Strategic Policy Research Articles

The Decision-making and Control Mechanism of the Sovietisation of Lithuania in 1944–1946: the Role of Moscow Emissaries

The article examines one of the constituent elements of the decision-making and control mechanism of Sovietisation: the role of Moscow’s agents (instructors, envoys, inspectors, emissaries) in making strategic policy decisions in the Sovietisation of Lithuania. The study attempts to uncover the environment in which and also how and why three significant resolutions of the Central Committee of All-Union Communist Party (the Bolsheviks) (AUCP[B] CC) sharply criticising the work of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Lithuania (LCP[B] CC) and essentially adjusting the course and process of Sovietisation of Lithuania were issued: the resolution of 30 October 1944 ‘On shortcomings and objectives in the area of the political work of the Lithuanian SSR party organisation’, the resolution of 15 August 1945 ‘On shortcomings and errors of the LCP[B] CC work in managing the political work of the party’, and the resolution of 5 October 1946 ‘On the work of the LCP (B) CC’. These were some of the main programme-directive type resolutions of the government of the Soviet Union and strongly criticised the LCP (B) CC leadership and provided specific goals, objectives, methods and tools for the implementation of Sovietisation. The chronological limits of the article are summer 1944 (the beginning of re-occupation) and October 1946 (the date of the last resolution of the AUCP[B] CC on Lithuania). The author treats the Sovietisation of Lithuania conducted by the leadership of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union as the process of the country’s forced incorporation in the political, economic, cultural and social system of the USSR and the unification of internal affairs according to the standards of the totalitarian communist state. Top USSR party and government organisations, at all levels interrelated by the strict vertical line of the government, participated in the complex decision-making and control mechanism of the policy of Sovietisation in Lithuania. The following were the divisions of the central government and key acting figures who cooperated in making critical decisions regarding the Sovietisation of Lithuania and monitored the process of their implementation in 1944–1946: AUCP[B] CC Politburo (Andrey Zhdanov, Andrey Andreev), the Council of People’s Commissars of the USSR (Georgiy Malenkov, Lavrentiy Beria, Vsevolod Merkulov, Yakov Chadajev, Arseniy Zverev, Ivan Benediktov), AUCP[B] CC Organising Bureau (Malenkov, Zhdanov, Alexey Kuznetsov, Nikolay Patolichev, Georgiy Popov), AUCP[B] Personnel Board (Malenkov, Nikolay Shatalin, Evgeniy Andreev, Kuznetsov, Vladimir Shcherbakov, Kaloshin, Nikolay Mayorov), AUCP[B] CC Affairs Board (Dmitriy Krupina), AUCP[B] CC Propaganda and Agitation Board ( Georgiy Alexandrov, Mikhail Yovchyuk), AUCP[B] CC Party Bodies Inspection Board (Mikhail Shamberg, Patolichev, Vasiliy Zhavoronkov), AUCP[B] CC Lithuanian Bureau ( Mikhail Suslov, Ivan Tkachenka, Fyodor Kovalev), and AUCP[B] CC Bureau (Antanas Snieckus, Mečislovas Gedvilas, Justas Paleckis, Daniyil Shupikov, Alexander Isachenka, Vasiliy Pisarev). In stage one of Sovietisation (1944–1947 April), before the AUCP[B] CC Lithuanian Bureau was dissolved, the Kremlin leadership was not satisfied with and did not trust the competence or information provided by the LCP (B) CC leadership or how it proceeded with the integration of Lithuania into the political, social and economic system of the USSR. As a result, in order to assess the political situation in Lithuania more objectively and take decisions, AUCP[B] CC inspectors were used as management and control tools. The AUCP[B] CC Lithuanian Bureau carried out these functions only partially. For the LCP (B) CC leadership, this was the most difficult time of adjustment to Kremlin policy, a time of “learning” and balancing. When the AUCP[B] CC leaders set the general direction, objectives and goals of Sovietisation in Lithuania and controlled its progress, the role of emissaries and inspectors was important and often decisive. On the basis of their informational and analytical reports, all three of the most important directive-type resolutions (30 October 1944, 15 August 1945 and 5 October 1946) criticising activities of the LCP (B) CC leadership and adjusting the process of Sovietisation of Lithuania were issued.

Globalization’s Influence on MSME’s & Their Role in Economic Development: A Comparative Analysis

This study critically examines the dual-edged impact of globalization on Micro, Small, & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) & their consequential role in fostering economic development. Despite globalization offering unparalleled opportunities for market expansion, technological advancements, & cross-border partnerships, MSMEs face exacerbated issues, including intense competition from multinational corporations, regulatory complexities, & the volatility of global markets. This research underscores the critical importance of governmental support & intervention in ensuring the survival & growth of MSMEs in this globalized landscape. Through a comparative analysis, the study highlights various schemes such as the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Micro & Small Enterprises, the Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency (MUDRA) loans, & the recent focus on digital empowerment initiatives that aim to enhance competitiveness & operational efficiency among MSMEs. This paper argues that while globalization presents significant issues for MSMEs, strategic government policies & support schemes are vital in leveraging the benefits of globalization, ultimately contributing to sustainable economic development. The findings aim to inform policymakers & stakeholders about the nuanced role of MSMEs in the global economy, advocating for a balanced approach that nurtures growth while mitigating risks associated with globalization.

Empirical insights into India’s energy demand: unveiling elasticity dynamics for strategic policy initiatives

Empirical insights into India’s energy demand: unveiling elasticity dynamics for strategic policy initiatives

Navigating the trade-offs between economic growth and environmental sustainability: A global analysis of long-term trends and strategic policies

Navigating the trade-offs between economic growth and environmental sustainability: A global analysis of long-term trends and strategic policies

The Role of Hydrogen in Achieving Sustainable Energy Systems: Challenges and Opportunities

Hydrogen has emerged as a crucial element in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions due to its versatility and its ability to combust without emitting greenhouse gases. This research examines hydrogen's multifaceted role as an energy carrier, emphasizing its methods of production, storage, and utilization. Recent technological advancements, such as enhanced electrolysis efficiency and innovative storage materials, are explored to tackle existing challenges such as high production costs and energy inefficiencies. Case studies in transportation, industrial applications, and power generation illustrate hydrogen's potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions, supporting global decarbonization endeavors. Strategic investments and supportive policies are identified as an essential to fully capitalize on hydrogen's capabilities, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing innovation and cross-sector collaboration to achieve a sustainable, decarbonized energy future. With the increasing attention of the whole society to climate change, hydrogen energy will play an increasingly important role in creating a green and low-carbon world.

Mapping the global regulatory terrain in digital banking: a longitudinal study across countries

Purpose This study aims to comprehensively understand the regulatory landscape and digital transformation (DT) within the banking sector, anchored in the theory of national innovation systems. Design/methodology/approach Using insights from a comprehensive literature review, an innovative framework is introduced to categorize regulators and digital banking attributes across 88 countries. The study uses k-means clustering to analyze the digital banking and regulatory status of 88 countries, tracing their evolution over two distinct timeframes. Findings The cross-country analysis spanning 2014 and 2022 reveals compelling trends in regulatory rankings and digital banking across diverse nations. These findings shed light on the dynamic interplay between regulatory environments and technological innovation. Originality/value This research contributes to knowledge by establishing a robust framework for understanding regulator dynamics in digital banking across a wide spectrum of countries. It offers valuable insights for academia, practitioners and policymakers by elucidating the complex relationship between the regulatory landscape and DT, shaping discourse and implications in this field, and informing strategic decision-making and policy formulation in the global financial landscape.

Exploring Budget Surpluses: Budget Absorption Problems in Recently Decentralized Macedonian Municipalities

ABSTRACT This study treats operating budget surpluses as an absorption problem rather than a strategic fiscal policy. Applying a system generalized method of moments (GMM) model on panel data from 80 Macedonian municipalities for the period 2006–2020, the study examines the relation of decentralization and vertical fiscal imbalance with these systematic operating surpluses. The findings from the study are mixed. The findings from this study are relevant to all developing countries undergoing fiscal decentralization reforms, especially post-socialist countries. This study fills a void in the literature examining non-strategic surpluses in recently decentralized local governments.

Cross Ownership Under Strategic Tax Policy

Abstract We provide a new reason for the consumer surplus and welfare raising cross ownership. We show that cross ownership reduces the tax rate, and increases consumer surplus and welfare under Cournot and Bertrand competition when the marginal social cost/benefit of public funds is less than unity. We further show that Cournot competition creates higher consumer surplus and welfare compared to Bertrand competition if the marginal social cost/benefit of public funds is less than unity, thus providing a new reason for the Cournot-Bertrand welfare reversal.

Seeds of change: A bibliometric study on sustainable technologies and business strategies in agriculture

The transition to sustainable agricultural practices is critical in the face of escalating climate challenges. Despite significant advances, the integration of green technologies within agribusiness remains underexplored. This study undertakes a comprehensive bibliometric analysis, utilizing data from the Web of Science Core Collection (1990–2023), to elucidate the integration of green technologies within agribusiness strategies. The research highlights key trends, influential authors, prominent journals, and significant thematic clusters, including biogas, biochar, biotech remediation, sustainable agriculture transition, low-carbon agriculture, and green strategies. By employing R, Bibliometrix, and VOSviewer, the study provides a nuanced understanding of the research landscape, emphasizing the critical role of strategic planning, policy frameworks, technological innovation, and interdisciplinary approaches in promoting sustainable agricultural development. The findings underscore the growing scholarly interest in sustainable practices, driven by global initiatives such as the UN’s 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement. This study contributes to the literature by offering qualitative insights and policy implications, highlighting the necessity for a holistic integration of green technologies to enhance the environmental and economic viability of agribusinesses.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in STEM Academic Librarianship: Perspectives and Practices in Canada

This research explores the perspectives and practices of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in Canadian Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) academic librarianship. Research data were collected from Canadian STEM librarians through an online survey and one-on-one interviews. Findings indicate that the majority of participants' libraries and institutions have integrated EDI into their strategic plans, policies, or guidelines. These STEM librarians shared their perspectives, experiences, opportunities, and challenges in achieving their EDI goals. Besides providing examples of practices, the research sheds light on potential improvements to encourage STEM academic librarians to effectively integrate EDI into their professional practices. Establishing a supportive organizational culture for EDI is identified as a crucial motivational factor.

The Impact of 5G and Data Science on Digital Marketing: An Analytical Review and Research Agenda

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of 5G technology across various sectors, focusing on its applications in smart cities, digital marketing, and industrial use cases, with the goal of understanding how 5G enhances connectivity, efficiency, and user experience. Theoretical Framework: The research is based on theories of digital transformation and emerging technologies, highlighting the role of artificial intelligence and advanced connectivity in the evolution of urban, commercial, and industrial systems. Method: A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, analyzing studies published from 1996 to 2023. The research utilized social network analysis, content analysis, and business case analysis to gain a comprehensive understanding of the effects of 5G. Results and Discussion: The findings reveal that 5G technology significantly improves connectivity, operational efficiency, and user experience, facilitating real-time communication and advanced resource management. The discussion contextualizes these findings within the theoretical framework, highlighting the benefits and challenges of 5G. Implications of the Research: The study emphasizes implications for digital infrastructure and services, suggesting the need for strategic investments and policies to fully leverage the potential of 5G. Originality/Value: This study provides an integrated and novel view of 5G, distinguishing itself from previous research by offering a holistic perspective on advanced applications.

Single-party regime, cooptation, and strategic social spending in developing countries

How regime types affect the provision of social spending in the context of developing countries? This article provides a novel political-economic approach, arguing that single-party regimes are more likely to spend on pensions than other types of autocratic states to co-opt the large number of critical members although the regime type does not affect the general welfare spending across autocratic states. The theory emphasizes the effect of institutional and power structure heterogeneity across autocracies in shaping the incentives and strategies that the ruling elites co-opt and respond to the demands of the ruling coalition across different autocratic regimes. Using panel, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression with lagged dependent variable along with several empirical strategies, it finds the evidence supporting this argument with a new dataset from 1990 to 2012. The study provides new insights on how autocratic institutions especially the party utilize strategic social policies to resolve the elite-level dictator dilemma for regime survival that are absent in other autocratic types.

Korean policy strategies for autonomous vehicles in platform-based mobility systems

ABSTRACT This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the economic and policy dimensions crucial for the integration of autonomous vehicles within platform-based mobility systems. Utilizing the Mini-Delphi method, we gathered expert insights to form strategic policy recommendations that address the challenges and opportunities in the autonomous vehicle sector. The research underscores the potential economic impacts of autonomous mobility services and suggests robust policy frameworks to support the sustainable growth of platform-based logistics and transportation services. Our findings aim to guide policymakers and industry stakeholders in navigating the complex landscape of digital transformation in mobility.

Evaluating the budget impact of Empagliflozin in managing heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: Proposing strategic policies for Malaysian public healthcare.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors such as Empagliflozin, are increasingly recommended as part of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in many developed nations. This recommendation is based on robust clinical evidence showing that adding Empagliflozin to GDMT improves heart failure symptoms, clinical outcomes, functional status, and overall quality of life. In Malaysia, where healthcare is predominantly public and heavily subsidized, the introduction of new treatments can significantly impact costs, requiring detailed economic assessments. This study evaluates the budget impact of incorporating Empagliflozin into GDMT for HFrEF from the perspective of the public healthcare system. A five-year budget impact model was developed, integrating local data such as population, drug use, costs, clinical outcomes, and healthcare expenses. In the current scenario (GDMT alone), the projected five-year expenditure is MYR 6.12 billion (USD 3.92 billion). With Empagliflozin, the total cost rises by 0.71% to MYR 6.16 billion (USD 3.95 billion), driven by drug acquisition costs of MYR 160.12 million (USD 102.64 million) and adverse event costs of MYR 211,543 (USD 135,604). However, these costs are offset by savings from reduced HF hospitalizations, fewer cardiovascular deaths, and improved renal outcomes. Sensitivity analysis identified hospitalization costs, the price of Empagliflozin, and cardiovascular deaths in diabetic patients as key factors influencing the budget impact. Policymakers can improve the affordability of Empagliflozin through strategies like price negotiations, cost-sharing, and focusing on high-risk groups to optimize healthcare expenditure while ensuring effective treatment access.

A strategic IT policy implementation model for enhancing customer satisfaction in digital markets

In the increasingly competitive landscape of digital markets, customer satisfaction is paramount for sustained business success. This paper proposes a Strategic IT Policy Implementation Model aimed at enhancing customer satisfaction by aligning IT policy development with customer-centric strategies. The model serves as a framework that integrates technological advancements with customer expectations, ensuring that IT policies effectively support business objectives and improve operational reliability. The proposed model emphasizes a holistic approach to IT policy formulation, incorporating stakeholder input, market analysis, and performance metrics. It identifies key areas where IT policies can directly influence customer experiences, including data management, service delivery, and communication channels. By focusing on these elements, organizations can develop IT policies that not only comply with regulatory standards but also enhance user engagement and satisfaction. Central to the model is the concept of continuous feedback loops, which facilitate the ongoing evaluation and refinement of IT policies based on customer insights. This adaptive mechanism enables businesses to remain responsive to changing customer needs and technological advancements, fostering a culture of innovation and customer-centricity. Moreover, the model advocates for cross-departmental collaboration, ensuring that IT policies are harmonized with marketing, sales, and customer service strategies. Implementation of the model is illustrated through case studies of leading technology firms that have successfully aligned their IT policies with customer-centric approaches. These examples highlight the tangible benefits of improved customer satisfaction, increased loyalty, and enhanced operational reliability. Furthermore, the model addresses common challenges faced during implementation, such as resistance to change and resource constraints, offering practical solutions to overcome these obstacles. In conclusion, the Strategic IT Policy Implementation Model provides a structured approach for organizations aiming to enhance customer satisfaction in digital markets. By aligning IT policies with customer-centric strategies, businesses can achieve greater operational efficiency and foster long-term relationships with their customers.

Economic Growth Targets, Innovation Transformation, and Urban Carbon Emissions: An Empirical Study of the Yangtze River Delta

In the face of carbon emissions reduction efforts, which are a common but differentiated global responsibility, it is crucial to explore the potential synergistic path between economic growth and carbon emissions reduction. This study integrates economic growth management and carbon emissions into a theoretical framework, based on city-level panel data from 2005 to 2019 in the Yangtze River Delta and the fixed effects model. We explore the impact of economic growth targets on urban carbon emissions. Then, we explore the mechanism by which economic growth target affects carbon emissions with the mediation effect model and moderation effect model. The results reveal that economic growth targets are beneficial for carbon reduction, and innovation development from innovation transformation is an important mechanism driving carbon emissions reduction, but the effects of different innovation outputs exhibit notable variations. In addition, marketization and industrial structure affect the relationship between economic growth targets and carbon emissions. The heterogeneity analysis reveals substantial spatial and temporal differences. Based on the realities of developing countries’ ongoing economic targets, this study provides a new explanation for the relationship between government policies and carbon emissions, establishing a scientific basis for policymakers to formulate strategic green development policies.

Targeting COVID-19 and Human Resources for Health News Information Extraction: Algorithm Development and Validation.

Global pandemics like COVID-19 put a high amount of strain on health care systems and health workers worldwide. These crises generate a vast amount of news information published online across the globe. This extensive corpus of articles has the potential to provide valuable insights into the nature of ongoing events and guide interventions and policies. However, the sheer volume of information is beyond the capacity of human experts to process and analyze effectively. The aim of this study was to explore how natural language processing (NLP) can be leveraged to build a system that allows for quick analysis of a high volume of news articles. Along with this, the objective was to create a workflow comprising human-computer symbiosis to derive valuable insights to support health workforce strategic policy dialogue, advocacy, and decision-making. We conducted a review of open-source news coverage from January 2020 to June 2022 on COVID-19 and its impacts on the health workforce from the World Health Organization (WHO) Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) by synergizing NLP models, including classification and extractive summarization, and human-generated analyses. Our DeepCovid system was trained on 2.8 million news articles in English from more than 3000 internet sources across hundreds of jurisdictions. Rules-based classification with hand-designed rules narrowed the data set to 8508 articles with high relevancy confirmed in the human-led evaluation. DeepCovid's automated information targeting component reached a very strong binary classification performance of 98.98 for the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) and 47.21 for the area under the precision recall curve (PR-AUC). Its information extraction component attained good performance in automatic extractive summarization with a mean Recall-Oriented Understudy for Gisting Evaluation (ROUGE) score of 47.76. DeepCovid's final summaries were used by human experts to write reports on the COVID-19 pandemic. It is feasible to synergize high-performing NLP models and human-generated analyses to benefit open-source health workforce intelligence. The DeepCovid approach can contribute to an agile and timely global view, providing complementary information to scientific literature.

Do Emission Trading Systems, Green Technology, and Environmental Governance Matter for Environmental Quality? Evidence from the European Union

This study investigates how emission trading systems can diminish the ecological footprint in the European Union bloc by considering the contribution of eco-friendly technology and ecological governance through another market-based intervention (i.e., environmental tax). Using PQARDL in the 26 EU members for data during 2011–2021, the study demonstrates that carbon pricing emission trading systems successfully reduce emissions in medium and upper quantiles but have little influence on lower quantiles. As businesses and consumers face higher costs for carbon-intensive activities, they are encouraged to adopt cleaner technologies and more sustainable practices. Over time, this shift decreases overall carbon emissions and resource consumption, which helps lower ecological pressure. Additionally, Europe's robust regulatory framework and commitment to climate goals ensure that carbon pricing is enforced consistently, further amplifying its positive environmental impact. Eco-friendly technology innovation appears to be a powerful tool for achieving rapid environmental advantages, leading to a considerable reduction in environmental footprint across various levels. Climate-smart patents can significantly curb emissions within the ecosystem and help balance the economy and the environment. Environmental taxes work alongside carbon pricing and green patents to incentivize individuals and corporations to adopt more sustainable practices in the 26 EU members. By unraveling the multifaceted relationships underpinning emission trading systems, renewable energy, green patents, and environmental tax, this study provides actionable insights to guide strategic decisions and policy formulations to reduce the ecological footprint.

FOREX EFFICIENCY AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF INDIAN DEFENCE COMPANIES – EXAMINING CONNECTION

This study explores the impact of financial performance on forex efficiency of the selected Indian Defence companies. To meet this objective the sample of five companies selected from nifty defence index based on availability of data. This research uses a descriptive research design and the analysis spans over ten years from April 2014 to March 2024. The financial performance indicators, including profitability, liquidity, asset efficiency, and solvency are examined in relation to forex efficiency through correlation and panel regression analysis. This research aims to address two key questions: the overall relationship between financial performance and forex efficiency in selected Defence companies and the influence of selected financial indicators on forex efficiency. The previous studies have explored related themes but they have not specifically targeted the Defence sector or detailed how particular financial indicator impact forex efficiency. This study fills this gap by providing a meticulous analysis of how financial performance influences forex efficiency. This contributes in valuable insights for strategic financial management and policy formulation in the Defence industry.

Ban on mobile phones in the classroom: first (positive) effects

Abstract Karin Boode MBA is Strategic Youth Policy Advisor and working at the National Association of Regional Public Health Services Netherlands. Leading on from the presentation on the harms of social media and smartphones, Karin will present examples of policies that have been successful in reducing the health impacts on youngsters. She will focus on the role of schools in addressing this problem, and how public health organisations can effectively disseminate guidance to teachers and parents in limiting screen time and improving self-regulating behaviours of children and adolescents to minimise screen and smartphone addiction. Karin will also explore controversial legislation such as smartphone bans.