Shaping Policy Research Articles

Crafting Public Opinion

In the context of a diverse media landscape grappling with an increasingly stringent political climate, this study asks whether the Chinese government’s media-control policies shape public opinion. Drawing on online survey data collected between 2014 and 2018 and using regression models and inverse probability weighting, I find that in 2017, as Xi Jinping began his second term as general secretary, there was a noticeable conservative shift in the political attitudes of the Chinese public. While foreign media might have reduced support for the Chinese Communist Party’s stance and ideology among those with less exposure to the party-state media, state propaganda did shift public attitudes, offsetting the impact of foreign media. These findings underscore the Party’s effectiveness in using media censorship and propaganda to consolidate its legitimacy in the ideological sphere.

Modern youth policy in the context of realization of fundamental national interests of Ukraine

The article explores the relationship between youth policy and civil society institutions, as well as their impact on ensuring fundamental national interests targeted by state policies in the sphere of national security and defense. In current conditions, when the country faces numerous challenges and threats, the role of youth in strengthening national security becomes particularly significant. Youth policy is regarded as an important element of the humanitarian space that promotes the formation of a resilient and patriotic society capable of effectively countering internal and external threats. This necessitates new approaches to shaping policies aimed at integrating youth into processes of socio-economic and political development. An important aspect of the conducted research is the identification of mechanisms through which youth policy can contribute to strengthening national security. Specifically, emphasis is placed on the role of youth civil organizations as significant actors in this process, fostering the development of active civic engagement, patriotism, and increasing the level of social responsibility among youth. Youth civil organizations, like civil society institutions, can act as partners to the state in addressing socio-economic and political issues that directly affect national security. The conducted research provides grounds to argue that youth policy can be an instrument for strengthening national security through supporting youth initiatives and integrating youth into decision-making processes. The adoption of a series of normative legal acts and program documents regarding the legal support of the implementation of youth policy, unfortunately, did not completely solve deep-seated problems (paternalism; lack of dialectical connection between programmatic documents and legislative acts; inefficiency and a formal approach to monitoring, etc.). The Euro-integration direction of Ukrainian policy dictates not only the normative establishment of “participation-based policy” but also the implementation of advanced European practices.

Framing the European Rare Diseases field through a structured movement of patient organisations

EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe is an alliance of patient organisations, working across countries, empowering patients with trainings, and generating evidence through surveys. It advocates for the needs of people living with rare diseases in Europe, influencing policy, legislation, research, healthcare services, social inclusion, medicines development and access. Since its creation, EURORDIS has maintained a global perspective. By nature of the rarity of these conditions, knowledge and expertise are scattered, so collaboration on a global level is required to have an understanding of disease progression. Thus, every rare disease patient group must be equipped to collaborate beyond its own borders. EURORDIS impacts global activities with a focus on raising awareness; empowering a global alliance; supporting international, national and regional initiatives; and recognising rare diseases within the international community while fostering collaboration among stakeholders. For these reasons, the organisation’s impact extends beyond Europe, as demonstrated by its international partnerships. This perspective paper explores EURORDIS’ achievements over two decades, examining its role in shaping policies and regulations, to demonstrate the vital importance of global collaboration in the rare disease field. Looking ahead, EURORDIS’ Strategic Goals, to be achieved by 2030, align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030 and advocate for a European Action Plan for Rare Diseases. This illustrates EURORDIS’ continued commitment to transforming policies into tangible outcomes. With its ongoing dedication, collaborative efforts, and enduring impact on the rare disease community, EURORDIS remains a driving force for positive change in the lives of people living with rare diseases.

Examining The Effect of Educational Level and Job Suitability on Employment Sector in Cirebon City

This research analyzed survey data from 204 Cirebon City residents to investigate the associations between education level, job suitability, and employment sector. Education was classified as primary, secondary, high school, or university education. Job suitability compares respondents’ education to the typical qualifications needed for their current role. Outcomes included the sector of employment in fields such as services, manufacturing, finance, technology, and others. The results showed that higher education levels and greater alignment between schooling and occupation were associated with more employment in high-skilled sectors, such as finance and technology. Those with a university education and high education-job match tended to work in professional sectors. The findings indicate strong links between academic credentials, the occupational relevance of education, and securing jobs in skilled sectors. This study provides insights that can help shape policies that promote schooling and employment congruence.

Are female directors more employee-friendly? Board gender diversity and employee benefits: evidence from China.

The imperative of gender diversity in corporate governance and the adoption of a human-centric governance paradigm are intensifying globally. The structure of board directors, key influencers to corporate decisions, notably shape policies, crucially in emerging markets like China where gender issues are still evolving. Therefore, employing a penal dataset comprising 8,973 firm-year observations from publicly A-share-listed Chinese firms spanning 2006 to 2021, this study empirically examines the impact of board gender diversity on the responsiveness to both employee monetary incentives and non-monetary rewards. The findings unveil a positive correlation, indicating an augmentation in per-employee compensation and an increased likelihood of implementing non-monetary programs, including stock-ownership plans, retirement benefits, and occupational safety certification, in the presence of higher board gender diversity. Notably, these positive associations are more accentuated in state-owned firms, as well as those with lower executive compensation and diminished institutional ownership. Our results remain consistent after considering robustness as well as endogeneity. This empirical evidence not only contributes robust statistical support to the ongoing global initiatives advocating for gender diversity in corporate governance but also underscores the efficacy of boards of directors in effectively managing stakeholder interests, particularly in fostering employee-friendly practices within emerging markets like China.

Transit Board Diversity and Pandemic Service Cuts in Vulnerable Communities

Despite its primary role in shaping policy and service characteristics, board governance is an understudied topic in the field of urban transit. Existing research on board management and representative bureaucracy theory suggests that the race and gender diversity of boards has a significant impact on organizational activity but that these relationships are highly dependent on the cultural context and industry analyzed. In this paper, we evaluate how the diversity of transit boards (with respect to race, gender, and disability) in the U.S.A. correlates with service changes authorized by these boards during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a database on board governance and general transit feed specification data for 36 agencies, we find a positive relationship between the presence of women on transit boards and vertically equitable service cuts, defined as increasing or maintaining transit service in more vulnerable neighborhoods. Overall, transit agencies with more female board members had more equitable service cuts, on average, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Socio-economic impacts of resource extraction on indigenous populations in Imbolo Mbue's: How beautiful we were

This paper undertakes a comprehensive analysis of Imbolo Mbue's novel "How Beautiful We Were," employing the novel as a case study to explore the interconnected phenomena of ecological and economic losses affecting the fictional African village of Kosawa. The narrative serves as a poignant lens through which the catastrophic impacts of environmental degradation by external corporate interests, specifically an American oil company, are examined. Drawing on methodologies such as Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and systemic-functional linguistics, the study illuminates how the novel’s language actively shapes perceptions of ecological destruction and social conflict. The analysis is anchored in a detailed examination of the socio-economic repercussions of environmental exploitation on indigenous communities, reflecting broader global issues of environmental injustice where marginalized populations bear the brunt of industrial activities. By integrating narrative analysis with socio-economic and ecological impact assessments, the paper aims to provide a holistic understanding of the compound crises faced by communities on the frontlines of environmental exploitation. This approach not only highlights the devastating effects on health and local economies but also emphasizes the role of literature as a form of resistance and a vehicle for advocating ecological and social justice. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions on sustainable development and advocate for more nuanced and inclusive approaches in literature and policy, reinforcing the critical role of narrative in shaping public discourse and policy on environmental justice.

COVID-19’s Psychological Threats and Future Career Anxiety among University Students

The COVID-19 pandemic brought different intolerable and uncomfortable situations that ruined the students' academic performance, career opportunities, and social lives through depression, anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and mental illness. In this study, we examined the psychological threats of the COVID-19 among Egypt’s public-sector university students. We employed quantitative methods in this study and used a questionnaire to collect cross-sectional data. The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) results show that Fear of COVID-19 (FoC) has a positive effect of on Depression from COVID-19 (DfC), Future Career Anxiety (FCA) and Uncertainty of COVID-19 (UoC). In addition, DfC and UoC have positive effects on FCA. Finally, DfC and UoC positively mediate the association between FoC and FCA. This study's findings help policymakers and university authorities shape policies to reduce Egypt’s public sector university students ‘psychological problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, this study’s findings assist with the adjustments caused by the complex and rapidly changing pandemic situation.

The Missing Agrarian Middle Class

During the middle decades of the twentieth century, Puerto Rico embarked on one of the most rapid processes of industrialization and economic development the world had ever seen. Yet the industrial economy that this process produced had two fundamental flaws: it featured little by way of local capital formation in the manufacturing sector, and it was incapable of producing sufficient employment for the island’s labor force. What explains these flaws? This article seeks to answer this question by drawing on the rich literature on development in East Asia. I engage with four theories that explain successful East Asian development on the basis, respectively, of unique insertion into the international political economy, robust industrial policies, economic nationalism, and agrarian reform processes that preceded industrialization. While Puerto Rico benefited from all of these factors—which may explain the relative success of development on the island—they differed qualitatively from the East Asian cases, with the possible exception of international political economy. I suggest that these differences might in turn be explained by substantial differences in pre-existing agrarian class structure. The absence of a significant stratum of smallholding agricultural producers in Puerto Rico distinguished the island from East Asian societies. It also helps explain the lack of local capital formation and employment generation built into the Puerto Rican development model, as well as the shape of industrial policy and agrarian reform and the ultimate weakness of nationalist impulses.

The Interplay Between Language Ideologies and Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) Policy Implementation in the Philippines

AbstractDrawing on Sutton and Levinson’s Socio-cultural Approach to policy, this study explores the experiences and collective language beliefs of 25 teachers implementing the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) policy in two urban Philippine school districts. Mixed methods were used to understand policy enactment and teacher perspectives. Findings reveal that teacher beliefs about language significantly influence their appropriation of the MTBMLE policy. While some teachers accommodated the policy, others demonstrated negotiation and some showed nuanced resistance due to perceived pedagogical challenges hindering implementation. This research highlights the role of teachers as active agents in shaping policy, not simply passive recipients. By uncovering teachers’ deeply held language ideologies, the study offers valuable insights for MTBMLE policy reformulation.

From criminality to inclusion? Law and media framing of migrants in 1987–1990 and 2016–2019 Japan

ABSTRACT Immigration law and policies shape public understanding of immigrants by categorizing the population into dichotomies of ‘illegal’ or ‘legal,’ and ‘skilled’ or ‘unskilled.’ Within such processes, scholars emphasize the importance of media which diffuses policy rhetoric, and thus set the tone of public discussion. Yet, research on how immigration laws may shape media framing is scant, leaving questions of how and to what extent legal rhetoric do or do not translate into media. By creating a unique data set of 1929 Japanese newspaper articles during periods of immigration policy activity, in which government officials expanded the definition of ‘skilled’ workers, I investigate how legal discourse influences the media portrayal of foreigners. Taking a mixed methods approach, the quantitative results show that regardless of the ideological leaning of media outlets there is a significant increase in positive media framing concerning foreigners. Nonetheless, the qualitative results show that the distinction between ‘us’ and ‘them’ remains strongly intact through subtle forms of othering that justify the use of social control via policing and surveillance.

Post-pandemic: Innovations in Remote Education and Adjustments in Public Policy

The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a significant shift towards remote education, necessitating rapid innovations in educational technologies and methodologies, alongside substantial adjustments in public policy. This article explores the evolution of remote education during the post-pandemic period, highlighting technological advances, pedagogical changes, and increased efforts to improve accessibility. It also examines the corresponding shifts in public policy aimed at supporting these developments, including reforms in funding, data security, and regulatory adjustments. By analyzing challenges such as the digital divide, engagement issues, and policy alignment, the article provides insight into both successful implementations and areas requiring further improvement. Case studies illustrate how different regions have navigated these changes, offering lessons that can inform future strategies. The conclusion discusses the ongoing impact of these innovations and the crucial role of policy in shaping the future landscape of education.

Why people work past retirement age: The continuity of routines, future imaginaries, and practical evaluation

ABSTRACT In this article, we synthesise existing qualitative evidence published in English, aiming to comprehend why workers keep working past retirement age and to link human agency and social structures in the decision-making process behind such occupational choices. The study was prompted by the growing attention that later-life working has been garnering from policymakers and academics in the context of aging societies. Drawing upon agency and meaningful work theories, we disaggregate the iterational, projective, and practical-evaluative orientations of agency, and argue that practical evaluation leads to more reflexive and satisfying choices between working and retiring. Here, actors consider their contribution, self-development, and financial benefits achieved through work in light of their ageing and capacity to adjust work contexts to their needs. Beginning a process of practical evaluation is contingent upon work relations that facilitate meaningful work experiences. However, such meaningfulness, characterised by autonomy, recognition, and dignity, is unevenly distributed across populations, leaving some without access or experiencing it as fleeting. This study enriches understandings of the dynamics behind the decision to work beyond retirement age. Its insights have the potential to shape policies aimed at age-friendly workplaces that promote meaningful work. Overall, this can contribute to the well-being of older workers and society as a whole.

Surface Flux Patterns of Nutrient Concentrations and Total Suspended Solids in Western Carpathian Stream within Agricultural, Forest, and Grassland Landscapes

The intricate processes of surface water erosion are vital for ecological systems and river-scale management; yet, understanding them comprehensively remains a challenge. Forested agricultural catchments, especially in the Carpathian region, face significant degradation, potentially leading to inorganic nutrient leaching and total suspended solid (TSS) flux. Continuous rainwater inundation of soils in river valleys exacerbates this issue. Utilizing innovative tools like SWAT+, studies have revealed higher concentrations of inorganic nutrients in main watercourses from flysch catchments, with agricultural use linked to N-NO3− concentrations and pasture use linked to anion P-PO43−. Maintaining detailed records is crucial for researchers comparing data. SWAT+ proves valuable for studying TSS washing out and inorganic nutrient leaching, informing collaborative watershed management policies involving stakeholders from agriculture, conservation, and water management sectors. The insights on nutrient leaching, particularly phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), are instrumental for shaping policies targeting nutrient pollution within pasture land use for EU agriculture. These findings can guide policy frameworks focused on sustainable practices, especially for eco-schemes, and encourage collaborative watershed management efforts.

Shaping EU policy in regional parliaments: a configurational analysis of the Posted Workers Directive in Germany

ABSTRACT Since the Lisbon Treaty, research on parliaments in EU affairs turned to the regional level, but few studies ask how subnational legislators engage with the substance of EU policies. We examine this topic based on statements by the parliamentary groups in all German Landtage concerning the reform of the Posted Workers Directive, which became particularly salient when the European Court of Justice liberalized wage clauses in state procurement law. Under which conditions did the parliamentary groups support the reform? Our configurational analysis reveals that a left party identity is the only necessary attribute for support, and that it becomes sufficient in conjunction with the group being in opposition or with state policy being affected by European jurisprudence. We find little evidence that the local economic context mattered. The results partly confirm research on the Europeanization of state procurement law but highlight the importance of policy shaping from below.

Oil exporters and the challenges ahead: the role of NOCs in energy transitions

Abstract While constructing pathways to achieving energy transitions is challenging to all global community members, this challenge is even greater for oil-exporting countries. Oil-exporting countries and their national oil companies (NOCs) are key players in the energy transitions. These actors’ existing capacities (financial, technical, human) must be leveraged to accelerate decarbonization processes that are scaled and globally deployed. Energy transition roadmaps must embrace all relevant actors, including oil companies, as stakeholders that can significantly contribute to the acceleration of energy transitions across the globe. This situation must be reflected in outlooks and assessments of energy transitions. This article studies the regulatory conditions and interventions that have made the evolution of several NOCs possible as relevant actors in the 21st-century landscape, considering their activities in traditional energy sources, decarbonization solutions, and new energy sources. These NOCs vary with some having greater flexibility in shaping policies while others needing to comply with regulatory standards. All NOCs in this study, ADNOC, ARAMCO, and the NNPCL were entrusted with a degree of autonomy in addressing climate change, yet the larger margin of discretion ADNOC and ARAMCO corporations enjoyed has allowed them to excel in shaping and implementing these policies. The focus of this paper is on the role of soft law in this change, particularly ESG standards, as leading energy transition governance tools, which introduce accountability and environmental principles that guide the activity of these corporate actors beyond bear minimum requirements in laws and regulations.

Acid Attack Survivors in Popular Culture and the Quest for Human Rights

Abstract Acid attack is a gender-based violence, the historical roots of which can be traced back to Victorian-era Britain and Europe. Over the years, acid emerged as a preferred choice of weapon in several other countries. The victims of acid violence are forced to live a life of suffering due to the resultant emotional and physical scars. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach and drawing on examples from literature, movies, and other media, the article will examine the popular culture portrayal of acid attack victims through the lens of Hall’s encoding/decoding model. It examines the ways in which narratives of acid attack victims are depicted and consumed by the public. Moreover, the article highlights the role of the popular media in challenging and perpetuating these narratives and the immense potential it holds to shape public discourse and policy surrounding human rights issues. The article discusses the human rights of the acid attack victims through the lens of Amartya Sen’s capabilities approach. Additionally, the article underscores the need for amplifying the voices and experiences of the acid attack victims in popular culture—thereby advocating for greater awareness, empathy, and activism.

Rhetorical Persuasion in Sara Duterte’s Basic Education Curriculum Advocacy: A Sociopragmatic Analysis

This study aimed to describe the pragmatic features of Sara Duterte's advocacies regarding the Basic Education Curriculum in the Philippines. The research data, gathered from 2022 to 2023 during Duterte's tenure as Secretary of the Department of Education, included an interview and speeches totaling 5 hours and 16 minutes. Using dimensions of pragmatics, including presupposition (Stalnaker, 1973), implicature (Grice, 1975), felicity conditions (Searle, 1969), and politeness strategies (Brown & Levinson, 1987), the analysis revealed several key findings. The presuppositions identified included learner success and employability, inclusive education, a supportive learning environment, teacher support and development, education system improvement, and learner values and development. Implicatures conveyed messages of resiliency, heroic qualities, perseverance, and involvement beyond education. The illocutionary forces identified were assertives, directives, and commissives, each examined for adherence to the conditions necessary for their validity. Additionally, Duterte strategically employed politeness strategies such as positive politeness, negative politeness, bald-on-record, and off-record strategies. These findings offer a deeper understanding of how political figures strategically use language to shape public opinion and policy agendas, particularly in critical areas such as education. By comprehending the pragmatic underpinnings of political discourse, stakeholders can better discern the intentions and potential impacts of such advocacies, facilitating informed decision-making and societal progress.

KARNATAKA STARTUP ECOSYSTEM:A CONCEPTUAL STUDY

Karnataka, a southern state in India, has emerged as a prominent hub for startups, driven by a vibrant ecosystem that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. This article explores the components, growth, lifecycle, funding, and the role of Karnataka's state startup policy in shaping the entrepreneurial landscape. A comprehensive literature review, research methodology, objectives, and scope are provided to present a thorough understanding of the startup ecosystem in Karnataka.

The Role of Midwives in US Perinatal Palliative Care: A Scoping Review.

Perinatal palliative care (PPC) is a rapidly growing and essential reproductive health care option for pregnant persons with a diagnosed life-limiting fetal condition who continue their pregnancy. The provision of PPC is within the scope of basic midwifery competencies, and midwives are well-positioned to make unique and valuable contributions to interprofessional PPC teams. However, little is known about midwives' past or current involvement in PPC in the United States. This scoping review of the literature investigated what is known about the role of midwives in PPC in the United States. Multiple databases of published literature were used for this review: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and relevant citations from identified studies. All types of English language publications addressing midwives' involvement in PPC in the United States were included, without any limitations on publication date. The role and contributions of midwives in PPC is not well represented in existing literature. Of the 259 results identified, 7 publications met criteria for inclusion. These included 5 case reports, one quantitative research article, and one conference abstract. Midwives are involved in PPC through the provision of direct clinical care (including antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, neonatal, bereavement, postmortem, and follow-up care) and care planning and coordination as part of an interprofessional team. Despite midwives being uniquely positioned to provide holistic, family-centered, and person-centered care in situations of pregnancy with life-limiting fetal conditions, there is limited literature about their involvement in PPC in the United States. PPC should be incorporated into midwifery education and training programs. Midwives should play a central role in shaping future research and policies to ensure the accessibility and quality of PPC.