Restrictive Regulatory Environment Research Articles

CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS FOR UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) IMPLEMENTATION IN MALAYSIAN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

The usage of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) in infrastructure projects has inclined drastic recently due to its benefits. However, there is a slowness in transition from conventional construction approach to new innovation. Besides, there are lots of issues in current practices such as cost overrun, dangerous, delay of time completion and lack of an overall comprehensive scientific system. Furthermore, although there was high level of awareness on the advantages of using UAVs, the Malaysian construction industry are still reluctant for the changes. In response, to overcome issues that the construction industry faces, such as infrastructure projects thus, this study aims to develop a conceptual framework for promoting the applications of UAV in Malaysia infrastructure projects. The methods adopted include explanatory sequential research methods. For instance, questionnaire surveys and interviews are used to collect quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Besides that, a refined conceptual framework of the challenges and barriers of UAV adoption in Malaysia infrastructure projects were mainly contributed by the restrictive regulatory environment and industry point of view. For example, the privacy issues and guidelines on autonomous UAV and the industry lack of confidence in the adoption of UAV and education on the adoption of the UAV. In addition, it offers some solutions for the issues that have been revealed in the preliminary conceptual framework for the challenges on UAV adoption in Malaysia infrastructure projects. For instance, amaze the contractor with the final data from the UAV. Lastly, the identify solution served as a reference for other Malaysian construction stakeholders that have not used UAVs before. The recommendations for future scholarly research include the roles of UAV technology with other technologies such as Artificial Intelligent (AI) or integration of data with other software.

Model‐based architecting evaluation method for the delivery of complex nuclear projects

AbstractFacing the organizational and technological complexity of nuclear infrastructures (NI), the public reluctance in nuclear technology and the increasing restrictive regulatory environment, improving the conceptualization and evaluation of NI architecture is crucial for the successful completion of NI projects. Indeed, many technical engineering difficulties or delays in delivery can be avoided by deepening the design and evaluation of NI architectures. In a context where model‐based systems engineering (MBSE) is becoming more and more relevant, it is interesting to integrate evaluation into this process. Although the architecture evaluation (AE) process is rather well defined in the literature and linked to system analysis practices, it is quite difficult to deploy and pilot within complex NI projects. This article proposes a model‐based method, EVAluation for Critical Infrastructure Model Based System Engineering (EVA‐CIME), to facilitate the deployment of AE processes on a project. The components of this method are described and illustrated in a study of a NI design. The benefits and limitations of EVA‐CIME in its state of development are discussed and lead to the conclusion that the method should be extended to foster an AE culture within the company itself.

R&D subsidies in permissive and restrictive environment: Evidence from Korea

This paper investigates the extent to which a regulatory environment for R&D subsidies shapes the magnitude and direction of R&D subsidies set by a government and consequent innovation paths. When the WTO adopted a permissive regulatory environment, we find that the Korean government increased R&D subsidies significantly (89.21%) and selectively so for firms and industries with higher returns. Recipient firms conducted less basic research and more development research. Improvements in innovations were mostly incremental and minor. However, such changes did not persist once the WTO switched to a restrictive regulatory environment. Our findings show that the regulatory environment imposed by the WTO largely affects allocation of R&D subsidies and suggest that a permissive regulatory environment may not necessarily maximize the potential for breakthrough innovations.

Discussions between health professionals and smokers about nicotine vaping products: results from the 2016 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey.

Debate exists about whether health professionals (HPs) should advise smokers to use nicotine vaping products (NVPs) to quit smoking. The objectives were to examine in four countries: (1) the prevalence of HP discussions and recommendations to use an NVP; (2) who initiated NVP discussions; (3) the type of HP advice received about NVPs; and (4) smoker's characteristics related to receiving advice about NVPs. Cross-sectional study using multivariable logistic regression analyses on weighted data from the 2016 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey (ITC 4CV1). Four countries with varying regulations governing the sale and marketing of NVPs: 'most restrictive' (Australia), 'restrictive' (Canada) or 'less restrictive' (England and United States). A total of 6615 adult smokers who reported having visited an HP in the last year (drawn from the total sample of 12 294 4CV1 respondents, of whom 9398 reported smoking cigarettes daily or weekly). Respondents were from the United States (n=1518), England (n=2116), Australia (n=1046), and Canada (n=1935). Participants' survey responses indicated if they were current daily or weekly smokers and had visited an HP in the past year. Among those participants, further questions asked participants to report (1) whether NVPs were discussed, (2) who raised the topic, (3) advice received on use of NVPs and (4) advice received on quitting smoking. Among the 6615 smokers who visited an HP in the last year, 6.8% reported discussing NVPs with an HP and 2.1% of smokers were encouraged to use an NVP (36.1% of those who had a discussion). Compared with Australia (4.3%), discussing NVPs with an HP was more likely in the United States [8.8%, odds ratio (OR)=2.15, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.41-3.29] and Canada (7.8%, OR=1.87, 95% CI=1.26-2.78). Smokers in Australia were less likely to discuss NVPs than smokers in England (6.2%), although this was not statistically significant (OR=1.47, 95% CI=0.98-2.20). Overall, the prevalence of HPs recommending NVPs was three times more likely in the United States than in Australia (OR=3.07, 95% CI=1.45-6.47), and twice as likely in Canada (OR=2.28, 95% CI=1.06-4.87) than in Australia. Australia and England did not differ (OR=1.76, 95% CI=0.83-3.74). Just over half (54%) of respondents brought up NVPs themselves; there were no significant differences among countries. Discussions in Australia, Canada, England, and the United States between smokers and health professionals about nicotine vaping products appear to be infrequent, regardless of the regulatory environment. A low percentage of health professionals recommended vaping products. This was particularly evident in Australia, which has the most restrictive regulatory environment of the four countries studied.

Marketing contracts and risk management for cereal producers

AbstractFrench specialized durum wheat farmers are subject to market risks (price volatility), production risks (fluctuating quality and yields), and an increasingly restrictive regulatory environment (limits on inputs). The purpose of this paper is to gain a more in‐depth understanding of the strategies used by those farmers to manage these risks by analysing portfolio strategies in marketing methods and in production decisions. The findings show that three main categories of marketing methods can be adopted in different proportions: forward contracts, average price contracts and spot market selling. A hundred farmers are surveyed in South‐West France. An empirical analysis of the determinants of their marketing methods show that risk perceptions and the farmer's level of education influence the choice to sign a preharvest contract for part of their production. In addition, agricultural diversification is negatively correlated with the choice to use forward contracts to hedge against market risk. [EconLit citations: Q13, L24, C24].

Prevalence and Correlates of the Belief That Electronic Cigarettes are a Lot Less Harmful Than Conventional Cigarettes Under the Different Regulatory Environments of Australia and the United Kingdom.

Introduction:The rapid rise in electronic cigarettes (ECs) globally has stimulated much debate about the relative risk and public health impact of this new emerging product category as compared to conventional cigarettes. The sale and marketing of ECs containing nicotine are banned in many countries (eg, Australia) but are allowed in others (eg, United Kingdom). This study examined prevalence and correlates of the belief that ECs are a lot less harmful than conventional cigarettes under the different regulatory environments in Australia (ie, more restrictive) and the United Kingdom (ie, less restrictive).Methods:Australian and UK data from the 2013 survey of the International Tobacco Control Four-Country project were analyzed.Results:More UK than Australian respondents (58.5% vs. 35.2%) believed that ECs are a lot less harmful than conventional cigarettes but more respondents in Australia than in the United Kingdom selected “Don’t Know” (36.5% vs. 17.1%). The proportion that responded “A little less, equally or more harmful” did not differ between countries. Correlates of the belief that ECs are “A lot less harmful” differed between countries, while correlates of “Don’t Know” response did not differ.Conclusions:Consistent with the less restrictive regulatory environment affecting the sale and marketing of ECs, smokers and recent ex-smokers in the United Kingdom were more likely to believe ECs were less harmful relative to conventional cigarettes compared to those in Australia.Implications: What this study adds: Among smokers and ex-smokers, this study found that the belief that ECs are (a lot) less harmful than conventional cigarettes was considerably higher in the United Kingdom than in Australia in 2013. The finding is consistent with the less restrictive regulatory environment for ECs in the United Kingdom, suggesting that the regulatory framework for ECs adopted by a country can affect smokers’ perceptions about the relative harmfulness of ECs, the group that stands to gain the most from having an accurate belief about the relative harms of ECs.

Job satisfaction as self‐care within a restrictive regulatory environment: Nevada's study

Of western states, Nevada has experienced the greatest population growth and healthcare provider shortage, yet regulations remain restrictive and there are scarce published research data for nurse practitioner (NP) characteristics and none for job satisfaction. We viewed job satisfaction as reflective of professional self-care based on Herzberg's job satisfaction theory and Orem's self-care nursing theory. Surveys were mailed to 512 advanced practice nurses; only NPs were asked to respond. The eligible NP sample was 315, or 61.5% of the total advanced nursing population. The sample was racially diverse, with a high male population. Job satisfaction was just over midway between "minimally satisfied" to "satisfied," with the highest satisfaction in "challenge/autonomy" and the lowest in "professional growth." Income was positively correlated with satisfaction for northern NPs earning less income and working fewer hours; bonuses were positively correlated for all. Those interested in higher education (e.g., doctorate) were younger, less experienced, part-time, professional members, and urban (south). Findings provide insight for maximizing professional self-care, particularly in areas of professional growth. Job satisfaction data assist leaders in maximizing the role for improving patient access to care, particularly in states with restrictive regulations.

Risk of smoking initiation among Mexican immigrants before and after immigration to the United States

Research has suggested that Latinos are less likely to initiate smoking than non-Latino whites. This advantage may be due in part to social and structural factors that deter smoking initiation among Latino immigrants, such as entry into the restrictive regulatory environment surrounding smoking in the U.S. and decreased exposure to family smoking influences, given that immigrants often leave parents and siblings behind in countries of origin. Although available data do not support a direct test of this hypothesis this study conducts an indirect test by comparing risk of initiation among Mexican immigrants before and after immigration to the U.S. If such factors influence initiation among Mexican immigrants, their risk should decline after immigration, relative to risk before immigration, since they are subject to these forces only after moving to the U.S. Using data from the National Health Interview Survey, discrete-time hazards analysis is used to estimate risk of initiation of regular smoking from ages 10 to 30, based on retrospective reports of age of smoking initiation. Retrospective data on age at immigration are used to create a time-varying variable indicating country of residence (U.S. or Mexico) during each person year of risk. Through this approach, risk in the person years before immigration is determined only among those who will eventually immigrate, which discounts health selection as an explanation for changes in risk after immigration. Consistent with the social and structural perspective, results indicate that the odds of smoking initiation decline among Mexican immigrants after immigration, relative to risk before immigration. This decline is unlikely due to alternative factors often cited to explain patterns of health behaviors among Mexican immigrants, such as health-protective cultural characteristics, since such characteristics are presumably in place before immigration. Findings suggest that Mexican immigrants may be particularly receptive to smoking prevention efforts after immigration.

The Granting of Loans by German Banks to Small and Medium-Sized Entities Against the Background of International Financial Reporting

Due to the lack of capital market orientation, small and medium-sized entities regularly finance themselves by borrowing debt capital in form of credits. Such credits are most commonly provided by institutions of the German universal banking system. Against the background of an increasingly restrictive regulatory environment (especially due to Basel II) and the current discussions about the harmonisation of national (according to the German Commercial Code) and international accounting principles (German Accounting Law Modernization Act - BilMoG, IFRS for SMEs/PEs), it is imperative to review the impact of the internationalisation of financial reporting and of the changing determining factors on lending decisions within Germany. In this context it is especially interesting, both from an economic and from a behavioural perspective, to examine some highly debated theses, which claim that the system of financial reporting employed by the credit-seeker will influence the banks' lending decisions as well as the conditions under which a loan is granted. Though there have been many differing opinions about these theses, no up-to-date empirical data had yet been gathered from the perspective of the credit institutions themselves. This report therefore draws on the present state of research, complementing it for the first time with representative empirical data from the perspective of the decision makers in German credit institutions.

Large shareholder monitoring and regulation: The Japanese banking experience

During a period where Japanese banks operated under a less restrictive regulatory environment, 1986–1988, we find positive relations between bank risks and ownership concentration. This empirical evidence suggests that shareholder monitoring is present when the potential return to monitoring is high (the “shareholder monitoring hypothesis”). During the periods before and after this particular period, we do not observe evidence of shareholder oversight. These results are consistent with the argument that regulation (an external governance mechanism) and shareholder monitoring (an internal governance mechanism) are substitutes for one another (the “substitution hypothesis”) because the pre- and post-periods are characterized by stricter regulatory environments. Finally, tests on bank performance lend supporting evidence to both hypotheses.

Emerging economies firms' expansion in the European Union: acquisitions vs. alliances

We examine how regulatory and normative institutional factors influence the choice of acquisitions vs. alliances by Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) firms in the European Union (EU). Using a sample of 228 acquisitions and 48 alliances established by BRIC firms in the EU in the period 2001?2005, we find regulatory but not normative effect on the choice of acquisitions vs. alliances. Specifically, we find that BRIC firms are more likely to acquire rather than ally when the target host country has a more restrictive regulatory environment. We do not find any cultural distance impact on this choice. Various implications are discussed.

Profit Differentials Between Canadian and U.S. Commercial Banks: the Role of Regulation

Using annual data on nationally chartered U.S. and Canadian banks from 1929 to 1989, this article empirically evaluates the impact of various regulations on bank profitability. An intercountry comparison reveals that the less restrictive regulatory environment in Canada has historically resulted in higher bank profits. Specifically, higher leverage, greater securities investment and lending opportunities, and the freedom to establish branch units all significantly contribute to higher bank profitability in Canada. Evidence presented also shows that U.S. banks would have been more profitable over the sample period in a regulatory environment similar to Canada's.

Management Contracts: A Role in Internationalisation?

The nature and potential of management contracts as a method of internationalisation are analysed with reference to Australia′s leading domestic airline, Ansett. The restrictive regulatory environment of the airline industry, especially in Australia, had prevented Ansett from conducting direct international airline services out of Australia. As a result, it was forced to develop international operations by other means. This coincided with a desire by a number of newly independent nations in the South Pacific to set up their own airlines. However, they lacked the necessary finance and expertise, and so looked to the established airlines for an acceptable package. For both sides the management contract with aircraft leasing provided an acceptable answer. Although the arrangements had mixed success for Ansett, they gave it basic experience in international operations which has led to diverse international arrangements – including equity sharing with some airlines, and even more widespread leasing deals. While making a limited contribution in themselves, the management contracts were important as a springboard to wider international involvement.