Integration Policy Research Articles

Physical-medical integration policies and health equity promotion in China: a text analysis based on policy instruments

BackgroundIn China, although policies promoting physical-medical integration have received widespread national attention, the existence and manifestation of health equity promotion within these policies still require further exploration.MethodsThis study used text analysis to examine 62 policy documents on physical-medical integration issued by various Chinese governmental departments from June 2016 to June 2023, utilizing KH Coder software for qualitative analysis.ResultsThe analysis revealed a strong emphasis on public health, promoting health management and disease prevention across all age groups. The policies aimed to ensure the equitable distribution of health care resources, particularly those benefiting rural and underserved populations, and they underscored the importance of collaboration among the government, sports, and health care sectors to foster sports-health integration.ConclusionThe integration of sports and health policy is a key initiative to address chronic diseases in China, as it aligns closely with health equity principles. Achieving these goals requires ongoing improvements in implementation and monitoring, with a focus on the diverse needs of various populations.

Open government and municipal effectiveness: Towards a modernization of the state in a region of the Peruvian jungle

The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between open government and municipal effectiveness State a region of the Peruvian jungle. The research followed a quantitative approach with a non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational design. The population comprised citizens of State in a region of the Peruvian jungle, with a sample of 625 individuals. A structured survey was employed as the data collection technique, using a validated questionnaire as the instrument. The results revealed a positive, high, and significant correlation between governance and municipal effectiveness (Spearman’s Rho = 0.813, p < 0.01). Furthermore, the dimensions of transparency, integrity, accountability, and citizen participation showed moderate to high correlations with municipal effectiveness, with accountability (Rho = 0.779) emerging as the most influential dimension. It was concluded that the principles of open government play a crucial role in shaping the perception of effective municipal management. This underscores the need to strengthen transparency, integrity, and citizen participation policies to enhance public services and foster trust in local authorities.

Settlement Intentions of Ukrainian Pre-War and Forced Migrants in Poland: Challenges for Migrant Integration Policy at the Local Level

AbstractThe paper examines the relationship between the settlement intentions of Ukrainian immigrants and structural integration measures implemented at the local level in Poland. For this purpose, the example of Lodz, a large city in central Poland where large immigration has recently taken place, is analysed. The study was based on a survey of the settlement plans of two Ukrainian immigrant groups: those who moved to Lodz for work or educational purposes (pre-war migrants) and those who found refuge there after Russia’s attack on Ukraine in 2022 (forced migrants). It showed that many Ukrainians were undecided about settling in Lodz, although the pre-war migrants were more willing to stay there than the refugees. Even though both groups have followed different paths of integration into Polish society due to the dissimilar periods of arrival, legal statuses and resources resulting from the distinct polices addressed to labour migrants and refugees, two hypotheses were formulated to verify the assumption that receiving public support and being employed positively impacted their settlement intentions. The analysis demonstrated a statistical correlation only between settlement plans and public support received by the pre-war migrants. Since they received less assistance than the refugees, their expectations in this regard were higher. In turn, the relationship between having a job and further settlement was statistically significant only for the refugees. The majority of pre-war migrants had a job and this factor did not determine their willingness to remain in Lodz so much. The research findings emphasised the importance of tailoring local policies to the needs of different immigrant groups, mainly in job placement, professional retraining, learning Polish or providing housing.

“I am the gatekeeper”: why and how ministerial media advisers have been empowered

Although policy advisers have been amply studied, far fewer studies have examined media advisers. And, so far, adviser research has offered few insights into the relationship between these two key groups of political staffers. This article claims that media advisers have been empowered. It offers a rational functionalist explanation, which emphasises concerns about functional efficiency. Media generates functional pressures for the institutional strengthening of media advisers, solidifying their role. This argument is examined empirically through a case study of ministerial media adviser (MMA) empowerment in Sweden, based on interviews conducted among MMAs and political journalists. The data tell us that MMAs are on the rise, that they have become more controlling toward journalists and more assertive within ministerial staff. In the process, MMAs have come to constitute a category of their own as they have converged among themselves but diverged from policy advisers. The interview evidence indicates that MMAs also have a role in government policy, as the media has contributed to more integration of communication and policy, but additional research is needed. Overall, this work has implications for research on political communication, executives, and advisers—especially for debates about political professionals in government.

Assessing subsidy integration in the 40 years of agricultural planning in the Maldives

87% of agricultural subsidies are harmful to the environment and human health while contributing little to food security. The first step to addressing harmful subsidies is to identify and trace them in policies. Small Island Developing States (SIDS), such as the Maldives, are the most vulnerable to environmental degradation caused by activities they contribute minimally. In the case of subsidies, the relative contribution to the environmental degradation by islands and the relative impacts of subsidies on islands are not studied, leaving a void in the global knowledge pool. This paper addresses the first step of this gap by identifying and assessing the historical trends of subsidy integration in Maldivian agricultural policy by analyzing their temporal distribution patterns and the quality of subsidy inclusion in national plans in the past four decades. The framework adopted for this study is a multi-criteria scoring protocol and a classification of 15 subsidy types to deliver a quantitative overview of the status and trends in subsidy in the agriculture sector of the Maldives. The results showed that although the scale of agriculture in the country is limited, subsidies have consistently been an integral part of agricultural planning since 1985, with agricultural inputs being one of the most frequently and highly subsidized over the years. Twelve different subsidy types were traced in the ten assessed national plans, and eleven subsidy types were identified in the plan from 2019 to 2023. These results serve as a baseline for the understanding of subsidies in the Maldives by providing a narrative of an island state for the global overview of subsidies and for comparative studies thereof.

Health and Education for All: Promoting Inclusive Development by Integration of Policies

In order to promote both individual and national advancement, the health and education sectors are essential foundations of societal growth. The synergies between these areas are examined in this article, along with how they contribute to sustainable development, equitable growth, and enhanced quality of life. This study finds issues such policy fragmentation, infrastructural deficiencies, and access discrepancy by examining budget allocations, legislation, and the effects of technological improvements. It also identifies creative approaches to improve results in both areas, such as community-driven projects and public-private collaborations. The results highlight the necessity of integrated approaches that capitalize on the reciprocal advantages of education and health in order to create robust, inclusive institutions that empower both individuals and communities. By offering doable suggestions to close gaps and increase group influence, this study adds to the conversation on accomplishing the Sustainable Development Goals. Keywords Health Sector, Education Sector, Integrated Development.

The Impact Mechanism of Non-Economic Policies on Social and Investor Disagreement in China: A Dual Analysis Based on Empirical Evidence and DSGE Models

This study investigates the integration of non-economic policies into the framework for assessing macroeconomic coherence as applied by the Chinese government, with a particular focus on green policies. We examine the impact of non-economic factors on social disagreement and investor disagreement (expectations), and how these influences interact with macroeconomic regulation, employing both empirical evidence and dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) theoretical models. In the basic analysis section, we merge statistical data on social divergence with policy implementation, utilizing multiple regression and deep neural network models. Our findings provide direct evidence that non-economic policies significantly regulate social sentiment. Additionally, theoretical analyses using contagion models, grounded in real textual data on social and investor divergence, demonstrate that expectations of social sentiment can ultimately affect economic variables. In the extended analysis, we enhance the classic DSGE model to delineate the pathways through which non-economic policies impact the macroeconomy. Drawing from our analyses, we propose specific optimization measures for non-economic policies. The results indicate that targeted policy optimization can effectively manage social disagreement, thereby shaping expectations and harmonizing non-economic with economic policy initiatives. This alignment enhances the coherence of macroeconomic policy interventions. The innovative contribution of this study lies in its provision of both theoretical and empirical evidence supporting the formulation of non-economic policies for the first time, alongside specific recommendations for improving the consistency of macroeconomic policies.

Impact of regional integration policy on urban ecological resilience: A case study of the Yangtze River Delta region, China

Regional integration is a key facet of economic globalization that facilitates the efficient movement and optimal distribution of resources. Although its economic and environmental impacts are well-documented, the implications for ecological resilience (ER) are not yet fully understood. This study examines China's Yangtze River Delta and introduces an ER metric that assesses resistance, adaptability, and recovery. The analysis revealed that regional integration policies have notably boosted urban ER by 2.73%, a result that is upheld by rigorous testing methods such as parallel trends and placebo assessments. Furthermore, the impact of these policies on ER was variable, with a slight reduction in influence as the economic scale and population size increase. Moreover, the results indicate that regional integration can bolster urban ER by refining industrial structures and advancing green technological innovations. Interestingly, the positive impact of green innovation on ER enhancement was more significant than that of industrial upgrading. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the ecological implications of regional integration, and offer practical guidance for enhancing ER in integrated regions.

Analysis of critical raw materials policy for electrical and electronic equipment: Planning for a truly circular economy

The European Union's objectives under the Green and Digital transitions, are contingent on the decarbonisation of essential sectors such as energy, transportation, and communications. At present, the EU does not have sufficient identified mineral resources, nor processing capacity, to supply many of its strategically defined materials. The success of these objectives hinges on the EU's ability to secure a stable and consistent supply of critical raw materials (CRM). Using a systematic three-part assessment of mandated and non-mandated EU policies, European Commission communications, and a review of CRM, the findings reveal that despite efforts to enhance local supply and diversify foreign sources of CRM, there is a lack of cross-sector coherence across social, economic, and technical aspects of recycling. This is further exacerbated by inefficient retention of waste-hosted critical raw materials. Failure to adopt integrative policy measures may result in the EU's continued dependency on undiversified foreign sources for its supply of critical raw materials, thereby compromising its strategic autonomy as well as the goals of the Green and Digital transitions. Improved design of electrical and electronic equipment and processing of waste from these products could conceivably provide a mechanism for a continuous and retained supply of critical raw materials, culminating in a potentially significant resource stream for the Union. The EU can improve resource efficiency, reduce its dependence on imports, and facilitate a truly circular economy by adopting a comprehensive and symbiotic policy framework that quantifies material resources in waste and that recognises the product design stage as an integral facet of the product recycling stage, herein referred to as “forwardcycling”.

The Effects of Arts Education on Academic Achievement

Arts education plays an important role in enhancing academic performance by fostering creativity, cognitive development, and engagement in students. This study examines the impact of arts education on academic achievement, with a focus on integrating arts into the core curriculum. Drawing from theoretical frameworks such as Multiple Intelligences theory and empirical evidence, it emphasizes the positive correlation between participation in arts education and improved outcomes in reading, mathematics, language, and social skills. However, the debate on resource allocation and implementation challenges persists. Recommendations include advocating for comprehensive arts integration policies, professional development for educators, and equitable access to arts programs, ensuring that arts education becomes an essential component of holistic learning and educational reform. Keywords: Arts education, Academic achievement, Curriculum integration, Creativity and cognition, Educational policy, Multiple Intelligences theory.

INTEGRATING CLIMATE POLICY OBJECTIVES INTO MUNICIPAL LAND POLICIES: From conceptualization to empirical evidence from Finland

AbstractUrban development ties in closely with climate change mitigation and adaptation. However, little is known about how climate policy objectives are incorporated into municipal land policies. Addressing this knowledge gap, we draw from the literature on policy integration and policy design to propose a framework for conceptualizing the ways in which policy objectives driven by climate concerns are incorporated into land policy. This framework incorporates three dimensions: 1) the alignment and prioritization of climate policy objectives in land policy; 2) the concreteness of the final integrated policy design; and 3) the commitment to promoting the objectives set through choices of policy instruments. We apply this framework to explore the level of integration in 30 highly populated municipalities in Finland. We identify three levels of climate policy objective integration within this sample, with only three municipalities demonstrating high integration. Our findings suggest that raising the level of climate policy integration into land policy may require institutional support.

Conceptualising maternal mental health in rural Ghana: A realist qualitative analysis.

In low-and-middle income countries, maternal mental health needs remain neglected, and common mental disorders during pregnancy and after birth are routinely associated with hormonal changes. The psycho-social, and spiritual components of childbirth are often downplayed. A qualitative study was conducted as part of a wider realist evaluation on health systems responsiveness to examine the interrelationships between pregnant and postnatal women, their families, and their environment, and how these influence women's interactions with healthcare providers in Ghana. Data collection methods combined six qualitative interviews (n= 6) and 18 focus group discussions (n= 121) with pregnant and postnatal women, their relatives and health care providers (midwives, community mental health nurses) at the primary healthcare level. Data analysis was based on the Context-Mechanism-Outcome heuristic of realist evaluation methodology. A programme theory was developed and iteratively refined, drawing on Crowther's ecology of birth theory to unpack how context shapes women's interactions with public and alternative health care providers. We found that context interacts dynamically with embodiment, relationality, temporality, spatiality, and mystery of childbirth experiences, which in turn influence women's wellbeing in three primary areas. There is an intricate intersection of pregnancy with mental health impacting women's expectations of temporality, which does not always coincide with the timings provided by formal healthcare services. Societal deficiencies in social support structures for women facing economic challenges become particularly evident during the pregnancy and postnatal period, where women need heightened assistance. Socio-cultural beliefs associated with the mystery of childbirth, support the role of private providers in offering women a feeling of protection from uncertainty. Co-production of context specific interventions, including the integration of maternal and mental health policies, with relevant stakeholders can help formal healthcare providers accommodate women's perspectives on spirituality and mental health, which can subsequently help to make health system responsive to maternal mental health conditions.

Venturing the Golden Indonesia 2045: Are Electricity and Broadband Development for Five Indonesian Priority Industries Impactful?

This study aims to examine the impact of electricity and broadband development on the progress of five priority industries in Indonesia. Initial findings indicate a mismatch between policy expectations and their impacts. This research collected secondary data from 2010 to 2019, using a time series approach and bootstrapping 1000 times to strengthen and cover the weaknesses of the method and the short time span. The results reveal that the electronics sector has the greatest beneficial impact both partially and simultaneously from all external variables. Additionally, four industries, except the automotive sector, show the same impact. This report emphasizes the necessity of synergy between digitalization and electrification, asserting the inseparable integration of policies. The automotive sector has experienced significant growth over the past decade, but it has not been directly impacted by these policies. Conversely, the food industry is affected and has emerged as the largest output producer, while other sectors are considered to have growth potential, indicating the need for alternative infrastructure initiatives. This study is expected to provide insights to all stakeholders regarding the impact of government policies and how to maximize business benefits amid global challenges.

Trait empathy and the treatment of asylum seekers in Australia

ABSTRACT Objectives Attitudes towards asylum seekers in Australia tend to be negative, and this prejudice is prevalent and not always well understood. There is also widespread support for policies about how to process asylum claims that are criticised globally for being overly punitive. The present study explored the relationships between trait empathy and both prejudice towards asylum seekers and support for a range of policies pertaining to the treatment of asylum seekers who claim asylum to be resettled in Australia. Method A sample of 193 Australians completed self-report measures assessing classical and conditional forms of prejudice, four facets of trait empathy and support for integrative policies (i.e. community processing) and separative policies (i.e. offshore detention and “turn back the boats” policies). Results The results revealed that higher levels of prejudice were associated with support of separative policies, whilst higher levels of empathy were associated with support of integrative policies. Conclusions The results of this study have real-world implications regarding the prejudice and discrimination that is often specifically directed towards Australia’s asylum seekers, with ramifications for the ongoing debates about how governments can and should handle the ever-increasing number of asylum seekers and refugee claimants.

Integrating circular economy, digital economy, and social protection policies to drive green business innovation: Insights from Indonesia’s culinary SMEs

Global concern over environmental pollution has sparked the adoption of green business practices, which are essential for the sustainability of SMEs through green economy initiatives and renewable resources. This study aims to analyze the integration of circular and digital economy policies along with social protection policies in supporting green business innovation among culinary SMEs. By emphasizing the significance of government roles and innovation capabilities, the paper proposes that policies promoting environmentally friendly practices and social security can enhance sustainable performance in alignment with SDG principles. The study employs a quantitative approach, surveying 200 culinary SMEs in Surabaya City in Indonesia, a city known for its vibrant SME sector and commitment to sustainable practices. The data analysis, conducted using PLS-SEM through SmartPLS 4, reveals that circular economy policies (t-test = 6.503; p-value = 0.000) and social security (t-test = 3.848; p-value = 0.000) significantly enhance green business innovation, while digital economy policies are not significant (t-test = 0.725; p-value = 0.468). Furthermore, green business innovation positively impacts sustainable performance (t-test = 24.418; p-value = 0.000). However, internal innovation capabilities do not moderate the relationship between integrative policies and green business innovation. The findings indicate that government policies significantly influence green business innovation in MSMEs, particularly through circular economy regulations. Regulatory support and incentives are crucial for driving environmental sustainability and enhancing competitiveness. Strengthening digital economy policies through improved technology access and digital literacy will further support green innovation, while investments in internal innovation and human resources are vital for sustainable growth. AcknowledgmentThis study is funded by the Riset Kolaborasi Indonesia (Grant No. B/43869/UN38.III.1/LK.04.00/2024) by LPPM Universitas Negeri Surabaya.

Integrating Local Food Policies and Spatial Planning to Enhance Food Systems and Rural–Urban Links: A Living Lab Experiment

The development of synergies between rural and urban areas is one of the EU’s objectives to contribute to smart and inclusive growth. Effective governance of rural–urban links is essential for balanced development but often lacks policy coherence. This study examines the role of spatial planning and food policy integration in enhancing local food system sustainability and resilience, specifically in peri-urban areas. It investigates challenges and enablers in this integration through a Living Lab experiment in Lucca (Italy) as part of the ROBUST H2020 project. The Living Lab methodology entailed envisioning, experimenting, and experiencing phases to identify key rural–urban connections and assess governance arrangements, focusing on reclaiming abandoned land in peri-urban areas together with local stakeholders. By highlighting the strengths and limitations of a multi-year collaborative research approach, the research highlights a weak recognition of rural–urban linkages and the need for improved dialogue between rural stakeholders and urban planners. Key recommendations comprise formalising public–private partnerships and cross-sectoral projects linking agriculture with education, tourism, and landscape (e.g., agricultural parks).

The impact of an integrated alcohol policy: The example of Lithuania.

Although integrated alcohol policies, characterised by being consistent, structurally connected and interdependent, are considered to be best practices, very few evaluations of such policies exist. We evaluated the impact of two phases of integrated alcohol policies implemented in Lithuania in 2008/2009 and 2017/2018 on adult (15+ years of age) alcohol per capita consumption. Alcohol per capita consumption was the main outcome, based on national data from Statistics Lithuania. Time-series analyses using generalised additive mixed models were used, and unrecorded consumption trends were examined. A sensitivity analysis was conducted with data from the World Health Organization. The two phases of integrated alcohol policies were associated with average reductions in adult alcohol per capita consumption of almost 1 litre (-0.88 L; 95% confidence interval -1.43; -0.34). Sensitivity analyses with comparable international data on Lithuania yielded similar results. Integrated alcohol policies had a substantial effect on the average level of consumption. However, the effect of major single policies for Lithuania and other Baltic countries has been estimated to be of about the same magnitude. We conclude that in order to be successful, integrated alcohol policies should include at least one major effective population-based policy.

The evolution of doctrinal approaches to international police cooperation in the framework of the European Union

The article is devoted to the relevant in the science of international law the issue of evolution of doctrinal approaches to international police cooperation within the European Union. The literature on this issue is being investigated, on the basis of which observations of the nature of internal security management in the EU are made. The connection and the mutual stress between police integration and internal EU security policies are investigated on the one hand and the state sovereignty and the state monopoly to use force on the other. The evolution of the public sphere in the management of security policies is traced. The role of politicization in the management of international police cooperation is outlined. It is noted that politicization and public discourse can be both a favorable factor and an obstacle to police integration. The article highlights the evolution of management methods through soft and rigid law, as well as the growing role of internal and supranational actors in the management of police integration. The influence of differentiated informal networks on internal security management is noted. There is a trend available in the theoretical literature to mix powers through the generalization of cooperation networks. The issue of domestic and international internal security management is considered. It is concluded that not the state, but the network of police professionals determine the level of interest of states in integration in the field of international police cooperation. It is stated that a large array of research focuses on the institutionalization of the process of managing international police cooperation, while at the same time, relatively little work was carried out on the specific impact of differentiated networks on security management and the results of EU security policy. The asymmetry and variability of the integration preferences of states in the field of internal security are investigated. It is noted that this issue is best considered in the framework of the theory of functionalism. Such explanations are based on responding to common threats and functionality of ordinary institutions that allow to achieve certainty about the expected behavior of states.

Evaluating Agricultural Production Efficiency in Jiangsu and Anhui Provinces: A Three-Stage DEA and Malmquist Index Approach

This study assesses the agricultural production efficiency of Jiangsu and Anhui Provinces from 2018 to 2022, with a focus on the impact of the Yangtze River Delta Regional Integration Development Plan. Utilizing a three-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model and the Malmquist index, the research controls for environmental factors and analyzes efficiency changes dynamically. The results indicate that Jiangsu achieved a higher rate of technological progress, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0066, which drove its overall productivity gains. In contrast, Anhui demonstrated substantial potential in scale efficiency, reflecting opportunities for future productivity improvements through optimized resource allocation. The regional integration plan appears to have played a pivotal role in advancing agricultural productivity in Jiangsu by facilitating technology-driven improvements. Findings suggest that while Jiangsu should continue to enhance its technological capabilities, Anhui could focus on harnessing its scale efficiency potential to bridge the productivity gap between the two provinces. These insights underscore the significance of regional integration policies in fostering balanced agricultural development, promoting both technological progress and scale efficiency across different regional contexts.

Directions for improving the migration policy of the European Union in matters of migrant integration

The article is devoted to the analysis of current directions of improvement of the European Union’s migration policy in the context of immigrant integration, in particular, in the context of growing migration flows to Europe. Authors note that there are problems in building migration policy due to the fragmentation of its regulatory mechanisms. The emphasis is placed on the need for a systematic approach to solving problems related to the integration of immigrants that affect the social stability and economic balance of the EU Member States. The main challenges faced by both immigrants and host countries are considered: cultural isolation, formation of parallel communities, economic vulnerability of migrants, discrimination, illegal migration and social conflicts. The provisions of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, as well as the Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion for 2021–2027, which develops the provisions of the Pact, are analyzed. Special attention is paid to measures and recommendations aimed at promoting the integration of migrants and strengthening social cohesion in the EU countries. Authors examine the provisions of the Pact that provide for “solidarity cooperation” between Member States, including mechanisms for the redistribution of migrants, financial compensation and technical assistance for first-receiving states, in particular through the standardization of admission conditions. Further areas for improving integration policy are suggested, such as improving mechanisms for recognizing professional qualifications, increasing access to educational and language programs, combating discrimination, and strengthening the decentralization of integration measures. According to the authors, despite the fact that the EU does not have the competence to legislate in this area, the Action Plan can be a decisive push on the way to the effective integration of immigrants, where social cohesion, economic stability and security in the EU will be key elements, and further reforms in this area will help overcome the current challenges of the migration crisis.