Technical Capacity Research Articles

Managing Materials Vendor Risks for Improved Project Operational Performance

Highlight: Sound risk management implementation is well noted for helping organisations to overcome operational inefficiencies. However, the management of risk associated with construction materials vendors, and how they impact project operational performance appear to have not been extensively researched. Goal: In this study, the effect of materials vendor risk management (vendor risk identification and vendor risk prevention) on project operational performance (project quality and scheduled completion time) was investigated. We also interrogate the mediating role of risk-oriented culture in the relationship between vendor risk management and operational performance. Design/Methodology/Approach: The target population was all 1,044 registered public construction firms under the Urban Regeneration Programme in Nigeria. The cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and random sampling was used to select 173 project managers, engineers, surveyors, vendors/contractors, and store representatives. Primary data was collected through the structured questionnaire, they were analysed via the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique. Results: Three main conclusions are made about managing vendor risks: First, properly identified materials vendor risks (in terms of material handling issues, price escalation, non-compliance to specification, delivery delay, and sharp procurement practices) is positively related to operational performance. Second, implementing context-specific risk prevention measures (prior assessment score, vendor financial capacity, warranty policy, continuous monitoring, technical capacity) positively enhances operational outcomes. Third, paying attention to risk culture orientation of project stakeholders positively impact their risk prevention capability and operational performance of construction projects. Limitations: Study was limited to few operational performance indicators in project management. Future study could include other performance indicators. Practical Implications: The results can help project operations managers in industry address numerous risks associated with materials vendor. Originality/Values: The numerous abandoned and failed construction projects in developing countries as a result of less attention to vendor risks management prompted this study.

A thorough assessment of various forest management planning initiatives and development of improvement strategies towards an ecosystem-based planning

Management planning for forests in Turkey has undergone gradual evolution over the last century. Developing and implementing a comprehensive management planning framework present significant challenges. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of various forest management planning approaches implemented across the country over different time periods, with overarching planning principles. It formulates a robust planning framework and proposes improvements grounded in scientific advancements and international standards. The assessment indicated that the management plans were developed using reputable scientific methods and principles aimed at ensuring the sustainable management of forest resources with certain strengths and opportunities presented by SWOT analysis. All management plans shared a common planning concept primarily focused on maximizing wood production through the area-control harvest scheduling method (except for continuous cover forest, which employed the single tree selection method). Each management plan established its unique vision, targets, policies, objectives, and planning guidelines. Forest inventory data were gathered through a combination of ground surveys and remotely sensed data to characterize and stratify the landscape. A robust in-house management authority and governance system with appropriate technical capacity and guidelines were developed and implemented, fostering a sound common working culture and tools. However, some notable drawbacks were identified, including political pressure, biomass/carbon accounting, growth-yield modelling, economic analysis, limited characterization of the full range of ecosystem services, risk and uncertainty analysis, food security and, particularly, long-term sustainability and scenario analysis with the appropriate decision-making tools and methods. Despite a few strengths, these limitations may raise concerns about the far-sighted design and application, potentially jeopardizing the sustainable management of forest ecosystems. Proposed improvement strategies for an efficient forest ecosystem management planning system include characterization of ecosystem services, modelling their productivity, scenario analysis with a decision support system, stakeholder involvement, balancing utilization and conservation targets, conducting risk and uncertainty analysis and economic analysis of management actions.

Conceptualisation of the Regulatory Framework of Green Infrastructure for Urban Development: Identifying Barriers and Drivers

Urban green infrastructure plays a crucial role in sustainable city development by offering a multitude of benefits, including improved environmental quality, increased social well-being, and enhanced economic prosperity. Evaluation and monitoring of regulatory implementation stand as essential components in the advancement of urban green infrastructure (GI) as they indicate the efficacy of regulatory acts and enable the assessment of their implementation success and adaptability to identified needs. This study identifies barriers and drivers based on the views of 352 professionals surveyed between 2018 and 2023 in Serbia. The primary data collection method employed questionnaire surveys. This study identified a range of barriers within existing legal frameworks, foremost of which include the lack of coordination and coherence between relevant ministries and governmental agencies, insufficient financial and human resources, the lack of transparency in the regulation development process, the need for strengthening technical capacities, and the absence of an adequate urban GI strategy. This research serves as a foundation for conceptualising GI regulatory elements that enhance urban GI development. Addressing these barriers necessitates efforts to improve coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, increase public participation, and enhance transparency in the regulatory process.

“I’d Like Accessibility Analysis to Help Us Shape the Future”: Transportation Practitioners and Accessibility Measurement

Transportation agencies are becoming increasingly interested in measuring accessibility, or the ease with which people can reach desired destinations. In part, the concept is attractive because it reflects the primary purpose of a transportation system—to connect people to the opportunities they value. Academic researchers have identified a wide range of accessibility measures that vary widely in their interpretability, data requirements, parameters, multimodalism, and relevance to different areas of transportation planning and decision making. At the same time, new data and tools that facilitate and improve accessibility measurement are proliferating. Despite the promise of access measures, the landscape is vast and expanding, which can be difficult for practitioners to navigate. In fact, the use of accessibility in practice is relatively limited, with only a small share of U.S. transportation agencies using these measures. In this paper, we draw from 45 interviews with transportation professionals and a follow-up survey to determine how U.S. transportation practitioners currently use accessibility measures, barriers to accessibility measurement, and opportunities to use accessibility measures moving forward. Our results point to a wide range of technical capacities and accessibility applications across agencies, a suite of considerations that influence whether and how accessibility measures are used, a desire among many practitioners to increase their use of accessibility, and barriers to doing so. We close with reflections on opportunities to expand and improve the use of accessibility measurement in practice to strengthen transportation decision making.

Optimal sizing and placement of battery energy storage system for maximum variable renewable energy penetration considering demand response flexibility: A case in Lombok power system, Indonesia

Indonesia is a tropical climate country with considerable renewable electrical energy source prospects, including photovoltaic (PV) and wind energies. Nevertheless, several variable renewable energy sources (VREs) have exhibited uncertain attributes and substantial reliance on natural conditions, leading to unstable load-related power supply risks. Hence, integrating battery energy storage systems (BESSs) with VRE generators is a dependable approach to bolster renewable energy generator applications on a large-scale grid while providing load demand flexibility. This study determined adequate sizing and placement of the BESS to achieve maximum VRE generator penetration while considering the demand response flexibility. Key indicators, including technical minimum load and system ramp capacity, were identified to achieve maximum penetration of thermal generators. This study also combined a unit commitment procedure with direct current optimal power flow (DC-OPF) as a novel approach to determine the maximum VRE penetration level. An optimization problem model concerning mixed integer linear programming (MILP) was subsequently employed in this study using the CPLEX solver in the general algebraic modeling system (GAMS). The study is based on the IEEE RTS-24 system modified and a real-life case study of the Lombok energy system in Indonesia. Results from the simulated Lombok power system highlighted that optimal sizing and placement of the BESS could lower system costs by 37.66%, 33.63%, and 22.26% compared to the current system conditions during the weekday, weekend, and the lowest day scenarios, respectively. The VRE penetrations of the generators were also higher than the current system conditions by 83%, 51%, and 39% during the weekday, weekend, and the lowest day scenarios, respectively.

Generative AIs, more-than-human authorship, and Husserl’s phenomenological ‘horizons’

In recent years, developments in Artificial Intelligence have produced Large Language Models (LLMs) leading to a form of generative AIs (GAIs) trained on vast corpora of texts, capable of producing convincing predictive synthetic texts such as essays, reports, or other texts instantaneously. This development has profound implications for human entanglements with technologies in terms of how these AIs might constitute new forms of subjectivities, texts, and knowledge practices. This development has particular significance for higher education in terms of academic writing, assessment, and research. In terms of higher education, specific concerns have been raised about the implications for assessment, study practices, and the status of knowledge and learning in the context of these ‘writing machines’. Universities and government bodies have reacted in various ways, with some commentators calling for the sector to ‘embrace’ these generative AIs (GAIs) as merely the latest ‘tools’ available for study and research, while others seek to outlaw their use. The current academic research surrounding this phenomenon is underdeveloped with relatively few studies having been conducted, due to the rapid recent acceleration of the technology. It is also under-theorised; early research has reacted to the fast-changing landscape of GAIs by focusing on the technical and practical capacities. Meanwhile, supranational private providers such as OpenAI are influencing higher education internationally, with a complex range of effects which are as-yet unknown. This paper reviews the current state of the art in related bodies of research literature and proposes that the field could benefit from a wider variety of critical and theoretical perspectives. Drawing on the concept of the sociotechnical imaginary from science and technology studies, it considers how discourses and practices surrounding GAIs are evolving in society and education. It then considers the effects of authorship and the writing subject, with reference to the concept of more-than-human authorship. It then draws on recent work in the philosophy of technology, proposing Husserl’s outer and inner ‘horizons’ as a potential framework with which to consider the complex entanglements of human and nonhuman agency, as enrolled in more-than-human authorship and entangled with the presence of GAIs in the ‘lifeworld’ of contemporary higher education. It concludes by proposing future directions for work in this area, in order to gain better theoretical purchase on the phenomenon at the various levels set out above.

Local Government Empowerment and Collaborative Approaches in the Electricity Sector: A Constitutional Analysis

This article explores the constitutional provisions and legislative aspects governing the role of local governments in generating and distributing electricity in South Africa. It encompasses the constitutional framework, which grants municipalities specific powers and responsibilities, highlighting the significance of these "original powers" derived directly from the Constitution. The article emphasises the need for intergovernmental cooperation at national, provincial, and local government levels to effectively address the complexities of electricity provision, taking into account related services such as water, sanitation, and environmental rights. The article further assesses recent amendments to the Electricity Regulation Act 4 of 2006, which grant municipalities greater involvement in electricity generation and procurement from independent power producers. While these amendments are seen as positive, the article highlights the need for financial resources and technical capacity building to empower municipalities to undertake these new responsibilities effectively. Ultimately, it emphasises the critical role of local governments in ensuring a sustainable and reliable supply of electricity for their communities while calling for comprehensive support from higher government levels to realise this goal.

Predictive Modeling of Heart Rate Dynamics based on Physical Characteristics and Exercise Parameters: A Machine Learning Approach

To accurately forecast heart rate changes during exercise, which is essential for customized health monitoring and improving training regimens, it is necessary to comprehend both the physiological foundations and the technical capacities for data processing. This research utilizes Machine Learning (ML) methodologies to predict heart rate reactions based on physical characteristics and activity variables. Our research focuses on the health and sports aspects of our results, using a comprehensive dataset that includes a wide range of activity types and ambient circumstances across 12,000 sets. We establish a connection between the ability of models such as Linear Regression (LR) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) to predict outcomes and their practical use in exercise management and optimizing athlete performance. These models accurately forecast variations in heart rate and also provide insights into the cardiovascular demands of various physical activities. Standard metrics measure the effectiveness of these models. The Linear Regression (LR) model achieved a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.419, a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 0.294, a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.543, and an R-Squared value of 0.997. On the other hand, the Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) Regressor model achieved a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.421, a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 0.335, a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.578, and an R-Squared value of 0.996. These metrics demonstrate the usefulness of these models in real-world scenarios. Our study's findings demonstrate that the combination of physiological data and powerful machine learning models may improve an individual's comprehension of fitness levels and the requirements for adaptive training. This study not only adds to the field of computational physiology, but it also aids in the creation of adaptive, real-time therapies for improving health and performance.

Tracking progress on antimicrobial resistance by the quadripartite country self-assessment survey (TrACSS) in G7 countries, 2017–2023: opportunities and gaps

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses serious challenges to the healthcare systems worldwide. Multiple factors and activities contribute to the development and spread of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms. Monitoring progress in combating AMR is fundamental at both global and national levels to drive multisectoral actions, identify priorities, and coordinate strategies. Since 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) has collected data through the Tracking AMR Country Self-Assessment Survey (TrACSS). TrACSS data are published in a publicly-available database. In 2023, 71 (59.9%) out of 177 responding countries reported the existence of a monitoring and evaluation plan for their National Action Plan (NAP) on AMR, and just 20 countries (11.3%) the allocation of funding to support NAP implementation. Countries reported challenges including limited financial and human resources, lack of technical capacity, and variable political commitment. Even across the Group of Seven (G7) countries, which represent some of the world's most advanced economies, many areas still need improvement, such as full implementation of infection prevention and control measures, adoption of WHO access/watch/reserve (AWaRe) classification of antibiotics, effective integration of laboratories in AMR surveillance in the animal health and food safety sectors, training and education, good manufacturing and hygiene practices in food processing, optimising pesticides use and environmental residues of antimicrobial drugs. Continuous and coordinated efforts are needed to strengthen multisectoral engagement to fight AMR.

Strategi Pengelolaan Hutan Kemasyarakatan Di Desa Keban Jati Kecamatan Air Nipis Kabupaten Bengkulu Selatan

This research aims to formulate a social forestry management strategy for HKm Sulian Besar in Keban Jati Village, Air Nipis District, South Bengkulu Regency. This research was carried out from July to August 2024 in Keban Jati Village, Air Nipis District, South Bengkulu Regency, Bengkulu Province. The research location was carried out in the Sulian Besar Community Forest. This research uses a combination method (mixed) dominantly qualitative and less dominantly quantitative. To recommend strategies for community forest management (HKm) that have achieved economic, social and ecological and institutional benefits by identifying using SWOT analysis to analyze various factors systematically. The position of the community forest management strategy in HKm Sulian Besar, Keban Jati Village, Air Nipis District, South Bengkulu Regency is in quadrant III, namely the turn around strategy where the implementation of the social forestry program of the community forest scheme has great opportunities but there are internal weaknesses so you have to choose the right strategy so that weaknesses are not reduce the odds. Alternative strategies that can be implemented include restructuring group institutions, increasing institutional, technical and marketing capacity, improving cultivation patterns and conducting effective NTFP marketing.

Managing Aflatoxin Contamination Threats in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Production in Ghana: The role of adoption of management strategies

Efforts to raise knowledge and awareness of smallholder groundnut farmers about aflatoxin contaminations and its management continue to pose a threat to consumers health along the food value chain. This paper examines smallholder farmers’ awareness and adoption of aflatoxin management strategies using a multistage sampling technique to sample 318 groundnut farmers in Ghana. A 5-point Likert scale and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was used to examine the perception about aflatoxin contaminations and constraints faced in managing aflatoxins in groundnut production, respectively. A multivariate probit model was further employed to analyze the factors influencing the adoption of aflatoxin management strategies. The results revealed that 92% of the farmers were aware of aflatoxin contaminations, however, only 20.7% of the farmers had received aflatoxins training. The results also showed that farmers are in agreement about aflatoxin contaminations in groundnut production. The most commonly adopted aflatoxin management strategies by farmers were timely harvesting, crop rotation, sorting, and storage in aerated and covered environment. Furthermore, the empirical results showed that education, credit access, membership in farmer based organizations, distance to farm, off-farm activity and location had a significant influence on farmers’ adoption of all aflatoxin management strategies. Pest and disease incidence, and rainfall variability were identified as major constraints faced by smallholder groundnut farmers in Ghana. There is the need for periodic public sensitizations and technical capacity building of smallholder farmers to adopt aflatoxins management strategies which could improve groundnut productivity and ensure food security in Ghana.

Assessment of Liberia's Beer Industry Effluent Discharge Parameters in the Context of Urban Sustainability

Due to untreated brewery effluent and increasing industrial growth, most of Liberia's rivers have considerable water body pollution. The nature and extent of pollution caused by wastewater effluent discharged into these environments have not been thoroughly examined. This study looked into the effects of such effluents on the beer industry in Montserrado, Liberia. It assesses discharged effluent parameters, sustainable management practices, and potential wastewater reuse options within the context of urban sustainability. The findings highlight the need for immediate and substantial intervention to mitigate escalating pollution and associated health risks. The research also noted for the development of practical national industrial discharge standards, regulatory and management framework, tailored to local contexts, rather than a uniform application of stringent regulations that may hinder sectoral growth and intensify public health issues in under-resourced areas. Furthermore, the effectiveness of some treatment technologies. Technology consideration such as onsite treatment and irrigation that enable water reuse options (cooling, agriculture, and resource recovery) which can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of breweries were recommended. However, the implementation of these technologies may face challenges due to infrastructure deficiencies, financial constraints, and public perception regarding the safety and quality of reused wastewater. The analysis concludes that enhancing wastewater discharge effluents management is key for promoting sustainable industrial growth, improving water conservation, and gaining public trust and acceptance. Achieving these goals requires a concerted effort to strengthen policy, enhance technical capacity, and invest in community engagement to foster a sustainable and economically viable brewery sector.

Challenges and Strategies in Implementing Hospital Accreditation Standards Among Healthcare Professionals in Healthcare Systems in Yemen: A Phenomenological Study.

The implementation of hospital accreditation standards in healthcare systems in Yemen that ensure safe and high-quality healthcare services is hampered by specific challenges. Therefore, this study was purposed to explore the challenges and strategies for applying hospital accreditation standards among healthcare professionals in Yemen. A qualitative, phenomenological design was adopted to conduct this study. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data during the period from January 1, 2022, to February 28, 2022. Based on the content analysis, the study outcomes and lack of (i) funding, (ii) competent human resources, (iii) optimal infrastructure, and (iv) equipment and supplies deter the implementation of hospital accreditation standards. Also, this study highlighted the cultural and social barriers limiting the effectiveness of hospital accreditation standards, the need for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure and human resources, and cultural sensitivity training for healthcare professionals to enhance the implementation of and compliance with hospital accreditation standards. Policymakers should engage global corporations and development partners for technical assistance and capacity building that support the local application of hospital accreditation standards.

Impact of COVID-19 on essential healthcare services at the primary healthcare level in Armenia: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant global healthcare challenges, particularly impacting the continuity of essential health services in low- and middle-income countries. This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the utilization and provision of essential health services in Armenia.MethodsWe employed a conventional qualitative study design, conducting semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 17) within public and private primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in Armenia in 2021. Our study participants encompassed physicians providing specialty services in PHC facilities (e.g. endocrinologists, gynecologists/obstetricians, and pediatricians), regular visitors to PHC facilities (e.g. adults with chronic diseases, parents of children), and policymakers. Thematic analysis was conducted, yielding five emergent categories: mobilization and organization of PHC services during COVID-19; PHC visits during COVID-19; worsening of chronic conditions due to the decline in PHC visits; problems with routine childhood vaccinations; and patient-provider communication challenges.ResultsThe number of in-person visits to PHC facilities declined due to adaptations in service delivery, imposed lockdown measures, and the public’s fear of visiting healthcare facilities. Maternal and child health services continued with no major disruptions. PHC providers deliberately limited the number of maternal and child visits to essential antenatal care, newborn screenings, and routine childhood immunizations. Still, children experienced some delays in vaccination administration. The pandemic resulted in a notable reduction in follow-up visits and monitoring of patients with chronic conditions, thereby exacerbating their chronic conditions. Phone calls were the primary method of patient-provider communication during the pandemic.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the delivery and utilization of essential healthcare services at PHC facilities, especially for those with chronic conditions who needed continuous care. Unified national-level guidance and technical capacity are needed to direct the provision of essential services at the PHC level, promote effective health communication, and implement digital platforms for the uninterrupted provision of essential care during public health emergencies.

Socio-Economic Impacts of Endemic and Epidemic Diseases on Livestock Production Systems in Tanzania

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine socio-economic impacts of endemic and epidemic diseases on livestock production systems in Tanzania. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study revealed that endemic diseases such as brucellosis, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) pose ongoing challenges to livestock health, productivity, and household livelihoods. Epidemic diseases like avian influenza and peste des petits ruminants (PPR) can cause sudden outbreaks, leading to acute disruptions in production and trade. These disease outbreaks result in various socio-economic consequences, including decreased livestock productivity, loss of income for farmers, increased veterinary and containment costs, and disruptions in domestic and international trade. Additionally, diseases can exacerbate poverty and food insecurity among rural communities reliant on livestock for sustenance and income generation. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Economic theory of disease control & social-ecological systems theory may be used to anchor future studies on socio-economic impacts of endemic and epidemic diseases on livestock production systems in Tanzania. Building technical capacity at the grassroots level empowers communities to implement effective disease management strategies and adopt biosecurity measures. Establishing community-based disease surveillance systems that empower local communities to monitor and report disease outbreaks in livestock populations. Providing financial support and risk-sharing mechanisms mitigate economic losses and encourage proactive disease management practices. Establish data-sharing mechanisms and surveillance networks that facilitate real-time exchange of information on disease outbreaks, epidemiological trends, and economic impacts.

Reimagining urban habitats to benefit people and nature

ABSTRACT Urbanisation is a leading cause of global biodiversity loss, imposing the most rapid and ecologically damaging impacts of any human driven land-use change. Despite the trend of biodiversity decline, urban nature provides many health, wellbeing and workplace productivity benefits to city dwellers. Hence, there is an urgent need to return nature to cities not only to conserve biodiversity, but also to maintain human experiences of nature. To meet this challenge, there are currently significant global attempts to re-green cities to improve environmental condition, including restoring habitat for biodiversity. However, many barriers to widespread implementation still exist, including competition for limited space, a lack of technical capacity, and a disengaged community. New approaches to urban restoration are urgently needed that suit the small fragments of space available, and that can deliver multiple benefits not only to conserve urban biodiversity but also to reconnect people with nature. To overcome these challenges, an ‘ecology with cities’ perspective, combining horticultural, ecological and social approaches to urban habitat management and restoration, is needed. Significant opportunities exist for urban ecologists and zoologists to engage with practitioners and the community to co-develop and implement approaches to successfully achieve the aim of creating biodiverse urban environments.

Optimizing physical and technical capacities in basketball through the implementation of coordination training programs and specialized information technologies

Optimizing physical and technical capacities in basketball through the implementation of coordination training programs and specialized information technologies

Development of a Technological System of Floating Cages in the Sea for the Farming of Marine Fish Within the Coastline of ILO

The objective of the research work is to develop a technological system of floating cages in the sea for the culture of marine fish within the coast of Ilo. The research method is experimental, applied approach, the process is constituted by a marine cage system which includes the analysis of climatic conditions, oceanographic conditions, legislation, adequate environment and conditions suitable for the development of the project; to then design the prototype to operate the floating sea cage. The preliminary results through the study "Development of technical capacities for the cultivation of Corvina "Cilus gilberti" in the province of Ilo, Moquegua Region" through which the culture cages were installed approximately 1.2 km from the coast in front of the beach "Piedras Negras" north of Ilo in which juvenile corvina were planted. The design and construction of the marine cage for fish culture was appropriate because the materials used are in the optimal quality range, after submitting them in the simulations; you have fish in preliminary growth in the marine cages designed and built for fish culture; and finally, the maintenance of the cages was technically manageable, because it allows periodically its evaluation and maintenance.

Experiences in developing empirical harvest strategies for the Indonesian tropical tuna fisheries

Harvest strategies, also referred to as management procedures, are foundational to evidence-based fisheries decision making. Together with closed-loop simulation testing, termed Management Strategy Evaluation, of potential harvest strategies, they are considered to be best practice. However, the use of these approaches is still mostly limited to a small minority of high-value, data-rich stocks in developed economies. The Indonesian tropical tuna fisheries provide a rare real-world experience where formal empirical harvest strategies were being developed for data-limited fisheries within a developing economy as an operational management tool. The Harvest Strategy Framework is a departure from a previously open-access fishery for tropical tuna in Indonesian archipelagic waters. It outlines the necessary actions to operationalize the harvest strategy, including fisheries monitoring, harvest control rules, associated management measures to meet the management objectives, and immediate actions to reduce the levels of catch as a precautionary measure until the harvest strategy is fully implemented. It was developed over a 9-year national consultative process, commencing in 2014 and culminating in the official adoption of the framework in June 2023. This paper outlines key processes and challenges encountered in stakeholder engagement and technical capacity development within the intricate governance context of Indonesia. We argue that the engagement processes have cemented a future direction towards sustainable and best practice fisheries management in Indonesia and the effective co-production process has potential to show the way for other fisheries in coastal developing states who face similar challenges in managing their national and internationally shared stocks.

Value Perception Analysis in the Brazilian Company of Research and Industrial Innovation

This study aims to analyze the perceived value of services provided by the Brazilian Company of Research and Industrial Innovation (EMBRAPII) to its contracting ministries and institutional partners. It utilizes the theory of value perception analysis and Constructivist Multi-criteria Decision Analysis to identify critical elements for evaluating EMBRAPII’s contracting organizations. Brainstorming sessions with experts led to the identification of five criteria and 14 sub-criteria. These criteria include a relationship with EMBRAPII, a signed agreement, EMBRAPII’s reputation, technical capacity, and the ability to adapt to changes. Data were entered into the second version of the MyMCDA-C software for value perception analysis. The findings showed a positive perceived value, with the best-performing sub-criteria relating to the organization’s reputation and the agreement signed. The study concludes that EMBRAPII needs to improve in areas such as adapting to change, the adequacy of its proposals for distinct types of partnership, and social media positioning. However, the contracting organizations generally support EMBRAPII’s direction and proposed solutions.