Government Policy Research Articles

Evaluation of alternative farm safety net program combination strategies

PurposeSeveral farm safety net strategies are available to farmers as a source of financial protection against losses due to price instability, government policies, weather fluctuations and global market changes. Producers can employ these strategies combining crop insurance policies with countercyclical policies for several crops and production areas; however, less is known about the efficiency of these strategies in enhancing profit and reducing its variability. In this study, we examine the efficiency of these strategies at minimizing inter crop year farm profit variability.Design/methodology/approachWe utilized relative mean of profit and coefficient of variation, to compare counterfactually calculated farm safety net strategies for a sample of 28,615 observations across 2,486 farms and four dryland crops (corn, soybean, sorghum and wheat) in Kansas spanning nine crop years (2014–2022). A no farm safety net strategy is used as the benchmark for every alternative strategy to ascertain whether a policy customization is statistically different from a no farm safety case.FindingsThe general pattern of the results suggests that program combination strategies that have a high-profit enhancement potential necessarily have low profit risk for dryland wheat and sorghum production. On the contrary, such a connection is absent for dryland corn and soybeans production. Low-cost farm safety net strategies that enhance corn and soybeans profits do not necessarily lower profit risks.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the first to use a large sample of actual farm-level observations to evaluate how combinations of safety net programs offered under the Title I (PLC, ARCCO and ARCIC) and XI (FCIP) of the U.S. Farm Bill rank in terms of profit level enhancement and profit risk reduction.

Policymaking and the role of government in promoting public health during Covid-19 in Indonesia?

The global COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted inadequate physical activity, which has an impact on public health. Government policies are critical in supporting public health and encouraging physical activity during COVID-19. In addition, collaboration between public and health authorities, influencers, and governments is essential in implementing public education campaigns to promote physical activity and healthy behaviors. In Indonesia, strategies to encourage physical activity among children can include home-based physical activity programs, online physical education classes, and outdoor activities that adhere to social distancing guidelines.

First Peoples economic landscape: analysis of the ecosystem

PurposeThis paper focuses on First Peoples Founders of for-profit entities in Australia and the role of the Indigenous Economic Development Agencies (IEDAs). We explore the challenges facing First Peoples enterprises, influenced by historical exclusion from white settler society, and the practices of the IEDAs from the perspectives of Founders and agencies.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative study utilising Indigenous Standpoint Theory and Indigenous research methods, elevating Founder perspectives, in the Yaruwu language - the Nilangany Ngarrungunil, owners of knowledge, to that of research collaborators.FindingsThe First Peoples economic landscape is continually evolving with IEDAs contributing to that evolution despite contentious identity ownership definitions. Founders secure in their own identity, are focused on self-determination and opportunities provided by IEDAs, government and corporate sector policies. However, opportunities are undermined by ongoing racism, discrimination and prevailing stereotypes leading to homogeneity, invisibility and exclusion. Founders question organisational commitments to overcoming systemic exclusion in particular their commitment to building respectful relationships and understanding First Peoples ways of working. Instead, Founders focus on building a sustainable First Peoples economic ecosystem through relationship-based practices rather than transactional reconciliation which ignores the reality of the lived experience of everyday racism.Originality/valueThis study extends the scholarly discourse on First Peoples for-profit enterprise success written with an Indigenous voice. We demonstrate how this Founder generation are strengthened by culture with identity infused in organisational practices underpinning their aspirations of economic self-determination.

How economic policies and development impact marine fisheries: Lessons learned from a transitional economy

This article examines the impact of economic growth on Vietnam’s marine fisheries and the effectiveness of government policies in promoting sustainability. Despite impressive economic growth, environmental concerns have become urgent and require serious consideration in Vietnam. The Vietnamese government has implemented policies to reduce over-exploitation in coastal areas and improve the efficiency of offshore fishing, but unsustainable practices and illegal fishing remain significant problems. This study examines the effects of transitioning from a centrally-planned economy to a ‘socialist-oriented’ market economy on the productivity and efficiency of Vietnam’s marine fisheries. The main focus is on productivity changes, with additional consideration given to technical progress, environmental changes, and management practices. The findings shed light on the complex relationships between economic development, environmental sustainability, and marine fisheries in Vietnam. The study highlights the importance of sustainable practices and effective government policies in promoting the sustainability of the country’s marine fisheries. This article provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders concerned with the sustainability of marine resources in Vietnam and beyond.

Reimagining entrepreneurship by utilizing venture dynamics in sharing economy: Evaluating the symbiosis of macro and micro factors for sustainable capital flows in developing markets

AbstractVenture capital (VC) plays a vital role in fostering revolution and entrepreneurship in emerging economies. However, attracting VC investments remains a significant challenge for startups in these markets. This study investigates the macro and micro factors influencing VC attraction in the Bangladeshi startup ecosystem, employing a mixed‐methods approach. A systematic literature review was performed to recognize the key factors influencing VC attraction in emerging markets. Qualitative interviews with 20 stakeholders, including startup founders, investors, and policymakers, were undertaken to gain insights into the challenges and opportunities for VC attraction in Bangladesh. Quantitative analysis of secondary data on VC investments and startup characteristics was executed to examine the associations connecting the identified factors and VC investment amount. The findings reveal that government policies, human capital availability, and informal institutions are critical macro factors influencing VC attraction, while founder and team characteristics, business model and scalability, and traction and validation are key micro factors. The study contributes to the literature on VC in developing economies by providing a comprehensive examination of the interplay of institutional, human capital, cultural, and startup‐specific factors shaping VC investment decisions. The findings have important implications for policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs seeking to foster a more vibrant and sustainable startup ecosystem in Bangladesh and beyond. The research underlines the need for a holistic approach to addressing the challenges and leveraging the opportunities for VC attraction in emerging markets.

Inspection supervision and corporate green total factor productivity

This study takes the state-owned listed companies in China's capital market as the research object and empirically tests the relation between inspection supervision and corporate green total factor productivity (GTFP). Research results indicate that inspection supervision can considerably improve enterprise GTFP. Heterogeneity analysis results show that the promotion effect of inspection supervision on corporate GTFP is primarily concentrated within large-scale enterprises and those with better institutional environments. The findings offer guidance for governmental policies and strategies to enhance and sustain inspection supervision practices.

From Fields to Futures: Examining the Socioeconomic Shifts from Cardamom Cultivation in Eastern Nepal

Large-scale cardamom cultivation in Eastern Nepal is primarily concentrated in six districts, namely Dhankuta, Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Terhathum and Sankhuwasabha, contributing over 80% of the national production and engaging approximately 60,000–70,000 families. The study aims to investigate how cardamom farming has impacted farmers' livelihoods compared to traditional farming methods and how the volatility of cardamom prices underscores the complex dynamics of capitalist market structures. This study focused on Ward No. 2 of Mahalaxmi Municipality in Dhankuta District and spans a five-year period from 2019 to February 18, 2024. Through census-based data collection from 27 households using interviews and observations, the research examined the impact of cardamom production on local livelihoods. The analysis incorporates insights from Marx's Mode of Production, along with perspectives from Jagannath Adhikari, Mark Liechty, and Ian Carlos Fitzpatrick. The findings reveal that earnings from cardamom cultivation did not only elevate living standards but also encouraged self-sufficiency and reduced reliance on foreign employment through borrowing, highlighting changing economic opportunities, self-esteem, and job prospects within the community. The study reveals that cardamom farming has the potential to significantly influence farmers' economic stability and highlights the need for better market strategies and government policies to address price volatility and enhance cardamom productivity.

Finding alternative community-based learning delivery for parenting skills during COVID-19 for mothers with children aged 0–3 Years

Parenting training has been considered crucial to improving child development. The Tanoto Foundation's parenting program intervention was started in 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic impacted government policies in Indonesia. Preventive measures that limit mobility affect the sustainability of face-to-face parenting interventions. The study aimed to explore alternative intervention methods, such as face-to-face, blended, online with facilitators, and self-learning, for parenting skills learning during emergencies. A 1-year non-randomized quasi-field experiment using a mixed quantitative-qualitative approach was conducted to 762 participants. SIGAP Q, the HOME Inventory, and CREDI were used for quantitative measurements, while interviews and focused group discussions (FGDs) provided qualitative data. The quantitative data were analyzed using multiway ANOVA, and the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The study found that all intervention modalities delivered positive outcomes. In contrast, face-to-face delivered the largest gain, followed by online with facilitators, blended learning, and online self-learning (a web-based learning management system). As an alternative, online with facilitators is the best for delivering parenting materials, followed by online self-learning (independent) modes of intervention. Blended and online models provide alternative models in emergency contexts. Implications are discussed in this article.

The impact of internet usage preferences on labor income: Evidence from China.

The widespread application and iterative updating of computers and Internet communication technologies have not only increased productivity and enhanced intra- and inter-enterprise collaboration, but have also led to significant changes in the labor market and residents' labor income. In the digital era, accepting digital technology and possessing a certain degree of digital literacy have become the necessary abilities for people to survive and develop. However, the differences in digital literacy caused by individual differences will inevitably bring about a series of chain reactions. Therefore, it is necessary to study the subtle impact of Internet usage preference on residents' labor income in the context of digital transformation to promote digital equity. This study aims to empirically analyze micro-level survey data to reveal the impact of individual differences in internet usage preferences on their labor income. The findings provide theoretical references for government policy formulation and individual development. A function model was established to analyze the impact of individual internet usage preferences on labor income. Relevant data from the authoritative Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS2017) were selected, and empirical analyses for significance, heterogeneity, and robustness were conducted using the ZINB and CMP models in the Stata statistical software. (1) Higher Internet Usage Frequency (IUF) increases the likelihood of higher income. (2) Engaging in Online Social Networking (OSN) helps in accumulating social capital, leading to higher labor income. Meanwhile, participating in Online Entertainment (OE) relieves work and life stresses, thereby increasing labor income. Proficiency in Accessing Online Information (AOI) is associated with higher labor income, while frequent involvement in Online Business (OB) is correlated with higher personal income. Additionally, the Marginal utility of these internet usage preferences indicate that OB > AOI > OSN > OE. (3) Individual variations in physical, psychological, and social characteristics significantly influence the labor income effects of internet usage preferences. (4) There are substantial differences in the labor income effects of internet usage preferences between urban and rural areas and across different regions. (5) Education attainment has a positive mediating effect on the labour income effect of individual Internet use preferences, and enhancing residents' digital literacy has a positive effect on increasing their labour income and alleviating inequality in digital gains. (6) The popularity of Internet technology is the background that triggers an individual's Internet use, and the acceptance of a particular Internet technology is catalyzed by an individual's perception of the value and difficulty of mastering that technology; an individual's biased learning or proficiency in a particular Internet technology in order to gain higher competitiveness and value in the labour market is an important internal driving force.

A Comparison of the Characteristics of Informal Economy between Developing and Developed Countries and the Experience and Reference of China: A Case Study of Malaysia and Singapore

As China continues to urbanise, the size of the informal economy in the country is also increasing, creating numerous governance issues. This thesis explores the differences between developing and developed countries by comparing the characteristics of the informal economy in Malaysia and Singapore. A literature study was used to analyze the size and characteristics of the informal economy in the two countries. It is found that despite the commonalities, there are significant differences between the two countries' informal economies in terms of development stages and policy implications. This study provides valuable experience and lessons for the governance of the informal economy in China, emphasising the impact of government policies and socio-cultural factors on the informal economy, and it also provides important insights into the effective governance of the informal economy in developing countries.

The Role of Vaccination, Testing, and Public Restriction Policies in COVID-19 Mortality and Incidence: Insights from Global Burden of Disease Regions

IntroductionThis study aimed to examine the impacts of vaccination, testing, and government policies on COVID-19 mortality and incidence rates and compare these strategies' effectiveness by seven super regions of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD).Material and methodsThis study used data from January 3, 2020, to March 29, 2023. The incidence and mortality indices were calculated using “daily cases” and “daily deaths” and selected as dependent variables. Vaccination, COVID-19 tests, strictness of a government's policy were explored using corresponding metrics.ResultsDaily cases were four times higher in the high-income region (371.1) than those in the Latin America and the Caribbean region (98.3), but the mortality rate was similar (1.5). The number of vaccinated people did not consistently reduce the mortality across all GBD regions. However, full vaccination was associated with decreased mortality in all regions except Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe and Central Asia (CEEECA). Regarding daily testing, a favorable correlation was observed between daily deaths on a global scale, excluding Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania. Overall, vaccination coverage and government policies were effective in reducing the COVID-19 mortality and incidence rates. However, only the high-income region showed a negative association between the stringency index to COVID-19 and incidence and mortality rates.ConclusionsFull vaccination significantly reduced COVID-19 mortality globally, except in the CEEECA region. HI regions showed lower incidence and mortality rates with stricter government measures. Effective vaccination programs and policies are crucial, emphasizing the need for strengthened international cooperation in future pandemics.

Farmer‐led badger vaccination in Cornwall: Epidemiological patterns and social perspectives

Abstract In the United Kingdom, the management of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) challenges the coexistence of people and wildlife. Control of this cattle disease is hindered by transmission of its causative agent, Mycobacterium bovis, between cattle and badgers Meles meles. Badger culling has formed an element of bTB control policy for decades, but current government policy envisions expanding badger vaccination. Farming leaders are sceptical, citing concerns that badger vaccination would be impractical and potentially ineffective. We report on a 4‐year badger vaccination initiative in an 11 km2 area which, atypically, was initiated by local farmers, delivered by scientists and conservationists, and co‐funded by all three. Participating landholders cited controversies around culling and a desire to support neighbours as their primary reasons for adopting vaccination. The number of badgers vaccinated per km2 (5.6 km−2 in 2019) exceeded the number culled on nearby land (2.9 km−2 in 2019), and the estimated proportion vaccinated (74%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 40%–137%) exceeded the 30% threshold predicted by models to be necessary to control M. bovis. Farmers were content with how vaccination was delivered, and felt that it built trust with wildlife professionals. The percentage of badgers testing positive for M. bovis declined from 16.0% (95% CI 4.5%–36.1%) at the start of vaccination to 0% (95% CI 0%–9.7%) in the final year. With neither replication nor unvaccinated controls, this small‐scale case study does not demonstrate a causal link between badger vaccination and bTB epidemiology, but it does suggest that larger‐scale evaluation of badger vaccination would be warranted. Farmers reported that their enthusiasm for badger vaccination had increased after participating for 4 years. They considered vaccination to have been effective, and good value for money, and wished to continue with it. Synthesis and applications: Although small‐scale, this case study suggests that badger vaccination can be a technically effective and socially acceptable component of bTB control. A wider rollout of badger vaccination is more likely if it is led by the farming community, rather than by conservationists or government, and is combined with scientific monitoring. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Characteristics of opinions in the societal and non-societal domains

With the increasing availability of user opinions on the web, understanding the distinct nature of opinions in societal and non-societal contexts becomes crucial for opinion mining and sentiment analysis tasks. Societal topics, encompassing social unrest, terrorist acts, and government policies, differ significantly from non-societal topics like product reviews, movie reviews, and restaurant reviews. Given the regional specificity of societal issues and the lack of sentiment-annotated resources for them, this paper highlights the need to comprehend the differences in opinions between these domains for effective sentiment analysis. Through statistical text and network analysis, it investigates word usage, sentiment word association, and homogeneity in societal versus non-societal contexts. The study also explores graph-based analysis as a novel approach to sentiment analysis, considering its advantage in easily expanding context through the addition of nodes, as opposed to the complexity of inserting relevant tokens in text. The findings suggest that while non-societal sentiment resources might not be directly applicable to societal domains, graph-based analysis offers promising avenues for sentiment analysis in diverse societal topics.

"An Integrated Model for Adopting Renewable Energy in IRAQ: A Standard Study for the Period (1992-2023)"

Data related to the study variables were collected for the period from 1992 to 2023, with the sample size reaching 31 observations for each variable. This research aims to review and analyze descriptive data for these multiple variables, which are related to different areas of renewable energy use and electricity consumption in Iraq. This research addresses important variables, including renewable energy, government policies related to it, and the level of public awareness of the subject. In addition, other variables such as electricity consumption, country's population, volume of imports and exports, economic growth, technological innovation, and foreign direct investment flows are analysed. The importance of this research is to understand the trends and factors influencing the field of renewable energy in Iraq, which can contribute to developing effective policies to promote the use of renewable energy and achieve environmental and economic sustainability in the country. Considering the negative impact, the variables EC (electricity consumption), NPG (population) and GP (economic growth) seem to have a negative impact on renewable energy production in the long run. Increased electrical consumption and population and economic growth can lead to increased demand for traditional sources of energy, reducing environmental sustainability and exposing the country to negative consequences in the future. On the other hand, the positive effect of the variables EG (economic growth), FDIF (foreign direct investment inflows), I (imports), PA (exports) and TI (technological innovation) on renewable energy production is shown. Increased investment in renewable energy infrastructure and adoption of clean technology can contribute to achieving environmental sustainability and boosting the economy. Using EViews 12 software, these variables will be analyzed according to available data with the aim of understanding trends, challenges and opportunities related to renewable energy in Iraq.

The Effect of Government Policy Consistency on Firm Innovation

The Effect of Government Policy Consistency on Firm Innovation

Convergence in economic complexity: global evidence

ABSTRACT This study explores the convergence pattern of economic complexity across a global sample of 129 countries from 1995 to 2020. The panel convergence method is employed, which endogenously identifies the membership of convergence clubs. The findings suggest that countries flock together in six distinct clubs. Upon further inspection, it becomes evident that factors such as population density, human capital, trade openness, foreign direct investment, and real GDP significantly influence the clubs’ membership of economic complexity. Therefore, government policies must be specifically tailored to each club’s determinants’ unique characteristics to enhance a country’s economic complexity.

Parental socioeconomic status, school physical facilities availability, and students’ academic performance

Education is a key driver in reducing poverty and increasing shared prosperity. This study aimed to examine the impact of parental socioeconomic status and the school’s physical facilities availability on academic performance. A quantitative survey research approach was utilized taking the state junior high school students in Southern Papua Province, Indonesia, as the population and samples. Data on parental socioeconomic status and the school’s physical facilities availability were gathered using two quantitative survey questionnaires, while data on student academic performance was obtained by getting the surveyed students’ academic records. The obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis using the SPSS software version 21. The results revealed a significant positive impact of parental socioeconomic status and the school’s physical facilities availability on academic performance among the state junior high school students in Southern Papua Province, Indonesia, both partially and simultaneously. The result highlights the importance of addressing the disparities in access to quality education between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. This study’s findings may endorse the efforts to eliminate class-based gaps in students’ academic performance in compulsory education. In addition, government policy on the socioeconomic status of parents and school grants should be implemented thoroughly to promote educational equity so that students from low economic backgrounds have equal access to quality education.

The Insidiousness of Institutional Betrayal: An Ecological Systematic Review of Campus Sexual Violence Response Literature.

Recently, post-secondary institutions have been under increased public and academic scrutiny regarding their ability to prevent and respond to instances of campus sexual violence. Emerging research has explored institutional betrayal (IB), which is a theoretical framework that states that actions and inactions on the part of the institution can cause further harm to survivors of violence. The goals of this review were, using an ecological systems lens, to identify what specific behaviors, policies, responses, and other factors constitute IB or institutional support (IS) as defined by the existing literature. A search of 16 databases across 8 disciplines led to the identification of 100 articles that mentioned either IB or IS verbatim. Factors that can be categorized as IB and IS were identified across nine levels: (1) the individual level, (2) the interpersonal level, (3) within institutional spaces, (4) within institutional procedures, (5) within institutional policies, (6) at the institutional structural level, (7) at the institutional culture level, (8) at a government and public policy level, and (9) within greater societal cultural values and established social norms. IB itself manifests across all levels of the institution and is, in fact, quite insidious-it is largely invisible and deeply rooted in systemic oppression, woven into the structure of institutions of higher education. IB remains a looming, almost inevitable outcome of the structural violence that occurs in post-secondary settings. Yet, IS and the related concept of institutional courage are emerging fields of study that pose important implications for institutional change.

Englishization policy distraction in the internationalization of higher education in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT Deploying what we term ‘Englishization policy distraction’ in the internationalization of higher education as both a theoretical and analytical concept, this paper frames and examines how the epistemic violence of internationalization of the HE is bypassed and invisibilized through Englishization policy and English medium education in Saudi Arabia. To assess the extent of this issue, data were gathered from analysis of local and global media outlets, government policy documents, Ministry of Education news releases, university news releases, and speeches/interviews with officials. The findings revealed that (i) framing, (ii) naming, and (iii) gaming are common distractors of a genuine internationalization of HE alongside its ‘appealing’ rhetoric about diversity and inclusion. Collectively, these three distractors together with the terror of their performativity may result in enforcing an eclipse of reason. This paper further concludes that due to contemporary conditions/pressures of neoliberalism and globalization within HE, the politics of distraction may not be optional or intentional but rather a framework that the state and universities craft to navigate their education policies and strategies.

Unlocking the Economic Potential of Cultural Heritage: Women's Empowerment in the Creative Economy of Developing Countries

This literature review explores how empowering women in a culture-based creative economy can preserve cultural heritage while encouraging economic competitiveness in developing countries. Through a systematic analysis of 44 studies, key findings emerged. First, cultural heritage offers economic opportunities through sustainable tourism and creative entrepreneurship. Second, women face challenges such as marginalization, limited resources, and socio-cultural obstacles in conservation efforts. Third, integrating traditional wisdom into creative products, entrepreneurship training, and marketing can empower women economically. Fourth, government policy, financial support, use of digital technology, and multi-stakeholder involvement are important factors. Fifth, best practices from various countries demonstrate successful replication models. The review concludes that empowering women to preserve cultural heritage opens up sustainable economic development by leveraging local strengths, thus requiring synergistic efforts from the government, stakeholders, and women. Preserving cultural heritage through empowering women is a dual opportunity for developing countries to maintain their identity while driving economic progress.