Government Policy Research Articles

ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN INDIA POST COVID-19

Amidst the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the global economy witnessed profound disruptions, particularly in the realm of international trade. As the world grappled with the economic fallout of the pandemic, India stood at the forefront of navigating the complexities of international trade in a post-COVID-19 landscape. This research endeavour seeks to shed light on the multifaceted impact of the pandemic on India's international trade dynamics and explore strategic pathways for resilience and recovery. Drawing upon a blend of quantitative analysis, policy evaluation, and sector-specific assessments, this study delves into four primary objectives. Firstly, it meticulously assesses the economic ramifications of the pandemic on India's international trade, unravelling shifts in trade volumes, patterns, and macroeconomic indicators. Secondly, it evaluates the efficacy of government policies and interventions aimed at bolstering trade resilience amidst unprecedented disruptions. Thirdly, it scrutinizes sectoral dynamics, discerning the differential impact of the pandemic across various industries and supply chains. Lastly, it endeavours to forecast future trends, offering insights into the trajectory of India's international trade and strategic imperatives for navigating the evolving global landscape. Furthermore, this research explores emerging themes such as supply chain resilience, digital transformation, and geopolitical dynamics, underscoring their significance in shaping India's trade trajectory in the post-pandemic era. By providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities inherent in India's international trade landscape, this study aims to inform policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders alike, facilitating informed decision- making and fostering resilience in the face of uncertainty.

Carbon Disclosure and Information Asymmetry

Abstract This study is investigated the influence of corporate disclosure of carbon emissions on information asymmetry. The results found that company emissions and disclosure has a positive impact on information asymmetry, but no relationship between carbon emissions and information asymmetry. This discrepancy may be attributed to the lack of carbon-related regulations on government policy during the study period, which affected investors' response to carbon information asymmetry. JEL classification numbers: G32. Keywords: Carbon disclosure, Information Asymmetry, Sustainable Development.

Harmonizing Political and Marketing Aesthetics: Insights from The Chess Olympiad 2022

This article explores how the Government of Tamil Nadu, India, utilised strategic mass communication methods that emerged from a fusion of political and marketing strategies to create an aesthetic approach that elevated Chess Olympiad 2022, an event typically less in the public eye, into a spectacle that captured widespread attention by focusing on the event’s impact on their cultural identity and the subsequent construction of a narrative of global cultural leadership. The marketing strategy of the Government of Tamil Nadu, India may be considered an aesthetic application of the theory of symbolic interactionism, as it employed literary, musical arts and visual arts across Chennai, that ensured active engagement of individuals in the city with the government's aesthetic representations. These visual representations acted as symbolic cues, inviting interaction and sparking the curiosity of the the whole host city, the Government of Tamil Nadu, India succeeded in turning Chess into a spectator sport, and by doing so, forged a key place in the national identity for Chess by building a narrative of collective linguistic and cultural identity. Since all citizens do not have an expert level knowledge on government policies, the media narrative that is built around any government policy determines its perceived success. The media narrative of Chess Olympiad 2022 was the narrative of India emerging as a global leader in cultural diplomacy - a soft power approach that is shaped by aesthetics. In dissecting the intricate interplay between mass communication, aesthetics, and societal identity formation, this study elucidates the transformative role of these strategies during the Chess Olympiad 2022, highlighting their profound implications within the socio-cultural landscape.

“Why Should I Be Scared?” Epidemic Uncertainties and Risk Construction in Emerging Infectious Disease Epidemics

ABSTRACT The onset of emerging infectious disease epidemics is marked by uncertainties regarding the nature of the causative pathogen, mode of transmission, and preventive measures among other factors. While scientists are developing knowledge on these subjects, people must adapt to these uncertainties. We explore risk construction in the epidemic context by conceptualizing risk as a knowledge construct and identifying the constitutive elements that influence its construction. Using qualitative interviews and comparing three locations in Ghana during the 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, we argue that the construction of risk is influenced by a combination of disease, networked information, and information on enabled factors—factors triggered by the epidemic context (geographic location, government policies, absence of confirmed cases). These enabled factors, we suggest, shape the disease risk characteristics that amplify or attenuate risk perception and influence health behavior.

Behavioral Patterns of Social Media Users toward Policy: A Scientometric Analysis

This research explores the behavioural patterns of social media users in response to policies, bridging a gap in the literature by providing in-depth insights into the interaction between user behaviour and public policies relating to social media. An important contribution of this research lies in its holistic approach to understanding how social media users respond to various public policies and their impact on their behaviour. This research aims to explore the influence of the interaction between social media and public policy, understanding how user behaviour on these platforms affects responses to government policies. This study uses qualitative research methods with a scientometric approach. The main results underline the crucial role of social media not only as a communication channel but also as a significant influence tool in shaping public opinion and policy. These studies show that social media has a dual potential, which can support professional and community development, as well as influence government policies and actions through social interaction and information dissemination. However, negative impacts are also evident, such as in the spread of fake news that can significantly alter political views. The practical implications of this research emphasise the need for proactive and systematic government strategies in using social media for the dissemination of accurate information and combating fake news, thereby improving the effectiveness of policy communication and responsiveness to public needs.

BPO Ecosystem in North East India: Reclaiming the Missed Opportunity

North Eastern Region (NER) of India is largely looked upon as a provider of cheaper and amenable workforce for the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, with neutral accent, dedication and hospitable behaviour. All these factors make NER a potential BPO destination, further enhanced by different government (central/states) policy initiatives. However, the industry in the regions exhibited an almost flat growth curve over the years, and thus there is a need for understanding the reasons behind the failure of the undertaken policies. This study is largely based on qualitative research on the large information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry of India in general and (still) nascent BPO industry of NER in particular. The authors’ understanding and findings are inferred from review of policy documents, numerous data sources and discussions, focus group interviews with national BPO experts, and local BPO entrepreneurs of the region. The impact of coronavirus disease-2019 on the business process management (BPM) industry and the opportunities arising from it, particularly for this region has also been examined. The study presents a set of factors paralysing the industry in NER, and outlines some affirmative measures to rectify the failures. This analysis, though specific to the NER, highlights the issues involved in BPO operations which can be generalised and provide guidelines to other destinations.

The effect of COVID‐19 lockdown periods and societal restrictions on blood product usage in adult trauma patients: A retrospective observational study

Background. Blood products, though potentially lifesaving, are a scarce and costly resource. Trauma injuries, which contribute to the demand for these resources, increase in proportion to alcohol consumption. South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown measures included a ban on alcohol sales and curfews.Objective. To investigate the effect of these societal measures on blood product usage. Methods. We retrospectively compared medical patient data from the South African National Blood Service database of red cell concentrate (RCC) usage in four disciplines during the COVID-19 period with data from the 3 years preceding the pandemic. We also examined trauma case patterns using an institutional database from the Harry Gwala Regional Hospital (HGRH) Emergency Department during the same periods. Results. In total, 16 922 RCCs at HGRH and 528 734 RCCs in KwaZulu-Natal were issued across the four disciplines, from March 2017 - March 2021. RCC usage significantly decreased among trauma patients at institutional and provincial levels during the COVID-19 period (provincial pre-lockdown mean 10.99 units per day; SD 6.89, 95% CI 10.63 - 11.35 v. lockdown 7.46 units per day; SD 5.42, 95% CI 6.14 - 8.79; p<0.01). Further, RCC usage significantly increased during the weekend immediately following the lifting of the first alcohol ban, along with a significant decrease in the number of trauma patients seen during hard lockdown periods. Conclusions. Societal restrictions, including curfews and banning alcohol consumption, decreased the use of RCCs in trauma patients. Government policies aimed at reducing alcohol-related traumatic injuries would likely have a significant impact on RCC usage.

Achieving Sustainable Quality Education Targets: a Case Study in East Java, Indonesia

Objectives: This article aims to analyze the implementation of education policies designed to introduce quality education and identify barriers at the local level. The study focuses on an elementary school in Probolinggo City, East Java Province, Indonesia, to understand how these policies are being executed and the challenges faced. Methods: Interviews were conducted with various stakeholders, including school representatives, education office officials, and local government authorities. The study utilizes two types of data: primary data collected through interviews and secondary data from existing records and reports. Results: The findings reveal that the implementation of quality education policies at the primary school level is suboptimal in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets. This inadequacy is primarily due to weak coordination between education offices and schools. The study highlights that this poor coordination affects the ability to achieve inclusive and equitable quality education and support lifelong learning opportunities for all. Conclusion: The study concludes that the weak working relationship between schools and education offices significantly impacts the sensitivity of education office policies to school needs, thereby hindering the achievement of SDGs at the local level. The results emphasize the need for improved coordination and communication to ensure effective policy implementation. This study contributes to the development of policy implementation theory by providing insights into the sustainable strengthening of educational development strategies and expands theoretical and practical knowledge on local government policy implementation in the context of quality school education in Indonesia under the SDGs framework.

Empirical analysis of child labour, household poverty, and child health in Ghana

AbstractThe paper studies the effect of household poverty on child labour (CL) and explores how CL affects working children's health using an instrumental variable strategy. After correcting for endogeneity, we find that household poverty significantly contributes to the incidence of CL whilst increasing the working hour of children increases the likelihood that working children would sustain wounds/cuts, get skin diseases, or get burned by fire, signifying the adverse effect of CL on child health in Ghana. These findings are robust to different approaches to addressing endogeneity. The study recommends that while it is imperative to implement policies to reduce children's engagement in all hazardous forms of child work and to protect the health of working children, government policies that address poverty might also be necessary.

Land tenure formalisation and perceived tenure security: Two decades of the land administration project in Ghana

Ghana’s Land Administration Project (LAP), initiated in 2003, aimed to enhance certainty regarding land rights. What has been achieved since then? We explore landowners’ perceptions of tenure security in Ghana using micro-level data from two waves of the Ghanaian Living Standards Surveys: GLSS5+ (2008) and GLSS7 (2017). This data allows us to study the linkages between land title formality and perceptions of tenure security, measured by landowners' perceived ability to sell or use their land as collateral. This is complemented by analysing government policy documents and appraisal reports from independent organisations, making our study a valuable contribution to ongoing research on the formalisation-security link in Ghana and other African countries. The results indicate that those with formal titles are more likely to perceive their land ownership secure. However, in some regions customary systems persist in parallel with perceived security. These regional nuances highlight the complex factors influencing perception of tenure security. For policy, these findings emphasise the need to consider contextual peculiarities and expertise when assessing the compatibility of customary traditions with formal titles and finding solutions for potential coexistence.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Government Policy on MSMEs Through Empirical Data Analysis in Lampung

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play an important role in the Indonesian economy, including in Lampung Province. Although the government has issued various policies to support the development of MSMEs, the effectiveness of these policies still needs to be evaluated in depth. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of government policies in supporting MSMEs in Lampung through empirical data analysis. The research uses an empirical data analysis approach to evaluate the effectiveness of MSME support policies in Lampung. The analytical method in this research uses literature study through collecting and analyzing secondary data in the form of journal articles, government documents, and other scientific articles about entrepreneurship and MSMEs sourced from libraries. It is hoped that the results of this research will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of government policies in supporting MSMEs in Lampung, as well as identifying supporting and inhibiting factors for policy success. This research found that government policy in supporting MSMEs in Lampung had a positive impact in encouraging the growth of the MSME sector in Lampung. However, there are still challenges that still need improvement, namely lack of socialization, and limited access for MSMEs in remote areas. Keywords: empirical analysis, government policy, MSMEs

A qualitative exploration of challenges and factors in research data management across Indonesian research institutes

This research investigates the challenges and factors that influence the implementation of research data management (RDM) in Indonesian research institutes. This study conducted in-depth interviews with six data managers from five Indonesian research institutions using a qualitative research approach. The interview data were analyzed using NVivo software, and the TOPE framework guided the identification of factors and challenges in (RDM) implementation. Critical aspects in RDM implementation are applications, hardware, culture, organizational units, institutional policies, leadership support, awareness, knowledge, education, skills, funder regulations, and government policies. Challenges in RDM implementation encompass access control, data quality, ease of use, building trust, availability of responsible staff, user understanding, researchers’ resistance, awareness, and inter-institutional relations. Research on data management, especially in developing countries like Indonesia, is limited. This study contributes by providing a high-level overview of research institutions in Indonesia, enhancing their understanding of the challenges and critical aspects involved in establishing effective RDM within their institutions.

Analysis of Green Banking Implementation in the Banking Industry in Indonesia (2018-2022 Period)

This research aims to analyze the implementation of green banking and the policies implemented in it. The macro approach is carried out through literature studies by collecting secondary data such as scientific articles, planning documents, government policies, and the mass media as well as data related to this research. Data analysis was carried out qualitatively by implementing green banking in several aspects, namely, in the internal bank, in customer service, and during financing. And in its implementation, it has fulfilled the principles of the green banking concept which includes 4 elements of life, namely nature, well-being, economy, and society. Keywords: N/A

Investigating the Relevance of the Development and Implementation of Strategic Plans in Public Sector Education Institutions: A Case of Public Teacher Training Colleges in Malawi

The hub of every academic institution of higher learning rests upon key areas of policies and how they are developed, managed and championed. This research study investigated the relevance of development and implementation of strategic plans in public sector education institutions in Malawi. In 2019 and 2020, GIZ championed the development of strategic plans in TTCs. This was done by facilitating the training of Principals in the quest to develop strategic plans. Field data was collected using both qualitative and quantitative approaches through document analysis, questionnaires, and focus group discussion guide. The findings of the study indicate that the strategic plans are relevant in public TTCs because of the following factors: government policy, strong committed leadership, organizational culture, structure and effective communication. The study findings support Bryant (2013) in his evaluation report in Malawi and the study by Nyakeriga (2015) who identified the same factors as influencing the development and implementation of strategic plans. The structure is identified by the setup of the public TTCs, with the principal being the top manager, followed by the Deputy Principal, Heads of Departments, Teaching Practice Coordinator, and Assessment Committee chairperson. through the organizational culture, Quality Assurance and Monitoring and Evaluation work to track the progress of the implementation process in the TTCs. The study also showed plans the activities in the strategic plan inform TTC budgets. However, the study has firmly established that completing the activities in the strategic plans is a challenge. The study attributes this to erratic and inadequate funding, lack of knowledge on the implementation process and lack of political will. The study proposes investment in continuous professional development with all education stakeholders to fully understand the concept of strategic planning and implementation in order to achieve set objectives.

Political influence on the investment of state-owned enterprises

ABSTRACT How does government influence over state-owned enterprises affect the latter investment decisions? We argue that governments use their influence over the SOEs to build or strengthen a political coalition that supports the governments’ agenda. We use a sample of 96,379 observations from publicly listed firms and SOEs from 41 countries and argue that the greater the potential conflict between principal-principal, the greater the investments by SOEs. Government influence over SOEs can lead to inefficient decisions, favoring investments in politically disputed regions over economically attractive ones. Our findings have theoretical implications for the literature on minority shareholders’ rights and government policy.

Key issues in Japan's public health centers to prepare for future pandemics: a text mining study using a topic model.

In Japan, over 450 public health centers played a central role in the operation of the local public health system in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to identify key issues for improving the system for public health centers for future pandemics. We conducted a cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire. The respondents were first line workers in public health centers or local governments during the pandemic. We solicited open-ended responses concerning improvements needed for future pandemics. Issues were identified from these descriptions using morphological analysis and a topic model with KHcoder3.0. The number of topics was estimated using Perplexity as a measure, and Latent Dirichlet Allocation for meaning identification. We received open-ended responses from 784 (48.6%) of the 1,612 survey respondents, which included 111 physicians, 330 nurses, and 172 administrative staff. Morphological analysis processed these descriptions into 36,632 words. The topic model summarized them into eight issues: 1) establishment of a crisis management system, 2) division of functions among public health centers, prefectures, and medical institutions, 3) clear role distribution in public health center staff, 4) training of specialists, 5) information sharing system (information about infectious diseases and government policies), 6) response to excessive workload (support from other local governments, cooperation within public health centers, and outsourcing), 7) streamlining operations, and 8) balance with regular duties. This study identified key issues that need to be addressed to prepare Japan's public health centers for future pandemics. These findings are vital for discussions aimed at strengthening the public health system based on experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Import Substitution Practices of Russia as a Model for the Nigerian Soft Drinks Market

The present study focuses on the issues of import substitution practices in Russia and Nigeria that can be useful in the current reality of the world economy. However, the Nigerian economy has great potential for import substitution in the current process of de-globalization. However, it is crucial to use the Russian experience. The study revealed that the comparison of Nigerian and Russian Soft drink markets is an excellent example of the drawbacks that can occur upon realizing protectionism governmental policies. Therefore, the paper recommends for import substitution policy that will promote economic diversification that supports local production and increases exports. The research concludes that import substitution policy can be successfully implemented if it is focused on economic growth and development of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the partnering countries.

Contribution of Physical Exercise on the Emotional Regulation of Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Purpose: To identify the effect of physical exercise on the emotional regulation of 4 adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) between the ages of 22 and 39. In this population it was found that one of the difficulties presented in these subjects is emotional regulation ( empathy) in their daily activities, such as variations in their routine, these can be changes in time or activities, disorder in their things, sleeplessness at night, etc. Methodology: Qualitative approach with case study design, the Atlas Ti program was used for semantic analysis, for this 4 subjects diagnosed by the Colombian League of Autism were selected, subsequently 15 interventions were carried out from a physical activity proposal and interviews were developed to the parents of the 4 participating subjects, to learn about the effect of exercise on the population of adults with autism. Results and Conclusions: It was found that there are various behaviors that subjects express in different situations, whether on the street, home or other space, in conclusion, the effect of physical exercise on emotional regulation contributes to improving moods, decreasing the escalation phases and generating better empathy towards the execution of activities or exercises in the 4 adults. Implications: This research provides implications for educational and government policy to continue to strengthen public policies for people with ASD. Originality/value: This research offers novelty by glimpsing the impact of exercise and physical activity on people with ASD.

The Effectiveness of Government Policy on MSMEs Through Empirical Data Analysis in Lampung

The purpose of this study is to develop a model of policy synchronization between the central government and local governments and to project strategic goals and objectives to be achieved, as well as future policy directions. The research method used is a quantitative research method with descriptive analysis techniques. The research locus is the Central Government and Banten Province. The research time is May–July 2021. The research stages include primary and secondary data collection, data processing, primary and secondary data analysis, and projection analysis for the years 2021–2025. Based on the results of the analysis, the population policy synchronization model between the central and local governments can be implemented by focusing on government regulations and population control frameworks. This finding is expected to be the basis for stakeholders in synchronizing policies at the regional center so that there are no policy differences between the center and the regions. Central and Regional Government policies must be in line so that it can facilitate the implementation of population control policies in the regions. Keywords: policy synchronization, population, central government, local government

Environmental Degradation: Causes, Effects and Solutions

Environmental degradation is a pressing global issue with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, human health, and sustainable development. This comprehensive article explores the various causes of environmental degradation, ranging from poverty and urbanization to industrialization, deforestation, pollution, natural disasters, population growth, climate change, unrestricted development, soil damage, energy use, unsustainable agriculture, and landfills. It examines the various effects of environmental degradation, including impacts on human health, biodiversity loss, global warming, ozone layer depletion, atmospheric changes, scarcity of natural resources, loss of the tourism industry, and economic recession. Moreover, the article suggests a wide array of solutions to address environmental degradation, encompassing tree plantation, regenerative farming, spiritual renewal, pollution control, reduced fuel consumption, waste management strategies, water conservation, sustainable initiatives, public awareness campaigns, social movements, government policies and international cooperation through UN initiatives.