Development Partners Research Articles

The recent Sino-Danish film co-productions: soft power and transnational talent development

ABSTRACT In May 2017, Denmark and China signed a film co-production agreement, marking Denmark as the first and only Nordic country to establish such a treaty with China. Taking two recent China-Denmark film co-productions as examples, Bille August’s The Chinese Widow (2017) and Lin Jianjie’s Brief History of a Family (2024), this paper investigates why China chose to sign a film agreement with Denmark and vice versa. It also examines the cultural and film policies that catalysed the emergence and development of this new co-production partnership. This paper aims to address two emergent trends in transnational screen studies: conceptual engagement with soft power and transnational talent development. It discusses how cinema serves as an instrument for states, institutions, and corporations to mediate diplomatic and political goals, generate soft power, and engage in nation branding. This paper argues that the transformation in geopolitical relationships between these two countries and their respective film and cultural policies over the past decade has led to this new collaborative partnership. Furthermore, it suggests that the latest European cultural policies supporting Sino-European co-production and transnational talent development have facilitated Sino-Danish film co-production.

Public–Private Development Cooperation: Interface and Conflicting Logics in the Formation of a Strategic Partnership

Public–private development partnership constitutes the core of a deepening normative agenda that places private actors as active development agents and as means through which other development objectives are pursued in partnership with publicly funded aid actors. This normative agenda may challenge international development. This article goes beyond the official policy level to explore the formation of public–private development cooperation in practice, not just on paper. It zooms into the partnership between a Norwegian NGO and a multinational company and their joint project to renovate an old vocational college in Ethiopia to serve the private actor’s need for qualified workers. The article shows how a publicly funded development project becomes a proxy for private interests, but argues that the diversion of public aid is not due to bad intentions or conflicting interests. Rather, it is the result of interface situations created by the public–private partnership agenda and its intentional merger of actors with distinct institutional logics, accountabilities and rationales. The article demonstrates how actors put together as part of the public–private partnership agenda end up undermining the agenda itself because of the interface situations created in the nexus of public and private actors.

Integrating interventions supported by development assistance for health into local health system: evidence from a China–World Bank–UK rural health system strengthening project (1998–2007)

IntroductionTo empirically investigate sustainability of development assistance for health (DAH), we conducted a retrospective case study on the Basic Health Services Project (BHSP) for rural health system strengthening, supported by...

Evolving methodology of national tobacco control investment cases

BackgroundThis article describes an investment case methodology for tobacco control that was applied in 36 countries between 2017 and 2022.MethodsThe WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) investment cases compared...

Peran Pameran IFEX 2024 dalam Pengembangan Kompetensi dan Inovasi Mahasiswa Desain Interior di Universitas Pradita

The IFEX 2024 exhibition marks an important milestone in advancing competence and innovation in the field of interior design in Indonesia. With a focus on student participation, the exhibition not only showcases their creative works but also serves as a platform to enhance their understanding of the dynamic interior design industry. This article explores the role of the IFEX 2024 exhibition in facilitating education, innovation, and partnerships for sustainable development. Through meetings between students, industry practitioners, and other stakeholders, the exhibition encourages cross-sector collaboration to create sustainable and competitive design solutions. With a focus on related SDGs, such as quality education, inclusive economic growth, and sustainable city development, this article underlines the importance of the IFEX 2024 exhibition in building a better future for the Indonesian interior design industry, especially Pradita University students.

Challenges and Strategies in Implementing Hospital Accreditation Standards Among Healthcare Professionals in Healthcare Systems in Yemen: A Phenomenological Study.

The implementation of hospital accreditation standards in healthcare systems in Yemen that ensure safe and high-quality healthcare services is hampered by specific challenges. Therefore, this study was purposed to explore the challenges and strategies for applying hospital accreditation standards among healthcare professionals in Yemen. A qualitative, phenomenological design was adopted to conduct this study. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data during the period from January 1, 2022, to February 28, 2022. Based on the content analysis, the study outcomes and lack of (i) funding, (ii) competent human resources, (iii) optimal infrastructure, and (iv) equipment and supplies deter the implementation of hospital accreditation standards. Also, this study highlighted the cultural and social barriers limiting the effectiveness of hospital accreditation standards, the need for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure and human resources, and cultural sensitivity training for healthcare professionals to enhance the implementation of and compliance with hospital accreditation standards. Policymakers should engage global corporations and development partners for technical assistance and capacity building that support the local application of hospital accreditation standards.

The Tragic Note and Pessimism in Twentieth Century British Novel

This research aims to formulate an international expansion strategy for Kirana Tour and Travel, a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) in the tourism industry in Indonesia, utilizing a SWOT Analysis approach. Kirana Tour and Travel is an SME operating in the tourism sector in Indonesia. This study employs a qualitative approach with data collection through interviews with business owners, direct observation, and documentation. The results of the SWOT analysis indicate that Kirana Tour and Travel has significant potential for international expansion, but also faces several challenges that need to be addressed. Internal strengths of the company, such as a good reputation, extensive network, and quality service, serve as assets to leverage in facing global competition. However, there are also internal weaknesses that need to be addressed, such as limited resources and a lack of experience in international markets. Based on the SWOT analysis, recommended international expansion strategies for Kirana Tour and Travel include product and service diversification, enhanced digital marketing, strategic partnership development with international travel agencies, and enhancing employee competencies related to the global market. The implementation of these strategies is expected to increase the global presence of Kirana Tour and Travel and mitigate risks associated with international expansion for SMEs

Kirana Tour and Travel MSME Go International Strategy with SWOT Analysis

This research aims to formulate an international expansion strategy for Kirana Tour and Travel, a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) in the tourism industry in Indonesia, utilizing a SWOT Analysis approach. Kirana Tour and Travel is an SME operating in the tourism sector in Indonesia. This study employs a qualitative approach with data collection through interviews with business owners, direct observation, and documentation. The results of the SWOT analysis indicate that Kirana Tour and Travel has significant potential for international expansion, but also faces several challenges that need to be addressed. Internal strengths of the company, such as a good reputation, extensive network, and quality service, serve as assets to leverage in facing global competition. However, there are also internal weaknesses that need to be addressed, such as limited resources and a lack of experience in international markets. Based on the SWOT analysis, recommended international expansion strategies for Kirana Tour and Travel include product and service diversification, enhanced digital marketing, strategic partnership development with international travel agencies, and enhancing employee competencies related to the global market. The implementation of these strategies is expected to increase the global presence of Kirana Tour and Travel and mitigate risks associated with international expansion for SMEs

Building partnerships for sustainable development: case study of Laos, the BRI, and the SDGs

This study examines sustainable development cooperation and the effectiveness of sustainable development partnerships in supporting national development in meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study focuses on SDG 17, “Building Partnerships for Sustainable Development” and takes the Lao Democratic People’s Republic (Laos) as its case study. The study assesses Laos’s socio-economic condition, development trajectory and SDGs. It evaluates Laos’s development partnerships with China and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and wider development diplomacy. The study adopts a political economy perspective, drawing in global major power competition. The paper argues that development partnerships are pivotal to success in achieving national and global development goals. Laos holds the ASEAN Chair through 2024, whilst experiencing severe economic challenges domestically. Moving between these two domains, Laos will seek to achieve balance and even-handedness between regional and global interests. Laos’s long-standing development partnership with China and the BRI brings tangible results. However, the study concludes that greater diversification in building partnerships for development will provide additional support to Laos’s development strategy.

A REVIEW ON BANGLADESH-CHINA-INDIA-MYANMAR ECONOMIC CORRIDOR IN THE CONTEXT OF BANGLADESH’S INTEREST

Carrying out study on BCIM economic corridor is extremely important; because, Bangladesh is surrounded by India, Myanmar and China, where Bangladesh needs to maintain friendly relations with these three neighboring countries. China is rising rapidly in terms of socio-economic and political development in the South, Southeast and Northeast Asian region. China has the highest foreign currency reserves through which many countries of South, Southeast and Northeast Asia might be economically benefitted. Besides, India is a big country with huge population which might be a potential development partner of South and Southeast Asian countries. On the other hand, Myanmar has huge reserves of gas, oil and other mineral resources from which Bangladesh can be greatly benefitted. This study has found that the BCIM economic corridor is very significant for Bangladesh’s regional connectivity, people to people contacts, cultural exchanges, soft–power diplomacy and economic interests. This study has a geostrategic and development cooperation implication for the South Asian region. This study is an important policy paper for Bangladesh’s geopolitical and economic interests.

Meeting statement: Call to action for step-change in health behaviours

BackgroundEnabling, supporting and promoting positive health-related behaviours is critical in addressing the major public health challenges of our time, and the multifaceted nature of behaviours requires an evidence-based approach. This statement seeks to suggest how a much-needed enhanced use of behavioural and cultural science and insights for health could be advanced. Study design and methodsand methods: Public health authorities of Europe and Central Asia and international partner organizations in September 2023 met in Copenhagen, Denmark, to discuss the way forward. Drawing on 1) country reporting to WHO, 2) interview study with public health authorities and 3) the meeting deliberations, this meeting statement was developed. ResultsThe meeting statement presents a joint call for step-change accelerated use of evidence-based approaches for health behaviours. Actionable next steps for public health authorities and international and regional development partners in health are presented. ConclusionsThe way forward involves increased resource allocation, integration of behavioural insights into health strategies, advocacy through case and cost-effectiveness examples and capacity building.

Does the Long-Term Developmental Effect of Mergers and Acquisitions and Greenfield Investment Differ in Host African Economies?

The choice between greenfield investment (GFIELDI) and mergers and acquisitions (M&As) is rarely straightforward for host developing countries (DCs), as this subject has not been thoroughly researched. Thus, this study fills this gap in the literature. It compares the overall long-term dynamic effect of GFIELDI and M&As on host African countries (ACs) from 1990 to 2020. The study, in particular, adopted a rigorous analytical framework that optimizes the welfare-decreasing and welfare-increasing effects of these two main FDI entry modes in the countries under study. The study used panel data from 15 African countries and adopted the PMG/ARDL approach. Therefore, the empirical findings of this study surprisingly contradict not only the preferred GFIELDI entry option of governments and development partners but also nearly all of the existing empirical literature in other developing regions. The results specifically demonstrate that while M&As outperform the GFIELDI in terms of their size effects, they both have net positive long-term dynamic effects on real GDP per capita in the studied countries. In practical terms, a 1% increase in GFIELDI has, on average, a weaker positive long-term dynamic effect on real GDP per capita than an equivalent investment in M&As. Except for Malawi and Botswana, evidence shows that the speed of adjustment parameter is consistently negative and statistically significant. South Africa (SA) has the lowest adjustment speed rate (=-0.157), while Morocco has the highest (=-1.554). Our findings have important policy implications, which are outlined in the conclusion of this study.

Threshold Effect of Financial Inclusion on Poverty Reduction in Africa: Does institutional quality play a role?

ABSTRACT In Africa, poverty levels are still very high, especially with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite efforts by governments and development partners to address it. Financial inclusion has been identified as an important concept in fighting poverty due to its ability to increase the income level of households. This study sought to estimate the threshold level at which financial inclusion, aided by strong institutions, will lead to poverty reduction in Africa, using Hansen’s threshold estimation method, covering a period of 2004–2020. The Hansen threshold estimation method uses an endogenous approach to identify threshold values, which eliminates deterministic process by using a systematic approach, as compared to the linear methods of sample-splitting of threshold-level specifications by other methods. This therefore makes the Hansen threshold estimation method robust in threshold estimations compared to other methods. The study found double threshold values of 0.0534 and 0.341, indicating that a financial inclusion value below 0.0534 would increase household consumption expenditure, leading to poverty reduction. However, a threshold value between 0.0534 and 0.3141 has a negative impact on poverty reduction. Furthermore, beyond a threshold value of 0.3141, financial inclusion will improve household consumption and as such reduce poverty in Africa. The study also established a threshold value of institutional quality index of −1.6325, indicating that below that institutional quality index, financial inclusion will have a negative impact on household consumption as well as poverty reduction in Africa. The results further indicated that dependency ratio, gross national income, interest rate, inflation, education, and government expenditure contribute significantly to poverty reduction in Africa. It is recommended that development partners, central banks and governments in the region should consciously develop and implement financial literacy policies, with the collaboration of all financial institutions that are aimed at promoting financial inclusion due to its ability to end poverty.

Ensuring the spatial integration of Ukraine based on updated instruments of cooperation of regions and communities

The article aims to delve into the potential of Ukraine's spatial integration, focusing on activating regional and community cooperation tools. the study employed a robust set of scientific methods, including induction and deduction, comparison, systematization and generalization, and the graphic method, underscoring the thoroughness and reliability of the research. The article critically examines the current state and pressing issues surrounding enhancing public-private partnerships and inter-municipal cooperation. This analysis is particularly relevant in the context of Ukraine's need to form an integrated economic space amidst the challenges of war and post-war recovery, highlighting the urgency and importance of the topic. It was established that the main problems that inhibit the development of public-private partnerships in Ukraine are the considerable duration of the procedure for preparing PPP projects, instability of the state's tax and investment policy, limited financial resources of stakeholders, lack of specialists for the development of public-private partnership projects, its full-fledged technical and economic justification, preparation of tender documentation, etc. Considering the above, ways of increasing the effectiveness of public-private partnerships as a tool for forming an integrated and competitive economic space of Ukraine in the conditions of post-war reconstruction are proposed. The main problems that slow down the development of inter-municipal cooperation as a tool for the formation of an integrated economic space are named (lack of a consistent and clear regional policy of stimulating the development of inter-municipal cooperation of territorial communities; low effectiveness of the implementation of existing agreements on inter-municipal cooperation due to a lack of financial resources, the transfer of forces and funds to the wartime economy; limited possibilities of attracting credit instruments by MMC participants; lack of statistical information on the effectiveness and efficiency of the implementation of existing agreements on inter-municipal cooperation). Considering the above, directions for increasing the effectiveness of inter-municipal cooperation as a tool for forming an integrated economic space of Ukraine in the conditions of post-war reconstruction are named. The importance and necessity of simplifying the procedure of inter-municipal cooperation, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and removing legal barriers to inter-municipal cooperation were emphasized. Keywords: spatial integration, community cooperation, public-private partnership, inter-municipal cooperation, post-war reconstruction, regional economy.

Japanese investment for skills development program in attaining sustainable employability: The case of Bangladesh

Bangladesh lacks many trained workers. The existing technical training curriculums are not advanced enough to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target for human capital development. Therefore, it is a time demand to address the need for skilled human resources. Japan prioritizes Bangladesh's skills development sector to assist the nation in achieving SDGs and importing skilled labor forces into Japan's already declined labor market. This research focuses on the prospects and challenges of Japanese investments in skills development projects in Bangladesh. To this end, this research adopts a need-based approach to prepare a uniform framework for skills development in Bangladesh and finds several challenges in the process of skills development programs that influence the development partners. This study employs a mixed-method research approach. This study finds that the trainees consider the skills development programs significant for their future careers and sustainable employability, although they face various challenges, such as a lack of qualified instructors and training programs and lack of training equipment apart from their lower socio-economic backgrounds. This study especially highlights the significance of Japanese investment in skills development programs in Bangladesh to meet human capital development requirements and develop a framework for sustainable accomplishment of those programs to achieve the SDGs. Finally, this research makes some policy recommendations for relevant stakeholders, including development partners engaged in skills development programs in Bangladesh.

Analisis Strategi Pengembangan Unit Pelaksana Teknis Pengembangan Benih Holtikultura di Lingkungan Dinas Pertanian Provinsi Jawa Timur

This research aims to carry out a strategic analysis of the development of the Seed Development Technical Implementation Unit within the East Java Province Agricultural Service. The results of the SWOT Analysis and General Electric (GE) analysis show that the Technical Implementation Unit for Horticultural Seed Development (UPT PB Horticulture) has strengths and challenges in industrial competition. Horizontal and vertically integrated development strategies are need to overcome competitive challenges and utilize existing strengths. Internal and external integration, together with intensive and diversification strategies, will strengthen UPT PB Horticulture's position in the horticulture industry, increase competitiveness, and achieve sustainable growth. Strategic suggestions include focusing on product varieties that are in demand in the market, revitalizing production infrastructure, developing processed products through partnerships, appropriate production scheduling, improving HR management, increasing access to capital, partnerships for market development, investing in modern production infrastructure, and improving marketing. , promotion, and distribution. Appropriate production scheduling strategies and market analysis are need to overcome the obstacles faced.

Problems of Development of Social Partnership in the Field of Labor and Protection of Labor Rights of Employees

Problems of Development of Social Partnership in the Field of Labor and Protection of Labor Rights of Employees

Assessing the Contribution of Smallholder Irrigation to Household Food Security in Zimbabwe

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 seeks to end hunger and guarantee food and nutrition security worldwide by 2030. Smallholder irrigation development remains a key strategy to achieve SDG 2. This study assesses how smallholder irrigation contributes to household food security in Mberengwa district, Zimbabwe. Primary data were gathered from a randomly chosen sample of 444 farmers (344 irrigators and 100 non-irrigators) using a structured questionnaire. Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27 software packages were used to analyse the data. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, t-test, and binary logistic regression were performed. The t-test results show significant differences in mean between irrigators and non-irrigators for household size, the dependency ratio, farming experience, farm income, food expenditure share, and livestock owned (p < 0.05). Irrigators had significantly higher area planted, yield, and quantity sold for maize during the summer than non-irrigators (p < 0.05). Food Consumption Score results show that 97% of irrigators and 45% of non-irrigators were food secure. Binary logistic regression results reveal a significant association between food security and household size, irrigation access, and farm income (p < 0.05). In conclusion, access to smallholder irrigation increases household food security. The government and its development partners should prioritise investments in smallholder irrigation development, expansion, and rehabilitation.

EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES ON MAIZE PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY IN OTUKPO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the effects of climate change adaption strategies on maize production efficiency in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 100 respondents for the study. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA). The results revealed that maize farmers were in their productive age with mean age of 31years. Majority (55%) of the maize farmers were married. The average household size, farm size and years of farming experience were 6 persons, 2.5 hectares and 8 years of experience in farming, respectively. The result on the climate change adaptation strategies used by the maize farming households revealed that most of the farmers adopted adjustment Improved/multiple varieties (17.6%), multiple planting dates (18%) and fertilizer application (20.6%) as climate change adaptation strategies in the study area. The result of predicted Stochastic Frontier model showed that the minimum and maximum technical efficiencies (TE) of the maize farmers were 0.11 and 0.98, respectively, with the mean efficiency of 0.88. This showed that if the efficiency of resources usage is increased by 12.0 percent, the maize farmers would operate on the production frontier given the existing technology. The result on the influence of climate change adaptation strategies used by maize farmers in the study area further revealed that the coefficient of farm size, fertilizer and agrochemicals had positive relationship with the value of maize output at P≤0.05, P≤0.10 and P≤0.01 levels, respectively. The result of the inefficiency model revealed that improved/multiple varieties and fertilizer application increased inefficiency of maize production at P≤0.05 and P≤0.10 levels, respectively, while alternative tillage practices decreased inefficiency of maize production at P≤0.01 level. The study concluded that maize production in the study area was not optimally efficient. The study recommended that farmers should be provided with credit facilities to help improve their capacity to adapt to climate change. Also, development partners should focus on awareness creation of farmers on better production techniques and climate change adaptation strategies through mass media and agricultural extension.

Centering community and collaboration in a multi-year literacy professional development initiative between a university and school district

PurposeThis paper shares findings from a multi-year literacy professional development partnership between a school district and university (2014–2019). We share this case of a Literacy Cohort initiative as an example of cross-institutional professional development situated within several of NAPDS’ nine essentials, including professional learning and leading, boundary-spanning roles and reflection and innovation (NAPDS, 2021).Design/methodology/approachWe asked, “In what ways did the Cohort initiative create conditions for community and collaboration in the service of meaningful literacy reforms?” Drawing on social design methodology (Gutiérrez & Vossoughi, 2010), we sought to generate and examine the educational change associated with this multi-year initiative. Our data set included programmatic data, interviews (N = 30) and artifacts of literacy teaching, learning and leading.FindingsOur findings reflect the emphasis areas that are important to educators in the partnership: diversity by design, building relationships through collaboration and rooting literacy reforms in teacher leadership. Our discussion explores threads of reciprocity, simultaneous renewal and boundary-spanning leadership and their role in sustaining partnerships over time.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to our understanding of building and sustaining a cohort model of multi-year professional development through the voices, perspectives and experiences of teachers, faculty and district administrators.