Flexible Policy Research Articles

Crisis Communication in the Context of Rational and Emotional Benefit: The Case of the Aviation Sector

This study aims to examine the impact of crisis communication strategies in the aviation sector, specifically within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, by evaluating both rational and emotional benefits. It emphasizes the importance of considering both aspects of crisis communication to effectively address the negative effects of the pandemic on the Turkish aviation industry. A quantitative research method was employed to determine the validity and reliability of the factors under investigation. The study utilized a questionnaire-based approach to collect concrete data and assess the levels of crisis communication in relation to emotional and rational benefits within the Turkish aviation sector. The research findings highlight that airlines in the Turkish aviation sector have responded to the pandemic by implementing strategies focused on health and safety measures, flexibility policies, customer relationship management, and empathy. These strategies aim to address both rational expectations and emotional needs of customers. Consequently, evaluating and integrating rational and emotional benefits within crisis communication processes is a crucial step for airlines to enhance customer satisfaction, establish trust, and maintain their reputation. This study adds to the current body of literature by emphasizing the significance of crisis communication strategies that consider both rational and emotional benefits. It recognizes the specific challenges faced by the Turkish aviation sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic and explores approaches to mitigate the negative effects. Evaluating and integrating rational and emotional benefits within crisis communication processes is deemed crucial for enhancing customer satisfaction, establishing trust, and maintaining a favourable reputation.

Study on the Impact of Green GDP Accounting System on Climate - Based on Integrated Evaluation and Markov Modelling

GDP does not consider the impact of economic development on environmental hazards and resource consumption. Therefore, our team developed a reliable model and utilized the GGDP to assess the fiscal health of countries with the hope that governments will adopt policies to mitigate the impact of economic development on the global climate. To measure the financial health of each country's system, we selected raw data on five critical factors for 50 countries from 2010 to 2020. We then validated the data distribution patterns and selected the 80% quartile as the healthy range for each indicator. We used analytic hierarchical process (AHP) to determine the weights of each hand. Finally, we introduced the concept of the Economic Health Index (EHI) concept, which represents an economy's actual health. We also use Markov chains to predict the future global climate impact of flexible government policy measures to promote GGDP growth after GGDP replaces GDP. To measure the effect on global climate, we use the achievement of the GHG emissions and energy consumption targets agreed upon by countries in the Paris Agreement.

Connecting Strategic Environment and Recruitment Policy: A Case Study of the Indonesian National Army

In facing the dynamics of an ever-changing strategic environment, the Indonesian National Army (TNI AD) is required to ensure effective and adaptive recruitment policies to continue to meet the needs of qualified personnel and suit increasingly complex tasks. This review provides insight into the need for continuity in evaluation and changes in recruitment policies. This research aims to analyze and examine the effect of Suitability Recruitment, Consistency of Recruitment, The results are as follows: Suitability Recruitment has no positive effect on Credibility of Recruitment. In contrast, Consistency of Recruitment positively affects Credibility of Recruitment. Similarly, Legality of Recruitment shows positive effect on Credibility of Recruitment. This has been also shown in the context of Recruitment Transparency where it has positively affected Credibility of Recruitment. The results highlight the need for flexibility and diversification in recruitment policies. Army to continue gathering information and adapting recruitment policies as needed. Hence, this research underlines the importance of developing responsive recruitment policies and continuously innovating to ensure suitability between policies and the demands of the developing strategic environment. The result also provides a recommendation for scholars and practitioners in making better recruitment policy and development.

Potential impacts of climate change on renewable energy in Egypt

The need for renewable energy sources is recently necessitated by attaining sustainability and climate change mitigation. Accordingly, the use of renewable energy sources has been growing rapidly during the last two decades. Yet, the potentials of renewable energy sources are generally influenced by several climatic factors that either determine the source of energy such as wind speed in the case of wind power or affect the performance of system such as the reduction in solar PV power production due to temperature increase. This highlights the need for assessing climate change impacts on renewable energy sources in the future to ensure their reliability and sustainability.This paper is intended to assess impacts of climate change on wind and solar potential energy in Egypt by the year 2065 under RCP 8.5 scenario. For this purpose, a GIS-based methodology of three main steps was applied. The results revealed that solar energy potential in Egypt is expected to be relatively less vulnerable to climate change compared to wind energy. In this respect, it was found that while wind energy potential was estimated to range ± 12%. By the year 2065 under RCP 8.5 scenario, PV module power is expected to decrease by about 1.3% on average. Such assessment can assist in developing more sustainable and flexible renewable energy policy in Egypt.

A multilingualism-as-resource approach in a graduate-level English-medium instruction (EMI) program at a Korean university

ABSTRACT The trend of internationalisation of education has resulted in the wider implementation of English Medium Instruction (EMI) programmes in education, especially at the tertiary level. While some of these programmes adopted strict English-dominant policies, others embraced flexible bilingual or multilingual policies to ensure students’ learning and wellbeing. This study explored international graduate students’ learning and languaging experiences in an EMI graduate classroom with flexible multilingual policies in a Korean university. Data included field notes, students’ work and language samples, and focus group interviews with students. Using thematic analysis of qualitative data, the authors reported that students’ experiences with multilingualism as a resource approach were mostly productive since it created third spaces for the participants to deploy their multilingual resources to construct, promote and demonstrate learning in their class reports. Participants also reported increased compassion for each other through collaborative learning and enhanced understanding of both home and new languages during their studies in the graduate programme that was mediated through multiple languages. This study offered implications for EMI practitioners, higher education institutions, and policymakers regarding language planning, language policy, and language support in EMI contexts.

Flexible electricity consumption policies in Norway and Sweden: Implications for energy justice

Policies for shifting household electricity load are in focus in several countries, aimed at optimizing grid operation and tackling current and expected challenges from consumption patterns, like increased peak loads on the grid. Central here are recent developments in capacity charges, where the use of significant amounts of grid capacity is priced high, compared to the traditional pricing of electricity consumption. These capacity charges tend to be developed at the interface between system needs and incumbent actor influence from the sector on the one side, and arguments for a ‘just’ and consumer-oriented design, like simplicity and actual effect on behaviour, on the other. Comparing the consultation processes concerning policy design in Norway and Sweden, this study investigates if and how these capacity charge policies consider consumer perspectives and needs, and explores the implications for energy justice. The two countries have similar tariff models, but differing consumer considerations have become apparent. In both countries, the policy process has been dominated by sector incumbent actors; the consumer considerations that were included were weak, general, and not grounded in knowledge. Consumer representation has been low. In this study, we note the implications for recognition, procedural, and distributional justice. Our findings indicate the need for further development of balanced policy processes within the energy sector.

Impact of COVID-19 on Florida family dependency drug courts

BackgroundTo promote parent-child reunification, family dependency drug courts (FDDCs) facilitate substance use disorder treatment for people whose children have been removed due to parental substance use. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted FDDC operations, forcing FDDCs to quickly adapt to new circumstances. Although existing research has examined COVID-19 impacts on adult drug courts and civil dependency courts, studies have yet to examine the impact of COVID-19 on FDDCs specifically.MethodsTo explore the impact of COVID-19 on FDDCs, we conducted 20 focus groups and 5 individual interviews with court team members from five Florida FDDCs between 2020 and 2022. Data were analyzed using iterative categorization.ResultsFive overarching themes emerged. First, FDDCs adopted virtual technology during the pandemic and more flexible drug screening policies. Second, virtual technology was perceived as improving hearing attendance but decreasing client engagement. FDDC team members discussed a potential hybrid in-person/virtual hearing model after the pandemic. Third, COVID-19 negatively impacted parent-child visitation opportunities, limiting development of bonds between parents and children, and parent-child bonding is a key consideration during judicial reunification decisions. Fourth, COVID-19 negatively impacted the mental health of court team members and clients. Court team members adopted new informal roles, such as providing technical support and emotional counseling to clients, in addition to regular responsibilities, resulting in feeling overwhelmed and overworked. Court team members described clients as feeling more depressed and anxious, in part due to limited visitation opportunities with children, which decreased clients’ motivation for substance use recovery. Fifth, COVID-19 decreased recruitment of potential clients into FDDCs.ConclusionsIf FDDCs continue to rely on virtual hearings beyond the pandemic, they must develop practices for improving client engagement during virtual hearings. FDDCs should preemptively develop procedures for improving parent-child visitation during future public health crises, because limited visitation opportunities could weaken parent-child bonding and, ultimately, the likelihood of reunification.

The Indonesian Outsourcing Workers' Rights in the Tourism Business Sector

The problem of outsourcing workers extends to the tourism industry. The unique challenge of 'seasonality' makes it more difficult to protect the outsourcing workers' legal rights in the said sector. The research examines the outsourcing regulation in Indonesia by referring to the Job Creation Law, by questioning whether the existing regulations provide prominent legal protection for outsourcing workers, especially in tourism sectors, and how the future law allows for improved protection. The research method used is normative legal research with statutory and legal conceptual approaches. The results of the study show that the amendment of the Manpower Law incorporated into the Job Creation Law and its implementing legal instruments significantly changed outsourcing regulation. As the Job Creation Law has abolished Article 64 of the Manpower Law, the scheme established by the Constitutional Court to prevent companies from exploiting workers in their decisions has become vague in the Job Creation Law. Following global practices, the country can implement a flexible workers policy while simultaneously protecting their rights which Indonesia must adopt.

Impact on green finance and environmental regulation on carbon emissions: evidence from China

Introduction: Achieving peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality is an extensive and profound systematic economic and social change. Through market-oriented financial means, green finance has moved forward the effective governance port, curbed polluting investment and promoted technological progress such as green low-carbon, energy conservation and environmental protection, which has become a powerful starting point to support the practice of low-carbon development.Methods: Based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China (except Tibet, Hongkong, Macau and Taiwan Province) from 2004 to 2021, this paper calculates the development level of green finance in China provinces by using entropy weight method, and on this basis, uses mathematical statistical model to verify the impact of green finance and its sub-dimensions on carbon emissions and the regulatory effect of heterogeneous environmental regulation tools.Results: The results show that the development of green finance has a significant inhibitory effect on carbon emissions during the investigation period, and there is a time lag effect. After a series of robustness tests and considering endogenous problems, this conclusion still holds. From the results of heterogeneity analysis, the carbon emission reduction effect of green credit is the most obvious, and the impact of green finance on carbon emission is slightly different in different regions. Besides, Command-controlled environmental regulation tools and public participation environmental regulation tools play a positive regulatory role in the transmission path of green finance’s impact on carbon emissions, but market-driven environmental regulation tools cannot effectively enhance the carbon emission reduction effect of green finance development.Discussion: The research results of this paper provide a basis for the government to formulate flexible, accurate, reasonable and appropriate green financial policies, help to strengthen the exchange and cooperation between regions in reducing carbon and fixing carbon, and actively and steadily promote China’s goal of “peak carbon dioxide emissions, carbon neutrality”.

Revisiting the Rise and Decline of Authoritarian Neoliberalism: A Political Economy Analysis of Akp’s Initial Decade

This paper offers a fresh and nuanced perspective by re-examining the concept of authoritarian neoliberalism in the context of the first decade of the AKP’s rule in Turkey. The study addresses two main research questions: Firstly, it explores the factors that transformed the 2000s, often seen as a period of democratization, into an era of authoritarianism. Secondly, it investigates how the AKP effectively established an authoritarian neoliberal state during this time. To tackle these questions, the paper argues that the AKP’s authoritarian neoliberal project rests on two key pillars. The first pillar involves creating a depoliticized technocratic state structure that allows for the implementation of policies aligning with the interests of the dominant capital faction. The second element involves weakening labor opposition, which plays a crucial role in shaping the authoritarian neoliberal state. The paper suggests that the waning influence of the labor movement played a central role in driving the shift toward authoritarianism in the 2000s, granting the government more flexibility in shaping policies. This paper enhances our understanding of the political and economic transformation in Turkey during this significant period, shedding light on the development of the authoritarian neoliberal state and its crisis after 2013.

If you are learner-centered and you know it, raise your hand: Perspectives on and implementation of pedagogical changes by science instructors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students at Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) faced significant hardships while trying to learn through emergency remote teaching (ERT) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our research aims to investigate if science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instructors thought about and enacted more learner-centered teaching practices to alleviate some of this stress encountered by their students. Using semi-structured interviews and classroom observations, we utilized inductive and deductive qualitative research methods to examine two questions: (1) To what extent were STEM instructor's perceived pedagogical changes learner-centered during ERT?; and (2) To what extent were STEM instructor's teaching behaviors and discourse practices learner-centered during ERT? Our findings revealed that during ERT, STEM instructors described using a variety of pedagogical changes that we identified as learner-centered under the Weimer framework, including ideas such as enacting flexible late policies and increased usage of formative assessment. Interestingly, we found that many of these learned-centered changes were happening outside of the classroom. Classroom observations assessing instructor behaviors and discourse demonstrated that STEM instructors enacted practices that aligned with Weimer's five constructs of learner-centered teaching. Our research highlights implications of learner-centered teaching practices for STEM instructors as well as researchers.

When should the regulator be left alone in the commons? How fishing cooperatives can help ameliorate inefficiencies

This paper examines a common-pool resource where quotas and fines are set by a regulator, an artisanal organization (cooperative), or both. We analyze the interaction between these two regulatory agencies under a flexible policy regime, where quotas and fines can be revised across periods, and under an inflexible policy regime, where they cannot. We show that inefficiencies arise in the inflexible regime, but they are reduced when the two agencies coexist. Overall, we demonstrate that the artisanal organization may be preferred when environmental damages are low, but the regulator may be preferable otherwise.

New Features and Risks of China's Cross-Border Capital Flows and Policy Recommendations

With mainland China as its primary focus, this article analyzes the patterns of cross-border capital movements. Examining the characteristics and potential hazards of these flows, the study conducts an in-depth analysis of cross-border capital and provides an exhaustive review of pertinent literature. China's international direct investment outflows increased significantly, while capital inflows decreased, and the scope of foreign direct investments expanded, according to the findings. In addition, the research illuminates forthcoming obstacles, specifically the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the equilibrium of the global economy and the volatility of exchange rates. In order to strengthen China's economic stability, the article concludes with policy recommendations that emphasize the significance of flexible policy mechanisms and the strategic allocation of foreign exchange reserves.

Japan’s relations with Myanmar: Subtle politics or just business?

The article examines Japan’s relations with Myanmar at the present stage with an emphasis on their features after the military coup in that country on February 1, 2021. Japan’s ties with the armed forces of Burma, which were created during the Second World War with Japanese assistance, have been preserved for many post-war decades and are still an important factor that predetermined Japan’s special relations with Myanmar. Currently, maintaining informal contacts with the Myanmar military allows Tokyo to claim the role of a “bridge” between Myanmar and Western countries and pursue its own “balanced course” in relation to this country in the face of a clash of geopolitical interests of the main international actors in Myanmar. This coup prompted Tokyo to distance itself somewhat from the ruling regime. However, at the same time, the Japanese Government is pursuing a very flexible policy aimed at preserving its political and economic positions in Myanmar. This is not hindered by the fact that Tokyo’s approaches to Myanmar often conflict with the positions of other Western countries and cause criticism from not only these countries and various international organizations, but also within Japan itself. A powerful pro-Myanmar lobby has been operating in Japan for many decades, personified by the Japan-Myanmar Association. Thanks to the actions of this lobby, as well as the so-called “special relationship” with Myanmar, Japan has become the world’s largest aid donor to this country and one of the leading foreign investors in its economy. Despite the fact that the majority of American and European companies curtailed their activities in Myanmar after the military coup, most Japanese firms, not wanting to lose profitable business, remained in the country, taking a wait-and-see attitude in the hope of the business environment improving. It can be assumed that the rich experience accumulated over many decades in the development of Japan’s relations with Burma/Myanmar, as well as continuing ties with the country’s military elite, will allow the Japanese government to adapt its political and economic ties to Myanmar under any regime in power in this country.

Association Between Flexible Work Arrangement and Sleep Problems Among Paid Workers: Using 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey

BackgroundAs social distancing persists and interest in work-life balance grows, more companies are adopting flexible work policies. While there have been studies on sleep disorders associated with different types of work, such as shift work, research exploring the relationship between flexible work schedules and sleep disorders is still limited, particularly among Korean workers. MethodsWe performed a secondary analysis of the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey, focusing on 31,243 paid workers out of a total of 50,538 participants. We defined flexible workers as those who set their own working hours. Sleep disorders were divided into three categories: ‘difficulty falling asleep,’ ‘frequent waking during sleep,’ and ‘waking up feeling exhausted and fatigued.’ Using scores derived from three specific symptoms, the Minimal Insomnia Symptoms Scale (MISS) was calculated to assess the prevalence of insomnia. We used chi-square tests to analyze demographic and job-related differences. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify any relationship between flexible work schedules and sleep disorders. ResultsSignificant differences were found between flexible and non-flexible workers regarding age, income level, education level, and job type. Flexible workers reported sleep-related symptoms significantly more often. The odds ratio for insomnia was 1.40 (95% CI 1.21–1.61). For males, the odds ratio was 1.68 (1.36–2.08). ConclusionThis study establishes a correlation between flexible work schedules and sleep disorders among Korean salaried workers. Potential causes could include changes in circadian rhythm, increased work demands, and extended working hours. To precisely determine causality and associated diseases, further research is required.

Non-Oil Exports, Exchange Rate Management and Economic Growth in Nigeria

In Nigeria like most developing countries, especially the sub-Sahara African countries, exports are largely determined by factors other than a country's trade policy, such as world demand and prices with major commodity-exporting nations having high export/GDP ratios even if they have very restrictive trade policies. Oil and gas accounted for over 90 percent of Nigeria's foreign exchange earnings since the oil boom of the 1970s to date. The non-oil exports had shown significant positive trends of improvement beginning from 1960 to 1986 when SAP was introduced in Nigeria. At the instance of SAP, the flexible exchange rate policy was introduced in 1986 with the core objective to reduce over-dependency on imports and diversify the non-oil export base by immediately abolishing the marketing boards. This study empirically examines the effects of foreign exchange management and non-oil exports on economic growth rate in Nigeria. Annual data spanning 1981 to 2021 was used and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) estimation technique was employed in analyzing the data of the study. Findings of the study revealed that foreign exchange rate has a negative and significant impact on economic growth rate in Nigeria.

Potential Risks of Implementing Quantitative Easing Monetary Policy

As a result of the global recession caused by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, many countries adopted unconventional monetary policies. In response to the phenomenon of hyperinflation, the implementation of quantitative easing policies became the solution for many central banks to stabilise inflation. This paper will discuss quantitative easing monetary policy, the unlimited expansion model of monetary policy in support of fiscal policy, and quantitative tightening monetary policy, using the measures implemented by the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank in response to the COVID-19 epidemic and their effects as examples. It is concluded that by analysing the forms that quantitative tightening can take, it is pointed out that the central bank maintains the market with complete certainty by signaling to participants that it is going to start implementing quantitative tightening and stating that it will only lead to a natural loss of bonds and won't involve any active sales, but at the same time it will limit the flexibility of the central bank's policy.

Shaping the Future of Social Security Management Beyond Retirement: A Review of Literature

This research delves into the advancements, in managing Social Security with the goal of navigating the complexities of today’s socio landscape. By conducting a literature review and examining studies this paper explores significant transformations taking place within social security systems. Notable innovations encompass the integration of technologies, contribution models, personalized retirement planning, inclusive coverage for nontraditional workers flexible policy adjustments, international coordination efforts, applications of behavioural economics and strategies for managing longevity risks. The analysis synthesizes insights from perspectives to inform policymakers researchers and stakeholders about how social security management's evolving in response to demographic changes, technological advancements and shifts, in the workforce.

Will the United States pass on telemedicine progress?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal and state health policies allowed temporary flexibilities for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, leading to a sharp increase in telemedicine use. However, many of the flexibilities that enabled innovation and growth in telemedicine continue temporarily since the federal emergency declaration ended in May 2023, and the United States has not made permanent decisions about telemedicine policy. Analysts have raised concerns about increased spending, program integrity, safety, and equity, and recommend strengthening oversight. Here, we argue that we must continue the flexibilities to better understand telemedicine's quality, safety, and outcomes, and until the United States can develop an evidence-based digital health strategy. A premature regression to pre-pandemic telemedicine policies risks unintended consequences. We must continue the current policy flexibilities, safeguard against fraud and abuse, and immediately prioritize research and evaluation of telemedicine's quality, safety, and outcomes, to avoid unintended consequences and support more permanent policy decision-making.

Fast delivery, on demand: how flexibility and individualization policy are enacted in Swedish municipal adult education

ABSTRACT National policy states that Swedish adult education should be flexible and individualized, based on students’ needs. However, adult education in Sweden is a municipal responsibility with a high level of decentralization. Drawing on national policies, this study focuses on how the concepts of flexibility and individualization are enacted locally and what consequences this has for teaching and learning. Starting from a teacher perspective and based on qualitative interviews with 50 teachers, the article analyses how policy requirements for offering flexible and individualized adult education are being enacted, and what the consequences of this are for teaching and learning. The findings show how flexibility and individualization are put into practice through measures such as a fast study pace, continuous admission of students, and pressure on municipalities to maintain a broad course offer, often by turning to distance education. This enactment makes it easier for adult learners to fit education into their lives, but it also has consequences for the quality of teaching and learning. It is causing fragmentation, a learning environment where interactions mainly occur on an individual basis, an instrumental view of education, and teachers experiencing high workloads and low autonomy in making pedagogical decisions.