Provincial Level Research Articles

Life cycle assessment: Driving strategies for promoting electric vehicles in China

This study employed the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method to evaluate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of passenger vehicles across 31 provinces in China. It examined the potential of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) in significantly reducing emissions compared to Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (ICEVs). The findings revealed that HEVs, PHEVs, and BEVs substantially lower emissions under the national average electricity GHG emissions coefficient, with PHEVs being the most effective, reducing emissions by over 30%. However, disparities exist at the provincial level due to varying electricity structures, with BEVs not fully effective in reducing emissions in about ten provinces, including Liaoning. The study further categorized provinces into six groups using the K-means method to guide the promotion of different types of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). Sensitivity analysis highlights the critical role of reducing electricity emission coefficients and adjusting PHEV's utility factor in achieving emission reductions. The study also notes that battery replacements in PHEVs and BEVs during their lifecycle could impede emission reduction in most provinces. To maximize the environmental benefits of NEVs, there is a need to move to a greener electricity mix. At the same time, strategies for promoting NEVs should vary for different provinces.

Suicides in Siberia from 1925 to 1937: Causes, Dynamics, and Significance

This article attempts to establish the causes, trace the dynamics, and assess the significance of suicides that occurred in the Siberian and West Siberian regions between 1925 and 1937. The research is based on a diverse array of sources, including statistical compilations, minutes from meetings, resolutions from party, Soviet, and Komsomol bodies, reports from special commissions, administrative correspondence, and materials from periodical publications. Through a comprehensive analysis of this heterogeneous information, the article demonstrates an increase in the number of suicides in Siberia, elucidates the demographic and social-professional composition of those who voluntarily ended their lives, and identifies the methods employed as well as the most common reasons for suicide. These parameters are analyzed in comparison with similar indicators across the RSFSR and the USSR, revealing the presence of regional specificity. The article challenges the prevailing historiographical view that placed sole responsibility for suicides on the individuals themselves. It presents evidence that one significant avenue for combating suicides involved holding accountable those whose actions or inactions contributed to these tragic events. The conclusion drawn is that, despite failing to achieve tangible success in preventing suicides, the higher political leadership at both regional and provincial levels managed to create an illusion that this phenomenon had been entirely eradicated.

Status of Construction Safety in Local Road Bridge Construction and its Consequences in Project Implementation: A Study in Gandaki Province, Nepal

After federalization of Nepal, bridge construction in local roads by provincial levels is in increasing trend. Being highly technical and of risky nature, construction safety needs to be ensured in bridge construction. However, in countries like Nepal, safety issues are considered, with follow up measures, only after the accidents occur at construction sites. In this context, this study aims to assess the present status and consequences of construction safety in local roads bridge project implementation and explore some improvements measures. A quantitative descriptive design was adopted for the study and 30 completed bridge samples from Gandaki province were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using questionnaire survey with 56 participants directly related to bridge construction and policy implementation. This study revealed that most of the bridge construction sites have poor workplace safety and worker’s welfare, inadequate provision and use of PPE, lack of trainings and awareness to workers as well as the absence of safety plans and method statements. Similarly, provisions for unsafe supports, shoring, formworks, concreting, and demolition were not noticed. While the absence of safety supervisor, job safety analysis, recording and reporting accident and diseases was observed, abundant cases were found where less importance was given to construction safety and use of PPE undermining the engineering and administrative hazard control methods in road bridge construction. Slip/trip/low falls, hand/leg/head injury, falling from height, eye problem, injury during erections, vehicle and electric current, cost and time overrun, substandard quality, reduced workers’ productivity, increased workers turnover, low construction safety reputation of contractor, loss/damage of land, irrigation canal, drinking water scheme, dust/noise have been found as consequences of poor safety practices. This clearly indicates that present bridge construction safety practices are inadequate and need substantial improvements for better project implementation. The major areas of improvements include safety as first priority, willingness, awareness and commitment of management, contractor and worker, selection of competent workers, formulation of specific safety rules, regulations, codes and their strict enforcement, good communication, safety training and inspection, motivation, adequate budget provision in contract for safety, provision of PPE, feeling safety as self-responsibility and use of technologies as well.

Temporal trend and attributable risk factors of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias burden in China: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

We examined the burden of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (ADOD) and attributable factors at the national and provincial levels in China. Using the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2021, we estimated incidence, prevalence, mortality rate, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and the ratio of years lived with disability (YLD) to DALYs for ADOD in China. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were used to quantify the temporal trends from 1990 to 2021. In 2021, China experienced the highest ADOD burden among Group of 20 member nations. The EAPCs for age-standardized rates for incidence, age-standardized rates for prevalence, and age-standardized mortality rate were 0.41 (uncertainty intervals [UIs] 0.34-0.49); 0.44 (UI: 0.36-0.52); and -0.19 (UI: -0.23 to -0.15), respectively. Between 1990 and 2021, the number of people with ADOD increased by 322.18% and DALYs associated with ADOD increased by 272.71%; most of these increases were explained by population aging. Considering the aging Chinese population, targeted strategies to prevent dementia are urgently needed. China experienced the highest dementia burden among Group of 20 member nations. High body mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, and smoking were major risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (ADOD) burden. Since 1990, the incidence and prevalence of ADOD increased substantially in China. The mortality rate related to ADOD decreased consistently. Considering the aging Chinese population, targeted strategies are urgently needed.

Self-Regulated Learning Assessment in Young Soccer Players: Beyond Competitive Levels.

Trecroci, A, Cavaggioni, L, Rossi, A, Bongiovanni, T, Invernizzi, PL, Formenti, D, and Longo, S. Self-regulated learning assessment in young soccer players: beyond competitive levels. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-This study explores self-regulated learning (SRL) among young soccer players, transcending the traditional focus on competitive levels. One hundred twenty-four soccer players of regional and provincial levels from under 14 to under 17 age groups voluntarily participated in the study and were combined into a single group. A median-split method based on total time performance was used to separate players into low performers (LPs) and high performers (HPs) from a 90° change of direction dribbling test. The self-regulation of learning-self-report scale for sport practice (SRL-SRS-SP) with a 5-factor solution (planning, reflection, effort, self-efficacy, and self-supervision) and 31 items was used. The score was based on a 1-5 Likert scale. The level of significance was set at p -value < 0.05. The SRL-SRS-SP total score by HP players differed significantly from that of LP players ( p = 0.015). Regarding each subscale, HP players showed significantly higher scores than LP players ( p = 0.011) for planning, whereas no differences were observed for the remaining factors ( p ≥ 0.05). The main observation of this study revealed that HP soccer players had a greater level of engagement in the learning process with a remarkable ability to plan for specific improvement than LP peers. This suggests that the competitive level might not be the sole determinant of differences in SRL. Therefore, strength and conditioning coaches should emphasize metacognitive and motivational components because of their crucial role in enhancing technical and physical performance.

The influence of fiscal transparency on expenditure by regional and provincial governments in Vietnam

The intricate relationship between budget transparency and government expenditure has been confirmed, with a particular focus on how these dynamics are influenced by spatial and temporal factors. This study deals with the spatio-temporal effects of transparent communal budgets on local government spending, specifically across the 63 provinces in Vietnam. By analyzing data over time, the study uncovers critical insights into how the disclosure of budget information influences government spending patterns, both in the short term and the long term. The findings reveal a nuanced relationship, where both the direct and indirect effects of budget transparency on expenditure tend to be negative, suggesting that increased transparency may lead to a reduction in government spending. This trend is observed from both a short-term perspective, where immediate changes in budget disclosure affect spending, and a long-term perspective, where the effects of sustained transparency become more evident. The study highlights significant regional disparities in the impact of budget transparency on government expenditure. It finds that the influence of budget disclosure is less pronounced in northern Vietnam compared to the southern regions. The results advocate for policies that support targeted resource allocation at the provincial or regional levels. Such tailored approaches are essential for achieving more effective and equitable government budget management, ensuring that transparency initiatives are adapted to the specific needs and conditions of different regions within Vietnam. Overall, this research contributes to the broader understanding of how transparency in budgetary processes can influence government spending. By highlighting the spatial and temporal dimensions of this relationship, the study provides valuable insights for policymakers seeking to enhance fiscal accountability and optimize public resource allocation in Vietnam.

Navigating Climate Change: Alberta’s Carbon Program for Sustainable Agriculture

In 2021, the Government of Alberta launched the carbon program initiative to evaluate environmental practices and greenhouse gas reduction strategies in the agricultural sector. The program has produced various technical reports, policy briefing papers, industry surveys and roundtables. This policy paper consolidates the findings of the research. It presents an analysis of Alberta’s greenhouse gas emission profile, historical trends and the policy framework, as well as an examination of mitigation strategies such as carbon pricing and their effectiveness in Alberta’s agricultural system. The key question addressed in this paper is how Alberta can continue to support its thriving agricultural industry while responding to the federal and global calls to significantly reduce its methane and nitrous oxide emissions and fulfil Canada’s climate commitments. The paper also outlines the obstacles that producers encounter when implementing these strategies, as well as the limitations of the current emission estimation methodology in measuring the impact. To effectively address the challenges of emission mitigation in Alberta’s agriculture sector, a co-ordinated approach at both the federal and provincial levels is crucial. The paper concludes with the following recommendations that outline specific actions to help reduce uncertainties and support producers in implementing best management practices (BMPs) to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Spatiotemporal evolution and driving factors of agricultural land transfer in China.

This paper systematically analyzes the spatiotemporal evolution trends and macroeconomic driving factors of farmland transfer at the provincial level in China since 2005, aiming to offer a new perspective for understanding the dynamic mechanisms of China's farmland transfer. Through the integrated use of kernel density estimation, the Markov model, and panel quantile regression methods, this study finds the following: (1) Farmland transfer rates across Chinese provinces show an overall upward trend, but regional differences exhibit a "U-shaped" evolution characterized by initially narrowing and then widening; (2) although provinces have relatively stable farmland transfer levels, there is potential for dynamic transitions; (3) factors such as per capita arable land, farmers' disposable income, the social security level, the urban‒rural income gap, the urbanization rate, government intervention, and the marketization level significantly promote farmland transfer, while inclusive finance inhibits transfer, and agricultural mechanization level and population aging have heterogeneous impacts. Therefore, to achieve convergence of low farmland transfer regions to medium levels while promoting medium-level regions to higher levels, it is recommended that the government increase support for agricultural mechanization, increase farmers' income and social security levels, and optimize marketization processes and government intervention strategies. The main contributions of this paper are (1) systematically revealing the spatiotemporal evolution patterns of China's farmland transfer and (2) employing panel quantile regression methods to explore the heterogeneous impacts of driving factors, providing more precise and detailed empirical support for the government's formulation of farmland transfer policies.

A mixed methods study on poisoning and injury-related emergency department visits associated with opioids in Canada, 2011 to 2022: from the Canadian hospitals injury reporting and prevention program

BackgroundThe opioid crisis is a serious public health issue in Canada. There have been many surveillance programs and research studies on opioid-related emergency department (ED) visits at a national, provincial, regional or municipal level. However, no published studies have investigated the in-depth contexts surrounding opioid-related ED visits. In addition, few studies have examined injuries other than poisonings in those visits. The objective of this study is to investigate the contextual factors and co-occurrence of poisonings and injuries among the opioid-related ED visits in a Canadian sentinel surveillance system on injuries and poisonings from 2011 to 2022.MethodsThis study used a mixed methods design. The data source was the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program. We first selected all opioid-related ED visits during our study period and then identified the contextual factors through a content analysis of the combination of the narrative description and other variables in the patients’ records. The contextual factors were organized into themes as opioid use context, social resource utilization, bystander involvement, and prior naloxone use. The opioid use context was used as a co-variable to examine the other themes and ED presentations (poisonings and other injuries). Quantitative descriptive approach was used to analyze all the contexts and ED presentations.ResultsThe most common opioid use context was non-prescribed opioid use without intention to cause harm, followed by self-poisoning, children’s exposure, and medication error. Various rare contexts occurred. Paramedics participated in 27.9% of visits. Police and security guards were involved in 5.1% and 2.3% of visits, respectively. Child welfare or social workers were involved in 0.4% of visits. Bystanders initiated 18.9% of the ED visits. Naloxone use before arriving at the ED occurred in 23.4% of the visits with a variety of administrators. The majority of patients presented with poisoning effects, either with poisoning effects only or with other injuries or conditions.ConclusionsOur study has provided an in-depth analysis of contextual factors and co-occurrence of poisonings and injuries among opioid-related ED visits in Canada. This information is important for ED programming and opioid-related poisoning and injury intervention and prevention.

Why Are Community-Based Early Warning Systems Inadequate? A Case Study of the Licungo River Basin, in Mozambique

This study examined the effective implementation of a community-based early warning System (CBEWS) as an early evacuation tool in at-risk communities in the Licungo River Basin Mozambique. Using the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) framework, this study evaluated the effectiveness of the CBEWS, focusing on the identification of factors that impede its functionality. The research employed a qualitative approach, conducting one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders at the national, provincial, and district levels, and group discussions with community members in the Licungo River Basin. Interviews and group discussions were conducted in Portuguese and Echuabo, facilitated by a local translator, and included a diverse representation of community members and leaders. The results revealed that the four pillars of the UNDRR framework - risk knowledge, monitoring and warning, communication and dissemination, and response capacity - lacked interdependence, resulting in the CBEWS failing to effectively facilitate early evacuation. Specifically, the study identified several critical factors: a lack of trust in the early warning system, inadequate monitoring and warning systems, communication challenges, and insufficient response resources. Additionally, the lack of social capital significantly affected community members’ willingness to implement and respond to CBEWS warnings and voluntarily evacuate. These findings highlight the need to address social capital and use incentive-based approaches to enhance the effectiveness of the CBEWS. Therefore, promoting strategies that strengthen social capital and incorporate incentives is essential to ensure community engagement and effective evacuation.

Pengaruh PDRB dan Upah Minimum Provinsi Terhadap Kemiskinan dan IPM di Provinsi-Provinsi Indonesia

Public welfare is the ultimate goal of every economic development. HDI as an indicator of welfare in Indonesia continues to increase from year to year, but is very volatile. The province with the highest HDI points is DKI Jakarta province and the lowest is Papua Province. This shows that the increase has not occurred significantly and there are still disparities in several provinces in Indonesia. This research aims (1) To analyze the direct influence of GRDP and minimum wages on poverty in Indonesian provinces in 2018-2022. (2) To analyze the influence of GRDP, minimum wage and poverty directly on HDI in Indonesian provinces in 2018-2022. (3) To analyze the influence of GRDP and minimum wages on HDI indirectly through poverty in Indonesian provinces in 2018-2022. This research uses secondary data obtained from BPS publications during 2018-2022, with a total of 170 observation points. The data analysis technique used is path analysis with the help of EViews 10 software. The results of the study indicate that PDRB has a significant negative direct effect on poverty, Provincial Minimum Wage has a significant positive direct effect on poverty, both PDRB and Provincial Minimum Wage have a significant positive direct effect on the HDI, and poverty has a significant negative direct effect on the HDI. Poverty is not an intervening variable in the relationship between PDRB and the HDI, but it is an intervening variable in the relationship between Provincial Minimum Wage and the HDI. The implications of this research are that successful economic policies must integrate increases in Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) and Minimum Wage as primary strategies to reduce poverty levels and enhance the Human Development Index (HDI) in Indonesian provinces. Significant increases in GRDP contribute to poverty reduction by evenly distributing economic benefits to disadvantaged groups. Meanwhile, strengthened Minimum Wage policies can elevate worker incomes, bolster purchasing power, and improve access to education and healthcare, thereby potentially boosting HDI. Prioritising poverty reduction is crucial for enhancing overall quality of life, thereby creating better conditions for economic growth and social welfare at the provincial level

Empirical Evidence on Status of Street Vendors in Nepal amid COVID-19: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, street vending businesses faced severe disruptions, exacerbating poverty and livelihood challenges for vendors. The government's neglect of this sector has further intensified these issues, highlighting the need for a comprehensive analysis of the situation. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on street vendors in Kathmandu Valley. Specifically, it explores the relationships between poverty, unemployment, and street vending, and examines the role of migration as a mediating factor. Methods: An explanatory research design was employed, utilizing a non-probability convenience sampling technique to collect data from 202 street vendors. Data were gathered using KOBO Toolbox and a structured questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were applied, with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) used to analyze relationships and impacts. Results: The analysis reveals a significant impact of poverty on unemployment among street vendors during the pandemic. Migration has a notable influence on street vending and unemployment, serving as a mediator between poverty and street vending activities. Domestic migration, in particular, has been pivotal in enhancing street vending in Kathmandu Valley. Conclusion: The study underscores the need for regulatory authorities at central, provincial, and local levels to develop a legal and political framework to support street vendors. Implementing such measures could significantly improve their status and mitigate the adverse effects of the pandemic on their livelihoods. Paper Types: Research Paper Keywords: Poverty, Migration, Street vending, Informal sector, Structural Equation Modelling, Nepal JEL Classification: E26, O17

Greenhouse gas emissions from Chinese livestock sector can be decreased by one third in 2030 by the improvement in management

China is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the livestock sector is a major source of non-CO2 GHG emissions. Mitigation of GHG emissions from the livestock sector is beneficial to the sustainable development of the livestock sector in China. This study investigated the provincial level of GHG emissions from the livestock sector between 2000 and 2020 in China, to determine the driving factors affecting the provincial-level GHG emissions from the livestock sector, based on the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) model, which took into account of technological progress, livestock structure, economic factor, and agricultural population. Moreover, a gray model GM (1, 1) was used to predict livestock GHG emissions in each province until 2030 in China. The results showed that the GHG of Chinese livestock sector was decreased from 195.1 million tons (MT) CO2e in 2000 to 157.2 MT CO2e in 2020. Henan, Shandong, and Hebei provinces were the main contributors to the reduction in Chinese livestock GHG emissions, with their livestock GHG emissions reduced by 60.1%, 53.5% and 45.5%, respectively, in 2020 as compared to 2000. The reduction in GHG emissions from the Chinese livestock sector can be attributed to two main factors: technological progress and the shrinking of the agricultural laborers. In contrast, the agricultural economic development model with high input and high emissions showed a negative impact on GHG emission reduction in China’s livestock sector. Furthermore, the different livestock structure in each province led to different GHG reduction effects on the livestock sector. Under the gray model GM (1,1), the GHG emissions of the livestock sector will be reduced by 33.7% in 2030 as compared with 2020 in China, and the efficiency factor will account for 76.6% of the positive effect of GHG reduction in 2030. The eastern coastal region will be the main contributor to the reduction of GHG emissions from the Chinese livestock sector in 2030. Moreover, recommendations (such as upgrading livestock management methods and promoting carbon emission mitigation industries) should be proposed for the environmentally sustainable development of the livestock sector in the future.

Escalation of Human Resource Quality in National Health Resilience Through Estimating Multilevel Model Parameters with the Restricted Maximum Likelihood Approach to The 2019 UTBK Average

Multilevel modeling or Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) is a statistical approach specifically used to analyze data with a two-level structure. This approach allows an understanding of the contribution of factors at both the individual and group levels to the response variable. One method commonly used in HLM is Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML). REML is a parameter estimation method that is often applied in statistical models, especially linear models that incorporate random components. This allows more efficient parameter assessment compared to conventional estimation methods. In this research, multilevel model parameter estimation analysis was carried out using the limited maximum likelihood approach. The aim is to determine the multilevel linear regression model on the average UTBK score for health cluster study programs in 2019. This involves selecting the optimal node point based on the minimum Generalized Cross Validation (GCV) and identifying the factors that influence it. Predictor variables considered include interest and capacity of study programs at university level (Level-1), as well as the average UNBK and HDI scores at provincial level (Level-2). The findings of this research indicate that the most appropriate multilevel regression model is formed with three nodes with a minimum GCV value at Level-1 of 864.6593 and at Level-2 of 3.1816. At Level-1, the influencing factor is the interest variable and at Level-2 is the average provincial UNBK score in 2019 and the Human Development Index (HDI).

Research on the Spatial Heterogeneity of Carbon Intensity at the Provincial Level in China and Its Driving Factors

Research on the Spatial Heterogeneity of Carbon Intensity at the Provincial Level in China and Its Driving Factors

The role of local institutional quality for the digital and environmental transitions in Italy

In this paper we analyze the effect of institutional quality on the so-called Twin transition at provincial level in Italy. To carry out the analysis, we use two proxies for the ecological transition, namely waste management and air pollution, and two proxies for the digital transition, namely ultra-wide band connections and provincial innovative start-ups. All the models are estimated on a panel of 103 provinces with a time dimension that varies for the different dependent variables. We employ Spatial Durbin Model estimator to take into account spatial dependence across provinces. Our findings indicate that the quality of local institutions may have an important role for the ecological transition, but not for the digital transition. Higher levels of institutional quality increase the performance in waste management and reduce the level of local air pollution. Conversely, the estimated coefficient of institutional quality is not statistically significant neither for ultra-wide band nor for innovative start-ups. Institutional quality turns to be significant but negative for the digital transition when dummy variable controlling for the presence of science-oriented university is added in the model specification. These results confirm that the green transition is largely policy-driven and the local ‘institutional environment’ is an essential ingredient for its effectiveness. The driving forces of the digital transition, instead, can be better found in socio-economic factors that depend on the ‘economic quality’ of the local system and its propensity to innovate within larger-scale innovation trajectories.

Study on the spatiotemporal distribution patterns and influencing factors of cultural heritage: a case study of Fujian Province

The spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of cultural heritage reveal the trajectory of human activity changes, and a deep analysis of its natural and cultural factors holds significant reference value for the overall conservation and management of cultural heritages. This study focuses on the cultural heritage at the provincial level and above in Fujian, utilizing GIS spatial analysis to explore the spatiotemporal evolution of cultural heritages and their natural and human influencing factors. The research findings are as follows: (1) The distribution of cultural heritage in Fujian exhibits a clustering pattern, with dense areas transitioning from the upstream regions of the prehistoric and pre-Qin periods to the eastern coastal areas gradually. (2) The Ming and Qing dynasties have the highest number of cultural heritages, with the type of heritage transitioning from ancient sites in the early periods to ancient architecture, and in modern times, mainly important historical sites and representative architectural heritages. (3) The overall centroid coordinates of cultural heritage reveal a shift from the northern part of Fujian to the eastern and southern parts. (4) Natural factors significantly influence the distribution of cultural heritage, with a higher concentration in plain and hilly areas, on slight slopes with gradients between 0.5° and 2.0°, and on the southern and southeastern slopes, especially within a 1-kilometer radius of rivers. (5) The creation of cultural heritage during historical periods is closely linked to the regional history, culture, political, and economic environments. The positive development of these socio-cultural factors has a promotional effect on the quantity of cultural heritage. This study demonstrates the utility and applicability of GIS spatial analysis techniques in cultural heritage research, providing a methodological framework that can be adapted and applied internationally. The findings offer insightful data that can inform targeted conservation and development strategies for cultural heritage, ensuring their effective preservation and sustainable management across different regions.

Linking regional investments and revenues at the provincial level to investment loan decisions by local government banks in Indonesia

This study aims to analyze how two different types of investments (local domestic and foreign direct investments at the provincial level) and revenues (booked by the provincial governments, general allocation funds, special allocation funds, local taxes, and retribution) affect investment loan decisions by local government banks in Indonesia. The study uses panel data applying ordinary least squares and multiple linear regression. Thus, 144 data were sampled from 2013 to 2021 from 16 local government banks out of Java Island in 21 provinces in Indonesia. The study found that local domestic investment at the provincial level affects investment loan decisions by local government banks. In contrast, foreign direct investment did not affect lending decisions, indicating that local domestic investment contributes to the real local economy at the provincial level. Different results were found in provincial revenues in the form of general and special allocation funds, which negatively affected loan investment decisions, possibly due to provincial revenues utilized to cover the financial deficit and capital expenditure spent chiefly on imported goods. Additionally, local taxes at the provincial level also negatively affect investment loan decisions, possibly due to fluctuations in local tax collection during COVID-19. However, the study found that local retribution contributes to predicting loan investment decisions, suggesting revenue collection by the governments considering local economic conditions. The study findings suggest that provincial governments should direct investments that can impact the local economy and spend their revenues on goods and services that can drive local economic growth. AcknowledgmentThe investment loan made by local government banks, which is associated with local investment and revenue, is part of a research grant project from the Economics and Business Faculty of Hasanuddin University. This project is a result of collaboration with national and international researchers. In carrying out this research, some inputs from people working in local government banks, financial service authorities, and provincial and regency governments are addressed.Thanks to Ahmadi Usman for secondary data and Syahidah Ulhaq for some application programs enabling mapping literature, as well as Israa Natiq Jabar for supervising the result and applied some inputs in the section of research method.

Effectiveness of local health constitutions in surveillance the pandemic of coronavirus disease-2019 in rural community of Thailand

This qualitative research aimed to study the effectiveness of the local health constitution in controlling the spread of COVID-19. It reports the role of local communities, government agencies, and healthcare providers in implementing and enforcing local health constitutions and how their engagement can be improved to enhance surveillance. We also reported factors that influence compliance and strategies for improving compliance. We also evaluated the long-term sustainability of local health institutions beyond the pandemic. The population and sample group consisted of key members of the local health constitution teams at the provincial, sub-district, and village levels in the rural area of Ubon Ratchathani. Participants were purposively selected and volunteered to provide information. It included health science professionals, public health volunteers, community leaders, and local government officials, totaling 157 individuals. The study was conducted from December 2022 to September 2023. Our research shows that local health constitutions can better engage and educate communities to actively participate in pandemic surveillance and prevention. This approach is a learning experience for responding to emergencies, such as new infectious diseases that may arise in the future. This simplifies the work of officials, as everyone understands the guidelines for action. Relevant organizations contribute to disease prevention efforts, and there is sustainable improvement in work operations.

Inclusivity in the sustainability of micro and small enterprises based on digital technology: A case study in central Java, Indonesia

The covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected the sustainability of micro and small enterprises (MSEs), with a particularly pronounced impact in Central Java. Entrepreneurs who struggle to adapt to reduced consumer purchasing power and the increasing reliance on digital technology are at heightened risk of business closure. Despite these challenges, inclusivity remains a crucial element for MSEs in fostering local economic development. Accordingly, this study seeks to examine the role of inclusivity in the sustainability of MSEs that are based on digital technology. Data were collected through the use of questionnaires and focus group discussions. Respondents were digital-based MSEs entrepreneurs from five selected regions, with Central Java having the largest number of digital media users. Key informants included experts from Diponegoro University, the International Council of Small Business (ICSB), the Department of Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises at the provincial and district levels, and non-governmental organizations. The collected data was analyzed using the Rapid Appraisal for Micro and Small Enterprises (Rap-MSE’s) method. To assess the sustainability status, the study utilized several dimensions, including economic, environmental, social, institutional, technological, and inclusivity factors. Both multidimensional and individual analyses indicated that the sustainability status was relatively robust. MSEs that integrated digital technology into their operations were able to withstand the challenges posed by covid-19 and adapt to the new normal. In conclusion, the inclusivity dimension in the adoption of digital technology has gained increased importance in driving local economic development.