Recent Reforms Research Articles

The participation of civil society in ETSI from the perspective of throughput legitimacy

The use of standards to complement legislation is a prevalent regulatory technique in the EU, including in the telecommunications, information technology and broadcasting sectors, where the ETSI (European Telecommunications Standard Institute) plays a key role. In light of the recent reform of ETSI’s governance model in terms of its inclusiveness, this paper examines the role of societal stakeholders in ETSI’s standard-setting process through the lens of throughput legitimacy. In particular, by relying on desk research and semi-structured interviews conducted in 2020 and 2023, we analyse specific membership and voting rules of ETSI in order to discuss in detail the possibilities of effective participation for the so-called ‘Annex III organisations’. The paper shows that ‘Annex III organisations' have had limited participative possibilities in ETSI’s standard-setting process, entailing both institutional throughput and constructive throughput legitimacy issues. Although not fully, the recent reform of ETSI’s decision-making appears to tackle them to a certain extent.

Hidden Risks of Economic Abuse through Company Directorships

Economic abuse is a form of family violence that severely inhibits victim survivors’ capacities to rebuild their lives. Although its effects are widely felt, it remains a hidden problem. This article contributes to the burgeoning scholarship on economic abuse by investigating its perpetuation through family-owned companies. Victim survivors commonly bear the liability for business failure and phoenix activity as ‘straw’ directors. Recent reforms introduced to deter and penalise illegal phoenix activity have increased the risks for survivors who are coerced or defrauded into becoming directors. The study examines how corporate law and the courts have responded to straw directors in the context of family companies. It interrogates the notion that victim survivors assume responsibility for business decisions voluntarily, as rational economic men with relatively equal bargaining power. This article proposes reforms to disrupt harm from economic abuse through coerced directorships, and to militate against the unintended consequence of recent reforms.

The relationship between job satisfaction, work stress, workfamily conflict, and turnover intention among physicians in Pakistan: The mediating role of patient satisfaction

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to inspect the turnover intention of physicians in Pakistan after the recent reforms and to explore the relationship between turnover intention and job satisfaction, work stress and work-family conflict. Design/Methodology: The data collected from the public Hospital in Lahore are used to test the relationship among turnover intention and job satisfaction, work stress and work-family conflict. The data collected in this study was analyzed by using SPSS.

From apology to truth? Settler colonial injustice and curricular reform in Australia since 2008

ABSTRACT This article explores how recent curricular reform in Australia has been responsive to a culture of redress. It argues that taken together, the 2008 National Apology to the Stolen Generations and the 2010 national curriculum reform marked a turning point, whereby settler colonial injustices have since been systematically included in the curriculum. This is explored through a case study analysis of the two iterations of the Victorian Curriculum: History post-Apology— 2012 and 2016—the latter of which remains in current use. Using discourse analysis methods, this article argues that the inclusion of colonial injustice in the post-Apology era signals a consensus that has emerged around the significance of representing injustice in history curriculum, and by extension, for shaping future citizens. Through close textual analysis of the curriculum documents, this article finds that representations of historical injustice have been organized by four frames: memorialization, equivalence, personalization, and human rights. It argues that these frames curtail opportunities for the development of an understanding of the structural character and effects of settler colonialism, and limit consideration of the longer history of Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. These failures raise questions about how impending reforms might respond to the contemporary political context where treaty negotiations and formal truth-telling with First Nations’ polities are unfolding.

Are Brazilian water auction prices affordable for vulnerable families?

A recent regulatory framework reform implemented in Brazil aims to universalize water and sanitation services by 2033. For financing and speeding up the construction of infrastructure, the new law encourages private sector participation through auctions promoted with the support of the Brazilian National Development Bank. However, the first auctions, with billions of dollars in price and investment effects, have raised concerns among practitioners over the impact on vulnerable families. We analyze the concessions in Alagoas and Rio de Janeiro states in Brazil to demonstrate how low-income families will struggle to pay their bills based on auction prices via the tariff, which may invite discontent. This research can inform subsequent water and sanitation auctions by highlighting that awards should not be based exclusively on auction prices, and affordability assessments should be mandatory.

선출직 지방공직자에 대한 이해충돌방지법제의 개선

The issue of conflict between transparency and fairness and administrative efficiency and expertise has been also continuously raised in France. As part of an important recent reform, on the recommendation of the French High Commission for Public Transparency, the scope of Article 432-12 of Criminal law on obtaining illicit profits has been extended. The scope of the crime of obtaining benefits due to conflict of interest was confretely defined. In adition, through the adoption of the “3DS Act” in February 2022, standards for the discipline of conflict of interest situations were introduced. Before 3DS Act, many elected officials excluded themselves from such work due to the concerns that the legal framework would put them in a dangerous situation where they would be mistaken for corruption when performing official duties in external organizations. The law confirms the reform's commitment to address the situation of local elected officials on transparency issues related to the modification of the crime of obtaining unlawful gains as defined in the law of December 22, 2021. One of the most important backgrounds for the enactment of Korean Conflict of Interest Prevention Act was the need to effectively manage conflicts of interest, especially for elected officials. There has been continued criticism of the need for effective sanctions against corruption activities by mmber of the Ntional Assembly and heads of local governments, in particular, compliance with the principles of disclosure and transparency regarding secretive local administration that receives less media attention and coverage over a relatively wide. Cases such as when the head of a public institution orders a construction project to his spouse, or when a high-ranking public official instructs the public institution to which he or she belongs to provide preferential treatment for his children, does not result in the direct benefit of the public official, but it does not accrue to his or her relatives or society. This is something that can definitely be influenced by indirect influence in relationships. In particular, in the case of elected officials, it is easy to be tempted to defend the interests of an organization or group in order to receive votes for re-election after their term of office. A comparative legal review of the French system provides useful implications for improving this legal system.

Democratic Transition or Autocratic Adjustment? Constitutional Amendments in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in 2022–2023

Central Asian states have recently implemented significant constitutional reforms. In the case of the authoritarian republics of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the nature of the constitutional amendments, introduced in 2022 and 2023, respectively, is hard to accurately assess. On the one hand, they are a step towards democratization and strengthened guarantees of human rights and freedoms; on the other, they reinforce the current undemocratic government mechanisms. This article discusses the most recent constitutional reforms in both countries, distinguishing three main areas of change: ideology, social issues, and governance mechanisms. It is argued that these reforms generally fall within the paradigm of authoritarian constitutionalism and are an adjustment of the countries’ constitutions to the current needs of their undemocratic presidents.

How cross-pressured local politicians choose government loyalty over local voters’ preferences. Lessons from a survey experiment in Norway

ABSTRACT This study explores how local politicians act when they are torn between local voters’ views and their own views or the party line. Against the background of a recent municipal amalgamation reform in Norway that reduced the number of municipalities from 428 to 356, we conducted a survey experiment where the local representatives (N = 2,013) were treated with different outcomes from a hypothetical municipal referendum about a potential amalgamation. The results show that local officials representing the government parties are less likely to change their voting behaviour if the voters have view different position on the merger than the representative. They have strong incentives to show loyalty to government reform based on both an individual career prospect and from a multilevel governance framework. Unsurprisingly, we find that if voters and representatives share their views on the reform, the representatives will vote in line with the voters.

Campaign Finance Vouchers Do Not Expand the Diversity of Donors: Evidence from Seattle

Abstract Donating to a campaign is inherently costly, and as a result the composition of campaign donors differs from the composition of the electorate. What happens when the financial barriers to campaign finance participation are removed? This paper analyzes Seattle’s recent campaign finance reform, where all registered voters receive four $25 vouchers to donate to candidates abiding by stricter campaign finance restrictions. Utilizing individual- and census block group-level data combined with administrative donation records, I find that those most mobilized by the availability of vouchers belong to groups already overrepresented within the donor pool. This finding is significant across race, income, past political participation, age, and partisanship. In some cases, the availability of vouchers appears to pull the donor pool further from parity with the larger electorate.

The Impact of Delivery Reform on Health Information Exchange with Behavioral Health Providers: Results from a National Representative Survey of Ambulatory Physicians.

Health information exchange (HIE) is an effective way to coordinate care, but HIE between health and behavioral health providers is limited. Recent delivery reform models, including the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) and Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) prioritize interprofessional collaboration, but little is known about their impact on behavioral health HIE. This study explores whether delivery reform participation affects behavioral health HIE among ambulatory health providers using pooled 2015-2019 data from the National Electronic Health Record Survey, a nationally representative survey of ambulatory physicians' technology use (n = 8,703). The independent variable in this analysis was provider participation in ACO, PCMH, Hybrid ACO-PCMH, or standard care. The dependent variable was HIE with behavioral health providers. Chi square analysis estimated unweighted rates of behavioral health HIE across reform models. Logistic regression estimated the impact of delivery reform participation on rates of behavioral health HIE. Unweighted estimates indicated that Hybrid ACO-PCMH providers had the highest rates of HIE (n = 330, 33%). In the fully adjust model, rates of HIE were higher among ACO (AOR = 2.66, p < .01), PCMH (AOR = 4.73, p < .001) and Hybrid ACO-PCMH participants (AOR = 5.55, p < .001) compared to standard care, but they did not significantly vary between delivery models. Physicians infrequently engage in HIE with behavioral health providers. Compared to standard care, higher rates of HIE were found across all models of delivery reform. More work is needed to identify common elements of delivery reform models that are most effective in supporting this behavior.

Temporal trends and inequalities in school-related stress in three cohorts in compulsory school in Sweden

School stress is widespread among students’ worldwide, impacting academic success and mental health. Most research focuses on average stress levels but lacks insights into temporal trends and inequalities. Using repeated longitudinal survey data on 33,000 students in Swedish compulsory school from the Evaluation Through Follow-up (ETF) study, we investigate temporal trends in stress across three cohorts of students (born 1992, 1998, and 2004), with a focus on inequalities by school year, sex, socio-economic status, migration background, school grades, and school difficulties. The results show that (1) stress increased more in year 6 than in year 9 in recent cohorts; (2) stress increased more for girls than for boys; and (3) low school grades and school difficulties have become stronger risk factors for stress. We discuss the findings in the context of recent educational reforms and broader societal trends concerning the role of education for young people’s prospects in life.

Risk Management practices and potential fraudulent financial reporting: evidence from Malaysia

PurposeThis paper investigates the relationship between risk management practices and potential fraudulent financial reporting in Malaysia by considering recent regulatory reforms of the Malaysian government on risk management practices.Design/methodology/approachThe sample of this study was based on 257 firm-year observations during the 2012–2017 period. This study employed panel-least square regressions with period fixed effects.FindingsThis study found a significant association between risk management activities in the disclosure and potential fraudulent financial reporting. Nevertheless, this study found there is insignificant effect of the risk-management committee in reducing potential of fraudulent financial reporting.Originality/valueThis study is a pioneer research that relates firms’ risk management practices with potential fraudulent financial reporting measured by F-score. Thus, this study provides an insight to regulators on the extent of risk-management practices in deterring potential fraudulent financial reporting which can be used as an input for greater enforcement of risk-management regulations.

Reform, hybridization, and revival: the status of new public management in Australia and New Zealand

ABSTRACT This paper addresses the degree to which new public management (NPM) has continued to be an influential model for central government reform in Australia and New Zealand, two early adopters and exemplars of NPM. We analyse recent reform agendas and their impact on NPM in both countries. Several institutional and other types of explanations are provided for why NPM is retained, modified, or revived. NPM systems may resist or be diluted by new layers, or the incorporation of techniques and approaches from reform menus, producing revival, discontinuity and forms of hybridization.

Financial Management Challenges in Georgia’s Higher Education Institutions

The effective management of financial resources in higher education institutions significantly impacts the overall system’s functionality. The role of education and scientific development in a country’s economic progress cannot be overstated. Georgia possesses the potential to achieve economic growth through its intellectual and educated human capital. However, despite recent reforms, the education system grapples with persistent shortcomings and challenges, hindering the creation of well-prepared and competitive graduates. Strengthening the education system is essential for Georgia to thrive in the global arena. While funding for education has increased over the years, mere financial inflow does not necessarily correlate with improved educational quality. To address this, a strategic and tactical approach to reform, along with efficient distribution of financial resources, is crucial. This paper investigates the impact of existing funding policies on Georgia’s higher education system. It delves into the structure and dynamics of funding for higher education institutions, examining the nature and significance of previously funded projects. Additionally, the study discusses and analyzes the role of education reforms in promoting overall development. Drawing on both qualitative and quantitative analyses, the recommendations put forth within this framework aim to empower stakeholders in overcoming the challenges faced by Georgia’s higher education landscape.

An Empirical Analysis of the Monetary Policy Transmission Channels in Sierra Leone

This empirical study investigates Sierra Leone's monetary policy transmission channels using a VAR model from 2011Q1 to 2021Q4, emphasising the interest rate, exchange rate, and credit channels. Rigorous pre-estimation tests and variable transformations were applied to enhance result robustness and credibility. The research evaluates the impact of recent monetary policy and financial sector reforms in Sierra Leone and unveils insights into the dynamics of each of the three transmission channels. Notably, the interest rate channel revealed a delayed and transitory impact of policy rate changes on inflation and economic activity. The exchange rate channel underscored the importance of exchange rate stability in managing inflation, particularly in an import-dependent economy. Furthermore, the credit channel highlighted the challenges of private sector credit expansion amidst substantial government borrowing, urging a balanced approach. Overall, the study contributes to a better understanding of Sierra Leone's monetary policy transmission channels, emphasizing the positive influence of recent institutional, operational, and legal reforms adopted by the Bank of Sierra Leone. More precisely, it presents the need to strengthen the interest rate, credit and exchange rate channels for more effective policy transmission. A key policy recommendation is for the Bank of Sierra Leone to continue its reform agenda, with a focus on enhancing these channels to better achieve its policy objectives.

Accountable Care Organization Leader Perspectives on the Medicare Shared Savings Program

The Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) includes more than 400 accountable care organizations (ACOs) and is among the largest and longest running value-based payment efforts in the US. However, given recent program reforms and other changes in the health care system, the experiences and perspectives of ACO leaders remain incompletely characterized. To understand the priorities, strategies, and challenges of ACO leaders in MSSP. In this qualitative study, interviews were conducted with leaders of 49 ACOs of differing sizes, leadership structures, and geographies from MSSP between September 29 and December 29, 2022. Participants were asked about their clinical and care management efforts; how they engaged frontline clinicians; the process by which they distributed shared savings and added or removed practices; and other factors that they believed influenced their success or failure in the program. Leader perspectives on major themes related to ACO initiatives, performance improvement, and the recruitment, engagement, and retention of clinicians. Of the 49 ACOs interviewed, 34 were hospital-associated ACOs (69%), 35 were medium or large (>10 000 attributed beneficiaries) (71%), and 17 were rural (35%). The ACOs had a mean (SD) tenure of 8.1 (2.1) years in MSSP. Five major themes emerged: (1) ACO leaders reported a focus on annual wellness visits, coding practices, and care transitions; (2) leaders used both relationship-based and metrics-based strategies to promote clinician engagement; (3) ACOs generally distributed half or more of shared savings to participating practices; (4) ACO recruitment and retention efforts were increasingly influenced by market competition; and (5) some hospital-associated ACOs faced misaligned incentives. In this study, the ACO leaders reported varied approaches to promoting clinician alignment with ACO goals, an emphasis on increasing annual wellness visits, and new pressures related to growth of other care models. Policymakers hoping to modify or expand the program may wish to incorporate these perspectives into future reforms.

Phase IV Drug Trials With a Canadian Site: A Comparison of Industry-Funded and Non-Industry-Funded Trials.

Recent regulatory reforms have favored expedited drug marketing and increased reliance on Phase IV clinical trials for safety and efficacy assurance. This study, utilizing ClinicalTrials.gov, assesses the characteristics of Phase IV trials, with at least one site in Canada, examining those funded by industry sponsors and those lacking industry funding. Additionally, it compares the publication status of industry-funded and non-industry-funded trials through a manual review of the medical literature. Between 2000 and 2022, 864 Phase IV trials were completed, with 480 (55.6%) receiving industry funding and 384 (44.4%) funded solely by non-industry sources. Industry-funded clinical trials were larger (mean 204 enrollees versus 70), more likely to be international (57.7% versus 9.6%) and reported results more promptly (1.21 years after completion versus 1.85 years), yet both types shared similar designs, outcomes, and completion times. Publication rates were 81.8% for industry-funded and 65.8% for non-industry-funded trials. The ClinicalTrials. gov registry displayed 48 inaccuracies in publication associations, raising concerns about its accuracy. Our findings underscore the existing institutional limitations in ensuring comprehensive reporting and publication of Phase IV trial results funded by both industry and non-industry sources.

Benefits, Risk Factors and Cognitive Insights for Improving the Well-being of Minors in Greek Foster Care.

This research paper presents a holistic analysis of the foster care system in Greece, exploring its historical evolution, legal nuances, practical concerns, and the recent legislative reforms aimed at improving the well-being of minors in foster care. The study examines various types of foster care arrangements—kinship, non-relative, and professional fostering—highlighting their impact on the psychological, social, and cognitive development of children. It underscores the crucial role of foster families and social workers in providing a conducive family environment, while also cataloging the potential drawbacks of the system, including professional intervention challenges, emotional and social strain on the children, and gaps in the fostering infrastructure. By comparing the Greek fostering institution with systems in France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, and Ireland, the paper identifies unique challenges and best practices, contributing to an understanding of international foster care dynamics. The research also delves into the intricacies of adoption versus fostering, detailing the emotional and legal commitments involved. Furthermore, the paper integrates insights from related studies on trauma, mental health, and educational neuroscience, providing a multidisciplinary perspective on the needs of foster children. It illustrates the promising strides made by initiatives like the Child Guarantee program to fight poverty and exclusion, emphasizing the need for targeted policies and legislative action. Toward its conclusion, the research accentuates the call for ongoing interdisciplinary studies, policy refinements, and improved professional training within Greek child welfare systems. It presents a compelling case for robust, trauma-informed care frameworks and legislation designed to secure the best outcomes for vulnerable children in foster care.

The importance of taking evidence as part of the court proceedings

This paper delves into the critical role of evidence collection within the civil judicial process, underlining its significance as a fundamental cognitive task through which courts establish the factual and legal foundations of disputes. By dissecting the civil process's aim and purpose, the study emphasizes the necessity of gathering evidence as a cornerstone for rendering just and equitable decisions. It explores the intricate balance courts must maintain in exercising judicial discretion and strategy, focusing on the adjudication process's nuanced requirements for determining the relevance and admissibility of evidence. The distinction between contentious and non-contentious proceedings is examined to underscore the dynamic procedural responsibilities that parties face in proposing evidence, alongside the court's authority to direct further evidence collection. This analysis extends to the constitutional and procedural underpinnings that frame the principles of free evidence evaluation against the backdrop of ensuring a fair trial, highlighting the judiciary's critical role in upholding justice while navigating factual intricacies. Further, the paper investigates the ramifications of recent legal reforms in Slovakia for evidence collection practices, illustrating how procedural law modifications are geared towards augmenting the civil process's efficiency and fairness by recalibrating the judiciary and participatory roles. Additionally, the evolving jurisprudence on evidence is scrutinized, elucidating the paramount influence of supreme judicial decisions in setting guiding precedents for lower courts. These precedents, in turn, inform approaches to evidence collection, significantly impacting the landscape of civil litigation in Slovak Republic. Through this comprehensive exploration, the paper seeks to illuminate the essential functions and evolving dynamics of evidence collection in the civil judicial system, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of its pivotal role in achieving judicial fairness and correctness.

The Contemporary Foster Care Legislative Framework in Greece: A Review of its Assets and Weaknesses

This review comprehensively analyzes the contemporary Greek legislative foster care system according to N4538/2018, exploring all the relevant international agreements such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Union's Charter of Fundamental Rights, that influenced its enactment. It highlights the rights and protection afforded to children in foster care, detailing provisions from the Hague Convention on the Rights of the Child and European legislation. It explores thoroughly the recent legislative reforms in Greece, including the establishment of the National Council for Foster Care and Adoption. It emphasizes the development and adherence to National and Special Registers for minors in the modern Child Protection System, as well as the implementation of Individual Family Rehabilitation Plans. It reveals that the recent legislation framework has many advantages but also a few weaknesses that could be amended. The legal procedures and criteria for placing minors in fostering in Greece, and the required criteria to ensure that foster parents meet the necessary guidelines to protect the best interests of children are discussed. This paper also examines the legal and procedural steps required to link children to foster families, the arrangements for supervision of foster parents and the consequences of fostering in cases of non-compliance. It is also proven that social workers play a key role in all stages and procedures of the application of the institution of foster care since they have taken up the main responsibilities for its implementation, prior, during and after the children are placed in foster parents. The article concludes that there is an imperative need for informed policies and practices that will ensure the adequate care and protection of minors in the foster system, recommending a synergy of legal, institutional, and educational strategies to optimize the welfare of foster children and support foster parents.