Wider Reform Research Articles

Process matters: the variegated effects of municipal amalgamation features on voter turnout revealed in a 10-country comparative investigation

AbstractMost literature finds a detrimental effect of amalgamation on voter turnout in municipal elections. Some other studies reveal instead null or even positive effects. We argue that this inconsistency derives from the fact that previous research has only analysed the amalgamation/turnout relation in single case studies. The contribution of this article is therefore twofold. First, it proposes a unified framework to investigate the amalgamation/turnout relation in comparative perspective, which clarifies the shortcut between size and amalgamation, disentangles the multifaced nature of municipal amalgamation, and outlines clear testable hypotheses related to its implementation – both at the national and at the local level. Secondly, it provides an original 10-European-country dataset of municipal amalgamations in the last decades (comprising Albania, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Norway) to empirically verify such hypotheses concerning the effects of the amalgamation features on voter turnout. Our study crucially reveals the relevance of the characteristics of the amalgamation process. When the amalgamation is imposed by the national government, turnout is particularly low, similarly to when the amalgamation occurs independently from a wide reform scheme. On the other hand, municipal turnout after amalgamation is higher when a larger number of municipalities are merged and when the amalgamated municipalities had a similar population before being merged. Moreover, our empirical evidence confirms the importance of traditional second-order predictors of turnout in municipal elections, even with specific reference to the post-amalgamation elections. Conversely, in such elections, the overall size of the (final) municipality is not a significant predictor of voter turnout.

REFORMING THE FDI'S LAW FOR ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL

At the end of the nineties, the Slovak Republic succeeded in removing the mantle of communism from it and opened the door wide for foreign direct investments. Rather, it went further by adopting a wide reform package that targeted the joints of the economy and legislation in the country that prevailed in it when it was a communist state. It focused on supporting foreign direct investment by setting laws about the investment period for supporting the foreign investors of all degrees, and it also worked to reduce the volume of taxes imposed on them, as these facilities were directed to untapped regions suffering from weakness in their economic growth. Slovakia is among the most attractive countries for foreign direct capital.

Rethinking electricity rate design: Fostering the energy transition in North Africa

The need for the redesign of electricity end user rates when faced with the increasing adoption of behind-the-meter (BTM) technologies, such as solar PV and batteries, has been well documented in the context of liberalised power sectors. This paper focusses on rate design for North African utilities. Applying a game-theoretical model, we illustrate that differences in regulation, infrastructure, and the socio-economic context justify a tailored analysis. We show that with more uptake of BTM technologies, the popular volumetric increasing block tariff result in a regulatory trilemma between equity, cost recovery for distribution and supply companies (DISCO), and cost recovery for the single buyer entity (SBE). We also find that an investor-owned DISCO is more exposed to cost recovery issues than its counterpart in geographies with retail competition. We recommend transitioning to an end user rate with increased differentiated fixed charges and warn that merely revising rates might not be enough; wider reforms are needed to ensure an equitable and efficient energy transition.

Scotland's “Incentivised Laparoscopy Practice” programme: Engaging trainees with take-home laparoscopy simulation

BackgroundThe transfer validity of portable laparoscopy simulation is well established. However, attempts to integrate take-home simulation into surgical training have met with inconsistent engagement worldwide, as for example in our 2014-15 study of an Incentivised Laparoscopy Practice programme (ILPv1). Drawing on learning from our subsequent multi-centre study examining barriers and facilitators, we revised the programme for 2018 onwards. We now report on engagement with the 2018–2022 versions of this home-based simulation programme (ILP v2.1–2.3). MethodsIn ILP v2.1–2.3, three consecutive year-groups of new-start Core Surgical Trainees (n = 48, 46 and 53) were loaned portable simulators. The 6-month education programme included induction, technical support, and intermittent feedback. Six tasks were prescribed, with video instruction and charting of metric scores. Video uploads were required and scored by faculty. A pass resulted in an eCertificate, expected at Annual Review (but not mandatory for progression). ILP was set within a wider reform, “Improving Surgical Training”. ResultsILP v2.1–2.3 saw pass rates of 94%, 76% and 70% respectively (45/48, 35/46 and 37/53 trainees), compared with only 26% (7/27) in ILP v1, despite now including some trainees not intending careers in laparoscopic specialties. The ILP v2.2 group all reported their engagement with the whole simulation strategy was hampered by the COVID19 pandemic. ConclusionsSimply providing take-home simulators, no matter how good, is not enough. To achieve trainee engagement, a whole programme is required, with motivated learners, individual and group practice, intermittent feedback, and clear goals and assessments. ILP is a complex intervention, best understood as a “reform within a reform, within a context.”

Delivering education reform in Wales: a flexible route into teaching

ABSTRACT This discussion paper explores the development and implementation of a new flexible route into the teaching profession. This flexible route is offered within an education system in the midst of wide reform, which has partnership working between universities and schools at the centre of its Initial Teacher Education. Key elements of the new programme examined include how student teachers acquire the knowledge they need, with interconnectivity, immersive practice and blended learning of significance. This case study illustrates the importance of flexibility in the development of the student teacher’s personal construct and communities of practice. The programme’s adaptive learner-centred approach is delivering an alternative, flexible route into the teaching profession, broadening the experience base of the future teaching workforce and beginning to successfully address key government policy drivers.

NAČELO OPORTUNITETA KRIVIČNOG GONJENJA – PRAVNO TEORIJSKI ASPEKT

All social, political and economical progress that was made in the end of 19th century and beginning оf 20th century had a really strong consecuensed a wide reforms of processes of criminal law and criminal proceedings law by a legislation of Republic of Serbia, which showed uneficcience, inert and uneffective plan of crime prevention in practice. Practical analysis proved that it's necessary to make structural changes to pervious criminal procedure, first through the changed act of a public prosecutor, than in aplyying a simplified form of actions in his criminal cases. Effective fight against criminal, which has showing a constant trend of growth, always requiered quick, adequate and contemporary procedure and trial in short time. That was the interest of a whole society, and a defendant too. In that circumstances, principle of opportunity hac become a important instrument that requieres eficient procedure of minor crimes. Ratio legis and criminal political justification of the introduction of this principle in the criminal law of Republic of Serbia, reflected first throuht relief of courts, reduction of the number of cases and rationalization of criminal law. In this way, Republic of Serbia was followed aplyed trends of European comparative legislation, creating conditions for a new aproach of a criminal procedure in threating perpetrators of a minor crimes. The point was in a efficient, effective, and deformalised crime procedures.

Assessing the Effects of a Tobacco Tax Reform on the Industry Price-Setting Strategy.

In July 2020, the Executive Power submitted Bill no. 3887-2020 as the first step towards a wide reform of the Brazilian tax system. It will replace the current PIS/COFINS (charged on turnover of companies) by the CBS (a tax on goods and services), which includes a special regime for cigarettes. The novelty is that the specific cigarette tax will be charged on the highest retail price per cigarette brand across the country. This research simulates three scenarios that differ according to the price-setting strategy of the tobacco industry in reaction to the proposed tax reform. In all simulations, the tax reform would result in considerably higher cigarette prices, lower cigarette consumption, higher tax collection, and an implicit minimum price that is far above the current official price floor. Furthermore, the price dispersion and cross-border shopping across states would be reduced because prices and tax burden per brand would tend to be the same across the country due to the dominant price-setting strategy in the cigarette industry.

Mathematics curriculum waves within vocational education

ABSTRACT Links between mathematical attainment and economic performance, coupled with England’s poor showing in international comparisons of skills, have focussed attention on post-16 mathematics education, for example, in the UK Government’s 2017 Industrial Strategy. Whilst high-stakes academic qualifications at 16 (GCSE) and 18 (A-level) have stood the test of time, the ‘forgotten third’ of students in England’s Further Education colleges have fared less well. Over the last 30 years a series of mathematics qualifications for vocational students have been established and then discarded. This paper utilises a theory of change approach to understand this repeating pattern for three successive curricula: core, key and functional mathematics. Waves of rise and decline include critical moments of reinforcement, or synergy with wider reforms, but trajectories are also affected by shifting policy visions for Further Education and entrenched knowledge hierarchies that value academic mathematics qualifications over vocational ones. Whether ‘alternative’ mathematics curricula for FE students can achieve longevity and widespread recognition remains to be seen. The implications from this analysis of historical trajectories are that changes to established attitudes and educational values are needed to halt this repeated cycle of short-lived alternatives to GCSE Mathematics.

The reform of initial teacher education in Wales: from vision to reality

ABSTRACT Over the last four years, initial teacher education in Wales has been fundamentally reformed. The stimulus for those reforms were concerns about the quality of current provision, but more importantly a recognition by the Welsh Government that if their wider reforms of curriculum and assessment were to succeed, then teachers themselves had a key role to play. Teachers would no longer be simply required to ‘deliver’ a curriculum defined by others; they themselves would need to become active agents in realising that curriculum in ways that were appropriate for the children and young people they taught. What is being required is a new vision of teacher professionalism in Wales. But what are the implications of these changes for initial teacher education? The Welsh Government has taken the view that they demand a fundamentally different conception of how initial teacher education is organised, with both universities and schools working closely together to support student teacher learning. This paper sets out the background to these recent reforms, and then examines the way in which three key dimensions of the new model are being implemented in practice. They are: co-construction and governance; integrating university and school perspectives; and re-visioning mentoring.

Legal regulations of the consumer protection in Ukraine with regard to Ukraine’s obligation of adaptation to the EU legislation

Since 2014 Ukraine has been implementing the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement in its domestic legal system and facing a lot of challenges introducing European rules and practices into the country’s daily life. The area of consumer protection is one of the most challenging fields due to the cross-cutting nature of consumer protection and its high relevance for all stakeholders: the state, businesses, and consumers. Reforming the Ukrainian consumer protection system and policy is one of the key tasks for the Government of Ukraine. These changes will affect almost the entire population of the country, but – as presented in this article analysis demonstrates – the progress in adjusting Ukrainian legislation in this field to the level needed to correspond to the European standards is moving rather slowly. The author concludes that a comprehensive and well-balanced consumer protection policy model instead of constant amendments to the consumer rights legislation needs to be developed in Ukraine with the proper consideration of the interests of businesses, the state and, first of all, the consumers. Amending the consumer rights legislation does not mean automatically the improvement of the consumer protection level in the country, especially in the situation, when the efficiency of the developed remedies and protection mechanisms depends on wider reforms in judiciary and executive branches in the state.

Using design-based research to explore the influence of context in promoting pedagogical reform

Many developing countries are seeking to improve the quality of education by promoting the use of learner-centred pedagogy as part of system wide reform. Yet many studies reveal a gap between what is envisaged in policy and what happens in practice and the inherent limitations of uncritical adoption of 'best practice' from elsewhere into local contexts. Therefore design-based research (DBR), as an interventionist approach, was selected to investigate the conditions under which the innovation of learner-centred education can be implemented in the authentic setting of a Maldivian island school. The paper elaborates the rationale underpinning this choice and a discussion of the defining features of DBR as they applied in this study: acknowledging the importance of context; facilitating collaboration between researcher and participants; and attending to a theoretical output of the research. The participatory approach which underpinned how DBR was utilised in the study and its implications for enhancing the context-appropriateness of and teachers' engagement with the reforms is also discussed. In so doing, the paper illustrates the ways in which the defining features of DBR respond to the call for better attention to context as a means for enabling greater success of global reform efforts.

LAND REFORM IN THE SECOND POLISH REPUBLIC: IMPLEMENTATION AND CONSEQUENCES

Summary. The purpose of the articles of in dout the main features of the agrarian trans formations which took place as are sult of the land reform sin the Second Polish Republic in Western Ukraine in context of the nation wide reform. The methodological basis was chosen taking into account the objective and specificity of the object and subject of study. The basis is the system of methods of scientific knowledge: formal logic (analysis, synthesis, deduction, induction, analogy, abstraction) – in order to clarify the content of the issues under consideration; theoretical – for the analysis of scientific literature; method of systematic analysis – to summarize the features of legal land regulation. In addition, statistical, problem ‒ chronological, empirical, comparative and source-based methods were also used. The author of this article brings a new scientific approach to specific changes in land affairs in the Western Ukraine in the context of the nation-wide reform carried out by the Polish state using the resources the state had at that time. Conclusions. Key objectives of the agrarian reform were not achieved. The economic purpose of this reform was the creation of efficient private farms. This was not fulfilled. Also, the social and political tensions were intensified in Western Ukraine as a result of this reform. Considering the overpopulation in rural areas, the weak growth of the Polish economy and the weakness across different industries which was intensified by a worldwide economic crisis and unemployment growth, which has lead us to the conclusion that it was impossible to solve the social problems of peasants by solely focusing on agrarian sector reforms. This should be taken into account when decisions are made regarding changes to the agrarian sector in modern Ukraine.

Improving justice responses for victims of intimate partner violence: examining the merits of the provision of independent legal representation

ABSTRACT Justice processes have long been criticised for their inability to meet the needs of intimate partner violence victims and provide remedies that facilitate recovery. Despite a bevy of victim-oriented reforms, victims continue to report dissatisfaction in their engagement with the legal process. Recognising the failures of policy responses to date, the Royal Commission into Family Violence (2016) in Victoria, Australia, sought to reimagine justice responses to victims of intimate partner violence through innovative models of reform, such as the introduction of legal representation for victims in court. In the absence of prescribed detail as to how this could be achieved, this article contends that there is a need to tread cautiously in this space. It sets out the potential benefits from trialling legal representation for victims in emerging Victorian specialist family violence courts, as well as the perceived risks that should be kept in mind prior to instituting state wide reform.

Human Services: The Next Wave of Productivity Reform (QPC Productivity Lecture)

In Australia, reforms to improve productivity need to focus on human services, including health, education, and community services. These services make up around 20% of national output, involve significant government expenditure, are used by all Australians and are a key element in reducing inequality of consumption. But they are characterised by unclear objectives, poor design, poor implementation and the failure to measure outcomes. In this talk, I will briefly outline why productivity reform to human services is important, why it is needed, some lessons for system wide reform and the potential benefits that can be gained from reform.

Fusion: Can It Encompass the Trust? An Assessment in Light of the Trusts Bill 2017

This paper applies the fusion debate to the most recent reform of the law of trusts in New Zealand, the Trusts Bill. The fusion debate centres around whether a distinct role for equity is needed, or whether the common law and equity can integrate to form one unitary body of law. It aims to achieve coherence in the law – where equitable and common law doctrines aim to achieve the same objectives, it is incoherent to maintain reference to two distinct sets of rules. The Trusts Bill is analysed in light of this – can equity’s traditional flexibility and conscience-based approach be seen in the Bill and in the wider reform process? These values are often used to differentiate between equity and the common law. This paper argues that the Trusts Bill does take incremental steps towards fusing common law and equity even in relation to the trust, traditionally the heartland of a distinct equitable jurisdiction. Flexibility and conscience-based reasoning do not differentiate the law of trusts as seen in the Trusts Bill from common law doctrines. The shift towards a statutorily-defined framework, the language used throughout the Bill and the underlying rationale behind reform all show incremental steps towards fusion occurring even if complete fusion cannot yet be seen. The future of fusion is left to the courts, but the Trusts Bill shows increasing fusion even in this area of the law is possible.

What Happens in the Beginning, Matters in the End: Achieving Best Evidence with Child Suspects in the Police Station

During the last 30 years, the way in which children give evidence in the criminal justice system in England and Wales has been radically transformed. These reforms have, however, neglected child suspects in the police station. Recent piecemeal reforms to the statutory regime for children in police detention have overlooked a critical stage of the criminal justice process: the police interview. This article critically analyses the policy, practice and law surrounding police questioning of child suspects. It demonstrates that the absence of child-specific guidance when interviewing child suspects is not only out of step with wider reforms, but carries real risks regarding the effective communication and participation of child suspects.

‘Teaching should be observed’: a critical consideration of the issues involved in including teaching observation in the inspection of social work education

ABSTRACTSocial work education in England will have a new regulator from 2019. According to official sources, this is ‘as part of wider reforms to improve confidence in social work and raise the status of the profession’. In the background of any changes to social work education are the reports by Croisdale-Appleby (2014) and Narey (2014). Both reported that the existing regulatory regime was inadequate and made a combined total of 40 recommendations for improvement. Specifically, on the subject of social work teaching in higher education institutions, Narey expressed concern about both the content and quality and recommended that the teaching should be observed. If the incoming regulator were to introduce direct observations of teaching in inspections it would represent a new development. Previous regulators have not adopted this method. This discussion paper reviews selected literature on what teaching observation can and cannot achieve as an inspection method. It reflects on how social work education might gain if inspectors observed teaching. However, it also argues that to be a meaningful and credible process teaching observations need to take heed of a range of interrelated issues which, if not thought through properly, will invalidate the whole exercise.

Use of student feedback to drive quality improvement (QI) in a preclinical U.S. medical school course

ABSTRACTMedical educators are continually looking for ways to enhance integrated learning and help students see how the material taught in their various courses is inter-related. . At Stony Brook School of Medicine, we embarked on a school-wide new curriculum called the Learning focused, Experiential, Adaptive, Rigorous and Novel (LEARN) curriculum and developed several integrated courses that were not based in specific departments. As part of this process, the pre-clinical (Phase-1) curriculum was shortened to 17 months to accommodate an expanded set of clinical offerings. The new structure called for teachers from different departments to lead and conduct the integrated blocks of pre-clinical courses. In this paper, we describe our discouraging experience with the first iteration of an integrated course in Cardiology, Pulmonology and Renal organ systems (CPR), and its transformation into a highly successful second iteration. This involved a systematic course quality improvement (QI) process within the context of a larger school wide curricular reform. As a result, student overall satisfaction with the course increased from 22% (28 of 127 responders) to 83% (111 of 134 responders); the mean score on a standardized NBME content exam increased by 6.7%. We report the systematic process we used to collect data from students and faculty that helped facilitate quality improvement in a key course in Phase-1 of our LEARN curriculum.

National Oil Companies in Africa, and How They may Improve Their Competitiveness

National Oil Companies in Africa, and How They may Improve Their Competitiveness Pereowei Subai, Ebizi B. Eradiri Abstract Several national oil companies (NOCs) in Africa grapple with corruption, nepotism, indebtedness, and operational inefficiency, which impinge on their overall performances. Keen to overturn some of these challenges, some petroleum rich countries on the continent have of late, sought to reform their NOCs, as part of sector wide reforms in a bid to make them more efficient, plug leakages, and streamline their operations. Notable among these countries are Nigeria, and Angola, Africa‟s top crude oil producers. This article examines some of these initiatives, and enquires into whether they are significant enough to address the fundamental issues confronting NOCs on the continent. Drawing lessons from countries such as Norway and Brazil, it will contend that there is a nexus between NOC privatisation, petroleum sector liberalisation, and internal reforms, with NOC performance. To that end, it argues that African NOCs will benefit immensely if their owners apply these strategies, although within localised contexts, and concludes by making insightful suggestions on how African NOCs may improve their overall competitiveness. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jlcj.v7n2a2

''The Force that Keeps you Going'': Enthusiasm in Vocational Education and Training (VET) Teachers' Work

Context: Enthusiasm has been noted to increase productivity and quality at work. In teachers' work, this has a connection to student learning and motivation, as well as teaching quality. In the context of Finnish vocational education and training (VET), research on enthusiasm appears especially topical and relevant because of the ongoing wide reform with emphasis on productivity and efficiency.Approach: In this study, Finnish VET teachers' enthusiasm at work was studied qualitatively. Three research questions were set for this study: (1) How do VET teachers describe their enthusiasm?; (2) What factors strengthen their enthusiasm, according to their descriptions?; and (3) What factors weaken their enthusiasm, according to their descriptions? Altogether, 103 teachers who voluntarily participated in the study completed an online questionnaire on enthusiasm. The data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis. Findings: According to the results, the teachers who participated in the study were very interested in their work. They wanted to share how they experienced enthusiasm in their work. Their enthusiasm manifested as their willingness to develop their skills and expertise. It also showed in their dedication, good job performance, and positive feelings about their work. Student encounters, a positive atmosphere, and work interactions were the main sources of enthusiasm. Lack of resources, changes, cuts in the VET budget, and a lousy work atmosphere weakened enthusiasm.Conclusion: The study found that enthusiasm manifested itself in ways that correspond well with the current VET productivity and efficiency goals. Because enthusiasm was strengthened especially when teachers were working with students, it seems important to ensure a supportive work environment for students also after the VET reform. Positive interactions, collegial support, and working together can help teachers to succeed and to maintain enthusiasm in their everyday work. According to the results of this study, supervisors may play a central role in facilitating teacher enthusiasm.