Support Policy Implementation Research Articles

The development and implementation of electronic gambling machine policy: a qualitative study of local government policy makers

ObjectiveTo understand how policies developed by Local Government Authorities (LGAs) to address electronic gambling machine (EGM) harm are developed and implemented. MethodsSemi‐structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants from 15 LGAs in metropolitan Melbourne who worked in a role associated or aligned with gambling. An inductive thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. ResultsThree key themes emerged. First, participants described a shift from addiction frameworks to public health policy responses to EGMs, which was driven by increasing EGM losses and the harms caused by EGMs to communities. Second, there was the role of stakeholder groups in the policy‐making process, including the challenges associated with engaging the community. Finally, there were barriers and facilitators to policy development and implementation. Barriers included a lack of financial resources and legislative boundaries imposed by the State Government. Facilitators included whole‐of‐LGA approaches, supportive councillors and collaborative efforts. Conclusions and implications for public healthLGAs have made shifts towards public health responses to EGM harm. Initiatives to further support policy development and implementation could include imposing a levy on EGM losses to directly support public health prevention activities and implementing robust state‐based regulatory frameworks that support LGA responses to EGM harm.

An analytical approach to estimate structural and behavioral impact of renewable energy power plants on LMP

Implementation of renewable energy support policies in many countries for the sake of energy security and climate change mitigation worldwide raises the importance of renewable energy power plants (REPPs) in analyzing power market features. In this article, an analytical method is introduced to examine the effect of REPPs on locational marginal price (LMP). To this end, taking into account REPPs, according to the social welfare maximization problem of the independent system operator (ISO), a new decomposition for LMP is proposed to analytically express the impact of the strategic behavior of conventional generation companies (GenCos) and the power system structure on LMP. The structural section of LMP is decomposed into four components to differentiate between the effect of GenCos and REPPs. The well-known Q-Learning (QL) algorithm models the GenCos’ decision-making process. The results prove that REPPs can change both the structural and behavioral components of the LMP and highlight the significance of GenCos’ strategic behavior. The results demonstrate that not considering the features of the power system in the design of support policies might raise the likelihood of congestion or the probability of strategic behaviors from GenCos, against the objectives of these policies.

Who is a credible source of preventive advice? An experimental vignette study of general public attitudes towards role expansion in health and social care.

To investigate the general public's source credibility attitudes towards health and social care professionals when giving advice associated with their 'traditional role' versus an 'expanded health behaviour change' role, to facilitate the implementation of the health behaviour change agenda. A 3x3 experimental between-subjects vignette questionnaire study with nine scenarios in which a general practitioner (GP), health visitor, or firefighter offered advice on either stopping smoking, preventing cot death, or fire safety. Combinations were either congruent with a traditional role (e.g., health visitor and cot death) or an expanded role (e.g., firefighter and stopping smoking). Adults were recruited from metropolitan locations in northern England. Participants were randomized to one scenario and complete a validated 18-item source credibility questionnaire. Factor analysis explored source credibility components; ratings for traditional and expanded role scenarios were compared using Mann-Whitney tests. 369 participants completed the questionnaire (49.3% women, 64% White British, age range: 16-83). Factor analysis confirmed three source credibility dimensions: competence, caring, and trustworthiness. Ratings were generally high across professions and scenarios; participants rated professionals as significantly more 'competent' where scenarios related to their traditional roles than expanded roles (U9778.5, p <.001) but equally as caring (U=14467.5, p<.485) and trustworthy (U14250.5, p.348). GPs, health visitors, and firefighters were all perceived as credible sources of health behaviour change advice, but may be viewed as 'less competent' sources of messages associated with an expanded job role. Effective professional training and public engagement regarding the role expansion agenda are needed to support policy implementation. Statement of Contribution What is already known on this subject? Source credibility surrounds people's perceptions of the source of advice and includes competence, caring, and trustworthiness dimensions. This may have an important influence on people's attitudes and behaviour, especially when messages are complex or emotive. A wide range of public sector workers is now expected to routinely offer preventive health and safety advice, as part of role expansion. What does this study add? This experimental survey study compared source credibility perceptions of GPs, health visitors, and firefighters giving advice on topics associated with a traditional or expanded role. Professionals were perceived as less 'competent' when giving advice on 'expanded role' topics, such as a firefighter discussing smoking, with a small reduction in source credibility. This highlights that source credibility may be specific to professional identities. Policymakers may need to explore this further as part of implementing role expansion for prevention and self-management in health and social care.

Suggestions to Alleviate the Financing Risks of Family Farmers: Based on the Investigation Report of Pig Farmers in Jiulongshan Town, Kaizhou District, Chongqing

&lt;p&gt;In 2013, the Central Document No. 1 first proposed the concept of "family farm". As an important part of rural economic development, family farms have increasingly significant financing risks. The No. 1 document of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2018 proposed a strategy to overcome poverty and achieve rural revitalization. Therefore, it is of great value and significance to study the financing risks of family farmers and explore solutions. This article is based on an in-depth investigation and analysis of the farm development status, land circulation, and mortgage financing of family farm land contract management rights in Jiulongshan Town, Kaizhou District, Chongqing. In addition, it also investigates the implementation and publicity of the financial support policies of rural commercial banks, the Agricultural Bank of China, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and the Postal Savings Bank on family farmer financing. Finally, the existing problems are analyzed and relevant policy suggestions are put forward.&lt;/p&gt;

Effects of Economic Uncertainty on Mental Health in the COVID-19 Pandemic Context: Social Identity Disturbance, Job Uncertainty and Psychological Well-Being Model

Psychological well-being is a major global concern receiving more scholarly attention following the 2008 Great Recession, and it becomes even more relevant in the context of COVID-19 outbreak. In this study, we investigated the impact of economic uncertainty resulting from natural disasters, epidemics, and financial crisis on individuals’ mental health. As unemployment rate exponentially increases, individuals are faced with health and economic concerns. Not all society members are affected to the same extent, and marginalized groups, such as those suffering from chronic mental illnesses or low-income families cannot afford the downsizing, mass lay-offs and lack of access to public health services. Psychiatric profession is familiarized with the phenomenon of intolerance of uncertainty (IU), and we examine how this concept is associated with job uncertainty and social identity disturbance. Several studies have formally investigated the effects of IU, but to our knowledge, this is the first research integrating the psychological well-being, job uncertainty and identity disturbance caused by economic breakdown. Literature points to many reported cases of PTSD, anxiety, depression and suicidal tendencies following major social disasters. Yet, we have undertaken to analyze the subjective experiences underlying the self-harming behaviors in an attempt to fill the methodological gap by drawing insights from prominent psychological, sociological and economic theories. We find economic uncertainty to have a positive relation to job uncertainty and identity disturbance, and a negative relationship with psychological well-being. Psychological well-being depends on coherency between both abstract subjective and concrete objective identity, and when these perceptions are inconsistent, cognitive dissonance arises resulting in identity disturbance. We argue that stability is not associated with monetary advantage only, but also with a wide range of other benefits that are crucial for individuals’ growth, satisfaction and sense of identity. Therefore, we propose the implementation of social support and public welfare policies to mitigate health risks during the turbulent socio-economic changes.

Challenges to implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control guidelines on tobacco cessation treatment: a qualitative analysis.

To identify barriers to implementing the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 14 guidelines on tobacco dependence treatment (TDT). Cross-sectional survey conducted from December 2014 to July 2015 to assess implementation of Article 14 recommendations. Survey respondents (n=127 countries) who completed an open-ended question on the 26-item survey. The open-ended question asked the following: 'In your opinion, what are the main barriers or challenges to developing further tobacco dependence treatment in your country?'. We conducted thematic analysis of the responses. The most frequently reported barriers included a lack of health-care system infrastructure (n=86) (e.g. treatment not integrated into primary care, lack of health-care worker training), low political priority (n=66) and lack of funding (n=51). The absence of strategic plans and national guidelines for Article 14 implementation emerged as subthemes of political priority. Also described as barriers were negative provider attitudes towards offering offer TDT (n=11), policymakers' lack of awareness about the effectiveness and affordability of TDT (n=5), public norms supporting tobacco use (n=11), a lack of health-care leadership and expertise in the area of TDT (n=6) and a lack of grassroots and multi-sector networks supporting policy implementation (n=8). The analysis captured patterns of co-occurring themes that linked, for example, low levels of political support with a lack of funding necessary to develop health-care infrastructure and capacity to implement Article 14. Important barriers to implementing the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Article 14 guidelines include lack of a health-care system infrastructure, low political priority and lack of funding.

Secondary school implementation of a healthy eating policy.

Healthy canteen policies regulating the sales of food and beverages are available across all the states and territories in Australia. The aim of this study was to assess the compliance with a newly updated healthy school canteen policy in New South Wales (NSW) among a sample of secondary schools. A cross-sectional study of secondary school canteen menus was undertaken in selected regions across NSW (September 2017-November 2017). Government and Catholic secondary schools with a canteen menu publicly available on school websites were eligible for inclusion. Menus were classified according to the NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy using a Quick Menu Audit tool, previously validated in primary schools. Of 62 Catholic and 128 Government secondary schools located in the study region, 53 secondary schools (25 Catholic and 28 Government) were eligible to participate. The average percentage of "everyday" (healthy) items on secondary school menus was 54% (strategy criteria is >75%). Twenty-eight per cent of menus had no "sugary drinks" (should not be sold). None of the 53 menus assessed met all strategy criteria regarding the availability of foods and beverages. There was no statistically significant difference in meeting; (a) 75% minimum "everyday" items and (b) no "sugary drinks," by socio-economic region, remoteness, school enrolments or school type. If public health benefits of healthy eating policies are to be realised, secondary schools need to be supported to implement such policies. SO WHAT?: Future research assessing the impact of intervention strategies to support policy implementation in secondary schools is recommended.

The Determinants of Neighborhood Based Development Policy Implementation in Manado City

The purpose of this study was to analyze the determination of neighborhood-based development policies in the city of Manado by using a phenomenological qualitative agreement. Data collection techniques are: observation in several Neighborhood, semi-structured in-depth interviews and documents obtained from the Community Empowerment Agency and the Village Government. Data analysts performed through technical analysis of Miles and Huberman. The results of the study show that the determinant of the implementation of the Neighborhood-Based Development policy in Manado City are: 1). Disposition or commitment of the Manado City government that sets policy as a top priority and tends to be weak, 2). The standards and objectives of the policy are too ideal (utopian), very difficult for the implementers to realize, 3). Erroneously setting the allocation of resources on capital expenditure, should be included in goods and services expenditure and implementation of the policy awaiting changes in the regional income and expenditure budget changes in November, 4). Changes in the Central Government's policy, namely Minister of Home Affairs Regulation No. 32/2011, which has not been anticipated, 5). Communication and socialization have not been carried out systematically, directed 6). The social conditions of the community have not been prepared to support policy implementation. For that reason: 1). The Manado City Government should have a genuine disposition or commitment in implementing a Neighborhood Based Development policy that has been set as a top priority and superior, 2). Policy standards and targets should be measurable and can be implemented, 3). Research in determining the allocation of resources for implementation, 4). Anticipating changes in Central Government policies, 5). Communication and socialization are carried out systematically, directed by broadcasting through print and mass media, 6). The social conditions of the community are carefully prepared, through community meetings, confessions, making brochures, stickers, and policy songs on neighborhood-based development.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DIGITAL ECONOMY IN THE BELGOROD REGION

Purpose: The regions of the country have different levels of Information technology development, so an important step in the implementation of the informational support policy is the assessment of the region's readiness for the transition to the digital economy. In accordance with the digitization program, an important factor is also the study of the first results of the strategy for correcting plans for further digital development.&#x0D; Methodology: The main methods of research in the course of conducting the given research include: analysis, description, monitoring, comparison, economic analysis, and statistical-economic method.&#x0D; Result: The concept of “digital economy” was considered, the characteristics of digitization within the Belgorod region were characterized, the main directions of digitization of the region and the region’s readiness to transition to a digital economy were identified.&#x0D; Applications: This research can be used for the universities, teachers, and students.&#x0D; Novelty/Originality: In this research, the model of The Development of the Digital Economy in the Belgorod Region is presented in a comprehensive and complete manner.

Understanding the supports needed for policy implementation: a comparative analysis of the placement of intermediaries across three mental health systems

BackgroundIntermediaries are organisations or programmes that work between policy-makers and service providers to facilitate effective implementation of evidence-informed policies, programmes and practices. A number of intermediaries now exist in well-established mental health systems; however, research on them, and how they may be optimised to support implementation is lacking. This research seeks to understand the puzzling variation in the system placement of intermediaries supporting policy implementation in the mental health systems of Canada (Ontario), New Zealand and Scotland.MethodsUsing a comparative case study approach, the analytic goal was to compare intermediaries across jurisdictions and explain differences in their placement using explanatory frameworks from political science. Data for this analysis were derived from several sources, including key informant interviews, a literature search of published and grey literature on intermediaries and on policy implementation in mental health systems, a review of relevant policy documents and websites, as well as documents and websites relating to the various intermediaries and other interest groups within each system.ResultsThrough the analysis, we argue that the placement of intermediaries supporting policy implementation can be explained through an understanding of the political structures, the policy legacies leading to the current public/private mix of mental health service delivery, and the differing administrative capacities of mental health systems.ConclusionsThis research contributes to our growing understanding of policy-related intermediaries supporting implementation at scale and how we might build appropriate infrastructure in systems to support the implementation of policy and achieve better outcomes for citizens.

Street-level diplomacy and local enforcement for meat safety in northern Tanzania: knowledge, pragmatism and trust

BackgroundWith increasing demand for red meat in Tanzania comes heightened potential for zoonotic infections in animals and humans that disproportionately affect poor communities. A range of frontline government employees work to protect public health, providing services for people engaged in animal-based livelihoods (livestock owners and butchers), and enforcing meat safety and food premises standards. In contrast to literature which emphasises the inadequacy of extension support and food safety policy implementation in low- and middle-income countries, this paper foregrounds the ‘street-level diplomacy’ deployed by frontline actors operating in challenging contexts.MethodsThis research is based on semi-structured interviews with 61 government employees, including livestock extension officers/meat inspectors and health officers, across 10 randomly-selected rural and urban wards.ResultsFrontline actors combined formal and informal strategies including the leveraging of formal policy texts and relationships with other state employees, remaining flexible and recognising that poverty constrained people’s ability to comply with health regulations. They emphasised the need to work with livestock keepers and butchers to build their knowledge to self-regulate and to work collaboratively to ensure meat safety. Remaining adaptive and being hesitant to act punitively unless absolutely necessary cultivated trust and positive relations, making those engaged in animal-based livelihoods more open to learning from and cooperating with extension officers and inspectors. This may result in higher levels of meat safety than might be the case if frontline actors stringently enforced regulations.ConclusionThe current tendency to view frontline actors’ partial enforcement of meat safety regulations as a failure obscures the creative and proactive ways in which they seek to ensure meat safety in a context of limited resources. Their application of ‘street-level diplomacy’ enables them to be sensitive to local socio-economic realities, to respect local social norms and expectations and to build support for health safety interventions when necessary. More explicitly acknowledging the role of trust and positive state-society relations and the diplomatic skills deployed by frontline actors as a formal part of their inspection duties offers new perspectives and enhanced understandings on the complicated nature of their work and what might be done to support them.

The Association between Perceived Adequacy and Capacity for School Food Policy Implementation with Food Availability and Policy Adherence in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Supporting the implementation of school food and nutrition policies is an international priority to encourage healthier eating among children and youth. Schools are an important intervention setting to promote childhood nutrition, and many jurisdictions have adopted policies, guidelines, and programs to modify the school nutrition environment and promote healthier eating. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between perceived adequacy of facilities or equipment and capacity of staff to support policy implementation with food availability and policy adherence in the province of Nova Scotia (NS), Canada, one of the first regions in Canada to launch a comprehensive school food and nutrition policy (SFNP). A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in 2014–2015 to provide a current-state assessment of policy implementation and adherence. Adequacy and capacity for food policy implementation was used to assess policy adherence through the availability of prohibited ‘minimum’ nutrition foods. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on a selection of available foods, and ‘slow’- and ‘quick’-service food composition measures were dichotomized for food availability. Schools with above-average perceived adequacy and capacity for policy implementation had greater odds (OR = 3.62, CI = 1.56, 8.40) of adhering to a lunch policy, while schools that adhered to a snack and lunch policy had lower odds (OR = 0.48, CI = 0.23, 1.01 and OR = 0.18, CI = 0.08, 0.41) of serving quick-service foods. This study identified the need for appropriate adequacy of facilities or equipment and capacity of staff for policy implementation to ensure policy adherence and improve the school food environment. These findings highlight the relationship between school food and nutrition policies, suggesting that better supporting their implementation could increase the likelihood of their success.

Analysis of Science Popularization Policies Issued by Chinese Central Government Organs and People's Organizations from 2011 to 2015

This study explores the external features and content of 254 policy files promulgated by Chinese central government organs and people's organizations from 2011 to 2015. The study shows that policy is a powerful means to promote science popularization in China. The China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) takes the lead in policymaking. Science popularization policies cover a wide range of subjects, and diversified tools have been adopted to support policy implementation. Some problems remain and need to be tackled, such as the unbalanced distribution of policymakers, poor adaptability of policy to development and insufficient dissemination. On the basis of our analysis, we propose suggestions for future science popularization policymaking, including enhancing the awareness of policymakers, strengthening coordination and cooperation, meeting the needs of the times, and enriching channels of communication.

Expert-Based Evaluation of Ecosystem Service Provision in Coastal Reed Wetlands Under Different Management Regimes

A characteristic feature of lagoons and estuaries along the Baltic Sea is the dominance of reed (Phragmites australis) along their coasts. Reed wetlands are ecologically valuable ecosystems, play an important role for nutrient and matter cycling as well as for biodiversity. They provide a broad spectrum of ecosystem services and are utilized by humans already for centuries. We assess the ecosystem service provision of reed wetlands, analyze how this is affected by different management scenarios and how the results of an expert based ecosystem service assessment can be used in practice. Because of strong internal gradients and interactions with the surrounding, coastal reed belts show a higher ecosystem service provision compared to homogeneous inland reed. The three different coastal management scenarios are 1) winter harvest of reed, 2) summer harvest of reed and 3) grazing by livestock. According to the views of 18 involved experts from Lithuania, Poland and Germany, winter harvest is regarded as the scenario with the lowest conflict potential between nature protection and reed utilization. Experts expect no changes or even slight increases for regulating and cultural services. However, experts see the need to establish a sustainable and regionally anchored winter harvest concept. Summer harvest and grazing entail the risk to change the ecosystem structure and could lead to a shift in vegetation pattern towards short saltmarsh grassland. Experts expect a slight decrease in regulating services. Especially erosion control, biodiversity or nutrient sequestration are rated controversially. To our experience, these expert-based ecosystem service assessments can support policy implementation (e.g. NATURA 2000, European Water Framework Directive or Marine Strategy Framework Directive). It can serve as a tool that allows stakeholders to visualize trade-offs, analyze patterns and processes at regional scales and hence facilitate decision-making.

지방정부 관광스타트업지원정책의 정책네트워크 구조 분석

This study aimed at analyzing the policy network structure of tourism startup support policy of local government by using social network analysis method. The literature review covered the concepts of tourism startup support policy, policy network, and the related precedent studies. For the research design, an analytical model was proposed. The model was composed of policy actors, policy areas, and analytical factors. For the research case Seoul Metropolitan Government was selected. And the data was collected by focus group sampling method. The findings showed that in the analysis of density, the cohesion of tourism startup support policy network was in relatively good level. And in the analysis of centrality, Korea Tourism Organization and Seoul Metropolitan Government had central influence in overall policy area and sub-policy area respectively. And in the analysis of structural hole, Korea Tourism Startup Association occupied a strategic position in overall policy area, meanwhile, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports and Korea Tourism Association occupied a strategic position in sub-policy area. Based on the findings, theoretical implications were discussed and practical suggestions were made for effective implementation of tourism startup support policy of local government.

Readiness of Private Islamic Religious Universities in Supporting Policy Implementation for the Regulation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Number 1 of 2016

This study aims to determine the readiness of Private Islamic Religious Universities in supporting the implementation for the Regulation of The Ministry of Religious Affairs of The Republic of Indonesia Number 1 Of 2016, concerning Certificate of Diploma Supplement. This policy, in fact, has been implemented since January 12, 2016. This study uses a qualitative approach, research procedures that produce descriptive data in the form of utterances or scripts and behavior of the people observed. The qualitative approach is expected to get an in-depth description of the utterances, scripts and behavior of the people observed. Data analysis is done through; data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and verification. The results of the study show that; PIRU Human Resources Region II West Java and Banten are not ready to implement Certificate of Diploma Supplement, because it is still in the phase of preparation; infrastructure as a support in implementing policies is still minimal, and organizational commitment has not fully supported the implementation of the DSC implementation policy.

A new approach to gathering pharmaceutical market data to support policy implementation and access to medicines: as demonstrated by malaria medicines in Zambia

BackgroundThe steady supply of quality, affordable medicines is a pillar of a functioning health system. In addition to the public sector, the private, mission and not-for-profit sectors often serve a large part of the population in Africa. However, while there is generally systematic recording of public sector supply of medicines, detailed, systematic and reliable national market data including these non-public sectors are not commonly available in most countries in Africa. Understanding the total market is a missing part of the access puzzle: without this information, policy makers and health practitioners are not able to fully measure the impact of interventions, measure access to effective products, or fully evaluate the rational use of medicines. This article reports on a unique innovation which provides routine, national-level data on the total pharmaceuticals market, through a system which can be replicated elsewhere. It demonstrates how national-level market data contribute to the evidence base for policies on access to essential medicines, using the Zambian anti-malarial medicines market as a case study.MethodsA new, routine national database on pharmaceutical market size and structure was established through a multi-partner collaboration. Information was extracted from import authorizations and allows for information on local manufacture. Data included value and volume of products as well as pack details, manufacturer and importer. The system was continually updated: data for this analysis were extracted for 6 years: 2009–2014 inclusive. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and validated against other sources including donor procurement data. Analysis included public and private sector markets. The policy relevance was demonstrated through analysis of four aspects of national policies on access and rational use of malaria medicines: (i) volume of product relative to disease burden; (ii) distribution by sector relative to treatment-seeking; (iii) consistency of products with respect to national policy guidelines; (iv) market concentration as a proxy for security of supply.ResultsThe system developed provides the first accurate, systematic data on the breakdown of a national pharmaceutical market in an African context. The total value of the anti-malarials market in Zambia, including all sectors, was USD 5.5–6 million. This included 22 different molecules or combinations, produced by 56 different manufacturers, with 142 different permutations of molecule/manufacturer/strength. Such data provide a complementary mechanism to confirm key trends in malaria treatment and control in Zambia: (i) sufficient supply relative to disease burden, (ii) value and volume of the private/non-profit sector; 29%–2% of market value and 17%–2% of market volume (from 2009 to 2014), (iii) dominance of the 3 molecules recommended in the national treatment guidelines; and (iv) an evidence-base for national discussions on medicines quality, security of supply and rationale use. The system extracts information on all medicines and therefore could be used to analyse other therapeutic classes. Data have been used for several policy purposes, notably by ZAMRA to monitor the quality of products in Zambia, monitoring implementation of WHO Resolutions on artemisinin monotherapy as well as monitoring trends in product choice across sectors.ConclusionRoutine data are important for researchers and policy makers alike. This study shows how medicines data can be systematically gathered at national level—comprising range, volume and value in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors—to monitor more detailed trends in the market and allows triangulation of supply-side data against other sources. This systematic approach can contribute significantly to support access to medicines, monitor treatment and public health policies and create healthy markets. It can be used to monitor changes between therapeutic areas, for example the impact of improved malaria treatment on the use of antibiotics in the context of anti-microbial resistance monitoring. As data contain commercially confidential information, appropriate safeguards should be put in place to balance public health and commercial interests.

NATO Standards and Practice for Munitions Safety and Insensitive Munitions

The NATO Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center (MSIAC) is a multinational collaboration that collects, stores, and analyses technical information related to Munitions Safety (MS) and Insensitive Munitions (IM). MSIAC supports its member nations through a variety of products and services. Poland is becoming a MSIAC member nation during 2018. MSIAC has a diverse programme of work aimed at developing and sharing the related underpinning scientific knowledge. This is then applied to support policy implementation and development related to munition safety. This paper provides an overview of: NATO policies for MS related to the storage and transport of munitions; NATO IM requirements and testing; and how they relate to Poland. In particular, a comparison of NATO munitions storage policy with Poland munitions storage regulations has identified some differences. These differences are discussed.

Population density, fertility, and childcare services from the perspective of a two-region overlapping generations model

In countries confronting the issue of low fertility, as Japan is, dual trends showing higher regional population density associated with lower fertility rates are being confirmed. It is therefore an important theme for analysis to deepen discussions related to reducing regional fertility disparities by increasing fertility through the implementation of comprehensive childcare support policies, which might facilitate the striking of a balance between child-rearing and work, even in highly populated regions. As described herein, we constructed a simple theoretical two-region overlapping generations (OLG) with attention explicitly devoted to population density and land price. Using this theoretical setup, we analyzed how the fertility rate is affected by population density and land prices. Our findings are as follows. First, considering congestion costs, the fertility rate is depressed by high population density. However, childcare services might mitigate such effects. Second, enriching regional childcare services raises the relative population density of its region. Third, the optimal regional tax rate to finance childcare services is independent of other regions’ regional tax rates and childcare services. Therefore, adopting an optimal regional tax rate is a dominant strategy.

Quantitative assessment of urban transport development – a spatial approach

Abstract Urban transport is considered the basis of properly functioning cities and their development. The main aim of the paper is to attempt the assessment of urban transport development in selected voivodeships (provinces) as a crucial factor of macro logistics. The research also aimed to identify the underdeveloped areas of urban transport in Poland as the basis for the implementation of support policy. The source of information in the investigation process was data drawn from the Central Statistical Office in Poland for 2013–2016. In the scope of dealing with the research problem, chosen classical and order multivariate statistical measures were implemented into the research process. Next, the taxonomic measures for the years of interest served as the basis for the construction of the total (general) synthetic measure applicable to the entire period. The main results and findings of the research indicate that the level of urban transport development is correlated with the whole transportation system which affects the socio-economic development of some regions of Poland. The research can lead to a better understanding of Polish urban transportation development in selected regions. Hence, the results can be helpful in the investment process and for shaping the right transportation policy to improve the use of financial resources.