Favorable Policies Research Articles

Analysis of perceived competitive forces influencing tree tomato value chains in Rwanda

The globalization of economies has added many new challenges to global agriculture. Agriculture not only needs to compete in foreign markets but also in domestic markets. The production and export of tree tomatoes remain extremely weak in Rwanda despite horticulture sector-specific economic policies in favour of the production and export of horticultural crops by the government of Rwanda. The goal of this study was to analyse the competitive performance of Rwanda's tree tomato value chain to shape the tree tomato industry in Rwanda for the benefit of smallholder farmers and the Rwandan Economy. One hundred twenty (120) respondents were surveyed for this study using a semi-structured questionnaire and focus group discussions. Participants were stratified into groups as traders (80), institutional consumers (12), and household consumers (28) all from Bugesera, Nyabihu, Rubavu districts and Kigali markets (Nyabugogo, Nyarugenge and Kimironko). Key enablers (International Centre for Research in Agroforestry, Rwanda Agricultural Board, National Agricultural Export Board, and Ministry of Commerce and Financial institutions) provided useful information related to the tree tomato value chain in Rwanda. The findings of this study show that factors that hamper the tree tomato value chain competitiveness in Rwanda are related to bargaining power. Overall 63% of respondents who were tree tomato suppliers and 58.43% of respondents who were tree tomato buyers agreed that the bargaining power of suppliers and buyers hamper the competitiveness of the value chain. The study found that 70% of traders and 57% of consumers and institutional consumers preferred the tree tomato. Therefore, tree tomato is highly linked to consumers, traders, and institutions than banana which is the 38th fruit highly scored. The severity of the threat to the tree tomato industry is new entrants into the tree tomato industry, the intensity of rivalry in existing key competitors, and the severity of the threat of substitutes. The strategies proposed to improve on the competitiveness of the tree tomato industry comprise of improving collaboration of tree tomato chain actors. This study found that 75.69% of the sampled key actors agree that the highest criteria to be considered are the product quality, and 64.74% of the sampled key actors settled on product quality as the least criteria. Key words: tree tomato, smallholder farmers, consumers, traders, competitiveness, value chain, Rwanda

Second-home Tourism in Tropical China: residents’ perception of socio-economic impacts

ABSTRACT Despite the significant growth of second-home tourism research, its geographical focus remains limited to a few countries. China has become a global economic powerhouse, with a rapidly growing middle class with disposable income. A combination of the latter with a range of favourable socialist housing policies and unique cultural forces have encouraged, and in some cases demanded, multiple-home ownership among Chinese families. At the forefront of this phenomenon are vast numbers of senior snowbirds who have chosen the tropical island of Hainan as the location of their second home. While there has been some investigation around this topic in select locations in China, the academic understanding of this phenomenon remains in its infancy. This paper investigates residents’ perceptions of Haikou, the capital of Hainan Province, regarding the socio-economic impact of second-home ownership on their lives, communities and the city. The results of this study will inform policy recommendations for local government while shedding new light on global narratives on second-home tourism phenomena.

Made and created in China: the role of processing trade

AbstractThis paper examines the main participants of China's processing trade regime – firms that engage in both processing and ordinary exports. By matching several datasets from China, including a unique sample of transaction‐level customs data with firms' branding information, we uncover three stylized facts. First, these “mixed” firms exhibit superior performance in various margins such as revenue and physical productivity. Second, even within firms, there is a link between export mode choice and brand ownership – own‐branded products are typically exported under ordinary trade while products under other firms' brands are exported under processing trade. Third, there is a price premium associated with selling one's own‐branded products. To rationalize these findings, we present a simple theoretical framework where firms with multi‐attributes (i.e., “making” and “creating”) endogenously determine their specialization within a production network. We find evidence for the model's main prediction that firms in China intensified their branding activities when faced with favorable processing trade policies upstream.

Monetary policy, corporate credit and digital transformation

This paper investigates whether monetary policy and digital transformation of enterprises can increase corporate credit, using Chinese A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2014 to 2021. The results show that loose monetary policy can significantly increase corporate credit, while the higher the degree of enterprise digital transformation, the less favorable loose monetary policy is to increase corporate credit. Meanwhile, the heterogeneity analysis finds that the higher the degree of digital transformation of non-state-owned enterprises relative to state-owned enterprises, the more unfavorable loose monetary policy is in increasing corporate credit. The enterprise liquidity ratio is larger, the asset-liability ratio is smaller, and the size is moderate, the digital transformation of enterprises is more conducive to increasing corporate credit.

E-bike to the future: Scalability, emission-saving, and eco-efficiency assessment of shared electric mobility hubs

In car-dominated urban areas, shared electric micro-mobility offers a sustainable alternative to decarbonise and reshape mobility paradigms. This paper presents a comprehensive framework for evaluating Dublin’s e-bike sharing system, comprising 12 stations (eHUBs). Using six months of real-world riding data, it employs data envelopment analysis to assess the eco-efficiency of each eHUB in utilising nearby infrastructure, population in the catchment area, and location to achieve desired economic, social, and environmental outputs. Results indicate an upward trajectory for the system’s eco-efficiency. The returns-to-scale analysis provides insights into the system’s scalability, suggesting that expanding the e-bike sharing system, along with infrastructural enhancements, would significantly increase ridership. Analysing decarbonisation, usage patterns, and spatial factors of eHUBs reveals the substantial potential of shared e-bikes if optimally used. The research highlights the need to reevaluate car-centric policies in favour of more inclusive and environmentally sustainable alternatives and proposes actionable policy recommendations to achieve this transformation.

Sustainable production and dissemination of genetically improved farmed tilapia seed in smallholder farming systems: A case study from Timor-Leste

CONTEXTTimor-Leste's National Aquaculture Development Strategy (NADS) 2012–30 aims to achieve an annual aquaculture production of 12,000 tons by 2030 to raise per capita fish consumption from 6.1 kg in 2010 to 15 kg. Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) is identified as the most suitable species under Timor-Leste's existing farming systems and agro-ecological context. It is expected to account for two-thirds of total aquaculture production, requiring over 30 million fingerlings annually, necessitating a strong role of public and private sectors to develop a sustainable hatchery model for producing and supplying high quality GIFT fingerlings to fish farmers on a mass-scale. OBJECTIVEThe major objective was to conceptualize and apply a public-private partnership (PPP) model to produce and disseminate high-quality monosex GIFT seed by public and private hatcheries across Timor-Leste. METHODSModel GIFT hatcheries were established and monitored using a standard protocol developed by the R&D team. Data on total eggs, clutch size, incubation survival rate, swim-up fry, and monosex fry produced were recorded on a weekly basis. The performance of hatcheries was compared using descriptive statistics at a 5% level of significance. Economic analysis was conducted to compare production costs, gross profits, and net profits among hatcheries and nurseries. Enabling conditions and factors for effective PPP were identified. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe WorldFish, in collaboration with Timor-Leste's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, upgraded an existing public hatchery in Gleno, Ermera, introduced GIFT in 2015, and developed it as a GIFT broodstock centre to supply quality brood fry to other hatcheries. To produce monosex seed on a mass-scale, four PPP model GIFT hatcheries were established between 2019 and 2023. Results from a public hatchery and two initially established PPP model hatcheries showed that the hatchery in Parlamento had significantly higher (P < 0.05) monthly production of eggs, swim-up fry, monosex fry, and clutch sizes. On average, over 177,000 monosex fry per month were produced by those three hatcheries. Local service providers (LSPs), self-employed youths who have been recruited and trained to facilitate input supply and output marketing, purchase GIFT fry from the hatcheries, nurse them to fingerling size, and supply them to farmers. To achieve high seed production and supply targets, scaling of PPP model hatcheries, nurseries, and LSPs along with effective training and technical back-up, favourable policies, institutional environments, and governance mechanisms, is necessary. SIGNIFICANCEThe PPP model GIFT hatcheries are scalable across inland farming systems in Timor-Leste and other countries with similar agro-ecological, socio-economic, and climatic contexts.

The Origins of Armenian Lobbying in the United States: A Geopolitical Conceptualization of Restorative Justice

This paper focuses on the origins of Armenian lobbying the U.S. government for favourable policies toward the Armenian cause in the homeland — that is, Ottoman Armenia and the Republic of Armenia (1918-1921). Vahan Cardashian, a New York lawyer, organized a lobbying campaign during and after the Young Turk genocide against the Armenian people in the Ottoman Empire (1915–1923). He and his associates formulated a geopolitical conceptualization of restorative justice. While Cardashian’s lobbying campaign eventually failed to exert the desired influence on U.S. policy during the Wilson administration, his strategy nevertheless established the foundations for Armenian lobbying in the United States for successive generations. This article seeks to contribute to the literature on ethnicity and ethnic lobbying a host state — in this case the United States — diasporan community and politics, and restorative justice.

Virtual Power Plants: Challenges, Opportunities, and Profitability Assessment in Current Energy Markets

The arrival of virtual power plants (VPPs) marks important progress in the energy sector, providing optimistic solutions to the increasing need for energy flexibility, resilience, and improved energy systems’ integration. VPPs harness several characteristics to bring together distributed energy resources (DERs), resulting in economic gains and improved power grid reliability. Nevertheless, VPPs encounter major challenges when it comes to engaging in energy markets, mainly because there is no all-encompassing policy and regulatory framework specifically designed to accommodate their unique characteristics. This underscores the necessity for research endeavours to develop more advanced methods and structures for the long-term viability of VPPs. To address this concern, the study advocates for the implementation of a multi-aspect framework (MAF) as a systematic approach to thoroughly examine each aspect of virtual power plants (VPPs). A STEEP (social, technological, environmental, economic, and political) analytical tool is utilized to evaluate the challenges, opportunities, and benefits of a VPP in the existing energy markets. The proposed approach highlights important factors and actions that need to be taken to tackle the challenges related to VPP’ entry into energy markets. This study suggests that further support is required to promote the fast and widespread adoption of long-term VPP implementations. For this reason, a more favourable policy and regulatory framework based on social, technological, economic, environmental, and policy considerations is necessary to realize the genuine contributions of VPPs.

Translating lessons to reinforce national stillbirth response; multi-stakeholder perspectives regarding priorities and opportunities to deliver quality evidence-based interventions within a limited-resource context in Uganda

BackgroundThere is noted increase in attention towards implementation of evidence-based interventions in response to the stillbirth burden in low- and middle-income countries including Uganda. Recent results reporting some of the strategies adopted have tended to focus much attention towards their overall effect on the stillbirth burden. More is needed regarding stakeholder reflections on priorities and opportunities for delivering quality services within a limited resource setting like Uganda. This paper bridges this knowledge gap.MethodsData collection occurred between March and June 2019 at the national level. Qualitative interviews were analysed using a thematic analysis technique.ResultsIdentified priorities included; a focus on supportive functions such as the referral system, attention to the demand side component of maternal health services, and improvements in the support supervision particularly focusing on empowering subnational level actors. The need to strengthen the learning for better implementation of strategies which are compatible with context was also reported. A comprehensive and favourable policy environment with the potential to direct implementation of strategies, harnessing the private sector contribution as well as the role of national level champions and patient advocates to amplify national stillbirth reduction efforts for continued visibility and impact were recommended.ConclusionGreat potential exists within the current strategies to address the national stillbirth burden. However, priorities such as improving the supportive functions of MCH service delivery and attention to the demand side need to be pursued more for better service delivery with opportunities including a favourable policy environment primed to better serve the current strategies. This calls for dedicated efforts targeted at addressing gaps within the existing priorities and opportunities for better delivery of national strategies to address the stillbirth burden in Uganda.

Transition to green mobility: a twin investigation behind the purchase reasons of electric vehicles in the Indian market

Purpose The study aims to fulfil two objectives, namely, to explore what dimensions comes into play in the current consumer EV purchase behaviour based on relevant literature identified in the past and to find out whether there are other reasons that are peculiar to the Indian automobile market which influenced consumers to adopt this eco-friendly technology. Design/methodology/approach Mixed method approach for collecting the primary data was used. The study was conducted in five cities across India, through a questionnaire administered to 266 existing EV owners using judgemental sampling, that included dimensions as to what made them purchase EVs (any variant whether hybrid or battery) and encouraged their green behaviour. Moreover, the survey also took care of gathering other motivational constructs that may have played a significant role in the Indian EV market. To take care of this, use of single open-ended question was done. Statistical techniques like exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) version 4.0 were performed to gain meaningful insights from this investigation. Findings Based on our analysis, EV purchase behaviour in the Indian market could be explained by six configurational paths identified in conceptual framework of this study. The data analysed revealed long-term operational benefits or relative advantages, trialability or prior driving experience and positive attitude towards EVs playing an important role towards EV purchase decision followed by environmental concern, social norms and personal values of Indian consumers. Besides, several other factors were identified in open comments like favourable government policies, brand consciousness, compatibility and functional benefits in terms of comfortable and noiseless driving which tend to drive the decision of Indian consumers towards buying EVs. The identification of these motivations can help policymakers in targeting the customer market accordingly. Research limitations/implications Although the study is restricted by its scope of sampling criteria, yet is distinct in its methodological approach and thereby adds value to existing literature on marketing and diffusion of EVs. The study explores the untapped gap in the current literature by helping identify reasons on the basis of which consumers made their choices of different EVs. Instead of analysing the potential antecedents of EV uptake, the study brings to light the actual reasons of EV purchase behaviour in the context of an emerging economy like India. That is to say, the horizon of EV motivations spans across technological, individual and regulatory attributes in the Indian automobile market. Practical implications This study is relevant and fulfils the underlying gap in the existing literature related to actual motivations that consumers look for before buying a high involvement product such as EVs. The results can be beneficial for marketers to design effective marketing strategies from the perspective of consumers. Promotional strategies addressing ease of using EVs and how battery technology is better than before needs to be clearly communicated by the marketers. Consumer education is necessary, in this regard, to make people aware of the rising air pollution levels. They have to be made understood the real advantages of owning EVs and how these non-conventional vehicles are far better when compared to traditional cars. In a nutshell, the study underscored potential determinants or reasons that made Indian consumers to go for EVs, based on statistically significant evidences which can be crucial for stakeholders operating in the Indian EV industry. Social implications The study has important implications for members of the community. By sacrificing their egoistic tendencies or individual preferences for energy intensive products such as ICE based vehicles, people can imbibe altruistic orientation and can contribute to the collective benefit of all by shifting towards energy rich vehicles powered by electricity. This is necessary to achieve the broader goals of sustainable development and to curtail the rising climate change phenomenon. Originality/value The study applied both quantitative (deductive) and qualitative (inductive) approach to study into the reasons for consumers’ purchase motivations towards electric cars. Taking a distinct methodological approach, the study enhances the knowledge on EVs by asking consumers to comment in their own words as to why they purchased EVs. This was necessary so as to better explore the needs of the Indian automobile market and which factors govern the purchase of EVs in domestic market. Past literature majorly focused on purchase intention towards EVs but this study in unexampled and analysed the purchase behaviour towards EVs. It should be noted that our investigation reveals the complexity of EV purchase reasons than those identified in past literature and it adds to the current pool of literature on EVs by explaining factors with unrivalled illustrative power.

Closing doors, opening windows – Adaptations and opportunities for harm reduction services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe

Background Across Europe, harm reduction services experienced significant disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyses the experiences of harm reduction service providers during the pandemic in 34 European cities, focusing on their main challenges, adaptations, and opportunities for change. A closer examination of Athens and Dublin offers an in-depth look into these experiences. Methods A mixed-methods approach is used, integrating qualitative and quantitative data. Two surveys conducted in 2020 and 2021 involved 34 European cities. In-depth and informal interviews with four local experts from Athens and Dublin complemented the analysis. Results Despite significant disruptions, many harm reduction services scaled up their operations and achieved favorable policy reforms that were met with resistance before the pandemic. In Athens, major gains were opening the first housing program, the first drug consumption room, and the liberalization of naloxone. In Dublin, new housing, lowered thresholds for methadone provision, benzodiazepine provision, and improved naloxone availability were key gains. Conclusion The pandemic triggered opportunities for policymakers to reframe matters of social equity in the field of drug policies, opening policy windows to further advance harm reduction. Based on these lessons, recommendations to improve social justice and equity for people who use drugs are provided.

Formation of a model of Azerbaijani memory policy

The author present the phenomenon of memory politics, which is a key aspect of forming and maintaining national identity, as well as determining the foreign policy priorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In the context of Azerbaijan, a country with a rich history and cultural heritage, the translation of memory policy plays a significant role in shaping the image of the state in the international arena. Consideration of the peculiarities of this process allows for a deeper understanding of Azerbaijan's foreign policy strategy, its interaction with other countries and international organizations, as well as the influence of historical heritage on contemporary political decisions. The export of national culture, its promotion abroad and the formation of a positive image of the country contribute to the creation of a favorable foreign policy environment. This allows the country not only to preserve its identity, but also to interact with other cultures within the global cultural space. The author presents the strategy of constructing a model of Azerbaijani cultural memory policy in foreign policy and the ways of its realization, which also serves to consolidate society and build a new model of national identity formed after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This model includes both a number of features characteristic of the former Soviet republics and specific provisions distinguishing the Republic of Azerbaijan. In this sense, the political and cultural processes taking place in Russia's neighboring states are of particular interest to researchers, allowing them to build a competent attitude to the current processes affecting society both in Azerbaijan and in Russia, which is home to a large Turkic-speaking population, including ethnic Azerbaijanis.

Influence on Banks' Credit Risk Through Monetary Policy Instruments: A Study of Listed Commercial Banks in Pakistan

Monetary policy goals in any country are to accomplish economic and social goals to achieve financial prosperity. The study determined the impact of monetary policy tools on bank’s Credit Risk, which was previously unexplored. The analytical and econometrical design was adopted in this study. Descriptive statistics, correlation matrix, CD test, and DK regression were employed to determine the impact of monetary policy instruments on the bank’s Credit Risk. Multivariate statistical techniques were used to evaluate balanced panel data from 22 banks currently operating in Pakistan cover the span of 2009-2021. Banks were declared cross-sectionally dependent. ROE was positively associated with MG, ROA was negatively linked with INF in the Correlation Matrix. The overall research explored that PR and MG had a positive impact on ROE and ROA, but SLR showed an inverse impact on Credit Risk. This research used a large number of banks as a novel component in Pakistan’s context and filled a gap in the country’s banking literature. The paper will assist the government, managers of the banking industry, monetarists, stakeholders, investors, academicians, and researchers. This study could be extremely helpful to regulators in formulating favorable policy rates that fulfill Pakistan’s economic targets.

Is Owner Satisfaction a Mediator between Service Quality and Behavioral Intentions in Low-cost Housing?

The Malaysian government has favorable policies to improve the affordability for the Malaysians particularly the low-income groups to own a house. The agendas of low-cost housing have been focusing on quality, adequacy, and affordability. However, there are failed housing projects particularly due to the lack of owners’ intentions to stay and other reasons. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the owner satisfaction's mediating role in the relationship between service quality and behavioral intentions (to stay or to move) for low-cost housing. The structured questionnaires were sent to low-cost house owners in southern (administration and business), northern (agriculture) and central (agriculture and industry) regions of Sarawak, and 403 responses were received. Mediated regression analysis and bootstrapping indirect effect were employed in the analysis. The results indicate that service quality has a significant positive relationship with behavioral intentions, and it also significantly contributes to owner satisfaction. However, the relationship between the owner satisfaction and behavioral intentions is not significant. Also, owner satisfaction has no mediating role in the relationship between service quality and behavioral intentions in Sarawak low-cost housing.

Cooperative Societies as a Sustainable Legislative Aspect of the Establishment of a Dispersed Hotel

Abstract Dispersed hotels, characterized by their decentralized accommodation facilities integrated into existing structures of historical or cultural significance, have emerged as a sustainable alternative to traditional centralized hotels. This study explores the role of cooperative societies as a legislative and organizational framework for establishing and managing dispersed hotels. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research analyzes case studies from Europe where cooperative models have successfully facilitated the integration of dispersed hotels into local communities, ensuring economic and cultural sustainability in Slovenia. The findings indicate that cooperative societies enable effective resource sharing, community engagement, and equitable distribution of economic benefits, which are essential for the long-term sustainability of dispersed hotels. Legislative support in the form of favorable policies and financial incentives has been identified as critical in fostering these cooperative initiatives. The study suggests that cooperative societies not only enhance the operational sustainability of dispersed hotels but also contribute to the conservation of cultural heritage and the stimulation of local economies. The results advocate for policymakers to consider cooperative models in tourism development strategies, emphasizing their potential to transform local communities and promote sustainable tourism practices.

Incidence of induced abortion among commercially insured pregnant patients with cancer

ObjectivesThis study aimed to characterize pregnancy outcomes and the incidence of induced abortion among pregnant people with a diagnosis of malignancy. Study designWe conducted a retrospective cohort study among privately insured people aged 12 to 55 years from the fourth quarter of 2015−2020 using US claims data from Merative MarketScan Research Databases. We included pregnancies from seven states with favorable policies for private insurance coverage of abortion. ResultsThere were 1471 of 183,685 (0.8%) pregnancies with a cancer diagnosis. Among those receiving anticancer therapy, 21.6% (95% CI: 14.4–30.4%) underwent induced abortion compared with 10.9% (95% CI: 10.8–11.1%) of pregnant patients without a cancer diagnosis. ConclusionsAbortion restrictions may affect many pregnant women requiring cancer treatment in early pregnancy.

Does capital efficiency influence economic growth in Bangladesh? Application of the Harrod-Domar model

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to analyse the influence of capital efficiency on the economic growth of Bangladesh using the Harrod-Domar (H-D) model.Design/methodology/approachWe use annual data from 1980 to 2019 for this paper. Three steps are taken in the data analysis. First, to check the existence of a unit root, we use the augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test and to determine co-integration among the variables, we use the Johansen-Juselius co-integration test. Next, for long-run estimation, we use the dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) estimator. The sensitivity of the long-run estimations is further checked by the fully modified OLS (FMOLS) and autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) estimators. Lastly, we use the Granger causality test to determine the long-run causality among the variables.FindingsThe long-run co-integration test validates the co-integrating relationship among the variables. DOLS estimations reveal that the economic growth of Bangladesh is negatively associated with the incremental capital output ratio (ICOR), validating the notion that capital efficiency matters for achieving higher economic growth. On average, an increase in ICOR by a unit tends to reduce economic growth in the long term by 0.75 percent. Our results also reveal no significant relationship between savings and economic growth when the model is extended. Finally, causality results indicate unidirectional causality between ICOR and economic growth.Practical implicationsBased on the results obtained, we argue that the enhancement of capital productivity could bring efficiency because ICOR is an inverse of capital productivity. Since Bangladesh’s capital productivity is considerably low compared with other neighbouring countries, it is suggested that firms should gradually move towards technological advancement and enhance economies of scale, etc. in the long run. Moreover, policies in favour of continuous skill development programmes could be highly effective in increasing capital productivity given that capital follows a vintage structure.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to analyse the economic growth pattern of Bangladesh using the traditional H-D model by incorporating variables such as savings and ICOR and also by relaxing the assumption of time-invariant (i.e. fixed) data of the variables. Moreover, this paper extends the traditional H-D empirical model by introducing key indicators and time breaks for Bangladesh’s economy through a stepwise regression process.

Exploring the Work Motivational Factors of Generation Z Workforce in Selected BPO Companies: Basis For Job Satisfaction

This qualitative study explored the work motivational factors of the Generation Z workforce. Herzberg’s Approach guided the study in relating situations where Generation Z participants perceived themselves as motivated (job satisfaction) with their work and, equally, in circumstances where they felt demotivated (job dissatisfaction). Hygiene factors (extrinsic) identified for motivating and satisfying this generation at work included a conducive work environment, favorable policies, supportive leaders and teammates, and a competitive salary. For the intrinsic motivating factors, Generation Z participants expressed a desire for continuous personal and career growth, as well as aspirations for job promotions. Regarding demotivators, Generation Z participants perceived issues related to salary disputes, changes in work conditions like remote work (WFH), undesirable interactions with teammates, and unsupportive leaders. They also mentioned lack of rewards and recognition in terms of employee engagement from their company. Additionally, they were demotivated by the absence of training and development opportunities. This study recommended programs for BPO companies aimed at motivating and satisfying Generation Z in the workplace. These included work schedule options, recognition and rewards, and training and development. Work schedule options encompassed flexible scheduling and compressed work weeks, while recognition and rewards consisted of flexible reward options and employee-driven recognition programs. Finally, training and development programs focused on technology utilization, leadership, and team building. Implementing these programs would assist BPO companies in adapting to Generation Z behavior, thereby retaining them in the workforce.

A potential pathway for identifying hypertension among urban residents aged 60+ years in China: the role of health insurance.

Identification is the first step for treatment of hypertension. However, the awareness rate of hypertension was not high globally. This study aimed to examine the potential role of health insurance for early-identifying hypertension among urban older residents in China. In this cross-sectional study, urban residents aged 60+ years were chosen from Nanjing municipality of China in 2018. The outcome measure was hypertension status ("no hypertension," "diagnosed hypertension" or "un-diagnosed hypertension"). Independent variable was health insurance ("Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance scheme, UEBMI" or "Urban Resident Basic Medical Insurance scheme, URBMI"). Logistic regression models were introduced to estimate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to examine the association between health insurance and hypertension. Totally, 19,742 participants completed the study. Among overall, URBMI and UEBMI participants, 47.2% (95%CI = 46.5, 47.9%), 38.4% (95%CI = 37.3, 39.6%) and 52.1% (95%CI = 51.2, 53.0%), separately, were diagnosed with hypertension, while the prevalence of un-diagnosed hypertension was 12.7% (95%CI = 12.2, 13.2%), 18.5% (95%CI = 17.6, 19.4%) and 9.6% (95%CI = 9.1, 10.1%), respectively. For overall participants, those with UEBMI were more likely to have hypertension identified (OR = 1.20; 95%CI = 1.11, 1.29) and at lower odds to experience un-diagnosed hypertension (OR = 0.68; 95%CI = 0.61, 0.76) compared to their counterparts with URBMI after control for potential confounders. Moreover, such associations of health insurance with diagnosed and un-diagnosed hypertension were also observed among participants stratified by age and gender. Favorable health insurance may be a pathway for identifying hypertension among urban older residents in China. This study has important public health implications that hypertension may be identified early through favorable health insurance policies for older residents in China.

Germany's Economic Integration: Automotive Industry and FDI Analysis

In this paper, Germany's significant role was explored in regional integration and its competitive edge in the automotive manufacturing industry, underlining the country's strategic involvement in the European Union and World Trade Organisation. Germany’s participation in the EU has been instrumental in promoting economic integration across Europe, benefiting from free trade agreements and contributing to the EU’s status as a major trade bloc. The paper also delves into the reasons behind Germany's prowess in the automotive sector, using Porter's Diamond Model to analyze factors like advanced technology, skilled workforce, strict consumer standards, and supportive industries, all contributing to the country's global competitiveness in this domain. Furthermore, the study investigates the dynamics of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Germany, identifying key attractions for foreign investors such as technological leadership, a robust market, efficient infrastructure, and favorable investment policies. However, challenges like rigorous government regulations on FDI and cultural differences pose potential hurdles for foreign investors. The conclusion emphasizes that while Germany offers substantial opportunities due to its economic strength and market potential, foreign entities must carefully navigate these challenges to successfully invest and operate in the German market.