue models, and customer base, this paper categorizes IT companies into emerging and traditional sectors. Emerging sectors, driven by digital transformation and new market creation, offer high growth potential but face challenges in market acceptance and regulatory adaptation. In contrast, traditional IT sectors provide stability and incremental innovation but must continually adapt to prevent obsolescence and maintain competitiveness. The paper utilizes a mix of qualitative research methods to analyze the operational, financial, and strategic dimensions of IT companies. Case studies of leading firms in both sectors highlight the practical implications of different business models and their effectiveness in leveraging technological and market opportunities. This research contributes to the understanding of IT business dynamics, offering insights that could influence policy formulation, investment strategies, and corporate decision-making globally. It underscores the importance of strategic adaptability and proactive innovation management in sustaining business growth and competitiveness in the rapidly evolving IT industry.

Blockchain-Based Implementation of National Census as a Supplementary Instrument for Enhanced Transparency, Accountability, Privacy, and Security

A national population census is instrumental in offering a holistic view of a country’s progress, directly influencing policy formulation and strategic planning. Potential flaws in the census system can have detrimental impacts on national development. Our prior research has pinpointed various deficiencies in current census methodologies, including inadequate population coverage, racial and ethnic discrimination, and challenges related to data privacy, security, and distribution. This study aims to address the “missing persons” challenge in the national census population and housing system. The integration of blockchain technology emerges as a promising solution for addressing these identified issues, enhancing the integrity and efficacy of census processes. Building upon our earlier research which examined the national census system of Pakistan, we propose an architecture design incorporating Hyperledger Fabric, performing system sizing for the entire nation count. The Blockchain-Based Implementation of National Census as a Supplementary Instrument for Enhanced Transparency, Accountability, Privacy, and Security (BINC-TAPS) seeks to provide a robust, transparent, scalable, immutable, and tamper-proof solution for conducting national population and housing censuses, while also fostering socio-economic advancements. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of our research, with a primary focus on the implementation of the blockchain-based proposed solution, including prototype testing and the resulting outcomes.

The Importance of Empowering RTs in Optimizing Population Data Services in Karangpoh Village, Tandes District, Surabaya

Population administration is an important document, generally speaking, in fact many citizens ignore population administration, resulting in the de facto not being in line with the de jure. This can affect development and equality and can influence policy formulation, especially in the health sector. Based on these problems, the Surabaya City Population and Civil Registration Department created the KALIMASADA (Population Administration Aware Community Environmental Area). To realize the program objectives, assistance was provided to increase the knowledge and ability of the KALIMASADA RT in entering population documents so that the RT becomes empowered and can create an environmental area, a community that is aware of population administration. The results obtained are that the RTs that run KALIMASADA are implementing how to use KNG, and there is an improvement in the way RT heads provide solutions related to the problems faced by residents regarding the management of their population administration documents.

The Politicization of COVID-19 Origin Stories: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Survey in China

The search for the origins of COVID-19 has yielded no conclusive evidence. In the face of this uncertainty, other social and political factors can influence perceptions of virus origins, which in turn can influence policy formation and global efforts to combat future pandemics. Vastly different COVID-19 origin stories may circulate both within the same country but also between different countries. This article examines COVID-19 origins debates as they circulate in China, drawing from a 974-respondent survey conducted in mainland China. Our results show that within China there is a strong belief that COVID-19 originated outside the country, either in the United States or Europe. This contrasts with mainstream media coverage in the United State and Europe, which generally holds that the virus most likely originated in China. Given such global dissonance, moving forward with pandemic prevention reforms is challenging. Yet, even in the face of such diverse beliefs, building support for reform is still possible. As the search for COVID-19 continues, policy reform can be pursued across a plurality of domains, including wet markets, the wildlife trade, cold-chain products, and gain-of-function virology research, all in the interest of preventing the next global pandemic.

Factors and practices: farmers' adaptation to climate change in Bangladesh

Abstract Climate literature is highly pronounced about the impending threat to agriculture taking into account the climate change scenario and suggesting adaptation as a possible option to opt for. Considering this, the study seeks to comprehend the factors influencing farmers’ adaptation strategies to cope with climate change in coastal Bangladesh (Koyra Upazila, Khulna). In order to achieve the objectives descriptive, multivariate, and binary logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. Findings demonstrate that the most often used adaptation strategies were crop, water, and infrastructure management. Regression result shows that factors such as gender, labor in the family, farming experience, and the damaged sector are important factors in determining how well adaption methods are implemented. Binary logistic regression analysis explains that age (p = ≤0.041), income (p = ≤0.037), and farm size (p = ≤0.005) are significant factors in deciding on a new adaption option. The outcomes of this research can be used to reevaluate current frameworks and strategies for coping with climate change and to identify the factors that influence policy formulation. In order to improve the water management system for agriculture, policies such as Cash-for-Work (CFW) and Employment Generation Programme for the Poorest (EGPP) may be used to boost local agriculture.

A Call to Draw on Existing Social Science Scholarship to Understand Professional Communities at the Science-Diplomacy Nexus Better: Using the Case of Space Governance

Global governance arrangements are produced and sustained by an array of professionals who sometimes compete and sometimes collaborate over policy construction. Where trained scientists fit into this picture and how they influence policy formation is a question of great importance for stakeholders vested in the science-diplomacy nexus, given the role of technical knowledge in complex and uncertain diplomatic challenges. However, this Op-Ed argues that understanding the social dynamics that constitute science diplomacy in practice requires the use of concepts and theory from Science and Technology Studies and practice-theoretical work in global governance scholarship that can accommodate the contingency of professional life in this field of action. Using the arena of outer space governance to illustrate this point, I contend that using this scholarship can open up conceptual space to consider inter-professional contestation and intra-professional reimagination at the science-diplomacy interface. In turn, this approach can enhance understanding for science diplomacy practitioners as to what it means to be a scientist engaging at this nexus and what cycles of professional stasis and change are taking place.

How conflicts of interest hinder effective regulation of healthcare: an analysis of antimicrobial use regulation in Cambodia, Indonesia and Pakistan

BackgroundThere has been insufficient attention to a fundamental force shaping healthcare policies—conflicts of interest (COI). We investigated COI, which results in the professional judgement of a policymaker or healthcare provider...

Town Talk: enhancing the ‘eyes and ears’ of the colonial state in British Hong Kong, 1950s–1975

Abstract This article offers a longer perspective on the origins and effectiveness of reforms of colonial governance in Hong Kong. It shows that the colonial state shifted from increasingly ineffective indirect rule to using a covert bureaucratic opinion poll, Town Talk, to assess public opinion. The article argues that this bureaucratic device increased the organizational capacity of the colonial state and, in so doing, enabled a constructed form of ‘public opinion’ to influence policy formulation in a state-controlled manner without democratization. This mechanism was used as an imperfect substitute for representative democracy. These reforms enhanced a ‘non-political’ sense of citizenship among the Hong Kong Chinese but failed to bridge a communication gap between an unelected government and the people over whom it ruled.

Who influences higher education decision-making in Taiwan? An analysis of internal stakeholders

ABSTRACT In the past two decades, Taiwan has gone through a series of drastic higher education transformations in response to the multi-faceted demands from globalization and domestic social change. Among the driving forces, new public management and neoliberal ideology have reshaped the nature and culture of higher education in Taiwan. The current study focuses on the broader internal stakeholders’ relationships to higher education policy as they systematically engage with governance through decision-making. We empirically explore who the main actors are that make decisions at the ministerial level. The study identifies six key groups with different characteristics and traits. Acting as coalitions, these groups frequently influence policy formulation. Moreover, their influential paths – identified as elite approach, professional engagement, and political networking – jointly steer higher education decision-making. These triangular paths serve as a valuable conceptual framework to understand the complicated influential paths from internal stakeholders who have affected Taiwan’s higher education policy.

Appraisal of government funding schemes on the development of small and medium enterprises in Nigeria: a study of Enugu state

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the effectiveness of government funding schemes for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe survey method of inquiry was adopted, wherein a structured questionnaire was used to generate data. Using Guilford and Flruchter (1973) formula, a sample size of 276 was derived from a population of 890 registered SMEs. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20.0 tools.FindingsThe results of the analysis reveal that a significant number of SMEs were aware of government funding schemes, but insignificant number succeeded in accessing the funds. It further reveals that the nature and conditionality of the funds and management capacity of SMEs were major hindrances to the effectiveness of the funding schemes.Originality/valueThe inquiry is completely original and has the potency of influencing policy formulation and implementation in the area of industrial funding.

Expanding the role of teacher leaders: Professional learning for policy advocacy

Teacher leadership is important both within and beyond the school. Teacher leaders have the potential to expand their role beyond policy implementation in the classroom to influence educational policy development. However, few teachers receive explicit preparation or guidance for contributing their voice and providing first-hand knowledge of policy’s classroom impact. This study investigated the perceptions and experiences of educators who had completed a year-long fellowship designed to inform and guide teacher participation in state policy. The results indicate that participants perceive themselves as strong policy advocates with local stakeholders but believe they face barriers to influencing state policy leaders. The findings suggest that (1) barriers to policy advocacy must be examined and removed so that teachers can expand their expertise beyond the classroom and that (2) professional learning opportunities can develop teacher leadership skills for influencing policy formulation and adoption resulting in benefits for students.

Framing the Debate: The Status of US Sex Education Policy and the Dual Narratives of Abstinence-Only Versus Comprehensive Sex Education Policy

Like abortion, contraception, and guns, the debate over sex education policy in the United States is divisive and seems intractable. While ample policy research and analysis have focused on the former issues, less attention has been paid to the latter. This study begins to fill this gap through a thematic analysis of sixteen interviews conducted with a range of health policy and sex education experts. The study’s goal is to explore conceptions of US sex education policy—contested issues, evidence use, and the narratives that influence policy formulation—in order to advance the discussion and ultimately improve sex education curricula. The author identified four common themes across these interviews: ultimate objectives, teaching approaches, views on teen sex, and limitations of evidence. These lend important insight into how experts and advocates frame the sex education debate, revealing stark areas of contestation as well as potential common ground. Such insights can inform deliberative inquiry to improve community decision making and guide collaboration among scientists, health professionals, advocates, and policymakers toward collective policy formulation.

Users’ Perception of Library Staff Performance at the Co-Operative University of Kenya

Over the years university libraries in Kenya have come under heavy criticism over the delivery of information services. The challenges cited includes; inadequate financial resources, information resources and space, Shortage of professional staff, improper organizational placement, poor marketing, low level management skills among the information staff and low uptake of ICT in the provision and management of their services thus impacting negatively on the provision of quality services. No research has been undertaken at the Co-operative University of Kenya in relation to the users' perception on the performance of Library staff. In relation to the perception of the user and hence continue to offer services and the end; the library staff continue to operate without knowing how their clientele perceive their services to be. The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which the Co-operative University library meets the expectations of its clientele in terms of service delivery with a view to recommendations that enhance users' perception toward staff performance in delivery of information services. The objectives of the study were to: Examine the experiences' of the library clientele in relation to interaction and use of information services in the library, Evaluate the outcome of the customer care services offered by the information staff in the University library, Establish factors that influence staff performance in the University library, Find out the "challenges affecting delivery of information services in the University library and; Propose Recommendations to enhance delivery of information services in the Library. The significance of the study was to contribute to studies on Universities focusing on information on user's perception of the service provided; provide long lasting solution on which the perception of the users in the University Library can be enhanced positively so as to improve the quality of Services provided and form an empirical basis that will form and guide policy formulation related to University Libraries in Kenya be it private or public and positively influence policy formulation in the countries of the world especially in Africa where limited research has been done on users' perception. In carrying out the study the research design adopted a survey study which was cross sectional approach. This study used a mixed method approach as it entailed gathering both qualitative and quantitative data. The study population was 180 respondents for data collections. Probability sampling was used to identify user studies and respondents. Non-probability sampling was used to identify respondents from among information users in the category of library staff. Interviews and administration of questionnaires were used as method of data collection while an interview schedule was used as the outcomes of the study were exceptional levels for the different attributes studied and recommendations to improve on service delivery.

The Shaping and Changing of Petroleum Resource Governance: Discourses of Natural Gas in Tanzania

Contributing to the debates about how and why petroleum resource governance regimes develop and change, this paper explores how competing discourses from different scales influence policy formulation processes and foster change. Discourses frame the problems and dictate the spectre of possible solutions, thus having social consequences in ‘the real world’. Exploring the example of the recent experiences of petroleum resource governance in Tanzania, the analysis shows how discourses of petroleum resource governance adjust in interaction with other aspects of the specific national context in which resource governance occurs. The requirements of good governance found in the literature and international policy initiatives are coupled with a call for industrialisation. The inheritance from Nyerere; the experiences with the mining sector; and a high degree of distrust for foreign companies take the petroleum resource governance in the direction of resource nationalism. Designing an alternative policy agenda, the Tanzanian government has found a room to manoeuvre.

Maximising the socioeconomic value of indigenous knowledge through policies and legislation in Kenya

PurposeIndigenous knowledge (IK) is the anchor of survival and stability for indigenous communities. The purpose of this study was to establish how the socioeconomic value of IK can be maximised in Kenya through effective enactment and implementation of relevant policies and legislation.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a mixed methods research using a survey design. The target population comprised 104 top- and middle-level managers drawn from organisations implementing diverse IK policies and legislation. Primary data were collected from the target population using questionnaires. Additional data were collected using content analysis of IK policies and legislation. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of IBM’s Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 22) software.FindingsThe findings revealed a low awareness of the IK policies and legislation by the stakeholders. It also became evident that the policies and legislation relevant to IK are not implemented effectively. The authors conclude that policies and legislation do not maximise the socioeconomic value of IK in Kenya.Originality/valueThis is an original study which has practical implications for the use of IK for socioeconomic purposes. The findings of the study may be used to influence policy formulation and implementation; theory on IK; and practices which mainstream IK in socioeconomic activities in Kenya and beyond.

Cooperating on Data: The Missing Element in Bringing Real Innovation to Europe’s Healthcare Systems

Europe’s growing awareness of gaps in its healthcare provision is not being matched by an increase in remedial action – despite the rich transformative potential of new approaches to data. The new availability of data offers policymakers tools that would allow Europe’s huge investments in health to be far better spent, by being properly targeted. The result would be far better health for far more Europeans. But that requires a step that most European policymakers have not been ready to take. They need to cooperate so that the data can be shared and its full value realised. This paper explores the potential and the challenges that stand in the way of mobilising health data for wider health benefits. This paper goes on to summarise the results of a survey on how different components of the healthcare sector perceive the opportunities from mobilising data effectively, and the barriers to doing so. The responses demonstrated a widespread genuine will to promote research and innovation, and its take-up, for the betterment of healthcare. There was strong appreciation of the merits of data sharing and readiness – under the right circumstances – to share personal health data for research purposes and to undergo genetic sequencing. This paper also suggests the strategic direction that should influence policy formation. The solution can be found without changing the EU treaties, which already provide an adequate base for cooperation. Properly handled, the problems facing European healthcare can be turned into major assets for Europe and make it easier for citizens to have equal access to high-quality care through the meaningful use of digital innovations.