Policy Domains Research Articles

Responding to the West’s environmental security paradox: organic national security and the contemporary state embrace of severe anthropogenic environmental degradation, contamination, and vanishing (SEDCOV)

ABSTRACT Western nations ultimately rely for all aspects of their security and survival upon the natural, non-human world, yet they are currently degrading and depleting it to an extreme and potentially terminal extent. Recognizing this security paradox, scholars and policymakers have, in recent years, begun to renew and expand upon the West’s decades-old uneasy acknowledgement of the national security relevance of global anthropogenic environmental decline. However, important gaps in this renewed discourse remain. Approaches rooted in environmental science and environmental studies tend to frame the problem in simple biophysical terms instead of using the political and power frames of reference of actual states. On the other main side of the renewed discourse, Western national security apparatuses themselves (and their adjacent expert communities) have adopted a problematic neo-traditional approach, focusing on predicting which new strategic conditions and threats global environmental decline will generate, and how a largely status quo, intact state should prepare to respond to these conditions. This side of the renewed discourse arguably grossly underestimates environmental decline’s truly radical potential to destabilise the domestic state as well as external powers, and also avoids the central problem that a key origin of this decline is mundane Western state behaviour. This paper aims to introduce two new elements into Western national security community approaches to global environmental decline. First, I introduce a new way of defining organic national security and suggest why this may be a useful concept in evaluating and pursuing national security in the 21st century. Second, I lay out how re-attaining a modicum of organic national security will require that the West first reappraise its own contemporary embrace and normalisation of severe anthropogenic environmental degradation, contamination, and vanishing (SEDCOV) across nearly every policy domain.

Social capital and performance of public councils in Kazakhstan

This study applies Putnam’s social capital thesis to an examination of the impact of social capital (social trust, formal networks and norms) on public councils’ performance in Kazakhstan. As public councils aim to express citizens’ opinions on socially significant problems, this inquiry measures their performance by examining their impact on social issues in various policy domains. Drawing on data collected from four regions of Kazakhstan, we found that social trust and cooperation norms have a positive impact on public councils’ effectiveness, while formal networking has no influence. The limited significance of formal networking in the local context is explained by the state-led nature of civil society. This article contributes to the literature on social capital and government performance in authoritarian states.

Towards a Regenerative Future: Understanding Practical Implementation, Research, and Benchmarking in the Built Environment

The 73rd Session of the United Nations in 2019 marked a pivotal moment, emphasising the urgent need for sustainable development to avert irreversible climate change impacts within a mere 11 years. Vulnerable communities have been experiencing food security and ecosystem crises since the 1990s, and the IPCC predicts that environmental damage will lead to 200 million permanent displacements by 2050. Built environment professionals such as those in architecture and construction carry a moral obligation to act as critical agents of systemic change, driving the study’s investigation into “Regenerative Design” with a focus on practical implementation, application, research, and benchmarking. The study conducted a comprehensive search and scoping review of peer-reviewed literature and an industry-specific audience poll at a built-environment professional summit. The findings reveal an inconsistent application and limited comprehension of “regenerative” among industry professionals. The study poll of key stakeholders in the Australian built environment context, accentuates the lack of consensus surrounding regenerative design’s definition. This research contributes to interdisciplinary knowledge, bridging domains of education, design, construction, planning, urban development, and policy. It underscores the need for more extensive research and highlights the absence of consensus in defining regenerative design. By shedding light on these aspects, the study aims to galvanise collective action and foster transformative change towards a sustainable future.

Dynamic clustering of Asian regionalisms: Empirical testing of United Nations multilateral treaty participation by social network analysis

This paper investigates the evolving clustering and historical progression of “Asian regionalisms” concerning their involvement in multilateral treaties deposited in the United Nations system. We employ criteria such as geographic proximity, historical connections, cultural affinities, and economic interdependencies to identify twenty-eight candidate countries from East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Central Asia for this empirical testing. Using a social network analysis approach, we model the network of these twenty-eight Asian state actors alongside 600 major treaties from the United Nations system, identifying clusters among Asian states by assessing similarities in their treaty participation behavior. Specifically, we observe dynamic changes in these clusters across three key historical eras: Post-war reconstruction and transformation (1945–1968), Cold War tensions and global transformations (1969–1989), and post-Cold War era and globalization (1990–present). Employing the Louvain cluster detection algorithm, the results reveal the evolution in cluster numbers and changes in membership status throughout the world timeline. The results also identify the current situation of six distinct Asian clusters based on states’ inclinations to engage or abstain from multilateral treaties across six policy domains. These findings provide a foundation for further research on the trajectories of Asian regionalisms amidst evolving global dynamics and offer insights into potential alliances, cooperation, or conflicts within the region.

Conservation and Promotion of Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species in West Africa: Policy and Governance

Neglected and underutilized crop species (NUCS/NUS) are claimed to contribute to sustainable development. However, many scholars argue that enabling policies and appropriate governance are needed to operationalize such a potential contribution. Therefore, this systematic review analyzes the literature dealing with the relationships between policy and governance aspects and the promotion of NUS in West Africa. It draws upon 45 eligible articles identified through a search conducted on the Web of Science in December 2023. The existing literature focuses on Nigeria and a few NUS, especially cassava. The addressed policy domains include biodiversity conservation; subsidies; seed systems; food security, self-sufficiency and sovereignty; trade and import substitution; food safety and health; climate change and energy; land use; research, innovation and development; and support and assistance systems. Meanwhile, the main governance domains are (1) inclusiveness and participation and (2) institutional capacity. The analysis suggests that NUS development is also affected by sectoral policy coherence and consistency as well as the policy–governance interplay. Future studies should widen the scope in terms of geographical coverage in West Africa and NUS addressed to allow for more comparisons. Furthermore, there is a need for further research to understand the synergies and trade-offs between sectoral policies affecting NUS promotion and development.

Exploring the eternal struggle: The Narrative Policy Framework and status quo versus policy change

This article proposes an integration of the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) with prospect theory to investigate how the status quo and policy change are recounted in public debates. By integrating insights from prospect theory into the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF), we investigate narratives in the policy domain of farm animal welfare, which is characterized by a strong polarization of actor coalitions. We compare public debates in France and Germany between 2020 and 2021. Our analysis shows that the NPF’s analytical strength is enhanced by integrating the distinction between status quo and policy change in narrative elements. This distinction enables further empirical nuancing of actors’ narrative communication, and in combination with insights from prospect theory, it allows for new conjectures about actors’ use of narrative strategies such as the devil shift and the angel shift. In addition to the theoretical contribution, we shed light on debates surrounding farm animal welfare in Western Europe: Both animal welfare and agricultural coalitions are unsatisfied with the status quo, but they promote policy change of different kinds.

Climate change education in Indonesia’s formal education: a policy analysis

This article conducts a comprehensive analysis of climate change education within the framework of climate change policy and education policy in Indonesia. Employing thematic analysis on twenty climate change policy texts, twelve K-12 education policy texts, and seventeen expert interview transcripts, our study explores the congruency of climate change education in both policy domains. Despite the critical need for coordinated policies to optimise the design and implementation of climate change education, the analysis reveals a significant discrepancy between Indonesia’s climate change policy and education policy regarding this crucial aspect. Four key themes emerged: the marginalisation of climate change education, the lack of synergies between relevant policies and stakeholders, the predominant economic values, and the optimistic future outlook. The study also assesses the alignment between Indonesia’s approach and global trends in climate change education. The findings shed light on critical areas for improvement and development in the integration of climate change education within the Indonesian policy landscape.

“Heroes”, “victims”, and “villains”: policy narratives on inclusion in Norwegian and Italian educational documents

ABSTRACT This paper will investigate how specific narratives on the inclusion of minority language students (MLSs) are constructed in Norwegian and Italian educational policy documents. We will employ the Narrative Policy Framework’s (NPF) analytical categories with an interpretative narrative approach to reconstruct the two national policy narratives and compare their salient features. In response to international trends of inclusive education, Norway and Italy have developed two different educational policy models for the inclusion of MLSs. Norway operationalised inclusion through ‘adapted education’ for all students, while Italian policy defined an ‘Italian path towards the intercultural school’. The results will show that the Norwegian approach to inclusive education is sustained by what we define as a technocratic (efficiency-oriented) narrative, while the Italian intercultural education employs a normative (ideologically-based) narrative. Despite the differences, the two policy narratives share an unresolved tension between a universalistic and particularistic stance. In the policy documents, the inclusive/intercultural education for all students is ambiguously complemented by integration measures designed explicitly for MLSs. The study will illustrate the travelling nature of inclusive and intercultural education in the policy domain and show that the policy shift towards inclusion needs to be understood as an ongoing and non-linear process.

More Than Aging in Place: “Aging in Networks” in Singapore

Aging in place has become a popularly accepted logic and practice in both the academic and policy domains. Older adults’ preferred facilities and social networks, however, might not always be situated in the residential neighborhoods where their homes are located. While recognizing the value of aging in place, this article argues that geographical proximity should not be conflated with aging well, nor should a spatially delimited place be the only locus of “community.” We propose the concept of aging in networks to capture a range of social networks in the life-worlds of older adults, including those that extend beyond their neighborhoods. We combine qualitative and geographic information systems (GIS) methods (i.e., qualitative GIS) to analyze three types of activity spaces observed among older adults in Singapore. Our analysis elicits the reasons why older adults use facilities and cultivate social networks both within and beyond their neighborhoods. This approach highlights the importance of studying and supporting both the local and extralocal ties of older adults. The article draws on qualitative GIS research (interviews and Global Positioning System tracking) with fifty older adults in two neighborhoods in Singapore (from a wider survey with 1,199 older adults).

The Impact Of Innovation To Company Policy Through Operation Research

In the ever-evolving corporate landscape, understanding how innovation influences company policies is significant for organizational success. This research investigates the complicated relationship between innovation—specifically, organizational, technological, and process innovation—and the management of critical policy domains: HR policies, compliance policies, and technological adoption policies. Leveraging surveyed data analysis, this study uncovers profound insights into the dynamic interplay between innovation strategies and policy adaptations. The study's methodology used quantitative data analysis, utilizing surveys and impact ratings to measure the influence of various innovation types on company policies. The analysis indicates that organizational innovation shows substantial influence over HR policies, underscoring the necessity of aligning HR management with the growing culture and structure of organizations undergoing transformation. Technological innovation shows as a significant motivate for adaptations in compliance policies, highlighting the critical importance of policy alignment with dynamic regulatory landscapes. Process innovation, although exhibiting a moderate impact, show cases its practical relevance in enhancing operational efficiency across all policy areas. This research extends existing literature by providing empirical evidence of innovation's multifaceted impact on policies and introduces novel perspectives, especially the influence of technological innovation on compliance policies. The implications of this study contribute in academia and practice alike, emphasizing the significance of proactive policy alignment with innovation strategies. As organizations increasingly harness innovation to remain competitive and adaptive, the research findings offer valuable guidance for optimizing the synergy between innovation initiatives and policy management, ensuring regulatory compliance, and enhancing operational efficiency.

Unlocking the tapestry of conservation: Navigating ecological resettlement policies in Nepal

Conservation initiatives involve a complex interplay of various ecological, socio-political, and economic factors. Ecological resettlement (ER), implemented within the context of nature conservation policies, stands as one of the most contested issues worldwide. This study aims to navigate the domain of ER policy in conservation through discursive institutionalism and a policy arrangement approach. Focusing on Nepal's conservation policy pathways over the last seven decades, we critically analyze policy ideas and narratives, trends, patterns of policy development, institutional arrangements, driving factors, and responses to contemporary ER policies. Methods involved a systematic literature review (n = 271), a comprehensive review of policy documents and project reports (n > 150), and expert interviews (n = 20). Over the past 50 years, >7600 households in Nepal have been displaced in the name of ER and are still persisting despite the rhetoric of participatory conservation. With changes in political regimes, conservation policy has shifted from a hunting-focused approach to landscape-level and transboundary conservation. Initially influenced by internal factors such as economic and political governance, conservation policies were later shaped by international conservation discourse. Also, the operational sphere of such policy ideas and narratives ˗ including actors, resources, discourses, and rules ˗ along with trends, priorities, institutional arrangements, and driving factors of ER policies, has changed over time. Further, the exclusion of deprived communities and the capture of conservation benefits by elites have undermined conservation values. This research stresses the importance of a judicious balance between people's welfare and nature's integrity, emphasizing community-based natural resource management models accredited to a conservation standard. We further urge the revision of displacement-oriented conservation policies to secure the rights of Indigenous people and traditional landholders, thereby ensuring conservation and sustainable development at both national and global levels.

The EU’s twin transitions towards sustainability and digital leadership: a coherent or fragmented policy field?

ABSTRACT In order to achieve the goal of climate neutrality, while also enhancing Europe’s industrial competitiveness on the global stage, the acceleration of the twin – green and digital – transitions has been among the top priorities for the European Union (EU). Given the multiplicity of policy areas involved in these twin transitions as well as the nature of the EU as a multilevel organisation, coherence is the key requirement for the twin transitions to be successful. Drawing on the concept of coherence, this article explores whether the EU can be considered a coherent actor when pursuing the twin transitions. It understands coherence as a process to reduce contradictions across different policy domains rather than as a status where no contradictions exist. It also challenges previous views centred solely on coherence during policy implementation, and proposes a broader assessment that begins by framing different policy domains as mutually beneficial and aligned towards common goals. This perspective introduces two dimensions of coherence – conceptual and operational – along horizontal and vertical levels. By examining how policies are framed and interconnected across different levels of governance and policy agendas, this study reveals that while the link between the green and digital transitions and the need for coordination across different governance levels has been widely accepted, conceptual coherence varies across governance levels and policy areas. Furthermore, the study argues that operational coherence – putting ideas into practice – lags behind conceptual coherence, which highlights the challenges of implementing the twin transitions effectively.

Chilean national policy councils: a heterogeneous type of public organization for governance

PropósitoEste artículo tiene como objetivo explorar, caracterizar y discutir la noción de los Consejos Nacionales de Política (CNPs) como organizaciones públicas para la gobernanza en la gestión pública chilena.Diseño/metodología/aproximaciónSe identificó un subconjunto de CNP activos de la gestión pública chilena, que fueron caracterizados y analizados siguiendo esquemas utilizados previamente.ResultadosLos resultados muestran heterogeneidad en el diseño de los CNP con diferencias entre varias características clave. Se proponen explicaciones para esta heterogeneidad basadas en un enfoque evolutivo y la vaguedad del concepto. Estas nociones son resultados relevantes para la discusión académica y la implementación práctica de los CNP.NovedadLa novedad de esta investigación se basa en evaluar los CNP de diferentes dominios de política en un análisis intra-país, comparando sus características principales y configuración para determinar si los CNP podrían ser comprendidos y tratados como un tipo único de organización pública.

The (geo)politics of controlling shareholders

Abstract In this Article, I extend the analysis of controlling shareholders typically reflected in corporate governance scholarship—which is fundamentally framed in terms of shareholder wealth creation and diversion at the behest of the controller—to the increasing (geo)political significance of firms with controlling shareholders. This effort requires shifting the unit of analysis to the fusion of political-economic power inherent in corporate control and examining the implications of this fusion beyond the boundaries of the firm itself. I illustrate the approach by analyzing examples from a variety of new and old corporate capitalist systems operating globally today, and by surveying numerous policy domains in which firms with controlling shareholders are key protagonists: national security and economic sanctions, stock exchange competition, corporate influence on domestic political systems, and ESG. Expanding the lens through which controlling shareholders are viewed sheds light on their considerable influence in largely unexplored realms of wideranging geostrategic and political importance.

Interconnectedness of Health and Economy in Post-COVID-19: A Systems Thinking Approach to Synergies, Trade-Offs, and Policy Responses in Nepal.

This study addresses the economic challenges posed by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with a specific focus on Nepal. Employing a Systems Thinking approach, the study develops a comprehensive model that integrates macroeconomic interventions, exploring the trade-offs and synergies among various economic sectors. The interconnectedness of health, economic, and policy domains highlights the need for a holistic understanding of the pandemic's effects. An exploratory research design was used. The model introduces three primary subsystems-import, local demand, and local production-illustrating their interdependence. The causal loop diagram depicts the implications of fiscal and monetary policies on the economy, emphasizing the synergy and trade-offs resulting from policy interventions. Findings reveal the significant economic impact of the pandemic on Nepal, leading to its negative growth rate in FY 2020/21, the first time Nepal has experienced this in the last two decades. The results show that both intended and unintended consequences are observed following the adoption of fiscal and monetary policy that aimed at minimizing the spread of virus suggesting a complex nature of relationship among the policy variables. The fiscal policy induced negative consequences on the increasing loan, slow revenue growth, while positive feedbacks are observed on increased investment opportunities, and boosting of local economy. The monetary measures yielded unintended consequences on the rising land prices, surge in share market. The study concludes by emphasizing the crucial role of informed policymaking in navigating the complex landscape, offering insights for creating a resilient and sustainable post-pandemic future.

Energy geo-structures: A review of their integration with other sources and its limitations

Ground Source Heat Pumps, in the framework of Shallow Geothermal Energy Systems, outperform conventional Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems, even the high efficiency Air Source Heat Pumps. At the same time, though, they require considerably higher installation costs. The utilization of dwellings' foundations as ground heat exchanger components has recently demonstrated the potential to generate significant cost reductions primarily attributed to the reduction in expenses associated with drilling and backfill material (grout). These elements are referred to in the literature as Thermo-Active Structures or Energy Geo-structures (EGs). The current study employs a ‘mixed studies’ review (i.e., literature review, critical review and state-of-the-art review) methodology to comprehensively examine and assess the compatibility and integration of different renewable energy sources and environmentally friendly technologies with foundation elements deployed as EGs. These mainly include heat pumps, district heating and cooling networks, solar-thermal systems, waste heat, biomass and other types such as urban structures. Emphasis has been given on the advancement on this area, with the current study identifying and addressing two primary categories. The first category involves the integration of EG elements with sources that are able to supply green electricity, referring to renewable energy electricity obtained from on-grid or off-grid integration. The second category, involves a direct or indirect integration with sources that provide heat, or vice versa. The technical and non-technical barriers of such integrations have been discussed in detail, with the technical challenges generally involving engineering design, and system optimization, whereas non-technical challenges encompassing the economic, social, and policy domains.

Implemented disability-related policies and practices and sustained employment of partially disabled employees: evidence from linked survey and register data.

This study examined the associations between implemented disability-related policies and practices (DPP) and sustained employment among partially disabled employees in The Netherlands. Employer survey data on implemented DPP were linked to register data on employment outcomes of partially disabled employees (N=6103 employees from N=366 employers). DPP included six domains based on 48 elements: sick leave policy, occupational health and safety services (OHS), prevention policy, reintegration policy, reintegration practices within the current employer and reintegration practices towards another employer. DPP domains were standardized on a 0-1 scale. Separate logistic regression models were estimated for DDP domains on one-year sustained employment adjusted for employee characteristics, firm size, and sector. Almost all organizations implemented at least one element of DPP on prevention policy, OHS, sick leave policy, and reintegration practices within the current employer, and two-thirds on reintegration policy and reintegration practices towards another employer. Implemented DPP on prevention policy [odds ratio (OR) 2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-4.0], OHS (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.2), and sick leave policy (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.3) were positively associated with sustained employment. No significant results were found for reintegration policy and both reintegration practices domains. Stratified analysis showed that DDP domains were particularly associated with sustained employment in larger organizations and in the private sector. Implemented DPP related to sick leave policy, OHS and prevention policy are associated with sustained employment among partially disabled employees, in particular in larger organizations and in the private sector.

Causes of child labor and working conditions in Ethiopia: evidence from temporary inter-rural child labor migrants from Sekela district

Child labor migration is a critical issue that has received limited attention from academic and policy domains in many developing countries. This article analysis the causes of child labor migration and working conditions at the destination of temporary inter-rural child labor migration from Sekela district, Northwest Ethiopia. Mixed research methods is employed. Quantitative data is collected from randomly selected 204 respondents engaged in child labor migration. Focus group discussion, informal conversational interviews, and observation are also undertaken to gather qualitative data. Most child labor migrants participate in child labor migration due to localized economic constraints, which are reflected through a desire to have modern goods and cloth, food scarcity, and resource degradation. Also, the expansion of commercial farms at destination areas directly or indirectly due to the globalized market indicates that migrant children’s local labor cannot be delinked from material realities created by both national and international economic policy. The income from child labor migration supports children and their households’ livelihood, though it is at the expense of children’s education as well as exposure to worse working conditions at their destination in terms of exploitation, underpayment, malnutrition, breaching of an agreement by employers, and harassment. Hence, to exploit the benefits and minimize the risks, balanced measures should be taken at the origin and destination. Education programs should be supportive in increasing food productivity and assisting households to diversify their means of income by allowing them to participate in non-farm activities. It is also essential to the establishment of support groups in migrant destination places and the expansion of labor inspectorates who continuously supervise the safety of child labor migrants.

Government-organized non-governmental organizations in policy networks: the case of China association for science and technology

ABSTRACT With changes in the governance environment, social organizations are increasingly involved in public affairs. Government-organized non-governmental organizations (GONGOs) is a unique type of social organizations positioned at the junction of the state and community. Although GONGOs are easily embedded in policy networks due to their close ties with the government, their operational dynamics within policy networks need to be further explored. This paper analyzes the case of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) under the ‘Mission-Network-Influence’ framework. We begin by examining the evolution of CAST’s mission, and then conduct a social network analysis and content analysis of 272 policies jointly formulated by CAST and other agencies. Results show that GONGOs prioritize public service in their policies. They serve as bridges between the government and the third sector and can even play the leading role in certain policy domains.

Impact of heat waves on semen quality: A retrospective study in Argentina between 2005 and 2023

Heat waves, defined as periods with daily temperatures surpassing the historical average for a specific region, have become more frequent worldwide in recent years. Previous studies have reported a negative association between temperature and semen quality, but the focus has mainly been on Asian and European populations.The study included 54,926 men (18–60 years) undergoing routine semen analysis between 2005 and 2023 at CEUSA-LAEH andrology unit, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Hourly temperature readings were provided by the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. R programming (R Studio v2022.07.2) was used to define heat waves, calculate key characteristics, visualize results, and perform statistical tests at the IBYME laboratory.During the period studied, a total of 124 days had heat waves (defined after at least 3 consecutive days with 32.3 °C and 22 °C). Men exposed to heat waves during spermatogenesis exhibited lower sperm number (concentration and count; P < 0.0001) and decreased normal morphology (percentage of normal sperm and normal motile count; P < 0.05) compared to those not exposed. These differences were most pronounced between semen samples from years with several heat waves (2013, 2023) and none (2005, 2007, 2016), displaying 4–5 times higher fold changes (P < 0.05).Further analysis employing multiple regression revealed a significantly negative association between semen quality and heat wave length, suggesting that a prolonged exposure may be more detrimental than an acute exposure. Subsequent analysis focusing on prolonged exposure (≥6-days heat wave) during spermatogenesis revealed a negative (P < 0.05) association between early exposure (spermatocytogenesis: 64–90 days prior semen collection) and semen quality.This study underscores the negative association between early exposure to heat waves during sperm development and semen quality, raising concerns about its possible association with the worldwide declining male fertility. A comprehensive collaborative approach is crucial, involving global governmental policies, sustainable practices, and coordinated efforts across scientific, healthcare, and policy domains.