Production Policy Research Articles

An elephant in the room? Explaining agenda-setting in antimicrobial resistance policies in 30 European countries

Antimicrobial resistances (AMR) present a particularly challenging cross-sectoral policy problem, affecting human and animal health as well as the environment. Compared to the actual problem pressure, the public awareness for AMR is comparatively low and the issue has not been high on the political agenda in most. Given the rising problem pressure, we aim to find out as to what degree and under which conditions political parties bring AMR on the political agenda. By means of multilevel logit regressions based on 173 electoral manifestos in 30 European countries from 2015 to 2020, we explore the conditions that explain whether AMR are taken up in manifestos. The empirical findings indicate firstly that AMR are only addressed by political parties in Northern and Western Europe, in no case in Eastern, and only in one case in Southern Europe, though resistant bacteria are more widely spread in the latter. Secondly, Green parties are those who are most likely to address the AMR challenge. Thirdly, vote share is positively associated with AMR agenda-setting, while EU membership is insignificant and the national average on antibiotics consumption is negatively related to AMR agenda-setting. Finally, AMR are surprisingly mainly perceived as a problem of the agricultural policy subsystem despite its cross-sectoral policy character. The study makes theoretical and empirical contributions: regarding theory, the article shows that typical variables that are used for agenda-setting are less explanatory for complex intersectoral policies. This is also accompanied by the empirical contribution: since problem awareness and complexity of policy problems are correlated, AMR are reduced to an agricultural issue and as such, it is taken over by political parties that have expertise on agricultural-environmental topics.

Connecting internal and external dynamics in European intersectoral policy coordination – the case of education and employment

ABSTRACT Intersectoral policy coordination has garnered considerable attention in the study of the European Commission (EC) over the past few decades. Within the EC, a logic of hierarchy and a logic of policy portfolios coexist, often leading to a conflictual and complex relationship. While the literature has extensively explored the internal dynamics of the EC, there has been less focus on the role of external dynamics in influencing intersectoral policy coordination. This paper addresses this gap by examining the case of European policy coordination in education and employment and how both internal and external dynamics can hinder or facilitate policy coordination within the EC. Based on the analysis of interviews with EC actors and various EU policy documents, the paper discusses how these internal and external dynamics have affected policy coordination, highlighting elements of both positive and negative coordination.

New mechanisms for increasing agricultural total factor productivity: Analysis of the regional effects of the digital economy

The digital economy has introduced new ideas and methods for the high-quality development of agriculture, becoming a driving force for enhancing agricultural production efficiency. This manuscript utilizes balanced panel data from 1,503 counties and employs the three-stage DEA-Malmquist method to measure agricultural total factor productivity (hereinafter referred to as ATFP). Fixed effect models and mediation models are used to explore the impact and mechanisms of digital rural development on ATFP. The research findings indicate that both ATFP and digital rural development are increasing, although regional disparities exist. The eastern region has higher levels of digital rural development and ATFP compared to the central and western regions. Analysis using fixed effect models and mediation models shows that digital rural development has a significant positive effect on ATFP during the sample period, with rural inclusive finance and human capital playing a mediating role. The impact of digital rural development on ATFP varies across regions. It is more prominent in main grain-producing and main grain-consuming areas, and less significant in balanced production and consumption areas. Geographically, the impact is stronger in the eastern region than in the central and western regions. When categorized by the type of agricultural production, the impact is significant in livestock areas, while relatively smaller in planting industry areas. Based on these findings, it is recommended that local areas tailor their approach to digital rural construction and formulate agricultural production policies that leverage regional strengths and address weaknesses. Additionally, promoting the development of rural inclusive finance, cultivating digital talent, improving talent introduction policies, and expanding the rural digital talent pool are suggested to build momentum for agricultural development.

Toxicity of waterpipe tobacco smoking: the role of flavors, sweeteners, humectants, and charcoal.

Waterpipe tobacco (WPT) smoking is a public health concern, particularly among youth and young adults. The global spread of WPT use has surged because the introduction of pre-packaged flavored and sweetened WPT, which is widely marketed as a safer tobacco alternative. Besides flavorants and sugars, WPT additives include humectants, which enhance the moisture and sweetness of WPT, act as solvents for flavors, and impart smoothness to the smoke, thus increasing appeal to users. In the United States, unlike cigarette tobacco flavoring (with the exception of menthol), there is no FDA product standard or policy in place prohibiting sales of flavored WPT. Research has shown that the numerous fruit, candy, and alcohol flavors added to WPT entice individuals to experience those flavors, putting them at an increased risk of exposure to WPT smoke-related toxicants. Additionally, burning charcoal briquettes-used as a heating source for WPT-contributes to the harmful health effects of WPT smoking. This review presents existing evidence on the potential toxicity resulting from humectants, sugars, and flavorants in WPT, and from the charcoal used to heat WPT. The review discusses relevant studies of inhalation toxicity in animal models and of biomarkers of exposure in humans. Current evidence suggests that more data are needed on toxicant emissions in WPT smoke to inform effective tobacco regulation to mitigate the adverse impact of WPT use on human health.

Greenness transformation, environmental awareness, and green product policy in spatial markets

AbstractThis paper examines the transformation towards greenness, focusing on consumer environmental awareness within a circular city model characterized by elastic demand. Our findings reveal that the equilibrium investment in environmentally friendly initiatives falls short of the socially optimal level for a given market structure. The degree of excess or insufficient market entry is influenced by the level of environmental awareness. Further, we delve into the role of environmental delegation, demonstrating that heightened environmental awareness can mitigate underinvestment in the environment and reduce inefficiency in market entry. From a policy perspective, we expand our analysis to include the “Green Product Policy.” This extension aims to explore the impact of such a policy on environmental awareness and assess the applicability of the “excess entry theorem” in this context.

Managing ecosystem services in oleaginous forests for bioenergy provision and climate change mitigation

Oleaginous forests provide diverse ecosystem services, including timber, seed yield (a vital feedstock for biodiesel production), and substantial carbon savings. These carbon savings encompass carbon sequestration related to timber growth and carbon savings resulting from substituting fossil fuel with biodiesel. However, oleaginous forests are vulnerable to seed wasp attacks (disservice), which significantly threaten both seed yield and carbon savings. Using an integrated ecological-economic model that includes Faustmann's Land Expectation Value model and a pest damage control model, we aim to understand the intricate relationship among multiple ecosystem services and disservices of oleaginous forests. The results reveal four distinct phases contingent on varying pesticide application rates: the pesticide under-use phase, substitution phase, complementary phase, and over-use phase. Notably, a potential avenue to minimize pest damage is identified during the complementary phase by reducing the optimal rotation age at the expense of decreased carbon sequestration and bioenergy provision, posing a challenge to climate change mitigation. These findings have implications for formulating policies to manage conflicting ecosystem services of energy forests, offering valuable insights into the intersection of sustainable forest management and climate policy.

The intersection of promotion policies, research habitus, and capital distribution: a qualitative case study of two higher education contexts in the United Arab Emirates

The intersection of promotion policies, research habitus, and capital distribution: a qualitative case study of two higher education contexts in the United Arab Emirates

Incentive policies in biomethane production toward circular economy

The transportation sector is marked by high emissions, and new sustainable solutions are required to solve this problem. Biomethane, also known as green gas, has the potential to regenerate certain wastes, promoting resource circularity. This study aimed at evaluating the profitability of small- and medium-sized plants using the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) and by-products, considering a new incentive decree within the mature biogas-biomethane market of Italy. Net present value (NPV) was used as a key indicator, and sensitivity, scenario, and risk analyses were proposed. The results showed that a high subsidy for by-products contributed to the profitability of by-products plants across multiple contexts. Conversely, stringent incentive values for the OFMSW led to diminished profitability for plants treating this substrate. Consequently, profitability was verified for 100 m3/h plants with by-products and 300 m3/h plants with the OFMSW. The break-even point analysis showed that the tariff value determining project profitability, contingent on size and substrate, ranged from 0.61 to 0.95 €/m3 for the OFMSW and 0.76–1.01 €/m3 for by-products. The results provide valuable policy and managerial insights, emphasizing the support needed for biomethane – a renewable and circular resource – to achieve the twin goals of energy independence and a low-carbon economy. Consequently, biomethane has the potential to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 12.

Uncovering Reproductive Injustice Toward Women With Disabilities

Abstract: For centuries, the reproductive agency of women with disabilities have been challenged and often undermined by informal and formal support networks. Evidence illustrates that women with disabilities face disproportionately higher rates of reproductive violence compared to their nondisabled peers (i.e., long-term contraception or forced sterilization). However, little is known about the specific nature, type, and impact of reproductive violence on women with disabilities. This scoping review examined the literature related to the reproductive violence against women with disabilities. We used Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, and based on our inclusion criteria, 28 empirical articles were included. Most studies were published in the disciplines of health (i.e., nursing and medicine) within the North American context and used qualitative research designs. Main findings within the scoping review included themes related to imposed contraception, rationalization of sterilization, barriers to sexual and reproductive health services, and the discourses underpinning reproductive injustice toward women with disabilities. The findings of the study have implications for future disability community-based research, peer-led supports, practice guidelines for professionals, and intersectoral policy provision aiming at supporting the reproductive agency of women with disabilities.

Implementasi Model Pembelajaran Klasik dan Model Pembelajaran Kelompok PAUD Bintang Ananda Botoran Tulungagung

Early childhood education should have optimal, effective, efficient, productive, and accountable policies and coordinate well with government, family, and community support to produce positive and maximum impacts. This study aims to explain the conditions of learning management at PAUD Bintang Ananda, which experiences differences in learning models applied in institutions; institutions apply two learning models, namely classical and group. This research method uses a qualitative descriptive approach, which examines research objects naturally according to facts and data in the field. Data collection techniques through interviews, observations, and documentation studies with research time during April 2024. Based on the results of the study show that there are differences in learning models applied in institutions; these differences are due to several factors, such as lack of teaching staff, student understanding, and lack of facilities that support the learning process; these results make institutions have to make decisions about the implementation of the right learning model according to the interests and abilities of children. So, the institution has arranged and prepared everything to implement the learning model that will be applied, focusing on learning models that can develop children's abilities and pay attention to children's interests.

Концепція маркетингової логістики продукції рослинництва та її роль у економічній діяльності сільськогоспо-дарських підприємств

This study adopts a unique approach, drawing on the dialectical method of cognition, fundamental economic theory, marketing, and logistics principles, as well as the works of domestic and foreign scientists. The focus is on the formation of marketing logistics concepts for agricultural enterprises in crop production in the agri-food products market, presenting a fresh perspective that will intrigue and engage the reader. To carry out the research, various general and special scientific research methods were used, including theoretical generalization and comparison (formulation of conclusions and terminology in marketing logistics), monographic (in-depth study of marketing logistics), historical-retrospective (analysis of marketing logistics development), heuristic (assessment of marketing logistics processes in agri-food product markets), graphic (representation of research results and economic process trends), etc. The ‘supply chain of agro-food products’ and its economic significance are explained in detail, making the audience aware of its crucial role. The study establishes the crucial role of logistics in supplying agri-food products for ensuring global food security and promoting competitiveness in Ukraine’s agricultural sector. An analysis of the functions of marketing and logistics of agricultural enterprises revealed a strong connection between the two. Typically, this relationship is demonstrated through elements of the marketing mix, such as product and pricing policies and distribution policies. The product policy in marketing is identified as the most significant element of the marketing mix for agrarian sector enterprises. The author’s definition of the economic essence of the concept of “marketing logistics” is proposed, which performs the management function of coordinating and coordinating marketing and logistics activities in food supply chains and is focused on methods that ensure an adequate level of customer service to provide competitive advantages to enterprises of the agrarian sector in the markets of agri-food products. The concept of marketing logistics for an agricultural enterprise was developed to improve the effectiveness of logistics functions in agrarian formations and implement marketing-based logistics activities. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the long-term evolution (1961-2021) and price forecast (2023-2031) for agri-food products in real terms. It also offers insights into the structure of global consumption of agri-food products according to needs (food needs, animal feed, biofuel, other needs) in 2019-2021, and a forecast of its development for 2031 based on data from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This information will keep the audience informed and prepared for future developments in the agri-food industry. Keywords: marketing logistics, logistics supply chains of agri-food products, world prices for agri-food products, grain crops, corn, food safety, the complex marketing of an agricultural enterprise, the concept of marketing logistics of an agricultural enterprise.

Preparedness and emergency response strategies for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies in disaster management: A qualitative systematic review

AbstractDisaster management, mainly related to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents, is a critical field that requires constant evaluation to improve preparedness and response strategies. This review synthesises evidence on global health sector strategies for CBRN preparedness, gathering lessons to enhance policymaking for future response and readiness. This review included original English and French research addressing healthcare preparedness for CBRN threats. Database searches, such as EBSCO, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Ovid, Lissa, and Santécom, were conducted until November 2022. The Joanna Briggs Institute's tools were utilised to assess the risk of bias. Al‐Raayan® and Nvivo® version 12 software were employed for the review and analysis. 57 articles in English and 6 in French met the inclusion criteria. The analysis identified numerous strategies, concentrating on chemical and biological incidents (Chemical and biological bioterrorism: n = 27; Epidemics and Outbreak: n = 15). “Hospitals”, “responsibility”, and “health” emerged as prominent keywords, emphasising institutional roles and health outcomes in CBRN incidents preparedness. Key findings highlighted the need for a unified global definition of bioterrorism to align international efforts. Hospital‐level initiatives were emphasised as the foundation for national preparedness, emphasising specialised training, community engagement, and robust coordination mechanisms. Geographical variability in response strategies was noted, necessitating a harmonised global approach. Continuous research, epidemic management, and addressing radiological/nuclear threats emerged as crucial elements. Among others, strategies defined under “Emergency Response Preparedness” and “Intersectoral Policy Development” outlined comprehensive preparedness contexts for CBRN incidents. The review suggests an imperative shift towards building collaborative networks and enhancing health sector operational readiness to mitigate the impacts of CBRN incidents.

Presidents and nonprofits: Illustrating compositional modeling of the U.S. nonprofit sector

AbstractObjectivesNonprofits sit at the intersection of policy and politics. Compositional modeling presents an opportunity for nonprofit scholars to investigate trade‐offs within the nonprofit sector.MethodsUsing U.S. nonprofit and political data from 1993 to 2013, I employ a dynamic pie modeling strategy to illustrate how federal politics affect the composition of the nonprofit sector.ResultsU.S. federal politics, measured as changes in presidential partisanship, correlate with trade‐offs in the composition of the nonprofit sector. Democratic presidents are associated with increases in new Human Services (HU), Environment and Animals (EN), and International/Foreign Affairs (IN) nonprofits and decreases in new Arts/Culture/Humanities (AR), Education (ED), Health (HE), Religion Related (RE), and Unknown/Unclassified (UN) nonprofit organizations.ConclusionsTheoretically, politics may play a greater role in the nonprofit sector than scholars currently give credence to. Empirically, compositional modeling strategies provide avenues for new theoretical and empirical insights into nonprofit organizations.

Ideology, Local-Level Policymaking, and International Governmental Organizations

Abstract A growing literature at the intersection of international relations, public policy, and comparative politics has explored the role that International Governmental Organizations (IGOs) play in influencing domestic policymaking. This literature is grounded in a commonly shared theoretical expectation that policymakers will perceive IGOs as neutral and technocratic purveyors of expert information. Based on this expectation, scholars have assumed that policymakers are likely to employ recommendations from IGOs when making decisions. In this research note, we examine this assumption through an analysis of original survey data on U.S. mayors’ responses to COVID-19-related guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO). In contrast to dominant theoretical expectations, we find that mayoral likelihood of considering WHO recommendations in policymaking and of trusting WHO-provided information was largely a function of ideology, an effect that remains after incorporating the interactive effect of Trump vote share.

COVID‐19 and global value chains: A discussion of arguments on value chain organisation and the role of the WTO

AbstractWe conduct an in‐depth analysis of the reasons for changes in global value chains as a result of COVID‐19 both from a positive angle, analysing expected changes in the behaviour of firms, and from a normative angle, assessing the different arguments for policy interventions by governments. The analysis generates three main conclusions. First, the COVID‐19 pandemic could contribute to diversification of sources of supply whose extent will vary by sector depending on the costs of value chain reorganisation. The pandemic, by contrast, is not likely to contribute much to re‐shoring, the return of manufacturing activities to industrialised countries, which is more likely to be driven by pre‐existing trends such as rising factor costs in emerging countries, increasing uncertainty about trade policy, and robotization and automation of production. Second, the pandemic has led to increased attention to the provision of essential goods in situations of crisis. Third, the largest risk for the global economy in the aftermath of the pandemic is a move away from open, non‐discriminatory trade policies, which would jeopardise the large benefits of open trade regimes in the current global economy characterised by scale economies, innovation spillovers, and a global division of labour.

An integrated system dynamics model of electricity production, consumption, and export policy in Iran considering carbon emissions

The electricity industry is a cornerstone of modern economies, requiring accurate forecasting to facilitate informed decision-making aligned with sustainable development goals. This study employs a novel, comprehensive system dynamics model comprising four subsystems: consumption, production, carbon emissions, and electricity trading. Our analysis reveals significant trends in Iran's electricity industry. The household sector is projected to become the largest energy consumer, with anticipated reductions in consumer sector subsidies over time. By 2040, total electricity production is forecasted to reach 862,835 million kWh, with renewable sources contributing only 3.3 percent. This trajectory is accompanied by a substantial increase in carbon emissions, reaching 448,383 tons, an alarming 2.6-fold surge compared to 2020. The private sector is anticipated to account for 70 percent of these emissions. Given the findings, prioritizing renewable electricity sources becomes imperative to align with sustainable development goals. Utilizing this integrated model, stakeholders can formulate informed strategies and interventions to navigate the evolving landscape of Iran's electricity sector.

Unlocking sustainable livestock production potential in the Colombian Amazon through paddock division and gender inclusivity

Low-emissions livestock production can be achieved through scaling production systems integrating trees, forages, and livestock within the same area. Such systems are known as silvopastoral production systems (SPS). However, despite SPS reported benefits, adoption rates globally remain low. This paper, therefore, aims to inform land use policy oriented towards increasing SPS adoption. This study intends to capture this by assessing SPS adoption benefits, identifying determinants of SPS adoption, and thus to contribute to policy for scaling low-emissions livestock production. Data was collected on socioeconomic status, livestock farming technical and economic indicators, and farm and paddock practices through farm-level surveys in four municipalities in the Amazon Piedmont of Colombia. Unlike previous studies that assume homogeneous farm management, when in fact, it is heterogeneous, this study assessed SPS adoption determinants using the paddock (n = 2819) as the unit of analysis. This methodological approach is consistent with paddock-level land use decisions taken by farmers based on socioeconomic and biophysical factors such as soil financial resources, type, and topography. The methodological approach allows us to provide new insights into the determinant of adopting SPS and an understanding of intra-farm level land use decisions. The results show that the adoption of SPS at both paddocks and farm levels in Caquetá is low. The main factors associated with higher SPS adoption levels at the paddock level are framed in gender, resources, and knowledge. We observe that women are more motivated to conserve the environment. Cattle paddocks managed by women, smaller in size, and those with more SPS-related projects show a tendency for medium or high SPS adoption. Furthermore, the positive relationship between access to credit and SPS adoption emphasizes the importance of financial resources tailored to SPS projects. Enhancing gender roles, improving access to finance in land use, and providing training programs on SPS systems can contribute to low-emission livestock production in Colombia. This research paper highlights the significance of implementing diverse management strategies and reaching out to farmers not involved in SPS projects. It emphasizes investments in low-emission livestock production, especially for female heads of households. This approach recognizes the broader benefits of SPS, beyond production and financial gains, promoting the division of paddocks and the adoption of SPS.

Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia

This research investigates the community health of Herpes Zoster (HZ) and the occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) following VZV reactivation. The study adopts a practical approach, engaging rigid addition/forbiddance tests to outline the study culture. Diagnostic methods for HZ and PHN include severe dossier accumulation and accompanying moral concerns addressed. While accepting study restraints, this research investigates mathematical patterns of HZ occurrence and labels associations between the two points of HZ and the PHN incident.Descriptive enumerations disclose key understandings of HZ and PHN occurrence, peeling light on mathematical styles. The study stresses the dispassionate pertinence of allure judgments, interpreting results in the circumstances of existing biography. Mechanisms providing for PHN are surveyed, underscoring potential associations for dispassionate practice. Despite disadvantages, this research highlights the need for productive administration policies and deterrent measures.This study considerably contributes to understanding HZ and PHN, stressing their impact on community health and patient comfort. The verdicts offer valuable observations for clinicians and investigators alike, along with suggestions for future research directions. Through this research, an inclusive understanding of the community health of HZ and the incident of PHN is reached, providing a company for enhanced patient care and community health mediation.

Coupons versus Rebates: An Economic–Mathematical Comparative Analysis with Policy Implications

It is very important to understand how promotions offered by sellers to consumers influence consumer and seller behaviors because it helps us study how consumers make their purchase decisions and how sellers determine their sale strategies. Unlike past studies which utilized the classical price discrimination dilemma and focused on sellers’ aspect to divide consumers into two types (higher/lower reservation prices), we focused on the consumers’ perspective and applied neoclassical consumer choice theory to develop a two-period mathematical utility-maximization model to study how different promotions influence consumer and seller behaviors. This mathematical study uncovered several key findings: (1) coupons offer consumers a greater discount compared to rebates with identical discount rates; (2) impatient consumers exhibit a preference for coupons over rebates; (3) coupons generate higher sales than rebates; and (4) sellers may adopt the coupon policy for low-ticket products and the rebate policy for high-ticket products.

Pricing, Procurement and Reimbursement Policies for Incentivizing Market Entry of Novel Antibiotics and Diagnostics: Learnings from 10 Countries Globally.

Fostering market entry of novel antibiotics and enhanced use of diagnostics to improve the quality of antibiotic prescribing are avenues to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is a major public health threat. Pricing, procurement and reimbursement policies may work as AMR 'pull incentives' to support these objectives. This paper studies pull incentives in pricing, procurement and reimbursement policies (e.g., additions to, modifications of, and exemptions from standard policies) for novel antibiotics, diagnostics and health products with a similar profile in 10 study countries. It also explores whether incentives for non-AMR health products could be transferred to AMR health products. This research included a review of policies in 10 G20 countries based on literature and unpublished documents, and the production of country fact sheets that were validated by country experts. Initial research was conducted in 2020 and updated in 2023. Identified pull incentives in pricing policies include free pricing, higher prices at launch and price increases over time, managed-entry agreements, and waiving or reducing mandatory discounts. Incentives in procurement comprise value-based procurement, pooled procurement and models that delink prices from volumes (subscription-based schemes), whereas incentives in reimbursement include lower evidence requirements for inclusion in the reimbursement scheme, accelerated reimbursement processes, separate budgets that offer add-on funding, and adapted prescribing conditions. While a few pull incentives have been piloted or implemented for antibiotics in recent years, these mechanisms have been mainly used to incentivize launch of certain non-AMR health products, such as orphan medicines. Given similarities in their product characteristics, transferability of some of these pull incentives appears to be possible; however, it would be essential to conduct impact assessments of these incentives. Trade-offs between incentives to foster market entry and thus potentially improve access and the financial sustainability for payers need to be addressed.