Policy Leaders Research Articles

Exploring postcolonial relationships within policy transfer: the case of learner-centred pedagogy in Ghana

ABSTRACT Framed by Homi Bhabha’s concepts of hybridity and the third space of enunciation, this study explores postcolonial relationships conceivably enacted through policy borrowing processes of learner-centred pedagogy (LCP) in Ghana. Nine Ghanaian and nine foreign stakeholders were interviewed. Conscious of the power imbalance implicit in traditional aid, the case project attempted to challenge the asymmetrical power relationships by allocating policy leadership and responsibility to Ghanaian stakeholders. However, the third space of enunciation created within the project did not seem to lead to a hybridisation of pedagogical ideas: while it was the Ghanaians themselves who promoted LCP within the project, the conceptual basis of the reform was dependent on knowledge and experiences which they gained in the West. This article concludes that the postcolonial turn through hybridisation of indigenous and Western pedagogies was not observed, although hybridity may happen in the process of actualising LCP at school and classroom levels.

Rethinking creative freelancers and structures of care in cultural policy and organisational practice: A case study of Dundee during the Covid-19 pandemic

This article seeks to reposition freelance creative and cultural workers (CCWs) and conditions of creative work as the foundations of cultural policy making. Using a case study of Dundee, Scotland, in the immediate aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the article draws on focus groups and interviews with creative freelancers, representatives of cultural organisations and members of a cultural strategy development group in Dundee. It presents how freelancers were not only missing from policy (national and local), their precarity was also exacerbated by cultural organisations in their response to pandemic-induced uncertainty. The potential for more caring modes of engagement with freelance CCWs are identified. Crucially, the article argues that this support work must also be resourced to be effective and sustainable. The article presents opportunities for rethinking the position of freelancers in cultural policy and sector leadership, and reflects on the capacity for academic research to support such work.

A half-century of global collaboration in science and the “Shrinking World”

Abstract Recent decades have witnessed a dramatic shift in the cross-border collaboration mode of researchers, with countries increasingly cooperating and competing with one another. It is crucial for leaders in academia and policy to understand the full extent of international research collaboration, their country’s position within it, and its evolution over time. However, evidence for such world-scale dynamism is still scarce. This paper provides unique evidence of how international collaboration clusters have formed and evolved over the past 50 years across various scientific publications, using data from OpenAlex, a large-scale open bibliometrics platform launched in 2022. I first examine how the global presence of top-tier countries has changed in 15 natural science disciplines over time, as measured by publication volumes and international collaboration rates. Notably, I observe that the United States and China have been rapidly moving closer together for decades but began moving apart after 2019. I then perform a hierarchical clustering to analyze and visualize the international collaboration clusters for each discipline and period. Finally, I provide quantitative evidence of a “Shrinking World” of research collaboration at a global scale over the past half-century. My results provide valuable insights into the big picture of past, present, and future international collaboration.

Barriers to and facilitators of effective management of fever episodes in hospitalised Kenyan children with cancer: protocol for convergent mixed methods study

IntroductionFebrile neutropenia is an oncological emergency in children with cancer, associated with serious infections and complications. In low-resourced settings, death from infections in children with cancer is 20 times higher...

Kepemimpinan Berbasis Hasil dalam Pendidikan: Penerapan Teknik Kepemimpinan di SMP Negeri 12 Yogyakarta

This research investigates the implementation of results-based leadership in an educational context, with a case study at SMP Negeri 12 Yogyakarta. The background to this research identifies the need for effective leadership in improving the quality of education in Indonesia. The aim of this research is to understand the results-based leadership practices implemented by school principals at SMP Negeri 12 Yogyakarta and measure their impact on the quality of education. The research method involved in-depth interviews with the school principal, Mr. Abdurrahman, observations in the school environment, and analysis of documents related to school leadership policies. The collected data was analyzed qualitatively to identify the results-based leadership strategies implemented and their impact on learning. This case study reflects successful leadership practices in increasing student achievement, developing a dynamic learning culture, and motivating school staff. The results of this research show that the application of results-based leadership techniques has succeeded in improving the quality of education at SMP Negeri 12 Yogyakarta. Principals who implement results-based leadership have created a school environment that focuses on achieving better results, student motivation, and innovation in learning. The conclusion of this research is that results-based leadership can be an effective model in managing schools and improving the quality of education. The practical guide prepared based on the findings of this research can be a reference for educational leaders to strengthen results-based leadership practices in the continuously developing Indonesian educational context.

Investigating the role of interpersonal relationships on low-income SUD patients’ recovery: a qualitative analysis of various stakeholders in New York state

Background While positive impacts of recovery capital and social capital in facilitating substance use disorder (SUD) recovery is increasingly documented, research has shown that low-income and marginalized individuals have lower social capital and may rely on different networks. A more comprehensive approach is needed to understand the social capital of low-income individuals with SUD and how these relationships impact their treatment and recovery. Methods Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analyzed employing thematic analysis. Participants included individuals with SUD (n = 10), clinicians (n = 12), and policy leaders (n = 13). Results Three themes emerged: 1) Patients’ positive and negative interpersonal relationships with friends and family influenced decisions to seek treatment; 2) strong patient-provider relationships, often defined by the quality of SUD providers and treatment settings, were perceived as crucial for staying in treatment; and 3) justice involvement facilitated treatment access yet deteriorated treatment engagement. Themes emphasized social and structural factors that inhibit patients from fostering support and treatment engagement. Conclusions Our study underscores the importance of interpersonal relationships in SUD treatment-seeking and recovery and the need for positive interactions across the care continuum within broader social networks. Opportunities for positive interpersonal relationships include increasing access to language-concordant treatment; provider training to enhance cultural humility and patient-provider relationships; and mechanisms that improve interpersonal relationships between patients, parole officers, and other justice system members. Accentuating the role of interpersonal relationships and expanding social support interventions can pave the way for structural changes that improve recovery by harnessing different types of social capital.

Analisis Modal Sosial dalam Kepemimpinan Kepala Desa Sewangi: Studi Kasus Berdasarkan Teori Modal Sosial Putnam

This research aims to analyze the role of social capital in the context of village head leadership using the social capital theory framework proposed by Robert D. Putnam. This social capital includes three main elements: trust, social norms, and social networks. This study is a case study involving several villages in order to understand how social capital influences the leadership quality of village heads. Data was collected through interviews with village heads, community members and local stakeholders. Data analysis was carried out by identifying and evaluating the level of trust in society, the social norms that guide the village head's behavior, and the social networks built by the village head in carrying out his duties. The research results show that social capital has a significant impact on the leadership quality of village heads. Village heads who can build and maintain a high level of trust in their community tend to be more effective in carrying out their duties. In addition, social norms that value integrity and transparency in leadership have a positive influence on leadership quality. Strong social networks also help village heads access the resources and support needed to overcome challenges This study provides in-depth insight into how social capital plays a role in the context of village head leadership and has important implications for the development of more effective leadership policies and practices at the village level. Future research could delve deeper into specific aspects of social capital that have a significant impact in the context of village leadership.

Utilizing Basic Education Data for the Appointment of Non-Permanent Teaches in West Sulawesi Province

Principal data education becomes the basis for temporary policy teacher appointments. Regarding the use of the main data system (DAPODIK) and its influence on local government policies in the education sector, the researchers had several important takeaways from this research, such as the use of the DAPODIK application system in schools in inputting educational data, which is still not optimal in its utilization. The research method used is qualitative with an inductive approach. There are a number of schools that use primary data education in the appointment of teachers, which is not permanent, but not effective. The main data on education is influenced by several factors; namely, teaching hours, subjects taught, and leadership policies. These factors are described in the research table of each district in West Sulawesi Province. The main data on education will affect school achievement because it requires the accuracy of the data on education, human resources, and policy evaluation.
 Keywords: basic education data, non-permanent teacher, policy, effectiveness

Leadership Policy and Empowerment of Human Resources in Production Houses in Jakarta

The purpose of this research is to determine leadership policies in empowering employees and the demands of the world of the creative industry on production houses engaged in television, film, advertising production, and company profiles. Research method with a qualitative approach that describes the phenomenon of events at production house locations. Collection techniques were obtained through field observations, in-depth interviews with key respondents who understand the problem, documentation studies in the form of existing archives and scenario notes, and focus group discussions on the data obtained, discussed together with the existing crew. The research results show that production house leaders want a policy to empower their human resources, so they can meet company needs and customer demands, but are often constrained by work demands, production deadlines, and employee working hours, as well as technology and other factors. Leader policies in implementing production house management to improve the company through empowering Human Resources. Policies that have been implemented include employee protection, strengthening employee systems, and support and maintenance.

Analisis Penyerapan Anggaran Belanja Daerah Studi Kasus pada Biro Umum Sekretariat Daerah Provinsi Sulawesi Utara

The purpose of this study was to find out the mechanisms, constraints in absorbing the budget and efforts to maximize the absorption of the regional budget at the General Bureau of the Regional Secretariat of North Sulawesi Province. This type of research is qualitative research with a case study method. To obtain the necessary data, the authors carried out data collection activities by means of participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation analysis. The results of the study show that the General Bureau has implemented a regional financial management mechanism based on regulations, although there are still some obstacles in its implementation. In addition, as the central unit, it has the function of managing the salaries of benefits for all civil servants who are included in the personnel expenditure category within the Regional Secretariat and has the functional duties of managing Regional Secretariat assets which are included in the capital expenditure category so that it has a fairly large portion of the total budget. However, the realization of the absorption of the budget for the General Bureau in the last 3 years has a sizeable difference between Semesters I and II. Although, the absorption rate is included in the category of moderate budget absorption realization above 90% up to 94.99%. Obstacles faced in absorbing the budget at the General Bureau, namely the urgency of activities and constraints from third parties, availability of budgets and leadership policies, organizational applications/systems and administrative files, human resources and organizational culture (slowback expenditure phenomenon). The efforts made in the absorption of the regional expenditure budget by the General Bureau, namely increasing HR competencies and core values, improving facilities/infrastructure, communication and coordination, supervision and leadership innovation.

EVOLUTION OF JAPAN’S PACIFIST TO REALIST DIPLOMACY: FROM YOSHIDA SHIGERU TO FUMIO KISHIDA

The paper seeks to answer two questions. What are the newer security policies promoted by Japan and are they significant in empowering Tokyo to become an international security and foreign policy leader? In order to answer these questions, the paper examined the implementation of realism diplomacy through actions taken in the past as well as present. Findings suggests that for decades, the Yoshida Doctrine was the basis for Japan’s foreign policy when the state’s priority was economic prosperity and security. However, the severity of the current security environment surrounding Japan desperately needs a different set of foreign policies and diplomacy. The transformation started during Shinzo Abe’s administration which has now been continued by Fumio Kishida, albeit with slight changes here and there. Kishida’s values based realism policies are aimed at protecting Japan as well as transforming the state into a key global player and contributor in security issues. Strengthening defence capabilities, enhancing multilaterism and improving relations with neighbours have indeed transformed Japan into a more responsible, capable and respected global player. Having said that, Kishida does face numerous challenges internally in sustaining his policy priorities.

Western carrot and whip Diplomacy for Serbia

The multi-vector policy of the Serbian leadership makes it possible to maintain a delicate balance of relations with the West and the East — the European Union and Russia. Serbia, as a key country in the Balkan region, is experiencing tremendous pressure from Euro-American "well-wishers" to join the anti-Russian sanctions and sign the peace plan proposed by France and Germany to normalize the situation in Kosovo and Metohija. Serbia is successfully diversifying its relations with Russia and with other countries outside the Western bloc. At the same time, Belgrade in certain areas is forced to follow the policy of the collective West. This is done largely in connection with pragmatic goals — obtaining economic benefi ts from ties with EU countries and the West in general, adhering to such values and actively promoting them. At the same time, in order to speed up the process of subordinating Belgrade to the demands of Washington and Brussels, a hybrid war is already being waged against Serbia today with the threat of unleashing a proxy war and a color revolution. The eff orts of external and internal opponents of the current leadership of Serbia and its political line to preserve the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country form the necessary and suffi cient conditions for the use of modern strategies and technologies of interstate confrontation. The proxy war strategy provides for the possibility of using the self-proclaimed “Republic of Kosovo” as a proxy agent for the US and NATO for a military attack on Belgrade. At the same time, preparations are underway for a coup d'état in the course of a color revolution in order to bring to power a government manipulated by the West. Practical recommendations are given for organizing a rebuff to hybrid aggression.

Transformational Leadership: A Pathway To Teacher’s Growth Mindset

Transformational leadership in a manner strategic can be applied to increase quality culture something school. Leadership style This oriented towards innovative and creative leadership as well as own attitude capable leadership motivating subordinates and the environment surrounding. Policy leadership transformational become reject measuring something agency for increase quality culture quality school because kindly definitively, leadership transformational is form values, beliefs, and needs that are capable bring change as form innovative. Objective study This are: analyzing the leadership model transformational to enhancement quality culture quality school. Study This use method study qualitative. Data collection using instrument study with disseminate questionnaire using google forms. Research results This are:(1) The study concluded that transformational leadership significantly contributes to cultivating a growth mindset among teachers, enhancing their professional development, and raising academic standards. Supportive leadership practices, collaborative learning platforms, and emphasis on educational qualifications were identified as effective strategies. (2) The findings also highlighted the importance of involving teachers in decision-making processes and addressing areas of improvement to further enhance teaching quality and student outcomes.

Status of Women in Student Politics: Gender Imbalance in Student Leadership in Higher Education Institutions in Ghana from the 1960s to the Present

Across Ghana’s higher education institutions, women’s representation in student leadership has been generally low despite the gender-neutral requirement. Women’s participation in student leadership politics in Ghanaian higher education institutions, specifically universities, has received little attention from higher education and feminist scholars who have briefly mentioned or completely glossed it over. This intellectual omission makes this paper relevant. Here, it is argued that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that, despite the neutrality of student leadership policies, men dominate student politics. This paper problematises the question of gender inequality in student leadership, through the African feminist lens.

Regarding Mao's Alleged Speech about the Dalai Lama on 15 November 1956

AbstractOn 15 November 1956, Mao Zedong 毛泽东 delivered a speech at the Second Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Eighth CCP Congress. The official written version of this speech was published belatedly, in 1977, in the fifth volume of Mao's Selected Works. In this text, Mao was supposed to be talking about the Dalai Lama's forthcoming stay in India, and he had no difficulty in envisaging the Dalai Lama's eventual departure into exile. This passage, obviously, seems problematic as it contradicts the policy of the CCP leadership towards the Dalai Lama at that time. Tsering Shakya (The Dragon in the Land of Snows, Pimlico, 1999), Li Jianglin 李江琳 (1959 Lhasa, New Century Press, 2010), Melvyn Goldstein (A History of Modern Tibet, Volume 3, University of California Press, 2013), and Liu Xiaoyuan 刘晓原 (To the End of Revolution, Columbia University Press, 2020) have successively sought to understand the reason for this. The probable reason seems to be simply that Mao most likely never made these remarks about the Dalai Lama on the date in question, and that this passage was added later in the written version of the speech, to avoid Mao losing face.

Growth and development of oncology nursing in Africa.

There is a growing recognition that oncology nurses are vitally important for an effective cancer control system. Although there is variation among countries, oncology nursing is being recognized as a specialty practice and seen as a priority for development in cancer control plans in many settings. Ministries of Health in many countries are beginning to acknowledge the role nurses play in achieving successful cancer control outcomes. Additionally, the need for access to relevant education for oncology nursing practice is being recognized by nursing and policy leaders. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the growth and development of oncology nursing in Africa. Several vignettes are presented by nurse leaders in cancer care from several African countries. Their descriptions offer brief illustrations regarding the leadership nurses are providing in cancer control education, clinical practice, and research in their respective countries. The illustrations offer insight into the urgent need, and the potential, for future development of oncology nursing as a specialty given the many challenges nurses face across the African continent. The illustrations may also provide encouragement and ideas for nurses in countries where there is little current development of the specialty about how to proceed to mobilize efforts aimed toward its growth.

The role of culture and government adaptability in determining countries‘ economic performance

This study is an addition to the body of research about the relationship between culture, governance, and national economic performance. Specifically, it focuses on the mediating role of government in the relationship between national culture and Gross Domestic Product growth. We utilize the GLOBE study’s eight cultural dimensions and the World Economic Forum’s Government Adaptability Index to conduct a cross-sectional analysis in fifty-seven countries. Our results indicate that institutionally collectivist and future oriented societies are more likely to have governments that are adaptable to economic and technological changes and, thus, have a greater capacity to stimulate the output per capita growth. Additionally, the results suggest that cultural dimensions are related to each other, and these relationships may improve national economic performance. The findings provide valuable insights into policy decision-making and leadership.

Midwives' experiences with providing home-based postpartum care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

To explore midwives' experiences with providing home-based postpartum care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway. A descriptive and explorative qualitative study. The study is based on semi-structured individual interviews with 11 midwives experienced in offering home-based postpartum care. We explored their experiences of such care during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection occurred from October through November 2020. An inductive thematic analysis was performed using Systematic Text Condensation (STC) by Malterud (2012). The following two main results emerged from the analyses: (1) the midwives adapted quickly to changes in postpartum care during the pandemic and (2) midwives saw the experience as an opportunity to re-evaluate their practices. This study highlights midwives' resilience and adaptability during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. It emphasises the crucial role of face-to-face interactions in postpartum care, while recognising the value of technology when direct access is limited. By shedding light on midwives' experiences, this research contributes to improving postpartum care in unforeseen circumstances. It underscores the significance of interdisciplinary integration in planning postpartum care services and the lasting influence of lessons learned on addressing future challenges. The valuable insights gained from lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic may have a lasting influence on the postpartum care system, empowering it to tackle unforeseen challenges both today and in the future. The current study addressed midwives' experience with providing home-based postpartum care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway. Midwives received an opportunity to re-evaluate their own practices and valued being included when changes were implemented. The current findings should alert policy makers, leaders and clinicians in postpartum care services when planning future practice.

Efektivitas Citizen Relation Management (CRM) dalam Penyelenggaraan Penanganan Pengaduan Masyarakat di Wilayah Kota Administrasi Jakarta Timur Tahun 2021

The Citizen Relations Management (CRM) application program is an innovation from the DKI Jakarta government which aims to make it easier for the SKPD to accommodate, coordinate, and handle all complaints or reports regarding problems experienced by the community. This CRM application can only be used by DKI Jakarta government officials. The problems most often reported by the community through the CRM application include 1) garbage; 2) disturbance of public order and comfort; 3) illegal parking; 4) violation of regional regulations; 5) traffic jams. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of CRM applications in handling public complaints, and to find out the inhibiting and supporting factors of CRM applications in handling public complaints. The theory used in this study is the theory of effectiveness measures put forward by Duncan in Richard M. Steers with 3 (three) indicators namely goal attainment, integrity, and adaptation. This study uses qualitative methods, informant selection techniques are determined purposively, and data collection techniques used are observation, interviews, documentation related to research, then the data obtained will be analyzed by means of data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results of the study show that the application of the CRM application program in handling public complaints can be said to be effective and in accordance with the objectives of using the CRM application, namely, to make it easy for SKPD to handle complaint reports and make it easy for people who want to report the problems they are experiencing based on the phenomenon of achieving goals, integrity, and adaptation. Then the CRM application consists of 14 official complaint channels that can be used by the public. The implementation of the CRM application program has several supporting factors, namely human resources who understand technology and use CRM applications, then there are supportive leadership policies, and the CRM application function is said to be a supporter of SKPD in handling public complaints. In addition, there are factors that become obstacles in the running of this CRM application, namely, community reports that have no explanation, people who are just playing around in making reports, and difficulty signaling due to bad weather.

The role of digital transformation in addressing health inequalities in coastal communities: barriers and enablers.

Healthcare systems worldwide are striving for the "quadruple aim" of better population health and well-being, improved experience of care, healthcare team well-being (including that of carers) and lower system costs. By shifting the balance of care from reactive to preventive by facilitating the integration of data between patients and clinicians to support prevention, early diagnosis and care at home, many technological solutions exist to support this ambition. Yet few have been mainstreamed in the NHS. This is particularly the case in English coastal areas which, despite having a substantially higher burden of physical and mental health conditions and poorer health outcomes, also experience inequalities with respect to digital maturity. In this paper, we suggest ways in which digital health technologies (DHTs) can support a greater shift towards prevention; discuss barriers to digital transformation in coastal communities; and highlight ways in which central, regional and local bodes can enable transformation. Given a real risk that variations in digital maturity may be exacerbating coastal health inequalities, we call on health and care policy leaders and service managers to understands the potential benefits of a digital future and the risks of failing to address the digital divide.