Private Enterprise Research Articles

Can gene-editing accelerate the protein shift? Consumer acceptance of an upcycled meat-substitute

Transforming waste in the production stage to food (upcycling) can contribute to increased environmental sustainability in the food systems. The side-stream in potato starch production contains protein, and gene-editing enables upcycling of potato-protein while avoiding the use of chemical processes in the extraction of food grade protein. We explore the demand for products containing this upcycled protein. Data were collected via an online survey of 1508 Swedish consumers who completed a choice experiment in which they selected among different sausages made from meat, soy, peas or potato-protein. Although meat is the most preferred product type, respondents choose potato-protein over soy and pea-protein. Upcycled potato-protein products are predicted to draw on the market share for meat more than from soy and pea-protein, suggesting considerable potential environmental benefits. The acceptance of upcycled products is not significantly different depending on if the upcycling is achieved by a chemical process or gene-editing (CRISPR-Cas9) techniques. We discuss the importance of the legal status of gene-editing and the role this may play in reducing food waste. Further, we discuss how policy makers can play an important role in reducing food waste, by means of regulations and by encouraging public and private initiatives that accommodate upcycling in the different stages of food production.

AUTHORITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES TO ENSURE THE ECONOMIC SECURITY OF THE COMMUNITY

The content of the scientific article corresponds to its title and consists in determining the powers of local self-government bodies to ensure the economic security of the community. It was emphasized that an important aspect of the effective provision of the economic security of Ukraine is an optimally constructed and functioning system of public administration bodies, whose activities, among other things, should ensure the economic security of the state, ensuring proper control of the implementation of the relevant policy. Subordination to political power, enforcement and application of laws are essential features of such a subject of public administration as local self-government bodies; activity in the public interest, the presence of the prerogative of public authority. The powers of local self-government bodies to ensure economic security include: obtaining from enterprises the necessary information about draft plans, mandatory coordination of enterprise plans; submitting proposals to projects on issues related to meeting the needs of the population; preparation of proposals for the privatization of municipal enterprises; receiving payment for land use; establishing cooperation with managers of enterprises of all forms of ownership in the direction of improving the state of development of the economic sphere of the region, analyzing and forecasting the development of the economic potential of the territory; development and implementation of models for the recovery of the local economy, entrepreneurship, diversification of production, etc. In order to improve the activities of military administrations in the field of ensuring economic security, along with the competences for ensuring national security, we suggest: streamlining the provisions of the legislation regarding their powers to make decisions on banning the trade in weapons, potent chemical and poisonous substances, alcoholic beverages and substances produced on an alcohol basis; to attribute to the competence of regional and district military administrations the authority to assist the activities of judicial and law enforcement bodies, bodies of the bar; carrying out joint analysis and holding meetings with the prosecutor’s office and other law enforcement agencies on security issues, in particular in the economic sphere in the relevant territory; participation in the preparation, approval and organization of the implementation of relevant regional and local programs. It is substantiated that the introduction of appropriate changes to the legislation will make it possible to standardize the principles and methods of activity of local self-government bodies and military administrations, to reflect the issues of responsibility and guarantees of legal status and, among other things, to formulate powers in the field of ensuring economic security.

The industrial internet and green technology innovation

This study selects a sample of A-share listed companies in China's heavy pollution industry from 2014 to 2022 to examine the impact of the industrial Internet on enterprises’ green technology innovation. Based on the findings, the application of the industrial Internet not only improves the level of green technology innovation among enterprises in China's heavy pollution industry, but it also improves their organizational capacity to promote such innovation. In addition, the application of the industrial Internet is more conducive to the improvement of green technology innovation in state-owned enterprises, compared to private enterprises.

Mystery of special government subsidies: How does digital transformation promote enterprise innovation and development?

The digital transformation of enterprises has become an important driving force in promoting the high-quality development of China's economy and in-depth implementation of an innovation-driven development strategy. To this end, this study uses the panel data of China's A-share listed enterprises from 2010 to 2019 to explore the relationship among enterprise digital transformation, government subsidies, and innovation. Results indicated that digital transformation can significantly stimulate enterprise innovation. The impact mechanism test shows that the digital transformation of enterprises can increase their R&D expenditure and alleviate their financing constraints, thereby jointly promoting enterprise innovation in terms of innovation resources and financing resources. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis indicates that digital transformation has a greater incentive effect on private enterprises, non-technology enterprises, service industries, and growth stage enterprises. By introducing special financial subsidies for digital transformation, special financial subsidies for digital transformation are shown to have a positive impact on the sensitivity of digital transformation and enterprise innovation. This effect is also played out through innovation spending and corporate finance, and the role of long-term financing is greater than that of short-term financing. Therefore, the role of digital transformation in promoting enterprise innovation must be actively played to achieve a high-quality development of the regional economy.

Consumer behavior and healthy food consumption: quasi-natural experimental evidence from Chinese household participation in long-term care insurance

IntroductionThere is a strong link between consumer behavior and healthy food consumption. However, how to narrow the gap between consumption intentions and actual healthy food consumption is still under discussion.MethodsThis study takes Chinese families as the research object, based on the family participation in long-term care insurance (LTCI) policy, and constructs an analytical framework including healthy eating behavior, food consumption, and insurance system to discuss how to narrow the gap between consumption intention and actual healthy food consumption. In addition, the intermediary role played by the risk prevention mechanism is also analyzed. Based on data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), this study uses a difference-in-differences analysis framework to empirically examine the impact of changes in consumption behavior on healthy food consumption after households participate in the LTCI pilot.Results and discussionThe research results show that implementing LTCI can increase the frequency of healthy meal preparation methods by 0.045 units and the frequency of not including processed foods in the meals of households participating in the policy by 0.033 units compared with households that do not participate. The daily meal quantity is increased by 0.198 (converted to 1.219 grams), and 0.198 units increase the healthy food consumption structure. This conclusion holds under a series of robustness tests. Mechanism test shows that LTCI affects healthy food consumption through risk prevention mechanisms. The impact of the LTCI policy will also not be affected by similar competitive policies. The heterogeneity test further proves that LTCI policies are more likely to increase healthy food consumption among urban households, larger households, and households employed in private enterprises. Based on these findings, it is recommended that families participate in LTCI to reduce the financial stress faced by families due to illness and care needs while increasing the demand for and consumption of healthy foods. The findings also provide a valuable reference for current policy formulation on improving family dietary quality in China.

Research on the Present Situation, Problems and Countermeasures of Digital Transformation of Small and Medium-sized Private Enterprises

Research on the Present Situation, Problems and Countermeasures of Digital Transformation of Small and Medium-sized Private Enterprises

Networking for the turnaround of an underperforming school: understanding the role of multiple external providers in China

PurposeWhile recognizing networking as a powerful means of school turnaround, most studies focus on governments’ and schools’ roles in promoting collaborative turnaround rather than the complexity of external providers and their behaviors. This study explores multiple external providers’ complex roles in networked school turnaround.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a qualitative case study approach and collected data through document analysis, observation and interviews in a Shanghai public junior secondary school’s turnaround network.FindingsThis study revealed three patterns in external providers’ interactions with the school (direction leader, solution supplier and method instructor) corresponding to three types of external providers (universities, private enterprises and public institutions). While providing support at different levels (i.e. macro, meso and micro), different external providers shared common strategies for addressing policy requirements and school needs and co-constructing turnaround strategies.Originality/valueThis study offers new insights into external providers’ supporting roles in Chinese school turnaround and expands the scant international knowledge base on external providers in educational improvement.

The classical drama as contested heritage in modern Greece: theatre productions from private initiatives to state projects in the 1930s

Abstract Performing classical drama at ancient venues in interwar Greece reflected the socio-cultural context of the time. The development of archaeological tourism and the perception of classical monuments as heterotopic spaces created particular political and ideological needs. Until the mid-1930s, private theatre companies and individual artists reused classical venues such as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the theatre of Epidaurus to stage productions that gradually attracted local, national, and international attention. But by 1936, the National Theatre began exploiting the socio-political potential of ancient theatres and classical drama festivals and state-sponsored productions dominated the Greek theatrical stage. During this period, the claims of exclusivity on the part of the National Theatre and the National Conservatoire defined their competition with private companies and shaped the course of the revival of classical drama in twentieth-century Greece.

Judicial reforms and corporate governance: The contribution of circuit courts to ESG performance improvement

This study uses empirical data from Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2022 to examine the effects of circuit courts establishment on corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance of corporations. The findings show that circuit courts significantly enhance ESG performance, particularly in smaller private enterprises and in less-marketized regions. Analyst attention, earnings forecast divergence, and financing constraints could all moderate that influence circuit courts to varying extents. This research not only reveals a new perspective on the role of circuit courts in fostering sustainable corporate development but also provides empirical evidence to aid policymakers in using legal and institutional reforms to further enhance corporate ESG performance.

Peer effects, environmental regulation and environmental financial integration—Empirical evidence from listed companies in heavily polluting industries

Amidst pressing global needs for environmental protection and sustainable development, the international community expects corporations to play a vital role, balancing profit pursuits with environmental responsibility. As the world's second-largest economy and a manufacturing giant, China's environmental governance and corporate models become a research centerpiece. Using the panel data of Chinese A-share heavy polluting industry listed companies from 2013 to 2020, and adopting the Linear-In-Means Model, this paper proposes for the first time that the corporate environmental financial integration is significantly influenced by the peer enterprises. Further research finds that: 1) Peer effect is more significant in private enterprises than state-owned enterprises. 2)The peer effect of environmental pollution integration of heavily polluting enterprises is sticky, mainly reflected in the effect of focus enterprises following peer enterprises to reduce their own environmental financial integration is stronger than the effect of following peer enterprises to upgrade synchronously. And this kind of stickiness is more significant in private enterprises. 3) The institutional pressure has a role in promoting the peer effect of enterprise environmental financial integration, and more significant in state-owned enterprises. Delving into the dynamics of Chinese enterprises in environmental management and financial strategies serves not only to excavate lessons from China's experience but also contributes to the global reservoir of wisdom on environmental protection and green development.

The role of trophic, mutualistic, and competitive interactions in an industrial symbiosis process implementation: an ecological network perspective

For both government and private institutions, the development of collaboration networks becomes an element of great importance for the implementation of related policies such as the circular economy and sustainable practices in manufacturing. Despite the above, such initiatives have not received as much attention in literature but have been decisive as both public and private initiatives. Initiatives in Latin America do not escape this scenario, especially in the creation of conditions that allow the promotion of approaches such as industrial symbiosis. In this way, the present research is aimed at identifying the role of trophic, mutualistic, and competitive interactions in an industrial symbiosis process implementation. A network analysis model is used to achieve this purpose. This technique allows us to know the degree of importance of the different actors that are part of a network, as well as the factors that determine the implementation of initiatives such as industrial symbiosis. Among the results are that empirical findings confirm the presence of trophic interactions that enhance resource efficiency, mutualistic interactions fostering collaboration and synergy, and competitive interactions promoting efficiency and dynamism. Additionally, a green culture, business size, and innovation activities are revealed as influential factors amplifying network dynamics.

국내 과학기술인의 주도적 경력행동 연구: 조직 맥락 요인, 기관 유형, 인재개발 결과와의 구조적 관계 탐색

Not only is there an ever-growing need for career development among science and technology professionals, but the focus of individual career development has also shifted towards one’s proactive career behaviors. Yet, scholarly efforts to investigate the means to promote such behaviors among professionals in the field of science and technology and the potential outcomes of proactive career behaviors remain scarce to date. The current study aims to elucidate science and technology professionals' proactive career behaviors and how their outcomes vary depending on contextual factors within the organization in which they are employed by drawing on the social information process theory. Specifically, we examined the effects of organizational context, categorizing it into role-related factors(jobcontent and structural career plateau) and sociocultural factors(person-supervisor fit and organizational culture). Furthermore, we explored whether these effects differ based on the type of institutions(public institutions and private enterprises), and also whether organizational context factors influenced the professionals' personal development outcomes(career satisfaction and task performance) through proactive career behaviors. We analyzed the 2022 survey data of 2,066 science and technology professionals, provided by the Korea Institute of Human Resources Development in Science & Technology (KIRD). Results revealed that structural career plateau had a negative impact on proactive career behaviors, while personsupervisor fit and innovation-oriented culture had a positive effect. Additionally, both innovation-oriented and task-oriented cultures were found to have a stronger impact on proactive career behaviors in private enterprises. Structural career plateau, person-supervisor fit, and innovation-oriented culture had significant effects on science and technology professionals' career satisfaction and task performance through proactive career behaviors. These findings not only contribute to the expansion of research in the field of science and technology professionals' career development but also provide valuable insights for supporting effective career development for science and technology professionals.

Public-private partnerships in health sector innovation: Lessons from around the world

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have emerged as a crucial mechanism for fostering innovation in the health sector globally. This review encapsulates the lessons learned from diverse PPP models worldwide, highlighting their significance and impact. PPPs in healthcare innovation entail collaboration between governmental bodies, private enterprises, and sometimes non-profit organizations to address challenges, such as limited resources, expertise, and infrastructure, while leveraging the strengths of each sector. The success of PPPs relies on effective governance structures, clear objectives, and mutual accountability. One notable example is the United Kingdom's NHS Innovation Accelerator, which partners with industry leaders to fast-track the adoption of innovative healthcare technologies within the National Health Service (NHS). Through this initiative, pioneering solutions, ranging from digital health platforms to medical devices, have been implemented, enhancing patient care and operational efficiency. Similarly, in low-resource settings like sub-Saharan Africa, PPPs have played a pivotal role in improving access to essential healthcare services. Projects such as the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) collaborate with pharmaceutical companies, governments, and research institutions to develop affordable antimalarial drugs tailored to the region's needs. In the realm of medical research and development, partnerships like the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) have demonstrated the power of international collaboration in addressing global health threats. CEPI brings together governments, philanthropic organizations, and the private sector to expedite the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases, as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, challenges persist in PPP implementation, including complex regulatory frameworks, funding uncertainties, and divergent interests among stakeholders. Lessons from successful PPPs underscore the importance of transparent communication, stakeholder engagement, and sustained political commitment. In conclusion, PPPs in the health sector represent a dynamic avenue for catalyzing innovation and driving transformative change. By drawing insights from diverse experiences worldwide, policymakers and practitioners can refine existing frameworks and foster sustainable partnerships to tackle evolving health challenges effectively.

The impact of China's new energy vehicle policies on corporate social responsibility: A textual big data analytics approach

AbstractThis study combined the Latent Dirichlet Allocation topic model to explore the potential topics of new energy vehicle (NEV) policies and their impacts on the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of new energy vehicle enterprises. The results reveal that financial subsidies, infrastructure development, and environmental protection are the most popular topics. And these three popular topics have significant positive impacts on the CSR of new energy vehicle enterprises, with infrastructure construction having the most significant impact. Additionally, the intensity of the positive impact on large‐scale enterprises is more significant compared with small‐scale enterprises, and the impact on state‐owned enterprises is more remarkable than on private enterprises. Moreover, these three popular topics have more significant impacts on CSR in China's eastern region. Finally, we conclude this study by discussing the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

EXPLORING TRENDS IN PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION: A FOCUS ON THE BALTIC COUNTRIES

This scientific article delves into the dynamic landscape of vocational education in the Baltic countries – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. It focuses on the evolving trends in public-private partnerships (PPPs) within this sector. Vocational education serves as a crucial link between academic learning and industry demands, equipping individuals with the specialized skills needed for the workforce. In recent years, significant strides have been made in enhancing vocational education in the Baltic region through collaborative efforts between government bodies, educational institutions and private enterprises. This article particularly emphasizes emerging trends in PPPs, including joint initiatives, government incentives, digitalization and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Joint initiatives between educational institutions and industry stakeholders are becoming increasingly prevalent, fostering collaboration in curriculum development, internship programmes and skills training tailored to meet industry needs. Government incentives, such as financial support and tax benefits, are encouraging private sector involvement in vocational education, thereby enriching the quality and accessibility of educational offerings. Moreover, digitalization is reshaping vocational education, with PPPs leveraging technology to deliver innovative learning experiences. E-learning platforms, virtual reality simulations and online collaboration tools are being integrated into vocational education curricula, enhancing the effectiveness and relevance of training programmes. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges, accelerating the adoption of online learning and remote delivery models. By analyzing these trends, the article aims to provide insights into the dynamics of vocational education development and the role of collaboration between public and private sectors in shaping the future of the workforce in the Baltic countries.

Marketing Strategy of Private Enterprises Based on Bayesian Dynamic Panel Model of Machine Learning Algorithms

Machine learning algorithms have attracted widespread attention in both industry and academia. This article mainly studies the marketing strategy decision-making of private listed enterprises based on Bayesian panel data model. By constructing a Bayesian static panel data model and a Bayesian dynamic panel data model, an empirical analysis was conducted on the debt financing decisions of private enterprises from two aspects: external financial environment and internal governance. The experimental results show that the MC error and standard deviation of parameter estimation for Bayesian static panel data model and Bayesian dynamic panel data model are both very small. This method contains more information, increases observation data and degrees of freedom. This article provides important theoretical guidance for the coordinated development of private listed enterprises and state-owned enterprises. It is conducive to promoting the coordinated development of the entire national economy.

Quantification of Lost Resource Potential of Unsorted Textile Waste

The European Union (EU) requirements for the separate collection of textile waste came into force in Latvia in 2023. As part of the measure, containers for the management of separated textile waste were placed in locations accessible to the public, alongside other types of separately collected waste (e.g., glass, plastic and cardboard). The containers were designed to collect textile waste that met the following requirements:Shoes and clothes must be clean, dry, and free of chemicals, motor oil stains and mold.Free from damage (holes, tears, etc.);Soft toys, fabric scraps and rags, shoes that are no longer a pair or are damaged, torn or have holes, as well as home textiles, are not allowed to be stored in containers.This means that the national textile waste collection system is limited only to textiles that can be reused without additional repair or pre-treatment (e.g., washing), and the developed national textile waste collection system supplements the private initiatives existing through clothing donation points and second-hand shops. However, there is a “shadow” zone related to textile waste that do not meet the above mentioned collection requirements and are not specifically regulated and managed so far at a country level, thus have to be collected in unsorted household waste containers.The objective of the present research is to quantify the amount of textile waste collected from unsorted mixed household waste containers and to quantify the physical condition and fibers of this waste. Subsequently, the environmental impact of the lost resource potential of the unsorted textile waste based on the obtained quantitative and qualitative waste data was defined via life cycle indicators.

Investigation of the Linguistic Landscape of Local People at ‘’Pantura”

Indonesia, with about 700 regional languages, is considered one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. The imposition of a national language and the global dominance of English constitute a danger to multilingualism. This article explores the utilization and manipulation of language in Cirebon by applying social semiotics in linguistic landscape studies. We juxtapose the conventional signage seen on government buildings with that of private enterprises, such as restaurants and retail. The national/regional language policy acknowledges the existence of tensions between macro and micro language policies, which pertain to the rights of private and individual language choice. The conflicts are analyzed. The investigation uncovers a clear and discernible arrangement in the linguistic environment, where public signs prominently showcase Indonesian, Javanese, and English languages, while personal signs exhibit Indonesian, English, as well as other foreign languages such as Korean, Japanese, and Mandarin. The research indicates that language choices are not random, emphasizing that the linguistic environment is a powerful instrument for rejuvenating endangered local languages, such as Javanese.

Can markets for nature conservation be successful? An integrated assessment of a product label for biodiversity practices in Germany

Biodiversity is declining in many ecosystems, particularly in agricultural landscapes. So far, instruments such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) have not been able to halt this trend. Stricter legal regulations tend to be poorly received by farmers and this leads to conflicts. However, their acceptance is crucial as agriculture is a major stakeholder in biodiversity conservation. In this context, market-based approaches are alternative or complementary instruments for biodiversity conservation. However, there are few examples in Germany and the potential economic feasibility on a larger scale has hardly been investigated. We, therefore, analyzed the economic and agronomic impacts of a potential new market label for biodiversity-friendly products on conventional arable farms in two German case study regions – Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) – with different agricultural frameworks. The label requirements were defined in advance by a group of experts in the field of nature conservation. In terms of methodology, we combined a survey of nine companies in the food sector, for instance food retailers, that looked at potential price premium scenarios for products with the label and economic land use modelling. The participation of farms led to an average reduction of gross margins per hectare of arable land of approximately 64 € in Brandenburg and about 96 € in NRW. This revealed spatial disparities. Regarding biodiversity impacts, pesticide use was reduced by about 50 % in both regions. This indicated a high level of effectiveness coupled with comparably moderate farm adaptation costs. Price premiums under the market label for potatoes, wheat, and rye averaging 10 % could almost compensate for the loss of farm income in both regions. Premiums between 5 % and 10 % were also the order of magnitude estimated by the companies that took part in the survey. At the same time, the survey did show that potential transaction costs could be quite high. We, therefore, concluded that the market alone was unlikely to finance the introduction of the label in the case study regions. There was a need for accompanying instruments such as the CAP or private business investment. However, given the case study character, the results should be interpreted with caution and cannot be considered representative of all German or European agricultural conditions. They require further research. Nevertheless, our results are highly relevant for policy makers, as they show that biodiversity conservation, at least in the study regions considered, cannot be tackled with one single instrument, but requires a mix of different ones. For instance, a combination of policies and private initiatives, such as the CAP and a private market label like the one considered in the study.

A Private Function: Independent Providers of Vocational Education and Training in Post-War England

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on independent training providers (ITPs) – in other words, private companies – as suppliers of vocational education and training in post-war England. Whilst acknowledging the central role of further education (FE) colleges in delivering vocational learning, it draws attention to a large, diverse sector of ITPs operating alongside FE colleges, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s. Data suggest that around 15–20% of vocational learners were enrolled as fee-paying customers with private providers at that time – a figure broadly similar to today. There are, it is argued, three related reasons for this. First, the post-war policy environment, and the varied and uneven nature of colleges at that time, allowed significant room for ITPs to operate as alternative providers of vocational education. Second, the far-reaching ‘efficiency’ gains required since FE colleges left local authority control have largely attenuated the space in which ITPs previously operated. Third, neoliberal assumptions about the superiority of private enterprise mean that ITPs now receive significant funding from the state, largely to deliver Apprenticeships and other programmes of work-related learning – which has, somewhat perversely, reduced the incentive for them to act as bone fide commercial providers of a broader range of vocational learning.