Showing papers on "Public policy published in 2011"

Uncertainty about Government Policy and Stock Prices

Abstract: We analyze how changes in government policy affect stock prices. Our general equilibrium model features uncertainty about government policy and a government whose decisions have both economic and non-economic motives. The model makes numerous empirical predictions. Stock prices should fall at the announcements of policy changes, on average. The price fall should be large if uncertainty about government policy is large, and also if the policy change is preceded by a short or shallow economic downturn. Policy changes should increase volatilities and correlations among stocks. The jump risk premium associated with policy decisions should be positive, on average.

How Schools Do Policy: Policy Enactments in Secondary Schools

Abstract: Foreword or Introduction 1. Beyond implementation -Towards a Theory of Policy Enactment 2. Taking Context Seriously 3. Doing Enactment: People, Culture and Policy Work 4. Policy into Practice 5. Whatever happened to... 6. Policy Enactments - In Theory and Practice

Why do people postpone parenthood? Reasons and social policy incentives

Abstract: BACKGROUND Never before have parents in most Western societies had their first children as late as in recent decades. What are the central reasons for postponement? What is known about the link between the delay of childbearing and social policy incentives to counter these trends? This review engages in a systematic analysis of existing evidence to extract the maximum amount of knowledge about the reasons for birth postponement and the effectiveness of social policy incentives.

Entrepreneurship's Next Act

Abstract: Executive Overview Entrepreneurship has become firmly established as a legitimate scholarly discipline. For entrepreneurship to influence managerial practice and public policy, however, we believe there needs to be a substantive shift in the focus, content, and methods of entrepreneurship research. We discuss ways this shift could occur, highlighting the need to recognize the multiple dimensions of entrepreneurial activities—and the importance of examining the heterogeneous aspects of context and factoring them into future theory building and testing efforts—and delineating the microfoundations of entrepreneurship. We also discuss how to strengthen the link between entrepreneurship research and public policy.

Sustainable Consumption: Opportunities for Consumer Research and Public Policy:

Abstract: This essay explores sustainable consumption and considers possible roles for marketing and consumer researchers and public policy makers in addressing the many sustainability challenges that pervade the planet. Future research approaches to this interdisciplinary topic must be comprehensive and systematic and would benefit from a variety of different perspectives. There are several opportunities for further research; the authors explore three areas in detail. First, they consider the inconsistency between the attitudes and behaviors of consumers with respect to sustainability. Second, they broaden the agenda to explore the role of individual citizens in society. Third, they propose a macroinstitutional approach to fostering sustainability. For each of these separate, but interrelated, opportunities, the authors examine the area in detail and consider possible research avenues and public policy initiatives.

Sustainable procurement in the public sector: an international comparative study

Abstract: Purpose – Public bodies are being encouraged to procure sustainably, to reduce their social and environmental footprint and in order to stimulate sustainability in the private sector. However, little is known about how public sector organisations internationally are responding to this encouragement or of the conditions that are most conducive to sustainable procurement (SP). The purpose of this paper is to address these gaps in our knowledge so as to inform policy development at the government and organisational levels. Design/methodology/approach – The authors report the findings of a survey of SP practices within a sample of over 280 public procurement practitioners from 20 countries and with collective responsibility for expenditure totalling $45bn p.a. Findings – The authors' analysis shows that some SP practices are evident in public sector procurement practice and that the extent and nature of SP practices varies significantly across regions. In addition, the authors highlight the main facilitators of, and barriers to, engagement with SP and investigate their importance for engagement with particular dimensions of SP. Research limitations/implications – Survey respondents are volunteers and may to some degree be more interested in, or engaged with, SP than other public sector organisations. The analysis is cross-sectional and therefore provides only a snapshot of SP practice in the public sector organisations studied. Practical implications – The paper identifies how policy and practice in SP vary across regions, providing practical insights into whether and how government policies are being implemented around the world. Originality/value – The paper provides the first systematic and comprehensive insight into how public bodies are implementing SP internationally and of the major situational factors that are shaping engagement with SP. The authors evaluate the current effectiveness of policy initiatives regarding SP and highlight the organisational catalysts and inhibitors of greater involvement in SP. Design/methodology/approach – The authors report the findings of a survey of SP practices within a sample of over 280 public procurement practitioners from 20 countries and with collective responsibility for expenditure totalling $45bn p.a. Findings – The authors' analysis shows that some SP practices are evident in public sector procurement practice and that the extent and nature of SP practices varies significantly across regions. In addition, the authors highlight the main facilitators of, and barriers to, engagement with SP and investigate their importance for engagement with particular dimensions of SP. Research limitations/implications – Survey respondents are volunteers and may to some degree be more interested in, or engaged with, SP than other public sector organisations. The analysis is cross-sectional and therefore provides only a snapshot of SP practice in the public sector organisations studied. Practical implications – The paper identifies how policy and practice in SP vary across regions, providing practical insights into whether and how government policies are being implemented around the world. Originality/value – The paper provides the first systematic and comprehensive insight into how public bodies are implementing SP internationally and of the major situational factors that are shaping engagement with SP. The authors evaluate the current effectiveness of policy initiatives regarding SP and highlight the organisational catalysts and inhibitors of greater involvement in SP.

How's life? : measuring well-being

Abstract: The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has a long tradition of work on social indicators and quality of life. More recently, the OECD has been leading the international reflection on measuring well-being and societal progress. Building on almost ten years of OECD work on progress, how's life? is a first attempt at the international level to go beyond the conceptual stage and to present a large set of comparable well-being indicators for OECD countries and, to the extent possible, other major economies. One important objective of this report is to take stock of the quality and comprehensiveness of existing well-being statistics. Such an assessment is critical in order to move the statistical agenda forward and to ensure that statistics evolve in line with the needs of policy-makers and the general public. To that end, each chapter of this report discusses the validity of existing measures in the various well-being dimensions and provides a roadmap of the statistical developments needed in each field. The general message from this exercise is that a great deal of effort still needs to be made to improve existing measures for most of the well-being dimensions analyzed in this report. The framework underpinning how's life? identifies three pillars for understanding and measuring people's well-being: (i) material living conditions; (ii) quality of life; and (iii) sustainability. The conceptual framework used in this report has been discussed with high-level representatives of national statistical offices of OECD member countries. The selection of indicators presented in how's life? has relied on international standards on measurement, including: (i) policy relevance; (ii) quality of the underlying data; (iii) comparability of the concepts and survey questions used; and (iv) frequency of compilation. Some of the important findings in this report concern the extent to which well-being outcomes vary across the population within each country. The report shows that the distribution of achievements is very uneven in all the dimensions analyzed, though there are some countries where inequalities are consistently smaller (for example, the Nordic countries). Another common pattern is that certain population groups, in particular people with lower incomes and less education, experiences the largest disadvantages. Patterns by age and gender are in general more complex and differentiated across domains. Future OECD work will aim to consolidate this effort, in particular by selecting better indicators. While national statistical offices have a critical role to play in developing better indicators in many fields, this report also aims to encourage greater discussion by policy makers and the general public about the best way to measure and contribute to better lives.

The use of research evidence in public health decision making processes: systematic review.

Abstract: Background: The use of research evidence to underpin public health policy is strongly promoted. However, its implementation has not been straightforward. The objectives of this systematic review were to synthesise empirical evidence on the use of research evidence by public health decision makers in settings with universal health care systems. Methods: To locate eligible studies, 13 bibliographic databases were screened, organisational websites were scanned, key informants were contacted and bibliographies of included studies were scrutinised. Two reviewers independently assessed studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed methodological quality. Data were synthesised as a narrative review. Findings: 18 studies were included: 15 qualitative studies, and three surveys. Their methodological quality was mixed. They were set in a range of country and decision making settings. Study participants included 1063 public health decision makers, 72 researchers, and 174 with overlapping roles. Decision making processes varied widely between settings, and were viewed differently by key players. A range of research evidence was accessed. However, there was no reliable evidence on the extent of its use. Its impact was often indirect, competing with other influences. Barriers to the use of research evidence included: decision makers’ perceptions of research evidence; the gulf between researchers and decision makers; the culture of decision making; competing influences on decision making; and practical constraints. Suggested (but largely untested) ways of overcoming these barriers included: research targeted at the needs of decision makers; research clearly highlighting key messages; and capacity building. There was little evidence on the role of research evidence in decision making to reduce inequalities. Conclusions: To more effectively implement research informed public health policy, action is required by decision makers and researchers to address the barriers identified in this systematic review. There is an urgent need for evidence to support the use of research evidence to inform public health decision making to reduce inequalities.

A typology of governance and its implications for tourism policy analysis

Abstract: Governance is a key concept in politics and public policy that is increasingly utilised in tourism. Using the notion of “policy as theory”, a typology of governance suitable for tourism is systematically developed. Categorical variables are developed from the relationship between state intervention and self-regulation and the relationships between policy actors and steering modes. The resultant matrix identifies four governance types: hierarchies, markets, networks and communities. A 12-point framework of governance identifies core elements, including classifying characteristics, policy themes, policy standpoints, democratic models, primary focus, views of non-central actors, distinctions between policymaking and implementation, success criteria, implementation gaps, the reasons and solutions for those gaps and the primary policy instruments used. An example of the application is provided using an analysis of state party's implementation of the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. It is concluded that...

Understanding Public Policy: Theories and Issues

Abstract: Preface.- 1. Introduction to Policy and Policymaking.- 2. What is Policy and Policymaking?.- 3. Power and Public Policy.- 4. Bounded Rationality and the Psychology of Policymaking.- 5. Institutions and New Institutionalism.- 6. Structures, Environments, and Complex Systems.- 7. Collective Action Problems in Public Policy.- 8. Multi-level Governance and Multi-centric Policymaking.- 9. Punctuated Equilibrium Theory.- 10. The Advocacy Coalition Framework.- 11. Ideas and 'Multiple Streams' Analysis.- 12. Policy Learning and Transfer.- 13. Conclusion: policy theory as accumulated wisdom.

Innovation, public policy and public services delivery in the uk. the word that would be king?

Abstract: This paper explores the dialogue about innovation in public services currently found within public policy and creates an interaction between research and practice about its strengths and limitations. It argues that this dialogue is a flawed one, often both at odds with the existing evidence and lacking a holistic understanding of the nature of innovation and its distinctive policy and managerial challenges. It therefore synthesizes existing research to challenge current public policy thinking about the role and determinants of innovation in public services. It concludes by offering five lessons towards effective policy-making and implementation that would provide a more sophisticated and evidence-based approach to the encouragement and sustenance of public service innovation – and four key areas for further research.

How small system dynamics models can help the public policy process

Abstract: Public policies often fail to achieve their intended result because of the complexity of both the environment and the policy-making process. In this article, we review the benefits of using small system dynamics models to address public policy questions. First we discuss the main difficulties inherent in the public policy-making process. Then, we discuss how small system dynamics models can address policy-making difficulties by examining two promising examples: the first in the domain of urban planning and the second in the domain of social welfare. These examples show how small models can yield accessible, insightful lessons for policy making stemming from the endogenous and aggregate perspective of system dynamics modeling and simulation. Copyright © 2010 System Dynamics Society.

A Review of Engineering Research in Sustainable Manufacturing

Abstract: Karl R. Haapala 1 School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering, Oregon State University, 204 Rogers Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331 e-mail: Karl.Haapala@oregonstate.edu Fu Zhao School of Mechanical Engineering, Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, 585 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907 e-mail: fzhao@purdue.edu Jaime Camelio Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 235 Durham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061 e-mail: jcamelio@vt.edu John W. Sutherland Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, 322 Potter Engineering Center, West Lafayette, IN 47907 e-mail: jwsuther@purdue.edu Steven J. Skerlos Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2250 GG Brown Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 e-mail: skerlos@umich.edu David A. Dornfeld Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, 6143 Etcheverry Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720 e-mail: dornfeld@berkeley.edu I. S. Jawahir Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky, 414C UK Center for Manufacturing, Lexington, KY 40506 e-mail: jawahir@engr.uky.edu A Review of Engineering Research in Sustainable Manufacturing Sustainable manufacturing requires simultaneous consideration of economic, environmen- tal, and social implications associated with the production and delivery of goods. Funda- mentally, sustainable manufacturing relies on descriptive metrics, advanced decision- making, and public policy for implementation, evaluation, and feedback. In this paper, recent research into concepts, methods, and tools for sustainable manufacturing is explored. At the manufacturing process level, engineering research has addressed issues related to planning, development, analysis, and improvement of processes. At a manufac- turing systems level, engineering research has addressed challenges relating to facility operation, production planning and scheduling, and supply chain design. Though economi- cally vital, manufacturing processes and systems have retained the negative image of being inefficient, polluting, and dangerous. Industrial and academic researchers are re- imagining manufacturing as a source of innovation to meet society’s future needs by under- taking strategic activities focused on sustainable processes and systems. Despite recent developments in decision making and process- and systems-level research, many chal- lenges and opportunities remain. Several of these challenges relevant to manufacturing process and system research, development, implementation, and education are highlighted. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4024040] Andres F. Clarens Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Virginia, D220 Thornton Hall, Charlottesville, VA 22904 e-mail: aclarens@virginia.edu Jeremy L. Rickli Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 217 Durham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061 e-mail: jlrickli@vt.edu Corresponding author. Contributed by the Manufacturing Engineering Division of ASME for publication in the J OURNAL OF M ANUFACTURING S CIENCE AND E NGINEERING . Manuscript received July 11, 2012; final manuscript received March 4, 2013; published online July 17, 2013. Editor: Y. Lawrence Yao. Manufacturing and Sustainability The concept of sustainability emerged from a series of meetings and reports in the 1970s and 1980s, and was largely motivated by environmental incidents and disasters as well as fears about Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering C 2013 by ASME Copyright V AUGUST 2013, Vol. 135 / 041013-1 Downloaded From: http://manufacturingscience.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 07/09/2014 Terms of Use: http://asme.org/terms

Handbook of Innovation Systems and Developing Countries: Building Domestic Capabilities in a Global Setting

Abstract: '... this ambitious project definitely succeeds in putting together coherently a relatively recent body of research, and in arguing that a new policy approach to development is needed: one that puts knowledge accumulation at its core, that recognises the complex nature of learning processes and the need of new institutions to stimulate them. For the many who believe in the urgency of revising development strategies and policies in such a direction, this work is a must-read and a highly valuable teaching and reference aid. It is hoped that, as the editors themselves wish, it will serve as a stimulus for further theoretical and empirical efforts in this crucial field of research.' - Elisabetta Marinelli, Science and Public Policy. © Bengt-Ake Lundvall, K.J. Joseph, Cristina Chaminade and Jan Vang 2009. All rights reserved. (Less)

Industrial policy in the twenty-first century

Abstract: Industrial policy has attracted considerable controversy in the development context. This paper makes a case for a pragmatic and limited approach to interventions as a means of stimulating industrialization in the context of current and future challenges facing newly industrializing economies. It begins with a simple definition of industrial policy, a brief survey of the theoretical case, and a taxonomy of different possible interventions. Recent empirical evidence on the role of industrialization in development is examined, whilst considering how far government policy per se has contributed to manufacturing success. Finally, a series of key issues for today’s industrializing economies that industrial policy needs to address are highlighted.

Cohesion policy in the European Union: growth, geography, institutions

Abstract: Since the reform of the Structural Funds in 1989, the EU has made the principle of cohesion one of its key policies. Much of the language of European cohesion policy eschews the idea of trade-offs between efficiency and equity, suggesting it is possible to maximize overall growth while also achieving continuous convergence in outcomes and productivity across Europe’s regions. Yet, given the rise in inter-regional disparities, it is unclear that cohesion policy has altered the pathway of development from what would have occurred in the absence of intervention. This article draws on geographical economics, institutionalist social science and endogenous growth theory, with the aim of providing a fresh look at cohesion policy. By highlighting a complex set of potential trade-offs and interrelations ‐ overall growth and efficiency; inter-territorial equity; territorial democracy and governance capacities; and social equity within places ‐ it revisits the rationale of cohesion policy, with particular attention to the geographical dynamics of economic development.

Selection in Insurance Markets: Theory and Empirics in Pictures

Abstract: Government intervention in insurance markets is ubiquitous and the theoretical basis for such intervention, based on classic work from the 1970s, has been the problem of adverse selection. Over the last decade, empirical work on selection in insurance markets has gained considerable momentum. This research finds that adverse selection exists in some insurance markets but not in others. And it has uncovered examples of markets that exhibit "advantageous selection"—a phenomenon not considered by the original theory, and one that has different consequences for equilibrium insurance allocation and optimal public policy than the classical case of adverse selection. Advantageous selection arises when the individuals who are willing to pay the most for insurance are those who are the most risk averse (and so have the lowest expected cost). Indeed, it is natural to think that in many instances individuals who value insurance more may also take action to lower their expected costs: drive more carefully, invest in preventive health care, and so on. Researchers have taken steps toward estimating the welfare consequences of detected selection and of potential public policy interventions. In this essay, we present a graphical framework for analyzing both theoretical and empirical work on selection in insurance markets. This graphical approach provides both a useful and intuitive depiction of the basic theory of selection and its implications for welfare and public policy, as well as a lens through which one can understand the ideas and limitations of existing empirical work on this topic.

An investigation of voluntary corporate greenhouse gas emissions reporting in a market governance system: Australian evidence

Abstract: – Institutional governance theory is used to explain voluntary corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting in the context of a market governance system in the absence of climate change public policy. This paper seeks to hypothesise that GHG reporting is related to internal organisation systems, external privately promulgated guidance and EU ETS trading., – A two‐stage approach is used. The initial model examines whether firms' GHG disclosures are associated with internal organisation systems factors: environmental management systems (EMS), corporate governance quality and environmental management committees as well as external private guidance provided by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for 187 ASX 300 firms. EU ETS trading is also included. Determinants of the extent and credibility of GHG disclosure is examined in the second stage where an index constructed from the GHG reporting standard “ISO 14064‐1” items for a sub‐sample of 80 disclosing firms as the dependent variable., – Firms that voluntarily disclose GHGs have EMSs (uncertified and certified), higher corporate governance quality and publicly report to the CDP, tend to be large and in the energy and mining and industrial sectors. The credibility and extent of disclosures are related to the existence of a certified EMS, public reporting to the CDP, and use of the GRI. Firms that disclose more credible information are more likely to be large and in the energy and mining, industrial and services sectors., – The paper shows that some proactive but pragmatic Australian firms are disclosing their GHGs voluntarily for competitive advantage in the current market governance system in the absence of public policy.

Toward a Theory of the Informal Economy

Abstract: Economic activity taking place within the informal sector—traditionally defined as activity unregulated by law but governed by custom or personal ties—represents an emerging frontier for management researchers with interests from alleviating poverty at the bottom of the economic pyramid to entrepreneurship, innovation, or organizational functioning in advanced knowledge economies. A substantial portion of the world's economic activity takes place informally, with many developing nations having more than one half of their output derived from the informal sector and the advanced economies witnessing an increase in informal economic activity. I review the literature in economics, sociology, political science and public policy, and management and show that defining the informal economy proves problematic; current definitions of the informal economy fail to converge around a unitary construct. I then use these disparities in the literature to generate a model of the informal economy clear enough to foster a di...

Identifying Like-Minded Audiences for Global Warming Public Engagement Campaigns: An Audience Segmentation Analysis and Tool Development

Abstract: Background Achieving national reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will require public support for climate and energy policies and changes in population behaviors. Audience segmentation – a process of identifying coherent groups within a population – can be used to improve the effectiveness of public engagement campaigns. Methodology/Principal Findings In Fall 2008, we conducted a nationally representative survey of American adults (n = 2,164) to identify audience segments for global warming public engagement campaigns. By subjecting multiple measures of global warming beliefs, behaviors, policy preferences, and issue engagement to latent class analysis, we identified six distinct segments ranging in size from 7 to 33% of the population. These six segments formed a continuum, from a segment of people who were highly worried, involved and supportive of policy responses (18%), to a segment of people who were completely unconcerned and strongly opposed to policy responses (7%). Three of the segments (totaling 70%) were to varying degrees concerned about global warming and supportive of policy responses, two (totaling 18%) were unsupportive, and one was largely disengaged (12%), having paid little attention to the issue. Certain behaviors and policy preferences varied greatly across these audiences, while others did not. Using discriminant analysis, we subsequently developed 36-item and 15-item instruments that can be used to categorize respondents with 91% and 84% accuracy, respectively. Conclusions/Significance In late 2008, Americans supported a broad range of policies and personal actions to reduce global warming, although there was wide variation among the six identified audiences. To enhance the impact of campaigns, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and businesses seeking to engage the public can selectively target one or more of these audiences rather than address an undifferentiated general population. Our screening instruments are available to assist in that process.

Burnout and Physical Health among Social Workers: A Three-Year Longitudinal Study

Abstract: The high risk of burnout in the social work profession is well established, but little is known about burnout's impact on the physical health of social workers. This article examines the relationship between burnout and physical health, using data from a longitudinal study of social workers. California-registered social workers (N = 406) were surveyed annually over a three-year period. Using structural equation modeling, the authors conducted a path analysis to test whether burnout predicted changes in physical health over time.The results showed that social workers with higher initial levels of burnout later reported more physical health complaints. Moreover, higher levels of burnout led to a faster rate of deterioration in physical health over a one-year period.The potential implications for policy and social service organizations are discussed.

Public policy networks and ‘wicked problems’: a nascent solution?

Abstract: The last two decades have seen a shift in public services organizations from hierarchies to networks. Network forms are seen as particularly suited to handling ‘wicked problems'. We make an assessment of the nature and impact of this shift. Using recent evidence from the United Kingdom (UK) National Health Service (NHS), we explore the nature and functioning of eight different public policy networks. We are also interested in whether there has been a radical transition – or not – from hierarchical to network forms.