Agency Stakeholders Research Articles

Monthly mapping of Indonesia’s burned areas: implementation, history, techniques, and future directions

ABSTRACT Forest and land fires cause substantial economic, social, and environmental devastation. Interagency forest and land fire management has succeeded in decreasing the impact of these fires, particularly in Indonesia. Having comprehensive information on fire locations and frequencies will benefit national forest and land fire management programmes. This study describes nearly a decade of satellite-based burned area (BA) monitoring conducted by the Indonesian government. We discuss (1) the history of BA mapping in Indonesia, (2) the most recent techniques for producing monthly BA maps, (3) an evaluation of product accuracy, (4) advantages and disadvantages, and (5) recommendations for future research. The most recent approach combines manual and digital classification, primarily using Landsat images, but has been supplemented with Sentinel data since 2020. The digital analysis, named the normalized burn ratio difference index threshold, was used to distinguish between burned and unburned pixels, guiding the interpreter’s manual digitization. BA confidence levels were determined using active fire products and ground truth data. We engaged provincial and local agency stakeholders to verify the products and provide quality assurance. We also assessed product performance by examining high-resolution images captured at three different locations to ascertain the relative advantages and disadvantages, which varied depending on each region’s fire regime. Small fires and cloud cover reduced the accuracy of the national monthly BA product. However, the omission error decreased by 65% when all fires throughout the entire year were considered. The inclusion of all available Sentinel-2 (A and B) images yielded higher accuracy than using only Landsat 8 data. We conclude that Indonesia’s cloud coverage constraint requires additional observational data to obtain clear-sky imagery when using optical sensors, in addition to the adjusted technique. We urge the introduction of reliable digital classifications for all Indonesian fire regimes to simplify resource deployment and reduce manual labour operations.

Logistics and Interdisciplinary Expertise of a Sexual Assault Response Team: A Case Study Through Observations and Interviews.

To more effectively respond to sexual assault in the United States, some jurisdictions have created sexual assault response teams (SARTs). SARTs involve members of multiple agencies tasked with responding to sexual assault within a jurisdiction, such as law enforcement, advocates, prosecutors, and sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs). Despite hundreds of jurisdictions utilizing SARTs, and the Department of Justice establishing guidelines, SARTs vary across jurisdictions in their form and function. To clarify this, the current research outlines two studies to better understand the logistics and functioning of one SART. In Study 1, for over nearly 2 years, SART meetings were observed and notes were taken on representation of agencies, time spent on cases, and possible challenges. Overall, the SART met consistently, with representation of major stakeholders at each meeting. Stakeholder agencies remained consistent and most time spent in the meetings was on case review. In Study 2, 10 members of SART were interviewed to assess perceptions of SART. These interviews were independently qualitatively coded for both factual and thematic codes. Areas of focus included perceived logistics of the SART and expertise of members that make up an effective SART. Overall, on average, members had been part of the SART for 3.5 years, felt required to attend the meetings as part of their role, and shared that all members (i.e., law enforcement, district attorney, victim advocates, and SANEs) had expertise on differing subjects that effectively made the SART work well. Importantly, qualitative perceptions from members of the SART (Study 2) lined up with the independent observation of SART meetings (Study 1). Ultimately, the results from this body of research could delineate specific actions that a jurisdiction implementing a SART could utilize.

Catching lightning in a bottle: the STI and HIV 2023 World Congress Participatory Designathon.

The International Society for STD Research (ISSTDR) STI/HIV 2023 World Congress convened a participatory designathon to engage attendees in a problem-solving crowdsourcing event with the mission to design innovative solutions for improving sexually transmitted infection (STI) control. Designathons are three-phase crowdsourcing events consisting of a pre-planning phase, an active and intensive collaborative phase, and denouement phase for implementation and dissemination. Given escalating STI concerns, the Congress organisers recognised the opportunity to harness the collective expertise of the attendees by actively engaging them to generate innovative solutions for STI control by hosting a designathon during the scientific meeting. Designathon activities occurred during the Congress, and innovative solutions were presented during the closing plenary. Organisers prioritised participant diversity and engagement by creating four distinct groups based on lived experiences (Silver, Early Career, Traveller, and Community). Although competing priorities through the Congress were a challenge, participation from the attendees was high. Dedicated time and space for the event allowed for a successful designathon event, and the lack of restrictions, as might be encountered from funders or other stakeholder agencies, allowed participants to creatively develop innovative solutions for STI control. This designathon serves as an exemplar for successfully hosting a designathon at a large scientific meeting to engage attendees and contribute their intellect and voice to collectively solving significant problems.

Trade Competitiveness and Sustainability Policies of Malaysian Palm Oil in the European Union: Strategic Responses by Stakeholders Agencies

The Malaysian palm oil industry is a significant contributor towards national development and economic growth. However, the industry has been facing rising tension to ensure sustainable development, as global demand for palm oil continue to grow in the coming years. The necessity for producing and trading sustainably produced palm oil is amplified with the European Union’s stringent requirement for importing responsibly sourced commodities into its market, with the aim to achieve climateneutral by 2050. The palm oil industry is also inundated with anti-palm oil campaigns and agendas, which emphasize allegations of unsustainable agricultural practices as large-scale plantations damage the natural ecosystem in producing countries. Collectively, these challenges could pose a formidable impact on the trade of palm oil between Malaysia and the European Union. Therefore, the article seeks to examine the strategic responses undertaken by Malaysian stakeholder agencies to address the regulations pertaining to sustainable production of palm oil. Using a qualitative approach, a total of ten sessions of in-depth interviews were held with expert informants in stakeholder agencies, both in Malaysia and the European Union. Among the key findings were the formulation and implementation of the National Agricommodity Policy, deployment of various missions to the European Union, implementation of Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification as the national sustainability scheme, dissemination of accurate information on sustainable and certified palm oil, and continuous engagement through bilateral and multilateral platforms. Based on the findings, this study suggests that inclusive and transparent engagement must be conducted continuously. Constantly held dialogue sessions will help to promote better understanding and fruitful collaboration among stakeholder agencies in Malaysia and the European Union to balance environmental concerns with trade interests.

Across-Agency Partnerships and Within-Agency Capacities Facilitate Holistic, Tailored Approaches to Addressing Food Insecurity: A Qualitative Study.

Across-Agency Partnerships and Within-Agency Capacities Facilitate Holistic, Tailored Approaches to Addressing Food Insecurity: A Qualitative Study.

Addressing the GP vocational training crisis in remote Australia: Lessons from the Northern Territory.

GP vocational training enrolments are declining Australia-wide and, in the Northern Territory (NT), considered by some as '…the litmus test for the national scene' the decline is precipitous. This research investigates the drivers of declining GP training uptake in the NT and identifies and ranks potential solutions. NT, Australia. Ten senior medical students, 6 junior doctors, 11 GP registrars, 11 GP supervisors and 31 stakeholders. Mixed methods: scoping review of Australian literature mapping key concepts to GP training pathway stages and marketing/communications; secondary data analyses; key informant interviews; and a stakeholder validation/prioritisation workshop. Interview data were thematically analysed. Workshop participants received summarised study findings and participated in structured discussions of potential solutions prior to nominating top five strategies in each of five categories. Highly prioritised strategies included increasing prevocational training opportunities in primary care and selecting junior doctors interested in rural generalism and long-term NT practice. Also ranked highly were: [Medical School] ensuring adequate infrastructure; [Vocational Training] offering high quality, culturally sensitive, flexible professional and personal support; [General Practice] better remunerating GPs; and [Marketing] ensuring positive aspects such as diversity of experiences and expedited GP career opportunities were promoted. Multifaceted strategies to increase GP training uptake are needed, which target different stages of GP training. Effective action is likely to require multiple strategies with coordinated action by different jurisdictional and national key stakeholder agencies. Foremost amongst the interventions required is the urgent need to expand primary care training opportunities in NT for prevocational doctors.

"It Has a Lot to Do With the Cumbersome Paperwork": Barriers and Facilitators of Center-Based Early Care and Education Program Participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

"It Has a Lot to Do With the Cumbersome Paperwork": Barriers and Facilitators of Center-Based Early Care and Education Program Participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

P24-119-23 “We Didn't Turn Away People”: Perspectives of Key Informants at Stakeholder Agencies in San Diego County, CA in Meeting the Food Insecurity Demands During the COVID-19 Pandemic

P24-119-23 “We Didn't Turn Away People”: Perspectives of Key Informants at Stakeholder Agencies in San Diego County, CA in Meeting the Food Insecurity Demands During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Metagenomic Methods for Addressing NASA's Planetary Protection Policy Requirements on Future Missions: A Workshop Report.

Molecular biology methods and technologies have advanced substantially over the past decade. These new molecular methods should be incorporated among the standard tools of planetary protection (PP) and could be validated for incorporation by 2026. To address the feasibility of applying modern molecular techniques to such an application, NASA conducted a technology workshop with private industry partners, academics, and government agency stakeholders, along with NASA staff and contractors. The technical discussions and presentations of the Multi-Mission Metagenomics Technology Development Workshop focused on modernizing and supplementing the current PP assays. The goals of the workshop were to assess the state of metagenomics and other advanced molecular techniques in the context of providing a validated framework to supplement the bacterial endospore-based NASA Standard Assay and to identify knowledge and technology gaps. In particular, workshop participants were tasked with discussing metagenomics as a stand-alone technology to provide rapid and comprehensive analysis of total nucleic acids and viable microorganisms on spacecraft surfaces, thereby allowing for the development of tailored and cost-effective microbial reduction plans for each hardware item on a spacecraft. Workshop participants recommended metagenomics approaches as the only data source that can adequately feed into quantitative microbial risk assessment models for evaluating the risk of forward (exploring extraterrestrial planet) and back (Earth harmful biological) contamination. Participants were unanimous that a metagenomics workflow, in tandem with rapid targeted quantitative (digital) PCR, represents a revolutionary advance over existing methods for the assessment of microbial bioburden on spacecraft surfaces. The workshop highlighted low biomass sampling, reagent contamination, and inconsistent bioinformatics data analysis as key areas for technology development. Finally, it was concluded that implementing metagenomics as an additional workflow for addressing concerns of NASA's robotic mission will represent a dramatic improvement in technology advancement for PP and will benefit future missions where mission success is affected by backward and forward contamination.

Competing Concerns in Efforts to Reduce Criminal Legal Contact Among People with Serious Mental Illnesses: Findings from a Multi-City Study on Misdemeanor Arrests.

People with serious mental illnesses are disproportionately involved in the criminal legal system, often for low-level, non-violent misdemeanors. This paper examines how decision-makers at different stages of the criminal legal system articulate unique visions of the "best approach" for addressing this problem of over-representation. Focus groups and in-depth interviews were conducted with 94 stakeholders from Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, and Philadelphia to understand how decision-makers from different agencies use and process specific misdemeanor charges in relation to people with serious mental illnesses. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach. The data reveal a series of tensions regarding how criminal legal system stakeholders process people with serious mental illnesses through the misdemeanor system. Three key themes emerged from analysis. The first characterizes the shared commitment across agencies to reducing system contact among people with mental illnesses. The second explores how agencies differ on how to make good on that commitment because of the distinct values and goals they bring to the table. The final theme explores the limits of current approaches to reducing system contact for people with mental illnesses. Findings are discussed in the context of literature on "loose coupling" and the focal concerns framework and demonstrate that decisions about how and when to intervene with people with mental illnesses in the criminal legal system are influenced by the varying orientations, goals, and values of stakeholder agencies. Understanding these core differences is a critical step toward value alignment in strategies to reduce system involvement among people with mental illnesses.

On the emergence of a predicted climate change signal: When and where it could appear over Pakistan

Emergence of climate change signal attributed to change in mean temperature can bring serious implications to economic stability of developing countries like Pakistan. Likewise, unawareness of vulnerability in regions of a country can direct mitigation efforts towards unwanted areas instead of towards ones that are genuinely deprived of. To address these two issues for Pakistan, we adopted a compendium of five metrics by using climate model data of near surface mean monthly temperature from output of a general circulation model MRI-ESM2-0 of Meteorological Research Institute (MRI), simulated under historical (1850-2014) and projected (2015-2100) periods for five shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) described in the sixth assessment report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) originally published in the year 2021. To identify potential hotspot regions, we used four out of the five metrics i.e., change in mean (DM–vulnerability metric), standard Euclidean distance (SED–vulnerability metric), change in standard deviation (DSD–stability metric), and standard score (Z-Score–stability metric) statistics for regional bounds of Pakistan. To investigate emergence of climate change signal, we computed the fifth metric viz. signal to noise ratio (SNR–agility metric) from time series of the near surface mean monthly temperature and checked how rapidly the subject signal emerged out of variability in the studied data under different scenarios. On the estimation of vulnerability and stability, our results revealed that the Himalayan region of Pakistan (the northeast corner) repeatedly appeared to be the most qualified region to be acclaimed as a hotspot due to its reach to optimal echelons in the associated metrics of the DM (more than four degrees), the SED (up to one), the DSD (close to null) and the Z-Score (close to null) under all the studied SSP scenarios. On the estimation of agility, our results revealed that owing to allegedly sustainable scenarios (with low to medium challenges to mitigation), the SSP1, the SSP2, and the SSP4 delayed the evolution of climate change signal (between 2070 to 2100) by at least two decades as compared to allegedly perplexing (high challenges to mitigation) SSP3 and SSP5 scenarios that accelerated the appearance of the signal by crossing the SNR threshold fairly earlier (between 2040 to 2060) in the 21<sup>st</sup> century. With such knowledge at hand, this scientific contribution can advise policymakers and stakeholder agencies to exercise conversant decisions and to equip themselves with evidence to prioritize and target their resources in an informed way over Pakistan region.

Process and Outcome of Community Engagement Event on Substance Use and Addiction Risks Facing Their Immigrant Communities in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Canada is a significant destination for immigrants who are drawn from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds some of whom have a hidden risk for substance use disorders due to acculturation stress and are not screened for risks of substance use or addiction when considering medical admissibility. Not surprisingly, healthcare providers in Regina are reporting a noticeable increase in substance use among immigrants. These immigrants experience barriers in seeking substance use prevention and treatment services due to diverse challenges: stigma, shame, and lack of knowledge of existing services. Considering the discussed challenges and risks of substance use disorders in immigrant communities, creating a safe space for discussing these topics is urgent. To understand and address these challenges, a connection grant from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) to mobilize immigrant communities in Regina to explore substance use issues and their impact on the community was sought and received. Subsequently, a Zoom knowledge-sharing event brought settlement agency stakeholders together to deliberate issues on substance use and addiction faced by immigrants in Regina, Saskatchewan. The Zoom session included presentations on immigrants and substance use from the clinical, community, and lived experience perspectives of immigrants. Because of the challenges and risks, this community consultation process revealed that acculturation stress and the ease of obtaining socially acceptable substances fuel substance use and addiction among immigrants in Regina; this is further exacerbated by the lack of programming available to prevent and reduce the risks of substance use in this population. A team of knowledge keepers with lived experiences, service providers, and researchers was assembled to explore substance use and addiction among immigrants. This manuscript reports the process of community engagement to identify solutions to this budding issue. The strengths, challenges, and lessons learned are identified.

Responding to Good Medical Practice Consultation 2022

Responding to Good Medical Practice Consultation 2022

A New Method for Open Government using of Information Technology

The purpose of this paper is to explore dimensions of open government in tax affairs organization of Iran country as a governmental organization. Three main factors of policy, culture, and technology were identified after investigating open government's plan in the United States of America, Austria, Mexico countries and the conducted interviews with experts in three fields of information technology, Executive, and legal. Four subfactors of internal directive, legal, strategic planning, and performance for policy and five subfactors of security, tools, open government program, data, and infrastructure for technology and six sub-factors of employees readiness, communicational channels, knowledge management, changes management, agency stakeholders, and participatory activities were considered for culture. A structured interview was conducted with three experts in legal, information technology and administrative fields for initial evaluation and finding new factors. The statistical population in this research was considered among Tax Affairs Organization of Iran country's employees. The mentioned pattern was evaluated based on partial least squares approach and confirmed at strong level after extracting information from the distributed questionnaires. Three factors of policy, technology and culture have effect on open government and between them culture has the main priority.

Detroit Needs Assessment Study: A Community Academic Partnership With the Detroit Area Agency on Aging

This presentation discusses a comprehensive needs assessment to inform long-term strategic planning for the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. The goal was to provide in-depth input from the older population (age 60+) and key agency stakeholders, using surveys (413 community participants), listening sessions (132 participants), 23 interviews with homebound older adults, and online surveys (94) targeting medical, church, government, academic, media and HSO stakeholders. Findings indicate that many participants were not aware of available community services. For example, one-third (33.3%) had not heard of Medicaid waivers providing services outside of nursing homes, while nearly one in five (22.0%) had not heard about senior employment services. The most common areas of unmet need were for caregiver workshops (16.3%) and diabetes management classes (15.7%). Community services most often noted as ‘extremely important’ included health and wellness programs (68.8%), services to help access health and supportive services (71%), easy to find service information (67.7%), home care and housekeeping services (66.4%), and caregiver support (63.7%). Stakeholder findings provide insight regarding this lack of awareness. Asked “How familiar do you think the general public is with DAAA?” , 10.8% answered ‘very familiar’ and 33% ‘unfamiliar’. Findings related to an “Age-Friendly City” suggest the importance of access to supportive community services, transportation, safety, housing, and healthcare. Engagement of older adults in needs assessments plays a vital role in Area Agencies on Aging meeting the needs of emerging aging cohorts by developing ‘age friendly’ strategies to address increasing racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural diversity.

A Review of Key Sustainability Issues in Malaysian Palm Oil Industry

The palm oil industry has contributed enormously to the economic growth of developing countries in the tropics, including Malaysia. Despite the industry being a development tool for emerging economies, the oil palm crop is inundated with allegations of its unsustainable plantation practices and viewed as environmentally detrimental and socially adverse. These negative perceptions are amplified through anti-palm oil campaigns and protectionist trade regulations in developed countries, particularly in the European Union (EU). This situation, if further exacerbated, could potentially affect the export of palm oil and the industry as a whole. As such, this article provides a critical review of the key sustainability issues faced by the Malaysian palm oil industry as the second biggest exporter of palm oil to the global market. The various insights and the interpretations of sustainability are contested according to the contexts and the interests of the countries involved. Hence, palm oil is constantly exposed to bias masked by non-tariff barriers from consumer countries to protect their domestically produced vegetable oils. This could constrain the commodity competitiveness in the international market. As issues on palm oil sustainability continue to evolve, policymakers at key stakeholder agencies need to devise strategies to manage global disruption in the palm oil trade.

The Fast Track Land Reform Programme and its effect on the loss of forests: the case of the Mafungabusi Forest Reserve in Zimbabwe

Land reform in Zimbabwe, commonly known as the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP), was established in early 2000. Since the inception of the FTRLP, loss of forests and biodiversity has been on the rise. In this paper, an analysis of the rate of forest loss pre-FTLRP, during and post-FTLRP to date (1995–2019) is presented for the Mafungabusi Forest Reserve. Data were collected from semi-structured questionnaires, interviews, satellite imagery and fieldwork. Land Cover, Land-Use Change Maps were obtained from supervised classification of satellite imagery and regression graphs for the rate of change of forest area were also obtained. Results show that the forested areas decreased at a rate of 308 ha per year (2.4%) during the FTLRP and at a rate of 481 ha per year (5.2%) post FTLRP. The inception of FTLRP and the withdrawal of funds to support the Community Involvement in Forest Management (CIFM) resulted in forest loss as the population grew and demand for land increased. Given the current rate of forest loss, the Mafungabusi Forest will probably disappear in the next 20 years if no measures are taken to reduce the rate of forest loss. Thus, there is need for the Zimbabwe Forestry Commission, Environmental Management Agency and other relevant stakeholders to engage resettled farmers in sustainable co-management of natural resources. Such efforts will help in combating effects of climate change and conserving biodiversity.

“You Sort of Fit Together Like a Puzzle”: Across-Agency Partnership Attributes for Combating Food Insecurity in San Diego County

“You Sort of Fit Together Like a Puzzle”: Across-Agency Partnership Attributes for Combating Food Insecurity in San Diego County

New Business Segmentation for Haulage Industry in Malaysia

The haulage industry has the biggest fleets as compared to the others road trucking operators in Malaysia. The history of haulage industry started in 1971 until 2004 with five operators and in 2019 and above was recorded to 220 operators in the market. It was demonstrated with the open market which the growth of total fleet from 2,131 prime movers and 10,701 trailers before 2004 and more than 4,500 over prime movers and 31,500 over trailers in 2018 (AMH, 2018). The total number of prime movers and trailers had increased to 111% to overall fleets’ capacity. Haulage market which relate to container throughputs form 2009 - 2019 (ten-year) recorded at 16 million tues to 25 million teus in 2019 (UNCTAD 2019) which increased only by 65%. It was calculated on the surplus by 46 % of holding of prime movers in haulage industry at present. Apparently the market of haulage industry has stagnant and invite further sluggishness on haulage movements. The haulage operators had initiated to downsizing on the fleets due to unstable market and difficulty to sustain in their business. Therefore, the research suggests on appropriate ways to improve on the present condition and making more competitiveness of haulage industry. This research will investigate into three (3) segmentations such as reduction number of fleets, improvement on present activities and changing on other types of trucking businesses. The key respondents of the survey were the haulage operators, customers, government agency and other stakeholders. The survey was conducted among 200 respondents and at the end only 170 answers were accepted. The research uses SPSS version 25 and PLS-SEM to analyze from the collected data. The finding of the research has suggested that the three segmentations are the most appropriate ways to improve the present condition in haulage industry.

Performance of Firm and Board Attributes Nexus: Using Hausman Test Analysis

With the rise of corporate failures and the conflict of interest arising from shareholders and the management, there have been growing concerns in corporate governance (CG). It is there is ponsibility of the board of director in CG is to oversee the management as well as the firm performance and to make the management accountable to shareholders. Hence this research examines the connection between firms’ performance and board features using board size, board independence in addition to board age as a proxy for board characteristics and turnover as a proxy for firm performance. A sample size of 16 consumer goods firms out of a population of 20 consumer goods firms listed in the NSE from 2016 to 2019 was used using a judgmental sampling technique. Secondary data employed was taken out from the sampled firms’ annual reports. Hausman test analysis was used to select the appropriate regression model, which is the fixed effect regression model that was utilized to analyse the connection between firms’ performance in addition to board characteristics. It is found that firm performance and board independence of the consumer services goods companies in Nigeria are significantly related.The results also confirmed that firm performance and board size of the consumer services goods companies in Nigeria are significantly related. The result indicates firm performance and board education of the consumer services goods companies in Nigeria are not significantly related. Consequently, overall lthe study concluded that firms’ performance and board characteristics are related. Also, board characteristics increase board performance which will lead to increase in firms’ performances, there by maximizing profit and ensuring efficiency. The study concluded that a company with good board characteristics would help to ensure the maximization of both the shareholders and stakeholders wealth. Hence a proper board characteristic helps to solve the problem of both agency theory and stakeholders’ theory.