Countermeasures to Japan's declining birthrate: history, current situation and problems

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Nishimura

PurposeSince 1974, Japan's total fertility rate has been constantly below replacement level. The purpose of this paper is to focus on Japan's low fertility issue and countermeasures that were adopted, in order to explore the reasons why the countermeasures were unable to solve the problem?Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyzes both the historical changes and the current situation of Japan's countermeasures. It also focuses on how in Japan marriage behavior and couples' fertility behavior changed during the implementation of the countermeasures from both objective and subjective perspectives. Based on results of the analysis, the paper explores the inherent problems regarding the countermeasures.FindingsThe paper shows that there is no sign that Japan's low fertility could be overcome, and puts forward three problems regarding the countermeasures. The paper suggests paying greater attention to the contradictions in the current policies and to go beyond the field of family policy and population policy to consider the following questions from a more macro perspective: (1) how to make fertility more desirable and meaningful and (2) how to encourage the related social systems to promote people's spontaneity both in marriage and childbearing.Originality/valueThe paper uses the latest data and focuses on analyzing the countermeasures from a more macro perspective rather than discussing specific problems of the countermeasures. Based on both objective data and subjective views and, given the characteristics of Japanese society, the paper explores in depth the problems regarding the countermeasures. By improving empirical knowledge, the paper seeks to contribute more generally to low fertility countries' “fertility revival”.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gayanga Bandara Herath

PurposeThis article presents a cognitive framework to study dynamic/adaptive aspects of a collection of popular fit measures used in organisation research, in an attempt to highlight what there is to be gained.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a distributed e-cognition (DEC) framework to examine the current organisational literature of fit measures.FindingsThis paper highlights that most measures have a rather narrow focus and do not address dynamic/adaptive aspects in complex social systems (e.g. organisations). To both provide a way to integrate fit measures and cover the cognition gap in this literature, this article highlights the need for a more sophisticated measure.Originality/valueThis paper provides a novel approach to examining organisational fit literature through a distributed (e)-cognitive framework.


2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 4-6

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – The great number of concepts found in literature are organized into a framework that distinguishes relevant inputs that can affect team functioning; relevant mediators for team creativity (TC) and TC outcomes. The framework is reviewed and discussed within the context of the social systems in which the team is embedded. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 63-67
Author(s):  
Peter Buell Hirsch

Purpose This paper aims to examine whether the behavior of brands during the Great Depression held lessons for the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. Design/methodology/approach A review of brand marketing and advertising from the 1920s and 1930s. Findings There are many learnings from the Great Depression that are instructive for today’s brand marketers dealing with COVID-19. Research limitations/implications The review of the literature is not comprehensive and the findings are subjective. Practical implications Today’s brands can learn a great deal from the 1930s such as to take advantage of opportunities and avoid mistakes in today’s difficult environment. Social implications By handling today’s challenges skillfully, brands can refresh relationships with consumers overwhelmed with choices. Originality/value Though there was some commentary on this subject following the Great Recession of 2009, there has been little written about the lessons in brand marketing in the current situation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Pepper ◽  
Colin Rogers ◽  
Helen Martin

PurposeAs the education of new police constables moves to degree level, this paper explores the introduction of Evidence-Based Policing (EBP) as a pillar of the evolution of the police service as a profession.Design/methodology/approachCombining a review of key literature and explorations of practice, the current situation, challenges, and benefits of the adoption of EBP as philosophy are explored.FindingsThe benefits to the police service and individuals of wholeheartedly adopting EBP are huge; however, such adoption does not come without challenges.Originality/valueThis paper provides a contemporary snapshot in relation to the process of embedding EBP across the new educational routes to joining the police service. The opportunities provided by adopting EBP as philosophy across the service will assist in supporting and strengthening the sustainability of policing locally, nationally, and internationally.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sander van Kempen ◽  
Anne van den Dool ◽  
Pirkko Lindberg ◽  
Leena Parviainen

PurposeThis paper aims to provide an overview of the current situation as it relates to library acts and prominent usage trends in public libraries in The Netherlands and Finland.Design/methodology/approachThe approach takes the form of a review of the relevant legislation, as well as statistical analysis from national library data in The Netherlands and Finland.FindingsThe findings suggest that while we can see a decrease in physical lending and literacy, we also see an increase in the number of visitors, digital lending as well as activities and events. In addition, in The Netherlands, financial support is decreasing, while in Finland, expenditures of public libraries are growing.Originality/valueThe paper draws upon various viewpoints from public libraries in The Netherlands and Scandinavia, focusing on Finland.


2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 625-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Roegman ◽  
Thomas Hatch ◽  
Kathryn Hill ◽  
Victoria S. Kniewel

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how instructional rounds contributes to shared understandings and facilitates the development of relationships among administrators. Design/methodology/approach – This mixed methods study draws on three years of data in a district engaged in rounds. Administrators annually completed a social network survey, which focussed on how often they interacted around instructional issues. Additionally, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews with a purposeful sample of administrators. Findings – Administrators have increased their participation in and understanding of instructional rounds, as well as their understanding of district initiatives. However, results are mixed when looking at the quantitative data. While the theory of rounds suggests that the process would lead to increased interactions, the authors found a statistically significant decrease. Research limitations/implications – Implications include examining rounds as part of a district’s set of formal and informal structures. Also, results suggest further examination of how turnover impacts networks. Finally, expanding the number of interviews may present a more mixed qualitative experience of rounds. Practical implications – As districts adopt initiatives based on observations, rounds can be used to support administrators’ growth in understanding these initiatives. Simultaneously, districts need to consider the purpose for both central office and building administrators and how those purposes align with protocols, norms, and practices they use. Originality/value – This paper advances the empirical knowledge on instructional rounds, which has been gaining popularity, though little empirical analysis exists of the process, how its theory of action is enacted, and how administrators experience rounds.


2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 873-890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elin Merethe Oftedal ◽  
Tatiana A. Iakovleva ◽  
Lene Foss

PurposeHow university context (UC) enhances students’ entrepreneurial intentions and opportunity recognition is an emerging topic. It is known that students learn, not only from educational programmes, but also from the context in which they are embedded. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of such context on student’s entrepreneurial intentions and opportunity recognition.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a three-dimensional institutional framework to describe UC including regulative, normative and cognitive structures. Regulative structures refer to rules and regulations, support initiatives in relation to entrepreneurship; normative structures include shared values and norms; while cognitive structures apply to knowledge among students and faculty. A heterogeneous sample of 196 respondents from five countries was used to create reliable measures of UC and to test the hypotheses with the help of regression analysis.FindingsThe findings indicate that two dimensions of UC in particular (regulative and normative) were shown to be of great importance in increasing entrepreneurial intentions and opportunity recognition among students.Originality/valueThe study contributes to this further by suggesting a reliable and theory-grounded scale of UC. Furthermore, this study adds to the discussion on entrepreneurship education by proving evidence of the importance of UC on entrepreneurial intentions. The important contribution is acknowledgement of the fact that social systems both constrain and enable entrepreneurs in their discovery, evaluation and exploitation of opportunities. The authors have established that “would-be student entrepreneurs” do not exist separately from their structural context. Attempts to understand them outside of this context cannot, therefore, fully capture their nature.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Joana Gadotti dos Anjos ◽  
Jéssica Vieira de Souza Meira ◽  
Melise de Lima Pereira ◽  
Pablo Flôres Limberger

Purpose Some recent research studies in tourism have focused on the quality of the destination. The purpose of this paper is to identify and test the quality attributes of the destination of Jericoacoara, Brazil, in order to contribute to theoretical and empirical knowledge of the subject. Design/methodology/approach This study is exploratory and descriptive in nature, with a quantitative approach, and uses questionnaires administered to 391 tourists in Jericoacoara. Data were analyzed through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Findings Results showed that the most important factor in assessing the quality of the destination is service, followed by the factors accommodation, management, destination, and, lastly, attractions. Originality/value This study is a theoretical and empirical contribution to the debate on destiny quality and a management tool for strategic planning.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 786-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristinel Roncea

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to find answers to the current issue of the audit. What has to offer classical approach of audit practice to help organizations improve their performance? What should be done for the results of an audit of the audited organization to be useful in terms of its managers more interested in improving organizational performance, effective leadership, risk management and assessing the maturity of the organization in order to take decisions and improve business than the information to confirm compliance? Design/methodology/approach – Analysis and evaluation of the management systems’ audits findings, conducted in the last ten years by two major Romanian accredited certification bodies. Findings – A complete rethinking of audits is required. The audit methods will increase, allowing auditors to use various combined methods, based on audit purposes and on the needs of the audited organization. Originality/value – The present paper is describing the current situation, found in management systems auditing and also trying to assess and predict future development possibilities.


2018 ◽  
pp. 457-466
Author(s):  
Biljana Stankovic

The paper presents the development and transformation of the Czech population policy since the 1950s. It changed from the pronatalist, carried out at a time when the Czech Republic was part of the communist Czechoslovakia, to mostly social in the time of the transition from the 1990s, and the actualization and introduction of new measures in the last decade. The measures that were defined and implemented over a certain period of time represented the state?s response to the family and reproductive behavior of the population, most often reflected in low fertility, largely determined by the current social, economic and cultural conditions. In this sense, the period of the greatest challenges came after 1989, with the transformation of the social and political system and the great economic and social changes that followed, as well as the decline in fertility to an extremely low level. At that time, family policy excluded the pronatalist incentives and benefits and only kept social measures aimed at reducing poverty and alleviating inequalities. Since the early 2000s, new measures have been defined and implemented, motivated by the need to stop and change the declining fertility trend that reached the lowest level (TFR 1.13 in 1999), by looking at the possible negative socio-economic consequences, as well as the recommendations and directives of the European Union, member of which became Czech Republic in 2004. Since 2000, the decline in fertility stopped, TFR reached 1.43 in 2011 and according to data for 2016, it was 1.63 children per woman.


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