Reform Process Research Articles

Transformation of Settlement Structures in Europe: Trends, Challenges, and Reform Approaches

Changes in the number of municipalities and their administrative organization represent one of the central themes of European public administration, reflecting historical context, demographic changes, economic pressures, and technological progress. The aim of this study is to analyse approaches to the merging and division of municipalities in selected European states and to identify factors influencing the success of these reforms. The research uses a combination of comparative analyses of legislative frameworks, socio-economic conditions, and case studies and works with data from official statistics, scholarly literature, and reports on the implementation of reforms. The main findings show that some states, such as Denmark, achieve significant improvements in efficiency through the merging of municipalities, while others, such as France, prefer the preservation of smaller municipalities in order to maintain local identity and community ties. Reform processes often face cultural and political obstacles, and their success depends on a combination of voluntary approaches, financial incentives, and effective communication with the public. The study concludes that the key to effective governance is the balance between the need to optimize public services and the preservation of local specificities. These findings provide important guidance for further reform processes in the European context and can contribute to the sustainable development of regions as well as to the greater satisfaction of the population.

Analysis of the Utilization of Assessment Center Results in Civil Servant Career Development in the Regional Government of North Sulawesi Province

Assessment center is a comprehensive method to assess the ability, competence and suitability of a person with a certain role or position, by measuring technical and non-technical competence. The North Sulawesi Provincial Government in supporting the bureaucratic reform process has the responsibility to implement employee development programs through the assessment center method before holding a position as a high-ranking official. This study was conducted to explain the utilization of assessment center results in career development (promotion, rotation/mutation, and competency development) of Civil Servants (PNS) in the North Sulawesi Provincial Government. Qualitative design was used in this study. The research findings that the utilization of assessment center results by the North Sulawesi Provincial Government in this case through BKD as the personnel management official has not been effective enough because there are still elements of subjectivity in the mutation/rotation of Officials/Employees. In terms of selection/filling of JPTP (Promotion), the North Sulawesi Provincial Government is committed to continuing to use the Assessment Center method even though in reality there are still elements of subjectivity when it is already in the selection committee. In addition, the results of interviews with informants indicate that the utilization of assessment center results has not been optimal due to various factors, including political intervention, lack of understanding of assessment centers, implementation of the merit system, organizational culture, talent management systems, and budget issues and availability of training, as well as regulations/legal umbrellas.

Religion, values and ethics: transformational religious education in Wales?

ABSTRACT A process of reform of Welsh education was initiated in 2015 by a curriculum review led by Professor Graham Donaldson, against the background of mounting evidence of academic underachievement and low levels of pupil self-esteem under successive (Welsh) Labour governments. Despite Professor Donaldson having little to say about religious education, the government embarked on an ambitious and controversial programme of reform. The aim of this article is to provide a short account of the process and results of reform, alongside an initial assessment. Attention is given to the original proposals, their interpretation and revision through successive documents, the final legislation, i.e. the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021, and subsequent statutory guidance. The article concludes with an attempt to ‘make sense’ of the Welsh Government’s reform of religious education by identify the commitments and influences that lie behind and integrate the various reform proposals.

Reforming Long‐Term Care Provision and Work in Post‐Pandemic Times: Scope and Drivers of Policy Change in the Spanish Decentralised System

ABSTRACTThe COVID‐19 pandemic unveiled and magnified structural challenges of long‐term care (LTC) provision and work across Europe, bringing the need for reforms on the quality‐of‐care provision and work to the fore in several countries. Focusing on the case of Spain, this paper analyses to what extent the window of opportunity opened by the pandemic resulted in structural LTC reform, focusing on the scope and drivers of policy change/continuity. Relying on a multidimensional framework to analyse policy change, we performed qualitative policy analysis to assess our expectations on the mechanisms facilitating/hindering policy change in the country, where a reform process on LTC provision and work took place between July 2021 and June 2022. Our findings reveal that the pandemic fostered a radical policy change; yet, its scope was constrained by the opening of veto points, partisan incongruence, and financial limitations. The reform led to the introduction of a new care model and a new configuration of service provision. However, results were mixed, with some areas only seeing incremental adjustments due to resistance from vested interests and institutional veto players operating along the country's multi‐level governance of LTC. Our findings contribute to understanding welfare policy change beyond the ‘expansion–retrenchment’ debate, delving into the complexities of pursuing crisis‐induced reforms on LTC provision and work in decentralised welfare systems.

Life cycle assessment of plasma gasification integrated molten carbonate fuel cells and chemical looping reforming using RDF feedstock

Plasma gasification is a promising technology for integration with molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) and chemical looping reforming (CLR) process for effective utilization of refused derived fuels.

Pancasila in the Context of Indonesian Legal Reform: A Critical Evaluation and International Debate

Pancasila, as Indonesia’s foundational ideology, plays a central role in shaping the country’s legal framework. However, its application in contemporary legal reform presents significant challenges amidst evolving societal dynamics and international legal debates. This study critically evaluates the incorporation of Pancasila within Indonesia’s legal reform processes, emphasizing its relevance in addressing domestic and global tensions. The urgency of this research stems from growing critiques of Indonesia’s legal alignment with international standards while preserving its ideological roots. Concurrently, the rise of globalization and pluralism demands an adaptive yet principled approach to Pancasila’s integration into modern legal structures. This research provides a novel perspective by analyzing specific legal cases and policy reforms where Pancasila principles have been contested or reinterpreted. Through a doctrinal and socio-legal analysis, the study examines the compatibility of Pancasila with contemporary global legal norms, including human rights, environmental law, and economic governance. Furthermore, it explores Indonesia’s engagement in international debates on the role of ideology in law, offering insights into the challenges of balancing national identity with global expectations. The findings reveal that while Pancasila remains a unifying framework, its inconsistent application risks undermining its potential to guide inclusive and sustainable legal reforms. This study contributes to the broader discourse by proposing actionable recommendations for harmonizing Pancasila with international legal developments while safeguarding Indonesia’s ideological integrity. It serves as a critical resource for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners navigating the intersection of ideology, law, and globalization.

Unintended consequences: market integration and enterprise carbon emissions ——based on the analytical perspective of county-to-district reform

ABSTRACT The county-to-district reform, as an important measure to break down administrative barriers between cities and counties and promote market integration, raises the question of whether it influences enterprise carbon emissions behaviour. By utilising data from 1992 to 2019 and matching it with patent data for Chinese listed companies, this paper examines the impact of the county-to-district reform on enterprise carbon emissions. The findings show that the reform accelerates market integration, facilitates the free flow of production factors, thus expanding the scale of enterprise production and increasing total carbon dioxide emissions from enterprises. Meanwhile, this process alleviates financing constraints for enterprises and increases the proportion of research and development investment on one hand; on the other hand, the reform intensifies market competition, thereby improving enterprise productivity. Ultimately, this leads to a reduction in overall carbon emission intensity. This phenomenon is particularly evident in non-state-owned enterprises, non-carbon trading pilot regions, northern regions, and small and medium-sized enterprises. This paper explores the impact of changes in China’s government power structure on enterprise carbon emissions behaviour, adding to the research on the role of micro-level enterprises in carbon reduction during the county-to-district reform process.

Teaching Reform and Practice of Functional Experiment Course based on Core Literacy Improvement

Medical experiment teaching is the basic link of medical education and an important way to train medical students' practical ability and innovative spirit. In recent years, with the continuous development of medical education reform, the teaching reform of functional experiment has become the focus of attention. Based on the basic framework of the 5-year experimental teaching content of functional experiment for students majoring in clinical medicine, this paper carries out the teaching reform of "three integration, three connection and three evaluation" of the experimental course of kinesiology based on the core literacy training of medical students of different majors and levels, and probes into the implementation process and effect of the teaching reform. The practice shows that teaching reform has played a good role in promoting the cultivation of medical students' practical ability, innovative ability and core quality.

Ретроспективний огляд дисертацій українських дослідників з теорії і методики навчання математики

In this article, we conduct a retrospective review of dissertation research by Ukrainian mathematics educators in the field of 13.00.02 Theory and Methodology of Mathematics Education, covering the historical period from the mid-20th century to 2024. We consider this review useful for substantiating the need for knowledge about the development of methodological science (mathematics) in the process of forming the methodological competence of future mathematics teachers. Referring to the creative scholarly contributions of prominent Ukrainian mathematics educators and highlighting their methodological views in the context of historical epochs serves as an effective tool for researching and reconstructing facts about methodological science. Specifically, we provide a concise analysis of dissertations (Hlushkov P.M. (1952), Hichiy O.F. (1960), Danyliuk P.F. (1971), L.V. Kuzmych (1998)), which explore specific historical aspects of the development of Ukrainian methodological science. The information we collected about the number of dissertation studies conducted in Ukraine in various research areas during the historical period from the mid-20th century to 2024 is reflected in a table. We analyzed the topics of nearly 300 dissertations. In our study, the analysis of dissertation topics performs several functions: to identify the achievements of Ukrainian methodology in mathematics education as a science, to clarify the main trends in research on the didactics of mathematics over different time periods, and to determine the relevance and level of research on the history of the development of Ukrainian methodological science. Reform processes in the field of school mathematics education since the second half of the 20th century are interconnected with the results of dissertation research in the specialty 13.00.02 Theory and Methodology of Mathematics Education conducted in Ukraine during this period. The quantitative analysis of dissertation research conducted in Ukraine in various research areas allowed us to clarify the relevance of dissertation topics over different time periods and, accordingly, the trends in the development of the theory and methodology of mathematics education in Ukraine. Turning to the national methodological heritage and understanding contemporary national achievements in methodological science has significant scientific and practical importance, as it is a vital component in forming the national-patriotic consciousness of teachers and should contribute to the development of the methodological culture of creative mathematics educators.

From genes to governance: Engaging citizens in the new genomic techniques policy debate

Societal Impact StatementThe European Union is in the midst of changing the current regulatory framework for new genomic techniques (NGTs) to accelerate the production of plant varieties, in order to achieve the goals of the European Green Deal. These techniques are highly contested, with divergent views on how they should be governed. So far, there has been little effort to engage citizens in this legislative reform process. By engaging with Dutch citizens, we give the public a voice in shaping the future of agriculture and the food system. By facilitating the exchange of multiple views, we allow for more effective governance arrangements.Summary The European Commission (EC) has proposed a new regulation for plants obtained by new genomic techniques (NGTs). Currently, food crops developed with NGTs are subject to the EU Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The current proposal for a new regulation differentiates between two categories of NGT plants. Category 1 NGT plants will be subject to the new regulation, whereas Category 2 plants will remain subject to the GMO legislation, although the risk assessment may be adapted. In this paper, we analyze the views of Dutch citizens on NGT crops and their governance, prior to the publication of the new proposal. We find significant reservations arising from doubts about NGT crops delivering on their promises, the likelihood of unanticipated consequences, and unnaturalness. We extrapolate our findings to anticipate citizen's response to the new proposal and reflect on ways to move forward, both for policy making, and for the plant science community.

The Reform of Vocal Music Education in Universities Under the Concept of Innovation

Under the impetus of the innovation concept, the reform of college vocal music teaching has become an important topic of current music education, and strengthening the reform and innovation is not only conducive to promoting the development and improvement of the college vocal music teaching system, but also able to fundamentally improve the teaching effect, and realize the effective enhancement of the student's vocal music literacy and professional ability. Therefore, this paper starts from the guiding value of the innovation concept on vocal music teaching, discusses the main dilemmas faced in the reform process, and puts forward corresponding reform strategies in combination with these dilemmas, including strengthening teacher training, increasing technology and resource input, and cultivating students' independent learning and innovation ability, aiming at providing thoughts and suggestions for the modernization and transformation of vocal music teaching in colleges and universities.

The experience of Tunisian public healthcare system toward decentralization to the reduction of health inequalities in low-, middle- income countries

From 2014 to 2021, Tunisian government had a firm will to implement a progressive decentralization of welfare state governance, as outlined in its democratic Constitution. The Tunisian public healthcare system was selected as a pilot sector for experimenting with decentralization to reduce disparities in access to and quality of health services across different regions. This paper aimed to formulate an effective strategy for healthcare system decentralization in low- and middle-income countries, drawing on past experiences of its implementation. Country case study resulted the best methodology to achieve that goal. Top heath management, figured out by regional hospitals’ directors, was consulted to describe the technical, managerial and cultural “heritage” collected during the development process of the decentralization reform in public healthcare system in Tunisia. Findings revealed the Tunisian healthcare system decentralization should be, in first instance, the establishment of different decentralization paths according with regional pre-conditions, and then, of common protocols and procedures at national level for overcoming current differences between Tunisian territories. Decentralization process must be tailored to the specific needs of the regional Tunisian contexts to be effective but with a national control on that. Drawing from the Tunisian experience, proposed suggestions were valuable for the definition of an effective national healthcare system decentralization reform strategy more generally in low- and middle- income countries, especially in Middle East and North Africa region’s countries. Due to the common recent democratic history and welfare state approach, these countries could use this “heritage” to apply effective decentralizing reform strategies for reducing territorial inequalities, in this case territorial health inequalities.

Investigating students’ perceptions of the medical education environment and learning autonomy in blended learning in pediatrics: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundIn the process of education reform, carrying out continuous educational environment measurement is necessary. This study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of the medical education environment and learning autonomy in blended learning in pediatrics among clinical medicine students, as well as the relationship between these two constructs.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on clinical medical students from the First Clinical School of Wuhan University who had completed the blended learning courses of pediatrics. Perceptions of the medical education environment and learning autonomy were surveyed using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) and the Autonomy in Learning Rating Scale for college students (ALRS), respectively. Independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, correlation, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted.ResultsA total of 487 students participated in the survey (valid response rate: 83.53%). Students’ perceptions of the current medical education environment and learning autonomy were generally positive. Among the average scoring rates of DREEM, students’ perception of teachers (SPT) > students’ perception of learning (SPL) > students’ perception of atmosphere (SPA) > students’ academic self-perceptions (SASP) > students’ social self-perception (SSSP), while learning strategies > learning motivation > self-regulation > content and environment among the average scoring rates of ALRS. Correlation analyses revealed that all subscales of the two were significantly associated with each other (P < 0.05). Regression analyses showed that SPA and SASP were significant factors for students’ learning autonomy.ConclusionClinical medicine students who experienced blended learning in pediatrics had positive perceptions of the medical education environment, and their learning autonomy was good and closely related to the perceptions of the medical education environment. In the implementation of blended learning, continuous optimization of teaching content and proactive enhancement of the medical education environment will help enhance clinical medicine students’ satisfaction with the educational environment and their learning autonomy.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Power relation and knowledge: linking Islamic education to socio-political reform in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Vision 2030, conveived by His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad bin Salman (MBS), represents a transformative initiative to foster openness and shift away from Wahhabism to establish a more moderate Islam. As part of this vision, the reform of the Islamic education curriculum plays a crucial role. This study examines the curriculum reform processes and strategies, focusing on Dirasat Islamiyah textbooks addressing inter-religious and intrareligious relations. Employing a qualitative approach and text analysis, the research applies Michel Foucault's theory of power-knowledge relations to analyze the state's role in shaping educational content. The findings reveal that the reformed curriculum seeks to construct and internalize ideologies that align the younger Saudi generation with the moderate Islam agenda of MBS's government, supporting Saudi Vision 2030. This study contributes to the theoretical discourse on power-knowledge dynamics by showcasing education's role in advancing state-driven ideological shifts during significant socio-political reforms.

Reforming and repurposing agricultural subsidies to facilitate trade and sustainability

Abstract The 1994 Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture was innovative in the attempt to measure, codify and discipline domestic support to the agricultural sector in a multilateral setting. However, it has proven to be extremely difficult to take the reform process forward in the intervening years. The urgent need for action on agricultural subsidies to improve environmental outcomes and to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation could provide a new impetus. This paper suggests some pathways for win–win solutions, which would reduce distortions in agricultural trade arising from subsidies and simultaneously reduce the harm to the environment and climate that they cause.

Ensuring human rights in the process of reforming Ukraine's law enforcement system: compliance with international standards and European experience

This article analyzes the reform process of Ukraine’s law enforcement system in the context of ensuring human rights and aligning it with European standards. The reform of the law enforcement agencies, including the National Police, the Security Service of Ukraine, the prosecutor’s offices, and other specially created law enforcement bodies, is one of the key challenges on Ukraine’s path to democratic transformation and European integration. The focus is on the necessity of adhering to the principles of legality, proportionality, transparency, and accountability in the activities of law enforcement agencies, which are crucial for protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens and restoring public trust in the justice system. The article emphasizes that reforming these structures requires not only technical changes but also a profound shift in the culture of human rights observance. The article also discusses the right to a fair trial and the need to strengthen judicial independence and professionalism, which are essential for impartial case consideration and adherence to the right to a fair trial. The reform must integrate measures to enhance the independence of judges and ensure their appropriate professional level and moral resilience. Furthermore, the article analyzes international legal instruments, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, as fundamental bases for reforming law enforcement agencies in many countries. The study also highlights the importance of the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, which outline the international standards for the use of force and firearms. The article concludes that the successful reform of Ukraine’s law enforcement system requires a comprehensive approach that incorporates institutional and cultural changes. The experience of European countries, such as Poland and Lithuania, demonstrates the necessity of extensive retraining of law enforcement personnel with a focus on human rights and the development of civic culture.

Integration of Thermo-, Hydrodynamic, and Kinetic Factors in the Mathematical Modeling of the Catalytic Reforming Process

Background: The integration of various factors affecting processes in oil refining is crucial for enhancing both the efficiency and sustainability of the industry. In a changing market and increasingly stringent environmental regulations, it is essential to continuously update approaches, develop innovative solutions, and optimize production processes to achieve the best possible outcomes. Aim: The study aims to integrate thermodynamic, kinetic and hydrodynamic aspects into a unified model, and to validate the outcome based on experimental data and real-world operating conditions to ensure the accuracy and reliability of model predictions. Materials and methods: The primary research methods include statistical data analysis, process modeling, and experimental studies at various stages of the production cycle. Results: The study identified the key parameters that significantly impact the quality of the final product and production efficiency. Furthermore, it offers recommendations for optimizing production processes based on the data obtained. Conclusion: The study concludes that integrating various factors can significantly enhance production performance and reduce refining costs. The study emphasizes the importance of an integrated approach to the management of production processes in the oil refining industry, which can facilitate the further development of the industry. The model created can be utilized for training personnel in process simulation. With its user-friendly interface, it requires no extensive programming knowledge, making it well-suited for the initial training of specialists.

Understanding translations and controversies in contemporary curriculum reforms: a Colombian case study

ABSTRACT This paper analyzes the connection between a university’s curricular reform and the creative ways in which actors position themselves to respond. The study takes place in a Colombian university that underwent an institutional competency-based curricular reform. This context allows us to question the ways in which different actors perceive and interpret the curriculum. Utilising curriculum enactment and policy enactment as analytical frameworks, this research distances itself from technical approaches that view reforms as merely a matter of implementing the official curriculum in a linear and technical manner. Instead, it examines the transformations and the ways in which actors such as students, faculty, and academic leaders experience, adapt to, and interpret the curriculum as a dynamic artefact. A comparative case-study underpinned the methodological approach to understand the challenges and singularities that emerged from curricula transformation in three different departments. Interviews, focus group, a class project carried out by students and document analysis, were used to understand the various forms of creative deviation and opposition displayed by actors towards technocratic discourses on innovation, evaluation, and accountability. Findings evidence that opposition to the curricular reform process came from a resistance to adhering to global discourses of competency-based education. However, findings also show that there is a misalignment between the decision-making process of the curricular reform and the demands of the job market. Therefore, any curricular reform should be critically examined from multiple perspectives rather than solely through a technical lens.

Media Tropes and the Legacy of Settler Colonialism in Chile’s Constitutional Reform Process

This article examines the legacies of racism and settler colonialism in contemporary Chile by examining political discourses in the context of the country’s failed Constitutional reform process. We analyze newspaper articles during the period of the first progressive and the second conservative constitutional projects, which were both rejected in popular referendums in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Through our analysis, we find how media narratives of the two main printed national outlets created a notion of dual enemies, portraying Mapuche indigenous people as internal enemies or ‘terrorists’ and immigrants, particularly Black immigrants, as external agitators during this period. We argue that settler colonial legacies and racial dynamics are central but understudied features in the analysis of Chilean social reality and show how the constitutional process provided an opportunity to see these dynamics enacted in the context of political transformation.

Filling the void: the underlying processes of CEO post-retirement role identity reformation

PurposeFollowing identity theory from a symbolic-interactionist perspective, we explore the post-retirement role identity reformation of public company CEOs to uncover the process elements through which role identities reform after retirement from highly salient roles.Design/methodology/approachWe applied a self-relevant qualitative exploration based on 30 in-depth interviews and employed an interpretative phenomenological analysis.FindingsThe findings reveal six interrelated, contemporaneous and contiguous underlying process elements within post-retirement liminality and emergence clusters, which shape work and nonwork role identities that contribute to retirement stability and well-being.Practical implicationsThe research provides a basis for organizations and human resource specialists to guide retiring senior executives on the psychological effects, cognitive processes and practical considerations of the retirement transition.Originality/valueThe study provides a framework for understanding how the post-retirement void evokes novel appraisals of self, others and context. These appraisals act as stimuli of an integrated cognitive, social and behavioral work role identity reformation process.