Policy Framework Research Articles

Examining purchasing strategies in public food procurement: Integrating sustainability, nutrition, and health in Spanish school meals and social care centres

Sustainable Public Food Procurement (SPFP) is pivotal in advancing sustainable and healthier food systems. However, practical gaps persist in understanding how policies function at the local implementation. This study addresses these gaps by analysing 22 SPFP contracts for school meals and social care centres in Spain, focusing on implementation while contextualizing findings within the broader policy cycle. This research categorizes SPFP criteria in tenders and evaluate their potential for actionability across sustainability, nutrition, & health dimensions. It also explores how these criteria are combined into purchasing strategies to achieve simultaneous or individual goals. Key findings reveal a strong use of product quality criteria, particularly organic foods, supported by policy and ease of implementation. However, non-ambitious targets, market constraints and procurement officers’ limited knowledge hinder progress. The study highlights significant adoption of nutritional & health criteria, though non-mandatory policies and varying regional targets impede consistent implementation and reveal gaps in promoting healthy and sustainable dietary practices. Environmental criteria are widely used signalling policy priorities within the EU policy framework. In contrast, proximity and social criteria are underutilized due to regulatory constraints and insufficient guidance. Despite these challenges, innovative local procurement strategies are utilized to overcome barriers. At the strategy level, the study reveals diverse approaches to SPFP implementation, highlighting adaptability but underscoring the need for flexible frameworks that accommodate local variations while aligning with broader EU or national goals. This research advocates for a holistic approach to SPFP that addresses both the practical challenges of implementation and the systemic issues present in the earlier stages of policy development.

An Analysis of Policy Frameworks on Business Formulization and Disaster Management to Mitigate Flood Loss and Damage Among Informal Businesses in Sri Lanka

The 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Egypt made a historical decision on disaster loss and damage for vulnerable countries. Even though parties agreed to salvage vulnerable nations with generous support, a fundamental question remains as to the extent to which these vulnerable countries can accurately identify the most vulnerable communities/areas. In Sri Lanka, informal businesses are particularly vulnerable to floods, but their informal status has limited the extent to which they could receive flood protection, including disaster-resilient infrastructure developments. The main objective of this paper, therefore, is to identify challenges that informal businesses have experienced in dealing with flood disaster risks. In doing so, we analyzed government policies and laws that are related to business formalization and disaster management. We also conducted interviews with key informants to verify our data. Our analysis found that the Sri Lankan government requires informal business owners to follow complicated rules to register their businesses. For these owners, who are not highly educated, these processes and fear of high tax rates discouraged registering their businesses. The central government tends to prioritize flood mitigation actions for formalized business areas. Informal businesses are not usually covered by flood insurance and compensation. In conclusion, we emphasize the need to establish widely available legal and administrative support for informal businesses to register. Adopting business continuity plans (BCPs) and keeping standardized business records also help businesses minimize flood loss and damage.

Transnational networks of energy communities as counterpower in the European Union renewable energy transition framework

Abstract This article explores the communicative process by which transnational networks of energy communities (ECs) in Europe build counterpower vis-a-vis the European Union (EU) institutional framework, with the purpose of effectively contributing to the shaping and management of the EU policy and regulatory framework for renewable energy transition. Such a process consists in the identification of obstacles to effective participation, the facilitation of access to information on EU regulation and policy frameworks, and the production of technical knowledge that reframes how renewable energy transition is understood as a field of political intervention. The impact of EC networks, and other networks of related community-led initiatives, on the EU energy policy framework is still relatively small when compared to centralized, large-scale providers of energy. It is constrained by how differently EU regulatory and policy packages address ‘techno-energetic systems’ in energy transition, as well as disparities in the transposition of EU legislation by Member States. Still, EC networks are building counterpower by facilitating bottom-up information and skill sharing, focusing on facilitating access to information on EU regulation and policy frameworks, as well as producing knowledge that frames the obstacles to effective participation of ECs in policymaking. It expands the understanding of renewable energy transition as a field of policy intervention beyond merely instrumental logic, centred on regulation and policy support to technological innovation, by mainstreaming a substantive logic based on a comprehensive socioecological framing that embeds energy transition in a multidimensional understanding of territorial development and governance.

Evaluation of long-term care expenditures from the silver economy perspective

Silver economics is a field of science that evaluates the long-term care needs that develop because of aging from the economics perspective within the supply and demand framework. The expenditures and investments made to meet long-term care needs constitute the main subject of long-term care expenditures. This study empirically tested the relationship between long-term care expenditures and life expectancy. Expenditures on long-term care facilities (LTCFE) were taken as the dependent variable, and life expectancy at birth (LEAB) and life expectancy at 65 years and over (LEO65) were taken as independent variables. The analysis included data from 25 countries with regular LTCFE from 2004 to 2020. The variables were analyzed using the econometric model established within the framework of panel data analysis. According to the least squares analysis results, a 1% increase in LEAB increased LTCFE by 2.1%, while a 1% increase in LEO65 decreased LTCFE by 0.54%. Moreover, a unidirectional causality relationship was found between LTCFE and LEAB and LEO65. The empirical evidence suggests that life expectancy impacted LTCFE. According to the findings, they emphasize the importance of aligning policy frameworks with demographic changes to ensure sustainable long-term care systems in aging societies.

NGOisation and food sovereignty: unearthing the intricacies of NGO-driven food sovereignty efforts. Insights from Uganda

AbstractIn many places, social movements and organised networks are the primary drivers of mobilisation for food sovereignty. Elsewhere, the concept has been institutionalized and incorporated into national food policy frameworks. However, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding places where food sovereignty efforts are spearheaded by NGOised civil society. This study addresses this gap by examining five Civil Society Organisations promoting food sovereignty in Uganda through qualitative research. Through in-depth interviews, the study explores the implementation, activism, and mobilisation strategies employed by these organisations. The findings reveal that civil society organisations play a significant role in advancing food sovereignty in Uganda. They do so through practical initiatives such as disseminating knowledge, building capacity among smallholder farmers, promoting agroecological practices, and politicizing agricultural development through farmer mobilisation, policy advocacy, and formation of strategic alliances. Nonetheless, the study highlights critical areas for improvement. First, the need for better coordination among CSOs to create synergies that can enhance the impact and sustainability of their efforts. Second, the need to complement non-contentious strategies with more politically assertive actions to address systemic barriers. Finally, the need to forge alliances for FS among rural producers, urban consumers, and other non-farming populations. The main takeaway from these findings is that Food Sovereignty is a dynamic and context-dependent concept, requiring equally flexible strategies to promote it. Therefore, the choice of mobilisation strategies should be carefully adapted to the unique political, cultural, and economic context, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Robots in Public Libraries: An Empirical Analysis of Current Applications and Future Opportunities

ABSTRACT The paper investigated the current application of robots in public libraries with specific consideration of its future opportunities. Three (3) objectives guided the conduct of the study. The study employed a qualitative research approach. The population for the study comprised librarians who have been certified by the Librarian Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) and worked at public library boards. Thematic analysis and content analysis techniques were adopted for this study. The study found that robots bring various advantages, including increased operational efficiency and streamlined access to information, as well as interactive educational opportunities and heightened user involvement. The findings indicate that embracing robotic technology enables public libraries to establish more accessible, dynamic, and user-focused environments, fostering an atmosphere of innovation and technological progress within the realm of information services. It could be concluded that the integration of robots in public libraries plays a vital role in modernizing and improving library services to meet the evolving demands of library users and communities. However, library stakeholders must address potential obstacles, including financial limitations, technological preparedness, and user acceptance. Prioritizing the training of staff, fostering community involvement, and establishing clear policy frameworks enables public libraries to effectively navigate the challenges related to incorporating robotics, ensuring a smooth transition toward a technologically advanced and user-focused library environment.

Lightweight Flow‐Based Policy Enforcement for SDN‐Based Multi‐Domain Communication

ABSTRACTAlthough software‐defined networking (SDN) is commonly employed for intra‐domain communication, inter‐domain communication still heavily relies on conventional routing methods, specifically BGP‐based routers. The BGP router plays a crucial role in managing control and data planes, but this traditional approach hinders the exploitation of SDN advantages. Previous studies demonstrated the use of BGP for inter‐domain and end‐to‐end communication. This paper advocates for the adoption of a fully SDN‐based data plane packet switching strategy through the introduction of LPEES, a lightweight policy framework tailored for SDN‐based inter‐domain communication. LPEES strategically confines BGP's functionality to the control plane, preserving SDN benefits. Evaluation results confirm the effectiveness of LPEES compared to the BGP routing approach, as measured by throughput and various network quality of service (QoS) metrics. Additionally, LPEES streamlines inter‐domain communication by utilizing a trust‐based routing policy approach that can establish trust between communicating domains. The presented solution's main advantage is that it loosens the burden on the administrator by requiring less human interference to check the inter‐domain communication security and privacy. Our evaluations show LPEES outperform the BGP‐based in terms of throughput as LPEES achieves a 27 Gbps versus 22 Gbps in the traditional approach. Based on our experiments, LPEES also enhances the communication delay by an average of 17% compared to the traditional BGP‐based approach.

An Analysis of the Global EV Market: Sustainable Pathways to Net Zero Emissions

The rising urgency to address climate change has positioned electric vehicles (EVs) as a critical solution for achieving the United Nations' net-zero carbon emission targets. As human activities increase greenhouse gas emissions, the average global temperature continues to rise, leading to severe natural disasters in many regions. This situation underscores the urgent need to limit pollutant emissions and pursue sustainable resource management. This study analyzes the global EV market's trajectory towards sustainability, focusing on the interplay of policy frameworks and consumer engagement strategies in major EV markets, including the USA, the European Union, and China. The transition to EVs must be considered in conjunction with policy frameworks and the broader social environment. Using mixed methods and statistical models, we assess how different policies influence EV adoption and their alignment with sustainability goals. As the concept of sustainable development becomes more ingrained in society, it is promising that, through sustained policy implementation and resource development, the shift from ICE vehicles to EVs will make a crucial contribution to reducing carbon emissions. The findings provide actionable insights for optimizing policies and refining marketing strategies, offering a comprehensive blueprint for guiding the global EV market towards a sustainable future.

Institutional and Regulatory Compliance Gaps in Natural Resource Governance: Empirical Evidence and Lessons from the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry

Institutional governance has traditionally been frequently undermined by developing countries, but this behaviour has immensely impacted economic growth and development outcome with long term implications. More fundamentally, the Nigeria oil and gas industry governance are beset with various challenges including regulatory compliance, monitoring capacity, enforcement mechanism, politics and very frequently plagued with blame games. Consequently, the study conducted primary and secondary data to problematized gaps in institutional governance from the standpoint of development discourse to establish a convergence of evidences within the context of the quality of state institutions that unarguably reflects the Nigeria scenario. Institutional and regulatory compliance gaps permeate the gamut of the oil and gas industry so resolutely in the global South like Nigeria, orchestrated by the political elites who are so perverse, rent seeking, inept and greed driven with no clear sense of patriotism compare to the global North like Norway that is more effective and nationalistic. The findings of the study highlight weaknesses in policy framework, corrupt practices, poor contract management, compromised professional integrity, inadequate funding, poor contract management and systemic gap in revenue management as a consequence of gaps in natural resources governance in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. It explains this on the basis of existing mechanisms and empirical evidences. These evidently exemplify that Nigeria has struggled for several decades from lethargic institutional and regulatory compliance capacity as the presence of oil and gas does not translate or appear to systematically support development outcome in many developing countries.

Permanent pastures identification in Portugal using remote sensing and multi-level machine learning

IntroductionThe Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a vital policy framework implemented by the European Union to regulate and support agricultural production within member states. The Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) is a key component that provides reliable land identification for administrative control procedures. On-the-spot checks (OTSC) are carried out to verify compliance with CAP requirements, typically relying on visual interpretation or field visits. However, the CAP is embracing advanced technologies to enhance its efficiency.MethodsThis study focuses on using Sentinel-2 time series data and a two-level approach involving recurrent neural networks (RNN) and convolutional neural networks (CNN) to accurately identify permanent pastures.ResultsIn the first step, using RNN, the model achieved an accuracy of 68%, a precision of 36%, a recall of 97% and a F1-score of 52%, which indicates the model’s ability to identify all the true positive parcels (correctly identified permanent pasture parcels) and minimize the false negative parcels (non-identified permanent pasture parcels). This occurs due to the difficulty in distinguishing between permanent pastures and other similar land covers (such as temporary pastures and shrublands). In the second step, it was possible to distinguish the permanent pasture parcels from the others. The obtained results improved significantly from the first to the second step. Using CNN, an accuracy of 93%, a precision of 89%, and a recall of 98% were achieved for the “Permanent pasture” class. The F1-score was 94%, indicating a balanced measure of the model’s performance.DiscussionThe integration of advanced technologies in the CAP’s control mechanisms, as demonstrated, has the potential to automate the verification of farmers’ declarations and subsequent subsidy payments.

The drivers and barriers influencing the commercialization of innovations at research and innovation institutions in Uganda: a systemic, infrastructural, and financial approach

Research and innovation (R&I) institutions must commercialize their innovations to remain competitive in a knowledge-based economy. While R&I institutions in Uganda have the potential to drive socioeconomic development, a clear understanding of the commercialization pathway is lacking. This study aims to bridge this gap by analyzing the systemic, infrastructural, and financial factors that drive and hinder the commercialization of innovations at R&I institutions in Uganda. This study offers the first comprehensive examination of the systemic, infrastructural, and financial dimensions influencing innovation commercialization within Uganda's R&I ecosystem, presenting new empirical evidence on the prioritized barriers and drivers as perceived by key stakeholders. Employing a mixed-method approach, this study uniquely combines quantitative surveys with qualitative case studies and key informant interviews, enabling a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted drivers of and barriers to innovation commercialization in Uganda. The study employed the Delphi technique to identify consensus among key informants. The findings highlight the urgent barriers to address, including fragmented R&I ecosystems, inadequate support infrastructure, such as technology transfer offices, and significant gaps in innovation financing. These issues underscore the urgent need for targeted policy interventions. Based on our findings, we recommend the establishment of a national innovation fund, enhancement of public private partnerships for R&D infrastructure development, and formulation of a cohesive national policy framework to streamline commercialization processes at R&I institutions. This study provides policymakers with a data-driven foundation to craft targeted interventions aimed at removing the identified barriers, thereby catalyzing the commercialization of innovations in Uganda's R&I institutions.

Conceptualising meso translation policy

Abstract Like language policy, translation policy is a complex adaptive phenomenon where multiple agents interact dynamically at diverse levels and affect how principles such as equality, inclusion, and non-discrimination are implemented at concrete, structural levels. While a fair amount of work has been done on top-down and bottom-up translation policy, more research about meso-level translation policy is needed to better understand this topic. This study thus seeks to show how meso-level agency needs to be taken into consideration; in particular, the complex interplays between meso-level agency and structural factors in policymaking and appropriation processes. Taking two Toronto hospitals as examples, this study demonstrates how hospitals can be conceptualised at a meso-level as collective agents. It examines the complexity of their agentive roles and elucidates their exertion of agentive power in order to explore meso complexity, and to assess the subsequent impact on both policy outcomes and people’s lives. To do so, a framework of parameters influencing, if not determining, the effectiveness of public service translation and interpreting provision is proposed. It is then used in combination with an existing tripartite framework of translation policy to develop a more fine-grained and holistic understanding of translation policy in public service settings.

Accessibility in an Inclusive Academic Environment: The Case of Takoradi Technical University

This study examines the extent to which Takoradi Technical University (TTU) in Ghana has achieved an inclusive academic environment for students with disabilities. Despite Ghana's commitment to inclusive education and various policies supporting persons with disabilities (PWDs), there remains a significant research gap regarding the practical implementation and effectiveness of these policies at the university level. This research addresses this gap by evaluating TTU's accessibility measures and support services. The study employs a phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of students with disabilities, faculty, and staff at TTU. It investigates the alignment of TTU’s practices with national and international inclusive education policies, such as the Persons with Disability Act (715) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The research focuses on three main objectives: identifying the teaching and learning needs of disabled students, assessing the accessibility of TTU's built environment, and evaluating the satisfaction of students with the available support services. Data were collected through qualitative interviews with 28 participants, including students with disabilities, lecturers, and support staff. Findings reveal that TTU has established various support services, including sign language interpretation, e-learning support, and assistive devices. However, students reported inadequacies in these services, citing needs for additional support such as braille services and extended examination time. Furthermore, the built environment at TTU was found to be largely inaccessible to students with physical disabilities, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among the student body. The study highlights that while TTU has made commendable efforts in providing institutionalized support for disabled students, significant gaps remain in service adequacy and physical accessibility. The findings underscore the need for enhanced strategies to improve inclusivity at TTU and similar institutions, aligning practical implementations with policy frameworks to better serve students with disabilities

Evaluating the Impact of Government Policies on Circular Economy Adoption in the Construction Sector

The construction sector is both essential for global economic progress and one of the largest contributors to pollution, resource depletion, and energy consumption. Given the urgent need to adopt more sustainable practices, governments in developed countries have introduced policies aimed at fostering a circular economy in this sector. These policies emphasize the use of green materials to reduce resource consumption, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with global sustainability goals. The waste hierarchy further governs these policies, prioritizing waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. This study analyzes the effectiveness of these government policies in promoting circular economy principles, particularly the adoption of green materials in the construction industry. Our findings reveal that while these policies have led to measurable reductions in energy consumption and emissions, the extent of green material adoption varies significantly across countries. Key factors influencing this variation include economic incentives, regulatory enforcement, and the level of industry acceptance of green technologies. One of the most important results of this study is the identification of significant gaps between policy intent and actual industry practices. In many cases, green materials, despite their favorable characteristics, have not been widely implemented due to economic, technical, and market barriers. These findings underscore the need for stronger government incentives and more consistent policy enforcement to drive broader adoption of sustainable practices. Future studies should focus on overcoming these barriers, exploring the long-term economic impacts of green material adoption, and evaluating how policy frameworks can be optimized to ensure more widespread.

The Historiography of Forests use Types and Implication for Forest Conservation in the Montane Forests of Ngongbaa, Kilum, Kovifem and Kovkinkar

This study explores the timeline history of forest use types and beneficial relationship of forest, forest communities and conservation in the montane forests of Ngongbaa, Kilum, Kovifem and Kovkinkar from the mid-1970s to 2015. Data and/or information collected for this study comprise literary, questionnaire, interview, focused group discussions and observations. Data for the study was secured from person directly resident adjacent forest in 29 villages. The study shows that apart from being asource of food and medicine, forest first served as settlement and refuge sites for the Nso, Mbiame and Oku people. Today, forest serves as cemetery for the fons (kings), and host shrines which have become conservation hot spots and nurseries for engendered plants and animal species, where the Nso, Mbiame and Oku also performed sacrifices. These conservation hot spots help to sustain the forest in montane ecosystems where pressure on land and forest is high and on the rise. Due to population pressure and limited grazing the grassland compartments in the above forests have been transformed into grazing ground. The long period of intercourse between the Nso, Mbiame, Oku people and their forest enabled them to accumulate rich and useful knowledge of the forest and established customary (non- statutory or quasi-statutory) regulatory frameworks for effective management of forest resources to improve their livelihood and culture. Due to the depletion of forest and the adoption of stricter conservation policies, some forest activities particularly carving and hunting have decreased in intensity while some like Ngwa’a (royal hunt) has simply phased out due to the extinction of animal species which were hunted. The paper recommends that traditional systems of managing forest be reinforced to enhance the conservation of resources in sacred groves that are nurseries for threatened and extinct species in degraded ecosystems. The state should recognise and integrate non-statutory forestry policy frameworks established in the Nso, Mbiame and Oku into the national forestry policy as village-based institutions for the management of land and forest in forest communities. The government should also empower traditional authorities (Fon,Nwerong and Lanlords (ataangven) and support reforestation and forest restoration programmes formulated by them. This is because laws put in place by these institutions are respected in the most part by their subjects without being forced to do so, unlike in the Ngongbaa and Kilum forests managed by the state, where forestry laws are permanently violated by local people who consider forestry authorities as state agents who are depriving them of their right of tenure and usufruct. This would likely help to maintain biodiversity and knowledge attached to it, which is gradually disappearing due to forest depletion.

Defining Greenwashing: A Concept Analysis

The lack of a shared, operant definition for greenwashing has led to fragmented scholarly research, unclear guidelines for practice, inconsistent enforcement, and reactive policy frameworks; resulting in ineffective efforts to combat its growth. Using concept analysis, this research establishes a composite definition for greenwashing by identifying the constitutive attributes sourced across 79 scholarly definitions. The analysis finds six requirements necessary for identifying greenwashing: a claim on environmental performance by a private sector organization marketing a product or a service, which cannot be substantiated, made with deceptive intent, and done to establish a competitive advantage. Fulfilling these criteria warrants an accusation of greenwashing. With the aim to prevent its further spread and misuse, the article provides a diagnostic tool for separating similar but often conflated concepts from greenwashing to organize scholarly research, provide guidelines for practitioners, and support regulators’ case analysis.

Aligning Greece’s Regulatory Governance With International Transformative Principles and Objectives: The Case of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Abstract The article highlights the importance that the international dimension of the regulatory context of draft legislation acquires for the drafting of effective regulation. It attempts to demonstrate the added value that the integrated incorporation of fundamental regulatory principles and objectives derived from influential global regulatory texts enjoying full acceptance, like the UN Resolution on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, brings to a country’s regulatory governance. From an empirical perspective, the article focuses on a thorough analysis of the degree to which Greece’s law-making process is interconnected and aligned with core regulatory principles of the 2030 Agenda, such as the principle of policy coherence, the evidence-based principle, and the principle of inclusion. It examines the key instruments, procedures, and ways in which these principles are appropriately mainstreamed into the Greek legislative process and the institutional and policy framework of the Government on which its legislative interventions are founded. As a case study, the alignment and coherence of the provisions of a specific law pertaining to tourism development with the overarching regulatory principles of the UN 2030 Agenda are examined. Τhe concluding part presents some proposals that could contribute to improving the way the SDGs are effectively mainstreamed into Greece’s legislative process.

Bio-Inputs in Brazilian Agriculture: Public Policies and Regulatory Framework

Introduction: The article synthesizes the thesis Bio-inputs in Brazilian Agriculture: Public Policies and Regulatory Framework, by the same authors, presenting its most relevant results and contributions. It critically studies the main ongoing public policies and the regulatory framework for the bio-inputs sector, which is still in the consolidation phase. By contextualizing the National Bio-inputs Program to national agricultural policy, the article anticipates the prospects and challenges for the sector. Based on the Goiás State Program case study, the article aims to demonstrate the scope and necessity of public policies for the success of initiatives to increase the use of biological inputs in the country. Finally, the study evaluates regulatory proposals for the sector, currently outlined in Bills No. 3668/21 and No. 658/21, under consideration in the National Congress. Using a combination of theoretical review and case study, the article explores the prospects for sustainable development through the increased use of bio-inputs in Brazilian agriculture and the challenges posed by the lack of an adequate regulatory framework. It concludes that implementation of bio-inputs in Brazil depends on clear regulation, incentives for on-farm production, and support for research and innovation. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate how public policies, particularly the National Bioinputs Program, the State Bioinputs Program of the State of Goiás, and the regulatory framework proposed in Bills 658/2021 and 3,668/2021, impact, either positively or negatively, the expansion and strengthening of the use of bioinputs in national agriculture. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework underpins the discussion on public policies and the regulatory framework for the bioinputs sector in Brazilian agriculture, which falls within the broader concept of bioeconomy. For the case study of the State Bioinputs Program of the State of Goiás, references on methods for evaluating public policies were used as instruments to verify what was planned in relation to the empirically achieved results, with the objective of allowing an understanding of the efficacy, efficiency, and effectiveness achieved by the implemented measures. Finally, for the analysis of the bills that make up the regulatory framework, references are used to form the concept of bioinputs, the scope, and limits of the regulatory framework for the sector. Method: A bibliographic review centered on public policies, bioinputs, and sustainability in agriculture was conducted, prioritizing articles published after 2020. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used through the application of questionnaires. The documentary analysis included the governing legislation on agricultural policies and related topics, accessed documents, and reference publications from sector entities. Case studies of the State Bioinputs Program of the State of Goiás, Law No. 21.005/2021, were carried out, as well as a direct comparison between Bills 658/2021 and 3668/2021 under review in the National Congress. Results and Discussion: The research results indicate that the National Bioinputs Program is a strategic and promising public policy for promoting more sustainable agricultural practices in Brazil but still faces significant challenges. These difficulties were clearly identified in the case study of the State Bioinputs Program of the State of Goiás, which proved effective in aligning its actions with state agricultural policy and ensuring the necessary engagement for its implementation. Through the applied questionnaires, the premise that challenges such as information on supply, infrastructure, costs, and qualified technical assistance still persist was confirmed. Finally, the comparative analysis of Bills 658/2021 and 3,668/2021 reveals a potential missed opportunity, given that both bills follow the logic of legislation applied to agrochemicals. Both bills require adjustments to ensure that the regulatory framework actually provides legal certainty for investors and producers, economic feasibility in its use, health safety, and incentives for innovation, allowing the proper development of the bioinputs sector in Brazil. Research Implications: The research has practical, political, and regulatory implications. Empirically, it offers ideas that support the understanding that bioinputs can indeed contribute to more sustainable agriculture in Brazil, a central premise of ongoing public policies. In the political field, the importance of government positioning on the subject stands out as a decisive factor for the success of expanding the use of bioinputs in Brazilian agribusiness. Finally, in the regulatory field, the research contributes through a direct comparison of the bills under review that propose the construction of the regulatory framework for the sector, highlighting points of attention, opportunities, limits for regulation, and suggestions for improvement, providing elements to enrich discussions on the subject. Given all the above, the research has the potential to influence both the formulation of future public policies and the regulation of the sector, directly impacting the sustainability of Brazilian agribusiness. Originality/Value: The research addresses a contemporary theme related to the construction of the regulatory framework for the sector. Additionally, it brings proposals for specific methodological approaches for formative evaluation of public policies, focusing on the analysis of efficacy, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Education Policy and Social Justice: A Policy Framework Analysis for Improving Educational Opportunities for Marginalized Groups

Educational inequality remains a pervasive issue, particularly for marginalized groups such as low-income families, immigrants, and ethnic minorities. Despite various educational reforms, current policies often fail to fully address the disparities faced by these populations. This paper critically examines the role of education policy in promoting social justice, focusing on how existing policies can either perpetuate or mitigate inequities in access and outcomes. Drawing on a comprehensive policy analysis framework, this study analyzes current UK education policies, comparing them with international best practices to identify key gaps and areas for improvement. The findings reveal significant shortcomings in resource distribution, support systems for marginalized students, and accountability mechanisms. Based on these findings, the paper proposes a refined policy framework that incorporates principles of redistributive, recognition, and participatory justice, offering actionable recommendations for policymakers. This research highlights the urgent need for a more equitable approach to education policy, ensuring that marginalized groups are not left behind in the pursuit of educational opportunity and success.

Unravelling the complex interactions between sentiment of uncertainty and foreign capital flows: Evidence from Brazil and South Korea

Brazil and South Korea have both been known to implement capital controls during emerging market crises to address the complexity of foreign capital flows, which affects international investor behaviour. This research studies Brazil and South Korea bond and stock flows and sentiment of economic and political uncertainty (SEPU), a local news-based sentiment indicator, using a novel time-varying technique. Findings show multiple short-term occasions where increased SEPU strangely boosts equity flows, contrary to the assumption that uncertainty discourages equity investment. This paradoxical discovery is linked to a "behavioural arbitrage strategy" in which risk-seeking investors employ informational asymmetries to capitalize on increased uncertainty. Foreign investors prefer South Korean over Brazilian bonds due to the former country's stronger policy framework. The second significant finding is that equity inflows increase uncertainty (negative domestic sentiment in media) during acute crises. We conclude that inflation, recession, geopolitical risk, financial instability, and tight monetary policy amplify this feedback loop.