Policy Amendments Research Articles

Women’s Vulnerability and State Responsibility in China’s Family-planning Policy

Reproductive vulnerability is a pervasive social issue that requires efforts from multiple government departments and social groups to solve. However, China has traditionally focused on the reproduction function of the family and marginalized women's reproductive autonomy and related rights. Based on the overview of the existing literature, we have a better understanding of the fertility experience of Chinese women when facing the fertility policy, focusing on their continued harm, neglect and vulnerability during the process of changes in the fertility policy. Through research, we can not only analyze the work-family dilemma that women have been in for a long time but also an in-depth analysis of low fertility intentions of Chinese women under the pronatalism policy. The vulnerability of Chinese women to childbearing is caused by the following factors: women’s socio-economic status, the concept of marriage and childbirth in society, the control of the national fertility policy, and the availability of fertility support system arrangements. We suggest the amendment of the family-planning policy should be accompanied by a series of arrangements for family support, such as establishing a reproduction-friendly environment, promoting social gender consciousness in all aspects, reducing women's household burden, and actively eliminating gender discrimination in the workplace. Then, women's reproductive vulnerability can be mitigated, and the gender structure can be balanced.

The making of a socialist underworld: people on the margins in post-war Czechoslovakia (1945–60)

ABSTRACT This text depicts the mechanisms that created the underworld and the profiles of people who formed a part of it in post-Second World War Czechoslovakia. The chronological framework is set between the end of the Second World War and the declaration of the so-called Socialist Constitution. It therefore covers the establishment of the Communist monopoly on power in February 1948, the period of Stalinism, the post-Stalinist thaw after 1953, and the amendment of Communist policies in the second half of the 1950s. It also shows the continuities between the principles set at the end of the war and the politics of the post-1948 period, as well as points to several continuities which go back deep into the nineteenth century. The existence of the underworld contrasts with the determination of the post-war political authorities to create a better and more moral society, which took radical forms after the establishment of the Communist monopoly on power. More precisely speaking, the underworld often grew out of this determination on the part of the authorities as well as from some specificities of the post-war welfare and economic politics. The text illustrates these mechanisms using the example of a number of personal destinies. For this, it uses a variety of sources: criminal reports; interrogation protocols and intelligence of the Public Security Service (Veřejná bezpečnost) and various departments of the National Security Corps (Sbor národní bezpečnosti, SNB); reports of the National Committees (Národní výbory) and of the Ministry of the Interior and legal norms. The topic is approached from the perspective of the social and economic history of state-socialist regimes.

The Effectiveness of the Ecological Forest Rangers Policy in Southwest China

To achieve the dual goal of poverty alleviation and ecological restoration, the policy of ecological forest rangers (EFRs) was implemented in rural poverty-stricken areas in China, where local residents commonly depend on nearby forest resources for livelihoods. This study aimed to analyze the short-term and long-term effectiveness of the EFRs policy in China mainly in poverty alleviation and income growth, with a brief discussion on the ecological effect of the policy. A questionnaire survey was conducted in four counties in the Karst rocky desertification region in southwest China. By combing through the early literature on REDD+, community forestry, leasehold forestry, etc., this paper summarizes the experience and lessons of similar community forest management models, aiming to explain the unsustainability of EFRs policy from the perspective of forest tenure and governance. The findings of the effectiveness analysis of EFRs policy in the four poverty-stricken counties reflect different degrees of effect in rural households with different income levels. We believe that the EFRs policy has played important roles in short-term regional poverty alleviation while its potential for long-term income growth has not been stimulated. For the amendment of EFRs policy, we put forward the following points: (1) It is necessary to redesign the selection and recruitment mechanism, as well as the exit mechanism of EFRs adapting to the local conditions. (2) It is advisable to further improve the local assessment and monitoring system of forest protection quality of EFRs and optimize the establishment of benefit linkage mechanism between protection effectiveness and EFRs remuneration. (3) The EFRs remuneration standards should be dynamically raised to assure the active participation of EFRs in forest protection. Furthermore, there is a need for one more effective integration model of forest protection and rural livelihoods improvement, which is considered as a potential future research direction.

Stock Market Reaction to Monetary Policy Modifications: Evidence from an Emergent Market

This study evaluates the stock market reaction to monetary policy modifications in an emerging market using Nigeria as a case study. Due to the crucial role the stock market plays in the global economy and finance, it becomes an attraction for most researchers and policymakers who try to find a basis for its smooth operation. This study uses data that cover a period from 1998 to 2018 to establish what the position is in recent times empirically. The data are collected on all share index, money supply, interest rate and exchange rate. The multiple regression results provide evidence that the money supply has a significant favourable influence on the all-share index. In contrast, the interest rate has an immaterial harmful effect on the stock market output. However, the result indicates that the exchange rate affects the stock market performance negatively, but the effect is insignificant. Based on these findings, the study suggests pilot test running of all monetary policy amendments by the monetary authority in the country before full implementation. The government should encourage the CBN to cut down on interest rate and avoid all policies that will lead to a crash in the Nigerian stock market.
 
 Received: 16 October 2020 / Accepted: 12 February 2021 / Published: 10 May 2021

The WIC Shopping Experience: A Qualitative Study Examining Retail-based Strategies to Increase WIC Retention and Redemption Rates

ABSTRACT The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) successfully improves participant nutrition, but program effectiveness is threatened by retail shopping challenges, which may reduce benefit redemption and participant retention. Focus groups with WIC participants examined barriers to using WIC benefits and potential strategies to improve redemption. The analysis included a three-pass qualitative process using deductive and inductive thematic analysis. Barriers included confusion over finding eligible products, difficulty checking out, and perceived stigma. Strategies included promotion and strategic placement of approved items and better customer service. Retailer practices and regional policy amendments are potential strategies for improving the WIC shopping experience and program effectiveness.

Conventional automotive supply chains under China's dual-credit policy: fuel economy, production and coordination

As a sustainability policy in emerging markets, the dual-credit policy was implemented in China to reduce corporate average fuel consumption and to promote new energy vehicles (NEVs). Through a game theoretic approach, the fuel economy improvement level and the production of traditional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) and NEVs are discussed. Research and development cost sharing contracts and ICEV revenue sharing contracts are designed to coordinate conventional automotive supply chains. We compare the current and revised dual-credit policy, identify some policy flaws and propose amendments. The dual-credit policy does not always help automotive supply chains to improve fuel economy, reduce the production of high fuel consumption vehicles, and produce more low fuel consumption vehicles and NEVs. The implementation and selection of coordination contracts are explored. Both of the above contracts may not be able to coordinate the supply chain, and cost sharing contracts may be better than revenue sharing contracts in some cases. Finally, we present some management insights into the response to the dual-credit policy. • As a sustainability policy in emerging markets, dual-credit policy is explored. • Optimization models are established for conventional automotive supply chains. • Cost sharing contracts may be better than revenue sharing contracts. • Some policy flaws and amendments are proposed. • Novel management insights on specific action plans are generated.

A review on water governance in Sri Lanka: the lessons learnt for future water policy formulation

Abstract Sri Lanka has no water scarcity within the country, and per capita, water availability is adequate to cater for the country's estimated peak population. Nevertheless, the frequent variability of spatial and temporal water availability and extreme events have built up a water scarcity in Sri Lanka, which has been observed during the last two to three decades. Therefore, effective and efficient water governance is most important in today's context, and regular review and amendment of policies, laws, and regulations are crucial to mitigate water scarcity. Although a few attempts were initiated, none of them succeeded. In this study, historical and present water governance mechanisms, including coordinating mechanisms and implementing water management agencies in Sri Lanka, were comprehensively reviewed. Further, the previously proposed water policies, their status and reasons for the failures of policies were discussed. Finally, the formulation of a novel institutional arrangement or altering the existing institutional arrangement with shared data and allocating non-shared responsibilities to each institution is suggested for better water governance in Sri Lanka.

Too Generous and Committed: Hullabaloos over Nigerian Foreign Policy Objectives

Nigeria’s afrocentric foreign policy has in no small measure benefited African continent. This has assisted Nigeria tremendously to have played a leading role towards ensuring peace, stability, cooperation and development in the African continent. The study examines the hullabaloos surrounding the too generous and committed nature of Nigerian foreign policy which has canvassed for varieties of opinions on the need for the country to adjust her foreign policy objectives. The study indicates that if there is need for Nigeria to adjust her foreign policy objectives towards Africa, it should be more favourable and not the other way round due to numerous unforeseen benefits. The study adopts role theory to describe the position and responsibility shouldered by Nigeria in Africa. As against the position opined by antagonists on the amendment of Nigerian foreign policy’s objectives, the theory explains that some benefits are either tangible or intangible forms. This study is qualitative that adopts both primary and secondary sources of data. Twelve (12) respondents were interviewed from various Nigerian government parastatals and higher institutions of learning. Data gotten from the interview was analysed thematically with the aid of Nvivo. The secondary data source was through books, journal articles, newspapers and policy documents.

Challenges of the Deaf and Hearing Impaired in the Masked World of COVID-19.

Difficulties of the hearing impaired have increased due to COVID-19, leading to lack of inclusiveness along with the breakdown of their mental, physical, and social health. The study objective was to assess the challenges faced by the deaf and hearing-impaired people during COVID-19 by a literature review. Literature search was done using keywords such as “challenges” OR “barriers” and “COVID-19” OR “Deaf” OR “Hearing Impaired” OR “Communication” on PubMed and Google Scholar from November 2019 to June 2020. The challenges faced were lack of information, face mask making communication difficult, social distancing affecting their physical, mental health, stigma and barriers related to the health-care system. Strategies included use of technology, help from sign language instructors, and preparedness of health-care settings for the hearing disabled. System strengthening, tele-medicine, and policy amendments can be the pillars to build up the support system for the hearing impaired to protect them from COVID-19.

Response of the Environmental Protection Agency to Public Submissions: Notice and Comment Process in Methane Emission Deregulation

The federal Administrative Procedure Act mandates published notice of proposed rulemaking, along with the provision that stakeholders and the public at large be given the opportunity to comment on significant proposed rules. In theory, federal rulemaking is improved by the solicitation and consideration of these comments. The airing of diverse opinions may be expected to promote healthy debate within the agency and between the agency and affected stakeholders, ranging from concerned citizens to multinational corporations. But how effective is the notice-and-comment process? This work seeks to answer that question qualitatively but systematically, by examining significant comments received by the Environmental Protection Agency in connection with the 2020 Policy Amendments to the New Source Performance Standards for the oil and natural gas sector. There is no doubt EPA invests substantial effort in responding to significant comments. Moreover, many of EPA’s judgments and decisions appear to have plausible legal foundations. However, for the issues we have investigated, arising in 2019-2020, the EPA generally seems unpersuaded by reasonable arguments and resistant to reasonable suggestions, even when these are advanced by diverse commenters. Sometimes, instead of dealing with these issues forthrightly, EPA ignores or evades them. A response that appears too often is that the issues can be taken up at an unspecified time in the future. Among other concerns, these observations raise the question of whether producing the 638-page Response to Public Comments constituted the best use of limited agency resources.

Enhancing Community Participation in Ecotourism through a Local Community Participation Improvement Model

This study aimed to explore the model that can be used to improve local community participation in ecotourism development processes. The study was conducted at the communities adjoining the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A mixed methods design was adopted by the study during collection and analysis of data. A total of 384 respondents were sampled through convenience sampling technique. Questionnaires were used to collect data through face-to-face surveys. The study found that local communities had not been actively participating in ecotourism development processes, especially those undertaken within the rural setting as a result of different socio-economic factors including lacking necessary skills. This study asserts that this gap could be mitigated through implementation of local community participation improvement model (LCPIM) based on its potential for influencing enactment and/or amendment of policies on ecotourism development

STUDENT PERCEIVED EMPLOYABILITY WITH REFERENCE TO MEDIA STUDIES: VALIDATING A MODEL OF KEY DETERMINANTS

The motive of this research is to investigate the employability of media students. It aims to validate a holistic model of key determinants of perceived employability in the Indian context. These factors emerge from internal backgrounds such as academic performance, contacts, generic skills, and self-confidence of students; external backgrounds such as university role and labor market. Psychometric properties of the proposed scale were assessed including validation at exploratory and confirmatory level; reliability; convergent and discriminant validity. Further model fit estimates were demonstrated. The study results in a comprehensive model determining the perceived employability of media students. The practical implications of this study include the identification of the university‟s contribution to employability of students and providing a foundation for higher education policy formulation and amendments in the media studies program. The novelty of this study is validating the measurement tool for assessing the employability of media students in the Indian context. This study will contribute towards the improvement of the perceived employability of media students and the augmentation of literature in media studies.

Examining the Oral Health of Filipinos: Policy Analysis

Background. High prevalence of oral health problems persists across all age groups among Filipinos despite the continued endeavors of the government and professional societies. This position statement aimed to generate consensus policy recommendations to protect and promote oral health in the Philippines as an integral part of the healthcare service in light of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.
 Methods. An evidence-based policy brief and presentations of dental and policy experts were used as discussion points in the roundtable discussion conducted by the UP Manila Health Policy Development Hub. Key stakeholders from various sectors were convened to generate inputs for policy actions and amendments to oral health related policies.
 Results. Thematic analysis of the discussion was organized using the WHO Building Blocks of Health Systems, which yielded practical, accessible, and population-wide interventions (2010). The following issues were highlighted: (a) health service delivery needs strong collaboration of LGUs; (b) insufficient workforce of dental professionals; (c) market availability of sufficiently fluoridated toothpaste per age group; and (d) health financing scheme on oral health services.
 Conclusion and Recommendations. With the shift in the health system landscape brought by the UHC Act, timely and responsive inter-sectoral interventions, focusing on prevention, must be set to attain the target decrease in the prevalence of dental caries. It was also to recommend to (i) engage the academe and training institutions to increase the workforce, (ii) consider adopting international standards on sugar consumption as appropriate, and (iii) ensure sufficient funds for sustainability of oral health programs, particularly school-based caries prevention program starting in pre-schools.

HEALTHCARE POLICY OF GEORGIA AND ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT OF SOCIETY

HEALTHCARE POLICY OF GEORGIA AND ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT OF SOCIETY

Communication barriers to formal healthcare utilisation and associated factors among poor older people in Ghana

ABSTRACT Background Successful interactions between healthcare users and healthcare providers are facilitated by effective communication, which is one of the functions of quality healthcare delivery. Whereas a lack of financial resources impedes healthcare utilisation, a lack of meaningful communication is also likely to create a barrier between healthcare providers and users. Method and materials In this study, we use bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses to model the likelihood of communication barriers to formal healthcare utilisation using socio-economic and demographic data collected from poor older people under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of Ghana. Results The study finds that participants aged 85 years or above are significantly more likely to encounter communication barriers to formal healthcare utilisation (AOR: 1.575, C.I: 0.927–4.452). The results show that non-Akan participants are significantly more likely to encounter communication barriers to formal healthcare utilisation (AOR: 1.206, C.I: 0.507–2.869). Furthermore, we find that participants with high school education are significantly less likely to encounter communication barriers to formal healthcare utilisation (AOR: 0.189, C.I: 0.051–0.700). Conclusions Based on the findings we conclude that the provision of location-specific language access services would improve communication and reduce healthcare disparities in minority ethnic groups who are coexisting with a majority ethnic group. Thus, the findings strongly suggest the need for policy makers to recruit language translators in healthcare systems to partly eliminate communication barriers to healthcare utilisation. From a broader perspective, the study offers valuable knowledge for health policy design and amendment aimed at lessening communication barriers to formal healthcare utilisation.

Impact of Bush Encroachment on Livestock Production and Pastoral Livelihoods in Fentale District, Eastern Ethiopia

The threat of bush encroachment on community livelihoods and economy in range lands of Fentale district in Ethiopia is not well known. So, this study was conducted to evaluate the impact of bush encroachment and its stress on livestock daily milk yield and pastoral livestock production of the district. The data of household livestock holding and its production, household income sources, expenditure, etc. was obtained from district pastoral and agro-pastoral office and the respective pastoral communities. The data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussion and key informant interviews. The data was analyzed through descriptive statistics and regression analysis using Minitab Software. The result revealed that there was an alarming rate increasing of bush encroachment coverage and positive association (P < 0.05) with camel and goat population than cattle and sheep population (P > 0.05) in the study district. Results of current study also revealed that a positive correlation between increasing coverage of bush encroachment and mean daily milk yield of livestock (i.e. cattle, goat and camel) in the study areas. Pastoral producers also perceived the impact of bush encroachment on livestock population trend and milk production in all study sites and applied different adaptation strategies (like feed supplementation and mobility). It is recommended that appropriate intervention options (like bush thinning) of government and other stakeholders is needed to alleviate the current economic bush related challenges of pastoral producers and save the loosing natural resources, even by amendment of pastoral production related policies and its implementation

COVID-19 Salgınının Gelir ve Servet Üzerinden Alınan Vergilere İlişkin Çifte Vergilendirmeyi Önleme Anlaşmalarının Yorumlanması ve Uygulanması Üzerindeki Olası Etkileri

It is undisputed that the measures taken by governments to enable their citizens to safeguard a certain social distance and thereby to contain the COVID-19 pandemic as much as possible caused a considerable negative impact on economic activities. Most governments took a series of immediate tax measures at a domestic level to mitigate that impact. Traditionally, large-scale economic problems, such as the ones that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, give rise not only to domestic law and tax policy modifications but also to several legal and policy amendments at regional and international levels. The most recent example is the financial crisis of 2008. Following the crisis concerned, among other developments, the implementation of a Europe-wide Financial Transaction Tax was suggested and international exchange of information gained unprecedented importance, which resulted in significant international efforts in that particular area that are still ongoing. This article focuses on the potential impact of COVID-19 on interpretation and application of double tax treaties on income and on capital. To this end, problems that may occur concerning interpretation and application of double tax treaties are analyzed and then the current status of the international tax law projects, which were already ongoing before the COVID-19 crisis, relating to a potential update of such treaties is briefly examined. Most of the problems that may occur due to the pandemic in a double tax treaty context were analyzed in a document entitled “OECD Secretariat Analysis of Tax Treaties and the Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis” published by the OECD Secretariat on April 3, 2020. The residency of natural and legal persons, the creation of a permanent establishment, and the taxation of income earned by cross border workers were examined in the document concerned. Although it was not possible for the Secretariat to clarify issues relating to transfer pricing, that particular field is also in need of, and prone to, important developments. COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to some doubt on the progress of the ongoing work on double tax treaties, such as the work that is being conducted on the digitalization of the economy. The projects concerned continue at their regular pace, without any significant delay, as per the statement made by the OECD.

‘We realised we needed a new approach’: Government and law enforcement perspectives on the implementation and future of the drug decriminalisation policy in vietnam

In 2009, Vietnam officially decriminalised drug use through amendments to the criminal law. The amendments outlined explicitly that illicit drug use would be seen as an administrative violation, but not a criminal offence. This legal transition has not been without implementation challenges, and police particularly have struggled to find a balance between drug law enforcement and decriminalisation. Despite being a health-orientated drug policy amendment, in practice it allows police to send suspected drug users to compulsory treatment centres without judicial oversight and people who use drugs continue to face challenges in their interface with law enforcement which can negatively impact access to harm reduction and community-based treatment programs. Using policy desk research combined with indepth interviews with 14 key informants from people representing a range of relevant Vietnamese government (n = 10) and non-government agencies (n = 4), this paper explores some insights and considerations into how decriminalisation of drug use in the amended law was implemented. We explore key informant perspectives into how the decriminalisation amendment could be implemented more effectively in order to improve health outcomes for people who use drugs in Vietnam through re-envisioned police protocols and practices. Findings show that while decriminalising drug use in Vietnam was designed as a progressive and health-orientated drug policy, the ongoing disconnect between the health intent of the policy and the police-led oversight of its implementation in the community persists. Part of this disconnect is explained by the lack of training and clear protocols that would enhance the police in their ability to contribute to the health intent of the policy rather than continue to view drug use through a drug law enforcement only lens. The paper calls for further collaboration across policing and the health and community-based organisations delivering services for people who use drugs. We suggest that through developing a deeper understanding of the interplay between policing and the implementation of harm reduction policy and programs, decriminalisation can co-exist within a broader and deeply entrenched drug control strategy in Vietnam.

Exploring the Problem of Establishing Horizon Emergent Technologies within a Higher Education Institution’s Operational Framework

Abstract Since the early 2000s, a plethora of web-based learning technologies has been developed, each proposing to improve the student experience. Yet, a study conducted by Martin et al. (2018) demonstrate sporadic new technology adoption in Higher Education (HE), despite wide-scale social interest and a wealth of academic publications. This paper aims to provide a framework to explore this problem from an institutional perspective, involving both educational planners and pedagogues. This framework, the Pedagogic Realignment with Organisational Priorities and Horizon Emergent Technologies Framework or PROPHET Framework, is a new three phase framework that combines two distinct research methodologies used by policy makers and pedagogues with a new dynamic multi-level diffusion of innovation (DMDI) model specifically designed to support dialogue between these stakeholders. Application of the PROPHET Framework will enable stakeholders to arrive at a common understanding about the efficacy of such new technologies and collaborative exploration of technology through these different lenses will lead to increased confidence in its value and relevance. It is hypothesised that undertaking this process will increase the adoption rate of Horizon Emergent Technologies, resulting in operational policy amendments and evidence of impact in the learning environment.

Performance evaluation of MLE, RF and SVM classification algorithms for watershed scale land use/land cover mapping using sentinel 2 bands

The land use and land cover map plays a significant role in agricultural, water resources planning, management, and monitoring programs at regional and national levels and is an input to various hydrological models. Land use and land cover maps prepared using satellite remote sensing techniques in conjunction with landform-soil-vegetation relationships and ground truth are popular for locating suitable sites for the construction of water harvesting structures, soil and water conservation measures, runoff computations, irrigation planning and agricultural management, analyzing socio-ecological concerns, flood controlling, and overall watershed management. Here we use a novel approach to analyze Sentinel–2 multispectral satellite data using traditional and principal component analysis based approaches to evaluate the effectiveness of maximum likelihood estimation, random forest tree, and support vector machine classifiers to improve land use and land cover categorization for Soil Conservation Service Curve Number model. Additionally, we use stratified random sampling to evaluate the accuracies of resulted land use and land cover maps in terms of kappa coefficient, overall accuracy, producer's accuracy, and user's accuracy. The classifiers were used for classifying the data into seven major land use and land cover classes namely water, built-up, mixed forest, cultivated land, barren land, fallow land with vertisols dominance, and fallow land with inceptisols dominance for the Vishwamitri watershed. We find that principal component analysis with support vector machine is able to produce highly accurate land use and land cover classified maps. Principal component analysis extracts the useful spectral information by compressing redundant data embedded in each spectral channel. The study highlights the use of principal component analysis with support vector machine classifier to improve land use and land cover classification from which policymakers can make better decisions and extract basic information for policy amendments.