Policy Problems Research Articles

Actor Sensemaking and its Role in Implementation of the Decentralized Drug-Resistant TB Policy in South Africa.

South Africa has a high burden of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). A policy to decentralize DR-TB treatment from specialized central hospitals to more accessible district facilities was introduced in 2011, but to date implementation has been suboptimal, with variable pace, coverage and models of care emerging. This study explored multilevel policy implementation of DR-TB decentralization in two provinces of South Africa, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Applying interpretive policy analysis, this paper describes how actors across health system levels and geographies made sense of the DR-TB policy and how this shaped implementation. In an embedded qualitative case study, districts of the two provinces were compared, through data collected in 94 in-depth interviews, and analysed using Vickers' framework of reality, value and action judgements. Five district cases characterise variation in the pace of implementation and models of DR-TB care that emerged. Individual and collective attitudes for and against the policy were underpinned by different systems of meaning for interpreting policy problems and making decisions. These meaning systems were reflected in actor stances on whether DR-TB care needed to be specialized or generalized, nurse- or doctor-led, and institutionalized or ambulatory. Actors' stances influenced their actions and implementation strategies adopted. Resistance to decentralized DR-TB care related to perceived threats of budget cuts to and loss of authority of central facilities, and was often justified in fears of increased transmission, poor quality of care and inadequate resources at lower levels. New advances in diagnosis and treatment to address the growing burden of DR-TB in South Africa will have little impact unless implementation dynamics are better understood, and attention paid to the mindsets, interests and interpretations of policy by actors tasked with implementation. Deliberative policy implementation processes will enhance the quality of discourse, communication and cross-learning between policy actors, critical for reaching synthesis of meaning systems.

Provider perspectives on maternal care challenges for Black and Latine Women in Indiana: a qualitative interview study

Indiana consistently ranks among the states with the highest maternal and infant mortality in the United States, particularly affecting Black and Latine communities, endangering their right to safe and respectful maternal care. Providers working with these communities are crucial in identifying challenges faced by their clients, and to inform programmes and policies. We interviewed 32 clinical and community-based providers to understand their perspectives on the challenges faced by their Black and Latine clients from February to April 2021. Participants were identified through online sources and referrals. Interviews, conducted over online video, were recorded, transcribed, and analysed following a six-step thematic approach. Six areas of challenges emerged: non-medical infrastructure and policy problems, effects of systemic racism and bias, insecurity of the Latine community, dissatisfaction with maternal care delivery, issues in navigating maternal healthcare, and limitations to holistic models of care. The results demonstrate the interconnected structural, organisational, and interpersonal nature of the challenges. Though challenges were described at structural and organisational levels, the focus of state maternal care programs is largely at personal and interpersonal levels. Obstetric racism, citizenship restrictions, shortage of Black and Latine providers, and transportation issues are complex problems, requiring multilevel interventions and policies to ensure Black and Latine women can exercise their right to safe and respectful maternal care. A rights-based approach centring the needs of Black, Latine and other minoritised communities should be implemented to make effective changes with an equity focus.

Statutory and policy-based eco-disaster risk reduction in SADC member states

Effective legislative framework is the cornerstone of managing hazards and disasters because they have become policy problems of global and local concern. This research study aims at understanding the implementation, strengths and gaps of policies related to Eco-DRR in SADC member states. In particular, attempts to critically analyse the making of DRM policies, as well as the variables underpinning these policies, given the high level of disaster losses. A literature survey was conducted to contextualise and conceptualise statutory and policy-based Eco-DRR. Academic literature on Eco-DRR and related policies, journal articles and related policies, official documents in SADC states including policies, acts, legislations, strategies, frameworks and plans were consulted. The analysis revealed that the Eco-DRR approaches have not yet been mainstreamed as part of standards of DRM in most of SADC member states, opting largely on ad hoc practice. Short-term plans and/or strategies don’t help to articulate funding and programme priorities. In addition, irregular updating of policies in some member states and a lack of following up mechanisms were noted.Contribution: To change this reality, it is necessary to include Eco-DRR in strategies and/or plans and to standardise ecosystem-based measures for reducing disaster risks. Additionally, there is an urgent need for empowerment of the existing institutions and creation of networks that are driven by SADC institutions. Overall, it is evident that there is a regional interest and demand to apply and standardise ecosystem-based approaches and natural or green infrastructure solutions toward Eco-DRR.

An effective approach to tackling complex health policy challenges. Using a clinical microsystems approach and rethinking codesign.

That people with serious mental illness have poor physical health and face a significant life expectancy gap compared with the general population is well known. Despite considerable policy focus in some countries, the gap in life expectancy remains. Tackling complex and persistent health problems such as this requires a systems-based approach, recognising the complexity of interacting components and their effects on the problem and on each other and applying collaborative analysis, design and implementation by those with knowledge of and expertise in the problem and the context. This paper describes the methods used to develop the Australian Being Equally Well National Policy Roadmap for better physical health care and longer lives for people with severe mental illness. Whilst recognising that high rates of physical health comorbidities are caused by many factors including lifestyle, access to high-quality healthcare and medication side effects, the work was focused on what could be done within Australian primary care to improve the physical health of this cohort. A Clinical Microsystem Approach was applied to synthesise clinical evidence with professional and lived experience, and an innovative policy development process was established, creating trust across all system levels. Participants with different kinds of knowledge and experience worked in discrete groups according to their professional or expert role whilst also being supported to participate in an intensive cross-collaboration. The potential value of this methodology for tackling other complex problems in health policy is discussed.

Research on the green development path of prefabricated building industry based on intelligent technology

PurposeIn order to make the construction industry develop in the direction of greening, this paper analyzes whether the application of intelligent technology in prefabricated buildings can achieve carbon emission reduction, starting from the problems of weak technology and insufficient encouragement policies in the prefabricated building industry. It also designs dynamic and adjustable incentives for the smart transformation of prefabricated buildings and makes recommendations to facilitate the transformation of assembly manufacturers into “smart factories”.Design/methodology/approachThis paper takes the intelligent technology for carbon reduction, energy efficiency and policy design in the prefabricated buildings industry as the starting point. Based on in-depth expert interviews and questionnaire survey data, a linear multiple regression model is used to establish an association network of intelligent technology in the production and transportation, construction, operation and maintenance, demolition and scrapping stages. On this basis, an evolutionary game theory is used to construct a smart transformation and carbon reduction utility game model between the government and manufacturers, and relevant suggestions for smart empowerment of green construction development technology combinations and policy settings are proposed.FindingsAn assembly manufacturing plant with smart empowerment is an important way to achieve green and sustainable development in the construction industry. Among them, BIM and IoT have made a greater impact on carbon emission reduction of prefabricated buildings in all stages of the whole life cycle. The government’s proposed energy efficiency incentives and environmental tax amount will effectively increase companies' motivation for smart transformation of prefabricated buildings. However, when the environmental tax amount is low, the government should strengthen the regulation of the industry in order to increase the speed of smart transformation of assembly manufacturers. Therefore, a reasonable setting of the environmental tax rate and energy-saving incentives and flexible adjustment of the regulatory efforts can maximize the functional utility of the government in the process of smart transformation.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper focuses on the impact of intelligent technologies on the overall carbon emissions of the industry and provides an evolutionary analysis of the strategic game between the government and assembly manufacturers, the main players in the smart transformation process of prefabricated buildings. However, smart technologies for different categories of assembly manufacturing plants and strategic options for a wider range of stakeholders have not been examined in depth.Originality/valueDifferent from existing research, this study focuses on exploring the strategic game between the government and assembly manufacturers in the smart transformation of prefabricated buildings. It provides an innovative explanation of the connection between intelligent technology and carbon emissions. The study develops an evolutionary game model for both parties, addressing the research gap on the combined effects of policy incentives and intelligent technology on carbon reduction and efficiency improvement in the prefabricated buildings industry. This research not only offers practical reference for the government in designing incentive mechanisms and establishing regulatory systems but also provides feasible practical guidance for the smart transformation and carbon reduction efforts of assembly manufacturing plants.

Crisis as inflection point in the urban governance of domestic migration in India: a policy frames analysis

The exodus of millions of domestic migrants from Indian cities during COVID-19 highlighted the failure of urban governance to address their vulnerabilities and reconfirmed that migrant integration is an intractable policy problem, where actors take oppositional and irresolvable positions. Drawing on frame analysis, which outlines agenda-setting aspects of complex policy issues, this paper explores the ideas, perceptions and beliefs of diverse governance actors – politicians, bureaucrats and civil society members – and questions whether the COVID-19 migrant crisis generated new directions in the urban governance of migration. Results show that the COVID-19 crisis generated framing contests around the role of cities in migrant inclusion that shaped new governance agendas regarding improving urban services and welfare delivery. However, owing to a persistent belief in rural sedentarism, COVID-19 failed to act as a tipping point for definitive policy towards improved urban governance of migration. The findings suggest that deeper analysis of policy frames can enrich literature on the governance of domestic migration and encourage theoretical convergences between domestic and international migration.

The role of state policy in shaping the culture of society: socio-philosophical ideas of the XVII ‒ XIX centuries

Relevance. In modern society, conflicting opinions formed about the role of state shaping Russian culture. Changes concept cultural policy problem imbalance between the actions authorities and willingness citizens them. The search solution problem boils down study works sociologists and philosophers various historical periods, where question functions state and degree interference state policy cultural development society was raised.The purpose ‒ is to analyze scientific works XVII-XIX centuries, revealing the place and role state policy in shaping the culture of society.Objectives: to analyze the works R. Descartes, T. Hobbes, F. Bacon, A. Smith, F. Nietzsche, A. Saint-Simon, O. Konte, E. Durkheim; to formulate functions cultural policy; to present the role state in the cultural development society.Methodology. Research was conducted basis systematic approach within the framework structural functionalism using universal scientific methods such analysis, synthesis and generalization.Results. The main results are presented follows: within the framework this article, a study was conducted, with the help which we formulated peculiarities views sociologists and philosophers XVII-XIX centuries need state intervention in cultural processes society development, and highlighted functions cultural policy state.Conclusions. The socio-philosophical ideas XVII-XIX centuries evolved direction designating leading role state not only regulating cultural processes, but also educating younger generation through education and cultural development. The functions state century were largely reduced regulatory, and sometimes refusal participation government structures. Then, there was the recognition interaction society, culture state complementary elements, leading endowment state with such functions as: preservation traditions and protection from external influences, reflection interests society and education younger generation.

ANALISIS IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN PENCEGAHAN DAN PENANGGULANGAN HIV/AIDS PADA GAY DI KABUPATEN BANYUWANGI

Analysis Of Policy Implementation Of HIV/AIDS And Control On Gay In Banyuwangi District. This research was conducted to determine the implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention and control policies in Banyuwangi Regency. The HIV/AIDS status in Banyuwangi Regency is getting higher and is ranked second in East Java as an HIV/AIDS red zone. Cases of HIV/AIDS There are still many sufferers, for example cases that are often found in Banyuwangi Regency are people with HIV/AIDS in gay people. This study uses a qualitative method with a descriptive perspective, using observation data collection techniques, guided free interviews, and documentation. In the implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention and control policies for gays in Banyuwangi Regency, using the theory of William Dunn (2004) which focuses on 5 (five) aspects, namely: Policy Problems; The Future of Policy; Policy Action; Policy Results; and Policy Performance. The result of the research is that the Health Office along with KPA and other stakeholders have made efforts to control HIV/AIDS in Banyuwangi Regency, as has been written in the policy through Perda Number 5 of 2017. Namely gay, in the end not all certain communities can know the existence of regulations made by the government and have limited socialization and awareness of certain communities so that the existence of Regional Regulation Number 5 of 2017 is only limited to written regulations.

A study of the first five‐year tenure (2017–2022) of provincial governments in Nepal

AbstractNepal introduced federalism in 2015 with three levels of government: federal, provincial, and local. The preamble of the constitution mentions that the country's new federal system of government shall address three key perennial political and policy problems: (i) centralized governance structure, (ii) geographically disbalancing developmental approach, and (iii) social injustice leveraged by caste‐based social structures and unequal economic opportunities. This research is an attempt to understand the first 5‐year tenure of provincial governments (2017–2022) regarding their efforts to attain the aforesaid constitutional aims. Findings indicate that provincial governments operated in ambiguity during their first electoral tenure, resulting in no tangible outcomes. Instead, they generated rather pessimistic public impressions about provincial government structure in Nepal. The research contributes to broadening the insights on intermediary government mechanisms across federal countries, with empirical evidence from Nepal.

SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE TEACHING COMMUNITY OF PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITIES IN CHINA - A MODERN VIEW: PROBLEMS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS

The article is devoted to the problem of personnel policy in the system of higher pedagogical education in China. The author presents the results of the analysis of statistical studies on the teaching community, reveals general trends in improving the academic training of teachers and enhancing their livelihood, gives a general description of the Programme for the Development of the Higher Education System, focused, among other things, on training of highly qualified teachers.

The technopolitics of border security R&D: Shaping the EU’s border in the Security Research Programme

Technologies are predominantly understood as ‘solutions’ for policy problems in EU border control. This has prompted increased political attention to research and development (R&D) of ‘innovative’ security technologies. The European Commission has continuously increased its spending on the development of security devices in the Security Research Programme; at the same time, border security institutions such as Frontex or eu-LISA have worked to amplify their influence on shaping security research in the EU’s Research Framework Programmes. Against this backdrop, this article develops the argument that R&D is a political practice of ‘making’ and governing the border through its entanglement with the politics of border security in the EU. By conceptualizing R&D as ‘borderwork’, the article interrogates how practices of security R&D inscribes specific logics into EU border security and control. In doing this, it also problematizes how R&D locks in exclusionary dichotomies and categorizations of mobilities through privileging security actors in the process. Based on qualitative interviews, the article provides an in-depth analysis of political processes through which R&D programmes and projects materialize at policymaking, implementing and operational levels. Through this, the article explores comprehensively how political logics of bordering are constantly shaping and simultaneously renegotiated in R&D.

ИСТОРИКО-ПРОСВЕТИТЕЛЬСКИЙ ФАКТОР В ПЕРЕВОДЕ КАЗАХСКОГО АЛФАВИТА НА ЛАТИНИЦУ

This article is dedicated to the issue of the transition of the Kazakh alphabet from Cyrillic to Latin script. The article provides a review of the literature on the influence of Soviet ideology on education in general and on the influence of this ideology on the two changes in the Kazakh alphabet in the first half of the twentieth century. From our point of view, the modern approach is more flexible, scientific, and consistent with the process of Romanization in neighboring Turkic-speaking countries. We also took into account the position of Russian researchers interested in the problems of education policy in this area. It was important for us to analyze possible didactic and methodological problems associated with the introduction of Latin graphics into the educational sphere, since the education and development of children is a priority task of our society. Further, the collected data will be compared with the policy of translating the modern Kazakh alphabet into Latin and with programs such as “Spiritual Renewal” and “100 new books”. The research methods of the survey are (historical) observation and content analysis. The data were collected through a short-term review. The study results conclude that changing the alphabet twice in eleven years during the Soviet period is less effective and scientific than the current policy of translating the Kazakh alphabet into Latin.

Interest-aware joint caching, computing, and communication optimization for mobile VR delivery in MEC networks

In the upcoming B5G/6G era, Virtual Reality (VR) over wireless has become a typical application, which is an inevitable trend in the development of video. However, in immersive and interactive VR experiences, VR services typically exhibit high delay, while simultaneously posing challenges for the energy consumption of local devices. To address these issues, this paper aims to improve the performance of VR service in the edge-terminal cooperative system. Specifically, we formulate a joint Caching, Computing, and Communication (3C) VR service policy problem by optimizing the weighted sum of the total VR delivery delay and the energy consumption of local devices. To design the optimal VR service policy, the optimization problem is decoupled into three independent subproblems to be solved separately. To improve the caching efficiency within the network, a Bert-based user interest analysis method is first proposed to accurately characterize the content request behavior. Based on this, a service cost minimum-maximization problem is formulated under the consideration of performance fairness among users. Then, the joint caching and computing scheme is derived for each user with a given allocation of communication resources while a bisection-based communication scheme is acquired with the given information on the joint caching and computing policy. With alternative optimization, an optimal policy for joint 3C based on user interest can be finally obtained. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed user interest-aware caching scheme and the effectiveness of the joint 3C optimization policy while considering user fairness. Our code is available at https://github.com/mrfuqaq1108/Interest-Aware-Joint-3C-Optimization.

The Effects of Policy-Interested Bureaucrats on State and Local Policymaking

From 1971 to 2023, 19 states, 24 counties, and 105 cities passed Source-of-Income Anti-Discrimination (SOI) laws, outlawing landlord discrimination against tenants receiving rental assistance. I present a theory of bureaucratic involvement in state and local policymaking, arguing that policy-interested local bureaucratic agencies—signaled by participation in a national membership organization—elevate mission-relevant policy problem definitions to the legislative agenda and motivate the passage of legislation. I present results from a Cox Proportional Hazards Model which demonstrates that SOI laws are significantly more likely to be enacted in cities, counties, and states associated with a public agency which is a member of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, even compared to jurisdictions associated with non-member Public Housing Authorities of similar sizes.

Types of learning and varieties of innovation: how does policy learning enable policy innovation?

Policy innovation is considered important for addressing major challenges such as climate change and the sustainable energy transition. Although policy learning is likely to play a key role in enabling policy innovation, the link between them remains unclear despite much research on both topics. To address this gap, we move beyond a binary treatment of policy innovation and differentiate policy problem innovation from policy instrument innovation and policy process innovation. Subsequently, we synthesise the literature on policy learning with the research on the multiple streams framework (MSF), a well-known lens for explaining policy innovation. Like earlier policy learning studies, we distinguish several types of learning by posing the key questions of learning, but in the context of each stream of the MSF: who learns (actors), what (beliefs), how (modes), and to what effect (ripening). This new conceptualisation clarifies the relationship of each type of policy learning to the varieties of policy innovation. Further, it indicates that policy learning is likely to result in policy innovation if and only if it influences the coupling among the three streams during a window of opportunity – through policy entrepreneurship – and not otherwise. We conclude with the implications of this study for future research on policy innovation, policy learning, and the MSF.

Depopulation and Limitations of Demographic Statistics in the Republic of Belarus

The article considers the problems in the demographic processes of the Republic of Belarus. The fluctuations in the modern demographic "waves" of Belarus are analyzed. It is argued that the reproductive processes of the Republic are characterized by changes in the depopulation spiral. Concern about the prospects for its demographic development is substantiated. The problems of the state demographic policy in overcoming depopulation are noted. The state of the Belarusian demographic science in developing approaches to the implementation of demographic policy is highlighted. A characteristic of management decisions is given, both their positive and negative role in the implementation of demographic policy. The significance of the Concept of National Security of the Republic of Belarus and the role of ensuring demographic security in it are shown. In the light of the Concept of National Security of the country, the consequences of restrictions on statistical information for demographic science and demographic policy of Belarus are studied. The role of demographic information in ensuring the national security of the Republic is revealed. The results of the mechanism for recounting the population from the results of the 2019 population census are disclosed. Methodological approaches to calculating the indicators of the reproductive situation of Belarus in 2020-2023 are presented. in conditions of limited demographic statistics.

Restrictive monetary policy – an obstacle to foreign direct investment

This article examines some acute problems of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Monetary Policy and Inflation. Following a long declining trend, global FDI flows decreased in 2023 and remaining below the indicator of 2007, that is pre-global financial crisis level. According to international organizations, FDI flows were negatively affected by high interest rates, unfavourable financing conditions and situation on capital markets. The article considers the role of restrictive monetary policy alongside the theoretical aspects of global inflation. The author argues that the drop in international investment, in particular, can be attributed to Restrictive Monetary Policy in many countries. Restrictive Monetary Policy seems to underestimate the inflationary role of imperfect competition, the rise of prices for imported energy and food, the fluctuations of currency rates as well as expectations of the micro-level participants. The article provides certain economic recommendations to Russia’s regulators on Monetary and FDI Policy. In future the Bank of Russia may gradually move from Restrictive Monetary Policy to Expansionary Monetary Policy to provide stimulus for FDI. Also, this article summarizes the process of predicting future condition of the world economy in applying Kondratieff’s approach. The author concludes that it is necessary to continue studying the long wave theory with the aim of its further use in forecasting the events in Russia and worldwide.

Сучасні глобальні проблеми етнонаціональної політики України: на прикладі правового регулювання статусу національних меншин

The article is devoted to the analysis of the problems of ethno-national policy in modern conditions of the development of statehood and points to the prospects of improving the legislation in the context of ensuring the proper legal status of national minorities. The article examines the main problems in the field of ethno-national policy of Ukraine and legal regulation of the status of national minorities. The author emphasizes the absence of a single strategy for the development of ethno-national relations, which leads to fragmented legislation. The implementation of a comprehensive normative act could determine the direction of the development of statehood and form the ideological basis for future normative acts regarding the status of national minorities, indigenous peoples, and other ethnic groups. It is also emphasized that the issues of national minorities were often ignored in national law, and the legislative framework regarding indigenous peoples and the protection of the status of national minorities was formed mainly as a reaction to external circumstances, such as the occupation of the Crimean peninsula. Gaps in legislation make it difficult to ensure the rights of national minorities, in particular, due to the lack of up-to-date statistical data, since the all-Ukrainian population census was conducted only once in 2001. The author draws attention to the low level of tolerance in Ukrainian society, which is demonstrated by a survey conducted in 2022–2024. Respondents often do not consider their actions illegal or discriminatory towards Roma, but do not wish to have themin their environment. This indicates a lack of education regarding national characteristics as a factor of discrimination and a lack of attention on the part of the state to issues of language moderation and protection of the rights of national minorities. The lack of an effective policy of integration of national minorities is another significant problem. The legislator often considers national minorities as a group of citizens of a different ethnic origin living in Ukraine traditionally, which is a wrong approach. In order to improve ethno-national politics, it is necessary to solve problems in related areas, such as education, political rights, participation in local selfgovernment and the fight against hate speech.

Much ado about nothing?- a comparative perspective on adult career guidance policies in Finland and Denmark

ABSTRACT Transnational organizations like the OECD and the EU have, for many years, focussed on adult career guidance (ACG) as a policy for solving problems, especially those related to the labour market and labour market transitions. In this article, we take a closer look into the development of ACG policies in Finland and Denmark. Drawing on multiple streams theory, we investigate how ACG policies have developed over time, identifying policy windows and the coupling of ACG policies as a solution to different policy problems. We compare across the cases of Finland and Denmark in order to identify similarities and differences with the aim of understanding the development of ACG policies considering the transnational call towards more coherent national systems. Methodologically, we use document analysis, including the examination of policy documents, legal documents, reports and research articles. The period studied spans from the 1990s until today, reflecting the developments at transnational level with the EU Commission and the OECD pushing for more coherent systems.

The changing politics of road death in Britain: from policy action to kicking the can down the road

Britain has one of the lowest road casualty rates globally, yet tens of thousands of people are killed or seriously injured annually, and numbers have plateaued since 2012. Despite the consequential impact of road trauma, there has been limited evaluation of Britain's policy response. This paper uses Kingdon's Multiple Streams Model to understand agenda setting and analyses how road safety policies were made or not made over time. Critical discourse analysis evaluates patterns and themes in new data acquired via thirty-five interviews with politicians and policy participants, and data from Parliamentary debates and policy documents, spanning the period between 1987 and 2021. The data suggests two distinct time periods: 1987 to 2002, the policy problem was accepted, policy solutions advanced, when policy windows opened as political discourse was constructive, the multiple streams coupled, and policy change resulted. Policy development in road safety is therefore possible when it is viewed as an important policy agenda in need of attention. After 2003, there was a perception the problem had been resolved. Road safety lost out to a dominant mobility framing, road deaths were reframed as accidental and so unavoidable, solutions were contested, the politics stream flowed slowly, and from 2011, with the tight fiscal environment, discarded targets, and significant competition for attention from alternative policy areas, policy stasis resulted. The prevailing politics meant that the policy problem remained sidelined and policy solutions continued to be kicked down the road. The paper explores how this shift occurred and the consequences on the politics of road death.