Sector-specific Approach Research Articles

Enhancing energy resilience in enterprises: a multi-criteria approach

Unreliable energy supply disrupts productivity and escalates costs in manufacturing enterprises, highlighting the need for robust energy resilience strategies. Existing multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, such as the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), best–worst method (BWM), and unaugmented TOPSIS, often lack advanced risk prioritization and objective criteria weighting, limiting their effectiveness in addressing complex, multidimensional energy challenges. This study proposes an integrated framework that combines Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for risk prioritization, the CRITIC-method for objective criteria weighting based on the 4A’s energy resilience dimensions—availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability—and fuzzy-TOPSIS for strategy ranking. The framework bridges theoretical rigor with operational applicability, addressing the unique challenges faced by manufacturing enterprises. Validated through a real-world case study and sensitivity analysis, it identifies actionable strategies, such as flexible scheduling, demonstrating consistent rankings across comparative analyses with fuzzy VIKOR, WASPAS, and MARCOS. This sector-specific approach advances both academic understanding and industrial practice by providing a scalable, multidimensional tool for enhancing energy resilience.

Sustainability Reporting and Firm Performance: A Thematic Empirical Review

This study investigates the relationship between sustainability reporting and firm performance through a comprehensive thematic review, focusing on the economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Data was collected through a rigorous search of relevant academic literature published between 2018 and 2024. Employing content analysis, the study synthesizes empirical findings across various sectors and regions. The analysis reveals that sustainability reporting can enhance financial performance by improving transparency, stakeholder trust, and operational efficiency. However, its impact is highly context-dependent. Economic reporting fosters investor confidence and reduces financing costs but may signal inefficiencies in emerging markets. Social reporting strengthens brand loyalty and stakeholder engagement but involves high implementation costs that could strain short-term financial outcomes. Environmental reporting is particularly effective in resource-intensive sectors, enhancing regulatory compliance and investor trust. The conclusions emphasize the need for tailored reporting strategies aligned with sectoral, regional, and stakeholder dynamics to maximize benefits and mitigate risks. Recommendations include integrating sustainability practices into core business strategies to drive long-term value creation and adopting sector-specific approaches to balance profitability with societal expectations. Future research should explore moderating variables such as governance quality, industry sensitivity, and stakeholder pressure to deepen understanding of how sustainability reporting influences financial outcomes. This study advances knowledge on sustainability reporting as a strategic tool for corporate success and offers actionable insights for businesses, policymakers, and researchers.

Theorizing Social Protection: a Synthesis of Institutional, Interactionist and Holistic Perspectives

In the realm of social services, as with other vital areas of national importance, human resources management (HRM) is of great importance since the key to economic progress in the 21st century is the effective and targeted use of human capital. The issue of human resources development is particularly important for enhancing the effectiveness of social services in the Republic of Armenia. It is reasonable to study the issue of human resources management within the framework of the Unified Social Service (USS). This institute is responsible for the provision of social protection services. This article examines the best practices of HRM, focusing on two main components of it: staffing and performance management. Information for this study about the USS, its personnel, and work-related challenges stems from interviews with social service specialists. During the study, several critical aspects of the USS were noted, including issues associated with selection and staffing due to low wages and scope of work, various bureaucratic bottlenecks, and lack of opportunities for career advancement. Further, the article discerns significant shortcomings in the performance management systems: absence of certain essential elements such as key performance indicators (KPI), feedback systems, and demotivational performance reward structures to even the high achievers. It was concluded that more effective recruitment methods should be implemented in order to reform the HR management system within the USS and to boost service quality and employee performance. With the above modifications, the USS will have sufficient potential to improve the quality of services provided, meet public needs, and endorse employee motivation and performance. The scientific novelty of this article lies in its context-driven approach to HRM within Armenia’s USS, focusing on reforms and performance evaluations specifically adapted to Armenia’s social sector. It introduces a localized perspective on recruitment challenges, providing actionable insights that are sensitive to Armenia’s unique socio-economic environment. By comparing private-sector performance models with Armenia’s public social services, the article highlights the need for a sector-specific approach rather than a direct private-sector application. The proposed reforms are particularly innovative, as they are tailored to Armenia’s regulatory and socio-economic framework, addressing HRM issues uniquely within the context of Armenia’s social protection system.

Shaping the future of AI: balancing innovation and ethics in global regulation

Abstract This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the current landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) regulation, examining the diverse approaches adopted across different global regions and the multifaceted ethical challenges presented by rapid AI advancements. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is explored as a benchmark for data protection and privacy in AI, contrasted with the USA’s more decentralized and sector-specific approach and the varied strategies of Asian countries like China and Japan that blend State-led direction with market-driven innovation. Key ethical challenges in AI are discussed, including bias and discrimination in AI systems, the complexities of AI algorithms leading to a ‘black box’ phenomenon, and the crucial need for accountability and transparency in AI operations. The article also delves into the role of international bodies and forums in shaping AI regulations and emphasizes the importance of multi-stakeholder involvement, including academia, industry, and civil society, in developing effective AI policies. The article proposes detailed recommendations for achieving harmonized international AI regulations. It advocates for the integration of ethical considerations into AI development, the adoption of flexible and adaptive regulatory frameworks, and the promotion of multi-stakeholder engagement. Enhancing AI literacy and public engagement and facilitating international cooperation on AI are also highlighted as crucial steps. The article concludes by underscoring the critical role of policy-makers and international bodies in guiding AI development to ensure it progresses in a way that maximizes societal benefits, mitigates risks, and addresses ethical considerations comprehensively.

Traditional and digital entrepreneurial ecosystems: a framework of differences and similarities

Entrepreneurial ecosystems in various geographical areas of the world are often compared in the context of entrepreneurship research. There are far fewer comparative studies on different types of ecosystems. In this study, a traditional entrepreneurial ecosystem based in Canada is compared with a digital entrepreneurial ecosystem specializing in life sciences, in Switzerland, bridging the gap between both and yielding previously unknown insights. The aim is twofold: to decipher both the differences and the similarities between the two models and to describe the predominant type of entrepreneurship in each case. The method consisted of a quantitative study of socio-economic data in combination with the administration of a qualitative analysis of interviews with—industry, government, and university—experts with links to one or the other ecosystem. The main findings showed that the traditional ecosystem had varied entrepreneurial support, public financial support, and collaborative networks between SMEs and start-ups, whereas in the specialized digital ecosystem, business support tended to be sector-specific with private financial support and networks emerging between multinationals and start-ups. Our study contributes to entrepreneurship research by showing that high-tech industries such as biotechnology and medical technology manage to go beyond a purely digital approach in digital ecosystems. The generic nature of the high-tech industries within the traditional ecosystem was the main driver of traditional entrepreneurship, while the sector-specific approaches of the industries within the specialized digital ecosystems were shown to drive innovative entrepreneurship.

Public sector entrepreneurship: an integrative review

AbstractPublic sector entrepreneurship (PSE) has emerged as a vital field, exploring how public servants leverage opportunities to create public value amidst unprecedented and unpredictable challenges in governance. This article navigates the expansive landscape of PSE literature, consolidating diverse theoretical perspectives and fragmented knowledge into a cohesive framework. Through an integrative and systematic review of 100 articles, we identify PSE as a multi-level phenomenon characterized by a context-dependent combination of proactivity, innovation, and risk-taking, that serves to drive change and renewal, promote resilient organizations, and resourcefully exploit opportunities for public value creation, with the ultimate aim of achieving positive societal and environmental outcomes. By proposing an analytical framework that embraces the fluid nature of PSE and integrating diverse perspectives, this study enriches our understanding of the intersection between entrepreneurship and public administration. It advocates for a nuanced, sector-specific approach to PSE, laying a solid foundation for further advancements in the field.

On the different impact of local and national sources of policy uncertainty on sectoral stock volatility

We analyze the impact of state-level and national-level economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on stock volatility across 17 sectors. Using EPU data from 46 U.S. states, we construct a local uncertainty index through principal component analysis and compare it with national uncertainty using quantile regression. Our findings indicate that banks are influenced by both local and national uncertainty. Consumer-related sectors, such as beverages and transportation, react more to local uncertainty, while healthcare and defense sectors respond to national uncertainty. Sectors like medical, technology, electricity, and chemicals show no significant impact from either source. The effects are more pronounced at the 75th quantile, suggesting greater impact during high volatility periods. Our results provide important evidence that a generalized policy may not be effective as sectors respond differently to various sources of uncertainty. Instead, policymakers should combine national level policies with sector-specific approaches.

Explaining different usages of policy monitoring in the EU

ABSTRACT The EU increasingly relies on forms of policy monitoring. While functioning policy monitoring remains the ‘critical underlying assumption’ of many approaches such as (performance) auditing, the European Semester or sector specific approaches such as the Energy Union, it remains underexplored. Monitoring has been portrayed as a technical exercise, but we contend that it may be used in different ways. To explain under what conditions different usages are pursued, this article proposes a new typology to explain different usages of policy monitoring, based on combinations of the level of (dis)agreement on policy goals and instruments, and (un)certainty about the effectiveness and the implementation of the policy instruments. The paper then presents a plausibility probe of our typology in two policy areas: agriculture and climate change/energy. We find that many, but not all, expectations of our model bear out; future research should explore additional substantial policy areas and the impact available resources have on the quality of monitoring.

Linking GVC with Trade Dynamics between India and the United Kingdom: A Sector-Level Analysis

In the foreseeable future, the potential for deeper integration into the global value chain (GVC) between India and the UK lies within the establishment of a prospective free trade agreement (FTA). Such an agreement holds promise in facilitating market access, thereby fostering increased participation in the GVC for both countries. This study delves into nine specific sectors, carefully examining the factors that shape India's export flows to the UK within the framework of GVC. This research raises an important question: how will the trade dynamics evolve beyond tariff easing and trade liberalisation, emphasizing the development of robust value-added linkages between these sectors? The findings reveal the pivotal role of GVC participation in sectors like textiles, clothing, and base metals, increasing India's exports to the UK. Conversely, sectors like chemicals and pharmaceuticals thrive on factors such as intensive margin and research and development expenditure, augmenting export performance. These insights underscore the necessity for nuanced, sector-specific approaches in crafting trade policies and conducting FTA negotiations, unravelling the intricacies of trade dynamics between India and the UK, and laying the groundwork for mutually beneficial economic cooperation in the future.

Сотрудничество в области безопасности ЕС и Латинской Америки: история и эволюция

Introduction. This article aims to analyze the process of security cooperation between the European Union and countries in Latin America from the perspective of historical institutionalism and the methodological tools proposed by the Copenhagen School. The author covers the main stages of the development of relations between these two regions, starting with early initiatives in the field of political and economic support and moving towards deeper cooperation in the field of security. Methods. The main theoretical and methodological support of this study is historical neo-institutionalism, which focuses attention on the role of institutional choices made earlier in the historical past, i.e., the “path dependence” principle. The research uses the sector-specific approach to security analysis developed by the Copenhagen School. Analysis and results. In the historical context, three main stages can be distinguished in the development of relations between the EU and the countries of the LCA in the field of security. The first bipolar stage (1945–1991) was characterized mainly by political and economic support from the United States and NATO as the main structure of regional security. Relations between the EU and Latin American countries at this time were sporadic, largely complicated by multiple crises within Latin American countries. However, in the 1960s, relations in the fields of economic cooperation and economic security began to be built between the regions. In the conditions of the second stage, post-bipolar (1991–2014), the concept of strategic partnership begins to be actively developed between regions, not only in the economic but also in the political and military spheres. Also, the EU, trying to simultaneously institutionally build its own security policy and the European army, began to conduct peacekeeping operations during this period with varying success (since 2003). The current stage (from 2014 to present) is characterized by growing contradictions between Russia, Ukraine, and the collective West, consolidated around the United States, as well as the destruction of the newly created post-bipolar regional security system. The LCA countries, which are afraid of being drawn into a conflict, are trying to develop their own course in the field of security policy.

Guardians of the Consumer: A Comparative Analysis of Consumer Protection Laws Across Countries

In this comprehensive exploration of consumer protection laws across diverse countries, the focus is on comparing the intricate structures, strengths, and weaknesses that characterize these regulatory frameworks. The journey into the historical evolution of consumer protection regulations provides a contextual backdrop to the contemporary landscape, offering valuable insights into the motivations that led to their establishment and the hurdles encountered in their implementation. The historical lens through which we examine the evolution of consumer protection laws reveals a compelling narrative. As industrialization and mass production gained momentum in the early 20th century, consumers found themselves vulnerable to a myriad of risks associated with product safety, misleading advertising, and unfair business practices. The establishment of pioneering institutions such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States marked a watershed moment, acknowledging the need for regulatory oversight to protect consumers from these emerging challenges. The comparative analysis undertaken in this article seeks to unveil the diversity of approaches adopted by different countries in addressing consumer protection concerns. Some nations have opted for comprehensive and overarching legislation that encapsulates various facets of consumer rights, while others have chosen a sector-specific approach. The European Union's harmonization efforts stand out as an example of a unified approach, fostering consistency across member states. On the other hand, countries like India and Brazil have developed specific laws targeting deceptive advertising and unfair trade practices, showcasing a tailored approach to consumer protection. Examining the reasons behind the implementation of consumer protection laws reveals a shared commitment to rectifying inherent imbalances in the marketplace. These laws aim to level the playing field between consumers and businesses by ensuring product safety, preventing fraud and deception, promoting fair competition, and providing a structured framework for dispute resolution. The overarching goal is to establish trust and confidence in economic transactions, recognizing that informed and protected consumers are essential for the proper functioning of a healthy market. Despite these noble intentions, the implementation of consumer protection laws faces a host of challenges. Enforcement issues, often stemming from limited resources and the complexity of global supply chains, pose significant obstacles to the effective execution of these regulations. Furthermore, cultural and regulatory differences among countries create complexities in achieving a harmonized global approach to consumer protection. The comparative analysis sheds light on these challenges, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts and innovative solutions to overcome these hindrances. As the article draws to a conclusion, reflections on the future of consumer protection become crucial. Identifying potential areas for improvement is essential to adapt these laws to the evolving dynamics of the global economy. The article encourages a forward-looking perspective, urging policymakers, businesses, and consumers alike to engage in an ongoing dialogue to refine and strengthen consumer protection laws. By addressing the challenges and seizing opportunities for enhancement, the global community can collectively work towards creating a more secure and equitable marketplace for consumers around the world.

Climate neutrality strategies for energy-intensive industries: An Austrian case study

The industry is responsible for 24% of anthropogenic emissions and a quarter of total energy consumption worldwide. Accelerating the action plan for climate neutrality for the industry, particularly the energy-intensive industrial subsectors, which are responsible for about 70% of the sector's emissions and energy consumption, is crucial to achieving the climate change goals. Iron and steel, pulp and paper, nonmetallic minerals emphasizing cement and nonferrous metals focusing on aluminum are the four energy-intensive industrial subsectors investigated in this study. We evaluate the benefits and obstacles of various mitigation methods for each subsector over two time horizons: short/medium-term emission reductions and long-term emission reductions. Actions that have already been implemented in some industrial sites and do not require extensive infrastructural upgrades are generally considered in the short/medium term. This group covers boosting energy efficiency by retrofitting plants and adopting the best available or best practice technologies in existing process stages, as well as substituting fossil fuels as energy sources with bioenergy, hydrogen, or electricity (low-emission electricity). This strategy can reduce emissions in the shortest possible timeframe; nevertheless, the reduction is insufficient, and additional efforts are required to transition the industry to a low-carbon economy by 2050. These further efforts are viewed as long-term reductions that broadly address mitigation alternatives connected to process emissions, which are an inherent part of the production processes of industrial subsectors across a more extended period. The frontline technologies studied in this category are fossil fuel feedstock change to non-fossil gases such as hydrogen, carbon capture usage and storage, a higher degree of electrification and increased use of secondary raw material. By evaluating the conditions for each subsector, this study also analyses the industrial landscape along the industrial value chain, showing that all of these four technology groups need to be implemented in a sector-specific approach to close the ambitious net-zero emissions gaps. In this essay, Austrian energy-intensive industrial subsectors are assessed as case studies using a comprehensive approach that includes influencing factors such as the subsector's current energy and emissions intensity, energy infrastructure, future national and international policies, and related decarbonization techniques. Transitioning from fossil fuels to emission-free fuels as raw materials (in the iron and steel subsector) and energy sources, as well as circular economy paths, have more potent effects on decarbonizing the Austrian industry. When these strategies are integrated with CO₂ capture solutions for the cement industry and energy efficiency improvements for relevant subsectors, Austrian industrial emissions can be reduced by more than 65% compared to the current level.

Workers' well-being and job performance in the context of COVID-19: a sector-specific approach

PurposeThe main objective of this study is to scrutinize the relationship between workers' well-being and job performance across sectors during the first lockdown. The authors also aim to examine the indirect effects of satisfaction with work-life balance, reopening of schools after closure, workload and teleworking on performance through well-being.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a sample of 447 Canadian workers collected online during the first lockdown to perform a series of structural equation models.FindingsThe results show that workers' well-being increases job performance and satisfaction with work-life balance has a positive indirect effect on job performance through well-being in all sectors. This finding suggests that workers' well-being mediates the relationship between satisfaction with work-life balance and performance. However, the reopening of schools, increased workload and teleworking do not have universal effects across sectors.Practical implicationsAll organizations should implement human resources (HR) practices that promote workers' well-being and family-friendly workplaces, especially during the pandemic. Conversely, teleworking has a sector-specific effect that must be considered when implemented.Originality/valueThis study stands out by strengthening the bridge between workers' well-being and job performance. The effects of well-being and satisfaction with work-life balance on job performance are universal, while the impact of reopening of schools, increased workload and teleworking are sector-specific.

Approaches to managing work-related fatigue to meet the needs of American workers and employers.

On September 13-14, 2019, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) hosted a national forum entitled "Working hours, sleep and fatigue: Meeting the needs of American workers and employers."The purpose of this inaugural meeting was to discuss current evidence about the broad-based risks and effective countermeasures related to working hours, sleep, and fatigue, with further considerations to tailor solutions for specific industries and worker populations. We aimed to identify the knowledge gaps and needs in this area and future directions for research. We also sought to identify similarities across industries with the goal of sharing lessons learned and successful mitigation strategies across sectors. Participants included an international representation of academics, scientists, government representatives, policymakers, industry leaders, occupational health and safety professionals, and labor representatives.A total of eight manuscripts were developed following stakeholder comments and forum discussions. Six focused on sector-specific approaches (i.e., Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing; Healthcare & Social Assistance; Mining; Oil and Gas Extraction; Public Safety; Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities) to identify unique factors for fatigue-risk and effective countermeasures. Two additional manuscripts addressed topic areas that cut across all industries (disproportionate risks, and economic evaluation).Findings from the Forum highlight that the identification of common risk factors across sectors allows for transfer of information, such as evidence for effective mitigation strategies, from sectors where fatigue risk has been more widely studied to those sectors where it has been less so. Further considerations should be made to improve knowledge translation activities by incorporating different languages and modes of dissemination such that information is accessible for all workers. Additionally, while economic evaluation can be an important decision-making tool for organizational- and policy-level activities, multi-disciplinary approaches combining epidemiology and economics are needed to provide a more balanced approach to economic evaluation with considerations for societal impacts. Although fatigue risk management must be tailored to fit industries, organizations, and individuals, knowledge gained in this forum can be leveraged, modified, and adapted to address these variabilities. Our hope is to continue sharing lessons learned to encourage future innovative, multi-disciplinary, cross-industry collaborations that will meet the needs of workers and employers to mitigate the risks and losses related to workplace fatigue.

Developing a framework for assessing the readiness of entities in the construction industry in addressing modern slavery

Australia's Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) requires entities with at least AU$100 million annual consolidated revenues to submit annual modern slavery statement. The construction industry is considered as one sector most vulnerable to modern slavery. This research aims to identify the policies, systems and processes that will affect an organisation's approach to modern slavery risk and propose a framework for assessing the readiness of entities in the construction industry to address modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. Semi-structured interviews were used as the main research method to glean industry experts’ insights and perspectives on key themes and topics. The research finds that a successful modern slavery approach includes governance, risk assessment and ongoing due diligence, risk mitigation, grievance and remediation, performance monitoring and reporting, and education and capability building. This paper details the first academic research examining the implications of modern slavery legislation on construction businesses in Australia. The research contributes to existing body of knowledge by highlighting issues and concerns specific to modern slavery in an organisation's operation and supply chains. Focusing on the construction industry, this research opens up a dialogue on taking sector-specific approach in modern slavery risk detection and remediation. The research results offer practical reference for entities in the construction industry to plan, formulate and implement policies, systems, and processes to identify and mitigate modern slavery risk, so as to satisfy legislative requirements and to achieve social sustainability goals.

Is public procurement fit for reaching sustainability goals? A law and economics approach to green public procurement

Green public procurement is assumed to have a strong steering effect. The recent EU Green Deal contains proposals to amend green public procurement rules from voluntary to mandatory regulation, which has been endorsed by several legal scholars. At the same time, the effectiveness of green public procurement as an environmental policy tool has been studied in economics, where research results present a reserved approach towards green public procurement’s effectiveness. This article examines green public procurement applying a law and economics methodology, with the goal of combining the approaches from different disciplines and finding ways in which environmental objectives can be effectively addressed through procurement regulation. The main conclusions are that the steering effect, costs and potential environmental impact of green public procurement vary in different industries and therefore a sector-specific approach should be adopted in the development of green public procurement regulation. In order to encourage companies to invest and develop their operations in a greener direction, it is important that a large number of contracting authorities use harmonized green public procurement criteria. Further, the effects of green public procurement regulation on competition and emissions from the private consumer market should be monitored and the potential of public procurement to achieve environmental objectives should be explored and compared with other policy options.

Poverty, Unemployment and Food Insecurity: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria

The high incidence of poverty in Nigeria coupled with the alarming rate of unemployment has raised concerns among experts as to their likely relationship with food insecurity. This study examined the nexus between poverty, unemployment and food insecurity using the Johansen cointegration test and the vector error correction model. The result from the Johansen cointegration test suggests a long-run relationship between food insecurity, poverty and unemployment. Findings from the vector error correction analysis showed a positive but insignificant relationship between poverty and food insecurity such that a percentage change in poverty in the current period is associated with a 0.09 per cent increase in food insecurity on average, ceteris paribus. Besides, a positive and significant relationship subsists between unemployment and food insecurity where an increase in unemployment exacerbated the latter. Clearly, a 1 per cent deviation in the previous period unemployment level is associated with a 1.2 per cent degeneration of the food insecurity position in the short run. In the same vein, a 1 per cent change in unemployment in the current period causes a 1.5 per cent aggravation of food insecurity. Following the findings, this study recommends a multi sector-specific approach to solving the issue of poverty in Nigeria targeting agriculture and its employment generating capacity, creating the enabling environment through infrastructure development and improving the ease of doing business for the private sector to strive and enhance its employment generating capacities. The study concludes with a call for the implementation of a holistic food security policy targeting improvement in crop yield, internal security problems and the proper funding of agriculture to be effective.

El nuevo protocolo de Pretoria sobre garantías internacionales en equipo minero, agrícola y de construcción: la fuerza expansiva del convenio de Ciudad de Cabo

El 22 de noviembre de 2019, en la ciudad sudafricana de Pretoria, se adoptó el cuarto Protocolo al Convenio de Ciudad del Cabo sobre garantías internacionales en equipo móvil. Con la adopción del Protocolo de Pretoria, el exitoso sistema uniforme de Ciudad del Cabo (Convenio y Pro­tocolos) se extiende, de acuerdo con su peculiar fórmula de delimitación del ámbito de aplicación, a los sectores agrícola, minero y de construcción. Con ello, el sistema de Ciudad del Cabo muestra una ex­traordinaria fuerza expansiva gracias a la maleabilidad de sus soluciones, la flexibilidad que le confiere su original estructura modular (Convenio-Protocolos) y, sobre todo, el potencial armonizador de un mo­delo de base sectorial, sensible a las diversas tradiciones jurídicas, pero contundente en la formulación de conceptos autónomos y soluciones uniformes, y cercano a las prácticas de financiación del sector, adecuado a las características de los equipos y consistente con las necesidades del mercado. Este trabajo ofrece un análisis detallado y en profundidad del Protocolo de Pretoria, desde su elaboración hasta su aprobación, en el contexto del sistema de Ciudad el Cabo al que pertenece, desde esta perspectiva del equilibrio entre consistencia y flexibilidad, entre la necesidad de buscar fórmulas innovadoras y adapta­das a las nuevas necesidades de los sectores minero, agrícola y de construcción y mantener la coherencia con las soluciones vertebrales del Convenio y la lógica material y operativa subyacente.

International transfers of health data between the EU and USA: a sector-specific approach for the USA to ensure an 'adequate' level of protection.

International health research increasingly depends on collaboration and combination using medical data to advance treatment and drug discovery. The European Union (EU), through its General Data Protection Regulation, has tightened the rules for sharing data across borders to protect individual privacy. These new rules threaten cooperation between the EU and the USA, the two largest public funders of biomedical research. This article analyzes the primary pathway for sharing research data with the USA, the US–EU Privacy Shield††, and argues that the Shield is ill-suited to support complex health studies. Its legitimacy is in question under both EU and US law, and its terms are too restrictive for the variety of exchanges underlying research, treatment, and care. As an alternative, we propose that the USA seek an additional sector-based adequacy determination based on the existing US health privacy law, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. A sector-specific approach to adequacy for health would avoid many of the most contentious issues that divide the USA and EU on data protection. It could also serve as a model for other third-party jurisdictions and facilitate international harmonization of health research practices.

Health Policy and Privacy Challenges Associated With Digital Technology

Digital technology is part of everyday life. Digital interactions generate large amounts of data that can reveal information about the health of individual consumers (the digital health footprint). Τo describe health privacy challenges associated with digital technology. For this qualitative study, In-depth, semistructured, qualitative interviews were conducted with 26 key experts from diverse fields in the US between January 1 and July 31, 2018. Open-ended questions and hypothetical scenarios were used to identify sources of digital information that contribute to consumers' health-relevant digital footprints and challenges for health privacy. Participants also completed a survey instrument on which they rated the health relatedness of digital data sources. Health policy challenges associated with digital technology based on qualitative responses to expert interviews. Although experts' ratings of digital data sources suggested a possible distinction between health and nonhealth data, qualitative interviews uniformly indicated that all data can be health data, particularly when aggregated across sources and time. Five key characteristics of the digital health footprint were associated with health privacy policy challenges: invisibility (people are unaware of how their data are tracked), inaccuracy (data in the digital health footprint can be inaccurate), immortality (data have no expiration date and are aggregated over time), marketability (data have immense commercial value and are frequently bought and sold), and identifiability (individuals can be readily reidentified and anonymity is nearly impossible to achieve). There are virtually no regulatory structures in the US to protect health privacy in the context of the digital health footprint. The findings suggest that a sector-specific approach to digital technology privacy in the US may be associated with inadequate health privacy protections.