Tailor-made Policy Research Articles

Information Security Governance and Management Capability Assessment: A Lesson Learned from Directorate General of Taxes

The information has an important role in improving the business operation and serving the decision-making process. The emerging of e-commerce and e-government require more frequent data exchanges included sensitive data. This study will focus on looking at the portrait of the Directorate General of Tax (DGT) in planning and building the ability to enforce IT governance, especially those related to information security. In addition, this research can also be used as a DGT basis for continuous improvement. We use the ISGM capability model to combine COBIT 5 and ISO 27001 as an approach to measure the capability of organizations in governing and manage their information security. We found that DGT’s information security governance and management capability at overall is at level well defined. Almost of ISGM building blocks has been established according to tailor-made policy and standard. With this capability level, DGT’s ISGM could contribute to the business as shown in several DGT’s program. But, to get optimal value from ISGM DGT need to improve the capability level, especially related to organizational aspects like alignment with business strategies and resource management.

Information Security Governance and Management Capability Assessment: A Lesson Learned from Directorate General of Taxes

The information has an important role in improving the business operation and serving the decision-making process. The emerging of e-commerce and e-government require more frequent data exchanges included sensitive data. This study will focus on looking at the portrait of the Directorate General of Tax (DGT) in planning and building the ability to enforce IT governance, especially those related to information security. In addition, this research can also be used as a DGT basis for continuous improvement. We use the ISGM capability model to combine COBIT 5 and ISO 27001 as an approach to measure the capability of organizations in governing and manage their information security. We found that DGT’s information security governance and management capability at overall is at level well defined. Almost of ISGM building blocks has been established according to tailor-made policy and standard. With this capability level, DGT’s ISGM could contribute to the business as shown in several DGT’s program. But, to get optimal value from ISGM DGT need to improve the capability level, especially related to organizational aspects like alignment with business strategies and resource management.

Assessing fertilizer use behaviour for environmental management and sustainability: a quantitative study in agriculturally intensive regions of Uttar Pradesh, India

Intensification of agriculture has challenged environmental sustainability in the form of contaminated water resources, particularly due to the irrational use of synthetic fertilizers. The strong relationship between yield and fertilizer use has led farmers to overrule the systematic approach of fertilizer application. Although various measures have been applied to understand the farmers’ decision-making regarding fertilizer application rates, its excessive use, however, remains inexplicable. To understand this decision-making process, the study attempts to assess the farmers’ fertilizer use behaviour using a socio-psychological model based on available resources, prevailing socio-economic conditions and personal aspects of users in Uttar Pradesh region of India. A survey study was conducted on 312 farmers, categorized by differential land holdings. Regression analysis results indicated that among the series of variables, variables, viz. lack of eco-efficient fertilizers, access to irrigation, credit facilities, use of available cash, farming experience and farm size, are critical ones for determining the fertilizer use decision of farmers. The outcome of the study argues that sustainable interventions in agriculture facilitate the management of natural resource base as global consequences of over-consumption of nitrogen fertilizer particularly have challenged the capacity of natural resources, viz. soil and water. This research work suggests the need for site-specific tailor-made policy measures which can be instrumental in mitigating environmental externality resulting from mismanaged farm practices like excessive use of fertilizers.

A “carrier-load” perspective method for investigating regional water resource carrying capacity

Many regions globally have been facing the challenges of water scarcity and water pollution along with the rampant urbanization process. These challenges highlight the urgency to investigate appropriately the regional water resource carrying capacity (RWRCC) which is a metric for examining and guiding sustainable regional development. Although existing studies have devoted efforts on RWRCC research, the definition of RWRCC and its evaluation method remain arguable. Given this background, this paper introduces a “carrier-load” perspective method for investigating RWRCC. In developing this method, RWRCC performance is determined jointly by two components, namely, carrier and load of regional water resources system. The two components are comprehended and identified through examining the regional water cycling system. A measurement model for RWRCC is established by investigating the interaction between carrier and load. The effectiveness of the “carrier-load” method on RWRCC is demonstrated by conducting an empirical study to 31 provinces of China. The results reveal that the RWRCC performances vary significantly between different regions as they are subject to different performances of carrier and load. The proposed “carrier-load” method provides a theoretical reference for conducting RWRCC research. The evaluation results by applying the method can facilitate decision-makers to formulate tailor-made policy instruments at regional level to ensure the capabilities of water resources are not overloaded or less-utilized in achieving their sustainable development mission.

Public game funding in the Nordic region

ABSTRACT In this paper, we explore the policies related to support structures surrounding national game industries, with focus on the three Nordic countries Finland, Norway and Sweden, and investigate what kind of context the Nordic welfare state model has provided for game development. The three cases illustrate how Nordic welfare state measures have interacted with the games industry over time. While the political ideals have been fairly similar, our study demonstrates how the objectives and practical means of state engagement have differed significantly. We argue that although the three countries all have support schemes of which game companies can take advantage, there are significant differences in the degree to which each individual country has organized government interventions and support. While the Finnish state has treated game development as an endeavour in business development, the regional Nordic game program and the Norwegian state has developed a cultural policy that primarily aims to protect the cultural heritage. The Swedish state has not established a tailormade policy directed towards game development but has a broad spectrum of general policies for supporting research and business development. We suggest that future research should investigate how the public funding is structured and how discourses are formulated around appeals for more public funding for the games industry.

Differences in bank profit persistence in Sub-Saharan Africa

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine differences in determinants of bank profit persistence among Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Design/methodology/approach Using system generalized method of moments and data from four SSA countries during the period 2006–2012, this study considers differences in determinants of bank profit persistence across countries. Findings Efficiency in cost management is a major determinant of profit persistence in all the countries. However, concentration is found to be insignificant in all the estimations, suggesting that efficiency may be a more important determinant of profit persistence than concentration. Economic freedom associates negatively with profit persistence in Ghana, but its effect is insignificant in Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa. Lending specialization translates into less profit persistence in South Africa, but greater persistence in Tanzania. Higher levels of financial development result in lower profit persistence in Kenya and Ghana, but does not matter in Tanzania and South Africa. Practical implications The level of profit persistence gives an indication of the effectiveness of competition policies, and the differences observed in their determinants in this study suggest the need for tailor-made policy responses in the different countries. Originality/value This study improves the understanding of why some banking market competition policies have not achieved the desired outcomes in some countries. It is evident that blanket rules or wholesale importation of policies from other countries may not work in different contexts.

Two ways to success expansion of renewable energies in comparison between Germany's federal states

Expansion of renewable energies is a central pillar of the German energy transition towards a non-nuclear renewable system. The expansion rate is co-determined to a significant degree at the level of the federal states, and varies considerably from state to state. Apart from the existence of natural energy resources and general economic conditions, do parties in government play an important role for the development at the state level? We consider potentially influential factors in a fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) focusing on the expansion of renewable electricity production in all 16 federal German states from 2004 to 2014. As a result, two promising ways for accelerated expansion of renewable electricity production can be identified. On the one hand, a group of economically less developed states have succeeded in promoting expansion and uses it as part of an economic modernization strategy. Within the economically more developed states, however, the party-political composition of the state governments (Green party's involvement) plays a significant role. These results also have implications for other (federal) countries beyond Germany, pointing to tailor-made policy strategies that consider these specific circumstances.

Determination of inventory for mining production with a real options approach and comparison with other classic methods

Safety stock of mining production is kept to prevent ore supply from stock-out, due to the existence of high uncertainty in mining operations and various unforeseen geological conditions. The downstream of mining normally runs in a relatively constant status which tolerates limited fluctuation from the upstream. An unreliable ore supply would cause the insufficient equipment utilisation and economical loss, and even the shutdown of processing plant. Since the rise of inventory management in the 1980s, there have been many studies conducted for enterprises to optimise their inventory and fulfil their clients’ demands. However, those studies mostly focus on the retail industry. The research interests are mainly in the variability of demand and lead time, and the modelling of a multi-echelon chain, which are not often suitable for mining production. Mining production has its own features, which requires a tailor-made policy of safety stock for itself. Real options technique is one suitable method to determine the safety stock of mining production. In this paper, it first analyses the flaws of the existing techniques of calculating safety stock to be used in mining production, and then elaborates the development of a new safety stock policy, based on a real options technique. By a case study, it analyses real data of mining production from Kittilä mine, illustrates the use of the new method and compares this new method with the conventional methods. It shows that the real options approach can provide mining practitioners with a more accurate and reasonable stock level, and more profit.

High HIV sero-prevalence among students of institutions of higher education in Southeast Nigeria

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and sexual behavioural dynamics of HIV infection in students of institutions of higher education (IHEs) as a guide to the design of a tailor-made HIV intervention programmes. MethodsA total of 9 709 sexually matured students from five IHEs in Southeast Nigeria aged 19–24 years were recruited to obtain representative data from the institutionalised student population. HIV status was confirmed using enzyme based immuno-assay technique. Demographic and behavioural information were obtained through a structured questionnaire. Association of HIV infection with behavioural risk factors was done using multiple logistics regression model. ResultsIHEs in Southeast Nigeria have a higher HIV prevalence of 3.69% against the national projected rate of 2012. The age-specific prevalence among male students (2.91%) is non-significantly (P>0.1) lower than that of females (4.31%). Female students had higher rate of infection, multiple sexual partner, transactional and forced sex, unusual genital discharge and low condom use when compared with their male counterparts. These risk factors were associated with increased HIV seropositivity. HIV prevalence and sexual risky behaviour were high among students of IHEs when compared with previous estimates of their non-institutionalised age brackets. Unprotected sexual activity have a 4.2 times higher chances of infecting the partner with HIV. ConclusionsThe data showed a higher prevalence of HIV infection in students of IHEs in comparison with non-institutionalised persons of the same age bracket. Specifically, it could be inferred that appropriate HIV intervention measures was absent with higher incidence of the infection and risky behaviour found in female students. Therefore, a prioritised tailor-made policy for HIV control for students of IHEs should be considered.

Transitions of municipal solid waste management. Part I: Scenarios of Swiss waste glass-packaging disposal

All municipal solid waste (MSW) management systems—even “high quality systems” or those employing “best practices”—face multiple challenges, e.g., decreasing prices of secondary raw materials recovered by municipalities, increasing complexity of waste composition, technological lock-ins. Policy-making involves translating these challenges into goals that are generic in nature and implementing them on MSW fractions thanks to tailor-made policy tools, e.g., anticipated disposal fees. Anticipating the impacts of policies can provide valuable insights into the adequacy of policy tools with respect to economic, political, and social contexts of MSW. The goal of this paper is to construct consistent, future scenarios of Swiss waste glass-packaging disposal based on literature and stakeholder knowledge, including the allocation of waste to different disposal routes. These scenarios are future states to which the current system could transit to due to alternative policies in line with waste policy goals and varying societal constraints (e.g., commodity prices). Results of scenario construction show that policy has a limited effect on waste glass-packaging disposal because of economic constraints, preventing goals from consistently being achieved. For instance, increases in energy prices can impede a policy favoring recycling over downcycling to foam glass, an energy-saving product. The procedure applied to construct possible scenarios suits well the ambition of considering uncertain future developments affecting MSW management as it integrates qualitative and quantitative knowledge of various sources and disciplines.

Big Data for Development: From Information - to Knowledge Societies

The article uses an established three-dimensional conceptual framework to systematically review literature and empirical evidence related to the prerequisites, opportunities, and threats of Big Data Analysis for international development. On the one hand, the advent of Big Data delivers the cost-effective prospect to improve decision-making in critical development areas such as health care, employment, economic productivity, crime and security, and natural disaster and resource management. This provides a wealth of opportunities for developing countries. On the other hand, all the well-known caveats of the Big Data debate, such as privacy concerns, interoperability challenges, and the almighty power of imperfect algorithms, are aggravated in developing countries by long-standing development challenges like lacking technological infrastructure and economic and human resource scarcity. This has the potential to result in a new kind of digital divide: a divide in data-based knowledge to inform intelligent decision-making. This shows that the exploration of data-based knowledge to improve development is not automatic and requires tailor-made policy choices that help to foster this emerging paradigm.

Comparing vulnerability of coastal communities to land use change: Analytical framework and a case study in China

Coastal regions in China are undergoing rapid land use change, but little attention is paid to the implications of this change to local community. Assessment of vulnerability of coastal community to land use change is an important step for enhancing the understanding and decision-making to reduce such vulnerability. This article presents an analytical framework and associated indicator system to assess and compare vulnerability of communities to land use change in coastal areas, and present a case study in China applying this framework. The study includes quantification of Exposure Index (EI), Sensitivity Index (SI) and Adaptive Capacity Index (AI). EI is to measure intensity of land use. SI and AI are based on some socio-economic attributes of the native residents, as well as their view on environmental change and management. Based on the quantification of SI and AI, Vulnerability Index (VI) can be assessed and compared among different communities. This framework was applied in a case study in Maluan Bay, Xiamen, China. The area consists of four administrative, as rural communities in the 1980s, evolving into four distinctive communities with different policies and development modes. Comparison of EI and VI reveals large disparity among communities. Analysis demonstrated that vulnerability was not evenly distributed across communities, which might be linked to the different stage of transformation the community was undergoing. For the case areas, vulnerability tends to increase with the increase of exposure to land use change, but can peak off once the community start to benefit socio-economically from development. The most vulnerable community is the one where native residents lost their livelihood, but benefited a little from economic development. This may suggest the need for tailor-made policy responses to help them to benefit from development and aid their smooth integration into the city, only in this way can enhance adaptive capacity of coastal communities to use change of land and sea.

Enhancing urban planning using simplified models: SIMPLAN for Ahmedabad, India

Urban planners are faced with the decision of what planning policy to pursue in order to achieve the best possible future. Many cities in developed nations use comprehensive models that simulate various aspects of the urban system, capable of predicting implications of a given set of policy inputs, to assist the planning process. However, in developing countries, demographic and socioeconomic data with appropriate spatial disaggregation are difficult to obtain. This constrains the development of such comprehensive urban models to support planning decisions. In the absence of models, the plan-making process usually inclines towards a more intuitive approach. Using simplified urban models adapted to the data constraints, this paper explores the prospects of enhancing planning in developing countries, with the aim of shifting the plan-making process from being purely intuitive towards being more scientific. The SIMPLAN (SIMplified PLANning) modelling suite has been developed for the case study city of Ahmedabad, India (the calibration per se is not discussed) to test alternative urban planning policies (combinations for land use and transport) for the year 2021. Model outputs are evaluated for key economic, environmental and social indicators. It should be noted that such a research study, in the context of developing countries, represents a first generation of studies/models, owing to the simplicity of the model structure and its accompanying limitations and data availability constraints. The modelling framework developed in this study has a visually driven user interface. This makes the model easy to understand, operate and update. Due to this attribute, it allows local planning authorities to carry out testing of several alternative planning policies themselves, without having the need to outsource modelling work to private consulting firms, usually at much higher cost. Key model outputs indicate that dispersing cities proves to be economically beneficial to society as a whole. Compact development may prove to be better in terms of environmental and social aspects, but it may be possible to tackle the undesirable effects of dispersal by appropriate combinations of planning and management measures. The modelling outputs informed the wider debate on compact vs. dispersed urban forms. It was shown that neither of these diametrically opposite forms provide an outright ‘win–win’ solution. They are likely to perform differently in different economies and sociocultural contexts. Therefore, it would appear that each city needs to test out the pros and cons of such alterative urban planning policies before pursing a plan for the future. Learning from such modelling exercises, cities can prepare their own tailor-made policy that best satisfies their objectives, making the planning process more rigorous and transparent.

Optimal control of a queueing system with heterogeneous servers and setup costs

This paper considers a queueing model with batch Poisson input and two heterogeneous servers, where the service times are exponentially distributed. The faster server is always on, but the slower server is only used when the queue length exceeds a certain level. Activating the slower server involves fixed set-up costs. Also there are linear operating costs and linear holding costs. The class of two-level hysteretic control rules is considered. Rather than proving the overall average cost optimality of a hysteretic rule, the purpose of this paper is to develop a tailor-made policy iteration algorithm for computing the optimal switch-on and switch-off levels for the slower server. An embedding method is used that is generally applicable to structured Markovian control problems with an infinitely large state space.