Innovation Policy Research Articles

Promoting Lifelong Learning in Arts and Health

This paper examines the intersection of lifelong learning with the arts and health, focusing on how continuous education in these areas’ benefits individuals and society. Lifelong learning in arts and health not only promotes personal development and professional growth but also fosters well-being, emotional resilience, and social connectivity. The arts can be a critical tool in health care, improving mental health outcomes and fostering creativity among practitioners. Despite these benefits, barriers such as funding, time constraints, and lack of resources hinder the integration of arts into health education and practice. These study outlines strategies for overcoming these challenges through innovative pedagogical approaches, digital learning, and policy initiatives. It emphasizes the importance of creating environments that support both formal and informal learning, enabling broader participation in arts-based health interventions. Case studies and best practices illustrate successful models of lifelong learning in arts and health, demonstrating their potential to reduce social exclusion and enhance the quality of care. Keywords: Lifelong learning, arts in health, creativity, well-being, health education, community arts, professional development.

Integrasi Inovasi Digital, Kearifan Lokal dan Peran Pemerintah dalam Membangun Pariwisata Berkelanjutan di Kalimantan Utara

This study focuses on integrating digital innovation, local wisdom, and the role of government in developing sustainable tourism in North Kalimantan. Sustainable tourism development is vital to balance economic growth, environmental conservation, and socio-cultural sustainability. Through literature analysis and case study evaluation, this study identifies the potential of tourist villages, digital tourism innovation, and the role of local wisdom in strengthening tourism appeal in this region. The study results indicate that digital innovation such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and mobile applications can improve tourism experiences and bring exciting new possibilities for local community involvement. In addition, the role of the government in providing policies, infrastructure, and local community empowerment programs is critical in supporting this integration. This study concludes that the synergy between digital innovation, local wisdom, and government policies can create a sustainable tourism ecosystem, increase tourist visits, and promote cultural and environmental preservation in North Kalimantan. Recommended development strategies include the development of an integrated digital platform, local community training, collaboration in events and promotions, implementation of conservation practices, and strengthening the role of local government.

Debunking disinformation on YouTube: a fact check on the 2024 Indonesian election

The increasing number of hoaxes circulating on digital platforms in Indonesia is concerning. Following the 2024 Indonesian presidential election, the spread of disinformation, specifically on YouTube, has intensified, posing significant risks to public trust and the electoral process. These hoaxes have the potential to destabilise societal harmony and influence voter perceptions. In response, fact-checker institutions have played a critical role in exposing disinformation. This article explores the mechanisms of assessing accuracy on YouTube during the 2024 election, focusing on how Indonesian fact-checking institutions operate. The research used a qualitative approach, with two data collection techniques– interviews with key stakeholders and field observations of fact-checking processes. This research revealed that fact-checking in Indonesia is falling behind the rapid disinformation production. Combating disinformation requires more than current efforts—it demands a coordinated, resource-intensive approach involving the executive, legislative, judiciary, and civil society's active engagement. Innovative policies, technological advancements, and well-trained human resources are imperative to ensure its effectiveness.

Racial and regional disparities in the risk of noncommunicable disease between sub-Saharan black and European white patients.

Greater vulnerability of Black vs. White individuals to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is well charted in the United States, but studies involving sub-Saharan blacks are scarce. Baseline data (2021-2024) were collected in 168 sub-Saharan Blacks and 93 European Whites in an ongoing clinical trial (NCT04299529), using standardized patient selection criteria. Data included clinical and biochemical risk factors, ECG and echocardiographic traits, Framingham CVD risk, CKD grades (KDIGO 2024), self-assessed symptoms (WHO questionnaire), and urinary proteomic profiles predictive of left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) and CKD, HF1, and CKD273, respectively. Racial comparisons rested on unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted analyses. Despite being younger (60.4 vs. 68.3 years), blacks had a worse risk profile, as evidenced by higher diabetes prevalence, higher BMI, faster heart rate, unfavourable serum cholesterol fractions, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, microalbuminuria, and sedentary lifestyle. This resulted in blacks having higher 10-year CVD risk, higher heart age (index of vascular ageing with chronological age as reference), and a worse CKD grades. In both races, CKD273 increased with CKD grade, but CKD273 and HF1 were not different by race. These observations were robust in subgroup and adjusted analyses. This study did not differentiate host (genetic, molecular, and pathogenic) from environmental drivers of disease. Nonetheless, the findings call for a multipronged and comprehensive implementation of innovative health policies in sub-Saharan countries. Education, research, empowerment of stakeholders, and international learned societies connecting experts from a wide array of disciplines should vigorously sustain this effort.

Integrating social innovation and public policy: lessons from early childhood education and care in Barcelona, Spain

Abstract Social innovation has broadly been defined as citizen-led initiatives aimed at improving community welfare through collaborative relationships. However, numerous studies demonstrate that social innovation might actually create new inequalities. In this paper, we address the following questions: how might socially innovative projects influence public policy? How can we understand a policy shift leading to institutions not only giving support to social innovation projects but even promoting their own social innovation schemes? Is institution-led social innovation different from citizen-led efforts? If so, how? We provide evidence of local public policy change occurring in 0–3 education and care in Barcelona between 2015 and 2021. We explain how this happened, examining who redefined the issue and how, how the policy domain was reorganized, and how the policy subsystem was restructured. Our conclusions show how and why citizens and institutions define social innovation differently and how innovative 0–3 policy in Barcelona was adopted.

Exploring leaving-care and post-care experiences: What have helped care leavers in China?

The transition out of state out-of-home care is a critical and challenging phase for young individuals with care experience worldwide, yet there is limited understanding of the positive aspects of this transition, particularly in China. This study employs a qualitative research approach to explore the protective factors that facilitate young people’s transition out of care and their adaptation to post-care life. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interview transcripts from 22 care leavers in China highlights the significant role of personal qualities and support from significant others in navigating the challenges at each life stage. Supportive relationships are crucial, providing continuous influence throughout their life journeys. Additionally, the development and strengthening of family and peer networks further enhance young people’s resilience and life satisfaction in the post-care period. However, the study also identifies substantial gaps in formal support structures, underscoring the need for policy and practice innovations to better address the unique needs of care leavers. This research contributes to the understanding of care leavers’ experiences in China and offers insights that may inform the development of more effective support mechanisms to improve their outcomes in adulthood.

Unlocking Nonprofit Innovation for Growth: Director Insights from Australia

ABSTRACT Our research unlocks the new construct of “innovation for growth” in nonprofits, defined as “innovation activities undertaken in the pursuit of revenue growth.” By interpreting rich quantitative and qualitative data from a survey of 101 directors of mid-to-large, mainly Australian nonprofits, it advances nonprofit-innovation and -governance scholarship, and reveals perceived organizational strategies and returns for nonprofit marketing leaders and boards seeking to pursue this innovation type. The research can also be drawn on to inform innovation policy for nonprofits, thus supporting the development of a thriving, impactful sector and providing flow-on benefits for society.

Early adoption of international policy innovations: A theoretical framework – with evidence on business and human rights in Colombia and Ecuador

Abstract This article proposes a theoretical framework for explaining the motivations behind the early adoption of international public policy innovations. While there has been a proliferation of transnational policy diffusion studies, there is less research on why some governments become early adopters when new international policy norms are promoted. Most research on the topic looks only at monocausal explanations without considering their interactions in a coherent, integrated framework. The article proposes four motivations for early adoption: normative, reputation, competition, and locking-in. The framework is then illustrated by application to the early adoption of business and human rights policy innovations, with Colombia and Ecuador serving as two cases for comparative analysis. The article advances understanding of early adoption and policy diffusion by highlighting particularly important explanations for what motivates early adopters to begin processes of subsequent diffusion and suggesting how motivations may interact to strengthen the case for early adoption.

Industrial Policy and Green Growth in a Small Island Economy: The Case of Singapore

Industrial Policy and Green Growth in a Small Island Economy: The Case of Singapore

CIRCEE, the CIRCular Energy Economy model: Bridging the gap between economic and industrial ecology concepts

AbstractTransitioning to a circular economy (CE) can contribute to the achievement of long‐term climate targets. A comprehensive evaluation of CE strategies requires a macro‐level approach that integrates environmental, social, and economic goals. Policy support, behavioral changes, innovation, and new business models play key roles in this transition. Additionally, understanding the potential synergies, benefits, and trade‐offs associated with these strategies is essential for their effective implementation. This paper proposes a novel approach, using macroeconomic modeling, industrial ecology, and behavioral concepts to evaluate the impacts of CE strategies on socioeconomic and climate systems. As an application, the paper investigates the environmental and economic effects in Japan of increasing the extended producer responsibility (EPR) fee on energy‐using durable goods. We show that increasing the fee makes households substitute conventional goods for circular services. Also, while increasing EPR fees for energy‐using durable goods may decrease the materials needed to produce and operate these goods, the overall impact on sustainability goals is rather low.

Interlocal learning mechanisms and policy diffusion: The case of new energy vehicles finance in Chinese cities

AbstractPolicy diffusion based on learning mechanisms has fascinated political science and public administration scholars for a long time. A robust and growing body of studies have identified the existence and importance of learning mechanisms in policy diffusion. However, there are still some gaps that need to be further improved. First, scholars identify the learning mechanism mainly based on indirect evidence, such as geographical proximity and successful innovation policies adopted by other jurisdictions, which lacking direct and systematic evidence. Second, little is known about how the hierarchical power structure affects the leap from learning behavior to policy adoption. This study provides direct evidence for the promoting effect of intergovernmental learning on policy diffusion by analyzing case of Chinese local financial subsidy policies for new energy vehicles. The empirical results reveal that policy learning in the form of site visits among local governments significantly promotes the policy diffusion, but superior government policy strategy attenuates the influence of interlocal learning on policy diffusion. Also, the initiators and themes of policy learning affect the learning–diffusion linkage, portraying the conditional effects and nuanced dynamics of interlocal policy learning in eliciting policy diffusion.

Mechanisms and tools for stimulating innovative activities of business entities in the context of import substitution

The presented study defines the goal of increasing the innovative activity of business entities, the basis of which is the development of innovative activity, reducing the negative economic consequences of the innovative policy of unfriendly countries, focusing domestic organizations and enterprises on the intensification of production. The analysis of the indicators of innovative activity, reflecting the lack of its development, is carried out, the features of increasing innovative activity are identified, its components are disclosed and methods for its definition are presented, the existing tools for intensifying innovative activity are studied. The main provisions of the new draft law ”On Technological Policy” are proposed, designed to eliminate the gap between science and production, with the existing practice of technology transfer, planned for adoption in September 2024, allowing for the implementation of a new direction of state policy - innovative policy for the development of technological sovereignty. The provisions (main tools) for stimulating the innovative activity of business entities are presented: increasing profits, reducing production costs of enterprises from the introduction of innovations and, on their basis, increasing the added value of manufactured products.

Dampak Implementasi Pengintegrasian Kurikulum Terhadap Mutu Pembelajaran: Analisis Kasus MTs Sains Karimiyyah Kebasen

This research aims to find out how the combination of the Al-Azhar Curriculum with the independent curriculum in an educational institution, especially the impact it has on student intelligence, of course there are several schools that use an integration basis between the two. One of these educational institutions is MTs Ilmu Al-Karimiyyah Kebasen which seeks to discover new innovations in developing new curricula. In this research, a qualitative approach is used, a descriptive type of analysis, which will provide a description of narrative data related to the process of adopting an adaptation model for the integration of the independent curriculum and the Egyptian Al-Azhar curriculum in religious learning activities at MTs Ilmu Al-Karimiyyah Kebasen. The objectives of this research are: a. To analyze how the integration and implementation of the Merdeka curriculum model and the Egyptian Al-Azhar Curriculum are carried out at MTs Ilmu Karamiyyah Kebasen. b. To analyze how to adopt and adapt the two curricula. c) to explain the impact that occurs on students both from inhibiting and supporting factors in implementing the model between the two curricula. The results of this research conclude that the integration model in PAI learning between the Merdeka and Al-Azhar Egyptian curricula takes the form of a merger of the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Religion. As well as the supporting factors for this integration, namely the horizontal and vertical coordination of the Kamad and the teachers' council, the Kamad's innovation ideas, the committee in this case completely supports the madrasah in its policy of finding innovation in curriculum development. The inhibiting factor is limited ability to speak Arabic due to limited understanding of language skills and education.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: THE INFLUENCE OF AI AND TECHNOLOGIES ON THE EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM

This research analyzed the development of 21st century skills and the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies on the educational curriculum. The central problem investigated was to identify how technologies and AI are shaping the skills needed for the future and their impact on curricular design. The overall objective was to analyze the integration of 21st century skills into educational curricula, highlighting the role of AI and technologies in this process. The methodology used was a literature review, with a qualitative approach, including the analysis of recently published materials. The results indicated that AI and emerging technologies are driving a significant reformulation of curricula, emphasizing skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and digital literacy. The practices for integrating these skills vary, involving project-based learning, the use of advanced digital tools, and the development of programming skills. The research highlighted the importance of a balanced approach that considers both technical and socio-emotional skills. The final considerations pointed out that, despite advances, the effective implementation of these skills in the curriculum still faces significant challenges. Investments in teacher training, technological infrastructure and innovative educational policies are essential to prepare students for the demands of the 21st century. The need for future studies was highlighted to explore effective methodologies for assessing these competencies and their long-term impact.

National innovation policy, entrepreneurial activity, managerial ability and green innovation of agribusinesses

This study examines the impact of national innovation policy on the breakthrough green innovation capabilities of agribusiness firms. Despite the global shift toward sustainable development and innovation-driven strategies, research on the mechanisms through which national policies influence green innovation in the agricultural sector is limited. By investigating the mediating role of urban entrepreneurial activity and the moderating effect of managerial ability, this study provides novel insights into the complex relationships among policy, entrepreneurship, and innovation in agribusiness. The findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of green innovation capabilities and offer valuable insights for policymakers to promote sustainable development in the agricultural sector. Furthermore, this study unveils asymmetric effects across ownership types and regions, emphasizing the need for targeted policy interventions. By bridging these research gaps, this study significantly advances the knowledge of green innovation in agribusiness and informs evidence-based policymaking for an increasingly sustainable future.

Sowing the seeds of sustainability: how does green finance reform shape corporate ESG performance?

ABSTRACT In the context of rising global eco-concern, China introduced the green finance reform and innovation (GFRIs) policies to promote sustainable growth, rendering corporate ESG performance increasingly salient. This study evaluates the impact of GFRIs policies on ESG performance of Chinese listed firms from 2015 to 2022, and delves into the mechanisms of green investments, green innovation, and government environmental concern. By employing a dynamic difference-in-differences model and considering firms in GFRIs pilot zones as the treatment group, we find that: First, green finance reform can significantly enhance corporate ESG performance, and this result remains robust across various tests. Second, the impact is more pronounced among growth-stage firms, private firms, and small-scale firms, as revealed by our heterogeneity analysis. Third, the mechanism tests show that green finance reform improves corporate ESG performance by boosting green investments, fostering green innovation, and heightening local government environmental concerns. Fourth, firm executives’ attributes influence the impact of green finance reform on ESG performance, and the involvement of CPC member executives, female executives, and socially-responsible executives can positively moderate this effect. This study provides valuable insights into sound green finance strategies for developing countries by highlighting the positive impacts of green finance reforms on microeconomic outcomes.

Mandated gender-diversity policy and firm innovation

ABSTRACT We propose a theoretical model revealing that ‘mandated diversity’ policies increase the representation of women and minorities but lead to a decrease in firm innovation. This argument is supported by empirical evidence from countries with hard gender quotas.

Does the Innovative City Pilot Policy Improve Urban Resilience? Evidence from China

The assessment of the relationship between the innovative city pilot policy (ICPP) and urban resilience is crucial for enhancing cities’ ability to foresee, endure, and recover from various disruptive events. Despite the widespread implementation of the ICPP in China, it remains uncertain if this strategy will contribute to the development of urban resilience. Starting with data collected from 245 prefecture-level cities in China from 2004 to 2020, this paper initially evaluates the causal effect of the policy intervention using the difference-in-differences (DID) model and the propensity score matching-difference-in-differences (PSM-DID) method. A multi-dimensional urban resilience measurement index and a mediating effect model were constructed. The empirical results show that (1) the ICPP has a significant effect on urban resilience, which remains in force after a series of robustness tests, such as a placebo test and difference-in-differences machine learning (DML) approach; (2) regional R&D investment, technological talent attraction, green innovation capability enhancement, and information infrastructure development are identified as the mediating variable for the ICPP’s impact on urban resilience dimensions; and (3) heterogeneity study results show that the ICPP has a significantly greater impact on medium-sized cities, attributed to their capacity to enhance the resilience of cities with more growing space. Furthermore, cities with lower economic agglomeration saw a greater increase in urban resilience due to the ICPP. Accordingly, it is recommended to prioritize the allocation of innovative resources to non-coastal regions, cities with low economic agglomeration, and medium-sized cities. This study provides crucial recommendations for the enlargement of the ICPP’s scale and coordinated progress of China’s urban resilience.

Sustainable Water Purification Techniques: A Review Of Solar-Based Desalination Methods

Global water scarcity continues to pose a critical challenge, driving the need for sustainable water purification solutions. Solar desalination has emerged as a promising approach due to its reliance on renewable solar energy and minimal environmental impact. This study systematically reviews and synthesizes findings from a comprehensive set of 100 peer-reviewed articles to evaluate advancements in solar desalination technologies, including solar stills, photovoltaic-powered reverse osmosis (PV-RO) systems, hybrid solar desalination, and the application of nanotechnology. The review highlights significant progress in improving the efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of these systems, particularly through innovations such as multi-stage designs, advanced membrane materials, energy recovery devices, and the integration of phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal storage. Additionally, the incorporation of nanomaterials has proven effective in enhancing thermal conductivity and reducing fouling, thereby optimizing water output and system longevity. Findings also reveal the substantial environmental benefits of solar desalination, which can reduce the carbon footprint of water production by up to 70%, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to clean water access and climate action. However, challenges remain, particularly concerning the initial capital costs and the need for further technological advancements to achieve widespread adoption. This review underscores the critical role of continued research, innovation, and supportive policies in scaling solar desalination technologies as a sustainable solution to global water scarcity.

OVERVIEW OF HEALTHCARE INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The healthcare system is under constant pressure from a growing and aging population, escalating healthcare costs, limited resources and increasing demand. Achieving the triple aim of healthcare – improving care, improving health and reducing costs – requires innovation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health innovation is the development of new or improved health policies, systems, products and technologies, services and delivery methods that improve people’s health, with a particular focus on the needs of vulnerable populations. Health innovations have both technological (innovative products, services or processes) and non-technological (organizational, policy, educational and social innovations) dimensions and play a critical role in improving the productivity, effi ciency, reliability, sustainability, safety and cost-eff ectiveness of health care. This article is the fi rst in a series of publications on innovation and entrepreneurship in health care. The paper examines the main types and categories of innovation and entrepreneurship, analyzes current innovation trends and directions in healthcare, factors that infl uence the adoption of innovative technologies in medical practice, and the characteristics of a human- centered approach to design thinking in healthcare. The article also discusses the concept of value- based healthcare, which focuses on providing the best possible care to achieve the best possible outcomes for each patient, using available resources effi ciently, and how innovation can improve the cost, quality, and access to healthcare.