The challenge of addressing consumption pollutants with fiscal policy

AbstractThe authors develop a theoretical model that elucidates the relationship between the quality of governance, the composition of government spending and pollution as a by-product of the consumption process. In particular, they determine the impact of government spending that alleviates market failure such as subsidies to the poor which reduce credit market failure and environmental regulations to correct for pollution externality. It is found that a shift in government spending towards goods that alleviate market failure has countervailing effects – consumption pollution rises due to increases in income, but consumption pollution also falls due to increasing environmental regulations. Conditional on the government adopting a democratic regime, the effect through environmental regulations outweighs the effect through income leading to lower consumption pollution. The authors estimate an empirical model and find that the results support their theoretical predictions.

Download Full-text

Editorial: Researching the relations between governance characteristics and sustainability

Corporate Governance and Sustainability Review ◽

10.22495/cgsrv4i1editorial ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 4-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Silvia Tommaso

Keyword(s):

Financial Stability ◽

Audit Committee ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Earning Management ◽

Environmental Responsibility ◽

Regulatory Governance ◽

Quality Of Governance ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

This issue includes the papers devoted to very topical issues ranging from the influence of corporate governance on social and environmental responsibility to the impact of audit committee characteristics on earning management; from the relationship between quality of governance and quality of assets to the linkage between regulatory governance and financial stability of nations. These are issues debated in the theoretical and empirical studies of recent years that the authors of the articles in this issue examine with reference to contexts not yet explored and/or giving rise to a number of interesting and original conclusions.

Download Full-text

Usage of Public Financial Support Services, Entrepreneurial Orientation and Sme Performance: the Case of Malaysia

Financial Internet Quarterly ◽

10.2478/fiqf-2021-0024 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 12-26

Author(s):

Mohd Nor Hakimin Bin Yusoff ◽

Fakhrul Anwar Zainol ◽

Mohamad Ismail ◽

Jati Kasuma ◽

Dio Caisar Darma

Keyword(s):

Support Services ◽

Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽

Financial Support ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Quality Of Services ◽

The Government ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Abstract SMEs have received much recognition as they continue to be the backbone in the development and economic growth of nations. This study intended to investigate how the entrepreneurial orientation moderates the relationship between the utilization of the financial support services and the firm’s performance. This study used Structural Equation Modeling to evaluate the impact of financial support services on SME performance. The sample for this study involved SMEs in Malaysia. The result indicates that financial support services significantly associated with the firms’ performance and entrepreneurial orientation failed to influence significantly the relationship between the usage of the services and the performance. The findings of this study could be useful for the government business support services providers to enhance further the quality of services and will provide an understanding of how effectively the characteristics of SMEs related to entrepreneurial orientation would help increase the effectiveness of the support services.

Download Full-text

MENGIKIS BUDAYA NIKAH SIRI DENGAN SOFT SKILL DAN LIFE SKILL

Wacana Publik ◽

10.37295/wp.v14i01.44 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (01) ◽

pp. 27-34

Author(s):

Nurul Umi Ati

Keyword(s):

Soft Skills ◽

Economic Empowerment ◽

Life Skill ◽

Soft Skill ◽

Lower Middle Class ◽

Development Models ◽

The Government ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

The initiation of the RUU Nikah Siri aims to tighten the siri marriage itself, with the hope of minimizing the number of victims, namely the number of women and their children who are victims of "the practice of siri marriage". However, the fact is that there are not a few couples who prefer to carry out unregistered marriages, especially the lower middle class, this is influenced by limited knowledge of the law, the impact it will cause and the high cost of official weddings through the government not to mention the dowry and party fees that must be issued by the bride and groom. In Indonesia, the number of women is greater than men, which eronically, the number of female illiteracy rates is still twice that of men, especially since the development models designed and used do not always pay attention to the relationship between women and men. Therefore strengthening women is very important, through improving the quality of soft skills and life skills based on skills and technology as well as home industry-based skills, it will be an alternative to sustainable economic empowerment as a way out or an alternative method of eroding the culture of siri marriage.

Download Full-text

PENGARUH BELANJA PEMERINTAH PUSAT UNTUK FUNGSI LINGKUNGAN HIDUP TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN EKONOMI INDONESIA

Quantitative Economics Journal ◽

10.24114/qej.v6i1.17533 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wawan Hermawan

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Economic Growth ◽

Government Spending ◽

Budget Allocation ◽

Growth Accounting ◽

Accounting Model ◽

The Government ◽

The Impact ◽

Environmental Functions

Economic development is measured by economic growth. Improving the economy can improve the quality of life in society, so a lot of effort from the government to stimulate the economy to grow better. The positive growth of economy has an impact on the environmental quality of life such as degradation of quality of air, water and land. The government allocates some funds to maintain the quality of the environment by the central budget allocation for environmental functions. The purpose of this study is to measure the impact of the budget allocation for the function of the environment to economic growth. The model used to achieve the purpose of the study is the regression of total government spending to economic growth. To bridge from the expenditure function of the environment against government spending and economic growth model is used Growth Accounting Model. Results of regression calculations and simulations using Growth Accounting, shows expenditures for environmental function has the effect to increase the economic growth of 0.01% if no additional growth in the rest of expenditures for environmental functions by 10% ceteris paribus.

Download Full-text

The Impact of Competitive Quasi-Market on Service Delivery in Benue State University, Makurdi Nigeria

GIS Business ◽

10.26643/gis.v14i4.5120 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 85-98

Author(s):

Idoko Peter

Keyword(s):

Service Delivery ◽

A Priori ◽

Least Square ◽

Secondary Source ◽

State University ◽

Ordinary Least Square ◽

Negative Effect ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

This research the impact of competitive quasi market on service delivery in Benue State University, Makurdi Nigeria. Both primary and secondary source of data and information were used for the study and questionnaire was used to extract information from the purposively selected respondents. The population for this study is one hundred and seventy three (173) administrative staff of Benue State University selected at random. The statistical tools employed was the classical ordinary least square (OLS) and the probability value of the estimates was used to tests hypotheses of the study. The result of the study indicates that a positive relationship exist between Competitive quasi marketing in Benue State University, Makurdi Nigeria (CQM) and Transparency in the service delivery (TRSP) and the relationship is statistically significant (p<0.05). Competitive quasi marketing (CQM) has a negative effect on Observe Competence in Benue State University, Makurdi Nigeria (OBCP) and the relationship is not statistically significant (p>0.05). Competitive quasi marketing (CQM) has a positive effect on Innovation in Benue State University, Makurdi Nigeria (INVO) and the relationship is statistically significant (p<0.05) and in line with a priori expectation. This means that a unit increases in Competitive quasi marketing (CQM) will result to a corresponding increase in innovation in Benue State University, Makurdi Nigeria (INVO) by a margin of 22.5%. It was concluded that government monopoly in the provision of certain types of services has greatly affected the quality of service experience in the institution. It was recommended among others that the stakeholders in the market has to be transparent so that the system will be productive to serve the society effectively

Download Full-text

COVID-19 Pandemic and Quality of Life among Romanian Athletes

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18084065 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 4065

Author(s):

Germina-Alina Cosma ◽

Alina Chiracu ◽

Amalia Raluca Stepan ◽

Marian Alexandru Cosma ◽

Marian Costin Nanu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Trait Anxiety ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Quality Of Life Scale ◽

Life Scale ◽

Personality Item ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

The aim of this study was to analyze athletes’ quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved 249 athletes between 15 and 35 of age, M = 21.22, SD = 5.12. The sample was composed of eight Olympic Games medalists, three European medalists, 67 international medalists, and 63 national medalists. The instruments used were: (1) COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, (2) Athlete Quality of Life Scale, (3) Impact of Pandemic on Athletes Questionnaire, and (4) International Personality Item Pool (IPIP Anxiety, Depression, and Vulnerability Scales). The results indicate significant differences in COVID-19 anxiety depending on the sport practiced, F (9239) = 3.81, p < 0.01, showing that there were significant differences between sports. The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic mediates the relationship between trait anxiety and the athletes’ quality of life. The percentage of mediation was 33.9%, and the indirect effect was −0.11, CI 95% (−0.18, −0.03), Z = −2.82, p < 0.01. Trait anxiety has an increasing effect on the intensity of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 0.23, CI 95% (.10, 0.35), Z = 3.56, p < 0.01, and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has a decreasing effect on quality of life, −0.47, CI 95% (−0.67, −0.27), Z = −4.62, p < 0.01. Gender and age did not moderate the relationship between the negative impact of COVID-19 and athletes’ quality of life. The results of the study highlighted the impact that social isolation and quarantine have on athletes’ affective well-being.

Download Full-text

The impact of regular sperm donation on bulls’ seminal plasma hormonal profile and phantom response

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-90630-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alicja Kowalczyk ◽

Elżbieta Gałęska ◽

Ewa Czerniawska-Piątkowska ◽

Anna Szul ◽

Leszek Hebda

Keyword(s):

Seminal Plasma ◽

Sperm Donation ◽

Hormonal Profile ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Different Seasons ◽

Day Of The Week ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship ◽

Positive Effect

AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the concentration of hormones in the seminal plasma, the bull maintenance system in the insemination station, and the regularity of sperm donation and the response to the phantom (libido level). An additional goal was to determine whether there is a relationship between the hormonal profile in the blood, the sperm plasma, the oxidative and antioxidant profile in the blood of bulls and the biometry of their testicles and scrotum, as well as the quality of their sperm in both different seasons and intensities of reproductive use. For the study, 220 healthy and sexually mature Polish Holstein–Friesian bulls were used. They all had normal libido and were fed equally. The animals were grouped according to the scheme: young (16–20 month/n = 60) and old (26–30 month/n = 60) including: individually housed (n = 30) and group housed (n = 30) young, old individually housed (n = 30) and group housed (n = 30) (n total animals = 120); young animals donating semen once a week (every Thursday) (n = 25) and sporadically (once every two months on a random day of the week) (n = 25), old animals donating semen once a week (every Thursday) (n = 25 ) and sporadic donors (once every two months on a random day of the week) (n = 25) (n total animals = 100). When analyzing the results of this study, it should be stated that regular use has a positive effect on the secretion of sex hormones in bulls. Higher levels of testosterone and lower levels of estradiol and prostaglandins resulted in higher sexual performance, expressed by a stronger response to the phantom. The differences in favor of regular use were independent of the bull's age. The results of our research illustrate that the quality of semen and its freezing potential may depend on the season and frequency of its collection, as well as on the age of the males.

Download Full-text

Exploratory study into the relationship between the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and fibromyalgia (FM) using a quasiexperimental design

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041947 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e041947

Author(s):

Pamela G Mckay ◽

Helen Walker ◽

Colin R Martin ◽

Mick Fleming

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽

Chronic Fatigue ◽

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Symptom Experience ◽

Fatigue Syndrome ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and fibromyalgia (FM). The hypothesis predicated that there would be no significant differences between the group’s symptom experience.DesignA quasiexperimental design. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and invariance testing.ParticipantsMales (M) and females (F) >16 with a confirmed diagnosis of CFS/ME or FM by a general practitioner or specialist. CFS/ME (n=101, F: n=86, M: n=15, mean (M) age M=45.5 years). FM (n=107, F: n=95, M: n=12, M=47.2 years).Outcome measuresDiagnostic criteria: the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for CFS/ME and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for FM. Additional symptom questionnaires measuring: pain, sleep quality, fatigue, quality of life, anxiety and depression, locus of control and self-esteem.ResultsInvariance was confirmed with the exception of the American CDC Symptom Inventory, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (p<0.05) based on five questions. Consequently, it was erroneous to conclude differences. Therefore, the Syndrome Model was created. SEM could not have tested the ACR previously, as it comprised a single data point. Thus, it was combined with these three questionnaires, increasing the data points, to create this new measurable model. Results confirmed no significant differences between groups (p=0.07 (p<0.05)).ConclusionParticipants responded in a similar manner to the questionnaire, confirming the same symptom experience. It is important to consider this in context with differing criteria and management guidelines, as this may influence diagnosis and the trajectory of patient’s management. With the biomedical cause currently unclear, it is the symptom experience and the impact on quality of life that is important. These findings are meaningful for patients, clinicians and policy development and support the requirement for future research.

Download Full-text

Improving maternal health services through social accountability interventions in Nepal: an analytical review of existing literature

Public Health Reviews ◽

10.1186/s40985-020-00147-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Adweeti Nepal ◽

Santa Kumar Dangol ◽

Anke van der Kwaak

Keyword(s):

Maternal Health ◽

Health Services ◽

Health System ◽

Maternal Health Services ◽

Policy Formulation ◽

Social Accountability ◽

The Social ◽

The Government ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background The persistent quality gap in maternal health services in Nepal has resulted in poor maternal health outcomes. Accordingly, the Government of Nepal (GoN) has placed emphasis on responsive and accountable maternal health services and initiated social accountability interventions as a strategical approach simultaneously. This review critically explores the social accountability interventions in maternal health services in Nepal and its outcomes by analyzing existing evidence to contribute to the informed policy formulation process. Methods A literature review and desk study undertaken between December 2018 and May 2019. An adapted framework of social accountability by Lodenstein et al. was used for critical analysis of the existing literature between January 2000 and May 2019 from Nepal and other low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) that have similar operational context to Nepal. The literature was searched and extracted from database such as PubMed and ScienceDirect, and web search engines such as Google Scholar using defined keywords. Results The study found various social accountability interventions that have been initiated by GoN and external development partners in maternal health services in Nepal. Evidence from Nepal and other LMICs showed that the social accountability interventions improved the quality of maternal health services by improving health system responsiveness, enhancing community ownership, addressing inequalities and enabling the community to influence the policy decision-making process. Strong gender norms, caste-hierarchy system, socio-political and economic context and weak enforceability mechanism in the health system are found to be the major contextual factors influencing community engagement in social accountability interventions in Nepal. Conclusions Social accountability interventions have potential to improve the quality of maternal health services in Nepal. The critical factor for successful outcomes in maternal health services is quality implementation of interventions. Similarly, continuous effort is needed from policymakers to strengthen monitoring and regulatory mechanism of the health system and decentralization process, to improve access to the information and to establish proper complaints and feedback system from the community to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of the interventions. Furthermore, more study needs to be conducted to evaluate the impact of the existing social accountability interventions in improving maternal health services in Nepal.

Download Full-text

Quality of Care Provided by Family Caregivers of Older People With Dementia: Measurement and Interpretations

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.496 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 152-152

Author(s):

Afeez Hazzan

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Care ◽

Older People ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Family Caregiver ◽

Primary Reason ◽

People With Dementia ◽

High Level ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Family caregivers of older people living with dementia are relatives, friends, or neighbors who provide assistance related to this condition, but who are unpaid for the services they provide. Although caregiving could be personally rewarding, many caregivers report a high level of strain. Compared to caregivers of older adults who do not have dementia, family caregivers of older people living with dementia report lower quality-of-life (QoL). In a published systematic review examining the relationship between family caregiver QoL and the quality of care provided, only one study was found to be somewhat relevant. The study suggested that the primary reason for an absence of research into the link between family caregiver QoL and quality of care was the absence of a questionnaire for measuring quality of care in dementia. Therefore, any attempt to investigate the impact of caregiver QoL on the care provided to older people with dementia must first address the lack of an instrument to measure quality of care. To address this issue, we interviewed approximately 20 family caregivers in order to elicit feedback on measurements and interpretation of the quality of care provided by family caregivers of older people living with dementia. Content analysis of the interview transcripts revealed that the quality of relationships with family, caregiver availability to provide or supervise care, and availability of paid or volunteer help are important for the quality of care provided. These results have important implications, particularly for the development of an instrument to measure quality of care in dementia.

Download Full-text