Public Institutions Research Articles

Citizens’ Perception of Digital Public Services: A Case Study among Romanian Citizens

Digital transformation has become a topic of interest since public institutions digitalize their processes to improve efficiency, while citizens wish to solve their issues through online platforms. Even if this topic is a priority, the Digital Economy and Society Index reveals that digital public services from UE are under 30% development and implementation. This paper presents the current research made on digital public services and the perspective of Romanian citizens on the adoption of these platforms. The authors conduct bibliometric research to highlight the current progress and concerns. Furthermore, a quantitative analysis is made to determine the perception of Romanian citizens on digital public services and the factors that influence their decision to use them instead of traditional methods. According to the bibliometric analysis, 23 countries showed a raised interest for digital public services after 2020, which was a crucial moment that pushed digitalization among public institutions. Although Romanian citizens are aware of the benefits brought by digital public services, they encounter issues in terms of lack of information and technical support, knowledge, data security, and the complexity of these platforms. Therefore, the government should implement an integrated approach that considers cultural values as well as reliable and accessible digital solutions.

Assessment of antibiotic consumption patterns in hospital and primary healthcare using WHO Access, Watch and Reserve classification (AWaRe) in Sichuan Western China: 2020

BackgroundThe Access, Watch, and Reserve (AWaRe) classification of antibiotics was a useful tool to support antibiotic stewardship. However, the AWaRe patterns of antibiotic consumption in Western China were unclear. We aimed to assess the antibiotic consumption patterns using the AWaRe Classification of public hospitals in Sichuan Province Western China.MethodsAntibiotic consumption data of year 2020 were obtained from the Sichuan Province Drug Use Monitoring Platform. We measured the antibiotic consumption (DDDs per 1,000 inhabitants per day, DIDs), calculated the proportion of antibiotic use, the ratio of Access to Watch antibiotics and patterns of antibiotic use by using drug utilization 90%.ResultsThis analysis included 4452 public health institutions. The antibiotic consumption rate was 10.39 DIDs (Median 8.50, IQR 7.71–12.96). The proportions of Access antibiotic use and Watch antibiotic use were 46.83% (Median 47.49, IQR 44.16–52.02) and 51.20% (Median 51.43, IQR 45.42–54.61), respectively. The Access-to-Watch index was 0.91 (Median 0.92, IQR 0.81–1.15). Amoxicillin (16.85%), cefuroxime (9.21%), cefixime (8.60%%), levofloxacin (8.11%) and metronidazole (6.16%) were the most consumed antibiotics.ConclusionsThe proportion of Access antibiotic consumption in Sichuan Western China has not achieved the WHO target of 60%. Overuse of antibiotic is serious in Sichuan. National and regional antibiotics management systems, stewardship programs and surveillance of antibiotic consumption based on AWaRe classification are needed to improve antibiotic consumption patterns, curb antibiotic overuse and combat antimicrobial resistance in Western China.

How to Advance Sustainable Innovations for Circular Bioeconomy: Perspectives from a Public Research Institute

This article presents a case study of public research institute innovation process for the circular bioeconomy in Finland. If an invention is to become an innovation, it requires actor alignment and cooperation from research to product development all the way to the end user. Despite the high uncertainty, the decision makers along the value chain need to identify possible directions and promising options, in addition to managing various risks. Support for these decisions is crucial to enable sustainable innovations. Furthermore, the role of public research institutions in providing “seeds” for innovations has been researched less extensively than the role of private companies or universities. This paper develops and tests a new circular bioeconomy product questionnaire to assist researchers. The questionnaire was designed for Natural Resources Institute Finland, combining risk management, new product development, and innovation process perspectives. The authors interviewed researchers and developed the framework further based on the interview analysis and tested it in a workshop. For the end product to succeed, it is necessary to understand the requirements of the entire value chain, especially the needs of end users. The research (and innovation) process should already involve stakeholders in the early stages to better meet their expectations.

Designing the New World: Reconsidering Architectural Education and National Identity in Colonial Australia

ABSTRACT Understandings of architectural education in nineteenth century colonial Australia have generally focused on either formal articles or tertiary institutions. Presented as the official pathways into the profession, this framework has provided a limited viewpoint of the architectural community, concealing the diverse formative experiences of architects. Without a legal mechanism to define who could practice as an architect, the architectural community remained open and porous, with individuals having obtained different levels of education. This professional fluidity created a ready market for architectural education. From the earliest years of European colonisation until the end of the nineteenth century, private and public institutions offered classes in architecture, which provided an alternative pathway into the profession and undermined the apparent dominance of undertaking articles. This process was particularly pronounced in the colony of Victoria, home to Australia’s largest nineteenth century architectural community. This paper argues that examining these alternative avenues for education is critical to understanding the nineteenth century architectural community, the lives of individual architects, as well as the broader aims of colonial society. Ultimately, the localised nature of this education helped promote an Australian design aesthetic and encouraged a divergence from British precedent.

Analyzing the Relationship between Agricultural AI Adoption and Government-Subsidized Insurance

Due to the increased unpredictability and severity of weather patterns caused by climate change, traditional farming practices and risk management strategies are becoming increasingly inadequate. In this paper, we explore the literature to understand the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in mitigating climate-related agricultural risks and the pivotal role that public institutions play in encouraging farmers to adopt such technologies. We propose a framework to integrate AI into government-subsidized insurance structures, focusing on reduced premiums through government intervention. We argue that AI’s potential to reduce the uncertainty and severity of climate-induced damages could lower the overall risk profile of insured farmers, thereby justifying lower premiums in the long run. We further discuss the implications of such policies on insurance markets, agricultural sustainability, and global food security. Our initial exploration contributes to the literature by addressing a relatively underexplored intersection of two critical fields—agricultural insurance and artificial intelligence—suggesting directions for future research.

Features of the regulation of the legal status of public law legal entities in France

In the article, the author considers issues related to the legal status of legal entities under public law in France. The legal status of legal entities under public law is regulated by the Constitution of France, special legislation in the field of administrative law. The article analyzes the criteria for distinguishing legal entities into legal entities of private and public law, developed by the judicial practice of French courts. In the article, the author examines the types of legal entities of French public law, in particular, the latter include: the state, territorial entities, public institutions. The article examines the legal nature and types of public service, which is carried out in the field of defense, transport, and industry management. The article defines a public service, as a rule, the specified services do not have the status of a legal entity, the specified status belongs to the state that creates these services. The author researches public institutions of France that belong to legal entities under public law. The article defines the concept of a public institution, classifies public institutions according to various criteria, and defines the organizational structure of these institutions. A variety of public institutions is industrial and commercial in nature. The author examines the historical aspects of the emergence and development of this type of institution. The article examines the characteristics of a public institution, in particular, the following characteristics are distinguished: 1) it is a legal entity under public law; 2) has a socially beneficial purpose; 3) is under the supervision (guardianship) of the state can be fully applied to the legal regulation of public benefit institutions, which also have the status of a legal entity, pursue a socially beneficial goal, and are under the supervision (guardianship) of the state. The article examines the legal nature of associations of persons of liberal professions (lawyers, attorneys, notaries, doctors, pharmacists, veterinarians, and others). The article examines the judicial practice of French courts on issues of compensation for damage caused by the activities of a state institution. The author examines and investigates issues of the legal regime of property of legal entities under public law.

Types of legal entities under public law in German doctrine and legislation

This article examines the concepts and types of legal entities under public law in German doctrine and legislation. The legal status of public legal entities is regulated by the provisions of the German Constitution, the German Civil Code, the Law on Administrative Procedures, the Law «On the Procedure for Consideration of Cases Under the Management of Administrative Bodies», the Law «On Administrative Courts». The author examines the issue of determining the criteria for the classification of legal entities, so legal entities under public law are created in an executive order, act to satisfy the public or public interest, have authority, operate in organizational and legal forms of an open type, are responsible for the activities of their officials, legal the regime of property has certain features, in particular, such property can be transferred for use by legal entities under public law. As a rule, legal entities under public law have a special scope of legal capacity, unlike legal entities under private law, in this regard, the article analyzes the doctrine of ultra vires. The author examines the procedure for creating legal entities under public law in Germany, the types of organizational and legal forms of legal entities under public law that carry out their activities in the form of a public corporation, public institution, public fund. The article considers the sources of property formation of legal entities under public law, in particular, it can be income from entrepreneurial activity, budget funds, contributions of members of public corporations, donations (for example, the German State Bank, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Prussian Cultural Heritage Fund). The article considers four types of public corporations: territorial, united, personal, real. A feature of the activity of public corporations in Germany is the presence of membership, unlike public institutions.

Bibliometric analysis of scientific publications on the websites of agricultural institutions of higher and additional education of the Russian Federation

The study of scientific activities of educational institutions of the agro-industrial complex is based on information from their websites and on scientometric indicators. Research work is reflected on all the studied websites and contains data on the topics of scientific research, the work of dissertation councils and data on patents and inventions. The electronic information environment is widely used, digital libraries are being developed, and links to digital library systems are provided. All higher educational institutions have scientific periodicals; the results of scientific research are presented in electronic form. Insufficient completeness of document archives, the spread of materials across the categories of the website, and limited availability of full-text databases are noted. An analysis of the publication activity of organizations was conducted on the basis of the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI). According to the number of authors with publications in the RSCI, Russian Timiryazev State Agrarian University, Kuban State Agrarian University named after I.T. Trubilin and Vyatka State Agrotechnological University are distinguished with 3219, 300 and 1520 authors, respectively. Publications of employees of the Kuban State Agrarian University, Russian Timiryazev State Agrarian University, Omsk State Agrarian University named after P.A. Stolypin and Ryazan State Agrotechnological University named after P.A. Kostychev have a high citation rate in RSCI. When analysing the dynamics of the number of publications of educational institutions from 2019 to 2023, according to RSCI data, a general trend of increasing the number of scientific publications in agrarian universities was revealed.

The Influence of Strategic Media on Nation Building: The Case of Sudan

The study systematically investigated the hypothesis that strategic media initiatives promote and accelerate nation-building processes (NBP) in Sudan. The strategic media variables examined included three essential ones: media language perfection (MLP), qualitative media coverage (QMC), and information building plan (IBP). Using a multilinear regression model (MLRM), the study analyzed the relationships among these predicting variables and their impact on the dependent variable. The evaluation of how the three predictors impact nation-building and state stability required the distribution of a survey containing 21 questions. 200 Sudanese journalists from different parts of the country received the questionnaire. They represent diverse backgrounds across private and public media institutions, including male and female participants. The principal data collection technique adopted by the study was the online survey, supplemented by other secondary sources such as journals, books, and professional internet websites. The use of a five-point Likert scale was feasible to evaluate responses. The analysis indicated that the three predictors collectively explained 94.2% of the variation in NBP (R² = 0.942, p < 0.001). Among these predictors, IBP demonstrated the highest impact (β = 0.624), followed by MLP (β = 0.589) and QMC (β = 0.247). These findings underscore the significant role of professional media in Sudanese nation-building by facilitating practical initiatives and addressing internal conflicts. The study contributes robust empirical evidence and theoretical insights into the efforts of Sudanese journalists, emphasizing the critical role of strategic media in fostering nation-building and enhancing state stability.

ATTITUDE OF FEMALE STUDENTS IN PUBLIC TERTIARY INSTITUTION IN IMO ABOUT CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING

Cervical cancer is a significant health concern and one of the leading causes of death among women globally. This study aimed to examine the attitudes related to cervical cancer screening among female students in public tertiary institutions in Imo State, Nigeria. The study, guided by three research questions and two null hypotheses tested at the 0.05 significance level used a descriptive survey design. A sample of 900 students was selected from a population of 11,825 female undergraduates. The research instrument, “Attitude towards Cervical Cancer Screening Questionnaire (ACCSQ)” was validated and found reliable with coefficient alphas of 0.89. Data were collected through direct delivery and analysed using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics of ANOVA. The findings revealed that most students had a positive attitude toward screening, with a mean attitude score of 53.35. Attitudes of the female students of this study towards cervical cancer screening did not significantly differ based on their ages or their level of education. The study recommended that given the generally positive attitude towards cervical cancer screening, awareness campaigns should be strengthened to further encourage screening participation. These campaigns should target all age groups, emphasizing the importance of early detection and regular screening for cervical cancer. KEYWORDS: Cervical cancer, screening, female students, attitude, public, tertiary institutions

On the Way to a Data-Based Governance Model for Swiss Public Institutions – Focus Fields for Empowerment in Innovation and Identification

On the Way to a Data-Based Governance Model for Swiss Public Institutions – Focus Fields for Empowerment in Innovation and Identification

A participatory research to assess how a student citizens’ assembly can facilitate the co-creation of nutrition interventions in higher education settings

BackgroundThe transition period from adolescence to early adulthood is critical for developing new nutritional behaviors, making higher education students an important target group for public health nutrition interventions. Given the complexity of nutrition-related behaviors and their various determinants, involving the student population (the future beneficiaries of interventions) and the partners engaged in their implementation when designing campus nutrition interventions is essential. Citizens’ assemblies are deliberative processes which are more and more frequently organized to co-create solutions to complex problems. This study aims 1) to design and implement a student citizens’ assembly using participatory research methods, 2) to describe its process and evaluate its transferability, 3) to evaluate changes in dietary habits, knowledge and citizen practices among students participating in this assembly.MethodsThis study will take place at a French university (University Sorbonne Paris Nord, USPN) located in socio-economically disadvantaged suburbs of Paris. The student citizens’ assembly will gather a mini-public of 30 students enrolled at the time of the study and a co-creation team of academic and non-academic partners involved in student life, nutrition, physical activity, or public policies. The aim of the assembly is to co-create a set of concrete proposals that would enhance USPN students’ access to sustainable diets and physical activity. The protocol is based on a continuous process evaluation and a pre-post design among the mini-public. A mixed-method framework combining quantitative and qualitative approaches will be developed. This study will make use of (i) field observations of the intervention process and transferability, (ii) data collected by questionnaires on pre- and post- dietary habits, knowledge and citizen practices of the mini-public, and (iii) pre-post interviews with a subsample of the same mini-public.DiscussionRelying on participatory research methods, this study will provide new insights into involving higher education students and diverse partners in co-creating campus nutrition interventions. Through the collaborative work of researchers, higher education students, university representatives, public institutions, and local and community actors, this study will provide evidence-based guidance for designing innovative and contextually-relevant nutrition interventions in the higher education setting.Trial registrationThis research was registered at the ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT06580795; registration date: 2024–08-30; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06580795).

Fostering Sustainable Development Through Social Innovation: The Role of Cultural Values in Entrepreneurial Intentions

Context. The study analyses how cultural values on the entrepreneurial intentions of university students in public and private institutions in Jalisco, Mexico, may lead a path to social innovation, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Problem. Despite the growing emphasis on entrepreneurship education, the impact of cultural values on students' entrepreneurial intentions remains unclear. This research explores how autonomy, hierarchy, and egalitarianism shape students' aspirations. Purpose. The research seeks to examine the multidisciplinary nature of cultural values and their relationship with entrepreneurial intentions. It specifically addresses SDGs 4, 8 and 9. Methodology. A quantitative survey was distributed to 1,438 university students in Jalisco, Mexico, during 2023-2024. The data were examined through exploratory factor analysis and linear regression to identify the relationships between cultural values and entrepreneurial intentions. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, while validity was established through factor loadings. Theoretical and Practical Findings. Cultural values like integration and mastery positively influence entrepreneurial intentions, while egalitarianism showed a negative impact. These results contribute to the understanding of how cultural contexts shape entrepreneurial behavior, with practical implications for fostering entrepreneurship in educational settings, aligned with the SDGs; leading students´ behavior to a social innovation path. Originality based on a multidisciplinary approach that promotes innovation for sustainable development. This research integrates multidisciplinary perspectives to promote social innovation and sustainable development, highlighting the unique role of cultural values in shaping entrepreneurial intentions. Conclusions and limitations. The study concludes that while cultural values significantly impact entrepreneurial intentions, though the influence varies by dimension. However, as the research focuses on a single region, future studies should explore other cultural contexts to generalize findings.

Knowledge deficits and analysis on comprehension of teachers on their common legal rights as teachers

The basic principles that protect teachers' professional autonomy, welfare, and ability to contribute to education are included in their rights. These rights include the ability to teach without drawing conclusions, just remuneration commensurate with their level of experience, a welcoming workplace, and immunity from discrimination. Protecting teachers' rights is essential to creating an environment that supports effective teaching, increasing job satisfaction, and eventually raising the caliber of learning opportunities for students. This study investigates teachers' fundamental rights in the context of education. In this study, ten (10) educators from both public and private institutions took part. Interviews were done to find out how instructors analyze data and whether they are aware of their shared legal rights.

Challenges and opportunities in sensor-based fall prevention for older adults: a bibliometric review

PurposeThis bibliometric review examines the recent literature on sensor-based fall prevention for older adults. It analyzes publication trends, key researchers and institutions, major research themes, as well as gaps and opportunities in this field.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive search was conducted in Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases for publications from 1990 to 2024. Bibliometric indicators including publication output, citation analysis and co-occurrence of keywords were used to map the research landscape. Network visualizations were employed to identify key thematic clusters.FindingsThe research on sensor-based fall prevention has grown rapidly, peaking in 2019. The USA, Australia and Canada lead this work, with universities and hospitals collaborating globally. Key themes include fall epidemiology, wearable sensors and AI for fall detection. Opportunities exist to better implement these sensor systems through large trials, user-centered design, hybrid sensors and advanced analytics.Research limitations/implicationsWhile comprehensive, the analysis focused primarily on publications indexed in Scopus and WoS, which may not capture all relevant literature. Future studies could expand the search to include other databases and conduct deeper analyses of highly influential studies.Practical implicationsThe review provides an evidence-informed roadmap to accelerate the translation of sensor innovations into scalable and sustainable fall prevention practices for vulnerable older adult populations.Originality/valueThis is the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis to map the research landscape of sensor-based fall prevention, identifying key trends, themes and opportunities to advance this critical domain addressing a major global public health challenge.

Factors Affecting the Adoption of Electronic Procurement Systems in Public Institutions in Tanzania: Evidence from Tanzania Prisons in Morogoro Municipal

The study investigated the factors affecting the adoption of electronic procurement systems in public institutions in Tanzania, evidence from Tanzania Prisons in Morogoro Municipal. A survey research design and mixed research approach were utilized. The target population included procurement employees in Tanzania public institutions represented by Kingolwira Prison, Mkonowa Mara Prison, Kihonda Prison, and Remand Prison in Morogoro Municipal Municipality. The study involved 52 respondents. Purposive sampling technique wase used in selection of respondents where all respondents with knowledge on electronic procurement systems were used. Data was gathered through questionnaires with likert scale statements and analysed using descriptive statistics. In addition to that, data deduction techniques whereby conclusions were made by logically reasoning from general principles or theories to specific instances or outcomes based on the available data. User opinions on e- procurement adoption in Tanzanian public institutions highlight significant concerns about technological infrastructure, including hardware availability, software support, and internet reliability. While many acknowledge benefits such as reduced paperwork and enhanced efficiency, opinions vary on its effectiveness in reducing lead times and corruption. Security remains a critical issue, with mixed views on data accessibility and sharing safety. Overall, addressing infrastructure challenges and security concerns is crucial to ensuring successful implementation and broader user acceptance of e- procurement systems.

PERCEPTION OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ABOUT DIDECTIC TEACHING AMONG PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COLLEGES

Didactic teaching remains the dominant pedagogical approach in many educational institutions worldwide, including Pakistan. This study aimed to assess and compare the perceptions of students and teachers regarding didactic teaching in public and private colleges in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January to July 2024, involving 152 participants (95 students and 57 teachers) from public and private colleges in Lahore. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through a structured, pre-tested questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, perceptions of didactic teaching, and preferences for interactive teaching methods. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Chi-square and t-tests were employed to compare perceptions between groups, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The majority of teachers (68.4%) favored didactic teaching, particularly for syllabus coverage in limited timeframes. In contrast, only 42.1% of students found didactic teaching effective, with significant differences between public (54%) and private (36.4%) college students (p < 0.05). Furthermore, 70.5% of students preferred interactive teaching methods such as group discussions and problem-solving activities, compared to 36.8% of teachers (p < 0.05). Private college participants, both students and teachers, showed a higher preference for interactive methods compared to their public counterparts (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study highlights a significant divide between students' and teachers' perceptions of didactic teaching in public and private colleges. While teachers, particularly in public colleges, defend didactic teaching as efficient, students, especially in private colleges, express a clear preference for interactive methods. These findings suggest the need for reforms in Pakistan’s higher education system to integrate more interactive teaching approaches while maintaining the efficiency of didactic methods, especially in public institutions.

Gender differences in the health workforce in China: an analysis of national data.

Gender differences in the health workforce matter for women's health and healthcare, and is also crucial for both health and economic development. Drawing on limited national gender data from China over the last 10 years, during which the country was undergoing a healthcare reform, this study dissects gender-related issues to identify existing problems, monitor progress, and develop strategies to promote change. Although women constituted the majority of health workers, they are predominantly engaged in service-oriented occupations. The gender distribution substantially differed between urban and rural primary health institutions. Moreover, significant differences in gender distribution among professional public health institutions were observed. The gender distribution of administrators varied in different types of health institutions. Women had lighter workloads because of the imbalanced distribution of specialties. Academicians comprised very few female scientists. To promote a more balanced gender distribution, policies should be developed to encourage a more reasonable division of family responsibilities. Further, equal higher education opportunities should be ensured for girls, especially in rural areas. Solutions to free more women from work-marriage-childcare conflicts and to decrease turnover rates deserve further discussion. Gender data should be highlighted and optimized to further advance gender differences among the health workforce and for women's health in China.

Exploring Determinants of Institutional Stakeholder Responses to State Policies Targeting “Divisive Concepts” in the Southern United States

U.S. higher education is facing an ongoing assault via state legislation targeting divisive concepts, such as teaching critical race theory and initiatives supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion across campus. Although attacks to foundational aspects of postsecondary education in the U.S. are not new in the history of the sector, the current policy trend offers an opportunity to gain insights into how institutions and various stakeholders respond to these events and the ethical tensions these individuals may face. Using qualitative content analysis, this study examines publicly available statements and other responses by stakeholders of public 4-year institutions in the Southern United States, as defined by membership in the Southern Regional Education Board. This region of the country has become an epicenter for the introduction and adoption of these types of policies; the region also encompasses a diverse group of states politically and regarding institutional representation within public postsecondary sectors. Ultimately, this study seeks to understand how characteristics of higher education influence responses by institutional stakeholders in this regional context.

Community and Care: Black Civil Society and the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 in the United States

Abstract During the deadliest pandemic of the twentieth century, the Great Influenza pandemic of 1918–1920, African Americans in the United States appeared to be an especially vulnerable population. The health effects of racialized segregation, produced by congested housing conditions, environmental racism, and exclusion from or discrimination in healthcare services, threatened a devastating situation during the second wave of the pandemic in late 1918. This paper argues that a network of Black civil society organizations and activists sprang into action to ameliorate the worst effects of this public health emergency, and that it was able to provide care and relief that would have largely been denied by white-led public and private institutions. This network had been built up in the preceding decades and can therefore serve as an important model and informational resource in utilizing community-centered planning to prepare marginalized peoples for the spread of pandemic disease.