Policy Development Research Articles

Sport development in rural schools of Lephalale in Limpopo province: Barriers and facilitators

Background: Sports development and promotion of physical activities (PA) through various sports in rural schools of South Africa (SA) is essential to optimise growth and wellbeing of children. There is a paucity of research specific to rural areas, and this is implicated on the lack of resources, effective programmes as well as resources to promote structured PAs and sports.Objectives: To explore sports development facilitators and barriers in rural schools.Method: We conducted an exploratory qualitative study and recruited Life Orientation (LO) teachers and school principals. We established structured interview guidelines and recorded the interviews which were transcribed verbatim. Data saturation was reached by the eighth participant. The data were analysed using thematic content analysis.Results: Participating schools experienced shared challenges in developing and promoting PAs. Five themes emerged addressing the barriers: sport facilities, time management, workload, financial constraints, and lack of participation. Six categories emerged as facilitators: intrapersonal factors, interpersonal factors, personal, social, physical and mental benefits.Conclusion: Most rural schools in Lephalale district struggle to promote and develop sports because of several targeted factors. These schools have little to no strategic plans to develop and promote sports because of the prioritisation of the core curriculum and/or examinable subjects in classroom duties which is deemed their highest priority.Clinical Implication(s): Implementation of tailored sports development policies in rural schools via acquisition of resources, education regarding the positive impact of sport, and focused planning is required. Healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists may aid in the encouragement of sports.

Social Constructions of Sex Trafficking and Needs for a Critical Intersectional and Trauma-Informed Approach: A Critical Review

ABSTRACT What is known about human trafficking, particularly for the purpose of sexual exploitation, has long been shaped by social constructions, including of gender, such as in mainstream and social media, which have directly impacted how sex trafficking, victims, and survivors are presently understood, as well as past and current efforts to prevent and address it. Much of what is known about sex trafficking has been presented through a white, western, and positivist lens, with little consideration of race, culture, and other intersectional factors, or how structural oppression, and the trauma that results from these factors can impact risks for sexual violence and trafficking. As such, existing gaps in reliable sources of knowledge on sex trafficking are explored and discussed, prioritizing a critical intersectional and trauma-informed approach and intersectional considerations for knowledge building, prevention, intervention, and advocacy through research, practice, education, and policy development.

Governance perspectives on achieving demand side flexibility for net zero

Net-zero has rapidly become the accepted way of framing mitigation policy and sustainable development goals. A critical step to achieve net zero targets consists of demand side flexibility, i.e. the ability to flex consumption according to levels of low carbon electricity generation. There is much emphasis on the importance of reaching high levels of flexibility, as this will enable balancing of renewables supply with demand, hence lowering energy costs. However, little attention has been paid to governance aspects, i.e. how demand side flexibility can happen and which institutions are responsible for delivering it. This policy perspective paper makes use of net-zero “good governance” principles to review evidence on demand side flexibility governance in the UK. It discusses which areas are most relevant and how they could best be developed.

A Quantitative Model to Measure the Level of Culture and Tourism Integration Based on a Spatial Perspective: A Case Study of Beijing from 2000 to 2022

The integration of culture and tourism has become an important factor in the development of the cultural tourism industry, and a quantitative measure of the degree of integration is important for understanding and promoting the high-quality development of the global cultural tourism industry. This study aims to put forward a comprehensive analysis model to show the development trend of cultural and tourism integration, measure the degree of cultural and tourism integration, and analyze the factors affecting the regional heterogeneity of cultural and tourism integration. Using the spatial quantification method of entropy, the spatial coupling coordination degree model, and the geographical weighting model, this paper analyzes the effect and influencing factors of cultural and tourism integration in various districts and counties in Beijing. The results show that the cultural tourism resource endowment of Beijing presents an upward trend and a gradual spillover trend, with obvious spillover to the east and north. The effect of district integration in Beijing has gradually weakened from the city center to the outside, but there is still a serious phenomenon of two levels of differentiation. Factors such as the economic development level, tourism output, cultural output, policy support, and consumption level have spatial heterogeneity on the effect of cultural and tourism integration in each district of Beijing, but the degree of influence is small.

Growing Employment And Managers In Australian Health Services: 2006-2021

Introduction: This research is a continuation of the authors past contributions on this important subject, that has included the first comprehensive analysis of the composition and characteristics of health service managers in Australia, in terms of their service, qualifications and other important attributes. Objectives: This article contains an analysis of the number and characteristics of health service managers in relation to health services provided in Australia in 2006 compared with that of 2021. Design: Design of the analyses follows specifications set by the authors for tabulations prepared by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) from the censuses of population conducted by ABS in 2006 and 2021. The analysis of health service managers in terms of growth in numbers and change in their characteristics will be reviewed. Findings: A substantial increase was found in the number of health service managers in relation to the population and people employed. Also, there have been considerable changes in the characteristics and qualifications of health service managers during the 15-year period. The study also reported on the nature of the changes in hospitals and medical and other health services, and the surge in the number of managers in medical and other services, that in 2021 outnumbered those in hospitals. Implications: The findings are relevant to policy development aimed at improving the health status of the population. There were implications as well to the planning of health services, training of their labour force and related educational resources. An agenda is also put forward for additional research in view of its findings.

Online school sport club in South Korea: policy adaptation towards youth development through sport during touchless era

ABSTRACT Using Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory, this qualitative case study aimed to explore how the online school sport clubs (O-SSC) were developed and administered as a counteraction against the pandemic and the meanings of the O-SSC from stakeholders’ perspectives in South Korea. Data were collected from official and open-source O-SSC materials, working-level meeting logs, and in-depth interviews with six policy stakeholders that included superintendents and teachers in Seoul, South Korea. The findings revealed four themes regarding the development of the policy and perceived changes as a result of the implementation of O-SSC: (a) thinking outside the box beyond traditional sports, (b) melting the frozen gym, (c) setting the stage beyond stereotypes in sport and physical spaces, and (d) unlimited opportunities to challenge: ‘you can try it again tomorrow’. The discussion addressed the following: (a) O-SSC as a domino effect for youth development through sport and (b) balance between sportisation and healthisation. The O-SSC generated a transformative chain of changes, providing youths with a new sporting developmental asset and prioritising students’ basic psychological needs and motivation. Furthermore, it embraced the inclusiveness, a quality missing in traditional school sport, and integrated aspects of physical fitness to tackle the adolescents’ physical inactivity caused by COVID-19. To conclude, it is imperative to call for the development of school sport policy that is more adaptive, inclusive, and future-oriented, not just to prepare for future contingencies but to embrace new possibilities of school sport for the benefit of school-age adolescents.

The global relevance of locally grounded ethnobiology.

While ethnobiology is a discipline that focuses on the local, it has an outstanding, but not yet fully realized potential to address global issues. Part of this unrealized potential is that universalistic approaches often do not fully recognize culturally grounded perspectives and there are multiple challenges with scaling up place-based research. However, scalability is paramount to ensure that the intimate and context-specific diversity of human-environmental relationships and understandings are recognized in global-scale planning and policy development. Here, we identify four pathways to enable the scalability of place-based ethnobiological research from the ground up: local-to-global dialogues, aggregation of published data, multi-sited studies, and geospatial analyses. We also discuss some major challenges and consideration to encourage continuous reflexivity in these endeavours and to ensure that scalability does not contribute to unnecessarily decontextualizing, co-opting, or overwriting the epistemologies of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. As ethnobiology navigates multiple scales of time and space and seeks to increase its breadth, this study shows that the use of deliberately global approaches, when carefully nested within rich field-based and ecological and ethnographically grounded data, can contribute to: (1) upscaling case-specific insights to unveil global patterns and dynamics in the biocultural contexts of Indigenous Peoples and local communities; (2) bringing ethnobiological knowledge into resolutions that can influence global environmental research and policy agendas; and (3) enriching ethnobiology's field-based ethos with a deliberate global analytical focus.

Climate Perceptions of Small Ruminant Farmers in the Mouhoun Province of Burkina Faso

Perception is all about taking in, taking for oneself, taking hold of. Thus, a false perception of climate change can lead to a lack of adaptation or to maladaptation. Climate change represents a threat to the livestock farmers of the MP, whose main source of income is the exploitation of natural and animal resources. The problematic of this study is based on the good perception of the stockbreeders which were necessary to them to adapt to the climatic crises already occurred. The aim of this study is to analyze the perception of climate change by small ruminant breeders in the Mouhoun Province of Burkina Faso. To this end, 286 breeders, including agro-pastoralists and agro-pastoralists, i.e. 22 breeders per village, were surveyed. In addition, a focus group was held in each village, for a total of thirteen (13). Phinks software was used to process the individual survey data. The results indicate a drop in rainfall intensity (78.7%), a rise in temperatures (90.7%), a withdrawal from grazing areas (86%), a drop in milk production (81.3%) and lactation duration (86%). In summary, it appears that the population has a good perception of the climate in their locality. In addition, although it is difficult to integrate research evidence into development policy and practice, the results of this research could guide policy in making decisions about the climate perception of small ruminant farmers in the Mouhoun Province. This study leads to the conclusion that the changes perceived by farmers are relevant to the development of climate change adaptation strategies.

Innovation and leadership in computational social science’s prevalent trend: implications to management science, public policy and social development

A group of prominent researchers recently introduced Computational Social Science (CSS) in a Nature article, highlighting its potential with a call for more institutional support. The companion composed by prevalent researchers sees no scientific limitations in CSS. However, this paper argues that despite CSS's popularity, it harbors scientific, methodological and philosophical shortcomings leading to a form of academic authoritarianism, highly consequential for Higher Education. It evaluates critically its impact on Management Science, Public Policy, and Social Development. While CSS appears promising, its current trajectory fails to deliver substantial innovation and leadership, misleading both leaders and policymakers. The paper advocates for alternative approaches within CSS, more useful for Higher Education and societal advancement.

Protecting Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Age

This research paper discusses safeguarding intellectual property rights (IPR) amidst emerging technologies and cyber threats. In the digital age, safeguarding intellectual property rights (IPR) amidst emerging technologies and cyber threats necessitates a proactive and collaborative approach. This research paper explores the multifaceted challenges and opportunities surrounding IPR protection, focusing on the impacts of artificial intelligence, blockchain, 3D printing, and the Internet of Things. By analyzing legal responses, technological solutions, international cooperation efforts, and future trends, it equips stakeholders with insights to navigate this complex terrain effectively. The paper advocates for dynamic regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with risk management and societal interests, emphasizing cross-sector collaboration in policy development. It also highlights the importance of public awareness and education in empowering individuals to navigate emerging technology landscapes safely. Additionally, the paper addresses the historical background, types of IPR, contemporary issues, cyber security challenges, and collaboration between stakeholders. By implementing comprehensive strategies and fostering collaboration, organizations can uphold the integrity of intellectual property rights, incentivize innovation, and maintain a competitive edge in the digital landscape.

The Mediating Role of Moral Disengagement in the Association Between Maltreatment and Bullying Perpetration: Testing the Differences of Gender and Household Registration

ABSTRACTAlthough previous studies have indicated that adverse childhood experiences profoundly impact children's psychological and behavioural development, comprehensive investigations into the direct and indirect mechanisms through which maltreatment affects bullying perpetration among Chinese children are lacking. This study aims to explore the effect of maltreatment on children's bullying perpetration and the potential mediating role of moral disengagement. Moreover, the gender and household registration differences in the associations are also investigated. Employing a multistage cluster sampling method, 1318 questionnaires were collected (612 males, 706 females, mean age = 15). Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the hypothesized theoretical model. The findings reveal that the experiences of maltreatment in early childhood directly influence children's bullying perpetration, with moral disengagement potentially mediating this association. Furthermore, substantial gender disparities exist in the effect of maltreatment on bullying perpetration, and notable variations based on household registration are observed in the association of maltreatment on children's moral disengagement. These findings enhance our understanding of how childhood maltreatment affects children's bullying perpetration and offer valuable insights for the development of social policy and intervention programmes targeting child maltreatment and school bullying.

An Enquiry into the Nigerianism in Nigerian English

This study seeks to examine the Nigerianism in Nigerian English in order to gain a better understanding of the English language in Nigeria. Specifically, it will investigate how Nigerian English has developed and what aspects of Nigerian language and culture have influenced it. In doing so, it will provide insight on the role of Nigerian English in the larger Nigerian context, as well as the broader international context. It will also review the sociolinguistic features of the Nigerian varieties of English in the area of phonology. The findings of this research are expected to provide a deeper understanding of the English language in Nigeria and its functionality within the Nigerian context. It is hoped that the results of this study can be used to inform and guide the development of future language policies in Nigeria. This study will also provide a valuable contribution to the existing body of research into the development of English and language in general.

Challenges in construction material supply for post-disaster transport infrastructure recovery: a case study of the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake in New Zealand

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the challenges faced by the transport infrastructure sector in its civil construction material supply processes, following the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake in New Zealand.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach was adopted, which included on-site observations, semi-structured interviews and literature-based desktop reviews.FindingsThe research findings show that there were supply problems for aggregates, concrete, stormwater pipes and some specialised products for the repair and rebuild of transport facilities. Those supply problems were largely caused by (1) difficulty in predicting material requirements, (2) constrained supply capability, (3) inadequate local freight capacity, (4) legal, cultural and/or environmental considerations on resource exploitation and utilisation, (5) impacts of COVID-19 and (6) ineffective communication and coordination.Research limitations/implicationsFor future research, it is recommended that a comparative analysis of multiple disaster cases be undertaken to further explore the generalisability of the research findings.Originality/valueThe research findings will inform the development of post-earthquake recovery policies and material supply chain operation strategies, in order to expedite the recovery of transport networks if a future earthquake strikes.

The Model of Sustainability Balanced Scorecard and Supply Chain in Port Management for Tourism

The development of ports for the sake of tourism is one of the key strategies in developing and strengthening a solid foundation in the tourism industry. The integration of a supply chain into port management for the purposes of tourism that is sustainable balanced can be used as a model for planning sustainable port development for tourism purposes. However, there are scarcely any studies on this topic, while plenty focus on the general concepts involved. To fill this gap, this article presents a model of a Sustainability Balanced Scorecard for ports. The author proposes a new approach to planning port development and supply chain management for tourism, particularity to provide recommendations and further our understandings of the relationships involved in the Sustainable Balanced Scorecard from the stakeholder perspective, the learning and growth perspective, the internal process perspective, the financial perspective and the environmental perspective. Using these five perspectives, the literature review identifies 56 indicators of 15 factors that can be used in the model. Therefore, this research helps to enhance and develop sustainable and efficient conditions in tourism while reducing future risks. Moreover, the research enables stakeholders to gain an understanding of and knowledge about the sustainable development and management of ports and for tourism. The insights can be applied in policy and strategy development according to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) to accommodate social movement, environmental risk and economic inequality.

Assessing the Impact of Remote Learning on Learning Competencies of Senior High School Students in the Health Optimizing Physical Education (HOPE) Program

This study examined the impact of remote learning on the competencies of learning objectives within the HOPE program for Grades 11 and 12 students in Mabalacat City. Using a quantitative-descriptive survey design with 12 PE teachers and coordinators, the study employed the Context-Input-Process-Product (CIPP) model to evaluate the program’s effectiveness, focusing on the “product” aspect. Findings revealed positive outcomes, with students exceeding their learning objectives in key areas aligned with the K-12 curriculum. Students successfully demonstrated an understanding of physical activity’s role in stress management and engagement in moderate-to-vigorous activities. They also displayed an advanced grasp of personal safety protocols, suggesting readiness for potential careers in health and fitness. These findings contribute to the understanding of remote learning’s potential in achieving physical education goals. Further research could explore the long-term impact of these approaches and their applicability to wider contexts, informing curriculum development and educational policy decisions.

Reflections on How Social Protection and Social Welfare Policies are Unfolding in Low- and Middle-Income Countries around the World

Social protection in the form of cash transfers to reduce poverty and inequality is described as the “big idea” that emerged in the Global South over the past three decades. This article reflects on the direction that social protection is taking and reviews its achievements. A key challenge is how social protection policies are delinked from a wider system of social welfare and development programs in low- and middle-income countries. Drawing on lessons learned from cross-country studies, pointers are provided on how to overcome this bifurcation, including ways of strengthening social development theory, policy, and practice.

The path to resilience in sport event tourism: South African stakeholder responses to a crisis

ABSTRACT This study sought to determine how South African sport tourism stakeholders responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, looking at sustainable pathways to building a resilient sport event tourism sector. In-depth semi-structured interviews with 28 sport event tourism stakeholders revealed that, in response to the pandemic, there was unprecedented collaboration between stakeholders, particularly concerning joint funding initiatives, collective marketing strategies and reviewing of contractual partnerships. Furthermore, there is a lack of relevant policy to guide stakeholders through recovery and the mitigation of long-term negative impacts. The current study is the first of its kind globally and in South Africa, viewing sport event tourism through the lens of resilience and stakeholder management, and providing recommendations on stakeholder collaboration and policy development for sustainable practices and management, ensuring the future resilience of the sector.

Climate change and credit risk in rural financial institutions: A study based on transition risk

AbstractThis study empirically investigates the impact of climate change on credit risks in rural financial institutions, emphasizing transition risk. We analyzed data from 202 rural financial institutions across, China spanning 2012 to 2020. The empirical findings reveal the following: Firstly, climate change exerts an inverted U‐shaped influence on credit risks in rural financial institutions. Secondly, the inverted U‐shaped relationship is influenced by both the level of digital development and uncertainty in climate policy. Lastly, heightened levels of digital development and increased uncertainty about climate policy can mitigate the negative effects of climate change.

Historical and legal characteristics of the Act of Unity of the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic and its state-building potential

The article is devoted to the study of the prerequisites and procedural aspects of the conclusion of the Act of Unity of the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic on January 22, 1919, which was the culmination of centuries-old efforts of Ukrainians to unite their historical national lands within the boundaries of a single sovereign and independent state of Ukraine. The process of affirming the unity of the Ukrainian lands historically began with the search for support for the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic among the political elites of Trans-Dnieper Ukraine. The pre-accession agreement concluded between representatives of the Western Ukrainian political elite and the newly formed Directorate of the Ukrainian People’s Republic provided for the procedure for ratifying the union of the two parts of Ukraine. The aspirations of Western Ukrainian People’s Republic representatives regarding equal representation in the highest bodies of state administration, which they previously discussed with the Management, were not realized. In fact, the Directory recognizes the autonomous status of Western Ukrainian People’s Republic as one of the regions of Ukraine under the name Western Region of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. The management of the Directory was aware of the declarative nature of the connection. The paradigm of the historical perspective and parallels through the centuries brings us back to the need to constantly study the strengths and positive experiences of the past, study mistakes in order to avoid them in the future. The period of Ukrainian national development studied in the article went through many difficult trials, but this encouraged Ukrainians to raise national liberation ideas to a new level - awareness of the need for national and territorial unity. The leaders of the Ukrainian People’s Republic and Western Ukrainian People’s Republic failed to realize the positive aspirations that were laid down in their positive movement towards the unity of the state. The main drawback was that the main institutions of power of the Ukrainian People’s Republic remained formed according to the imperial model. There was a lack of professional and at the same time nationally conscious personnel. An important historical experience of the relationship between the two parts of Ukraine, which must be taken into account in the current conditions of Ukraine, is the development of a common national policy, the vector of which is national interests, sovereignty and protection of the independence and territorial integrity of the state.

Problematic aspects of the influence of the legal system on social phenomena

The article examines the problem of the interaction of law with other social phenomena. On the one hand, law can be used to protect other social phenomena, such as moral norms, economic interests, cultural values, and on the other hand, social phenomena can influence the formation of legal norms and law and order in society. An important aspect of research is the interaction of legal norms with such social phenomena as politics, economy, culture, morality, and others, as well as the influence of legal norms on social reality and the interaction of various aspects of society’s life. The article examines the problem of the correlation of legal policy with certain social phenomena, and also determines the role of law in the formation of social reality. In addition, the author investigates the problem of regulation of social phenomena by the norms of national and international law in the context of social phenomena. Understanding the relationship between law and various social phenomena is important for the development of legal policy in the conditions of constantly changing social realities. Studying the relationship between law and other social phenomena allows us to understand the causes of such conflicts and find ways to solve problems. Understanding the relationship between law and social phenomena is important for the effective functioning of the legal system, ensuring the protection of human rights and freedoms, the development of international law and legal awareness. Knowledge of this interaction helps to understand trends in the development of law as a social phenomenon, as well as social phenomena as components of law. Also, understanding the relationship between law and other social phenomena is important for the development of the international legal system and the implementation of international legal cooperation. In connection with the growth of globalization and international cooperation, there is a need for the development of international law and legal instruments that regulate relations between different states and international organizations. Understanding legal norms and their relationship with social phenomena contributes to the formation of a high legal culture in society and ensuring the protection of human rights and freedoms.