Flexible Policy Research Articles

From the History of the Foreign Policy of Georgian Kings in the 1st Half of the 14th Century

The present paper focuses on the diplomatic relations between Georgia and the Sultan of Egypt. The Georgian envoys were sent to Egypt several times – in 1305/6, 1310/11, 1316/7, 1320. Their goal was restitution of the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem confiscated in 1270s by Baybars I, the Sultan of Mamluk Egypt. Considering the issue the author ofthe paper comes to the following conclusions: In all cases the envoys were sent by the king of the West Georgia, Constantine,son to David, who achieved the goal in negotiations with the Mamluk Sultan; Giorgi the Brilliant began his activities on the Holy Land after establishing peaceful relations between Ilkhans and Mamluk Sultan under the treaty concluded in 1323. The latter was carried out with the active parng Giorgi V. Giorgi the Brilliant got independence by the flexible diplomatic policy, alliance with Ilkhans in the confrontation between the Golden Horde and Ilkhans and determining his right function in that situation; “King of kings” David, who is mentioned is a renovator of the Monastery of the Holy Cross in the bead-roll of the Monastery, is not David VIII, as it was supposed in the scholarly literature, but David IX, son of Giorgi the Brilliant.

Macro welfare effects of flexible labor contracts

We develop a Dynamic-Stochastic-General-Equilibrium model to study the macro welfare effects of flexible labor contracts. Capturing the empirical properties observed in the data, we incorporate two labor sectors in our DSGE framework: a fixed sector and a flexible sector. The fixed sector offers contracts that exhibit rigidities in working-hours and wages while the flexible sector offers flexible contracts in both dimensions. We calibrate the model utilizing Eurozone data and show that in the benchmark currency union economy, welfare would monotonically increase if fixed sector’s wage rigidity goes up, while welfare would monotonically decline in wage rigidity if the benchmark economy were to switch to inflation targeting. We also show that it is the working-hour flexibility of flexible labor contracts that reinforces the desirability of wage stickiness in the fixed sector. Finally, we obtain strikingly different optimal flexible sector sizes for economies in currency union and inflation targeting monetary policy regimes: while the optimal flexible sector size for a currency union economy turns out to be 0%, the optimal flexible sector size for an economy with inflation targeting is 100%. These important results prevail because large fluctuations in consumption associated with flexible labor arrangements are too costly for households in a currency union with limited monetary policy flexibility — outweighing the production flexibility gains from flexible labor contracts. In this respect, our paper formalizes the welfare concerns related to the growing flexible labor sector sizes in Eurozone and urge policy makers to pay special attention to regulations that induce more flexible labor arrangements in this region.

REFLECTIONS ON THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION: TECHNOLOGICAL TRENDS

This study explores the emerging technological trends that are shaping the future of education by examining how different technological innovations are transforming the teaching-learning process. Through a comprehensive literature review, we investigate the evolution of educational technologies, from artificial intelligence and virtual reality to learning analytics and blockchain. Our analysis reveals that, when integrated effectively, these technologies offer unprecedented opportunities to personalize the educational experience, transcend geographical and temporal barriers, and create more immersive and adaptive learning environments. However, we also identify significant challenges, including issues of equity in access, data privacy, and the need to reshape pedagogical practices. The study highlights the importance of a balanced approach that maximizes the benefits of technological innovation while preserving fundamental educational values ​​and ethical principles. We emphasize the need to develop new competencies among educators and students, as well as to create flexible educational policies that can quickly adapt to technological changes. Looking ahead, we propose strategies for creating more resilient and innovative educational ecosystems that not only incorporate the latest technologies but also cultivate essential human skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability. We conclude that while technological trends offer transformative potential for education, their success depends on careful and contextualized implementation, supported by ongoing research and collaboration among all actors in the educational ecosystem.

Countermeasures of Hotel Industry for Tourism Crisis Management Under the Influence of Epidemic Situation

On a global scale, the epidemic has had a great impact on tourism, and the hotel industry, as a key component of tourism, has also been seriously affected. The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of the epidemic on the hotel industry and put forward coping strategies to help the hotel industry effectively cope with the tourism crisis. First of all, the epidemic has led to a sharp decline in tourism, a sharp drop in the occupancy rate of the hotel industry and a sharp drop in income. In order to meet this challenge, the hotel industry needs to adopt the strategy of diversified income sources and reduce its dependence on the traditional tourism market. Secondly, the hotel industry should formulate more flexible cancellation policies to meet customer needs. Third, the hotel industry should strengthen cleaning and hygiene measures to ensure the health and safety of customers when they check in. This includes regular disinfection of guest rooms and public areas, provision of hand sanitizer, masks and other sanitary products. A transparent cleaning policy can improve the trust of customers. In addition, digital technology plays a key role in crisis management. Finally, staff training is the key link to deal with the crisis. This paper studies the coping strategies of crisis management in the hotel industry under the influence of epidemic situation, which is helpful for the hotel industry to tide over the crisis, maintain business sustainability and prepare for future uncertainty.

Disabled people’s accessible taxi experiences in Toronto, Canada

Many paratransit agencies contract out trips to accessible taxi services. The literature has identified an array of transport barriers facing disabled people, and offers useful insights into how they experience different transport modes. However, remarkably little attention has been given to understanding how disabled people experience accessible taxi trips. In this paper, we present findings from a study focused on understanding how disabled people experience accessible taxi services in Toronto, Canada. Findings emerged from a thematic analysis of 590 customer complaint reports and 494 driver-reported incident reports that were provided by a local accessible taxi brokerage. To question the embodied experiences of disabled people during accessible taxi trips, we employed a critical disability studies perspective informed by phenomenological and critical ableist studies. Findings underscore the temporal experiences of disability, while highlighting ableist aspects of accessible taxi services that are contributing to various barriers for disabled riders relating to service quality issues, safety concerns, and inflexible taxi service policies. In this paper, we call for enhanced disability-related training for drivers, flexible accessible taxi policies that better account for the needs of disabled riders, improved communication protocols, and greater engagement with disabled people when developing new policies and operational changes.

ПРОТИВОДЕЙСТВИЕ ФОРМИРОВАНИЮ ЭТНИЧЕСКИХ (ПОЛИЭТНИЧЕСКИХ) АНКЛАВОВ (АДМИНИСТРАТИВНО-ПРАВОВЫЕ АСПЕКТЫ)

The article deals with problem of ethnic enclave. This social phenomenon accompanies migration’s processes taking place in the modern word. The problem of formation of ethnic enclaves has been reflected in concept of state migration policy for 2019-2025 years. In 2023 this concept was correct-ed. Opposition to the formation of ethnic (poliethnic) enclaves received clearly expressed law enforcement orientation. The formation of ethnic (poliethnic) enclaves contributes to corruption factor, protectionist administrative measures, segregation and discrimination of migrants. The formation of ethnic enclaves is influenced by policy of the country receiving migrants. The importance of social and cultural adaptation of migrants but without their assimilation is emphasized. The key to success-ful counteraction of formation of ethnic (poliethnic) enclaves is combating illegal migration in combi-nation with flexible state migration policy which is based on combination of economic and administrative methods of regulation of migration processes.

개방형 정책 에이전트 기반 다자간 마이크로서비스 접근제어 정책

A microservice architecture that accommodates the heterogeneity of various development environments and enables flexible maintenance can secure business agility to manage services in line with rapidly changing requirements. Due to the nature of MSA, where communication between microservices within a service is frequent, the boundary security that has been used in the past is not sufficient in terms of security, and a Zerotrust system is required. In addition, as the size of microservices increases, definition of access control policies according to the API format of each service is required, and difficulties in policy management increase, such as unnecessary governance overhead in the process of redistributing services. In this paper, we propose a microservice architecture that centrally manages policies by separating access control decision and enforcement with a general-purpose policy engine called OPA (Open Policy Agent) for collective and flexible policy management in Zerotrust security-applied environments.

How to promote the participation of enterprises using open government data? Evolutionary game analysis by applying dynamic measures

As the development of smart cities, driven by emerging technologies, enters a new phase, the focus shifts towards sustaining operations rather than building new infrastructures. In the era of big data, one crucial factor for the sustainability of smart cities is the innovation and economic value generated through open government data (OGD). Local governments often adopt incentive policies to encourage participation, recognizing that most emerging technologies are driven by innovation and promotion from enterprises. This raises a fundamental question: how do the strategies of local governments and enterprises interact in the context of open government data development? In this study, we have developed an approach based on evolutionary game theory to examine the interactions of OGD participants, such as local governments and enterprises, in shaping their long-term decisions. Specifically, we have explored the effectiveness and efficiency of combinations involving hybrid subsidies and data access fees by simulating Evolutionarily Stable Strategies (ESS) based on empirical cases from enterprises. Our findings indicate that dual dynamic measures are more effective and efficient in encouraging stakeholder participation in open government data initiatives over the long term. The results underscore the preference for flexible policies over rigid ones and highlight the critical role of positive interactions between enterprises and local governments in fostering the sustainable operation of OGD.

Monikieliseksi osaajaksi: korkeakoulutaustaisten maahanmuuttaneiden koulutus- ja työelämäpolkuja ja kokemuksia kielestä

This study explores the educational and professional trajectories of three skilled migrants in Finland. The aim is to investigate how language-related issues intertwine with the migrants’ individual trajectories to gain a deeper understanding of the kinds of challenges migrants may face in Finnish society. Drawing on the theoretical underpinnings of nexus analysis and the concept of linguistic repertoire, the study focuses on the participants’ lived experiences of language along their trajectories. The longitudinal data, consisting of interviews over the period of 4.5 years, are analysed using the nexus analytic framework. The findings show that although the participants knew English and studied Finnish successfully, their individual lived experiences of language varied, and their non-straight-forward trajectories were shaped by multiple factors. To support migrants’ agency and their possibilities to participate, we thus need more flexible language policies and practices in higher education as well as a more nuanced understanding of linguistic repertoires.

Analysis of the Threshold Effect of Renewable Energy Industry Subsidies Based on the Perspective of Industry Life Cycle

Based on the industry life cycle theory, this study investigates the influence mechanism of renewable energy industry subsidies on industry development. Using data from 78 public Chinese electric power enterprises in the A-share market from 2011 through 2020, the threshold effect of government subsidies on the development of the renewable energy industry is empirically tested, and the heterogeneity of subsidy efficiency in the renewable energy industry is explored. The results reveal an inverted U-shaped nonlinear relationship between government subsidies and the enterprise output of the sample electric power enterprises. In addition, market investment has a positive and limited effect on enterprise output, and there is heterogeneity in subsidy efficiency and the signalling effect of subsidies on investment in the wind and photovoltaic power industries. Accordingly, we recommend that government departments use rational and flexible subsidy policy tools according to different industries, set reasonable subsidy ranges, and proactively design top-level policies that will actively broaden the application of renewable energy consumption to help industry development. By examining the overall threshold effect of electric power enterprises, this study fills a gap in the literature, as there has been scant research on the specific relationship between renewable energy industry subsidies and industry development.

Living to Work (from Home): Overwork, Remote Work, and Gendered Dual Devotion to Work and Family

Contemporary North American work culture is characterized by experts as one of overwork. Throughout much of the previous century, many parents devoted themselves either to their careers, or to their families. These “competing devotions” served as a cultural model for making sense of the world and alleviated the tension between overwork and family life. Data from interviews with 84 IT workers are used to examine whether devotion to work and family is still experienced as oppositional for working parents. I find that interviewees report feeling devoted both to their families and their careers, which I refer to as dual devotion. Such espousals of dual devotion are facilitated by the use of flexible work policies—remote work and flextime—which enable those with dual devotions to accomplish work–life integration. However, whereas men perceive remote work as allowing them to dedicate more time to childcare, women perceive it as allowing them to dedicate more time to work. These findings advance our understanding of the relationship between gender inequality and the experiential dimensions of work and family time: the practices that enable dual devotions, in particular remote work, help parents maintain an orientation to time that makes overwork more palatable. In either case, workplaces win since women are working long hours and men are not sacrificing paid work hours to take on more childcare or housework.

Predictors of Willingness to Participate in COVID-19 Screening Testing from a Pilot School Survey in the United States.

COVID-19 screening testing (ST) can detect asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic cases, allowing for prompt identification of cases and close contacts. This study examined parents' and school staffs' knowledge and attitudes toward to a pilot school-based ST program in a school district in southern Arizona. In May 2021, online surveys to parents and school staff were administered to examine attitudes toward ST and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unweighted percent estimates were calculated, and bivariate differences were examined by demographics. Associations were assessed using chi-square tests and logistic regression. The survey had response rates of 10% (606/6085) and 22% (187/849) among parents and staff, respectively. Approximately one-third of responding parents (35%) would or already allow their child to participate in school-based ST, 37% would not participate; 28% were unsure. Among responding staff, 46% would or already participate in ST, 33% would not; 21% were unsure. The top concern (38%) among responding staff was taking job-related leave if testing positive. Schools work to balance the needs of students, families, and staff by implementing supportive and flexible policies and practices founded on buy-in and acceptance from their communities.

Impact of Basic Needs Fulfillment on the Health, Well-being, and Academic Engagement of Occupational Therapy Students

The basic needs of students may serve as unknown factors in academic engagement and well-being. Challenges in meeting these needs disproportionately impact underrepresented minority and first-generation students. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the perceived presence and impact of basic needs on health, well-being, and academic engagement in occupational therapy students. A 43-item survey was distributed to 231 students and focused on questions addressing basic needs in physiology, safety, and belonging. Respondents reported worry over or the need to work to pay bills, no support from family/friends, and limited access to food in the past 30 days and related this to feeling stressed, not being able to do homework, not participating in class, and loss of leisure time. Ninety-four percent used student health services frequently. Recommendations to address gaps in basic needs include flexible policies, inclusive learning environments, supportive and intentional actions, and providing resources.

Prediction of agricultural carbon emissions in China based on a GA-ELM model

Introduction: Strengthening the early warning of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture is an important way to achieve Goal 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals. Agricultural carbon emissions are an important part of greenhouse gases, and accelerating the development of green and low-carbon agriculture is of great significance for China to achieve high-quality economic development and the goal of “carbon neutrality in peak carbon dioxide emissions”.Methods: By measuring the total agricultural carbon emissions in China and seven administrative regions from 2000 to 2021, the paper analyzes the influencing factors of agricultural carbon emissions in China by using STIRPAT environmental pressure model, and on this basis, predicts the peak trend of agricultural carbon emissions in China under different development scenarios by using the extreme learning machine model optimized by genetic algorithm.Results: The results showed that the extreme learning machine model improved by the genetic algorithm can overcome the shortcoming that the extreme learning machine model is easy to fall into the local optimal solution, thus obtaining higher prediction accuracy. At the same time, from 2000 to 2021, the total agricultural carbon emissions in China showed a continuous fluctuation trend, and due to the constraints of the agricultural economic level, agricultural industrial structure, and agricultural human capital, the agricultural carbon emissions showed spatial differentiation. It is worth noting that, in the context of green development, the agricultural carbon emissions of the seven regions in China all have the potential to achieve the “peak carbon dioxide emissions” goal in 2030, with only a slight difference at the peak.Discussion: The research results of this paper provide evidence for the government to formulate flexible, accurate, reasonable and appropriate agricultural carbon reduction policies, which is helpful to strengthen the exchanges and cooperation of regional agricultural and rural carbon reduction and fixation, and actively and steadily promote China's agriculture to achieve the goal of “peak carbon dioxide emissions carbon neutrality”.

Supporting rail freight services in Turkey: Private sector perspectives on logistics connectivity issues

This study explores the current status of rail freight transportation in Turkey, which, despite having once been a dominant mode of land transport, has experienced a substantial decline in its market share. The main aim of this study is to analyse and mitigate the causes that have contributed to the decline in the competitiveness of rail freight. Additionally, this research aims to provide practical solutions for revitalizing the rail freight industry. To achieve this, the research employs a multifaceted approach, involving structured interviews with logistics professionals and industry experts in Turkey, coupled with comprehensive case studies of successful rail initiatives. These methods provide a comprehensive assessment of the current landscape and identify viable strategies for enhancing rail freight competitiveness. The key findings underscore the urgent need for reforms in Turkey's railway sector, emphasizing the importance of improved investment planning, efficient use of rolling stock resources, and the reinforcement of Turkish State Railways' (TCDD) market position. This study concludes that continuous investigation and flexible policy adjustments are essential in order to address issues and ensure the revitalization and growth of the sector. Consequently, this research lays the foundation for future, in-depth examinations and policy refinements, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in Turkey's evolving transport landscape.

Competing neural representations of choice shape evidence accumulation in humans.

Making adaptive choices in dynamic environments requires flexible decision policies. Previously, we showed how shifts in outcome contingency change the evidence accumulation process that determines decision policies. Using in silico experiments to generate predictions, here we show how the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic (CBGT) circuits can feasibly implement shifts in decision policies. When action contingencies change, dopaminergic plasticity redirects the balance of power, both within and between action representations, to divert the flow of evidence from one option to another. When competition between action representations is highest, the rate of evidence accumulation is the lowest. This prediction was validated in in vivo experiments on human participants, using fMRI, which showed that (1) evoked hemodynamic responses can reliably predict trial-wise choices and (2) competition between action representations, measured using a classifier model, tracked with changes in the rate of evidence accumulation. These results paint a holistic picture of how CBGT circuits manage and adapt the evidence accumulation process in mammals.

Nigerian Economic Growth and Monetary Policy Nexus

Due to the unresolved argument on the efficacy of monetary policy in the growth of an economy, this study is conceived examine whether monetary policy variables have predicted economic growth in Nigeria. To achieve this, data were obtained from Central Bank of Nigerian Statistical bulletin of 2022. The relationship between monetary policy variables and economic growth was estimated with Autoregressive Distributive Lags (ARDL). After the analysis, the outputs revealed that the entire monetary policy variables employed were found to have negative and significant relationship with economic growth in Nigeria within the scope of the study. On this note, the researchers are of the opinion that a flexible monetary policy by the monetary authority will help sustain price stability and economic growth in the country. Policy instruments should be well- coordinated and as well have an optimal mix to significantly influence economic growth and stability.

Towards a De-Gendered Workplace: A Concept Note for Promoting Gender Equity and Inclusivity

This conceptual article delves into the imperative of developing a de-gendered workplace that fosters gender equity and inclusivity. Historically, workplaces have been shaped by traditional gender roles, perpetuating biases and discrimination. However, as societal attitudes evolve, the need to create an environment that transcends these norms and embraces diversity has become evident. This abstract outline the key elements and strategies to promote a de-gendered workplace that empowers all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.
 The concept note emphasizes the importance of challenging and redefining gender roles within the workplace. By conducting workshops and training sessions, organizations can raise awareness among employees about gender stereotypes and biases, paving the way for more inclusive behaviors. Furthermore, addressing unconscious bias plays a pivotal role in promoting gender equity. Organizations are encouraged to invest in diversity training that facilitates self-awareness and empathy, empowering individuals to overcome inherent biases.
 To achieve a de-gendered workplace, equal opportunities and representation are fundamental. Transparent hiring and promotion practices can eliminate gender-based discrimination, ensuring a level playing field for all employees. Flexible work policies that accommodate diverse needs, such as remote work options and parental leave, foster a supportive work environment and work-life balance.
 Empowering leadership is instrumental in driving change. Leaders are urged to actively champion gender equity initiatives, set measurable goals, and lead by example. Promoting gender-inclusive language in all communications further contributes to a respectful and inclusive culture.

Understanding pandemic-related demands and resources for teachers of emergent bilingual learners: Teacher exhaustion and resilience

ABSTRACT This qualitative study examined the pandemic experiences of 29 teachers working with emergent bilingual learners (EBLs). The goal of the study was to identify demands, resources, and well-being consequences of the pandemic. Participants described learning new online teaching methods while integrating various pandemic-related initiatives, supporting students’ socio-emotional needs while making up for perceived academic losses, and maneuvering COVID-19 protocols and related staff shortages. To maneuver these demands, teachers relied on support from colleagues and administrators, as well as flexible policies, bilingual resources, and limit setting. In terms of consequences, participants reported exhaustion, self-care, closer bond to colleagues, and greater empathy for students.

ENSURING TEACHING AND LEARNING AMIDST THE ECONOMIC CRISIS: STRATEGIES EMPLOYED BY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN SRI LANKA

The economic crisis in Sri Lanka has significantly impacted the country's education system, with schools facing challenges in maintaining regular operations and providing quality education to students. This study examined the strategies employed by school principals to ensure teaching and learning amid the crisis. Twelve school principals were interviewed, representing 7 Sinhala medium and 5 Tamil medium schools. The findings highlighted the following challenges schools face: low attendance of students and teachers, learning loss, disruption of remote learning activities, malnutrition among students and psychological issues among students, teachers, and parents. Despite these challenges, the study found that school principals worked hard to ensure that teaching and learning continued during the economic crisis. They had implemented several strategies to address their challenges, including flexible attendance policies, temporary accommodation for teachers who travel far from school, and sharing meals with poor students. The study concludes that school principals have played a critical role in ensuring that teaching and learning continued during the economic crisis in Sri Lanka. Their strategies have helped mitigate the crisis's impact on students and teachers, but more support is needed from the government. The study recommends that the government should consider to provide the following support to schools: increasing public transport at low cost for the students and teachers for regular attendance; resuming Nutrition support for students; increasing salaries for teachers; Strengthening remote learning initiatives by reducing the price of digital devices and expanding internet access; providing psychological support for students and teachers; and prioritization of timely; and Long-term planning to build resilience in the education system. By implementing these recommendations, the government can help ensure that the education system in Sri Lanka can withstand future economic shocks.