Policy Development Research Articles

The Utilization of Stakeholder Management Frameworks for the Successful Completion of Construction Projects in Zambia

This study aimed to examine the utilization of stakeholder management frameworks in the Zambian construction industry using the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project (KDRP) in Siavonga as a case study. The study was pinned on the stakeholder theory using a mixed methods design that involved integrating quantitative data and desk/secondary research. The target population comprised industry practitioners and project team members working on the KDRP project. Using judgmental (or purposive) sampling, 91 respondents took part in an online survey and over 30 articles were examined in the systemic review. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS V23 by running descriptive frequency statistics and the studies were grouped using Atlas.ti software. The study demonstrated a good level of knowledge and positive attitude by construction workers on the KDRP of stakeholder management. The biggest factors that influenced the implementation and application of stakeholder management frameworks were a lack of project or organizations management interest to implement stakeholder management frameworks and lack of skill by contractors and project managers to apply stakeholder management frameworks among others. The study concluded that there is no stakeholder management framework in use in the Zambian construction industry. Therefore it is recommended that the concerned engineering bodies advocate for the development of national or industry-specific policies, regulations, or guidelines that promote stakeholder engagement in construction projects.

From Song to Loyalty: How the Anthem of Universitas Trunojoyo Madura Enhances Student Engagement and Strengthens Institutional Bonds

University anthems, as key elements in shaping the identity of higher education institutions, reflect the values and history of the university and enhance a sense of community. This study focuses on how the integration of traditional Madurese elements in the anthem of Universitas Trunojoyo Madura influences student identity and engagement. The knowledge gap lies in the actual influence of traditional music in enhancing student engagement and loyalty. A qualitative methodology was employed, involving in-depth interviews and lyrical content analysis of the anthem to uncover student perceptions. The primary findings suggest that the use of traditional Madurese music elements enhances student pride and engagement, strengthens institutional identity, and reinforces community bonds. The implications of these findings affirm the crucial role of arts and literature in facilitating social and communal engagement in academic settings, providing new insights for the development of educational strategies and university policies.

Integrating ecosocial policies through polycentric governance: A study of the green transformation of Danish vocational education and training

AbstractHow can polycentric governance promote the development of ecosocial policies within existing policy systems? Through a study of green reforms of Danish vocational education, the paper argues that polycentric governance institutions are particularly useful at engaging constituent actors in innovation and constructive collaboration over reforming education programs to integrate ecological goals into vocational education. Combining significant autonomy for governance units and their nesting in a larger governance structure, polycentric governance helps address three key governance challenges: developing agreement among actors with clashing material interests about what green transformation entails; identifying how joint gains can be reached within a common vision of the development of the economy; and setting up an institutional structure that supports continuous adjustment to respond to technological advances and shifting social demands. Polycentric governance is, however, not a panacea. The state thus plays an important role in supporting autonomous governance units to develop ecosocial policies.

Prediction and Analysis of the Global Suitable Habitat of the Oryctes rhinoceros (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Based on the MaxEnt Model.

The Asiatic rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), is a destructive invasive species that poses a serious threat to palms, oil palms, and other plants. Defining a suitable area for the distribution of O. rhinoceros is essential for the development of appropriate policies and preventive measures. In this work, the MaxEnt niche model and ArcGIS software were used to predict the potential geographic distribution of O. rhinoceros in the world based on occurrence data and related environmental variables and to speculate on the influence of environmental variables on the distribution of O. rhinoceros. The results showed that the suitable areas of O. rhinoceros beetle were mainly distributed in 30° N-30° S, and the highly suitable areas were concentrated in South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and northern Oceania. The key environmental variables that determine the distribution location of O. rhinoceros are Precipitation of Wettest Month (bio13), Temperature of July (tmin7), Minimum Temperature of November (tmin11), and Precipitation of September (prec9). The prediction results of the MaxEnt model can reflect the global distribution of O. rhinoceros. This study can provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of O. rhinoceros and the development of relevant quarantine measures.

Political Economy of Agriculture and Food Policy in Africa

This article reviews the literature on the political economy of agricultural and food policy in sub-Saharan Africa. In doing so, it first presents a conceptual framework highlighting that agricultural and food policy decisions are contingent on the intersection between governance structures, the preferences and pressures from societal interest groups, and international dynamics. The interrelations among these three factors are then examined across several different sets of policy instruments that have been the focus of traditional political economy research in the region: trade, tax, and marketing policies; public investments and regulations; input and food subsidies; and cross-cutting policies for value chain development. Recognizing several broader demographic, technology, and governance transitions in the region, the article also highlights key areas for future analysis that examine the role of cities in food policy, the possibilities presented by expanded mobile phone and Internet access, and the efficacy of new public administration modalities for policy implementation.

Blood transfusion in the Caribbean: Historical perspective in the context of Trinidad and Tobago.

To compare the historical development of blood transfusion in Britain and a former British West Indian colony. International transfusion bodies recommend national coordination and exclusively voluntary non-remunerated donation as essential pre-requisites for blood safety. These ideals have been achieved in high-income countries including Great Britain, the United States of America and Canada. However, most West Indian countries have fragmented, hospital-based blood services that rely on family replacement and remunerated donors. Comparative historical analysis of blood transfusion service development in Great Britain and Trinidad and Tobago was undertaken to provide insight into their dichotomous development and inform policy decisions to bridge the gap between the two types of transfusion service. The British National Blood Transfusion service was based on voluntary non-remunerated blood donation from its inception but achieved national coordination over 50 years that included a period of regional control during which incoordination contributed to a tainted blood scandal. Failure to establish community voluntary non-remunerated donation in Trinidad and Tobago during the colonial period, before independence in 1962, allowed regionally-controlled family replacement and remunerated blood donation to become entrenched then perpetuated by path dependence. A university-led programme has recently used historically-proven methods, drawing on the experiences of the British National Blood Transfusion Service, to establish a model for developing a voluntary non-remunerated programme. The programme aims to avoid historical pitfalls during its national extension. Historical analysis provided information for introducing voluntary non-remunerated blood donation and planning a nationally-coordinated blood transfusion service.

Centering Social Justice and Equity in Research on Accessibility to Public Buildings for Individuals with Mobility Disabilities: A scoping review.

To explore how principles of social justice and equity are integrated into research concerning accessibility to public buildings for individuals with mobility disabilities. Utilising a scoping review methodology to assess literature based on the criteria set by the Joanna Briggs Institute, seven databases were screened. Studies were selected using the framework: "persons with mobility disabilities" AND "accessibility" AND "public buildings". A theoretical framework helped to extract codes and develop themes through an inductive-deductive analysis method. The results are presented descriptively. The examination of 84 studies uncovered a complex interplay between agencies, systemic challenges, discriminatory practices, and societal attitudes perpetuating marginalisation of individuals with mobility disabilities in their access to public buildings. The recommendations emphasize importance of practical measures, research imperatives, and policy developments to promote inclusivity. We present a 'Ten-step approach' to integrate social justice and equity into research on accessibility in public buildings for people with mobility disabilities. Integrating diversity, active participation, and inclusive methodologies are essential to address systemic issues, discriminatory practices, and societal attitudes that hinder accessibility and inclusion. Collaborations with diverse stakeholders are crucial for policy changes, resource allocation, and advancing social justice and equity in accessibility research and practice.

СТАЛИЙ РОЗВИТОК ТОРГІВЛІ: ТЕОРЕТИЧНИЙ АСПЕКТ

The article highlights the theoretical aspect of sustainable trade development. It is found that trade development through more rational and efficient use of resources, production growth, increased income and investment leads to economic growth and employment. It is found that the sustainability of domestic trade is reflected primarily in its impact on human development. It is determined that the sustainable development of Ukraine's trade is laid down in the provisions of trade agreements between Ukraine and other countries and unions of countries. The author analyzes the features of the WTO agreement on sustainable trade development. The article analyzes the provisions of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in the area of trade policy development with regard to sustainable development. It is noted that trade is key to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It is found that the main direction of implementation of socio-economic management methods for sustainable trade development is performance management, which enhances the social orientation of management through the effect of activity and creates a system of motivation and incentives for labor. It has been found that trade is also important for social integration, which, along with the economy and the environment, is one of the three pillars of sustainable development. In Ukraine, environmental and sustainable development issues are poorly integrated into the process of formulating and implementing public policy, including trade policy. Therefore, environmental protection and sustainable development should be clearly enshrined in trade policy. The presence of environmental factors in a trade agreement cannot depend solely on the policies and approaches of the other party.

Strategi Pengembangan Desa Wisata dalam Lomba Spot Selfie Kelurahan Jatirejo Kecamatan Gunungpati

The development of tourist villages has become a global trend driven by cultural and environmental preservation, as well as its potential to increase local community income. The purpose of this research is to analyze the development strategy of Jatirejo Village, Gunungpati District, through the Spot Selfie Competition, which leverages the village's potential to attract tourists, especially the younger generation. This competition is not merely a selfie spot contest but also an effective tourism promotion tool that can spark community creativity in creating attractive selfie spots. The results of the study show a positive impact on increasing tourist numbers, local income, and the preservation of culture and the environment. Moreover, this spot selfie competition introduces innovation in the sustainable management of tourist villages. This research is expected to contribute to effective and sustainable tourist village development policies in Indonesia

Mitigating and minimising at-home illness-related stress of well-siblings through school support

Living with a chronic health condition in the home can have a debilitating effect on the psychosocial and psychoaffective wellbeing of the entire family. This is particularly the case for healthy school aged siblings. This research investigated the perceptions and experiences of at-school support for well-siblings to evaluate its effectiveness in mitigating and minimising the at-home illness-related stress effect. Seven siblings (both primary and secondary age) whose brothers had received treatment for a chronic illness (e.g. cancer) were interviewed, as were their mothers, six schoolteachers, and two principals. Responses were analysed thematically, and the findings revealed that the chronic illness of a sibling bears strongly on how well-siblings feel about themselves: their very identity is challenged; and they lose their sense of belonging, worth, and self. Findings identified that inconsistencies in at-school support are linked with a lack of an overarching mandate for support, emphasising the need for urgent remediation in policy development and process reform.

Decoding job satisfaction in the Nepalese public sector: patterns and predictors

ABSTRACT In this study, we investigate job satisfaction within the Nepalese civil service, utilizing data from a survey of 858 Nepalese civil servants. Our findings reveal a moderate level of job satisfaction, with several factors influencing its variability. Particularly, relationships with colleagues, the physical environment, and remuneration emerge as significant determinants, where higher values correspond to increased job satisfaction. These findings are consistent with the theoretical expectations of social exchange theory. Beyond these conventional variables, innovation, higher authoritarian cultural orientation (ACO), and the nature of civil service groups (Administrative service vs. Others) significantly shape job satisfaction levels. Furthermore, factors such as transfer scopes, promotion policy, and human resource development programs are identified as areas of low satisfaction among civil servants. While these factors do not demonstrate statistically significant associations with the degree of variation in job satisfaction, their dissatisfaction likely contributes to an overall decrease in job satisfaction.

Non-linear dynamics of global liquidity and energy sector profitability

ABSTRACT This study examines how global liquidity influences the profitability of companies in the energy sector using a non-linear approach. Applying Functional Principal Component Analysis (FPCA) to sparse data, we reconstruct the profitability history of 497 energy companies in various subsectors, including coal, oil and gas, oil and gas-related equipment and services, renewable energy, and uranium. We use a Distributed Delay Nonlinear Model (DLNM) to estimate the impact of global liquidity on profitability. Our results reveal distinct nonlinear patterns in the response of these subsectors to changes in global liquidity. For example, in the oil and gas subsector, an extreme quantile (99%) of global liquidity is associated with a significant 5.19% increase in profitability in the first quarter after the shock. In contrast, in the renewable energy subsector, a lower quantile (25%), corresponding to a moderately downward trend, is associated with a 0.73% increase in profitability over the same period. These finings are crucial to improving risk management, investment and policy development strategies within the energy sector, offering a deeper understanding of the dynamics in the global financial and economic landscape.

Public responses to hard climate policies in OECD member countries: prevalence of contention at the post-adoption stage

ABSTRACT Effective climate action is likely to require hard climate policies (e.g. regulation, pricing, phase-outs), but such policies are often contested. Contention can arise not only during policy development and decision making but also at the post-adoption stage where adopted policies may be challenged, threatening policy durability. However, existing research has not systematically analyzed patterns of actual public responses to hard climate policies following their adoption. This is needed to understand response variety and the prevalence of contention. In this paper, we systematically assess public responses in a sample of 50 national-level hard climate policy packages (covering framework and energy policies) across 21 OECD member countries between 2009 and 2022. We categorize public responses (support, acceptance, non-acceptance, backlash) using a typology involving disapproval and mobilization to assess the prevalence of post-adoption contention among mass publics. We draw on newspaper data specific to each case to detect contention. Findings reveal a relatively low prevalence of post-adoption contentious responses to hard climate policies. Nonetheless, contention is pronounced in some cases and is mainly associated with carbon taxation/pricing although not exclusively. The most contentious responses, labeled as backlash, cluster in the latter half of the study period. Findings suggest a need to analyze drivers of contention among mass publics which may be complex and involve factors spanning policy design, institutional politics, and societal context.

E-Cigarette and Vaping Perspectives: Recommendations for Occupational Health Nurses.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control indicate that the use of e-cigarettes, vaping, and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are increasing although data on their safety is limited. While most employers ban smoking in the workplace, tobacco-free policies do not always extend specifically to e-cigarette products. An IRB approved exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate occupational health professionals' (OHPs) knowledge of e-cigarettes, vaping and ENDS and the ability to create change in tobacco-free workplace policies. A 91-item electronic survey was sent via email to 3248 OHPs who were members of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. A total of 299 surveys were returned, but only 230 completed the entire survey. Of those who completed the entire survey, those with advanced education had higher attitude toward change summary scores (p = .043) and those with lower years of practicing had low scores for transformational leadership (p = .039). Approximately 40% of individuals did not have or were unsure that a tobacco-free program was in place that included e-cigarettes, but the majority (90%) perceived their organizational leaders as interested in safety changes. The majority of respondents understood the health issues inherent in e-cigarettes, were open to implementing policies that included e-cigarettes but needed education and both managerial and employee support to implement policy changes. OHPs are well positioned to be advocates for workplace education, policy development, and worker health promotion for smoking and vaping cessation by leading organizational change.

Fostering Future Investors: Analysing Determinants of Stock Market Participation Among Malaysian Students using PLS-SEM

Participation in the stock market is crucial for financial engagement and wealth creation. However, specific population segments, such as students from higher learning institutions, may exhibit lower stock market participation levels. Addressing this issue, this study uses the behavioral finance theory to examine how financial literacy, financial well-being, herding behavior, overconfidence bias, risk tolerance, social interaction, and investment intention influence stock market participation. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire distributed to 669 university students in Malaysia aged 17-30 years old. The findings reveal that financial literacy, herding behavior, risk tolerance, and social interaction positively influenced investment intention. The study also discovered that investment intention positively influences stock market participation. This study has made significant contributions to both theory and practice. Theoretically, this study contributes to the literature by confirming the positive relationship between financial literacy and investment intention. This study contributes to the development of more effective interventions and policies that not only educate students about an essential aspect of financial literacy but also prepare them for a financially secure future.

Social Policy and Early Childhood Development: A Field Study in Baghdad City

Social policy includes many aspects, some of which are related to welfare, as well as many social responsibilities and rights that are considered the basis of the early childhood stage, as social policy aims to secure a kind of stimulating, safe and equal environment for children, especially in the first years of their lives, as these early stages greatly affect their growth, development and future capabilities. It aims to study the current facts related to a phenomenon, situation or group of individuals. This study relied on the social survey method by sample and used the questionnaire tool to identify the extent of the impact of social legislation to protect early childhood. A field study in the city of Baghdad, where the study sample amounted to (200) individuals, males and females. The results of the study showed that the highest percentage of the research community are females at 54.4%. The results of the study showed that providing health care to mothers before and after birth is the health system for child health by 60.4%. The results of the study indicate that the early childhood care policy contributed to reducing child mortality rates by 63.2%. The results of the study indicate that one of the most important ways is the contribution of the social care policy to correcting some wrong practices by holding educational courses for workers in health centers by 43.6%. The results of the study concluded that there are educational programs provided for early childhood with cognitive and cognitive stimulation by 58.4%. And the contribution of government efforts to provide development programs for the early childhood stage by encouraging enrollment in education by 55.2%. One of the most important difficulties facing the implementation of policies and strategies for sustainable development for early childhood is the absence of activation of the national strategy by 36%. Therefore, we recommend the establishment of a higher council for childhood that takes on the responsibility of drawing up policies related to children and following up on strategies and programs related to them.

Advancing irrigation management: integrating technology and sustainability to address global food security.

Irrigation management is essential for addressing global food security challenges under changing climate. This review discusses the integration of advanced irrigation technologies and their roles in enhancing water use efficiency and managing energy demands within agricultural systems. High-efficiency irrigation systems, such as drip and sprinkler systems, have significant potential to reduce water use and increase crop yields. However, their adoption varies worldwide, and the efficiency of existing irrigation practices often remains inadequate, resulting in substantial water losses due to outdated management practices. Emerging technologies and innovative irrigation strategies, including precision agriculture and advanced crop models, provide promising pathways for improving irrigation efficiency. Nonetheless, the widespread integration of these technologies is hindered by high costs, the need for technical expertise, and challenges in adapting existing agricultural systems to new methodologies. Irrigation systems can have substantial energy requirements, particularly those dependent on groundwater. The exploration of the water-environment-energy-food (WEEF) nexus illustrates the importance of a balanced approach to resource management, which is crucial for achieving sustainable agricultural outcomes. Future research should include lowering barriers to technology adoption, enhancing data utilization for precision irrigation, promoting integrated management strategies within the WEEF framework, and strengthening policy support for sustainable practices. This review proposes a multidisciplinary approach to irrigation management that includes technological innovation, strategic policy development, and global cooperation to secure sustainable agricultural practices and ensure global food supply resilience in the face of climate change.

Synergistic effects of students’ mathematics and science motivational beliefs on achievement, and their determinants

BackgroundStudents’ mathematics and science motivational beliefs are crucial determinants of their school academic achievement in math and science. The current study aimed to identify the group memberships of students’ motivational beliefs in math and science, which are closely related. Furthermore, this study probed the predictive effects of individual students’ experiences at school on forming group membership. We also tested the mean differences of the identified latent groups in math and science achievement.ResultsUsing latent profile analysis modeling, we examined data from 3857 Korean eighth-grade students participating in the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study. The theoretical rationale and supplementary statistical indices showed a five-group membership as the optimal solution. The five groups are high motivation, medium motivation, low math/high science motivation, low motivation, and very low motivation. Students’ sense of school belonging was the most crucial predictor in forming group membership, whereas perceived student bullying did not predict group membership. Finally, students in distinct motivational belief groups exhibited differences in their math and science achievements.ConclusionsThis study identified five subgroups of students based on their distinct motivational beliefs in math and science, and variations in their association with achievements. In terms of policy development and intervention, it is important to nurture students’ sense of school belonging. This study advances motivational theories in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, and provides practical suggestions for improving educational practices to enhance student math and science motivational beliefs.

Quality of life modeling in Saint Petersburg and the Northwest regions

Subject: application of the quality economics methodology to obtain scientifically based assessments of the quality of life in the regions of the Northwestern Federal District. The purpose of the study: research development related to the search for possible areas of impact on the socio-economic system that contribute to improving the population’s quality of life in the context of digitalization (according to the data from St. Petersburg and the regions of the Northwestern Federal District). In the course of the study, a quality of life model was created for the regions of the Northwestern Federal District. A basic and comprehensive assessment of the quality of life was carried out, so now we can trace the more than ten-year dynamics of the indicator, group the regions, identify and justify their common and accusatory features in the context of the study. An analysis of individual characteristics of the quality of life in the Northwestern Federal District regions has shown that it is possible to measure the contribution that medical and demographic conditions, socio-economic well-being, comfort and safety of the living environment make to the quality of life indicator. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that it is important to assess the contribution of these components to determine the direction of regional development policy. In the interests of revealing promising opportunities for obtaining algorithmic solutions in the field of standardization of quality of life management in the region, a new format of a multi-level quality management system is proposed. The use of a digitalized format for managerial decision-making in a multi-level quality management system will greatly increase their effectiveness by expanding the capabilities of analyzing complex data without clear relationships, including for forecasting and optimizing processes occurring at the local, regional, and national levels.

New framework of port logistics in the post-COVID-19 period with 6th-generation ports (6GP) model

ABSTRACT Since the outbreak of COVID-19, its impacts on the maritime transportation and logistics field have been multi-dimensional. In addition to the green shipping corridor proposed by the Clydebank Declaration in the United Kingdom in 2021, port digitalisation and decarbonisation of the maritime industry have become focal issues in the field. The industry needs a new framework to offset the negative impacts of the pandemic and to accommodate integrated technologies comprising of artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, cloud systems, internet of things (IoT) and others, which have been applied to the industry. Having considered these circumstances, this paper aims to propose the 6th-generation ports model with smart port (6GP) as a new framework for the port logistics industry in the post-COVID-19 period. The proposed 6GP contributes to providing business development strategy and port development policy for stakeholders in the industry in the post-pandemic era reflecting focal challenges such as digitalisation, decarbonisation, sustainability and smart transformation. It also contributes to expanding port devolution theory from the fifth-generation ports (5GP) to 6GP.