Development Of Public Policies Research Articles

Perceptions of Change and Migration Aspirations

Abstract Based on a series of qualitative fieldwork in peripheral rural settlements of Hungary, this paper aims to explore the intertwined nature of development and migration by developing a theory-based methodology as a tool. Specifically, the goal is to understand how personal perceptions of local changes are connected to outwards mobility aspirations of rural dwellers. The series of fieldwork, conducted in 8 remote villages of Hungary in the period of 2014–2019 along with the 163, verbatim-transcribed semi-structured and in-depth interviews specifically engaged in understanding changes and migration goals, sets the ground for a detailed investigation of the topic. During the analytical process, a theory-based system is provided for the categorisation of respondents into migration aspiration groups. Differences and similarities based on personal perceptions of social change are then analysed in this distinction. Results show that both voluntary mobile and involuntary immobile people regard local changes as deterioration and development programmes as unsatisfactory, with the former group speaking in relative, contextual terms and the latter with the terminology of invariability, fixedness and hopelessness. Conversely, voluntary immobile respondents regard local changes as positive enabling (though not facilitating) factors of their desire to stay, while understanding their ineffective nature on local economy in general. This paper argues (im)mobility aspirations to be determined by similar freedom-maximizing strategies in all mobility groups, with different forms of freedom being preferred by the different groups. Consequently, to reach the goals of decreasing the depopulation of the countryside, public development policies are expected to enhance the forms of freedom preferred by people who desire to stay.

How Academic-Based Survey Research Organizations Inform and Influence the Development of Subnational Public Policy

This field note describes how public polling produced by academic-based survey research organizations provides state and local policymakers with information regarding public preferences. Utilizing a case study from Maryland, we describe how one such organization—the Goucher College Poll—informed the policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic in realtime. Although the American Political Science Association was founded with an eye toward applied research, academic-based survey research organizations are among the few institutions in the discipline that continue to carry out this mission in earnest.

The effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and policy processes of regulatory, voluntary and partnership policies to improve food environments: an evidence synthesis.

Dietary factors are among the largest and costliest drivers of chronic diseases in England. As a response, the government implements a range of population interventions to promote healthy diets by targeting food environments. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and policy process of real-world evaluations of national and state policies on improving food environments, with a focus on whether they were regulatory, voluntary or partnership approaches. Fourteen relevant English-language databases were searched in November 2020 for studies published between 2010 and 2020. Six separate evidence reviews were conducted to assess the evidence of effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and policy processes of policies to improve food environments. A total of 483 primary research evaluations and 14 evidence syntheses were included. The study reveals considerable geographic, methodological and other imbalances across the literature, with, for example, 81% of publications focusing only on 12 countries. The systematic reviews also reveal the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of reviewed regulatory approaches designed to improve health, consumer behaviour and food environment outcomes while public-private partnerships and voluntary approaches to improve diets via reformulation, advertising and promotion restrictions or other changes to the environment were limited in their effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. The study also revealed key enabling and impeding factors across regulatory, voluntary and public-private partnership approaches. From the available evidence reviewed, this study finds that regulatory approaches appear most effective at improving the food environment, and voluntary agreements and partnerships have limited effectiveness. These findings should be carefully considered in future public health policy development, as should the findings of geographic imbalance in the evidence and inadequate representation of equity dimensions across the policy evaluations. We find that food policies are at times driven by factors other than the evidence and shaped by compromise and pragmatism. Food policy should be first and foremost designed and driven by the evidence of greatest effectiveness to improve food environments for healthier diets. This was a complex evidence synthesis due to its scope and some policy evaluations may have been missed as the literature searches did not include specific policy names. The literature was limited to studies published in English from 2010 to 2020, potentially missing studies of interest. Priorities include the need for guidance for appraising risk of bias and quality of non-clinical studies, for reporting policy characteristics in evaluations, for supporting evaluations of real-world policies equitably across geographic regions, for capturing equity dimensions in policy evaluations, and for guideline development for quality and risk of bias of policy evaluations. This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42020170963. This awardproject was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme (NIHR award ref: NIHR128607)and is published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 12, No. 8. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further awardinformation.

YouTube Video Clips on Breastfeeding Education and Promotion for Arabic-Speaking Populations: A Social Media Content Analysis.

Background/Objective: Although the benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented and widely recognized, reports indicate that optimal breastfeeding rates are low in Arabic-speaking countries. This is a significant concern given the health benefits associated with breastfeeding for both infants and mothers. Previous research has shown that education interventions can increase breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Arabic-speaking populations. The social media platform YouTube holds significant potential for distributing customized health education for diverse audiences; specifically, this platform has the potential to empower mothers and normalize long-term breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of YouTube videos on breastfeeding available in the Arabic language. Methods: We used standard procedures to search YouTube for Arabic breastfeeding videos posted on YouTube in December 2023. Videos were evaluated using the three scales of the DISCERN quality evaluation instrument (reliability, information quality, video quality) and total score. Comparative statistics were generated. Results: In total, 165 videos met the inclusion criteria, with 29.7% in the Education category; 43.6% were in Egyptian Arabic dialect. Almost all (91.75%) of the educational videos had a "medium" quality assessment. Educational videos and those using health professionals had higher quality assessments than those in other categories or done with other speakers. Conclusion: The results of this review suggest that most content on the topic of breastfeeding was of only medium reliability and informational quality. New mothers seeking breastfeeding information or support may be in need of specific problem-solving information at a time when they are living with the often-difficulty reality of caring for a newborn or very young infant. There is a clear need for accurate, culturally congruent information to effectively support breastfeeding in Arabic-speaking countries. Future efforts should focus on improving the quality of online health education content, with implications for public health strategies and policy development.

Investigation Impact Literacy Finance and Socialization Financial to Satisfaction Finance Through Attitude Risk Finance: Perspective Generation Millennials

This study investigates financial literacy and socialization's impact on financial satisfaction through financial risk attitudes. The researchers collected data from 240 respondents aged 24–39 through a web-based self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Stata 14 for hypothesis testing. The results showed that financial literacy positively and significantly affected financial satisfaction. In contrast, financial socialization had no significant impact on financial satisfaction. Financial risk attitudes had a significant positive effect, facilitating the relationship between financial literacy and financial satisfaction. Financial risk attitudes also significantly impacted the moderating of financial literacy and financial socialization on financial satisfaction. The findings of this study contribute to the literature on financial satisfaction and encourage the successful delivery of financial services to the millennial generation, followed by recommendations for providing financial literacy for individuals. The results of this study can also be a reference for public policy development.

Hiding when you're not green: An empirical analysis on green public procurement

IMPACT This article highlights the significant influence of respondent bias on green public procurement (GPP) practices. After surveying the largest contracting authorities in the Czech and Slovak Republics, the authors found that non-respondents to GPP surveys typically adopt fewer green practices. This finding underscores the need for improved monitoring and institutional pressure to enhance GPP implementation. The article presents actionable insights for increasing GPP uptake which will be valuable for practitioners in public procurement, sustainability management and policy development. The authors advocate for tailored control and incentive mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of organizational performance monitoring. This article is particularly relevant for professionals in countries with developing GPP frameworks or those operating within imperfect institutional environments. By addressing these biases and enhancing monitoring, practitioners will be able to drive more effective and sustainable procurement practices.

Performance and biases of Large Language Models in public opinion simulation

The rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT marks a pivotal advancement in artificial intelligence, reshaping the landscape of data analysis and processing. By simulating public opinion, ChatGPT shows promise in facilitating public policy development. However, challenges persist regarding its worldwide applicability and bias across demographics and themes. Our research employs socio-demographic data from the World Values Survey to evaluate ChatGPT’s performance in diverse contexts. Findings indicate significant performance disparities, especially when comparing countries. Models perform better in Western, English-speaking, and developed nations, notably the United States, in comparison to others. Disparities also manifest across demographic groups, showing biases related to gender, ethnicity, age, education, and social class. The study further uncovers thematic biases in political and environmental simulations. These results highlight the need to enhance LLMs’ representativeness and address biases, ensuring their equitable and effective integration into public opinion research alongside conventional methodologies.

Influence of citizen relationship management system on citizen participation in Taiwan: A participatory politics perspective

Although studies have investigated the development of citizen relationship management (CRM) systems in various cities, no understanding exists regarding how CRM systems operate and how they influence citizen participation. Moreover, limited studies have been conducted regarding the political factors that influence citizen participation through CRM systems. Drawing from data obtained through interviews with key stakeholders involved in the implementation of a CRM system in Taiwan, the present study comprehensively analyzed the primary political characteristics and effects of this system, outlined the political factors influencing system use, and formulated suggestions for mitigating the influence of politics on the system. The findings reveal that the development of the citizen relationship management system was constrained by potential political factors in public policy development. These factors included the dynamics of power relations between citizens and local governments, the politicization of policy processes, conflicts in policy decision-making models involving top-down and bottom-up approaches, the political intentions and motives of stakeholders, and the influence of potential policy actors. Considering the case of the Taiwanese citizen relationship management system, this study provides suggestions and guidance for policymakers aiming to minimize political influence on citizen participation, with a focus on tailoring these approaches to meet the specific public service needs of citizens.

Digital Health in Brazil: Trends and Opportunities.

The aim of this paper is to present the evolution of Digital Health (DH) in Brazil, in relation to the adoption of DH as a basis for the development of public policies, with a focus on improving the delivery of health care to patients and expanding its coverage. Data from the ICT in Health survey from the Regional Centre for Studies on the Development of the Information Society (Cetic.br) were analysed. The main challenges identified are related to gaps in patient information, which requires interaction between different facilities and to more complex functionalities related to guidelines and guidance in patient care.

FORECASTING ECONOMIC TIME SERIES WITH EXOGENOUS VARIA-BLES: OPPORTUNITIES IN COMPUTATIONAL PARAMETRIZATION TECHNIQUES FOR SUPPORTING PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT POLICIES

This study presents a comprehensive literature review exploring the integration of exogenous variables in economic time series forecasting, focusing on supporting public development policies. It systematically examines various computational parametrization techniques incorporating these external variables, emphasizing their potential to enhance prediction accuracy and address practical challenges in policy-driven contexts. By meticulously analyzing the existing body of research, this review identifies significant gaps and outlines future opportunities for advancing computational techniques and model development. Addressing these gaps could lead to more robust and precise economic forecasting models, offering valuable insights for both academic researchers and policymakers in the formulation and implementation of effective public development strategies. This paper consolidates current knowledge and paves the way for innovative computational approaches that can revolutionize economic forecasting by integrating multidimensional data from diverse external sources.

Local Public Policies in the Field of Sports: A Systematic Review of the Literature from the SDG

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate public policies on sports at the local level, with the aim of highlighting the importance of sports as a tool for social development, inclusion, and community well-being. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a systematic review of the literature. The study design followed the PRISMA guidelines and included an analysis of articles found in the Web of Sciences, Scopus, Wiley, and EBSCO databases. Data collection was carried out through the compilation and analysis of key studies, focusing on trends, approaches, and challenges in research on state intervention in local sports. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed significant trends in the importance of sports as a tool for social development, inclusion, and community well-being. The review identified various approaches and challenges present in the research on state intervention in local sports. Specifically, the studies conducted in Latin American contexts provided a critical and regional perspective on the subject. In the discussion section, these results are contextualized in light of the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications and relationships identified. Possible discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered in this section. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of local sports policies. These implications could encompass the enhancement of social inclusion, the promotion of community well-being, and the development of effective public policies on sports. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by providing a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines, highlighting the originality of the research through its comprehensive analysis of key studies. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by its critical and regional perspective on public policies on sports in Latin America, offering new discoveries and practical contributions that may impact the area of study or professional practice. The systematic analysis identifies areas of opportunity and gaps in current research, providing a solid foundation for future studies in the field of local sports policies.

Blood levels of 21 metals and metalloids in riverside villagers of the Brazilian Amazon: A human biomonitoring study with associations with sociodemographic, dietary, and lifestyle factors

Human biomonitoring of toxic and essential trace elements is critically important for public health protection. Amazonian riverine communities exhibit distinctive dietary patterns, heavily reliant on locally sourced fish, fruits, and vegetables. These habits may result in unique exposure profiles compared to urban populations. However, comprehensive assessments of their exposure to toxic and essential metals are lacking, representing a critical gap in understanding the health risks faced by these communities. This study aimed to establish baseline levels of 21 metals and metalloids in human blood and explore the influence of sociodemographic factors, dietary habits, and lifestyle choices as potential sources of exposure to these elements. A cross-sectional biomonitoring investigation was conducted with 1,024 individuals from 13 communities in the Tapajós and Amazon Basins (Pará, Brazil). Most of the elements in study was determined for the first time in the region. Blood samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The levels of all elements were summarized by quantiles and compared with cutoff values from other Brazilian populations. Multiple linear regression was used to assess possible associations between element concentrations and sociodemographic characteristics, dietary habits, and lifestyle choices. High detection rates (64%–100%) were observed, indicating the widespread presence of these elements. Elevated blood concentrations were found for mercury (median 21.1 μg.L−1, interquartile range: 12–34 μg.L−1), selenium (median 166 μg.L−1, interquartile range: 137–208 μg.L−1), and lead (median 34 μg.L−1, interquartile range: 20.8–64 μg.L−1). Regression analysis revealed a positive association between mercury levels and fish consumption, while manioc flour intake showed no relationship to lead levels. In conclusion, our findings emphasize the need for continued monitoring and public policy development for these vulnerable populations. Further studies should assess long-term trends and investigate the health implications of prolonged exposure to diverse chemicals in Amazonian riverside communities.

A macro-level life cycle environmental-economic impact and benefit assessment of sponge cities in China

Urban runoff source control facilities (URSCFs) are integral components of Sponge City (SC), playing a pivotal role in providing ecosystem services and managing water quality and quantity. To accurately assess the performance of URSCFs, it is crucial to quantify their environmental and economic impacts. However, previous studies have predominantly focused on location-specific case studies, lacking a macro-level perspective necessary for informing public policy development pertaining to SC initiatives. This study aims to bridge this gap by conducting a macro-level life cycle assessment across China's 16 initial pilot SCs, categorized into three zones based on their annual rainfall volume control rate α (i.e., Zone II (80 % to 85 % for α), Zone III (75 % to 85 % for α), and Zone IV (70 % to 85 % for α)). By simulating five rainfall drainage scenarios, we delve into the environmental benefits of SC construction. The results indicate that Zone III incurs the highest environmental and economic costs during the construction phase, followed by Zones II and IV. In Zone III, bioretention contribute significantly to the environmental impact and economic cost, while constructed wetland and detention cells are the key contributors for Zone II. During the operation phase, Zone III demonstrates the largest environmental and economic benefits, with Zone IV and II trailing behind. The investment payback period for SCs in all zones is less than eight years, with Zone IV recovering costs the fastest (3.9 years) and Zone II the slowest (7.5 years). Facilities like detention cells, green roofs, and permeable pavements tend to have longer payback periods. Based on our findings, we recommend that Zone II exercise caution in constructing detention cells, permeable pavements, and wetlands, while Zone III should carefully consider green roofs and bioretention to optimize SC investments. Due to the fewer URSCFs constructed in Zone IV, it exhibits the lowest environmental impact compared to Zones II and III. Our research provides valuable insights to support policymaking with regards to future SC planning and development.

The Role of War-Related Marketing Activism Actions in Community Resilience: From the Ground in Ukraine

Extant literature considers marketing activities as instrumental for postwar recovery and peace-building. However, war is an ongoing lived experience for numerous societies across the world. Focusing on the role of marketing during war, this article presents a study examining how and why people living in war adversity deploy, perceive, and respond to war-related marketing activism actions (MAA). War-related MAA are acts through which brands/organizations and consumers create or draw on marketing meanings to convey and to enact stances and experiences related to war. This study adopts a multimodal qualitative methodology integrating photo elicitation and in-depth interviews with consumers and with marketing and management professionals in Ukraine, the country enduring invasion and war by Russia at the time of this article’s publication. Analyses through a community resilience theoretical lens generate a conceptualization that demonstrates how war-related MAA are harnessed and serve as a medium in community dialogues concerning envisaged resilience trajectories (survival, creativity and growth, and recovery). The article advances understanding of marketing activism during war by illuminating its potential and boundary conditions for serving as a community resilience resource. It also offers public policy development directions for marketing practice, organizations, and governments.

Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels and health risks in kitchen dust from wood, kerosene, and gas cooking systems in Cumilla, Bangladesh

This study investigates the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in kitchen dust from households in the Cumilla District of Bangladesh, utilizing three different cooking systems: wood, kerosene, and gas. Sixty dust samples were collected from various kitchen surfaces and analyzed for 18 PAH compounds. The extraction and analysis of PAHs were performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with selective ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The results indicated significant variations in PAH concentrations across different cooking systems, with the highest levels observed in kitchens using wood stoves, followed by kerosene and gas stoves. Diagnostic ratios were used to identify the sources of PAHs, revealing a combination of pyrogenic and petrogenic origins. Health risk assessments, including Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) and Hazard Index (HI), were conducted to evaluate the potential risks associated with PAH exposure. The findings demonstrated a higher carcinogenic risk associated with wood stove systems, while kerosene and gas systems posed comparatively lower risks. The study's findings have practical implications for public health and policy development, as they underscore the need for continuous monitoring of indoor PAH levels and the development of policies to mitigate exposure, highlighting the critical importance of addressing indoor pollution to ensure public health safety.

A community center to mobilize public policies and human rights in mental health: “the door is always open”

PurposeThis study aims to describe the perceptions of some participants from a community mental health center in the Department of Chocó, Colombia.Design/methodology/approachA case study with a qualitative approach was carried out in 2023. Focus groups were conducted with mental health leaders and members of a community mental health center. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis.FindingsTwo categories emerged: characterize the Community Mental Health Center of Chocó and Reaffirm human rights. In the first category, the community center is described as a place of recovery that mobilizes social services and works to increase agency capacity. In the second category, the human rights were assumed as part of community services, not only to eliminate coercive practices but also to support the increase of autonomy.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of this study are the analysis of strategies from the perspective of global politics, without delving into the structure of community actions themselves, which are not necessarily based on global recommendations.Practical implicationsDespite the design and development of public policies the study of their implementation still poses several challenges. The strategies carried out by regions that follow evidence-based practices and participation routes are not officially recognized as good practices in mental health and, therefore, independently supported to be sustained.Originality/valueA community mental health center is described that manages to be implement and deliver a service despite not being able to be financed by current national regulations. This indicates, apart from a need, the capacity of the regions to build their solutions beyond regulations.

Compartilhamento de Dados de Pesquisa

The article discusses the findings of a thematic analysis of the factors that influence the sharing of open research data during times of crisis. The study involved a literature review and a focus group with researchers and specialists from different fields. The goals were to identify factors affecting data sharing and to propose a theoretical model to help research institutions understand the challenges in sharing their data. The study presents a theoretical model with four dimensions: Contextual, Motivational, Technological/Infrastructure, and Financing, along with categories, factors, definitions, and characteristics. It highlights the crucial role of motivational factors, indicating that researchers' attitudes and beliefs drive data sharing. Understanding these factors can significantly impact decision-making and the development of public policies based on the Open Science model. The article concludes with suggestions for future research to address barriers and resistance to sharing research data, particularly during times of crisis.

The impact of national culture in predicting informal learning behaviors

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the impact of Hofstede’s six national cultural dimensions on informal learning behaviors (ILBs) and how they moderate the prediction of these behaviors by workplace interaction (WI), autonomy (WA) and readiness to learn (RtL).Design/methodology/approachCultural scores were extracted from The Culture Factor Group in 2023. Data on ILBs and their antecedents were selected from a Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies sample of 59,103 workers – 33 Countries. The authors applied hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to analyze data.FindingsNone of those cultural dimensions had significant direct relationships with ILBs. The moderations were significant for power distance (ILBs with WA and RtL), individualism (ILBs with WI) and motivation toward achievement and success (ILBs with WA).Research limitations/implicationsThe cultural dimensions were limited to Hofstede’s model, and scores at the country level did not consider individual perceptions of them. The results provide empirical evidence for solid theoretical development on the impact of national culture on informal learning and the development of public policies to promote it.Originality/valueThe authors are unaware of other studies that have quantitatively investigated relationships between ILBs and their antecedents and the cultural dimensions using HLM. Findings from different countries allow for better generalization and may provide directions for research and the expansion of the nomological network on the impact of national culture on ILBs.

Social-Digital Inclusion of People with Intellectual Disability: a study with the assisted of APAE in Serra Talhada

Social-digital inclusion is a pertinent phenomenon that seeks, among other things, to ensure access and technological appropriation to individuals who are in a situation of exclusion. While research institutes have been generating valuable insights into social-digital inclusion among the general population in recent years, there remains a dearth of specific data concerning individuals with disabilities. To address this gap, this study developed a research instrument and collected data from individuals with intellectual and multiple disabilities, who represent a social group with significant e-exclusion. The research was conducted at the Association of Parents and Friends of the Exceptional in Serra Talhada. Two questionnaires were administered: one focused on household-related data and the other on specific information regarding individuals with disabilities. Fifty families participated in the first questionnaire, with twenty individuals assisted by the association completing the second. While many results align with those found in the general population, it became evident that there is a need to consider the manner in which technology is utilized—advocating for conscious and responsible use. Finally, the findings of this research can serve as a foundation for the development of institutional and public policies, as well as for further research with this population.

Resilience during lockdown: a longitudinal study investigating changes in behaviour and attitudes among older females during COVID-19 lockdown in the UK

In order to slow the spread of COVID-19, on March 23, 2020, a strict lockdown was implemented in the UK. This was followed by alternating periods of less restrictive lockdowns until most public health restrictions were lifted in the summer of 2021. While these measures were necessary, they significantly affected people’s daily activities, lifestyles, and mental well-being.This paper presents a longitudinal research study that focused on females aged 55 + in the UK, aiming to understand how COVID-19 and the subsequent 15-month period of lockdowns affected their lifestyles and emotions. The study collected data through online surveys, where respondents reported the frequency and mode of access to activities, and their positive and negative emotional experiences during distinct study phases that encompassed both lockdown and less strict periods.In contrast to previous studies highlighting vulnerabilities for females and the elderly during lockdowns, this research found that the studied group maintained an overall positive outlook throughout the study period and successfully adapted to the lockdowns by increasing their engagement in certain activities, in particular, activities like ‘getting active’. In addition, our findings indicate rapid adaptive behaviour change towards many online activities, such as cultural activities. However, the study also revealed negative emotions and a decrease in some activities during the second lockdown in 2020 and the subsequent lockdowns in 2021, underscoring the challenges inherent in prolonged periods of confinement. In addition, the study found negative affect associated with some activities, including working and studying from home.The findings provide valuable insights into how females aged over 55 coped with stressful circumstances, which can inform the development of resilient and mental health-conscious public health policies and responses in preparation for future pandemics or other hazards.