Integration Policy Research Articles

Research on the Effects of Regional Economic Integration for Urban Economic Development

Since the 1970s, regional integration policies have been implemented across the globe, with examples ranging from the European Union and ASEAN to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and various regional trade agreements in African countries. As part of this global trend, China established the Pearl River Delta regional integration policy, leveraging its proximity to Hong Kong and Macau to attract investment and build a modern economic system. This initiative has significantly contributed to making Guangdong Province the leading economic powerhouse in China today. The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of regional integration policies on economic growth in urban areas. Using the Pearl River Delta (PRD) cities as the treatment group and non-PRD cities as the control group, this study examines the economic effects of regional integration policies in the Pearl River Delta from 2002 to 2022. By utilizing the natural logarithm of GDP (ln-GDP) as an indicator of economic levels and applying the difference-in-difference (DiD) method for analysis, this research aims to provide comprehensive insights into how regional integration policies drive urban economic growth.

Strategies for Academic Integrity Orientation in Undergraduate Nursing Programs: A Scoping Review

Background Promoting academic integrity is an essential role of nurse educators. This scoping review examined best practices for orienting undergraduate nursing students on academic integrity policies. Methods: CINAHL Plus, ERIC, and Academic Search Premier databases were searched for studies published in English since 2013. In addition, reference lists of included studies were hand-searched for supplementary articles. Included studies focused on academic integrity policy orientation practices in higher education. Results Data from 10 included studies are presented in this review. Few studies on academic policy orientation practices specific to nursing ( n = 1) exist. Most of the studies ( n = 8) focused on higher education practices with no specific discipline focus. Conclusion Future research should focus on academic integrity policy orientation in nursing education. Nurse educators can implement generalizable recommendations from current literature. Recommendations include promoting a positive environment of academic integrity and faculty-led policy orientation practices. [ J Nurs Educ . 2025;64(1):40–43.]

Urban Agriculture and Local Food Systems: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Sustainable Cities

Urban agriculture and local food systems are pivotal in addressing the challenges of urbanization, food insecurity, and environmental sustainability in modern cities. This study employs a bibliometric analysis to explore the intellectual landscape of research on urban agriculture and its integration into sustainable city frameworks. Using the Scopus database, this study examines publication trends, co-authorship networks, and thematic clusters to identify core research themes, key contributors, and emerging trends. The findings reveal that urban agriculture significantly contributes to food security, climate change mitigation, and community resilience, while also facing challenges such as land scarcity, soil contamination, and economic viability. Policy integration and innovative technologies, including vertical farming and hydroponics, are identified as essential for scaling urban agriculture initiatives. Despite substantial progress, research gaps remain in economic impact analysis, policy frameworks, and digital technology adoption. This study provides valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and urban planners, emphasizing the interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts required to enhance the role of urban agriculture in sustainable urban development.

"Transport Axes and Corridors in Romania - Policy Issues and Opportunity for Territorial Development "

Without strong cities and efficient transport infrastructure, countries cannot benefit from developed regions and robust economies. The slow development of the road transport infrastructure (46 km/year) hampers the development of Romanian cities, especially those connecting peripheral areas, which are affected by population decline and stagnant growth. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact that transport axes/corridors policy and other relevant planning policies could have on the national territory in terms of stimulating regional growth and reducing spatial disparities. To achieve this, the research consisted in analysing a set of economic and social indicators for all 41 county capital cities in Romania and the capital city Bucharest, as well as traffic data for the national road network. Results showed that economic indicators such as entrepreneurial density and firm turnover have higher values in main urban centres, where infrastructure supports the location of businesses and attract investors that generate economic growth, whereas cities with low accessibility to high quality transport infrastructure have fewer opportunities to grow, evidence that the transport axes/corridors policy could be a relevant territorial planning instrument. Moreover, the findings of this research revealed the incipient stage of integration of development axes policy in Romania due to the fragmented administrative and planning capacity of governmental stakeholders. It is recommended to prioritize multi-level governance reforms to strengthen strategic planning and administrative capacity with a focus not only to connect major cities but also the secondary nodes and peripheral regions, thus promoting inclusive and sustainable development.

IoT Solutions for Energy Efficiency: A Bibliometric Analysis of Environmental Impact and Resource Management

This bibliometric analysis explores the scope and dynamics of Internet of Things (IoT) research with a focus on energy efficiency, environmental impact, and resource management. Using data sourced from Scopus and visualized through VOSviewer, the study maps out the evolution of research themes, highlights interdisciplinary collaboration, and discusses the integration challenges and policy implications of IoT technologies. The analysis identifies a significant shift from foundational technological issues to applications that enhance sustainable development and address global energy demands. Despite challenges such as implementation costs, security concerns, and environmental impacts associated with IoT devices, the potential of IoT in promoting energy efficiency and sustainability is profound. The study also emphasizes the need for robust policies and international cooperation to fully leverage IoT benefits in addressing environmental and energy management challenges. Future research directions are suggested to further explore the integration of IoT with renewable energy sources and to enhance the sustainability of IoT systems.

Being happy in unhappy time: life satisfaction and subjective happiness in the background of demographic variables among female Syrian refugees, Poles and Turks

ObjectivesThe main aim of our research was to explore if individuals may feel happy in difficult refugee conditions and whether demographic variables are connected to the level of happiness and the life satisfaction.Material and methodsThe perceived levels of happiness and of satisfaction with life were measured in three groups of women: Turkish, Polish and refugees from Syria living in Turkey. The life situation of female Syrian refugees seems to be more difficult than that of Turkish and Polish women who have not experienced the suffering associated with the war, leaving their country and adapting to new living conditions in a foreign environment. A total of 120 people took part in the study. The Subjective Happiness Scale and the Satisfaction With Life Scale were used in the research.ResultsThe obtained results indicate that Syrian women are less happy and satisfied with life than Polish and Turkish women. Their satisfaction with life and sense of happiness are not related to age, education levels and time of being a refugee. It turned out, however, that Syrian refugee women's senses of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with the incongruence between their learned profession and their current occupation.ConclusionsThe research results indicate that despite difficult refugee experiences, far away from homes new possibilities might be opened. This conclusion seems to be important for planning integration policies.

‘If you don’t speak Norwegian well, they think you are stupid’: experiencing and responding to linguistic racism by Polish migrant workers

ABSTRACT Although Poles constitute the largest migration community in Norway, they sometimes remain invisibly present as well as tend to be stigmatized and overlooked in integration policies, specifically, language courses. As language is assumed to be crucial for professional success, knowledge of Norwegian or lack thereof may include or exclude individuals from professional spaces. Guided by the constructs of linguistic racism and Whiteness, this qualitative study drew upon narrative inquiry to gain in-depth understandings of Polish migrants’ experiences while navigating the workplace. 22 participants were recruited, each of whom was of Polish background, was employed in Norway, and used Norwegian at work. The data included semi-structured individual and focus group interviews, surveys and researcher’s reflexive journal. The findings provide nuanced insights into Polish migrants’ linguistic realities in the workplace. Specifically, the study demonstrates: (a) how participants experienced various types of linguistic racism and (b) responded by either challenging, opposing, rationalizing and/or denying linguistic racism. Results of this study can be helpful in addressing migrants’ needs in creating linguistically just workplace settings.

Analyzing the journey and future trajectories of clean cooking research in India: a bibliometric analysis and case study research

The clean cooking challenge in India is deeply intertwined with socioeconomic, cultural, and infrastructural barriers. Despite government initiatives, a significant portion of the population still depends on solid biomass for cooking, leading to severe health, environmental, and social consequences. Energy poverty limits access to affordable clean fuels, especially for low-income households, creating a complex scenario where economic growth alone does not drive a shift toward cleaner cooking options. Our study identifies three primary research themes in clean cooking: accessibility in rural areas, advancements in cookstove technology, and health impacts of indoor air pollution, particularly for vulnerable groups. This research aligns closely with SDG 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy) and contributes to SDGs 3 (Health) and 13 (Climate Action), highlighting the broader benefits of transitioning to cleaner energy sources. However, gaps remain in addressing SDGs 4 (Education), 16 (Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships), pointing to a need for greater policy integration and collaborative efforts. The case studies further illustrate challenges and disruptions caused by COVID-19, including setbacks in clean fuel programs and increased indoor pollution, emphasizing the urgency for supportive policies. India’s clean cooking policies have implications not only for its socioeconomic and environmental health but also for setting a regional benchmark in sustainable energy, positioning the country as a potential leader in clean energy initiatives across Asia. India’s clean cooking policies have implications beyond domestic benefits, potentially serving as a model for sustainable energy practices across Asia and bolstering global progress toward SDG targets.

The Applicability Analysis of Modern Monetary Theory System to Government

Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) has become a significant alternative to traditional economic thought, challenging conventional views on fiscal and monetary policy, particularly regarding government debt and deficits. MMT challenges traditional economic frameworks by advocating for the government's sovereign currency-issuing power to achieve full employment and stabilize the economy without necessarily triggering inflation. This paper explores the origins and development of MMT, highlighting key contributions by economists such as L. Randall Wray, Stephanie Kelton, and Warren Mosler. The study examines the application of MMT principles in countries like the United States and Japan, analyzing the outcomes of MMT-like policies during periods of economic crisis. Through a comparative analysis of fiscal and monetary policy, the paper argues that MMT offers a viable framework for achieving economic stability and full employment, though it also raises concerns about inflation and long-term fiscal sustainability. The findings also emphasize the importance of strategic policy integration in a globally interconnected economic landscape. Furthermore, this comprehensive analysis aims to contribute to the broader dialogue on how governments can leverage economic theories like MMT to navigate complex financial environments.

Designing EDGE (Enhanced destination growth and engagement) to Improve the performance of marine tourism in East Java

Marine tourism has emerged as a significant contributor to the regional economy in East Java, Indonesia. However, the growth of this sector is hindered by inadequate infrastructure, limited community engagement, and underdeveloped marketing strategies. This research presents the EDGE (Enhanced Destination Growth and Engagement) model as a comprehensive solution to enhance the performance of marine tourism destinations in East Java. EDGE is a strategic framework that integrates sustainable destination management, innovation-driven tourism product development, and community-based participation. The study employs a mixed-method approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Key findings reveal that the implementation of EDGE leads to increased visitor satisfaction, improved local community involvement, and heightened environmental sustainability. Recommendations for policy integration and long-term development are also discussed.

Friendship With Immigrants and Inclusive Policies Correspond to More Positive Perceptions of Immigrants: A Longitudinal Multilevel Analysis Across North America and Europe

ABSTRACTRelational and societal exclusion of immigrants in Western countries fuels negative perceptions of immigrants among non‐migrants. We investigated how relational and societal inclusion in the form of friendship and immigrant integration policies jointly relate to perceptions of immigrants. We conducted a longitudinal multilevel analysis drawing on probability samples of non‐migrants from the Transatlantic Trends Survey (N = 27,513) in nine North American and European countries over 5 years. Extending prior scholarship, we provide longitudinal evidence that more inclusive immigrant integration policies correspond to greater numbers of immigrant friends. Greater friendships with immigrants, in turn, corresponded to more positive perceptions of immigrants. Furthermore, we found that exclusive policies predict negative perceptions of immigrants but only among non‐migrants who have few immigrant friends. Instead, when non‐migrants report more immigrant friends, their perceptions of immigrants are positive regardless of policies. Thus, societal inclusion is related to stronger relational inclusion, but once intergroup friendships are established, societal exclusion is less consequential.

Does policy integration in renewable energy deployment enhance environmental sustainability in Africa?

ABSTRACT In recent years, the world has observed a steady rise in protective measures toward environmental sustainability, especially in developing countries like Africa, which is seen as a lower contributor to global pollution but is not exempted from the consequences of ozone layer depletion leading to global warming. Empirical evidence about the impact of policy integration and renewable energy deployment on environmental sustainability, especially with nitrous oxide emissions, is missing in academic literature. This study investigates the impact of policy integration in renewable energy deployment and its effect on environmental sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Using data from 41 SSA countries from 1998 to 2020, we employ the generalized linear model (GLM) and panel quantile regression to address methodological challenges. Our findings indicate that policy integration and renewable energy are crucial for promoting environmental sustainability. Specifically, the results show that voice and accountability significantly reduce CO2 emissions, while political stability and control of corruption contribute to substantial reductions in N2O emissions. While renewable energy consumption decreases CO2 emissions, it is associated with an increase in N2O emissions. Additionally, the interaction between political stability and renewable energy consumption further reduces emissions, and the interaction of control of corruption and renewable energy also mitigates emissions. These effects, however, vary based on regional differences within SSA. Policymakers in SSA should enhance governance, promote regional strategies, and invest in green technologies to balance CO2 and N2O emissions while supporting renewable energy initiatives.

Advances and Challenges in Public Health and the SDGs: a Critical Review of Emerging Trends

Objective: To critically analyze the advances and challenges in the field of public health and the SDGs, identifying emerging trends and their impact on health promotion, disease prevention, and health systems management. Theoretical Framework: The COVID-19 pandemic revealed both limitations and areas for improvement in health systems, highlighting the need for agile responses to complex problems. The reappearance of infectious diseases such as dengue and Guillain-Barré syndrome underlines the urgency of strengthening epidemiological surveillance and health response capacity. Method: The methodology adopted consisted of a comprehensive review of the scientific and technical literature published between 2020 and 2024. Databases such as Scopus, PubMed, and Scielo were consulted, using key terms related to public health, climate change, digitalization, and mental health. Results and Discussion: Among the main results, the progress towards the digitalization of health stands out, including telemedicine and artificial intelligence, as elements that have improved the quality of care. However, challenges related to access in vulnerable areas persist. Research Implications: Despite momentous advances in public health, such as the integration of digital technologies and prevention policies, significant challenges persist that require urgent attention to ensure healthy lives for all (SDG:3). Originality/Value: This study provides a critical review of trends in public health, highlighting its originality in assessing the impact of digitalization and preventive policies, and its value in proposing sustainable strategies for future challenges.

Intergroup Contact Versus Competitive Threat: Does Immigration Change Immigration Votes? Evidence From Switzerland Using Objective Municipality‐Level Panel Data From 2010 to 2020

ABSTRACTObjectiveGordon Allport's intergroup contact hypothesis and Herbert Blumer's competitive threat hypothesis have attracted a lot of attention in the social sciences and have influenced integration policies around the world. A valuable study within this field is of Brunner and Kuhn. Brunner and Kuhn investigated the causal effect of immigration on natives’ attitudes toward immigrants in Switzerland using objective municipality‐level panel data between 1970 and 2010 following an instrumental variable approach. In this article, we conceptually replicate and update the study of Brunner and Kuhn addressing two analytical limitations.MethodsWe use annual Swiss municipality‐level panel data on the culturally similar and culturally different immigrant share as well as the results of national votes on immigration policies from 2010 to 2020 applying fixed effects with individual slopes panel regression models.Results and conclusionOur analysis confirms the notion that cultural competitive threat may be at work for culturally different migrants in Switzerland. Additionally, intergroup contact seems to foster immigration‐friendly attitudes.

Party politics across levels of governance: relational dynamics of immigrant integration policy making in Belgian cities

ABSTRACT Whereas authors have increasingly studied immigrant integration policies across governance levels, little has been done to explore how relations between actors at different levels of governance shape immigrant integration policies. This paper examines how a relational approach can shed light on the role of party politics in shaping immigrant integration policies. We explore whether party (in)congruence between the regional and local levels can explain the convergence or divergence of policy frames in four Belgian towns. Our findings indicate that in Flanders – where migration is highly politicised – party (in)congruence plays a role in explaining the convergence and divergence of immigrant integration policy frames, while in Wallonia – where migration is little politicised – party (in)congruence cannot explain divergent policy frames. We argue that the degree of politicisation of migration might impact the extent to which party (in)congruence can explain the consistency of immigrant integration policy frames across governance levels.

Physical-medical integration policies and health equity promotion in China: a text analysis based on policy instruments

BackgroundIn China, although policies promoting physical-medical integration have received widespread national attention, the existence and manifestation of health equity promotion within these policies still require further exploration.MethodsThis study used text analysis to examine 62 policy documents on physical-medical integration issued by various Chinese governmental departments from June 2016 to June 2023, utilizing KH Coder software for qualitative analysis.ResultsThe analysis revealed a strong emphasis on public health, promoting health management and disease prevention across all age groups. The policies aimed to ensure the equitable distribution of health care resources, particularly those benefiting rural and underserved populations, and they underscored the importance of collaboration among the government, sports, and health care sectors to foster sports-health integration.ConclusionThe integration of sports and health policy is a key initiative to address chronic diseases in China, as it aligns closely with health equity principles. Achieving these goals requires ongoing improvements in implementation and monitoring, with a focus on the diverse needs of various populations.

Role of Urban Agriculture in Promoting Food Security and Sustainable Cities

Urban agriculture is often not widely discussed in the development process, but the increasing migration of people from rural areas to urban centers has raised awareness of its importance, particularly in relation to sustainable food security in city areas. This study explores the multifaceted role of urban agriculture in addressing contemporary urban challenges, with a focus on food security and sustainability. The objectives of the paper are to comprehensively analyze the benefits and challenges associated with urban agriculture, identify key themes and trends through a review of existing literature, and examine global case studies to provide practical perception in implementation and impact of urban agriculture initiatives. Employing qualitative, inclusive review of literature and case studies, the paper summarizes major arguments related to the transformative potential of urban agriculture in fostering sustainable urban development. Findings highlight the importance of community engagement, policy integration, and technological innovation in enhancing the resilience and effectiveness of urban agriculture initiatives. Urban agriculture supports food security by providing reliable access to fresh affordable food with city limits and also contributes in creating eco-friendly cities by incorporating green spaces, reducing waste through composting and utilizing sustainable practices like rooftop gardens and vertical farms.

GREEN COURSE AND ELECTRONIC DEMOCRACY AS TARGET GUIDELINES OF STATE-BUILDING AND ECONOMIC POLICY IN EU COUNTRIES

The article “The Green Deal and e-democracy as benchmarks for state-building and economic policy in EU countries” explores the intersection of environmental sustainability and digital governance in the context of the European Union (EU) Member States. The article explores how the integration of green policy and e-democracy (e-democracy) can serve as key tools for effective state-building and the implementation of economic strategies. The paper highlights the importance of using information and communication technologies (ICT) to enhance citizen participation in environmental decision-making. Analyzing various examples from EU countries, the article demonstrates how e-democracy tools such as online consultations, e-participation platforms and digital voting systems can facilitate greater public participation in environmental policy-making. It also discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with these approaches, including issues related to digital literacy, access to technology and the need for a sound regulatory framework. The findings suggest that a synergistic approach that combines green policies with e-democracy not only promotes sustainable development but also strengthens democratic governance by empowering citizens to actively participate in policy-making. Ultimately, this article calls for a comprehensive strategy that integrates environmental goals with digital governance to promote a more inclusive and sustainable future for EU countries.

Implementing integrated care infrastructure: A longitudinal study on the interplay of policies, interorganizational arrangements and interoperability in NHS England.

New models of care that integrate health and social care provision around the patient require a supportive infrastructure, including interorganizational arrangements and information systems. While public policies have been designed to facilitate visions of integrated care, these often neglect the implementation of effective and efficient delivery mechanisms. This study examines a decade of attempts to move from fragmented health and care delivery to integrated care at scale in NHS England by developing and implementing a support infrastructure. We undertook a longitudinal qualitative investigation -encompassing interviews and documentary analysis- of the implementation of interorganizational and digital interoperability infrastructures intended to support integrated care policies. Our findings underscore the long-term symbiotic relationship between institutional interorganizational frameworks and the construction of interoperability infrastructures, emphasizing how they mutually reinforce each other to support their ongoing evolution. Iterative, flexible, and experimental approaches to implementation provide opportunities to adapt to local realities while learning in the making. This study underlines the importance of adaptable, locally-informed implementation strategies in supporting the vision of integrated care, and the need to understand such development as a long-term, ongoing process of construction and learning.

Quantitative Change or Qualitative Change: The Impact of Whole-Region Comprehensive Land Consolidation on Cultivated Land Security—Based on Panel Data from Townships in Zhejiang Province

Land consolidation is a crucial strategy for optimizing land use structure and ensuring cultivated land security and food safety. Since 2019, Zhejiang Province has been piloting and exploring Whole-Region Comprehensive Land Consolidation (WRCLC). However, there remains an insufficient understanding of the feasibility of WRCLC in ensuring cultivated land security and its potential for synergy with other policies. This study utilizes panel data from 707 townships in Zhejiang Province spanning from 2013 to 2022. By categorizing cultivated land security into two dimensions—quantity and quality—this study employs a double machine learning approach to evaluate the impact of WRCLC policies on township cultivated land security. The results indicate that implementing WRCLC significantly enhances both the quantity and quality of cultivated land. A heterogeneity analysis reveals that WRCLC is particularly effective in improving the quality of cultivated land in non-major grain-producing areas and low economic development areas. Furthermore, examining policy synergies indicates that agricultural mechanization and agricultural industry integration policies work well in conjunction with WRCLC, thereby enhancing both the quantity and quality of cultivated land. However, the synergy with rural tourism policies improves cultivated land quality without effectively increasing cultivated land quantity.